'Dixie'

Desmond:

“They did that to Amelia the morning after I appeared out-of-nowhere from that ‘place’.” Flinching back at the sudden shift in mood as her growling snarl echoed through the massive room, rolling over the glass surfaces in a haunting embrace.

“Speaking of that, how did you manage to appear at the villa?” Curiosity killed that fucking cat, but it was still one of the biggest questions lingering in the back of my mind.

“After the repeated beatings, verbal taunts, and emotional slandering, Titan appeared saying something about knowing why he’s called Titan, dragged to this dirt floored cell with barred walls as a blonde Russian Hulk paced around. I was overpowered, on the brink of suffocating because his hands were choking the air from my lungs, but something snapped when Titan and the others yelled for him to ‘do it’ and his body shifted into a massive reddish-brown bear.” Snarling out a hiss, setting the poor tea cup aside before it became my victim, quickly rubbing my trembling hands along my thighs as she sat poised and collected sipping her tea.

“I was terrified staring at that massive beast, but aggravated, enraged they would do this to me, to anyone, smacking his snout away as he grew violent in rage. I managed to stand my ground, slamming my elbow into his shout as he charged at me, causing him to back off which angered him more as he went after Bain. Something about ‘you said she was human’ then Bain got involved because I had enough of his shit, his families shit, all of it, getting sassy with him which he always hated when we were dating. His bear was massive, swiping at the ground aggressively then everything froze in time as a majestic voice spoke ‘Rise’. I felt this intense energy swirling around me and when everything unfroze, I remember snapping my hands back thinking of ‘home’ and I appeared inside my bathroom at the villa.” Stunned silent, cupping my chin with a ‘hmm’ in response as she looked at me with a soft blue glowing across her eyes.

Pointing to my eyes as she shook her head, closing her eyes as she exhaled slowly controlling her breathing.

“Sorry, it’s still all so new to me. I forget how intense my emotions can get, which triggers the glowing.” Her airy laugh eased my trembling rage as she leaned forward refilling her tea with two sugar cubes, gently stirring before swiping the spoon softly along rim.

“You have a very graceful etiquette young lady.” Pointing to her hand as she placed the spoon on the napkin, looking up with a perked brow and tilted smirk.

“I was always called ‘prissy’ for the way I did things, but it’s so annoying when people clink the glass man handling the poor spoon, and the slurping sips, don’t get me started on how aggravating that is.. DAMN IT!” The tea cup exploded in her hands as the glass shards and steaming liquid froze in the air before landing all over her lap. Quickly grabbing a napkin, ‘poofing’ over to her to wrap it around the dancing wet destruction before it unfroze, soaking the napkin.

“What just happened?” She looked spooked, looking at her hands then to the soaked napkin in my hand as a deep blush dusted along her cheeks and chest, hiding her face in her hands.

“Sweetheart, look at me. This is nothing to worry about, it’s just a good example that we need to help you focus on controlling your emotions. You were remembering being teased for your graceful etiquette and the annoyance that aggravates you. Your powers are connected to you. You said you thought of ‘home’, then you appeared inside your shower at the villa because to you, that’s where you feel at ‘home’ now. Everyone around you has had years of experience with their powers and shifting abilities so now we just need to get you up to speed with your powers. Being pregnant with four babies is going to wreak havoc on your emotional state, but there are things you can do to vent those heightened emotions.” Noticing a deep laceration on her palm as the smell of metallic sweetness wafted through my senses, shaking off the bloodlust that trickled through my body as she lifted her hand up in freight.

“Oh No!” Her swirling blues watered heavily, reaching for a clean napkin. Halting her hand in mine as we watched the small flickering of white sparkles slowly close the wound, leaving behind a crimson puddle inside her palm.

“See, what were thinking about?” Slipping the napkin from her hand, dipping it in the pot of hot water, gently cleaning away the blood as her fingers curled in over the healed flesh.

“Well, you are a vampire, and this is your castle, full of vampires. I didn’t want to cause any problems with the scent of blood, and I knew I needed to take care of it quickly.” Kissing her forehead gently, smiling at her dazzling blue eyes as my heart ached for her.

She was such a genuine creature, caring about others when she was the one who needed care, but she knew she had to address the wound quickly. Cursing those monsters that hunted her, abused her, and left her mentally scared but we can fix that.

“Desmond, I’m worried I’ll hurt the ones I care about with my crazy emotional outbursts. I was already emotionally volatile then when my memories came back after the kidnapping…” She broke down in my arms, crying into my chest as her fingers curled tightly into my shirt.

“Shu…sweetheart. What do you remember?” Shifting her into my lap as her sobbing breaths vibrated against my tight chest, brushing her silky locks away from her soggy face.

“I-I w-was fourteen…it w-was a game to them. All I wanted to d-do was go home and it was r-right there through the trees. My ‘safe place’ was right there, and t-they attacked me. I screamed out but my voice was trapped as their fangs sank deep into my flesh, locked inside my mind as the blistering heat ripped through me like it was some kind of napalm acid.” Tucking her further into my chest, shaking in rage as the boys stood dumbfounded in the doorway. Waving to them to stay there as her fingers clenched tighter to my chest.

“Sweetheart, who attacked you?” Rocking her back and forth to soothe her agonizing memories, kissing her forehead softly.

“Those BASTARD Brothers! They thought I had passed out from the pain, but I had to close my eyes from the blinding haze of the darkness. I heard them complaining about me being on my period, calling me a ‘swine whore’ feeling like my flesh was going to peel off by how hard they shoved me up against the trees. The whole time I was screaming and crying against the crippling pain that ripped at my flesh, but the only thing visible was the acid-like tears slicing down my cheeks. Bain assaulted my butthole, while Peyton shoved his dick down my throat. I couldn’t do anything but watch and feel, while screaming in silent torment.” Hugging her tighter to my chest, feeling my heart shattering for her as the boys paced erratically in the hallway.

“It was like something shut-off. I don’t remember limping home after I woke-up on the ground or sneaking into the apartment to shower. Everything just vanished behind a thick layer of darkness. If I had remembered any of this, you bet you fucking ass I would have hunted them down. My Remington barrel would have been shoved so far up their asses, they would have been able to blow that cold steel pipe, while humming ‘Dixie’.” Chuckling against her head as her body slowly relaxed into soft giggles.

“I would have enjoyed that.” Laughing out, picturing them both hunched over with a Remington sticking out from their asses humming the ‘dixie’ tune.

“I can’t believe I dated that Douchebag. That whole time we were together he knew what they did to me, making little jokes about popping my ‘butt-cherry’ while pressuring me to sleep with him. Thank the Heavens, I kept my head straight and turned him down repeatedly, but I alienated LC and Bailey for their constant arguing about me dating him.” Cupping her chin as her misty blues looked deep into my soul, snatching the very breath from my lungs that would have saved me if I was a human.

“You did nothing wrong but be a teenager like all the other teenagers that defy their parents. Whatever caused you to suppress those memories, did it to protect you from veering down the wrong path. I have a strong belief that if you had remembered what they had done to you, you wouldn’t be the ‘ray of sunshine’ that you are today. Yes, what they did to you is unforgivable and they will pay for every second of it, but you continue to follow that light that burns bright within your heart. These little ones deserve every ounce of ‘sunshine’ you have to give. Understand?” Wiping away the stray tears that trickled down her cheeks, motioning to the boys to enter as she spun around in surprise, knocking me back as she jumped into their warm embraces.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.” She cried into their chests as they kissed her forehead, whispering to her as she looked up to them with a bright smile.

“Who do you think we talk to when our ‘past’ creeps up on us?” Chris cupped her cheek with a soft kiss as she cupped his hand in hers, nuzzling into his warmth.

“That’s me. Dad, Therapist, Husband, Friend, and King. Soon-to-be grandfather.” Pointing my finger at her smiling face, winking at her playfully.

“Here Kitten. Your phone has been vibrating non-stop.” Elias handed over her phone as she happily took it, swiping up on the screen as her smiling face dropped into a sinister frown with glowing blue orbs as a fiery golden mist swirled around her body.

“DAD GET OUT OF HERE!” The boys shouted out in fear as they circled around her, quickly poofing down the hall as a fiery blast ripped through the solarium, rolling down the hallways in fiery wisps of scorching heat.

“BOYS! ELICIA!” Covering my face quickly as the blinding wall of fire singed and charred my exposed flesh.