49: We Have A Problem

My limbs wake in a stretch only to meet resistance. Gabriel’s body is draped over mine. The first morning waking up next to him. A smile tugs at my lips as I run my fingers through his hair.

“Is it morning already?” He asks in a husky voice.

“Unfortunately. And I have to be at work soon.”

“I should talk with Phillip.” This time it’s his turn to stretch, his muscles involuntarily clenching, his arm that’s draped across my chest pushes down on me. “I’m sure he wants to know what Georgio had to say.” His arm goes slack before his fingers snake up my arm. He props himself up on his elbow, leaning over me, he moves my hair aside. He stares intently on the bite mark, his fingertips lightly circling the puncture marks. “Does it hurt?”

“No.” I lie. It stings like hell, but I’m not admitting that. “Gretchen gave me some special ointment that heals everything.”

He doesn’t ask what happened that I needed it or who caused the damage. There’s no rush of fury or concern wrinkling his brows, which may be because he already has an idea why. He may have watched it all happen. I shuffle out of bed not wanting to think about it.

We get ready quickly and Gabriel hustles me out the door with promises of breakfast, even though it’s more like lunch, on his lips. I expect Lola’s, but we head in the opposite direction. “Please tell me we are not going to the market.” I groan.

“No.” Is all he says as he continues to lead me down the sidewalk.

It’s several blocks later, on the opposite side of town, before we stop at a small cafe I didn’t even know existed. I stare in a mixture of amusement and disdain. “Droplet.” Given the fact that I had no idea this place was here and the fact that Gabriel does, along with the name. I put two and two together that this is a vampire owned cafe.

Gabriel flashes me a smile as he opens the door. “After you.”

Upon entering you wouldn’t know that you’re in a vampire establishment. Like other demizen businesses they cater to humans quite well. Several humans linger within, all with drinks in hand, some eating pastries.

The barista smiles at us and there’s an acknowledgment between the three of us. Vampire to vampire. Vampire to witch. She shows no prejudice as some denizens do and takes our order. The employees use their vampire speed and in record time our drinks and sandwiches are placed on the counter.

Just as my hand wraps around the warm cup my phone vibrates. A text message. With a quick glance, I see it’s from Gretchen. Gabriel sees it too.

“Eating at work it is.” Gabriel chimes as he leads the way to the door. He balances his own drink and our sandwiches perfectly as he opens the car door for me.

“Are there more vampire establishments that Phillip owns that are hiding right under my nose?”

He doesn’t look at me, but he smiles widely. “Droplet has three locations in town with a total of forty seven across the states.”

“He’s been busy. Getting prepared for his outing apparently.”

“You can say that.” And that’s all he says on it.

The drive to the cafe seemed extremely long, but the drive to Mystic Moon is the exact opposite. He parks outside the front and there’s a silence between us, neither one knowing what to say. I grab my foil wrapped sandwich from him and balance it on the lid of my coffee. “Thanks for breakfast.”

My free hand holds the door handle, but before it swings open he grips my arm that holds my cup and I’m more than thankful that it has a lid on it. “I’ll see you later.” He leans in and gives me the softest kiss. Compared to last night it feels as if he didn’t even touch me.

“You know where to find me.” I flash him a smile before exiting the car and walking straight into the shop. More than anything I want to turn back and watch him go, but I retain some control over my racing heart.

Monty greets me at the front counter with a frazzled smile, messy hair and rumpled clothes. Several garage bags line the wall behind the counter. Two of the nearest bookshelves are nothing more than a pile of scrap wood and a section of the glass cases are smashed out.

“The boyfriend isn’t staying?” Monty asks instead of telling me what’s going on. She picks up my cup that I just set down and inhales the coffee scent. “You didn’t bring me any? It’s been a day already.”

“I can see that. And Gabriel has things to attend to.” And apparently so do I.

“I’m sure he does?” She eyeballs me with a wicked gleam. Her gaze only briefly stops on my neck, on the scarf that hides the bite mark as Gretchen’s ointment needs a few more applications before completely healing it. “You are going to be wishing that he stayed today.” Monty says without an ounce of teasing in her tone.

Just as the word ‘why’ is about to exit my mouth a loud, guttural scream echoes throughout the shop. “What the hell was that?”

“The reason why Gretchen messaged you. We have a problem.”

“Ya think?”

“She’s in the basement. Good luck. I’m on lookout to shoo any customers that come by.”

There’s an internal tug and pull going on deep inside me. Part of me wants to see what is going on and part of me just wants to eat my sandwich and enjoy my coffee while it’s still hot. “Do not eat this.” I point my finger at her as I say it.

“Fine, but it’s gonna go cold,” she chimes with a shoulder shrug.

I take a step away and both of our eyes go to the sandwich. I narrow my gaze at her while she gives me a sweet smile. She mouths the word, promise, as she visibly crosses her fingers. I know she’s just teasing me, but then again there’s a part that knows her too well and that part won’t be surprised if there’s a huge out of the sandwich when I get back.

Gretchen’s door is cracked open, but I keep going, heading down the hall to the basement. More moans and growls sound from below. The light illuminates a small portion of the room, but it flickers every so often.

My feet falter as I descend the steps. The air is cold, but gets painfully cold the further I go. A soft dusting of frost layers the railing and the shelves and the boxes. My hopes of eavesdropping on the conversation before getting pulled in goes out the window when Gretchen immediately rushes at me the moment my foot hits the floor.
“Hazel. Thank God you got here so quickly.” She ushers me further inside “I need your help.”

I don’t look to Gretchen as my eyes are glued on the individual tied to a chair. The man twists and turns at unnatural angles. The deep animalistic snarls don’t sound real as they come out of his mouth. His head whips around to look at me, his eyes are all whites and his lips are black from frostbite setting in. His smile stretches his face in a horrific way.

Gretchen’s hand rests on my shoulder and my eyes break away from the man. “We need your help.” I follow her barely noticeable nod directed at the other side of the room. Two members of her coven, Aesha and Harlot, and two-timing coven member, Brooklynn stand in wait.

Brooklyn stands with her arms over her chest not pleased with having to be here or not pleased that she can’t fix it. Maybe she’s not pleased that Gretchen insisted on my help. Honestly, we’re probably thinking the same thing, of all the people why does it have to be me.

“What is going on.” My words are nothing more than a whisper. The cold air slowly edging it’s way through my clothes.

“He’s possessed.” Gretchen says with a seriousness that’s hard to take seriously.

“And...you need me, why?” This isn’t my forte. If anyone would be able to reverse this it would Gretchen and her coven. “Did you see if Jezmin can help?”

“Don’t even get me started on her.” Gretchen huffs. “She showed up almost immediately after he arrived and stood in the corner and laughed at us while we were struggling to tie him down. I banished her the second I could.”

My eyes flicker back to Brooklynn. At least she’s seeing first hand the trouble her and the coven are causing.

“And you need me why?”

“To go into the dream realm and separate the two entities.” She says it as if it’s an easy thing to do.

“No....” With more determination, I repeat that simple word, “no.”

“Hazel,” she grabs both of my arms and shakes me until my eyes look at her and only her, “he will die if you don’t help him. We’ve tried everything. It’s just too strong.”

“It. A demon?”

“That’s what we first thought, but no. It’s just a spirit.” Her eyes glance over at the man who still struggles against the binds on his wrists and ankles. “A hateful, disrespectful, abnormally strong spirit.” Her eyes land back on me. “Please Hazel.”

“Fine.” I groan. “But if I die because of this, I’m coming back to haunt you.”

“That won’t be happening.” She squeezes my arms with a forced smile on her face. “Girls. Circle up.” The others join Gretchen in creating a circle around the man. “A protection circle. Extra support.”

I step into the center of the circle, joining the man. His head hangs down lifeless, but quickly snaps up, his white eyes meet mine. He flashes me that horrendous smile again, but this time I notice his teeth and lips are tinged red. Blood.

“Hazel.” My name on his lips sends a shiver down my spine. It’s like the reaper of death calling your name. Time stands still for who knows how long. “The witch that everyone thinks can save this meat bag.” Another flash of a bloody smile. “He’s mine now, girl.” He spits a glob of red salvia at my feet.

Great. This is gonna be fun.