The Childe (2 page)

“Enough Andrei!” Valdir growled through clenched fangs. “Now what of this energy?” He asked, staring intently into her eyes.

“I sense…I sense, the presence of…a Childe,” she murmured weakly, drained from the infliction and recession of the pain.

“That cannot be possible! No one would dare disobey the laws set forth by the Parliament!” Andrei argued.

“Well apparently, someone has,” she sneered, regaining her composure.

“Did you see it, did you see the Childe? What did it look like?” Valdir asked with a sense of urgency in his voice.

“It was a girl. She had long black hair. I could not see her face, it was covered. She was dressed in a royal gown…I think. And she was surrounded by Corinthian columns. It all happened so fast. I just caught a glimpse,” she replied with frustration.

“It would seem you are losing your touch old girl,” Andrei commented.

Lisbeth growled and propelled herself at him. Andrei prepared for her impact, baring his fangs and outstretching his arms. Valdir grabbed Lisbeth by the waist and pulled her from the air just before she landed on him. “We have no time for these games! We must make haste and find this Childe!” he barked, holding a struggling Lisbeth who was shaking with rage.

Smoothing down and dusting off his black brocade tailcoat, Andrei glared at her. “This will not please Cain in the slightest! He will not be in the best of moods if we wake him from his slumber! If in fact, this is the truth!”

“We shall find out first. Then The Parliament will decide if Cain should be disturbed!” Valdir’s cold voice echoed through the room. “He left me in charge and this will be my decision and no one else’s!”

“I shall go to my brother Lucien and see if he has felt the same as I,” Lisbeth announced, struggling to gain her composure once more.

“No. Andrei will go. You are too valuable as our only seer. He shall find out from Lucien the information we need.”

“But-”

“We shall have no further discussion of this matter Lisbeth! And no mentioning this to The Parliament until we are certain it is true!” he said sternly as he turned and stormed out of the room.

1

Red Freak

“Marsha, just go! Something’s wrong with me…I feel strange!”

”Johnny what’s wrong? Johnny what’s happening? Your hair is growing and your finger nails…Oh Johnny, I’m so scared!”

“Marsha! Run! I’m changing! OW OW OWOOOOO!”

“No! Johnny! AHHHHHHH!”

As the credits began to roll on the film
Werewolves from Outer Space
, the laughter from Cat and her three childhood friends filled her quaint attic bedroom. Her room looked like a typical girl’s room except for the dog eared horror movie posters that were plastered across the light orange walls.

Amanda hit the power button on the TV remote and sprang into a sitting position on Cat’s bed. “Trust you to find the worst movie in the entire store Matthew!” she exclaimed, grabbing the nearest pillow and chucking it at the tall and slender token male of their group.

“Hey! Watch it!” Matt moaned smoothing down his sandy blonde hair after being hit full force by the pillow. “The movie wasn’t that bad, we’ve seen worse,” he continued, tossing the pillow back at her.

“Yeah right! Those werewolves looked like German Shepherds! One even looked like he was licking that girl to death!” she argued.

“Alright guys, I’ll settle this. Who here thinks this is the worst film we’ve ever seen?” Cat asked facing the group. “Show of hands! No not two hands, only one,” she said, chuckling as she looked at Amanda. Three hands rose in the air.

Defeated three to one,
Matt thought while rolling his eyes
.
“I guess there’s no accounting for taste in this room,” he stated while putting the DVD back in its case.

“So Cat, aren’t you like totally psyched about tomorrow? You finally get to go slumming with us public school kids!” Amanda asked sarcastically while playfully pushing her.

Cat groaned, “I was beginning to think the parentals were never going to say yes. I don’t think I could’ve handled
snobsville
Madison Prep any longer. I’m just glad that Julie is tagging along too. Although, lately I’m not so sure she’s happy about it. She just seems more distant and quiet. Have you guys noticed anything different about her?” she asked, looking around at the group.

“Julie’s always quiet. Why are you girls always so dramatic?” Matt replied ducking as another pillow flew at him.

“I don’t want to go to high school!” Elle moaned hiding her face behind her long brown hair, shielding her metal clad mouth as she talked. “How am I going to remember seven classes? I wish I could just skip high school altogether!”

“Me too! Just the thought of more school is bad enough. But now, here we are, bottom feeders again. Puny fish in a big pond full of sharks!” Matt sighed dramatically.

“It’ll be okay Elle.” Cat reassured her shy friend, ignoring Matt’s ramblings.

“No it won’t! Why couldn’t I’ve gotten braces when I was two, not fifteen? I mean, seriously! If I wasn’t already considered enough of a freak, now let’s add mouth metal. Eeeek! I’ve got to pee!” Elle squeaked, jumping up and running to the bathroom.

Poor Elle
,
she needs a boost in the confidence department pronto,
Cat thought
.

“I swear that girl pees more than anyone I know. I hope there’s a bathroom every five feet at school, otherwise she’ll be screwed,” Amanda said as a buzzing sound came from her pocket. “It’s my mom, texting again!” she groaned, rolling her eyes as she looked at her cell phone.

“Your mom texts?” Cat asked.

“Yeah, I taught her how to, but I’m kind of regretting it now. The woman is so technologically challenged,” Amanda replied, turning over on her back and pressing buttons on her cell. “I mean, I love her and all but she’s hopeless. She’s trying to bond with me, but she’s totes going overboard.” Everyone laughed including Elle, who had reentered the room. “Well I’d love to stay and watch another horror masterpiece,” Amanda announced sarcastically closing her phone and looking pointedly at Matt. “But if I deciphered the text correctly, I need to get my butt home ASAP.”

“Yeah, I’d better get going too. Big day tomorrow you know,” Matt drawled unenthusiastically.

“I’ve got to go mentally prepare myself. High school! Great, a whole new venue to feel out of place and humiliated,” Elle murmured as she hugged Cat goodbye and followed the rest of the group out of the room.

Later that night, Cat stood on the balcony outside her bedroom window listening to the trees rustling in the cool night breeze. The sound of leaves and twigs skittering across the paved road chasing the wind, followed shortly after. The full moon glowed brightly through the gaps in the blanket of clouds that hung overhead, illuminating Nehalem Avenue below. Careful not to slip, Cat ascended the wrought iron ladder to the roof, her favorite place to be at night.

Gazing at the trees surrounding her house, Cat noticed a golden form dash out from the Sitka spruce that stood towering in her front lawn. It was the stray cat Jewels. The feline’s nightly visits began six years ago and their friendship had been fast and firm. Looking like a miniature lioness, she had arrived at Cat’s bay window, collarless. She had no idea where Jewels went after her visits, but it was obvious to Cat that she was well cared for. Jewels stretched and then leapt effortlessly onto her lap. To Cat’s surprise her fur was dry. “Hey Jewels, I see you missed the rain tonight.” Jewels purred, as if to reply. “Well, tomorrow’s the big day.” Cat sighed, running her fingers through the feline’s velvety fur. “Finally I’ll have a normal life. Astoria High, I still can’t believe it. All the pleading and begging with the parentals has paid off. No more teasing from Taylor about going to a private school! You should be glad you don’t have a brother Jewels, they’re such pains. I’m so over being called the
Silver Spoon Privileged One
.”

Jewels sprang out of Cat’s lap, staring intently into the dark woods as if watching and waiting for something. Chin in hand,

Cat watched her. “What do you see out there, girl?” she asked, grinning as Jewels turned back to look at her. “You are such a smart kitty, you understand what I’m saying, don’t you?”

Jewels’ golden eyes stared into hers.
“Meow, meow, meow,”
she replied.

The slam of a car door down below interrupted Cat’s musings. “I’m so worried Sam. Why can’t Aldon find any answers?” The familiar voice of her mom drifted up to the roof. Cat carefully climbed down the ladder and peered over the third floor balcony railing to watch her parents walking up the path.

“Honey, we have to be patient. He’s trying his best. It’s not like he can ask directly, he doesn’t want to arouse suspicion,” the deep voice of her dad replied.

“Are you sure we’re not making a mistake by letting Cat go to that school?” A shiver ran down Cat’s spine from the fear she heard in her mom’s voice.

“Taylor and her friends will watch over her. She’ll be fine.” The voices faded as they entered the house. Sitting down on the wrought iron bench outside her window, Cat thought about what she just heard.
What was that about Great Uncle Aldon? What answers does he need? And who is he afraid will become suspicious? Adults can be so complex sometimes
. She had no idea that going to Astoria High was causing her mom so much worry, but she would show her that everything would be fine.

The old stairs leading to Cat’s bedroom creaked and a knock at her door announced her mom. Cat peered through the balcony bay window into her room at the look on her mom’s face. “Come in sweetie you’re going to catch cold in that paper thin night gown. Where’s your robe? Did you guys enjoy your movie tonight?” Rachel Colvin rambled on, frown lines marring her beautiful face.

Cat smiled. “My mom always the worrier. And no the movie was horrible. Quite possibly the worst ever!” she replied while climbing back into her room. Picking up her favorite pink robe that had definitely seen better days, she slid her pale slender arms into the sleeves and tied the belt. “Mom, why are you so worried about me going to school tomorrow?”

“What makes you think I’m worried?” Rachel murmured unconvincingly, looking off to the side and not at Cat.

“Mom, come on, you’re fidgeting. You only fidget when you’re worried,” she stated, trying to make eye contact with her.

“Oh you know me, Mrs. Worrywart. I know you’ll be fine,” Rachel said finally looking Cat in the face. Cat could tell by her mom’s eyes that she was fearful of something. She only wished she knew what.

“Is this a private party or can anyone join in?” They both turned and were surprised to see Cat’s dad, Sam, filling the doorway to her room. A handsome man with kind smiling golden brown eyes and just a touch of grey at his temples.

“Whoa dad, we didn’t even hear you. Did you tip-toe up the stairs?”

“I guess those ballet lessons have finally paid off,” he laughed. Cat’s vision of her dad in a tutu made her giggle. Her mom joined in.

“Dad, please tell mom I’ll be fine tomorrow. What could possibly go wrong? Sure, I might go to the wrong class, or not be able to open my locker, or drop my lunch tray. But these are all minor issues,” she said trying to reassure her mom.

He shrugged, “I’m trying to convince her, but I feel it’s a hopeless cause.”

Rachel glared at her husband, “somebody has to do the worrying around here, and since I’m the only grounded one in this family, it falls on me.” Cat watched as her dad gracefully pulled her mom into his arms. Leaning her back, he planted an exaggerated sloppy kiss on her lips. Playfully pushing him away, Rachel smoothed down her shoulder-length golden brown hair, kissed Cat on the forehead, stroked Jewels and walked to the door. Looking over her shoulder, she smiled. “Pleasant dreams sweetheart, I love you. Come now Samuel, let Cat get to bed. She has a big day ahead of her tomorrow. And has no time to waste talking to you anymore tonight.”

“Oh woman you’re asking for it,” he joked. “I love you too, of course more than your mom,” he said with a grin. “Hey woman wait up, I want to talk to you!” he yelled while walking to the door. Giving Cat a wink, he followed Rachel’s tinkling laughter down the stairs.

“Jewels, they may seem crazy, but I guess worrying just comes with the parental territory. But you’ve got to love them, huh?” The feline stretched, meowed, leapt off the bed and out the window without looking back. Jewels had never made an affectionate exit and Cat, used to her ways, smiled at her abrupt departure.

Feeling a cold draft, Cat closed her bay window and headed to the bathroom to begin her nightly ritual. Foregoing the harsh overhead fluorescents, she plugged in a nightlight which allowed her just enough light to see her reflection in the mirror. Turning her attention to her face, she saw porcelain skin, which was her mom’s description. Most people would’ve just called her pale. Removing her contact lens uncovered what only a select few knew about her. Her left eye was amber colored. Her right eye was sky blue. No one could explain why after having two blue eyes for fourteen years, her left eye began to change color. What started as only a tiny amber spot, quickly spread, engulfing her iris over the course of a year.