Of Fate & Forbidden Desire (The Gatekeeper Duet #1)

6. Chapter Six

Chapter Six

What do you do when your world turns upside down? -Charleene.

I don’t remember forcing myself from the front door, or climbing the stairs and falling into bed. Yet I woke up with bright sunshine shining through my still open curtains and my spare pillow hugged to my chest. Flashes of what I’d seen last night, played on repeat through my mind. Forcing me to question everything I’d known to be real. Vampires couldn't exist, because if they did it meant that the dreams I’d been having since I turned twelve were real too. Shivering even though the house was warm, I burrowed further beneath my quilt, hugging my pillow closer. My phone vibrated somewhere in my room, but I didn’t have either the energy or desire to go retrieve it. Too scared to see if it was Dina. Oh My… What if she came back here and killed me for what I’d seen? That’s what they did isn’t it? My thoughts spiralled out of control as fear took over.

Anxiety flooded my body and without consciously making the decision my fingers tapped, one after the other, against my leg, as I tried to calm my racing heart. She'd seemed so normal, how could she be a monster? I wondered, going over our limited interactions. My skin started feeling too tight, like it was shrinking, and my breaths sped up. I knew I was panicking, but what else was I supposed to do? It wasn’t every day you realised monsters actually existed. The room swayed as my breaths shortened, squeezing my eyes shut I concentrated on the soothing pattern my fingers were making against my leg. Breathe in…and…out. I told myself calmly, forcing each breath to grow longer and slower. The tingles in my fingertips subsided with each deep breath I took, and after a few more moments, my skin began to feel less tight as well .

When I was certain the panic had receded I let my eyes open, reassuring myself that there were no monsters in my room. I was safe, for now at least. Come on, don’t be a wuss and get out of bed. I scolded myself silently. Pushing upright, I felt the familiar stiffness in my muscles that came after having a panic attack, and knew no amount of stretching was going to work out the tension. So instead I grabbed my wash stuff, a clean towel, and prayed that the bathroom would be empty. Not bothering to look at my phone, I padded downstairs, flinching as my bare feet hit the cold kitchen tiles, and walked towards the small bathroom which was blessedly empty.

I wasted no time locking the door and turning the hot water tap on, letting it run until steam filled the room before I put the plug in. Wiping a small section of the mirror I gazed into my haunted eyes, noticing how they looked more like dark chocolate than their usual hazel. My skin was pale and clammy, which was no surprise, and my hair could definitely use a good brush. Yet it was the sadness which seemed to pour from my eyes that had me transfixed. I should feel horror or appalled at what I’d seen. Yet there was a small niggling part of me that kept laughing and saying you should have known, and an even smaller part that wanted me to give her the chance to explain.

Sucking in a deep breath I turned back to the bath and watched as it slowly filled. When it was half full I leaned over and turned the cold tap on, before perching on the cold lid of the toilet. I let the rising steam swirl around me as my foot tapped incessantly on the small tiles still trying to rid myself of the nervous energy. I was impatient to sink into the warm water and give my muscles a much needed soak, but was also looking forward to blocking out the world, even if it would just be for an hour. Zoning out I listened to the running water, letting the rushing lull my chaotic thoughts.

As the water reached almost to the top, I quickly checked the temperature and turned off the taps. Stripping out of last night's clothes, I stepped into the bath, sucking in a sharp breath as my cold feet stung in the hot water. Sinking down until my shoulders were under and my chin rested on the warm surface, I let myself relax. There was no noise in the house, so either everyone was still in bed or they were out. Not that I particularly cared, none of them had bothered to get close already knowing we wouldn't be best buds or anything. It was the main reason I’d picked this particular house share, everyone was nineteen or older. More mature than the houses available to first year students. Instead I’d looked at houses that were looking for second year students, I just didn’t inform them that I’d only be in my first year at twenty-one. Basking in the silence, I let myself forget for a small time everything I’d seen, pretending that all was normal, while I enjoyed the warm water surrounding me.

When the chill started nipping at any exposed wet skin and the water around me had cooled, I let out a heavy sigh. Opening my eyes I didn't move for a few moments, instead I just stared up at the cream ceiling, while gathering the energy needed to wash and get out. After brushing my teeth and using the loo, I trudged back upstairs to my room and got dressed in my comfiest pair of joggers and thickest sweater. With a pair of fluffy socks and nothing else to do with my day, I flicked on Netflix and found a rom-com I'd been meaning to watch for ages.

The day flew by with one movie after another, until I was completely watched out and the sun was turning the sky red. With a heavy sigh, I decided I’d best get dressed for work. Grabbing my last clean uniform from the hanger in my small wardrobe, I reminded myself to put a load on to wash tomorrow and quickly changed. I wasn't looking forward to leaving the house, let alone the seven hour shift I had tonight, but I also wasn't in the position to turn down the money I'd get at the end of the month by skiving off tonight.

Once I'd forced my hair up into a high ponytail, I finally retrieved my phone from the floor, where it still lay beneath my jacket from last night. Plugging it in to charge, I watched as it booted up and five messages came through, making it vibrate in my hand. They were all from Dina and each one made me shiver both in desire and fear. With a shaking finger I opened the first one from this morning.

Mysterious Girl: We need to talk. D .

My eyes moved to the next message:

Mysterious Girl: Please Charleene, let me explain.

The next two messages were along the same lines, Dina begging me to respond and talk about what had happened last night. However the fifth and final message, made my heart speed up.

Mysterious Girl: I need to make this right. I've fallen for you like a ton of bricks. You make my heart race just by being near you and I've never felt this way for anyone before. I'm sorry you saw me at my lowest last night, but please let me explain everything.

My thumbs hovered over my phone's keyboard, itching to type the words swarming through my heart. But my mind overruled it and made me relive last night's encounter again. What could she say to make this any better? I thought sadly, closing the messages and leaving her on read.

My shift was a nightmare, my low mood hadn't helped much either. I couldn't stop thinking of Dina and whatever had been growing so quickly between us, which had me distracted as people both in and out of costumes had kept swarming into the restaurant. I'd been shouted at numerous times by folk wanting a table when we didn't have any. Customers had grumbled about the wait times on food and rolled their eyes as I informed them of things we'd run out of. I couldn't believe I'd chosen to work on Halloween but then again I took any shift offered to me, without complaints. However, I felt jealous of Lily who had booked tonight off so she could go out with her housemates instead.

Conversation rumbled through the restaurant, creating a cacophony of constant noise, as my last hour came around. I was tired, cranky and my feet were killing me. It's almost over, I kept reminding myself, as I kept my fake smile plastered to my face and pushed my conflicting thoughts of Dina from my mind and focused instead on getting through the next hour without screaming at a customer.

Lily had texted me just before I’d started work, asking if I'd wanted to join her after my shift, and feeling unlike my usual self, I'd found myself texting her back with a yes. I should have probably just gone home and to bed, but after last night I needed to feel normal and what better way to feel that than going clubbing? I was barely twenty and could count on one hand the times I'd been out and let loose in a club.

Feeling nervous and excited all at the same time, I couldn't help my eyes from checking the time whenever I went to the till, even knowing it was making the last of my shift drag. When the numbers finally hit 21:00, I wanted to run to the staff area for my stuff, but forced myself to explain my remaining tables calmly and carefully to the new waitress who’d taken over from David instead. I waited for her to nod and politely wish me a nice evening, before walking to grab my bag, phone and jacket from the back.

Striding back out through the heaving restaurant, I gave the remaining staff small smiles as I silently commiserated with them on having to remain at work while I escaped. My smile grew a little more natural as I saw Lily's beaming face through the plate glass windows, and my steps sped up. Letting out a long relieved sigh, I pushed through the doors and left the noisy chatter behind.

“I can't believe you said yes,” Lily squealed in delight before throwing her arms around me in a vigorous hug.

“Me either,” I laughed back at her as she released me and wobbled on her six inch heels, “you’re going to break your neck in those. ”

“Nah, I can manage,” she responded, wobbling again and linking her arm through mine.

“So where are we headed?” I asked, needing to fill the sudden quiet with some noise after being bombarded with it all evening, and took in her skin tight black top and the shortest pair of shorts I’d ever seen. She even had a pair of black furry cat ears fixed to a dark headband and had drawn a cat’s nose complete with whiskers on her face in make-up. “Catwoman?” I asked, nodding at her outfit, which was making me shiver just looking at her.

“Yes, and Society, it’s throwing a halloween monster mash and everyone dressed up gets a free shot.” She giggled, tugging me in the direction many others were heading in, “Matt, Lincoln and Trace have already gone on ahead.” She informed me as I walked and she tottered down High Ousegate. I loved the city of York, with its old buildings, river and the ancient city walls. In some areas it really made you feel as though you'd stepped back in time. It was one of the main reasons I’d chosen to attend York Saint John University, with its blend of old and newer buildings and the city walls just across the road. It had been everything I’d hoped to find for a university campus.

“We’re nearly there,” Lily beamed as my spine tingled.

“Great I’m dying for a drink,” I uttered somewhat distractedly as I felt someone walk across my grave and couldn’t hold back the shiver.

“You ok?” Lily asked, her eyes crinkling in concern.

Forcing my lips to lift in a smile, and hugged her arm closer, “yeah, just cold.”

“It is freezing tonight,” she agreed, hurrying her clip-clopping steps so we could walk faster across the bridge and join the throngs of party-goers. “Oh, just you wait until you meet the hottie I’m hoping to convince to take me home tonight. He’s like a Greek God of pure yumminess.” Lily laughed.

She was the epitome of gorgeous, with her blonde hair and tanned skin, of course she’d have this new man wrapped around her pinkie in a second, especially with her boobs pushed so far up they were almost spilling out of the top. Shaking my head at her I almost let out another sigh as we turned onto Tanner Row. We made our way quickly up the street following the booming music from the club and I let myself relax. I needed this , I told myself, fixing a smile to my face as we joined the small queue.

“May I join you?” Dina’s voice was small and polite but it made my shoulders tense.

Opening my mouth to tell her no, Lily’s perky voice beat me, “Of course you can, the more the merrier.” She beamed at Dina who stood behind us. Rolling my eyes I turned to meet her cautious gaze and nodded once, not wanting to make a scene in front of Lily.

“Thank you,” Dina replied, giving my friend a small smile and coming to stand on my right. “How are you?” she asked me.

“I’m fine.” I replied, not really wanting to talk to her, but feeling like I should at least be civil, Lily didn’t need to know the things I now did.

“That’s good,” Dina said, “how was work?”

“Busy.” Maybe if I only gave her one word answers she’d get the hint and leave me be.

“That sucks.”

“It does, I’d hate to have been working any of Halloween, it’s such a fun night out.” Lily piped happily as we moved forwards one step at a time.

“Why do you like Halloween so much?” Dina asked, perplexed by the slight frown to her brows. “Everyone’s dressed up and pretending to be someone they're not.”

“Exactly, it gives you the excuse to become someone else.” Lily bounced as she explained.

“But if someone wanted to hurt you, you’d never know who it was,” Dina said seriously, dimming a little of Lily’s natural cheeriness.

“Well that’s…” she trailed off clearly not knowing what to say, to such a depressing thought and looked beseechingly at me .

“It’s fun to pretend for one night.” I said lamely with a shrug. I didn’t overly like Halloween for the same reason Dina had given, so I wasn’t the best person to cheer for it.

Lily shook her head after giving both of us a quizzical look and went back to being her usual self, “Come on we’re next.” She bounced and tugged my arm. The bouncer took one look at us and ushered the three of us inside. We paid the entry fee, and pushed through the double doors. The music which had been loud before now deafened me, as its rhythmic beat coursed through my body, making me smile as my head bobbed along in time. Lily wove us through the dancing crowds to a booth where a group of six people sat waving. Each of them but one was dressed in some sort of costume and wore the biggest smiles.

I noticed the “Greek God” as Lily had dubbed him and to be honest she wasn’t wrong. He had muscles to spare, longish blonde hair and a chiselled jaw that you could probably break rocks on. Pair that with his plump lips and hazel eyes and he was sex on a stick, if you were into men of course. He had a blond woman plastered to his side, as she shouted something into his ear. Noticing my gaze he offered me a megawatt smile and a small wave as we drew closer, then his eyes shifted to Dina and a small dent appeared between his brows.

Her arm suddenly wrapped across my shoulders and Dina tried tugging me into her side. Shaking my head I flicked her an unimpressed look, amused a little by the frown she was throwing at mister greek god, but didn’t dislodge her arm. It felt nice, being wanted by someone so much that they were jealous of me looking at someone else. I’d never had that before. “Do you want a drink?!” Dina leaned down and shouted in my ear so I could hear her over the music.

Nodding, I felt her absence the moment she dropped her arm and left. I knew we needed to talk about what had happened last night, but I also wanted to pretend that it hadn’t happened. Torn, I let Lily deposit me in a space on the curved bench seat and attempted to listen as she introduced everyone, but all I could hear was the thumping music, so I just smiled and nodded along. Once she’d pointed at everyone, I relaxed into the seat and listened to the songs playing, letting my shoulders move as they wished. When Dina returned with our drinks the Greek God got up and with the blonde stuck to his side disappeared into the crowd. Strange , I thought, he’d looked comfy enough on his perch at the back of the booth. Shrugging it off as me being paranoid I gave Dina a smile in thanks and took a sip of the whisky and coke she’d got me.

The coke fizzed on my tongue as the smokey taste of the whisky burned down my throat. Taking another longer drink, I shuffled over to let Dina sit beside me. The tension between us rose by the second as I forced myself not to look over at her and focused instead on the wet sticky table top, but three songs and another double whisky and coke later, I couldn’t help myself and turned to meet her dark gaze. Staring into her eyes I noticed the small rim of silver that broke the brown from her black pupil. “Can we talk?!” she shouted over the music and I knew I couldn’t put it off any longer as she broke my fake bubble.

Nodding, I waited for her to move and leaned across to Lily, letting her know I was leaving. She gave me a fake pout and sad eyes but eventually nodded and blew me a kiss. Following Dina, I shivered violently as the cold wind blew at me, chasing away the stifling heat from the club.

Breathing in the crisp, fresh air, I moved further up the street and turned to face the woman who had become a monster. “What do we have to talk about?!” I snapped at her, holding on to my anger. She took a step towards me which I matched, keeping the distance equal between us.

“We have a lot to talk about,” she started, losing the hopeful smile that had graced her lips since I’d agreed to talk with her, “but let’s start with why you ignored my messages?” I knew she was picking the easier topic, however I was having none of it as a startled, sarcastic laugh burst from me.

“I watched you, sucking someone’s,” I glanced around us and lowered my voice a little, “blood last night, like he was nothing but a bloody milkshake and you want to know why I ignored you?” I laughed incredulously.

“I don’t want to have that particular conversation here.” She said, glancing around to see if anyone was paying us any attention .

“Where do you want to have it?!” I snapped back, “somewhere private, where I can disappear without a trace?”

“Yes, No… I mean somewhere a little more private than this,” she waved her hand at the street and matched the step I’d taken back, “but not so you would disappear, I’m not a monster.” She finished giving me an unamused look.

“You’re not a monster?” I questioned, shaking my head as her sucking on that man’s neck filled it again and I once more stepped backwards, “then what are you?”

“No, I’m different from humans, but then so are you.”

“What do you mean so am I?” I threw at her my brain latching onto her stupid notion that I was anything but human. Her face crumpled, and she let out a frustrated breath.

“This wasn’t how I wanted to have this conversation,” she told me, fixing me with a soft look, “You’re not normal Charleene.” Her voice was low and filled with sympathy as she tried to yank the world from under my feet. But I knew what she was doing and refused to play into her hands.

“How am I not normal?” I went on humouring her crazy.

Exasperated with me as we stood, glaring at each other in the street, she ran her hands through her hair tugging on it in frustration. “You’re a witch.” Her words took me so much by surprise I burst out laughing at her.

“A witch?” I sneered, “Yeah I look like one don’t I.” I snapped back at her, indicating my missing hat and broomstick.

“Charleene—”

“No,” I snapped, cutting her off as my head shook, “you’re obviously crazy and deluded and need professional help. Witches don’t exist and what you did last night isn’t normal. It’s like six shades of fucked up. Just leave me alone!” I threw at her with my best icy glare, before angrily turning and striding off up the street, shaking my head at her outrageousness.

What a load of crap! I snapped inside my head, letting my feet take me further from Dina and the crazy that came with her. I wasn’t paying any attention to the street around me until I felt a soft tap on my shoulder from behind. Spinning around ready to scream at her to leave me alone, my words died on the tip of my tongue as a pair of blood red eyes stared down at me.

“A lovely woman like you shouldn’t be walking the streets alone,” his deep voice crooned and my hackles rose at it.

“I’m not alone.” I told him letting my anger cover the fear that whispered through me at the sound of his voice. I knew that voice?

“I don’t see anyone with you.” He continued, making me mimic his head as I took in the empty street I’d unwittingly paced on to. At the bottom the Aviva building towered like a dark sentinel and the shushing sound of the river drowned out my racing heart, as I noticed the lack of people. A sharp pain drew my attention back to the man and my fear grew tenfold as he lifted his thumb to his lips and sucked on it. His eyes closed in pleasure and I took the chance.

Darting towards the river I ran beneath Lendal bridge praying that I was fast enough to scramble up the steps on the opposite side. Why had I been so stupid to not pay attention to where I’d been walking? Panic built inside as I ran my steps slapping against the floor. Risking a glance over my shoulder I froze when I found the pavement empty.

“You’re the one I’ve been looking for.” His voice washed over me, and my head whipped round and found him lounging against the thick pillar that held the bridge aloft. His blood red eyes glared brightly at me, a stark contrast to his blue tinged skin,as a chilling thought rushed through my mind. I knew where I’d heard his voice before and the thought alone had my blood running as cold as the frigid wind that was whipping my hair around my face.

“My, my, all alone little witch.” He laughed at me, deepening my confusion and making my terror spike as I glimpse the twin fangs protruding into his bottom lip when he stepped towards me.

“I’m not a witch,” I screamed back at him, not knowing what else to do. Witches aren’t real, but vampire’s are? My mind reminds me as I stare at the one before me, “please, just leave me alone.” I beg as my voice wavers .

“Oh, but you are,” he drawls, “and I bet you taste just as sweet as the ones I’ve already tasted.” His words scare me to the bone, what others, does he mean the missing girls? His tongue darts out over his bottom lip as my fingers start to tingle and when he steps another step closer, I act on some long buried instinct. Crossing my arms in front of me I let the tingles grow until I can feel them spreading up my forearms and when I can’t stand the pins and needles feeling any further I thrust my arms forward.

A strange blast of energy rushes from my heart, down my arms and out of my hands and a shocking blue brightness lights up the surrounding area beneath the bridge. The vampire before me startles and stumbles back a step from the force, as I stare in stunned silence. My muscles are locked as I stare at my hands; what the hell was that? I ask myself not knowing how or even if I’d done that. No, it couldn’t have been me. Otherwise both Dina and this new vampire had been right and I was something I’d never known myself to be.

Blue ribbons of light still danced between my fingers and the tips tingled like that moment before you get a static shock of metal or another person. Those entrancing blue ribbons however told me more than anything else that the blast of energy had definitely come from me. Shaking them vigorously, I attempted to get the blue light to leave me alone. I didn’t want this power, I was a normal woman. My mind repeated over and over as my head shook in denial.

“You ok?” A sweet voice asked, drawing my attention from my hands. She’s slightly younger than me, with bright red hair and wide brown eyes. Nodding automatically at the kind stranger, I want to scream at her to leave before she gets hurt but my voice lodges in my throat as I look over her shoulder, where Dina’s squaring up to the other vampire with a damn sword of all things. She looks like she’d stepped out of the middle ages and even though I was pissed at her, I had to admit she looked hot as hell.

“I’m going to kill you!” Dina snarled at him, making my pussy flutter at the possessive tone which laced her words .

“Good little huntress, always following orders.” He mocked with a sinister grin that peeled his lips back from his teeth. Suddenly his eyes shift to the stranger beside me, “and what have we here?” He asks, nostrils flaring as they sniff the air.

“Run both of you.” Dina hisses at us, almost as if she doesn’t want the man to hear, without taking her eyes from the vampire who’s drawing in another deep lungful of air.

The stranger next to me doesn’t need telling twice as she grabs my hand in her own and yanks me after her as she takes off running back towards the tall Aviva building. “My Master will put you all in your rightful places.” He snarls after us, forcing my head to whip around and ice freeze around my heart as Dina places herself between him and us. The last thing I see of her—before my sight is cut off by the ancient stones of Lendal bridge—is that damn sword of hers swinging as the vampire with dark hair lunged at her.