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

9. Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

How is it that suddenly my life is no longer my own to control? - Charleene.

A s it turns out, there is no arguing with two surly vampires. No matter what I’d said, I still found myself bundled into a low black sports car and being driven out of York, shortly after the sun had set this evening. Dina’s hand rubbed up and down my thigh as I huffed out another deep sigh at the unfairness of this whole situation. I hadn’t asked for any of this and now my life was in tatters.

“We’ll find out who abandoned you as a baby.” Dina said suddenly, interpreting my sullen mood with the wrong reason.

“I don’t care who it was. They obviously didn’t want me, I’ve never lost any sleep over them and I’m not about to start now.” I told her.

“Then what’s wrong?” she asked, her voice curious as she switched gears and replaced her hand on my thigh again.

“All of this,” I said, waving my hand at the car but meaning how I was now being whisked away.

“We’re just trying to protect and help you,” she told me again, “your magic can be dangerous, to you and those around you, especially the humans you care for. The oldest of our kind reside in London, they’ll be able to help you.” Her tone was so earnest, that I considered what she was telling me. Maybe she was right, but leaving everything I knew to jump into the unknown still felt all kinds of wrong.

“And what if they, like The Crone of York, have no idea where I’ve come from?” I asked, needing to know what would happen.

“Then we’ll ask the London Coven to teach you control. Then, in time, you’ll be able to return to your life here if you wish. ”

“Huh,” I shrugged, not believing I’d have a life left to return to, “what’s your Coven like?” I asked, needing to change the subject before I slid into a pit of despair that I wasn't sure I’d be able to climb out of.

“It’s magnificent,” Dina said, her brow scrunching when I looked over at her.

“But?” I prompted when she didn’t continue her sentence.

She met my gaze briefly with a small smile, “they’re a bit stuffy and believe in outdated ideals,” she told me honestly.

“Like?” I asked, wondering just how much she’d tell me about them.

“Like species shouldn’t intermingle, even though they work closely with the other Supers, we aren’t allowed more than a professional relationship with each other.”

“They sound a bit two-faced,” I said, too tired to filter my responses. I’d expected Dina to get defensive once the words left my mouth but instead she laughed.

“They are and it drives me nuts.” She agreed, still smiling. I let the conversation drop at that, closing my eyes and trying to block out the world in an attempt to come to terms with the direction my life had suddenly taken.

I hadn’t realised I’d fallen asleep until Dina was gently shaking me awake. Jerking, I glanced around the small car, reminding myself of where I was. “It’s ok Charleene, we’re here.” Dina’s voice explained, as she watched me carefully.

“And where, exactly, is here?” I asked back, seeing nothing but countryside surrounding us.

“We’re just off the Barnet Way, near London. About half an hour away from where the Coven resides on the borders of Hampstead Heath,” Dina said patiently, “I thought you might wish to be awake before I drove us there.”

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I tried to get my brain to catch up, but it was lagging as I nodded and Dina started the car again. Looking out the window I was surprised as the countryside we’d been surrounded by suddenly gave way to a busy road. The noise of the cars was jarring as we re-joined the busy traffic and I watched in awe as I got my first look at a part of London. I’d never been to the capital before, never really had any inclination to see it, since it was on telly enough. The green space we’d just been in soon turned into houses that never ended, and we followed a constant stream of traffic towards our final destination. Just over half an hour later we exited the busy motorway, turning onto a quieter road and I got my first look at the Vampire’s Territory.

As we left the motorway behind an uncomfortable tingle ran down my spine and the road before me seemed to waver, like a path on a really hot day does. Then I found myself beneath tall trees, filled with autumn leaves. Massive houses with their own gated driveways lined the road and I couldn’t stop my mouth from dropping open at the sight of them. We kept on driving down the long road, which was named Bishops Avenue from the signs I'd seen as we drove. Dina ignored all the streets leading off, as I marvelled at the huge houses.

I was still angry at Dina and Tilly, however I couldn't argue with their logic. “Who lives here?” I wondered aloud, unable to help myself.

“Witches mainly, and some of the more aloof vampires.” Dina answered, flicking me a small smile as I showed an interest.

“Next you'll be telling me that Werewolves also exist,” I half joked as another grand house went by.

“Well—” Dina began.

“Nope, no. I don't want to know.” I told her, my eyes widening. “Just how much don't humans know about the world they lived in.”

“Humans know very little about the truth of the Supers that share their world,” Dina answered my unintentional question, “if they did, do you think we would be allowed to live freely?”

She made a good point. Humans—it was still strange thinking of myself as separate from them— were not the type to handle being threatened well. With that depressing thought I lapsed into silence as we continued driving towards Dina's Coven.

It didn't take long for the scenery in front of us to change and I could see a green field begin to open up at the end of the road. The houses also changed, becoming closer together and nearer to the pavement. Some had even been turned into shops and by the time we reached the end there was little space between the houses and people were milling about going from shop to shop.

“How do you keep all of this from humans?” I asked.

“The witches use a glamour on this section of the road so the human's see abandoned and derelict buildings. While we live here secretly.” Dina's voice was very matter of fact, as though she was discussing the weather instead of a secret group of people.

“Magic hides all of this?” My mouth hung open as I stared over at her and missed as she turned off the road, until the sudden dimness lengthened the shadows in the car.

“Yes, multiple witches pool their magics into the border, creating a protective bubble over our section of London.”

“That's mental,” I murmured, taking in the underground car park we'd turned into. It looked like any other but there was a small booth, manned by two men, who scrambled to push past each other in their haste to get to Dina's car as it slowed to a stop.

“Adrina, you're back.” The blonde haired man asked, his lips tipping up in a smirk as she left the car.

“Mikalous, you still down here?” Dina quipped back at him, her tone more of a growl than what I was used to, making him lose the smirk, “I'd have thought by now you would have earned your spot back amongst the hunters by now.” She glared at the man as I shrunk back into my seat.

“As grumpy as usual I see,” the second man mused, his gaze moving past Dina and locking onto myself, “and you've brought a snack.”

His words drew my attention to him as he leaned further around Dina's body and I noticed the small white points resting on his bottom lip, as his eyes flashed from a murky green to bright red.

“Touch her and I'll happily send you to your maker, Thomas,” Dina growled, moving her body to block my view of the men and theirs of me.

“Jeez, touchy much,” Thomas said, to which Dina didn't answer, before I heard the clink of metal on metal and she turned to face me.

“Come on Charleene, let's get you settled.” Her tone softened slightly, less of a growl to her words, as she addressed me. Unable to do anything but nod, I unclipped my seatbelt, and with fear pooling in my gut, pushed open my car door. “Don't you dare scratch my paintwork.” Dina growled at Thomas and Mikalous, pinning them both with a glare as I tentatively moved around the car and stood at her back.

Grabbing my hand in hers, she tugged me away from the two vampires, who stared after us wearing very different expressions. Thomas watched us with a calculating look in his eyes that I didn't like, while Mikalous looked at us with confusion, before a wide pillar blocked my view of them.

“Pay them no notice, they’re working down here in the car park as a punishment.” Dina explained, making me wonder what they'd done to be punished for.

Dina tugged me towards a metal lift, her steps brisk before she jabbed the 'G’ button and enclosed us in the small silver box. The mirror on the back wall showed me a stranger looking back at me. My eyes were shadowed, my blonde hair frizzy and my clothes rumpled. I looked nothing like my usual self and that bothered me as we stepped out into a bright, gleaming foyer. People milled about, some going to the long desk, with shining gold panelling and black lettering that announced it as ‘reception.’ While others either lounged on the comfy looking seating or left out the revolving front door.

It reminded me of the pictures I'd seen of posh hotels that I'd never had the money to afford to stay in. Dropping Dina's hand I spun around slowly on the spot, gazing at everything in turn. A grand chandelier hung from the scalloped ceiling. Sunlight streamed in through the floor to ceiling plate glass windows, hitting the jewels in the chandelier and making rainbows dance upon the white and silver veined marble floor.

My mouth hit the floor as I watched bell-hops push gold framed trolleys with luggage to and from the four lifts that were along the wall next to reception. Each person pushing them were dressed the same in smart black uniforms with silver thread depicting a logo, which I guessed belonged to the hotel.

“Are you coming?” Dina’s amused tone broke into my appreciation of the beautiful building around us and I noticed she'd continued walking towards the large desk.

“What? Are we staying here?” I whispered. Flabbergasted that I was standing in such a fine place let alone going to be staying here.

“Yes, this is the only hotel here.” Dina responded and from the crease between her brows she didn't understand my awe.

“But it's too grand a place for me.” I said, drawing next to her and glancing around again. When I looked at her again she was watching me with a mixture of confusion and concern.

"It's a hotel Charleene, how can it be too grand for you to stay in?” she asked.

“Look at this place,” I said in response, waving my hand at the lavish decoration around us, “it has a god-damn chandelier, then there's me.” I finished in a self-conscious hiss.

“There's nothing wrong with you, you're beautiful and just as deserving as anyone to stay in nice places.” Dina stated, cupping my cheek in her hand. My breaths stalled for a moment at her honest tone, and my brain struggled with the word beautiful being applied to me.

“But I'm nobody special,” I whispered, fixing my gaze on the marble floor beneath my feet.

A soft finger gently tipped my face up and Dina's dark brown eyes met my own. They searched them for something before they crinkled at the edges, “One day you'll see yourself as others do and when you do, you're going to surprise yourself.” Her kind words brought tears to my eyes but I refused to let them spill.

“Thanks but you don't need to lie, I know who…” My words trailed off as I realised that statement was no longer true. I didn't know myself did I? Trying to smile back at her and obviously not succeeding by Dina's increased frown, I sucked my feelings down and shoved them as deep as I could, “Come on then, show me more of this fancy pants hotel.”

Dina scrutinised my face for a minute or two more before taking my hand again and leading me to the reception desk and the blonde haired woman behind it.

“Do you have a reservation?” she sneered, giving me the once over and obviously finding me lacking in some way. Her forest green eyes then flicked to Dina beside me and they widened before she got herself under control.

“I don't need one,” Dina retorted, making the woman's face turn chalk white.

“No, of course not. Let me check if your usual suite is available.” The woman—Deliha, her name tag proclaimed— stumbled over her own words in her haste to get them out.

Dina didn't acknowledge her with a response, instead turning towards myself, “I'll get you settled, then I need to check in with the Coven.” I glanced around warily as she spoke about the Coven so openly. Noticing my unease, she smiled, “it's ok everyone in here is a Super.”

My heart rate slowed a little as I understood that no one was going to shriek or run away. “Ok,” I mumbled, still shaken by the receptionist's appraisal.

Deliha had us checked in quickly, as though her haste would make up for her previous blunder, and then we were, well Dina was striding, meanwhile I was more waddling quickly, towards the bank of lifts.

With a cheery ding, that was the complete opposite to how I was currently feeling, I stepped into a lift filled with so much gold, that it could only be described as ostentatious. The gold numbers on the buttons gleamed in the soft light inside the lift. A full floor to ceiling mirror, with gold framing, showed how bedraggled I looked after spending hours in a car. The floor itself looked like white marble with gold veins. The ride up was so smooth I didn't even realise we'd moved until an overly perky woman's voice announced our floor.

Dina gave me a small encouraging poke in the back as the doors slid soundlessly open and my feet refused to move. Every self-conscious thought I'd ever had flooded my mind, telling me I wasn't good enough to be in a place like this. Flashing her an unamused look, I finally convinced myself to step out of the lift and into a cream hallway with a thick soft carpet.

“There are two suites on this floor, the one we'll be staying in for now and one other that's currently empty.” Dina explained as she walked towards a pale wood door.

“Right, so we essentially have this floor to ourselves,” I confirmed, needing to fill the quiet hall with some sound.

“Yes, so you can relax, while I go speak with the Elders.” Dina gave me a reassuring look, as she slipped a key card into the device next to the door.

“I'll try,” I told her, while resigning myself to the fact that this was now my life, I might as well attempt to enjoy it.

A small beep signalled the door unlocking and when Dina pushed it open, my mouth dropped to the floor.

“You'll catch flies if you keep your mouth open.” Dina laughed, making my mouth snap shut, as she stepped inside with me following. “Through this door you'll find a fully stocked kitchenette, and that door over there,” she pointed to a door on the right handside of the room, “is your room, where you'll find a connecting ensuite bathroom.”

I zoned out at the words “your room” and found myself already moving towards where she had indicated. Carefully opening the door, I stumbled a little at the size of the massive king sized bed. It was big enough to fit three of me in it with extra room left over.

The duvet was navy blue, and when I ran my hands over it I found it was made from the softest cotton. Each pillow, and there were too many to count, had the hotel's insignia embroidered on them in silver thread. The room itself was decorated in cream walls and a deep blue carpet that I could already feel my feet sinking into. There was a tall wardrobe and a tall chest of drawers with five drawers. Far too much space for the meagre collection of clothes I'd managed to ram into a bag; they’d all fit into two drawers, tops.

“Dina!” I shouted wondering if my clothes were still in her car.

“Yes?” Dina answered, making me jump as she appeared behind me. “Sorry,” she said contritely as I turned with my hand pressed above my heart.

“Erm, it's ok just not used to that little trick yet,” I told her honestly referring to how quick she could move.

“What did you shout for?” she asked brushing over the subject.

“Oh, yes, what will happen with my clothes?” I asked, remembering why I'd called her.

“A member of the staff will bring them up for us,” she answered as a bell tinkled through the rooms, “that's probably them now and some food I ordered for you.”

I slowly followed behind Dina as she went and answered the door, letting in four staff members. One held my bag and Dina's suitcase, while two others pushed in matching silver trolleys with silver covered dishes on them. The fourth person held cutlery and…were they cloth napkins? Gosh I've really gone up in the world , I thought as he laid them out on a small table next to the window.

“I didn't know what you would want so I ordered a few different dishes for you to choose from.” Dina said sheepishly, as she took our belongings from the man who'd brought them up.

“And what happens to the dishes I don’t choose?” I asked, hating the idea that they would go to waste.

“They'll be donated to a local shelter, Miss.” My server stated, “We are proud to support our local communities and dislike unnecessary food waste.” He explained further, pulling out a chair for me.

“Wow, that's fantastic.” I was stunned; many human establishments weren't as helpful with their waste.

“Right, enjoy your meal, I'll be back soon.” Dina said, putting a dampener on my good mood that was slowly returning.

“Where are you off to?” I asked, sitting at the table.

“To speak with the Coven and update them on what happened in York and…” she trailed off.

“And me.” I filled in, nodding at her when the server placed one of the silver domed dishes before me and lifted the lid.