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

11. Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

How can life feel so perfect and strange at the same time? -Charleene.

T hree days had gone by seamlessly while I’d eaten the best food I’d ever tasted and Dina had explained more about how the supernatural world worked. From the laws which governed her kind, to how a Witch’s coven worked and had even included a brief summary of how the Vampire’s believed each creature had been created. It was all quite fascinating, and the more I found out, the more excitement replaced my anger. I softened towards Dina a little more, understanding how in the little time we’d actually known each other she hadn’t been able to tell me anything about this unbelievable world. I was starting to return to my more usual sunshiny self. That was, until a stooped man with greying hair tied at the base of his skull with a black ribbon and wrinkles arrived at the door to our suite this morning.

He hadn’t stayed long, just long enough to hand Dina a letter and utter a single sentence, “They’re ready for her now.” I didn’t know if I’d been supposed to hear them, with how quiet his voice was, but they sounded ominous enough and when Dina turned back to face the room after he left, she was frowning.

“What did he mean?” I asked her.

“The Council wants to see you,” she answered distractedly, looking down at the cream coloured letter in her hand.

“And the Council are who exactly?” I probed not liking the sound of their title.

“It’s made up of five of our Coven’s eldest vampires: Bertrand, Micheal, Cain, Constance and Reginia. They govern all of the United Kingdom’s Vampires.” She finished, meeting my gaze and crossing to the table where I’d been eating some amazing American style pancakes with Maple Syrup and bacon.

“Well they sound like a hoot to have at a party, but why do they wish to see me? I’m not a vampire.” I joked, trying to raise her spirits a little. I’d been enjoying the more fun loving than scowly Dina, and didn’t want her to leave just yet.

“They wish to see you because somehow you’ve grown up not knowing you were a witch.” Dina explained, slipping back into her seat and ripping open the letter she still held.

“Oh and will they help me?” I asked, not liking the seriousness of her tone, as she unfolded the letter and began reading it.

“It looks that way,” Dina said after reading the letter carefully and laying it down before me.

Charleene Murry,

You are hereby summoned to appear before the Council of Five. You shall be escorted by Adrina McDougal, Huntress of the London Coven, and shall be assessed by; The Maiden, Mother and Crone of England’s most prestigious and oldest Witch Coven. Please be present at the Council Chambers before noon on the sixth of November.

The Council of Five.

There were five swirling signatures on the bottom of the small letter. “And there’s no ignoring this?” I asked, not really hoping. The need to know the person I should have been was beginning to gnaw at my mind. I wanted to know who’d abandoned me as a child and I wanted to know why.

“No, if you do, they'll hunt us down.” Dina answered, making me smile.

“Us?” I asked.

“Yes, us. Because if you choose to run, I’ll go with you.” She all but whispered and looked around furtively, “I’ve become strangely attached to you.” She continued making my smile grow wider.

“As I have of you.” I told her, feeling emboldened by her words, “So what do I wear to meet the Council of Five?” I said, wiggling my fingers as I said their name, which drew a snort of a laugh from Dina.

“Something smart.” My face fell at those words. All I’d packed into my bag was a couple of pairs of jeans, five t-shirts and some underwear. All of which needed washing. “We can go shopping if you’d like?” Dina said, watching my face carefully.

“Really?” I asked, feeling like we’d been cooped up in these rooms for weeks instead of days.

“Yes, really. I’m sure the rest of Bishop’s Ave has heard about you being here and are dying to get a glimpse. Gossip spreads fast around here and no-one is a bigger gossip than Jonathan.”

“Who?” I asked with a smile.

“Jonathan, the head concierge, who’s been waiting on us since we arrived.” Dina laughed.

“Ohhhh,” my mouth made an ‘o’ shape as I let the word draw out between us, “so shopping?” I said, returning to the main task at hand and bouncing in my seat.

“Not until you’ve finished your pancakes, Jonathan will have my head if they’re not all eaten, let alone the Chef.” She looked aghast at the very thought of the Chef seeing my plate returned barely touched, made me giggle as I hurriedly lifted another forkful to my mouth.

Shovelling in my stack of delicious pancakes, I had them finished in about ten minutes and with my stomach fit to bursting, I rushed to my room for my last lot of clean clothes. Quickly dressing, I dragged a brush through my hair, before securing it in a high ponytail. Going back to the main room, I couldn't sit still as excitement bubbled through me. Instead I packed my small bag, triple checking that I'd included my purse as I waited for Dina to join me.

I was just in the process of checking my bag again when she walked into the room. She was wearing black skinny jeans which made her legs look longer and a floaty black, short sleeved shirt. “Aren't you going to be cold?” I asked, eyeing the short sleeves sceptically.

“No, I don't feel the cold or heat from the weather, but if it makes you feel better I'll put my jacket on.” Dina smiled and winked at me, “are you ready?”

“Yes, please,” I said, slinging my bag strap over my shoulder and bouncing on my tiptoes like an excited child. It had been a while since I'd gone clothes shopping for myself, instead of saving every spare penny I had for rent, food or books for my courses. Having no family to lean back on made a person fiercely independent and in my case had made me adhere to a very strict budget which hadn't included unnecessary clothes.

I peppered Dina with questions about the types of shops they had here in Bishops Ave, as the lift made its silent descent to the hotel lobby. She answered each of them patiently, even as we walked through the lobby and out the revolving glass doors. Weak sunshine peered through the clouds, making the day seem warm for November and I was already regretting putting my thick jacket on. People were already milling about, going in and out of shops even though it was still quite early.

Eyes followed us as we walked, putting me a little on edge at the unwanted attention. “Why are they staring?” I asked, as another couple of people watched us.

“News travels fast around here, and they've all heard about the unknown witch who's staying at the hotel.” Dina whispered back, not making me feel any better.

Gratefully, a few buildings later Dina indicated a small shop front, its painted sign declared it to be ‘Barbara's Bazaar’ and Dina held the door open for us to go inside. Other than the woman behind the till, it was blessedly empty and I was able to browse through their selection of clothes without being bothered. It had an interesting selection of big named brands and small homemade stuff which I'd always loved. Flicking through the racks I found a heap of clothes to try on, including a cute looking shirt and long black floaty skirt which Dina said would be perfect for my meeting with the Council.

Grinning like a mad woman I took my haul to the till, already cringing at what I thought would be a mahoosive bill. The woman behind the till looked to be in her late fifties, her brown hair streaked with silver strands and her smile kind as she rang everything through.

“You new here Deary?” she asked.

“Yes, is it that obvious?” I gasped back at her.

“We're a tight knit community here, so we know when someone's new. However no regular would be gnawing their top lip off like you are, at my prices.” Her smile grew as her pale blue eyes met my own. They crinkled at the edges, “that will be ￡30 Lovey.”

My mouth fell open at how little she'd asked for. I had at least seven full outfits. “What?”

She laughed at my shock before taking pity on me and explaining, “we're a close community, we believe that everyone deserves to be able to clothe, feed and house themselves, no matter their financial circumstances. Those who can afford more, pay more, so those who can't don't have to.”

Her kind words made tears gather in my eyes. If everyone had the same view on life and those around them, maybe life wouldn't be so hard for most people. “T…t…thank you.” I stammered, handing over thirty pounds. “Sorry, what's your name again?” I asked, realising I'd never asked.

“I'm Deborah, and you?”

“Charleene,” I told her as she handed over the bulging bags.

“Well merry met Charleene, and may we meet again.” Deborah said, with a smile and a wink .

“Same to you,” I smiled back, before nodding my head and joining Dina at the door.

“Do you want to go back or continue looking around?” she asked when I drew close and pushed open the door with its cheery bell.

“I would love to look around some more if we can,” I replied, beaming across at her.

The sun beat down on us as we casually meandered from shop to shop, until we reached the giant mansion at the bottom. It stood proud at the top of a gravel driveway and stretched from right to left, dominating in its grand beauty. Each section looked like it had been added at different times, using whatever style had been favoured at that time. Until the patchwork of different coloured bricks and styles merged to make an architectural masterpiece. Manicured gardens surrounded the house, palace, whatever you'd call it, almost giving it an English cottage feel as riots of coloured plants took over the neat beds they'd been planted in.

“That's the London Vampire Coven.” Dina informed me as I stood gaping at it.

“It's...it's...massive,” I finished, the word not really doing the building justice.

“It is,” Dina agreed, before nudging my shoulder with her own to get me moving again.

Flashing her a smile I followed her nudges and seconds later we followed the paved path beyond the building, where my mouth dropped open again. Before us was a huge green space, with majestic trees and a winding path. The only thing separating the busy road from the park was a small fence with a gate in the centre. “What's this?” I asked, mystified.

“It's Hampstead Heath National Park.” Dina explained.

“It's beautiful,” I said in wonder, my gaze flicking from the street behind us, to the park and back again, “is it warded like the rest? ”

“No, once we pass through the gate, we return to the regular human world.” Dina explained as she leant against the fence beside the gate. “Do you want to take a walk around it or go back to the hotel?”

Indecision weighed on me as I gazed longingly into the park, but the wind rustled the bags I was holding, finally making my decision for me. “Maybe another time, when we don’t have so many bags with us.” I answered, dragging myself away from so much green and turning back the way we’d come. I gave the huge mansion another appraising look as we passed by, my mind pondering what the meeting would be like tomorrow.

It had just passed lunch-time when we returned to the hotel and my stomach announced it was hungry by filling the lift with a massive rumble that even had Dina stifling a laugh behind her hand. Taking my bags into my room, I wasn’t surprised to hear Dina begin talking and ordering lunch. With aching cheeks from the smile I couldn’t shake, I emptied each bag and organised my new clothes into the wardrobe, before flopping backwards on the bed with a happy sigh. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so free from responsibilities. Closing my eyes on another sigh I let myself drift towards sleep.

“Charleene? Babe?” Dina’s soft voice made me stir enough to crack open one eye-lid and look at her. She stood in the doorway, her hip and shoulder leaning on the wooden frame, with a small smile playing on her lips. She looked beautiful. “Lunch is here,” she informed me, pushing off the doorframe and turning back into the main room of our joint suite.

Shaking my head I let myself wonder if giving her a second chance would be so bad. I’d had a fantastic morning, she’d been so patient while I’d darted in and out of shop after shop, and spending time with her was easy. I never felt like I needed to fill any silences with words or that I wasn’t good enough for her. Smiling like a goon with my mind made up, I stretched and went to see what Dina had ordered for lunch.

The afternoon passed pleasantly. I left Dina at the small table speaking on the phone checking in with Tilly and her hunt in York, and grabbed a small blue leather bound book from the tall thin bookshelf. ‘Romeo & Juliette,’ the shiny silver title informed me as I settled on the sofa. The dusty scent rushed up my nose, making me smile, as I carefully opened the old pages and began reading. I was just up to my favourite part when Mercutio curses Tybalt and Romeo, when Dina’s hand landed softly on my shoulder, making me jump and yelp, seconds before a knock came from the door.

With my hand pressed to my chest, I reluctantly placed the book down, marking my place with a thin coster, as Dina went to answer it. She stepped back to allow a young lad who was pushing the silver wheeled trolley I now associated with hotel room service inside. He was halfway towards the dining table when I leaped from my seat, startling the poor lad in my haste. My mouth watered at the scent of melted cheese, rich tomato bolognese sauce, beef and herbs, and like a woman possessed I stared intently at the domed tray he placed before one of the chairs. Sliding into the seat and tapping my fingers on my thigh, I waited for him to place cutlery down and remove the lid. My barely there patience was rewarded with the most delicious looking lasagne I’d ever seen.

Without waiting I grabbed the knife and fork, carefully cutting off a small section and placing it into my mouth with a sinful moan. The cheesy goodness coated my tongue as it revelled in the tastes of the beef mixing with tomato, thyme, basil and oregano. Quickly cutting off another mouthful, I almost came in my pants when the heavy scent of garlic joined the cacophony of delicious smells and the lad placed down two long thick slabs of homemade garlic bread that were dripping garlic butter.

“The food here is going to make me fat,” I mumbled at Dina around another mouthful of lasagne and garlic bread. I was in heaven.

Her amused chuckle was my only answer as she watched me eat my food in delight. Once my plate was wiped clean, she handed me the last plate on the trolley with a devilish wink before sitting back in the chair opposite, watching me as I lifted the lid. Tears filled my eyes as I stared down at the four perfect, tiny Italian Cannelloni which sat on the plate dusted in icing sugar and filled with cream cheese icing. My eyes flicked up and back down quickly, “how did you know?” I gasped, feeling suddenly like I was going to cry.

“Know what?” she asked, genuinely looking shocked at my intense reaction to the dessert.

“That Cannelloni is my favourite?” I managed to get out through my closing throat.

“I didn’t.” She answered, her brows rising and her eyes widening, “I just asked them to surprise you with something sweet and light for dessert.”

Lifting one of the thin pastry rolls to my mouth I closed my eyes and savoured the crisp, buttery pastry and the sharp tangy lemon cream cheese icing as it coated my tongue.

“If you keep making noises like that I’m going to…” My eyes snapped open at Dina’s words and almost made another obscenely inappropriate noise from the heat she was looking at me with. Slowly my tongue swept out capturing an errant blob of the strawberry cream cheese icing from my bottom lip and I watched her eyes darken as I let a low moan slip past my lips.

“You’re going to do what?” I whispered, reaching for another of the amazing desserts. But before my fingers could touch the pastry, Dina was around my side of the table, with it between her own fingers. I gasped as she gently smothered my bottom lip in the icing, before pressing the cannoli into my mouth.

“Bite.” She demanded quietly. Following her orders silently, my teeth bit through the delicious treat. The sharp crunch of the pastry breaking seemed almost too loud in the room, as Dina watched me intently. “Show me how much you like it.” She growled as I stopped my eyes from rolling back in my head. Giving in, I let my tongue dart out capturing the leftover cream and moaning as my thighs clasped together. “Good Girl,” Dina praised, making the heat that had been pooling low in my belly shoot south as a moan that had nothing to do with the food left my mouth.

When my eyes opened again I couldn’t drag them away from hers. My top teeth pressed against my bottom lip as dirty thoughts of crushing my lips to hers raced through my mind. Just as I was about to lean forward, following those thoughts, a loud bang split the heavy silence apart.

“What was that?” I gasped, my hand pressing over my racing heart and my eyes darting frantically around as another loud bang came from outside. With a soft growl, Dina scraped her hand—the one that moments before had fed me cannoli— through her hair and went to the window.

“Fireworks.” She answered, her voice gruff and husky. Mystified, I left my dessert and joined her at the window, bumping her with my shoulder in my haste. Another bright firework exploded with a bang, quickly followed by another and another. My smile grew as I watched the rainbow colours light up the night sky.

“I’d forgotten all about bonfire night.” I whispered, turning my face to gaze at the beautiful women beside me.

“So had I,” she said, her gaze riveted on the window. Reaching my hand towards her, my fingertips grazed her cheek, gaining her attention. Dina’s cheek was cool, as she leaned into my touch for the briefest moment, before her next words crushed my heart, “this can’t happen.”