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

32. Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Two

Is a Coven all that important for a witch? - Charleene

“ H ow was shopping?” Dina asked as I pushed open our front door.

“It was so much fun, you should have seen Ally’s face.” I replied, laughing at how white she’d gone when seeing all the dresses, “You’d have thought she’s never had a girly day.”

Dina’s chuckle was infectious as I found her on our sofa with a book. Sauntering over, I added a little more sway to my hips than probably necessary, but I loved seeing the fire it brought to her eyes when I did. “I’m glad you seemed to have fun, what else have you been up to?” she asked, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

Falling down on the sofa beside her I explained all about the meeting I’d gone to with Ally for tonight’s ceremony, “I’ll be helping the Coven with my magic.” I finished.

“So there’s definitely no getting out of going?” Dina asked hopefully, turning to face me.

“Nope.” Dina’s face fell at my answer, I knew she wasn’t too keen on socialising and she definitely wasn’t happy about having to be anywhere near my Grandmother, a sentiment I think we both shared. “Did you manage to do what you needed?” I ask, trying to change the subject.

“Yeah, Tilly even found out why interspecies relationships are forbidden.” She didn’t sound very hopeful as I searched her eyes.

“And?”

“Apparently a Witch's blood is highly addictive and detrimental to Vampires.” I’m pretty sure she gave me the short version, but it still didn’t leave any hope that we’d be allowed to love each other anytime soon. And I was pretty certain that’s where I was headed.

“So what’s the plan for tonight?” This time Dina changed the subject, making me smile.

“I’m off to help Ally get ready about sixish and then coming back here to get myself sorted, before we head over to the field they’re holding tonight’s ceremony in.” I explained, kicking my feet up on the coffee table. They ached from all the walking I’d been doing, reminding me of when they’d hurt after a busy shift. Adding a little bit of normal to my now unusual life. We lapsed into silence and I was almost asleep when Dina nudged me.

“Don’t fall asleep there.” She said her voice hiding a laugh.

“I feel shattered and all I’ve done is watch Ally try on dresses.” I laugh back at her.

“Didn’t you get one for yourself?” Dina inquires, making my happiness dull slightly.

“Rosie picked one out for me, but it’s been made perfectly clear that I’m not a member of this Coven.” I said, my words having a little more bite than I’d intended, as a gentle knock came from the door. Sharing a puzzled look with Dina I craned my neck, watching as she answered it.

“Hello?” Her voice drifted to me, making me even more curious.

“I just wanted to drop this off for Charleene.” Rosie answered, making me frown.

“Oh, thank you.” Dina replied, before shutting the door and returning to the sofa with a brown paper bag in hand.

“This is for you,” she said, holding it out to me.

I took the bag gently as though it would bite me and peered inside. Nestled amongst some tissue paper was the white dress I’d tried on. My bottom lip trembled as I lifted it up .

“Do you want to be part of The Nicenevin Coven?” Dina probed gently, interrupting my focus on the dress and making me think carefully about my answer. Did I want to be a Coven member? I wasn’t sure.

“I dunno, maybe?” I answered honestly, with a yawn taking over my face.

“Why don’t you go have a rest, I’ll wake you in time to get to Ally.”

Grateful of her offer, I jumped up off the sofa, spinning to give her a peck on the cheek before almost running to the bedroom. I hung the dress on the door of the wardrobe, before throwing myself down fully dressed onto the bed. Staring at the lovely dress, it didn’t take long for my heavy eyes to fall closed.

“Babe? It’s time to get up.” Dina said, shaking my shoulder gently as her words took a couple of minutes to register in my mind.

“Just five more minutes?” I whined, rolling over onto my back.

“If you intend on helping Ally, you don’t have five more minutes.” Dina laughed as I forced my eyes open.

“Really?”

“Really.” She deadpanned back at me, raising one of her eyebrows and smirking.

“Fine.” I said, pushing myself up on my elbows, “How long do we have?”

“About ten minutes before we need to set off.”

“Ok, I just need my bag of tricks.” I said, sliding off the bed and standing.

“Your what?” Dina sniggered on her way to the door.

“My make-up bag.” I replied, grabbing the fairly large black bag and slipping the strap over my shoulder, before following her to the living room.

Knocking on their front door, I don’t wait for an invitation, before excitedly pushing it open and striding inside.

“Hello?” I called, drawing both Lilah and Jace’s attention from whatever they were arguing about .

Lilah looked amazing in her long black dress and flat black sandals. Her hair was as it usually was, a dark frizzy riot. I swear she looked like she stuck her finger in an electrical plug socket every morning. Jace was wearing an all white suit whilst he paced in front of the living room window.

“Could you hide this in your bag?” Lilah asked on the way up the stairs, holding out a delicate silver chain, with diamonds in the shape of snowdrops dangling off it. The diamonds caught the electric lights and threw rainbows over the stairs. Nodding, I held out my hand and she placed the light jewellery into my palm. I slipped the delicate jewelled chain into my make-up bag so that Ally wouldn’t be able to see it until she was fully ready.

“She’s in the bath.” Lilah explained, as she opened Ally’s bedroom door and let us both in. I placed my bag on her bed as Lilah went to the ensuite's door and knocked.

“What!” Ally snapped from the other side and I exchanged a worried glance with Lilah; she sounded in a delightful mood.

“Ally?” Lilah asked the closed door, raising her voice so she would be able to hear her, “You ok hun?”

“I’m fine Lilah, I’ll be out in a minute.” Ally called and we both heard sloshing water.

“Ah here she is.” Lilah exclaimed as the bathroom door opened, it was as though she thought Ally might have somehow absconded from the bathroom. With what she had to face tonight I wouldn’t have blamed her if she had. Ally, wrapped in a towel, gave Lilah a small smile, before turning my way. I couldn’t help but grin at my friend.

“You ready?” I asked, knowing if it was me, I probably wouldn’t be. At her nod, I reached out and yanked her fully into the room, “Good, because we don’t have much time.” I said, pushing her new dress into her arms and waving at Lilah to leave on my way out.

Closing the door behind us, I counted to one hundred silently in my head before tentatively pushing open her door again and praying that she’s decent. My mouth almost hit the floor and an appreciative gasp left it, at the same time Lilah made a similar noise. Ally looked gorgeous in the white dress. It hugged her curves and showed off every asset she’d been blessed with. The beading caught the light and sparkles glinted as she moved carefully so as not to stand on the full length skirt.

“I look stupid,” Ally mumbled, with a pink tint to her cheeks as her eyes met Lilah’s in the mirror and she twisted her hands together self-consciously.

“Don’t be daft.” I gasped out, wanting her to see herself as I did. She was beautiful, with her red hair and alabaster skin that complemented the dress perfectly. “You just need some finishing touches.”

Offering her a reassuring smile, I centred myself to attempt something with my magic that I’d never done. During my time with the Nicnevin witches, I’d watched amused at how they combined latin and their magic to accomplish tasks. Keeping my imaginary fingers crossed, I use a phrase Sophia had taught me.

“Capillium duo plecto latus caput curro.”

And to my utter astonishment, Ally’s hair braided itself in twin braids along the side of her head, while the rest dried into perfect ringlets. Ally’s eyes widened in astonishment as she looked at her now neat hair, and I dipped into my bag of tricks, carefully retrieving the jewelled chain Lilah had me hide.

“Sit.” I demand, drawing her attention from the mirror before wrapping the chain around her forehead and tucking it into the hair-grips securing her braids. Ally glanced between me and Lilah before her frown smoothed out and she followed my order. “Now close your eyes.” I instructed, catching the pleading look she threw at Lilah. Wow, has no one ever done her make-up before? I wondered silently before getting to work.

It took me twenty minutes of deep concentration to get it all perfect, but once I’d applied the reddest lipstick I currently owned, she was ready.

“There, you’re done.” I crowed triumphantly, making Ally jump in the chair before her dark blue eyes met my own and I smiled down at her .

Lilah bumped into my side, in her haste to thrust a small handheld silver mirror in front of Ally so she could see just what I’ve done. Ally’s eyes widened and her hand gingerly touched the string of diamonds that wrapped across her forehead as tears gathered in her eyes.

“It was your mother’s,” Lilah whispered, wiping a tear from her cheek as she watched Ally’s reaction.

“Are they diamonds?” I could hear the disbelief in her voice and couldn’t stop the squeal of delight from escaping me as Lilah nodded.

“Do you like it?” I all but shout in my excitement.

Ally nodded with a small smile and looked back in the mirror, studying her reflection, “I look…” She trailed off, an uncertain frown gathering her eyebrows together at whatever thought she’d not voiced.

“You look like you always should have, Ally.” Lilah said, and my heart squeezed at the thought that even Ally had more of a mother than I ever had. Swallowing down my own bitterness and dark thoughts, I kept my smile firmly in place as Ally grimaced.

“Is all of this necessary?” She asked, looking uncomfortable and unsure.

“Absolutely,” I gushed with a giggle, throwing all of my energy into making sure she was full of confidence, “it’s a party Ally, let your hair down and maybe you-know-who will turn up.” I laughed, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively at her. At her snort, I knew that my work was done.

“Hmmmmm,” she said sceptically, making my smile widen as my cheeks hurt.

Leaning over, I placed a soft kiss on Ally’s cheek, “See you there.” I promised, bouncing out of the room to get to Dina.

I found her attempting to get Jace to stop pacing and laughed at her as she threw her arms into the air in frustration. “Oh, leave him be Dina, if he wants to fall through the floor let him.” I laughed, grabbed her arm and tugged her to the door.

We all but ran back to our own house and in less than ten minutes I’m wearing the lovely knee length dress Rosie picked out for me. It was simple, with little lace embellishments but no sparkly beading, and hugged my breasts tightly. The material was super soft and clung to all my curves. I left my hair loose around my face, letting it drop over my shoulders to cover them. Glancing at the small clock on the wall and seeing that I was already way later than I should be, I decided to forego any make-up and shoes.

Rushing into the front room, I stood stock still as Dina’s eyes widened and her tongue darted out to lick her lips. “What?” I asked, turning my head to see if there was anything behind me. Nothing was there.

“You look breath-taking,” Dina said, making my head flick back to her. She looked like she was about to eat me as she took a step towards me.

“Thank you,” I managed to say through my tight throat, as butterflies erupted in my stomach. Swallowing far too loudly, my finger twisted into my hair and I fidgeted from foot to foot under her stare. “We’re going to be late.” I whispered, breaking her trance.

Dashing into the clearing, I was amazed at how pretty it all looked with the lights hung in the air and the Coven members all dressed in white. My eyes scanned the field, looking for our friends, and another shiver ran over me as the cold air bit at my skin. Who the heck thought it would be a good idea to congregate, in dresses, in Scotland, in December? Shivering again, I continued scanning the field and found poor Ally had already been cornered by my Mother and Grandmother. Taking pity on her, I pulled Dina in their direction.

“And where is that child of yours Aradia?” Agnes’ sharp voice reached my ears as we got closer.

“I’m here, Grandma,” I answered, dragging Dina behind me.

“Oh great, she brought the vampire,” Agnes sneered, giving us both a disapproving look before turning on her heel and marching away.

“Will she ever get over it?” I grumbled, staring at her back and wishing that looks could kill .

“She will, in time, accept your decision Charleene,” Aradia answered, “She just needs time, you’re forcing us to turn our back on a thousand years of tradition with your...relationship.”

Smiling, she turned to Dina, “welcome and blessed be Dina,” she said pleasantly before leaving us as well.

“Well she needs to hurry up.” I chuntered, before Dina could answer my mother.

“Maybe I should go?” Dina offered, making me angrier that they’d made her feel unwanted.

Tightening my grip on her arm, I made things even more awkward and declared proudly, “Don’t you dare, it’s a party, why shouldn’t we get to enjoy it together?”

After a few minutes of silence and awkward looks, Ally piped up, “Sooooo? Who wants a drink?”

“Me, definitely me,” I said, with a grateful smile at her. Shaking my head at my family, I turned to stride towards a long table full of bottles.

I looked over all the different bottles, selecting a couple that would make a tasty cocktail. Grabbing me and Ally a disposable paper cup I got to work, mixing rum manhattans and passing them round. The liquor warmed my throat as it burned on the way to my stomach and once my cup was half empty I let out a satisfied sigh.

Ally cautiously sipped her own drink, before humming in delight and taking a larger mouthful as she turned to look out over the crowd. Mirroring her action, I took in all the dancing couples as some children squealed with delight and darted past us. Looking to the right, a wisp of darkness caught my attention. It looked like a shadow but couldn’t have been; the lights from above chased all the shadows away. Frowning, I left Ally to appreciate the solstice celebration and weaved between the dancing members as I followed more black wisps.

They led me through the crowd and across the field to the edge of the floating lights. Beyond was dark, with only the stars peeping down. “What’s brought you out here?” Dina asked, making me jump as I didn’t realise she’ d followed me.

“I don’t know, call it a feeling.” I replied, narrowing my eyes and staring out across the seemingly empty field.

“Come on, let’s go back.” Dina suggested as my eyes adjusted to the dark.

“You should listen to your friend witchling.” A voice, smooth as silk, said to my left, making my head turn in its direction.

“Who are you?!” I demand, still searching the darkness.

“A monster,” the voice laughed back at me, “A destroyer of all that is good and happy.”

“I don’t believe that.” I snapped, as a dark shape materialised and the dark haired, blue eyed Shadow Fae stepped in front of me. “What do you want with Ally?”

I studied the man closely, wondering what it was that drew my friend to him. Shadows twirled around his lithe frame, but I knew it wasn’t just his devilishly good looks that had Ally blushing anytime he came up in conversation. The shadows seemed thicker around his head, almost crowning it.

“Maybe I want to steal her virtue,” he sniggered as my eyes narrowed. The shadows seemed to be seeping into his head.

“What’s wrong with you?” I blurted out, not taking my eyes from his head, as the shadows intensified.

“Everything, nothing,” he said, not making any sense.

Irritated by his answer, my eyes flicked down to meet his own and found they were wider than before and he seemed to be studying me as much as I studied him. “There’s something wrong with your head.” I told him bluntly.

“What do you mean?” His eyes narrowed in suspicion as I acted without thinking, summoning my connection to my spirit magic. Focusing, I wrapped it around his head, covering all the shadows with the light silver magic until he looked like he was wearing a sparkly silver bandage.

“What have you done?” he asked, his voice different this time, somehow lighter than it had been seconds ago. Meeting his gaze, I also found his eyes seemed brighter. “Answer me Witch.” He snarled, making Dina bristle at my side .

“I don’t know, help I hope,” I stammered out, shocked that my magic had even done as I asked. Whatever that was.

“I can’t feel them or hear him.” Ally’s stalker said quickly, flashing me a wary look, “What are the witches planning with Ally?” He quickly asked.

“They’re going to attempt to break the block on her magic.”

“When?”

“At midnight.” I said, eliciting a growl from him as shadows wrapped around his body, “I’ll break it myself.”

And with that he was gone. I’d just turned to Dina, when chaos began to unfold from the centre of the field behind us.

Couldn’t we just have one minute of normal? I asked myself as we both turned towards the gathered Coven. Sharing a glance we took off running, Dina keeping pace with myself until we reached the drinks table where I’d left Ally not too long ago.

Everyone seemed to have stopped moving and created a circle. Shoving my way through using my elbows, I stumbled to a stop just in time to see the dark haired man holding Ally to his chest, his hand wrapped around her throat.

“Ally!” Jace screamed from somewhere in the crowd as she nodded and shadows wrapped around them. As quickly as the shadows arrived they were gone, taking Ally and her dream man with them.

“Nooooo!” Jace’s heart wrenching scream tore the night apart as he fell to the floor where Ally had just been standing.