Hexed and Bitten

Chapter 11

Tara moved around the loft, her arms out hands slowly moving as if touching an invisible currant. Closing her eyes she continued moving around avoiding furniture and Jinx as if she could still see. Arabella knew she could, her magic was strong allowing her to see beyond simply using her eyes. It had been so long since she had watched Tara at work.

It was a fascinating thing to watch. Arabella had been raised into a magical family and coven, and yet she had learned more than she had ever learned from her mother from Tara.

She might not have the need for it because of her lost connection to her magic, but Arabella still loved to learn, and Tara was an amazing teacher. Was it odd she was teaching a vampire who no longer had her magic, maybe, but still meant so much to Arabella that she did it. She knew it was pointless for Tara to teach her and yet Tara insisted on guiding her.

Smiling Arabella moved over to her two person dining table taking a seat as she continued to watch Tara in her element. She doubted Tara would find anything in her apartment, whoever this vampire was she would have surely sensed them if they had been in her apartment, but she knew better than to question Tara.

“So odd,” Tara hummed her hands lifting and lowering before abruptly halting mid air. “It is faint but they have been in here.”

“What?” Arabella’s eyes widened in horror.

No, that can’t be possible. How had she not sensed them? There’s no way a vampire got into her loft without her knowing. The only thing that could possibly have helped them enter without her knowing is…

“Another witch,” Arabella gasped, the realization hitting her like a freight train. “There’s another witch isn’t there?”

Tara’s arms dropped, her eyes slowly opening as she watched Arabella a slight frown on her face. “It appears that way,” Sighing, she turned in a circle, her eyebrows pinched together, her eyes moving all around as if searching for an invisible clue.

Again Arabella didn’t question what she was doing, she knew Tara saw things others couldn’t. She was truly a gifted witch, and Arabella learned long ago not to question her methods.

“They’re mingled,” She sighed, stopping again looking over at Arabella, a puzzled look on her face. “I… This is strange. I sense two but not, its as if it’s only one but two,” Running her hands through her hair walked over to Arabella dropping down on the seat on the other side of the table. “I need to keep looking, this could be a witch using magic to conceal this vampire.”

She didn’t sound convinced by her own words, but Arabella didn’t question it. She knew that Tara would figure it out, she was the strongest witch Arabella had ever met. She not only was powerful but very skilled at what she did.

“Where to next?”

“I’m going to need to inspect the shop downstairs but first can we go find some coffee and maybe a breakfast sandwich or something I need to recharge. Whoever this is they’re strong, maybe even stronger then me.”

“No way,” Arabella scoffed, now that had to be a joke.

There’s no way that could be true, and yet as she looked at Tara she could see the uncertainty in her eyes. Was there really another witch stronger then her helping a vampire stalk Arabella? Why was this happening? Who was this vampire and why was a witch helping them?

She knew witches and vampires did work together from time to time that’s how daylight rings and jewellery came to be, but most times it was a brief partnership and nothing more. Tara and Arabella’s friendship was not a normal occurrence between there kind, but unlike other vampire Arabella never truly let go of who and what she was after being turned. She knew there where other vampires out there that befriended and lived with all sorts of other supernaturals, but witches especially usually steered clear of her kind.

Knocking her knuckles on the table Tara rose from her seat with a long sigh “Let’s go get some coffee.”

Nodding Arabella knew they wouldn’t get anymore answers from here. Tara need to recenter herself, she needed to refuel, and what better fuel then coffee. Seeing how addicted to coffee Tara was had solidified there friendship. They where two peas in a pod both addicted to coffee and all things witchy. It really was good having her here. Of course Arabella had made good friends here, but none of them compared to Tara. She truly was like a sister to her, her platonic soulmate as Tara lovingly dubbed them.

Living downtown they opted to walk to the coffee shop, both of them needing the fresh air to try to wash away the unsettling feeling that seemed to follow them. The wind danced by the smell of fall soothing her frazzled nerves. She loved when fall came, it was that perfect cooler temperature, it wasn’t so cold you had to pull out the winter jackets, but it wasn’t so hot that you felt like you where melting. Though none of that truly mattered to Arabella, perks of being a vampire she didn’t feel temperature like a human did. She didn’t get cold or over heated like them. Of course she did feel the weather it just didn’t effect her the way it did humans and some other supernaturals.

She still liked her fall jackets, and winter clothing, but she didn’t need it, not like humans did. It was more to blend in, but that didn’t mean she didn’t love it when the temperature cooled down.

Most of the shops where still closed at this early hour, a few slowly starting to open, employees and owners on the other side of the shops glass moving around getting themself ready for the day.

A few looked up and waved at Arabella. Smiling, she waved back. She loved how friendly everyone was here. The last place she had called home wasn’t like this, of course it was a bigger city with a fast paced lifestyle. It had been fun, living that s*x and the city type of lifestyle. She had made some friends, and found her place there, but it didn’t feel like this. None of the places she had made home felt like Salem.

“You seem happy.”

“I am.” She really was happy. She had found a home, a real home, and although down the road she would have to kill off her current identity and move on she will appreciate every moment of this wonderful city until she inevitably has to leave.

Stepping into The Brewing House the rich aroma of coffee beans hit her nostrils making her smile. She loved this coffee shop. Not only did they make amazing coffee, but they had some of the best pastries she had ever tasted.

An older man with greying hair stood at the counter. A pair of big dark framed glasses sat half way down his nose, he wore an open flannel with a shirt that read "Don't talk to me until I have had my morning coffee” underneath and a pair of dark washed jeans.

“Good morning Ari,” His beautiful hazel eyes twinkled a big smile on his face.

“Hello George.” Arabella loved coming to The Brewing House, the coffee was great, but the owner was even better.

George not only made an amazing cup of coffee he was the sweetest man she had ever met. He reminded her of her father, he was a gentle man and protective of those he thought of as family. Arabella was grateful and honoured to be one of the few.

“Getting your usual?” He raised a brow.

“You know me so well.”

“And who is this?” He turned his attention to Tara that welcoming warm smile not aimed at her. “Hi I am George owner of this little coffee shop,” He stretched his hand out in greeting.

“Hi I’m Tara,” She smiled taking his hand in hers.

“Nice to meet you Tara, what can I get you?”

“Would you by chance have a chocolate cold brew?”

“Of course I do and would you also like a chocolate croissant? I have a fresh batch I just took out of the oven.”

“Oh can I have one too!” Arabella cut in the thought of one of his famous chocolate croissants fresh out of the oven has her mouth watering.

George laughed shaking his head “You already know I have one for you. I bet you where a little troublemaker as a kid,” He chuckled. “Pick a seat and i’ll be over in a few minutes with your coffees and treats,” He shooed them away and started on making there coffees.

“I like him.”

“I know right, he’s the best. By far one of the best people I have met here.” She wasn’t lying either.

Of course Vivianne was great, and so was David. A lot of people she has met in this town have been nothing but wonderful, but none of them compared to George. He would have made an amazing father.

Two croissants later they paid and bid George farewell, heading back out so Arabella could take Tara to all the spots she had felt her stalker and when she had seen him. The sidewalk was bustling now everyone rushing to and from work, shopping and headed home. Arabella liked watching people go about there day. Watching the beautiful mundane world around her. The young couple barely out of highschool and determined to stay in love. The grandmother walking her grandchildren to school, and so many others. She loved people watching, just being in the background witnessing the many wonderful ordinary things that happen day to day.

What would her life have been like if her coven hadn’t died that night? If she hadn’t been turned? What would it have been like if she had of been a normal human unaware of what truly lurks in the shadows? Would she have had a family of her own? She would never admit it out loud but she often thought of what it would have been like if she had kids. If she had of grown old and eventually died naturally.

What if, such a dangerous game to play and yet she couldn’t help herself. Deep down she was lonely, she wanted what others had, but she couldn’t have normal. Her last conversation with David before he had gone to his parents ran through her mind. She knew he wanted more, that he wanted to go from casual to official. She was stringing him along even though she had been very honest from the beginning. She knew what she needed to do, but hated the idea of hurting him. No mattered what she chose it was going to always lead to hurting him. She knew that and yet hoped that somehow someway should didn’t have to.