The Voice of the Dead

Acceptance

*Lea POV*

"What happened to Lucas?" I asked Verne. His mate hung his head.

*I was an i***t, way too cocky. I deserved this.* Lucas sighed, his nonmaterial body leaned over the living Vampyr.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

"We decided to finally join a coven. We weren't affiliated with any before and we figured our life would be easier in a community. I found a very old coven, started thousands of years ago by a primal Vampyr, one of the first, they have many locations with their own leaders, but with the primal one as a patron to all of them. They had a very clear hierarchy, they took members like us, previously covenless as well and the rules were strict but fair." Verne sighed, downing his wine again and getting a refill quickly.

Uh huh. That sounds like Horatio.

"But Lucas wanted to join a newer one. He found another coven, a "modern one"." Verne did quotation marks in the air and Lucas whined.

I can see where it's going.

"So you caved and joined the one chosen by your mate?" I asked and the Vampyr nodded.

"It was fine at first. But very soon we realized that they were bad people. They turned humans without any reason. I wanted to leave, to try to get to the older coven, to tell them everything. Lucas wanted to stay and fight. One night, the leader brought a very young human girl, freshly turned. But he was sloppy and the girl died in front of us. Lucas couldn't handle it anymore. He stood up to the leader and…" The voice got stuck in his throat.

*And he beheaded me, right in front of Verne. I'm so sorry, my love.* Lucas put his hands on Verne's arms, his face sad.

"It wasn't your fault, Verne." I said sincerely but the Vampyr just shook his head.

"If I pressured him more, to join the coven I chose, or convinced him to leave sooner, he would still be alive."

"You can't blame yourself for this. Lucas isn't."

"What if I fail to protect someone else again? What if I accept Arthur and he leaves me alone, again?" Verne cried, hiding his face in hands.

I looked at the bartender and nodded.

"Let's go for a walk. Humans are not used to seeing bloody tears." I smiled warmly, ushering Verne to leave.

"The bill?" He asked, trying to find his wallet with one hand as the other one was busy, covering blood on his face.

"Leave it to me, go and wait for me at the entrance." I shooed him away just in time for the bartender to come with the bill.

"I pay for myself and the gentleman who was sitting next to me." I smiled, pulling my fresh card out of the wallet.

Gosh, I hope it works.

Luckily, it did so I paid, left a nice tip and walked outside.

Verne was waiting for me, his back leaned over the wall.

"There is a park nearby, we can take a walk." I smiled and he nodded.

Lucas' spirit followed us, clinged to his mate.

After a while of silence I took a deep breath and started the conversation.

"Does Arthur know about Lucas?" I asked.

"Yes. When we met, he wanted to bond immediately. He told me that the concept of mates was what made him ask other Vampyr to turn him. He knew that he could have a mate after that. Arthur… he is so cheerful. His presence brings light to wherever he is. It was easy to grow attached to him quickly. The mate bond isn't making this easier either. But when I realized we are mates, I was terrified. I couldn't believe that I could have a mate again. After the first euphoria, guilt came, not letting me accept the bond. I told him everything, hoping he would understand why I can't accept him. Or… more, why he can't accept me."

"And how he reacted?"

"He was angry. He understood my pain and my fear, but he was mad that I want to reject him. He was mad at me that I want to be miserable and alone."

*That's why I like him. He cares for Verne, he knows what he has been through and still wants him. Arthur can ease his pain, make him happy again.* Lucas sighed, looking helplessly at his mate.

"Lucas likes him. He thinks he is a good match for you." I smiled and Verne looked up at me.

"He does?" The vampyr asked, his eyes glistening with hope.

"Verne, if you weren't worth it, of you weren't a good person, the Moon Goddess would never gift you with a second mate. She gifted you Arthur, because you craved to love again, and she knows it." I chuckled, remembering my talks with grandma about mates. "You asked earlier what keeps Lucas' soul here on earth. He can't move on until he can see you forgave yourself and moved on. Carry his love within you, don't forget him but allow yourself to love again."

"And he will move on?" He asked, stopping in his tracks and looking at me.

I nodded.

"I don't do this very often, it's draining for me, but I feel like you both need this. Lucas, stand next to me and touch my shoulders."

The ghost blinked rapidly but listened and a couple of seconds later, I could feel a cold hands touching me.

I shivered.

Gods, I'll never get used to this.

"Verne, you won't be able to see him, I'm not that powerful yet, but you can hear him, for the last time."

*You can do this?* Lucas gasped.

"Are you serious?" Verne gasped as well, covering his mouth as the tears started to roll down his face again.

"Yes, but it's going to be short so prepare what you want to tell each other.

They both nodded.

I took a deep breath and held Verne's hands.

"I'll work as an amplifier, I'll probably shake, just ignore it and don't let go of my hands, it'll severe the connection. Focus on telling what you need." I smiled and closed my eyes.

I focused my energy, my whole aura into a connection between all three of us.

"Lucas, you can try." I said, through my clenched teeth.

*Verne, my love?* Lucas said, his voice trembling.

The vampyr gasped, tears now going down his cheeks in a heavy stream.

"Lucas, I… I can hear you." He sobbed.

*I don't want to strain our lovely friend too much so I'll try to be quick. I love you, even in my death, I never stopped. And because I love you as much as it's possible, I want you to be happy. Stop blaming yourself, I made mistakes and paid for them. I know it and I accepted my fate. You should too. Accept the bond you've been blessed with, live again, love again. I want this.* Lucas said clearly, even through his heavy sob. *I can go now, I can move on, but you have to promise me that you won't reject Arthur, that you will accythe bond.*

"I… I promise. I'll give myself a chance. I blamed myself for so long, I was in so much pain after you died. I'll never stop loving you but I will open my heart to someone else. I missed you, so much." Verne cried.

My body started to tremble, the power that got released from me started to be unbearable.

Just a second more. I want to give them more time.

*I have to go. I love you, I always will. Goodbye, Verne.*

"I love you too. Thank you, for being near me all those years. Move on, you deserve a peace."

With a last smile, Lucas' soul left the earth. I could feel his spirit going to the lands of the death where he can finally rest.

My legs gave up and I fell on my knees. Verne quickly followed, keeping me from faceplanting the ground.

"Lea, are you okay? I'm sorry, it's my fault…"

I chuckled and raised my hand to shush him.

"You promised that you won't keep blaming yourself for everything." I raised an eyebrow and Verne laughed.

"Fair point. Come on, where are you staying, I'll walk you." He said and lifted me with ease, letting me lean over him.

"Four seasons." I said shyly and he raised an eyebrow.

"Seriously?" He chuckled, helping me walk.

"Yeah, I wanted something less extravagant, but my father booked it for me." I sighed.

We walked slowly, my hand holding his arm as I leaned on him.

"Are you a part of a coven now?" I asked and Verne shook his head.

"No. Older covens no longer wanted me after hearing that I left the bad one. Can't blame them. Arthur is unaffiliated as well. I feel sorry that because of our bond, he won't be able to experience living in the community." He smiled sadly.

I stopped in my tracks and took out my phone.

"Let's change it." I chuckled and dialed Horatio's number.

"Huh?" Verne blinked while looking at me but I just waved.