In Fear's Embrace (The Hunters' Legacy - Book 2)

Chapter 2

            She drove into Monterey just before ten. The Sunday morning was incredibly calm. The sun was burning mercilessly, so people were looking for refreshment in their homes and gardens, shady parks and air-conditioned cafes. Surly many citizens went to Sunday services. Jay was a Catholic, but she did not feel the need to visit the house of God. She preferred open spaces, far away from human settlements, where she could freely sit down and ‘talk’ to the Almighty, ponder, and confide in her sadness and joy.

            After her mother’s death she was often looking for loneliness. The closeness of nature and silence, disturbed only by the sounds of the hidden world around her, brought her relief. It chased away the grief and sorrow. Relieved the pain. Alleviated the anger. With time she needed it less and less, and finally she completely abandoned her ritual and endless monologues. Now she was impatiently awaiting violent storms. She loved to watch the wildness of this element, the glare of lightning crossing the steel-gray sky, tearing the darkness of the night. She wanted to feel sudden gusts of wind and chopping rain. She thought that hot, stuffy days usually heralded violent storms, so today she could expect one too. She needs to find the appropriate place to enjoy it.

            But first she must do what brought her here. ‘No! Coffee first!’ She decided and parked in front of a small café. “Margo’s Place” reminded her of “Gary’s Café” where she spent a lot of time. She longed for the unusually warm atmosphere of that place and wished she had dropped in one more time to say goodbye to Beth, who showed her so much goodness, and to Gary, who treated her with paternal care. But she had no choice, she had to act quickly and decisively. She could not be guided by sentiments. She knew, however, that Mel would convey greetings and apologies. It must be enough.

            She got out of the car onto the sidewalk flooded with July sun, and looked around. Despite the heat, colorful flowers spilled from the windows of surrounding houses. Geraniums, azaleas, begonias. A feast of colors was a pleasure to the eye and aromas – intoxicating. Jay caught the buzzing of industrious bees. Somewhere in the crown of a tall oak a bird sang, and from a distance came some dog’s furious barking. Monterey’s suburbs reminded her of Purple Creek. She shook her head as if chasing away an obtrusive insect and entered the café.

            She sat at a small table in the corner, and when a young, clearly bored waitress approached her, she ordered white coffee and French toast. Waiting for her breakfast, she sipped coffee and sketched the view from the window. It became a kind of hobby for her, a way to relax a little. With a pencil she poured onto the paper all the places where she stopped on the way. Thanks to that she could forget for a moment about what she lost forever and which she missed desperately.

            She ate the breakfast, finished her coffee, paid for her meal, leaving a grumpy waitress a quite big tip and left the café. When she got into the car she started the engine and turned on the air conditioning to cool it inside. She took the phone to check the time. She was not surprised that she had few messages and missed calls. It looked the same almost every day. Her brothers, Sean and Maria called and wrote daily. At the end of each day she replied to their messages in a relaxed, almost carefree tone. They were worried about her and she understood that, therefore she was not completely silent.

            The only person she did not reply to or call back was Bryan. At first she read his messages and emails. But their tenderness and desperation caused her even more pain. That was why she begun to delete all correspondence from him as soon as she saw his name. ‘It’s better this way!’ She convinced herself. Although she knew she was cheating on herself again. Once again she conceals the truth from him. In order to calm her conscience a bit, she told herself that this truth should be revealed to him by his mother. And from what Jay remembered, Leonor Weakfield kept the secret like a lioness her cubs. ‘She wants to protect them!’ She could understand that, and Bryan’s mother appreciated that. This was evidenced by the short, dry message expressing gratitude that Jay no longer put her son in danger, spiced a bit with regret by the fact that they did not make it, and ended with a contemptuous disapproval of breaking the heart of her beloved boy.

            Jay quickly read the messages. Danny wrote about the progress of the young stallion, which Sean let him train. His words clearly showed pride. Among her siblings only Jay and Daniel felt an extraordinary bond with these beautiful animals. The other brothers, although they performed their duties without murmuring, and horse riding gave them real pleasure, they did not spend all their free time in the stable. Daniel discovered his passion recently, but Jay saw a flash in his eyes when he talked about training horses.

            Jess wrote about his stay in Richmond. Between the lines, Jay could read his disappointment at the fact that Sol was spending the summer in Baltimore with her father. Mark and Michael were excited about going to college. As she found out they will stay at the same house as she, Mel, Christian and Bryan, but they were going to share it with Liz and Jessie. And wish you a nice day from Christian. ‘Something is not right here!’ She thought. She wondered why her elder brother, who was always willing to talk to her, was now writing short messages in which he gave brief, unimportant information. Jay decided to find out what was going on. But she will pull her friend Mel by the tongue.

            She checked the message from Carter. He and Brandy were to live together. At least that was the plan, but here Jay sensed some complications as well. It drove her mad. She quickly remembered, however, that she had no right to interfere. Sean wrote about everyday maters and Maia’s well-being. Apparently pregnancy served her. Jay remembered the gleam in the werewolf’s eyes. He was unbelievably happy to be a father and she enjoyed it with him. He deserved it. He deserved the best.

            She briefly checked the missed calls. Few from her brothers, two from Mel and one from Isabela. And as always from Bryan. She still had her voicemail off, in order he could not leave the message. She knew that if she only heard his voice, she would break down. Therefore she deleted the call from him again and dropped the phone in the bag and drove off. She will reply to the messages later.

***

            It was almost midday when she arrived at the white house on the cliff. ‘Nothing has changed here!’ She thought with a strange twinge of regret. Windows, in which the snow-white curtains fluttered, shone with purity. The garden was well maintained, full of colorful flowers and evenly trimmed grass. A well-worn Dodge stood in the driveway. Next to it was a tuned up corvette. Jay stated that it probably belonged to Sam, though from the picture of the boy she remembered, such a car did not suit him. But she was intrigued by a red pick-up parked on the sidewalk in front of the gate.

            She got out of the car and at the same time there was a joyful barking. The dog was called Spike, if she remembered correctly. He apparently remembered her visit because he was wagging his tail this time. She opened the wicket without hesitation and approached the enthusiastic pet to say hello. Pleased he lay on his back demanding caresses. Busy with playing with the dog, she did not notice that the front door opened and she was closely watched.

        -  He’ll get on your head if you let him! He loves when someone scratches him. – Jay turned abruptly to the direction from which the vice was coming.

            Her blonde hair was fluttering in the wind. She looked extremely youthful dressed in white linen pants, a blue silk blouse and red low-heeled flip-flops. Fresh and delicate. But at the same time she emanated with extraordinary strength. She went through so much, but she did not break down. Not completely.

        -  I just can’t help it! – Jay got up from her knees and started toward the woman who was already walking towards her across the lawn. – I can’t resist such a handsome guy. – They faced each other, within reach, looking into each other’s eyes. – Nice to meet you again, Ms Thomson.

        -  You too, Jay! – There was something about this girl that she could not resist and hugged her tight. – And finally stop addressing me so officially! – She added in trembling voice.

        -  You look great! – Jay said freeing herself from Sarah’s embrace.

            Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a movement, but before she could react, Sam’s hand tightened on her shoulder like an iron ring. He jerked her hard, forcing her to look at him.

        -  You’re here again?! – He was mad.  – Wasn’t enough to make my mother cry when you last appeared here?!

        -  Samuel! – Sarah raised her voice slightly.

        -  What do you want?! – He ignored his mother.

            Jay looked angrily into his blue eyes, and then she looked down at his hand still clenched on her shoulder.

        -  Let go! – She said quietly, but extremely firmly.

            When he did not listen, she looked up at him again and jerked her hand free. It surprised him. He did not expect that a small, petite girl to have such a strength.

        -  Jay! – Dan, who was watching the whole scene, broke the silence. – I’m glad to see you! What’s new? – He was clearly trying to distract her from the incident with Sam.

        -  Hi Dan! – She greeted him. – Everything the old way. How are you?

        -  I’m not complaining! – He decided to stick to this loose conversation. The presence of this girl caused him a strange anxiety. – Business is going on somehow.

        -  That’s great! – She felt strangely embarrassed by his watchful gaze. – You have a good hand for wood. You can make real masterpieces from it! – She smiled at the mere memory of his furniture.

        -  I enjoy this job. – He admitted honestly.

        -  The better for you!

        -  What brings you to us? – He asked. – You came for holiday?

        -  No. – She took a deep breath. – I came to give you something. – She turned to Sarah and reached to her pocket. – I thought you should have it. – Jay handed the woman a small black box.

        -  Oh sweetheart! – A bit surprised, Sarah opened the box and looked inside. She could not stop the groan of terror and she covered her mouth with her hand. – Is that… - She asked, staring in disbelief at two pairs of fangs.

        -  Yes. – Jay’s whisper sounded as if it came from far away.

        -  So you did it. – Sarah looked at girl’s unusually calm and composed face.

        -  I wasn’t alone. – She shook off memories. – And I regret one thing. – She looked her interlocutor straight in the eye. – That it wasn’t me who killed the werewolf. – Even if she sensed their emotions, she did not show that. – But I didn’t let the vampire escape. – She added satisfied, but her face did not lighten up.

        -  Good God! – Sam said it with horror.

        -  You should keep it. – Sarah held out her hand with the already closed box.

        -  I got it from a friend. – She said, but did not reach for the object given to her. – I don’t need that. – She added with some superiority. – I have my own souvenir. – She explained showing her left shoulder on which she had delicate white scars left by the werewolf.

        -  Jay! – Dan was shocked.

            ‘This girl is only eighteen and already has so many scars, on her body and soul, which will never heal.’ He imagined how she fought for her life and felt inexplicable pain. Suddenly he wanted to turn back the time. Be with her when that nightmare was taking place. Be able to protect her from blows.

            He wanted to touch her. He reached out but quickly lowered his hand.

        -  I have to go now. – She felt the wave of his energy and shivered.

        -  Please stay! – Sarah proposed spontaneously. – At least for the afternoon. Have a dinner with us. – She was convincing and her son did not object.

        -  Thank you, but I really have no time. – She hugged the widow goodbye. – Take care of yourself. – She said with seeming cheerfulness.

            Jay started towards the wicket, she patted the dog along the way and headed straight for the car. Dan caught up with her there. He held the door before she could open it. Without a word she raised her head and looked into his green eyes. And waited.

        -  Are you okay? – He finally asked, breaking the awkward silence.

        -  Why do you ask? – Could she hear concern in his voice?

        -   You don’t look good. – He did not know why he cared about her so much.

        -  Thanks! – She laughed, but it did not reach her eyes. – A compliment that every woman would like to hear!

        -  You’re pale. – He did not let go. – And tired. I sense it.

        -  I’m fine. – She assured him, embarrassed by his watchful gaze. – I drove for a long time.

        -  So you should rest. – He suggested.

        -  I have to visit one more place, then I’ll rest. -  She felt a sudden urge to escape.

        -  An hour or two won’t make a difference to you. – He convinced.

        -  Thanks for caring, Dan. – She sighed and looked significantly at his hand still holding the car’s door. – But I really have to go now.

            He let her pass, though he had to admit to himself that he did it reluctantly. And it was not that he was worried about her. Jay already got under his skin in November, but he was still trying to fight it. That was why he did not stop her now and watched her go.

            She did not look back. In Dan’s eyes she saw something that made her want to leave immediately. As soon as possible. She did not know what she was running away from, but she was aware she had to go ahead. As far as she can.

            She did not stop until two in the morning when she already could not stop her eyelids from falling of tiredness. She found a small motel out of the way and hired a rom. She collapsed on the bed just as she stood and fell asleep.