Darkness Rising: Cursed Guardians

The Club

"Sabella are you awake?" Cass mum merged sleepily. I'd never really went to sleep. My mind would shut the hell up no matter how many times I told it to.

"Yeah I'm up. How you feeling?" I got up and began to stretch. 

"All good here but I'm starving. I heard you cooked." Oops I thought. I'd made goulash last night and she didn't even get any. Failure.

"I'm so sorry! I made that for you and completely spaced on getting you some after the red head attacked me." It was true plus there was the conversation between Puff and Demetri and then my conversation with Sybil. Oh plus what Cass told me. Information overload. s**t sensory overload for that matter. The presence of ghosts here was intense. Speaking of..."Whats with all of the ghosts?"

"They are informants kinda like spies for us plus the really strong ones can build energy to fight. Bonus is they can't die since they are already dead. Down side is if they get vanquished in spirit form it's impossible to save them from an oblivion of nothingness." She said getting up herself.

"Ghost form." I corrected. "Spirits are human souls, ghosts are magical beings. I know it is basically the same but it's how I was taught to differentiate. Ghosts are more likely to try to possess you or use what remains of their powers."

"Duly noted. So since I didn't get any of what you made last night what are the chances you'd be willing to fix me something now?" She grinned the whole time cause she knew cooking was a weakness. "Let's go." I smirked. "As long as there is ample amounts of coffee that is." Caffeine. Other weakness.

After rummaging through the pantry and fridge I had all the ingredients I needed to make a hash with eggs. Even though a glance at the clock told me it was 2 in the afternoon I was feeling breakfasty. To my surprise when I started the bacon and ham others began to show up in the kitchen. Not surprisingly they also wanted food. Apparently I made an impression with my goulash. Woohoo. Fortunately another trip through the kitchen and I had enough stuff to feed the small army that resided in the house. When I was nearly done Draco walked in and saw I was cooking again. He looked like he'd just rolled out of bed. Hubba hubba. It was a good look. I had to turn my face to hide my smile. And clear the thought of him as a meal out of my head. At least I could blame the flushed face on the cooking.  He liked my cooking even though he despised my heritage and the smell of it likely drew him to the kitchen. I started serving giving Cass the first bowl. 

"A word with the two of you." said Puff when the crowd had cleared. He looked down at the pan.

I was getting a small bowl for myself when I saw his glance. "Would you like a bowl? I asked. For a split second he looked tempted then shook his head. Silly dragon. We went back up to the office where Abigale and Kaeleb were waiting. Happily I saw Abigale had a bowl of hash. Kaeleb looked like he wanted to beat her for eating it. Tough sell that one.

Draco looked at me as Cass and I sat down with our food in the chairs across from his desk. Looking at Puff Cass began "Draco we need to discuss why Sabella is here. You're not gonna like it." She started biting her lip. "I think she is here to help in the magical witchy power way." Look of pure hatred shot in my direction.

"I thought she was non practicing. How can a non practicing witch help?" He snarled.

"Well she's gonna have to start practicing." she said casting me a sideways glance. I shrugged. I knew it was true and really didn't have enough energy to argue. Draco scowld. 

 "We will discuss that later. In others news apparently your boyfriend wants you returned witch. He's offered a reward to anyone who can find you and then double if they can return you." Making a sound of frustration I irritatingly said "He's not my boyfriend." There was a look that I couldn't read because it disappeared from his face so quickly. Puff was going to make me nuts.

"I any case" he continued "I'm in no mood for playing a game of hide the witch." One more witch comment and I might throw my bowl at his head. "Cassady will escort you there this evening." Hallelujah.

"Awesome" I managed to say casually. "If that's all I need to go shower and get ready for work. Cass can you do my hair and make-up since I don't have my stuff with me?"

"Sure! You know I love pretending you're my doll." She smiled cause it was so true. I was her personal Barbie but I didn't mind. I had just finished eating and was beginning to think if I had clothes at the club when I heard Puff huff.

Puff rolled his eyes. "A witch and a working girl. How appropriate." There was that biting word witch again. Then the realization of what he meant by working girl. Oh hell no. The glasses and matching decanter of liquor exploded. I could feel the rage and power building. Not good. Didn't care. Bowl forgotten I jumped over the desk, grabbed the front of Dracos shirt and brought us nose to nose. All the others started for me but the light bulbs exploding stopped them.

"This witch is here to help your prejudice prick ass. Furthermore this witch has a name and it's Sabella. The witch would appreciate being addressed by her name. And for your information I'm not a hooker! I happened to be a hostess, the most requested one in the entire club. Whatever the f**k the other witch did to you is not my f*****g fault, I'm not her! Get the f**k over me being a witch!" I was fuming but I released him. Climbing back over the desk is stormed out of the room ignoring the open mouths and death stares I was receiving. Marching back to the room Cass and I were in and went straight for the shower. Passing by the mirror I could see my eyes were flickering from their normal blue glow. Stopping I gazed at them fascinated by what I saw. My irises had gone red and the pupils silver with glowing blue outline, leaving what should have been the whites of my eyes black.Hello fury, so that's what you look like. I turned away and took a screaming hot shower.

Two hours later Cass had silently done my hair and make-up and we were on our way to Cauldron. It was a long quiet ride and I was relieved to get to club. On our way in I had called to tell Demetri that I was coming him and when we pulled to the back I could see Mike at the back door waiting for me. He gave me a quizzical look as Cass and I entered but didn't question us. I went straight for Demetri's office. When I got there he was pacing the floor. I didn't even knock when he looked up at me. He crossed the room in two long strides picked me and squeezed the breath out of me speaking again in what sounded like Russian.

Setting me back down he said "Are you alright? Did they hurt you? What the hell happened?" I recounted the events of the previous night making sure to stress the point of a security camera at the back door. While I was talking Demetri walked circles around me inspecting all the skin he could see. He handed me my phone which as smashed and my keys. "Stefan and I found these out back." I looked at my smashed phone. Then Demetri grabbed my hand and placed a brand new iPhone. Looking up at him I opened my mouth but he cut me off. "You need this. I had all of your numbers, pictures, and music transferred over. I also added my personal numbers to the contacts." He smiled and brushed my cheek with his fingertips. Shivers. After I was done I went to go change arguing for a few minutes before. Demetri wanted me to rest, so not happening needed distractions. Cass was cleared to stay as long as she wished and was given a tab at the V.I.P. bar. By the time I got out on the floor it was already after 9. Cass stayed at the bar chatting with other creatures and dancing occasionally. My night was slow as none of my regulars were there but Demetri kept checking on me via headset. The. At 1030 he asked me to bring Cass with me back to the office. I grabbed Cass and we headed to the back. We walked into the office and there was Puff the Magic Dragon sitting across from Demetri. Clad in black leather. Yum. Focus he's an asshole. At that same moment he did a double take of me, mouth slightly parted. Oh boy. 

Demetri rose as he always did when I came into the room. He walked me over to the desk where he pulled a chair around to be seated beside him. Can you say power play move? Cass took a seat next to Puff and I noticed Stefan close the door from the back corner of the room. I didn't like this. Cass and Stefan exchanged icey stares that could re-freeze the ice caps. 

"Sabella" Demetri began "Draco has come here making demands in regards to you that I thought you should know about."

"Oh?" I said and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Yes. He says that you are going to be assisting him for an undisclosed amount of time making you an asset. Therefore he wants to post one of his men here in the club when you are working. This won't do. Some of our clients are not fans of his...group. It would affect business." Demetri was pissed and I could tell. Never f**k with a vampires profit margin.

"Then she simply will no longer be working here." Draco said casually.

"Excuse you?" I snapped. "I am not your property and you will not be barking orders at me or telling me what I will and will not do. I'm helping you because I know its what I'm supposed to do but try this s**t and I'll ignore the need to do so. There has to be an alternative." So itirated but I needed to think. Cass caught my eye looking decidedly bored. Bingo.

"I have a thought. Cass could work here." Everyone looked from me to Cass. "Go with me on this." Looking at Demetri I said "We've been short a hostess for a while she could easily fill the vacancy. She'd been hugely popular with the fae and anyone else with hormones" I smiled at Cass and she beamed back at me. Looking at Puff I said "She we will be here with me so that gives you a person inside the club. Everyone benefits." Both of them seemed to think about then they both nodded.

"Agreed?" Draco asked.

"Agreed." said Demetri.

"Sweet!" Cass piped in.

A voice in my ear said one of my V.I.P.s had arrived. "I've got a goblin asking for me. Can you all work this out in peace?" Looks from everyone. "What you two look like you want to murder each other."

"Go." said Demetri. I left to go attend to my client. About 20 minutes later Cass was back at the bar chatting up some of the servers and the bar tender most likely telling them of her new employement. After getting a bottle of champaign for the goblin I noticed a table in the back corner was now occupied. I walked over to find none other than Draco. 

"I take you all worked out the details?" I asked.

"We did. Cass will begin your next shift and shadow you. She works when you work. Shouldn't you ask me if there's anything you can get me witch?" he half scowled, half grinned when he said witch.

I frowned. "What can I get you Puff the Magic Dragon?" Suck on that I thought.

Now he frowned. "You've got some nerve. Assaulting me, breaking glass and light bulbs, calling me names. I could snap you like a twig. I've done so for lesser." There was that flash.

"But you won't. I think deep down you know I'm supposed to help you like Cass said. I also think that you kind of like me even though I'm a witch because I don't take your s**t. You like the challenge." I said.

I got a true grin. Oh must look away or I'm lost. "Perhaps you're correct, Sabella." That made me give a little smile.

"What can I get you to drink Draco? Single malt whiskey?"

"How did you know?" he puzzled.

"I smelled it when the decanter shattered. I am sorry about all the glass breaking. That hasn't happened for years. I'll get your drink." So for the rest of the night he sat at the booth and watched me do my hostess thing with the goblin and a few others that showed up around midnight all while also attending to him. I could feel his eyes one me while I worked which made me evaluate what I had on. The only out fit I had stored in my locker was a typical naughty school girl outfit. Black pleated skirt, low, low cut red button up shirt, knee high fishnets clipped to a garter belt, and 5" platform maryjane heels. As soon as I felt his eyes I was instantly self conscious and avoided bending over as much as possible. 

At the end of the night Demetri told me not to worry about numbers and just go home but also to call him at any time if I needed him or if I just wanted to talk. He stressed that last part in front of Draco. I think he wanted to avoid more time with Draco. In the parking lot Cass said she and Draco would follow me to my house. Glancing over I saw Puff climb into an Aston Martin DBS. Okay now my jaw dropped. If anything impressed me it was cars...with sexy drivers. Yum, yum, yummy. He caught my look of aw and smirked. Damn that smirk could very easily be the death of me. Focus Sabella! I shook myself and climbed into Casses car and headed home. My rental house was a 20 minute drive from the club and was really nothing special. Even though I owned my parents house and the property it resided on I hadn't been able to live there since they died. I backed my Jeep into the driveway as Cass and Draco pulled up. "Seriously? This is where you live? This does not scream Sabella." Cass said walking up the drive as I unlocked the front door and waved them both inside. "Yeah I know it's not fantastic but it works." I said closing the door. "Okay I need you guys to just stay still." Immediately growing suspicious they stopped just inside the door. I ran to my back door. "Storm, come." My beautiful blue eyed husky whose coloring reminded me of grey storm clouds came padding into the room. She went to Cass, sniffed her then went to Draco pausing before she sniffed him then came bounding back to sit next to the door. "One down." I said then opened the door again. "Daemon, come." Daemon, Latin for demon lived up to his name. He was a pure white german shepherd with red eyes who was a trouble making, instigator. Again he went to each of my guests to sniff them. Though he did not do so as quickly as Storm he gave consent to their being there by not growling and going to sit next to Storm. "That's two." I said. Cass looked up. "They're all so sweet! You have three right? No problem." About that. One last time I opened the door to call my last fur baby and realized he wasn't there. I could hear the low growl from the dark corner opposite my guests and slowly closed the door. "Shadow, be nice. They are my friends." I said to the biggest of my three. One slow paw at a time, Shadow brought his huge form from the dark shadow of the corner into the light. Cass gave a small gasp. I couldn't blame her Shadow wasn't a dog he was a solid black full blood wolf. He came to me first nuzzling my hand. I walked with him to Cass. "Shadow this is Cass she is a friend. Cass hold out your hand." Slowly Cass held her hand out and Shadow sniffed. Seeming to approve he turned his attention to Puff who to my surprise was squatting down level with Shadow. "You may not want to do that." I cautioned Draco. "Shadow has a history with not liking the male persuasion." He didn't move but slowly reached his hand forward. Before I could move Shadow walked to Draco at first with a low growl. Uh oh. Yet after a moment he sniffed Dracos outstretched hand then actually sat down to be petted. "Wow. He never, ever does that. He...likes you I think." I sounded as stunned as I felt.I moved to the kitchen I asked "Can I get you some wine?" My fur babies followed us into the kitchen were I gave each a treat. I turned to see them staring at me then realized that they were looking at the kitchen. "Now this screams Sabella!" Cass exclaimed. True that. The house may not be me but my kitchen was all me. Not quite gourmet but really, really good. "How did you come by the wolf?" Puff asked. "I rescued him. I was out on a walk one day and I could here a whimpering from off the path. At first I couldn't see anything because he was in complete shadow. When I finally found him he was all alone and his paw was badly hurt. I waited for hours for the mother wolf to come back he was only a day or two old, but when she didn't I brought him home and took care of him until his paw got better. After he healed I tried to set him back into the wild but every time I set him back he would show up on the back porch with Storm and Daemon. After a while I just figured he was meant to be with me. I named him Shadow because every time he came back he'd hide in the shadows waiting for me to find him." Cass was watching the furries surround me in the kitchen and smiled. I saw Draco looking around at the piles of books on the floor. "Like to read do you?" he raised an eyebrow. "Live for it. So would you.." I stopped. The feeling...uh oh. 

"Sabella?" Cass said. I shook my head. The furries all went on alert.

"What is it Sabella?" Draco was moving closer. I could feel my stomach clenching.

 "We're about to have company." I breathed. 

"Your house has wards." Cass said sounding anxitious.

I shook my head. "I always ward a few days before halloween. I don't practice so my wards aren't strong. The hunters and I do the wards together to make sure they're strong enough." That was when the front door flew open and the demons came flying in.