Hidden Truth

Chapter 9

Claire

Fallen leaves crunching on the ground and birds chirping in the trees stirred me awake. A chilly breeze blew past my face as the heat of the sun beat down on me. Slowly opening my eyes, I squinted from the sun. Glancing around I noticed I was still outside on Blake's balcony. I must have fallen asleep while he was getting my tea. The red mug on the table caught my eye. Sitting up on the couch I grabbed the cup to see it was empty.

Rolling to a sitting position, I looked to the tree line to see a deer. The doe vigilantly checked her surroundings before eating from the patch of grass that was not covered by dead leaves. I just stared, looking at her innocence before something scared her off. I watched her white tail disappear behind the thick wall of trees. In the distance a howl filled the area. I always knew of the predators living in the woods but never saw myself living in the middle of it.

Glancing back at the empty cup on the table my mind drifted back to Blake, and where he disappeared to. Pulling the blanket tightly around my shoulders I inhaled the fresh breeze and Blake's scent. Bringing the corner of the blanket to my nose I smelled Blake, and it relaxed my body. I felt secure being around him, and it was weird seeing as I didn't know him, and he was keeping me here. Walking towards the doorway I could hear him in his room talking to someone. I didn't hear any other voices, so I peered around the corner to see him on the phone.

Blake sat there on the edge of the bed, his back facing me. His back was tense as he sat silently listening to the person on the other end. Blake let out a sigh before speaking, "I'm sorry father." His voice sounded dejected. He ran a hand through his hair, and I wished I could comfort him. I could hear muffled yelling from the phone and shrunk back. "Father, Claire is safe, and it won't happen again."

At the mention of my name a pit formed in my stomach. This was all because I tried to run away. Blake was getting the rough end of the stick, between getting clawed at and now being yelled at. I hated that I caused all this trouble for him. The next words from Blake's mouth had me frozen in place and more confused about myself. "We have another problem. When I was fighting off the ferals Claire tapped into her powers to protect me. I don't even think she knew she was doing it."

That weird barrier that was stopping the second strange creature from attacking Blake's back was from me? My head was spinning as I absorbed what Blake was saying. There was no way I was doing that. It wasn't possible. It was outrageous. I zoned out what was going on in the room, so I never noticed Blake hang up the phone and stand from his bed. When he cleared his throat, I snapped my head in his direction to see him staring at me.

"How long have you been standing there," Blake asked. He stalked towards me slowly, watching for any sudden moves. Part of me wanted to run, but I also craved answers.

"You promised to answer my questions," I replied and walked about out on the balcony. I needed to sit before I fell over. Shakily I lowered myself onto the couch and pulled the blanket off. My body was heating up as my mind raced. My head felt heavy, so I looked to the ground, resting my head in my hands. I had so many things I wanted to know. I heard Blake walk out and from the corner of my eye I saw him pull his chair in front of me.

"I owe you that," he whispered and reached out for me. His hand rested on my knee, and he asked softly, "where would you like me to start?" My mind was such a jumbled mess I didn't even know where to start. I think Blake noticed that because he let go of my knee and leaned back in his seat. "How about I start with an overall explanation."

I nodded because that's all I could seem to do. "I'm going to lock the door first, so no one barges in." Blake stood and left the balcony. After hearing the click of the lock, he returned to his seat and let out a sigh. "So, in the world there are four races. There are Vampires, Lycans, Witches, and Humans. Humans are, typically, not aware of the others. As you overheard, you are not human Claire."

Hearing that I raised my head and stared Blake in the eyes. I could see how serious he was. My heart was racing as I took it all in. That I was lied to my whole life and thought I was something that I wasn't. "Continue," I whispered.

"My family are vampires and before you think we are killers, we are not. Most vampires do not go around killing people. Our main diet is animals, and on occasion we do feed on humans with their consent, and they get paid. Those that do feed on humans, killing them, are called ferals. Those were the creatures that tried to attack you the other night. You can tell when a vampire is feral because they look almost sickly with red eyes and like a feral animal.

"Lycans are pack animals. They have the ability to turn into wolves at night. They need the moon in order to turn. They are usually peaceful creatures, but like other species they have ferals too. Witches are magical beings. They have the ability to cast spells and make potions. Claire, you are a witch."

The pit in my stomach dropped, but I needed to know more. "So, that's what that barrier was," I asked.

"Yes Claire, you are coming into your powers now. You have been showing signs over the last couple days. Whenever you get upset the house shakes. You will have to start training to control those powers. They could do serious damage if you don't control it."

I never realized I was doing any of that. It explains the weird things that started to happen after I turned sixteen. Whenever I felt upset it was almost as if the world was falling with me. The sky would open up as rain poured and lightning struck. "That explains the freak thunderstorms that would hit when I felt upset when I was sixteen."

"You created thunderstorms," Blake asked. His eyebrows creased as he stared at me.

"Does that mean something," I wondered.

"From my reading of the different races, witches have different abilities for different elements. The more common elements are fire, earth, nature, and water. You seem to have nature and water elemental powers. You control weather and create earthquakes."

Everything now made sense and it made me feel more relaxed. I felt like I was less crazy knowing there was a reason behind all the strange occurrences that seemed to follow me. But one this still was unsure to me. "So, why is a vampire protecting a witch?"

I could see the gears turning in Blake's head trying to find a way to explain. Letting out a breath he answered, "Well, to start, I should explain about the Council. The Council is a group of members from the three supernatural races. The members are all from the original blood line that started the races. So, for the vampires it's my father. I will be taking over his spot when he steps down."

"That's why you know so much," I interrupted.

"Yes, I had to read a lot of books and I have training with my father. But, as for protecting you. We were asked to watch over you from the witch council member. You are very important to them."

I furrowed my eyebrows as it all sunk in. What makes me so special to the Council to have vampires watching me. "Why am I so special to them," I finally asked Blake.

"Because Claire, you are the next in line. Your father is on the council and asked us personally to watch you." My head shot up so fast I felt a blood rush and my vision blurred for a second. Dark clouds rolled across the sky as the wind picked up and thunder shook the windows. A flash of lightning cracked in the distance making Blake's head snap behind him. My father was a part of all this, and he didn't even have the balls to tell me himself.

I was ignoring Blake as I tried to wrap my head around the information. I needed to find my father and I wanted to know why he left me. If I was so important to that damn Council, then why wasn't I with him? Why was I left with that drunk of a mother parading horrible men in and out of the house my whole life. Behind Blake the trees blew from the force of the wind as more lightning struck. This time closer to the house.

Blake got down to his knees, grabbing my face in his hands. He tried to talk me down as someone started banging on his door. I could hear his brothers yelling about what was going on and to let them in. Blake was yelling at me to breathe and look at him, but I was focused on the chaos happening behind him. I knew it was my crazy emotions doing it all. If I didn't stop who knows what else would happen.

Opening my eyes, I focused on Blake and my breathing. I tried to slow my heart rate and forget everything he told me. Blake's eyes widened as he met mine, like he saw a monster. Suddenly I felt warmth as Blake leaned forward and our lips connected. His lips were soft and gentle as he leaned in, deepening the kiss. My eyes closed and slowly my mind stopped thinking about my father. My heart slowed and I felt the wind dying down, too.

When Blake pulled back, I kept my eyes closed. My head felt light as I slowly fell back onto the couch. The last thing I remembered was Blake pulling me into his arms as my vision went black.