Time After Time

Chapter 15

Dante was perched on a trellis outside Jade's window, which was not nearly as comfortable as a tree, he grumbled to himself. He would rather be hanging out with Lexi, instead of having his insufferable little brother play guard, but it couldn't be helped. When Dante had brought up his uneasiness after seeing Jade's picture, Erik hadn't brushed it off exactly, but he admitted he couldn't get a read in Jade's thoughts anymore, ever since whatever type of dance they went to was over. Why Erik didn't question this further at the time, Dante didn't know. Probably too distracted with Lexi, which he himself could somewhat understand. It neared looking into though, since this foreboding feeling just wouldn't seem to go away. Peering inside, he could see Jade was talking to someone, or something maybe. It was odd, it seemed the girl was having a full conversation, but there was no one else in the room. No one that he could see anyway. He wanted to send out his power to feel if anyone was in there with her, but if he did that and there was someone there, someone powerful enough to hide themselves, they would feel it. Clicking his beak in frustration, he tried to make out the one side of the conversation he could hear.
"I have told you everything I know about her, I swear." Jade paused, clearly listening to a reply he couldn't hear. " Yes, that's the only thing, as far as I know. The other two are completely average. Not that she isn't." She sniffed indignantly. Combing her head to the side, listening again, a sultry smile formed on her lips. "And if all goes according to plan, I will get what you promised me?" She bit her lip, in what Dante assumed was supposed to be a seductive manner, again listening to a response he couldn't hear. Apparently, she was pleased with the response, because a triumphant grin rose on her face. Dante listened for a bit longer, but whomever she was talking to must be gone, because now she was just staring at her self in the mirror, turning to and fro, tilting her head and thinking.
Seeing he would get no more information for the time being, he flew off, heading towards Lexi's. As he made his way there, he tried to sort through his thoughts. What creatures could make themselves invisible? Demons and some half demons for sure. Witches couldn't make their actual bodies invisible, but if they were powerful enough, they could astral project. What did the creature want with Jade? His gut told him it had something to do with Lexi, he just wasn't sure what. As Lexi house came into view, he saw that her car was there as well another vehicle, which he assumed was Cass. Dropping down into the trees near the house, he changed forms there and walked up to the front door and knocked. The door swung open and Lexi's expression, which looked irritated, quickly changed into happiness when she laid eyes on him. She leaned forward and kissed him, before letting him in. Once inside, Dante could pick up on the tension in the room. Erik looked annoyed and Cass looked mad. " What is going on here?" Dante asked.
Erik said " The girls are going out to meet Emma and her new boyfriend, and we are in disagreement on whether they should go alone."
Dante raised his eyebrows, about to agree with his brother, but Lexi caught his eye and her face said Don't. Thinking it over quickly, he asked Cass. " What do you think?" Cass regarded him steadily for a moment and said " I think I can handle a boyfriend."
Dante nodded " And on the off chance he is more than just a boyfriend?"
Cass stared at him again and with a flick of her wrist, uttered "Consto" Dante found himself completely unable to move for a moment.
"I have been practicing." Cass shrugged.
Dante stared at her a moment and very calmly said " Do not do that to me again, if you please." Looking to Erik first, then Lexi, he continued " How about we wait outside? That way, if you need us, either of you can send out a mental help call, and we will be right there, but not in the way?" Lexi and Cass looked at each other and finally they both nodded in agreement. " That is settled then, onto other business, today I spent sometime checking in on your previous friend Jade." Dante paused as all three of them looked at him indignantly, waiting for their protest and complaints to die down. " May I continue?" He asked. At their nods, he went on "Something is going on with that girl." Looking directly at Erik, he said " She was talking to someone I couldn't see or hear." Erik eyes widened slightly and he asked " What did she say?"
Dante relayed what he had heard. Lexi and Cass looked confused and Erik looked worried. Finally, Dante thought to himself, he is finally paying attention. Erik mused out loud " A demon perhaps? That could be what is blocking her thoughts." Lexi and Cass both looked startled for a moment, but quickly recovered. Immortals, witches, powers, why should the possibility of a demon make them bat an eye? Lexi spoke up " Well, I hope not, for Jade's sake. She may be a bitch, but that sounds horrible." Dante and Erik eyes meet over her head. She wasn't putting together that it not likely had something to go with her, or possibly even Cass, Jade herself wouldn't be of interest to any creature, other than possibly a vampire if they were hungry. Dante sent the thought to his brother, Not now, let them have tonight. Erik's nod was so small it was imperceptible. Erik changed the subject "Well, since we don't have Dante's car and you are riding with Lexi, can we take your car, Cass?"
Cass nods, minimal words as usual. It is almost seven, so they all head to the separate vehicles to go over to the diner.

Lexi and Cass enter the diner, after reminding the guys to stay outside. Emma is already waiting for them, waving them over enthusiastically. As they sit down, she says "Kieran is running a few behind, he will be here in a minute." They nod and begin chattering amongst themselves as they wait. Suddenly Emma says "There he is!" and beckons him over. Lexi turns to look and sees a man walking towards them. Every move he makes is so graceful it is almost unnatural. His black hair is artfully styled back, highlighting his perfect bone structure which is complimented by his unusually pale skin. His eyes flick over each of their faces, seeming to linger on Lexi's for just a second too long, his velvety black eyes piercing her, causing her to shiver in something that almost seems like fear. Then his eyes go back to Emma's and he smiles, his face changing beautifully, and the moment is gone. I'm crazy, Lexi thinks to herself.
Emma turns to Cass and Lexi, her arm linked through Kieran's. " Meet Kieran Sullivan, and Kieran, this is Lexi Lightfoot." she gestured towards Lexi and Kieran held out his hand. Lexi took it smiling at him politely. Very carefully, she envisioned lifting the imaginary veil off him, while building a wall around herself. She didn't know what to expect but it certainly wasn't a sense of danger mixed with excitement almost like dark forest covering up something else she couldn't get a handle on. Stranger still, mixed in with the dark forest feel was a sense of a connection. Not like she had with Dante, not at all. This connection didn't seem to be a good one. No, that can't be right, she though to herself, releasing his hand. Kieran's face was still holding that polite expression, but his eyes flashed with a knowing look. Emma continued " And this is Cass Proctor." Kieran turned to extend his hand to Cass, and as she took it, so fast Lexi wasn't sure if she imagined it, a look of fear flashed across Cass's face. " Nice to meet you." Cass mumbled, but something in her expression was off. Kieran nodded politely and turning back to Emma said "Shall we sit and eat?" Emma beamed at him and nodded. He pulled out her chair for her and Emma replied "Thank you." His hand stilled in the back of her chair for a second, his grip tightening. He relaxed it and replied "My Pleasure."
As they say there talking, listening to Emma retell the story, as Cass had not yet heard it, of how Kieran helped her the night they met, Lexi was only pretending to pay attention. Her mind was racing, Kieran seems nice enough, but something is off. Cass felt it too. At that thought, her eyes slide over to Cass. She wore a interested expression, but she slowly reached over and squeezed Lexi's leg under the table. This was her silent way of saying Yes, I know, we will talk about it later. Relaxing a bit now that she knew it wasn't just her mind playing trick on her, she turned her full attention back to Emma and Kieran. As Emma was talking, Kieran was listening with a bemused expression on his face. With one hand he was playing idly with the gold bracelet that was shining on Emma's wrist. When Emma finished her story, Lexi asked Kieran " So, Kieran, where are you from?" His gaze slid towards her and he slowly replied "Ireland."
He didn't say anything more, but Lexi felt this wasn't the full truth. Something is off about him, she knew. But Emma was completely enthralled, so Lexi was trying here. Luckily, Emma's constant chatter balanced out the fact that Kieran barely spoke. It kept things from being awkward. Of course when Keiran did speak, he was perfectly polite. It just came across as false to Lexi's ears.
Finally, dinner was over. Cass, Lexi and Emma had all had burgers, Kieran has ordered dessert, a bread pudding. Emma explained he didn't eat meat, but he loved sweets, all the while looking at him adoringly. As they all parted ways, Lexi and Cass climbed into Lexi car. Driving home, Lexi asked Cass " What was up when you shook Kierans hand, you looked terrified." Cass turned her face towards Lexi and with a serious expression, said " I don't know exactly, I had a vision of a dark forest and a fearful almost falling sensation , and had a terrible sense of dread. He isn't human, I don't think. I don't know what's going on." Lexi's eyes widened and she explained to Cass that she had a sense of darkness blocking his mood, but somehow he seemed familiar to her, not in a good way. Cass tapped her chin thoughtfully " Okay, we need to try to figure this out. We can't say anything to Emma, she is so head over heels already, she won't listen. We will just have to watch out for her, best we can." Lexi sighed, knowing Cass was right. " I don't want to tell Dante and Erik, they are just going to go into overdrive with the protection thing, even though I doubt it is about me. He is dating Emma for a reason I am sure." Cass just looks at Lexi and softly replies "If he isn't human, I don't think it a coincidence he is here, but we can wait a few days until Mallory gets back and we check it out, before telling Dante and Erik." Lexi clenches the steering wheel tighter, thinking to herself why me? Cass gently suggests " We are both really uptight, why don't we tell our moms we are staying with each other and go stay at Hawthorne house, the guys won't care?"
Lexi nods and hands Cass her phone, so Cass can handle the parents. Turning around, she heads toward Hawthorne House, noticing Dante, driving Cass's car behind them, follows her lead.