Crimson Kiss

33 Presented

Frank had to leave soon after, a page coming through, calling him back to the hospital. That left me alone, in the library, sitting in the dusty eged of the fireplace in the middle of the room. There were so many books, and scrolls and journals that I had no idea where to start. I was still in some kind of emotional shock. My mother had known Tate would come after her. She had known she would die. She had known I would end up back here, with Tate as High Priest. I wondered for a moment. Tate had wanted my mother to become High Priestess, but she had no Hunter's Blood. How would that have even been possible? Without the blood of a Hunter, there is no way for a new Priestess to come to power. In that event, a warden is appointed by the Elders.
Or at least that is what I had read. I would have to ask Delphine about it. As I walked around the huge room, I skimmed the rows and rows of books, for some reason the word Solis repeating itself in my head. I pulled out a book and flipped it open. I sighed when I saw it was in Latin. I wondered how many of these would be in english.
"Ivy?" I herd Ezra's voice from down the hall.
I stood to my feet quickly and hurried down the hall. I smiled when I saw him and ran straight into his arms. Ezra scooped me up and held me close, his arms around me. "What is this place?" he asked me as he set me on my feet. I smiled up at him and tugged him to the library.
"My house," I told him and Ezra raised an eyebrow at me. "My mom left it to me. Turns out my parents know Tate. And way better then I would have thought. Tate was in love with my mother."
Ezra made a surprised face, looking back at me. "Really?" he asked me. "You think he is after you because of your mother?" I sighed and shook my head.
"I honestly do not know what to think anymore," I said and ran a hand over my face. "Come," Ezra said and pulled me over to as mall sofa that was covered in a white sheet. Ezra sat beside me, his hands never leaving my skin. I sighed, my heart pounding. "Why so nervous?"
I shook my head, trying to keep my feelings and emotions in check. In all honest truth, I wanted him to bite me. I wanted the euphoric feeling that came with it. The last time had been weeks ago, and with Old Lady Delphine gone, nothing was really keeping Ezra from feeding from me. Or Marcus.
Once again, guilt washed through me, knowing Ezra knew I had fed from him once, but didn't know about the other night. I felt Ezra's lips touch mine, his face troubled, worried. "What is it?"
My heart sank a little. I so badly wanted to tell him the truth, but I was unable to find the words.
"Nothing," I assured him. "I guess it's just been an emotional day."
Ezra pressed forward, making me lean back on the soft pillows. "I can make you emotional, if you like?" he whispered. He did not give me a chance to answer because his lips were on mine, soft and cool. His hands wandered to my scarf and pulled gently. I moved my hand to the back of his neck when I felt his breathing speed up, playing slowly with his hair.
"How long do we have?" I whispered.
I heard him chuckle. "Not long enough for me to take my time with you, like I want to," he sighed and playfully nipped at my jaw. I giggled, goosebumps fluttering over my skin.
"That's to bad," I said and leaned away, not wanting to tease or test him to much.
Ezra raised an eyebrow at me, his face hiding a small smirk. "Why is that?" he asked me in a low voice, pulling me in and over, making me straddle him. My hands grabbed his face and I kissed him quickly. Ezra groaned and pressed me closer to him, his lips moving with mine. Before I could do or say anything else, I was suddenly across the room, my back against the side of a bookshelf with my legs wrapped firmly around him. Ezra's other hand came up to grip my hair.
"Because, I can not let you go into my house smelling so... mouthwatering, with a whole Coven of Vampires present!" he reminded me. I sighed and looked around the room.
"This is going to be our hang out spot," I told him, changing the subject. "This is where we can be us! Outside of our respective Covens. We can fix the rooms up, get some beds, tables and chairs here along with some lamps?" I asked him.
Ezra looked around what would be a living room. "With a working fireplace?" he asked me.
I smiled. "Did I mention the hot tub out back?"
Ezra grinned at me, his eyes becoming msicivious. "Ivy, do you realize only four months have passed since we met?" he asked me and sighed. "So little time, and so much happening, so quickly. How are you dealing with all of this?"
I sighed and leaned against the sofa. No one had ever really asked me that before. No one had asked me if I was OK with being a Witch. Or rather a Hunter Witch. I was still in awe that Frank was a Hunter. When I had told Ezra, he had chuckled. Apparently, the day Frank had met Ezra in the hospital, was the day Frank knew Ezra was a Vampire and Ezra knew Frank was a Hunter. Perhaps that is why Frank had reacted to Ezra the way he had?
"I could not even think of how to even begin, to answer the question, Ezra," I sighed. "I am worried about Frank being stalked by the Coven, I am trying to track Freya, but I have yet to even see her. Tate has vanished and Delphine is ready for me to get the sample for the body switch spell. I asked her to altar it so that I could use it on an animal. There was a great white fluffy cat that pranced all around the huge place. At least I get to cross one thing off of my to do list!"
Ezra smiled at me and brushed a hair from my face.
The feeling of guilt washed through me suddenly, as Marcus's face flashed before my eyes. I forced a smile on my face, looking around the house. "So what do you think?" I asked him.
Ezra didn't seem to notice my sudden discomfort, or at least he was doing a very good job at hiding it from me.
"I think this would be a great place for us to hang out," he said. "However, you should ward this place like you warded your house. To keep unwanted guests out!"
I nodded. "I can see if Delphine can help me with that first thing tomorrow morning!"
Ezra nodded and then walked to the door, holding it open for me. "Well, we don't want to be late," he said. I could tell he was nervous. His voice was steady but strained at the same time. I reached and gripped his hand.
"Ezra," I said as we walked toward his car. I turned and locked the door quickly and followed him. "Dragos can not kill me," i assured him.
Ezra sighed and turned to face me. "Sure he can," he told me.
I shook my head at him. "I am a High Priestess of the Goddess-"
"You think Dragos cares about that crap?" Ezra demanded. "The only reason he will not kill you is because of my Claim on you. As long-..."
Ezra stopped, his face frustrated. I raised an eyebrow at him, confused. "What?" I whispered.
"As long as you have my Claim, you are protected," he said. "As long as you are with me, you are safe. And I promise you, you always will be!"
I nodded. "I will hold you to that someday!" I warned him.
Ezra smiled and nodded. "We should get going!"