A Vampire's Life Book 4

Chapter 8 - Ethan

She sits in the waiting room, one hand props her head, the other rests on the arm of the chair, her fingers taping showing her impatience. A portly man steps out through a doorway.

'Josephine Eleanor?'

She gets up and walks in as he begins to close the door.

'Is your partner going to be joining us?'

'He's not my partner.' she mutters.

Ouch.

'My apologies.' he closes the door and continues to speak to her. 'Just the way he looked at you, I assumed... you know.'

'Looked at me?'

'Yes, like a husband or a boyfriend would, you hadn't noticed?'

She doesn't respond.

Ethan. Yes, Claude. Mother has spoken with Stella. Oh? What did the dear old witch have to say for herself? You mean Stella right? Of course. I scoff at him. Stella has said that the formula will work but it is not a guarantee unless you know the witch who cast the curse. How in hell are we going to find that out? Stella has an idea, she wants to meet the girl, today, maybe lunch? I groan. This is going to be such fun, getting her to agree to anything is difficult, let alone lunch with a witch. Don't tell her that stupid! Oh please Claude, the last time I saw Stella she was the epitome of Hollywood styled witches, as if she isn't going to run a mile when she sees her. I can hear Claude laughing. Maybe you should see Stella now, trust me, she won't know, tell her that she is my girlfriend, noon at Vivaldi's, yes? Yeah sure.

Half an hour later, she exits the room looking very phased out. The doctor gives me a glum look as I stand to her. His expression reads like a book, when not if. She doesn't react when I wrap my arm around her and lead her out of the office. In the lift, I lean on the glass wall, pulling her onto my body, luckily I have fed and am not hungry, that woman last night has filled me, it will carry me well until tonight. I suggest lunch to Josie and to my surprise she accepts the offer of lunch without any hesitation, like she has given up on everything.

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I see Claude with a woman that I do not recognise until I reach the table, the unmistakable copper irises are a giveaway.

'Hello Stella, this is Josie. Josie, this is my brother Claude and his girlfriend Stella.'

She quietly greets them and sits down at the table. Stella leads the conversation very avidly, flittering in and out of topics, trying to engage Josie every now and then. The waiter comes and goes with our food as Stella presses on, trying to get information out of her without her knowing what she is doing.

'Ethan darling, did you know that I was doing up a book of the locals.'

'No. I did not.'

She pulls a book out and places it in between Josie and myself. She raises her eyebrows at me, whilst Josie isn't looking. I open the book up and see where she is going, it's a book of pictures, of witches, their partners, their children. I slowly flick the pages over, hoping that Josie is actually looking at the pictures.

'Oh my god.' she quietly chuckles. 'I know that guy.'

'Who?'

She points to the one partner that I had wished she would not have pointed to Althor, husband of Kendall. I can see Stella's bottom lip quiver; this is not good.

'Josie, how do you know him?'

'He's one of my regulars.' she chuckles again.

'Regulars?' Stella says perplexed.

The smile drops from Josie's face.

'Oh, I uh, used to dance for a living. Al stopped in every Friday and to get a private dance.'

Instantly Claude is in my mind.

This is why you wanted me to stay away? he chuckles. Because she's a stripper?

I squint at him.

'Lucky man.' Stella grins at her.

Josie blushes with a soft smile. It is nice to see it. Claude continues the conversation with Josie as Stella enters my mind.

Ethan, this is not good. Of all the witches to cast a curse it has to be Kendall she sighs Nothing like a woman scorned. I will prepare the formula; it will now take three days. By the look of the mark on her wrist, I will be lucky if I get it to her in time. Every day you are to give one vial of this potion, I have already put one into her drink for today. I feel the vials in my pocket, weighing down one side of my jacket. This will sustain her for a short while, hopefully it will be enough to get her to the third day. On the third day you are to bring her to me, even if she has to be dragged there kicking and screaming. My mind stops and thinks. Stella, what if she wants to die? This is not for her to decide Ethan; she isn't going to die. This mark on her wrist it is red as your brother saw, but he missed something, there is an outer ring, a white ring. I look at her wrist, a feint pink tint on her fair skin, I do not have the ability to see death marks like my brother can. What's a white ring mean? It means she will become a succubus and not just any ordinary succubus, this particular type of succubus is one that kills and will not stop until the entire planet is void of men, human or dark being, she will show no mercy. How is that possible? I thought they were wiped out a thousand years ago. They were, doesn't mean they can't come back if a witch were to cast the right spell. I sigh rather heavily in my mind; this is so not good.

I see that you have claimed her, just so you know, you will be her first target. So, this means that you are going home right now to start the formula? She chuckles. Yes, young vampire, I will save your life... again. Could I ask one more favour? She eyes me suspiciously. It would be so much easier if she was just a little bit more agreeable to my suggestions. A tiny curl creeps into the corner of her mouth. She closes her eyes for a few seconds and Josie sneezes, excuses herself quietly and continues her meal. Done, one pliable girl for you and only you, three days only though, after that she will return to her normal self, provided all goes to plan.