Through the Darkness

Chapter 7: Sealed With a Kiss, Part 2

They arrived at a quiet, high-class steakhouse off the beaten path. Once they were seated, Klaus ordered a bottle of wine and an appetizer, which the wait staff brought promptly to the table. Cami's curiosity about the Green Serpent Guild was driving her crazy. "So, when are you going to tell me about your trip?"

Klaus held up his finger. "Rule number one for this evening: we are not going to discuss that odious, pathetic excuse for a coven. At least, not until we've had our dinner."

Cami looked puzzled. "Ok, mysterious much? Well, then how are things between you and Elijah?"

Klaus held up two fingers as he took a sip of his wine. "Rule number two for this evening: we are not going to discuss my dysfunctional family relations. Tonight, you are my date, not my therapist. Oh, and before you ask, rule number three is that if I tell you to stop asking questions and just enjoy the moment, you will acquiesce and simply trust me."

Cami sighed heavily with frustration, but was eager to play along. "Fine! So, what are we going to discuss, then?"

"You. I want to talk about you."

Cami smiled a bit shyly and looked down at the table. "You know all you need to know about me. I'm a bartender studying to be a therapist. I came to New Orleans to learn more about my crazy brother, who I found out was not crazy but hexed by witches, lost my uncle to the same fate, and learned that there is a whole world of supernatural creatures that I had no idea about. Now, I'm on a date with one. Case closed." She took a gulp of her wine. "Now, tell me about your trip," she demanded, with a hint of playful challenge in her eyes.

Klaus was amused. "I often forget how tenacious you are. Another of the many reasons I like you." He took another sip before continuing. "It turns out that you and I have something in common. Something that I don't believe you are aware of."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? This ought to be interesting."

"Your bloodline originated from the Gemini coven. You have witch ancestry, just as I have."

Concern and amazement were evident on Cami's face as she leaned forward. After pondering the implications for a moment, she finally responded, "I've always had a sense that there was more to my being in New Orleans. It wasn't just Sean's death or Uncle Kieran that pulled me here. What else do you know?"

He explained what he knew of the Gemini coven and how her specific lineage came to be. Her expression was of pure fascination and he actually began to dread having to tell her the rest. "In short, your ancestor saved your family from annihilation. Otherwise, you would be deceased along with the rest of them."

"That poor girl, the one that was getting married and was pregnant with twins, she didn't deserve that, especially from her own brother. He was obviously a psychopath. God, I hope that gene doesn't run in the family." The waiters brought their meal and they began to eat. "So, was it some kind of spell that my ancestor cast to withdraw from the Gemini coven and protect us?"

"Most likely. Any powers your family possessed were made dormant, so all of you have lived as humans ever since."

"So, does that mean all it would take is a spell to undo it?"

"Perhaps. Are you eager to become a practicing witch, Sweetheart?"

Already on her third glass of wine, Cami smiled a little, in deep thought. "I don't know. This is all so strange to me."

"Well, as you already know, I have a love-hate relationship with most witches. They are either obsessed with me or absolutely loathe me," he smirked in a charming manner while politely indulging in his dinner.