Chapter Twenty-Three-
'I've Crossed The Last Line
From Where I Can't Return'
Melissa walked into the store, removing her cape that she had protected and disguised herself with. She had to pass through a cemetery and be protected from it or else wouldn't have made it even this far. She knew she had to go against a lot of demons to get her near-family back, and wasn't going to let a few crucifixions stop her.
"Storm!" She yelled. She was hiding, Melissa knew it. No matter, Melissa would find her. She always did.
Melissa knew the welcome mat was a mistake and walked through the door into the shambles of an old laboratory, abandoned during the late sixties after a gang of hippies raided it to stop animal testing. That was how Melissa had met Storm, it just so happened they both had a part to play in the operation.
"I know you're in here Storm!" Melissa yelled. She moved into the next room where hundreds of computers had been dumped there, destroying years of medical research. It was also exactly where Melissa's old friend was hiding. "I can sniff out anything within a five mile radius, what makes you think I can't sniff out your incense?"
"Okay, Okay, you've found me. Carise warned me you'd be breaking in any time soon so what d'you want?" Storm emerged from under the desk she worked at, or at least somebody used to. She was a short, slightly plump girl with long curly brown hair that was always messy. She wore long, baggy dresses and bandanas that complimented her hippie look very well.
"Nice welcome after thirty two years. And nice job you've done with this place. Gives it a real hermit touch."
Storm snapped her fingers and at once the room was illuminated with colour, the computers gone in replace with a lot of candles, beanbags and shelves of books and potion ingredients. Melissa looked around, impressed.
"It's been a long time." Storm said honestly. "And I have a feeling you're still on the run."
"As always, you don't ask before reading my mind." Melissa smiled.
"No, that was just a guess. If I read your mind I get the feeling you'd be asking for something."
"It's a lot worse than last time Storm." Melissa said sadly.
"Sit down." Storm instructed. Melissa sat at one end of the desk that was now round with a silk cloth covering it and tarot cards were shuffling themselves in mid-air. "You want a drink, no, wait your diet. Not that I want to see you kill a human but it'll stain the carpet anyway, so sorry."
"Leave the formalities for a client who cares." Melissa said harshly. The tarot cards dropped to the table suddenly.
Storm sat down, arms folded. "Then what? What do you want from me? The witches council will have me suspended from magic for a decade if they find out I help you. If you want to be rude, then go some place else..."
"No please, don't." Melissa grabbed her hand before Storm could change the room back to normal. "I need your help."
Storm looked at the arm that was holding her. "When did you last feed?"
"That doesn't matter, I really need your help. Please, you've got to help me."
Storm saw the look in Melissa's eyes. "This is serious, isn't it? What happened?"
"Read my mind." Melissa said.
Storm did so and gasped a little at what was in Melissa's memories, and her plans of the future. In a flash it all appeared in Storm's own mind. "It can't be done." She said softly.
"Don't give me that shit, yes it can. I know it can." Melissa said angrily.
"No, it can't. Even if there was the witches would have my powers taken forever! I can't do it!"
"You can't or you wont?" Melissa asked harshly.
Storm sighed. "Even if it were so, your boyfriend is a monster, not like you but a real demon now. He could kill you."
"That's why I want you to restore his soul, so we can be happy again. I know of these curses, you told me about them before!"
"But they could kill you!" She yelled.
"I don't care!" Melissa cried. "Do what they may to me I don't want him or his brothers to die."
Storm looked at Melissa closely for a second. "Since when did the 'woman of the night, always on the run with no accomplices' care about a another vampire and his human brothers? What, did their fan club give you a price?"
Melissa almost growled at her. "For your information, I love him, and I'm not letting him get away from me, like I did with..." She didn't finish.
Storm sighed. "Maybe you ought to stop beating yourself up over Connar. You have to move on."
"I have moved on, Storm, and I don't want to lose him this time."
Storm was silent for about a minute. Melissa was about to leave, thinking she had refused when Storm floated a book onto the table.
"Turn to page five hundred and seventy seven. Don't breathe a word of this to anybody and please be careful. They're evil bastards in that place, you know that yourself."
Melissa nodded slowly. She read through the spell then hugged her old friend.
"Thankyou, I owe you one."
"You owe me a lot more than that. Just don't come near here for a long time, Okay? If I keep myself low they might not find out." Storm said as she handed Melissa a few key ingredients for the spell.
Melissa started to walk out of the room, putting her cape on again.
"Wait."
Melissa turned around and saw Storm staring at her tattoo. "What?"
"Where did you get this?" Storm ran her fingers over it as if it were gold.
"I got it last week. It's some witch symbol or some shit." She paused. "No offence."
Storm looked Melissa straight in the eyes. "The Oracles have predicted your coming. God only knows why it had to be you but I have to help you, no matter what."
"And you did so thanks, I'd better go..."
"Wait!" Storm cried. She ran over to her shelf of spell books, skimming through the titles until she reached one particular book and took it out. She walked over to Melissa and opened it. "Well, take it."
Melissa took out the tiny bottle inside the book. It was just half the size of her thumb, barely a few drops of liquid inside of it. "What is it?"
"Just take it, I don't know either." Storm smiled. "The Powers That Be just told me you'd come and to give you it. If I knew I'd tell you but I think you may need it to get your honey back."
"Uh, thanks?" Melissa said uncertainly. "Don't you have any clue what it is?"
"Just that it was made from the purist dragon's blood about twelve centuries ago. Trust me, when the time comes, you'll know. Also, turn to the back page of the book."
Melissa took the book from Storm's hands and flicked the book to the back. Inside was a tiny sword, the size of a sewing needle. Melissa took it out and as she did it grew out until Melissa was staring at a weapon she hadn't seen used for centuries.
"It will protect you from harm. Only you can use it, slaying only one with pure evil inside of them, so be careful with it. Please don't resort to using it on Ike, make it a good kill."
"Thanks again Storm." Melissa smiled. She walked out quickly.
"Yeah, and eat someone for Christ sake, you look like Death!" Storm yelled after the capped shadow. "Why do I always do as she says?" She mumbled to herself.
Taylor sighed quietly, knowing if he was quiet enough, they wouldn't hear it. Thankfully they didn't and he continued to clean out an arrangement of old instruments, probably never used for decades. Apparently one of the guards had found out who he was and thought it funny to give him this task. Taylor wished the room was sound proof- he had just finished polishing and cleaning out a grand piano and was having urges. If he was going to die here it would be his last request to play it. It had been about two months since entering that hell and despite his body getting used to the lack of food and sleep, he was exhausted and losing all hope. After Zac being injured by their brother Tay had still hoped maybe they could get Isaac back and escape. He still believed it in the back of his head, but sadly common sense had taken over and it said "no way pal".
He wondered who would put such nice instruments to waste as he started clearing away the cobwebs from the drumkit. It was so old, at least an early sixties one but still in perfect condition. They might as well have the sale tickets on them. There weren't even high hat marks in the sticks and the snare's skin wasn't at all worn. Despite there being an old rat's nest in the base drum Taylor knew it would be worth a fortune. Taylor also knew he'd keep the treasure to himself; Zac would be even sadder there was a sixties original in this prison that he couldn't get anyway near.
The door opened suddenly and Taylor looked up momentarily. He barely realised who it was before he looked back at the job at hand. He pretended he was still working but really he just wanted Isaac to realise. To see it was him and then all would be better. In fact if it did happen Tay would probably cry. His common sense had also drilled into his head that they would die there, end of story.
"Don't stop working slave, I want these all cleaned." Isaac said suddenly.
Taylor bit his lip hard before he spoke up. "Yes Master."
"And don't disturb me, I need to concentrate."
"Yes Master." Taylor repeated. Zac was right- it sounds nothing like him.
Taylor was carefully polishing the brass of the drumkit and could hear what Isaac was playing. Taylor knew the song well and urged himself not to stand up and tell him he was playing in the wrong key. Taylor looked up for a second and started polishing harder. It pained him to hear it but Tay knew he had to keep quiet. Though the song was so easy to remember... Actually- no it isn't. Tay thought to himself.
They had both written it. It was a collective piece and they had fought over the piano to finish it, both thinking they were right and the other was wrong. Somehow they had gotten so mad over it one night they had woken themselves up at three am and spent five hours in the garage working it out. It took an awful lot of coffee and even a round of arm wrestling just to realise one of them was wrong. Taylor had been triumphant after waking up Zac to get his input. At first he could barley function his eyelids and asked them over and over 'Why should I care?'. After being reminded he was a member of the band and that meant certain responsibilities- such as settling petty squabbles over key changes -Zac gave his views and own changes before falling asleep on the couch. Taylor smiled to himself, just slightly, at that night. It had been hilarious as they realised just how pathetic they were both being. The song never even got lyrics put to it; they had concentrated over the music so hard. Finally it was called 'The Bastard Of A Song That Will Torment Our Souls Forever (And Ha Ha I Was Right)', or, more simply, 'The Key.'
"Dammit!" Taylor snapped out of his daydream as he heard Isaac. "What the hell is wrong with it?"
Taylor opened his mouth and quickly shut it again. Isaac was playing in the key he had thought was right before they had finished it. Tay so badly wanted to tell him but knew he couldn't and so wouldn't.
"What was that slave?"
Taylor cursed himself- Isaac had seen him. "Uh, nothing."
"No, tell me. The guard told me you thought yourself to be some sort of musician- tell me what was wrong with it." Isaac walked up to Taylor. "Now."
Taylor shook his head slightly and picked up the rag again.
Isaac kicked over the drumkit and grabbed Tay by his shirt collar. "Tell me now."
"C minor." Taylor said quickly.
"What?"
"The song; it's not in C but C minor."
Isaac dropped Taylor suddenly and walked back over to the piano. Taylor walked slowly behind him and swallowed. At least I think it is. He thought, panicked.
Isaac played and Taylor held his breath. Taylor knew he'd play the whole song as he just stood there- rooted on the spot and waiting for his fate.
Isaac stopped suddenly. He looked Taylor up and down. "How did you know that?"
"That song, I know it."
"I just made it up." He stated.
Liar. Tay thought. "Uh, I just thought it would sound better that way, uh, Master."
"Good job. Now get back to work."
Taylor nodded and began assembling the drumkit again. Though all seemed lost still, he held the happy thought into his mind. One minor thought that just kept his spirits higher than before. He remembered.
Melissa walked down a street she had not seen in years. It was so different, yet she could almost smell the paint from ninety years ago. The old streets of New York, though still as rough as when she lived on them, were like a never forgetful friend. They seemed to welcome her back with what she always received- absolute hatred. Everywhere she looked there was graffiti and hoodlums and homeless people. Melissa always lived in the rough part of towns not matter where she went. They wouldn't care what she looked like plus she could defend herself. Yes sir, if these old crumbling buildings could talk...
Melissa saw what she was looking for. She knew it was still open. She could have smelt its familiar smell of death from Tulsa if she had tried really hard. To get in she would have to simply walk through the front door but that wasn't her style. She could feel all her old moves kicking back in. It were as if Connar was still by her side, ready to fight- and flee -whenever ready. Melissa jumped up to a ladder that climbed up the side of the building. She pulled herself up and crawled through the window, finding herself in a complete time warp.
It were as if she had never left. There was still the blood-soaked carpet that was out of place of this high society club. The walls still had pictures of famous vampires hanging from it, with a few new ones added, all autographed as if some cheesy Hollywood restaurant. The people that looked at her were dressed in their best, some the most beautiful outfits that the rich would give anything for. Some still looked like they were from the twenties, others looked more modern but mostly were wearing outfits so old they should belong in a museum, being classified antiques.
Melissa brushed past a few and some of the murmured. Some didn't recognise her but one who did ran straight to the far room. Melissa was going there too. There was only person on the earth she knew she could fully trust when dealing with her problems. She needed her help and she knew she would grant it. She had to.
Melissa walked into the room that was in fact a huge ballroom. The demons of every world had gathered and the leader of this party was enjoying herself to the fullest. It all halted as they saw who had just entered the party. The musicians even stopped playing in mid waltz as all eyes gazed at her, realising one of their old friend had returned.
"Aren't you dead?" The leader called. She was a great leader and a very wise one, but she was very slow, which was forgiven as she was twenty thousand years old.
Melissa stepped forwards and a pathway was made for her, as if she were really back from the dead. "I need your help." She replied.
"Where is Connar?" She asked this time.
"Connar died ninety years ago, my Master." One of her advisors whispered to the old woman.
"It's been ninety years since a party without my favourite couple?" She looked at her watch and laughed. "My how time flies when you're dead."
"My Lord, this isn't about Connar. I seek your wisdom along with your help."
The woman stared long and hard at Melissa kneeling in front of her. "Do I dare read your mind?"
"Please, Mistress, you are in my dept."
"That I am. If it weren't for you and your lover we would not be standing here. Though the rumours are that it was your fault the hunters came here in the first place, I will grant you your wish."
"I need to perform a spell. One I have obtained that will retrieve the love of my life from a fate worse than death." Melissa said slowly, just so the Mistress could hear it correctly.
"You said Connar was dead."
"No, not him. I have moved on and wish to get back my fianc�."
The Mistress stared into Melissa's eyes. "You have a new love of your life? Somebody greater than Connar that I rescued from death and gave to you? You do not know love." She laughed.
"Yes I do. Please, he is all I have in the world. Losing another love would kill me."
"Another love or another crush?" The Mistress snorted. "Why should I help you? Why, if he died you would only find another, then another!"
"Trust me, I wont. Mistress, I have searched for years for somebody that equals Connar and I've found him. He may even be better than Connar, because..."
"How dare you!" The Mistress yelled.
"Because he rescued me!" Melissa yelled back. "He stopped me from looking at the world as just one big feeding ground! Even Connar did not feel for humans! But Isaac does. God, I'm not just saving him, I'm saving his brothers too. I've never felt compassion for mortals before I met him and for that, I love him."
The Mistress stared long and hard at Melissa. She grabbed her hand and examined it. "Though old, it has so much to learn. And the Oracles tell me the quest I grant you is one of them." She sighed. "Very well, I will help you perform the spell and give you powers to retrieve your so-called love, but only because the Oracles tell me. I don't agree with this."
"Thankyou Mistress." Melissa said, getting up. She hugged the old woman tightly. There were a few gasps from the crowd- the Mistress was very old and nobody even touched her. Then they knew that Melissa was different. "I promise I will make you proud."
"Oh, and if you see my husband there, give him this." The mistress tossed her a wooden stake.
Melissa smiled. "I promise."
"Come, the party had nearly finished anyway. We shall go to the spell room and you will tell me all about him." The Mistress led Melissa away into the dark room.
There was great spark of light from the nothing in front of his eyes. Suddenly it was so bright, too bright, that he couldn't stand it. Something was there with him, he knew it. He could sense somebody else's presence. It was faint before it grew stronger until he knew it was right in front of him. He knew it was there but he couldn't open his eyes. It was too bright. Then he felt the warmth end and all the light came from that person. They stood there, just waiting for him to react in some way. He knew this but wasn't about to allow them to get the upper hand. They would have to wait.
"Isaac."
Her voice was soft, like a young woman's.
"What do you want?" Isaac growled at her.
"Do not fear me."
"I don't fear you." Isaac opened his eyes to see her.
"Then come closer."
"Tell me what you want before I kill you!" He yelled. He heard his voice echo chillingly, though he could see no walls. Just an endless nothing.
She smiled slightly. "You're so sexy when you're mad."
"Who the hell are you?" He demanded.
"An old friend, Isaac. One you should know very well. Unfortunately all that is good inside of you is lost and I will retrieve it."
"Witch, I'm gonna kill you..." He started angrily.
"Oh hush Isaac." She waved her hand at him. "Though your conscious mind is evil your unconscious one is still battling. You still haven't beaten every piece of good inside of you and with that I can help you."
There was another burst of light and Isaac shut his eyes again quickly. The woman seemed to grow rapidly and she carried now a huge sword. She stabbed Isaac straight in the heart before he could escape or even react. Isaac cried out but heard her speak:
"If you spill the blood of your loved ones the curse will be broken. So much as a scratch and this life you live will end and your old one will be restored."
Isaac woke up with that woman's voice still ringing. He suddenly searched for any sign he had been stabbed but thankfully found nothing. He sighed and tried once again to sleep.
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