6. Athan
Chapter Six
ATHAN
I walk back to my house, my hands shaking.
It took everything I had not to grab Justin by the throat and send him flying. I vacillate between anger and crushing disappointment. Why didn’t Caitlin tell me she was married?
While she was in the shower there was a knock on the door downstairs. I went down and opened it. A man with light brown hair and glasses stood there. “Is Caitlin Moloney home?”
“Who is asking?” I’m annoyed at the interruption.
“I’m her husband, Justin. May I come in?” His lace-up, shiny black shoes tap expectantly.
I am many things, but I am not rude. “Of course. I was just leaving. She is upstairs.” I didn’t want to leave, but the alternative was laying my hands on him and throwing him out into the darkness. I need to get control of myself or I could easily kill him.
The terrible anger rises in me again. I want to go and throw him out of her house. But what if I’m just a dalliance while she had difficulty with her husband? And she still doesn’t understand the full reality of my situation.
As I walk up the stairs to the porch, Mr. Ren swoops down. He’s agitated about something, but I’m not in the mood to deal with one of his tantrums.
I turn the key in the lock. Most of the lights are off, but Father is still in the library. Mr. Ren beats his wings in front of my face, pecking at my hair, before flying off to see Father.
I just want to be alone, so I go upstairs and lie down on my bed. I’ve gone from the highest point I’ve ever been at to the pits of despair. I believe this is heartbreak and I don’t enjoy the feeling. I close my eyes to block out the world for a moment.
“Athan.” Father is standing there, Mr. Ren on his shoulder. They look like an illustration from a gothic novel; the white-faced old man with his flowing silver-streaked black hair, long nails and a crow perched on him like a familiar.
I close my eyes again, then jump as Father’s icy hand touches my face.
“Rise, now. Mr. Ren and your mother have something to tell you.” His voice is strong.
I am compelled to get out of bed. Father has not used his powers like this in a long time, so it’s clearly something important. We walk downstairs to the library, Mr. Ren cawing urgently.
Father sits in front of the cards. “Mr. Ren is most upset. Your mother told him of your connection with the girl next door. You have been deceived.”
I sigh. “Yes, I know that. Do you ever consider it’s difficult having a psychic crow chatting with my dead mother and gossiping about my business?”
“Ethan, no. You do not understand. Caitlin is in grave danger. Her mother’s spirit says the man who Mr. Ren saw around her house has abducted her and taken her into the mountains.
He is not her husband. Your own mother is convinced you two are destined for each other.
You must trust your feelings. Mr. Ren will help you find her.
Go, now.” My father’s hands slam down on the table and the whole house shakes for a second.
I don’t need to be told twice. The advantage of being half-vampire is that I can move incredibly swiftly when I want to.
The thunder is louder as Mr. Ren flies and I run from the house towards the mountain.
He soars above me to guide the way, looking back at me occasionally to make sure I’m keeping up with him.
Lightning illuminates his dark feathers and he seems much smaller high up there.
We head into the mountains, starting on the road and then diverting into the forest. There is no trail here, but I’ve been up here so many times it is second nature to me.
The rain beats down as I run, focused only on finding Caitlin.
I will kill that man if he has harmed her.
Father is convinced we must never take a human life, but I will make a joyful exception for this bastard.
He has messed with the wrong man.
The wrong vampire.