Chapter 10 #2
The latter sentence sounded bitter, but before Meadow could ask for details, Helena spoke up.
“Not all humans are looking for an excuse to attack or kidnap or report us to the paranormal overseers, though. Rest assured, any that are inside your vampires’ pleasure house will have been vetted thoroughly. ”
“They’re not my vampires,” Meadow murmured.
Helena smiled. “If you say so. Although I wish I’d blooded that pair. Handsome, rich, and with hearts of gold? That’s a rare combination to find in one male, let alone two.”
“What do you mean by hearts of gold?”
Helena shrugged. “They’ve done a lot to improve living conditions inside the vampire territory, and they also often help Laurie’s nephew with rescue missions.” She paused, studied Meadow for a few beats, and asked, “How much do you know of Nora’s past?”
“Not a lot, just that it was bad. Like, really bad.”
“It’s not my story to tell, but her son, Ambrose, helps get males and females out of abusive situations, or worse.
Nora runs safe havens for females who’ve escaped abusive families, partners, or sexual slavery, and Laurie and Joseph help fund those places.
They even hire those willing to work in their business, or just their household section. ”
So Laurie and Joseph were not only sexy and caring, but rich and gave to charity?
She rubbed her forehead. They could have anyone, so why had fate given such great catches to her?
Nadia spoke again. “I can sense we’re overwhelming you, and you may need a break soon.
However, I need to let you know I left a small trunk with the butler and it should be in your room by now.
There are some books and notes to help when you’re ready to learn some more, as well as some blank journals.
I want you to write in a journal each day, and make sure to include your feelings and frustrations.
I’m the only other person who will see it, and since I’m a truth seeker, I’ll be able to tell if you’re lying, even with your writing.
So, please, don’t try to make things appear better than they are.
I can’t help you if I don’t know what you’re worrying about, or if you’re struggling more than you show to the world. ”
The thought of someone reading about her worries and faults and troubles made her palms sweat.
And yet, if she ever wanted a chance to be like other fae witches and not be afraid of her magic, she needed Nadia’s help.
“I’ll try my best, although I’ve never kept a journal before.
I was always too afraid someone would find it and alert my father to my location. ”
Especially once she’d lost contact with Yesenia and River. She might know now that they’d been here in the past, but back then, she’d had no idea.
Nadia replied, “Trying is all I ask for. Unless you have any other pressing questions, I know Helena has a full schedule and you probably want to rest a little before visiting the vampire territory tonight.”
Meadow shook her head. “I’m sure I’ll have tons of questions later, but right now? My head is spinning and I don’t even know where to start. Maybe writing out my thoughts will help me figure out what to ask tomorrow.”
“That sounds fine. Bring your journal tomorrow, and we’ll go from there.”
Helena finished off her little cake before standing, and Nadia did the same. Meadow hurried to her feet too before Helena said, “If there is ever an emergency, and you’re not with your siblings or Nadia, then go to the address on this card.”
She handed over a white card, with an address scribbled in a barely legible hand. Well, apart from the first line, which said, “Fae Witch Council Building.”
Helena gestured toward the card. “Any fae witch in the East End will know where that building is, and I’d recommend someone showing you where it is, too.
Those who work inside the council building are trustworthy and won’t try to steal from or assault you.
Given what Yesenia has told me, your time is a lot safer, especially for females.
And whilst most of the time this part of London is safe, there are still some criminals, like in any big city.
But if anyone, I mean anyone, has a French accent, immediately return to one of your siblings’ homes or to the Fae Witch Council building. ”
“Wait, so all French people, or paranormals, are being treated as enemies?”
Nadia pressed her lips into a firm line before saying, “I wish it didn’t have to be that way, but too many fae witches have gone missing in recent months.
And from what information we’ve learned, bystanders all heard French accents, and most of the kidnappers were vampires.
It might be a ruse, it might not. But given our magical powers, Meadow, we especially need to be careful because it could become a powerful tool for an enemy. ”
Whatever peace she’d found chatting with the two females evaporated. “So I’ll have to hide here too?”
Nadia shook her head. “No. As long as we’re sensible and don’t take risks, we’ll be fine. My husband or brother-in-law is always with me after dark, and I can’t leave the country any time soon. But it’s better than becoming a prisoner of war.”
“Wait, the British fae witches are at war?”
Helena replied, “Not yet, but I expect it’ll happen soon.
After the French vampires kidnapped Dark Lord Leopold’s nephew and tortured him, they all but declared war since we’re allies with the vampires and shifters in the UK.
Only because the Dark Lords are trying to handle the situation more subtly have they not formally done so.
If things become dire, you’ll hear of it from your siblings or your brother-in-law. ”
It suddenly made sense why her brother had been so protective of Nora, and how he or a few armed footmen or guards had always accompanied her when she went out.
Nora was probably a target. Hell, even Meadow and her siblings might be too, given their connection to the vampire Dark Lord.
Meadow’s heart rate kicked up, and she took deep breaths, wanting to avoid a panic attack. After breathing in for four, out for eight, and doing it a few times, the creeping sense of panic faded a little.
Helena said softly, “I can see we’ve upset you. We should send for your brother.”
“No, no, I’ll be fine. River’s busy, and anxiety and panic attacks are something I’ve dealt with before. Nora mentioned she might have some special herbal tea to help, and I’ll get it from her after you leave.”
After studying her for a second, Helena replied, “If you’re sure.
” Meadow nodded, and the other female continued, “Nadia will be back tomorrow afternoon. That way you can enjoy your night with your handsome vampires and not worry about being sleep-deprived for your first lesson.” She paused, and then added, “And maybe if you end up marrying them, more fae witches can visit their pleasure house. I’ve always wondered about it myself.
Maybe my fated lord is right there waiting for me. ”
Meadow frowned. “But fae witches don’t have fated ones.”
“No, but I’ve always wondered about a vampire’s bite. Or a shifter’s stamina. And they both have fated ones.”
Nadia laughed. “Don’t mind Helena. The male she nearly married was a bastard. The day before her wedding, she learned he wanted her to be a second wife. Something he’d never mentioned before, either. Let’s just say Helena wasn’t happy about it.”
Helena smiled slowly, with a glint in her eye. “He tried to run and hide, but I found him. I can find any fae witch in this country.”
Meadow snorted. “That’s definitely a handy power to have, if someone screws you over. Er, I mean does something bad to you.”
“Screws you over,” Helena repeated. “I like that one. I’ll have to add it to my future vocabulary dictionary. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome?”
Helena bobbed her head. “Right, well, we should be off. I’ll be back in a week to check on you and see if you need any other assistance.”
Nadia waved a hand. “I’ll be back tomorrow at 3 p.m. And if they have any more of those little cakes, I’d love to have them again with tea.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Once they had said their goodbyes, Meadow shut the door and leaned against it.
While, yes, her head was filled with a lot of new information, mixed with a little anxiety, she was hopeful.
She hadn’t had any friends since high school—except for her mentor, but even that hadn’t been super close, given the age difference—and while it was early days, she liked both Nadia and Helena.
It might’ve taken her traveling over a hundred years into the past to find a place where she might, just might, fit in.
Don’t get ahead of yourself, Meadow.
No, she needed to start learning more about this time and place, and quickly.
So she headed upstairs and went through the small trunk.
Hours flew by as she sorted through it and eventually wrote in her journal.
By the time a package from Laurie and Joseph finally arrived, she was more than ready for a break.
After opening the box, she stared and then touched the material reverently. Tonight should be memorable, that was for sure.
And she couldn’t wait.