First Thirst (Craving 1)

My thoughts bumped into one another and I made a decision to dive into my Shama. Davis and Mrs. Tunny weren’t due for another hour, so I closed my eyes and traveled. A whole lot of white doors appeared in my mind’s landscape. Which one would give me the answers I so wanted and needed?

I heard a flute behind one of the bright white doors and opened it wide and went inside. The music was mesmerizing and began to form words. What do you need, Bobbie Skye? the melody asked in a gentle whisper.

To help a vampire trapped by my grandmother. He is in another realm. He wants to come home and she would want me to help him.

Ah, you need training to enact that spell. Without training, the spell could go horribly wrong. Come back when you are stronger.

That was all I was getting as I felt myself shoved out of the white chamber and standing before its locked white door.

I went to another door and tried to open it, but no matter what I did, it wouldn’t open. I started frantically going from one door to the next. None would open for me.

So I did what I do when I am desperate. I fisted my hands and screamed with frustration, Oh, come on! I need help. My Shama is supposed to help me.

You need training, the voice in my head, my voice, answered. So, my Shama wasn’t about to allow me to use what I couldn’t handle.

Apparently, that was the only answer I was going to get for now.

Okay, at least I was on the right track. Instinct and a good dose of common sense told me Warlock Jeremy Ascot was about to play an important role in my future.

I downed the last of my third cup of coffee and as the sun was now coming up, I headed outdoors. I needed air and some exercise.

I had called Aunt Elle during my limo ride to the castle. She would be expecting a call from me soon to say I was settled in. Should I tell her how settled? Oh no, she would be on the next plane and in danger here. Aunt Elle was human, and I wasn’t exposing her to an ancient vampire. Hell no! This was something she couldn’t help me with, so I would have to put on a happy face and a merry voice.

I was all grown-up and capable of making my own decisions, whether they turned out to be good or bad ones. I was ready. Everything that makes me who I am said I had to help Devin MacLeod escape his curse—a curse I absolutely knew my grandmother would not want him to suffer. She had no choice, but I do. The how was the only question I had.

It was a really cool morning and I dug my hands into the pockets of my denim jacket as I walked, not really looking around as I tried to sort through all my thoughts.

I wondered where Devin MacLeod was. Could he see this far outside? How did that invisible wall thing work? Did the wall travel with him?

It was daylight, so no danger from vicious vampires looking for a meal. In general, I had never been worried about vampires. Now and then, coming home at night, I would be watchful, but I knew I had the skills to deter the ordinary vampire.

I thought of Devin again. Odd, as I couldn’t yet put a face to his voice…

And then I thought of Jeremy. He needed to get his ass over here pronto and he had some explaining to do. How odd to think of Jeremy—a warlock, as a vampire’s brother-in-law. Could things get any stranger?

I was about to find out as the cool morning breeze brought the scent of something gross, really gross to my nostrils. It was like stepping into garbage left outside for a week.

I stopped and looked around. I was out in the open. I purposely had stayed away from the woods. What the holy hell was that awful smell?

“Time to play, witch!” a hoarse voice exploded out of nowhere.

I stared.

A Red Demon, covered in scales, with eyes that burned gold, was grinning at me and flexing his disgusting muscles. He was about twenty feet away from me.

Behind the ugly and I might add naked, disgustingly naked demon was an open portal swirling and spluttering. My witchy senses told me this portal was rudimentary and wouldn’t last long. This portal would close. The demon was here for a job and one he had to accomplish quickly.

That job? Evidently he meant to kill me…which he was coming close to with his scent.

In general, I don’t like demons. They are a nuisance and without any moral compass. You can’t reason with them.

My aunt had always taught me never to take the time to reason with a demon bent on attacking. This particular one was really gross, all brimstone and drool. Eweee.

My mom and Aunt Elle had taught me how to handle a demon when I was only seven years old. They don’t stand a chance against a witch’s magic. Most of them don’t seem to understand that, and demon attacks seem to occur on a regular basis.

I whipped my hand towards the earth and brought up all the water I could muster beneath the demon’s grotesque feet. It was considerable. I held the water just beneath the surface, and thinking he was about to get lucky, he played with his super gross cock.

Oh, this thing had to go.