The Vampire's Witch

Arriving: She Walks in Beauty

The motorcycle pulled into a long paved driveway, truck following it closely as the sky started changing colors. The bike revved up gaining much-needed speed, passing two black-clad armed guards wearing helmets with visors pulled down, thick black jackets, gloves with no skin showing at all. The truck passed them as well earning a nod from the sword-wielding guards.

Will pulled the bike up close to a huge brick house jumping off before running into the house the first rays of the sun making the back of his neck smoke and blister. Star took off her helmet and fastened it to the back of the bike, pulling the tie out of her hair and shaking out her long red locks, fingers massaging her scalp. She waited for the others to get out of the red truck before they made their way up the stairs and into the house.

Will grabbed Star's hand when the door was closed and she was out of the morning sunlight. Cassidy had the little girl in her arms and Cory was carrying the little boy, both children were still sleeping peacefully as Zane closed the door behind the group looking at Will.

Will hurriedly walked with the group to a large room with several chairs in it, it was empty except for a tall man with broad shoulders and dark hair. His eyes lit up when he saw Will, "Childe, I'm glad you made it." The dark haired vampire spoke happiness coloring his deep voice.

"King Wanker, you called. I didn't have a choice but to come here." The bleached blonde vampire said somewhat jokingly.

"William, don't call me that. I see you've brought your lovely mate." Gabriel turned his dark calculating gaze towards the pale redhead. "A few other's as well, we'll make room for them also." He eyed the rest of the group, his dark eyes trying to work out the group dynamic and how it would be useful to him and his.

"Follow me, I've only got the two rooms ready at the moment. I'll have the minions make more ready for your group this evening. For now, some of your group can use the couches in the sitting room." The tired group followed him up a flight of stairs and down a long hallway, it was barely lit with lights flickering along the baseboards.

Opening the first door, he turned around looking at the tired weary travelers. "You're humans and shifters will be safe here. William, you needn't worry about them." Cassidy and Cory went in with the children still bundled in their arms. Zane started to make his way forward til Will reached out and placed a hand on his arm, silently letting the wolf know they would all be staying together. Gabriel closed the door before turning and heading further down the hallway to the next room.

Opening the door he nodded to the blonde vampire before turning on his heels and heading the other way, "I'll speak with you later William. Once you've rested."

Will sighed in annoyance before heading into the room behind the wolf and the witch. Everything was done in rich cream colored satin and the room was full of unnatural light. The windows were covered keeping out the actual sunlight, there was a sitting room with a couch and a chair. The furnishings were antiques and quite heavy looking but beautifully carved with detailed swirls and patterns. The main piece was the floor to ceiling bookshelves taking up the far wall, it was packed with all kinds of books.

Will walked to the bedroom opening the double doors to reveal a room also done in cream colors with a huge bed in the middle of it and a large wardrobe off to the side of the room. Past that was a bathroom with a large claw footed tube and all sorts of luxurious bath items.

Zane dropped his bag in the sitting room before heading over to the bookcase, "This is amazing." Star stood beside him taking in all the titles, she brushed her finger tips over the spines. She had known that Will was an avid reader, but this was mind-blowing. Books on the occult, romance novels, thrillers, true crime, all types of books were crammed onto the shelves.

"Don't get the wrong idea luv, I'm still a bad guy." He wrapped his arm around the witch pulling her close, "The nights can be bloody boring here. I needed some entertainment."

Zane reached for his bag, "I call dibs on the bathroom first." Before heading that way "You surprised me, Will I didn't think you were a reader."

The witch stood staring in awe at all of the books, vampire still wrapped around her looking over her shoulder, he reached out pulling a book out, "I think this one will keep you busy during the day luv. It's one of my favorite." It was a dark leather-bound book, he found the page he was looking for and let her take the book from her hands. It was a poem by Lord Byron, She Walks in Beauty.

"She walks in beauty, like the night. Of cloudless climes and starry skies..." the redhead started, voice fading to a whisper as she got pulled into the poem. Will kissed her neck before grabbing her bag and taking it into the bedroom with her sword and sheath. When he returned he found the witch with her legs curled up sitting on the couch buried in the book of poems. He noticed she had finished the poem he had shown her and had started at the beginning of the book, he watched her soaking in the words. He watched the strands of hair fall from behind her ear and into her face, he reached forward and pushed the strands back out of her way. She smiled at him in thanks.

The wolf came out a while later, in gray sweats pants toweling his multi-colored hair dry. He sat down across from the pair on the couch, the vampire had sat a book on the chair for him. It was an older book with no names on the cover, he picked it up flipping to the first page.