The Panther

The Dakota

Maceo Plex- Conjure Dreams

Seeing it in person is a little surreal. Those who appreciate art, we grow up fantasizing about places like this. We build it up in our heads and laugh because it feels so out of reach. The Dakota is one of the coolest American historic buildings. It's been passed down through time and not once has it lost its demand.

One of my favorite spooky stories took place here. Rose Mary's Baby. Kam told me that a lot of the stories here are a hoax. However, this particular building is built on one of the most powerful mage circles in the world. New York along with a couple of other break it or make hot spots have a history of mage craft. After all, those who make it here can make it anywhere. The key here is survival and the number one trait all witches share is our ability to adapt. It's what we do.

Like all other mage resource buildings, this one comes with a no mortal barrier. Everyone who lives or has lived here is some kind of Supernatural and they're all accommodated to their needs. Some of the deadliest beings hiding in plain sight. I can feel its strength coming from inside. Even my panther is stirring. It feels a lot like being welcomed somewhere I've been meant to be. I can feel it trying to lure me in.

"What do you think?" Kam asked.

"I think you deserve the world, Kam," I smiled. She grabbed my arm excitedly.

"The entire top floor is ours,"

"All the way around?"

"Yes, covens grow rather quickly and some witches prefer to face their given element,"

"Right, then all that's left is for me to purge the place,"

"How are you going to do that without hurting the other tenants?"

"A little gift from my favorite demon. I made a deal with his dad and I finally get to deliver," I tapped my side.

"You're going to damn the damned souls?"

"They can't get anymore damned than they already are," I shrugged. "Just showing them a new place they can be miserable,"

The two of us crossed the street and were greeted by the doorman. As soon as his eyes landed on me, he stepped back and bowed formally. Kam walked in step with me, never walking ahead. I've noticed that everyone does that now. No matter where I go, even regular people. Do I give off a sense?

She led me toward the center of the building. There's a small patch of grass shaped to look like a pentagram marking the center of the circle. I walked past it feeling the sound waves all around me. All of the sounds the tenants make. The magical power here is seemingly endless. This magnificent building is rich with history and it's all calling out to me at once. I unbuttoned my coat. Kam offered to hold it for me. I unbuttoned my sleeves and rolled them up. I don't need to cast a circle here. This one has been active since before this building was built on top of it. I placed my forearms on top of one another forming the spell he had marked me with.

"I promised I wouldn't make it rhyme," I whispered. I growled when the heat of the spell activated. "Here's the first of many. The purge of old. Take the souls of those left to roam,"

The ground trembled for an instant. The sounds all faded at once. I looked around to see that the entire place has been emptied. I knew he was going to punish me or at least, give me a good scolding. The sound of his heavy footsteps is the only thing I can hear now.

"It still rhymed," he called out from behind me. "You're taller,"

"Thank you?" No, it didn't.

"The Dakota, my old foe," he smiled looking around. "She's everything she was when it was created to keep me out,"

"You can't stay here for long,"

"I know," he nodded. "You know, most of my children greet me properly,"

"I'm not your child yet. I just work for you for now," I shrugged.

"You do have being the youngest down to the point," he placed his massive hand on my head. "Good job, Baby Collins. I look forward to our next encounter, sweet face. I'll pass on you hello,"

"Don't," I growled.

He booped my nose. Everything disappeared again and the noise started to come back in low waves of white noise. When I opened my eyes again, not a second had passed. The spirits that had been tormented here are now gone. The magic in the air is pure again. Flowing without any interruptions.

"You did it," Kam broke the noise with her voice. I took a deep breath trying to let go of the link between me and the open circle.

"That was weird," I admitted.

"By your standards?" she asked. I nodded. "Why?"

"It was so effortless. All I did was call out to him and here he was,"

"Asmodeus?" she asked excitedly.

"What? No, his father,"

"Oh, the other big guy," she nodded. "Well, that's what making a deal with the devil is like. Easy. The hard part doesn't start until the job is done,"

"We should wait for Morgana,"

"Want to see our suite?" she asked holding out a key. I nodded.

As we made our way inside, the tenants all began to step out of their apartments. They all bowed as a thank you. At least, I'm hoping that it's the case. I just waved back awkwardly. When we got to the elevator, Kam used the key she's holding to take us up to the top floor.

"Did you do a transfiguration spell?" I asked.

"I did. I tried to find the one that was the quietest. Is it?" she asked worriedly.

"Yes, the only reason I know what it is, it's because of the color. They're always green,"

"I would give anything to see what you do," she smiled.

"It's more like I hear it. The key things play in gives it color. It's not always true though. There are spells that don't have a sound at all. Don't get me started on potions,"

The doors opened. Although not all the spaces below are the same, it's obvious that things here are different. The entire floor leads into another world, maybe a different space in time that was deliberately placed here. Once I master channeling this is going to be my next obsession, for sure. The walls are stone. Hand-crafted shelves, tables, and chairs are carefully placed all around. The only original structure she kept was the massive windows and patio space.

"This is our gathering space. This area here is for your research," she patted the big dark oak table by the window. "Your space goes into this small gardening area here and the added loft space up there. There is room for fifty witches all the way around. A hundred if they share. The kitchen, bathroom, and dorm rooms are all included in the one area so we can all work together but still have our personal space. All of it is the same, so no one is accused of favoritism. That's a popular accusation among us,"

"I can't imagine why," I smiled. By the elevator is a metal spiral staircase. I went up to find the loft space she's talking about. There's a small kitchen, a living area, a full bathroom, and a bedroom area perfectly divided and already furnished. "This is amazing. Is this how you had things back in Cliffside? I don't think I ever went into the dorm rooms,"

"You didn't. Perks of living close by. No, that is an actual massive castle that can house up to three thousand witches at once. The reason why favoritism was an issue was because the more powerful the witch was, the bigger their room. Now, since this is your area, you can change it as you see fit. Make it bigger if you can. Some of the witches I've contacted already specialize in transfiguration,"

"Okay, that's cool," I nodded. "This is amazing. It's like Hogwarts for adults,"

"I knew you were going to say that," she bumped me playfully.

"Do we have a space for Aspen's father?"

"Of course, he gets one. I had to tweak my mother's space a little for her but there is also a place for her here,"

"Okay. I was just thinking she should have her own space. Like one of the luxury apartments below. Not because I'm discriminating or anything. I just- I know that she used to be a witch and I don't know maybe being around something that meant so much to her would be kind of depressing since she can't use it anymore,"

"I didn't think of that," she nodded. "f**k, I really didn't think of that,"

"How about I set up the old man and you can talk to her. See what she wants to do?" I suggested.

"Do you think that would be okay? I don't want her to feel like we're excluding her either,"

"Tell her I said it so if she gets mad she has me to get upset with. What is she going to do, kill me?" I smirked. Her expression lost all its playfulness. "You really think she'll try?"

"Give or take," she shrugged. I laughed.

"I know how to walk on my own. There have been countless times when I could have run and I didn't. Why would I run when we're already in the safe house?" Jesse, Aspen's father was arguing with Morgana who hasn't said a word. We both walked down to them to see him trying to get out of her demonic grip.

"Pay up," she shoved him towards me. "I don't want to be here,"

"Uh, Baby. Why don't you show your father-in-law his living space? That one," she pointed to the one on my left.

"Sure," I nodded.

"Thank you," she took Morgana's hand and led her away.

"How was your trip?" I asked him.

Jesse looks a lot like Aspen. Or rather Aspen looks a lot like him. The only difference is that, unlike Aspen, Jesse is a thin man. He doesn't carry the anxiety ticks of what runs in his blood and Aspen doesn't need glasses thanks to his big cat. This is Aspen's future and it is bright.

"A nightmare but I'm in no position to complain," he smiled tightly. Oh, look at that. He's also a stick in the mud. Why the hell am I attracted to serious men?

"Alright, this is your new living space. Did she give you the duffle bag?"

"Yes," tapped his back. He pulled it forward and placed it on the table.

"I linked that bag with your lab. Just think about what you need and it will appear,"

"That's a good trick. Channeling was one of my favorite basics," his tight smile changed into a more genuine one. He began to pull books out of the bag. "What did you use as a binding agent?"

"Oh, one of your ties. I had your son, Bradley swipe one from your lab for me. It's stitched into the logo of the bag,"

"Cross stitch channeling. That's a rather difficult type of channeling. Good for you," he nodded.

"Jesse, you might be alone for a few days. I have shifting training and Kam wants to be present in case I lose it or something. My panther can be a handful,"

"Go in peace, Baby. I prefer to be alone,"

"Also, you can't leave the building. As soon as you stepped in here you were-"

"Locked in?" he sighed.

"Yes," I nodded. "I know it's a little excessive but it is necessary. I can't have you being spotted out there. Until Aspen and I clear your way, I can't risk you,"

"I understand," he nodded.

"Your kitchen is fully stocked. You can order things to your lab and bring them up here. I mean that. Literally, anything. Online. If it can be delivered to your lab, it can come up here and it doesn't have to be inside. It can be anywhere within five feet of the entrance gate. This place is untraceable. So even if someone sees things disappearing or whatever. They'll never find the source,"

"You're very kind," he sighed leaning against the table. "Why are you going through such lengths? I know you hate me for creating him,"

"I don't hate you," I shook my head. "Not for creating him at least. I mean we're at odds right now but I still love him, Without you, I wouldn't know what that feels like, not really. Not like this. I'm not very fond of you for what you've done to him since he was old enough to start remembering all the f****d up things you did to him. To all of them.

"If you really feel guilty for everything you've done, you'll apologize. And not just the one time. You have to apologize until your last breath. Even if you don't say it out loud, apologize with your actions. It's not going to be easy to get them to forgive you and there will be times when you wish you wouldn't care anymore. You just keep going. That's what a good father would do,"

"Do you consider your father a good one?" he asked.

"As of late, he's been a little distracted. Things have changed for us drastically. He needs a little time to figure out what he wants to do but yes. I believe he's a good father,"

"What would you do if he doesn't choose you?" he asked. The possibility has crossed my mind with vivid details.

"I don't know what I would do. All I know is what he taught me. I wouldn't be his daughter if I turned my back on what I believe in just like he wouldn't be my father if he didn't do the same. If our fate is for us to be obstacles on our paths, then that's what our fate is. I can change things to be whatever I want them to be but why would I mess with perfection?"

"Yet, you'd have me apologize for what I've done?" he asked.

"I'm not telling you to do it. If you don't feel guilty about what you did to your kids, then don't. Keep living the way you are. Like a ghost. Something completely unloveable and only worth all this work,"

"You are very young and naive, the way you speak of love. One day, when you get to be my age. You'll find that love will always simply abandon you,"

"Love isn't something that can abandon you, Jesse. It's inside of you. You get the love you give. If you don't know how or you choose to believe something as pathetic as what you just said. That's your fault. Love only feels as good as it does because when you have no one to share it with it hurts. It's caged up inside of you banging on your soul needing out,"

"I don't believe I've ever felt that way," he scoffed.

"You're a liar. Why did you make your children?"

"For my people," he answered without hesitation. "To save us,"

"That is what love is. To look at something and want to protect it. To help it grow. How can you not love the progress you've made. Not all of your children are Aspen but they are all special. You did that. No one else in the entire world could have engineered something as perfect as they are. You don't see things outside of logic. That's your problem. Not everything has to be logical. I mean look at this place. It's logical to you but it's not to me. My mind has accepted that this exists but I grew up human."

"You're saying that you love this not because you can explain it but because it shouldn't be possible to explain,"

"Exactly. You can explain what your children are. But it's not possible to explain who they are. And both a pretty cool. I mean Aspen is a bunch of different things in one but to me, he's always just going to be Aspen. The guy who astral projected to me when he didn't even know who I was on a whim,"

"I didn't know that," he smiled to himself.

"He's very reserved and while it infuriates me, I think it's something he needs in his position. He's a really strong person. I mean he has to be. He came from you. I can't imagine your life has been a walk in the park either. You don't create the scariest monster in the world without having encountered the little ones first,"

"Your empathy is strong," he placed his hand over mine. "This world needs more people like you, kid. I'll be fine alone for a few days. Thank you for all of your help,"

"You're welcome. I should also tell you that this place is rigged. You can try to kill yourself but-"

"Right," he chuckled. "It's a coven regulation. Most dorm places have them. Kameron always thinks of everything,"

"Great. I will call. Often. I have very many questions,"

"I will expect your calls then,"

"You can call other people. Just don't invite anyone without telling me or Kam first. Also, if you call Aspen. Don't tell him where you are,"

"I don't know where we are. Your demon had a McDonald's paper bag over my head since we left Texas. I actually want to say since we were somewhere in Texas. She didn't take it off until we were in the elevator,"

"Perfect. And you can't be located here. Great. You're all set,"

"Thank you. Again,"

"You're welcome. Again," I nodded.

"Fine, but I want one with a view," Morgana and Kam are coming around. "I'll stay with the old man until you can come back,"

"b***h," Jesse whispered under his breath as he continued to take things out of the duffle bag.

I am fifty percent sure that in the time we take to come back, something hilarious is going to happen between them. That or they're going to try to kill one another in the one place they can't die in. Kam and I sorted them out and finally went down to her car. The drive back to Babylon was quiet but not uncomfortable. The alpha promised to give me the night since it took forever to clear out my brother's magical circuits.

"Are you okay?" she asked me when she parked her car in front of the barn.

"I just don't understand how there are people who don't feel empathy for others. How there are people who don't want to form connections with people. It must be so lonely,"

"You're really young still, Baby. It's not that they don't want to form connections. It's just that people are selfish. And when you live as long as Jesse and I have lived, you see that no matter how much you want to care about everyone. They're not going to give a rat's ass about you. It's sometimes better not to get close to people,"

"James taught me to give without expecting anything in return. He would say if you're doing something for someone because you expect them to do the same for you, then you're not doing it out of the kindness in your heart. You're doing it for selfish reasons,"

"Look where he ended up," she shrugged. "When power is involved, being selfish is the only way to get to where you want to be,"

She got out of the car and went inside. Her words are funny. I never wanted power. I still don't. Maybe she's right. Maybe this world I'm discovering is selfish and I'm here because what it needs is someone who isn't. Maybe I am selfish. I may not have wanted all of this but as I continue forward, I don't exactly hate either. It's not all bad.