46 | Your Lies

Seaside, California April 19, 2013

Celesta

FOR the past two days everyone felt uneasy.

I had just gotten out of one of the coven's emergency meetings. My mother and a few of our enforces had just gotten back from Texas, cleaning up the mess Seana and Elle left behind.

That was how it all started.  It was just rumored at first, but newspapers began to print stories about a serial killer making their way through the Midsouth of the United States.

The coven sprung into action fast and quelled the rumors. My mother even used a contact she had in a vampire hunter clan to come to assist them.

I wonder if Eddie's mother was from it. The Sanguinis clan was one of the most well-known hunter-clans in the northern hemisphere.

And that was something we didn't need. I knew once the coven or the contact got to them first, Seana and Elle were done for. I stopped counting the reported death toll after 20.

Scott and Zach had kept us updated on searching areas in New York. They decided to hang around there for a few days since Scott believed Seana would eventually bring Elle there.

Scott's prediction seemed to be right, the towns that were reporting random killings seemed to drift in a more northeast direction. They were probably somewhere in Arkansas now if I had to guess.

I was headed over to Lily's, I had Kenny helping me try and do various locater spells on Elle, none of them succeeding.

I had one more to try, though it involved a few drops of blood from a close relative. Kenny was more than happy to help, even when the map burst into flames in our faces he never lost hope.

When I walked into the foyer, I saw Lily, Amberly, and her aunt Margaret at the dining table. It was covered with printed-out headlines about the killings. They were working trying to figure out a pattern and where they may end up next. Laura and Cynthia were driving cross country, following the leads we gave them.

We were trying to get to them first to the location and to stay clear of the coven. One of the most disgusting rules of the coven was that if you tried to defend someone who was committing atrocities, you would be cut down alongside them.

My own mother would be duty-bound to harm her own cousins if they tried to intervene. However, I am sure my mother would never do that. Rules be damned.

They were very close not too long ago.

Kenny was hanging out on the living room couch with a Nintendo DS in his hands, his entire mind engrossed in it.

Though the moment I stepped into the room he tossed it to the side and bounced up excitedly.

"Do you have another spell to try?" he asked anxiously.

"Yes, but this is probably the last one," I muttered.

We both went out onto the patio, I unfolded the map on the ground. This map was outrageously large. It had to be at least five feet wide.

There were only so many tracking spells. This one involved hair, blood, and spit.

Gross.

Though Kenny was fine with me ripping out a hair and having him spit onto the map. Then we pricked his finger with a sewing needle, the blood dripping on the map. Then just as I expected, right as I said the spell the map went up in flames.

"I did tell you that wouldn't work right?" I heard Lily remark behind us, she stood in the doorway, her arms crossed.

She just had a grin on her face.

"Yes but I had to at least try something," I sighed.

My only other option, which should've been the first thing I did, was to go find Orion and demand he helps us look for them. Seana was sired to him, he could find her anywhere in this world.

He just happened to have fallen off the face of the planet. According to our English substitute teacher, he was on a leave of absence.

Some family emergency apparently.

"Call Francis, he may know where he is," Lily suggested. "I got to take more of Dad's stuff over to Scott's so I'll see you later."

Out of all the insane shit that's happened over the last few days, Scott allowing Samuel to stay at his house almost took the cake. It didn't make any sense.

Samuel wanted to kill him two days ago. This entire family was dysfunctional as hell.

"What can we do now?" Kenny asked helplessly.

I grimaced. "Do what I should have done. I'll be back later, I need to make a house call."

Then I was speeding down the road in my Camaro, heading right to where Francis said he lived. It was out in the wilderness on the outskirts of town. It took me almost twenty minutes to get there.

My phone told me to turn to the next right, it was a road that led off into the woods. I turned and flew down the windy road. What I didn't expect was to see a massive iron gate in my way now. Beyond it was a very large house.

It looked like something straight out of a period romance film. It was red brick and looked like a beautiful old English estate. As I drove up to the gate, I saw it had a code machine to open it, plus a button to ring for whoever.

Perhaps I should have told him I was coming. I pressed the button and it rang.

I pressed it maybe another fifty times before a voice came over the little speaker.

"Who the hell is it?" the voice demanded, it sounded like a cranky old woman.

"I'm here to see Francis!" I shouted, "Tell him it's his—"

I paused. What the fuck was I to him? A 20th great-granddaughter or something?

The speaker then started scratching terribly, like there was a lot of movement going on the other end.

"Celesta?" a new voice replied, it was Francis.

"Yes! Hello!" I greeted. "I came by to talk if you don't mind!"

"You know I don't," Francis chuckled. "Come to the front door."

The gate started opening inward slowly, I pulled forward. The driveway led to the main entrance, it was a circle with a large fountain in the center. I was just in awe of the place. How come we never came here before?

I saw Francis open the door, an old woman next to him. She looked like she was a hundred years old. As I got out of the car, Francis walked up to me, all smiles.

I looked from him to the house and grinned. "How come none of us has seen this place? It's huge!"

"Well, it wasn't until recently I had the opportunity to reconnect with my family. The current elder of your coven didn't want me interfering with anyone. Though that changed when she wanted me to look after you all at school," Francis explained. "I was shocked, to say the least when she did."

"Yeah, me too," I muttered.

If it hadn't been for Orion, I'm sure Francis would've killed Seana by now. I still wanted to know why. Sires couldn't control their progeny; at least I thought.

"Celesta I'd like you to meet Susan," Francis added quickly and motioned for me to follow. "She's been my diligent housekeeper for over 40 years."

My eyes widened.

"Yes, though I'd say you do most of the cleaning of late, these arthritic hands aren't what they used to be," Susan grumbled.

I glanced at Francis, obviously, she knew what he was if she had been here 40 damn years. Her ice-blue eyes looked haunting, and her white hair was pulled back into a bun. She was dressed quite nicely to just be a housekeeper, but I said nothing.

I was here for one thing only. To get information.

Francis led me inside and I was taken away at the interior. It was mostly dark woods, we were standing in a grand foyer. I felt like I stepped into Tudor England.

"Holy shit," I breathed. "This place is beautiful. How long have you lived here?"

"Almost 120 years I believe?" Francis guessed. "I had the place built in 1895. Tried to make it as similar as I could like my old home in Yorkshire. It burnt down, unfortunately. So I just based it off from memory."

I just stood there taking everything in, still in awe. I only looked back at Francis when he opened a door further down the hall, it was to a sitting room.

A fire was roaring in the fireplace, the furniture was dark wood with red velvet cushions, Francis took a seat on one of the chairs. Susan motioned for me to sit and with that she closed the door, leaving me alone with Francis.

"How is Lillian?" he pressed. "I haven't heard from her or Laura since Elle went missing."

"She's you know, hanging in there," I muttered, not sounding so sure.

She appeared fine on the outside. I knew she was crumbling on the inside.

"Well, if you want I can help," Francis piped in. "Last thing Laura wanted me to do was to remain in Seaside in case something happened. But I know you are more than capable of taking care of yourself. I can go join in on the search."

He probably feared Laura and Cynthia wouldn't last long against two vampires.

"Actually, there is a way you can help," I went on. "I need to know where Orion is."

"Celesta, that man will do nothing to help you," Francis pressed. "His obsession with keeping Seana alive has driven a wedge between him and me. He and I are not even on speaking terms anymore."

I just sighed in defeat.

"Last time I saw him he was leaving town, I wouldn't be surprised if he was the one behind all these latest string of killings," Francis snorted with distaste.

"What?" I gawked.

"As I said, he is obsessed," Francis reiterated then his attention went to the door.

As if on cue, a knock came from the other side. Then Susan peeped her head in.

"Someone used the passcode to get in," Susan informed, her eyes widening with worry.

"Bastard," Francis hissed to himself and stood up.

I looked at him, confused.

"It seems whenever I speak ill of him he appears," Francis remarked. "Orion is here."

"Are you kidding me?" I laughed, jumping up with enthusiasm. "That is great!"

"He will not help you Celesta," Francis reiterated and grabbed my shoulders. "He will spin tales and lies. He is a man you should not trust."

"I don't trust him, but I have to at least ask where Seana is," I reasoned. "I owe that to my cousin."

I felt like I could have prevented all of this. I know I should have seen something that night. I saw a vision when Isabel took Lily, or when Scott was probably going to murder us all.

But with Elle? Nothing.

"She will be found," Francis put forth. "Without his help."

I just closed my eyes and sighed

The door burst open, to reveal a frowning Orion. Francis released me and faced Orion, his face contorting into a grimace.

"Well, that isn't very kind of you to say, Francis," Orion noted.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Francis spat.

"I live here do I not?" Orion questioned. He turned to Susan and frowned. "You are dismissed, and if you may, my room needs preparing."

Susan just glared at him with distaste. I see now he saw humans as beneath him.

I will add that to the list of reasons why I want to kick him in the nuts.

"Go Susan," Francis beckoned, though he meant it in a sincere way. "I can deal with this matter alone."

She just nodded stiffly and with one last death glare at Orion, she left.

"Where have you been?" Francis spat.

"Compelling people to forget about vampires," Orion retorted back. "Something you should've been helping with, instead you turned against your own family."

"I did not turn against anyone, I told Lydia I would help if she needed it," Francis went on. "Yet as you can see she did not."

"Whatever you want to say, Francis, I do not care," Orion sighed. "Now if you don't mind Celesta wanted to have a word with me. May I have the room?"

Francis glared at him with hatred.

"Fine, I will take your silence as a no. We can just go up to my office then," Orion suggested to me.

"No," Francis snarled and stood in front of me.

"Don't patronize me, Francis, it is unbecoming of you," Orion rebuked. "I thought you would have enough sense that I wouldn't cause harm to your family. And frankly, you have caused harm when you severed your ties with the Hathaway coven. It has left them vulnerable."

Francis turned away and walked over to the window. He put his hands in his pockets and stared ahead out at the lawn.

"Go then, but if I hear one thing out of line I will disembowel you, Orion," Francis snapped. "Again."

"Ah yes, the disembowelment threat," Orion chuckled, not even fazed by Francis.

Orion reached out an arm, I just raised a brow at him. Did he mean to escort me or something?

"Never mind then, follow me," he murmured, lowering his arm.

He went out, I turned my head to Francis. He was looking at me anxiously, his eyes full of worry.

I just gave him an encouraging smile and walked out.

He led me upstairs and entered a door down the hallway. It was a very fancy office, all the furniture was dark blue leather. Several photographs lined the shelves of the cabinets, and a portrait behind the desk was of a woman.

It was Claire, dressed in a dark blue dress that looked like it was from the 1800s. She was smiling in it, but she also appeared stern.

Orion caught me staring at the painting. He walked up beside me and gazed at it.

"Beautiful wasn't she?" he lamented.

"Yes, she was," I said uncomfortably.

Here I was, his dead wife reincarnated. I'm sure he knew I was too.

Orion just chuckled. Was he unhinged or something?

"You are just like her, you know that?" Orion beamed.

I felt my heart skip a beat. But I just continued glaring.

"And?" I retorted, trying to keep up the bravado. I felt a tremble go through me.

This was getting creepy. He was my English teacher.

"Just stating a fact," Orion murmured. "But anyway, let us speak now."

He gestured for me to take a seat on one of the chairs.

I sat down the one furthest from him and folded my hands in my lap.

"Well, on to business then," Orion put forth and took a seat at his desk chair. "What do you want to ask of me?"

"Why can't you just locate Seana and stop her? Aren't you here sire?" I quipped.

Orion looked at me curiously. "Who said I was her sire?"

"According to Scott, Seana would go on and on about you," I replied. "Saying she wished she could kill you but she couldn't."

"She has always wanted to kill me, but we are family," Orion insisted. "But even though I sired her it does not mean I can track her."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Cut the bullshit. I know you can find her, you just won't."

"I know you won't believe me, but it is a very complicated situation," Orion expressed and put his hands on his desk in frustration. "I wish I can trace her, but over time that link between sires and progeny wane. I only tracked her because of the messes she leaves, she normally stays in one place for a time. But she knows she is being hunted, that is why they are moving quickly."

"Seana could find Scott. Hell, he could even find Lily after he healed her at homecoming. You mean to tell me you can't anymore?" I scoffed.

"It is the truth," Orion revealed. "A sire gives the progeny their blood before they die. Scott's only been a vampire for 40 years. It takes usually 60 years or more for the sire bond to fade."

"Why the hell does it fade? Don't they always have the sire's blood running through them? It is what created them," I insisted.

"I don't know why it does. Not many are aware that it can happen," Orion sighed. "But believe this, if I could find her I would kill her myself. She has disappointed me gravely."

"You would kill the last of your family?" I uttered in disbelief.

"She has killed a witch, and more so the Hathaway coven will never let her off. They will even kill Elle now despite her being innocent in this," Orion admitted.

"Do you have any idea where they might be going?" I questioned. "Laura and Cynthia are following Seana's warpath, we need to find them before the coven does."

"If I had to guess, based on her path, she is going to New York, but she won't stay there for long, she will try and get overseas," Orion informed.

Good thing Scott and Zach were in New York. I wasn't telling him that, he probably was trying to help her escape.

"Well, thank you for your time but it's time I get going!" I chirped and stood up.

"Not so fast Celesta," Orion chimed in and blocked my way out. "I gave you information, I expect something in return."

Fuck.

"Like?" I replied bitterly. "You threatened my friend and wanted to kill him. You are lucky I'm not trying to shove a stake into your chest."

"I just wanted to ask you something, there is no need to get defensive," Orion criticized.

I just crossed my arms and gave him a glare. "Ask it then, before I lose my patience."

Orion took a step toward me. "When they find Seana, I want you to do one thing for me, do not kill her."

"Are you kidding me?" I snapped. A felt a pain start to go through my head suddenly.

I ignored it.

"No, because I want to kill her myself," Orion seethed. "If not, things will not bode well for your cousin. Or any of you and your friends."

Did he just threaten Elle? I was about to scream but the entire room morphed into nothing but darkness. I almost felt like I was swimming in it. I tried to move, but I was stuck. I turned my head to see a tall lighthouse in the dark, the light on top of it spinning.

I saw faint outlines of figures at the top, caught in a struggle.

I tried to scream, but nothing came out. Then I plunged deeper into the darkness, hearing screams and crying echoing around me. Then I lurched upward, taking in a breath of air.

I was back in Orion's office, with Orion looking at me strangely.

"You just had a vision, didn't you?" he quipped.

"So, what if I did?" I retorted. "Now get out of my way."

"Remember what I said Celesta," he warned. "She is mine."

I just stared at him appalled. "You are a fucking asshole."

The door suddenly burst open to reveal a murderous-looking Francis.

"You two can have fun killing each other, I am leaving now," I spat and bolted out the door.

Just as I got to the front door, Susan was there looking at me worryingly.

"Dear are you alright?" she asked.

"I will be, just as soon as I leave this place," I snapped.

I ran to my Camaro and floored it, sending gravel everywhere, some even hitting Orion's precious-looking Mercedes.

Asshole, I should've just set it on fire.

"SO what did the bastard have to say?" Scott laughed over the phone.

I had my phone out on the speaker. Lily, Margaret, Kenny, Amberly, and I sat around the dining table.

"Well, you were right about New York, he said they were probably headed that way," I sighed.

"See I told you we were in the right place!" Zach cheered, sounding further away.

"Where are you guys now?" asked Amberly.

"We are leaving New Jersey right now, Seana had a house down there I thought we should check," Scott replied. "She won't be in New York for at least three days."

"Make sure you meet up with Laura and Cynthia, boys," Margaret reminded.

"Don't worry Aunt M we already got them a room and everything set up!" Zach sang.

I know why he was in such a good mood. He finally had the chance to kill Seana. And remembering Orion's threats, I wasn't going to let anyone get hurt because of me.

Even if I had to lie to my friends.

"Guys listen," I put forth and gulped nervously. "I know we all want to kill Seana, but the coven needs to take her into custody. We have to convince them of Elle's innocence. Just grab Elle and come back home."

"Are you joking? I am killing her with my bare hands," Zach remarked. "To hell with the coven, we will kill Seana and protect Elle."

"I am serious Zachary, please just trust me," I urged.

"I do trust you, but if we have the chance to kill her I have to take it," Zach rebuffed.

"Hey Cynthia is calling on the other line, we will holler at you all later okay?" Scott chimed in, cutting through the tense atmosphere.

"Okay, bye guys we love you!" Lily shrilled, she looked like she was about to cry.

Scott just chuckled. "Love you all too!"

Then the line went dead.

Then came the questions.

"How was the visit earlier?" Lily inquired.

"Orion is an evil bastard who deserves to burn in hell," I grumbled.

"We already know that!" Amberly giggled. "What did he say?"

"Well, he compared me to his dead wife, it made me feel sick," I muttered.

"Uh," Amberly began then went silent.

"How about we go out for dinner?" Margaret suggested.

"Pizza?" Kenny grinned.

I felt myself start to grin. "Fuck going out, I can make the best pizza ever right here."