Birthrights (23 page)

"Okay, I am really excited about the vamp history
lesson, but I am more concerned with Jaxon and what she is capable
of."

"Well, Jaxon was able to shut her body down in full
vamp fashion. Her eyes were pure black and her body functions had
stopped completely. The strange thing is, it takes the young vamps
a while to be able to control their bodies that well especially
under stress. Jaxon was fighting a much older vamp. Frank is
somewhere in the ballpark of 150 and Jax tossed him around like he
was a human." He looked at her admiringly, "and she did it without
any effort. What's more unbelievable is when I started talking to
her, she was able to turn it off and appear human again. That
amount of control is unheard of before you hit the 100 year
mark."

"Well, Jax, that's some trick." She looked at her
friend who was a bit shocked to have heard what Seth just told
them. "It makes sense though because you heal really fast too."

"But, I'm not a full vampire, Caislyn. I don't need
blood. And what about my birthmark? I was adopted remember? The
only explanation I have is that I'm part witch and part
vampire."

Caislyn sat in silence for a moment as Seth looked
on. Suddenly, she remembered something that happened the night she
performed her ritual to find her parents. "Oh crap, Mrs. Miller
told me that I needed to find 'death's only witch' and that we
would find the truth together. That's got to mean you."

Seth leaned forward once again joining the
conversation. "What birthmark?"

The girls looked at each other and figured it was
time they let Seth in on the birthmark, since he already knew that
she was a witch anyway. Jaxon stood up pulling her hair over her
far shoulder and pulling her shirt down far enough on the other
side so that Seth could see the mark. "This is my birthmark." She
looked down at her shoulder to the spot and back at Seth. "Caislyn
says it comes from an old line of witches that were thought to be
extinct."

"It does." Seth said, nearly dumbfounded. "They
obviously aren't extinct." As he continued to think about what this
meant something else occurred to Seth. "Find what truth?"

"Wait a minute, you knew this vampire that attacked
Jax?" Caislyn asked as she too got up to fix another drink and
change the subject. "Why would he attack Jaxon?"

"That's what I'd like to know. Not that he'll try
doing it again mind you." Jaxon settled further into the couch with
a smug grin.

Seth allowed for a change of subject momentarily. "We
work for the same person. He was probably trying to check up on me,
and since I've been around you so much lately, he probably thought
he could use you for information about how I'm performing my
duties. Probably just a ploy to try to get my job. Believe me
though, I will be looking into it." Seth's voice held a hint of
retribution.

"I still can't believe you were attacked. Again."
Caislyn said sitting back down on the couch with her drink.

"I know right? I feel like I have a target on my back
right now." Jaxon remarked.

"You might in a round about way." Seth said. "What
truth are you two supposed to find?"

Caislyn and Jaxon looked at each other, wondering
whether or not to fully trust Seth. Jaxon nodded and Caislyn turned
towards the vampire whose life seemed to become intertwined with
their own.

"I performed a spell to help me find my parents. A
long time customer of the bookstore, who is a prophet of sorts, was
the last customer I had before I closed up for the evening. She
told me to find "death's only witch" and that we would find the
truth together. I performed the ritual, and was lead to Jaxon. At
the time, I figured Jaxon would help me find my parents, but now
that we know about the prophecy, I think it has more to do with
that."

Seth listened intently as Jaxon continued, "We ran
into this crazy old drunk guy on our way to see the demon, Ve. He
finished the prophecy for us.” She looked at Caislyn and smiled,
“At least I've been thinking that was what that conversation was
all about.” She smiled as Caislyn nodded her head and continued,
“and it also mentioned something about 'the truth'."

Seth sat up, "The Old Seer? You saw him? And Ve?
Please, tell me you aren't dealing with demons? "

"Not so sure that's much better than telling you any
of this at the moment since you're all smoke and shadow." Jaxon
said, starting to feel drained from having to keep up her shield
for so long. "I think I'm going to grab some of that special tea
you made, Caislyn. Do you want some?"

Caislyn shook her head and eyed Seth as Jaxon
wandered into the kitchen to fix her tea.

"So when did you become so protective of us Seth? "
Caislyn asked.

"It has nothing to do with being protective, well,
maybe it does, but Ve is a demon, Caislyn. A demon! You must know
how dangerous they are!"

"Cool your fangs. We aren't working with Ve. We went
there to see if he could give us some weapons but he was busy and
couldn't help us." Caislyn explained.

Obviously relieved, Seth leaned back in his chair
once again. "I'm just surprised, Caislyn. That's all. It just shows
how desperate you are to find your parents. Which makes you
vulnerable, and if you really are dealing with the prophecy, you
can't afford to be vulnerable."

Caislyn was thinking about what Seth had said when
Jaxon came back into the room. She knew that he was right. She had
become desperate to find her parents. So much so that she was
taking too many risks and endangering Jaxon while she was at
it.

"Ah, this stuff is the best. I swear I think you need
to market this tea, Caislyn." Jaxon suggested as she sat back down
on the couch.

Caislyn smiled at her friend. So much had happened so
quickly, it was hard to make sense out of it all sometimes. But she
knew in her heart that her parents were depending on her, and she
was determined to find them.

"I can't believe you saw the Old Seer," Seth said
interrupting Caislyn's thoughts. "I'm not sure anyone has seen him
in centuries. Its just another sign that the prophecy is about to
unfold."

"What do you mean?" the girls asked simultaneously,
then giggled at each other.

Seth raised an eyebrow, but explained. "Because the
Old Seer tends to have a bad habit of giving his prophecies or
visions and then dropping out of sight until it is about to happen.
Sort of his way of gloating about his ability to foresee the
future."

"He did seem sort of cheerful, in a weird, drunken,
hobo kind of way." Jaxon replied.

"So you saw him outside of Ve's place?" Seth asked.
"Huh, I wonder if Ve had anything to do with hiding him?" Seth
looked at both of them, "I'd say it was damn lucky that you two
didn't get involved with Ve. He doesn't have the best
reputation."

Caislyn just nodded. "I was thinking he could help us
with weapons. I'm sure you've noticed that we seem to be getting
attacked every time we step outside."

"From what I've seen, I'm not so sure you need any
weapons, Caislyn. The two of you have a lot of power. More than you
probably realize. If I were you, I'd figure out how to use them."
Seth suggested as he rose gracefully from his chair.

Jaxon stood as well and started to walk him to the
door.

"I'm going to go find out what Frank was up to. I
think it would be wise for the two of you to stay home, until you
hear from me. I'm hoping maybe with my connections I can find out
more about what's going on." Seth said as Jaxon opened the door to
the apartment for him. He stood looking at her a moment longer
before he stepped over the threshold. "Oh, and stay away from
demons from now on. I really don't feel like having to fight one of
those, ever!" he commented as he started down the stairs.

Jaxon breathed deeply and closed the door behind
him.

Caislyn sat on the couch and just looked at her
friend. "What?" Jaxon asked innocently as she plopped in the
recently vacated chair.

"Don't give me that. You know perfectly well what I'm
giving you this look for." Caislyn gave Jax the look, "What is
going on between the two of you?"

Jaxon's eye grew large "Nothing! Nothing, I swear.
Why does everyone think there's something going on with us?
Geez."

Caislyn gave Jaxon an exasperated looked and shook
her head. "You have a problem with denial Jaxon. I just thought you
should know."

Jaxon retorted with a crude finger gesture and a
sweet smile.

"Seth is right about one thing though. We need to
figure out what powers we have, and how to use them." Caislyn
stated.

Jaxon agreed, "Well, I've figured out how to use my
vampire ability to fight, thanks to Frank. If you could figure out
how to do that whole transport or teleport thing, that could be
very useful."

Caislyn nodded then added, "And that shield we had at
the Causeway. We need to figure out how that works too. But I'm
exhausted and so are you. We should get some sleep. I have a
feeling the next few days are going to be very busy." 

***

Getting to Know Him

Seth walked briskly back to the art gallery where he
parked his Escalade. hours ago. Seeing Jaxon's birthmark had
completely thrown him for a loop. He had already figured out that
Jaxon was part of the prophecy and that Caislyn was as well, but he
had not expected to ever see the mark of the Chattox witches again.
He had been working under Darren the first time he met a
Chattox witch. 

As the next in line to lead the vampire community,
Darren had been working on opening the lines of communications with
all other supernatural species. Seth had been leaving Darren's
chambers when he ran smack into a cloaked figure right outside the
door. "I'm so sorry, I didn't see you." He said, realizing that the
figure had not been there a moment ago. "Is there something I can
help you with?"

The figure looked up at him slowly. Two of the palest
blue eyes he had ever seen starred back at him, beneath the hood. A
quiet but melodic voice met his ears "I apologize, I was just
coming to see Darren on urgent business." 

"Oh. Here, let me escort you to him." Seth offered as
his suspicions were rising.

"No, that's quite alright, I know the way. You
needn't be bothered with that task, " she said.

"Its no bother at all." He replied as he grabbed her
arm and lead her to the chamber door. "I'm sure Darren will be most
interested in knowing that a witch is using invisibility to sneak
around our living quarters."

Seth opened the door and walked the cloaked witch
inside.

"Darren, I'm sorry to bother you, but I found this
witch..." he didn't get a chance to finish before she pulled out of
his grasp and ran into Darren's arms.

Seth stood blinking for a moment, trying to
understand what he was seeing. He quickly closed the chamber doors,
checking the hallway to make sure it was void of witnesses.

Darren turned to face Seth as the witch stepped away,
shed her cloak and placed it upon the chair.

"Are you mad sir?" Seth asked. "If anyone finds out,
your chances of being the Council Chair are ruined."

Darren sighed. "Yes, I am aware. That is why she
comes in secret." He walked back over to the witch and pulled her
close. Seth could see hard lines of his friend's face soften as he
looked upon her. He had never seen Darren so happy or at peace.

"I will understand Seth, if you feel it necessary to
break from my support, but please, I beg you carry this secret as
you carry your life, eternal. We are in love, my friend, and
already cursed with the inability to be together as we wish, having
to hide our love in shadows. To tear us apart after so many years,
I would beg for death." Darren looked upon his lover and then back
to Seth awaiting his answer.

Seth stood there a moment, too shocked to really
speak. Darren had been his confidant and his friend for too long
for him to take away the loyalty and bond they shared. "Your secret
is safe, Darren. It just comes as a shock is all."

Darren relaxed visibly but it was the witch who
spoke. "Thank you. If you should ever need of anything, Seth,
please come to me for aid. I will not turn you away. I am Meriwyn
Chattox and you have my word."

Seth stood awe struck. The Chattox witches were the
most powerful line of witches the world had ever known. He had
learned of these great witches through his studies. They were
reputed to be fair and just, but also to be harsh with their
retribution of those who betrayed them. Now, not only did one stand
before him, but she gave oath to aid him. Seth could do nothing
more than nod his understanding. She came and stood before him and
held out her hand, smiling. "Do not fear me, Seth. I wish you no
harm. I am only here to see my love." She said as she glanced over
her shoulder to Darren. 

Seth looked at her outstretched hand and noticed the
mark on the inside of her wrist. It was an intricate design of many
symbols woven together to create the Chattox mark. He took her
hand, lifted it to his lips and kissed it. Bowing slightly, "It is
my honor, Meriwyn. And now, " he said straightening, "I will leave
you to your cherished moment. Darren, I will see you tomorrow. Be
safe, my friend."  

That was the first and last time he saw Meriwyn of
the Chattox witches, though, he remembered how devastated Darren
had been a few years later when Meriwyn disappeared. That had only
been 20 some years ago, and now, Jaxon had that very same mark on
her shoulder. 

Seth's mind was racing with possibilities. Meriwyn
was the last of the Chattox line. Could it be that Jaxon was
Meriwyn's daughter? It would explain why he couldn't find a paper
trail on Jaxon before she was adopted. Meriwyn would definitely
have the type of power to hide such thing. 

Seth had too many questions floating in his head. He
had to focus on the here and now. That meant finding out everything
he could about the Seer and why Marc sent Frank after him. The more
he thought about Frank attacking Jaxon, the more pissed off he
became. But he also knew that Marc wouldn't have sent Frank unless
he thought Seth could no longer be trusted. The question was, how
much did Marc actually know and how much did he think Seth was
hiding from him? By now, he was certain that Frank had crawled back
to Marc and reported everything that had happened. That meant that
his employer was probably be foaming at the mouth with rage over
Seth's actions. He climbed into his Escalade. and immediately
dialed Marc's direct office line.