He smiles that perfect smile that I think is meant just for me.
I take the paper from him and look at the numbers:
NNN IIIII II II II IV V V VI VII
1012150617452012
It takes me a moment to separate the numbers on the second line and my eyes widen.
Seeing my reaction, CK sighs. “In light of the way we now read out years, I think you will find the first three dates of particular significance to you. I think you are the Chosen One.”
CHAPTER TEN
I stare at him in disbelief and shake my head. “That’s not possible,” I say, standing up. “It can’t be me.”
“The numbers don’t lie, my sweet. 1012. It was my intention to turn you on Holy ground, but Radulf nearly killed you before I could, and I had to turn you in the barn. 1506, it was your intention, I believe, to turn Devon on Holy ground before his mother nearly killed him and you had to turn him in the barn. 1745. You married Fraser in a church with the desire to turn him although he refused. And 2012…”
“This year,” I interrupt. “But I have no intentions of any Holy Unions.”
“Maybe so, but you have a human lover with whom you are prepared to share our secret. You don’t know what will happen with him,” he warns.
I shake my head, but he continues, “As your sire, I am going to advise you against any course of action that will lead to the possibility that this prophecy will come to pass.”
“CK, what are you saying exactly? I’m still not sure I understand,” I say perplexed.
He turns from me to stare at the stained-glass window. He frowns as he looks at it and says, “Aefre.” My heart clenches as he uses my first name. I just stare at his back trying to process what he is saying.
Knocking interrupts us. CK turns to answer the door with a deeper frown. Devon is on the other side, looking pissed.
“May we help you?” CK asks smugly, switching to English again as we had been speaking in Italian, just to piss Devon off further.
“I’d like to speak to my sire, if you don’t mind,” Devon replies.
CK’s face hardens at the reference, but opens the door wider, staying where he is though so Devon can’t enter.
“Livvie, Cole is at the gate. Finish up if you don’t want a disaster on your hands. I’ll stall him as long as I can,” he says.
I nod briskly as CK slams the door shut; his expression is unreadable.
“If you turn this man, this year, the prophecy will come true, of that I have no doubt. However, Gregor and Eloise will not stand for another member being sworn in. Under normal circumstances, I would be inclined to agree and take whatever necessary precautions to prevent this from happening.” He turns back to me with a menacing look that I know isn’t directed at me, but at the thought of someone barging into their little elite clique. “As it is you, it throws a rather large spanner in the works.”
“Constantine, I don’t want this. You can believe me when I say that this is not something I have ever wanted, and nor will I ever. Quite apart from the fact that I have never understood how another member, an ordinary Vampire, would be accepted and respected, this is so far from what I want, if it is me, you don’t have to worry about it.” I try to reassure him as the horror of what he is suggesting sinks in. “Not to mention, Cole doesn’t even know about me yet. Who is to say what will happen?”
He nods but is regarding me with those unreadable eyes. “You must keep this quiet for now. I am only telling you because it's you and I need you to understand that you will be in danger. Gregor and Eloise are not aware of this yet. Lucio is loyal to me and he brought it to my attention first. He will not, however, stay quiet for much longer. You must recognize the danger of this, Aefre. They are dead set against this,” he emphasizes ‘dead’ and I gulp. “It is a mistake for you to tell him who we are.” He steps closer.
“But you said a relationship cannot survive a secret this big,” I say accusingly.
“That was before I knew about this.” He places his index finger on the paper I had discarded and slides it slowly down the edge of the desk towards me. “Be wise, do the right thing and I will keep in touch.”
“Are you still going to Monaco?” I ask, ignoring his comment.
“Yes, if for no other reason than to see you again,” he says softly and leans forward to kiss my forehead. Before I can say another word, he turns and Teleports out, leaving me bereft and in shock over his revelation.
Me? Prophesied to be the fourth Council member? It makes no sense. Why me? There are far more powerful Vampires out in the World than little old me. I’m no one special, and I really don’t want all of that hassle. Not to mention the horror of having to see Gregor and Eloise on a daily basis. That thought alone makes me shudder. And what is this Power of One business? That sounds like bad news to me. I accept magick in the World, but I don’t like it and I certainly don’t want to wield it. Although thinking about it rationally for a moment, one has to concede that to be equal to an Initial Vampire, one would need a bit of a power boost. Maybe that’s what that is? It’s the whole ‘One’ thing that is daunting. That has far too many connotations for me to be comfortable with. No, Constantine is wrong. It’s not me. I just want my nice little, normal Vampire life. Me and Devon against the World; like it’s always been.
Only now there is Cole. I know exactly what CK meant by saying ‘do the right thing’. He wants me to forget about telling him and end it, but I am not doing that. I push the paper with the numbers on under the ink blotter. I could tell him tonight and he could tell me to go to Hell. I doubt very much he will jump up and ask me to turn him in the nearest graveyard. No, it’s not going to happen.
I look back to where I have pushed the paper away. But I can’t deny that I knew there was something about him the first minute I laid eyes on him. Just as I did with CK, just as I did with Devon and Fraser. Could it be?