Moonlight Denial: Shades of Moonlight Book One

Beethoven devoured the food Laura had put in his bowl for breakfast. The poor dog kibbles never stood a chance. Soon the bowl was empty and the canine took a few minutes to lick his jowls clean of every bit of food his pink, floppy tongue could reach.

Once he was done the dog trotted out of the kitchen to leave Laura and Lance to their coffee and newspapers. The two older humans were always up at unheard of hours in the mornings. Even on weekends. That’s why Beethoven always loved sleeping in Nicoli’s bed. The teen would sleep in for hours without a single sign of waking up, and that always gave the dog a chance to also sleep in with the benefit of a nice, warm body to curl up against.

That was what motivated Beethoven up the stairs and into Nicoli’s room. The door was left open a crack from when Laura had let him out to feed him and he slipped just as easily back in.

Beethoven was a good dog. He was loyal, affectionate, and always ready to play, but one thing could be said about the mighty beast. He was not graceful. The bed squeaked and complained noisily as he clambered onto it. He sniffed and circled around his usual spot on the bed before plopping down so his front end was across the sleeping human’s legs.

As Beethoven tried to drift off back to sleep he found it hard to do so. The reason being Nicoli was wriggling and squirming all around for some reason. Light whimpers and groans rose from the boy and his face twisted into one of either pain or fear to match it.

Then, without warning, Nicoli sat up so fast he was a blur. He was panting hard, making his chest heave with the effort and his eyes were wide as if something had terrified him. Slowly, Nicoli’s body relaxed and his harsh breathing was soothed somewhat as he took in a deep breath and released it.

“Fuck, just a damn nightmare,” he muttered. Or so the boy assumed since he couldn’t recall anything he had just dreamt about. Nicoli took in another deep, calming breath as he ran his hand over the sweaty skin of his face and through his hair.

“Sorry, Beethoven, didn’t mean to wake you,” Nicoli then said with a small smile and a pat to the less-than-happy looking dog staring at him.

With a sigh Nicoli fell back onto the bed and closed his eyes. He still felt the remaining effects of his dream. Even though he couldn’t remember any detail from the dream he remembered how it made him feel. Scared, alone, devoid of all hope, whatever the last one meant. All he knew was that his heart held a fearful flutter from the nightmare. The boy convinced himself it was the events of last night that made the nightmare occur. He was sure anyone normal who had gone through what he did would have nightmares for awhile, too.

As Nicoli lied there, trying to go back to sleep, he became aware of something that frustrated him entirely. A dull, throbbing pain made itself known in his right eye. What pissed the boy off was that it was steadily getting worse.

“Nooooo, stop it,” Nicoli growled firmly as he began rubbing the spot just above his eye. “Please don’t do this now. I’m begging you.”

But no matter how much he pleaded or rubbed the pain refused to ebb. Instead it only grew until the whole right side of his face began to burn and ache. Finally, having enough, Nicoli pulled his legs out from underneath his dog and kicked off the covers.

He stomped out of the room with a perplexed Beethoven looking after him. The pitter patter of feet going down the stairs must have reached Nicoli’s parents’ ears because the next thing he knew he heard his mother’s voice float out of the kitchen.

“You’re up early today, Sweetie.”

“I’m not gonna stay that way,” he called back as he headed to the bathroom that he had deemed his.

Once inside Nicoli hurried over to the bathroom sink. He pulled open the mirror that doubled as a cabinet and began searching around the various items on the little shelves. After a moment of hunting he let out an “Ah-ha!” and pulled out a little orange container one normally received prescriptions in.

With a twist and a pop the cylinder container opened and Nicoli tilted and shook it a little until a little reddish pill fell into the palm of his other hand. Keeping hold of it the boy replaced the top to the container and put it back where it belonged. Then he took up the glass on the sink edge he normally used to rinse out his mouth after brushing his teeth. Once it was full of water Nicoli popped the pill into his mouth and downed the entire glass of liquid.

After all was said and done he plopped down on the toilet. A sigh passed his lips as he leaned against the back of the toilet and tilted his head back. Minutes ticked by and, gradually, the pain in his eye began to fade until a warm wave of relief spread underneath the skin of his face. That was what Nicoli really liked about his painkillers. They worked fast.

“God, I wish I never had that stupid accident. Dealing with this is so damn annoying,” Nicoli muttered darkly. After a few minutes of making sure the pain was truly gone, he hefted himself up and left the bathroom.

He was about to go back to his room, but when he reached the stairs he saw his father leaning against the doorway to the kitchen. As if waiting for him.

“Everything okay?” Lance asked curiously.

“Yeah, fine, my bladder just felt the need to wake me up instead of waiting till I was good and ready to wake up,” Nicoli lied as he breezed past his father and went back up the stairs. “I’m going back to bed,” he then called back.

Lance held a thoughtful expression as he watched his son retreat up the stairs and he continued to stand there until he heard Nicoli’s door open and close. A moment later Laura appeared by his side with her mug of coffee in her hands.

“He really isn’t a morning person, is he?” she asked with a soft chuckle as she took a small sip from her mug.

“No, I can honestly say he’s not,” Lance answered as he put his arm around his wife. “How is it possible we had a son who’s different than us in just about every single way?”

Laura smiled as she leaned into her husband and rested her head on his shoulder.

“We’re just lucky, I guess.”

************************************************************************

Early morning gave way to regular morning and Nicoli spent those lovely hours snuggled down in his bed, sleeping soundly. No nightmares and no eye pain to speak of.

Beethoven was just as happy to be curled up against his master. Light snores passing through his doggy snout every so often. That was until the doorbell rang throughout the house.

A blur of fur dashed off the bed and claws scraped against the floor as Beethoven darted for the door. He was stopped, however, since the boy had closed it once he had returned to the room. Beethoven whined as he scratched at the door.

The doorbell hadn’t only caught the canine’s attention. Nicoli stirred as the resounding ring drew him from his sleep. A mass of messy dark hair from underneath the covers and Nicoli squinted at his door before his eyes glanced at the alarm clock.

“What the hell is someone doin’ here at freaking ten in the morning?” he muttered irritably before letting his head collapse back onto his pillow. Ten, of course, was a reasonable hour for anyone to visit, but not for one such as Nicoli. To him, ten was an ungodly hour to be disturbed.

It mattered not, though, as far as he was concerned. It was most likely for his father, someone from work possibly, or maybe one of the neighborhood housewives coming to visit his mother. Either way it had nothing to do with him and Nicoli’s eyes had already closed so he could go back to the sleep he desired most.

It didn’t last long. Nicoli’s brows furrowed and he lifted his head again when he heard voices and footsteps coming up the stairs.

“The hell…?” he murmured right before a knock sounded on his door. “What!?” he snapped. It was bad enough he was woken up once. Twice was just pushing his mood over the annoyed edge.

“Nicoli, Sweetie, your friend Amelia is here to see you,” Laura said through the door.

Amelia? Nicoli thought in confusion. Why would she be visiting him so early without calling first? The question was pushed to the furthest corner of his mind as his irritated stubbornness took over.

“Come back later, Amelia! I’m busy sleepin’!” he called out before rolling over onto his other side, completely disregarding his visitors.

“I’m sorry about him,” he heard his mother say quietly. “He’s rather grumpy in the morning if he’s woken up.”

Nicoli’s eyebrows rose and one eye opened when the sound of a foot meeting wood reached his ears.

“I don’t care if you’re sleeping, Jerk, I’m coming in!”

True to her word, the door opened and Beethoven quickly backed up as Amelia entered. Before the girl closed the door she turned to a stunned Laura.

“It was very nice meeting you, Mrs. Vurkeshaun, and I’d love to talk with you and get to know you much better at a later time,” she said politely with one of her dazzling smiles. The girl’s personality could do a 1-80 so fast it’d make anyone get whiplash and Laura was no exception.

“Um, y-yes, I’d be more than happy for that,” the older woman said with an unsure smile.

Amelia nodded and closed the door after one last wave. When she turned around the smile she had before vanished and anger was seething in her hazel eyes as she approached the bed.

Nicoli, who had turned over to look at the intruder, noticed this and his brow rose once more.

“What’s your problem?” he asked. He would have said it nicer and with more concern if his own mood wasn’t dangerously low, but, at the moment, it was no skin off his nose if the girl was in a bad mood.

Amelia didn’t answer the question and simply plopped down on the bed with her back to the boy. For several minutes they sat in silence as Amelia glowered at the wall across from her. She wouldn’t even acknowledge Beethoven, who was sitting beside her feet and looking up at her for attention.

Quickly becoming bored, Nicoli was about to turn over and go back to sleep, but he didn’t have a chance to go through with it.

A sharp cry of anger erupted from Amelia and, in a fit of rage, she sent one of Nicoli’s sneakers flying across the room with a swift kick. After the action was carried out the boy stared after his poor shoe in shock then stared at the girl who was breathing heavily and had her jaw grounded so tight it looked like it hurt. Contrary to Nicoli’s first thought this went beyond just a bad mood.

“Whoa, Amelia,” Nicoli said as he sat up and took hold of the girl’s arm. “What’s wrong?” he asked, sincerely this time, as he tugged on her arm to make her sit on the bed once more.

Again, Amelia didn’t answer and continued to take in deep breaths and stare heatedly at the wall. With some calming breathing coaching from the boy, the red head’s anger was finally soothed enough so she could speak.

“I don’t get it, Nicoli,” she muttered, her voice quieter, but no less hard. “What is wrong with people these days? Is hurting others really the only way some people get their kicks or something?” Amelia asked, looking at the boy with pleading eyes, begging for an answer.

“Well, I’d tell you,” Nicoli said as he scratched the back of his head. “But…I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Amelia sighed and hung her head. She then tilted her head back and took in another deep, calming breath.

“Last night, someone did something unthinkable. Someone defaced one of the most important and historic landmarks in Whixton.”

Nicoli tilted his head curiously. That did sound pretty messed up and, knowing how much Amelia loved almost every little thing about Whixton, he was beginning to understand why she was so upset.

“What place was that?” he asked.

“The house of one of the most revered women in Whixton. Deloris Mary-Weather.”

If it was possible Nicoli’s jaw would have dropped down into his lap. It couldn’t be. It just couldn’t. Deloris Mary-Weather’s house was nothing but a tourist attraction. That’s what Ethan had told him, at least. Besides, Deloris was accused and burned for being a witch. Would someone like that really be so important to the people of Whixton?

Nicoli was quick to cover up his shocked expression when Amelia turned to look at him. Again, he had to play dumb, it was his only defense.

“Who’s that? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of her,” Nicoli mumbled innocently, trying hard not to let his frantic thoughts leak through and show in his face. He sighed in relief when Amelia looked away from him.

“That’s not surprising, really,” she said. “Though, I did sort of mention her to you once, just not by name.”

“Really, when?”

“When we went to the Witches Burning site,” the girl answered as she finally gave into Beethoven and began to pet him. “Remember the women that I said were burned?”

“Yeah, of course. That’s rather hard to forget,” Nicoli said honestly, because it was true. Just the thought of that place sent shivers up his spine.

“Well, Deloris Mary-Weather was one of those women.”

Nicoli let his mouth fall open and surprise come to his eyes. He really was using his acting skills a lot lately.

“No way.”

“Yep, Deloris was one of the few that was burned for being a supposed witch,” Amelia told him.

“Wait, I don’t get it,” Nicoli said, deciding to ask something he really did have on his mind. “If this Deloris person was accused of being a witch, why was her house made into some kind of landmark and why did you say she was revered?”

“Well, before all of that nastiness happened, she really was revered. She was a strong and kind woman. It was said she was one of the people that really helped Whixton flourish and thrive beyond what it would have been otherwise.” Amelia then smiled. “There’s even a rumor that she was one of the very people that founded Whixton, so, you can see why everyone here thinks so highly of her.”

“Waaaaait one minute, back it up,” Nicoli said, her explanation made no sense to him whatsoever. “If she was that loved and that important then why the hell did they burn her?”

A sad look crossed Amelia’s face and she sighed heavily.

“People do stupid things when they’re scared. Even turning on those they care for most. Fear is just that powerful, and, well, back then those were scary times. I just…I just can’t believe someone would do that though. I mean, it was horrible what they did to her house.”

Nicoli’s mouth went dry and he tried to swallow the lump of guilt that had lodged itself in his throat. What had he done? What had they done? He didn’t know that in exploring Deloris’ house that they had single handedly vandalize an important part of Whixton. But it wasn’t really their fault, was it? They had gone in there just to look through the house and see if they could find anything. Omen was the one to blame. He was the one that came in and tried to kill them all – with the exception of Felix – and, inadvertently, the house had suffered as they tried to escape with their lives. It was a matter of life or death. If it was between keeping his life or keeping the house whole, Nicoli would choose his own life every single time, but, for what it was worth, that only eased his guilt a little.

“So, what exactly did they do?” Nicoli asked, still trying to play innocent.

“They totally trashed it!” Amelia exclaimed. Her anger flared just thinking about it. “Everything from paintings to tables and chairs to walls were ruined! And a magnificent chandelier that was in the room you first come to when entering the house was destroyed. Someone actually had the nerve to cut the cable holding it up and made it fall. Who does that? Who actually takes the time to do something like that and why would they?”

To save our lives, Nicoli answered in his head. He distantly wondered if Amelia would understand if he told her the circumstances, not that he ever would, but it still made him think. If she knew his life had been in danger would she still be so angry. He could still feel the tip of the arrow grazing his skin and Omen’s twisted smile at just the thought of ending the boy’s life. If Amelia didn’t understand why they did what they did if he explained it to her, he’d wonder why he was hanging out with her in the first place.

“Damn, vandals are getting more and more daring lately, but its nothing compared to what I’ve seen in San Francisco, but I understand that isn’t what’s important,” Nicoli quickly said when Amelia threw him a dirty look. “Do you know if they’re going to try and repair the house?” he asked.

“Of course they are,” Amelia answered. “But it’ll never be the same. Priceless and, not to mention really old, items were destroyed and you can’t replace stuff like that. It’s impossible.”

“Do they have any idea who could have done it?” Nicoli then asked, making sure he wasn’t on the list of suspects.

“No, not that I know of. It’s unthinkable for someone to do something like this here, so the authorities are kind of at a loss on where to begin.”

Nicoli gave an inward sigh of relief, but if that was true then that meant Omen must have escaped before anyone found the house in its current state. That made the boy nervous because it meant the man was on the loose once more and who knew where he was now.

When the teen looked at his friend he shoved that thought to the back of his mind. Amelia was really depressed over this and, even though it wasn’t entirely his fault, Nicoli was partly to blame. He had to do something for her.

“All right, come on, let’s go,” Nicoli said as he pushed the covers off himself and swung his legs over the side of the bed so he was sitting beside her.

“Um, let’s go where?” Amelia asked, blinking at him in confusion.

“Out. We’re gonna go hang out in town to get your mind off of this,” he informed her as he stood up and began to stretch out his sore muscles. He had to hide his face when he winced because of his stomach. Omen sure did know how to kick.

Amelia continued to stare at him blankly before her gaze descended to the floor.

“That’s sweet, Nicoli, but I don’t think so. I’m not up for–”

“Well, duh,” Nicoli interrupted her. “Of course you’re not feeling up to it. That’s why we’re doing it so you’ll feel better. Trust me, I’m doing it for your own good,” he said as he made his way to his closet and began to look through clothes that he could wear. Luckily he had stuck Ethan with his bloodied clothes from last night so he didn’t have to worry about anyone “happening” upon them.

Amelia continued to argue, but Nicoli put his stubbornness to good use and held firm until the girl finally relented. Once Nicoli was dressed and ready and he informed his parents’ that he and his red headed friend were going out for awhile, they were on their way.

*************************************************************

“Okay, I know I shouldn’t be surprised by what you eat anymore, but, seriously, what kind of ice cream flavor is that?” Nicoli asked as he gawked at the creamy “ice cream” that filled Amelia’s waffle cone.

“It’s mint chocolate, honey mustard ice cream with chocolate covered soy beans,” the girl replied casually as she continued to lick at her treat.

“…And the owners just keep that weird stuff back there for you?” Nicoli asked, remembering how the owners of the ice cream parlor had greeted Amelia and didn’t bat an eye when she ordered her peculiar flavor.

“Well…I wouldn’t say they keep it just for me. Other people request certain things in their ice cream, too.”

“Uh-huh,” Nicoli murmured, not the least bit convinced, but if it made Amelia happy then so be it. He was just as happy to stick with his normal, everyday cookies and crème ice cream that he slurped at happily.

“So, what do you want to do now?” the boy asked as they strolled down the main street of Whixton. He was happy to do whatever the girl wanted, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t keeping his guard up. He continuously looked around for any sign of Omen on the quiet streets, but he was sure he had nothing to worry about. For one, there were many people around, a benefit of being out in public and two, Omen was most likely off licking his wounds somewhere and wouldn’t make an appearance any time soon…or so Nicoli hoped.

“Nicoli, really, you don’t have to do this,” Amelia said for what must have been the thousandth time. “You don’t have to go out of your way to–”

“Hush and eat your funky ice cream,” Nicoli said and the girl yelped when her cone was pressed upward so most of her mouth and the tip of her nose was submerged in her frozen treat.

“Nicoli!” she shouted and made to punch the boy, but he simply dodged and laughed at her now sticky chocolate covered face.

“Look, Amelia, I’m going to make you feel better no matter what you say,” Nicoli said before she could try and sock him again. “You’re always a pest and try and cheer me up when I’m in a grumpy mood, so I’m just returning the favor. That’s what friends do, right?” he asked.

Amelia stared at him for a moment before sighing then smiling.

“Thanks, Nicoli,” she said as she took the napkin the boy offered and wiped off her face.

“No problem, so, really, what do you want to do now?” Nicoli asked as he put his arm around the smaller teen’s shoulders and began their walking once more.

“Ummm, well, I do have to go pick up some books from the bookstore that I ordered,” she said, thinking over things she had to do.

“So, to the bookstore then?”

“Yeah, then we can go to the arcade and you can treat me to a few games and watch me whoop your ass,” the girl said with a teasing grin.

“Oi, my poor quarters,” Nicoli moaned dramatically. “But don’t think you’ll show me up. I’m the king of video ga –”

Nicoli was cut off and froze on the spot.

“Nicoli, are you okay?” Amelia asked worriedly as she watched his entire body tense up and his face contort oddly, but as soon as it came it passed and Nicoli shook out his body.

“Uh, sorry about that,” Nicoli apologized sheepishly, scratching the back of his head with his free hand.

“What the hell was that?” the girl asked, never having seen him do something like that before.

“The back of my head just started to hurt,” he explained as he turned around to look the way they had come. “It felt like someone threw something at me.”

“What? Why would someone do that?” Amelia murmured, her defenses going up instantly. No one hurt her friend.

While she wandered a few feet away from him to see if she could spot the culprit, she didn’t notice Nicoli’s expression turn into a scowl as he turned his back on her.

“God, damn it, Ethan! Give me some damn warning before you start talking. A tickle, a brush to the mind, anything! I’m around other people for Gods sake! he snarled through the mind link.

“Sheesh, good morning to you to, Sunshine,” Ethan’s voice retorted. “Bad time I take it?”

“Yes, extremely!”

“Well, damn, and I had some exciting news, too.”

“Too damn ba…wait, news? What news? Is it about the book?” Nicoli asked, his anger quickly forgotten.

“Nope, you’re busy, I’m not going to tell you now,” Ethan said teasingly and the boy could practically feel the smirk the vampire was most likely sporting. “Tell you what. Drop by my place once you’re done with whatever you’re doing, okay? See you then.”

“Wait! Ethan! Ethan!” Nicoli yelled, but it was too late. He was alone in his own head once more. Damn it, stupid bastard. What news could he have to tell me? Nicoli thought and his whole body began to itch with curiosity. Could he have found something out about the book? Maybe he learned the location of the Heart. It was all Nicoli could do not to run over to Ethan’s hotel room right then and there.

“Well, I don’t see anyone. Is your head okay?”

Nicoli tried hard not to jump when Amelia appeared beside him and nestled her hand on the back of his head.

“Uh, yeah, I think so. It must not have been anything too hard,” Nicoli replied, trying to get back into the present. He was out here to try and cheer Amelia up from his mistake. He had to remember that. Whatever Ethan had to tell him could wait. No matter how anxious the boy was to hear the news.

“Come on, let’s just get to the bookstore,” Nicoli said with a smile as he tugged on the girl’s arm.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Amelia asked again as she let herself be pulled into a walk.

“Of course, I’m hard headed, remember?” the boy told her.

“Right, how could I forget? I’m glad you’re okay, but, Nicoli, there’s something I want to tell you…”

“What is it?” Nicoli asked, wondering why her tone had abruptly become so sullen. A moment later he was left sputtering as his ice cream was shoved into his face so hard he was sure a cookie piece got lodge up his nose.

“Don’t ever smash anything into my face again,” the girl said with an evil giggle before running off, her laughter trailing behind her.

Nicoli stared after her with ice cream and bits of cone dribbling off his face, unsure of what just happened. Then he gave chase after the girl with a wicked smirk.

“Ooo you are so going to get it, Amelia!”

*************************************************************

Nicoli’s lungs burned as he ran. He wasn’t even sure why he was running. There was no real hurry. He just knew that as soon as Amelia and he split ways he had done a major U-turn and began running to the one place he hadn’t been able to get off his mind. Ethan’s hotel room.

Finally, Nicoli made it. When he was outside of the hotel room he leaned against the wall to recover a little. Once his legs stopped shaking and he was breathing only half as hard he lifted his hand to knock on the door. Before he could make contact he heard a click come from the door and it opened a crack.

“No need to knock, Nicoli, come on in,” Ethan said from within.

Nicoli rolled his eyes. He figured the vampire had heard him coming from a mile away. The boy pushed the door open so he could walk through the threshold. Once inside he closed the door behind him then leaned against it to recuperate a little more.

The first thing he noticed was that the room was dark with the only light coming from the blaring TV. His eyes searched for the occupants of the room and found them on the bed. Ethan was lying on the bed with his back being inclined by a pile of pillows and he had his hands behind his head. Felix, on the other hand, was lying on his stomach at the end of the bed with his hands underneath his chin to hold his head up and his legs lazily waving in the air back and forth. Both the transparent spirit and the creature of the night were watching the TV intently like any normal couch potatoes. For some reason it painted a very odd picture for Nicoli and he found it almost comical.

“Hey, Meatbag, how’s it goin’?” Felix greeted offhandedly, eyes never leaving the bright screen of the television.

“Good…I guess,” Nicoli said awkwardly.

“If you’re thirsty you can grab a soda from the mini fridge,” Ethan offered, jerking his thumb in the direction of said machine. “You really didn’t have to run over here.”

Nicoli decided not to comment as he made his way over to the fridge and opened it. He riffled through it before pulling out a can of Mountain Dew and heading over to the bed. He stood there for a few minutes, but neither Ethan nor Felix acknowledged him further.

“Well?” Nicoli said impatiently.

“Well, what?” Ethan asked, his eyes flicking over to look at the boy, who sported a look of disbelief.

“You said you had exciting news to tell me. So what is it?” he demanded.

“Shh,” Felix hushed him and glared at the other boy over his shoulder before turning back to the TV.

“Ah, yes, I did, didn’t I?” Ethan said as he sat up. He lifted the remote and turned off the TV, much to the displeasure of the ghost.

“Hey! It was just getting to the good part!” Felix snapped as he also sat up. “You can freakin’ tell him without turning off the TV.” With a flick of his hand the remote flew out of Ethan’s hand and into the ghost’s. A moment later the television was on again, but Felix was kind enough to turn the volume down as the other two began to talk.

“So, what’s going on?” Nicoli asked again, finding their behavior confusing. If they had found out anything of real importance they wouldn’t be acting so…nonchalant. “Did you open the book and find out anything?” he asked, though now he was having some severe doubts about that. “Which, if you did, I’d like to point out that we agreed we would open it together.”

“Don’t worry, we haven’t touched the book since last night, I assure you,” Ethan said and, to prove his point, he reached out mentally and opened the drawer to the bedside table that Nicoli was standing next to.

The boy peered in and, sure enough, there was the book, still wrapped up in the sheet. Once he was satisfied he closed the drawer himself, but then he turned back to the vampire with a confused look.

“Wait, if this has nothing to do with the book then what is it you have to tell me?”

“Well, I was a busy boy this morning, which was against my better judgment since, you know, vampires normally sleep during the day and add the stress of last night–”

“Ethan,” Nicoli grumbled. “The point?”

“Right, anyways, I was making a few calls this morning,” Ethan said, getting back on track.

“Calls? Calls to who?” Nicoli questioned.

“That’s the exciting part,” the vampire told him with a big grin and patted the bed for the boy to take a seat. When the human relented Ethan continued. “I called some very important people who are also very close to me and, well, we’ll be having visitors in just a few days.”

Nicoli stared at Ethan’s joyous smile with wide eyes. For some reason he had no idea how to take that. From the beginning the vampire made it sound like it was just going to be Ethan, Felix, and him throughout this whole search for the Hearts. This was the first time Ethan had mentioned others.

“And…who are these important people…exactly?” Nicoli asked slowly and he watched Ethan’s smile turn into a full tooth grin.

“My family. They’re coming here.”

===================================Ch. 20 End