Moonlight Denial: Shades of Moonlight Book One

Sleek, black high heels clicked against the wooden floor as Hailey leisurely paced around the living room of her childhood house that now belonged to her two sisters. A deep frown was set in her face and her eyes were clouded in thought. She lifted her head to stare at the ceiling when she heard laughter coming from above. A dark look came to her eyes and the frown only grew.

“If you keep making faces like that, Dear Sister,” Cecile said as she entered the room caring a tray that held two tea cups, a tea pot and a tray of cookies that she had slaved over all morning. “You’re going to get wrinkles and I know how you hate wrinkles,” she said with an amused smile as she set the tray down on the coffee table that was directly in the middle of the room. She sat down on her spacious couch and patted the cushion next to her for her sister to sit down.

Hailey didn’t take the invitation, however, and glanced at the ceiling before glaring at her sister.

“I cannot believe you let that boy into this house,” she huffed as she continued to pace.

“He’s Amelia’s friend, what reason would I possibly have for denying him entry?” Cecile asked calmly. She poured herself some tea and added two sugar cubes before sipping the tea delicately.

“You know very well why you shouldn’t have let him in,” Hailey hissed. “That boy is just-is just…not right!”

“No matter your opinion of him I suggest you keep your voice down unless you want the children to hear you,” Cecile advised.

“Do not tell me to keep my voice down like I am some sort of child,” the woman spat, her heels clicking as she resumed her pacing. “That boy is pure evil. I know it and you know it. Don’t tell me you can’t feel that evil aura pulsating off him and now he is contaminating our home. I can’t believe you let him anywhere near Amelia, let alone allow some sort of friendship happen.”

“With all your objections why did you let Nicole up there to join them if Nicoli is as “evil” as you say?” Cecile asked.

“Because I trust my niece and nephew, that’s why,” Hailey replied. Her sister’s cool demeanor was really starting to get to her and if the woman didn’t show some form of emotion soon Hailey was going to snap. “And what was that sarcastic tone? Are you saying he’s not evil?”

“No child is evil.”

“And that is where you are wrong, Cece,” Hailey said, her pet name for her sister slipping out. “You may try to ignore it, but I know that evil aura is seeping into your skin and grasping at your heart just like it is mine. That aura—”

“Has nothing to do with Nicoli,” Cecile interrupted her. “You know very well that that aura is not coming from him. It is merely a lingering memory from a past that, I’m sure, is best left forgotten. A brush with evil does not make one evil.”

“Only evil can survive true evil,” Hailey countered. Years as a lawyer had groomed and refined her to battle against any argument and she never backed down, especially not to her sister. “That boy has committed some terrible sin to be tainted so. It’s the only explanation.”

“You forget one important truth, Hailey. Pure innocence will always be stronger than true evil.” Cecile took her time in drinking her tea as Hailey mulled over her words. When the cup was lowered the older Fairbrooke gazed upon her sister with a critical eye. “Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. You should know that better than anyone.”

Hailey visibly bristled. All though she had always tried to best her sister, Cecile always knew all the vulnerable places to stick her needles. Hailey both loved and hated her sister for that.

“I also know my gut feelings. There is no innocence in him, there can’t be. There’s not even a pinch of innocence in someone as corrupted as that—that thing!”

“He’s a boy.”

“He’s dangerous!”

Silence descended upon the room as the sisters stared each other down. Their wills were too great for either to back down. It was not the first time they had butted heads, nor would it be the last.

Cecile sighed as she set her cup back on the tray. She stood up with as much grace as a queen and seemed to glide towards her sister.

“Hailey, I’ve always known you could be judgmental, but you’re taking this to a dramatic extreme.” Cecile’s voice was as soft and level as normal, but there was an underlying coldness to it that few would be able to pick up.

Hailey knew the tone very well and couldn’t stop herself from stepping back from her approaching sister. It was even harder for her to suppress a shudder when Cecile placed her hands on the slightly smaller woman’s shoulders and looked into her eyes.

“I think you need to sit down and take a deep breath before you condemn Nicoli any further. Don’t you think that would be a good idea?” Cecile asked. Her voice was sweet and musical and anyone would be hard to resist it.

Hailey was having that very problem as it felt like a tranquilizer had been injected into her body. Her mind grew fuzzy and all of her muscles unwound and relaxed against her will.

“Cecile…damn…you,” was all she was able to mutter before her body sagged. Her sister easily held her up and Hailey was guided over to the couch. She tried to fight it the entire time, but when she was planted onto the couch she gave up. As much as she hated to admit it, she could never overcome Cecile in the power of will when the woman was serious.

Cecile sat beside Hailey with a pleasant smile as she poured tea into the unused cup.

“Here you go, this will clear your thoughts and let you think with clarity. No sugar, just how you like it,” the older sibling said as she set the steaming cup on the coffee table in front of the other woman.

Hailey groaned as feeling rushed back into her limbs. She flexed her fingers for a moment before sitting up and putting a hand to her head.

“I hate it when you do that,” she grumbled.

“You were being unreasonable.”

“I was being truthful,” Hailey countered as she took her cup and took a sip to soothe her nerves.

“You’re being too harsh towards the poor boy. I understand you’re afraid of such a potent aura,” Cecile said. “It makes me uncomfortable, as well,” she added before Hailey could argue about not being afraid. “I admit that throughout my years I’ve never come across a presence so thick with malice before, but you must not blame Nicoli for that.”

“Then who am I supposed to blame?” Hailey asked.

“Whatever malevolent force that left that impression on him. He’s a sweet, caring child. He’s not some twisted, evil force that absorbs or radiates that aura. A victim. That’s what he is. A victim.”

Hailey didn’t say a word as she contemplated Cecile’s words. A victim. Was that really all there was to it? She didn’t think so. It was impossible for any “victim” to survive something that could emanate such wickedness, especially some young boy. She was paid to analyze and figure out the people around her and, while Nicoli was an enigma, she was sure that he was linked to that evil aura in a much more dangerous way than Cecile would care to admit.

“All right, I am quick to judge, I confess, but it’s all too suspicious. One peculiar thing after another is popping up and not even you can ignore it,” Hailey said. “First that…boy moves here—”

“Because he’s your husbands, best friend’s son,” Cecile pointed out.

“You don’t need to remind me,” Hailey growled, hating the link the boy had to someone from her past. She had grown up with Lance, as had all the Fairbrooke’s, and she knew him to be a gentle, honest man, but that would not convince her. Some would say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, but she would argue that it could roll quite a distance.

“Like I was saying,” Hailey started again, glaring at her sister in case she tried to interrupt again. “First that boy moves here, and that sickening aura with him, then Deloris Mary-Weather’s house is vandalized by someone or something, and now a clan of vampires have made themselves right at home here. Vampire’s of all things!” she exclaimed.

Most of the family was aware of the new “residents” in town and it was enough to make some of them worry. The sudden appearance was enough to fret about, but the amount of vampires within the clan made them squirm uncomfortably. Roderick and Hailey were the first to suggest they make the vampires vacate, but Cecile and Tabitha had overruled them and, since Cecile was the head of the family, she had made the final decision and said they were to leave the vampires alone, something which rubbed Hailey in all the wrong ways. Just thinking of her daughter out playing with a clan of vampires lurking around made her nauseous.

“I’m betting that boy is just a beacon for misfortune. You can’t tell me you think all of these things happening recently are pure coincidence,” Hailey said.

“There’s no such thing as coincidence,” Cecile agreed.

“Then what would you call it?”

“All things happen for a reason, Hailey. So, I’d call it Fate.”

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

“Are you just going to sit there and stare at me?” Nicoli finally asked the little girl that was occupying Amelia’s lap.

For the past several minutes he had been trying to pay attention to Preston’s tutoring, but the unnerving stare was starting to get to him.

“I’m deciding something,” Nicole told him with pursed lips and crossed arms.

“Deciding what?” Nicoli asked her.

“You don’t get to know till I’m done,” the girl told him matter-of-factly.

Amelia laughed as she hugged her.

“Let her think, Nicoli. If you don’t she’ll make you regret it,” she told him.

“Can we please stop with all the interruptions?” Preston asked. “If I knew this was going to be so difficult I would have refused to help.”

“Oooh someone’s cranky,” Nicoli said with a smirk. He was beginning to see why Amelia picked on Preston so much. It was fun. “Do you need me to…” he trailed off as he leaned towards the other man. It was hard to keep a straight face when Preston backed up and used the textbook as a shield.

“Don’t you even think about it,” Preston growled.

“Think about what?” Nicole asked curiously.

“Nothing,” the other three said in unison.

Nicole huffed. She hated secrets, especially when she was not in on them.

“Fine, don’t tell me. But I’ll tell you all that I have come to a decision,” she said as she wiggled her way out of Amelia’s lap.

“And what would that be, Young Queen Cole?” Amelia asked, using her nickname for her little cousin, which was her variation to the rhyme “Old King Cole.”

“From now on,” Nicole said importantly as she strutted back and forth across the room, in imitation of her mother. “Whenever Nicoli and me are in the same room he is to be called Big Nic and I will be Little Nic.”

The older occupants in the room looked at each other curiously before turning back to the little girl.

“Why exactly am I Big Nic and you’re Little Nic?” Nicoli asked in confusion.

“Because,” Nicole said as she whirled around to face him. “Our names are too much alike. It’s confusing and I don’t like confusing things. So, I’m Little Nic and you’re Big Nic, got it?”

Nicoli stared at her oddly. He felt like he did back when he thought Faith was a normal little girl. Dealing with children just perplexed him to no end. His eyes flicked to Amelia who was behind Nicole and the red head mouthed something to him that looked like, “Play along.”

“Oooookay, that sounds fine to me…Little Nic,” Nicoli said, awkwardness evident in his voice.

Nicole didn’t seem to notice as she spun and threw her arms up in the air.

“Yay! I’m Little Nic!” she cried out joyously.

The other’s laughed at her antics. Preston seemed as though he was frustrated about not being able to get to work, but didn’t say anything. He most likely came to the conclusion that asking for peace and quiet was useless.

“You know, I find it odd,” Nicoli said as Nicole settled back in Amelia’s lap, who welcomed her with open arms.

“What?” she asked as she cuddled her little cousin.

“I’m getting used to all of you Fairbrooke’s having red hair. It’s just weird to see Nico…Little Nic with black hair,” he said, quickly correcting himself when the little girl’s cheeks started to puff out and a harsh glare appeared. The negative features evaporated and were replaced with a huge smile.

“Being different makes me special,” she said proudly while leaning back against Amelia.

“That’s right, Little Nic,” the red headed girl told her before smothering the girl’s cheek in kisses. Many squeals and giggles ensued.

“It was bound to happen sooner or later,” Preston said, drawing Nicoli’s attention away from the smooching scene.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“While the red haired gene is strangely dominate in our family, we still carry the recessive genes of others. So, since Uncle Lloyd has black hair, and that is a rather dominate gene in his family, and I’m sure Aunt Hailey had that gene, it’s not that much of a surprise that Nicole—”

“Little Nic!”

“…Little Nic has black hair.”

Nicoli stared at him for awhile after the explanation. Finally, a brow rose and he shook his head.

“I thought I was here to study math, not science,” he said, and had to fight a smile when Preston scowled and Amelia snickered.

“Excuse me for thinking you’d like to be educated,” Preston snapped.

“My brain already hurts from all the “education” we’ve done today. You don’t need to abuse it anymore than you need to.”

“Yeah, school sucks,” Nicole chimed in.

“Awe, don’t say that. If you don’t become smart like your mom you won’t become a great lawyer like her,” Amelia told her, to which Nicole simply pouted and swung her feet.

“Whoa, wait, your aunt is a lawyer?” Nicoli asked her.

“Yep, Mommy’s the best lawyer in Whixton,” Nicole said proudly, so proud in fact that Nicoli didn’t have the heart to tell her that being the best lawyer in a small, dinky town wasn’t much of an accomplishment.

“Wow, your aunt just got a bit more intimidating,” he said instead with a lopsided smile.

“You don’t have to be scared of Auntie Hailey, she doesn’t bite,” Amelia assured him.

“Unless she doesn’t like you that is,” Preston said offhandedly as he casually flipped through the textbook.

Nicoli stared at him uneasily, hoping beyond anything that he was just joking. He was already getting the feeling that Mrs. Hailey was sending negative vibes his way. Was she just overly protective of her family or had he done something to deserve the instant hate?

Man, I get the feeling that if she does hate me, she can, and will, make my life hell, he thought. Great, something else to add to my list of good luck.

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

When the sun began to dip low in the sky it was time for Nicoli to go home. He bid his farewells to everyone and was loaded down with extra goodies that hadn’t been eaten.

Right before he left Nicole gave him a tight hug around the waist, which surprised him, but what surprised him more was that, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cecile smile smugly at Hailey and he didn’t miss the dark look Hailey gave him. Chills prickled his skin. It was a good thing looks really couldn’t kill.

“Man, I’m exhausted,” Nicoli murmured as he walked home. “That family can really put you through the ringer.” He was happy, though. He felt like he had accomplished something. There was a chance he could pass the makeup test with a C at least and that was good enough for him. It was also nice to see Amelia in her natural environment. He was really beginning to like the Fairbrooke family…well, maybe not all of them.

His mulling was halted when a light tickle started from the back of his brain and trailed up to the front. He sighed and blew his bangs out of his eyes.

“What’s up, Ethan?” he asked. He was so used to the communication now that he didn’t even have to question what the touch was or meant.

“How’d studying go?” Ethan’s voice asked, echoing around the human’s skull.

“As good as expected,” Nicoli replied. “Though, I’ll take the time to point out again that it’s all your fault that I failed my test in the first place.”

“How long are you going to hold that against me?”

“For as long as I see fit.”

“Sheesh, you really do hold grudges, don’t you? Anyways, I have a reason for contacting you at the moment,” Ethan said, changing the subject.

“Wow, you actually have a reason? That’s new.” Nicoli snickered at the offended scoff he received.

“Funny, Kid, funny. I was just wondering if you had some free time at the moment.”

Nicoli frowned as he stared up at the sky. It had turned into a dark red with orange and pink tinted clouds. The sun would completely set soon.

“No, not really. It’s getting late and Mom is in one of her freak out moods so it’s best not to worry her more than I have to,” he told the vampire. “I mean, unless you’ve made progress with the book or—”

“No, afraid not,” Ethan cut him off before he could get too excited. “Conrad, Faith, and Gavin are working on it, but they haven’t uncovered anything new just yet.”

“Then why did you want to know if I have free time?” Nicoli asked. He stopped and tilted his head when he didn’t hear a reply right away. “Ethan? Helllloooo, Ethan, do you read me?” He rapped his knuckles against his skull as if trying to get an out of tune radio to work.

“It’s nothing major.”

Nicoli nearly shrieked and spun around so fast he lost his balance and fell back. He was saved from spilling his bag of goodies and splitting his skull open on the sidewalk by a strong hand grabbing him. He stared up into amused teal eyes and a wicked grin under an umbrella canopy.

“Ethan, you jerk!” Nicoli yelled as he got back on his feet and tried to give the sneaky vampire a good wallop. “Why do you always sneak up on me like that?”

“Because you’re cute when you get spooked,” Ethan replied and dodged another fist aimed at his head. “Awe, come on, don’t get so angry.”

“I’ll be angry if I want to be, you creep,” Nicoli snapped. “Why are you following me again? I hate it when you do that.”

“Like I said, I wanted to ask you something,” Ethan said as he casually spun his umbrella, making it resembal a black pinwheel.

“And you couldn’t ask me through the mind link? It seemed to be doing pretty well,” the human huffed. His day had been going so well, too.

“Oh, that’s just so impersonal,” the vampire said, with a cheeky grin that widened when the boy scowled.

“All right, what is it then? I have to get home,” Nicoli said impatiently.

“Well, the family and I just finished moving into the house and I was wondering if you’d like to come and scope it out since it’ll be the new base of operations. Plus, it’ll get you a chance to get to know the other’s a bit more. Familiarity is the only way to get them to feel more relaxed around you,” Ethan told him.

“I doubt any amount of “familiarity” will get Conrad to like me,” Nicoli muttered, remembering the cold shoulder the leader of the clan had given him. Not to mention the frigid glares. Every feeling and action towards the human was icy and he was sure nothing he did would warm the vampire up to him.

“You may be right in that respect,” Ethan admitted. It wasn’t worth it to try and lie and they both knew it. “But the others are very open to you. Andre a bit too much, but Cora and Faith will be pleased to see you again and even Gavin seems a little interested.”

“That’s only because you actually did something that required mental abilities,” Nicoli teased. “Yeah, I’ll come over at some point, but not now. Like I said, the sooner I get home, the easier it’ll be on my mom’s health.”

“Did something happen?” Ethan asked, his brows furrowing curiously.

Nicoli didn’t answer right away. He remembered the anxious look on her face when she realized he had been taking his pills again. He had prayed that she would never find out. She always worried far more than was normal.

“To quote you “It’s nothing major,” but it’s just best this way,” he replied.

From the expression on his face, Nicoli knew Ethan didn’t fully believe him. He wondered if the vampire would delve into his brain for answers, but was glad when he didn’t feel any intrusion in his mind.

“Well, how about tomorrow then?” Ethan asked. “Is there anyway you could get away without causing your mother more stress? You could use that friend of yours as a cover if you need a reason.”

Nicoli simply laughed and shook his head.

“You think I need to give her a reason?” he asked with a cocky smile. “You’re forgetting that I’m a teenager. It’s natural for us to want to get away from the parental units. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve just up and left because I wanted to, friends or no. I can say I want to get out for a while and leave,” he explained.

“Good to know, so we can expect to see you tomorrow?” Ethan asked.

“I don’t see why not,” Nicoli said with a shrug of his shoulders. “Is it okay if it’s during the day? Since, you know, you guys like sleeping at night?”

“I’m sure we can make an exception for you,” Ethan purred as he leaned forwards, more than intent on kissing Nicoli’s tempting lips. He was stopped short, however, when a hand covered his mouth and he was met with perplexed and irritated looking blue eyes.

“Just what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Nicoli asked.

“Tryin’ ta kissh you?” was the muffled reply.

“Riiiight. So not happening,” the boy said as he pushed Ethan back a bit and rubbed his hand on his jeans, ridding it of vampire germs before continuing on his way home. He was fully aware that he was leaving a flabbergasted vampire behind and could hardly hold back a smug grin.

“What? What is that supposed to mean?” Ethan demanded as he followed after him, like a scorned puppy intent on getting attention. “What about what happened the night I took you home? You were all over me.”

“I told you, I was tired,” Nicoli replied with a shrug of his shoulders. “I would never have touched you otherwise.”

“My God, I never know what it is with you,” Ethan said with a disgruntled sigh. “One second you want nothing to do with me and the next I can’t get you out of my arms.”

Nicoli laughed, mostly just to vex the vampire more.

“Yep, that’s me. A perpetual roller coaster. I hope you enjoy the ride,” he said with a smirk.

“Well, I’m not. How the hell do I get off?” Ethan asked as the two walked side by side on the sidewalk. The umbrella was big enough to cast a shadow over both of them and protect them from the waning light of the red sun.

“Stop trying to get into my pants, that’s how.”

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

As the human and vampire continued to bicker they never noticed a car parked along the street. Nor did they realize that the occupant was watching them intently.

“Son of a bitch,” Omen growled and hit his fist against the steering wheel. “Where the hell did that abomination come from?” He grounded his teeth so hard he was sure he heard them creak. He took in a deep breath and leaned back in the seat as his mind began to race with thoughts.

“If I had just acted a few minutes sooner I would have had him,” he mumbled as he ran his fingers through his sweaty hair. Being in the car for hours on end had made his skin slick with perspiration. “There has to be a time when that brat isn’t surrounded by those damn monsters. There just has to be.” His plan had become much harder to pull off since the rest of Ethan’s clan had appeared. To make a faulty move now would be suicide.

Omen sat in thought for a moment when an idea struck him. A grin spread across his face in delight. Yes, that would work just fine.

The car revved to life once the two were out of sight. Omen shifted the car into gear and pulled out of his spot to return to his current place of residence. He glanced into his rearview mirror at the last spot he had seen his quarry.

“I’ll get that book back, one way or another.” He smiled at his own reflection and admired how devious it looked. “Too bad for the boy, really, but there’s just certain consequences that comes with siding with monsters.” The smile vanished and Omen began massaging the skin around his golden eye.

“Consequences of the highest caliber, Boy. As you’re about to learn very soon.”

===========================================Ch. 27 End