A Vampire's Heart

Chapter 8

Somehow, despite her age, they all took her threat seriously.

'I assure you, we have not-' Nico cut off as the woman held up one gnarled hand.

'Enough Silvertongue. From your mouth only lies fall. If the girl is what she is, then she can prove herself.'

'She already has,' Nico seethed.

The old woman leaned forward, her cane gripped in her hand. 'Not to me.'

'I will prove that we've not lied,' Akari said before Nico could retort. She squeezed his hand, a move not lost on Mother Marcia.

'Leave us, Dolores. I can handle our visitors from here.'

Their guide appeared to want to argue but held her tongue as she made her way back up the staircase, without a word.

'I trust you have tribute,' Mother Marcia stated.

Gabriel stepped forward and bowed. He drew his backpack open and withdrew its contents for Mother Marcia's inspection.

'Preserves from Madame Pilar's cart.' Mother Marcia placed the jars to one side. She withdrew a wrapped parcel and paused. 'Quindim, my favourite.' Her eyes locked on Gabriel. 'I thank you.'

But Akari felt like she was saying something else as she looked between them. Andrés had said Gabriel had grown up in Belem. Had he known Mother Marcia? It seemed unlikely, and yet there was something between them. Not a connection, but something unspoken. Mother Marcia knew something about Gabriel, and vice versa.

'Very well, it's time you prove yourself, light walker.' Mother Marcia rose and made her way to another doorway. 'All witches stand at crossroads. We exist in the moment before a choice is made. I wonder what choice you will make,' Mother Marcia stated, her eyes straying to Nico, as if she knew Akari's secret. 'Yes, a choice you'll need to make,' she said to herself as she turned and opened the door.

Akari shared a frantic glance with Nico, not sure what she was supposed to do.

'You'll be fine. I know you will.'

And despite the fact she'd known him less than 24 hours, she believed him. Maybe it was the mate bond, maybe it was just him, whatever it was, Akari squared her shoulders and followed Mother Marcia.

She took two steps into the room and had to stop. The magic made her head dizzy. It swam in front of her, collided with her, knocked her back. Until now, she'd only been experiencing a smidge of what this place truly held.

For a moment she had to shut her eyes and bow her head under its weight.

She was used to the magic at Majispur, it energised her, but this was something else. A witch's magic was foreign to her. She felt out of place and unwanted.

'Are you okay?' Nico whispered in her ear, gripping her shoulders, her teether amongst the sea of magic.

'I'm fine. It's just a lot to take in.'

He looked at her curiously, clearly not feeling what she was.

'This is the heart of our coven,' Mother Marcia said, appraising her. 'You are at least a magic user. Other paranormals can not sense the power here.'

'Oh, I sense it, alright,' Akari replied drily. It was like another person was standing in front of her. It demanded attention and refused to be ignored.

Mother Marcia stepped aside. 'Then I welcome you to our inner sanctuary.' For a few seconds her form shimmered as she stepped.

Akari's steps faltered as they passed directly through a veil of magic. For a brief moment, she was scared for her companions. Whilst the magic was tolerating her, it was a tornado around the two vampires, its energy pulsing and sparking at the two it did not want there.