Ember Unspoken - Chapter Two

After a year of her disappearance, Ember had changed completely. Soon enough, people will figure out what she truly was - A witch on the inside, a monster on the outside.

Nathan ----

 

Nathan knew that the next couple of weeks was going to be hard for him. The fact that Ember was out in public with human beings unnerved him. He knows she is strong, and her control over her urges had been the best he had ever seen in a newborn, but he couldn’t help but get this feeling of uneasiness in the pit of his stomach. Especially since Ian was the one with her, watching her, protecting her.

He bit his tongue, jealousy flooding through him as he thought about it. Sitting at the long dinner table, he leans over, resting his face in his hands. Two weeks was too long. He had to see her.

          The large wooden doors creaked open, interrupting his thoughts. Looking up, he saw his father walk in. “Hello, Nathaniel.” Vince spoke with a deep voice. Even though Nathan hated being called by his full name, he didn’t mind it much from his father. He was used to it and knew that his father wouldn’t call him anything but that. It was his born name. Even Ember tried using it one time, as a joke, and he liked the way she had said it. He missed her.

          “Father.” He answered, nodding his head. “What brings you down here?”

          His father wasn’t one to come down into the dining room. He preferred his dinner private in the confines of his master bedroom. Nathan never questioned why. Guess it was his way of dealing with the monster within. Plus it was easier for his father to get his work done without any distractions.

          “I wanted to speak with you.” Vince was now standing on the other side of the oak wood dining room table, across from where he sat. “I have spoken with Jeremiah.”

          Nathan sat up straight, an uncomfortable feeling overwhelming him. Jeremiah was an Original, just like his father, but being the first vampire, he was higher. He, including his father and 5 other Originals, were the first ones to ever change into a vampire " by a witch of course. Jeremiah, though, was the one most vampires would turn to when things went bad. If anything went wrong, crimes had been witnessed, or even if a vampire himself committed a crime, you were to report it to Jeremiah. Sometimes though, those meetings would become a mistake for most. Ending their lives in torture and slow painful deaths was what Jeremiah was known for, causing many vampires around the world to fear him. One wrong move, and it was death for you. Nathan knew what Jeremiah wanted though, and he had made it clear when they had taken Ember in. The Original wanted her " to use her and her unique powers in a war that was bound to happen " but his father refused, which ended in a long argument between them both, causing a small break between most of the vampires. Some were on his father’s side, others were on Jeremiahs. Mostly out of fear, of course.

          Just the thought of Ember having to ever deal with Jeremiah made his insides boil over. Anger was now the only emotion he felt. No one was going to touch her. They would have to go through him first. His father of all people should know that.

          His father noticed his uneasy demeanor and his face went from soft, to serious in less than a second. “He made it clear, Nathaniel, that if he does not have the girl, he will cause chaos between the clans.”

          Vampires around the world were made up of 5 different clans. The Originals’ job was to keep peace between them all. But, of course, Jeremiah used his power to put fear into most vampires, and to black mail his father. A*****e.

          Just those words set bombs off inside Nathan. “No!” He growled, punching his fist hard onto the table. Pieces broke off of the corners, a large imprint where his hand had been. He stood up, sending his chair flying backwards into the wall behind him. “They will not take her!.”

          His father, not flinching, only nodded. “I know you are upset, son, but we have to give him what he wants. Jeremiah has his mind set on the girl. He won’t give up on trying to g-“

          “I said no!.” Nathan growled again, interrupting his father. He was breathing harder now. He felt out of control. He had to get out of there.

          “Clans all over the world will go into war, Nathaniel. Jeremiah will not back down unless he has Ember.” His father pushed harder, keeping his voice calm. He knew the feelings his son had for the girl, but that wasn’t going to change anything. His role was to keep peace between the vampires, and that was what he was going to do, even if it meant breaking his son’s heart.

          Vince cared for Ember. He remembered meeting her for the first time a year ago. Hearing about what she had done to a clan of vampires, interested him more than anything else. He wanted to see her for himself. His son had been in the exact same town at the exact same time the attack had happened. Just as he was hearing about it from Ian, Nathan had come storming into the mansion, carrying the unconscious girl in his arms. She was covered in blood, passed out cold, and a large wound came down from just below her rib cage and to her hip. Nathan had explained what happened, talking a mile a minute as he laid the girl down on the table and ripping her shirt open with his fingers. Vince listened, and wanted nothing but to help the girl lying before him, unconscious. It had been a long week after that. Her transition took longer than it should have. He knew letting her live would cause problems for him in the future, but he did not expect all of this.

          Now he had a choice to make. Keep the girl under his care while war broke loose between the clans, or let Jeremiah take the girl and keep peace. It was a hard decision, but he knew what he had to do to keep his son safe.

          Nathan was now pacing back and forth, his fingers gliding through his hair aggressively. He didn’t know what to say, what to do. He had to see her though " had to get to her before the others did. Stopping in his tracks he turns to look at his father. “I won’t let it.” He stated flatly, his voice was cold.

          His father began to protest but Nathan was already out of the dining room, fleeing from the house with his keys in hand. Getting into his black Volvo that sat in the driveway, he turned the key in the ignition and sped off, not looking back.

 

 

Ember ----

 

          Standing in front of the familiar house she used to call home, Ember couldn’t help but feel like maybe this wasn’t a great idea. Maybe her mother thought she was dead and maybe it was best to keep it that way. But part of her wanted to see her mother, to make sure she was still alive. Willing up the power to move, she walked up the porch steps and towards the dark blue door. Raising her hand, ready to knock, she hesitated. She shouldn’t do this.

          But I have to do this, she argued with herself. Ready to knock again, the door suddenly swung open. A small, old lady stood before her. White hair sat on her head, and her wrinkled face looked nothing but annoyed. She wore an old blue robe that wrapped around her tiny body and in her hands held a walker. “What do you want?” The old lady spat, glaring at Ember with her dark brown eyes.

          She didn’t know what to say. “D- does Rina Blackthorn live here?” Ember stuttered. Regret poured over her body as she stood on the porch.

          The old woman shook her head. “Wrong house,” and slammed the door shut in her face.

          Ember stood there, shocked by what had just happened. Did her mother move after her disappearance? She couldn’t have…this was her home. She loved it here. Her grandparents had built the house from scratch, adding on as years went by. Her mother grew older along with her two sisters - aunts that Ember never got to see. Growing up here, she knew her mother never wanted to leave.

 

          Turning away, she slowly walked down the porch steps and down the side walk. Thoughts ran through her mind as she walked down the sidewalk and to the limo that sat there, waiting for her to return. As if on cue, the driver got out and opened her door for her. Climbing in, he shut the door behind her and got back behind the wheel.

          Ian looked over at her, noticing the hurt look on her face. “Didn’t go well?” He wondered, not really caring but knew he should say something to her. Maybe to get her mind off the bad encounter she had with her mother.

          She only shook her head, staring out the window as they drove away. Her home faded in the distance. A place she grew up and learned to love. A place she will never see again. Where is she?

 

 

          Arriving at the Hunridge Valley Motel, she couldn’t feel more relieved. Exhaustion took over her body as they drove. She couldn’t get it out of her mind. The old lady opening the door had come to a shock to her. Hoping it would have been her mother, she was shut down. A feeling of guilt washed over her. She hoped her mother was ok.

          Getting out of the limo, she followed Ian into the motel, bags in hand, and to the counter where they checked in. Her room was next to his. After exchanging ‘good nights’ with Ian, she entered her room, shutting and locking the door behind her. Switching on the light, she looked over the room before her. A king sized bed sat in the middle, with a small night stand next to it. On the other side of the room was a huge dresser drawer, with a 32’ TV sitting perfectly on top. On that same side was the bathroom. Setting her bags down on the bed, she felt cool air hit her. The window was open, curtains flapping in the wind. Walking over to it, she shut it and sat down on the bed.

          Today had been a long day. She missed Nathan, and beyond all of that, her mother was missing. Not to mention she had to talk to Caleb.

          Caleb, she sighed, closing her eyes and leaning back on the bed with her legs dangling off the side. Putting her arm over her eyes, she laid there. Coming back to her home town was a mistake, and she knew it. Should’ve just left it all behind.

          But now, it was too late. She had to find her mother, and the only way to do that, was to talk to Caleb. Caleb had been her best friend, and with how small the town was, Ember knew he would most likely know where her mother was. Sitting up now, she made her way to the door and crept out, quietly shutting the door behind her and slowly walking by Ian’s door. Almost making it, she heard the door open. “Where are you going?” Ian’s voice was hard and cold.

          Turning around, she sighed. He was staring at her, his eyes boring into her, wearing nothing except for his jeans. Thinking that lying was not the best way to get his approval, she decided to tell the truth. “There’s a small coffee shop a couple blocks away. My friend-“ She mumbled, running her fingers through her hair. “His name is Caleb. I need to talk to him.” Hoping he understood, and would approve of her going, she looked at him with piercing blue eyes. “It’s urgent.”

          He shook his head, shutting the door, and then suddenly coming out again. He had put on the same shirt he wore before. Wearing the same attire he had on earlier, he shut the door behind him. “Let’s go.”

          Ember didn’t protest. Instead, they made their way down the hallway and back outside. They walked side by side down the sidewalk. Ian was staring straight ahead, as if he were off in his own world. She hoped Caleb would be there so she could explain. It hurt her remembering the last time they had seen each other, and just randomly disappearing after that. Knowing Caleb, he probably searched for her, wishing that she wasn’t dead. But technically, she was. She was a monster, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to let him find out what she truly was.

          Wednesday nights were the nights her and Caleb would go to the coffee shop to catch up on their lives. They only saw each other maybe once or twice a week because of their jobs. Caleb had worked with his father, helping out as a construction worker. She remembered because he would call her, telling her the great experiences he had those days and sometimes complain, of course, about his father and his coworkers. But even though he complained, she knew he loved it.

          Ember worked at a restaurant. She loved it there, but left two weeks before her attack. Being stupid, she left for only one reason - to be with Josh. It was a stupid mistake, and regretted it after she had found out he cheated on her with two other woman. Caleb, being the best friend that he was, only supported her.

          Now only one block away from the coffee shop, hoping he was there, Ember didn’t know what to say to him. That night she had disappeared had been the worst night of her life. She didn’t want to tell him about the attack. She couldn’t or else it would bring her true self out and risk humans finding out about the existence of vampires. Vince and Nathan would definitely have her head on that one.

          She was going to have to lie. About what though? It’s not like she could tell him she had been sent away to her grandparent’s or some other relative’s house. He knew well enough she had no one except for her mother. So what was she going to say? She had to figure this out soon enough because now she was standing in front of the coffee shop. Inside, the place looked dead " definitely not a typical Wednesday night. Only a couple customers sat inside, drinking their coffee and working on their laptops.

          Ian stood next to her, waiting and not knowing what to do next. To him this was just another mission. To keep her protected and to make sure she didn’t do anything she would regret doing. Like killing an innocent human being.

          The last thing on her mind was blood, though. Being around humans didn’t faze her as much as she thought it would, especially when she was locked up in the mansion for the past year. Ian was probably waiting for her to do something stupid. Not happening, buddy boy.

          Opening the front door, she walks in with Ian right behind her. The smell of coffee and donuts filled her nostrils, reminding her of how much she missed this place. On the other side of the counter, she saw an unfamiliar face. Must be a new employee. She wondered if Jenny still worked here. Walking up to the counter, the new girl looked up at her. She had brown eyes and round glasses. Her long red hair was up in a bun and she was wearing a black t-shirt that read “Anne’s coffee shop” in big blue letters, and black slacks. “Can I help you?” She asked, more on the bitchy side.

          “I was wondering if Jenny Logan still worked here.” Ember asked, mocking the girl’s tone of voice.

          The girl sighed angrily and walked into the back. B***h, Ember thought to herself. Ian stood next to her, looking around the coffee shop. She looked over at him. He looked focused. Probably making sure no one would harm her.

          “Em?” A familiar voice spoke. Turning back around, her eyes met Jenny’s. She looked shocked, yet horrified. Her hair was also up in a high bun, and wearing the exact same outfit as the new employee. She looked like she lost weight and her hazel eyes stared at the long lost woman in front of her.

          Ember stared back, happy to see at least someone familiar. She smiled at the woman. “Hello Jenny.”

          Jenny walked around the counter, taking Ember into her arms and hugging her tightly. “You’re back. Oh my god. Where the hell have you been?” She asked, pulling away to stare at her.

          Ember didn’t know what to say. What was she going to tell her? Oh, I was attacked by a clan of vampires, and was taken in by one. Also I’m a vampire now, and I have these magical powers to do anything I ever wanted. Not to mention vampires around the world want me because I am the key to whatever war might be coming up. Yeah, like that would go over well. Lying wasn’t her forte, but she was going to have to do so. Ian must have noticed her confusion, and before she spoke, he interrupted. “She has been with me.”

          Jenny and her both looked at him, shocked. What the hell is he doing? He quickly stood straight and leaned over, holding his hand out. “I’m Ian Blackthorn. I’m her cousin.” Ok. His last name was a total lie. It was not blackthorn. And obviously he sure as hell wasn’t her cousin. They looked nothing alike.

          Jenny only stared, taking his hand into hers and shaking it. “I-I’m Jenny.” She stuttered. This was beyond weird. “I didn’t know she had a cousin.” Her attention turned to Ember, who was just staring at Ian. Neither did I, She shot back in her own mind. She was definitely going to have a talk later with him.

          “I…Uh..” She didn’t know what to say to this whole thing as she looked back at Jenny. “Ian, yes, he is my cousin. My mother..uh..” C’mon, Ember, think. “My mother’s sister contacted me and wanted me to come there for a couple months.” Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

          “A couple months turned into a year.” Ian said, helping her out. “My mother had taken her in, helped her out with some things.” He lied, his eyes never leaving Jenny.

          Jenny only shook her head. “Well, welcome back.” She smiled at Ember, taking her into another hug.

          Great. Now she was going to have to lie to Caleb about this whole thing. Crap.

          She hugged back, glaring at Ian who only shrugged his shoulders. Jenny pulled away again. “Did you want some hot chocolate? I know you hate coffee.”

Ember nodded. “Sure why not.” She agreed, forcing a smile. Jenny turned to Ian and asked him. He ordered a coffee, and she left, walking back behind the counter again.

Sitting on the stool next to Ian, Ember looked over at him. “We are so talking about this.” She stated, more of a demand than a statement.

He shrugged, also sitting on the stool next to her. His eyes never met hers, they only stared at the counter. “Nothing to say. You should be happy I came up with something.”

“I knew what to say. You just made this whole lie into something big and now, what am I going to do?” She asked, frustrated. She looked away, running her fingers through her hair as she rested her head on her hands. Closing her eyes, she breathed in deeply. What was she going to do?     

  

“You are going to keep lying about me being your cousin.” Ian said.

Jenny came back out carrying a tray. Setting down their drinks, she placed the tray on the counter next to them. Ember didn’t look up at her, only took the drink into her hands. She missed the smell of hot chocolate, the way the steam hit her lips as she drank and the taste of chocolate and whipped cream in her mouth. Taking a sip, she felt like she was back a year ago - happy and determined, like she knew how her life would end up to be. She had it all planned out then.

 

Sighing, she placed the cup back down on the counter. “Thank you.” She said, forcing a smile at Jenny who was standing there staring at the both of them.

Jenny smiled back, her attention on Ian now, who was drinking his coffee. “You know, if you hadn’t said anything about you being her cousin, I might have thought you were her boyfriend.” Jenny said, causing Ian to choke on his coffee. “Part of me is happy that you aren’t though.” Ok. Now Jenny was flirting.

Why me? Ember thought, rolling her eyes at how blunt her friend could be.

Ian set the cup back down, his fingers still wrapped around it. He didn’t know what to say to that. Was the girl flirting with him? “Nope. Family I am.” He said back.

Now was the time to jump in again. “So…” Ember added, Jenny’s attention coming back to her. “Have you talked to Caleb lately?” She wanted to know if he was ok " needed to talk to him.

          Jenny sighed, taking a mug into her hand from behind the counter and wiping it down with a rag. “I don’t know what to say, Em. You left. Disappeared. He hasn’t been the same since.”

          Ember looked at her, confused. “What do you mean by that?” She asked, cocking her head to the side in curiosity.

          Jenny shrugged, putting the mug that she held down onto the place mat and taking another one, doing the exact same thing. “You were his best friend.” Her eyes met Ember’s. “You didn’t call, didn’t explain anything. You just….disappeared out of thin air. He never stopped searching for you. Never stopped asking me if I had gotten a call or seen anything. Em, your name was in the paper. You had become a missing person. A couple months after that, people gave up. Everyone thought you were dead. Caleb though, never lost hope.” She added.

          How could she call? She didn’t have a chance to get to a phone and when she had asked Vince, he only said that she couldn’t. That it would cause a step back in her process. Knowing that Caleb never lost hope pulled at her. Shaking her head, she looked down at the cup in front of her. “I didn’t know what to say. To anyone” Ember stated. Her voice was low. She knew what she had done but it’s not like she could have changed anything. It wasn’t in her hands.

          “Why don’t you explain that to him.” Jenny said, turning away from her to set the rag back down on the rack on the wall. Turning back around, she leaned forward. “He hangs out at the park on Ferrs Road. Mostly alone. Go see him. Talk to him.” She whispered, and left them sitting there.

          Ember sighed, standing up from the stool. Ian grabbed her wrist, stopping her. “I’m going with you.” He stated, his eyes meeting hers.

          She shook her head. “Let me go on my own, Ian. I will be fine. If I need anything, I will call you.”

          He hesitated but let her go, turning back to the coffee that was in his hands. “Be back at the motel by 11. If you’re not, I’m gonna come and find you.” He spoke.

          She nodded even though he wasn’t looking at her and was out of the coffee shop in less than a second. Determined to find Caleb, she walked fast. She needed to see him.

Author's Note

Chapter Two of Ember Unspoken. I would recommend reading the first chapter.

This is my very first book that I am writing and I would appreciate it if the rude comments would be kept to yourselves. I am looking for positive feedback and maybe even some pointers on how to keep going. Thank you and enjoy, darlings.