Victoria awoke with the piercing orange sting of sunlight
beaming into her bedroom directly into her eyes. The taste of ripened grapes
lingered on her tongue and she swallowed a few times to erase the flavor but it
didn’t help. The throbbing ache between her temples instantly reminded her of
what she’d done after getting off work and she sat up as she found herself
passed out in her underwear on top of her sheets.
Praying she did nothing inappropriate while at Derrick’s she pulled herself up from the bed and stumbled towards the bathroom to shower and get ready for work. The doorbell erupted and seemed to intensify within her skull as she stood beneath the electronic box and she covered her ears and groaned. Foregoing the shower for the moment, she ambled sloppily down the stairs with a scowl on her face as she stopped in front of her door. “Derrick…” she rumbled and let him inside.
“Wow you look…have another bad dream?”
“More like too much to drink. Why did you let me do that?”
“Well you said you wanted to forget your day. I thought you
were serious; only trying to help.”
“I drove myself home last night, Derrick.”
“And if I thought for a moment you were too impaired I’d
have brought you myself. You appeared very sober to me, Victoria, and walked out my
front door under your own will, stumble free. Although I can see that’s no
longer the case for you.”
His eyes roamed over her attire and a smile crept over his
face as he realized she was standing in front of him in just her bra and
panties; lace. Acting as casually as he could he closed the door behind him and
took her hand. “Come on, I think you should get something on.”
“What?” It was at that point Victoria noticed how terribly
underdressed she was to be entertaining company and shrieked. “DERRICK!”
“Relax, Victoria, I’m only helping you up the stairs. I’ll
draw you a bath and get something for your head.”
Acting as promised Derrick turned on the hot water in the
bathroom and left Victoria to her privacy as he headed to the kitchen to whip
up something for the hangover she felt making a home in her head. Victoria closed the door to drown out the sound of the
blender as she lowered herself into the bubbles and nice warm water Derrick had
prepared for her. The moment the soothing water rolled over her skin she felt
calmer, happier as the lavender oil worked its magic.
A silent knock on the door opened her eyes and Derrick entered holding a bright red drink in his hand. “What the hell are you doing?” Victoria yelled and felt a blush warm her face as she flustered and sank deeper beneath the bubbles in the tub ensuring she was covered as the vampire drew closer.
“Oh, right, sorry. I just…I brought you something for your head,” he replied turning his back to her. “I can just leave this um over here.”
“No just, hand it here, DON’T LOOK!” she cautioned and held
her hand out to receive the glass from his palm. “Ew, please tell me this isn’t
what I think it is.”
“Blood? Of course not. You really think I’d give you blood
to drink?”
“You let me swill down half a bottle of wine last night, Derrick, anything is possible.” He grinned and kept his back to her as she
tasted the concoction with a soured tongue. “Blech! What the hell is in this
garbage?”
“You really don’t want to know. Bottom’s up though. Finish the glass as quickly as you can in one go and your head should stop hurting soon after.”
“Um you know there are aspirin in the medicine cabinet in
front of you that would have had the same effect.”
“Not likely. You swilled down half a bottle of wine last
night, Victoria,” he nearly choked on laughter at the annoyed growl she tossed his
way and pulled away from the tub as she tried splashing him with water. “Finish up, Detective, we have a long day ahead
of us.”
“Excuse me? I have to go to work.”
“Uh it’s your day off, Victoria. And you and I are going to
work on this magic thing today; it was why I called you over to my home last
night. I just never got around to discussing it.”
“Magic. Are you really the person who should be teaching me
this stuff anyway? How much could you know about it being a vampire and not a
witch?”
“You’ll see.” Victoria finished her bath as Derrick waited
patiently in her living room sifting through the box of books he’d brought over
to her a few weeks earlier.
When she emerged he greeted her with a warm smile as he handed her the top book from the box. “Ready?”
“What’s this?” she asked before noticing the symbols on the
book. It was the appendix he brought her while she was up in the cabin at Cedar
Grove. “Oh.”
“I think we should really get you comfortable with what you
might encounter so you’ll know the signs, like the thing with Cole. It’ll help
keep you sharp.” He placed his arms in front of him and slowly moved closer as
she rubbed her fingers over the worn leather book. “So uh, did you want to talk
about last night?”
“I wasn’t aware there was anything we needed to discuss
about last night, Derrick. If you’re referring to your room of…fun then no, I
don’t want to talk about it.”
“Well there’s that and the fact that when I arrived this
morning your bracelet was purple.”
“And? I thought you said you had no idea what the colors meant on this thing.”
“I don’t, for sure anyway, but I know what colors mean in general. For example green is jealousy, red is anger, pink is happy, blue is calm and purple is…”
“The color of passion,” Victoria completed his thought.
“Great so you have me literally wearing my heart on my sleeve. How convenient.
I don’t know what really took place last night between us, Derrick, but there
will never be a repeat of it. You and I are friends only. I don’t want to go
any further than that ok?”
“Ok. And if you want to pretend as if nothing happened then…I guess I’ll do my best to accommodate you,” his gaze fell away from hers and with a
sorrowful sigh he slowly swept past her heading towards the door. “Come on,
let’s get to my place.”
“Why there?”
“Because I have everything you’ll need in my library; at
least to start with. And I don’t think the idea of adding a hidden room for
magic will sit well with you right now. You can use my attic or a spare room and I can keep it
safe for you. Where’s all the stuff you brought back from the cabin?”
“In the garage, but…” she turned to find a grave expression on his face and shrugged. Giving up the fight Victoria followed after him towards her garage. “Where’s your bike?”
“I didn’t bring it.”
“So how’d you get here? Your place is all the way across
town.”
“I grew wings and flew. Keys?” She tossed him her car keys
and slid into the passenger seat of her jeep as Derrick piled the boxes into
the trunk and started up the engine. They drove in silence through the city
towards the mountains and his home.
He carried the items upstairs with her help and they spent the next few hours getting his spare room set up as her magic room. Luckily for her Derrick had already gotten a head start. Pulling together a mixing table, small bottles of herbs and chemicals as well as an alchemist set he transformed the space into a certified witch’s nest. “Alright we’re going to start with the basics. I know it’s going to be slow going but we have to create the base for your more powerful spell work ok?”
“Of course.”
“You should read up the first volume here,” he motioned to
one of the books on the table behind him. “Following it should hopefully help
you strengthen your magics. I’m gonna head downstairs to the study for a bit
of reading myself and leave you to work. Um if you run into a problem or need
anything you know where to find me?” she nodded and opened the book in front of
her and Derrick smiled and exited the room as Victoria took a seat on the couch
beneath the windows and read silently to herself.
Over the next hour she did her best to memorize a lot of the
basic ideals of casting and the resultant downfall of its misuse. Casting
successful minor spells on the furniture and other inanimate objects gave her a
sense of confidence and she felt more and more comfortable with each new
incantation. “Hmm,” Victoria stood and walked absently towards the door as she
read.
Something interesting caught her eye and she started down the stairs to locate Derrick in hopes of testing out her new found knowledge. She found him sitting in the study reading. He looked up briefly at her and smiled before returning to his book. “Did you need something?” he asked and turned the page.
“Vision, sight and deep perception
Mystic light and visual deception.
Trance or conscious his eyes shall be
a darker shade than normally.”
Trance or conscious his eyes shall be
a darker shade than normally.”
Derrick dropped his book and it hit the ground with a bang
as he rubbed his eyes blinking a few times. Looking up towards her she saw the
irises of his normally gray gaze was now a deep blue color and she smiled. “It
worked!”
Jumping from his seat he made it to Victoria in less than a
stride, the air displaced around his movement lagged behind stirring up papers
in his wake. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he growled as the effects
of the magic began to wear. “Is this some sort of game to you?”
“What? No. I’m sorry I was just…I just wanted to show you
that’s all.”
“Then find some other fucking way. Never, EVER cast on me
again! Do you understand?” he asked grinding her wrist harder in his palm as he
spoke.
“Ow, yeah, Derrick, I get it ok? I’m sorry. Please let go,
you’re hurting my arm.”
“Magic is not a fucking toy, Victoria!”
“I know I said I was sorry now LET GO!” she shouted and
ripped away from his grip. Reversing the spell she dropped the book to the
table and rushed into the bathroom, shutting the door quickly behind her.
Derrick stood beside the wall astonished at his actions, looked at the palm of his hand and cussed beneath his breath. Moving closer to the door he could hear light sobs over the running water of the faucet and squeezed his eyes shut. “Victoria?” he knocked once and sighed.
“Just a minute,” she replied softly and he heard the water
turn off. Moments after the clatter of cabinets and the sound of ripping paper,
the door opened slowly and Victoria peered out the crack avoiding his gaze as
she moved into the study again.
“Are you ok?” She nodded her head and Derrick inhaled,
catching a whiff of blood near her. “Your wrist,” he gazed down and tried to
take her hand to examine the freshly bandaged area but she jerked as he touched
her.
Victoria turned away and started for the book on the table
ignoring the throbbing of the new cuts in her skin. “I said I was fine. But
that’s enough work for now. I’m just gonna rummage for food and rest if
that’s ok with you.” Without waiting on his answer she entered Derrick’s
kitchen and busied herself with preparing lunch.
“I broke the skin,” he started as he stepped in behind her. “I can smell the blood, Victoria. Look I didn’t mean…”
“It’s whatever. You reacted to what I did and I understand.
The injury’s not really bad, hurts, but it’s not too deep. I’ll heal and never
cast on you again. Lesson learned.”
He pulled her away from the cabinets and held her hands in his. Her eyes stopped to his chest and he tried to get her to look up with a small nod of his head but still she refused. “I’m sorry, Victoria. And I promise I’ll never do that again. I just don’t like having magic cast on me. I never meant to hurt you like that though.” He gently kissed her hand and released his grip as he felt her slowly pulling away from him.
Quietly she returned to searching through his cabinets for
something to snack on growing a little impatient at his lack of food. “I don’t
really have anything to eat, Victoria, I don’t have a need for it. I can just order you a
pizza,” he suggested and pulled his phone from his pocket. “I guess I should
shop if I’m going to entertain humans though.”
“Oh I don’t know. Your other friends might be impressed with
your 12 year old can of green peas and box of stale Cheerios. Although you
might have a hard time explaining the Spiderwebs nesting in your tea can. Gross, Derrick. Extra pepperoni please.” She turned from him as he began placing the
order and entered the study.
Retrieving her own phone and the notepad from her bag she
dropped onto the sofa in front of the fireplace and began systematically going
through the numbers scribbled on the top page. “What are you doing? I thought
you were taking a break from work.”
“I’m not working, well not really. My sister dropped by
recently with some stuff I asked my Mom about and I decided to use what I could
from the old albums to find my grandmother.”
“Your grandmother?”
“Loretta Coleman,” she replied reaching another dead end
phone number. “My mother wasn’t really helpful; she sidestepped my questions as
only mother’s can. I couldn’t even use my detective skills to pry the
information from her tongue.” Derrick chuckled and knelt beside her seat as she
punched in another number and tried again. “So I figured if I could track down
my Nana that she could help. The only problem is I haven’t seen her since I was
10 so the address I knew as a kid is no longer hers and there was no forwarding
information. She’s not listed and no longer resides in Riverblossom Hills so
it’s been a bit of a task.”
“And no one else in your family knows where she might have gone?”
“There was a falling out with her and my Mom. I can’t
remember the specifics all I do know is that Mom said we’d never see her again
if she had anything to say about it so asking her was out of the question. I
know it’s strange but like you said this whole magic thing is family related
and since my Mom is tight lipped I just figured maybe her Mom would be more
helpful. I just kind of have a feeling she might know something about all of
this, you know?” She finished dialing another number and pressed the phone to
her ear with a sigh.
“Hello?” The line connected and Victoria held her breath as the voice on the other end brought back a lifetime of memories with a simple greeting. “Anyone there?”
“Nana?”
Ooooh, the plot thickens! I'll be very fascinated to know what Victoria finds out from her grandmother. She sounds like should be both interesting and possibly terrifying, depending. Either way, it had to have been a big deal for her mother to cut off contact.
ReplyDeleteI think Victoria has learned not to ever attempt to practice her magic on Derrick again! Wow, I think that's the first time I've ever seen him angered like that, at least towards her.
Victoria has needed that familiar hand to guide her. And since her Mom was so not about to lend a hand to her daughter's demands, she went looking for someone else. Hopefully her grandmother will be encouraging and helpful; she really needs it. While Derrick is a great help, he's not a witch and has no idea what she's going through or truly needs.
DeleteYes Derrick's anger was frightening to her as well. She wasn't expecting that reaction but she should have asked also before doing something like that. As a novice anything could have happened with that spell. But there is a specific reason Derrick reacted the way he did which Victoria will learn soon enough.
Thank you for reading :)
So first off Vik's mom is really dense or something. If your daughter comes asking these questions, clearly that means she's on to something. Like with any kid, the more you don't want to say, the more interested they become. Vik even more so since she is a detective. And look it paid off since she apparently found Nana.
ReplyDeleteOk to the start. Bad, bad Vik. First stealing stuff, then driving while impaired. Naughty girl LOL
Derrick was awful comfortable seeing her in her state of undress, even walking into her bathroom while she was naked. hahaha
Seeing him loose his temper with her was different. I guess I can understand him not wanting to play test dummy for her spells, especially since she doesn't really know what she's doing.
Can't wait to meet Grams.
Yeah Victoria's Mom is little help. She doesn't want her getting into magic and even though Vik is clearly asking about it, she refuses to step in. It's kinda sad that she's not considering the danger in this situation. Exactly! Vik is having to explore this world all alone and it's not good for her to do. She could run into anything and quite frankly, that's what is going to happen soon!
DeleteHahaha yeah the museum thing was an accident and the drunk driving HUGE mistake. Derrick really shouldn't have let her leave impaired but I doubt she wanted to hang around with him after that event in the basement!
LOL well to Derrick it was nothing new. She's undressed for him before so he felt like part of her home. But he forgot he was not in the normal form that got invited into her bathroom which is where that "oops" moment came in for him. LOL! He didn't mind it one bit but Victoria thought that man had lost it!
Exactly! What she did was dangerous and foolish. She had been practicing upstairs but that didn't make her an instant pro. Derrick hated that he hurt her but he needed to get his point across. That flash of anger was rare for him with Victoria and probably really scared her. But at least now she knows the limits to what she can/can't do with him.
Victoria is anxious with anticipation as well!
Thank you for reading :)
Derrick's concoction cured the hangover. She was wise not to ask what it contained. haha
ReplyDeleteI would think that to learn magic, having someone as a guide would be better than trying it all alone. If the books describe the spells and results plainly, it would be ok. I can't say that I blame Derrick for being so upset that she cast a spell on him. Who knows what really it could have done? She has to be careful. He does too! He shouldn't manhandle her just because she's tough, she's still a lady, and he is quite strong I am sure. I guess it's payback for seeing her in her undies though. ;)
Her mother seems to be too turned off, like she should be there to explain things to her daughter. She must know that Viktoria has the talent for magic, and leaving her alone with it is probably a bad idea. I hope that her gramma can make sense of things for her and help her. I have a sneaking feeling though that her gramma is not going to be a Derrick fan in the least. Great update :) Gets more and more interesting, and the characters more and more real and likable. (not that I didn't like them before!) I love the reactions Derrick has to what he feels is something at his expense. The cool, level headed jokester has a depth a little more than Viktoria anticipated it seems. I think that he hurt her feelings more than her arm.
Derrick knows a thing or two about drunks lol. I'm sure Victoria is better off not knowing what was in that stuff. But it did seem to do the trick!
DeleteVictoria really needs a guiding hand in all of this magic stuff. Derrick has graciously offered his services but there is only so much he can show her before it gets to the point she needs a more experienced guide. Although he did not once say he would be ok with being a guinea pig. Victoria should have thought first before casting that spell on him. Haha Vik wanted to teach him a lesson for intruding on her :P funny. Derrick really lost his temper and he instantly regretted it. He never meant to cause her harm. He knows she was just trying to learn her trade. But she really needs to use more care!
Vik's Mom is too afraid to help her daughter. I don't think she really understands the level to which Victoria will go in order to understand what is happening to her. But she should have been there to help regardless of her feelings about magic. Knowing her youngest found her powers should have moved her to action!
Vik was lucky to finally find her grandmother. Lucky I should say if Loretta proves an ally and helpful. But having someone in her corner helps her just the same. Ah that sneaking feeling. You're close but perhaps a different maternal figure :P
Derrick certainly is more than meets the eye. Vik is starting to learn that as the two get closer. He is very sweet helping her learn her magic yet he is still a vampire, a fact she learned by the speed in his step and the strength of his grip. The mental part of his reaction was worse than the cut on her arm, definitely. Up until now he has always been level headed and cool; funny. But seeing that side of him told her that he's still someone capable of anger, and even anger towards her.
I'm glad to hear the characters are unfolding well :D The more you see of them and their past the better understand their choices become!
Thank you for reading :)
Hmm ... Not exactly the Part II I was expecting. ;) Friends ... really? I think Vik's masking her true feelings for Derrick because they scare her. Derrick was sad that Vik wanted to pretend last night never happened, so he obviously wants to be more than friends. I'm sure they'll get together at some point. I guess I'll just have to wait a little longer. Damn, he looks hot again in that outfit. Honestly, I don't know how Vik resists him.
ReplyDeleteI understand why Derrick was angry at Vik for testing out a magic spell on him. Messing with his eyes of all things! Something could've gone horribly wrong. Still, Derrick has to remember his own strength because I'm sure he doesn't want to scare Vik like that again.
You couldn't be more right! She's had to knock Cole away with a bat and made it clear to him she's not interested in settling down and along came Derrick. Smooth, sexy, funny, charismatic and he knows just how to set her off. Derrick's bubble burst completely when Vik refused to even acknowledge it. He was hoping she'd be at least open to the idea but she shot him down. Derrick too will bide his time. Victoria can't resist him forever!
DeleteVictoria never really thought about what she was doing and that's a bad thing in itself. And you're right, his eyes are something really serious; she could have easily blinded him if something went wrong! I think that was the worst moment for him though, harming Victoria and scaring her the way he did. He never meant to lose his temper and most of all he never meant to injure her. Both learned important lessons there!
P.S. Sorry it wasn't the Part II you were expecting. But here, have a gratuitous shot :D
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhVytbaVOkc/Uoqzl4btMlI/AAAAAAAAc5Q/74CqSarJ31c/s640/Screenshot-60.png
Thank you for reading :)
LOL ... Thank you for the parting shot. ;)
DeleteMy pleasure :D
DeleteWhoa, I'm guessing that Derrick has a bad history with spells being cast on him heh. Can't say I blame him, one must feel a bit helpless and vulnerable to have a spell cast on them.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Derrick, I wonder how long Victoria will continue to lie to herself about them never being more than friends :P
I'm glad that Victoria has reached her grandmother is it? Yeah, she needs someone to help her out but I'm wondering why she's been sort of exiled from the family now!
Derrick certainly hates the idea of being weakened by another person and that magic spell really set him off. Very true though! Being able to be cast on does make you vulnerable. And knowing Derrick's enjoyment of domination, it's no wonder why he got so riled!
DeleteHa! Victoria is starting to doubt herself very much in that regard. She wants to be free but Derrick is always there and that only keeps her thoughts looming at the surface.
Victoria really needed to know the secrets in her family's magical history. And since her mother wasn't going to be opened enough she had to find someone who would. Luckily for her being a detective she found her Nana. And now she may figure out everything. But will that be a good thing? Like you said the woman was kept away from the family for a reason right?
Thank you for reading :)
Alright, Derrick gets a few brownie points for helping Victoria with her hangover. I'm still a little upset with him though lol. They like each other and need to admit it already...Her spelled worked, that should have been a good thing but it wasn't. Derrick lost his points then. I get he was upset, but maybe he needs to check his temper a little better. I am curious as to what the spell did? Just change his eye color? I hope she does have more luck with her grandma, since mom is ducking and dodging.
ReplyDeleteand I forgot to add that Derrick basically admitted to being the raven, "grew wings and flew" Right Derrick, we were on to you lol.
DeleteAww :) it was very sweet of him. And he didn't linger on the fact that she was in her underwear (although he seemed a tad too comfortable walking in the bathroom with her). Derrick wants to but he sees how reluctant Victoria is being and doesn't want to scare her away like Cole did with the obsessive behavior. So if it's her wish to ignore it, he will until she's ready to admit it to herself.
DeleteThe spell working really was a great thing but using Derrick to test it, not so much. He's glad she's working on her magic and learning her craft but he hates the idea she thinks she can freely cast on him. The spell simple changed his eye color from gray to blue and back again. Simple little glamour but it was enough to make him freak. His temper did get away from him in that moment and he immediately regretted it. He never meant to go so crazy but there are reasons he can't have magic cast on him especially by her. Perhaps he should open up a bit more!
Grams should be a fun and interesting meeting :D
Thank you for reading :)
Lol! He certainly did. The detective still has not picked up on any of his hints! Soon though, perhaps she'll figure it all out!
DeleteWell I guess she sort of had that coming. Magic -isnt- a toy and should be weilded with respect and responsibility. Not to mention, he doesn't compel her, she shouldnt cast on him. Doubt she will forget that boundary again.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, so nana's a witch too. The plot thickens!