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Description
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Katya was so worried that someone was going to find out that she had seen Cain so for the rest of the day she stayed beside her father and made sure anyone talking about the vampires didn’t come anywhere near him. Unfortunately there was a Council Meeting that night. Council meetings for a witches coven are different than some old men sitting in a room, high above someone making a complaint. Coven Meetings were ornate and grand; everyone dressed up in the clothes of their ancestors and acted in a style not seen for generations. Hierarchy was the main leading cause of formality, of which Katya received most. It was almost eight and the sun was just setting as Katya stood near her father in the kitchen, helping him wash dishes. “Tonight Zane is going to ask for your hand in marriage formally, you can ask for time, which I and the Council will abide by. It is still your decision love, but everyone is going to expect a yes in the end.” Leonard never looked at his daughter as he said this.
“Father, why does Zane want me? Everyone coven has at least one family who has walked out and come back, but you don’t see any of their first witches marrying the Leader.” Katya placed the dish that she was drying down and sighed. Leonard stopped scrubbing for only a second, looked out the window, and moaned. “I don’t know why, I don’t know why he tortures an old man so. I think it’s because of your line. You come from leaders on both sides. When my family wasn’t Lead Council, it was your mother’s family that was. He knows that everyone in our Coven has some Council member in their family, but only ours has Lead Council from both sides strongly.” Katya looked out the window he had glanced out of. “Is that really the only reason?” she questioned quickly, barely above a whisper. “I would hope so, I certainly would hope so. But enough talk of the reason, it’s time to get ready for Council. Remember, you have to wear something extremely nice, like a ball gown so make something I would be proud of.” Her father turned to her and smiled jovially. Katya grinned back and grabbed her magic book from the staircase.
“Let’s see, straps or no straps.” She stood in front of a naked dress form, tapping her chin. She knew she wanted silver and emerald, and she was thinking late Victorian. As she worked she conjured up parts, changing some and putting some things in other places, until finally she was done. A simple A-line Emerald silk dress stood on the dress form. It had spaghetti straps, but included see through lace emerald fabric that fell off the shoulder. The dress pooled around the bottom of even that dress form and fitted it snugly, cinching at the waist into the middle. It dipped sharply in the back but was softened by a small train attached to the spaghetti straps and hung nicely around the dip. When on her it followed in her wake about three feet like an emerald lake. As she slipped on the emerald gloves her father knocked on the door. When he caught sight of her the only thing he could think of was the old Disney movie of Anastasia when she was at the opera with the lead male character. “Oh Katya, you look stunning.” He was wearing his usual black tux suit with a top hat and riding cloak. “Thank you, is there anything special you request me to wear?” she asked and handed him her mother’s jewelry box, from her childhood. “Yes, your mother has a necklace and a pair of earring that would look wonderful with that.” he pointed out and started to look through it.
Katya fixed her hair up in an elegant multi-layer bun on the top of her head while her father perused around. “Here! Oh your hair looks perfect Katti.” He adored and placed the necklace and earrings in her gloved palms. “Daddy! These are much too nice!” she exclaimed and turned in her chair to him. “Nonsense, they’re perfect, I also have a hair band that would cover those ghastly hair holders.” He scoffed at the hair band that was in her hair, throwing off the whole mood. Katya turned back to the necklace and earrings, they indeed were beautiful. Two real emeralds were put in a tear drop shape and hung an inch from her ear from real diamonds, iced with frosting. The necklace was also real iced diamonds and they held a real emerald off a strand in tear drop cut as well. Her father placed a hand on her shoulder and pushed a diamond hair circlet on her head. “A crown?” she jumped up. “Why not? You deserve it.” he looked pleased as he stroked her hair. “I’m not becoming Queen, just getting proposed to by a jerk.” She muttered darkly and touched the circlet. It did feel really good to have her father fussing over her like this again, and it did look cool. “Fine, I’ll wear it, but only this time.” she warned, her father nodded and held out his arm. “Shall we conjure you a coat or just use an old black one?” her father asked. “I think something silver should go with this, maybe a silk cloak would suffice.” Katya smiled, Leonard nodded and flicked his wrist. Suddenly the dress form held an elegant silver riding cloak, pinned at the neck with the Coven crest. “Nice.” Katya congratulated. “Let us proceed.” Leonard took her arm again and they headed out.
The Coven usually held meetings deep underground in secret. Someone always conjured up a huge castle like building with real chandeliers and dining halls built deep into a cave in one the mountains near the city. The Grand Council room was always the same, but the structure everyone else always varied to the witch’s eye. This time Kirsten herself was hosting it and had outdone herself. Everyone was issued an old ninety twenties Ford with their own personal driver, they were to be treated like millionaires going to an old party back in the Roaring 20’s.  People looked like pictures of old railroad tycoons and oil marketers, a vision any little girl would love to see her life being.  Katya had always thought her life was magical when she attended one of these, but tonight was not exactly as magical as the others.  Katya and her father finally got a driver that was on time and ready to go, his blank stare told Katya he was just a homunculus and was not in for conversation. “Miss.” The man said and held the car door, Katya slid in, followed by her father and the man in his seat, taking off. “Kirsten has really tipped the ice berg this time, eh?” Leonard looked around the finely leathered interior and stroked the seat arms. “Yes, she has.” Katya muttered and fixed her circlet, she was the center of attention tonight, and even if she didn’t like the reason why she was going to milk this for everything it was worth. “Yes she has.” She muttered even more darkly and sat back.
Arriving at the meeting was just like any other, someone opened the door and father and daughter walked up lots of stairs greeted by someone to show them where to go. Katya and her father were led down a long hall when finally people could be heard talking. Kirsten was then there, she was wearing a simple long sleeved back cut blue dress that flowed about her. “Katya, Lord Councilman, pleased to see your here on time. If you would please follow me, it’s about time to start this meeting and you must be the center of attention.” Katya rolled her eyes, as her father was Head Council, he was always last to arrive so they always made a big entrance. “Head up, Katya, it’s time to be a witch.” Her father whispered and kissed her cheek. Katya nodded, her smiled faded into a solemn stare and her back grew two inches, being like this kind of bothered her tonight. Her cloak was to stay on till every eye was on her, then she would reveal what she was wearing and let people gasp in surprise, it was tradition that what she wore was a big deal.  Her  mother had been the same way, and loved it, Katya thought it was somewhat annoying. “All order!” someone called from the top of the stairs leading down into the Meeting room. “The Coven of Witches is in order, presenting our Lord Councilman Leonard Sorbini and his daughter the Lady Katya Sorbini.” Leonard walked out into a room full of applause followed by Katya who looked down to see the entire Coven clapping in their honor and bowing in the witch’s way. One arm extended, palm to the heavens, as you dip slightly and bow your head. Then everyone looked up as Katya slid the silver cloak off and handed it to the steward. People gasped in awe as she took her father’s arm and started down the stairs, every eye was on them.
The walk was cleared as they took their steps toward the High Council Seats, and Katya could feel the stares of hatred, adoration, and longing on her. She tried not to tremble, but kept still and steady, as always. Finally they made it up and Katya took her seat by her father, as his only family member it was required that she remain with him. All other Council Members took their place as well; Zane on Leonard’s other side. He grinned as Katya was seated and the rest of the coven sat in their auditorium like seating arrangements. Three taps were given by a gigantic cane and the meeting was started. “Order in the Coven!” her father said and looked around. “I see we have a full house tonight, welcome and good evening.” He smiled jovially. Everyone bowed their head in reply, some giggling. The meeting continued and finally coven requests were begun. One woman stood to ask why they now had a strict law on certain animals to change into.
“Because it is now dangerous for humans to see animals that no longer exist, nor heard of living near them.” her father tried to explain, but the woman didn’t get it. Two more council members tried but the woman still was being thick. People in the crowd were beginning to moan, this was going to be a long night. “Permission to speak, Lead Councilman.” Katya asked her father, Zane was about to ask the same thing but she beat him to it. “Permission granted Katya Sorbini.” Her father and the rest of the coven turned towards her. “Miss, it is simple. Americans these days don’t see hyena’s running around in their suburban woods, they actually never have. I’m using this example because that is what was seen by a woman only two miles south of here. Someone in this coven decided to be eccentric and fazed into a hyena. The woman saw this witch and reported a runaway zoo animal. The tracks were followed to near this area; we almost had to answer for a missing Hyena. That is why we had to enact the law that only animals common to the area are to be used. People in Australia aren’t going to be happy seeing a buffalo running around, why would an American want to see a hyena?” she finished with a question and sat down. The woman smiled and nodded. “Thank you Lady Katya that was kind of you. I now understand the law and appreciate what our Council has done to protect us even further.” The woman sat down, pleased that she was now officially an idiot in everyone’s eyes.
Leonard smiled at Katya and so did Zane, to Katya’s disgust. “I have something to proclaim.” Zane stood up and straightened his tux. Katya did everything she could from going pale and puking. “As you know the council has been pressuring me to find a suitable wife, but none has been perfect for the job. Well, fellow witches, I think I have found who will fill the shoes of my Bride.” Zane walked away from his chair to Katya, he held out his hand to take hers, reluctantly she took it. He led her to the front of the Council tables and kneeled. “Lady Katya Sorbini, with your permission I ask for your hand in marriage.” He asked and held out the most elegant of rings, beautifully crafted and oddly enough had two emerald stone sitting on either side of a pure diamond. Everyone gasped, or sighed heavenly. Katya looked to her father who nodded and winked. “My Lord.” She started and helped him to his feet, closing the ring in his hand. “This is a sudden gesture; one that I’m sure everyone here in this Coven would agree would need to be thought on. And I do plan to think long and hard on this matter, but while I do, I do thank you for choosing me, it is an honor I will take into great respect while I decide. I request form the council an extension be laid on the Leader’s decision, maybe five more moons.” Zane looked to Leonard who shrugged, knowing he had said something.  “Council grants the Lady time to think and an extension on the previously decided date for our Leader.”  Zane knew he had been defeated right now.  He took a breath. “Very well, my Lady, it is your decision and you are doing this wisely, but before you go, let me give you a parting gift.” Before Katya could stop him, Zane had swept her into a dip and kissed her passionately. For a moment Katya didn’t know what to do, this was her first kiss and he had stolen it. She held back every urge to push him away and slap him, how dare he? But, she didn’t, she held her tongue, quite literally.
Everyone in the auditorium applauded and stood, cheering for them. Katya smiled and turned to wave, but as she sat back down in her chair she gave her father a scowl, he knew what Zane had done and he wasn’t that happy either. “You may be excused from the supper to go into the woods, try and not get the dress dirty.” Her father whispered in her ear, then smiled and turned to let her slip off. Katya patted his hand and slipped into the curtain behind the Council table. A door would be there, there always was one, just for Council members who needed to slip away. The cool beautiful night air was perfect since the moon was waning and the clouds were thin, casting an eerie look on the river. Katya walked the river for almost a mile, thinking hard, she would have to marry him in the end and Zane knew that, everyone knew that. When the Leader proposed you didn’t turn it down, at all. Finally she made it to her rock, leaning against it, she picked at a small flower she had found. After a while she pulled her hair down and placed the circlet on loosely, letting it tip sarcastically. No one would be out here tonight; it was getting colder by the second, so cold in fact that Katya had to conjure her cloak to her so that she could remain warm.
As she wrapped it around her slender shoulders she saw the Coven Crest, beautiful and ancient it screamed at her the hating fact she already knew. She couldn’t turn him down, if she did she would have to leave and doing that would be deserting the Coven. If she left the Coven to Zane’s bitterness all hell would break loose, at least if she was there she could soften the blow for everyone. With a defeated sigh she threw the stem of the flower down and rested her had back on the rock. “That was a sigh that no one ever wants to hear from the one they love.” A smooth voice said from on top of the rock. “Ahh!” Katya shouted and jumped, flying away to the other side of the river. “Oh, come on; don’t be frightened, it’s just me. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.” Cain was sitting on the rock, holding his hand up. “It’s not that it’s you, I just thought I was alone.” Katya caught her breath and started to breathe right again. She clutched her cloak and pulled it off; it felt like it was choking her. Cain watched her, “That is a really stunning dress Katya, where did you get it?” he asked and was standing beside her quicker than she could blink. “I didn’t buy it; I made it just tonight for the Coven meeting. I have many others like it.” she waved it away and straightened out a wrinkle near her thigh. “Well I think you make it look gorgeous.” He stroked her hair back, Katya winced. “So I signed up for all those classes you told me to, I should be starting tomorrow.” He winked and jumped back to the rock. Katya followed by flying over the creek. “I thought you were kidding.” She laughed a little; it was good to be around someone other than a witch. “I never kid; I try to always be serious about things like love.” He looked at her solemnly; even then he was absolutely beautiful. “So why are you out here in the first place, why aren’t you at the meeting?” Cain held his hand out to help her up on the rock. “Zane proposed and I was excused to think about it.” she explained and plopped down beside him.
“He what?” Cain gave her a weird look. “He’s been trying to make it public for some time, and the more he try’s the less time I have till it’s too late. Now, that he’s done it at a meeting I only have five moons until I give my answer. I’m pretty much trapped.” Katya sighed and placed her head in her hands. “Why don’t you run away?” Cain asked. “If I was to leave, eventually Zane would get control of the Coven, he would ruin everything, people’s lives, our secret, everything. At least if I’m there and have some power, I can help out and control him.” Katya spat into the water. The vampire sighed, “It looks like I’m going to have to just kidnap you.” Katya scoffed, “And who says I would go?” she looked at him incredulously. “Because you want to love me.” he replied. “I do not love you!” she defended. “I didn’t say you did, but that you want to. And you do, I’m not a witch, I’m the unknown, I’m what you can’t have, and I’m devishly good looking.” He grinned coyly and slicked back his hair. “Your arrogant is what you are.” Katya nudged his arm. “Yes, that too, but doesn’t it make me all the sexier?” he looked at her wild eyed. “I don’t know yet, if I like the cocky or if it makes me madder than hell, and you know what happens when witches get madder than hell…” she pointed out. “No I don’t.” Cain looked genuinely confused.
“Well, when a witch gets really angry, they turn into a fairy. See, we lose some control of our power and become a higher being, but at a small price.  Witches stay fairies for about 10 years then change back, but being a fairy is hard.  Tons of the Conven’s children have done it.  Its why were always low.  They come back, but it’s hard knowing we might not have a next generation.  After a while magic can be used up getting extremely angry and you can lose years.  It’s happened. ” Cain nodded and turned away, “Then I don’t want you angry, I want you to be able to love me until we’re both ready to die.” He tried to wrap his arm around her. “Who says I want to love you again?” she pushed him away and stood up. “Why can’t you try? Go on one more date with me, to my house.” He reached and grabbed her wrist tenderly. “Now, why would I ever put myself in that kind of situation?” she scoffed. “Please, if you don’t think you could at least be my friend by the end, then you can leave and I’ll drop out of school.” He begged. Katya took a breath, “Fine, but next weekend, you have to go to school first. I’m a firm believer in education.” She wagged her finger in his direction. “Agreed, what kind of flowers do you like?” he asked. Katya shook her head unbelievably. “I like Egyptian Roses.” She replied and fazed into a hawk before taking off.
Back at home everything was quiet, except for the fact that Zane was there. “Why did you run off?” he asked sharply as she hung her cloak in the closet. “I had to think, I told you I needed time.” she replied without even looking at him and walking up to her room. “What if I had wanted to talk to you?” he asked and followed her down the hall. “What if I didn’t want to talk to you?” she tried to slam her door in his face, “Oh no missy, this is my Coven and I’ll be dammed before a tramp like you gets away with this.” he threatened and blocked the door with his hand and a Strengthening Charm. “What gives you the right to call me a tramp?” she asked defensively. “Don’t think I don’t know you were on a date with that Vampire yesterday, and don’t think I don’t know you went to see him just now.” he pushed through the door into her room, throwing her on the bed. “He found me both times, I’m sorry I’m nicer than you.” she spat in his direction. “Insolent witch!” he yelled and raised his hand to slap her, but suddenly Cain was there. “Touch one hair on your head and I’ll have you lying in a ditch without a single drop of blood on your body.” He threatened and picked Zane up by the collar of his tux.
It looked like a creepy Victorian/modern scene. Katya was bending back on the bed, one arm raised to protect herself in a beautiful dress, Zane in a formal tux being held off his toes by the angry lover or friend of the girl. Cain lashed out and threw Zane into a wall, impaling him because of the awesome vampiric strength. “Cain!” Katya called, but he was too angry, he picked the helpless Zane back up and threw him against another wall. Each time Katya tried to pull him away from her Leader. Finally as Cain went to pick him up again she stood in between them, a welt on the back of her arm was growing blue and one eye was slightly bruised from where she fell on the bed. “Stop! Cain what do you think you’re doing?” she screamed and shielded Zane. But Zane was pissed and humiliated; he stood and pushed her out of the way. “I don’t need your help skank, if you don’t want to be my Bride then fine! But you will be no witch in my Coven, and your father will suffer for it as well.” Zane stalked out, “Zane wait!” Katya called after him and ran as fast as she could, barely catching him. “Zane, be rational. When have I ever betrayed the Coven? Cain is merely someone outside of the Coven I can talk to; I promise I have told him no secrets. Understand please, that with you asking my hand in marriage formally I need someone without bias to talk to and think with. We have done nothing, other than talk to each other.” She tried to reason with him.
“Katya! How am I supposed to believe that?” he asked heatedly, Katya winced. “You’ll just have to, as your future Bride, I ask you, let this go. I do need someone to talk to more than just Felicia sometimes.” Zane blinked in shock. “You’re promising yourself to me?” he asked and turned all the way towards her. “Yes, I, Katya Sorbini, being of sound mind and body, do promise myself to you, Zane Gorgio, to be your wife.” She took a careful step towards him. “No, you’re doing his just to save your friend, if you’re going to accept it as to be real. But because I see now what you would do to spare him, then I won’t kill him. But I better never find you seeing him. He better have stalked you.” Zane straightened his tux and his hair, “Think hard Katya, I’ll only give you one more chance.” He warned and left the house in a flurry. Cain was waiting for her on the top of the stairs his face saddened. “You risked everything, so that I wouldn’t suffer.” That wasn’t a question. “I didn’t know I was such a good person to talk to.” he turned to walk away. “No, Cain, wait.” Katya grabbed his forearm, man was it huge! The ice cold shot through her hand like an electrocution but she fought back even a flinch.
“It’s true, you are an easy person to talk to, and I would never want to see you hurt. I mean, you’ve only ever been nice to me and you were just trying to protect me. I thank you for that, and I want to get to know such a great person better. In our Coven most of us are either trying to kill an old enemy by now, or stabbing each other in the back so hard everyone else wants to join in. No one likes anyone, especially their own family. I think having you around would be a nice change for my life, even if it may end up just being a good heart to heart talk.” She smiled wearily. “But what if it becomes more than just heart to heart talks, Katya?” he asked and took her hand. Katya sighed and looked at their joined hands, “I’ll deal with that later, right now, I’m just trying to keep out from the marriage bed.” She gave a cockeyed grin and kissed his cheek. “Go home okay; we have school in the morning.” She pushed him playfully out of the door. Cain walked to the end of the drive, turned waved, and ran off towards his home; Katya never even saw the direction he went in.
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Description
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Katya was so worried that someone was going to find out that she had seen Cain so for the rest of the day she stayed beside her father and made sure anyone talking about the vampires didn’t come anywhere near him. Unfortunately there was a Council Meeting that night. Council meetings for a witches coven are different than some old men sitting in a room, high above someone making a complaint. Coven Meetings were ornate and grand; everyone dressed up in the clothes of their ancestors and acted in a style not seen for generations. Hierarchy was the main leading cause of formality, of which Katya received most. It was almost eight and the sun was just setting as Katya stood near her father in the kitchen, helping him wash dishes. “Tonight Zane is going to ask for your hand in marriage formally, you can ask for time, which I and the Council will abide by. It is still your decision love, but everyone is going to expect a yes in the end.” Leonard never looked at his daughter as he said this.
“Father, why does Zane want me? Everyone coven has at least one family who has walked out and come back, but you don’t see any of their first witches marrying the Leader.” Katya placed the dish that she was drying down and sighed. Leonard stopped scrubbing for only a second, looked out the window, and moaned. “I don’t know why, I don’t know why he tortures an old man so. I think it’s because of your line. You come from leaders on both sides. When my family wasn’t Lead Council, it was your mother’s family that was. He knows that everyone in our Coven has some Council member in their family, but only ours has Lead Council from both sides strongly.” Katya looked out the window he had glanced out of. “Is that really the only reason?” she questioned quickly, barely above a whisper. “I would hope so, I certainly would hope so. But enough talk of the reason, it’s time to get ready for Council. Remember, you have to wear something extremely nice, like a ball gown so make something I would be proud of.” Her father turned to her and smiled jovially. Katya grinned back and grabbed her magic book from the staircase.
“Let’s see, straps or no straps.” She stood in front of a naked dress form, tapping her chin. She knew she wanted silver and emerald, and she was thinking late Victorian. As she worked she conjured up parts, changing some and putting some things in other places, until finally she was done. A simple A-line Emerald silk dress stood on the dress form. It had spaghetti straps, but included see through lace emerald fabric that fell off the shoulder. The dress pooled around the bottom of even that dress form and fitted it snugly, cinching at the waist into the middle. It dipped sharply in the back but was softened by a small train attached to the spaghetti straps and hung nicely around the dip. When on her it followed in her wake about three feet like an emerald lake. As she slipped on the emerald gloves her father knocked on the door. When he caught sight of her the only thing he could think of was the old Disney movie of Anastasia when she was at the opera with the lead male character. “Oh Katya, you look stunning.” He was wearing his usual black tux suit with a top hat and riding cloak. “Thank you, is there anything special you request me to wear?” she asked and handed him her mother’s jewelry box, from her childhood. “Yes, your mother has a necklace and a pair of earring that would look wonderful with that.” he pointed out and started to look through it.
Katya fixed her hair up in an elegant multi-layer bun on the top of her head while her father perused around. “Here! Oh your hair looks perfect Katti.” He adored and placed the necklace and earrings in her gloved palms. “Daddy! These are much too nice!” she exclaimed and turned in her chair to him. “Nonsense, they’re perfect, I also have a hair band that would cover those ghastly hair holders.” He scoffed at the hair band that was in her hair, throwing off the whole mood. Katya turned back to the necklace and earrings, they indeed were beautiful. Two real emeralds were put in a tear drop shape and hung an inch from her ear from real diamonds, iced with frosting. The necklace was also real iced diamonds and they held a real emerald off a strand in tear drop cut as well. Her father placed a hand on her shoulder and pushed a diamond hair circlet on her head. “A crown?” she jumped up. “Why not? You deserve it.” he looked pleased as he stroked her hair. “I’m not becoming Queen, just getting proposed to by a jerk.” She muttered darkly and touched the circlet. It did feel really good to have her father fussing over her like this again, and it did look cool. “Fine, I’ll wear it, but only this time.” she warned, her father nodded and held out his arm. “Shall we conjure you a coat or just use an old black one?” her father asked. “I think something silver should go with this, maybe a silk cloak would suffice.” Katya smiled, Leonard nodded and flicked his wrist. Suddenly the dress form held an elegant silver riding cloak, pinned at the neck with the Coven crest. “Nice.” Katya congratulated. “Let us proceed.” Leonard took her arm again and they headed out.
The Coven usually held meetings deep underground in secret. Someone always conjured up a huge castle like building with real chandeliers and dining halls built deep into a cave in one the mountains near the city. The Grand Council room was always the same, but the structure everyone else always varied to the witch’s eye. This time Kirsten herself was hosting it and had outdone herself. Everyone was issued an old ninety twenties Ford with their own personal driver, they were to be treated like millionaires going to an old party back in the Roaring 20’s.  People looked like pictures of old railroad tycoons and oil marketers, a vision any little girl would love to see her life being.  Katya had always thought her life was magical when she attended one of these, but tonight was not exactly as magical as the others.  Katya and her father finally got a driver that was on time and ready to go, his blank stare told Katya he was just a homunculus and was not in for conversation. “Miss.” The man said and held the car door, Katya slid in, followed by her father and the man in his seat, taking off. “Kirsten has really tipped the ice berg this time, eh?” Leonard looked around the finely leathered interior and stroked the seat arms. “Yes, she has.” Katya muttered and fixed her circlet, she was the center of attention tonight, and even if she didn’t like the reason why she was going to milk this for everything it was worth. “Yes she has.” She muttered even more darkly and sat back.
Arriving at the meeting was just like any other, someone opened the door and father and daughter walked up lots of stairs greeted by someone to show them where to go. Katya and her father were led down a long hall when finally people could be heard talking. Kirsten was then there, she was wearing a simple long sleeved back cut blue dress that flowed about her. “Katya, Lord Councilman, pleased to see your here on time. If you would please follow me, it’s about time to start this meeting and you must be the center of attention.” Katya rolled her eyes, as her father was Head Council, he was always last to arrive so they always made a big entrance. “Head up, Katya, it’s time to be a witch.” Her father whispered and kissed her cheek. Katya nodded, her smiled faded into a solemn stare and her back grew two inches, being like this kind of bothered her tonight. Her cloak was to stay on till every eye was on her, then she would reveal what she was wearing and let people gasp in surprise, it was tradition that what she wore was a big deal.  Her  mother had been the same way, and loved it, Katya thought it was somewhat annoying. “All order!” someone called from the top of the stairs leading down into the Meeting room. “The Coven of Witches is in order, presenting our Lord Councilman Leonard Sorbini and his daughter the Lady Katya Sorbini.” Leonard walked out into a room full of applause followed by Katya who looked down to see the entire Coven clapping in their honor and bowing in the witch’s way. One arm extended, palm to the heavens, as you dip slightly and bow your head. Then everyone looked up as Katya slid the silver cloak off and handed it to the steward. People gasped in awe as she took her father’s arm and started down the stairs, every eye was on them.
The walk was cleared as they took their steps toward the High Council Seats, and Katya could feel the stares of hatred, adoration, and longing on her. She tried not to tremble, but kept still and steady, as always. Finally they made it up and Katya took her seat by her father, as his only family member it was required that she remain with him. All other Council Members took their place as well; Zane on Leonard’s other side. He grinned as Katya was seated and the rest of the coven sat in their auditorium like seating arrangements. Three taps were given by a gigantic cane and the meeting was started. “Order in the Coven!” her father said and looked around. “I see we have a full house tonight, welcome and good evening.” He smiled jovially. Everyone bowed their head in reply, some giggling. The meeting continued and finally coven requests were begun. One woman stood to ask why they now had a strict law on certain animals to change into.
“Because it is now dangerous for humans to see animals that no longer exist, nor heard of living near them.” her father tried to explain, but the woman didn’t get it. Two more council members tried but the woman still was being thick. People in the crowd were beginning to moan, this was going to be a long night. “Permission to speak, Lead Councilman.” Katya asked her father, Zane was about to ask the same thing but she beat him to it. “Permission granted Katya Sorbini.” Her father and the rest of the coven turned towards her. “Miss, it is simple. Americans these days don’t see hyena’s running around in their suburban woods, they actually never have. I’m using this example because that is what was seen by a woman only two miles south of here. Someone in this coven decided to be eccentric and fazed into a hyena. The woman saw this witch and reported a runaway zoo animal. The tracks were followed to near this area; we almost had to answer for a missing Hyena. That is why we had to enact the law that only animals common to the area are to be used. People in Australia aren’t going to be happy seeing a buffalo running around, why would an American want to see a hyena?” she finished with a question and sat down. The woman smiled and nodded. “Thank you Lady Katya that was kind of you. I now understand the law and appreciate what our Council has done to protect us even further.” The woman sat down, pleased that she was now officially an idiot in everyone’s eyes.
Leonard smiled at Katya and so did Zane, to Katya’s disgust. “I have something to proclaim.” Zane stood up and straightened his tux. Katya did everything she could from going pale and puking. “As you know the council has been pressuring me to find a suitable wife, but none has been perfect for the job. Well, fellow witches, I think I have found who will fill the shoes of my Bride.” Zane walked away from his chair to Katya, he held out his hand to take hers, reluctantly she took it. He led her to the front of the Council tables and kneeled. “Lady Katya Sorbini, with your permission I ask for your hand in marriage.” He asked and held out the most elegant of rings, beautifully crafted and oddly enough had two emerald stone sitting on either side of a pure diamond. Everyone gasped, or sighed heavenly. Katya looked to her father who nodded and winked. “My Lord.” She started and helped him to his feet, closing the ring in his hand. “This is a sudden gesture; one that I’m sure everyone here in this Coven would agree would need to be thought on. And I do plan to think long and hard on this matter, but while I do, I do thank you for choosing me, it is an honor I will take into great respect while I decide. I request form the council an extension be laid on the Leader’s decision, maybe five more moons.” Zane looked to Leonard who shrugged, knowing he had said something.  “Council grants the Lady time to think and an extension on the previously decided date for our Leader.”  Zane knew he had been defeated right now.  He took a breath. “Very well, my Lady, it is your decision and you are doing this wisely, but before you go, let me give you a parting gift.” Before Katya could stop him, Zane had swept her into a dip and kissed her passionately. For a moment Katya didn’t know what to do, this was her first kiss and he had stolen it. She held back every urge to push him away and slap him, how dare he? But, she didn’t, she held her tongue, quite literally.
Everyone in the auditorium applauded and stood, cheering for them. Katya smiled and turned to wave, but as she sat back down in her chair she gave her father a scowl, he knew what Zane had done and he wasn’t that happy either. “You may be excused from the supper to go into the woods, try and not get the dress dirty.” Her father whispered in her ear, then smiled and turned to let her slip off. Katya patted his hand and slipped into the curtain behind the Council table. A door would be there, there always was one, just for Council members who needed to slip away. The cool beautiful night air was perfect since the moon was waning and the clouds were thin, casting an eerie look on the river. Katya walked the river for almost a mile, thinking hard, she would have to marry him in the end and Zane knew that, everyone knew that. When the Leader proposed you didn’t turn it down, at all. Finally she made it to her rock, leaning against it, she picked at a small flower she had found. After a while she pulled her hair down and placed the circlet on loosely, letting it tip sarcastically. No one would be out here tonight; it was getting colder by the second, so cold in fact that Katya had to conjure her cloak to her so that she could remain warm.
As she wrapped it around her slender shoulders she saw the Coven Crest, beautiful and ancient it screamed at her the hating fact she already knew. She couldn’t turn him down, if she did she would have to leave and doing that would be deserting the Coven. If she left the Coven to Zane’s bitterness all hell would break loose, at least if she was there she could soften the blow for everyone. With a defeated sigh she threw the stem of the flower down and rested her had back on the rock. “That was a sigh that no one ever wants to hear from the one they love.” A smooth voice said from on top of the rock. “Ahh!” Katya shouted and jumped, flying away to the other side of the river. “Oh, come on; don’t be frightened, it’s just me. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.” Cain was sitting on the rock, holding his hand up. “It’s not that it’s you, I just thought I was alone.” Katya caught her breath and started to breathe right again. She clutched her cloak and pulled it off; it felt like it was choking her. Cain watched her, “That is a really stunning dress Katya, where did you get it?” he asked and was standing beside her quicker than she could blink. “I didn’t buy it; I made it just tonight for the Coven meeting. I have many others like it.” she waved it away and straightened out a wrinkle near her thigh. “Well I think you make it look gorgeous.” He stroked her hair back, Katya winced. “So I signed up for all those classes you told me to, I should be starting tomorrow.” He winked and jumped back to the rock. Katya followed by flying over the creek. “I thought you were kidding.” She laughed a little; it was good to be around someone other than a witch. “I never kid; I try to always be serious about things like love.” He looked at her solemnly; even then he was absolutely beautiful. “So why are you out here in the first place, why aren’t you at the meeting?” Cain held his hand out to help her up on the rock. “Zane proposed and I was excused to think about it.” she explained and plopped down beside him.
“He what?” Cain gave her a weird look. “He’s been trying to make it public for some time, and the more he try’s the less time I have till it’s too late. Now, that he’s done it at a meeting I only have five moons until I give my answer. I’m pretty much trapped.” Katya sighed and placed her head in her hands. “Why don’t you run away?” Cain asked. “If I was to leave, eventually Zane would get control of the Coven, he would ruin everything, people’s lives, our secret, everything. At least if I’m there and have some power, I can help out and control him.” Katya spat into the water. The vampire sighed, “It looks like I’m going to have to just kidnap you.” Katya scoffed, “And who says I would go?” she looked at him incredulously. “Because you want to love me.” he replied. “I do not love you!” she defended. “I didn’t say you did, but that you want to. And you do, I’m not a witch, I’m the unknown, I’m what you can’t have, and I’m devishly good looking.” He grinned coyly and slicked back his hair. “Your arrogant is what you are.” Katya nudged his arm. “Yes, that too, but doesn’t it make me all the sexier?” he looked at her wild eyed. “I don’t know yet, if I like the cocky or if it makes me madder than hell, and you know what happens when witches get madder than hell…” she pointed out. “No I don’t.” Cain looked genuinely confused.
“Well, when a witch gets really angry, they turn into a fairy. See, we lose some control of our power and become a higher being, but at a small price.  Witches stay fairies for about 10 years then change back, but being a fairy is hard.  Tons of the Conven’s children have done it.  Its why were always low.  They come back, but it’s hard knowing we might not have a next generation.  After a while magic can be used up getting extremely angry and you can lose years.  It’s happened. ” Cain nodded and turned away, “Then I don’t want you angry, I want you to be able to love me until we’re both ready to die.” He tried to wrap his arm around her. “Who says I want to love you again?” she pushed him away and stood up. “Why can’t you try? Go on one more date with me, to my house.” He reached and grabbed her wrist tenderly. “Now, why would I ever put myself in that kind of situation?” she scoffed. “Please, if you don’t think you could at least be my friend by the end, then you can leave and I’ll drop out of school.” He begged. Katya took a breath, “Fine, but next weekend, you have to go to school first. I’m a firm believer in education.” She wagged her finger in his direction. “Agreed, what kind of flowers do you like?” he asked. Katya shook her head unbelievably. “I like Egyptian Roses.” She replied and fazed into a hawk before taking off.
Back at home everything was quiet, except for the fact that Zane was there. “Why did you run off?” he asked sharply as she hung her cloak in the closet. “I had to think, I told you I needed time.” she replied without even looking at him and walking up to her room. “What if I had wanted to talk to you?” he asked and followed her down the hall. “What if I didn’t want to talk to you?” she tried to slam her door in his face, “Oh no missy, this is my Coven and I’ll be dammed before a tramp like you gets away with this.” he threatened and blocked the door with his hand and a Strengthening Charm. “What gives you the right to call me a tramp?” she asked defensively. “Don’t think I don’t know you were on a date with that Vampire yesterday, and don’t think I don’t know you went to see him just now.” he pushed through the door into her room, throwing her on the bed. “He found me both times, I’m sorry I’m nicer than you.” she spat in his direction. “Insolent witch!” he yelled and raised his hand to slap her, but suddenly Cain was there. “Touch one hair on your head and I’ll have you lying in a ditch without a single drop of blood on your body.” He threatened and picked Zane up by the collar of his tux.
It looked like a creepy Victorian/modern scene. Katya was bending back on the bed, one arm raised to protect herself in a beautiful dress, Zane in a formal tux being held off his toes by the angry lover or friend of the girl. Cain lashed out and threw Zane into a wall, impaling him because of the awesome vampiric strength. “Cain!” Katya called, but he was too angry, he picked the helpless Zane back up and threw him against another wall. Each time Katya tried to pull him away from her Leader. Finally as Cain went to pick him up again she stood in between them, a welt on the back of her arm was growing blue and one eye was slightly bruised from where she fell on the bed. “Stop! Cain what do you think you’re doing?” she screamed and shielded Zane. But Zane was pissed and humiliated; he stood and pushed her out of the way. “I don’t need your help skank, if you don’t want to be my Bride then fine! But you will be no witch in my Coven, and your father will suffer for it as well.” Zane stalked out, “Zane wait!” Katya called after him and ran as fast as she could, barely catching him. “Zane, be rational. When have I ever betrayed the Coven? Cain is merely someone outside of the Coven I can talk to; I promise I have told him no secrets. Understand please, that with you asking my hand in marriage formally I need someone without bias to talk to and think with. We have done nothing, other than talk to each other.” She tried to reason with him.
“Katya! How am I supposed to believe that?” he asked heatedly, Katya winced. “You’ll just have to, as your future Bride, I ask you, let this go. I do need someone to talk to more than just Felicia sometimes.” Zane blinked in shock. “You’re promising yourself to me?” he asked and turned all the way towards her. “Yes, I, Katya Sorbini, being of sound mind and body, do promise myself to you, Zane Gorgio, to be your wife.” She took a careful step towards him. “No, you’re doing his just to save your friend, if you’re going to accept it as to be real. But because I see now what you would do to spare him, then I won’t kill him. But I better never find you seeing him. He better have stalked you.” Zane straightened his tux and his hair, “Think hard Katya, I’ll only give you one more chance.” He warned and left the house in a flurry. Cain was waiting for her on the top of the stairs his face saddened. “You risked everything, so that I wouldn’t suffer.” That wasn’t a question. “I didn’t know I was such a good person to talk to.” he turned to walk away. “No, Cain, wait.” Katya grabbed his forearm, man was it huge! The ice cold shot through her hand like an electrocution but she fought back even a flinch.
“It’s true, you are an easy person to talk to, and I would never want to see you hurt. I mean, you’ve only ever been nice to me and you were just trying to protect me. I thank you for that, and I want to get to know such a great person better. In our Coven most of us are either trying to kill an old enemy by now, or stabbing each other in the back so hard everyone else wants to join in. No one likes anyone, especially their own family. I think having you around would be a nice change for my life, even if it may end up just being a good heart to heart talk.” She smiled wearily. “But what if it becomes more than just heart to heart talks, Katya?” he asked and took her hand. Katya sighed and looked at their joined hands, “I’ll deal with that later, right now, I’m just trying to keep out from the marriage bed.” She gave a cockeyed grin and kissed his cheek. “Go home okay; we have school in the morning.” She pushed him playfully out of the door. Cain walked to the end of the drive, turned waved, and ran off towards his home; Katya never even saw the direction he went in.
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