Timeless(16)

The woman stood up, walked towards her, and opened her arms, her bangles clanking noisily as she embraced Alexandria in a firm hug. "Yes and yes," the woman said joyfully. "The last time I saw you, you were tearing out of Kat's front door as though you had a demon hot on your tail." She held Alexandria at arm's length. "Let me take a good long look at you, child."

Alexandria stared at Kat over the woman's shoulder and shrugged.

"Meet Aunt Mindy," Kat said, leaning against the breakfast bar and tapping the lip of her empty mug with a perfectly manicured fingernail painted fire engine red. "A girl could do with a refill, Andrew."

"What did your last slave die of?" Andrew muttered, snatching the mug off the bench. "Anyone else for coffee?" he asked.

Alexandria shook her head, not taking her eyes off Aunt Mindy.

"Nothing for me right now, dear," Aunt Mindy purred, releasing Alexandria's shoulders.

"You're Kat's aunt?" Alexandria asked.

"I'm your aunt, too, child. I'm your mother's little sister, Mindy."

Alexandria's eyes widened. Another relative? She really did have family crawling out of the woodwork since her return to Ferntree Falls, only this one, she had to admit, with her long fair hair, really did look a little like her mother. Kat's mother, whom she had only seen in the family portrait hanging in the Abbots’ mansion, had dark hair, and bore no resemblance to Felicity whatsoever.

"Another aunt. Wow, who would have thought? Should I be expecting any more turning up on my doorstep any time soon?" Alexandria walked stiffly to the breakfast counter, pulled out a stool, and sat down. "I will have a coffee, thank you, Andrew. A strong one."

"What happened to you this morning, anyway?" Kat asked, heaving herself up on the breakfast bench and crossing her legs. "I thought you were going to help me clean up."

"You had company," Alexandria retorted, glaring at Kat.

"Do I sense a note of disapproval?" Kat asked curiously.

Andrew pushed a mug into Alexandria's hands. "Drink," he urged in a brotherly manner.

Alexandria took the mug from him eagerly. "Thanks, Andrew."

"Well, it is done now. The house is in its usual pristine condition, ready for your mother's return," Aunt Mindy said, brushing Alexandria's hair over her shoulder, then turning around to scan the kitchen. "I have really missed this old house," she said, melancholy dripping from every word. "I left when I was just eighteen and in love with..." Her voice trailed off. "Anyway, I'm back now, and just in time, too, I believe." She spun around and looked at Alexandria. "You remind me so much of your Grandmother Savannah, and me at your age. We all have the same rotten taste—"

"Just in time for what?" Alexandria asked, cutting her off. She took a long sip of her coffee, wondering where dear Aunt Aradia and Aunt Mindy had been when she was left alone after her parents had been murdered.

"Oh, I know what you must be thinking. Where was I when your mother died? Where were any of us, for that matter? You must have so many questions."

"That's exactly what I was thinking," Alexandria admitted, putting down her mug and folding her arms across her chest, waiting for answers.

"If I told you it was for your own protection, and your being sent away from here was your mother's wish, would you believe me?"

"Frankly, I don't know who or what to believe..." Alexandria fell silent, noticing the sudden, icy look on Aunt Mindy's face, as though someone had just walked over her grave.

Mindy drew in a breath and stared open-mouthed at the kitchen doorway. Cups and dishes in kitchen cabinets and on counters rattled noisily in objection.

Everyone turned slowly to see what, or who, had captured Mindy's absolute attention. Then, just as suddenly, she said, "What the hell are you doing here, you disgusting little bloodsucker?"

Nina was standing in the doorway, her fangs bared, a deep hissing sound escaping from between her rose colored lips. Her eyes narrowed, fixed intently on Mindy, but it was impossible for her to penetrate Mindy's mind.

"Don't even think about trying to get into my mind, vampire."

"And I love you too, witch," Nina retorted, edging slowly into the room, her long, black velvet dress dragging silently on the floor behind her.





Chapter 8 – Revenge.





Carmen stood, snatching up a long, red satin robe off the end of the sofa in her underground lair, and slipped effortlessly into it, concealing her nakedness. "It's time for you to go. Get dressed," she said, padding barefoot over to a small table and pouring herself a Scotch from an exquisite crystal decanter. She did not offer her guest one, nor did she intend to.