The Overture of Fear & Passion (The Daemonica Symphony Series Book 1) Read online

  “Please Miss Vassilios, share with us what you have learned.”

  Juliet looked nervously at Clarissa whose sneer suggested that she was unconvinced of Juliet’s success.

  “Clarissa wants to be a ballerina.” She said quietly.

  Clarissa’s face would have turned red if Vampires could blush, instead her eyes nearly popped out her head. The room was silent for a moment before muffled laughter whispered through the group.

  “Very good Miss Vassilios, I’m impressed. You show considerable talent for one so new to the Otherworld.” He smiled at Juliet who looked away to hide the smile that had formed in response to the compliment. Niko was momentarily distracted by a pang of jealousy. He wanted to make her smile like that again and had to work out a way to make that happen.

  Elijah began to question the Vampires in the room. Clarissa and Eric both admitted to not being able to collect anything other than a general mood or feeling from their partner. When he came to Odette, she narrowed her eyes at Niko for a moment before answering.

  “Niko blames himself for his brother’s death.” She said loudly, not bothering with the pretence of preserving his feelings. The room remained silent. He felt everyone’s eyes on him, and he didn’t dare to look at Juliet, too afraid at the reaction he’d see there.

  “Thank you, Odette. Very well done indeed. I suspect I may have underestimated your skill. Do I detect the use of camouflage in your shield?” Elijah inquired.

  She nodded.

  “Very good. Please see me after we finish up.”

  She nodded again and he returned his attention back to the rest of the class.

  “It’s relatively easy to establish and maintain and shield whilst you are in a relaxed and neutral state. I’d like you to practise this technique daily, make attempts to form a shield while experiencing various emotional states. In time, you should be able to do so without even being consciously aware that you are doing it.”

  “What the hell was that?” Niko demanded. He’d hung around after the class, waiting until Odette had finished up with Elijah. He was pissed and needed to confront the Vampire about her intrusion.

  “You’re welcome.” She said, not seeming at all surprised by his anger.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I said, you’re welcome. You know, for not telling the whole class about your sex dreams, although I have to admit, you’re not half as perverted as some of the guys I’ve met.”

  Niko was confused. Yes, he was grateful that she’d not chosen to reveal that information, but she’d gone somewhere even more private, to a place that he didn’t talk about with anyone.

  “You should also be thanking me for what I did tell the class.”

  “Thanking you? For sharing one of my most private thoughts?” He was getting a headache from trying to figure out where she was coming from.

  “Yes, you’ll see. I’ve done you a favour with Juliet.” She thought a moment before continuing.

  “She’s got her own scars, Niko. You need to be careful with her. But you’re more alike than you realise.”

  “Wait a minute, you read her mind too?” She’d begun to walk away but he followed along, wanting more answers.

  “Just a little bit, like Elijah said, it’s rude to eavesdrop on someone’s private thoughts without their permission. But I was curious to know what it was that drew you to her.”

  “And?”

  “And I can see the appeal. She’s very talented, more than you know. And I could tell from your thoughts that your intentions are respectable.”

  “Do you know how she feels about me?” He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer. He’d thought he’d been sure of her feelings a week ago, but her rejection had left him doubtful.

  “She wants the same thing as you, she just doesn’t know it yet.”

  Niko was going to ask for more, but she stopped him.

  “No, that’s all you get. You’re just going to have to get to know her the old-fashioned way.”

  She walked off, leaving Niko shaking his head in bewilderment. He felt hope again that all was not lost. He just needed to come up with a game plan.

  Chapter Twelve

  “That’s pretty.” Fiona said, looking up from the book she had been writing in as Juliet entered the common room.

  “What is?”

  “That shiny orb thin’ you’ve conjured up.”

  “What? You can see it?”

  “Of course, I can. ‘ard not to, considering the size of it. Did you learn psychic shieldin’ tonight?”

  Juliet nodded. She was amazed by Fiona’s ability to make the extraordinary seem so completely normal. She hadn’t even realised she was still projecting the shield; her attention having drifted away from it after the class had ended. The class had been a revelation; Juliet still didn’t even know exactly how she did it, she had stared into the Vampire's eyes for only a few seconds before she began to see fine webs around her. Curiosity had provoked her to attempt to pull on them, mostly just to see what would happen. She never imagined that she would unravel a secret from Clarissa’s mind.

  She’d been even less aware of what she was doing when it came time to form her own shield. She’d simply tried to imagine a wall around her and the more she focussed on it, the more it began to resemble a golden sphere. Clarissa’s narrowed eyes and tightly pursed lips had confirmed that it worked. She had definitely cemented herself into nemesis territory with that one.

  “How do you know about this stuff?” Juliet asked.

  “Most Witches ‘ave access to deir third eye. It allows us to see tin’s like mental shields, spells, bad omens and what-not.”

  As usual Juliet was amazed by Fiona’s answer.

  “Doctor Livingstone seemed genuinely impressed that I was able to get through a Vampire’s defences.” She confessed.

  Fiona looked up from her book, her eyes wide.

  “Well, I’m not surprised. I’ve ‘eard it’s extremely difficult, even if they’re not actively trying to block you. The spell Witches need to cast to get through is much more complicated dan for a ‘uman or Demon.”

  “You use spells to read minds?”

  “Sort of, it’s more like an incantation. Very old Witches can do it without ‘avin’ to say the words, but someone green like me ‘as to focus and chant for ‘ours just to form a crack.”

  “That sounds like hard work.”

  She shrugged her shoulders, “It is, but it’s all about balance. All power comes from nature, so everythin’ comes with a price. For Vampires it’s the dependence on blood and deir aversion to sunlight, for Witches it’s, well…” She hesitated. “It’s just different for everyone is what I’m gettin at.”

  Juliet nodded.

  “So, it’s like how I need to spend so much time practising the violin. When I first started just running scales was tricky but now I could practically do them in my sleep.” Juliet suggested.

  Fiona nodded, “Exactly, only I don’t think a lifetime o’ practice could ever make me as good as you.” She looked over at Juliet’s case, her expression coaxing her to begin her nightly practise. Juliet laughed and went over to her instrument, “Any requests?” She asked, laughing.

  “OI, JULIET, CARA!” Beatriz’s exuberant voice chimed through the phone. Juliet had answered it quickly, not wanting to disturb Fiona who seemed to be concentrating on her book.

  “Hi Bea. Did you get my email?” Juliet whispered.

  “I did, but you know I spend so much time in the digital world, I would rather speak to you. I miss your voice. I miss our talks. It’s not the same.”

  Juliet agreed, she’d missed her as well.

  “How’s my dad?” She asked. Before she’d left, Juliet had asked Beatriz to pop around occasionally, telling her she needed someone to water her plants. But really it was her dad who needed a minder. Beatriz sighed.

  “He misses you.” She said quietly.

  Juliet was silent.

  “He misses your mother.”
>
  Juliet sighed quietly. Beatriz was much better at getting to the point than she was.

  “I think, when you were here, the pain was less. But since you’ve been gone...” She sighed before going on.

  “He’s been drinking cara. A lot.”

  Juliet felt sick. She’d been worried about her father’s drinking before she’d left and now, without her there to make sure he was eating right and getting him out of the house.

  “Could you do me a favour?” Juliet asked.

  “Anything for you querida.”

  “Can you please help him.” She asked shyly.

  “I’m not sure what you’re asking.” She replied after a long hesitation.

  “Can you do for him what you did for me?”

  Juliet had met Beatriz nearly a year after her mother had passed away. Her friendship had helped her to navigate her way through her grief. She didn’t know how she would have pulled through if it hadn’t been for Beatriz’s compassion and her father’s dependence on her. Beatriz sighed again.

  “I’ll try cara. But...” she hesitated, “I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try.”

  “Thank you, Beatriz. That’s all I’m asking.”

  “O.K, now. Is that new friend of yours there? Put me on speaker, I want to talk to her too. I want to hear all about the crazy shit you two are up to over there.” Juliet looked over at Fiona who was already closing her heavy book. She was about the apologise but Fiona just laughed and joined her on the couch, making herself comfortable. Even though the two were yet to meet, Fiona and Beatriz had apparently formed some kind of alliance that was focussed on prying into Juliet’s love-life. They spent the next two hours carefully telling her as much as they could without breaking their vow of secrecy.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The blur of passing forest became a paint-stroke of green and black through the window of the small bus. After waking from another of the most erotic dreams she’d ever had, Juliet had spent the morning avoiding talking about Niko or dreams, or anything related to water, butterflies, you name it.

  It was the second dream she’d had of him, and if she closed her eyes, she could still feel the warm water that had lapped at her skin as well as the feel of Niko’s hands and mouth on her flesh.

  She was grateful for the distraction of Fiona running through the list of places that she was looking forward to visiting on Juliet’s first trip to the village. The bookstore was of particular interest.

  “They have magic books and even some supplies.” Fiona said, looking out of the window. Juliet nodded, trying to focus. But she couldn’t get the dream out of her mind.

  Her phone call with Beatriz and her incessant interrogation had reminded her of the secret that had been revealed about Niko in class. The look of pain on his face and the image of his ‘A’ tattoo had floated to the surface of her mind until sleep had taken over and the dream had begun.

  It felt even more real than the last one had. More real than any dream she’d ever had. She’d had erotic dreams before, dreams that had left her waking in the night, aching with need, but unable to remember the details of a man that could make every bone in her body turn to liquid.

  She knew how to please herself but with a nine A.M. bus to catch, she’d chosen a cold shower instead. She’d regretted it later; the pent-up tension had left her feeling irritable and she’d had to apologise to Fiona several times for snapping at her.

  AFTER SPENDING THE morning browsing nearly every building in the village, Juliet pleaded with Fiona to take a break and get some lunch. Word around Livingstone was that the village tavern was the best place to eat and Juliet was absolutely starving.

  She scanned the garden, admiring the ivy-covered stone walls and rickety, wooden chairs. There were large, industrial lightbulbs hung across the space, making it feel surprisingly trendy.

  Seeing no empty tables, Juliet considered if they should just get something to eat at the café down the street and she was just about to suggest it to Fiona when she spotted a familiar face and was quickly ushered over to a table by Sean who was sitting with the Livingstone caretaker William. He looked entirely changed as he laughed uproariously at something Sean had said, his cheeks turning pink and tears glistening in his eyes as his laughter turned to a wheezing cough and his thumped on his chest.

  “My God man, I ‘aven’t heard a yarn that good since my Da were alive.” He said, smiling at Juliet and Fiona as they sat down. Sean introduced Juliet before they were interrupted by a waitress arriving to hand them menus and clear away several empty beer jugs.

  The foursome exchanged polite small talk after they ordered and while they waited for their meals and Juliet couldn’t get over the change in William’s demeanour. She wondered if the volume of beer in his belly might have something to do with his good humour.

  When the food arrived, Sean, who seemed to have a knack for getting straight to the point, asked Juliet directly:

  “So, what's the deal wit’ you and Niko, are you two, like, togeder?” He asked, his Gaelic accent even more pronounced after a skinful. He tapped the edge of his beer glass with his index finger while staring directly at Juliet, waiting for an answer.

  She nearly choked on her pork knuckle and had to take a few sips of cider to help catch her breath. Three faces waited for her to respond.

  “Niko is very nice…” She said, “But, no, we aren’t together.”

  “So, you're naht seein’ anyone?” He asked.

  She took another sip of before shaking her head and answering.

  “No, I’m not dating anyone.”

  Fiona looked down at her plate, a frown ghosting her usually cheerful face. While William and Sean exchanged glances and drank silently. Juliet shifted in her seat and looked around the garden, biting her lower lip and fiddling with her glass.

  Her eyes were drawn to the bar and she noticed him there. Niko looked away as soon as their eyes locked, but she caught a glimpse of the look on his face. Had he overheard their conversation? Did it matter? She’s been honest in her response and didn’t owe him any explanation. But she still couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt that pressed down on her.

  “How long have you been at Livingstone, William?” Juliet asked, attempting to change the subject. From the corner of her eye, she watched Niko collect a couple of beers and make his way over to a packed table.

  “It’s a long story, but basically Doc Livingstone took me in when me parents died. Me family is connected to him from way back. I picked up the work as a way o’ makin’ m’self useful.” He explained.

  “I’m sorry if this is rude to ask, what class are you?” Juliet asked.

  It was William’s turn to choke and nearly sprayed them all with beer as he coughed and laughed at the same time.

  “Ohooo!” He bellowed, beating on his chest.

  “I’m not a creature girly, I’m one ‘undred percent human.”

  Juliet stumbled for a response.

  “But Livingstone... I thought everyone was...”

  “Livingstone is home to all five factions o’ bein’s; Vampires, Shifters, Witches, Demons an’ Humans.” He explained, putting emphasis on the ‘Humans’ while pointing at his chest. Juliet blinked, still confused.

  “There are more of us in the ken than ye’d think. ‘Ow else would a village like this nae be a supernatural tourist attraction if the humans weren’t privy to the goins’ on in the castle. The secret’s been kept for centuries.”

  “So, you grew up knowing about the Otherworld?” Juliet asked.

  “Aye, the doctor himself is me Godfather. I dinna think many humans can say they ‘ave a Godfather older than God Himself. Always gives me a chuckle that.”

  “I’m sorry what?” Juliet asked.

  “Oh, don’t worry. He’s not older than all the Gods. Just the God, you know, Jesus an’ the like.”

  “He’s older than Jesus?” Fiona asked, sounding as shocked as Juliet felt.

  “Yeah.” He nodded, and Sean let o
ut a long whistle, while Fiona’s eyes grew wide. Clearly Juliet wasn’t the only one amazed by this revelation.

  “Says he kent the bloke too. An’ he’s no reason to make ‘at up. He tells a great yarn if ye get him nice an’ toasted.” Juliet shook her head, laughing at the idea of the stern looking Doctor getting wasted.

  Her attention was drawn back to the shadowy table across the yard and she tensed. She didn’t know why she couldn’t get the guy off her mind and she decided she needed a stronger drink.

  BY THE TIME the sun had gone down, Juliet had lost track of how many drinks she’d had, and William was yelling over the top of the live band, trying to convince her to switch to whiskey.

  “There’s better stuff back at the castle. But they’ve got a couple o’ scotches tha’ll do in a pinch.” William yelled, offering her a taste of his drink.

  She smiled and accepted the glass, sipping it slowly and smiling at the smoky bite on her tongue.

  “Hang on.” She said, confusion beginning to rear its ugly head again.

  “If you’re human, that means you can get drunk.” She was beginning to remember something she heard in her Demon biology class about Vampires and Demons having a much higher tolerance for alcohol than humans. He’d had a significant head start and had been outdrinking her three-to-one. William tapped his nose with a finger and pointed at Juliet.

  “Righto, girly. Ten points to Gryffindor.” He said chuckling.

  “But how are you supposed to drive the bus back to the castle if you’re drunk?” She asked. William pointed his swaying finger up into the air and, wobbling slightly, reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a small pill bottle, shaking it like a packet of tic-tac’s and wiggling his eyebrows playfully.

  “What are those?” Juliet was worried that he might be high on drugs as well as drunk.

  “A wee Witchy concoction Adrienne whipped up fur me. Pop a wee one ay these an’ I’m right as rain.” William explained.

  Fiona’s eyes lit up; she’s been lagging behind the others and was almost passed out, but at the mention of magic, she’d perked right up.