The Guest & The Change - By M. D. Bowden Page 0,55

some trace of Sebastian still lurking around?

He hoped Sarah wasn’t in danger; that she would be ok.

Sarah.

His heart ached at leaving her. He pictured her in his mind; her beautiful hair and soft skin, her sparkling blue eyes that he got so lost in. He had not wanted to leave her - but she would never have agreed to come with him; not with her children to look after.

He thought about Heather, the witch he was off to find. He remembered when he had met her. He had been living in New Orleans at the time. Of course he was there because of Sebastian. Since Daniel had turned into a vampire, everywhere he had been had been because of Sebastian.

Daniel had been in yet another dark alley - fighting a vampire that Sebastian had turned. That one had been strong and Daniel had fallen back. That was when he had realized someone had been watching them fight. A middle aged woman with dark curly hair and heavily lined eyes had stepped out of the shadows, stretched out her arms and pinned the young vampire to the wall.

Without getting anywhere near him.

Daniel had leapt up and slammed the stake into his chest, finishing him off.

Heather had approached Daniel inquisitively. She had never met a vampire who fought for good. She had taken him back to her home to tutor, and shared with him the very basics of magic.

Daniel remembered her home well. It was quite the ram-shackled old hut, but she had made it home and it was full of quirk.

The main spell she had taught him was lighting fires with his mind. This had taken a lot of concentration - and plenty of mishaps - to learn.

The downside was he could only use magic when he was strong. If he was weakened from fighting, or days without blood, he didn’t have enough energy to summon any magical willpower.

What were the chances of her still living in the same place? It seemed doubtful - but it wouldn’t hurt to check. He might get lucky and it would mean he would be back with Sarah that much sooner.

***

Sarah looked up at the clock. It was two thirty - time to get ready to pick up Megan.

She snuggled into Bea who was sitting on her lap watching children’s television; her eyes fixed on a friendly green dinosaur.

Sarah reached to the floor for Bea’s tiny pink shoes and strapped them on; as Bea held out her feet ready. She put her on her feet and wrapped her up in her fluffy coat, hat and gloves. She was ready to face the chilly outside air.

Sarah found her own jacket and checked the stakes were still within, and easy to access. Just in case.

Sarah liked to get to school early, to ensure she got a parking space. If she turned up anywhere near leaving time the car park was so jam packed she would be late in picking up Megan. Megan would not be happy. Sarah visualized her face and imagined her saying ‘All the other Mommy’s came Mommy, but I didn’t know if you were coming Mommy.’

Sarah picked up her keys and headed for the door. She picked Bea up and was just stepping out when she saw a young man approaching. Well, more of a teenager really. His hair was short and blond and he had youthful stubble on his chin. A chill crept up Sarah’s spine in warning, and she hurried to put Bea inside her house.

‘Stay inside Bea - Mommy will be just here and I won’t be long.’ She didn’t like doing it but she closed the door with Bea still inside.

Sarah looked up at the approaching man and saw his eyes flash black. They instantly reminded her of Sebastian and she felt nausea threatening to rise. She swallowed quickly, trying to look confident.

‘Can I help you?’ She asked.

What was she supposed to do - ignore him? There were no other houses in sight so he must be there for a reason.

‘Yes Sarah,’ he said leering at her.

Her heart began to race, how did he know her name? And why did that look remind her so much of Sebastian? He couldn’t be…

She took a deep breath. ‘How do you know my name?’

Ignoring her question he continued to advance. Sarah started to step back, holding onto the door handle. She glanced inside and Bea was running around the hallway in circles. She was pretending to be an airplane.

‘I’m looking for Daniel. Where