Chapter 5

“I don’t know mother it’s been well over a hundred years since we did anything and...” I started.

“Oh? A little bird told me that you two went to dinner the other night, please son don’t insult your mother’s intelligence,” she accused. Damn leave it to her to always see through me, sigh, I guess there was no getting past it.

“Mother, I’m not sure ok, I’m just not sure,” I stated.

“Well Johnathon, we’ll just have to change that won’t we?” I looked at her through slitted eyes yup she was up to something though what and how I wasn’t sure.

“Just what do you mean change that?” I stated, “What if you don’t like what I decide? You going to banish me again? Ha! Good luck with that mother! In case you haven’t noticed I am my own man now, who...”

“Who seems to be more confused now than he was 200 year ago! Look you can’t fool Vish or me, we know there is something going on, Lana was practically floating after she got home the other night, and was still like that when her mother arrived. Now, as far as I know you are the only one that has EVER been able to elicit that kind of a response from her. So, no matter what you both say WE know that there is still something between you two.” Holding up her hand she stopped me before I even started, “Don’t even try to start that old, tired, bull shit again about you hate each other, there’s nothing there. Vish and I are well over 1000 years old WE know, the problem is how are we going to fix it?”

I’d listened to her almost the whole time, but she was venturing where both mine and Lana’s father’s had gone. Suddenly I felt the anger swell then burst in me, “You won’t do a damn thing!” I yelled, “It was just this sort of thing that separated us last time. Interfering people pushing us together! You want her so damn bad? You fucking marry her!” With that I flashed out, not caring that she was the second leader of the clan and to do so was an insult. I appeared in an alley way in New York, almost as far as I could get from out west, where we’d been, still seething I didn’t notice the huge hole in the wall directly behind me. Lady Vishnew had just awoken when she received the thoughts, [Vish, ] she heard Evelyn, [I think you are right about them still having feelings for each other, but when I brought it up Johnathon became enraged and left, I’m feeling him on the other side of the continent. It appears there is something else going on here, I’ve never seen him this upset.]

Lady Vishnew let this digest a moment, [Yes, I feel you are right but somehow Lana has hidden it from me, Gregor’s mind from that night is almost completely blank, your son is far stronger than I’ve ever felt in a non-vampire form. I too am at a loss for the moment.]

[I was thinking of us contacting our husbands, but I swear they handle everything with almost total brute force.] Evelyn replied.

[Yes, ] started Vishnew, [If this isn’t handled right, it might be another 200 years before they’d even think of facing each other, I think the key lies in what happened that night.]

[I agree with you, but how to find out? I fear the only one who may hold the answer is the very one we are trying to help.] Evelyn cried.

[My dear, ] Lady Vishnew started, [it is obvious that WE are going to have to fall back on our strongest suits.]

[You mean our power and authority?] Asked Evelyn.

[Oh no my dear, ] Lady Vishnew replied, [your son is far too powerful and my daughter far too smart and suspicious for those to ever work. I believe it is time for us to use our sneakiness and beguilement to further confuse and drive them together. Now first you and I are going to send a message to both that we are leaving. That I think will bring Johnathon back then... ]

I had wondered New York City for days not really caring where I went or did. As long as Mother and Vishnew were there I had no desire to go back, though I was feeling for Lana stuck there with those two nosy busy bodies. I knew I couldn’t stay gone for very long Mother could always find me, she always had though, I think this time she might not appear in person.

I was sitting in a cafe when one of mom’s assistants appeared next to me, “A word Mr. Johnathon?”

“Yeah, I’ve got one for you,” I replied sneering at the sub-mage (don’t ask me that’s what mom had always called him). “It’s death pure and simple, you have 2 options leave and live stay and you’ll be dead in the next minute.”

“Fine,” he said, “your mother is leaving tomorrow,” with that poof he was gone. Hmmm, I knew my mother, she NEVER gave up that easy (just ask my father he hadn’t won in well over 800 years and he was stronger). I’d have to keep an eye on her and Vishnew. Sighing, I decided I ought to go back I know Dan was about to go out of his mind trying to keep up with everything. Looking over at the play bill I had in front of me, ummm tomorrow, there were quite a few things more pleasant than facing mother right now I wished to attend to. Besides this was as close to civilization as was back home, as I could get to, though the colonists and the English were starting to clash more. Damn it leave it to them both to spoil my fun. Flashing out I arrived in my room, yes I could still feel her presence, here I had hoped that she’d be gone by now. That way there wouldn’t be uncomfortable silence, stares and accusations (though well founded on my part). Stepping into my office I was astounded to find mother sitting there waiting for me. “I am not here to argue,” she started, “just to tell you that your father has requested that I return, as you know I am the best healer of the mages. I have heard that your powers have surpassed your father’s, I am extremely proud of you my son.”