As I left Kenji’s, I scanned the street for any sign of danger. I guess my sixth sense just doesn’t stop because I’m not on the battlefield. That or maybe the battlefield changes. I looked over to Khloe and noticed that she was scanning the area as well. As we approached my truck Khloe said “Nice truck. You know I helped Talia pick it out?”
As I unlocked the truck I replied: “Oh, really?”
“Yep, Talia was having a hard time trying to decide what type of truck to get you. I also have a Raptor. Told her all about it. Since she already likes Ford, it made her decision easier.” She said.
“Well then, thanks for helping her out. I love this truck.” I said as we got in. “I’m going to take you to one of my favorite places that I love to just hang and relax at.”
About 15 minutes later I pulled onto a side street in Cambridge and parked. “I hope you like pub food,” I said as we walked across the street into The Griffin, a British style pub/restaurant.
I steered Khloe to an out of the way table as we entered. It was one that would allow us to be alone and not overheard. “What do think?” I asked
“I like it. It’s quiet and not crowded. Nothing like the places over by the University. They’re usually crawling with students thinking they’re entitled to everything, or frat boys doing something stupid.” She replied.
“I’ve always loved this place. The food is great and I love the intimate atmosphere.” I remarked as the waitress handed us menus then took our drink orders.
“Intimate atmosphere huh? So, what is this, some kind of date?” She replied with a smirk.
I blushed a little and tried to hide behind the menu. “Oh no, definitely not a date. I am truly hungry and only an idiot would not take a chance to get to know you. Besides, it seems that you and Talia set this whole encounter up.”
She grinned broadly. “Most definitely. Talia thought we should meet and that I would like you. She said that you’ve been gone for most of the last 10 years except for some leave here and there. She showed me your photo while we were in college. I thought you were cute back then.”
“You knew Talia at Harvard? Then why haven’t I met you before now?” I asked
“I usually went back to Peru for most of the scheduled breaks and after graduation. I did some graduate work out west at the University of Arizona while perusing my Masters in Pre-Columbian Civilizations. After I finished that I went home for about a year. Worked on an archeological dig at Pisac in Peru. Finally, I came back to Harvard to finish my doctorate.” She said, looking at me a little sheepishly.
“Damn, you’re as smart, if not smarter than Talia. There’s no way in hell I’ll ever get away with anything with you two around.” I replied, a little shell-shocked by how smart and beautiful this woman before me was. I was way out of my league. “Kenji said you are like Talia and me but not exactly.” I half whispered while looking around the pub before continuing. “You’re not a wolf. I’m sure you’ve told Talia, so… what are you exactly? I don’t mean to be to forward, but we have some issues with former pack members. With the way you fight, I’m sure not going to worry about you in a fight.”
The waitress came and took our meal orders. Khloe looked thoughtful for a few minutes. Which I took as a sign of her thinking how much she can trust me. “I’m a Werehawk or Falcon Shifter.” She looked at me for my reaction before she continued, “and a Witch.”
My eyebrows went up in surprise. “I knew you were a shifter but didn’t see that one coming. But a Witch as well. Hmmm, how does that even happen? I thought that witches tend to stay away from our kind except for business deals. They usually align with the Vampires.”
“I had some pretty amazing parents. My dad is from Ireland. He is the most powerful male witch, and probably one of the most powerful witches to exist in almost four hundred years. He’s six foot two inches with a slender but defined build. Unruly black curls with piercing blue eyes that my mom found irresistible. Then there is my mom, who my dad said completely bewitched him to fall in love with her. She comes from Peru and can trace her ancestry back to the ancient Incans. Five foot five inches with brown skin, long, straight black hair, and emerald green eyes that I swear glow at times. She has the lithe athletic figure of a dancer. Which I guess in a way is good since she used to be a performer at one of the Incan temple ruins. You know the types that vacationers would go and watch whenever they visited? It’s how they met. He was on a trip to Peru while in college and was researching other types of witchcraft and magic. Well, he was at the temple when her group performed. According to him, he was hooked the moment he saw her. With him being the socially awkward nerd that he is, he followed her while trying to get up the courage to talk to her. My mom rounded the corner of the temple that led to a cliff edge. When my dad got to the corner and followed she was gone. He scanned the area around the back of the temple along with the cliff. All he saw was a Peregrine Falcon perched on a stone ledge. It was starring down at him like he was lunch. This went on all week when finally, he got up the courage to come out ask mom if she was a shifter. To his surprise, she completely denied it at first. Then one day after he got up the nerve to ask her out, they were having a picnic alone in this nice secluded clearing. That’s when he told her he was a witch. Mom made him wait for about two more hours before she showed him her animal form. Yep, you guessed it, that same Peregrine Falcon he saw the first day. From that day on they were inseparable. I was born a few years later.” She finished, looking like she expected me to be fleeing for the exit any minute.
I looked at her thoughtfully as they brought our meals. “The tattoo on your back then. That’s your animal form?” I asked already knowing the answer.
“That’s what you go with. After all, I just told you, that’s what you want to know?” She asked, laughing at me as I blushed yet again. Damn, she was getting to me in a good way.
“You’re Talia’s best friend and I trust my sister with my life. What you are is kind of cool. I would love to go hunting with you up in Maine. I bet that would be a unique experience.” I said, grinning at her. “Your tattoos honor your heritage. That’s very cool.”
“Yes, you’re very perceptive. A lot smarter than your sister says” she said sarcastically.
“Yeah, well Talia did go to Harvard and I went to boot camp,” I replied.
We finished our meals with tales of my time in the Marines. She told me stories about her and Talia’s time in college. After dinner, I drove her back to Kenji’s so she could get her truck and follow me over to the townhouse.
When we entered the house, Talia met us at the door with her assistant whom I hadn’t met at this point. “Good, you two are back. We are going to be having visitors in about an hour. You two will need to wear something a whole lot nicer than jeans and a t-shirt.”
“Who is coming over?” I asked her as I looked at Khloe. “Do you have clothes here?”
Khloe replied with a smile. “Of course I do. Talia offered me one of the rooms when I moved back to Boston.” She pat my arm like I was a slow child before she left to get changed.
“Donovan, the Vampire Master for Boston, has asked for a meeting with us tonight,” Talia said while looking at her tablet. She continued, “This is Lela, she’s pack, and has been with us for about 5 years. She moved here from Nevada after college. She’s my executive assistant, and no, you can’t have her, but I might be able to let you borrow her until you get your routine down.”
“Master Vampire, huh? Well, guess I better get ready. Suit and tie going to be fine?” I asked as I went up the stairs.
“Yes, I had a few made for you. Wear the grey suit with a white shirt and the black pinstripe tie.” She said as I disappeared upstairs to my room.