She Was Brave Part 12

The night breeze seemed to caress her and comb through her hair. Traci was close enough to feel the heat emanating from Devyn. The sky was so beautiful tonight. Everything looked beautiful now that her baby girl was getting better.

Things were looking better tonight and she really needed better. She glanced over to look at Devyn. Who was he and what was she doing with him? Traci didn’t really know. At this point she didn’t really want to think about it, though she was sure that it had something to do with needing company. She really needed company since the other night and more than that she needed company who didn’t know her. That way they didn’t have any preconceived notions about who she was.

Was that really what she was doing walking with this perfect stranger at night and alone? Perfect stranger, yes, he was perfect. Ah, God…she couldn’t even think about it right now. She needed to go get her some new clothes and maybe take a shower. Oh, yeah, a shower sounded really good all of a sudden. Tilting her head to the side she stopped walking and really looked at Devyn. He was really cute. HANDSOME! His jaw was firm and set. It practically begged for her to run her hand across it to see if it was as smooth as it looked. Traci found it was Hell to resist that urge, but she held strong. The man was sculpted like a Greek god. What got her the most were his beautiful eyes. They seemed to bore into her and touch her someway. She really didn’t know how to handle this situation. It would probably be best to send him on his way right now. There wasn’t going to be a relationship with him. Hell, for all she knew he was one of those psychos that liked to pick up women who are emotional and easy.

Was that what this was? Maybe, but something in her told her different. Probably it was the nervous grin on his face that did it for her

“Look, I know I promised to meet you for some coffee, but I really need to take a shower and grabs some clothes.”

“And eat.”

“Uh, yeah.” She listened as her stomach was grumbling. Weird how she hadn’t noticed. “I guess I need to grab a bite to eat. Well, I guess I will be going..” God, somehow she felt like she was breaking-up with him.

“I’m a great cook. If you like I can fix you some dinner and you can do what you need to do.” Devyn looked somewhat like a dog begging, but he didn’t really care. He left a big hole for her to take if she wanted out. It was that hole that had his stomach in knots. Against her better judgment she turned and headed towards her house. Really it was the last place she wanted to be. Maybe that’s why she agreed? She didn’t want to go home by herself. There would be too many memories



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Clayton and Edward kept their distance. They knew to be cautious and so far their hard work was paying off. Their spells had kept them hidden from Devyn’s powerful senses. They were so close and he was blissfully unaware. Even that being the case they knew better than to get cocky.

“Who is that woman?”

“What does it matter? He feeds on women. I’ve never known his to drink from a man. Don’t loose focus here, Ed.” The younger man bowed up some, but shrugged it off.

“Don’t you think I’m aware of his activities? I’ve been tracking him same as you. My point was that it is secluded here. He could take her now if he wanted. I’ve never seen him take a woman to a motel…and this is obviously her house up a head.”
“We watch for now. He’s not like the others. This is their leader. He’s very powerful and he’s been migrating this way for a purpose. It’s almost like he was searching for something. For all we know that girl is taking him to whatever it is.”

The two men watched as Devyn and Traci entered the house. There was plenty of wooded area for them for hide in. Which was a great help to the two men. They had to use spells to match the vampires speed while using other spells to keep themselves hidden from the vampire’s senses. They needed a rest or they would no doubt loose him again. For now they would walk the perimeter and follow him should he leave again. There was nothing else they could do at the moment. They couldn’t enter the house without giving themselves away; but, they would go back to the house. Edward was right about that. Devyn never took a woman to their own place or his place or even a motel. He would feed and bed them and move on. One woman he had taken on a bench in the middle of a crowded park using his powers to hide them.
Devyn had been covering some major ground every night for weeks. It was very unusual for him to be roaming. Vampires were very territorial and that’s what the wizards counted on. Understandably, they were all up in a buzz when they heard Devyn was moving. They’d sent out many scouts to watch him and see what he was up to. So far the vampires were unable to force the wizards into compliance, but none were as powerful as Devyn. If it were to happen it would be he who would be the one to do it.

So the elders sent out Clayton and Edward to follow Devyn and find out why he was in such a hurry. It had taken every ounce of strength the men had to keep track of him. When a vampire moved they moved with super-natural speed and could cover very great distances in a short time. It was pure luck that they found him once he crossed the ocean. There was no way of knowing he would make his way to the states. This thing kept getting more disturbing, but that was why the two of them were here.

“So do we set up camp? I’m starving.”

“One of us needs to go to town for some food.” Clayton thought about it for a moment. “You go.”

“Me?” There was menace in his voice, but the older man didn’t seem to notice.

“Well, you are the one who brought it up and if you think that I’m leaving you here in charge while I toddle off so you can destroy this mission then you’ve been smoking too much crack. You go or we don’t eat.”

Traci locked the door behind her. Something didn’t feel right. It was as if someone was watching them, though Devyn didn’t seem to notice. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling.

It had to be nerves. She must be more nervous about being in her house than she had originally thought. It was such a beautiful house. Traci and Don had build this house and done all of the decorating themselves. Her throat clogged slightly at the thought. Maybe this was more than she could bear. She would just have to sell the house. It would be a shame, but it hurt walking into it.

Her eyes fixed on Devyn just then. Lord, what was wrong with her? They were still standing in the foyer with the lights out. He must really think she was a loon. Reaching over she flipped on the lights.

“Sorry.” Traci shrugged and moved past him into the house. “I guess I’m more disturbed about coming home than I figured. If you wanna leave…”

“No, it looks like you could use having someone here with you.”

Devyn smiled, though he was trying hard not to. She just looked beautiful, even when she was sad or afraid. More than that, Devyn felt everything in him ache to make her happy. He knew he would do whatever he could to make sure that she was happy and safe.

“Why don’t you go take your shower and I’ll mess around in the kitchen? You look like you really need a good hot shower. Now off with you. You’ve got thirty minutes to take your shower before I come up and make sure you’re alright.”

“Thank you, Devyn, but you really don’t need to cook for me. I can make something when I get out of the shower and I’ll only take fifteen minutes at the most. Make yourself at home and watch some television.” She smiled. No one has ever offered to cook for her except her two friends. Don would never have offered to cook, let alone to keep her company just because she was uneasy. How horrible? Was it right to be mad at a dead man? Damn it! Don’t do this to yourself Traci. You’re here and your little girl is alive and getting better. Focus.

At the top of the stairs Traci took a deep breath and hurried down the hall to her bedroom. Once inside she shut the door and undressed. On her way to the master bathroom she did an arm-pit check. Woo! I do need a shower!

The water was hot and felt so good. Traci probably spent longer in the shower than she should have. It did the trick though. She was a little more herself and already running down a list of things she needed to do before heading back to the hospital. Packing some extra clothes was at the top of the list. God, Traci really wasn’t aware of what all had already been done. It looked like either Antwan or Dena had come in and cleaned. Her friends were such a blessing to her in so many ways. One day she would make it up to them.

Grabbing her overnight bag feeling sure she had everything she would need, Traci headed out of her room. She was almost to the stairs when she stopped. This moment was bound to come at some point. Bracing herself Traci opened her son’s bedroom door. Knots were forming in her stomach and throat. Suddenly she felt overwhelmed and nauseous. No, this was the moment, the time and she had to come to terms with this and move on. Looking around the room the memories hit her hard.

When they had decided to redecorate this room for their son she had fought long and hard to paint the room the dusty green. It was a very soothing color and worked well with the grays and dusty purples that she used to accent it. The room was supposed to be functional from birth to adult without having to do major redecorating. They toys were all neatly put away, just as always. Don hated for anything to be out of place. The children were very good about keeping things picked up. If by chance they missed something Dena, Antwan or she would get it, but that seldom ever happened.

Before she knew what was happening Traci was crying. Every breath was wracked with painful sobs. The Earth, her world was shattering. The events of that day replayed over and over again through her mind. All she could think was “what if.” What if she hadn’t gotten pissed and made Don pick up the kids? What if she had picked up the kids instead? What if she hadn’t gone to that stupid club for a drink? What if her baby girl hadn’t made it either?

Devyn had been about to season the garlic bread when his heart suddenly felt heavy. That was why he made his way up the stairs only to find Traci on the floor hunched over a toddler’s bed. He stood in the in the shadows and watched as she sobbed. Her hair was still wet and spilled over her back and arms. She smelled like lavender and lemons. Traci was simply intoxicating, everything about her…addicting. Yet, she was racked with sobs as her tears fell unchecked on the bed sheets.

Before he knew what he was doing, Devyn was holding her. He gently smoothed her hair back from her face and kissed away her tears. He would gladly die a thousand deaths rather than hear her cry.

“Hush, my sweet. I cannot take your tears. They will destroy me.” Looking into her eyes he compelled her to sleep and carried her to the sofa.