Ch 7

Zadie scan’s the cafeteria finding no familiar faces who would willingly talk to her. She sits at the round brown table where only one person resides. The girl sitting there has long, wavy chocolate brown hair. She’s leaning over the table, allowing her hair to flow around her, blocking Zadie’s sight of what she's doing. Her red cat ear headphones rest on her head comfortably.

After placing Zadie's plate on the table, the sudden movement causes her to glance up. Light brown cognac eyes that are hidden behind cherry-rimmed glasses stare at Zadie. She quickly looks back down.

Zadie catches sight of a paper with some sort of drawing on it. An empty plate is pushed to the side, making room for her work. Zadie begins eating her cheese pizza, trying to decide whether or not she should try talking to this girl. The worst that could happen is she's ignored, or the girl leaves the table. The girl sits up, massaging her right hand. Zadie looks at the drawing once again; it’s of a boy with an angry expression on his face. It looks like a cartoon but not at the same time. Zadie waves at the girl, getting her attention. She takes her headphones off, placing them around her neck.

“I like your drawing. It’s terrific.”

The girl glances down shyly with a smile, “Thanks.”

“Is it from an anime?” Zadie asks, finally recognizing the type of animation. Zadie read a manga once Angie had gotten for her, but her father disapproved of getting rid of it.

She looks up at Zadie with a big smile on her face. “Yeah, have you seen it?” She asks, hopeful.

“No, is it any good?” Zadie asks with interest.

The girl nods, telling her a summary of the story.

Zadie finishes her pizza, wiping her mouth with a napkin. “That sounds cool. I may have to try watching it sometime.”

She doesn’t exactly know how to work the tv in her room, let alone find something specific.

“I’m Zadie, by the way.” Zadie holds her hand out across the table. “I’m Katana, but you can call me Kat.” They shake hands, sharing a smile.

“Do you live here too?” Zadie asks as she takes her hand back.

“No, I was waiting for someone to eat lunch with me, but I guess he got busy as usual.” Kat rolls her eyes in annoyance.

“Oh, I’m sorry about that.” Zadie takes a bite of one of her baby carrots.

“It’s okay.” Kat closes her sketchbook. “Are those contacts?” Kat asks, gesturing to her eyes.

“Is that why she talked to me? She must not know anything about me being here.” Zadie thinks as a little hope rises in her.

She remembers Blade telling her not to tell other people about her true nature. “Oh no, I just have weird eyes,” Zadie replies as she looks down at her food.

“Well, I think they’re beautiful.”

Zadie gazes back up at Kat, who is smiling at her,” Thanks.” Zadie replies timidly.

Kat pulls out her phone, checking the time. “I better get going. I have another class soon.” Kat starts gathering her things. “Are you in school?” Zadie asks, unsure if she used the proper term.

“No, I’m not in Highschool anymore; I’m a College student.” Kat stands, tossing a bag over her shoulders, then grabs her tray.

“Alright, we’ll have a good class then, and maybe I’ll see you around sometime again?”

Kat nods before walking off.

Zadie walks out of the cafeteria just as Blade comes through the front doors of the building along with Amell and a few other Slayers she doesn't recognize. Zadie waves to Blade with a joyful smile on her face. Amell nudges Blade with his elbow pointing in Zadie's direction, they both walk over to her.

Blade wears his usual black pants and shirt while Amell wears a button-up long sleeve checkered shirt under his trench coat with light blue jeans.

“How have you been, my lady?” Amell asks her with a slight bow.

Zadie blushes, “I've been okay.” She looks at Blade; who’s giving her a look of pity?

“How was the job?” Zadie asks him.

“Uhh...it was fine.” Blade doesn’t meet her eyes.

“We were investigating your house, trying to find a clue to where your father might be,” Amell explains. Blade shoots him a glare then looks away.

“Oh, did you find anything?” Zadie asks, feeling exposed hearing that they went through her home.

“Yeah, we managed to find something, actually.” Amell ignores Blades’ warning look.

“We found a paper with the name and address of the witch he was working with,” Blade speaks up, deciding to let her know.

Zadie shifts weight, thinking for a moment, placing a finger to her chin.

Blade glances at Zadie's attire. She has on a plain red t-shirt and dark blue jeans. It’s incredibly different from her own colorful clothes she wore at her house.

“Is it the witch that put the wards up around my house?” Zadie looks between the both of them.

“Yeah, she probably is. I’m about to go question her after I report the findings.” Blade says as he looks at the paper in his hand with the information on it.

“Can I go, please?” Zadie purses her bottom lip out, making a sad face.

Blade scratches his head, looking away with a sigh.

“She might be able to get the witch to talk. I don’t see the harm of letting her tag along with you.” Amell adds with a smirk.

Blade looks at Amell, then to Zadie, “Fine.”

Zadie smiles with glee while doing a twirl.

“Just do as I say and don’t wander off.” Blade instructs her, not looking forward to this.

Amell snatches the paper from Blade's hand. “I’m sure you have the address memorized, so I’ll take this to your father and let him know of your plans. It was nice seeing you again, Zadie.” Amell walks off towards the elevator. Zadie waves goodbye to him, glad not everyone here hates her.

Blade and Zadie sit in the back of a white boxed taxi. Zadie’s watching out one of the windows with wonder in her eyes as she studies everything that passes by, taking it all in.

“The neighborhood we will be in is a rough area, so just stay close, then nothing should happen.” Blade watches her from the other side of the car, reminding him of a child going to an amusement park for the first time.

“This your first time outside of the Organization?” Blade assumes.

She nods without looking at him, causing her braided hair on her back to jump around. “I was told not to leave without someone accompanying me. Not like I would have anyway. I don’t know the city, so I’d just end up getting lost.”

“She leaves one prison to join another.” Blade thinks to himself as he watches her eyes dart at every building that shoots by. “You really never left your house?” Blade shifts his positions in the car.

“I did sneak out of the house a few times.” Zadie looks at him now, surprised by his sudden interest, “The first time I snuck out, I was four. I didn’t get very far; Mrs. Greenhouse found me a few blocks away crying in someone’s yard.” Zadie laughs, recalling that day, remembering how frightened she had felt.

“Why were you crying?” Blade questions with a hint of a smile in the corner of his mouth.

“Because I was scared and didn’t know how to get back home. The second time I snuck out. It was at night when Cree and Angie had gone out for the night thinking I was asleep in bed.” Zadie takes a breath then continues, “I went a little further than the last time. I even found a playground. I played on all the toys, one at a time; it was a lot of fun.” Zadie has a faraway look as she smiles happily at the memory.

“Did Cree find you?” Blade assumes.

Zadie looks into his eyes, her bright smile fading. “No, my father had come home that night, saw I wasn’t asleep in bed, then found me playing. He was so mad at me he made me sleep in the basement that night.” Zadie looks down at a blue string that had come loose from her pants.

“Oh,” Blade says, not sure how else to respond.

Zadie gazes back up at him with a smile, “It was worth it, though. I wouldn’t change that decision if I had a choice.” They stare into each other's eyes, feeling as if time itself has stopped.

Blade finally tears his gaze from her bewitching lavender eyes. After that, the rest of the car ride is silent. Zadie goes back to watching out the window while Blade closes his eyes, trying to relax.

“We have arrived at your destination.” The self-driven car announces as it comes to a stop.

They exit the car, it quickly turns around, driving off. In front of them sits a small pink two-story shop with a sign that read:

Elsbeth Specialty’s

Blade takes the lead making his way to the front door; Zadie follows behind him without a sound. However, once the door opens, a bell rings, giving away their quiet approach.

“Elsbeth Moonfall, I am with the Slayer Organization here to ask you a few questions.” Blade announces himself as they slowly walk around shelves filled with books, potions, charms, and other witchy stuff.

Only silence responds to Blade's introduction. The front counter is empty. Stopping in his tracks, Blade looks around. “She has to be here, the sign on the door said open. No one in their right mind would leave their shop unlocked if they’re away.” Blade says more to himself, crossing his arms.

Zadie shrugs, not knowing what to do.

Footsteps are heard coming from the door to the right of Blade.

The door opens with a creak, a tall woman with bright pink pixie hair walks through it, “Yes, yes, I am here. Don’t get your panties in a twist.”

“You’re Elsbeth Moonfall?” Blade questions her, for she doesn’t look a day over twenty-six.

She rolls her eyes, “Of course, child; who else would I be?” Her blue eyes look Blade over.

Zadie instantly recognizes her from when she was six. This is the woman she had found her father talking to. The only difference is she had longer hair then.

“What do the Slayers want with me? I haven’t don’t anything against the law.” Elsbeth sees Zadie for the first time. Her eyes widened. She moves closer to Zadie.

“You’ve worked for the Rogue Vampire in the past, so we want to ask you some questions about him.” Blade tells her as he watches Elsbeth circling Zadie like she’s some kind of hawk preparing to swoop up her prey.

“My, how you’ve grown.” Elsbeth stops walking, staring Zadie directly in the eyes now.

“You know me?” Zadie asks, not recalling them ever officially being introduced.

“We never actually met but yes.” Elsbeth turns back to Blade, “I haven’t worked with that man in years. I’m not sure how much help I’ll be.”

Elsbeth leans against the counter as her dark red vintage floral lace dress sways around her knees.

“When was the last time you saw him?” Blade questions pulling out a pen and notepad from his jacket pocket, ready to take notes.

Zadie holds a hand to her mouth, holding back laughter. He looks like a wannabe detective.

“I’d say about five years ago.” Elsbeth puts a finger to her round pink lips.

Blade jots it down, “What was your reasoning for parting ways with him?” Blade observes her for any signs or emotions to give away anything.

“He wanted me to do something outside of our contract. Once I refused, he threatened to kill me. That’s when I ended the contract, then placed numerous protection spells around my shop to keep him away.” Elsbeth's eyes find their way back to Zadie.

“Do you know where he might be now?” Blades questioned her further.

“No, we always met at his house late at night.”

Zadie shifts her weight, feeling awkward as Elsbeth stares at her.

“At first, I would come while she was sleeping, cast a spell on his daughter every few months so she wouldn’t have any desire to know about the outside world. However, my magic didn’t seem to stop her curiosity for long. I ended up having to put upwards around the house so she’d stop sneaking out.” Blade scribbles down on the notepad.

“You finally got out of your cage, little bird. You look so much like your mother now.”

Zadie steps closer to Elsbeth, “You knew my mother? Who was she? What was she like?” Zadie asks, needing to know.

Elsbeth crosses her arms, “She was someone who was never meant to be a mother.”

Zadie's face has confusion written all over it, tilting her head slightly. “What do you mean?”

Elsbeth pushes off the counter, “I can say no more. Otherwise, I’m a dead woman walking.” She looks back at Blade. “Are we done then?”

Blade puts the pen and notepad away. “Yes, for now. That doesn't mean you’re getting off scot-free. You did knowingly work with a wanted criminal.” Blade warns her with a glare.

Elsbeth walks to the door she had come out of a few minutes ago.

“I did nothing illegal besides once my contract with him was over, I reported his whereabouts to the Organization.” She opens the door, looking over her shoulder at them, “You can see yourselves out.” Elsbeth walls back up the staircase.

Zadie watches the one shot at finding out more about her mother disappearing upstairs.

Blade slides his phone back in his pocket, walking back to Zadie. “Turns out she was telling the truth. Unfortunately, she did report him to us five years ago, so we can’t touch her.” Blade shakes his head in anger then begins walking down the sidewalk.

“Has anyone talked to Mrs. Greenhouse?” Zadie asks as she walks beside him.

“Yeah, I did that yesterday. The deeds to the house are in her name, so I had talked with her only problem is she has no memory of working at the house.”

“Her memory was wiped?” Zadie gazes around, seeing a few old broken-down houses, nothing like the part of the city she once lived in.

What’s more, it feels like a ghost town. No one is out, and about the one person who did just get home quickly go inside for the evening.

“Either that or she was under a spell causing her to forget everything after leaving the house.” Blade puts his hands in his pockets.

No one speaks for a few minutes as they think over the conversation with the witch.

“Do all witches and warlocks have different colored hair?” Zadie asks, seeing how both Amell and Elsbeth have brightly colored hair.

“Yeah, every warlock or witch is born with an irregular hair color.”

Zadie rubs her arm from the chilled evening breeze. “Yeah, sorry, an auto car won’t come out this far to pick us up. We have to walk a mile up the road.” Blade looks at her. She gives a nod.

“Thanks for letting me tag along with you even though I’m sure you would have preferred to do this alone.”

“No problem. Like Amell said, you being there did spark some information out of her,” Blade admits.

“Yeah, too bad she couldn’t tell me more about my mother.” Zadie kicks a pebble, sending it flying a few feet away.

“I’m sure you’ll find out more about her once we learn her name,” Blade says, trying to ease her mind.

Zadie stops suddenly. Blade stops two steps ahead of her, “Everything okay?”

The hair on her arms stands up but not from the cold. “I think someone is watching us.” She looks at Blade. They casually glance around to not to draw attention.

Blade unexpectedly grabs Zadie by the wrist, leading her towards some empty houses. They zigzag around homes until they come to a large vacant parking lot beside a grocery store. Blade comes to a halt pulling a silver dagger from his ankle getting in a defensive stance. The sun just barely clings to the horizon, now warning of nightfall's reign.

Yellow glowing eyes appear from the dark shadows surrounding them. “Uh...this is probably a good time to tell you I have no combat experience,” Zadie confesses as her back touches Blades.

“In that case, just stay behind me.” Blade tells her as the tall, dark figures emerge from the shadows.

Zadie’s face pales as her eyes bulge from the sockets. A seven-foot werewolf standing on two legs just like out of an old comic book stands before them. Four other werewolves circle them with a low warning growling in their throats.

“I’m from the Slayer Organization. I have no beef with you. There’s no need to fight.” Blade informs them without so much as a hint of fear in his voice.

“If that’s true, then why are you here and with a filthy vampire.” A brown werewolf speaks,

Zadie looks over her shoulder at Blade, who doesn’t respond as if he never heard the werewolf. “Don’t bother Mason. Did you forget regular humans, including Slayers, can't understand us in this form.” A black and brown werewolf reminds the other one.

“We're here because we were questioning Elsbeth Moonfall about the Rouge vampire,” Zadie speaks up, causing every wolf head to turn in her direction.

Zadie's heart quickens, feeling as if it may burst from her chest at any moment. Blade looks around, not knowing what's going on. The only sound coming from the werewolves was an occasional growl but nothing more.

“How can she understand us?” Another demanded searching his fellow pack members’ faces for answers.

Zadie isn’t sure how she’s able to hear them either. Could it be because she can use telepathy? Is she somehow on the same wavelength as them, perhaps?

“Who are you? Tell me now, or I will rip your head off where you stand.” The black and brown wolf says, taking a step closer to her.

Zadie gulps, beginning to shake in fear.

“What’s going on?” Blade asks Zadie, glancing at her.

“They…..uh want to know how I can understand them,” Zadie whispers to him.

“You can understand them?” Blade searches around, uncertain how he can get himself and Zadie out of this, “Listen, if you harm me or the girl the Slayer Organization will not take it lightly.”

Every werewolf then takes two steps closer, unphased by Blades' warning. Then, all of a sudden, a high-pitched howl rings out, filling the night air. The werewolves look in the direction it came from.

“It seems our alpha wants a word with you two.”