EVANORA
Even the sun returned, the moment we brought the so-called "Almighty Vampire" down. Not a single cloud covered the sky, and the weather was just like you expected it to be on an August morning. Hot but windy; a slight breeze from the Thames.
The city itself was alive again and people walked and cheered on the now crowded streets, hugging their friends and family who they have been unable to see. The sight warmed my heart, and I knew now that what we had done was in fact, worth it. Despite the ease of the task.
My sisters, Marcy, Zion, the Van Falls and I were now on our way to the Siren's Call to see how the Werewolves were doing now and to say our final farewell to Vincent and Isabel and a proper one to Ambra and Aureliu.
Now, Siren's Call too looked different. It looked like it should: A proper pub, glamorous and inviting. Now, Vincent was no longer obliged to hide it and could live his dream of owning a bar and go back to the time when it used to be packed with people.
I led us through the beautiful, cherrywood door and into the warm and comfortable, brick interior. Once the door opened – even just a crack – all of us were greeted with cheers and warm embraces from people we didn't even know at all.
I was so happy to see these people happy as well compared to how they had been once Marcy had freed them: bony wrecks. Now, the Werewolves had at least some color returned to their skin and faces. But with another week or so of good nourishment and exercise, their typical body-mass and defined muscles should return too.
I shook hands, hugged young women and I don't know how many other people. I began to walk towards the counter, where Vincent, Isabel, Aureliu, Ambra and the young Werewolf – as far as I recalled his name was Simon – were standing in a circle, drinking, and discussing something.
Yet, instead of coming closer to them, I felt myself and my sight distance itself from the world, creating a long and black tunnel around the group. My body was getting heavier, as I tried to lift foot after foot off the ground but this proved nearly impossible and I lost my balance. I began falling in slow-motion and saw the heads of the people across me dart towards my direction and with concerned faces they sprinted over to catch me.
I felt a pair of strong arms underneath my body and looked up to see into Ambra's worried face, her eyebrows furrowed and making little crinkles all over her forehead. Her aura reminded me of Ruby. A strong, beautiful yet elegant woman.
"Are you alright? You suddenly went completely pale and began falling..." I had no idea what just happened. The nausea had hit me out of nowhere and I did not know why as well.
"Yeah, I think so. I just feel a little queasy, that's all."
Ambra moved the sticky streaks of hair out of my face to feel my forehead. I hadn't even realized that I was breaking out in cold-sweat. "You're quite warm..."
She directed her eyes towards Glinda, who – alongside everyone else present – was standing in the wide circle of people that was eyeing me with unease.
"Are you sure that the Dark Magic was removed properly?"
Glinda stepped a little forward and held her wand over my body, scanning me from top to bottom. "No trace of it left. But I think I know what's wrong with her."
What was she talking about? What had happened to me while I was out? Has anyone done anything? Glinda looked around the circle and waved over someone. Zion as I found out seconds after. He kneeled beside me and took me from Ambra's arms and into his own.
"Honey, I have to tell you something." He looked around the room a little. "Perhaps it would be best if we could get a little privacy."
Vincent nodded and as Zion helped me back up onto my feet – the world spun again for a hot second – the man led us into the backroom of the Siren's Call. Zion placed me onto the single bed standing in the room to sit while he was pacing up and down the small chamber."What is it? What do you need to tell me?" I was curious now for most of the part. Not mad or anything but curious.
"Come and sit down next to me." His pacing made me nervous and even more nauseous than I already was. Zion did so and I placed my hand onto his stubbly cheek, gently forcing him to look into my eyes. He swallowed and sighed. I knew that he was collecting all his courage.
"Honey, you're pregnant."
My head moved back a little. Now that was not what I was expecting to hear.
"The night...," Was all I could say before I stood up and began pacing around myself. Oddly, when one does it oneself, it works just like medicine.
"But we did everything to prevent it!"
Zion raised his shoulders and dropped them again. "I guess even the most reliable tools have a slight chance of failure."
I moved to bed again to sit down. I was drifting off again and didn't want to fall. I grabbed hold of my husband's hand and squeezed it hard to relieve a little of the confusion that was slowly taking over my body. Those are one of the disadvantages of being a witch. The pregnancy develops into its later states much faster so that the child will be able to live longer.
"How could I have been so stupid?! I don't even know how to take care of a child! I don't think that I'll manage," I said more to myself than to him but now Zion was the one who made me look into his eyes now.
And to see him smile and be calm in this weird and unbelievable situation eased the panic within me. Even if only just a tiny bit. "Hey... There is no need to talk yourself down! You're the most capable witch that I ever had the pleasure to meet, and you are a loving aunt. You'll be the best mother there is!"
His words made me smirk and I moved closer to place a warm kiss onto his equally warm but prickly cheek. "Besides, you're not alone. You never were. You have me, your sisters, your mother and your friends to help you whenever you need help."
I chuckled quietly. I knew that of course. But for a while I had forgotten it. "I know, dear. I know," With that, I stood up from the bed and from his side and began walking towards the door. "But we'll tell the others only when we get to Oz. That way, we can tell everyone at once!"
"Of course, honey. Whatever you want."
"Now, let's go and bid farewell to our new friends and finally return home!"
Together, we moved back into the crowded serving area of the pub, walking hand in hand and ready to say our final goodbyes. Together with Zion, I moved behind the counter for our announcement. I needed him as mental support. I cleared my throat and began my improvised speech of goodbye.
"Could I have your attention for a second? Thank you." The room went quiet, and my anxiety rose with each passing second. I felt like I was back at the funeral but only worse. Back then, there were at least many people that I knew. Here, there were mostly strangers.
"My family and I have to return to our home. But we won't do so without a proper farewell to our new and dear friends. In these trying times, there were only a few people we were able to trust from the very beginning. I am talking about you, Vincent and Isabel. You were always there for us and never even doubted it once. And as soon as you got your memories back, you rushed into action and backed us with everything you could. Farewell, dear Van Helsings." I had to pause for breath.
"Aureliu and Ambra. Despite us thinking that you were the bad guys, you never even once held grudges against us. You knew who was really behind all this and you fought for your freedom and for your voice to be heard. For that, I respect you. You were strong, where most people would have collapsed under the pressure that Dracula was inflicting on you, but you are no people, for starters. You are Vampires. And Vampires are not evil – whoever told us that was lying!" I cleared my throat.
"Everyone! Thank you for everything. For the Baileys we got here, although now I'll have to distance myself from it; for the wonderful friendships we now have and for the kindness you showed in the end despite our efforts to destroy you all. We shall raise our glasses to unity and a never-ending bond between Vampires, humans, Werewolves, and Magicks. The way it should be. You are all welcome in Oz – whether as guests or to stay – there is always a place for everyone in the Faraway Lands. Thank you for everything and goodbye!"
I pretended to raise a glass and the others did so with a real one, taking a sip of their liquor. But I could not. As much as I would miss the sweet taste of wine and the prickling sensation of champagne. Zion and I walked through the room, collecting our family and saying goodbye to the people face-to-face again before we walked up to Isabel who would bring us back to Oz with the powers that the Black Fairy had let her inherit.
"Ready?" She asked and as I was about to say yes, Aureliu, Ambra and Simon walked up towards us, requesting a word with me.
"We were wondering about your offer to come to Oz to stay. I mean... There's barely anything for us left here and the three of us agree that we want to leave this place behind as fast as possible. Is it perhaps possible to accompany you to Oz?"
They caught me off guard.
"Now? All of you?" Was all I could say upon that hasty request, and I felt their expressions drop.
"Of course, we understand when it is not possible at the moment, we just thought to take our chance and ask straight away."
I felt bad for them and it seemed like what I had said before was just pretending. "No! Of course, it is possible! It was just a little sudden but I think we'll manage. I'm confident that we'll manage! You three and your tribes?"
Aureliu nodded, "Yes, I have called upon my men and women. They should be here any second. The time of the Downworlders here is over. Earth shall be a place for humans."
I smiled, "Just my thoughts. Everyone! Listen up! You will be accompanying us to Oz – Your new home!"
The cheers exploded in the room but so did the confusion, across my family.
"What? Evanora, you cannot do this! We have enough problems without another population to take care of."
"Another two," I assured my husband. I did not care about his opinion right now. Oz was a place of refuge and everyone who wanted could start a life there. This had always been the case, and nothing would change that. Not the words of my husband and not any problems we already had. We would manage. We always do!
I and my family, the Van Falls, Simon and his Werewolf tribe and Isabel walked out of the pub. Isabel would only bring us back home. She and Vincent had a mission before they could move on to a new life: finding out about the Sirens. The Van Fall Clan was already waiting for us outside. "Is everyone ready now?"
A monotonous "yes" filled the atmosphere and all of us cuddled up in a ball of people to make it easier for Isabel to transport us away.
"On the count of three: One! Two! THREE!" Isabel raised her arms and herself into the air. She was glowing pink out of each tattoo and out of each eye. It was as bright as a newly born sun and I, for one, had to squeeze my eyes shut. The pink color still managed to touch my retinas and with a loud 'bang', I felt the soft grass of the Emerald Garden underneath my feet. The smell of the local poppy flowers made my nose tingle. How happy I was to be back home.I opened my eyes, and everything was just the same as we had left it. Except for the terrified faces of our wedding guests. Judging from those, it must have looked like we disappeared and then re-appeared again.
"Hello," I said to the guests but turned to face our new friends. "Ambra, Aureliu, Simon: Welcome to the Emerald City. Welcome to Oz!"
"Ambra? Aureliu? Simon? By the Virtues, what are you doing here?" The Fairy Godmother raised her voice from the back of the crowd.
"Hello, Fairy Godmother... Long time no see," Aureliu replied, and I had almost forgotten that they must know each other because of the Black Fairy being the Godmother's sister.We were sitting in the parlor of the castle with most of the guests being sent back home to accommodate the Vampires and Werewolves that would need a place to stay. At least until we find a solution for their actual stay.
We who had come plus a few selected people were now discussing our past few days – even a couple of weeks? – and what had happened in "Steampunk London" during the three years from 1640 to 1643.
Mother, the Fairy Godmother and Katina, Doctor Howard Jekyll and his son Benjamin, the Gryphons and Ruby were the ones who were with me, my sisters, Zion, and the Van Falls. They, the Godmother, and Jekyll had known each other back then.
"So, do I understand you correctly: Dracula turned out to be the one behind my sister's death and your situation?" The ones who were more than closely listening to Aureliu, as he told their story all over again, were Jekyll and the Godmother. Understandably, of course.
Aureliu only nodded upon her question. It must be hard for the Godmother to hear about her sister's death all over again. I did not know whether Katina even knew her in the first place, to feel anything towards her. I stood up from my chair, getting myself another glass of water; I felt dried out as of late.
"she told me to tell you that she loves you and misses the two of you. And she is proud of you, Madam Godmother, for the strong woman Katina turned out to be," I said between my sips and the Godmother smiled her sweet, fairy-like smile. Although she was only the mom of my best friend, I always felt huge respect for her and her title. I never dared call her by her first name and now that I was thinking about it, I did not even know it.
"It only makes sense that she would say such a thing. You are just like her, my daughter." The Fairy Godmother moved to Katina and hugged her. She had abandoned her sister and let her die for the only other thing that mattered to her: her daughter. She was the last family that she had.
"I love you, Katina."
"I love you too, mother." I had to force myself not to laugh because of my best friend's confused face. The Fairy Godmother had never really cared to show emotion towards anyone and that might be why I had always highly respected her. She had always been a cold woman and this affection that she was currently showing, surprised everyone who knew her better.
"Doctor, say, have you had any progress with restoring him?" Ambra turned to Doctor Jekyll, the latter only shaking his head.
"I believe that Dorian Gray will never stand before us in the flesh ever again. I had tried every spell and every potion. Even with the help of your father, Ladies Fawkes, I could not transform him back."
Ambra let her chin drop to her chest. "How unfortunate... I had hoped to thank him for his successful efforts. Without him, we never would have succeeded today."
Ruby scuttled over from the corner that she had been sitting in until now. "Perhaps I can help? He had his hands in infernal affairs, didn't he?"
Jekyll and Ambra looked at each other. "It's worth a try," The man said and went out of the room, excusing himself, the other two following his steps. "Come along, he's hanging in the Grand Library..." The closing door silenced their voices.
"Now that we could catch up, we still have to discuss the matter at hand: dealing with the Vampires and Werewolves and giving them a place to stay." Zion had been different, ever since we came back home. I never anticipated that the new populations bothered him as much as they did. I never enjoyed people making a scene over such petty things as finding a place to live for two small populations in a country that had acres of space to give.
"Dear. We have all the time in the world for this. Let us have a good dinner and a nice portion of sleep before we begin with politics again. Don't you think so?"
My husband gave me a look that I was quite unable to interpret. I had the feeling that he was either too concerned about me in my current state or he was too prejudiced about our new friends or that he simply had too much to deal with in the Red Fields, just like he was saying.
"I guess you're right, honey." He did not even look into my eyes once. By the Virtues, what was going on with him? After dinner, I would need to have a chat with him. Hopefully, he'll tell me what is going on.
We all stood up and readied ourselves for either going to the kitchen or preparing to leave.
"Lilia, the Jekylls, Gryphons and us shall leave because-"
"NO! Stay for dinner!"
"I think we should really get going."
"Please. We insist!" Mother could be very convincing. The Fairy Godmother complied with our offer after only a quick discussion.
We moved to the kitchen, Zion extending the table and the room for the Vampires and Werewolves to have a seat as well. Mother conjured the chairs from the garden into the kitchen and we placed them along the table.
"Where will we get so much food for so many people?" Marceline took a seat, as she spoke of her concerns. She had a point though.
"We paid for the catering, didn't we? It would be a shame if we would have to toss out all this fancy and expensive food."
I had completely forgotten about that. Such a shame that the wedding had gone so poorly but I was happy with Zion and that was all what mattered. At least, if he was not behaving like a complete asshole. I was looking forward to our talk after dinner.
We called our new residents and the few hundred people that we were, began filling their bellies with the delicious feast that lay before us, prepared in ornate platters and heavy brass pots.
Each of us wanted to try a piece of everything. There were platters of scarlet lobsters in garlic and tomato vinaigrette, steaming pots of wild mushroom soups and – one of my personal favorites – steamed asparagus and red bell pepper risotto. I for one didn't even dare to miss taking a bite out of everything.
In the end, we were so full that we only managed to force down a couple of slices of watermelon, the most. The cakes, tarts and puddings would have to wait until tomorrow. They wouldn't run away, and we had plenty of mouths to feed.
Whether it was my imagination or not, the Werewolves even looked healthier with every bite they took, especially after this well laden table and more than rich meal.
Together, we began to load plates, cups, bowls, glasses, and cutlery into the big row of dishwashers and even into the spacious sinks that we only used for rinsing our fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, and meat nowadays.
I could hit the hay more than ever now but there was still one last task for today. Who knew that eating could be that exhausting? I really wondered though when the Vampires and Werewolves had last had such a meal. Probably back in 1640, when their lives had still been undisturbed by Dracula and the Van Helsings.