Page 15 of When Embers Become Ashes

Elise teaches me how to cook, including an English roast with Yorkshire puddings, which was a definite favorite. She grew up in Wales, and Dan was originally from Ireland. Dan teaches me something new every Saturday after I’ve finished my homework.

He found out I could speak Russian, Irish, Cherokee, Japanese, and Latin. He was also shocked at my knowledge of runes and Supernatural types. He has taught me Welsh, French, Italian, and German, as well as Supernatural History and anything else that caught my eye in his Library.

He soon found out I had a photographic memory; I can read, write, or draw anything, and I will remember it. I had a habit of picking a random book off the shelf and reading it; then, over Sunday dinner, Dan will quiz me.

When I restart school in September, I’m called in for a meeting with my Guidance Counselor.

Ms Volks is a Succubus, but she’s unlike the pampered princesses I’ve met.

She lives in Primark clothes minus the killer shoes and handbags that probably cost the same as a house. My oddities show she’s a strong succubus, and she can feed from residual emotions, which are huge in high school. She’s best friends with and has a huge history with the AP English and Art teachers, which are two of my favourite classes.

I learned that the art teacher is next in line for the Vampire throne. The English teacher is his personal guard and has been for at least two centuries, if not more.

Prince Liam Gideonson is eccentric, to say the least. You never know the music soundtrack to our art lessons – one week was ABBA, and the week before was Slipknot, but he is a fantastic artist, and I’ve learned so much from him. The same for Sir Nathanal King. He was born solely to protect Liam. They are 6 days apart in age – he’s not as eccentric as Liam but just as much a fantastic teacher.

When I get called into Ms. Volks’s office, I panic a little as I see Dan looking so disappointed that I can’t bring myself to look at Elise, trying to work out what I’ve done wrong,

“Why didn’t you tell us, Emmy? We would help and support you!” Dan says, almost sighing the words. I can’t bring myself to look up from my feet; I still don’t know what I’ve done.

“What is our next step?” Elise asks. Fuck! Are they sending me away? Ms Volks answers, but it just makes me more confused,

“Once the exams are over, she will then need to make a choice. This could get her out of the system and become more independent.” I look up, frowning, and finally say,

“What exams? Do you want me to leave? Have I done something wrong?” I say all this, fighting back tears, and Dan’s face changes. His dragon flashes in his eyes as he speaks,

“Emmy, you’re not going anywhere. If we didn’t think it would bring Jameson back on your scent, we would adopt you. This is because the teachers are struggling to teach you. You are so far ahead of your peers. They want you to take your exams, graduate, and go to college.” He says this with a pleading tone and sympathetic eyes. I release a massive sigh.

“Ok, I’ll take the exams. The classes are starting to get boring.” Elise laughs, and Dan rolls his eyes, but I see pride shining through them.

15 years old

I do the exams in January, and I get my results, and I pass with flying colors.

Ms. Volks, I’m sorry, Lily. Since she is no longer my teacher, the other teachers agreed to help me spend the rest of the year getting my college entrance stuff sorted.

Unfortunately, like most of my life, the good comes with the soul-sucking bad.

Elise went for a checkup, and they found a lump. A few tests later, we are told she has six months to get her affairs in order. Dan asks the question that always comes up in romance novels: Did she want a supernatural fix? Would she become a vampire? And other various ideas he thinks up, some not practiced since the Civil War, if not further back.

I never thought I would see a centuries-old dragon be put in the preverbal doghouse, but he was, and pouted like a kid who was told they couldn't have dessert without eating the cabbage on their plate.

The decision was made. Elise wanted to carry on her life and see me go off to college, and I was under orders to dedicate one of my books to her when I got published and name a painting after her but not of her. I could do that. I even had an idea of what painting I wanted to do for her; I worked on a sketch to plan out the idea; it was a green and gold baby dragon, using its fire to heat an old-fashioned aga, surrounded by amazing-looking food and cakes, the trees surrounding them all in autumnal colors.

June arrives, and while helping Dan pack his library for storage, he explains his plan to me.

“Everything Elise and I own; items, properties, and bank accounts are being transferred into your name and looked after by a trusted attorney until a set date after you turn 18! Just in case Jameson gets you again!” I stare at him, my mouth gaping, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Ignoring my shock, he follows that bombshell with another,

“After Elise has passed and a service has been done for her friends, I’m taking her home and releasing myLasair Siorai,”I put down the tome I’m holding and give the man who has shown me what having a dad really means, the biggest hug I can. I’m 4ft 9, and he’s 6ft 8, if not more. My heart fills when he hugs me back; I hear Elise sniffle before a group hug is initiated.

Around a month later, I walk into the sitting room to give Elise a cup of tea, her glasses are barely perched on her nose. Her smut romance novel is falling from her hand. She looks asleep, but I know she isn’t. She still has a smile on her lips, her grey and blonde hair slipping from the loose braid I did this morning for her; she’s wearing a yellow t-shirt dress that has a green dragon embroidered on the side, a pair of fluffy slippers on her feet that resemble Croissants, I remove the book but changed nothing else, and I make my way to the garage. As soon as Dan sees me in the doorway, it’s as if it clicks, and his dragon notices Elise's heart has stopped. Dan kisses the crown of my head and goes to his mate. I swallow the tears and return to the kitchen to call Ignatius Salvatore, their long-term friend and attorney.

Everything is planned, paid for, and ready. It’s like show props waiting in the wings, just prepared for their cue. Dan and Elise get everything they want minus the small service, Elise didn’t want fuss, she also didn’t want tears which I manage until the last person leaves the wake. Most of the town turns up to say goodbye. Elise was loved by so many, we get the Priest to explain not to leave food as Dan was taking her ashes home, so we won’t be here.

We got the local soccer team to put all the flowers on empty graves. Elise used to attend as a first aider at the youth team’s home games. She always had treats for them, to take home at the end.

Once everyone has left and the food from the wake has been sent to the local shelter, I help Dan change Elise into white cotton pajamas. I braid her hair putting her wedding ring on a chain around her neck.

In a bag matching her clothes, I put her glasses and a copy of their marriage certificate, I also add a bunch of her favourite flowers from the garden, a copy of the sketch I plan to name after her and a photo of the three of us, selfishly so part of me stays with them. My hands shake as I do the clasp up so nothing is lost during the flight.

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