A Witch's Vendetta

Harley twirled around in front of the mirror. Staring back at her was a reflection that did not feel like her own. It was a strange feeling, knowing that nothing had changed really, but seeing something different every time she looked at herself. She was clad in a simple white dress that cut off just above her knees, with a baby pink ribbon tied in a bow around the waistline. Her silky raven hair was done up in a river of curls that cascaded around her back and shoulders, with the sides clipped around the back by a plain white bulldog clip. Harley tried to smile. It was her twenty-first birthday, at least… it would have been had her heart not stopped beating, and she wasn't really in the mood for celebration; had it not been for Mason's insistence, she would have chosen to treat the day like any other.

“It's time to go.” She heard Mason call from downstairs.

When he had first brought up the idea of any sort of birthday celebration, she had dismissed it. There was no telling what would go wrong, and she knew it would be something. Every year, without fail, it happened. She had stopped celebrating by her sixteenth birthday, but not even that seemed to stop the pattern of bad luck. But Mason had refused to drop the topic until she agreed to something, which was what had led her to standing in front of the body length mirror. She had caved in, with the one condition that whatever they did was kept simple. That was when he had suggested dinner.

Harley shot a glance out the window and watched as a flurry of orange, red and yellow leaves fluttered down from the trees. The fall was much different in London compared to what it had been like back in New York, with it almost always raining, even when the sun was shining, but it was the kind of difference she appreciated. October colours had always been beautiful to her.

“Harley?” Mason's voice came again.

“Just a second!” She called back.

With one last look in the mirror, Harley pushed all her previous thoughts to the back of her mind and left the room. Mason was waiting for her by the front door by the time she reached the bottom of the stairs, a knowing smile lit up his face the second he laid eyes on her. He had thought she would back out of their plans at the last minute, but she had proved him wrong.

“You uh- you look nice.” He complimented, licking at his lips.

Harley smiled appreciatively. “Thank you.” She said, and her eyes drifted to his own attire.

Mason wore a standard black suit with a matching black bow tie around his neck, his blonde curls were brushed neatly back out of his face. As Harley approached him, he offered out his arm and led her outside to the car, where he stepped forward and opened the door for her to climb in first.

“After you.” He gestured with his hand.

Inside the car, the driver adjusted himself and turned to face them as they both settled into the back seat. “Where to?”

“Mayfair please.” Mason answered.

“Right then.”

Harley felt her smile reach her eyes. It didn't matter that she wasn't keen on celebrating a day she didn't care for, it was worth it at least just to see Mason's face light up. He had been happier since the move and smiled more often over the last few months. She could only hope she would get there herself one day.

“You know, you really didn't need to go through all this trouble. It's just a birthday-”

“Ah, I'm gonna go ahead and stop you right there.” He cut in. “Look, I know that it's just another day to you, but… it just doesn't sit right with me, everyone deserves to be celebrated at least once.”

“I know, and I appreciate the thought.” She sighed. “It's a lot to adjust to, that's all.”

After a short journey, with mostly the radio filling the silence, the car pulled up outside a restaurant that was slightly different to the ones Harley had gotten used to seeing whenever they took a walk around London. It was noticeably bigger, with a red banner up front that read ‘Delicious Delights’ in cursive yellow letters. Mason quickly paid the driver and muttered a thank you before they stepped out of the vehicle. His smile widened as he took Harley by the hand and led her inside. He paid close attention to her face, her eyes bright and mouth partly open, as she took in the interior of the place, and didn't bother to avert his eyes elsewhere when she caught him staring as they approached a reserved table.

“What is it?” She asked, pulling her lower lip between her teeth.

“Nothing.” He shrugged. “It's just nice to see you happy after… Well, everything.” He added, offering a shy smile.

Harley couldn't help but smile too, and glanced down at her hands in her lap before looking back at him. “I may not seem like it much, but I am happy, Mason. It's stupid, but I don't like to make it known because usually when I do, something always takes a turn for the worse.”

Mason's face fell, and for a moment, his own pain flashed in his eyes. He opened his mouth as if to respond, only to clear his throat. “Oh, I almost forgot…”

“Forgot?” She queried with a frown, watching as he started to dig through all of his pockets.

His fingers had just grazed what he was looking for when a waitress approached their table. With a quiet sigh, Mason left it in his pocket and withdrew his hand, about to give the waitress a friendly nod until he looked up. He swallowed, suddenly overwhelmed by a strong sense of dread that he couldn't understand. She was of average height and weight, middle-aged with blonde hair that had started giving way to grey, nothing out of the ordinary. Yet the feeling he got just from looking at her made him want to run far and fast. In an attempt to reassure himself, he drew in a breath and tried to focus on her aura. Seconds passed and he could see nothing. No pink, no red, no blue. Not even black. He took another breath and turned his attention to Harley. Her aura, he could see as a deep blue colour outlined her. Mason looked back at the waitress, trying again to read her aura, and failing.

“Mason?”

The sound of Harley's voice pulled him back to reality, and Mason shook his head and forced a laugh. “Sorry?”

“Heh, it's okay. You spaced, that's all. It happens.” Harley laughed.

“I did?” He arched an eyebrow. “I did, and I apologize. I'm just tired, I guess.”

“That's okay.” The waitress said with a friendly smile. “So, what can I get you both?”

“Um, just two glasses of wine to start with.” He answered, pulling his mouth into a firm line.

“Of course. Will that be white or red wine?”

“White please.” Harley chimed in. “Red is… unpleasant.”

“Okay. I'll be right back with your drinks.” The waitress said, whirling on her heel and walking back towards the kitchen.

Harley waited until she had disappeared completely before turning her attention back to Mason. “So, what was it you forgot?”

“It uh… it doesn't matter.” He dismissed with a wave of his hands. “Do you like it here? I don't think I do. How about we skip this and go somewhere else?”

“What?”

“She didn't seem fishy to you?” He asked, locking his eyes on hers.

“Not really.” Harley answered hesitantly. “Are you okay?”

Mason nodded a yes, but truthfully he wasn't sure. There was no reason for him to feel so uneasy all of a sudden, but he couldn't shake it. He was being ridiculous, that he was sure of.

“You know what, forget it.” He said, and his smile returned. Though this time it didn't light up his face. “I feel a bit uneasy, but I'm sure it's nothing.”

“Oh, okay.” She said softly. “I guess we got so used to being guarded all the time that it hasn't really left us yet.” She added.

“Something like that.” He agreed.

Mason took another breath and let it go slowly, then reached across the table, placing his hand over Harley's. As soon as his fingers brushed hers, he felt somewhat calmer. Whatever the reason for his sudden uneasiness, he wasn't about to let it get in the way of celebrating. She hadn't expected much, but he wanted to give her the day that he thought she deserved. With that in mind, his free hand slid back into his pocket, but before he could say anything, the waitress was back again with a tray that held two glasses of white wine.

“Your drinks.” She announced as she set them down on the table.

“Thanks.” Harley said politely.

Mason only nodded. When the waitress had walked away, he picked up his glass and raised it in the air, prompting Harley to do the same with her own.

“What are we toasting?” She asked, smiling wryly.

“You.” He answered with a grin. “To you, to us, and to forever.”

“To forever.” Harley repeated.

Then the glasses clinked together and they both drank to the bottom. Mason set his glass down first, holding Harley's eyes as she set hers down too, taking note of the small frown that appeared on her face.

“What's on your mind?” He prompted.

“Nothing. The wine just tasted a little weird for some reason, probably just stronger because of my…” Harley trailed off, blinked several times and scrunched her face up.

“Harley?” Mason questioned in alarm, raising an eyebrow.

When she opened her eyes again, Mason gasped and his hand flew up to cover his mouth. Her irises flashed a deep purple before fading back to their usual emerald green, as if it had never happened. He stared, with his jaw hanging, at her as she started taking breaths that she didn't need.

“I- I think I need some air, it's hot in here.” She said, standing up suddenly.

“What? Harley, what's wrong?” He pressed, standing up with her.

Harley stood still for a moment and then moved out from the space between the table and chair. With each breath she took, she was overcome with dizziness. Mason continued to call her name and, though he stood right next to hear, all she could hear was the faint echo, his voice being drowned out by white noise piercing through her ears.

“Harley, talk to me!” He urged, laying his hand on her shoulder.

She startled at the touch and her eyes widened, finally able to focus on her surroundings. Mason was staring at her, his desperation evident across his face. Harley drew in another breath, looking back and forth between him and the door, then shook her head.

“I'm okay.” She said at last.

“No, your eyes were-”

“Mason, I'm okay.” She repeated, this time more certainly. “I don't really feel like celebrating anymore though, I appreciate the effort, I do… but I'd rather just go home.”

Harley didn't wait for him to speak before starting towards the door and disappearing through it. Mason lingered there a little longer, scratched his head, laid down money on the table, and took off after her. She hadn't gotten very far, having stopped right outside the building, and he found her instantly, with her back against the wall and her head tilted back as she stared up at the darkening sky.

“I'm sorry, I didn't-”

“It's alright.” He cut in quickly, pulling his lips in a firm line, unsure if he should bring up what was on his mind.

“I don't know what happened.” Harley finished anyway.

“Tell me something, did you feel it too?” He asked.

“Feel what?”

Her response already told him that she hadn't felt whatever it was that had come over him when he'd first laid eyes on the waitress. It had been only him, which was exactly what he feared.

“I don't want to alarm you, freak you out or anything…” He began, pausing as he searched for the right words to explain. “But something felt off with that waitress.”

“Come on-”

“No, I'm not kidding.” He insisted, running his hand through his hair and turning away before facing her again. “I can't explain it, I really can't, but when I looked up and- and looked at her, I felt… off. I tried to read her aura, thinking I was just being anxious, but I couldn't. Maybe I'm overthinking it or I'm tripping, I don't know.” He explained. “And I can't shake it. Something doesn't feel right.”

Harley pushed herself up off the wall, her eyes narrowing as she searched for any traces of humour in his face. “Was it just her or was there something else?”

“There is… one more thing.” He sighed.

“Y- your eyes.”

“My eyes?” She asked, her forehead creasing with a frown.

“It was only a split second but… after the wine, they were purple.”

“Purple?” She said, blinking in surprise. “Well, I'm sure you're confused about my change of mind and I'm not going to hide anything from you…” Harley trailed off, biting down on her lip in hesitation. “I felt really weird after drinking the wine.”

“Hmm, sometimes for some recently turned, human foods and drinks can be a little much on the senses. Maybe that's it?”

Harley considered it for a moment and then nodded, offering a small smile. Whatever had occurred, it was already gone and she saw no reason to dwell on it further.

“Yeah, that's probably it.” She agreed. “Sorry I ruined the night, I know how much it meant to you.”

“What? Come on, don't be silly.” Mason chuckled, taking a step closer and extending his arm around her waist. “Who said the night is ruined? It's still early and, as long as you're okay, I can think of a thousand better ways to spend the evening.”

“Oh yeah?” She said with a smirk, bringing her arms up around his neck. “What did you have in mind?”

Mason raised his hand to her face, his eyes not leaving hers as he brushed his fingers against her cheek in gentle strokes. Harley drew in a breath, leaning into the touch and trading her smirk for a genuine smile as she cupped his face with her own hands and pushed herself up on her tiptoes, meeting his lips as he lowered his head.

“Walk somewhere with me?” He requested, resting his forehead against hers.

Harley gave a little nod and watched as Mason took her hand away from his face and threaded his fingers through hers. Though the moment he turned around, his smile all but completely vanished and his shoulders tensed when he almost crashed into the waitress.

“I'm afraid that neither of you are going anywhere.”

“I'd love to see you try and stop us!” Mason snapped.

Harley had barely registered what was happening when Mason barged past the waitress, and stumbled over her own feet as he pulled her along. They hadn't gotten far before he walked straight into an invisible barrier that threw him back and caused him to crash into Harley, sending them both crashing to the ground.

“Looks like I already did.”

Mason's eyes widened with both shock and realization as he got to his feet, pulling Harley up with him. Forgetting the waitress for a second, he began brushing the smeared dirt from Harley's white dress and looking her up and down several times, checking her over.

“I am so… Oh my… Are you okay? Are you hurt?” He rambled, bringing his hand up and brushing stray strands from her face.

“I'm fine, Mason. It didn't hurt really.” She assured him, then turned her attention to the woman standing watching them. “Who are you?”

“I'm-”

“She's a witch.” Mason cut in.

“Mmm, and how long did it take you to figure that out? You vampires are all the same, all those abilities yet not enough brains to use them.”

“Oh please, I could sniff you out from a hundred miles away. You witches are all the same.” He bit back.

“Mason!” Harley scolded, tugging on his hand. “If she is a witch, do you really think it's wise to be bickering with her?”

“Not like we can leave.” He shrugged. “What am I supposed to do?”

“No, she can leave.” The waitress chimed in, with a smirk twitching at her lips. “When she kills you, that is.”