Blind Vision

The relentless February drizzle pattered upon the windows of the Up and Away travel agency. A far cry from the sun-drenched beaches and glistening oceans displayed on the shop floor poster’s

At the rear of the shop, I sat snug in my office, the former stationery cupboard, with a black cardigan wrapped around me, cradling a mug of coffee.

“Sun, sand and scenery. We both love that.” Regina Fox smiled dreamily.

Mr. Fox nodded, sandy curls bouncing. “But we also need, you know, privacy. Somewhere off of the beaten track for us to...unwind.”

“Near a forest, that’s very important.” Regina licked her lips.

I beamed. “Of course. Let me see what I can do.” Placing my mug on the table I tapped the mouse. My desktop monitor flashed to life and I typed in the best location for them, scrolling down the list of hotel options. A talent I’d honed since the sudden influx of my special clientele. The business was booming, though I doubted my boss would be happy if he knew my clients were Supernaturals.

“Here, this is perfect.” I swivelled the monitor to face them. The white glow illuminated the diamond slant of their irises as they studied the screen. “It’s the five-star Belstar Hotel on Hvar Island, Croatia. It has a spa, private beach, fine dining, and six detached condos nestled on the edge of the Brikas forest.”

Regina gasped and clapped her hands together. “It looks divine.”

“Beautiful,” said Mr. Fox.

“The villas are rarely used in the late spring, so I’ve no doubt you’ll have the area to yourself. And...” I leaned forward. “...I’ve heard the wildlife is plentiful.”

“Oh, Melinda, it looks wonderful. We’ll take it,” said Regina.

Her husband grinned, revealing razor-sharp teeth. “I’m ravenous thinking about it.”

I forced a nod, smile frozen as I twisted the monitor back. “Great. Let’s get it booked.”

Two more satisfied customers, albeit furry-by-night ones, with an appetite for chasing their meals. But I wouldn’t ponder too much on that point, and I’d dealt with worse, like the Cornish mermaid who wanted to go scuba diving in the Red sea, but could not be out of water for longer than twelve hours. It had become part of the service I offered and my customers always paid well.

The front bell tinkled and a leggy, gorgeous brunette with gold-tinted highlights strode in, her red lips set to seduce. She beamed at my boss, Harry, who straightened in his seat and wiped the biscuit crumbs from his beer belly.

I shook my head. My new flatmate and bodyguard, Serenity, could be conjured straight from many a person’s wet dream and made me feel like a trout on the fish counter at my local supermarket. She worked undercover as a trainee hairstylist in the salon next door. A role she’d really gotten her teeth into, easy to do when you had the eagle-eyes and fast reflexes of a witch turned vampire.

Serenity winked at me, pushed Harry back in the chair with one finger and perched on the edge of his desk. Her black shirt gaped, giving my boss a V.I.P seat for her ample bosom.

I scowled. What is she up to?

My printer whirred and spat out the Foxes paperwork. I handed it to them to read and sign, running through the essential information, but unable to stop my gaze from straying to Serenity and the pile of mush formally known as Harry.

Regina spotted my distracted glances and twisted to peer behind her chair. “Serenity! What a lovely surprise.”

Serenity strolled over to the threshold of my office. “Ah, you took my advice?”

“Yes. Melinda has been the soul of discretion and found us the perfect holiday.”

Serenity grinned. “Knew she would.”

I rolled my eyes. It had become Serenity’s mission to ensure I kept busy and had little time to dwell on my numerous dilemmas.

“Here.” Mr. Fox gave me the paperwork and a wad of cash. “There’s a little extra there for you.”

I flushed. “There’s no need.”

He pressed it into my hand. “You deserve it, my dear.”

I took the money and carefully counted the notes whilst Serenity chatted with Regina. Supernaturals preferred the old-school way of conducting business, and cash was king in their world. When your life expectancy runs beyond the average mortal’s, you can’t keep an active bank account for all eternity.

Five minutes later, I watched the Foxes leave the shop with emptier pockets but happy hearts.

“What was that?” I flopped into my seat and pointed at Harry’s empty chair.

“That is me getting you the afternoon off.” She sat opposite me, propping her boots up on my desk.

“Why?”

“I thought it would be nice for us to have some girly time. We can go shopping, catch a movie, maybe grab a cocktail or two?”

I glared at her. “Bullshit.”

She sighed and clicked her fingers. A breeze crossed me, raising goose-bumps as the privacy spell she’d cast engulfed us. No one beyond our bubble could hear what we said.

“Michael called,” she said.

My heart triple-somersaulted. Michael. My holiday fling, hero, vampire, and the man I’d fallen in love with. I’d saved his life a month ago and not seen him since. “How...er, is he?”

“The usual. All business and no small talk.”

“Any chance he might pop by? I’d still like to...er...thank him for all he did for me.” I scratched a nail on the corner of my desk.

Serenity crossed her arms. “Why don’t you call him?”

“Cos’ he’s busy, and I don’t want to bother him.”

“Really? That’s the reason you’re running with?”

“Yes!”

She shrugged and straightened, legs dropping to the floor. “Whatever.”

“So, what did he want?”

“To give us bad news, I’m afraid.” Serenity’s lips slid into a thin line.

“Oh?”

“There’s a possibility Taylor has discovered your identity.”

“What?!” I straightened, my heart skipping several beats.

Taylor Gordon. A skinny, slimy vampire with a hoard of henchmen, and the reason I needed a bodyguard, had found me. His desperate hunt for a dangerous artefact, buried by my late father, meant I had made it to the number one slot on his hit list. Even my ignorance couldn’t save me, and his stupidity had him clutching at paper straws.

“Don’t panic. It’s all in hand. We’ve got a meet with the Apostles tomorrow and until then, we’re to stay at home. It’s the safest place we can be and I’ve already ramped the protection spell.”

“Can’t wait.” I slumped in my seat. “Meeting them is always such a hoot.”

“Governing our supernatural world isn’t supposed to be a hoot.”

I glared at her. “Since when did you join their fan club?”

“I’m just saying.”

“And how are they going to protect me? Lock me up?”

“Don’t be silly. “She barked a laugh and slapped her thigh. “Come on. Let’s go home.”

I narrowed my eyes. What is she hiding?

“Action or Horror?” Serenity fanned two DVD’s in her hand, hip cocked as she stood in my living room.

“Whichever,” I muttered from the adjacent kitchen, stabbing the plastic film on my lasagna with a fork and placing the meal into the microwave. My stomach growled. Nothing like fearing for your life to ramp the appetite.

She sank onto the sofa facing me, tongue between her teeth as she studied both movies. “I don’t know,” she moaned. “Hunky hero or blood and zombies? How does a girl choose?”

I sighed, chucking the fork into the bowl of soapy water beside me. I wished my problems were as simple as debating over a DVD.

“Hero it is.” Serenity switched on the television and replaced the rejected disk in the stack next to it. “Ooo, I’ve got something for you.” She vanished into the hall to my far right.

I gritted my teeth. The two-bedroom flat wasn’t big enough for us both. Not when one of us had the stamina of a hyena on an energy drink and looked sexy in the baggy grey tracksuit she wore. It did little for my confidence.

Serenity’s all legs and boobs whilst I’m short and frumpy, with frizzy blonde hair, but with the boobs. Dressed in pink P.J’s, black cardigan and bunny slippers, I’d not be gaining a jaw drop from any prospective admirers. No wonder Michael had run for the hills.

My microwave pinged and I opened the door, pulling out my dinner. The rich aroma of cheese and tomato sauce made me salivate. I slid it on a plate and yanked off the plastic, steam oozing from the tray.

“Ta-da!” Serenity jumped into view at the threshold of my kitchen. A grin split her face as she held her arms behind her back.

“Please show me, the excitement’s killing me.” I raised a brow as I scooped up a scalding slice of my meal.

“You’re welcome.” She brandished a familiar tatty black leather-bound book.

“Wow, you shouldn’t have. Oh right, you didn’t.” I shovelled the pasta in my mouth and picked up the plate.

“I’ve deciphered the Latin for you.”

“Boooly er oo,” I mumbled through a gob full of meat as I leaned on the counter.

“I thought you wanted to enhance your skills? Your Father’s spellbook could help. Surely you don’t want to be a one-trick pony all your life.”

“Oo-trick.” I held up two fingers, swallowing my food.

She tilted her head, hugging the journal. “All fear the great Mel-dini, with her magical powers of boiling water and opening doors.”

I shrugged. “It’s a start.”

“But you said you wanted to learn more and now you can.” She thrust the book at me.

“I have learnt more. I can open locked doors and cupboards.”

She smirked. “Yeah, a real enhancement to your ability.”

“Sure, kick me when I’m down.” I snatched the journal and chucked it on the side.

“There’s some interesting spells in there. I didn’t read it all, but I think you should, Mel. Your father’s memoirs are intriguing, and there’s something else.” She frowned. “There’s residual magic I can’t quite put my finger on. It’s like the book is hiding a secret.”

I nodded, her words a distant mumble as I stared at the wall. I had promised myself to master more spells, to embrace my heritage. But several months later and I’d fallen into my reluctant ways. “When I get some spare time, I promise I’ll get to it.”

“You’ll have plenty of time soon.” She strolled into the living room and sank onto my sofa.

I slid the plate onto the side. “What?”

“Oooo!” Serenity bounced on the seat, gaze glued to the television.“We’re so going there!”

I walked over and peered at the screen. Roller-coasters careened into rain forests, lion’s roared and families gawked with shining eyes and large smiles. The advert screamed colour and adrenaline-filled fun and ended with a rocket blasted title: Adventure land, coming soon to Orlando, Florida.

“I cannot wait.” She grinned. “Maybe you can get us a discount.”

I folded my arms. “What did you mean?”

“Er...you’re a travel rep. It’s part of your job to try new destinations, and, naturally, you’d want a wingman”

“You said I’d have plenty of time soon. What did you mean?”

She blinked at me. “Nothing.”

“Come on. I’m not an idiot. What aren’t you-”

“Shit!” She leapt up, eyes growing wide.

I stepped away. “What?” An icy tentacle of concern slivered down my spine.

She turned and stared at the front door. “Someone’s trying to break my defences.”