Book of the Hidden Read Free Page A

to rejoice but she shouldn't. What he was feeling now, all the confusion and fear, she had felt before. She had been there, and was going to treat him with kindness and understanding; just like what Maeve had done for her.
          "What are you?" His voice was deeply rough. It was obvious he was trying to keep his mouth from quivering. Many thoughts ran through her mind on how she should answer him. Should she tell him she was not human? That she had powers beyond mortals? That she was a freak? No... None of these seemed right. She would just say it, without hiding the truth. He was already in shock.   "I'm a witch!" He gave a short, frightened laugh. "A witch?" Vivian stood walking slowly towards him. She looked him in his eyes. "Why do you choose not to believe me when you have just witnessed my powers? Yes, I am a witch. And you" She stepped closely to him. She could feel his hot breath brush against her face. "You are a lycanthrope. A werewolf!"
          Lips parted expectantly like in a trance, and Seth bent down. Her heart skipped a beat and she took a step back. The disappointed look on his face sent a hurtful pang through her.
          "It will be revealed to you." Her voice cracked and she coughed quietly. "It's almost daylight. We need to sleep." She turned away.
          He shook his head. "I'm not tired.
          Pulling back the blankets, Vivian slid under the covers. "You're more tired than you think," she reached for the lamp attempting to turn it off, when his hand clasped over hers.
          "I want to know more." His eyes were pleading.
          Smiling she laid her head back on the pillow. "When night comes again I promise I will. But now we sleep."
          Without any further argument he clicked the light off bathing them in darkness.
          From the next bed she heard it softly, but clearly. "Thank you for saving my life."

    *****

          The next day went by quickly. Neither of them left the room, and kept the "don't disturb" sign on the door.   They kept the television on throughout the day. Seth insisted on changing the channel but Vivian kept the remote with her keeping it on the news. If anything strange happened she wanted to know. Neither one spoke about what happened the night before or about supernatural subjects. They spoke like old friends on vacation. The most rousing part of the day was when Seth attempted to steal the remote control. Vivian hopped on the bed keeping it out of reach. Seth would run after her, and she would run around the room once using her powers to hover the remote teasingly over his head. It was only when he tackled her around the waist making them both fall, Seth landing on top of her, then the remote plummeted to the floor. Vivian could feel her heart skip several beats. He blushed and lifted himself off of her pretending to watch the news.
          Later that night, Vivian tried to put aside the memory from earlier in the day along with her feelings as she stared at the moon shining brightly against the black sky, the stars scattered about like tiny jewels. Many nights Vivian sat under the stars like she was doing now. The night - it does something to people; it makes them think and do things they wouldn't normally think or do. It makes them more vulnerable , truthful and real. Maybe that was why Vivian liked the night; or maybe it was just that Vivian's “kind” was connected with it so much.
          She looked over, and saw Seth still sleeping. He lied in bed with the sheets and comforter tangled around his legs. His chest moved up and down slowly and rhythmically. She could tell by the movement of his eyelids he was dreaming.
          Guilt racked through her. His life was changed forever. Astrid had changed his life. Vivian was trying to protect the in-humans from the world. Now she felt the need to protect him as well. Who knows what the world would do to him if they ever found out.
          Vivian sat on the