Blood and Silver Ch. Four

Chapter Four

Liam

After breakfast, Mar told Cass that on account of the upcoming masquerade they weren’t going to have a lesson on magic, much to Cass’ relief. She didn’t understand why after so many years of learning to hone her powers as a Praecantator, Mar still continued to teach her in the arts of not letting her emotions get the better of her and using magic wisely without dabbing in Dark magic. Although she did enjoy times when she could simply sit and meditate.

When she got dressed, Mar gave her the credit card that they shared but before she could grab it, he pulled it back and said austerely, “You’re just going to buy a dress and some lunch—where you get lunch I care not—just don’t spend more than you have to.”

Cass couldn’t help but smile. No matter how much they spent with that MasterCard, they never got into any financial trouble. The fact that Mar put a cast on their bank account so that it would always hold one hundred and fifty million dollars in it, even when they would make any kind of withdrawal for whatever reason such as to pay a bill, made “don’t spend too much” an inside joke between the two of them. Mar would just plant the thought in the bankers’ minds that they made regular deposits.

“I know, Mar,” said Cass. “Can I take the El Camino?”

“Of course, my dear,” replied Mar disconcertly. “It’s your car after all, so why ask?”

Cass giggled and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving. The garage was almost like a workshop with a vast array of tools, and even a car lift for each vehicle. It held four cars with enough extra space for each one to drive in a loop and out the door. Sometimes she put a charm on the tools to keep the cars in good condition, but she loved to work with her hands, so often she just put a cast on the cars themselves to keep them shiny.

Each car was a little too fancy, in Cass’ opinion, but she loved them all the same. One of them, Mar’s car, was a dark blue Aston Martin One-77. The next one—the one that they drove when they wanted to make an impression—was a gray Lamborghini Aventador with blue neon glow underneath. The next one—a car that Mar and Cass shared—was a silver 2009 Corvette Stingray. And finally, the last one—Cass’ car—was an authentic black 1959 Chevrolet El Camino.

Mar gave it to her for her eighteenth birthday and since then she had taken special care of it, while adding some of her own upgrades. She didn’t want to ruin its beauty by adding some sort of custom paint job to it, but what she did do was replace the original wheels with chrome Rocket Booster wheels, the suspension to give it a more low-rider look, and gave it a more powerful engine. The only things she did to the interior were to install seatbelts, airbags, and a new radio to replace the old one that didn’t even work, not even when she tried to use some of her electronics skills to tinker with it.

She climbed into her car and turned the ignition. After turning on her iPod, she pulled forward, going around in a loop and out the garage door. She rolled down her windows and let the breeze caress her. It was late August, just a week before everyone went back to school, and it was hot.

Cass graduated a year ago and she was happy to be out of high school. For a long time she was homeschooled on account of the fact that she had trouble controlling her powers, but she went to public school for her junior and senior year, and she absolutely hated it. Everyone saw her as a freak and sometimes she found herself wondering if any of her classmates would have noticed if she just disappeared—which she was quite capable of, though it wouldn’t have lasted too long.

Nowadays, she just found company in Mar’s friends.

Red Falls, Ohio was a small town set in a clearing surrounded by rolling tree-covered hills. Though small as it was, it was much bigger than the town that Cass spent the early years of her childhood in Wyoming. That town was so small that it only had one road in or out and you could see one end of the town to the other. At least in this town you didn’t have to go to the next town to find a grocery store—Red Falls had two.

Wait—stores. Dress stores! Oh, crap, Cass had never personally gone shopping for a dress before. Mar never told her where to find a dress store—Curse that stupid Sangie!—then again she didn’t even ask him.

Watch your mouth, young lady! Uh-oh, Mar heard her. That’s right, Cass, you know what I’ve done to people who use that derogative term against me. She didn’t want to think about it, but then again it was similar to when she was called “witch”. Mar continued inside her head. Now, it is true that you didn’t ask me where to find a dress store and you shouldn’t have had to, and for that, my dear, I apologize.

It’s okay, Mar, she said. She could almost feel him smiling.

Now, there is more than one, and I always preferred to get your dresses from Queen Victoria’s, Cass loved the dresses from that store; the nineteenth century style somehow gave her a more timeless feel similar to how Mar’s green eyes made her feel—even though he was born during the Salem Witch Trials, but there’s also Gamma’s Beauty shop.

Where are they? A couple seconds later, vivid images of the stores and how to get to them filled her mind. Thanks Mar.Her initial choice was to visit Queen Victoria’s first, but decided to give Gamma’s Beauty shop a shot. Turns out it was one of the larger stores on the local strip mall.

When she found a parking spot, she put a little jinx on it so that if anyone tried to steal it, they would experience an electrical shock—not enough to cause them serious harm, but enough to make them think twice before touching her car again.

As she walked up to the store, Cass gave it a critical eye. Every window that would have otherwise given her a view of the inside of the store were all but dominated by display mannequins with flamboyant dresses. However, each of them were of a different style. One was an evening dress, another was a prom dress, and the last couple, Cass couldn’t quite decide what kind of dresses they were supposed to be. One was a French lace dress with a miniskirt that barely covered the mannequin’s buttocks. The other was also a miniskirt dress with an awful combination of fluff and sequins.

By the time that she stepped into the store, her eyes had to adjust to the disturbing amount of color. So many dresses, so many colors. Almost as soon as she stepped past the threshold, an attendant appeared in front of her.

The attendant caught Cass totally off-guard. It seemed as if she was waiting for Cass to step into the building so that she could jump out and launch into a “welcome to Gamma’s Beauty shop” repertoire that sounded a little hoarse likely from repeating it so many times.

“Excuse me,” she interrupted, hoping to spare the attendant from talking herself to death, “could you just show me where I might find a masquerade dress?”

The attendant stopped speaking and hesitated slightly. She probably wasn’t used to people saving her from talking herself dry. “Oh, sure, miss, the masquerade dresses and masks are over there.” She pointed to a far corner at the back of the store. “Are you attending the Snypes’ charity masque?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I am,” unfortunately.

“Do you want any help finding a dress?”

“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.”

“Oh, well, I hope you find a dress that you like,” and the attendant was off.

I hope so, too, Cass thought. Taking a deep breath, she headed over to the masquerade section. Five minutes later, she was already at a loss. Plunging necklines, skirts with slits that were too high, miniskirts, hideous two-piece dresses, dresses that looked like the only top parts were thin straps that looked good enough only to hide the wearer's nipples…Oh, God, could these dresses get any sluttier? Mar raised her having a taste for Victorian and Gothic fashion. She would look at some of the dresses that female stars such as Tarja Turunen, Amy Lee, Sharon den Adel, Liv Kristine, and Vibeke Stene and be overcome with envy.

She let out a dramatic sigh.

“Well, sounds like I’m not the only person here who feels that the dresses here could use an upgrade,” said a deep voice, making Cass yelp.

She whirled around to come face to face with a tall man. He looked about her age, if not a little older. He was an odd combination of less-than-modest muscle build with slender, defined features.

“Miss, what’s wrong with your face?” he asked.

Cass just stood there gawking, that she didn't notice that her concentration on the cast upon her scarred cheek was waning. She hastily looked away, subconsciously touching her cheek.

“I’m sorry, I meant no—”

“It’s okay,” Cass said nervously, taking a deep breath and letting the cast upon her cheek to settle in once more. She turned around to face him again.

“My apologies for startling you, I just noticed that you had trouble finding a dress that you liked.”

“I am,” Cass confirmed and then frowned, looking from him to the rest of the store. “I’m sorry but what—?”

“—is a guy doing in a store full of clothing that is exclusively for women?” he finished. Cass gave him a significant look. “Well I am here—begrudgingly—to help my younger sister pick out a dress.”

“Why begrudgingly?” asked Cass, folding her arms.

“Before you assume that I am just a mean brother, let me tell you, my sister is a thorny handful. I’d rather be somewhere else, like studying, but my mother made me come out here and make sure that my sister doesn't get carried away.” The guy explained. “Not that I really have any say in the matter of dresses,” he added under his breath.

“If you have no say in the matter then what’s the point?" she asked reasonably.

“Are you kidding me? If I wasn’t here, my sister would be wearing nothing but a towel around her waist!” he exclaimed matter-of-factly, but at the same time with a sense of wry humor.

Cass curled her lip in disgust as she crossed her eyes. “What would you have her wear?”

The guy scratched his clean-shaven chin thoughtfully. “She should consider taking advice from you,” he commented, glancing at Cass’ attire.

She blushed as she looked down at her clothing. She was wearing a black waistcoat over a white bell-sleeved blouse that fitted her shoulders and gently flared out down to her wrists. The top few buttons were left unbuttoned, not enough to display cleavage, but enough to not hug her windpipe. Her black Ariat Desperado cowboy boots fitted over her dark blue jeans that would have had a holster if it weren't for Mar’s explicit orders not to go into town looking like a gunslinger. To her displeasure, she left her Diamonte hat at home.

“I’m sorry, we haven’t been properly introduced,” her words were all coming together like an awful ramble. “My name’s Cass Candidius.” She dropped the surname she was born with which was Dunman due to her harsh childhood and took up Mar’s last name.

“That’s quite a mouthful, I’m—” the guy started, but he was cut off by an awfully shrill voice.

“Liam Snypes!”

“Speak of the devil,” muttered Liam as he turned toward the dressing room entrance.

“You’re a Snypes?” asked Cass, flabbergasted.

“Guilty pleasure,” he answered, still looking towards the dressing room. “Priscilla, my, my, my, did your tailor pattern you off of a Playboy playmate?”

Cass followed his gaze and she had to use all her might not to curl her lip in disgust. She could see why Mar came home in a bad mood last night. If Priscilla Snypes’ attitude didn't give away how awful she was, her appearance spoke for itself. She wore a lacy dress with a plunging neckline and no back. Much of her leg was visible as well, thanks to the slit that barely stopped just below her butt. The only dark parts of the dress were over her nipples and through the lace; you could see that she was wearing a somewhat lacy thong.

“No, you abominable jackass!” snapped Priscilla. “Mom wouldn't even let me go to the tailor.”

“I can see why,” said Liam. “You make God want to yak.”

“Good thing he doesn't exist,” Priscilla said with a scoff.

“It’s a shame that you, Mom, and Dad are atheists.”

Priscilla laughed a very awful laugh that made Cass’ skin crawl. “You’d still be a part of our family if you weren't a part of that superstitious cult.”

Liam’s jaw clenched. “It’s not a cult; a called being religious.”

Cass’ eyes lit up. "It's nice to know I'm not the only young single adult in this town," she blurted out.

Liam turned to her. “What makes you think I’m single?”

Cass faltered. “You’re not wearing a wedding ring?”

He grinned. “Very true…but I could be engaged.”

Priscilla laughed again. “Why would anyone want to marry you?” she asked. “You’re disinherited; you’re a nobody. And who are you supposed to be?” she asked, noticing Cass for the first time. “A blonde cowgirl reject?”

Liam sounded like his patience was hanging by a thread. Cass was perfectly capable of doing something really awful to his sister, but for some reason, it made her heart smile that he would be so defensive of her. “One of these days, Priscilla, you will learn that wealth isn’t everything. And at least Cass doesn’t look as if her sense of style didn’t come from being an Anna Nicole Smith wannabe.” He said that loud enough that a couple people turned their heads and chuckled. Even Cass couldn’t hide her giggles.

Priscilla faltered a little. “I hope you have a fun time this evening,” she sneered. As she whirled around, dramatically letting her hair fly, Cass’ fingers twitched slightly, and Priscilla tripped on her high heels, sending her falling right into a clothes rack that tumbled down on her. The chuckles that were already present turned into raucous laughter.

“What the matter, little sis?” asked Liam. “Having a klutzy moment, are you?”

Priscilla exclaimed dramatically.

Liam turned to Cass. “I must apologize for my sister, Cass. She is a monstrosity.”

Cass shrugged. “It’s okay. I’m sorry that you’re disinherited. You were disinherited for being religious?”

“Don’t be; I was disinherited for many reasons, my choice to be religious being the very least of them. My family might have a public reputation of being very charitable, but beyond that, they are far from charitable. Say, I’m heading to lunch here fairly soon, would you like to join me?” he added with a polite smile.

The question caught Cass off-guard. “Oh, um, I-I-I-uh,” she was stammering. She hated her stammer. It didn’t plague her as much as it used to, but it still came up once in a while. Liam didn’t seem to care. Cass took a deep breath and said, “I would but…I’ve never been on a date before.”

Liam gaped. “Goodness me, a date wasn’t my intent, but you’ve never been on a date?” Cass shook her head. “Well, consider this your first date.”

“Won’t your sister get annoyed?” she asked giving him a sideways glance.

He shrugged. “Who cares? Besides, she has her friends and her manicures and pedicures to keep her busy.”

“Oh, okay then,” said Cass. “Where did you have in mind?”

“I don’t know, do you have a personal preference?”

“I like Pamela’s Tavern,” Cass stated immediately. It was always where she and Mar met up with their friends.

“Pamela’s Tavern it is then.” He frowned. “However, I am new in town, so could you do show me where that is?”

Cass stared deep into Liam’s dark hazel eyes that were somewhat obscured by his brown hair. She frowned. “Wait a minute, you're a Snypes and you're new in town?"

Liam hesitated. "When I was growing up seldom did I leave the house for medical reasons. And I have not been back here in five years. So I am quite unfamiliar with the town."

Cass smiled eventually. "It would be my pleasure. My car or your car?”

“I’d prefer your car, if you don’t mind; my sister’s car reeks of too much perfume,” replied Liam humorously.

“My car it is, then.” Cass led him out the door and to her car. When it came into view, she heard him gasp.

“So that El Camino belongs to you?” he asked.

“Yes it is,” relied Cass with pride.

“Is it an original model, or is it a replica?”

“It is an authentic 1959 model,” she said passionately.

“That’s impressive; I’m tired of seeing multi-million dollar vehicles and cars that are based off of classic cars,” said Liam with an air of reverence in his voice. Before Cass could do so much as touch the door handle of her car, Liam came in front of her and grabbed it. “May I do the honors?” he asked.

Cass blinked. Either this man was a true gentleman, or he was trying too hard to make a good impression. She didn’t know which, but she was beginning to feel that if it were the latter, he had not yet reached the point where it became an unnecessary effort. Perhaps it was the former. She smiled brightly and gave him the keys. He took them and opened the door for her.

After he came around and got into the car himself, Cass took the keys from him and started the car.

“Your radio is modern,” Liam stated observantly.

“So it is,” said Cass, not taking her eyes off the road. “And so are the seats…and seatbelts.” She couldn’t hide her smile as he noticed the seatbelt and put it on. “The original radio was worn out and beyond repair.”

“Oh, I’m not criticizing you, I was just surprised,” said Liam quickly.

“You’re fine.”

They didn’t say much for a couple minutes, at least until they came within view of Pamela’s Tavern. As Cass parked the car and turned off the ignition, she could’ve sworn she heard Liam inhaling deeply.

“Smell something?” she asked.

“It’s just that I love the smell of your car,” replied Liam dreamily. His face melted abruptly as he saw Cass’ dubious look. “That came out wrong, didn’t it?”

“A little bit,” she answered with a slight giggle. “But I understand why you’d say that. What does my car smell like?” she inquired.

“Books and…apples.”

Cass felt herself blush. “Let me introduce you to Pamela’s Tavern,” she said quickly. She hurried out of the car and Liam followed. Once they stepped through the double doors, her ears had to adjust slightly to the crazy commotion that always filled the restaurant. Before she could even step up to the bar to ask for a table, she heard her name.

“Hey, everybody, look who it is!”

Cass grumbled as all noise stopped and eyes turned to her. “Hey, everybody.”

Immediately the place filled cheering as everyone raised their drinks to her. A petite, yet very attractive woman came to meet them.

“Pam, must you always announce my arrival?” asked Cass, unable to hide a smile.

“Only when they’re a good friend of mine,” Pamela answered, her blue eyes glittering. “And who is this handsome man?” she asked, noticing Liam for the first time, who just stood there politely without saying a word.

“I’m Liam,” he said, holding out his hand.

Instead of shaking his hand, Pamela said, “And it looks like she has finally found herself a boyfriend.”

At this point, Cass’ cheeks were a furious red from the raucous cheering of everyone. “He’s not boyfriend; I just met him today,” she said slowly.

Pamela shrugged. “Whatever you say, Cass, now table, table…” She looked around a little. “Ah-ha, there’s an empty table!” she led them to a table in a far corner next to the bar. “Almost couldn’t didn’t find one; it’s busy today.”

“It’s busy here every day, Pam,” Cass stated, smirking.

Pamela laughed heartily. “I try to run my business well. So what can I start you off with today? The usual?”

Cass’ usual was a glass of Dr. Pepper with a slice of lemon. “Um, my friend here has never had the privilege of coming here,” she said, gesturing to Liam who had a nervous look. “Surprise us.”

Pamela gave a sly smile. “With pleasure, Little Candidius.” She whirled around and was off.

Cass turned back to face Liam.

“Is this place always so…cheerful?” he asked, referring to the cheerful chatter and occasional singing and rhythmic pounding of fists and feet of everyone in the restaurant.

“Pretty much,” replied Cass. “Why? Are you more accustomed to fancy-shmancy restaurants where everyone is dressed up and everything is unbearably proper?” the question came out a little more snappish than she meant, but Liam didn’t seem to care.

“Yeah, it is unbearable,” he said, opening a menu. “Proper etiquette, only speaking when spoken to…it felt like a morgue, especially since the only things my mother wanted to speak about was financial and philanthropic endeavors.”

Cass gave him a sympathetic look as she opened a menu as well. Moments later, Pamela returned with what Cass knew to be a Tavern specialty. “Let me guess, Pam, blizzard milkshakes?”

“No, not at all,” replied Pam indignantly. “They’re white chocolate blizzard milkshakes with whipped cream and cinnamon sprinkles.”

Cass couldn’t help her eyes lighting up delight. “And no cherries, I see.”

Pamela laughed heartily. “You and your father; I’ll never understand your shared dislike for cherries. How is the old rascal?”

“Mar is great, actually,” which was only half-true; she knew only too well his fear and hatred for the Van Helsings. And apparently, Pamela understood after sharing a subtle glance with her.

“Well tell him I’m available if he ever decides to quit being a bachelor.”

Cass chuckled. Pamela, amongst several other women, always had a crush on Mar. “I’ll do just that.”

“Great, now are you two ready to order, or shall I give you a few more minutes?” she spoke more to Liam that to Cass.

“Um," Liam cleared his throat nervously. "I don’t know, I’ve never been here before and everything on here sounds good, maybe I’ll just take whatever Cass is having.”

“Alrighty then, what is Cass having this afternoon?”

Cass knew everything on the menu by heart, and she said, “Barbecued pork and green pepper stir-fry.”

“Excellent choice, my friend,” said Pamela.

“That actually does sound appetizing,” commented Liam.

With one last bright smile, Pamela left and went on to the next customer.

“You refer to your father by his name?” asked Liam, looking genuinely curious.

“Yeah, uh, he’s my adoptive father,” replied Cass.

“You’re an orphan? I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be; Mar and his late wife, Tara have been more parents to me than the parents I was born with ever were.” She didn’t want to go too deeply into that topic, and she thought that Liam understood that, considering his look of understanding.

“My sincere condolences on your adoptive father’s wife, but what’s he like?”

Oh, crap, how does she describe Mar without going summarizing over three hundred years' worth of a lifetime? “Uh, he’s a very complex person, but I will tell you that he is a very kind and loving man,” with a very frightening temper when provoked one moment too far. “I’ve never seen him put his needs before anyone else, and…he’s been around for me in my times of need. I feel very blessed to have been his adoptive daughter.”

She could have imagined it, but she swore she saw a flicker of jealousy in Liam’s hazel eyes. “What’s the matter?” she asked.

“My father, while a generous and philanthropic gentleman, has never given me much attention,” said Liam bitterly. “Nor has my social-climbing mother for that matter.” A slight tear welled up in his eyes. “Well, I never really gave them a reason to, since I’ve decided make my own choices.”

Cass impulsively reached across the table and touched his hand. They shared a long and wonderful glance. While she suffered physical abuse, he suffered rejection to an awful degree.

Liam frowned and his eyes moved from her eyes to her cheek. “Your cheek…” He reached out to touch it.

The magic on Cass’ cheek wore off again, and she quickly hid her face, smacking away his hand in the process. “Don’t!” she screamed and she didn’t mean to. She let the magic settle in again.

“Oh, I-I’m sorry, I meant no,” stammered Liam.

“No, it’s not you,” she said quickly, unable to hide her despair. “I’m sorry, I have to go.” She got up and left the building as fast as she could. She was probably going to have to apologize to Pamela later for bursting out so suddenly before she even served their food.

It had begun to rain some time while they were in there. Oh, Ohio. Why can’t the weather ever stay constant? Bipolar weather, Mar always called it. Liam came running out, but she was already on the road.

Her first date and she had lost her grip on her guard. Sometimes she wished her parents were still alive so that she had something to take all of her hurt and anger out towards for condemning her to a scarred cheek.