Chapter 2: CHAPTER 2: The retreat...

Celeste

Much to my dismay, the hospital director and surgical staff were more than happy to cover my shifts. In their defense, they have been trying to get me to take a vacation for two and a half years. I suppose this was their chance. I'll admit, their concern was heartwarming, but completely unnecessary. I'm much stronger than most people. I can really endure a lot, because, well, I'm a paranormal.

Let me clarify some things. As you already know, this retreat I am supposed to go on is put on by the Paranormal Council. They govern and rule on all persons and matters of a paranormal nature. It is a council of twelve, and my father sits on that council. My mom, my dad, and myself are all paranormals. My dad is a wizard. My mom was a siren. I am a hybrid of the two. I have powers from both species. My mom taught me a lot before she passed, but my dad carried on what training he could after. The scary part of all this is the added responsibility of a council member's heir to follow in their footsteps.

Unfortunately, the month before the retreat just flew by. I ask the director one more time on my last day of work if he was sure he didn't need me to stay. Of course, he didn't, and he half - jokingly tells me he would fire me if I didn't take some time off. I chuckle at his little joke, even though it was totally fake. Jeez, guess there's no getting out of it now. I thank the director and head home to pack and pout. The next morning, I am in my bedroom doing a few final things when the doorbell rings.

"Coming!" I yell as I hurry toward the door.

"Good morning, baby girl!"

"Good morning, Daddy. You are too chipper for it to be so early." I roll my eyes so hard as I said this that I could almost hear it. Of course, he finds this very amusing.

"All right, grouchy. Are you ready?"

"Almost. I just have to put a couple of last - minute things in my other bag, then we can go."

He cocks his eyebrow and asks, "Other bag?"

I smirk as I point next to the door where two large suitcases already sat. "If I'm going on this trip, then I'm going prepared."

"Really, Celeste?"

"Really, Daddy."

"Fine. I'll take these two down to the car and you can bring the last one down when you're done."

"Thank you, Daddy. I'll be down in a few minutes. Gotta double - check the windows and doors too."

"All right. Hurry up, though. We don't want to miss our plane." I say, "Will do," over my shoulder as I go back to finish up. Then I head downstairs to the car.

Ricco

We are finally on a plane headed to Lake Isabelle, Colorado. It is beautiful there, and the council owns a very substantial amount of land near the lake itself. In the middle of that land, completely out of sight, is a gorgeous grand chalet. We use it for retreats, emergencies, and council convening. Some have also taken their families there over the years for peace and quiet. I look at the seat next to me where my little family of one is sleeping and wish we had gone there more. I worry about her. She works too hard. I understand her reasons, but I hope she doesn't let her own life pass her by so that she can save others.

I must have drifted off as well because the next thing I know I'm being awakened by the captain announcing our descent into Denver. I wake Celeste to let her know we're almost there, then wait for the plane to pull into the gate. After deplaning, we finally get our bags, and head to the car rental area.

"God, Celeste, what is in these bags? Rocks?"

"What's wrong, Daddy? Too heavy for ya?" She manages to get out, while barely containing her laughter.

I grumble a bit, but carry them anyway. Small price to pay for her to agree to come.

We finally get our rental car loaded and set out for Lake Isabelle. On the one hand, I'm happy to be going back there. On the other, it has been a very long time since Celeste has interacted with the council. I must admit, I'm a little nervous. Like I inferred earlier, she has become quite the alpha crusher. I just hope everything works out in the end, especially once she hears the full reason behind this retreat.

In just about two hours we pull up at the retreat site. Just as beautiful as I remember. I sent a detail here a few days early to check the place out. I wanted to make sure that by the time the council showed up the place was clean, stocked with food and firewood, and all the security systems were in good working order. That last item was extremely important. Obviously, part of the council's job is to make sure the existence of paranormals is unknown to the human world. We need this to be a safe space for council members and guests, so no expense is spared on the security. Trust me, you could get into the White House undetected easier than you could even get onto our land.

Well, it's time. We need to head inside and prepare for everyone else to arrive. I watch Celeste climb the steps to the porch. God, she already looks annoyed. I have the detail take our bags to our rooms so we can unpack while we wait. It's going to be a long couple of weeks.

Celeste

"Thank you for carrying my bags. You didn't have to do that."

"No problem at all, Ms. Torelli," the young man says with a bright smile.

"Oh please, call me Celeste," I say as I smile back at him.

He chuckles, clearly pleased to have made a friend. He is young, maybe twenty. Still quite cute and well muscled for his age. It made me feel old watching him bounce through the halls with so much energy.

"All right then, Celeste. My name is Devan. I'll be here for the whole retreat, so if you need anything, just give me a shout," he says, never breaking stride in front of me.

"Let me guess, you're a shifter. Probably, wolf?" I say as he stops at my door. I can see the combination of surprise and confusion on his face, as he turns toward me. I can't keep my laugh in.

"And what, pray tell, makes you say that?"

I can't help but smile. "Well, you have entirely too much energy to be a vampire. You're too strong to just be a wizard. You're not pompous enough to be feline. Last, but not least, you have that happy - go - lucky attitude that most of the wolf shifters I know possess. So am I right?"

He gives me an impressed nod. "Actually, yes, you are. I thought for a second that was meant to be an insult, but now I can clearly see how impressive you think we are, so I will take it as a compliment."

I give a little laugh and he smiles. "Well, I'll leave you to get settled. Let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks, Devan. I'll be fine."

"All right. I'll just go let the other guys know how impressive we are," he says on his way out with a wink.

I can't help but laugh again as I start unpacking. Good grief, I brought so much stuff, and I still feel like I'm forgetting something. Oh well. Too late now. If it's something major, we're not too far from a town, so it should be fine. Anyway, I need to hurry if I want to get a shower and change before people start arriving.

That was one thing I hated. Daddy is currently the head of the Paranormal Council. That meant always being everywhere first. He always had to greet everyone else and make them feel welcome. I am not chipper enough to make a good welcome wagon member. Nevertheless, since I am here representing him I have to put on my happy face, and do my best. It's not like Daddy asked for this either. The council head is appointed by the members. Daddy happens to be the most powerful wizard anyone has known in over four hundred years. That's what the rest of the council told me when I asked them why they chose him anyway. They said it tends to be the most powerful, intelligent, and honest member who receives this honor. I'm not gonna lie, I am even prouder of him after hearing that. I didn't even know it was possible to be prouder of my father than I already was, but I guess it is.

Whew! Finally finished unpacking, I hear a knock on my door. I walk over and open it.

"Hey, Daddy. What's up?"

"Getting settled in?"

"Yeah. I just finished unpacking. Why? Did you need something?"

"I just wanted to let you know that the first guests will be here in a couple of hours."

"Okay. I'm going to grab a shower then get a snack. I'm getting kinda hungry from all this fresh air."

"Hahah. Okay. Well, get ready then come to the kitchen. I'll make you something."

"Awesome! Thanks, Daddy." As I close the door, my shoulders droop. Ugh! After this shower and snack, I won't be Celeste anymore. I would have to transform into the Paranormal Council head's daughter. Oh well. It's only two weeks. The things I'll do for my daddy.

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