by C C Sommerly
“You’ve already talked me into doing two dates with you.”
“And you enjoyed them.”
“Maybe.”
I was spared from the conversation since we’d arrived at the Sisterhood.
We walked up the sidewalk, but unlike my last visit, things felt different. Before there was a heavy and unnatural stillness. No birds, insects or anything living, it was only the shadow creatures. They served as guard shadows, most normal people had dogs for that.
The living tunnel was the same though. A tangle of trees, flowering plants, and even ivy grew right up to the edge of the path and extended over it. I was too irritated and my nerves were too strained from resisting my battle rage to enjoy the raw and untamed beauty.
The tunnel stayed motionless with no creepy plants, attacking shadows, or sink holes, which instantly made me apprehensive. It was almost like the Sisterhood was expecting us. And not having murderous shadow creatures waiting to attack us was their equivalent of laying out a red carpet in welcome.
“Don’t you find it odd that there are no defenses? Last time we were here, they went all out to keep us out, but now there’s nothing.”
“It is suspicious indeed. I don’t think I need to remind you to stay alert.”
“Nope, I got it big boy.”
Lochlan smirked, but didn’t respond.
“And you better not be looking at my ass,” I said.
He laughed. “But it’s such a nice view.”
The man was incorrigible, but hot men were allowed a flaw or two.
It only took ten minutes to reach the door, which was carved from what looked like a single piece of light wood like maple or pine. It was framed with a mural of carvings. There were animals, winged creatures, trees and flowers – all very life-like. There was no knocker, doorbell, or door knob.
“Any idea how we get in?” asked Lochlan.
“Shouldn’t they have predicted us coming since they are psychic and all. Why didn’t they just meet us at the door?” I asked.
I could just make out what sounded like chimes coming from inside.
“Do you hear that?” I asked.
“Yes.”
The door opened and one of the Sisters stood there in a long, white, hooded robe.
“Took you long enough. Don’t have all day. Either come in or don’t,” said Cassandra from somewhere behind the sister.
I grinded my teeth. How bad would it be if I beat up one or two of them? It could be excused away as a moment of insanity.
I followed the younger woman further into the house. Lochlan was behind me several steps – supporting me, but still trusting me to hold my own. He shouldn’t. Even after my almost melt down at the Wolf Agency, he naively trusted me. He would restrain me if he knew how close I was to unleashing my magic. It pushed against my mental barriers, responding to my anger.
The room we were escorted into showed Cassandra reclining across a purple velvet chaise. It was a sensual pose for such a creepy skeletal and aged person. She had a glass of bubbly liquid in her boney hand. She was so ancient that her wrinkles had wrinkles, but her power was just as strong as ever. It was a palpable thing and as we drew closer, I felt a pressure from her probing me, searching out my magic.
A smile cracked her face and she cackled, shaking hard enough to splash the liquid out of the glass. Is she having some sort of mental break?
A couple of the Sisters rushed over to check on their Priestess. She shooed them away and speared me with her steel-gray eyes. Once Cassandra got a hold of herself, she carefully set her drink down on a side table and fixed her eagle eyes on us.
“I see you’ve changed since we last met. How does it feel to free yourself and your magic?” She laughed, “It’s a wearisome burden to control magic such as yours, is it not? I can help with that.”
“I’m fine. I have it under control.”
Cassandra smirked. “It’s not the first nor the last time someone thinks they have things in hand when they don’t. I’ll be waiting for your next visit, Marty.”
“What the –”
“That’s not what we’re here for,” cut in Lochlan. “I recently met with friends of yours, King Kazar of the djinn.”
“How is he?”
She wasn’t even going to deny knowing the king?
“He’s fine and currently has Zander in his keeping for the foreseeable future. And I was told that you sent the djinn after Zander.”
“Everything you said is correct,” said Cassandra.
“Why?” I asked.
“I’m not completely heartless. Contrary to what you witnessed between Zander and me, this was not a random or vengeful decision. I had a vision and I followed what I was directed to do. Zander has his own path to walk if he wants redemption. Either he succeeds, or he won’t, but at least now he has the opportunity to undo the curse.”
Sure she was all sorts of nice and helpful. I was calling “bull s**t”. That woman didn’t have a benevolent bone in her body. I’d like to break a few bones to get her talking, but I didn’t see Lochlan letting me employ such heavy-handed techniques. Darn his noble intentions.
“We also are here to ask you about the shadows.”
“And why do you ask about them?”
“Because shadow creatures attacked us last time Zander and I visited. Oh, and there is a shadow mage cavorting with them and they are infiltrating the Fae Realm.”
“You mean the Shadow Servants, the Servitors? They are a friendly sort once they get to know you.”
“Doubtful. Although, why aren’t you surprised or showing any reaction to the news about this shadow mage? We think he may be the Crimson –”
“Don’t go bandying about that cursed creature’s name.”
Lochlan threw me a warning glare. “We do want to hear what you may know or be able to find out about him and the shadows that surround him?” asked Lochlan.
“I’ve had no visions of the shadow mage, which is troubling. My inability to see any of these things is something I hope to remedy. I need to commune with the spirits on this. Wait here,” she said and left in a flurry with the lingering smells of lilies and jasmine.
“Don’t you find it odd that a seer, especially the Head Sister, didn’t know these things and wants us to wait to hear about her visions?” I asked.
“It is, but so is the connection between her and the djinn. She was very casual about their alliance. It violates their neutrality. But, we should discuss this somewhere more private,” he said.
I wasn’t the most patient at the best of times, especially after the Dark Side visit and now things. I looked around the room. There were grandiose murals of benevolent goddesses reaching out to the humans in temples or bowed in supplication. It was the kind of over-the-top art I expected to see here. Candles tucked into sconces creating a cozy effect. And plants were arranged in no apparent pattern. I spotted a small neck pillow. Perfect.
I picked it up and lobbed it at Muffin. The devil dog caught it mid-air. Who knew he could do tricks? Lochlan was watching us.
I tried throwing the pillow from further away and then trying to trick him by throwing it behind my back, but the dog caught it every single freaking time.
“Lay down,” I said.
Muffin blinked at me, but didn’t move.
“Sit.”
“Marty, he’s not a dog.”
“Yes, he is. He’s a devilish one. And he even has flames in his eyes.”
“Hmmm … you don’t say?. I’ve never heard about the flames before. Are you sure?”
“Yes. Why is everyone assuming I don’t know what I’m talking about?”
“It’s just unusual. I apologize, I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.”
I didn’t want to hang out in this creepy place any longer than I had to. Even Lochlan was starting to look uncomfortable, which was something I hadn’t seen before. He tended to be grace under fire.
I walked out of the room to see if they had set anything to prevent m
e from doing it. I already knew there weren’t wards on the door, but there weren’t even spells protecting the rest of the temple.
“Marty, what are you doing?”
Muffin caught up to me and I went further into the temple.
“You can’t snoop on them when we are guests. It’s not legal.”
“Since when have I cared about legality. And why not have a look? They’re hiding something, I just know it. I’ll never trust these women and you shouldn’t either. Besides, if they didn’t want us to explore, they should have set wards to keep us from leaving.”
He groaned. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
We crept along the empty hallway. I heard chanting in the distance and headed to the sound. I followed the sound of the chanting, Lochlan and Muffin trailing me.
“Marty,” Lochlan said, worry weighing down his features.
“Come on. Let’s see what she says about her vision. If she gets one, I guarantee that she’s not completely forthcoming about them. I want to hear what she tells the other Sisters.”
“We should stay here.”
“Why? What’s the worst they can do to us? Eat us? We have a devil dog and we are both supremely powerful magical beings.”
“Let’s just get this over with.”
What a worry wort. Any trouble we got in, could be blamed on the Sisters. They left us unattended. It’s their lax security. I’m actually doing them a favor. They should know how easy it is to snoop in their temple.
We located them in the same ceremonial chamber that I’d seen on my last visit. Cassandra was at the altar in the center of the room. A single beam of sunlight shined on her and the rest of the room was unnaturally dark. She swayed and spoke in a foreign language that sent shivers through me.
Winds funneled down from the domed ceiling, surrounding Cassandra in a spinning vortex. She glowed and a rainbow of colors flashed around her. The colors flashed like lightning in the night sky and the room darkened even further until the only thing I saw was Cassandra and the vortex. She hung suspended in the winds, not moving, with her mouth gaping open. Her back was arched and twisted in an angle that I didn’t think was possible. She was nearly bent in half and by the look on her face, it wasn’t without a good deal of pain. I rubbed my back and felt the first stirrings of sympathy for the woman. Her gift came with a painful cost.
Cassandra shrieked, the eerie sound was like nothing I’d ever heard before. It was a collection of hundreds of voices in an incomprehensive roar that echoed off the chamber. I covered my ears, but the noise was still painfully loud.
Just as suddenly as the vortex appeared, it disappeared, leaving Cassandra slumped on the floor. One of the Sisters rushed forward to hand her a goblet, which Cassandra greedily drank down. A couple of others came to help her to one of the stone benches.
None of them saw us. We were hidden behind some of the large stone columns. I’m not sure what we just witnessed, but the Sisters wouldn’t be happy to know we saw it. We invaded their privacy and for the first time, I felt guilty for exploring and violating their trust.
Another of the Sisters brought Cassandra a hunk of bread, which she nibbled on. Once she was composed, she gently set down the bread and goblet without any of trembling she previously showed. That was one tough woman.
“Sisters, it’s started,” she said.
Her words had an immediate reaction in the Sisters, who stiffened and some even had tears silently coursing down their cheeks.
“The time has come to choose a side,” she said.
“Are you sure?” one of them asked.
“The vision was clear. The Crimson Fiend has returned and is not alone. We must decide how to proceed. I ask all of you to spend time meditating. Once a side is chosen, there is no going back. We stay the course.”
“At the heart of it is the shadow collective. And there is so much darkness, but as you know, it doesn’t mean evil or bad. It’s a balance to the light.”
We needed to get out of here before they started leaving or noticed us. That was gonna be tricky. Lochlan took my hand and pulled me to him. It felt nice holding his hand.
“What are you doing?” I hissed.
He leaned down and whispered into my ear, “Remember the time in the Mage Guild Headquarters?”
I sure did. He made us invisible, but we nearly got caught spying on the Guild Master. And, how Lochlan blackmailed me into going on a date with him. What would he want this time?
He pulled me close. Electricity danced across my skin from either the magic of his spell or being near him. We’d have to maintain skin-to-skin contact or it would break the spell. Lochlan smiled. Stupid fae was enjoying this a little too much.
We crept out of the chamber and back to the waiting room. I quickly dropped his hand, but he smirked seeing my reaction.
“Too much for you, Marty?”
“Not at all. What do I owe you?”
“Who said you owe me anything?”
“Are you saying you did the invisibility trick with no hidden intentions?”
“You wound me.”
Muffin got up and stood in the doorway. Looks like we’d have company soon.
“We can talk about this later,” said Lochlan.
I’m sure we would. The sneaky fae always managed to work things to his benefit. It impressed me as much as it bothered me. And, if I was being honest with myself, Lochlan was honorable. As much as I wanted him to be a jerk and find him less appealing, I couldn’t.
Cassandra walked in, leaning on the arms of two of the Sisters, who helped her to the chaise.
“What did you find out?” I asked.
“The vision wasn’t clear, I’m afraid. As I told you last time, this isn’t an exact science, it’s open to interpretation. I would avoid the shadow man. No good can come from that one. Anyone that can control the servitors is a dangerous and potentially deadly person. And, I received nothing about the identity of the shadow man.”
“So, you can’t help us with anything to do with the shadow man?” asked Lochlan.
I was furious. She’s lying and we both knew it. Although, accusing her of being dishonest would be stupid. Let her think we were clueless. We’d chat with the others when we got back. This must tie into what Garen read in the Book of Shadows.
“If that changes, can you please contact us at the Wolf Agency?” asked Lochlan.
“I’ll send word should I have any visions about this,” said Cassandra. “Oh, and trust in your companion Marty. He’ll protect you.”
Lochlan beamed. Great, an ego boost for an already too inflated ego.
“You’ll take care of her, won’t you Ebony, err, Muffin,” she said.
Lochlan looked disappointed when he realized she spoke of the protection Muffin would give me and not him.
We needed to investigate the Sisters. They were up to their neck in secrets and schemes. From forbidden alliances to lying about visions and some sort of major event.
21
From the Sisterhood, we went back to the Wolf Agency. Lochlan naively assumed I was done for the day.
Once he realized I was dumping him off, he wasn’t thrilled and that was putting it mildly. A small part of me felt bad, but not nearly bad enough to let him tag along with me.
I didn’t need him to baby me through vampire interviews. And, if what Xavier said was true about my blood, then I’d be a repellant to any vampires – keeping me bite-free.
I drove through Uptown and passed the Mage Guild Headquarters. I gave it the finger on my drive by. Stuck up pricks. Muffin leaned against my arm, which made it harder to drive, but I didn’t care. I petted his soft fur, which reminded me of a pelt – all smooth and velvety.
Not long past my least favorite guild, Xavier’s residence came into view. The mansion extended across the entire side of a city block. It was a disgusting display of wealth and privilege. It was one of the largest places in the city.
Xavier had the distinction of having one of the mos
t powerful and strongest vampire covens. So, when he said he had a lot of enemies, he was speaking the truth. He ruled this coven through sheer strength, a benefit to his extreme age. Xavier was at least several centuries old, or even millennium old.
I knocked on the double doors and liveried servants opened it.
“Miss Martin?”
“Yep, that’s me.”
“We’ve been expecting you. Please follow me,” said one of the men. He stopped suddenly and I nearly slammed into his backside.
“Oh, how remiss of me. Please leave your weapons with us and no animals inside the mansion.”
“I’ll leave my weapons, but the dog stays with me. He’s my support animal.”
“You have a devil dog for a support animal?”
“Sure, why not? People use hedgehogs, unicorns, horses, rabbits, so why not a devil dog?”
“Indeed.”
“Xavier is obviously expecting me. Are you going to let me in or come up with a darn good excuse for why I didn’t do the job he hired me for?”
“Very well, but at the first sign that the animal isn’t behaving, you and it have to leave.”
“I can manage my dog, thanks. And his name is Muffin.”
The man’s lip curled up and his eyes widened.
I felt the need to explain, “He came with the name, don’t judge.”
“It’s not for me to judge, Miss Martin. Now, can we continue, unless you’d prefer to loiter in the doorstep all night.”
“Nope, after you, kind sir.”
He squinted at me, unsure whether I was being sincere or mocking him. I brushed past him to follow the other servant.
Entering Xavier’s Coven was like stepping back in time. Something about the more ancient supernatural creatures stunted them. Many of them, like Xavier, had the inability to embrace the modern era. And that was in evidence at his coven. It appeared to be frozen in Medieval times.
There were large stone slabs carved into walls and floors. Flickering torches were set into the wall every few feet. They threw distorted shadows across the floor and did little to fully light the mansion’s interior. Very cliché. I’d bug Xavier about that little detail.
Medieval swords, maces, shields and coats of arms decorated the walls. They were all dull and stained from what was probably battle gore. A runner the color of blood lined the floor.
