by G. K. DeRosa
“That’s pretty vague. Who do we need to talk to in order to get this premonition power of yours fine-tuned?” asked Nico.
“I’m sorry, I wish I could tell you more, but that was all I saw. So maybe it wasn’t Magnus the other day, maybe it was Fabian.”
“No, I would have sensed it if it had been him,” said Stellan, shaking his head wearily.
“Should we get help from the Council?” she asked.
“No, not yet.”
“On the bright side at least her vision didn’t include any of us getting killed,” said Nico.
“And at least we know he is coming, so we can be prepared,” said Stellan. “I will reinforce the spell to cloak the house specifically against Fabian’s magic. It won’t keep him away forever, but it should buy us some time.”
“Roman, are you okay?” asked Celeste noticing he hadn’t said a word.
He looked up, eyebrows furrowed in concentration. “Yes, fine. Nico, you should get Celeste out of here.”
“No! I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to stay right here and fight with all of you.”
“Stellan, please help me talk some sense into her,” begged Roman.
“No, I won’t let you two send me away. This is exactly what I’ve been training for. I’m the Guardian, and this is where I need to be. How am I ever going to learn if you protect me from every bad thing that comes my way?”
“Celeste, we know that you are very capable and if this was anyone but Fabian, I would agree with you. But he is much too powerful of an opponent for you to face right now,” advised Stellan.
“And how about you, Stellan? If you send me away with Nico that just leaves the two of you to fight him alone. I won’t allow it.”
“Celeste so help me, if you don’t go with Nico of your own accord, I will knock you out and put you into the trunk of his car myself,” said Roman bristling.
“Just try it,” said Celeste obstinately.
“Obviously we are going nowhere with this,” said Nico. “While you three were arguing, I checked the weather forecast on my phone and if Celeste’s premonition was correct, we look to be in the clear for the next few days. There’s no rain in sight.”
“Now there’s a smart boy,” said Stellan with a grin.
“Fine, then it’s agreed. No one is going anywhere right now,” finished Celeste.
“Well, I don’t know about that,” said Roman. “We need to get Dani out of here. I don’t trust her being around Celeste since we don’t know what Magnus might compel her to do.”
“That is true, but I believe we may be able to use Dani to find Magnus. The blood bond should work both ways,” said Stellan.
“Let’s do it then. The sooner we find Magnus and deal with him the better. One evil immortal is more than enough to handle,” concluded Roman.
***
“I hate small-town America,” said Alek as he examined the dingy hotel room in disgust.
“No one forced you to come,” said Fabian, “and it is essential that we maintain a low profile.”
Alek snorted contemptuously. “As if I would miss the final encounter between you and the Constantins.”
“Yes, I do imagine it will be a confrontation to remember,” Fabian said with a gleam in his eye.
“Should we find that traitor Magnus first?” asked Alek.
“I haven’t yet decided if he’s more useful to me dead or alive.”
Alek peeked outside through the dirt-encrusted blinds. “He may know where they are.”
“Yes, that is true. But how difficult could it be to find two wayward vampires in a trifling town like this one?”
“Well, the sooner we finish this, the faster I can get back to my summer vacation in Iceland,” said Alek.
“Patience Alek, our little trip will soon be over, and I will have my prize.”
“It can’t be soon enough.”
Fabian crossed the distance between them and towered over Alek scowling. “I have waited a long time for this. Do not provoke me!”
“Yes, of course my liege, I apologize for my insubordinate words.”
Momentarily appeased, his tone returned to normal. “The irony of it all Alek, is that they have no idea that their deaths will bring back the object of my desire. The one thing I have longed to possess for over a century – their mother.”
***
“Dani you have to concentrate,” urged Stellan.
“I’m trying.”
Stellan and Celeste crouched beside Dani as she sat pouting on the cold basement floor. Roman and Nico looked on attentively from the top of the stairs. They had been banished when Dani said their hovering was making her nervous.
“Feel the blood running through your veins and focus on it. Then open your mind and follow where it leads you,” continued Stellan in his most soothing voice.
“I don’t feel anything.”
“Please try Dani. This is really important. If we find Magnus and kill him then you don’t have to stay in the basement anymore. Don’t you want that?” asked Celeste. She had resorted to talking to her like she did to Brian’s little sister, Maxi. Strangely, it seemed to work.
“Okay, let me try again,” she said, closing her eyes and breathing in and out slowly.
Celeste sat down across from Dani and reached out for her hands, then began to breathe rhythmically with her. Celeste felt a wave of warmth stemming from their joined hands and suddenly, a jolt surged through her body. A clear picture of an old abandoned warehouse flashed through her mind.
“He’s in a warehouse!” the girls shouted in unison.
After describing the vision in detail to the others, they narrowed down the possibilities to a few run down warehouses by the pier in Oak Bluffs.
“I can fly back and do a quick recon mission, once I’ve found him I’ll let you know,” said Nico eager to finally do something.
“I don’t like you going by yourself,” said Celeste.
“He won’t even know I’m there, trust me,” he said with a wink. “Be back soon!”
Celeste trailed after him onto the back porch and watched him take off into the sky. Her concerned eyes followed the white falcon as it soared high above the clouds and finally disappeared.
“Don’t worry about him,” said Roman coming up behind her, “he can be quite capable when he sets his mind to it.”
Celeste dug her heels into the ground, clenched her fists and looked obstinately at Roman and Stellan. “I am going,” she announced.
There was no way Celeste was getting left out of this one. After much discussion, it had been decided that she would be allowed to accompany them to join Nico on the hunt for Magnus. Dani Lynn’s involvement was another topic of heated debate. To Dani’s disappointment, everyone agreed it was too risky to bring her along not knowing the extent of Magnus’ control over her.
“How long do you think it will take Nico to find Magnus?” asked Celeste anxiously.
“It shouldn’t be long now. He’s an excellent tracker, and thanks to Magnus’ creator bond with Dani it seems that you two pin-pointed the location rather accurately,” said Stellan.
“I should probably call my mom before we go, just in case.”
“Just in case what?” asked Roman with an edge to his voice. “Do you think I would ever let you come with us if I thought anything could happen to you?”
“No, of course not. I just meant in case it got late, and I didn’t get to talk to her. I didn’t want her to worry that’s all.”
Celeste slipped a reassuring hand in Roman’s for a brief moment before walking out of the kitchen and up the winding stairs. He stared after her pensively until she disappeared around the corner.
“Are you really that certain about our chances against Magnus?” asked Stellan.
“Yes I am. We’ve faced him before and have managed to get away unscathed. This time we are going after him so we have the element of surprise on our side. And besides, I would die first before letting any harm come to Celest
e.”
Stellan put a reassuring hand on Roman’s powerful shoulder, and he felt it tense under his grip. “We will need that confidence, but remember Magnus is over a thousand years old. He is strong and smart so we must not underestimate him.”
“Can’t we have Celeste summon the Council? Isn’t it their job to keep her safe?” Roman’s hands flew up in frustration.
“Well, yes, to a certain extent anyway. If the Council stepped in every time a guardian’s life was in danger, they wouldn’t get anything else done. It is the nature of the guardian’s job to be constantly at risk.”
“Then what are you thinking? How come you agreed to let Celeste come with us?” Roman implored.
“I have a plan, but it’s risky and I don’t believe you will approve of it,” said Stellan.
“Tell me anyway,” said Roman, running his hands through his unruly hair in an attempt to calm his nerves.
“In a way, Celeste is our secret weapon. He doesn’t know what she is or what powers she has. If we can lure him out, and make him believe that he has a chance at capturing her, we can catch him unaware.”
Roman glared at Stellan. “So basically you want to use Celeste as bait?”
“Yes, but we will never lose sight of her. I can open a portal a hundred yards away from the warehouse and watch from there. Nico can be in the air and you and I will be hidden nearby. While Celeste distracts him, you and Nico can catch him off guard, and I will come in behind you if needed.”
“I don’t like putting her at risk like that.”
“I’m in,” said Celeste appearing in the doorway.
Roman was not pleased, but with one look at her determined face, he knew there would be no arguing with her. Stellan filled them both in on the details of his plan while they waited impatiently for word from Nico.
“Nico just called to report that he found Magnus,” said Roman. “He’s at the warehouse by Pier 11.”
“Then it’s time,” said Stellan.
“Are you ready?” Roman asked Celeste.
“I am,” she said reaching out for his hand.
Stellan waved his hand and the portal opened before them in a blue blur. Celeste could feel the whirling vortex pulling her towards it. She gripped Roman’s hand tightly and the three of them dove in with weapons in tow.
“Magnus! Magnus come out, I’m here to exchange my life for the lives of Nico and Roman,” shouted Celeste. She stood a couple paces from the rundown warehouse and nervously rotated Roman’s mother’s ring around her finger.
I can do this. I must be strong.
Magnus peeked out of the rusted warehouse door looking perplexed. “What are you doing here, you silly girl?”
Celeste knew her act had to be convincing for them to succeed. She put on her most sincere face and bravely continued. “Roman and Nico are missing, and I know you took them. I’m here to surrender myself, just please let them go.”
Magnus knew Fabian had been after the brothers, but was it possible that he was here in Oak Bluffs and had captured them already? A chill went down his spine. Double-crossing Fabian was never a good idea, especially if he was close by, but Magnus pushed the thought aside. He had to find out for certain if this impetuous human girl was indeed the new Guardian.
“Fine, I admit that I do have them. They are inside. Come with me and I’ll show you.”
Celeste could feel every nerve in her body on edge, but on the outside she remained calm. Like a duck swimming on a still lake, outwardly she seemed unflustered but just underneath the surface, her feet paddled furiously. This is what it meant to be a Guardian; this is what she had been training for. She felt the heavy weight of her sword in her backpack, and its presence lessened her fear.
“Nice place,” she said.
“I was attempting to remain inconspicuous, which I’ve obviously failed at since you’ve found me.” He paused dramatically. “How did you find me anyway?”
“We all have our secrets,” she said. He chuckled, but did not pursue his questioning.
Celeste followed him deeper into the dark, empty warehouse, taking note as she walked hoping she could find her way back out if necessary. Finally they reached a dark room with no windows and only crude furnishings – a couple of folding chairs and a cot on the floor with a drab blanket tossed aside.
Magnus cocked his head arrogantly, and held the door open for her to enter. As she slid by him, her eye caught the glimmer of the amber amulet hanging from his neck. There was something about it that caught her attention. Magnus noticed her interest and swiftly tucked it away under his shirt.
“Please have a seat,” he said motioning to the chair.
“No thanks, I’d rather stand,” she said, arms crossed obstinately over her chest. “Now where are Roman and Nico?”
“Patience, little girl. I have a few questions for you first.”
Magnus eyed her up and down suspiciously and apparently unable to come to a satisfactory conclusion, he continued, “What are you?”
“What do you mean what am I?”
“You associate yourself with vampires and a wizard, so I hardly believe that you are an ordinary mortal girl.”
“Think what you want Magnus, but I’m not telling you anything.”
Annoyed by her obstinacy, Magnus turned away from her contemplating his options. Celeste looked around anxiously eyeing the blacked-out skylight above her head. Suddenly, Magnus spun around, inches from her face, with a crazed look in his eyes and fangs protruding. She jumped back, startled, but quickly regained her composure. She unsheathed her sword from her backpack, pointing it at him menacingly.
“Oh my, this is just wonderful!” he said with a sinister chuckle. “I was right! You are the new Guardian. I would recognize that symbol anywhere.”
Without flinching Celeste asked, “You know my family symbol? Have you met others like me?”
“Of course, little Guardian. I have undoubtedly killed many of your family members along with countless other guardians.”
Celeste’s head was spinning, but she couldn’t stop now. “Were you the one who killed my father?”
“I suppose I might have. It’s hard to keep track these days, I’ve killed so many people in my thousands of years on this earth. What did he look like?” he asked with an evil glimmer in his black eyes.
A blinding anger swelled through Celeste and she lunged at Magnus with her sword. He effortlessly batted her aside, as easily as a horse swats a pesky fly with its tail. But she got back up and charged at him once again. Instinctively, she reached for the amulet around his neck and tore it off the chain. The look of alarm on his face confirmed its importance; although why it was significant Celeste still had no clue. As he was preoccupied with retrieving the jewel, which had clattered onto the floor, Roman and Nico came crashing through the skylight above and landed on top of him.
Magnus was momentarily dazed by the impact, and he struggled beneath the weight of the pair. The bright morning sun filled the dark room, and Magnus shrieked as the scorching rays burned his white flesh.
“The amber amulet is what protects him from the sun! Don’t let him get it!” yelled Celeste.
She rushed toward them and plunged her sword into Magnus’ chest, but missed his heart. With a howl, he fought off his attackers and broke free to escape into the shadows as the sword clanged to the floor. The burns and wound had slowed him down though, and as he tried to transform, Roman tackled him to the ground. Nico was right behind him about to pounce when Magnus’ strength returned and he flung Roman off of him like a rag doll.
“Valiant effort boys,” Magnus said mockingly.
His wound was almost healed, and without that advantage it was unlikely they would take him down. Celeste watched wide-eyed as Magnus ran straight toward her. She stood unmoving with sword drawn, the sun bouncing off of her golden curls.
“Ha! You really are the Guardian aren’t you?” he said pausing in front of her with a look of admiration. “It will be my pleasure to k
ill you.”
He lunged toward her with fangs bared, pushing her out of the light and knocking her sword to the ground. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Roman and Nico just a few feet behind him. She hesitated for a moment, and then resolutely shut her eyes and let his fangs clamp down on her neck. Distracted by the frenzy of the bloodlust, he didn’t hear the brothers close in on him from behind. Roman hurled himself on top of Magnus who was forced to release his grip on Celeste. She squirmed free and ripped the sleeve from her shirt to staunch the blood flowing from her neck. Roman pinned Magnus’ torso to the floor while Nico held his lower half down in the sunlight.
Magnus shrieked in anger.
“Now!” yelled Roman.
With one fierce stab, Celeste ran her glimmering sword straight through Magnus’ heart. His black eyes bulged out in shock as he realized imminent death was upon him. He convulsed hideously for a moment and then disintegrated into a pile of ash.
“Wow, that was disgusting,” said Nico, covered in dust.
“Are you all right?” Roman asked Celeste.
“I think so. I just need to sit down,” Celeste said collapsing to the ground.
Roman sat down on the floor cradling her as a single tear rolled down her cheek. He gently wiped it away.
“Excellent job my dear,” said Stellan, appearing out of nowhere with a fiercely proud look in his eye.
“Nice of you to finally show up,” said Nico, dusting himself off.
Stellan offered his hand, and Celeste took it, picking herself up off the ground. She looked up at him and couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.
“Well the good part about killing ancient vampires is that there is no body to get rid of,” said Nico, stretching out lazily on Stellan’s couch.
“Way to look on the bright side,” said Celeste.
“We should all be celebrating,” said Dani. “Magnus is dead, and I can finally come out of the basement!”
Dani’s giddiness was contagious and soon they were all laughing, but in the back of their minds they knew that killing Magnus was only a temporary reprieve. Fabian was still out there.
