‘That would be a sad day when that happens, and you’ve just made many of my friends members,’ said Alex. ‘If you feel that you want to leave and do other things then I cannot stop you, but I would like the Order to carry on.’
Leif shook his head. ‘You would put others in charge.’
‘No, you would, if you want to leave that is. I’m guessing you know who your replacements are.’
‘But we don’t want to leave,’ said Victor.
Malek leant on the table and clasped his hands together. ‘We thought you might close us down.’
Alex raised both eyebrows. ‘Why would I even think of doing that? There are so many members, and the things you do here are very impressive. I would be saddened if you closed it down.’
‘But the castle belongs to you,’ said Leif.
‘I was told the Order did,’ said Alex, as he noticed his friends giving him confused looks. ‘Which means the castle belongs to the Order, too.’
‘You are the Order, but our tasks are almost over . . . do we have new ones?’ said Malek.
Alex smiled and nodded. ‘Yeah, you created them yourselves. You call it a hobby, but to me it’s very important, and I’d like it to be more than just a hobby.’
‘You want us to carry on with the Order, and have us searching for myths?’
‘Would it be a problem?’
‘No it’s what we want to do, but thought it wouldn’t interest you,’ said Marek, and all those from the Order who were present looked happier.
‘You’ve seen my friends,’ said Alex, holding his hand out, and Kaeya, who promptly and quite willingly was soon sitting on it. ‘You promised them they would be under the protection of the Order, as would Flax and Gort.’ Both pucas sat either side of him.
‘Without the Order I would pledge my life into protecting them,’ said Leif, and Kaeya decided he had a nice shoulder she could sit on too, and Leif looked pleased she did.
‘So you have no problem in keeping the Order alive?’
Victor shook his head. ‘Of course, it’s been our life here, but do you want us to carry on?’
‘I insist on it,’ said Alex. ‘You’ll run it as you’ve always done, I only ask that care and consideration is taken if you find anything.’
‘Naturally,’ said Henrik. ‘We only tried to capture the vampire, but he gave us no choice.’
‘For the evil ones, who have killed, you’re free to do what you like. The innocent ones I would rather you didn’t try to capture. It might be too frightening for them.’
‘We wouldn’t even approach them unless we thought they were in danger,’ said Henrik, ‘we would let you do that.’
‘Then it’s settled,’ said Alex, as Sarah came into the room with a huge smile on her face, followed by Luella and Daralis, Ron, and Grace.
‘I think we should celebrate with a party,’ said Leif.
James grinned at Alex. ‘The Order really does belong to you.’
‘A celebration is just what I would like now,’ said Ron, with his arm around Sarah. ‘I’m going to be a grandfather.’
‘What?’ Leif cried in excitement, and ran to his wife.
Everyone congratulated the expectant mother, father, and grandparents.
Alex turned to his mother and aunt. ‘You could tell by just looking at her?’
‘Yes,’ said Luella, ‘it was one of the things we used to do many years ago when we were healers.’
‘We will be following our old ways tomorrow,’ said Daralis. ‘When we leave you for a while, and go to cleanse the forests and woods.’
Alex felt a pang of disappointment. ‘What? So soon?’
Luella nodded. ‘Yes, we would rather get it done sooner than later.’
‘I can’t believe you’re leaving me.’
‘You will be looking after Thomas, and we will be taking Livvy, Donna and the pucas.’
‘Flax and Gort too, have I upset you?’
Luella shook her head. ‘They need to be in their natural habitat for a while, you’re corrupting them.’
‘I am not, I’m modernising them.’
‘It’s the same thing,’ said Daralis. ‘I thought you would be upset about Livvy and Donna.’
‘Upset no, sad that they won’t be around the mansion, but I know how excited they’re to be going with you.’
‘Everyone is waiting for you,’ said Livvy, as she walked over to them.
Alex folded his arms. ‘I’m sure they are, but we’re talking important matters that you already know about.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Where are you going tomorrow?’
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t realise it was important.’
‘When those I love leave me it’s very important.’
Livvy frowned. ‘I will stay if that’s what you want.’
Alex put his arm around her. ‘You will not, you’ll go and enjoy yourself.’
She smiled. ‘I’m really excited about it.’
~~~~
For the first hour of the party, nearly everyone from the castle approached Alex and many of them were women.
‘I see someone’s popular,’ said Skye, with a raised eyebrow.
Michelle finished her drink. ‘They treat him like a movie star.’
‘Who are you talking about?’ said Carrie.
‘Alex of course,’ said Skye. ‘I’ve never seen anyone have so many female admirers.’
Carrie turned her head quickly towards Alex and the several women in front of him. ‘You don’t think he’s interested do you?’
‘Why wouldn’t he be? There are some attractive women here,’ said Michelle, as she accepted another drink.
‘And they’re very interested in him, too,’ said Claire.
Carrie felt her stomach turn. ‘Yeah, I guess you’re right.’
‘James said some of them think of him as a god,’ said Skye.
Summer leant on the table. ‘He’s an eligible bachelor.’
‘If I know Alex, he won’t be enjoying himself with all the fuss,’ said Paige. ‘I think you should go and rescue him, Cas.’
Carrie feigned shock. ‘Me . . .?’
‘Yes, you’re the one who arrived here at his side.’
Carrie had thought about doing it, but it was a much better idea after Paige suggested it. She stood and walked over to Alex, slid her arm inside his, and kissed his cheek.
‘Hey,’ said Alex. ‘Thank you,’ he whispered in her ear.
‘Paige thought you might be in the need of some help,’ said Carrie, as the women stopped approaching.
‘They were interested in me being single.’
‘I’ll protect you,’ said Carrie, and remained at his side all night, which pleased both of them.
~~~~
Skye grinned. ‘It looks like our Cas has scared them off.’
Claire toyed with her medallion. ‘Yes, and it looks like Lord Alex forgot to mention how big this Order was, or how they would treat him.’
‘You knew as much as he did,’ said Blaze. ‘He only found out about it a few months ago.’
‘I’m confused . . . how could he not know?’
‘He’d never heard about it until George mentioned it, and gave him little information as Alex was busy.’
Paige leant forward on the table. ‘You’re confused, how do you think Alex feels? If it wasn’t for all the stuff that has happened over the last ten months he would run a mile from anyone calling him sir, never mind lord, but he needs answers.’
Claire pursed her lips. ‘Answers to what?’
‘Everything, his wealth, power, and he’s probably confused as hell at the moment.’
Michelle grinned. ‘I don’t think he’s bothered about the last part at the moment, he looks quite happy.’
CHAPTER THREE
Night Warriors
The following day they felt less cheerful as they said goodbye to friends. Alex embraced Luella promising to look after Thomas while hunting for the witches. He a
lso embraced Daralis who made him promise to look after her pixies. They were all sad to see them go, and Alex was grateful he said his goodbyes in the forest after he used the vase to take them. He wanted to buy them a camper van, but being one with the forest doesn’t mean sleeping in one of those.
Blaze could see them with her crystal ball if she wanted. ‘Would it be wrong to look now and then?’ she asked. ‘Just to make sure they’re OK of course.’
Alex sat in his usual spot on a sofa next to Claire. ‘Not at all, and if I was giving orders I would order you to do so, and would watch them with you.’
Blaze raised both eyebrows. ‘Really?’
‘Yes, the dark witches are out there and I want to know if they come across them.’
‘I’ve been looking, but had no luck, I guess they’re hiding.’
Alex nodded. ‘I wonder if they’re hidden from everything or just magic.’
Joseph glanced up from the newspaper he was reading. ‘They were hidden in the house, as was everything else until you arrived.’
‘Do the witches have somewhere to hide or are they running?’
It’s harder to hide while you are travelling, said House.
‘That could be interesting,’ said Alex.
Joseph rubbed his chin. ‘What have you got in mind?’
‘Just an idea I was toying with.’
‘Does that idea include taking me out tonight?’ said Carrie, which got her a few strange looks.
‘How do you mean?’ said Alex, a little surprised, and a little pleased by the question.
‘Not like that, it’s just going out fighting demons gave me an adrenaline rush, and now I get bored in the evening . . . no offence, House.’
None taken, I feel the same, as Rockman I felt like I was walking.
Alex looked up. ‘You get bored?’
No, but it is fun when we go out at night.
Alex rubbed his hands together. ‘OK, what if we visited the forests at night?’
Claire put her book down. ‘We got rid of all the demons, so what’s the point?’
Alex smiled. ‘What if we did have a reason?’
‘We’re listening,’ said Carrie.
Alex stood and faced them. ‘When the children go to bed we go out checking the forests and woods for anything suspicious.’
Carrie smiled. ‘Sounds good to me.’
‘Any forests in particular?’ said James.
‘All of them, but the ones the ladies are going to cleanse first and we can make sure they’re safe.’
‘That would be our duty to do that for them,’ said Asima, quite straight-faced.
~~~~
The discussion in the hall was about who could or should go.
James stood by the sofas, as Alex came down the stairs. ‘Do the same rules apply to who goes patrolling with us?’
‘No, we’re only patrolling so anyone who wants to come can.’
Lucy, Anna, Sammy and Milly joined the group for their first outing. Some of the women liked fighting and some of them preferred to practice their psychic powers even though they could do both.’
‘Your cubs not ready yet?’ Alex asked the wolves.
Yes, but they don’t want to leave the children, said Rho.
Alex looked at the cubs playing with the children. ‘They have a link with them?’
Yes, they have a strong bond, said Chi.
They did not wait for the children to go to bed, and went soon as it turned dark. The ladies travelled south to do their cleansing and Alex chose the nearest forest hoping that’s where they would go next. Within seconds of them arriving in the dark forest they could all see clearly with their night-sight.
There are people here, House informed them.
‘I expected there would be,’ said Alex. ‘We’ll just have to be careful.’
‘Are we going to avoid them?’ said Carrie.
Alex nodded. ‘With our red eyes we don’t want them seeing us, but we’ll get close enough to see what they’re up to.’
They spread out and moved through the forest, the newcomers to the group stayed by one of the regulars. It did not take long before they noticed a couple of tents and James decided to investigate. He had only gone a few minutes when he returned with his hand over his mouth.
Alex watched him approach. ‘What were they up to?’
James coughed. ‘You know.’
‘Know what?’
‘He means they were having sex,’ said Claire.
James nodded with both eyebrows raised. ‘Yes . . . all five of them.’
Alex laughed. ‘Oh, I think we should just sneak past.’
‘I think they’re too busy to notice us.’
~~~~
Carrie ran along the left side of the forest. She didn’t see the figure hiding behind a bush until it leapt out at her. A dark figure with a knife lunged forward. Carrie leapt over it, her blade striking flesh, as she spun her heel connected with the head. The figure fell, it was a man.
‘Oh shit,’ she cried.
Alex reached her first. ‘What happened?’
‘He jumped out at me . . . he had a knife.’
Alex stared at the man. ‘House, is he still alive?’
Yes, she wounded him in the shoulder and knocked him out. I have slowed the bleeding but he needs bandages.
‘Have I killed him?’ said Carrie, not hearing House.
Alex shook his head. ‘No, you just wounded him. Why did he attack you with a knife?’
James stepped out from behind a bush with a bag. ‘Maybe this is the reason, and it’s a shame you didn’t kill him.’
‘What’s that?’ said Alex.
‘His bag, inside is a rope, some gaffer tape, and more knives. It looks like he was waiting for a woman, and chose Carrie.’
Carrie kicked the man. ‘Sick bastard.’
‘House, vase please,’ said Alex, and the grey urn appeared in front of him.
‘Are we going back?’ said Carrie.
‘No, I won’t let him ruin our night. I’m taking him to the nearest village, phone the police and tell them there’s an injured creep to pick up, or they can leave him to bleed to death.’
I am sorry, Carrie, I should have been more aware, said House.
‘It’s not your fault, House. These are the things we train for.’
Alex vanished with the man and returned after five minutes. They continued through the forest.
‘Do I get a mark against me for that?’ said Carrie.
‘Of course not, he attacked you with a blade,’ said Alex, and put his arm around her. ‘You stopped someone who needed stopping.’
‘His eyesight couldn’t have been great to jump out at you,’ said James.
‘Oii!’ Carrie snapped.
James laughed. ‘Sorry, I meant your eyes, who would even think about jumping out on someone with glowing red eyes.’
Alex nodded. ‘That’s true, but how many women was he expecting to walk through a forest at night all alone.’
‘I should’ve handled him without my blade,’ said Carrie.
‘Yeah, but I hope that doesn’t stop you in the future.’
‘I just stabbed someone with my sword, and you want me to do it again?’
‘No, I just want you to be prepared, and the fact is the others might be here tomorrow. He could’ve jumped out on them, and that’s the reason we are out here.’
‘Yeah I know, but I still should’ve been better than that. What if I do it to someone who isn’t a rapist?’
‘What if you decide not to and it’s a demon?’ said James. ‘The fact is no normal guy is going to jump out at you in a dark forest with a knife.’
‘That’s true I guess, maybe I should look for more like him.’
‘I’m game if you are,’ said Claire, and the two of them ran off.
They searched the forest at a slower pace, and saw other people who were harmless, even if a little strange.
~~~~
A van arrived the fol
lowing morning and boxes were soon stacked up in the hall.
James picked one up. ‘What we got here?’
‘If you knew what were in them they’d be emptied in seconds,’ said Alex, which got many of them curious.
‘Open one then,’ said Claire. ‘Let’s have a look.’
Alex shook his head. ‘No.’
‘Don’t be mean.’
Alex grinned. ‘They’re for men . . . not girls.’
There was a gathering crowd around the boxes, and in this mansion they were mostly women.
‘I stabbed a man last night,’ Carrie reminded him.
‘Ouch,’ said James, and Alex winced.
Amy inspected one of the boxes. ‘Are you being horrible?’
‘No, I’m just messing, go ahead and open a box.’
Amy opened the nearest to her, which had camouflage jackets inside.
‘Nice, do I get to open one?’ said Claire.
‘Go for it,’ said Alex.
Claire opened a box which was full of bottles with yellow balls inside. ‘What are these?’
Alex smiled at her as Paige opened another which had guns in, and she held one up.
Carrie beamed. ‘You know the way to a woman’s heart.’
Blaze took the jackets and trousers out of the box and passed them around. Everyone but the children joined in as they did not want to shoot their friends. George and Joseph knew, and came up with the idea of being generals. Alex agreed and let them pick the teams.
George chose first, and picked Alex. Everyone expected Joseph to pick James, but he opted for Jodie instead.
‘Clever,’ said James.
George did pick James, and the rest of his team was Carrie, Blaze, Paige, Michelle, Kristina, Lucy, Leanne, Sammy, Amy and Summer.
Joseph’s other choices were, Asima, Sally, Claire, Skye, Kerry, Anna, Emma, Milly, and Lucy.
‘Are you happy with your team?’ said George.
Joseph studied a piece of paper in his hand. ‘Yes, very happy.’
George raised an eyebrow. ‘Did you write their names down before you chose?’
‘Yes, I thought it would be a good idea to pick the best shots.’
Other Worlds: Vesta Mansion Trilogy - Book Two - Fantasy Page 3
