by Kunz, C. A.
“Come, Cat, you must walk to the end. Remember, I am right here. Take your time answering their questions.” He bent down and kissed her forehead and took the messenger bag out of her hands. Cat turned and nervously made her way to the end of the plank-like structure and placed her hands on the banister to support her trembling legs. She kept her eyes on the stage, not making eye contact with any of the crowd below.
“Hear ye, hear ye! Please stand and recognize our wise and honorable council,” a regal looking man bellowed. The crowd quieted as seven men and six women took their seats at the table on the stage. The last to take his seat was an exact replica of Aldon. Must be Aldon’s brother Reynard, Cat thought.
“We all know why we are here today. We shall hear all the evidence before judgment is passed,” Reynard’s voice boomed in the vast room. He sure doesn’t need a mic, Cat thought.
“Ms. Colvin?” Reynard repeated for the third time.
Cat jumped a little and realized everyone was staring. “Yes?” she answered in a quiet voice.
“Please speak louder! We all have great hearing, but we prefer you to talk loud and clear,” councilman Rhys Darby ordered.
“Yes, sir,” Cat’s voice seemed so loud to her she wanted to cover her ears.
“We would like you to tell us, in your own words, what happened a week ago this past Friday. And please do not omit anything,” Rhys barked out.
“Where would you like me to start?” she asked, feeling a little bolder this time.
“Start when you…received the call from one, Amaya Phillips’ phone,” Rhys said as he read from a piece of paper in front of him.
Cat started her story and gave every minute detail about her trip to and through the tunnels and what she found there. She described the three girls, their master, and the state that Mr. Girven was in. The gathered council hung on her every word. When she finished there was only silence.
“That will be all, Ms. Colvin. Aldon, will you please escort her to the holding room until all testimonies are finished. I think a break is in order. We shall now take a short recess,” Reynard declared.
Aldon took Cat’s arm and led her to a doorway opposite from where she had entered. When they were alone, Cat pulled Aldon to a stop.
“Why didn’t they ask me any questions?” Cat asked anxiously.
“If they have questions after every testimony is heard, you will be brought back in to answer them. Do not fret, child, everything will work out.” Aldon gently guided her along until they reached a small waiting area. It held a few chairs sitting on a large beautiful rug with a picture of a wolf woven into it. “Stay here, Cat, I must go and speak with Reynard, please do not leave this room. I will return after Matt’s testimony.” After noticing Cat’s worried expression, “Don’t worry, you did well. This will all be over soon, my dear,” he said and patted her cheek before he left.
A few minutes passed and the door to the waiting chamber opened. Cat clutched her messenger bag tightly as a woman entered, one that Cat recognized as a councilwoman from her hearing. She was strikingly beautiful with her dark brown hair pulled up into a bun, allowing for her high cheekbones to be showcased. Her eyes were cold, so cold that Cat involuntarily shivered.
“Catherine, please accept my apology if I startled you, but I must be quick. This trial is a farce. The council has already determined your fate, and it is not favorable. I have come to take you to a safe place where you will meet up with your family and escape back to your home,” Blanche whispered.
“But, Uncle Aldon told me-”
“He believes this will be a fair trial, and unfortunately, his brother has no control over what happens. He is but one man. Quickly, we must leave. I must be back before the recess is up.” Blanche grabbed Cat’s arm, dragging her out the door and down several hallways until they reached the outside. The air was chilled and snow covered the ground. “Now Catherine, see those trees across that frozen river?” She paused as Cat nodded. “That is your destination. Here, take my coat. We wouldn’t want you to freeze now would we?” she said, and then kindly helped Cat into it. “Now hurry before the guards spot you. Your family and friend will meet you just inside the woods,” she continued as she gave Cat a little shove. Moving toward the forest, Cat stopped and turned back to find the woman had disappeared.
“You! Stop!” A guard called out from behind her. Cat’s eyes grew wide as she watched two guards hurrying toward her. Turning on her heel she sprinted for the frozen river. Hearing a loud howl, Cat glanced back. The two guards began running on all fours as they shifted into their Varulv form. An explosion of clothing shreds were left in their wake. Cat quickened her pace as fear surged through her. She could feel them nipping at her heels as they snarled just inches away. Her fiery red hair flew behind her, being thrashed about by the wind. She almost lost hold of her messenger bag as she picked up speed. Seeing the river just ahead, Cat reared down preparing to jump. Leaping into the air, Cat felt herself float up and over the frozen river, landing safely on the other side. She whipped around just in time to see the two Varulv guards skid to a halt at the river’s edge. One began pawing at the ground, as the other paced back and forth. Both let out low growls as they stared her down. Confused, Cat continued her way into the forest as the Varulvs’ howls echoed in her ears.
“So, did the Colvin girl do as we planned?” councilman Rhys Darby asked Blanche in a whisper as they stood in an isolated office chamber during the recess.
“Yes, the guards informed me she has indeed entered the Void. Catherine Colvin will no longer be a nuisance to this council,” she replied.
“Good, and what of our betrayer?”
“Andrei will answer for what he has done. He has deceived the wrong Varulv,” Blanche Caulder whispered angrily. Rhys grinned menacingly.
“He will be hard to reach, being so high up in the Parliament,” he stated.
“Leave that to me, Rhys. You underestimate the pull I have,” she said. Hearing the call back to order by Reynard, Blanche and Rhys returned to the great hall.
“Thank you, Matthew, that will be all. Aldon, you may take him to be with Catherine,” Reynard ordered.
Blanche Caulder sat at the end of the table smiling inwardly. Oh how I wish I could be a fly on the wall when Aldon reaches the room and realizes his beloved Catherine has flown the coop. Yes, today is a good day, she thought, as she sat back and waited for the fireworks.
The door to the council chamber flew open and Aldon rushed in. “Catherine is gone!” he yelled at Reynard.
“What do you mean gone?” Reynard looked up worriedly at his frantic brother.
“I mean, the room is empty. I specifically told her to stay put, and I know she wouldn’t disobey me. Somebody has taken her!”
“Only the guilty run!” a voice yelled out from the crowd down below, causing rumblings to run through the assembly.
“She’s not guilty, we have someone in here that is a traitor and planned on her death too, but it backfired. We must send out a search party.” Aldon’s face turned red with anger.
“Wait! We want to testify on behalf of Catherine Colvin,” A voice rang out from behind him. Turning, Aldon recognized them as two of Cat’s friends, Duffie and Leif.
“Who are you?” Reynard bellowed over the voices mumbling below him.
“The name’s Duffie Gibbs. I’m a hunter from the Upper Echelon Academy. And this is Leif Edwards. He’s a seeker from the same academy. Our keeper, Gerard McNeil, sent us to speak before your council. We witnessed Cat’s, I mean Catherine’s, accidental killing of Edgar Girven. It was in self-defense. The Varulv councilman seemed to be in a crazed and wild state.”
“Well, there you have it. These two cannot lie when speaking before this council. It is forbidden by their creed. Catherine Colvin is not guilty! You have your proof! Now let us go find her!” Aldon yelled. Reynard turned to his right, and then to his left, whispering to his fellow councilmen. He stood, looking out at the crowd below.
�
�The council recognizes that Catherine Colvin is proven innocent of all charges. We grant you the use of our guards to form a search party, Aldon,” Reynard announced.
“Thank you, brother,” Aldon replied and then hurried back to the holding area as the crowd quickly dispersed. Rachel, Taylor, and Sam looked up as Aldon ran into the room. “We must make haste. Cat is missing!” Aldon stated.
“What? Cat’s missing?” Rachel exclaimed.
“What are we waiting for? We need to find her,” Sam yelled.
“Duffie, you and Leif must come with us. You two will be our only hope for finding her,” Aldon said as Rachel, Sam and Taylor noticed their neighbors standing behind him.
“We’ll explain later. For now, we must find Cat!” Duffie replied, looking at their puzzled faces. Moving past them, she made her way to the door Cat had left from. The others quickly followed.
“I hope she’s not hurt,” whispered Leif as he caught up to Duffie.
“We must hurry,” Duffie replied in a no-nonsense tone. The group followed the pair across the open field until they reached the frozen river. A dark black foreboding forest stood on the opposite bank.
“She went across there,” Leif said pointing to the river.
Rachel stopped as did Sam, both with grim expressions on their faces. Aldon knelt in the snow shaking his head.
“What’s wrong? Let’s go get her!” Matt asked, puzzled by their actions.
“Mom, Dad, Uncle Aldon? Don’t just stand there! We have to go get Cat!” Taylor yelled. Sam looked to his son with tearful eyes.
“We can’t. The Void is a place very few have survived. Besides, there’s a barrier of dark magics set in place by an evil coven of witches,” Aldon explained. “The barrier prevents Varulvs and vampires from crossing through. It must have let Cat cross over because she is still half-human.”
“Rachel, no, you can’t help her now,” Sam said, trying to sooth his wife as she began to tremble in his arms. Rachel ripped away from him abruptly and snarled, staring into the Void. Her bones began re-shifting and her body mass grew, shredding her clothes. Letting out a loud howl, Rachel charged toward the river. She hit the barrier and let out a small whimper as she was hurled back into the snow. Slowly climbing back on all fours and shaking her fur, Rachel howled. “Rachel! Stop!” Sam choked out. Ignoring him, she charged once more toward the barrier with the same result.
Sam hurried over to her as she lay in the snow, slowly transforming back into her human form. “Someone get me something to cover her up with, please!” Sam ordered, tears in his eyes as he brushed Rachel’s hair from in front of her face. The crunching of snow made Sam look up to see Reynard and his search party running toward them.
“What’s wrong? Please tell me Catherine is not in the Void!” Reynard looked at Aldon’s face, receiving his answer. Removing his robe, Reynard handed it to Sam to wrap Rachel up in. Rachel moaned in pain as she lay shivering in the cold snow.
She began to sob, “My baby, please someone help my baby.” Taylor knelt down next to her and placed his hand on her bare shoulder at a loss of words.
“There might be a way we can get her back,” Reynard started to say.
“No, there isn’t! We can’t go in! And now she can’t come back out this way! She has to make it through the Void to get out! And how many have survived that? How many, Reynard?” Aldon yelled, his voice growing hoarse.
“Please, brother, listen to me. There is someone among us who can go in after her,” Reynard stated looking over at Matt. “A human can cross over.”
“What? Me? In there? I mean, how will I find her?” he asked worriedly.
“There’s no way we can risk Matt’s life! His parents are our friends, and they think he’s at camp,” Sam interjected angrily.
“He won’t be alone. We’ll be with him,” Duffie stated with Leif nodding next to her.
“This may be the only way to save Catherine. I can’t order you three to go in, but if I am right, you need no convincing,” Reynard said, and then watched as Matt walked over to the Colvins and bent down.
“We’ll find Cat and bring her back. Omfffph,” was the only sound that could escape his mouth as Sam drew him down into a tight hug.
“I know you will. Be careful, Matt,” Sam muttered as he squeezed him once more. Another’s arms wrapped around them, it was Taylor.
“You better bring back my sister in one piece.”
“I will,” Matt replied.
“We need to get going,” Duffie stated, tugging on Matt’s jacket. “There’s no telling how far she is now.” Without another word the three teens stood on the banks of the frozen river holding hands.
“Be safe, young ones,” Aldon called out as he watched the three walk across the frozen surface and get swallowed up by the darkened tree line.
“Dad? Dad? What’s that heading toward the barrier?” Taylor asked, pointing to a trail of purple smoke soaring through the sky and making a beeline for the Void. Sam looked up just in time to see the smoke disperse as it slammed into the invisible wall. There was no mistaking the woman with the bright red curly hair or green leather trench coat that was tumbling to the ground. Taylor was the first to react, running over to help Ròs to her feet.
“What was that?” Ròs asked, rubbing her forehead. “Taylor, what are you doing here? And where the devil are we? This is not Astoria! Where is Catherine? She called me. Is she in trouble?” Ròs asked in a panic.
“Uh Dad? Uncle Aldon? Some help here please,” Taylor called out, steadying Ròs as she swayed a little bit.
“Cat called you? From her phone?” Sam asked as he left his wife’s side.
“No, from the locket I gave her,” Ròs began and then stopped as everyone looked at her confused. “Oh, never mind. Where is she? I sense she is in trouble.” No one said anything. “Why is no one answering me? Where is Catherine?
“She’s in there,” Taylor answered, drawing her attention to the wall of foreboding trees just beyond the frozen river.
“The Void…you let her go into the Void? What were you lot thinking?!”
“Now Ròs, calm yourself,” Reynard said coolly.
“Will someone please explain what’s going on?” Ròs asked in frustration. Reynard quietly explained the events leading up to the point where Cat entered the Void. Ròs bit her lip to stop herself from screaming at the group in front of her. She was furious that no one had told her about what Cat had been going through. After he finished, Ròs focused her gaze back to the Void. “So, your idea was to send in three teenagers? A Class C hunter, a Class C seeker, and a mortal? The hunter and seeker are not even allowed to slay at their level. They can only trap because of their class limitation. Do you really feel that these three will be able to handle what they’re sure to face inside?”
“We must all trust that these youngsters will bring her out safely. They are our, and Cat’s, only hope,” Reynard said, placing his hand on Ròs’ shoulder.
About the Authors
Carol and Adam Kunz are the mother and son author duo behind The Childe series. Their combined love of the supernatural and things that go bump in the night was what inspired them to write Cat’s story. Dark Days is book two in this five book YA Paranormal/Fantasy series. The author pair currently reside forty-five minutes away from each other in the sunny state of Florida. If you would like to find out more about this duo and The Childe series, please visit these links:
Author Website- http://www.cakunz.blogspot.com
Facebook Author Page- http://www.facebook.com/cakunz11
Facebook Fan Page- http://www.facebook.com/thechilde
- A group of independent Young Adult authors who are dedicated to their craft -
Tiffany King, author of The Saving Angels Trilogy
Abbi Glines, author of Breathe and Existence
M. Leighton, author of the Blood Like Poison Series
Michelle Muto, author of The Book of Lost Souls and Don’t Fear the Reaper
Fisher Ame
lie, author of The Leaving Series
Nichole Chase, author of The Dark Betrayal Trilogy
Laura A. H. Elliott, author of 13 on Halloween
Amy Maurer Jones, author of the Soul Quest Trilogy
Shelly Crane, author of the Significance Series
Courtney Cole, author of The Bloodstone Saga
C.A. Kunz, mother and son author duo of The Childe Series
The Paranormal Plumes Society Webpage
Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
1 - Summertime Blues
2 - Roses Are Red
3 - I Know What You Are
4 - Coming Clean
5 - Sparks Fly
6 - New In Town
7 - School’s In Session
8 - Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
9 - Three’s A Crowd
10 - Three Penny Brit
11 - Are You A Good Witch or A Bad Witch?
12 - Sadie Hawkins
13 - Blood Thinner Than Water
14 - M.I.A.
15 - Mind Your P’s And Q’s
16 - Howl At The Wolf Moon
17 - Seeking Answers
18 - Be Mine, Valentine
19 - Come To My Window
20 - Trouble A Brewing
21 - Truth And Consequence
22 - The Void
About The Authors
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
1 - Summertime Blues
2 - Roses Are Red
3 - I Know What You Are
4 - Coming Clean
5 - Sparks Fly
6 - New In Town
7 - School’s In Session
8 - Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
9 - Three’s A Crowd
10 - Three Penny Brit
11 - Are You A Good Witch or A Bad Witch?
