The Children Of The Mist

by Jenny Brigalow

  Caractacus joined them. ‘That’s a fine weapon. Bro here uses it for hunting.’

  By way of reply Morven’s stomach made a loud gurgle, reminiscent of a plug being pulled from a bath full of water. Smooth. Her face heated up. Hopefully they’d put it down to her proximity to the fire.

  No such luck.

  There was a loud slap as Caractacus admonished himself. ‘Manners! Where are your manners, Campbell? The honoured guest is probably starving.’

  Calix gently removed the black bow from Morven. ‘Caractacus is quite right. You must be hungry. And tired. The Mater is waiting. Come.’

  Morven felt a small twinge of irritation. Despite the polished tone, it felt like an order. Not a request. But maybe her blood sugar was low. She throttled down the smart remark that teetered on the tip of her tongue as she noted Caractacus rolling his eyes behind his brother’s back. She caught Caractacus’s eye and grinned. He grinned back. And Morven realised that she liked him.

  When Calix turned and frowned, Morven immediately felt naughty, and about eight years old. As she hurried across the room, she wondered why she was so willing to placate. Still, Caractacus seemed to be of the same mind for he hurried over, too. On the north side of the hall Calix stopped at an embroidered hanging, depicting a gory hunt scene. Morven barely had time to be shocked at the sight of some sad human being disembowelled when Calix flicked the drape aside to reveal a staircase.

  It was dimly lit, and wound around and around. A rope hung on the wall, which Morven occasionally held for security as the steps were steep. Torches offered shifting light. Shadows danced frenetically as they disturbed the still air. Beneath her feet the stone was worn. And Morven couldn’t help but wonder how many feet had climbed those ancient steps before her. Had they all been Campbell’s? It impressed upon her the magnitude of the moment. And reinforced how little she knew.

  Finally she emerged into a warm, well-lit room. It was round. And Morven realised that she was in a tower. Cool. For a moment she thought of Zest — he’d just love this place. And she felt a twinge of loss. But the emotion was submerged as a beautiful woman floated across the timber floor toward her. The resemblance to Caractacus and Calix was uncanny. Pale, with her black hair pulled severely back to emphasise a widow’s peak, she stared at Morven with big, black eyes. And Morven stared back. Entranced by the woman’s dress. A deep, blood red velvet gown, sweeping to the floor. A medieval maiden. Or so it seemed to Morven.

  The woman smiled. ‘Morven, my dear. At last.’ Her voice was as polished as a stone upon a beach. She held out a delicate hand, red nails glossy and long. ‘Come.’

  Feeling distinctly grubby and unkempt, Morven took a step forward. The hand reached out and firmly propped up Morven’s chin. The black eyes were as deep and unreadable as the loch outside. Suddenly irritated, Morven jerked her chin away and stepped back. She was not a performing seal.

  There was a burst of laughter from behind. ‘Mater…our guest has spirit, it would seem.’

  Morven recognised Calix’s deep, modulated tone.

  The woman in red smiled coldly. ‘So I see.’

  Caractacus moved to Morven’s shoulder and smiled with real warmth. ‘Mother, Morven is just hungry and tired.’

  Grateful for the solidarity, Morven smiled at her cousin.

  In a graceful gesture that Morven secretly coveted, The Mater indicated to the far side of the room. Morven’s spirits lifted. A table was set. Crystal glasses jostled for space between tall candelabras and great silver tureens that gave off delicious scents.

  Calix sat himself in a heavy, carved chair at the head of the table. ‘Please, be seated Morven.’

  She did not need a second invitation. As she settled onto a hard-backed seat, her senses soared. As each lid was lifted off the serving dishes she battled to remember her manners. Steak, red and oozing. Roast turkey, pink and succulent. A dish of raw mince, like long wriggling worms. And other meat that she did not recognise, but made her light-headed with longing, nonetheless. Her eyes barely acknowledged the fluffy piles of mashed potato, and heart-shaped scarlet beans. Heartily she prayed there’d be no pre-dinner chit-chat.

  Aquiver with anxiety, Morven watched and waited for a cue to begin. And tried not to dribble. Finally everyone was seated. The Mater looked gravely at Calix. ‘Calix, would you pour?’

  Calix nodded and stood and picked up a large glass carafe filled almost to the brim with a deep burgundy beverage. Morven groaned inside. Red wine. Yuk. Might as well be a glass of goat pee. But she said nothing as her cousin carefully filled four tall crystal glasses.

  Caractacus, placed to her right, passed her a glass.

  ‘To Morven,’ said The Mater, ‘may we never forget.’ And lifted her glass.

  Morven hastily joined the toast, hesitated for a moment and brought the glass to her lips. And froze. Half in shock, half in wonderment. The rich, sweet scent of blood rushed up her nose and into her brain like a rocket. Oh my God! This was seriously sick. Mad-doggish. And then, without conscious thought, she drank. And drank. Until the glass was empty. She put it down, and strangled down a desire to stick her tongue into the glass and lick it clean. Her fatigue faded and she felt wired. Holy crap, if she had her board she’d be extreme. She felt fantastic. And somewhere, out in the cold, moonlit night, a wolf sang an ancient song of sadness.

  Chapter 36

  Morven looked around the table. But none of the company showed any sign that they had heard. As she contemplated whether or not speak, Caractacus held out a plate of meat which smelled marvellous, but was not familiar.

  ‘It’s venison.’

  Morven was none the wiser.

  Perhaps this showed in her face for her cousin continued. ‘Deer,’ he said. ‘Calix and Celeste brought it down last week.’

  Morven took a couple of succulent slices and popped them on her plate. As she tucked in, she decided to let the whole wolf thing go. She sensed it would not be a welcome subject at the dinner table. For a moment she wondered who Celeste was but her stomach growled furiously. So, she dedicated herself to the serious business of eating. Soon her plate was piled high with a sample of everything. Even a dollop of mash. It was seriously wicked stuff. The venison was really great. Strong in flavour. Tender. It was only as her stomach became comfortably full that she turned her attention to her hosts.

  Beside her, Caractacus had a steak and veggies. More veggies than steak in fact. As yet, the meat appeared untouched. And, she noted, the crystal glass of ruby blood at his place-setting seemed full. By contrast, the rest of the family seemed to have tastes more in line with Morven’s own. Glasses empty.

  Perhaps Calix noticed her scrutiny, for he suddenly looked at his brother and then at his plate. His debonair features were momentarily flawed by a sneer. ‘For Lucifer’s sake, Caractacus, drink up. What will Morven think?’ Calix fixed his dark eyes upon Morven. ‘You must forgive my brother. He is seriously twisted and considers the consumption of blood and bone to be distasteful. He also abhors bloodshed. Thankfully, he is in a tiny minority of one.’ Calix picked up his knife and ran his tongue slowly up and down the blade. White teeth sparkled.

  Even though Morven knew it was a deliberate act of provocation, designed to wind up Caractacus, she found herself horribly mesmerised. There was something impossibly, deliciously dangerous about this dark cousin of hers. It was not just his undeniable good looks and physical prowess, but something else. Perhaps the allure of utter confidence. Or perhaps the crackling energy, barely contained beneath his smooth exterior. And strangely…there was something familiar about him. She struggled to make the connections. But her head filled with fog. Her body felt as if it were being filled with sand. As her eyes closed, she finally got it. Zest. Calix was like Zest. How peculiar.

  A long, mournful howl shivered through her brain. For a moment she fought against the exhaustion that enveloped her. But it was hopeless. The last thing she knew, a pair of strong arms lifted her. As her head slumped onto a broad chest
she tried to speak. But the world slipped away. And she fell into darkness.

  She awoke with a start. Her eyes opened and she looked around. Where the hell was she? It was dark but a fire crackled in an open hearth, giving off soft light. A bedroom. Big. Low ceiling — no, make that a bed with a roof. Wicked! A real four-poster. Open drapes hung in soft folds at the head of the bed. In one corner of the room was a wardrobe. Curtained windows sat either side of the fire place. A bureau and mirror graced the other wall. The only other furnishings were two leather chairs, huddled before the fire. Two pictures hung upon the wall to her left. Both portraits of haughty-looking men, with high pale foreheads and Campbell tartan skirts. Morven grinned. Oops. Make that kilts.

  The orange flames in the fireplace flickered and danced. Morven froze…senses questing. It was probably just a draught, creeping down the chimney or slipping beneath the door. But she wasn’t convinced. Someone was in the room with her. Someone uninvited. Someone secretive. Someone rude.

  Silently, she breathed in through her mouth. Smoke, soot, dust, leather, polish, a faint hint of salt and…perfume. Certainly not Morven’s. Perhaps some recent guest’s. Perhaps not. As the seconds ticked by Morven became more certain that someone was there. Instinct made her still. The room was large but there was limited opportunity for concealment. Behind the curtains, in the wardrobe, beneath the bed? Beneath the bed. Her toes curled at the thought. Some creep was lurking under her bed. The fire had been disturbed as that person slipped underneath. Hmm.

  Question was — why? And, of course — who? Anger tweaked her brain. If someone wanted to play games, that was fine by her. On cue her body began to tingle. Adrenaline shot through her blood like a soda stream. In one fluid motion she was on the move. And so was someone else. As Morven reached beneath the bed, a hand shot out and grasped her wrist. With a hiss of fury Morven slid to the ground and dealt a vicious kick. Her foot made a satisfying smack as she found her target. The grip on her wrist loosened for a second, and Morven’s hands sank into a head of thick, soft hair. Without hesitation, Morven dragged the body out into the open. But before she could wrestle her victim into submission, simultaneous blows to either side of her head left her nearly senseless. And very pissed. A scream of outrage poured from her mouth and all thought of playing nicely evaporated like methylated spirit.

  With ears still ringing like church bells on Sunday, Morven turned to meet her quarry. Only to realise that it was headed for the door. Morven flew. Literally. And landed a bodily blow to the kidneys. Sensing an advantage, Morven went in for the kill.

  And then, the door opened. Light gushed in and a pair of strong hands grabbed her and pulled her away.

  ‘Morven, stop it!’

  Furious, Morven turned her energies to this new source of torment.

  ‘Morven, it’s Caractacus. Please, stop it.’

  Morven wavered, and in the mirror she saw that it was true. It was Caractacus. And, to her horror, she also registered that she was dressed (if you could call it that) in nothing but her bra and panties. Holy crap. How had that happened? All the fight went out of her. Confusion took over.

  Caractacus loosened his stranglehold and she took in a deep sobbing breath. Movement caught her attention and she saw that Calix was there, too. She backed up to the bed, slipped beneath the sheets and pulled them up to her neck, while resisting the temptation to pull them over her head as well.

  Calix sauntered over. He wasn’t smiling, but Morven sensed he was amused. He bent down and hauled the slumped body off the floor. And for the first time Morven realised that it was a girl. A very beautiful girl, with Cleopatra eyes and a wild head of hair the dark russet colour of autumn leaves. The overall effect was a little blemished by a fat, bloodied nose.

  Calix grinned unrepentantly and made a small mocking bow to Morven. ‘Morven, let me introduce you to your cousin Celeste. Celeste, this is your cousin Morven.’

  Morven was gobsmacked. Her cousin? What the hell? She was silent for a moment. She tried to feel bad about the squashed nose. But failed miserably. Serve her right. People that sneaked around a room in the dark deserved all they got. She glared at Celeste. ‘What the hell where you doing under my bed?’

  Calix chuckled. ‘Ah. A fair question, under the circumstances, dear sister.’

  Celeste hissed at her brother and said something unflattering regarding his sexuality. But he ignored her, merely raising one disdainful black eyebrow. ‘Celeste?’

  Celeste wiped a trickle of blood off her lip and glanced at Morven defiantly. ‘I was looking for my earrings.’

  Morven stared in amazement. Earrings? Really? Just how stupid did she look?

  Caractacus, perhaps sensing another round of fisticuffs, interceded. ‘Celeste, I think an apology is in order. Don’t you?’

  Celeste looked like she’d rather drink a cup of cold sick.

  ‘Celeste.’ There was no amusement in Calix’s tone this time.

  Morven tore her eyes away from Celeste and looked at him. The look on his face chilled her.

  Celeste must have felt the same. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said through clenched teeth. And with that, she pushed past her brother and disappeared out the door.

  Caractacus made a small, apologetic smile. ‘Er, sorry about that. Did you sleep well?’

  Morven blinked but automatically responded. ‘Yes, thank you.’

  Calix nodded. ‘If you want to join us, breakfast is ready.’ He went over to one of the long drapes and pulled them apart. ‘It’s been snowing. We’ve planned a hunt tonight, if you want to join us.’

  They left then, closing the door softly behind them. Morven waited until the sound of their footsteps receded and got out of bed. She padded across the floor and looked out of the window. She let out a soft sigh of delight. The world had turned into a winter wonderland while she slept.

  Chapter 37

  When she finally dragged herself away from the window, Morven began to dress. Which returned her to the embarrassing question of who had undressed her. And that led to a tidal wave of questions that Morven felt impatient to have answered. After all, she hadn’t come here to hunt.

  Dressed, Morven checked herself out in the mirror. She smiled and felt a fizz of awe at the sight of those lovely pointy teeth. Truly — she was awesome. Also she noted that her clothes looked a bit worse for wear. Hopefully she could get to a shopping centre soon and buy a few more. She picked up her backpack and looked at it fondly. It seemed like a bit of home. And then, unable to resist, she fished out her mobile phone and looked at it. How she longed to phone home. To hear a familiar voice. Her fingers tapped out a text to Zest. Arrived safely. In a castle! Freakin freezin. How’s it hanging? But then deleted it. It was too dangerous. They might have tapped into it somehow.

  She sighed and put the phone back into the bag and pulled out the Campbell tartan and the coat of arms. It was then that she realised the gun gifted to her by Zest was gone. True, the two soldiers could easily have confiscated it while she slept, but she didn’t think so. Thoughtfully she stowed her mobile in her pocket. It was time. Time to get the answers she’d travelled a long way to find.

  Unfortunately, she was frustrated in her endeavours by the simple fact that she had no idea how to find breakfast. The draughty corridor outside her room offered no suggestions. In the end she went right, and decided it had to go somewhere. Hopefully she’d meet someone on her travels. Ten minutes, several corridors and two sets of stairs later, she found herself back down at the huge entry. Voices guided her to a closed door. For a moment she hesitated and then knocked.

  In response to the several ‘Come ins’ Morven entered. It was a small, but cosy room. A fire blazed and the family were all crowded around a table beside a wide window.

  Caractacus waved a piece of toast at Morven. ‘Have a seat.’

  Morven settled herself beside him, mainly to be as far away from Celeste as possible. The aforesaid ignored her. Morven was disappointed to see her nose had returned to normal di
mensions. The only sign of their altercation was a bit of bruising over the bridge. In fact, she looked pretty chipper, dressed in brilliant pink ski pants, shirt and vest. Even her perfectly painted nails were pink. Morven felt exceedingly shabby and loathed her even more. As Celeste continued to snub her, Morven smiled sweetly and bid her a good morning.

  Celeste cut up a piece of steak with an enthusiasm that bordered on the sadistic and managed a curt nod.

  Calix grinned. ‘What’s your poison? There’s bacon, sausage, steak, eggs and toast.’

  Morven felt famished. ‘Everything please.’

  The Mater smiled. ‘Becoming is a hungry business. I remember it well.’

  Celeste snorted. ‘I doubt that,’ she said.

  The Mater’s aristocratic features froze for an instant but she ignored her daughter. ‘I trust you slept well, Morven?’

  Morven could feel her cheeks heating up. ‘Yes, thank you. I don’t know what came over me. Falling asleep at the table like that. Honestly, it’s never happened before.’

  The Mater smiled. ‘Don’t fret. It’s a part of the process. You’ll get over it, and although your sleep will always be deep, it will become controllable. It’s the same for us all. And it could be worse, look at poor Sleeping Beauty. We despaired that she’d ever wake up!’

  Morven didn’t know what to say. Was she taking the piss?

  Caractacus tapped her on the arm. ‘Foods on the bureau, help yourself.’

  Glad for the diversion, Morven hopped up and filled a plate with food. The bacon was cooked, but the sausages not so. God, it smelled good. Despite her best intention to begin a serious interrogation of the family, her concentration dissolved. Yummy.

  Conversation revolved around her. She listened with interest. To be honest, it was all a bit disappointing. Calix banged on with his parent about business. There was an office in Edinburgh apparently. And London. And New York. And Hong Kong. Celeste wanted her allowance increased. Caractacus was silent, buttering several slices of toast and loading them with what looked like plum jam.