The Illuminated Witch

by Imogene Nix

  On the next pass he cuffed it across the head, the room silent bar the grunts and sounds of impact of flesh on flesh. Javed weighed each action. Here he moved to the left but his arm signaled he would head to the right.

  Javed countered every motion until finally it surged forward. He was ready. Jelani opened his mouth, claws fully extended as he launched. At the very last second Javed thrust his scimitar forward and with a wet sucking sound Jelani impaled himself on the blade.

  “You will not defeat him. My master is strong.” The final words were slurred by the blood spilling from his lips, the red of the eyes dulling at the onset of death, its claws reaching and sinking into the flesh of Javed’s hand.

  He stood still for an instant, uncurled the claws then with a slow and careful maneuver he pushed the body off the blade. He turned and Celina stood, a little unsteady on her feet, her eyes shadowed.

  He avoided her gaze. Would she think him a monster now and turn away? She had seen the ugly inhuman side he hid. His heart stuttered in his chest.

  Celina touched his arm. “That needs to be cleansed and wrapped.” Her voice was soft and he gulped, the adrenaline washing away. His body ached as abused muscles made themselves known. He glanced at her and saw the sadness on her face. She turned toward Bertha’s body. “She accepted me. Just as you did.” This time when she turned back to him, he saw love and tenderness.

  He closed his eyes, sending a prayer of thankfulness to whoever watched over him as he pulled her against his body.

  “Javed?” The voice of Kharisma intruded and for a moment his body stiffened.

  “No damned privacy.”

  He heard Celina give a muffled laugh at his complaint and turned to his second, Kharisma.

  * * * *

  Her body was heavy and aching, but she’d done her bit, though sadly she had been unable to save her friend. Kharisma had taken control of the body of Bertha, arranging for it to be conveyed to the house.

  Javed had attempted to send her home too, but she’d been stubborn, standing her ground. So now she stood in the darkness, having followed him as he’d made his way through the horrific building. She had seen the bodies piled in corners where they had been slung after they’d been drained dry.

  Men, women and even children cowered, chained to walls. Some showed the signs of having been used in innumerable ways—to assuage both hunger and sexual urges. “What will happen to them?” She jerked her head in the direction of the holding cells.

  “I have sent for Cressida and members of the human government. Decisions will need to be made. But first we need to know if any are nestlings.”

  She glanced at him, his shoulders slumped and his face pale and drawn. “You couldn’t have known. This does not look like a facility that has sprung up overnight.”

  His eyes flashed. “No.”

  They ranged from room to room as Javed surveyed the layout and number of victims. On the second floor she turned to him. “Let me gather them in one room, collect their names and status. That should make it easier for you to track them.”

  He stared at her. “You’ll find stationery in the vehicle. But don’t go out yourself. Get some of the guards to go as a pair, in case we missed anyone. Remember Creedar is still out there.” His words were like a dousing of ice to her. She hurried off, searching for two guards she knew. Her request was fulfilled and she searched for a room free of bodies, but none existed. Celina ordered for the removal of Jelani’s body.

  She instructed the guards to bring the survivors to the room where she had confronted Creedar, reasoning it was large enough to hold them all. Her request was met with a quick nod and she cast a glance at the door leading outside. That he might return scared her totally witless, but right now she had to focus on those who needed her help.

  They shuffled in, some sobbing quietly, others silent. Their eyes found the pooled blood on the floor and they skirted it, clutching each other’s hands and casting her wary looks.

  As the last stragglers entered the two guards returned and she indicated the door. “Keep an eye on that. I don’t want that Creedar surprising us.”

  “Are you going to kill us?” a girl, probably no more than fourteen, called out and Celina’s heart cracked.

  “No. I just need to collect your details so we can ensure you get the help you deserve after this.”

  There was a ripple as some derided her words. But she reminded herself that was to be expected. Instead she squared her shoulders and faced them. “I’m going to collect your names and where you were when taken. I also need to know if you belong to a nest. Where possible, we will attempt to send you home if that is what you want.”

  “You’re going to separate us?” another, not quite a child, spoke up, her fingers twined with that of two other children. Fear painted their faces. “’Cause I won’t let you. They need me.” Celina glanced at the teen. Beneath the grime and caked-on blood, she was probably a pretty thing. Her lank hair was likely blonde though right now it was little more than a dirty rat’s nest. The other two, whose hands she gripped so tightly, were younger, though given how dirty they were it was hard to guess much else.

  “Do they have a family?” Celina inclined her head toward the two standing beside her, sobbing in silence.

  “They’re runaways. I told them I would protect them.”

  “Then you three come first. Tell me your details and I’ll do my best to keep you together.”

  Her spokesman didn’t like the answer, though. She flattened her lips and her eyes flashed. “It’s together or nothing.” The bravado on her face was both frustrating and heartening.

  Javed? I have three girls who must stay together. Is there any chance we can make that happen?

  The teen cocked her head. “You’re talking to someone. In your head. I’ve seen that happen before.”

  Celina smiled. “I am.”

  Javed strode into the room and some of the humans on the floor cowered. “We’ll make it happen.”

  Celina didn’t question his words, just turned to the three. “His promise is his bond. We’ll keep you together.”

  Then the older girl stepped forward. “I’m Lucy.”

  * * * *

  As the car pulled up in the driveway, Celina ushered the three from the car. “You need a shower then a good meal.” Celina hustled them into the house.

  Kharisma hurried down the steps toward Javed. “You’re going to have your hands full there.” She nodded to the door and he grunted. Kharisma’s smile melted away. “Cressida is waiting inside with some visitors. You’re going to want to meet them.”

  He made his way slowly up the stairs, his feet dragging. His arm stung, his head ached and his ears rang. But that was the privilege of being a master, he told himself. He limped down the corridor, Kharisma following him closely. “If you stop, I can clean your injuries before you meet with them.”

  He shook his head at her. “No. Get this out of the way then we settle the nestlings in for the day.”

  The door to his office slid open smoothly and Cressida strode forward, assessing them, Javed was sure, for injuries. “We were on our way, when Kharisma let us know it was over. She also informed me about Bertha…” Her voice broke off.

  He sighed. “Celina was naturally upset. Which reminds me, I need to meet with the Conclave…”

  “Before you do, I need to make some introductions.” He frowned at Cressida but her face was drawn tightly. She gripped his hand and he hissed. She let go and winced. “Sorry.”

  He followed her to his desk. An exotic woman sat, pushed back in his chair. Her eyes glinted. “You are the master of this nest? Javed, I believe?” Her voice was liquid, just like her eyes, reminding him of molten pools of gold. Her full ruby lips matched white skin, grabbing his attention. Her flame-red hair tumbled around her shoulders.

  She rose, the movement sinuous, and he knew in that instant this was the Overlord, Caridad. He gave a deep bow and as he rose she smiled. “You should have allowed them to c
are for your wounds. However, we won’t keep you long this time. I would like to introduce you to these women.”

  She indicated to the three who sat at the meeting table. He stared at them. They all seemed familiar. He started and pointed a finger at the dark-haired woman. “I know you.”

  She inclined her head. “Indeed you do, Javed. I am Jemima. You know me as a survivor of the massacre at the manor when Hope was abducted. These are my sisters.” She pointed to a red-haired woman. “This is Danicka. Familiar, isn’t she?” She stopped for a beat and his mind whirled. She did appear familiar. “She is also Professor Anderson.” At the woman’s words, the younger woman aged and now he could clearly see the professor in her.

  “The other woman is my sister Selena.” He didn’t recognize her face but he acknowledged that really didn’t mean much, given what he’d just seen. “We are aunts to Caridad—your Overlord.”

  The final pronouncement was too much as his mind churned over the facts that pounded into his brain. He staggered for a chair and slumped into it. It squeaked and squealed as the cushions absorbed his weight.

  “Aunt? Aunts to Caridad?”

  “Well, by your standards, technically great-aunts.”

  He rolled his eyes. “By all means, let’s be technical.” His tone dripped with sarcasm.

  The woman shot him a steely glance and he quietened, sure that much was about to change. Cressida took the seat beside him. “If it’s any consolation, I didn’t know any of this either.”

  The spokeswoman nodded. “There are some things we need to share with you.”

  He waited in mute silence.

  “Let me see… Where to start? Well, Creedar is our nephew. He was one of four children born to our long dead sister, Aliana. As is our way, we separate from the collective once our children are born to raise them in solitude. They were…close.” She blushed deeply and turned away.

  Javed felt sickened by the implication, but also understood. It was the way of ancient times.

  “Our sister struggled particularly with Creedar. He was very…intense. But I digress. The one thing they were all forbidden was to procreate with the humans. All except Creedar took human lovers, but when one of the sisters fell pregnant, Creedar was enraged. The Princess, as you know, gave birth and the child was sent away. Creedar came searching for the child, but it was gone so he took his frustration out on the Princess. Her guards… They saw and recorded her slaying.”

  “I know most of this.” He waited. There had to be more to this story.

  “The information about the scroll wasn’t in the crypt. I added that to the copies I made after the trip to Egypt.” Danicka took up the tale now, her face earnest. “You had to find the prophecy, because the time was right. It was foretold not long after the death of the Princess. The time would come when we could join forces with someone able to defeat Creedar. In him, we saw the worst of our race—the hunger and the rage. It’s why we left our home in the first place. As you’ve probably guessed, we are not human.” Javed nodded.

  “Anyway, we sheltered the child long enough to find a trusted warrior to care for and train Caridad. He kept her for many years while she grew. We gave the instruction that she should be turned, then we ensured she was placed with a nest. We knew that at some point, we would need help. The kind only vampires and humans can give us.” She shrugged. “We can’t directly fight him, for there is a biological imperative that forbids it. But the children of the children can.”

  “For centuries he has survived with his servant, Jelani. I understand he was slain tonight?” At Javed’s jerky nod, she sighed. ”Good. That leaves him weakened. Now, all we need to do is find the last of the three. Hope was the first… She is the one of blood. Your consort, Celina? She is a witch, I understand. She is the witchling. Now we must find the sorcerer. For it is only as the two stand as one and the six are three that he can be overcome.”

  “What?” He sat forward. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

  The blonde woman smiled. “What they mean is that there are three couples. A couple is two who become one. So three couples are six.” She gazed at him enigmatically and he groaned.

  “We have watched over the children of the children for centuries. Taking on different personas and bodies. But don’t worry. I know who the third is, and I know he is nearby. Only he can work out who will complete him. They will fall in love with him. Only then can the circle be complete.”

  “Why don’t you just tell us?” He waited hoping for an easy answer.

  “Because magic doesn’t work that way.” The blonde reclined back in her seat as Javed reeled at her comments.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Anger suffused him. “How dare they stop me from feeding?” He roared his dissatisfaction. They had hounded him out of the building like some mangy dog. He was a God! Did they not understand that?

  He would visit retribution on everyone who had participated. But the witch… He would keep her, for a while. He could feed off her for some time. She was so like his sister.

  His grimace was followed quickly by pain—powerful. She was far more powerful than any witch he had ever seen. That made her dangerous.

  He looked around for somewhere to wait out the day—somewhere safe from the rays that would cook his bones. In the distance, he saw an outcropping of rock. Perhaps that would give him suitable shelter for the night.

  He’d left the sounds of the city behind. Now he could see the stars, and that settled him. They always had.

  Hunger was building, gnawing at him. He could stave that off for a little while longer while his body repaired itself. Creedar kept moving forward, but his feet ached and he longed for a servant to call upon—to arrange his transport. But he had no idea how to find one here, in this time. “Tomorrow night, I will find one. Change them and make them serve my purposes.”

  By the time he arrived at the rocky outcrop, his breath came in pants, his heart hammering madly beneath his breastbone. He spied a small cavern and hurried within. A growl split the air, and satisfaction filled him.

  A large cat lumbered toward him. It wasn’t perfect, he would prefer the blood of a human, but an animal would do for now. He could slake the immediate thirst. His teeth descended as his claws lengthened.

  There was no necessity to take his revenge in haste. He had time. And he needed an army if he were to find and dominate the offspring. He coiled his muscles, prepared then pounced. A shrill cry rent the air. Then there was silence.

  * * * *

  She woke slowly, stretching her arms above her head. She was warm and squished… “Squished?” Celina opened one eye. Two of the children, Rachel and Marian, had slipped into bed with her and Javed in the night. “Thank God we wore something to bed last night.”

  A rumble started under her head. Yes, otherwise they’d get an eyeful.

  She rolled her eyes. Javed was awake. He wiggled a little, and she felt the ever present waking erection digging at her back. Down boy! You’ll just have to wait.

  The laughing rumble came again and she smiled, running her hands through the little Eurasian girl’s hair. Rachel had been a street kid, so she’d found out the night before, living on the streets after being dumped at a shelter. She’d teamed up with Marian, who had escaped after vampires had killed her family. Together they’d lived under bridges and in abandoned squats until Jelani had found them. He’d lured them with promises of food and warmth in the bitter winter that had passed.

  They had been held for months in the squalid conditions. Her heart broke for them.

  Rachel started. Celina understood that she had little trust for people and less for vampires.

  “Where… Where am I?” She shrank into herself and Celina couldn’t help but wrap her arms around the child.

  “You’re safe. Marian and Lucy are here too. See? There’s Marian, asleep. And Lucy is probably still in the other room.”

  Rachel shook and shuddered in her arms as Celina held her. She knew the girl wa
s shedding silent tears because the hot wet drips were dropping onto her arms. “We will look after you. We will be your family now. No one will ever hurt you again.” Tears burned in her eyes and she felt Javed rubbing his hands up and down her back.

  I won’t let them go, Javed. The protective instinct had risen, driving her to claim these children as her own. Lucy is too old, she probably won’t let me mother her, but these two… Javed?

  She felt rather than heard his sigh. If there is any way, I will petition the government, the Council and even Cressida to allow us to keep them. If they want to stay, that is.

  She jerked a nod. “Now let’s get the two of you back to Lucy. If she wakes, I doubt she’ll be impressed to find you two missing.” Marian was yawning and stretching, so she hustled the two children from their bed. I’ll be back in a few minutes.

  The light touch of his mind on hers was both reassuring and arousing. She had to gulp as her body tingled. Not like that right now!

  He laughed and she wandered behind the children into the living area. Marian and Rachel held hands. She noted the way that they twined them together. They climbed into the makeshift bed beside Lucy who woke. “What… Where?”

  The younger ones cuddled into the older girl and Celina sat opposite. “Javed said if you want to stay here, we’ll petition everyone to make it happen. It’s your choice. But we need to arrange somewhere safe for you to live.”

  Lucy curled her lip. “Why would he do that?”

  “Because he’s a good man.”

  “He’s a vampire. Vampires kill humans.” Lucy’s eyes flattened just the way Celina had seen Javed’s do.

  “No. We live in a nest with humans. We protect them, they help us. It’s symbiotic.” The teen stared at her, uncomprehending. “It’s for everyone’s benefit.”

  “What would we do?” Rachel spoke quietly.

  “You’d go to school, so you’d have an education. You would live here with us. We would help you find your family if you want, or anyone who is left.”