by Linda Creel
Hearing chattering coming from the yard, Father Patrick placed the bracelet on a dish towel, leaving it secure on the kitchen table. He started towards the front door, being careful to avoid stepping on the Chastain’s bodies.
As he exited the house, he was relieved to see Aura, but wished Paul was there instead.
Chapter 36
Rather than arrive in front of the school, the portal dropped Gregory at the front gate. There were a few hundred yards between him and the Academy, and he wanted to compose himself before meeting with Andromeda.
Unable to stop his hands from trembling, he shoved them into his trouser pockets. His heart raced as images of the feral creatures flashed through is mind. I’ve never seen or heard of anything like them. Surely the rumors about werewolves can’t be true. Did I really see them, or was this a fabrication of my imagination?
He shook his head. No – they were real. Richard and his friends are planning something, but what?
He went back and forth trying to decide if he should notify Henry and the Guild about what he saw. He wasn’t even sure he should mention it to Andromeda.
Maybe I should just pretend it never happened. Or, maybe I can ask for a special favor in exchange for my promise to keep Richard’s secret. Surely it must be worth something.
Gregory punched some numbers onto a keypad and waited for the large, wrought-iron gate to open. Before he could enter the grounds, he saw a dark shadow approaching from out of the corner of his eye. He immediately recognized the figure; it was Richard.
He must have followed me when I left Utopia. I’ll hear what he has to say, and then – we’ll see how much he is prepared to pay for my silence. Gregory laughed. “If everything goes as planned; I could become a very wealthy man. I won’t have to keep the school; I could sell it and start traveling again. I’ll take Matthew with me, and Andromeda can return to her beloved Caspian.
Gregory turned around to greet Richard, who had stopped just shy of the gate. “I wasn’t expecting to see you this afternoon,” he said cordially. “What can I do for you?”
Richard slapped his hand away and chuckled. “Oh, I think we both know why I’m here. Why don’t you tell me what you saw?”
He looked from Richard to the academy entrance and back again. Drops of sweat started beading on his forehead and cheeks, which grew redder with each passing second. I’m supposed to be in control. I don’t want him to think of me as weak. “If you’re speaking about those creatures – I saw everything. What kind of blood did you give them to cause such a drastic change?”
Richard decided to tell him the truth. He wouldn’t be alive long enough to repeat the story to anyone else, especially the Guild.
“My friends and I were conducting a little experiment with hell-hounds blood. It hasn’t been done in some time, and we weren’t sure if the outcome would be successful. Though four of the mortals survived the process, there was a bit of a disagreement between them, and well – let’s just say, their numbers have been cut in half.”
Gregory’s eyes widened and he felt a heavy knot in the pit of his stomach. He took a few steps backwards, fearing Richard would infect him with the tainted blood. “Where did you find hell-hound’s blood? The beasts aren’t supposed to leave hell.”
“You’re partially correct, but as Lucifer’s nephew, I have access to all kinds of raw materials. You seem afraid. I’m not going to inject you with the blood.”
Richard held up both of his hands, showing Gregory they were empty. “Now the question is – what to do with you?”
Maybe it was the way he said it, but Gregory suspected Richard wasn’t going to trust him to keep the secret.
“As far as I’m concerned, I didn’t see anything. I’ll go back to running my school, and you can follow through with whatever plans you’re making.”
“I was hoping I could trust you. Very well – as long as you swear to keep the making of the Abyvirs a secret, I will allow you to go about your business. Shall we shake hands to seal the deal?”
After extending his hand, Gregory noticed a small drop of blood in his palm when he released his grip. “What’s this?”
Richard started laughing. “You didn’t really expect me to trust you?” He showed him the tiny ring-like weapon that he slipped on his finger while Gregory was distracted.
“I’m told the venom works very quickly. You might want to say goodbye to your family. In a few minutes, you’ll be dead.”
Falling to his knees, Gregory wrapped his arms around Richard’s legs. “Please – I beg you! Don’t leave me like this. I won’t tell anyone – I swear it.”
Ignoring his pleas, Richard freed himself from Gregory’s grasp, knocking him to the ground. He turned on his heels and walked towards the end of the road. Still chuckling, he raised his hand and waved, before vanishing.
Rita and Jessica arrived at the Godwin Academy a few minutes before Gregory. When they heard someone shouting, they went outside to investigate.
There, staggering up the walkway was Andromeda’s husband. With the color drained from his face, his muscles barely supported the weight of his body. He stumbled repeatedly as he made his way to the main entrance of the school.
The rest of the children were busy with lessons, but Matthew and his mother, who were preparing to leave for a shopping date in Manhattan, followed Rita and Jessica outside.
“Where’s Willow?” Rita asked.
“She went to the bathroom. Do you want me to get her?” Matthew said. He stared at his father’s pitiful body, but there was no emotion in the young man’s face, certainly not grief.
Rita nodded, and then she and Jessica helped Gregory to the ground. “What do you think happened to him?” Jessica whispered.
Gregory pulled Rita by her shirt, so her ear was even with his mouth. “Don’t try to speak. Willow will be here in a minute, and she’ll fix you,” she said.
He tightened his grip on Rita and shook his head frantically as she tried to discern what he was saying. She looked at his mouth, attempting to read his lips, which were already turning a dusky blue.
Andromeda crept to his side and held his hand, trying to alleviate his fear. A single tear slipped down his cheek as he placed her hand to his lips.
Willow arrived a few seconds later. She inspected the body for any visible wound; there was none, except a small scratch on his right palm, which was already beginning to heal. That shouldn’t have caused his death, unless…
“Poison – I’m sure of it,” she said.
Gregory used his last bit of strength to give a slight nod of his head. Making one last-ditch effort to identify his killer, the only word Rita could make out was “rich.”
With paled skin, Gregory’s body twisted into a fetal position. Willow looked at Rita and shook her head -- there was nothing she could do; the poison had already consumed his body.
She watched his chest rise and fall for the last time. After his final breath, he released the grip on Andromeda’s hand, and then closed his eyes. Gregory was dead.
“Can you have some of the students place his body in one of the rooms until my dad has a chance to examine him?” Rita asked.
Andromeda, still in shock, couldn’t stop staring at Gregory’s lifeless body. Seeing the dazed look in her eyes, Rita repeated the question.
With tears streaming down her cheeks, Andromeda gave a slight nod of her head. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have said Matt and I would be better off without him. I’m so sorry.
Willow rushed into the academy and found the students having a history lesson in one of the classrooms. After informing them about what happened, they shot out of their chairs and followed her outside.
Andromeda grabbed hold of Matt’s sleeve, and he pulled her from the ground. As she gaped into his eyes, she noticed his face was expressionless.
Gregory had not treated her well, but he was never blatantly cruel to their son. Matt should have some feelings about his father’s death, yet there were no tears. What
she saw was a total lack of sorrow.
Andromeda’s next thoughts were of Caspian. I wonder if he’ll return from his honeymoon to attend the funeral.
Some of the older boys lifted Gregory’s body and carried it into the school, moving towards the bedroom he shared with Andromeda, until Matt stopped them. “No – he can rest in one of the spare rooms.”
Andromeda didn’t argue with her son, she was still in shock over her husband’s death. After Gregory was settled, Rita, Jessica and Willow pulled her and Matt into the kitchen, where Mrs. O’Leary had tea waiting.
Pulling the chairs away from the table, each of them took a seat.
“Can you tell me where Gregory went this morning?” Rita asked.
“We left Caspian’s reception so quickly; I forgot to give him and Desiree their wedding gift. I intended to deliver it this morning, but Gregory said he had business to discuss with Richard and would take the gift for me.”
Rita and Jessica exchanged a knowing glance. They had always been suspicious of Richard, and though Gregory didn’t exactly condemn him, his last syllable being “rich” made them think he might have been identifying Richard as the killer. Still, without proof, they couldn’t openly accuse the governor’s son. Then again, there had been several angel-blood deaths recently, and Richard may not have had anything to do with killing Gregory.
“We’ll have to tell my father about this,” Rita said. “You have a home in Utopia. Do you want us to transport his body there for the funeral?”
“No – Gregory really didn’t have many friends. Maybe we could have a small ceremony in Aeden. Your Father Patrick is familiar with the angel-bloods. Do you think he’ll agree to perform the service?”
Though his lips were pursed tightly, Matt managed a guttural laugh. “I don’t know why you would even bother,” he said. “I’m sure Gregory was up to no good and that’s what got him killed.”
Willow reached over and patted his hand. “Regardless of what he did in the past; he’s still your father. We need to have a proper funeral.”
Matt smiled and nodded. I know you’re right, but you don’t know how cruel my father was. I’m glad he’s dead, because now, he can’t hurt my mother anymore.
“Until we find out who was responsible for the death, you and Matt might want to stay in Aeden,” Rita said.
Andromeda’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped. “No – I- I couldn’t possibly leave the other children. Who will run the school?”
“I hate to say this, but when their parents find out Gregory was killed on the school’s grounds, they will probably insist the students return home. I’m sure it won’t be for long. We just need to get to the bottom of this.”
“I understand your concern, but Matt and I are staying here. My husband had some shady friends, but I doubt they’ll come after us.”
“We can give you more protection in Aeden. My mother’s shield is strongest there.” Seeing that Andromeda wasn’t going to budge, Rita finally conceded. “We can talk about this after the funeral,” she sighed.
“What should we do with Gregory’s body?”
“If it makes you uncomfortable having him here; Jessica and I can take the body with us.”
“I’m going to stay with Matthew,” Willow announced. “You can come for us after the arrangements are made.”
Rita looked at Jessica who nodded. “Fine, but no one leaves the school until we get back.”
She and Jessica walked back to the room. Rita tossed Gregory’s limp body over her shoulder, and then the girls used a portal to take them back to Aeden.
Chapter 37
“You should go to Purgatory, and have some of the guards ready the carriage house. Have Verah gather the children and take them back to the dormitory,” Samhael said.
“Why would I want to do that?” Mortriel asked. “Let the children see the Abyvir. I can use the beasts to threaten them into obedience.”
Samhael breathed a heavy sigh. “Listen to me. Neither of us knows what kind of powers those angel-bloods have. What if one of them is telepathic? We need to keep them away from the Abyvir to make sure our secret is protected; unless, of course, you want the Guild breathing down our necks?”
“If we send the children back to the dormitory what guarantee do we have that Bree and Tercia won’t attempt another rescue?”
“The Guild will be too busy dealing with Gregory’s death. Paul will want to keep his children close. Oliver or Garret can bring them food each day, and they can return to their duties once the Abyvir have settled into the cabin. I’ll stand watch until you return.”
Mortriel gave a half-hearted shrug and walked further into the forest. “Fine, but don’t do anything until I get back.”
“You have my word,” Samhael said.
When Mortriel arrived in Purgatory, he stopped at Oliver’s restaurant first. The fallen angel came out to greet him. “Are you here for lunch?”
“No – we will be bringing some visitors to Purgatory, and they will be staying in the carriage house. The children will return to the dormitory, and I’ll expect you to deliver food each day.”
Oliver gave Mortriel a quizzical stare. “I thought you wanted the girls under guard at all times?”
“I’ll still have them watched, but they won’t leave the shack under any circumstances.”
“Who are these visitors? Shouldn’t we make room in one of the guest cottages?”
Mortriel laughed. “They aren’t the type of creatures who do well indoors. The truth is -- they are Abyvirs. My father instructed us to experiment again and unfortunately, only two survived. We have them in chains, but we’ll need to keep them locked in a cage until they can follow directions.”
What was Lucifer thinking? He knows what happened the last time he experimented with the hound’s blood. We lost a score of friends. The Guild has seers amongst them. We have kept our island a secret, but to bring those creatures here – it’s just inviting trouble.
“One of the girls is in the kitchen with Garret,” Oliver said. “Should I send her to find Verah?”
Mortriel nodded and turned his attention to one of his soldiers sitting in a nearby chair.
“Come here,” he said in a booming voice. Remembering being thrown against a building the last time he angered him, the guard hurried to the table.
“I want you to find a large steel cage and have it brought to the carriage house.”
“Bu…” He didn’t get to finish his question before the scowl on Mortriel’s face stopped him mid-sentence.
Wiggling his eyebrow, he gave the guard a glassy stare. “Are you questioning my authority again?”
The dark wing’s face paled as he felt the muscles in his body tense. “No, sir; I’ll see to it immediately.”
Mortriel couldn’t help laughing as he watched the guard knock one of the tables over as he was running towards the square.
Fool – it’s hard for me to believe you were once a great warrior. He sighed. With soldiers like him, we shall need all the help we can get. We’ll see how this first pair of Abyvir fares, and then I’ll speak to Father about making more.
By the time the cage was in place, Verah had gathered the rest of the angel-bloods. Mortriel had already gone back to the Utopian forest, so Oliver escorted them to the dorm. He didn’t elaborate about why they were being moved. As far as the children knew, Mortriel was giving them a reprieve.
Verah knew better. She sensed Mortriel was keeping a secret; a secret he didn’t want the young girls to know about.
At least they would be fed and some of them could catch up on some much needed rest. They could also talk about some of their own secrets; like their powers Mortriel knew nothing about.
Finished with the task of killing Gregory, Richard returned to the woods on the outskirts of the Utopian colony. Clarence and Chester still appeared to be sleeping in their human form. “Have they started any more trouble while I was gone?” he asked.
“They’ve been as gentle as lambs. I
don’t think they’ve even opened their eyes,” Mortriel said, looking to Samhael for confirmation, and getting a faint nod in response. “Did you have any problems with Gregory?”
“No – that little thimble Grendel gave me worked perfectly.” He began to chuckle. “Gregory promised to keep his mouth shut. He believed I was going to walk away and we agreed to shake hands. That’s when I used the thimble to make a small cut in his palm. He never saw it coming.”
“So, he was dead before you left?”
“No, but he was close. He clung to me like a pitiful child, begging for his life. The poison was already beginning to take effect. I saw him stumbling through the gate.”
“And you are certain no one saw you?”
“We were alone.” He gazed at Chester and his brother. “You should get them out of here before someone finds the bodies of the other men.”
“Samhael and I have been giving this a lot of thought. Since you made the Abyvir, and can control them, you’ll come with me to Purgatory.”
“Do you think that’s wise? How will I explain my absence to my family?”
Mortriel pointed to his blood stained trousers. “We’ll have you outfitted with a new suit and shoes. Tell your family you did some shopping after your business meeting. It shouldn’t take long to get these two squared away. Afterwards, you will return to Utopia.
“What about Grendel? Will she be going too?”
“No – Grendel will stay here. Most of the Utopians avoid her and she can keep her eyes and ears open in case the Guild catches wind about what happened this morning. As soon as the fire is blazing; Samhael will go to Aeden to check on Stella and Mehri. After his meeting, he’ll meet me in Purgatory. I expect you’ll be gone before he arrives, but Samhael will stay in touch with you on a regular basis.”
‘And the fire – how long will it burn?”
“The bodies should be ashes in a few minutes. Some of the residents may see the flames, but by the time they come to investigate, there will be nothing left of the mortals.”
