I heard the hallway door close and the familiar creak of the wooden floors as Emrys made his way to the living room. Even if Lindy had said anything to Gavin about Emrys and me and our outdoor afternoon tryst, his abundance of respect for Emrys would prevent him from speaking about it. Not wanting to be a complete bother, I made up my mind to keep quiet and decided to forget the whole thing. I leaned closer to the mirror and stared into my eyes: sapphire blue, crystal clear as glass, or so I’d been told once by a complete stranger in the pub. The pub - where Melinda and I had spent many hours in our old, human lives. It was surprising - that place had not entered my mind in months, and curiously, I never once missed it - or any of the people. Perhaps when Amrita erased those random memories of Melinda and me from our friends, she let her powers spill over onto us. I could barely remember any of their names. Emrys had told me of his sister’s powers, but until I witnessed it myself, it had been impossible to believe.
As my mind wandered around all these thoughts; the room suddenly faded to dark. I was getting more used to my own power now: visions of future events, and I waited a moment, expecting one to materialize now. And then I saw an older gentleman standing at the gate to Ravenswynd, apparently explaining who he was. He wore an old-fashioned tweed suit and carried a briefcase and an umbrella. The man was deep in conversation with one of our guards, and then he tipped his hat to the gatekeeper, climbed into the back seat of a limo which proceeded under the archway with the ever-seeing raven perched at the very top. I realized at once - this was the same man who I’d seen in an earlier vision; the one where he was visiting with Gavin out on the patio. The long black car stopped at the front of the estate and the driver opened the door to let the man out. They locked eyes for a few moments, and then the driver got back into the vehicle. I did not see a clear picture of this man, but he was all dressed in black, was tall, and something seemed oddly familiar about him. The man in tweed stepped into the foyer but as the door closed behind him, my bathroom door opened, which abruptly shut down my vision, and left me, once again, in a state of frustration.
“I can’t believe it,” I sighed. “Just once I’d like to have a complete vision from beginning to end.”
“Sorry, my lovely,” Emrys said. He looked like he was in a hurry. “I just received a call from Priscilla. Dinner is ready, and I am a bit peckish. She’s made one of my favorites: Beef Wellington.”
“Humph.” I was hungry too, but not about to admit it now.
He licked his lips, and in my momentary irked mood, I wasn’t sure if it was due to hunger, or because he was gazing at my nakedness.
He gave a quick chuckle and said, “Come on, Elizabeth. It has been days since I sat with the whole family and had a nice meal. I have some catching up to do.” He touched my cheek sending the familiar electrical currents all through me. Since he’d been out of town for the past few days, he had missed so much: even the death of Rohan. I twitched again, recalling the violence of it all.
“Give me five more minutes,” I said pulling out the hair dryer, still trying to shake the negative memories.
Emrys leaned back against the doorframe and folded his arms, prepared to wait. I noticed a bit of impatience in his expression just as I turned off the dryer.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, half expecting him to question me about my emotional state – specifically - killing someone, yet knowing as always, he could read my every thought.
“Your vision of the gentleman in the tweed suit,” he said, frowning - but thoughtful. “He is most likely the man Gavin wants me to meet. I believe he popped in while we were out romping in the woods.” He smiled and raised a brow teasingly. This time the shiver was welcomed.
“Are you serious? So our little outdoor escapades caused you to miss an appointment today?” I asked, surprised. Melinda had been right; they really were looking for us.
“It was not an appointment. It was an impromptu visit.” His tone was matter-of-fact. “Gavin will set up an actual appointment to be sure I am available next time. I never miss appointments, Elizabeth,” he said shaking his head. “And I would really like to not miss dinner this evening. Let us get a move on!” he said, leaning forward and smacking my rear end. “Come on, you look beautiful. It is time to eat.”
Even though my latest vision had been so vague, it played over again in my mind as I dressed and slipped into my shoes. I followed Emrys into the foyer and just before he opened the door he turned around to face me.
“Your mind is still on the limo driver,” he started. “What is it?” His look was curious, inquisitive.
I shook my head. “I’m not sure, but it feels like I know him from somewhere. There’s just something very familiar about him.” I shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe it’s nothing.”
He stared into my eyes for a few moments, silent and barely blinking. I could see his mind churning, his dark eyes - pensive, and mouth straight and flat. For once, I wished I could read his thoughts because I had a feeling this would be one of those times he’d choose not to share. I wasn’t sure of the reason, but I knew he’d change the subject within a few seconds, making it seem like it didn’t matter.
“Penny for your thoughts?” I asked, already knowing his answer.
“No, it is nothing,” he said as he opened the door and let me step out ahead of him.
We made our way down the hall in silence, and just before entering the dining room, Emrys took my hand in his and said, “Well, now you have me thinking about that mystery man.”
I didn’t have time to respond to that, because all heads turned our way when we rounded the corner and took our usual seats. And it was so obvious that when dinner was more quiet than usual, I couldn’t help but think everyone was a little apprehensive around me because of recent events, namely, the fact that I had killed the rogue vampire. Single handedly on top of it. Humph. I decided to show them how unafraid I was now that he was gone. How they need not be so worried about my emotional stability, or lack thereof. Except for Melinda, and Kelsey, I had not really spoken to anyone since Rohan’s death. And even those conversations were short and sparse.
The beef was tender and juicy and as I finished my last bite I decided to speak. I placed my fork down quietly and took a sip of my wine.
“Well, everyone sure is quiet this evening,” I announced. “If you’re worried about saying something you think should not be said, please don’t be.” I placed my empty glass down and looked around the table at all the familiar faces.
Melinda gave me one of her sweet sister smiles. She knew me too well. Gavin raised his eyebrows but continued to eat.
At first Fiona was too wound up in Rufus and their quiet conversation. But then when what I’d said registered with her, she quipped, “You go, girl!”
I snickered at my friend’s comment and then gazed toward Kelsey and Royal. They too had been quietly conversing; their heads close together like lovebirds. They both studied me intently, waiting for me to continue.
“That’s it? No one has any questions or comments?” I tapped my fingernail on the empty glass.
I noticed Larkin putting a hand on Amrita’s arm. I wasn’t sure if he was just being himself - a loving husband, or if his action was in response to my words and he aimed to keep her from speaking up about her half-brother and how I had killed him. I turned my head toward my own husband. Would he say anything to stifle me?
He looked down as he shook his head. It was barely visible, but definitely a shake. He lifted his head and his eyes met mine with softness. “Elizabeth, please. Do not do this.”
“Don’t do what?” I asked, getting irritated.
“You know perfectly well. You do not have to talk about this. You even said that you did not want to. It is finished, and it is time to get on with our lives.” He put his hand on mine sending electricity all the way up to my head. Even though I was now used to this electrical sensation so common to all the vampires, his touch was still stronger than the rest.
Kelsey cleare
d her throat to get our attention. “Master Emrys, sir? May I speak plainly?”
Emrys nodded and said, “Go on, Kelsey.” His eyes briefly averted to Amrita, and I knew that he also wondered if this situation affected his sister at all.
“Well, Lizzy and I have become close these past few months,” Kelsey began slowly. “And I think she’s feeling a bit...strange...since no one seems to be discussing recent events. If anyone should be upset or angry, she should be, not any of us. After all, she was the one constantly under attack - through no fault of her own I might add. And it seems none of the precautions which were taken really helped all that much.” I could see she deliberately averted her eyes from Emrys.
I felt Emrys stiffen, his hand still on mine.
Kelsey went on: “I know my actions certainly did nothing to help her, and truth be told, some of my actions made things worse for her. But you know what? Lizzy has forgiven me for my part. As a matter of fact, she doesn’t even care to admit that I did anything wrong.” She shook her head sending her brown curls waving. “I guess what I’m trying to say is: the worst thing we can do is not talk about it. Lizzy needs to know we are all okay with what happened, and I think that everyone not saying anything is the opposite of what she needs.” She glanced at me and smiled. Either she was very perceptive, or she knew me better than I had realized. I guess as my assistant, she had been spending more time with me than my own sister had been lately.
“She’s right,” I said nodding my head. “Completely right. Even though I did say that I had no desire to discuss what happened, I can’t go on sitting here wondering what everyone else is thinking. It’s pure torture. I just need to know that everyone is alright with what I did.”
“My dear sweet sister,” Amrita spoke up first. “Surely you must realize by now; your actions were completely justified. I think I can speak for all who sit here when I say no one holds anything against you. Certainly I do not.”
I felt Emrys’ touch begin to soften. Looking into Amrita’s eyes, it was plain to see she was telling the truth. She raised an eyebrow - the one that was pierced. The silver ring caught the light and glittered briefly. Her shimmery hair glowed in the dim lighting, and her blue-gray eyes were tearless.
“I wish I could say it bothered me, but his death means nothing to me, nothing at all,” Amrita continued. “There was never an ounce of love between us. The most I can say about us is the indifference we felt was mutual. So you see – there’s nothing to discuss. Sorry, sweetie, but that’s all I’ve got.” She looked away from me and toward her brother. “Emrys, please help me out here.”
“My sister is correct,” Emrys said, gazing at me. “Anything else will be no more than repeating all that has been said over and over again. Rohan’s death was his own doing, and furthermore, you know yourself, Elizabeth, the council had already voted on his sentence. Just because it was you who carried it out, does not mean it was not meant to happen.” Then he whispered, “Surely you must remember the evening you coerced me into divulging the plan!” Continuing louder, he said, “Everyone here is aware of his sentence. My only regret is that I did not get the satisfaction of doing it myself.”
A crowd of voices cheered at once all agreeing boisterously with their leader. One voice came above the rest: “As do I!”
And then another: “Me too!”
I looked at Emrys as he spoke quietly, “See, my beautiful wife. No one is against you. No one has any questions. I believe it is more than likely that nearly everyone here wishes that he or she had been able to accomplish what you alone succeeded in doing. And the rest only wish this subject be closed, once and for all.”
Gavin raised his glass and said, “Hear-hear!”
Everyone toasted and took a drink, quickly returning to their quiet conversations.
I felt better: justified, vindicated, maybe even absolved - which made me feel less guilty now too. Regardless of my feelings or what anyone else thought of me, or my actions, there was still a small, quiet voice inside of me that would not keep silent. I tried to push it away and force myself to relax. After all, I should be relishing in the fact that, once again, all was well in my world.
But something else was definitely gnawing at me. While everyone continued eating and drinking, I sat quietly thinking about all the recent events, trying to figure out what was bugging me. And again, my most recent vision ran through my mind. There was something about it that haunted me, but I could not pinpoint what it was - not exactly. I wondered again if it had something to do with the driver. Why did he seem so familiar? I could not place him at all, and yet I almost felt like I knew him.
Emrys took the rest of his wine in one giant gulp and as he placed his empty glass down on the table he heaved a sigh saying, “I can see clearly there will always be something going on inside this pretty little head of yours.” He reached over and patted my head, laughing as he did.
“I just can’t stop wondering about that vision. And for some strange reason, I am more interested in finding out about the limo driver than I am about the old man in tweed.”
Priscilla’s head twisted my way and her eyes grew wide when she overheard my comment. Suddenly she jumped up and quickly gathered a pile of dishes, trying to look busy and disinterested. But it was too late; I had caught her sudden interest in our private conversation.
Does she know something we don’t know?
She hurried out of the dining room and never looked back.
“Did you see that, Emrys?” I whispered.
“What, my lovely wife?”
“It might be only my imagination, but I think our cook knows something about my vision! Maybe she knows that driver!”
Emrys shook his head. “That does seem a bit unlikely, my dear. And even if she does, you shall never get it out of her. She is better at keeping secrets than Sibelle is.”
I rolled my eyes and said, “Great.”
“You must not worry about the future, Elizabeth. I have come to learn that everything will work out in time. Everything that is hidden will become known. Patience is the key. You will learn that lesson soon.”
Even though he had attempted to make light of my curiosity, I knew my speculations about my vision had to be equally perplexing to him, and eventually I’d get him to talk about it with me. By the look on his face I could tell he’d read my mind once again, and I couldn’t help but chuckle as I said, “Yes, dear, I suppose you’re right!”
CHAPTER 11
FAIRY VISIONS
“Can you believe we’ve been here ten months already, Lizzy?” Melinda marveled as she stopped strolling and looked around taking in the whole estate. “I can’t get over how fast the time has gone! Before you know it, ten years will have passed and we’ll be back in the states. I wonder if we’ll run into any of our old friends,” she mused.
The way Melinda sighed; I believed she actually hoped that we would. I didn’t have the heart to remind her that most of them had their memories of us all but erased, and it had to stay that way. Personally, I didn’t think I’d even be interested in the next gathering. Apart from my time with Emrys, the majority of my memories of the last gathering were either negative or downright horrifying.
We continued our outdoor walk. The strong aroma of melting chocolate had permeated the entire first floor of the estate and now wafted out of an open window, following us. The gentle evening breezes brought it our way so thickly I could almost taste it. Melinda and I looked at each other at the same moment our noses detected the enticing scent, and we smiled knowingly. Priscilla was at work on her latest endeavor: chocolate mousse. Tonight’s dessert would be heavenly. It was at times like these that I was glad vampires consumed more than just blood.
I gazed out over the deep green hillside toward the setting sun and the smooth and fairly calm waters. It reflected a mirror image of the sky - filled with brilliant reds and oranges. Dusk was still my favorite time of day. An evening star shone bright above our heads in the ever-deepening blue sky, a remind
er of the night when I wished upon this very star, hoping beyond hope to find my true love. I glanced over at my twin, almost able to read her thoughts as I knew she still yearned for another kind of love. My heart ached for her emptiness, once again recalling my vision of her that very same evening. I wished then that along with those images, there came a time-line to tell me when these things would actually happen. I never knew for sure what to expect, since most of what I saw were only partial peeks into the future. I had yet to experience a complete vision from beginning to end. And the sad fact was that although I really did experience them, so often they had been so ill defined, and many of them were so swift to come and then disappear, that quite often I hadn’t even realized I was having a vision until it was over. But thankfully, as time went by I was improving and was now able to at least recognize when I felt one coming on.
I hoped and prayed the one I’d had of Lindy would be exactly what I thought it was, and not something I only imagined it to be. Even though Sibelle had reinforced my vision with her words, saying in essence that there would be children coming to Ravenswynd; it had been so long ago, that I started to doubt myself. After all, I also knew I was capable of misunderstanding or misinterpreting these visions ever since the wretched episode with Rohan. How stupid I had been to believe that it was my Emrys standing behind me as I sat at my vanity table. I shuddered at the thought of Rohan’s hands on me, and the terrible mess he could have made of my existence.
“You’re thinking of him again, aren’t you?” Lindy asked as she caught my arm and stopped me cold. “I can always tell when you get that look in your eyes. He’s gone, Lizzy. He’ll never bother you again.” Her voice was calm and reassuring, and her expression sincere.
“I know, I know,” I said, turning to look at my sister. “It’s just that when I think of what could have happened, such horrible thoughts go through me, and, it makes me wonder if my visions will ever even be a benefit to me – or anyone else for that matter. I mean, what’s the point of having visions if I don’t get a thing out of it, especially when it might be a warning of danger?”
The Ravenswynd Series - Boxed Set Page 69
