Soul Snatcher

by annie nadine

  “Yes, Mr. Brighton?” Garrick looked at the letter that Eli had received from his brother sitting open on the desk.

  “As you can see I have had more correspondence from my brother. I have written a letter that will need to be sealed then sent away immediately. Annie will be staying at the Westwood estate until the matter is dealt with,” Eli advised. He handed Garrick the letter that needed to be sent.

  “Would you like me to stay with her?” Garrick asked.

  “No. No one can stay with her and no one is to know where she is. She will be safe as long as she does not invite anyone in and we will provide her with sufficient supplies. It needs to be as if she does not exist,” he explained.

  “Excuse me!” Annie interrupted. The men looked at her as if they only just realised she was there. “What on earth is happening?” Eli blinked a few times before he looked back to Garrick without answering her.

  “That will be all for now,” Eli said and Garrick left.

  “Do not just ignore me, Eli!” Annie demanded. He didn’t seem shocked or hurt by her tone. He simply walked over to her and took both of her hands in his.

  “Do you trust me, Annie?” He asked looking into her eyes. The question pushed the steam right out of her and she wasn’t sure what to do. After a moment she finally spoke.

  “Yes,” she answered honestly.

  “Good. Now in life we sometimes need to ask our friends to just trust us, without the questions,” he said pleadingly.

  She thought about what he said and a million other questions swam to mind. This mysterious brother, would he not be a tracker also? Unless his father had a son to another woman, in which case he might prefer to keep that private. Eli deserved his privacy. And if she really thought about it, though she hadn’t known him for very long, she found that she did trust him. He had earned her trust and being his friend she decided to give it to him.

  “Fine,” she conceded as she rolled her eyes. He smiled and kissed her hands.

  “You are too good, Annie.” This earned him another eye roll and an exaggerated nod from her. “Now I thought we could have a lesson today,” he said hopefully. He was acting as if the past few minutes never happened, which was contrary to how he had acted just days ago because of his brother.

  Seeing no use for it she gave up her curiosity, just as he had given up his urgency, and let the mood lighten. One thing she had learned about Eli was that he was in control of when he revealed anything to her. In fact, he was in control of just about everything in his life really, including parts of her life. Before the thought could become disconcerting she became distracted with other thoughts.

  “That would be excellent but I would like to clarify a few things first.” She was adamant to clear up some of her questions whilst she had the opportunity. “Before you left the other day, you were going to tell me about snatchers and what they were designed to do,” she reminded. It had been gnawing at her interest for days now.

  “Yes. We were interrupted.” Eli let go of her hands and gestured for her to take a seat. He sat in a chair closest to the one she chose. After they were settled he started. “Do you remember in the myth, the woman was granted eternal youth in exchange for her soul?” Annie nodded to show her understanding. “And it had to be her own soul because no one else would love her more than she loved herself?”

  “Yes, it is strange really because I think she was someone obsessed with herself rather than someone who truly loved herself but continue,” Annie offered.

  “And she sacrificed only those who truly loved her?” He waited to see that they were on the same page before he continued. “If a soul snatcher can make someone fall in love with them then they can steal their soul with just a kiss,” Eli explained.

  “Because hers was taken with a kiss,” she said as she put it together.

  “That is correct,” he commended her. “If they steal a soul then the bane goes into a form of hibernation, keeping them preserved without needing anything to stop the bane from burning them. This is what they were truly designed for, the blood is only a method used to preserve them until they can do what they were truly made for.”

  “So how long can a soul snatcher go between souls?” She wondered feeling disturbed by the notion. This seemed more frightening than the other things she had heard.

  “However long the soul would have lasted in the original body. So if it was taken from a young woman or man it could last decades, unless they were someone who was going to meet their demise early in life. That is the trick with snatching, it is a gamble,” he explained.

  “What happens when the soul…expires, for lack of a better term,” she asked feeling rather eerie about it all.

  “We are not certain what happens to the stolen soul when it departs but the snatcher must drink blood or steal another soul within moments of losing the last one, otherwise they perish. Now it is not until a human is genuinely in love that they can lose their soul,” Eli stressed the point.

  “That seems even more horrible than drinking blood,” Annie said feeling sick about it. She went a little pale from the very thought of having her own soul stolen by someone she trusted. To be so betrayed by someone you thought loved you.

  “It is all rather terrible and it is happening too often. Obviously the ones who were turned by poorly kept snatchers or drank tainted blood have very little chance of finding someone to love them. So that leaves the unblemished, enticing snatchers that humans would probably never suspect.” His tone sounded as if he was warning her.

  “Well, I will be on the lookout for attractive men who want to declare their love for me. If you were not a tracker you would be at the top of my list.” She had no idea why she said it, maybe to try and take away the fear she felt. It worked because now she just felt stupid and awkward but Eli being Eli rescued her from herself.

  “Any other questions, Annie?” He asked, pushing past the discomfort. In an effort to rein in his affection for her, he opted to keep the word ‘precious’ out of his sentence. She shook her head avoiding looking at his eyes. “Then we shall start our lesson once you have changed.” She gave him a grateful smile and went to get dressed.

  When she was out of the room he went over to the letter on the desk and read it again. If his brother found out about Annie, Eli had no idea what he would do. All he knew was that he would protect Annie at any cost, even if it came down to his own life.

  CHAPTER 18

  As Annie slept, Baden made his way into her room. Without disturbing her he laid down on the mattress beside her and just watched her chest rise and fall with every steady breath. He lightly touched her hair as he wondered what she was dreaming of, hoping it was something beautiful. Her soul felt at ease and it made his feel lighter because of it.

  He slipped his arm around her and she stirred from his touch. He paused a moment to try and give her time to fall back to sleep but she woke up nevertheless. Her eyes fluttered opened and it took a moment for them to adjust to the dark. When she felt Baden’s arm around her she smiled contentedly.

  “Where have you been, Baden?” She asked drowsily as she snuggled up next to him. He smiled at how she made him feel.

  “What do you mean, my Annie?” He whispered into her ear. Her smile widened at the sweet way he said her name, she loved how he called her, ‘my Annie’.

  “The past few nights you have not come to visit.” Her eyes were closed because she was still half asleep but she was grateful that he was near.

  “I have come every night but you have slept through my visits.” He laughed a little whilst he explained. Her eyes shot open in surprise at his words. She looked up at him but could barely see through the dark.

  “I have been asleep each time?” She asked, horrified that she might have done something ridiculously embarrassing in her sleep. “Please agree to wake me when you arrive. Or at the very least, stay until I am awake,” she negotiated, pretending to be indignant. He smiled at her fun and pulled her closer.

  “I will
do whatever you say,” he said with more meaning than she knew.

  She took a deep breath to take in his smell. She never knew someone could smell so good, or that a smell would become something important in her life but somehow it had and it made everything seem better.

  “I must tell you that I will be away for a few days.” She told him in hopes that he would offer to visit.

  “Where will you be going?” He asked with particular interest.

  “Somewhere…was it the Weston estate?” She pondered aloud.

  “Westwood,” Baden corrected.

  “Yes, how did you know?” Annie wasn’t suspicious at all in her sleepy state. Even if she had been completely awake she still wouldn’t doubt Baden.

  “It was owned by one of the richest families in this town and after they left I believe, was it the Brighton family who added it to their extensive list of estates?” He rattled off the information easily.

  “Yes, it was. You know your history,” she commented. “So I will be there because Eli’s brother is coming to town and Eli arranged for me to stay there.” She thought how lovely it was to have Baden close.

  “Did he say why you had to stay there?” Baden asked curiously.

  “No, he avoided telling me. No matter, there is no harm in me staying there. It would be rather lovely to have a secret visitor…” She hinted nervously. Baden had no issues with going there, the only problem was that he had never been invited in or resided there before he had been changed. Before Annie could feel too worried about his delayed response he spoke.

  “That could be arranged.” He tickled along her back and she felt relieved that he would follow her. She drifted off to sleep, more content by knowing Baden was there.

  “Annie, there is something I need to tell you.” Baden waited for her to say something. When she didn’t respond he looked down and saw she was asleep. He kissed her forehead softly so as not to wake her. “I love you,” he whispered to her and she smiled in her sleep. He stayed until she woke the next day, just as he had promised he would.

  Soon the day came for Annie to leave for the Westwood estate. The carriage was loaded with provisions for her stay and some of her belongings. Eli and Annie stood outside under the warmth of the morning sun before she had to leave.

  “By the look of it you expect your brother to be staying for at least a century,” Annie joked as she took in the sight of the carriage and Eli couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Let us hope it does not come to that,” he said as he helped her into the carriage. She peeked her head out of the window when the door was closed. Garrick was escorting her on her trip so he stood off to the side fixing the horses whilst they said their goodbyes.

  As Annie and Eli were speaking, a rider came hurrying into the gates and approached them. As they trotted closer Annie could see it was Micah. He purposely avoided looking at her and it hurt to have him act so cold, no matter how much she prepared herself for it. Micah didn’t bother to dismount because it was only going to be a short visit.

  “Mr. Brighton, Miss Danes would like to invite you to dinner upon her return in a month’s time. She referred to it as an armistice.” After Micah delivered the message orally he handed a piece of paper to Eli, who took it graciously. Annie was shocked that it was still going to be that long before Miss Danes would return, what on earth could she be doing?

  “Unfortunately that is an invitation I must decline,” Eli refused politely without reading the letter.

  “With all due respect, Mr. Brighton Miss Danes stressed in her correspondence to not take ‘no’ for an answer.” Annie watched Micah as he spoke and she saw his jaw clench in anger. Why was he so upset? He looked different to what she remembered, he had always been so gentle and sweet. Now he seemed hard and angry. He glanced over at her but averted his gaze when he saw she was looking at him.

  “Whether you accept the answer or not, it remains a definite no. I suggest you best leave before you take on more trouble than it is worth, Micah.” Eli tried to keep his tone civil but failed.

  “Very well, I shall pass on your response accordingly,” Micah said and left before another word could be spoken. Eli turned to Garrick when Micah was out of sight.

  “Pay close attention whilst you travel,” he advised meaningfully. Garrick nodded and jumped into the driver’s seat of the carriage. Eli turned to Annie and smiled as if nothing had happened.

  “Is there something I should know?” Annie asked hoping Eli would be honest with her.

  “Nothing that cannot wait until you return. Now tell me, what must you be sure to do?” He asked as if he was addressing a child.

  She rolled her eyes and sat back in the seat, hiding herself from his view. He jumped up on the footstool below the carriage door and leaned his head in through the window, looking at her expectantly.

  “I must not invite anyone in under any circumstance. You will come for me when your brother has left and if there is cause I must ride on the horse provided and come straight back to the manor. That is only if it is necessary. Necessary being; if the house is on fire and is burning down, if you have come for me and you are in my sight or there is an intruder,” Annie repeated the spiel she had been taught. Eli smiled at her expressionless rendition.

  “You, my dear are wonderful.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

  She couldn’t help but cheer up from his actions. She felt a little like a prisoner but none of it mattered because she would still be able to see Baden. Eli jumped off the carriage and waved them out of the gate. He hoped after his brother’s visit it would all be over.

  Annie sat in the carriage for what felt like no time at all before they approached the house. The structure sat alone at the top of a hill that was completely surrounded by trees. Garrick helped her out of the carriage once they had stopped and started to collect her things.

  “Garrick, was this a more humble abode for the Westwood family?” She asked, inspecting the modest looking house from afar. It was not run down but it did not seem to suit the title of ‘wealthy’.

  “Yes. This was one of their more private properties. They came here when they needed space. How did you know?” Garrick asked confused. Annie realised her slip when she remembered that Baden had been the one to tell her about the family.

  “Living in such a small town makes it difficult to keep secrets,” she said quickly trying to fix her mistake. Garrick was under the impression that the Westwood’s were a private family and only a few select families knew them well, but it must not have been the case. Without a second thought he went back to unloading everything and forgot about their conversation.

  Soon enough all of Annie’s clothes and provisions were in the house. It may have been a modest house but it was neat and charming none the less. The light blue paint and white trimmings were not faded or scuffed. There were no cobwebs and it was clean of dust. The furniture was simple, most if it was ivory coloured, and the feel of the house was welcoming. There were three bedrooms, a kitchen, a parlour, a reading room and a study. So it may have been a little further from the definition of modest than she once thought but compared to the extravagant lifestyle of the wealthy it could fall under that category. After everything was packed away and Garrick had double checked the house, Annie stood at the door with Garrick to say goodbye.

  “You have your daggers?” He checked.

  “Yes, I do,” she assured him. She was very much ready for some time alone. Not that she was irritated by Garrick, she was just someone who valued her own space.

  “I shall reassure Mr. Brighton. The horse is tied up at the side of the house if you need. We will be back to fetch you in no time, Miss Belle,” he promised.

  “Thank you, Garrick. Have a safe trip home.” He gave her a smile as he left and she returned the gesture.

  Annie closed the door and locked it. She went straight for the books she had packed. She picked the one she most felt like reading, went to the parlour and started a fire. Soon she was settled in fo
r a peaceful night.

  CHAPTER 19

  Annie had been at the house for two days and she hadn’t heard from anyone. The most disappointing part was that she hadn’t heard from Baden. She had entertained herself by reading books, writing and going over the things Eli had taught her during their lessons.

  One night when she had finished cleaning up from dinner and was headed to the parlour with a book, there was a knock at the door. She paused and stood at the end of the hall, staring at the front door. Should she answer it? When she hadn’t decided, whoever it was knocked again. It had to be someone she knew…didn’t it? The small doubt that is was a stranger at the door made her hesitate.

  As silently as she could, she quickly raced and grabbed the dagger that went in her hair. It was the only one she was able to find. She left the book in her room and crept up to the door. Trying to hold back her fear she clenched the dagger in her fist. Who could it be? She stood at the door in indecision. She looked down and realised that she was only wearing a nightdress, which was white and very revealing. She was about to run and get something to cover herself when the visitor spoke.