The Ancients: Book 3 in the Cedarstone Chronicles

by Sean Stone

  "I do not want to argue. You must understand the situation." His voice was high and pretentious. Nick would give anything to rip his throat out. "You are the only human in a supernatural land. You are at a serious disadvantage. Think of all the things I could do that you would be powerless to counter. Those bloody ancients can teach you all the fighting skills they like up on their high mountain, but it won't do a lick of good against even the feeblest sorcerer." Dominic snatched his hand back and Nick crumpled to the floor. The burning was leaving him, but every one of his bones ached. "Stay away from Olivia. Don't make me tell you again," he said, and then stalked back in the direction of the village.

  Nick didn't leave the temple for the next week. He tried to get on with things as usual, but he kept replaying his encounter with Dominic over and over again in his head even though all he wanted to do was forget about it. Dominic was right; Nickolas was vulnerable in Elysium, like a goldfish in a sea of sharks. Whilst up in the temple he had felt safe but venturing out where the rest of the people were things were different. Dominic had made him feel so utterly helpless. And then there was Olivia. Nick hadn't realised that she had been promised to another. He had assumed that she was available, although the first time he had seen her she had been with Dominic. It made sense that the pair had been betrothed. Nick could not compete with Dominic; he had magic and Nick had none. He'd even ridiculed Nick's combat skills. He'd been so happy when Set had begun training him with the sword, not realising that it was a useless skill on this island. He could be the best swordsman in the world and Dominic would still beat him in a fight, because he had magic and Nick did not. And that was never going to change. The best thing to do was forget about Olivia. But it was difficult. He'd only spent one afternoon with her and yet he was completely infatuated.

  At the end of the week his bedroom door was flung open rudely. He thought it must be Set, nobody else in the temple would come in without knowing, but he was surprised to see Olivia walking casually in.

  "Olivia," he said as she nudged the door shut with her foot.

  "Black Wood boy," she replied and he clenched his jaw in annoyance. "I haven't seen you in the village at all this week?" she said questioningly as if it were his duty to go down there.

  "I'm afraid I have been very busy with my lessons," Nick lied. He couldn't tell her what had happened with Dominic. It was too embarrassing.

  "Mhmm. So it's nothing to do with Dominic?" Dominic must have told her.

  "Well…" Nick had no reply. He'd been caught in his lie.

  Olivia sighed and sat down on the bed next to Nick. "He told me the two of you had an altercation. What happened?" she said in a gentler tone.

  "Nothing really," Nick said, shaking his head and shrugging. He couldn't tell her about his humiliation.

  "Nick," she fixed him with a look that made him feel so silly.

  "He told me that you're his and that I have to stay away from you," Nick confessed.

  "Tsk. How dare he. I am not his and I never will be," she said firmly, igniting a spark of hope in Nick.

  "So, you and he are not betrothed?"

  "Betrothed? What is that?" Olivia asked, her face wrinkled in confusion.

  "It means you are arranged to be married," Nick explained and Olivia erupted in a fit of giggles. "What is so funny?" he demanded.

  "You think I would marry him? Honestly, I would sooner launch myself into a volcano!"

  "Oh," Nick said and laughed too. Every weight that had been holding him down was suddenly lifted, as if by magic.

  "There are no arranged marriages on Elysium, Nick. We are all free to do as we wish."

  "I know," Nick said, remembering all that Kayla had taught him. Even after being here for all this time he still hadn't managed to shake off all the ways of England.

  "Dominic has liked me since we were twelve years old. He has followed me around like a puppy dog ever since. I do like him — as a friend — although he can get somewhat insufferable at times. But friendship is all there is between us." She paused and looked at Nick ponderously as if she was trying to solve a complex puzzle. "I suppose that this means you want something more than friendship?" she asked, her cheeks reddening. Nick felt his own cheeks heating up as well.

  "I… I don't…" he turned into a stuttering fool, unable to string a single word together. Of course, he wanted more than friendship, but how to put that into words without making a fool of himself?

  She reached out and put a hand on his leg. Her touch made his stomach twist and somersault. "Relax. Do not worry about it for now. We have time to figure it out in the future. Tell me, did Dominic hurt you?"

  Nick looked away, reliving his shame. "He did not hit me." He couldn't bring himself to admit the truth; Olivia could not see him as anything less than a man.

  "That is not what I meant. Did he use magic on you?"

  "He was so angry. Not just at me, but at Kayla and Set as well. I don't know why he would be so bitter towards them," Nick said, hoping she would not make him say exactly what Dominic had done.

  "His whole family are not particularly fond of the ancients. Dominic's father once came to the temple and asked Kayla for the gift of immortality and she refused him. He has not forgotten, and it seems that grudge has now passed down to their son."

  "Kayla can give out immortality?" Nick didn't realise such thing was possible, neither Kayla nor Set had mentioned it before.

  "It is not something she does lightly. I have heard stories of her granting some special people immortality but I've not seen it and those people are not here in Elysium." Nick wondered if she really had made other immortals and if so what had happened to them? Had she revoked her gift, or had they simply left?

  "I have to get back now, but I expect to see you in the village again soon," she said sternly, almost telling him off. "I will be free Tuesday evening," she said and then rolled from the room, leaving Nick in much higher spirits than before she had arrived.

  When Tuesday evening arrived, Nick was in the village waiting outside the candle shop. Kayla had found him the finest clothes to wear so that he looked good for his first official date with Olivia. Kayla had assured him that this was most definitely a date. When Olivia emerged from the shop she showed not even a hint of surprise. In fact, it was evident that she was expecting his presence by her own resplendent attire. She was not wearing a dress — Nick had never seen her wear one — she wore an ornate shirt and bodice. Her hair, usually straight, was lightly curled into ringlets and she was wearing make up — a sight Nick had not seen before.

  "Black Wood boy," she said in her usually greeting. "I had a feeling you might show up this evening."

  "Perhaps your feeling can be attributed to the subtle hint you delivered the other day in my bedroom?" Nick asked, smirking.

  "I trust that you have something prepared?"

  "Naturally," he replied confidently, masking his nerves as best he could. Olivia approached him and as she did she took his arm and let him lead her into the woods. The sky was already darkening by the time they arrived at the base of the waterfall, but Nick had prepared for that. The branches of the trees above them had been filled with charmed gems that shone brightly in the darkness — Kayla had created them especially for the evening. On the grass, a velvet cloth had been laid and next to it a hamper containing their dinner.

  "I had not expected…" Olivia began, but she did not finish.

  Nick took her by the hand, trying to keep his own from shaking in nervous excitement, and led her to the blanket. By the time they had finished they were both quite full and resigned to laying on their backs, looking up at the glowing gems in the trees. As they lay there, enjoying the multicoloured lights and listening to the soft fall of the water, Nick felt Olivia's hand gripping his own. He opened his fingers and entwined them in his, holding tight. She squeezed his hand and he squeezed back just a little harder. They played that game for a minute or so until they both laughed and then simultaneously rolled over, into one another. The
ir eyes met in the dim light and Nick ran a hand through her beautiful hair, relishing the feel on his fingertips. When he spoke he did so in a whisper.

  "I have never felt like this before, like I… Like I am in a state of perpetual wonder. I feel as though I am reading an enthralling story, I never want it to end, but I cannot wait to discover what happens next," Nick said softly.

  She sighed gently and then looked at him with wide eyes, biting her bottom lip. "Nick…" she said, but he stopped her. He leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips. Her lips were soft and tasted of cream and wine. After he kissed her he leaned back to be sure that she was not repulsed by his forwardness, but to the contrary she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back, kissing him more passionately than he had dared to kiss her. They went no further than that and soon ended up cuddling on the blanket, gazing up at the stars.

  "I have something for you," Olivia said all of a sudden. She sat up and pulled out of her bodice a thin silver chain with a black stone set on it. I was simple and yet pleasing to the eye.

  "What is it?" Nick asked sitting up and taking the chain in his hand.

  "I asked my mother to make it. It is enchanted to protect its wearer from magical powers — some anyway. It should be more than powerful enough to stop Dominic from using his magic on you again."

  "And this is for me?" Nick asked, his pulse quickening. He couldn't believe she had thought to make such a thing for him.

  "Yes. Next time Dominic wishes to fight you, he will find himself fighting at an equal level," she said and smiled. "Turn, so I may put it on you." Nick turned around and she hooked the chain around his neck. For a moment or two, her skin was brushing the back of his neck and he relished in her touch, but it did not last for long and he soon found himself missing it.

  After another hour or so he walked her back to the village.

  They shared a brief kiss at Olivia's door and then after giving Nick a final smile she slipped inside. Nick turned away, grinning inanely, and began walking back to the temple. It was when he returned to the woods that he found Dominic waiting at the same spot they'd had their encounter last time. Nick's smile fell away when he saw Dominic standing gloomily under an old cedar tree. Nick's hand shook as he recalled how things had unfolded last time, but then he remembered the necklace.

  "I thought I'd made myself clear last time, but apparently, you need another lesson in respect," Dominic said. He didn't wait about; he closed the space between them and put his hand flat on Nick's chest as he had before. Nick felt the power enter him, but then the stone on the necklace shone green and the feeling subsided at once. Dominic saw the necklace and his face twisted in horrified surprise. You… You little cretin!" he spluttered. Nick straightened up, ready for a more physical fight, but Dominic stepped back quickly.

  "Olivia does not feel the same way about you as you seem to about her," Nick informed Dominic. Nick stepped forward and Dominic stepped back again, no longer so eager to be close to him.

  "Bloody ancients make you a necklace did they?" Dominic spat. His tone was no longer threatening but petulant and childish.

  "Olivia did actually," Nick said gleefully, enjoying the affect his words had on his rival.

  "She wouldn't. She's—"

  "Yours?" Nick cut in. "No, I'm afraid she isn't."

  "I will wipe that smug grin off your face," Dominic warned.

  "You're welcome to try, but I fear that with your magic having no affect on me you won't be able to put up much of a fight."

  "I could beat you in any manner," he said arrogantly.

  "Well then, why not accompany me to the temple where we can retrieve the swords?" Nick suggested, still smiling.

  "I could bring you to your knees without breaking a sweat," he said with confidence. "But why should I waste my time worrying about a bit of scum they found in the Black Wood Forest when all I need do is wait for Olivia to see you for what you truly are. You're nothing and you have no place here." Dominic stormed past Nick, slamming into his shoulder as he went. Nick didn't retaliate, he simply enjoyed the knowledge that this time, he had won.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Present Day

  So far, Eric's guys had uncovered nothing pertaining to Natalie's attack. Everybody treated the claim with scepticism, some even suggested that she had faked the entire thing. But he did not doubt her. He believed her fully and the investigation would not end until he had answers. Serena was still being amiable towards her and that worried Eric more than the attack did. If Serena was being nice to an enemy then it meant she was up to something, but every time Eric had questioned her he'd been met with the same facade of innocence. She'd reveal whatever she was up to soon enough and then he would punish her accordingly. Mother or not, she would not be allowed to disrespect him. It was clear to him that she intended to rule the pack through him and that was not going to fly.

  Eric was in his dining room, his mother by his side, awaiting the return of Merle. He needed to appoint some senior pack members to attend meetings like this one. It made him look weak to only have his mother's input on everything. Gus was his defect right-hand man but he was out investigating the attack.

  Merle strolled into the dining room as if he was the master of the house and casually planted himself across from Eric.

  "Welcome back, brother," Serena said. She gave him a small smile.

  "I'd say it's good to be back but from what I've heard things are in a bit of a mess," Merle grumbled. He always had to put a downer on things.

  "How so?" Eric asked, keeping his tone and expression neutral. It did not do for a leader to show emotion. That was one of the lessons his grandfather had taught him. Now that he was alpha it was time to start putting those lessons to use.

  "The Thirteen are still ravishing the town. You've done nothing to set up diplomatic relations with either the coven or the clan. You have set up no internal structure for the pack. And to top it all off, you've moved your human girlfriend into the house and gone public with your abomination of a relationship," Merle said.

  "I am in the process of setting up my own government, so to speak, for the pack, of which you will not be a part. Therefore, none of those matters are your concern. Least of all my personal affairs. As for the Thirteen, whether or not we can deal with them depends on whether or not you have been successful. Tell me what you learned on your travels," Eric said, still keeping his tone neutral. Merle looked at him bitterly and Eric derived great satisfaction from it. His uncle grunted and spun a folded piece of paper across the table at him. Eric looked down at the paper and then slowly lifted it, unfolding it and gazing at what was drawn.

  It was a sketch of a dagger. It had jewels of some kind on the hilt, but what kind was impossible to discern because the drawing was all in grey. "What is this?" Eric asked. Less than impressed. He hadn't sent his uncle across the United Kingdom only to return with a picture of a knife.

  "That is the ambrotos dagger," Merle said and left it at that.

  "Is that supposed to mean something?" Eric asked. He looked at Serena but she shrugged, obviously in the dark as well.

  "Stop being difficult and tell us what it is," Serena told Merle.

  "The ambrotos dagger is the athame which contains Blackwood's power."

  "How is that useful?" Eric demanded. He didn't know much about warlocks but he was pretty sure that their athames could not be used against them; especially not if they were immortal. He could be wrong, however.

  "It's more than that. It also the dagger that made him immortal. And it is the one weapon that can kill him."

  "How?" Eric asked. The only way Merle could be delivering better news was if he had the dagger on his person. Which Eric knew to be untrue otherwise he would not have shown him a drawing of it.

  "You're asking me how to kill someone with a dagger?" Merle raised an eyebrow. "One strike with this, directly to the heart. Blackwood will fall and he won't get up again."

  "You've surprised me by being useful. Where is
it?" said Eric. Once he had the dagger in his possession he could finally avenge his grandfather's murder. And the pack would think Connor's murder was avenged as well.

  "Blackwood has it."

  Eric screwed the drawing up in frustration and threw it across the room. "And just like that, you're useless again."

  "Eric!" Serena snapped. "We can find a way to get the dagger from Nickolas."

  "Oh really?" Eric said standing up. "Go on then. Come and find me once you've got it." He turned and left the room, not wanting to hear any more from either of them. Without the dagger, the information was next to useless. He might as well put his mind to more pressing matters, like figuring out who attacked his girlfriend.

  *

  Henry walked away from the burning house. New magic was buzzing through him and yet he did not feel as merry as he usually did after a sacrifice. He was running out of time. Jamal Rasul and his minions had managed to link the families Henry had murdered — linked them to Henry. Jamal had done some digging and found the one thing they all had in common. Their ancestors had murdered Henry all those many years ago. Jamal had questioned Henry's only living descendant; Frederik Montford. Henry had considered visiting Frederik since being back, but the man looked like a dullard and that was something Henry could not abide. Henry was unsure how Jamal was going to proceed with his investigation. Was it possible that he would discover the truth? Henry didn't want to find out. He needed to finish his plans quickly.

  He'd just crossed the seventh name from his list. There were two left; Laurent and Winters. Genevieve and her daughter would be next, and then Clara. They would be the toughest and as much as he was looking forward to having their power he was also afraid. One misstep and he'd be out of a body just like that. And then nobody knew what would happen to him. Would his spirit be bound to whatever place he was in when he was pulled from Adam's body? Would he be forced to finally pass into the spirit realm? Or would he be dragged back to his mansion? That was the least savoury of the possibilities. He'd been trapped in that house for too long. He never wanted to see it's interior again. Or its exterior for that matter.