The door was locked to keep nosy tourists like him out, but Anton had been prepared for that and pulled out his lock picking kit. Anton had become quite good at picking locks when he was a youth and though he didn't use the skill much as an adult, it did come in handy from time to time. Now was most definitely one of those times. He walked along a narrow path of tunnel a several hundred feet heading north, and then the tunnel made a sweeping turn to the right and continued at least another few hundred feet until it made a ninety degree turn to the south. According to his map, he needed to make a left hand turn up a little ways and follow the foundation of the castle. The tunnel went on for several hundred feet and made another ninety-degree angle turn to the right. He continued heading south. The tunnel continued to the right about forty or fifty feet; according to the map, he was supposed to continue going south, but it dead ended at three large wine casks that appeared to be built into the wall. They were at least eight feet in height and six feet across, each with a spigot. Surely they don't make wine here anymore, Anton thought. He didn't recall seeing any grapevines during the tour. According to the map Dominic had given him, the tunnel continued on for quite a ways to a rather large antechamber. He looked closely at all three of the vats and the one on the far left had a tiny marking near the spigot, almost unnoticeable, but if someone were looking for it, they would recognize it as a black orchid.
He felt around the seam of the face of the cask for some kind of release or lever, but found nothing. He pulled the spigot to the open position, but nothing happened. He twisted the top of the spigot the way you might twist a doorknob and heard a loud click behind the wood, and the face of the cask swung forward and opened to a very dark tunnel. The smell of ancient spoiled wine wafted into the air as the cask door grew wider, that along with the smell of damp earth and salty sea made for a rank odor that made Anton's stomach lurch for a moment.
Anton reached in his pocket for a flashlight and turned it on. He stepped into the tunnel closing the cask behind him. It was a slow progress being wary of where he was stepping in complete blackness with only a pinpoint of light, but as he continued on, looking at the map every once in a while, he realized that the workmanship in the masonry had changed. He could see next to no mortar, if in fact there was any. The cuts of stone were precise and meticulously pieced together like a giant 3D puzzle. Anyone who had the least amount of interest in architecture would be impressed by the workmanship there.
Finally as the map had shown, the tunnel deposited him into a large room. It had several small rooms that joined off of it, but it was apparent that this was the meeting place of the Order. A beautiful round mosaic of a Black Orchid adorned one of the walls and in the center of the room was a large altar stone. On the opposite side of the room was a hearth long abandoned and bricked up. Directly above the altar in the domed ceiling of the room was where the light came in. The glass was primitive and thick blocks of it formed a circle like it was a pedestal or the foundation of something above ground.
Anton ran his fingers along the cool stone of the altar and into the indentation of the heart. A tingle of heat sparked one of his fingertips and made him jump. The slab of bloodstone was beautiful, dark green chalcedony with bright red iron oxide or red jasper inclusions that looked like tiny blood splatter all over. The room was actually quite beautiful lit up with the outside light. He couldn't get his bearings on where he was in respect to the castle but he knew he must be somewhere near the foundation of it or one of its structures. The windows must be visible from above, but they were not easily found from the tour he took. Only a groundskeeper or gardener might stumble upon the windows of glass blocks.
He tried to imagine the old crone and her love living down here away from prying eyes with a warm fire burning. He thought about how something that had started out of so much love had turned into an object of destructive power. That's when he felt a presence closing in on him. He closed his mind to whatever it might be and then a gust of wind passed by him and a strong black leather gloved hand was around his throat and had him pinned to the wall under the Mosaic. He'd never had anyone get the better of him like this.
He was stunned and confused, but mostly he was scared. The dark figure overtook him with power he had never before felt. The figure was not exceptionally tall or big, but that didn't mean much in the vampire world. An ancient vampire could be living his 400th year in a 15-year-old’s body. Looks could be deceiving and the older the vampire, the stronger in every way imaginable. This one sauntered through his brain like a person browsing at a video store, and Anton could control his mind and thoughts better than most. The figure stood there rummaging through Anton's thoughts, clasping his throat. Anton could see no skin but the very tip of a slender, noble nose. Its eyes were covered with sunglasses and a hood was slung low over its face. A turtleneck or something covered the lower part of its face.
As suddenly as the dark figure appeared, it threw Anton across the room and away from it. It stood casually under the Mosaic with its head lowered. A walking cane that Anton hadn't noticed before was in front of it and both gloved hands were resting on top of it. Anton got to his feet, never taking his eyes off of the figure, and stood waiting for it to speak. When nothing happened, Anton asked, "Who are you?"
The words were spoken in his mind – a voice that had no gender – Dark Angel. Then it struck him hard like a hammer hitting a bell. "You are the Dark Angel?"
The dark figure bowed in acknowledgement.
"Wow..." was all that Anton could say. He wasn't sure if he should run over and shake the figure’s hand or run screaming in fear. The Dark Angel was a legendary vampire - famous, but also infamous. In a voice that was not spoken, the Dark Angel spoke directly in an anonymous voice to Anton's mind.
Who are you? Anton never knew anyone or anything that could control how they sounded to another person, but then again, this was the Dark Angel.
"I'm Anton Larsen."
Of the Ancient Ones - Larsen?
"Yes," Anton nodded and bowed, he wasn't sure why or if it were appropriate, but the way the Dark Angel addressed the Ancient Ones, it seemed necessary. The Dark Angel seemed to be rattled by this affirmation.
Then you are related to Owen Larsen?
"I am - he was my great, great uncle," Anton answered.
The Dark Angel shifted its weight as if agitated and one hand came up to its chest to finger something under its shirt - something hanging around its neck.
What is your business here in the room of the Order? the Dark Angel asked without speaking.
"I...well, I was curious about the legend," Anton quickly answered aloud. He wondered how odd this conversation would appear to a passerby – Anton talking and answering questions that no one else could hear.
Which legend?
"Both."
Then you are not just a power hungry vampire, you are a romantic, too?
As the Dark Angel accused him of these attributes he thought about Libby, Darby, and the old crone in a split second then replied, "No, I'm neither."
Explain.
"Well, a friend of the family has recently had a fallout with someone in the Order and I did a little digging.” Forgetting himself he continued, “What do you care about the Order and its business or why I’m here?"
That's none of your business. I would suggest you drop this 'digging' and find another way to help your family friend.
"So you won't tell me anything about the Order? Or where the archives of the Ancient Ones are?"
What makes you think I know anything about the Order or where the Ancient Tomes are laid?
"Well, you are one of the oldest vampires alive; you must know all kinds of things."
There are many vampires older than myself. Besides, if you know so much about the tomes and the Order, you'd know that I am not privy to that information, not being a 'born vampire' such as you and your royal blooded family. If the royals can't keep track of their heritage, that's their problem, not mine. I learned early
on that you trust no one, you look out for yourself, and you keep quiet. There can be no exceptions to these rules or you perish.
"That sounds like a lonely life. I know a lot about being lonely, but certainly there must be more to one’s life, especially one so famous and powerful. If I wasn't so terrified that you might kill me any second, I'd love to sit down over dinner with you and pick your brain of all the amazing things you've seen over the years. My father is really more the historian in the family, but I think it would be fascinating, too."
First off, I'm a made vampire, I don't eat dinner, unless it’s human, unlike you blue blood vampires that sip your blood from a wine glass never even knowing your victim. Secondly, you'd think that after being sucked dry and left to die by your wife, an Insatiable one, for God's sake, you'd be happy to be alone and be more likely to trust no one.
Anton blushed, and then looked rather sick. He hated that he was so easily read, but more than that was the revulsion that spread over him at the thought of Libby draining him for so many years. He crossed his arms over his chest and dropped his head, shaking it slowly.
"I suppose you are right. I should be bitter, resentful, and angry, but I've seen what real love can be like and I choose to hope it might happen to me someday. It may not. Hell, it probably won't, but if there is the slightest chance I can have that, I'm all in."
The Dark Angel stood for a long time in silence. Anton could only presume it was pondering what had been said. All the while the gloved hand fidgeted with the object just under its shirt.
I wish you luck in your quest for love. As for the Order, I can only tell you that it is being assembled again and you should stay clear of this place and all that are associated with it. Lastly, the archives, as you call them, are in a safe place, close to one's heart. You should leave now, Anton Larsen. I've enjoyed our conversation and I hope I won't have to kill you in the future. I would find that unpleasant.
Anton was stunned and not knowing what to do, he stumbled over his words.
"Thank you - Dark Angel - I hope you won't have to kill me, either." He turned on his heel and shot down the dark tunnel like a lightning bolt, then out of the cask door, and out into the salty sea air that cleansed his palate of the damp smell of decay and rotten grapes, then he bent over and heaved his breakfast as if cleansing his body of the scene in the chamber of the Order of Black Orchids.
Chapter 19
Anton was rattled to his very bones. His drive back to Connecticut was a blur. He'd never been so terrified and enthralled at the same time. He thought of himself as lucky to be alive to tell about meeting the Dark Angel, as so few had lived to tell of the privilege. In some ways it was nothing like what he envisioned such a meeting to be. He almost felt sorry for the Dark Angel and its lonely existence - no family, no love. It had been a long time since he had appreciated his family, but right now in the car, he was very happy to have Dominic, Blake, Bernard, Darby, and Devon. He felt the same about the friends he had recently met in Mark, Dean, and Rowan and he looked forward to meeting Sally one day. It would be a cruel and insufferable world without friends and family to lean on when needed. He thought about the bitterness and resentment he sensed from the Dark Angel and he could sympathize with how easily one could fall onto a horrific path when there was no one to tell them someone cared what path they took.
When he got back to Westport, he and Dominic talked for hours over dinner and well into the night - something they hadn't done in a very long time. He told his father of his finding the room where the altar was and how simple and lovely the room really was. He described the mosaic, the hearth, the natural lighting, and the legendary altar stone with the heart-shaped indentation. It was all there, just as described.
He went on to tell Dominic about his encounter with the Dark Angel. They talked about the amazing power that the Dark Angel possessed and how easily it had been called upon. Like an excited boy telling of his adventures, Anton relayed all that had happened to him that afternoon under the castle on Heart Island. He did, however, leave out the part about sensing loneliness from the Dark Angel. Somehow, that seemed private - something the two of them had shared - a secret to which only he and the Dark Angel were privy.
Dominic soaked it all in like a thirsty sponge. He was particularly interested in hearing about the reference to Larsen, one of the ancients, and the question if there was any relation between Anton and Owen. This would intrigue him through most of the following sleepless night. Of course the information about the Ancient Artifacts was exciting. The words relayed seemed more like a puzzle, though, than an answer.
After he and Anton talked, Dominic went to the library and wrote notes on their conversation. He also thought that through the night, little things that had been said would be remembered and re-examined. This is how Dominic did his best thinking - in notes. Oh sure, to someone who happened on the notebook it might look like gobbledygook, but it made sense to Dominic and helped him remember the tiniest of details.
Since he was much too excited by their newfound information to sleep, Dominic took his notes and wrote an email to Blake explaining some of the new things that had been brought to light from Anton's encounter. He hoped the details would help the young man and woman who were being followed by Dimitri. Dominic knew their safety wore deeply on Blake. He also knew that this was new territory for Blake, when Devon usually took up these details. If nothing else, perhaps it would give Blake a new appreciation for Devon. Dominic figured that Blake was battling guilt, as were they all, at abandoning Darby on her quest to find Devon, but this too would make the siblings stronger. He hoped in all of this that Blake and Devon would become closer to Anton. Having never known his mother and not having a sibling, Anton would never have what Devon and Blake had, but maybe it could be close.
Blake woke to a typical morning - stomach growling and cell phone blinking. He grabbed his cell phone and shuffled off to the kitchen quietly so as not to wake Rowan. His eyes weren’t focused yet so he carried the phone with him to get coffee, finding a scruffy Josh sitting at the table writing in his notebook. Blake greeted Josh with what sounded like a grunt but was actually a 'Hey' with a head nod. Josh reciprocated with a head nod of his own. Blake set his phone on the table and headed for the fridge. He grabbed a couple plates of leftover something, and started shoveling it in.
Josh looked at him, chuckled, and nodded his head to which Blake replied with his mouth full, "What? I'm hungry."
Josh continued to shake his head. Blake ignored him and wiped the fingers of one hand on his flannel pajama bottoms and looked at his phone. He saw a large email from Dominic with several attachments. Licking the fingers of his other hand as he started to read he said, "Hmmm. Looks like we got an email from Dominic that he hopes can help. I'm going to go get my computer. It's too big to read it on the phone." He took a chicken leg with him as he headed for the room he and his brother had established as the 'office' and grabbed his laptop. After printing everything out, he put the sheets of paper on the table and handed the email to Josh. As Josh began to read, Blake said, "Sounds like Anton had quite an adventurous day yesterday."
Josh said, "So he went to the Order of Black Orchids. How did he know where to find it? Isn't it a secret place?"
Blake started eating another piece of chicken and answered, "Yes, it’s very secret. Dominic is really into history and archives; he probably had some secret ancient map. My guess is Dominic sent Anton to see if he could find it. I guess he did and then some."
"Yeah, I guess so. Who is this 'Dark Angel' person? And what is the connection to the Order?"
"No one knows who the Dark Angel is. All that's known is that the Dark Angel is an old and powerful vampire and it’s very rare that anyone lives to speak of meeting it. The Dark Angel is not known for its compassionate soul, that's for sure. The Dark Angel tends to be a 'gun for hire', so to speak - a deadly assassin. No one knows how many souls it has sent to their graves; you just don't mess with the Dark Angel if you can help
it because you probably won't live to see another day."
"Great. And what does this Dark Angel have to do with the Order?" said Josh.
"Not sure yet. Maybe it was hired by Dimitri to be his body guard while the stone was missing or maybe it was just a coincidence that they ran into each other."
"I hope it’s the latter. I sure don't want anything like that coming after me or Lanie."
"You're right there!"
"So where does this put us?"
"I don't know. Let's see. The attachments Dominic sent are background stuff on the Dark Angel, something about Heart Island, and an old map. I'm guessing the old map is what Anton used to find the Order's meeting place and the Heart Island stuff is probably where that place is. I'll read through this stuff and see if there isn't anything in the details.”
"So there really isn't much," Josh said.
"On the contrary...we now know where the order meets, how the altar and stone work and who knows what else. This is big. We have the 'where.' I find that's usually the last thing you find out. I know it seems like we are not making much progress, but this is a big step forward. We will find a weakness or flaw in all this, and then we'll know how to proceed. Besides, I'm guessing with all the excitement of meeting the Dark Angel, maybe Anton left something out."
"You consider meeting this Dark Angel as exciting?"
"Well, yeah. In a scary, I-could-be-dead-any-second kind of way."
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