by Pat Spence
“Thank you, Viyesha,” I whispered, “thank you for showing me. Tell me, what are the markings on the floor? Are they to do with the crystal?”
“They are the coordinates that unlock the crystal’s power,” she said. “Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs aligned with the natural magnetic lines of the earth. When the crystal is placed within their circle, at the time of the Blue moon, they act like a nuclear reactor releasing the crystal’s full power. Its light becomes intense, filling the entire room, enabling us to bathe in it and absorb its energy.”
She picked up the casket and placed it in the alcove, then moved the lever back into the upright position, triggering the wall panel to slide into place. She replaced the loose brick, then walked back around the room to where I stood.
“Now do you understand why you would not survive the crystal at the time of the Blue Moon?” she asked. “An ordinary full moon would be sufficient, and even that may be too much for you. That is the gamble we are asking you to take, and to which Theo is so violently opposed.”
“Yes, I understand,” I said, thinking of Theo and longing to be with him, imagining occasions in the future when we could bathe together in the crystal’s light, feeling its power simultaneously. It was a powerful image and I quickly pushed it from my mind.
“Surely the crystal needs protecting, Viyesha,” I said. “Couldn’t anyone come in and take it?”
“Oh believe me, if anyone other than us were to touch the crystal, the guardians would know about it,” she replied. “They’d be here in an instant.”
Viyesha tensed suddenly, her senses on high alert. “We must go,” she said urgently, “things are happening.”
“What things?” I asked, confused. “How do you know?”
“The Lunari are coming,” she said, closing her eyes. “I feel their presence drawing close. Come, we must hurry.”
She quickly stepped over the threshold of the hexagonal room, closed the oak door and turned the key in the lock. I watched her place it behind the loose brick, then followed her down the spiral staircase, hardly daring to think what lay ahead.
31. Attack II
As we came down the central stairway, we found Theo, Violet and Joseph in the reception area, waiting for Viyesha. They looked tense and ill at ease.
Aquila stood in the background, surly and menacing as ever, and I carefully avoided his gaze. Pantera stood by his side, her face impassive and impossible to read.
“They’ve arrived,” said Theo in a flat voice. “Flew in to Birmingham Airport in a private jet just minutes ago. We should go to meet them.”
“Agreed,” said Viyesha. “We’ll take the limousine. We need to talk to them, appraise them of the situation before they arrive at Hartswell Hall. It’s too bad Leon isn’t here.”
“Where is he?” I asked.
“He had a business meeting,” said Viyesha. “He should be back by now, but we can’t delay. I’ll call him from the car and ask him to meet us at the airport.”
She paused, then quietly gave her orders.
“Aquila, bring the limousine to the front door. Joseph and Theo, come with me. Violet, stay on reception, it’s business as usual for our guests. Pantera, continue to organise the champagne reception for the Plastic Surgeons.”
She addressed me. “Emily, soon it will be time for you to meet The Lunari. Please, wait in the ballroom and don’t come out until I summon you. That is most important. Do you understand?”
I nodded, not trusting my voice to speak.
“Let me stay with Emily, mother,” pleaded Theo. “I can’t leave her alone. She needs me with her.”
“No, Theo.” Viyesha was firm. “I need you with me. We have to face The Lunari together. Come, we have delayed long enough. We must go.”
I hadn’t seen Aquila leave, but already the limousine was drawing up outside the front door. Viyesha hurried out, followed by Joseph, who turned and winked at me as he went. For a split second, Theo held me in his arms, speaking to me softly. “Do as my mother says, Emily. Go into the ballroom and wait there. Don’t come out until she tells you. Whatever happens, remember I love you.”
Then he was gone and the limousine was speeding down the drive, wheels spinning and gravel flying.
I turned to Violet.
“This is it,” I said, shakily.
She smiled. “It’ll be fine, Emily, don’t worry. My mother’s in control. You have nothing to fear from The Lunari.”
There was a snort from Pantera, who still stood at one side of the reception area, observing me closely.
“You have everything to fear from The Lunari,” she spat at me. “They can extinguish you like a flame on a candle if they so wish. Enjoy what remaining time you have.”
With a look of scorn and derision, she brushed past me and disappeared down the corridor, leaving the air churning behind her.
I looked in panic at Violet.
“Ignore her. Just do as my mother says, Emily,” she said quickly. “Go into the ballroom, and stay there until she returns.”
Needing no further prompting, I let myself in to the ballroom. I shut the double doors firmly behind me, and leant against the doorframe, trying to calm my rising panic. Inside, all appeared normal. The large purple sofas were soft and inviting, sunlight streamed in through the windows and sunbeams played games on the glass facets of the chandelier. The pleated drapes, modern art and contemporary colour scheme was as fashionable and chic as you could wish for, creating an air of luxury that was a million years away from a world of secret societies, age-old beings and eternal youth.
I moved quickly to one of the sofas and sat down, pulling a large cushion on to my lap and holding it tightly. Instinct told me to get out of Hartswell Hall while I still could and run to the safety of my home, but I knew that would only give me temporary respite. I had helped to create this situation. There had been enough opportunities to walk away, and every time I’d forged ahead, all too aware of doors closing irrevocably behind me. Now I had to face the strange world that had become my reality and hope I was strong enough to survive it.
My cell phone pinged suddenly, making me jump, and I saw that a text message had come through. Quickly, I scrolled down. It was from Tash:
Seth & I worried bout u. Ur mum says u r @ Hall.
On the way. One 4 all, etc. xxxx
This was not what I needed right now. I appreciated their concern and they obviously thought they were helping, but this was a misplaced rescue mission. They were out of their depth and this could have serious repercussions if they arrived at the wrong time. More than anything, I didn’t want to place my friends in danger. If they rushed in just as The Lunari were arriving, who knows what might happen? Like it or not, I was on my own and I had to put them off. I quickly texted Tash, trying to sound as normal as possible:
Thnx 4 ur concern, all ok. Having quiet afternoon with Theo.
Get my drift? I need space, dudes. c u Monday. xxx
I pressed SEND, then stared aghast, as my message refused to send. What was going on? My phone pinged again and the ‘low battery’ message filled the screen. No, I screamed silently. Not now. This was the worst possible timing. I pressed SEND again, but it refused to go. Now I had a real situation on my hands. All I could hope was that Seth and Tash turned up before The Lunari arrived and I could persuade them to go.
I went to the ballroom door, opened it and looked out. Violet was still there, manning reception.
“Violet,” I whispered.
She looked up, eyes wide with anxiety. “What?”
“We have a situation. Seth and Tash are on their way. I have to head them off but I can’t get in touch with them. My phone has a flat battery. I can’t let them arrive at the same time as The Lunari. And I can’t let Pantera see them. Heaven knows what she would do.”
“Do you want to use this phone?” she asked, indicating the reception system.
“Yes, good thinking.” I started to cross the reception area, then froze in my tracks, as
I saw two familiar figures walking up the driveway.
“It’s too late, they’re coming. They must have texted from the driveway. What can I do?” My mind raced and went blank.
Violet took control.
“They have no idea of the danger they’re walking into. We have to get them out of here before the Lunari arrive. Go back into the ballroom and I’ll send them into you. Persuade them everything is okay and get them to leave as quickly as possible, preferably by the French windows. While you do that, I’ll divert Pantera’s attention.”
“Okay, good plan,” I said, trying to calm the panic rising within me.
I stepped back into the ballroom, closed the door and went to sit once again on one of the large sofas.
“Just the person I want to see, Emily Morgan,” said a voice from the far side of the room.
Startled, I turned to find a glamorous young woman, wearing a body-hugging cat suit that emphasised her impressive curves, emerging from behind the long aubergine drapes. I recognised her from television. It was the glamour model, Kimberley Chartreuse, and she held a gun in her hand.
“What are you doing?” I asked, not understanding how she knew my name and why she was in the ballroom, let alone pointing a gun at me.
“That’s a pretty crystal you’re wearing,” she said, moving forward.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Instinctively, my hand went to the crystal around my neck. Even if I tried to summon Theo, I knew he couldn’t come, and I was all too aware that Seth and Tash could walk into the ballroom at any moment. This was not good timing.
Kimberley fixed her gaze on me disparagingly, opening wide her huge kohled eyes with their bat wing eyelash extensions, and let out a deep sigh of exasperation through her overly large shiny red lips.
“Quit the dippy chick routine, Emily,” she said in exasperation. “Let’s cut to the chase. I know about the crystals the de Lucis family wear around their necks… how they have youth-giving properties that have kept them young for years. What I didn’t realise was that you wore one as well, which makes my life so much easier. I thought I was going to have to take you hostage and trade you for a crystal. But here you are, alone and unprotected, wearing a crystal necklace. What was the family thinking of? Now, take it off and give it to me.”
My mind began working overtime. She obviously didn’t know about the large blue crystal in the Clock Tower. That was good. But if she took my crystal, I’d be unprotected, and that was dangerous. On the other hand, I needed to get rid of her as quickly as possible.
As I considered my options, I heard voices outside the ballroom door and saw the handle turn. Quick as a flash, Kimberley slid back behind the curtains, hissing at me, “Act normal. Remember, I have a gun pointing at you.”
The door opened, and Violet showed Seth and Tash into the room.
“Here’s Emily,” she said in a bright voice. “You see, everything’s fine. She’s just waiting for Theo.”
“Hi guys,” I waved at them, trying to sound normal, willing Violet to see the panic in my eyes. She didn’t.
“I’ll go and see if Pantera needs any help with the conference,” she said in the same bright voice, and left the ballroom, closing the door behind her.
“Are you alright, Emily?” asked Tash, stepping forward.
“We were worried,” explained Seth.
“Yeah, I’m fine, I tried to text you, but the battery in my phone was flat…” I started to say, but a voice from behind the curtain interrupted me.
“Shut up, Emily, and take off your necklace.” Kimberley Chartreuse emerged from behind the curtain, moving forward and pointing her gun at my head.
“OMG, you’re Kimberley Chartreuse. I’ve seen your reality show on TV,” said Tash in an awestruck voice.
“Cool,” said Seth, eyeing her up and down.
This was clearly not what they were expecting.
“Shut it, both of you,” said Kimberley. “Can’t you see I have a gun pointing at your friend’s head?”
“It’s okay, guys, don’t panic,” I said, sounding more cheerful than I felt.
“Who’s panicking? I’m not,” said Seth.
“Typical,” said Tash, rolling her eyes.
“Cheers, guys,” I said, disdainfully. “So much for rescuing me.”
“Why d’you want the necklace anyway?” Seth addressed Kimberley. “Oh, I get it, you think the crystal has magical properties or something like that. ”
“Be quiet, all of you. Take off the necklace, Emily, and give it to me,” demanded Kimberley.
“I can’t,” I said truthfully.
“I don’t think you understand how serious I am, Emily,” said Kimberley. “I want that crystal.”
“No, I mean, really I can’t. It has no clasp. The chain is sealed around my neck. See?” I held up my hair to show her.
Kimberley laughed. “Removing a necklace is simple when you come prepared.”
As she spoke, she took a small pair of stainless steel wire cutters from her pocket and cut through the silver chain. My necklace fell into her open palm and she wrapped her fingers around it. Immediately, I felt depleted and empty, and an intense weariness filled my being. In the same split second, Kimberley shrieked and threw down the crystal.
“What is this?” she cried out. “It’s just burnt me.” She looked at her hand and there on her palm was a red, raw burn mark.
Tash watched horrified, but Seth was enjoying himself immensely.
“I don’t think it likes you, Kimberley,” he said, grinning widely.
“Seth,” I said in a warning voice, but he was on a roll.
“If that’s what the small crystal does to you, I don’t rate your chances with the big one.” Kimberley stared at him, taking in the implication of his words.
“So, this isn’t the one I want,” she said, picking up my crystal necklace with a small silk handkerchief and holding it up. “Turns out there’s a big crystal.”
“It’s only make believe…” began Seth, then saw my expression. His eyes widened.
“OMG, it's true,” said Tash, “that story you told us…”
“I think you’d better take me to the big crystal, Emily,” said Kimberley, placing my necklace in her pocket and moving swiftly across the room. She pointed the gun at Tash.
“Emily,” said Tash in a shrill voice, “tell her where the big crystal is, for heaven’s sake.”
“I can’t,” I said, feeling faint and cold. “It’s too dangerous.”
And not just for you, I thought silently. If The Lunari find us with the crystal, they’ll kill us all. Unless Pantera gets there first. I stared, not knowing what to do. The situation had suddenly become critical. Now my friends were in real danger.
“Take me to the crystal or Ginger gets it,” said Kimberley, raising the gun to Tash’s head.
“I am so not ginger,” said Tash faintly. “I’m a redhead.”
“She hates the word ginger even more than being held at gunpoint,” said Seth.
“Shut up, both of you,” said Kimberley in a low voice, “this is no joke.” She clicked the safety catch off the gun. “I will use this if I have to.”
“Emily, do something,” said Tash, her voice trembling.
“Okay. Let them go and I’ll show you the crystal,” I bargained.
“D’you think I’m a fool?” asked Kimberley, in a steely voice. “They’re my collateral. They’re coming with us. Now, show me where the crystal is, Emily.”
A vague plan formed in my mind. It was crazy and dangerous, but it was all I had. “Alright. I’ll show you where the crystal is, Kimberley, but we have to hurry. The family will be back soon.”
Kimberley gestured to Seth to move in front of Tash.
“Let’s go,” she instructed, “and don’t try anything stupid.”
Slowly, I opened the ballroom double doors, praying that Violet would be standing at the reception desk, but the area was empty and she was nowhere to be seen. If on
ly I had my necklace. I felt horribly vulnerable without it.
“Up the stairs,” I informed Kimberley.
“Good girl,” she said patronisingly. “Just keep going and your friends won’t get hurt.”
We climbed the stairs and reached the central landing, Seth following me, and Kimberley bringing up the rear, jabbing the gun into Tash’s back.
“Now where?” asked Kimberley.
“To the left.”
“Come on, Emily, move it. I need to find this crystal quickly. I don’t want your precious family spoiling my plans.” She jabbed the gun into Tash’s head to make her point.
“Please don’t screw up, Emily,” said Tash, tears in her eyes, “I don’t want to die.”
“You won’t,” I assured her. “Everything will be fine.”
“What plans are they, Kimberley?” asked Seth, conversationally, as if they were talking over coffee. I had to admire him. He was very cool.
She laughed. “To be young and beautiful for ever, of course. Have you any idea what I go through to look like this? Botox, collagen, hair extensions, nail extensions, teeth veneers…. It’s a full time bloody job. I’ve been snipped, tucked, lifted, stretched, trimmed and filled, but I can’t hold back time. I need a more permanent solution.”
“Crikey,” said Seth, “and I thought my life was tough.”
By now we’d reached the stairway leading to the old servants’ quarters. We climbed the steps and then we were walking along the upper passageway, our feet sinking into the deep blue carpet. Then the spiral staircase was ahead of us. I began to climb, my heart racing, with Seth, Tash and Kimberley following. Would my plan work? Would the family stay away long enough for Seth and Tash to escape? Would Pantera sense someone entering the Clock Tower room? I prayed I wasn’t leading us all to a violent death. I just needed a few more minutes. We reached the old oak door with its carved symbols and huge iron keyhole.
“We’re here, Kimberley,” I said. “This is where you let me and my friends go. I’ll show you where the crystal is, but I’m not going into the room. It’s too risky.”
