The Lost Souls Dating Agency

by Suneeti Rekhari

  Even Doris seemed impressed. Harish ducked behind the machinery and emerged with a copy of a newspaper. He showed it to us, rather Doris, shyly.

  I saw we had made the headlines. “Famous matchmaker and her beautiful accomplice visit TMW” was plastered across the front in bold font.

  Beautiful accomplice? Puh-leese.

  ‘Wow news sure does get around quickly!’ I said, trying not to sound caustic.

  ‘A special scoop for our readers,’ Harish said proudly. Doris giggled.

  It was then that my “matchmaking senses” started to tingle. Could it be…?

  I watched Doris and Harish very carefully for the next few hours. My senses had rarely been wrong in the past.

  ***

  Later that evening, when Harish suggested dinner at a local Portuguese joint, I excused myself. It wasn’t hard as I really was very tired. Harish gave me a doona and pillow that smelt of mothballs and made the sofa in the third floor office into a bed for me. I assured him I would be okay by myself and that they should go ahead and eat. Doris didn’t seem too concerned and happily bounced away with him.

  I didn’t know where they would go, and I didn’t care. Okay I cared a little if they went towards the Petersham Portuguese chicken I had smelt earlier. But I wanted some alone time to digest the day’s events, mainly, the blossoming relationship between Doris and Harish.

  Could I have inadvertently caused the portal to open, so that Doris could meet Harish?

  Were my matchmaking skills really getting that legendary?

  I soon drifted off to sleep.

  A Visitor or Two

  Chapter 38

  I woke up with a stiff back on the low sofa. I think one of its springs was lodged directly into my liver. It took me a while to register where I was. I could hear distant bangs from the printery on the ground floor. The blinds were down and thin streams of light filtered in from the gaps along the side and bottom where the blind met the window. I could see dancing dust particles in the streams of morning light.

  I saw no signs of Doris and felt no inclination to move from my drowsy nest to look for her. Just as I was falling into a deep slumber again, I heard a door open and shut. I looked up sleepily from my cot.

  ‘Shalini, my child,’ a familiar voice said.

  An electric jolt ran through me and I sat up startled. It was hard to see him clearly in the dim office light.

  ‘Un-uncle Varun?’ I stammered.

  ‘I don’t have much time…’ the voice said.

  It was him!

  I jumped up. ‘You’re alive,’ I spluttered. Was I dreaming?

  ‘I am,’ he answered then added quickly, ‘I’m sorry to do that to you, Shalini. I never meant to leave like that.’

  I ran to him with my heart bursting and hugged him tight. It felt so warm and comforting. When he let go, he took me by the shoulders and said apologetically, ‘Unfortunately my disappearance was necessary.’ He paused but didn’t elaborate. Then he smiled at me. ‘I am so proud of you, and your business. I knew the warehouse was in good hands when I left it to you.’

  ‘You know about the agency?’ I asked surprised.

  He did not reply. Instead he said, ‘There are so many things we need to talk about.’

  ‘How did you know I was here?’ I asked, and why didn’t you contact me sooner? Just to let me know you were okay? All that heartache…

  ‘Steven Gilmore told me you went through the clock. I went to a few other locations to find you, but I should have come here first.’

  ‘You know Steven?’ I was shocked.

  He nodded. ‘A young man phoned him, asking for help. He used the phone line I asked to be placed for you in the warehouse. He was very upset and kept saying that you had vanished through a clock. Steven didn’t know why so he sent me a message.’

  Will! He must have used the phone in my office to contact Steven.

  But how did Steven know Uncle Varun? And… ‘Steven knew you were alive all this time?’ I said aloud.

  ‘He probably sensed I was. He contacted me through his were networks,’ Uncle Varun replied.

  His were-networks? I stared blankly at my uncle.

  ‘I didn’t want to tell you like this, child, but,’ he paused, ‘I suppose there is no helping it now. I am a were.’ I gasped as he said this. He continued, ‘And my form is wolf.’

  I inched away from my uncle in shock. ‘Why didn’t you tell me before?’ I asked accusingly.

  ‘It was never the right time,’ he replied consolingly. ‘I moved us to Dubai because it dulled supernatural ability. I thought it would keep us safe from,’ his voice cracked, ‘that world.’

  ‘Why did you want to keep me away from the supernatural world?’ I asked taken aback.

  ‘My dear little one,’ he rarely called me that, ‘our world is more terrible than you can imagine. I knew our only hope was to disappear for a while. When my sister found you at the orphanage…’

  What?

  I stopped him. ‘Your sister? I thought you found me!’

  He ignored me. ‘Aruna was devoted to you. When she died, I knew our only hope was escape and so we left.’ My uncle looked at me beseechingly. ‘I don’t have time to explain but I promise I will soon.’

  I felt deflated. Lies. All my life…

  My uncle cupped my face gently in his hands. ‘I tried desperately to stop you going to Melbourne, but who can stop my stubborn little Shalini?’ He smiled as he said this, trying to make light of the situation.

  ‘So you’ve been there before?’

  ‘Many lifetimes ago.’

  I looked at him expectantly, wanting to absorb everything. But he said nothing.

  My mind was a whirling dervish.

  Why did he hate his own kind so much? Well at least this explained why the supernatural world had revealed itself to me so easily.

  ‘So Steven and the others knew all along…’ I mumbled, thinking about why they were willing to help me. Even Mia had probably been placated because of it…

  ‘We are sworn to secrecy, Shalini,’ Uncle Varun said. ‘They could not have told you. Plus it was not their place to tell.’

  ‘So what now? Will you come back to Melbourne with me?’ I asked hopefully.

  ‘I’m afraid not, my child,’ he said and added quickly when he saw my face drop, ‘I promise we will be together soon. But for now, I want you to tell me what you know about the Vampire League of Albion?’

  ‘I-I know them from a matchmaking case,’ I stammered.

  ‘Listen to me, and do exactly as I say.’ He looked deadly serious. ‘Promise me that.’ I had never seen him look so grave.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ I asked apprehensively.

  ‘I’ve heard something disturbing but I don’t know the details.’ He hesitated. ‘I’ve heard that one of their members has killed a human. Normally they would hush this up, as they have for thousands of years. But I heard that they suspect this was no ordinary killing. The human woman’s body is missing. If there is no corpse, it can only mean one thing…’

  ‘Victor,’ I gasped. ‘It has to be Victor! He was my first case. But I’m sure Fiona finally made up her mind and asked him…’ my voice trailed off as my old fears about Victor returned in a flood.

  ‘Whatever it may be, the League knows about your involvement and they are coming to question you further.’ The urgency in my uncle’s voice made my heart beat faster. ‘I want you to hide here for a while. Don’t go back to Melbourne. They will send their collectors there immediately.’

  I thought about Will and Roxanne at the office. And Megan and Neha. All of them could be in danger because of me.

  I shook my head. ‘I have to go back. I have to warn my friends…’

  ‘Shalini, the League do not send their collectors just to run minor errands.’ The urgency in his voice grew. ‘They are trained hunters, for one of the largest Vampire Leagues of the world. Do not take this lightly.’

  ‘That’s exactly why I have to go bac
k! They warned me last time that if I ever crossed their paths again…’ I stopped as I thought of the chilling warning from the League. What would they do to my friends if they didn’t find me?

  ‘Can I go through the portal to warn them and bring them back here with me?’

  Uncle Varun looked grave and said slowly, ‘It’s too dangerous…’

  ‘But I have to! Would you leave me in Melbourne to die?’ I asked savagely. I knew I was being unfairly morbid, but it worked. His expression changed as he clenched his jaw. ‘Okay, I’ll be back in a few hours and then we can return together.’

  Hours might be too late! ‘But —’

  ‘That’s my final word, Shalini. Wait for me here and we can go then.’

  Before I had the chance to protest any further he gave me a quick hug and walked out of the room. I heard his hurried footsteps descend the narrow staircase.

  I swirled around to look at the clock. I knew I had to go back. I willed the clock to come to life as it had before. It ticked away quietly.

  I closed my eyes and concentrated. I felt the urgency rise in my stomach and my palms became sweaty. I needed to return to Melbourne.

  Nothing happened.

  COME ON! My friends are in danger! I thought frantically. I felt a little like Doris, willing magical things to happen when I knew quite well they —

  Bang! On the office wall, the clocked banged to life and its ticking grew louder. My breathing became faster as the clock started to shake. My head throbbed as its rattling went through me.

  ‘What’s going on?’ Doris’s voice called to me. ‘Why is the clock thundering?’ I hadn’t even heard Doris and Harish come into the room.

  ‘I have to go back to Melbourne,’ I said quickly.

  ‘Did you see…Varun?’ Harish asked rather sheepishly.

  I glared at him. He knew as well? Did everyone know each other?

  I looked at Doris. ‘Listen, I have to go back and then I don’t know what will happen or when I will be back. Do you want to come with me?’

  She glanced at Harish. ‘Well I…’ she paused. Even in my extremely agitated state I knew the significance of the looks they gave each other.

  ‘Harish has promised to show me how The Mythical Weekly works and you know I always fancied myself as a journalist…I thought maybe I’d stay in Sydney for a while. You know I can use my powers to…’ Doris said slowly.

  ‘That’s great!’ I hugged her. I couldn’t help myself. This news made me happy on so many levels.

  ‘Do you want to —’ Doris started, but I interrupted her.

  ‘I really don’t have much time. I need to get to the agency. I might see you again if I have to come back through the portal.’ The clock thundered and twanged and made the most awful racket.

  ‘Why? Is there danger?’ Harish asked moving towards me. He must have sensed something was wrong. And if he knew anything about my uncle, Harish would guess that Uncle Varun would want him to stop me. I couldn’t let that happen!

  ‘Tell my uncle I will be okay and I’ll see you all soon,’ I said hurriedly as I jumped towards the clock. It radiated a brilliant white light behind which the familiar symbol appeared. The hands on the dial quickened. The light became blinding as I squinted and ran towards it.

  Then, for the second time in as many days, all went dead quiet.

  Chapter 39

  When I opened my eyes, I was back in the warehouse office and Will was sprinting towards me. ‘Oh, Shalini,’ he nearly sobbed, ‘I thought I had lost you.’ His arms surrounded me and I sank into a hug.

  I realised we were both shaking.

  ‘Oh, Will…’ I started to say, but my words choked. I thought about Uncle Varun and the League and everything at once…I dissolved completely into tears of sorrow, joy and fear.

  ‘Shh,’ Will said softly as he held me close. ‘It’s okay,’ he continued to say as he stroked my head. He kissed me tenderly on the forehead.

  When I finally stopped shaking, he asked gently, ‘Are you okay?’

  I nodded and smiled at him gratefully.

  He wiped a stray tear off my cheek with his thumb and rested his hand under my chin. His other hand moved into the small of my back. It sent a warm quiver through me. Slowly he pulled me closer until I could feel his breath just above my lips. ‘I should have done this a long time ago.’ His voice was a gentle caress. As our lips finally touched, I closed my eyes, and forgot about everything but him.

  ***

  When I heard the warehouse door open, I reluctantly untangled myself from Will’s arms. He sighed and let me go.

  ‘Will?’ I heard Roxanne’s voice.

  ‘In here, Rox,’ Will called out to her.

  ‘Did Finn get back to you about contacting…’ she said as she walked in and then stopped dead when she saw me.

  ‘Oh, Shalini!’ she shrieked, ‘thank goodness!’ She ran towards me and for the second time, I was engulfed in a warm hug.

  ‘We didn’t know what had happened to you,’ she said breathlessly. ‘I was worried it was something awful. Though this young man here,’ she beamed at Will, ‘refused to leave or give up hope.’

  I looked at him shyly.

  ‘I rang Finn in a panic and he had no idea what could have happened. He said it didn’t sound like were-business. But he said I should ring Steven anyway…’ Will began.

  ‘When that red phone rang yesterday we nearly jumped out of our skins.’ Roxanne said. ‘It was Steven and he said he got in touch with someone who might know where you were…Shalini, are you okay? You look a little flushed.’ Roxanne looked at me with concern.

  Was my face still glowing from our kiss, I wonder? I looked at Will, dimples prominently on display in his smile.

  ‘Where’s Doris?’ Roxanne asked suddenly.

  I turned to her with upturned lips. It was time to tell them about my visit to The Mythical Weekly and Doris’s new career choice. Oh and the reappearance of my uncle.

  ***

  An hour later, the three of us were seated in my office.

  ‘Well it is the strangest things that sometimes make the most sense,’ Roxanne said bewildered. ‘I wonder if the supernatural world is ready for Doris, the journalist.’

  I’m pretty sure they were not.

  ‘I think the more important thing right now,’ Will said with urgency, ‘is the Vampire League. Did your uncle say when they were coming?’

  I shook my head.

  ‘How long does it take to go through the clock?’ Roxanne asked fearfully.

  ‘A nanosecond,’ I reassured her. ‘You’ll be there before you know it.’

  ‘Why can’t we just drive or take a plane to Sydney like everyone else?’ She glanced at the mildly ticking clock uncertainly.

  I ignored her.

  ‘I’m going to go home quickly and get a few things,’ I said standing up. ‘You guys should too. I can’t say how long we will be away…’ I tried not to look too concerned. ‘I’ll meet you both in an hour. Then I’ll call Megan and Neha to explain and get them to come here too.’

  ‘You’re not going anywhere alone.’ Will jumped up from his seat. ‘I’m coming with you.’

  There was no time to argue, so I agreed. ‘And I’m not moving from the safety of this warehouse!’ Roxanne exclaimed. We left her waiting for us there.

  Will and I ran all the way to my flat. We went past morning joggers, who gave us quizzical looks. We must have looked odd, red faced and running up the hill to my house, fully clothed in garments I had not changed in days and by the looks of it neither had Will. Had he left the warehouse to go home at all? Come to think of it, I knew very little about where he lived or his home. I decided it was the least of my concerns right now.

  Will was much taller and fitter that me, and I plodded along after him as we ran to my flat. Halfway there, he took my hand in his and that spurred me on. We darted into my flat. I jumped into a hot shower, thinking about Will seated patiently in my living room, with only a wall separating
us. Don’t think about that now! No time!

  I quickly changed into fresh clothes and felt better already. I collected the latest copy of The Mythical Weekly sitting on my coffee table and stuffed it into my laptop bag, in which I also placed my phone charger and a few packets of tea. Will teased me about my choice of essential items.

  I locked the door and we jogged back to the warehouse.

  As we turned the street corner, I stopped dead in my tracks. Will was ahead of me and stopped too. He looked back at me. Two men were inspecting the warehouse office door. They wore dark grey suits and had an air of power and urgency.

  Roxanne! I hoped she was safe in the warehouse, invisible to the two men…the two vampires, as I was sure they were.

  I motioned to Will silently to follow me. Then we turned back around the corner as quickly and quietly as we could.

  I put my finger to my lips and Will remained silent. He gave me an anxious look as we started to walk away slowly.

  ‘Shaleenee Gooptah?’ a voice with a familiar English accent called out to me.

  I didn’t turn around. ‘Run!’ I yelped at Will.

  Will moved faster than I did and shot away. As I ran behind him, a slow bubble of warmth spread from my legs right up to my head. I don’t know how or why, but my body slowly stopped moving altogether as I realised in horror that I was completely immobilised.

  Chapter 40

  I was floating, my body no longer connected to my brain. My legs dangled in mid air. So this is what being a cloud felt like.

  Not good. Not good at all.

  ‘What do we do with the boy?’ the first man in the dark suit asked his companion.

  ‘Bring him with us,’ the other grunted.

  Like two master puppeteers, they manoeuvred Will and I away from the warehouse. Will floated noiselessly in his bubble next to me. We both looked helplessly at each other.