by Alison Smith
‘I know. I was there Anton.’ Sable said with a wry note in her voice. And then continued more gently. ‘It will be kinder to let her own body dictate when it is ready to regain consciousness. The potion I prepared was strong and it is one that we have all used during certain rituals to assist in altered states of mind. There will be no lasting effects. But I doubt that she has ever been exposed to it before and I would prefer to allow her to waken naturally rather than introduce more herbs to her body.’
Silence reigned as Anton considered her words. ‘You are right, of course Sable, but there are worrying rumours. Monique is furious that her plans have been thwarted. At the moment she’s concerning herself with righteous indignation but she could turn this into the start of the battle. She has always been unstable but now … who knows what she will do next. Although I cannot condone the actions of Jewel’s betrayer, he is human. Monique could very well have him killed. And that would be another death and one which we are almost allowing to happen.’ Anton knew his voice reflected the weariness he felt.
‘I still cannot break open the part of the letter that names the him.’ Sable said quietly. ‘As far as Jewel is concerned, we should wait another few hours, Anton. Things will be difficult enough when she wakens. Hopefully the gentle growing lunar energy will help her to understand, she has some knowledge of the occult after all, but the extent of her powers and of her destiny will be a shock.’
‘We have kept watch over her for so long.’ Anton said quietly. ‘I hope she is strong in mind. We’ve planned for this and yet, now she’s here,’ he paused to look down at her again, ‘she looks like a beautiful, sleeping princess and, just a little, vulnerable.’
Sable looked at him sharply. He knew she couldn’t see him but it was a technique she used to gain absolute attention. Something used more often with The Twins, not him.
‘Anton. Remember why she’s here, the real reason. You cannot have the luxury of anything personal happening at the moment.’
‘Don’t worry,’ he said, ‘there will be boundaries in place. There have to be, but she will have no idea at first that boundaries are even necessary. We need her with the Genevieve Clan by next full moon.’
‘Be careful how you do that Anton. Jewel has a traitor in her own midst and we could very well have one too.’
‘Not amongst our own line, Sable. I have known those who are within the Genevieve bloodline for years. We have had no one new since …’ Anton stopped as he realised what he had been about to say.
Sable straightened her shoulders. ‘It’s fine Anton. I am the newest. I know that. And there are some who still do not trust me. They think of me as Monique’s daughter and nothing more. But I never took part in any of the Cleary line rituals or practices. Even when I was young I had no wish to join them. You have seen deep into my soul and know that I am as incapable of harming anyone, even those who are truly evil, as of ever using these eyes again.’
‘And yet you speak that there may be a betrayer amongst us?’ Anton knew he was pushing but he had to know. Had Sable seen something in one of her visions? Something that she didn’t want to actually verbalise.
There was a pause as long as an hour but probably just a moment as Sable appeared to think deeply.
‘I do not believe …’ She said and stopped.
Anton could hear a clock ticking as he waited for her to continue.
And then she did. ‘There is no traitor within our line. Of that I am sure.’ Again she paused and then the words seemed to trip over each other as Anton struggled to hear. ‘But I know that, when the time comes to do battle, Jewel stands alone and you …’ She dropped her head and Anton put out his hand to gently touch her arm.
‘What Sable?’
‘You are there. You stand. You watch. You do nothing.’
A chill crept along his spine. ‘No.’ Surely he wouldn’t just stand by as Jewel battled alone? What magic would be used to cause this? What events would lead to this? He was Jewel’s protector. What would change that? He turned abruptly and walked towards the door.
He left the room knowing that Sable would sit next to Jewel’s bed. She would maintain the vigil and look after Jewel’s every need. He quickly walked down the long staircase and muttered words to the goddess.
‘Give us time to help Jewel become aware of her powers with kindness. Give us time to help Jewel understand fully all that is happening and is yet to happen. But mostly, dear goddess, please ensure Jewel’s comfort and health.’
As he reached the study door he stopped and glanced back up to the landing and Jewel’s bedroom door. ‘I hope that we have created your room exactly, dear Jewel, and that you are comforted by the familiarity.’ He sighed and went into his study. It was still night and of an hour when, hopefully, he would be able to catch the Prime Legend for a much needed talk.
Jewel struggled to wake up. Through half open eyes she saw her bedroom, with all of its clutter. She had a vague memory of having tidied, cleaned. Her hands were tingling and she held one in front of her face. It seemed to pulse and each finger appeared to be emanating a different colour. She put her hand down again onto the bed covers. Her bed. Her room. This must still be in dream world. ‘Thank you Goddess for a nice dream.’ She closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.
Diana was distraught. Her phone rang and she snatched it up.
‘Chris? Have you found her?’
‘No. She hasn’t contacted you?’
‘No. Oh Chris. What’s happened to her?’
‘I don’t know Di. We’re at the forest again. I’ve managed to get more than a dozen people out looking. We were all here just after daybreak. It’s just like searching last night. There’s no sign of her except …’
‘What?’
‘It’s really odd.’
‘Chris. She wouldn’t have just gone off without telling someone. Especially not in the middle of helping us. She just wouldn’t.’
‘It’s not that. I know she wouldn’t just go. We found her phone.’
‘What! Where?’
‘That’s the peculiar thing. It’s just a few metres from the clearing. She must have dropped it when we first arrived.’
Diana took a moment to absorb the news. She had hoped Jewel still had her phone. That, maybe, it was just switched off.
‘I don’t understand this, Chris, the cool box was so close to the cars and now the phone …’ Her voice trailed and she sank down to the floor. Where was Jewel? ‘This is not like her at all. Chris, I’m so worried.’
‘I’m sure she’s fine.’ He said but, to Diana’s ears didn’t sound as positive as she would have liked.
‘Di, do you remember William’s destination? The site of the new bypass?’
‘I thought of that but she wouldn’t just go off with him even if they had bumped into each other. He knows us all so well, he would have come over and said hello. And there’s no way she’d sleep outside with no tent or mattress. It’s just not her way.’
‘Did you ring Paul and Elsie?’
‘Yes. But there was no reply. I don’t want to worry them unnecessarily and especially not over the phone. I’ll have to go and see them. Maybe it’s time?’
‘What did the police say?’
‘Just to try contacting her friends and family. I’ve done that. Katryn’s spoken to Bradley and he’s going out to find William. The Police don’t regard her as missing. Not yet. They kept saying Jewel is an adult. They won’t do anything.’
‘Let’s wait a couple more hours. She could still be lost in the forest. We’ll carry on looking here, Diana. I love you.’ Chris terminated the call.
Diana stood and went over to the kitchen table. Throughout the long night she’d tried her cards and dowsing over a map of the forest. Nothing. Even her crystal ball was blurred. She had to keep her faith. She just had to. Turning to an atlas she opened it, resolutely picked up Jewel’s favourite turquoise necklace and, using it as a pendulum, started to sweep it over the entire country. Until this mo
ment she hadn’t wanted to think that anything had happened to Jewel. Jewel was just lost in the forest. But now she had to try everything to locate Jewel. She must find her.
Jewel woke, properly. Sitting up she looked around her room. But it wasn’t her room. She knew she had tidied and, certainly, thrown out the old coat stand that had now reappeared in the corner of the room. Her bedroom and yet, not. She pinched herself. It hurt. She was definitely awake but where was she?
‘Jewel?’ a woman’s voice sounded from the shadows. It was dark in the room and then a dim light was flicked on. A woman moved closer and Jewel saw a long black robe and then, as the woman drew closer, a blurred face. Long, pure white hair cascaded over the robe. Jewel tried to focus on the face and, with a start, realised the woman’s eyes were closed. And yet Jewel knew that her eyes were not closed, but rather sealed shut. How did she know that and why wasn’t the knowledge scary?
‘Who are you?’ Jewel’s voice rang out and she was relieved that it sounded clear and strong. Immediately she felt a calm peacefulness wash over and through her.
‘You’re quite safe, here, Jewel. Please don’t worry. You are among your … friends. My name is Sable and I’ve been taking care of you since … your fall in the forest.’
Jewel wondered at the woman’s hesitations but her thoughts were diverted as the door opened. She swung her legs to the side of the bed in an effort to get up. A strong hand took her elbow and, instead, she found herself sitting on the edge of the bed. How had he moved so fast? She looked up and their gazes met. It was him. The man. The man from her dream and from the forest.
‘Anton.’
Time seemed to slow for Jewel. She gazed into dark eyes and knew that this man was unlike any other she had ever met. This man was something else. Long dark hair reached his broad shoulders. Broad shoulders and strong arms.
‘Anton!’ Sable spoke sharply and broke into the moment. Jewel was pulled back into reality. Wherever that was, she thought.
‘Please believe me,’ Anton’s deep voice sounded hesitant to her ears. Maybe he wasn’t as sure of himself as his strong presence indicated but he continued and she needed to focus on his words. ‘You are safe here. You’re not a prisoner. I have much to tell you but please, first, let Sable bring you some food and drink and then I’ll answer as many of your questions as I can.’ He turned as if to leave.
Jewel straightened up and put out her hand to prevent him leaving. It was her left hand and she instantly felt a tugging sensation. He stopped sharply as if he couldn’t move any further. Had she done that?
‘Anton I need to know where I am. When … what is the time? I need to know that I’m not going mad or in a coma or something.’ Shakily she also stood up and, surprised, felt her strength returning atom by atom. She dropped her hand and he shook his head.
‘How did you stop me?’ He looked at Jewel and she felt as if she were being assessed but before she could ask anything more he spoke again.
‘I can see that we have much to explore of your powers. But, for now, you’re safe as I told you. As for the time of day? It is the evening of Monday.’ With that the two left without giving her a chance to say anything. Monday evening. Jewel sank down onto the bed. They had gone and, although Anton had said she wasn’t a prisoner, she distinctly heard a click as if the door was being locked.
For the first time she glanced at what she was wearing. A long white Victorian nightgown. This was her normal nightwear but the cotton felt heavier than usual. Surely she should have been in jeans and a jumper. She struggled to remember. Her last memory was of carrying a cool box … in the forest … that had been Sunday. It had definitely been Sunday.
She recalled a car journey with Chris driving. They had been going to the forest with bat boxes. Diana had been reading horoscopes from the Sunday papers. Jewel smiled as she remembered Diana choosing the Libran week ahead for Jewel. ‘I know you’re not a Libran but it sounds more exciting.’ Diana had said laughing before choosing a Leonine week for herself. So much love, Jewel thought. And then she remembered that Anton had said it was Monday evening. How worried would Di and Chris be? Would there be search parties by now? Had anyone told Mr Tu that she wouldn’t be at work? Diana’s face appeared in her mind and Jewel sent out the strongest psychic call that she could. I’m safe. With Anton. I just don’t know where, FIND ME, please.
Monique was beyond rage. She was incandescent.
‘We were so close Elijah, so very close. I could smell her.’ She stamped across the floor, the silver heels of her shoes causing sparks and making indentations in the marble. She conjured energy balls and destroyed every ornament and painting as she passed. ‘How dare Anton destroy my plans. How dare he.’ With that an enormous energy ball hovered near her hands and she threw it towards her boudoir. The room exploded and, amidst the pieces of flying debris, she turned back to Elijah.
‘For goodness sake, Elijah, stand up. There’s no need for you to be quivering under the table.
‘I want bodies, Elijah. Dead ones. Just a couple for now.’
‘My lady,’ he bowed his head and she had to listen intently to hear, ‘the contact?’
She put up her hand and, even though he didn’t appear to be looking directly at her, he stepped back a pace. She had forbidden the name to be spoken out loud in case strong, magical ears were listening.
‘No. He might still be of use. I want those people who dared to raise Jewel, my Jewel, as their own. That woman who Jewel has had to call Mother for all of these years. The man who foolishly pretended to be her father. I want those people dead, Elijah. What are their names?’
‘Paul and Elsie Tapper, my lady.’
‘Pah. Nothing names and nothing people. Bring the car around, I’ll take great delight in doing this myself,’ she smiled. She would have revenge. Waving her hand around she added, ‘and arrange to have this cleared up,’ and then swept from the room to make her preparations.
Anton sat in a high backed red velvet upholstered chair. He needed to contact the Prime Legend and cleared his mind.
Prime Legend. He called.
Immediately his silent call was answered.
Use my given name. It will give strength to our conversation.
Henry. Anton brought the prime’s face to mind. They had known each other for so many years.
Anton. Monique is planning many deaths. There is too much evil. Too much darkness and, I fear, that the Legend does not have enough strength to suppress what is to come.
Anton took a moment to consider what The Prime was saying.
As Speaker, Anton said. I must always be ready to bridge between our world and that of the humans. I doubt that we can hide what is happening for much longer.
Anton. I shall call extra meetings of the Legend of Vampires. To try to keep all who have pledged to live in compromise on track. But some are newly converted to this way of thought. Some remember the old ways and the old magic. That magic which served us very well.
That magic, Anton broke in. That magic caused wars between bloodlines and was based on greed.
Anton. Henry’s voice was sharp. We know we have to evolve. All of our lines know the evolution is necessary. But. Never forget. We do not know what the bigger picture is here. He stopped and Anton let the words permeate his mind.
Do you mean, Anton said in a measured tone, that Monique might be taking our vampire evolution in the right direction? I cannot believe that.
No. Henry’s voice sounded loud enough to fill a conference hall. Never must such evil be allowed to surpass goodness. But the ancient magic did allow our anonymity.
Jewel is here and holds much inside her.
And I know enough to doubt that I will be Prime Legend for much longer. If that should happen, Anton …
No. You are destined to reign for many more … Anton’s voice trailed as he realised that Henry had not accepted his words.
Anton. Promise me that you will see to it that the Legend of Vampires is rebuilt.
With that Henry withdrew his psychic connection and Anton was left considering his words. His mood darkened as he realised that Henry did not expect the Legend of Vampires to survive the coming battle or battles. How can we go backwards now? Anton thought and then realised that he was now echoing Sable’s concerns. Those worries that, should humans be made ware of what the vampires were actually capable of, his bloodline and others would be hunted.
Jewel had found her clothes, cleaned and pressed on the chair at the bottom of the bed. She took off the nightgown and looked at her arms and legs. She was amazed to see no sign of any scratches from the thorns in the forest. As she quickly dressed, she tried to sort out her thoughts.
Why had she accepted the situation and not tried to shout or scream at Anton or Sable? Was she under an enchantment? She had certainly been around magic before … Diana’s magic, but this felt different. What held her here? One thing was for sure, she made her mind up, and whatever Anton had to tell her should be in a place of her choosing. Not here, wherever that was.
She would not stay. Had she been kidnapped? It didn’t feel quite as she would have imagined that experience to be. But she wasn’t here by her own choice. She looked over at the locked door. Surely she could overpower Sable when she brought the promised food and drink? Pulling on her trainers, Jewel sat and waited.
It wasn’t long before a key turned in the lock and, as the door opened, she wrenched it quickly almost throwing Sable off balance. Jewel quickly took hold of Sable’s elbow to straighten her and then immediately dropped her hold and ran around her and out of the room. Ahead was a wide staircase and she dashed towards it and then down the stairs. The staircase curved around and, at the bottom she found herself in a large wood panelled hallway. She dreaded that Anton might have heard the commotion and her feet flew towards the heavy wooden front door. Quickly turning the iron handle, the door swung open smoothly. Freedom. She pounded outside and ran for several seconds before she paused to find her bearings. She was in the middle of a large lawn that was bordered by a wide flag stone driveway. It stretched away from the house and she started to run.
