by Alison Smith
‘I had to see you, Sis. A policeman told me about the parents. It’s awful.’
Jewel continued to hug him. He was so thin, she thought, when had he last eaten? Jewel became vaguely aware of Diana moving around the kitchen preparing food; she had obviously had the same thought.
Anton stood outside watching the twilight lengthen the shadows. Trees, silhouetted by the night sky, lost their colour to greys and black. The waxing moon was becoming more rotund as it grew towards fullness. He could feel the vibrations echoing through space and his thoughts turned to Jewel. Was she outside watching the moon? He wished she were here and that they could sit and watch the bountiful Goddess together. He was heartened by Sable’s comments after visiting her. She had said that Jewel’s powers were increasing with every passing hour and that Diana had risen to the challenge of helping her. He frowned at the only concern Sable had expressed – that she had sensed Elijah’s energy nearby.
A wolf howled, breaking into his thoughts. It had been many nights since Anton had allowed himself to run free. He slowly undressed, wanting to feel the earth through paws and the wind through fur. Perhaps even hear some nocturnal gossip. He crouched down and willed the shape.
The house was quiet as Jewel sat in front of a roaring log fire. Diana was washing dishes in the kitchen and Jewel knew that her sister was happiest when she was busy. Although the day had been warm, the night had brought a chill and William had built the fire for her and Diana before he’d left.
How brave you are, William, she said to herself. He had refused their offer of a night on their settee, preferring to return to the house of his childhood. A house that would be quite macabre to Jewel until she could bring herself to visit and see with her own eyes that nothing of the horrors committed there remained. He had also said that he wanted a night in a bed after so many spent in trees, especially as he intended to travel to stone circles tomorrow, to follow her vision and try to find Bradley.
Jewel had a notebook on the floor next to her and quickly picked up a pen as a thought occurred. Clear out the box room. Katryn had spent several nights sleeping on their settee. There still had been no contact with Katryn and Jewel worried that she was missing too.
Stop it, Jewel, she shook herself, think of mundane matters. She really should have a guest room and quickly listed bed linen and pillows. The house had been classed as having three bedrooms when she bought it after all. Jewel had just never really thought of the box room being large enough. She put down the pen and poured a large glass of wine. Red wine would always remind her of Anton. When would she feel the strength of his arms again?
She sipped the wine and her gaze moved to the small piece of fossilised wood that William had given her. He’d found it the day that their parents had been killed and said that he immediately knew it had to be with her, with Jewel. She picked it up and marvelled at the smoothness of the wood. It was small enough to fit into the palm of her hand and was shaped as an egg. With her wine glass in one hand and the wood egg in the other she let her eyes drift towards the fire. She looked into the red embers and then deeper as outlines formed. Patterns within and then shapes. A bat emerged, swooping amongst the flames, circling. Then another and another until the flames were filled with bats circling around in formation. Jewel shivered and waved her hand to dissipate the image. It was the hand that held the wood egg and she felt it become hot. She opened her hand and looked directly at it. ‘The Wisdom Of All Ages.’ Her voice resounded through the room and yet she had no idea where the words had come from.
‘What was that?’ Diana had rushed into the room as Jewel carefully placed the wood egg down and sipped her wine.
‘Have you heard of the wisdom of all ages, Di?’ With that Jewel looked at Diana and saw a worried expression.
‘No,’ her sister answered, ‘but I just heard an owl call from the roof. Just once. In warning.’
They looked at each other, knowing the implications of a warning from an owl. Psychic attack. Neither of them voiced the words but Jewel was instantly concerned.
‘We should seal the house.’ They both said it at exactly the same moment and then breathed sighs of relief as they heard a welcome Chris shout a tired and friendly hello from the hall.
Diana went over to hug him and Jewel set about collecting ritual tools. Minutes later and they were ready to seal the house. Jewel walked from room to room sweeping the energy, whilst Diana followed through each room swinging a small censor of smoking incense. Chris was behind them sprinkling salt along each outside wall and chanting.
A gentle calmness of protection surrounded them when they had finished and Jewel left the couple in the sitting room, in front of the fire. She had promised them hot chocolate and, as she stirred the rich and foamy mixture, thanked her lucky stars to have such good people around her. Pouring the chocolate into three mugs she placed them on a tray before carefully carrying it through to the hall. As she reached the door to the sitting room, she paused. Her eyes were drawn to the front door. Had they missed a bit? She wondered. Then she focussed on an envelope. Surely it hadn’t been there earlier?
She put the tray down onto the hall table and bent down to pick up the envelope. It felt warm and comfortable in her hand and was addressed to Jewel. How strange. Receiving post on a Sunday evening?
The sitting room door opened and Diana emerged. ‘Where are the drinks Jewel?’ And then. ‘What’s that?’ Jewel snapped into attention. She’d opened the letter without even realising it.
Jewel scanned the words. Words of invitation from her mother, from Monique. There was an address and an expression of hope that they could be reunited. The lettering was ornate as if Monique had spent hours in the writing of it. Suddenly every sense that Jewel possessed sprang into action and she dropped the letter. It smelt of death and decay.
Diana picked up the letter and held it at arms length. ‘This is not good, Jewel, you know that? This is a kind of magic I have never experienced, nor have I ever wanted to.’
Jewel nodded and collapsed down onto the floor. She felt sick to her stomach and had no idea why. She watched as Diana quickly read the letter, picked up the envelope from where Jewel had dropped it and went back into the sitting room. Jewel followed on shaky legs and they all watched as Diana threw both letter and envelope onto the fire. It sizzled and hissed. It seemed to Jewel that it was long minutes before it caught light and burned. She hadn’t noticed Chris leave the room but he returned just as the letter gave its final splutter and was gone.
He handed Diana a small pot of incense. ‘Carnation, Di, for protection and to help our energy.’ She sprinkled a small amount over the fire and, immediately, tiny bubbles of light started to dance around the room. They all breathed, audibly. How long had she held her breath for, Jewel wondered.
Diana looked directly at her. ‘We should go to visit your Anton tomorrow. I am sure that, in spite of our reaction to this letter, there will come a time when you wish to meet Monique.’
Jewel met Diana’s look and realised that her sister, also, had unanswered questions.
‘Di, you probably have more questions about our father than I do about everything else.’ Jewel walked over to give Diana a hug.
‘You trust Anton,’ Diana said, ‘I can see it in your eyes. We must ask him more about all of this.’
Jewel nodded. She really did want to see him again. And maybe he could give them more answers.
Chapter 9
Jewel’s mouth was dry as she stood outside the house. The house where she had grown up. Her heart was in her mouth. She realised that she’d never understood that particular expression until now. Diana gripped one of her hands tightly as she pushed the key into the lock with the other. The door swung open easily but there was no greeting shouted to her, no familiar scent of baking in the air. Jewel walked into the hall and Diana followed, closing the door behind them.
‘Mum always had a cake ready when we came home,’ Jewel sighed and Diana cleared her throat. She hadn’t spoken and
Jewel turned to her, suddenly remembering just what her friend had been through the last time she had been here.
‘Oh, Di, I wasn’t thinking when I asked you to come with me. Are you OK with this?’
Diana nodded and cleared her throat again, ‘I need to do this. It was so awful finding their bodies. I’ll never lose those images from my mind, I know. But fears and horrors must be faced and, after all, Detective Drake assured you that everywhere was clean and tidy. And Chris checked it out too.’
Jewel walked silently into the kitchen as Diana remained quietly in the hall.
‘There’s a note from William,’ Jewel called and Diana joined her. ‘He says that he spent a really comfortable night here but felt sad. And there’s a list of the stone circles he’s off to visit.’
Diana quickly read the note, ‘It’s strange but I feel comfortable here too. I didn’t think I would, but I do. It’s almost as if the negative energy that was here hasn’t just been dissipated but it’s actually been replaced with …’ Her voice trailed as she frowned in concentration.
Jewel slowly moved around the small kitchen and narrowed her eyes. ‘It’s a strong peaceful energy, Di, almost serene.’
Diana nodded, ‘Do you want to stay here a while?’
Jewel shook her head, ‘No. I’m fine now and everything is safe. We can’t do anything until both William and Bradley are here. The house was to be left to William and Bradley and some investments to me. So by rights it will be their house. Maybe Bradley and Katryn will want to live here. Or even William; he’s always used it as his base. Or perhaps they’ll sell, but it’ll be up to them.’ She had tears in her eyes as she thought about Paul and Elsie.
Diana hugged her and a sense of calm descended.
‘Let’s go to the pub on the corner for lunch.’ Diana said, ‘and then we’ll tackle that box room. Although why you want to do that now I have no idea.’
Jewel smiled, ‘I have the strongest feeling that we need a guest room. Don’t ask me why.’
With that they walked out of the house and Jewel locked the door. She knew that this house held no horrors and she breathed a sigh of relief.
Nik sat in a small car parked a few metres from the Tapper’s house. He carefully watched as the two girls emerged. From the peaceful expressions on their faces he knew that the healing energy placed inside the house had worked. Jewel and Diana walked to the end of the road and entered a pub. Once they were inside, he settled down with another case file. Nik was slowly working his way through every one that his superior had given him.
There had been a small trickle of unsolved missing persons cases during the nineteen fifties. Very few bodies had been found but, in those instances, often the heads had been severed.
How and why had this been allowed to continue and even expand in number and frequency during the past fifty years or so? A definite pattern was emerging. A particular type of ritual was being worked which had remained unchecked for years.
He quickly recalled David Webster’s case notes. Yes. It was the same style of ritual that David had been investigating. The same type that David had expected to observe the night he disappeared. And David had commented that there was a feminine aspect.
Nik had sensed that also in the church tower.
He sat deep in thought. The vicar had probably interrupted that incident. Had there been about more than blood? If so, who would know of such ancient dark magic and who would dare to wake it?
Was the working of the ritual, in this particular way, responsible for the unnatural alteration of the balance between light and dark?
Did this planet have enough energy to correct it? Or would a judgement from beyond become necessary?
So many questions and there were still so few answers. He sighed and turned to the old file in his hand. It held details of the disappearance of three choirboys from a church hall. No trace of them had ever been found. The notes were sketchy but contained a reference to three small piles of ashes. At the time, however, the significance of the ashes seemed to have been missed. Nik tutted as he read further. The church cleaner had admitted that she hadn’t cleaned that particular part of the hall for well over a month and the investigating officers had accepted that and taken no further action.
Sloppy work, Nik said under his breath. There were so many details that had been overlooked.
Jewel was hot and dusty but the small box room was clear of everything except for a foldaway bed and a chest of drawers. It had taken them all afternoon and several trips to the recycling centre. She swept under the chest of drawers but there was something there and she knelt down to look. It was a small wooden box and she pulled it towards her. The lid had carved symbols the like of which Jewel had never seen before. As she sat, holding it, she realised it was made from the same wood as her egg. But it wasn’t hers. It must be Diana’s, she concluded.
Diana walked into the room at that moment. ‘That’s Dad’s magic box. I haven’t seen it for ages.’
‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen it.’
‘It holds his magical journals, crystals and wand. And a few other things. We’ll take it downstairs and look through it later if you like.’
Jewel nodded and watched Diana pick it up.
‘We have to go to see Anton tonight.’ Jewel said.
‘I know,’ Diana smiled, ‘Chris will be home from work at around six and I thought we’d eat together and then the two of us can go. Are you excited?’
Jewel thought for a moment, ‘I am happy at the thought of seeing both him and Sable again but we have questions and I don’t know whether I really want the answers.’
Monique was bored. It was Monday evening and still three nights until the full moon. Already Elijah had altered her boudoir three times and it was now a thirteenth century room complete with four poster bed.
‘Elijah. I need to fly. Transform immediately and we shall see what other people are doing.’
Jewel knew Diana was impressed. Anton had greeted them with perfect gentlemanly courtesy and had waited until the two of them were seated before he sat down. Apart from kissing her hand when they arrived, he had made no move towards her. Sable had taken Diana out to the herb garden leaving Jewel and Anton alone. She was confused. Anton hadn’t answered any questions as yet and she wanted not only information but to be held in his arms.
She watched as Anton stood and walked over to the fireplace. She had dressed with care in the long silk skirt she loved. It was deep maroon and she had teamed it with an antique white lace blouse, Jewel had been pleased with her outfit. Even more so since she had seen Anton tonight. His jacket was of the same deep maroon and set off his own white cotton shirt to perfection. He had left his own long hair loose and it shone around his shoulders. Jewel’s hair also hung loose.
Anton put his hand on the mantelpiece and turned to her. ‘I’ll tell you as much as I can. Not all of it will be pleasant.’ There was a heavy note in his voice and Jewel walked over to him. She placed her hand in his and squeezed gently. Anton startled her by pulling her sharply into his arms. She raised her lips and he kissed her. The kiss deepened and Jewel felt the same sensations as before resonate through her body. Everything was right about this. She put her arms around him wanting, needing, him to be closer still.
Anton broke the kiss but continued to hold her in his arms.
Jewel was comfortable and had no inclination to move. She rested her head on his chest.
‘Tell me about my mother and father … my birth parents,’ she said hesitatingly.
Anton sighed, ‘you have that right to know. It is my belief that Monique chose David to father her child for the possible powers that could result from such a union.’
Jewel nodded. It was the same conclusion that she and Diana had reached, ‘And?’
‘And then she either killed him or had someone else do it.’
At her shocked intake of breath Anton hugged her and then moved slightly away before he continued. ‘We have what you would call a co
uncil, the Legend of Vampires. It comprises of thirteen members from all over the world. The Prime Legend has any final say that is necessary. Soon after your second birthday it was decided to remove you from Monique. Even then we were concerned. I am your protector, Jewel.’
He looked at her intently and then, ‘Monique is altering things too much. She craves power and will want you to join her. She gathers power from rituals and from what she can take from others. You are different. You know that you are an Attrahere?’
Jewel nodded and he continued, ‘It means that you can bring forward powerful energies by your will alone. You will better understand it after your birthday. But Monique wants that power for her own gain.’
Monique’s own gain … what did he mean? Another word stood out in her mind. Protector. Jewel liked that.
‘What gain?’ she asked.
‘She wants supremacy. There is no place for sharing in Monique’s world.’ Jewel felt a shiver along her spine. It was almost as if she were being warned.
Unbidden an image of the wood egg rose in her mind and she walked over to her bag. Taking the egg from it, she held it out to Anton.
‘William gave this to me. He said I should have it. It’s beautiful and yet it also feels old, ancient.’
‘The Woden egg.’ Anton said quietly. ‘Of course it should be with you. It is a part of your journey. The egg symbolises new life, Jewel, but more than that. The Woden egg is part of destiny. It connects with the Wisdom Of All Ages.’
It felt warm to her touch as she carefully put it back into her bag. She would meditate with it later, alone.
‘I have tried my best to keep you safe but Monique has become so much stronger and I fear she now knows where you are. Has she contacted you?’ Anton’s expression was of concern and she walked back to him.
Placing her hand once again in his, she said quietly. ‘Yes. Thank you for being my Protector, Anton. But I have to meet her. You do understand?’ Jewel paused. What would she do if he were against the meeting? She trusted this tall man so much but couldn’t ignore the opportunity to meet her real mother. It would be such a dilemma if he expressed a strong opinion. But she had no memory of her mother. She must have lived with her, and possibly with Sable too, she realised until her second birthday. Why did she have no memories?
