Jewel - Daughter of Destiny

by Alison Smith

  Chapter 12

  Jewel emerged from the bathroom leaving behind a froth of fragrant bubbles. She felt thoroughly cleansed, moisturised and pampered. And sad. There was no excitement for this birthday. The events of the last two weeks had changed everything. But there was still an anticipation of sorts. As she quickly dressed in a light cotton shift dress she heard voices in the kitchen. She and Diana had a birthday tradition of smoked salmon with scrambled eggs for breakfast and her stomach rumbled. Then, as the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted into her bedroom, she fitted on sandals and rushed down the stairs.

  ‘Many happy returns, Jewel.’ Both Diana and Chris stepped forward to hug her and she felt a brief moment of peace. Then, as Chris moved to the counter and the waiting coffee pot, Diana continued to hold her. ‘We wish you happiness, Jewel; I know Paul and Elsie would have wanted that. And Sable too.’

  The hug was over and Jewel sat down at the table.

  ‘It’s odd today, Di. I slept so deeply last night after we’d sealed the house. It was the best night’s sleep I’ve had for ages. But how is it that I seem to have no tears for poor Sable?’

  Diana patted Jewel’s hand as she sat down and Chris placed three mugs of coffee onto the table.

  ‘Maybe it’s because she hasn’t really left you,’ he quietly said and sat down. ‘She is still in your heart.’

  Jewel picked up her mug to drink and saw Diana do the same. Suddenly Diana put down her mug and looked at Chris and then at Jewel. ‘Chris could be right, Jewel,’ she said. ‘Everything has said that your powers will expand after today. Perhaps Sable needed to be in the spirit world in order to help.’

  Jewel took a slow drink of coffee as she thought about Diana’s words. ‘That would make me responsible …’ her voice trailed. She couldn’t bear to think that.

  ‘No,’ Diana said sharply. ‘We just never have all of the reasons for why things happen. Now let’s have breakfast. And after, we’ll go through the plans for tonight’s ritual.’

  ‘Will you two be alright if I go off to build the sweat lodge at the stones and get everything ready there?’ Chris asked.

  Jewel nodded. ‘Yes. We’ve put so much protection in place here. But don’t you need some help?’

  ‘William is meeting me there. He said he’d help.’

  Jewel looked at Diana, ‘William?’

  ‘There was so much to talk about when you came home last night … well in the early hours of this morning … I completely forgot.’ Diana said, as she buttered toast. ‘William phoned. He wants to spend tonight in ritual with us. Oh and he’s seen Katryn but not Bradley. She won’t be there tonight but we knew that from your dream.’

  Nik had worked through the night and it was now almost lunchtime. But he had a deadline to meet, a self-imposed one admittedly. His superior wouldn’t mind whether the report Nik had to write was completed by this full moon or the next. But Nik wanted it out of the way. He wanted the freedom properly to watch over Jewel and Diana.

  He re-read the words on his computer screen and considered how to write the final paragraph. Of all the case files that he had read it was the church hall with the three small piles of ashes that had interested him the most. And, of the most recent events, the church tower and the vicar’s statement.

  In conclusion, he typed, a feminine energy has worked dark traditions over many years on this planet. The careful balance of light and dark has already been manipulated. Today the media is beginning to carry stories of ritualistic killings with interest. However their history shows that humankind are at first curious of anything different, especially if it appeals to the material, but then, they demand control. A lack of ability to control, or to understand, invariably leads to discord and even to conflict.

  That was it; the initial work was completed and he stood to stretch out tired muscles. The report would go to his superior who would take several days of careful consideration before issuing orders. That gave Nik time to ensure he could follow Jewel and Diana. And to help if it became necessary. Intervention in events upon this world was against the laws; only his superior could order interference. But help and assistance? Nik knew that he could bend the rules to that.

  Monique surveyed her blood line around her. Once again, they were deep in the forest. Her forest. There was an air of excited energy emanating from all gathered there and also, she knew, from the Gods themselves.

  ‘Elijah. Bring the sacrifice.’ She called and watched as he walked away from the circle and towards a large tree. This was it. She licked her lips. She knew what he would bring to her. And the blood would give her strength on this most significant of nights.

  Her mouth nearly dropped open in astonishment and she hastily composed herself. Elijah walked towards her with not one, but two sacrifices. Two!

  She glided forwards and was dimly aware that all of the Cleary Clan had moved closer. They circled her, Elijah, and the male plus a female!

  ‘Elijah,’ she breathed. ‘You have brought me two?’

  ‘Yes, My Lady. A surprise for you.’

  Monique rubbed her hands in pure delight as he released his hold on both sacrifices. She barely gave a glance towards the male. But, oh my! Elijah had surpassed himself with his choice of the second.

  ‘Elijah? Is this a Groupie?’ She could see fresh bite marks on the girl’s neck. Could it be?

  ‘Yes, My Lady. I am told that this particular Groupie is one of Anton’s favourites.’

  Monique could barely contain herself. She quickly scanned the girl’s aura.

  ‘And part vampire, although she doesn’t know it!’ Monique was thrilled. The girl may still carry some of Anton’s saliva. Oh what a joy. To drink from a full moon sacrifice with extra potency. Blood with a hint of vampire and, perhaps, a taste of Anton.

  ‘I thought,’ Elijah hesitated and she waved him to continue. ‘I thought, My Lady. Perhaps you would like this one to yourself and we could all share in the other.’

  ‘Elijah. You have served me in the most excellent way tonight. How wonderfully thoughtful. Yes. Share the male. Take him now as I shall take this Groupie’s blood.’

  She carefully raised the female’s shoulders from the ground as Elijah carried the male to each Cleary. They flocked around their sacrifice as Monique bent towards the Groupie. Warm liquid seeped into her mouth and then through her body. Monique continued to drink as the earth beneath her feet started to rumble and shake.

  Owls hooted loudly and then more distantly. The owls were leaving the forest. Monique sensed sounds of animals running and the trees crackled and whispered. As she took her final drink of the female, the night fell silent. The earth continued to reverberate and to echo. And then, it too, became quiet. Even the air itself stopped, as if not daring to rustle so much as a leaf.

  Monique released the body and stood straight and tall. She clapped her hands and each Cleary, as one, stopped their frenzied feast. She raised her face to the glorious full moon. Fleetingly a shadow passed over it and there was a moment of complete darkness. And then they were bathed in moonlight as colour returned.

  Monique felt her power; her energy expanded to completely surround the entire forest. This was her forest. This was her time. Bats circled overhead. She would reign supreme. She raised her hands to the moon.

  ‘I am all-powerful,’ she called. ‘And I thank the Gods.’ The bats were flying faster around the whole group of them and she knew, with certainty that she, Monique, had caused the earth itself to tremble. She was filled with supreme power and, looking around, saw that each and every one of them had dropped to their knees in full reverence. She knew that she was chosen. That the Gods had approved and given her the power she needed. Her time had come. Monique clasped her hands together.

  ‘My Lady?’ Elijah’s voice sounded hesitant and Monique looked sharply at him. How dare he interrupt her in this wonderful moment of glory?

  ‘What?’

  ‘My Lady. Neither of the sacrifices are quite …’ his voice trailed
as he cleared his throat.

  ‘Elijah. Neither of the sacrifices are what?’

  ‘They’re not quite dead, My Lady. Neither of them.’

  ‘Never the less we need to break our circle and leave. We have to be elsewhere before dawn. Cloak the bodies well and we will return tomorrow night.’

  Jewel watched as Diana slowly walked around each person at the night’s ritual. Using a feather and burning herbs, she was smudging everyone to cleanse their auras. Jewel knew that Diana had made as much effort as she could for this ritual, even calling for them all to be dressed in white robes. When Jewel had questioned this departure from their usual nakedness Diana had merely said, ‘It’s the correct colour for this ritual, Jewel.’

  William had taken Katryn’s place and that made their coven number it’s usual thirteen, Jewel realised. Was it a co-incidence or a part of the Goddess’ plan? Diana reached her and began to waft the scent of sage, rosemary and cinnamon. Jewel had watched Diana’s earlier preparation of the incense but, she realised, had no recollection of the other herbs used.

  ‘Blessings, dear Jewel.’ Diana said as she moved to the next person.

  Jewel had held the wood egg in her hands throughout but now, bending down, she carefully placed it on the ground. She was standing in the northern direction of the circle and, with the Woden egg at her feet, felt at home. Jewel was completely connected to the earth and the hot lava of its core.

  Diana had returned to south and put down the small bowl of incense and her feather. She looked directly at Jewel and started to raise her hands to call the elements. Just at that moment the moon became dark and Jewel looked up to the sky. It was if a cloud had passed over and stopped the moonlight. The only glow came from the fire in the centre of their circle.

  A wolf howled somewhere in the distance and was answered by one much nearer. Then another howled from behind Jewel. She should have felt scared or at least chilled but didn’t. Within her innermost heart she knew comfort and peace.

  Moonlight returned and, as Diana called in the elements and the Goddess and God, Jewel saw the circle around them expand. A rainbow of vibrations encased the coven and then beyond to include the large blue stones. She heard the earth itself purr and opened her senses to the energy surrounding them and flowing through her.

  ‘Welcome, Jewel.’ A lone voice filled the air. She looked at Diana who wore an astounded expression. The male voice hadn’t belonged to anyone in the circle, nor was it Anton, Jewel knew.

  ‘Welcome, Attrahere.’ Another voice from within their circle but not of it. This time, female.

  Diana beckoned Jewel to walk forwards and she bent down, picked up her egg and took three paces towards the fire. She was encircled by twelve people holding hands, by ancient stones and by the magical dome of energy. Beyond that she could feel the auras of other beings protecting them. Animals and … yes, there was Anton … somewhere near.

  Jewel held out her wood egg and watched as it took on a green hue. The egg was warm in her hands and its greenness crept from the egg into her heart. The stones around them started to hum and then she felt a shard of pain tear through her eyes. With a gasp she fell to her knees, still holding the egg. Tears streamed down her cheeks and then the pain was gone. Jewel looked across the fire and saw Sable standing so close that, had it not been for the flames, she could have touched her.

  But this was Sable with her eyes intact. Sable standing not as a vision but also not as a reality.

  ‘Welcome dear Sable,’ Jewel quietly said and waited.

  ‘Dearest Jewel. My love surrounds you always.’ Sable’s voice rang out as clear as when she were alive. ‘You must be careful. Two more sacrifices have been taken. I believe they are still alive and so I must go to them. To help. To heal. That is one of my purposes here in this realm. Remember. My love surrounds you always.’ And then, just as suddenly as she had appeared, Sable was gone.

  ‘Our Dad is here too,’ Diana said quietly.

  Jewel stayed where she was, kneeling by the fire and opened to the green energy that was emanating from the Woden egg. ‘I see stone steps leading upwards,’ the words seemed to be falling out of her. ‘There is blood and there is bones.’ With that she stood and held the egg towards the moon. A green streak of lightening exploded into their fire and sparks flew all around. Jewel could hear a collective intake of breath from everyone gathered but she remained standing and was surrounded by falling embers. Not one single burning fragment landed on her and then the fire returned to normal.

  ‘We all have pendants,’ Diana said with a note of astonishment. Glancing down Jewel saw that she was wearing small wooden egg suspended on a strand of wooden beads. It was the same wood as her Woden egg and, slowly turning around, she saw each and every member of the coven wearing identical pendants.

  Chapter 13

  Monique could still feel the extra rush of energy pulsating as she walked through the Prime Legend’s receiving room. She could taste power, not only from the effects of the Groupie’s blood, but also from having assumed her bat shape. It was an hour before dawn. She and Elijah had flown fast from the clearing in order to reach this place before sunrise. She wanted to catch Henry before he retired for the day and knew she had to work quickly in order to achieve all of her plans.

  Henry would be expecting her this evening not in the early hours of the morning. But he had said Friday to Elijah. Monique had used the vagueness to interpret it to her advantage. She wore a red velvet ball gown and her favourite red leather stiletto shoes and knew that she looked exceptional for this most important of meetings.

  She pushed open the door to the bedroom and signalled to Elijah, a few steps behind, to wait outside. If anyone tried to interrupt them she knew Elijah would have perfect explanations for any noises emanating from the room.

  It was as she expected. Henry was alone and preparing for bed. He was wearing a long pale blue cotton nightshirt and held a matching nightcap in one hand and a glass in the other. Some things never change, she thought, as he had obviously just taken a sip of what looked like his favourite tipple, strawberry liqueur.

  Henry looked down at his glass, hurriedly took another sip and coughed as Monique closed the door behind her. ‘Monique! I wasn’t expecting you …’ He sounded confused as his voice trailed.

  ‘Hello, Henry.’ Monique smiled, pleased at the wonderful way her plan was working. Already he was off guard.

  ‘I was just going to bed for the day.’ Henry looked nervous and carefully placed the glass and nightcap down on a small table. Monique was pleased. He may well be all-powerful in a room of vampires but she knew how to make him tremble.

  ‘I thought we could discuss my situation?’ Henry still looked bewildered and Monique smiled. Good. Elijah had prepared a disorientation potion and it seemed to be working.

  ‘Discuss?’ Henry sat down on the edge of the bed. ‘Yes, I am rather down right then. Words sense.’ He yawned.

  Monique almost clapped her hands in delight. He was very confused. Now if she could just send him to sleep.

  ‘Henry.’ She said sharply and his head, which was starting to droop, snapped up to look at her. ‘Henry,’ gentler now as she didn’t want him to come out of the enchantment, ‘would you like me to massage you to sleep?’

  ‘Massage. Sleep.’ Henry’s voice was drifting as he laid down on the bed and Monique hovered her hands above his body. She started to stroke his aura and within seconds a gentle snore indicated that he had fallen asleep. She waited until a louder snore echoed through the room and then moved to take off her shoes. The silver heels glistened. Neither she nor Elijah could ever touch the silver. He wore heavy gloves to polish them and had really done a most excellent job.

  She took a firm hold of the leather of the shoe and knelt over Henry. It was a shame to ruin such beautiful leather but she would soon acquire another pair.

  Then she plunged the shoe downwards. The silver of the heel pierced Henry’s chest and she held it there even as his eyes fl
ew open in terror. He opened his mouth as if to scream but, instead, a bubbling noise emanated from his throat. She twisted the heel and watched as blood started to fill his mouth. His arms tried a futile movement but Monique continued to press the heel further into his heart. And then it was over. She knew the moment his life left the body.

  Monique left the heel in place as she carefully got up off the bed. The silver would speed the deterioration of the body, burning it from the inside. Henry’s life had gone and his essence started to creep into her aura. She raised her hands. This was it. This was the time for her to become the Prime Legend. The first woman Prime Legend. She smiled.

  ‘Monique. This is wrong.’

  It couldn’t be Henry’s voice. But it was. Monique looked over at the body on the bed. Open but glazed eyes stared into space. Henry was definitely dead.

  ‘You will reign for twenty-eight days only. One complete lunar cycle.’

  Monique was astonished. She had never heard of this happening before. When a Prime was killed, that was it. How could Henry’s voice still be heard? How could he be so strong as to issue words after death?

  But the voice continued. ‘After twenty-eight days you will lose your power.’

  There was a slight change in the energy within the room and Monique knew, with certainty that Henry really had left. She also knew, with certainty that the Prime Essence was fully inside her now. She was now the Prime Legend. She would rule for a complete full moon cycle! She clapped her hands in excitement. There would be a way for her to extend her time, she knew. Even if she had to remove other vampires from this planet to do it.

  She walked over to the door and opened it to find Elijah standing quivering with excitement. She beckoned him into the room.

  ‘Did you feel the change, Elijah?’ She wanted everyone to have sensed that there was a new Supreme.