by Alison Smith
It was twilight as Monique carefully walked towards the newsroom. Elijah had obtained the floor plans for this television studio and she knew exactly who to look for. The man who anchored the early evening news, the most watched programme of the moment, was known for working well into the night with just a skeleton crew. Monique smiled at her own joke and knew that she had dressed with care. Thigh-length red leather boots and a matching mini skirt. Only very light mind control would be needed, after all these were very basic humans. And then she would have her own series of interviews. On television and across the whole world.
It was nearly midnight and Jewel looked around the small sitting room at the people surrounding her. Katryn and Bradley were sitting together on the settee. William was half asleep on a beanbag in the corner of the room. Diana was through in the kitchen making hot chocolate for them all. The Twins had been in deep conversation with Nik for ages and she had only heard fragments of words. But she knew enough that things were becoming more serious and she stood up to walk to the kitchen.
‘Do you need any help, Di?’ she asked.
‘No. Just maybe hold the doors open for me to carry the tray of mugs. It’ll be ready soon,’ Diana said without turning from the hob where she was stirring the hot milky drink.
From a lingering scent in the air, Jewel knew her sister had added their favourite secret ingredient, brandy.
Diana turned the gas jet off and carried the pan over to where she had put out mugs on the tray.
Jewel wondered whether she should tell her sister what William had said earlier. Before she could make up her mind Diana had finished pouring the hot chocolate and walked over to the sink with the empty pan. She ran hot water into it and then turned towards Jewel.
‘William found Chris’s body, didn’t he?’ Diana said quietly.
‘Yes,’ Jewel said. ‘It had been left in the forest. William buried him and said prayers over the grave.’
Diana was silent for a moment and then straightened her shoulders. ‘He had no family, just an elderly aunt in Australia. I’ll write in a few weeks and say … well something. Do the police need to know?’
‘William has told Nik everything, including where to find the grave. Nik said that with everything else at the moment it’s probably wisest to leave things be.’
‘Yes,’ Diana said. ‘I know Chris betrayed us but we know why. I’d like him to keep his good name. His friends all think that he’s gone to his aunt because we broke off our relationship. We’ll keep it that way if we can. Now let’s finish the evening with some happy memories of Paul and Elsie.’ She picked up the tray and Jewel held the door open for her.
Chapter 19
‘Jewel, my destiny and my love.’
Anton’s voice broke into Jewel’s dream world and she woke with a start. It was not yet dawn and yet vague tendrils of light were beginning. A shadow moved at the bottom of her bed and she struggled to focus her eyes.
‘Anton? Is that you?’ she said hesitatingly. Had he? Could he have? Escaped?
‘Please, my dear, stay as you are. Monique still holds me and I am bound.’
Jewel’s heart, which had started to leap, now dropped. She held out her hand to him. ‘How much strength do you have for this, Anton?’ How she wanted him here, even like this, talking. But he needed to keep whatever energy he had left.
The shadow moved and sat on the edge of her bed. Her hand began to glow with the now familiar green light. As the ray stretched towards Anton so his shadow began to radiate with it. Features sharpened and his figure emerged. The shadow became real. Not as she had last seen him, bound and hurt, but smart and beautiful. It was as if they were about to sit down for dinner. Or to dance, the thought echoed through Jewel’s mind. The green light dimmed but remained connecting Jewel’s hand to Anton’s aura.
‘My dear Jewel.’ Anton took hold of Jewel’s hand and she felt warmth and strength. ‘Monique has been allowing me just enough blood and food to keep me on the brink of life. Then, two nights ago Elijah brought a full meal. And again last night. He attempted to confuse me by saying he had seen the errors in Monique’s ways. But I do not think it was that. I suspect it was on her orders. We cannot trust anything she does. She always has an agenda.’ He stopped and remained holding Jewel’s hand.
Jewel frowned. ‘Of course!’ there was a glimmer of understanding. ‘Monique will wish to perform a new moon ritual tomorrow,’ she glanced at her small alarm clock on the bedside table. ‘I mean tonight. Diana and I certainly will. Oh Anton, what might she have planned?’
Anton smiled. ‘I am sure that we can cope with whatever she does. With every passing hour I grow more convinced that you and I are the destiny spoken of over the ages.’ He paused and then added, ‘I have plenty of time at the moment for thinking.’
Jewel’s heart went out to him. That he would have such faith in her. But then, she acknowledged to herself, she had such faith in him too.
‘Oh Anton.’ She knew that he needed to hear the truth. ‘We have to wait for the full moon energy in two weeks time for our chance to overcome all of this dreadfulness. Diana and I have been working so hard but we need more time. And the astrology at that time is more beneficial. The planets will be of so much help …’ her voice trailed.
Anton took hold of her other hand and leant across her body. Jewel felt a peaceful sense of serene calmness descend.
‘My dear,’ he said quietly. ‘I have no doubt that Monique will have plans for this night’s new moon. Anything she does will have the intention of increasing her power or her status or both. I suspect that she will try to take your powers eventually but that will be more likely at the full moon. She will want the culmination energy that will be available then. However you are correct that the same energy will be helpful for you … remember that. But as for tonight ... You must, nevertheless, be on your guard. Be prepared, she may show you images and visions. But know the truth always. I have loved you forever and always will.’
Jewel’s heart swelled with such love that it prevented her from speaking. She bent her head down towards him and, as she touched his lips with her own, had a brief fear that he would evaporate. Her lips skimmed his and, to her wonder, the kiss became real.
Anton relinquished her hands and, somehow, Jewel found that he had moved along the bed to be closer to her. She felt him gently place his hands on either side of her face and then he kissed her with a passion that took her breath away. Kiss followed kiss and Jewel knew she would remember, always, every sound, every scent and every touch.
Drifting dreamily she abandoned herself to ancient rhythms and matched equally every vibration from Anton. With every pulse came a new wave of euphoria. With every quiver that followed through her body came a new wave of exhilaration. Until he took her to ecstasy and wonderment itself.
She was still trembling when he moved from her.
‘Thank you, dear Jewel for such true beauty. To be here, with you, a wonderful gift from the goddess.’
Had that taken too much energy, she wondered?
‘No.’ He answered her unvoiced question. ‘What you have just done for me has given me even more strength. But I cannot travel like this for long. Monique may sense it happening. Remember what I told you earlier. And that I love you. And, please, take care of yourself tonight.’
Anton gently touched his lips to hers and then he was gone.
Jewel sat up. Had he truly been here? Or had it been a dream? She caught sight of her glowing face reflected in the dressing table mirror and knew. She knew, absolutely, that they had been together on another plane and that her smile would remain for a long time.
Jewel stood up and put on her robe, slowly tying the belt. She would go downstairs and make tea. And then something struck her as wrong. Almost as if a vital piece of a message had been missed. She looked again at her reflection in the mirror but this time with a thought. Did Anton know how much she loved him? She had never told him. And then, she realised. Only true and pure love could h
ave allowed them to travel as they did. And that was something Monique would never understand.
Nik settled back comfortably on Bert’s well worn settee. He knew this apartment well and had visited often over the years.
‘Coffee or tea?’ Bert’s questioning voice emerged from his small kitchenette off the main living room.
‘Just a juice please,’ Nik answered quickly. Since spending so much time with Jewel and Diana he had drunk enough tea and coffee to last him a year.
Bert walked back into the room carrying two glasses of cranberry juice and placed them carefully on the small coffee table. He sat down in an armchair opposite.
‘Thanks, Nik, for the shopping. I can’t bring myself to leave here just now. The journalists have diminished in number but are still keeping watchful eyes on the place.’
Nik picked up his glass. His friend had aged over the last few days. ‘You must be missing the club,’ he said quietly.
‘More than you can imagine. It’s been my life work to provide a space … a bridge if you like … between good thinking humans and vampires.’
Nik watched as Bert took his glass and sipped from it. Glancing around he saw a television set in the corner of the room. ‘Is that new?’ he questioned.
‘Yes. It has a zillion channels. William Tapper brought it around for me so that I can keep an eye on the interviews.’
‘Has it been helpful? William being around?’ Nik had only his instincts to either curse or thank for putting the two men in touch. Just as his instincts all those days ago had caused him to manipulate William’s court case files. He had known the timing was wrong for that young man to be in court for something as trivial as a crop protest.
Bert’s face relaxed for the first time since Nik had arrived. ‘Oh yes. After the shock of all that wild hair I realised just what a truly beautifully thinking young man he is. He holds his beliefs for this earth so deeply and really, genuinely, cares.’ Bert took another sip of juice and Nik, also, relaxed.
‘He knows the right people,’ Bert continued. ‘Good people, just like him, who are able to skirt the edges of society. Already we have been able to arrange the relocation of a vampire couple, who were feeling very uncomfortable, to another country. And three half and half families have been moved out of the city. They’ve gone to a small community that William knows well and, apparently, are happier than ever before.’
Nik knew that the half and half families to which Bert referred would be where a vampire was married to, or living with, a human. He breathed a sigh of relief at the thought that Bert and William were working towards keeping families safe should a backlash start to emerge. ‘Will you continue?’ he asked.
‘Oh yes,’ Bert said quickly. ‘Have you seen the latest television interview that Monique has given?’
‘I listened to her speaking on the radio earlier. She described in detail the elation experienced from drinking blood. And I also heard her say she had never killed anyone.’
‘There was a long interview with her on the early evening news tonight, one of those rolling news networks,’ Bert said.
‘But it’s the new moon tonight,’ Nik was surprised. ‘I thought she would have been arranging her ritual.’
‘She was.’
Nik raised his eyebrows. He had been worried about the shape Monique’s ritual would take and now he was even more so. ‘Bert?’ he encouraged.
‘She spoke about the moon and how it’s a perfect energy to try something new or different. And then she gave a full demonstration taking blood from the wrist or the neck. Oh yes. And, of course, Monique being Monique she couldn’t resist mentioning the pure exhilaration of drinking blood whilst having sex.’ Bert stopped and took a large drink of his juice. ‘And then Monique invited viewers to join with her in drinking from each other tonight at midnight.’
‘Surely people won’t actually …’ Nik was aghast and, afraid he could very well drop lose his grip, carefully replaced his glass onto the table.
Bert stood up and walked over to his drinks cabinet. He took out a bottle of brandy and added a large shot to his fruit juice. He glanced over to Nik who shook his head.
‘It’s already past ten o clock, Bert. I’ll be off now. I need to be in place when the girls start their ritual. To help however I can and to keep an eye over events. If you need anything else ring me tomorrow.’
‘Take care,’ Bert said. ‘Remember to help but not interfere.’
The two men shook hands and Nik walked down the stairs towards the back door. It was wise advice from his friend. Bert was very well aware that Nik was not allowed to manipulate. But, if Monique did indeed have enough people from all over the country, even the world, willing to do as she had suggested … it just didn’t bear thinking about.
The new moon had risen and the coven stood gazing at it in awe. It was nearing the closure of their ritual and Jewel was pleased with how smoothly they had all performed their customary roles. Bradley had slipped quite naturally into the role that previously had been Chris’s and he made their number its usual thirteen.
They were all in silent contemplation of the moon and Jewel could only just hear soft rumbles, almost purring, from the two wolves sitting behind her. She had baulked at watching The Twins actually shape shift but welcomed that they would be protecting the group in that way. She knew that their senses were heightened as wolves just as she also knew that Nik was somewhere close as well.
‘We honour and praise the new moon,’ Diana’s voice rang out. ‘We ask for the blessing from the Goddess for all that we have to achieve as she waxes and grows alongside us.’
There was silence again and Jewel, not for the first time during the ritual, thought of Anton. She stretched her awareness but felt no trace of him. Diana nodded to her and she knew what was required next. Diana and she had planned the ritual with every care and attention to detail.
Jewel bent down and picked up the uncorked bottle of ruby claret. Each member of the coven held a crystal glass and Jewel slowly walked around the circle pouring the wine. There were no words just the intention to honour the new moon in the way that Anton and his line always had.
She returned to her position and they all, as one, raised their glasses to the shiny sliver of silver in the sky. Jewel took a sip of wine and then first one, and another and more shooting stars danced through the heavens to frame the new moon. A fiery pattern that was over almost at once but had brought tears to Jewel’s eyes at the beauty of it … of the nature Goddess.
The circle closed and they all sat around the fire. Jewel stared into the flames but there was no vision. She felt removed and cut off from everyone and everything. And then she realised. “Monique!” Jewel thought and heard laughter echo all around.
Diana stood up. ‘I command the circle of protection,’ she called out but the laughter continued and, Jewel knew, Monique was about to make her move.
‘This is between you and I, Monique,’ Jewel called out as she stood. ‘No one else need be involved.’ She was desperate to make sure the other members of the coven were safe.
‘My daughter, I shall not harm anyone tonight. But witness, all of you. See what I, and only I, have the power to do. And then join with me.’
Jewel watched as a pale blue orb hovered over the fire and grew larger until there was no mistaking the figures depicted within. Jewel’s hand flew to her throat as she watched. Anton was bound but not in the coffin. His arms and legs were tied to each of the four posts of a bed. He was naked and Jewel saw another figure enter the room. Monique, also naked.
‘My daughter,’ Monique turned and looked directly at Jewel.
Jewel felt a thud of pain to her heart as she realised exactly the images Monique had planned to show her. Rooted to the stop she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Monique’s.
‘Do not worry,’ Monique had continued. ‘Anton will enjoy this just as much as I shall. I have made him strong just for this purpose.’ Monique laughed and turned towards the bed.
&n
bsp; The connection from Monique’s eyes to her own was broken and Jewel started to shake with fury. No! She refused to watch … refused to believe that what was showing in the orb was actually happening. She covered her eyes and, immediately, knew exactly the words to be voiced.
‘I am The Attrahere! I demand that the truth and only the truth be shown.’ She uncovered her eyes and saw Anton bound but dressed and in the coffin. She saw Monique’s furious face and then the orb exploded with a small pop.
Jewel’s left hand began to tingle and she held it out towards the fire. The green ray that emanated became a small green orb of her own. It grew larger until it almost filled the night sky. Everyone was standing by now and gazing into the orb at the scenes depicted.
She knew that all who watched would have heavy hearts. Her own heart felt like lead within her chest. Jewel had demanded the truth. But this?
This was just too terrible. Hundreds of people. A daisy chain of faces. Human beings of all colours, creeds and ages. And they were all … all of them … drinking blood from each other.
Chapter 20
Jewel picked up the remote control to silence the small television set and looked at Diana sitting opposite.
‘I admit,’ Jewel said slowly and sighed. ‘Monique is looking quite amazing. More beautiful with every interview she gives. I still find it so difficult to imagine her committing the atrocities that I know she has. And I’ve actually seen her kill. But she is my birth mother. I worry that …’ Jewel sighed again.
‘She may have given birth to you but that’s where it ends. You are not your mother.’ Diana smiled at Jewel before continuing with a small grimace. ‘Just why does she have to give so many interviews? Is it the attention that’s feeding her or the adrenalin whipping through her system from so much blood.’ Diana raised her eyebrows as she spoke and then stood up to go to the wine rack.
Jewel tried to smile. Since the new moon every TV channel, probably worldwide, must have interviewed Monique.
