Jewel - Daughter of Destiny

by Alison Smith

  Diana placed two glasses of white wine on the table. ‘It’s not chilled. I’ve put the rest of the bottle in the freezer to cool quickly.’

  Jewel felt a heaviness descend on her shoulders as if the weight of the world’s gloom rested there.

  ‘She’s been taken so seriously since that newsreader interviewed her. Why is everyone delighting in so much darkness?’ Jewel looked at Diana who shrugged her shoulders.

  ‘People love something new or different I suppose. And if you add in that this is still being presented with the emphasis on magic and beauty and fascination – well its attraction is almost that of a moth to a flame.’ Diana rubbed the back of her neck as if she, too, were feeling a pressure.

  ‘But it’s not new. Or different.’ Jewel took a large drink of her wine. ‘It’s been going on for aeons, maybe forever. And it’s absolutely unnecessary. It seems to have unleashed such feelings of despondence. And I just cannot remove myself from the overwhelming sense of a dark wave covering the whole planet.’

  ‘Have you heard from Anton lately?’ Diana asked quietly.

  ‘Not heard from exactly. But I sense his presence around me at times. Especially at around midnight. I suspect that’s when they give him some food or blood or something.’ Jewel put her head in her hands. It was the end of another gruelling day of trying to strengthen her powers and she was tired and upset at the length of time it was taking.

  ‘Well,’ Diana said. ‘At least you know he’s still alive. I had a thought today when you were meditating.’

  Jewel raised her head to look at Diana. ‘Go on.’

  ‘I was looking at my crystal ball and remembered the vision I had of you in Sable’s garden. The images you sent me.’

  ‘Yes I remember that too.’ Jewel said. ‘It was a perfect natural circle honouring the elements. I sat down, called the spirits and sent you that message.’

  ‘Well think about it, Jewel. Sable must have worked in that garden for hours and hours over many years. And you don’t know the history of it. Did she create it or was it already a magical garden?’

  Jewel shook her head. ‘The mausoleum is certainly ancient I’m sure and I told you about the murals on the walls.’ She rubbed her shoulders again. It would soon be time for their evening meal and then bed. Another day gone. Yet another day without Anton and with despair in the atmosphere. ‘What about the garden?’

  ‘We have been trying to do so much work here and your powers are increasing every day. But why don’t we, or at least you, go there?’

  ‘To the house?’

  Diana made a swiping gesture with her hand. ‘No! Well, yes. But to the garden. Use the magic that I’m sure is there. Work with it. I’ll start documenting the herbs, I’ve been longing to do that in any case.’

  Jewel sat in thought for a moment. ‘Di, you’re right. It’s where the Wisdom Of All Ages came to me and everything associated with Sable.’ And of Anton. She smiled. It may well be only just a few days until the full moon. And in all likelihood Monique was relishing the awful deeds being committed. But a new door had opened in her mind. Jewel knew, with certainty, that the secrets held by the garden and the mausoleum were essential for her journey.

  Elijah pushed open the door to the large room and stood for a moment looking at the closed coffin. Monique’s words still rang loudly in his ears.

  ‘Get rid of that awful coffin, Elijah. I’m bored with looking at it. Chain Anton up in one the cells.’

  ‘But, My Lady, you were so proud to have him imprisoned …’

  She was furious, thunderous that he had questioned her. But it hadn’t really been about that. Elijah squeezed his hands together and recognised a nervous twitch somewhere around his left eye. He, who was never anxious, was apprehensive about what Monique… his dear Lady… would do next. She knew … they all knew … that her newer powers would only remain available to her until the next full moon. And that was only a few days away. She still maintained with vigour that she would hold enough power and magical energies to overturn the curse. But, lately there seemed to be such a desperation emanating from within her. No one else would have seen or noticed it. But he had known her so well and for so long. Was her energy beginning to fade already? Elijah closed his eyes. Rumours were circulating to that effect and his Lady had to have heard them.

  He opened his eyes and looked around the room. It was empty except for the coffin standing in lonely splendour. But just a few hours ago and Monique had filled the room with as many humans and vampires as she could. All of them indulging decadently as music played. Had she realised though that there were not as many there as had celebrated her arrival as the new Prime Legend? That not even all of her line were there? That many there had tight, almost false, smiles in place.

  Elijah couldn’t bear that his thoughts, lately, had been wondering whether any vampires were considering, even plotting, the demise of his dear Lady. He tutted and pushed the thought away. He had instructions to carry out and strode over to the coffin. He opened the lid and Anton gazed at him.

  ‘You are to be moved,’ Elijah informed him. ‘I can dissolve the bindings for you to walk with me. Or the bindings remain and I’ll pull you along the stone floor. The latter option will be most painful. I assure you of that.’

  ‘I’ll not try to escape.’

  Anton’s voice was so quiet that Elijah struggled to make it out. Anton repeated the short phrase and Elijah hovered his hands over each and every binding. Slowly they vanished and Anton, with what appeared to be a slight hesitation, walked out of the coffin that had been his prison.

  Elijah gestured toward the door and watched as Anton walked towards it. They had kept him imprisoned in the coffin for three weeks with very little sustenance. Just a little extra blood recently. Anton appeared as fresh and strong as ever. Blood really was their life force. Elijah resolved to ensure Monique received even more than she asked for.

  They quickly reached the door that led to the stone steps. Anton unerringly opened it and started down towards the cells. He reached the bottom and turned as if waiting for Elijah.

  ‘I assume you have a cell ready for me?’

  ‘How did you know that this was where My Lady wished you to be held?’

  ‘It makes perfect sense.’ Anton answered and then turned away. ‘Which cell do you wish to put me in?’

  Elijah gestured towards the middle of the three barred enclosures and the door immediately swung open.

  ‘My Lady has instructed that you are chained.’

  ‘And chains will hold me?’

  ‘It is My Lady’s magic that holds you, we all know that. She wishes you chained for the indignity.’ And, as he watched, Anton walked into the cell and stood by the wall. Elijah made another gesture with his hand and chains formed around Anton’s limbs. The barred door swung shut and he had completed the task. But he stood and looked at Anton.

  ‘I know that you leave your body at night. I know that you visit Jewel.’ He said quietly.

  ‘Of course.’ Just two words from Anton and Elijah knew what had been unspoken. He turned and quickly walked away. Monique had held Anton here for three weeks but hadn’t been able to take his strength or his powers. Was she really saving him for the full moon as she said? Or was it that even she, as Prime Legend and with all of the powers that position had bestowed upon her, couldn’t take Anton? Was Anton actually here by his own choice? Oh no! Was Anton a part of a plot to overthrow his Dear Lady? But, if so, then Anton had to have known that she was going to kill Henry. Elijah groaned. He had to, somehow, warn Monique ... to make her listen. Perhaps she would be willing to invoke the ancient magic again.

  Nik looked at the file on the desk in front of him. He had caused some surprise by asking for it. Outwardly there was nothing to cause suspicion that this man’s death was anything extraordinary. Nik only had his instincts but he relied absolutely on them. The doctor who had performed the post mortem had probably assumed Nik’s interest was due to the victim’s so-called ce
lebrity status.

  He opened the file and the first photograph that caught his eye was a publicity shot. The news anchor was pictured sitting in an armchair and smiling. Then he looked at a photo of the body.

  ‘Hmm. Not smiling now, are we,’ Nik muttered. As he read the report the circumstances became more and more confusing. He sat back in his chair and thought deeply. And then he understood why he had needed to involve himself.

  He dialled the familiar number for his superior.

  ‘Yes.’

  His superior’s voice sounded clipped and impatient. Nik had never heard that tone before and wondered why, this time, his superior was not as calm as usual.

  ‘Sir,’ Nik said. ‘I wanted to bring to your attention a recent death.’

  ‘The news reader I suppose?’

  ‘Yes. His body was fished out of the river two days ago. The post mortem shows death by drowning.’

  ‘But you don’t agree?’

  ‘No Sir. It’s sketchy but there are reports of a murky private life. And he was the first to interview Monique. Gave her an “in” if you like to the world of media that she now seems to dominate.’

  ‘Conjecture Nik. But you could very well be correct. Does the file connect the victim to either Monique or Elijah?’

  ‘No Sir.’

  ‘Add a pencil note somewhere with Elijah’s name. Then drop the file onto a PC’s desk. Choose one who seems hungry for promotion. I believe the cause of death was stated as death by misadventure?’

  Nik allowed himself a faint smile. His superior never missed anything.

  ‘That is the recommendation to the coroner, Sir. Should I put another faint note next to it?’

  ‘Yes. Just a question mark should do it and then leave it all to the police officer. There is another, rather more deeper concern Nik...’

  ‘Sir?’

  ‘You need to work more closely at relocating as many families as possible. And quickly.’

  Nik’s forehead creased in confusion. ‘But Sir we’re not even seeing any hint of distrust amongst the humans. In fact the majority appear to be fascinated by the whole vampire subject. There are experts all over the place giving interviews and, whilst some are better informed than others …’ Nik’s voice now trailed as he realised that his superior interrupted by clearing his throat noisily.

  ‘Nik. Already the vampires are splitting into factions. There are those who support Monique and her attempts to impose the old ways. There are also those who are just plainly impressed that she has invoked such ancient magic. And then there are those who are fearful. And as for the humans ... we are possibly only days away from a backlash. People are falling ill and nurses, doctors, healers … all are worrying about the new type of wound. Bites to the neck or wrist and which are becoming infected.’

  Nik digested the words and then recalled a radio news segment he had heard earlier. ‘Yes. I heard a short hospital statement earlier. They are having difficulty in fighting the infection.’

  ‘Indeed. It will not be long before deaths start occurring and the backlash will start. Churches and religious leaders have already begun to express opinions against the practices and people will listen. We still cannot directly intervene but must do what we can to help those who need it. Check in with Bert and encourage him to move faster. He is doing an excellent job but there are more families who need to be out of the way and quickly. That’s really all we can do at the moment. Try to ensure as much safety as possible.’

  Nik was silent. The concern must be grave. And then he winced at his own inner choice of words.

  ‘Yes Sir. I’ll see Bert and make sure that those who wish to move are helped. And I have high hopes that Jewel …’

  ‘Jewel is expanding her powers more than we thought possible in such a short time.’

  Once again his superior had broken into Nik’s words and continued.

  ‘Anton is also more brave and stronger than we thought possible. He allows the time needed for her to continue the journey. You must gradually withdraw Nik. Jewel has to find the way herself. She has been born and brought up here with purpose. It is her destiny.’

  Nik’s shoulders slumped. It was as he had always dreaded. He was being instructed that Jewel had to walk this path alone. He hoped she would have Diana at her side.

  ‘William holds another key that could help her,’ his superior had continued.

  Nik brightened even as the phone connection was broken with the cryptic comment. He replaced his own phone back into its cradle. Hadn’t Jewel told him that William had brought her a piece of ancient wood? Or maybe Diana had told him? Was the wood the key? But Jewel has already been given that. William must have something else.

  He stood up and quickly donned an overcoat. It was late but Bert, and possibly William too, would be at the Leather & Burgundy club. Bert still hadn’t reopened the club but it had become a real centre of operations for moving families out of town. Nik walked out of his office. He needed to warn Bert in any case that the current tide of popular opinion might well be altering from awe to fear quite soon. Not that Bert would be surprised. And then he would speak to William.

  William holds another key that could help her. The words echoed through his mind. Oh yes, he must definitely speak to William.

  Chapter 21

  The moon was high in the sky and bulbous as it pulsed with the energy which would become at it’s fullest the next night. Jewel paused at the entrance to the mausoleum and took time to acknowledge the light the goddess was sending her. She could vaguely hear Diana humming a chant as she moved around Sable’s garden. By unspoken agreement Diana would keep Jewel within a distance at which both could be aware of each other’s auras. But, Jewel had known from the moment Diana had suggested coming here, this part of the journey was hers and hers alone to make.

  She carried a small velvet pouch containing the Woden egg in her left hand and quickly touched it to the pendant around her neck. Warmth emanated and she felt calm. She glanced down at the book held in her right hand and replayed in her mind William’s words.

  ‘It’s a strange book, sis. One of the vampires gave it to me for helping his sister move away. He said it belongs to the Attrahere and I thought of you.’ William’s voice had trailed at that point but he had pressed the small red leather bound volume into her hands. Jewel had flicked through the pages and saw, immediately, the symbols detailed. She thought she recognised some of them from the murals that decorated the walls of the mausoleum. Both she and Diana had sat and considered the book and Jewel had been relieved when both agreed it was helpful not malevolent energy surrounding it. That a book could pulsate with strong energy no longer surprised her.

  As she continued to look at the cover of the book other embossed symbols appeared in the leather. But how could a symbol be visible under moonlight but not at home during daylight? She turned slightly away from the entrance to the mausoleum and the symbols, such as she could make out, disappeared into the red leather. Not moonlight, she thought, it’s more to do with proximity to the building. She looked at the entrance and felt Sable’s welcoming presence. For some unaccountable reason she swapped the objects that she held. Now the pouch was in her right hand and the book, her left. That was comfortable and she resolutely moved forward to the entrance. Down a few stone steps and she was inside. As she walked along the corridor she saw a small room, almost as if it were an antechamber, just before the room that had housed Sable’s bones. She paused and saw that more murals decorated the walls than the corridor. And they were vibrant, calling to her.

  Elijah stood looking at Anton. Monique had refused to listen to his concerns.

  ‘Elijah. Don’t you think that, if there were anyone here wishing to replace me, that I would have known it? I am all powerful and have the wisdom of the line of Primes behind and within me.’

  Her rant had continued and he was now seriously worried about his Lady. Did she really think that the curse would not happen? He, Elijah, had been close enough at He
nry’s death to feel the power of the magic used. Monique would lose her new powers at full moon. He was sure of it. Just as she was sure that she would not.

  ‘Are you just staring? Or did you have something to say? Ask?’ Anton’s voice echoed through the cell and Elijah wondered at the strength it carried.

  ‘How are you still strong,’ he muttered not expecting an answer. When the silver cords had originally tightened around Anton there had been pain. The chains that held him bound were silver-plated. Why did he not appear in pain?

  ‘At full moon I shall leave here. Monique will be finished. I believe that there are enough of the Legend already preparing for that.’

  Elijah considered Anton’s words. Somehow Anton was ready for an uprising and had information. He made up his mind. It was the only thing to do.

  ‘Monique will kill Jewel at Full Moon.’ Silence reigned. ‘She will, Anton. My Lady wishes for the power of Attrahere. It is not connected to the Prime Legend line and, therefore will remain with her should the curse enact itself.’

  ‘I have faith in Jewel.’

  ‘Then you’re a fool. Monique will do it and then where shall we all be?’

  ‘Ah. So you are actually unsure?’

  Was that a smile around Anton’s lips? Elijah took a long breath. Whatever the outcome he needed to ensure a safe passage for his dear lady away from here.

  ‘Even if there is a battle, it will be a bloody one. Do you really want Jewel in danger?’ Elijah paused to let his words sink in. If Anton was as deeply connected to Jewel as he thought then there was a chance to negotiate. If not, well what did he have to lose? ‘I promise you that I will ensure Monique harms not one hair of your own dear lady’s head.’

  Silence ensued and Elijah began to wonder whether Anton had actually heard him.

  ‘In return for?’ Anton made it almost sound like a statement but Elijah heard the curiosity behind it. He could smell the clear scent of a deal in the making.

  ‘I will take Monique away from here at twilight of Full Moon.’