by Alison Smith
‘Now, how would you be able to do that. Her whole being for decades has been devoted to creating and then taking the Attrahere power and magic. She has raised ancient magic that has been solely diverted towards her own goals.’
Was that a sneer Elijah heard in Anton’s voice? He took another deep breath. So much depended on a gentleman’s agreement made between himself and Anton. ‘The ancients will not do battle with the Attrahere. It is law. Monique has only her own magic for that battle. I shall be able to encourage one last flight as bats and then take her somewhere else.’
Whilst Anton appeared in thought, Elijah wondered whether he actually could do that. It depended on whether his Lady was beginning, already, to lose power. Elijah was banking on the fact that she would reserve as much as possible for full moon and, therefore, not use any psychic nor magic immediately before. She was taking in more blood. Elijah had enabled her to take sips whenever she wished. But, even so, he was still unsure whether she would have enough energy to counteract the curse.
No it would be for the best to leave.
He would persuade her that they should visit their forest once more and connect with the earth there. And then, when her resistance was low, he would use the potion that, already, was prepared and waiting. She would be angry but, after all, it would mean she could regain energy and power. And they could take time to see just what this new Attrahere would do once she became fully empowered. There hadn’t been an Attrahere on this planet in hundreds of years. He licked his lips. Oh how his Lady would love it if Jewel were to form an allegiance with the ancient dark ones. The long game. That was what was needed. And Elijah was sure to his core that Monique would see that eventually.
‘I agree.’ Anton’s quiet voice broke into his thoughts and Elijah smiled. Was Anton agreeing to much more than the deal?
‘I agree to the spoken arrangement.’ Anton’s words rang clear and Elijah breathed a sigh of relief.
‘It is agreed then. Monique will not harm Jewel at this full moon and, in return, she and I leave.’
Elijah strode up the stone steps. He had the agreement. That Anton would honour it he was under no illusion. And so would he. And Monique, eventually, would see that the agreement only spoke of this full moon. There was nothing to stop her taking Jewel’s powers another time.
As Jewel walked up to the first of the murals she saw that a small, three-legged stool had been placed immediately facing it. She was sure that it had never been there before.
‘Sit and enjoy, Jewel.’ These were clear words from Sable but no vision of her. Jewel felt comfortable and sat down still holding the egg and book. She felt totally relaxed as she gazed at the images in front of her. A battle was shown in the centre of the mural. As she continued to look at the pictures she saw another battle above the first but upside down. She smiled. Above & Below. At the left of the battle was a throne with a man, the king, dressed in red. It resembled Anton and she immediately looked to the right and there was another throne. A Queen dressed in white. Jewel smiled at the resemblance to herself. The Queen sat holding what looked like a similar book to her own. And a large black dog lay on the ground in front of her. Jewel closed her eyes and concentrated on the feel of the egg in her hand. As her mind emptied the egg grew warmer until all that existed in Jewel’s awareness was the heat from the egg.
Jewel let the warmth seep through her body until there was no difference between the egg in her hand and her body. She was one with the Woden Egg.
‘Jewel. Are you ready for knowledge to become understanding?’ Sable called.
‘I am ready.’ Jewel answered, her own voice clear and decisive.
Pages of ancient text unravelled in her mind. Symbols and colours mixed in with words and sounds. And then a circle was created by a series of objects joined together. A coin marked with a pentacle, a sword, a wand and a goblet. Jewel stood holding the book and the egg aloft.
‘I am the body of The Attrahere of the Wisdom of all Ages.’ Jewel called. A loud bell sounded and she became aware of a clamour of beings filling the space around her.
‘I am the mind of the Attrahere of the Wisdom of all Ages.’ As she called the words so another bell rang out of a higher octave than the first and the air around her grew filled with excitement.
‘I am the spirit of the Attrahere of the Wisdom of all Ages.’ One more bell was added of an even higher octave and then applause sounded around Jewel and through her. Slowly she allowed herself to come back into the room from where she had never left. Shaking herself, she opened her eyes. Standing up, and with her head held high, she was confident and strong.
The Attrahere of the Wisdom of all Ages was ready and willing to do battle to restore balance to the planet that is all life. And, in spirit and beyond, beings took place. Some to view, some to hope dark would prevail. And some to lend their energy.
Chapter 22
Diana was waiting for Jewel in the herb garden. As Jewel walked towards her she rose from having been sitting on a small stone bench. The first tendrils of dawn had brought dew to the plants and Jewel realised that hours must have passed. This was it. The day. The day of the night of The Full Moon.
Diana walked forward and swept Jewel into a hug. Jewel felt love pass through Diana and to her and back again. She knew that they had been linked as beings many times before. Then Diana stood back and seemed to be carefully assessing her. Jewel felt the psychic awareness from her sister and let it sweep through her body. There was no need for secrets between them.
‘Wow, Jewel. You have a completely silver aura. How do you feel?’
Jewel sat down on the stone seat and looked down at her clasped hands. A silver glow surrounded her. ‘I can’t have a silver aura, Di. I’m part vampire and have that strange aversion to silver.’
‘Well. If it’s not completely silver then call me a potato.’
‘Oops. I wasn’t questioning your abilities, Di. And yes. I agree that my aura is silver. I just don’t understand …’ Jewel closed her eyes briefly. ‘They were all with me last night. Everyone dear to me and lost. But there were others too. They only knew me as The Attrahere. And I think that the orbs were there. They’re not just orbs of light, Di, they’re beings too. And I understand better what has to be.’
‘Jewel. It’s fine. You don’t have to tell all right now. I consider it another initiation. At a much higher level than anything we previously knew about.’
Jewel felt Diana’s hand touch her shoulder gently and she concentrated on slowing her breathing down which seemed to have sped up. There was just so much she did want to tell Diana.
‘Come Jewel. We have much preparation to make for ritual and your duty.
Jewel knew now that the clash between herself and Monique had been ordained since the beginnings of time. Diana was correct. It was her duty and destiny. ‘Monique grows weak, Diana. But she is also constructing a circle of power the like of which has never been seen before. Weak and strong. How can that be?’
‘If she is weaker then how can she also create power?’ Diana’s voice was quiet.
‘She has touched ancient magic and has added her own traditional elements.’
‘It still doesn’t make sense.’
‘I know.’ Jewel’s voice sounded weary to her own ears. She knew that she was missing something quite crucial about the manner in which Monique was creating the magic surrounding her. ‘I think that someone, or something, is aiding her. There’s another thing too. Anton appeared to me during the night. He is strong, Diana, and there was no hint of pain around him. How has that happened? For a brief moment I wondered …’
‘No way!’ Diana’s voice rang out. ‘But maybe he’s being helped by whoever, or whatever, is assisting Monique.’ Her voice stopped and Jewel watched her sister’s face frown in thought.
‘Maybe,’ Jewel hesitated as she hardly dared to voice a suspicion that had been with her for a while. ‘Perhaps a situation is being created. Maybe it has nothing to do with Monique or Anton or even myself.’
>
‘I think it has everything to do with you.’ Diana sounded absolutely sure. ‘I also think that there have been many agendas playing out. Different ones. And, whenever I try to analyse it or meditate on it I find that I always see the eight of swords.’
‘The layers of mystery.’ Jewel mused. ‘As each layer is revealed so the circle of swords weaken.’ Jewel sat in thought for a moment. Was that what would defeat Monique’s circle of power? She closed her eyes and took her mind to the inner world within. Would consciousness be an effective weapon? And, immediately she felt brighter at the comfortable feeling surrounding her question. It may well be only part of her needed weaponry but it was an essential tool.
As she stood Diana put out a hand as if to steady her. But Jewel felt strength returning to her and a strong sense of purpose. ‘I must prepare really carefully for what is to come.’
Diana smiled. ‘There may well be other agendas and purposes at work, but only you have our help. The coven will be right behind you every step of the way and, I promise, will meet magic with beautiful magic.’
Jewel smiled and stood up. It was time to start preparations for this Full Moon. The ritual was unfolding.
Anton, alone in his prison, woke and stood to stretch. Almost all of the silver bindings and chains had left his body now and he had made sure that he was free to gather his strength and leave. Whether Monique could no longer maintain her hold over him, or Elijah had forgotten to keep him sedated, he didn’t know. Anton doubted it was the latter as he still slept more than usual. He sharpened his listening to hear if anyone was nearby. There was no sound in the corridor leading to the cell … no sound on the steps. The closest sound he could hear was a clock ticking in the hallway above him.
He breathed a sigh and walked straight through the bars of the cell door. He wasn’t going to leave, not yet. But he needed to shake life into his legs.
‘I’ll not leave until I know Jewel is safe,’ he murmured. Anton didn’t trust that Elijah would stop Monique. A voice gently reached his ears.
‘The Legend grows too weak for your use.’
Again Anton allowed himself to merely offer a whisper to the spirits surrounding him. ‘I still have no intention of leaving Jewel to battle alone. I will help. And whatever is left of the Legend of Vampires will help me too. He turned and walked, resolutely, back through the bars and into his cell. Already he could sense that night had fallen. Every atom of his body felt the energy of the full moon. And he heard movement and people in the rooms above his head. How many would Monique still have with her?
‘Elijah’
Elijah hurried to the main room and to his lady. He carried the supplies that she had ordered and, as she came into view, he was pleased to see that she was still using the hover-drip he had arranged for her. It meant she could take sips of blood at all times. But the blood was not as fresh as from a sacrifice at the moment of life and death. ‘Yes, My Lady?’
‘Arrange the room with the elements Elijah and why are there no Legend of Vampires here yet?’
Elijah looked at Monique and was disturbed to see gaps in her normally impeccable glamour. One side of her face drooped with lines. A whole patch of hair was grey and thin. As she walked towards him she appeared to be dragging her right foot. He hastily placed the bag of supplies down on the floor and went towards her with his arms outstretched.
‘My Lady.’ He stopped and frowned slightly. He needed to take care with his words. ‘You seem a little down in energy. Does the hover-drip require replenishing?’
Monique frowned. ‘I can assure you that I am perfectly the Prime Legend. I have just been busy that is all. Not enough fresh blood. The drip is all very well but is only mildly useful. You may replenish it and really must take your responsibilities towards my nutrition more seriously. I trust you have a good sacrifice for tonight?’
‘A very good sacrifice, My Lady. And one that we could take away with us? Perhaps so that we can miss this full moon and return another …’ Elijah sighed. From the look of fury on Monique’s face he knew that she wouldn’t leave.
‘You listen and listen carefully Elijah. I have conserved much energy and, with this drip giving some sustenance and then tonight’s ritual I will be all-powerful. Be careful, Elijah, you are expendable just as Henry was. I have more power than any being anywhere. You think a silly little curse will stop me now? Jewel will be here tonight and I will have her powers. I shall be Prime Legend and the Attrahere of the Universe. I shall have it all. Even time itself will quake in my presence. Blood Elijah, I must have blood. And build the circle. I shall be in my boudoir preparing.’
‘And Anton?’ Elijah couldn’t think what her orders had been. Had she actually given orders?
‘Who?’ Monique looked confused.
‘Anton.’ Elijah hesitated. Surely she couldn’t have forgotten one of her biggest foes from all centuries?
Silence.
Perhaps she was lost. Elijah shook himself. That thought could not be entertained for a moment by him. No. he had to get his Lady back. ‘Anton. Speaker to the Prime when it was Henry?’
‘Oh yes. Not important. Only Jewel is necessary. Send him away or eliminate him. No use for him now.’ With that she turned and, still limping, left the room with the hover-drip following. Elijah scratched his head. Now he was confused. Had she retained enough power? Perhaps, just perhaps, she had.
Bert greeted Nik warmly as he ushered him into the flat.
‘Important night this.’ Bert said quietly. He took the bottle that Nik held and placed it straight into a cupboard. ‘Alcohol later I think. William’s here, of course. We’ve cooked a good solid meal of fish, chips and mushy peas. Earthly fare.’
‘And spiritual fare,’ William emerged from the kitchen and walked towards Nik. ‘Good to see you. What do you know?’
Nik smiled. ‘Diana has her coven in place at the stones with Bradley. Anton seems quite strong. There are a few helping from the Legend. I wish I could help directly but cannot.’
‘But we can all send healing energy,’ Bert said, ‘and William has been contacted by Mr Tu from the casino where Jewel works. He has the night bus with its passengers situated at the end of Hall Street. By the graveyard.
‘And we have some of the families we helped relocate returning tonight to join with us. That’s both vampires and humans.’ William added quietly.
Nik brightened at all the help that was available. Surely it would be enough? ‘I hope and pray that it will all be enough to, at the very least, keep Jewel and Diana safe.’
‘It is such ancient energy,’ Bert said. ‘We have no real idea of how this will play out. Of what the destiny is.’
‘We do know that balance has to be. It is not this planet’s time to fold.’ Nik replied gently and he made up his mind. ‘Let’s eat quickly if possible and then I shall also go to the graveyard. The bottomless pool end. Where all the sadness accumulates. I haven’t been there for a while to change it and it has been worrying me that it’s another energy Monique may well have been using. I’ll bring the light in.’
‘We need everything and more,’ Bert said with a depth of feeling as he shuddered.
Nik brightened. ‘Well, maybe that IS something I can do. Maybe a spot of energy clearing will add a certain … how can I say it … positivity. Hmm. And it isn’t as though I am interfering in the current situation. Merely cleansing an area of sadness.’ He stopped. He shouldn’t say any more. But from the looks on both Bert and William’s faces they understood. Perfectly.
Chapter 23
Jewel stood outside the door and paused. She looked up at the full and bulbous moon. It was a deep blood red orange and Jewel raised her hands to draw in the energy. A moment out of time as she felt the warmth of lunar energy surrounding and completing.
‘Thank you,’ she called and then lowering her hands, turned to the house. ‘I am the Attrahere of the Wisdom of all Ages,’ she affirmed and the door swung open just as it had that other time. The time she had wa
tched as Chris had been murdered. The time that she had had to accept that her own mother was indeed a source of evil.
She raised her foot to walk over the threshold and sensed a fluttering by her shoulder. Glancing up she jumped, startled as a bat flew straight over her head and into the house. It reminded her of the time in the forest. Of being circled and chased. Of evil at her heels and then Anton’s strength. Jewel grabbed hold of that memory. The one of Anton. Of dancing with him and of being in his arms. Those were the memories to take into this arena, she told herself. And the confidence she now had in her consciousness.
‘If you think to ebb my energy by reminding me of nasty things, think again,’ she muttered. Now certain that memories were being sent to try to diminish her. Hah! Jewel drew Anton, Sable, and Diana to her. As she sensed their energies surrounding her she was aware of others. Her father, other family members she didn’t know. Nik, William and another male energy. Energy swirled and surrounded her. She was wearing her pendant and it grew warm and then pulsed, almost in rhythm with her heart. Jewel recognised energy at each of the four directions and above and below. ‘My circle is in place,’ she called and walked straight into the house and then, without hesitation, into the main room.
There were only a few people standing in the room, nothing like the other time. But there was no mistaking Monique. She stood in the centre of the room, a glass of red wine, or was it blood, in her hand. Jewel stopped just a few feet away and with shock saw a few wrinkles in Monique’s face and in her clothes. Maybe she really was losing power.
‘My daughter has come to join me.’ Monique smiled and encompassed the whole room, raising her glass and then taking a sip. Almost immediately Jewel saw the wrinkles around Monique’s mouth disappear. It must be blood that she was drinking.
‘No, Monique. I have not come to join you. I am here to ask you to stop. To stop taking lives and to leave. You can leave right now. Go somewhere to live quietly and no harm will come to you.’
