I didn’t believe him. What I had seen was genuine fear, and that wasn’t something so easily dismissed. But he was in a high position within the Catholic Church and was trying to find a redeemable way to make his actions seem less cowardice. Reacting in fear like he had wasn’t easily counterfeited. It was real. Since I was tired and didn’t wish to be in Freiburg any longer than necessary, I decided not to press the issue further. He held no authority over me, so his spinelessness wasn’t necessarily my concern.
The archbishop offered a friendly smile. “I realize I’ve made a horrible first impression, and for that, I simply ask your forgiveness. I’m sincerely sorry for my behavior.” The archbishop tucked his chin to his chest and closed his eyes.
I glanced toward Father and then to Penelope. Both shrugged. I believed they were as exhausted and ready to leave as I was.
“Accepted,” I replied.
The archbishop opened his eyes. Both Father and Penelope nodded toward him. “You truly are gracious. You’ve traveled a long distance to bring me this child. The only forewarning of your arrival was Krowl’s cultists who had come to take him by force. The child must be of some importance for a demon to bring twelve men to try to kill you. Do you mind explaining exactly why the demon wanted him and why this particular place was chosen?”
Sadly, the archbishop could never know the truth about the child. The consequences were too severe. I shook my head. “Penelope should have asked while she held him captive in the circle and before she banished him forever.”
He frowned. “You don’t know?”
“I’m afraid that knowledge went into the abyss with the demon.”
“Then what is your purpose for bringing him to this Archdiocese?”
“He’s an orphan,” I replied.
“Yes, Father Lucas informed me. But our curiosity begs one question, ‘Why this cathedral?’”
“It was a request, and nothing more can I provide. What matters is that we’ve fulfilled our part by getting him here safely,” I replied.
“And why should I accept this child? Do you realize the cost of rearing a child and having someone nurture and oversee the child’s welfare?”
“Varak has a caretaker. Madeline is more than happy to tend to his needs.”
Madeline walked over to us, rocking the boy in her arms. Varak slept in absolute peace with a little smile curled on his lips.
The archbishop stared down at the child and then to her. “Is this true? You’ll care for the child if we provide a place for him?”
She smiled eagerly, in spite of the tears moistening her eyes. “Of course. I cannot picture my life without him.”
A tender smile came to his face. He could tell the love she held for the child, as could we, but in ways, I wondered if her love wasn’t actually an obsession.
A short time later, Father Lucas showed us to the rooms where we could stay the night. I had insisted we get rooms in town, but the priests assured us that all the inns had closed for the night. I was content knowing we had succeeded in getting the hybrid child to Freiburg, and more elated to learn that I hadn’t been the direct target of other Hunters. However, my sleep wasn’t any more peaceful.
Chapter Thirty-Three
The following morning the priests were gracious enough to fill my empty vials with holy water. They had witnessed how effective a weapon it was against the cultists, but after I explained how it aided me against vampires, they were happy to bless as much water as I needed.
We left the Archdiocese and walked to the nearest lodge where we could buy a hearty breakfast. We discussed our plans to reach Schaffhausen to slay Ambrose. A train could get us to the city within a few hours. Father expressed selling the horse and coach so we weren’t constantly reminded of Thomas. In a way, I agreed, but I didn’t want to dismiss Thomas’ contribution for how close he had gotten us to Freiburg. It was a shame he had died like he had, but dying from the plague would have been far worse.
With Madeline remaining at the Archdiocese, we were down to three, which was more manageable and reduced our costs greatly.
As we rose to leave, Penelope noticed a newspaper on the table next to ours. The two sailors who had been eating at the table had gone and left the paper behind. Strangely the newspaper was from America and the date more recent than I might have expected, being as no one could have traveled to Schaffhausen from the west coast of America in so little time.
Penelope read the headlines about a great fire in Seattle, Washington in the United States. She scanned through the various photographs in the newspaper. Her eyes widened.
“What is it?” I asked.
She pointed at the photo. “Look.”
I frowned, looking closer, nodding. “The city was engulfed in flames. What else am I missing?”
“The demon. Don’t you see him? In the midst of the flames.”
I shook my head. “No.”
She gasped.
“What’s wrong?”
Penelope looked at me with fear in her eyes. She pointed to different places in the photograph. “There are dozens of them, Forrest. The fire that burned Seattle occurred because a portal to Hell had been opened.”
“What?” I asked, slightly grinning.
“You don’t believe me?” She looked hurt. “Do you think I’d jest about that?”
“I don’t see any demons in the photographs,” I replied. “Honest.”
She bit her lower lip and closed her eyes. When she opened them, she studied the pictures again, shaking her head. “Maybe you can’t see them because you aren’t a Demon-hunter?”
I shrugged. “I suppose that could be why. But I really don’t see them. I see fire, smoke, and steam from the water hitting the flames. Nothing else. Sorry. But did you notice the date of the paper?”
She glanced at it. “So? You think this is a hoax?”
“It might be. I cannot see how a traveler from America could arrive here in such a short amount of time. That would be beyond record time for the world’s fastest ship. It cannot be done.”
“Perhaps it’s a sign by a higher force, giving me the information so I can act quickly.”
“Or it’s a trap.”
“A trap? How and by whom?” she asked.
“Penelope, you just banished a powerful demon who placed a curse upon you before it was silenced from our world.”
“And you think this newspaper would be the curse? The story is very troubling.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know much about curses and how they work.”
She stared at the paper for several minutes, flipping from page to page, and then she neatly folded it where the front story was the only article visible. “Forrest, I don’t think it’s a curse. I believe there’s a reason I’ve been given the information, even though, like you said, it doesn’t seem possible to get this newspaper so quickly except my help is required.”
“In what way, Penelope?” I asked, taking her hand into mine.
“To seal it? I’m not sure, but I have to travel to Seattle to be certain.”
“Why?”
“If the portal has been opened and hasn’t been closed, the world edges toward total destruction. Come with me?”
Father frowned at her. “We have plans to take the train to Schaffhausen. Can’t this wait until after—”
She shook her head. “No. Don’t you understand how dangerous such a portal is?”
“I imagine it presents an enormous danger.” I rubbed my thumb against the back of her hand. “Penelope, as much as I want to help, I’m not a Demon-hunter. Father isn’t either. We’d be useless in such a battle.”
She placed her hands over her eyes and shook her head. After a few seconds, she pulled back her hair and paced the floor. “It’s my duty to go, Forrest.”
“It’s suicide if you go alone,” I said. “Please stay with us? After we slay Ambrose, we’ll all travel to Seattle. We’ll have more than enough money to board a fast ship.”
Penelope looked at me. She
was torn inside. Her eyes reflected her inner turmoil. “I want to, Forrest. I think I’m falling in … No, I am in love with you. I’ve never felt this way before.”
Father’s face reddened. He gave me a hopeful smile and walked out the door, giving us added privacy.
“Penelope, I’ve never felt this strongly about anyone else, either,” I replied. “I know I love you, too. Father and I have vowed to slay Ambrose. We could use your help. Had Lorcan not already given us a deposit, we’d leave with you now. Accompany us, and once we’ve slain him, we will sail with you to Seattle.”
I pulled her close and embraced her. She buried her face against the center of my chest. Hot tears soaked into my undershirt.
“We cannot wait that long,” she said. “As it is, even if I leave on a ship tomorrow, it will be months before I reach Seattle. By then, I might be too late.”
I hugged her tighter and whispered into her ear. “Then don’t go. Won’t Demon-hunters nearer to Seattle be alerted and travel there to eradicate these demons?”
Penelope pulled back and looked up into my eyes. “It’s possible, but again, the dangers of an open portal to Hell are catastrophic.”
“If you’re the only one who arrives in Seattle, the portal will have been opened for at least three months before you can get a chance to close it.”
“It’s better than no one sealing it at all.”
“Do you even know how to seal a portal?” I asked.
She looked away.
“You don’t, do you?”
Her eyes flicked to mine. “I’ll find a way.”
“Won’t demons guard and protect the portal, so more of their kind can pass through?”
Her tiny shoulders shrugged. “I don’t know, Forrest. I’ve never dealt with a situation like this before.”
“All the more reason why you don’t need to go alone.”
She sighed. “I don’t see any alternative. I must obey my instinct and my calling.”
I recognized the determination in her eyes. I couldn’t talk her out of going or delaying her departure. I forced a smile and embraced her tightly. With her in my arms, I ached terribly inside. Tears etched down my cheeks. I shook, and her arms tightened around my waist. She sobbed, too.
I paid for our breakfast, and we met Father outside. He stood in a corner of the building smoking his pipe outside of the brisk wind. When his gaze met mine, his eyes saddened. I suppose he read the pain in my eyes.
“What’s your decision?” he asked her.
Penelope bit her lower lip and looked away.
“Father, do you mind letting us have some time to ourselves?”
He puffed his pipe, offered a forced smile, and nodded. “I will go get the horse and coach and see if I can get a decent offer at one of the stables. Where shall we meet later?”
I pulled my watch from my pocket and checked the time. “Here, for lunch?”
He nodded. The sadness in his eyes didn’t lessen, but he didn’t try to persuade Penelope with arguments. I imagine he expected I already had. He turned and walked down the street.
She and I took a short walk, found a bench, and in spite of the cold winter wind, we sat huddled together. Few words were exchanged between us. We held one another close, and after neither of us could shed any more tears, I stared into her beautiful eyes for the longest time. I couldn’t shake the hurt inside. I had told her how much I loved her and how I needed her to be a part of my life. Nothing persuaded her to stay, even though she said that she felt the same. I felt like there was more I needed to tell her, but I had said everything I could think of. I suppose there aren’t any proper sequences of words that can explain the cries of a tattered heart as it struggles to piece itself whole once more.
She placed her hand to my cheek and smiled. I swallowed hard, trying to make the painful lump in my throat disappear. I leaned closer to her, and we shared our first real kiss. Her warm lips were soft and salty from her tears. A flood of emotions poured through me as her lips pressed against mine and she wrapped her arms around my neck. If I could have picked a moment to last forever, this would have been it.
I wrapped my arms around her waist and never wanted to let her go. I loved everything about her and feared releasing her. But it was getting close to noon. The sun slipped behind thick dismal clouds. “Are you certain you cannot wait until after Father and I kill the vampire?”
She placed both hands on my cheeks. Fresh tears dampened her eyes. “I want to, truly I do, but what if you learned about a city being overrun by vampires. Would you stay with me or go fulfill the duty you’ve been chosen to do?”
I closed my eyes, unable to answer.
“See?” she said. “You’d do what you needed to do and what you believed was required of you.”
I nodded. I tried to sound bold, but the tears and pain fractured my voice. “Penelope, we’ve not known one another long, but I’ve never wanted to part ways since we’ve met. I certainly didn’t expect one of us to leave this soon.”
She leaned her head against my chest and sighed. She didn’t say anything more. I stood and hefted her in my arms, carrying her back to the lodge. Father stood in the corner out of the wind, cleaning out his pipe. He had my Hunter box and her quiver. How he managed to bring all of our belongings by himself was beyond me.
Penelope stepped inside the lodge to get our table while I helped Father gather our things.
“I sold the horse and coach. Not for what they were worth, but we’re pressed for time—”
“That’s good, Father. Something’s better than nothing.”
Father asked a lot of questions, but I hurt too much inside to offer any answers. He nodded and offered a sympathetic smile. “When you need to talk, son, I’ll be here to listen. Heartaches are hell.”
I felt lost and numb inside. My stomach ached worse than any other time I could remember. I wanted to hold her so badly and never let her go, but I knew I couldn’t. It wouldn’t be right. She’d resent me if I kept her from going.
I had even considered getting rooms for the night and hoped by morning, a new premonition might occur to convince her to stay. But I feared if we stayed together another night, we’d give into our intimacy for one another to consume our sorrow. I wasn’t anywhere near ready in my mind to leap that chasm, especially since we were parting ways, and perhaps she wasn’t either, even though we both seemed to be dying on the inside.
Chapter Thirty-Four
While we sat at the table for lunch, I had no appetite at all. I was experiencing the worst stomach and chest pains imaginable, so I pushed my plate aside. Whenever I glanced toward her, tears burned my eyes. Tears leaked down her cheeks. I tried to speak, but no words came. Even Father didn’t attempt to start conversation. He face was flushed. He wasn’t able to look at either of us.
After the quietest lunch ever, Father and I walked her to the river’s dock where she purchased a ticket. Father stood beside me on the dock. Penelope took my hands and stared into my eyes. Sadness and regret filled her eyes.
“Are you certain you cannot delay your departure until after we slay Ambrose?” I asked.
She shook her head. “I wish I could.”
I considered abandoning the pursuit of Ambrose until later, but I had already taken Lorcan’s deposit. I’m certain the vampire would consider that theft, if he learned we had left for North America.
“I want you to have these,” she said, untying the goggles from around her neck. “I know how much you like them.”
I shook my head. “Penelope … I can’t take these. You need them when you’re fighting.”
She placed them into my hands and closed my fingers over them. “I can get another pair. Besides, I want you to have something to remember me until I return.”
“Do you really think I could ever forget you, Penelope? I never shall. You possess my heart, and still I ask that you wait until we can accompany you.”
She rose on tiptoe and kissed my lips softly. I leaned down and we kiss
ed more passionately. When she pulled back, she said, “This isn’t goodbye, Forrest. It’s just that I need obey what I know in my heart I must do. Like you did when you brought Varak to the Archdiocese in spite of all the obstacles. Our paths will cross again.”
Penelope hurried toward the plank. I noticed Father wiping away tears as she boarded the ship. I ached inside even though I could still see her, but seeing her walking away, getting farther from my touch, I thought my heart would cease beating or explode from the intensifying ache. Inside, I wanted to run after her. I should have gone with her to help her like she had helped us.
She had promised once she had gone and sealed the portal in Seattle that she would board the next ship and sail to meet me in Bucharest. I feared it would never happen. I didn’t believe I’d ever see her again. My doubts reinforced my former oath to walk this world alone and not to give my heart to another.
Penelope had helped us get Varak to Freiburg and safely inside the Archdiocese where the archbishop and nuns could protect him. We had protected the child against great odds and from the attack of a dozen demon cultists, which had forced Penelope to kill a powerful demon that had marked her with a curse. But I had never fathomed she’d leave my side to become vulnerable to something she considered an actual threat. I had thought we’d fight the battles together.
We were both similar in our projected dark destinies. Before it was revealed that the cultists weren’t actual Hunters who had been sent to kill me because I had committed a major transgression against the Chosen, I had accepted that my punishment was being issued. I was to compensate for what could be no less than direct disobedience against those who had called me into their Order as a Vampire Hunter. The dangers of allowing a half-blood vampire human was too great a risk and worthy of my death. Because of that, I feared tremendous loss in my life, overshadowing doom, and heartache unlike what I was experiencing right now. Deep inside, I truly didn’t believe I’d escape unscathed for protecting Varak. Bad events were coming. I sensed it. And Penelope could become my first painful loss.
Forrest Wollinsky: Predestined Crossroads (Forrest Wollinsky: Vampire Hunter Book 3) Page 22
