The Guardians Complete Series 1 Box Set: Contains Mercy, The Ferryman, Crossroads, Witchfinder, Infernum

by Wendy Saunders

‘How?’ her voice a hoarse whisper, ‘how did he die?’

  ‘Olivia,’ Jake shook his head.

  ‘Tell me the truth,’ her voice hardened.

  ‘It looks as if his eyes and tongue were ripped out. There’s no clear cause of death at the moment, but Doc Hughes was called to the crime scene and he says that it could be shock or exposure that actually killed him, but the mutilation was carried out perimortem.’

  ‘Oh my God,’ Olivia breathed, her hand involuntarily going to her mouth as she gasped in shock.

  ‘What is perimortem?’ Theo asked. ‘I am not familiar with this word.’

  ‘It means injuries occurring at or near the time of death with no evidence of healing,’ Olivia replied quietly.

  ‘It means,’ Jake’s expression was like stone, ‘that Brody was still alive when the son of a bitch took his eyes.’

  ‘God have mercy,’ Theo crossed himself.

  ‘Cam is pretty messed up,’ Jake blew out the breath he was holding.

  ‘Who is this Cam?’ Theo asked Jake.

  ‘Deputy Walker, he’s Brody’s brother,’ Olivia answered for him as she looked directly at Jake. ‘Does he blame me?’

  She could tell by the tension in Jake’s jaw what the answer was, his silence just confirmed it.

  ‘Will he cause her harm?’ Theo demanded.

  ‘I honestly don’t know,’ Jake shook his head. ‘I’ve known Cam a long time, he’s a good man, a good cop, but right now he’s messed up. He’s not thinking clearly with all the crap the Chief has been filling his head with. I just don’t know. I’m trying to do as much damage control as possible but they’ve got me pretty much on lock down. I wasn’t even allowed near the crime scene.’

  He took a deep breath, his gaze firmly fixed on Olivia.

  ‘Olive, I’m worried about you.’

  ‘Jake,’ she stepped closer to him, ‘please, you have to trust me. I can’t explain why but I need to stay in that house. I feel it right down in my gut. I can’t leave.’

  ‘I don’t like you being out there on your own, especially with the Chief and the police department crawling all over the woods near your house. I know for a fact Chief Walcott is putting pressure on for a warrant to search your property. I don’t want you in the house alone. We still don’t even know where your father is or what his intentions are towards you. He’s already kidnapped you once.’

  ‘What?’ Theo’s head whipped around to stare at Olivia. ‘What’s this about your father?’

  ‘That’s a story for another time,’ she brushed it aside. ‘One problem at a time please.’

  There was no way she was telling either of them about the doll or the fact that her father apparently had been right up to her front porch. If they knew they’d both freak out and insist she stay somewhere safer, but deep down she knew she couldn’t. She couldn’t explain it, even to herself, all she knew was that she had to stay in her house. It had called her back and it needed her to stay.

  ‘I need to get home,’ Olivia reached for her coat which hung on the back of her chair.

  ‘Olive,’ Jake raked his hand through his hair in frustration, ‘I don’t like this. I don’t want you in that house on your own.’

  ‘Don’t worry she won’t be,’ Theo’s jaw set in a hard line. ‘I’ll be with her.’

  12.

  Charles Connell stood gazing out of the window at the charming little historic city below, sipping his scotch thoughtfully. The suite of rooms he had taken at the Hawthorne were pleasant enough but not particularly to his taste. Still they were better than his cell at Morley Ridge that was for certain.

  He was anxious to be back in Mercy again, but it would be foolish to risk it so soon after his escape. The police would be looking for him so for the moment Salem would have to do. He would return to Mercy soon enough; if his extended stay at Morley Ridge had taught him anything it was the value of patience.

  He unbuttoned the jacket of his expensively tailored suit and tucked his hand comfortably into his pocket. The role of wealthy businessman wouldn’t have been his first choice either, but as disguises went it was acceptable, certainly comfortable. But then he had always been extremely good at hiding his true self, making people see exactly what he had wanted them to see.

  Taking another sip he allowed the earthy peat smoke and sweet, smooth toffee flavour, to roll around on his tongue. The Macallan was a good choice, he would have to remember to commend Davis on his excellent taste, but then he had learned never to underestimate Davis.

  Pulling his hand from his pocket he tilted his wrist, noting the time. He was due back from Mercy soon and Charles was looking forward to his arrival. The door of his suite opened and a smile curved his lips as he turned around to face his pale haired associate.

  ‘Davis,’ he greeted.

  ‘Charles,’ he nodded, his gaze wandering to the open bottle sat on the coffee table. ‘I see you found my good scotch.’

  Charles took a seat on the sofa, casually crossing his legs as he lifted his glass in a mock toast.

  ‘It’s not bad.’

  ‘Not bad?’ Davis replied in amusement. ‘That’s a ten thousand dollar bottle of Macallan 1939.’

  ‘I’m celebrating.’

  ‘Isn’t that a little premature?’ Davis poured himself a glass.

  ‘I’ve waited twenty years Davis,’ he answered. ‘To the days ahead.’

  ‘To the days ahead,’ Davis raised his glass and took a sip, savouring the taste.

  ‘So what is happening in Mercy? Are the police still chasing their tails?’

  ‘Morons,’ Davis scoffed. ‘They’ve only just discovered the remains of the second sacrifice. I mean, honestly, do they need us to put up signs?’

  ‘Patience,’ Charles replied smoothly. ‘They still have their part to play.’

  ‘If we can trust them to do that,’ Davis frowned.

  ‘Was the second sacrifice marked with the serpent seal?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Has anyone figured out the significance of the brand?’

  ‘No,’ Davis frowned, ‘like I said, morons. They are still so fixated on your daughter they are not using what little intelligence they have.’

  ‘Morons,’ Charles agreed.

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘Did you leave Olivia my little gift?’ He rose restlessly from his seat and wandered back to the window.

  ‘Yes I did,’ Davis swallowed the rest of his drink in one go, staring thoughtfully into his empty glass. ‘I have to admit Charles that was a little cruel, even for you. She is your daughter.’

  ‘I’m well aware of that,’ he murmured absently, ‘but I need her to remember that night.’

  ‘There’s something else,’ Davis replied, ‘she’s more powerful than we expected.’

  ‘Explain,’ he turned around curiously.

  ‘She has extremely potent wards set up around the perimeter of her property. I touched it for just one brief moment and her power,’ he shook his head, ‘it’s raw and not quite disciplined. She hasn’t had the proper instruction or guidance but I’d say she hasn’t even begun to tap the edges of what she is actually capable of.’

  ‘Did you cross the line?’

  Davis shook his head.

  ‘I didn’t want to risk it.’

  ‘Then how?’

  ‘I paid some pizza delivery kid in town fifty bucks to deliver it and keep his mouth shut. He didn’t know her and had no idea of the significance of the doll, therefore he had no trouble crossing the protection line.’

  ‘Devious.’

  ‘I have my moments,’ he shrugged.

  ‘I think it’s time to step up the schedule. We haven’t much time; all five sacrifices must be completed by the winter solstice.’

  ‘What is it you want?’

  He seemed to consider for a moment, his eyes narrowing.

  ‘Send my daughter the package.’

  ‘Are you s
ure?’ Davis raised one brow questioningly.

  ‘Let’s throw them a bone.’

  He turned back to the window, ‘we wouldn’t want them to be late for the final show.’

  Theo stepped out of Olivia’s car and glanced up at her house. It was quite a jolt to see it. He’d dreamed of this particular house for years and he still couldn’t quite get used to the fact that things he’d seen in his imagination were real. Turning back he watched Olivia climb out of the car and lock it. Sometimes he wondered if this wasn’t all some elaborate dream, or maybe he was really dead. Maybe he’d died in that fire and this was his afterlife, stuck in a never ending hallucination. He shook his head, what a morose thought.

  Olivia looked up and her clear gaze caught his and held it. It was in that moment, as the wind caught her long dark hair making it tumble over her shoulder in a riot of loose curls, and when her lips curved into a smile, he realized he didn’t care. If this was a dream then he never wanted to wake up because as long as he was with her, he was right where he wanted to be.

  Olivia caught Theo staring at her intently and smiled at him. Jeez the guy needed to learn how to lighten up, he looked as if someone had just run over his puppy. She rounded the car, casually glancing back to the edge of where her protection wards held. She’d had a brief moment when they drove over the line when she had wondered if it would allow him to pass. She had to admit, even to herself, that she’d still had some doubts about Theo, about his true intentions towards her and although she still didn’t have a clue, she knew one thing for certain, he didn’t intend her any harm. She released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding and the knot inside her relaxed.

  Pulling out her keys as she reached the front door she found herself pausing, her gaze involuntarily drawn to the woods. She couldn’t see anything. She didn’t know what she had expected, maybe crime scene tape, people bustling around like Adam’s crime scene but there was nothing except an uncomfortable silence. She found herself wondering exactly where Brody’s body had been discovered. After all the woods stretched for miles around the lake. Just because he was found in the woods, it didn’t actually mean it was close to her property.

  ‘Are you alright?’ Theo asked.

  ‘Yeah,’ she replied quietly, shaking off her mood. ‘Yeah I’m fine.’

  She fumbled with the keys, unable to unlock the door because of her trembling hands.

  ‘Olivia,’ Theo’s voice was a low whisper that curled around her gut, warming her from the inside and as his hand stroked the length of her spine she found herself relaxing under his touch.

  ‘Sometimes I just wish…’ she murmured.

  ‘What,’ he asked curiously, ‘what is it you wish?’

  ‘That I’d never come back,’ she sighed, unlocking the door and stepping through.

  Theo threw an uneasy glance towards the woods before following her in. After hanging their jackets in the hallway she led him into the library, but as they wandered in the fire burst cheerfully into flame as it always did. Her stomach clenched as she threw an uneasy glance at Theo. Shit, she’d forgotten it did that. He said nothing, he simply stared at the fireplace, and then back at her, one brow raised.

  ‘I banked the fire before I left, the gust of wind from when I opened the door must have made the embers flare up,’ she replied awkwardly.

  He chose not to question her explanation and when he turned his back on her to study the room, she threw an annoyed glare at the cheerfully hiccupping fire as it danced merrily in the hearth.

  ‘Stop it,’ she mouthed at the flames and it dimmed sulkily.

  ‘I’m going to go and put the kettle on, make yourself comfortable.’

  Theo merely nodded absently as he continued to study the rows and rows of books. He could see why she loved this room so much. He’d never seen so many books in one place.

  By the time Olivia had walked back in with a mug of tea in one hand and a coffee in the other he had moved on and was studying the photos on the mantelpiece.

  ‘I’m sorry I only have instant coffee. I don’t drink as much as Jake does so I don’t have a coffee machine.’

  ‘I wouldn’t know the difference anyway,’ he took one of the mugs from her, ‘thank you.’

  ‘You’re welcome.’

  ‘Is this your mother?’ He indicated one of the framed photos.

  ‘Yes,’ she tilted her head imperceptibly as she studied the picture.

  ‘She is very beautiful.’

  ‘Yes she was.’

  ‘Was?’

  ‘She’s dead,’ she replied flatly as she took the picture and turned it face down on the mantel.

  Ever since her father had escaped, that night had played on her mind. She’d spent years trying to shut it out, to try and think about her mother before the night she died, but now, it was almost impossible. She didn’t want to admit it, but the doll had shaken her up more than she’d realized and right now she couldn’t bear to think about her mother at all. It still hurt too much.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Theo said softly. ‘I lost my mother too, you never get over the loss of a parent.’

  Olivia nodded, not trusting her voice. She had no doubt losing his mother had been painful for him. She could hear in his voice the love he had for his mother and the aching note of loss. Although part of her sympathized she wasn’t ready to share her pain with anyone.

  ‘I have something for you,’ she dropped her cup down on a nearby table, effectively changing the subject.

  He placed his cup down and watched curiously as she climbed up on a chair and pulled a small leather bound chest from the top shelf. Placing it on the desk she opened it up and reached inside. Before she’d even withdrawn her hand, he recognized what she held.

  ‘My journal,’ he breathed as she placed the tattered and aged journal into his trembling hands. ‘How did you come to have this?’

  ‘Hester,’ Olivia answered, ‘she kept it. I found it in amongst her journals.’

  He turned it over in his hands slowly, as if he were familiarizing himself with it again. He opened it and scanned down the first few pages to convince himself it was real.

  ‘I didn’t read it,’ Olivia told him. ‘I mean, I was going to but I didn’t get around to it and then you showed up in front of my car and I couldn’t do it. It’s one thing to read through someone’s private thoughts when they’ve been dead for a few centuries, but suddenly you were real and I just,’ she shook her head, ‘it was too personal.’

  A sudden loud knock at the door broke the moment and Olivia turned towards the hallway, peering through the peephole with a groan. Opening the door she crossed her arms in front of her. Her gaze hardened and she felt Theo step up behind her, hovering protectively.

  ‘Chief Walcott,’ Olivia greeted him coldly.

  ‘Miss West,’ he replied, his hawk-like gaze taking in the tall dark haired guy behind her, ‘and Mr Beckett. Well this is a surprise.’

  Olivia knew damn well that wasn’t true. He’d had his deputies following her for days; there probably wasn’t much that escaped his notice in this town.

  ‘I thought you two didn’t know each other?’

  ‘We didn’t,’ Olivia replied curtly, ‘now we do.’

  ‘Indeed.’

  ‘Cut to the chase Chief, why are you on my property?’

  ‘As you may be aware we have discovered Brody Walker’s body, not far from here.’

  ‘Why on earth would I be aware of that? I don’t go into the woods.’

  She stepped out of her front door and onto the porch, not wanting to give him any opening to step into her home.

  ‘Now that’s not exactly true is it Miss West? You went into the woods the night you discovered Adam Miller’s body.’

  ‘Yeah and that turned out so well, didn’t it?’ she replied sarcastically. ‘I avoid the woods now.’

  ‘Miss West,’ his voice became intimidating as he stepped closer.

&n
bsp; Theo grasped Olivia’s arm gently and drew her behind him. Stepping directly into the Chief’s path, the shorter man had no choice but to step back.

  ‘This is not your concern Mr Beckett,’ his voice was cool and dismissive.

  ‘The hell it isn’t,’ Theo replied calmly.

  ‘This is a police matter and you are impeding an investigation.’

  ‘I don’t care,’ Theo crossed his arms. ‘You know Olivia had nothing to do with that unfortunate man’s death and yet you persist in your childish attempt to intimidate her. I don’t care much for bullies Chief Walcott. Do not imagine for one moment that Olivia is unprotected. If you want her you will have to go through me, and I swear if you ever step one foot on her property again without good reason, Chief or not, I will hand you your ass.’

  The Chief’s eyes blazed and his face turned an unattractive shade of red as his jaw clenched with barely concealed hostility.

  ‘Chief Walcott,’ Olivia laid her hand on Theo’s arm reassuringly, ‘I can tell you now I had nothing to do with Adam or Brody’s death. You have already been warned by my attorney what will happen if you continue to harass me. Now I think you’d better get off my property.’

  ‘Miss West.’

  She could actually hear his teeth grinding together as he nodded his head in a vague attempt at civility, then he turned and headed back down the steps.

  ‘Hand him his ass?’ Olivia whispered in amusement.

  ‘Law and Order,’ Theo shrugged.

  Olivia chuckled lightly, Jake and his damn cop shows.

  Chief Walcott had barely made it to the foot of the steps when there was a commotion in the tree line. Deputy Walker came stalking out of the woods towards her house, followed by two of his colleagues, his face a tortured mask of pain and fury.

  ‘Where is she?’ he bellowed, ‘where is that bitch?’

  When he saw her standing on the porch he broke into a run. Theo pulled her protectively behind him, shielding her with his body as he watched the distraught man barrelling towards them.

  Olivia’s breath caught in her throat and her belly clutched in horror. Not because of the crazy man running towards her, but because she knew the minute he hit her wards they would repel him. Given his murderous expression it was obvious he intended her some serious harm, which meant that the wards would react quickly and violently. He would probably be thrown several feet back and she couldn’t rule out bodily harm.