by Amy Lignor
“And you led me right to her. If you hadn’t taken me with you, I’d have never found Beth.”
Charles suddenly shivered, as he scanned the faces in the room. “Where are they? Christ, we never should’ve left them alone. Oh God, this house of pain has swallowed them whole.”
They rushed through the veranda doors that led into the garden, ignoring the confused looks cast their way.
“Faith?” Charles yelled. “Faith!”
“You bellowed, my prince?” Faith called out, as the smile quickly melted off her face. “What’s wrong? I knew it! I knew you shouldn’t have gone in there without me. Why don’t you ever listen?”
Charles issued a sigh of relief. “It’s all right. I just couldn’t find you for a minute. You know, I can’t live without you near me.”
Faith buried her face in his chest. “I’m sorry.”
“Where’s Beth?” Jason asked, his voice breaking through their heartfelt reunion.
“I don’t know. She went off somewhere. She’s probably searching the house for clues of your ancestry, or something. You know how strange she is.”
“I have to find her.”
“In that red outfit, she shouldn’t be too difficult to find,” Faith exclaimed as she began walking through the house. “Are there any rooms that don’t feel like a dungeon in this place?” she asked Charles. “Maybe a comfortable spot? Peaceful? Someplace with a rocking chair?”
“The kitchen,” Charles announced.
Relief washed over Jason’s face. “Yes, she’d go to Martha. She is, after all, the only peaceful creature in this place.”
They ran through the hall into the kitchen. Charles kept looking behind them, protecting their backs from the shots—he was sure—which were soon to be fired. When Jason pushed open the door, a strange gathering met his eyes. A young man was sitting next to the fire talking to Martha in a voice too low to hear from across the room. Liz sat in the rocking chair; a large blanket covering her. Her face was deathly pale, and her head rested on the back of the chair.
The boy looked familiar to Charles. As he was trying to put a name to the face, Faith shouted from behind him, “Daniel! What’re you doing here?”
Before he could answer, Liz threw off the blanket and jumped from the chair. She was dressed in her riding clothes; the beautiful red dress had disappeared. “He has a job here, Faith. He left the county after the fire. It seems our town is in a lot of trouble. The crops are dead and the villagers are fighting. We need to go home. We need to take Daniel back and rebuild,” she said softly.
Charles noted her strange tone. It was as if Liz was speaking to them from a great distance, repeating instructions that were being told to her by an invisible voice.
“What do you mean?” Faith asked taking a step closer.
“We should never have left.”
Jason’s voice shook when he spoke. “What do you mean, Beth?”
“Faith and I need to protect our home, our friends and our family. We left and everything fell apart.”
“But we need you, luv,” Charles replied. “You’re with us now.”
Her voice was cold, her eyes devoid of emotion. “You don’t forsake the old for the new, Charles. You, for one, should understand that.”
Taken aback, Charles peered into the depths of her midnight eyes.
“By the way,” Liz continued, “I just met this lovely girl. Her name is Angela. She says she’s your sister. She’s been telling me the most amazing stories about this old house…and about you and Master Jason, over there.”
“Beth, you don’t understand,” Jason began.
She turned on him. “Are you about to call this sweet young girl, a liar? It’s no use. I can see it in your eyes that what she says is true.”
Jason whispered, “No, she’s not a liar, but Angela doesn’t know the whole story.”
“I told you he would say that,” the young girl said, as she emerged from the pantry.
Charles stared at his sister then examined the faces staring back at him. Angela wore a mask of rage; Martha’s skin was green with nausea; Liz was deathly pale; but Daniel’s eyes glowed with the light of victory.
“You were a child. You had no idea what you saw…or what you wanted,” Jason said.
“I was in love with you!” Angela exclaimed tossing her flaxen hair over her shoulder, her green eyes blazing.
“Your family would never have let me be with you. You know that. They wanted you to marry for money—not the son of servants.”
“You make that sound like a bad thing,” Martha said. “We’re better than those folks out there. Is Liz worthy of your station in life? Is that why you’re with such a lovely peasant girl?”
“No!” Jason barked at her.
“Enough! I’m your mother. You will honor me with that God-given title. You will not treat me the way you treat your father, understand?”
Charles shook from her tone. He was so angry that Angela believed these lies. Everyone seemed to believe them. Charles was amazed that even Martha, Jason’s own mother, seemed to be looking at him in a different light.
Jason’s quiet voice encircled the room. “If I hadn’t done what she asked, Mother, the man you think I hate so much would be dead right now. Maybe you would’ve gotten off easy. Maybe he just would’ve sold you like cattle to some lucky American searching for a piece of the old country to take with him. At least it wouldn’t be a new experience for you. Father already let his whole family be bought like common slaves.”
Martha raised her hand and slapped him across the face. “The Lord said to honor your parents. What happened to you?”
“Happened to me?” he yelled back. “I was sold into prostitution, and no one ever said a word. I was told to keep my mouth shut, or lose the life we had. I was threatened that if I didn’t comply, my parents would be killed. I was led to believe that the only friend I’d ever known would never understand, and end up hating me if I ever told him what was going on!”
Charles could feel the pressure weighing heavily in the room. It was so heavy he thought the window panes would burst from their wooden frames sending shards of glass tearing through their bodies. A scream built in his throat. He was done. Slamming his fists on the table, he screamed, “Enough!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Violent noises filled the air. The screaming of the people, who crowded around her, filled every inch of her brain as they forced her to hear their thoughts. Their souls were begging her to stop the pain.
She heard Jason’s voice in the distance; “I wanted no part of this life! Angela, you looked up to me. You were just a little girl with a crush on your older brother’s best friend. But we’d never promised anything more to each other than friendship. I was a toy in this household—bought and paid for. I was a game for your mother. I was the friend who was supposed to keep your brother out of trouble. I was an object of hatred for your father. He only tolerated me because I kept his wife off his back. I would never have asked for your hand—considering the filth that was hanging over my head.”
Liz finally spoke. “Charles is right…enough.” She turned and took Angela’s hand. “You’re a lovely girl with a terrific brother. I can only tell you what I know. Jason would never hurt you; I don’t believe he would ever willingly hurt anyone. They both want to take care of you and get you out of here—which is the main reason they returned. This house is no place for an innocent soul like you. No matter what your parents have told you, they lied.”
“But…” Daniel muttered turning livid. “I told you everything.”
Her voice came from the depths of her soul. “What you told me is true, but I don’t think you understand. You’re a fighter, Daniel, and look at things with…a warrior’s mind. The only reason you’re unwilling to see the truth is on account of your feelings for…” Liz stopped and stared into his suddenly bright blue eyes. She shook the strange feeling from her mind and continued, “On account of your feelings for…Angela. You’ve been hi
red to take over Jason’s spot here. But if you marry their daughter and stay here, even your power wouldn’t be strong enough to keep you alive. They’d simply set you up to be destroyed by one scheme or another. You’d be played with until her father became bored with you, or the lady of the manor had no use for you anymore. You need to go home, Daniel…and fast.” Liz touched him on the shoulder, pleading with him to understand.
Daniel jerked away from her; disappointment filling his eyes. “You’re wrong, Liz. I’m highly respected here. I’ll show you, Liz. Trust me, I know how to take care of myself.”
Liz hung her head. “If you ever show your power, there will be no place for you to go…no place for you to hide what you are. People won’t understand. They’re not ready for this.” An image flashed by, and Liz caught herself on the chair. “They’re not ready for us. They haven’t come far enough yet to even begin to accept what we are. It would be an unforgivable mistake.”
“Unforgivable by whom?”
“God,” she said, staring into his thoughts. Her Irish accent seemed to melt away in the warm kitchen as image upon image flashed behind her eyes. “Souls who lose their faith don’t go any further. Souls who’re bought and paid for accept other people’s ways, even if those ways are wrong. Then they’re simply beaten down by life.” Tears flooded her eyes, as she saw a disturbing memory flash inside her mind. “How can you forget that those souls turn into black puddles at Heaven’s gate?”
She felt a shot of electricity race up Daniel’s spine.
Moving closer to him, she took his hands in hers. His body jerked when the sparks of electricity rushed between their fingertips. “What you’re doing is unforgivable to your friends. And, from the way Angela looks at you, unforgivable to the soul who was set down on this earth just for you.”
Daniel broke away from her gaze and turned to the heart-shaped face staring up at him. The look in Angela’s hazel eyes was unmistakable.
“Will you come with us?” Daniel whispered.
Angela hugged him. “Let’s pack!”
Faith laughed. “Your sister sounds just like you, my dear.”
“Yup, she’s smart, that one,” Charles nodded to the room in general. “God…I think everything is going to be okay. We’ve faced the enemy, and we’re going to leave this demonic house in one piece. But my love, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my sister.”
Faith smiled. “I’m just so happy there’s a female version of you. Maybe she’ll be able to explain some things to me.”
“What things?”
“Well, for starters, how can you possibly be so charming and still get your enormous ego to fit through the door?”
Charles pulled her into his arms. “Let’s get our things and get out of this godforsaken town once and for all.”
The happy couple followed Angela and Daniel up the stairs.
Jason looked at Martha. “I’m sorry.”
She smiled through her tears. “No, you’re right…about everything. But we had no other choice. My son, I’m so sorry for what happened to you, and I just wish you’d told me sooner when I could’ve done something…anything…to help you.”
“Father knew,” Jason said.
“No…I didn’t,” Anthony commented, as he walked into the room. “I had no idea, son.” His eyes glistened with the tears of his past mistakes. “I wanted something better for you and your mother. I thought Dublin could provide a better life than that of a poor farmer. You would be introduced to the best people, go to the best schools, and no one would ever have to know that you were a servant’s son.”
“I wasn’t a servant’s son, old man,” Jason said. “I was my father’s son. Money and power wasn’t what I needed. I just wanted my parents to be happy, and I’m tired of waiting for that to happen. So get your things. You’re coming with us.”
“We can’t go,” Anthony replied. “If we leave he’ll find a way to bring us back, or he’ll most certainly kill us.”
“I’ll stop him,” Jason stated.
“No!” Martha cried. “This family will not suffer anymore at the hands of the Faires. You have a chance, Jason. The children we love are leaving. You all have a chance to escape this place and start a new life.” She took Liz’s hand, and smiled. “She’s your family now. Your father and I will be fine. Seeing you happy is the best gift we could ever receive. I’ve lived my life. Despite the pitfalls, you and your father made it all worthwhile. Now please do an old lady a favor, and go out and live your life.”
The pressure built inside Liz’s brain as she felt the pain in Martha’s words. “I agree with your son,” Liz said, aiming her gaze at Anthony. “Life won’t be happy for him if you don’t come with us tonight. Life is never over. It’s never fully complete. There’s always another chance around the bend, and this is yours. You have to take it.”
Anthony opened his mouth to disagree.
But Liz continued, “I have been here before. You have to have faith in me because this is the moment you requested. I know you don’t understand, but you have to trust me. Get your things. We’re leaving—we’re all leaving—right now.”
Comprehension filled Anthony’s eyes. He nodded at Liz and grabbed Martha’s arm, pulling her up the staircase. “Let’s get our things together before the party winds down.”
“But…” Martha stuttered. “What?”
“Never mind, I’ll explain later. We have to listen to this girl.” He smiled at Liz. “How our son ever landed her is a mystery.”
Jason laughed. “Gee…thanks, Dad.”
Being addressed by that title, Anthony’s eyes filled with tears knowing he had regained his son’s respect.
“So,” Jason said, looking over at Liz. “Are you ever going to tell me what the hell is going on?”
“Your family’s being saved.” Her voice was dull and listless, “Your life, as well as theirs, is just beginning.”
She pushed him up the stairs behind his parents. Sharp pains, which felt like little needles, were being jabbed into her skin as the familiar blackness crept closer.
When they reached the landing, Jason turned and pulled her into his arms. “You’re not angry with me?”
Guilt crashed over her in waves, and she began to sob. She had failed. “I’m so sorry, Jason. I’m so sorry you ever had to go through such a thing. I could feel the pain in you. It overshadowed everything Daniel was telling me in the garden. I could hear the anguish in your heart—I could see the memories in your head. I’m so sorry for not answering you back then. I tried—you have to believe me.”
“What are you talking about? None of this is your fault, Liz. Please, when you cry, it breaks my heart to see you in pain,” Jason said gripping her tightly. “Please, it’s all going to be okay. We’re safe now.”
Her faith seeped from her soul. Liz collapsed in his arms as her two worlds suddenly collided. Her body began to shake and a familiar voice flowed through her ears. Life is just too hard without Him.
CHAPTER THIRTY
She was caught in the eye of a tornado. The feeling was on her before she knew it. It was time to set things right.
Haunting memories burst behind her eyes like gunfire. Jason as a child, his small face pressed into his pillow as he listened to his father leave his sobbing mother’s side because a ringing bell demanded service. Martha kneeling beside the bed praying for a way out, while her beloved husband drained a bottle and begged for death.
The images spun through Liz’s brain. She saw herself sitting on Jason’s bed. Her robes were wrapped around him as she searched the young boy’s face. She remembered wondering why someone so young had no peace in his soul. Of course, she hadn’t known then that one day he’d inspire her to defy all obstacles in order to save him from the injustices of life.
The memories returned all at once, showing Liz that as Jason had grown into a young man, she’d sat by his side and listened to the footsteps coming down the hall. She’d heard the woman try to enter his room by scaring him with
her drunken threats. Once upon a time, Liz…no, her brain screamed a different name at her. Once upon a time, Emily had protected Jason from the demons that walked the hallways of the grand mansion.
“Beth!” She heard Jason screaming in the distance but she couldn’t pull herself out of her vision as images still suffocated her mind.
She saw a young Charles come down the hall and join Jason in his tears. They talked about faraway places while the angel kept watch over them. She was not allowed to dry their tears because Michael told her that she was simply the bringer of dreams—the muse who would give them the strength to spark their determination. But apparently, young Jason had a power over her even back then. She had spent all her nights hovering over his bed, protecting him from the strangers who tried to force their way in.
“They took me out,” Liz mumbled. “More training was needed…I was too young…too inexperienced to save you. There’d be a next time…and a next…”
She was covered in freezing cold sweat. She heard Jason scream for Charles, Faith—everyone and anyone to come and help him.
Then a soft-spoken voice entered her mind. “Leave her alone. She needs to remember.”
Liz shuddered at the strange words.
“What?” Jason was enraged. “Remember what?”
“It already happened to me. I can’t explain it, but soon she’ll know that not all of us are going to leave here.”
Faith shouted, “Stop it! Don’t talk like that, Daniel! We’re all leaving here together! C’mon, Jason, you need to carry Liz out of here now.”
Angela’s terrified voice traveled through the heavy fog. “Will she be all right?”
“She’ll be fine. It’s usually not this easy,” Daniel replied.
“Easy?” Jason yelled at him in disbelief.
“I said it’s difficult to explain.”
“No time for explanations,” Charles bellowed. “Let’s go out the back. Right now!”
Liz let herself sink into the blackness, hoping that she could stay in the forgiving place that she knew waited just beyond the veil of mist.
