Guardians of the Akasha

by Celia Stander

  *****

  Keira clawed her way out of the depths of the nightmare. She dragged her eyes open and fought the panic down as her limbs refused to move; a twisted nest of sheets held her tight. She took a few deep breaths and extracted herself from the tangled mess. Once free, she fell back on her pillow and tried to get her racing heart back to a steady rhythm.

  It had been a long time since this nightmare reared its ugly head. Keira’s first years at St. Catherine’s boarding school were unpleasant, to say the least. That particular day, however, had manifested itself in recurring nightmares that led to many sleepless nights.

  Her parents had sent her to St. Catherine’s when she was six years old. It was the thing to do for wealthy families that wanted their little girls to grow up and become ladies of good standing. The only problem was that Keira stood out like a thoroughbred in a tank full of sharks.

  It didn’t help her popularity that a wind seemed to rise whenever she got angry, or that a black raven was spotted sitting in the tree outside her room on the boarding school’s second floor. Neither did it help that the three girls she shared a room with that first year saw her talking to the raven when he flew to the windowsill; nor that they heard her call him ‘Nagwa’ and asked him to take her home.

  On the day of the nightmare, after enduring two years of taunting, Keira’s control snapped. It was lunch time when Keira heard the raven’s harsh ‘kruk-kruk’ cry and girls’ exited screeches. He must have been sleeping in the tree when the rock struck his body. He had fallen to the ground and was disoriented, desperately flapping his wings and trying to get back in the air. Keira had fought her way through the press of girls circling the injured bird, fell to her knees next to him and covered his body with her own.

  “Who did this, who did this,” she whispered in anguish. She touched his feathers and the connection was instantaneous. Her view shifted and became a wavering, monochromatic scene. She looked down at a little girl—Isobel Montgomery—who lifted her arm and threw—No time to fly away—the pain—

  Keira jumped to her feet and her scream of rage reverberated around the tight circle, killing the giggles faster than Sister Julia’s frown ever could. A rising wind moaned through the tree and creaked its branches.

  “Isobel,” she hissed.

  “Yes?” An angelic girl with wide, innocent blue eyes, stepped forward.

  “You—” Keira didn’t have words, she could only point at the raven at her feet.

  “Yes,” the girl grinned. “Birds carry disease, didn’t you know? Look at it; we should just get rid of it.”

  Keira didn’t see the second rock in Isobel’s hand, but when the girl raised her arm and threw it at Nagwa, she lunged forward and it hit her on her mouth. She didn’t register the taste of blood, only the metallic surge of adrenaline and burning explosion of fury in her body.

  She raised her arms and the wind howled in response. Lightning snaked and crackled its way around the school’s grounds. Girls screamed and ran for cover while Keira stood in the centre of the storm.

  The next thing she remembered was cradling Nagwa in her arms, whispering to him to go home. He wasn’t safe around her.

  Time disappeared again and then she was hiding in the coat closet. Sister Julia found her and dragged her to the Mother Superior. The old nun’s ranting about the work of the devil was brushed aside and the storm written off as a freak occurrence.

  Keira wasn’t punished, but that was the evening the nightmare began.

  *****

  Keira pushed herself up from the bed, swung her legs over the side and clung to the edge as a wave of dizziness and nausea sent her stomach roiling. Glimpses of a man’s terror-filled eyes raced through her mind.

  “Bloody hell!” Keira swore, dropping her head in her hands; then swore again as she touched her throbbing cheek.

  “Keira! You awake? You said you wanted to get an early start,” Alison called and knocked on her bedroom door. “Coffee’s ready!”

  “Yes—thanks—I’m coming!”

  Keira stumbled into the en-suite bathroom and made it to the basin. She held on to the sides with both hands, leaned over and peered at herself in the mirror. A chalk white face framed by sleep-tangled hair reflected back at her. Dark rings lay like shadows under her eyes and the beginnings of a splendid purple bruise stained her cheekbone.

  She sighed, bent her head down and stared intently at the small crack in the pale blue porcelain, trying to ignore a lurking headache and blot out the memories threatening to send her into a full-blown panic attack.

  “Forget about it Keira! He won’t remember a thing. No one saw you. You couldn’t help it,” she whispered over and over, like a comforting mantra meant to soothe and heal.

  She took another deep steadying breath and straightened up. A slightly calmer face reflected back from the mirror, still pale, but the haunted look was gone from her eyes.

  “Nothing a shower and a shovel full of cosmetics can’t fix,” she said, and set about getting ready for the day.

  Twenty minutes later she was dressed, hair done and face skilfully made up. She walked into the kitchen and joined Alison at the small round breakfast table.

  “You look beat for someone who came home before me,” Alison remarked with a raised eyebrow and poured Keira a cup of strong coffee.

  “And you look fabulous for someone who probably didn’t sleep at all,” Keira replied.

  “Who needs sleep?” Alison asked. “Besides, I’ll sleep on the plane later. But wasn’t the party the best? It’s great to be done with school!” She laughed and twirled around the kitchen, her auburn curls bouncing and her blue eyes sparkling.

  Keira smiled at her friend and nodded, “Yeah, it was great. Although, my liver is happy the partying is over.”

  “Like Sammy would say: ‘Liver-schmiver, you only finish school once!” Alison huffed. “Oh, and speaking of Sammy, she said not to wake her up. You know how grumpy she gets if she hasn’t had enough sleep. We said our goodbyes earlier when we got back from the club.”

  “About that,” Keira said, tracing circles with her finger on the table top. “I’m sorry I left before you guys last night. I was exhausted, and you know—”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Alison interrupted. “You’ve got a busy weekend ahead. We understand.” She stopped next to Keira’s chair and gave her shoulder a sympathetic squeeze. “Once Sammy’s left tomorrow, you’ll have the place to yourself. Take the time to figure out what you’re going to tell your parents.”

  Alison’s parents had bought the apartment when Notting Hill was still an undesirable artists’ colony. They didn’t view the area’s booming desirability and influx of gentry a plus and had, for the past few years, only used the apartment when they visited Alison at St. Catherine’s on a stop-over on one of their trips around the world.

  They did however concede that it would be a good place for their youngest child and only daughter to live when she embarked on her career and had handed Alison the keys on her graduation day, two weeks ago. Much to Keira and Sammy’s delight, she had immediately invited them to be her roommates.

  The only hitch was that Keira hadn’t told her parents yet.

  “Of course, I still think you should do that gap year. You’ve always talked about travelling the world. Now’s your chance!” Alison encouraged.

  “Great advice,” Keira took a sip of her coffee. “It’s just a pity that one, my parents don’t support the idea and two, they’ve already enrolled me for college in the new term. My dad is so happy ‘cause he thinks I’ll be following in his footsteps. If he could call that company ‘Wilde and Daughter Architects, Inc.’, he would have.”

  Alison perched next to Keira and leaned her elbows on the table. “Look, Sammy and I will be back soon, then we can mount a frontal attack and convince your parents you don’t need to go, at least not right away. Tell them you need more time to decide.”

  “I’ll try,” Keira sighed. “I know I’ve said it a milli
on times before, but you two are so lucky. Your parents actually support you in what you want to do.”

  “That’s only because we’ve both got older siblings who have worn them down by now. They don’t have the energy for another war. I think they’re just happy we’re doing something that might make us a bit of money.”

  “Well, I’m sure you’ll end up at Vogue and Sammy at Stella McCartney’s. Promise me you’ll throw some samples my way when you’re both famous!”

  “Ha!” Alison laughed. “I’ve got this funny feeling that you’ll get there before us!”

  The girls shared a giggle and clinked their coffee cups together in a toast. “To fame and fortune!” they cried, then shushed each other with glances down the passage to Sammy’s closed bedroom door.

  “How about some breakfast?” Alison asked. “You know, you do look a little pale. Sure you’re up to shopping today?”

  “No breakfast, thanks.” Keira couldn’t face the thought of food. “I have to go. The birthday is tomorrow. Can you imagine what will happen if I show up without a present for my mother?”

  Alison nodded in sympathy. “She does tend to get her knickers in a knot about things.”

  Keira grimaced. “It’s my own fault, leaving it until the last minute.”

  “Are you taking the photos tomorrow?”

  “No,” Keira said and looked down into her cup. “Mother has hired a ‘professional.’”

  Alison let rip with an unladylike swear word. “You are the most professional photographer I know! Have your parents even seen your work?”

  “Only the flowers and stuff, I haven’t shown them the abstracts. It doesn’t matter though. This way I can sit back and enjoy the day without having to rush around like mad. Besides, Aunt Vic is going to be there; I haven’t seen her in ages.”

  “Hmph! We’ll talk about this when I get back. Unfortunately, I’ve got to go or I’ll miss my flight, but please remember my invitation. You could get the first flight to Toronto after your mother’s party. Come stay at my parents’ lodge for a few days. You know they love you. Just think, there’s bound to be a cute ski instructor—or two—who could keep us occupied. Those boys have got nothing to do in summer.”

  “Thanks,” Keira laughed. “Please don’t tempt me. I already had to beg and plead to get these couple of weeks with you girls at the apartment, and I still have to tell my parents that I want to stay here permanently. There is no way they’d let me go off to Canada.”

  “Okay,” Alison said with resignation. “But you know what they say—all work and no play—”

  “Yes, yes,” Keira said. “Don’t worry, we’ll make a plan. I’ll come visit, sooner rather than later.”

  “Good, I’m keeping you to that,” Alison said. “Well, good luck for tomorrow. I’ve got to go.” She gave Keira a quick hug, walked to the front door and picked up the suitcase already waiting there. “I’ll call when I arrive at my parents’ place.”

  “Have fun,” Keira smiled and walked with Alison to the elevator in the hall outside of the apartment.

  “I intend to,” Alison said. She paused with her finger on the button and looked back at Keira. “Are you sure you’re all right? You look—I don’t know—like you’re on a different planet or something?”

  “Don’t worry!” Keira forced a laugh. “Give my love to your family and enjoy the holiday.”

  “Okay, okay!” Alison said. The elevator arrived and there was time for a last quick hug before Keira all but pushed her friend inside. Alison waved through the slowly closing doors. “Look after yourself, and remember to water the plants!” she shouted last minute instructions.

  “I will, stop worrying,” Keira laughed. She waited until the doors slid closed, then turned and slowly walked back into the apartment. She went to the kitchen and started washing the few breakfast dishes. She missed her friend already. She, Alison and Sammy, they were like the three Musketeers; inseparable at school and during holidays their parents let them spend together. Most of those holidays were spent with Sammy or Alison’s parents; her own mother couldn’t cope with the added burden of two more girls to supervise. Besides, Keira preferred getting away to her friends’ homes.

  She smiled, remembering the day in school when Alison had had her brilliant idea.

  “You want to travel the world, Keira, and I want to start my own magazine. You could write all the travel pieces for me!” Alison cried, her eyes glittering with excitement.

  “Woohoo!” Sammy agreed. “And once I’ve started my design label, you could feature my designs in your magazine. I’ll give you free clothes of course.”

  “Of course,” Alison laughed. “And you’ll design our wedding dresses too,” and she and Sammy got that dreamy look in their eyes, even though neither had a boyfriend and both swore they would never be tied down by a husband.

  Keira had pretended to play along. She had no intention of ever getting married or having children. It was difficult enough to hide her ‘curse’ from her friends. How would she ever hide it from a husband? Never mind having children; there was no way she was having kids and then finding out that this thing was hereditary. Not that her parents were in any way, shape, or form even slightly weird, but still.

  Keira sighed and dried her hands. She was as determined as ever to travel the world. She was eighteen years old and legally of age. She could pack up and go, if she wanted; but she would hate to leave on bad terms with her parents.

  The time to face the argument about her future was getting closer. Not today though; today she had to find the perfect gift. But what to buy for a woman who has everything?

  Chapter 4

  Victoria’s immaculate, French-manicured fingernails tap-tapped an irritated rhythm on the table top. “What do you mean ‘get Rafael to babysit her?’” she asked the man seated opposite her. “Do you not understand the severity of our situation?”

  Victoria had called Marco earlier this morning, asking—or rather summoning—him to a meeting at her Hyde Park apartment. As a rule, you dropped whatever you were doing when the Leader of Council called.

  “Of course I understand. You need more people on the street, Victoria. We have to show our strength, and I want to be out there hunting that bastard, not chained to some girl, even if she might be our saviour!” He slammed a fist down; the gold edged cups rattled in their saucers.

  “Stop abusing my table, Marco,” the old lady ordered. “I understand your need for revenge, but it is clouding your judgment. Any move against Daemon has to be carefully planned. He has surrounded himself with powerful allies and, misguided as they are, they will protect him. He spreads his poison and his Watchers’ numbers grow every day. It is amazing how the vultures gather when they think there is a banquet to be had.”

  “But the Draaken is also growing, Victoria. We still have allies,” Marco replied.

  “Yes, I can only hope that it will be enough,” Victoria frowned. “In the meantime, Keira cannot under any circumstances know that she is being protected. She has a certain stubbornness, you know,” a hint of pride crept into her voice. “And she is not an idiot. Your brother Rafael is not subtle enough.”

  Marco combed his hand through his short, dark hair. “If her magick is as strong as you sensed it to be, she doesn’t need my protection. She should be able to take care of herself. Victoria, we have too many—”

  “Are you being dense on purpose?” Victoria interrupted. “In the first place, if I sensed her magick this morning, don’t you think he did as well? That is exactly why she needs our—your—protection right now. Besides, her magick is unpredictable. She needs time to learn how to control and direct it. And in the second place, you only have to stay with her until I have convinced her to accompany me to the Council meeting.”

  “Do you have any idea when that meeting will take place?” Marco asked.

  “As soon as I’ve received confirmation that all the members will be there, which should be any day now. I will let you know.”

&
nbsp; Marco glared at her from across the table. “Fine, I will stay with her for a few days. But after the meeting, I am back where I belong—out there!” and he jabbed his finger out towards the window and the streets below.

  “I know you are frustrated, but you are the only one I can trust with this. She is more precious than you can begin to imagine. We must keep her safe.”

  Now that he had capitulated to her will, Victoria could afford to be gentle and understanding. She had decades of practice in the political subtleties of being Leader of Council. Most of its members had no idea how old she truly was and would be astounded if they knew.

  “Marco,” she said, “you have to promise me, no matter what happens, you will defend her with your life. The Guardians have been without a High Priestess for far too long. If only I—”

  His glare softened and he interrupted, “Don’t do this to yourself. You have led us and kept us on the right path. We didn’t need a High Priestess. Besides, you couldn’t have helped what happened.”

  Victoria smiled at him. Her mind agreed, but not her heart. She knew she would carry the guilt of her beloved’s death for the rest of her days, along with her inability to continue as the Guardians’ High Priestess after she had buried him.

  She allowed herself one small moment of weakness. Roberto. How I wish you were here, by my side. I can’t do this without you.

  Victoria shrugged the melancholy off and continued. “Let’s not talk about that now. Times have changed faster than any of us could have foreseen. Even Chloe was caught off-guard by the speed of Daemon’s changing tactics.”

  “She blames herself for that, you know. She’s working too hard trying to See what Daemon is doing,” Marco said.

  “Tell her to get enough rest,” Victoria instructed. “Some events are beyond the vision of even a Seer as powerful as she. We need her to be at full strength when Daemon makes his final move.”

  Marco nodded. “To get back to Keira—I am still not convinced she can take the reins. She is completely untrained, it will take years to get her to your level, and that is time we don’t have. You know how dangerous it is to put an untrained, untested initiate into the field.” He paused, “Couldn’t you—”