The Aurora Stone: The Orea Chronicles

by Alana Grerig

  “Right, as soon as they are close enough, I am going to smash the glass in the window and call for help. We will just have to hope that the noise going on in the rest of the castle is loud enough to mask the sound,” she rushed, as excitement and fear coursed through her in equal measure. Ariana didn’t look convinced, but, admitting they had very little choice, she gently woke Grace and explained the plan to her.

  “Finally!” Winter said. She had been sitting, watching the travellers progress, and now they were close enough for her to put her plan into action. “You two, cover yourselves with a sheet in case any shards fly back into the room,” she instructed as she positioned herself ready to smash the glass and call out.

  “Did you hear that?” Jericho said, stopping suddenly. Everyone shook their heads. “Listen…there!” he said, pointing off down the left side of the castle. “Breaking glass.” Everyone stood perfectly still.

  “Over here…Please…. Help!” came the muted plea on the breeze. Jericho turned to the group.

  Looking each in the eye, he said, “Now, we have two options. We could believe the that girl calling is in need and go and assist. Seeing as this is the Coven that houses the Royals, it could well be a trap. So, should we walk into a possible trap or knock on the front door?”

  “What if the girl is calling us over because she knows there is a trap waiting for us on the other side of the main door?” Eve asked, completely calm, her eyes switching between gold and deep fern. “Once close enough, I will be able to tell if this is a ruse, and then we can make a new plan,” she finished. Not able to find a solid counter argument, the men agreed to go and see what the mystery girl needed help with.

  “Oh, thank goodness! My name is Winter. My friends and I have been forced into hiding. There is a strange madness that has descended on the Coven; fights haven broken out all over the castle. Even my father is brawling,” Winter rushed once the group had reached the window.

  “How can we help you?” asked Eve, kneeling a short distance away so she could get a good look at the striking Vampire. Eve was sure that the girl was being honest; her pale aura was a soft violet. Had she been fully alive, it would have lost its sickly greyness and pulsed with vibrancy.

  “We need to stop the fighting somehow. I don’t know if you can help us , but I didn’t want you walking into a vampire war zone, especially as we haven’t had fresh blood in a while,” Winter explained with a gulp. She was trying to look anywhere but at the sweet pulsing vein in the redhead’s neck.

  Turning to Caleb, Eve asked if he would be able to create a diversion so that they could help these girls escape. Frowning, he said that, yes, that was possible, but surely freeing three hungry Vampires was a very bad idea. Eve just smiled at him, knowing he wouldn’t refuse her. Sighing, he headed back to the corner of the building and began to chant. Once satisfied, he returned to the group.

  “That should do it. I cast a nullifying charm. If this is just blood lust and contagious rage, they should stop. If it is something more, then the ones who remain enraged will need to be contained,” he said. Then he added, “Could you let me know if the fighting stops, please, Miss Winter, so I know if further intervention is needed?”

  “It’s just Winter, and sure,” she replied.

  Minutes passed, and Winter could still hear sounds of angry vampires, though it was greatly reduced. She relayed this to Caleb, who sighed and explained that it was possible that there was a possession taking place - most likely Ghouls - which would mean that the creature Jericho had wounded had survived long enough to pass on his knowledge.

  “What’s the plan then?” Eli asked. He was bored with the looks the vampires were throwing him, they were making the hairs on his neck stand on end.

  “What happens next is we go in there and kick the Ghouls out of the Vampires. If you are not up for that, you can stay here and keep the girls company,” Jericho bit out, flexing his biceps. He might be Eve’s twin, but Eli was really starting to get on his nerves. She was so much more than he… in every way.

  Jericho and Caleb made their way to the main doors. Hearing footsteps behind them, they turned to find Eve chasing after them. Caleb tried to send her back, but Eve was having none of it. Time was of the essence, so he gave up, and the three approached the main doors, keeping as close to the wall as possible.

  “Okay, once the doors are opened, I am going to hope and pray that there is only one active vampire in there, two at most,” Caleb muttered. “If there are more, Jericho, I am going to need you to keep the others busy.”

  “Wonderful, I haven’t had a good fight in ages! I could do with the exercise,” he replied, cracking his knuckles and neck. On the count of three, Jericho kicked the doors open and burst into the grand entrance hall. It was a mess; dismembered bodies were scattered on the marble floor. There were no active vampires in sight, so, slowly, the three entered. They made it as far as the ballroom, four doors down the main hall, when a vampire burst from the room, Jericho punched it, connecting with its jaw and sending him reeling back into the room. Caleb acted quickly. He exorcized the ghoul and banished it to the land of its forbearers, and so they continued for the next hour. However, by the time the last vampire had been exorcized, Caleb was pale and sweating.

  “Eve!” Jericho yelled, as suddenly a vampire grabbed her from behind and held her up by the throat.

  “You have banished my brothers and sisters, but where did it get you? I have the Light Carrier by the throat. One quick twist and your salvation is dead - permanently this time,” the vampire spat. Reaching to her hip, Eve grabbed for her dagger. Finding it just as her vision became spotty due to lack of oxygen, she thrust the blade backward, stabbing the vampire in the midriff. It was enough; it bellowed and released her, sending her crashing to the ground, gasping for air. Using the last of his reserves, Caleb banished the last ghoul and slumped to the ground.

  Chapter Twenty

  “Cal!” Eve yelled, forgetting her sore throat. She crawled to her fallen friend. Caleb was pale, and beads of perspiration appeared on his forehead. Eve was worried. His aura was shot with grey and brown. Not knowing if it would work, but not willing to sit by and watch him die, Eve lay her hands over Caleb’s heart and imagined passing some of her energy into him. Moments passed, and nothing happened. Jericho had tended to the wound in the Kings’ side and was standing over his friends.

  “Eve, I don’t think that will work,” Jericho said softly, bending down next to her. Tears that had pooled in her eyes now slid silently down her cheeks, falling onto Caleb’s face and hair.

  “But he cannot die, I…he just can’t!” Her anguish was painful to see; Jericho was at a loss. He couldn’t make this better.

  “I can help him, if you will let me,” came a voice from behind the trio. Turning, Jericho saw Winter and her two companions standing in the hall. “It would change him, but he would remain alive,” Winter concluded, looking at the young man in the elf’s arms.

  “How changed?” Eve’s voice was a whisper. If it hadn’t been for Winter’s exceptional hearing, she would not have heard her.

  “He will be a halfling, sort of. Halflings are usually born; however, I can make him half vampire and half witch. He will be able to consume his usual diet and have children, rather than create them as we do.” Winter stopped to allow Eve to process what she was telling her. “He will become very strong, and his eyes may change. He may also grow fangs. Although, all of this is dependent on how the venom reacts with his witch blood.”

  “Do it; I will give you anything if you save his life,” Eve replied, her eyes never leaving Caleb’s pale face. Moving towards the couple, Winter bent down next to Caleb and took his hand. Raising it up, she placed her other hand half way along his forearm, and, looking at Eve, she explained that this would cause him little pain, but he might stop breathing, which was normal, and not to worry. Looking determined, Eve nodded and looked away as Winter exposed her fangs and lowered her head to Caleb’s wrist, ready to bite and inje
ct her venom.

  “Wait, just so we are clear, vampire; if you decide to feed instead of heal, I shall remove you head from your shoulders, so think carefully before you act,” Jericho warned, drawing his short sword. Meeting his black gaze with her ice blue one, Winter nodded and once again lowered her head. This time, she bit down. Caleb didn’t respond like Eve had expected him to. Being bitten by anything, especially a vampire, must be quite a painful experience. His lack of response just served to cement in her mind that this was the right thing to do.

  Lifting her head, Winter reached into her hoodie pocket and retrieved a kerchief and delicately wiped the smear of blood from her lips.

  “Now we wait. Though, moving him to one of the guest chambers would be better. It will be more comfortable for him, and the rest of you can clean up,” Winter offered. Standing, she brushed plaster dust from her jeans. Thanking her, Eve asked Jericho and Eli, who had just appeared, to carry Caleb to the room Winter had offered. She wanted to have a talk with the vampire. Not happy about leaving her with Winter and the one called Grace, but seeing the determination in her turbulent eyes, Jericho didn’t dare try to discourage her.

  As soon as the vampire called Ariana and the men disappeared from sight, Eve asked Winter if she would like help sorting the mess out. Smiling at the elf, Winter said that was kind, but the others would sort the mess once they regained their senses. After all, they made the mess, so they could clean it up. What Winter really wanted to know was what brought such a motley crew of creatures to her home. Knowing time was clearly running out much faster than she would have liked, Eve decided to just tell the truth and hope it didn’t get her killed.

  “My friends and I are seeking the princess of this coven. She has something that will save us all, and I need to speak with her about it urgently,” Eve answered. Completely calm, she carefully watched Winter’s aura for a reaction.

  “What is it you seek from her? And how do you know she will want to part with whatever it is you are seeking? What if she refuses?” Winter countered. She had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach; she had a pretty good guess as to what they wanted. She didn’t know how she knew. However, she also knew that she didn’t want to part with it, not even to save herself.

  “It is an item that can stop the darkness from consuming all of Orea and casting each of us into the void. Death is on the hunt, and it will capture and kill every living being if I do not stop it,” said Eve, trying to get Winter to understand just what was at stake and how much she had to see the princess. Winter was in turmoil. Her mother’s stone felt leaden hanging from its chain.

  I don’t know what to do. She could be lying, but then, how would she know there was something here...? Don’t be silly. You don’t know it’s the Stone she wants. Winter fought with herself, though, deep down, there was a flicker of a memory, a lecture she had once heard in the school room many, many years ago. About a great Evil that had been weakened and banished to a realm without light and something about the use of an ancient power called Aurora’s light. She could picture the image in the textbook of a figure holding aloft an item the same size and shape as her stone. The memories caused her to despair, and it resonated deep within her soul.

  “I…I will take you to her quarters.” Getting up, Winter waited for Eve to do the same, then, casting one look at her father, who was already looking a lot better, she escorted Eve through the debris to the other side of the grand staircase and towards her wing of the castle, hoping that she wouldn’t be too angry when she discovered she had been talking with the one she wished to meet the whole time.

  ***

  The news of Eve’s survival had sent Nimayaorin into a rage so terrifying that even the generals had taken refuge in their quarters. His manic screams and the sounds of objects being thrown could be heard all over the fortress. Grimmer was especially worried. It was he who had killed the Light Carrier, he, who had been so greatly rewarded and risen in rank. It was not his fault; the poison must not have been strong enough, though there was no way he was going to suggest such a thing to his master. The fact that Nimayaorin had not called for him as yet was promising, or so he hoped.

  In his study, Nimayaorin was furious. His plan was unravelling like the old tapestries in his secret room. He knew it was not Grimmer’s fault that the cursed girl still lived; something had happened to her. He was sure of that. He was unable to see her now, and that suggested magical intervention and not from the witch. No, this was ancient magic. The only thing to do was to do nothing at all, he realised with a wicked grin. The vampires loyal to him from the lesser covens were already making their way to the King’s residence. They would cause a distraction, maybe even kill some of her companions. That would give him time to prepare for her arrival. He would let her come and die by his own hand.

  ***

  Winter and Eve arrived at her quarters. Winter took a deep breath and retrieved her key from her pocket. Holding the small brass key in her hand, she turned to Eve. Giving her a small smile, she opened the door to her private rooms. Eve took in the beautiful entrance; the marble floor polished to perfection stretched before her, with heavy wooden doors along both sides. In the centre of the hall was a large octagonal table that held an overflowing display of lilies, their heady perfume scented the air.

  “Come with me, I will take you to the princess,” Winter said, still stalling for time. Why, she didn’t know, but there was something about Eve that made her want to spend time with her. She realised that she wanted the elf to like her. Well, that’s all about to change once she realises I have not been completely honest with her, she thought sadly. On entering the main sitting room, Winter turned to face Eve.

  “What is it you seek?” she asked again, looking at Eve’s amazing eyes and glorious mane of hair.

  “I wish to tell the princess myself that I mean her no harm, so please do not fear for her safety,” Eve replied, removing her dagger and laying it on the floor. Then with the tip of her boot, she nudged the dagger out of her reach. Realising that she couldn’t stall any longer, Winter squared her shoulders.

  “I am the princess you are looking for. The vampire you stabbed is my father; I am sorry for not telling you sooner. However, you must understand that the situation called for caution,” she rushed, keeping her body language open and non-threatening. This was a relief to Eve who had been starting to wonder if the princess was even here. Smiling at Winter, she dropped a curtsy.

  “I completely understand, Your Majesty. I am Evangeline of Hermoria, and I have travelled a very long way to meet you.”

  Winter knew she was going to have to reveal the stone to the girl. She was already absent-mindedly playing with the zip on her hoodie.

  “I believe I have what you seek. However, if it is what I think, it will be hard to part with, as it was my mother’s, and she is no longer with us. She passed to the realm of the dead many years ago.” Winter paused to compose herself. Speaking of her mother always made her misty-eyed and melancholy. “If I do not give you what you request, will the world truly end? I mean, I have heard nothing of this great evil.”

  Eve was surprised that the princess was not aware of the danger, but then again, why would she be? She was protected at all times by warriors, and her father no doubt shielded her from anything that might upset her, as any good father should. Maybe she could bargain with her? The fate of Orea was clearly not something that bothered her, which Eve could understand, given her cosseted upbringing. Not sure what she could offer, Eve decided to ask what it was Winter might want in exchange for the item.

  Sighing, Winter unzipped her hoodie and removed the stone from the cage. She held it in her cupped hands for a moment, and then, walking to Eve, she opened her hands to reveal the treasure nestled there. Eve had never seen the Aurora Stone, so she had no idea if this was the right stone. It was so beautiful and seemed to be more fluid than solid. Like fresh spring water shaped to resemble a glittering jewel, though she could clearly see that it was as solid a
s she was. Eve glanced at Winter. The princess looked both proud of the treasure she held and sad that she might be parting with it. It broke Eve’s heart to cause anyone pain.

  “I promise you. If this is the stone I seek, I will do all within my power to return it to you. To truly know, I need to hold the stone, just for a moment.” Eve requested, not wanting to rush the princess. However, she was extremely aware of time and its eagerness to gallop on regardless of the outcome.

  Winter hesitated. She believed what Eve was telling her. Her mother often spoke of the ‘ring of truth.’ When you hear the truth, it resonates in your very soul. Winter was experiencing that now. Hoping her mother would have approved of her decision, she nodded and offered the stone to Eve.

  Flashes of colour assaulted Eve as she held the stone. It was unusually hot, hotter than one would expect. The colours slowed in their kaleidoscopic frenzy, and Eve saw a young halfling. He was half elf, the slight point to his ears, as well as his height, indicated that he was also half witch judging by the orbs he was manifesting and making dance on the wind for the two younger children with him. He was a handsome young man with amber eyes and hair the colour of chestnuts. The two children with him were clearly related, as they, too, bore the same chestnut hair, though the girl’s eyes were golden rather than amber. It was such an idyllic scene.

  Then it changed. There was blood everywhere. The young man was kneeling in a sticky black pool of it, holding the girl’s body. She had been very badly beaten. It was only her hair and her large vacant golden eyes that revealed her identity to Eve. Then the young man was in a room. He had a wooden box; elf carvings adorned its sides. The box was open, and, inside, there was a picture of himself with the two children, a dried flower, and a broken shoelace. As Eve watched, he added a lock of hair. With her heart breaking, Eve realised it must belong to the dead girl. There were other things in the box: two bands of gold, wedding rings maybe? Before Eve could get a good look, the scene vanished, and another took its place. This one was before the elders of Hermoria. Eve recognised a couple of them, though they no longer held seats. Even though she could not hear what was being said, it was clear that they believed the young man was responsible for the death of the young girl. On trying to protest, he was subdued and then shackled like a criminal. The council droned on, but the young man was so enraged that he used his magic to break his bonds. He then fought with the guards, ultimately killing them with fire that shot from his palms, a physical manifestation of his pain and rage.