Cursed by Death

by Basia Pike

  Dakota was up for the first time since her injury. Jamie was confident we could leave that afternoon, after the wake. Jamie and Dakota were to travel with us later that day and stay at city hall.

  The wake was solemn, but due to the pack’s presence there was a lot of alcohol and chatter. There’d been no advancement on the war between the pack and the witches. Jamie was sure it would be only a matter of time.

  “Elijah…” Estella’s voice floated into my mind and I turned to search for her. She was standing behind me, but I wasn’t sure whether she’d spoken my name or projected it into my mind.

  “Estella, is everything alright?” I asked, noticing the troubled look on her face.

  “Walk with me.” She held out her arm for me to take. We walked out of the dining room into the hallway. I noticed Rico eyeing us, his fists clenched.

  I expected her to speak once in the hallway and I glanced at her, but she remained silent and led me to the front door.

  “Let’s take a walk outside. It’s more private.” We walked together out into the cool winter air. A shiver ran down my spine, but I noticed Estella’s arm was warm. She was unfazed by the biting cold.

  We stopped by the stables. She turned to face me. Seriousness had taken over her carefree countenance. “Elijah, you must be careful. What you, Dakota, and Jamie have in your possession is dangerous.”

  My mouth hung open. Of course, she read minds. There was no way we would have kept it from her.

  “You are surprised at my knowing?”

  “It hadn’t occurred to me that there’s no way we could keep it from you.”

  “Don’t worry. You have nothing to fear from me.” I gave her a quick sideways smile despite the worry I felt.

  “We’ve kept it from the rest of the Verndarar until we know who the mole is.”

  Estella removed something from her cloak. “This will help you in times of difficulty.” She passed me a golden amulet.

  “An amulet?” I asked. I couldn’t see how that would help me.

  “Not just an amulet. When someone near you is not genuine, it will glow red and heat up.” I looked from her to the watch and back again. “Oh, come on, Elijah. You’re a witch, don’t tell me you don’t believe what I say.”

  I smiled. There was no keeping anything from her. “Thank you, Estella. I appreciate your help.”

  “Your mission is important, it’s the least I can do. The past, present, and future of humankind is in your hands.” My shoulders slumped at the weight of the task. She placed a warm hand on my shoulder. “Don’t lose heart. You were born to lead the Verndarar.”

  “It’s such a big task for a small group of people. I’m still angry I couldn’t save Mary. Andre wouldn’t listen when I told him she wasn’t right.”

  “I’ve met Andre a few times. I believe he had his reasons, but even he makes mistakes.” I nodded, and she held her arm out again. “Shall we return?”

  We walked together back to the wake. It was getting late, and I could tell the group was ready to get back to Under Tenu. We sat at the dining table. Tom and Casey were talking together.

  Luciana was sat with her head on her husband’s shoulder, and Julius had his arms around her. Out of everyone, she’d been the closest to Mary. Josh and Deon were sitting in silence, sipping their drinks.

  “Come on, guys. Let’s get going,” I said. They glanced up at me relief on most of their faces. No one said a word as they stood and headed to their rooms to collect their belongings. Dakota and Jamie were standing together with a few of the members of their pack. Despite knowing these werewolves were friendly, I always felt uneasy around so many of them.

  If it was the 1950s, I wouldn’t be near a pack of wolves. Dakota noticed me. She gave me a small nod.

  “Time to go?” Jamie asked.

  I nodded. “I’ll go get my stuff. Meet you in the hallway in ten minutes?”

  “Sure, see you then,” he said.

  Everyone gathered in the entrance hall of the castle. We followed Jamie to the library and waited as he set up the portal. The magical colors and swirls were a welcoming sight. I couldn’t wait to go home. I caught myself at that thought. Undir Trenu had become my home and that made me feel guilty. With all that had happened the past few days I’d barely thought about my quest for revenge.

  Although, we’d found a map to the Creaturae, the assignment had felt like a failure. Mary’s death, finding out the Kugarar had infiltrated the Verndarar, and to top it off, the map we found we couldn’t read…

  I watched as one by one my teammates headed through the portal and back home, until it was Jamie, Dakota, and me.

  “You two go next,” I said, knowing Jamie intended to carry Dakota through to be safe. She was almost healed, but still sore, and might not be able to control her fall.

  Jamie picked Dakota up effortlessly and jumped through the portal with her in his arms. I took a brief look around before heading in after them.

  I landed in the back room of the city hall. Jamie and Dakota were standing by the door together. She seemed to have survived the travel in one piece.

  Jamie had a serious look on his face. “Elijah, can we have a word with you, later?”

  “Of course.”

  “Once everyone has gone to bed, we will come to your room.” I nodded and headed into the entrance hall. Helen had been told the news. Tears streamed down her face. Deon comforted her with an arm around her shoulders.

  I’d felt a little distant from the group ever since we left. It was strange. I felt guilty every time I looked at any of them while at Wolfrik Castle. Perhaps it was being around the wolves and witches, bringing my heritage to the forefront of my mind.

  Or perhaps it was the fact that I was lying to them. Lying about being a witch and that we had a map—one which played a key significance in our task, and I had to keep it quiet. It felt wrong, but I knew there was no other way. Until we found out who’d given away our plans to Jensen, it wasn’t safe.

  “Hey, boss, what’s up?” Casey asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.

  “Hey, Case. Sorry, got a lot on my mind.”

  “It’s understandable. Is it wrong that I’m glad to be back here?”

  “Why would it be wrong?”

  “Because our task is so important. It feels like we got nowhere in the last few days. And because … Mary is dead.” Her voice cracked as she spoke.

  The guilt I felt increased, as it wasn’t true; we’d got somewhere, I just couldn’t tell her.

  “I’m going to get some rest. It’s been a long day,” she said.

  I smiled despite the knots in my stomach. “Sure, see you tomorrow.” I watched as she walked away.

  Josh had been glancing over, giving me a suspicious look. He headed towards me. “I’m off. See you tomorrow.” He didn’t wait for a reply and headed through the door to the staircase after her.

  I couldn’t help but smile. Josh was so obvious with his affections for Casey. It did worry me at times, noticing relationships forming within the Verndarar. Casey and Josh, Deon and Helen, and almost Mary and Tom. If any of them were to get together and break up, it could cause major rifts.

  I walked over to where everyone was sitting, drinking, and chatting amongst themselves. I took a seat next to Tom.

  “Now we’re back in Undir Trenu, maybe Dakota will have some information. She’s gotta know somethin. I can’t believe our task and Mary’s death was for nothing.”

  I glanced at Jamie and Dakota, who were sitting together a little ways away.

  Tom turned to me. “Won’t she?” he asked, looking to me for assurance.

  “I hope so,” was all I could think to say. The night wore on and I remained quiet as the group drank bourbon and chatted about good times with Mary.

  The clock struck midnight, and, finally, the rest of the group headed to bed. I hung back, looking at Dakota and Jamie.

  “Ya coming?” Tom asked.

  I shook my head. “I’m going to check on Jamie an
d Dakota. See you in the morning.”

  Tom headed up the stairs.

  “At last. I thought they would never go to bed,” Jamie said, as he took a swig of bourbon. “What is this drink?”

  “It’s American whiskey,” I replied.

  “Well, I would rather have scotch any day. Do you have any?”

  I nodded. “Follow me.” I headed toward the supply room.

  Jamie jumped up and Dakota struggled to push herself up from her seat. We walked towards the kitchen. None of the staff were about. I walked through into the cupboard and turned the light on.

  Jamie gasped in shock. I could understand why. It was the best-stocked bar I’d ever seen too. I went to the back, where the alcohol was kept, and grabbed a bottle of single malt whiskey.

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about!” Jamie exclaimed.

  “I like bourbon,” I said, grabbing a bottle of bourbon off the shelf. We headed to my room in silence.

  Once there I poured us each a drink and settled down on the comfy sofa. “What did you need to talk about?” I asked.

  “We think we know how to read the map.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, but we will have to travel there.”

  “Travel where?”

  Jamie and Dakota exchanged nervous glances. “Greece, 3200 BC,” Dakota said.

  “That early?” She nodded. I stood up and paced the floor. “How am I supposed to explain my leaving with the two of you and not the rest of the Verndarar?”

  “I’m thinking you need to give them other tasks,” Jamie said, and I stopped walking.

  “What are you suggesting? Send them off on pointless assignments to buy us time?” I couldn’t contain the disgust I felt at the idea.

  “Well … what idea do you have?” Jamie asked.

  “I can’t do that to them. In fact, I think it would be best we tell them about the map.”

  Dakota’s voice was tremulous. “Elijah, we agreed it wasn’t safe. We don’t know who the leak is.”

  I shook my head. “I know it’s not one of the group. As long as we make sure they know how important it is to keep it between us, we’ll be fine.”

  “I don’t know,” Jamie said. “Couldn’t you tell Tom and tell him you’re leaving him in charge while you’re away? I’m sure he would understand why you can’t tell everyone until we find out what this map leads to.”

  It was possible. I hated lying to Tom the most. He was supposed to be my second in command.

  “Why don’t you get him now?” Dakota suggested,

  “Yes, see what he thinks,” Jamie said.

  “Okay. Wait here.” I headed out of the room and stood in front of Tom’s door, my heart in my mouth. I knocked and was surprised that within a few seconds Tom opened the door in his boxers.

  “Elijah, how can I help you?”

  “I wanted to have a chat. Can you come to my room?”

  “Sure, give me a minute. I’ll get dressed and come over.” I gave him a nod and walked back to my room.

  A minute later, the door to my room creaked open. “Dakota, Jamie, what are y’all doing here?” Tom asked.

  I poured another glass of bourbon. “Tom, take a seat and I’ll explain everything.” I sat next to him and passed him the glass.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Yesterday … Dakota revealed to me and Jamie that she has something in her possession that could help find the Creaturae. She’s sure that’s what the Kugarar and the witches were after. After Estella told us that someone is leaking information from Svarthol, we didn’t know what to do. We decided the fewer people who knew about it … for now, the better…” I gauged Tom’s expression.

  Tom’s eyes narrowed at me. “Were ya intending to keep this from me?”

  “We weren’t sure who to tell,” Jamie said, sticking up for me. “However, the map we have, we can’t read. If we are to decipher it, Elijah, Dakota, and I will travel back to Greece 3200 BC.”

  Tom’s eyes widened. “B-but that’s before—”

  Dakota pitched in: ”Before humans were released from the hold of vampires. Yes, we know.”

  “It will be dangerous. There’s no doubt about that,” I said.

  “Did werewolves exist then?” Tom asked.

  “Well, not as such, but we believe we should be okay traveling back there,” Jamie said.

  “How’s that possible?” I asked.

  “We’re human, and humans existed then. Witches’ magic turned werewolves into a mutation, but it doesn’t mean we don’t have strong ties to the human race. But … if any of us were to travel to before 1238BC, we would be incinerated.”

  Tom gulped.

  I wondered if that was the case for me. My father had been a vampire, and therefore I could surely travel back into vampire history. But I didn’t feel like testing the theory.

  “Are you certain that won’t happen to you?” I asked.

  “I’m ninety-nine percent certain,” Dakota said.

  “Why are y’all three going and not the rest of the Verndarar?” Tom asked.

  “We need to keep it from the rest of the group until we find out how Jensen knew we were in Kent in 1059.”

  “What will we do while y’all are gone?”

  “I’ll need you to work with Helen in finding a recruit.” A pained look flashed across Tom’s face, and I knew it was too soon.

  “That soon?”

  “Yeah, I’ll need you to review Helen’s files.”

  Tom shuffled in his seat. “What ‘bout everyone else?”

  “Back to training, as we were before. I hope we won’t be gone long, but this map could lead us to the Creaturae. We don’t know, but it’s vital we try.”

  Tom looked down at his hands. “When will y’all be leaving?”

  “We will rest tomorrow and leave the morning after,” Jamie said. “Dakota’s not at her full strength yet, but once she is we must act quick.”

  I was raring to go as soon as possible. Even one day waiting seemed too long.

  “We should all get some rest. Let’s discuss it tomorrow. We can tell the rest of the group I need to go on a classified assignment with Jamie and Dakota. They need not know the details.”

  Tom, Jamie, and Dakota stood together.

  “Sounds like a plan,” Dakota said. She was looking rather pale and tired.

  “Helen showed you your rooms?” I asked. They nodded. I walked to the door and held it open for them.

  “See you in the morning,” Jamie said, and everyone departed.

  I shut the door and rubbed my aching eyes. I was exhausted; my big comfy bed was calling my name. I didn’t bother getting undressed. I flopped onto it, the smell of clean sheets hitting my nostrils.

  26

  The next morning, I woke fully dressed on my bed after one of the best night’s sleep I’d had for a while. I glanced at the clock. It was eleven o’clock in the morning.

  I stank after not washing for a few days. Medieval times were dirty. I got showered and dressed, before heading down into the hall. Deon and Helen were sitting together on a sofa, but everyone else must have been out.

  “Alright, sleepy?” Helen asked, laughing at me.

  “Fine, I can’t believe I slept so late.”

  “What would Andre say?” she teased, shaking her head playfully. Deon laughed.

  “Where is everyone?” I asked.

  “Well, Tom, Casey, and Josh said they were heading to the café for breakfast. I don’t think anyone else is up.”

  “Julius and Luciana haven’t been down?”

  She shook her head.

  “If I’m honest,” Deon said, “I think Luciana’s taking Mary’s death pretty hard. She probably needs some time to herself.”

  Helen nodded placing her hand in his. “I can’t believe she’s dead.”

  “Mary shouldn’t have been dragged into this fight. It was never the right place for her.” I was angry at Andre. Her death was as much his fault as mine. She had im
proved considerably, and I was proud of how gutsy she was that day, but it just wasn’t suited to her. Even she felt that way.

  “She was a lovely woman,” Deon said, “but you’re right. She wasn’t suited to this place.”

  “I need to take a walk and clear my head,” I said, and without another word I turned and headed for the exit.

  Before we’d left for Kent I’d found a little secluded beach. I headed there with purpose in ever step.vIt had become my favorite thinking place.

  I sat down on the soft white sand and took my shoes and socks off, placing my feet in the unusually warm and opaque turquoise water. It’d been a long while since I’d left my quest for revenge, and there was rarely a day that went by that I didn’t think about it. But, the past few days it had almost been pushed to the wasteland of mind. The Verndarar was taking over it’s importance in my mind, but I couldn’t let myself forgot the need to avenge Jo’s death.

  I sighed as the water washed over my feet. It felt like it washed all my troubles away even if it was only for a brief time. The fact that there was a mole in Undir Trenu just added to the stress of the job.

  Thank God no one else is here. I leaned my head back, enjoying the warmth of the artificial sun’s beams.

  “Hello, stranger,” a familiar voice said, interrupting my peace.

  I turned to see Eve walking towards me a nervous smile on her face.

  I frowned. “Hello…” It was the first time I’d ever seen anyone else here.

  She sat down next to me, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. “What’s troubling you?” she asked. I returned my attention to the water. I couldn’t talk to anyone about the mole.

  “Nothing, I’m tired.” I wondered if she would detect I was lying.

  “How did the mission go?” she asked, looking at me inquisitively. I met her gaze and looked into her dark brown eyes.

  “Not well,” I said, turning away, a lump forming in my throat. “Mary died. Murdered by a witch.”

  “Oh my gosh, I’m sorry to hear that. Mary was a lovely girl.” She grasped my hand in hers. “Elijah, what’s on your mind?” she tried again.