Gone: A Shadow Slayers Story (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 3)

by Nellie H. Steele

  “I agree,” Alexander concurred.

  “Not a word of this to anyone. Understood?” Gray asked Damien and Michael.

  “Lips are sealed,” Damien said.

  Michael agreed. “Not even to Celeste,” Gray added. “I find it hard to believe she’s not aware of the Duke’s arrival.

  “As do I,” Alexander agreed. “Theodore and Celeste are the first people he’d have contacted upon his return.”

  “We’ll summon the adjudicator tonight. I don’t want to be away from Damien when Celine may be in contact. Millie, are you and Michael okay to watch him for a few hours?”

  “Sure,” Millie answered as Damien yawned.

  “No problem, we’ve got it covered,” Michael responded. “And it looks like you’re about ready to hit the hay. Want to head up?”

  Damien shrugged. “Yeah, the sedative is taking effect. I hate to leave this conversation, but I’m ready.” Damien stood, stretching and yawning. “At least tomorrow’s a new day and, with any luck, a new conversation with Celine.”

  “Good night, Damien,” Gray said and paused. “And thanks for what you’re doing.”

  “Good night, Damien. See you in the morning. Sleep well,” Alexander said.

  Damien climbed the stairs with Michael in tow. Gray retrieved his clothes from the main house last night. Damien changed and climbed into bed as Michael settled into the armchair. “It’s ridiculous that I have to be monitored like a kid,” Damien complained as he settled under the sheets.

  “Hey, at least you haven’t been handcuffed to your bed… yet!” Michael joked, referencing his own experience after his vampire bite courtesy of Celeste.

  Damien chuckled at the joke. He laid back, contemplating the strange new world they lived in. Between the brutal aftereffects of his Shadow World visit and the sedative, he fell asleep in minutes.

  Chapter 8

  Celine paced the floor of her cell. The sun lowered in the sky. Marcus promised her a visit with Celeste. If she was correct, Celeste would visit this evening. Despite his affinity for the dark side, Marcus was a man of his word. He promised to arrange a visit with Celeste, and he would.

  She had visited with Damien hours ago. They had spoken longer than she anticipated. He had imparted their plan to keep him from physical harm by sedating him at night. Celine would no longer be able to contact him except during daylight hours. It pleased her that Gray and Alexander seemed to have the situation well in hand. They appeared to be taking good care of Damien. However, it saddened her that she could not reach out to Damien more often. But she realized the risks of repeated contacts. This plan was in everyone’s best interest. It kept communication lines open and protected Damien.

  Celine glanced out the window at the darkening sky. She hoped Celeste had information about Damien, about his condition. She planned to use Celeste to provide information about Damien’s condition so she could make informed decisions about future contacts.

  She continued pacing the floor, waiting. As the stars blinked into the sky, footsteps sounded on the floor above. Celine raced to the cell door, peering from the window. She stared at the staircase as a figure descended. She recognized Marcus. Celeste followed him. Celine’s heart leapt at the sight of her.

  “Celeste!” Celine cried out to her.

  “As promised,” Marcus stated. “Your sister.”

  “Celine! Please tell me you are all right. I’m worried for you.”

  Celine nodded. “How is Gray? Damien? Alexander? Michael? Please tell me they are all right.”

  “They are distraught but surviving. Damien is taking it the worst. Gray says they are sedating him to help with his worry.” Celine stepped away from the door, pacing the floor. “Celine, I am more concerned with your wellbeing. You are under a tremendous amount of stress.”

  “I’m fine, Celeste. I just need to be sure my family is safe.”

  “Your former family, Celine,” Marcus reminded her. “I am your family now.”

  “Please do not remind me,” Celine snapped.

  “Must you agitate her?” Celeste questioned. “She has given in to your demands. Yet you continue to harass her.”

  “I have spent over two centuries allowing her to cling to her pretense of a family. It is over, she is mine. I will not tolerate the continued veneration of the Buckleys.”

  So, Celine reflected, he meant to strip her of any connection she had with her family. She would be censored, not allowed to mention them. He planned to force the transition quickly. A tear rolled down her cheek as she realized the fire with which she was playing.

  “Now look what you’ve done,” Celeste admonished him. “The least you can do is allow me a moment to console my sister!”

  “Console away, Celeste. I shall not interfere.”

  “Might I embrace her? Surely that is not asking too much!”

  Marcus sighed, rolling his eyes. “Fine.” Marcus opened the door for Celeste. She rushed to Celine, throwing her arms around her. The two sisters embraced in a cloud of tears.

  “Oh, Celine,” Celeste cried through tears as she wiped Celine’s cheeks, “how brave you are. How little credit I’ve given you through the years.”

  “It’s in the past, Celeste. Are you safe? I worry about you, too.”

  “Yes, I am. I am being careful, and Teddy is making sure I am safe during the day.”

  “You shouldn’t have to deal with this,” Celine lamented.

  “I shall be right as rain soon, darling. Do not trouble yourself,” Celeste assured her.

  “Yes, you will be,” Celine agreed. Skirting around Celeste, she approached the cell door. “You shall correct her issue, Marcus.”

  “Yes, I shall. I have already agreed.”

  “Then restore her,” Celine demanded.

  Marcus chuckled. “Patience, my dear, Celine, patience.”

  “I have little patience when it comes to my family.”

  “You are in no position to make demands, Celine,” Marcus chided.

  “Consider it a wedding present,” Celine added.

  Marcus smirked at her. “A wonderful idea. You shall receive the gift when we wed.” He winked at her.

  She frowned at him. “Marcus, I…”

  “It’s fine, sister. It won’t be much longer, I am fine,” Celeste chimed in.

  “Celeste, please do not interrupt my conversation with my dear future husband.” Celine crossed her arms, staring at Marcus. “I do not expect you to dismiss my requests of you out of hand, Marcus.”

  “I have already assured you, Celine. Your sister will be returned to her rightful state once you are my wife. I will not discuss it further.”

  Celine narrowed her eyes. “This marriage will not work with that attitude.” She stalked away from the door. “Perhaps it is not worth my time.”

  “An idle threat, Celine,” Marcus answered, letting Celeste out of the cell. “You have little choice. If you want to free yourself and save your sister, you must submit to my demands.”

  Celine swiveled to face him. “Even you cannot keep me here forever, Marcus. And once I am free, I am certain I can find a way to restore Celeste on my own. I admit it would certainly be much faster if you did it. But impossible? No. I don’t agree. It is in your best interest to help Celeste. It would go a long way in garnering my favor.”

  “Are you certain it is your favor I desire?”

  “Is it not?”

  He smirked at her. “I shall consider your request.”

  “Thank you,” Celine said with a slight smile. She would not push further tonight. She had not yet won the war, but the battle went in her favor.

  “Now, are you satisfied with the conversation with Celeste?”

  “Yes,” Celine admitted. “I have learned what I needed to.”

  “Good. Then, my dear Celeste, that is your cue. I’m sure you have… business to attend to.”

  “Good night, sister,” Celeste said, peering through the door’s window. “I love you. Take care.”
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  “I love you, Celeste. Be safe. Will you return tomorrow?”

  Celeste glanced at Marcus. “If it is to discuss the wellbeing of Grayson Buckley and his family, no,” he answered.

  “Damien is MY family and his wellbeing is important to me.”

  Marcus rolled his eyes. “He isn’t, really.”

  “He is! And it is because of me he is here.”

  “We shall agree to disagree on that matter, my dear. But I will keep you informed as to Damien’s wellbeing.”

  “I prefer to hear the news from Celeste. She can make direct contact with him.”

  Marcus sighed. “Fine. Now run along, Celeste,” he said, shooing her away with his hand.

  Celeste said her final good night to Celine and disappeared up the stairs. Marcus and Celine were left alone to finish their conversation.

  “There are several things we need to discuss,” Marcus said, once they were alone.

  “Such as?”

  “The arrangements of our next steps.”

  “I leave those arrangements to you, Marcus. I can do nothing in here. Unless you can be persuaded to allow me out.”

  Marcus smirked at her. “I admire your tenacity, Celine, but be careful not to push me too far.”

  “Then you wouldn’t have to provide updates on my family. I could check for myself.”

  Marcus shook his head at her. “What is it that you find so alluring about Grayson Buckley? For centuries I have pondered this question and cannot conceive of a suitable answer.”

  Celine chuckled. “There are some things, Marcus, you will never understand even if I explained them to you.”

  “I suppose it no longer matters. He is no longer any concern of ours,” Marcus admitted. “Well, I shall leave you, my dear. I have many things to attend to.”

  “Good night, Marcus.”

  “Good night, dear Celine.” He strode off, disappearing up the stairs.

  Celine was left alone with her musings again. She pondered his last question to her, recalling the first moments she met Grayson Buckley. She closed her eyes, immersing herself in that memory from over two hundred years ago. She attended a ball at the governor’s mansion, a party given by the governor whom her father had preceded. Escorted by her fiancé of over two years, Marcus, and her sister and brother-in-law, she arrived expecting another tedious night. She had succeeded in postponing their marriage thus far, but the day she dreaded drew nearer and nearer. However, this night would change her life forever.

  The governor’s wife introduced her to Grayson and his cousin, Alexander, traveling from the states on business. She recalled the moment her eyes met Gray’s. Stormy blue, his eyes gazed at her with great interest. The touch of their hands had brought such comfort to her.

  They spent a large part of the evening stealing glances from across the room until he asked her to join him in a dance. To this point in her life, Celine had never entertained the idea of falling in love. But she had the moment she met Grayson Buckley. She smiled as she recalled twirling around the dance floor with him.

  He used the dance to pass her a note, asking her to meet him outside. Celine had gone without hesitation. Much to her surprise, Grayson had not asked her to meet in the moonlight to whisper sweet nothings into her ear. Grayson, like her, was involved with the supernatural, a warlock. He assured her there was another side to their existence. One not born out of darkness but aligned with the light. He claimed together they could fight the darkness. The proposition intrigued Celine, who wished to escape her existence tied to Marcus Northcott and his evil desires.

  After explaining his role in the supernatural realm, Grayson asked to see her again. “I will consider what you have told me carefully, Mr. Buckley,” Celine answered as moonlight cascaded around her.

  “Please, Miss Devereaux,” Grayson beseeched her, “our supernatural similarities aside, I must see you again.”

  “Oh?” Celine questioned.

  “I have never met a woman like you, Celine Devereaux.”

  “I can’t imagine there are many of us in existence, no,” Celine admitted.

  “It’s beyond that, Celine. You are captivating. Please, I must see you again.”

  His interest in her was clear. As was hers in him. She agreed to a clandestine meeting with him before returning to the ballroom.

  Her absence as well as Grayson’s attentions did not escape Marcus’ notice. They would argue about it when they returned to her sister’s home. Marcus would forbid her from seeing Grayson Buckley again, not that it would do any good. Celine would go on to meet with Grayson multiple times under a shroud of secrecy, infuriating Marcus.

  “I will not be played a fool, Celine,” Marcus told her. “You will end your liaisons with Grayson Buckley, or I shall end them for you.”

  But Celine was not a woman easily contained. She had her own mind and a host of amazing skills that allowed her to abscond into the night to meet with Grayson. Their mutual love for each other grew and their bond became unbreakable.

  She smiled as she recalled those moonlit nights in Martinique. She remembered their immediate connection, his affectionate glances, how his hand held hers, how tender he was caressing her face as they kissed. She longed to be with him again. She would be, she vowed. Their connection was unbreakable. They would be together again.

  Damien awoke the following morning feeling rested but groggy. Alexander read a book in the armchair across the room. “Good morning,” Damien said, yawning.

  “Good morning!” Alexander answered, clapping his book shut. “How do you feel?”

  “Okay,” Damien answered. “Groggy but rested.”

  “That’s good.”

  “Did you and Gray make any headway with your adjudicator visit last night?” Damien inquired.

  “Unfortunately not,” Alexander answered. “It confirmed Marcus’ return but had no other information to offer.”

  “Damn,” Damien cursed.

  “Not to worry, I’m not convinced that information helps us in any way.”

  “Still, it may have. If we can locate the Duke, perhaps he’ll lead us to Celine.”

  “Doubtful. He’s a careful man. However, if he doesn’t realize he’s been found out, he may have been less cautious.”

  “Can’t anything go right for us?” Damien grumbled, throwing his arms in the air.

  Alexander chuckled. “Often in these cases, they do not. But let’s consider the bright side. We have a connection with Celine.”

  Damien nodded. “Perhaps Gray should have asked if the adjudicator spotted Celine in Shadow World,” Damien suggested.

  “No. Alerting the adjudicators that you and Celine are using Shadow World as a conduit for conversations isn’t wise. We don’t need them lurking around in search of you in an already dangerous place, making it more dangerous for you.”

  “Good point.” Damien climbed out of bed. “Man, I need some coffee,” he uttered as he stretched.

  Alexander and Damien made their way to the sitting room after Damien dressed for the day. Damien went through the usual barrage of physical tests by Millie, assuring her he had no side effects.

  “I wonder when Celine will reach out today?” Damien questioned. “I’m anxious all over again.”

  “Try to relax,” Gray said. “Celine will contact you when she can.”

  “Yeah, I realize that. But then my mind just spins out of control. What if she can’t? What if she’s hurt? A million what ifs… Plus, once she contacts me this time, I can ask where she is, and this can all be over with.”

  “I doubt that,” Alexander corrected.

  “Why?” Damien inquired.

  “It won’t be that simple or we would have found her already,” Alexander stated.

  “Well, at least we’ll know where to start looking,” Damien muttered.

  He leapt from his seat on the couch, pacing the room.

  “That’s not going to make her contact you any faster. All it’ll do is wear you out, then you won’t h
ave the energy to ask her where she is when she does connect with you,” Gray warned.

  “I can’t just sit here! I’m going crazy!” Damien exclaimed, flailing his arms.

  “How about a walk?” Michael suggested.

  “Yes, a walk!” Damien agreed. “A walk did it yesterday. Come on, let’s go.”

  “I’ll go with him,” Michael offered.

  “As will I,” Alexander added.

  The trio spent the rest of the morning hours walking the property. While providing a distraction, it did little to settle Damien’s nerves. Celine did not reach out. They returned to Alexander’s house.

  “Well, you’re still up and moving, so I’m guessing you’ve not heard from Celine yet,” Gray stated as they entered the sitting room.

  Damien collapsed in a heap on the couch. “Not a peep.”

  “We even went to the clearing in the woods… FIVE times,” Michael noted.

  “She didn’t call you into Shadow World until mid-afternoon yesterday,” Alexander reminded him. “Perhaps that is when she has a moment to herself to communicate.”

  Damien checked his watch. “Ugh,” he groused. “Two hours to go before that.”

  “Sounds like it’s time for a game of chess,” Alexander challenged him.

  Damien sighed. “Okay, okay,” he relented, stalking to the chess board.

  They spent the afternoon engaged in several games of chess. As afternoon turned to early evening, Damien’s frustration reached its peak. He stared out the window, drumming his fingers on the table. “Your move,” Alexander prodded him.

  Damien glanced to the board, moving a pawn from one space to another. Alexander’s brow furrowed. “Really?” he questioned.

  “What?” Damien asked.

  “That’s a surprising move given the state of the board,” Alexander said.

  “Ohhhh,” Damien muttered, realizing his error. “Well, I’ve lost.”

  “Distracted?”

  “Very.” Damien checked his watch before springing from his chair. He paced around the room. “This is hours after she contacted me yesterday!”