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

by Nellie H. Steele

  “I could do it,” Alexander offered.

  “I am not sure this is an improvement over sending Gray, other than Damien may trust you more. I don’t see the issue here. I am the best person to go.”

  “I don’t trust him,” Gray snapped, pointing to Marcus.

  “I would never allow anything to happen to Celine,” Marcus replied.

  “That doesn’t guarantee you’ll return her to us,” Gray retorted.

  “Perhaps we all should go,” Alexander suggested.

  Marcus raised an eyebrow. “To be quite frank, gentlemen, I don’t imagine either of you possess the capacity to endure the journey. Celine easily does as do I. Now, shall we prepare, Celine?”

  Celine nodded.

  “Give us a moment,” Gray said, pulling Celine aside. “I don’t like this, Celine,” he said in a lowered voice.

  “I realize that Gray, but there is not much to be done. I will be careful, I promise.”

  “I don’t trust him.”

  “Neither do I, but we need him. I’m not going into this inexperienced. I will keep my wits about me.”

  Gray sighed. “Please, please, be careful, Celine.”

  “I will be. With any luck this will all be over soon,” Celine answered, kissing Gray. “Okay. I’m ready,” she said to Marcus.

  “Good, then we shall begin.”

  Chapter 24

  1812, Buckley Country Estate

  Celine waited outside in the cold afternoon air as the carriage trundled up the gravel drive. Gray and Alexander waited with her. The carriage slowed to a stop outside the front door. The coachman leapt to the ground, opening the door. Marcus emerged from the carriage, a dour expression on his face.

  “Duke Northcott,” Alexander began, bowing, “welcome to our humble estate.”

  “Indeed, it is humbler than I first imagined.”

  There was an awkward pause before Celine spoke. “It is quite charming, actually.”

  Marcus offered her a brief smile. “You do tend to find the optimistic view in most things.”

  “Please, come in,” Alexander motioned toward the door.

  “Thank you. I should like to be shown to my room. I have many items to attend to.”

  “Of course, Duke,” Alexander responded. “Right this way.”

  “Celine, if you wouldn’t mind accompanying me. There is a matter I would like to discuss with you.”

  “Certainly,” Celine agreed, following them to the bedroom suite assigned to Marcus and Celine.

  Alexander left them, closing the door to the bedroom. “I hope your journey was pleasant,” Celine commented as the door closed.

  “Most tedious, my dear.”

  “I am sorry you did not find it more relaxing,” Celine responded.

  Marcus removed his jacket, loosening his collar. “I do not find this visit, in general, relaxing, dear. Which is why we shall return home tomorrow.”

  Celine swallowed hard, unhappy with the news. “They expect us to stay on until Sunday.”

  “Impossible. I have already accepted an invitation for dinner the evening after next with the Westbrooks. We return home tomorrow.”

  “You must send my sincerest regrets to the Westbrooks.”

  “I shall do no such thing, Celine. You will return home with me tomorrow.”

  Celine sidestepped the order. “You are tired. Let us discuss it later.”

  “Celine, I will not argue about this. I have already given in to your whim for this ridiculous visit. I shall dine with your interesting new friends. But that is where this shall end. You will return home with me tomorrow and that is final.”

  Celine bit her tongue, not yet wishing to begin the argument regarding her inability to return home. She didn’t understand why she put it off. She possessed no desire to remain married to Marcus. She hadn’t wanted to marry him in the first place. Only after hours of torture, her own desperation drove her to it. Wasn’t now as good a time as any to inform Marcus she would no longer remain married to him? Perhaps it was best to wait until after dinner, when all that would remain was a night’s sleep prior to his departure. Yes, Celine resolved, after dinner she would inform him before they retired.

  Celine spent the hour before dinner fussing with her clothing and hair. It distracted her from the task that lay ahead. She did not experience second thoughts or harbor any fear regarding her decision. However, she preferred to complete the task, finish the argument and move on with her life.

  Much to her surprise, after she accepted Gray’s marriage proposal, he informed her the Carlyles assumed they were already married when they arrived. She wondered for a brief moment if this was the source of Gray’s proposal, but he was quick to cast aside any doubts in her mind. It added to her sense of belonging with him.

  They made their announcement at breakfast, telling Alexander and the Carlyles that they planned to marry once any formalities were completed to end her ties with Marcus. She recalled the moment, allowing her sense of joy to wash over her again. Everyone expressed happiness regarding the decision. This was her destiny, not the life she had been living. She would be free and happy now. She allowed her mind to focus on that rather than dwell on the nastiness in her immediate future. She would get through it, she promised herself. She spent twenty-six years with Marcus. Twenty-six years he had spent lying to her, manipulating her. It would end tonight.

  At dinner, conversation was stilted. Marcus’ presence and sour disposition toward the Buckleys put a general damper on any conversations. Celine was relieved when the meal ended, and they shared an after-dinner drink in the sitting room. She nursed her sherry, preparing herself for the inevitable confrontation with Marcus.

  After one brandy, Marcus suggested they retire for the evening. “We will retire for the evening. Celine and I must leave early tomorrow morning to return to London.”

  “Tomorrow morning?” Damien inquired. “Aren’t you staying until Sunday?”

  “That is impossible, Mr. Carlyle. We have urgent business in London and must cut our visit short. Come, Celine.”

  “No,” Gray interjected, “I believe you are mistaken.”

  “Excuse me, Buckley?” Marcus responded.

  Celine stood, placing herself between them. “Let us speak in private, Marcus,” she suggested.

  “No,” Gray argued again. “There is no need to speak in private. In fact, it is best not to.”

  “What is the meaning of this, Celine?” Marcus inquired.

  Celine swallowed hard. She took a deep, steadying breath. “I will not return to London with you tomorrow, Marcus.”

  “Celine, we have been through this. You will not stay on until Sunday. I have already made my decision, and it is final.”

  Celine shook her head. “No, Marcus. I will not return tomorrow or Sunday or ever.”

  Marcus glanced around the room, then back to Celine. A laugh escaped his mouth. “Whatever are you talking about, Celine?”

  “I am leaving you, Marcus. Our marriage is ended.”

  Marcus’ face changed in an instant. “You must be out of your mind, Celine. Have your new friends put you up to this? Have you gone mad?”

  “No, Marcus, I have not,” Celine assured him. “No one has put me up to anything. I am quite in my right mind. Perhaps more in my right mind than I have been in twenty-six years.”

  Marcus chuckled again. “Well, then I am sorry, my dear, however, I simply will not allow it. You shall return with me tomorrow to London. We shall then engage in a lengthy discussion regarding our marriage and your attitudes toward it. Now, come along.” He grasped her arm, pulling her toward the door.

  She tugged back, trying to escape his grip. Gray, Alexander, Michael and Damien rushed after her. Gray pushed between her and Marcus, and Celine freed herself from his grasp. “Do not make this harder than it needs to be,” Celine advised.

  “Harder than it needs to be?” Marcus questioned. “I will make it impossible, my dear. I will never allow you to betray me in th
is manner.”

  “To betray you?” Celine queried, annoyance creeping into her voice. “I have not betrayed you, Marcus. It is you who have betrayed me for years.”

  “How dare you, Celine?” he barked at her.

  “No, Marcus, how dare you?” she answered, heat entering her voice. “My eyes have been opened to the depths of your betrayal all those years ago. It is YOU who is responsible for my father’s death. I have learned the truth and come to understand how you have manipulated me. I shall tolerate it no longer. We are finished.”

  Surprise crossed Marcus’ face before he returned it to stone. “You are mistaken,” he began.

  “Do not continue to lie to me,” she shot back. “I am not mistaken.”

  “I did what needed to be done, Celine. Responsible or not, it is water under the bridge. I am your husband. It is too late for second thoughts.”

  “No, Marcus, you are not. You are nothing to me anymore.”

  “Do not say anything further, Celine. You may voice something you will regret.”

  “I regret nothing except the last twenty-six years of my life.”

  Fury shown on Marcus’ face. “I warn you, Celine, I shall not tolerate much more of this.”

  “And I shall tolerate no more of you. I suggest you leave at once,” Celine proposed.

  He set his jaw, staring at her. “You shall tolerate no more? You shall tolerate no more??? I am struggling to hold my patience with you, Celine, but I shall give you one more opportunity. Leave with me now and I shall be generous enough to spare your friends any consequences.”

  Michael, Damien, Alexander and Gray gathered around her. Celine stood straighter, pushing her shoulders back and raising her chin. “No.”

  Marcus frowned at her. “Celine, you are acting like a child. Consider what you are saying. Your reputation shall be ruined!”

  “Yours will fare no better, Marcus. Particularly if the circumstances of my father’s death come to light. And unable to control even your own wife. Imagine the rumors. The difference is you will care, I shall not.”

  “We’ll see how much you care when every door in London in closed to you!”

  “I shall survive.”

  “Will you? I have spent years providing a life others can only imagine, I have provided everything for you, anything you wished, anything you desired. I have remained loyal to you always. I will not allow you to betray me in this way.”

  “You have no choice. I have turned a blind eye to your evil deeds for far too long. I shall do so no longer. Our relationship is ended tonight.”

  Marcus exhaled forcibly, setting his jaw. “Fine. But realize you are responsible for any harm that befalls them.” He raised his hand, but Celine fired first, stinging him with a fireball.

  “Leave, Marcus. I shall allow no harm to come to any of them.” Marcus tried again, but Celine fired another fireball at him, followed by two more. Alexander and Gray readied to defend her.

  Marcus paused for a moment. He sniffed, smirking at them. “All right, Celine. I shall go. You have me at a momentary disadvantage. But know this. This conversation is not finished. I shall never allow you to leave me, not truly. You shall not always retain the upper hand. It shall not last. You have won the battle. You will not win the war. I will never let you rest. I shall follow you always and everywhere.” He stepped back toward the doorway. “Prepare, Celine. Gather your strength. You shall need it when I bring the forces of Hell upon you and your new compatriots.” He turned on his heel, thundering down the hall. The floors shook as he stormed away, porcelain vases, mirrors and glass pieces shattered as he passed them.

  Celine closed her eyes for a moment as the sounds faded down the hall. “I’m sorry,” she said.

  “There is nothing to be sorry for,” Gray informed her. “And now we are rid of him.”

  “He shall return as promised,” Celine responded. “He will not let this rest.”

  “Which is why we shall travel to London tomorrow morning and board a ship to America. The further we are from him, the better. Allow his temper to cool whilst he is impeded from contacting you.”

  Celine gazed at him. “Yes. That is best, I agree.”

  “Early tomorrow morning?” Damien asked.

  “Yes,” Gray answered. “I sent a man this morning after Celine accepted my proposal to make travel arrangements for us to leave immediately.”

  Michael and Damien glanced at each other. “What about us?” Michael asked.

  “Yes,” Damien added. “Not to be a pain, but we need to return to our time before you go.”

  Celine nodded. “Of course. I shall send you tonight.”

  “Oh,” Damien answered. “Gee, I kind of hoped to see you get married this time.”

  “Sorry to disappoint, but it’s best for you to go now. With Duke Northcott’s ire raised, it isn’t safe for you here,” Gray responded.

  “Gray is correct,” Celine added. Celine approached them, taking one of each of their hands into hers. “Before you go, I must thank you both. Without your bravery and forthrightness, I should never have learned the truth.”

  Damien squeezed her hand, smiling at her. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you’re away from the Duke. He is a horrible man. You deserve much better.”

  Michael squeezed her hand as well. “You’re welcome, Celine. See you in a couple of centuries.”

  Gray extended his hand to shake each of theirs. “Thank you, gentlemen.”

  Alexander did the same. “What a strange journey it has been, Damien and Michael. But I am better for having met you. Safe travels.”

  Everyone said their final goodbyes before Celine readied them to travel. “Now, if you’ll concentrate on your time period, I shall open the portal.”

  Celine shut her eyes, stretching her arms in front of her. The familiar twinkling appeared in front of Michael and Damien and a black opening grew from a pinpoint to a gaping hole, covering the wall in front of them. Wind whipped through the room as the portal to their time opened. Once it was fully open, Michael and Damien glanced at each other before stepping through it.

  After a few steps, Damien stumbled, struggling but remaining upright. He glanced down, blinking his eyes a few times to adjust to the new scenery. He’d tripped over a stone projecting from the ground. He glanced around, seeing trees and hearing the sound of the ocean nearby.

  Michael clapped him on the back, pointing toward an object to their left. “We made it,” he said. Damien followed his finger, finding the Buckley house in its path. Light shone from the windows, keeping the darkness at bay.

  Chapter 25

  Present day, Bucksville, Alterra

  Damien breathed a sigh of relief. “Whew. I am so glad to be home.”

  “Me too. I can’t wait to get out of these clothes.”

  “Yeah, and into my bed. My real bed.”

  “Race you?” Michael asked.

  “Aw, come on,” Damien complained. “I’m never going to win.”

  “With an attitude like that, you won’t. Come on!” Michael sprinted in front of him. Damien grumbled but raced behind him, trying to catch up. Michael’s head start proved too much for him, and Michael made it to the house first. The two men burst through the front door, laughing over their so-called race.

  Celine crossed the foyer, a book in her hand. “Michael? Damien?” she asked in a crisp British accent.

  “Celine?” Damien asked, sobering quickly and approaching her. Michael followed.

  “It is you!” she exclaimed, placing her book on the entryway table and throwing her arms around them. “I didn’t imagine I would ever see you again! Why, you appear just as I remember you!”

  Michael and Damien were speechless. They glanced to each other, unsure what to say. “Well,” Damien eventually croaked out, “we just left you. The night you told the Duke that you were leaving, we’ve just come from then.”

  “And you came here. This is your time?”

  “Y-Y-Yeah,” Damien stumbled. “Don’t
you remember?”

  “Remember?” Celine questioned, her brow furrowing in confusion.

  “Yeah. You remember us, right?” Michael inquired.

  “Of course, I do!” Celine answered. “You are responsible for liberating me from my marriage to Marcus. And, of course, allowing me to find true happiness with Gray. How could I forget you?”

  “Is that all you remember about us?” Damien probed.

  Celine pondered a moment. “I recall that you are a terrible dancer at the waltz, Damien Carlyle.” She grinned, sticking her tongue out at him.

  Damien’s eyes went wide, and he glanced at Michael. Michael swallowed hard. “Celine, do you have any more recent memories of us?”

  “No?” Celine responded in a questioning manner.

  “Do you recall using the name Josie at any point?” Damien inquired.

  “Josie? No. I have never used that name.”

  Gray appeared across the room. He hurried toward them. “Michael and Damien Carlyle! What a surprise!”

  “Yes,” Celine agreed. “They have traveled here using the time portal I opened the night I left Marcus. I had no idea they were traveling here. But we are so glad you did! I hope you’ll stay with us. Oh, we should phone Alexander. He’d love to see you if he can get a flight from London before you leave.”

  “London? Stay?” Damien questioned, his mind whirling. “I… I… I…” Damien stammered, scratching his head as he searched for an answer. The room began to spin, and he found it difficult to concentrate. The world began to melt away, and he slid to the floor.

  “Damien!” Celine shouted as Michael reached for him, grabbing him before he hit the floor. “He’s passed out! Quickly, Gray, help Michael take him to one of the bedrooms upstairs.”

  Gray grabbed Damien’s arm, swinging it over his shoulder as Michael did the same. Together they carried him up the stairs, laying him on the bed in one of the rooms. Celine took his hand in hers, perching on the edge of the bed.

  “Damien? Damien,” she whispered to him. Within moments, he groaned, moving his head back and forth. His eyes fluttered open, and he glanced around. Celine smiled at him.