‘Two weeks ago, I was a perfectly normal human being in a normal job that I worked hard to excel at. I did not have any supernatural gifts or experiences! So, what the hell has happened to change it?’ demanded Rowanne, and looked pointedly at Lillian.
‘Rowanne, take a deep breath. You are most definitely looking at the wrong person to blame,’ replied Lillian calmly. ‘Anyway, I thought you wanted to know more about the necklace...’
‘Fine,’ said Rowanne reluctantly. Though, she would come back to the topic. ‘What is your surname?’
Lillian thought long and hard, before replying wisely, ‘Knight.’
Rowanne got excited at the prospect that they might actually be related. ‘We both seem to have the same family tradition, as well as sharing the same surname, this looks promising. I should ask my grandmother about her family. Oh, but...’ Rowanne looked crestfallen as she came to a realisation.
‘What’s that look for? I’d love to meet your grandmother, but I don’t think she’d receive me very well... Why are you reluctant to ask her?’ asked Lillian.
‘We could still try and research our family ancestry with the little knowledge that we have between us. But my grandmother wouldn’t really be able to give us any solid information,’ replied Rowanne.
‘Surely, she can provide us with the details of her parents and grandparents, at least. That would be a start,’ said Lillian.
‘My grandmother was adopted at birth, and doesn’t know who her biological parents are. She’s tried over the years to gather information on them but has been unsuccessful, so far. Even, her adoptive parents weren’t given any details when she was left with them as a baby.’
Lillian felt sorry for Rowanne’s grandmother - it must have been hard for her not knowing where she came from, or who her parents were.
‘Don’t worry, we may yet find information that could shed light on your ancestors. It would be in your best interest... But let us get back to the task at hand, from which we are digressing,’ said Lillian.
Lillian was intensely fixated on the pendant. ‘What can you tell me of this necklace?’ asked Rowanne, intrigued. She was not a fool, she knew it was infinitely more than what it appeared to be.
‘You’re right, but its potential is more than you can fathom... That little display earlier, though magnificent, barely even scratches the surface of the infinite possibilities that this little stone is capable of,’ replied Lillian.
‘So, is it like a philosopher’s stone or is it more like Aladdin’s lamp in that it grants your heart’s desire?’ asked Rowanne.
‘People rarely wish for what they actually need, rather, they wish for what they think they need. With time, they’d wish that they had not received what they asked for - it did not fulfil them as they had hoped,’ replied Lillian cryptically.
‘What can this purple stone do?’ asked Rowanne.
‘Well, for starters, it finally separated me from you. And even though I am still a ghost, I’m free. That is what I call progress.’
‘Does it have the power to bring you back to life?’ Rowanne asked. After all, she had seen firsthand the power it contained.
‘I don’t think so. But you could say that it saved my life, or a semblance of it. Not that I was aware of it at the time...’
‘Who did this to you?’ asked Rowanne tentatively, thinking that perhaps Lillian had come back to solve the mystery of her death, to get justice.
‘I’ve been wondering the same thing myself,’ said Lillian and smiled at Rowanne, who didn’t flinch in response to her reading her mind; in fact, she was becoming a natural at this. There was so much more to Rowanne, though, she was the only one who could not see it.
‘If, by some miracle, we can uncover the mystery of my demise, then perhaps I can move on but even then...’ Where do demons go, after they die... she speculated.
‘What are you afraid of?’ asked Rowanne gently, and placed her hand above Lillian’s in an unconscious gesture of kindness and solidarity.
‘I’m afraid I don’t have the answer to where demons go after they pass. Do we go back...? Are we redeemed...? Perhaps, we simply cease to be... I’m just tired and exhausted. It’s taken a lot out of me, all this,’ Lillian gestured around herself, trying to encompass everything.
Rowanne nodded her head, she too had a lot to wrap her mind around. I’m talking calmly to a ghost — who would ever have imagined that! ‘I’m sure if we tell Alexander, he’d be able to help us.’
‘We will consult Alexander, have no fear on that front. But the necklace is sacred and we bestow this arcane knowledge as a blessing upon the women of our family. It has only ever been passed down the line of women. No man has yet, to my knowledge, known of this crystal,’ said Lillian, and tried to gently touch the pendant but her hand passed straight through it.
Rowanne really looked at the pendant for the first time, examined it, and was curious to know what the writing inscribed into the silver rim actually said. ‘What does the tiny writing say?’ she asked, pointing to the silver casing.
‘You’ll have to discover that on your own, I’m afraid. All I can say is, find out where you came from and trace your ancestors, and decipher this language.’
Rowanne had a deeply unsettling feeling that Lillian knew exactly what was written, as well as where it came from. But for some reason, she didn’t want to share the knowledge with her at this stage. Well, I can find out for myself, and I don’t think it’s beyond me. ‘I’d better take care of this thing, then,’ she said half-heartedly. Realising that it was more than just a piece of jewellery, and it felt as if it weighed a ton; maybe it was just the knowledge that she had received that weighed heavily upon her mind.
Rowanne was snapped out of her thoughts by a crashing sound coming from the corridor.
‘Alexander’s grown powerful since last I saw him. Impressive. I don’t think we have long to talk,’ said Lillian.
Alexander felt the instant that he was caught in the gelatinous sphere, encased within it. Each time he moved forward so did the substance, it was like wading through dense water. His movements were slow and clumsy - it took an effort just to sync his mind and body.
Alexander wondered how much of the truth his old friend had disclosed to Rowanne, thereby putting her life in danger. Should Lillian disclose about Demon World, then it was almost certain death as punishment for Rowanne.
Hold on Rowanne. I’ll get to you, thought Alexander. Lillian was nothing like the girl he had once known. Lillian and Driskell were younger than him, Driskell being closest in age to her. What had happened in Demon World... he needed to have those answers badly.
There was pain in Alexander’s heart at the knowledge that Lillian had in fact passed away; he was never told, but it seemed as if his so-called friend Driskell had known. Why didn’t he ever tell me? he thought bitterly. And was this then the reason behind his friends complete transformation, for the anger that was often directed towards him. I didn’t know! thought Alexander pathetically, trying to justify himself. But there was no one to listen to him pleading.
Alexander silenced his mind and focused solely on the task at hand. His eyes began to pulse green and the fire built within him, which he released in a series of short sharp attacks to the sphere, weakening it successfully with each hit.
Lillian felt herself weakening, and began to fade in front of Rowanne’s horrified face.
‘Lillian. Lillian, come back! You wanted to tell me something.’
‘I can feel myself going, Rowanne. I don’t know how to stabilise myself. But just don’t forget to keep the secret of the pendant, no man or anyone else must know of it, especially Lady Enid!’
‘Why not? Can I not trust her? And who is she to you?’ asked Rowanne.
‘I can only say for now that you can trust her with your life... take my word for it,’ replied Lillian. Though the irony was not lost on her as she looked at the disbelief on Rowanne’s face. ‘It is best for now. And please, trust me on this, you m
ust not show her the pendant. It would cause her great sadness and possibly even break her. For now, please...’ pleaded Lillian, willing Rowanne to understand.
Rowanne decided to trust Lillian, for now. She had to think more on it, instead of acting recklessly; she had a responsibility and must act accordingly. ‘Alright. I won’t tell her. And as much as it pains me, you’ll have to tell me the secret you’ve been keeping from me.’
Rowanne’s face paled. She didn’t want to hear it, and her senses were screaming at her to avoid the subject, but she knew it was ultimately important to her wellbeing to find out the truth.
‘If you’re ready?’ asked Lillian, not wanting to waste any more time. She didn’t know how long she had left, and whether she’d come back next time with energy to restore her; after all, Rowanne had been her unwitting power supply, but she had not realised that she had been sapping her energy. Lillian felt extremely ashamed; ignorance was no excuse, she should have realised the toil it had taken on Rowanne.
‘Rowanne, I think we should discuss some other matters, when you have time. I have much to make amends for in your regard. I am feeling guilty about what I did to you, when I was in your mind.’ Lillian looked straight at Rowanne, ready to face whatever punishment she would think fit for her.
Rowanne suspected what Lillian was trying to say: after all, she’d been acting like she had a split personality these past two weeks, Alexander could testify to that. The poor man didn’t know where he stood with her - polite one moment and psycho the next.
Rowanne looked at Lillian thoughtfully, ‘It’s nice to finally find out that I am not in fact certifiable. I was wondering what was happening to me. I thought perhaps that I’d had a nervous breakdown. I feel more like myself now. And believe it or not, I am not really the type to be easily frightened, and I do not go around fainting and hurting myself easily. If I fall, I can rely on myself to get back up. I’m sure you understand my meaning,’ and she smiled gently at Lillian, trying to reassure her that she did not blame her and she understood on a deeper level that it was beyond the control of them both.
‘Thank you for your compassion, it means a lot to me. I always suspected there was more to you than I gave credit for; that was my misjudgement of you. I thought I’d gained a greater clarity on life in death, but I’ve just proven that I can be just as ignorant in death. In fact, I’m learning more of life now. And I have as long as I am here for,’ said Lillian sadly, but also thinking that it would be a blessing to be freed, finally.
‘What happens... after we pass?’ asked Rowanne nervously, wanting to know and yet at the same time dreading the answer before her.
‘I really wish I could answer that, but I don’t think you’d understand if I said that it would be different for someone like me... especially due to the unusual circumstances of my passing,’ replied Lillian guardedly.
Though Rowanne could not fully grasp what Lillian had said, she did suspect that the answer would be infinitely more complex than she could ever imagine. The next thing that Lillian said nearly stopped her heart.
‘Perhaps, you could tell me how it’s like... for your kind?’ Lillian looked steadily at Rowanne, waiting for her to react to the horrendous news.
Rowanne felt sick, as if someone had walked over her grave. She felt unsteady and her palms began to feel clammy, and it didn’t help that the room was getting warmer suddenly.
The door burst open. ‘That is enough, Lillian. I beg you, do not speak another word, for all that is good!’ said Alexander angrily, his fury barely in check.
Lillian floated closer to Rowanne and gently encased her hand, and looked at her, ‘We have to go, there’s no time to waste,’ she said.
Rowanne took the hint and hid the necklace discreetly.
Lillian whispered in Rowanne’s ear, ‘This is going to briefly disorient you, and you’ll have more questions than I care to answer. But no matter what, just hold on.’
‘What, what are you going to do? Please don’t hurt Alexander, again,’ pleaded Rowanne, and she looked at him questioningly.
‘Rowanne, you need to come over here, right now. Just walk towards me,’ his eyes spoke volumes.
But Rowanne could not afford to let herself waver.
‘Do not listen to anything she has to say,’ and he slowly took a step towards them.
‘Sorry, old friend. But it’s time she learnt the truth,’ said Lillian apologetically, though she knew that it was the right thing to do.
‘No!’ shouted Alexander, running towards Rowanne.
Lillian passed through Rowanne one last time before she could fade, and took possession of the crystal, setting her intention; it sparked a furious purple fire in response, the flames cocooning them.
Rowanne watched as Alexander tried to get through the unearthly barrier, but it was no use, this was full on poltergeist activity. She looked at him, and said, ‘I have to go. I’m sorry. I know all of this doesn’t make sense to you, but for my life and what little sanity I can hold onto, I need to know the truth.’ She worried for him, how would he take all this?
‘You really don’t,’ said Alexander, betraying himself as he burned on the pyre of truth. He saw the shock spread over Rowanne’s face be replaced by hurt and anger that he had kept something important from her.
‘I can’t believe I ever trusted you. You’re a liar!’ shouted Rowanne, the flames reflected in her eyes; her pain radiated outwards, changing the supernatural fire into a violent crimson. ‘Whatever it is, you should have told me. Especially when you could see it was destroying me, and changing and moulding me into someone I didn’t recognise.’
‘I’m sorry, Rowanne. I did it for our own good- Wait that’s not what I meant,’ said Alexander, as mistrust suddenly clouded her face.
‘So, you’re the reason, I’m like this?!’ said Rowanne furiously, throwing behind it all the anger and resentment that had been building up inside of her whenever she was in his presence. ‘Do you have any comprehension of how you’ve made me feel?’ Rowanne felt sick; she needed to get rid of all the negativity that had built up inside of her.
‘How you feel,’ said Alexander quietly, not trusting himself to speak. He looked at Lillian, who shook her head at him. His breathing became laboured, and he tried unsuccessfully to steady himself. After all, he too felt a deep seated bitterness at the unjustness of everything he had gone through with her, because of her. No wait, he thought. I don’t blame her, she is not to blame for my decision. My decision, he thought wearily.
‘Let’s go. I need to get out of here before I do something we’ll all regret,’ she said to Lillian. ‘Good bye, Alexander. I hope we never have the misfortune to meet again.’ Rowanne turned away from him, and went to Lillian, who was waiting patiently for her. The fire burned the brightest one last time before going out, and taking the two women with it.
CHAPTER 17
Alexander dropped to his knees and landed heavily, heedless of the pain that shot up his legs. His hands passed through the last remnants of the vortex as it snuffed out of existence. He sat there feeling a sharp pain; one that encased his heart and consumed him. It took a lot to bring him down, and he never thought that it would be a woman — especially, not a human woman. Head bent and eyes closed, he let the pain of all he felt, of his loss, wash over and through him. He cursed the warm liquid trailing down his face.
Alexander the proud, the fierce... broken, forsaken. He pounded his fists into the floor, and they became bloody, but he didn’t care.
He felt a presence behind him and froze.
‘Now that’s hardly going to help, is it?’ The voice came from behind him.
Alexander got up in one swift move to face the intruder.
‘Lady Enid!’ said Alexander, surprised.
‘Well, you did call to arrange this meeting, or have you forgotten? Anyway, let us get you cleaned up,’ she said gently.
‘It’s nothing. I’ll deal with it later,’ said Alexander stubbornly.
�
��Evidently. It seems you both have that in common,’ said Lady Enid. Alexander felt as if he’d just been insulted.
Taking Alexander’s hand, Lady Enid led him to the sofa where he reluctantly sat. She was about to tackle the blood, but he suddenly snatched his hands back and wrapped them in a handkerchief, tying one around each hand, uncaring of the blood soaking through.
Lady Enid knew that it took a lot to damage a demon. Alexander must not have cared as he pounded the marble floor not stopping, even as his fist went through and cracked it in half. What happened? she wondered fearfully, to make Alexander, who was one of the most level headed demons, that she knew, completely lose control like this.
‘At least permit me to do this much for you,’ said Lady Enid. Her eyes bled to emerald green as the power called forth from within her duly did her bidding; in a few moments, the floor once more became smooth as it repaired itself, with no sign of the destructive force that had rendered it asunder.
Alexander looked at her, his face devoid of emotion, although his eyes were eloquent in their reflection of his pain. It was more than the misunderstanding that Rowanne was under, he feared what her reaction would be once she learnt the truth.
He was yet to be truthful about the consequences of his decision to save a mortal. How was he to tell his family that he now only had a few short years to live compared to the eternity that the rest of them had chosen and would live. To a demon, a human lifespan was nothing, over in a mere blink of an eye, compared to an eternity.
No parent would want to outlive their child, and demons in that respect were no different than mortals. He had ripped their happiness apart, though not intentionally. Would they forgive him?
More to the point, how would they cope with the knowledge of his death? Sharp pain ripped through him afresh, and he fell forward, and would have smashed his head on the table had Lady Enid not caught him at the last moment with her incredible speed and strength.
She held him close and felt him submit, finally giving up the struggle; just grateful to be held, to not be alone.
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