Rowanne barely managed to keep her balance, and glared back at him. In her confusion, she made her way towards the footsteps instead of the staircase, and just as she came close to being revealed, she ducked down at the last moment, and waited to see what the person would do next.
The footsteps stopped close by. ‘Give me a minute, sir.’
In the next instance the large hall was flooded with light. Rowanne found herself kneeling behind an ornate sofa, and quickly swivelled her head in Alexander’s direction, fearing he’d be caught out in the open.
The guard walked towards the front doors.
A voice shouted from behind him, ‘Well, what do you see?’
‘Nothing. There’s no one here. I told you it was a bloody waste of time. Who the hell would be suicidal enough to break in here of all places?’ asked the guard, and this was met with gleeful laughter from his colleague.
How can that be? thought Rowanne, craning her head, she noticed that the spot where Alexander had stood was now empty. Relief flooded her as well as dread. Where could he have got to? She hated to think of him out there in the blizzard.
Finally the guard made his way back to the light switch. Rowanne held her breath and fervently prayed for him to leave, so she could look for Alexander. She was plunged into darkness once more as the guard switched off the light, his footsteps retreating down the corridor.
Rowanne waited for a moment, and when she thought it was safe, got up. She was about to make her way back towards the front door, when a sound from above caught her attention.
‘Rowanne, up here,’ Alexander said quietly.
How had he gotten up there so quickly, and without the guards noticing? He would have had to go past me... and I didn’t even hear him! thought Rowanne. She quickly and quietly made her way up the staircase to the enigma that was Alexander.
‘You look confused, but it’s simple, really. I took a shortcut. These ancient buildings are riddled with passageways — you just have to know where to look,’ said Alexander, as she reached the landing.
‘What about the guards, surely they patrol those areas as well?’ whispered Rowanne.
‘This way,’ he said, and with Rowanne’s help he made his way along the corridor. ‘Only the royal family know of them. Quick escape passages, if they ever needed them, not that they ever would, or have to my knowledge, anyway,’ Alexander stated matter-of-factly.
Rowanne turned to him, ‘Then, how do you know? I wouldn’t have thought they’d share this information with anybody outside of their immediate family.’
‘Now that is a good question...’ he said, leaving it pointedly unanswered.
She didn’t know whether Alexander was usually this mysterious, but he was behaving strangely.
‘Hurry up, before we encounter another guard.’
Rowanne picked up the pace, and together they made their way towards the door at the very end of the passage. Fortunately, Alexander was relying less on her for support; maybe he was recovering.
He suddenly stopped before the door, and put his ear to it. His hair tie broke, and his long hair cascaded around his shoulders, half of it obscuring his face.
Alexander looked at her, and the one eye she could see was shining a brilliant green. It fixated on her and alternately to the door. His mouth curved into a macabre grin, before his hand suddenly shot out, grabbing hers.
‘What are you doing, Alexander? What’s wrong?’ she was getting a bad feeling about this.
‘What could be wrong, my dear? Everything is perfectly in order, just as it should be,’ he answered, in a manner that was quite unlike him.
Rowanne began to tug on her hand but it was useless, he had her hand in an iron vice.
‘Be reasonable, there is no point in struggling,’ said Alexander.
CHAPTER 30
‘I’m afraid I’m rather slow, I don’t quite understand what it is that you are implying,’ said Lillian.
Evelyn clucked her tongue, ‘Now now, Lillian. Don’t play the fool. I haven’t got time for your games. Let me make it plain,’ she suddenly smiled, and turned her head slightly as if she had heard something that pleased her a great deal.
Lillian didn’t like the self satisfied smirk on Evelyn’s face, how she would dearly love to wipe it off. Patience, she counselled herself, All good things come to those who wait... Demon alone knew how hot her vengeance burned, and in no way had it diminished after all these years. Now it had a target at long last, and she would satiate it.
Evelyn turned her head sharply towards Lillian, ‘You’re in for a treat, old friend. We will continue the rest of this enthralling saga after we invite a couple of our acquaintances in. After all, it’s rude to leave guests standing at the door, and I’m quite the accommodating host. Before the night is out we will have a veritable party,’ she said, and laughed maniacally in a high pitched tone; it hurt the ears just to be subjected to it. ‘Come in, my dear,’ called Evelyn. Lillian’s look of apprehension satisfied her.
Alexander dragged Rowanne in as she struggled to be free of him.
‘Let go of me, Alexander! What are you doing? What’s gotten into-’ Rowanne suddenly froze, as her eyes locked with Lillian, and then she finally noticed the others in the room.
Lady Enid was asleep (or so it appeared) on an ornate chair that looked uncomfortable and cold. But it was the woman before her, Ms Blaze, who captured her full attention.
Rowanne looked back at Lillian, who gave her a death stare. She got the point: keep their connection hidden. That was all fine and good, but she could not rely on Alexander not to speak. She could not believe that she had just thought this of him, but his behaviour only compounded this belief.
‘Ms Blaze, how wonderful to meet you again. I see that you are taking excellent care of Lady Enid,’ said Rowanne disdainfully.
‘Rowanne, I like your direct and rather insolent approach. Lillian, you could learn a thing or two from her. She reminds me a great deal of you. Rowanne, there are some things I’d like to discuss openly with all of you. And as for,’ she paused, to look behind her at Lady Enid fondly. This disgusted both Rowanne and Lillian, offending them to the core. ‘Well, we will let her sleep for a bit. No need to wake her before... I mean, for any undue unpleasantness that may arise. And you can wipe those self-righteous looks off your faces.’
Rowanne turned towards Alexander, hoping to wake him from his stupor. ‘Why am I here, Alexander?’ she asked, looking him in the eyes.
Alexander threw his long hair back over his shoulders, he found the length to be irksome. He looked up as something came flying towards his face and caught it in his grip. ‘Thank you, my lady,’ he said to Evelyn, completely ignoring Rowanne.
He used the leather tie to bind his unruly hair, then gave Lillian a long and penetrating look, smiling broadly at her.
‘You know, I think I’ll cut it short as soon as I have the time. I always preferred it short,’ he winked, startling Lillian.
Rowanne looked questioningly at Lillian, but she was equally puzzled; it was beyond her why he was talking to her in this peculiar way. After all, she didn’t give a damn what he looked like.
‘Alexander, refrain. It’s not quite time... Behave yourself,’ said Evelyn.
He made a slow bowing gesture with a sweep of his hands to either side.
‘What have you done to him?’ demanded Rowanne, as she angrily made her way towards Ms Blaze, but unfortunately she was intercepted by Alexander, who pulled her arms behind her back, effectively trapping them. She was temporarily stunned by his behaviour. She didn’t know if she was more hurt by him or the pain in her wrists, and doubted whether he’d care, either way. Not this new Alexander.
‘Don’t even think of laying a finger on my lady. You will regret it, I promise you...’ he said in a low threatening voice.
Evelyn beamed at Lillian, ‘Look how good he is to me. Come here, my dear. Don’t worry, that half breed isn’t going anywhere.’
Alexander roughly let go
of Rowanne, causing her to stumble and fall to her knees painfully. She inhaled sharply, suppressing the pain, and watched him as he left her there on the floor, and went to Ms Blaze, where he stood slightly behind her, placing his hand on her shoulder in an affectionate manner.
Rowanne could not believe what she was witnessing. Lillian had moved next to her, but didn’t extend a hand to her. Rowanne understood that the less Ms Blaze knew of their ability the safer they’d be, and it could come in useful later on. No point in showing their hand just yet.
‘Are you alright?’ whispered Lillian.
Rowanne shook her head as she got up slowly, and deliberately stood shoulder to shoulder with her. She felt her energy engage with Lillian’s and as it did so the woman beside her became more solid. Finally, at least something was going right.
Evelyn casually snapped her fingers, causing Lillian and Rowanne to step forward, as they felt a subtle push from the energy that had formed behind them. They spun around, and to their dismay were faced with a green wall of energy that barricaded the door; they were all trapped in the room.
‘Why are you doing this, Ms Blaze? We, none of us, have ever harmed you to my knowledge in any way,’ said Rowanne.
Alexander stepped forward menacingly, only to be stopped by Evelyn’s restraining hand on his arm.
Rowanne wondered why he was treating her like a stranger.
‘It’s alright, my dear,’ said Evelyn affectionately to Alexander. ‘She is an ignorant half breed. Let me enlighten her as to how things work around here,’ and turning to Rowanne, she said disgustedly, ‘You will address me as Lady Blaze, and never presume to use my first name, that is reserved solely for my close acquaintances, and then, only to those that are my equal. You are quite frankly in another category altogether.’
Rowanne found the whole scene appalling. She didn’t like the way Alexander was fawning all over the woman before her, but she knew that he was being controlled in some way. She just had to figure it out, soon. Preferably before he killed them all on this psycho’s orders.
Lillian turned to Rowanne, ‘Let me introduce Evelyn Blaze, my former best friend and lady in waiting. Not to mention, her other titles: murderer, usurper... Shall I continue?’ she asked, looking down on Evelyn, and was pleased to see how incensed she was upon hearing this.
‘You would do well to mind your tongue, Lillian. I may not be able to touch you, but I can certainly kill that,’ she said, gesturing to Rowanne.
Rowanne marched up to Evelyn. ‘Who the hell do you think you are?’ she asked angrily.
Evelyn simply clicked her fingers causing a powerful force to knock Rowanne off her feet, so that she crashed into the wall of energy behind her.
Rowanne threw her arms up in front of her as she smashed into the floor. Her elbows and legs took the brunt of the force, causing excruciating pain to shoot up and along her joints. She glared, and would have retorted if it had not been for Alexander. He stiffened, as pain flashed in his eyes, and for a second there was recognition there as he looked at her desperately.
Rowanne, called Alexander in her mind, his voice was full of pain. He was helpless.
Rowanne was heartened; somewhere in there, Alexander was trying hard to break out of whatever power had him in its grip. Even as she thought this, she watched the confusion disappear from him, as once again, the mask descended and he became Evelyn’s puppet.
Evelyn looked sharply at Alexander, who smoothly brought her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss upon it, while looking at Lillian with hooded eyes.
Lillian felt her heart flutter in her chest. What was wrong with her? Could it be that she was actually feeling jealous... This was not like her at all.
Rowanne watched Lillian as a look of pain flashed across her face. She seemed to be torn between Alexander and her. She could not understand this bizarre reaction from Lillian. Was she missing something here...
Lillian looked at Rowanne, capturing her gaze, and she shook her head. She didn’t have any answers yet; she was in the dark, as well.
Rowanne’s stomach had recoiled at the sight of Alexander kissing Evelyn’s hand. Why do I feel like this... It doesn’t matter to me one way or the other, who that idiot kisses. Or does it... She felt a white hot anger deep inside. She was getting a little teed off with being pushed around and ordered about by people on a power trip.
Rowanne pushed her hands down and began to get up, when she felt the power slap her back down. She looked up at Evelyn.
‘I don’t recall giving you permission to stand, half breed. Stay down, the floor suits you better,’ said Evelyn, laughing gleefully as her eyes sparkled in mirth.
‘I. DON’T. THINK. SO!’ said Rowanne furiously, enunciating each word coldly.
She pushed herself up, and fought off the power that tried to push her back down at each instance. It felt like the equivalent of a hundred hands trying to hold her down. God alone knew where she found the strength. She’d had enough. Sometimes you have to say, No more. I’m not willing to accept this any longer.
Rowanne finally stood in her own power. Even as Evelyn strode towards her, she didn’t falter.
‘What did you say, half breed?’ she asked angrily, shouting in Rowanne’s face.
‘I have a name. Rowanne Knight. You will kindly address me properly,’ replied Rowanne tauntingly, throwing the words back in Evelyn’s face.
Evelyn’s hand shot out, connecting with Rowanne’s face, whipping it to the side. She breathed heavily as if it had taken more out of her than Rowanne.
She turned her face back slowly to Evelyn, wiping the blood from her nose. She smiled impudently. ‘You definitely have this situation in hand...’ said Rowanne sarcastically. ‘Is that all you’ve got, Evelyn?’ She was glad to see the annoying smile wiped off her face. She would be damned if she addressed her as ‘my lady’ anything.
Evelyn raised her hand intending to strike again, but Lillian suddenly stepped in front of Rowanne protectively.
‘You need to back off, Evelyn. That is the last time that you lay a finger on her. Try it again, and I’ll show you what I am capable of,’ said Lillian, shaking with rage at the brutality that Rowanne was being subjected to.
Evelyn lowered her hands, apparently thinking better of it, before pushing her hands through Lillian, intending to push Rowanne back. Two things happened then...
Lillian realised that Evelyn’s hands had passed straight through her. She didn’t mind the mortification; what bothered her was that she was unable to help Rowanne.
Evelyn just laughed, looking condescendingly at her. ‘I didn’t think I had to fear a spirit, and my point is proven. So, stay quiet, shade,’ she said brusquely.
The second thing that happened was that Rowanne grabbed both of Evelyn’s hands in a death-like grip, taking her by surprise.
‘What, did you think I’d lay aside and let you strike me a second time? You don’t know me very well,’ said Rowanne, who proceeded to fling Evelyn’s hands out of Lillian, and in the process Evelyn lost her balance and would have fallen, had Alexander not caught her. Where did that come from? thought Rowanne, puzzled by the strength flowing through her body.
Evelyn glared at Rowanne, who could see the first sparks of fear in her eyes. Is she frightened of me...? But she’s a full demon, as she constantly reminds us.
Evelyn whispered into Alexander’s ears and handed him a metallic object. Striding towards Rowanne, he grabbed her roughly and shoved her into a chair, then proceeded to pull her arms behind her back, restraining them with a metal handcuff. He looked at her menacingly before resuming his place beside his lady.
Evelyn sat beside Lady Enid in the adjoining chair. ‘Now now, step back, Lillian. I haven’t harmed your mother, yet.’ Lillian took a reluctant step back. ‘You’re probably wondering why I’ve brought you all to my little soirée. I won’t keep you in suspense any longer.’
‘Do get on with it! For someone who’s dying to reveal all, you do have the propensity to waff
le,’ said Lillian.
Evelyn just smiled malevolently at her. Before this night was out, she’d wipe that smirk of her so-called friend’s face. ‘You think you’re so smart, don’t you, Lillian? You used this- human,’ she was going to say ‘half breed’ but one look at Rowanne’s face had her backtracking, and she continued, ‘to try and stop me. When has a human ever been able to stop me? Or have you so quickly forgotten poor Elisedd,’ she said, squeezing Alexander’s hand.
‘Since when have you taken a liking to Alexander?’ asked Lillian, casually leaning back against the barrier of energy.
‘Alexander? Oh, I could not give a damn about him. He’s only useful to me as long as he can be of use to me,’ replied Evelyn cryptically, as she looked lovingly up at him. He merely laughed upon hearing this.
Rowanne and Lillian exchanged long looks. Had Alexander lost his mind completely? Evelyn talked of his downfall, and his response had been to treat it as no more than a joke.
‘I see that you are both confused, but it will all soon become clear...’ Turning to Alexander, she asked, ‘Can you leave us, my dear, for a moment? I’ll call you in shortly. In the meantime, deal with our rat problem.’
‘Shall I poison them?’ asked Alexander, his voice devoid of emotion.
‘No. Just bring them to the Great Hall. We will be over shortly anyway,’ replied Evelyn, a knowing look on her face.
Lillian looked deathly pale - all of this was too familiar. Was history once again repeating itself? She would not allow Rowanne to become another victim; to become her.
Lillian looked at Rowanne determinedly and was pleased by the fierce look that she reciprocated. One thing was certain, Rowanne would not go quietly. Not without a fight. Maybe that’s what I should have done... then perhaps my Elisedd would still be here. She pushed back the white hot tears scalding her eyes. She would not cry, especially in front of this poor excuse for a demon.
Rowanne watched Alexander leave them, as he quietly closed the door behind him.
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