‘No one else came in?’ Alec asked them as we approached.
’No, milord.’ The young policemen exchanged glances. ‘Not while—’
‘The scent’s a few hours old.’ Alec crouched next to the body and pulled back the sheet. The putrid stench I’d first encountered when imprisoned in Timur’s fortress assaulted me. I slammed my hand over my nose and gagged.
‘Poor Pere Hubert.’ He was laying face down, arms out to the sides. His hands had been pierced, and when Alec removed the sheet entirely, so had his feet. His shoes had been removed. Oddly, there was very little blood.
Alec swore.
A car pulled up outside, the church doors swung open and Sam and Morrel marched in.
‘I’d recognise that foul reek anywhere.’ Sam crouched next to Alec who was turning the dead priest’s head to examine the neck. ‘Shit, what a mess!’
I dry retched at the sight of Pere Hubert’s mangled throat and spun around to face the open doorway. So much for my bravado.
‘How long has he been dead, milord?’ Morrel asked.
‘Four, perhaps five hours, I’d say.’
‘That’s just before Kari and I went to the library.’ I shuddered, and turned back to see Alec covering the body again.
His gaze connected with mine. ‘It must have arrived in the village just before I extended the barrier, blocking me so I couldn’t sense it. Yet’ —his gaze slid to Sam and Marcus— ‘you two did.’
Sam stood, retrieved the mobile from his pocket and pressed a button. ‘We were closer to wherever it was hiding. It saw Marcus and Laura and probably saw an opportunity to draw them in.’ Sam turned to me. ‘You must’ve made eye contact without being aware of it.’
‘All I did was look around the area in the open square. Could I have seen it without actually seeing it ... if you know what I mean?
Sam nodded. ‘Possibly. It’s after you, Laura.’ He walked a few paces away. ‘Marcus, it was here. It’s killed Hubert.’
I shook my head as the horror of it all struck me. ‘While we were in the library, that thing was here murdering a harmless old priest.’
My face must have said it all, for Alec straightened and drew me into his embrace. ‘Marcus was right. I shouldn’t’ve let you go with only Kari for protection. What if it had found a way through the barrier?’ His body tensed.
‘Is that possible?’ Morrel asked.
‘It is. We found a way when trying to get into the rebel fortress.’ Alec related how they’d used the bodies of dead rebels to sneak into Timur’s fortress in Hungary.
‘Then none of the Brethren staff in the chateau are safe.’
A shiver racked through me and I leaned into Alec for comfort.
The staff regularly hunted outside the village, mostly in Orange and Avignon, and some as far as Lyon. Anyone of them could be targeted by the lamia to get through the ward.
‘Could we confine them to the estate grounds till the lamia’s caught?’ It may not have been feasible, but I thought I’d ask.
Sam shook his head. ‘That could take a while, and the blood supply won’t last. For something that drastic, we’ll need donsangs.’
‘I can arrange that.’ Morrel lifted the edge of the sheet and peered at Pere Hubert’s body again. ‘Why the display ... the hands, the feet?’ The disgust in his voice was clear.
‘It’s baiting Marcus, mocking his and the priest’s faith. They were friends. Used to have some lively theological discussions.’ Sam’s gentle eyes turned sad as he gazed down at the body.
Like a gust of wind, the church doors flew open, and Marcus marched in followed by Terens and Cal, their long black coats flapping behind them like ravens wings.
‘Sieur Marcus.’ Morrel inclined his head, then stepped aside as Marcus strode past him to squat beside his friend’s body.
He sucked in a breath as he pulled back the sheet. ‘I’m so sorry, Jules.’ He bowed his head, and his lips moved in, what could have been, silent prayer. Then he kissed two of his fingers and touched them to the dead priest’s brow. ‘I promise you will be avenged. Rest now, old friend, and be at peace. In Dei manus.’
He rose and faced us, nostrils flared, his mouth curved back grimly, eyes slit into pale luminescent orbs. Never had my grandfather looked more dangerous. ‘How I wish it was only after me. Now that we have the means, I’d enjoy the hunt and kill; fell that foul creature for good.’
That means was my blood, the only substance that could burn through a lamia’s thick hide. Just a smear of it on sword or dagger did the trick. And right now, none of the men’s weapons had even a dried drop of it.
I removed my dagger, took a deep breath and, trying not to flinch, sliced—not too deeply—across my palm. Ouch! That stung. Thanks to my genes I healed fast and the sting receded quickly.
Alec grabbed my wrist. ‘Laura, what are you doing?’
‘There’s a vicious monster out there, and my blood’s the only thing that can kill it. I can spare a bit. C’mon, give me your swords.’
Without hesitation, each of them carefully touched the tips of their blades to my bleeding palm.
‘Nothing like a weapon of mass destruction.’ Terens grinned and blew on the blade to dry it before sliding it back in its scabbard.
Even dry, my blood was deadly. I felt a modicum of pride.
Alec did the same with his sword. Then he dropped a kiss on my palm before wrapping a handkerchief tightly around it. ‘I’m sorry we can’t replicate the antigen. It would save you having to do this.’
‘Nothing to be sorry about. You tried,’ I said.
‘The curse was simply stronger, as I knew it would be,’ Marcus said. There was no hint of accusation in his voice. It was just as he saw it. ‘Forget about it. There’s a greater problem needs dealing with: protecting the innocents in our care.’
‘Why not leave here and head for Drunvela—all of us.’ Arms crossed over his chest, feet spread apart, twin swords peeking out over his shoulders, Terens looked ready for battle. He gazed pointedly at Alec. ‘Sorry, bro, looks like your time to copy Laura’s blood’s run out. Getting rid of that smelly shit’s priority now, and the only way to do that is to use Marcus and Laura as bait. Where they go, it’s gonna follow.’
Sam and Cal voiced their agreement.
‘That’s a hell of a risk.’ Alec’s expression darkened.
‘It’s pretty isolated, humans can’t see it, and Laura and Marcus would be protected by the ward,’ Sam added.
The eyes of the serpent ring on my finger flared, as an image of grey stone walls, mist, trees and jagged cliffs appeared in my mind. Instantly I knew where that was—the massacre site, and where I was supposed to give birth to our child in order to end the curse. ‘Is that the place? Looks gloomy.’
‘Yeah. Drunvela.’ Alec sighed. ‘I hate the idea, but Terens has a point. Other problem is, there’s no lab set up, no equipment, and the nearest maternity hospital is an hour’s drive away.’ He rubbed his face. ‘I’d hoped we’d have the time to set all that up. Damn!’
Marcus placed a hand on Alec’s shoulder. ‘My boy, Laura will be fine. Ingenii are very resilient, and I don’t for a second believe we’ve come this far for something to go wrong at the end. Deus! I swear we will destroy the last of the lamiae and my precious granddaughter will have a healthy child that will end this curse. Of that I have no doubt.’
The endearment and utter confidence Marcus exuded dispelled any anxiety I may have felt, and I even had to stifle a smile hearing him refer to Alec as “my boy”, considering they both looked to be the same age.
From the deep frown on his face, and the way his chest rose and fell, it was clear Alec was struggling to agree to the immediate move, and I was sure it had more to do with my safety than replicating the antigen.
It was up to me to convince him.
‘Alec, I’m not due for months yet. Look, I’m not even showing.’ I took a step back and indicated my flat belly. ‘You still have time to order everything on
line and set it up, just like you did here.’
‘It’s you as bait that worries me.’
‘What’s better, wait here for the lamia to strike and lose more innocent lives—and you can’t keep the staff cooped up in the chateau forever—or move to Scotland and deal with it there, where we don’t have to worry which of our friends or family it’ll kill next?’
Alec swallowed and gazed long and hard at me.
‘Got no choice but to leave. If we stick around here those we love are in peril. Old smelly’ll pick them off one by one until only we’re left. You want that?’ Terens’s penetrating gaze latched onto Alec. Never had I seen him look more serious.
I felt the blood drain from my face, yet my hands automatically strayed to the dagger in my belt as a mix of fear and anger warred within me. How dare that wretched lamia threaten my family and friends? Although I missed them that moment I thanked providence that Jenny, John and Eilene were back in Sydney, safe on the other side of the world, where the lamia couldn’t touch them.
My heart broke at the thought of having to leave the chateau. I’d grown to love it. It had become my home. But how could I stay, knowing the lamia would go on killing until it finally got to me and Marcus?
Alec gave a curt nod. ‘Okay, let’s do it.’
I had to look on the positive side. ‘We can come back home when this is all over. It’ll be here waiting for us.’
‘That it will.’ Alec rubbed his thumb across my chin, his smile strengthening my tiny bud of confidence.
Marcus carefully lifted Pere Hubert’s body. ‘I’ll take him back to the presbytery and prepare his body for burial.’
‘The undertakers can do the rest, Sieur Marcus, and if Milord Alec can sign the death certificate ... natural causes?’ —Alec nodded— ‘we can keep this contained.’ Morrel replaced his cap. With a sad smile, he allowed his gaze to linger on each of us in turn. ‘God’s speed.’ He turned on his heel and left.
‘He’s a good man,’ Marcus said. Then he too, with his precious cargo, disappeared out a side door near the altar.
Alec’s phone buzzed. He put it on loudspeaker. Jake’s voice echoed through the church. ‘Lamia’s got Kari. I’m going after it.’
My blood froze. ‘Where is she Jake? Is she alive?’ Please, please let her be alive.
‘Jake, you can’t go against it alone,’ Alec said.
‘It’s got Kari!’
‘How do you know?’
‘She’s on the other line. I can hear what’s going on.’
Moonlight slanted in through the stained-glass windows, casting an eerie glow on the men’s faces as they tuned into Alec and Jake’s conversation.
Alec swore and ran his hand through his hair. ‘Swing by here. A drop of Laura’s blood—’
‘No time.’ He rung off, desperation in his voice.
I remembered the psychic bond between sire and juvy. Lucinda had known that Jean-Philippe had died. Was Jake experiencing the same? Dread, heavy and immovable, settled in my stomach. I’d sent my dear friend into the path of the lamia. How could I have been so unthinking? Her sweet pixie face materialised in my mind. She’d been reluctant to go.
Please, let Kari be okay, I prayed. How would I ever forgive myself if the lamia hurt her?
Terens reached over his shoulder and silently unsheathed both his swords. With a glance and nod to Alec, he sped out the door. Cal followed.
Alec’s eyes darted between me and Sam. I knew he was caught between two decisions, and this was no time for a debate.
I swallowed the painful lump in my throat. ‘You can’t leave me behind, Alec. Don’t you see? It’s my fault she’s in danger.’ I thumped my chest. ‘My fault. She didn’t want to go. I pushed her.... I’ll never forgive myself if anything’s happened to her. Don’t ask me to stay behind. I’ll go crazy waiting.’ Tears stung my eyes.
Alec cupped my face. ‘I’d love to forbid you, but I know how much Kari means to you. Promise me you’ll stay by my side the whole time, Laura.’
‘Promise.’
I pulled my dagger from its hidden sheath in my belt, my mind clinging to what my gut told me was a false hope. The lamia was thousands of years old, its age making it swifter, stronger and more deadly than any other living creature.
And Kari was facing it alone.
I bit down hard on my lip.
‘Kari’s a tough nut.’ Sam tried to reassure me, but the anxiety in his eyes did nothing to alleviate the guilt that twisted my insides into knots.
I hopped onto Alec’s back, and he and Sam ran at blurring speed through the medieval part of the village, past the modern shopping centre and into a newer looking suburban area with wide tree-lined streets and double-storey brick houses fenced by tall hedges.
My dread grew as I envisioned the worst. Icy tendrils that had nothing to do with the chilly night snaked through my veins numbing my fingers, in spite of the woollen gloves.
Stay alive, Kari. Please, please stay alive.
Chapter 15 - Deadly Encounter
LAURA
We stopped at the top of one street where all the lights had been smashed. Glass fragments littered the pavement below. If not for my enhanced vision, it would have been pitch black.
I searched for signs of deliberate vandalism, but there was no graffiti, no markers to indicate the work of a local street gang. And the poles were at least four metres tall No gang would bother to climb that high. They’d have to be able to fly.
Cries, loud grunts and what sounded like metal striking on hard leather broke the quiet of the night. And then ... the screech of the lamia.
A battle was taking place. Was Kari in the middle of it?
My heart racing, I clung to Alec as we sped towards the sound.
Porch lights came on. People spilled from doorways, presumably looking for the source of the noise.
This was bad. Most of the inhabitants this end of the village were not descended from the First Families, and so had no knowledge of some of its darker residents.
‘What an eventful night this is turning into!’ Sam sheathed his sword as several heads turned in our direction.
Alec sighed, and he and Sam exchanged glances. ‘One side each?’
Sam nodded and sprinted toward a group of people milling near one house.
I groaned at the delay, but I knew what had to be done.
Alec lowered me to the ground, and we approached another bunch on our side of the road. All were in dressing gowns and wiping the sleep from their eyes, voices raised as to why such late-night commotion on a work night.
We had their attention. I didn’t have to look to know Alec’s eyes had narrowed into vertical opalescent slits. He made eye contact with each person. ‘Go back to bed. You’ve seen and heard nothing. It’s all a dream ... Goodnight everyone.’
They blinked, and without a word, re-entered their houses. Mesmerisation had its uses. At least we wouldn’t have to worry about the safety of the villagers—for now.
Save for Alec, myself and Sam, the street was empty again. Alec unsheathed his sword. Sam did the same, his normally gentle lavender eyes dissolving into deadly pale reptilian slits.
The grunts and screams were closer now. With me riding piggyback again, Alec leapt over a tall hedge ... and into battle.
A single whiff of that nauseating stench, and my worst fears were realised. Yellow snakelike eyes connected with mine. Were they smiling or grimacing? I wrenched my gaze away from the grotesque lamia to look at Kari. Pinned beneath one of the lamia’s talons, she yelled abuse at the monster while struggling to escape.
Jake’s feet dangled in the air as the creature held him aloft by the neck. A trickle of blood trailed down Jake’s throat and onto his chest.
I sent her to this!
‘Kari!’
She whipped her head to the side to face me. ‘Lolly! Scoot out of here!’
‘I’m so sorry.’ Dagger in hand, I stumbled forward.
Alec caught my arm and pushed me be
hind him. ‘Stay here!’
My heart stopped as he leapt to Jake’s aid. I followed his every move. As if in slow motion, he sprang onto the creature’s shoulders, wrenching back its head as it snapped at him. Sword at its throat, still he couldn’t get the blade to slice through. The lamia snarled and twisted from side to side in an attempt to dislodge him.
Jake swung like a rag doll in its claw. In the hydrangea bush at the foot of the steps leading up to her front porch, huddled a whimpering Adeline.
‘Oi! You ugly, smelly lump of slime!’ Terens taunted the creature, distracting it as Cal slid beneath Jake in an attempt to slice the lamia’s belly, it’s only vulnerable spot, but the monster was too quick.
It twisted to the side, narrowly missing Terens with one of its talons, then aimed its gaze at Cal. For a second his sword dipped, eyes glazing over as the lamia’s barred fangs struck out for his neck. I sucked in a breath. Just before its teeth connected with his skin, Cal ducked, grit his teeth, shook his head and took another stab at the creature.
To no avail.
What kind of skin could resist the men’s razor-sharp blades? As long as they couldn’t penetrate the creature’s hide, my blood on their swords was useless.
With a loud cry, Sam attacked, drawing the lamia’s attention from Terens, who dove for Jake’s sword.
The lamia swiped at Sam with all claws extended.
Have to do something! My blood thrummed in my ears, and with adrenaline pumping through my veins, I pricked my finger with my dagger and smeared the smooth blade with my blood. With a shaking hand, I took aim at the lamia’s eye.
My throat dried. But what if I missed and hit Alec or Jake instead?
Another hand closed over mine. I froze.
‘No, mea neptis. Your heart is braver than your aim.’ Marcus gazed at me, his eyes glinting with the excitement of battle.
Just then, Terens came crashing into the hedge near Marcus and me. ‘Shit!’ He recovered and glanced at me. ‘What the hell are you doing here, pet?’
‘Now’s not the time.’ Marcus unrolled a length of fine mesh from around his lower arm. He shook it free and held part of it out to Terens. It was a net. ‘Take this end. And don’t make eye contact with it again. You know better than that.’
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