Crimson Angel

by Yume

  * * *

  It was a fast ride back to the castle of the Morganthes. Uncle Adam and Oma stayed behind to receive signals, which would be sent out through Len’s and Jim’s bats.

  We were in the forest, finalizing our plans. Suddenly, someone moved behind the trees and we all turned with fright. We thought one of the Morlettes was here and found us but instead of an enemy, Bess and Roy appeared.

  “Finally, you are back!” They went up to us.

  “Bess? Roy?” We were too astonished to see them.

  “Alice, you look different.” Bess said.

  “It’s a long story.” Len said. “Now, we are planning to meet Carmine.”

  “Are you crazy? Your brother will never let you go once you enter that house!” Roy said. “We have been hiding out here ever since that night. You won’t believe what they do. They slay every blood soul that comes in their way. All the servants that serve in the castle are now Morlettes or those who agreed to follow Carmine.”

  “Hunter Morlette made a deal with Carmine.” Bess continued. “We heard that he wanted to trade with him one third of his land for Sir. Tristen’s life. He wants to kill your father on his own. I don’t know why Hunter hates him so. There’s got to be some historical secrets behind this.”

  Certainly, what Bess had mentioned was what we had just learnt of from Uncle Adam and Oma the previous day.

  “Hunter hates the entire Grimmel family because he thought Antone had stolen Winona from him.” Uncle Adam had said. “He hates the whole Morganthe family as well, because he was rejected by your mother and was once defeated by Tristen. Jealousy and grudge have taken over him. The man is aggressive, fierce and callous. The Morlettes destroy the harmony and kill the innocents. Even in the other world, they show no mercy. They are the real shame of the race, best known for their unconventionality and brutality.”

  “But on one condition can Carmine trades with Hunter,” Roy said. “First, he must become the leader of the Morganthes, so you mustn’t give him the Great Cane of Ancestors.”

  “I do not intend to.” Len said.

  “You can’t meet him. It’s a lethal trap.” Bess said.

  “Alice is poisoned and Carmine has the only antidote.” Jim said. “We must meet him.”

  Bess and Roy said no more but agreed to help us.

  “Now, since Bess and Roy are here, things are much better.” Len said. “We thought we had to save you as well. It is good you weren’t captured by them. I need both of you to stay outside the castle. Once Alice is saved and Jaymes brings her out here, you two must help send her back to the human world as fast as possible. Send her back to her own house, understand?”

  “What about you?” Roy asked.

  “You have to come back and help me indeed.” Len said. “But Jaymes, you stay in the other world to guard Alice.”

  “But…”

  “No objection, Jaymes.” Len said. “Sir. Grimmel has allowed you to come with us provided that you must be safe. And I agree with that. You parents must be worrying you and I have the responsibility to look after you. I did my wrong in helping you run away from home.”

  Jim nodded.

  “We have no more time to spare. We must go now.”

  So, we went.