“Everything seems fine. Her heart rate isn’t even elevated at this moment. No irregular rhythms, murmurs, nothing out of the ordinary. Celine, do you recall why you mentioned your heart?”
“My heart? No, I have no idea. I feel fine. I don’t even recall feeling anything strange regarding my heart during these episodes.”
“Physically, I find nothing wrong with you. But I’m afraid after this session, we have more questions than answers.”
“So, we learned nothing?” Celine asked.
“Not very much,” Gray admitted.
“No,” Millie added. “You told us a sense of danger overwhelmed you just like before. Then you became perturbed. You rambled, but in disjointed sentences. You mentioned a smell and that someone was watching you. Then you complained about your head and heart, several times. Finally, you said the words ‘blood,’ ‘darkness’ and ‘cold’ before you asked who else was there and told them to get away.”
“What?” Celine asked, screwing up her face. “What was I talking about?”
“I’d like to know the answer to that question, too,” Gray stated.
“That makes three of us. Regrettably, these sessions aren’t getting us anywhere at the moment,” Millie concurred.
Celine sighed. “No, it doesn’t seem to be providing us with any information. Something is disturbing me, though. Once we get Michael and Damien back to some semblance of safety, maybe we can explore some different avenues.”
“Yes, let’s do that,” Millie said.
Celine nodded her head. “Now, I’ve got to speak with Damien, prepare them for their trip before I collect Celeste.”
“You’re sure you’re all right, Celine?” Gray questioned.
“I’m sure. Gray, I’m fine,” Celine said, taking his hands in hers. “You need not worry, I’m just fine. I can’t fathom what’s causing these painful memories, but it’s a minor problem. I’m healthy, physically and mentally.” She gave him a peck on the lips and a smile before standing to collect Damien.
Celine spent the rest of the afternoon discussing details of the upcoming trip with Damien, arranging clothing, money and letters of introduction to allow them to be received by the Buckleys of 1791. As evening approached, Celine, along with Gray, set out to retrieve Celeste as she awoke from her daytime slumber. Celine spent much of the walk reassuring Gray that she was fine.
They fell silent as they approached the abandoned house. Celine and Gray climbed the stairs and entered the ramshackle house. Celeste was closing the secret room. “Celine! This is a surprise,” she said.
“I need your help, Celeste.”
“Anything. Is everything all right, Celine?” Celeste asked, approaching her.
“Michael is still agitated. He needs to be away from you. I know a place where he will be safe, but he won’t go, at least not voluntarily, until he’s heard from you that you are not in trouble.”
“From me?” Celeste questioned.
“Yes. I realize this is an odd request, but could you talk to him? Tell him you’re okay?”
“Of course,” Celeste agreed.
“Celeste…” Celine paused, searching for the right words.
Celeste rolled her eyes, sighing. “I won’t harm him if that’s what you’re about to address.”
Celine shrugged. “Sorry, I had to ask.”
“I understand, sister dear. I promise to behave myself. Now, shall we?” Celeste motioned toward the door. The trio hurried across the estate to the main house. They proceeded straight to Michael’s room. Damien, Alexander and Millie waited with Michael, still restrained for his own safety.
As they entered the room, Michael strained against the handcuffs. “Celeste!”
“Hello, Michael,” Celeste said, keeping her distance.
Michael reached for her, but she remained steadfast, not moving past the foot of his bed. Michael glared around the room. “Would you mind giving us a moment alone?”
“We would. Whatever Celeste plans to say, she can say in front of all of us or not say it at all,” Gray retorted.
“Oh, I get it, you want to make sure she says whatever you’re forcing her to say,” Michael contended.
Gray opened his mouth to respond, but Celine beat him to it. “Let’s give them a moment.”
“Are you sure that’s wise, Celine?” Alexander asked.
“He will not believe anything she says while we’re here. You have two minutes,” Celine said, eyeing Michael, “not one second longer. Make it quick, Celeste.”
Celeste nodded as everyone filed out of the room. They stood in silence outside Michael’s room waiting, apprehension thick in the air. The two minutes seemed like an eternity. At the stroke of the one-hundred and twenty second mark, Celine pushed through the door. “Finished?” she asked without pause.
“Not really,” Michael said.
“Yes,” Celeste answered. “We are.”
“Celeste…” Michael began.
“Michael, please. Do what I’ve asked, what Celine asks. When you return, we’ll see each other again.”
Michael sighed but nodded in acquiescence. “I’ll walk you out,” Alexander offered.
“Thank you,” Celeste answered. She approached Celine, giving her sister an embrace. She squeezed Celine’s hands. “I love you, Celine. Good luck to you both,” she conveyed to Michael and Damien before disappearing from the room with Alexander.
“Well, seems like that’s settled,” Gray said. “When do you plan to send them back, Celine?”
“No time like the present,” Celine answered. “Let’s get you two dressed and ready to go!” Damien, period clothing in hand, tossed a set at Michael and the two disappeared into the bathroom to change.
“I wonder what Celeste said to him?” Gray asked as they waited.
“No idea, but she must have been convincing since he agreed.”
“Are you positive this is a good idea?” Gray questioned again.
“It’s not worse than leaving him here. Even with Celeste’s assurances, the temptation may be too strong. Besides, we need to find that painting. Everyone in the house will sleep a lot more soundly if it’s back. Damien’s explanation may leave something to be desired, but it does make decent sense. Although…” She paused.
“Although what?” Gray prompted.
“It does seem rather backward to be sending them from a time without Marcus to a time with him.”
“It doesn’t sit well with me either. We’re finally rid of that bastard and here we are dealing with him again.”
“I agree, but I don’t see a way around it.”
“Me either. You’re right, this is the best plan,” Gray agreed.
Damien and Michael emerged from the bathroom. “Here we are! How do we look?” Damien asked, excitement brimming in his voice.
“You are way too excited for this,” Michael said, pulling at his collar.
“You look great,” Celine assured him. “Remember what I told you and stay safe. Avoid Marcus at all costs. Here are your letters of introduction, although if you run into me first, I’m sure I’ll recognize you.”
Damien pocketed the letters. “Thanks, and we will. We’ll be back soon, Celine. I promise.” He squeezed her hand, then embraced her.
“Be careful, D,” Celine warned again. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Damien answered.
“Okay, ready?” she asked.
“As we’ll ever be,” Michael answered.
“Here we go!” Celine said. She stretched her arms in front of her, closing her eyes and knitting her brows in concentration. Within seconds, a rogue wind gust blew through the room. The windstorm steadily increased, and a twinkling began on the wall in front of Celine. It grew from a pinpoint to a large oval, obscuring most of the wall behind it as the winds continued to whip through the room.
“Portal’s open,” Gray shouted above the din.
“And away we go,” Damien said as he and Michael stepped into the blackness.
Once they disappeared into the portal, Gray rested his arm on Celine’s shoulder. She collapsed from effort and the force of the closing portal. “They’re gone,” Gray informed her.
She sighed. “Now we wait.” She climbed to her feet with Gray’s help. “I’d like to lay down. Would you mind?”
“Not at all, I hope you get some rest. I will speak with Alexander, perhaps walk him back to his house. I doubt he’ll be staying since we no longer need to keep vigil over Michael.”
Celine nodded. “See you later,” she said, kissing his cheek.
Chapter 19
Returning to her room, Celine reached into her pocket, pulling out a slip of paper. She unfolded the note. Celeste had slipped it into her hands before departing after visiting Michael. It was obvious Celeste had wanted the missive to remain a secret, so Celine had discreetly pocketed it to read later.
Her brow furrowed as she read:
Celine – There is something I must speak with you about. I’d prefer to do so privately, but I understand if you disagree. Meet me at the old mill at ten. Yours, Celeste.
Celine regarded the note. Was there a problem with Celeste? Something was amiss or Celeste would not have summoned her to meet. She purposefully set the meeting at a different location than her hideaway. Who was she trying to avoid? Questions filled Celine’s mind. She checked the time; it was almost 9:30 p.m. She should leave now to meet with Celeste.
Celine shoved Celeste’s note into her pocket. She scrawled a note to Gray saying she had gone to see Celeste, deliberately leaving the location of the meeting out. Celeste had preferred to meet in private for reasons unknown to Celine. Celine intended to respect her wishes, assuming it was a delicate or familial matter she wanted to discuss.
Checking the time again, she hurried from her room to the foyer, donned her jacket and hastened out the door, heading toward the old mill.
When she reached the property, the mill was dark. She wondered if she had missed Celeste. Pushing through the wooden doors, she called out to her sister.
“Down here!” a distant voice called from the building’s basement. Celine followed the voice, detecting a sliver of light from the lower floor. Celine followed the light beam down the wooden stairs. The basement opened around her. She squinted into the dim light, searching for Celeste. “Celeste?” she called again.
“Here, Celine,” Celeste answered from a corner of the room. She stood inside a small chamber once used for storing mill products. Celine made her way toward the room. “What’s with all the secrecy, Celeste? And why here?”
Celine entered the storage chamber. “I’m sorry, Celine,” Celeste said.
“It’s fine, Celeste, but what…” Celine began before Celeste tossed a fireball her way. Unprepared, it knocked Celine onto her backside. Celeste fled from the room, slamming the door behind her. A key turned in the lock. “Ouch!” Celine shouted as she stood up, dusting herself off. “What the hell, Celeste?”
Moments after she stood, pain shot across her head. A wave of nausea passed over her and she doubled over as the sensation took hold. It passed within moments and she regained her posture. A figure loomed outside the door. “This is not funny, Celeste,” Celine said, approaching the door. “Let me out.” She jiggled the handle, then blasted it with a fireball. The door and its lock stood fast.
Grasping the bars of the door’s small window, she peered out. As she searched the darkness, the figure came closer. Realization dawned on Celine and, on instinct, she stumbled back a step, gasping.
“Hello, Celine. I cannot tell you how thrilling it is to see you again,” the figure said. Celine recognized the voice of Duke Marcus Northcott. A tear rolled from her eye and she fought to steady her chattering jaw and weak knees. “Once again, I’ve left you speechless, Celine.”
Celeste pushed in front of Duke Northcott. Tears streamed down her face. “I’m sorry, Celine,” she choked out. “I had no choice.”
“How touching,” Marcus said. “Although she is telling the truth, Celine. She had very little choice, given her new limitations. Oh, you were clumsy in saving her, weren’t you? If only you would have remained under my tutelage, you could have saved your sister without reducing her to the foul creature she has become.”
Anger replaced panic inside of Celine. She set her jaw, firing another fireball at the door. She unleashed two more before trying a continual assault against the lock. It was to no avail. She dropped her arm, breathless from the effort.
“Tsk, tsk,” Marcus chided. “That won’t work here, Celine. I’ve enchanted that lock. I doubt you’ll figure a way out of it. I learned some new tricks while I was away.”
“How have you come back?” Celine questioned.
“Oh, I made a compelling case to Bazios. I can be quite persuasive. Turns out, after a bit of clarification on some points you exaggerated to him, he saw things my way. So, here I am!”
“What do you want, Marcus?”
“What do you expect I want, Celine?”
“We’ve been down this road before, Marcus. It doesn’t end well for us.”
“This time, my dear, it will be different. We’re starting fresh, Celine. And this time, you will join me.”
“I wouldn’t hold your breath,” Celine argued.
“Don’t be stubborn, Celine. We were preordained to be together. Your heart and mind call out to me whenever I am near.”
Celine pondered the statement. “My heart…” she murmured. Realization set into her mind and her gaze lifted to his eyes. “You… you are the danger I sensed. The painful memories, the physical reactions… it was all because you were near. The memories weren’t centered on Celeste, they were centered on you!”
He smiled. “Yes, my darling Celine. Oh, how I enjoyed watching you in those moments. So delicate and beautiful, yet so fierce and passionate. Your encounter with the adjudicator was magnifique! How you defended that vulnerable, defenseless human you consider family. A waste of your talents, but still, such passion! How is dear Damien, by the way?”
“Do not even speak his name.”
“There’s no need to be so dramatic, my dear. I will not harm him. I suspect he isn’t here to be harmed anyway. You opened a time portal earlier this evening, didn’t you, my dear?” Celine did not answer. “Where are the intrepid time-travelers off to this time?”
Celine remained silent. “Nothing to say, my darling?” Celine turned her back to him, crossing her arms. She stalked to the small opening that offered a view of the night sky. She stared up at the cloudless sky. The full moon bathed the landscape in white light. “A Hunter’s Moon,” Marcus continued.
“How appropriate,” Celine commented. She stalked back toward the door. “Enjoy your moment, Marcus. It will not last. Gray will search for me, they all will.”
“You give that imbecile far too much credit, Celine. They won’t find you. I’ll make sure of that. In the meantime, you’ll have plenty of quiet time to reflect on your circumstances and my offer.”
“Your offer?” Celine laughed. “I want nothing you offer!”
“Oh, Celine, stop being stubborn and consider the possibilities!” He paused for a moment. “Now, I shall leave you, Celine, to contemplate your future. Will you live it trapped in this basement or will you join me? The choice is yours. I bid you adieu, mon chérie. Until we meet again!”
Celeste followed Duke Marcus Northcott up the stairs and out of the abandoned mill building. “Well, I hope you are happy,” Celeste spat out.
“Oh, I am delighted, Celeste! Our plan was perfect.”
“YOUR plan,” Celeste corrected. “I had no hand in this. You disgust me.”
“You had your hands as deep as mine in this, my dear. You lured her here. She wouldn’t be here without you.”
“You forced me, I had no choice!”
“Forced or otherwise, you did it.”
“Yes, I did,” Celeste agreed. “And if I’m not mistaken, you owe me something for that.”
“
Mmm, you are not mistaken. However, you have not yet completed your task. Only then do I owe you.”
“I lured my sister here, allowed you to lock her in that basement! I’ve done what you asked!”
“My dear Celeste, do not entertain the idea that you allowed me to do anything. You merely simplified my task. And I shall reward you for your part in this when Celine has agreed to join me. Until then you shall remain as you are.” Celeste grimaced, crossing her arms as she glowered at the ground. “Oh, Celeste, surely you understand that I cannot allow you to return to your former glory yet when there is still so much work ahead of us. No, you shall remain as you are until Celine has complied to my request.” Marcus began walking away. He turned back, raising his voice to say, “Consider it motivation to convince your sister to see things my way. Au revoir, Celeste!”
The footsteps faded away as Celeste and Marcus climbed the stairs. Silence fell over the structure. Celine wandered to the opening, glancing up at the moon again. How appropriate Marcus should capture her on the night of the Hunter’s Moon. She had been his prey for so many centuries. How could she assume they were rid of him, that one simple ceremony would rid them of his presence?
It all made sense now. The painful memories had all included Marcus in some way. Everyone, including her, had been blinded over their concern for Celeste. They assumed the memories were focused on Celeste. The musky odor, a mix of cologne and brandy, a scent Celine always associated with Marcus, the feeling of being watched, it all fit. He was the danger she sensed, that she mentioned to Millie in her hypnotic state. She hadn’t been referring to a physical problem with her heart during her last session. She had been trying to imply her heart recognized his presence. His blood had saved her life centuries ago. Since then they had been bonded. Their hearts beat as one, able to sense one another’s presence in some form. Marcus’ ability to sense Celine was stronger than Celine’s capacity to sense him. It explained her physical symptoms and her dream in which she saw him but couldn’t identify him.
She glanced around her new home. The room was small, dark, damp, cold. It reminded her of the caves that fateful night when she had turned into the creature she was. She tested a few areas on the door, the walls and the opening to the outside with her powers. Nothing budged. Marcus’ enchantment surrounded her, rendering her powers ineffective. She assumed this was why he was certain she wouldn’t be found. Presumably the magic keeping her inside would prohibit anyone searching for her from realizing she was here.
Stolen Portrait Stolen Soul: A Shadow Slayers Story (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 2) Page 17