“Yes, I am.” He entered the house and walked into the living room area. He scanned the floors, finally finding some old crumpled newspapers in the corner of the living room. He gathered them in a pile in the middle of the room. “Give me your lighter.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Just give me your lighter.”
Hallie pulled her lighter from her pocket and she tossed it to him. “You’re going to burn the house down?”
He bent down and he lit the corner of the newspaper on fire. “I’m just giving Ollie some incentive to free himself in time.” He stood back, watching the fire grow in size. Soon the fire had engulfing the entire room in a terrifying glow. The heat pushed them back to the front door until they left the house.
“Curses, Limbo, Pure Ones.” Remy whistled. “Sounds like a load of fun.” He watched the fire reach the second story of the home. Just hearing about what Selene and Lucius had planned to do made no sense. They couldn’t release the Pure Ones. In doing so they brought hell upon not only their kind but humans and vampires included.
“I need to find where they took my father,” Veronica replied.
“No, you need to go back to the Manor. This isn’t any place for a human.” He looked to Hallie. “Or a baby Deamhan for that matter.”
“I’m old enough to take care of myself,” Hallie retorted. “Besides, what about Nathan? We need to warn him.”
“I need to find Anastasia first,” Remy replied. “Then we can worry about warning Nathan.”
“Why?” Veronica asked. “Didn’t you hear Ollie? She’s with them.”
“No offense but you don’t know Anastasia like I do. She’s bonded with Lucius but even this notion of freeing the Pure Ones from Limbo goes way over her head. If anything he’s probably ordering her and she can’t say no, unless she wants to die.”
“Even if you manage to drag her away, what then?” Veronica asked.
The sound of police sirens in the distance grabbed Remy’s attention and interrupted their conversation. “We should go.” They hurried down the street, crossed the intersection and before taking a step any further, he placed his arm in front of Veronica, stopping her stride. “Hallie, would you be a good little Deamhan and take Veronica back home,” he said as he stared straight ahead.
Veronica removed his arm. “I’m coming with.” She didn’t move in her attempt to show her firm stance against him. “I have to find my father.”
He loved seeing this side of her, but now wasn’t the time. “No, you’re going back to the manor.” He stood face to face with her, feeling her warm breath stirring on his skin. “Your father’s well-being isn’t the main problem here.”
“It is for me.” She sneered at his remark.
“You’re going back.” He straightened his shirt. “I’m going to try and find Anasatsia and steal her from their party.” He pointed at Hallie. “Watch her and make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid.”
He took off in an uncanny blur down the street and around the corner, disappearing from their view.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
For days the researchers checked their Archives from head to toe, searching for anything they could find on the Dark Curse. Still recovering from the attack, they closed their at the request of their Head Master, Marcel Alvaro who also ordered researchers from all over the world to stay off the streets pending further notice.
Kenneth did the best he could but it wasn’t good enough. After Selene left with Mr. Austin, he contacted the president of the West Division, Kurt Luzier, who immediately took over all operations. He knew of Mr. Austin’s previous plans to have Kenneth relieved of his command but with JoAnne’s death, Mr. Luzier decided to hold off. Kenneth still wasn’t allowed to go back to Minneapolis; not yet anyway. However, he found himself promoted as temporary president of the Midwest Division and in charge of finding the pieces of the Dark Curse, a promotion that Kenneth decided to use to his advantage.
It took only a day for a researcher to find an old metal box, scarred by fire, which once contained the piece of the Dark Curse. The now empty box that once held and protected the piece from decay proved to be no use. By the end of the day they were no closer to finding what Selene wanted.
He sat in his office, staring at his phone. In a few hours it’d ring and he would have to explain to the presidents of the American Divisions and possibly the Head Master himself how he failed in the simplest task of searching their Archives. He was sure that Mr. Austin was a dead man, but when another researcher, a young woman in her early twenties, handed an old piece of paper to him, he realized that the search wasn’t over.
His phone rang and Kenneth, flabbergasted at the piece of paper, didn’t hear it at first. It was an inventory list dated years ago with the name ‘B. Tiernan’ written in cursive writing next to the inventory number 7828; ‘The Curse Tablet.’ Kenneth flipped the paper again and it was another inventory list dated a few years after. This time there was no mention of inventory number 7828.
“Sir, are you going to answer the phone?” the female researcher asked.
He nodded. “Have you told anyone about this?”
“No, I brought it here as soon as I found it.”
“Good. This isn’t something to go around bragging about. You need to remain tight—lipped about this,” he ordered. “Thank you.”
The female researcher nodded and left the office, closing the door behind her.
The phone continued to ring and finally Kenneth picked it up. “This is Kenneth speaking.”
“Have you found it?” The voice on the other end was deep and to the point. Kenneth stared at the inventory list. He wanted to tell them his findings but something stalled him. He wondered what The Brotherhood would do if he told them that Nathan’s father, Butch Tiernan, was the last name written on the inventory list. Would they go after Nathan? The thought pleased Kenneth for a moment but it still wasn’t enough for The Brotherhood to lose track of getting Mr. Austin back, safe and sound while he didn’t want Mr. Austin to come back at all. They wouldn’t allow someone as important as him to meet his demise at the hands of Deamhan. It was possible that the Head Master would reopen their partnership that they had cut off years ago with the Dorvo Coven of vampires.
“We have a slight problem,” Kenneth replied back. His response was followed by seconds of silence and deep breathing. It was his first time speaking to the Head Master. Mr. Alvaro’s position was what researchers strived for—to be the most important individual in the entire organization. Kenneth knew he had to be cautious. Mr. Alvaro wasn’t any ordinary researcher he could fool or lie to. Just like the Austin family, the Alvaro family had a history with The Brotherhood. With Mr. Austin not standing in his way of speaking to the higher authority in the organization, he saw this as his chance to move up in rank.
“Problem?” Mr. Alvaro’s voice hung in the wind.
Kenneth swallowed. “We located where the piece was kept but the metal container was empty.” He waited patiently, thinking that Mr. Alvaro would raise his voice, calling him and the others imbeciles or something along that line for not being able to locate a simple piece of stone. He also waited to be blamed for allowing Selene to walk in and take Mr. Austin without so much as a fight.
Instead Mr. Alvaro replied calmly, “We must prepare for the worst.”
“I understand, sir.”
“This attack on our headquarters will not go unpunished. You do understand the complications of what’s to come, Mr. Dearhorn?”
“Yes I do,” Kenneth replied. “Sir, I understand that I’m to remain here, but I can do more good back where I’m needed, with my Chapter in Minneapolis.”
“Mr. Austin requested that you remain in San Diego and I agree.”
“Yes, but what’s occurring in Minneapolis is directly related to what’s happening here,” he replied. “Plus Selene made it clear that I was the one to bring her the piece when I found it.”
A moment of silence from Mr. Alvaro fo
llowed Kenneth’s explanation. He gritted his teeth and he felt the corner of his lips curl into a half smile. He knew the Head Master rethought Mr. Austin’s orders. If he allowed Kenneth to leave, it would give him enough room to do what he felt needed to be done. He’d track down Nathan, find out where his father had hidden the piece, and take it. He wanted the release the Pure Ones, but not to save Deamhan. He wanted to release them to kill them, ending the Deamhan problem once and for all.
“We will handle Selene,” Mr. Alvaro replied.
“Sir, with all due respect, you didn’t see what she did to Mr. Austin. I did. I want to be there when we find her, kill her and rescue him—”
“Kill her?”
Kenneth paused. “Yes sir. That is what we have to do.”
“And how do you think we should kill her, Kenneth?”
He heard rustling papers in the background and the sound of an office chair squeaking in movement. “Sir, maybe it’s time that we set aside our differences with the Dorvo Coven.”
“That is not an option.”
“I just assume that this type of problem requires those who are just as strong as Deamhan. We need to regain our foothold in the city again and to strike fear in Ancients as old as Lucius. To do this, we need their help.”
“Your assumption is understandable,” Mr. Alvaro replied, “and your request to go back to your Chapter is respected but we no longer need the help from them. We’ve learned that lesson long ago.”
“Sir, at least send me back to Minneapolis. I promise you,” Kenneth’s voice dropped in a low whisper, “I’ll personally handle this Deamhan problem. All I need is the right tools and support from you and the organization. Things are a bit messy now and I’m sorry to say, sir, but Mr. Austin is partially to blame.”
“Mr. Austin?”
“Yes. He made a deal with Selene to free Lucius from Limbo in exchange to reopen the Chapter in the city of Minneapolis.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes, I’m a hundred percent sure, sir.” His lips pulled back into a mischievous smile as he fumbled a pen between his fingertips. “I believe he was in contact with Nathan Tiernan, ex member of The Brotherhood.”
“Nathan did call our office earlier, warning us about this attack.”
Perfect.
“I will discuss your return to the Minneapolis Chapter with the remaining presidents,” Mr. Alvaro replied. “I do agree we still need a strong presence in Minneapolis. That means you.”
Kenneth nodded. Step one complete. Now he had to make sure Mr. Austin would never come back to The Brotherhood. He would find the piece of the Dark Curse and he wouldn’t hand it over to Selene. In return she’d kill Mr. Austin and with his martyred death, The Brotherhood would retaliate.
“I can do that,” Kenneth replied. “All I need is the opportunity.” He licked his lips. “Selene is going to kill Mr. Austin regardless if we had the piece to give her.”
“You need to track it down immediately, Mr. Dearhorn.”
“I think I know where it might be.” He stared at the inventory list. “But I’d have to go to Minneapolis to find it.”
“Fine. When you arrive in Minneapolis, we’ll give you further instructions. Until then we will assign you as many mercenaries as you need to accomplish the task.”
“And what about the Dorvo Coven?”
A long pause on the other end interrupted their conversation. Finally Mr. Alvaro spoke up. “I’ll bring that up to the other presidents. But for now, stay in touch.”
“Thank you sir, thank you.” Kenneth smiled to himself. “I promise you. You will not be disappointed.”
Nathan felt the rough edges of the brown paper slip through his fingers. The book he held in his palm was old, dating before the time of his own father, but it was filled with valuable information thought long lost among the researchers of The Brotherhood.
The archaic writing revealed words strung together in a cursive nightmare. He saw a name, barely legible, written on the inside parchment cover. The book exuded a smell of saturated paper. He tolerated the annoying smell. He had no other choice but to read up on the Dark Curse if he wanted to help Kyra. What he read so far boggled his mind yet peaked his interest at the same time.
The book revealed the story behind the Pure Ones, the very first Deamhan to exist, and those they sired who avoided being placed into Limbo along with them. The Dark Curse was just one among the many writings explaining the origins of the Deamhan. But the tablet existing in two pieces proved difficult to find. If anyone managed to put them together, it would spell disaster for all Deamhan, new and old. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts and he turned to watch Ayden and Kyra walk through the door, cradling a stack of weathered books.
Ayden placed the books on the coffee table. “These should tell you a little more about the Curse.”
Nathan nodded. He hoped that this stack contained what he needed regarding his father as well. His mind still raged through scenarios, different times in his youth and his young adulthood, when his father studied and researched Deamhan religiously. Still he believed that being back in his manor was the best way to find out the secrets his father kept from him.
“I hope you’re well today,” Kyra slowly said.
He smiled. She looked more beautiful than ever, wearing a sleek, long black dress with a short jacket to match. Her hair was pinned up and settled in a bun on top of her head. She walked toward the couch and sat down slowly. “Have you heard anything?”
She nodded. “Yes.” She looked to Ayden who blinked rapidly. “Selene attacked The Brotherhood in San Diego.”
“The headquarters?”
Catching his wild thoughts, she replied immediately. “She kidnapped Samuel Austin. I believe he’s the president of the Midwest Division, is he not?”
Confounded, he stood up from his seat. He couldn’t believe what Kyra had told him. He warned The Brotherhood, like she suggested. He couldn’t understand why they didn’t listen. He also knew The Brotherhood better than any man.
“You must find the location of the other piece before Selene realizes that they don’t have it,” Kyra added.
“The Brotherhood will retaliate.” Nathan rubbed his bottom lip with his fingers in thought. “And when they do, it won’t be good for anyone.”
“That’s why I think that I was wrong to keep you here. You need to go back to Minneapolis. You need to find the other piece immediately.”
The only thought rummaging through Nathan’s mind at the moment was Veronica and if she knew about her father. “Yes, I must get back.”
“But you won’t be going alone,” Kyra said. “It’s too dangerous for you.”
Nathan stared at her. “Are you coming with me?”
“I wish that I could but being in my presence only puts you in more danger.” Her eyes moved to Ayden. “But I will make sure that you will not be alone.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Anastasia opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling of her room. She dragged herself out of bed and looked around her environment, realizing that she wasn’t home but at Selene’s sanctuary. She dressed herself quickly in a dark button up shirt and blue jeans. She peeked out from her room and down the darkened hallway. Her nose didn’t pick up any other scent in the sanctuary except for Chrysanthemums and old human blood. The air remained noiseless. She was the only one there.
She walked down the hallway and into the living room. The sanctuary didn’t look like any ordinary sanctuary. In fact, it symbolized an all American human home with leather couches, a large flat screen television, coffee tables, and pictures hanging on the wall. Perhaps Selene had adapted to modern living or she just didn’t bother to change the home she’d stolen from humans.
Anastasia opened the front door and in Deamhan speed she rushed out into the open air, heading to the only place she could free her mind—the human home she visited earlier before Remy arrived. She didn’t know why the location came to her suddenly. She just felt a
need to go there, to find solace; a place where she could think without being disturbed. During her travels with Lucius, she didn’t question the agenda but now she found herself wondering if she did the right thing for her kind. Normally her trust remained solid when it came to Lucius but now she found her belief in him shaky.
The hunger for blood grew inside her and no animal blood could cure it this time. She needed human blood, even if she didn’t desire it. She stopped near the home and stood across the street. A car drove by and its bright lights blinded her sight. She hid behind the tree until the car continued and turned the corner. She heard the neighborhood dogs barking uncontrollably at her and she picked up on the thoughts of a human lingering in the bushes nearby. The human didn’t make any attempt to hide her thoughts and instead the human probed at her behavior. The name ‘Samuel Austin’ popped into the human’s thoughts, which made Anastasia take special notice. She immediately knew whose thoughts she had read.
She stood still, her fangs at the ready. “Veronica?”
Veronica stepped out of the bushes and Anastasia turned her head in the direction of rustling branches. Upon seeing her, Anastasia quickly retracted her pointed weapons and her expression turned dark.
“Remy said you’d show up here eventually.”
She walked up to her. “Why are you following me?”
“Remy’s been all over the city looking for you.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” She quickly scanned Veronica’s thoughts but they now came up empty. Like all researchers, Veronica envisioned a brick wall to keep her out of her mind.
“We know everything. We know about the Dark Curse, what you, Lucius, and Selene are trying to do,” Veronica said. “And we know that Selene kidnapped my father. Where is he?”
Anastasia didn’t feel a need to respond. She turned around with her back to Veronica.
“Is he dead?”
“No.” Anastasia began to walk away from her.
“Where is he? Is he at the warehouse?”
Deamhan Chronicles, Books 1-5: Deamhan, Kei. Family Matters, Dark Curse, Maris. The Brotherhood Files, Ayden. Deamhan Minion Page 45