Vesta Mansion: Book One - The Power Inside

by P. A. Priddey

  ‘Can any of us do that?’ said Carrie.

  ‘I don’t see why not.’

  ‘The other two reasons,’ Alex added quickly.

  ‘Pixies are quite flirty, and we have certain nights in the woods where things happen . . . if you know what I mean,’ said Kaeya, and everyone just stared at her with open mouths. ‘Well, anyway I want to remain pure until I know who I want to spend my life with, so on those nights I go to Alex’s room.’

  ‘There are pixie orgies in the woods?’ said Claire, almost speechless.

  Kaeya shook her head. ‘No, it’s not like that, you only have the one partner on the night.’

  ‘And the other reason?’ said Daralis, trying not to laugh.

  ‘Some nights,’ said Kaeya, in a lower voice which was almost a whisper. ‘I have nightmares of what the warlock did to us, and I need to be by Alex.’

  ‘I didn’t know that,’ said Alex softly.

  Kaeya hugged his neck. ‘It’s OK, the longer I been here the better it’s been getting.’

  Carrie felt guilty. ‘If you give me your phone, I’ll delete the picture for you.’

  ‘No, I need to transfer it to my laptop first,’ said Alex smiling, and Carrie blushed.

  CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

  Soul Searching

  Seven of them stepped into Blaze’s office as James tried to describe where the building was, but no one knew the place. She summoned the image of the high street on the crystal ball, but James couldn’t see it.

  ‘Take a closer look,’ said Alex, ‘and see if you can see the shop it was next to.’

  James leant with both hands on the desk. ‘I have, and it was next to the butchers, but it’s now a shoe shop.’

  ‘Then we must look inside, if we can.’

  ‘Enter,’ Blaze told the ball and the image did, but it was no shoe shop. There were four men wearing black suits using computers.

  James raised an eyebrow. ‘Why is it an office when I looked in town, and a shoe shop in the ball?’

  ‘Because you were looking for an office in the ball,’ said Joseph. ‘If people walk past and see a shoe shop they might be tempted to go inside, so it looks uninteresting to anyone passing.’

  Alex rubbed his chin. ‘So, Daralis, you were right about the illusion spell.’

  ‘It would take less power,’ she said. ‘And I guess they need everything they have at the moment.’

  ‘What are they up to?’

  George took a closer look at the ball. ‘I believe they are going to set up a new company as the current one is about to collapse.’

  Alex leant backwards on the wall. ‘That makes sense, but why here?’

  ‘The mansion and all the people living here have been his biggest ever threat, and subsequent downfall. He’ll want to put that right.’

  ‘Are you saying they expect to move into our home?’

  George nodded. ‘Well, yes, to be perfectly honest.’

  ‘I should go and get rid of them just for the cheek of it,’ said Alex, a little injured.

  Carrie smiled. ‘I’m up for it.’

  Daralis shook her head. ‘No, it’ll be best if we just watch them.’

  Alex glanced at the ball. ‘This looks well organised.’

  ‘That would mean he can still communicate with the demons and give orders,’ said Daralis.

  ‘Yes,’ Joseph agreed. ‘Either he has a lot of faith in them, or something more powerful than those demons.’

  ‘Does it have to be a demon?’ said Alex.

  ‘It’s the most likely answer,’ said Joseph. ‘Do you believe it could be something else?’

  ‘Well, we have two wonderful white witches or healers here, pixies, pucas, as well as a powerful spirit who protects and fights with us. My power seems to grow each day as it does with everyone else here, and we have powerful wolves.’

  ‘I believe that was a compliment,’ said Luella. ‘But what’s your point?’

  ‘What about evil witches? Or other creatures the warlock might have kept hidden, could they still be around?’

  ‘There were many dark creatures, and bad witches,’ said Daralis. ‘But most were killed by soldiers like the druids were, or by the warlock who might have thought them a threat, and some just died away.’

  ‘There might be others though,’ said Joseph. ‘He must still have some control over them or they need him for some reason.’

  ‘It’s been a long time since I sensed anything else.’

  ‘No offence, Aunty Dar,’ said Alex, ‘but you were wrong about the pixies, and I believe there are others still here who are worse than demons.’

  Daralis smiled. ‘No offence taken, dear Nephew, and that’s a mistake I’d happily make again. You’re right we hid ourselves away, and many of them could still be abroad right now.’

  Luella turned away from the ball. ‘The warlock had two sisters, but I don’t know if they’re still alive.’

  James stared out the window. ‘If he had such creatures, why didn’t he use them when he attacked us?’

  ‘Over confidence maybe,’ said Joseph. ‘Or didn’t want to risk them if he needs their power to bring him back.’

  ‘Then we could be in for a bigger fight than we were expecting,’ said Alex.

  ‘Were there any good warlocks?’ Blaze asked.

  ‘I knew some wizards a long time ago, you could class them as that,’ said Luella sadly.

  ‘What happened to them?’

  ‘I don’t know . . . they just went away.’

  ‘You’re not one are you, Joseph?’ said James.

  ‘No, I might be old, but I’m no wizard. Mythology has been part of my family for a long time, my father taught me everything I know, and his father taught him. He was able to do certain spells, but was no wizard.’

  ‘I’m guessing he was from the Order,’ said Alex.

  ‘One of the founding members I told you about.’

  ‘Do we stick to the same plan or has it changed?’ said James.

  ‘We have to carry on as planned,’ said Alex. ‘We’re in the dark about where the warlock’s soul is hidden, so we need the house ones to show us where it is.’

  There was a knock at the door. ‘It’s open,’ said Blaze, and Shaula entered.

  Alex picked her up. ‘Hey.’

  ‘You gonna be long?’ she asked. ‘Only I don’t have long for lunch, and I missed you for breakfast.’

  ‘No, sweetheart, we’ll join you now.’

  ‘Am I invited?’ said Carrie, as she put her arm around Alex, and kissed Shaula’s cheek.

  ‘Course silly,’ said Shaula, and was suddenly in Carrie’s arms.

  Luella and Daralis both watched and saw the love between all three of them. They both knew they couldn’t say anything. Love would find its way is what they believed.

  * * *

  The group was ready soon as it was dark. They were hoping to be quick as there were reporters out front, and they could hear a helicopter above. They double teamed again, and Jodie held back with her crossbow. The demons had grown bigger which was enough to cause problems as their reach was longer, and Carrie was grateful for the sword. The surprise attack added to the fact the demons were preparing to launch their own assault on the house made the fight easier than they expected. The first fell as Alex and Carrie charged in. Alex dodged its claws and speared it through its side, while Carrie leapt and spun in mid-air relieving it of its head. The wolves took the second as Chi brought it down, and Rho ripped out the demons throat. James and Asima took the third, with Asima using her throwing knives as a diversion, which gave James the chance to slide under its claws shoving his short swords into its stomach, and like Carrie, Asima removed its head. The fourth turned around only to find Jodie unload her bolts into its throat. Rockman now twelve feet tall, grabbed two and smashed them into the ground. The last two tried to run but Rockman’s reach was too long and he crushed them.

  They returned to the study not long after, not laughing this time but pleased
they had done a professional job. The sofas were almost empty as most of the others were on the arcade machines. George and Joseph were watching the news.

  ‘Is anything interesting happening?’ said Alex.

  George looked up. ‘There are rumours the Chamberlain Company has transferred all its money to offshore accounts.’

  Alex sat. ‘To fund another business by any chance?’

  ‘That would be my assumption, and it makes sense if they’re starting up a new company in town.’

  ‘You were quick,’ said Blaze, coming out of the office with Daralis.

  ‘We didn’t want to get spotted,’ said Alex. ‘Is anything happening with the other demons?’

  ‘No, they look less edgy now, and there were a lot of phone calls being made.’

  ‘Shame we don't have those numbers.’

  ‘I tried to look, but couldn’t see them. Should I keep an eye on them in case they leave?’

  ‘I wouldn’t worry about it, I doubt if they’ll get far on foot.’ Alex was more worried about the amount of time Blaze was spending with the ball, worrying about the pregnant woman. He was determined to do all he could for her, but while she was carrying a demon he didn’t hold out much hope.

  ‘How come the warlock’s house isn’t hidden?’ said James.

  ‘I’ve no idea,’ said Alex, looking at the others and both Joseph and Daralis shook their heads.

  Asima got herself a drink and sat on a sofa. ‘Maybe it’s because of the reporters.’

  ‘What difference would that make?’ said James.

  ‘The reporters are there because they already knew about the house as did many others. It was his public home, but maybe not his real one.’

  ‘Yes,’ said Joseph. ‘It would look a bit strange if it just disappeared.’

  ‘So, that’s why the funerals were held in North Wales,’ said Alex. ‘That’s where his real home is.’

  Joseph nodded. ‘Everything points to that.’

  Alex rubbed his eyes. ‘I feel I’m missing something.’

  ‘You might not want to think about it,’ said Joseph.

  ‘House told me the same about a dream, so I’m going to see what games the children enjoy beating me at.’

  * * *

  Luella was already there, she didn’t like watching the fighting. She did like watching Thomas enjoying himself, as well as her new granddaughters, and all the people who seemed so happy. During the last two thousand years she had only the company of one person for most of the time from Daralis up until Thomas. She had other friends but didn’t see them often, now she was part of a large group and was grateful to Alex for it. When she looked around the room she knew the others felt the same. Luella watched Shaula and Thomas play air hockey while Sarin, Adhara, Tia and Flax were on the dance mats. Many had gathered round the motor bike game Michelle had fitted earlier in the day, as they were all trying to beat Asima’s high score.

  * * *

  Alex put the girls to bed a couple of hours later, and walked to the office to see if there had been any developments in the warlock’s house.

  ‘Demons,’ said Blaze, looking into the crystal ball. The image which came up was not of inside the house, but of trees and bushes, they were in the forest behind the warlock’s house. They didn’t look like men now, but demons in suits running.

  Joseph leant on the desk. ‘How far do you think they’ll get tonight?’

  ‘I’m not sure,’ said Alex. ‘They’ll have to make sure they don’t get caught without somewhere to hide when morning comes, as it’s such a large group.’

  ‘Oh no,’ Blaze cried.

  ‘What is it?’ said Alex.

  ‘I can’t see the woman, and there’s a smaller demon with them. I have to go back and look for her.’

  ‘Please don’t, that’s something you don’t need to see,’ said Alex, and put his arm around her.

  ‘You don’t think . . .?’ said Blaze, leaving it hanging.

  ‘I’m sorry, but yes, they wouldn’t leave loose ends.’

  ‘Is that all she was? Just a loose end?’

  ‘To them, yes, we’re all less than nothing.’

  ‘I can’t do this anymore,’ said Blaze sadly.

  ‘You don’t have to.’

  ‘But how will you be able to follow them?’

  Alex gave her a gentle look. ‘We’ll find a way.’

  ‘It’s all my fault,’ she said. ‘If I hadn’t told you to get rid of the other demons she would be still alive.’

  ‘No, the others were about to attack the warlock’s house, so either way it would have happened.’

  The image on the ball disappeared. ‘Do you mind if I have some time to myself.’

  ‘Of course, would you like me to get you a drink?’

  ‘No, thank you,’ said Blaze, as Alex, Daralis and Joseph left the office.

  They all thought Blaze was a strong woman, who didn’t want to cry in front of others, and they were right, but it wasn’t the reason she wanted to be alone. Alex told those in the hall, and a few wanted to go and see her.

  ‘No, not yet,’ said Summer, as she was Blazes oldest friend. ‘I’ll go in soon, just let her have some time to herself.’ Summer never had time to go into the office, as not long after Blaze came out with tears streaming down her face.

  Alex put his arms around her. ‘You looked?’

  ‘It was horrible,’ said Blaze. ‘They cut her stomach open to get it out, and by the look on her face she was still alive when they did it.’

  Alex let Summer and Claire take Blaze to her room, and Paige fetched a large brandy. He had a look of thunder. ‘I’m going to the warlock’s house . . . alone.’

  ‘Is that wise?’ said Luella.

  ‘The house is empty and there’ll be no need for fighting. I want to find out if they left any clues, but I don’t want anyone else to see what Blaze saw.’

  The others didn’t argue, as none of them wanted to see what happened to the poor woman.

  ‘They might have security cameras,’ said James. ‘You could be seen.’

  ‘House can go with you,’ said Michelle.

  I will come; I can shield you from them.

  ‘OK, let’s go,’ said Alex, and walked to the study.

  You know I can bring the vase to you wherever you are in the mansion.

  ‘I never thought about that.’

  Alex appeared at the warlock’s home, and saw the body of the dead woman. He averted his eyes away from her stomach, and flinched at the look on her face which was of sheer terror. ‘They didn’t cut it out did they?’

  No, it clawed its way out of her.

  Alex shuddered, and decided he wanted to leave as soon as possible. He looked around for any clues, but the computers were all destroyed. He hadn’t been looking long when the vase appeared.

  It’s time to go, said House.

  Alex didn’t argue and touched it before he vanished. ‘What was the rush?’ he said, back in the study.

  There is a bomb in the house, and it will go off in two minutes.

  Alex strode into the hall and turned the volume up on the television as James had muted it when Blaze came out of her office. He sat between Carrie and Claire.

  ‘That was quick,’ said Joseph.

  Alex nodded. ‘You might want to keep watching the television.’

  They all watched the news channel. The image on the screen was outside the gates when there was a huge explosion. Everyone on the screen ducked for cover.

  Joseph gasped. ‘Good grief.’

  James stared wide-eyed at the screen. ‘Bloody hell, did you do that?’

  Alex shook his head. ‘No, they left a going away present.’

  ‘And you were just in there.’

  ‘Yeah, and if it wasn’t for House I’d be on my way to the stars now, and if not for Michelle, House might not have come with me,’ said Alex, as Carrie gripped his arm.

  Michelle smiled. ‘Don’t mention it.’

  ‘I can’t b
elieve what’s just happened,’ the reporter said. ‘There has just been an explosion in the Chamberlain house, and you can see the flames now.’ The reporter tried getting closer to the gate, but the police were keeping everyone back. It was ten minutes before the first fire engine arrived followed by extra police. ‘I fear the worst,’ said the woman on the screen. ‘I’ve not seen anyone flee the building.’

  ‘And you never will,’ said Alex, and climbed the stairs to his bedroom. He looked at his phone, and the screen was black as he hadn’t used it since the morning, there was no flashing light telling him he had a picture message. It was just a game they were playing, probably for the best, he thought.

  * * *

  Blaze woke the following morning and dressed. She had been upset many times in the past but always coped with it — she knew this time would be no different.

  Morning, Blaze, said House.

  ‘Morning,’ she said, surprised.

  Is the image of the woman troubling you?

  Blaze looked out the window, it was getting light. ‘Yeah, it’s hard not to think about.’

  I can remove it for you, or even push it to the back of your mind.

  ‘You can do that?’

  Yes, but only if you wanted me to.

  Blaze thought about it. ‘No, but thank you anyway.’

  If it ever gets too much, I am here for you.

  ‘Thank you, House,’ she said, and brushed her hair before going into the hall where others were watching the news channel.

  ‘It has been a deeply sad night here, the police and fire services have been searching the damaged building since the fire was put out,’ said the reporter. ‘There as yet been no news of how many died in this tragic event, or how the explosion was caused.’

  Blaze wanted to shout at her, and tell her how many, but her train of thought was interrupted by Alex.

  ‘Michelle,’ he said. ‘Can you make a phone call that won’t be traced back to you?’

  ‘It won’t be a problem, who do you want me to call?’

  Alex leant on the back of a sofa. ‘One of those reporters, and tell them the explosion was set deliberately by those in the house on Chamberlain’s orders.’