John is still gawking at me and Jackie is defrosting, slinking away from us. I blur my way towards her and take her by the arm.
“What did you want with this family’s home?”
Uncle Darious steps forward to speak but I don’t let him.
“My mother’s grounds, my mother’s rules. This family has a right to know.”
“I’d sooner kill you than tell you. Who do you think you are?” Jackie doesn’t answer me, though her thoughts are crystal clear.
I look up when I hear the Vultures call from above and tilt my head to Jackie.
“Fine. I have saved you twice now from your own. Maybe the third time you can do it for yourself? You are no friend of our clan, Jackie. You have attacked a guest and threatened a family on our clan grounds. This we will not tolerate. You live because I allow it. Don’t you ever forget that, kitten.”
Jackie opens her mouth to speak but I clamp my hand over it.
“You had nothing to say when I asked you to speak. I have nothing to hear now.”
I turn to my Uncle. “Your…advisor is no longer welcome on my mother’s grounds. If she is caught near our homes, our clan or our grounds, I will personally make sure she is put on trial before her peers.” I point up meaningfully then thank the couple that spoke as witness, sending them off along with the others who stayed.
“Jackie didn’t mean any harm… Carmina, I am the Elder here...”
John and Roland both take a step back when I turn to face my Uncle.
“Yes, Uncle Darious, you are. But clearly you don’t know how to manage our clan or abide by our modern style of living. I am the first daughter of Margarith Nightshade. I am also the one put in charge in her absence. Your stay here is by my grace and my mother’s rules. Stay or go, but Jackie Azzara is not welcome here. I wanted peace, but she brought this conflict.” The biting authority in my words is intentional as I let as much vehemence seep into every word through a clenched jaw.
With that, I walk away towards my cottage, waving Roland and John after me. I blush when I realized I am stood in the snow, in my PJs and socks. Liam’s blur streaks around, gathers me up and takes my rattling bones to the fireplace in our den.
When John and Roland stroll in through the back door, I am warm enough to get dressed. I let them stew while I continue to make sense of this morning. One day. One day is all I ask for and that woman had to spoil it? I’ve had enough.
I stroll into the kitchen and pull a chair out. Putting my head in my palms, I speak at the table. “What is going on here? Roland? John?”
I expected a quick chirpy response from both of them; instead, the kitchen stays silent.
Lifting my head, I stare at them. “Well?”
“Well, it is as the Grants said. I was on my way back from a patrol route…”
I put my hand up to stop Roland. “Why are you patrolling?”
“Carmina… I am here because there’s been serious reports about the Gello’Des stirring in the Volcano Valleys.”
“But Lilly is gone. Why?”
“We don’t know. My family is on the outskirts of Joshlyn’s territory and Lucas, with his new bride’s family, is working on the perimeters of Edward’s. They’re coordinating with the clans. Something is off about all of this. Joshlyn’s clan reports a missing young girl. We can’t find a trace of her. That is not normal either. The Gello’Des are behaving strangely.”
Panic is starting to rule again.
“What about Uncle Darious’ clan? Who’s looking after them?”
“He is placed between your grounds and Edward’s on the outside, so naturally he is covered… but that is the off part Carmina. The Gello’Des does not seem to go near his estate – any scent we pick up from them ends at his borders and … dissipates.”
I rub over my face, hoping to wipe away the terror that is building.
“How are your wounds Roland, are you ok?”
“Just a scratch. Literally.” He says dryly. I turn to John who’s not said one word since I came in.
“John?”
“You should have let me kill her, Carmina.” There is still a distant look in his eyes.
“No, John. You once saved me from myself. You reminded me who I am. I would like to believe I have done that for you today. Not even in your life would you have done this, why do it in this lifetime?”
John looks up at me and I feel the dark clouds retract from his mood.
“You’re right. Thank you, Vixen.”
“When did she become so good at this stuff?” Roland chirps and I can hear the humor returning to him.
“When she woke up and decided to invoke a goddess in her PJs,” John immediately jumps in and I know that the world will be good again; that, for now, my family is safe.
Liam quietly adds his view. “And all before breakfast. So proud of you, my Rockflower.”
Intimidation
I make for my mother’s house, leaving the men in my kitchen. I still have a stack of work that needs doing and I suppose I have to check to see if my Uncle is going to stay. When I get to the kitchen, he is standing there, tapping his fingers on the table. I move past him and make a cup of tea.
“Carmina, you have overstepped your boundaries. You do not command Ancients, my girl.”
I make my tea and sit down.
“Did she tell you, Uncle Darious, that if I order her dead or kill her myself, it is my full right to do so?”
“You cannot mean that!” It is clear Jackie has not been truthful with my Uncle either.
“You should ask her about that.” I say, pulling my design paper closer to me.
“How do you get the right to kill an Ancient? You’re a filthy human.” I keep my head down and force my hand to relax around the pencil when I hear the thought from him.
“You must be careful, Carmina. You are only human.” He speaks out loud and I look up at him with a big smile and a sadistic craving on my tongue. I rub my wrist when I speak to him.
“Of course, Uncle Darious. Will you stay for lunch?” I invite him, throwing him off balance again.
“I ... think I will take my leave tomorrow. It is hard to communicate with my advisor if she’s miles off. “
“Such a shame. How is your clan doing Uncle? With all the reports of the Gello’Des, I am greatly worried.” I look at him now and the uncomfortable shuffle is not missed.
“We’re not too worried. I believe the travelers are scouting and reporting – we’ll hear of trouble before it appears.”
“I hope so. Aunty Joshlyn has her hands full at the moment, with the missing girl and all.” I watch my uncle, looking for any indication of knowledge. This time he seems truly taken aback.
“She… There’s a girl missing? Are you sure? How old is she?”
“Roland reports the girl is 17 years old. I think perhaps a bit old for the Gello’Des, but…”
“I am sure the girl is probably hiding out with a boyfriend or maybe even one of those caravans.”
“Hmmm.”
My Uncle vanishes for the rest of the morning and I continue working on the sketches, ignoring the call for lunch. I am hungry but Liam, John and Roland went to the frozen river to meet with the rest of the Ancients. They are meeting to coordinate their efforts to monitor and report about the brewing situation. It is the weekend after all, and while I have the creative capacity and peace, I should make use of it.
I listen to the clan moving across the snow-covered courtyard and stand in the door to show my face from time to time. A few wary eyes are cast in my direction and I wave friendlily. Perhaps this morning’s performance was a little dramatic. Had Dimitri rubbed off on me without my knowledge? I can’t help but think of Raina telling me about the stories she heard when they were looking for me. This should go down well! It is not like the Volcano doesn’t rumble at any other time either. It was pure coincidence that I chose that moment to recall the right entity to appeal to… And in my PJs. I can just hear Jarrod’s comments and none of the
m will spare me!
Talking of which, I need to let them know what is going on. It is a hard decision but Momma is the clan Elder and, while I don’t want to worry them, they have to know.
When the sun draws into dawn, I decide to leave for our den. I pace myself to the clumsy speed and take in the beauty of the snow and folding darkness keenly. I still have to concentrate on not falling when I walk naturally, but it is becoming easier to organize my body to follow my brain’s commands. I stop for at Momma’s evergreen and inhale the pine scent. Here lies my mother, but it is Momma that I come to find here. The thought reminds me about my odd ways and thinking.
I’ve not seen Uncle Darious since the morning and I know the Ancients are on their way back with Roland. I am not in the least surprised that they would allow Roland into a meeting like theirs. The gypsies are half-breeds and they keep to themselves, but when trouble is brewing you want them with you, not against you. Roland also has John to back him up and, of course, Roland has a tongue that can talk a road through a mountain.
I should check to see if there’s food in the fridge for the boys or I will never hear the end of it. I still feel emotionally drained. I question the wisdom of letting Jackie go yet again. I just can’t find it within myself to hurt that girl or let her be hurt – and it is not like I don’t want to. What good would it do? I am struggling to remain the human I’m constantly reminded that I am and killing… It’s not a choice I can make.
Approaching the cottage, I stop halfway to listen. A nervous energy takes hold of me and I look around searching the tree lines and shadows. I feel like I’m being watched but I cannot hear or see anything. When I open my mouth to pick up a scent, my brain cranks my movement into a gale-force towards the front door. It is standing wide open. I know it was closed when I left. Liam has not been home and the John-Roland duo uses the back door. When I get inside, I feel a sense of anger and despair. My beautiful home is trashed. Completely. Even the floorboards are ripped up. My eye catches the Moretti Emblem on the window and tears well up at the dark red color that has been painted over it. I reach it and my heart starts pounding when I manage to identify the smell on the windowpane. It is blood!
I open my mouth and turn my head to inhale the air around, categorizing and eliminating the known scents. The emerging taste is the same as the one I picked up from outside. I don’t recognize it at all but the smell of blood is coming from my bedroom. The door is closed. I listen intently but there is no indication of anyone being on the other side.
When I push the door open, I don’t scream – I want to, but I can’t. The ghoulish, horrific picture that greets me imprints firmly on my mind and I start shaking. I sink to my knees and hear myself whisper: “Wake up, wake up, wake up.”
There’s so much blood in my room, the floor, walls and even ceiling is covered. My bed is a pool of blood, like a scene taken from my nightmares. The smell is overwhelming and I feel myself gag.
***
Liam feels the change in Carmina’s mood and hurries towards the cottage with John and Roland in tow. The scene greeting them from the kitchen rushes the three of them to Carmina’s side where she’s sitting on the floor, rocking back and forth. John does not enter the bedroom and Roland turns away to look around the living room, meticulously taking inventory.
Liam’s eyes fall on the bed and his fists clench. The white bedding is soaked in pools of blood. On one side of the bed is a wolf laid out with flesh still hanging from his mouth; opposite is a young girl, her neck ripped open and her body covered in massive claw marks. Between them is a doll that looks like a baby, torn up and stuffed with parts of the wolf’s pelt. The image is vivid and relentless in the representation it portrays. This was a direct assault on Liam and his home but, more so, on Carmina.
Carmina is sitting by Liam’s feet, the blood on the floor seeping into her clothing. He kneels next to her and tries to gain her focus.
“Mina… Look at me. Please look at me.”
She turns to crawl out the door, the tears streaking down her face. Trying to see, Carmina wipes the tears from her eyes, smearing the blood into her skin. Pulling her hands away, she stares at them and cries out in agony.
“I did this… this is my fault…”
John kneels in front of Carmina along with his brother.
“No, Vixen. No, you did not do this.”
“I-I- did not hear them. They were alive!”
“You couldn’t have heard them, my Rockflower! Our space is insulated specifically to keep sound inside.”
Carmina looks up at Liam and her blood-smeared eyes grabs him by the throat. He swallows at nothing and picks her up to her feet.
“John…”
“Gotcha back bro.” John answers the wordless request to take care of things in the cottage.
“Liam...” Roland moves towards us, “Jackie was here too, or at least, she was part of this.” He dangles in front of Liam a small bit of Lynx fur soaked red.
Liam’s body stiffens and he nods Roland toward John.
“I’ll stay in touch. Our girl needs to get out of here.”
***
Liam keeps me wrapped up against his chest while the water runs into the tub at my mother’s home. I feel sick and my body is shaking. Slowly but surely, Roland’s words sink in.
“Jackie was here too.”
The words play over and over in my head.
Jackie.
Liam removes my shoes and I react instinctively.
“I’m fi—I have this.”
He gives me a searching look and when he leaves the bathroom, I hear him lean against the frame behind the closed door.
The links grab at me from all directions and I answer them one at a time.
“Mina, are you alright?” Lady E’s concerned voice is the first to speak up.
“Yes, thank you.” My answer is mechanical.
“I’ll let your mother know, don’t worry about a thing.”
I nod, forgetting they’re not here.
“John?”
“Vixen is right, Father, they were brought in alive. It is Joshlyn’s missing girl.”
“Jackie was there?” Fayola asks.
“Yes. Or at least… she was helping. Roland picked up one familiar Gello’Des scent, the other is new.”
“Carmina… girl. The Lynx is afraid of you.” Maria’s gentle voice makes me sit up.
“Why … do you say that Maria?”
I am confused. Someone afraid of me wouldn’t do this to us.
“She wants to break you; wear you down. You must be resilient, my friend. If I know that girl at all, the fight is just beginning.”
I feel the anger rise along with the images. I hear Liam growl behind the door and try to contain my emotions.
“Jackie Azzara will get what she has coming.”
I wash the blood from my hands and face, scrubbing my skin over and over. The tears run freely as I think of that poor girl, that beautiful animal. Trembling, I get out of the tub. I wrap myself in my mother’s robe and open the door.
“My life. My rules.”
I let the sadness, anger and intention run like acid through the link before I close it. Liam narrows his eyes at me, still searching to figure out my thoughts.
“Let us handle this. She’s House family.”
“No. She lives because of me. She ran because of me. She returned because of me. She killed because of me.” I repeat my stance to Liam through a tight jaw.
“My life,” I hit against my heart.
“My rules,” I hit again, holding back the tears.
Liam watches me, concerned. Taking my hand in his, we walk to my old room. I stop to turn and look down the hallway at my Uncle who arrives at his. I narrow my eyes and lift my head.
“Goodnight Uncle Darious,” I say in what I hope is a calm voice.
I don’t have to read his mind to know he is surprised to see me. I smile at the reaction and start contemplating on how to get a cat to catch his tongue.
Sleep does not come. I don’t know what is worse: the nightmares or being awake. A year ago, I was in this room with Liam. The last time I was here, I found out … Full circle. Here I am again, being protected while my every, living breath affects those I love. I turn to Liam.
“Change me.”
“What?” He sits up, confused.
“I want to… be like you. Change me.”
“No.” The answer is firm and final.
“Liam. It is because I am human – all of this. It is because I am human.” I hiss at him.
“No Carmina. It is because you are you.” Liam strokes his fingers through my hair. “It is because you are a myth. You defy every rule, every ideal. You, my Rockflower, are a paradox. Immortal or human, you will continue to be just that…. Because you are you.”
I close my eyes and try to find enough reasons for Liam’s denial to be dismissed. I find none. I am the weakest link in the dynamic of the clan. I am the torture they endure in order to live. If Maria is right, and Jackie is afraid of me, then I will give her reason to be afraid of me. Jackie Azzara went too far this time. Hurting me is one thing, but killing clan is a whole different ballgame.
The lack of food and the emotional torture takes its toll. I hear Liam move to cover me with the blankets, sitting with his back against the wall while his hand rest against my cheek.
I fall asleep with a plan forming in my mind.
Taking Charge
Waking up was less than pleasant today. I roll my head to the side to see the sad look on Liam’s face and, out of nowhere, anger fills me. Liam must have noticed; his eyes open and he stares at me intently. I offer a smile and get ready for the day.
Hidden Carmina Page 33