Olaf the younger looked up at the beautiful spirit who looked so much like his Mama. “Where will you be?”
Deirdre took the young one’s hand. He was shaking. “No fears little one, I will be with you always. Now that I have found you I will never be far.”
Olaf smiled up at the beautiful lady. “We will meet you at the tower.” He took Thor’s hand and they floated into the night.
Madison stubbed out her cigarette. Stood for a moment longer and then heard a cry. She leaned over the balcony but realized it wasn’t coming from below but from out in the hall. It had an odd quality to it. As she moved towards the door of her suite she could hear it more plainly. Opening up her door she spied a child, the dark one, sitting on the floor with what looked like a doll on her lap.
Looking both ways she smiled a wicked smile. One of the children, and she is all by herself.
Venturing out and closing her door she walked up to the child who seemed to be lost in her woe.
“What a bad, bad Livee. Ripping my doll. My first dollie,” she let out a wail and cried at the top of her lungs.
Madison didn’t like children and this would make it easier to sacrifice at least one of the brats of those vampires, it would also bring Katherine out of the woodwork.
“What’s the matter, dearie, with your doll?”
Fatima smiled before raising her head. Looking up at the pretty blonde lady who she knew was bad, she gave an inner shudder. She knew she was safe, though. Spirits were all around her. She also knew the rest of the family was close by.
Raising her doll up for the witch to inspect, she cried, “My first doll and it’s been ruined. Mama Sally said it’s my fault and I shouldn’t have let Livee play with it. I never had a doll before and now it’s broke.” She let out a wail and started crying in earnest. Sally had said when they had ripped the doll that she would buy her a toy store after, for her performance now. She didn’t know what a performance was but she didn’t care. She wanted to help her family.
“My doll is broke, my doll is broke and no one cares.”
Madison thought she would go mad if she heard that wailing much longer. She now knew why she had never wanted children when she was born this time. That’s why she had always had help with the squalling brats in the past.
“Let me see, maybe we can fix it, but let’s talk first.” She saw she had the girl’s attention. “What’s your name?”
Fatima looked up at her. “I’m not supposed to talk to people I don’t know.”
Madison turned on her famous smile. “Oh, but I know your parents, they are my friends. I have bought the castle.”
Fatima looked up and smiled. “Oh, OK.” She got up and stood in front of Madison. “My name is Fatima. Do you want to see my nephew and niece, they are sleeping right now. They are right down the hall in the next wing.”
Madison smiled as she took Fatima’s hand. This was going to be like taking candy from a baby. “I would love to see the babies, I just love babies.”
She walked with the dark little girl and smiled an evil smile, knowing she would have to act quickly, getting out of here before all hell rained down on this castle. She would somehow get the little girl to get Katherine to come all by herself. They turned the corner and walked down the passageway. She remembered this passageway from a long time ago.
“Here we are,” Fatima said. “Let me peek first.” She held up her little hand and opened the door. She peeked in, saw spirits floating round the cribs. Saw Livee sitting up. She smiled at the baby and Livee lay back down and scrunched her eyes shut. She saw Liam was playing with his toes, like any normal baby.
Fatima turned and took the witch’s hand. “Come, Liam is awake, Livee is asleep.”
Madison knew how dangerous this was but she was willing to risk it. She smiled down at the child.
Walking in, she noticed the nursery was very opulent. It had twin cribs, with canopies overhead that looked like something from a forest with fairies. Twinkling lights blinked off and on giving the room an otherworldly glow. For a brief moment Madison wished for a room like that. Then she shook her head. I’m not here to get sentimental. I’ve been waiting far too long to catch that bitch, Katherine, and do her in once and for all. If I have to kill a brat or two, what of it?
“Oh, what an adorable baby.” She reached for the baby boy who looked up at her with wide eyes then screamed a scream of pure terror. Madison didn’t expect this. She waved her hand over the child to cast a spell but what she didn’t know was a witch stood cloaked in the shadows. Emma threw her hand through the air and stilled Madison’s spell and then pinched Liam again. She felt bad but it must be done.
Fatima went to Liam and picked him up which soothed him right away. “I don’t know what’s wrong, he is usually very friendly.” She held and cuddled Liam who snuggled closer to Fatima but peeked at Madison.
“Let me call Grammy Katherine and tell her. Maybe she should come to see what’s the matter.”
As Fatima picked up the phone an explosive sound erupted from the baby’s diaper.
“Oh no,” Fatima turned innocent eyes to the witch. “Do you know how to change diapers?”
Madison shuddered. “No dear, I don’t. I think you should tell his mother, have her come. But don’t tell her I’m here. She will think I woke him.”
Fatima nodded like she understood. “Would you open that door? It goes to the tower room and that leads to the tower. It will bring fresh air in. I will call.”
Madison smiled. “Of course, dear. Go right ahead.”
She opened the door and felt a fresh draft of air rush down. She shuddered for a moment because it felt like more than just a breeze. She glanced about her but saw nothing.
Olaf, Thor and Deirdre floated into place. They watched over the children as the witch ascended the stairs of the tower. Deirdre smiled down at her grandsons. “It’s going as planned.”
Fatima picked up baby Liam. She whispered in his ear. “Don’t be frightened. You are safe.”
Madison came back down the stone stairs. Seeing Fatima holding the baby she frowned. “Isn’t his mother coming?”
Fatima shook her head. “Not for a few minutes. She told me to be a good girl and change the diaper myself, so I did.”
Madison smiled. Built in little servant they have. “Why don’t we go upstairs to the tower, the breeze is lovely and it will give the nursery a chance to air out.”
As if on cue Olivia sat up. She waved her little arms and smiled up at Madison.
“Oh, what a pretty baby you are.” Madison walked over to Olivia and reached out her arms to her. Olivia grabbed her arms and Madison had the baby girl in her arms. She had to admit, she was a beautiful child. But one thing she knew, this child would turn and become a vampire. So like her docile brother, they needed to be gotten rid of. Two less vampires in the world, and their mother, too. Then she would fly from here and be gone. They would never find her. Maybe she would take this poor child and raise her as a witch. She looked over at Fatima. She really was a beautiful little girl. Teach her the ways of the old ones. Bring her up. She would be a good one to train.
They came to the top of the tower room. Across the room lay the door and a short flight of stairs to the top of the tower. The moon shone in the room, casting a beautiful glow. A perfect night to kill some vampires. “Let’s go to the top, it’s a beautiful night and the air is clear. Is their mother coming for them?”
Fatima for a moment hung back. She felt fear for the first time since the whole plan had been made by her and the good lady witch with black, black hair. She didn’t fear for herself but for the babies. She didn’t want anything to happen to Livee and Liam. They were like her baby brother and sister. Looking up at the blonde witch, her mouth began to water. She saw the spirits in the background. She knew the good witch was somewhere there, waiting for the moment to whisper that special word that would unleash her and Livee. She felt hungry all of a sudden. She nodded yes to the witch.
Madison took Fatima’s hand. “Come child, let’s get some fresh air.”
Fatima followed two steps behind the witch. They reached the top and Fatima breathed in deeply. She didn’t know how it would end but she knew it wouldn’t be much longer. She heard a noise from below and knew the time had come.
“Fatima, Fatima, where are you girl?”
Madison smiled. This would be over before anyone even knew what happened. Vampire or not, Katherine was no match for her. She would hit her so fast. The spell she had would end the reincarnations of her thorn forever.
Madison put her back to the edge. She pulled Fatima with her. The baby Olivia squirmed in her arms. I know you can understand me brat, hold still or I will send you over the side. She saw the reaction she wanted. Olivia straightened up and stilled.
Olivia looked past the door and saw a shimmer of light. She knew it was time. She let out a scream.
Katherine came to the top and saw Madison holding Olivia, Fatima holding Liam and her little hand was held tight by the witch. The moon shone brightly behind them, bathing the whole world in a bright, silver glow. She hoped to God everyone was ready.
“Fatima why are you up here with her?”
Fatima tried to pull away but was held fast. Looking at her hand and then up to the witch she saw wickedness come from her eyes. “She said she was your friend.”
Katherine reached out to take Fatima’s hand but was knocked back by a jolt of electricity. Then she felt her body come off the ground.
“You don’t think I would be stupid enough to let you retain your powers while I hold the keys to your Kingdom, do you?” Madison crowed. She felt pleased with herself. “It’s time you met your match Katherine or is it Slaine? I’ve forgotten how many times you have been on this earth but I’ve been waiting for you, a very long time. It’s time you met your Maker for good.”
She waved her hand and Katherine spun in the air.
Colum stood on the ground below the tower, waiting, hoping that it would all go as planned. Cormac and Elsabet were perched on other parts of the castle. Thor stood next to him, growling. Odin held Sally as she stood in the trees, they were back up. If it had been according to Sally’s wish, she would have gone and done in the witch already. Colum promised she would have the witch, eventually. Colum saw a shimmer and knew it was Uncle Wolfie and the good witch Emma. They floated off to the side, Emma having changed herself. She was letting Madison think she had the upper hand. What Madison didn’t know was Katherine was cocooned in a spell to protect her from any bodily harm.
Madison continued to spin her hand. “You see, I’m going to do away with your two brats here and there won’t be a thing you can do. You will watch and then I will do away with you once and for all. I’m sick to death with having to hunt you down, but only to find you have died before I could get to you. You are so tiresome Katherine. I hated you in the beginning when you were Slaine, though I suspect that wasn’t your first incarnation.”
Katherine tried to see but the spinning was too fast. She caught glimpses of everyone. Saw her beloved vampire, Colum below. Felt the energy of the whole family. “You will never get away with this, you know that don’t you. Colum will hunt you down and he will make sure you suffer.”
Madison sent a bolt of electricity to Katherine from her fingertips. She saw the red headed vampire’s body jolt with the massive shock. “Shut up, you bitch. I’ve had to live in your shadow long enough. Too long in fact. Even when I was married to your pious father Brian. He always said what a good girl you were and a fine lady you would become, how beautiful. I wish he could have seen your death then, and again the time I poisoned you in 1777. Colum didn’t reach you then, either. It was brilliant. I only wish I had known then that you would keep coming back. I watched you writhe in pain as the poison moved through your body. Colum was too late, too late.” She said in a singsong voice.
Colum strained against the bands of constraint his parents held him with, howling and with despair. Let her spout, she can’t harm anyone. Look past your own anger and see the power that is radiating from Olivia and Fatima, the witch doesn’t even realize what she is unleashing. They will do her in within seconds.
Colum tried to focus and let the red haze clear a bit from his eyes. He could now see what his parents said was true. The girls were the weapon and the witch, all too full of herself, didn’t see the bomb about to go off.
Fatima looked up at Livee. She reached for her hand. She saw the shimmer of Wolfie, the boys, their Grandmother and the good witch who was floating around just like Tinkerbelle from the movie she watched over and over.
I’m hungry Emma, Fatima sent her thoughts to the good witch.
Emma smiled and put her fingers to her lips. Just a moment child, it won’t be long now.
Madison’s voice rose as she kept up her soliloquy. “Are you afraid, Katherine? Has the cat got your tongue? I haven’t heard a peep out of you.”
Katherine had shut her eyes, she was containing herself. She knew the instant the word was uttered, a frenzy would start and she would fall. She hoped Emma was quick enough to catch her. Not that she was afraid of falling. She was like a cat, she would land on her feet regardless. She just didn’t want to land on the babies.
“Well, I know, you wish you could bite me.”
Olivia and Fatima heads snapped up at the word spoken. They growled in unison. The word had been said, hands held together they flew at their prey.
Colum thought a shot had been fired as the word was spoken. He felt Sally come flying to his side, Odin still holding her. A scream rent the air. As they looked up they saw blood fly in all directions. The witch’s arms could be seen for a minute, flailing, fighting as she screamed.
Katherine landed on her feet. She had caught Liam as Fatima threw him to her. Liam clutched at his mother’s blouse. Fatima lunged at the witch who stared in disbelief as the baby in her arms attacked her.
Fatima pushed Olivia to the side and heard a growl as she sunk her own growing fangs into the chest of the witch. Olivia had a hold of her neck. She had started slowly, first sinking her fangs into the slender neck of the woman. The witch fought for her life as the baby tore at her. Fatima glancing up saw the witch gain strength, for just a moment, sparks shooting from her fingers. She almost had Olivia off and was about to throw her, but Fatima grabbed ahold of Olivia’s PJs and held her tightly. Both continued to tear, rip and drink. As the witch lost hold of her life, she moved less till she sank to the stone floor. A frenzy of wind whipped about them and then out of the corner of Fatima’s eyes she saw Mama Sally land as she joined in the fray.
Travis had a huge bonfire burning that competed with the full moon. It lit the sky and sparks shot up to the heavens. All of a sudden a limp form came flying off the tower and landed next to the fire. He picked up the corps of Madison, who had once been his sister. He glanced down at her still pale face for a mere second, then tossed her onto the growing flame. The fire exploded with her corpse.
Emma raised her hands to the sky. Wicked once, wicked always, gone now to the winds forever, never to curse this earth with her presence again. Emma chanted to the fire as they all formed around the great bonfire. Take her, break her, nary allow her to remain or return as long as the blood of Colum’s family is here on this earth.
They all murmured as Emma finished her chanting.
Katherine held Liam, Thor held Olivia, who radiated light. Katherine held Emma’s other hand. Sally hugged Fatima close, they were held by Odin. Colum had his arms wrapped around his wife and young spirits. The other spirits stood close, forming a closure of the family unit with Travis, Cormac and Elsabet.
Epilogue
Strains of Bach floated on the still air. The sun was just above the horizon, hanging like a lamp with great anticipation of what was to take place. Roughly hewn benches served as seating, angled so everyone would get the best view of the alter. The guest were all dressed to the nines, but of other centuries. It had been asked that no one come in
modern garb. A list of places where one might find an outfit to fit this wedding had been listed on the invitation.
~ You are Invited ~
Sally Anne MacNamara,
daughter of the late John F. MacNamara and
Katherine Elizabeth MacNamara-O’Heachthanna
will wed on this day, August 21 at 6pm to
Odin MacMuchada.
She will be walked down the aisle by
HRH Colum O’ Heachthanna.
Please find a list on the second page of establishments
where you can rent a costume for this wedding.
~ RSVP ~
Guests seemed to float around with champagne in hand. Children ran in the field that had been mowed for the occasion. In the middle was a large dance floor, and dancing would go on till sunrise. There were numerous tents lined up, providing protection and comfort for the different bands who would play.
Katherine looked out the large castle window of her daughter’s suite. Turning she saw one of the maids helping Sally with her corset. After the wedding ceremony and the first few dances Sally said she was shedding the gown for her corset and ivory mini skirt. Katherine walked over and touched her daughter’s beautiful face.
Sally glanced up feeling the tears starting to pool in her eyes. “Oh God, I can’t cry now.”
Katherine wiped the lone tear and bent and kissed her daughter’s cheek. “It’s OK, honey, you don’t need makeup, your complexion has become flawless since you turned.” She tucked her finger under her daughter’s chin and saw her eyes had settled into a beautiful violet. “Beautiful,” she murmured.
Odin stood in the old kitchen inspecting the cake. A miniature stood on the table next to it.
Colum, Travis and Cormac stood eyeing the confection. “I don’t think I’ve seen a wedding cake quite as tall and beautiful as this,” remarked Cormac.
Travis and Colum laughed. “Odin designed it. He has been sampling batters that Maggie here has been concocting. You would have thought they were the witches of Macbeth. I would find them at odd times of the day or night working.” Travis said with a chuckle.
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