“I don’t understand how this concerns me.”
“I believe you were there the same night she was killed, in the company of Ms. Jaffler.”
“We were at the fair. Angelique and I were on a date. It’s no secret,” Corin admitted. How did the sheriff know? “Half the county was probably there.”
“Well, I find it more than just a coincidence that your name keeps popping up in connection with all of these young women’s murders,” Pierson’s tone was accusing.
“I’d be surprised if you had any real connections, Sheriff. I told you, I don’t know anything about those murders,” Corin spoke calmly. “But I don’t think it matters what I say. It’s obvious you’ve got your mind set on me being the killer. But you’re wrong.”
“So your friend back there keeps telling me.” Pierson looked at Tomes again in the mirror.
“If you’re so sure of my guilt, why haven’t you arrested me?” Corin asked outright. Although, he couldn’t be certain that Sheriff Pierson wouldn’t haul him in on some trumped up charge, leaving him to count the minutes until sunrise. If that happened, he’d be forced to either let the daylight disintegrate him, or disappear and leave Hixton for good.
“Something tells me there’s more going on around here than meets the eye,” Pierson said. “Unusual things. And I assure you, I’ll figure it all out.”
Corin glanced over his shoulder at Tomes whose eyes widened in return. Just what was the sheriff getting at? What did he know?
Enduring more questioning and insinuations as they rode, Corin released a sigh of relief when they reached the estate, eager to escape the interrogation.
“This is quite a place you’ve inherited.” Pierson pulled through the gate.
“Yes, I’m very fortunate.”
“Your uncle, I hear, was a recluse…rarely seen.”
“Yes,” Corin nodded. “He kept to himself—a rather eccentric man.”
“Much like you, it seems he only came out at night.” Sheriff Pierson’s words were unanticipated, leaving both Corin and Tomes perplexed.
The vehicle rolled to a stop in front of the mansion.
“I need to get inside,” Tomes groaned.
“Thank you again for the ride, Sheriff.” Corin got out and helped Tomes. “You always provide stimulating conversation.”
“Don’t you boys get any ideas about leaving town now,” Pierson said. “Understand?”
Corin shut the door. “We’ll be around,” he answered through the glass.
Sheriff Pierson drove on.
Tomes looked at Corin. “What do you think he knows?”
“I’m not sure. But I don’t see how he could know I’m a nightwalker.”
* * * *
The wind gusting through the tops of the trees gave a haunting moan. In an isolated clearing, the Order gathered in its formidable mission to seize and punish those who had betrayed them, and to return the relic to its rightful place in their guard. It was a remarkable sight. Some of the immortals moved in as phantoms, materializing from a vapory mist. Others shape-shifted from animal to human form, creating a unified circle. When they had all assembled, Jordon stepped forth from the multitude, into the center of the ring.
“I heard your call,” he addressed the entire order.
A nightwalker stepped forward and joined him in the circle. Appearing less than the age of thirty in mortal years, he stood tall, a distinguished yet imposing figure with jet-black hair and eyes to match. Jordon bowed his head in respect and the immortal returned his gesture.
“Galvar,” Jordon acknowledged.
“It has been too long, Jordon,” Galvar, the Commander of the Order, greeted. “Let us take a walk together.” He motioned for two nightwalkers to part, allowing them passage outside of the circle.
“What’s brought you here?” Jordon asked as they walked shoulder to shoulder away from the group. “I see there are only members with you. It must be serious.”
“The Body has been taken,” Galvar informed him.
“How is that possible?”
“Lehndra,” Galvar sighed.
“Lehndra? I thought she was disposed of two years back.” Jordon didn’t
understand. “Why is she still living?”
“She is of ancient Delghorlin blood, Jordon. You know there are many of our kind who have pledged to preserve that nearly extinct lineage. We must always consider the repercussions of our actions, no matter how deserving of death one might be.”
“It isn’t right,” Jordon disputed. “She’s a traitor.”
“I agree, but the Order, together, determined her fate by secret ballot, and the outcome has revealed that there are still several among us who remain loyal to the lineage,” Galvar spoke in a hushed voice. “I don’t mean to say she went without punishment. We took into account her many crimes and transgressions and sentenced her accordingly.”
“So what was her punishment, a slap on the wrist?” Jordon barked in irritation. “It apparently wasn’t banishment to a barren world. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be here, in this one now, stirring up more trouble.”
“It was imprisonment…in a sense. We stripped her of all privilege and free reign for a time of fifty years.”
“Punishment indeed.” Jordon mocked the miniscule penalty. “Forgive my disrespect, Galvar, but if it were up to me, I’d finish off that godawful Delghorlin line once and for all.”
“Use caution, Jordon,” Galvar responded to his rash remark, glancing back at the Order. “Repercussions can be disastrous. The lineage, I agree, is ruthless, but it is also the oldest of our race. The Delghorlin are our forefathers. You are diurnal, not nightwalker, but we are related—brothers—and we must all respect the ancestry of our world.”
“I will never claim pride in such a merciless lineage. They have all been nothing more than demons. Lehndra is a prime example of the savage nature of that bloodline, continually betraying her own kind, which is the worst of crimes to be committed.” Jordon spoke his mind regarding the female immortal, not caring if he was overheard. “I’m a sworn sentry, it’s my job to track down these reprehensible culprits and bring them to justice.”
“And none has done a better job,” Galvar praised.
“How do I rationalize continuing with what I do if the criminals are never brought to justice? It makes my life’s work meaningless.”
“Lehndra is a special circumstance, Jordon, you know this,” Galvar asserted. “You carry this beyond proportion.”
“Do I?”
“What’s done is done,” Galvar’s voice grew stern. “Let us get past this and move on to what matters presently.”
Jordon nodded, knowing that very few immortals could talk to Galvar the way he just had and live to see another night.
“About Lehndra. Unlike Karlot, who possesses the power of concealment, we were able to track her here.”
“Karlot is here as well, now calling himself Boldor,” Jordon informed him.
“How has she managed to find him?”
“I suspect the recent news reports alerted her. Since obtaining the Heart, this is the first time he’s stopped moving. He’s become obsessed with another nightwalker residing here named von Vadim.”
“Interesting,” Galvar remarked. “Well, I need not tell you what will become of us all should Lehndra succeed in acquiring the Heart from him.”
“With the Body already in her possession, it would be disastrous.”
“We must find the Heart of the Clyth before she does,” Galvar stressed. “For the sake of us all, this world, and all others, we cannot fail.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
No Ordinary Wolf
Inside the estate house, Corin and Tomes contemplated their next course of action.
“I don’t feel anything from Angel.” Tomes rested on the sofa. “That must be a good sign, don’t you think?”
Corin didn’t reply, pacing the room.
“She’s not dead. I would know if she were,” Tomes told
him.
Corin nodded. “What you have with Angelique is remarkable.”
“It can be a burden. She’s been fighting me since the day we were born, probably even kicked my butt once or twice in the womb,” he laughed.
“She is a true force—a magnificent force.”
“Hey. I don’t want to hear that from you. Nothing has changed when it comes to the issue of you two.”
“Yes, you’ve made your position very clear.”
Before an argument could ensue, the phone rang, averting their attention. Corin quickly answered, the caller being the female immortal.
“I think I have something of value to you,” she told him.
“Just what is it you’re after?” Corin spoke sharply.
“Boldor has something I want. I’m sure you know of it by now.”
“The charm?”
“Yes,” she confirmed. “The Heart of the Clyth. It belongs to me.”
“To you, or to the Order?”
“There must be something unique about you, Nightwalker, to gain Jordon’s confidence. But no matter, I know your only interest lies in getting this female mortal back. And she is so sweet, warm, and tempting….”
“You harm her and you’ll get nothing from me. Except my wrath,” Corin’s voice held a growl. “You’d best remember that.”
“Oh, believe me, von Vadim, I know where I stand with you,” she replied. “You get me what I want, and you’ll get what you want. Bring me the charm, and she’s yours, unharmed, you have my word.”
“And how good is your word?”
“My acts, though they may seem illicit, have been carried out only for the betterment of my home-world. Karlot is nothing more than a common thief out to do whatever benefits him most. I’m just glad I didn’t share my aspirations with him,” she rambled on. “Even when we were together, I never fully trusted him. But he’s not important. My vision is what drives me. My goal is to lead my world into a new age. Under my reign, and with the power of the Clyth, the Eleventh Dimension will become a more advanced and powerful world, surpassing all others.”
“And what if those of your world don’t wish to change and move into this new future you envision?” Corin wasn’t sure what to make of the immortal, but the more she talked, the more he learned.
“There will be no choice given. They will follow, or die.” Her response held no emotion. “In pursuit of greatness there are always casualties.”
“You certainly have the makings of a true oppressor, forcing your people to either submit to your reign, or perish.”
“We’ve gotten off track. You know the terms. I’ll bring the girl to the estate in three hours for the trade. I suggest you get moving in search of your prey. Karlot’s not an easy one to track, and the clock’s ticking. Tick, tick, tick,” she imitated the sound before hanging up.
Corin slammed the phone down.
“What are her demands?” Tomes was eager to know.
“She proposed a trade—the charm Boldor possesses for Angelique. I have three hours to find him.”
“It was next to impossible locating his hideout the first time.” Tomes fretted. “He could be anywhere.”
“I know, but I have no choice but to try. Angelique’s life depends on it.”
Tomes pushed himself up. “I’ll come with you.”
“I’m sorry, Tomes, but you’ll just slow me down. This time, I’m going alone.”
“You’re right, you’ll cover a lot more ground without me. Go. Do whatever you can to find him. I’ll hold down the fort here.”
“I hate leaving you alone, not knowing where he might be.”
“Don’t worry about me. We both agree Angelique comes first.”
Corin nodded. “Do you still have plenty of those blackthorn nails left? I don’t want to leave you completely defenseless.”
“I have plenty. And I’ll keep the staker close,” Tomes assured him.
“See that you do.”
“You better get moving.”
Not wasting another minute, Corin exited the house through the lanai, shape-shifted into the form of a night bird, and took to the sky.
* * * *
“They sound really close,” Angelique remarked on a pack of wolves howling from the nearby woods. “I’ve never heard so many at one time before.”
“They know I’m here.” Lehndra cocked her head, mimicking the way birds move their heads in quick, short turns. “The bloody things will give us away if I don’t get rid of them.”
“How do you plan on accomplishing that?”
“There’s only one way I can think of to shut them up. First, I need rope. Where can I find some?” she spoke with heightened anxiety.
“Out back, in the barn.”
“Let’s go.” Lehndra grabbed Angelique by the arm and yanked her up.
Angelique winced as the immortal’s long nails bit into her delicate flesh, but she didn’t cry out. When they reached the barn, she pointed out some rope hanging from a hook on a wall covered with tack.
Lehndra made haste in retrieving it. “This will do.” She bound Angelique’s hands and secured her to a stable rail.
Angelique attempted to squirm free, but it was a useless effort.
“You’re only making it harder on yourself, my dear,” Lehndra yanked the knot tight. “Now be a good little girl while I’m gone.”
She turned and marched out the open doorway, her fangs and talons emerged, prepared for the hunt. Heading for the woods with only one mission in mind, she was going to seek out and destroy those whining wolves. Approaching the tree line, she shape-shifted into the form of a lioness, but just as she solidified, a lanky, dark-colored wolf burst forth from the shadows. This was no ordinary wolf. Transforming into his human form with fangs and talons extended, Boldor was ready for a fight. Lehndra did the same, taking a defensive stance.
“Thought you could outsmart me, my lover? Out for a little taste of revenge?” Boldor looked her up and down. “I thought you’d be over me by now.”
Lehndra played along with his assumption. Stroking his very large ego was her best bet for survival. “I loved you, Karlot, and you left me to the mercy of the Order.”
“I go by Boldor now, and I haven’t time for this. Where is the girl?” He grabbed her by the throat.
“The b-barn,” she managed to say, knowing he wouldn’t hesitate killing her. “She’s in the barn.”
“You'd best not toy with me,” Boldor threatened. “Not if you value your life.”
“I’ll t-take you to her,” she gasped, her throat restricted by his firm, unflinching grasp.
He threw her out in front of him. “Lead on.”
“How clever of you to use the wolves to draw me out.” Lehndra rubbed away the lingering discomfort.
“Deceit is my specialty.”
“I’ve come to learn that, Karlot, and believe me, I won’t underestimate you again.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Same Deal, Same Place
Angelique gasped when Boldor slithered through the door. And catching a whiff of his vile scent, she wrinkled her nose in aversion.
“Back as my ransom again.” He wore a menacing grin, swaggering her way. His eyes wandered over the length of her body, leaving her feeling dirty all over. “Nice to have things back in order, not exactly as planned, but still workable.”
Angelique looked into Lehndra’s face, observing the hatred in her eyes. It obviously hadn’t been her plan to bring him into the picture, leaving Angelique to presume Boldor had caught the female immortal off-guard.
“I just don’t see it.” Boldor squeezed Angelique’s face, barely an inch between them. “Do you see it?” he asked Lehndra.
“I don’t understand. See what?”
“A face worth dying for.” He studied his subject. “Beauty yes, that I see, but worth your life?” He released his hold with a huff. “No matter, von Vadim sees it, and that’s what counts.”
Boldor found another length of rope
and bound Lehndra’s hands before untying Angelique from the stall rail. Shoving them in the direction of the open doorway, he ordered them to the house. When inside, he pushed them toward the sofa.
“Take a seat.” He kept close watch while he made a call. “Director, come to Jaffler Farm. I have another job for you.”
It was apparent that the recipient didn’t want to cooperate, making Boldor furious.
“There is no discussion to be had. I own you,” he threatened. “We have an arrangement, and there will be no wriggling out of it. Now, the night draws on, so I suggest you come this instant! We have a lot to achieve before dawn. Get a move on, Director, or die at our next meeting,” Boldor spat a final warning and ended the call, cursing the mortal.
“That sounded a little desperate,” Lehndra braved the remark.
“Things are growing riskier by the minute. If I don’t finish this tonight, I’ll have to walk away from the score,” he told her. “And I never walk away a loser.”
While waiting, he took the time to pen a note to von Vadim, reading it aloud when he was done, Lehndra and Angelique his audience.
“Why are you doing this?” Angelique asked.
“Why not?” Boldor responded coldly, folding the sheet and placing it in an envelope.
“What has Corin ever done to you?”
“Nothing. But he’s going to do a lot for me,” he grinned. “When he’s gone, I’ll take his identity. The security and wealth, it will all be mine.”
“You’ll never be the man he is,” Angelique insulted the immortal. “Not even close.”
“You might want to consider being a little nicer to me. Maybe I’d spare you…give you immortality.”
“I’d rather die!” she declared.
“That could be arranged,” Boldor growled.
“You should back off, my dear,” Lehndra suggested. “He is not the most patient.”
Angelique took her advice and said nothing more, watching Boldor slither about the room till Fulner arrived.
“Not much of an army, Karlot.” Lehndra laughed when her eyes fell on the pathetic-looking man.
Corin & Angelique (After the Fall of Night) Page 27