Dark Days (The Childe Series, #2)

by Kunz, C. A.

  Sitting in Dr. Bane’s car, waiting for him to come out, Cat let herself slump into the seat. My whole life’s been a lie. She watched as Dr. Bane came through the mansion’s front door and made his way to the driver’s side of the car. His handsome face was strained. Aldon stood in the doorway a forced smile on his lips. “Sorry about the Harold bit,” Cat blurted out. “I’m usually not so disrespectful. I hope you can forgive that.”

  “Of course, Cat. I only hope you can find it in your heart to forgive us. Aldon wanted you to have this back, and I think-”

  “Take me home, please. I don’t have time to discuss this right now. I need normal.” She heard Dr. Bane sigh as he started the car. They rode the rest of the way in silence with Cat holding tightly onto the journal she thought she had lost in her lap.

  Arriving home, Cat entered the empty house feeling sadness instead of anger. She wanted her life back. The way it was before she started high school. How could they have kept this from me? How am I going to face them? All of them? Not to mention the fact werewolves and vampires don’t get along. At least not in any of the books or movies I’ve ever seen. Everything began to dawn on her. The tension between Isaac’s and Taylor’s group, the way Ryan had acted when Cat first brought him home…Little memories came back of things that hadn’t quite made sense before, but now made perfect sense.

  Where do I go from here? Act like everything’s alright? I know they were just trying to protect me, that they love me, but how? Werewolves can’t possibly love a half-vampire. But they knew when they adopted me, and they took me anyway. Look what they’ve given me and how do I act? How do I show my thanks? By acting like a moron. A total immature moron! Cat stood up from the stair she had been sitting on and started for the front door with the intention of having Dr. Bane take her back to Aldon’s to make amends. She was surprised when the front door opened and her family stood in front of her, their anxious faces waiting for her to respond. Cat lunged forward and put her arms around them, bursting into tears. She sobbed as they hugged her tightly.

  “It’s going to be okay, Cat, I promise,” Sam said quietly.

  Cat stayed home from school that day with the reassurance from Dr. Bane that she would be able to make up the test she would miss. Between the lack of sleep from her night’s vigil over Dr. Bane, and the emotional scenes that followed, her parents had declared it a “Cat needs a break at home” day. She was alone in the house. Taylor was at school, her mom and dad at work, and Cat lay in her bed going over the events of the last few hours. She couldn’t sleep. Spying the little brown journal on top of her dresser, she got up and retrieved it. Opening it, she began to read.

  I don’t know what day it is. We are still running and hiding and I am getting so very tired. The barns we stay in are drafty and John tries his best to keep us warm but we are both miserable. I am worried about my mother and what my father has done with her. John knows I cry at night. I am silent when I cry, but he looks at me with pity in his eyes the next morning. I told him today that maybe I should just give up and face THEM. He shocked me with how upset he became at my suggestion. As he paced the moldy old barn from one end to the other, he informed me that over his dead body would I do that. He was responsible for my safety and that was that. No more arguments. I had to bite my lip from laughing at his attempt at an angry frown. He wouldn’t cease until I promised him I wouldn’t do anything rash.

  John caught some rabbits and roasted them in a pit he dug in the earth. My mother would be proud of the person she chose to protect us. Today we are going to travel along a river that John says will lead us to a small village he knows of. He’s hoping he can find someone who will help us leave the country. I don’t want to leave without my mother, but I do not say so out loud.

  Next Day

  We have made it to the village and John found someone who gave us the name of a woman who could possibly help. John wanted me to stay outside the village, but I was adamant that I go with him. We made our way to a huge house on the outskirts. The sun had barely set as we arrived at the door. Upon knocking, a strange-looking small man answered and ushered us in. I didn’t quite trust him, but John grabbed my hand and pulled me through the doorway. The hallway was dark, so dark that I stopped walking, making John stumble into me. The little man lit a torch on the wall, with what, I do not know, as I saw no fire in his hands when it was being lit. John gently nudged me forward and we walked down the now lit hallway to a pair of closed large wooden doors. The little man knocked and a voice called from within to enter. The first thing I noticed was the lovely roaring fire and was instantly drawn to it. John stopped me from moving forward and I noticed he was staring off to the side. I moved a little to see what had caught his attention. I gasped as I saw the most beautiful women, besides my mother, I had ever seen sitting in a thronelike chair. Her long hair was silver. Her eyes were smiling as were her lips as she studied us. She welcomed us in and told us there was nothing to be frightened of. She led us to the roaring fire encased in a beautiful ornate fireplace. She called the little man “Dun” and told him to fetch us hot cider to warm us. She told us her name was Gretchen and she assured us we were safe. I felt a slight twinge of distrust, but it was immediately gone as Dun came back with a tray filled with heavenly food and the most delicious hot cider.

  Next Day

  I don’t remember much from last evening. I remember eating and drinking, but I have no idea how I ended up in a wonderfully soft feather bed with silk sheets. Now it is daylight. I am sitting at a pretty writing desk putting down these words. I have bathed, and a fresh set of clothes that miraculously fit are now on my body. I peeked out my bedroom door but the house is quiet so I decided to write. I wish my mother was here to share this with me. I feel so alone. Where is John? I wish John would come for me. I don’t feel right about exploring the house by myself. In the daylight that nagging feeling that something is not right plagues me.

  It has been a couple hours since I wrote last. I was interrupted by a knock at the door and a tall, thin, pinched-face woman with matted hair carried a breakfast tray into my room and placed it on the desk, all without saying a word. There was so much food. I fear I made a pig of myself and now am pleasantly stuffed. I peeked out the door a few times, but the halls are silent. There is still no sign of John anywhere. I can’t believe he has stayed away so long since we have been together all these weeks now. It is afternoon and the sun is low on the horizon. I think I will go and explore. I can’t stand being alone.

  I don’t have much time. I have barricaded my door with the ornate heavy wooden chair by the desk. What I fear has happened. I have been betrayed, by John no less. I heard him talking to Gretchen and they are waiting for someone to come take me away. My guess would be my father.

  They’re here! My father and his followers have entered the house demanding my return. I must try to escape. I hope someone reads this and can help me. I don’t know what my father has planned for me, but perhaps I will be reunited with my mother. I hear them coming up the stairs. They are pounding on the door. I guess this is

  17

  Seeking Answers

  “Revelus Indiedroman!” Cat announced, clutching her moonstone. The village entrance did not appear. “Revelilus Androgormen!” she said with slight frustration while holding onto the stone, but still nothing happened. “How could I forget the words again?” Cat asked out loud, her Jeep idling on the forest road. “I know you’re there, Wedgewick Village,” she groaned and placed her forehead on the steering wheel. The hair on the back of her neck suddenly stood up as she felt someone staring at her. Slowly lifting her head, she yelped at the wizened face looking at her through the driver’s window. Grey wiry hair sprouted from underneath his tall, floppy cap. His ears were pointy, yeah pointy. He looks like one of those garden gnomes in Maude’s front yard, she thought, giggling. He broke into a huge smile and motioned for her to roll down the window. Cat hesitated, but then felt foolish as the little man seemed to mean her no harm, so she pres
sed the button.

  “Hello me darlin’, didn’t mean to give you a scare, Catherine dear, but you looked a little frustrated.” The strange little man’s voice had an accent that she determined was Irish.

  “Hi, I’m sorry, but do I know you? Have we met?” Cat asked, pretty sure she hadn’t met him before, but wanting to be polite.

  “No, I don’t believe we have, but everyone in Wedgewick Village knows of ye, Ms. Colvin. And it’s my pleasure to finally meet ye.”

  “Thank you, I guess. Could you possibly help me? I seem to be having some trouble getting in,” she said, pointing ahead of her into the never-ending archway of trees.

  “Well that’s easy to solve, me darlin’. Let me.” The little man held on to a stone hanging from around his neck and said, “Revealius Indrogorum.” The forest in front of them disappeared and the entrance to Wedgewick came into view. She could see the village sign in the distance. It still amazed her every time it happened.

  “There ye be, young lass, now drive on. Gretchen be waiting for ye.”

  “Thank you, Mr. …?”

  “Almos Watch at your service,” The little man replied with a formal bow. “Now off you go, I still have a lot of salting to attend to, yes I do.” With that he bowed again and then reached into a huge bucket, which Cat hadn’t noticed before. She watched as he brought out a handful of salt and walked away letting it trickle from his fingers.

  “Uh, if you don’t mind me asking. What exactly are you doing? With the salt, I mean.”

  “Oh this? This be a wee precautionary measure, my dear,” Almos replied.

  “Precautionary measure? Salt?” Cat asked confused.

  “It wards off dark magics, and acts as a whatchamacallit…a barrier. Yeah, that’s it, a barrier,” he explained. “Though our village be hidden, it’s not impervious to the wicked folk who pine to enter. Hence the salting. Now ye better get a move on, the opening will nay stay open forever,” he joked.

  “Right. Thanks again,” she said.

  “Pleasure be all mine, my dear.”

  Cat quickly put the car in drive and headed up the winding lane toward the Wedgewick Village population sign, which promptly switched from 998 to 999 as she drove by it. She parked in the open field next to the village and then trudged through the snow toward its entrance. The town square resembled a ghost town, with only a few people wandering around. As Cat made her way to The Purple Door, she was completely oblivious to the occasional person who would stop and stare at her when they sensed her anger as she passed by.

  The tinkling of bells announced Cat’s entrance to The Purple Door. Several people in the store turned to look at her and quickly parted as she made her way to the register. A very tall woman was the last to move aside, revealing Gretchen. She was dressed in a purple gown, and her long silver hair was pulled back revealing her grave expression as she watched Cat move to stand in front of her. Some of Cat’s anger diminished as she saw Annie and Aylah standing off to the side with worry in their eyes. “I know why you have come. Shall we retire to the back room?” Gretchen asked, her peaceful voice engulfing Cat. “Annie, may we have some calming tea, please?” she asked quietly, missing Annie’s vigorous nodding. As Gretchen was closing the door Cat heard the customers quietly murmuring to each other.

  “Please, have a seat. I know you’re very angry and I don’t blame you. Spirit told me this morning that you had finished reading the journal.” Gretchen sighed as she sat down across from Cat. “I want to tell you the truth about what you read. Please allow me the chance to finish, and then I’ll answer any questions you might have. First of all, I never met the young person from the journal. If I had, maybe things would have turned out differently. As you’re probably aware, I’m very old, Cat. I’ve been around for many centuries.” Gretchen cocked her head to the left, “Hush up, Spirit, I’m trying to explain! You can stay, but only if you can keep your mouth shut!” Turning back to Cat, “Now, where was I?”

  “You were saying you were old, very old. Oops, sorry, shutting up now,” Spirit whispered in Gretchen’s ear, causing her to glare to her side again.

  “Even though I may be old, that does not mean I’ve always been wise in my years. I’ve trusted the wrong people, and made my fair share of mistakes. But, Cat, you must trust that it was not I who betrayed this Childe. It was Quintance. All those years ago when this Childe met my sister they thought they were meeting a kind older woman. But of course they were wrong. To this day I still cannot believe Quintance can be so evil. And all of the acts she performed during the Cleansing horrify me. This youngster was not the only unfortunate that came her way. There were many.”

  “The Cleansing? You mean like the new Robert Craven novel?” Cat asked.

  Gretchen fumbled with her words, “No, no my dear, that’s a mere coincidence,” she lied, feeling Cat was not ready to handle that side story. “The Cleansing is why you were put into hiding. Why your mother gave you to the Colvins for safe keeping.”

  “Tell her about the prophecy already!” Spirit yelled in Gretchen’s ear.

  “Oh Spirit, if you don’t be quiet, I’m going to have you cast away! I’m getting to the prophecy!” Gretchen shouted while looking behind her.

  “The prophecy?” Cat asked confused.

  “Well, you see, your kind was foretold to bring ruin to the vampire race,” Gretchen explained.

  That was written in the journal Mildred gave me, Cat thought, remembering the passage.

  “But the problem is no one knows the origin of this prophecy, or whether it was based on facts or lies. But still it proves quite dangerous that such a main conspirator in the Cleansing now knows of your whereabouts. That is why salting has become a daily ritual around the village. Quintance will not get through so easily next time. What am I saying? I hope there is no next time,” Gretchen said with a wobbly smile as she took Cat’s hands from across the table. “I’m truly sorry you have so much to bear, Cat. I promise that we’re going to do everything in our power to protect you. In fact, last night Amaya salted your house. Now no one associated with dark magic can cross into your home unless you allow it.”

  “What would Quintance or any dark witch want with me anyway?”

  “Well, dark witches are collectors, and a Childe is like a priceless treasure to them. You see, during the Cleansing it was commonplace for your kind to be used as a form of barter to gain an upper hand against the vampire race. The vampire Parliament used to be the ruling body until the Cleansing lost them a great deal of power and control due to Childe trading. It was the vampires that sought to destroy your kind at any cost, and many took advantage of this by trading Children for their own selfish means.”

  “So what you’re saying is that vampires are out to kill me, and dark witches want to collect me?” Cat asked, and then leaned back into the chair with a grim expression on her face.

  “And I wish I could say that my sister, her coven, and the vampire Parliament were the only forces out there you have to contend with, but I’m afraid there are many things out there that you have yet to encounter. And of course, as you know, there are things happening in your own backyard. Those poor misguided girls. I know you wish to learn about Linda, but I can’t see what will happen to her or the others. I still only know that the one whose blood transformed her must be destroyed. You must be vigilant, Cat. Trust your intuition and it will not steer you wrong.” Gretchen could sense Cat had a question. “There’s something else you want to know isn’t there?” Cat hesitated.

  “You knew my family members were…werewolves, didn’t you?” Gretchen nodded. “Why did you keep it a secret?”

  “We all have our secrets, dear. Besides, it was not mine to tell. There are things that one needs to find out for himself or herself. If your family had meant you harm, I would have told you, but all I saw was the massive amount of love they have for you. You’re a very lucky young lady to have them behind you, but you already knew that, didn’t you?” Gretchen sat back in her chair, “
Now that we’re being honest. I have one other little tidbit to let you in on.”

  Cat groaned, “Please don’t tell me that you aren’t what you seem? I don’t think I could handle that.”

  “No, my sweetest, I am what you see. It is Aylah.” As Gretchen spoke her name, a falcon flew into the room and perched on the back of the chair next to Cat. “Cat, I think you know my falcon, Aylah.”

  “Your falcon is named Aylah too?” Cat asked, watching the majestic bird shake its feathers. Her mouth gaped open and her eyes grew wide as she saw the bird transform into Aylah, the woman.

  “Definitely didn’t see that one coming,” Cat blurted out.

  Gretchen chuckled. “Cat, Aylah is my familiar.”

  “Your familiar?”

  “Her guardian animal to be exact. I have been with her since she was a young girl,” Aylah explained.

  “So, do all witches have a familiar?” Cat asked.

  Gretchen laughed slightly. “For the most part yes, but technically anyone can have a familiar, my dear.

  “Huh,” Cat replied. Turning to Aylah, “So, when Amy said that you’d be flying in shortly, she really meant it?”

  Aylah giggled. “Yeah, it’s kind of our running joke around here.”

  “I told Ryan you were a smart bird,” Cat said and Aylah smiled at her. “I don’t know what to say. I feel so stupid now. Especially since I was coming here today to blame you for what happened to the Childe in the journal. And I was so scared of the fact that I’d have to hate you. Which is definitely not something I’d like at all. But thank you for telling me the truth.”