JAVIER

by Miranda Jameson

  She tip-toed across the hall as quickly as she could, her bare feet making no sound. The last thing she wanted was to have to talk to anyone. The starkly elegant Rosa was heading for the stairs carrying a huge pile of white garments; mourning robes Cassia noted.

  “Rosa, can you tell me where I might find Beatriz please?” she asked.

  Rosa’s face never changed as though the spectacle of evening dress clad women creeping about the house was an everyday occurrence;

  “Miss Beatriz is in the schoolroom Madam. Lessons continue for a further two hours.”

  Cassia thanked her and ran upstairs; Beatriz would be kept occupied in lesson time, she’d catch up with her afterwards. Meanwhile she needed time alone to think, to recover; hopefully Flavia was busy elsewhere.

  Relieved to find the guestroom empty Cassia sat on the edge of her bed feeling curiously numb. Looking up she caught sight of herself in the long dressing mirror; how ironic that she should be wearing red, the traditional colour worn by brides. Wrapping her arms round her body she rocked herself slowly. She shouldn’t have done it; she should have been stronger and resisted the aching desperate hunger that had led her to take his blood. She should at the very least have used his wrist not his throat but he had wanted it too. She had seen the hunger and longing in his eyes and she had felt his arousal, had held him tightly in her arms as he had shuddered with pleasure. She hadn’t known that taking his vein right there would arouse him sexually. That was one of the many mother daughter conversations that had never taken place and Flavia was right about her spending too much time amongst the Humans.

  Her body had answered his, the passion and desire pooling in her and she knew that however much she protested about quick flings she would have given herself to him right then if he had made the move. He hadn’t. His honesty touched her at the same time as it caused that bitter misery to twist inside her.

  This was where love got you. Cassia touched her lips, her body felt vibrant and energized. His blood flowed in her. As his life force, his taste had burst into her mouth it had been the most intimate and magical thing she had ever experienced. For that short time nothing else had existed; just the two of them anchored together. She was in love with him, she loved him. She couldn’t bear to think about being without him. What if he never found his way to her? Could she live in the shadow of his dead consort? No, the answer was no.

  Cassia thought of long lonely years ahead and jumped up, unfastening her dress. She’d change and go and find her sister and then little Beatriz. There was no point breaking her heart over something she couldn’t control. Zipping up her jeans she pulled a T-shirt over her head, tugging it into place impatiently. She was a fighter, a survivor, independent and wealthy in her own right; she would get over him. Shutting the door behind her Cassia marvelled at the myriad ways there existed to fool oneself.

  CHAPTER 15

  The sound of Javier’s boots rang out in the old stone passageway as he marched along it. Every torch was lit; the flames flickering on the rough walls. He rolled his shoulders to ease away some of the tension feeling the comforting presence of his great Spanish sword strapped to his back. It was a weapon only a warrior was allowed to carry under the strict rules of the ancient ritual.

  He shortened his stride slightly to accommodate the folds of the long white robe he wore over his clothes. Tied at the waist with a rope like belt its wide sleeves fell to his wrists and a hood covered his head. As he had knelt in front of the dais in the ancient circular room from dawn till sun down he had been grateful for the warmth of the finely woven white wool.

  The hours had passed quickly and he had barely registered the discomfort in his knees from the cold stone floor. His forehead had rested against the cross guard of his sword as he gripped it with both hands; its tip pressed into the floor. He was supposed to have passed the time in silent contemplation but he had talked. This was going to be his final conversation with his consort and he was going to say everything he needed to; tell her everything he wanted her to know. Ask her the question he needed to ask.

  LaSalle had brought him a goblet of wine at sunset and had left after a quick hard pat to his shoulder. Words had not been necessary. The flaming pitch torches changed to electric lights as Javier entered the newer part of the castle. The box felt light and he thought about the many times he had swept Charlotte up in his arms and carried her. She had always pretended to protest and had called him an incurable romantic but then she would link her arms round his neck and rest against his shoulder and smile. Carrying her like this had never been part of the plan.

  Javier sighed as he entered the passageway leading up to the chateau. It was unusually quiet and he wondered if LaSalle had halted normal operations. He ascended the staircase into the chateau’s hall and stopped, almost overcome by the scene awaiting him. In a neat silent line leading all the way to the massive main doors stood the domestic staff impeccably turned out in freshly pressed black and white uniforms. At their head were Rosa and Madame Lemond in white mourning robes much like his and, as Javier acknowledged them and bowed his head briefly before continuing they returned his bow formally. This was for Charlotte, not for him.

  For once the doors were thrown wide open and Javier compressed his lips tightly as he walked through them into the warm scented night. A deep calm seemed to have settled inside him and he felt a heightened awareness of everything around him; it was the same awareness he felt just before going into combat. It was as though he could see every leaf, every blade of grass, every star in the sky. He could hear the flutter of a moth’s wing and, as he continued through the pine woods down to the beach he could smell the individual scents of his fellow warriors and their consorts as they fell into step behind him.

  Placing the box centrally on the five foot pyre he had constructed Javier stared in astonishment. Someone had threaded white flowers through all the logs so the simple wooden structure was transformed into something from one of Beatriz’s fairy tales. Catching a movement out of the corner of his eye he turned and there was old Louis standing solemnly with his group of gardeners, all of them clutching their wide straw hats against their hearts. Old Louis, who seemed always to have been old, was the head gardener on the Island; a Half-blood as were all the gardening staff. He had worked closely with Charlotte and the two of them had created the beautiful flower and produce gardens that surrounded the chateau; many of them cleverly designed to be enjoyed at night.

  Blinking fiercely Javier turned back to the pyre and reaching behind him drew his great sword. It eased from its scabbard with a hiss. Immediately there were numerous identical metallic hisses behind him as he turned to face his friends.

  He knew they were all there even though the hoods of their robes shadowed their faces. He could identify each of his fellow commanders from the way they stood and their trademark swords. He smiled as he saw Ysabeau standing by LaSalle; she was the only female who carried a sword, holding it firmly in her hands with its point down in the sand. He spotted Katie by Max’s tall broad figure as she reached up and dabbed her eyes quickly. Katie had been Charlotte’s closest friend. Hera stood by Gabriel; she had never known Charlotte but was present as his friend. As she lifted her head to meet his eyes he felt her reach out and touch his mind with hers; it was gentle and calm and reassuring. Luca and Rafe stood side by side, their heads bowed. Lastly he saw the stout robed figure of Madame Lemond and the thin, ever dignified shape of Rosa; they had followed the warriors down to the beach.

  All here but the one he looked for; the one he needed to see the most. Well, he could understand it but still he swept his eyes round one more time, just in case. He caught her scent before he saw her, that warm frankincense scent of hers. There was a movement in the treeline and Javier’s heart lifted. Cassia stood just at the edge where the woods met the beach, a tall upright figure in white. She gave him a slight formal bow which he returned before turning back to the pyre.

  Chanting the words of the old ritual he swept his sword
across his left forearm with a featherlike stroke and as the blood welled out of the cut and started dripping he held it over the box, moving his arm till the box was covered evenly with his blood. His blood that had nourished his consort through the nine decades they had been bonded. This was his final offering. He stepped back and there was a movement at his side then his left arm was taken and the long cut bound firmly to stop the bleeding. It was Rafe who acknowledged his thanks with a nod before returning to his place.

  Javier picked up the flaming torch stuck into the beach by the pyre and took a deep breath. As he began the ancient words of the salutation to the dead he was joined by the others and as their voices mingled he walked slowly round the pyre lighting it in the places he had prepared. The wood had been bone dry and the precious oils kept just for this purpose had soaked right in. The pyre fired up immediately and it wasn’t long before it was roaring with heat intense enough for him to retreat to a safer distance. He looked up as the flames and sparks leapt towards the clear star lit Mediterranean sky taking Charlotte ever upwards. Their voices soared into the night returning her to the great infinite universe they all sprung from and to which they all returned after their many centuries on this earth.

  When the final benediction had been recited Javier knelt on the sand watching the smoke and the flames rise until the fire had completely consumed the pyre. He wasn’t aware of the hours passing; his mind and body seemed to have settled into a deep meditative state, a lightening. He thought…nothing. He let everything go as he imagined his thoughts floating up slowly with the smoke.

  When he finally stood dawn was trailing the first of her pale fingers across the sky and the pyre was reduced to embers. He turned, expecting to be alone but they were all still there, rising to their feet with him. Javier looked across at the trees and saw that Cassia had not left the shadow of the woods from where she had kept her long vigil. It was only as they all started back across the beach that the white of her robe disappeared into the trees.

  As always after a funeral the needs of the living seemed doubly heightened. As they returned to the chateau Madame Lemond bestowed a quick kiss on each of Javier’s cheeks then bustled into the kitchen after announcing that a light meal would be served shortly. Rosa collected everyone’s white robes and hurried away after a rare smile and a formal bow. The others followed LaSalle and Ysabeau into the salon where LaSalle got busy pouring generous drinks for everyone. Javier heard him reassuring old Louis and his gardeners of their welcome in the house and at his table. He smiled as he listened in to their conversation; LaSalle was always himself whether he was talking to the High Councillor or a humble gardener.

  Gabriel squeezed his shoulder tightly as Hera took his arm and gently unwound the bandage, skilfully and almost painlessly unsticking it from the dried blood.

  “Here, let me take care of that for you.” she said softly.

  Javier watched as she shut her eyes and rested her hand gently over the long wound. Her power to heal would never cease to fill him with awe, he thought, as heat flowed into his arm followed by a soft golden light emanating from her hand. The light slowly suffused his whole forearm before suddenly disappearing leaving only healthy skin with no trace of the injury. She opened her eyes and smiled her beautiful slow smile;

  “There.” she said, patting his arm as if he was a small child before reaching up and touching both her hands to his temples;

  “May I?” she asked,

  Javier looked over her shoulder to Gabriel for permission. Hera still hadn’t completely grasped how very territorial a male Vampire could be over his bonded consort. Gabriel smiled slightly and nodded once.

  “Go ahead, I trust you.” Javier murmured.

  He knew she was a powerful Empath; Chronus had told him. The sensation as she searched inside still took him by surprise and he had to relax deliberately as his mind instinctively resisted. It only lasted minutes and before she let him go he felt a tide of love and friendship and support fill him up with warmth.

  “That’s from all of us to you, Javier,” said Hera, “I sense your peace. You have so much love in you my friend, so much light, don’t waste it.”

  As Hera headed into the salon with Gabriel; his dark head bent to her pale gold, Javier remembered LaSalle’s words. She was, indeed, Gabriel’s light. The one person capable of saving him from the darkness that had almost overwhelmed him. That they had met was miraculous. It made him almost believe that there was a greater plan for them all; that somewhere, someone existed who was made just for you. Javier shook his head and smiled ruefully to himself; Charlotte had been right to call him an incurable romantic. Perhaps Hera was right too; his finding Cassia was a blessing, not a curse. He was lucky.

  Running upstairs he made his way to the spacious informal den next to the schoolroom that was used exclusively by the children of the house and their fellow students from the Island. Flavia had offered to take over from the tutors and keep the chateau children occupied until their parents returned. It seemed unusually quiet in the corridor outside the den as Javier pushed the door slightly ajar and stood taking in the scene.

  Flavia sat comfortably in a huge armchair with little Francesco tucked against her side; she was telling the children one of their ancient legends. Spellbound at her feet and sprawled on giant floor cushions were Philippe LaSalle and Max’s Leo and Bella. Beatriz and Cassia were curled up together in another squashy armchair and as Javier watched he saw his daughter rest her head against Cassia’s shoulder. Cassia looked down and smiled then pressed a gentle kiss onto Beatriz’s hair.

  The scene was so tranquil that Javier pulled the door silently shut and returned downstairs. As he was engulfed in Ysabeau’s perfumed embrace and had a generous measure of his favourite whisky pressed into his hand by Max he found himself pondering on the nature of families and love. About how, close as he was to his parents in Spain he was bound to the people in this house by ties he would give his life for. And love? It seemed to him that there were infinite ways for people to tell you they loved you without actually saying the words.

  Madame Lemond’s light supper turned out to be a table groaning with delicacies. Everyone piled their plates and topped up their glasses. Old stories were recounted, lost loved ones were remembered and toasts were drunk. It would have been easy for events to have become melancholy but the arrival of Cassia and Flavia with their little posse of ravenous children lifted the mood reminding the adults of the immediacy and the vibrancy with which children lived their lives.

  Hours later Javier dropped a kiss on Beatriz’s forehead. She had fallen asleep the moment her head had hit the pillow. Trailing wearily into his room he sat heavily on the edge of the bed and started unlacing his boots. He and Cassia had exchanged only the usual formal words people said on these occasions and she had excused herself early pleading a headache. Javier kicked off his boots and fell back onto the bed with his arms outstretched; he couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so completely exhausted or so completely at peace. He’d move in just a minute; he’d move and get undressed then slip into bed.

  He woke to the smell of fresh strong coffee and Gabriel shaking his arm roughly. Sitting up stiffly he squinted at his watch then rubbed his eyes and checked it again. He had been asleep for twelve hours and he was still fully dressed.

  “I have been trying to wake you for almost five minutes.” Gabriel said impatiently; “I was just about to pour water over your head. Chronus is here but he has gone for a walk with Flavia so you have time to get changed.”

  Javier leapt up and headed into the bathroom pulling off his clothes as he went;

  “Why the hell didn’t anyone wake me earlier?”

  “Because you needed to sleep. I’ll see you down in the Ops room; Rafe’s already there as are Stephan and Andreas and Chronus brought along Hector and Dee. You remember Dee…buzz cut hair and tattoos; a skilled fighter. I’ve got you some food so don’t bother to stop by the kitchen.”

  The last of Gabrie
l’s words were yelled through the bathroom door above the noise of the shower as Javier rushed to get ready in record time, swearing as he cut himself. Trying to shave and shower simultaneously had seemed such a good idea. Ten minutes later he was ready. Unlocking the small wall safe he had installed when Beatriz had moved into the next room he removed his gun and knife and tucked them into their usual places before heading down the corridor at a run.

  They had this one night to plan the two simultaneous attacks so that there was enough time for both the team of Empaths and the team of Vampires to be properly rested and fighting fit for tomorrow night. Joint operations with the Empaths were never completely simple, their sunlight dwelling cousins kept such different hours.

  Dodging round a maid vacuuming the corridor Javier ground to a halt as Cassia emerged from her room. She was wearing some sort of loose silky looking dress in deep blue and carried a large beach bag. They stared at each other for a moment before Cassia pushed her bedroom door open;

  “Too much noise out here. Come in for a moment, Flavia’s off canoodling with Chronus. Frankly I’m worried, I mean his intentions cannot be honourable and he looks like someone who gets through women in droves and…anyway, you don’t want to be listening to my woes.” She tailed off and fiddled with her hair as Javier shut the door.

  “I thought I’d make the most of my time here and go for a swim.” Cassia said, changing the subject.

  “Be careful, do not go too far out if you are swimming by yourself.” Javier experienced a moment of panic; not just because he suddenly thought of all the bad situations a lone swimmer could get into but because she had mentioned time. Her time on this Island, her time with him was coming to an end.