The Veritas

by Wendy Saunders

  ‘What do you need Olivia?’ Davis repeated.

  ‘A healer,’ she sighed, ‘a really powerful one.’

  ‘Why?’ his voice was filled with concern. ‘What happened? Are you hurt?’

  ‘No,’ she smiled slowly, ‘it’s not for me. Look, I can’t really talk about it over the phone. Where are you right now?’

  ‘New Orleans.’

  ‘New Orleans?’ she repeated in surprise. ‘I thought you’d still be in Salem?’

  ‘I still have the apartment there, but I also have one in the Quarter now. There’s a lot going on in New Orleans at the moment.’

  ‘Like what?’ she asked curiously.

  ‘Nothing I want to talk about over the phone,’ he replied evasively.

  ‘What’s going on Davis?’

  ‘Have you still got the compass?’

  ‘Yeah,’ she replied thoughtfully, ‘you want to meet?’

  ‘I think that would probably be for the best… there’s something you should probably see for yourself.’

  ‘Okay,’ she frowned, ‘where exactly?’

  ‘The corner of Dauphine and Conti,’ he replied after a moment’s consideration.

  ‘When? I can be there more or less immediately.’

  ‘Give me an hour,’ he decided.

  She agreed and hung up the phone, staring at it for a moment as she turned over the strange conversation in her mind. What on earth could be going on in New Orleans that her uncle felt she needed to know about?

  Slipping her phone in the back pocket of her jeans she headed out of the library and toward the living room. Her face lit up, breaking into a smile as the sound of her son’s hysterical laughter reached her.

  She rounded the corner and stopped for a moment, watching her family with a soft smile. Theo lay on his side, his head propped on one elbow. Theia sat contentedly on a bright patchwork blanket, leaning contentedly against her father’s legs, with her poppet pressed to her ear. Her pretty face was screwed up in concentration as if she were listening to something.

  Logan was sitting next to Theo’s face watching excitedly as his father built a tower of brightly colored blocks. Once he’d finished Logan would knock it down, laughing hysterically and clapping his hands in delight.

  Theo glanced up at his wife leaning against the doorframe watching them.

  ‘Hey,’ he smiled easily.

  ‘Hey,’ she joined them, sitting on the blanket on the floor and crossing her legs comfortably.

  Theia looked up immediately and smiled at her mother. Pressing her chubby little hands into the floor she pushed herself up unsteadily and waddled toward her, wrapping her arms around Olivia’s neck tightly.

  ‘Hey baby,’ she kissed her daughter’s cheek and settled her in her lap.

  Theia snuggled into Olivia’s neck and stuck her thumb in her mouth, sucking contentedly as she hugged the ugly old poppet. Logan, sensing he was missing out, had abandoned his blocks in favor of toddling over and clambering over his sister, pressing his foot into her stomach as he climbed up and wrapped his arms around Olivia’s neck.

  ‘Hold on,’ she laughed, ‘you’re squashing Theia.’

  She settled Theia on one thigh and Logan on the other as her gaze settled on Theo.

  ‘I have to go out and I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone,’ she told him with a slight frown.

  ‘What’s going on?’ He pushed himself up to a seated position.

  ‘Davis called.’

  ‘Davis?’ he replied in surprise, ‘that’s unusual.’

  ‘I know,’ she nodded. ‘He says there’s something going on in New Orleans that I need to see.’

  ‘New Orleans?’ Theo frowned. ‘What’s he doing in Louisiana? I thought he was more or less permanently in Salem.’

  ‘That’s that we all thought,’ Olivia mused. ‘I don’t even think Danae knows what he’s been up to lately.’

  ‘So, you’re heading to New Orleans?’

  Olivia nodded slowly.

  ‘I’ll call Roni and see if she can come over and watch the children.’

  ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea,’ Olivia replied thoughtfully.

  ‘You don’t think I’m letting you go on your own,’ he frowned in concern. ‘You don’t know what you’re walking into.’

  ‘No, I don’t,’ she agreed, ‘and believe me I want you with me, but with Scarlett here…,’ her gaze momentarily flicked to the ceiling where the injured angel still lay unconscious in one of the upstairs rooms. ‘No one else knows she’s here at the moment, and I’d like to keep it that way, at least until she regains consciousness and we can figure out what the hell is going on. There’s no one I trust more than you to watch over her.’

  ‘You’re putting me in a hell of a situation here Olivia,’ he scowled, not at all liking the idea of her going to New Orleans alone.

  ‘I know,’ she shook her head, ‘it’s not ideal but…’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ she admitted. ‘I just have this feeling in my gut, I can’t explain it and its all centered around her.’

  Theo blew out a deep breath.

  ‘Please, just trust me?’ she asked softly.

  ‘I do trust you,’ Theo replied, ‘I just worry about you.’

  ‘I’ll be careful, I promise.’

  He nodded slowly.

  ‘Don’t take any chances.’

  ‘You know me,’ she smiled.

  ‘That’s what worries me,’ he replied dryly.

  Davis glanced around uneasily; it was still early but the streets were already filled. He turned and drew in a sharp breath to find Olivia suddenly standing in front of him.

  ‘Sorry,’ she smiled, ‘didn’t mean to startle you.’

  ‘You’re not sorry,’ his eyes narrowed.

  ‘Nope,’ she laughed quietly.

  ‘Pull your hood up,’ he nodded toward the hoodie she wore beneath her leather jacket.

  ‘Why?’ She frowned but did as he suggested.

  ‘Here wear these,’ he handed her a pair of sunglasses. ‘Try and stay out of sight as much as possible.’

  ‘Why?’ she repeated.

  ‘Because you’re glowing like a candle right now.’

  ‘I am?’ She looked down at her hands and blinked but couldn’t see any difference.

  ‘Regular people won’t notice,’ he glanced both ways before taking her hand and leading her down the street as inconspicuously as possible. They stopped behind a van, parked in front of a gorgeous sand colored building with dozens of round arched windows.

  ‘But someone else will, I’m guessing,’ she replied curiously. ‘Davis what’s going on?’

  ‘That,’ he peered around the van onto the busy street.

  Olivia followed his gaze. Her breath caught in her throat; she’d never seen anything like it. The air was filled with strange ribbons of color, which pulsed and fluttered like a heartbeat. Music spilled from open doorways; she could almost actually see the musical notes rippling through the air like bubbles.

  Most people wandered along chatting and laughing, as if they were immune to the wondrous sight. It was then she realized they couldn’t see it, at least not the way she could.

  ‘What is it?’ she glanced at Davis.

  ‘It’s New Orleans,’ he told her simply. ‘It’s always been like this. It’s a place of power; like Mercy, only older and bigger. People of magical descent are drawn here, that’s why there’s such a huge Hoodoo and Voodoo culture here, amongst other things. There are a lot of our kind here too, witches, spiritualists, mediums. They feel its energy, the magic that runs beneath the streets, but it’s never been this strong before. Its amped up into the stratosphere at the moment.’

  ‘Why?’ she frowned.

  ‘Because of them,’ he pointed discreetly.

  She turned and looked in the direction he’d indicated. Most of the people were just ordinary but dotted in-between them were some who were glowing. That was the only way she could
describe it. She pushed the sunglasses up so they sat on the top of her head and stared. Their skin had an almost ethereal cast to it. It was like the power of the city had amped up their presence, eyes were bluer or greener, hair shone like the sun or burned like fire. They looked so wildly out of place, like beings from another world.

  ‘Who are they?’ Olivia found herself whispering, as if they would somehow be able to hear her.

  ‘I don’t know,’ he muttered as he watched them with a frown. ‘There has always been a few of them around the city. I’ve seen them before and I assumed they were like us, witches or magically gifted somehow, but a couple of weeks ago they all disappeared, all of them. It was quiet for a few weeks then suddenly, they all reappeared in droves, hundreds of them, walking the streets and all in the past 48 hours. They aren’t even bothering to hide themselves; they’re searching for something.’

  Or someone, Olivia thought to herself.

  ‘You said 48 hours ago?’ she turned to Davis.

  ‘Yes,’ he replied slowly as he stared into her eyes. ‘You know what they’re looking for don’t you?’

  Olivia stared at him silently.

  ‘Olivia please,’ Davis spoke firmly. ‘If you know what’s going on please tell me.’

  She continued to stare at him thoughtfully and he could tell she was debating as to whether or not to trust him. He could understand her dilemma but even though they shared blood, it wasn’t enough. He’d given her no reason to trust him so far. Instead he’d kept himself at a distance and allowed his sister to forge a bond with their niece.

  ‘Does this have something to do with Sam?’ he asked.

  It was a guess, but he needed something, anything, to start to build a tentative bridge with her.

  ‘What makes you say that?’ she asked suspiciously.

  It wasn’t hard to deduce something was going on with him, given that Olivia and Theo had been searching for him for the past two years. Or that something was going on with Julien who’d disappeared from his apartment in Salem a few weeks ago, after displaying the same ability for appearing and disappearing at will, that Sam had.

  ‘A lucky guess,’ Davis admitted, ‘but I have a strange feeling we might be able to help each other.’

  Olivia looked warily down the street.

  ‘Is there somewhere we can talk safely?’

  Davis nodded, ‘that’s why I brought you here.’

  He took her hand and led her toward the entrance of the building they were standing next to. Above it was a small balcony surrounded with neat black railings, from which proudly hung the American, British and French flags. Either side of the entrance were elegant brass plaques, the one on the right etched with the name ‘The Bombay Club’, the one on the left, ‘The Prince Conti Hotel’.

  ‘Here?’ Olivia asked dubiously.

  ‘A friend runs the bar,’ he pulled her under the covered entrance and through the unlocked metal gates. They moved forward and stopped in front of The Bombay Club which had a cheery red door to the left and two Union Jack flags either side of the main sign. Pulling Olivia in close Davis stopped next to the locked front door and glanced around to make sure no one was watching.

  ‘It’s a safe place.’

  ‘I don’t…’ Her words were cut short as he grabbed her hand and after a quick final glance behind, he pulled her straight through the solid door.

  It was the strangest feeling. It was like she was melting, or underwater. She had the uncomfortable sensation that the molecules of the door were actually sliding through her body.

  When they emerged on the other side of the door, inside the club, Olivia dragged in a deep breath. Pressing her hand to her stomach she swallowed hard against the sudden wave of nausea. Leaning forward unsteadily she pressed her hands against her knees.

  ‘Sorry,’ Davis winced contritely, ‘I forget it’s a bit of a rough ride the first time.’

  ‘Never,’ Olivia looked up breathing heavily, her eyes flashing dangerously, ‘do that again without warning me.’

  He nodded as his lips fought a small smile.

  She stood slowly, breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth until the nausea receded. Then she wandered further into the heart of the bar, until she was standing in the main room glancing around curiously.

  ‘They won’t be open for an hour or so yet,’ Davis told her as he followed in her wake.

  The ceiling was dissected by heavy looking wooden beams, with the rest covered in dark green tiles, and deep forest green curtains hung at the full-length windows.

  A large square bar drew the eye, with a neat row of green leather bar chairs lined up along one side and a row of tall brown leather chairs along the other side. The room was filled with tables covered in crisp white tablecloths and an assortment of green and brown leather chairs. Some were old and heavy, just inviting you to sink in and relax, others were more delicate, for perching and indulging in riveting and clever conversations.

  The walls were lined with old fashioned bookcases and portraits, Olivia noted, as Davis nudged her further into the room and took a seat in one of the brown leather armchairs. Taking a seat opposite him on a red leather couch her eyes fell on the rectangular coffee table in front of them which was cleverly disguised as a stack of large leather-bound books.

  ‘Davis,’ a male voice greeted easily.

  ‘Nathan,’ Davis nodded to the man who’d appeared beside the bar.

  ‘Can I get you anything?’

  ‘Churchill martini,’ he called out as he turned his glance back to Olivia, who declined with a slight shake of her head.

  A few moments later an elegant martini appeared on the table beside Davis.

  ‘If you need anything else, I’ll be in the kitchen.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Davis nodded and once again, he and Olivia were alone.

  They stared at each other silently, each quietly gauging the intention of the other.

  ‘What is it you know?’ Davis finally asked. ‘What are they looking for?’

  Olivia tapped her fingernails contemplatively against the arm of the couch.

  ‘You can trust me you know,’ Davis told her, sensing she may be inclined to share.

  ‘Can I?’

  ‘Your father trusted me.’

  ‘I don’t trust my father though,’ Olivia smiled slowly.

  ‘Fair enough,’ Davis conceded a small smile in return. ‘I’m not sure I do at the moment either.’

  ‘Tell me,’ Olivia asked, ‘why I should trust you? I don’t know you. All those years I was on my own, believing my mother was dead, as was my grandmother, my father in prison and my great aunt didn’t want me. I’d have given anything for family, for some sense of belonging. Now I find out all along I had an aunt and uncle I knew nothing about.’

  Davis blew out a deep and regretful breath, his eyes filled with remorse.

  ‘I know,’ he agreed. ‘Danae and I wanted to tell you who we were, but Charles was adamant you were not to know anything. He had his reasons and even though we didn’t necessarily agree with them we abided by his wishes, perhaps blindly. I was so in awe of him when I found out I had an older half-brother; you can feel his power in his presence. My childhood wasn’t easy, looking the way I do.’ He tugged at his almost white hair which was raked off his face and secured in a messy knot.

  ‘It wasn’t quite as bad for Danae, but not only did I look like a freak, I had all these powerful magical gifts bursting out of me at the seams. I had no idea how to control them until I met Charles. He gave me something I didn’t even realize I needed; somewhere for me and my sister to belong, somewhere we were protected, somewhere we weren’t considered freaks. I should have offered the same to you Olivia and for that I am truly sorry. I have my regrets, so many of them. I don’t know where Charles is or what he’s doing, but my days of blindly following after him like a puppy are over. Whatever is going on, I’m here to help, however I can.’

  He watched as she studied him carefully, seein
g the indecision in her eyes. Olivia West didn’t give her trust easily and he found himself wanting to earn it, badly.

  ‘And if I tell you something and ask you not to tell my father?’

  ‘I told you I’m done following orders,’ Davis replied with a hint of bitterness. ‘Whatever you tell me will remain in confidence, you have my word.’

  ‘This isn’t a game Davis,’ Olivia told him seriously, ‘I can’t afford to be wrong about you.’

  ‘A truth for a truth then,’ he answered slowly after some consideration. ‘I will put my trust in you. I’m willing to put myself in your hands and perhaps we can begin to build a foundation between us.’

  Slowly, she nodded in agreement.

  ‘There is someone I care deeply about,’ Davis blew out a deep frustrated breath. ‘There is nothing more important to me than his safety, do you understand?’

  Olivia nodded again; her gaze now more curious than wary.

  ‘I met him some time ago through the magical community,’ Davis picked up his glass and took a sip. ‘As you can imagine, you can’t swing a black cat in New Orleans without hitting someone of magical descent or with magical abilities of varying degrees. When I met him…’

  ‘Him?’ Olivia repeated.

  ‘Yes,’ Davis nodded, ‘him.’

  ‘Sorry,’ she shook her head, ‘I didn’t realize you are…’

  ‘Gay?’ Davis replied. ‘I’m not,’ he sighed in frustration, ‘exactly, it’s… it’s complicated.’

  ‘I see,’ Olivia murmured as her gaze narrowed thoughtfully.

  ‘Anyway,’ he continued, ‘I thought he was just another witch or someone with a magical ability at least. He was too deeply entrenched in the magical underworld to not be. There something about him, a presence… it’s powerful… hard to explain. He always had this scar on his chest above his heart. It was quite big, like a magical seal, but it was burned into his skin, an old scar of raised puckered red flesh.’

  Davis stared down into his glass before taking another sip.

  ‘I thought we trusted each other, I thought I knew him or at least understood him.’

  ‘What happened Davis?’ she asked gently.

  ‘He turned up at my apartment in Salem several weeks ago. That in itself wasn’t unusual, but he was different somehow. The scar on his chest was gone, completely erased, his skin unblemished and the power I’d always sensed in him was…’