The Key to Erebus (The French Vampire Legend. Book 1)

by Emma V. Leech

Chapter 18

  As the days dragged on and the weather grew ever hotter, I began to spend a lot of time indoors, just occasionally sitting outside, under the shade of a tree.

  One morning I decided my life as a hermit had to end sooner rather than later, so I vowed to make a change. Felix had offered to take me to see a band and I was going to go. I sent a text to make sure that he was still free and then it was just a matter of filling the day until he arrived to pick me up.

  He’d been by a few times recently and we’d chatted over a coffee. Gran liked him and encouraged him to come over whenever he wanted. I was still nervous about seeing him though and I’d made it very clear that this was not a date, that I couldn’t even think about dating at the moment. He’d shrugged and said fine, but there was something in his eyes that told me he wasn’t about to give up that easily.

  I felt guilty about going out to enjoy myself when the funeral had only been a week ago, but I was so tired of my own misery that I couldn’t wallow in it any longer. I sat feeling increasingly tense. Gran had casually asked where I was going, and when I told her she seemed strangely pleased. I didn’t bother asking why as it was becoming more and more difficult to talk to her, so it was a relief when I heard the roar of an engine outside the cottage. I said a hasty goodbye and ran out the door, smiling at Felix as he leaned against the door of his car.

  “Hello, beautiful.”

  “Hi,” I replied..

  He looked me over, his gaze taking too long, lingering on my outfit and I scowled at him.. “Everything OK?” he asked, with a casual lift of his eyebrows.

  “Sure, every thing's fine,” I said, trying to convince myself, that I was looking forward to this.

  After a twenty minute drive we arrived at a bar in town where a small crowd of people, mostly my age, were waiting outside.

  Felix parked across the street and as we approached I noticed how the girls raised their eyebrows in interest when they saw him. He put his arm around my shoulder and led me straight to the front of the queue. Felix greeted the huge guy acting as a bouncer on the door. The solid mass of muscle packed into a suit grinned and stood back a bit to let us both pass.

  The place was packed to bursting and as I looked around I noticed a familiar figure working on a guitar with the rest of the band. He looked up and saw me, then gave a shout of recognition. I grinned as he put his guitar down carefully before bounding over to say hello.

  “Hey, Marc.”

  “Jéhenne, you came!” He laughed delightedly, kissing me on both cheeks before turning to Felix. “Who’s this?”

  “Sorry, Marc, this is Felix.”

  Marc nodded politely before Felix asked the question I’d been dreading.

  “So how do you two know each other?”

  “We met during a kidnapping!” Marc grinned.

  Felix looked at me with raised eyebrows, but I shrugged and said it was just a joke.

  “Do you reckon I could get a drink?” I asked him, before he could question me further.

  “Sure, I’ll get you one,”

  When Felix got back we found a table and sat down. I sipped my drink and watched in anticipation as a spotlight narrowed and focused on the group on the stage. Marc leaned into the microphone and spoke in rapid French, to which everyone cheered as he moved back again allowing the lead singer to take his place at the front. A beat started from the back as the drummer began to play, and then the rest joined in. It was brilliant. They were so well put together. The crowd at the back and around the sides were cheering and the music swelled, drowning them out as the band reached a chorus. The alcohol was relaxing and for a while I tried to let the music chase away the sadness that haunted me. All too soon though, it was over and we walked out into the cool night air.

  “Phew! Did you have fun?” Felix asked, surreptitiously slipping an arm over my shoulder. I wriggled away from him and opened the car door.

  “Yes, thank you,” I said with a smile. “It was great.”

  I climbed in, shutting the door as quickly as I could manage.

  Felix got in himself and was about to start the car when he glanced down at my hand. “That’s an interesting ring,” he said.

  “Oh … Yes it is unusual isn’t it?” I said, turning it so the light caught the stone.

  “Is that … is it the moonstone?”

  For some reason the tone of his question was too nonchalant and made me uncomfortable. What did he know about the moonstone? “Well, yes actually, it is - why?”

  “No reason,” he shrugged. “Can I see it?”

  I held my hand out, feeling strangely reluctant as he touched the surface of the ring reverently. Then his fingers closed over it and he began to pull it off.

  “No!”

  I snatched my hand away and he jumped in surprise. “I just wanted to look at it,” he said, laughing at me in surprise.

  My hand went protectively to cover the ring. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” I replied, feeling tense and defensive though I wasn't sure why.

  “Why not?” His tone was a little accusing and I could feel him frowning at me in the darkness.

  “It just … isn’t. It shouldn’t be worn by anyone else.” I knew I sounded a bit overbearing but I had a bad feeling about taking it off.

  “Just for two minutes?” he laughed.

  “I already said no, Felix.” I was surprised by how angry I felt. He raised his hands off the steering wheel for a second to placate me.

  “OK, OK. I’m sorry. I won’t ask again.”

  I leaned back against my seat and tried to relax when he swore suddenly.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “There’s a council meeting tonight and I completely forgot,” he muttered. “Come on I’d better get you home.”

  He drove me back and pulled up in front of Gran’s cottage.

  “I’m really sorry I had to end the evening like this, Jéhenne but I guess I'll see you there.”

  I didn't tell him there was no way on earth I was going to go to a meeting and just smiled. “No it’s fine. I had a great time … thanks.”

  I had my hand on the door handle and was about to make my escape, but Felix was too quick for me and leaned over pinning me to the seat. He put his hand on my waist and, without hesitation, kissed me.

  His lips were soft and warm against mine and he smelt subtly of expensive cologne but I felt nothing for him. I didn't want this. I remembered what it had felt like to kiss Corvus, and my heart broke all over again. I pushed him away.

  “I said no, Felix.” I scowled at him but he just chuckled, quite unrepentant.

  I flung myself out of the car and slammed the door on him. I didn’t look back but heard him drive away as I let myself into the cottage.

  When Gran said I had to go with her to the council meeting I thought she’d lost her mind. He would be there of course. As Rodney said, Corvus would never shirk his responsibilities. Gran naturally, was insisting that I must do the same, that not to going was a sign of weakness. I should go with my head held up and spit in his eye, that’s what she would do. I could well believe it. But I was not Gran, and I was terribly afraid I would burst into tears and make a fool of myself.

  Gran was totally unsympathetic of course and told me not to be so pathetic - ‘I was a Corbeaux for the love of the gods’. I pleaded with her, I shouted and I cried, but she was adamant and so I had no choice but to go.

  I felt sick to my stomach as we trod the path to the caves and by the time we actually walked in, my head was pounding - along with my heart - and I really thought I might pass out. At least then I wouldn’t have to see him.

  We entered the main chamber which, as usual, was lit by a ring of torches, although thankfully there was no fire blazing this time. I kept my head down and tried to stay hidden behind a group of gossiping faeries, but Gran grabbed hold of me and dragged me across the chamber to stand beside her chair in the council circle. I felt magic swell around me as she touched my a
rm and my head began to ache even more. I wanted to ask her what it was but my brain couldn't focus on the question and it kept sliding from my grasp. I took a deep breath to try and steady myself. I kept my eyes lowered, pretending there was no one else there, but I found the harder I tried the more I wanted to look up. Finally I gave in and looked across the room and my heart twisted in my chest - I was staring straight into the pair of blue eyes I’d been thinking about endlessly for weeks.

  He was watching me. I tried to wrench my eyes away from his and back to Remé who had begun to speak, but I heard his voice in my head.

  “Jéhenne.”

  It sounded like a plea.

  His eyes never left me, the impossible blue stark against his skin which seemed paler than ever. He looked like he was made of alabaster and his expression was so full of longing I had to turn away.

  I noticed with surprise that Rafael was here, looking as edible as ever. Thankfully he was far enough away not to have his usual effect, though everyone within five metres was gazing at him with undisguised lust.

  Remé had begun to report on the progress of the hunt for the murderer and the meeting seemed to drag on for hours. He went on to describe how Rafael had confirmed that it was the knife of Belial. Apparently he was pretty angry, the demons had been hassling him as their representative, to get it back. There was also some dispute about the murder of the second keeper. Remé believed another person was involved, as although it was a violent attack it was different from the others and the murderer didn’t get what he - or she, was looking for.

  Gran disagreed. She believed she knew what group of supernaturals was responsible for all the deaths. Unsurprisingly, she blamed the vampires. She described her quest to find the dagger, how she had dowsed for it using both the blood of the keeper and of Rafael. She said she had problems keeping up as it moved location rapidly, but on the occasion she had got the closest she had found not only a dead human male drained of blood but also the unmistakable stench of vampire.

  All eyes turned to Corvus who looked back at her steadily.

  “Inés, just as all humans are different so are vampires. You cannot blame us all for the actions of just a few of our kind. If vampires are truly responsible, you can rest assured we will destroy them.”

  Gran snorted in derision. “You must forgive me, Corvus, but from where I stand, one murderer looks very much like another.”

  I winced at her words and felt Corvus glance at me, but I turned away so I couldn’t see his reaction.

  Remé stepped in at this point, before things started to get heated, but then suddenly paused and I could understand why. There was a shift, a change in the atmosphere, and it was affecting everyone. Looks of unease chased across the faces of the council members and as I glanced at Rodney he shrugged, not knowing what was going on either.

  Without warning there was a silent explosion of light, bright, pure white and yet somehow filled with colour. Several people screamed and ducked as a wave of intense power shattered the peace of the room. There was a force in the atmosphere, more powerful than I’d ever felt before, and it overwhelmed me, pushing me down to the ground and on to my hands and knees. From the corner of my eye I could just see Rodney on his knees too, head bent as the light from the torches dimmed and then went out completely. A form shimmered and hazed at the centre of the room, and burst into existence with a wave of air that was freezing cold and yet seemed to burn my skin. I was gasping, trying to inhale air as it was dragged out of the atmosphere and towards this one, incredible being. Just as I thought I would fall forwards and lose consciousness, the shape solidified. A man stood before us, but with powerful, feathered wings thrown up to more than twice his height. The sheer magnitude of power that was being emitted had forced the entire council to its knees, including Corvus.

  Even with everything I now knew, I was still unprepared for an encounter with an angel - for that was undoubtedly what he was. His face was impossible, young and smooth but I knew with absolute certainty, he was as ancient as time itself. The huge span of his wings filled the room and cast dark shadows over everything, the feathers shining in deep, rich tones of bronze and gold. I ached to reach out and touch them, they looked so soft.

  He was unbearably handsome, the face of an angel indeed, yet I felt instinctively that face could be cruel and merciless to those whom he chose to punish. A subtle glow shimmered and formed a delicate aureole around his whole body which was itself another contradiction. It was the body of a warrior, hard and muscular and I noticed with shock a long deep scar than ran diagonally over where his heart would be.

  He inclined his head and everyone was immediately able to stand. Rodney pulled my arm and hauled me to my feet. I staggered but managed to straighten up, shrinking back a little behind Rodney as the angel seemed to focus briefly on me. A second or two went by and I felt completely naked, stripped down to the core under his observation. It was terrifying. Head tilted to once side he regarded me as though he was considering something. I stared back into eyes of the deepest violet and felt my insignificance magnify under their gaze.

  The massive wings folded gently, barely disturbing the air and pulled together behind his back. His eyes finally moved away and roamed around the room before resting on Rafael, the ghost of a smile at his lips.

  “It is good to see you again, Rafael.”

  His voice was deep and rich, utterly commanding.

  The demon replied, looking uneasy. “And you, Sariel.”

  “How are you enjoying earth? Is it as much fun as you hoped?” His eyes glinted with something close to mischief.

  “Yes, thank you,” said Rafael, somewhat defensively.

  “I had almost forgotten how much the idea of eternity spent in bliss repels you, Rafael.” The angel mocked, a wicked smile playing over his lips. Suddenly Sariel broke his gaze and turned to Remé who had dared to address him.

  “If I may be so bold as to ask, Sariel, what are you doing here? Can we help you in some way?” Remé’s voice trembled as he spoke but Sariel looked at him kindly.

  “Corvus requested me to come and deal with a disturbing matter for him.”

  A murmur of surprise rippled through the cave. Sariel looked around as he spoke.

  “Corvus has served me well for many centuries, he has earned the right.” He paused as the murmurs subsided. “One among you has broken the laws and will step forward.”

  There was a gasp from the crowd, before they parted to allow someone to step to the front. 
The breath seemed to leave my lungs in a rush as I saw who had been revealed. In all the confusion I hadn’t noticed her presence, but the flash of auburn hair and the dark wings on her back shook up a hatred in me that I didn’t know I could feel. Celeste slowly walked forwards and came to a halt in front of Sariel. She was trembling, but she held her head up, defiant and haughty until his burning gaze fell on her face and her composure trembled

  “Do you know what your crime is?”

  Her eyes found mine and she smiled cruelly at me and answered him, staring into my eyes. “Yes.”

  I gasped, anger burning at my fingertips and I felt Rodney grasp my arm.

  “Don’t do anything stupid, luv. She’ll get what she deserves.”

  I stopped trying to break free and he let go. I was breathing fast, trying to control my rage, and I made eye contact with Celeste again who laughed before she snapped back to look at Sariel. He spoke to her once more.

  “You show no remorse for your crime?”

  She looked terrified of the angel but said nothing in reply, just stood trembling.

  Sariel turned and addressed Corvus.

  “Corvus, you have brought this matter before me. Tell me why you believe Celeste acted as she did?”

  Corvus paused for a moment to glance at me before answering.

  “Celeste acted out of spite and jealousy. It was her intention to kill, Jéhenne Corbeaux.”

  “Why was she jealous of this girl?” Sariel asked, as the weight of
his gaze returned to me.

  “Because I’m in love with her,” Corvus replied simply.

  There was a collective gasp around the room and Sariel looked sharply at Corvus, but suddenly everyone began talking at once. I could feel Corvus’ eyes on me and kept mine resolutely turned away. I could hear some of the murmurings beside me.

  “Well, she’s pretty I guess but that siren’s gorgeous,” said one of the ghouls behind me. “Fancy that, her snaring Corvus, after so many centuries!” were the words of a faerie on the other side. I tried in vain to block them all out and was relieved when Sariel spoke again. He addressed Celeste this time and his voice was implacable.

  “You murdered an innocent human with full knowledge of your actions and all for a petty case of jealousy. This is by no means the first time your actions have caused harm and it can no longer go unnoticed. You will take your judgement before Dis Pater.”

  There was an audible intake of breath and Celeste looked stunned. She looked around the cave her eyes wild with fear and then settled on me, pointing dramatically and screeching to the rest of the council,

  “No! Please, it was her fault! Corvus was mine until she came here - she’s caused trouble from the beginning!”

  I winced at her accusations, but held her gaze as she shrieked again and started towards me.

  The angel raised its hand and power radiated off of him like the sun come to earth, she stopped in awe and turned back - her beautiful face torn with fear.

  “Enough. You will kneel.”

  All emotion vanished from Celeste’s face and she obeyed without hesitation, getting gracefully to her knees on the dirt floor of the cave. The council was silent and there was stillness in the air. Sariel placed his hands gently on the sides of the siren’s face and she whimpered. The angel looked down at her and she blinked in confusion as he spoke.

  “Do not fear death.”

  And then his eyes turned black, the colour of midnight with no stars in the sky, the black depths of a shadow that hides everything else in its darkness. He didn’t move, didn’t speak and yet it was the most disturbing thing I’d ever seen.

  There was a soft thud as the body of Celeste fell to the floor looking as beautiful in death as she had in life, her mouth curved in the semblance of a smile. I shuddered, but forced myself to watch as two of the council members hurried forwards and took her away from the scene. I was fighting a rising nausea at the back of my throat, and I had to keep reminding myself of what she’d done - that she’d got what she deserved. Somehow it didn’t make me feel better.

  Sariel turned, and as he did I saw that his eyes had returned to their original colour. He nodded at Remé, and then vanished into the same blinding light from which he’d come.

  The shock seemed to have stunned the council into silence. Remé cleared his throat again and said hoarsely that there wasn’t anything else to be discussed tonight. I could see why he wanted to end the meeting, he looked pretty shaken himself. The other council members breathed out in relief and began hurrying out of the cave - discussing in whispers what they’d just seen. I span on my heels and did the same - trying to ignore the prickling sensation on the back of my neck.

  As I walked out of the cave I heard a voice behind me.

  “Jéhenne?”

  I turned around to see Rodney looking at me anxiously.

  “Err, Jéhenne, Corvus asked me to ask you … if you would talk to him for a minute.”

  I felt my heart begin to pound uncomfortably in my chest, the strange hazy feeling blurring my mind. “You know the answer to that already,” I replied. “And why didn’t he ask me himself?”

  Rodney sighed. “Because he’s frightened you’ll say no, of course.”

  “Well, he’s right, I will.”

  I hated myself for hurting him but it would only make things worse if I saw him again. I couldn't stop thinking of what my mother would say if she knew I was in love with the man who killed her father. I tried to ignore the sick feeling swirling around in my stomach, the pounding in my head. I went to turn away but Rodney caught hold of my arm.

  “Please luv. Don’t make me go and tell him you won’t see him.”

  I opened my mouth to answer, when I sensed movement and turned to see Corvus standing behind me.

  “It’s alright, Rodney.”

  I felt a lump in my throat. Seeing him this close provoked a rush of emotion and reminded me all over again of everything I’d felt for him … of everything I still felt.

  ‘He murdered my grandfather.” The words pulsed in my head like a mantra, but my heart didn’t seem to be communicating with my brain and I couldn’t stop the feelings that charged through every fibre of my being because of the man standing in front of me.

  We stared at each other for a moment, the silence like a physical presence between us. I swallowed and looked for Rodney but he had taken the opportunity to leave us alone. Oh God.

  My eyes flickered desperately past him to see if anyone was nearby, but everyone else had already left.

  “How are you?” He hesitated. “You look tired.”

  “I’ve not been sleeping much.” I admitted.

  He nodded, looking uncomfortable. “I’m sorry.”

  I blinked away tears, and turned away from him. “It's a bit late for that, Corvus.”. He killed my grandfather. He destroyed my family. Maybe my mum wouldn't be such a cold bitch herself if my family hadn't been torn apart by his actions.

  “What do you want?” I demanded, wishing he would leave before I lost control and threw myself into his arms again.

  “Please, Jéhenne … won’t you give me another chance?” His voice was low, and toneless, like he knew he'd lost already.

  “I can't!” I sobbed as my head pounded, confusion and pain circling around the ache in my heart. “Don't you see ... It's impossible. You made it impossible.” The tears brimming in my eyes spilt over, sliding down my cheeks. Corvus flinched and I closed my eyes to obscure the pain that was written across his face. I felt a small surge of electricity run through my body as he gently took hold of my wrist and raised it to his mouth, pressing it against his lips like he had once before. A moan escaped from my throat before I snatched my hand back and staggered away from him, trying to control myself.. He murdered your grandfather! I clutched at my head, desperate to get away from him, to make it stop. I had to get away from him. “Don’t touch me!” I tried to make the words angry but desperation was all I could hear. My heart hurt as badly as my head as I fought to understand what was happening to me.

  He stepped closer, hands outstretched, pleading.

  “I can’t bear it, Jéhenne. I miss you …”

  “Don’t,” I said, weeping openly now, the pain of it was too much. “Please don’t.”

  A hand fell on my shoulder. Felix was standing behind me with an anxious look on his face.

  “Is everything alright, Jéhenne?” he asked.

  “Everything’s fine.” I wiped my eyes, hoping he couldn't see how far from the truth that was. “I was just leaving.”

  Corvus growled under his breath as Felix took my arm and made as though to escort me from the cave. Felix sneered in derision and spoke to him, a smirk playing on the corners of his mouth.

  “Stay away from her, vampire. She doesn’t want you anymore.”

  There was a blur of movement and I turned to see Corvus grasping Felix roughly by his throat. The wall of the cave shuddered as he slammed Felix into it. The Nagual blinked and then changed into his animal form, slipping out of the vampire’s grasp and snarling at him. Corvus caught him by the scruff of his neck and lifted him from the ground, ignoring the dreadful roar that came from between Felix’s bared teeth.

  “Corvus, leave him!” I yelled, and ran forwards. “Let him go!” I screamed.

  Slowly, Corvus lowered the twisting, shrieking animal to the ground and stepped back, not taking his eyes off me.

  “Go home, Felix,” I said to the panther, who growled and didn’t
move. “Go on, I’ll be fine. I’ll see you later, OK?” I urged, terrified of what would happen if he stayed.

  Felix stepped deliberately towards me and curled his massive form around my legs, purring gently. Corvus clenched his fists but the Nagual ignored him - giving my hand a swift lick with his sandy tongue before bounding towards the exit of the cave and disappearing over the rocks with one powerful leap.

  I watched him go, before turning back to face Corvus. He was breathing deeply and watching every move I made.

  “It’s true then,” he said, his voice dead. “You … you’re with him now?”

  I couldn't look at him, the expression in his eyes was too raw. “I’m not with anyone.”

  “I can smell him on you,” he said, anger blazing beneath the words. “He …” He looked at me and I could see his shock as the pain hit him. “You let him kiss you?”

  The guilt settled over my heart, a cold weight freezing the blood in my veins. It wasn't true! I wanted to scream it at him but my mind began to fog. Get away from him. I opened my mouth to explain and then felt with a heavy feeling of inevitability that this was my chance, it would be better for both of us if he believed it.

  “That’s none of your business,” I told him, my heart aching as I forced myself to say the words. “Not anymore.”

  He stepped closer. “Jéhenne, I was going to tell you everything, please … please believe me.”

  He tentatively put his hands on my shoulders and pulled me a little closer. “But it was so perfect, I was happy and … it’s been so long.” He stopped and looked down at me helplessly. “I didn’t want to spoil it. I thought I had more time.”

  “You killed him and destroyed everything,” I said, repeating the words that were hammering in my mind.

  “Yes, but…”

  I interrupted, not allowing him to continue, nothing could ever change that fact. “Then there is nothing to explain is there?”

  He bent his head and put his hand under my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes. “Fight it, Jéhenne. Listen to your heart. I love you. I would do anything, anything you asked …” His voice broke but he didn’t look away.”

  “Is that really true?” I whispered.

  “You know it is,” he said with force, pulling me hard against him.

  I closed my eyes, knowing this was the last time he would hold me, my heart begging me not to say the words. My heart wanted me to put my arms around him and never, ever, let him go, but I couldn’t listen. The need to get away from him was making me dizzy and sick. I couldn't.

  “Then I’m asking you to leave me alone … let me forget you. I don’t want to see you ever again.”

  I felt his arms go slack, as though the fight had gone out of him. His hands fell from my body and he looked at me in disbelief, the pain etched on his face, and then he nodded. He closed his eyes and bent down, kissing me gently on the forehead. As he looked up I saw the tears in his eyes.

  “Goodbye Jéhenne.”

  I was left staring at an empty space. I stayed frozen to the spot, waiting for the pain to start, but nothing happened. I was numb, like someone had shot my heart full of novocaine.

  Rodney came and found me, saying Corvus had sent him to find me and suddenly I couldn’t bear it. I couldn’t bear the look on his face, like it was my fault. Like I’d done something wrong! Then the world came crashing down on my head and my already broken heart exploded into a million pieces.