Now what am I going to do? she thought. She struggled against the ropes, but in her position, she could barely raise her head but a few inches and all the while more water trickled into the boat, filling the area where she laid ever so slowly.
The building looked like it wasn't visited much, especially in this far corner of it, where the boats weren't very pretty anymore from sitting in the water for years and years. The walls seemed pretty sound. She couldn't see any sunlight through them, but everywhere she looked there were cobwebs the size of elephants. No, she was sure that no one had been in this vicinity of the boathouse in quite a while; one day someone might venture over to look at some amazing spider web and find a skeleton of a young woman tied to the bottom of a dinghy that had been sunk. What a pitiful end to a life, she thought. She'd barely even lived her life, so afraid of going out of her apartment, or touching something that may cause visions or a premonition of some disaster. Maybe if she had ventured out sooner, she would have met Josh under better circumstances and maybe even had some kind of relationship with him, but now that was a pipe dream - a world that seemed about a trillion light years away from where she was right now in this old boat house, slowly sinking.
Tears started to trickle down her face once again and into her ears, tickling them. She wiggled her shoulders against her ears, making the tickle go away, but not the tears, which were coming now in torrents. She was scared, hurt, and tired and no one knew where she was and even if they did, they'd never get to her in time. She laid her head back down on the boat floor, where water had made its way up her spine and sloshed around as she wiggled and yanked her aching hands and feet, fighting with all her might to loosen the ropes even just a bit. She knew she was sunk - in more ways than one.
Chapter 33
Sitting on the jet with all the others, Blake leaned over to Josh and said, "Maybe now would be a good time for you to link us again."
"Oh right. Sure," Josh answered.
Blake had Devon and Darby trade seats and Anton traded seats with Dominic so that the five of them were close together. Then he said, "Okay, Josh is going to link us again. I want you all to visualize um...I know, Josh, can you hand me the bloodstone heart?"
Josh handed it to Blake. It was warm as he’d been clutching it ever since they’d left the house. He was sure now that Josh held onto it like a worry-stone that people carry in their pockets to ease their fears. He handed it to each of the three men around the circle, and each of them got a good look at the dark green stone with flecks of red in the shape of an unmistakable heart. When the stone made its way all the way around and back to Blake, he set it on a table in front of them and said, "Okay, I want you all to concentrate on the stone, the way it looks, the way it felt and all that you've learned about it. When you think you can see it in your mind’s eye, close your eyes and keep your focus on it. Josh will tune into each of your frequencies and then link us together. Okay, ready?" Everyone nodded and the others watched the process. Blake said, "Josh? Ready?"
"Yeah."
"Okay then, everyone concentrate."
Like walking through a room of smoke Josh could see a tiny red light illuminated in each of their minds. He went from mind to mind and once he had all four of their frequencies, he gathered them together like dainty red ribbons and tied them to his own in a loose knot around his hand and pulled it tight. When he was done he opened his eyes and all the others opened their eyes at the same time.
Blake asked, "Are we good?"
The four nodded and though the others weren't officially linked in the process, the air in the plane seemed to crackle with electricity they all shared. To some extent, Blake and Josh felt they were ALL connected. Josh put the stone back in his pocket, and Blake was quite sure he was rubbing it furiously.
The flight was uneventful, which was just fine with Josh. He sat staring out the window most of the time, putting up a wall between his personal thoughts and the other four linked to him. He hoped that he wouldn't disappoint Blake. Blake seemed to have such faith in his abilities, but Josh didn't share that faith and worried something fierce about putting them all in danger.
In his pocket he held the stone in his fist. He had become quite attached to the stone the last week or two. Somehow having it near brought him hope when all seemed to be bleak. Or maybe it was courage it brought him, he wasn't sure. He just knew that in a few hours, it would be gone forever and he dreaded handing it over to Dimitri. He knew Dominic was right in his thinking, but it saddened Josh to think of it not being around anymore. It had saved his life and he hoped it would save Lanie's, because he didn't think life would matter much if he had to spend it without her.
The stone in his hand felt smooth and warm and as he thought about Lanie it seemed to tingle in his palm and assure him that all would be okay very soon. He hoped this feeling was true, but he wasn't sure he believed it.
When they got off the plane, there were a couple of cars waiting. It was still early for the meeting with Dimitri, but much needed to be done before that happened. Dominic had gotten them a hotel not far from the dock where Josh could wait and the others could get ready. First the girls hit some stores looking for a picnic basket big enough for food and Mark's new smaller version of a crossbow that could shoot five small arrows quickly before having to reload, along with a blanket for the charade.
Mark had also used the recipe for lacing the arrow with yew seed oil as they had done when dealing with Libby. That way if the arrows went through the vampires or didn't hit the heart, the poison would at least incapacitate them. Also, he wanted to make sure he had a way to defend himself and the girls if the vampires decided it was mealtime.
Dominic spent time on the phone making arrangements for the boat rental and cabs for them and later for Josh. When the girls got back from shopping they put their heads together to come up with several spells; one for destroying the stone, one for the veil, and one for protection.
The guys were getting a kick out of being able to read each other’s minds and speak without speaking. Just as Blake had said, it was no effort whatsoever, but still Josh was unsure. How could they know if it would still work with some real distance between them? Or if once they were in the thick of it, that the stress of everything wouldn't unravel the link’s knot? Blake, however, seemed to have enough confidence for the both of them, but he could sense from the others that they may not be as confident.
Time flew by for all in the room that were busy, but for Josh, the clock seemed to slow so much that he swore the clock’s hands actually moved backwards a couple of times. Josh knew it wasn't true, but he took a double take at least two or three times over the hour and a half that he watched everyone scrambling around.
Now everyone was ready and about to leave.
Blake sat down next to Josh and said, "Okay, Josh. It's time for us to part ways for a while, but we will be here," and he tapped Josh's forehead and smiled. "We'll keep you apprised of what is going on at our end and you do the same. You probably won't see any of us until things get crazy, but we are a thought away. You are not alone. Just remember, if you sense one of those attacks where you project to Lanie, try to control it and don't let on to anyone that you can do such a thing. While Dimitri is with you, I doubt that anything bad will be happening to Melanie. The times you've projected were when Dimitri was hurting her, so if he is with you, that shouldn't happen.
“Dominic has arranged another cab that will take you to the meeting place. Hang in there, Josh, it's almost over." He patted Josh's shoulder as he said this.
"Thanks, Blake," Josh said, then looked around the room and said, "Thank you, everyone." He wasn't a man of many words, and all in the room knew this about him by now, but they knew the words were heartfelt. Everyone smiled and nodded at him as he said this, then made their way out of the room, with Blake and Dominic being the last ones to leave.
Blake waved as he exited and Dominic turned to Josh and said, "Be safe, son - I'll see you in an hour or so." He smiled at
Josh and Josh nodded. Dominic turned and closed the door behind him.
The wheels had started turning and there was no way back now. If Josh wasn't nervous before, he was most definitely nervous now. He tried to keep his personal thoughts to himself, but by the comments he was getting in his head from Blake, Devon, and Anton, he wasn't shielding them well. It was kind of annoying having them talking to him and telling him all was going as planned, but it was comforting too.
Another hour went by when the telephone in the hotel room rang. Josh picked it up and said, "Yes?"
"Hello, Sir. This is the front desk and I was asked to inform you when your taxi had arrived."
"Thank you. I'll be right down," he answered and then put down the receiver. He looked around the room one last time to see if there was anything he should grab, but nothing jumped out at him.
As he pulled opened the door of the hotel room he thought to the others, "Okay. I'm on my way," then shut the door behind him.
In the lobby he saw the taxi driver standing at the front desk.
"You Mr. Brenner?" the driver asked.
"Yes."
"Ready?"
He took a deep breath and answered, "Yes."
The taxi driver turned on his heels and Josh followed him to the yellow car at the curb. Josh got in on the passenger side in the back seat and before he knew it they were out in traffic headed for the docks.
"What are you doing at the docks today, Mr. Brenner?"
"I'm meeting someone there."
"Oh! Just wanted to make sure that if you were sightseeing that you knew the castle is closed for another week."
"Thanks. That's very nice of you."
The taxi driver drove the rest of the way in silence. He pulled up to the docks and stopped the car at the curb. "Doesn't look like your friend is here yet. Would you like me to wait in case they don’t show?"
"No. I could use a little walk, but again, thank you."
"No problem."
Josh pulled his wallet out of his back pocket to pay the taxi driver as he got out of the car. "That's okay. The bill has already been paid by a Mr. Larsen."
"Oh," Josh said surprised. "Well here," he said and handed the taxi driver a five dollar bill. "Take this as a tip, then."
"Thank you, Mr. Brenner. Enjoy your walk." And with that, the taxi driver was on his way and Josh stood alone on the curb adjacent the docks. He walked to the wooden railing and planted his elbows on it to support himself. He watched the boats in their slips bob up and down in the ripples of water around them. He stood looking out at the water for a while when there was a tap on his shoulder. Startled, Josh turned quickly to find a man with eyes as black as night staring at him with the most devious smile he'd ever encountered.
Melanie lay in the dinghy still wrestling with her ropes. The water in the boat was at least a good six to eight inches deep. She could still lay her head down in the boat but the water now came to her ears when she did so. Not much more time left. An hour at most, probably less, she thought. Once the water is past my taped mouth and headed for my nose, it will be all over.
If only she could scream or somehow cut the ropes on her hands, but there was no knife that she could see in the boat. Even if she could scream she didn't think there was anyone around to hear her cries for help. She tugged and pulled at the ropes, but instead of loosening, they only seemed to be getting tighter.
She thought about her old boyfriend, Jack, and how he must have felt when the car went off the bridge and into the water. Buckled into the car, much like she was tied to the boat, both unable to wiggle free from their bindings. Would her life end like this, gasping for air, unable to break her bonds?
She had tugged so much on her ropes during the past few days that her wrists were a bloody mess and her hands and arms hurt so badly she could hardly stand it, but still she tried to pick at the knot at her wrists with her numb and raw fingers. She also tried to move her body over the hole that was drilled but it was too far to one side and she could barely move as it was, let alone cover it. It seemed hopeless and she laid her head down again to rest for a moment staring at the distant ceiling and the enormous cobwebs that blanketed its beams and ropes like some kind of delicate ancient veil.
It took two taxis to get everyone to the dock. When they all got out, Darby grabbed the picnic basket and Sally got the big tartan wool blanket and they followed the rest down to the medium sized motorboat at the end of the dock. When the boat rental guy had all he needed and handed them the key, they all piled in and headed out of the harbor.
When they were well behind some brush and out of eyesight of the harbormaster and any other onlookers, the girls had Dean stop the boat and they started to chant.
We three invoke a magic veil
We’re hiding loved ones so please don’t fail.
Protect Dear Devon, for his future wife
Shield him from evil's strife.
Safeguard Rowan - strong and sweet,
Enshroud her with an invisible sheet.
Shelter Anton with his mending heart,
Camouflage his existence so he can play his part.
Harbor kind Blake, who's grown so much,
Conceal his height from evil and such.
Dominic - warm, handsome and wise,
Protect and hide him from spying eyes.
Disguise our friend whose name is Dean,
Werewolf in sheep's clothing, to others unseen.
When we land safely at our destiny,
Break this magic veil, so mote it be.
One by one those under the spell vanished and Mark took over steering the boat. Sally told the veiled crew that they should try not to move, as it would cause a distortion around them. For now it was fine for they were getting very far from the docks, but as they started to close in on Heart Island and the castle, the vampires would be looking them over and they did not want to raise any alarms.
In no time at all they were at the beautiful stone arch of the castle. Once they were out of the boat and concealed from prying eyes, the spell broke and Dean, Anton, Blake, and Devon reappeared. They looked up and down the pillars, feeling around for some kind of mechanism that would trigger the door to open to the tunnel below.
Devon found a small stone with a heart carved into it. He called everyone over to him and then felt around the stone for something that might move. He then pushed on the stone and about a foot away, a stone door opened into the pillar revealing stairs down to the tunnel.
Blake said, "Good one, Devon. Okay, Mark, girls? You saw how Devon did that, right? Just push on the stone with the heart on it. We will send you a mental message when we need you to come to the altar room." With that, Blake, Devon, and Dean kissed their girls saying their temporary goodbyes and telling each other to be careful, and they headed down the stairs, closing the stone door behind them. Mark and the girls went on with their charade and picked out a place on the lawn in the beautifully landscaped grounds of the castle and proceeded to have their mock-picnic.
"Josh, I presume?" Dimitri said.
"Yes. Dimitri?" Josh replied.
"Yes. Follow me."
As Josh followed Dimitri down the dock to some smaller boats, he could feel Dimitri trying to penetrate the wall in his mind. He probed and probed, but Josh was a step ahead of him the whole while and Dimitri never made any headway. As he was dodging Dimitri's probing he sent out a message to those linked to him that it looked like Dimitri was taking him to the island for the trade, which is what they figured he would do. So far things seemed to be going as planned.
As they both got seated in the boat, Josh ventured to ask, "Where are we going?"
Dimitri started the motor and headed away from the dock, his black hair and olive skin shining in the sun; he smiled at Josh in such a sinister way it made Josh's skin crawl then he calmly said, "Where we can make our trade away from prying eyes."
"How do I know you won't just take the stone and kill Lanie and me?"
With an ai
r of arrogance and a most malicious laugh, he said, "You don't!"
As they continued their ride to the southwest side of the island where the dock met the tunnel entrance, Dimitri asked viciously, "So tell me, Josh. What kind of man sends a woman out on a journey to lure a dangerous vampire away from him?"
Josh whipped his head around to Dimitri. Hate oozed from his body like sweat, but he knew he was no match for Dimitri and he looked down and tried to control his anger. He would be no use to Lanie if he was dead so close to the end of this nightmare.
Dimitri, titillated by Josh’s reaction, seemed very pleased with himself. Devon, Blake, and Anton were all in Josh's head telling him not to be baited by Dimitri's taunts. Not yet. Not until they could be there to help. It was killing Josh. He wanted to rip this laughing man's head off. All the torture he’d inflicted upon Lanie, these weeks of worrying about getting her back and wondering where she was, all because of him. The pompous jerk threw his head back in a full out belly laugh, while Josh's stomach lurched with stress and the distaste of it all.
Dimitri continued with his taunts. "Seems not much of a man at all. A scared little boy who sits at home alone on his computer and shops at night when no one is around - a recluse – no, a hermit - who sends fragile little women out to fight his battles.”
Josh was about to explode as they pulled up to the dock and Dimitri turned off the motor.
"Sad really - doesn't say much for your father." He tied the boat up to the dock and continued, "Oh, that's right! I forgot! You don't really have a father. You were adopted. I believe your slutty mother didn't even list your father's name on your birth certificate. I suppose she wasn't sure who your father was?"
Bloodstone Heart Page 28