Warrior Unraveled

by Tina Folsom

  Wesley lay on a gurney in one of the large exam rooms. “Virginia?” It was the first thought that came to his mind.

  “Well there’s our patient.”

  The voice belonged to Maya, who now came around the curtain that separated the treatment areas in the room. She pulled the curtain back.

  “Where is she? Is she alright?”

  Maya smiled. “She’s perfectly fine. But we were a bit worried about you.” She reached for his wrist and felt for his pulse.

  “I’m fine. Where is she?”

  Maya sighed. “She’s with Samson and Gabriel.” She pulled her cell phone from her pocket and typed a quick message. “I just let them know you’re awake. Now let me look at you. I want to make sure you don’t have a concussion.”

  “I’m a witch, Maya.”

  She rolled her eyes. “That doesn’t make you invincible.”

  She pointed to his head, reminding him of the dull pain he could still feel on one side of his skull.

  “You can thank John for closing the wound and giving you vampire blood. You could have lost a lot more blood than you did, if he hadn’t acted so quickly.”

  “I’ll make sure to thank him.”

  He was grateful, but right now his need to see Virginia was greater than his concern for his injuries. He had to reassure himself that she was well. After the experience he’d had in the vortex, fighting the demon, he needed to see with his own eyes that Virginia hadn’t been hurt. And he refused to have her see him lying on a gurney like some loser.

  He swung his legs off the hospital bed and stood. Instantly he swayed.

  “Whoa!” Maya caught him and pressed him back down to the bed. “Head wounds are no joke.”

  Wes pressed his hand to the spot where the pain was the worst, but he couldn’t feel any actual wound or scar. Vampire blood had ensured that he healed perfectly. So why was his head still hurting?

  “That demon must have gotten me with his dagger,” he murmured.

  Maya shook her head. “Not according to John. He said the wound on your head wasn’t caused by a blade. He said it looked more like something had burst from the inside.”

  “What?”

  “You know like a bird trying to hatch from an egg, knocking through the shell from the inside.”

  “That’s impossible. He must be wrong.”

  Maya shrugged. “Can’t verify it since it’s already healed. But he’s sticking to his story. Does it still hurt?”

  “I’ve felt worse.”

  “Hmm. So what happened in that vortex?”

  The door swung open without warning and Virginia rushed in. “You’re awake.” She marched to the gurney and put her arms around him.

  Wesley pulled her to his chest and kissed her. “And you? You didn’t get hurt?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “And the others?” He glanced at Maya, but knew that he would have seen it in her face if anybody from Scanguards had gotten hurt.

  “Just a few scrapes,” Maya confirmed.

  Turning to Maya, Virginia released him. “Is he okay again?”

  Maya shook her head, and Wesley wanted to protest, but she cut him off. “His head is still aching. It shouldn’t, not after the blood John gave him. So I can only assume that whatever happened to him in the vortex has a lasting effect.”

  “Can’t you find out what it is? Can’t you give him something?” Virginia asked, her concern evident.

  “Hey, ladies, I’m right here. No need to talk about me like I can’t hear you.”

  Still ignoring him, Maya continued, “I was just trying to find out what happened to him in the vortex.”

  Both women turned their gazes on him.

  “Oh now you want to talk to me.”

  Both rolled their eyes as if they’d rehearsed it a hundred times.

  “What did the demon do to you?” Virginia asked.

  “It was different this time.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You know how we were able to read the other demon’s mind when we piggy-backed on his vortex?”

  She nodded.

  “It wasn’t really like that. It was painful. He launched a barrage of thoughts and images at me. I can’t really describe it. It wasn’t anything concrete. I tried to fight him. I used my witchcraft, but it made it worse, as if it allowed him to get into my mind.” It had felt like an invasion.

  A concerned look on her face, Virginia said, “Demons can influence others with their minds. They try to make us do things, try to manipulate us with their thoughts. The weaker the personality, the more easily they can bring them to their side.” She shook her head. “But you shouldn’t have felt it that intensely. You would’ve been able to fight it. To push him out of your mind.”

  Wesley contemplated her words. “I think… when I tried to use my witchcraft… I think it made me vulnerable.”

  “How?”

  “I had to open my mind to collect my powers and—”

  “—the demon slipped in,” Virginia finished his sentence. “Oh my God.” She clasped his hands. “But it’s over now. It must be.”

  He met her worried gaze. “I’m not sure.”

  “Wes… maybe it’s just the aftermath of the injury.”

  “There’s something else.” He hesitated, because he wasn’t sure himself.

  Virginia held her breath.

  “It feels like he left something behind.”

  Both Virginia and Maya gasped and stared at him, panicked.

  “I think some of his memories are still there.” He tapped at his skull. “Somewhere in there, there’s something important. Something that I figured out in the vortex.” He sighed. “But I can’t remember it. I just know it’s important.”

  Virginia’s cell phone rang. She pulled it from her pocket, but before she answered it, she said, “We’ll figure it out, we will.” Then she connected the call. “Yes?” A moment later she said, “We’ll be up in two minutes.” She disconnected the call and tucked the cell phone away.

  “What is it?” Wesley asked.

  “Cinead and Barclay have arrived.”

  “The council members? They’re here? At Scanguards?”

  “I had to tell Cinead what happened to Deirdre. I convinced him to come.”

  Recalling the frantic battle, Wes held his breath as he asked, “Did she get hurt?” He tossed a quick look around the room, but there was no second patient. “Oh my God, is she dead?”

  “I’ll fill you in on the way up,” Virginia said and helped him up.

  37

  Still worried that whatever Wesley had experienced with the demon in the portal could have a lasting effect, Virginia opened the door to the small conference room where the meeting with her fellow council members was taking place.

  Everybody was already assembled when she and Wesley entered.

  Samson, Amaury, and Gabriel were standing near the head of the table, while Cinead and Barclay were waiting close to the door. They looked relieved when they saw her.

  “Cinead, Barclay, I’m so glad you came,” she greeted them.

  Barclay nodded and glanced at Wesley. “We didn’t really have a choice. I’m happy to see that you’re okay.” He motioned to the three vampires. “We’ve been introduced. Your, uh, new friends have given us more details about what happened.”

  Cinead seemed on edge, his voice shaking slightly, when he spoke. “There’s so much I can’t quite grasp yet. Deirdre… she must be frightened…”

  “She’s being taken care of,” Virginia assured him.

  “She hasn’t come out of it yet,” Samson added. “We’ll know more in a few hours. My people are making sure she has everything she needs when she comes to.”

  Cinead nodded gratefully. Then he took a step toward Wesley. “I suppose I owe you and your friends a debt of gratitude.”

  “You owe us nothing,” Wesley said quickly. “All we want is a chance to meet with you and make a proposal.”

  “Shall we sit?” S
amson asked and pointed to the table and chairs.

  Cinead turned toward the table when Wesley suddenly put his hand on his shoulder. “Counselor?”

  Cinead looked over his shoulder, a surprised look on his face. “Yes?”

  Wesley pointed to Cinead’s hip. “This dagger. I’ve seen it before.”

  Virginia followed Wesley’s gaze. On Cinead’s hip, an ancient ceremonial dagger was sheathed.

  “I doubt that very much. Only the counselors have this type of dagger. And the last time you saw me, we were all seated. You wouldn’t have been able to see the daggers. You must be mistaken.”

  Wes shook his head. “No, I’ve seen it. I remember the nine intertwined rings on the hilt. They look like they’re made of seashells with gold inlay. I’m sure I’ve seen a dagger like this before.”

  Virginia put her hand on Wesley’s arm and made him look at her. “Like Cinead said, that’s not possible. Only nine of those daggers exist. They were made especially for the original members of the Council of Nine and then handed down from counselor to counselor.”

  He sighed, looking confused and almost disappointed. “Then I must have seen you with one when you arrested me and brought me before the council. That’s it.”

  He turned toward the table, but Virginia stopped him. “I never had the same dagger as Cinead and Barclay and the other council members.”

  “But—”

  “She’s correct,” Barclay said and stepped closer. “Virginia’s predecessor’s dagger was never recovered.”

  “Was that Finlay?” Wes asked.

  Barclay jolted. “How do you know about Finlay?”

  “Doesn’t matter now. But if Virginia never had the same dagger, then I couldn’t have seen it on her. But I know I’ve seen it. Somewhere. Broken apart.” He looked away from Barclay and sought Virginia’s eyes. “You have to believe me. I’ve seen this exact dagger.” He lifted his hand to the healed wound on his head. “It’s in here. I know it.”

  She stared at him, recalling his words from earlier. “The demon…”

  “I think so,” Wesley said.

  “But you can’t remember where it was?” she asked.

  “No. But I saw it break apart. The demon saw it.” He turned to the three vampires. “When I was in the vortex with the demon, I saw things. I felt and heard things that I couldn’t possibly have seen or heard or felt. But I did. Something happened to me when the demon tried to invade my mind. I tried to repel him with witchcraft, but somehow I must have accessed his memories instead.”

  The three vampires looked at each other, concern and worry traveling across their faces.

  “Do you still feel him?” Amaury asked.

  “No. I’m not connected to him anymore, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Wesley said quickly. “But I know I saw something important. I just can’t remember it. The injury, you know. Maybe Maya is right and I do have a concussion.”

  “Or maybe you just need help remembering,” Gabriel interjected.

  Virginia saw Wesley and Gabriel exchange a look.

  “I think I do. Would you?”

  “If you think it’s important.”

  Wesley nodded.

  The hairs on Virginia’s nape rose. “What’s going on?”

  Wes took her hand. “Gabriel has a gift. He can unlock people’s memories and help them remember what they’ve forgotten.”

  She sucked in a breath. “How?” Her gaze snapped to the scary-looking vampire with the ponytail and the large scar that marred the left side of his face.

  “Don’t be alarmed, Virginia,” Gabriel said. “It’s absolutely non-invasive. Wesley won’t feel anything, but it’ll help him figure out what he’s forgotten.”

  She looked back at Wesley.

  “Trust me,” Wesley said.

  She’d done a lot of that in the last few days: trusting Wesley, trusting his friends. Slowly, she nodded.

  “It’ll only take a few minutes,” Gabriel promised and walked to Wesley, stopping only a foot away from him. “Just close your eyes and relax.”

  Virginia watched with bated breath as Wesley followed the vampire’s instruction, and Gabriel laid his hands on Wesley’s head. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Cinead and Barclay exchange a doubtful look. She couldn’t help but agree with them. Who’d ever heard of a vampire restoring memories?

  But when she looked at Samson and Amaury, she saw no such doubt in their faces. They were simply waiting in anticipation, as if they were one hundred percent certain that their fellow vampire could deliver what he’d promised.

  When a gasp suddenly came from Wesley, Virginia snapped her eyes back to him. Gabriel’s hands were still on Wesley’s head, and he too had his eyes closed, but both seemed to jolt several times as if they were reliving something frightening.

  Suddenly, both stumbled back, severing the connection, and opened their eyes.

  “That was intense,” Wesley let out.

  Gabriel moved his head from side to side. “Never experienced anything like it. You were right about the demon. You managed to extract some of his memories while you tried to fight against him with your witchcraft.”

  “It was close.”

  “A few seconds more in his mind and you wouldn’t be standing here,” Gabriel said. “You were lucky.”

  “What?” Her heart pounding, Virginia gripped Wesley’s arm and made him look at her. “What does Gabriel mean by that?”

  Wesley took her hand and squeezed. “I think he’s telling me that if you and John hadn’t pulled me out when you did, Zoltan would have turned my brain to mush.”

  A shaky breath tore from her throat.

  “So you know it was Zoltan, their leader?” Barclay interjected, stepping closer.

  “Yes, Gabriel helped me remember.” Wesley touched his skull. “And my headache is gone. No concussion after all. It was just Zoltan’s memories trying to break through.”

  “Tell us what you saw,” Cinead demanded.

  Wesley pointed to Cinead’s and Barclay’s daggers. “It was the same dagger. I’m sure. It was in Zoltan’s possession. I saw it break into two pieces. The handle split off. It was hollow, and inside it, there was a picture. Old. Black and white.”

  Cinead gasped. “A picture?”

  “What did it show?” Barclay asked.

  “A couple, dressed in the style of the early 1900s. It fit with the way the photograph looked,” Wes explained. “You know, like one of these old sepia photos?”

  “Did you recognize the couple?” Barclay asked.

  “No. But there was something else. On the back of it, something was written: First day at the council.”

  Virginia exchanged an alarmed look with Cinead and Barclay, but Wesley continued, “But it makes no sense, because there was no building in the photograph. Just a bunch of old stones.”

  “Stones?” Cinead asked.

  “Yeah, a bit like Stonehenge, but different. Not as neatly arranged as Stonehenge, and the stones were of different sizes.”

  “Oh God,” Virginia murmured and met Cinead’s gaze.

  “I need a computer, quickly,” Barclay demanded, looking at the three vampires.

  Amaury snatched one from a side table and booted it up. “Here you go.”

  Barclay slid onto the chair and pulled up a browser, while everybody crowded around him. His fingers flew over the keyboard as he typed something into the search box. Virginia didn’t have to look at what he’d written, because she knew what he was searching for.

  Images finally filled the screen. Barclay clicked on one of them to enlarge it and looked over his shoulder to Wesley. “Is this what you saw in the picture?”

  Stunned, Wesley stared at the image, then at Barclay. “That’s it. How did you know?”

  Barclay swiveled in his chair. “These are the Callanish Stones. In our native language we call them Clachan Chalanais. A ring of stones located on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.” He looked straight at Wesle
y. “You were there.”

  “Trust me, I’ve never been to Scotland.”

  “You were there, because that’s where our council compound was located until the demons attacked us and we had to destroy it.”

  Wesley’s mouth fell open, and the three vampires also let out gasps. “That’s how the demons knew. Zoltan found the picture in the dagger and put two and two together.”

  Cinead nodded. “That dagger can only have belonged to one person.”

  “Finlay,” Virginia said. “And because of his betrayal, Zoltan knew that Finlay was a member of the council, and what he looked like. It would have been easy for him to figure out that the picture showed Finlay and his wife not far from the compound.”

  Barclay nodded. “Finlay joined the council in 1903. I can have a photo of Finlay sent to us so Wesley can identify him.”

  Cinead nodded and pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “I’ll contact the council.” Then he looked at Virginia. “Don’t worry, this is a new phone with a new number.”

  “Good.” Virginia moved her gaze to Barclay. “So there was no leak then. It was more fallout from Finlay’s betrayal.”

  Barclay nodded slowly. “It appears that way.”

  “I’ve got it,” Cinead said and held up his phone, motioning to Wesley. “Is this him?”

  Wesley took the phone from Cinead’s hand and stared at the display. “Without a doubt. In the picture he looked a little younger, but not by much.” He returned the cell phone to Cinead.

  Cinead sighed and shook his head. “How can we be sure that Zoltan doesn’t retain any more of Finlay’s possessions?”

  “Zoltan was frustrated,” Wesley said.

  “What?” Cinead asked.

  “When I was in the vortex with him and felt his thoughts, I knew he had nothing else. The dagger with the photo only led him to the council compound. It would have ended there, had one of his demons not brought back your cell phone. I don’t know whether they got any of the others, but it doesn’t matter. All compromised numbers have been disconnected. Even if he got the other council members’ phones, they’re now useless.”

  “But how did he find Deirdre?” Cinead asked.

  “I have a theory about that,” Samson suddenly said.