Destiny (Absent Shadows Trilogy Book 1)

by S. M. Spencer

  ‘Great idea. I should have thought of that myself,’ Sam replied, and then looking at me he explained. ‘Henry was in the British Military. He deserted because he hated the military—he felt what they were doing to the Aboriginals here in Australia was wrong. He may very well have some tactical skills that could prove very helpful.’

  ‘Oh … I forgot to mention it, but Elizabeth said Henry wants to meet me,’ I told him. ‘Perhaps we can meet with him tomorrow. I was a bit reluctant about going down into his tunnel, but if you’ll go with me, Sam, I’ll do it.’

  ‘Perfect,’ Sam replied, ‘let’s go back and talk to Michael and the others, and find out what’s happened. Elizabeth, we’ll come back tomorrow afternoon. Tread gently when you speak to Henry—don’t alarm him too much just yet.’

  Elizabeth’s determination remained strong as she answered, ‘Right. I’ll speak to Henry and tell him what’s happening, and I’ll simply say that there is a chance that this might cause us problems. He can start to think about how to help. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

  With that, she was gone.

  We walked back across to the house, and when we got there we found everyone else had only just returned. As we entered the dining room, Michael was asking Erranase how his meeting had gone.

  ‘They were, as always, extraordinarily polite,’ Erranase began, in a slow, deliberate voice. ‘They spoke of their recent acquisitions, and how their much sought after diamond was nearly complete. They did not, however, speak of the message that was left in the gardens. They once again expressed their sadness at the breaking up of our group, and said that they would deeply treasure my return, without holding any grudges whatsoever. They do not consider my departure anything more than a brief sojourn, and would look upon my re-joining them as simply a return to what was. My stature in the group, they assured me, would be reinstated without any sort of retribution. It all sounded rather, shall I say, tempting, the way they put it. And of course, Zunios spoke for the most part, and as you know his voice has a hypnotic influence on all who hear it.’

  Tom let out a bit of a laugh. ‘Well, I bloody well wasn’t hypnotized by him. It was all just a rehash of the same stuff he’s been saying to you all along.’

  ‘He wasn’t focused on you, Tom, or you’d have been quite easily hypnotised, have no doubt about that,’ said Erranase in a tone that sounded as though he was chastising a child.

  ‘And Crystal, what did you make of it all?’ asked Michael.

  ‘Well, Erranase puts it so eloquently,’ she replied, softly at first, then more firmly, ‘however, I tend to agree more with Tom I’m afraid.’

  ‘Hmmm…’ said Michael, rubbing his chin as he spoke, ‘I think this confirms that they don’t have a fourth member of their group yet. Zunios was obviously still hoping that Erranase would come to his senses and re-join them.’

  ‘Come to my senses, yes, I think Zunios may have said exactly that,’ said Erranase, to himself as much as to the rest of us.

  Michael continued, ‘And of course, as we discussed, you would have led Zunios to believe that you will give this further consideration? And that you will contact him, to arrange another meeting in a few days?’

  ‘Yes, we agreed that I should contact him later this week, for another meeting. I believe his patience with me is beginning to wane, however I know he would prefer me to return rather than have to take someone new into the group.’

  ‘But you would never go back to them, would you?’ Crystal asked softly, raising an eyebrow.

  ‘No, my dear, I certainly would not. I have come to cherish my freedom, and the finer things that come with it. I never want to succumb to Zunios’ control again. I have more than enough power as it is. I do not wish to have so much power that others feel the need to try to overthrow it. I had hoped that Zunios would come to understand this, and perhaps even envy me to the point that he too might wish for the same. Alas, that does not seem to be the case. He remains rather determined in his desire to achieve the power that the diamond will bring.’

  ‘So be it,’ said Michael, ‘he leaves us no choice but to do what we must to prevent this from happening. It is, as you have suggested in a roundabout way, our duty to overthrow them.’

  ‘And you, Michael, what did you find over at The Cauldron?’ asked Sam.

  ‘Not a thing. And what about you two—did you come across anything interesting?’

  ‘No, not really. No for sale signs … and neither property looked terribly interesting. But we did stop in to see Elizabeth again. She met up with the fourth victim however he had nothing to add. He didn’t remember anything. But there was something else that Elizabeth suggested, and this could prove rather interesting. Elizabeth knows of at least one ghost who was in the military. She’ll tell him what’s happening. You never know—he may come up with some ideas. As Elizabeth rightly put it, the ghosts have much at stake here. Some of them may be willing to assist, if our military friend can think of some way to utilize them.’

  ‘Well done, Sam. I hadn’t thought to seek their help. But they do, potentially, have a lot at stake. Elizabeth is dead right—no pun intended,’ said Michael, grinning.

  ‘I don’t think there is anything more we can do here tonight, is there?’ asked Sam.

  ‘No, I think we’re done for now. But how much money can you get your hands on, quickly, if I’m successful at gazumping any deal that these mates of ours might have on the table?’ asked Michael.

  I thought about what Sam had said about the safe full of gold in his basement.

  ‘That won’t be a problem Michael, trust me.’

  ‘Okay then, I guess we’re done. I’ll make a few phone calls in the morning and I’ll speak to you afterwards, Sam. Oh, Lili, the photos you took? May I see them?’

  ‘Sure, here’s my phone,’ I said, handing it to Michael.

  ‘I’ll see if I can download them to my computer. Can I keep this tonight?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Thank you, Lili, and thanks everyone for your help today. Of course I’m not trying to throw any of you out, you are welcome to stay as long as you like.’

  Tom replied first. ‘Nah, I’m heading to the mountains—hunting tonight, but thanks for the offer.’

  I hoped he’d meant animal hunting, but of course I would never ask the question.

  ‘Perhaps I shall join you, Tom, if that is agreeable to you?’ said Erranase, his voice as smooth as honey.

  ‘Well, we’ll be off then as well,’ said Sam, taking my hand and leading me out the door. ‘Goodnight all.’

  I waved to them, and said goodbye, suddenly exhausted from the emotional stress of the day but still trying to put on a brave face.

  Crystal followed us out the door, and watched while Sam helped me into the car. Then she came over and tapped on the glass, gesturing for me to roll down the window.

  ‘Sleep well tonight, Lili. Don’t let anything you’ve seen or heard here today distress you in any way. Everything is going to be fine. These boys like to make things out to be worse than they are, perhaps to lessen their boredom. Tom is itching for a fight, and Michael, in case you’ve not noticed, is a control freak. Whereas Sam,’ she smiled at him as she said this, ‘dear Sam tends to take things so seriously. He’s improved you know, since he met you, but he still … well, let’s just say he makes things sound worse than they are. Things are not nearly as grim as what you might think. Sleep well. Everything will be fine tomorrow.’

  ‘Thank you Crystal,’ I said, smiling.

  She waved goodnight as she walked back to the door and then closed it behind her.

  Sam looked at me and winked, ‘She’s got a point you know. But only in that the timing probably isn’t really all that urgent.’

  ‘I’m glad you’ve said that. I’ve been feeling quite anxious all day.’

  ‘I’m sorry if I scared you … I didn’t mean to,’ he grinned, and I relaxed a bit more. ‘It’s just the thought of losing contact with Elizabeth, well, that hadn�
��t occurred to me before. But I think it will be okay. We’ll stop them.’

  ‘You don’t have to be sorry, Sam. It seems there’s a lot at stake here—for all of you.’

  ‘Well, time has a very different meaning to them than it does to you, or even me. If Zunios misses out on The Cauldron, then he’ll no doubt simply shift the diamond. Mind you, I’d say he wants this area for the same reasons we’re trying to protect it.’

  I thought hard about all I’d heard them talking about today, but I was still confused. ‘And why’s that again?’

  ‘Because of all the backpackers that come here … and it also happens to be one of the highest points in the city. I think that if they put their diamond here it could be stronger than most other places they could put it.’

  ‘And why does ownership of property come into it? Couldn’t they just set up their diamond anyway?’

  ‘I’m sure they could. Ownership, per se, doesn’t really matter. It’s just that owning the properties gives them permanency. In order for the diamond to be powerful, what they do is set up very large generator crystals, aimed at each other. Obviously, if they own the properties, once this diamond is set up, it won’t be disturbed.’

  ‘Crystals? What sort of crystals?’

  ‘Generator crystals. They’re large crystals with six identical faces coming to a point. The most powerful of them are colourless quartz. They’re naturally occurring, and that’s how their power was discovered, but they can also be created—cut from other large crystals. They create a great deal of energy, and if aimed at each other, their energy grows exponentially. My guess is that Zunios will have them cut from the largest crystals he can source, once he knows the exact location of the four properties. And I would also guess he will engage a master diamond cutter to cut them so that they’ll be perfect. Does that make sense?’

  ‘Sort of, but I don’t quite get it. How do they point in two different directions at once?’ I tried to make the shape with my hands, but it was lopsided. ‘Are the crystals V shaped or something?’

  ‘Yes, they are cut with double heads in a V shape, such that their points will aim directly to the crystals making up the adjoining points on the diamond. The more precise the cut, the more energy they will create, and the stronger the power of the diamond. Having been this patient, I’m pretty certain he’ll do it right, and have the crystals cut so that the aim is spot on.’

  ‘Ah,’ I replied, nodding, but still not fully comprehending what he’d just said. I was pretty sure Debs had a book on crystals—maybe I’d seen it in the study. Perhaps I would have a look through that. ‘Can I ask one more question?’

  ‘Of course—I’m sure I’m not explaining this that well.’

  ‘You are, but it’s just that, if the diamond is made from these crystals, then why does Zunios need Erranase to come back? Why does that matter? Can’t they just work as a threesome, rather than having a fourth member?’

  ‘Well, the way Erranase explained it to me, they need four vampires because each one sort of bonds to one of the crystals. They draw their energy from the same crystal each day—and somehow, they give back energy to it as well. I don’t know if it matters what time of day, or whether it even has to be every day, but when they all touch their crystal at the same time it increases the energy flow until it builds up what I can only describe as a force field. But if one of the crystals doesn’t have someone touching it, then the energy escapes from that point, and it doesn’t work.’

  ‘You know, it all sounds a bit like something from a sci-fi movie to me. So, how does Erranase know all this? Is it possible that’s it’s all just a theory … and that it mightn’t actually work at all?’

  ‘It works. Erranase knows because they had a diamond set up when they were in East Prussia. And it worked very well. They became untouchable. Zunios was incredibly powerful, and he wants that power back.’

  I gave up asking questions. This was simply one of those things I’d have to accept. Besides, if I could believe in vampires and ghosts, then why wasn’t this possible too?

  Sam started the car, and we were at the apartment in no time. He pulled up in front, leaned over and gave me a very gentle kiss goodnight. As soon as I got out of the car, he drove off without waiting to see me inside. He obviously had a lot on his mind.

  As I made my way through the foyer, I was so tired that my legs felt heavy and I realised I’d have no trouble looking as though I’d been hiking all day. I hated to lie to Debs, and hoped that she wouldn’t ask any specific questions about the weekend.

  I was in luck. I walked in to find the apartment empty except for a note in the kitchen saying they were out for the night.

  ~ CHAPTER FIFTEEN ~

  I woke to the sound of rain drops hitting the window. Wandering into the kitchen I found Debs finishing her coffee.

  ‘How was the weekend? Did you kids have fun?’ she asked.

  ‘Yeah, it was fun … the weather wasn’t great so we didn’t get to do much hiking though,’ I answered, figuring that was pretty close to the truth. After all, I did hike a little … up to the bathroom block, back to the cabin …

  ‘Well, I’m glad you had a good time. Tom seems nice. Quite different to Sam though, isn’t he? I’m surprised they’d be such good friends.’

  ‘Yeah, well, they sort of grew up together, you know. So, museum today?’ I said, wanting to change the subject.

  ‘Hmmm, yes,’ she replied, nodding as she swallowed a gulp of coffee. ‘And then I’m catching up with an old friend for an early dinner. You’re welcome to join us if you’re not doing anything. We’ll go somewhere near the museum—Italian maybe.’

  ‘Oh, well sure, I mean … maybe. Can I call you later and let you know?’

  ‘Of course. Oh, and speaking of phones, ring my mobile so that I have your number. I meant to get if from you before you left on Saturday. You know, it was awfully nice of Sam to get you that phone. I only wish I’d thought of it myself.’

  As I went back into my room I remembered I’d left my phone with Michael. ‘I must have left my phone in Tom’s truck. I’ll send you a message when I get it back.’

  ‘Okay. Well, I must run or I’ll be late. Any plans for the day?’

  ‘Not too much … I’ll go for a run … and Sam doesn’t work on Mondays, so maybe I’ll do something with him.’

  She smiled. ‘If you feel like going for a drive, you could always go up to Healesville—there’s a native animal sanctuary up there. I don’t think you’ve even seen a kangaroo or a koala since you’ve arrived, have you? Or of course there’s always the Melbourne Zoo, if Sam doesn’t feel like driving as far as Healesville.’

  Not long after she’d gone, the front door buzzer went and it was Sam’s voice that came over the speaker.

  ‘Good morning, beautiful. Did you sleep well?’

  ‘Like a rock,’ I lied. In actual fact, I’d tossed and turned all night even though I was dead tired.

  ‘That’s good. I’d hoped you would. So, are you going to invite me up?’

  ‘Oh, sorry … of course,’ I said, pressing the button allowing him to come in.

  I raced back to my room, threw on some clothes and opened the apartment door to find him standing there patiently. He handed me my phone and came in.

  ‘Thought you might like that back,’ he said.

  ‘Thanks. So, any news?’ I was desperate to hear something positive, like that all their fears had been for nothing.

  ‘Not yet.’

  I waited, hoping he’d tell me more, but he just watched me.

  ‘Did you want to do something today? Debs mentioned a place in Healesville that has native animals … she thought I should try to get there at some stage. Have you ever been there?’

  He hesitated before answering and I could have sworn he was trying to stifle a laugh. ‘I’d love to spend the day with you, but most animals don’t really react all that well around me … they get a bit nervous and tend to hide. I don’t think you’d see terribl
y much.’

  ‘Oh … I see,’ I said, imagining a wolf walking through a pack of nervous sheep. ‘Well, we can do whatever you like then, but do you mind if I have some breakfast first?’

  ‘Good idea.’

  He stood watching as I made myself some toast and poured the last of the coffee into a mug. He smiled, seeming to take pleasure in watching me fiddle.

  ‘Do you like kites?’ he finally asked.

  ~~***~~

  Sam parked in the same spot he had the last time he’d taken me to the beach. Once again, there was hardly anyone there.

  He jumped out of the car and pulled a red kite off the back seat. We walked down to the hard packed sand and within moments we were running down the beach, following the kite as it darted and weaved on the air currents.

  The look on Sam’s face was not one I’d seen before; stress-free and child-like. Perhaps this was bringing back happy memories for him. It certainly brought back happy memories for me—flying similar kites, on similar beaches, with Dad and Raye.

  But the nostalgic moment came to an abrupt end when Sam’s phone rang.

  ‘I see,’ he said into the phone. ‘Well, I guess this means we’ll have to move quickly. Yes … yes … say a half hour, depending on the traffic … I’ll ask, but I won’t guarantee anything. Right … we’ll be there shortly.’

  It wasn’t difficult to work out who the caller had been, and I had a fair idea of what was probably being said on the other end. Then Sam confirmed it for me.

  ‘The property settled this morning,’ he said, his voice flat, emotionless. ‘Michael wants to come with us to meet with Henry. I said I couldn’t promise that, I mean, I have no idea how Henry will react. He wants to meet you, but I don’t know about Michael.’

  ‘Did Michael say anything else? Do you think they’ve got the crystals in place yet?’ I asked, trying hard to keep the panic from my voice. I didn’t want Sam to worry about me—he had enough on his mind as it was.