by E. G. Foley
“Wait—what?!” several of them gasped.
They all stopped in their tracks and looked at him incredulously.
Jake felt his stomach lurch. “Janos, what are you talking about?”
Maddox had also turned to the vampire in shock. “What do you mean, rescue Derek and Tex?”
Janos glanced around at them uncertainly. “You haven’t heard? They…were captured. I-I assumed you knew.”
“No!” Dani cried in a panicked tone. “When did this happen?”
“About a week ago. Aleeyah the Djinni returned to Merlin Hall alone. As I said, I’m on my way there now. We’re going into battle—”
“I’m coming with you,” Maddox said at once.
“Me too!” Jake agreed, frantic.
“Absolutely not,” Janos said.
“But I can help!” Maddox protested.
“Don’t be absurd! You’re still in training. You’ve already got your orders right here.” He gestured at Jake. “And frankly, judging by your tardy arrival tonight, you’re not doing the most outstanding job of it, St. Trinian. Besides, it isn’t up to me. Your mother would never allow it, as you know quite well.”
“Birth mother,” Maddox corrected with a prickly look. “Is Ravyn going on the mission too?”
“Of course,” Janos said. “You know how much Derek means to her. How much he means to all of us.”
“But Derek can’t be captured.” Dani turned away with a small sob. “This can’t be true!”
“I’m afraid it is, my dear,” Janos said softly. He gazed at her in distress. “Please don’t cry.”
Jake went and put his arm around her, his own eyes smarting with the threat of tears. He could not even imagine what Derek and Tex must be going through at the hands of the Dark Druids…
Magical torture?
“I can’t believe this,” Archie whispered, pale and staring, while Isabelle leaned on her brother’s shoulder, trembling.
But Nixie balled her fists up angrily at her sides. “How? How could he and Tex have let themselves get captured?”
“Actually, that’s the strangest part.” Janos frowned, hesitating. “Aleeyah said the three of them were doing their surveillance on the Black Fortress, as ordered, when they discovered that the Dark Druids were holding a Light Being captive in their dungeon.”
“An angel?” Isabelle breathed, lifting her fingers to her mouth.
Janos nodded grimly at her.
“But Aunt Ramona specifically told me they don’t have the technology to do that!” Jake nearly shouted, feeling as though everything was suddenly spinning out of control. “She said that knowledge was lost centuries ago!”
“That’s what we thought, too,” Janos said with a shrug. “But Aleeyah was very sure of what she saw. Derek wanted to call for reinforcements, but Tex thought they could sneak in and get the angel out of there themselves. Apparently, he was wrong.” He shook his head. “Bloody American overconfidence. Anyway, both men were captured. The only reason Aleeyah was able to get away was because of the djinni’s power of instant magical transport.”
“This is so horrible,” Archie whispered, staring at the ground.
“Please let me come along and help,” Maddox begged the ex-Guardian again. “I won’t get in the way.”
Janos laid his hand on the lad’s shoulder. “You’re needed here,” he said in a kind tone. “Mind your post. That’s what Derek would want. You take care of the others, and we’ll deliver the big, scarred lug and the mad cowboy back to you all in a day or two, hopefully unscathed. You must trust us. No tears, child.” He reached over and chucked Dani gently under the chin.
Her green eyes still glistened, but she managed to nod and held her head high.
“Come along, now. I must go,” Janos said. “Sir Peter is calling together a select number of fighters for this mission, and I don’t intend to miss out on the fun.”
They all kept walking down the street toward the villa, which lay just a little ahead.
“Why do you get to go on the rescue mission and not me? I thought you hated Derek and Derek hated you,” Maddox muttered after a moment, looking as distraught as Jake had ever seen him.
“You’re wrong there, Stick. We saved each other’s lives so many times—Derek and me—and your mother, too. Things aren’t always black and white. Isn’t that right, Miss Bradford?”
Isabelle glanced mournfully at him. “I suppose sometimes what seems evil can contain a speck of good.”
“Just so,” he said with a meaningful nod.
Jake got the feeling the vampire was referring to himself, but why he cared so much what Isabelle thought of him, Jake would never know. Creatures of darkness, or at least of semi-darkness like Janos, always seemed drawn to her like moths to a flame.
In any case, they reached the tall, lacy iron gates at the end of the Villa di Palma’s driveway and filed through them, quiet and subdued in their collective state of dread over the men’s fates.
Isabelle sighed after a moment. “At least this explains why Aunt Ramona has been acting so strange of late. I knew she was avoiding me. I’m sure the Order must have told her about this. I’ll bet she just didn’t want me to sense her emotions and start asking questions about what was wrong.”
“I can’t believe Aunt Ramona has known this for days and didn’t bother telling us!” Jake huffed.
“I wonder if she’s told Miss Helena,” Dani suddenly said, then glanced at Janos. “Our poor governess has been a wreck, waiting for any news of Derek, who’s her beau, or Henry, who’s her brother.”
Archie shook his head. “I’ll bet she doesn’t know yet, either, or she wouldn’t still be here.”
“How could our own aunt lie to us like this?” Jake demanded, increasingly angry the more he thought about this huge secret Her Ladyship had kept from them. “She’s been pretending like everything is fine!”
“She was probably just trying to spare our feelings,” Isabelle offered.
“And it’s not like we’ve been entirely honest,” Dani mumbled.
“That’s different! This is Derek we’re talking about, Dani. Besides, adults aren’t supposed to lie to kids—it’s supposed to be the other way around, if anything!”
Nixie shrugged, but Archie suddenly pointed. “Look, everyone! There, on the terrace! A portal’s open—the Lightrider’s already here!”
“There’s my ride,” Janos drawled, then added under his breath, “Insufferable wood elf.”
Their vantage point where the driveway curved gave them a good view of the terrace behind the villa. Jake could clearly make out a tall, lean figure pacing back and forth there, his long, straight, pale hair shining in the moonglow.
Behind him, the portal waited: a flat, shimmering, upright circle about eight feet in diameter. Its mirrorlike surface glowed with soft colors and rippled like the surface of a pond.
They could hear it, too, though the sound that emanated from the portal was almost too low for human ears to perceive: a deep, pulsating hum like the heartbeat of the Earth itself.
As Jake had recently learned at Merlin Hall, the portals—which only Lightriders could open—were powered by ley lines encircling the planet in a vast array of deep earth energies that the Order simply called “the Grid.”
Those who weren’t authorized to travel through the Grid, or who dared attempt it without a Lightrider to escort them, would be instantly vaporized by the mysterious natural forces thrumming constantly along the ley lines.
Seeing the waiting portal there fascinated Jake as much as ever, and redoubled his determination to join the ranks of the Lightriders someday. Just like his parents had been.
Eager to see which one of the Order’s elite agents had come to fetch Janos, he nodded to his friends to follow, and they all ran the rest of the way up the drive to find out if there was any more news.
CHAPTER 22
Partings
When they reached the villa, Jake had little to say to Great-Great Aunt Ramona
, who had apparently been awakened by the arrival of the Lightrider.
“Where have you all been?” she demanded, standing outside the villa’s entrance in her frilly nightcap and dressing gown. “What is the meaning of this? How dare you simply leave the house in the middle of the night without so much as a by-your-leave? Jacob?”
Jake was too angry at her to reply. He merely gave her a look of reproach and stalked past her, leaving the explanations to a stammering Isabelle and Dani.
He and Janos wasted no time, striding around to the side of the villa and pounding up the few stairs there leading up to the terrace.
Maddox followed a step behind.
“You’re late,” said the Lightrider.
It proved to be none other than Finnderool, the tall, princely wood elf who had spoken to the group of young aspiring Lightriders at Merlin Hall.
He gave the carefree Janos one of his stern, disapproving looks.
Apparently connected to elven royalty (and quite proud of that fact), Finnderool had been the first real Lightrider Jake had ever seen. Admittedly, he found the serious, keen-eyed fellow a little intimidating.
The lean, stately wood elf was the opposite of the second Lightrider Jake had ever met: the wild, funny, unpredictable Tex.
Jake so hoped the Dark Druids weren’t doing horrible things to the mad, fearless cowboy.
Tex, otherwise known as Agent Josephus Monroe, had also spoken to their aspiring Lightrider group, and Jake had been simply star-struck by his Wild West bravado and his vast experience in the field dealing with all kinds of magical creatures—although a few of his stories did sound a bit like mere Texas tall tales.
At any rate, Finnderool’s sharp elven ears must have heard them coming from some distance away, for by the time his passenger joined him, he was already itching to go.
He took a step toward Janos, looking more annoyed than usual. “What took you so long? We haven’t time to dawdle.”
“Ran into a brief…complication.” Janos looked askance at Jake.
Finnderool followed his glance and then arched a brow wryly at Jake. “Oh. What a surprise. Lord Griffon. Glad to see you’re keeping yourself alive.”
Barely, Jake thought in chagrin, but he gave the Lightrider a respectful bow. “Master Elf.”
Disregarding his greeting, Finnderool ignored Jake’s friends altogether. But when Red flew down from the garden to investigate what all the commotion was, Finnderool’s gaze came to rest admiringly on the Gryphon; his pale eyes glowed with reverence.
Never mind the humans, Jake thought. To the Gryphon, the haughty wood elf bowed, his hand over his heart. “Crafanc-y-Gwrool,” he greeted the noble beast by his true Welsh name.
Snuffling at the formalities, Red gave the Lightrider a friendly becaw.
“What’s the latest?” Janos asked.
“We need to go,” was all Finnderool would say.
“Come, man, the children are worried,” the vampire cajoled him. “Has there been any more news about our friends?”
Finnderool flicked a wary glance around at them all, then relented somewhat. “No. The Elders are finalizing the battle plan. We leave tomorrow night. That’s all I’ve been told.”
“But the Order has some of the greatest wizards on earth!” Jake burst out. “Can’t somebody look through a blasted crystal ball or something and at least find out if they’re still alive?”
Finnderool turned to him in surprise.
“It’s not that simple,” Aunt Ramona said, joining them presently, along with the girls. “As powerful as the Elders are, likewise, the Dark Druids have their Council. There are layers upon layers of enchantment surrounding the Black Fortress. Any premature attempt to remotely peer through their cloaking spells would be just as likely to attract their attention. They must not be given forewarning that they’re about to come under attack.”
Janos nodded. “Otherwise, they’ll cause the castle to jump, and it could be months before we are able to track them down again.”
Finnderool flared his delicate nostrils. “I doubt Stone and the mad Texan have months to wait. To say nothing of the angel. Apparently, they’d been torturing the poor creature for some time.”
“Oh, no,” Dani whispered. “What if it’s Dr. Celestus?”
Isabelle looked swiftly at her, wide-eyed. “It can’t be.”
“But didn’t they say they’d punish everyone who helped Jake destroy Garnock?”
There was a brief but hideous moment of silence, which Aunt Ramona broke with a change of subject. “Janos, what are you doing here? Are you the reason my charges were found to be missing from their rooms?”
“No, my lady! I just stopped to check on them on the way to Merlin Hall.” Janos proceeded to update the Elder witch on the situation—thankfully, leaving out any mention of the Nightstalkers.
Janos wasn’t a bad sort, really, Jake reflected, even if he had disappointed Derek by abandoning the Guardian life in favor of turning vampire—gaining immortality, half a dozen beautiful but creepy brides, and his own little kingdom.
Not many could’ve withstood that much temptation, Jake supposed. Of course, the vampire ladies had reportedly offered the deal to Derek first and he had turned it down…
In any case, Aunt Ramona pursed her lips when she realized that the kids now knew the awful news she had concealed from them.
By that time, Miss Helena had also come out and heard the whole tale. She turned away with a sharp gasp upon hearing that her beau had been captured.
Jake winced with sympathy for her as the governess stood motionless for a moment, head down.
Somehow, she gathered herself, though, and when she turned to send Aunt Ramona a withering look, her face was ashen. “Wait for me,” she said to Finnderool in a steely tone. “I shall be joining you.”
“You intend to go?” Aunt Ramona exclaimed in surprise.
“Yes, my lady. I have to,” Miss Helena said coldly to her.
“But your post—”
“Oh, the children hardly need me anymore, independent as they’ve all become!” she said impatiently. “Guardian Stone needs me now more than they do.” Then she turned to her charges. “Children, look after yourselves until I return. I’m trusting you all to be responsible.” She eyed Jake meaningfully. “Listen to Isabelle and Maddox while I’m gone. They’re the eldest; do as they tell you. Obey Her Ladyship, as well. That is all. I’ll give Henry your regards.” With that, the black-haired shapeshifter pivoted on an elegant heel and marched into the house to collect her things, her head held high, her spine ramrod straight.
Jake’s chivalrous side was uneasy with the thought of dainty Miss Helena going into this fight. Then again, he had seen the savage damage she could inflict on a foe in her black leopard form.
But, of course, no helpless damsel who fainted at the sight of blood would ever have captured Derek’s interest.
No doubt Miss Helena would be a welcome addition to the rescue team, and at least she’d get to see her brother again at Merlin Hall. With that, Jake wondered if Henry would also be going on the mission.
Probably so.
Just then, Red growled to Janos, rearing up on his hind legs and baring his claws in a perfect gryphon rampant pose.
“What’s this?” Janos asked in amusement. “You want to help us save Derek, too?”
Red let out a war cry, shrieking like an eagle.
Jake looked at his fierce but normally lovable pet in astonishment. The feathers on Red’s mane were standing on end and his golden eyes glowed.
Janos shrugged. “Fine by me.”
“Red—are you sure about this?” Jake asked uncertainly.
Red snuffled and pranced in place, looking fearsome and magnificent.
Archie’s lips twisted wryly. “Looks like he’s done this before.”
Jake frowned. If it was for anyone else, he wasn’t sure he could have even considered it. But for Derek…?
He moved toward the Gryphon and laid his hand o
n his neck. “Listen…you can go if you think it’s for the best, Red. I know how ferocious you can be. But I have a special job for you, all right?”
Red turned to him attentively, awaiting his orders.
“If you see Derek and he’s hurt, help him onto your back and then fly him out of there to safety. Tex, too, if you can. But please, be careful, Red. Come home safe. You know I can’t do without you.”
“None of us can,” Archie solemnly agreed.
“Becaw,” said Red, nodding.
Looking stricken, Dani blinked, wide-eyed as a baby owl. “I don’t want him to go,” she said in a small voice.
“Neither do I,” Jake said softly. “But Archie and I have seen him fight. He can be much meaner than you realize. Besides, it’s like Miss Helena said. Derek needs him right now more than we do. Tex, too.”
Dani’s chin trembled, but she gave the Gryphon a big hug. Then Jake did the same, holding on to his beloved pet and protector for a long moment. “Be safe, Red,” he whispered.
As Jake released him, Red turned his head and, with his beak, started to pluck out a feather.
“That’s all right, boy. I already have a stash of your healing feathers in case of emergency, remember?” Jake said.
But to his surprise, instead of giving him one of his scarlet feathers, the Gryphon offered up one of his new, mysterious golden ones, that had only just come in with his recent molting.
Red dropped it into Jake’s hands, where it lay twinkling.
Jake looked at the beast in question. “I know your scarlet feathers heal, but what can the gold ones do?”
“Ca-caw,” Red said with a shruglike flick of his wings.
“Well, whatever its uses, I’m not sure you should’ve parted with this,” Jake said. “You’ve only got a few of them.”
Red nudged Jake’s hand toward him, as if to say he was happy to let him have it.
“Well, whoever is coming with me, it’s time to go,” the wood elf announced. He began tapping buttons in the Flower of Life implant embedded in his forearm.