Unwrapped: A Fated Realms Novel - 1

by M J Sherlock

  I added ‘Dream-catcher’ earrings complete with tiny feathers and gems held together with silver wire. Then I slid a blue lapis lazuli amulet round my neck. Stella had given it to me over the summer. I hoped it would stop others tuning into me. Anything was worth a try after the embarrassment of yesterday. I grabbed my denim jacket and a matching bag and threw in my purse, phone, spare battery, makeup, papers, the globe and my Étoile. When had my list of essentials become so long? Not taking my laptop weighed on my mind. I hid it behind the spare fridge freezer in the garage before leaving the house and locking the front door behind me.

  Niall had bought fast track tickets. Seeing London from the pod, high on the ferris wheel, reminded me of going up the Eiffel Tower. The city spread out like a three-dimensional puzzle beneath us. We both snapped pictures of the Gherkin, Shard, Westminster Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament as well as selfies together, uploading them on social media. Next Niall and I cuddled together on the River Cruise. As we neared the gangplank to get off, I felt a shove from behind.

  On autopilot I said, ‘Hey, whoever you are, stop pushing and shoving.' I twisted towards the offender and saw a huge knife sawing away at my bag strap. My eyes widened as I followed the arm up towards his face. He wore a baseball cap pulled down low. I stomped on his instep and shoved my elbow back hard into his solar plexus, which surprised him into dropping the knife.

  Niall heard the clank and turned.

  'Let’s get out of here.' I grabbed Niall’s hand and pulled him into a run. After a few blocks, I craned my neck to check no one had followed us and then stopped to catch my breath.

  'Why run? Why not call the police?'

  'Not worth it. I hurt him. He’ll regret picking on me.'

  'Why did he come after you? Other tourists had more expensive gear.'

  Yeah, about that… 'Let’s eat. I’ll text my parents and tell them what happened.’

  We found an affordable restaurant. A pony-tailed waitress showed us to a brown leather booth that hugged the walls away from the windows. She handed us our menus.

  'Order me Chicken and Chips with cola please. I’m nipping to the Ladies.' I dumped my jacket on my side of the booth.

  As soon as I was out of view, I sent an urgent text to Taine. Attempted bag snatch. With Niall having lunch near London Eye. Any chance of a meet up?

  Outside Big Ben. 90 minutes.

  I felt calmer, knowing Taine was on his way but worried how Niall would react. Would he dump me before we even started dating? I feared Niall would see Taine as competition and get all moody. What could singe my bag like that? Could it be a laser or heat-based knife? Either way, it freaked me out. If only I’d had the time to pick it up. As I returned to Niall, I checked for exits and signs of anything out of place.

  Niall passed me my drink. 'Thought you’d got lost.'

  'Sorry, reaction set in. Did she take our order?’ I scanned the restaurant noting the usual tourists and Londoners. There were the sounds of orders being called out and frying, clattering, and banging coming from the restaurant kitchen. A coffee machine burbled nearby. Everything seemed okay but was it?

  'Food will be ten minutes.' Niall’s eyes lingered on my face and I felt my cheeks burning.

  'Let’s change the subject. Tell me your most embarrassing memory and I’ll do the same.'

  The hum of conversation and clatter of cutlery faded into the background. We chatted but we had lost our earlier intimacy and sense of fun. I couldn’t relax and rushed through the meal. We paid the bill, left a tip, and exited as soon as we had eaten. I convinced Niall we needed to see the Houses of Parliament up close.

  'Hi Ellie-Grace.' Taine tried to sound casual, but his voice came out strangled.

  'Niall meet Taine, Taine meet Niall.'

  The lads shook hands and circled each other as they weighed the other up.

  'Are you the guy she hung out with in Paris?' Niall leaned towards me.

  'Yes, no competition from me though.’ Taine took a step back. ‘What’s brought you to the tourist trail then?'

  Behind us was a sentry box and armed guards on patrol, each dwarfed by the majestic gold-coloured buildings.

  'Couldn’t live here without visiting the tourist hot spots. Yourself?' Niall’s tone had an edge to it.

  ‘Admiring the view.' Taine pulled my bag towards him. ‘This seems burnt?’

  ‘What could cause that?’ I ran my finger along the cut.

  'What do you make of it, Niall?' asked Taine.

  'No idea.’ His voice sounded tight. ‘Ellie, do you want to carry on or head home?'

  'Head home, I’m still in shock.' I massaged the back of my scalp.

  A can rolled along in the gutter, rattling in the wind. Niall kicked it and the can ricocheted for a while before stopping. 'Fair enough.'

  'I am heading that way too.' Taine zipped up his jacket.

  'Convenient,’ muttered Niall.

  I linked arms with them both. 'I get two handsome protectors.’

  Taine and Niall had a quick-fire conversation on topics from football to martial arts, London to travel. I itched to say I had room for both of them in my life, but kept my mouth shut. As we came around the corner from my house, I saw a police car pull up outside. Fearing the worst, I pulled away from the boys and sprinted forward.

  The front door was wide-open. I followed the police officer inside. What the-? Drawers lay abandoned on their sides with their contents strewn across the floor. Sparkling jewellery lay next to scissors. Craft materials, sewing kits and documents were stacked in toppling towers. My stomach dropped. A knife that singed had mutilated the blue corner sofa. I felt nauseous as blood roared as loud as a waterfall in my ears. Intruders had savaged my parents’ wedding album and left precious photos scattered like confetti.

  I ran upstairs to my bedroom. A stench similar to turpentine attacked my nostrils. ‘Abomination’ was spray painted in red on my wall. It was still tacky to the touch. My fingers quivered as they came away red. Thank God, I was out. Feathers floated in the air. Someone had torn my mattress and pillows apart. Why?

  My toe caught on a heap of rags on the floor. I knelt to see what they were and found my discarded clothes from earlier shredded beyond repair. Wanton vandalism or were they looking for something? What had they hoped to find? I whirled around and dashed downstairs to the garage. My fingers reached behind the fridge freezer and felt the smooth outlines of my laptop. My shoulders sagged with relief. I would leave it there for now.

  Niall and Taine chatted with the police officer. They waited for my whirling dervish impression to subside long enough for them to get in a question. The police officer beat them to it. 'Lot of damage Miss and vandalism, but has anything been taken?'

  'I can’t see past the mess. Do my parents know?'

  'Yes love, they are on their way. Your neighbours called it in.'

  I crunched across shards of broken crockery, struggling not to slip. 'Let me put the kettle on. I’ll leave the rest to them.' My fingers trembled as I filled the kettle and switched it on. I searched through the cupboard to find unbroken mugs. None. Not there, or in the dishwasher. Why?

  ‘What is it?’ asked Niall.

  ‘Not a single mug left.’ I walked across to him. ‘Give me a hug.’

  He wrapped his arms tightly around me and for a few moments, I squeezed him back, breathing in his fresh pine scent. I let go, my fingers trailing down his arm.

  'My head’s in bits, would you mind if I asked you to go? My parents know Taine already. He can wait with me for them.’

  A hurt expression flickered across his face. 'Fine. Do what you need to do. Let’s talk later.'

  Chapter 18: A Spy in the Camp

  LZ One, London

  The clock showed 6 a.m. Galden was on his way to meet Orev. Such an early summons never boded well. Orev’s personal quarters mimicked a ritzy hotel but were more akin to a coiled trap – poised to snap shut.

  Orev briefed Galden on the latest mission. 'Your
orders are to capture alive a Cloaken known as Wyatt. Alive. Not critically injured as you delivered Vashtin. Remember, the dead cannot speak.' He cracked each of his knuckles, pulling his joints into place with a sound similar to the pops of a silenced gun.

  Galden kept his face impassive. He considered the losses his unit sustained in their last attempt to capture their targets alive and knew he was unlikely to obey. Galden valued the lives of his team over a Cloaken anytime. Yet disobedience was fraught with danger too. Orev might punish his unit as a lesson to other Venator. Suicide missions were not always voluntary.

  Orev continued, unaware of Galden’s rebellious thoughts. ‘Wyatt is due to meet the female Guardian tomorrow. She may have help. Best case, she leads us to the wider group. It is unlikely her loyalty will outlast our torture.'

  Galden ripped open the seal and scanned the contents. Force of habit burned the orders into his brain as he reviewed and selected options for their execution.

  Conclave to Operations: Alpha priority 1

  Mission objectives: Recover and deliver to Jabez

  Cloaken: Wyatt alive

  Guardian: Ellie-Grace (Surname unknown) alive

  Cloaken artefacts and weaponry

  Target location: Hyde Park Corner, London

  When: Tomorrow, midday

  Source: Relentless.

  ‘Oh, and Captain - Jabez left you these in case you needed more motivation.’ Orev spilled a pack of photos on the desk. He bared his teeth in a predatory smile.

  Galden knew what they would be. Photos of his sister, her husband, and their son. His other relatives were long dead, or their photos would be there too. He avoided long-term female relationships, reluctant to create more bargaining chips for the Conclave.

  ‘Get us the targets, alive, or we will pick up your nephew.’ Orev strolled off confident Galden would obey.

  Galden vibrated like an arrow that had hit its target. He had never mentioned his sister hoping to avoid this situation. Fleetingly he considered warning her, but it was too late. They would be under observation. Any such attempt would confirm Jabez’ suspicions. His team would have to perform. Galden recalled his unit, delivered their orders, and sent them to Ratface for fresh equipment and ammunition.

  An hour later, his team trickled back to the Briefing Room with Sable leading the pack.

  'Any luck?' Galden sipped his strong black coffee. He pictured his sister going about her business, clueless her world was about to cave in.

  'Ratface doesn’t know his backside from his elbow, never mind developing a super weapon, sir.’ Sable sounded amused as she moved to perch on a nearby table. She swung her legs. Carefree. Just another day for her. ‘The only new item of use is an upgrade of the tagging device we used on Vashtin. This one lasts seventy-two hours.’

  ‘Anything else?’ Galden leaned back in his leather chair as he tried to erase his nephew’s face from his mind.

  ‘Dax liked the new laser knife he tried out the other day. I collected more of them.'

  'Better than nothing then.’

  Behind Sable hung a pin board with a map of known Cloaken or Guardian movements. It bore a sea of pins, each colour denoting their relative importance. Galden brought up an image of Hyde Park on his over-sized computer screen and turned it to face Sable.

  ‘Split the teams up so we have at least two people on each gate, and then have the remainder at Hyde Park Corner itself. You will act as Lead One.’

  A hint of a smile traced across Sable’s face. ‘Thank you, sir.’

  ‘Divide the park up into sectors and assign them. Get eyes and ears on the place. We cannot afford to let either target slip through our fingers. Jabez has ensured failure is not an option.’ Galden gnashed his teeth in frustration and hurled his mug at the wall, uncaring as the hot coffee splashed back at him.

  Sable started, open-mouthed. 'You all right, sir?’ Unlike Orev, Galden was normally calm and controlled.

  Galden nodded, biting back the words trembling on his lips until he had to wipe blood away with his hand. ‘Clean that up.’ He gestured at the red shards of pottery and the splattered coffee.

  ‘Yes, sir. I’ll have the teams rendezvous at the Holocaust Memorial Gardens in Hyde Park at 0600.'

  The irony amused Galden. 'I concur, inform the others. Civilian clothes this time as we need to blend in. No-one needs Detective Inspector Pierce asking any more questions.'

  ***

  Dienne residence

  My parents arrived soon after Niall left. Despite the destruction, nothing appeared to be missing. At my parents’ insistence, I reported the attempted bag theft and showed the police officer the unusual burn mark on the strap. After giving us two Crime Numbers so we could claim on our insurance, the police officer left.

  Taine leaned back on the kitchen wall. During a lull, he asked, 'Everything safe from the box?’

  I nodded. ‘I had it on me.’

  ‘And your laptop?'

  I moved next to him, mirroring his position. 'Yes, I had a weird feeling earlier and hid it.’

  'It sounds as if you are having real premonitions, helpful.' Taine angled to face me.

  'I had weird dreams before Vashtin died but didn’t know they could be part of a gift.' I spoke in a low voice, so my parents would not overhear.

  'I only found out from Stella. You could be a Seer.' His voice dropped lower. 'Two incidents so close together sounds like the Venator to me...'

  Further conversation was cut-off as my parents came and stood next to us. Time for Taine to leave. With a brief hug, he was gone.

  My Dad took one look at my room and said, ‘Pack a bag. We’re not staying here until we get to the bottom of this.’

  He sped away to make arrangements while I gathered some essentials including my laptop. Few clothes remained intact and those that did felt defiled by strangers pawing through them. My prized crystal lamp lay shattered across the floor. The heirloom quilt, hand-stitched by my great grandmother, lay torn apart and buried in a corner. Would I ever feel safe enough to sleep here again? I shuddered and was relieved when Dad returned.

  'I’ve got us a suite at Elderton Manor for a few days while we get your room sorted and some better security. They gave me a corporate discount. They’re known for keeping details of their clientele secure.' Dad leaned over and hugged me. 'Sorry, someone targeted you, love. We’ll sort this out. Best not to tell anyone where we are going. Just in case.'

  Bile burned my throat as it rose into my mouth. If someone I knew was responsible...

  Mum bustled in behind Dad. Her eyes red-rimmed against the stark-pallor of her face. 'Who would do this? Someone at school?'

  I shook my head, unwilling to speak of the Venator. 'No. Besides, the person who tried to snatch my bag was tall and thin. The knife was distinctive.’ I shivered. ‘Let’s get out of here.' I scooped a surviving family photo off the floor and put it in my bag.

  Even shrouded by darkness, Elderton Manor was beautiful. Soft lighting illuminated its Art Deco features. A fountain big enough to paddle in was presided over by a fierce looking dragon sculpture twice our height. Water spewed out of its mouth in place of fire. For a moment, its eyes appeared to gleam red and track me but when I glanced back its eyes were black and locked in place. My right eyelid began to twitch. I didn’t need more drama.

  My parents ushered me inside. The manor was luxurious with thick blood red carpets, glittering chandeliers, and uniformed porters eager to relieve us of our baggage. Not that we had much. I had brought my laptop, Cloaken documents and artefacts but little else had survived the Venator’s visit. Dad slipped the porter a tip as we were ushered into an executive suite with a sitting area flanked by an en-suite bedroom on each side.

  ‘Go on in,’ said Mum, ‘we called ahead and asked them to get some things for you.’

  Discomfort at strangers buying me things warred with relief. My room held a cherrywood four poster bed and a matching desk, wardrobe, and chest of drawers. Inside there was a select
ion of jeans, leggings, tops and hoodies. They’d even bought socks, bras and underwear in my size. Trainers and ankle boots sat neatly at the bottom of the wardrobe. There was a backpack, paper and pens and even a tuck box of my favourite snacks.

  ‘You really did think of everything. Thanks Mum.’

  'Do you want me to stay with you tonight?'

  'If I don’t sleep alone tonight, I’ll be petrified tomorrow.' The soft bed and ample pillows called to me. I couldn’t wait to sleep and forget about the day.

  'When did you get so wise?' Mum asked, cupping my face. 'Do you need anything else before we go to sleep? We’re next door if you change your mind.'

  'No thanks, I will be fine. Night.' Engaging the privacy sign, I locked the door behind her. I showered using ocean scented products and got ready for bed. If only clearing my mind was as easy. I sent a quick text to Maisie, Katherine and Niall letting them know I was away following a break-in. The girls texted back demanding all the details.

  Niall texted Sorry our day ended badly. Third time lucky? ;)

  Cool. Catch up in a few days ;)

  Flicking off the light, I felt excited over my almost date with Niall. No clue how we would make time for each other though or when I’d next get to see him.

  Later, the flashing Étoile woke me. Stella tripped over her words and stuttered through questions. They boiled down to: What was the knife for? What was their true target?

  'Take your pick. The Étoile, contents of the safety deposit box or stuff I’ve stored on gadgets.’ I yawned, desperate for sleep.

  ‘What are you going to do about it?’

  ‘I’ve switched off the homing beacon.’

  ‘They graffitied your room?’

  ‘Yes, Abomination.' I shifted which squashed the mattress as I tried to get comfortable.

  'A knife that burns, that’s new.' Fear threaded her tone and her voice shook.

  'Any more thoughts on how to protect myself?’ I plumped up my pillows before nestling against them.

  'Maybe. Nothing I can teach from a distance.'