The Overture of Fear & Passion (The Daemonica Symphony Series Book 1)

by Eloisa Clark

  Chaotic, jumbled thoughts crashed against his mind. He could make no sense of them and reached for Juliet’s hand, feeling overcome with the need to protect her from whatever or whoever was hidden within the vines.

  He listened as Juliet continued to search the creature’s mind, she was struggling like he had, but she picked up a detail that he had missed. Niko felt sick as they both recognised the distinct British accent.

  “Eric.” Juliet whispered, her voice echoing his own dread.

  FIONA AND SCOTT arrived quickly, Juliet having called out mentally to Fiona and Niko to Scott.

  “Who else is coming?” Niko asked.

  “No one.” Scott replied, “We both agreed that we can’t trust any of those tossers, what if one of them is his accomplice and they come here and kill us all once he’s let out.” Niko nodded.

  He wasn’t sure if it was the best decision, but he agreed that no one else could be trusted.

  “Plus, we didn’t want to risk startin’ a panic, ‘dere are ‘umans ‘ere after all an’ my coven would go bloody mental if ‘dey knew I was gettin' involved wit’ this level of magic.” Fiona joined Juliet, standing a careful distance away from the still-moving vines.

  “So that is what this is? Some kind of spell?” Juliet asked.

  Fiona nodded, “My guess is ‘de vines ‘ave been governed to act as a bind. To ‘old Eric ‘ere for some reason.”

  “But who would do that?” Niko asked.

  "The doctor did say that they would be placin’ traps in case Eric came back...” Fiona suggested.

  “But what if Eric’s not the killer. And someone else trapped him here for some reason? I mean, why would they just leave him here like this, if he was the killer?” Juliet asked.

  Fiona nodded at the idea. Niko didn’t like either option.

  “Who here could do that kind of spell Fiona?” He asked Fiona.

  She was silent for a moment as she moved closer to the vines and crinkled her nose at them.

  “It feels like old magic, it can’t ‘ave been any of ‘de novices.”

  “So, who are our options?” Niko asked, he’d only ever met one of the resident Witches personally.

  “There’s Kijo, she’s the oldest, then there’s Adrienne and Marigold.”

  “Who out of them would you say could do a spell like this?” Niko asked directly.

  Fiona frowned and shook her head.

  “I couldn’t say, I ‘tink the only way to be sure will be to ask Eric.”

  “I don’t know about this, Fiona. His mind is ten types of fucked up. If we let loose a crazed, psycho-killer-Vamp, we’re fucked.” Niko said.

  “We’d need some way to break the bind. To keep ‘im trapped, so as not to be able to cause us any ‘arm, but able to talk to us.” She responded, as she looked from Niko to the stirring vines.

  “Can you do that kind of magic Fiona, break the bind without letting him escape?” Juliet asked, echoing Niko’s concern.

  Fiona gnawed her lip, “I’ll need a few ‘tin’s,” she said, looking thoughtful.

  “Scott, take Fiona back to the castle so she can get whatever she needs. I’ll stay here with Juliet and keep watch on our friend here.”

  Scott and Fiona nodded and left with a final look at the vines.

  Within a minute of them leaving, the silence between Niko and Juliet became unbearable. Niko wanted to say something, but he didn't know what. Part of him knew that Juliet wasn’t ready to hear it, that he’d fucked up by telling her he loved her. He hadn’t wanted to say it yet, but in the spur of the moment, he hadn’t been able to think of anything else that would get through to her. Now that it was out there, he couldn’t take it back and he was going to have to wait for her to figure out what she wanted. He watched her from the corner of his eye as she stood with her arms crossed over her chest.

  Blessedly, Fiona and Scott returned quickly, Fiona carrying a small cloth bag that clanked and jingled as she hurried in, but they weren’t alone. Doctor Livingstone followed close at their heels; his frown deeper than Niko had ever seen it.

  “Sorry mate, he was onto us the minute we got out of Fiona’s room.” Scott apologised.

  “Why didn’t you come to me immediately?” Doctor Livingstone asked, his voice deep as a vein in his forehead protruded angrily. Niko ignored the urge to cower, he knew he was far older and far more powerful, but he stood by his decision.

  “To be perfectly honest, we don’t know if we can trust you.” He said.

  The doctor remained silent, staring at them each individually for a moment before his shoulders relaxed slightly.

  “And you’re sure it’s him?” He asked, his voice softer.

  Juliet and Niko both nodded.

  “Listen for yourself.” Juliet suggested.

  The doctor’s eyes closed momentarily before opening widely as he said something in a language Niko didn’t recognised.

  He turned to Fiona, “Do your spell quickly, he won't last much longer.”

  Fiona nodded, she’d already taken her instruments out of the bag and had set them up near the garden bed where she could work. She plucked a leaf from the vines and added it to a small pyre as she began uttering her spell.

  They all waited, Niko felt the air thicken with electricity, but after several minutes Fiona slumped forward and puffed.

  “What’s wrong?” Juliet asked.

  “Not enough juice. I need more power.” She said.

  “Do you know how to syphon?” The doctor asked.

  Fiona lowered her eyes.

  “Your coven elder isn’t here Fiona. You won't get into any trouble with me. Do you know how?” The doctor asked firmly.

  Fiona nodded and Doctor Livingstone quickly removed his suit jacket and began rolling up his sleeves as the others stood by and watched.

  The doctor extended his arm to her and she reached out hesitantly. Taking hold of his upturned hand in both of hers, she pressed her thumbs into his wrist and began to quickly chant. The exchange happened quickly, Fiona released the doctor’s hand with a shake of her head as if she’d just downed a shot of tequila and stepped back. Doctor Livingstone stumbled momentarily before quickly regaining his balance.

  Fiona returned to her pyre and resumed her incantation. Where before the air had hummed, it now rumbled, and Niko’s nose was flooded with the smell of ozone as the glass panes around them began to rattle with the energy radiating from Fiona. Niko reached for Juliet, feeling suddenly fearful. Without warning it all stopped and the stillness was more unsettling than the noise before it.

  All eyes were fixed on Fiona and Niko wondered if her spell had worked. The smile beginning to form on her face suggested it had. He turned his attention to the garden bed and noticed that the plants had stilled.

  Doctor Livingstone approached, carefully reaching into the nest of vines. Niko and Scott joined him, pulling the now lifeless plants away. They found Eric within, his unmoving body torn and battered by his entrapment.

  “Is he O.K?” Juliet asked.

  Niko gave Eric a mental nudge but retreated instantly. His mind was still chaos; snarling and angry. The doctor held up his hand.

  “His mind is too fractured; we won’t get through his defences without risking our own sanity.” He warned.

  “We might be able to help.” Odette said, as she entered the glass house followed by the purple-suited man who had been with Odette earlier.

  “We couldn’t help but overhear what was going on, you’re lucky the others are more easily distracted.” The man said, as he nodded at Doctor Livingstone.

  “Thank you, Darius. That is fortunate.” He replied, his words lacking sincerity.

  Darius looked around the room, his eyes landing on Juliet and lingering. Niko’s mental growl caught his attention, and he turned to him and smiled, his elongated canines clearly visible.

  Odette stepped over Eric’s limp body and knelt down beside him. She stroked his face gently, almost motherly, then tutted and shook her head
.

  “Starved?” Darius asked, showing more concern for his cufflinks than Eric’s wellbeing.

  Odette nodded.

  “We’ll need a drop at least before I’ll be able to get him calm enough to make sense.” She looked up at Darius, but he raised his hands and shook his head.

  “Don’t look at me, you know I’m too potent. And not yours either. It’s got too much of mine mixed in with it. He wouldn’t be able to handle it.” He looked at Niko and Scott.

  “Use one of them, they’re weak enough.” Niko instantly bristled at the insult but didn’t have time to argue.

  Odette had already stood and reached for his hand, scratching it with a nail. She squeezed his thumb, forcing blood to rise to the surface of the cut before she wiped it onto her own finger. She returned to Eric and gingerly opened his mouth, dabbing the blood onto his tongue. The entire exchange made Niko feel sick.

  Within seconds Eric jerked suddenly, his eyes snapping open and he began to thrash out violently. Odette held him down with little effort while everyone except Darius took a step back.

  “Ssssh, Eric. You’re safe now.” Odette soothed him calmly.

  She continued to speak to him in a low, soft voice until he finally began to stop struggling.

  “Who trapped you here Eric?” Doctor Livingstone asked, taking over the interrogation.

  Eric shook his head, still squirming beneath Odette’s hold.

  “Cooperate” Darius commanded, his voice deepening to a rumble that caused even the windowpanes to rattle.

  Eric ceased squirming but continued to shake his head.

  “Don’t know.” He said, his voice scratchy and low.

  “Do you remember how you became trapped?” The doctor asked.

  He shook his head, “Something drew me here. Don’t remember what.” He began to whimper.

  “So hungry.” He said, his voice an almost childlike plea.

  “Scott, Fiona, go to the kitchen. Tell Adrienne you need a blood bag. If she asks why, just tell her one of our guests forgot to eat before the party.” Fiona and Scott nodded at the doctor’s instruction and left with only a quick glance at Eric on their way out.

  Odette continued to stroke Eric’s face, whispering in his ear. After a few moments he seemed to settle, and Doctor Livingstone resumed his questioning.

  “What happened Christmas night Eric? What happened with Clarissa?”

  Eric snarled and snapped his teeth at the doctor, but Odette’s hold remained firm.

  “Answer him.” Darius instructed him.

  Eric squirmed again before answering.

  “I was just headin’ to the hall. Then I ‘ear this bloody whistlin’ and I think, who the fuck is whistlin’ this Patsy Cline shit? So, I go an’ investigate, dun’ I? Anyway, next thin’ I know I’m in the middle of the bleedin’ field and this fuckin’ energy or some shit takes control me. Like I’m possessed or somethin’. I fought it; I swear. But it was fuckin’ useless.” He looked at Odette.

  “You ‘ave to believe me. I didn’t want to kill her. I fuckin’ fought but it was too strong. I didn’t want to kill her.” He began to shake his head again as he closed his eyes and sagged in Odette’s arms.

  Niko felt compelled to believe him. The grief was pouring out of him telepathically, he was either genuinely remorseful or he was a very good actor.

  “What kind of creature can possess a Vampire?” Niko asked, turning to Doctor Livingstone.

  He looked at Darius silently, the pair exchanged matching grim expressions.

  “What?” Niko demanded, “What are you not telling us?”

  The doctor opened his mouth to say something when he was interrupted by Scott and Fiona returning. Fiona offered the blood bag to Odette who looked at it with distaste before offering it to Eric. He bit into it hungrily, growling softly as he sucked up the contents.

  “Any trouble?” The doctor asked Scott.

  He shook his head.

  “Nah, Adrienne just wanted to know if we needed help with anything. I told her we had it sorted.” The doctor nodded, crossing his arms as they waited for Eric to finish his meal.

  As the last of the blood was sucked from the bag, Eric let out a slight cough. Niko didn’t think too much of it at first but when the slight clearing of his throat turned into sudden, desperate choking, he remembered that Vampires didn’t need to breathe.

  The others seemed to come to the realisation at the same time. Darius rushed to Eric’s side, he and Odette watching him helplessly. Odette lifted back his head, trying to see if something was blocking his airways, not that it should make any difference. Black veins began to appear from beneath his shirt collar, snaking their way to his face and filling his eyes and mouth with a thick, black sludge that oozed out of him. It continued flowing out of his eyes, mouth, nose, even his ears.

  Juliet came to Niko’s side and clutched his hand; her eyes were wide with horror. He placed his arm around her as he watched on in shock.

  As suddenly as it began, Eric’s struggling subsided. His body stilled as if asleep or dead. Darius and Odette looked at each other, their eyes reflecting the same shock as everyone else.

  Just when Niko thought nothing could get any stranger, the body in Odette’s arms began to turn grey, the flesh beginning to resemble stone and ash. Niko watched with shock and fascination as it slowly caved in on itself, like a mass of burnt firewood turned to charcoal.

  “What the fuck?” Scott said, breaking the silence.

  “What the fuck indeed.” Darius said as he rose, brushing soot and dust off his soiled tux.

  “I’ve never seen anything like it.” Odette said, her voice a quivering whisper.

  She reached for the blood bag but before she could touch it, Darius stopped her.

  “No, don’t.” He said, pulling a handkerchief from his breast pocket and using it to pick up the bag.

  He sniffed it delicately, his eyes closing with concentration.

  “Sulphur...” He said, continuing to inhale, “Snakeroot and… tobacco.” He opened his eyes suddenly as Fiona gasped.

  All eyes turned to her.

  “But poisons don’t work on Vampires.” She said, her eyes wide.

  “The sulphur… it’s the scent of Pair Dadeni.” Darius explained to Fiona, none of this made any sense to Niko, but Fiona’s mouth dropped open.

  “But I thought that was just a legend.”

  Juliet interjected, “Fiona, what’s a Pair Dadeni?”

  “The Cauldron of Rebirth.” Fiona said as she looked from Darius to Doctor Livingstone.

  The pair exchanged a look while the others stood by waiting for someone to explain.

  “But it’s not possible. The last of them was destroyed centuries ago.” Darius said as his eyes narrowed.

  “Could we please get some answers? You’re talking about things some of us know nothing about.” Juliet said, her voice rising, “Eric was poisoned somehow, we got that. But how was he possessed in the first place?”

  Again, the men exchanged a silent look.

  “Just tell us, would you?” Niko demanded.

  “It couldn’t be him?” Darius said as he pinched his chin.

  “He’d need help. Someone above ground, doing the dirty work.” Doctor Livingstone said.

  Darius nodded in agreement, “A draught of some kind, if they had the cauldron it’s possible.”

  “She must have slipped something in the blood bags before the Christmas feast.”

  “Who?” Niko asked.

  “Adrienne.” The doctor said, closing his eyes. Odette and Darius’s expressions also turned glassy as they seemed to mentally step out of the room for a moment.

  “I can’t find her.” Doctor Livingstone said, lines forming across his forehead as he tried to focus more intensely.

  “Nothing.” Odette said, looking at Darius who shook his head.

  Something Eric had said came to Niko’s mind, “Wait a sec, Patsy Cline.” He said.

  “What?” Ju
liet asked, looking up at him.

  “Eric said he heard Patsy Cline. When I ran into Adrienne a while back, she was humming some old tune. I didn’t think anything of it at the time.”

  “What was the song?” Juliet asked.

  Niko didn’t remember the name so instead began to hum it, after a few notes Juliet picked up the tune.

  “Crazy for being so lonely.” She sang.

  Niko nodded, “That’s the one.”

  The faces of Doctor Livingstone, Odette and Darius resumed to their distant expressions as they tried to tune in to Adrienne’s trail.

  “I’ve got her.” Odette said.

  Doctor Livingstone looked at her, then turned in the direction of the castle. The forgotten party was still in full swing.

  “You two go. Get her. We’ll meet back in my office in an hour.” He said.

  Odette and Darius disappeared without a word; their movement too quick for Niko to catch with his non-Vampire vision. The doctor returned his attention to the four of them.

  “The rest of you should go back to the party, it will be winding up soon anyway. Go and say your farewells. I’ll deal with Adrienne.”

  “Fuck that.” Scott said, beating Niko to it.

  “There’s no way we’re just going to go back and act like nothing’s even happened. We deserve to know what the hell is going on.” Niko said.

  The doctor waved a dismissive hand as he turned to go.

  “Not now. Mr Dmitriyev.”

  “Stop.” Niko said, his command echoing mentally.

  The doctor froze. He blinked rapidly before shaking his head.

  From the corner of his eye, Niko saw Juliet turn her face up to him, but he remained focussed on man in front of him. They were fighting some kind of mental battle and he knew he would lose if he looked away.

  “O.K… O.K.” The doctor said, “But not now. I have over a hundred guests to deal with. There’s already enough tension between the factions. We can’t let this get out.” He looked at the four of them before directing his attention to Niko.

  “I need your help. I need you all to go back to your guests. Play the part, get everyone to leave. Don’t you see? If they know a Witch is behind this and that a Vampire was possessed, all hell will break loose. It could tear the factions apart. We need everyone’s cooperation now more than ever. Please. We can talk later.”