After breakfast, they went into the living room and discussed possible plans of attack.
“We should begin with the blinding potion,” Walter said.
Allison remembered this one. Every person had to put a single strand of his or her hair into the mix. When the vial is broken on the ground, a thick smoke is supposed to rise, blinding anyone except those who put in a hair.
“We? I thought we discussed this, Dad,” said Ursula.
“Yes, we. If not, why else did we put in our own hair among the rest?”
Allison was thinking the same thing.
“In case a vial was knocked off or broken on accident. I would rather not be stumbling around here blind. You know we can’t go.”
That feeling of dislike was coming back. Allison realized that it was asking a lot, but they needed all the help they could find. Two more people, people experienced in magic, could be the difference between life and death. Ursula was supposed to be her mother’s best friend. She would like to think that if Vinnie or Sam’s child came to her, in need of help against a force like this, that she would be more than willing to give it. Allison stood up to go outside. She needed to leave before she said anything rude.
“I’m taking a walk. You want to come Vinnie?” she asked.
Since Monday, when they had left in the RV, she had not had much alone time with Vinnie, which was unusual.
“Yeah,” he said, but he didn’t have a chance to stand up.
There was a loud crash and glass went everywhere. Allison felt a piece graze her, cutting across her forehead. She felt the warmth on her face but it did not hurt. Her adrenaline was too high to feel pain.
In the floor, a few feet beyond the broken window, was a brick that had been used to bust it out. Allison’s mind was trying to understand, to make sense of what was happening. There were loud bangs on the front door and a man was climbing through the broken window. She grabbed a short, rooster shaped lamp from an end table. After ripping it out of the socket, she hit the man in the head with the base. She did not know what else to do.
Allison felt arms around her shoulders and turned to realize only she and Cain remained in the living room.
He was yelling at her, “Get to the basement! Come on!”
She didn’t argue, following Cain to the basement. When they were both in, Cain shut the door behind them and locked it from the inside. That was when she realized that the door seemed more secure than the doors in most homes. It was made of some type of strong steel or lead. Though it was a standard size door, it looked like something a bank would have.
“That should hold for a while,” Walter said, glancing over at Ursula’s pale face, “I guess we’re fighting after all.”
“I’m so sorry,” Ruby began, “I don’t know how they knew we were here.”
There was now banging on the steel door. This was not a normal home invasion; it was the BC. They would just have to fight without any plan of attack. Allison’s heart pounded and seemed to leap into her throat.
“Don’t apologize,” Walter told Ruby, “They have their ways and you did the right thing coming here.”
He grabbed Ruby by both arms and pulled her in, pressing her lips against his. In spite of their current situation, Allison laughed a little and so did Vinnie. It was sweet, but a little gross at the same time. When they broke apart, Ruby’s cheeks were bright pink.
“Well, it seems we are all in for a fight sooner than we expected,” Ruby said.
Ursula let out a tiny whimper.
“It’s going to be okay,” Vinnie assured her.
“They weren’t supposed to come here,” Ursula said.
“I know. We were supposed to go to them,” Vinnie said.
Tears were rolling down her cheeks; her shoulders were shaking in silent sobs. Walter looked struck with horror. He understood what she was trying to say.
“What did you do?” Walter asked in a quiet voice.
All eyes in the room were fixed on Ursula. No one seemed aware of the banging just on the other side of the door.
“They knew you would return here,” she said to Ruby in a pleading voice.
“Of course they did,” Ruby said in an even tone.
“They approached me two days ago while Daddy was gone. It was Jackson and a young man. They wanted to know the last time you came here. I told them it was months ago, but that wasn’t enough for Jackson.”
“He didn’t,” Ruby said.
She began to cry harder.
“What?” Allison asked.
“Jackson has a way to find out if you are lying among other things. With a simple touch of your temples, he knows your hopes, dreams, deepest fears, biggest embarrassments, everything,” Cain said.
“All he had to do was touch me, and he knew that my biggest fear was losing Daddy to the same people who killed my mother and my best friend. He told me that if you showed up, I was to let him know. If I didn’t, he promised to come and kill Daddy in the most slow, painful way imaginable. He said if I let him know when you arrived, they would not come here again. He promised they would wait for you to go to them. He even promised not to kill any of you.”
“Ursula,” Walter whispered.
“I had to,” she cried, “Ruby, I was hoping, praying you would not show up here at all.”
“Of course you were,” Ruby said, walking over and rubbing her arm.
Ruby may have understood, but Allison wanted to attack Ursula for her betrayal and utter stupidity.
“So you just got us all killed because you trusted the word of the man who killed your mother and mine? By the way, do not call her your best friend. If you were any friend to my mother, you could never sell her family out. You’re just a coward,” Allison said.
Every muscle in her body was convulsing with anger. Ursula collapsed as if the weight of Allison’s words had rendered her unable to stand. She began sobbing louder and louder. Allison did feel a twinge of pity, though it was subdued when she considered their situation. Either way, Ursula was no good like this. Allison crouched down beside her, making every effort not to yell or attack her.
“Look, there’s no way to change what happened. We’re all in this together now, you and Walter have to fight if there’s any hope of survival.”
“I am so sorry.”
“Now’s not the time. We need a plan.”
“We need these,” Walter said.
He opened a trunk, filled with weapons.
“I didn’t think you could use guns or things like that against The BC.”
“No, not guns or most weapons, but these are special.”
Everyone walked over to the trunk and looked inside. There were large shining daggers, all with ornate carving. They looked expensive and special.
“These have been in my family for years. They are supposed to be blessed by the gods themselves. I don’t know about all that, but I do know they’re powerful. Their magic is powerful enough to slice through any protective charms. I only have five, though.”
“One for each of you,” Cain said.
“No, Cain,” Ruby said.
“Look, I grew up with these guys, I was trained by them. Not to brag or anything, but I was the best fighter in my age group. I can handle them without a dagger.”
“What’s our plan then?” Vinnie asked.
“Get outside and fight our way to the cars,” Walter said, eyeing the other steel door, the one leading to the outside, “Everyone grab a dagger, and we need to get the potions put into containers. We have to carry as many as possible. Once we make it to the cars, we leave. That is the only way to buy ourselves more time.”
Chapter 14
Ruby threw a glass vial on the ground. Within seconds, a greyish, black smoke began billowing from the spot where it hit. Soon the entire basement was filled with the smoke, though it did not seem to inhibit Allison’s vision. The smell was horrendous, though.
Walter opened the basement door. He did not open the door at the top of the st
eps, but the one leading to the outside. As everyone expected, there were members of The BC waiting on the other side of the door, ready to ambush them. Several men rushed in to find themselves stumbling around, unable to see. Once Allison’s group was outside, they were confronted by two stragglers. Cain attacked one of the men, knocking him to the ground. Allison watched for a moment, impressed by his fighting prowess.
There was not much time for admiration, however. The second man was advancing on Ruby until she pulled out a handful of bright maroon powder, tossing it toward his face. While the powder was in flight, he tried to retreat, but it was too late. He fell to his knees, screaming in agony. Giant blisters were forming all over his face. Allison felt her stomach lurch. Cain was on top of the man he attacked, landing blow after vicious blow until the man seemed to be unconscious.
“Let’s go,” Ruby said.
The group hurried to the cars, hoping to escape. When they rounded the side of the house, they realized that would not be an option. Jackson, Adam and several other people were standing among the vehicles, as if they knew they were going to run.
“So we’re fighting,” Ruby said.
They all nodded. Everyone in the group had a pocket full of useful concoctions, designed to give them the upper hand. Everyone except for Cain also had a dagger.
“Rush them?” Allison asked.
“Rush them,” Ursula agreed.
Allison noticed she had a crazed look in her eyes, but she preferred this Ursula to the one who was a sobbing mess. Cain threw one vial from the side of the house, which landed among the BC, breaking on the gravel. As the smoke billowed up, they all rushed on the men. Through the haze, Allison found Adam, punching him in the jaw with all her might.
“Allison?” he asked.
“Where are Sam and Jane?”
“They’re fine. They’re safe.”
She punched him again.
“Don’t be like that,” he said in a mocking voice.
Another man grabbed her, knocking her to the ground. She struggled, finding her dagger and plunging it deep into his side. He released his grip. She looked up to see Vinnie getting the better of two blinded men. Cain was fine, too. Her heart sank when she realized the noise had attracted the other BC members who had been in the house. They were now out-numbered, but she fought on beside her group. They were doing well considering the odds.
Members of the BC continued to fall, but not without a fight. Allison learned of their magic first hand when a tall, fierce looking woman grabbed her wrists. The skin on skin contact sent a painful electric current through her entire body. Every muscle tightened and the pain was blinding. She was afraid she might die right then, but Walter realized what was happening. He was there in an instant, throwing a green liquid on the woman. The woman became rigid, and fell to the ground.
They were beginning to regain their sight. Allison took another vial of the blinding potion, but before she could break it on the ground, someone grabbed her hand. Adam was prying it from her fingers. He threw the vial with all his might and it landed somewhere in the grass.
“Not again,” he said, grabbing her.
Everyone around her was still fighting; no one noticed when Adam picked her up.
“I have her, let’s go,” he yelled to Jackson.
Allison stopped fighting. If she just went along, maybe they would kill her, but everyone would be safe. If the BC would leave right now, she was sure between Ruby and Ursula, they could find Sam. What was there to consider? Everyone she loved would be safe, and that was all that mattered.
Jackson looked at Allison.
“Call them off. Make everyone leave and I will go with you,” Allison said.
Jackson put his fingers to his own forehead and every member of The BC looked at him. No one said a word. They all stopped what they were doing and walked away. They walked to the edge of Walter’s property, disappearing into the woods.
Adam carried Allison, who did not struggle. She was ready to die for her family and friends. They, however, were not ready for her to die. Vinnie noticed what was happening and ran toward them, stabbing Adam in the chest. Allison was sure he had pierced a lung or maybe even Adam’s heart. He and Allison hit the ground. Allison’s head hit the gravel with a dull thud. She glanced at Adam who was laughing while he writhed in pain. The sticky blood flowed from his chest. She did not have to be a doctor to realize this could be a fatal wound.
“Allison, I want you to know something.”
“What?”
“I’m glad I’m dying, I’m so tired of all this. If we had been two normal people, I think we could have had something special.”
She stared, bewildered. Allison tried to think of something to say, but there were no words. Her eyes filled with tears and she sat in silence while Adam took his final breath. When she looked up, she could see that Jackson had called his group back, and the fighting continued around her. Walter was on the ground, bleeding. Jackson was advancing on Ruby. He moved his hands and seemed to hit Ruby with an invisible punch. The cracking sound was sickening, Allison was sure it was the sound of bones breaking.
“No!” she screamed while Jackson approached her grandmother’s weakened form, “You want me? I’m here.”
He looked up at her.
“Just you and me. Whoever lives wins.”
Jackson laughed while Allison backed up. She wasn’t sure what she was saying, but as long as the focus was off Ruby, she did not care.
“What are your terms?” Jackson asked, amused.
“Everyone from both groups has to stay out of it. If you can overpower me, get the upper hand then you can take me, kill me, whatever. Just leave them out of it.”
She heard protests from everyone, which she ignored, “It has to be out there,” she pointed to the far end of the yard, near the pond.
Jackson laughed.
“Are you afraid?” she asked.
“No. I just can’t believe you’re making this so easy for me. Humor me. Why does it have to be out there? Are you going to drown me?”
“If I get the chance. I want it away from everyone else, no interference.”
“No one from The Blood Coven is to interfere,” he ordered, turning serious.
They all nodded.
“That goes for my group. Whatever happens; let it happen. And in return, you all leave them alone?” she asked Jackson.
“Of course.”
They tried to protest, but Allison urged them to stop. “Take care of Ruby and Walter. That’s more important right now.”
She could see they were still breathing, but both were injured. Many of the BC were also scattered on the ground, wounded or dead. They, too, had enough to keep themselves occupied.
“Allison, protect your gift no matter what. It’s your magic, don’t let anyone take it,” Cain said.
Allison looked at Ruby who was being attended to by Vinnie, “I am protecting my gift.”
Chapter 15
“How do you suggest we do this?” Jackson asked with an arrogant smirk.
Allison did not know what to say as she glanced over the pond. She had managed to stop the fighting and draw Jackson’s attention to her. Now what? She had no idea what she was doing.
“Just take me if you can,” she said, trying to sound confident.
He laughed a little before his expression became vicious. He gave a flick of the wrist, similar to what he had done to Ruby, but Allison was fast enough to move. Whatever type of attack that was, it missed her. She grabbed a vial full of liquid from her pocket and threw it at him. She wasn’t even sure what she had thrown. He dodged it and examined the contents soaking into the ground.
“Ooh, that would have been painful,” he said.
He began advancing on her while she took cover behind a tree, fumbling through her pockets to see what she had left. She found the maroon powder that Ursula had called, ‘boiling powder’. She had to make this count. When she came from behind the tree, she was within three feet of
Jackson.
Right before she was about to toss the powder, she heard a scream. The voice was unmistakable. Someone was not keeping their word. Someone had attacked her grandmother once again. The unexpected noise took Jackson by surprise as well, because he was staring across the yard when Allison looked at him. She threw the powder while he was preoccupied.
Jackson’s shouts were immediate and he hit the ground, covering his face. This was the chance to rid the world of him for good. She pulled out the dagger, set on ending his life. Before she could deliver a fatal wound, he grabbed her wrist, forcing himself up and to his feet.
“I did not get this far or become this powerful by being easy to kill.”
Allison tried to pull her arm out of his grip but it was paralyzed. She looked across the yard and could see figures moving in combat, though it was hard to make out what was happening. Allison wanted to get back to the others and make sure Ruby was okay. The paralyzing effect of Jackson’s grip was spreading through her body. She tried to say something but her lips failed to move. Jackson pushed her, releasing his grip; and she could do nothing but fall. While she fell, she realized where she was headed, into the pond.
There was a splash and then she was submerged. She could feel herself start to panic, trying to move any part of her body. Her mind flooded with thoughts of her family, friends and all the things she still wanted to do. She was certain she would die here in this pond and she could not help feeling guilty. She felt guilty because she had failed, guilty that her death would bring such heartache and pain to those she loved and guilty because she knew that everyone she loved may die today, too. Her chest was beginning to burn as every cell in her body screamed out for oxygen. She thought of her mother, the one bright spot in all of this. If there was an afterlife, maybe she could see her again. She closed her eyes and imagined her mother’s face.
Out of nowhere, there was a white light surrounding Allison and then she was spinning, faster and faster. Allison could not believe it; she was no longer in the water, she was some place beautiful. Allison was standing outside in the twilight and she noticed a round, ornamental platform. While she stared, a light appeared in the middle of the platform; it swirled around and then a figure appeared. At first, Allison thought it must be an angel, but then she realized it was something even better, her mother. She could see Maria’s face, full of life for the first time.
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