Eternal Entity: A Dark Supernatural Thriller (The Celestial Rose Book 1)

by Annalee Adams

  We veered to the right, heading away from civilisation and over a dirt path that took us through the forest. About a mile in, the sunlight dimmed as the trees loomed over, shadowing the area from peering eyes as we delved deeper into the darkness. It was hard to tell day or night there, as the environment lay twisted in shadow. It certainly screamed horror movie, but still, I felt an awe of mystery and intrigue, yearning for answers as curiosity cautioned my mind from reality.

  Across a rocky bridge, we drove onto a paved driveway, a long one at that, lit by Victorian style lamps either side. It was surprising to find something so magical hidden away. Cruising along at a slow speed, I took in the glory of the mansion as we arrived. The beauty of it was breath-taking with its white columns, balconies, and Gothic nature. A step back in history, a turn in time.

  “1800’s,” he said.

  “What?”

  “You were wondering when it was built.”

  “Oh, well, yes.”

  “It’s been in our family since the 1800’s, although I didn’t move in till much after that.” He laughed as we pulled up. The car’s engine halted as my passenger door opened with ease. How did he do that? His speed was unnatural.

  “Come on, lets head inside,” he said, offering his hand.

  Inside the mansion everything was perfectly still, you’d hear a pin drop in the unearthly place. The hall surrounding me rose up past the chandelier into the second and third floors. The sky framed the hallway with a glass roof high above, adding nature to such a remarkable build.

  “It’s beautiful,” I exclaimed.

  “Yes, it’s certainly something. Come, I’ll show you the best part.”

  “There’s better?”

  “There’s always better!” he exclaimed, as he pulled me along and up the curved staircase.

  The intimate details were stunning, even the handrail was curved, carved in wood, and textured like the body of a snake.

  At the top of the stairs, on the third floor, the mansion opened up. A space as large as the building itself, with the magnificent glass ceiling.

  “At night, you can watch all the stars,” he said, directing me over to the domed centre, “and if you look over in that direction, you’ll see the academy and all of Elvington out on display.”

  “Wow!” I couldn’t think of anything better to say.

  “Indeed,” he smiled, “we call this the Watchtower.”

  “I can see why. It’s beautiful.”

  “This is my favourite place. It's peaceful and, as you say, beautiful,” he said, looking over at me.

  “Come sit with me,” he stated, patting the seat beside him, and I did.

  Sitting back in one of the comfiest sofas I had ever sat in, I felt relaxed.

  I’d never leave the place if it were mine. I was surprised he even came to school. Boy, what you could learn in that house would be amazing. I bet he used the telescope to watch the stars, hmm...and the people. Should I be concerned? He hadn't done anything to hurt me. He had saved me, in fact, from those shadowed creatures. Either way, I wanted to hear him out.

  “So, what were they?” I asked.

  “Which what are you talking about?”

  “Well, start from the beginning.”

  “I think it’d take centuries to cover that.”

  “Okay, from the subway, from when my Mum died.”

  “I am sorry about your mum, Taylor,” he murmured “and the hundreds that perished that day.”

  “It wasn’t your fault, was it?” I asked.

  “No, I’m afraid you were all caught in the middle of a battle being fought for centuries. We try to save human lives, but that day, we weren’t prepared for its army of shadelings.”

  “Shadelings?”

  “Yes, the creatures that attacked you yesterday.”

  “Oh, those.” I shuddered.

  “What was the beast?”

  “The beast, it’s a creature created centuries before your time. An old weapon in an arsenal of tragedy. It escaped the city and we’ve been tracking it ever since.”

  “What city?” I asked.

  “Why, Enoch, of course,” he said, puzzled.

  “Erm?”

  “Don’t you know of it?”

  “No, should I?”

  “I must be mistaken, but I thought you were ‘different’ like us.”

  “I’m just human.”

  “Never say 'just humans.' They are a magnificent creation all on their own. And no, you’re not human.”

  “But I was.”

  “What do you mean?” he said.

  “It all changed at the subway. I couldn’t see them before.”

  “What do you mean? What changed?”

  “I turned sixteen, blew out the candle, and all hell broke loose.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know. What are you, then, Taylor?”

  “I really have no clue, Lucian.”

  “I think you need to speak to Lawrence. He’s our leader, our father in some respects. He will know what’s happening to you.”

  “Okay. Where is he?”

  “He is away on business right now. But I shall bring you back here to talk with him. Perhaps over dinner one evening? Then you can see the stars yourself.”

  “Thank you.” I blushed “That would be lovely.”

  He smiled.

  Did he just invite me on a date to see the stars? No, it’s to meet his leader. Is it?

  “Would you like something to drink, eat?” he asked.

  “No, I’m good thanks... but, could you tell me about the shadelings?” I asked. “Why do they attack me?”

  “That I don’t know. Perhaps it’s because they know you can see them, you’re a threat to them now. Especially after you took down the whole subway with your light, you shone like an angel!” he exclaimed.

  “Maybe.” I paused. “But what are they?”

  When Lucian spoke of the shadelings, he spoke in a sympathetic tone. He said they could not help what they were. They craved the energy of life, it’s what sustained them, enabling them to grow. With enough energy, it had been known for them to heal and change back into what they once were.

  The ones who had attacked me were vile, rotting corpses; their bodies were misted around the edge as if they were darkness themselves. They could manipulate their surroundings, absorbing the light and heat around them turning light to dark, warm to cold. They smelt of death, and perhaps they were death, in one manner or another.

  Their hunger reminded me of that of a rabid dog, and Lucian said I wasn't far wrong. He said they were telepathic and could communicate with each other through a connection only the shadelings shared. They not only craved energy, but they desired life itself. And for them, to take someone's last breath was the purest form of ecstasy. It gave them the ability to feel again and walk alongside humanity. However, the energy they consumed only lasted a short while, but it was the connection they craved, and that was what they killed for.

  Over the years the creatures had changed. They were originally among the most beautiful, but their physical appearance started to mirror their own personalities, grotesque to the core. With their faded beauty, they could no longer lure humanity in, so they fulfilled their hunger and desire by turning to the dead or dying, humanity’s easy pickings. Then they became the hideous creatures I had seen. They had taken on the shape of a darker form of humanity, one that terrified children in their sleep. The monster under the bed, so to speak. They feared no one and nothing. They were hunters in the night, nocturnal creatures with no emotion. They ripped through humanity one by one and nothing could stop them but themselves. They were powerful, very powerful, and as a child of Lilith's, they eventually embraced their true nature. Because of that, they lived with an abundance of riches, taking anything, they desired, including mortals as slaves and pets. They saw humans as below them, a toy to play with. But over the years they grew tired of humanity and took to killing their slaves, feasting on their dead corpses with a craving so deep i
t destroyed them. They ended lives, fed on corpses, and drank the soul from within. Turning into cannibals, they digested their bodies into their own, even those whose flesh had already begun to wither and rot.

  The energy they took sustained them in a way that wasn't meant to be. They were monstrosities and with every bite they took, they became increasingly delusional. The madness took over and they began to attack each other, killing anyone and anything in sight. As they feasted on dead blood, their souls slipped further away. They then only remained in shadow, living in a realm beyond our own, only coming out into our world with a need to destroy and decimate.

  "That's horrifying!"

  "Yes, there are many kinds of beings in our world."

  "But what are you, Lucian?"

  "I am a darkened force built to bring balance. I was once as lost as the shadelings are. But when Lilith found me, she changed me, and now I fight by her side, creating a peace bridging both worlds.”

  “Who is Lilith?”

  “She’s beyond words, and I am sure if needed, she will come to you to show you the way.”

  “What about Elisha and the others? Are they the same as you?”

  “No, but their stories are for them to tell.” He thought for a moment. “I can tell you, though, that we all fight together as a clan. We were all lost once, but now, with our purpose, we shine in the darkness.”

  “Okay, it’s a lot to take in.”

  “Yes, I expect so. Taylor, the day is waning. I must ensure your safety. Would you consider staying here with us?”

  “No, I’m sorry. It's stunning, but no. I have my dad and brother to think about.”

  “Okay,” he said simply.

  “Why do I concern you so much?”

  “I... I don’t know, Taylor. There’s something about you,” he said, taking my hand. “I feel a connection, one that I haven’t felt for centuries.”

  “Centuries?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is that why you’ve been watching me?”

  “Yes. Lawrence said you were special. You needed to be kept safe.”

  “How would he know that, though?”

  “He’s what humans would call a seer.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  “I never minded watching you. I just wish I could have reached out sooner.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “You weren’t ready, you needed to be free from London. I dropped hints about Elvington with your father.”

  “You met him?”

  “No, we never met.”

  “Then how did you drop hints?”

  “I just helped. I believe it was the academy ringing that sparked his enthusiasm. They rang to offer their condolences. After all, your mother was quite the star around here. Everyone knew of the famous artist that grew up right here in Elvington.”

  “Then I guess we have you to thank for moving here.”

  “I wouldn’t thank me yet. Let’s see what the future holds first, shall we?” He smiled. “You have a decision to make, Taylor Lane.”

  “What’s that, Lucian Darkwater?” I smiled.

  “If you want to live or die.”

  “Erm, okay. Live obviously.”

  “Then we need to train you.”

  “Train me for what?”

  “To defend yourself. You’re very powerful, from what I saw. You just need to learn how to access that power, control and wield it.”

  “Okay, but how?”

  “For now, let’s get you home. Tomorrow you’ll meet Lawrence and we can start from there.” He said as I nodded.

  Was I ready for this? A world behind my own? Was it wrong of me to wish for slumber parties and boy talk? Surely, that’s what I should be doing with my life. Jeez, I was only 17. It wasn’t right. It was hard enough losing mum, but to have to change, to adapt to a whole new world. I couldn't see that happening anytime soon. I couldn't even bring myself to look under the bed, let along fight monsters in a blindfolded world.

  He was right though, whoever he really was. If I didn't toughen up, the world would take me down with it. I was one of the lucky ones, I guessed, at least I knew the truth. Man, if people had seen what I saw in the subway they’d never sleep again. The world would ignite in chaos, suicides, mass murders. It wasn't their fault, they were just normal. Hooked up on their simple lives, blissfully unaware of the danger we live in. What I’d give to be that ignorant once again.

  Chapter 6

  The alarm bell chimed as I reached out attempting to locate it. It couldn’t be morning already. I couldn’t remember the last time I had slept long enough that the drill of my alarm woke me up. But that morning I felt rested, relaxed even, and woke up with a sweet smile on my face. It looked a beautiful day out and one I was sure would be enchanting.

  Outside, the sound of an old car horn escaped swiftly into the air. There he was, the dark handsome Lucian standing with his shades on beside his 69' Camaro. The car alone made me tingle inside, never mind the blue-eyed boy that drove it.

  The smell of burnt pancakes drifted through the household again. I rushed downstairs to grab a couple of the less singed ones, thanked my father, and ran out to meet Lucian.

  “Good morning, Taylor. How are you on this bright and beautiful morning?” he asked as he opened the car door for me.

  He was as chirpy and mysterious as ever; his modulated tone soothed the soul of even the most tiresome creature.

  “I did sleep much better. Thanks, Lucian. I think talking about everything helped.”

  “That’s music to my ears. Now we must stay together today, just to ensure that the shadelings that want to devour your soul are gone.”

  “Delightful,” I remarked. He even made the deadly shadelings sound half pleasant. “When can we start training?” I asked as we drove away.

  “There’s no rush. There is much you need to learn. I’ll take you to meet Lawrence tonight. Is that okay with you?” he asked.

  “Of course, that would be great.”

  “It’s settled then. I shall bring you home after classes and come by to collect you later.”

  “Thank you, Lucian,” I smiled.

  How could someone feel so known to me? It was as though Lucian had been a part of me all my life. Thinking back to when the three Darkwaters first walked in, it was as though they had awaited my arrival, but why? How had they known about me? Then again, the receptionist at the academy had said they rarely got any new starters. It appeared our family was the talk of the town, so of course they knew about me.

  Maybe I should have just accepted it, whatever it was. Be happy for a change. But I couldn’t help thinking that something deep inside was urging me to be careful, look behind me, watch what I was doing. That savage instinct had become a part of me since London, never trusting of anyone or anything. Christ, I rarely trusted my own eyes, until yesterday. Yesterday made sense. Even with all the talk of the supernatural, the monsters of the night. Somehow it made me feel safer. How was that possible? But then, knowledge is a powerful thing.

  In fact, who was I sitting in the car with? What was he? He briefly explained it. A darkened protector working for Lilith. Whoever that was. And what was with the icy hands? Nothing made sense, I’d seen too many horror films to know this wasn’t going anywhere nice. But I couldn’t help it. I liked the guy, and for some reason, trusted him. He made me smile again, and that was good enough.

  We arrived at the academy in plenty of time, pulling up in his own VIP space next to the rest of the Darkwaters. How did a student have their own space saved? Perhaps their leader had donated a lot of money to the school, bought the space for their classic cars? I had a lot of questions teeming around my mind, yet no answers to the meandering thoughts.

  Breaking me away from the puzzlement that he was, Lucian spoke softly.

  “We're here, Taylor. You've been lost in thought for quite some time. Anything you would like to share?”

  “No, nothing that can’t wait,” I replied, smiling. “One ques
tion, though.”

  “Yes?”

  “Do you think the shadelings will attack me again?”

  “Honestly, no, not after we discouraged the ones that went against you. They tend to follow us around, but they know you’re not alone now.” He smiled “Come on, we must make our first class,” he said, holding out his hand as we walked through the bustling array of students and headed to chemistry with Mr. Benwin.

  Science class was intriguing. The teacher was accommodating and enjoyed showing me the properties of burning magnesium. His mannerisms were quite multipolar with his diminishing attitude and then his fanatical triumphant shouts of praise and joy. The whole session was enough to leave you feeling dazed and confused.

  But it was fun all the same. I paired up with Lucian, who showed me the knack of lighting a piece of magnesium and mixing chemicals. They sparked and shot fireworks into the air, like a magical spell created in the land of fantasy and fame. His smile was contagious as he took my hand, helping me hold the chemicals at the ready, pulling me away just in time when the bubbling conceal flask sparked with dazzling delights. Mr. Benwin clapped and praised the creation Lucian had come up with and I laughed at his bewildered smile while he politely accommodated Mr. Benwin's manic episode.

  When we left, Lucian pushed me along, mistakenly into the arms of Harland. Lucian growled under his breath and Harland squared up, tensing his jawline and ready to fight. I stood there in between them both, apologetically laughing for bumping into him.

  “Well, Taylor, feeling human today, are we?” Harland snarled.

  “Erm, yes. Thanks... and thanks for your help the other day.”

  “Yes, you did look agonised by the event. Be careful where you rest,” he said, staring directly at Lucian.

  Lucian remained quiet in a defensive stance, and I wasn’t entirely sure whether he was ready to defend me or himself. His eyes glistened with hatred as he fought Harland in his mind. Harland, on the other hand, used all his might, growling at Lucian like a rabid dog ready for the slaughter.