Page 11 of The Haunting
Briskly, I started washing the blood off Sabine’s hands as she stared at them in shock.
“Sabine, I’ve no idea, but Daniel and Lucian will protect us,” I said, confident in my assessment. Sabine nodded and began scrubbing vigorously.
Lucian called out as he entered, and Daniel arrived to take over from me. I hurried into Lucian’s protective embrace.
“Nothing will harm you, I swear,” he muttered, kissing my head. I knew Lucian had already proved that several times over. That’s why I loved my husband so much.
Chapter Three.
Eden
“They suspect something is wrong with the mansion,” I said as Jacques paced.
“Yes, I am aware, my love. But I don’t know how to allay their suspicions, nor can we spare the time to do so. We must find him and end this tonight.”
“Jacques, I can’t believe it’s only half-past three. It’s only been an hour and a half since we were invaded, and I’m worried about protecting them. Didn’t you feel the surge when they entered the house? Is there no one close we can call on?” I asked.
Jacques shook his head. “No. Sorry, I can’t sense anyone I’d trust to aid us. D’vid is in England, as is James. This has to end tonight; otherwise, a great evil shall rise.”
“Are we enough?”
“Eden, I have the blood of two Vam’pirs coursing through my veins, as do you, my darling. That makes you as powerful as a Firstborn. Together, we are strong.
“What if he calls for aid?”
“He can’t. He remains weak until his body is given life again. Tonight, he will attempt to crossover. How D’vid and theTai’moriee discovered his whereabouts matters little. I can sense him here, and I will stop him,” Jacques promised.
Unsure, I nodded and stared into the flames of the fire we were in front of.
“These strangers, they were to be his victims, weren’t they? They were drawn here,” I mused.
“Yes, I suspect so,” Jacques agreed.
“Now we have sixteen people to protect,” I said, feeling pressured.
“Fourteen. I recognise Vladimir and Emmaline for what they are.”
“Pardon?” I asked, spinning to face him.
“Vladimir and Emmaline are supernatural, not mortal. He won’t be able to corrupt them as he hoped. They will be too strong,” Jacques replied.
“What are they? How strange that I sensed nothing.” And I hadn’t. Surely, being a Vam’pir, I should have realised if they were supernatural.
“They were once Protectors of the Jar of Evils, better known as Pandora’s box. Their existence predates my time as a Vam’pir. They are… loosely… Warriors of God. They protected the Jar, but Pandora freed the Evils. Once loose, they attacked the guards protecting them. The Evils changed their body shapes and burrowed into them as hosts. The Legendary Shifters are not inherently evil, but they harbour evil within them. Vladimir and Emmaline can’t be corrupted while they carry the Sins, as they call them,” Jacques explained.
“Well, I didn’t know they existed,” I gasped. The world of the paranormal remained largely unknown to me. Every passing day, I learned new things.
“Yes. The two lords, Daniel and Lucian, are not what they appear either. I’m aware of a family called the Nortons who belonged to God as his mortal warriors. They stand as a defenceagainst evil, and their story is vaguely known to me. They were killed before their destiny had been fulfilled and recently returned to life. Much like the Rakehell Six, which Daniel is a part of. God has a plan, and we are not to interfere, my love,” Jacques said.
“What of the friends? Drake and Phoe and the rest of them?”
“They are mortal and of no special note. However, Phoenix Michaelson is renowned for her charitable work and for helping those in need. Through her philanthropic actions, they set the standard for others to follow. So, perhaps my words are wrong. They deserve a specific mention but have no powers. And I very much doubt they are aware of the supernatural.”
“How do we protect ten mortals, Jacques?”
“Carefully. Their loss in this world would dim a bright light. They show that old-fashioned values, those we honour, are valuable and worthy in today’s society. The men’s souls are stained. However, I see a spark of greatness in each of them. Our prey will not win tonight, for I doubt he realises what he has tempted.”
“One can only hope,” I murmured, and Jacques pulled me close.
