Dark Days (The Childe Series, #2) (65 page)
A proximity signal sounded through Robert Craven’s mountain hideaway. He moved over to his computer monitor and saw it was Max, his longtime friend and agent, at the front gate waiting to be let in. He hit the buzzer and watched as the large iron security gate crept open. He observed, through several security monitors, as Max’s car wound its way up the mountain toward his estate. “This can’t be good, he’s back early,” Robert muttered to himself.
Robert waited at the front door, anxious to hear what had caused this unplanned visit. “Back so soon?” he asked as Max came toward him.
“You don’t look happy to see me,” Max stated.
“This is my intrigued look,” he joked.
“So, are you going to let me in?” Max asked, pointing to the door.
“Am I going to like what you have to say?”
“Let’s just say you won’t be the happiest person,” Max replied.
Robert’s handsome face took on more of a somber look. “Catherine?” he asked.
“Yes,” Max replied.
“Serious?”
“Very.”
“Let us go discuss then, shall we? Would you like something to drink?” Robert asked, opening the front door.
Max was always in awe every time he stepped into Robert’s estate and saw the magnificent mountain view from the large, sweeping panoramic windows. “No, I actually can’t stay long. I need to get back,” he replied.
“Alright then, don’t keep me waiting. What is this news you bring me?” Robert asked as he poured himself a scotch on the rocks mixed with a shot of blood. It never failed to amaze Max that in all the years they were friends, and though Robert was a world-renowned author, he was always to the point and a man of few words when it came to discussing matters.
“Catherine has gotten herself in to quite the jam,” Max stated. “It has to be a setup. But nevertheless, the Varulv Council is still going to hold her responsible.”
“What is she accused of?” Robert asked.
“Murder.”
“A Varulv? She killed a Varulv?”
“It would appear so,” Max answered.
“Come on, she’s only sixteen years old,” he spat out.
“Robert, why don’t you sit down, and I’ll tell you what I know.”
“I prefer to stand if you don’t mind, old friend,” he replied and raised his glass to Max before taking a swig.
“No, old friend, I implore you to take a seat, for what I have to tell you will require you to again come out of hiding.” The moment Max spoke those words Robert set down his glass, put on a serious face, and took a seat across from Max. He listened very intently as Max told him everything.
A half an hour later, Max was on his way back down the mountainside to make plans for their trip to Austria.
The next day, the party boarded Aldon’s private jet which was headed for Austria.
“You know I can’t come with you, Cat, for obvious reasons,” Ryan said, and then kissed her softly as tears filled her eyes.
“I hate this. I want you to be there with me,” Cat whispered as she placed her forehead gently against his.
“I know, but there’s no way I can.”
“I’ll miss you,” she replied.
“You have no idea,” he stated sadly. “Well, you better get going. I’ll be waiting for you, remember that.”
Cat looked deeply into his blue eyes and smiled. “I love you,” she said, and then embraced him in a hug.
“I love you, too.”
Cat stood there framed by the plane’s open doorway and stared at Ryan forlornly until it closed. She gripped the ring he had given her in her left hand and swiped away the tears with the other. “Be strong, Cat, you’ve got to be strong,” she whispered to herself.
As Cat took her seat next to Matt, she could feel his nervousness. “It’s going to be okay, Matt,” she said as she buckled her seatbelt.
“I’ve never flown before. Heck, I’ve never left the state,” Matt stated, gripping the armrest tightly.
Poor Matt, last night he looked like he was going to throw up after the announcement that he was coming with us. I feel terrible. This is all my fault,
she thought. Cat reached over and put her hand on his, squeezing gently, trying to ease him.
“I’m sorry you have to go through this, Matt.”
“What was that?” he asked panicked, looking around frantically.
“We’re just moving,” Taylor replied and rolled his eyes.
As Matt settled his nerves, “I kind of feel guilty about the little white lie we planted in my parents’ memory. Since when have I ever gone to camp? But they actually believed it. I mean, Lucien made them believe it, but still,” Matt rambled on.
“It was for their safety and ours. You do understand that, right?” Cat asked.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t change how I feel about it, though,” Matt replied as he looked out the window and watched the tarmac disappear.
As the jet began to descend, the first thing Cat noticed was Austria seemed as lush as Astoria. There were forests of large trees and green fields as far as Cat’s eyes could see. The only real difference was the glorious snow-covered mountain range standing off in the distance.
It was raining, drizzling really, and a light fog trailed the ground. Two limos were waiting for them as they exited the jet, ready to transport them to their destination.
“I wonder how far we’re going. This doesn’t look like a main road.” Cat said as the limos continued on a small winding lane toward the majestic mountains. “Have you been here before, Taylor?”
“No, this is my first time,” he replied, continuing to look out the window at the trees flying by.
“It’s beautiful,” Cat said, staring at the mountains ahead. She leaned back in the seat. “I’m glad we got our own limo. I still feel awkward around Uncle Aldon.”
“Cat, how many times do we have to tell you? It wasn’t your fault,” Taylor replied, whipping around to look at her.
“I know, but I still shouldn’t have taken off by myself like I did. It was a stupid thing to do,” Cat murmured, fiddling with the clasp on her messenger bag that was in her lap. She looked over at Matt and saw him tapping his foot nervously while gazing out the window as if in a trance. She felt guilty that he had been dragged into this. “Matt, are you okay?”
“Sure, why wouldn’t I be?” he replied, not sounding convincing. “Is that where we’re going?” Matt asked while pointing at a large castle nestled at the bottom of the mountain range.
“Maybe,” Cat answered, shivering at the thought of what she may face behind its tall, dark grey walls.
“Never been to a real castle before…I kind of wish it was under different circumstances, though,” Matt laughed nervously, missing Cat’s worried expression as they pulled up to the front doors of the massive structure.
Taylor reached across the seat, placing his hand on Cat’s knee. “This will be a piece of cake,” he said, wanting to ease the fear in her eyes.
The limos came to a halt. The drivers jumped out and opened the doors, waiting for their passengers to get out. The castle’s colossal wooden doors creaked loudly as they slowly opened and a tall, thin-figured man emerged from them. His face was stoic as he waited patiently for them all to approach.
“I want to go home. I can’t do this,” Cat said, her nerves getting the best of her.
Aldon approached the thin man as Rachel and Sam went over to the open door of the other limo. “Mom, I can’t do this. Please, let me just go home,” Cat said tearfully.
Her mom knelt down, “We’re right here, Cat, there’s nothing to be afraid of. Come on now, let’s all go inside. The sooner we do, the sooner this will all be over.”
As Cat exited the limo, the tall, thin man’s stony gaze lingered on her, making her feel uncomfortable. “The name is Baroque. Please do come in. I will have Magda see you to your rooms. Dinner will be served promptly at seven,” he stated to the whole group, his gaze still fixed on Cat. His eyes flashed golden as he smirked at her. Dodging his stare, Cat quickly focused her attention on her mom.
Magda was just as
warm
as Baroque as she led the group down a long hallway lined with plush red carpet. She assigned everyone a bedroom, and Cat was relieved when she found out hers was between her parents’ room and Matt and Taylor’s room. Aldon and Druanna’s room was across the hall.
The inside of Cat’s room was awash with rich autumn colors. Its focal point was a huge four-post bed with a dark wood finish. Portraits of regally-dressed men and women were hung on all the walls, seeming to be trapped in a time gone by. Their ornate gold frames didn’t seem too gaudy and fit in nicely with the room’s décor. As Cat scanned the room while walking toward the pair of tall windows in front of her, she felt like every portrait was staring at her with their golden brown eyes.
While looking out the windows at the fairytale-like scenery below, Cat became entranced by the snow gently falling outside. She jumped when she heard a noise behind her. Turning, Cat watched as a man hastily left the room after leaving her bags just inside the door. Cat looked on as Magda, who had the looks of a cover girl, came slightly into the room.
“Is everything satisfactory, miss?” Magda asked coldly.
“Yes, thank you,” Cat replied nervously as the beautiful woman stared at her.
“If you like, you may wash up in the bathroom behind the door. Someone will come for you when it is time for dinner.” Not waiting for her reply, Magda abruptly left the room and closed the door behind her. Cat lay down on the bed and curled up.
“I will not cry…I will not cry,” she said softly trying to fight back the tears.
