The Gathering (40 page)

"A Traitor?  Do you know who specifically?"

"No, but they are in league with Him.  They are the ones who have been trying to possess people with the tiny demon creatures."

Alia rubbed her forehead.

“Him… you said ‘Him’.
 
Who is he and why would he want to hurt us?”
 
Scott asked.

Ferage sighed.

"He is the one with no name.  He burned cities and leveled kingdoms in the name of the gods, but it was not the gods.”

 
The unicorns lowered their heads and Amanda began to cry.  The other four felt an overwhelming sadness, as Alia leaned over to pick up Amanda, rocking her gently.

“Enough!”

The unicorns raised their heads and the sadness was gone.

“My apologies, Alia Stark.  We sometimes forget that the connection is also one of emotion and not just communication."

"This one with no name, he destroyed your world?”

“He started a war there and now… they are all fighting.  They have forgotten to find the light.  They have killed so many of our kind trying to gain more and more magic.  The magic is leaving my world and coming to yours.  We followed it to you…to safety.”

“But he’s here now, trying to do the same thing here?”

“Yes, we believe he is and we believe he has been here for quite some time.  We also…”

Suddenly, Ferage and his group lifted their heads to the sky.
 
Ferage let out a whinny that caused the others to scatter back to the woods.
 
Sean looked around and back at the beast.

"What's going on?
 
Where are you going?"

Ferage turned and stopped, looking into the sky.
 

"He has sent another one.
 
It cannot know we are here.
 
We will speak again, Alia Stark.
 
Remember, beware the birds of kings, trust only her messengers."

Then he ran back into the woods.
 
Alia and Sean looked at one another and then over at Scott and Sara.
 
Sean picked up Amanda and took Alia's hand.

"Let's get back inside the village before we try to figure this out, ok?"

Alia nodded and they walked back towards the Fail.
 
Scott was solemn as they made their way back to the keep.

"Are you all right?"
 
Sara mentally asked.

Scott nodded.

"Yeah, I just hate that there’s someone out there trying to intentionally hurt people.  Whoever this guy is, he tried to kill me,"
he thought.

"But he didn’t."

Sara smiled and slipped her hand into his and he squeezed it reassuringly.
 
He smiled back at her.  Then she heard the screech in the sky.  She looked up and saw a falcon and for some reason, she felt cold.

51

Rona slipped quietly through the busy streets of the Fail, looking only briefly from under the hood of her cape.
 
The passage in the wall had disappeared and she found it been bound when she called for it.
 
She moved quickly up the steps of the library and through the main doors.
 

The darkness of the library completely contrasted the bright sunlight.
 
Dimly lit sections of the building reflected the grand ceilings and wood that encased the books.
 
It was warm and welcoming.

Rona could see Brandon and Lisa Stark speaking to the librarian, Mr. Fields.
 
He was blond and striking, looking more like a movie star than a librarian.
 
They were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't see her slip past them and into the back of the building.

She moved to a corner of the library and looked over her shoulder to make sure that no one had seen her.
 
She firmly pulled on a copy of
Moby Dick
, which moved downward, and then with a gentle click, the wall moved towards Rona.
 
She released the book and walked quickly though the opening.

She walked down the long spiral staircase, ever deeper into the darkness as the wall closed behind her.
 
This secret room had been their last resort.

She stepped onto the stone floor and walked to the closed door.
 
The crevices in the wood allowed her to see a dim light and movement within.
 
She opened the door and there in the room was Darla.
 

She had prepared the room, save for the candles.
 
Rona closed the door and swept the cape from her shoulders, letting it fall on the back of a chair.
 
She swept her hand and muttered.

"Luminesce."

Every candle in the room erupted with flame and Darla stepped back in awe, sucking in her breath.

Rona snapped at Darla and pointed.

"The book."

Darla handed her the leather-bound book.
 
The metal clasps moved easily from their counterparts and the book opened with the ease of ages, the worn, thick parchment holding fast under the softness of Rona's fingers as she drew them across the pages, searching for the spell.
 
She glanced at her watch and knew that he was going to be angry at her tardiness, but she continued to look.

Then she found it, the Transmittal Spell.
 
Rona lightly ran her fingers over the faded ink and yellow page, as Darla placed a round black vessel on the table.
 
Then she placed herbs and jars within reach.

Rona silently mouthed the words and ingredients of the potion.
 
She meticulously took each item and referred back to the book to make sure, before she added it to the cauldron.
 
Darla stood several feet away, wringing her thumb with her fingers and watching wide-eyed as her teacher diligently mixed all the items with intensity and concentration.

Darla then dropped her hand and crossed her arms, looking at the floor as she had met with Rona's irritated gaze.
   

Then Rona began the incantation.
 
As she spoke the words, a flame grew from the vessel and turned red, then disappeared as all the candles went out.

Rona looked around the dark room and breathed quietly.

"Ron…"

"SHH!"

Darla flinched as if she had been hit, backing further into the corner.
 
Then a great cold wind blew through the room and the candles re-lit with red flame.
 
From the vessel, red smoke billowed and a great, black figure rose from the scarlet mist.

 
"Master."

Rona kneeled, then glanced at Darla, who had already fallen to her knees.
 
The Shape stood motionless above the vessel.

"Rise, Child.
 
Why do we meet in this manner?"

Rona lifted her gaze and stood up.

"Forgive me, Master.
 
They found the tunnel and sealed it with stone and magic.
 
It wouldn’t open."

"I see."

"I've seduced the co-founder of the Crystal Shade Christians, Master, just like you asked.
 
His lust was easily accessible.
 
Next we will gather his sons.
 
Soon the people of Lia Fail will turn against Alia Stark and Sean Lantry."

The Shape nodded.

"However, she and the others have discovered the imps, but they haven't realized that the magic of your world has come to ours.
 
They have Darla and I investigating where the magic is coming from."

"Has she made contact with Alia Stark…or her children?"

Rona raised her eyebrows and shook her head.

"Not that I'm aware of, Master.
 
They've given no indication that they are aware of your presence or that of the castle.
 
I don't believe they know anything."

"Good.
 
Continue to manipulate the Christians and when Merganser has created a great distrust among the other groups, contact me.
 
I must have her here by the Mourning Moon, do you understand, Rona?"

"Yes, Master.
 
I understand."

Rona nodded as Darla sat quietly in the corner.

"Good and should they discover what you are doing…"

"I'm being extremely cautious, My Lord…"

"Regardless, Child, should they find you out, call the birds and tell them.
 
They will find me.
 
Do you understand?"

Rona nodded and bowed.
 

"Very well, I expect great things from you, Child.
 
Until then…"

The red mist turned orange as the Shape moved down into the vessel and the candle flames grew large and then went out, only to moments later to be replaced by a normal flame.

Rona stared at the empty vessel and crossed her arms in front of her.

"It's about time for you to dazzle me, Darla."

Darla lowered her head and looked at the ground.
 
When she lifted her head, Rona could see her fear.

"How am I supposed to seduce him?
 
I don't look like you."

Rona sneered and marched towards her and grabbed Darla's arm.

"Yeah, I know, but you're not supposed to look like anyone other than Sara Stark.
 
He doesn’t give a damn about anyone other than Sara Stark.
 
Got it?!"

Darla cringed and nodded, pulling slightly on her arm until Rona let go.

"Good!
 
Just get this place cleaned up, put out those candles and then get over to the stables."

"But…"

"JUST DO IT!"

Rona grabbed her cape from the chair and walked out the door, slamming it behind her.
 
Darla flinched as the door slammed.

A single tear rolled down her cheek and she silently cursed Rona Mason.
 
She couldn't stand the bitch.

52

Elian walked to the southern stables and turned the corner to see Sara waiting for him, oblivious of the glamour.