Chapter 10: Chapter Ten

“I’m surprised to see Morgan here again. I never expected him to come back,” Lettie mused idly, as we walked along the corridor towards her room.

“Was he always like … well, like he is?”

Lettie laughed. “Oh yes. I’ve known Morgan and Jenn since they were born, and honestly, they’ve always been going at each other like a dog and cat. They had very similar upbringings, but then their paths diverged.”

“Both Jenn and Morgan were born into the Order, right?”

“That’s right. Jenn’s parents live down in London in one of the bigger headquarters,” Lettie said, not mentioning where Morgan’s parents were. Or if they were even still alive.

I had a bunch more questions to go with the others in my mind, but right now, the mystery of Morgan’s parents was the least of my worries.

“We met Cassa. She showed us visions.”

Lettie caught my meaning instantly and nodded. “Yes, Cassa is a Seer. She has the ability to view what has been, what will be, and what could be.”

“What could be? Does that mean nothing she sees is set in stone?”

Lettie opened the door to her room and ushered me inside. Just like Jenn’s room, there was a small sitting room and then two doorways – I assumed leading to the bedroom and bathroom. Both of those doors were closed, but Lettie invited me to join her on the black, leather antique couch.

“I’m not a Seer, so I can’t say for certain, but based on what I’ve seen and learned over the years, some visions are unavoidable, while others merely show one of many paths. Did Cassa show you something that worried you, Roxie?”

I gazed into Lettie’s purple eyes, and rather than feeling afraid that I was sitting so closely to a predator with super-speed, I instantly felt at ease. No matter what else Lettie was, she was my friend, and I knew I could trust her.

I relayed the vision I’d seen when I was at Cassa’s, as well as the one I’d experienced earlier when I’d touched Sol’s sword.

Hearing this, Lettie smiled broadly. “I had a theory that might be possible, but well, I’ve never actually personally met a Celestial. I’d like to talk to you more about it once your abilities are unbound. It will be useful to collect more data for the future.”

I couldn’t help but laugh that Lettie’s focus was on gathering information and recording data. That was so like her, and I appreciated the fact she focused on the practical matters, and not the disturbing nature of my second vision.

As if reading my thoughts, Lettie said, “As to what you saw when you were with Cassa, I believe she was showing you two possible paths your life may take. One leading to ruination and destruction, and the other leading to a happy life here with the Ancile. I don’t know for certain, but it’s entirely possible those visions are only two possible futures spread out before you – there might be other potential outcomes, too.”

“How do I know which one will actually happen though?”

“Only the most powerful Seers can see absolute futures. If Cassa showed you multiple paths, that might mean your future is still in flux.”

I sighed. “And what does that mean, exactly?”

“That you have the power to choose your path, Roxie. Nothing is set in stone. Your destiny is yours to attain.”

It was comforting to know the power to choose was in my hands, and that my future wasn’t set in stone. A little of the weight I’d felt bearing down on my chest since leaving the Underground started to lift.

“Thank you,” I said, smiling at Lettie.

“Anytime Roxie. And thank you for making sure Marguerite is okay. I know she’s perfectly capable of looking after herself, but she’s my sister. I will always worry about her.”

“You’re a good person,” I told Lettie. I wanted to discuss what I’d found out from Sol about Lettie’s past, but now didn’t seem like the right time. So instead, I added, “From what Marguerite told us, she is staying in the Underground and keeping to herself. She’ll be okay.”

Lettie smiled and stood up from the couch. “I’d love to chat with you more, but the coffin calls.”

Getting to my feet, I asked, “Do you really sleep in a coffin?”

Lettie laughed. “No, but my bedroom has been especially outfitted with lead walls so that no sunlight can penetrate through to me, and a high-tech locking system so no one will accidentally disturb me while I sleep.”

“I’m glad you’ll be safe and comfortable,” I said, as we reached the door. “Enjoy your rest.”

“Good luck with the unbinding of your abilities. I will speak to you later.”

I opened the door and stepped out into the hallway to find Sol, Jenn and Morgan there. Jenn and Morgan were still bickering and remembering what Lettie had said about them being like a cat and dog, I stifled a giggle.

“Everything okay?” Sol asked, stepping beside me, his elbow brushing mine.

“Yeah, I was just giving Lettie an update on Marguerite. She was worried about her sister.”

“She has good reason to be. That vampire is up to something. I’ve seen her sneaking out of the Underground more nights than not. And I don’t think she’s just hunting,” Morgan said.

I turned to him, frowning. “Are you sure? Marguerite told us she’s hardly leaving the Underground.”

Morgan shook his head. “I’m just telling you what I’ve seen while I’ve been there.”

This gave me pause, but I didn’t have time to wonder about it, as Sol said, “Come on. We should tell Bernard we’re back.”

We turned away from Lettie’s room and headed up the corridor to where the science lab, Bernard’s office, and the library were.

Sol reached out to knock the door of Bernard’s office, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Morgan go rigid – no doubt anticipating Bernard’s reaction to his return.

Bernard opened the door, stared at Morgan for a moment, and then said, “So, you found him then.”

“We found him, and he’s been having dreams about Roxie. We also spoke to Cassa. I think we should all sit down and discuss everything properly,” Sol said.

“I agree. Come to my suite, and I’ll have the cook bring some breakfast up for us all.”

Bernard closed his office door and led the way down the corridor where the male rooms were situated. As we passed closed door after closed door, I wondered which was Sol’s room.

Finally, we came to a pair of large, oak doors that Bernard pushed open to reveal a large, comfortable sitting room. It was about double the size of the living rooms in both Jenn and Lettie’s suites, which made sense, as he was this H.Q’s leader.

“Please, make yourselves comfortable,” Bernard said, then turned to a phone on a small end table and called down to the kitchen.

As Bernard ordered breakfast for us all, Morgan dropped down into the centre of the couch. With a flick of his wrist, he threw a fireball into the empty fireplace, and the logs started burning steadily, filling the room with warmth.

Jenn sat down on one of the two armchairs, choosing the one which was furthest away from Morgan. That left one other armchair – which was well-worn, and I assumed was Bernard’s – and the two spaces on the couch to the left and right of Morgan.

Sol sat to the left, so that he was closest to Bernard’s seat, leaving me to occupy the right spot.

As I dropped down on the couch, Morgan wrapped one arm around my shoulders, and the other around Sol’s, pulling the three of us closer together.

“Come on, don’t be shy. Scooch up close.”

Sol rolled his eyes and instantly moved away, while I was a little more subtle as I shuffled away from Morgan. I chanced a glance at Jenn, who was pointedly gazing in the other direction.

Before the tension could simmer over, Bernard sat down in his seat by the fireplace, and said, “Breakfast will be brought up shortly. While we wait for it to arrive, Morgan, please tell me about your dreams.”

Morgan leaned forwards, his green eyes focused on Bernard, and stroked his stubbled face. “Well, it started about six weeks ago. I kept dreaming about this bird here,” he said, nudging me in the ribs. “At first I thought maybe she was someone I’d slept with, and she’d cast some sort of infatuation spell. Wouldn’t be the first time something like that’s happened to me. But I quickly realized she wasn’t someone I’d slept with, when the dreams kept coming, and along with it were visions of Sol and Jenn. Sometimes the visions were pretty normal – the three of them here at the H.Q, just living their lives. Honestly, I wasn’t sure why I was seeing these things. But quickly enough the visions turned darker. I saw Roxie, glowing with power, killing everyone here. She absorbed everyone’s souls.”

I shuddered all over as Morgan’s voice went quiet, and I became aware of everyone watching me closely.

Bernard seemed the least surprised by this information, and asked, “Did you speak to Cassa about your visions?”

“Yeah, that’s why I came back to the area. I was down in London when the dreams started, working as an arcanist-for-hire,” Morgan said.

“Con artist, more likely,” Jennifer muttered, and I was surprised to hear the hostility in her voice.

Bernard glared at her. “Morgan, please go on – what did Cassa say about the visions?”

“Well, she’d been seeing similar things, hadn’t she? And she showed me what she’d seen too – a woman. Older. Much older. Like, unnaturally older, but she only looked like she was about forty.”

“Catherine,” Sol and I said in unison, and Bernard nodded.

“You know her then?”

“Yes, she’s a necromancer-lich we’ve been hunting for some time. That’s how Roxie here became involved with the Order,” Bernard said, and I was surprised to hear him address me by my first name. Was he warming up to me?

“Right, yeah. Cassa said they’re connected. She told me Roxie will either be the one to bring about Catherine’s downfall, or the catalyst for her accension to Godhood.”

“What?” I squawked, as my heart started racing.

I could feel my temperature rising, and the air around me became thick with a golden haze, but before my bound abilities tried to surge out of me, someone knocked on the door to Bernard’s room.

“Come in,” he called out, and a moment later, a woman wheeled in a trolley laden with food.

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The scent of freshly brewed tea, buttery toast, and crispy, salty bacon brought me back to my senses, and the effects of my abilities faded.

I leaned back into the soft leather of the couch and closed my eyes for a moment.

“Please, help yourselves,” Bernard said.

I stayed still and silent as everyone else scrambled to grab food and drinks, only opening my eyes when Sol asked, “Roxie, are you okay?”

I opened my eyes to see he and Morgan had switched places, and Sol was staring at me intently. “Here, I poured you some tea,” he said, offering me a steaming mug.

“Thank you.” I bought the mug to my lips and took a long sip, pleased to find it was black breakfast tea instead of whatever it had been that Cassa had fed to us.

Feeling a little better, I grabbed a plate, and started piling food onto it.

Once we’d all finished eating and drinking, and the food trolley had been taken away, Bernard started speaking again.

“From the moment Lettie discovered Roxie here is descended from Celestials, I’ve been wondering what role she has to play in our fight against Catherine. In its simplest form, Celestials are the equal opposite of liches. Celestials use their abilities to heal and give life, and liches use their abilities to take life. Of course, there’s a massive difference in power between Catherine and Roxie. Catherine has been alive for five-hundred years, and Roxie’s abilities haven’t even been unbound yet.”

“But in theory, with the right training, they could be as powerful as each other?” Morgan said.

“Right,” Bernard confirmed. “In the past, Celestials were always aligned with the Ancile, working with them to protect the world from the forces of darkness.”

I swallowed around the lump forming in my throat. “Okay, so now we unbind my abilities and start my training?”

Even though this was what I wanted, and I knew not having my powers unbound would lead them to burning through me, now that we’d actually found Morgan, and the time had come, I was starting to wonder, was this really a good idea?

Sol seemed to sense my uncertainty instantly, because he reached for my hand and gave it a firm squeeze. “It’s okay, Roxie. You can do this. Let’s just focus on having your abilities unbound so that they won’t kill you. We can discuss everything else afterwards.”

I stared into Sol’s eyes, and gave him a small, half smile. “And there’s no other way?”

“No, if there was, Lettie would have mentioned it by now.”

I sat up straighter and directed my gaze to Bernard. “Okay, let’s get this started.”

Bernard gave me a firm nod, then turned to Morgan. “Do you think you can do it?”

Morgan stretched his arms out in front of him, lacing his fingers together and cracking his knuckles, as he rolled his head from side to side on his shoulders. “If I can’t, I don’t know of anyone else in the Order who could. My parents would have been able to, but, well…”

A dark shadow passed over Morgan’s eyes, but he ploughed ahead with the preparations. “I’m going to need some ingredients. Does Lettie still keep apothecary stores in her lab?”

“Yes, of course. They’re in the same place as always,” Bernard replied.

Morgan grinned. “Okay, great. I’ll grab what I need. Can someone get me some candles and salt.”

“I can do that,” Bernard replied. “What about the others?”

“Jenn, I could use your help in the lab, please?” Morgan said.

“Why can’t Sol help you?” Jenn replied, without even glancing in Morgan’s direction.

“I need Roxie to be nice and calm before the ritual, and Sol is the best person to calm her down. I’m sure you can stand being alone with me in a room for five minutes.”

Jenn huffed out a breath, but didn’t argue any further, as we all rose from our seats, and Bernard ushered us out.

“Meet me out back in about ten minutes,” Morgan said, starting off along the corridor, barely waiting for Jenn to catch up with him.

“I’ll see you both shortly,” Bernard said, as he passed Sol and I.

“Come on,” Sol said, leading me along the corridor.

We came to a door about mid-way down the hallway, and he paused to unlock it, and then gestured that I should enter his suite. It was about the same size as Jenn and Lettie’s, with a small sitting room and two doors leading off from it.

The space was immaculately tidy, with everything put in its place. A few workout magazines lay on the table and tucked away in the corner were some weights. But what I was instantly drawn to was the array of pictures hanging on the wall. It reminded me of the photos Bernard had in his own office – only these ones were entirely focused on Sol.

There was a copy of the picture Jenn had shattered the frame of, depicting a teenage Sol, Jenn and Morgan together, as well as others of the trio from throughout the years, some of Bernard, and a couple of teens I didn’t recognize, but assumed were other members of the order.

In amongst all the Ancile-related photos I found one of a happy couple, sitting together holding a baby that looked to be around a year old. The resemblance was uncanny, and I knew they were Sol’s parents.

“They seemed like great people,” I murmured without thinking.

“They were,” Sol said, and I turned, not realizing he was standing directly behind me.

I looked up into his warm, brown eyes and asked, “What happened?”

Sol shook his head and sighed. “Mom died of cancer when I was five.”

Instinctively, I took his hands in mine, squeezing them gently. “I’m so sorry.”

“It was tough, but I still had my dad. Together, we got through it ... until…”

I was surprised when I saw Sol’s eyes well with tears.

“We don’t have to do this now. I won’t push you for more details,” I said softly.

Sol sighed. “I want to tell you everything, but it’s still so raw. Even though it happened over fifteen years ago, it feels like it was yesterday.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. Tell me whenever you’re ready.”

Sol smiled, then titled his head to one side, and asked, “How are you feeling?”

“Nervous as hell. And excited. I assume once Morgan does his thing, I will stop having those weird flashes, and we can begin my training.”

Sol’s smile widened. “I’m proud of you, Roxie. I know you never asked for any of this, but now you’re here, I’m glad we’re doing it together.”

The word together burned through me, and without thinking, I stood up on my tiptoes, and leaned into Sol. To my delight, he didn’t back away, and instead let go of my hands so that he could reach up and cup my cheeks. He stared down into my eyes for just a moment longer, before inclining his head, and softly pressing his lips to mine.

I melted against him and all my worries – about the ritual, about Catherine, about the visions I’d seen – evaporated as Sol’s lips moved against mine.

He kissed me with slow, deliberate movements, and we both took our time being with each other. I never wanted this moment to end, but eventually, we had to stop to take a breath.

I gaze up at Sol and he had a dopey grin on his face. “You know, I wanted to kiss you the first night I met you.”

Heat flushed through my body. “Why didn’t you?”

“Because I was on duty, and well…” he gestured around us, and I caught his meaning. I imagined dating while you were a member of the Order was difficult, especially if it involved outsiders.

“Then you saw Catherine feeding, and everything happened so fast. After that, it didn’t feel right, you know. I was worried I’d be taking advantage of you when you were vulnerable.”

I smiled, touched by his concern for me. “Thank you. I appreciate you thinking of my feelings like that. Many guys wouldn’t.”

“I don’t want to be one of those guys, Roxie. I’m not the type to use someone or take advantage of them. I don’t know what this is—” he gestured between the two of us. “And I knew we’ve got a million other things to consider, but, well…”

He trailed off, but I easily caught his meaning and said, “I feel it too, Sol. I’ve been feeling it for a long time. I know we were bought together because of Catherine and all that, but what I feel for you goes beyond her and the Order. If we’d have met under normal circumstances—”

At this Sol laughed. “Yeah, normal circumstances. Believe me, Roxie, if I were just a normal guy, I’d have asked for your number that night at the gala, and I’d have called you the next day and asked you out on a date.”

“We could go on a date,” I said playfully. “After my powers are unbound, I’m sure Bernard would agree to giving us the night off for some personal time.”

Sol grinned and inclined his head to kiss me again. “I’d like that,” he said when we broke apart.

I wanted to stay and talk about trivial things, like where we might go on our date, but I knew the others would be waiting for us, so instead I entwined my fingers with Sol’s and turned towards the door.

“Come on. Let's do this.”

 

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