A Kiss of Darkness (Gothos Series) (6 page)

A week later, Dominic and his men returned to Catacian Complex.  To everyone’s surprise the captain had brought a woman with him, his lover from Maladus, named Brena.  Everyone but Asura knew that this woman was one of Dominic’s many light skirts. Sera ran out hearing the trumpets blasting signifying their return. She didn’t think anything of the girl on the back of the horse, not noticing how she clung to her husband possessively.

“Dominic I am happy to see you, my dear husband” she said cheerfully. Dominic smiled widely pleased that his wife had come out to greet him as she should.  He slid off the horse and reached out and took her hands in his own, then pulled her into his arms kissing her deeply. Sera returned the kiss feeling the color rising in her cheeks. The captain turned and helped the girl off the horse and then looked at his wife. “This is Brena. She will be your new maid. I feel that Marie is lazy and doesn’t know her place.” He announced as if this was some great gift to his wife. Sera didn’t feel that the maid was lazy, but said nothing.  She looked at the girl who looked a few years younger than her as she curtsied and softly murmured a greeting. “Welcome to the Catacian Complex. I am quite new here myself so we should stick together” she said warmly, having no suspicions about the motives of her husband. Brena gave her new mistress a sulking look when she wasn’t looking. It wasn’t her plan to become the serving of the woman who had stolen the love of her life. She planned in making it very difficult on the other woman. Brena knew about the reputation that the Protector of the Stones had with their magical abilities and sorcery. The rumors in her small village were like a wild fire. The Protectors before them had kept the Sythians at bay, but at what cost? She felt that the healer, Asura who had stolen Dominic’s heart must have used her magic to do so. That meek woman that she stared with resentment couldn’t possibly be his beloved. Smiling to herself she knew that Dominic would come to her bed once he got bored of his new wife, and perhaps she Brena would get pregnant with his child before this woman. The child would be illegitimate, but it would show that bitch that he wanted a family with her!  Putting her plan together mentally she followed Sera into the complex.

“What the hell were you thinking?! Bringing that whore here” Markus yelled throwing the cup of mead against the wall. “You have just gotten married. Isn’t it enough? You show great disrespect toward
your wife” The older brother was absolute beside himself in rage. He already saw Sera as her dearest sister and his brother’s behavior was almost too much for him. Dominic didn’t seem moved by Markus as he leaned back in his chair. “What I do is really none of your concern, big brother. Sera is my wife, she belongs to me” he replied in a calm voice, almost wistful. “I can do as I please with her and with the whore I brought back with me. There is no law against it.” Markus ran his hand over his face and let out a long sigh. “It’s not right. You incur the wrath of the Great Builder on your head for betraying your vows to your wife” the older man reasoned.  Dominic raised his eyebrows and suddenly started to laugh, it animated his whole body. “I had no idea you are a religious man, Brother. Perhaps you should have been a preacher instead of a warrior. Between the two of us I don’t believe in what the bishops say. They might think that there is something special about those stones they protect, and that they have some sort of natural magic from the planet. It’s a crock in my opinion. My wife is just a woman and women are weak. “Dominic stated and leaned forward a bit, a smile crossing his lips. “You might be fooled by that plain little dove you have in your bed, but I know better.” The older man knew he should blow up in anger at his younger brother, but he realized it would do not good. Such a jaded creature as Dominic would come to a bad end.

4. Tempest

The months to come were surprisingly quiet as Sera went about her womanly arts. She got up early and made sure her husband’s armor was polished and that the servants in the quarter they were staying was clean.  When she wasn’t doing that she was using her given gifts as the healer of the complex. Soldiers, their families, servants, and slaves came to her for care. Her husband’s had gifted her with a room that was stalked with herbs, cloths, fresh water for washing, and other items needed.  It kept her busy and got her the reputation of being a good person. Being busy kept her mind busy from the dishearten knowledge that she has not yet gotten pregnant with a child. Standing in her healing room she washed her hands with rose water and dried them off. Sera sighed softly and glanced out the small window into the side yard.  She was already packed and ready for the trip to the Adonus Mountain Retreat. It was an old Sythian castle ruin that was now a beautiful retreat sight for the soldiers and their guests. It was one of the unusual phenomenon in the land. The old ruined castle had underground hot springs and reflective stone walls. Dominic had decided that he would take her there along with her servants to get her away from the hustle and bustle. Markus and the other men were coming as well for a whole different reason. The ruined castle had rumors of a legendary sword that was crafted together by the legendary human king and the former vampire sire. It was the sword that broke the stone of power into the pieces that are protected now. It was said to be the most powerful weapon in existence, but has gone missing over the centuries.  Sera thought it was a nice trip and finished packing up her supplies. She could see out the window, Brena removing some sheets from a clothing line, but not without a painstakingly slow and bored look on her face.  Since the day her husband had brought the young woman to the compound she has been a lazy and combatant. She couldn’t understand why the girl had agreed to be a servant when she clearly didn’t want to do it. Sera didn’t like the way the girl looked at her husband as well with a needy and possessive look. The healer wasn’t a jealous woman, but it made her uneasy. Naturally she wanted to send her packing, but she didn’t think Dominic would let her dismiss her when he went through all the trouble to bring her here.  Shaking off her bad feelings she finished tying the bag closed and went down to where the horses were waiting. The servants had already packed everything they would need for the trip the night before and the horses and cart were saddled. Dominic was standing next to his horse and smiled at her, clad in his casual armor. “Good morning, my dear” he said smoothly and mounted the horse and offered his hand to her. She was dressed in a pink gown with breeches under it so she ride astride with him comfortably. The ruins were a three days ride from her home. They would be passing the Hall of Clothos, but she knew Dominic would not stop there. These long months the only contract with her sister she has had was in the bowl in her room, and her one visit when Amerus developed a cold and needed her healing aide. Getting on the behind her husband she slid her arms around his waist, nuzzling her face against the back of his cool armor. She grew to love him since they have married. To her he was a loving husband and only raised his hand to her once.  Sera was not aware of his bloodlust and general lust, that secretly under her roof he was having sex with her new maid. Even if she had any inkling of it there was nothing she could have done about it. By law they were bound together till death or that he broke the marriage which was in his right. The group traveled during the day not running into any bandits who dared to cross the Golgothian Knights. 

The old castle itself was laid at the base of the Adonus Mountain. Two of the four sprawling towers had been destroyed and decayed over time. The stain glass windows were mostly broken or obstructed by plant life that took it over.
The majority of the castle was habitable, but sections of it were blocked off due to its dangerousness. There was a man on a horse with escorts at his side. Dominic slid off the horse upon arrival and helped Sera down from the horse. She smiled at her husband hoping that perhaps the new setting would inspire them to have a child. Turning she felt her heart start to drop when she recognized Emrick coming toward them.  She thought her blood turned to ice at the sight of him. The mean spirited boy hadn’t changed; he committed his devious acts unchecked under the crown of King Damon. Becoming the High Bishop of Golgoth he had thousands of devoted followers, and did his work in the name of the Great Building. He was known for his angelic face and fierce fanatic beliefs.  She knew his true face from the experience she had during her time as a girl. Dressed in his long purple robe with gold on the trim he opened his arm in a welcoming way. “Welcome my children. The Great Builder himself has blessed your travels here. “He said and smiled at them, the hood placed on the top of his head. Emrick he had sheared off his hair, leaving him bald. The priest embraced Dominic briefly then turned and looked at Sera. “Ah, I am pleased to see you are well, my child. I see that the years have not obstructed your beauty and grace” he said lightly, but there was a flash of pure venom in his eyes.  He embraced her briefly as he had her husband and turned toward the entrance. Sera knew that Emrick still was that horrible person he used to be, but now he was in power greater than the stone he was sworn to protect. As the High Bishop under the King he used his power not to protect the people, but to use the art of divination to aid the royal in battle strategy and petty things. After a moment led them into the old castle with a grand sweep of his robed arm. Sera along with her the others walked into the castle, except the servants who were unpacking the luggage. The entrance to the castle was covered with old tapestries that were faded and torn away. There were two stairs leading to a second floor. The reputation of the castle was made for a reason. Instead of stone walls like the grand buildings crafted by non-human hands, these walls were multi-colored, shining surfaces. The sunlight from the morning sun streamed through the broken windows, bouncing off the reflective surfaces in a dazzling array of colors. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stared at the beautiful sights before her.  Emrick was standing a few feet away watching her silently then he looked at Dominic. “I take it your lady will want to go up and rest, and then soak in the spring.” His words came out of his loudly, echoing off the walls. What he said next he said in a more quiet tone. “Captain, we have been here for four days and still no sign of the sword” he commented with a note of frustration.  Sera was perplexed by this realizing that her rest and relaxation wasn’t the only reason they were here. This filled her with mixed emotions, but she didn’t say anything.  Dominic nodded his head and looked at Sera. “Brena, take your lady upstairs. There is a room already set up for us” he said in a soft voice. She hadn’t realized her maid was there until he mentioned her name. Turning her head she realized that the girl had materialized at her side. The girl touched her arm and led her up the right stairs and took her down the hall. “You must be so tired, milady. You will be able to take your mind off the fact that you have not given your husband a child “she said lightly. The comment was most likely innocent, but it was a barb threaded in her heart. With grace she decided not to respond as she walked down the hall, glancing at the tapestries that they passed the thread so faded the pictures were not distinguishable. A pair of double doors led to the room she would be staying with her husband. It was a large room with a four poster bed and an en-suite bathroom that was refurnished for visitors. Her bags had already been unpacked and the clothing put away. “Do you want to rest or go to the spring?” Brena asked with an air of impatience.  Sera stood there for a moment in the center of the room and looked at her. “Go down to the spring” she replied though her legs sported a slight ache from riding. Brena nodded and led her back down the stone stairs. She was taken to an underground spring. The walls like the ones built in the castle were the reflective material covered the cavern. In the center was a clear font of water that filled almost the entire underground room. Turning she looked at Brena wondering if she was seeing the same beauty she was, but found that the girl was gone. Her brow knit as she looked around, but figured her servant wanted to give her privacy. Undressing she stared down at her reflection in the mirroring water and stepped inside. At first she was surprised that the water was warm, expecting it to be cold like the rest of the water in the land unless it was warmed up by fire.  Lowering her body into the water she looked around the chambers. Sera felt her muscles relax as she let out a deep breath. The healer’s gaze drifted to the opposite wall she noticed a mural on the wall of a beautiful winged woman, holding a chalice with a symbol emblazoned on it. On closer inspection she realized the image was of a snake cannibalizing its own tail. For a long moment she stared straight at the mural that seemed to be perfectly kept unlike the other windows and tapestry, and despite the moist conditions. Finally she closed her eyes and drifted off into a light sleep.  She didn’t know how much time passed when she finally opened her eyes again.

“Brena?”she called groggily. No answer came to her though. Once again her eyes focused on the mural and she noticed that the symbol on the chalice seemed to give off a glow. The torches were the only illumination in the antechamber. It took Sera a moment before she realized that the reflection was coming from the amulet around her own neck. Left in a stunned silence she reached down and touched the gemstone that glowed in the shadowed darkness. She did not have time to respond to this shocking turn of events when another o
ne came upon her. The mural moved, giving a low hiss as it slid to the side reveal a dark passage way. Blinking she waded her way over to it for a better look. The amulet she wore lit up the secret hallway. It was strange to her that instead of fear she felt a strange sense of déjà vu and curiosity welling up in her replacing her feeling of shock. Quickly she went back to the side where she came in and grabbed up her removed gown. Holding it above her head she went returned to the tunnel and climbed into the entrance. It was tall enough for her to stand up fully. It was damp and dark, beads of moisture clinging to the empty stone walls. Mold had grown on the bottom and the top, but not so much in the middle. Sliding the dress over her body, it clung to her nude form causing her to shiver a little bit. A part of her advised her not to follow this strange dark passage, but the rest of her wanted to know the secrets that lay inside her natural born curiosity always won per usual. The stone around her neck lit the way down the dark corridor, taking her time to not slide along the moist stone floor, groaning as small insects shuttered over her feet. Sera finally found her way to the end of the corridor and ended up at the foot of long stairs. Turning her head she looked back at the way she came and was only met by darkness. The door she entered had closed behind her without her even realizing it. It seemed that the only way to go was up these stairs. Raising her foot she took her first steps and felt some victory. She let out a soft breath and proceeded upwards.  “How long do these stairs go?” she wondered out loud as she continued to go up and up.  Water dripped from the top of the caverns flowing down onto the stone floor making it treacherous. The caverns itself were hollow going up into the mountain. The healer felt the ache in her legs, but finally she was rewarded seeing two double doors ahead. They were made of Cyprus wood that was water resistant. It was carved with the image of a many branched tree with winged children sitting upon them. She exhaled a tired sigh, her hands wrapping around the handles and pulling them open not taking the time to study the piece of art. The door opened without resistance. She was admitted into a large circular room similar to the style of the House of Clothos. The walls were covered with bookshelves bursting at the seams with more books and tomes then she has ever seen in her whole life. There was a cozy hearth in the middle protected by built up stones around it keeping the scattered decorative pillows from being engulfed.  A small stairway was leading to a hidden second floor. There were high windows that looked out at the Arcadian Sea. The mountain itself was hollow, having been carved out to be made livable. Her bare feet cool against the marble floor as she crossed the chamber and looked out at the dark sea. But who lived here in the mountain? Someone must be living there if there is a roaring fire. The books and tomes looked like they were well kept and cared for.