The Lost Soul (21 page)

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"It's been ages and none of them are answering their phones," said Jo a little later as she dialled again and it went straight to voice mail. "I hope there's nothing wrong."

"I'm sure they're fine, honey. They're undercover, they will have switched their phones off," said Sonya with a smile at her daughter.

"I don't know," said Meredith, "I'm getting a funny feeling myself."

"What kind of feeling, Meredith?" asked Rose, "We all know your feelings are usually the real deal."

"I feel like they've been discovered."

"Right, that's it. I'm going," said Jo, heading for the door.
"Woah, wait right there. You're not going alone," said Tabitha who rushed to her side, followed by a few of the Elders.

"What's going on?" asked Lilly as she and December appeared from her room.

"Meredith's had one of her feelings about the boys and so I'm not going to hang around here and wait for something awful to happen to them," replied Jo.

"We're coming with you, then," said December, rushing forward and grabbing her coat and hat, passing Lilly hers at the same time.

"Can you hold on to it, along with the rest of my clothes? I'd rather change into my raven form."

December laughed and nodded.

"Tiffani, you stay here where you'll be safe. I'm going with them," said Sammy, standing and putting a large cape over his shoulders to hide his wings.

"B...but...." she uttered before bursting into tears.

"Dear, please don't worry about everybody. I'm sure they'll be fine," reassured Meredith who went and sat down next to the delicate faery.

"I...I'm sorry," she whispered, "Is anyone else staying with us?"

Moira, Ruby and Gabriel all promised to stay with her as the rest of the group prepared to head out into the cold to find out what was going on.

Those that were capable of moving at high speeds travelled together, leaving the rest to travel by car.

It was the first time Lilly had the chance to fly outdoors. It was truly liberating, even more liberating than when she'd first made the change into a mountain lion. Swooping up and down between some of the grandest trees in the forest, she squawked happily, temporarily forgetting what was going on in her life, enjoying the moment of freedom, the wind rustling her feathers as she climbed higher and higher into the night sky, before turning to look down at the earth far below.

Lights twinkled within the scattered houses below as the moon shone upon them. Lilly was startled when something large suddenly appeared, flying upwards. As it came closer, she smiled to herself. Sammy. It was dark after all, so he was relatively well hidden.

She flew down towards him and together they continued their flight towards the pyramid, a structure which stuck out like a sore thumb in the landscape below. The sculpture of the golden eagle sat proudly on top of it.

The two spotted the others gathered together several hundred metres away. December was gazing upwards, waiting for her friend's arrival. She held out her arm and Lilly slowed down considerably, landing directly below her elbow. December smiled proudly.

"Do you want to change now?" she asked and the raven shook her head.

"Okay, your clothes are in the car. Let me know when you need them."

Lilly nodded her head forward and hopped up her arm so she sat comfortably on her shoulder.

"I feel like a pirate," she whispered as Sammy chuckled.

"Well, you don't look like one," said Jemima with Chris by her side.

"Jemima you really should keep out of sight."

"I'm fine, December. I doubt my father, or anyone else in there, will notice me, but I'll keep my hood up, just in case."

"Right, I want you all to stay here while I go and have a quick look at what's going on," said Jo, leaving them, moving so fast you could barely see her until she stopped beside the entrance to the pyramid. Peering around the structure, she watched as hundreds of men stood with their backs to her. They were looking at a woman at the front, sitting atop her golden throne, smiling.

Suddenly, the woman flicked her hand and every man in there fell to his knees before falling to the ground. Jo scanned the crowd for her fiancé but he was nowhere to be seen, neither was Zoltan or Walter.

"Come in, Josephine. Don't be shy," said a powerful female voice with a hint of laughter.

Jo scolded herself before she stepped out into the room.

"Calliope," she said confidently.

"Yes, I am Calliope. And you're Josephine, Jo for short, daughter of Wyatt and Sonya. Only child. Vampire, I believe. Oh and lest I forget, fiancé to Carmelo. I met him earlier. Nice guy, for a vampire," she said with a glint in her eyes.

"Where is he, Calliope?"

The woman laughed, "Oh we'll get to that later. Have some patience. Now, come closer."

Jo made a quick decision and ran at lightning speed towards Calliope but the moment she became close, she slammed into what felt like a wall, an invisible force field.

Falling to the floor with a thud, Jo crouched, looking up at the woman. Her eyes had turned a bright blood red colour and fangs protruded from her full lips.

"There's no need to become nasty, Josephine," giggled Calliope, watching the vampire's temper increase tenfold.

"There is every need," she snarled, "Look at what you've done to our town..."

Calliope glanced around at the sleeping men innocently, "Why, whatever do you mean? These men are simply sleeping. They've been having a marvellous time with me. I haven't made any of them do anything they didn't want to do," she laughed.

"Then what about the poor man you killed?"

"That was very unfortunate but not of my doing. He should have been more careful crossing the road. Silly man," she replied, pouting.

"He died because of your....your spell."

"Spell? I am not a witch, Josephine."
"Then what the hell are you?"

Again, Calliope threw her head back and let out a girly giggle.

"I'm amazed none of you figured it out by yourselves. Not even Carmelo knew. I am a Nephilim."

"But the Nephilim are trapped in caves," answered Jo, confused.

"Not all of us. Some of us escaped," she smiled.

"There are more of you?"

"Of course. Like I told Carmelo, we are creatures of high intelligence. We figured it out."

"How? How did you escape?"

"Josephine, I am growing bored with all of your questions. I thought we might have been friends but I think I've had enough of you... for now."

With another flick of her wrist, Jo was propelled high into the hall, up onto the next level and away from sight. Calliope pouted for a moment but she sighed out loud and yelled, "Sustenance."

The same man who had helped her into her robe, appeared with a tray of food and a goblet.

Calliope took the tray from him, dismissed him and proceeded to engorge herself on large chunks of meat, occasionally gulping from the goblet. When she looked up again, her face was covered in blood.

Lilly had watched it all. Perched atop the golden eagle, she had peered downwards into the pyramid below and watched in horror as Jo had been lifted like a feather and hidden away before the beautiful woman had fed like a wild animal, bits of raw meat flying in all directions as she helped it down with a goblet of blood.

Lilly quietly lifted her head and pushed out her wings, lifting herself high into the sky before turning towards her other friends who waited patiently below.

Landing on December's arm, she nodded avidly to her.

"Do you want your clothes, Lilly?"

The raven nodded once again so December walked to the car, taking the items out as Lilly transformed discreetly behind a tree. Shivering, she put on the clothes as fast as possible before she joined the others.

"It's bad... really bad," she whispered. "I think we need to head back to the house and work out a plan."

"But surely all of us can do something here?" asked Sammy.

"No, Sammy. Listen everyone. This woman is powerful. She is a Nephilim. We must return home and come up with a plan."

Everyone gasped and nodded.

"Wait," said Crystal, "what happened to the others?"

"I think they're okay... for now. Come on, let's go."

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Eric was exhausted. No longer able to talk, Jack had encouraged him to try and sleep for a little while.

"Are you all right, Jack?" asked Zalea as they sat beside the old man while the sound of his gentle snores filled the small cave where curled on the floor.

"I'm fine. How about you?"

"Just a little cold, but I think I'm all right. I'm frightened though," she said with a sniff, "Are we going to die here?" she asked as tears began to fall down her cheeks.

"No, I'm going to get us out of here, Zalea. But for now, I'm going to see if I can get through to December.

The sound of Zalea's gentle weeping soon subsided, even Eric's snoring halted as Jack concentrated hard on reaching out to his daughter's best friend.

After a while, his head throbbed all over but he felt a connection.

"December?" he whispered, "It's me. We're in the caves. Somehow they caught us but we've escaped. We found an old man alive and he told us we are below the surface of the earth. Yes, the centre of the earth, it's like a whole new world, but.. I just wanted you to know where we are. Maybe you can work out how to free us. Hm? Sorry? ... Oh God, that's not good. Let me know when you know more. We'll continue to try and get out and if anything changes, I'll be in touch. December? Be careful. Bye."

As the connection was lost, Jack's headache began to ease but not before he closed his eyes and tried to sleep just for a few minutes.

"Jack? Jack?" said a soft silky voice as he came to from his dreamlike state.

"Hm?" he muttered, "Serena?" he asked.

"No, Jack, you're dreaming. It's me, Zalea...wake up," she said, gently tugging at his arm.

His eyes flew open, expecting light but there was nothing but darkness. He could just make out the faint outlines of his two companions.

"Sorry, how long was I out?"

"Not long, maybe an hour," she replied.

"You needed it, me boy. S'always good to get some shut eye, it is," said Eric as they helped him to stand up, his joints cracking.

"Oooh, I'm sorry you two. I'm an old man, I'm slowing yers both down."

"Nonsense," said Jack, "you're keeping up with us. You're doing brilliantly. The royal family would be proud."

Neither of them could see the broad grin that spread across his cheeks. He was beaming and it made him even more eager to get out.

While they walked, Zalea encouraged him to tell them more about the Nephilim.

"More?" he said, "Let me think? Now what was it old Ronald told me? Oh yes, the Nephilim. They used to have huge wings but over time they've disappeared. Occasionally one is born still bearing the marks of wings of generations gone by."

"Wait a minute, you said they're still being born?"

"Why yes, young Jack. There are rumours some Nephilim managed to escape from this hell and made a life for themselves up top. There they mated with our kind and produced offspring of their own."

"And how did they manage to escape from here?" asked Jack eagerly, "Did Ronald ever tell you that?"

Eric was quiet for a moment while he pondered the conversations they'd had before Ronald passed away.

"Why yes, I believe he did mention something about that, but, but I can't remember it."

Jack's shoulders slumped. Perhaps Ronald had known something that could help them escape. He just had to get Eric to remember.

"Tell me about Ronald, Eric?

"He was a fine man, he was, Ronald. He wasn't a Brit, like me, well, his forefathers were Brits, o' course, but Ronald was from Canada. Where in Canada did he tell me? Hm somewhere in the west, it was. It sounded British but wasn't... hm?"

"British Columbia?" asked Jack.

"That's it, you've got it, me lad. British Columbia, that's where he was from."

"Do you remember where in British Columbia, Eric?"

"He did tell me, he did, but it was a place I'd never 'eard of. It was by the water, mind you. He liked to go sailing, did Ronald. He told me all about that. Even had his own little boat, apparently. Ooh, he did love the water."

"What did Ronald do for a living?"

"He was a historian, was Ronald. A professor. Wonderful man," sobbed Eric, "Ooh I'm sorry. I'm not usually one for cryin' but I was so lonely after he passed," he said, rubbing his eyes with his half-gloved fingers.

"It's all right, Eric. We understand," said Zalea with a pat on his arm. "My sister went missing some time ago and I've spent many a night sobbing for her. It's all right to cry."

"My dear, I am sorry to hear 'bout your sister. Terrible, how terrible."

"Thank you. We've since discovered she's alive and well in your world."

"Aren't you from my world?" he asked, startled.

Zalea smiled, "Why no. I'm sorry, I should have told you before."

"People can usually tell by her appearance, Eric, but it's too dark for you to see," Jack interrupted.

"How are you different from us?" he whispered.

"I have small wings and translucent skin. My colouring is very different to humans. But other than that, we are pretty much the same."

"B...but... where do you come from?" he asked quietly.

"You call it the centre of the earth, I call it home," she whispered, "but the part where I live is far from here where the forests sparkle in different shades of silver. The forests of Moharth. It's the most beautiful place you'll ever see."

"If you live so far away from here, my dear, what are you doing here?"

"It's a long story but suffice to say she is trying to get her sister home," answered Jack.

"You must really love that sister of yours to submit yourself to this hell," he smiled and patted her hand gently.

"I do, Eric, I love my family a great deal."

"That's lovely, that's really quite somethin'," he said, "I ain't got no family."

"No family?" asked Jack.