Vision In Love (Legends of The North Book 1) (20 page)

"Not if I have anything to do with it," Matt said.

It was late afternoon and the sun was just starting to dip below the horizon on the day of Matronalia. Emma and Matt stood at the edge of the boundary belonging to Altenbury Hall, the site where Matt's gran and Harry had stood all those years before. Looking to her right, she could see the oak tree on the lane that had been in her first vision. That seemed so long ago; so much had happened in between. Not least of all she'd found Matt. They had discussed their plans and decided that Jess should stay away. It was safer, for one thing, but also she hadn't had any visions, hadn't been attacked, which made them believe she wasn't a part of it. That it was Emma and Matt who would need to face the monster.

The longer they waited, the darker it became, but the black that surrounded them descended too quickly to be night. It smelled of death and decay. Emma reached out for Matt's hand when she heard his breathing pick up. Matt moved behind her, his chest pressed against her back, his arms wrapped around her waist. The darkness receded, the sky turning back to an orange haziness. It was there. Somewhere. It was playing with them. A growl ripped through the quiet and there, to her left, was a pack of dogs. Their fur was matted, skin blistered. As their jaws snapped, saliva dripped from their fangs and she shrank back.
 

Matt lowered his head to her ear. "It's not real. I'm here; you're fine. It's not real."

As if in response to Matt's words, the dogs disappeared. But what appeared in their place was much worse. She could almost look it straight in the eye it was so tall. Green eyes that sparkled unnaturally yet held zero emotion. Eyes that looked so strange with just a long, black slit for a pupil. Its head reminded her of a panther, a large muzzle with white whiskers fanning out from it. But it was much less beautiful than a panther. It was black like one, but rather than fur, it had a slick sheen to its body. It shimmered as its muscles tensed when it flexed its legs. Its tail swished behind it then curled in mid-air, showing its pointed tip as it pulsed in their direction.
 

That seemed to be some sort of signal, its jaw opening to release a deathly wail. Its fangs shimmered silver and dripped saliva as its tongue flicked out. Matt stepped back, raising his sword in anticipation of attack, and Emma did, too. She wondered if his parents had noticed that they were missing yet.
After all, no good home is complete without a couple of swords over the fireplace.
 

She glanced at Matt, who just nodded in her direction before his gaze returned to the monster, still wailing. She was scared, and would quite readily admit that. Who in their right mind wouldn't be when faced with the thing in front of them? But she didn't doubt they would defeat it. She wasn't saying goodbye, just quietly stating her reason to fight. "I love you." She heard his gasp and wrapped her other hand around the sword handle as the monster charged straight for her.

A feeling of calm washed over her and she felt like her every move was being guided. The stench of rotting flesh became overwhelming the closer it came to her. Her sword glowed orange as it reflected the sunset. She swung it when the beast leapt, slicing across its stomach. A green liquid began to ooze from the cut before it hardened over. That was when her first doubt crept in. Maybe killing this thing wasn't going to be as easy as she thought.
 

She spun on her heel, watching as it slid across the field, its claws gouging ruts into the grass as it slowed. It turned to face them, stalking. She saw Matt move closer to her and instinctively she jumped in front of him. Somehow, she knew she had to protect him. If either of them survived this, it had to be him. He was an Altenbury, whether he accepted it or not. And she knew somehow that that was more important than her, mattered more in this situation.
 

The beast lowered its head, crouching down on its front paws before releasing a deep growl. It leapt right for her and she plunged her sword straight up into its chest. She heard its wail as the hilt touched it skin, and she fell to her knees. Feeling the breeze as Matt's sword skimmed her skin, she heard it slice through the air. Saw it strike against the beast’s leg, scraping against the bone. Its wail turned into a high-pitched keening and its leg spasmed, its claws scratching across the skin of her arm.
 

She pulled her sword free and watched as it stumbled, trying to stand back up without the use of a front leg. Failing, she prepared to strike again but before she could, it turned to face her. She shrank back in disgust. The panther-like face had gone, in its place just bones. No skin, just dripping the green liquid. It roared at her, snapping its fangs before it disappeared. She stood, pressing her back to Matt's as she scanned the field.

"Is it gone? Do you think we killed it?" she asked.

"I'm not sure. I think it's gone, but I'm worried it might just be toying with us again. We hurt it, but we didn't kill it. I think it will be back, and soon."

Emma took in a lungful of fresh, country air and let Matt's words sink in. As they did, she began to shake, the adrenaline wearing off since the fight was over. And as it did, her arm began to throb. When she glanced down at it, there were three red scratches that were already starting to blister.
 

Matt followed her gaze and let out a gasp. "Shit, it hurt you." He gently took her arm and turned it over to get a better look. "We need to get home, get this cleaned up." He wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her toward her house.

It took a moment for her to realise he was limping. "It got you, too?"

"It's nothing."

"Matt. Let me look," she demanded as she stopped walking.

"Honestly, Ems, it's nothing. Just a hit from its tail. It was only a little swipe."

She bent down and pulled up the leg of his jeans. The skin around his calf was red and already starting to puff up. "It was more than a little swipe. Let's get you home and seen to, as well."

As she stood, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against his chest. "It's nothing. Nothing compared to what could have happened."

She could feel the frantic beat of his heart beneath her ear, and she couldn't hold back the tears because he was right. They had been lucky–
very
lucky. One of them could have died, or even both. But they knew what to expect after their encounter and next time, they would be prepared.

Jess was waiting for them both when they returned to Emma's house, and she ran down the steps towards them. "Are you both okay? What happened? Are you hurt?"

Emma smiled with the last of her strength. "We're both fine. A few scratches, but fine. Tired." She followed Matt into the house, where he slid his sword into the umbrella stand next to the door, so she did the same.

She dropped onto the sofa next to Matt and looked around the front room of the little cottage she had called home for the past six months. Her gaze found Matt's and she threaded her fingers through his. So much in her life had changed. She'd come back to escape her old life, ran away in reality. She'd lost her mother but found Matt. And Jess, she realised as she took the first aid kit from her.

"So, is it all over?" Jess asked.

"For now," Emma said.

"What do you mean 'for now'?"

"We didn't kill it," she explained, glancing from Jess to Matt who was shaking his head in agreement. "We hurt it, but we think once it's healed, it'll be back. But we'll be ready for it."

Matt dropped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her in to his side. "I'll make sure we're ready next time."

Jess let out a huff, clearly not happy with that answer.

"All I'm ready for right now is a shower and bed," Emma said. With a groan, she pushed herself up to stand. "I'll see you in the morning, Jess."

"Night, Emma. Oh, and thanks. For bringing Matt back in one piece."

Matt let out a snort as he stood.

"You're welcome. I kind of like having him around, you know," Emma replied.

Matt just shook his head and pulled her toward the stairs. "Night, Jess."

***

Emma climbed into bed and pulled the covers up. Curling onto her side, she rested her head against Matt's warm chest, her arm across his abdomen, their legs tangled.
 

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and said, "I love you, Ems."

 
She let out a contented sigh. "That works out well then, what with me loving you." She pressed a kiss against his chest and felt herself drift off into an empty sleep. No visions, no dreams, just a deep, peaceful sleep.
 

After what felt like only minutes, something woke her, had her stirring. Alarm clock? No, she had nowhere to be, so why would she set it? She sat upright as she realised it was a scream.

"It's okay, you're safe," Matt said. He pulled her in to his chest for a hug, but the scream came again.

"It's not me. It's Jess," she exclaimed, staring at Matt, her eyes wide with fear before she jumped out of bed. She flung Jess's bedroom door open just as Jess switched on her bedside lamp. "Are you okay?" She could see Jess's hand shake as she pulled it back from the lamp.

She turned to look at Emma and said, "It was just a dream."

EXCERPT FROM VISION IN TRUST

Jess jumped at the creak of the door, and ran toward it when the light began to fade, as it swung shut. She slapped her hand against it futilely as it closed, locking her inside the burial vault. She screamed and hammered her fists against the door but who would hear her? Who would be in the graveyard at that time of night? In fact, what was she doing there? She couldn't remember how she even got there. She turned to lean against the door then slid down to the floor, wrapping her arms around her bent knees. She felt her eyes burn, as the memory of being locked in there as a child by her eldest brother James, came back to her.

Oh god, James. Is that why she was there? She raised her head and looked towards the raised stone plinth. That was when she saw the beam of the torch. Had her brother, Matt, left it in there earlier when he had brought Emma and her in there? Slowly, she got up and made her way to the torch. She picked it up, and with her back against the wall, swung it around the vault. There was nothing but cobwebs and stone walls. She lit up the stone plinth and crept towards it.

Her chest started to hurt, and the tears finally fell, as she saw James laid out flat. The skin around his neck was red and raised, reminding her of Matt after he had been attacked not so long ago. James’s shirt was ripped, revealing red, raised scratch marks. She moved the torch down to where the cloth was missing completely over his heart. Shimmering in the beam of the torch were four puncture marks, blood red against his pale skin. Tentatively she reached out a hand and gently touched his cheek. She gasped at the iciness of his skin and a sob tore from her throat. What the hell had done this to James? And why? She dropped her head, unable to look at him through her tear filled eyes. But her head jerked up when she felt him move his head towards her. A scream echoed around the vault, hers she realised.

“It's okay Jess, I will always protect you.”

She screamed again at the sound of Rob's voice. It was Rob’s cheek underneath her fingers as she snatched her hand back. She took a step back, as Rob sat up, and reached for her.

“Jess?”

She could hear the concern in his voice but she couldn't help it, she turned and ran.

Her legs kicked as she tried to flee but became tangled in the bedsheets. Jess sat up straight, her scream dying on her lips, as her eyes adjusted to the darkness and she recognised the familiar sight of her bedroom. She dragged in a shaky breath and leaned over to switch on her bedside lamp. She jumped as the bedroom door was flung open. Pulling her hand back she twisted it into the covers to try and stop it from shaking.

“Are you okay?” Emma asked. She was standing in the doorway, where Matt was peering over her shoulder.

Jess turned to look at Emma and said, “It was just a dream.”

Emma glanced over her shoulder at Matt and said, “Why don't you go put the kettle on? We’ll be down in a minute.” Matt checked her over, then nodded, before Jess heard his footsteps on the creaky stairs. Emma made her way into the room, almost closing the door behind her. Jess looked up at her and saw Emma's forehead creased with worry.

Jess gave her an attempt at a smile and said again, “It was just a dream.”

Emma sat on the edge of the bed. “If it was just a dream, how did these get here?”

Jess looked at her shoulder where Emma had gathered Jess’s hair in her hand. Looking almost white compared to her dark hair, they made a stark contrast, as several cobwebs laced her hair. Glancing back up at Emma, her eyes wide, she shrugged. She didn't know what to say.

Emma dropped Jess’s hair and rested her warm palm against Jess’s cold arm. “And do you always sleep with a torch switched on and under your covers?” Jess tensed and Emma rubbed her hand up and down Jess’s arm. “It’s okay.”

Jess stared at the torch, then at Emma's hand, moving slowly up and down her arm. Quietly Jess said, “It was in my dream. The torch. There were cobwebs there too.”

Emma kept on rubbing Jess’s arm and softly said, “I don't think it was a dream Jess. I think you had a vision.”

Jess's head lifted at Emma's words and she sucked in a loud breath. “But…”

“Can you tell me about it?”

Jess nodded. “I was back in the burial vault.” She turned her attention back to Emma’s soothing touch, and told Emma the rest of her vision. When she had finished, Jess got out of bed, and pulled on her dressing gown. When Emma moved toward the door, Jess grabbed Emma's arm before she could leave.

Emma turned to look at Jess over her shoulder. “What is it?”

Jess looked at the half open door and then back to Emma. “Please don't mention the part about Rob to Matt.”

Emma turned fully so she could face Jess. “Why?”

Jess belted the dressing down, pulling the ends tight around her waist. “I just, he, you know what he can be like.”