A Circle of Crows (7 page)

"Okay. We'll all call if we find anything at all. Make sure you have your cell phones with you before you leave."

As the members of her family dispersed from the kitchen, Rachael waited until Bella had shut the door and again laid her head on the table.

Pain is like an exclusive club. Not the normal pain we all go through in life, but the disastrous kind no one can do anything about, and the type where nothing alleviates it.

"Take me, for instance,” Rachael spoke into the empty silence. “No one would ever know to look at me that I'm suffering."

Except don't look too close; it always shows in the eyes. And unless a person belongs to “the club,” they may never recognize it in another. It's the twitch that sometimes occurs when situations arise, or the misplaced look, despite a festive atmosphere.

Oh, the veneer is good; but strip it down and what lies underneath is a rotting surface. Sometimes it's redeemable, and others, it's not.

Rachael quietly wondered if she was redeemable.

Chapter 14

Hyde

Marisol walked slowly up the hallway that led to the queen's chambers, deep in thought. “How many more till the expedition is launched?” she murmured to herself. She reached the entrance and two knights stepped aside to permit her entry to the quarters. She climbed the twenty-five stairs she had committed to memory and entered the main living area. “Where is she, Liza?” she whispered to the chambermaid.

"I believe in the sitting room. Watch yourself, Mari. She is in a particularly foul mood today and I would fancy you would still like your head attached to your pretty little body. I expect Sir Colin would as well."

Mari went scarlet but said nothing. She made a mental note to herself to tell Colin that people were noticing their relationship, which could prove deadly for them.

As she entered the living room, the queen was gazing raptly into a black, ancient-looking book; which she firmly snapped shut as Mari approached.

"So, what is the count?"

"I counted thirty-three, my Lady."

This was a blatant lie, punishable by death if she was caught, but she was well aware that Colin would be on the next expedition and she wanted to delay it as long as possible.

"Really?” the queen said. “Perhaps the captain is not being honest. That was in the dungeon alone, then?"

"Yes. Anything else, ma'am?"

"No, Mari, that will be all.” She waited till she thought Mari was busy with the task of clearing her dishes before she reopened the book. Mari was able to catch a glimpse of the leather bound cover which had some numerals and a huge, surly creature on the front of it. On the spine, she saw a language and symbols she did not recognize.

She exited the tower as quickly as she could without arousing suspicion. Her mind began to race with thoughts and her pulse accelerated till she felt it pounding in her chest. It was so intense, she felt sure others would hear it if they got too close to her. She looked out the window which faced the enclosure walls.

"Where is he?” She was swooning now.

Then she spied him, walking on the tower wall, bow and arrow in hand. She reached between her breasts and pulled out the black stone amulet from her bodice. She let the sunlight shine on the stone, which lit up brightly and began to glow. She maneuvered it back and forth till a reflection shown on the wall on which Colin was standing. Colin was walking and stopped midstride when he saw its reflection on the wall. He pivoted to locate where the light had come from and quickly began his descent down the stairs.

Marisol turned and heard footsteps coming down the hallway. She guessed it was guards from the heavy footfalls and the clink of armor. She quickly ducked into a tapestry room and shut the door. She could catch snippets of their conversation.

"We have less than two weeks till the close of the next lunar cycle, then it will be time for the transportation of the offerings.” She recognized the captain's voice, but it was more hoarse than usual. The timbre of his voice was serious ... and something Mari had never detected before in his speech patterns.

Fear.

"Have you decided who will deliver the offerings this time, sir? I am anxious for the opportunity.” Marisol recognized the soldier's voice as Maximus. A horrible man who she had witnessed beating her fellow chambermaids for the slightest infractions.

"Yes, perhaps you should go this time. I'm thinking of sending Colin in lieu of going myself this journey."

"Colin, sir? I am not sure if he has the
qualities
you desire for this type of maneuver.” The voices turned the corner and she strained to listen for them. She placed her hand on the doorway to open it, when she heard additional footfalls approaching. She froze with fear and her breath caught in her chest.

The footfalls were slowing and ceased directly in front of the door where she stood, paralyzed. She slowly backed up and hid behind one of the tapestries. The doorknob turned and as the door swung open, Colin stepped quickly inside.

"Mari, where are you?” His face was taut and etched with angst.

She rushed from her hiding place into his arms and their mouths met in a fervent kiss. He pulled her body tight to his and put his hands about her waist, then put his hand to her breast to feel her pounding heart.

"What is it? Why did you summon me with the amulet?” He was beginning to look angry now, the fear in his face ebbing away. “You are only to use the Avery Stone for dire emergencies.

"Please do not be angry. We must talk, but it is not safe here. I overheard the captain and Maximus in the hallway moments before you appeared."

"Alright, I know a place. I will soon be missed. Christian will cover for me as long as he is able, but the others will be inquiring as to my whereabouts."

He took her hand and they quickly passed the banquet hall. Taking a sharp left, he steered her down another dark corridor. Here, he paused in front of a tapestry, which he moved to the side. Behind it was a concealed door. He pushed it open and led her into a very cramped and narrow hallway. He was familiar with it in the dark, as he did not falter. After a few minutes, he reached another door, which he pushed open as it groaned in protest. They were in a resplendent master bedroom containing a four-poster mahogany bed with all of its red silk hangings still intact as if it had been abandoned. In fact, all the items in the room appeared as if the dweller had simply walked out one day and never returned. Hairbrushes were still on the bureaus covered with inches of dust, an open book was on the bedside table with a pair of reading glasses beside them, as if they were awaiting the owner's return.

"Where are we? Is it safe here?” She looked into his eyes for reassurance.

"This was the king's domicile before she managed to off him. They had been sleeping in different apartments for years before she accomplished her task. With the assistance of my beloved captain, of course."

Mari nodded. The king had trusted Colin implicitly, and Colin had been in his service prior to the king's death.

"Sit, Mari. Tell me all you know."

"I saw the book, Colin. The queen has it in her quarters."

"The Dark Book? You are sure, Mari?” he asked, his eyes wide in alarm now.

"Yes, it was just as you described it! I also overheard the captain say you were to lead the next expedition. Is that so?"

"Good. He is finally beginning to trust me, despite my being from the old regiment. I am not sure the rebellion can be arranged that quickly. Come, there is much to do and I will be missed.” He got to his feet and held out his hand to her.

As she grabbed his hand, she said, “Colin, wait. I know I am usually stout of heart and demeanor, but I fear your going to the mountain. Now that it comes to down it, I am not as bold as I thought I would be.” Mari was reliving memories going back in time to the night of her enslavement. She could see her parents lying on the dirt in front of her house; hear the screams ripping thought the night air. Black smoke billowed everywhere, and as she turned to look to the house down the road, she saw it ... the eyes spied her in the window ... She was brought out of her reverie by Colin squeezing her hand and sitting beside her on the bed.

"Mari, are you alright? You have become pale and are trembling. You know you must be brave, Mari. We will never have a chance at any kind of a life in this world if we do not fight."

He enfolded her in his embrace. She rested her head against his chest. She breathed in his familiar smell. She turned up her face to his and kissed him hard and hungrily. Colin hedged for a moment, then she felt his resistance give way and his hand went to her breast. She pulled him to her and he resisted again. She pulled him so he was lying on top of her on the king's old bed. He began to pull up her dress and she eagerly pushed herself toward him.

Suddenly, there was a tapping sound corridors away, and it brought him to himself. He hauled himself up.

"Mari, we cannot."

"I care not, Colin. I know you will marry me. Please, you are the only thing I think of.” Her eyes pleaded with him.

He stood and began to relace his shirt . “No, Marisol. I have never wanted anything more in my life than I want you. I would readily give my life for you. What if I place a child in you, Mari? What then? They will know and they will take it and destroy it, along with you and I as we fight to stop them."

Marisol began to cry. “I know you are right and I am ashamed."

He pulled her to him and let her sob, just as he had done since they were children, stolen from their village by palace guards.

"Come, we must go.” He gently but firmly began to pull her. He turned to her and said, “I am yours forever."

They hurried out of the apartment and back through the passageway.

Chapter 15

Raena sat in front of the library's computer, pouring over documents reproduced from the 1900's.

"There has to be a connection,” she said.

She looked up each of the children who had disappeared that fall, along with the families’ accounts of the disappearances.

Eva Entwhistle—aged three years old—disappeared from her backyard at sunset on 12 Septembre 1902.

Julia Appleguard—five years old—disappeared from the public park in the centre of town on 14 Septembre 1902.

Jonathon Smith—seven years old—disappeared from the rock quarry on the outskirts of Rhinebeck, 12 Octobre 1902.

Anne Hathaway—three—disappeared from her own bedroom, presumably out the window on 17 Octobre 1902.

"Wait a minute...” breathed Raena. “That's the inn's address. Another disappearance from behind the inn.” She quickly scanned the article and dialed her cell phone.

"Sam, how's it going at city hall?"

"Okay. I'm finding a lot of the old case files, thanks to Cody. What do you need, Rae?"

"Did you look up Eva Entwhistle?"

"No, she's further down on my list of disappearances from that year. Why?"

"She lived at the inn. Her parents must have been the innkeepers."

"I'll try to find the case file and ask Cody to make a copy on the sly for me."

"I'll see you at home."

Marisol awoke at midnight, looked around her quarters, and found all was silent in the cottage. She reached under her bed and removed a white dressing gown and pulled it over her head. As she slipped out of bed, she faced the mirror. She unwound her braids, which hung past her waist, releasing her hair into lustrous waves. She donned a balaclava and slipped out of the servants’ quarters unnoticed.

She walked down a twisted path to a clearing by the lake. The moonlight was so bright, she had no trouble negotiating the way. This evening, there was a blue moon, the second time it was full during the month. Many of the fables she had listened to as a child included this moon, especially when a significant event was about to take place. What she saw next took her breath away. Colin stood in the clearing, his dark hair blowing gently in the night's breeze, and his dark gaze fixed upon her intently. He was breathtakingly handsome, even painfully so, and beside him stood the clergyman.

As she reached him, he held out his hand for her to take, never removing his gaze from her.

"I thought this day would never come,” he whispered quietly. “For since I was just a mere lad, I have dreamed of us becoming one."

They knelt before the clergyman and Colin slipped his hand into his tunic and withdrew two shining silver bands.

The man of God said, “Do you take her as your wife, Colin? Keeping you only to her?"

"Yes,” was his only reply, and Mari saw that his eyes were bright with tears.

"And you, Marisol, do you take Colin for your husband? Keeping you only to him?"

"Yes.” Marisol felt weak with joy and fear—the fear of losing something she treasured as much as life.

Colin placed the ring on her finger; its silver surface gleamed in the moonlight. Marisol was moved with the memory of Colin's mother removing the band and polishing it one evening as she sat by the hearth in their home next to Colin's sister playing with her dolls. His sister couldn't have been more than five years old.

"Papa's is too large for my hand; we will deal with it when life has improved for us."

He swept up his wife and carried her across the field of millet by the lake to a covered wagon. Neither of them took any note of the clergyman's departure. Colin gingerly helped her into the wagon and then deftly slipped inside as well. Inside was a cot, a lantern and a few blankets. She lay down on the cot and stared at him, her long hair now spreading out over the cot like a peacock's plume. As he came to her, it felt surreal, as if her whole life after the destruction of their village had been leading up to this moment. She felt her dressing gown being slowly slid up her bare thighs and she shivered with cold and anticipation.

"Do not be afraid, Mari,” he whispered to her, when he could feel her trembling beneath him.

After their bodies had joined many times over, they lay together in the still night. Marisol willed herself not to cry as she felt his arm reach around her and grasp her hand a little too tightly, then it relaxed as Colin drifted off to sleep.