In the Shadows (The Blaisdell Chronicles) (17 page)

“I’m sorry, my dear. She’s not in. She left early this morning.”

Strange. Hadn’t she wanted me to come? The elderly man didn’t stop, but walked past and left the building. I turned my attention back to
Ellen’s door. With nobody else around, I took out a pin from my hair, and toyed with the lock as I had done at Derek’s work. This lock seemed to be trickier, and as I inched closer, my line of sight fell over the pentagram by her name. Squeezing my eyes shut, I was relieved when I heard a clunk. Closing the door behind me, I realised there was no light, as the curtains were drawn. I switched it on and scanned the room, carefully avoiding the blood red rug.

I was drawn back to the bookcase, hoping to find something in English this time. Perhaps there was a way to remove one’s painful memory. I glanced over the writing on the bindings, although none were in English. I considered trying to read the words anyway, but I had no idea what I’d be saying, and could end up doing something wrong.

I had been ready to give up, but then I saw a corner of a piece of paper sticking out between two books. Remembering my curiosity over it last time, my pulse quickened, as my fingers reached out.

One of the books fell to the ground, but it was the paper that caught my eye. It was a sketch, faded in places, and two of the corners were torn and creased, although there was no mistaking the lady was in the picture. My mind tickled back to the distant memory, recalling how Jonathan had drawn
Lucia, so beautifully. I knew it to be the same drawing, but there were new holes scorched through the paper where the eyes should have been. Hairs rose on the back of my neck.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and noticed the faded writing at the bottom corner of the paper.

My Heart’s Desire, by Jonathan Macey, 12th November 1811

I bent to pick up the book, and saw it had opened out onto pages showing someone sleeping and images of the Devil in their dreams.

The day he drew Lucia’s picture was the day I found out about Lady Stark. She’d stolen the sketch and made him believe we shouldn’t be together. Did she also have something to do with my scar? She
did
want my blood…

And then it hit me like cold water being thrown over my head. She must have been responsible for Nathan’s nightmares!
Ellen really was a witch!

It didn’t matter that
Ellen now looked different; inside she was still Lady Stark. How could I not have realised it sooner? I suddenly realised the danger I was in. What would she do when she learned I knew the truth? I gasped. She might already know! In a panic, I dropped the book, and in my haste to leave, my leg hit the corner of the coffee table. Ignoring the sharp pain, I bolted around it, only for my exit to be blocked by a pair of unsmiling eyes. She took a few steps closer, making me swallow hard. My gaze reverted to her delicate hands and her cool stare, now so familiar. I didn’t know why, but she revealed a thin, red scar on her palm, before covering her face with both hands. Mumbling a few words, too low to comprehend, she lowered her hands. A lump formed in my throat, despite already knowing who she was. With the curly red hair and violet eyes now gone, she raised her chin, arching one eyebrow. Still beautiful, her long blonde curls draped over her shoulders, and her vacant eyes were just as intimidating. The beautiful, yet dangerous, Lady Stark had returned.

“Hello, Lucy. You’re just in time.”

She took small steps closer, her expression feigning confusion, but now I knew her measure.

Ellen
removed her suede jacket, placing it over one of the sofas. She appeared relaxed, although I was certain she was merely toying with me, like a predator with its prey. Somehow, I found my voice. “Y-you’re Lady Eleanor Stark.”

“That’s right,” she replied in a melodic voice. “Well, I was, but her soul lives within me, just as
Lucia’s lives within you. But I’m sure you know that already. She has been filling your head with all sorts.”

My body shook as I spoke. “You did it all. You’re responsible for everything.”

Ellen bowed her head. “Thank you.”

I bit my lip to stop it from trembling. I would not show her my fear.

“Lucy, I
did
try to warn you both. You only have yourselves to blame.”

“Why couldn’t you just leave us alone?”

“Why?
Why?!
Because I had to! There was a time when he’d have done anything for me, but since you came along, everything was ruined. As Lady Stark, I was aware we’d meet again in the future. I’d cast my rune stones every night, but they wouldn’t tell me what the outcome would be. I only knew that one day, you would finally have had enough.”

Had enough? She knew I’d try, despite
Lucia not being able to?

“I couldn’t risk
letting
you both have a happy ever after. You had to be punished, after all. But through my revenge on Jonathan, something I gained deep satisfaction over, I almost forgot about you.”

Her eyes narrowed, making me shift uncomfortably. “I’ve had these awful visions of you for a long time. I saw you as a young child with your mother and father, quite content being pushed on a tyre swing in a field. You weren’t suffering yet, but you wouldn’t be having your dreams until you were much older. But the more I looked, the angrier I became. You shouldn’t be allowed so much happiness. I was already aware of your father’s fondness for the drink, despite him saying it was under control. Making him lose his job was easy. It didn’t take much to leave a few cans and bottles here and there. After that, the rest was down to him.”

She shrugged nonchalantly. I could vaguely remember the times we’d all shared together when I was very small. I distinctly recalled being happy when I was on that swing, but also knew he’d always have a bottle of something nearby, despite Mum’s unease. I’d been too young to understand, but I hadn’t cared, as long as we were all together.

I felt a warm tear trickle down my cheek.

“I’d had so much fun knowing you were finally in pain.” Ellen pressed her hand over her mouth to prevent more laughter, although she wasn’t trying very hard. “I just couldn’t seem to stop.” Her hands went over her face again, more words were mumbled in a low voice, and when she removed her hands, I held my breath. One long black plait hung over her shoulder, as a beautiful girl with full lips smiled menacingly at me. It was Rachel. The girl who had hated me in school!

When I looked again,
Ellen had returned.

“
Rachel was very upset that Steven had liked you instead. Naturally, I understood her feelings. Imagine being that beautiful and not desired by everyone.”

Her hand went to her heart as she spoke in a dramatic voice. “So, I spoke to her, told her everything she wanted to hear. Steven would be hers, if she gave me something. And you know what that was.” She smirked. “Gullible fool.”

The memory of that fateful day by the school lockers returned. I started feeling light headed. I thought of Jen, and wondered if Ellen had tricked her too.

“Having you all alone was much better. And you needn’t ask who is responsible for Nathan’s nightmares.
It was just a simple spell cast by Lady Stark, but it ended up being much better than we’d have imagined. His torture was a bonus, although we do regret not witnessing it.”

Ellen
couldn’t contain her laughter anymore.

My fists were so tightly
curled; the bones might pop out from under the skin. Gritting my teeth, I released them. How could she be so cruel? Nathan’s memories were worse than mine, yet the glint in her eye showed how little she cared.

“As long as I’m around,” she said proudly, folding her arms, “a relationship with him won’t work. And you will never be happy.”

I blinked in confusion. Had she meant to reveal that? Or was she so self-assured of winning, she didn’t care? Was getting rid of Ellen the only way to make Nathan’s dreams stop and ensure our safety? Inwardly, I grimaced. I couldn’t kill Ellen, although I wasn’t completely certain about what Nathan would do if pushed hard enough. There had to be another way, but nothing could be done now Ellen was here. If there was a fight, she would win, and the wicked gleam behind her vivid eyes seemed to confirm my thoughts. Instead, I considered how I could get past her. Nathan would definitely be wondering where I was by now.

Ellen
marched over to the window. “Wher
e
i
s
he?”

“Who?”

She groaned loudly, but didn’t turn around. “Alex. Who d
o
yo
u
think? He knows how important this is and why we’re running out of time. But you already know that, don’t you?”

So, Alex was coming.
Ellen must have known I’d sneak into her home, and now she would be handing me over to him. But she mentioned running out of time. Did it have something to do with the anniversary of Lady Lucia’s wedding to Lord Sulis? How could I have fallen so easily for Alex’s charms? Urgency shot through my body. I had to get out of here.

Carefully, I tiptoed across the room, and when a loose floorboard made
Ellen’s head incline, I sprinted to the door, cursing myself for running over the blood red rug. But I had no time to dwell on it.

As I ran down the street, heading back towards work, I looked over my shoulder and saw no sign of
Ellen. Why wasn’t she following me? Suddenly, a gust of wind blew up over my head, sending my long hair in disarray across my face. I pulled the strands aside, and my gaze met the sky, which had now darkened. Light snowflakes began to fall to the ground. I continued to run.

This must have been part of the plan. She was working with Alex, but after all of the trouble I’d caused her, past and present, I now realised she wouldn’t simply surrender me to him. Somehow, I doubted Alex was aware of this. When
Ellen’s laughter echoed in my ears, I shuddered. She was still toying with me. I fought the fear and tried to imagine Lucia with me.

Nathan, it’s me. I’m safe, but I need you. I’m coming back to Whitmore’s now.

Something in my heart tightened, and was gently released. Hopefully Nathan understood and was on his way back. I slipped down the alleyway, the quicker way back to Whitmore’s Coffee House, only slowing my pace when the familiar red door came into sight. Suddenly, a shuffle ahead made my heart leap into my throat.

“Hello,
Lucy,” came an unwelcome voice.

He leaned casually against the wall, several inches from my feet, although his height made it impossible to flee in time. I looked around for a sign of Nathan, but we were completely alone. Alex’s foot came forward.

“You know why I’m here, don’t you?”

“I won’t let you touch me.”

A stinging sensation nipped at my fingernails. I glanced at my hands and saw fresh blood dripping across tips where I’d been scraping at the wall, seeking an exit. The image reminded me of what lay under Ellen’s rug. I squeezed my eyes shut, praying it would go away. When warm breath blew over my face, I opened my eyes to see Alex looming over, his hands pressing the wall behind me. I shrank into my shoulders, but I couldn’t make myself disappear.

“Don’t be like that,
baby,” said Alex, softly. “You’ll soon learn to enjoy my attentions.”

“I-I’ll scream.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “I’ll just have to make sure you don’t.”

The pathetic squeak I made was muffled by a loud
rock and roll tune, followed by vibrations coming from his shirt pocket, which was now flashing. He closed his eyes, muttering a curse. He stepped back slightly to answer his phone, although not enough to let me flee.

“Hello? Look, I can’t talk right now. Yes, I know you’ve been leaving messages, but I’ve been busy.”

I could see the anger forming, threatening to overwhelm him. He listened to the voice on the phone, and it was then I realised who was on the other end. She still wanted him. My heart reached out, hating myself for not being able to warn her.

“Look, you’re really beginning to piss me off now! I don’t give a damn! Get lost!”

He turned his back to me, rage seeping from every part of his body. I waited a few moments, but realised I couldn’t wait for help. I inched to the side and sprinted, but I felt his hand pull my arm back. I cried out, struggling to free myself.

“Why won’t you give me the chance, Lucy
?! I can be everything you want if you let me!”

I tried to protest, but he threw me against the wall, his hands pressed deep into my shoulders. I was crying now, but his expression was pained.

“I’ll make you forget him!”

His lips were almost on mine, when Nathan’s voice thundered from behind.

“Get away from her!”

He threw Alex off of me, sending him into the empty crates, the thin wooden slats breaking under his weight. Alex winced, rolling on his side, his hand reaching for his back. He swore furiously at Nathan, who ignored him, and came to check me, eyes searching my body for any sign of injury.

I touched his arm. “I’m fine. Honestly.”

Warm hands clasped my cheeks, fingertips moulding into my skin. “Thank God. This is my fault. If I hadn’t left you—” He winced, his mind imagining the worst. I knew because I could sense what he imagined, the pain burning into my heart.

Nathan’s thumb was rubbing over my cheekbone. My face tilted inwards to kiss it.

Alex came forward. “You really think I was going to harm her?”

Nathan closed his eyes, calming his growing temper.

“God, Nathan. She’s too precious for that. In fact, I was trying to save her. We all know the sort of person you are. In the end, you kno
w
you’l
l
be the one hurting her.”

Nathan still struggled to hide his inner demon. “I’d
never
harm her.”

“You know you will. You can’t stop that temper of yours, can you?”

“Leave him alone,” I warned Alex.

“There’s a monster inside him, Lucy. You can deny it all you want, but you know it won’t go away.”

“Ellen has made certain of that, hasn’t she? Or should I say Lady Stark?”

I could feel Nathan’s sudden sharp gaze. “
Ellen? Lady Stark? Lucy, what’s going on?”

Alex’s cool snapped. He leaned forward, jabbing his finger into his ribs. “Forget that witch! What about me
?
Me!
I’m supposed to be here
.I
was my father’s true son, not this dirty son of a bitch.”

Nathan’s head snapped to Alex. “Insult me all you want, but don’t you dare bring my mother into this,” he warned in a low, threatening voice.

“
M
y
mother was heartbroken after discovering their affair. Twice! But it wasn’t my father’s fault. He just took what hi
s
whor
e
of a mother offered on a plate.”

Barely a moment had passed before Nathan lunged at Alex. But this time, Alex was ready. Nathan’s head snapped against the wall behind him, Alex’s hands on his shirt collar.

Alex turned towards me, with bared teeth, not letting Nathan go. “You still want to save this
monster
? After
everything
?”

Nathan took advantage of his distraction and head-butted him. Alex stepped backwards, clutching his head, now sporting a fresh cut. Before Alex could respond, Nathan cursed, and knocked him to the ground. Alex tried to defend himself, but Nathan continued raining punches on him. He tried begging for him to stop, but Nathan ignored his protests. Soon, I realised this wasn’t Nathan anymore, but Jonathan, back in the Napoleonic war. I didn’t care Alex was being hurt; he deserved everything he got. But I had witnessed Nathan’s continual suffering, and knew I had to step in.

“Stop it, Nathan!”

Nathan either didn’t hear me, or he didn’t care. He continued hitting out, nostrils flared,
with tension bristling his body.

“Nathan, look at me. Please, don’t.”

My hand touched over his heart and I could feel his anger, his pain. How I wished I could take it all away. When his frantic heartbeat began to slow, the predator’s snarl faded, and the frostiness behind his eyes softened. He stopped, collapsing into my arms, his anger spent. I held him like a child, smoothing his back, trying to end his anguish.