Edwards begins making his way up to my dad as Finn hands me whatever it was he took out. I glance down to see it’s a passport.
“For your old man, as promised,” he says and then moves to go by me.
“Thank you,” I whisper, opening it up to see a picture of my dad inside. “How did you get the photo?” I ask.
He makes a typing gesture with his hands. “My mad computer skills, remember? I got that from the database of the school he used to work at.”
Instinctively I move forward and grab him, giving him a small hug. “You’re such a good person, Finn. I really don’t deserve you as a friend.”
He pats me on the back, his smile faltering a bit. “Yeah well, not many people do.”
The fact that he can still be sarcastic with me gives me hope.
I nod and turn to follow Edwards upstairs. Before I make it to the first step, I feel Finn grip my hand. “Yeah?” I say, looking back at him.
He swallows. “I just wanted to tell you to be safe. The decisions you make are your own. I can’t tell you what to do, but please don’t do anything stupid for that vampire. He has some kind of a hold on you and it worries me. I’m not going to make a fool of myself and beg you to stay away from him, because that’s not my thing. All I can do is say that you’ll always have a friend in me and I’ll be there if you need me.”
Oh God, now he’s going to go and make me cry. This man is the salt of the earth. Sometimes I wish Ethan didn’t exist, because Finn’s right, he does have a hold on me and it cancels out all of my rational thought. Ethan invites me into the fire, and not only do I know it’s going to be dangerous, but I relish the danger. There’s something screwed up in my head.
“I’m sorry I’m not a better person,” I choke out.
“Quit that self-pity, Petal,” he says, friendly but dismissive. “Now go on up and see to your father.”
He lets go of my hand and I continue on up to my room, too many feelings bubbling up in me. Inside Edwards is peeling off the lotions he put on my dad yesterday. They’ve all formed into a solid skin, and when he peels it back I see that the blisters have disappeared and new, pink skin is in their place.
“That’s amazing,” I say in awe, sitting down on the edge of the bed. The problem is that when I do my dad’s face whips to me. His eyes are open and they aren’t their usual colour; they’re all murky, like a swamp. I jump up, staring at him in fright. One side of his jaw is tilted up and he’s wearing an unsettling expression that I’ve never seen on his face before.
“Dad,” I whisper. “It’s me, it’s Tegan.”
Edwards places a hand on my elbow. “There’s no point, dear. He can’t recognise you right now. His true mind is somewhere else.”
My dad is still staring at me, almost like he’s sneering. For the second time already this morning I feel like crying. First Finn’s words of kindness that I don’t deserve, and now my dad looking at me with eyes that aren’t his own.
Edwards places several bottles containing dark liquids by the night-stand. My dad’s face turns to watch him, and he seems calmed by the half demon’s presence. Edwards perches himself by the bed and begins giving my dad spoonfuls of liquid from the different bottles. He seems relatively passive at first, but before he swallows down the third spoonful his expression contorts and he spits it out onto the bed. I go get some paper towels to dab up the spillage and Edwards tries again with the same liquid. A second time my dad spits it out, now more aggressively than before. His body starts to convulse and he lets out a wail of pain.
“What’s wrong with him?” I ask in panic, my voice catching with tears.
Edwards looks at me gravely. “He’s not accepting the medicine. This one is particularly important in restoring his mind, but it’s just not taking. When he spits it out it’s not so much his action as the action of the evil that’s infesting him.”
“The infestation wouldn’t let him take the medicine?”
“Correct.”
“Is there any alternative?”
“There is. There are other medicines, more powerful ones, but I don’t have any of them here.”
Running my hands through my hair, I say, “Let me guess, you only have them at home in England.”
“Correct again,” answers Edwards.
“Is there any way to get the medicines here in Tribane? There are so many supernaturals in this city. There must be someone who could provide them.”
Edwards shakes his head. “Tribane has lots of vampires and witches, but very few demons, if any. London though, is the demon capital of the world. Every city has varying populations of different kinds of supernaturals.”
“So what you’re basically saying is my dad can’t be healed here; he needs to go home with you?”
“Yes. The sooner we leave the better.”
I stare at my dad in despair. I can’t be selfish in this matter. Whatever has to happen for him to be himself again, I’m going to do it for him. Gathering my resolve, I say, “I’ll go book some flights then.”
Edwards seems happy about this, but he can see that I’m miserable so he doesn’t act overly enthusiastic, even though I can tell he’s dying to get home.
After I’ve booked the flights I assist Edwards in cleaning up my father. I get a couple whacks from him, and even a head butt. It irritates me that I’m the one he won’t tolerate, while he’s as passive as a teddy bear when Edwards tries to manoeuvre him. I had to run to a men’s clothing store to get a couple outfits for my dad. I even get him a small suitcase and pack it with as many items as I think he might find comforting when he finally becomes his old self again.
After our little encounter this morning, I feel like it would be presumptuous to ask Finn to drive us to the airport, so I splash out on a taxi instead. Once we have my dad dressed and cleaned up he looks almost normal. Edwards gives him some different medicine before we leave, informing me that it will keep him calm during the flight. There will be a car waiting for them at the airport in England to take them straight home.
I momentarily consider going with them. After all, I had always planned on going back to Manchester. I don’t feel like I can leave though. Like Ethan said, sometimes places take a hold of you and leaving isn’t as simple as it seems. It would be highly inconsiderate of me to just up and go anyway, especially since there’s so much going on that involves me. It hurts my heart when I think about leaving any of my friends behind. And Rita is so vulnerable right now. I feel it’s my duty to make sure she gets better.
I want to hug my dad before he and Edwards go through the departures gate, but his body language informs me that would be a bad idea. I stare into his eyes one last time before they go, and within them it’s almost like I can see my dad in there, struggling to break past the infestation. Hopefully he’ll be home and well again soon, but for some reason I doubt things will be that simple. They never are. I say my thanks to Edwards and then they’re gone.
I’m left standing all alone in the middle of the busy airport.
Chapter Sixteen
I Got Dark Only To Shine
Similar to when I found myself in the middle of the riots on Campion Row, the atmosphere in the airport begins to change. The place doesn’t feel busy in a normal way anymore; it feels busy in an aggressive way, in a way that makes you think things are about to get out of control.
The people who were once hurrying by one another in a mannerly fashion are now beginning to bump into each other, or telling one another to watch where they’re (fucking) going. This can’t be good.
I walk outside, feeling the need to get away from the aggression. I hop straight into a taxi and tell the driver to take me to Finn’s place. The airport is just a little outside of Tribane, and as we’re pulling onto the motorway my eyes are drawn upwards, where I can see the skyline of the city as we approach it.
I die inside a little at that moment.
My heart goes thump, thump, thump.
Because hovering there in the sky is a d
arkening cloud of chaos mist.
I watch as more and more bits rise up to join it, forming an enormous black mass. It looks like a hazy dark claw, reaching forward to crush the city within its powerful grip. But then when my eyes take in the entire picture I realise that it actually looks a little like a crow, like Theodore’s totem animal.
Swallowing hard, I tell myself that I need to make a decision. Something is happening. Either the mists are becoming stronger and taking over the city on their own, or Theodore is manipulating them to do so. Do I continue on into the centre of it, or do I tell the driver to turn around and take me as far away as possible?
The coward in me wants to run, but the magic inside of me urges me to stand and fight. Tribane might be a lonely and mysterious place, but it’s my lonely and mysterious place. And it’s where my friends are, where Ethan is. After last night, I can no longer pretend to be unfeeling when it comes to the vampire, my vampire. Oh God, that just sounds so wrong, but it’s true.
Decision made, I don’t say a word to the driver as he brings me right into the city. I may not be a match for Theodore, but I can damn well try my hardest to be a major bump in his road to tyranny.
Minutes later the taxi stops at Finn’s house. As I get out I see a group of neighbours shouting and acting rowdy as they cheer on two women who are beating the living hell out of each other. A couple of teenage boys are throwing bricks at houses to smash in the windows. Since things have taken a turn for the worse, there’s no sense in me keeping my talents to myself. Not to mention their actions are making me angry, especially when I see them go to smash Finn’s windows.
“Hey, don’t even think about it,” I call, approaching the ringleader who has a big jagged rock clutched in his hand. He turns to me, sneers, and calls me a name that doesn’t bear repeating. Well, I’m not having that.
I can almost visualise my magic shooting through my body as I swing both arms above my head, creating a stream of sparks, before throwing them at the teenagers. They screech and swear when they get hit; it certainly takes the wind out of their sails. I feel like doing a little dance of triumph.
I didn’t attack these boys with the intention of hurting them, but let’s face it, someone had to shock them out of their madness. They haven’t been fully infected by the mist yet, I can tell. They’re just going a little nutty with it being so heavy in the atmosphere. The effect of the sparks is half burn, half electrocution now. I’m really starting to take to these powers of mine.
The ringleader comes raging at me. He’s no longer aiming his rock at Finn’s window, now he’s aiming it right at me. Just then I feel someone come up behind me. I’m about to turn and defend myself when I see Ethan, fangs out, eyes red, black veins marring his skin.
“Jesus,” says the teenager in fright, as Ethan hisses at him. He drops the rock and runs off after his friends. I guess red vampire eyes are far more frightening than my glittery witch sparks.
“Thanks for that,” I breathe in relief. “He was just about to hurl the rock at me.”
“I saw,” Ethan replies in a furious voice. He gives me a quick kiss on the top of my head and takes my hand. “Come, things are bad. We must prepare for a battle.”
“A battle?” my voice comes out high-pitched.
“Yes. While you were seeing your father safely to the airport, your slayer friend received reports of vampires coming over the river and attacking civilians. Apparently the human population on the south side is going just as mad as those on this side. Whitfield has given his vampires free reign to murder as many humans as possible. I think he might be using this as a smoke screen so that he can advance on Pamphrock and take him out while the city is running amok.”
“That sounds about right,” I say, nerves shooting through my system.
Everybody has gathered inside. Gabriel is casting a spell over Finn and Alvie in order to prevent the mist from infecting them, since they’re both human. Delilah, Lucas and Ira are gathering weapons. I ask about Rita, but apparently she’s still locked tight inside her RV. Ethan and I go out to try and get her to open the doors, but this time all of the curtains are pulled, so I can’t even see in. Needless to say, she doesn’t respond to our calls.
Rita would probably have been the best person to have at our side right now, but there’s no way I can force her to come out. I run upstairs and put on my best jeans and my hardiest boots, before zipping myself into my camouflage green army jacket. I place my razor in one pocket and a stake in the other. I close my eyes and feel my magic zinging through me, just waiting for me to call on it. Yeah, I’m prepared for whatever fight is ahead of me.
Finn locks up the house and I help to carry a mind boggling array of weapons to the DOH van out the front. We all hop in the back and Finn slides into the driver’s seat. Ira has changed into his animal form and is sitting on the passenger side. It’s like he’s Finn’s second in command, the scary canine version. He’s certainly got a pair of fangs on him to rival any vampire’s.
I sit with Ethan on one side of me and Alvie on the other. Delilah, Gabriel and Lucas sit across from us. Ethan places a hand on my thigh, as though in comfort, but he doesn’t speak – nobody does. Finn’s driving us to Emilia’s house, because that’s where Pamphrock had been when news broke of the vampires invading slayer territory. He’s called everyone there to convey his orders.
Beside me I can feel poor little Alvie shaking like a leaf. I don’t think he’s built for so much danger. I take his hand into mine.
“You’re going to be fine,” I tell him, putting as much sincerity into my voice as I can muster.
He smiles at me weakly. “I wish Rita were here. I always feel safer when she’s with us.”
“I know, me too. We’ll just have to watch out for each other, okay?”
He nods and squeezes my hand tighter.
“Well my friend,” says Lucas, addressing Ethan. “I never thought I’d see the day when you and I rushed to take orders from Pamphrock.”
There’s humour in Lucas’ statement, the kind of humour that only comes with a long life that has seen him witness the impossible many times over. Ethan smiles at him fondly. “No, friend, nor I.”
“This life is full of unpredictable turns,” Lucas goes on.
Ethan inclines his head in acknowledgement. “No matter who we fight with, first and foremost we fight for ourselves, for our own lives.”
“One’s own life is as good a cause as any,” Lucas agrees, just as we pull to a stop. I’m glad of the interruption; I was afraid they were going to start hugging each other and reminiscing about old times or something.
We climb out and walk towards the gathering of slayers. They’re all listening to Pamphrock as he stands on the roof of a van and calls out orders. I can’t be sure exactly, but I’d estimate that there’s well over three hundred of them altogether. They stand in orderly lines, all wearing their DOH blacks.
Emilia’s home is located on a long, wide avenue where lots of expensive private residences are located. They’re more mansions than houses, really. Directly behind Pamphrock is a beautiful one with high walls all around it. Electricity not dissimilar to my sparks crackles along the surface of the walls, preventing anyone from getting close. The others have gone to listen to Pamphrock, but my attention lays solely on the house.
I can’t believe this is where my mother grew up. Granted, I never knew her, but if this is where she was born then she might as well have been a princess. My eyes roam over the place before stopping at a large window on the second floor. It has a shutters on the outside and reminds me bizarrely of the Pope’s window in Rome, where he comes out to address the people. There ain’t no Pope at this window though. Emilia stands and watches Pamphrock intently, looking like some kind of black widow in her immaculate dark clothing. I can just about make out her hateful expression. It certainly looks like she means business.
From this distance she must not be able to hear what Pamphrock is saying. I imagine she thinks he’s giving
orders about how they’re going to breach her spell, rather than about how they’re going to take on the vampires who are running wild on this side of the city.
Cupping my hands around my mouth, I make the not so bright decision to shout up at her, “Hey Grandma, why don’t you come down here and face us instead of standing up there on your perch like a snooty coward?”
She regards me coldly, and with a sweep of her hand causes the sparks surrounding the walls to span out and knock me on my behind.
“Huh, very civilised,” I mutter to myself.
It’s beginning to irritate me that she cares more about a little girl who is no relation to her whatsoever than her actual real life granddaughter.
Getting to my feet, I look back up at her. If only I could get close enough to speak to her then maybe I could make her see sense, but there are more important things at hand. Like say, the fact that I’ve just spotted six eerily tall individuals walking down the empty road beyond Emilia’s house. Whoever’s in the middle is skipping along like an excited child, and seeing child-like movements on an adult is just plain weird. Above their heads is the cloud of black chaos mist, seeping downward from the sky like a crow shaped ink stain.
Once they’re within seeing distance I recognise it’s Theodore who’s skipping like a child. Marcel is on one side of him and Michael Ridley is on the other. The remaining three I remember from the ritual Marcel performed in the cave. With my heart pounding, I rush through the gathering of slayers toward Pamphrock, calling out, “Theodore’s headed this way, look!”
For just one second Pamphrock betrays a startled expression, but he turns stern as his mouth starts moving and he gives orders to the slayer beside him. A second later a stark realisation hits me. Most of the slayers here are human and Theodore’s headed this way with all that chaos mist. Those two factors are not going to bode well for us.
The slayers all get into formation, marching towards Theodore and his group. But before they even get close to him the mist descends. The slayers are all kitted out with their modified fire extinguishers, yet even the blast of them isn’t enough for this amount of chaos. It’s far too concentrated now. It’s almost like it’s somehow evolved to become stronger.