Wolf whistles echoed behind them, but she didn't care. All she wanted was to stay in that moment, for it to never end.
But the moment passed. Lana called them from the distance, 'Come on you guys, hurry up!'
Diarmuid wiped away a tear from her cheek. 'Like I said, stop those thoughts. This isn't over. This is just the beginning,' he said with a huge grin.
'You're right,' she whispered, 'This is just the beginning.'
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
'Stamus Contra Malum. Three seemingly small words that sum up the true meaning of the Praxos Foundation. We Stand Against Evil. That is what we are here for, to fight evil of all kinds. Evil that hides in the shadows of the night ready to pounce on unsuspecting innocents, whether they be human or paranormal. We vow to protect those that need our protection. And fight those that choose the wrong path in this life. Stamus Contra Malum,' Eleanor said as she stood proudly beside the statue of the angel that filled the centre of the great hall with Watchers, Mentors and a few others that Lana and Emma had never met sitting in front of her.
'The past two weeks has not only been an introduction to the Praxos Foundation for you, but it has also been an induction. The moment you were born, you were destined to join us. And the moment you grew your tattoos made you a part of this family. Your initiations proved to us that you are more than worthy, and your tasks showed us your keen abilities to successfully solve problematic riddles and in some cases, to help others,' Eleanor said as she glanced in Lana and Emma's direction. 'I know I speak for all the Mentors here by saying that you have seriously impressed us by showing your true born colours, demonstrating your unique talents in a multitude of ways. It is therefore my very great pleasure to welcome you all...' she said, stopping to look at Daisy who blushed, 'to the Academy in a few weeks time.'
The Watchers let out a loud wild cheer, all jumping up and hugging each other enthusiastically and yelling at the tops of their voices.
Emma looked across at Diarmuid who held up both his thumbs to her and winked, 'I told you so,' he mouthed. A grin spread across his face as he took in her appearance for the first time. Her long hair was pinned up to reveal a long pale elegant neck which was enhanced by a black lace choker, beautifully matched to the1950s style gothic dress she wore.
'But, we haven't completed our task yet?' Lana suddenly blurted out when the group had quietened down a little.
Declan leaned forward over her shoulder and said, 'Yes you have. We discussed your task earlier today and we all agreed that you did an astounding job in tracking down Emelia Doris, girls. Your task is complete.'
Emma, who sat feeling a little self-conscious in her girlie dress, turned to look at him, 'But what about Joe? He hasn't crossed over yet. I won't be happy until he has,' she said.
Declan leaned back with a smile just as Eleanor quietened everybody down so she could speak. 'I just wanted to add how pleased we all are at how you grouped together to help one another. I think you're all aware that some of the tasks were more challenging than others. You showed us that you are indeed, already a family.
Lana and Emma, I neglected to mention this before but your task was much more in-depth than any of the other Watchers' tasks. But, as Josiah clearly needed to be helped, I decided to give that task to you, rather than pass it on to one of the older watchers. I am very pleased to announce, therefore, that the issue with Josiah is almost complete. Emelia Doris has been found. She is on her way to London as we speak. The plan is for her to travel back to Andilyse with you and Lana before you take her to Josiah's house. We believe then that Josiah will finally be able to rest in peace.'
The girls were dumbstruck, not able to utter a single word. Eleanor smiled happily, 'See? Your task is over. You passed with flying colours. It is clear that you are the stars of the past fortnight's... what do we call it? Work Experience. Come on everybody, how about a round of applause for Lana and Emma?'
Again, the group exploded with happiness and clapping, the Watchers pushed their seats back, scraping them across the floor, and surrounded the two sisters, patting them on the back and congratulating them. It was a fitting end to their first two weeks with Praxos.
'And now everybody,' shouted Eleanor above the noise, 'Now we feast!' she said as Wilbur opened the doors to the dining room, revealing a room completely decorated for the event, with blue helium balloons floating across the ceiling and Praxos Foundation banners stuck to the walls, the winged eye looking at them from every direction.
Lana smiled, watching as everyone rushed into the room one by one. Just for a moment, she stood and patted down her black pencil skirt and orange silk blouse and admired her brand new black heels.
Breathing in heavily, the smell of grilled chicken filled her nostrils as she then followed everyone to the far end of the room, piling her plate high with grilled chicken and sausages, salads, vegetables and what smelled like freshly baked bread. Jugs of fresh juice, home made lemonade and ice tea were scattered among the food.
Patiently waiting for everyone to fill their plates, Emma stood against the wall when Eleanor approached her with a smile. She handed her a glass of fresh apple juice.
'Cheers,' she said.
'Cheers,' Emma replied as they chinked glasses.
'Eleanor?'
'Yes Emma?'
'Have you told Joe yet?'
Eleanor turned to face her and shook her head. 'We thought it would be better coming from you. Perhaps you can call him tomorrow morning when Emelia arrives?'
Emma grinned, 'I'd love to.'
'Come on, Em. Come and get some food,' Diarmuid called as he made a gap for her at one of the tables.
'Go ahead,' Eleanor said, 'Enjoy.'
'Wow,' he said as she walked slowly towards him. 'You look amazing.'
'Th... thanks,' she said shyly, looking down at the dress. A dress she never thought she'd actually wear.
'You should wear dresses more often. They really suit you.'
Pinking slightly, she said, 'Maybe,' before they turned their attention to the feast and began filling their plates with food.
Later that night, the Mentors had allowed their Watchers to stay on at the Foundation to say their goodbyes. Eleanor had wished them all a pleasant journey home and thanked them for their efforts, telling each and every Watcher that she looked forward to seeing them back shortly and then she and Wilbur had left them alone.
The group had grown fairly quiet, sitting around the angel statue in the hall, some chatting quietly among themselves. Lana rested her head on Liam's shoulder while Diarmuid had his arm protectively around Emma's shoulders.
'Well, we should call it a night,' said Penny who stood up and stretched, pulling Nisha up with her. 'I guess we'll see you all in a few weeks, then?' she said. 'It's been a lot of fun, guys. I'm really looking forward to studying with you at the Academy,' she added as Ava and Rupert stood up too. Rupert high-fived her before everyone else. Ava gave everyone a hug. 'Now you've all got my email address, stay in touch and I'll see you soon,' she said as the four of them walked out of the hall, into different tunnels.
Moira stood up next, followed by Imran, Cassie and Elliott who said their goodbyes and headed off down the same tunnel.
Liam, Diarmuid, Lana and Emma were left alone.
'I don't want to go yet,' Emma whispered as Diarmuid tightened his grip on her.
'We'll give you some space,' Liam said as he stood up and held out his hand to Lana. Taking it, she smiled and they walked away, into the room with the big beanbags.
'Finally on our own,' Diarmuid said. 'I know it's only a few weeks, but I'm really going to miss you,' he whispered.
She turned so that she was on her knees facing him. 'I'm going to miss you too.' Leaning into him, she gently placed her lips on his and they kissed like they'd never kissed before. The triple salchows were repeating themselves in the pit of her stomach as she rubbed her hands over his back, feeling the muscles rippling beneath her fingertips.
When she eventu
ally pulled away, she turned to see Lana and Liam standing awkwardly waiting for them.
'I guess we should go,' he breathed, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
She kissed him gently just one more time and then hopped up, walking towards her sister. She gave Liam a quick hug and then pulled Lana away towards the elevator where she pressed the button and they stepped inside, turning just one last time to look at him.
'I'll call you,' he shouted just as the doors closed.
Lana gave her sister a hug before gently rubbing her arm. 'You'll see him soon. The next few weeks will go by so quickly'
Emma gulped back the tears, 'I know.'
'Me and Liam broke up,' she said suddenly with a smile.
'Wh...what? Why?' Emma replied, astounded.
Lana shrugged her shoulders. 'It was just a bit of fun for both of us. It was great while it lasted.'
'I don't understand.'
'Come on... you know me. I'm the world's biggest flirt... and he's kind of like the male version of me,' she laughed. 'We're still good pals though. It's cool,' she winked, glad to have made Emma think of something else.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
An elegantly dressed elderly lady with bright white hair and a kind smile approached them as they stood waiting for the ferry. Saleena helped her climb down onto the pier.
Holding out a gloved hand, she said 'You must be Emma and Lana. It's such a pleasure to meet you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done. Is he here?' she asked looking around as Declan walked past them carrying her suitcase, as well as Lana's and Emma's hold-alls.
'We asked him not to show himself until we're on the ferry, we can find a more private spot on there,' Emma said with her eyes already glazing over.
The old lady nodded, 'Yes, yes of course.... so you live on Andilyse?'
Lana nodded, 'We grew up there. Our Dad is the Chief of Police and Mum's a nurse there.'
'That's lovely, that's lovely. It was such a beautiful island. I loved it the moment I stepped foot on it,' she sighed. 'I never stopped... if only things had been different.'
'Can I ask you a question, Emelia?' Emma asked nervously.
'Of course! Anything.'
'Is Emelia Doris your real name?'
The woman dropped her head backwards and let out a throaty laugh, dabbing at her eyes with a cotton handkerchief, 'No, but I needed a, erm, a modern name. My real name is Laomedeia. I always loved the name Emelia and my mother's name is Doris,' she explained.
'Laomedeia? Its pretty,' Emma replied. 'Why have you... aged? I thought someone like you would stay young forever?'
Again the woman chuckled to herself. 'It was my father's way of punishing me for what I did. My sisters are all still young and beautiful,' she said, shaking her head. 'It was silly of him because once he'd cast his spell, he couldn't take it back and the man he wanted me to marry didn't want someone who was going to age. He went on to marry Menippe,' she sighed.
'I'm sorry.'
'Don't be sorry, my dear. My entire life I've wanted nothing more than to die so that I could be with Josiah. At least now I'm one step closer to getting my wish.'
As they'd been talking, the ferry had arrived and a few people had disembarked before Emelia, Emma, Lana and Declan had climbed aboard.
Saleena had hugged them tightly before she headed back to her own boat, but not before giving Declan a long kiss.
Emelia sighed as she watched them, 'How I miss that,' she said as they took a seat in a corner away from prying eyes, and she very carefully removed her gloves, revealing perfectly manicured fingernails beneath.
'Emelia?' said a quiet voice out of nowhere as Josiah finally revealed himself to her.
Gasping, her hands shot to her mouth and tears began to fall down her cheeks.
'Josiah? Is that you? Oh how I've longed for this day to come. I'm so sorry my darling...'
##
Several hours later, the girls stood on the front of the ferry watching a thick fog hang over the island with the sound of seagulls racing and squawking overhead.
Once they'd finally come to a halt, they hopped off of the ferry into the waiting arms of their mum and dad and brother and sister who squealed and jumped up and down at the sight of them.
'I hope they've not been too much trouble, Declan?' Patrick asked as he shook the hand of his good friend.
'They've been as good as gold. I'd be happy to look after them any time,' he said, 'And Sal just loved them both.'
'Oh thank you so much Declan. We are indebted to you, we really are. I'm so pleased that the girls finally got to experience some London culture and history. Now tell us a little more about this Academy...'
Lana yanked Emma away the moment she laid eyes on someone else who'd come to welcome them home.
'Scott!' she yelled as the two girls ran straight into him and hugged him, laughing. 'We missed you!' she squealed.
'So what did we miss? What have you been up to? What was it like working on the Nutter's farm? Are you and Lottie going out yet?' she asked, barely taking breath.
'Woah, woah... I should be asking you all the questions. You're the ones who've been out gallivanting in the big city, not me!' he laughed, his cheeks bright pink from happiness.
'We'll tell you about it later,' Emma said as she glanced across at her sister knowingly. 'But we've got something important we need to do first though. Can we meet up in the morning?'
'Sure,' he said, grinning, 'Just give me a buzz and I'll come round.'
After saying goodbye to Declan, Audrey and the younger kids headed home in her car while Patrick took Emelia, Emma and Lana up to the old Grimshaw house, after he'd been told that she was a long lost relative who had inherited the place.
'Thanks Dad,' said Emma, 'We'll take it from here. We'll walk home in a bit.'
Patrick had nodded, given Emelia his card and suggested she call him if she needed any assistance, and then he'd left them by the old wooden gate.
The moment he was gone, Josiah showed himself.
'I wish I could carry you over the threshold, my love,' he said as she gazed at him with such an abundance of love that the girls had to look away.
'Erm, shall we just come inside with you and see if there's anything we can do before we leave you to it?' asked Lana, breaking the silence.
'That would be lovely, my dear. Thank you so much.'
Emma picked up the lady's suitcase and pushed open the gate.
'I remember it like it was yesterday. This was the house you grew up in. You brought me a couple of times. I never forgot it...'
As they walked indoors, Lana cringed, expecting the disgusting mess they'd stumbled upon before but there was nothing of the sort. The house was absolutely spotless, gleaming in fact.
'Wow,' muttered Emma to her sister. 'Who?'
When they looked across at each other, realisation hit and they said in unison, 'Mum,' and smiled. The kitchen was even stocked with supplies for the newest resident of Andilyse.
'Oh, you've all been so kind. Here's a note from some of the islanders, with condolences and such like. Oh I'm almost speechless,' she smiled. 'I should have lived this life with my love on this island,' she sobbed.
'You're here now, that's what matters,' reassured Josiah. 'I shall never leave your side.'
With that, the girls tiptoed out of the house and began their walk back home.
'So, how you feeling Sis?' asked Lana as they ambled down the lane together.
'Okay. It's nice to be home, I guess. But I am looking forward to going back,' she smiled.
'Really?'
'Of course. I miss Diarmuid already,' she said as she looked down at her shoes and kicked a stone in the road.
'I can't wait to get back to London. I can't believe we're actually going to live there!' Lana squealed.
'But there's some pretty scary stuff over there, isn't there? Aren't you worried about it, just a little bit?'
Lana pulled her cardigan tightly acro
ss her body and pondered the question for a couple of minutes before answering, 'A little, I guess. Those Skulls scare the hell out of me, of course, but I hope not to have to run in to them any time soon.'
'What do you think will happen to the dread-lock girl?' asked Emma as she remembered her glowing yellow eyes compared to the posh English girl they’d bumped into in the museum.
Lana shrugged her shoulders, 'I don't care. I just hope Bryn managed to find her and lock her up. If he did, he should throw away the key.'
Emma laughed, 'I'm with you on that one. Do you ever think about that attack on the night of our initiation?'
Glancing across at her sister, Lana nodded, 'All the time. Why?'
'It's just that we never found out who helped us out, you know. It's been kind of bugging me, I guess.'
'I wouldn't worry about it, Em. At least whoever it was, was helping us and not the other way around. I'm sure Eleanor will get to the bottom of it.'
##
Twelve days later as the sun seemed to shine much brighter than usual for a September day on Andilyse Island, a coffin was carried from the church to a freshly dug grave in a beautiful setting overlooking the North Sea. Just as it was gently lowered into the earth, the sea crashed onto the shoreline below. Lana and Emma watched as the hand-like waves seemed to desperately paw at the sand before pulling backwards, back into the darkness of the sea.
'Twelve days, ' sighed local baker Betty Miller. 'I still can't believe she died so soon after arriving,' she re-iterated to no-one in particular as she, along with a small group of local residents, turned away from the grave, and headed back towards their cars parked up on the hill next to the church.
Lana turned and smiled at her sister, who, rather oddly for a funeral, beamed back as they watched two familiar ghosts walk hand in hand off into the distance until eventually, they vanished from sight.