Corin & Angelique (After the Fall of Night) (38 page)

“I just hope Angel’s okay. This is all my fault. I insisted on coming with you. I
should have stayed at the estate. We wouldn’t be here, in this predicament, if I had.”

“You can’t blame yourself.”

“Angel was so close. If I’d just done something, maybe—”

“That immortal would have ripped you to sheds
.”

Keeping a steady pace, they’d just passed through the gate and started up
Cemetery Road when Corin caught the sound of a vehicle nearing.

“Someone’s coming,” he alerted Tomes just before headlights appeared
around the curve in front of them and a vehicle came into view. “I think it’s the sheriff.”

“What
on earth is he doing out here?”

“I have no idea, but we need the ride.”

Sheriff Pierson rolled to a stop and lowered his window.

“What brings you boys out here this time of night, and without transportation
to boot?” he asked.

“Oh, w-we had transportation, but—” Tomes attempted to supply a feasible
response.

“I’ll tell you what happened, Sheriff,” Corin took over,
catching Pierson’s fixed, disconcerting stare. “This fellow here,” he pointed back at Tomes, “he went and royally pissed off his sister. She took the car and left us to find our own way back.”

“I guess that was her I passed tearing out of here like a bat out of hell?”

“It was,” Corin hoped the sheriff didn’t question why they were at the cemetery, or how three of them had gotten out there in a two-seater car. “She’s a spirited one.”

“In your condition, Mr. Jaffler, that’s surprising,” Pierson told Tomes. “You’re
not looking too well. You ought to be home in bed.”

“It’s hard keeping this one down,” Corin
spoke for Tomes.

“Well, hop in and I’ll give you boys a lift. Unless you think she might come
back for you once she’s cooled off.”

“
We’re not counting on it.” Corin opened the back door and helped Tomes get in.

Corin knew Sheriff Pierson was suspicious of them,
but he had no choice but to accept the ride. Tomes wouldn’t make it far in his condition.

“We appreciate you going out of your way.” Corin climbed in the front seat.

“I wouldn’t be a very good lawman if I left the two of you stranded out here, now would I?”

“You’re a fine officer, Sheriff
.” Corin fastened his seatbelt. “Always on top of things.”

“Should I drop you at the estate?”

“Yes. That would be great,” Corin replied. “Tell me, how’s the investigation coming along?”

“Funny you should ask that. I’ve been trying to track you down. I’m sure Mr.
Jaffler has told you.” He eyed Tomes in the rearview mirror. “I wanted to ask you a few questions about a murder that occurred at the county fair two nights ago. The victim was a fortuneteller—Madam Monicca.”

“I don’t understand how this concerns me.”

“I believe you were there the same night she was killed, in the company of Ms. Jaffler.”

“We were at the fair. Angelique and I were on a date. It’s no secret,” Corin
admitted.
How did the sheriff know?
“Half the county was probably there.”

“Well, I find it more than just a coincidence that your name keeps popping up
in connection with all of these young women’s murders,” Pierson’s tone was accusing.

“I’d be surprised if you had any real connections, Sheriff. I told you, I don’t
know anything about those murders,” Corin spoke calmly. “But I don’t think it matters what I say. It’s obvious you’ve got your mind set on me being the killer. But you’re wrong.”

“So your friend back there keeps telling me.” Pierson looked at Tomes again in
the mirror.

“If you’re so sure of my guilt, why haven’t you arrested me?” Corin asked
outright. Although, he couldn’t be certain that Sheriff Pierson wouldn’t haul him in on some trumped up charge, leaving him to count the minutes until sunrise. If that happened, he’d be forced to either let the daylight disintegrate him, or disappear and leave Hixton for good.

“Something tells me there’s more going on around here than meets the eye,”
Pierson said. “Unusual things. And I assure you, I’ll figure it all out.”

Corin glanced over his shoulder at Tomes whose eyes widened in return. Just
what was the sheriff getting at? What did he know?

Enduring more questioning and insinuations as they rode, Corin released a
sigh of relief when they reached the estate, eager to escape the interrogation.

“This is quite a place you’ve inherited.” Pierson pulled through the gate.

“Yes, I’m very fortunate.”

“Your uncle, I hear, was a recluse…rarely seen.”

“Yes,” Corin nodded. “He kept to himself—a rather eccentric man.”

“Much like you, it seems he only came out at night.” Sheriff Pierson’s words
were unanticipated, leaving both Corin and Tomes perplexed.

The vehicle rolled to a stop in front of the mansion.

“I need to get inside,” Tomes groaned.

“Thank you again for the ride, Sheriff.” Corin got out and helped Tomes. “You
always provide stimulating conversation.”

“Don’t you boys get any ideas about leaving town now,” Pierson said.
“Understand?”

Corin shut the door. “We’ll be around,” he answered through the glass.

Sheriff Pierson drove on.

Tomes looked at Corin.
“What do you think he knows?”  

“I’m not sure
. But I don’t see how he could know I’m a nightwalker.”

* * * *

The wind gusting through the tops of the trees gave a haunting moan. In an isolated clearing, the Order gathered in its formidable mission to seize and punish those who had betrayed them, and to return the relic to its rightful place in their guard. It was a remarkable sight. Some of the immortals moved in as phantoms, materializing from a vapory mist. Others shape-shifted from animal to human form, creating a unified circle. When they had all assembled, Jordon stepped forth from the multitude, into the center of the ring.

“I heard your call,” he addressed the entire order.

A nightwalker stepped forward and joined him in the circle. Appearing less than the age of thirty in mortal years, he stood tall, a distinguished yet imposing figure with jet-black hair and eyes to match. Jordon bowed his head in respect and the immortal returned his gesture.

“Galvar,” Jordon acknowledged.

“It has been too long, Jordon,” Galvar, the Commander of the Order, greeted. “Let us take a walk together.” He motioned for two nightwalkers to part, allowing them passage outside of the circle.

“What’s brought you here?” Jordon asked
as they walked shoulder to shoulder away from the group. “I see there are only members with you. It must be serious.”

“The Body has been taken,” Galvar informed him.

“How is that possible?”

“Lehndra,” Galvar sighed.

“Lehndra? I thought she was disposed of two years back.” Jordon didn’t

understand. “Why is she still living?”

“She is of ancient Delghorlin blood, Jordon. You know there are many of our kind who have pledged to preserve that nearly extinct lineage. We must always consider the repercussions of our actions, no matter how deserving of death one might be.”

“It isn’t right,” Jordon disputed. “She’s a traitor.”

“I agree, but the Order, together, determined her fate by secret ballot, and the outcome has revealed that there are still several among us who remain loyal to the lineage,” Galvar spoke in a hushed voice. “I don’t mean to say she went without punishment. We took into account her many crimes and transgressions and sentenced her accordingly.”

“So what was her punishment, a slap on the wrist?” Jordon barked in
irritation. “It apparently wasn’t banishment to a barren world. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be here, in this one now, stirring up more trouble.”

“It was imprisonment…in a sense. We stripped her of all privilege and free
reign for a time of fifty years.”

“Punishment indeed.” Jordon mocked the miniscule penalty. “Forgive my
disrespect, Galvar, but if it were up to me, I’d finish off that godawful Delghorlin line once and for all.”

“Use caution, Jordon,” Galvar responded to his rash remark, glancing back at
the Order. “Repercussions can be disastrous. The lineage, I agree, is ruthless, but it is also the oldest of our race. The Delghorlin are our forefathers. You are diurnal, not nightwalker, but we are related—brothers—and we must all respect the ancestry of our world.”

“I will never claim pride in such a merciless lineage. They have all been
nothing more than demons. Lehndra is a prime example of the savage nature of that bloodline, continually betraying her own kind, which is the worst of crimes to be committed.” Jordon spoke his mind regarding the female immortal, not caring if he was overheard. “I’m a sworn sentry, it’s my job to track down these reprehensible culprits and bring them to justice.”

“And none has done a better job,” Galvar praised.

“How do I rationalize continuing with what I do if the criminals are never brought to justice? It makes my life’s work meaningless.”

“Lehndra is a special circumstance, Jordon, you know this,” Galvar asserted.
“You carry this beyond proportion.”

“Do I?”

“What’s done is done,” Galvar’s voice grew stern. “Let us get past this and move on to what matters presently.”

Jordon nodded, knowing that very few immortals could talk to Galvar the way
he just had and live to see another night.

“About Lehndra. Unlike Karlot, who possesses the power of concealment, we
were able to track her here.”

“Karlot is here as well, now calling himself Boldor,” Jordon informed him.

“How has she managed to find him?”

“I suspect the recent news reports alerted her. Since obtaining the Heart, this
is the first time he’s stopped moving. He’s become obsessed with another nightwalker residing here named von Vadim.”

“Interesting,” Galvar remarked. “Well, I need not tell you what will become of
us all should Lehndra succeed in acquiring the Heart from him.”

“With the Body already in her possession, it would be disastrous.”

“We must find the Heart of the Clyth before she does,” Galvar stressed. “For the sake of us all, this world, and all others, we cannot fail.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

No Ordinary Wolf

Inside the estate house, Corin and Tomes
contemplated their next course of action.

“I don’t feel anything from Angel
.” Tomes rested on the sofa. “That must be a good sign, don’t you think?”

Corin didn’t reply, pacing the room.

“She’s not dead. I would know if she were,” Tomes told him.

Corin nodded. “What you have with Angelique is remarkable.”

“It can be a burden. She’s been fighting me since the day we were born, probably even kicked my butt once or twice in the womb,” he laughed.

“She is a true force—a magnificent force.”

“Hey. I don’t want to hear that from you. Nothing has changed when it comes to the issue of you two.”

“Yes, you’ve made your position very clear
.”

B
efore an argument could ensue, the phone rang, averting their attention. Corin quickly answered, the caller being the female immortal.

“I think I have something of value to you,”
she told him. 

“Just what is it you’re after?” Corin spoke sharply.

“Boldor has something I want. I’m sure you know of it by now.”

“The charm?”

“Yes,” she confirmed. “The Heart of the Clyth. It belongs to me.”

“To you, or to the Order?”

“There must be something unique about you, Nightwalker, to gain Jordon’s confidence. But no matter, I know your only interest lies in getting this female mortal back. And she is so sweet, warm, and tempting….”

“You harm her and you’ll get nothing from me. Except my wrath,” Corin’s
voice held a growl. “You’d best remember that.”

“Oh, believe me, von Vadim, I know where I stand with you,” she replied. “You
get me what I want, and you’ll get what you want. Bring me the charm, and she’s yours, unharmed, you have my word.”

“And how good is your word?”

“My acts, though they may seem illicit, have been carried out only for the betterment of my home-world. Karlot is nothing more than a common thief out to do whatever benefits him most. I’m just glad I didn’t share my aspirations with him,” she rambled on. “Even when we were together, I never fully trusted him. But he’s not important. My vision is what drives me. My goal is to lead my world into a new age. Under my reign, and with the power of the Clyth, the Eleventh Dimension will become a more advanced and powerful world, surpassing all others.”