Destiny (Absent Shadows Trilogy Book 1) (18 page)

‘Well, time has a very different meaning to them than it does to you, or even me. If Zunios misses out on The Cauldron, then he’ll no doubt simply shift the diamond. Mind you, I’d say he wants this area for the same reasons we’re trying to protect it.’

I thought hard about all I’d heard them talking about today, but I was still confused. ‘And why’s that again?’

‘Because of all the backpackers that come here … and it also happens to be one of the highest points in the city. I think that if they put their diamond here it could be stronger than most other places they could put it.’

‘And why does ownership of property come into it? Couldn’t they just set up their diamond anyway?’

‘I’m sure they could. Ownership, per se, doesn’t really matter. It’s just that owning the properties gives them permanency. In order for the diamond to be powerful, what they do is set up very large generator crystals, aimed at each other. Obviously, if they own the properties, once this diamond is set up, it won’t be disturbed.’

‘Crystals? What sort of crystals?’

‘Generator crystals. They’re large crystals with six identical faces coming to a point. The most powerful of them are colourless quartz. They’re naturally occurring, and that’s how their power was discovered, but they can also be created—cut from other large crystals. They create a great deal of energy, and if aimed at each other, their energy grows exponentially. My guess is that Zunios will have them cut from the largest crystals he can source, once he knows the exact location of the four properties. And I would also guess he will engage a master diamond cutter to cut them so that they’ll be perfect. Does that make sense?’

‘Sort of, but I don’t quite get it. How do they point in two different directions at once?’ I tried to make the shape with my hands, but it was lopsided. ‘Are the crystals V shaped or something?’

‘Yes, they are cut with double heads in a V shape, such that their points will aim directly to the crystals making up the adjoining points on the diamond. The more precise the cut, the more energy they will create, and the stronger the power of the diamond. Having been this patient, I’m pretty certain he’ll do it right, and have the crystals cut so that the aim is spot on.’

‘Ah,’ I replied, nodding, but still not fully comprehending what he’d just said. I was pretty sure Debs had a book on crystals—maybe I’d seen it in the study. Perhaps I would have a look through that. ‘Can I ask one more question?’

‘Of course—I’m sure I’m not explaining this that well.’

‘You are, but it’s just that, if the diamond is made from these crystals, then why does Zunios need Erranase to come back? Why does that matter? Can’t they just work as a threesome, rather than having a fourth member?’

‘Well, the way Erranase explained it to me, they need four vampires because each one sort of bonds to one of the crystals. They draw their energy from the same crystal each day—and somehow, they give back energy to it as well. I don’t know if it matters what time of day, or whether it even has to be every day, but when they all touch their crystal at the same time it increases the energy flow until it builds up what I can only describe as a force field. But if one of the crystals doesn’t have someone touching it, then the energy escapes from that point, and it doesn’t work.’

‘You know, it all sounds a bit like something from a sci-fi movie to me. So, how does Erranase know all this? Is it possible that’s it’s all just a theory … and that it mightn’t actually work at all?’

‘It works. Erranase knows because they had a diamond set up when they were in East Prussia. And it worked very well. They became untouchable. Zunios was incredibly powerful, and he wants that power back.’

I gave up asking questions. This was simply one of those things I’d have to accept. Besides, if I could believe in vampires and ghosts, then why wasn’t this possible too?

Sam started the car, and we were at the apartment in no time. He pulled up in front, leaned over and gave me a very gentle kiss goodnight. As soon as I got out of the car, he drove off without waiting to see me inside. He obviously had a lot on his mind.

As I made my way through the foyer, I was so tired that my legs felt heavy and I realised I’d have no trouble looking as though I’d been hiking all day. I hated to lie to Debs, and hoped that she wouldn’t ask any specific questions about the weekend.

I was in luck. I walked in to find the apartment empty except for a note in the kitchen saying they were out for the night.

~ C
HAPTER
F
IFTEEN
~

I woke to the sound of rain drops hitting the window. Wandering into the kitchen I found Debs finishing her coffee.

‘How was the weekend? Did you kids have fun?’ she asked.

‘Yeah, it was fun … the weather wasn’t great so we didn’t get to do much hiking though,’ I answered, figuring that was pretty close to the truth. After all, I did hike a little … up to the bathroom block, back to the cabin …

‘Well, I’m glad you had a good time. Tom seems nice. Quite different to Sam though, isn’t he? I’m surprised they’d be such good friends.’

‘Yeah, well, they sort of grew up together, you know. So, museum today?’ I said, wanting to change the subject.

‘Hmmm, yes,’ she replied, nodding as she swallowed a gulp of coffee. ‘And then I’m catching up with an old friend for an early dinner. You’re welcome to join us if you’re not doing anything. We’ll go somewhere near the museum—Italian maybe.’

‘Oh, well sure, I mean … maybe. Can I call you later and let you know?’

‘Of course. Oh, and speaking of phones, ring my mobile so that I have your number. I meant to get if from you before you left on Saturday. You know, it was awfully nice of Sam to get you that phone. I only wish I’d thought of it myself.’

As I went back into my room I remembered I’d left my phone with Michael. ‘I must have left my phone in Tom’s truck. I’ll send you a message when I get it back.’

‘Okay. Well, I must run or I’ll be late. Any plans for the day?’

‘Not too much … I’ll go for a run … and Sam doesn’t work on Mondays, so maybe I’ll do something with him.’

She smiled. ‘If you feel like going for a drive, you could always go up to Healesville—there’s a native animal sanctuary up there. I don’t think you’ve even seen a kangaroo or a koala since you’ve arrived, have you? Or of course there’s always the Melbourne Zoo, if Sam doesn’t feel like driving as far as Healesville.’

Not long after she’d gone, the front door buzzer went and it was Sam’s voice that came over the speaker.

‘Good morning, beautiful. Did you sleep well?’

‘Like a rock,’ I lied. In actual fact, I’d tossed and turned all night even though I was dead tired.

‘That’s good. I’d hoped you would. So, are you going to invite me up?’

‘Oh, sorry … of course,’ I said, pressing the button allowing him to come in.

I raced back to my room, threw on some clothes and opened the apartment door to find him standing there patiently. He handed me my phone and came in.

‘Thought you might like that back,’ he said.

‘Thanks. So, any news?’ I was desperate to hear something positive, like that all their fears had been for nothing.

‘Not yet.’

I waited, hoping he’d tell me more, but he just watched me.

‘Did you want to do something today? Debs mentioned a place in Healesville that has native animals … she thought I should try to get there at some stage. Have you ever been there?’

He hesitated before answering and I could have sworn he was trying to stifle a laugh. ‘I’d love to spend the day with you, but most animals don’t really react all that well around me … they get a bit nervous and tend to hide. I don’t think you’d see terribly much.’

‘Oh … I see,’ I said, imagining a wolf walking through a pack of nervous sheep. ‘Well, we can do whatever you like then, but do you mind if I have some breakfast first?’

‘Good idea.’

He stood watching as I made myself some toast and poured the last of the coffee into a mug. He smiled, seeming to take pleasure in watching me fiddle.

‘Do you like kites?’ he finally asked.

~~***~~

Sam parked in the same spot he had the last time he’d taken me to the beach. Once again, there was hardly anyone there.

He jumped out of the car and pulled a red kite off the back seat. We walked down to the hard packed sand and within moments we were running down the beach, following the kite as it darted and weaved on the air currents.

The look on Sam’s face was not one I’d seen before; stress-free and child-like. Perhaps this was bringing back happy memories for him. It certainly brought back happy memories for me—flying similar kites, on similar beaches, with Dad and Raye.

But the nostalgic moment came to an abrupt end when Sam’s phone rang.

‘I see,’ he said into the phone. ‘Well, I guess this means we’ll have to move quickly. Yes … yes … say a half hour, depending on the traffic … I’ll ask, but I won’t guarantee anything. Right … we’ll be there shortly.’

It wasn’t difficult to work out who the caller had been, and I had a fair idea of what was probably being said on the other end. Then Sam confirmed it for me.

‘The property settled this morning,’ he said, his voice flat, emotionless. ‘Michael wants to come with us to meet with Henry. I said I couldn’t promise that, I mean, I have no idea how Henry will react. He wants to meet you, but I don’t know about Michael.’

‘Did Michael say anything else? Do you think they’ve got the crystals in place yet?’ I asked, trying hard to keep the panic from my voice. I didn’t want Sam to worry about me—he had enough on his mind as it was.

‘No, he didn’t have any other news. But as for the crystals, I still think we have a bit of time. They’ll need to be precision cut, and that’s not something that would be done overnight, not even with the sort of influence that Zunios is capable of.’

‘But can’t they just use the ones they used before?’

‘No, they won’t work. I wondered about that too, so I asked Erranase and he said that diamond was a different shape—much narrower. So even if Zunios kept those crystals, they’d be useless. Still, we can’t afford to waste time.’

It was clear by the look on his face that our outing was over—Sam wanted to leave, now.

~~***~~

When we approached Sam’s tree we could see Michael already standing there, waiting for us. Elizabeth was there too, although it was obvious Michael didn’t see her.

‘He’s very anxious,’ she said, looking first at me, then at Sam. ‘Why is he here?’

She had her answer instantly, and her face changed from curiosity to wariness.

‘I’ll ask, but … I don’t know, Sam. I mean, Henry asked to meet Lili, but to bring another person, I really don’t know.’

Just as she said this a very rotund man appeared behind her. He had an inquisitive look on his face. When Elizabeth spotted him, her face lit up and her hands went together as if she were about to start clapping.

‘Henry—you’ve come out of the tunnel,’ she said, looking first at the rotund man, then at Sam and me.

The old ghost smiled, and looked as though he had tears in his eyes. ‘Elizabeth, are you going to introduce me to your friends?’ he asked.

‘Oh, Henry, of course, of course. This is Lili,’ she said, reaching for his hand.

I looked at Henry, and smiled warmly, wishing that I too could take his hand. He must have read my thoughts in the same way that Elizabeth could because he smiled at me, and said, ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lili.’

Sam stepped back, grabbed Michael by the shoulder and turned him to face Elizabeth and Henry.

‘Michael, I’d like you to meet my sister, Elizabeth, and her friend, Henry.’

It didn’t take long at all. Michael’s face changed from looking puzzled to looking amazed in just a few seconds. It was a bit like watching a child being introduced to Santa Claus. ‘It’s quite a pleasure to finally meet you Elizabeth, and you too Henry. I’m honoured,’ he said, with genuine humility in his voice.

Elizabeth was the first to speak. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Michael. Sam has always spoken very highly of you.’

‘The pleasure is all mine,’ said Henry. ‘However I believe we have little time to waste on formalities.’

‘So you know the situation, I gather?’ asked Michael.

‘Yes. Elizabeth told me some of it yesterday. However the news you bring today suggests that time may well be of the essence. You will appreciate that it has been many, many years since I’ve had any need to engage in military tactics, let alone any sort of battle. However, I am ready and willing to assist in way I can.’

‘Thank you, Henry,’ said Michael, looking at us with a question on his face.

‘We can hear him, Michael, if that’s what you’re wondering. And he can hear all our thoughts too. He’s been doing it with me for many, many years. You’ll get used to it soon enough,’ said Sam.

‘Right. Well, Henry, as you’re probably aware, we suspect that this diamond could be capable of trapping you, and all the other ghosts, within its boundaries. It’s never been tested to my knowledge but I don’t think any of us want to take the chance.’

‘Quite right,’ said Henry, serious now.

‘So, how many, uh … ghosts … do you think will join us in this effort?’ Michael asked. He seemed almost uncomfortable using the word.

‘There are ninety-six prepared to help—including me. A few have had military experience of some fashion, but many are women, and some, like sweet Elizabeth here, are merely children. But they are determined to assist, and will do as they are told.’

‘Okay, that’s great Henry. Ninety-six … wow, that’s way more than I’d hoped for. We just have to come up with a plan,’ said Michael, a deep furrow appearing between his eyebrows as he began to concentrate.

‘Where will you meet them? Here, in the gardens would be best for us, obviously, as many of us can’t go much beyond them,’ said Henry, looking at Elizabeth.

‘Yes, we hope to get them to agree to meet us right here actually. This is the spot where they laid out the four bodies, so they must acknowledge the significance of this spot. We’ll try for seven, after most of the workers have gone home. It will be dark, and if we’re lucky, it might even rain—that would limit any onlookers.’