Guardians of the Akasha (23 page)

“No,” Keira said. “I don’t know what you are going to tell them, but they can’t be a part of this.”

“I’ll think of something. Now, we’re full-house at the moment. But you can use my room, second door to the right, down the passage—”

“But, what about you?” Keira asked, aware that her heart had missed a beat.

“I have work to do. Besides, these couches are very comfortable. Now go!” Marco steered her firmly in the right direction. His voice discouraged any dissent, so Keira meekly followed his directions.

When she closed the bedroom door behind her, she had to lean her back against it as she was enveloped in the male smell of him. His room was dominated by a big four poster bed and, against the far wall, a large, solid red-maple writing desk strewn with documents and crumpled up papers. A bedside lamp threw an inviting glow across the space and made the browns and reds in the room seem even softer, warmer.

Keira walked over to the bed, slipped out of her clothes and underneath the warm, down cover. One deep sigh later and she was fast asleep, dreaming of lying in a tall, blue-eyed man’s arms.

*****

Thousands of miles away, Alison was also sleeping. She jerked awake when the London apartment’s front door was blown inward with an ear-splitting crash. Before she had time to fight, to resist, gloved hands pressed down on her mouth. The sickening smell of chloroform violated her senses and the world disappeared.

Sammy did fight. She kicked and scratched, screamed and swore as they tried to contain her. Her karate kick connected with an attacker’s nose before they grabbed her arms and legs and someone smashed the smelly rag in her face.

Chapter 25

“Keira, wake up,” gentle hands shook her shoulders, lightly at first, then harder. “Wake up!”

Keira groaned and turned around. Eyes, heavy with sleep, peered at Zina standing next to the bed. She closed her eyes again and yawned, then realised she didn’t have any clothes on and grabbed the bed cover to pull it up under her chin.

“Um…. Hi, Zina.”

“Keira, you’ve got to come. Now!” Zina’s insistence penetrated Keira’s sluggish mind and she sat up.

“What’s going on?”

“Just—Marco will explain. You have to come. Everyone is waiting in the sitting room. Do you need help getting ready?”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll only be a minute.”

“Fine, but please hurry!” and Zina left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Keira jumped out of bed, worried by Zina’s insistence. She hurried to the en-suite bathroom and splashed her face, dragged a comb through her hair and then wondered what the hell she was going to wear. She didn’t bring any clothes from the cabin, and the ones she arrived in smelled like horse.

“Well, I’ll have to see what’s in here,” she muttered and walked to Marco’s cupboard. She grabbed a white, long sleeved shirt and pulled it over her head. The sleeves had to be rolled up and the flaps hung above her knees, but at least it was clean. She dragged on her black, leather pants and boots and left the room.

Only the Draaken members were assembled in the sitting room and their voices stilled as she walked in; then everyone looked to Marco, who stood by the cold fireplace.

“What’s going on? Where are the other Guardians?” she asked.

“I only woke the Draaken,” Marco said. “Keira, I’m sorry, your friends have been taken. It happened a few hours ago.”

“What do you mean? Alison and Sammy? You said they were safe!”

“We are still trying to gather information. But—my men—they were ambushed and killed.” Marco clenched and unclenched his fists.

Keira felt as if she’d been punched in the gut. Shock robbed her of her voice.

The silence in the room deepened as those present mourned the loss of yet more friends. Chloe cried softly while Rafael tried to comfort her as best he could. “If only I could See, I could have prevented this!” her voice broke.

“My parents,” Keira found the words.

“The watch has been increased tenfold. No one will enter the grounds of their estate. Simone has convinced your father that they need to stay at the house, in case you return, so that is what they are doing,” Marco answered Keira’s fears.

Just then the phone rang. Marco picked it up, listened for a few moments. Keira watched as his face went white with rage and his eyes dark as the clouds of a summer thunder storm.

“Keira, it is for you,” and he held the receiver out to her.

She walked over to where he stood, feeling suddenly cold, knowing who was on the other end of the line.

“Yes?” she said into the phone.

“Good morning, Keira. Lovely morning, isn’t it? This is Daemon speaking. We haven’t been formally introduced, but I am
really
looking forward to meeting you in person.” His voice was smooth and mocking in her ear.

“What do you want?” she hissed.

“Oh dear,” he sighed. “So rude! I would watch my manners if I were you, especially since two lovely ladies are on their way to join me here at my humble abode.”

Keira wanted to scream and swear at the man on the phone, but her only reply was cold silence.

“Well then,” Daemon continued. “Since we are obviously not going to have a friendly chat, I’ll tell you what I want. It’s very easy, really. You to come here, to the castle, find the Book for me, open it, and then I’ll let you and your friends go and we’ll all live happily ever after. How does that sound?”

“I have a better idea. Why don’t I come over there, get my friends, rip your throat out, and we all live happily ever after?” Keira countered, looking up to see Adam silently laughing and giving her a thumbs-up.

“I’m afraid I can’t go along with your suggestion,” Daemon’s voice was suddenly sibilant and cold. “You have seventy-two hours to present yourself at the castle’s front gates. Be even one second late, and you’ll find two beautiful heads, gift-wrapped in a box and delivered to your door.” The phone clicked off. Keira stared at the black handset in her clenched fingers.

Closing her eyes, Keira strove to find that calmness and peace at the core of herself. She drew on the energy of the Akasha surrounding her, the way Cassandra had taught her, and soon she closed off the hate and rage that threatened to overwhelm her entire being. It would not serve her friends if she lost control; she needed a clear mind for what lay ahead.

To the people standing around her, it seemed as if Keira was enveloped in a layer of shimmering air. They could feel the ripples in the Akasha and everyone felt instantly calmer, more energised and determined. Their own powers stirred inside of them, as if Keira had somehow awakened and strengthened it.

The Draaken stood in a circle around Keira, waiting for her to speak. When she did, it was in a voice so unlike her own, that she hardly recognised it herself.

“He has Alison and Sammy, they are being taken to the castle. I have to give myself up within three days, or he kills them.”

A low rumble went around the room, fragments of outrage were heard: “Never!” and “We have to stop him!”

“Chloe, please come here,” Keira interrupted.

Chloe walked closer and stood in front of Keira, who held out both of her hands. The Seer took them and an explosion of white light enveloped both women in a blinding flash. Black bands twining around Chloe like strangling vines were suddenly visible; then they began to wither, fall away and turn to dust on the floor.

Keira let go of Chloe’s hands and the light softened and disappeared. “He put a binding curse on you,” she said.

The Seer shook her head as if she had just come out of a long coma. “I feel…. I See!” she whispered, overwhelmed by having her gift back.

“Chloe,” Keira was insistent. “I am sorry to have to push you, but we have no time—”

“Keira, I…. Whatever I can do, tell me.”

“I need to know which route they are taking with Alison and Sammy. Can you do that?” Keira asked.

“Yes,” Chloe was determined. “I’ll need a few moments.”

Rafael walked forward and took Chloe’s hand. He threw a grateful look at Keira and followed his partner to their room to prepare for the Seeing.

Keira turned back to the group. “As soon as Chloe has given us a location, I plan on intercepting Daemon’s handlers. We have to get Alison and Sammy back before they reach the castle. Any volunteers?”

Everyone stepped forward as one.

Keira was surprised to see the Japanese observer among them. “Mr Harigaya?”

“We cannot condone the involvement of innocents. I am offering the services of my Family,” he replied and bowed deeply to Keira.

Keira smiled. “The more the merrier, I suppose. Marco, any ideas on how we’re going to do this?”

“A few,” he acknowledged. “It would depend on whether they have left London yet. I assume Daemon has a private plane ready, so we’ll have to take them either before they board, or as they land in Germany. Let’s wait for Chloe.”

“There is a slight problem,” a cool voice said and everyone looked at Simone. “How are we going to get from here, to Europe, in time to save her friends, and meet Daemon’s deadline?”

“There’s no need to meet his deadline. We’re getting the women,” Adam frowned at Simone.

Keira held up her hands. “Leave that to me. I’ll get us there in time.”

Chloe and Rafael returned. The Seer’s eyes sparkled and she smiled in triumph. “It was so clear!” she cried. “They are inside a plane at a private airstrip outside of London. There is a hold up with the plane; they haven’t taken off yet.”

“London it is, then. Marco, you and I will go, and two additional people,” Keira said, in full control of the situation.

“Chloe, how many men were at the airstrip?” Marco asked the Seer.

“Three men were holding the women, plus the pilot and co-pilot; also four guards outside the plane’s hanger. They looked half asleep, I don’t think they are expecting any resistance,” Chloe replied, then proceeded to give them a quick layout of the area and few neighbouring buildings.

“Good, we’ll have the element of surprise. Adam, Mr Harigaya, you will come with Keira and me,” Marco continued.

Loud protestations sounded from the rest of the Draaken, everyone upset at being excluded from the action.

Marco had to raise his voice to be heard above the clamour. “You’ll get your chance!” he said. “It is time to end this.”

A chorus of “Yeah!” and “Let’s do it!” rang around the room.

“High time,” Adam said, knocking his fists together.

“We’ll get Keira’s friends, then make for Magda’s Herberg in Germany. We meet there in two days’ time. Use the fastest routes possible; Daemon will know we’re coming by then. If his handlers try to stop you along the way, you have free rein to get rid of them. But remember, no innocents are to be involved!”

The group’s frowns had changed to hard smiles at Marco’s words. They were eager, hungry for a fight, and focused now that they had a plan.

“I am going too!” a young voice cried out.

Keira smiled at Justin. “Yes, you are going too,” she said.

Zina interrupted. “Keira, shouldn’t he rather stay here?” she asked.

“No, he is going,” she answered. Then to Justin, “You will go as far as the Herberg. I need you to do an important job for me once we all get there. Is that okay?”

“Yes!” Justin grinned from ear to ear.

“You still haven’t answered my question,” Simone insisted. “How are you going to get from here, to London, in time to rescue your friends?”

“Horses,” Keira answered.

“Excuse me, did you say ‘horses’?” Simone asked, incredulous.

“Yes,” Keira answered calmly. “Marco and I have both travelled with them before. That is how I got here. I think the other one will have arrived by now. That is why only four can go, two people per horse.”

Simone raised an eyebrow, but kept silent.

“Justin,” Marco addressed the young boy. “Would you go to the stables and make sure our friends are ready for a journey?”

“Sure!” Justin said and happily ran out of the house.

“Now, everyone get ready, make your preparations. We meet at the Herberg in two days!” Marco instructed.

The group broke up, and after a few moments only Marco, Keira, Adam, and Mr Harigaya were left in the room.

“We have a good idea of the layout of the area, thanks to Chloe. It is isolated, so any fighting shouldn’t attract attention, but be on the watch for innocents anyway. The main objective is to secure the plane and the safety of Keira’s friends. We’ll then use the plane to all travel to Germany. Agreed?” Marco asked.

“Do Alison and Sammy
have
to come with us?” Keira asked.

“Keira, it is for their own safety. We can’t just drop them back at home. Besides, they will have seen what we can do and we’ll need to make sure they understand what is going on. I can’t jeopardise the Guardians’ existence because of two hysterical outsiders,” Marco insisted.

They are not like that!
Keira thought. But a small worm of fear and doubt twisted in her stomach. Alison and Sammy had been exposed to Keira’s new world in an abrupt and violent way. What would their reaction to her be, once they know what she was? She could only hope that her estimation of her friends was accurate, and that their friendship was as strong as she believed it was.

There was no more opportunity to worry, as people came back into the room, some with backpacks slung over their shoulders and others with small pieces of hand luggage. Everyone was geared for travelling light.

Rafael took charge, handing out keys to cars and motorbikes. “As soon as you leave the ranch, you are no longer protected by the shields. The Watchers will see you leave and either follow, or try to stop you. The nearest airport is Salta’s, but not everyone on the same flight please. If you have to, go to Buenos Aires and then to Hannover. From there, make your way to the Herberg.”

There were nods and murmurs of agreement all around. Keira stood to the side and thought back to their time at the cave, when she had to say goodbye to these same people. Yet now, she felt an even higher level of apprehension and worry. Now she understood what they were up against and she wondered if she would always feel this responsible for her friends’ fates.