CHAPTER TWELVE
Jillian opened her eyes and found herself sitting at the head of a long banquet table. On her left side, her family was seated, and farther down, Ted and his parents smiled at her. On the right side of the table, Vincent, Conner, and Finn stared blankly ahead as if in a trance, farther down were several more figures with blurred faces. Sitting at the opposite end, facing her was the vampiric creature that had visited her in her sleep.
“Vesh,” he began.
“Noque Waure.” Jillian finished.
“So, you do hear me.” He spoke with an unusual Northern European accent as a sly smile spread across his lips.
“I don’t speak your language.” She blinked, trying to get a better look at him, but his features seemed to change every time her eyes started to focus. “But yes… I can hear you.”
“Spirit got what she wanted from you, didn’t she?” He picked up a wine glass with a long slender hand and swirled the red liquid around before taking a sip. “She does like to get her way.”
“Who are you? “Jillian almost felt motion sick from looking at his face, so she opted to settle her gaze on a red jewel on a pendant that adorned his neck.
“You may call me Eden.” He smiled, showing off his fangs. “I’ve been asleep for a very long time, but now that my kingdom is in danger, I fear I must come out of retirement and prepare for a fight. You and your Waure are my first line of defense. Should you fail, it could mean the end of this world as you know it.”
“Your kingdom?” Jillian crossed her arms.
“Fear not.” He ran the tip of his tongue over one of the sharp points of his teeth. “My kingdom is far to the north of your little den. I have no quarrel with you and yours… yet.”
“Then, please.” She nodded cordially. “Tell me what I can do for you.”
“So diplomatic.” He chuckled. “You’ll make a good leader for the Waure.”
“All due respect, sir.” She cleared her throat as sweat started to bead up on her forehead as her oxygen expired. “My body is currently underwater. So, if you have something you wish to say, please say it.”
“Very well.” He leaned forward and set aside his wine. “Your father has already signed the documents Fredrick DuPont needs to commence his drilling venture in Hemlock Park. I have caused a power outage on the entire East Side of New York City to prevent him from sending it. You have until tomorrow when the power comes back on to change his mind.”
“Shit.” She bit her lip, breathing heavy as her soul sensed her body had begun to suffocate. “What can I do?”
“Whatever you must.” Eden got to his feet, bracing his palms on the table as he pulled her gaze to his. His eyes shifted from green to blue to yellow and even flashed a split pupil for a second or two. “You are the only one of your kind who was able to hear me. That means it is you who is tuned into the frequency of the spirit realm.”
Jillian wanted to ask him more questions, but when her mouth opened, water poured out. The more she choked and coughed, the more water poured onto the table. Her eyes widened with panic as she looked to Vincent, who continued staring off into oblivion. In a flash, Eden appeared at her side.
“Should you need to speak with me, the incantation is… Vesh noque Eden. You’ll remember, won’t you? La revedere, my darling.”
As she fell through space and landed in her body, a splash of water sloshed out of the tub and soaked the entire bathroom out. She clawed her way out violently, coughing as she hit the tile floor, gasping for breath.
What had Eden said appeared to be accurate as she glanced around; all the lights in her room and bathroom were out. Getting to her feet, she threw on her robe and went to the switch, flipping it up and down a couple of times to make sure she didn't imagine the whole thing.
Her father must be in his office. She tied the belt of her robe and ran as fast as she could down the stairs and around the indoor pool area. Crossing the courtyard and running to the staircase that led to her father’s office and bedroom, she passed various members of the house staff who were scrambling with flashlights, trying to figure out what the hell could have taken out the power.
She scaled the stairs two at a time and burst into her father’s office, where his head of security grabbed her, twisted her arm, and took her to the ground.
“Get off me, you fucking dick!” She struggled, but he only tightened his grip.
“McDonald, that’s my daughter.” Her father snapped, setting down an LED lantern that one of the staff members had brought him. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Sorry, sir.” He released her, and she got to her feet, shoving him back when he remained closer than she felt was appropriate.
“It’s just a power-outage, peanut.” Her father kissed her on the forehead. “There’s nothing to be frightened of.”
“Actually, yes, there is.” Jillian rubbed her shoulder, which still ached from McDonald’s twisting it. “Daddy, I have to tell you something… something about Ted.”
“Okay.” He put his arm around her and walked her over to the sofa. She shuddered as she sat down, wondering what depraved acts had been committed on that couch. “Tell
