Celine held up her hand, returning to the door. “It’s fine, Celeste. Thank you for the report.”
“Of course, sister. Well, I shall leave you to continue your discussion.”
“Just a moment, Celeste,” Marcus interjected. “I shall accompany you on your way out. There is something we need to discuss regarding your transformation.” He turned to Celine. “Celine, I shall return tomorrow to visit you.”
“Of course. I’m sure you have many things to attend to. Good night, Marcus.”
“Good night, my dear,” he said to Celine. Turning to Celeste, he bowed, “After you.”
They left Celine behind as they crossed the room, ascending the stairs. Once outside the mill, Marcus stopped, turning toward Celeste. “Enjoy your last night in your current state, Celeste.”
“I enjoy nothing of this existence,” Celeste lamented.
“You should enjoy your freedom,” Marcus warned. “Before I return you to your previous state, I demand your unfettered loyalty. You shall, once again, pledge your soul to me, Celeste. You shall also swear your allegiance to me in the form of promising you will not assist Celine’s former family in finding her.”
“Is Celine aware of these… demands?”
“Celine will be pledging her loyalty as well. She will not object to anything I demand of you.”
“Fine,” Celeste answered. She stepped away from him.
“Oh, Celeste,” he called. She turned back. “Inform Theodore. I shall require his loyalty, too.”
Celeste turned without a word, stalking away.
Chapter 9
Michael paced the floor, glancing at Damien every other second. “Is this normal?” he inquired. “He’s been like this for over an hour!”
“I’m not sure there is a ‘normal’ with this situation,” Millie replied. “His body temperature is rising, though. That’s a good sign.”
“His lips aren’t blue anymore. I guess that’s good,” Michael admitted, resuming his pacing.
A moment later, Damien began moaning. “Damien?” Michael called, racing to his side. Gray and Alexander joined him.
Damien’s eyes opened. He stared at the ceiling for a moment before glancing around. “Damien? Can you hear us?” Michael asked.
Damien’s brows furrowed and a pained expression crossed his face. He groaned again. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He finally managed a word. “Sick.”
“Sit him up,” Millie instructed. She positioned the vomit bag near him. He retched once. “Better?”
Damien nodded, collapsing back. Millie examined him. “Pulse and breathing are good. His temperature has almost returned to normal.”
“Tired,” Damien struggled.
“That’s okay, buddy,” Michael assured him. “Just rest.”
“Celine…” he whispered.
“It’s all right. Wait until you’re strong enough,” Alexander told him.
Damien shook his head, disagreeing.
“Rest, Damien,” Michael encouraged him. “When you’re stronger, you can tell us.”
Damien shook his head again. “Now!” he insisted. “Celine… old mill.” He sighed in relief.
“Old mill?” Gray repeated, glancing at Alexander. “Let’s go.”
“No!” Damien exclaimed. “Wait!”
“Rest, Damien. We’ll check it out,” Gray imparted.
Damien tried to stop them, but he was too weak. There was more information he needed to impart. “I’ll come with you,” Michael offered.
“I’ll grab a few flashlights. Millie, stay with him,” Gray said.
Damien groaned again. “Sick again?” Millie asked him.
Damien shook his head. “Want to go,” Damien murmured.
“I realize that, but you are far too weak,” Millie replied. “With any luck, they’ll bring Celine home with them. Now rest. I shall awaken you the moment they return.”
Damien fought to stay awake, finding it impossible. He drifted off to sleep, worried about Celine.
Gray, Alexander and Michael approached the old mill. They stayed back for several moments, observing the building. “I don’t see anything,” Gray noted.
“No lights or anything,” Michael agreed.
“No sign of the Duke either,” Alexander chimed in.
“Still, we move carefully,” Gray replied, standing from his crouched position. They moved closer to the building. “Let me go first.”
“Stay behind both of us,” Alexander said to Michael.
Michael nodded, allowing both men to enter the mill first. They swept the room with their flashlights. They spotted no one. “Spread out, search for any signs of Celine,” Gray instructed.
They separated, each of them searching in a different area. They found nothing. “There're steps leading downstairs over here!” Michael called as he searched.
“Don’t go down!” Gray shouted. “Let us go first.”
They rushed to the stairs. Alexander and Gray proceeded down the stairs first, inching down in case anyone waited below. They swept their beams around the room, finding no one. “It’s clear,” Gray shouted to Michael. He rushed down the stairs.
“Anything?” he asked as he arrived in the basement.
“Nothing I see,” Gray answered. “Let’s look around.”
They shined their lights around the room, searching every location. There was no sign of Celine. Across the basement was a door leading to a small room. The locked door wouldn’t budge. They peered inside, finding the room empty.
Gray leaned against the door. Frustration overcame him. “Damn it!” he shouted.
“I’m sorry, Gray,” Alexander said, placing his hand on Gray’s shoulder.
“What the hell happened? Did he misunderstand her? Is it not Celine he’s talking to?”
“I’m not sure. He was still exhausted, perhaps he misspoke,” Alexander suggested. “He struggled to get the information out.” Gray shook his head, pacing the floor. “Let’s return to the house. Perhaps Damien has recovered and can share more information,” Alexander suggested.
Gray glanced around a final time. He sighed. “Where are you, Celine?” he murmured.
Alexander pulled his arm toward the stairs. The three men left the mill behind, dejected. They traveled back to Alexander’s house. They entered the house, tossing their flashlights on the foyer table. Millie met them at the door. “Anything?”
“Nothing,” Gray griped. “Not a damn thing.”
“Is Damien any better?” Michael inquired.
“He’s asleep. I told him I’d wake him as soon as you returned.”
“Do that,” Gray encouraged. “I’d like to talk to him. Find out why the hell he sent us on a wild goose chase!”
“Gray, that’s not fair,” Alexander chided.
Gray shook his head. “I know, I know. I’m sorry. I’m just frustrated.”
“Yeah, well, don’t take it out on Damien. He’s risking his life to find Celine. He’s lying in there too sick to move while you gripe about him getting a message wrong and inconveniencing you,” Michael scolded.
“I wasn’t wrong,” a new voice entered
