“How touching,” Marcus chimed in. “Now, you may leave, Celeste. Celine and I have much to discuss.”
Celeste glared at Marcus. “Despite my advice, I hope my sister never yields to your demands!”
Marcus jerked her away from the cell door. “You have worn out your welcome, Celeste.”
“Don’t touch her!” Celine screamed from the cell.
Celeste yanked her arm from him. “No reason to get hot under the collar, Marcus. Your temper is so short these days. I am leaving.” Celeste stalked away from him. “Goodbye, Celine. And good luck,” she called as she reached the stairs.
Celine stalked away from the door as Celeste disappeared up the stairs.
“I hope you listened attentively, Celine. I did not command that performance from your sister,” Marcus interjected. “She advised you of her own free will.”
“Haven’t you? You hold her life in your hands. Do you expect me to assume she has any free will?” Celine asked.
“I did not threaten or require her to speak to you, Celine. You have my word.”
“Your word means nothing to me. You are a cruel and intolerable man.”
“You misjudge me, Celine. You find me cruel only because we disagree.”
“I find you cruel because you are cruel. Leave me, Marcus, I have nothing further to say to you.” Celine crossed her arms, turning away from him.
“Fine. I will grant your request and leave you alone. But consider what your sister advises, Celine.” Marcus strode away, leaving Celine alone. His footsteps receded, replaced by silence. Celine sunk to the floor, weeping. Celeste spoke the truth. Damien would take her disappearance on himself. It would weigh on him until it drove him crazy. With each day that passed, he would grow more desperate. As she received updates from Celeste or Marcus, guilt would burden her soul, too. Misery would prevail. What would she do then? Would she give in? Would she continue to fight despite having lost the battle?
Celine collapsed to the floor, curled in a ball. Tears clouded her vision, and she laid on the cold, stone floor. “Damien,” she cried. “I’m sorry.” Her eyes closed as she drifted away.
Gray and Damien walked in silence to the house. “Can you sleep?” Gray queried as they stood outside Damien’s door.
“Uh, I’ll try.” He paused a moment, his hand on the doorknob. “Celine used to sit with me. That helped a lot.”
Gray knit his brow. “Well, I won’t hold your hand as you fall asleep, but if you want some company, I can stay. How about a drink?”
Damien considered the idea. Strange as Gray’s presence might be, he hated to be alone. “I mean, I don’t want to impose so…” he began.
“Why don’t I just grab those drinks,” Gray suggested. “I could use the company, too.”
Damien smiled at him. “Okay, thanks!” Gray returned with two glasses of brandy.
They entered the bedroom. Gray chose the chair, settling into it as Damien climbed onto the bed. Damien sighed, glancing around the room, drumming his fingers on the bed. He pondered if being alone would have been as uncomfortable as he felt right now.
“You should try to sleep.” Gray chided.
“Easier said than done,” Damien admitted.
“Celine is much better at this than I am, I’m sure,” Gray replied.
Damien chuckled. “Yeah, she is. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I realize my shortcomings. Celine is… an extraordinary woman.”
“She is,” Damien agreed. After a moment, he added, “But you’re pretty cool, too. I mean, you have extraordinary talents, too, right?”
“My dear Damien, my talents are nowhere close to Celine’s.”
“What do you mean? Can’t you all do the same supernatural stuff?”
Gray chuckled. “No. No, we can’t. Celine can do far more than I can.” Confusion crossed Damien’s face. Gray glanced to him. “The supernatural world is structured by echelons.”
“You mean, some of you are more powerful than others?”
“Yes, correct.”
“And Celine is more powerful than you?” Damien questioned.
“Infinitely,” Gray admitted.
Damien nodded, inquiring, “What about Alexander?”
“He’s a bit better than me. But Celine is leaps and bounds above both of us. Her power is… impressive.”
“Hmm,” Damien mumbled, pondering the information.
“I’ve only seen her abilities matched by one other person,” Gray stated. Damien cocked his head to the side. “Marcus Northcott.”
“The Duke? Hmm. I’d rather not talk about him. At least we are rid of him. We ran into him in the past. He was as charming then as he was in our time.”
“Yes. He was a vile man.” Silence fell between them. “Now, you should try to sleep.”
Damien yawned, slouching down the bed and pulling a blanket over him. “Yeah. I’m sleepy. Hope that’s a good sign!” He switched off the light. “Good night!” he called into the darkness.
“Good night, Damien,” Gray answered him.
He shook his head in the darkness. It wasn’t the same as Celine. He missed her. He stared at the ceiling, wishing she were here. “Celine,” he whispered. He closed his eyes, imagining her return. They would find her, he assured himself. We’ll find you, Celine, he promised as he drifted to sleep.
Damien awoke to darkness. The blackness surrounded him, blinding him. Something was wrong. It was cold, damp. He shivered in the darkness. He reached out with his fingers, searching the area near him. They touched cold earth underneath him. Where was his bed, he wondered? Had he sleepwalked somewhere? Had Gray dozed off and missed him exiting the room?
Damien’s eyes began adjusting. He still could not see much. The details remained hazy, as though a shroud veiled them. A musty scent filled the air. He raised himself to sitting. “Hello?” he called out.
A muffled noise responded. His pulse quickened. “Hello?” he called louder into the darkness.
A garbled sound answered him. He reached out in front of him. “Is someone there?” he called. He crawled forward on his hands and knees. “Who’s there?” he queried.
Noises continued, none of them comprehensible. As he moved forward, something approached. His vision was too blurred to make it out. Light in color, it stood out, glaring against the dark backdrop. He recoiled, fearing what it may be, unable to identify it.
