Chapter Five

I found myself in another dream; my first in weeks. I didn’t have these dreams when I was trapped with Marco.

I was walking down a corridor, admiring the art on the walls. I was in another Victorian home, but it wasn’t mine. I didn’t know whose it was. I heard distant chatter coming from downstairs, but I was in my own little world, admiring. The art seemed to consist of family portraits. These were expensive. Whoever I was visiting was clearly quite well off to own so many pristine paintings of themselves.

But I didn’t recognize any of the faces in the portraits. Was I in a stranger’s home?

“There you are,” I heard. It was Caleb. He came up behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist. “I was looking for you.”

I smiled at him. “I was distracted by the art.”

He looked around. “Yes, they are beautiful,” he agreed. He smiled happily, taking a sip of his drink. “Perhaps we should get one done?”

I blushed. The thought of something so elegant and intimate made me nervous. Sure, we both came from wealthy families as well, but I had never even considered my face in a painting. “I…” I stopped. “I don’t know.”

Caleb laughed. “Well, we have eternity to think about it, no?”

I laughed as well. “Yes we do.”

“Caleb? Ruby?” A woman called us from the bottom of the stairs.

“Coming, Mother!” Caleb took my hand. We walked back down. His mother beamed at us.

“Oh, just look at you two,” she said with a smile. “I often worried that perhaps a daughter in law of mine wouldn’t get on well with me.” She rested her hand on my cheek. “But you, my dear, you are like another child to me.”

Caleb’s face shifted into a mortified expression. “Ah, Mother? That makes it sound quite strange, yeah?”

She laughed. “No, no, you know what I mean!” She glanced between us. “I am just so thrilled for you two.” She placed her hands together in front of her, gazing lovingly at us both for a moment. Snapping herself out of it, she gave an excited expression. “Right, dinner is ready; let’s eat!” She walked quickly away from us.

Caleb rested his hand on his forehead, shaking his head.

I smiled and rested my head on his shoulder. “You know, that wasn’t strange,” I smiled. “I’m flattered and honored to join your family. They are wonderful.”

He peeked at me from under his hand and smiled slightly. “She can just be quite embarrassing.”

“Can’t all parents?” I grinned.

He laughed. “Yes, I suppose so.” He slipped his hand around my waist again. “Come, let’s eat.”

We walked into the dining room to join his family.

I woke up, feeling eyes on me. I sat up and jumped back.

“Jesus, Caleb!” I shouted.

Caleb’s eyes widened, and he quickly put his finger up to his lips, shushing me. “Morgyn’s sleeping beside you.” He smiled a little.

I shook my head, dazed from waking up so abruptly. “Why were you watching me?”

“I came in because I thought I heard you talking to me,” he explained. “I realized you were just talking in your sleep.” He laughed quietly. He narrowed his eyes. “Dreaming of me?”

I blushed. “Yes.”

He gazed at me, eyes still narrowed flirtatiously. “Well, I’m honored.”

I grinned and leaned toward him. I quickly switched on my device and kissed him, rising up to my knees so I could stand and not disturb Morgyn.

Caleb laughed a little bit. He picked me up, placing me down on the floor gently. I broke the kiss and hugged him.

“I’m so glad I’m back,” I said.

He nodded and rested his head on mine. “Me too.” I felt him tense up a little. “I do worry about what Marco is planning.”

“Yes, me too,” I agreed. “He seems hell bent on destroying anything or anyone that gets in his way.” I sighed. “And the three of us just got in his way.”

Caleb shook his head. “Let me handle him,” he said. “Remember, I reminded him that vampires are harder to kill.”

I nodded. “But easier to hurt,” I said.

“How?” He asked.

“You are immortal,” I explained, “he could easily hurt Morgyn and I and get pleasure from you suffering eternally from it.”

He looked away. “I won’t let that happen.”

“But if it doe-“

“I won’t let that happen,” he said again.

I sighed. “Well, regardless, we need a plan before going in there.”

Caleb walked over to the window, gazing outside at HQ. “Yes,” he said simply.

I walked over to him, wrapping my arms around him and resting my hands on his chest. I rested my head on his back. We stayed silent for a while.

Morgyn stirred a little. “Oh,” he said sleepily. “What are you two doing?”

I smiled at him. “Taking in the scenery,” I lied. I didn’t want him to worry more than he already was.

He nodded slowly and dozed off again.

Caleb turned toward me. His eyes swept across my face, as if he was reading me.

“What’s on your mind?” He asked quietly.

“You,” I replied. “I’m worried about you.”

“Why?” He asked.

I tilted my head. “I can easily see that you’re scared.” I sighed. “You went in hard on Marco.”

He closed his eyes, moving his head away from me. I reached up and gently touched his chin, moving his face back toward mine. “We can work together against him,” I whispered. “He’s shown his true colors to just about everyone. We would have a lot of people on our side.”

He nodded, opening his eyes again. “I know.”

“Then trust that everything will return to normal again,” I smiled warmly. “Okay?”

“It won’t be back to normal,” Caleb said quietly.

“What?” I asked. “How so?”

He sighed. “Come with me.” He took my hand and led me out of the room. We sat down in the living room, in the dark, with only a dim light on the wall to see each other.

I gazed at him, concerned. “What is it?”

“Simeon is telling the truth,” he said. “This isn’t how life is.” He sighed deeply, preparing himself. “Everything we are living now is a curse. We were placed under it when Marco and Jay came to this magic realm, confronting Morgyn about changes in the realm. They felt it was unfair that they were banished to a separate realm for practicing dark magic. When Morgyn wouldn’t bend to them, and you fought them with magic, they did,” he gestured his arms toward HQ, then broadened them to gesture toward all of the realm, “all of this.”

I was skeptical. “That’s silly, Caleb. Marco and Jay are the most powerful here. How could they just not have power?” I shook my head. “And if that was the case, why would you and Simeon be the only ones to remember it?”

“L,” Caleb said plainly. “They had power because they had already brainwashed her. She gave them the power they needed to create this scenario. I’m not sure why Simeon remembers, but I do because they can’t brainwash a vampire.”

I furrowed my brow and looked down. “So, how do we stop it?”

“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “I’m not the one with their magic.” He looked away, thinking for a moment. “I suppose the best we can do right now is to try to remember, and get everyone to remember.” He looked back at me again. “You had the right idea, asking Marco to fix the portal.” He gazed out the window as if he was trying to see it. “But I haven’t seen anyone come in, and I don’t think anyone here wants to get out.” He paused. “I suppose I could try.”

I shook my head. “It could be dangerous.”

“It’s dangerous to stay here like this,” he disagreed. “I’m willing to take a chance.”

I stood up. “Then let’s do it.” I took his hand and pulled him up. “Right now. Let’s try it.”

“No, no, no, no,” Caleb shook his head, his expression scared. “I’d rather do it alone.”

I crossed my arms in front of me defiantly. “If you’re doing it, I’m doing it.”

“No,” he said again. “I won’t let you be put at risk.”

“Hey, I agree with Jade,” Morgyn said from the bedroom doorway. “If anyone is going out, we should all go together.”

I smiled triumphantly. Caleb shook his head with a worried expression. But it didn’t matter. We were going together.

Morgyn and I got dressed and we all headed to the portal.

As we approached it, we all seemed apprehensive. I didn’t know there was anything out there. Morgyn seemed to reflect that same sentiment, and Caleb looked determined, but worried about us. He stepped toward the portal. Morgyn and I followed. We grabbed both of Caleb’s hands, and together, we stepped through the portal. Just as we did, I heard a roar from behind us.

We stepped out into Glimmerbrook, and the first word out of my mouth was “run!”

We did, running into the woods of Glimmerbrook to hide from a very angry Marco.

Caleb put his arm around my waist, standing behind me possessively. I leaned into him.

We all stood completely still and silent. I took Morgyn’s hand.

We heard Marco growling, frustrated as he darted through Glimmerbrook to look for us.

Caleb lifted his hand a little to get our attention. “This way,” he said, gesturing toward the top of the wooded hill. “There’s a clearing.”

As we walked up, I came across a large rock. It had blood on it. I stopped and shuddered. I glanced around. I remembered this place, but I didn’t know why. It wasn’t for a good reason, that was for sure. I picked up the pace and walked past Caleb and Morgyn.

Morgyn moved faster too, catching up with me. “What is it?”

I stopped. “This place; it reminds me of something, but I don’t know what.”

He looked around. “Yeah me too.”

Caleb took our hands. “I’ll explain later.” He glanced at us. “Maybe.”

“Maybe?” I stopped. But Morgyn and Caleb shushed me. I complied and whispered “sorry.”

We kept walking up until we reached the clearing. Caleb stopped us and cautiously looked around. Marco wasn’t there.

“Alright,” he whispered. “This way.” He headed toward another wooded area.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“Forgotten Hollow,” he explained. “To see my sister.”

“You have a sister?” I asked.

He laughed a little. “Yes, and you two know each other.”

I shook my head. “I would remember if you had a sister.”

“Not if you’re brainwashed,” he reminded me.

The forest got noticeably darker as we trenched through it. We came out next to a large mansion. Caleb tensed up and quickened his pace. “Let’s get out of here quick,” he said.

I looked at the mansion in awe. It looked similar to the homes in my dreams. Victorian, old, but beautiful and mysterious.

“Don’t worry,” Caleb smiled, noting my awestruck expression. “My house is like that too.”

I smiled back, excited.

We reached a road. To our right was a large gray house. It wasn’t as large as the house we had just seen, but it was still large.

“Oh thank God,” Caleb said quietly. He sped up, walking up to the door. He walked in, motioning for us to follow.

I cautiously stepped through the door. As soon as I did, I was hit by another memory.

“She was a beautiful soul,” someone said, placing their hands on mine and Caleb’s shoulders. We were at a funeral, standing before a casket. Inside the casket was Caleb’s mother. My eyes darted toward Caleb. They were close. He had his eyes closed, tear tracks down his face. To the side of us was Caleb’s father, who was stone faced, but I could tell he was holding back tears. He gestured for us to come back and stand with him, as more people came in to give their condolences. I touched Caleb’s hand, and he immediately grabbed it, interlacing his fingers with mine. He didn’t look at me or open his eyes at all. I saw more tears stream down his face. I had never seen him like this. After a few moments, he sighed and opened his eyes. He looked over at his father and nodded. We walked over to him. Caleb pulled me into a hug, burying his head in my hair. I hugged him tightly, my own tears falling. I was staying strong for Caleb, but of course, I was very sad as well. True to what she had said that night we went to their house for dinner, she had treated me as if I was one of her own. I couldn’t believe she was gone either.

We let each other go and stood quietly beside Caleb’s father. Caleb continued looking down, the sight of the casket and flowers only being reminders he didn’t want.

A woman with shoulder length black hair and dark brown eyes came in, tears streaming down her face as well. She rushed in quickly, running over to Caleb’s father and hugging him. They didn’t share any words. They just held each other tightly for a few moments. When they let go, she gave me a sad smile.

Caleb looked up, his eyes filled with tears. The woman hugged him tightly.

“Lilith,” he said quietly. Caleb’s sister.

“I’m so sorry, brother,” Lilith said. She buried her face in his shoulder, crying.

I nodded to Caleb’s father. “I’ll sit to allow Lilith to stand with you,” I said.

He nodded and smiled sadly. “Thank you, Ruby.”

I sat in the seat closest to Caleb. After he and Lilith separated, she stood between him and their father, and Caleb took my hand. I smiled at him, and he smiled sadly back.

After the ceremony, we headed back to Caleb’s house, Wolfsbane Manor. Technically, it was the home he shared with Lilith, but she was away, aiding a vampire clan in their war with hunters. Their father was going to move in as well now that his wife had passed. He didn’t want to remain in their large house while it would be empty.

“This is a celebration of life,” Caleb’s father started. “Mariam would not have wanted us to be sad.” He looked at Caleb. “Especially you, my son. You have such big, exciting things coming your way. Your mother wants you to be happy and excited for those things.”

Caleb squeezed my hand and clenched his teeth. I rested my head on his shoulder, squeezing his hand back and trying to remind him without words that it would all be alright.

“So now, let’s feast and share our fond memories of this lovely soul we were privileged to have in our lives.” His father continued.

We raised our glasses. As the rest of the guests went to get their food, Caleb and I sat alone in the living room. It’s not that we couldn’t eat or be around others, but Caleb was still very saddened by these reminders and needed some space.

“Thank you for being here with me,” he said quietly.

I nodded. “I know what it’s like to lose someone close. I would never make you go through this alone.”

He sighed. “It feels like a nightmare,” he said. “Like I’ll wake up and she won’t be gone.” He shook his head. “But I know better.”

I smiled sympathetically and wiped the tears from his cheek. He looked at me and smiled a little in return.

“I know I probably look a mess right now,” he said.

“No,” I shook my head, then wiped his tears from his other cheek. “You look like a grieving son.”

He nodded.

We sat in silence for a while before going back to mingle with people and celebrate Caleb’s mom’s life.

“Jade, are you alright?”

Chapter Six (click here)