The Watcher, page 31
part #1 of Fleur de Lis Series
Salazar approached the podium, and Vivian moved back. The image on the screen turned black.
“Please stand,” Salazar said.
Everyone rose from their seats.
“We will always remember them as forever young. It is time to close your eyes,” Salazar said.
Everyone on stage closed their eyes and then I did. The vision of a man running in battle appeared clear in my mind. I could smell the smoke and the stench of death that surrounded him. The man took his sword and sliced men in half. One after another attacked him, and I could sense his bravery and knew how skilled he was with the sword— and graceful. There was no fear in his heart, but courage, and the will to survive. Then I saw Salazar standing next to him. This was a memory that Alexander Rios had on a battle against the Muslims.
The memory faded and an image of a child crying in the streets of Spain after the bombing occurred flashed in my mind. It was during the Spanish Civil War, in the 1900s and Alexander was saving a toddler, who had lost his parents from the explosions. He was comforting the child and bringing him to safety. Another image showed the child as a teenager, living with a wealthy family in Spain. Alexander was hiding behind a tree and paeking inside the windows of their home.
“Eddie Rios,” Alexander said aloud, watching the boy interact within his family. “You have grown.”
Alexander had given him his last name. The child had turned into a young man, and Alexander was still looking out for him, knowing the new parents he had chosen for the boy were the best for him, and that the wealth was coming from Alexander himself.
The image then flashed to the boy who was now an old man, lying in a coffin. Alexander had watched him until the day he died. He had attended the funeral with tears and looked at the man's family, his daughter was grieving and holding a little boy in her hands, while a little girl sat next to her. Alexander knew he would watch over her and her children, just like he had watched over the boy.
The vision changed, and I saw a grand castle with a large hall being set up for a party. Hazel Dupont's memory of her setting up a ball was overwhelming. I could feel how she felt. Her passion for design came naturally. The joy in her heart to please the King and everyone around her was inspiring. She was ultimately happy and a kind spirit.
The image changed, and I saw Charlotte. Hazel was grabbing her arm, pleading for her not to follow Adrianna and Aaron, who was meeting her in a secret location.
“This is not the life you want to live, running for the rest of your immortality. They will not stop looking for you. Stay, Charlotte. You are my friend—stay,” Hazel pleaded.
Charlotte yanked her arm away. “I can't stay—I need to be with her—I am sorry. Take care of yourself, Hazel. I will always love you,” Charlotte said and climbed out of a back window.
That image filled me with such fury. How easily Charlotte had betrayed her. How horrible she had treated her before she died. Another image appeared clear in my mind. The night we met Fernan for the first time at the club.
“They are here,” Sebastian said, sitting next to Fernan at the VIP section.
Hazel was leaning against Fernan's seat. She gazed at us surprised that we looked young and had a unique style.
“Will you excuse us, ladies?” Sebastian asked.
“Of course,” Hazel replied.
Hazel was one of the women that walked passed us in the VIP section. I had not noticed her under the dim lights, and her dress was black. She stared at my brother and glanced at me, while the other two women wanted to devour my brother's throat.
The vision of meeting Hazel for the first time in Fernan's house appeared the clearest. She was wearing a pink dress. I could see how excited she was to greet us and how attracted she was to my brother. She admired us, especially me the most. She always wanted to have my strength, my skills of fighting, but knew...she was not built that way.
The next image was of her hysterical laughing with my brother. They had spent a lot of time together, unbeknownst to me. Late at night after I had fallen asleep, Hazel and Christian spend time in Central Park...falling in love.
My brother held my hand tightly, and the images disappeared. I slowly opened my eyes.
“In the last days of Hazel Dupont's life, she fell in love with Christian Davenport, and I have never seen her so happy,” Salazar said and looked at Christian with sorrowful eyes.
My brother was struggling not to cry. And I understood why Aaron had killed her. It was to spite my brother.
Zachary stared at me, noticing my anger. I knew he understood the fire burning inside me. How badly I wanted to hunt Charlotte and Aaron and rip them to pieces.
“A reading from Revelations, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away,” Salazar said and closed the Bible.
“Hazel and Alexander had great faith and believed they will be with God one day, just like many of us. I wish we could have had them for a little longer, but this vampirism transformation or disease as some of you might call it, let us have them for centuries to enjoy. Amen and thanks be to God,” Salazar said and bowed.
“Amen,” everyone in the hall shouted and all of those watching from all around the world.
Salazar's nose begun to bleed. He wiped it with a cloth napkin that he held in his hands. He knew using his ability fully will cause this.
Hazel and Zachary hurried to help him as he became light headed and almost fell.
“Is he going to be okay?” I asked Fernan.
Christian looked at Fernan with concerned eyes.
“He won't be able to use his ability for a day. He needs to rest,” Fernan said.
Tristan approached the front of the stage with a microphone and began to sing with an opera voice as the orchestra played music. He sounded brilliant. Christian and I glanced at each other surprised that private Tristan had a beautiful voice, and his tuxedo was gold and his bow-tie glittery-white, making him the center of attention.
“Can you believe it...the old man is shining bright,” Christian said in my ear.
“He sounds like an angel singing in heaven,” I gasped, staring at Tristan in shock.
After the memorial was over I decided to check on Salazar. I removed my four-inch heels and held them in my hand. Paul was standing in front of Salazar's bedroom door.
“Is he sleeping?” I asked.
“No, Ora is with him, but you can see him,” Paul said and opened the door.
I entered a dark foyer that led me to a tall, metal door. I knocked softly, and Ora answered.
“He is in bed, come this way,” she said.
Ora had no emotion on her pale face. She wore a modern long sleeve dress that draped around the side of her body, and it fit tightly. Her gold, diamond necklace dazzled and reached her belly button. Even her gold heels were covered in diamonds. I admired the bedroom that was circular shaped. It had no windows, but a large round sunroof, where you could view the stars and a pond underneath it, made of mosaic tiles, with stepping stones to walk across. I carefully stepped on the stones and saw a few Japanese goldfish swimming. The lighting around the pond and the room was spectacular, changing colors every few seconds.
“When the sun rises, the sunroof gets covered by a metal covering. Beautiful, isn't it?” Ora said as she continued to walk in front of me.
“Yes,” I sighed and moved my head back to stare at the clear sky as I walked.
“Hello, Skye,” Salazar said.
He was sitting up on his antique bed that had a tall, gold headboard with intricate designs on it. There were murals painted on the walls and slender candles were lit on his gold nightstands.
“You may leave us, Ora,” Salazar said.
Ora bowed and exited the room through a secret door hidden behind a mirror that was encased in a gold frame.
“Please sit,” Salazar said and touched his bed.
I gently sat at the edge of the bed.
“You can move closer,” he said.
I moved until my hips were next to his knees.
“That's better,” he said. “I am sorry to hear you are leaving us tomorrow.”
“I am also sorry. How are you feeling?”
Salazar's olive skin had turned pale white. His eyes were not glowing, and they had dark circles underneath.
“I go through the same physical strain at every memorial, but it is worth it.”
“It was extraordinary. Thank you,” I said and took a deep breath. “I had no idea that my brother and Hazel were in love.”
“Difficult for you to believe. That's why he never told you.”
“I believe it now, and I know that's why Aaron killed her.”
“He probably would have killed her anyway, knowing we all loved her dearly.”
“You might be right,” I muttered.
“Have you spoken to your uncle and aunt?
“I spoke to them today. They sound content. Sebastian did a good job making them believe they have lived there for a long time. They have no recollection of their old homes and friends. And my cousin Cai thinks she has been working for Sebastian as a photographer for his art galleries.”
“When this war is over, I will give them their memories back. Everything will work out, and no harm will come to them.”
“I just feel bad deceiving them,” I said and bit my lower lip. “But I know—it has to be done.”
“Zachary told me you are engaged.”
“Yes, but we are waiting to get married after this war is over.”
“Congratulations, but that might take a lot longer than anticipated. You should marry him sooner...don't let time pass.”
“I am not ready to get married. I feel...I feel like I won't be able to enjoy a wedding or being a wife with all this death that surrounds me.”
“On the contrary. A wedding is what we all need. To celebrate your love is a gift. A gift from God. And you will be a wonderful wife, even under these terrible circumstances.”
“I will think about it,” I said and smiled. “How do you do it...being married for so many years?”
“We have our up and downs, like any marriage, but Ora is my true half. I know she comes off as someone who has no emotions and cold, but that is because she is afraid to get close to people—to vampires. This war has taken all of her close friends away—in death.”
“I could understand that...it's a defense mechanism.”
“It is—but I can assure you—she likes you,” Salazar said and smiled. “She wishes you could stay.”
“Tomorrow I leave for Iceland with Zachary, and my brother leaves for New York with Fernan and the rest of the Guardians.”
“You should meet Cecile Belmont. I know she will love you...just as I love you.”
“Thank you,” I said and hugged him tightly. “I love you too. Stay safe, and I will return.”
“I know you will,” Salazar said. “Te echare de menos.” (I will miss you.)
“Yo Tambien,” I said. (Me too.)
Chapter 19
Bewitched
I don't recall the last time I was thousands of miles away from my brother. I was worried about him, but Zachary kept comforting me through the flight, reminding me that Mikael and John were watching over him and that they will never let anything happen to him.
The plane landed smoothly, and my heart was not racing, being with Zachary and hearing his voice made me feel at ease.
“You should put on your coat,” Zachary said, slipping his arms inside an olive colored coat that reached his waist.
Zachary had bought me an insulated grey coat with a fluffy hood and warm boots to match it. I grabbed it from the seat next to me.
“I am ready,” I said, zipping up the coat and tying the waist belt.
He moved the hood over my head. “Aww, you look adorable,” he said, squeezing my cheeks.
I made a funny face, grinning to the side. “And you look like a hot soldier,” I said checking out his army pants and black boots.
Zachary’s angelic grin and bright eyes made me blush. I gave him a devilish smirk.
“It's my buttocks...isn't it?” he asked, checking out his bum.
“Indeed, it is,” I said and slapped it.
He chuckled and opened the plane's door. A cold gust of wind wisped past my face. Iceland was freezing; it was a lot colder than I thought it would be. I put my hands inside my soft pockets.
“Welcome to Iceland,” Zachary said, picking up his samurai sword.
We walked down metal steps leading to the open runway. Svana was standing in front of a silver Mercedes jeep. She looked stunning. Her long strawberry blond hair was still in thin braids, and she wore a dark-grey, vinyl jacket that reached her knees and leather, high-heel boots. Her bow and arrows were strapped to her back in a silver case.
Zachary embraced her. They spoke in Norwegian to each other.
“Welcome home,” she said, and then she looked at me.
Her eyes were greyer than lavender, with purple that lightly glowed around the rims.
“This is Skye Davenport,” Zachary said.
“It's a pleasure to meet you. I have read all your debriefing files. It's an honor,” she said, shaking my hand.
“I saw you in the battle of Saint Petersburg...the honor is all mine,” I said as steam came of my breath, and I quickly placed my cold hand in my pocket.
“We should get going. The sun is setting, and it will get colder,” she said.
“How cold does it get here?” I asked.
Zachary held the jeep's door open for me. “It can get to negative 15 degrees during the wintertime,” he said
“What about our luggage?” I asked.
“The Guardians will take them to my cabin,” Zachary said and sat next to me. “We are going to see Cecile first.”
Svana climbed into the driver's seat. I gazed out the window and noticed the high gates that surrounded the private airport. It was heavily guarded, and it had a steel watchtower with dark windows. The iron gates opened. I gazed up into the grey and purplish sky. The view passed the airport showed the city of Reykjavik and the breath-taking mountains with snowy peaks that surrounded it.
“It looks like a postcard,” I sighed.
“Do you see that mountain, facing east?” Zachary asked.
“Yes.”
That's Esja, and people believe that is where Santa Claus lives,” he said.
“Maybe he does,” I said.
“That is where my cabin is, and I have never seen him.”
“Well maybe that's because he has the power to make his home invisible,” I said and giggled.
“You are right, that's exactly why,” Zachary said and kissed my lips.
Svana glanced at us through the rearview mirror and smiled. We made a left turn. A large silver gate in front of us opened. I glanced back and realized the city was a few miles away.
We entered a cobblestone road with many colonial houses nearby. Each home was painted in different pastel colors and was covered in powdery snow. The landscaping was rugged with low shrubbery. Larus Stefansson was jogging toward us on a narrow sidewalk. I remembered...his ability is the same as mine. He was wearing sweat clothes and a sheepskin vest. He waved hello and winked at Svana. She beeped, turning her head. He kept on jogging looking back at us, smiling.
“The Guardians live everywhere in Iceland, especially in the city of Reykjavik. Larus watches over the entrance of the silver gate. It wraps around Cecile's property and it's electrical,” Zachary said.
“Anyone that touches the gate or tries to jump over it will get the biggest shock in their lives,” Svana said.
“We also have cameras everywhere,” Zachary said.
“I feel safe already,” I said.
We drove on an empty road for a while, and from a distance, I saw a high stone wall. The sun had set and circular lights on the road lit up.
We reached the stone wall that looked like a fortress with a watch tower that was loaded with high powered weapons, aimed at the sky, ready to take any aircraft down. It was twenty feet high and made of oval, grey stones. A pattern that resembled waves wrapped around the wall and was illuminated by tiny lights. On top of the wall were Guardians walking with machine guns, and double swords were strapped to their backs.
A massive wooden door with metal latches opened, and Svana drove inside. The place was modern. Nothing like I was expecting.
A beautiful mansion that seemed to go on forever was near a large pond. And then I remembered seeing this house at Hazel's memorial. She had designed it.
The modern mansion had three floors. The exterior was white with dark wood designs and sleek lines extended throughout the home with wide, tinted windows. Many rectangular rooms and balconies popped out, creating a 3D effect with beautiful outside lighting. A white church with a tall steeple was attached to the house on the far left. It was lit inside, illuminating the stain glass windows.
We parked in a circular, metal parking garage the size of a baseball field. Many trucks, jeeps, and snowmobiles were parked inside, including two helicopters. I looked up at the ceiling. It looked retractable.
Vampire mechanics were working on a military helicopter, while a Guardian wearing dark grey clothes stepped out of his office. He was on the second level at the other end of the garage. It was Simon Nielson, the vampire that can paralyze his victims. He bowed when he saw us.
Svana gently nodded her head. “That's Simon Nielson. He's head of security, and we call him Red,” she said.
“Why do you call him Red?” I asked.
“Because that's all you can see if he paralyzes you—just a bright color red. It's frightening, your muscles tense, and your veins turn into ice. Not a pleasant way to die,” Zachary said.
Red was taller than I imagined him to be and bulky with muscle weight. His bright yellow eyes glowed from a distance.
“Yeah, not pleasant,” I muttered, staring up at Red.
