“Adele, where are you?” James asked, not even trying to hide his frustration. The house was empty; all the party guests were congregated outside. James could hardly blame them, as it was such an enchanting evening.
“In the kitchen, James,” Adele called out.
He marched across the lounge.
“Things seemed to be going well with you and Ally,” Adele said, her expression conflicted. She was smiling and appeared to be happy, but her eyes told another story. Terror was swimming in the violet pools looking back at him.
James sighed softly. “I was having the most wonderful night of my life. Finally, I was with her.” He raked his hands through his hair in frustration. “And now I have to leave to deal with that creature!”
Adele felt sorry for him. But she also knew that if he didn’t keep Ally safe from Vincent, then there would never be nights like this again for any of them.
“You know as well as I do that we have to keep her safe,” she stated calmly.
“I know that, Adele,” he shot back. “I’ve been doing that for the last twenty-one years haven’t I?” He paced around the room, frustrated.
Adele’s heart broke for him. She walked over to where he stood and laid her hand on his arm to comfort him. “Everything will be fine. She will be fine.”
“We don’t know that, Adele,” James said helplessly.
“No, we don’t. But you must have faith.”
“Do you?” he asked, wondering how she managed to appear so calm amongst all this turmoil and danger. Her granddaughter’s life was in such danger.
“I do,” Adele answered without hesitation. “Do you know why I believe and have faith that Ally will survive this?”
James let out a sad laugh. “Enlighten me”
“Because she has you!” Adele replied with such conviction, James had no choice but to believe her. “I know you, James Carlisle, and I wouldn’t put Alessandra’s life in the hands of just anyone. Prophecy be damned!” She threw her hands in the air. “If it had been anyone but you, I would’ve told them to go to hell and taken her into hiding.”
“Thank you Adele.” James smiled, humbled and honoured that Adele thought so highly of him.
She came over and gave him a hug. “You big oaf, go out there and save our girl.”
He collected himself and found out the necessary information he needed before setting out on his journey to find Vincent and send him on his way. It was only a stalling tactic, but he needed time – more than he knew he would get. Ally wasn’t ready yet. His love didn’t even know who or what she was.
Things are going to get very bad, very fast. God help us all when we tell Ally what is going on. He rolled his eyes at the thought and felt a headache taking hold. Rubbing his forehead, he stalked out to his black Mercedes and got in.
James had dropped all human pretence. No one was around to see him walking faster and with more grace than any normal human could. His foot hit the accelerator, and he floored it. Adele had information that Vincent had been seen loitering around the Dandenong Ranges National Park, about twenty minutes from Ally’s house. Far too close for comfort.
Speeding through the winding roads, he was overtaking anyone who was in front of him. It was no time for a leisurely drive. He had to find Vincent and stop him. Ally’s life depended on it.
James pulled into the dark, deserted car park, stopped the car and got out. He stood tall, throwing his senses out trying to locate Vincent and any potential traps or decoys.
Something wasn’t right, but James didn’t know what. “Why would he lure me out here?” he wondered aloud.
Sensing no immediate danger, he started towards the dense forest that lay stretched out before him.
James quietly entered the clump of trees that stood tall and proud before him. He didn’t want to go in too far, but he suspected Vincent wouldn’t be hanging around near the car park. Walking until he couldn’t see the road behind him anymore, he stopped and looked around. James could felt something watching him, and smelled the evil.
“I know you’re in there, Vincent.” He bellowed. “Come out and face me, you coward.”
High pitched laughter rang out through the trees.
James was taken by surprise. “No, what is she doing here?” He whispered softly. He was right. Something was very, very wrong.
“It’s so nice to see you again, James.” The delicate voice stung his ears. He tried to locate her by following her voice, but it was came from all different directions. She was intentionally throwing him off her scent.
“What is going on?” he roared. “Why are you wasting my time?”
“I just wanted to see you, James.” Her voice was whispered all around him.
“Cut the crap, Natalia,” James growled.
“Oh, how sweet. You remember me.” She laughed.
Natalia floated out from between two trees not far from where James stood. The foul creature before him appeared to be breathtaking. Her long blonde hair fell down to her waist. Her tiny figure clad in a skin-tight black dress that left nothing to the imagination. As well, she had big blue eyes which gave the misleading appearance of innocence. But James knew better.
What was on the inside, however, was another story. Natalia had a black heart and was evil to the core, a true narcissist. She hadn’t always been that way, though…Vincent made her one of them. James had failed to save her. It would be a stain on his soul for eternity.
“What’s the matter, James?” she asked her aqua eyes wide. “I don’t bite.”
James looked at her, and cocked his head on the side. “Well, actually you do.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “I always loved your sense of humour.”
“What do you want?” James asked irritated. He was sick of the conversation already.
“Oh, lots of things…” She was toying with him.
“Natalia!” he growled in warning.
“Not in the mood for games?” she asked with a pout. “What a shame. I always love a good game.”
“Where is he?”
“Where is who?” Natalia’s face was perfect mask of innocence.
“You know damn well who,” James said losing what little patience he had. “I’m talking about Vincent.”
“Oh, Vincent. Of course,” she replied, openly smirking now. “He is taking care of Alessandra.”
James turned red with rage, as he realized he’d been tricked. “And you’re the distraction.”
“Clever boy.” Natalia smirked wickedly, thoroughly enjoying the game.
“You won’t get her!” he screamed, wanting to tear her apart.
It was so obvious. What the hell was wrong with him that he couldn’t see what was staring him in the face?
Natalia instantly dropped the friendly façade. Her voice became raspy, and her eyes started to glow an eerie red. The mask was gone, and she was showing her true evil self. “Make no mistake, James…He has found her and will destroy her. The prophecy will never be fulfilled, and you will wander the earth lost and lonely pining for your beloved Alessandra for eternity.”
“Not going to happen, Natalia.” James retorted. He brought forth a fireball in the palm of his hand and threw it straight at her heart. She jumped at the last minute but didn’t manage to avoid it completely.
The fireball struck her arm, and she screamed in fury. “You will pay for that James,” she hissed at him. Her eyes burned with a promise of vengeance.
She turned and ran, letting out a scream of pure loathing that filled the night sky and the surrounding forest.
James returned to his car, hoping that Vincent hadn’t found Ally yet, at the same time knowing that it was only a matter of time before he did.
He phoned Adele. She needed to get Ally inside and keep her under close watch until he returned, if she hadn’t been abducted already. His nerves were strung tighter than piano wire.
Adele answered almost instantly. “James, what's wrong?”
“It was a decoy! Get Ally inside n
ow!” he exclaimed.
Adele slammed the phone down on the bench and started running.
James put his foot to the floor; there was no time to waste. He could be back at Adele’s house in ten minutes, but that was far too long. He should’ve known better…How could he be so stupid?
He lost himself in his thoughts as he sped back to his one true love.
Chapter Eight