Jacques twisted his neck, avoiding the foul breath escaping Mortem’s mouth every time he spoke. “Take it,” he spat. “Just take it and leave me alone.”
Mortem hissed and jerked away as if his arm lit on fire when he reached for it. He hadn’t even touched it. Jacques took this opportunity to pick up his sword.
“Leave. Be gone,” Jacques hollered. “I’ve had enough.” His courage faltered when Mortem glared at him.
“You, a puny human, command I be gone?” he roared, lifting his wings even higher, as if he would swallow Jacques up with them. “You don’t tell me what to do. I can crush you.” Mortem raised his hand and swiped at Jacques’s arm. Jacques’s sword tumbled in the air and skidded next to the door. Then flashing his canines, he went for Jacques’s throat.
Mortem stumbled back and almost fell when an invisible wall stopped him. He hissed and cursed under his breath and lunged again. Same thing happened.
“My witch may not be able to conceal me from your kind, but she certainly outsmarted you,” Jacques gloated. For the first time, he felt powerful.
When Mortem lifted his hand, Jacques felt a pull of energy, and he knew then Mortem’s power exceeded a low-ranking demon. Jacques flew across the open space and slammed against the wall. Pain ripped through him as he dropped to the stone floor. He’d known pain, even been stabbed with a sword by bandits, but it paled in comparison. Before he had a chance to get up, Mortem flung his body on the table, knocking everything off. With a twist of Mortem’s wrist, Jacques crashed on the floor, a foot from the door.
“Is that what my master is looking for? Is that the book?” Mortem demanded an answer.
“No.” He would lie; he would fight. He would do anything to protect his book. Groaning and crawling toward it, he grumbled, “Do not touch—”
Mortem reached for it. A light flashed, preventing the demon from touching the book. He yelped and shook his hand. He tried again, but the lightning struck again.
“Ikelia!” he barked. “I’m going to kill her. She has annoyed me to no end. And as for you—I may not be able to drain your blood, but I certainly can use a sword.” His eyes gleamed victoriously. “Who will help you now?”
As Mortem drew back his elbow to get ready for a strike, the door crashed open. Something small in someone’s hand flipped open. A glorious light, like the rising of the sun, glowed bright and wondrous. Mortem cowered, hiding his face with his cape.
“Stop! Get it … get it away from me,” he stammered.
The stranger’s face became clear, revealing his true identity. Instead of backing away, he continued to shove the light to Mortem.
“Be gone, you filthy demon,” Geoffroi preached. “Go back to Hell where you belong.”
A whirl of wind appeared from the little ark and began to tug at Mortem’s cape.
“Stop. Stop. Stop,” Mortem begged. “It hurts. It burns.”
“Be gone!” Geoffroi approached, his tone ringing with authority and conviction.
Mortem held onto the table and anchored his feet on the ground as the air pulled him harder.
“I will be gone, but you cannot hide from me. I will find a way.” With that, Mortem puffed into black smoke, spiraling around them, and then finally he disappeared.
As quick as it came, the light, too, vanished.
“Jacques, are you hurt?” Geoffroi helped Jacques to his feet.
“I feel like I’ve broken all my bones, but thankfully, by the grace of God, I am okay. Just in a lot of pain.” Jacques groaned. “How…how did you know I was in trouble?” The words came out slow, like his movements. Dragging his feet with Geoffroi’s help, he sat on his bed and winced when sharp pain stabbed at his side.
Geoffroi sat next to him and showed the little ark in his hand. “This thing lit up, not as bright, but as if I’d turned on a lantern. The brightness woke me up, so I thought to see if you were up too. It was the first time I’d seen the light. When I reached the hall to your room, this started to vibrate, and the closer I approached, it shook even more. I knew something was wrong when I heard voices and loud banging coming from your room. When I pushed your door open, the ark opened on its own, as if it knew what to do.”
Jacques stared at the little ark. Such a little thing to have so much power. He felt grateful toward it, grateful to his friend.
“Thank you. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t been here,” Jacques said solemnly.
“Don’t think too much. And you can thank the ark.” He placed it down on his lap. “That demon. He was real, was he not?”
Jacques had forgotten Geoffroi had never seen one before. “Yes. He was real. Now your eyes are open.”
Geoffroi nodded. “Now I know for sure you are not crazy. Had it not been for this ark, I would have been very afraid. What are we to do now? He will come back for you, yes?”
Jacques dipped his head and met his friend’s eyes. “I’m afraid he will go after you as well, my friend. He has seen your face. You helped me. And he has seen you possess something magical, unearthly.” He patted his friend’s back, feeling sorry for him. Jacques didn’t want to bring any of his brothers into the world of supernatural demons and Cyrus, but Jacques also knew it would happen sooner or later. Cyrus would chase down any Knights Templar if he thought any one of them had knowledge of his book.
“Don’t worry. We may be only humans, but we have special weapons.” Leave it to Geoffroi to always be positive and brave. One of the many qualities Jacques admired about his friend.
“Tomorrow, I insist you come with me to see the witch who helped me. I have so many questions, and we must get you something to protect you with.”
Geoffroi’s eyes shifted to Jacques’s neck. “Like the necklace you’re wearing?”
“Yes.”
“After encountering the demon, I will not argue.” Geoffroi stood up.
Jacques groaned when the mattress shifted and pain shot through his muscles. The impact from being tossed felt still fresh.
“Sorry.” Geoffroi frowned.
“Please don’t apologize. You did not hurt me.”
Geoffroi pressed his lips together, producing a small smile. “I’ll leave this ark with you. The sun will rise soon. See you in the morning.”
“Geoffroi,” Jacques said.
Geoffroi had already turned the knob when he stopped and turned to his friend. “Yes?”
“We need a watchword so I know it’s you.” Geoffroi had no idea Mortem had taken his form. Jacques would explain in the morning, and Geoffroi would understand why they needed a secret word, but Jacques was too tired and didn’t want to explain.
“Watchword?” Geoffroi tilted his head to the side. “How about hibiscus? I like the way they smell.”
Jacques nodded. “Hibiscus. Perfect. And thank you for being here. You’ve saved me once again.”
Geoffroi raised his hand, silently taking in the appreciation, and closed the door softly behind him, leaving Jacques sleepless.
Chapter 16
Lucia
When we arrived, Uncle Davin told us he had explained to Father all about Jacques de Molay and why Cyrus wanted the Knight Templar. He also had explained how Ikelia helped Jacques hide from Cyrus and helped Jacques hide the pages to be one step ahead of Cyrus.
The hustle and bustle of the busy town distracted me. Like the last time I went back in time, I couldn’t peel my eyes away from their attire. Men wore tunics, pants, and long capes, while women wore long dresses and cloaks. Some women wore hoods covering their hair, while others had tight braids.
Wind cut through the town. People pulled their capes closer to their bodies as they hurried through the streets. Some stopped to bargain and trade goods, while others gathered to chat. Children’s laughter and voices filled the air as they watched a puppet show. When we passed a familiar street, the sweet aroma of fresh baked bread tempted me to enter the store, but I dared not look.
Autumn had come. The barren trees were naked, leafless,
and almost lifeless. No color decorated the land with flowers, but the town oozed with pleasant smiles, social interaction, and affection.
“Did you see the barrel of fresh fish?” Jack exclaimed, pointing to a wagon just as we turned the corner.
“Don’t speak to anyone,” Harper snapped. “And don’t touch anyone.”
“We know. This isn’t our first time.” Milani rolled her eyes.
“You could have taken us closer,” Harper huffed, speed walking past me, and kept her steps with Milani.
“And miss all this?” Milani fanned her hand. “I know what I’m doing. This isn’t my first astral projection.”
“You could have fooled me.”
“There.” Jack pointed out. “I see Ikelia’s store.”
Thank goodness we reached our destination. I wasn’t sure if I could handle their bickering. Uncle Davin looked over his shoulder with a snarl, ready to say something too. Father ignored everyone, kept his guard up, and always carried a sword by his side.
When we entered, lavender, rosemary, jasmine, and of course, edelweiss filled my nostrils. Instead of following Jacques like before, we merged through the wall like ghosts. The décor hadn’t changed, but then again, what did I expect? Though it seemed like a lifetime for me, it had been only a month gap in Jacques’s time.
“Now what?” Brody asked his two favorite words, his blue eyes taking in the items inside the glass cabinet.
“We wait.” Zach tilted his head back to the ceiling, looking for demons. I did the same out of habit, as Father had taught us to never fail to look up.
“She sells weird things,” Hugo observed, running his finger on the edge of the glass, candles reflecting in his blue eyes.
I gazed down at the long, wood-framed glass case on either side of us, and I had to agree with Hugo. What do you do with a skull and bottles filled with red, yellow, blue, and green liquid? Daggers of assorted sizes, some decorated with pretty stones, a book, a cane, and random other things I didn’t know what to do with. But then again, I was not an Elementa and had no idea the importance of these items, if there was one at all.
“Do you know what’s up there?” Harper pointed to the second story balcony.
“No,” I replied. “I’ve never been up there.”
“It’s where she sleeps. There’s a bed, a dresser, and lots of candles. A chamber pot is situated in the back of the room. The room isn’t as big as the first floor,” Father said, flipping through a dusty book.
“How does he know that?” Abel asked.
Zach spread a slow, proud grin. “He has what humans call X-ray vision.”
“That’s so cool,” Brody exclaimed. “I wish I had that power. I know what I would look through.” He wiggled his brows, chuckling.
“Not funny at all. I wouldn’t want you to see me naked,” Harper hissed.
“I wouldn’t want to see you naked too,” Brody retorted.
Uncle Davin turned with a roll of his eyes to say something, but stopped. His eyes suddenly fixed on something.
Everyone flinched when the soft sound came from the back. Ikelia entered through the beaded curtains. She might as well have pierced a dagger into my heart. She reminded me how I had failed Eli and caused his downfall. Ikelia was the one who had told him an angel with wings would be his destruction. Eli and I were so determined to prove it untrue that we ignored his mother’s warning. Perhaps I should have stayed far away from him, but I knew Eli would search for me. He cared for me too much, more than I would admit.
Ikelia’s long hair had been braided with many strands out of place. With bags under her eyes, she yawned, and she looked like she hadn’t had enough sleep. Unlike the last time, she dressed like a man—in dark pants and a black tunic with a belt around it—and her long cloak swayed and brushed the stone ground as she headed toward us.
“I know you’re there,” Ikelia spoke in French.
My breath hitched. She looked directly at us … or maybe it was behind us. Everyone gasped and froze. Sure enough, in perfect time, Jacques entered through the door and closed it behind him. He had brought a friend. I wondered who he was, but when his friend pushed back his cape, the red cross confirmed he was one of the Knights Templar.
“Air, water, earth, and fire,” Jacques sputtered.
“No need to say those words. I know who you are.” Ikelia advanced and examined his friend from head to toe. She took in his dark hair, gray eyes, and muscular body. “You’ve brought a friend.” She did not look pleased.
Jacques took off his hat and placed it under his arm. “I apologize to have brought a friend without your permission, but we are in danger. I didn’t know who else to turn to. This is my friend Geoffroi de Charney. He’s one of the Knights Templar. We need your help.”
Harper and Hugo snapped their attention away from the glass case to Geoffroi.
Geoffroi extended his hand to shake, but Ikelia didn’t take it. Instead, she gazed to the left at the tall bookcase displaying books and assorted candles of various sizes and colors where Father stood.
She waved at the bookcase. The bookcase rumbled and opened itself, revealing a door. “Let’s talk privately.”
After they entered, it sealed shut as soon as Jacques had passed through into the dimly lit room with lanterns hung all around. Shelves lined the back wall, displaying bottles, dried flowers, and powders. Nothing had changed.
Ikelia meandered to the other side of the long table and placed a silver bowl the size of a melon in the middle. “What kind of service do you need? And who are you in danger from? The crystal necklace hid you from Cyrus, did it not?”
Jacques nodded solemnly. “Yes, indeed it has, and I’m very grateful, but last night we encountered a demon. He goes by the name Mortem. He appeared as Geoffroi and then changed into a beast with wings. He had sharp teeth and red eyes.”
“Mortem,” Ikelia spat. “Only the ones with an Elementa bloodline can lessen the spell. He can find you. He can trick you and deceive you. But he cannot kill you unless he’s taken possession of a divine sword.”
“He has,” Geoffroi said. “This morning, we received terrible news. One of our brothers had been murdered and his sword was taken. The demon tried to kill Jacques with that sword. How could a monster like him hold a divine sword?”
That answered how Cyrus got a hold of a Knight Templar’s sword. Then I recalled how he tried to kill Ikelia with it, but she used her magic and stabbed him with a pitchfork. When the sword slid off his hand, she managed to send it through the bubble of protection to Eli, thus bonding the sword to Eli.
“A witch must have placed a spell on him to make him appear divine,” Ikelia explained. “Didn’t you say he appeared as Geoffroi?”
Jacques and Geoffroi gasped and their eyes set wider as if they’d both found a new revelation.
“Yes,” Jacques murmured.
“My brother thought I killed him.” Geoffroi stumbled back in shock. “My brother saw my face before he died. This is…” He had no words as he rubbed his face.
“This is truly unfortunate.” Ikelia shook her head in dismay. “I have a suggestion. Allow me to cast a spell on Knights Templar swords. To ensure each sword binds to the rightful owner. I will do yours and send you off with a power and words to the spell so you can do the same for your brothers. Unfortunately, I can do nothing for the stolen sword. And I’m sorry about your brother.”
Jacques and Geoffroi set their swords on the table and nodded.
“It is the will of the Lord for our brother to be taken,” Jacques answered. “You did not know that would happen, nor did we.”
“I do not know if I believe the same as you, but I know it was unjust,” Ikelia said.
Ikelia turned her back to grab a few bottles and sprinkled them into the silver bowl. White, red, and black powder spun on their own, mixing the colors inside the bowl, spinning and spinning. Then it continued to spiral up out of the bowl about three feet high. As fast as it rose, it dropped as though nothing had
happened. Gliding her hand over the length of the two swords, she whispered, “From my blood, from my heart, I forever bind thee. Let no magic nor creature break free, unless willingly.”
Ikelia pricked the palm of her hand with a small pear knife from the shelf and let one pearl drop of blood fall into the silver bowl. After she did the same with Jacques and Geoffroi, she took the liquid and guided one drop to fall on the sword, and said, “Take the potion I will gift to you and do the same to your brothers’ swords. Unless you gift it willingly, no other may kill you with these or any other divine Knights Templar swords. I have also made sure the swords will light up as a warning should a demon be nearby. And should you ever need to face a demon, the sword will guide you and give you strength. I did this for your descendants. They will not know how to handle a sword as our generation does.”
“Thank you,” they both said in accord.
Ikelia took the remaining liquid and poured it into a small clear bottle and handed it to Jacques. “I’m sorry that I can’t do anything regarding an Elementa finding you. The originals cast a spell so that we could not hide from each other even through a spell.”
Jacques picked up the two swords, handed one to Geoffroi, and placed the other one back into his hilt. “That’s all right. You’ve done more for me than I could have expected. I also came for two other reasons. My brother …” He placed a hand on Geoffroi’s shoulder. “He needs a crystal necklace just like mine. Mortem has seen Geoffroi and will tell Cyrus about him.”
Ikelia reached back into a butterfly box and handed one to Geoffroi. “Here. I’ve made some just in case, but again, it won’t hide you from Mortem.”