Chapter 2: Jeremy
The song playing is Locket Song from Sailor Moon.
A year passed by as Jeremy traveled through Dantucket. He could not go back to Olympius. But, by winter, he knew that he had to go back. It was his mother's dying wishes. On his way home, he stopped at a tavern in Locke. Minutes after he had sat down, a young woman walked in.
As she moved towards the bar, all eyes were on her. Hours passed as the two talked. Maybe she was the right woman, Jeremy thought. The witching hour neared as they said their good-byes. Another meeting was arranged.
It was about three a.m. when Jeremy arrived at Olympius. As he stood out on the balcony, he could not get his new acquaintance out of his mind. He tossed and turned in troubled sleep that night, her eyes dancing in his unconscious mind. Slowly, through the next year, he grew to love her.
Damaris, knowing quite well what she was doing, smiled slyly. She once had been the most powerful sorceress in the world. But, her powers had weakened after the start of the Wars in her country. Something, or someone, was draining her. She had not fully fulfilled her pact with the Devil. Rayvn was in her way. In the way of true love, she thought.
Always eager to learn the arts, Damaris had joined the coven when she was eighteen. Power had come easily for her then. The Devil had wanted her, and thus she signed his pact to defeat all goodness. Then, Ravyn joined. She was his number one student. The Devil truly loved her, but she did not return his love freely. Secretly, she despised him. By that time, Damaris had left the coven.
As Ravyn stayed, Damaris' powers weakened. But, power would come soon enough. The man she had met in Locke was full of power. It would be hers, even if she had to marry him. She had heard of his hidden fortunes, too. With his power and fortune drained into her, she would defeat goodness, and destroy Ravyn. The plan would be perfect.
Jeremy Kyler Evans glared out the window as Damaris Ashlynn Watson entered the awaiting carriage. As she stepped up to the coach door, she paused to glance back at Jeremy. The charming sorceress smiled, for she knew that she had gotten the best of Jeremy once again. Jeremy hit the stone wall with his tightly clenched fist as she sped away towards her castle. How had he let her deceive him? And, she had told him that she loved him! All she ever loved was his fortune and her powers!
Ever since his mother had died, Jeremy had become more and more depressed. The once glorious mansion was now run down and in ruins. And now, Damaris would get half of his fortune as well! Yes, he had said that he would marry her, but that wasn't what he truly wanted. He had been manipulated by her charms and magick! Now, there was no way out of it.
Jeremy went upstairs to his room. He had to think of whom he could call. He needed help. He stared at the sword mounted above his window. As the night dragged on, Jeremy became more and more tired. About four a.m., he finally drifted off to sleep.
The blue-green fog surrounded Jeremy, engulfing him in hand-like wisps. But, where was he? He had no recollection of how he had gotten there, wherever there was. Jeremy gathered his bearings and looked around. A castle stood, tall and mighty, in back of him. Below it lay a dense forest. The castle was shrouded in clouds, thunder and lightning exciting his senses as he looked on into the darkness pierced with light. A woman stood in the doorway of the magnificent stronghold.
As he approached it, he could see that she was motioning for him to come inside. He entered the castle, dimly lit by black candles. As he looked at the slender woman, he felt as if he knew her. She wore all red, he noticed. As he reached the face of the woman, he felt a strange pain in his arm. Something had bitten him!
"Ravyn!" He screamed as he awoke with a start.
Hyperventilating from shock, he looked around the room. A spider hurried away. Everything else was normal. It was, indeed, his own room. All of the other stuff was just a dream! But, did the dream have a meaning to it? Was it Ravyn MacKenzie Watson, Damaris' sister, which he needed? Jeremy had to find out.
Jeremy sent for one of his guards. A tall, husky fellow walked in to the room. Getting out a piece of parchment, Jeremy jotted a couple of lines down. He handed the note to the guard, and whispered something in his ear. The guard nodded his head and left, closing the door behind him.
Days went by slowly while the guard was away. Surely, it did not take that long to get to Bloodstone Castle and back. Jeremy started to wonder about the guard. There were so many things that could have happened along the way. He could have gotten lost along the way, or drunk and passed out at a tavern along the roadside. Maybe Damaris had done something to prevent the guard's return. Maybe the guard had deserted him and ran off.
That night, the guard returned to the run-down mansion. Ravyn was behind him, suitcase in hand and dressed the same way that she had been in Jeremy's dream. She was truly beautiful. Her blue-green eyes seemed to glow with power, yet were so gentle that Jeremy could not keep from looking at her. Her long black hair hung loosely down her back. She wore a long red velvet dress, slit up the side and accented with a black leather band? No, it was a holder for daggers! Did she not trust him? Suddenly, Jeremy was furious.
"I'll take that dagger, and any other weapons that you might be carrying with you, Ravyn." Jeremy snapped.
"Jeremy, so nice to see you, too!" Ravyn chuckled as she gave Jeremy the dagger.
"Everything." Jeremy said crossly.
Ravyn reached down her dress front and pulled out her other concealed dagger. She handed the black handled dagger to Jeremy. Jeremy snatched it out of her hand. Handing them to the guard, he motioned for him to leave. The guard did as he was told. Jeremy then turned to Ravyn and escorted her into the large recreation room at the end of the hall.
"Don't be so hard up, Jeremy." Ravyn laughed.
"Don't dick around with me, Ravyn." Jeremy yelled back.
"I wouldn't even if I had one to begin with!" Ravyn joked.
"You can just leave, Ravyn. It was a mistake to ask you here." Jeremy said, turning away from the enchanting sorceress.
"Joke, Jeremy. I was kidding! Geez, what crawled up your butt and died?" She said, tauntingly.
"Your sister." Jeremy replied.
A look of shock shot over Ravyn. Jeremy sat down on a tan and worn-out chair in the corner of the room. Ravyn sat down on top of the table next to it. Jeremy, trying to calm down, asked Ravyn if she'd like a glass of ale. Politely refusing it, she reminded him of the fact that her magick could not work under the influence of alcohol. She then told Jeremy about the time when it had the most effect.
"And then, it was my turn to show the High Priestess and High Priest my powers. It was sort of like a final exam in Wicca. The worst thing that happened was the 'Flower in the Pot' spell. The flowers were supposed to be changed to the color blue, but instead they turned into snakes! You know how much the High Priestess, Minerva, likes snakes! She screamed bloody murder! I learned an important lesson after that night." Ravyn told.
"And, what was that lesson?" Jeremy inquired, taking a drink of ale.
"Not to go out with the Sorority Sisters on the night of your big exam! Do it afterwards!"
"So, what exactly went wrong with the spell?" Jeremy asked.
"The incantations. My speech was so badly slurred that when I said them, they sounded like something else! Anyway, why did you summon me here?" Ravyn replied.
"Well, your sister put a spell of some sort on me. It doesn't really matter, now. What does matter, is that in three days we are to be married. She deceived me and I want out of it. She does not truly love me. She just wants my riches and my power. Those things are the only things that I have! Can you, in some way, help me to get out of it?" Jeremy pleaded.
"I'm not sure if I can be of much help to you. But, I can try my best. The last person that I want to see you married off to is my sister, Damaris. She is truly evil and undeserving of you." Ravyn told him.
"What do you propose we do, then?" Jeremy asked.
"Well, that is what I am not sure of. I could try reading into the future and what it holds for you and her, as of now. Maybe we can derive a plan from that information which is given by the future. You know that destinies can be altered on the astral plain, don't you? What I will need are my daggers and some oil in a bowl of water. We can find out her plans for you." Ravyn said.
"Yes, I will get everything you will need to do this. I'll be right back." Jeremy replied.
Jeremy hopped up and left. He went to the kitchen and found the oil that Ravyn had asked for. Looking through the cabinets, he found a brass bowl and filled it with water. He carried it with him to the weapons room. He took the daggers out of a locked drawer in the corner of the green-colored room.
He then returned to the room in which Ravyn was patiently waiting. He sat the bowl on the small oak table. Then, he gave her the daggers. Ravyn sat across the table from Jeremy. It was time to begin.
Ravyn chanted softly in a dialect of which Jeremy could not decipher. She pointed to the south, the east, the north, and the west. Taking the oil and raising it up to the heavens, she praised Athena, Goddess of wisdom. She then poured the oil into the bowl and raised it up. She proceeded to praise Diana, Goddess of power and of all witches.
Ravyn took the dagger to her right, and lifted it up to praise Amphiaraus and Hera, God of future events and Goddess of everything known. She placed the dagger down again and picked up the dagger to her left. Doing the same thing, she placed the dagger back onto the table. She then looked up at Jeremy, who was staring intensely at her. Then, she spoke.
"Jeremy, hold out your left hand." She said, almost trance-like.
Jeremy did as he was instructed. Ravyn picked up the dagger to her right, grasping it tightly. Bringing it down quickly on his finger, she twisted it slightly. The blade went into the first layers of Jeremy's skin, breaking the surface. Jeremy let out a loud yelp of pain, blood beading at the tip of his finger.
Ravyn removed the dagger and made a straight line in the oil-water. Still holding Jeremy's finger out, she picked up the other dagger and placed the tip of it in the blood, now dripping down Jeremy's finger and onto the table. Ravyn, with the dagger, made another straight line in the oil-water going the opposite direction of the first line drawn. After doing that, she chanted again. She took the bowl and held it to the heavens.
When she placed it back down, Jeremy noticed that the blood had begun to disperse itself through the water and oil. It was now a crimson red color. Jeremy felt a sensation of queasiness at the pit of his stomach. Ravyn looked up at him slowly. Her blue eyes looked deeply into his, almost as if she did not want to continue on. Jeremy looked down at his cut finger.
"Jeremy, I'm so sorry if I hurt you." She said.
Ravyn looked a bit saddened. Seeing the tiny stream of blood running down Jeremy's finger, she reached for her bag. Jeremy glanced down at her. Was that a tear in her eye? Ravyn sat back up and handed Jeremy an ivory handkerchief.
"Here, you can use this. It'll stop the bleeding." Ravyn said sympathetically.
Jeremy took the handkerchief and wrapped it around his finger. Blood started to seep through it instantaneously. Ravyn shifted her weight as if she was uncomfortable. She kept looking over at Jeremy, then looking away. She knew that she could not reveal to him how she really felt. It would only interfere with the coven, and with Corrigan, her coven leader.
Corrigan Tai Mathews was her first lust, maybe even her first love. But Ravyn did not, by any means, love him as much as she loved Jeremy. Yes, Corrigan was powerful and handsome, but he was ruthless. She had pretended to love him so that she could be accepted into the coven when she was only sixteen. That was a young age to join a coven. A female usually had to be at least eighteen.
She, now twenty-four, was possibly more powerful than he in the ways of Wicca and faerie magick. She did not know just how much more. But, Ravyn was truly afraid of him. She had seen him make a pact with the devil in the night's darkness of the forbidden wood. She had also seen him drink to blood of a young girl when he had thought no one else was watching.
"Ravyn? Are you all right? Aren't you going to tell me what these shapes mean?" Jeremy asked.
Ravyn looked up with a start. Did he notice that she had been staring at him? Embarrassed, she blushed slightly. Ravyn leaned over the bowl and peered down into it. Three numbers appeared in the center, with the shape of a knife and the shape of a snake in opposite ends. This message was not meant for Jeremy, but for her. It was Corrigan. He had found her at last. She had not escaped him after all.
"What does it mean, Ravyn? Tell me, good or bad. I need to know!" Jeremy said, anger beginning to show in his voice.
"It's not for you." Ravyn replied, trying to stay calm.
"What? What do you mean?" Jeremy inquired.
"It's not for you, Jeremy. It's for me...from Corrigan." She said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Who's Corrigan? Ravyn, answer me!" Jeremy yelled.
"He's my coven leader. He thinks that he owns me! Jeremy, I've got to go now! If I stay, he will kill the both of us. If I go, at least your life will be spared!" Ravyn answered.
"Ravyn, he will not harm you here. My men..." Jeremy started.
"Your men will do nothing to stop Corrigan! He can not be stopped. He is a wizard." Ravyn cried frantically.
Jeremy got up and went over to Ravyn. Putting his arm around her, he tried to comfort her. Ravyn balled up, tucking her knees into her chest. Deep down inside of his heart, he wanted so much just to hold on to her for the rest of her natural life. He would live forever in his vampyristic lifestyle, but at least he would have somebody for a little while. But, what had this guy done to upset Ravyn so much? She was normally levelheaded or joking around! He had never seen her upset or crying.
"Ravyn, you must tell me why Corrigan is after you. The whole story. Please, let me help you." He said lovingly.
Ravyn wiped her eyes with her sleeve. Taking the drink that was offered her earlier; she took a deep breath. How could she tell him about Corrigan? But then again, how could she not tell him? He was so loving towards her. Could it be that he loved her as she loved him? She began her story slowly.
"When I was sixteen, I joined the coven that I am in now. Corrigan was the leader of it, and he was very powerful. I lusted for him, for his power and knowledge, but I did not love him. He loved me, though, and taught me everything, apart from the group. I found out later just how ruthless he was. He made a pact with the devil and drank blood of young girls who did not meet his expectations for the coven. Human sacrifices to Lucifer, I suppose.
Anyway, he killed every man that dared to love me or that I loved. I began to get scared after a while, when I found out all of this. I took private lessons in my spare time from a rogue witch in the mountains near my castle. Corrigan never found out. Jeremy, he plans to keep me as his own! I can not be happy where he is. When your message came, it gave me confidence to steal away from him. I hoped that he would not be able to find me. What a fool is was." Ravyn sobbed.
"Ravyn, what do these forms mean, then?" Jeremy asked, rocking her gently in his strong arms.
"The snake is the form he sometimes takes when shape-shifting. He's a wizard, you know. The knife is a symbol used for an upcoming fight. The numbers, well, are a little bit more complicated. I don't really understand them." Ravyn paused, shaking now.
"It's the symbol of the Devil himself." Ravyn said finally.
Jeremy's eyes widened. As Ravyn began to cry again, Jeremy took her into his arms and held on to her tighter than before. Ravyn clung to him. Could she love him? Jeremy wasn't sure of the answer. All he knew was that he didn't want to let go of her. Finally, Ravyn spoke again.
"Jeremy, I need your help. I want to be rid of Corrigan! I can't do it alone. Please, help me." She pleaded to him.
"What can I do, Ravyn? He's a wizard! A devil, even!" Jeremy argued.
"And you're a vampyre! Jeremy, you're the only one that can help me! I'm helping you get rid of my sister, so it is the least you can do for me." Ravyn stated.
Jeremy turned away. She was crazy! No one could go up against a wizard of his standings and win, not to mention that he was the Devil himself! But, he had to help Ravyn. She was right about her helping him. And, he did love her.
"Okay, I'll help you." He said, turning back to face her.
The sun arose over the mountaintop and shined into Ravyn's room. With a yawn, she awoke and sat up in the tousled bed. She, however, was still tired. Her sleep had been troubled the whole night. Visions of what could happen and what would happen danced through her mind. Time was slipping away quickly.
Corrigan was coming at lightning speed. He was furious. But, why didn't he use his magick to get there quickly? It would only take a half an hour at the most. Did he want to strike fear into her heart?
He would be arriving in three days. A jet-black horse would carry him to the front door of the mansion. With his magick, the door would be blown open. She would die if he found her there. The final picture filled her mind's eye. The figure of a woman dying on the stake; burning until nothing but ashes remained.
She couldn't think of that. She had to think of what to do to stop Corrigan. A blurred picture passed through Ravyn's mind. Another person, a woman, was with him. She was tall, with dark hair and violet eyes. Who was it?
Ravyn, still pondering that question, dressed herself in a burgundy velvet dress. It was tight on her, but it did look good. To top it off, she wore a ruby necklace. Her daggers had been taken to Jeremy's room. Why did he still not trust her, Ravyn asked herself. Brushing her hair out, she glanced out the window.
Ravyn hurried downstairs to the dining room. Sitting down at the end chair next to the door. She waited for Jeremy. The cook took her order and disappeared into the kitchen. Ravyn looked around the room nervously. Changes could be made, she thought to herself. All the mansion needed was a woman's touch, and it would be as glorious as it was in the days of yore.
Ravyn jumped when a hand touched her shoulder. She let out a small shriek. Turning around, she saw Jeremy standing behind her, snickering. Oddly, she realized that she felt like her old self. She felt like laughing again.
"Jeremy! You'll pay for that!" She laughed.
"I'd like to see you try, Ravyn!" Jeremy teased.
Ravyn got up and lunged for Jeremy. Jeremy used his vampyre traits to his advantage. He quickly got out of her way and to the other side of the table. Smiling, Ravyn ran around to where Jeremy was. He ran to the end of the large table where Ravyn had been. Ravyn ran halfway to the center of the table, as Jeremy did likewise.
Ravyn saw the chance to get him, and took it. When Jeremy wasn't looking, Ravyn went underneath the table and grabbed Jeremy's leg. As he tried to turn and run, he tripped and fell onto his face. Ravyn giggled as he hit the floor. Laughter filled the musty air of the mansion.
"Never fool around with a sorceress." She laughed.
The cook appeared at the doorway with the morning's breakfast. The laughter stopped immediately as the cook cleared his throat. Ravyn and Jeremy returned to their seats. Plates of food were spread out on the mahogany table. Pheasant was the first to be uncovered, followed by legumes, rolls, and poached eggs.
Wine was poured into both glasses. They dined in silence for a long while, looking strictly at their plates of food. Each one wondered if the other loved them. Both of them decided that they had to know. Jeremy was the first to say anything.
"Ravyn, I...um...had an idea last night. I have a way to get rid of the marriage pledge."
Ravyn's eyes widened. He was only thinking of himself! He didn't care about her troubles at all! Corrigan would kill her, and here he was talking about Damaris! Rage shot across her now reddened face.
"How dare you!" She yelled as she jumped up. "You are a self-centered, egotistical man! You don't care about me at all! Corrigan is on his way to kill me, and here you are, thinking of yourself only! I hope Damaris takes you for all you are worth! Sorry that she picked one worth so much less than anyone else!"
And with that, she stormed out. Ravyn slammed the door behind her, shattering Jeremy's glass filled with red wine. The wine poured out onto the table, looking as though it were blood. Blood from his broken heart, Jeremy thought. He had a plan, that much was true.
His plan was so much more than what Ravyn had thought. It was more of a proposal. A proposal that she and him get married, so that Damaris could not get at him. But, he did truly care about her. In fact, for the first time in his life, he loved someone for who she was. Jeremy was madly in love with Ravyn.
Now, she was mad at him. She probably even hated him for what he said. He would never be able to tell Ravyn his true feelings. She wouldn't even listen to him. Jeremy continued to stare at the broken wineglass before him. Laying his head on the table, he softly wept.
Ravyn, up in her slumber chamber, paced back and forth. Had she been too hard on Jeremy? Maybe she should have heard him out. After all, she was there, in the first place, to help him. Ravyn went to the door and started to open it. She paused where she stood, frozen in her movement.
Images rushed through Ravyn's head. Corrigan would be their tomorrow, and he wanted her to know it. Fear surged through her veins. She had to do something! She had to find Jeremy. Ravyn flung open the door and ran down the hall, her dress flaring out behind her.
Jeremy paced up and down, a glass of hard liquor in his hand. Ravyn would never love him. He was just like his room, cold. She wouldn't even help him! Feelings of remorse filled Jeremy's eyes in the form of tears. Jeremy sat down in his chair and let out a sigh.
Jeremy was almost asleep when Ravyn burst in. With shock, he sat up quickly. Maybe his luck had changed, he thought. Maybe Ravyn did, in fact, love him. Jeremy stood up as she flung herself into his arms.
"Corrigan is coming! He'll be here tomorrow. Jeremy, what am I going to do? He'll kill me!" Ravyn cried.
"We'll think of something, Ravyn. Don't worry your pretty little head over it." Jeremy said as he ran his fingers through her hair.
They sat down upon the window ledge together. Trying to think of something to do about Corrigan, time seemed to pass by quickly. The main problems were time and Corrigan's power. There wasn't enough time to call on someone to help them. Ravyn could not shake the feeling that there was someone else riding with Corrigan. Someone that she knew.
"Ravyn? Are you okay?" Jeremy asked. "What?" Ravyn replied, noticing that she was staring out of the window. "Oh, Yes, I am fine." "So, what is it going to be, Ravyn? Are we going to use magick?" He asked.
Ravyn looked down at the stone floor at her feet. What kind of magick can stop a wizard? He certainly knew all kinds and how to disarm them! Yet, he was still mortal, and had his own faults. He was not vampyre, like Jeremy was. He could be killed any way a human could.
"Fire." Ravyn whispered, still looking out of the window.
"What?" Jeremy asked, not quite hearing her.
"Fire. We can use fire magick to stop Corrigan! As he goes through the village, we can set fire to it. He will die!" Ravyn exclaimed, looking up.
"But, couldn't he use water magick to quench the flames?" Jeremy asked.
"Corrigan isn't as strong in water magick. It is his only weak spot! Are there any villagers that would help us, if Corrigan makes it through the fire? I mean, they'd have to be here when the fire is started. They will, too, die if they are not." Ravyn said.
"No, there isn't. There is a group of soldiers from the war in a camp outside of town, but they are too busy. I think that after a while they will take over the village." Jeremy sadly whispered.
"Than we haven't a moment to lose. I will go to my room and get my Book of Shadows." Ravyn said as she left the room.
Jeremy looked out of the window at the village. A cold chill surged through his body. Then, he heard a strange voice. Only, this voice was not strange, but familiar. The voice seemed to encircle the room completely.
"Jeremy. I am coming for you." The voice whispered.
A light breeze blew through the window. A cold and chilling breeze. Again, he heard to voice, so familiar to him. At once, he knew the owner of the voice that whispered to him. Jeremy turned towards the open doorway, which Ravyn had exited from just moments before. The doorway was empty.
"Damaris!" Jeremy screamed into the air over and over again.
It was she. Damaris was coming for him. But, how did she know about Ravyn and him? He yelled out Damaris' name once more as Ravyn ran into the room. Jeremy's heart stopped once he saw the hurt look in Ravyn's eyes.
"Why do you call out my sister's name? Have you decided to marry her anyway, Jeremy?" Ravyn cried as tears filled her blue-green eyes.
He did not love her. He loved her sister. Once again, she had lost her love. Ravyn turned and ran towards the door. She knew that she could not stay there any longer.
"No, Ravyn! I do not love Damaris." Jeremy exclaimed, running to Ravyn and grabbing her wrist as she turned away, "Ravyn...I love you."
Ravyn turned around, a tear stopping at her cheek. What had he just said? He loved her? And, she had been so cruel to him. Ravyn hugged Jeremy as he ran his fingers through her coal black hair.
"I love you, too." Ravyn whispered. "I always have. But, why, then, did you call Damaris' name?"
"I heard her voice. I turned to look, and nothing was there. The voice, it kept speaking to me! It said, 'I am coming for you'' I didn't know what to do!"
"Damaris is with him. I knew the figure was familiar." Ravyn whispered as she turned her back to Jeremy.
"What are you talking about? Damaris is with who?" Jeremy demanded as he turned her back around.
"Damaris is with Corrigan. I just couldn't place the other figure. Somehow, I knew that he wasn't alone." Ravyn informed him. "It will be harder to kill two of them."
"You knew that he wasn't alone? Why the hell didn't you tell me?" Jeremy yelled furiously. "Look, don't cry. I didn't mean to yell at you like that. I'm sorry. Why don't you go through your book? There has to be something in there that we can use."
"Yes, my book. Let's see; Love spells, moon spells, sun spells, weather spells, fire spells. Fire spells are very complicated, Jeremy. That is why they are so hard to extinguish." Ravyn smiled.
"Well, tell me what we have, then. Surely there is one that will work for us." Jeremy said.
"Yes, let's see what we have. There's one for forest fires. That won't work. Neither will the one for shields or for candles. Ah, here it is. A spell for burning villages." Ravyn exclaimed.
"What does it call for?" Jeremy asked.
"It calls for three red candles, and one black candle." Ravyn answered.
"Is that all?" Jeremy inquired.
"No, there is more. To do this spell, I will also need the blood of a virgin girl. That will not be so tough for a vampyre like you, Jeremy. Nine matches and soil from the Village Square are also needed." Ravyn told him.
"I'll get you these things while you set up. I will be back within the next hour, if I am not detected." Jeremy said.
As the door closed behind him, Ravyn looked down at her hands. Could she withstand any blasts that powerful as to kill someone if the spell didn't work? Ravyn wasn't even sure if she could pull this spell off. Fire magick was the most difficult out of all to work, and she had never tried any of the spells for fire before. No time to ponder on the cant's, she thought. Getting together the tools needed would be hard enough.
Looking around the room, she noticed the small desk in the corner of the room. Clearing off the top of the desk, she placed the Book of Shadows down in the center of it. Next, she needed a wand and her daggers. The daggers would be easy to find. Jeremy couldn't hide them from her.
"Daggers of black and silver, come forth to me." She chanted.
And with that, the drawer of the desk opened and the daggers slid into the palm of her hands. Well, at least she still could work the simple magick successfully. She did have that advantage over Jeremy. If Corrigan and Damaris made it through the fire, she could better protect them. Now all she needed was a workable wand.
It was growing cold in the air of twilight. Too cold, too fast, she thought. Ravyn found a tree branch in the front lawn. This will do nicely, Ravyn thought to herself. She took the stick inside the mansion with her. She would carve it in Jeremy's room. Grabbing a small can of silver paint, she went upstairs. Why wasn't Jeremy back yet?
Ravyn carved the wooden stick until it was smooth. Next, she dipped the wand into the paint so that only a couple inches of the tip were covered. A wineglass from the kitchen would be her chalice. Now, all that she had to do was wait for Jeremy's return. As the night dragged on, Ravyn fell asleep on the bed. Two hours later, Jeremy returned to Olympius.
"Sorry it took so long, Ravyn. I..." Jeremy started.
Jeremy closed the door behind him as he gazed upon her. Asleep, he thought. He opened his mouth to awaken her, but closed it again. She looked so peaceful there on the bed. Besides, Ravyn would need all the sleep she could get. Tomorrow would be a long day for them both.
Jeremy awoke with a start as sunlight poured into the room. His whole body ached, for he had fallen asleep upon the windowsill. Ravyn, he noticed, was gone! Had it already happened? Did Corrigan and Damaris come for them so soon? Panic struck deep in his heart. Just then, Ravyn stuck her head into the room.
"Rise and shine, sleepyhead! Breakfast is ready." Ravyn said cheerfully.
"I'll be down in a moment." Jeremy replied, relieved that his love was safe.
Jeremy glanced out of the window. Everything seemed quiet. The world was wrong, he thought. The world had no idea as to what was to happen that day. It would know soon enough. Jeremy went downstairs to the dining room.
After the meal was done, Ravyn and Jeremy retreated to Jeremy's bedroom. It was time to begin the spell. In only a matter of hours, they would reach the mansion. Not even that long, Jeremy thought. Everything was set out onto the makeshift altar. The Book of Shadows lay in the center of the desk, the wand to the left of the chalice at the top of the altar, and the daggers on either side of the Great Book. The red candles, in a triangle form, were placed in the upper left-hand corner, with the black one in the upper right. A small brass bowl was placed in the lower right corner.
"Jeremy, I need the matches now." Ravyn instructed.
Jeremy dug around in his pocket, pulling out nine matches. The matches were placed in the lower left corner. The small vile of virgin blood was poured into the chalice ever so carefully. The soil from the Village Square was placed in the bowl. It was time to begin. Ravyn excused herself to go and get ready.
When Ravyn returned, Jeremy could barely believe his eyes. Ravyn was clad in a black shift, what a High Priestess wears in rituals. She truly was beautiful. Power seemed to pulsate in her eyes. Jeremy stared at her for a moment.
"Ready to get started on the spell?" Ravyn asked.
"Oh, yes. I'm ready." Jeremy replied, stunned by her beauty.
"Watchtower of the East," Ravyn started, holding the wand in that direction, "join us with your knowledge so that we can cast this magick. I summon you to us this morn. Watchtower of the South, join us in strength so that we can have victory. I do summon you to us this morn. Watchtower of the West, join us with courage to face our goal. I summon you to us this morn. Watchtower of the North, join us with power to work our magick. I summon you to us this morn." Ravyn chanted.
Jeremy watched the sorceress closely. She had been taught well by both of her instructors. Ravyn placed the wand back upon the altar. Jeremy glanced out the window. He could feel the time slipping away from them. Ravyn picked up the matches.
"Goddess Diana, I light this candle for you, black as night with powers untold. Goddess Hesta, I light the second candle for you, red as fire flames. Goddess Nike, I light this candle for you, red, too, for blood shed and victory for our side. Goddess Morrigan, I light the final candle for you, red as war and death."
Ravyn picked up the brass bowl of soil. Holding it up to the heavens, she blessed it. Taking a pinch of soil, she held it over the chalice. Just then, the wild phantom horses were heard in the distance. A shot of terror crossed Ravyn's face. Corrigan and Damaris were just outside of the village. Time was short. Ravyn sprinkled the soil into the chalice. Setting it back down onto the altar, she lit the remaining matches.
"I bid you go. So mot it be!" Ravyn exclaimed, throwing the flaming matches into the chalice.
Flames of glowing blue and green shot up from the cup, then vanished. Ravyn and Jeremy rushed over to the window to see if the spell had worked. A fiery glow, unnatural and blue-green, encircled the village. There was no sign of Damaris, or of Corrigan. Ravyn breathed a sigh of relief. Then, the worst happened.
A black mare sprang out of the fire and mists. Damaris had survived. Corrigan, however, had been defeated. But, Damaris was coming towards the mansion at lightning speed. Revenge glistened in her violet eyes.
"What are we going to do?" Ravyn cried hysterically.
"We'll have to fight her." Jeremy answered her.
"I wish that we could be together forever." Ravyn said, a tear forming at the side of her eye.
"As soon as all of this is over, I will take your hand in marriage. We shall be together always." Jeremy promised.
"Jeremy, I love you." Ravyn squeaked out.
As Jeremy and Ravyn were about to kiss, the door burst open. Damaris stepped in. Her blue dress was barely scorched. The flames seemed to have no affect on her. She glared at Ravyn and Jeremy.
"You thought that you two could defeat me." Damaris raved. "But, you can't! You see, my shield protected me from the flames, but Corrigan wasn't as smart as I. He never had the chance to put up a shield. I called upon him to help me get rid of you, sister. You have gotten in the way for the last time. Now, you shall die! And, I must say that Corrigan was rather upset to learn that you had left him for another man."
And with that, Damaris raised her hands to the sky. The entire world darkened, as if it were midnight. Jeremy drew his sword from above the window. Ravyn grabbed her daggers from the desk. She knew that the wand was not powerful enough to hold off Damaris. She had taken Corrigan's powers before he had died! She was the Devil in the oil.
"Now you will die, Ravyn!" Damaris exclaimed. "With all the powers of darkness, I summon up Hell's fire to damn you into Hades! Fuochi de diavolo, uccidere femmina domi dumanos!" With the last words said, Damaris pointed her hands at Ravyn.
Violet bolts shot out of her fingers and towards Ravyn. With lightning quick reflexes, the bolts were deflected to the walls behind Damaris. Pieces of the now scorched wall fell to the floor. Now, it was Ravyn's turn.
"I call forth all the powers of Diana, the Goddess of Power, and Queen of the witches! Presepio diem Luna e luce, met tao che cosa e cattivo! E lontano lavoro morso!" Ravyn exclaimed.
Green bolts of light flew from Ravyn's fingers, hitting Damaris. Not being able to withstand the jolt, Damaris fell to the cold, hard ground. Shaking her head, Damaris began to sit up slowly. Ravyn walked over to where her evil sister lay. Blood slowly became visible on her scorched cloak.
"Sister, I do not wish to fight you any longer. You have proven that your power is much stronger than mine. I am defeated." Damaris said in a raspy voice.
Ravyn bent down to her sister. Was she telling her the truth? Ravyn's mind was telling her to finish the job, but her heart was saying otherwise. Thus, the choice was made. Ravyn took Damaris' out-reached hand. As she helped her wounded sister to her feet, she found that her actions were a mistake.
Damaris seized Ravyn's daggers before she knew it, and held them to her throat. Jeremy started towards them, but stepped back. He knew that if he made one move towards them, Ravyn would unmistakably die. This way, maybe she had a chance of survival. Jeremy knew that he had to do something. At that moment, the inevitable happened.
"Say goodbye to your beloved Ravyn. She will no longer be with us. Morte diement cursum!" The evil sorceress chanted.
With that, Damaris slit Ravyn's throat and pushed her out of the window. As Damaris watched Ravyn fall, Jeremy knew what he had to do. Gripping the sword tightly, he used his vampyre quickness to seize the moment. Moving quicker than the mortal eye could follow, he moved in behind Damaris. As she turned around to face Jeremy, he pushed the sword into her stomach. Turning it sharply, Damaris fell to the ground, dead.
Jeremy stood at the grave of his dead love. A tear fell from his wet eye. Another female was out of his life forever. The word around town was that the wars were growing inevitably closer. Maybe he would join the army. There was nothing left for Jeremy here now.
"Jeremy Evans, it is hard losing your mother and beloved. But, I bring you news. News that I think you'll enjoy."
Jeremy turned to see who was addressing him. A young man, dressed in war uniform, stood behind him. How could this man bring him good news, Jeremy thought. But, what did he have to lose? Interested, Jeremy inquired about it.
"As you know, the war is moving closer to us. We are in need of good men to take command at posts in this area. To lead us. The High Commander of the Army has chosen you for this area. Your town is large, and your mansion is very strong. You are a born leader. Will you take this honor?"
Jeremy thought about it for a while. Could he really lead troops? How about his brother Damon? He had joined the other side of the army. Damon hadn't been there for him, or their mother, and was fighting on the side that had killed their father.
"Yes, I will join." Jeremy said finally. "Is there any word on Damon Evans, or on Merrilin Davis?"
"There is." The young man said. "The queen is being protected by Damon. I hear that they are yet betroved to each other. They are near here now, in a village across the river named Watermark."
"Thank you, young man. You are dismissed." Jeremy replied.
The young man saluted and left. Jeremy turned his eyes to the three gravestones before him. Tears welled up in his eyes. He would have revenge for all of the deaths of his loved ones. And, he would take Merrilin as his bride.
"Mother, Damon will pay for not being there for us. His side will pay for your death, father. And Ravyn, I will always love you. Eternally. You will understand what it is that I will do." Jeremy cried as he laid blood-red roses on their graves.
As Jeremy walked away, his once true heart turned to stone. He would do everything it took to capture Merrilin. His dynasty would live on in their children. Damon could do nothing to stop that. Jeremy had turned to all of the powers of evil.
This page hosted by
Get your ownFree Home Page