Blood Ties

Chapter 4: Explainations

Ileana POV

The cars pulled into the driveway of a small cottage that sat off a thin dirt track in the middle of a field. We passed through the gateway that lead to the house, but there were no gates between the brick posts. Instead a series of odd symbols that seemed to have been carved or burnt into the bricks, some of which glowed steadily or flashed dimly as the cars passed them.

"Protective sigils." James told me when he saw by bewildered expression. I mouthed 'Oh' in response as if I understood what that meant and continued to look out of my window as we pulled up next to the cottage behind the other car.

The cottage itself was surrounded by flower beds which were all in full bloom despite it being early March. As he parked, shut off the engine and we left the car I spotted a huge garden full of herbs, fruits and vegetables, again completely ready to harvest.

Walking round to the front of the house the door opened and an oldish lady stood on the doorstep waiting for us. She had short grey hair and thick black rimmed glasses, wearing a dark grey full length wool skirt and a flowery blouse that didn't match. "Oh I've been waiting to meet you for a long time my dear, you've grown so much since I last saw you. But then that was over 10 years ago. I'm rambling now. Come inside and we'll see what we can do for you." the old lady spoke quickely and then practically waddled back inside the cottage leaving me standing outside bewildered. I looked back at James uncertainly who motioned for me to go into the cottage.

I stepped through the doorway and looked around confused. What had appeared to be a small cottage on the outside opened up into a grand entryway that wouldn't have been possible from the outside. There was cream wallpaper on the walls with antique looking object dotted around. People milled around and I presumed they were family that lived there or freinds. They stopped talking and looked at me as I walked through to where the old lady had disappeared. When my back was turned many began to whisper but I couldn't hear what about.

I walked past them all and into a small room which was dark when I walked in; the blinds were drawn and lights switched off. The woman was sat at a small table like the sort of thing you would see at some weird physcics house. I sat down opposite her silently and waited. 

"You know, you look so much like your mother." the woman said as if remembering something.

"I wouldn't know actually. I don't remember her." I said flatly keeping my head down.

She gasped at that and looked behind me at the men from the other car who must have some in behind me. "So it is true then, what you told me." I can only assume they nodded because the woman said, "Well then I hope i can help her, poor dear."

Before I could ask her what she meant she began to mutter under her breath as she began to add various items on the table to an old wooden bowl. I presumed it was some kind of spell. I tried to listen to the incantation but felt myself become dissy. My body began to sway in the chair beofre I felt myself fall and hit the soft plush carpet as darkness engulfed me.

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James POV

I watched as the old witch performed the spell that was supposed to help Ileana. It seemed to be going well until I saw her eyelids begin to droop and her breathing elavate as she swayed in the chair. I went to move forward into the room to steady her when an arm blocked the doorway. I looked over at the guy that had been driving the other car as he shook his head. 

I looked back to the room when I heard a soft thunp and saw Ileana lying on the floor her eyelids twitching in unconcousness. The witch stopped her spell and I was allowed into the room. I ran to Ileana's side and checked her pulse quickely. It was fast but ok. She was muttering incoherently and her eyelids twitched as if she was dreaming. Scooping her up in my arms I laid her gently on the deep cushion covered couch waiting for her to wake up.

After an hour or so she was still unconscious and the others were becoming restless.

"James, we need to leave here and get her to a safer location. The school." one of the men said.

"But sir..." I started but he cut me off with a wave of his hand.

"We take her to the school. You'll follow our car. I take it you are returning this term." I nodded. "Okay then. Let's get moving." The other man moved to Ileana and scooped her up flinging her over his shoulder uncaringly. I followed them out silently knowing better than to argue with him.

We drove the long road to the school that sat in the middle of no where. It was a grand set of buildings that held classroom, study halls, dormitories and other such things that a school like this needed. I parked where I normally did in the student garage behind my dormitory; I stayed at this school as well and had done for a few years. It was a school for any children that were ‘immortals’ or ‘supernatural’ where they could learn not only in a protected environment but also about human and immortal affairs. It was basically a secondary school and college for monsters.

I couldn’t see the other car anywhere so instead went to my room where my roommate Nathan was laid on his bed with head phones in drumming along to some unknown song. He waved when I came in and went back to his music. Deciding it would be a distraction from whatever was happening to Ileana I put in my own headphones and laid back trying not to think about her.