Spellcaster series #5: The Sage

Book 2: The Runaway

HEIDI

Sounds of Peter Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers wafted through the Vampire Lair as couples danced under a grand crystal chandelier. Ladies in their dark-coloured frocks whirled in fluid grace while the men with straight backs led them. Giggles and excitement floated about, riddled with the music.

Tristan's ruby eyes did not leave me once. He had the widest smile as he twirled me and I spun one full round before catching his hand. We waltzed on the wooden floor, our feet in sync; one, two, three...one, two, three...

"I've got a better idea," he paused while the Vampires around us continued. "Come with me."

He broke off from me and squeezed his way through the rhythmic crowd. I followed, eyes on his thick brown locks. His red coat swung behind him, emerging and disappearing between lively, inebriated immortal bodies.

"Tristan?" I called but my voice did not reach him.

He continued striding his way towards a door and opened it. As I reached it, I stepped into a dark hallway that looked a lot like the Lucky Orphans. He was nowhere in sight.

"Tristan?" My voice reverberated off the walls.

Silence engulfed me. I turned around to see that the door I had walked through led to an empty room. The Lair had completely disappeared.

A slight creak behind me. I turned to see a blonde-haired lady dressed in white. She looked human.

"Can I help you?" I asked, a little confused.

There was an aura of melancholy radiating from her. I felt my heart grow heavy like we shared the same emotion.

"Save my son," she begged.

"I don't know who you are."

She took a step forward. "Please save my son."

I moved backwards involuntarily. Soon her skin turned pale and she was full-on running towards me, repeating the same words with more urgency and desperation. I whirled on my heels and to speed off but a pair of arms caught me.

Tristan steadied me between his hands, ruby eyes on me but there was something sinister in them. He turned me around to face the lady who flew towards me. I resisted but could not free from his iron grasp. The lady, whoever she was, opened my mouth and entered me through it.

I jolted awake, my breathing in a staggered rhythm. Mrs. Embers hovered over me, eyes wide with worry.

"Dear, you had quite a nightmare!" She took the book from my hands and placed it on the coffee table.

I did not realise that I had fallen asleep. It was dark out and the only light in the house came from the kitchen where Mrs. Embers was.

"No," I cleared my throat and sat up, "it's nothing."

She raised an eyebrow. "You say it's nothing yet you were calling out for your husband in your sleep."

"It was just a dream. I'm fine, Mrs. Embers."

She handed me a bottle of water from the refrigerator. "Oh, I believe we're way past formalities at this point. Just call me mum."

My thoughts halted at that foreign word. "I'll try to get used to it."

She nodded like she understood my hesitance. She was about to say something else when the doorbell rang. I jumped out of the sofa, a little startled, and instinctively grabbed my wand on the coffee table. I headed for the door, making as minimal noise as possible. Shadows moved underneath the door. I held the door knob with one hand and leaned in.