Legion of Loch Ness

Chapter Eighteen

       It was a cold day. The funeral of Penelope Winstromhad been a grand affair. Hundreds of people had turned upto pay their respects, despite the weather. She had beenlaid to rest with her family by her side. Her youngdaughter had clutched onto her brother's hand and theirfather had held them both, making false promises of thepeace and calm that would eventually follow.When everyone had left, Arabella stepped forward.She had been there at the funeral from the start but hadmade sure to keep out of everyone's sight. When she wassure everyone had left, she walked to the freshly filledgrave and stood looking at the ground where PenelopeWinstrom lay. As she stared at the new grave, she felt atpeace after a very long time. She raised her head up to thesky and as if sensing her calm, the clouds cleared awayand bright sunlight radiated from the sky. She glanceddown and took a deep breath. It was over. The monsterthat had hunted her sweet sister and countless others wasgone forever. No other sister, mother, daughter, brother, father, husband would have to lose their loved ones tosatisfy the creature's insatiable need for vengeance. 

      "Goodbye, Penelope Winstrom."She was startled at the sudden sound behind her. Sheturned and glimpsed Jason walking away from her. Hadhe been on his way to talk to her? Had her wordsdiscouraged him and pushed him away? Everyone saidshe was young, that she'd move on, and find someoneelse. But Arabella knew that was not true. She knew therewould never be anyone for her except Jason Winstrom.Only Jason. She walked back to her car.Jason watched Arabella's retreating form as shewalked to her car and drove off. He stepped forward fromthe darkness he had created to make himself seeminvisible to everyone he didn't want aware of hispresence. He had wanted a quiet moment by his mother'sside before he went home. He had been surprised to seeArabella standing by the grave but had turned awayquickly and suspected that Arabella had seen him. Stillstruck by her betrayal, he was not ready to talk to her.The bitter truth rushed to the surface of his mind. Hecould have killed Arabella Thameson in a moment if he'dwanted to. But he had spared her life, instead watching ashis mother was murdered by her. He would never forgiveher for putting him in that position, for forcing that choiceon him. Perhaps he would never forgive himself formaking the decision he'd made.

      Jason could feel the rage inside him diminish hishumanity. Was that his destiny, to become a monster likePaletine had been? Could he ever go back to being thenormal person he had been just days earlier? He knew fora fact that he could not. Would not. He sensed Evanemerging from the shadows. Jason lifted his hand to stophim from approaching him. When Evan halted midstep athis command and looked at him with a question in his eyes, Jason simply nodded in reply. Evan bowed down tohim and disappeared as swiftly as he had appeared. 

                                                                      *** 

     Noah rang the doorbell to Ethan's apartment. He hadcome to say goodbye to Ethan. It had been an awkwardrelationship at first, but they have bridged the gap slowly.Now Noah was sad that Ethan was leaving. He wasmoving to England temporarily to trace the roots of theSyndicate. They were all relieved that Paletine was dead,but none of them would feel completely safe until theyhad found and finished the Syndicate as well. Noahunderstood the reasoning but was surprised at how sorryhe was to see Ethan go.Ethan opened the door and smiled at Noah. He hadknown his only child for a few months, and he wasdreading saying goodbye even if it was for only a fewmonths. Noah followed Ethan into the living room andwas surprised to see Annaliese sitting on a corner chairwith Victoria and Arabella. Victoria got up as soon as shesaw him, came over to him and gave him a quick kiss ingreeting. Then she went to join the other two ladies on theother end of the room.

    "Noah, I just put on some coffee. Can I get you some?"Annaliese asked, smiling.Behind him, Ethan laughed. It was an odd sound.Everyone seemed surprised by it. No one had heard Ethanlaughing out loud before.