Chapter Five

Evil Intentions

~N~

Blackstone Castle, after Midnight of 673, 27th, October.

Anger filled Sidonia and she attempted to blame the messenger’s death on his own choice for working with Kolo. Yet her guilt seeped through. Fear of sleep, had her writing what she needed to do, to reach a distant island. The list was not as long as she as she thought it might be, and looking it over, she was able to revise it shortening her steps.

By concentrating on her plan his will decreased and she grew confident in her ability to deny him. An hour later she finished, felt she was strong enough that she was safe, and no longer needed to run. If not, at least she had decided the best way to get to a foreign land.

~N~

When the lamp shined out through her window, Lola who was always on his left, mocked her brother, “I told you Sidonia was here and she was at our home last night. She saw your powers and heard you say Samala’s name. Then she fled, now do you believe me?” He chose to think she was lying, rather than accept this was his own fault.

Kolo argued, “Since I have failed to get control of her, it is more likely to be a maid, cleaning Sidonia’s room.” Lola mocked, “When have you ever been able to touch Samala in a dream? You danced her all about, and the horror on her face was simply delicious.” Kolo had a nagging feeling she was right yet questioned, “And you just let her leave?”

Lola sneered, “If you distrust me, then what are we doing here?” Kolo shrugged, “You know I am not willing to go to Witch Island, and do not feel like going through the gateway just to find someone I can compel to go there for me and wait there for them to return. I prefer to stay here for her return before the quarterly meeting. It was only a dream last night nothing more. You are just being cruel so you can watch me squirm.”

She shrugged, “I have no question about what I saw. Can you say the same?” Kolo suspiciously said, “No. I-I would not exposed myself in her presence and you would have stopped me.” She twirled her dull brown hair, “You were too delusional to know it was her and I did try to get you to stop her.” He accused, “If it was her why did you let her leave.”

Lola stated, “Do not blame me. I left, never liking to see you like that. When I returned I was exhausted and you had gone too far, with those filthy drugs and drunk as well. Otherwise, I might have used you, and captured her myself. Besides she is no good to us, if she has not delivered the precious book first, you know you desire it more than her.”

He accused his sister, “If it was her, you should have grabbed her, and I could have simply compelled her to forget. Then she would still be useful. You never would have let her leave.” She stated, “There was not time for me to react. I returned as you stopped dancing, tossed your fire and she saw and ran out. I was about to try to go after her, when you threw a fit, and I stayed to keep you from harming yourself.”

Kolo slowly remembered as Lola scolded, “This is serious. If you do not get her before Anthony returns, he will learn about you.” Kolo asked, “You think Sidonia would admit it to him?” She gloated, “Yes she was that frightened. I warned you not to indulge and even reminded you she was expected that evening. You insisted you were in control.”

He accused, “You let me expose myself on purpose, just to get back at me, for having a little holiday from childhood horrors that haunt me!” They glared at each other and even though she felt some sorrow over his suffering, she replied, “Oh boohoo, at least you can escape, I had to accept them. It serves you right that she caught you!”

Kolo hissed, “If you accepted the body I offered, you could enjoy it with me.” Lola scoffed, “No. I hate not having control, and you know I need a witch not a mortal they die too quickly. As angry as I am with you for acting so irresponsible, choosing the worst time possible to become a mindless twit; I would never endanger myself, just to make a point.”

He sniveled, “You are never at risk, only I am.” Lola countered, “Which of us is dead?” Kolo almost admitted, “Even if you are right, I am here, what else do you want?” Lola quipped, “For you to not be so bloody useless. Your addiction makes us vulnerable and it will be your downfall. If not for yourself, try to care about me. If they take you, I will be alone.”

Kolo nodded, “I promise to never do drugs away from home. Now will you help me?” She resisted until he begged, “Please.” Lola stated, “Fine. Yet we do as I suggest. I will bring one of the Human Guards, so you can get him under your control.” He frowned, “Why?” Lola smirked, “So if you fail to bring her, the Human Guards can.” He hated admitting it was a smart plan so he just nodded. Lola left and he blew his pointed nose.

Kolo wiped his brown eyes then ran his fingers through his thin dark brown hair pulling the ends into spikes about his face and shoulders. Sneering he tried to pull his vest over his bulging waste, and frowned at the length of pant bunched up at his ankles. Lola became nearly solid as she approached a Human Guard leaving the front gate. It was dark and foggy, so he did not realize and smiled at her. Lola rushed in him taking control. Kolo was startled as a white haired guard approached.

He quickly changed, now tall, thin, with red short thick curls, as he prepared to run or fight. Then the guard gave him a scornful gaze, causing Kolo suspect as he groaned, “I did not expect you back so soon.” He was certain when Lola spoke through the guard mocking him, “Why should I give you my energy, when you waste yours just to look pretty.”

His brown eyes began to glow dark blue due to his mist, as he cursed Lola, “Go to Hell. I do not need you. This is a waste of time Sidonia is still loyal to me.” Lola came out of the guard causing him to stumble. His sister’s purr made Kolo shiver, “Pprroove it.” She watched him strain trying to bring Sidonia, and now taunted, “Not so powerful are you?”

Kolo lied, “Do you want them to see my true image when I compel the guards or grab her? Fine, I should have waited- aw, see the light went out. It was a maid that is why I am failing because she is not even here!” He touched the pretty skin of his cheek. Lola hissed, “You are being a nasty toad, just remember this-.” He swallowed in fear as she made him wait, “I will kill her before I give up control of you!”

Kolo cursed, “You were never in control, and you are distracting me. Now help me get this guard compelled.” Lola threatened, “Fine I will, only to prove I am right.” Kolo whined with fear, “Tis not even January, and you are acting blood thirsty.” His twin entered Kolo and together they compelled the Human Guard, “You will obey me, and not scream.” Lola quickly took control and asked, “Is Princess Sidonia here?”

This infuriated Kolo causing him to huff, “Get out of me, Lola.” The guard gasped, as Lola came out, causing Kolo to nearly fall from weakness, now the guard said, “I believe the princess is in her room.” Lola clapped with glee, “See I told you she was here. I win!” Kolo grabbed the guard’s arm and sunk his fangs into his wrist.

Lola hissed, “Leave him enough blood that he can find us more!” Kolo felt a little stronger and compelled him again, “Go find some Human Guards, and bring them to me.” The whitehaired guard left. Now Lola sneered, “I am done helping.” She started to leave, and Kolo called to her, “Once Sidonia falls asleep if she is here, I shall gain control of her.”

Whipping about Lola came back over with terms, “I am willing to give you a night or two here in this dreary village. Then you have to admit you were wrong, and we spend time where I want, on what I want.” He nodded, yet still wanted to believe Sidonia was not there, and Lola was lying. She saw his nervousness and snickered, “You deserved these consequences. And, if you fail, know that I will deal with her… my way.”

~N~

Sidonia put out her light and fell asleep quicker than expected. Her dreams were as dark as her day, as Kolo coaxed, ‘Come to me, I promise to explain all, and everything will be all right.’ She fought it knowing it was lies, ‘I want nothing to do with you.’ Then a new dream came, she desired to dance in the castle garden.

As Sidonia twirled about her flowers, in the moonlight, she felt free, enjoying the cool grass under her feet. Kolo urged her to come to the gate and let him explain. She resisted, until he said the one thing that had always brought her to him, “You are in great danger, and are too young to survive the transition. You will die, if you do not let me help you.”

~N~

Donatello was patrolling from the walkway on top stone wall that was part of the fortress, which enclosed the castle. As he came back along the south riverside, towards the front in the east, he saw shadows under a distant tree. One appeared to be mist, the other was a red haired male, and Donatello followed their gaze to Sidonia’s darkened window. He flew to the castle window by the stairs, and then entered the private quarters.

He dared to try the princess’ door finding it locked; he became mist and went under her door. Now he saw the princess’ room was empty. He flew back out of her room, and quickly went out over the castle garden. There Donatello saw Sidonia, her hair swirled about her, as she walked towards the garden gate, as though she planned to exit it and go to the fiend who waited for her.

Landing behind her Donatello followed Sidonia as she went towards a less used back gate that led to the dock. He now halted her before she reached it. He expected she would be frightened instead, she was nearly unaware of his presence thinking it was someone else, she mumbled, “Why have you called me here?”

Donatello frowned and asked, “Where is Grekan, I cannot let you leave the grounds on your own.” She was not looking at him and her response seemed trance like, “I cannot wait, I must go to him.” As he grabbed her arm to keep her from going, he saw a glimpse of Sidonia’s bare feet. Pulling her cloak aside, he not only confirmed her lack of shoes, he also saw she was dressed in only her nightgown.

Turning her towards the castle, Donatello said, “Let me help you.” He was surprised when the princess said in an angry tone, “Do not touch me. Is it not enough that I came? I am only here so you can explain yourself, so tell me Kolo what do you want?” Donatello did not know what to say. She now scoffed, “Actually I no longer care to hear more of your lies. So just leave me be and I will have no reason to tell anyone.”

The name Kolo was unknown to Donatello and he got her walking again yet she stopped. Princess Sidonia gasped, “No. He is calling me to him, and I must go he is the only one who wants to save me.” Donatello assured her, “Your father will not like you leaving the castle at night.” She seemed more aware, as he added, “I am taking you back to your bedroom.” Sidonia went without resistance.

Still she whispered, “I do not want to go to him, I-I am so afraid, yet I cannot tell anyone or he will kill them, I must not even say his name.” Donatello fought the urge to fly off and confront this Kolo, yet the man he had seen under the tree, was not the man in the carriage. Instead, he chose to protect Sidonia, as he gently asked, “Why are you afraid Princess? You can tell me, I am here to help you.”

~N~

Lola gasped, “See! Now try denying that I was right!” He frowned, “What?” His sister pointed, “Sidonia is in the garden.” Kolo looked losing his hold on the princess, “Where?” Lola cursed, “Damn. A Vampire Guard just landed behind her and he is taking her back in.” Kolo saw yet scoffed, “Likely story. It does not matter I am too worn out to try again. I am going to find some blood and then go back to the cottage.”

The mention of the shabby home made her annoyed. Sneering Lola reminded him, “No, the guard is bringing you some blood. You need to stay and compel them all before we leave. Look he is coming with two more right now.” Kolo groaned, “It is not much help when I have to compel them making me weak again right after drinking!” Lola rolled her eyes, “You are such a big baby.”

~N~

Sidonia sighed, “I-I made a grave error and I am certain you lied about why you want the book.” Donatello asked, “What book? What was the lie?” She scoffed, “You did lie about having no powers, so do not pretend that you do not desire my mother.” Donatello felt some relief thinking that meant the fiend had no desire of the girl and hoped he had not tried anything. Yet the mention of her crazed mother made him cringe.

He felt certain it was not merely sleepwalking, for she was still in a trance, which meant a blood connection. Even more unfortunate he knew that Anthony was at a conference in the Mystical Realm. He walked her to her room, taking the key from around her neck he opened her door and put her in bed, then kept the key and locked her inside.

Donatello left her long enough to tell Captain Tik, “I found her in a trance. I saw a male beyond the wall and it appears he is compelling her, which means he has shared blood with her, and possibly much more.” He pointed in his direction and said, “If you send men right now we could surround him, and we might capture the fiend.” Tik looked afraid.

Still Donatello added, “Then we can find out whom he is, and hold him for her father. I am almost certain he can lead us to the vampire that killed his driver earlier; they must be working together. You also need to get word to High Lord Anthony as soon as possible.” His Captain spit, “You think to tell me what I must do?” Donatello stepped back, saluting.

Then Donatello tried to take back his mistake, “Of course not, sir. Sorry sir, I should have stated just the facts and allowed you to ask what you wished, and then tell me what I should do. The situation just got to me.” It was too late as he saw the fury in his captain’s eyes. Just like his original House, he took too much initiative causing anger in his superiors.

He disliked intentionally not thinking for himself, so a superior can do it for him. While he was good at following rules and orders when they made sense, he felt bad that he would be disappointing Anthony, after he gave him a job. Tik sternly ordered, “If you say a word to the damn High Lord, I will make him aware that you help pass their love letters.”

Donatello scoffed, “I intend to tell Anthony of my part in it myself. I prefer the consequences to something more happening to her.” Tik threatened, “No. You will hold your tongue, or it will be removed.” Donatello did not take kindly to this threat. However, any rebuttal at this point might get him dismissed, and then he could not watch over Sidonia.

Tik spat, “No one is informing him that we failed to do the job right, even worse that we enabled a foe to endanger her while he was gone. It would mean our necks.” Donatello tried to concede, “Take my tongue, if you fear I shall tell, just let me guard her. I will not let her be at risk, just to save pride nor position here. I do not believe Anthony will fault us. I will take the blame for the princess’ actions.” He said too much.

~N~

Lola sighed asking the white haired guard, “How many more Human Guards need to be compelled?” The Human Guard thought on it and Kolo demanded, “Is there more or are we nearly finished?” Then the guard replied, “I believe that is all of them, master.” Kolo grinned at his response. Lola scoffed ordering the guard, “Go back and check. Then come and let us know how many.” They watched him walk away.

Then Lola sighed, “Since you no longer need me, I think I will go home.” Kolo looked about feeling frightened by the possibility of facing a fight in his weakened state; he tried to hide it with a shrug. Then said, “If you do, then I claim victory and you are admitting you are wrong.” Lola hissed, “Fine, I will stay and watch you compel the last of the guards and we sleep the day here, in your pathetic cottage.”

~N~

Suddenly Donatello had Tik’s dagger cutting his rib. Tik ordered, “You think taking your tongue and dismissing you is the worst that shall happen? This is for all of us, not just you. Yes, watch her each night until the High Lord returns. Then if she sleep walks, you will bring the princess to her father in her dazed state.” Donatello nodded and it stunk of disobedience, so Captain Tik cursed him, “Do not breathe a word.”

Donatello nodded, Tik’s spittle flew as he said, “Nothing of the letters, nor her late night walks. What did she say of the notes?” Donatello replied stiffly, “She was paying a messenger to take them to the town Apothecary and Bookshop.” Tik scoffed, “And you believed her?” Donatello stated, “At first I had no reason to be concerned. Then it occurred to me that there was not a name on the outside of it.”

Tik huffed, “So?” Donatello explained, “It meant her messenger must open it to know which shop he delivered it to. There might have been another envelope within, or she might not have cared if he read her shopping list. Yet it was sealed. Still, I felt it was not my position to question her.” Tik felt intimidated by his logic, and scoffed, “Even after she ran back to the gate chased by a dog that we did not see nor hear?”

Donatello shrugged. Nodding Tik spat, “Exactly. We have failed to report all, and now cannot risk admitting anything to the king. I can see you trying to think your way out of this. Stop, clearly I am smarter, so I will tell you right now. You have no authorization to enter the realm gateway, and cannot go in daylight. You have no power nor a missive messenger to warn Anthony and I will kill you if you try.”

It was all Donatello could do not to become physically violent. Blackmailing him, Tik said, “If my reputation comes at risk, I shall make certain they dig a grave for you as well. I will tell him that you lied to me when I questioned the letter I saw you pass to a stranger, and I now believe it was at the Princess’ behest that you encouraged these communications with your fiend.”

As soon as his captain released him, Donatello became mist going in the castle, and to her door. Donatello heard Sidonia her trying to open her door, and misted under it. Now he shook her awake and stopped her from screaming with a hand over her mouth. When she was calm as well as looking wide awake, he removed his hand, and sat down in a chair.

Her eyes went wide, then she sat on her bed as he said, “You were walking towards the back gate. I stopped you and brought you back.” She gasped, “Oh, no!” Then Donatello nodded, “Now you have gotten me involved with your deceit and this fiend. So you might as well explain it all to me.” She shook her head, “It will only make things worse if I do.” He glared at her saying, “I am not leaving.”

Sidonia sighed, “I swear I was strong enough to resist him… oh damn, clearly I was wrong.” She now poured a drink, leaning against the headboard, “Pour yourself one if you like.” He did after moving his chair from her desk, over next to her nightstand. She hesitantly said, “I did not mean to get you in any trouble.” He shook his head, “I have a talent for doing that all on my own.”

She admitted in a pleading way, “By the time I began to question his reasons, it was too late. Yes, of course by then I knew it was not right, if he dared not have my father know. It is just at first it seemed easier, fun, like a childish game.” Her dire tone was mocking, “No harm done.”

~N~