Chapter Seven

Evil Two

~N~

Blackstone Castle, 673, After Midnight 28th of October

In the shadows with the view of the garden gate Lola hissed, “Well, have you sensed her yet, or do we stand here all night again?” Kolo complained, “The sound and nearness of the river, is wearing on my concentration.” Lola gave rare sympathy, “Yes, I feel it too. Shall we move closer to the castle wall so we are further from the water?”

He sighed, “I am here because it is the closest I dare get, and still hope to not be seen by the vampire guards.” Lola scoffed, “You are still weak from your over indulgence of drugs and even this near, compelling Sidonia from such a distance will drain our powers. What if we meet with opposition and we are not capable of fighting? Do we dare continue?”

Kolo gasped, “It is not my holiday. I am weak because I compelled over a few dozen day guards! It is too risky to go closer to the garden gate we do not have control of the night guards.” Lola huffed, “So we have to stay on the damn dock because you cannot handle mind controlling a few guards? If the sound is not bad enough I can smell the bloody river.” He groaned, “I admitted I was wrong what more do you want?”

Lola smugly stated, “Yes, only after you saw her behind the gate, after she ripped up your note. Otherwise you would still doubt me.” He said, “Ugh, sister I think I sense her now. Oh damn, she is fighting me.” He grinned darkly, “I know how to trick her.” Lola sighed, “It was still stupidity to have doubted me. At least you did accept that you are wrong.”

She came out of Kolo, and was a dark green mist form alongside him. Kolo groaned, “Do not leave me.” She hesitated wanting to hear him beg, as her twin added, “It is so much harder to keep control on my own.” Lola smirked as she enjoyed proving to him that he needed her this much. Kolo pled, “Sister, I am losing my hold on the princess, help me.” Lola’s mist faded back inside of him, showing slightly on his left half.

Just as they were about to give up he saw Sidonia’s form appear suddenly in the garden. The princess’ lush dark hair flowed about her standing out against her pale skin and white nightgown. The Evil One became lost in thought as her features had him thinking she was as beautiful as her mother was, perhaps even more. She had definitely been kinder to him, yet he had never wanted her the way he desired Samala.

~N~

Coming back from his short break, Donatello misted under the princess’ door, not wanting to wake her. He found her room empty and felt the key was still in his pocket and wondered if she had gotten Grekan’s key from him. Instantly he blurred outside, rushing to the entrance of the five hundred square yard garden. Becoming solid, he flipped out his black feathered wings, so he could fly over the maze, statues, ponds, and crypt.

Going towards the south side gate, just in time to see Sidonia was leaving through it. Still, fifty yards away from him, Donatello went as fast as he could. Looking to the east where Kolo had been the previous night, he felt relief when no one was there. Until Sidonia turned going south, now to Donatello’s horror he saw Kolo was at the dock, much closer, than the previous night. His only hope was if he could get to Sidonia first, and it appeared Kolo was just waiting for her to come to him.

~N~

Kolo asked, “Where Sidonia is more likeable, than her mother, do you think I could give up Samala and be satisfied with her daughter?” Lola scoffed, “Even if you desire someone more than Samala, you will never give her up. She is your first love after all. You will always need to see her, like an ornament.” Kolo nodded, “Wise, I believe that is true.”

Lola now screamed, “Stop your damn dreaming, there is a guard following her!” Not feeling up to a fight, Kolo cursed, “So much for compelling the damn guards!” Lola gasped, “We could only do the human day guards, and clearly he is a vampire. Fly now! You must get to her first.” He disliked the pain that came with confrontation and it had him hesitating.

Gaining control of his left side, she forced him into a walk, as Kolo argued, “It is hard enough flying without her weight added to it, all while trying to lose him. Where can I take her, when he is following?” Lola screamed, “You whiney brat, kill him and compel her. You know we cannot let her tell Anthony of your designs on his book! It will get you killed. Do you want the damn Warrior book or not!”

~N~

Donatello saw Kolo was further away from the princess than he was, and felt confident he would reach her before she got to Kolo. Suddenly Donatello realized the fiend had noticed him, as Kolo began running towards Sidonia. There was a presence floating within the left side of Kolo and Donatello was astonished when he realized a ghost was possessing Kolo.

He worried, as Donatello had heard of Necromancers and Warlocks using spirit possession for more powers during a battle, he had never heard of a vampire using one. While it may not be in control of him, it was possible it would give him greater strength, like it did for the witches. He saw Kolo’s speed increased as he rapidly blurred towards the princess. Donatello was no longer certain he could reach Sidonia first.

Stunned Donatello knew he could not have matched Kolo’s speed and his only advantage was Kolo had started further away. The risk of losing brought a rush of adrenaline to Donatello. He needed an edge, as it was getting too close, now he shouted at the dark princess, “Sidonia! Wake up!” She stayed in a trance walking towards her doom.

Donatello debated flying passed her and into an attack on the fiend. He felt that Anthony would be furious if he did and lost. Then being honest with himself, Donatello was uncertain he could best him, if all she had said of his power over fire was true. Donatello pushed with all he had believing this was life and death for Princess Sidonia, as well as him.

She was heading straight toward her foe, Donatello admitted that Kolo’s power over her was too great at this nearness, and feared she might even fight his rescuing of her. Donatello risked all as he called out to her, “Sidonia, Kolo is going to kill you!” It worked, as she came to a stop. Suddenly she saw Kolo running towards her, and turned fleeing him. Now she also saw that Donatello was flying towards her.

While his risk paid off giving Donatello a better chance, he knew there was a price to pay. It was clear that the fiend had heard, as Kolo actually stopped in dismay due to Donatello uttering his name. Then fury hit and he came again even faster. Kolo screamed, “Sidonia come to me.” Now awake the princess was able to deny him. He yelled again, “I command you to come!” Even when this close she did not slow even a bit.

Donatello saw the look of murder in Kolo’s eyes and knew it would be deadly if he attacked them before getting Sidonia back in the castle’s protective gate. The fiend would be twice as likely to want them dead, and so there was no hope of him not becoming violent and attacking them both, if he got the chance.

Kolo gave in flipping out his wings as he gained speed, and now saw it still might not be enough, it caused him to scream, “You will pay for this betrayal. I will kill you both, in the most painful and slowest way possible!” With only a few seconds between them, Donatello did not dare land nor slow down to grab her. As if Sidonia knew, he saw her jump, allowing him to catch her in midflight.

Donatello turned sharply, and felt the hit of Kolo’s wings on his, as he headed right back to the gate he heard Kolo cursing, “Sidonia fucking belongs to me!” Yet some of that anger seemed to have slowed Kolo from overtaking them. It had Donatello doubting he was as old as he claimed. Still, Donatello felt the breeze caused by Kolo’s wings, and knew he was too close on his heels, and might enter the castle grounds behind them.

Focusing on getting through the open gate, Donatello did not hesitate to kick it shut and hope it latched before Kolo could enter. Hearing the bang of the metal clasp when it hit the metal base it appeared to have worked. Donatello quickly turned, as he had to see if the magic kept Kolo from entering. Now he smiled coldly as he faced his foe.

~N~

Kolo had been partly through the gate as it hit him. The power in the gate’s barrier tossed him over twenty yards, onto the ground, allowing the gate to latch successfully. Feeling like at tree trunk hit him, Kolo slowly stood up; and was unaware that when the gate hit it thrusted Lola’s green mist from his body, tossing her nearly twice as far. Dazed Lola helplessly went thirty yards beyond him, and plunged into the river.

The Evil One hissed, “I am not done yet.” His fury kept him from feeling the loss of his sister. Once Lola hit the water, it instantly triggered Lola’s death echo. Trapping the ghost in a hellish loop as Lola repeatedly drowned in her childhood watery grave. It was a mental agony, which had her form reverting to a defenseless child, and she drifted down stream.

Kolo relished the look of terror on the guard’s face as he dropped to the ground, and set Sidonia on her feet. He then told her, “Run for the castle.” Kolo watched the stunned dark princess remain, as she dared glare at him, while her vampire guard prepare for a fight. Donatello’s hand went to his hip, where his sword should have been causing Kolo to grin.

Now Kolo came flying back planning to come in over the gate, suddenly he hit into something as hard as stone. Then Kolo got the shock of his life. Frozen against the mystical boundary, Kolo could not release himself from its painful stinging shock. As he slowly slid downward, it burnt him where his skin touched the copper, of the tall garden gate.

~N~

Sidonia covered her ears, as Kolo’s screams pierced the air about them. The fiend shook under the force and his form began to smolder and smoke as the gate held his hands and right side of his face, in its clutches. The princess watched in horror as a strange dark delight filled her, and the hope of relief that this might be Kolo’s end.

The wicked smile came to her blood red lips seeing he was unable to release its grip, Kolo was helpless under its painful torments. Donatello backed away, glancing at the princess seeing how disturbed she was, he lifted Sidonia in his arms, she whispered, “Is he dead?” Donatello’s flight had caused a few locks to come lose and they hung down about his face, softening the harshness of his cheekbones,

It also kept his thoughts and eyes hidden from any who might see. He swallowed, “No. I doubt it killed him, even then he is not that burnt.” Holding Sidonia tight against his chest, he added, “Even dead he could heal enough in hours, and live again.” He felt her hair caressing his bare arms and had to wonder how she felt about him.

Sidonia seemed unaware of her hair reacting to her mood. He decided it was not the time to mention it, and tried to ignore it, as it curled about him. Donatello drug his eyes from hers, to stare back at the gate, reassuring himself that Kolo could not enter. She asked, “Did you see, he was possessed! I heard her speak once, I did not know she was a ghost.”

Donatello stepped back in concern, now unsure the barrier could keep out a phantom. Until Sidonia said, “No need to fear her, not even a ghost can enter this mystical barrier, unless the guards allow them in the front gate.” Sighing he admitted, “Good, I have no idea how to fight a shade. She made him unbelievably fast.”

Now he looked in her eyes and said, “I am sorry I had to say his name, it was the only way to bring you out of your trance.” Sidonia nodded, “You were right, it did. Still, until he is captured it shall be dangerous for you here. For he has seen you defend me and heard that you know him. I am certain the Evil One will seek revenge on us both.” Donatello mocked, “Not one evil. Now we are up against the Evil Two.”

He pulled in his wings and began walking into the castle and back to her room as he said, “I might leave after your father arrives.” She replied with concern, “It is wise. I should warn you I broke it off once and the Evil One came to the territorial meetings. He confronted me here in this garden. I suggest you go to the Mystical Realm, I am certain father will want you to work for him in either of his castles there.”

Donatello asked with surprise, “He has more than one?” Sidonia answered, “The Mystical Forest Castle, at Werewolf Mountain, the evil one really dislikes wolves in any form. The other is the Hallowed Castle, on the Forbidden Skull Island. It might be the best, for the evil one is afraid of water and refuses to fly over it.” Donatello chuckled, “I might as well go there. It seems I have already worn out my welcome here.”

She sighed, “I am sorry I know this is my fault.” He unlocked her room and laid her on her bed, as her eyes drooped closed, he asked, “Do you think you are alright now?” She said sleepily, “I hope so, I am just so tired. His Blood Magic has weakened me. I cannot keep my eyes open.” Putting out his hand, Donatello said, “Give me Grekan’s key, and I will lock you in.” She peeked through her closed lids.

Sidonia now realized her new problem, and tried to think how to mislead him as she said, “Grekan still has it.” She saw Donatello did not believe her as he slowly lowered his hand asking, “How did you get out of a locked room?” He turned going to her windows, and found them latched. Sidonia tried to think of a lie as Donatello insisted, “I want to capture Kolo so I can kill him or keep him dead.” She said nothing.

~N~

Samala came awake sensing she was free of Kolo. Her hands weakly went to the lid of her tomb and she could not move the heavy stone. Near death herself, Samala used what energy she had to quickly search, trying to connect with her son’s mind. Unwittingly Samala became a voyeur in her son’s dream as he relived a reoccurring nightmare.

It was sunset, when Rorik walked across the Rambler Camp, heading for the road to town. Nera saw him calling out, “Rorik I sense something like a shadow on your tomb. It would be wise for you to stay close to camp tonight.” Rorik rolled his eyes at her strange ways of telling that he is in danger and mumbled to himself, “You are not my mother.” Then he sighed hearing the ring of harshness in his words.

Now he turned to his great aunt and replied in a respectful voice, “I am meeting a girl. I will be back before midnight.” Nera said in a dire tone, “Stay here, go another night.” He groaned and Nera urged, “I could do a full reading and find out what this threat is, if you will give me an hour of your time.” He shook his head, “Not tonight; how about we do it tomorrow after breakfast.”

Nera glared and shrugged, “Tis the curse of your bad blood; four grandparents dead and both parents dead. Why be so careless with your life?” He cringed only a little, as it was not the first nor even the fiftieth time she had said this to him. Rorik now chuckled, “It would be unkind of me to leave the poor girl sitting at the Poison Potion Pub, and not show up. Then what excuse could make up for it, when I see her tomorrow?”

~N~

Donatello hissed, “I cannot leave if you can get out.” Sidonia shrugged. Donatello leaned in, “Why are you refusing to keep yourself safe?” He wondered if Kolo was controlling her. The princess admitted, “I do not remember. It is possible my brother left his key to his room. I have not tried it on my door though; it might work in either lock. Still I have no pockets and nothing on me, maybe I dropped it outside.”

There was a slight tell or it was just nerves, as she now bit her lip. It had Donatello feeling even the dark princess did not believe her matching key story. Donatello nearly shouted, “After all I have risked for you, somehow you do not trust me?” The dark princess’ stone expression had him seeing a wicked side of her that he had not expected and he did not want to explore it tonight. Frustration had him giving up.

It had him considering she was lying just because she could. Then her face softened a little going back to the innocent girl, he had believed her to be. She pled, “Do not blame Viktor. I have already said too much. I do not want you even telling Viktor that I left my room nor about Kolo.” Donatello frowned, believing she did worry for her brother.

Sidonia huffed at his silence, “He does not deserve any guilt for something I do not know he even did. Can you imagine if he thought I blamed him? It would haunt him.” Donatello glared, “Do you really want Kolo to escape, while you waste my time?” Sidonia shook her head in fear, “No. If it were up to me, I would tell you, of every likelihood of my escape. I usually would not admit this; I am too weak to do a vision.”

He frowned and she sighed, “I have already put my brother at risk of emotional damage, if you blame him. Just trust that my Father forbids me to speak of the other possibility-. Oh damn! I should not have implied that.” She shook her head at her mistake then added, “I hope you will not try to figure it out. Surely you understand that I will not go against my father’s wishes.” She nearly laughed at her own hypocrisy.

~N~

Spitting in the dirt, Nera studied it then said, “I see a moon-.” Rorik groaned, “She will think I am a coward, too afraid to leave camp, and be mad that I did not come long enough to warn her.” He looked at the other boys hanging about, “I doubt I could trust any of you to go give her the message.” They grinned and the dark one said, “Oh, I would be happy to tell her. In fact, I will even entertain her for you.” They all chuckled.

Nera hissed, silencing them, “No. I do not want anyone leaving the camp tonight.” Rorik huffed, “I accept your warning and I shall be overly careful going to town, and I promise, I shall come back early.” Nera shrugged and said in a dark tone, “Do as you like; just remember that I tried to warn you.” The shortest boy taunted him, “If you cross Nera she will cause hair to grow on your palms.”

The others laughed, and the dark one said, “You should listen; she once gave me horns, when I disregarded her warning.” Now the tallest nodded, “Try explaining either of those to you girlfriend.” Rorik kicked a small rock in their direction, and ran off before his great aunt tried to send a few chaperones with him.

He got far enough from the camp that they would not have heard him easily, when he entered the forest and was suddenly knocked down into the dirt. Now two men picked him up and held him, as a very thin looking red headed man stood before him, “I need you to find a book for me. Either you can agree, and I shall pay you a great deal of money or,”

Now as he smiled his fangs came down and his dull brown eyes glowed a dark navy blue, “I shall simply force you.” Samala screamed out, “Kolo you liar! You promised that you would never touch my sons!”

~N~

Donatello tilted his head, “You are lying.” Sidonia’s glare became as cold and hard as any criminal’s as she seethed, “Yes, I am sure Father did not wish me to be involved with any vampire let alone this one, I am not trying to hide behind the fact that he never told me to avoid the Evil One either. This is completely my fault. I just refuse to make it worse.”

Grabbing the sash from the curtain, Donatello tied her ankle to the bedpost in enough knots that he should get back before she could get out. Then he said mockingly, “I will try to hurry.” Locking her in, he misted back down into the garden. All the way out he wondered if she got out using a secret power, and did the prince have it too?

As he neared the south gate, he saw Kolo’s collapsed body had dropped from the gate to the ground. Donatello hissed, “Damn. I hope you are still dead.” He worried he would start healing, and then stopped as this man did not have red hair like the one chasing him. Yet it had to be him, confused Donatello saw the male was shorter with thin dull brown hair, and was a little plump. Still he went to the gate to drag him in.

Suddenly a drowned and more dead looking child of about the age of nine, came from the river rushing towards him. She was dripping wet and Donatello realized it was a ghost as the little girl halted to hover at Kolo’s left side. Now she screeched at Donatello, “I will see you dead in Nifl, before I let you take him!” Donatello was further shocked to hear anything more than a moan, from her.

Cautiously he started for the gate thinking, ‘Was this the ghost who had formerly been in Kolo?’ Not expecting the ghostly apparition to speak, let alone threaten him, Donatello also swore that the shade tossed out of Kolo had been a woman, rather than a child. The shade knelt and shook her brother’s body. The vampire guard gasped, “Clearly Kolo does not control her.” The child glared at Donatello and stood up.

~N~

Rorik huffed, “What book?” The man began to walk about them, “Your sister was supposed to find it, however she has failed, and is no longer speaking to me. It is a war book of your father’s- I mean Anthony’s.” Rorik assume this was what Nera had sensed, a Vampire would attempt to compel him into betraying his stepfather. He shrugged, “I can always use coin, what is the title of this book?”

The Vampire tilted his head distrusting his sudden agreement. Coming closer the red haired fiend said, “I believe the title is Blood Warrior.” Rorik chuckled, “Never heard of it, and I have definitely never seen it.” Kolo glared as he came to stare into his eyes, “Is that the truth?” Rorik faked a trance, “Yes.” The men holding him let go.

They believed he was under Kolo’s control. Suddenly Rorik plunged his dagger into the nearest one, and realized instantly his mistake. Pain radiated from his heart, pumping the poisoned curse through him.

~N~