Blue Moon (Book One in The Blue Crystal Trilogy) (38 page)

Not any more, I thought.

‘Sorry,’ I said, looking down.
‘I couldn’t come with you.’

I was saved from further
explanation by the arrival of our English tutor.

‘Why are you standing out
here?’ demanded Miss Widdicombe. ‘Come into the classroom. At least
pretend to show willing.’

She ushered us in and we sat at
our desks.

‘We’ll continue this at
break-time,’ said Seth in a whisper.

I nodded. That gave me a couple
of hours to get my story right.

‘Okay, I thought we’d take a
look at one of our set texts for next year,’ announced Miss
Widdicombe. ‘Who’s heard of Doctor Faustus by Christopher
Marlowe?’

‘I have,’ called out Seth,
sprawling on his chair, his legs too long to fit under his
desk.

‘And?’ asked Miss
Widdicombe.

‘It's about a guy who makes a
pact with the devil,’ said Seth. ‘He sells his soul for knowledge
and magic.’

He looked across at me and I
felt a prickling sensation at the back of my neck.

‘Very good, Seth,’ said Miss
Widdicombe. ‘The play is actually a sixteenth century morality tale
…’

Her voice droned on, lulling me
into a daydream. I began to imagine how life would change when I
stepped into the crystal’s blue light … how I’d stay seventeen
forever…. see the world’s through Theo’s eyes… be with him for
eternity.

‘Carry on, Emily.’ Miss
Widdicombe’s voice broke into my thoughts.

‘What?’ I stuttered.

‘Carry on reading. Oh, for
goodness sake, concentrate! Seth, show her…’

Seth pointed out the passage,
but before I could speak, he began to read the words in a dramatic
voice:

‘Till swol’n with cunning of a
self-conceit,

His waxen wings did mount above
his reach,

And melting, heavens conspired
his overthrow…’

‘Thank you Laurence Olivier,’
said Miss Widdicombe disparagingly. ‘Don't call us, we’ll call
you.’

There were a few sniggers
around the classroom and she looked at us with a resigned
expression. ‘Can anyone tell me what these words mean?’

‘Yeah,’ said Seth, lazily,
flicking his long dark fringe away from his face and slouching down
in his chair even further. ‘It’s referring to the story of Icarus,
the Greek guy who flew too close to the sun. His wings were made of
wax and they melted and he fell back down to earth. Kapow!’

He made a whistling sound with
his mouth, like a bomb flying through the air, and slapped his
palms together, making a splatting sound.

‘Without the sound effects,
thank you,’ said Miss Widdicombe. ‘But you’re right. It’s a story
about reaching too high and suffering the consequences.’

Seth raised his eyebrows and
glanced at me. He might be playing the clown, but he didn’t miss a
trick. He knew I was playing a dangerous game. I saw Tash looking
at him and frowning. She could sense a storm was brewing.

It began at break-time. I sat
in the cafeteria opposite Seth and Tash. Thankfully, Theo and
Violet weren’t there.

‘Okay, Emily,’ said Seth,
sitting back on his plastic chair. ‘Shpill the beansh.’

‘If that’s a Sean Connery
impression, it’s pretty bad.’

‘Sean Connery? Columbo, if you
don’t mind.’

‘Seth!’ said Tash. ‘Can we
stick to the point?’

‘Okay, Mish Moneypenny.’

Tash rolled her eyes. ‘Emily,
that story you told us about the blue crystal bestowing eternal
youth on those who bathe in its rays… It’s true, isn’t it?
Kimberley Chartreuse believed it. That’s why she held us at
gunpoint. What happened after we’d gone?’

Tash’s complexion was pale,
contrasting with her long, red Pre-Raphaelite hair and emphasizing
her big green eyes.

Seth flicked back his fringe.
‘You have to tell us, Emily. Last we saw of Kimberley, she was
holding the crystal and getting younger before our eyes.’

‘She didn’t make it,’ I said
brusquely. ‘The crystal killed her.’

‘Youza!’ said Seth, his eyes
wide. ‘Was it gory?’

I avoided his question. ‘Look,
stuff is going on Hartswell Hall. But the more I tell you, the more
you’re in danger. It’s better you don’t know.’

‘Emily,’ said Tash, softly. ‘We
appreciate you protecting us, but we need to know.’

I studied her face. ‘Okay.
You’re right. The story about the crystal is true. But as long as
you keep quiet, you’ll be safe.’

‘Safe from who? The de Lucis
family?’ asked Seth.

‘No. Not the family. Worse than
that. The Lunari.’

‘What, that fictitious shadowy
secret sect?’ said Seth with a laugh. ‘Try saying that
quickly…’

‘Seth!’ said Tash sharply.

‘Sorry,’ he said, putting his
hands up. ‘It’s hard enough getting your head round a mysterious
crystal with magical powers, but a supernatural sect? Come on.’

‘Believe me, Seth, they exist,’
I said. ‘And they are a bunch of psychotic killers you don’t want
to cross. I met them yesterday. ‘

‘OMG, they were at the hall?’
asked Tash.

‘That’s why you had to leave. I
couldn't let them find you there,’ I paused. ‘The problem is, you
were seen. And now they’re watching you.’

‘Meaning what?’ asked Seth.

‘Meaning you’re okay as long as
you don’t say anything. Otherwise….’ I did a slicing movement
across my throat with my index finger.

‘OMG, this is scary,’ said
Tash.

‘Great,’ said Seth,
sarcastically. ‘We’ve only got some weirdo spooks on our tail,
who’d kill us soon as look at us. Cheers, Emily.’

I sighed. ‘You wanted to
know.’

‘But, what about you, Emily?’
asked Tash. ‘You know about the crystal. How come you’re still
alive?’

This was the bit I didn’t want
to say.

‘I’ve done a deal with
them.’

‘What do you mean?’ asked Seth,
suspiciously.

‘I’m going to join the de Lucis
family. Bathe in the light of the crystal at the next full moon and
become one of them.’

‘No, Emily,’ gasped Tash. ‘This
is wrong. I always knew there was something bad about Theo and
Violet.’

Seth looked at me coldly.
‘She’s right, Emily. You can’t do it.’

I smiled ruefully. ‘You won’t
change my mind.’

‘You’re going to sell your soul
for eternal youth,’ said Seth in a flat voice. ‘Like Faustus. I
knew it.’

‘No. It’s not like that,’ I
said. ‘I want to do it. I want to be with Theo.’

Seth snorted in disgust.
‘Golden boy! He’s pressured you into this, hasn’t he?’

‘Absolutely not. He doesn’t
want me to.’

‘He doesn’t?’ asked Tash,
surprised. ‘Why not?’

‘The initiation ceremony is
dangerous. He knows I might not make it.’

‘You mean like Kimberley
Chartreuse?’ asked Tash, ‘What did happen to her?’

‘The crystal was too powerful.
When I got back to the Clock Tower room, the ageing process had
started to reverse. One minute she was young and beautiful, the
next she was an old crone. She withered before my eyes. Turned into
a pile of dust.’

‘OMG,’ said Tash, ‘I didn’t
like her, but she didn’t deserve that.’

‘Gross City!’ said Seth. ‘Wish
I could have seen it.’

‘No you don’t,’ I said. ‘It was
horrible. All bone and flesh and melting collagen.’

‘But the same could happen to
you,’ said Tash.

‘Without the collagen,’ pointed
out Seth.

‘It could,’ I admitted, ‘but I
touched the crystal and I’m still here. Chances are I’ll
survive.’

‘It’s too risky, Emily. You
can’t do it,’ said Tash.

‘I have no choice. If I don’t,
the Lunari will kill me. And this way, I get to be with Theo.’

‘Theo!’ echoed Seth.
‘Everything was fine until he came on the scene.’

‘I want to be with him,’ I said
slowly. ‘Whatever it takes.’

Seth said nothing, just looked
away, his face flushed.

‘I don’t want us to fall out,’
I said, ‘but there’s nothing you can do. My mind is made up. I’m
going to join the de Lucis family at the next full moon.’

‘Shouldn’t you wait for a blue
moon?’ asked Tash.

‘No, they only happen every
three years or so and it would be far too powerful. A full moon’s
enough to initiate me.’

‘And if we try to stop you….’
began Seth.

‘The Lunari will kill you,’ I
said.

‘Great,’ said Seth. ‘Do nothing
and we lose you to the de Lucis family; stop you and we all die.
We’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t. We can’t win.’

‘But, Seth,’ I said, quietly,
‘you’re missing the point. I don’t want you to stop me. I want to
be with Theo.’

‘Even if it kills you in the
process?’ asked Tash.

I looked at her steadily. ‘It’s
a risk I’m prepared to take.’

2. Family talk

Hartswell Hall nestled in the
warm spring sunshine, its honey-coloured Cotswold stone shining
with a golden glow, and even the carved gargoyles seemed to smile
rather than display their customary leers. The grounds overflowed
with spring flowers and the deep grassy lawns created a luxurious
green carpet beneath the lofty cedars. An atmosphere of tranquility
and peace pervaded the air, giving the impression of contentment
and sleepy harmony.

Inside, the scene was somewhat
different. The de Lucis family convened in the library, Violet and
Theo sitting on the large leather Chesterfield sofa, Joseph
standing behind. Opposite sat Viyesha and Leon, while Pantera stood
by the door, regal and haughty as ever. Edgy and taut, Aquila
hovered by the window, staring out on the gardens, an angry scowl
etched into his swarthy features.

Viyesha looked around the room,
her expression serene, belying the emotions beneath. As ever, she
was immaculate in a pale blue shift dress, her shimmering blonde
hair pinned back, her pale skin as smooth and flawless as polished
alabaster. She addressed them softly, her mellifluous voice calming
and caressing.

‘Thank you for coming,
everyone. It’s been an eventful weekend and we must plan
accordingly. For the moment, we have appeased the Lunari and they
have left, satisfied we can deal with the situation.’ She paused,
gathering her thoughts.

‘The events of yesterday must
never happen again. To compromise the crystal’s safety is
unforgiveable and could bring about the demise of us all. I take
the blame for leaving Emily alone and unprotected. I should have
let you stay with her, Theo.’

‘You did what you thought was
best, mother,’ he answered. ‘Violet and Pantera were here. You
thought Emily was safe. You couldn’t have known that woman would be
armed with a gun and knowledge of the crystal.’

‘I’d like to know how a
low-life private detective was able to provide her with information
about the crystal,’ said Leon, sitting back.

‘You said you visited him,’
said Joseph. ‘What did you find?’

‘Nothing but a grubby office
littered with waste paper, pipe tobacco and used coffee cups. The
sewer rat had long since scarpered, going back underground with the
flotsam of his world.’

‘Aquila, do you think you can
flush him out?’ asked Viyesha.

Black eyes glittering and
features contorted with rage, Aquila spoke in vicious, guttural
tones. ‘This would never have happened if I had removed the girl. I
lay the blame at Emily’s door.’

‘I agree,’ said Pantera, moving
in to the room. Her dark skin gleamed and her eyes flashed with
anger. ‘Our problems begin and end with the girl. She is not
welcome here, even if she survives her initiation. It was she who
allowed that woman to touch the crystal and harness its power, and
it was she who let in a feeder.’

She lowered her voice and
stared at Viyesha. ‘Such an act would have been punishable by death
in our previous world. Now we are in a civilised country, you have
grown soft, Viyesha. Your powers of perception are diminished and
your ability to act has deserted you. It is a weakness that could
prove fatal.’

‘A feeder should never have got
into the hall, let alone the Clock Tower,’ said Theo, through
clenched teeth. ‘I put the blame at your door, Pantera. You’re
supposed to guard the crystal. If anyone failed, it’s you.’

Pantera could barely contain
her rage. ‘How dare you accuse me. It is you who have placed us all
in danger by bringing an outsider into our midst. If it weren’t for
me, the feeder would have latched on to the crystal and achieved
human form. When I arrived, it was already leeching the life out of
your girlfriend. Thanks to me, she survived. Don’t forget, it was I
who destroyed the feeder and saved the crystal.’

‘Enough!’ shouted Leon, jumping
up. ‘This is getting us nowhere. We must unite, not fight. Enough
recriminations. Fault lies on all sides.’

He addressed Pantera. ‘I will
not have you and Aquila fracture our family stability. Emily is no
ordinary girl. Why else would Badru give her a stay of execution?
He sees her power and wants to see how she will transform. You must
accept her.’

‘Seems to me,’ said Joseph,
trying to lighten the atmosphere, ‘that we need to focus on finding
the private detective.’

‘You’re right,’ said Theo.
‘He’s getting his information from somewhere, which makes him the
real danger. It was thanks to him Kimberley Chartreuse met her
demise.’

‘Speaking of which,’ said
Viyesha, looking troubled, ‘have we contained the story? It was
most regrettable.’

Leon smiled ruefully. ‘I don’t
believe her absence will attract any attention. I understand she
has a twin sister all too keen to take her place.’

‘Oh, the fickleness of the
celebrity culture,’ laughed Joseph. ‘Don’t you just love the
twenty-first century?’

Viyesha looked thoughtful. ‘It
is the second casualty since our arrival. There can be no more
mistakes. For the moment, we will close the hotel to guests.’ She
paused, then spoke decisively, ‘Looking back achieves nothing. We
must move forward. I propose two things. Firstly, we must protect
Emily until she is initiated. And that includes you, Aquila and
Pantera.’