The Awakening (18 page)

Calm, she instructed herself, be calm, think. There must be something heavy in her room that she could bash against the door to open it. But of course: the bedroom window. She ran back through the growing smoke and the increasingly acrid smell. How had the fire possibly started? She opened her curtains to find that the window was well and truly locked. She grabbed a ceramic vase that she’d never really liked, a present from her mother, and smashed it against the glass but it seemed to bounce off. She stepped away from the window, closed her eyes and centred herself. If ever there was a time to look within herself this was it. She breathed as deeply as she could, felt herself swell and strengthen: she held her head down and launched herself at the windows, breaking effortlessly through the glass and steel bars outside. She called the dogs through to the clear air outside. She could see the flames lapping at the curtains in her living room. It was a big fire: fast and furious. She couldn’t believe it was caused by her own carelessness in the kitchen. But how else could it have started? Perhaps there was an electrical fault? That was possible, she thought as she gather her bag and remaining possessions together, this was an old building. She moved away from the building, found the key to the back gate and found safety on the street. She was amused by how little pain she felt for her physical efforts back there: the glass hadn’t even touched her, not a scratch. She was clearly a great deal stronger than she’d thought. She looked at her hands and saw the thick blond hairs of a wild animal receding. She was neither surprised or not. Well, nothing seemed to surprise her anymore.

Outside she heard sirens, the noise of fire engines going about their business. She walked down the lane way next to her building to find a gang of emergency servicemen all working on saving her apartment. The police were there as well. She recognised Andrew’s friend from the break in.

He was visibly relieved to see her. “Oh, thank God. Thank God, Carmen. Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Josh Alexander took her by the hand and led her to the waiting ambulance.

“I’m fine. Just fine,” Carmen nodded. “We’re all out and in one piece.”

“Good to see your dogs are okay,” he warily patted Alaska, who, along with Zanzibar, was baring her teeth at the policeman.

“I’d still be in there if it wasn’t for them,” Carmen said. “I literally owe my life to them.”

“Any idea what happened?” Josh asked.

Carmen shrugged. “I just woke to a feeling of intense heat and an overwhelming smell of smoke.”

Josh nodded. “Look I’ll have to ask questions later. You get checked out and I’ll let the guys know you’re out. We’re just about to send someone in.”

Carmen sat down, the shock beginning to take hold. “Thanks, Josh.”

“Look, should I call someone? Andrew?”

She shook her head. “He’s in Australia.”

“Well if you think of anyone.”

She nodded. She’d thought of one person but Josh wasn’t the person to tell. Someone put a blanket around her and handed her a cup of coffee. She breathed in, took in a huge lungful of cool New York night air. “Thanks.” She looked up and saw exactly the person she expected to see.

“You took your time,” she smiled.

Victor sat beside her on the wall and she let him put his arm around her. “I had to make a few calls first,” he smiled. “Are you all right, Carmen?”

She nodded, more pleased to have him here than she would have expected. “I think everything’s charcoal and cinders in there but we’re out and we’re fine. Zanzibar saved me.”

Victor patted both dogs and just as when they went to Victor’s cabin, rubbed against his legs and let him pat them for as long as he wanted. “An exceptional dog. Well worth his weight in gold. As are you, my beautiful Alaska.” Victor bent down to look her in the eyes and Carmen swore that Alaska smiled at him.

“So, how did you know?” she asked.

“You know the answer to that,” he hugged her close. “Let’s not have silly conversations tonight. You need to be safe. You can’t live here any more.”

“Well, no,” Carmen laughed. “I’ve nothing left.”

Victor laughed too. “Exactly my point.”

She snuggled into his warmth, pleased to be safe. She wouldn’t think of how close she’d come to death. Life had become too dangerous lately. If she thought about it she would end up an anxious mess. No, sometimes bad things happened to good people for no reason.

“That’s three now,” she said to Victor.

“I know. And there’s more to come,” he said in his calm, matter of fact voice.

She looked up at him. “Why? Why are these things happening, Victor? They’re not random are they?”

“I’m afraid not. Now that you are awakening your enemies are gathering.”

“But I’ve never hurt anyone. I’ve always got on in the world. Some jealousy, lots of envy but not enemies, Victor. That’s a very strong word.”

“I use it advisedly, Carmen. There are many people in the world who do not want you around. You represent a real danger to their enterprises and existence. They know how formidable and powerful you will be. This is small stuff. A taste of what is to come.”

“Small stuff, Victor?” Carmen stood up. “My dogs have been poisoned, I’ve almost been attacked and now someone has tried to burn my home with me in it. This is small stuff?”

Victor nodded slowly. “I don’t lie to you, you know that.”

“So what do I do?”

This was Victor’s moment. He could tell her the truth, that there was an option. She could stay with Andrew and let marriage and children obliterate all her power. Once she chose that path she could never go back. Victor knew her feelings for Andrew, knew of her confusion and turmoil about her growing feelings for Victor. He wasn’t certain enough of her yet to trust her to make the right decision. His choice was clear: she could not be allowed to choose. She had to continue along the path to power and immortality. Should he tell her that was what lay ahead? No, she wasn’t ready yet. Victor looked at her golden head resting on his chest. She was still struggling with it all. To tell her too much at once would not further the cause. Enough that she had not entirely rejected all that he had brought her so far. Her resistance was fading, she would soon be able to accept all that she needed to know but he could not let her choose. He had to keep her true to the cause even if it meant he told the odd lie. He looked to the sky. It was a clear night, the stars sparkling. He found Ursula in the stars and she seemed to shine brighter as he wondered about his actions, confirming his decision. He could not give Carmen options. “You accept your destiny and fight.”

“With what?”

Victor sighed. “You have no real idea of the power you possess. You’ve had a taste here tonight as you changed and burst out of the fire. Your enemies know. That’s why they are trying to stop you now before I complete my instruction. Once you have embraced your destiny they know that you will be invincible.”

Carmen paced the sidewalk for a few moments, considering his words. “You know, Victor, my life was under control before I met you. I think my relationship with you is the problem.”

“I understand that you would like to think that and believe that cutting all your ties with me will solve your problems. But, my dear, the dragon, so to speak, is woken and nothing can put him or her, in this case, back to sleep.”

Carmen glared at Victor.

“In other words,” he smiled, “I am not the issue: you are.”

Victor took her hand and squeezed it. She felt that comforting thrill of warmth and calm that touching him always yielded. “I need you to be brave. This is not the time for retreat, or safe options. If this were a small matter, where you really had choice I would let you go. But my task is to follow this through. I have no choice. You must accept your destiny.”

Carmen let Victor enfold her to his big warm body. She stood leaning against him as the firemen tidied away their hoses and equipment. She could see that there was not much left for her here.

Josh Alexander was walking towards them. She moved discreetly apart from Victor.

“We’ve got a bit of work to do here,” Josh said. “But you need to find a place and get some sleep. Just a few quick questions, if you don’t mind, Carmen?”

She nodded.

“Now you think it wasn’t anything left on in the kitchen, no hot plates or toasters? A cigarette or candle? We get a lot of fires from those aromatherapy candles. Dangerous little things.”

Carmen shook her head. “I had pizza for tea. I went out about seven, took the dogs and got dinner. I had a mineral water from the fridge. I don’t smoke. I don’t light candles or incense. I’m fire safe. Was it an electrical fault?”

Josh shrugged. “Can’t be sure of anything yet. But it looks like it all went up very quickly. You are lucky to get out alive.”

‘Was it deliberately set?” Victor asked.

“No sign of forced entry, so hard to say. It seems like last time with the dogs, Carmen,” Josh said. “Who else has a key? If this was deliberately lit then someone got in here without damaging the doors. I guess it could have happened when you were getting pizza.”

“So much for all that security,” Carmen shrugged, so much for keeping her safe, in fact the new security system had nearly killed her. “No fire alarms or warnings at all.”

“Look, I’m not saying it was deliberately lit or there was a break in. But it does seem suspicious, especially if you’re now telling me that the alarm was disabled. My people will come in tomorrow and investigate thoroughly.” Josh tried a comforting smile. “Now, do you have somewhere to go? Can I take you anywhere?”

Victor stepped forward. “It’s all right, detective. I can take care of Carmen.”

Josh looked at him suspiciously. “And you are?”

“Victor Bernhard.” Victor extended his hand. “I’m Carmen’s boss and Andrew Adams’ as well.”

Josh smiled. “Of course, Mr Bernhard. I love your calendars. I’ll be in touch, Carmen.”

Carmen watched the police and firemen drive away and she was alone with Victor and the dogs on the empty street.

“Come home with me,” Victor pulled Carmen back into his warmth. He so wanted to have her much closer, to have her all to himself, to bring her to her destiny this night. But he could keep his own desires at bay. He knew she was destined for him. He’d been waiting such a long time but he could wait a little longer if he had to. He knew that above all else she had to come to him of her own free will or all would be lost. He had to look within himself for all his reserves of patience and trust. He knew she believed him now, that she felt the differences within her but once she was back in Andrew’s lair there was no knowing what would happen. Victor was not convinced she was strong enough to withstand the Adams charm. Surely he could tell her of the dangers, surely the elders would risk some revelations to win the day?

“I can’t Victor,” Carmen sighed. “I have to give Andrew a chance when he gets back. If I come with you I can never be with him again. You know that. I have to know if I really love him. I think I do, but when I’m with you I’m so over-whelmed by you. All I can see is you. Being with you confuses me so much, Victor.”

“You’ll be safe with me. They can’t get you if you’re with me.”

“But who are they, Victor? You could be the enemy for all I know. You know all about the disasters in my life. You turn up here before I have a chance to call anyone. Did you set the fire? Are you trying to kill me?”

Victor sighed. “I know you’re upset, so I’ll excuse that accusation, because I do understand your dilemma. When you’re with Andrew you only want to be with Andrew. He is compelling, charming, sexy and powerful. You are blinded by his flattery and attentions. You can’t conceive of being with another man. But when you’re away from him you are full of doubts. Especially when you’re with me.” Victor looked at her forlorn face. “If you don’t trust me, trust the dogs. Do they like me? How are they with Andrew?”

Carmen sighed. She knew the truth of that. The dogs loved Victor; they hated Andrew, despite their recent efforts to please her by being tolerant of him. “Are you telling me that Andrew is my enemy?”

“I’m telling you to look deep into your heart and the hearts closest to you. Your friends, your true friends are trying to protect you but you are doing all you can to sabotage yourself.”

“I need to be sure of him. Sure of myself. Surely you don’t want me unless I’m sure about you?”

“You are risking more than your heart and happiness with me. I wish you could take my word for it and just come with me now and forget all about Andrew. I can only guarantee your safety if you are with me.”

Carmen looked into his blue eyes for a long while. “I have to risk it. But just for a while, Victor. A small while.”

“You don’t have a lot of time, Carmen. Your enemies are gathering strength. You are not safe, not until you accept who you are. You need to be with me.”

She pressed her fingers to his lips. “Have some faith, Victor. I’m going to Andrew’s. I have the key and some of my clothes are there.”

“Carmen, I-”

She kissed him quickly and felt that unmistakeable pull to be with him. But deep inside she knew she had to deal with Andrew. Running away with Victor and indulging his fantastical ideas was not the right thing to do. She knew, in that place that Victor kept telling her to look, that Andrew had to be given another chance. After all he loved her and wanted to marry her. All Victor was promising was mystery and danger. Besides she needed to be sure. Something was telling her that not only did she need to be sure about Andrew, but she needed to be sure about Victor too. She had to make her own choices. She understood better than Victor realised. She was on the edge of the universe and it was all about to change. She had to make the right decisions for the right reasons. She knew Victor knew that too. Perhaps his own heart was getting in the way of his task? Perhaps he was more threatened by AA than he was admitting and his advice was suspect?