Moonlight Denial: Shades of Moonlight Book One

“Owie,” Amelia whimpered as hands were placed on her scraped knee, hands that belonged to her mother.

“It’s all right, Baby, this will only take a second,” Cecile said softly as she closed her eyes.

Ethan watched curiously from a distance as the elegant woman’s hands began to glow a radiant white. Even from where he stood he could feel the warmth that came from the woman’s magic. It was too bad that soothing magic couldn’t dampen the level of hostility that was suffocating the room.

In the clan’s living room there was a war of suspicious, wary glares igniting. On one side of the room stood the clan and on the other the bulk of the Fairbrooke family: Cecile, Tabitha, Hailey, Roderick, and even the young man Preston was there.

How this had come to be was a miracle in itself. Amelia had continued to throw her hellish temper, blaming the whole clan for Nicoli’s kidnapping, and then announced that the clan was responsible for getting him back. Everyone had agreed, of course, they had planned to do it anyways, but then Amelia had thrown a wrench in the gears by saying she was going to call her family so they could help also.

Ethan winced from just the thought of how Conrad had raged. He had said it was out of the question and he was even against the idea of Amelia staying in their presence and ordered her to go home. To everyone’s surprise, especially Ethan’s, Amelia had gone right up into Conrad’s face and screamed on and on about how Nicoli was her friend and that she was going to help fix their screw up whether he liked it or not.

Before Conrad had a chance to snap her neck both Faith and Gavin pulled him aside. They brought up the point that it had been years since they last saw Dimitri and they had no idea how much stronger he and his clan had become or even if his clan had grown in numbers. If the Fairbrooke’s were willing to help them in their rescue mission then they would have a major advantage over Dimitri and the chances of someone getting hurt or killed drastically decreased.

Conrad was still against the idea, but the clan, plus Amelia, whittled down his resolve and he finally gave in. Amelia was quick to call her mother and that led to where they were now, with the two families having a stare off while Cecile helped her daughter.

Ethan didn’t know how this was all going to turn out, but he prayed it all worked out for Nicoli’s sake. He bit and chewed on his nails ceaselessly. When they grew back they were simply torn apart again. What had happened to Nicoli? Was he okay? What were those bastards doing to him?

Over and over he revisited the feelings that had swelled within him. The fear, the terror, the panic. The emotions had pulled him under like a strong, merciless current and he continued to drown in them even now.

What made everything worse was that now he felt nothing. Absolutely nothing. Not a whisper of Nicoli’s thoughts or a trace of his emotions. Nothing. What had they done that could make Nicoli silent for so long? No matter how much he begged, how much he screamed, Nicoli would not respond. It made his dread all the more acute.

In truth it was not Dimitri that made Ethan worry for Nicoli. No, it was another. Another who’s cruelty he had experienced first hand that had left a scar on his heart and soul. Another that had torn apart everything Ethan had known and believed in. Was he laying his hands on Nicoli? Was he plotting the best way to tear Nicoli apart not only physically, but psychologically? Was he once again going to hurt someone just to get at Ethan? It was all too much.

His teeth stopped chewing on the defenseless nails and his head perked when Cecile stood.

“There all done,” she said, her healing hands having mended Amelia’s knee and sprained ankle.

Amelia wiggled and twirled her foot. When she was satisfied she hopped up from the couch onto her feet and hugged her mother tightly.

“Thanks, Mommy, it feels much better.”

“I’m glad. You were very brave today, I’m proud of you,” Cecile said sweetly, stroking her daughters head.

“But I failed,” Amelia said, her eyes downcast with shame. The other Fairbrooke’s had been given the brief version of what happened. Nicoli kidnapped, vampires, help. It was easy enough for anyone to fill in the blanks.

“Failing is much better than doing nothing at all,” Cecile said, lifting Amelia’s chin with her fingers. “You could have stood there and just watched them take Nicoli away, but you tried to save him. In the end that’s what matters.”

“Wow, that sounds like your old motto, Gavin,” Andre said, bumping the bigger man’s arm, who only grunted in reply.

“Enough of all of this,” Hailey said in exasperation. “Why are we here?”

“Because Nicoli needs help,” Cecile said, releasing her daughter. “I told you that on the phone.”

“Yes, that I know. What I don’t know is why we should help him.”

“Aunt Hailey!” Amelia exclaimed.

“Don’t “Aunt Hailey” me. I told you, both of you, that that boy was trouble. I said it from the very beginning, but would anyone listen to me? Of course not. You always know better,” she snapped, pointing a finger at Cecile. “So why should anyone listen to me?”

Everyone had expected Cecile to give a rebuttal, but Tabitha was the one to step forward and place a hand on Hailey’s shoulder.

“Hailey, this is no time to get into your inferiority complex with Cecile. A young boy’s life is on the line and that is all that matters.” Compared to her frail stature Tabitha’s voice was strong and could snap anyone into attention like a bull whip.

“I do not feel inferior to Cecile!” Hailey yelled, but by everyone’s faces, no one believed her. “This is about that boy not being worth saving. You all know how…steeped in bad energy that boy is and now we find out he’s involved with these vampires!” she said, her hand furiously gesturing towards the clan.

Ethan wondered what Hailey meant by Nicoli being steeped in bad energy, but he wasn’t about to ask. All he could do was watch the display in fascination. The great Fairbrooke family stood in the clan’s home…and they were squabbling like children. Andre seemed to share the same feelings.

“I feel like we should be eating popcorn with this show,” he said with a faint smile, his eye going from one Fairbrooke to another.

“Too bad none of us can eat,” Felix said, reclining back in the air with his arms crossed.

“This is more than enough,” Conrad spoke up, stepping forward and away from his family. “I believe time is of the essence, wouldn’t you agree?” he asked Cecile.

“Yes, I would, forgive me,” she said with a nod. “Nicoli is in dire danger and every second used fighting is a second wasted.” She turned to Hailey. “Hailey, I will not force you to help us. I know your feelings on Nicoli and I would never force you to do something you didn’t want to. If you want to leave then leave. The door is right there,” she said, gesturing to the hallway that led to the front door.

“Actually, it’s over there,” Roderick said, jerking his thumb towards the staircase.

Preston, Amelia, Andre and Felix snorted and Tabitha smacked Roderick in the stomach.

Hailey was oblivious to the joke and looked from one family member to the next. She resembled that of a wild animal, cornered and crazed. Amelia was the one to step up and place her hands on Hailey’s arms.

“Aunt Hailey, please. I know you don’t like him. You may even hate him, but he’s my friend and he’s in trouble. We need your help. If you don’t do it for him do it for me? I can’t lose another friend, not like this. Please,” she begged.

Hailey stared into Amelia’s pleading eyes. She sighed and moved a strand of Amelia’s hair behind her ear and then curled her fingers around her chin.

“God, this face. I can never say no to it.” She turned to the others and nodded reluctantly. “Fine, I’ll help.”

Amelia squealed and hugged Hailey tightly. Cecile smiled before turning to Conrad.

“So, are we in agreement? We shall be working together to help save Nicoli?” she asked.

Conrad looked unenthusiastic by the proposition, much like Hailey, but he held out his hand to the head witch.

“I suppose I have no other choice. Besides, if I want no harm to befall my family in this fight having the higher numbers will work in my favor.”

Cecile chuckled and took the offered hand.

“The same can be said for me and my family. Plus you have knowledge of the enemy we will need in order to execute this as flawlessly as possible.”

Ethan had never seen anything like it. He had been involved with squabbles with his clan against other clans, not all including Dimitri, and even he had fought a few witches and werewolves in his day, but he had never seen two highly powerful leaders such as Conrad and Cecile come together and join forces. It was a monumental occasion and he wondered if Nicoli would feel honored that this was happening all because of him.

“Speaking of knowledge,” Conrad said as he released Cecile’s hand. “If we are to work together it would be wise for all of you to know that Dimitri, the man that has taken Nicoli, is no ordinary enemy. He is my brother, and I mean that in both the biological and vampiric sense.”

“A Twice Sibling,” Tabitha murmured.

“That is correct,” Conrad confirmed. “Not only is he my Twice Sibling, but he is highly dangerous. He is as charming as he is cunning and ruthless. He has the ability to beguile anyone into thinking that he is a saint and could not be capable of hurting or deceiving anyone. The longer Nicoli stays in contact with Dimitri’s magnetism the more likely he will be twisted and curled around Dimitri’s finger. If that were to happen the boy would probably believe everything Dimitri says, even if he was told that we are the enemy.”

Ethan knew what Conrad really meant. He had used those words for the witches, but to everyone in the clan the true meaning was that the longer Nicoli stayed with Dimitri the more likely he was to spill all of their secrets about what they had learned about the Guardian and the book. If that were to happen Ethan thought it would be safer for Nicoli to stay with Dimitri because Conrad was sure to kill him.

“What does this Dimitri guy want with Nicoli anyways?” Amelia was the first to ask. “What is he really involved in?”

“What kind of involvement the boy has with us matters little,” Conrad told her. “He had the barest form of connection to us and that was enough for Dimitri. As to why Dimitri would do this it is because he wants to hurt us, any of us. My son Ethan, against my wishes, has formed a friendship with the boy and Dimitri saw that as a perfect opportunity to use that friendship against him. It’s what he does best.”

“It makes sense,” Cecile said with a nod. “And I agree the reason behind why Dimitri has done this is of little concern. What matters is getting Nicoli back before he is harmed.”

“I think the why is rather important,” Hailey grumbled quietly.

“Before we begin making any set plans,” Conrad said, ignoring Hailey. “I would like to have a word with my son alone.”

Ethan jolted inwardly and gulped. He knew whatever it was Conrad wanted to speak to him about it wasn’t going to be good.

“Gavin, please go over options of what to do with the Fairbrooke’s while I’m gone,” Conrad instructed and Gavin nodded dutifully. Conrad placed his hand on Ethan’s shoulders and subtly nudged him forward. “This will only take a moment.”

“Take your time,” Cecile said as they left.

Ethan and Conrad were silent as they went up the stairs, deftly dodging the bits of door littering the steps, and Ethan fought the flutter in his chest. He really did not want to be lectured right now. Not after everything that had happened and with Nicoli still out there somewhere, scared and alone.

When Ethan entered the study after Conrad he closed the door and took a moment to breathe in deeply. When he let it out he turned and, sure enough, he was met with a disapproving gaze.

“When were you going to tell me that Nicoli was friends with a Fairbrooke?” Conrad asked, ice shards punctuating his words.

“Truthfully I was hoping it was never going to come up,” Ethan replied. “I didn’t think it mattered,” he added when Conrad scoffed.

“What were you thinking?” Conrad asked him. “You know that one of the Fairbrooke’s is most likely the Guardian.” It was true. It had been a conversation the clan had had on numerous occasions, luckily when Nicoli wasn’t around. The family’s high status in the witching community and their power alone made them good candidates to be the Guardian. “And you thought it didn’t matter whether you mentioned that the boy was friends with that girl? Who knows how much that boy could have told her in idle, friendly conversation. In fact –”

“He doesn’t know,” Ethan said.

“…what?”

“Nicoli doesn’t know that Amelia is a witch. I’ve been trying to keep that from him this whole time. He has no idea of her magic background or our suspicions about her and her family. He is completely oblivious. That’s why I didn’t think it mattered.”

Conrad stared at Ethan for a long time before sighing. He paced about the room as he massaged his temples. Finally he stopped back where he had begun and drew to his full height, which still made him shorter than his fledgling.

“All right, so Nicoli didn’t know about Amelia, I will not put any blame on him for that, but you on the other hand,” he said, pointing a finger at Ethan. “Do you know how much you’ve compromised everything? He may not have known, but that girl seemed very aware of his connections to us. If she or anyone in her family is the Guardian they could be using this opportunity to get back that book. If they do they could then wipe us all out to tie up loose ends. You have put this entire family in danger. Do you understand me?”

Ethan solemnly nodded. He grunted when his chin was grasped between vicious fingers and he was made to look into furious grey eyes.

“I said, do you understand me?” Conrad asked again, his voice firm and demanding.

“Yes, sir,” Ethan said. Conrad was livid and Ethan thought he had a right to be. Everything he said was true. He had put the whole family in danger with his secrets and Nicoli was in the clutches of his horrible Uncle on top of that. Everything was falling apart.

“Good, we will discuss this later. I will also have to give serious thought to if you deserve some form of punishment,” Conrad said as he released Ethan then practically pushed him out of the way to get to the door. Before he could turn it Ethan’s hand was placed over his own. When he looked up Ethan was now the one glaring.

“Fine, you can punish me. I don’t care, but just answer me one thing,” he said, his voice hard. “When were you going to tell me that you knew Dimitri was coming for us?” He thought his father was a pretty good actor because Conrad didn’t even flinch at the question.

“Excuse me?”

“You knew something like this was going to happen, didn’t you?” Ethan asked accusingly as he let Conrad take his hand away from the doorknob. “I saw it in your face when Amelia said Nicoli had been taken by vampires. It was as if all of your worst fears came true. You knew.”

Conrad averted his eyes away from Ethan’s gaze by closing them. He crossed his arms and stayed like that for several moments. Just when Ethan was going to ask if he had anything to say for himself Conrad opened his eyes.

“Ethan, do you think I’m an idiot?”

“What? No,” Ethan answered. He may have not liked some of Conrad’s decisions or actions, but he’d never call his father an idiot…at least not to his face.

“I know why you really left us a year ago. That’s why I didn’t tell you Dimitri was closing in.”

“Why I really left? Yeah, of course you do. I went to see if I could find the Hearts.”

“Please don’t lie to me anymore,” Conrad said with a heavy sigh. “You and I both know you left because you wanted to try and draw Dimitri and the others out into the open. You thought that if you were alone and defenseless they wouldn’t be able to resist and come out of the shadows to finish you and then you would make them pay for what they had done to you.”

Ethan could only stare at Conrad with his mouth left agape. Had Conrad really known his true intentions all this time? Was he that transparent that Conrad had read him that easily?

“Your speechlessness only confirms what I already know,” Conrad said softly. He shook his head and there was such sadness in his eyes.

“How…If you knew…then why did let me go?” Ethan asked, still lost in a daze of disbelief.

“Because I knew I couldn’t stop you. You were going to go with or without my permission and I’d rather you left without hating me, but that’s not to say I wasn’t looking out for you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Through a greater part of your journey I had you followed. Sometimes it was Gavin keeping an eye on you, sometimes Andre, and even Faith from time to time. I wasn’t about to lose you to your suicidal quest for vengeance,” Conrad told him.

Ethan was so floored by this confession that he leaned back against the door. How had he not known? The whole time he believed that he was alone on his journey save for Felix, but the whole time someone had been keeping their eyes on him and he was none the wiser. The others hadn’t even hinted to this secret following. How had he been so dense?

He shook his head. He wasn’t going to let Conrad distract him like this. That was the past; he needed to know Conrad’s actions for the here and now.

“That doesn’t explain why you didn’t tell me that you knew Dimitri was coming.”

“It doesn’t? I think it explains it quite well,” Conrad said. “The second you heard the news you would have been out there ready to do battle. All by yourself if need be. I wasn’t about to let you get yourself killed. It is also why I did not tell Cora of what I knew. You both have been hurt far too gravely in order for you to think rationally and both of you would have done something stupid.”

“So everyone knew but Cora and me?” Ethan asked, his anger rising in his chest again.

“Yes, Gavin was the one to discover that Dimitri had sent Seth out looking for us. I told the others so that we could try and catch him before he found us and reported it back to Dimitri…I failed to do that and I’m sorry.”

“And now Nicoli will be the one to suffer for it.”

“Yes, but the boy knew what he was getting into when he joined us. Or at least he should have, so no matter how heartless it makes me in your eyes I will not pity him for that. All we can do now is try and find him before his lips loosen under Dimitri’s hand.”

Again Ethan was ushered away from the door, but gentler this time.

“Conrad,” Ethan said when he had opened the door and was nearly through it. The head vampire stilled, but did not turn toward his son. “If Nicoli reveals anything to Dimitri…you’re going to kill him, aren’t you?”

Conrad turned his head just enough to look at Ethan over his shoulder. His eyes were cold and hard like stone.

“All the more reason to find him quickly, isn’t it?”

Ethan was left alone in the study. His father’s receding footsteps the only sound to keep him company. When they faded all together the silence was deafening and assaulted his ears. What was he going to do? He wanted all of this to just go away. For it all to be some kind of nightmare or bad joke. The floor was rapidly disappearing underneath his feet and he had to find something to grab onto or else he was going to fall. That something was the hope that Nicoli was all right, that he was telling Dimitri nothing and that they’d find him very soon.

In order for that to happen he had to get his ass in gear and help the others with the searching. Both his clan and their new, temporary allies. He left the study with a knot in his stomach, but hope and will pushed him forward.

************************************************************************

“That sounds like a good plan. We should do it as soon as we can.” Ethan heard Conrad say when he came down the stairs.

“I will make my leave right this moment,” Cecile said next.

“What’s going on?” Ethan asked as he entered the living room. He noticed right away that the hostility in the room had all but completely vanished and the two groups weren’t as separated as they were before.

“Cecile has informed me that she will be going to the boy’s house to speak with his parents,” Conrad said as if what had happened moments before didn’t exist.

“…why?” Ethan asked.

“It’s getting dark,” Cecile said. “Nicoli’s parents will be worrying about him and the last thing we need is for the police to get involved in this mess. I shall be going to assure them that Nicoli is fine and unharmed.”

“Oh, I guess that does make sense,” Ethan murmured.

“Don’t forget to collect a personal item of Nicoli’s,” Tabitha told her sister.

It was then he noticed the eldest Fairbrooke was on the floor where the coffee table had been. A map splayed out before her. In her hand she held a string with a small crystal at the end that hovered over the surface of the map. In her lap lay Nicoli’s jacket and she had her other hand placed firmly on it

Ethan had never seen it in person but he had heard of this practice. Tabitha intended to use scrying in order to locate Nicoli. She would send her magical energy out into the universe with the soul focus of locating Nicoli, using something he owned as a conductor. If the mystical energy of the world proved kind they would direct the crystal to the location of the person they sought for on the map.

“Of course, Tabitha,” Cecile said.

“I don’t understand what’s wrong with what you have now,” Felix said, his eyes studying the hanging crystal and the map.

“While this jacket belongs to Nicoli there’s no telling how attached he is to it,” Tabitha answered. “In order to find Nicoli faster and with more accuracy I need something personal that he cherishes very much.”

With those words Cecile turned to her daughter with imploring eyes.

“Amelia, is there anything that you can think of that Nicoli owns that would fit those criteria?” she asked.

“Uh, well…” Amelia lowered her eyes as she went into deep thought. After a few seconds her brows shot up. “Wait! I know, his video camera!”

“A video camera?” Preston echoed, standing near his mother.

“Yes, Nicoli’s dream is to become a Talk Show Host someday. In his room he has a bookshelf that’s filled with nothing but videos that he’s made. That video camera has to mean more to him than any other item.”

Cecile smiled and kissed her forehead.

“Sounds perfect.” She then turned to Conrad. “I shall be back shortly once I have the video camera and when I’m sure Nicoli’s parents won’t pose any sort of problem.

With an approving nod from Conrad and swift goodbyes Cecile left the room, leaving the scent of lilacs in her wake.

“So, what are the rest of us to do now?” Andre asked once the head Fairbrooke was gone.

“The members of my clan shall head out and do a search of the area and try to find any clues on where my brother could have taken Nicoli,” Conrad told everyone. “It’s safe to assume they wouldn’t stay here in Whixton.”

“And why should that be left up to you guys?” Hailey asked, crossing her arms.

“Yeah!” Amelia hollered in agreement.

“Vampires are fast than humans could ever hope to be,” Conrad said mildly. “We will be able to cover more ground in less the time it would take any of you, but not all of us will be going. At least one shall remain here.”

“Why?” Cora asked.

“In case someone in the search party finds something then they will be able to report back to the house telepathically.”

“Who will be the one to remain here?” Faith inquired.

Conrad did not answer immediately. He looked at his clan members one by one and his eyes lingered on Ethan. A deep growl nearly rumbled in Ethan’s chest and he narrowed his eyes warningly, subtly telling his father there was no way in hell he would be sitting idly by while the others were out searching.

“Cora,” Conrad finally said.

Everyone noticed that Cora visibly bristled, clearly not liking the idea, but she did not outwardly object to the decision.

“All right,” she said with a curt nod.

“And what am I and my family supposed to do?” Amelia asked. “Sit here on our asses and do nothing?”

“Amelia,” the older generation of Fairbrooke’s chided her.

“Sorry.”

“Do you mind if I direct my family, Conrad?” Tabitha asked as she set her crystal down.

“Not at all.”

“All right, Preston shall remain here with me. He may be able to help in amplifying my scrying. If it won’t be too much trouble I would like one of your clan to go with Hailey and Roderick to the spot where Nicoli was kidnapped. Roderick has a few tricks up his sleeve that may reveal in which direction the van was going and where it’s headed,” Tabitha directed.

“You can count on me, Sis,” Roderick said with a grin and a salute.

“Hey, what about me, Aunt Tabitha?” Amelia asked.

“I was just getting to you,” she said. “You will be going with them to show them the exact location then, if they find anything, you are to come back here.”

“I can’t go with them?” Amelia asked, a pout appearing on her face.

“Not right then. I need you here more.”

“Awe, man, but I can probably find the van all on my own.”

“I’m sure you could, Sweetie.”

“Hey, I have a question,” Roderick said. “Since vampires can go all Speedy Gonzalez then why would they use a van? That seems so inconvenient then just popping in, grabbing the kid, then taking off running.”

“I have been mulling over that very question,” Gavin said. He then turned to Amelia. “How many people did you see actually take Nicoli from the sidewalk?”

“Uh, two, definitely two. I saw four arms in all,” she answered, holding up her own and wiggling her fingers.

“Then that makes three if you include the driver,” Hailey chimed in.

“Yes, but there may have been a fourth,” Gavin said. “I suspect they might have had Van with them.”

“And why would that one man make them use a vehicle?” asked Preston.

“Because Van is still considered a Bloodling,” Gavin answered. “He is not yet strong enough to be in any manor of sunlight. The van could have very well been for his protection.”

“Van, huh?” Ethan murmured.

Ethan had never met Van, actually none of the clan had. Van was made soon after the last horrific clash between the two clans had occurred. In fact it was only through talk from other vampires that had had brief brushes with Dimitri and his clan that Ethan and the others found out about Van’s existence.

“So four vampires, in a black van and in broad daylight snatch a kid right off the street where anyone could have seen them? I’m sorry, but anyway you cut that it still doesn’t make any sense,” Hailey said with a shake of her head.

“They did it to make fools of us.”

Everyone turned to Conrad as he slowly walked to the fireplace. He stared a piece of broken glass from the ruined coffee table before placing his foot over it and crushing it.

“What do you mean?” Tabitha was the first to ask.

“My brother was sending us a message. He was showing us that he could take Nicoli in the most awkward, hazardous, and inopportune way and we would be none the wiser. He was taking a shot at our pride. Or mine, to be more specific.”

Faith walked over and took his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“Sheesh and I thought our family had issues,” Roderick muttered, raking his fingers through his beard.

“We don’t have issues, we just have…disagreements sometimes,” Hailey told him.

“Suuure, whatever you say, Barbie,” he said, ruffling her hair and receiving a firm smack for it.

“Okay, enough of this woe-as-me-I-feel-sorry-for-myself and bickering!” Amelia yelled, surprising everyone. “Let’s get out there and go find that stupid brother of yours. Or has everyone forgotten that Nicoli is still out there somewhere in the clutches of evil vampires?”

There was silence until Andre whistled.

“Damn, and something tells me her bite is worse than her bark.”

“Move it!” she ordered.

Everyone who was meant to leave the house to start the search was then hurriedly rushed out by the fiery red-head and she wasn’t afraid to push the slow pokes.

“I still say she was born to the wrong sister,” Roderick muttered as his little niece was vigorously shoving at his back.

Hailey, who was walking beside him, crossed her arms and raised her chin.

“And I still take that as a compliment.”

************************************************************************

Cecile’s short heels clicked against the pave way that led to Nicoli’s front door. She already knew what she was going to say to his parent’s, and it would be easier for them to believe her since she had grown up with Lance, so she already had his trust.

She knocked on the door with her knuckles and waited. As she did she looked about the road. Somewhere close to here was where Nicoli had been taken. The poor boy. One’s neighborhood was the place they should feel the safest. When they got him back would he ever feel safe again?

Her thoughts were disrupted when a voice from within the house sounded.

“Coming!”

There were swift footsteps and a moment later the door opened and pleasant looking woman with blue eyes was before her.

“Hello, can I help you?” she asked.

“Hello, I’m Cecile Fairbrooke, Amelia’s mother. You must be Laura,” she said as she held out her hand.

“Oh! You’re Amelia’s mother? I should have known right away. It’s no wonder why she’s so beautiful,” Laura said as she took the hand and shook it. “Actually, this is such a coincidence, because I was just about to call your house.”

“Really?”

“Yes, you see, Nicoli hasn’t come home yet and he’s not answering his phone. Needless to say I’m getting a little worried. I was hoping he was with Amelia and just put his phone on silent or something,” Laura said and Cecile could see the woman’s building anxiety that she hid masterfully.

“Well, have no fears I have come to relieve you of your concern,” Cecile said. “But perhaps this would be a discussion best done inside.”

“Oh, yes, where are my manners? Come in, come in.”

Cecile was ushered into the house and led to the living room. The house felt very cozy and she could tell there was a great deal of love in the family. Her eyes happened to glance in the TV area, and on the small entertainment center below it there were a couple of framed pictures. Nicoli looked a bit younger in the pictures with his parents, his hair shorter and face less grouchy, and it struck her just how happy and healthy he was. Like any child a parent would hope they would be.

“Lance, we have company!” Laura called up the stairs as Cecile studied the pictures.

“I’ll be down in a second! Sheesh, and here I was just about to get undressed,” a man’s voice said from the upper level.

“He just got home,” Laura explained.

“Ah, so is he relieved that the inspection went well and is over with?” Cecile asked.

“Dear Lord, yes,” Laura said, placing her hand on her chest. “I thought he was going to go bald from fretting over it so much.”

“And lose this great head of hair? I don’t think so,” Lance said as he trotted down the stairs. When he reached the living room he stopped when he saw Cecile. “Well, do my eyes deceive me or is Cecile Fairbrooke herself standing in my living room?”

“No, I’m really here, Lance,” Cecile said with a warm smile. Lance had aged over the years, but she could still see the wily, friendly young man she had known all those years ago.

“It’s so good to see you,” Lance said as he came forward and pulled Cecile into a hug.

“Yes, it’s been too long,” Cecile said as she hugged back gladly and smiled serenely when she pulled away. “I should have visited the second I heard you came back to Whixton, but I could just never find the time.”

“Eh, forget about it. I could have made the effort to go see you, but I’m just a lazy sack of bones.”

Cecile chuckled and shook her head.

“Oh, hardly.” She then turned to Laura. “You have a very good man on your hands.”

“You don’t have to tell me,” Laura said as she slipped her arms around Lance’s neck. “I’ve known that for the past nineteen years.” Her smile faded and the look of concern returned. “But you said you came over here because of Nicoli. You know where he is?”

“Yes, that I do,” Cecile said with a nod. “You see, my brother Roderick wanted to take a road trip up to Lake Taylor today with the family. A little, over night trip before Thanksgiving. Amelia asked if Nicoli could come and, without even thinking, I said yes. It was only after my daughter and your son became so excited over it that I realized I had completely forgotten to get your permission. So, I’m here to ask for him so he doesn’t feel guilty that he didn’t think to ask himself.”

“Sounds like our son,” Lance said with a slight roll of his eyes.

“So, he’s at your house?” Laura asked.

“Yes.”

“But why hasn’t he been answering his phone?”

“He probably put it on silent, like you said,” Cecile told her.

“He probably doesn’t even realize its on silent,” Lance said. “You know how that thing goes to silent or vibrate. Damn thing has a mind of its own.”

Laura’s brows were knitted and her lips drawn into a slight pout. Cecile knew she didn’t have the woman convinced completely. Lance was easy, he had always been extremely laid back and Cecile knew that probably hadn’t changed, but Laura was a completely different case.

“But what about Thanksgiving?” she asked.

“You heard her, Laura. It’s just an overnight trip,” Lance said. “It’ll be his first trip with a friend besides Zack or Brittany. It’ll do him some good, I’m sure.”

“It may be possible that the trip may run to Thanksgiving,” Cecile was quick to say. “Depending on what happens, but I assure you we’ll have him back before the turkey is out of the oven.”

“But he doesn’t have any of his things. What is he going to sleep or change into?” Laura asked.

“That’s another reason why I’m here,” Cecile said. “If you said yes I was going to collect a few of his things.” She saw that Laura was going to fight her on this. The woman was like a protective bear and, while Cecile respected that, time was of the essence. She had to get back to the others and make herself useful in Nicoli’s rescue. It was time to speed things along.

“I assure you,” she said sweetly and casually placed her hands on either of Lance and Laura’s arms. “We will just take Nicoli for a little fun and then bring him home in a day or two. Will that be, all right?”

She could feel their muscles loosen under her fingertips and their eyes glazed over for the merest of seconds. Laura’s eyes were the first to clear and she smiled.

“Yes, that sounds so nice. It has been a little hard for Nicoli in such a new place. A trip would be just wonderful for him,” she said, her voice soft and dreamy.

“I wholeheartedly agree,” Lance said with a nod and a big grin.

“Splendid. Where can I find Nicoli’s room?” Cecile asked.

“Up the stairs and first door on the right,” Laura answered.

“Thank you. I will only be a moment.” Cecile slipped her hands from Lance and Laura’s arms and made her way to the stairs. As she ascended she heard them speak.

“She’s such a nice woman,” Laura said.

“Hasn’t changed a bit since our high school days,” Lance said.

“…she’s so much prettier than me.”

“Oh, hush, you’re lovelier than any woman on the planet.”

************************************************************************

Cecile quietly slipped into Nicoli’s bedroom. It was definitely a young man’s room. Dirty clothes lay forgotten on the floor, the bed was a mess and nothing seemed organized. That was until she happened upon the bookshelf Amelia had referred too. Video tapes lined the walls and were all arranged by dates.

After searching the room quickly she found what she was looking for. She cradled the video camera gently and tucked it underneath her arm. She glanced about the room again. It was so ordinary and mundane, belonging to a perfectly normal boy. No one who saw this room would suspect what the boy was really involved in or even the predicament he was in now.

Cecile shook her head and her faced became saddened.

“Such a sweet boy and yet he has such a hard, merciless Fate before him.” She shook her head again as she left the room. “Sometimes Destiny can be so cruel.”

=================================Ch. 47 End