Pentagram of Fire Ch. 09

a big thanks to my editor and to everyone who has voted and read the stories.

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I manipulated the water so it swirled around my body. Then I used it to capture James and his pack. I lifted them into the air.

The force of the water knocked the wind out of James. I directed the water to place them down at the foot of the falls so that the river current carried them down the river. I wasn't prepared to kill them.

I just wanted them out of our way. They were gone in a few seconds. It would be nice if they were never seen again. However, I wouldn't get my hopes up.

I did know that it would take them a long time to get back to where our group was. With a bit of luck it would take them at least a week or two.

I picked up my cloak and went looking for Midnight. It didn't take me long to find him as he hadn't gone very far.

He was grazing on the nice grass that grew near the waterfall. I put on my cloak and .for the first time, mounted Midnight all by myself. I was wondering where on earth dad, Damien and the rest of the group were.

I set off at a slow walk listing carefully for any sign of them. However, I heard no return call from any of our group. I tried to go back the way I came but Midnight had been running that fast I didn't see where he took me.

I was starting to panic when the voice whispered in my ear and told me which direction I should go in. Finally I heard dad shouting. I followed the sound. Damien rode over to me as soon as he spotted me.

"Sara are you okay?" he asked. "

"I'm fine Damien, what happened to you?" I asked, seeing the blood on his cheek.

"A scratch from a werewolf's claw nothing serious." he said.

Dad came up behind me and nearly pulled me off of Midnight as he hugged me.

"Thank heavens you're okay. I think we should stop and rest before we move on as a lot of us are injured." dad said.

I nodded we dismounted and set up camp for the night.

"So, what happened?" I asked.

"Well, when you bolted they ambushed us. It seemed as if they just appeared out of nowhere." Damien said.

"Midnight must have heard them coming and bolted." I said.

Dad nodded, "Horses have been known to sense danger even when we can't."

"Let me tell you about the weird things that happened to me." I told them what happened at the waterfall and the necklace.

Another jewel on the necklace had changed colour. I could feel the change before any of them could comment on it.

This time the gem turned blue. Dad looked at it deeply.

"It must be the one were looking for." he said to no one in particular.

"What do you mean dad?"

When you first got this I did some digging in the library." he said.

"And what did you find?" I asked.

"I found out that this is Alana's lost necklace. It's the key to unlocking the 'Book of Shadows.' dad said.

"What do you mean 'unlocking the book of shadows'?" I asked.

"The story goes that only someone who rightfully wears the necklace can find and open the book. The magic isn't in the necklace.

The necklace indicates the power of the one wearing it. That is, if the person wearing it has the right to wear it. At first I thought that this necklace was like a map, with you being the only one who can read it.

Now, however, I think the map is in your head. I think that part of Alana's knowledge entered you when you were in the waterfall. It is you who have the power, not the necklace." dad said.

"Then why do I have the right to wear it then. I'm not the strongest one here. Surely it was meant for someone else."

Dad looked at me and told me: "No! You found the necklace and wear it. There is no question that you are the one who is to wear it. It also means that you are the one who must find the book. This we know of for certain!" dad said.

I just sat and looked at him. "No wonder James wanted it. However, if what you say is true, the necklace would do him no good." I said.

Damien interjected, "Not unless he had you on their side and you agreed to use it for them. As far as I know only a direct descent of Alana can use it properly."

"So, I take it he will be hell bent on getting both the necklace and me back!"

Damien nodded and Dad said, "Yes he will! Do you see all the jewels on the outside and one in the middle of the pentagram?"

I nodded.

He continued, "According to what I have read, when that one changes colour you can find the book."

"So, where is the book?" I asked.

Damien said, "The last known location was in the lost palace."

"And where is the lost palace?" I asked.

"About hundred miles north of here." dad said.

"And why is it called "the lost" palace?" I asked.

Damien looked at my father who looked very uneasy.

Dad continued, "Because it's the strong hold of the werewolves. We lost it to them a hundred years ago and we've never been able to reclaim it. We can't out number them. There are just to many."

I looked at him thoroughly confused. "I don't get it. Why was James looking outside the palace then?"

"We don't know. There are rumours that the entrance to the book is outside the walls of the palace." Damien said.

"Great! So let me get this straight. We need to find a palace that's lost, break into a fortress that is crawling with werewolves, and find a book that no one has seen in over a hundred years? Not to mention that most of our men are injured? Gee, these are great odds here. So when's the funeral?" I said sarcastically.

Damien giggled!

I snapped at him "It isn't funny Damien! We're out numbered and out matched. So, what exactly should we do?" I asked, raising my voice slightly.

Dad put his hand on my arm, "We have one big advantage, we have you."

"Your dad's right. You're the most powerful one on either side. If any one can get us in its you." Damien said.

I had to agree with him. What he said stuck with me. I began to think about how I might get into the palace. I kept on thinking about it all through the night and when we set off in the morning.

It appeared that James had, indeed, gotten caught up in the flow of the river. We reached this conclusion because, over the next few days, we managed to get to the palace undisturbed. The weather got considerably colder just before we got within eyesight of the palace.

It was snowing heavily. The horses were starting to struggle in the snow. Dad recommended that we leave the horses in a temporary paddock, in the shelter of the woods. We made the last of the journey on foot.

The palace came into view. It was as large as Buckingham palace, but not as nice. It had obviously gone into disrepair. There were a lot of windows that had been broken and then covered with boards. There was wolves walking around the perimeter.

"I take that those are the perimeter guards?" I whispered to dad.

Dad whispered back, "Yes, I have an idea. Why don't we distract them and you get inside somehow."

"Have you all gone crazy what if James is in there?" I asked.

Dad whispered, "Look, this is the last known location of the book. You need to get in there and try and find it. After all, only you have a chance of finding it."

I nodded. I knew that he was right. We needed to find the book quickly. I took off my cloak and necklace and handed them to Damien.

"Why are you taking this off?" he asked.

"Well as soon as they see the pentagram I'm dead." I said

Damien. nodded, indicating he understood.

Dad said, "Okay, we'll give you as long as we can to get in."

"And, how do I get out?" I asked.

Dad and Damien just looked at each other.

"Let me guess. I need to figure that one out on my own. Is that how you see it?"

They both nodded. Dad kissed me on the head and Damien on the lips. At that point all I wanted was for Damien to push me to the ground and have his way with me. It's funny how danger and stress can lead to thinking about sex.

They both left. It didn't take them long to distract the wolves. Within a few seconds a full pack of wolves were after them.

I took the opportunity provided by the distraction and ran towards the palace. I hadn't a clue how to get into the palace. But I had to try to get in because the diversion was wearing off. The wolves were coming back.

I had a mad idea of how to get in, or was it the voice again? I took my sword and I cut my trousers and my blouse making sure that the pentagram on my chest was still covered up. I then made superficial cuts to my arms and legs with my sword.

I also decided to make a cut on my face. I threw my sword into the forest near by. The wolves had changed into their human form and were discussing the vampires.

"Its just not like them to try and attack here. What are they up to?" one said to the other.

I ran out to meet them. One of them caught my arm.

"Who are you and what business do you have here?" the one who grabbed me shouted into my face.

I started to cry. "Please you have to help me some men kidnapped me. I just got away from them but I have no idea where I am or where my parents are."

"Who do you mean? Who are these men, and what did they look like?" the one who grabbed me said.

They moved closer to me. "Most of them where tall with black hair. They had fangs on the side of their gums. Please you have to help me." I said as I broke down crying.

"shhh its ok your safe Come on, lets get you inside and warmed up." the man said as he put his arm around me and brought me into the palace. I was taken to the kitchen, was told to sit down. Then they handed me a mug of warm liquid. They also brought over a blanket that they draped around me. I pulled it in tight as I was cold.

"Okay, stay here I will go and get the person in charge." said the man who had led me into the palace.

I looked at him and said, "Thank you" I had to admit he was handsome.

"You're welcome." he said as he left the room. A few people came and went but no one said anything to me.

A few minutes later the guard came back along with someone. I looked at this new man. Luckily for me it wasn't James or any of those men who had been at James' house or at the hospital.

"Hi, I'm Leo. I'm the second in command as the alpha is out at the moment." he said.

I looked at him. He wasn't like James. He was softer and politer in his approach. He asked me, "So, will you tell me what you're doing out here in the middle of a snow storm?"

He sat opposite me. I looked at him "I was walking home one night after being at a friends house. Someone jumped me and I blacked out. When I woke up I was chained to a wall. One of them came in and told me that I was to serve them or they would kill my parents. They said that they knew where I lived." I started to cry at this point. I was well aware that a woman's tears are a powerful tool when used on men.

"They made me go with them. They said something about finding a book. But, I don't know what they meant since they tried to never say anything in front of me." I paused.

"What did they make you do?"

I looked at him "Most of the times it was just cleaning up after them. But other times I was forcibly used for their sexual gratification." I said, bursting into tears. I was lying through my teeth of course.

Leo came over and hugged me. "Did they rape you?" he asked softly.

"At least once before I got away." I said as I leaned into him.

"How did you get away?" he asked.

"When they tried to attack the palace they left me behind so I ran as fast as I could. I just thank god that one of your men was there." I said.

"It's okay. You're safe now. No one will bother you while you're here." he said. He looked at the guard that I had first run to, outside in the storm. "Will you get Jessica for me?" he said.

The guard nodded and left. Leo hugged me and held me close until the door opened again.

Turning to me he said, "This is Jessica. She's in charge of the woman here at the palace.

"Jess, I want you to find her a room and make her comfortable. She's been through a lot. I will inform the alpha when he returns."

Jess nodded. I let go of Leo and followed Jessica. Turning back briefly I said, "Thank you for your kindness Leo."

"Don't mention it. You've been through a lot so just relax for a few days. okay?"

I nodded and followed Jessica out of the room and into a small room. "This will be your room." she said.

"Thank you." I said as I went into the room and locked the door. I was in the lost palace now. All I had to do was find the book.

to be continued...