Queen of My Immortal Heart

Chapter 10: Luke

Luke awoke with a start. He could have sworn he’d heard Nicole’s voice. He sat very still and strained to hear her voice again. Nothing. Total silence. Luke laid back down and flung his arm over his face. He had returned with his father to the castle a mere two hours after Nicole had been taken, with the entire IAKM in tow. They had all talked and brainstormed long into the early hours, until Valtar had excused himself to retire to bed for his death sleep. Luke’s father had talked with the group for another hour before they all retired for the day. They would regroup tonight to brainstorm again and make more calls. Luke felt frustrated. This was getting them nowhere. They should be forming search parties and scouring every country in the world in search of Nicole. When he'd suggested it last night, everyone had looked at him like he was crazy. They had neither the bodies nor resources for such a task. That had made Luke even angrier. Why was everyone so content to sit around and talk while Nicole was out there, somewhere, suffering at the hands of Lucard and Mortimer? Luke got up and walked into the bathroom. He flicked on the light, then quickly squeezed his eyes shut as the bright light stung his tired eyes. He splashed cold water over his face and neck, then looked up at himself in the mirror. He looked like hell. His hair was a mess, having come loose from its ponytail sometime in his sleep, dark stubble covered his jaw, and his eyes were bloodshot. Luke turned off the faucet and started the shower. As he waited for the water to warm up, he heard his father knock on the door. “Luke, we’ll be leaving in fifteen minutes for the castle.” Ulrik said, his voice muffled through the thick wooden door. “I’ll be out in ten, Dad. Getting a quick shower now.” Luke shouted over the water. “I’ll meet you downstairs, then.” Ulrik said. Luke heard his Father’s heavy footsteps as he walked away from the door and down the hall to the stairs. Luke stepped into the shower and let the hot water rush over his head and down his back. He had to find Nicole. What were they doing to her right now? Was he already too late? Luke shook his head and shampooed his hair. As he rinsed, he heard his name faintly whispered on the wind. He shut off the water quickly, straining to hear. “Help me………pyramid…….love you…” the ghost-like voice said. Nicole! It was Nicole’s voice. She was speaking to him telepathically again. He strained to hear more, but nothing else came. He was certain he'd heard Nicole’s voice. Or was he just thinking he had because he wanted to so badly? He had heard her last night when she'd pleaded with him to protect her family. Luke growled and turned the water back on. He rinsed off quickly and turned the water off. He stepped out of the shower, grabbed a towel, and quickly dried off. He walked back into his room and dressed in a pair of black jeans and a black t-shirt. He sat on his bed and pulled on his boots, then ran his fingers through his damp hair and pulled it back into his usual low ponytail. He took a deep breath, listened for the voice one last time, then grabbed his black leather jacket and left his room. When he got downstairs, his father was standing by the door waiting patiently. “Ready?” Ulrik asked, grabbing his car keys. Luke nodded and walked out the front door. He pulled on his jacket as a light drizzle began to fall. Ulrik locked the door and they walked to his dark blue Lexus. His father had bought it in America and had it shipped over when they returned to Romania, along with Luke’s black Chevy Silverado. They rode to the castle in companionable silence. Luke knew his father was concerned about him, but he couldn’t tell his father about hearing Nicole’s voice. He would think Luke was exhausted and send him home, and Luke wouldn’t have it. He had to find his precious fiancé before it was too late. When they pulled up in front of the castle, a young guard ushered them into the library where all the heads of the Immortal factions were gathered. Valtar was sitting behind his desk, looking at something on the computer screen. Ara was sitting on the window seat looking out over the gardens, just as Nicole had been the night before. Luke’s heart squeezed in his chest as he remembered how beautiful Nicole had looked sitting there. Her pale skin had been bathed in moonlight and she'd looked like a beautiful angel. Now, her lovely mother sat there; tears running down her cheeks as she looked out over the gardens. It seemed as though she was watching and willing her daughter to return home to her. Nicole’s hefty maid, Tawny, was sitting next to Ara and patting her hand in a comforting manner. She, too, had tears rolling down her chubby, slightly wrinkled face. “We’re all here, your majesty.” Dameon said, nodding at Ulrik and Luke. “Then let’s begin." Valtar said. "I have spoken to our brothers in England, Scotland, and China. None of them have heard anything about Lucard having a hide-out nearby, but are sending out troops to search for him.” “I have contacted my demon factions in Mexico, Canada, Italy, and the Islands. Same answer there, but they are searching too.” Dameon replied. “Our brothers in the United States, Austria, and Australia are searching as well.” Ulrik said. “The Witches of my coven and the Japanese coven are calling upon the wizards to search for her through sight. They will be calling every hour to let me know what they see.” Morgana said, then sipped her tea. “My Fairies, and those in Germany, Brazil, and South Africa, are searching for her as well,” Vanessa chimed in. “Where do we not have search parties that I can send my army to look?” Valtar asked, pinching his brow. Luke’s heart went out to him. The King was old and losing his only child was wearing on him and his Queen greatly. Exhaustion and worry weighed heavy on both of them. “The North and South poles, France, Spain, and the middle east.” Dameon suggested. Valtar nodded and wrote it down. Everyone sat in silence for a moment as they all contemplated where else to look. Luke thought back to the voice he’d heard. Where had she said to look? Nicole had been trying to reach him, he was sure of it. Help me, she’d said. I love you, she’d said. There was something else. What was it? Luke shook his head as he tried to remember. Then, as if a bolt of lightning had struck him, Luke heard it in his head loud and clear. Pyramid! “Egypt!” Luke shouted, drawing everyone’s attention. “Egypt?” Valtar asked. “What’s make you say that, Luke?” Luke looked at Valtar and then to Ara. They both looked at him hopefully. Everyone else waited with anticipation for him to explain. “Bare with me,” Luke began. “but I swear I heard Nicole whisper to me telepathically. I heard her last night when she begged me to hold back and protect you instead of helping her. Then, when I woke up earlier, I heard her again. It was faint, but I heard "Help me" and "pyramid."” Luke left out the last part. They didn't need to hear it right now and it wouldn't help anything. Everyone was really quiet for a moment, making Luke swallow hard. A cold sweat broke out across his brow. “You think you heard my daughter telepathically?” Valtar asked, standing. “Ye..Yes, your majesty.” Luke said, his voice shaky. “How can that be, Luke?” Ara asked, her eyes searching him. “I'm not sure, your highness. Normally, the only way that could happen is for me to blood bond with her. Leaving my mark on her, which would connect our souls on the deepest level possible; but that, of course, has not happened. However, I do feel that my inner wolf already has a deep connection with your daughter.” Luke explained. Everyone remained silent. This was killing him. Why weren’t they scrambling to act? Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Valtar nodded. “Gandmir, send two of my armies to scour the pyramids of Egypt. I want every single one searched from top to bottom.” Valtar ordered. Luke breathed a sign of relief as everyone pulled out their cell phones and began to call in reinforcements to assist in the search. “I’ll take a few members of our pack to search as well.” Luke said, turning to face his father. “Alright Luke, but stay in touch.” Ulrik replied. His response actually surprised Luke. He had expected his father to say no and let the pack go alone. His father must have seen something in his eyes that told him Luke was going, with or without permission. “I will, Father.” Luke said. He bowed to Valtar and Ara and left to gather the pack. Finally, some action. “Hold on Nicole, I’m coming for you,” he thought aloud as he rushed out the doors and into the forest towards the house. An hour later, Luke had gathered about ten wolves from his pack and they were on Valtar’s private plane headed for Egypt. The trip seemed like it was taking forever to Luke. He was ready to start searching. When he found Lucard and Mortimer, he was going to rip them to shreds and throw them out into the hot desert sun to burn. Feeling the minutes crawl by, Luke rested his head back against the seat and cleared his mind, hoping to hear another telepathic message from his beloved fiancé.