Devil’s Royalty

Ashes to Ashes

She started the drive up to the house and noticed stautes dotting

the finely manicured gardens. Each one had its own area, almost set up like museum exhibits in the woods. It was incredible to see, she caught herself slowing down and gawking. Nothing out of place except for the rippling on the reflection lake. She actually stopped to admire one of stautes, and thought she had seen something moving behind it. Big black dogs emerged from behind the bushes just beyond the marble. Startled by their sheer size she locked her doors. They didnt approach her, just watched, as if to tell her to keep moving. She didnt have to be told twice. The excitement she had been feeling was slowly turn into regret. Maybe this was a little above her head. She hit the accelerator, maybe they weren't the sweet little old couple everyone thought. When the car started moving again the dogs seemed to disappeared in the shadows. After a few more for lack of better words exhibits. She could see the house slowly come into veiw, and what a veiw the home was. It sat nestled between a hill and the lake. Around the home were massive well kept gardens. Ferns, hostas and flowering hydrangeas of every shape and size lined the drive around the home. As she drew closer, the flowers changed to lillies of any color she could imagine. The brown standstone manor seemed to emerge from the lush garden. It was unlike any manor she had ever seen. Large windows wrapped around it, letting them have scenic veiws from every opening. Almost every window had a step out balcony and every ground level doorway lead to a wrap around veranda. She could see curtains billowing out the open windows in the soft lake breeze. She pulled up and parked by the other car. Taking a second to just sit there in awe of the house. She finally gathered her wits and headed to what she felt was the front entrance. The massive ornate double doors had been carved to resemble the branches of a reaching tree. The leaves were a multitude of leaded cut glass that glittered like diamonds in the sunlight. It was a very welcoming feeling as she walked up. Huge oversized planters flanked the entrance, filled with exotic looking plants that smelled wonderful. Surprisingly the veranda that wrapped the house, as far as she could see, was the same highly polished dark wood as the door. She didnt see a call box any where near the door, nor a door bell. She approached it and knocked as loud as she could, before something drew her attention. She slowly started to walk down the length of the deck. She caught glimspes of the inside as she made her way passed a few windows. Before she knew it she had almost walked halfway down the veranda and one of those black dogs appeared just ahead of her. She must have missed it while gawking at the bits and pieces she could see of the inside. It laid out on a chase lounge and it wasn't alone. There had to have been three dachshunds running back and forth from an open door. The big dog watched just like the one before. She turned back to look towards the door, her head was turned for only a second. The noise infront of her had settled and she looked back. The door was closed and the little dogs were gone and the big one was moving towards her slowly. It seemed shift like smoke as it moved and was a black as a shadow. It stopped about ten feet in front of her and just laid down. As if to tell her far enough.She didnt dare take another step. It raised its head locking eyes with her. It had the strangest amber orange eyes. Purple flecks danced around the pupil, she shuttered. That wasn't normal. She took the hint and turned back to the door. A gentleman no more then 30 leaned against the open door with his arms crossed. She took him in, he wasnt very tall but what he didnt have in height he had in body. He wore a form fitting white dress shirt and a gray vest that clung to his body. His black slacks left nothing for the imagination. His face was gentle and handsome encased in a well maintained beard and his eyes were the color of the leaves of the tree. His hair was a bit on the shaggy side it seemed to shimmer a deep rusty brown almost the same color of the door. He ran his hand through his hair and lifted his head smiling as he saw the dog. "ah dont worry about him. He's just doing his job aren't you Kar. " He turned the full force of that smile on her. She could see just the barest hint of graying at his temples. Maybe he was closer to 40. She looked at him a little dumbfounded. It took her brain a full minute before she extended her hand

"Stephanie Martin, the new head of the Home owners association. I have a meeting with the McConnells today." He nodded curtly,

"Yes i am aware, follow me the mrs and i can not wait to fully meet you." He turned and disappeared into the house. Did he just say the Mrs? Maybe he was was their nurse.. there was no way this man was Nikola McConnell. She stood there frozen her brain wasn't comprehending what she saw. From behind her she heard a low rumble, as if there was a motorcycle coming at her. She turned and seemingly from nowhere appeared the dog. This time inches from her legs and not at all friendly. It said one thing follow the man or get eaten. She didnt have to be told twice she followed after him through the massive doors. She looked back over her shoulder long enough to see the dog dissolve into black smoke and push close the front door.

I sat down in my chair out on the back veranda. This was honestly something i wish could had been handled later, but with Enda the way she was. She would never let herself be a risk longer then needed. Kar had already told me the young lady was here and trying his patience. Wonderful just what i needed, another headache before Damien got here. I rubbed my temples closing my eyes. The museum board had demanded that Nikola and I show up today and discuss the location of the artifact we had asked for. They had been so happy we had been there working late that they green lighted the expedition. So that was a win in one column for the day. Edna had come out to join me. One of the dachshunds had followed her outside. She sat down next to me as she had done for years and looked at over at me.

" You know im not dead, Christina. " She picked up the dog.

"I know, but is doesn't mean i like replacing you. You have made our life so seamless here. We don't have to worry about the residents, nor the wards. " She set Kar down on the couch next to her.

" And it has been my pleasure to keep the home fires burning. That brings me to my next offer. I would like to keep working for the organization. Just maybe something a little less important. " It was my turn to smile.

" I wouldn't have had it any other way. I am actually glad you still want to be apart of us. I need help with the mountain of papers for setting up the new Beijing offfice." her face lit up with excitement, "You would be our Envoy. From now on everything dealing with the purchase, set up and shipping to a new foothold is yours. " I had been thinking of how to keep her a part of us since the night before, and this was perfect. She was still doing what she loved just at much smaller controlled level.

"That would be perfect Christina. When do i start?" She gave the dachshund a treat. Kar happily rolled over on his back for a tummy rubs. I thought for a moment.

"How about after the celebration, that way you can help Stephanie." She nodded

"That will work out well, I already have most of it planned anyways. " another dachshund appeared this one a little more perturbed then the last.

"Mrs, the woman and the Master are approaching, should i tell him to come here." I nodded softly and picked him up softly and scratched his ears, before letting him down.

He sat at his desk as his demon reappeared with her letter. He picked up his phone putting a full stop to shipping of the artifact. He, himself would be delivering the package. It wasn't very often she openly invited him to her home. It had been a very long while since that invitation had been given. He would fly himself, a quick drive to Moscow, and then an 12 hour flight, or he could test their new transport. It would atleast get him to England. So instead 12 hours it would be 7. It was a no brainer for him, though he did hate leaving the library. It had been atleast a century since he left European soil. He placed his marching orders with his people to keep operations as they were, until his return. The transport was on the other side of the building, he could pick up the crate on his way. The only thing between him and his trip was the battle axe. She would be his only problem, permantly attached to his hip after the incident. With any luck she was busy or asleep and he wouldn't have to deal with her. Damien Wrean, an Alpha, hand of the Warrior Queen, a king in his own standing, was unnerved by her. She was unhealthy obsessed with him to the point of mimicking any one he showed an interest in. He knew the Axe harbored a burning hatred her, but Christina made her choice years ago. The Axe for lack of better words needed bury herself. She was the reason the library was annexed to Siberia, and with that him too. He started his brisk walk to gather the pelt. So far it was a clear shot, but nothing was guaranteed. He had the pelt in hand and was almost to the transport tube.

"Where do you think you're off too." He turned and closing the distance between her and him a mountain of a woman charging.

"I have a mission i need to go on without you. I need you to stay here and protect the library." Her black eyes narrowed.

"You are going to her aren't you. Why did you stop the shipment." She crossed her arms. He was did not have time for her jealously right now.

"I am already running behind on my time table, and you know she is the only person who can call me from my post Axe." he turned from her and knew what was coming. The air started to crackle and a quick snap and flash and the air was full of smoke and ash. He rolled his eyes and continued to walk down the hall. Behind him a glowing pile of ashes gathered on the floor. She was a Phoenix she'd be up and about in twenty minutes. Just long enough for him to be halfway to London. He pulled out his cellphone and called ahead to the London Hollownest to tell them of his arrival.

She followed the man down the hallway trying to keep up. He had barely said a word to her after his one statement. As they moved she noticed there were collections of paintings on the walls of a beautiful blonde woman and a man of rust colored hair. She shrugged it off and then they past a huge painting. She stopped and looked. The woman was reclined on a louge her hair wild and barely clothed. The man was hidden in the shadows watching the sleeping woman. She reached out to touch the painting.

"This looks like it's right from the Renaissances. " He caught her hand, and shook his head.

" It isn't, but the artist studied the masters, It is called The Sleeping Wolf and it is my favorite painting of my wife and i would appreciate it if you didn't touch my work." She looked up at the man horrified. He started to laugh. " Your face, god you believed me." She was not amused and pulled her hand away.

"I would appreciate it, Sir, if you took me to the McConnells. They and Enda Griffin are waiting for me for a very important meeting. I do not have time to be made fun off by the help." he raised his eyebrows.

"Well, the help is sorry for your inconvenience." he almost seemed to growl. He turned and started to move down the hall way towards open french doors.

I felt his anger and heard his footfalls approaching.

" She hit a nerve already Edna, I can feel him coming." I leaned back in the chair and waited for the coming storm. A few moments later my loving crabby husband joined us.

" The help has brought the young woman." He bowed to me and Edna before standing to the side. The dachshund growled softly and jumped down from couch.

" I'm so sorry im late, but i was just taking in your beautiful home, and this gentleman here was giving me a run around. Hi I'm Stephanie Martin." I turned to face her. She took one look at me, " you look like the woman in the painting. " I extended my hand to her.

"Hello Stephanie, I am Christina McConnell, and the help as you so lovingly called him. Is my husband Nikola McConnell. " He smiled at her and sat on the chair next to me. " She looked at Edna and back at me and then him and dropped like a stone.

" Ha serves you right for calling me the help." He crossed his arms. Edna looked at him as she shifted to one of the arm chairs.

" Maybe my salt shot broke your glamor Nikola. " she smirked slipping her drink settling down in her new seat as we waited for Stephanie to wake back up. I stood up and picked the woman up like a rag doll, setting her down on the couch. Looking at him

" You brought her down the painting hallway didn't you Niki." He shrugged

" Well, there aren't that many hallways that lead to this part of the veranda. Without showing more off more unsettling trophies Warrior Queen." I rolled my eyes. as Kar brought a glass of water for her.

" I guess explaining the paintings are easier then the artifacts. Point taking darling. " I sat as she started to stir and murmured

"Edna, I think i hit my head. Have the McConnells arrived yet. " She nodded and sipped her tea.

" Stephanie, I would like you to meet Nikola and Christina McConnell. The couple responsible for creating the town we live in. " She looked at me, and then to him.

"But neither one of you are over the age of forty. Are you their children?" Edna held her hand up to her.

" Listen, I am not just the president of the Home owners association. I am a 600 year old witch. " Stephanie started to laugh,

"Edna if you didnt want to give up the position, you could have just told me. This is unusually cruel even for you. And i dont know who you two think you are, but impersonating and old nice sweet couple." I cut her off.

"Now Ms Martian, I know your confused, and have no reason to believe any of us, but she is telling you the truth. I don't have the proper time to let you accept this so I will give you the crash course. Edna is really Six hundred years old. She helped me lay the wards you enjoy so much every day. She was our Sentinel. The wonderful weather, the privacy, and protection you take for granted. Has to be maintained and renewed every month. We are drawing near to the next celebration a renewal, and since Edna has renounced her position. We need a new sentinel to continue our work." She just full out laughed in my face.

"Your crazy, all of you. Six hundred year old witch, magics, unaging people. What's next you going to tell me there's demons out there." Right on cue Kar walked out with another glass of water for Stephanie. His clawed hand wrapped around the glass as his little wings flapped and tail whipped. She let out a blood curtly scream and fainted again. This time Nikola spoke

"Edna are you sure she is your replacement?" She nodded.

" She is of my coven, she may not know it yet, but my magic flows through her veins too. I might be able to help her in her dream state but it will take some time." I nodded.

"Have Kar help you in any way you see fit. Take her to the lower levels, you'll be safe there." She nodded as the demons came to help her move Stephanie. With in a matter of moments we were alone again. I looked at him and he to me.

" Well that could have gone better don't you think? " He laughed. I nodded and smiled

"Well if you were wondering i ironed things out with the museum. We have been given the green light to start our new expedition. " His eyes lit up.

"You mean they agreed?" I nodded.

"With one exception Nikola and you aren't going to like it. They would only agree if Wrean would be accompaning us. " he sighed deeply

"God Damn it, not again."