Bonded

Chapter 16

As Sarah walked underground into the heat of the semi-circular chamber deep within the earth, two shadowy figures made their way across darken landscape. The full moon appeared from behind the clouds and bathed the landscape in pale light. At that same moment, the two figures ducked into the shadow of the Covent's wooden walls. Both figures took a deep sigh of relief as they kept themselves pressed against the walls deep within the shadows. Glancing around they did not see anyone and the Covent seemed deserted from the outside.

One of the figures pulled down a dark cloth from his mouth and spoke, "Something is not right here." The voice of Adam whispered, "The place seems deserted"

The other figure did likewise with his dark cloth and spoke, "I don't know," the voice of Samuel responded, "We can't worry about that right now. Can you still feel Sarah?"

"Somewhat," Adam replied closing his eyes to concentrate, "She feels far away, as if underground or somewhere else." Adam opened his eyes looking concerned.

"They must have her somewhere in the Covent. Otherwise you would not have been able to track her."

"What if this is some sort of trap? What if she is not here?"

"Well it would not be the first time. I have been in a trap." Samuel chuckled. "But if you feel her, she is here."

Adam shook his head as the two men edged their way to the front gate. Adam grabbed hold of the front gates ring, held his breath, and gently pulled. To his surprise, the gate opened smoothly on well-greased hinges.

"The gate is unlocked." Adam whispered in surprise, "I have a bad feeling about this. Why would they leave the gate unlocked?"

"It seems that they are not expecting anyone." Samuel replied, "Plus, you are supposed to be dead."

Adam pulled on the ring some more to open the gate enough for the two men to enter. Adam peaked into the open courtyard. The pale light of the moon bathed the courtyard. Again, it was odd that the place looked empty. Both men slipped into the shadows of the inner walls and scanned the area.

The eerie silence seemed to press in all around them. Adam found it strange that he did not hear an owl or any other animal in the area. Samuel gestured to a door on the other side of the courtyard. With a nod, they quickly crossed the open courtyard. Adam noticed a large dark stain on the flagstones in the middle of the courtyard.

'Something horrible happened here.' Adam thought as they crossed the courtyard.

Once on the other side of the courtyard, Samuel tried to turn the handle of the door and oddly found the door locked. Adam gave Samuel a quizzical look as Samuel placed his hand on the door, closed his eyes and whispered something. Adam jumped slightly when he heard a soft click.

"What was that?" Adam asked in a low voice.

"I unlocked the door and checked for anybody behind the door." Samuel responded.

"How did you do that?" Adam asked giving Samuel a confused look.

"You live long enough and you pick up a few things." Samuel replied with a shrug, "Come on we are running on borrowed time."

Adam pulled out his pistols as Samuel opened the door. Adam positioned himself in front of the open door pointed the pistols into the dimly lit hallway. Adam lowered his pistols in confusion. The hallway appeared to be empty. They entered the hallway cautiously. The candles along the walls flickered slightly.

"I don't get it," Adam whispered, "It is like everyone left, but I can feel Sarah is in here."

"There has to be someone here," muttered Samuel, "We have to find out where she is. Time grows short."

They quickly made their way down the passageway. Each took a moment to look into some rooms as they passed by them. They were all empty. Then they came to the dining hall and all their questions about where the people had gone were answered. The blood drained from Adam's face and he fell to his knees. All the servants lied dead in the dining hall. Some slumped over tables and others lying on the floor. The swollen black faces and necks told what had happened. Some appeared to have been running before they died as they lied at the entrance to the dining hall.

"They poisoned the servants," Adam said in disgust as he saw a young red headed girl on her back with her hands around her throat. Adam made the sign of the cross and said a small pray for the servants.

"Only God can help these poor souls." Samuel said sadly, as he laid a hand on Adam's shoulder. "Try to reach out for Sarah again."

Adam stood up and took a deep breath, concentrating on Sarah, 'Sarah where are you?' He thought, 'I need you to guide me.' He felt a tear run down his cheek as the seconds ticked by.

'Adam?' Sarah voice responded in his head. Her voice sounded faint.

'Sarah, where are you?' Adam projected his thoughts.

'You are alive, but they told me you were dead.' Sarah said in a rush.

'That is not important right now.' Adam said through his thoughts, 'Where are you?'

'I am underground in a black semi-circular room. Find the winding stairs Adam. The wi...' Sarah's voice faded away.

'Sarah!' Adam thought in frustration, 'Sarah!'

"What did you hear?" Samuel asked.

"Sarah told me to find the winding stairs. They have her underground." Adam explained.

"Let's find those stairs." Samuel added.

They turned away from the horrors of the dining hall and headed down another passageway in search of the winding stairs.

'Find the winding stairs Adam. The win...' Sarah thought with hope as the connection faded. 'He is alive and he trying to find me.'

"Why are you smiling?" Celestia asked slowly with a perplexed look on her face.

One moment Afriel pleaded with her not to do this, trying to persuade Joshua and screaming about her name. Suddenly her face relaxed and she had a calm look about her. A shadow of a smile played across her face.

'What is she up to?' Celestia thought as she handed the knife back to Joshua.

"I was praying for your dead, mother." Sarah responded with cold hatred.

"You insolent woman," Celestia screamed as her face twisted in rage. Celestia drew back her hand and smacked Afriel across the face. A ringing sound echoed around the room. Afriel's head snapped to the side from the blow. Her ears rang and stars danced in her eyes. Afriel shook her head clearing the stars from her vision and tasted blood in her mouth.

"You have quite the mouth, Afriel." Celestia said breathing heavy with anger.

"My name is Sarah." Sarah screamed, pulling against her bonds and spit blood at Celestia face.

"How dare you!" Celestia screamed as she felt the warm liquid hit her cheek.

In a blind rage, Celestia wrapped her hands around Sarah's throat and squeezed. Sarah choked as she tried to take a breath. She summed up her will and smiled at Celestia, urging her to choke her. Suddenly Celestia came to her senses and released her grip from around Sarah's throat.

"You are a crafty one." Celestia commented breathing hard, "You will not escape me that easily. Your destiny will be fulfilled." With that, Celestia smacked Sarah across the face again. Celestia smiled as Sarah cried out in pain.

Sarah coughed up blood and took deep shuddering breathes. Her throat felt on fire and her face burned where Celestia had hit her.

"I hope Azazel rips you limb from limb." Sarah said coldly and coughed up more blood. "I want to see you suffer as I die."

Celestia feeling the rage swell up in her again, struck Sarah again. Sarah did not flinch as the blow came again. The pain was excruciating, but she did not cry out. She spat blood at Celestia again and laughed.

"Is that the best you can do, Mother?" Sarah spat the words out, "You are powerless against me." Sarah saw the affect her word had on Celestia.

Celestia raised her hand again to strike, but she heard Lilith cry out. She looked towards Lilith and noticed her pointing towards the ceiling.

"The little w***e is trying to distract you Headmistress." Lilith cried out, "The time grows near. Look at the moon light."

Celestia looked up and saw the moon light appear through a small shaft. The pale light played against Afriel's stomach and slowly moved upward. Sarah saw it too and knew that she had very little time.

'Adam please hurry,' Sarah thought through a haze of pain, 'I do not know how much more time I have.'

Celestia lowered her hand and smiled a deep satisfying smile.

"Soon you will die." Celestia laughed.