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  Cecily saw Mr Fane look to Kaden for confirmation of Cecily’s last question and she saw him slightly nod his head in affirmation. Mrs Fane handed Cecily a cup of tea.

  “Now I’ve put a bit of sugar in there for you, love, so it is nice and sweet. It will calm you down,” she said, soothingly.

  Cecily thanked Mrs Fane. She knew everyone was now looking at her, probably annoyed at her stupidity, but she did not care. How could they explain this away?

  “Cecily, the agents of Light are what we call a purification team.”

  “Purification? Sounds like a religious ritual!”

  “Well, I suppose it is sort of a ritual. Whenever the Dark strikes, there is chaos. It falls to the Light to clean up their mess and that is what the Purification Unit does.”

  “How?” Cecily enquired.

  “Well in this instance some of the team will have gone immediately to the police and the rest to the families of the victims. They don’t lie to people, Cecily, in fact they will have been very open about what happened. They will tell them that there are some things out there that they just can’t explain, some things that most people will never experience, but just because they haven’t come across them before, it doesn’t mean they don’t exist. They will counsel those left behind, explain that their souls have passed to the Light and how one day, they will be reunited. They are messengers of hope, Cec.”

  “And those who have lost their loved ones in such unnatural circumstances just accept what these agents say?”

  “Well no, they are assisted to put it behind them.”

  “You mean their memories are magically wiped?”

  “No, Cec. We are not the bad guys. These people will always be somehow aware of what happened and what they were a part of. But let’s just say they accept it faster than it would ordinarily take and they don’t ever discuss it with anyone. The Purification Unit helps them to put their pain behind them.”

  “So, they are brainwashed?”

  “Well yes, I suppose, kind of, but in a good way. Humans are only on Earth for a short period of time. The Light does not want them to suffer due to unnatural causes.”

  “So why can’t they do that for everyone who experiences loss?”

  “Not all loss is supernatural, Cec. Loss is a fact of life and most have to learn to deal with it in their own way.”

  “And what if their loved one’s soul has not passed to the Light?”

  “The Purification Unit doesn’t lie. Most humans are aware if someone they love has chosen a path of darkness.”

  “So, what about the police?”

  “Well the same really. The police and ranking officers are met with and told the truth, the same as the victims’ families. There is no point in investigating an incident when they already know what has happened. They are always aware of what happened, but again they are helped to deal with it, understand what happened and put it behind them. And so, the case is closed.”

  “What if someone decides to re-open the case or a family decides to openly discuss what happened?”

  “An agent will be assigned to the case so if anyone feels the need to revisit the incident, the parties involved, whether family or the law, will be reminded why it should not be discussed. We remind them to let sleeping dogs lie.”

  “Sounds like removing free will to me.”

  “The Light never takes anyone’s free will, Cecily. At times though it acts how it sees fit. It helps take pain away in supernatural situations out of their control. It answers their questions so they are not left wondering why. They can continue their lives without burden, a burden that was placed on them by the continuing battle between Light and Dark.”

  Cecily had nothing further to say on the matter. Every time she asked a question, it created five more.

  “I know it is hard, Cec, a lot of information to process which you can’t understand while you are still human. Things will be clear when you get your memory back.”

  “What if I don’t want my memory back?”

  “You have to want it,” said Kaden, simply. “We need you.”

  “Just to let you know, love,” chipped in Mrs Fane, “the agents called this morning just before you arrived. Purification was a success. They’ve told everyone to stay away from Bramble Hall for the time being. I think they are going up there shortly to clean it up.”

  “Verena, could you call them and tell them to hold off for the time being?” asked Kaden. “We need to go there first.”

  “Of course, Kaden dear,” replied Mrs Fane. She then disappeared to make the mysterious call and Cecily found herself wondering how such as call was made.

  “So where do we go from here?” asked Jedd. “What’s up at Bramble Hall?”

  Kaden explained his theory to Mr Fane about Dasrus needing one final piece of the jigsaw in order to complete the ritual and how Dasrus was expecting the Cerbereans to lead him to it. Then he would have everything he needed in the one place.

  “Well, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s tried to open the gateway. That’s why we have guardians. There’s only one reason for Dasrus to be on the Earth plane and that is to bring darkness and corrupt souls.”

  Halfway through the conversation, Mrs Fane had re-entered the room and she was busy topping up everyone’s tea cups. She placed a plate of hot buttered crumpets in the middle of the table, which were gratefully received.

  “Hopefully, what we need is in the organ loft above the chapel at Bramble Hall,” said Kaden.

  “But you said it was a person?” queried Sol.

  “It is a person,” replied Kaden cryptically. “Centuries ago, when the Bramble family agreed to be human protectors for the gateway in the woods, they only agreed on the condition that they would have a place of safety to flee to if anything went wrong and they needed to go into hiding. Somewhere the Dark and the demons would be unable to detect them. There is a large priest hole in the floor of the organ loft that is protected by the very strong magic of the Universe itself. It is drilled into every Bramble whose current responsibility it is for the gateway that there is a safe place where only the Light can find them. Only the protector and his immediate family ever know about it. As years pass between incidents, it becomes the stuff of legend, but they still take it seriously and rightly so.”

  “So how do you know about it?” asked Cecily.

  “I helped find the location of the safe place within the house. I am the keeper of records, Cec. I have never told anyone about it and it is a well-guarded secret within the Bramble family. My guess is that Dasrus thought Lord Bramble disposable and in his anger at the early warning, he killed Lord Bramble, thus cancelling the contract and rendering his blood useless. I think Dasrus intended that there be no survivors from the party, after all, his demons have waited a long time to feed and they have been loyal to him. The party was probably their reward. I think that Dasrus was hasty in ending Lord Bramble’s life because he had another little lord in the making right there; his son, Oscar. As soon as Lord Bramble died, Oscar became the new lord and it would be much easier for Dasrus to manipulate Oscar and his mother. I am hoping that Lord Bramble told his wife about the priest hole and at his warning, they fled there. I am hoping they are waiting in safety for us to rescue them.”

  “If Dasrus’s intention is to perform the ritual and open the gateway, then his plan is risky,” pointed out Mr Fane. “He had you all right where he wanted you, yet he let you escape. Why didn’t he force you to tell him where the little heir is?”

  “We did think about that, but it would have done no good. We can withstand torture all night and in any case, the others didn’t know about my theory and the priest hole, and I would never give up the location of the safe place. He needed us to think we’d escaped so we can lead him straight to Oscar. He knows our first priority is to secure the gateway.”

  “I see where you are coming from, lad, but something doesn’t sit well with me. It seems that this plan relied an awful lot on young Jedd betraying D
asrus.”

  “I think that was Dasrus’s plan all along, to use Jedd. He must know we wouldn’t turn our back on a fellow Cerberean.”

  “Mmm,” murmured Mr Fane, as if he did not really agree. “Are you expecting an ambush at Bramble Hall then?”

  “Yep,” said Kaden, “we need to get in and out quickly. Once I’ve got Lady Bramble and the children, we need to get them to a place of safety and fortunately, I can tie this in with our next priority, which is helping Cecily get her memory and powers back. She can then shut down the gateway and Dasrus’s plan will be foiled. We just have to figure out a way of returning him and his minions to the Realm of Dark and keeping them there. Lady Bramble and the children can then return to Bramble Hall and hopefully, Bramblegate can return to some kind of normality.”

  “So, what’s the plan?” asked Sol.

  “Well for one, we need to stick together as a group. We don’t want to get separated.”

  “We’ve got to keep Cec safe too,” added Jedd.

  Cecily saw Elisabeth roll her eyes. What was her problem?

  As the others began to discuss battle tactics and formations, Mr Fane beckoned Cecily to one side with a nod of his head.

  “I was truly sorry about your father, lass. He was a good man, one of a kind.”

  “I know. I miss him desperately. It’s been hard.”

  Cecily thought to herself how she could have used the Purification Unit after her father’s death, only her mother killed her father. Nothing supernatural about that.

  “You were the apple of his eye you know, Cecily. Everything he did was for you. You are the reason he was so good at his job. He used to write science fiction before you came along and your mother made that deal. He was so much better at mythology and folklore.”

  “He loved it.”

  “Yes, he did. Sometimes we find joy in the darkest of places.”

  “And now Purdey is dead too. It happened just after we were captured.” Cecily felt the need to say this even though it had already been mentioned. She filled Mr Fane in on what Jedd had witnessed. She noticed that his face did not change at all as she recounted what happened, but then again, she found it difficult to show any emotion where Purdey was concerned.

  “Well I can’t say I’m surprised, lass, although I am sorry for your loss. Your mother was a bad egg, out for herself. She didn’t deserve you and your dad. She sure will be paying for it now though, if that is any consolation.” Then he added, “But of course she was still your mother,” just in case he had caused offence.

  “Whatever she gets she deserves.”

  Mr Fane’s tone then softened somewhat and he said, “I know it hurts now, but when you get your memory back, you’ll see the bigger picture. You are a very special young lady, Cecily Stalks, and you have an important job to do.”

  Cecily returned Mr Fane’s smile, although she could not imagine ever seeing the bigger picture or the point of all this pain and death.

  “Why did you shine that torch in my eyes, Mr Fane?” she asked.

  “Call me Abram, please,” said Mr Fane. “I had to check it was you in there and demons don’t like bright lights.”

  “Oh right!” said Cecily, thinking she would remember that fact.

  “One more thing,” added Mr Fane. “Watch out for young Jedd. I never did think much of traitors.”

  Cecily was digesting Mr Fane’s last comment when Kaden announced it was time to leave.

  “Hang on, love,” said Mrs Fane. “I’ll just get my things.”

  “Are you coming with us?” challenged Kaden.

  “Well of course we are, lad!” said Mr Fane. “We are Watchers. We’ll keep a look out while you go inside and fetch what’s left of the Bramble family.”

  The group waited while Mr and Mrs Fane secured their lethal cross bows and arrows to their backs. The unusual party of young and old then set out for Bramble Hall, not quite knowing for sure what awaited them when they got there.

  Chapter 24

  The group decided not to take the path through the woods up to Bramble Hall. Kaden thought it best to stick to the cover of the trees and the friends were in full agreement. They carefully made their way through the trees, but Cecily found that she jumped at every sound and every time she did, her voice let out little sounds of fright. She really was trying to be brave, just as hard as she was trying to be quiet, but the harder she tried, the more noise she seemed to make, earning her disapproving looks from Elisabeth. Cecily was expecting an ambush at any minute, even though just before leaving the Fanes’, Kaden had assured her that Dasrus and his beasts would not appear until they had the little Lord Bramble. Mr and Mrs Fane demonstrated the same agility as her companions. Every now and then, the pair would separate and disappear. Further along the track, they would reappear from trees, which they had just been up to see if they could spot any signs of danger around them. Cecily was amazed and she wondered why she had never seen this side of them before.

  They emerged from the dense woodland near the top of the gravel driveway that wound up to the manor. The avenue of oak trees was only a few hundred yards away from where they now stood. Kaden gestured the group to gather around him and then he said, “From this point on, we are going to be very exposed as we won’t have the protection of the woodland, but we’ve got no choice. It’s the only way we can reach the entrance to the chapel.”

  “Let’s go for it!” said Sol, who seemed rather pumped.

  “Verena and I will stay hidden and patrol. We’ll keep a look out for Dasrus and the shadows. Any sign of danger and we’ll come and assist.”

  “No!” objected Kaden. “If you see Dasrus come into the chapel, do nothing. We’ll deal with it inside. However, if you see Dasrus leave the chapel with little Lord Bramble and his family, you must inform the Light as a matter of urgency. Please do not try and help us, just watch.”

  “Whatever you say, lad,” agreed Mr Fane, although he did not seem pleased with the situation.

  “Right everyone, ready?”

  Her companions nodded. Cecily thought to herself how strong they looked. Mr and Mrs Fane wished them luck and headed back off into the trees, while the six friends made their way to the avenue of oaks and the large gardens that lay before Bramble Hall.

  Cecily could feel the adrenaline pumping around her body, although she knew it was driven by fear rather than excitement. She could feel every bone in her body shaking through terror. Anxiety and panic lay in her stomach, waiting to erupt at the mere sight of Dasrus and his abominable shadows. How she was placing one foot in front of the other she did not know. It took all she had not to turn and run for the cover of the trees.

  They made it to the top of the avenue without incident, moving slowly from tree to tree, three Cerbereans flanking either side of the driveway in an attempt to make them less conspicuous and more difficult for them to be captured altogether. Cecily remained with Kaden and Jedd while Sol, Fen and Elisabeth treaded the far side. As they reached the top of the avenue, Kaden signalled for the others to rejoin them. He pointed to the chapel, which sat on the far left of the house. The only way to reach it directly was to go straight across the large lawn at the front of the house. Cecily glanced over to the main doors of the manor that had been the scene of so much turmoil only two nights earlier. The great heavy doors were now closed and Cecily found herself wondering who had closed them, if it was Mr and Mrs Fane or perhaps someone else. As she looked around at the house and the grounds, she found that everything here reminded her of Cian and happier times. How she longed to be back there, wonderfully oblivious to whom her beloved Cian really was.

  When she turned back to her friends, she noticed that Fen and Sol had already started making their way across the lawn, looking all around them for any threats lying in wait and trying to keep as low as possible, which was ridiculous really because they were on display for anyone in the house or surrounding grounds to see. The rest of the group followed suit and Cecily found herself having to jog to kee
p up with them. Within a minute or two, they had made it to the left part of the house and the chapel door. Kaden had his hand on the ringed black iron door handle getting ready to enter, signalling everyone to be ready just in case there was a welcome party on the other side of the door.

  As Kaden was about to open the door, the group heard a deep throaty growl coming from around the side of the chapel. The friends looked at each other and immediately formed a wall in the direction of the sound. Jedd grabbed Cecily and held her close behind him, which she found very uncomfortable indeed. The warriors were poised, hands resting on the hilts of their swords at the top of their backs ready to draw. A few seconds later, the source of the deep throaty growl rounded the corner. The source was Acantha Sims.

  As soon as Acantha laid eyes on the Cerbereans, a huge smile spread across her face, but this was not her usual smile, it was a distorted, evil smile. As she walked towards them, Cecily noticed that her footsteps were unnatural, forced somehow, as if it took a massive effort to drag one foot in front of the other. Her arms were outstretched, ready to grab onto the first thing that came into her path and she continued the snarling and growling as she went. As she came closer, Cecily realised that although it was clearly Acantha, her face was different. It was hideous, full of pure malevolence and her eyes were empty. She had some thick gunk drooling down her chin.

  The Cerbereans drew their swords.