“… I crave it in my gut, because despite the terror, despite the dark and the loneliness, she was near; and that alone gave me strength. Once again, I find myself in darkness, though it is of quite a different breed—expansive rather than encroaching. All I can hear is the hush of the waves sweeping outside…but her voice is with them too, because the sea is such a part of her. If I close my eyes and listen very closely, I can almost hear her laughing, singing…and then I smell her sweet scent of honey and lace and feel her silken hair between my fingers, the color of fresh-spun gold. Sometimes I see her—wisps of hair curling about her face, nightdress hanging low to expose the swell of her breasts. My want of her is so intense that it is achingly painful… She’s all I think about, dream about—she’s inside me…”
~From the diary of William Wells; January 10th, 1686
~*~
Elizabeth whirled around to see Mr. Giles standing at the foot of the cellar stairs, gripping his oak staff tightly with whitened knuckles. An angel. He’s like an angel. For a moment, Elizabeth glanced back and forth between the two men as they stared icily at one another, a tangible charge running tensely through the air between them.
“Hello, Nathan. Or is it Ethan today? Perhaps Louis? I have difficulty keeping track of your aliases.”
“What? Who…? What?” Elizabeth sputtered.
“Elizabeth, perhaps I should introduce you to my brother. His true name is Louis Nathaniel Giles, though he’s long forgotten it, I’m sure.”
“You’re brothers?” Elizabeth asked, stunned, her mouth falling agape.
“He was trained as a Watcher like me. But when he discovered the power of channeling dark magics, I lost him entirely. The Council tried to save him, but in retaliation, he killed those who would have bestowed redemption. Then he fled imminent execution to begin a new life here. Coward.”
“Pot. Kettle. Black.” Nathaniel tisked amusedly, crossing his arms as he seemed to take pleasure in listening to his own story.
“That’s why you came to Connecticut,” Elizabeth spoke slowly, piecing everything together, “With William and Susan. To find him.”
“No, actually, we came because of the pull of the dark power here. But it did not take long for Nathan and myself to cross paths. He convinced me, Elizabeth, that he’d truly started over. That he’d changed, and I wanted to believe it,” Giles explained as he began to circle the room, “So we struck a deal, you see. He promised to allow me to live here and conduct my own business without interference as long as I did not expose him. He even defended me when I was accused of practicing magic and allowed us to live in isolation at the pond. I believed my brother had returned. Of course, I was wrong about him. He will never change.”
“You’re hardly one to break into my house and throw stones, Rupert. You make yourself out to be an innocent angel in all of this,” Nathaniel sing-singed sardonically.
“I have paid for my sins,” Giles growled through gritted teeth.
“What are you doing here, Rupert? Come to fight me, have you?” Nathaniel asked, raising his brow gleefully.
“I have come to warn you. You’ll never surpass me, little brother; you know what I could inflict.”
“You wouldn’t. You’re above all that now, aren’t you?”
“It would be worth it, I think, seeing you receive what you deserve. If William dies as a result of these false charges or if you so much as lay a finger on Elizabeth…I will be right here. Waiting.”
“Oh Elizabeth,” Nathaniel muttered, shaking his head, “Did you honestly believe I wouldn’t instantly recognize her as a potential Slayer?”
“Potential what?!” Elizabeth exclaimed, stepping between the two men.
“One day you might get to be the Slayer, little girl. What do you think of that? Nice old man Rupert didn’t tell you what you were signing up for, did he?” Nathaniel asked.
“Mr. Giles…” Elizabeth began, turning to the Watcher in confusion, but he did not meet her gaze.
“Remember my words, Nathan. You know them to be truth,” Giles said, still clutching his staff when he turned to leave.
As he passed Elizabeth, who was far too stunned to even move, he reached down to squeeze her hand. She thought the gesture merely an offer of parting comfort, but she soon realized that it was something more as he pressed a small, crumpled piece of paper into her palm. Turning away from Nathaniel, she watched Giles ascend the narrow staircase.
“Are you going to kill me now or not, Uncle?” she asked numbly, her back toward him.
“We’ve already been over this. You keep my secrets, and I shall keep yours,” Nathaniel replied, though his voice wavered a bit in uncertainty. Maybe he does fear his brother.
--
Once Elizabeth returned to her loft bedchamber, she felt as though she were stepping back into another world; as though the hidden cellar was only a vision in her mind, the words of Nathaniel and Giles simply whispers of a dream. Crossing to the window, she unfolded the scrap of paper that had already grown damp in her palm.
Tomorrow at one p.m. Grove of pines behind the church.
Elizabeth felt some relief wash over her after reading his message. Clearly there was a way out of this turmoil now, as she had hoped. Mr. Giles had devised a plan to share, and perhaps he could tell her more. More about what she was…
She inhaled sharply when a sudden wave of dizziness engulfed her head in a fog. Falling backward to the edge of the bed, Elizabeth breathed in deeply while pinching the bridge of her nose until the unpleasant sensation passed. And she knew, knew without doubt, that it was not a head injury that ailed her. Fingers shaking, she splayed her hand over her flat abdomen.
Oh my God.
--
As Elizabeth approached the church in the early afternoon, the sun shone brightly for the first time in weeks. Tightly packed snow still crunched beneath her boots, but the golden light reflecting from it made the chill sting a little less. Escaping the house had not been nearly as difficult as she’d anticipated. The Reverend was gone when she woke, and Jenny had agreed somewhat reluctantly to allow her niece to run some household errands in town. Using light and easy conversation as an aide, Elizabeth had attempted to play off the previous encounter with her aunt; and she even received a smile from the older woman after mentioning that she was reconsidering Mr. Finn. Whatever it takes.
Quickly, Elizabeth’s eyes shifted about to ascertain that no one saw her round the back of the chapel and slip into the cover of the woods. Giles was already there, pacing back and forth in the clearing. Apparently to keep his trembling hands occupied, he fiddled uselessly with his spectacles—removing them, cleaning them, replacing them on the tip of his nose. When he spotted her approaching he jumped slightly, startled by the intrusion to his nervous rhythm.
“How are you, Elizabeth?” he asked softly with a sad half-smile.
“I have seen better days. What do you need to tell me?”
“I didn’t think it would come to this—I thought we could work with the system, but…I am going to get him out of there.”
“How?” she whispered.
“For that I’ll need your help…We will be forced to flee immediately, Elizabeth.”
“Yes, I know.”
“And you cannot come with us.”
“What?!” Elizabeth nearly shrieked, glaring up at the older man in shock, “You cannot just leave me here to rot! I’ll die. Wherever William is, that is where I’m going.”
“Calm down and allow me to explain. If we left with you now while this town is in the midst of chaos, I fear we could be easily tracked. They’re watching you closely, since you’re a ‘victim’ of ours; and it would simply be too dangerous a feat to try to pull you out from the middle of this. William and I can slip away with no trouble, as we have done in the past. We could go on to Europe, settle there for a few months, and then return for you when it is safe—when they have ceased watching for us…Elizabeth?”
“I’m pregnant,” she murmured.
Giles drew in a shaky breath and sighed heavily while his gaze focused on the snow beneath his feet.
“I thought Nathaniel was merely taunting you…Does William know?” he asked softly after a long silence.
Elizabeth shook her head, tears stinging her eyes.
“You mustn’t tell him.”
“Of course I will tell him!”
“No, Elizabeth, it’s already going to be incredibly difficult to convince him to go without you for the time being, but if he knew this…bit of new information, he would never leave. And he must go. For his survival, he must. And for the safety of all of us, your child included, we must return for you when things are calmer.”
“How long? How long will we have to stay here?” she asked, rubbing her temples.
“No longer than four months.”
“Four months,” she breathed, “I can’t hide it for that long!”
“It doesn’t matter. They will not be able to harm you. By law, the child is an innocent. Even if they planned to inflict punishment, they couldn’t touch you until after its birth.”
“So I’m trapped here at the mercy of my necromancing uncle!” she snorted.
“He will not be a danger to you. Trust me. With the two of us gone, I doubt he’ll consider you a threat.”
“Why would I have been a threat before? Is it because of this ‘potential’ business you failed to mention?”
“It wasn’t out of dishonesty, Elizabeth, I assure you. I simply did not see the need. You had already learned of our mission, you were being trained. I felt that…the matter didn’t need discussion unless you were called. There can be hundreds of potentials living at one time throughout the world. The odds of receiving a call are just—“
“You still should have told me. I don’t even know what it means, what I am…”
“Nothing has changed. You are who you’ve always been. The title only means that you have the skills and perception necessary to obtain the power should it be bestowed upon you.”
“Then I guess you’ve taught me everything I need to know,” she said numbly, avoiding his eyes, “Tell me how we’re going to free William.”
--
Clothed only in her nightdress and cloak, her golden hair in a loose braid down her back, Elizabeth steadily came upon Town Hall. The plaza was entirely deserted now at half-past midnight. Gusts of swirling wind whipped all around her, sending her gown billowing away from her body while her teeth chattered and gooseflesh rose on her arms. A glance to the heavens revealed the most brilliant sweep of glittering constellations Elizabeth had ever beheld in America. Somewhere behind her, Giles lurked in the shadows, waiting.
Elizabeth exhaled a quick breath, reviewing the plan in her mind briefly, before she released a blood-curdling scream and broke into a run. As predicted, the constable instantly rushed out of the jail with his musket ready to fire.
“Sir, help me please! Help me!” she shrieked, crashing into him and nearly sending all 250 pounds of him toppling over.
“Whoa Miss Summers, what’s your trouble, ma’am?”
“He’s after me! He—he’s an evil warlock and he’s going to kill me if you don’t help!”
“Slow down. Who’s after you?” the man asked in annoyance, no doubt assuming Elizabeth had lost her mind.
“Rupert Giles. I finally got away from him, and now he’s coming after me again! Please he’s very powerful…he’s going to kill me!” Elizabeth screamed, slipping into rehearsed hysterics as she clawed at the befuddled man’s tunic.
“Alright! Where’s he at?” the constable asked, trying to push her away.
Elizabeth gestured vaguely to the darkness behind her.
“Go on into the jailhouse, you hear me? Take these keys and lock that door tight behind ya. Don’t worry, ma’am, I’ll get this guy.”
“Thank you, sir! Oh thank you so much! I owe you everything!”
“Yeah okay, hurry up and go on now.”
She walked backward slowly as Giles surfaced out of the shadows and strode forward menacingly. Please let the spell work. Please work!
“Take one more step mister, and I’m shooting!” the constable bellowed.
Giles opened his fist, revealing a ball of swirling orange light. The constable, no doubt shocked by the magical display, let his musket fall and clatter to the ground. Extending his arm, the Watcher hurled the ball of light forward until it burst into a tiny sun with exploding rays, bathing the entire plaza in searing, golden radiance. The constable let out a small, somewhat womanish scream and fell on his backside as he scrambled to get away from Giles, who continued his advance. Satisfied that the constable was entirely preoccupied, Elizabeth fled to the jailhouse.
Her shoulder slammed against the door, sending it crashing open. Fumbling with the key ring, she searched for the master to open the lock into the back hallway.
“William!” she cried after throwing the heavy door aside and sprinting down the hall to his cell.
“’Lizabeth, wha…” he muttered groggily, standing from where he’d been curled in the far corner.
“Wake up. I’m getting you out of here.”
“What? How did you—“
“We don’t have much time. Which key is it?”
“Brass,” he replied hastily, clutching onto the bars.
Despite her shaking hands, she managed to find the brass key and open the lock before William helped her slide the bars back. And then she was in his arms while he fluttered sweet, frantic kisses over her forehead, cheeks, nose and lips. Elizabeth abandoned the need to run, and she wished more than anything that she could freeze this moment and live within it forever. She kissed him deeply, hardly noticing how his short beard scratched her cold, rosy cheeks. Nothing mattered except crawling inside him and never letting go. He swept her up and swung her off her feet, her legs hooking around his waist.
“Missed you, sweetheart. Needed you,” he breathed against the hollow of her throat.
“Go. Need to go,” she muttered, but she clung to him with no intention of letting go.
Elizabeth wanted to tell him a thousand different things—that she loved him more than anything in this life, that he was her savior, that he’d taught her how to love and trust herself. But she knew that any words she offered would be terribly insufficient. And they would all sound like goodbye. Slowly she released her legs from his waist and slid down, burying her face in his chest and breathing in deeply to enjoy his musky, hickory scent …before he’s gone. Tears blurred her vision at that thought, though she tried to will them away stubbornly. His arms came around her, holding her close, cradling her as he rocked their bodies soothingly. It was so simple—being held—and yet the act was more profound than words. Nothing existed outside their embrace; even fear and danger were completely overshadowed. Turning in his arms, she gently rested her head against his shoulder.
“I knew you’d come,” he whispered thickly, sounding so terribly young and vulnerable.
Elizabeth couldn’t reply as her throat tightened painfully. Don’t cry now. He needs to leave. Don’t make it harder.
William stroked his fingers through her hair lovingly as his cheek fell against the top of her head. Everything was quiet, and Elizabeth could both hear and feel the frenzied pounding of his heart.
“Mr. Giles has your horses out back,” she murmured, her voice muffled in his tunic, “There’s a French ship docked at Saybrook Harbor, and you must be aboard before it leaves for England in an hour.”
“Me? What about you, luv?”
She raised her head to meet his concerned gaze. I hope our baby has those eyes. Blue like the waves of the Caribbean. Reaching her hand up to cup his cheek in her palm, she tried to smile, though it probably looked more like a grimace.
“I have spoken at length with Mr. Giles. Considering the circumstances, we both think it best if the two of you go now and return for us—for me when it’s safer.”
“Bollocks to that!”
“William, please, we don’t have time—“
“The constable’s passed out cold after my little show, but no telling how long it might last. We have precious few minutes, Will,” Giles interjected as he strode down the hall, “We best be out the back door.”
William turned back to Elizabeth frantically, his hold on her tightening.
“No, no I’m not leavin’!”
“Will, if you stay, you’re going to die. If she comes with us now, we’re all going to die. Please listen with your head over your heart!”
“I can’t. Not without Elizabeth! She’s not stayin’ here!”
“Listen to me, William,” she said gently, “I’ll be all right. Just knowing that you’re safe…I’ll be fine. And when things are better, we’ll be together again.”
“Can’t go without you. There is no without you. May as well let ‘em kill me,” he muttered, on the verge of tears.
With her fingers, she traced the contours of his cheeks, stroking his full lips with her thumbs, committing the little details to memory.
“Hush. We’ll get through this. No matter what happens, we’ll keep going to the bitter end, do you understand me? Here…” she murmured as she dropped one of her hands to rummage in her cloak pocket.
Carefully she removed the small, beaded pocketknife he’d given to her.
“I’ll always remember what you said—how blood is everything that life is. It’s a bond, a connection between people that can’t be undone. A union through love, passion, the things that make us human.”
“Elizabeth, I don’t understand what you’re—“
She opened her palm and quickly dragged the blade across her flesh. Crimson water flowed through her fingers and pooled on the floor like liquid rose petals. Horrified, he pulled the knife from her grasp and cradled her palm in both of his.
“No,” she said, “Look.”
He watched as she slipped the blade beneath his flesh and gasped in surprise when her hand clasped his.
“Your blood is my blood. We are bound to one another. They cannot take that from us,” she said softly.
The sounds of shouting men suddenly arose in the distance.
“William, we must go,” Giles repeated firmly.
William stared with glazed eyes at their joined hands before he delicately broke away, turning his palm over to see their mingled blood streaked across his flesh.
“I’ll be waiting for you,” she whispered.
He pulled her close for one last burning kiss before tearing away toward the back door. Don’t look back, William. Don’t look back. And he didn’t.
Once they were gone and the unbearable weight of silence settled over the jailhouse, Elizabeth sunk to the floor and sobbed. She wished so badly to run after him and cry out the secret she’d been forced to hide.
I’m sorry. Oh God I’m so sorry.
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Author's Chapter Notes:
Sorry this update took a bit longer--thank you so much to everyone who's still reading! : ) Also a huge thank you to Edgehead for the lovely banner, and thanks to CordyKitten for putting me in touch with her!