Claudia's study was in one of the castle towers. It was dimly lit with numerous candles scattered about the room. A low table was set on the floor with a large cushion at the base. Books upon books lined the shelves and floor of the tower. Parchments and scrolls were placed between the gaps of books. Claudia was kneeling in the center of the tower in front of Emily. A large, black leather bound book was open, facing Emily. Matt was standing to the side, but the door, looking out the window.
"This book contains the origins of the Order. It was written by every founding member of the Order." Claudia explained.
"Including yourself?" Emily asked.
Claudia nodded. "I continue to write for the Order. It is a blessing and a curse as the final founding member."
Emily turned the first of the book. The page held a drawing of several people. "This drawing. Is it of the founding members?"
"Yes. There five of us who founded the Order. Sir James Lester. Knight to her highness in the fourteenth century. Nicholas Cutter, a historian of myths and folklore. Abigail Maitland, a mage not unlike myself. And Connor Temple." Claudia explained. She smiled lightly. "We were so young."
"What became of them?"
"They fell. One by one into deaths hands. Sir Lester was murdered by a rogue pack of werewolves not long after the formation. Connor fell ill. We still suspect that a curse was set upon him. Dear Abigail couldn't seem to accept Connor's death. In her time of mourning she was attacked by shape shifters." Claudia explained.
Emily noticed Claudia notion in leaving out Nicholas. She was hesitant to ask, just on the off chance of opening old wounds. Still, curiosity got the better of her. "And Nicholas?"
Claudia turned her head from Emily. "He fell as the others."
"Claudia." Matt called. "If we want Emily's trust then we can't hide anything from her."
Claudia sighed. "Nicholas fell by my hand. That is all you need to know."
Emily accepted the explanation and continued to turn the pages. Drawings upon drawing filled the pages. All of member orders. Beneath their drawing were several dates, the final one being the date they passed. Emily turned the page and stopped. There was a drawing Matthew and a young woman. Even in a mere drawing, and several centuries of buried memories, Emily could still recognize her mother. She stood tall beside Matt, her face full of love and determination. She shared many features as Emily, the curls, the shape of her face, even her eyes. Emily glanced toward Matt. He was still watching window, oblivious to the drawing in Emily's hands. Emily quickly turned the pages to the beginning of the writings. The first section was written by Nicholas Cutter.
Claudia suddenly rose to her feet. "Emily, you and Matthew may continue to reside within my study. However I sense I am needed elsewhere. I shall return soon."
"Thank you." Emily said.
Claudia walking quickly to the ladder and descended the tower, leaving Matt and Emily alone.
Emily waited until she was certain Claudia couldn't hear her. "Matt."
"Nicholas was the reason Claudia formed the Order." Matt explained. "They had a chance meeting and both foresaw your existence."
"Claudia said that she and another mage foresaw my coming."
"She lied." Matt answered.
"Why?"
"It's easier, I suppose. Easier than accepting the truth." Matt explained.
Emily swallowed. "What happened to him?"
"A few decades after the Order was formed, Claudia was taken captive. The cult demanded Nick's presence upon her release. When he came for her, the cult tortured him for months before finally killing him." Matt explained.
"Oh my god." Emily gasped. "What of Claudia?"
"Before they killed him, they brought out Claudia. She watched helplessly as they murdered him. Then they blinded her." Matt finished.
Emily lowered her head. "I can understand her reasoning. She was used as bait to lure her friend to their death."
"Nicholas was her husband." Matt said, turning toward Emily.
Emily closed the book. "Lying would ease the pain of the truth to others."
The window behind Matt shattered suddenly. Matt drew from the window, placing himself between Emily and the opened window. The bitter air raced into the tower. The lights flickered out form the window, but their eyes easily adjusted to the darkness. A bitter and familiar scent caught Emily's attention. She rose from the ground, reaching for the dagger on her hip.
"William." Matt growled.
William stood on the edge of the window; still within the boundaries his race was permitted. He looked in at Matt and Emily, his eyes hallow. "Hello Emily. You are quite difficult to find."
"Not difficult enough." Emily replied.
"Four weeks of hiding is sufficient enough, but now your time of hiding is over." William said.
"You're on protected land William, leave now and you won't be harmed." Matt ordered.
William chuckled. "I only came to deliver a message."
"Then do so and leave." Matt ordered.
"I demand Emily's return to my estate. Should she refuse to do so by the falling of tomorrow's sun, I will slaughter every human that crosses my path until she does as such." William explained. He tossed something into the room. "And to prove this is no empty threat, this life is one your heads." And with that he was gone. Emily looked down at the ground. Laying in a mass of papers and scrolls was the body of a young girl, barely twelve years of age.
yes i am that twisted in my mind. and you're still reading this.