Chapter 31

Alicia felt the invasion in her mind, it was like having a hot knife slice through her head. Memories that weren't her own invaded her mind and her own memories ones that she had long since buried deep resurfaced violently and mixed with the foriegn memories. She wanted to scream out in pain but found she couldn't control her body. It was like she had become a backseat driver in her own body. A voice spoke to her, telling her to calm down.

"It's ok, I'm here to help you. My name is Clara Velasquez, I am a friend of your Grandfather's. Please relax it will be easier for me to occupy you." the voice said, it was rich feminine voice that spoke in soothing melodic manner.

"Occupy?" Alicia asked, it was unnerving to talk but not feel her mouth move, or the words vocalize out loud.

"It's complicated, damn these vines hurt, has it always been this dark?" Clara asked, Alicia felt nauseous as the new controller of her body whipped her head around so quickly, so many memories, thoughts blurred through her mind.

"Yes" Alicia answered. Memories flitted through her mind like a movie on a screen and it played the moments of when the man tried to touch her and how the shield of magic that saved her from being touched by her captor.

"Except for those little moments. Interesting, I've never seen a pregnant woman do that" Clara murmured.

"How?" Alicia asked wanting to know how the woman in her head was able to sort through the dog's breakfast of memories. She wondered how a woman she did not know could occupy her body so easily.

"It's complicated"Clara said answering Alicia's silent thoughts of what was happening "I'll explain later but know I'm here with your family and I can feel the child, he or she is very strong. We will save you" Clara told her firmly, the confidence of the presence in her mind gave Alicia hope.

"When?" Alicia asked, she felt like she had been in this place for at least a day.

"Only three hours but it is enough time for anyone. If I could just have more light I could ascertain where you are. But for now I really need you to conserve your energy. You also need to relax, if you do the vines will loosen. They will not free you but it will be easier if you don't resist-" Clara stopped talking as the door opened and Alicia's head lowered and eyes closed. She heard footsteps coming towards her and voices.

"She is awake" her captor said, she wondered who he was talking to but she still had no control of her body. Though she did feel a sense of recognition wave through her, it was strange sharing her body with another person. Obviously, Clara recognised the man and that gave her even more hope than before.

"Alicia, Darling"

Alicia's skin crawled at the endearment as she recognised the voice. It was Theo, her possessor lifted her head up and opened her eyes and she looked straight into Theo's face.

"Theo. Why am I not surprised to see you here?" Clara said using Alicia's body, the feeling was incredibly uncomfortable and Alicia tried to accept that Clara was in control. To feel her mouth move and know it wasn't her speaking.

"Well, I would have come earlier but I had the messy business of dealing with Aurors about your disappearance. Luckily I was able to make it worthwhile to look at other suspects. It also helped that I had an alibi and a very generous benefactor to help me obtain you" Theo said he tried to touch her but stopped as he must have known if he tried he would be burned.

"Who?" Clara asked, a question Alicia would also like the answer of. Theo made a 'tsk-tsk' noise and shook his head.

"No, no she asked for anonymity" Theo told her.

"I'm going to die right? So why not let me take your secrets to my grave" Clara drawled casually.

"Please, I'm not going to kill you." Theo said as his eyes roved her face like she were a masterpiece. Alicia's body pulled back and the vines restraining her tightened.

"Then what do you want?" she asked it was a question Alicia already knew the answer to.

"I thought that was obvious I want you, I want to own you, to possess you every sense of the word. Something Warrington's offspring is interfering with" Theo said, he stepped back and pulled out his wand and conjured a silver bowl.

"I guess you'll just have to wait 7 months" Clara said mockingly, Alicia appreciated the strength the woman was showing through her body as it gave Alicia confidence to swallow her fears. Theo smiled at her and pulled a vial from his jacket.

"Please like I'd let you give birth to another man's child. No, that would be unacceptable. Don't worry we'll purge you of it" he told her. Cold dread drenched through her body, Alicia wondered what Clara knew that she didn't.

"Theo think carefully about this. Warrington won't give me up and-" Clara started but Theo cut her off. Alicia's body reared back and the vines tightened to hold her in place.

"He will once you've divested yourself of his child and enjoyed my company" Theo told her. A leery smile playing across his lips and Alicia felt her face contort into a cold expression, anger flared inside her.

"I will kill you before you can even get the pleasure of touching Alicia's skin" Clara sneered, Alicia felt the anger boil within her. It overpowered her own fear and she knew it was Clara's anger not her own as she was petrified. Theo looked confused for a moment but then laughed at her and tried to touch her but she was still protected by a shield of energy.

He stepped away to the table and uncorked the vial. He summoned a bowl and poured the contents into. Steam rose from the bowl and he smiled at her.

Alicia, I need you to focus. I need you to remember to not inhale in the vapours. No matter what and I am sorry… Clara said inside her head before Alicia could question her; immense pain ripped through her mind and body, she pulled on the restraints out of reflex and cried out as the vines strangled her limbs but the pain was nothing in comparison to the pain of Clara's presence ripping itself out of her.

It wasn't just the pain but the jumbled mess of memories in her head, they were hers and others were not and it was hard for her brain to sort them out. But one thing was constant she could still hear an echo of Clara's voice telling her to not to breathe in the vapours. She looked to Theo who was watching her with amusement. She focused on her breathing and as he moved toward her she sucked in her breath and held it. She would not breathe in the vapours coming off the bowl he was holding.

"Can someone please tell me what is going on?!" Warrington asked, Clara had been suspended in the air having a one sided conversation when she screamed out in agony and then dropped to the floor in loud thump. Cillian had rushed forward to her side and unfolded her so she was lying flat on her back. Maura rushed to the other side of Clara to offer assistance.

"Something has gone wrong" Cillian said clearly stating the obvious but not explaining himself as he turned his attention to Clara.

"Clara, can you hear me?" Cillian said as he gently tapped Clara's face trying to get her to wake up on her own accord.

"Did it work?" Montague asked as he had just returned from his home with two large transport boxes, one for the pensieve and the other filled with empty vials. He placed it on the floor and Maura moved away so that he could access Clara. He quickly knelt down on the other side of Clara and inspected her physical condition for himself.

"She's unconscious" Montague said aloud to no one in particular.

"Yes, I can see that. She came back too quickly" Cillian said, he pulled out his wand and looked at them all. "I'm going to revive her. Prepare yourselves, she will not be herself" Cillian said before Montague could argue against such actions, Cillian mumbled the spell and Clara's eyes snapped open, she let out a loud gasp and snapped upright. She looked around wild eyed and disorientated.

"Clara" Cillian said carefully. Clara swivelled her head around to Cillian and glared at him.

"You! you son of bitch, I'll tear you apart" she said in a dark and angry manner, Warrington and Montague took a step back while Cillian held his ground. Tears streamed down her face and her eyes blazed with heady emotions as she looked at Cillian like he were a blight on their world that needed to be removed.

"Clara" Cillian said carefully but before he could say another word she came at him with her fists. It was an unusual practice of violence considering she was magical like the rest of them but Cillian was prepared. He blocked her punch and caught her arm and turned her around so her back was facing his chest. He pulled her tightly into his arms using them to restrain her. She struggled violently and growled viciously.

"You bastard" she said scathingly and then it was like the anger drained from her body. She grew limp in Cillian's arms and he released her. She dropped to the floor kneeling with her head on the floor. She gave a cry of anguish as her hands clutched her head.

Warrington looked to the others in the room, Montague looked as confused as he while Maura showed deep concern and sympathy. He wondered what his mother knew that he didn't but there was no time to ask as Alicia was the reason for all of this. Warrington looked to Cillian and saw the man was coldly indifferent to Clara who had started to cry.

"Where am I? Why are you keeping me here? I didn't do anything wrong, I just want to go home" She said in a small and desperate voice as if she were a scared child. "I just want to go home" she weeped, Cillian moved to her side and grabbed her hands pulling them from her head. He then cupped her face forcibly between his hands and made her look at him. Tears streamed down her face and she looked so completely lost.

"Look at me! Your name is Clara. Do you hear me? Say your name" Cillian demanded. Clara looked at him like he were a complete stranger for a moment before it clicked.

"Clara" She said it sounded like she were asking a question as if she were confused about who she was.

"Yes, you're Clara-" Cillian spoke in rapid Gaelic to her and somehow she understood as the more he spoke the more Clara became cognizant of herself and where she was. "Tell me you know where Alicia is" he demanded switching back to English. Clara nodded slowly.

"I do know where she is, I can take you" Clara said she pushed onto her knees and tried to stand up but was too weak.

"Whoa, you're not any condition to be going anywhere" Montague said but Clara pushed him away.

"Leave me be, I've wasted enough time and she won't last long if we don't go now" Clara said as she managed to get to her feet with Cillian's help.

"Warrington, I need you to come here and lower the anti-apparation wards on the house. Now!" Cillian said, Warrington moved to Cillian and Clara so as to localise the arear where he would lower the wards. He pulled out his wand and murmured the spells. He barely finished the lowering the wards before Clara clutched his arm and apparated himself and Cillian out of the house.

"I'm told it will be painless, just let go and breathe" Theo said as he held the bowl near her face, the steam wrapped around her face and she held her breath. Silently begging for help and her call was answered as a small pop sounded in the room behind Alicia.

"Take her home boy" she heard Cillian say, relief flooded through her as she felt strong arms wrap around her and the world snap out as she was apparated out of the dungeon.

The next second she was in the library at Warrington's London townhouse. She coughed and gasped for air knowing instinctually it was now safe to breathe. The instantaneous travel had been incredibly disorientating. She turned to Warrington and wrapped her arms around him ignoring the pain she felt, she held onto him like he were her anchor.

"Alicia, it's ok. I've got you" Warrington said as he held her tightly in his arms. The familiar scent of him and his body warmth brought her comfort.

"I was told not to breathe in the vapours" Alicia said once her mind unjumbled itself for a brief moment. Memories not her own confused her. Memories of a life she didn't live, relationships, friendships with people she knew but not to that degree and the immense grief and heartache of lost loved ones. All of it swirled in her brain at a nauseating rate that she had difficulties remembering if she was Alicia or Clara. She did however know that she was safe.

"Why?" Warrington asked, when Alicia didn't answer he pulled back from her and cupped her face. She wore a faraway look, one he recognised Clara wearing earlier like she were lost in her memories. Tears streaked down her face and he quickly brushed them away with the pads of his thumbs. "Alicia, focus on me" he said to her.

"I'm so confused" She said her face crumpled as tears fell down her face.

"Why were you told not to breathe in the vapours?" Warrington asked her. Alicia shook her head but he could see she was extremely confused. Montague had moved in and started running diagnostic spells on Alicia. Warrington looked to Montague who finished a quick diagnostics scan, he showed no sign that Alicia was in dire straits physically so Warrington turned his attention back to Alicia. "Alicia" he prompted.

"No, I don't know, I tried not to" Alicia said unsure of herself. She could not think clearly, tears streamed down her face as she had no idea what was going on and why she couldn't remember clearly. Warrington pulled her close again not able to stand her anguish. Montague sat back on his haunches giving Alicia and Warrington the space and time they needed.

"It'll be ok" Warrington told her as Alicia broke down in tears. He held her tightly and rocked her gently in his arms while Montague and Maura looked on with concern.

"Where's Cillian and Clara?" Maura asked in a low voice.

"They stayed behind" Warrington said over Alicia's head to his Mother.

"It's too late old man" Theo said scathingly as he readied his wand.

"You're right, it's definitely too late for you" Cillian said as he stalked over to the young man, he grabbed Theo by his shirt front and in one swift move yanked the man off balance and wrapped his arms around Theo's neck and snapped it. He dropped Theo's lifeless body to the ground and turned to the door where it had opened. The Mediator looked at him with fear.

"O'Loughlin" he said recognising him.

"You took my Granddaughter to give to this filth" Cillian said gesturing to Theo's lifeless corpse. Clara laid on the ground behind him unconscious.

"If I had known. I-I would never-" he stuttered.

"Please, you work for a price and decided to test my mettle. See if I am still a man of my word. Congratulations" Cillian said he mockingly clapped his hands as the man looked at him with fear.

"Please, I-" he started but Cillian talked over his begging as he knew it was an act.

"Don't think I'm stupid to show you mercy. You want to live then you tell me who paid for your services and make this boy look like he couldn't live with himself and ended it." Cillian told him.

"I can fix the young man but I can't-"

"Is this person you're wanting to protect worth your life? Because you know I will not let you die as quickly as the boy. You will be a message for my enemies to remind them to leave me and my family in peace. You decide your fate" Cillian told him.

"There we go, you're all healed up. I've done multiple diagnostic spells, that kid is completely fine and is showing no signs of distress or any indication that he or she wants to leave your 'special place' as you like to call it. You on the other hand need to relax" Montague said to Alicia, the library furniture had been righted and she had regained some control of herself but her mind kept slipping. Memories floated through her mind, some her own and others not but some of them captured her and she felt herself withdraw from the world. She wasn't sure of emotions or herself, it was disconcerting, upsetting.

"I'm doing my best" Alicia told him, tears streaked down her face of their own volition, Warrington who sat beside her pulled the blanket that had been wrapped around her a little tighter so as to offer her warmth and comfort. Something she desperately needed.

Montague rose from the lounge and moved away to his medical bag, he pulled out a vial of calming draught.

"Perhaps a spot of tea and a proper lie down" Maura suggested. Alicia shook her head.

"Not until my grandfather is back" Alicia said obstinately. She needed to know her grandfather was alright. Maura moved to the space beside Alicia on the lounge and gently touched her arm.

"Well at least take this. For the sake of your child" Montague told Alicia as he held out the calming draught.

"No" Alicia said. It wasn't that she didn't trust Montague it was that she didn't want to lose her senses.

"Alicia, you will not know peace of mind on your own and your agitated state is not healthy." Maura said in a gentle manner, Montague held out the vial and Alicia realised they would keep cajoling her until she took the calming draught.

"Fine" Alicia snapped she took the vial and uncorked it. She swallowed the draught in one go and handed the empty vial back to him. "Happy?" she asked, Montague gave a bow of his head and a look of gratitude as he took the vial. Alicia felt a wash of calm roll over her, her emotions neutralised to the point she just felt deeply relaxed and nothing else.

"Immensely" Montague said as he walked away.

"I think Alicia you should lie down and I'll have an elf to bring you something to eat and drink. Rest for a spell. I'll let you know when Cillian has returned" Maura assured her.

"I agree, come" Warrington said to Alicia, he lifted her up into his arms bridal not even giving her a choice. But Alicia didn't fight him, she wrapped her arms around his neck to secure herself as he walked them out of the library.

"I'm going to set up the guest bedroom for Clara" Maura said after Alicia and Warrington left the room. She was deeply concerned for Alicia, the woman mind was deeply distressed and rightly so. They had no idea what Alicia had endured in short captivity and what memories had been brought to the surface but it was not good. There was also the matter of Cillian and his connection to Clara.

"Why?" Montague asked as he moved to the bar and poured himself a drink. He moved back to the armchair and sat down again.

"Graham, don't be a child. You're better than that" Maura said, Montague looked down at firewhisky for a moment as she was right. "You're a member of a different generation. A generation that has cut it's own path through our rigid social attitudes. You do not have to follow old traditions." Maura added.

"She abandoned me" Montague said as he took a small sip of whisky.

"She was disowned because of your mother's vanity. Your mother couldn't love a child that outshined her in every aspect. Why do you think she is so proud of you? You give her something to bemoan about" Maura said, she knew it was not the entire truth but then it was impolite to openly discuss another's life especially the childhood that Clara and Montague had endured under their mother.

"You believe that I'm a failure?" Montague asked idly.

"You seem to think lowly of yourself."

"I do not"

"You drink to excess and use humour to deflect people's attention so they do not realise how unhappy you are. All because your mother abused you from birth telling you that you would never amount to anything. But you've proved her wrong in so many respects. You did well in school, you now have a successful career and you have been a loyal friend to my son. You may have your faults but no one is perfect and for what it is worth, I am proud of you and Clara for not letting that foul woman ruin you" Maura said.

Montague paused mid sip of his whisky, it was the first time Maura had even voiced such sentiments to him out loud. He felt a sense of accomplishment in having Maura praise him. His lips curved into a faint smile as it was rare he ever felt accomplished even in his profession and life.

"Well, Clara looks well for someone who was disowned" Montague said turning his attention back to his sister. She was supposed to be on the Continent and yet here she was in England and an Auror living right under his nose. It was also the first time in over a decade he had openly discussed his sister and said her name. It felt foriegn. Maura shook her head at him.

"My dear boy, you know nothing of her life. She has not had an easy life" Maura told him.

"How would you know?" Montague asked, he knew Maura liked to bend the social rules but to socialise with the shunned daughter of a family friend was not a rule to be broken.

"I've meet up with her a few times over the years" Maura said idly, the truth was that she had only seen Clara in the last five years and only in passing. They exchanged polite words but nothing more.

"You have?" Montague asked.

"I'm hardly a conventional woman in our society. Yes, but our meetings were brief and polite."

"Then what would you know of her life?" Montague asked.

"I've deduced that from poor Alicia who is suffering the befuddlement of the curse. You would think if Clara's life were easy Alicia would not be so broken" Maura said, she also felt Clara's affiliation with Cillian was something of note but she didn't know what to make of it.

"Alicia was broken long before tonight's events" Montague scoffed.