Chapter 8

Elizabeth

"I can never thank you enough dear sister." I stop Mary's hand from working on her experiment. Mary then looks up at me with tears in her eyes. We hug for a long moment and then all our sisters join us.

We will get through this my lovely sisters! Thank you all for helping me. Mr. Darcy informed me how each of you were a huge help. But now we must go to the Capitol. Now there is so many more questions we need answered!

Lizzy you must rest! Your body is still so weak.

Kitty says immediately. It shocks me to see her so serious.

We should wait a few days. Make sure you are strong enough for the journey.

Jane's loving, warm, caring thoughts fill our thoughts.

There is no rush now that Collins is gone. Why not take a few days and get to know these handsome gentlemen better. Before we have to get all serious again. Lydia says while not discreetly smiling at the Colonel. He smiles back. I like the Colonel, but we will have to watch these two.

I am completely fine. I am ready to go! I find my bonnet on the floor and begin to put it back on my head.

All the gentlemen stand up and look questionably at each other.

"Gentleman, Lizzy has decided that she is well enough to go to the Capitol now. We all think she is crazy. Can you please convince my stubborn friend she needs rest?" Charlotte says.

I stare daggers at the back of her head. Seriously Char!

Sorry Lizzy but if you weren't going to listen to us. I thought I'd see if you would listen to your soulmate. Charlotte ends her thought by glancing back at me with an eyebrow raised.

How did you know?

We will talk later…

I am left standing there shocked.

"Miss Elizabeth, you need your rest. Please do not push yourself. Do not worry on our account. We will look into getting rooms at the closest inn." Mr. Bingley says while glancing at the Colonel and Mr. Darcy. They both nod in agreement.

"Nonsense! We have plenty of room here. Please we can't thank you all enough for all your help, please you are welcome here." Jane says to all three men but ends by shyly looking up at Mr. Bingley.

"I thank you all for your concern, but I truly am ok. We can't waste another moment!" I get their concern, but as soon as the possibility came into my head of finding the murderers there was no other thing on my mind. Well…all except for wicked blue eyes who apparently is my Soulmate!

Miss Elizabeth, please.

He took a second and waited till I looked at him fully.

I would hate to see you harmed further because you did not take time to heal fully.

I feel his concern. But still shake my head.

How will you be able to hunt the killers down or be of any use to the Capitol unless you take a few days and rest?

He looks at me again but with a knowing smile. The fact that he knows what's going on in my head is a little scary and I know for a fact he hasn't been reading it.

Please… Please, Miss Elizabeth. I can't bear to see you hurt again.

"What's it going to be Miss Elizabeth? Has Darce convinced you yet?"

I can't help but let out a laugh. The Colonel knows his cousin well. I see Mr. Darcy roll his eyes, but then quickly look back at me awaiting my response.

I then smile at the Colonel and then a little softer at Mr. Darcy. "Ok. I will be a good girl and rest." I almost leave it at that, but where's the fun in that? "And yes sir, he did convince me indeed." I try to look down through my lashes, like many flirting maidens have mastered. But mine comes out more sarcastic than flirty. I just end up laughing at my ridiculousness, the Colonel joins in laughing and Mr. Darcy smiles brightly. It's a beautiful sight.

"So it's fully decided then. We will all wait a few more days, make sure Miss Elizabeth is top shape and then will all head to the Capitol together" Mr. Bingley jumped up and said with a bright smile.

Everyone looks at each other with a nod and a lighter mood fills the air.

I can already feel his steady gaze on me. Was it really just a few hours ago I wanted to blow his head off? Now his mere presence close by makes me smile.

We all scatter to different areas for the afternoon. Our trunks have been brought back in from the carriages and the men have been shown where they will be staying the next few days.

Fitz

Commander, sir- I report that the Bennet sisters have agreed to accompany us to the Capitol. We have had an unfortunate delay and will need to stay a few days at the Bennet home in Hertfordshire.

Is all well, Colonel?

We are all well now. But we did have an unfortunate run in with The Bennet's cousin Mr. Collins. We are unsure fully of his motives. He tried to capture Miss Elizabeth Bennet, but was unsuccessful. We caught him before too much damage had occurred. Unfortunately the only option was to end his existence. Miss Mary Bennet was able to remove dark magic from Mr. Collins body. Miss Mary is testing it now and we are hoping to know soon who the Dark Mage is that was controlling Collins.

Miss Mary Bennet you say? Surprising, she was very low on our radar of the Bennet sisters.

I have to say sir, all of these women far exceed what we were originally told of them.

What have you done with Collins body?

I placed it outside for now.

Make sure to put a protection spell on it. We do not want it disappearing before our men come to collect it. We will do our own tests on his remains.

Yes, sir.

Carry on Colonel. Please update me if you have any more knowledge on this case. Please relay my condolences to the Bennet sisters and I hope Miss Elizabeth recovers quickly from this endeavor.

Will do, sir.

Also… be safe son.

Will do father.

I take a deep full breath of the crisp fall air as the sun slowly begins to set on the Longborne estate. I quickly place a protection spell over Collins body and begin to fully look at the area for the first time. Earlier when walking with Darce and Bingley, I was only half paying attention. I did not fully understand the severity of this situation. Yes, I knew there had been murders here- but unfortunately in my line of work I see death all the time. It is obvious now there is more going on here than we originally thought. I start surveying the whole area, section by section. Just as I was trained to do.

Not long into my inspection a now familiar scent fills my thoughts: Jasmine and cinnamon, sweet and spicy just like her.

"Excuse me sir, I was told to inform you that dinner will be ready in about an hour." Lydia smiles up at me with a coy smile. Oh how I want to know fully what thoughts are going on in that pretty little head of hers.

"Thank you madam. I do appreciate you letting me know. How is Miss Elizabeth?" I say while trying to continue on in my inspection. But now my thoughts are fully consumed by the pixie beside me. Her light brown ringlets being tossed around in the cool breeze.

"She is resting. Though only by force, I believe your cousin helped convince her." She says with a smirk.

"Yes. He can be pretty protective with those he cares for."

"Are you suggesting your cousin cares for my sister?" She looks up at me with an raised eyebrow, challenging me to reveal all.

Little does she know, I would tell this woman all my secrets if she only asked.

"As you well know that he does." I smile cheekily back at her.

We both hear someone walking towards us and immediately take a few feet back from each other. Just like normal since being in Miss Lydia's presence we had unconsciously gravitated toward each other once again. I feel like a moth to a flame when I'm around her. Something inside me pulling me towards her constantly. I keep telling myself she is young, so young. But that doesn't erase how she makes my heart beat uncontrollably.

We see Darce walking towards us. He notices Collins body a few feet away.

"Did you speak with the commander?" Darce says directly. Looking as if he was ready to take action.

"Yes, he told me to put a protection spell on Collins body. They will have men come and collect his body soon. He also is eagerly awaiting results from Miss Mary's tests."

Lydia seems to perk up at this declaration. "I can't believe Mary never mentioned she had such a gift!" Lydia almost looking like she was about to pout, but instead just rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"It's possible that she has never had the opportunity to use it. I am guessing before now your family has not had a lot of dealings with dark magic." Darce says matter-a-factly.

"You are correct sir. We have been quite sheltered out here in the country. But Papa was not quiet about teaching us about all kinds of magic. He encouraged us to learn all the histories of Magic in our world."

Darce and I nod. "Your father seemed to be a very smart man." I look at her, trying to show my respect for her beloved father.

"He was indeed. Though there is a lot he didn't tell us. We always knew he was hiding something from us. There is so much surrounding my parents deaths that is a mystery to us all. I can only wonder if Collins had something to do with it. But I believe he was not alone. It seems like someone was controlling him." She looks back towards Collins body deep in thought. A serious look I have yet to see covers her youthful face.

"Yes we believe so as well. Fitz, do you believe Sabs would be willing to come and help Mary in the testing?"

I nod my head thinking. "That's a good idea, indeed Darce. I am unsure of his orders at the moment, but I am sure the Commander would be willing to lend him to the cause."

"Sabs?" Lydia inquires.

"My older brother Sabastian Fitzwilliam. He is a gifted Alchemist. He can create powerful potions and also is skilled in discovering all magical components in substances. He would be very helpful indeed." I say to Lydia. She nods back at me in understanding. "I will contact him now and see if he is available."