The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux

A/N A semi-scary Halloween story with a good ending. I published this before, but this is edited and has corrections and changes. I initially wrote this after having Covid. It is fantasy.

A long time ago. Prologue

The one in charge had a child with one even greater than him. Soon after the son's birth, a future wife arrived; age was unimportant since they never aged once they reached maturity, and someone like his son deserved the best. His beloved tutor was the father's right hand. Unfortunately, his now older child, around an equivalent of 11 mortal years, saw something that changed him, and as soon as his son could escape, he vanished. He went with his mother's help, who had good reasons to leave. The angry father punished his son and locked the doors to their realm until the son asked for forgiveness and vowed to return.

Lizzie's Accident and Deals -1800's - The Hertfordshire- Hallows Eve

Elizabeth went into the forest, looking for something special. Mrs. Hill was a good cook and liked to forage for fresh ingredients, and Lizzie, against Mrs. Hill's advice, thought this time of year was perfect for mushroom hunting.

Lizzie loved Mrs. Hill and wanted to do something for her since Mrs. Hill planned to bake a mushroom pie for tonight before they went to the bonfires. She said eating a slice of this tart would keep them hidden from those who came across on Hallow's Eve. Mrs. Bennet agreed and was brewing a tea for everyone to drink.

Knowing that it would not work, Mr. Bennet said nothing. After all, he was lucky and had seen the ones he liked on nights like this; he had seen Fanny years before, hadn't he?

Mr. Bennet could have told his daughters that some would be able to see them. He meant the ones like him, who came across on a night like tonight. The pie and the tea he had taught his wife to brew would only protect them from the others, from the wicked ones with Luci; ahem, the name they liked to call the darkest of all. One should never say his name aloud because it was an invitation, and he could come.

Occasionally, Mr. Bennet wondered whether it might be good if others like him saw them. He hoped that Jane could find happiness with someone like himself tonight. Hmm, about that, he was not so sure, well, sort of, because he did not

like the ones like him. Besides, he was still unsure how to keep his daughters with him, but he might be able to hide with Lizzie and hopefully one more daughter. While Adela was willing to help him, they both understood that staying hidden with five daughters would be quite a challenge. He knew his father could see him and some of his daughters but had no idea where they were, not exactly, nor how they dressed or details to help him find them. With Adela, they could hide that from him

Meanwhile, Elizabeth went deeper into the forest because she still had not found what she was looking for. She was not paying attention, distracted by an unusual small bird with an odd reddish plumage, and her foot went into a hole. She fell, hitting her forehead on a tree root, and thought she saw the bird was a person who said, "This will have to do," before all went black.

"Where is Lizzie?" Jane asked. "I should have gone with her, but I was feeling sorry for myself." Nobody seemed to know; she was never gone more than an hour. Everyone looked for her, worried because it was getting dark. Mrs. Hill fretted, wishing she had stopped her; she felt foreboding.

Lizzie's father left in a hurry to search for her, saying they should stay. There was no sense in more mishaps. He did not like it when Jane stayed with the Bingleys; something had felt wrong since then. He did not trust anyone.

When he was far enough from the house, he faded into a flying shadow, carefully searching for the one without an equal, his favorite Lizzie. Hopefully, nobody found him after hiding for so many years. He found traces of Lizzie and finally spotted her lying upside down. He saw an odd-colored bird flying away; he would think about it later.

He came down and was again Mr. Bennet. He worried when he turned his child around and saw her face covered with blood. He could detect she would be dead if not because he was her father. If he waited any longer, his favorite would be gone forever because the entrance to where she was going his father had closed to him unless he asked for forgiveness, which he was planning to do eventually. He would do it right now because he needed help. He called, "You win; Father, you can see me now, forgive me, and when it is time, I will come back and do as you wish."

"Will you? Will you come back and stay? And will your daughters come with you? It's too bad your other wayward parent stays with you and helps you, but you must promise no tricks. I knew you were around this place, though not exactly. However, I know how powerful you are; you know this well enough. You would have disappeared again, as you have in the past, disappeared the same day you were supposed to return. No tricks." The voice sounded displeased.

"So, be it?" He hoped his father would not perceive his hesitation; if he did, he could renege on his promise later, as he had done before.

"Your bride awaits, you know." The voice said.

Mr. Bennet growled, "I have a wife."

"I know, it is the third time you do and the last. You knew marrying keeps you anchored. It's funny how you choose your wives. Too bad they died so soon, they told me about you, but you move quickly. Anyway, they look a lot like the bride waiting for you. We will do something. So be it; mortals do not last too long." The voice sounded pleased.

Mr. Bennet did not add that Fanny had been a horrible choice, but she gave him daughters. A light went around him and Elizabeth. He looked at his hands; he was no longer a shadow, and he smiled; he was back. His father had lifted his current punishment. He needed to figure out how to avoid punishment.

"No vanity, you must not be vain. See what happened to Luci. Alas, you inherited your other wayward parent's beauty; it worries me often, too beautiful. Many are beautiful, but none are you or your Elizabeth. You are too beautiful and powerful; hence, I can only imagine what you and your daughters can do, since never mind. You left when you were, hmm, let me think, in mortal years, you were 17; I never got to see what you can do when you came into your powers, all over pure silliness." The voice sighed.

"Our Elizabeth is a female version of you, my only child; she is breathtaking and shines with power; alas, children are rare, and female even more; we only have so few children. Alas, each one of your girls is perfect. I hope your daughters will have a few little ones. And you can have more; you take after your mother, and, ahem." Whoever spoke sighed again, sounding hopeful.

Mr. Bennet noticed the ahem and never minds, since they could not tell a blatant lie. He would think about it. Mr. Bennet bent and picked Lizzie as if she were a feather. Her wound had healed, but he grimaced, thinking, oh no, she cannot look like this.

So, he touched her face, and his Lizzie was back, or at least she seemed like the same Lizzie she used to be. Thinking about it, a drop of pure gold ran down his cheek. That was why he never cried; he did not have mortal tears. If anyone saw him, he could only imagine. He pocketed the tear, but there was no sense in leaving traces.

Mr. Bennet heard a cough. "Ah, it is you."

Mrs. Hill sighed, "Yes, my dear. We have hidden them for years." She sighed. "Being by your side is difficult, so I am glad you promised. I miss home, but poor my dears, who knows who their grooms are. I know there are some domineering males since that is why I stay with you. One was enough, and I could marry here. Look at Mr. Hill, a good husband. I will take him with me when I return. I love his bright soul."

They heard a nasty growl. "It is the truth." Mrs. Hill added louder, "When I return, I don't want him. You know who, or anyone there."

Lighting nearly hit them, and they heard another growl.

"Indeed, I understand." Mr. Bennet shrugged; he understood.

"Dear, I mean my Lord, in case you know who is listening, your head, change it. Your face is beautiful, but you could scare them; too much beauty for the ones here. Besides, we are not quite as they imagine us, ahem," she said, looking at his long blue nails, odd eyes, teeth, and dark blue lips, "We are warriors, killing machines, not so angelic as they call us. Otherwise, how could we fight Luci and his cohorts? As for the white wings, they think we have, that is nothing but pure nonsense. If we had wings, they would not be white because we could not hide in the shadows. I believe the mortals thought our protective clothes were wings; otherwise, how could we fly?" Mrs. Hill chuckled.

When they went back, Lizzie still felt woozy. Her dress had blood splatters, but from where? She asked, and her father explained she had a nosebleed. "Sorry, I was distracted by an odd reddish-colored bird." There was something else, but she could not remember.

Jane came running, "Lizzie, I received a message from Mr. Bingley. Imagine, he is coming with Mr. Darcy and some others. They want to meet our sisters; I think he wants to court me."

When Mr. Thomas Bennet heard, he was sad. He now knew who they were, just as he had suspected; he imagined they listened to the announcements. It was all over in seconds after his father had let everyone know his happy news. Hopefully, nobody would get on their knees like servants. He hated the servitude. Alas, you can run but cannot hide; everyone knows, he thought.

Thomas had been happy when the Netherfield people left. He had hidden well before, glad his daughters were not high enough for mighty ones as he had suspected some of them, even less since the Bennet were mortals and not rich. But he would bet three or more suitors for his girls, hand-picked, were coming tonight. He imagined they were regents of some of the worlds under his father; he was sure he knew at least two. But the twisted Wickham would not be hand-picked. He was a mortal, at least part of it, and he looked like Luci. True, he hid well. His great-grandmother was a dark worshiper who had given herself to Luci during Samhain, or Hallows Eve, on a night like this. Adela reminded him of the tale. Too bad his silly wife wanted the evil man for his daughters.

Mrs. Bennet was making a big fuzz. He thought he was fond of her, but not that much. He barely did. She was comely enough and liked the marriage bed. Truth be told, Fanny used to be a near double of the nasty and odious traitor who broke his young heart.

Going to the Bonfires

That night, they ate the pie and drank the tea that no longer protected them from most. Mr. Bennet could see his underhanded father had done something; he suspected he had changed them all. Of course, he had found them; his father knew they existed, but he was not exactly sure where he was until now. He was certain his father knew everything about each one of them by now. What else could he expect of his mighty father? They arrived at the place where the bonfires were burning high.

He was right. He knew it when he saw Darcy, plus Bingley, two of Darcy's cousins, and a Hurst. And there she was, the one. She was well disguised, looking older than him. Ha, the traitor was with them; he despised her.

"Sir," Darcy came to greet him, much to his dislike. My Lord, what an honor. Please forgive my previous behavior. To be fair, you hid well. I will be frank; we would like to have a chance with your daughters." He smiled knowingly. He bowed a little and touched his chest with a fist. Sir, my Lord, my life for yours, " he whispered.

Thomas cringed. Was the fool going on his knees? But no. Darcy bowed a little more and reached for his hand to kiss it, and Thomas pulled it away. What an insensitive idiot, not here, not anywhere, not now, not ever, Thomas thought. He disliked the demands for 'respect' and servitude.

"There might not be many better than us. We are high rulers who are allowed to stay here for a lifetime. We are not like you, of course not; there is only one of you. The rumor is that there is nobody quite like you, and that your powers have no equal. Even when you are still so young, your father says Some said your other parent is here with you. I heard that the mighty Adela, the mighty Lord's child, is your mother, which would explain it. Though your father does not tell anyone who your mother is." Darcy paused to think.

"Oh, I think I know who your mother is; I mean here. Well, you best know that Wickham is after two of your daughters; he is tainted. I believe that he is related to Luci. You can choose us, and nobody will come near them. Say the word." Mr. Darcy smiled.

"No, I won't force them. And I would rather they never went to live there. I was planning for them to stay with me. You must know about my Lizzie's mortal body, needed to stay here." Darcy interrupted him.

"Yes, I heard about Lady Elizabeth. I know she needed her mortal body to stay here. Your father let some of us know." Darcy's eyes shone. "Now, she will have to go back, and I know you planned to take them away. I figured it out." He paused to observe Mr. Bennet.

Satisfied with the reaction, Darcy continued, "Indeed, that chance to hide them is gone. You will need to tell them," Darcy smiled, and Thomas saw the teeth. He had no shame, risking someone would see him; Thomas Bennet tightened his lips.

Thomas Bennet wanted to conjure a sword of fire to end Darcy's sorry life. Adela was right, damn domineering males. He did not want Darcy to have his best child, his Lizzie. Darcy was known for his better-than-thou attitude; arrogance was his middle name. He shunned permanent attachments because nobody was good enough for him. No wonder, after all, Darcy was Gabriel's cousin. Thomas was not listening, planning how to get away with his girls, but where and how? Darcy was saying something,

"My Lord," Darcy bowed his head again, "there are worse than us. We are nobles from the high courts, loyal, powerful, and wealthy. Ah, there is your parent; he has arrived. Ah, sorry, she is here. You know who, Gabriel told me." Darcy whispered conspiratorially.

"Fool, you must never call me my Lord; this is the second time. Mr. Bennet will do. My daughter is Miss Elizabeth, no lady and no first names. And stop bowing, or else. I still have my sword." Bennet spoke between clenched teeth. Of course, he knew the word was all over the place.

He heard many snickers, "Tsk, tsk, your father will loop our heads, my Lord, we know better. He demands respect for his family, and you are his most precious; you are his only child; only a few are lucky to have one. Everyone knows as it was, I nearly died just a little while ago when he found out how I behaved with Elizabeth, I mean Miss Elizabeth." Darcy smiled again, showing his fierce-looking teeth.

'That is not my aunt, Lady Catherine," Darcy lowered his voice, "the real one died a while ago. Her daughter poisoned her. You know where her daughter is going when she dies." With those words, he moved.

'Lady Catherine' came and smiled like the poisonous snake she was, "Thomas, my darling, I will be waiting. Now, let me meet my daughters because, unknown to you, they are also mine. I was with her when we made them. Ahem, she carried them. You may say I loaned her womb and a little of her, so they have a small part of her, so they could look like mortals. She, a mere mortal, couldn't not have your children. It had not occurred to you?"

Of course, he was an idiot; it had not occurred to him.

She lowered her voice seductively, "What a lover you are. I come occasionally, like one week ago, when she drank too much. Gabriel is nothing but might make a good partner for one of our daughters. You were a baby, silly. You are still young, so your father won't allow unions; I can wait. Adela told you that my Lord promised you to me from the start. Be grateful; I never told your father I found you. I only had to look for someone who looked a little like me. You should know the mortal Collins, the worm, wants our child. He might be Luci's descendant."

Thomas growled so he did not hear the last words about Collins. Only that she got in his bed, the nasty piece, "You have no right! I never invited you. If I am so young, how did you dare, nasty piece."

She reached to touch him, and he flinched. "But you have, dearest Thomas, considering, hmm, well, it is funny how, every time, you chose one close to my double, or as much as possible, but mortals cannot compete with any of us, and certainly not with me. Adela is my best friend, our Lord's child, so I am one of our Lord's favorites. I am one the mightiest, of course, not compared to you or Adela."

Thomas Bennet might have promised not to hide, but he had before. Now, he needed to figure out what to do. The nasty piece got in his bed, though something stirred inside him, finding the thought thrilling. He could see behind her disguise, and she was breathtaking. No, no, he needed to remember finding her in Gabriel's arms. He never forgot that day when his heart broke into pieces. Until that day, he loved Gabriel, his tutor. Though Adela still told him he was silly, was he? He wondered about it once in a while. Adela said she knew many until the one; it meant pleasure, nothing more than that.

Rafael The Mighty and Ultimatums

An old gentleman came towards Mr. Bennet. Everyone moved away. He was not old since they never aged, but it was the present chosen appearance. When the man hugged him, sighing happily, Thomas cringed, but nobody saw it.

"My rebel son, introduce me as a, hmm, a friend. I love how you smell; it's perfect; you smell like all that is good. When you came to be, I would sit for days to look at you, and never had enough of you until you ran away." He held him a little longer. "Okay, say an uncle; say I am your family. I want to be close to my girls. Take their suitors' offer." The man said, adding, "Gabriel wants your Elizabeth. i know you consider that Gabrielis your worst enemy, but he is good, the best, after you. You were a fledging at the time, so your anger is pure silliness. It is not as if you have not had three wives thus far, and you are only, yes, about 19 in mortal years, much younger than any of the suitors, a baby. You should not be in a union, but thanks for the daughters."

A/N by now most of you have figured out what Mr. Bennet is, and who is LucĂ­. Tomorrow the second and last part.