| Chapter 19 Stefan knelt in front of the coffin, his eyes closed as he spoke of his mother. He wanted nothing more than for her to lie lifeless forever. Instead the rhythmic rising of her chest made him moan out loud. “She lives,” His despairing voice told the others. Alexis sighed in frustration. Luke grunted. “Naturally. Nothing kills the old bat. Hey, Helena. Wake up. Sleep time is over with.” At first, it didn’t appear as though Helena were ever going to waken. Stefan stood up. He wasn’t taking any chances. He took the crowbar from Luke. Luke looked at him oddly. “Planning to finish the job?” Luke wondered out loud. “She’s dangerous,” came the reply as Stefan held the crowbar, swiping his hand across it. Luke shook his head. “I think she’s beyond hurting you right now.” “For how long?” Stefan retorted sharply. “Good point. Maybe if we bash her head in, she’ll tell us where Lucky and Emily are.” “Luke!” Alexis scolded. “That’s not funny.” “Natasha, my darling, I don’t find anything about this funny, especially finding Helena in a coffin here at Spook Island. It’s too convenient.” “Convenient?” Stefan replied. “Nothing about my mother is convenient…” his words trailed off as Helena started to move. Her moan of discomfort made Stefan draw closer, his crowbar held out defensively. Luke smothered another snide comment while Alexis drew behind Luke. “Mother?” Stefan called. “Mother, wake up!” Helena’s body moved as she became aware of her surroundings. She opened her eyes suddenly, the coldness in them replaced by pure terror, something Stefan had never seen in the woman before. She sat up suddenly, her scream loud and long. Luke put his hands over his ears. “Geez,” He exclaimed. “You couldn’t shut up, could you, Helena?” Helena stopped as Luke spoke, her eyes finally focusing, realizing where she was , and that she wasn’t buried alive anymore. Still her body shivered. “Get a blanket,” Stefan ordered. “What am I, your servant?” Luke returned. Alexis looked heavenward, and walked back over the sofa where a blanket was thrown over it. She hurried back and tried to wrap it around Helena. Helena grabbed it and threw it back at Alexis. “Get away from me, you trollop,” Helena spat out. “What is going on here? What am I doing in this…this thing? Where is my son?” Alexis rolled her eyes and picked up the blanket. She held it close to herself, enjoying the warmth in Helena’s chilling presence. “This thing is a coffin, Helena. You almost bought it,” Luke informed his archenemy happily. “Too bad you didn’t.” If looks could kill, Luke would have dropped dead at that moment. His amusement only increased. “Your humor is not appreciated, Luke. It’s in very poor taste. How can you joke about such an unspeakable thing? Where is he? Where did he go?” Her voice was a notch above panic. Stefan stood in front of the coffin, looking directly at the face he detested. His mother. Why hadn’t she died? Why? “I’m right here, Mother, more’s the pity.” “You? You’re not the one I’m looking for. You know he tried to kill me. He wanted me dead. I’ll kill him with my bare hands.” “Who, Mother?” Stefan demanded. “Who are you talking about?” “Fool! You’ve always been a fool, Stefan. You know nothing and care less. My son. I’m talking about my son!” “You only have one son, Mother.” Helena’s gaze met Stefan’s. She was dead serious. “My son tried to kill me,” She repeated, “I won’t let him live to try again. That I promise you.” * * * * * In the study, Celine’s heartbeat was going so fast, she thought her chest would burst right open. Stavros always knew how to get to her. He was the only one. Even Stefan didn’t know about Trina. Only Stavros. She hung up the phone, and paced in the study. Stavros’ words were not an idle threat. She knew that. She knew Stavros better than anyone. “Celine, you’re such a ninny,” Celine said to herself. “You can’t bring Trina back and Stavros won’t kill you. He needs you too much.” But did he? Celine knew she was in an impossible situation. Caught between Stefan, Stavros and Helena, the witch. If it hadn’t been for Trina, and the revenge she had planned, Celine would never have made herself so vulnerable. She loved Stefan. In the end, he was what she wanted, but she also wanted Stavros to pay for his treatment of her sister. As for Helena, she was equally disposable, although Helena was more dangerous than either of her sons. It was odd she hadn’t heard from Helena today. Very odd. She picked up the phone again. There was only one person she knew of who could help her. “What?” was the answer on the cell phone on the other end. “Tracy? My you’re in a fine mood.” “It’s hell and high winds here as usual,” Tracy said. “My brother’s kid is missing. What’s your problem.” “The kid is missing with Lucky Spencer. Stefan and Luke are trying to find him.” “I see. Any luck?” “Not yet. Tracy, get a grip. There’s more important considerations right now.” “More important, Celine. I’ll bite. What’s more important than the kidnapping of two young people.” “Stavros. He’s threatened me if I don’t carry out his plans. He told me I’d end up like Trina.” A low whistle on the other end was not comforting as Celine sat on the desk again, this time, her fingernails scratching the desk. It sounded like chalk on a chalk board. Tracy winced on the other end. “Stop that, Celine. That’s irritating. Stavros is no one to fool with.” “You’re telling me?” Celine snapped. “Tracy, what am I going to do? If Stefan finds out Stavros’ and Helena’s orders, he’ll kill me. If I don’t carry out Helena and Stavros’ orders which contradict each other, I’m dead. This is absurd.” “I’ve got one suggestion,” Tracy said on the other end, smirking as she listened to the Q’s yelling at each other in the other room. “What’s that?” Celine asked hopefully. Tracy always helped her when she was in a jam. “Get out of Dodge.” “What?” Celine asked. “What do you mean?” “I mean, get out of town. Leave Stefan. Get away from Stavros and Helena. Leave. If you do, you live. If you stay, you die. It’s that simple.” Celine held the phone away from her ear for a minute, totally agast. Damn Tracy. “Are you crazy. I can’t leave Stefan. I can never leave Stefan.” “Then be prepared to die, because you can’t please both Stavros and Helena. As soon as they realize the game you are playing, they’ll wipe you off the face of the earth.” “Gee, thank you for the support, Tracy,” Celine said sarcastically. “Anytime,” Tracy returned. “If you need me, you know where to find me.” “Yeah, right! Thanks for nothing!” Celine slammed the phone down. Tracy put her cell phone back in her pocket, smiling. Celine was always so melodramatic. But then, maybe this time she had a reason to be. * * * * * Stavros had barely had time to hang up his cell-phone before Nikolas’ head emerged in the door of the limo again. “Come in, Son, come in,” Stavros invited. “We have some very important decisions to make quickly.” “I have to get back to Wyndemere. Gia is on her way there. If I don’t get back, Stefan will call out the national guard.” “With good reason. Get in, Nikolas,” Stavros ordered in a voice that brooked no defiance. Nikolas got into the limousine. He sat back on the seat, facing his father. The man had aged, but he definitely was Stavros. It was eerie sitting there talking to a dead man. But stranger things had happened in his life. This was just one of them. “If you can’t take me to Lucky, what can I do to help? You know that every minute, he is with that mad man, Faison, that his life is in danger.” “Yes, it is. Your devotion to your brother is admirable, Nikolas. I see, your mother’s fine hand in that.” “Laura had nothing to do with it. The relationship Lucky and I have came out of hard work on our own. I don’t have time to spar with you, Father, and I’m certain you don’t either.” Stavros shook his head at the boy’s insolence. “You do need some lessons in common courtesy, I must admit. Since you are right in this case, I will let your rudeness pass. Lucky is with Faison. They are at a compound in Rocester.” “You’ve seen them?” Nikolas asked in surprise. “You’ve seen Lucky and Emily.” “Sadly, yes. Faison has them completely at his mercy. I’m afraid if we don’t rescue them soon, it will be too late.” “Too late?” Nikolas cried, finally losing his cool. “What the hell do you mean by too late? Why didn’t you pull them out of Faison’s clutches if you were so close?” “Because it wasn’t the opportune moment,” Stavros said calmly. “Settle down, Nikolas. I have an informant inside Faison’s compound. He keeps me informed. For now your brother and Miss Quartermaine are still alive. He will let me know when it is safe to try and help them escape.” “Safe?” Nikolas yelled wildly. “Safe? It will never be safe with Faison. He practically destroyed Lucky the last time he had him. We have to get him right now! I’m not leaving until you take me to my brother.” “You are in no position to make demands from me, Nikolas.” “I’m not? You’re my father. You were supposed to be there for me. You weren’t. Now I’m telling you. Take me to my brother.” Stavros studied Nikolas’ face. The hysteria was falling away. In it’s place was the intensity of the Cassidines. Stavros was inwardly proud of his son. Someday, Nikolas would be a man to be reckoned with. For now, he was a boy, and as such, he had no rights as far as Stavros was concerned. He leaned forward, his hand slapping Nikolas lightly on the cheek several times. “A true Cassidine,” Stavros murmured. “But I can see, now is not the right time to ask your help in rescuing Lucky. You are much too emotional. Perhaps later.” “Now!” Nikolas said hoarsely. Stavros’s hand opened the limousine door. “Go back to Wyndemere, Son. I will be in touch.” Nikolas sat back in the seat. His face was determined. He put his arms across his chest defensively. His brown eyes met Stavros’. Stavros pulled the door shut. “As you wish,” Stavros agreed. He picked up the phone to talk to his driver. “Take us home, Randall,” He told the driver. He hung up the phone as Nikolas looked out the window. Stavros smiled. Nikolas had reacted just the way he wanted him to. Now no one could accuse him of kidnapping his son. Nikolas was going with him willingly, and he would make the best hostage without ever knowing it. Celine be D**mned. * * * * * Emily Quartermaine’s face was contorted as her back arched and her body seized. Lucky's screams that she was dying only frustrated Anders, but he kept his anger to himself. There was nothing to do. They would have to wait it out. “Lucky, stop it,” Anders ordered. “you’re not helping Emily.” “She’s going to die,” Lucky cried in a panic. Emily’s body started to quiet down, and then was caught in yet another seizure. Lucky ran to the door and pounded on it. “Help!” He screamed. “Please help us. She’s dying. Help!” To Lucky’s relief, the door opened. Faison stepped inside. He pushed Lucky aside. A guard blocked Lucky’s path if he had tried to escape, which was about the furthest thing from his mind. He followed Faison over to where Anders sat helplessly as Emily seized, one minute after another. How long she could go on like this, Anders didn’t know. He threw his father a look that was filled with daggers. “Give her something,” He ordered the old man. “Help her!” “They’ll stop in a moment. I wouldn’t kill the girl. Not yet,” Faison said. “Just a lesson for her. Now she knows she is as susceptible to my power as anyone.” “Father, please,” Anders begged. Faison merely stood there. Lucky couldn’t stand it. As Emily’s body trembled, her arms and legs moving in a grotesque fashion, her eyes staring sightlessly, the whites of her eyes visible, Lucky lost it. He pushed Faison to the floor. He turned the surprised man over and sat on him. Lucky’s hands were on Faison’s neck squeezing in a white hot rage. “If you don’t promise to help Emily, I will kill you,” Lucky cried in a voice that would frighten any man, except Faison. Faison’s throat constricted as Lucky squeezed. For a moment, the man wondered if the boy would be his end. Everyone had been taken aback by Lucky’s attack. Finally, just as Faison was about to lose consciousness, the guard raced forward. He pulled Lucky off Faison and threw him across the bare room. Lucky hit the wall. He got up quickly, glad his back wasn't hurting. He cast a glance at Emily whose body was finally still. Faison had been right. Now Lucky had put himself in danger again, for nothing. It was just what Faison wanted. Faison sat up, then slowly stood, gasping for air, his own face now as bitterly angry as Lucky’s had been. “You’ll…never…learn…Spencer,” Faison spat out. He nodded to the guard. Emily was just regaining consciousness. Lucky was walking towards her. His eyes met hers, his magnificent blue eyes. They were looking at each other while Anders looked from his father to the guard who raised his gun. Anders pulled Emily too him as the gun was pointed at Lucky. In an irrevocable second, the gun was fired. Time moved in slow motion as Emily struggled to sit up. Lucky flew backward, landing once more against the wall. For a second, he stared at Faison in shock. “Emily,” was his last word. Lucky’s body sank down the side of the wall till he lay sideways, his eyes slowly closing as if he were finally giving up. He didn’t move. He didn’t appear to be breathing. Faison walked over to Lucky. Emily struggled against Anders. “Lucky? Lucky? Lucky. Oh my God,’ She cried. Weak and confused, Emily tried to go to her friend, but Anders held her firm. Faison bent down. He pulled Lucky’s head up so that Emily and Anders could both see. Tears fell down Emily’s face. She turned to Anders and buried her face in his chest. She’d never forget, never forget Lucky’s lifeless face, his still body. Faison stood up. “Remove him,” Faison told the guard. “He’s learned his lesson once and for all now. His grave will no longer be empty.” Emily screamed her anguish against Anders who relished her body against his. Anders gazed at his father. Faison smiled. The game was coming along nicely, and the fun was just about to escalate. Faison and Anders were both in their element. |