Chapter Six. #2
William looked shamefaced as I glared. He turned away, stirring the stew again. He reached into the cupboard where my new bowls lived and began ladling it into them.
In response, I got up, opened the bread bin, and pulled out a crusty tiger bread I had bought today. I cut four thick slices and slathered them with butter. William put the dishes on the table, and I picked up my favourite fizzy drink.
William grabbed glasses and jolted back as I opened the bottle. He leaned in as it fizzed and hissed. His gaze met mine, full of wonder and concern. I poured a small glass, and William tasted it gingerly. William’s eyes went wide, and I hid a smile as he burped.
“Excuse me!” he exclaimed. “What is that?”
“It’s called Cherry Pepsi.”
“The bubbles tickle your nose,” William added. He pushed the tumbler toward me. “Might I have more, Miss Jasper?”
I filled another glass and pulled my bowl closer. Now it was my turn to blink in surprise.
“You can cook,” I admitted begrudgingly.
William smiled and then took a spoonful of stew. His eyes closed in bliss. “Two hundred and twenty-seven years since a morsel passed my lips. This is heaven,” he murmured.
A pang hit me when I heard how long it had been since William’s last meal. I couldn’t imagine going that length of time. It must have been torturous.
“Did you get hungry?”
“No, sometimes I wanted to eat, just for the sake of it.”
“Now you can.”
“Absolutely.” William turned to my fridge.
“Help yourself to whatever you’d like. We’ve a lot more types of food than you would have known,” I offered.
“That’s very generous of you,” William said.
“Yes, considering you want to kick me out of my home.”
Guilt crossed William’s face. “It is not by choice. But you must leave.”
“Why?”
“There is an evil trapped here. I kept it imprisoned with Leafpoint’s support, which is why the lantern wouldn’t work.
All her energy was focused on keeping everything locked down.
At Christmas, a stranger came; he said there’d been a disturbance in the Earth’s energies, and a great evil had been vanquished.
Ajax alleged it had opened the doors for other evils to wake, including the one that I helped trap.
“Ajax claimed that should mine escape, many people would come to harm and die. He would be the catalyst for other evil to escape. I cannot allow that, Lyra. Leafpoint’s light now helps keep him imprisoned.
I don’t understand how; it just does. It’s almost as if the illumination the light brings is sucked up and used to lock him in this prison. ”
“Okay,” I replied, not seeing how I could affect this.
“I’m not an educated man; I went to school but not college or university. I fail to comprehend half the things happening, but I can recognise evil. Ajax truly wasn’t lying when he claimed I was the guardian of a great evil.”
William didn’t meet my eye, and I knew there was something he wasn’t saying.
“What is it you’ve imprisoned?”
William almost squirmed. He took two bites of the stew before answering. “I’m not sure.”
Well, now. That was interesting.
“So, you are ordering me to leave Leafpoint, but are unaware of what you’re hiding here?”
“I am not order—”
“Yes, you are. Do you know how you died?”
William blinked and then chuckled. “That was blunt.”
“And honest.”
“No, I don’t,” William ran a hand over his chin.
Another surprise. What was going on here? I ate the stew, and it really was tasty. With the bread, I mopped up the juice and studied William.
“You have no idea how you died. You are unaware of what evil you’re keeping trapped. Is there anything you do know? Other than I need to get out!”
“If you stay, the evil will be released.”
“How can you be sure of that?”
William
I opened my mouth and then closed it, frowning. That was a good question. Ajax hadn’t told me that; it was something I’d convinced myself of. I sat back in the chair and stared at Lyra, who was patiently waiting for a response. She cocked an eyebrow at me, and I shook my head.
“I just am,” I replied, rather uselessly.
“I see. When you learn an answer, share with the class. Until then, I’m going nowhere,” she stated. Lyra stood, collected our bowls, carried them to the sink, and began washing them.
“You got attacked,” I reminded her.
“Yes, thank you for that reminder. Even so, this is my home. You won’t understand, not looking like you do, but I need Leafpoint,” Lyra said.
“What does that mean?”
“Really, William? You’re gorgeous in any day and age.
Those beautiful eyes, long lashes, your mouth, nose, strong cheekbones and neatly trimmed beard.
Any woman would kill to be your wife,” Lyra stated baldly and stunned me.
That was a bold statement, and I wasn’t exactly sure how to answer. Did I thank her?
Lyra laughed. “That shocked you speechless. Are you pretending you’re not handsome?”
“I…” I managed in a strangled voice.
“You’re blushing,” Lyra teased, sounding amused.
“You’re being quite direct,” I replied.
Lyra shrugged. “Yeah, by your standards, probably. But tell me what I said wasn’t wrong. I bet women swarmed you. William, you wouldn’t understand what it’s like to be lonely. I doubt you’ve ever been frightened that the scraps of affection offered to you might be snatched away.
“This lighthouse is my haven, my safe place. I won’t allow you or anyone to take it from me. There are things called exorcisms nowadays, and I will call a priest in.”
With that threat, Lyra turned, then strode off. As she walked up the stairs, she tossed one last comment over her shoulder. “Don’t spy on me in the shower or getting dressed! And help yourself to whatever food you want.”
Damn, I was offended. I was not some bounder who’d watch her undress. How dare Lyra suggest that? I had never had to force a woman… and I just proved her point. Arrogance!
I sighed. This was a minefield, and I’d no idea how to navigate this situation.
Leafpoint chuckled, and I scowled. Then she pinched me. I had to refill the oil.
That was worrying. Leafpoint’s reserves were dropping. I needed more. Perhaps Lyra could tell us where to buy whale oil. I couldn’t exactly walk into town and order it. Walking upstairs, I resolved myself to begging Lyra for help.
Lyra
As satisfying as telling William no had been, I was scared and worried.
If his claims were right and not exaggerated to keep Leafpoint to himself, then I was out of my depth.
I headed for my bathroom and ran a bubble bath.
Soaking in it, I let the day’s troubles disappear.
My headache lingered, and I wanted it gone.
Closing my eyes, I relaxed in the hot bath.
As the water washed away my stress, I allowed my mind to go blank.
The problems would still be there tomorrow.
An hour later, I got out and wrapped my hair up to dry.
Dragging on warm fleece pyjamas and thick socks, I climbed into bed.
Taking two more painkillers, I surveyed my room.
I might be an adult, but I was definitely going to leave a light on tonight.
Turning off every light bar the lamp, I slid into bed and pulled the covers up around me.
“Oh Mum, if only you could see me now,” I whispered into the night.
Tired, I closed my eyes and let sleep take me. Tomorrow is a new day.
There were eyes on me. I could feel them. I slowly became aware, but continued lying still. A whisper flooded the room, but I couldn’t distinguish the words. My skin broke out in goosebumps as I sensed a presence hovering over me. Cold, stiff fingers touched my cheek, and I released a scream.
“William!” I shrieked as I scrambled across my bed.
William appeared, and I fell off the bed.
“Begone, foul fiend,” William yelled and lunged at something.
A squeal forced me to cover my ears, and they both disappeared.
I leapt to my feet and slapped on every light.
As I ran downstairs, I heard a noise above and changed direction.
Heart in my throat, I raced upstairs and saw the trapdoor to the lantern room open.
Two figures fought in there, and I paused, panting for breath as they grappled one another.
William was forcing a black shape into the beam of light emanating from the lantern. The creature he fought squealed and pushed back, but William was determined. He lunged forward, and the dark shadow was fully engulfed in brightness. It screamed and then burst into specks of dust.
“William!” I cried. He emerged and grabbed hold of me in a hug. I clung to him as we sank to the floor together.
“Now do you believe me?” he whispered. I didn’t bother replying as I burrowed into his chest and sobbed.