Dark Realm 9

“Joy,”

“Interesting,” William smiled. The gesture made Joy shiver.

“Maybe we should go,” Joy turned to look at Brinley.

“Leave? Why? You haven’t seen what you came here to see.”

“What do you think I came to see?”

“By now, I have figured out Brinley has explained our first encounter. Her presence here still lingers, like the flowers and me. The energy within your friend is something I have never felt in life or death.”

“Are you draining her essence now?” Concern was etched on Joy’s flawless skin.”

William floated backward. “Brinley is special.”

Joy and Brinley exchanged worried glances. “You didn’t answer the question. Maybe the reason you’re being evasive is that you want Brinley to reanimate your wife.”

Brinley’s eyes grew wide. “Joy,”

“What?” Joy shrugged. “We have to know, don’t we?”

William paced in front of the women. “My wife was a monster at the end. A demon from the bowels of hell itself. We do not receive as many visitors here and no one with the energy like Brinley. Once I realized Brinley was different, I watched out for her. You have every right to be skeptical. I would be skeptical if you did not have some sort of concern. But I will allow no harm to befall Brinley again.”

“And we should trust you why?”

“Joy, stop it. Is this why you wanted to come up here tonight?”

“No, no, it’s fine, Brinley. Your friend has every right to feel the way she feels. I did you wrong, and I am here to make amends.”

“I’m sorry, Brinley. I didn’t mean to be a bitch I just wanted to know what his story was. I was afraid because the flowers were fresh, that Maggie was somehow feeding on you. I’m sorry,”

Brinley’s eyes grew wide, then she turned to stare at William. “Could Maggie be feeding on me right now?”

“I cannot answer that question. Maggie is more attached to the home than the gardens. How do you feel?”

Brinkley blinked several times. “I feel the same. I’m not lightheaded.”

“That is good, right?” Joy held Brinley’s elbow.

“It’s good.”

“You never said what brought you two here tonight. Besides thinking you might be crazy.”

“We wanted to ask you some questions about Maggie.” Brinley took a quick look around.

“My wife was evil at the end of her life. Her eyes once danced with life, but now her eyes are portals of darkness. Even I am afraid of her.”

“How does Maggie keep you here?” Brinley asked.

“I am not sure. Come, we can walk, and you two can ask your questions.” William stared down at his hands.

Brinley stared at him. “Are you all right?”

William nodded. “Follow me.”

The two women follow William toward the gardens.

“I can’t believe you.” Brinley hissed.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. We need to know everything we can about Maggie and William.”

“Yeah, well, you could have warned me you were going to interrogate him.”

“True, just tell me once you felt weak. If that happens, we need to bolt, deal?”

Brinley agreed. “Deal.”

William turned to stare at the women as they murmured to each other. “What questions do you have?” William clasped his hand behind his back. “I will help you if I can. Or am I just playing along, leading you both into a trap, eh?”

The friends stopped in their tracks.

William laughed. “I’m sorry. It was a joke. You know, to break the ice.”

“Ha, you’re so funny,” Joy muttered.

“I want to free you from this place, William,” Brinley began.

“Free me?” William stopped gliding.

“Brinley,” Joy groaned.

“Free me how?” William’s smile faded. “You two should not be saying such things.”

“We need to know if Maggie was a succubus or a Moroi,” Joy said.

William stared at both women. “I see you two have done your research. At the beginning of her sickness, I will admit I was naïve. I called for many doctors to come, but they ended up dying within days of their visit. I loved her. How could I believe my Maggie was inhuman? All I wanted was to save her, but soon I realized I could not. What was I supposed to do?”

“Why didn’t she feed on you?” Joy asked.

William shook his head. “I don’t know,” he whispered. “Maybe she did. Once I died, I awoke here in the room we once shared. I thought it was a dream until the moment I tried to leave. Every time I take one step past the gate, I am thrown back inside. So, I have stayed here doing Maggie’s bidding.”

“Until now?” Brinley nibbled her bottom lip.

“Until you, correct. May I ask you two a question of my own?”

Brinley nodded.

“What do you know about the Moroi?”

“It’s a vampire or ghost that leaves the grave to feed off the living. Like a strigoi.” Brinley watched William stroke his firm chin. “Are you surprised?”

William’s blue eyes sparkled with curiosity. “I am impressed. The two of you make an exceptionally talented team.”

Brinley flashed a half-smile toward her friend.

William strode over to sniff the roses. “Should I be worried?”

“Are you afraid? It’s not like you can die again, right?” Joy walked over to an apple tree. “It’s real?” Joy felt the rough bark grind against the tender skin of her palm.

“I love your candor.” William smiled, walking through the tree, causing Joy to jump back.

“We’re not here to hurt you.”

“Marriage is for life. I thought it would last forever, and it has. The reason I questioned you about your knowledge of the moroi is because Maggie’s family came from Romania. Maggie’s mother was a gypsy named Mahala. There were rumors about their family, but the first night I met Maggie, I knew she wasn’t a moroi. Her heart was so pure. I miss her soulful eyes and her laugh. I think I miss that the most. We loved each other once, at least I thought we did. I didn’t believe in the rumors of Mahala using dark magic. The thought sounded insane. The night Maggie fell ill. I called the doctors, but no one knew what was wrong. In two days, Maggie was bedridden within days of her illness. Each day she grew weaker. Watching her in so much pain made my heart break. I cursed the heavens for causing Maggie to be so close to death. Midnight on the fourth night, Mahala appeared at the gates.”

Joy and Brinley turned to stare at the iron gate. “How did Mahala get here from Romanian?”

William’s shimmering form weaved in and out of the fruit trees. “The thought never crossed my mind. I was thankful to have Maggie get some sort of relief.”

“So, what happened?” Joy could not help but be intrigued by William’s story.

“I could not witness the ritual. Maggie screamed for days, and when Mahala opened the door, Maggie was asleep. I was thankful I thanked God, but Mahala laughed at me. By dawn the next morning, Mahala was gone, and Maggie was awake. Before too long I noticed the change in my wife. She no longer wanted to lie in bed with me. The few times I caressed her skin, it was cold and hard. That was when I realized something was wrong.”

“Why didn’t you leave?” Brinley asked.

“And go where?” William stared longingly at the property. “This was our home where we planned our lives. I thought our children would play among these groves, but it was a dream. Mahala had turned Maggie into something unnatural.”

“How could you allow her to kill people?”

“Joy,” Brinley said harshly.

“No, my sweet Brinley, your friend is right. I was blind in the beginning, but when I knew what she was, it was too late. Who would believe me? I was trapped then, as I am now. It is my punishment. I knew nothing about moroi in my day. No written stories are shared outside of the family.”

“Where did you bury your wife?” Brinley asked.

“Here on the property,” William answered.

Brinley and Joy exchanged a knowing glance.

“What are you two thinking?”

“Nothing,” Brinley cleared her throat.

“So, is this why you’re here?”