The Overture of Fear & Passion (The Daemonica Symphony Series Book 1) Page 14

  He made his way to the front of the hall and waited. A moment later Ash appeared by his side and whispered something in his ear to which he nodded, and Ash moved away. The room had fallen silent upon his entry, and everyone appeared frozen, too afraid to breathe let alone move. Niko crossed his arms and waited for him to speak.

  “Thank you for assembling on such short notice.” Doctor Livingstone said. His voice remained steady, giving away no hint of the raw emotion that Niko saw in his eyes.

  “I’m afraid I have some…” He paused and cleared his throat, “Unfortunately news.” The wait for him to continue set Niko’s teeth on edge. He clenched his fists, preparing himself for whatever the man had to say next.

  “This morning, William Fitzgerald was found in the woods near his cabin… murdered.”

  Niko heard Juliet and Fiona gasp as he himself blinked in surprise.

  “Due to our remote location and limitation of access, it’s considered highly unlikely that the person responsible is an outsider. That being said, we will be going into a complete lockdown effective immediately. No one is to leave the grounds until the culprit is apprehended. We will begin conducting interviews immediately to gather information that will assist our investigation. In the meantime, rest assured that we will find and deal with whoever is responsible with absolute severity.” The doctor left the room before anyone had a chance to fully digest his words.

  Ash replaced his position at the front of the hall to dismiss everyone before leaving as well.

  Niko rubbed the back of his neck and let out a long breath. His eyes went again to Juliet, this time with concern. He knew she and William had been forming a friendship and he wanted to make sure she was O.K.

  Her normally fair complexion was completely ashen, and her eyes looked swollen and bloodshot. Niko hurried to approach her, but she held up a hand to stop him. In her other hand she held her phone and was reading the screen.

  “Juliet?” He said quietly. She looked up from her phone, eyes wide for a moment before she seemed to compose herself.

  “I’m wanted in Doctor Livingstone’s office.” She said, matter-of-factly as she lifted her chin and squared her shoulders before walking away. Niko watched her leave, something about the way she walked gave Niko the impression she was on her way to face her executioner.

  Chapter Twenty

  Juliet knocked softly on the door to Doctor Livingstone’s office and waited for a response. She wiped her sweaty palms on the sides of her leggings and thanked the Gods above that she was an early riser and wasn’t going to have this conversation wearing her fluffy kitten pyjamas.

  The door opened and Ash stood aside, wordlessly inviting her to enter. The doctor sat with his back to her, facing floor-to-ceiling windows. Ash closed the door and walked over to the closest of the two chairs in front of Doctor Livingstone’s desk. Ash’s hands rested on the back of the chair and, giving Juliet a small nod, invited her to take a seat. She felt like she was being asked to sit in the electric chair and her flight-or-fight reflex couldn’t decide if she should stay or make a run for it. With her heart pounding, she walked to the chair and sat down.

  Juliet focussed intensely on a small loose thread on the hem of her sleeve before finding the courage to look up at the man so that she might assess his demeanour. He had a handsome profile even with a grim expression. He steepled his fingers beneath his chin, resting his elbows on the arms of his chair. His nostrils flared, sending Juliet’s heart racing even further. She wasn’t sure what the subtle gesture meant, but she knew it wasn’t good. He turned his chair to face her and Juliet practically squeaked in fear at the look in his eyes.

  “Do you have anything to tell us, Miss Vassilios?” He asked quietly.

  Juliet remained silent.

  “We’re going to find out what happened one way or another, why don’t you just tell us what we want to know.”

  Again, Juliet said nothing. From behind her she heard Ash moving about and the sound of a cupboard opening and closing, before Ash walked back to the doctor’s desk and placed a violin case on the desk between Juliet and the doctor, her violin case. Juliet practically heard the gavel drop and the judgement of “Guilty” echoed in her brain.

  “Do you deny the instrument is yours, Miss Vassilios?” The doctor asked.

  Juliet shook her head.

  “Can you explain why it was found in William’s cabin?”

  She attempted to speak but stuttered over the words. She couldn’t think of where to begin. Ash sat down in the chair next to hers and reached over to take her hand. She was grateful for the kindness and smiled nervously in thanks.

  “It’s O.K, Juliet. Just start from the beginning and we’ll go from there.”

  Juliet thought back to the night before and did her best to explain the events that took place. When she got to the end, she felt relieved to have it off her chest. She hadn’t wanted to confess everything, but the purge left her feeling somehow purified.

  The doctor’s expression hadn’t changed while she’d spoken, and she looked to Ash for a response. Ash looked to Doctor Livingstone with pursed lips and a puzzled expression. The doctor wordlessly responded by leaning back in his chair and after a short nod to Ash, focussed his intense stare at Juliet.

  She felt pinpricks all over her body as if a small electrical charge were running over her skin. There was a slight internal response, the part of her that had come alive the night before when she’d been with William was responding to the sensory attack and Juliet didn’t know if that was good or bad.

  The change in the doctor’s expression suggested bad. The intensity of his gaze turning lethal. Juliet practically whimpered at the stare.

  “Let down your shield, Juliet.” Ash pleaded softly. She looked away from Livingstone to express her confusion to Ash. She wasn’t aware that she had put up her shield.

  “Take it down” The doctor demanded. His voice sending shivers down Juliet’s spine.

  “I’m trying.” She said, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. Her brows furrowed together as she concentrated on the golden orb that she manifested in the training sessions and forgot about any other time.

  She didn’t feel it there any longer, so she tried to form it in her mind. Thinking that if she erected it again, she could take it down as well, but when she tried to form a shield her mind resisted, as if she were trying to do two contradictory things at once.

  Juliet’s face began to turn red; the mental effort was exhausting. Letting out a breath she slumped forward in her chair, tears burning her eyes.

  Doctor Livingstone nodded again at Ash, who nodded in return walked towards the back of the room. She watched nervously as Ash approached a set of brass doors and pressed a small button. After a moment, the doors slid open and revealed a gilt cage concealed within. Ash pulled the cage doors apart and entered the elevator, closing them again and pressing another button which caused the brass doors to slide closed.

  Juliet was transfixed in spite of the anxiety she had over her current predicament. But she was unable to fully wonder at the curiosity and she returned her attention back to the doctor, who’s expression had not softened.

  “You do realise, there are ways for us to find out the information we need.”

  Juliet nodded, not in the least bit surprised that the threat of torture might be an option. They sat in silence, Doctor Livingstone staring at Juliet while she sat hunched over in her chair, still trying to work out the mechanics of her shield in the hope she could remove it before any drastic action was taken against her.

  The sound of the elevator ascending returned her attention to the back of the room. Before the doors could open, large, heavy blinds automatically lowered around the room blocking out all traces of daylight and the lamps and overhead lighting came to life. She watched again as the doors opened and was surprised to see that Ash was no longer alone.

  She recognised the Vampire from her mental agility class. Odette had made an impression on Juliet due
to the feeling of jealousy that had heated Juliet’s blood when she had been paired with Niko.

  Ash extended an arm, gesturing for her to exit the elevator first. She strode forward in the most graceful manner that only Vampires seemed capable of. She was dressed in a floor length silk dressing gown that reminded Juliet of something Katherine Hepburn might have worn. Its pale pink hue contrasted elegantly against her olive skin.

  “Thank you for joining us Miss LeClair. I apologise for the late hour.”

  Odette nodded with a yawn and Juliet realised it must be very uncomfortable for her to be up and about after sunrise.

  “Hmmm...” She eyed Juliet suspiciously.

  “What can I do for you?” She asked Doctor Livingstone, her American accent laced with something more delicate, Juliet noticed.

  “I’m afraid I have a favour to ask.” The doctor said, nodding slightly towards Juliet.

  “Miss Vassilios here seems to be resistant to letting down her shield and we need to make sure that what she’s telling us is the truth.”

  Odette returned her attention back to Juliet with bored nonchalance. Juliet again felt pinpricks along her skin that became more intense as Odette continued to watch her. After a moment, her brow creased and she pursed her lips, she walked over and sat sown next to her, taking Juliet’s hand in hers and crossing one leg over the other. She looked intensely into Juliet’s eyes; it made her uncomfortable, but she didn’t dare look away.

  “Well...?” The doctor prompted.

  “It’s not her shield.” she responded, sounding confused.

  “Who’s is it?”

  She concentrated again for a moment before replying.

  “Niko.” She said finally.

  Juliet gasped. Two things concerned her at once. She was worried that she had somehow dragged Niko into her mess, and she was afraid of what his reaction would be when he found out she was a murderer.

  The doctor directed his gaze again to Ash who appeared to be entering something into a phone. Their silent exchange triggered more panic from Juliet while Odette continued to study her.

  “Have you ever seen anything like it?” She asked to no one in particular. Doctor Livingstone leaned back in his chair and crossed his hands in his lap, looking suddenly more relaxed.

  “Once or twice. Considering my age, I would say that classifies it as extremely rare.”

  Odette’s lips turned up at the edges in a soft smile.

  “I’ve been past his shield before; it was strong even then. It’s something else entirely now.”

  “Hmm”

  “Do you know how...” She let the question hang in the air for the doctor to guess her meaning.

  “Soulmate bond.” He explained. Odette let go of Juliet’s hand and laughed softly.

  “Surely Doctor, you don’t believe in such fairy tales.” She teased.

  “Like I said, I’ve seen it before.” His words became softer as he rubbed the stubble on his jaw and his eyes became unfocussed.

  “Can someone please tell me what’s going on?” Juliet interrupted the reprieve, “How is Niko shielding me?” They all returned their attention to Juliet.

  Ash and Doctor Livingstone exchanged another silent look.

  “Are we sure she’s Spirit Demon?” Doctor Livingstone asked Ash.

  “We are.” Ash replied.

  “Mixed?”

  “Certainly.”

  “With what?”

  “I have my suspicions.”

  “Anything to be concerned about?”

  “That’s yet to be determined.”

  “Don’t play games with me, Ash. Is she a killer or not?”

  “Don’t be speciest, Elijah. We all have the potential.” Ash responded with a raised eyebrow and a smile.

  “Can you all stop talking about me like I’m not even here? For God’s sake, please tell me what is going on.” Juliet said loudly, gripping the arms of her chair.

  Ash turned and focussed on Juliet, taking a deep breath before replying.

  “Do you remember yesterday’s session where we covered Spirit Demon physiology?” Ash asked.

  Juliet nodded, thinking back to the previous day and the catalyst of this entire disaster.

  “And you remember what I said about the Demon bond?” She nodded again.

  “Soul bonding is something that happens within the dream-state. Have you and Niko shared dreams?” Ash asked.

  Juliet looked away as she nodded.

  “And in these dreams, was there a strong emotional connection?”

  “Yes…” Juliet replied softly, focussing her attention on the Persian rug at her feet.

  Ash’s lips pursed for a moment before the explanation continued.

  “Juliet, when a Spirit Demon recognises their mate, they reach out telepathically. Within dreams, our truest desires are made real which allows for a more intense connection to form.” Juliet looked back at Ash in interest and noticed that Odette seemed to be intrigued as well.

  “When the bond is formed, the abilities that come with being a Demon are magnified and, in some cases, entirely new abilities manifest themselves. This can happen even if the Demons in question have yet to reach maturity.” A small piece of the puzzle seemed to fall into place in Juliet’s mind.

  “This explains why, when you were with William last night, things... ah... escalated. When presumably, nothing like this has happened to you before?” Ash prompted. Juliet nodded in agreement.

  “Yes. I mean, no. Never. I’ve kissed guys before, but nothing ever happened. At least, not like this.”

  “Fascinating.” Odette exclaimed, not seeming in the least bit alarmed by the revelation that Juliet was suspected of murder.

  A knock on the door made Juliet jump. Ash casually went over to the door and opened it.

  Speak of the devil… Juliet thought to herself.

  “Thank you for coming so quickly, Mr Dmitriyev. It’s a pleasure to see you as always.”

  Niko gave Ash a thin-lipped smile in response as he entered the room and made his way over to stand behind Juliet. He looked at her with obvious concern in his eyes but said nothing. She realised then that Ash must have been summoning him with the phone earlier and was again slammed with the concern that he was going to end up punished for her crime.

  Doctor Livingstone resumed his austere posture as he addressed Niko.

  “Mr Dmitriyev, we’ve asked you here because Miss Vassilios has been helpful enough to answer some questions for us. But we need to make sure she hasn’t left anything out or that there isn’t some small piece of information she may have forgotten. We need your help to do that.”

  Niko looked from Elijah to Juliet and back again before nodding solemnly.

  “Could you please drop the shield you have over Juliet?”

  Niko’s eyes widened instantly as he quickly looked down at Juliet again. He clearly wasn’t aware of what he was doing any more than she was.

  He looked at her with a frown, his lips tilted to the side as he searched her face. She knew he was requesting her permission to go ahead with what was asked of him. She nodded briefly, giving him a grim smile.

  Niko cocked his head to one side, his eyebrows knitting together in concentration. After a moment he blinked rapidly, and Juliet felt suddenly colder.

  “Thank you, Niko. Odette, if you wouldn’t mind leaving us, I can take it from here. Thank you again.”

  Odette nodded at the doctor and gracefully lifted herself from her chair. She looked at Niko and Juliet, pouting slightly. She seemed annoyed that she wasn’t going to get the inside scoop.

  Ash moved ahead of Odette, walking to the elevator and calling it. The room remained silent as they waited for the doors to close behind her. Everyone’s attention returned to Juliet as Doctor Livingstone focussed again on the task at hand.

  She felt his mind penetrating her thoughts, the intrusion was like a headache and a spinning sensation at once. Memories overwhelmed her; flashes of the last twenty-four hours
and further back, her arrival at Livingstone, the death of her mother, it all crashed through her mind as if she were reliving a million different moments all at once.

  She struggled to keep up but felt a sudden warning chill when the violation turned towards her thoughts of Niko. The elasticity of her mental shield snapped back with such violent force that she felt her own mind catapult. One moment she was sitting in the doctor’s office, consciously aware of him using his mind to read hers. The next, she was in the woods, in almost the same place she had been playing her violin the night before. But she realised she wasn’t in her own body, or even her own memory. As her host turned on the spot, Juliet recoiled at what she saw. Her mind struggled to make sense of the image before her, but William’s strawberry curls and bushy beard were instantly familiar and seemed to be the only parts of him that remained where they belonged.

  Juliet lurched forward in her seat, falling out of it entirely and crashing onto her hands and knees. She purged the watery contents of her stomach and tears mingled with the retched puddle on the floor.

  Niko knelt beside her, rubbing her back and whispering words of comfort, but she couldn’t make them out over the sound of blood rushing in her ears. Ash came up beside her and handed her a linen handkerchief which she gratefully took to wipe her mouth.

  As she accepted Niko’s hand to help her to her feet, he pulled her into his side. She took comfort in his embrace and realised that the shield that had previously gone unnoticed was back in place. It’s heavy warmth already beginning to alleviate the shock fuelled shivering.

  “So, Elijah.” Ash said, “Do you still think she’s our killer?”

  The doctor looked at Juliet and frowned.

  “No.” He said. “No, I do not.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  They walked silently as Niko escorted Juliet back to her room. She continued to shiver despite the warmth of the day. Upon reaching her door, Fiona appeared and began to instantly fuss over Juliet who made no response to the Fiona’s questions.