Chapter 25

I stood there for the longest time, feeling like an idiot. It was the first time in quite a while that I felt completely at a loss. Still almost unable to move, I just stared at the spot where Celina had been. My sister had just told me that she would be back after I revealed the fact that I had my sister’s soul within my body. Smirking, I felt a sense of loss pass over me. Who was I kidding? I’d be lucky if the council didn’t lock me up, even with Cloe knowing almost all of the story.

Then there was Johnathon, and with his wild magic, he was far stronger than I was. His father had said I did have quite a few tricks that I could take him down with, though I wasn’t all that sure I could keep him down that long. Sighing remembering Tom’s words, I knew that sooner or later, Johnathon would be involved; it was just when I wasn’t sure. Flashing out to my apartment, I was walking up the last flight of stairs when I felt a strange energy.

“I suggest if you wish to continue as a semi-living being, you leave now because I’m in the foulest of moods right now!” I snapped as I targeted an area of the wall. That’s when I heard the low laughing, then I felt the energy spike upwards, holy crap this was an old power, I might have more, but the age of this left me no doubt that whoever this was, had far more tricks than I’d possessed for quite some time.

“For one as young as you, your confidence is something to admire.” I heard the thick old, very old accent of the ... whatever this being was. Suddenly, he stepped out of the shadows as if he were a part of them, “So you are the mage I have heard so much about.” Rushing at me, he stopped 3 feet in front of me, having hit my shields and passed through most of them. “Very good young mage, very good indeed.” Bowing low, he stood erect in front of me. “I am Lord Vidon.”

Again, he started to laugh, and the realization of who he was hit me. “Lana’s father,” I managed to get out.

Nodding, he pointed a finger at me, “I know of your trouble with this Cedric being, and I am here to warn you to stay out of the clan’s way. He destroyed a part of our clan centuries ago; we are within our blood right to take his life should he return. We also know that he is your brother; do not interfere.”

Sighing, I could see Tom and Ben’s hand in this, and knowing the vampire clan’s code, I was sure I could keep them out of it. “Lord Vidon,” I started, trying to formulate the correct words, “I realize that your clan has a blood right, but so do I. As with you, I claim the right to destroy him. He wiped out my entire family, so you see, it is far more a blood right of mine than any other.” Bowing low, I told him, “I am honored that you have come to me with this warning, but I must now tell you my quest far outweighs yours.”

Nodding Lord Vidon bowed again, “It is refreshing to know that some of the youth of today still honor the old ways. Know this though, if you are unable to carry the fight, the entire clan will step in to finish it.”

Bowing low to Vidon, I told the Lord, “I would expect no less. Upon my honor, I will do all that I can to destroy this blight on our world.” This brought a wide smile to Lord Vidon’s face, and then like a light being shut off, he vanished.

I was about to turn around when I heard a clapping, “I thought you’d be nearby, I could feel yours and Tom’s hand in on this,” I told Ben as he emerged from behind a wall.

“And why not? You were the best that has been in a very long time. You have come a long way in a very short time.” Ben told me as he walked up the stairs. “I had no choice, Ben. Cedric is a hell of a lot higher than I was. The only thing is he is so damn cocky about something. I feel as if he has a spell I know nothing about. I was warned he has a plan to overpower me, though, at this point, I am at a loss.” I told Ben, who had a strange look on his face.

“It feels almost as if no matter what you do, Cedric acts as if he can’t lose.” Here I stared at Ben he’d almost spoken word for word my thoughts. “I have seen this before I have to check something then I’ll return.” with a flourish Ben was gone, now what in the hell was that about?

I figured I wouldn’t see Ben for quite a while, so I trudged into my apartment. Collapsing into a chair near the door, I knew that I needed to work my levels, but the weariness I was feeling was also warring against me. A moment later, Cloe sat next to me with a plate of food.

“I take it didn’t go that well?” She asked, shyly looking at me from eyes partially concealed by her lashes.

“If you consider I have been visited by the leader of the Timmings clan, his wife, their daughter and the son of the Vidon clan, then yeah you could say that. Oh yeah Lord Vidon appeared also I had to deny his claim to this fight.” I told Cloe as if this was an everyday occurrence, her eyes wide as each name was said.