Nine: Murder

Tristane finally noticed my lack of response and pulled away. His eyes searched mine but I had my full attention into something else—or who, rather.

"Something wrong?"

And then he was gone. As if he wasn't there at all. Lucian the ghost. I wanted to smile but then I remembered where I was. What I was doing at that very moment.

I turned my attention back to Tristane, my hands still groping at his neck. Oh dear lord. Now wonder it was so easy to respond to him, I've been doing it with Lucian before. He, not Tristane was my first kiss. Talk about guilt huh? And to think I was just with Lucian not so long ago, several minutes to exact. And now I currently throwing myself at another man. Geez. I gotta do something.

Tristane waited for me to respond but I couldn't come up with anything, his eyes became alert. "Did Mr. Neville saw us?"

He pushed me back slightly and twisted his head towards the door, seeing no one was there he exhaled with relief.

"I think its time for you to go."

He looked at me sadly, boy, he can be cute if he wanted to. But he nodded and released me from his embrace. It felt awkward and silly not having his arms around me. I think I kinda liked having them close. Lucian's face emerged on my mind. Whoops. Is he jealous?

"I guess I'll uh, see you around.." he patted his hands on his jeans. Not sure what to do with them.

"Yeah sure. I'll be helping Dad once I get back."

"Promise?" He gave me his hand. I shook it.

"Promise.." I crossed my fingers behind me.

I walked him out and watched him drive off. He blew his horn and was out the fence. Time to go.

One hour later

"Sweetie, I'm sorry you had to spend your weekend with me." Daddy drove me to the airport.

"Seriously dad? I was happy to get away. Really." I opened the trunk and lifted my bag, he held Oggy for me.

"Its just that, Dina is supposed to be spending time with you. She only gets the weekends after all."

"Trust me dad, she'd be much happier if I wasn't there at all."

"Maybe I shouldn't have divorced her.."

I smiled at Dad, he's a crier at times. Can't have that here. "Then you won't be truly happy. You won't be chasing off mysteries and clues, get to travel around.." I held his gaze and stared at him lovingly, "you made the right decision."

He smiled at me too, "Thanks sweetie. I just wished we had more time, considering how long I've been away and all. I feel guilty leaving you with Emma." Emma was his most trusted friend who stays at home with me, I like her.

"Don't be. Emma's great! Besides," I rubbed his shoulders, "we got ourselves a mystery to solve right? That should keep you busy for sometime."

"You coming back next weekend?" His eyes had already spelled mischief.

"You kidding me? Of course, we'll sort out the house together. Like how we burned our candles trying to figure out all those clues, just like we did before."

"That's my girl. Now, off you go. Don't wanna have you missing your flight. Dina will skin me alive." He gave me Oggy's leash and shoved me away.

I waved at him and headed for the entrance. I should be in Richmond by nightfall. I put the dreams, the manor and Lucian aside for awhile. We'll deal with it later.

Monday at school

"Doing great Krista." Yelled Randy, my swimming coach.

I climbed out of pool and reached for my towel. We've been doings laps since the past hour, but I got math in 15 minutes. Mrs. Kirkland knows how important the next competition is, it'll be our school's turn to move towards nationals. But she doesn't tolerate tardiness.

"Hi Krista."

I stopped wiping my face and glanced back, I almost dropped the towel and melted right into the floor. Enzo Iglesias was standing in front of me with nothing but his swimming trunks on. The campus crush. The Hispanic hottie every girl would've dreamt of dating. The ultimate MVP of our Football team. I forgot he got swimming classes too. Looks like he just swam a lap as well. His chest heaved with the exertion. I noticed his hair was still dripping wet after his cap came off. He didn't bother to wipe his torso either, I could see the water droplets making their way down. His head followed my gaze and couldn't help but giggle. Crap!

I swear that my face would've exploded right then and there with shame. I quickly turned away and snatched my bag, my legs were determined to get away as fast as possible.

"Hey,hey.. wait up." I heard him running behind me. I was just a few steps away from the dressing room when his hand caught up to me.

"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you," his grip eased a little bit, "I just wanna talk."

If Enzo Iglesias want to talk it meant trouble, damn. The guy spelled trouble all over. If he wasn't such a good athlete the teachers would've sent him packing long ago. He wasn't smart and was utterly lazy with his academics. Almost every month he gets called to the Counsellor's office for breaking another girl's heart. Yep, that's Enzo for you. The campus heartbreaker.

I regained my composure and faced him. He's never spared a glance at me before because he preferred blondes. And there's a lot in campus. Whatever he's up to now can't be good, I'll make this as short as possible.

"Talk. I got math in ten.."

"Geez. You don't have to be so prickly."

I raised my brow. If he thinks he can get everything he wanted, he's barking at the wrong tree. I crossed my arms and used the towel to cover my lower part, I was wearing the school swimsuit which was boy-legged and conservative-ish. The last thing the administrators want is for students to get bitchy sexy at class. But I was soaked, the material clung to me like my second skin. It accentuated my lady parts. And Enzo don't deserve any bit of it.

"You're making me late."

He sighed and his shoulders slumped, if anyone asked me, Enzo could be in the drama club. He's got a knack for it.

"I was just wondering if you've got a date for this year's Homecoming."

I gasped. Can't help it. When the cutest guy in school asks you for a date you'd probably feel the same. I yanked my mouth shut after realising it was hanging open.

"That's in two weeks from now. I don't see the need to rush." I recalled I marked the calendar.

He smiled and displayed two beautiful dimple marks on each cheek. Poor Louie, he'd be moved second place when it comes to smiles. We got ourselves a winner here.

"I know. That's why I'm asking you so other's won't come scrambling before I'd ever get my chance."

Or you just want to cross out the all the girls available so when the big day comes, you can pick which one you'd actually date. I wanted to throw it at his face, but I am not the hysterical type. Thank god Mom wasn't feeling generous with the DNA stuff.

"I don't think so. A lot of things could happen before then. Besides," I pointed to Randy my coach, "we got a competition coming in close."

"Are you turning me down?" His voice strained to scream. Wow, he's mad. Guess no one ever said 'no' to him before?

"Yes Enzo. I am. Thank you for the consideration but I gotta go." With that said I locked myself in the dressing room and changed into my dry clothes. Mrs. Kirkland is not going to be lenient forever if you're late. And I am so, so late.

Later that night

"You looked liked Einstein had given you homework."

I raised my head and saw Emma, she was making cookies in the kitchen. I could see her from the living room. I was bent down so close to my laptop that I didn't notice her right away.

"Sort of." I laughed.

Emma's blonde and blue eyed. Typical girl next door. She worked with Dad at Mortem's Bank, that's how they met. I suspected their friendship was more than what meets the eye, but neither confirmed. I didn't ask. Its none of my business.

"Anything I can help?"

If it was Math, chemistry or literature Emma probably could. She'd been class valedictorian in High school and graduated with flying colours in college. But I wasn't working any homework right now, I had none to start with. I was delving into the Baron Lucian project again.

"I'm good."

She nodded and went back to baking. It was only 4:30 pm and there wasn't much to do. I tapped into my keyboard and searched Gavin Trilby. The man who inherited the Barony after Lucian disappeared. From what I found in my history textbook, Gavin was a distant cousin of the Norwood's. He's been depicted as a stout little man with carrot red hair. He was 35 when he inherited the title, I found an article about him. There were just about three results. Must be a boring man if he didn't make it on almost every subject. I clicked it and began reading thru the texts.

According to Paul Heismann, a researcher, Gavin Trilby was living in Dunner Park. It housed the most prominent people of his time. The rich people's place, I called it. The mansion was handed down from their family but he wasn't really rich. He's been stalking rich marriageable women to be able to maintain the house but since he was neither rich or handsome, he didn't have much luck.

The only reason he was even in the history books is because of the unexpected inheritance of the title. Imagine being the least liked person suddenly becoming a Baron. That spiked the marriage mart. It seemed that everyone wanted this 'aristocrat' thingy that they were willing to marry just to have good connections. Sure that gives you an advantage in life if you're titled and all, but to think that these people treated marriage as business bored me so much.

I didn't find anything helpful, nothing mentioned the Lucian bloodline or even the Penthurst manor. Gavin was a dead end. I sat back and tried to think what I can do about to help Dad.

I've been tempted to call him and ask for updates but I got wrapped up in school plus there was that incident with Enzo. I barely had time to entertain any Lucian thoughts.

I suddenly remembered what Lucian told me since the last time we spoke. He said his power was stronger in his domain. In his house. That's why I could see him and speak to him. Since then I never got any surprises when I sleep. Is he suddenly powerless here?

What bothered me most was when he said that time was running out. That I have to find him. Well, that's what we've been doing all this years right? What makes him think I can find me after being in his house?

"Feel it in your heart. Find me.."

His voice echoed in my mind. Feel it my heart, huh. I placed my palm on my chest, I can feel my heartbeat. Is that what he mean? Probably not. Is it a clue? A riddle? Or just mind tricks to get me back at the house? Damn his aristocratic mysteriousness. If he wants me back in the house, I will.

Since I can't accomplish anything from here, I carried my computer upstairs. I kicked the door shut and slumped into my bed. My blanket welcomed me warmly, I left the heater on awhile ago. If I can't help him here, then I can help him there. I buried my face in my pillow and counted 100 backwards so I could sleep.

Wait for me Lucian. I'm coming. I closed my eyes and relaxed my body. I was on my way to 89, 88,87 when sleep claimed me.

I felt a soft tapping on my cheeks, like someone was trying to wake me. But it didn't seem like it did, it swayed at me back and forth and got annoying after some time. I opened my eyes and found a maple leaf whipping against wind. It was the leaf that was touching me. I brushed it off and pushed myself up.

I found myself lying in a grassy meadow, the maple tree provided enough shade so I won't be under the scorching heat. My eyes surveyed the area, it was really quite. Where the heck am I?

From where I sat I heard the sound of water, I stood up and walked several paces. There was a river up ahead, the water gleamed and splashed as it hit the rocks before flowing towards the deep areas.

I heard voices across the river. I didn't see anyone just yet, but base on the direction of the noise they might be coming from the forest. I could cross the river and see who they are, I lifted my jeans and took off my shoes. I know its a dream but I cared about my shoes—a lot.

Thankfully there was a shallow area where the water only reached my ankles, I delighted in the water's coolness. I took about three or four steps when the voices came up again. This time it was louder.

There came into view a woman who wore a green silk dress. She had curly brown hair and really small waist. Her head was turned to one side that I couldn't make out her features. She was holding what looked a knife or dagger in her hand, she pointed it to the other person while her foot took tentative steps backward.

She was speaking to a man, I can see him now. He had silky blonde hair that was gathered in a ponytail. His hair was so pale I thought it looked like silver. His face was serious and his mouth worked furiously. His hands spread in-front of him, like he was trying to dissuade the woman to drop the knife.

But she didn't, she pointed it at him repeatedly so he won't come any closer. He said something to her that made her stop taking backward steps. I couldn't hear them clearly from this distance. But it sure did prevented the woman from doing anything for now. He kept talking and she listened, her hand slowly dropped to her sides but was still clutching the blade.

The man stepped forward and attempted to retrieve the knife, the woman cut him. Just a bit but it draw blood. I heard him cursed and backed away. She moved so fast I didn't even realise what happened if the man hadn't bled. What's their problem?

I took the opportunity to cross the river, I might be able to talk some sense to them. I could be very persuasive at times. I took another two steps when I heard the man scream. The woman's body jerked and dropped to the ground. She fell on her left side, her back faced me. The man ran to her and flipped her over. My god!

The woman stabbed herself with the blade, I saw it buried on her throat. The man yelled in frustration. He fell on his knees and was thrashing the grass. I was nailed on the spot, his screams became audible to me.

"You can't die! You can't do this to Lucian! You evil woman! You don't deserve to dieee!"

Claus. The man was Claus. And the woman was Lucian's lover. What on earth transpired here?

Claus raised his eyes and saw me, I stiffened. Can he really see me? Or was he looking at the river? I made no attempt to move. He just stared and stared. The woman's blood began to soak the ground red. I can hear my heart beating so loud, I feared it would burst out of my chest.

His eyes strayed away from me and fell unto the woman. There's nothing we can do now. He pulled the knife out and felt the blood squirt on his face. Now he looked like a bloody murderer. He wiped the blood on her dress and pocketed the knife. He got into his feet and pulled the woman's corpse towards the river.

I just stood there knowing what was going to happen next. The entries of the journal playing in my head,

'The servants found her body floating in the river. I said nothing. I didn't ask who they meant because I knew who it was. It was her, the evil woman! I can't let them tell Lucian. He can't accept it. I won't let them hurt him.'

Claus dumped her body into the river and watched it float away. The silk dress was soon soaked and it no longer looked pretty. He didn't kill her. She killed herself.

I watched her body roll with the current while Claus walked away never looking back. I felt the wind blow so hard I had to cover my eyes least dust gets into them, it kept blowing hard that it bolted me awake.