Chapter 7

Raven absentmindedly rubbed her grey cloth against the window pane and stared out at the gloomy, rainy day.  She and Jax had no luck in getting into Ms. Teeny's parlor room and with the Halloween dance in just a few short hours, they were both as nervous as a pig in a bacon factory.  Raven and Jax had been chosen to clean the windows in the grand ball room where the party was to be hosted and normally this kind of cleaning would have put them in a festive mood, but today....not so much. Raven tried thinking of their costumes thinking that might cheer her up.  All the children in the orphanage had been allowed to rummage through boxes of old clothes and craft materials to create their Halloween costume.  Raven and Jax at first wanted to make outlandish costumes like a mermaid or a horse costume they could both wear, but reconsidered after thinking about Ms. Teeny and Angelique's conversation.  They had decided to keep it simple and to go as witches.  They had found some old black capes they were able to drape around their shoulders and had made pointy black hats out of cardboard and black material.  Miss Vargo found a couple of old brooms for them and Raven had smiled broadly when she found a stuffed gray kitty which she promptly wired to the end of her broom.  If not for the impending doom, she would be quite happy with her outfit and quite excited about the party.  

 

Raven glanced over at her best friend who seemed to be just as deep in thought as she was.  Raven walked over to her and gave her a nudge.  Jax's aqua eyes turned to her as Raven's heart sank.  She was so used to seeing those eyes happy, but now she looked as scared as Raven felt.  She wanted to comfort her, but how?  She knew anything she said would be a lie and Jax would know it was a lie.  She knew what she had to do; she just wasn't sure how to do it.

 

"Listen Jax, about tonight.  I want you to fake sick and stay in our room or the nurse's office.  It's not you they want, it's me.  There's no use or need for you to get wrapped up in this.  I want you safe and I think that's the best way."

 

Jax looked like Raven had smacked her across the face.  Her happy eyes teared in sadness and shock then went defiant.

 

"Not a chance Raven.  Don't even try it and if you say anything like that again, I'll go find some of that horse dung and pour it on your head!"

 

It was Raven's turn to be shocked and then smiled in spite of herself.  She had known better than to even suggest it, but she wanted to be fair to Jax and give her an out if she needed one.  She had been speaking the truth when she said she wanted her safe and that if she stayed out of it, she would be, but in her heart she knew Jax would never go for it.  She at least had to try, no matter the outcome.  The girls turned back to the window and began to wipe side by side when suddenly Raven heard Jax take a sharp breath and grab her hand.

 

"Raven...look!"

 

Raven peered out the window trying to see through the rain pelted glass.  Nikolas!  And he was running to the forest!  What in the world?  Raven and Jax looked at each other with open mouths.  It was broad daylight!  What was he thinking?  If Ms. Teeny saw, he would be in so much trouble!  Part of Raven wanted to tear after him and give him a good scolding for doing something so dumb....but the other part of her was intrigued and was dying to know what was so important that he would risk getting caught leaving the manor.  

 

"Those windows look fabulous girls!" said a cheery Miss Vargo causing the girls to jump a bit.  "Now you better skedaddle!  We're getting ready to set up and you need to start getting those costumes on.  I know I can count on you two to have fantastic costumes’!" she beamed.  Raven and Jax smiled back and grabbed their buckets and rags and walked slowly across the large wooden floor that would be soon filled with tables of food and drink.  After turning in their work items the girls dashed to their room to start on their costumes.  Both took great care applying their green makeup to their face and then black to smudge around their eyes.  Raven stared in the mirror to see her green tiger eyes staring back.  She had a bit of a plan, but hadn't told Jax about it yet.  She didn't want to needlessly worry her, but she knew it was a good plan.  Turning to Jax, Raven let out a belly laugh.  Jax grinned a white toothed smile hidden behind lips that looked like they had been bedazzled in green crystals.

 

"Honestly Jax, only you would be able to make me laugh on a night like this!  Where did you get the green glitter?"

 

Jax chuckled at her friend's comment "I found it in a box..I wasn't going to use it because now it will be impossible to eat but since I have a case of your "bellyflies" I doubt I'll want to eat anyway."

 

That thought sobered Raven up "Yeah, I totally understand that.  Hey listen, I was thinking, since we're expecting trouble anyway, I think tonight would be a perfect night for us to try and get back into the parlor room.  Ms. Teeny will be busy with the party and entertaining the big wigs and if we're in there, then Angelique won't be able to find us."

 

Jax thought for a moment and then agreed.  If ever there were a night to do something crazy, this would be the night. 

 

"Ok, I'm good with that.  Now...brooms up! A salute to our favorite Halloween kitty, Liadan!"

 

Raven and Jax grabbed their brooms and knocked the tips together with a "clunk" giggling.  Liadan looked at them like they were the weirdest girls she had ever seen, then curling into a ball, snuggling on Raven's pillow.  They had decided there wasn't much of a risk leaving her in their room during the party, plus not being sure what was in store for tonight, they had to question when the next time would be they would be able to make it back to the attic.  Looking at each other with a cautious smile and a quick hug, they took their place outside their door for the parade to the party.

 

Raven gripped her broom tight and marched with her chin held high, past all the guests of Ms. Teeny.  Some smiled and seem to enjoy themselves while others looked bored and some downright disgusted they were even there.  She spotted Ms. Teeny almost immediately but was taken aback when she saw the woman standing next to her.  She was almost as tall as the Blackwood Mistress, but she was as beautiful as Ms. Teeny was ugly.  She had a long black dress that clung to her curves with skin like flawless porcelain.  She flashed a charming smile to each child that passed her and as Raven; they all became enthralled with the stunning guest.  

 

Soon it was Raven's turn to greet the lovely queen and as her excitement began to build, the only thing she could think of was how much she needed to see her eyes.   Looking up into her liquid pools of dark emptiness, Raven felt her heart jump and her knees buckle.  She had made a very big mistake.  The room began to swim and as certain as she knew she would hit the floor, she felt a steady hand grip her elbow and glide her across the room to a row of empty chairs.  Raven sat down heavily, still feeling groggy from whatever had happened.  Jax sat next to her, gripping her hand speaking softly while a pair of vibrant blue eyes gazed into hers, willing her to come back to the present.  

 

"Raven?  Raven?"

 

Everything came back into focus and Raven let out a long soft breath.

 

"Oh thank goodness, you scared the bejeebers out of me!" said a very shaky and frantic Jax.  The blue eyes smiled at her.

 

"There she is.  Gave us both a scare.  You're going to end up giving me a prince complex since I always seem to be saving you when you're in distress" Nikolas laughed.

 

Raven didn't smile.  She couldn't.  What had that been all about?  Had someone put something in her drink?  Couldn't be, she hadn't had anything to drink or to eat.  The only thing she could remember was looking into the eyes of that...that woman.  But how could a look turn her to complete jelly?  Raven shook her head, trying to clear the last of the cobwebs.

 

"I'm not sure what happened.  Maybe from all the excitement and anticipation I just got a little overwhelmed."

 

Jax squeezed her hand, giving her a sympathetic nod, but Nikolas looked like he hadn't bought one word of it.

 

"No matter.  Just sit here and relax.  When you're ready, there's a big buffet of food.  Jax, looks like you'll have to eat everything through a straw." Nikolas laughed motioning to Jax' glittery lips.

 

Raven could see Jax blush even through her green makeup and had to giggle along with Nikolas.  She was starting to feel a lot more like herself and was even a little bit hungry.  Jax being the ever dutiful best friend fetched them plates of finger sandwiches and chips along with a cookie.  Raven munched on her food, feeling stronger with every bite.  Jax being the clever little witch was able to eat every morsel without getting a single piece of glitter on her food.  Raven was impressed and they both laughed about the accomplishment.  Raven watched as the smooth stranger mingled with all the adults, oozing charm from every pore.  The longer Raven looked at her, the uglier she became.  She was like an adult Angelique!  Then spying Ms. Teeny she noticed she seemed deeply engrossed in a conversation with some balding portly man.  Nudging Jax she whispered.

 

"I think now is a good time to go"

 

Jax looked horrified.  "Raven, you just almost passed out.  I think maybe we should put this off.  I'm really worried about you!"

 

Raven smiled at her friend and squeezed her arm.  "Jax, I'm ok.  I feel a lot better.  We really need to do this, there's very little chance we'll get another opportunity like this."

 

Jax reluctantly nodded and surveyed the room.

 

"Ok, well I'll keep an eye on the evil queen and you watch Ms. Teeny.  We have to make sure neither are watching when we slip out."

 

Raven shook her head but then hesitated.  "What about Angelique?"

 

"Oh no...I totally forgot about her.  Do you see her?"

 

Raven scanned the room, finally finding her dancing on the dance floor with a bunch of other kids to "Monster Mash" 

 

"It's ok, she's occupied.  Let's go."

 

Raven and Jax slid slowly along the wall of the ballroom, trying to look as nonchalant as possible, bouncing slightly along with the music trying to appear as nothing more than a couple of wallflowers.  Close to the door, they again surveyed the room and saw that Ms. Teeny, Angelique and the evil queen had their backs to them.  Now was their chance.  Quietly opening the door just a crack the two slipped into the darkness of the hallway, unaware of the blue eyes that followed them.

 

Raven and Jax walked quickly and quietly down the darkened hallway to the open foyer by the main doors.  Taking a left and trying the door to Ms. Teeny's parlor, Raven's heart sank.  Locked!  Raven shook her fist at the door and then kicked it. With all the rotten luck!  She then heard her friend giggle and nudge her out of the way.

 

"Lemme see about this"

 

Raven watched in total surprise as Jax fished a small metal clip out of her shoe and began moving it around inside the ancient lock.  With a small "click" Jax turned to her with a huge grin.

 

"Jax!  You are amazing!" Raven exclaimed while hugging her friend.

 

Jax laughed and slightly blushed "Na, just prepared.  I had considered this would happen, so I practiced on an old lock in the attic and saw that I could pick it."

 

Raven, still flabbergasted tried the door handle which turned and opened the door. 

 

"Remind me to have you teach me that little trick" Whispered Raven to a giggling Jax.

 

Once inside they clicked on a small lamp inside the room.  While it didn't give off much light, it was still just enough to see what they needed to.  Making a bee line for the bookcase, both girls began to feel around the bookends, finally hearing a "click" the case slid open.  Raven took a deep breath and entered the room.  Still there were all the dolls with blacked out eyes.  Raven turned, looking to see if she recognized any of them, she didn't.  

 

"Jax, I haven't been here that long.  What about you...do you recognize any of the faces?"

 

Jax looked at the dolls and cringed.

 

"I don't know...some look a little familiar.  Here let me see that one, I think that one looks like..."

 

Suddenly Jax' outstretched hand was grabbed by another hearing an angry whisper.

 

"DON'T TOUCH THOSE!"

 

Raven and Jax both froze with fear.  Turning slowly they were confronted by Nikolas' angry blue eyes.

 

"What are you two doing?!?  Are you crazy?!?!  Do you even have a clue what she would do if she caught you in here?!?!  If you touch even one hair on any of these she will know and will be in here in a heartbeat.  Let's go, NOW!"

 

Nikolas grabbed both Jax and Raven and pushed them back through the door into the parlor expertly clicking the button to close the bookcase.  Raven felt horrible.  He was mad and she didn't really know why.  She knew they shouldn't be in there but she needed to have some information, but how could she possibly explain that to him?  That's when it hit her.  Stopping in the middle of the room, she turned to Nikolas, crossing her arms and stomping her foot. Yes, it may have looked childish but she didn't care anymore.

 

"How dare you yell at us when you're the one who's leaving the manor every night!  We saw you earlier leave in the middle of the day!  What are you up to Nikolas?"

 

Now it was Nikolas' turn to look a little uncomfortable.

 

"It's nothing.  Just a project I'm working on."

 

"Bull."  Raven stamped her foot again.

 

Nikolas looked nervously at the door.

 

"Ok fine.  I will show you what I'm doing and I will explain everything that's going on here, including Ms. Teeny, Angelique and Mistress Robesque"  

 

Jax and Raven looked at each other then at Nikolas and nodded.

 

He continued "But not tonight, there's too many people here and the Mistress can't know where it is.  Just please wait,  I  promise I will tell you everything.  We need to get back to the party before we're missed"

 

Jax nodded and headed for the door but Raven stopped him.

 

"I don't know if I should go back Nikolas.  Angelique and Ms. Teeny have something planned for me...and well...I'm scared."

 

Nikolas nodded and put his hand on her shoulder.  "I know, but don't worry about that.  Just stick with me and she won't dare try anything.  I'm probably giving myself away to them, but I don't care anymore."

 

Raven then let him guide her from the room, back down the hallway.  Opening the door and peering in, Nikolas motioned for the girls to follow.  The festivities were still going strong and everyone seemed to be having a good time.   All except Ms. Teeny, Angelique and Mistress Robesque.  They had formed a circle and look to be in a heated discussion, well Mistress Robesque did.  The other two just looked scared.  As though she could read her thoughts, the mistress turned and looked at Raven, narrowing her eyes.  Raven could feel the foggy sensation return until Nikolas stepped in front of her and began chatting like nothing strange was happening at all.  Looking into his blue eyes she could see the fear yet determination in them.  She could almost hear his thoughts.

 

"Fight it, I know you can do it.  Just try.  Please try"

 

Raven shook her head as Nikolas stepped out of the way once more.  She was now facing the empress of evil head on.  She could see her eyes narrow again and Raven could feel the fogginess creep in, but this time a warming sensation began to grow inside her. She could feel it start in the pit of her stomach and then work its way through her chest then her arms and legs until her whole body felt like it was wrapped in sunshine.  Raven watched as the Mistress blinked and then gasped, taking a step back.  She had done it!  Nikolas stepped in front of her again, this time with a grin.

 

"You're a lot stronger than I thought.  Nicely done..this unfortunately won't be the end of it, but at least they know you have some fight in you."

 

Raven gave him a quirky smile "Not bad for a "kid" huh?"

 

It was Nikolas's turn to blush.

 

"I only said that so Angelique would back off.  I didn't really think that..."

 

Raven grinned and lightly punched him in the shoulder. 

 

"Great compliment coming from an old man of 14" which made all of them laugh.

 

"Alright, alright.  I know I promised to fill you in on everything and I will honor that promise.  Meet me tomorrow evening in the cafeteria after lights out. Make sure you're not seen or heard and make sure you come alone" giving Jax a pointed stare, who in turn looked crestfallen.

 

"Sorry Nikolas, we're a package deal.  Where I go, she goes and there will be no arguments about it.  She's saved my life on numerous occasions so I've learned my lesson on not going anywhere without her."

 

Nikolas stared at the pair for a moment then finally muttered "Very well."

 

Jax grabbed and squeezed Raven's hand, with a happy, mischievous gleam in her eye.

 

"But I'm serious.  You have to be as silent as the grave. Nobody can know you left your room."

 

Raven and Jax grinned at each other.

 

"That won't be a problem Nikolas.  We've had..erm...practice at that sort of thing."

 

With a raised eyebrow Nikolas took in that comment.

 

"Ah yes, I suppose you have.  Alright, well I'll see you guys tomorrow night, looks like things are starting to wind down here and we're being sent back to our rooms.  Keep your eyes open and take care." he said while turning to leave..

 

"Oh by the way, Raven?  Give Liadan a good scratch behind the ear for me, will ya?" And with a flash of a grin he was off, being swallowed up by groups of kids lining up to make the walk back to their rooms.  Raven and Jax stared at each other, dumbfounded.  How could he....?  Where did he..?  

 

"Always a mystery, that one" said a perplexed Jax.

 

Raven couldn't agree more.

 

 

©jaholland 2015