Nicht Bereit

It was that time of the year again. She hated having to turn up for these occasions every year. It was not fair… only her father and grandmother even spoke to her. Why should she have to endure hours of sitting in the corner hoping to get a chance to speak to her father while the rest of her family chatted away to each other happily ignoring her because she scared them? Idiots… she was a normal person just like them. She needed a family that loved her but she did not have that, except for her father, but he had so many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that he rarely had time for his ‘favourite little girl’.

“Lilia?”

She looked up, brushing her raven black hair from her face. The person, she looked like one of her nieces who was a good ten years older than Lilia, flinched slightly under the intensity of the girl’s brownish red eyed gaze. One black eyebrow rose in inquiry.

The blonde haired young woman swallowed before speaking again. “Sorry, Aunt Lilia. It’s just… you looked kinda lonely…” she said her voice trailing off under the weight of the girl’s lack of expression.

“I’m fine. You don’t need to pretend you’re comfortable near me.”

“I’m… I’m sorry, it’s just I keep hearing all these things about you and you look so intense. I didn’t think someone of your age could look so,” she paused, her face a mask of concentration as she tried to come up with an adjective she felt safe using before sighing when she realised there was none, “scary.”

“That’s because I’m hatching more evil plans while receiving guidance from my dark master,” replied the girl with a lopsided grin.

“That’s not-”

“Why did you come over to speak to me? Why put yourself through such fear?”

The woman hesitated. “I… felt sorry for you, someone so young to be alone with no one to talk to... especially at a party.”

“So you pity me?” asked Lilia with restrained anger causing her niece to take a step back.

“Well… I-”

She looked away folding her arms across her chest. “I have no need for pity. Go away.”

“I’m just trying to help…” said the woman struggling to not sound offended but unfortunately her blue eyes gave her away.

“No you’re not!” said Lilia, raising her voice, “You’re only here because you saw me sitting here on my own and felt guilty. You’re not here for me. You’re here to make yourself feel less guilty. No one in this stupid family cares about me! They only care about themselves. Now, leave me alone!” The girl jumped to her feet, stomping over to the fire leaving her niece trapped between a state of anger and guilt.

She leaned on the mantelpiece, her head resting against the top, and stared into the fire. A great sigh escaped from between her trembling lips. Why did everyone in her family hate her? It was not her fault she was what she was? That was trial enough but the rejection from almost all her family made it ten times worse. No life was fair but her life felt like it had got the entire share of unfairness for this ridiculously huge family leaving the rest with nothing but paradise.

A large warm hand clamped down on her small shoulder, jumping her out of her thoughts. She turned around angrily but felt it all drain away in the warmth of her father’s smile and his brown eyed gaze.

“Daddy…” she said quietly.

“Hello Lilia,” he said kneeling down to be at the same height as her. “I’m sorry I’ve taken so long to speak to you.”

“It’s okay,” replied the girl looking away. “I know you have lots of things to do.”

His large liver spotted hand ruffled her dark hair. “Oh don’t be like that. You know you’re my youngest and favourite. It’s just that this family is very large and they’re all desperate to wish me well on this day.”

“Most of them are hoping you’ll hold them in favour,” she replied disparagingly.

The old man laughed a great booming laugh. “Probably but an old man can dream that they’re all doing it purely for love of their doting father, grandfather or great-grandfather.”

“Happy Birthday daddy…”

Her father’s wrinkled face broke into a grin. “Thank you, Lilia. Why don’t you give your daddy a birthday hug?” he asked holding out his massive arms.

The girl sighed but threw her arms around him without complaint. Her scrawny arms barely making it around the man’s broad frame. Large strong arms enveloped her in reply.

“I love you, my favourite little girl,” he whispered into her ear.

The girls pale skin flushed. “I… love… you too, daddy.”

“There’s something I need to tell you…” said her father, keep his voice lowered.

“What?”

“Don’t give into loneliness.”

“I don’t understand…”

“I know you feel lonely and that this family isn’t helping. It breaks my heart to see you so sad all the time but it breaks it even more when I see you pushing away anyone who tries to help.”

“I don’t want pity or people trying to feel less guilty,” she whispered angrily.

He sighed. “Not everyone who feels sorry for others feels like that out of guilt. A lot of the time it’s love. Despite what you think, a lot of people here love you. They’re just afraid.”

“That shouldn’t matter.”

The man laughed softly. “You’re right but I’ve not met a single person in my long life that can easily overcome their fears.”

“It’s not fair,” said the girl, trying to hold in tears.

Her father squeezed her gently. “I know… I know. You didn’t ask to be what you are but please don’t think of yourself as cursed. It’s a gift not a curse. You’re a good girl and so smart for your age. Just please promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“No matter what happens, please never give up loving this family.”

“I’ll try.”

He shook his head. “Don’t try, I asked you to promise me.”

She sighed. “I promise.”

“Good girl,” he said with a smile before finally releasing her from his grip. “I need to speak to you tomorrow about some important things. Please come to my study in the morning.”

“Okay.”

“Now I must be going. I hope we bump into each other more tonight.”

“Maybe,” said the girl staring into the fire once again.

Her father just shook his head and walked away into the crowds of family members vying for his attention.

Lilia wished she could see more of her father. Her mother died giving birth to her and none of her father’s other wives would have anything to do with her. They had the same fear that her other half-brothers and half-sisters had as well as their children and their children’s children. She was cursed and sadly she had to agree with them. Her life was tainted by the curse that inflicted her purely through birth. It would have not been so bad if the people who were supposed to be her family supported her but they did not for the vast majority. Only four of them would have anything to do with her and one of them never left his room. He kept all his communications strictly virtual.

She sighed once again. This night always made her miserable but not going would upset her father and that would make her more miserable. It was not fair, her life was never fair. Everyone else in this stupid family was happy except her. What had she done to deserve all this misery?

The wood crackled as the fire continued to burn on shining its red glare on the darkened room. Normally the massive hall would be lit by many large and expensive chandeliers but the power had been knocked out by the autumn storm that was raging outside. Lilia liked it being this dark, it meant her sombre clothing helped her to blend into the background rather than sticking out like it usually did at her father’s birthday parties.

Her brownish red eyes appeared almost crimson in the firelight as she stared almost trancelike at the logs as they blackened and split from the heat of the flames. The flames burned white at some points. The shape the white flames formed looked familiar. Ice gripped heart as she recognised the shape: a white ring.

“Oh, no,” she muttered in panic screwing her eyes shut, “Not again…”

The girl stifled a scream as her head exploded.

*

Images flashed past, as the room span around her making her head hurt even more. Everything was grey as it always was when this happened to her.

Trying her best to ignore the slow liquidation of her brain, she did her best to pay attention to her surroundings in case what she saw was important.

It was her father’s birthday party. She looked at the fireplace and saw herself standing there in the same dark grey dress and dark shoes she was wearing right now. Her face was mostly hidden by her long dark hair as she stared into the fire.

She looked to her side and saw her father standing next to her. He was talking to two of her half-sisters, Bethany and Claire (accompanied by her permanent hanger-on Brian, her brother), laughing at some joke one of them had just shared. Her fist clenched, these two were the youngest of her father’s children except for her and, unlike the rest of the family, they actively persecuted her by fuelling the fear of others and mocking her when one of them would come upon her alone. They were never this close to each other normally and it was making her angry, even if this was not real.

A loud knock shook her out of her thoughts of hatred. Her father’s group looked towards the door.

“Who could that be?” asked Bethany in her usual brainless tone.

“What weirdo felt they needed to knock?” said Claire derisively. Lilia could not think of any time when Claire did not sound contemptuous.

Her father glanced at the older girl, Claire, out of the corned of his eye and shook his head. “I have no idea... Could someone open the door?” he asked raising his voice.

The large wooden door opened allowing a sudden gust of wind to blow into the hall. Everything went dark as every single candle went out including the fire, much to Lilia’s surprise. She caught sight of a cloaked and hooded figure from the light of the storm outside before everything went dark.

People began to babble in various states of confusion and panic as people were always wont to do when the comfort of light was taken away from them. Lilia just shook her head. Her family really had no idea what it was like to be cut off from others, even if just temporarily.

A sudden piercing cry shocked everyone into silence. Voices raised in anxious questioning to what had made the sound.

Lilia looked to the side to where she was sure the sound had come from. She looked down and screamed herself.

Her father was dead.

*

Reality snapped back into place making Lilia gasp in pain. She massaged her temples with her pale hands while trying to think through what she had seen. The events flashed through her mind once more. Panic seized her making her already chilled blood freeze. Her father was going to die. The visions were never wrong. She needed to do something right now!

“Are you okay, Lilia?” asked a young woman in concern.

The girl looked around from the fire and up at the newcomer. She tried her best to hide the panicked expression on her face but judging by her half-sister’s expression, she was failing miserably.

“I’m alright,” she mumbled in response.

Her half-sister, Christina, smiled and shook her head, her long blonde hair sparkling in the fire light, while crouching down to be at the same height as the little girl. An impressive amount of cleavage was showing over the woman’s low-cut white dress making Lilia blush slightly. The woman’s hands took hold of Lilia’s head forcing her eyes to look into the woman’s strikingly blue gaze.

“Are you sure?” she asked warmly, “You look like you’re on the verge of a nervous breakdown.”

“I’ll… I’ll be fine Christina. I just got a little dizzy,” she replied quietly, the lie tasting disgusting on her tongue. Her eyes did their best to look away from her half-sister.

Christina giggled, shaking her head once more, “You can tell you’re twelve… You’re a terrible liar.” She winked.

“Oh.”

“So what’s really the matter?” she asked, beaming.

“I had a vision,” she muttered.

“Oh? What did you see?”

“It was nothing important…”

The young woman sighed. “Come on, Lilia! I’ve never seen you so panicked over a vision before. What did you see?”

“I saw Daddy die,” she said, her eyes watering slightly much to her irritation and embarrassment.

Christina’s body tensed for a moment before relaxing just as suddenly. “Are you sure?” she asked, much of her earlier cheerfulness fading away.

“Yes,” she whispered, images of her dead Father making her shiver. “They’ve never been wrong before and I know what I saw.”

“Then we have to do something!”

The girl nodded. “Yes… will you… help me?”

She smiled again. “Of course! We better speak to Dad right now! He’s always believed in you like me. I’m sure he’ll understand.”

Lilia could not help but smile slightly in the face of her half-sisters enthusiasm. Christina was the most popular member of the family, being absolutely gorgeous with one of the friendliest personalities in the world. She had even broken the great taboo of spending time with ‘that girl’ but she did not seem to care and strangely, no one else cared either. It was if they failed to register her presence whenever she was with Lilia which seemed impossible to the girl. How could anyone miss Christina?

A warm hand took hold of Lilia’s as her older sister stood back up to her full height looking into the crowd with purpose. She looked back down at the girl. “Coming?”

The girl nodded in response before following Christina’s surprisingly quick pace through the various crowds of other family members who were busy eating, drinking, dancing or socialising. They barely registered the presence of the blonde haired beauty and the black haired girl doing her best to follow her as she almost literally barged through the crowds in search of their father.

A loud booming knock stopped Lilia dead in her tracks. Her terror filled eyes turned to look at the heavy dark wooden door that led into the hall.

“We’re too late,” she wailed.

“Could someone open the door?” boomed her father’s voice, finally appearing in Lilia’s sight.

“No!” she screamed. “Don’t open it!”

Unfortunately, no one paid attention to ‘that mad girl’ and Christina had no idea what was going on. She just looked at Lilia, the horror of her reaction slowly dawning on her but it was too late.

The door opened, lightning flashed showing the robed silhouette of a slender figure as all the lights went out in the room. Lilia’s hand slipped out of her sister’s as she ran as fast as she could towards her father, pushing her way past startled family members and bowling over anyone smaller than her in her mad dash to save his certain death.

“Daddy!” screamed the girl as loud as she could.

A blood curdling scream was the only reply.

The girl crashed to a halt. “No…” she whispered, tears beginning to flow down her pale cheeks. It was too late. One of the only family members who ever loved her was gone. Her daddy was dead… the loneliness that always plagued her began to grow as the guilt of her failure sunk slowly into her soul. If only she had been faster…

The room began to grow light again as the candles were relit by concerned people wanting to know where the scream had come from. More screams followed as they caught sight of the body lying in a pool of blood in the centre of the hall.

Lilia rushed over to her father, tears dripping freely from her cheeks, unheeded. Ignoring the blood and the crowd of shocked onlookers she knelt down next to her father.

“Daddy?”

The man gurgled, somehow alive despite the massive lacerations stretching down the length of his body and wounds in his neck. One of his arms was barely attached to his shoulder. His short silver hair was died crimson from all the blood, his blood. To see such a strong and tall man taken down so easily was terrifying.

“Lilia…?”

“I’m here,” she said desperately, tears blurring her vision. “Please don’t leave me. I’m not ready to be all alone. I need you…”

A surprisingly blood free hand shakily reached towards her. The girl took it in her own small one. There was a cold metal object in the man’s hand.

“I’m… sorry,” he burbled, “There were things… I needed… to tell… but… can’t now,” his voice lowered to barely a whisper. “It… will open… something important… you need. Promise… you look?”

“Yes,” she replied, her voice cracking.

He smiled, blood dribbling out of his mouth, “Good,” he coughed, “girl. I’ll… tell your mother… that… she gave me… a… good girl,” he said before letting out a long sigh, his eyes glazing over.

“Daddy?” she asked shaking him, “Daddy…?” The old man did not react, “Daddy!?” she screamed throwing her arms around him ignoring the horrible smell and the warm wet liquid soaking into her grey dress, “Don’t leave me,” she begged so quietly that only he could have possible heard her.

“What the hell is going on here?” demanded an angry voice.

A man with glasses and short blonde hair that was turning grey in parts stomped into view. He looked down at the scene and gasped.

“Father!?” he turned to the assembled crowd. “What happened here?”

“Something… attacked him, Jason,” replied Claire without her usual sarcasm, only horror.

Jason pushed his glasses further up his pointed nose. “Alright, get everyone out of here except for our brothers and sisters, if they want to stay. Also can someone phone the police?”

In complete obedience to the oldest son of the family, everyone did as they were told. Everyone who was asked to leave, some gratefully, others reluctantly, others had to be almost carried out.

“What the hell is she doing here?” shouted Jason, pointing at Lilia who was still holding her father pleading for him to come back.

“Well she is a sister…” said one of the other brothers, looking embarrassed under the older man’s furious gaze.

“She is a child!”

“Leave her be,” shouted Christina who was kneeling next to the girl in an attempt to comfort her. She looked at the man furiously, heedless of the red stain creeping up her flawless white dress from the hem. “She just lost her father like the rest of us. Are you completely insensitive or just a moron?”

“Enough, Christina! I don’t care how popular you are. I’m the head of this family now.”

“Not as far as I’m concerned,” retorted the young woman defiantly, folding her arms.

“Will someone get rid of her?” demanded Jason in frustration.

“Don’t you dare!” said Christina threateningly at one of her younger brothers who dared to take a step forward to obey Jason. He shuffled back in embarrassment under the intense stare of the woman.

“Don’t contradict me!” said the older man pointing at his sister.

“Stop me, then.”

“She’s too young to see all this…”

She snorted. “Don’t give me that. You’re just acting like the rest of this silly family. ‘Oh there’s something wrong with that girl. Stay away!’ ‘That girl is evil!’ ‘She’s not blonde like the rest of them... and what’s with the pale skin?’ ‘Those eyes are red in the right light. It’s the demon in her!’ ‘They say she has visions. She’s either the liar or she’s got the devil inside her.’ She’s just a normal girl!”

“You’ve said this all before-“

“And I’ll say it all again until you all stop acting like idiots,” she interrupted.

Everyone looked down at Lilia who appeared to have not heard anything they had been discussing. She was too busy clutching at her late father while moaning quietly to herself.

“See what’s she’s like,” said Jason trying his best to keep his tone level. “It’s doing her no good to be here and all we’re doing is fighting. Let’s all leave. I’ll get one of the servants to cover his body and watch over him until the police arrive.”

“One of the most sensible ideas you’ve had in all your life,” said Christina with a cheeky smile.

Irritation flashed across his face before he got control of himself. “Thank you… now who’ll take the girl back to her room?”

“She has a name you know.”

He sighed. “Who will take Lilia back to her room?”

“I will,” piped up a shaky voice from behind him.

“Vivian?” said Jason in angry surprise, turning around. “You’ve been here the whole time?”

The white haired old woman nodded. “Yes, I’ve witnessed all your shameful behaviour. I sometimes wonder if some of you even love this family,” she sighed. “No matter, I will take my granddaughter to her rooms. I don’t trust any of you not to make her worse on the way back.”

“Very well,” replied the man rigidly before breezing past the bent old woman who stared at him in defiance and disappointment.

The rest of the family began to leave while Vivian walked slowly towards Lilia.

“Thank you, Christina,” she whispered as the white clad young woman drifted past her.

“Anything for Lilia,” she replied quietly before leaving.

The squat woman stopped before her granddaughter and sighed. “Oh, David. Why did this have to happen to a good man like you? Who will be strong enough to protect your youngest daughter now?” She brushed a tear away from her wrinkled cheek before reaching out a gnarled hand, touching the moaning girl’s shoulder, “Lilia?”

She looked up at the sound of a familiar voice. Her blood and tear streaked face hidden mostly by her long black hair.

“You have to come with me,” said the woman, trying her best to smile.

“No… I can’t… can’t leave him alone.”

“Don’t worry. He won’t be alone. The butler will be here with him.”

“But he’s not family.”

“Bill has been the butler for years. Trust me. He is family to your father. Now please come with me.”

The girl looked away again, “No, I can’t-” Her eyes glazed over as she suddenly collapsed into her grandmother’s arms.

“Oh my poor girl,” said Vivian tenderly, stroking the girl’s hair. “It’s been too much for you, this night. I can only hope that you’ll recover quickly.” She sighed. “I wish I could do more.”

A polite cough caused her to turn around. Bill the butler stood behind them, a large blanket in his hands, “I am so sorry, madam.”

“Thank you, Bill. I know how much you thought of him,” she paused. “Where is Agatha?”

“She couldn’t come in, madam. The sight of the master’s body was too much for her. She’s by the door,” he answered apologetically.

“Could you please ask her to come in? I need her to help me carry Lilia back to her rooms. I’m not as young as I used to be.”

He bowed. “Of course.”

“Thank you Bill.”

“Anything for you, Madam.”

*

Everyone she knew, who cared about her, was floating away from her into shadow. She chased after them calling them by name but they appeared not to hear her.

“Please come back,” begged the girl. “Don’t leave me alone with all of them. They don’t care about me!”

Life is never fair. You will lose everyone but it will make you strong. You will need to be strong…

“No, I’m not ready.”

No one is ever truly ready, said a voice just like her father’s.

“But I don’t want to lose everyone,” she sobbed.

That’s not your choice. You can only choose what you do after they’ve gone.

“It’s not fair…”

It rarely is.

“Please don’t go,” she begged once again.

I am sorry but I cannot stay. Don’t forget the promises you’ve made and the people who love you. There are more of them than you realise…

“No!” Lilia screamed, sitting bolt upright.

Her eyes darted around the room frantically taking in the unfamiliar surroundings before she realised it was her own room. She sighed, flopping back down on her bed. Cold sweat drenched her body making the grey shift she wore cling to her scrawny body. A groan escaped from her lips. Her head was pounding and it felt like it was on fire.

A cool damp cloth wiped her forehead, soothing her for a moment, before being used to wipe away the sweat on her face and neck. Her head lolled to the side to look at who was ministering to her.

“Granny?” she whispered.

The old woman smiled warmly despite her obvious tiredness. “I’m so happy you’ve awoken, child. I was so worried.”

“What happened to my dress?”

“You were boiling alive and it was covered in blood so I asked the housekeeper to remove it before helping me to put you on your bed. I’ve been taking care of you since.”

“How long was I asleep?”

She glanced at an ancient watch strapped to her skeletal wrist. “About four hours, so it’s nearly three in the morning.”

“You’ve been here all that time?” asked the girl in surprise.

“Of course, I could not leave you alone after what happened.”

The girl choked back a sob. “Thank you, you didn’t need to do that for me…”

“Are you alright?” asked the woman, stroking the girl’s drenched dark hair.

The girl shook her head, her brownish red eyes shimmering but did not say anything.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

She nodded slowly.

Her grandmother placed a cloth and a bowl of water on the bedside table before holding her arms out. “Come here, my dear.”

Lilia quickly scrambled onto the woman’s lap, burying her head in Vivian’s breast.

“He’s gone,” she wailed.

“I know, I know,” she said quietly while gently hugging the girl curled up on her lap. “We’ll both miss him.”

“How could someone do that to him?”

“I don’t know. I wish I did but your father was such a good man…”

“It’s not fair.”

She sighed. “It rarely is, child. It rarely is.”

“I should have done something…”

The woman shook her head. “There was nothing any of us could do.”

“But I knew it was going to happen,” she said quietly.

“You had a vision? When?” she asked, her body tensing.

“Just before it happened. If only I’d been quicker,” she said, tears beginning to stream down her face once again.

“I don’t think you could have stopped it but you were able to say goodbye to him before he left,” she said kindly, her body relaxing again. “A chance no one else got.”

“You think so?” asked the girl, looking up at her.

“Yes, sometimes it’s impossible for us to do what we think needs to be done. At those times we just need to accept that we’re only human. We can’t do everything but we should always try our best. You tried your best to save him but you couldn’t. Not because you were weak or inattentive. It just wasn’t possible. Please learn to forgive yourself for bad things that happen that you can’t control.”

“I’ll… I’ll try…”

She smiled. “Good… have you tried praying? It always makes me feel better.”

“I haven’t prayed since Father Harris left the chapel. God hasn’t helped me and even his priests won’t have anything to do with me now. I’m forsaken so I don’t bother to pray anymore,” she said with an equal mix of anger and sadness.

“I’m sorry you feel that way,” she said with a sigh while stroking her hair. “Now we both best go to bed now. Tomorrow will be a long day and you need your rest, as do I.”

Giving each other one last hug, Vivian left wishing her granddaughter goodnight as she left the room.

Lilia sighed and shut the door, making sure to lock it, throw the deadbolt and secure the chain as she always did when she was in or out of her room. After a few pranks and more malicious break-ins, she had learned to never leave her things unsecured.

Her little apartments on the top of the highest and most distant tower in this massive structure known as the ‘Family Mansion’ was the closest thing to a home she had had in her short life. She had used to live with her father until she was about eight but then pressure from other children who were making her miserable made her decide to move somewhere else. Unfortunately no one in the family was allowed to move out of the grounds so instead she chose the hardest to reach rooms in the building (It was actually a former guest apartment but she had persuaded her father to give it to her). It was a great with her own sitting room (With a TV, DVD player, armchairs and sofas, a computer, a desk and numerous books), bedroom (With a large double bed and spacious walk-in wardrobes) and bathroom (Complete with shower, bath and hot tub.) and a small hall where the door to the rest of the mansion was located. It was spread over four floors with a metal spiral staircase linking the three circular rooms and the one small square room by their centres. She sometimes wished she had her own kitchen but the staff were always efficient at getting anything she needed when she asked but really it just was not the same as being independent enough to do it yourself.

Many family members would kill to have such a large and spacious living space but that did not really matter to Lilia. What mattered was it discouraged almost all of the troublemakers from bothering her now, since it was such a trek to reach her in the first place. She really did like it here.

The cold metal of the stairs made her shiver as she slowly plodded her way, barefooted, back to the top floor where her bedroom was located. She stared at the stairs as she continued to climb not paying attention to where she was going until her feet found soft warm carpet.

Changing into a pair of dark pyjamas, the girl crawled under the plain grey covers of her bed. She lay on her back staring at the ceiling listening to the wind howl outside and the rain pound against the windows. The sound of storms was relaxing to her. It was probably another reason why she liked to sleep here, being so high up made the winds really strong.

She pulled the covers over her head and shifted onto her side while curling up into a ball, letting out a long heavy sigh.

Sleep just would not come to her but after what felt like hours of tossing and turning, it finally did. The void of sleep was a welcome solace.

*

“Are you okay?” asked Techfool.

“I don’t know…” replied Vates_Puella. “I just can’t believe this happened.”

“I didn’t really know him but I know you were close. I’m sorry.”

“Thank you,” she said hugging him.

“No problem,” he said with a smile. “So you gonna be okay?”

“I… think so. It’s just going to take time.”

He nodded. “Yeah, I can understand that. I’m always here if you need me… well except when I sleeping,” he winked.

“Like you ever sleep!” she winked.

“Heh”

“Are you going to come to the funeral?”

“Maybe…” replied Techfool. “I don’t know if I could handle so many people…”

“Please come. I’ll be with you if that would help.”

“It might…”

“So is that a yes then?”

He sighed. “Alright then but I reserve the right to run away back to my room if it’s too much for me to handle.”

Vates_Puella nodded. “That sounds fair enough… You know psychiatrists would have a field day with you?”

“This coming from the girl who calls herself Vates_Puella despite going on about how much she feels she’s cursed?” he retorted with yet another wink.

“I guess I had that coming…”

“Don’t try to mess with a master!”

She smiled. “I’ll try to remember that for next time.”

“Good.”

“Hmm, there’s someone at the door. I better go. It’ll probably be something important.”

“Alright. Take care,” he said before giving her a quick hug.

“You too,” she said returning the hug before leaving.

*

“Christina?” said Lilia in shock. “What are you doing here?”

The blonde haired woman smiled her dazzling smile in reply. “It seems I’m the only one of your brothers and sisters who was willing to come and get you.”

“Get me for what?”

“We’re having a family meeting to decide what to do.”

The girl looked confused. “What to do about what?”

“About father’s murder of course!”

“I know that,” she snapped before sighing. “I mean what is there to discuss. Shouldn’t the police handle it?”

The young woman sighed. “It’s just Jason being an idiot. He thinks because he’s the oldest of our generation that he’s the new head of the family. I hope the will says differently. I’ll need to take a picture of his face with my phone if it does.”

“Are you sure they want me there?” she asked looking away.

“They probably don’t but,” she grinned mischievously. “You have a right to be there and I’m really having fun annoying our oldest brother!”

Lilia could not help but smile. “Okay, but give me a minute to get ready.”

“Of course, a girl always needs time to prepare!” she said with a wink. “I’ll wait for you by the stairs down.”

Running quickly up the stairs, she ran into her wardrobe and searched for something decent to wear. Christina had looked radiant in her white tank top, denim short skirt with a huge silver belt and blue trainers. She always wore things that complimented her figure, no wonder everyone was captivated by her.

She sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. Her pale face stared back at her with its small pale nose and the horrible dark circles under her eyes from too little sleep. It was always hard for her to sleep at the best of times, visions had a nasty habit of coming to her in the middle of the night and she could rarely sleep after having one. At least she had taken a shower this morning…

Finally, she chose a black knee length skirt and a black and white striped top. She pulled a black vest over the top and put some dark trainers on. A pair of black and white striped arm-warmers completed the look she had decided to go for.

The staircase clanged as she made her way back down to meet Christina, irritated at herself for being so self-conscious. Only she made her feel like this, with everyone else Lilia really did not care how she looked as long as she was half-way presentable. It was not like they cared how she looked either except that what she was wearing was appropriate for whatever occasion they happened to meet in.

“Aww you look so cute!”

Lilia sighed in irritation in an effort to cover her blushing. “Just take me there.”

The young woman giggled. “Alright then, follow me.”

Together they walked through the various stairways and corridors that led into the central wing of the house where the oldest parts could be found. The pair stopped in front of an ancient unadorned dark wood door.

“So it’s daddy’s study then?”

Christina nodded before smartly knocking on the door three times and turning the brass handle, opening the door. All of Lilia’s nineteen half-brother and sisters (including Christina) were present. There were some dark glances and mutterings as they noticed the girl trail in behind the attention grabbing presence of Christina.

“Why is she here?” hissed Claire, flicking her blonde hair angrily.

“I thought she wasn’t going to here,” moaned Brian, Claire’s actual brother.

“Christina… I’m getting tired of your games,” growled Jason sitting behind his father’s desk.

“This isn’t a game. Lilia has just as much right to be here as the rest of us. She is the same generation as all of us so she has a right to a say in family matters until the will declares the new head of family. That is tradition, yes?”

“Yes… but-”

“There’s no but’s Jason. Rules are rules. Live with it,” she said folding her arms triumphantly.

“I agree with Christina,” said James, one of the other half-brothers.

“You would,” muttered Claire derisively.

The blonde haired man just sniffed in response.

Jason sighed, “Let’s just get this over with.”

Following her half-sister, Lilia perched on the desk next to Christina. Thankfully everyone’s attention was focussed on their oldest brother so they could not see the dark expression on her face.

“The lawyer will be arriving in a few minutes to read the will out to us…”

“Isn’t that awfully fast?” piped up one of the brothers present.

“I figured it would be best to get it done quickly so we can establish some order quickly before everything dissolves into chaos.”

“I suppose…”

“What about the police?” asked Christina.

“They have already arrived and they’ve closed off the hall for the time being. They plan to start taking statements tomorrow.” The last statement was accompanied by various groans and sighs. “I know it’s not pleasant but it’s something we must endure. We do all want to find who did this, don’t we?”

“Of course!” someone said over everyone else muttering agreements.

“So we’re all agreed then…” he paused. “What do you think Lilia?”

All eyes turned to the dark haired girl except for Christina who glared directly at Jason.

“Like you care what I think,” said Lilia angrily, folding her arms defiantly and looking away from their collective gaze.

“So you don’t care?” asked Bethany shocked.

“No! It’s you who don’t care about anyone but yourselves. I loved our father more than anyone here. All you can think of is how this investigation is going to inconvenience you all and you all can’t wait to hear who the next family head is. You all sicken me with your selfishness.”

“Show some respect, child!” shouted Jason.

“Trying being something worthy of respect!” she shouted back, all the rage and frustration built up in her beginning to pour out of her.

“Jason is far more than you could ever be,” said Claire trying to snipe at the girl as she always did.

Lilia smirked. “You’re right, Claire. I don’t think I could ever be as soulless as Jason even if I tried my hardest all my life.”

Jason’s face went livid, his temper not improved by Christina bursting into a fit of giggles at Lilia’s jab.

“This is getting us nowhere,” said one of the other sisters.

“Yeah, Jason. Your poor attempt at embarrassing Christina and Lilia failed spectacularly. Let’s just move on…”

“Your endless support of Christina is getting tiring,” snarled Claire.

“Why? Are we jealous?”

“Of course not!”

“Yes… of course not,” said the brother smiling smugly.

A knock on the door silenced any more arguments. The door opened to reveal an older grey haired man in an unimpressive dark suit and plain black briefcase.

“Mr Forrester,” said Jason trying his best to smile despite his obvious mood. “Please come in.”

“Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen. I’m sorry for your loss,” said the man gravely.

“Thank you.”

The man sat down in the chair behind the desk and removed a sheet of paper from his briefcase. He cleared his throat. “May I begin?”

“Of course,” said Jason nodding.

“Very well…

“I David Anderson Seelenverkäufer being of sound body and mind do hereby commit my Last Will and Testament to paper in the eyes of these witnesses: Mr. Jonathon Andrew Forrester and Ms. Vivian Anne Jacobs.

“The executors of this will shall be Ms. Vivian Anne Jacobs and the new head of the Seelenverkäufer family who shall be named in this will hereafter.

“On the event of my death all my property is to be divided thus:

“One quarter shall be put under the care of the head of the Seelenverkäufer family to be used to maintain the Family Manor and the well being of family members.

“Another quarter shall be given to the head of the Seelenverkäufer to be used as they see fit.

“The final half shall be divided evenly amongst the remainder of my children to be used as they see fit.” This final part was met with many shocked gasps and restrained celebrations.

“Furthermore, I, David Anderson Seelenverkäufer, as head of the Seelenverkäufer family and according to the tradition of the Seelenverkäufer family, I do hereby name my successor as-” the lawyer burst into a fit of coughing much to the eager Jason’s irritation.

The tension was so thick in the room that it smothered all sound except for the voice of Mr. Forester. Even Lilia was listening to what her father’s will said, much to her own surprise.

“My apologies…” He cleared his throat. “I do hereby name my successor as Lilia Anne Seelenverkäufer and grant her all the rights and privileges that the tradition of the Seelenverkäufer family dictates.

“Signed,

“David Anderson Seelenverkäufer.”

Angry voices all rose in protest at once drowning out everyone else. Jason accosted the lawyer demanding to see the will for himself. Others pointed at each other angrily and at the girl sitting on the table at the back of the room. Christina sat serenely next to Lilia, a strange smile on her face as she raised her phone in the direction of Jason, the snap of the camera on it drowned out by the furious protests.

Lilia sat completely still, her face expressionless. Her mind reeled at what had just been said. She barely heard any of the arguments or raised voices. The shock of what just happened occupied all of her thoughts causing the room around her to fade out of her perception.

What was she going to do now?

*

The old large grandfather clock ticked quietly in the deathly silent room. Grey light streamed through the large French windows either side of the large wooden desk that dominated the back of the study. Bookshelves filled to bursting with books lined either side of the room with the centre filled with various armchairs, sofas and small desks. Against the wall next to the door was a large table which was currently being sat upon by a young blonde woman and a dark haired girl almost contrasting each other completely except for the total silence which they held in common.

A sigh came from behind the desk as the lawyer looked at his watch. “That was unpleasant,” he said softly, breaking the silence. “David had warned me that his family would not be happy with the will but why should they be so angry at you Ms. Seelenverkäufer?”

“Because they fear her for some reason,” said Christina with a sigh.

The man nodded sadly. “Yes, he had warned me but I did not appreciate how serious he was… Anyway, I wanted to wait a little while for the news to sink in before I carried out some further business that is for Ms. Lilia only.”

“I take that as my cue to leave,” said the woman with a grin before turning to her younger sister. “I’m so happy for you Lilia. You know where to find me if you want to talk.”

Lilia appeared to notice the room for the first time when Christina shut the door quietly.

“Ms. Seelenverkäufer?”

“Why did he pick me?”

Mr. Forrester shrugged. “In all honesty, I am not completely sure but the impression I got from all the years I’ve known him is that he genuinely believed you to be the best choice.” He smiled. “If everything he told me about you was true then I think you will be.”

“What did you want to talk to me about?” she asked quietly trying to fight back the tears that were building up in her. She was beginning to feel overwhelmed.

He handed her a sealed envelope. “Your father wrote this for you and told me to give it to you when you were alone with no chance of being observed. I have no idea what is in it or why he insisted that no one else see it but he said you would understand.” He glanced at his watch again. “I’m afraid I must go. Please take care, young lady. As always I am at the disposal of the Seelenverkäufer family.”

A small hand took hold of his arm as he tried to leave. “Please wait.”

“What is it?”

The girl looked away from the envelope and into the man’s kind brown eyes. “You said you’d known my dad for years?”

He nodded. “Yes, I’ve been this family’s lawyer for over twenty years now. I counted your father as one of my closest friends. I will miss him dearly.”

“Please tell me about him,” she pleaded desperately.

“Why would you want me to do that? Surely you know more about him than me?”

Lilia bowed her head and shook it sadly. “I didn’t see him very often after I moved to my own rooms when I was eight and before that when I lived with him I didn’t see him that much either. He feels like a stranger to me in some ways… I want to know more about him.”

The man smiled warmly. “You really are a nice normal girl. I don’t understand why your family for the most part can’t see that.” He coughed. “Very well, I shall tell you all I know about your father.”

She wiped tears away from her eyes, “Thank you.”

*

“Should I call you boss or something?”

Vates_Puella sighed. “That’s not funny.”

“Sorry…”

“I just feel so overwhelmed…”

Techfool nodded. “Yeah, I can understand that. Seems a crazy amount of responsibility for someone your age.”

“Yeah… that’s why I asked Granny to help me for the time being at least until the rest of the family begins to accept the decision.”

“Do you think that’ll happen?”

“I… don’t know,” she sighed. “But you know me, I expect the worse.”

He smiled. “Wouldn’t be you without the pessimism. Anyway, I think they’ll at least begrudgingly respect it as time goes on. I know Christina is going to try her best to see you’re respected.”

“I love her help but sometimes she can make it worse…”

“Yeah, she can take too much delight in winding up those who don’t agree with her. She means well, though,” he said with a laugh.

She smiled. “True.”

“So what are you going to do about education since you dad’s gone?”

“Typical you,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “Always obsessed with school work.”

“It shows I care,” he winked.

“Apparently arrangements were already made for that. When all of this business is over, I’ll be getting a private tutor.”

“That’s great!”

“I guess…”

“Well it’s one less thing for you to worry about.”

She sighed again. “True…”

“I’m sorry,” said Techfool. “I’m just making it worse aren’t I?”

“It’s not your fault… Having you to talk to really helps. I just wish that none of this had happened…”

“Don’t we all? I’m happy to be here for you. I’m glad I’m being of some use.”

She hugged him. “Yes, I really appreciate it.”

“It’s no problem,” he replied, returning the hug.

“Anyway, it’s late now. I need to get some sleep,” said Vates_Puella with a yawn. “In the morning, I’m going to have to face all of my brothers and sisters again. Jason demands to know what I intend to do.”

Techfool shook his head. “That man is a moron. I’m ashamed to be his cousin.”

She laughed. “At least you’re not his sister! Good night.”

“Sweet dreams.”

*

Lilia couldn’t sleep. Her mind kept running through the events of the past day. Too much had happened over the past days: the murder of her father, inheriting the leadership of the family, most likely sealing the eternal hatred of her by the rest of her relations. It was too much for any one person to handle but what could she do but try to bear it? She had borne everything else that had been unfairly thrust upon her. These new trials would just have to be added to the increasingly heavy pile.

Finally after restless hours she fell asleep. The covers constantly shifted as she tossed and turned in her sleep, the occasional groan escaping from the girl’s lips as her dreams became more and more troubled.

A white ring suddenly appeared in her dreams. Dread sunk into her stomach. She was going to see something and she knew it would not be something good – they never were.

A bedroom appeared before her. The droning of a hairdryer assaulting her ears making the pounding in her head grow to unbearable levels. A four-poster bed rested against one wall with a bedside table either side, and a door in the corner. One wall consisted of a massive wardrobe, with a door next to it, while the other was covered in bookshelves containing ancient looking books, some of which looked on the verge of crumbling to dust just by looking at them too closely. The final wall had a window and a large dressing table with a huge mirror. Before it sat, a young woman clad in only a dull green towel. Moonlight filtered through the thin curtains providing the only light in the room.

The girl tried to get a better look at the person before her but every time she tried to identify any distinctive features it was if her mind just stopped working until she stopped attempting to look. She knew that the person before her was drying her long blonde hair with a hairdryer but that was all. The woman was beautiful too but then again, everyone in the Seelenverkäufer family was gorgeous… except for Lilia, she thought of herself as ugly, and Christina who was thought to be even more beautiful than the rest of the family put together (Which Lilia had to agree with, for a change).

Something was wrong… Lilia could feel something pulling her. Normally she never felt anything in her visions but that tugging was there and it was getting stronger. Her body began to drift towards the woman’s body. She struggled against the force but there was nothing she could do. In this place she had no strength, all she could do was observe. Something, however, could do more than that and she was powerless against it as she felt herself drawn inside of the woman who appeared completely oblivious to what was happening.

Lilia could feel herself fade as the senses of the woman imposed themselves on the girl’s mind. In a few moments all that was left was Lilia’s mind. Her body and all her senses were part of this woman who sat drying her hair. The girl wanted to scream but she could not. Her body was gone.

She could feel everything. The cold air in the room making her bare skin come up in goosebumps, the rough material of the towel rubbing against her body as she shifted slightly in the small chair in front of the dresser, the warm air caressing her bare shoulders as she dried her long blonde hair, the sound of the hairdryer droning in her ears, the moonlight from outside reflecting in her blue eyes. Lilia had become the woman but she still had her own mind. It was a nauseating feeling. She wanted to leave, wake up and pretend this was not happening.

A knock at the door next to the wardrobe made Lilia jump, although the woman herself did not jump. Her sense of self faded further as the woman’s mind took complete control instead of the aimless drifting it had been doing while she had been alone.

She smiled. “Come in,” said the woman in amusement.

The door opened and a man wearing only blue and white striped pyjama trousers walked in. Behind him was a bathroom with another door in the far wall. It had to be one of the older wings that had shared bathrooms.

“You don’t have to knock, you know,” she said turning off the hairdryer and smiling in satisfaction at her reflection.

“Well I figured it would just be polite,” he said with a grin, his perfect white teeth almost shining in the light from the moon. A strong hand ran its way through his short blonde hair.

“Well I know you have no pockets so you must be happy to see me.”

The man laughed moving to stand behind her, putting his muscular arms around her when she shivered despite herself.

“Thank you, brother,” she said, taking great pleasure in the warmth he was providing.

He kissed her tenderly on her wonderfully smooth neck, his lips lingering longer with each kiss. “Anything for you.”

“I remember our first time,” she said with nostalgia. “When it was our twelfth birthday...”

“Since when did you suddenly get into reminiscing?”

The woman shrugged, “I guess it’s just with everything that’s happened.”

“I saw the bloodstained clothes in the bathroom,” he said with concern, pausing from his kissing. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” she said with a sigh, “That demon I bound has been getting harder to deal with since we allowed it to kill father. It thinks it’s stronger than it really is.”

“Are you sure you can handle it.”

“Of course!”

“I’m glad,” he said moving onto kissing her bare shoulder. “Yes, I remember that day so well. It was our twelfth birthday and I was so excited. I got up and charged into our bathroom, which you’d forgotten to lock.” He sighed. “And there you were in the shower, naked as the day we were born. I remember my face going scarlet and you looking at me in total confusion… I went to back away but you reached out and hauled me into the shower. The water soaked me and my pyjamas to the skin but I didn’t notice. All I could see was you and then you kissed me… It was so right.”

She smiled as he began to kiss her again on the other side of her neck. “It just all led on from there. I peeled off your pyjamas and tossed them away. We just stood looking at each other for ages.”

“I thought you were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my life.”

“I did too,” she said smiling at the reflection of her and her brother. “That was the first day we did everything we could think of that showed we loved each other. Even some things that children that age should never do but we didn’t care. We were in love.”

“Still are.”

“Yes, we still are. It doesn’t matter if what we did might be wrong. Our love makes it right.”

The woman made to stand up, her brother backing off to give her room. She turned around, putting her arms around his neck before leaning in to kiss him on the mouth. The man returned the kiss with equal passion, both unwilling to end it.

The couple backed towards the bed, spinning around so the young woman’s back rested against one of the bed posts. She playfully pushed him back and giggled at his look of surprise. Her hands stretched up over her head and took hold of the post, her back arching towards the young man.

“Lose the pyjamas,” she said lustily.

The trousers fell and the woman smiled. The moonlight highlighted his well toned and naked body. He was as beautiful as the woman and he knew it, just like her.

Approaching without a word, his hands came up and took hold of the woman by the waist. With a slight twitch of the hands, the towel cascaded down to the floor around the woman’s pristine feet. The soft moonlight played across her smooth fresh cream coloured skin, highlighting every flawless curve. Her perfectly proportioned breasts rose and fell with each heavy breath she took as she stared into her brother’s deep blue eyes.

The man ran his hands up the woman’s body tracing every beautiful line and curve. He cupped her breasts and gently caressed them before leaning his head down to her chest, his arms wrapping around her slim well toned body. She moaned in delight as she felt the man’s lips on her breasts and his hand crawling down her belly before it began to caress her tenderly. Eventually her hands came down as she grew bored of with his current affections in a desire to move on. Drawing him back up level with her, she kissed him one more time, her rock hard nipples pushing into his muscular chest, spinning them around again so he faced the bed this time. With a slight push they both fell onto the bed with the woman lying on top of the man. They both let out the occasional moan of pleasure as time slipped past slowly, the young woman always being on top.

All the time, Lilia was screaming for release but no one could hear her. She lay in the woman’s mind tormented by everything the woman was feeling and the girl was on the verge of madness because of it.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the brother and sister finally stopped. The woman laid next to the man with her head buried in his shoulder, her body curved against his.

“You were wonderful as always,” he said breathlessly.

“So were you, my love.” She leaned up and kissed him briefly on the lips. “Good night.”

“Good night, sister.”

Lilia felt her own body return as the two siblings drifted off to sleep, their long perfect limbs entangled together.

I hope you learned your lesson. Never stick your nose where it does not belong. This was but a warning. The next time will not be so merciful, hissed an inhuman voice that sounded almost feminine.

The girl screamed as the vision finally released its grasp on her mind.

*

Lilia awoke in agony. Her stomach heaved, her skin burned, she was soaked through with cold sweat and the pounding in her head made her want to scream. This was not normal. No vision had ever had this effect upon her. She could not even remember many details of what she saw, that was not normal. Never before had she forgotten anything of what she saw. Now she struggled to remember anything but what she felt during that time. At that thought her gut heaved once again. She was going to be sick, she knew it.

Almost falling out of bed, she staggered down the cold metal steps into the bathroom. She collapsed in front of the toilet and spewed her guts out. All the time she could not stop thinking about what had happened. She had felt everything. Every touch, every kiss, every caress, every embrace, every exertion, every tasted, every gasp, every moan, but she could not remember seeing anything except for blonde hair and blue eyes. Her blood ran cold but her skin was on fire: They had killed her father. No, their father… they were her brother and sister. She threw up again, the pounding in her head increasing with every heave. Tears ran down her cheeks, as she reeled at the agony she felt in mind, body and spirit.

After painful minutes of sickness, the girl finally slumped back, sprawling on the cold white tiled floor. The cool tiles did nothing to relieve her burning skin. She felt so hot and dirty. Her mind continued to roar at the sheer amount of pain the vision had inflicted on her.

Despite everything telling her not to, she tried her best to think about what the vision had shown her. Maybe then it would stop hurting so much.

She groaned and writhed in pain as the images played through her head. There was her hair being dried… no the sister’s hair being dried and her brother coming in. They were twins. Her tongue was entangled with her brother’s as the kissed. He tasted so good… no that’s what the woman had though and felt. He was so beautiful and tender - his gentle hands running up her silky smooth skin, his fingers gently caressing her breasts and other parts. The man had used his lips and tongue to tease her nipples into erecting as he had continued to stroke her with increasing intensity before finally they had made love for a blissfully long time. It had felt so good…

No! It was her brother. It was sick, it was wrong. Her hands came up to the sides of her head as she cried out. Everything the woman felt, she could not stop feeling. The man’s hands were all over her, touching her, kissing her, grasping her to him. She wanted to scream but it was stuck in her throat – all she could do was gasp.

The girl rolled onto her side, a painful groan escaping from her lips. She felt so dirty and her body burned. All the time her mind continued to crack her skull and invisible hands touched her in places that made her weep even more.

Lilia could feel her sanity crumble as the vague vision continued to torment her as the minutes slipped past in agony. She writhed on the floor, her movements getting increasingly frantic as she felt her body grow warmer and warmer while still under the assault of the phantom hands that would not leave her alone. The heat was too much. Her skin felt like someone was trying to burn the dirt she felt all over her but was only making it worse.

Uttering a cry of complete despair, the girl tore off her clothes and dived into the shower, collapsing to the floor as a shaking hand dragged the handle down to turn the water on. Ice cold water poured down on her, making her gasp at the suddenness of the temperature change. Her pale skin finally began to cool and the feelings of being touched subsided. She curled up on her side, lying there shivering as the water kept her sane at the cost of what little comfort she had left. The water washed away the tears that continued to fall down her face.

She had seen it. The people who had killed her father but she could not remember what they looked like. They were twins and both had blue eyes and blonde hair. The pair were also her half-brother and sister. It sounded so easy but she could prove nothing…On top of that, something terrible protected her. It had forced her to feel everything her sister had felt when she had committed her terrible sin with her brother. Lilia had never felt so defiled and humiliated in all her life. She knew that physically she had had no involvement but she could not separate the feelings from herself, to her mind it had happened to her as well as the woman.

That thought made her curl up into a tighter ball, her arms hugging her knees to her chest. She was used to being alone but deep down she had never felt truly alone. Now for the first time in her life she was truly alone. No one could ever understand or know what had happened to her. All she could do was something she had not done in a long time: she prayed.

Lord… help me…

*

She awoke with a groan, face down on her bed on top of the covers. Heavy sunlight poured in through a window making her eyes ache as she struggled into a sitting position. Her bed was damp with water and she was not wearing any clothes. She must have crawled into bed from the bathroom but she could not remember ever doing that. All she could remember was praying in the shower then her mind went blank.

Her head no longer ached which she was thankful for. She still felt unwell but it was more a general sickness rather than the intense agony she had felt during the night. Sighing she pulled on some very loose fitting clothing (more another pair of pyjamas and a pair of slippers than anything that could be worn outside her rooms) before descending to the sitting room, picking up her scattered clothing in the bathroom and depositing it in the laundry basket on the way, and curling up in the sofa. She flicked on the television and stared at it, not really paying attention to what was on. Thankfully, for once, her mind seemed to have gone numb from last night’s torture and barely seemed to be working at all.

“I saw who killed you daddy…” she whispered, curling up into a tighter ball. “But I’m too scared...” She wanted to cry but she had run out of tears. “Please pray for me…”

*

“Wake up, Lilia.”

The girl groaned as she opened her eyes. Christina was standing in front of her, smiling although her eyes showed concern.

“Christina?” she said sleepily, “How did you get in here? The door’s bolted…”

The young woman giggled. “I climbed.”

“You what!?” she almost shouted, sitting bolt upright on her couch.

“I climbed. It was… hard but I was worried. No one’s seen you for three days straight… not even Techie.”

Lilia looked at her sister. She was not wearing her usual casual clothing. The story of her climbing here was more believable now… Christina wore some ancient looking jeans, sturdy looking boots, a large jacket and a pair of black gloves. Her face was flushed from the strong winds that always blew about at this height.

“You’re insane,” muttered the girl.

Her sister laughed before sitting herself down next to her younger half-sister. She took her jacket off revealing a sensible white t-shirt.

“Are you alright?” she asked, her voice suddenly growing serious.

Lilia looked away, feeling underdressed in her pyjamas. “I’m fine,” she mumbled.

“So fine that you’ve not spoken to a soul in three days and eaten nothing except maybe what you have stashed in this place?”

“Please, just leave me alone.”

“What happened?”

“Nothing,” she said with more anger than she intended.

“Does it have anything to do with what that lawyer had to say to you in private?”

“No.”

“Then was it something that happened that night?”

The girl did not answer, remaining hunched over with her head turned away.

“Please talk to me, Lilia,” said Christina helplessly. “I was worried, so was your grandmother, so was Techie. This isn’t like you… I know you’ve never been the happiest girl. It’s what I like about you. You’re far more balanced than me, I way too cheerful sometimes but… I’ve never seen you so depressed, not even when Father died.”

“I… I just need time,” she said choking back a sob.

Christina threw her arms around the girl and hugged her tightly. “I’m so sorry, Lilia. I’m only trying to help. You’re not alone.”

“I’m so scared,” said Lilia weeping. “I’m not ready for all of this…”

“That doesn’t matter. It just means you need to work a little harder. It doesn’t mean you can’t do it.”

“Do you really think so?” she asked timidly.

“Yeah, I do. There’s nothing we can’t do if we just have the strength to go on, whether we’re ready or not, even if we’re scared,” she said stroking the girl’s hair.

“Thank you.”

“Just remember that me, Vivian and Techie are all here to help you. You don’t have to be scared.” They parted. “Now, how about coming with me to get something to eat?”

“Maybe…” said the girl reluctantly.

“Come on,” said Christina, nudging the girl affectionately. “You need to eat something properly and get out of this place for a little while. A walk will do you good.”

“I suppose.”

“Then let’s go!” she leaped to her feet before pausing. “Although you should probably change out of your pyjamas…”

Lilia sighed. “Give me a couple of minutes.” She returned in a few minutes later in dark jeans and a black t-shirt.

“Well, I guess it’s as good as the stuff I’m wearing. Although I have the excuse of climbing,” said the blonde haired woman picking up her coat.

“I still can’t believe you did that. You had to climb up at least one story from the hall then all the way around to the other side of the tower…”

“It must be love,” said Christina dreamily before walking downstairs leaving Lilia to follow after her quickly. “So what do you want,” asked the woman as Lilia busied herself with locking her door.

“Whatever,” said the girl distractedly.

“Oh come on, you must have something you’d prefer.”

“Well… Chinese food wouldn’t be too bad.”

The blue eyed beauty grinned. “That sounds great!” She pulled out her phone and began to dial. “I’m glad I kept this on my address book,” she muttered before launching into a conversation with someone on the other end of the phone. A few minutes later she put her phone away.

“Should be here in about twenty minutes. How about we take it in the study? It is yours now…”

“I don’t know…”

“It is yours now,” she winked. “Besides you’re going to have to get used to it anyway.”

“Alright then,” said Lilia, smiling faintly. “Let’s go.”

Together the pair descended to the study. It was the last day that Lilia could truly say she forgot her troubles.

*

Lilia sat down on the end of her bed, a rare smile on her face. Today had been a great day. She had spent all day with Christina, talking, and just generally spending time with each other. Was this what it felt to really have a sister who loved you and cared about you?

The girl sighed happily and changed for bed. Her hand brushed against the bedside table knocking something to the floor. She looked down. It was the envelope Mr. Forrester gave her. How could she have forgotten about it for all this time? She sighed. The past days events were a pretty good reason as to why she had. Sitting down on the bed, she began to unseal the envelope carefully. The envelope opened to reveal a letter written in her father’s characteristically exact and perfectly straight script.

My Dearest Lilia,

If you are reading this then it means I have died before I had the opportunity to speak with you.

I am so sorry, my dear. I did not want to leave you alone in this life so soon. I had hoped that we could have spent many more happy years together but it was not to be. If I am dead now then it means that I was caught and that terrifies me more than anything.

Lilia, there is something I must tell you but I cannot take the risk of putting it into this letter. All I can say is that I was doing something for the good of this family but it was something I knew that people would not understand and that they would try to stop me if they discovered me. If you’re reading this then I was discovered and I was stopped.

If I am dead then you will have received this letter and another item. I am sure you have it. I had made many backup arrangements to take into account as many circumstances as I could think of. You must use it to find what it was I was doing. You will discover some things you will not like but you must be strong! I know you are a strong girl and you have a pure heart despite the awfulness of your upbringing.

I beg you to forgive me for my failings as a father. I loved you so much but I was blinded to how poorly you were treated by almost all your relations. I fear in treating you as my favourite that I only made it worse rather than making your burdens lighter with my increased affection. It shames me that my family would act so but they are human and you frighten them. They do not understand. I wish they did.

You are a gifted child. I know you do not think so but please, believe in me. Your visions are a gift. It has made you grow more than you realise. If only all my children were as mature and intelligent as you are now and you are still so young. You will be a fine young woman when you grow up. I wish I could see it.

Never stop loving this family and never think yourself cursed. I will always love you, my dearest daughter.

Your Loving Father,

David

The letter tumbled from Lilia’s hands as she began to cry. “Daddy…” she whispered as her body began to tremble. “I love you.”

*

Another vision came that night, heralded, as always, by that white ring which Lilia could never understand the significance of.

Terror filled her as she realised where she was. It was the same room as the last vision she had.

Back again? hissed a voice, Very well, now suffer with the other.

She tried to speak but she could not. It was the same with all her visions. She could scream, cry out and other things but could not form real words. It made no sense to her.

Why was everything in colour?

Lilia thought back to the last vision of them. That had been in colour too. What was going on? Was she getting stronger or were these visions different from her normal ones? So many questions and already she felt that dreaded pulling sensation like last time. She decided to take a look around, quickly, before she lost her mind again.

The young woman lay on her bed in only her scandalously tight underwear. She was flat on her stomach with her legs crossed at her ankles. An ancient book was in her hands which she was reading intently. Wires trailed from her ears to a MP3 player lying next to her on the bed. She hummed along to some song she was listening to.

Her brother entered through the same door as last time but this time he was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt.

Instantly the girl felt herself dragged inside the young man. This time she could feel everything he felt and it made her sick. At least with the young woman they had at least been the same gender… this was so alien that already her mind was beginning to crack and fade like last time.

He sat down heavily on the bed next to his sister and stroked the small of her bare back - savouring the feeling of her smooth skin.

“Hi,” said the young woman, smiling over her shoulder, while pulling out her earphones.

“Hey, what are you up to?”

“Research,” she said, turning back to her book.

“Those books have been taking up more and more of your time recently,” said the man, concerned while he continued to run a hand back and forth the small of her back gently.

She giggled. “Jealous?”

“No, I’m just worried you might be getting sucked in by them.”

“Don’t worry. The worst thing is that it’s making my shoulders and neck ache.”

“I can help you with that,” he said with a smile.

“Yes please! You’re so good at it!”

“If you don’t mind?” he said taking hold of her bra.

“Of course not.”

The man smiled and removed it deftly, casually tossing it away before he began to gently massage her shoulders and back.

The woman sighed contentedly,” Thank you, I feel much better already.”

“My pleasure.”

“It’s no good. I’m enjoying this too much,” she said after fifteen minutes of her brother’s massage. She tossed the book aside, “You obviously have too much energy…” The girl turned over propping herself up on her elbows, she looked at the young man’s eyes but he was too busy being distracted by her bare chest. “I know what will tire you out so I can concentrate a little better.”

The man smiled and removed his jeans and t-shirt leaving him wearing only his boxers.

Oh no, not again, cried Lilia with what little self-awareness she had left before it all faded away, leaving only the young man.

He began to kiss her breasts, savouring the taste of her skin on his tongue and the feeling of her nipples in his mouth as they became hard from his teasing. His sister arched her back even more as she took pleasure in his touches, pushing her breasts further into him, one of her hands holding his head to her chest. Her other hand ran down between them slowly before plunging into his shorts - this time it was his turn to groan.

“Yes, I do know what you like,” she whispered into his ear before she began to kiss the top of his head. Her legs came up and, using her feet, pushed the man’s shorts down and off. She giggled as the man took hold of her legs and pushed her up so her crotch was level with his head. “Oh, you haven’t done this in a very long time. You really do have too much energy today.”

The man laughed, “I go where my heart leads me.”

His hands gently teased her panties down ever so slowly, knowing that it would infuriate as well as delight his sister at making her wait. Finally, after a few long tantalising seconds, he finished removing her undergarments. He lowered his head. She groaned in ecstasy.

The minutes slipped past slowly – pure pleasure for the brother and sister, pure torture for Lilia. What had she done to deserve such disgusting things to be done to her? If she was in her own body she would weep, instead all she could do was sob.

The man raised his head.

“Finished already?” asked his sister in disappointment.

He shook his head. “No, I just felt like doing something else,” said the brother, smiling, as he began to crawl up level with her.

“Oh,” she said breaking into a grin, her heels rising to rest on the man’s back, “Alright then. I was just worried you weren’t going to finish.”

“You’ll never have to fear that,” he said grunting.

“No,” she gasped, “I guess not.”

*

Lilia awoke breathing heavily, cold sweat pouring down her face. A fierce storm pounded against the windows, occasionally lighting her room brightly for a split-second as lightning struck. Her stomach felt like it was spinning. She was going to be sick again.

Staggering out of bed, the girl ran down the stairs almost falling over into her hurry to get to the toilet. Her eyes leaked out tears as she clenched them shut, trying to force the images out of her head, while she vomited in between sobs.

She could taste everything, the sister’s skin, her mouth and other things… She could feel everything, the sister’s skin under her hands, her hard nipples against her tongue, her tongue touching other things she dared not think of. She could smell her sister’s hair, hear her own cries… No! The brother’s gasps, breathing, and moans of pleasure - the sister’s too.

Her hand clutched her head while the other leaned on the edge of the toilet, trying to keep her upright as she swayed, alarmingly. The girl groaned in pain. It hurt so much. How could this happen to her? What had she done to deserve such torture not once but twice? Maybe she really was an evil person… There was no way she could do this anymore. It was too much for her. She was not ready to deal with such things.

“No!” she shouted, punching the tiled floor with her hand while still leaning against the toilet. “No, no, no, no, no!” she screamed, punching the floor with every shout. The tiles began to stain red as she continued her litany against her own despair.

Never stop loving this family and never think yourself cursed.

There’s nothing we can’t do if we just have the strength to go on, whether we’re ready or not, even if we’re scared.

“I can do this,” she said breathlessly, staggering to her feet. Blood dripped from her mauled fist, pattering lightly on the once white tiled floor.

Lord, I swear that I will never forsake you again. I beg you, please be with me.

“Father, I will find your murderers,” lightning flashed, “And I will make them pay for what they’ve done.”

*

“Techfool. I need your help.”

“Wow! Isn’t this a bit late for you? It’s three in the morning…”

“I’m not in the mood,” said Vates_Puella. “Will you help me?”

“Of course, I will. Just please calm down.”

“I’m sorry… The past days have been… hard.”

“Yeah, Christina mentioned that you didn’t look too good…” he said frowning, “What happened to you?”

“I don’t want to talk about it…”

He sighed. “Alright. So what do you want help with?”

“I’m going to find what my father left for me and then I’m going to get his killers.”

“Are you insane!? You should leave the killers to the police.”

“NO!” she shouted. “They’ll never find them. Only I can.”

“You had a vision didn’t you?”

“… Yes.”

“Okay and I guess it’s because no one in this family would listen to you. The cops would just think you’re crazy…” He sighed. “Oh well, I guess I’m in. Just promise me you won’t do something you’ll regret.”

“I promise.”

Techfool smiled. “Good. Now get some sleep and talk to me in the day about what exactly you’re going to do. I’ll try my best to help you but just remember that you’ll be on your own a lot of the time. Do you think you can really handle what you might find?”

Vates_Puella nodded. “After what I’ve seen and felt. Nothing can hurt me anymore. Good night.”

“Good night.”

*

The girl looked up as someone entered the study without knocking.

“What are you doing in here?” asked Jason angrily, although it looked more like anger at being surprised than anything else.

“I’m the head of the family. In case you’ve forgotten. This is my study now, so why are you here?”

“I don’t have to explain myself to a child, especially a child like you,” he growled.

“Then get out if you can’t,” said Lilia, trying desperately to control her temper.

To her surprise, her oldest brother did leave – the slamming door his own petty way of showing his fury at her. She giggled, before bursting into full on laughter. Really, she knew that taking such delight in annoying her brother was wrong but she just could not help herself. The girl sighed, in an effort to calm herself back down.

It had been two hours and still she had found nothing that looked like it was meant for the key she had been given. Every drawer was unlocked and the key did not fit the locks there. Her father’s room had not had anything that worked either. The frustration at not finding anything was beginning to grate on her.

“I need a break,” she muttered to herself, holding her head in her hands.

Struggling out of her father’s chair, which was far too large for her, she left the room turning to lock it with the keys the butler had presented her this morning after being informed of her ‘new position’. That should hopefully make sure no one, like her brother, would try to get in without her permission. She needed to gain their respect or at least have them willing to listen to her, that would be a good first step.

Stuffing the keys in the pocket of her plain black skirt, Lilia began to walk in the direction of a part of the house she had neglected for a long time – too long. Her feet tapped lightly on the tiled floor as she passed through various plain corridors on the journey to her destination. The place was abuzz as always with various family members going to and fro on whatever business they had or thought they had. They all gave the girl a wide berth as she continued on, resolutely ignoring their stares or their hushed whispers. She was sadly used to it now, it rarely bothered her.

She paused in front of the double doors that led to the place she was looking for. Smoothing down her skirt and her dark blouse, she took a deep breath and pushed the door open. The comforting silence of the place enveloped her soothing the feelings that seethed inside her. She had missed this place.

Pews spaced at regular intervals stretched out a short distance before her before stopping in front of an unadorned altar. The walls and the floor were made of plain grey stone with little or no decoration. It had been a long time since this part of the mansion had been worked on. Most of the family has forsaken it by now in the pursuit of other things.

The small figure of her grandmother sat down near the front of the chapel, her head bowed. The old woman looked up as Lilia quietly approached her.

She grinned. “I am so happy to see you here, child.”

The girl nodded. “It’s been too long… I’ve missed it.”

“I’m glad, please sit with me.”

“What are you reading?” asked Lilia, resting her head on her grandmother’s thin shoulder.

“I thought I would read some of the Psalms today. Some of them are so beautiful…”

“Could you read one to me?”

“Of course.” Her shaky hands flicked through the pages slowly. “Ah, this one is one of my favourites. Shall I read it to you?”

She nodded eagerly.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

“Thank you,” said the girl hugging the woman’s arm. “It means a lot to me.”

She smiled. “I thought it might. Just remember you’re never alone.”

“I’m trying.”

“Good,” she placed the book down. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been better…” she said with a sigh. “But now I’m determined to do what daddy has left me to do.”

“I’m still willing to help you manage the family.”

“Thank you, I really need the help. I have so many things I need to do and I really don’t know what I’m doing.”

“You’ll learn,” said the woman, patting her on the hand affectionately.

“I know but until then. I still have responsibilities… do you know any places daddy went to a lot that weren’t his room or his study?”

“He used to go to the family library a lot if I remember rightly.”

“I never thought of that…”

“Well it was a secret habit of his. I just happened to spot him a few times.”

“Oh.”

“Why do you ask?” said the woman looking down at her puzzled.

“I was told he left me some things for me but I couldn’t find them in the places I looked. I was wondering if you might have known another place he could have put them,” said the girl, trying her best to be vague without actually lying.

“I hope you find what you’re looking for,” said the woman smiling. “Would you like to pray with me?”

“Yes… I’d like that.”

*

The large mahogany door of the library towered before her. She had never dared enter this room before. It was forbidden to all except her father, who kept it locked at all times, but she was the head of the family. Now, she was allowed.

Pulling out the set of keys she had, her hands flipped through the various keys, looking for the one she recognised as the library key. It was huge and ancient looking, like it had been used in another door from before time began before being used to secure her father’s collection of rare books. Finally she found the ancient black iron key and timidly inserted it into the massive lock. It turned surprisingly easily and a soft click told her she could enter. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door and entered. She gasped.

Rows and rows of packed bookshelves stretched out before her as far as the eye could see. The Sun, tinted green and dulled by the ancient windows, poured wane light into the room allowing Lilia to see the sheer scale of the place. It was a wonderful sight but at the same time disheartening. How could she possibly find what her father had left her in this place?

The girl took a seat at an old battered desk and sighed. Perhaps she was thinking about this in the wrong way. This library was huge but surely if it was something that was locked then it would stand out. All she would need to do was walk through the library keeping an eye out for anything that was not a book.

Unfortunately, it did not turn out that easy. After over an hour of fruitless searching, the girl sat down at the desk defeated.

“Damn it,” she muttered, holding her head in her hands.

She could understand why her father had hidden whatever it was she was supposed to find if it had been the cause of his death, but this was just too hard. Everywhere she could think of, and still nothing to be seen. The key had been tried in every lock she had found in the rooms her father frequented but still nothing. Where was it? Why could she not find it?

Her foot lashed out at the table leg. She paused. The table had rattled strangely when she had kicked it. Sliding off the chair she crawled underneath and looked up. Her eyes widened as she saw a dark metallic box attached to the underside of the desk. A huge grin appeared on the girl’s face. This had to be it! Her excitement grew as, with great difficulty, she managed to pull the box out of its supports and on top of the desk. She paused for breath, the box weighed a ton. It must have been made of lead or something like that.

There was a small keyhole on the front of the box, the exact same size as the key her father had given her the night he died.

“I found it,” she whispered excitedly to herself.

Checking that the library door was locked, she returned to the desk and produced her father’s key that she had hidden on her person. Her excitement grew as the key slowly slid into the lock with a little persuasion. Holding her breath, she began to turn the key. There was a click. She struggled not to cheer as the lid of the box opened slightly as the lock released. Finally, her father’s last gift to her had been found! Now it was time to find out what he had felt was so important that he had to hide it from the rest of his family.

Pushing the lid back completely she found a small red book and another sealed envelope. The book had no writing on the cover and a quick flick through the book revealed it to be written in German. Her German was pretty good but she really did not feel like translating it for now. It was the letter that vied for her attention. Could her father have left her another letter? Almost reluctantly opening it, she pulled out the letter inside and recognised her father’s handwriting once again.

My precious daughter Lilia,

I knew you would find it. You are a clever girl and I knew I would be right in choosing you to carry on after I had gone. I don’t know exactly when you will be reading this since I wrote this letter when you were about ten years old. I hope it has not come to you too early. It would break my heart to hear you had been left alone at such a young age. I wish our family could be more accepting of you.

Anyway, if you have found this then it means I have probably failed in what I had been planning to do for years. I don’t know what may have happened but I suspect the most likely is I was killed by a family member who did not understand or was tricked into believing that what I wanted to do would destroy this family.

Please believe me when I say that it will not. What I was going to do and what you must do will save this family from the slow spiral of decadence it has found itself trapped in. I am sure you know what you mean, probably better than me if your visions have grown stronger which they should have with age. Be strong, other powers may attempt to corrupt your visions and harm you through them. It is all an illusion. All you need is the will to fight against the things they show and inflict upon you. In the end they can do nothing but torment your mind. If you have the will then they cannot even do that. Lilia, I know you have the will to do that. You are the strongest person I have ever met. I know that you probably do not agree with me but trust me, you are. You may not think you are not ready for everything that has been thrust upon you but you are. All it takes is courage and the conviction to do what is right. I know you have both. You are ready.

The book that is with this letter details a ritual that you must perform exactly. If it succeeds then you will need to perform one more task to save this family but that is something I cannot explain to you. It must be something you find out and overcome for yourself. All I can do is pray for you.

Never give up and never fear. I will always love you.

Your Father

P.S. In the book it mentions some ingredients. Only a drop of each ingredient is required unless it states otherwise. Do not be too worried or disgusted by it. There are ways to procure them all without resorting to vile acts to obtain them. I know you will find a way.

She wiped some tears away from her face. Every time she saw something of his, tears always began to form. She missed her father so much. Why did he have to die? Was it all a test? The girl sighed. There was no point in those kinds of questions. It was something that could never be satisfactorily answered. All she could do was push on and hope she had the strength to live the rest of her life. She just hoped that she really was strong enough. Even her father’s words could not reassure her completely.

Picking up the red book and letter, the girl hid the box under the desk again and left the library. Shutting the ancient door on the one place her father truly loved.

*

Lilia placed the book down and flipped the lamp on her desk on before picking up the book again. There was so much in this and it was all so… disturbing. As she worked her way through the German text she uncovered more of her family’s history and realised that all the family rumours were true. It was not just the threat of disinheritance and other things that kept every single family member on the grounds. There really was a pact. Even the family name was a hint to what had made them so powerful. It was horrifying.

Over three hundred years ago, the head of the family at that time summoned a demon and made a pact with it. In return for money, power, long life and good fortune, the man had to pledge to keep his entire extended family in the grounds of his mansion. He also had to sell his soul. The man agreed to the terms and the pact was struck. From that day onwards, the family was known as the Seelenverkäufers - a mark to forever damn them as makers of deals with devils. After that the family went on as normal, within the terms of the pact, of course. Eventually memory of the pact faded away and all that remained was an inbred fear of leaving the mansion grounds but no one could truly remember why. It was most likely because there were no unusually adverse effects from the pact so no one really noticed. All they could see was how fortunate and rich the family was.

There were, however, some rather strange occurrences that for some reason, everyone just seemed to take for granted for the most part. All the children born after the pact was made were blonde haired... except for Lilia. She was the first to be something other than blonde and she was the first to exhibit the visions that she had. According to a scribbled note in the margin by her father, he felt that her visions were connected somehow with the pact but he had no idea how. It was either the demon itself or some higher power that had turned their eye to the family in hope of saving them from damnation their unthinking ancestor had left them.

She sighed and put the book down again. When she had first started having visions, it had confirmed things to her that she had wondered about. If she had visions then either they were from God or the Devil. That also meant they both had to exist. Now, it seemed that her father thought that was the case too. If only she could know who they really came from. Unfortunately, she had a horrible feeling in her gut that they were not from God else how could they be corrupted so easily by that voice who had tormented her the past two times? No demon was more powerful than God, it was not possible they could corrupt his gifts unless the bearer of that gift allowed it to happen and Lilia certainly had not allowed the voice to do what it did to her. All she could do was pray that she would be forgiven for what she had seen and partially participated in. Her stomach still heaved whenever she thought about it but she always thought it back down. She had to be strong if she was to save this family and capture her father’s killers.

Stifling a groan while getting out of her chair, Lilia decided to take a shower and try to sort out everything she had just learned out in her mind. Carefully concealing the book behind a bookcase, the girl ascended to her bathroom.

Quickly stripping off her clothing she paused at the mirror as she was about to step into the bathroom. She looked even more tired than normal. A few months short of being a teenager and she already looked like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. On top of that she was still too short. Lilia had always hated how she looked. It felt like her dark hair and brownish red eyes were a sign that she was an ugly freak. Her almost skeletal build just made it look even worse. Christina and her father had vehemently denied it but she disagreed completely. The mirror before her showed her to be correct. Why did she have to be so young and weak?

Stepping into the shower, she began to process everything she had found out while letting the hot water soothe her aching body and relax her mind.

So the power and influence of her family really did come from a demon. On top of that the longevity and the beauty too. It seemed almost every good thing that had happened to the family was because of the demon. It seemed strange though… why would a demon keep the pact going for so long. Surely it was gaining nothing from helping the family now unless it was somehow gaining the souls of every family member. The thought made her shiver but it did not feel right and she had learned to trust those feelings.

What her father was planning was still a mystery but she had not finished the book yet. Perhaps it would be clear then. She was certain it had something to do with the demon but she was not sure what. Did he plan to summon it? If he was worried that family members would kill him for what he was about to do then she could only think of two things. It was either because they were afraid of him summoning a demon or they were afraid he was trying to end the pact. The later seemed more likely unfortunately.

That made sense, especially with the last part of the letter mentioning ‘ingredients’ and the start mentioning ‘rituals’. Her father had wanted to summon the demon and then he planned to do something with it. She was not completely certain about what it was he planned but she thought she knew.

Excitement built up in her as she saw it all come together. Now she knew what her father wanted to do! She was halfway to fulfilling the promise she had made. All that was left was her father’s killers. She clenched her fists. She knew how she was going to do that but it would be hard, even with Techfool’s help.

Turning off the water, the girl stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around herself. Carefully, walking back downstairs, she turned her computer on before heading back upstairs to get changed.

Returning a few minutes later in a pair of pyjamas and slippers she logged onto her PC to talk to her cousin, Techfool.

*

“How are you?” asked Techfool.

“I’m tired, excited, depressed and angry at all the same time.”

“Wow, that’s a lot of emotions.”

“Today has been an interesting day,” replied Vates_Puella.

“I guessed that,” he winked.

“I’m closer to finding my Father’s killers but I need your help now…”

“What do you need?”

“I need to find out all the twins in my generation.”

“What? You mean you don’t know?” asked the boy in shock.

The girl sighed. “Well, I don’t really spend any time with them so I don’t actually know any...”

“Okay, fair enough… Why are you looking for twins?”

“It doesn’t matter… just please help me with this.”

Techfool sighed. “Alright, but promise me you’ll tell me when you can.”

“I promise.”

“Well get back to me tomorrow and I should have the info for you. Right now, though, I have a prior engagement with some friends of mine online.”

Vates_Puella rolled her eyes. “Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow... wait that’s the funeral! You still coming?”

“I think so.”

“That’s great!”

“I guess so…”

“Do you want me to meet you there or at your rooms?”

“I think it would be easier if you met me at my rooms. At least then I’d be getting a little used to people around me,” said the boy frowning.

“Okay then, I’ll meet you there but now I’ve got to go,” said the girl with a smile.

“See you later,” he said giving her a hug.

“Good night,” she said returning the hug.

*

She sat cross-legged upon her bed, whispering the Psalm her grandmother had read to her over and over again under her breath. Tonight was the night she was going to try something that she had never attempted before. It was not fear that had stopped her from ever attempting this - it was hate. Lilia hated the visions that had plagued her life since she had been born. Never before had she wished to force one, they always came when she did not want them and she never wanted them. Had the past days made her lose her mind? Why was she trying to force something she hated? She shook her head to get rid of the doubts and questions. She knew why – her father. His killers had appeared in two of her visions and every time something had interfered. Not this time. This time Lilia was ready for whatever it was that kept torturing her and now she would discover her father’s killers.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

The girl’s breathing began to slow as her mind began to drift. She had never tried anything like this before in her life. Hopefully this was a good sign…

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Fragments of her past visions of the unknown twins danced before her but try as she might, her hands could not keep a grasp of them. Normally, she remembered every single detail about her vision but these past two she could not… Only the sensations remained and they still made her feel ill. Could that thing be the cause of this too?

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Anger welled up in her suddenly at the thing that tormented her during her visions but that would not help. It took the girl a long time to push it back down and calm her mind once again but she managed. The words she spoke calmed her and strengthened her resolve. She knew now that she was not alone.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

It was strange… when she had first thought of this idea she had expected that it would feel wrong to her but it did not. For the first time it felt like she was truly doing the right thing. Was this really a curse like she thought it was? All her life she had feared the visions but tonight there was no fear. Was this her purpose?

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Becoming the head of the family had been a shock but for some reason it had not surprised her that much. It was as if her father had always intended it and Lilia had known that. The only surprise was that she had become it so early. She shook her head and pushed those thoughts out of her mind. Concentration was what she needed now.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

She gasped. There it was! The white ring that always preceded her visions was appearing before her! Excitement began to build but she suppressed it – it would only distract her while she tried to hold her concentration and make the vision come to her fully. With one last skull splitting jerk, the vision pounced upon her mind and everything faded away.

The twins lay naked in bed together as they always seemed to do but at least they were under the covers this time. The sister’s head lay on the brother’s shoulder. The man had his arm around her and cradled her close. They were both fast asleep, their breathing soft and regular. It would have been a beautiful image if they had not been brother and sister.

You come again? Foolish child…

You can’t hurt me this time. I don’t fear you anymore.

The hissing voice laughed, You know nothing!

I know more than you realise, demon.

Oh so you know what I am? asked the voice giggling.

Leave me be. You know you can’t hurt me now.

The demon snorted, It matters not. You won’t get anything out of this vision except more useless facts. Have fun. The presence faded leaving Lilia alone with the twins.

A few moments the sister stirred while letting out a large yawn, causing the brother to stir.

“What time is it?” asked the man sleepily.

“It’s ten thirty in the morning. The funeral is in a half-hour,” said the young woman leaning over to look at a clock on a bedside table, the covers sliding away from her shoulders down to her waist.

“We slept in that long?”

The sister giggled. “Well we were up to about three in the morning and you were very energetic…”

He smiled. “Oh well, I guess we’ll have to get ready then.”

“Yeah, we better hurry,” she replied getting out of bed, the sunlight shining through the thing curtains making her body appear almost golden.

Lilia looked away from the siblings, her face growing hot with embarrassment. She hoped they would put on some clothes…

“It always disappoints me to see you dress,” said the man sadly as he watched his sister pulling on a pair of black panties.

The sister sighed before turning around to face him with her hands on her hips. “As much as I enjoy you staring at me… we really don’t have time to hang around. We need to go and we both need to get dressed. Also stop staring at my breasts and smiling, I’m being serious!”

“You’re being unfair!” he moaned as she turned around and put a black bra on.

“Stop being so silly,” she said light-heartedly. “I promise you can take them off when we get back. Try and be patient…”

He sighed. “Alright.”

The girl walked over to him and began tugging on his arm, “Get out of my bed and go to your own room. As nice as it is having you here with me, we don’t have time!” She let out a squeal as her brother dragged her into bed on top of him. “Stop it! We don’t have ti- Don’t you dare!” she cried as her brother’s hands crept over her to undress her again. The girl growled and punched him in the arm, hard.

The brother sighed in mock despair. “Fine then. If you’re going to hit me then I’ll leave.”

“Aww, you’ll live,” she said smiling as she stroked his chin. “Now we really need to get ready.”

Lilia shook her head in anger and embarrassment, ending the vision as her concentration faltered in the face of her disappointment. The demon has been correct, she had found out nothing. Try as she might, their faces would not come into focus and their voices sounded so generic… too generic. Somehow they had concealed themselves from her visions. It could not be the demon doing it; the demon had no power over her in her visions anymore so it must have been one of the twins, probably the sister since she seemed to be studying witchcraft or something like that.

She sighed and lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling. It was the funeral tomorrow and her father’s murderers would be attending. To her surprise, it did not make her angry – she was sad instead. Tomorrow would be when her father would finally be laid to rest and Lilia would have to say goodbye… All she hoped was he was finally at peace and maybe her mother was with him too. A tear ran down her cheek, a mother she never knew and her father had gone so quickly. She missed them so much. Her only wish was that she could make them proud of what she was and what she would become. The girl just wished she knew how she was going to do that.

Her head drifted to the side to look at her alarm clock. It was after midnight, unusually late for her… it must have taken longer to force that vision that she had realised. A yawn confirmed it.

Dragging herself out of her bed, she changed into her pyjamas then slipped under the covers. Surprisingly she actually fell asleep quickly. She must have been more tired that she had thought.

*

The door ringed dully as the girl knocked politely, waiting patiently for a response.

“Come on, Techie… I mean Johnny,” she muttered under her breath.

She checked her hair quickly and her black dress, a gift from her grandmother a few months ago, as she heard footsteps approach slowly. The dress was fairly ornate, in her eyes, tied at the back with black ribbons instead of laces, short puffy sleeves and a ruffled skirt that reached down to just above her knees which were clad in thick black tights. Lilia really liked it.

The door opened to reveal a young man who looked in his twenties with short blonde hair and piercing green eyes. He looked uncomfortable in his dark suit.

“Hi, Johnny,” said Lilia smiling.

“Hey… Lilia,” mumbled the man in return.

“Ready to go?”

He sighed. “Yeah.”

“Okay then, let’s go. It starts soon…”

The man nodded and shut the door behind him before locking it. The girl walked off and he followed behind in silence, his head bowed.

“Did you find what I asked you for?”

“Yeah,” he mumbled. “I’ll send it to you later…”

“Thank you, I’m really grateful for everything you do for me.”

“No problem.”

They passed in to the main wing, passing crowds of other family members who were on the way to the Chapel. Many of them moved hurriedly out of the way as the sight of her. The girl ignored the whispers and the man did not seem to notice any of them were about him.

“I don’t like this,” he said quietly.

“I’m sorry… you don’t have to go in, if it’s too much,” feeling angry at how her relatives were making her cousin so uncomfortable.

“I’ll be fine.”

“Okay, we’re going in now. You can sit with me if you like. Some of my brother and sisters won’t like it since it’s only supposed to be the first generation who sits up the front… but I’m sure Christina will defend me and Jason can’t beat her.”

He smirked for the first time. “Alright… anything to annoy Jason.”

The girl grinned and led him to the front before sitting down on the end next to Christina.

“Johnny!” said Christina in surprise. “I’m so glad you came!”

“Hi,” he said looking away shyly.

“He’s going to sit with us,” said Lilia.

The young woman grinned. “Ooh, I’ll have to deal with Jason then if he notices... It should be fun!”

“Thanks,” said Johnny quietly.

“It’s no problem,” said Lilia and Christina in unison.

The girl sighed. “So many people here…”

She nodded. “Yeah, I think all five hundred of us turned up…”

“I keep forgetting how insanely huge this family is…”

Christina smiled. “Yeah, most families get that big but they usually drift out of contact once they get to a certain size. Our unique… boundaries have kept us all together so here we are – a legion… and you’re the head,” she added with a wink.

“Thanks for reminding me,” she said suppressing a groan.

“Don’t think about it now. We’re here to remember Father.”

“Yeah…”

“You look really cute in that dress,” said Christina looking her up and down.

“Thanks…” said Lilia blushing slightly. “It was a gift from Granny…”

“She has nice taste.”

“You look great,” said the girl, admiring her sister in the stunning black dress she wore. It was modest, her usual style, but somehow she still looked more alluring and beautiful as those who wore more ‘sexy’ and ‘revealing’ clothing, in Lilia’s opinion – she felt slightly jealous.

The young woman grinned. “Thank you!” Her smile faded. “Here comes Jason and he doesn’t look angry… I’d watch out.”

“Lilia, are you ready to carry out your duties?” asked Jason looking down at the seated girl.

“What duties are those?” she asked feeling uneasy at her brother’s unusual friendliness.

“It’s tradition that the head of the family always gives a speech after the priest has given his eulogy.”

“What!?”

“So you don’t have one to give?” he asked, his grin broadening.

“I… I’ll think of something,” she muttered darkly.

“I look forward to it,” he said turning to walk away.

“I think that’s the longest conversation I’ve ever had with him. What an idiot,” muttered Lilia angrily.

Christina smiled. “I’m sure you’ll be fine Lilia. At least he didn’t complain about Johnny sitting with us.”

She smiled. “True,” she turned to Johnny, “You okay. Sorry if we’re neglecting you.”

“It’s okay. I don’t have anything to say anyway… you going to be okay giving a speech?”

“I think I’ll be fine. I’m sure God will tell me what to say.”

“Oh so you’ve started talking to God again?” asked Christina.

Lilia nodded. “Yeah, I… learned that I was wrong to doubt him.”

She smiled. “I wish I could share your faith but I’m happy for you if it makes you happy.”

“It’s certainly made me feel better than I’ve done in months.”

“I’m glad then.”

“Will you all be quiet,” whispered Claire, angrily, “They’re just about to bring the coffin in.”

“I’m sorry,” whispered Christina in reply with mock meekness.

The organ music started up and as one, the family stood up bowing their head in respect as the pall bearers carried the coffin to the front of the chapel before laying it down before the altar. They bowed then left quietly, to leave the family to their service. Everyone sat down again as the priest walked up to the pulpit.

“I didn’t know it was going to be Father Harris,” whispered Lilia to Christina.

“Sorry, I forgot you knew him or I would have mentioned it,” she whispered back.

Father Harris in his usual friendly and loving manner began to tell the life of David Anderson Seelenverkäufer. How he was a great man who loved all his children, how he worked tirelessly to help those in need and to support his family with everything they needed. He talked about the time he had worked as the priest here and how he had come to know David. The man even told some funny stories that made Lilia laugh despite the tears and the sense of utter loss she was feeling. Finally the stories came to an end and he looked at the front row.

“I’m sorry,” he said almost embarrassed. “But I do not know who the new head of the family is. Could whoever it is, please come up here? If they are ready to give their speech?”

She could feel hundreds of pairs of eyes on her as she stood up. Her stomach plummeted when she saw the priest’s eyes widen slightly at the sight of Lilia – clearly he did leave because of her.

“You’re the head of the family, Lilia?” asked the priest in hushed tones as she walked past him.

“Yes,” she sighed. “You’re not as surprised as I was… Father?”

“Yes, child?”

“Can we… speak afterwards?”

“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea,” said the man looking strangely afraid.

“Please,” she pleaded so quietly that only they could hear.

He sighed. “Very well, but please. I can’t stay very long afterwards. I’m needed elsewhere.”

“Okay,” she said nodding before turning back to walk up the pulpit to face the crowd.

A sea of heads looked up at her. Whispers drifted about the room as people made comments and sly remarks while not trying to be heard. The hostility coming from the crowd was almost unbearable. It almost made her want to cry more. Why did they all hate her? She had done nothing to any of them except exist.

Taking a deep breath, she sighed while praying under her breath for the words to say.

“Thank you, Father Harris, for such a wonderful eulogy. I’m sure my father would have approved of it. You did an admirable job of portraying how good a man he was. I loved him so much and I’ll… I’ll… I’ll miss him so much. It’s good of everyone to come here this day to say goodbye to the man who has cared for all of us since he became head of this family. He was the best at looking after all of us… I never wanted his responsibility. I didn’t think I would ever get it being the youngest but I do and I promise to make him proud. I will try my hardest to care for this family as he did and all I ask of you in return is to remember Father and to work with me so this family can be stronger than ever. I can’t help but feel that we’ve grown weaker with the loss of my father but I know we can recover and even improve. All we need to do is work together and to do that I need you to believe in me. I know you don’t like me… and I’m not asking you to like me now. Just trust me that I’ll do the right thing or at least just let me try even if you think I’m going to mess everything up. I promise you I won’t but I know most of you won’t believe me. It doesn’t matter. I believe in myself and I know God believe in me as he believes in everyone of you. If He can believe in me then you can too,” she looked down at the coffin. “I love you daddy and I’m going to miss you so much. I promise I’ll do everything you wanted me to do to make this family stronger than ever,” she looked up at the crowd again. “Thank you.”

In deathly silence she walked down from the pulpit and sat down next to Christina who put her arm around her.

“You did great,” she whispered. “I believe in you and I think you convinced quite few others to too. Jason is furious too so doubly good job.”

Lilia smiled slightly. “Thanks but I feel like I’m about to collapse.”

“You’ll be fine,” said Johnny quietly. “I was impressed.”

“Wow, I impressed you?”

He nodded. “Yeah, first time for everything. Now we better quieten down for the end…”

The pall bearers returned and picked up the coffin. The family members began to file after it. Lilia led the procession with her brothers and sisters accompanied by Father Harris, the rest of the family followed. The procession walked out of the manor and into the extensive grounds that made up the Seelenverkäufer estate. Eventually they made it to the family cemetery where all the family members were buried since before anyone could remember, although Lilia guessed since the pact was first struck.

Father Harris stood at the head of the grave as the coffin was gently lowered in with the masses gathered around it. Lilia stood next to the priest looking down into the grave fighting back tears as her father was finally leaving her for good.

“In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our brotherDavid Anderson SeelenverkäuferSPAN style="FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"; and we commit his body to the ground; earth to earth; ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless him and keep him, the Lord make his face to shine upon him and be gracious unto him and give him peace. Amen.”

“Amen,” echoed the crowd.

“Amen…” whispered Lilia crouching down next to the grave and throwing in a handful of soil. “Goodbye daddy. We’ll see each other again someday. Please pray for me as I pray for you and mum. I’ll finish what you started then you can finally be at peace. I swear it.” She stood up and out of the way to allow other family members to pay their respects as the funeral service began to break up.

“You wanted to speak?” asked Father Harris, taking Lilia aside.

The girl nodded. “Yes… why… why did you abandon us?”

“I was afraid,” said the man bowing his head in shame.

“Of me?”

He nodded.

“It’s because I told you about me wasn’t it?”

“I thought you were possessed and I fled. The guilt has gnawed at me since that day. I hoped coming back to pay my respects to your late father would lessen it…”

She smiled slightly. “I think he’s happy it was you who did it. Will you stay again? We’ve missed your services on Sundays; it’s just not the same.”

“I should have listened to your father,” said the man smiling slightly. “He told me that I had misunderstood you. After hearing your speech and speaking to you now. I know you can’t be possessed. No one who was possessed could have the faith you have.”

Lilia shook her head. “It’s not like that… When you left, I lost my faith. It wasn’t until I was on the verge of losing my mind that I finally realised that God really did care about me…”

“So you were lost then found again?”

“I guess so,” said the girl chuckling. “I never thought of myself as prodigal but perhaps you’re right.”

“We all have crisis of faith. I’m sorry I caused yours but… you’re stronger than you were back then. I hope you can forgive me.”

“Of course I do. Everyone makes mistakes. Just promise me you’ll come back on Sunday.”

He nodded. “Yes, I promise you. I’ve been away from this family too long. I’m concerned about them.”

“I’m glad you’re staying. I will see you on Sunday… Father.”

“Goodbye Lilia,” said the man turning to walk away to where his car was parked.

Lilia smiled. Today was her first truly successful day as the head of the family. Maybe she could do this after all?

*

The wake was a surprisingly quiet affair. Most of the family seemed to have decided to go elsewhere. It did not bother Lilia that much, when she thought about it. She preferred it to be quiet and it gave her more time to spend with Johnny and Christina. It was so rare to have all three of them together like this. She wanted this to last as long as possible.

Johnny laughed. “That’s an awesome picture. Jason’s face. I wish I could have seen it.”

Christina secreted her phone back to wherever she kept it when she was not using it. It was a common joke around the family that the woman could produce her phone even if she was naked in a room with only bare floorboards and no doors.

Lilia giggled. “He’s been trying to get back at me since that day. Thankfully I’ve shown him up every time.”

“That’s because he doesn’t realise you’re a genius,” said her sister with a wink.

“Only compared to him.”

“Show some respect for your elders,” growled Claire appearing out of nowhere, her pretty face spoiled by her usual scowl. Her shadow hovered behind her saying nothing as usual. The girl had a tight rein on her brother. It was sad to watch.

“Those who want respect should show respect in return. I have tried to respect him but I’m afraid I’ve run out of patience with his attempts to humiliate me. I thought I was supposed to be the child,” replied Lilia calmly, much to her own surprise.

Claire just harrumphed and stormed off, her brother in tow.

“What a fangirl,” muttered the young man darkly.

Lilia just shrugged. “She’s just like Jason. Has this unexplained need to pull me down.”

Christina sighed. “I’ll never understand what everyone’s problem is with you. How can they be afraid of you? You’re so… smart and nice.”

“I don’t know about that… but I’m not the devil most of the people here seem to think I am.”

“I think you’re overestimating the opposition against you,” said Johnny quietly. “Anyway, I think I’ve stayed her long enough. I need to get back. It was nice to see you Lilia and Christina.”

“Goodbye.”

“It was so nice to see you again,” said Christina smiling and waving as the man left the room. The young woman sighed again. “I wish he’d come out more. He’s such good company on his bi-yearly trips out.”

“Yeah…”

“Oh well, maybe he’ll come around and realise that he doesn’t have to be so scared.”

“I think he only handles it because he knows we’re here and that he can trust us. He’s terrified everyone else might betray him in some way…”

“I want to slap that woman for what she did to him. Imagine treating your own son like that!” said Christina, showing a rare moment of pure anger.

“Well she’s gone now…”

“But her legacy of abuse still lives on. Sometimes this family depresses me. Maybe it’s just living so close to so many people who’re actually related to you, it’s sadder when it turns out they can do bad things just like any other person. You’d like to think your own family would never do such things but they do.”

“Yeah…” said Lilia beginning to grow uncomfortable.

She sighed. “Anyway, we need to go and talk with Jason. It’s time he got put in his place. I know Vivian is already there speaking with him – softening him up so to speak.”

“You and granny planned this didn’t you?”

The young woman grinned. “Not exactly, it was organised when I bumped into her going into the wake, when I told her about Jason pulling that ‘did you forget the speech’ crap, she was furious. I calmed her down enough to cobble this plan together. Let’s go!”

Together, the two sisters approached Jason who was in a warm debate with Lilia’s grandmother.

“Jason!” said Christina happily.

“Christina… Lilia,” replied their oldest half-brother with severe formality.

“It’s time you stopped trying to show up the head of this family,” said the young woman brightly. “You should be treating her with respect just like you treated Father. After all, they both have the same position of authority.”

He snorted. “Our father was a great man, and this girl is neither.”

“Stupid boy!” shouted Vivian. “Are you so blind with your own pride? You claim to love and respect your father yet you abuse the one he chose to replace him. Are you saying that you do not respect his decision?”

“I do respect, Father. I just do not think his decision was… uninfluenced,” he said glancing darkly at Lilia before ignoring her as usual. “I think Lilia had something to do with it.”

“That’s ridiculous,” said Christina appalled. “You honestly believe that Lilia would do anything to our father? She loved him probably more than any of the rest of us. Now you’re just reaching for any reason to hate her. I pity you.”

“I am fed up with how you speak to me, Christina,” shouted Jason pointing at her. “Always you contradict me, no matter the subject. I’m getting sick of it, especially when you bring other people onto your side. All these fools beguiled by your beauty and outgoing personality. The just don’t realise how you’re using them. You’re not really the nice person you keep making yourself out to be.”

“That’s enough!” shouted Lilia. “It’s time you learned something. Jason! Look at me,” said the girl with absolute authority.

The man was so shaken that he actually looked her straight in the eye. His bluish green eyes met her brownish red ones.

“You don’t understand anything, Jason,” said Lilia, in a strange voice. It sounded far older and wiser than it should for someone her age. “You think that you didn’t become head of this family because of me. The only person who was at fault was you and I’m going to prove it to you. Come with me.”

The white ring suddenly blazed between them. Jason’s eyes widened as he saw it before him. Everything else stood still as the girl and man were dragged back in time to when Lilia had been six years old.

*

“Lilia? Why are you crying?”

The little girl looked up through tear blurred eyes. “Jason called me a monster and all the other children started calling me it too.”

Her father sighed. “Don’t cry, Lilia. They just don’t understand.” He hugged her. “Do you want me to talk to Jason?”

“He’ll be worse if you do,” she said hopelessly.

“How I wish he had grown up to be a more sensible and kinder person. If he was, he would love you as I do. Please forgive him for his foolishness.”

“I’ll… I’ll try daddy,” said Lilia putting her tiny arms around her huge father.

“Good girl…” said the old man standing up and wandering back to his desk, a faraway look in his eyes. “Oh, Jason if you would just let go of your pride then you would become what you so desperately want when I die but you won’t. You’re stubborn just like me and deep down a coward. Both of us lack the courage to really say what we want to each other’s faces.” He looked at Lilia and smiled, “Oh, I’m sorry Lilia. Making you listen to your old father’s ramblings.”

“You love Jason don’t you?”

He nodded. “Yes, but I’m just so disappointed in his attitude. I don’t think he could really handle inheriting my position… But that’s enough. Are you feeling better now?”

The girl nodded. “Yes, daddy.”

“I’m glad. Now are you going to go back to your studies?”

“Yes, daddy,” she said with a sigh.

“Good girl,” said her father as she opened the door. “I love you and see you for dinner tonight.”

Lilia turned around as she shut the door and smiled, “I love you too, daddy.”

*

Reality snapped violently back into place causing both Lilia and Jason to fall back, the man’s glasses fell from his face.

“What did you do to me?” he asked in horror.

“I showed you a memory of mine. The reason that daddy never chose you.”

“That’s a lie… he would never have overlooked me for something like that.”

The girl got to her feet and shook her head. “If you believe that then you really weren’t fit for the job.”

“How dare you!?” shouted Jason as he staggered to his feet while picking up his glasses. “I was never sure until now but now I know that you’re a liar and a monster. I’ll make sure that you’ll not remain head of this family! We will not live with a devil as our head!” The man turned around and stormed out.

“Jason!” shouted Lilia making to run after him.

“Don’t bother,” said Christina sadly. “You tried but he’s just too wrapped up in his own ideas to see what’s really happened.”

“Foolish boy,” muttered the old woman before turning to her granddaughter and smiling. “You did well Lilia. I am impressed. It might cause trouble in the short term but I think even that boy will realise eventually that what you showed him was the truth. You are definitely a special girl.”

“Definitely,” echoed the young woman.

The girl sighed. “I wish I felt like that. I’m worried that Jason will do something stupid that he’ll regret.”

“That’s his problem,” Christina said, shrugging.

“True… but I’m still worried. He might hurt others in his desperation to hurt me.”

“If he does that then he’ll have to answer to me,” said her sister darkly before she giggled. “I sounded so scary there. I’ll need to remember how to do that again. It will freak people out.”

Lilia smiled. “Anyway, I think it’s time for me to go. I’ve got things I need to do. I’m so glad for you being here, Christina.” She hugged her grandmother. “Granny.”

“Goodbye Lilia!”

“God bless you, child.”

“Are you alright, Vivian?” asked the young woman after Lilia had left.

The old woman sighed. “I worry about her. She’s changed since David died. Some of it is for the good like her faith returning but she seems…”

“Harder?”

She nodded. “Yes, it’s not bitter. She just seems like her already hard and unfairly short childhood has ended completely now. It’s cruel to grow up so fast.”

“I think there’s still some of the child inside of her but you’re right. It’s fading fast… I don’t want her to force herself to grow up so quickly but what can we do?”

“I don’t think we can do anything except be there for her. Maybe it will help her realise she doesn’t have to do everything by herself.”

Christina sighed and nodded. “I really hope so.”

*

Vates_Puella looked at the list.

“I’m not finished yet,” said Techfool. “Still got to dig a little deeper for some of them. I’m getting weird inconsistencies with most of the family members. It’s like someone is actively stopping me from finding out this stuff…”

“They might… so at the moment it’s just Claire and Brian. I really didn’t think they were twins.”

“Yeah, Brian looks older than her. It was pretty unexpected but oh well. I hope that helps.”

“It might… Thank you. I hope you can finish quickly. Don’t want to take up too much of your time,” said the girl.

“It’s become an interesting challenge. I’m definitely going to get it all, no way am I going to let this beat me!”

She laughed. “I’m glad you’re having fun. Anyway I think I need to go see Claire.”

“Are you serious!?” asked the boy horrified. “You’ll just end up fighting.”

“I’ll try and see her without seeing me. I want to check something…”

“It’s your life. I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”

She shrugged. “Anyway, I’ll see you later.”

“Bye.”

*

Claire walked with her brother Brian back towards the part of the manor that they lived in. The girl flicked her blonde hair angrily as she stomped on followed by her brother.

“Are you alright, Claire?” asked the boy stopping them in their tracks.

The girl sighed. “I’m just so frustrated. Why did he choose that girl over Jason? He’s the oldest and smartest out of us.”

The boy shrugged. “I really don’t know. I don’t think it’s a good idea to take her on, though… at least without Jason.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

“Try and cheer up,” said her twin smiling. “After all none of this really affects us and we were left a lot of money.”

“I guess you’re right. I’m just sad it had to be this way.”

“We rarely get a choice, do we?”

“No I suppose not.”

“We’ll be fine,” said Brian warmly putting his arm around her.

“Thank you,” said the girl resting her had on his shoulder. “You know you don’t have to be so shy around everyone else.”

He laughed. “Well I figured you were scary enough without having me ruin it all.”

“I’m not scary. I just have a short temper,” she said sighing.

“You should showing more of this side of you to people. It would certainly make you more popular… which I think will matter in the times ahead,” hugging her to his shoulder.

“I guess. I’m just worried that people will think I’m weak.”

“Being kind and caring isn’t a sign of weakness. Besides I think everyone knows you’re strong. Now they need to know you’re nice.”

“Heh thank you,” said the girl elbowing him in the ribs before giggling.

“You’re always nice to me even if people think you’ve beaten me into some sort of slave.”

“I like that image,” she said pouting.

“Very funny. Anyway we better get going before someone sees us like this and you die of embarrassment.”

“Yeah you’ve got a point. Save the cheering up for when we get back to our rooms.”

The twins parted and began to walk again, in silence.

Lilia stepped out of the shadow of a pillar she had hidden behind when the pair had stopped. The way they had talked was not quite what she remembered from her visions but then again. Seeing Claire actually being nice and loving to someone had been so shocking that her mind had been dazed since then. Maybe they really were those twins but she was not certain yet. It would do no good to go after innocent people.

She sighed and decided to return to her rooms. A funeral, a speech, forcing a vision on Jason (Which she still had no idea how she accomplished) and following her brother and sister without being spotted was enough for one day. It was time for a rest.

Taking her usual route, she found the stairs leading up the tower and finally to her rooms. Making sure to lock it behind her, she ascended the spiral staircase to her bedroom and changed into some more comfortable clothes before going back down and flicking on the TV.

She needed some mindless entertainment to relax her overtaxed mind. Today had been stressful and she just knew that as long as she was head of this family it would probably always be like this… although probably not with the same sense of responsibility she felt now. Her father’s wishes and the pursuit of his killers weighed heavily on her mind.

Sighing she lay down on her couch and stared at the TV. Some movie was playing that mildly interested her but her mind kept distracting her. Groaning, she got up again and made herself a hot drink hoping that would relax her. Munching on a couple of biscuits she sat back down again and finally everything began to relax.

That book kept popping into her head but it could wait. Right now, this was going to be Lilia’s time. When she thought about it, she had no idea when she was going to get a chance to relax like this in the future.

She was no longer afraid – just tired and everything had barely begun…

*

The young woman flicked through the book anxiously but she could not find what she was looking for.

“Damn it, I know it has to be in here,” she muttered in frustration.

“What’s the matter,” asked her brother entering the room, wearing his usual striped pyjamas in contrast to his sister’s plain black.

She threw the book onto the bedside table in frustration and sighed. “Do you think that maybe something’s not right?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well don’t you think we’ve been acting strangely?”

“Yes…” said the man sitting down on the bed behind her, his face beginning to show concern.

“We’re in love…”

“Yeah…”

“But we’ve never been so…”

“Sex mad?”

The corners of her mouth twitched. “That’s one way of putting it.”

“We’ve been talking to each other differently as well…”

“You mean like psychotic unholy lovers in some sort of badly written story?”

“Something like that,” said the man chuckling.

The young woman sighed. “Yeah… we’re not like that. We’re just… normal. We talk to each other like people in love would. Wholesome love, not like the pure lust that we’ve been speaking the past few days since we arranged Father’s death…”

“Do you think the demon has something to do with it?”

“I… I don’t know and that’s what scares me,” her voice quavering slightly in fear. She shivered.

“Don’t worry,” said her brother, wrapping his arms around her protectively. “You’re smart and you know what you’re doing. I’m sure you can figure something out.”

“I hope so…”

“I know you can work this out,” encourage her brother, giving her a comforting squeeze.

“Thank you.”

“Ready for bed then?”

“I guess,” she said, beginning to remove her clothing, “but do you mind if we just sleep tonight? I’m really tired…”

“I was hoping you would say something like that. The past few days have worn me out too. I’m happy just to have you next to me.”

She smiled, “Me too.”

The twins kissed each other goodnight before slipping under the covers and falling asleep with their arms holding them together in an embrace.

*

The doorbell ringing caused the girl to groan as she struggled out of bed. It was seven in the morning. Who could possibly want her at this time? She shivered as she the warm sanctuary of her covers was left behind and the chilliness of the morning took hold of her and her room. Ramming her feet into some slippers and her arms into a dressing gown, she stomped down the spiral staircase and opened the door in irritation.

“I’m sorry to wake you, Miss, but I’m afraid now is the only time I have to do this…” said William, known as Bill to the older family members, the butler apologetically.

“What are you talking about?” asked Lilia, rubbing sleep out of her eyes.

“Your father had asked me to teach you some things he should pass on. I was the witness for his will so I knew that you were to be the next head of the household. So I have come to fulfil my part of the last will of your father. If you don’t mind?”

“Okay, come in,” said the girl moving out of the way to allow the old man past before following up the stairs. “Have a seat,” she said gesturing to an armchair before settling herself on a couch.

“Thank you, Miss. I will try to be as brief but as clear as possible.”

“Okay.”

“May I speak candidly?”

“Of course, I don’t like it any other way,” she said smirking slightly before her weariness returned her face to its usual tired expression when she was awoken early.

“Thank you… Your father was a great man and I respect his decision. Out of all the children you are the most sensible despite your age. My only concern, however, is you age. I don’t think your father intended for you to inherit his position so soon… but there is nothing that can be done. I understand you’ve asked your Grandmother to help?”

She nodded.

“That’s good,” said the butler smiling. “Then I am not so worried. Clearly you understand your responsibility in general. It is my job to teach you the specifics.”

“Alright, what are they?” asked Lilia sitting up.

“You will be expected to mediate family disputes should they arise, ensure the welfare of the family and its servants at all times, liaise with the outside world (which basically means paying the bills and dealing with contractors) and a number of minor responsibilities which can be explained as they come up. I think the three main ones are more important for the moment.”

“So basically I’m supposed to take care of all the finances, make sure family disputes don’t get out of hand and make sure that all the family and staff are looked after as best as humanly possible?”

He smiled and nodded. “Yes, that is a good definition of your duties. I feel less concerned now. You’re a very intelligent young lady.”

Lilia smiled slightly, “I don’t know about that… but I’m good at listening.”

“That is definitely a good quality to possess. Anyway,” the old man stood up, “Since you’ve surprised this old man at how quickly you grasp what you know then I shall leave to carry out my usual duties. I feel a bit foolish leaving so quickly but really the details do not matter much. We have accountants and other professionals to take care of things. Really you just make the decisions and sign the papers. You already understand the spirit of your new responsibility so I can teach you no more but the fine details and they can wait.” He bowed respectfully. “Goodbye, Miss.”

“Goodbye William,” smiling at him until he descended out of her sight.

The girl yawned and dragged herself back upstairs to her bed. She still needed some sleep…

*

The young woman sighed.

“What’s the matter?”

“Do you think we did the right thing?” she asked, the covers rustling as she shifted around in her brother’s embrace to face him.

“Why do you ask that?”

“I don’t know why but I’ve started to feel guilty…”

“Me too.”

“Do you think it has something to do with the way we’ve been acting the past few days?” asked the sister looking worried.

“It’s the demon isn’t it?” asked the brother darkly.

The sister nodded reluctantly. “I think we were tricked. I know I bound it but I think that it may have caught us out when we asked it to do things for us.”

“So what do we do?”

“I don’t know!” she said in exasperation, burying her head in her brother’s bare shoulder. “I just feel so horrible. What happened to make whatever the demon was doing to us stop?”

“Can you think of anyone who could do such a thing?” asked his brother hugging her tightly in attempt to comfort her.

“Lilia,” she mumbled into his shoulder.

“I thought you said she could only have visions?”

“She’s getting stronger since we had the demon kill Father.”

“I see.”

“I know Father was planning to kill all of us but did we do the right thing?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know. All we can do is hope it was… We need to get rid of that demon somehow.”

“In a week it will be Halloween. That will be the best time to get rid of it. Everyone will be at the ball.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Hold me,” she whimpered.

In response her brother held her close to his bare chest, their skin warming each other’s.

“Could there have been another way?”

The man sighed. “I don’t know… Maybe? It’s too late now. All we can do is try and live with what we’ve done…”

“I think we need to take better care of Lilia. It’s the least we can do…”

“Alright, if that’s what you want,” he said warmly, kissing her on the top of her head.

Lilia awoke and for the first time she did not feel ill. Was this what it was like when she did not fight her visions? Could they truly be a gift? She shook her head. Now was not the time for such question. Now she knew so much more but it had left her more questions. Questions which she would get answers to before Halloween. On Halloween there would have to be a final reckoning between her and the twins.

*

The study reverberated to the chatter of four elderly women who all wanted something that the other disagreed with and they all blamed the girl behind the desk for not getting it in the first place.

“Can you please all not talk at once?” asked Lilia, sighing.

The women stopped and looked at her like some sort of insolent child, which, sadly, was what they thought of Lilia.

“None of you have yet to tell me what you want,” said the girl desperately trying to remain patience. It was probably only the presence of her grandmother next to her that was holding her back from tearing their ungrateful heads off.

“Did our husband leave us anything in his will?” asked Lilia’s father’s first wife Sarah, clearly disgusted at having to talk to the girl. She was regarded as the leader of all the wives who, surprisingly, all stuck together for the most part.

“No, daddy did not leave you anything. I’m sure you’re only children told you this…”

“Yes… but we felt it best to check…”

“So are you satisfied then?”

The assembled group all shook their heads in disagreement. “No,” said Sarah simply. “We want something done about it.”

“Like what?” asked the girl, her face struggling to remain neutral and somewhere near pleasant.

“We deserve something as David’s wives!” said one of the other wives from the background.

“Yes, we do,” said Sarah, nodding in agreement.

“You will all receive allowances like the other family members under my care who are not able to earn a living for themselves,” said Lilia matter-of-factly (She had already said this so many times today that it was almost automatic).

“An allowance!? You would disrespect us in such a way? We’re not decrepit old women to be looked after!” said Lilia’s step-mother growing angry.

“Then earn a living yourself if that’s not good enough,” said the girl, leaning on one hand and looking bored. Inside she was rapidly losing her temper and she hoped that her attitude of indifference would drive them off before she lost it completely with them.

“Insolent child! How dare you speak to us like that!?”

Lilia’s face darkened and her mouth opened to shout but a bony hand on her shoulder stopped her. She sighed and sat back again.

“Sarah, show some respect,” chided Vivian. “Like it or not, Lilia is the head of this family now and you will respect her and her decisions. Either that or you should go away and grumble to yourself and let those who can act like mature adults take care of this family.”

“I bet you’re enjoying your new position of power Vivian,” said the woman, her face livid. “This was your plan from the beginning wasn’t it? Be nice to Lilia because you knew that our husband favoured her, unfairly. You knew she would pick you in her young foolishness.”

“The only fool here is you,” growled Lilia. “And what’s your excuse? Getting old?”

“How dare you!?”

“Get out!” yelled Lilia, finally fed up, ignoring the restraining hand of her grandmother. “Come back when you can learn to communicate like mature and civilized people instead of bratty children who’re upset because they lost their treats.”

“I’m sorry, granny,” said the girl sighing, once the crowd of outraged old women had left her room in a squawking of moans and complaints about the poor treatment and the ‘upstart youth’.

“You were right in what you said although you still need to learn how to say it without being so… confrontational,” said the old woman smiling. “You’re young though. You will learn.”

“Maybe… Anyway,” she stood up. “I have things I need to do. That’s all my meetings, yes?”

She nodded. “Yes, I admire your perseverance. When are you going to being your studies again?”

The girl sighed. “Probably sometime in November. I need some time to sort everything out before then.”

“That seems a long time but I guess it’s probably for the best…”

“See you later.”

*

The book clattered off the table as it was thrown down in disbelief. The girl’s hands shook as she picked up her notes and looked at the translation again.

Blood of five I use to summon thee,

The blood of a demon,

The blood of two sinners,

The blood of two innocents,

With this sacrifice I command you,

Come forth!

This was what her father had been doing? Witchcraft? What was it he was planning to summon? Her father wanted her to do this for him…? How could he ask her to do something like this? Witchcraft was a sin…

She could not believe it. This was what had cost her father his life? She had suspected that he wished to summon the demon but she did not realise that he was going to use witchcraft to do it. It was evil…

Picking up the book again, she skipped to the last page which to her surprise was in a different style of handwriting from the rest. It was her father’s hand! Wasting no time, she began to translate it.

Dearest Lilia,

I am sorry to have led you on such a merry chase to find out what I was doing but I had to be cautious. Should someone other than you have found this then it was likely that my plans would never succeed.

No doubt you know now what this book is for. It is the book that our ancestor used to summon the being he made the pact with that this family is bound by. You are probably horrified by finding out I planned to use witchcraft. I know you are a devout Christian, unlike me, but please you must understand. This was the only way… I plan to annul the pact - to set this family free!

It is necessary. I am sure you see what has been happening to this family over time. We are all slowly dying inside while we live under this unholy agreement that we had no choice to live with.

If I failed then I beg you, my daughter, finish what I started! The being must be summoned and made to annul the pact we have been forced to take upon us. Only then can this family be free and able to recover from the sickness that has afflicted it for too long.

Please do not abandon this family to darkness and despair. Even the worst people deserve a second change.

Be strong,

Your loving Father.

Lilia sighed. It was unfair of him to ask her this: To sin in order to save the rest of her family from sin. She was not ready for this.

*

“This stuff doesn’t make any sense to me anyway,” said Lilia throwing the papers down on the desk. “It’s not like I’ve gone to these stupid balls since I was old enough to be on my own.”

Her grandmother smiled and shook her head. “Nevertheless, you’re still expected to organise this. Thankfully, your father had done almost all of this already but you’ll need to know for the future.”

She sighed. “Fine,” she said picking up the papers again. “It looks fairly easy I guess… sort out decorations, invites, catering, extra help, rooms for some guests coming from overseas… it shouldn’t be too bad. I take it William would know a lot about this?”

The old woman nodded. “Yes, he does. I was wondering how long it would take you to figure that out.”

“Thank you for testing me,” said the girl rolling her eyes.

“Bill has everything in place. All you need to do is sign the cheques. I’m sure you’ll have a handle on this come next year. There is the Christmas party after all.”

Lilia groaned causing her grandmother to chuckle slightly.

“There is one other thing…”

“What?”

“You’ll be expected to attend all these parties now…”

“What!?”

“As head of this family, you are expected to be there and meet the various guests who have been invited. I know you’ll probably hate every minute of it but you’ll need to just bear it,” she replied firmly.

“But won’t they find it weird with me only being twelve and all…?” asked Lilia looking for any excuse.

“Perhaps,” said Vivian with a smirk. “But really, that is irrelevant. You are who you are and that means they will have to respect you as you will now have to respect them.”

Lilia sighed. “Fine then… I’ll need a costume then, I guess.”

“What would you like?”

The girl smirked. “How about a witch?”

*

It was Halloween and the ball had already begun. It had taken a couple of weeks of preparation which had really sapped most of Lilia’s energy leaving her very little time to continue her investigations with the help of her cousin Johnny.

When she was honest with herself, she had to admit that little progress had been made. She was hoping that by finding out who didn’t attend then she could figure out who the twins were and find them. They planned to banish the demon which, to her surprise, she did not want to happen… well not right away anyway. She needed a drop of blood first… The rest of what was required except the blood had been prepared in the chapel, concealed under a not particularly cleverly placed rug. It was unlikely anyone would find it. It had been placed there in the morning and she had made sure to keep her grandmother too busy to visit the chapel. It was not like anyone else in the family visited there anymore.

“No one said the new head of the Seelenverkäufer family was so cute,” squealed some airheaded girl who was the daughter of one of the visiting dignitaries.

Trying her best to remain civil she looked up from under her broad witch’s hat and smiled sweetly. “Hello, my name is Lilia Seelenverkäufer. It’s very nice to meet you,” she said cheerfully, despite the overwhelming sense of restless boredom that was sitting heavily upon her. She needed to get away from here.

The girl smiled. “Hi, my name is Elena. Did you dye your hair for that costume?”

She shook her head. “No, my hair is naturally black.”

“Really!? I thought all Seelenverkäufers had blonde hair…”

“Not me.”

“Oh, that makes you unique!”

The girl sniffed. “I guess you could say that. If you would excuse me, I have some things I must attend to. It was a pleasure to meet you.”

“You too,” said the girl, giving her a little wave.

Lilia sighed, thankful for the huge hat that hid her features when she was not looking up. She had been too hard on that girl; she was actually quite a nice person. How she desperately wanted to go outside after meeting the people here. People outside held nothing against her… in fact, a lot of them had called her cute… A smile appeared on her face. Yes, her father was definitely trying to do a good thing. She hoped God would forgive her this one sin in return for saving her family from many.

“So who hasn’t turned up?” she asked, addressing William who was holding the guest list.

“Out of your brothers and sisters… pretty much all of them except for a few who keep out of the prevailing family politics,” said the old man looking down the list.

“Can I see?”

“Of course, Miss,” he said, handing her the list.

“Christina hasn’t come?” asked the girl in surprise, as her eyes ran down the list.

“Yes… very surprising. Perhaps she’s not feeling well or perhaps she has gone hunting down other family members. She has done that before…”

Lilia smirked. “Yes, she tried that with me every year. Unusually low turnout, it would explain her absence for so long…”

“Most likely, Miss.”

She handed the list back to him. “Thank you, William.”

“You’re welcome, Miss.”

“I’m going to step out for a few moments. The lack of siblings attending tonight concerns me. I think I’m going to go out looking for some of them.”

“If that is what you wish. I would not take too long, however. Your grandmother will think you’re trying to neglect your duties.”

“Just tell her I’m not,” said the girl smiling.

The man smiled. “Very well, Miss, but I take no responsibility for what comes after that.”

“I’m fine with that,” she said walking past him and out the hall.

The girl sighed with relief as she left the warm close air of the hall for the open cool air of the corridors. Her booted feet tapped nosily on the tiled floors as she made her way towards Christina’s room in the hope of finding here there. She had never actually been in her room but she had waited outside it a few times when her sister had wanted to pick up something during one of their numerous times together.

Her reflection in a mirror caught her eye causing her to stop. She had not had time to actually see what she looked like in the costume. All she had time for was to put it on and her grandmother had straightened it out when she walked into the party, much to her embarrassment. A slight smile appeared on her face. As painful as it was, she had to admit she did look kind of cute in the little black dress, black and green tights and black boots. The large black hat finished it off nicely. How her grandmother had dug this costume up she had no idea but perhaps she might keep it… or at least the tights…

Shaking her head at getting distracted so easily, the girl resumed her journey to her sister’s rooms. It was in one of the more distant wings of this stupidly large house.

She wondered what she would do once she explained to the family they could leave the grounds. Would they leave? And if they did what would she do with all the vacant rooms? Maybe she could let them out or something. Seemed like the best idea. It would probably upset a lot of the people living here at the moment but made the most sense.

Finally she approached the familiar door that she had never opened or even peaked through. She did not know why she had never tried. The room always had an atmosphere of privacy that Lilia had felt loathe to penetrate.

“Christina?” she asked timidly, knocking on the large wooden door.

There was no answer.

She knocked again but there was no response. A horrible feeling came over her as she turned to walk away. There was something important she had to do here. She knew it but what was it? Her hand took hold of the door handle to Christina’s room. The feeling redoubled at the touch of the cold metal. What was it about this room? Why did she always dread looking in here? The handle turned slowly. The grinding metal resonating in the silent corridor almost deafening her as the door finally creaked open to the squeal of hinges scraping against each other.

Lilia almost screamed. She had seen this room before and it broke her heart. Under the window there was a dresser. Bookshelves full of old books were against one wall and there was a horrifyingly familiar four-poster bed that the girl knew all too well.

“Christina… how could you…?” said the girl in horror, stumbling back into the corridor - the door closing again as she released the handle. “I can’t believe it… I can’t. All this time… it was you… How could you comfort me when it was you all along?” said Lilia with more pain than anger. It felt like her heart had been torn out of her.

She needed to find Christina but her mind was too clouded to force a vision. She staggered down the corridor in the direction of the chapel hoping that maybe the Lord’s house would help calm her enough to find her sister.

God, however, seemed to have a different plan.

*

Lilia paused at the large doors leading to the chapel. She could hear voices in heated discussion on the other side. Removing her hat and throwing it in a corner, the girl opened the door wide enough to slip through into the place before quietly shutting the door behind her.

A young man and woman were on the verge of arguing near the altar. The hall was too dark for their faces to be made out.

“I don’t know if I have this right…”

“You know you do,” said the young man.

“But what if it goes wrong?”

“It won’t. You’re too good for that.”

The young woman sighed. “Maybe but… Lilia?” she asked her head snapping to the side to look at the girl who had been trying to approach stealthily.

The girl tried her best not to scream when she realised who the two people were. It was Christina and James. How could it be? They were twins? How had they been able to hide such a thing from almost everyone?

Fear, rage, despair and other horrible emotions seethed and alternately took control of her as she changed from a stealthy approach to stormy one - her wrath almost appearing visible in the air around her.

“All this time, Christina… All this time it was you who had done all this. How could you?”

“Lilia… I…” stammered her sister.

“It was to save us all, Lilia,” said James defending his sister. “We would have all died if father had succeeded in his mad plan.”

The girl shook her head. “You idiot! Daddy’s plan was to save us. Not to destroy us!” she shouted angrily. There were only a few feet separating them now.

“That’s not true…” said Christina desperately, her courage faltering in the face of her sister’s condemnation.

“How do you even know his plan?” asked the brother.

“Daddy left me everything I would need to finish it myself.”

“You can’t!” said the young woman almost shrieking. “We’ll all die!”

“I just said we won’t.” Stopping a few paces from them and looking up at them, her face twisted with fury. Her brownish red eyes almost seemed to burn with an inner fire making the pair shrink back slightly.

“He’s lying…”

“Daddy would never lie!” she snapped.

“You are the only fool here,” said a fourth voice out of nowhere.

A dark shape appeared between the man and woman. Arrogant malevolence and purest evil bled from the shape causing the three people to stagger back from it in fear. The thing began to coalesce into something tangible as it approached the girl.

“You think you can stop me?” taunted the thing of evil.

“No demon can harm me,” said the girl with terribly little conviction.

The demon laughed. “Where was the confidence from our last meeting?”

“‘Our last meeting’…?” whispered Christina in horror. “You have met before.”

“Of course!” the thing said turning briefly to face the young woman. “Do you think you were so well hidden purely from your pathetic witchcraft? I made sure that this girl would never be in a state to find you.”

“You failed though…” said Lilia, her confidence returning as her feet found a familiar rug in the centre aisle.

The demon growled as it began to walk towards the girl again, its formless shape coalescing into a sickening hybrid of bird, woman and lizard. Tentacles sprouted from its back, darting to and fro. Some of them seemed to be taunting her. Massive bird wings flapped restlessly before folding in to the demon’s back. Its sheer unnaturalness made it hard to look at without her eyes un-focussing and her stomach turning.

“What are you doing!?”

“Destroying your only obstacle.”

“No! She’s my sister. I won’t let you kill Lilia. I command you to stop.”

“You honestly think I was ever bound to you?” it asked, bellowing in laughter. The feathers covering its body in patches quivering and changing colours randomly. “I would never serve someone as weak as you Christina Seelenverkäufer. You were the one serving me. Now I will end this.”

Lilia staggered back in terror as the demon began to walk towards her again. It was coming too fast. She had no time to move the rug before it was upon her.

Please God. I don’t want to die…

“James, please slow that thing down!” pleaded Christina as she flicked frantically through a book she had been holding.

“I would not dare move, James Seelenverkäufer. I will kill you and God does not look kindly on incest and I would not bother Christina… you will never be able to stop me with any of the pathetic spells in that book.”

The man hesitated in pure terror at the thing before him. Lilia stumbled and fell on top of the rug that covered the only thing that could protect her from the monstrosity looming over her. The woman just stood there in dumb horror at her own stupidity, tears running down her cheeks.

“What have I done…” she whispered.

The demon grinned smugly as it raised a taloned hand that would eviscerate the girl in seconds, its massive feather and scaled body reducing her to the stature of a weed. It grunted suddenly, staggering a step forward and losing balance.

James stood behind it, holding a gun, smoke still rising from the barrel as he shot the demon over and over again.

“Fool!” cried the demon, its tentacles lashing out at the man. “I warned you what would happen if you interfered.”

The man screamed as the tentacles punched through his chest and tossed him down the aisle at the Christina’s feet. Blood flew everywhere as the demon flicked its tentacles clean of their brother’s blood. The woman howled in despair as she hugged her dead brother to her.

The demon turned back to Lilia but hesitated.

“How…?”

The girl shook her head. “I told you that you would fail.”

“You only stop me from approaching you,” said the thing darkly, its eyes burning into the girl who stood within a circle and five pointed star. Indecipherable text filled every part of the circle that did not contain the star.

“That will do for now.”

The demon smirked. “Oh… it will not at all,” it said raising a hand towards her, five fingers spread out towards the girl. “You felt one side at a time remember? Now feel both at the same time.”

The girl fell to the ground shrieking and writhing, beating off invisible people while at the same time clinging to them. Her body rolled out of the circle across from the demon. She felt her hands all over her body, could feel lips and tongues on every part of her. Her tongue and lips were on every part as well, she could taste it. Hands teasingly removed her clothes ever so slowly and she felt herself removing them too. The scent of wonderfully smelling hair and the feel of silky smooth skin under her hands assaulted her. At the same time she felt hands running through her hair. Her breaths came only in gasps and groans of purest pleasure and despair. Her mind was breaking under the pressure and she knew madness would swallow her soon… and she was powerless to stop it.

“In the name of Jesus Christ, be gone demon!” shouted an old voice.

The demon fell back shrieking as a clear liquid splashed into its skin. At the same time the girl stopped moving, a sigh of relief escaping from her quivering lips.

“You are only a weak old woman, Vivian Seelenverkäufer. Your faith is not strong enough to withstand me.”

“I fear no evil,” said Vivian hefting another bottle of liquid. “God will always be with me.”

“God has no power here,” said the demon lashing out at the woman with explosive speed.

There was a smash, the sound of something stabbing through something else, an ear-splitting howl of pain and a sickening crunch then everything was silent.

Lilia’s eyes flickered open. “Granny…?”

“She’s… dead, Lilia…” said Christina sadly, standing over the girl. Her jeans and t-shirt were drenched in blood. Black blood dripped from her hands onto the ground further desecrating the washed stone floor. Her own blood dripped onto the floor from a small gash on her head that stained her blonde hair red. “Forgive me,” she whispered before turning away and staggering over to the body of her brother, falling to her knees and cradling it once more.

The girl struggled up to her knees. The demon lay in the circle, a candlestick impaled between its scaly breasts. Her grandmother lay against the side of a pew, her eyes glazed over. A horrible slash across her chest marred her otherwise peaceful expression. Her blood trickled into the circle mixing with the demons, James’ and Christina’s blood.

“The blood of a demon, two sinners and an innocent…” whispered the girl, tears running down her cheeks as she looked at her dead grandmother who had saved her life. “Thank you so much, granny. I only wish I could have been strong enough to save you…”

Struggling to her feet, Lilia walked over to a pew and took out a small knife and the red book her father had left her. She walked over to the circle.

“Christina,” she said hoarsely. “I’m going to perform the ritual now. Do you still want to stop me?”

“I don’t care. You hate me and my brother is dead.”

The girl shook her head. “I don’t hate you… I’m… disappointed but I don’t hate you. I… forgive you. You didn’t know what you were doing. You were just stupid. What you’ll have to live with will be enough…”

“We’ll die… I’ll have nothing to live with.”

She sighed. “We won’t die.”

“I don’t care anymore if we do or don’t… I have nothing to live for.”

Lilia looked at her sister across the chapel but she could not think of anything to say. Any words that came to her were meaningless in the face of so much death and carnage. She wanted to curl up in a corner and cry but she did not have the luxury – her grief would have to wait.

Dragging the knife across her left arm, she let her blood drip into the circle to mix with the other four in the circle completing the ingredients for the ritual her father had wanted her to perform.

Forgive me, Lord…

She opened the book and held it in her right hand, her left arm lying limp at her side. No one ever mentioned that cutting yourself actually hurt.

Blut von fünf, die ich pflege,

Thee zusammenzurufen,

Das blut eines dämons,

Das blut von zwei sündern,

Das blut von zwei unschuldigen,

Mit diesem opfer ich befehle ihnen,

Tritt hervor!

As the last word died away everything went dark then everything went white. Time stood still.

*

“Where am I?”

“You’re in the Seelenverkäufer chapel of course,” said a man’s voice warmly.

“But all I see is white light.”

“Only the one who summoned me is permitted to see me. It is the commandment of God.”

“So you’re the demon…” said Lilia quietly.

“I am no demon, Lilia but I am cursed by God for my own sins,” said the entity appearing before her.

The girl gasped. He had hair and eyes the exact same colour as her own. His face was nothing like Lilia’s but the similarities in other things was disturbing.

The man knelt down on his unhealthily skinny legs to stand level with his summoner. He looked into her eyes and smiled. “Do not be afraid. I will explain everything to you. You have gone through so much my dearest Lilia and I am sorry for that. You deserve to know the whole truth.”

“Tell me.”

He chuckled softly. “So eager? Are you really sure you want the whole truth? It is a hard burden to bear.”

She shook her head. “I’ve learned that if I believe then I can bear all things.”

“You have learned a great truth. Never let go of your faith. It will strive with you when all other things forsake you.”

“All things have already forsaken me.”

“That’s not true, Lilia,” he said shaking his head. “More people love you and care for you than you realise. They are just too afraid to show it. Maybe they will in time then you will realise that you have never been forsaken. After all, Christina and Johnny still care for you.”

“Christina is broken now.”

“She will mend in time. If you are willing to take care of her the way she did for you.”

The girl nodded. “I will… Now tell me.”

“Very well. I will start from the beginning.” He gestured to a pew. “Would you like to sit down? It is a long tale and I don’t think it would be fair to expect you to listen to it standing up.”

“Now will you stop delaying?” she said sitting down.

The man chuckled and knelt down on the pew in front of her, facing towards her. “You caught me out. I confess I am afraid to tell you the truth. I am ashamed of much of it and I fear you may not forgive me for my part in your unhappiness.”

“We won’t know until you tell me.”

He sighed. “True. I apologise. I will tell you now.

“I was born a very long time ago to a faithful family who served God with all their hearts and looked forward to the coming of Christ all their days. When I was a young man, I was called by God to preach his word to the people. He granted me great power to work mighty miracles in his name, to proclaim his power, and glorify his name. But… to my eternal shame, I grew arrogant. After only a couple of years I began to perform these great works in my own name. No longer was it for the glory of God. Now all I did was for the glory and exaltation of me. In my foolishness I sought to be a god… No, greater than God himself was what I desired to be. Of course, it never occurred to me that using power granted to me by God would be impossible to use in such ways.

“God, as you know, is patient. He allowed me to ripen in my iniquity for the space of a few years before he called a new man in my place. In my arrogance I sought to challenge this man and as punishment he smote me with the wrath of the Lord. It was the worst day of my life and I deserved it all.

“Forever I was to be cursed to living between worlds - never tasting the bitter penance of Hell nor the paradise of Heaven. I was sentenced to always exist for all eternity as something no longer human. My hair turned as black as my heart and my brown eyes were stained crimson with the blood of the innocent I had condemned by neglecting my duties to God.

“From that time forth I have sought to pay for my sins but my sentence made it almost impossible… until I met your ancestor. Somehow he managed to summon me. I do not know why or how he gained this knowledge. It was then that we struck a bargain…”

“His soul for prosperity?” she asked contemptuously.

The man sighed. “No, I am no demon. I would never ask for such a thing. I am seeking forgiveness remember?”

Lilia nodded.

“The man asked me for what you already know. In return I asked him to believe in me. That I was doing these things in the name of God and that I wanted him to believe that I was a good person who sought repentance.”

“Then why make it so no one can leave the grounds?”

“I did not want this family to be corrupted by the outside world. I wanted them all to live together in faith, believing in God and praying for me since God would not accept me until I have atoned for my sins.

“Unfortunately, like all people they forgot what had truly happened and they began to lose their faith. That was when I decided to interfere directly.” He looked straight into her eyes with ones that mirrored her own exactly. “I made you, Lilia.”

“What? How… are you saying you’re my father? You’re lying!” said the girl, growing angry.

“No, I’m afraid that’s impossible for me. I merely gave you some of my power… unfortunately you also had to carry part of my curse along with it. I am sorry for that.”

“What did you hope to accomplish by thrusting these things on me?”

“I hoped when you matured you would be able to rekindle the love and faith of your family. Unfortunately, as always, Satan interfered. Your father was a good man as was your grandmother. Neither of them deserved to die but as always it is God’s will. I learned a long time ago that it is impossible to fight against it.

“Do you forgive me Lilia?”

“Yes,” she said smiling slightly. “I know you meant well…”

“Thank you. It relieves me greatly… Now that I have told you my tale, what was it you wanted of me?”

“You don’t know?” asked Lilia in surprise.

“I am afraid that such desires are hidden from me,” he said smiling ruefully.

“I want you to annul the pact you made with my family.”

“What!? Why?” asked the man in surprise.

“You made a mistake. In your desperation to prove that you were good you just did the same thing all over again: you tried to play God. It’s not your place to provide things like that or to give out commandments. In giving me your gifts you tried to raise up a prophet. Those are all God’s works and his alone to carry out… or his own chosen servants.

“By forcing us to all live together and giving us everything we need you’ve made us worse. We’re wallowing in decadence. Most of us don’t have to work for anything… Although by making me, you forced me to work very hard to become accepted and I am still working at it. Do you understand what I mean? We need trials, we need hardships, we need to be in the world but not of it. We can’t cut ourselves off from other people. All that will accomplish is us drifting away and eventually even drifting away from our faith.

“I’m so sorry but you’ve only made everything worse by making this deal.”

“I… see…” said the man sadly, bowing his head. “Are you certain?”

“Yes.”

“Okay…”

“You’re willing to just take my word for it?” she asked in surprise.

“We share a connection. I know you’re right… I was just unwilling to admit it. I have made a terrible mistake.”

“You can still fix it,” said Lilia warmly. “All you have to do is annul the pact and allow us all to live our life. I promise that I will try my best to care for this family as you wanted.”

He smiled. “You are so wise for one so young. I am humbled.” He straightened up, his sorrow filled frame becoming filled with hope for the first time since Lilia had met him. “As of now, the Seelenverkäufer family is free of the pact their ancestor made with me. I pray that you may find the happiness you seek.”

“Thank you…”

“Now we must part.”

“Do we have to?”

The man nodded sadly. “Yes, I am not of this world anymore. I cannot stay for longer than the purpose of the ritual.”

The girl through her arms around the man much to his surprise. Gingerly he returned her hug. “I will miss you dearest Lilia. I do not think we will ever meet again…”

“We will because I know that God will forgive you. Please don’t stop praying and I will pray for you too. I want us to stand together before God and hear him say: ‘Well done my good and faithful servants. Enter into the joy of the Lord’.”

“You are truly an extraordinary young woman,” said the man parting from their embrace, a tear rolling down his cheek. “I promise you that I will do all in my power to fulfil your wish.”

Lilia smiled. “I know you will.”

He bowed. “Farewell, Lilia.”

“’Til we meet again.”

The world flashed once more and the chapel appeared once more.

“It’s done,” said Lilia simply, her happiness draining in the face of the reality sinking back into place.

“Nothing happened,” said Christina.

“It did but only the user of the ritual will see the results.”

“We’re not dead…”

“No we’re not dead.”

“I’ve ruined everything,” wailed Lilia’s sister.

“You were tricked by the craftiness of a devil. You’re not the first or the last… but it will be hard for you. More so what you and your brother have been doing for years.”

“But we loved each other!”

“It was still wrong and you know it!” snapped the girl. “…Please, just leave him and come with me. We need to sort this all out,” she said with more warmth.

“I can’t leave him,” the woman said pathetically.

“He’s gone Christina and he will have to answer for what he did. You have a chance to fix your mistakes… If you’re willing.”

She looked up at the girl, her grief stricken eyes red rimmed with tears. “How can I?”

Lilia held out her hand. “We can work that out together. If you believe then all things are possible.”

Timidly, she took Lilia’s hand and got to her feet. The girl began to walk out of the chapel, followed by her older sister who walked almost as if she was in a daze. Her mind was not in the world any longer.

“You don’t have to be afraid anymore. I promise you that I’m going to take care of this family as much as I can.”

The two sisters walked through the corridors towards the party. Lilia hoped she could find a family member that would be able to help her do what needed to be done tonight.

“Aren’t you afraid?” whispered Christina weakly.

“I’m nervous but I’m not afraid. Fear doesn’t come from God so I have no need for it.”

“Why don’t you hate me?”

“Because I love you.”

“How can you still love me after everything I’ve done to you and this family?” asked the young woman desperately.

“I forgive you Christina. Hating you will help neither of us to make up for our mistakes. I hope one day you’ll learn to forgive yourself.”

The young woman did not reply, instead bowing her head in a renewed bout of crying. Lilia sighed sadly. It would take a long time before Christina would be of any use to anyone. She just hoped it would not be too long…

“Hey!” she called to a woman in a black cat costume, assuming it was a family member for the blonde hair spilling out from beneath the cat ears, she happened to spot on their journey.

“Aunt Lilia?” asked the young woman turning to face Lilia, surprise and confusion evident in her voice.

“It’s Alycia isn’t it?”

She nodded. “Yes…” fear creeping into her voice as her eyes caught sight of Christina standing behind her covered in blood and Lilia in her dishevelled costume, blood running down her arm from a knife wound on her forearm.

“I need you to gather every single family member from the very oldest down to the youngest child in the second hall. Get help if you need it. It’s extremely important it’s done as soon as possible. Drag them there if necessary. I won’t have anyone not attending what I need to tell them.”

“What!?”

“You heard me. Please, I need you to do this for me… and could you get William as well. I need a word with him.”

The woman nodded and ran off to do as instructed.

“Oh, Alycia!”

“Yes, Aunt Lilia?”

“I’m sorry for shouting at you, at daddy’s party. I know you meant well.”

She smiled. “Thank you… What is it you’re going to tell everyone?”

Lilia smiled. “That everything is going to change.”

***

“Class we have a new student,” said the teacher to the rest of her class who for once were paying attention. It was not often you got a newcomer at school at this time of the year… especially one so famous. “Would you like to introduce yourself?” she said to the new pupil.

The girl smiled, her brownish red eyes glittering happily in the sunlight. “Hi, my name is Lilia Seelenverkäufer and it’s very nice to meet you all.”

*