Solstice - The Goddess Awakens

It wasn’t the first time that night that Lola had lied to Aibgrene; she had no idea how to handle a car like this. Taking the roundabout at the top of the street, her gut guided her towards the next town over. Although the motorway was the quickest option, Lola decided it would be safer if she took the back roads home to Ballyvalley. Celeste continued to drift in and out of consciousness. Beads of cold sweat clung to her frail body. Her chest bones protruded as did her cheekbones; she looked as though she was teetering on the edge of death.

Taking off her ring, Lola slid it on to Celeste’s finger hoping it would aid her recovery. Celeste began to shiver. She needed heat. Pulling over on to the side of the road, Lola took off her mantle and wrapped it around Celeste’s infirm frame. She was a shadow of the woman that Lola had met at Arthur’s funeral. Celeste was babbling incoherently.

‘Shush,’ soothed Lola. ‘We’ll be home soon, Celeste.’

She needed more heat. Lola remembered that there were heated seats in the car so she began pressing random buttons, hoping to eventually find the right one. A small screen emerged from the sound system. The seats began to heat. Lola turned the heat up on the air-conditioning, then started the ignition and took off at speed. Concentrating on the road ahead, Lola paid no mind to the screen, assuming it was some sort of built-in satellite navigation.

As she passed through Coleraine and other small towns, Lola made sure to keep her speed down to avoid any unwanted attention. But Alex’s car wasn’t exactly low profile. In unfamiliar territory, she decided to check the navigation system. At first she thought it was broken. It showed the car travelling down the main M1 motorway. Then an automated voice announced, ‘Lola approaching Belfast city. Lola is now approaching Belfast city.’ She couldn’t believe her ears, with one eye on the road ahead, and one eye on the navigation system, she stared in disbelief, as a miniature picture of Ruby’s car drove towards Belfast. They had been tracking her car this whole time. Alex had known exactly where she was. He had known she was at Tara. Of course he knew, that’s how his bodyguard had been able to tail them, that’s how he had been able to tell when she would be arriving home. Surely, thought Lola, that meant he had known she was in Portstewart tonight, parked yards from his house. So why hadn’t he informed his father? Lola’s head began to swim with all the ‘what if’ and ‘buts’.

The heat in the car was suffocating so Lola slid down the car window, as if the cold air would help expel Alex Stein from her head. He wasn’t her concern tonight, nor should he ever be. They would know that his car was missing by now. Then it occurred to Lola that Carl Stein probably had a tracker on Alex’s car too. She hadn’t thought of that. Taking the next turn off for the motorway, Lola decided to break cover. The R8 roared to life, as she slid it into seventh gear, pinning Lola and Celeste back into their seats. The dial was hitting one hundred and thirty, which meant Lola was on the other side of Belfast in less than thirty minutes. Keeping an eye on the tracker, she was relieved to see that Aibgrene wasn’t too far from home. Leaving the M1 Lola took the dual carriageway to Ballyvalley. Her speed had dropped to ninety. The gods had been with her tonight.

There was very little traffic on the roads, and that included the police. Finally, she began to relax when she saw the sign for Ballyvalley. ‘Only five miles to go,’ she told Celeste. It was after 2am when she drove into town. The local nightclub had just spilled out, forcing the car to a crawl on the main road. There was a heavy police presence, which made Lola feel very uneasy, and the car was attracting a lot of attention. Lola noticed a uniformed police officer taking a look at the plates. The Halloween revellers continued to flood across the road and even though the lights were green, she couldn’t move. A tapping on the window startled her. For an instant she considered hitting the accelerator, but thought the better of it. Taking a deep breath Lola pressed the button on the door, allowing the window to slide down.

‘Hi, Officer,’ said Lola.

‘Hi, sorry to bother you, madam,’ said the police patrolman. ‘I just wanted to let you know that we are trying to clear the road, and we will get you on your way as soon as possible. Nice car by the way!’

‘Do you like it?’ asked Lola, trying to sound as flippant as possible.

‘I’ve never seen one up close before, it must be amazing to drive.’

‘Yeah, it really is a great car.’

Lola had no idea about car speak, so she was relieved when the young officer changed the subject.

‘I take it you were out yourself tonight. What happened to your face?’ asked the officer.

Lola had completely forgotten about her costume and her busted face. She didn’t even feel the pain she was so preoccupied. She could see the policeman’s eyes darting suspiciously between Celeste and her.

‘Make-up, Officer, and my friend, she had a bit of a rough night as well. Too much to drink, you know?’ laughed Lola nervously, as the lights suddenly turned green again, and there was a parting in the foot traffic. ‘The lights are green. I’d better get her home.’

Lola took off again, her heart pounding and her palms sweaty as they gripped the steering wheel. Relieved that she was now on the Scarvagh Road, she checked the navigation system, and breathed a sigh of relief that Aibgrene had almost made it to Ballyvalley.

Pressing down on the accelerator, she sped up the driveway, coming to a halt outside the house. Every light in the house was on, and Lola wasn’t out of the car before the front door swung open. Her mother and father were quickly at her side.

‘Lola. Oh my God, are you okay?’ cried her mother before launching into a tirade ‘Where the hell have you been, young lady? You had me and your dad worried to death,’ fumed her mum. ‘We were about to call the police.’

Now it was her dad’s turn. ‘What the hell happened to your face, Lola? And where on earth did you get this car from?’

‘Oh my God, her face. Jesus, would you look at her face, Joseph?’ said Eileen, pacing back and forth. It had been a long time since she had seen her parents this angry and worried all at the same time. Ruby must have told them.

‘Ma. Da!’ shouted Lola. ‘I don’t have time for this right now. Okay?’ Eileen Paige was about to launch into another scolding, but Lola never gave her the chance. ‘Help me get Celeste into the house.’

Pushing past her mum and dad, Lola opened the passenger door to get to Celeste. There was a unified gasp from her parents, as they ran their eyes over the crumpled pile of skin and bones that lay motionless on the car’s passenger seat.

‘Jesus, Joseph, is she dead?’ said her mum, covering her mouth. Eileen moved out of the way as her husband lifted Celeste’s limp body out of the car.

‘Quick, Dad, bring her inside, put her on the couch. Mum, get me some hot water and blankets, lots of blankets, she’s lost a lot of blood.’ Eileen Paige stood rooted to the spot, horrified by the thin vertical slits that were carved in Celeste Moone’s transparent arms. ‘Now, Ma!’ barked Lola. ‘There’s no time to spectate.’

‘I think we need to call an ambulance, Lo.’ Her dad laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. ‘I don’t think she is going to do, love.’

‘We can’t, Dad. Aibgrene will be here soon, she will know what to do.’ Her mum soon returned to the room with a large quilt and some hot water and a cloth. Lola wrapped Celeste in the quilt, cleaning the dry blood around her arms where they had been cut open. Lola ran to the window when she heard the sound of tyres screeching to a halt on the stones outside. It was Aibgrene and Daithi – they were safe. Relief washed over her as they came bursting in through the door. Aibgrene ran straight to her mother’s side sobbing uncontrollably.

‘She’s lost a lot of blood, Aibgrene, she may need to go to a hospital,’ said Lola hopefully. But she understood that Aibgrene wouldn’t permit it.

‘We can’t, Lo. We don’t know who to trust – it’s too risky.’ Aibgrene ran her fingertip along the groove in her mother’s arms. ‘The ring has healed these wounds well; it has given us a fighting chance, Lola. I don’t know how to thank you, Lo, you saved our lives in there tonight. We owe you everything.’

Lola began to choke up, as she permitted herself to cry for the first time that night. The tears came, first in a trickle and then in torrents as she and Aibgrene just stood sobbing in each other’s arms. No one had noticed that Liam and Cuchulain had joined them, until the dog let out a playful bark running towards Lola.

‘Cuchulain, you big wolf, come here boy,’ shouted Lola, as she knelt, embracing the dog, as he licked her face in delight. All the while Daithi had just sat in the corner calmly. Lola felt bad when she saw him.

‘Daithi, I didn’t get a chance to say thank you for tonight. I can’t imagine how hard it was for you sitting out there not knowing what was going on.’ As always, Daithi’s kind smile spread across his face.

‘I think I have you to thank, Lola. What you did in there tonight, words can’t describe how indebted I am to you for bringing her back to me. We owe you everything.’

‘You really don’t, Daithi. It was my fault that Celeste was there in the first place.’ Eileen was now by Aibgrene’s side, as they tried to make Celeste more comfortable. ‘I think we should try and move her upstairs to a bed, pet, she would be much more comfortable there.’ Nodding in agreement, Aibgrene asked Daithi to carry her mother to Lola’s bedroom. Eileen disappeared upstairs with Daithi and Aibgrene, leaving Lola alone with her dad and Liam. Lola could see the worry in her dad’s face, but she knew that he didn’t want to push it right now.

‘You look terrible, pet; you should go and get yourself cleaned up,’ said Joseph. Lola tried to reassure him that she was fine, but he wasn’t convinced.

‘Really, Dad, I’m fine, just a sore jaw. But apart from that, I’m okay.’ The adrenaline that had coursed through her body just hours ago had prevented her from feeling any discomfort, but now Lola could feel every ache and pain. Her jaw throbbed where the mountain’s fist had made impact. She could even taste the metallic dry blood that caked to her swollen mouth. Liam couldn’t take his eyes off her, but he didn’t ask what happened, which was unlike him.

Lola’s heart jumped when she heard the gentle ting of the doorbell. Even her father froze for second. Getting up he looked through the window.

‘It’s the police,’ he said with a nod, as if he had been expecting the late call.

‘The police?’ said Lola as she jumped up from the chair, not sure what to do or where to go.

‘What’s wrong, love?’

‘You can’t let them in, Dad!’ panicked Lola.

‘What are you on about, Lola? I have to let him in now that you’re okay. We were worried sick and with everything that has happened we didn’t know what to think when Ruby called us.’

Ruby! Lola had completely forgotten about the girls, they would be sick with worry. ‘I need to call the girls!’ she said. Walking to the hallway, her dad answered the door, while she made for the phone in the kitchen.

‘Hello, Mr Paige. Sorry it took me so long to get out to you. May I come in?’ Lola listened, with her heart in her mouth as her father nervously guided DCI Campbell into the living room. Closing the kitchen door she called Ruby’s mobile. Ruby’s hysterical voice answered after just two rings.

‘Rubes, it’s me…,’ were the only words that Lola got to utter. It was Ruby’s turn to admonish her. Lola felt totally expired, so she listened as her best friend let loose in between sobs.

‘We tried calling and calling and there was no answer! You just left, and then I had to call your mum and dad, what else could I do? What is going on, Lo? How could you put us through that?’ Lola let Ruby continue until she was all shouted out.

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you,’ said Lola, struggling to find a better explanation. She knew that it didn’t cover it, but what else could she say? ‘I’m safe now, Rubes. I’ll give you a call first thing tomorrow. Okay?’

‘Okay,’ agreed Ruby. Lola could tell that she was still mad at her and in truth she couldn’t blame her.

‘Love you,’ said Lola warmly.

‘You too, Lo. And don’t ever do anything like that to us again. Do you hear me?’

‘Yes. Promise.’

Hanging up the phone Lola decided to avoid DCI Campbell and headed for the shower, but just as she was about to go upstairs, the living room door opened, and her father came out with young detective.

‘There she is! Lola, you had your parents very worried tonight,’ he smiled as his attentive eyes flitted from her costume to her bruised face. ‘It looks like you had an eventful night.’ Even though his tone was congenial Lola didn’t trust it, his eyes missed nothing.

‘You know what Halloween can be like, Detective!’ offered Lola, moving up a step trying to indicate that she was finished with the conversation.

‘That’s some motor parked outside! Is it yours?’ continued the detective. Trying to stay calm Lola returned his smile before answering.

‘No it’s my boyfriend’s. He was good enough to lend it to me to get home tonight.’

‘Yes. I heard some of the guys at the station talking about it. They said they spoke to a young girl tonight in a state-of-the-art sports car. Small world, isn’t it?’ Lola knew he could sense her discomfort, he knew a lot more than he was giving away, but she was determined to play the same game. ‘How is your friend by the way? Did you get her home safely? The officer I was speaking to said that she was quite drunk.’ Lola’s heart was in her throat but she didn’t show the slightest bit of hesitation.

‘She’s safe and sound, Detective. Thanks for asking. I’m very grateful that you’ve taken the time to come out. I’m sure you don’t normally personally deal with every call from a worried parent,’ replied Lola sarcastically.

‘Well I better be off! Let you all get to your beds. Good night, Mr Paige, and once again I’m sorry for imposing on you so late.’

Just as the young detective was about to leave there was a shrill scream from upstairs. Lola’s mother stood at the top of the sweeping staircase, calling for her daughter. Lola took the stairs two at a time. She burst into her bedroom to find Aibgrene on her knees sobbing and shaking uncontrollably.

‘It won’t work, Lola! My spell won’t work, she’s going!’ sobbed Aibgrene. Lola ran to Celeste, she could see that her aura, a dim diluted shade of violet, was fading. The ring could only do so much and Carl Stein’s magick had proved too strong. Lola had no idea what to do, she just stood there motionless. Time seemed to stop still. She had failed them again. She felt numb.

Lola and the others didn’t notice DCI Campbell come into the room. They just stood there shocked as he checked Celeste for a pulse and then lifted her out of the bed and ran through the house towards the herb garden. Lola joined Aibgrene and Daithi, as they rushed out behind him. When they got to the garden DCI Campbell began shouting out orders to them, asking Aibgrene to bring salt, candles, white sage and juniper. Aibgrene wasted no time darting for the large greenhouse, and returned seconds later with the items in hand. The young detective gently laid Celeste out on the damp grass and Aibgrene sprinkled salt in a wide circle around her mother’s deteriorating body. Lifting the candles, DCI Campbell placed them at the cardinal points of north, south, east and west. A small knotted bundle of dry herbs was handed to each of them as they formed a loose circle around the dying Celeste.

Lola noticed that the plump moon that punctuated the crisp night sky seemed to swell in tandem with their movement. It seemed to grow brighter and brighter as Aibgrene and DCI Campbell made incantations, moving around the circle and dousing Celeste’s ghostly frame with the smoke from the burning juniper and sage as they went. Aibgrene’s voice was shaky as she repeated the spell in perfect unison with the detective. ‘Moon be strong, Moon be bright, clear this poison out of sight, Moon be whole, moon of the soul, free this woman from death’s hold.’

Feeling useless, Lola began to chant the words praying that it might make some difference. Taking her lead her mother and father joined in, each repeating the rhythmic words of the spell.

Lola’s parents looked on in awe as Celeste’s breathing began to become steady and even again. DCI Campbell looked totally exhausted when he finally stopped.

‘That should do it,’ he sighed. ‘She’s still very weak but most of his poison is out of her system. That was close,’ he said to Aibgrene. ‘Lola, I think you and I need to talk.’

Lola remained outside while the others moved Celeste indoors. ‘I think we need to start again,’ smiled DCI Campbell. ‘Maybe we have both been a bit sparing with the truth. My name is Wayne,’ he smiled as he offered Lola a hand of friendship. Lola felt ashamed, he had just saved Celeste’s life and she owed him a great deal.

Moving to the summer seat, Lola and Wayne sat side by side. ‘I think I owe you an apology, Lola,’ he started. Exhausted, Lola only offered a smile in way of response. ‘I am a real detective, as was my father before me. I followed in his footsteps. My father was one of the best detectives on the force but he was also a friend of the Order’s and a friend of Arthur’s. Like him, I only deal with occult cases, Lola, that’s why I was investigating Arthur’s death and the Vikki Jones case as well. When I was assigned to both cases, the powers that be were trying to say it was a suicide. Carl Stein’s reach goes far and wide, but we are closing the net on some of his minions, Lola.’

Feeling her jaw tentatively, Lola spoke slowly as it hurt to talk. ‘I can attest to that. There was a high court judge and a minister in there tonight, as well as the editor and chief of the Ballyvalley News.’

‘I know,’ said the detective solemnly. ‘I’ve been tracking their activities for some time, but I can’t do anything without evidence, Lola. It’s so infuriating. I knew you didn’t trust me and I wasn’t sure what you knew about the Order or what Arthur had entrusted to you, if anything. Then there was your relationship with the Stein boy. You weren’t keeping very good company, Lola. It wasn’t until I was in the book room that day that I realised that you knew more than I thought. I could see that you had been busy.’ Lola’s heart sank. Had everyone seen so clearly what she could not, or would not? Alex had only been using her.

‘You made sure that Arthur’s death was treated as a murder, Wayne. So what happened to the Vikki Jones case?’ enquired Lola. ‘I mean, Sarah Byrne gave you the evidence that Vikki had got into a car on the night she disappeared, why did you dismiss it?’

‘You need to understand, Lola, that I’m in the lion’s den. The Hell Fire Club has people at every level in every organisation. I realised the true extent of this when the press release was issued to the media and a statement made to her family before I even had a chance to hand in my report. I’m fighting against my own department, Lola. They made sure that the mistakes made in Arthur’s case would not be made twice.’

‘So what happened to Arthur?’ Lola wasn’t sure that she wanted to know.

‘Well, I’m still trying to piece the puzzle together. I mean the biggest puzzle for me is how did they get in? How did they get past that gate post?’

‘They must have known him. Arthur must have known his killer,’ said Lola through gritted teeth.

‘Or,’ offered the detective. ‘Or, he allowed them in. I agree with you about Arthur knowing his killer, Lola, but I will go a step further and say that he knew that an attempt would be made on his life that night. When his visitor slipped that hemlock into Arthur’s wine glass, I believe the old man knew exactly what was happening.’

Lola sat rigid. Of all the things that she had heard, this was the most ridiculous. Why would Arthur allow himself to be killed? He would never knowingly leave her to deal with all this shit on her own. ‘You’re wrong, Detective,’ spat Lola with more venom than she’d intended. ‘Arthur loved me. He would never have left me on my own to deal with all this crap.’ Lola realised that she was crying. ‘There is no way he would abandon me.’ DCI Campbell touched her hand.

‘I’m sorry, Lola, I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just a theory, that’s all.’

‘Detective,’ croaked Lola as she ushered her tears away with the back of her hand. ‘Are we ever going to be able to get to these men? Carl Stein is too powerful.’

‘That’s not true, Lola. You won tonight by saving Celeste. He has underestimated you and now you three are the first witnesses ever to survive, surely that’s a start.’

Lola shook her head, rejecting the idea. ‘I have managed to help Celeste, that’s true, but I have not won the battle, instead I’ve shown my hand. Carl Stein knows I cannot, or will not, go to the law. You’ve said it yourself, Detective, his tentacles are far-reaching. Besides,’ added Lola, ‘this battle transcends the realm of law and order. They make their own rules.’ Lola’s words hung between them as they both sat in silence. Lola was shivering from the cold.

‘It’s late, Lola, I’d better be going and you better get inside. I’ll be in touch. But one more thing, Lola, you know this is only the beginning?’ Lola understood it was more a statement than a question. She nodded her head wearily. One thing she understood and accepted was the fact that this was only the start of things to come. Both players had shown their hand tonight, both had stepped out of the shadows and into the unforgiving light of the arena. Lola may have defeated Carl Stein on the chequered board, but this game of chess was a perilous one.