Elina was sitting by herself at the computer desk in Primrose’s bedroom. Violette had just left. Violette was looking after Elina while she recovered from Primrose’s attack. Elina was feeling much stronger now, Violette’s cooking and tonics had done her a world of good, but Elina missed her father, Jack, and wished to be back in the forest.
During the past week or so, Elina and Violette had both settled into a comfortable routine. Elina spent the mornings with Shadow, formerly known as Trouble, walking to the outskirts of a nearby wood or to the local park. People often stared at the strange, pale girl with the growing wolf cub that Elina passed off as a German Shepherd dog. She was surprised that they believed her and by how gullible some of them were.
While she spent time with Shadow, Violette baked high quality cakes for all occasions in her pristine modern kitchen with all the mod cons. She then delivered them to her own delicatessen called, ‘Cakes to Die For’. Elina had thought it was rather an unusual name, but looking at the finished articles - beautifully decorated, adorned to perfection to suit all occasions, maybe it was not such a weird name after all.
The cakes were true masterpieces which smelled and tasted divine - according to the reviews Elina had read online. Even the other delicacies made on the shop’s premises received high praise: ‘never tasted anything so scrumptious’, ‘a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach’, ‘melt in the mouth loveliness’, ‘pastries that take you to heaven’. Elina couldn’t find any bad reviews concerning her aunt’s business.
There were just two, additional house rules that her aunt had insisted on: Elina was never to enter the kitchen whilst her aunt was cooking and never, ever to enter her bedroom without an invitation. Elina was more than happy to follow these stipulations, although she was slightly concerned by just how many more secrets her aunt kept from her. She also found it strange that her nose had never savoured the delicious smell of home-baking like it had done at the cottage. Then again, her aunt’s kitchen was always immaculate within seconds after every baking session. Elina was certain that was due to magic, magic that Violette tried hard to keep hidden from her.
Elina’s hands were poised over the keyboard of Primrose’s computer. Violette had given her one quick lesson on how to use it, but at times she was still baffled by all the things it allowed her to do. She had finally discovered the game Primrose loved to play, which involved the hunting, stalking and capturing of various animals through different landscapes, resulting in their eventual slaughter.
The more difficult the hunt and intricate the capture the more points, strength and levels Primrose’s character gained. However, although Elina was shocked at the cruelty portrayed in the game, it was not that, that had momentarily confused her, but a red icon that had just popped up on the screen as she’d opened the game. The icon demanded her attention and informed her that immediate action was required. Many urgent notifications had been received and now, at this moment in time, Elina was unsure whether to acknowledge the messages or not.
Violette had warned her that clicking on unknown pop-ups could infect the computer with viruses that could cause all sorts of problems. She did not particularly want to upset Violette and create a scene. Her aunt was somewhat unpredictable, extremely nice one moment and snappy the next. So, as her fingers lingered over the red icon, she debated whether or not to take the risk.
Elina had learnt very quickly to keep on her aunt’s good side and give her a wide berth when one of her moods descended on her. She smiled as she remembered the first time she had called Violette ‘aunt’ and the momentous reaction it had caused. Violette had been surprisingly angry; she was never, ever to be called aunt, as it made her appear to be old. If anyone was to ask, Elina was to say Violette was a good family friend and she was staying with her until her father was well enough for her to return home. Elina was to call her Violette at all times.
Elina thought that Violette had a huge hang up about her age and looks, but this was not so. Elina was unaware of the many dangers Violette was trying to protect her from. Violette was trying hard to obscure any family connection. She did not want anyone to know that Elina had the possibility of possessing magic.
As the arrow hovered over the red icon, Elina made the decision and pressed the button on the mouse. Violette was out, so what harm could come from her innocent curiosity? A message popped up immediately.
Darius:
Primrose, please message me!
Need HELP!!!
Running out of time!
PLEASE!!!!!!!
After reading the message Elina noticed there were several more; she scrolled back through the history and was amazed at how many messages had been received, all unanswered. Every message asked her to get in touch or demanded to know where his gaming partner had got to and what had he done to upset her?
Elina noticed there was a space for her to type an answer and began to wish she had not clicked on the icon, when another message popped up on the screen.
Darius:
Message me!
Where have you been?
Hearing a noise, Elina looked over her shoulder and listened carefully but heard nothing more. She laughed at herself, she realised she was feeling a little bit guilty and wondered why. It was not as if she was doing anything wrong, surely? Elina came to a decision, she began to type an answer.
Primrose:
She’s not here. She’s missing.
Darius:
Missing! Where? When?
Who are you?
Now, how to answer that one, Elina wondered. She could not really explain that her mother had turned Primrose into stone for many years and then she herself had freed her with magic, magic that she had not even realised she possessed. That explanation was far too long and was not very credible either. So she decided to be a bit liberal with the truth.
Primrose:
She was unwell for a long time
and then she just disappeared.
Darius:
Not good! Not good at all!
She’s in trouble.
You’re all in trouble.
You need to…
Elina jumped, she heard another noise in the corridor, just outside her door; Violette had come back unexpectedly. Glancing quickly back at the screen, she noticed the message was a bit longer, but only just had time to read the last few words as her door opened.
… at the Ancient Tree in the forest.
Violette’s voice called sharply from the entrance of the room and her eyes fixed onto the screen, an intense wave of concentration flickered across Violette’s face, ‘What are you doing? That’s not the game! Who are you messaging?’
Elina was surprised at the steely tone in her aunt’s voice. She turned towards her and the glare she received startled her even more.
‘I clicked on a red icon and this all came up, someone called Darius wants to speak to…’
Violette paled visibly, she charged across the room, muttered something forcefully but indistinguishable under her breath and then pushed Elina roughly and violently off the chair, without a thought for her safety. Elina stumbled, hit her head on the edge of the computer desk and fell to the floor.
Violette did not notice, she was completely oblivious of her actions towards Elina and appeared not to care. She quickly scanned the last message and turned off the screen, before snatching the plug from the wall, ending all communications abruptly.
It was then Violette looked around and for a moment looked stunned to see Elina crumpled on the floor rubbing her head. She stretched out a hand towards her and then withdrew it; a moment of confusion floated across her face. Violette bit her lip, flinched as though in pain, her eyes glistened and just as quickly she gained control of herself again.
‘Sorry, Elina, but I just lost it a bit there. That man…’ Elina noticed that her aunt was shaking. She looked really shocked, ‘that man! He kept on at Primrose. It was all very upsetting.’ Violette paused.
Violette then went on to explain how Darius had tried to gain Primrose’s trust and goodwill in order to set up a meeting with her and how dangerous that could have been; especially when you have no idea what a person was like. Violette told Elina that it had all began when Primrose had started playing that awful game. Darius had managed to gain her daughter’s trust and how lucky it had been that she had discovered the messages. She had given Primrose a stern lecture concerning the dangers of speaking to strangers on the internet.
Primrose had not taken her mother’s advice at all well and from that day onwards Primrose had become more troublesome, and that was another reason why she had sent her to Briony’s that day, long ago. Primrose had not appreciated her mother going through her things.
Elina listened to her aunt’s explanation, but there was something about her manner that seemed wrong. Violette refused to look her in the eye. Not once did she offer to help her up from the floor or ask about her head, which Elina knew was bleeding slightly. Something definitely did not seem quite right: Violette was definitely hiding something or lying!
‘So you see, I was so concerned for your safety, I had to act quickly. He’s a bad man, Elina, a dangerous man. In fact, I don’t think you should go on the computer again, at least, not until I have checked it out thoroughly. I have to keep you safe. Jack would not forgive me if something was to happen to you. Let me put a cold compress on your head. It was such a shock to me. It was like all that trouble I suffered with Primrose was happening to me again. Please forgive me.’
As Violette saw to the cut on Elina’s head she suddenly lowered her voice and asked, ‘Did you read the last message?’
‘Yes, he said we are all in trouble. Is that true?’
‘It’s just a way to get you to feel sorry for him, he is trying to persuade you to meet him and then…’ Violette visibly shuddered, ‘… I hate to think what would happen to you then. Did you read anything else?’
‘No,’ Elina replied, ‘was there something more? I looked around and saw you and then you…’
‘I’m so sorry about that, that was wrong of me, but I was so scared for you. Forgive me?’
Elina nodded, she was not sure why she did not tell Violette about the last few words, but for now she wanted to keep them to herself. Something still struck her as odd, even suspicious concerning her aunt’s behaviour. Elina could not understand why she continued to be unsettled by her aunt.
From down below a howl could be heard; Shadow’s signal that he had returned and was ready to come up to the apartment. Elina grabbed her coat and excused herself from her aunt and silently welcomed Shadow’s timely interruption.
When she reached the door to the apartment, she noticed Violette had followed her; she turned and faced her aunt and said quietly, ‘Thank you for keeping me safe, but please don’t push me like that again. Shadow won’t like it either.’
Elina quietly shut the door and went to meet Shadow. Shadow, was unaware that he was about to get another walk. Elina had a lot to think about.
Violette watched Elina leave; her life had just become even more complicated. She had hated lying to Elina. Darius should have been dead; he had died on the night of the Great Flood by her hand or so she had been led to believe. Now, she had no idea what should be done about this new development.
Twenty-five years ago, she had asked Nastarana to check on Darius, her husband, and he had confirmed to her that he was indeed dead. So now Violette was extremely angry. She could not stop shaking. Either Nastarana had not told her the truth all those years ago or he had just managed to message Elina? Either outcome was unacceptable and dreadful to contemplate. Could Nastarana have been so cruel as to keep Darius alive and torment him for that amount of time? Just how much trouble were she and Elina in now? The tight-rope that Violette walked upon had just been given a forcible yank; her world wobbled dreadfully.
Violette knew she was being watched extremely carefully and had no way of visiting the Ancient Tree without increasing the suspicions or wrath of Nastarana. Violette needed to think very carefully about her next step; too many lives depended on it.