Installment 41

"I found it," said Arianwen, then looked at me, "Twice, it seems."
She held her hand out to me, and I stood up and shook it. She looked confused, then laughed, still holding her hand out, "Give me the pendant."
"Oh... I... I don't want to."
She looked mildly surprised, "You don't want to?"
"I... I mean, why?"
"Because it belongs to me."
Janet nudged me, "Just give it to her, Fi."
I looked down at her. She looked scared. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the pendant, placing it lightly in Arianwen's hand.
"Thank you," she said, putting it in her own pocket, "You're tired," she said to me. It wasn't a question.
"Yes," I replied.
"Angharad, darling," her voice softened slightly, "Show our guests to the guest rooms in the east wing."
Harry smiled at her mother and beckoned for us to follow her.

Janet stood up, and we all walked out of the room.
Harry leant toward me as we walked and whispered, "You didn't say that you had the pendant. I thought this was just another wild goose chase, but you found it. That means she can stay this time."
I tried to smile, aware that it may be more of a grimace. Harry didn't seem to notice and almost skipped ahead of us as she led us to the east wing, and to a large room containing a big, ornate sofa and an open door to another room, which seemed to have a four-poster bed in it.
"Here you are," she said.
"Thanks," I said, still trying to smile.
Harry stood by the door, looking like she wanted to say something. She opened her mouth, but Janet interrupted, "Look, Fi's tired. They get tired, you know? Mortals."
Harry's face creased up in a confused scowl, but she left us alone.
"Bit harsh, Janet," I said, once Harry was out of earshot.
She shrugged and threw herself down on the sofa.
"What's wrong? Who is she?"
"She," Janet paused to make a face, "Is the one who was sent after Elena and I to make sure the pendant was retrieved. She was supposed to help us. Seems like she just nabbed it and kept hold of it here," she shook her head in disbelief, muttering a string of insults under her breath.
"But they'll come here, won't they? Daniel and Elena?"
Janet nodded, sheepishly, "And she'll destroy them."
"Destroy?"
"She's not like us. She has no human feelings at all. Entirely immortal. She takes what she wants and she will destroy anyone or anything that gets in her way," she seemed to be nearly in tears, "Look at what she did to that man; The man she was supposed to have loved. She used him to get what she wanted, a child, probably half-human, I don't know, then she got rid of him. Do you really believe he stole the pendant? Given how few people can even see the bloody thing?"
"But she did lose it, didn't she?"
"Yeah, that is kind of weird... and you found it here, in Ogmore?"
"Yes," I said, "In the gift shop."
She shook her head in disbelief, "In the gift shop..."
"So, what happened, do you think?"
Janet thought for a moment, the looked at me, "I just don't know. I really don't."
I laid my hands on her shoulders and rubbed them lightly, "I wish I could give you nice dreams like you do for me."
She looked up and smiled, "You know what?" she said laying a hand on top of mine, "It helps just knowing that you'd want to."
I sat down beside her, "Look, about that; I've been thinking, and I think it's ok for you to, well, use anything. Well, not the fights, but..."
She smiled and nodded, "Not the fights. Check," and she put her arm around me, and I was home watching some crappy film that Kelly had chosen solely because Guinevere Turner was in it. I didn't see the appeal, personally, but I was happy to watch any old shite if I was with Kelly. We were slap bang in the middle of those few weeks at the beginning of the relationship where everything she did was endearing and we just had to be holding hands or touching knees under the table or just somehow connected to each other at all times. I still smiled every time I thought of her and still couldn't believe how lucky I was. I nuzzled my head into her shoulder and turned slightly, to put my legs over the edge of the sofa. She stroked my hair absent-mindedly as we watched the film. Well, she watched the film. I had my eyes closed, revelling in the feel of the touch of her fingertips on my scalp. I could feel my head getting heavier and knew I was close to falling asleep. I fought it, wanting to let the moment last longer, but soon, I couldn't fight it anymore.

I awoke with the sun shining brightly onto my face, still leaning on Janet. I squinted as I sat up. Harry stood by the curtains, grinning.
"Mum wants to see you," she said.
"Hmmm? Ok," I said.
Harry shook her head, "Just her," she said pointing at Janet.
Janet nodded solemnly and followed Harry out of the room. I shook my head from side to side, trying to shake myself fully into consciousness. I rubbed my eyes and walked over to the window. The grounds of the castle were magnificent. They seemed to go on forever. About 100 metres from the castle, I could see a large labyrinth of evergreen hedges, surrounded by vast lawns and flowerbeds, and a small shubbery a little closer in. I threw open the window and took a deep breath. The air was fresh and smelled of cut grass and pine needles.