There were many branches of the Lady Grey bloodline and many other fractions of the witches’ people, stretching far and wide across the world. Salem witches, for example, were real, and many witches today were descendants of those families.
“What are we going to do Hayley?” Molly asked, resting her head on my shoulder.
“Well, first we need to fix our home. Gather everyone who is able, and we shall try to rebuild.”
“I’ve set up some tents for everyone to sleep in for the night, we will assess again in the morning,” Jackson stated quietly.
Jackson was always prepared and ready for anything. Looking around, Eric was already prepping the tents and even Sophia was helping settle some of the more shaken, younger recruits into cots to sleep for the night.
The evening had taken such a dark turn, I knew there was no sleeping for myself, Jackson, or Molly for that matter. We had to see what clues we could find as to whomever attacked us, including the one who attacked me.
“Sophia, Eric, see what you and the staff can salvage from the kitchens. I’m sure everyone needs a hot drink and some food in their belly before they can sleep for the night.”
I said standing up and addressing my team, thankfully all the council members had gone and only a few recruits had minor burns, it appeared everyone had got out safely.
“Jackson and Molly, come with me. We shall see what we can find to maybe indicate who attacked our home.”
Everyone nodded and agreed in tandem, not one person objected to my order and for that I was grateful. The healing potion slowly worked its way through my system and ignited the healing powers my blood possessed, and although I usually hated that side of myself, I was glad for it right now.
Stepping into the manor I wanted to cry, the whole place felt as if the light had been sucked out and only darkness was left. The smell of burnt wood and soot filled the air, still clouded by the remains of what was left, Jackson waved his hand, the air began to clear, the muggy scents disappearing and no longer burning at your nostrils and the back of your throat.
I felt my heart ache as I spotted the portraits of my parents at the top of the staircase ruined and beyond repair, everything appeared to be lost.
“Hay, what do you expect to find?”
“Anything that can tell us what happened. Where were the guards tonight? Did anyone see anything unusual? Molly, you said the room started to shake and then the fire blast hit, do you think it came from above us?”
“Honestly, I haven’t a clue but if I could take a guess, it was from below rather than above. The shaking I felt was almost as if the earth underneath my feet was starting to break apart.”
“There is definitely magic here and it isn’t one of our own, something feels different, whoever it was who caused this was powerful enough to break through our wards.” Jackson ran his fingers up the staircase banister and rubbed the ash between his fingers, pondering.
“Hay, I don’t think this was just any ordinary witch. Molly, can you feel that echo of power still oozing through the walls?”
“I can feel it everywhere, it’s as if my own body is on fire and screaming to explode.”
We carried on, making our way up the staircase, careful with each step as the floor felt as if it would cave in right under our feet. The hallways themselves were dark and gloomy, it was as if the manor had been left to decay and ruin for hundreds of years, you would never guess it was lived in.
We began to look in each room, or as many as we could, trying to make some sense of what happened but whoever attacked us was able to keep their tracks hidden. Frustration and angst were all we felt as we headed back outside to join the others.
Eric had set up a small campfire and many of the recruits were sitting around the fire, holding their bowls of soup or something and hugging each other for warmth, the air growing colder by the hour.
Molly and Jackson left to help Sophia with the passing out of food and blankets, while the manor staff continued to care for those who were shaken up after the fire, looking for a place to sleep and setting up beds for everyone.
I just stood and watched, taking in the scene, and reminding myself that no matter the tragedy, the Van Helsing clan would always be able to get back on their feet and come back stronger.
“Here, you look like you need this.” Eric handed me over a hot cup of coffee with a hint of something extra special, “I know the whiskey will help the nerves.”
“Oh, it’s not nerves, more anger and bewilderment.” I said as I sipped it lightly, enjoying the flavour and warmth. “Where were you when all this happened?” I glanced at him watching for any reaction, but he just sighed and looked at the house.
“Out on patrol with a few of the younger recruits, it was one of the first of many for them.”
“And you didn’t see anything?”
“Hayley, if I had, don't you think I would have sounded the alarm. It was just like any other night. Peaceful, quiet,” He paused while drinking his drink. “Maybe a little too quiet actually.”
I gestured to one of the tents nearby which I suspected would be the one they had put up for me, and made Eric follow my lead. I sent a mental note to Jackson to follow as well, leaving Molly to continue helping Sophia and the other household staff.
Pulling the tent curtain open, I looked around at the space, a small table in the middle of the tent had been put up with a few chairs around it and a cot bed stuck in the corner.