Forsaken Guild of Bones: Forsaken Series, #1

Chapter One

The Beginning of the Guild

RAEGAN MCGOVERN, JUST six years in age, stood next to her mother fidgeting with the confines of the elaborate dress she wore. A hasty glance from her mother brought silence and stillness, if only for a moment.

Must I be present? I would much rather practice my spellwork with Tanis.

Tanis is with you every day. Anderson Vanderlain is very important to us and this coven. It is imperative you meet him and make a fine impression.

Deep sighs exited the child as her head fell forward.

Yes, mother, she replied obediently.

Victoria stood holding her daughter’s hand tightly with the eleven members of the McGovern family surrounding them. It was not a day to be taken lightly. Each of them understood the implications of the meeting and how their lives would be forever changed. Their freedom hung precariously in the balance, held by one man, none other than Anderson Vanderlain.

For nearly a month, Raegan had heard them whispering about his arrival, how important this day was, and the pending creation of something called the Guild.

A common agreement was made to preserve what they had fought so hard to conceal. It was a time of horrible persecution where even the slightest mark, be it a scar or a mole, could condemn a woman to death. Mere beauty was considered an embellishment of evil or wickedness. Given the strange allurement of the Prestwick Coven, each member was at risk of being condemned, subjected to torture, and burnt at the stake on the sole basis of their striking appearances.

The arrangement made with the Church, Alexander Hawkin, and the Vanderlains was unstable. The only means available to the witches of the Prestwick Coven was to use an age-old spell whose stability was unknown, untested, and far from being certain. They would enter eternal slumber, sleeping in cycles; ten at a time with three awake, to ensure their safety, praying all the while the enchantment would last the centuries.

McGovern Castle would become their temporary sanctuary of slumber until Lucian Vanderlain could transport them to Rome. There they would be housed within the Guild beneath the Lateran Basilica and under the watchful eye of the Church. It was a lucrative deal for all parties involved. Alexander Hawkin could claim he had collected, tried, and convicted the most elusive coven in the Highlands, and the Church would be paid handsomely for looking the other way.

Raegan McGovern stood as one of the three chosen to enter the chambers to test their stability as soon as she reached the age of her Awakening. To her, they were a grand design, a strange blend of the ancient world and the world in which they now dwelled. Each Hollow, as they were called, was to be built to the exact specifications of each coven member. It was also agreed the three who remained awake would rule for a period of a single century before Awakening the one to take their place. They would enter the Hollows over the course of a series of months until ten of them rested in enchanted slumber and would remain so until the time of their Awakening. A test, of sorts, would be conducted with three coven members to ensure the survival of the coven. Anderson demanded this test be housed at the Guild and last the duration of a single year, at the end of which the chosen ones would be awoken and the remaining ten members would take their place in the remaining Hollows at McGovern Castle.

It would be a delicate process; one where the memories of the three ruling enchanters would be transferred to those awakened. It was also agreed that under no circumstance would a sleeping enchanter be woken by anyone other than a Prestwick Coven member, the Guild would not be allowed to witness or attend an Awakening, and the secret to how time would stop for them would remain hidden. No one, including any member of the Lateran Basilica, could learn or understand how the sleeping enchantment worked.

Their demands were high in the eyes of Alexander Hawkin. They were mandates enacted to protect the coven at all costs. His lack of involvement in the pact made left him little to say in the matter. The Arcane One had overridden his concerns from the first moment they were uttered. Even the Church bowed to the Arcane One. No one within the Prestwick Coven knew who this age-old being was nor could they remember if the one who governed them all was a man or a woman. Any memories of a chance encounter were forgotten. All they could remember were the instructions given and nothing more. Despite the choices made, Victoria McGovern did not trust the Guild, the Church, or the mysterious witch hunter whose behavior appeared to be driven by a mystical source she could not uncover.

Alexander Hawkin was a charismatic man who used his soft-spoken voice and tender, caring demeanor to lure many into his clutches. His methods were simple and uncomplicated; torture any man or woman long enough, they will speak the truth. Three villages outside of Prestwick had fallen to Hawkin. Men, women, and children - it did not matter so long as they became names on his endless scroll of conquests. Victoria watched from the shadows under the protection of a vanishing charm the day Hawkin arrived. She needed to understand the man who posed the greatest danger to her family and desired to see if what was said concerning the great witch hunter was true.

Victoria’s memories of his arrival were vivid, nearly too vivid as she stood holding her daughter’s hand tightly. It was late in the afternoon on the first Friday in May nearly a year ago. Over the course of a month he befriended the villagers in a manner rather unassuming. His voice was pleasant and nearly enticing as he introduced himself as though it was charmed. His build was tall, slight, and very masculine. Features that could have been considered comely by many a woman merely added to his charm. The clothing he wore was perhaps the finest quality Victoria had seen since she traveled to consult with King Edward over the continuing war in the Holy Land. It was apparent Alexander Hawkin was a man well-kept and well-paid.

He did not appear frightening or intimidating though his bible never once left his hand as he traveled from cottage to cottage introducing himself as the appointed Tax Collector of the Lateran Basilica - it was a statement that did not sit well with the residents of Crossbury and their Protestant loyalty. Years of persecution for their beliefs had led many of the residents to adhere to the religion of their King in public and to their heartfelt faith in private.

Victoria could not step from the shadows for fear of being captured and condemning her family. She watched in horror as they all perished within a month of Alexander Hawkin’s arrival. He came alone with no accomplices, no other evil men to aid in his bidding. The village perished at his hands after enduring days, sometimes weeks, of hideous implements Alexander felt he had been created to purify his victims. Neighbor condemned neighbor under the guise of being spared only to find they stood alongside the person they condemned as the pyre was built. Victoria had witnessed his work firsthand. There was no one left alive when Alexander Hawkin left the small village of Crossbury - no one at all.

The sun slowly slipped lower in the sky, allowing wisps of thin clouds to dance across the horizon before it. In the distance, the thundering sound of hooves beat against the ground with clarity, echoing across the valley toward the hills, and McGovern Castle. Victoria straightened the length of her gown and brushed her daughter’s hair from her face.

Now is our time. Now is the time of enchanters. Do not forget who you are, Raegan, she whispered.

The caravan became easily visible as it entered the expanse of the valley. Windswept fields of Lavender, Cockscomb, and Columbine greeted the Vanderlains as they crossed the threshold from the land of mortals to the home of the enchanters. Anderson sat tall and straight upon the back of his horse; a magnificent white steed given to him by the King of France for services unspoken and unknown to any but him. The wind danced through the horse’s silvery mane telling a tale few could understand, few except the young Raegan McGovern. She could see every detail of the bargain struck, the immediate outcome, and the long lasting repercussions of a covenant struck with the approaching man. Lucian had instructed them well concerning their behavior toward his brother’s arrival. In the many years, which the Vanderlain family and the McGovern family had been known associates, none had aged even a day. Lucian was a staunch negotiator and instructor to those who would serve Anderson Vanderlain as was expected, even demanded by the laws governing his family.

Raegan watched the members of her family closely as Lucian explained the details of their internment. Sable prayed her brethren would question Lucian at length regarding the involvement of the Guild and the Church but no one stepped forward. Anger and distrust toward the witch hunter was easily visible as Victoria watched Hawkin slide from his saddle with deadly intent. Her pleas to the coven to seek an allegiance without his involvement had gone unheard.

I will assign each of you a Guild Sentinel who will oversee your Awakening when the time has arrived for your reign. As soon as I am able to make the arrangements with the Templars, they will transport those who slumber to the Guild. Your patience during this transition is imperative. The Guild is barely a babe but quite selective regarding its newest members.

I am not one to question, but given we know so little, it is only proper that concerns should be voiced, Victoria began. We have only your word, Lucian, and that of your brother. How can we be certain this is not an elaborate scheme to somehow usurp our power?

Betraying you would not be in our best interest, Anderson said as he drew the reigns of his horse hard and leapt to the ground next to his brother. Without your backing, the development of the Guild is not possible. The Arcane One will not consent unless you and your family are, shall we say, protected.

Victoria considered his words to be lies - not because she believed what Anderson said, but because she did not have faith in him or his ability to protect them. She understood well what the others did not have the fortitude to say, what was known to be the truth; Anderson Vanderlain engaged in no deal that did not benefit him.

Welcome to McGovern Castle. Please, come inside where we might discuss these matters in a more hospitable setting, Tanis said as he stepped aside.

The hinges creaked as they supported the weight of the enormous oak doors while Tanis held them open, giving way to the softly lit central hall of the castle.

We have prepared a feast in your honor, Lord Vanderlain. I do hope you find it to your liking. Tanis bowed not out of respect but because it was expected.

Harlan and several of his brothers and sisters made the final preparations as Anderson, Lucian, and Alexander were escorted to the table. Victoria sat at the north end of the thirteen-foot long table with her opposite and counterpart, Ryssa at the South. The two strongest women of each division of the family faced each other.

A toast to longevity, Anderson began, slowly raising his glass. Kings fall, Princes rise, yet the Queens always remain.

His words were meant to enamor the two strongest women of the family. Ryssa beamed at his comment while Victoria feigned a smile for the benefit of the only man who had the power in his hands to save them. Anderson took his seat at the center of the table where he could see them equally.

The Guild, once completely established, will be all powerful. No one would be so brazen as to stand in our path. With the allegiances we have formed our future is now secured.

Might I ask with whom you have chosen to form these allegiances? Tanis asked. It is not that I mean to pry. You must understand it is our lives you hold in your hands. Should these Hollows fail to securely cradle our lifeforce then we all shall perish.

The finest alchemist in Italy crafted the Hollows in Florence and personally delivered them to what shall one day become the permanent home of the Guild. Guillermo Medici is quite renowned for his art and skill. Would it please you to meet him? Anderson lifted his goblet, looking toward Harlan. He rushed to the lord’s side and quickly poured more wine. I am certain he would like to meet the enchanters I spoke so fondly of and praised.

Compliments, are like sheep - too many of them become a nuisance. Tanis said abruptly.

Forgive my brother’s disdain for your comments, Lord Vanderlain, but in these trying times trust cannot be placed easily.

It is understood. My family too once found themselves in similar circumstances. Apology accepted with no harm done.

Yet, as the Ethereals watched Anderson, it became more difficult to believe his intentions were honorable. He was too collected in his mannerisms, nearly appearing rehearsed to offer comfort. The ease with which he spoke disturbed Sable and Tavian the most deeply though neither one spoke to their family where this matter was concerned. As twins, they conversed without words between them and were already planning a means to escape and take their beloved niece with them if the need arose.

IT MARKED THE FIRST time any of them saw Alexander Hawkin and Anderson Vanderlain concerning their welfare and the construction of the Guild. Over the next nine years, only Lucian came to McGovern Castle to address the family and discuss the status of Raegan’s training.

The decision to choose Raegan to enter the Hollows was done in secret with the aid of Anderson Vanderlain and without the knowledge of the Ethereal majority. A vote was held to determine who would enter the Hollows during the first period of slumber when Tanis, Victoria, and Broderick were offering consult to the Saint Clair family. With only five Ethereals to stand against eight, there was little to no chance the vote could be overturned. Ryssa used her power as the co-regent of the coven to seal the vote with her own blood and willingly offered two of her cousins to take their place alongside Raegan – namely Cora and Nigel.

The eve of her Awakening quickly approached as Raegan sat lost in the swirling mist of her thoughts. She pondered if it was possible to reverse Ryssa’s ruling and save herself but reconsidered creating such turmoil and subjecting another Ethereal to take her place. She instead focused on remembering each encounter with the young and handsome Lucian Vanderlain and the time they shared. Her sweet and blissful memories were fleeting as Lucian began to speak concerning her readiness and the pending arrangements Anderson had dutifully charged him with Raegan’s care in his absence. Nine years, it seemed, had passed in only the blink of an eye.

Raegan listened intently as Lucian spoke. She was only six months away from her twenty-first birthday and her formal Awakening. It was not a secret several members of the Prestwick Coven were not pleased with her being brought into the fold of their close-knit coven, but her mother, Victoria McGovern, held more power than any other member so the issue was never formally addressed. As the highest-ranking coven member by right and by birth, Victoria’s announcement was not contested. Raegan would become the thirteenth member of the Prestwick Coven and would choose her side at the time of her Awakening.

Raegan would take her place as the final member of the coven despite the fact it would not be formally celebrated until one hundred years from this day. She was saddened her Awakening would be at her one hundredth and twenty-first birthday and not in six months as had been initially planned.

Her Hollow was starkly different in comparison as she watched Lucian direct the members of the Guild to turn toward the Hollows as they were brought into the dining hall. It was carved from a single piece of black marble. Silver inlaid sigils from the Key of Solomon covered the exterior, causing Raegan to wonder why hers was so starkly different. Though she desperately wished to question Lucian why hers was so unusual, Raegan remained quiet. As the youngest member of the Prestwick Coven, she could not speak out of turn or unless she was spoken to first.

You are exceptionally reserved today, Lady Raegan. Lucian smiled at her while speaking, allowing the tension between