Chapter 2: The Task

By: A Midsummer Night’s Dreamer

It was near midnight when the trio got to the Descouedres mansion. All was quiet, except for the sound of three pairs of feet walking across the lawn. A single light shone brightly on at the front porch, although not bright enough so that Eric could’ve detected the small statue of a garden gnome standing right in his path.

“Oww!” exclaimed Eric, holding his injured foot, “What was that?”

“Relax, it’s just a garden gnome, it’s not going to jump up and bite you.” Blaise said teasingly.

“Blaise!” Thea admonished, “Leave Eric alone, even you can’t see that good in the dark.”

“No, but I won’t bump into anything and make a fool of myself either.” Retorted Blaise.

“We’re here,” Eric said quietly.

Before Blaise had a chance to ring the doorbell, Thea dragged her to the side rather forcefully. “Thea? Do you want us to spend the night out here? And quite pulling so hard! This is an original Calvin Klein shirt.”

“Stop worrying about your clothes, Blaise. Now, remember what you promised, behave, okay?” Thea whispered.

“You dragged me here for this? Oh, give me a break, Thea. I ALWAYS behave.” Blaise went back to ringing the doorbell.

Nilsson, a young CIA look-alike, opened the door, “Hello Miss Blaise, Mr. Eric.” He proceeded on shaking their hands, “Ah, Miss Thea, I did not see you there, come in, please.” Nilsson held the door open for the three while they ventured indoors, then he promptly shut the door and turn to them. “I presume that you’re all very tired and wish to retire to your respective rooms, however, before you do, Mr. Thierry had requested a short briefing with all of you.”

“Lucky us,” muttered Blaise.

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The big oak doors that lead to the office was closed, but light could be seen from the little space under the door. Thea knocked tentatively, and a voice came immediately from the inside, “Come in, please.”

Thea opened the door slowly and stepped in, she could hear the other coming up behind her and someone closed the door quietly, as not to disturb anyone who was asleep at this time of the night.

Behind a desk with documents practically piled up to the ceiling, sat the Lord of the Nightworld, Thierry Descouedres. The light from the desk lamp casting shadows on his features, making him looking more menacing than he actually is. Eric gulped, “You wanted to see us, Thierry?”

“Ah, yes, I see you got here earlier than expected.” Thierry got up from his chair and walked around to stand right in front of the trio. Up close, he looks no older than nineteen years old, with white blond hair and dark, dark eyes; he was actually a very handsome guy. “The reason that I want to see you before you do anything else is because I want you,” he indicated to Thea, “to host the next Circle Daybreak meeting.”

“Me? What about you?” Thea managed to say.

“Since only one Wildpower is yet to be discovered, I thought it would be best to focus my attention on finding that person. And you’re the most responsible person in the group, thus I have complete confidence that you would do well.” Thierry replied calmly.

“Wait a minute,” Blaise cut in suddenly, “You want Thea--alone--to organize a Circle Daybreak meeting that involves stacks of documents and people from all over the world? That’s impossible!”

“Quite the contrary, I did not plan for Thea to do this alone, you and Eric will be helping her.” Replied Thierry.

“We will?” came two simultaneous inquiries.

“Of course you will, you can be quite efficient when motivated, Blaise, so I believe that you will also be able to act accordingly for this. You can also enlist the help of any Circle Daybreak members that is already here. You can get Ash.” Thierry said with the faintest trace of laughter.

“Yeah, that’ll be a lot of help.” Blaise rolled her eyes.

“When will we start?” Eric asked.

“You will begin tomorrow, right after some of the other Daybreakers get back from their respective vacations. Here is a list of all things that must be completed this weekend.” Thierry handed them a thin binder.

“Great, all work and no play huh? Why did I leave the Convent then?” Blaise murmured, to no one in particular.

“I do believe that it’s past your bedtimes,” Thierry ignored Blaise’s silent remarks, which, to his acute vampire hearing, was clear as a bell, “Forgive me for the held up but you do need to rest if you are going to be working tomorrow.”

He went back to reading and signing documents and left the three to retreat to their rooms.

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“So Nilsson, do you know who’s coming tomorrow?” asked Eric as they ascended the grand staircase.

“I believe that Miss Poppy and Mr. James is coming back, and Mr. Phil is coming with them also. Mr. Quinn and Ash are here already and Miss Gillian and Mr. David will be arriving tomorrow evening.” Replied Nilsson.

“Who’s Phil?” Blaise suddenly got interested in the conversation.

“Poppy’s twin brother,” Eric replied as Thea shot a warning glance at Blaise, “He’s pretty protective over Poppy, I heard he offered to fight James and Ash one time.”

“That little pixie’s twin brother? What does he look like, an elf?” Smirked Blaise.

“No, actually he looks quite different from Poppy, from what I’ve heard. He’s supposed to be tall, blond and classically handsome.” Said Thea, “And he doesn’t like Nightworlders much, so he’s not the type for you, Blaise, don’t get any ideas!” she added hastily.

“I’ll be the judge of that.” Retorted Blaise, “Doesn’t like Nightworlders, huh? Well, this should be interesting…”

Any further comment from Thea was blocked by the thick wooden door, which Blaise promptly closed upon entering her room.

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And now, a sneak preview into the next chapter:

“Blaise, this is my brother, Phil. Phil, this is Blaise, she’s a witch.” Poppy introduced the two.

Phil reached out a hand and said to Blaise, “Nice to meet you, Blaise.”

“Hello… Phil.” Blaise said in her most seductive voice and clasped the hand.