Chapter 18 Freeing the Lost Ones

An excerpt from The Violet Series Book 1: The Water Nymph’s Tale.

Bonnie and Clyde stepped into their office and sat down facing each other.

“Well, those negotiations went well.”

Clyde smiled. “They certainly did. I know Violet will be happy to find out she’s guaranteed passage anywhere in the solar system.”

Bonnie nodded and smiled. “And what about us? When are we going to tour the solar system?”

“I don’t know.”

“We can bring the tablet computers along so we can still run the business while we’re away from the office.”

“I like the way you think.”

“I know.” She checked the desk computer. “So, we let the crew of Snowstorm do their thing and then we will be able to start announcing the new service.”

“Yep. Everything looks good so far. I’ve already put out notices that we are looking for more ships. And…” He swiped her fingers over the top of the desk. “And we have some responses so far. I’ll send these interested parties over to Snowstorm and let them take it from there.”

“Good. I’m getting hungry. What do you say, we break to eat?”

“Sounds good to me. And afterwards?”

“Afterwards… yes, of course whatever you want.”

*********************

Violet looked at the water nymphs. Next, she looked at Antoni. Finally she looked at the vampires. She even surveyed the castle. She asked, “Hey, would it hurt any water nymphs if Antoni and I used the torches to burn this place?”

Antoni’s eyes darted all over, but kept wandering back to Violet.

“No, it wouldn’t. We would just leave the castle as soon as possible and the vampires would die.”

“Let’s do it, Antoni.”

“I’m with you, Violet,” Antoni said.

“We’ll keep the vampires distracted.”

The water nymphs surrounding Violet and Antoni released their arms and ran towards the vampires. Violet and Antoni ran for the nearest torches and proceeded to set every flammable item in sight on fire. Chairs, couches, drapes, end tables, and coffee tables were soon burning.

The vampires screamed at the water nymphs. The water nymphs hissed and screamed back. The vampires bared their fangs. The water nymphs shot water at the vampires. No one wanted to sing on this night.

Violet and Antoni ran up the stairs to stay ahead of the fire and to keep the fire between them and the vampires. They torched more drapes and tapestries as they climbed the stairs. Smoke followed them and they coughed.

The water nymphs kept the vampires from leaving the castle via any doors or windows on the first floor and they also blocked the stairs. Smoke filled the castle and bellowed out of the windows. The water nymphs were as thorough as they could be to prevent the vampires from escaping. Soon the smoke and fire was so bad that the water nymphs jumped out of the windows. They turned back into water before they reached the river.

The smoke got so bad that Violet and Antoni had nowhere else to run. They stopped at the top of the stairs near an open window. They threw their torches down the stairs.

“Now what?” asked Antoni.

“We may have to jump.”

“I can’t swim.”

“Oh, no, but the water nymphs and my grandfather are down there in the water.”

Antoni looked at Violet. He looked down at the river and bit his lip.

“Herbert, Violet and Antoni need help!”

Herbert listened to the water nymphs and swam closer to the castle to find his granddaughter and her friend. He saw them standing at the open window. He extended himself over to the window. “Well, hurry up! Get on my back before you both die from smoke or fire or both.”

“What?”

“It’s my grandfather. Let’s go.” She grabbed Antoni’s arm and pulled him out onto the water dragon’s back.

Herbert swam back following the mass exodus of the water nymphs back to their home. The water dragon let Violet and Antoni walk down his tail to the beach.

“You two will be safe here. The rest of us will be in the water. If you need us, just send me a message, Violet.”

“Okay.”

Antoni pulled out his communicator. “Damn! The Snowstorm crew contacted me.”

“Then call them back.”

“Okay.” He contacted the ship.

Galley Master Douglas answered. “Well, Mr. Winchester, it’s good to hear from you, even if it’s several hours later.”

“Sorry about that. I was caught up with a serious problem.”

“No need to explain. We know you were in the castle and we learned what Herbert Mineur said about the place. Those were scary facts. Are you alright?”

“Yeah. I’m okay now.”

“And how is Ms. Mineur?”

“She’s—”

“I’m glad we’re all okay now.”

“Oh, it’s on the news…”

“What?” both Antoni and Violet asked.

“The castle is on fire. What did you two do?”

“Long story, but things will be better. I’m sure Herbert Mineur will issue a report shortly,” said Violet.

“Herbert Mineur is dead.”

“Actually, my grandfather is alive and well, but he’s not human anymore.”

“Oh?”

“And everything in his official reports is true. If you could see me, I think you’d know that.”

“Okay. I guess if I were no longer human, I wouldn’t want other people to know.” He paused. “Mr. Winchester, we have agreed to work for Ms. Mineur’s uncle to provide transportation around the solar system. Will you be joining the crew permanently?”

“Well, I don’t know…”

“We also will be giving Ms. Mineur, her uncle and his business partner rides.”

“Oh?”

“Sounds good to me. I’d love to see the rest of the solar system,” chimed in Violet.

“Okay, I’ll take the job.”

“Wonderful. I’ll let the captain know. Please report when we’re ready to leave. We’re currently plotting the course we will take next.”

Violet smiled.