Luthier's Apprentice, The (16 page)

“Sonia inherits Niccolò’s legacy and somehow finds a way not only to stop time but also to make herself—what, forty, fifty years younger? At the same time, she must carry on what Niccolò left off. She must go on with these ‘ceremonies,’ whatever they entail. Except this time she wants to take it further, she wants to add her own twist to the soup. She wants to destroy all
men
violinists because of what they did to her. She wants to create her own world—or change the world—on her own terms… a world with only women violinists. Monsieur Dupriez must have figured it out. That’s why he wrote all those notes.”

“Yeah. But it was already too late for him.” She sighed. “How do you think the violinists vanished?”

“I’m pretty sure Sonia opened a portal in their homes. That’s what must have caused the burn marks on Monsieur Dupriez’s study floor.”

They remained silent for a moment. The cold was beginning to penetrate Emma’s bones. The heavy shackles hurt her wrists and ankles.

“Tonight, at midnight, something will happen,” Corey said, “and whatever it is, that’s what’s keeping the pact alive.”

“Midnight... the witching hour...” Emma murmured. “I’ve heard so much about it, but what does it mean exactly?”

“The witching hour has a special significance, especially on Halloween night. For the ancient Celts, it was the time of the year dividing the summer season from the winter, the old year from the new one. Some people believe that during this time the boundaries between the living and the dead are very thin and that spirits come back to earth to roam the streets—”

“Okay, okay, you don’t have to get into details.”

“Hey, you asked.”

Something came to Emma’s mind suddenly. “We’re forgetting something.”

“What?”

“Remember Monsieur Dupriez’s notes? He said many modern violinists—
women
violinists—were imitating the older male violinists, those who had vanished. What does that mean?”

Corey looked thoughtful. “I’d forgotten that little detail.”

“I thought you said that, to a great mind, nothing is little,” Emma scoffed in a posh British accent.

“Very funny.” Then he said, “To add to this, there’s your psychic power—another part of the puzzle. And there’s something else, too.”

“I’m afraid to ask,” Emma said.

“Have you thought what would happen if the ceremony doesn’t take place as it should?”

“The pact would be broken?”

“I don’t know much about witchcraft, but I’ll tell you one thing—you don’t mess with the devil!”

S
ONIA IVANOV HEADED TO LILI’S BEDROOM.
Two of her soldiers followed close behind, with Niccolò trailing in their wake. She loved the way the soldiers looked, though why so few had been created was a mystery. In her mind, as she had made her wish to the Master, she had envisioned a big army. Was she losing her touch? Was her power diminishing? The thought was troubling.

When she neared the chamber’s door, she found Lili in bed and Elizabeth sitting by her side. They were whispering, deep in conversation. When they saw Sonia, they stopped talking.

A magnificent fireplace roared at the end of the room across from the canopy bed. Was it Sonia’s imagination, or was there a livelier, pinkish hue to Lili’s cheeks? She certainly hoped not. She had come to make sure Lili was at her weakest.

Nothing must go wrong tonight.

Too bad Sonia couldn’t hurt Lili in any other way. She would have killed her a long time ago if she could have. And Elizabeth… well, Elizabeth was harmless. An ornament only, a useless pawn in a game of chess. Seeing them together made her laugh. The twins were hilarious to watch. Lili looked—and
was
—ten years younger than Elizabeth.

Sonia swept into the chamber with the flair of a queen. “Well...Greetings, Elizabeth! Please, do not let me interrupt your little chat.” She loved evoking fear in people. That was one of her vices. But of course, nothing came close to evoking fear in
men
. That was the best feeling.

Niccolò kept his distance and lingered by the doorway.

When Elizabeth and Lili saw the soldiers, they gasped in horror.

“What is the matter?” Sonia asked innocently. “You do not like my new additions to the family? I think they are adorable. Niccolò, why do you stay so far away? Come over here next to me.” She loved making him feel inferior. She did not like the look of silent rebellion on his face. She wished she could read his thoughts. Maybe, as her powers increased, she would acquire this skill, too, like a vampire.

As Niccolò approached, Sonia saw him glancing at Lili with an odd expression on his face. She was well aware of Niccolò’s weakness for the sick woman. Most amusing.

Elizabeth lifted her chin. “What do you want, Sonia?”

“Do I need a reason to say hello to my two favorite girls?”

“Ha!” Lili said weakly, her head propped against the pillows, her long dark hair spilled over them.

Sonia’s eyes narrowed. “I have to say, Lili, your cheeks are looking mighty rosy this evening.”

“She’s dying,” Elizabeth hissed, rising from the chair. “Can’t you leave her in peace?”

“Believe me, nothing will make me happier than her death,” Sonia drawled. “As you know, it’s Halloween night. The ceremony will take place as usual. This time, however, I want you to watch. I have a surprise for both of you.”

“A surprise?” Lili mumbled.

“A surprise you will both enjoy.”

“We don’t want any surprises,” Elizabeth said coldly. “Don’t you see my sister’s condition? She can hardly move. She won’t be able to walk.”

“That is not a problem.” She gestured to Niccolò. “My servant here will carry her to the grand hall.”

Niccolò’s face was impassive.

“We don’t want to see those poor violinists die,” Elizabeth said. “Is that the surprise? Witnessing their death?”

“No, no,” Sonia said sweetly, as if persuading a reluctant child. “The surprise is something else, something you will surely love. Do not fight it. It is not as if you have a choice. I want you both to wear costumes for the occasion. Niccolò, you too. Your black jacket is looking a little musty. You will look great as the Phantom of the Opera. With that face, you will not need any makeup.” She chuckled at her own joke. “Bring the costumes and let the ladies choose. Be ready in an hour, ladies.”

“Will the soldiers be wearing costumes, too?” Niccolò asked sarcastically.

“I shall pretend I did not hear that,” Sonia replied. “As soon as you have changed that distasteful jacket, bring the violinists to the grand hall.” She clapped her hands. “We are going to have fun tonight! There will be treats for everyone.”

A
S SOON AS SONIA AND THE
soldiers left the room, Elizabeth and Lili looked uneasily at one another.

“I’ll bring the costumes,” Niccolò said, turning to the door.

“Wait. Are we going ahead with her request?” Elizabeth asked. “Costumes? This is madness.”

Lili sat upright on the bed. She was looking stronger and healthier by the second. “We better do as she wishes, for now. That’s our only chance to stay close to her and keep her in the dark about our intentions. Emma might be here and—”

“Emma
is
here,” Niccolò said.

“I knew it!” Lili wasn’t able to contain her excitement. “That’s the reason I feel so much better.”

“You’ve seen her?” Elizabeth asked.

“I was just with them,” Niccolò said.

“
Them
?”

Niccolò’s features twisted into an ironic expression. “There’s
un ragazzo
with Emma... none other than Sonia’s grandson himself.”

“You must be joking,” Lili said. “Are you positive?”

“You often get to be correct at my age, Lili.”

“Is Emma all right?” Elizabeth asked.

“They’re both fine. They’re in the grand hall.”

“What is Emma doing with Sonia’s grandson?” Elizabeth wondered. “I didn’t know they knew each other. I didn’t even know Sonia had a grandson.”

Lili seemed thoughtful. “I knew she had a daughter. Sonia’s mentioned her at times. She’s also mentioned her son-in-law. She absolutely despised him. Sonia blamed him for ‘stealing’ her daughter away. But a grandson... I don’t remember her mentioning him. But then, it’s not as if she came here to chat and confide in me.”

Elizabeth covered her face with her hands. “This is getting out of control.” She sobbed. “I’m afraid for Emma. I don’t want her to get hurt.”

Lili rose from the bed and embraced her sister. “Shhh. Don’t worry. Remember Sonia cannot hurt her, not really.”

“There are more ways to hurt a person than physically,” Elizabeth said, drawing away from Lili’s arms. “She’s too young to witness the ceremony. Surely Sonia wouldn’t let Emma watch such a thing.” She stared imploringly at Niccolò.

“Oh, she’s very much capable of that… and more,” Niccolò said.

“Somehow Emma and Sonia’s grandson must have found the portal,” Lili said. “I wonder where Father is. We saw the airplane, so we know he went to the forest. But is he aware that Emma’s here? Has he gone back home? Where is he?”

“If we’re going ahead with our plans, then let me get the costumes,” Niccolò said. “Lili is right. The more we go along with Sonia for now, the better.”

“I want to see Emma,” Elizabeth said.

Lili stopped her. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Not right now. We want Sonia happy and trusting for the moment. Let’s keep her guard down.”

“I hope you’re right,” Elizabeth said.

“I wonder what Sonia’s grandson is doing here,” Lili said.

“He accused Sonia of killing his father.
Il ragazzo
is here to avenge his death,” Niccolò said.

“Is that the truth?” Lili asked.

“I’m afraid so,” Niccolò said. “I’d better get the costumes. I’ll be back soon.”

A long moment after Niccolò left the chamber, Elizabeth and Lili heard a whisper coming from the door.

“What was that?” Elizabeth asked.

A shadow appeared in the doorway. “Mrs. Braun… is that you?” asked a tremulous voice.

Lili and Elizabeth rushed to the door.

Elizabeth gasped, bringing a hand to her mouth. “Dear Mother of God... you’re here, too?”

At the threshold stood Emma’s friend Annika, her blue eyes wide with fear.

“Come inside, quickly!” With one hand, Elizabeth pulled her into the chamber.

“I thought it was you,” Annika said. “I recognized your voice.”

“Are you all right?” Elizabeth asked, smoothing the red curls away from the girl’s forehead.

“I’m okay.”

Elizabeth introduced them. “This is Annika, Emma’s best friend. Annika, this is my sister Lili.”

“Nice to meet you, Miss Lili.”

“You poor child,” Lili said. “You’re shivering.”

“I’ve been hiding for hours. I’m so glad I found you.”

Elizabeth took Annika into her arms and comforted her. Then, withdrawing a little, she said, “Tell us what happened. How did you get here? Were you with Emma?”

“Here, child,” Lili said. She had filled a glass with water from the night table and now offered it to Annika.

Annika drank the whole glass in one gulp. “Thanks,” she mumbled, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

Without going into too much detail, Annika explained everything that had happened to her since she’d found the portal with Emma and Corey.

“How were you able to get into the attic in the first place?” Elizabeth asked. “My father keeps it locked.”

“Emma made the door open,” Annika said. “She started hitting and kicking the door and all of a sudden the door just opened...by itself.”

Elizabeth and Lili exchanged a knowing look.

Annika turned to Elizabeth. “Emma was going to tell you…”

“Tell me?”

“It all started two weeks ago. Things have been happening to her, strange things. I know it sounds crazy, but she has psychic powers. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”

“Do you need any more proof?” Lili asked Elizabeth.

“I guess not,” Elizabeth said. Then to Annika, “Emma and Corey are here. They must have come after you.”

“Where?”

“In another chamber.” She studied Annika in a strange way. When she spoke again, her voice was infused with excitement. “Lili... Annika is about the same height and weight as us.”

Lili’s eyes lit up. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“I hope so.” Elizabeth nodded slowly. “But her red hair is a problem.”

“Not if we cover it,” Lili said, touching Annika’s hair.

“Um...what’s going on?” Annika asked, taking a step back.

“You have nothing to fear,” Elizabeth said, putting her arm around Annika’s shoulders. “We’ll explain everything. Emma and Corey are being kept prisoners. Something terrible is going to happen tonight. With your help, we might be able to stop it.”