⚠️Warning: Slight mentions of blood and death (mostly of an infant) mentioned in this chapter. If affected, please read with caution.⚠️

~~~~~

{•Lynette•}

Everyone watched as I wrote across the chalkboard we moved into the council room.

DREAM

I looked over at everyone.

"That's who we need to look for," I said.

"Dream?" Damiano asked. "Quite a peculiar name...."

"So it wasn't a command, more of a person being called for..." Emerson said. "How interesting..."

"This could also explain Dream's Tower..." Sebastian said, deep in thought. "It must have been planned to honor this Dream person."

"Yes, but Larisa tried contacting Queen Onyx about Samuel and our troops before she left," Emerson sighed. "Golgotha is shut down, like every other realm in order to protect from any possible Visigoth invasion.... No use contacting about questions regarding Dream's Tower."

"Could she be another one of Elvira's aliases?" Victoria asked. "Like E.B. or Elizabeth?"

"Its possible, your grace.... However, Elvira seemed to have kept the alias consistent, it was always E.B.W.," Leda added.

"Hold on..." Thomas said, looking through one of the files they had bought. "I had found something strange while looking through old records from one of Warhol's offices...."

We watched as we searched it, and then he stopped. "Here... A death certificate, along with a burial form, a child named Dream."

I stopped and looked over. "S-She's dead....?" I asked.

"The documents found about this are filled and official... I'm very sorry, duchessa....." Thomas said sadly.

Sebastian took it and read through it.

"Dream R. Nidabios.... Strange last name...." Sebastian added. "Nothing on her middle name..."

"Born on December 14th of 1807..." Remington read.

"The day of the fires," Ethan added. "That means she could be Elizabeth Winthrop's child."

"Yeah, but it says here that the baby died 5 days later...." I frowned. "It could also mean she's someone else's child...."

"Its debatable...." Ethan shrugged.

"Wait... Her last name...." Emerson said, standing up and walking to the board, picking up the chalk and writing under Dream's name.

"One thing Warhol's were always good at were mind games...." Emerson said. "Lucky for us, Alister taught me a few tricks before he went AWOL..."

He put the chalk down and moved aside, showing us what he wrote.

N I D A B I O S
=
O B S I D I A N

"An anagram for Obsidian," Remington said in surprise.

"That must mean its a false last name, created to hide the child's true identity," Victoria said.

"As well as being the key to whatever connects her to all of us," Leda said.

"What else do we know about this bambina?" Damiano asked. "What was her cause of death?" (Baby.)

"Uhhh, its stated that she was born with the umbilical cord tightly woven around her neck and part of her body, causing a severe break to her vertebra... She survived for only a short amount of time before her body just gave out....." Ethan explained sadly, looking at the report.

"My god," Emerson sighed quietly in dismay. "First the mother dies and then her baby....?"

"How awful..." I frowned, Remington holding my hand and comforting me.

"Where is she or Elizabeth buried?" Sebastian asked.

"I couldn't find on Elizabeth, or Eloise if you will, but...." Thomas flipped a page in the file, but then froze, looking up. "The child is buried in the Blackwell Cemetary...."

We all stopped and looked at each other. Sebastian, Remington and Emerson looked.... Disturbed...

"What?" Sebastian asked, confused.

"How would an unknown child be buried in our own cemetary?" Emerson asked. "How is that possible?"

"I-Is it hard getting buried in that cemetary?" I asked.

"Well, for someone to be buried in Blackwell Cemetary, since its our own land, the King and Queen would have to approve of a plot....With their own seal or someone who was authorized by their power to do so, like us..... Except...." Remington said.

"Mother and Father were buried 3 days after the fires...." Sebastian said.

"And either of us would definitely remember burying a dead newborn in our own graveyard, especially in a situation like that.... We never approved it..." Emerson said.

My eyes widen. "Who.... Who approved of the burial then?"

Victoria looked down at the form and looked up, his brows furrowed "Strange.... All three seals are on it.... Warhol's, Lieseil's, and Blackwell's are also on it...."

"Wait, what?" Sebastian asked.

"That.... That doesn't make any sense... Lieseil had disappeared during the fires.... Either one of them probably got a hold of the Blackwell seal to approve it," Remington said.

"Or maybe it was approved beforehand by Father?" Emerson asked. "He did always make sure everything was up to date and more...."

"But Father improving of an infant's grave? Before that child is even born?" Remington asked.

"Maybe this was one of those things he just couldn't tell us...." Emerson added. "He did always have his own private affairs when it came to Warhol or even Lieseil.... Most of which that he couldn't even tell Sebastian, let alone Mother... I mean, we didn't even know Eloise existed, and apparently she was around longer than us..."

"Something's off about this, we need to investigate that grave," Sebastian said.

"Let's go then," Remington said, standing up, but Emerson stopped him.

"Slow down, big brother," he said. "Need I remind you, everyone thinks your dead... If Lilith so much as catches word that you are back, lord knows what she'll be capable of doing to what's left of our empire."

"She's still fuming over Lynette's escape," Andrew added. "You, one of her kills, being revived? It's an atomic bomb waiting to happen."

Remington was about to protest before Sebastian stopped him.

"Its true. Besides, I got word that they're plotting something," Sebastian said. "Hopefully this blizzard delays things."

"Remington, he's right... Plus, without your fangs, you're powerless... You'd be too weak to fight," I said, consolingly.

"I can't just let them get away with what they've done to you, Lynette," he said sternly.

"We'll have our day for vengeance, brother," Sebastian assured. "Until then, you must recover your strength here, where you're safe.... Just until we cover our bases and have a plan..."

Remington grunted annoyingly.

"We cannot afford losing you again," Sebastian said sternly to him. "Especially Lynette....."

Remington looked up sadly at me, but then sighed with defeat. "Fine... But Lilith is my kill."

"If it helps... We can use a break from all the homework. We can investigate the grave for you, see what we can find out. That coroner friend can help if anything," Thomas added.

"Very well, but once the blizzard has slowed down, and you must be quick," Sebastian ordered.

Remington sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

I can tell how frusterating it is for him, and walked up to hold his hand.

"Come on... Let's get you to rest up some more," Lynette said to Remington. "Genevieve says you're half-human, so you're going to be really fatigued..."

He sighed and nodded. "Okay...."

Sebastian nodded and we walked out, my hand in his.

"I can see Sebastian is still a bit of a hardass," he scoffed with a laugh as we walked down the hall.

"A bit... Pretty sure that's just in his nature," I laughed softly, making him laugh as well.

I then pursed my lips and looked up at Remington. "He's kept his word to you...." I assured.

He stopped and furrowed his brows. "His word?"

"I know about the vow he made to you," I said. "Before you guys went to rescue me from the party."

He was a little confused, but then seemed to remember. "Oh..."

"He felt he failed you at first when they captured me after you were killed.... He was very protective and worried for me, especially once Emerson bought me back..." I explained.

He looked up shyly at me.

"I admit, the worry from everyone got to be overwhelming, I had.... I had even taken out my anger on him at some point," I admitted. "I still feel like shit because of it.... However, if he wasn't there looking out for me this entire time, I don't think I would have been able to pull through...."

Remington smiled happily as he pulled me into his arms.

"I'm glad he kept his vow...." He murmured.

"There is something else in your mind, however..." he said.

"It's just... What if Dream isn't dead?" I asked.

He frowned in confusion. "But, Lynette... You saw the autopsy report... She died a few days after she was born, the birth was too complicated for both mother and child..." he said. "Neither stood a chance..."

"I-I know, but... The voice in my head said that Dream was close... It could mean her grave, yeah, but what if it also meant that she was alive and in the area, maybe even evacuated to Wismont..."

"That means Dream could have survived and grown up.... However, she would have been found, right?" he asked.

"Unless you add the whole Sleeping Beauty scenario," I said. "Born as Princess Aurora, grew up as Briar Rose.... Eloise probably had some back up plan in case her parents came after her baby, in order to protect her...."

He pursed his lips in thought. "Hmm...I suppose it can't hurt to ask Lord Dominick to run some background checks over there.... See if any Obsidian woman taking refuge could fit the profile of who we're looking for...."

"If my theory's right, then Dream's father must have known something as well...." I said.

"Only problem is we have no idea who he is," Remington sighed. "Anyone who could know is either dead, missing, or trying to kill us..."

I sighed. "Yeah.... Let's hope we find something..."

"We'll get to the bottom of this, I'm sure of it.... Once we do, we'll end the Visigoths once and for all..." he assured, holding my shoulders.

I took a deep breath and he held me, and then I felt him look up.

"Lynette.... Who's that?" he whispered, looking over curiously.

I furrowed my brows and turn around, shocked by who I saw.

"Elvira..." I said.

She stood there, smiling curiously at us.

"What is she doing here...?" Remington asked, confused. "How is she here?"

"Wait... You... You can see her?" I asked him.

"I mean, yeah, she's just standing right there, in a red dress... Hard to miss," he said, motioning to her in confusion. "Wait... That's the dress you wore when...."

I looked back at her as he trailed off in shock.

She smiled very softly before motioning her hand to us.

"I think she wants us to follow her..." He said.

I gulped and nodded at him, before we proceeded to follow her as she floated down the hall.

We continued to follow her through the hallways, eventually finding ourselves on the other side of the manor.

"The West Wing..." I said, looking at him.

"Its supposed to be abandoned.... Right?" He asked, looking at me as we stopped.

"That what I've been told..." I said.

Elvira just turned and continued to encourage us to follow her.

"Let's see what she wants to show us..." I said, and continued on.

We then turned a few more halls and corridors before coming up another hall, a thick blanket of dust covering even the walls.

There were some doors before Elvira stopped in front of one, and then disappeared through the door.

"Okay... That was weird...." he mumured.

"You saw her, though... I thought it was just me hallucinating from... From losing you...." I frowned.

"I mean... I always did hear this place had its ghosts..... No different from Blackwell, but less disturbed..." Remington frowned.

I took a deep breath as Remington looked around the dark hall before noticing a small candle holder with a pillar candle, and then trying to make a flame in his hand.

He sighed as it didn't work.

I watched sadly as I held his hand, and then I reached into my skirt pocket and pulled out some matches.

"Here... Emerson had me start carrying them around because of the blizzard," I said, pulling one out.

I struck the match before lighting the candle, and then looking around before my eyes fell on a portrait by the door where Elvira disappeared into...

[Picture: portrait of "Girl With Lilacs" by British artist Albert Henry Collings (1869-1947);
representing the portrait in this scene & Eloise]

"The label just says Eloise, so this must definitely be her," Remington stated, reading the plaque underneath and then observing the portrait.

"Oh my god...." I said in shock as I stared at the portrait, realization hitting me.

"What?" He asked.

"That... That's her," I said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"The blonde woman from my dreams," I said. "I-Its the portrait of the noble woman I kept seeing....!"

His eyes widen as he looked over.

"S-So.... It was Eloise's portrait you dreamt of?" He asked.

"I-I guess so...." I said. "This must mean she really was your mother's lady in waiting...."

He furrowed his brows as he looked over at the door next to her portrait. He held the candle up to the door, examining it.

I furrowed my brows as I walked over and stared at the door.

"I see Warhol's seal on it, like any door here, but... Lieseil's seal is next to it also...." he asked.

"I mean, maybe he funded for her.... Didn't she also work for the Academy?" I asked.

"True...." he said as I looked at the doorknob and then reached for it.

I tried to turn the doorknob, but it wouldn't budge.

"Locked..." I frowned.

"Hang on..." Remington said, gently moving me aside.

He then flicked his finger and his claw came out.

"Let's see if I still got it," he said, and then tried to pick the lock.

It was only a few seconds before we hear a click, and he pulled his claw out before trying. Sure enough, the doorkmob turned.

I looked at him, impressed as he hid the claw.

"Picked up a few tricks when I was in Seattle," he shrugged.

I chuckled softly.

We walked in and see it was a bit similar to Warhol's offices back at Blackwell Castle.

Books liked across the wall on mahogany bookshelves. Filing cabinets. Boxes. A desk also nearby. A couch. Other antiques and trinkets here and there.

"This must have been her office away from work at the Academy or Blackwell Castle...." Remington said.

"Maybe we'll find something here..." I said, looking around.

I looked over and saw some papers on her desk, next to a vase full of dried flowers, an elegant quill pen laid on top.

"Its like this was left frozen in time after her death...." I said, picking up the quill.

He walked over and looked at the papers below.

"A nursery blueprint...." he frowned, seeing the schematics, then another paper. "Baby name ideas.... Recipies for homemade baby food.... There's even some boxes here labelled with baby items...."

He then noticed a leatherbound book, realizing it was an unused scrapbook.

On the cover, the name engraved in elegant cursive read DREAM.

"She was so excited to be a mother... She barely had the chance," I said sadly, feeling my heart ache as I flipped through the empty pages.

He frowned and held his arm around me.

"I'm sure they have found each other in the next life, Lynette...." he assured.

I sighed quietly, then decided to check some of the drawers.

"This never should have happened...."

I frowned as the voice in my head shook a little while speaking.

I then took a deep breath and turned to Remington.

"I have to find out what happened to Eloise's baby...." I decided.

"Lynette..." Remington spoke as I turned.

"I don't think Dream is dead.... Call it a gut feeling, but Elvira, or Eloise or whatever... She wouldn't have lead us here for nothing...." I said. "She wants us to find her, and that can lead us to saving everyone."

He pursed his lips and looked around.

"The answers are here..." I said. "I know it..."

He thought about it, then nodded.

"Then let's find her...." he said. "Let's get our answers..."

{•Larisa•}

Shy and I stood in front of the building under the streetlight, wearing the clothes of this realm's century that we bought with us (along with some shopping we did once we arrived earlier in the morning).

We waited until night time to be able to arrive.

SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
NORTH PRECINCT

"Ready?" Shy asked.

I nodded. "Let's do this," I said, and we headed towards the door.

We walked in, seeing it was only a few people. There was someone unconsious in the holding cell, most likely a drunk and disorderly picked up earlier.

"Good evening..... What can I do for you two lovely ladies?" the man at the counter greeted.

"Actually, officer...." I spoke, looking at Shy. "Its more what you can get for us...."

Shy then stepped up, her eyes red as she raised her hand to him as everyone curiously looked over.

"Look into my eyes...." she said in an altered voice, making him freeze as his pulis dialated completely.

Everyone also froze, pupils dialiating completely, and went slack.

We then walked behind the counter to the office room, Shy keeping her focus.

"Your evidence for the Trevor Collins murder case, early spring of your Earth year," Shy spoke, her eyes red as she held her hand up to him. "There should be a gold necklace within the items collected at one of the crime scenes.... Get it for us, please...."

He nodded and stood up, walking off as everyone stood still and we walked into the room.

"I always forget how your compulsion is very powerful," I said, impressed as always.

She smiled proudly as she kept her eyes on everyone else, not losing focus as they all sat there, completely still and oblivious.

It thankfully didn't take long before he came back, holding a plastic bag out, inside a gold chain and medallion with some dried blood stains on it.

I took it and examined it. It needed some serious cleaning because of the dried blood completely caked on it, most likely Lynette's, but it looked like how it was described.

"Excellent.... The ladies of the Blackwell Court and Royale Council of the Obsidian Empire thank you for your cooperation and services," Isaid, then pulled out the pouch of dried poppy powder from my jacket pocket, pouring some onto my gloved hand before standing by the nearby desk fan and turning it on. "Now, you'll all forget you ever saw us...."

I blew the powder in their direction, and it went all over the place, causing them to cough and wheeze before falling unconscious to the ground.

I then looked over at the cameras and their monitoring systems before waving my hand and making them explode and spark, the screens going black and the cameras around the room to also short fuse.

"Come on," I said and we hurried out of there and back to the hotel we were renting.

***

"Almost?" I asked as she finished scrubbing.

"Despite all this time, its not stained or anything... Very good quality gold, not even a knick despite its years and what it's been put through....." Shy said. "The clasp is destroyed, unfortunately. That bastard grabbed her too hard and ended up yanking it."

"Thank goodness the boys took care of him and his misogynistic friends," I scoffed as I paced around.

"Although out of consideration, the Earth Police could have had this cleaned," Shy sighed as she continued scrubbing with the cleaner. "I'm almost done, however. Let me just soak it and then wipe with this cloth......"

I walked over and peered over her shoulder curiously.

Once final wipe and we both froze at what was revealed on the medallion and its figure.

"Wait.... I-Is that......" I said.

"N-No...." Shy said. "How would she...?"

"Lynette was born in the Earth realm.... How could she have something with his embelm!?" I asked, confused and in shock as I paced a little.

"Unless there's something we don't know about her past.... Something she probably must not even know herself...." Shy said in shock.

"We need to hurry back to Obsidian. Sebastian needs to know about this," I said.

"I'll get us ready for transport," Shy said. "I'll have to make us some more transport powder, but we can leave tomorrow afternoon."

I nodded as she handed me the necklace, letting me store it in another pouch before I started to pack out things hurriedly.

What does this mean?!

~~~~~

🎨 by XOBillie❣

Sooooooooo-

I finished my class and passed, and I'm starting another that's only once a week, so things should be easier for the meantime to update and stuff.

The Stadium Tour show was AMAZING!! My friends and I had an amazing time, and it was just incredible to see Joan Jett and Mötley Crüe perform. Def Leppard and Poison were also fun to watch, even if I only knew a few songs, but they were also really good. 😁🤘🏻

I am currently somewhat deaf though, my voice is literally gone, my brain is still pulsing from the loud music and screaming, (not even exaggerating, I am now starting to understand why the Crüe always kept getting sued a lot because of their shows back then. Haha!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣😅😅).

Nonetheless, I had the time of my life, and I hope to see them performing on stage again in the future if possible. 🖤🤘🏻

On another note, hoping you are all enjoying the story so far! 🌻

Anyone has any theories so far?? Feel free to share! 🤔🤔

🎹Currently in Sapph's playlist:

Shannon Taylor
"Pushing Daisies"

♡~ sapphire.