B00JX4CVBU EBOK by Peter Joison Page A

‘The world dear. I said … the imminent end of the world.’
    *
    Ember had no idea what was going on with Mother Torhild but Celeste seemed to be trying to calm her down. She had ushered Aunt Sigrid and Mother Torhild into the Great Hall but asked everyone else, except Chloe, to stay out.
    Celeste spoke to the others in the hall. ‘It’s just all together we make quite a crowd. I don’t know what’s got into Mother Torhild but I don’t want to freak her out any more than she is already. I’ll get to the bottom of what’s going on and get back to you…’
    ‘Brooke and I will go and check on Aunt Lani,’ said Skye.
    Celeste smiled gratefully. ‘That would be great.’
    ‘What about us?’ said Ember.
    ‘Maybe Ember should take Turner home … for some fresh clothes, or whatever. Get him away from Mother Torhild?’ asked Brooke.
    Celeste nodded. ‘Not a bad idea really. Give us an hour or two here, to chat with Mother Torhild and Aunt Sigrid.’
    ‘OK,’ said Ember. ‘We can do that can’t we, Turner? Want to invite me back to your house for coffee?’
    Ember was pleased when a slight blush tinged his cheeks. 

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FIVE
     
    T URNER FOLLOWED E MBER out the front door. A two-car garage sat to the right of the main house. The sliding doors rose to reveal another Land Rover, older than the one in front of the house, and a low, sleek, modern car.
    ‘We’ll take the Jag,’ said Ember. ‘Celeste says the Jag shouldn’t be used unless it’s a special occasion. What’s more special than taking our very own Ring for a drive huh?’
    ‘Wow. This is a Jag? It’s very James Bond.’ The car was a sleek, silver four door.
    ‘A Jaguar XF to be exact. Aunt Lani bought it for us when we became the Wickerwell Vordene. See the emblem?’ A growling large cat’s head adorned a circular silver badge. Ember’s smile was lopsided. ‘I always hoped our Ring would look like that. I was hoping for a spirit Jaguar. How cool would that be?’
    ‘Very.’ Turner tapped a front tyre of the car with his foot. ‘Sorry to let you down.’
    Ember’s eyes searched Turner’s face. ‘You haven’t. I don’t feel let down at all.’ She looked as if she was about to say something else, but changed her mind. ‘Let’s get going huh?’
    Within a minute they were out on the main road to Wilby. Turner was impressed with the inside of the car as well, with its wood trim on the dashboard and centre console, and its lush leather seats. Turner wiggled his shoulders comfortably. It certainly shamed his Toyota Yaris.
    ‘Oops, forgot to put on my fell. It’s a rule we have to stick to.’
    ‘Hang on,’ said Turner. ‘You don’t have to be the old lady, do you? I’d rather not be seen driving around town with her.’
    ‘Of course not. I’m not in the Land Rover so this time I can be whatever you want.’ She turned and said in a mock suggestive voice, ‘Who would you like me to be, Turner?’
    ‘Well, you of course …’ Turner loved the grin these words put on Ember’s face. ‘But if it can’t be you, how about another young woman?’
    ‘Hmm. How’s this?’
    Turner could sense she had put it on and blinked. She looked like a short-haired business woman, with square-rimmed glasses, a tight woollen business dress and even a colourful thin scarf.
    ‘I’m upwardly mobile,’ said Ember.
    It certainly wasn’t what he was expecting. ‘Uh. I guess it will do.’ He was kind of glad he could now tune out her fell at will.
    ‘Hey, I’ve got a question.’
    ‘Yes?’
    ‘Mother Torhild. Who is she? What was going on back there?’
    ‘I don’t really know what got into her. I guess Celeste will find out and fill us in when we get back. As to who she is … Well, I guess if the British Isles have a queen of the Vordene, she’s it. She’s actually the oldest surviving member of the High Vordene. Aunt Sigrid is one of the current High Vordene, and Mother Torhild is really her mother, or her