Solstice - The Goddess Awakens

Alex Stein savoured the rays of warm sun on his exposed flesh. Despite the fact that he was fair-haired he always tanned. Admiring his well-toned torso, he leaned over the balcony, soaking up the scenery. He had a lot on his mind today. There was much to do and he was in charge. The thought made his empty stomach churn. His father had travelled back home to America to visit his brethren at Bohemian Grove. Alex had been there numerous times before, but wasn’t that impressed by its pageantry.

Each year the ‘Club’ hosted a two-week camp, attracting global heads of state, prominent businessmen, former presidents and other such esteemed guests. Alex understood that the majority of those people had no real understanding of the true purpose of such gatherings. All the ceremonies were merely an elaborate display. The Cremation of Care Ceremony, which mimicked human sacrifice, was understood to be symbolic by the majority of participants. But there were those amongst them that practised and preferred the real thing. His father was one of those people – as was he.

While Alex scoffed at their ignorance, Carl Stein often told his son it provided the perfect cover to meet the other members of the Club in order to discuss their global agenda. Scanning the distant shoreline, Alex located the solitary outline of Mussenden Temple, perched on the cliff’s edge one hundred and twenty feet above the sea. The temple had been built in the eighteenth century as a personal library for the Bishop of Derry. Architecturally, it was modelled on the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Italy. That’s what had drawn him and his father to it. Even from this distance Alex could see the tiny dots that were tourists milling around the exterior, observing the breathtaking views of the rugged Irish coast.

It amused him that they were so oblivious to what really took place at Mussenden. How blind they were to the dark energy that radiated from the place. He had been there many times with his father and other members of their exclusive coven and soon the burden of responsibility would lie on his shoulders. This was his first real test and already he was beginning to feel weary of the Club’s – and his father’s – expectations. This was his destiny. There was no alternative for him. Alex understood that his only option was to step up to the plate, as his father and countless generations of his family had done before him.

The beach was almost empty now, except for one lone figure that seemed to be looking up towards him. The house had been specifically designed to blend perfectly with its surroundings, depending on the movement of light. Its design was quite an achievement and had taken Alex months to perfect. Judging by the look on the girl’s face, she hadn’t noticed the house before that moment. Alex returned the slim brunette’s stare but his sport was soon interrupted by the telephone ringing inside – it wasn’t safe to use his mobile. Returning to the house, he was relieved when he lifted the receiver and heard the familiar voice at the other end.

‘Alex?’ the smooth, deep voice enquired.

‘Yes, it’s me. Is everything in place for tonight?’ Despite his best efforts at restraint, the urgency and angst in his voice was clearly evident to the caller.

‘Yes, everything is in place. You have nothing to worry about. Once the job is completed I will contact you on this line. If all goes to plan – which it will,’ added the man assuredly, ‘you can expect my call around 1.30am.’

‘It had better go to plan,’ warned Alex, a hint of menace in his voice. This was met by a peal of laughter.

‘I see your father has taught you well, young man. You can be assured this will go to plan. I have waited a long time for this opportunity and will enjoy every second of it.’

Alex hung up the phone, a sudden wave of nausea sweeping over him. Tonight was his biggest test. He did not want to disappoint his father. He couldn’t bear to think of the consequences if he did. One last time he put himself over the plan. The party was organised and the appropriate candidate selected. There was no doubt that she would be there, willing to please him in whatever way she could, like all of the women he met. Although his father had not said it, Alex understood that this was his real initiation into the Club.