The Second Premonition

by Tamara Geraeds

  “What?” I ask when he doesn’t continue.

  “The name of that tree. There’s bound to be more than one in the Shadow World after all.”

  I fight the urge to hide my head in my hands. I’m the master, I have to act confident.

  “Good thinking. Is there anyone you could ask?”

  He pushes his hat back onto his head. “Sure, I can do some enquiring.”

  “Great. Take Taylar with you. We’ll stay here and google.”

  They fade out and I dig up my phone. Vicky and D’Maeo are lost in their thoughts while I search for the tree on the internet. After a couple of minutes, I sigh deeply. “There’s nothing about a tree in the Shadow World.”

  The ghosts look up. Vicky pops up at my side and takes my phone. “This might help.” She opens the internet app again and pushes her hand onto the screen. It blinks a couple of times and beeps loudly.

  When Vicky hands me back the phone, a pentagram is pulsing on the screen. “What’s this?”

  She flashes me a grin. “I’ve tweaked your phone, so you can now access the magical web.”

  My eyes grow wide and I hit the pentagram so hard I almost knock the phone out of my hand.

  Vicky peers over my shoulder. “You’re now on the Pentaweb. It’s just like the internet, but it contains all known info on magical creatures and stuff. Info that has to be kept secret from humans.”

  “Awesome,” I whisper and I type in dark tree Shadow World.

  The results are different than the ones I got a couple of minutes ago.

  “Try that one,” Vicky points and I hit the link.

  Trees of the Shadow World

  I read it out loud.

  “The roots of four trees are linked together to form the barren wasteland known as the Shadow World. The trees represent Death, Famine, War and Conquest and are white, red, black and ashen colored. They keep the balance in this realm and cannot be destroyed. Fighting them may result in permanent damage to body or soul.”

  I look up. “So we didn’t destroy it?”

  D’Maeo strokes his gray beard. “Some creatures aren’t defeated when they seem to be.”

  “Like that head ice demon,” Vicky offers.

  “Exactly.” The old ghost gestures at my phone. “What does it say about the black tree?”

  I scroll through the page until I reach the picture of a familiar tree.

  “Here it is. The black tree depicts famine. People affected by it experience a lack of energy, which can’t be fixed with any type of earthly food. After long-term exposure, the subject’s life force will be slowly drained.” I scan the rest of the text and sigh. “This is definitely the tree we saw.”

  Jeep and Taylar pop up next to D’Maeo.

  “Did you find out anything?” I ask.

  Jeep pulls up his sleeves. “All trees in the Shadow World have roots in the Black Forest, in Colorado.”

  Taylar leans against the kitchen counter, his arms folded. “Told you.”

  I drop my phone. “Colorado? That’s like 850 miles from here!”

  He shrugs. “We’d better get going then.”

  Jeep holds up his hand. “We have to know which tree held Maël captive, though. Each part of the Black Forest is related to a different tree in the Shadow World.”

  “It’s the famine tree,” I say. “The black one.”

  Jeep hands me a map of the forest and points to the northern part. “I guess this is the place to go then.”

  I study the map. It’s divided into four parts. Each part has its own color. Black, white, red and gray. The colors of the trees. I stare at them until my vision becomes hazy. “It’ll take way too long to get there and come back again. We don’t know how much time Myah Pullus has left.”

  Jeep and Taylar drop into their chairs.

  Vicky leans over to me. “Well, what do you propose? We just abandon Maël?”

  That was what I was thinking, but now that she says it out loud, it sounds awful. “No, we can’t do that. She’s part of the Shield, she belongs with us.”

  Jeep puts his hat on the table. “So what we need is a way to travel faster.”

  I turn to Vicky. “Is there a spell for that?”

  “I’m sure there is, but I heard it’s dangerous. It demands a lot of your body.”

  D’Maeo clears his throat. “We should ask Qaddisin.”

  I shake my head. “I don’t know. He said he couldn’t interfere. Maybe we-“

  “Did someone call?” Quinn appears, in his human form. He spots the map in front of me. “Did you find the ents you need?”

  I fold the map. “We did, but they’re in Colorado. It will take us forever to get the blood.”

  He grins. “Don’t worry. I’ve got permission to help you. I can get you there and back before the end of the day.”

  “Really?”

  “Sure.”

  “Look at this,” Taylar says. He holds up my tablet. “Myah’s home.”

  I join the others around the white-haired boy.

  On the screen, the woman with the hair bun walks in. She takes off her jacket and sits down in front of the computer. We can read everything on the computer screen, but she’s typing so fast that it’s hard to follow.

  “What is she doing?” I ask.

  “It’s some sort of code,” Taylar says.

  Myah pushes some keys and her mail inbox pops up.

  Dear Mr. Derby, she types.

  We are working on your phishing case and found several break-ins into your system. To make sure all access to your personal data is blocked to outsiders, we need your bank account number (just the number, no PIN please) and card number. Please reply to this email instead of calling. Our servers are protected by the best anti-virus programs available, while phone calls can be tapped.

  Please make sure you delete your message from your outbox after sending it.

  Yours sincerely,

  Myah Pullus

  IT fraud department

  Idaho State Police

  I frown. “Looks like she’s attempting some fraud herself. Maybe one of her victims is coming to blow her up.”

  Jeep rubs his arms. “Wouldn’t that be a bit out of proportion, considering the crime?”

  “Not if she takes all your money.”

  “Wait.” He squints at the tablet. “What is she doing?”

  A bright light forms in her hands and she pushes it into the screen. Her lips are moving.

  I lean closer. “What is she saying?”

  Taylar turns up the volume, but everything stays quiet. “There’s no sound on these cameras.”

  Bright dots spread over the email. When they fade, Myah closes the message without sending it. Then she turns off the computer and walks out of view.

  We discuss every possible plan Myah could have.

  “She probably needs money. But why?” D’Maeo says.

  Nobody knows the answer and finally I turn to Taylar. “Can you keep that tablet safe, come with us and keep an eye on Myah?”

  “Sure.”

  “Good. Then I guess we’re ready to go to Colorado.”

  CHAPTER 24

  Quinn spreads his wings and motions for us to gather under them. The light pulsing from his skin is blinding. I can barely keep my eyes open.

  “Inhale deeply when my feathers touch you,” Quinn instructs. “And keep your eyes closed.”

  He folds his wings around us, covering us in white feathers. When he touches Vicky, his jaws snap shut. Now I’m positive there’s something about Vicky that bothers him. But there’s no time to think about it. Quinn’s feathers vibrate and I take a deep breath. I’m too curious to close my eyes. I want to see what happens.

  The feathers whirl around us like a tornado, but without sound. I feel them pull at my body. They wrap around my arms and legs and lift me off the ground.

  “Here we go,” Quinn says and suddenly I’m spinning through the ai
r.

  Light explodes everywhere. I squeeze my eyes shut, but it doesn’t help. My stomach is turned upside down and my skin itches. There’s a whistling in my ears.

  After several agonizing minutes, solid ground suddenly appears under my feet. The feathers release me and I scratch my arms and legs frantically.

  “Is everyone alright?”

  It’s Quinn’s voice, but I can’t see him. Actually, I can’t see anything. Except light. Lots of light.

  I push my eyes open with my fingers and turn my head in all directions. “Where did you take us? To Heaven?”

  “This is the Black Forest, Dante,” Jeep says from somewhere in front of me. “Look, there’s a trail map.”

  “Where? I can’t see anything!” My voice echoes through the air. A bird shrieks back at it.

  A hand on my shoulder makes me jump. “Did you keep your eyes open?”

  I try to rub the light out of my eyes. “Well, yes of course, it was my first angel ride!”

  He sighs. “Human eyes aren’t made to endure the heavenly lights, Dante.”

  I reach out in all directions until I find a tree to lean against. “Please tell me I’m not blind.”

  “You will be for a while.”

  “Crap.”

  Cold breath hits my neck and I turn around. “Who’s that?”

  “It’s just me, Dante,” Vicky says. “I’ll lead you through the forest.”

  Jeep’s voice is still in front of me. “We’re close to the part where the black ents live. I’ll take the lead.”

  “Thank you, Jeep,” I mumble.

  “No problem, master. We were all young and stupid once. We understand.” He chuckles.

  “Speak for yourself, old man,” Vicky retorts, and I swallow my comment.

  “Okay, most of us.”

  “I’ll walk behind you,” Quinn says when Vicky pulls me along.

  “Duck,” she says and I do, but still bump my head.

  “How do we know we’ve reached the black part of the forest?” I ask after about a minute of stumbling along.

  Vicky stops me by placing a hand on my chest. “I think the question should be, what do we say when we reach it?”

  “Why? Are we there?”

  There’s a rustling above my head and something tickles my leg. I pull my foot away from it, but the feeling doesn’t stop. It spreads to my neck, like claws waiting to cut off my breath.

  “What’s happening?” I whisper.

  I feel Vicky move closer to me, but the feeling of something descending on me doesn’t subside.

  “The trees are closing in on us,” she whispers back. “I don’t think we’re welcome here.”

  I do a quarter turn and feel around for Quinn. My hand touches a branch with sharp edges and I pull it back. “Quinn? Are you still there?”

  “Of course.” He sounds confident.

  “Can you speak for us? It’s a bit hard for me to address someone right now.”

  “No problem.”

  “Get off him!” Vicky suddenly screams, and she pulls me closer, swatting at my shirt.

  Something pulls at my arm and I yell when it pierces my skin. There’s movement all around me and howling in my ears.

  D’Maeo’s panicked voice calls out, “Draw your weapons!”

  I try to reach for my athame, but Vicky is still pulling my free arm.

  “Vicky,” I whisper, “move aside for a moment.”

  As soon as she lets go, I conjure a lightning bolt in my hand. I don’t shoot it, but balance it in my palm. I raise my arm and the claws let go of me. “Dear ents,” I begin. “We come in peace. Our friend got hurt and we need your help to heal her. Give us what we want and we will leave you alone.”

  The ground starts to tremble. I try to keep my head high and the bolt in my hand blazing brightly, but Vicky’s gasp distracts me and I feel my power fading.

  I squint in hopes of getting my vision back, but everything remains as bright as snow in the sunlight. I tilt my head toward Vicky. “What is it? What do you see?”

  “They’re making a path, to let a giant tree pass.” She gulps. “The thing looks horrible. Flakes of ash circle around it. Sharp branches grow from its neck and its mouth is covered in roots. Its arms are like… like…”

  The ground shakes again and she grabs my arm. I can’t imagine how scary this ent must be to make even Vicky tremble like this.

  Crunching footsteps approach and I feel my lightning bolt flicker.

  I send all my energy to my hand and shout, “Hold it right there! We just…”

  A howl pierces the air and I turn my head so quickly it cracks. I reach for Vicky’s hand and squeeze hard. “Was that what I think it was?”

  From all the rustling around me, I gather that the ents are turning toward the noise, too.

  “You brought company,” the leader bellows. “You wish to take our land.”

  “We don’t wish for anything like that,” I say, raising the bolt in my hand.

  “Then why did you bring demons?” it growls.

  “We didn’t. They’re trying to kill us.”

  “Maybe we should help them,” another creaky voice says.

  Vicky lets go of me and cracks her knuckles.

  My lightning bolt flares up.

  “Be careful with that,” Quinn whispers. “You could hurt the ents.”

  I’m about to give him a snide remark when all hell breaks loose.

  Howls and chattering teeth come from all around us, answered by battle cries from my Shield and a lot of creaking and rustling from the ents.

  “Demon at nine o’clock!” Vicky shouts.

  Immediately, I turn to my left and shoot the bolt. A ball of burning, foul smelling paws and teeth knocks me over.

  With one swift move, I take out my athame and plant it in the middle of the noisy creature. It gives a pained shriek and stops moving.

  “I’ve got your back,” a voice behind me says.

  “Taylar,” I say, wiping some filthy, hot goo off myself. “Is everyone okay?”

  “Looks like…” He grunts. “Six o’clock!”

  I stab without thinking and my athame connects with something solid that writhes to get closer to me.

  “Duck,” Taylar says. There’s a soft whoosh and the weight on my dagger is lifted. A thump confirms the defeat of another monster.

  “How many more?” I ask, moving my head from side to side.

  Vicky’s hand brushes against mine. “Just two, but the ents have them.”

  I hear hissing and loud breathing. Something slams onto the ground so hard it moves.

  “I didn’t know demons had brains,” Taylar says.

  “This one doesn’t anymore,” Jeep answers with a chuckle.

  Something hot burns my neck and I dive forward.

  Taylar lets out a surprised yell, while swords whip through the air.

  I’m confident that someone got the demon that jumped me, so I get up.

  “Watch out!”

  I duck again. A splash of boiling tar hits my face and I scream. I lift my shirt to wipe it off.

  Behind me, branches break and an old voice moans.

  Before I can even think about what I’m doing, I jump up and head straight for the sound.

  The heat of the demon’s skin is tangible, but it’s still hard to aim. Before I leap at it, I tear my shirt off and throw it forward.

  “Cover yourself,” I yell to the ent that must be lying on the ground.

  I hit the demon in the side full force. We tumble onto the grass and I stab it over and over. The pitch burns my hands, but I pay no attention to it. I keep stabbing, high, low, left and right, until the body under me disappears.

  I cough as the demon smoke hits my nostrils.

  A sharp claw touches my shoulder and my breath catches in my throat. I raise my athame.

  “Thank you,” a tired voice croaks.

  My arm fa
lls to my side. “You’re welcome. Are you okay?”

  “I will be.” I hear the grateful smile in its tone.

  I feel the Shield appearing at my side. They help me and the ent up.

  “We are grateful for your help,” the leader says, coming closer. “But we still want to know why you came here.”

  I grit my teeth as pain shoots through my burnt hands.

  The ent I saved gently places some leaves on them and rubs until the burning sensation goes away. Then he wraps what remains of my shirt around my shoulders.

  “Thank you,” I whisper. Then I turn to where I think the leader is standing. “We just need some ent blood. We’re not here to hurt you or steal from you.”

  A grinding growl is the only answer I get. Even though I can’t see it, I feel a shadow looming over me. Another growl, this time closer, and a putrid smell of decay fills my nostrils. I try not to flinch. Is he still mad at us for coming here? Does he still think we brought those demons here?

  “Quinn?” I say softly. “A little help here?”

  There’s a loud whoosh and I can almost see Quinn unfolding his giant wings. His low voice vibrates through the air. “Listen to him. He is the chosen one. He alone can save us all.”

  “Catchy,” I mumble under my breath.

  Vicky pinches me in the side. “Sshh. Have a little faith.”

  I feel the darkness slowly retreating.

  “Why did you come to us?” a gnawing voice says. “Why do you need our blood?”

  I take a small step forward. “It is said that the ents in the Black Forest are related to the trees in the Shadow World.” I remember the exchange of gratitude between me and the old ent just now. I felt its respect for me as it pressed the leaves onto my hands. Respect is what I should give back. “These ents the stories talk about are magnificent beings that hold the power over life and death of those who have fought in the Shadow World.”

  Low grunts of approval rise up from all around me. I hear the trees move closer, but the dark feeling doesn’t return.

  “You speak the truth,” the giant tree says.

  I clear my throat, buying some time to think about my next words.