“He disappeared?” she asked, confused.
“He fell. Just like the Fallen before him and the Watchers after. He fell in love with a mortal woman.” Mariana’s voice dipped down to a breathy tone.
Mariana may have been scary, but she could tell a good story.
“Unfortunately, the woman he loved, did not love him back. It is said that he was tormented by her refusal, driving him to evil and destruction. It is said that he sunk Atlantis.” Mariana let the last word hang in the air, watching her intently, waiting for a response.
“Atlantis?” She was trying not to sound disbelieving. She was interested, but not convinced. The Elder could not have been speaking of the same Toqeph in her dreams.
The Elder let a smile slowly stretch her thin lips. “Yes.”
Fawna waited for her to say something else. Nothing. “My dream…” She had to break what was becoming an uncomfortable silence. “I’m dreaming about a legend? A fairy tale?”
Mariana gave Sabine a knowing look, both women suddenly looking somber.
There was something she wasn’t being told. Something big. She could see it in their faces and most of all she could see the repression in their energies. They were both holding something back.
Mariana broke the silence. “I’d like to see you tonight. I’d like to hear more about Toqeph.”
“Yes, I’ll make sure she gets here tonight,” Sabine replied quickly. Her mother wasn’t going to let her say no. “Thank you for your time, ‘igh Priestess.”
She groaned as her mother escorted her out, and they drove back to their beachside cottage home. More time with the Elder; she couldn’t ask for a better way to spend a Friday night.
Chapter Eight
January 19th, Bimini Island
Early evening
Fawna rode back into town by herself. Her parents had left a few hours earlier to work. Being guardians on the island, as noble as that was, it didn’t pay the bills. She had promised Sabine she would see Mariana on her own. She could have flaked, but she really didn’t want to deal with the guilt trip, the lectures, or at worst the silent treatment. Having Mariana involved was really important to Sabine for some reason, and she would give her mother that. What else could she do?
She passed the small bars dotting the street going into town. She slowed, wanting to hear the lively music coming out onto the avenue, and see the people dancing inside amidst the rainbow of flashing lights. She imagined they were her age, her friends, waiting for her to get there. But that was just a fantasy, one she liked to tease herself with. She smiled tightly as she drove past the dance halls, gripping her pendant for comfort.
The happy sounds of music faded behind her as she got deeper into town and closer to the Sanctuary. The coven house looked like a tropical villa. Complete with arched stucco porchways and swaying palm trees in the courtyard. It was a safe place for the Others on the island, not just the Witches. There weren’t too many of them. Banding together was the best. She liked the Sanctuary. It was peaceful, and the only place she got to see other people. It was the only place Dex and Sabine let her go by herself.
Mariana was out in the courtyard, tending to her flowers. Big, white, fragrant orchids hung from trimmed coconut husks, secured to the large tree trunk of the ironwood tree dominating the yard. The ironwood tree was old; planted when the Sanctuary was built a few hundred years ago. She followed the reach of the multi-branched trunk all the way up to the forty-foot canopy dotted in purple flowers. She found herself holding her breath as the flowers seemed to touch upon the twinkling stars high above. She warmed with feelings of gratitude as the tree’s ancient energy surrounded her, and she felt loved. She was almost brought to tears, surprised with this new interaction. The tree had always been there, but never did she connect with its energy like this.
Mariana turned to her with a smile as she sprayed her flowers. “Our tree is the oldest on the island. That tree has survived a lot and it has only gotten stronger.” Mariana followed the tree’s height into the night sky, her eyes closing as a warm breeze swept through, swaying her dress around her bare feet. She breathed deeply, “I like gardening at night. I like the night breezes that go through the courtyard,” she said as she returned to tending the garden. “I’m glad you decided to come. I was afraid you wouldn’t.”
Fawna fidgeted with her pendant. The butterflies in her belly were getting excited, making her feel a little nauseous.
“I know I can be frightening.” The Elder spoke softly. “I’m actually much friendlier than you think.”
She tried to say something, but nothing seemed appropriate.
“Well then. We better get started. I don’t want to keep you out too late.” She set down her spray bottle and started walking toward her office. “I’m glad you gave up a Friday night to come.”
“I didn’t have any plans,” she muttered.
Mariana waited for her before entering the office. Arm extended out, she welcomed Fawna to get inside.
She walked past the Elder, taking just one step into the room, and pinning herself against the wall.
Mariana walked and turned. Her movements very relaxed and casual. “Well, I am happy for the company. I’m having some food delivered shortly. Snacks.”
Fawna’s stomach growled on queue at the mention of food. She hadn’t been able to eat all day. She was starving.
“I thought that might interest you.” The Elder smiled. “Sabine gave me some tips.”
She gave Mariana a tight smile. Not surprised her mother would say something, but she was a tad embarrassed.
Mariana headed for the bookshelf. “Have a seat, Fawna. Get comfortable.”
Taking a seat on the flower-patterned couch, the white painted rattan frame crunched and snapped as the cushions pressed with her weight, accentuating her sense of awkwardness. The couch would have been an island of comfort if she could relax. But right now, she just felt clumsy.
Mariana took a seat behind her beautiful desk; a hand carved artwork pieced together from the various local woods growing around the island. No tree was cut to create it. Instead, dead trees and fallen wood were gathered until enough material could create the desk.
Mariana had explained to the coven that a sanctuary elder of long ago commissioned the table. The Elder wanted the desk to represent the unity and harmony of the Others living in Bimini. Each plank of wood, though different in size, color, and quality, had all come together to create strength and beauty. The desk once served as the altar in the Sanctuary’s main hall, but over time it was moved around for various reasons and eventually made its way to being the center piece in Mariana’s office. “Tell me what you want, Fawna. I’m here to help interpret the messages behind your dream, but I’d like to hear your thoughts as well.”
She snapped her attention from the desk to the Elder. Her heart mulling over the lessons of unity and strength. “Umm. I don’t really know. I suppose I want what every girl wants.” She was winging it. She didn’t know what to say. She was a part of their small community, but she’d never felt like she belonged.
Mariana slipped her glasses on, studying her closely from above the rims. “Hmm. Go on.”
She swallowed. She’d come all this way. This was important to Sabine, and Mariana was trying to make her feel comfortable. “I’d like a normal life.” She shrugged. “I love the island. I love my parents, but other than the Sanctuary, I’m not permitted to go anywhere. Even at my age.” She sighed, saying it out loud for the first time.
Mariana continued to study her. “Do you know why your parents are so strict?” She asked, empathy in her voice and in her energy.
She shook her head. “For my safety?” That was all her parents ever said to her when she asked.
“Do you know from what?”
Her heart pounded behind her ribs, wanting to lunge at the answer hanging in the air. “No. I don’t. Nothing ever happens on the island. I don’t understand all the precautions,” she admitted.
“H
mm. Almost nothing.”
Fawna turned at the sound of the door opening. Jenny poked her head in before entering. Jenny worked at the Sanctuary, and had been there for as long as anyone could remember. She might be even older than Mariana, but it was hard to tell for sure.
“I got some snacks for you girls,” she announced happily as she took slow steps toward the table.
The tray of food looked heavy for Jenny. Fawna got up and ran to her, taking the tray, “Let me help.” She gave Jenny a warm smile.
“Thank you, Fawna. Enjoy the food.” She ambled back toward the door, humming a tune as she closed the door behind her.
Fawna inhaled the sweet scents coming from the freshly made pastries. Sugar, spices, coconut, and rum deliciously mingled together, making her salivate. Maybe this wouldn’t be such a bad evening after all.
“Sabine told Jenny about your favorites,” Mariana explained.
“Thank you. This is wonderful.” Her stomach roared at the nearness of a feast. Hunger directed her, and she forgot about her nerves as she grabbed for a small roll, glazed with brown sugar and filled with cream and coconut. She took a bite of the warm morsel, and savored the sugar and cream melting on her tongue. She instantly felt better. “Mmm. This is so good. Jenny is a wonderful cook.” Jenny was a whiz in the kitchen. Her cooking was magical, better than great.
“She always says the secret ingredient is love,” Mariana agreed.
“I believe it. Jenny’s food always makes me happy.” She was doing a happy wiggle in her seat as she took another bite of her roll.
“Have Sabine and Dex ever told you about the night you came to be with them?”
“Yes.” She swallowed her pastry. “I think they took some information out of it, but I have the basics.” Her parents were always careful about what they shared with her.
“Good. Hand me one of those puffs and we’ll keep talking.” Mariana pointed to a flaky pastry filled with sweet, creamy, cheesy goodness.
She almost choked, embarrassed she hadn’t shared. “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay I had it brought for you. Eat up, child.”
Several minutes were spent in idle chat, making her finally feel comfortable around Mariana. She wondered why the woman had always intimidated her. She was a powerful witch, and her energy was stronger than most, but the Elder had never done anything to her. She realized she had been scared for no good reason. She wasn’t so hungry suddenly. “High Priestess. I have to apologize.”
“For what, Fawna?”
She took a deep breath. “I’ve been afraid of you. I don’t know why, but I’ve been for as long as I can remember. More than nerves. I was scared.” She gulped, embarrassed by her admission.
“And now?” Her voice was soft with a lilt from her smile.
“No.” For the first time she shared a warm, heart-felt smile with Mariana.
The Elder gave her a shallow bow and stood from her seat. “Fawna, your dreams are…” Mariana was searching for the correct word, “…important.” She came around her desk and sat next to her. “You feel out of place. It cannot be easy.” Mariana held her gaze with a tenderness she’d never felt with the elder before. “You are unique and special even amongst those who are gifted. Remember that.”
Fawna’s face heated, the unexpected words of kindness from the woman she’d feared for so long, made her embarrassed.
Mariana stood again and with her quick steps and bell-shaped dress, she appeared to be gliding over the floor. She opened the office door and leaned her back against the frame. The sound of crashing waves drifted in along with a warm breeze smelling of sweet vanilla and roses.
“You can really smell the orchids at night.” Fawna inhaled deeply.
“Sometimes, it takes darkness to make something blossom.” The elder basked in the breezes, wisps of black hair dancing about her face. “You dream of Toqeph. You do not believe the legend I read to you. Why?”
Fawna recalled her dream. Toqeph was betrayed. “In my dreams… He is a good man. Forgiving.” Her voice was soft, merely remembering the dream also brought up the raw emotions of it.
Mariana was studying her. “Up for a drive?” Her eyes twinkled.
“Uh, yes?” she responded with a shrug.
“That’s my girl. Let’s go.”
Fawna felt strangely elated. What did Mariana have in mind? Grabbing a couple of pastry puffs off of the tray, she hurried after the spry elder.
The drive was pleasant and comfortable, the Elder taking it slow along the small roads of Bimini. The island breezes had kicked up, sending soft sprays of ocean water in the air. They were at the west end of the island. There was really nothing here, but a vista where a good span of the ocean could be viewed. In the daylight hours, the shores would be picturesque from this vantage point, but at night, there were no colors to speak of. No white sand beaches, no turquoise waters, no blue sky, no pink flowers or shrubs.
She hopped out of Mariana’s old Jeep and walked to the edge of the cliffside. Looking toward the horizon where the moon had centered herself, her thoughts automatically rifled through images of her dream. Of Toqeph and his Island deflating her mood.
Mariana stood near her and closed her eyes. She was swaying gently with the breezes, a peaceful smile gracing her face. Under the moonlight, the Elder looked youthful. “Another story of Toqeph says that he was a king to an island nation. That under his rule, his people lived in peace and prosperity.”
She liked this story better. It seemed more in line with the images from her dreams.
“It is said, there was tower in the center of the Island. A tower so grand it reached the heavens.”
“Does this other story talk about a queen?”
Mariana took a deep breath and looked toward the horizon. “No. But the story says that nearby kingdoms grew jealous. Trade was not enough, and they demanded more. Knowledge. The other kings felt Toqeph kept a secret and they wanted it for themselves.”
“How does the story end?” Fawna was curious about this new version. She was dreaming about the end of Toqeph’s Island. Would this new version confirm the details of her dream?
“The other nations waged war on Toqeph’s kingdom to take what he had. To protect his secret, he unleashed a weapon of apocalypse. He destroyed everything.”
Her stomach dropped with disappointment. She knew in her gut; the second story was not correct either. But interestingly, stories of Toqeph were out there. Although the stories were cluttered with falsehoods.
“I’d like to take you through an exercise.” Mariana faced her. “I think Toqeph is communicating with you.”
“Do you think so?” She doubted Mariana’s theory, but she wasn’t about to disrespect the Elder.
“Look at the gleam of Mother Moon, Fawna. Let her rays bathe you, and wash away any doubts. Feel the sway of the wind. Let her rock you into a gentle trance.” Mariana’s voice had softened, warmed, and the cadence of her speech had slowed, and the words were stretched.
Fawna followed Mariana’s soothing voice, tuning in to the moon and the wind. The energies of both calmed her mind and her heart. In only a few minutes, she felt both grounded and lifted. The meditation was taking hold, and time seemed to slow.
“What do you see, Fawna?”
“The moon is beautiful. It’s still full. Like a beautiful face.”
“What else?”
“There aren’t any trees or flowers up here. But the rocks are strong and old. I can feel their steadiness.”
“Good. Keep going.”
“The ocean.” The water shimmered under the moonlight. The small peaks in the waves twinkled as they lazily lapped toward the shore.
“Yes?” Mariana urged her to go on.
She smiled as a wave of calm spread through her. “The waters feel alive.” She shivered despite the warmth in the air. “I can feel so much energy cresting from her. Each wave is a renewal. An eternal ebb and flow. Unity and strength.” She closed her eyes, breathing
in the salty air. “I can almost hear the sea speaking.”
“Good.” Mariana’s voice guided, “Take a breath. Think back on your dream. Not of the sadness you feel, but only of Toqeph’s voice.”
Fawna’s breathing timed with the rolling of the ocean waves, taking her deeper into a trance-like state. She asked to hear the beleaguered man from her dreams. Toqeph. He was a king. Leader of his people. Kind, loving, and strong, but full of regrets and pain.
Fawna... A gentle whisper carried on the breeze.
Her eyes snapped open. Jumping out of a mild trance too quickly, she felt off balance. She twisted about, looking for the source of the voice. “Did you hear that?” she asked Mariana.
“Did you hear Toqeph?”
She can’t hear me, Fawna. Only you.
The Elder was eyeing her. “How do you feel?”
“Good. Relaxed. But confused. Why would Toqeph communicate with me? I’m nobody.” She blurted it all out, hoping Mariana had an answer.
“Are you so sure you are nobody?” Mariana smiled warmly. “This has been a productive evening.” the Elder offered. “I’d like us to continue this exercise for another time.”
“I’d like that.” It was true. She looked forward to another meeting with the Elder. The night had gone better than she expected.
“High Priestess? Ma will ask about our meeting.”
“Bring her when you are both free.”
Fawna rushed home. Her mood light, her body still buzzing from the meditation. She would tell Dex and Sabine as soon as they got home in a few hours. In the meantime, she had enough time for a cat nap. She’d learned of another story about Toqeph. She heard him at the cliffside. He’s not just a legend. He’s real and Mariana said he was communicating with her. What could Toqeph want from her?
Settling into the couch, she pulled up a light coverlet to her chest. Her eyes barely closed and she was already sinking into a dream. A nice one. A happy one. Toqeph.
“Me. Me!” a small dark-haired child called out. Chubby arms lifted in the air, reaching for the laughing man.
“Okay, child. Patience.” He laughed as he reached for Alexis and hoisted her high above the older children.
Midnight Rain Page 6