by Sandra Kaye
He was close. I kept his astral image in my head and looked to make sure Ses was fine one last time. As I did, her group was off, heading in the opposite direction. I sent up an additional prayer to the Goddess for her.
Gabe’s essence slowly pulled our group to the right. Distance in the Gray Fields is very different than on the physical realm. One can travel hundreds of miles in a very short time. Gabe, however, turned out to be close. If we hadn’t all agreed it was time to get both him and his sister, we would have scoped out where they were and sought them out on the physical plain. The plan was to drag him into the Fields and back to our physical bodies.
Once we located him, in an apartment no less, we checked each room for Mockers. When we found none, we all crossed over.
He turned as we all materialized in his living room. He did not seem surprised. He was alone, and we hadn’t had to bypass any barrier spells before entering. He said nothing, just met my eyes after scanning the group, no doubt looking for Seslie.
“Do you plan to give us any trouble?” I asked, figuring we might as well find out quickly what we were dealing with.
“No. I’ll go with you. I’m ready for this whole ordeal to be over with. All I ask is that you let me speak to Seslie before you kill me.”
Teddy answered vehemently before I had the chance. “You’re in no position to ask for anything. Seslie will make the decision if she wants to speak with you, but I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you. No, wait. Go ahead. That will make things easier for all of us.”
Teddy must have really been pissed. He was generally polite to everyone, or at least cordial. I guessed that was the side you got when you hurt and betrayed those he cared for.
“I understand your anger. I do. I’d just like her to know I’m sorry is all.”
Before he could say more, Reno secured his hands with anti-magic ties and stuffed a sock in his mouth, then covered it with duct tape. That was going to be painful when removed. Reno smiled evilly at me, like he’d read my mind.
Gabe really did cross the wrong group. He was quite lucky we weren’t the type to torture anyone. If he was the one who summoned and struck the deal with Kalona, though, he’d have to die, so we could send him back to wherever he came from.
Xavier said he knew a spell to do just that once we severed his ties to our plane. With Gabe unable to cause any trouble, Xavier and I searched the small but tasteful apartment. From the looks of things, I guessed it belonged to Gabe. The furniture was all leather with glass and wood accents throughout. The walls held several pictures of him with his sister. They looked so normal in them.
In a small office, Xavier found a couple old scrolls containing spells. They were in Hebrew, which neither of us read well, but I bet one would be the summoning spell for Kalona.
With Gabe between Reno and Bert, Teddy brought up the rear of our little caravan as we returned to the Grey planes. Our trip back through was uneventful until we noticed some commotion ahead of us. Moving stealthily, Xavier, Teddy, and I advanced to assess the situation. Seslie’s group was battling four Mockers. A tiger shifter in full animal form had Jaydon by her shirt, hands tied behind her back, and he was pulling her across the ground toward us. Everyone else was locked in battle.
I ran forward, yelling for Teddy to help with Jaydon and for Bert to get Gabe back to the physical plane. As I reached Seslie’s side, I watched in horror as Jade, a panther shifter I didn’t know well but liked none the less, was gutted by one of the Raven Mockers. The fae’s sword took his head as I drew mine and helped Seslie finish the one she was battling. Reno, Xavier, and a lion shifter took out another as the last crossed over to the physical plane.
Xavier helped Seslie and me get Jade's astral body back on the physical plane, so her soul could cross over. We wouldn’t want to leave anyone dead on the astral plane for fear that their soul would be trapped there.
Once we exited, everyone else was there, a few a little worse for wear but alive. Gabe was sitting on the ground at Bert’s feet with his head in his hands. It seemed he was resolved to his fate. Hopefully, that worked in our favor and he would give us the answers we needed.
His sister, on the other hand, was now hogtied and gagged with a tiger laying across her chest. The Raven Mocker who had gotten away was beheaded a few feet to the left of our circle.
The area was cleaned. Our circles were deconstructed and the whole group loaded into the vehicles with our prisoners in tow. We took them to Bert’s old farmhouse to get answers, since his place was in the country away from any prying neighbors.
Chapter Twenty-Five
It was quickly decided Jaydon wasn’t going to give us the answers we needed, and Gabe just wanted to talk to Seslie. As much as it pained me, she wanted to hear what he had to say, and we needed answers. If she was willing, there was no reason not to let her.
Gabe and Jaydon had been put in separate rooms in the barn with three shifters with them at all times. If someone or something came for them, we’d know. Teddy, Xavier, and I were present for Seslie’s chat with him. The first ten minutes were nothing but him groveling. He never meant to hurt her, he let things go too far, and many such variations. Everyone had agreed to let Seslie handle the questioning. None of us believed he had anything to say that would sway her anger after his attempt to turn her against me.
“Enough! I couldn’t care less how sorry you are or why you think I would care. All we need to know is what the plan was and who summoned the demon and his minions.”
Dang, you go girl. She wasn’t taking any of his shit. I loved it. I could tell his words still had a small effect, but his betrayal had hurt her.
“I just need you to know I never wanted to hurt you.”
“So you’ve said, multiple times. Are you going to answer the questions, or should I just leave you to Teddy and his men?”
“Summoning him took both our powers. I tried on my own but wasn’t strong enough and I didn’t want her to have to do it alone.”
“You’re so noble. Though the fact that she’s dark couldn’t have escaped you, so why did it matter? Both are death sentences.”
“She wasn’t until she was kept from me for so long. I was all she had. When I got sick, grandfather said we could still be together. He lied. They lied. They took away the person who meant the most in my life.”
“So, she went dark and convinced you to do what to Leon?”
“She didn’t have to convince me to do anything. I’m the one who wanted the vamps to fall. I hated being a damn bloodsucker. I couldn’t stand what I’d become. I’d rather be dead.”
Teddy spoke before Seslie could, his anger getting the best of him. “Well, it seems you’re going to get your wish.”
Seslie ignored his outburst and continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “So, just what was your plan? Why were you keeping Leon? Wouldn’t it have been easier to kill him than all this?”
“Easier, yes. As satisfying, no.”
“Then again, I ask what the plan was?”
“At first, just to kill the visiting vamp from England and cause a war, but then it became so much more. We used the Raven Mockers to take out all Leon’s loyal elders, as well as several high-ranking transitions. Either way, we knew he’d be dead or out of office soon. But he went and told that English lad about the issues he was having. Then, we knew his friendships reached farther than we thought, so killing him insured a rift between England and Illinois.
“Then, we would take out all these smelly-ass shifters who think they’re more than just animals and get rid of the man I hate for ruining my life.”
“I’ll show you smelly!” Bert lunged for Gabe, knocking him from his chair before Teddy could reach him. Teddy took him outside to cool off. None of us felt the need to right the chair, so Seslie continued her questions with him tied to the chair laying on its side on the dirt floor.
“All that death because you couldn’t be with your psycho sister?”
“She isn’t what you think. She’s
sweet and gentle. This just was too much for her.”
“I doubt that.” Seslie looked to us for any other questions. When no one had any, she turned to leave without sparing him another glance.
“Wait! Don’t you want to know about your sister?”
Seslie whipped around with fire in her eyes and power at her fingertips. If he was trying to piss her off, he had done a great job.
“I don’t want to hear a word out of your filthy lying mouth about my sister. So, if you know what’s good for you, you'll stop right there.”
The fear in his eyes was apparent. My sister was fierce but always kind. He had pushed her too far. Teddy wrapped her in a hug and led her out the door and back to the house.
No one in our group was a killer by nature, but we knew the two of them had to die to end the nightmare we were in. We decided I would put them both in a deep sleep, and Reno and Bert would finish them with a quick death by breaking their necks, allowing them a peaceful end. Jaydon was first. I couldn’t help the tear that escaped and slowly slid down my check. I hated to have things end in death. I was a healer by nature. I took a few calming breaths to fortify myself as I stepped into the room Gabe was in. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t see him as anyone but Gabe. Maybe not the guy we all thought but still Gabe.
He started muttering something about us not understanding as I worked the spell to put him to sleep. Just before he succumbed, his words reached my ears.
“I wasn’t lying, you know. You’re not who your sister thinks. You're more. That’s why Seslie and Teddy had to suffer. It’s all because of what you are.”
His words were a bad loop in my head as Reno stepped forward to finish him. Before he could, though, we were all thrown against the walls as an ethereal man with raven hair and midnight wings appeared in the room. His eyes met mine, and he gave me a knowing smile before gathering Gabe and disappearing.
Sound returned to my ears as Seslie and the rest of our motley group burst into the barn. She rushed to my side.
After helping me to my feet, she demanded, “Where’s he at? What happened?”
“Gone. Kalona took him,” was all I could rasp out.
“How? Where? Why?”
“I’m not sure where, but I think he felt her die, so he had to keep us from killing Gabe and sending him back to wherever he came from.”
It made the most sense after thinking through it. We should have realized when he told us it took them both to summon Kalona that if one died, he’d come for the other. He seemed to like our physical plane better than wherever he was from.
“Now what?”
That seemed to be the million-dollar question. What did we do now? If we went after Gabe, we needed to be ready for Kalona, and the only way to send him back to where he belonged was to kill Gabe. A bit of a catch twenty-two.
After burying Jaydon at the back of Bert’s property, everyone went their separate ways to regroup. We all agreed to meet the next afternoon and that no one would be left alone.
I went to Seslie’s with her and Reya. Reya was strong physically, and Ses and I were stronger together than separate. Though, Xavier surprised me when he announced he was staying, too.
“Wait. Why are you staying? We’re good on our own.”
“True, but of the group, you are the only one I really know. Unless you think it’s okay for me to go home alone, that is?”
He knew I wouldn’t send him home alone, even though he was likely stronger than anyone in the group.
“You can stay. Seslie’s couch isn’t very comfortable, though,” I said as I made my way to her room.
Once the door was closed, she laughed at me. Actually laughed. She was such brat.
“What?”
“You know he’s only here because of you, and you put him on the couch so you can sleep with me. Girl, you’re not right.”
“It’s not like I’d do anything at your house anyway, so he’s fine out there.”
“Sure, sis. Whatever you say.”
I knew she wasn’t buying it. Heck I wasn’t, either, but he made me weak and I needed my strength at that moment. I did take him a pillow and blanket after brushing my teeth and donning a pair of Ses’s pajamas.
“Thanks. You didn’t have to. I’ll likely not sleep, but with me here, you ladies can. I’ll keep you safe.”
His words reminded me just how very sweet he had been. In response, I gave him a sweet kiss and returned to Seslie’s room. He was right. With him there, I did feel safer.
“Huh,” Seslie muttered when I climbed into bed next to her.
I knew I’d be sorry but asked anyway, “Did you have something to say?”
“No. Just didn’t think you’d be back so soon.”
“Whatever. I thanked him.”
“You couldn’t have thanked him very well if you’re back in her with me,” she joked.
“Shut up and go to sleep, you perv.”
She just laughed at that and rolled over. After laying there letting Gabe’s words run through my mind, I rolled back over.
“You awake?”
“Yeah, why?”
“After you left, Gabe said something. Something about me.”
“I wouldn’t worry about anything he said, Ana. He was just trying to buy time until his demon could save him.”
“I don’t know. This seemed like more. He was resigned. He said I’m more.”
“We need to go update Gran and Leon, so we can talk to her if you’re really concerned. She raised us. She knows everything there is to know about both of us.”
“Okay. We can do that. You’re probably right. I just need to be sure he didn’t know something we don’t.”
“I’m sure he didn’t, sis. I’m sure he was just pushing our buttons.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
That night I got very little sleep, tossing and turning, running Gabe’s words through my mind again and again. Could he truly know something about me that I didn’t know myself?
As soon as my eyes opened the next morning, my decision was made. I had to go see Gran. I needed to pull on my big-girl panties, woman up, and face the truth, whatever that was. Seslie and I had never asked much about our parents growing up. There were pictures all over and, in a small town, everyone knew they died in a car accident. That had been the end of the story. I worried that, after all these years, there was more. Maybe we had different dads or moms. Though people always said we looked alike, I had always wondered where my blonde hair came from. Everyone else had the raven hair of our Cherokee heritage. Gran said it was a recessive gene. We learned all about genetics in nursing school, and she could be right. Now, though, I had to wonder if that was just what she told a little girl to ease her mind. If it was, why hadn’t she told me when I was older? I was up and in the shower as the sun came up. I borrowed some of Ses’s clothes for the day. If we kept these arrangements for much longer, I’d need a go bag.
As I exited the bedroom, I was met with a smile and cup of coffee courtesy of Xavier. That relaxed me just a bit. He continued to surprise me with his kind sweet nature.
“Thanks. How’d you know I needed that?”
“Heard you tossing and turning all night long. Bad dreams?”
“No, just a head full of thoughts is all.”
“Any you care to share? I could be a sounding board, so to speak.”
“No, just family stuff. I’m heading to Gran’s to get her take on things Gabe said.”
“Um, not without me you’re not, miss.”
Crap! I thought she was still asleep. I wanted to spare her having to hear me question our Gran about us possibly not being full sisters, and I wasn’t sure what else Gabe was hinting at. What else could I be besides a witch? If there was something else, I needed to know sooner rather than later.
“I was just going to let you rest while I ran there, checked on Leon, and updated Gran and Henry,” I fibbed.
“Sure, you were. Not. Gonna. Happen. I’ll be ready in five. You better be h
ere, or I’ll chase you, and you will not like the spells I will use to disable your car when I catch you.”
With that, she spun and left the room. She knew my car was my baby. She wouldn’t dare. Would she? I wasn’t sure, which is why I was still sitting at the counter when she returned a few minutes later.
“Let’s go. I know this kept you up most of the night, so let’s go get you some peace of mind.”
Xavier was fidgeting a lot as I went to kiss him goodbye.
“What?”
“I know you want this to be a family thing, but I think we need to stick to the plan of staying together. Reya and I should go, too. We can always wait outside if you need privacy.”
On the one hand, I knew he was right. Nothing had changed since last night. On the other hand, I didn’t want Gran to feel attacked over something that was likely just a ploy Gabe used to buy time and pit us against each other. In the end, I caved. We were all still in danger, so safety in numbers and whatnot.
The long car ride was silent. Not the good, comfortable kind. It was the tense I-have-no-clue-what-to-say-without-making-it-worse kind.
Henry met the car when we pulled in, as usual, and opened Seslie’s door just as I pulled to a stop.
“Hey, my favorite girls and friends. To what do we owe the pleasure?”
They all looked at me. “Just wanted to give you and Gran an update and talk about a few things.” There must have been something in my tone, because his playful nature was gone.
“Well, okay then. I guess we better get to it. Your gran is out back. Go on in and I’ll fetch her.”
“I can do that, sir, if you point me in the right direction,” Xavier volunteered.
“That’s right nice of you, son. Just follow the path between the lavender fields; she will be near the creek at the other end.”