“Set her down over there for a minute,” I say, pointing to the spot under the stairs where the body was kept in the memory, or vision, Abigail offered to me.
The two of them do as I say.
“Colton, I need you to go to my kitchen and grab the salt. Find as much as you can and bring it back here—go!”
Without question, he turns on his heel, racing back up the stairs.
“Dominic, I need you to gather some of Cat’s blood. I don’t need much.”
His eyes widen, but he nods. “Be right back. I’ll grab something from your room to hold it in.”
Not waiting for a response, Dominic takes off running.
My eyes flit to Cat’s body in the corner, then to Abigail. She doesn’t say anything, but nods in acknowledgement.
A moment later, both Colton and Dominic race down the stairs, each of them carrying their items. Dominic has a jewelry bowl in his hands and Colt has two cylindrical containers of salt.
“Is this enough?” Colton’s face is pale with worry as he hands them to me.
“Yeah, this should work. Take a deep breath. Can you do that for me?” I ask, keeping my eyes trained on him.
He attempts an inhalation, but it’s jagged and labored.
“She needs you to stay grounded. You’re her tether—” I say, tapping into knowledge beyond my expertise. “In order for this to work, you need to remain calm and centered.”
Abigail remains by my side, a silent support. I know somehow, perhaps through our genetic link, perhaps through our shared magical connection, she’s giving me knowledge I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
“I can’t lose her, Autumn,” Colt says, tears brimming in his eyes and his lower lip quivering. “She’s my twin.”
“We’re not losing anyone,” I tell him, eyeing the fading orange orb with uncertainty.
Turning to Dominic, I whisper, “Fill the container with Cat’s blood. Hurry.”
Turning back to the pentacle I’d drawn in the sandy floor, I begin to outline it again, but this time in a thin layer of salt. Once the pentagram portion is finished, I walk the outside of the circle and enclose it with the salt. As the circle is completed, the room quakes, sending out a signal to us all—this is no joke. We are in a sacred space now.
Dominic rushes back, thrusting a shaking hand out to me. The sides of the jewelry bowl are now soaked in Cat’s blood, but it holds a small pool. Taking it from him, I inhale sharply, and try to center myself. Staying calm needs to take precedence right now.
Abigail raises a finger, pointing to the center of the pentacle. “It is paramount you begin with her offering. It opens the gateway between what is, what was, and what will be,” she whispers.
Nodding to myself, I pour the deep burgundy liquid from its container onto the floor below. It pools in the center pentagon portion, spreading out to its borders.
Abigail reaches for my shoulder and as her hand comes into contact with me, she begins her incantation. It’s quiet at first, but her words start to grow with each repetition until I can hear them all and follow along.
“Death, taker of life, power of gods and givers, accept my offering. Bone, blood, breath, flesh. Recover Caitlyn’s soul—her remnants—and return her to me,” I begin to chant.
I start to walk the circle, counterclockwise, just as I witnessed Abigail do in the vision.
“Now you must deliver your offering, that of your own blood,” she says.
Wide eyed, I look up at her. I’d forgotten this part.
Glancing around the room, I practically screech, “A knife. I need a knife.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Dominic reaches into his jeans and garnishes a small pocket knife.
“Will this work?” he asks, throwing it to me.
I nod. “It will have to.”
Switching it open, I run the blade through one of the fires along the stone wall, cleansing it. I don’t know if it’s the years watching Buffy, or my own innate guidance telling me to do so, but every fiber of my being hums in anticipation of what comes next. My body knows, my blood knows.
Taking a deep breath, I close the palm of my hand around the knife and run the blade across my skin. The sharp pain and tug of skin makes my breath hitch, but I hold my hand out, allowing my blood to drip into the center of the pentacle, mixing with Cat’s.
As it makes contact, the mixture begins to slosh and swirl, lighting it with an eerie whitish glow. I take a step back, tossing the knife to the ground. I expect the blood to rise in a vortex in the same way it had for Abigail. Instead, it continues to encircle itself, as if in some sort of a holding pattern.
“This one is different. You need more energy,” Abigail offers, splaying her hands out wide to suggest all of us.
“I need everyone. Quick, hold hands,” I command.
We each take a place along the outer edge of the pentacle and one by one, reach out to clasp hands. As we close the small triadic loop, the room again pulsates in a wave of energy, and I start the chant again. Eventually, the rest of them follow suit.
“Death, taker of life, power of gods and givers, accept my offering. Bone, blood, breath, flesh. Recover Caitlyn’s soul—her remnants—and return her to us…” we say in unison over and over again. The energy rises and vibrates at a higher pitch, but still nothing happens to the blood in the center—nor to Cat’s body.
Looking over my shoulder at Abigail, I cry out, “Why isn’t it working?”
Chapter 28
Gemini Blood
“Of that, I am not certain. This should have been more than ample energy for her resurrection,” Abigail whispers, backing away from me.
Turning from her, I look into everyone’s eyes, trying to think of what else could be needed. When my gaze rests on Colt’s frightened features, it suddenly dawns on me—he’s her tether. I even said it in the beginning. But more than that, the Vodník said something about them being twins…
Gemini twins?
That has to mean something. She’s bound to him by blood.
“Colton, we need your blood, too,” I declare, reaching for the knife and tossing it over to him. “Being twins makes you special. She needs your offering to make this work.”
Without hesitation, he flicks open the knife and holds out his left palm. My blood still clings to the blade, but he doesn’t stop to try to cleanse it. Instead, he positions the sharp edge into the center of his palm.
He digs the edge of the blade into his skin. Pulling it through the center of his hand, the blood pools crimson in the middle. With a deep breath, he tips his hand over to allow the blood to flow into the spiraling mixture below. The second it comes into contact with the rest, the vortex begins to rise. The orange orb merges with this, causing the vortex to glow of its own accord in a bright blue and orange light.
In the corner, Cat’s body erupts in an eerie, almost otherworldly glow, as a wispy white and peach-colored energy encircles back and forth around her, like some sort of energetic cocoon.
“Good. This is good. Now, it is of critical importance that you should use your athame to direct her raised life force back into her body,” Abigail says, pointing to the knife still clutched in Colton’s hand.
Nodding, I turn to him. “Colt, the knife.” I flip my hand over, flicking my fingertips with my request.
He places the knife in my outstretched palm, and I point it toward the vortex of blood and light. Under my breath, I whisper, “Please, please work.”
The blood heeds my command, reaching to the tip of the knife until it almost comes into contact with the steel. Flicking my wrist, I aim the vortex of blood and light toward Cat’s body on the floor beneath the stairs.
It rushes forth, shooting through the open space between Colt and me, and straight at Cat’s body. Unlike the vision Abigail showed me, where the body was covered in a white sheet, Cat’s mangled vessel rests on the floor unhindered. The blood vortex enters her slightly agape mouth and instantly the wispy white and peach veil of energy
transforms into a cocoon of blood red.
The three of us stand slack-jawed as we take in the scene unfolding before us.
“Oh my god,” Dominic whispers, taking a step backward. “This is so friggin’ awesome.”
“Let’s just hope it works,” I mutter, refusing to look away.
The crimson glowing cocoon that is Cat’s body continues to radiate until the entire room shifts to a blinding orange light. Then, just as abruptly as it began, it pulls back like an explosion in reverse, as the energy and light pulls entirely into her body. Like a candle snuffed out, the light disappears.
“Is anything happening?” Colt asks, craning around to get a better view. “Is she…”
I shake my head, turning to Abigail. “I don’t know?”
Abigail doesn’t say a word; instead, she simply holds up a finger.
“Give it time,” Dad offers, entering the basement from the final step. He was so quiet, I didn’t even realize he had arrived.
The space falls eerily silent; the only sound permeating the stillness is our ragged breaths as we practically hold them in.
“It doesn’t look like—” Colton begins.
Suddenly, Cat’s chest begins to rise and fall. Then, cracking and pops reverberate off the stone walls, as if her broken bones are mending themselves. Her right arm angles itself backward, then twists around, until she places her hand on her torso.
“Holy shit,” Dominic mutters under his breath. “It’s like watching a horror movie, but in real life.”
“Let’s hope that’s not how this ends,” I say, unable to look away from the scene.
Please don’t be a zombie, or a revenant…whatever.
Sputtering out blood and bile, Cat rolls over, clutching at the dirt on the floor.
Colton races for his sister. “Thank you, thank you, Autumn, you have no idea…” his words trail off as he drops to his knees and takes Cat in his arms. Despite the bloody mess, he clutches her tightly, rocking back and forth.
My own desperate grief washes away, replaced instead by relief—and joy.
I did it.
We—did it. Cat’s alive.
Abigail catches my eye, a slow smile spreading across her lips. She nods as if reading my mind.
Leaving the circle, I stand behind Colton and Cat for a few moments, allowing the two of them some time. Dominic also hangs back, his eyes wide, but there’s more to it than that, I think. He knew I could do this, and it was his way of proving it to me, too.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, finally kneeling down beside Cat.
“I—” Cat begins, then clears her throat.
“Don’t talk if it hurts, it’s okay. We’re here,” Colt offers. “You need some time to heal.”
She swallows hard, nodding to him. Closing her eyes, she leans into his chest.
Colton’s eyes flit to me. “Autumn, how does this work? Will she need the hospital?”
I shrug. “I don’t honestly know.” I turn to Dad, hoping he’ll have some answers.
“She’ll need rest. Lots and lots of rest,” he says, raising his eyebrows knowingly.
The look on his face prompts my mind to flash back to my childhood memories of this place. Being locked in my room… Suddenly, it all makes sense. It wasn’t to keep me from going anywhere. It was so I could heal.
Cat swallows hard, eyeing each of us. She finally manages to say, “Why are we here? What…happened?”
“Do you remember anything, Cat?” Dominic asks, finally risking to edge nearer.
Cat shakes her head. “Not really. I remember—” her eyes go distant as she tries to recall, “—I remember driving out to the trails, but…”
“Something ran out in front of us. Do you remember?” Colt whispers.
Cat shakes her head. “No, I don’t.”
“It doesn’t matter,” he says, shaking his head and pulling her close again. “I’m so glad you’re back. I thought I’d lost you…”
Cat closes her eyes again, allowing her head to rise and fall with the inhalations of her twin brother.
“You did good,” Dad says, walking up behind me.
Taking a deep breath, I stand up to give the twins some space.
“I didn’t know I had that in me…” I whisper, walking to the other side of the room.
“There’s so much in our history, Autumn. Our legacy has always been shrouded by secrets, but I didn’t want to inundate you. Not as a child, and certainly not when I’d just gotten you back to the manor. But it’s time that you learn everything…” he says, his voice trailing off. “You know, when you returned to us, all your mother and I wanted in the whole world was for you to have a normal life after everything. More than anything, that’s what I wanted for you, because I know what kind of toll this gift can take.”
I glance up.
“We can talk more about it later… But just know that I’m very proud of you, Autumn,” he says, smiling awkwardly. It’s pretty clear giving compliments isn’t his strong suit.
“Thanks,” I whisper.
“Her parents will need to know about what’s transpired here. They’ll all need to contact the Academy to lean on their magical support while she heals,” Dad says. “Make sure she doesn’t exert herself or try to get up. Her body won’t be ready for that.”
“Okay. I’ll make sure it gets done,” I say.
“Good. I’ll give you all some space. If you need me, I’ll be around the house,” Dad says, leaving my side to make his way upstairs.
Standing back, I breathe a sigh of relief and take in the scene. Abigail is no longer with us, apparently having better things to do with her ghostly time. The pentacle in the center of the room is already starting to fade into the sandy floor from the back and forth motion of our footsteps. Even the magic keeping the flames lit is beginning to dwindle as the light in the space dims.
“We might want to think about getting everyone upstairs,” I say, turning to the twins. “Cat needs to rest, and we’ll have to have a word with your parents. They’ll need to know.”
Colton’s face drops, but he nods. “That’ll be a fun conversation.”
“But a necessary one,” I say, walking over to them.
“I suppose you’re right,” Colt says, gingerly pulling away from Cat as he stands up. “Autumn, you’re amazing. I hope you weren’t offended that I didn’t call you. I mean, I just—I know you weren’t really sure about all of this and I needed help fast.”
“Of course not. I’m just glad it all worked out.”
“That makes two of us. Thank you again,” he says, pulling me into his embrace. A masculine, earthy scent permeates my senses and suddenly, the energy between us shifts, like an electrical current suddenly switched on.
Just like before, strange blue and orange flames lick at my arms where his touch lingers, and the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I pull back, peering into the depths of his dark-brown eyes as anxiety unfurls in my gut.
His eyes take on more seriousness as wrinkles in his forehead emerge. Racing his tongue over his lips, Colton’s eyes fall to my mouth, and he inhales sharply. As if moving in super speed toward me, his mouth suddenly bears down on mine, taking my breath away.
When my brain catches up, I push him back, cutting off the kiss. I take a step back, covering my lips with my hands.
“I—I’m so sorry, Autumn. I shouldn’t have…” Colton says breathlessly.
I shake my head, turning away from him. “No, you really shouldn’t have.”
Sucking in a jagged breath, I shake away the tendrils of panic welling inside me. Wade was right.
The elation from Cat’s resurrection begins to dissipate and all I can think about is what happens now?
How do I deal with Colton going forward? And worst yet, how am I going to explain everything to Wade?
As if on cue, my cell phone rings in my pocket, making me jump. Fumbling for it, I pull it out, and stare at Wade’s face smiling back at me. My heartbeat thumps loudly in my ear
s and debate on whether or not to answer it.
I’m a big girl. I can do hard things.
I straighten my shoulders and tap the button. “Hey, handsome. I was just—”
“Autumn, can you come to Mistwood?” Wade’s voice is gruff, and I can tell instantly something is wrong.
Stepping away from everyone, I swap the phone to my other ear. “Of course. What’s happened? Is your grandpa—?”
There’s a long pause and just before I pull the phone back to see if he’s still on the line, he whispers, “He just died. I don’t really want to be alone right now.”
Chapter 29
Circle Back Around
Funeral homes give me the creeps.
“Have I mentioned how much I appreciate you being here, Autumn?” Wade asks, taking a seat in the front row of the chapel.
I smile softly, sitting beside him and resting my hand on his knee. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
His lips curve, but the smile doesn’t really make it to his eyes. Through all of the arrangements and conversations about his grandpa’s life, Wade’s never broken down. He’s been very matter-of-fact, despite the grief that’s so evident in his aura. I wish he’d open up more, even if it was just with me.
My eyes flit to the urn in the middle of the table in front of us. “Is there anything else I can do?”
“Come with me to the cemetery, I suppose,” he says, clasping his hands in his lap.
“Are you sure you don’t want an actual service? I mean, we could put this off and let his friends and your family—”
Wade chuckles, shaking his head. “The funeral director keeps asking me that. All of his friends are long gone and I’m all that’s left of our family. So…”
“There’s no real point. I get it,” I say, squeezing his knee. “Well, when you’re ready, I’m with you.”
“Thank you. Do you mind if we wait here for a few minutes?”
The Windhaven Witches Omnibus Edition : Complete Paranormal Suspense Series, Books 1-4 Page 23