Levi was on the phone when I came down the stairs. “Yes, that’s what I’m saying. See if you can locate either of them and then see if they might be connected.” He paused for a moment and looked at me when he realized I was on the stairs and he was pacing the house. “Yes, her team is aware of where she’s going to be.”
I assumed he was talking about me. I put my stuff by the door and grabbed my book and my backpack from the living room and put them by the front door.
Oliver walked in the door a moment later. He looked grimmer than when he’d left, and I felt like I was the only one that wasn’t in on what was going on.
“Is someone going to fill me in or not?” I crossed my arms and stared at him and Levi.
Levi shook his head. “Liz doesn’t want you to know who the last victim was, not yet.”
“But everyone else gets to know? Why do you know?” I resisted tossing my hands up in the air.
“Liz just told me about it, but not who it was. All she’ll tell us is that it has to do with a past case. This is worrisome on many levels.”
Oliver added nothing to what Levi said. “I sent Simon the directions, let’s go. We’ll take your car.”
I nodded and grabbed my stuff, heading out the door. I popped the trunk and put my things in. When I closed it, Oliver came out of the house and locked the door behind him.
He walked around the car, and I assumed it was to make sure it wouldn’t explode on us before he got in the driver’s side.
I started to protest but then just rolled my eyes and got in the passenger side. “I’m fine to drive.”
“I don’t want you driving when we discuss what’s going on.” He started the car and looked at me. “This has escalated to keeping you hidden instead of just a chance for Melisandra to heal you.”
When Oliver talked about hiding me, things were typically pretty bad. “How has this escalated so much? I was supposed to go work cold cases at the Academy, not go to some cabin in the woods to hide from a murderer.”
Oliver tightened his grip on the wheel as he pulled out of the driveway. “Not just any murderer, niece. This murderer is claiming that they killed your parents.”
He was right. I didn’t want to hear that news while I was driving. My world spun a little. “So it’s Samuel?”
“I’m not convinced it was him, Abigail.” Oliver shook his head. “This last victim’s note said that you were next.”
They were putting me in hiding so there wasn’t a chance of me becoming the next victim. I couldn’t catch my breath.
“Criminals lie all the time,” I whispered. “This could be no different. It’s no secret that my parents were murdered.”
“Deep breath, Abby. You’re right. There’s a chance they are bluffing, but we can’t take that risk.” There was something in his voice that made me look at him.
“I won’t let someone murder you,” he muttered. “So for once, I agree with Levi and want you hidden and safe.”
Whatever the last crime scene held, whoever the victim was, it had spooked the hell out of Oliver, which said a lot, because he’d seen so many violent things.
I sat back in the seat and tried not to let my imagination go wild. “Who’s on the case?”
“Liz and Nick. O’Donald doesn’t know where you’ll be, just that you’re out of town and safe. Levi is still trying to create a relationship with O’Donald so he can control some of PIB.”
“Balin still the detective working with them?”
Oliver snorted. “Yes, and he seems to have something against you.”
“I have no idea what it is, but whatever. Good luck to Liz working with him.” I settled into my seat, and after a few minutes, I sighed. “Do you really think this person murdered my parents.”
“I don’t know, it seems too clean and simple if Samuel was the one who ordered it. As far as I knew, Samuel wasn’t around when Tobias and Elizabeth were involved with Ira.” He shook his head. “But as we’ve learned, Ira was in contact with Samuel, at least sending him letters. So it’s possible that Samuel is behind the murders.”
I shook my head. “No, I’ve seen what Samuel does to witches and warlocks. This isn’t his handy work.” Of course, I’d only seen it once. Maybe he would kill them quickly if he didn’t have the chance to play. “I also think he’s much more calculating than that. Like at the party, he liked the fact that he could show off how close he could get to me.”
“How do you know that?” Oliver glanced at me.
“I could feel it when he bit me.” I frowned.
“Have you felt him since we pulled his influences out of you?”
I shook my head. “No, my mind is quiet.”
Oliver chuckled. “I doubt your mind is quiet, but at least he’s not one of the voices in there.”
I let the comment go and watched as the scenery changed from forest to city back to forest again. We climbed up the mountains, further down the range than the pack territory. Part of me wondered if we should have gone to pack lands. Maybe that would have helped heal whatever was going on with me. Eventually my eyes shut as the sway of the car persuaded me it was time to sleep.
CHAPTER FOUR
I woke up to someone shaking me and whispering my name. I groaned and stretched, trying to ease the tension from sleeping in the car. I looked to see Oliver standing by the open car door.
“I was wondering if I was going to have to carry you in.”
I shook my head and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. “No, sorry, it’s late, and I was tired.” I unbuckled and got out of the car, stretching.
I looked over what Oliver had initially described as a cabin, but it was much larger than I had imagined. From the outside it looked to be two stories, log-built with excellent craftsmanship, and huge glass doors opening to a balcony.
“Come on, Melisandra is waiting for us. Simon’s truck is also here.” Oliver grabbed my stuff from the trunk, and we walked into the house without knocking.
The front door opened into a small tiled room, and Oliver kicked his shoes off. I follow suit and we walked into a living room from there. Plush white carpet covered the room from wall to wall, and a lavender couch with matching over-sized chairs sat in the middle of the room. On the other side of the room was another huge set of glass doors that led out into a meadow with the moon streaming down into it.
“This place is beautiful,” I muttered.
“Being closer to nature helps healing.” A woman’s voice caught me off guard.
I turned to see her walking into the living room, carrying a tray with a teapot and cups on it. There was something warm and comforting about her. Her dirty blonde hair was pulled up in a messy bun, and she wore a plush robe covered in bunnies, tied around her waist. She looked to be late forties, and she gave me a soft smile that almost seemed motherly.
“Melisandra.” Oliver’s voice was soft, almost wistful as he walked over to her and kissed her cheek.
I’d never seen my uncle be loving towards someone before, so it threw me off. She put the tea tray down on the coffee table.
“I understand it’s been a long night. I thought I’d make you some tea to help you sleep.”
I hesitated for a moment at someone magical pre-making me a drink.
“She’s safe, Abigail,” Oliver said gently. “I would not put you in harm’s way.”
That wasn’t completely true. He’d traded me to an enemy once, but it was because I was more likely to survive than his daughter.
He helped Ira trap me, but again his daughter was in trouble, and we’d gained information on Ira because Oliver was playing both sides.
Simon walked back in. “I helped her make it, Abigail. I promise nothing but tea leaves and water.”
Simon was safe. I was being paranoid. This woman was supposed to help heal me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “Okay, I’m sorry.”
I sat down on the couch and Simon sat with me. Melisandra poured me a cup of tea before she sat down. “Oliver told me y
ou’d be cautious.”
At least she hadn’t said paranoid. “I’m sorry, it’s been a rough few years and my caution has grown with each situation.”
“As one would expect. Tonight, we have tea and we all rest. Tomorrow you and I will see if we can heal the magical problem.”
I sipped the tea and savored the sweet taste of it on my tongue. It tasted so familiar that it brought tears to my eyes. Clarissa’s tea.
“Abigail?” Simon asked.
I dabbed my eyes with the back of my hand. “This is Clarissa’s tea.”
Melisandra nodded. “Clarissa Summers ran a shop down in Manitou not long ago. I helped her create this tea.”
I paused. “You knew Clarissa?”
“We were good friends. I was sad to hear of her death.” She paused for a moment. “Clarissa was a very talented witch. I would have loved to have taken her under my wing and teach her more.”
“She was my best friend,” I mumbled. “I haven’t had this tea since I ran out of my stash. It’s what she would give me when I needed to sleep.”
I looked at Melisandra, who had a knowing smile on her lips. “Drink up and enjoy your night of rest.”
I sat there and sipped the tea. With each sip my eyes grew heavier and soon I found myself leaning against Simon.
He gently took the cup of tea out of my hands as my eyes closed.
“Take her upstairs and let her rest. Take her phone so no one disturbs her sleep. A good night of sleep will do wonders for the body and soul.” Melisandra’s voice sounded so far away.
I didn’t want to sleep though. Sleep brought nightmares and memories. The thought was almost foreign to me. I never really put words to why I didn’t want to sleep, why I always worked to exhaustion. My eyes started opening again, but Simon picked me up and I snuggled against his chest. Maybe I’d wake up in the morning healed. Then I could go back to work and hunt down this killer.
The world faded away completely when Simon laid me down on the bed and pulled a heavy comforter over me. I let out a final deep breath of surrender before I stopped fighting it all.
#
When I woke, the sun was streaming in from under the closed curtains and I was in bed alone. The flipped blanket and the warm spot next to me told me Simon had been in bed with me not long ago. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I had no dreams last night, not even little ones that were pleasant. I felt rested and my mind was clear.
Maybe Melisandra was right, sleep really was good for the soul and the mind. I pulled myself out of bed and walked out of the room. I took a moment to figure out where I was trying to go. To find Simon? Oliver? Coffee?
Coffee took priority. It’d help clear my mind so I could figure out where to start. I found the stairs at the end of the hall and went down. I followed the soft voices of Simon and Oliver to the kitchen and found them sitting at a table that could hold about six people.
Simon’s gray shirt and flannel pajama pants were something I was used to. Oliver’s silk pajama pants and black shirt were not. I’d never seen him dressed so casually, and yet he looked right at home.
“Good morning, Abigail.” He smiled at me and motioned to the counter. “Coffee’s ready.”
There was something weird about the scene, but I couldn’t place my finger on it. Maybe I was just waiting for something to happen. I’d gotten a good amount of sleep. Maybe this is what the world looked like when I wasn’t exhausted.
I went to the coffee pot and found a mug already waiting for me. I poured the cup and found the sugar and the cream on the table where Oliver and Simon sat.
“This is weird.” I broke the silence. “You are both sitting here like everything is so normal.”
Oliver chuckled. “It’s not normal at all, but we’re both trying our hardest to make you feel comfortable so you don’t bolt.”
I wasn’t sure if I still wanted to bolt or not. I sat down and finished fixing my coffee. Simon wrapped a hand around my free one as I drank. “I feel better after some sleep.”
“It’s ten in the morning. That’s more than some sleep.” Simon grinned. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you sleep so deep.”
I nodded and looked at Oliver. “How do you play into this? I didn’t miss that little kiss you gave Melisandra last night.”
Oliver became very interested in his coffee suddenly. “We’re… ah…”
“We’re dating, and Oliver is having a hard time admitting that.” Melisandra walked in. She was the only one not still in pajamas, but jeans and a t-shirt with some band name on it I didn’t know.
I started laughing. “Dating? You date?” I looked at Oliver.
“Things happened, and one thing led to another, and here we are.” Oliver shrugged. “It’s not the strangest thing that has happened in my life.”
Melisandra nodded and sat down next to him. “He’ll explain the details when he’s ready.”
I wasn’t sure if I wanted details. “Thank you for the tea last night.”
“I wanted you well-rested for today. Oliver has filled me in on what’s been going on. Part of me wants to chalk it up to exhaustion, so we’ll see how you fare today.”
“The fits have been further and further apart. One might not happen today.”
“Except you’ve had two in the last day, one which was strong enough to make you pass out,” she answered quickly. “We’re going to play with magic for a bit and see if that puts enough stress on your body. Once I can observe one of these fits or spells, then I can start treating the problem.”
I sipped my coffee and watched her. I wasn’t sure what she meant by play with magic. Magic wasn’t typically something I played with. It was a tool I used when needed.
“Is this like when a wolf plays in shifted form?” Simon suddenly asked, and it pulled me out of my zoning.
“Kind of. It’s what young witches do to work on control. In Abby’s case, we’re going to perform magic in a controlled environment so that if she loses control because of a fit, then she’s protected and so is everyone else.”
I wrinkled my nose at the idea of being treated like a new witch. “Great, it’s going to be like the academy all over again.”
Melisandra shook her head. “Promise it’s more fun than the academy. Drink your coffee and then meet me out back.” She kissed Oliver’s cheek and walked out of the kitchen.
I looked at Oliver. “You date?” I asked again. I tried to peek around the corner and then looked back at Oliver. “What’s the catch?”
He shook his head. “No catch. I just enjoy her company. Drink your coffee.” He motioned to the cup. “I’m looking forward to seeing how you play with magic.”
It was a reminder to me that Oliver had never really seen me as a new witch. He never got to observe me learning magic or trying to figure out what I could do. “Hopefully it’s less devastating than the time I cast a spell at school,” I muttered and went back to my coffee.
#
When I finished my coffee, I walked out into the backyard, which was basically the meadow. Grass tickled my ankles at the top of my socks, and the ground seemed soft under my feet. Peace flowed through me and it reminded me a lot of how I felt on pack ground. Magic wrapped around me, hugging me, welcoming me to walk further into the clearing.
Melisandra stood there with her feet bare and the same look of peace on her face that I had. “Take your shoes off. Enjoy the feel of the earth beneath your feet.”
I hesitated for a moment, but in the end, I kicked off my boots and my socks, placing my bare feet on the ground. I wiggled my toes as the grass ran over my skin and the dirt brushed the bottom of my heels. Magic was connected to the Earth and to the Goddess and the closer we were to the Earth, the closer we were to the magic. I swore my magic took a deep breath, but when it went to let it out, the world around me collapsed. I didn’t have to practice magic to screw this all up.
The dirt and the ground seem to fall out from under me, the sky spun above me, and I felt like I was drowning. I couldn�
��t catch my breath. I tried to reach out for help, but there was nothing there. No one there. The pins and needles of ice stabbed through my skin as my magic seemed to shrink back into my soul and out of my control. I couldn’t let this happen. I needed to climb back up, but I was helpless, trapped in what was now darkness around me.
My heart pounded through my chest and echoed in my head. This was worse than the previous fits or spells. This was terrifying. I closed my eyes as the ice seemed to close around my heart and drag me under.
#
When I opened my eyes again, there was something heavy on my chest. I looked to find Simon’s head laying on me, in wolf form. The multicolored strands of fur caught the sunlight as we lay there together. The terrifying feeling of drowning had disappeared, replaced by the warm rays of light and Simon.
I brushed my hand against his fur. “That was uncomfortable.”
Melisandra sat next to me. “You have a hole in your aura.”
“I didn’t know that was possible.” I slowly sat up and Simon moved his head to my lap. “Is that what’s causing all this?”
She nodded and handed me a cup of water. “A hole in your aura is a very dangerous thing. Anyone could take advantage of you magically. Typically, it’s caused from near-death experiences or a spell gone wrong.” She looked at me. “How many near-death experiences have you had, Abigail?”
I had to think about the question. “Are we talking situations where I could have died, or I was close to dying?”
“Oliver wasn’t kidding about how dangerous your life is, was he?” She didn’t sound amused by the thought.
“I almost died fighting the blood witch a few months ago. If it’s a hole in my aura, why didn’t Oliver see it?”
“Because like you, niece, I suck at reading auras.”
Something Wicked (Here Witchy Witchy Book 11) Page 5