by Peter Saenz
After my lessons with Anna, we’d break for one of Anna’s delicious lunches and then play a round of Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit. Tobias really seemed to enjoy this time as it was something he did with his parents when they were alive. His experience showed as he usually won 2 out of 3 times a game.
After our food would settle, Mika would then take Tobias and I back to her apartment for sword training. At first I was afraid that we’d have to practice with real swords and that one of us would get hurt. Fortunately Mika had Tobias and I train with bamboo rods and not the real thing. I caught on pretty fast to the various stances and blocks. Tobias managed to get a lot down as well but due to his weak moments had to sit out on several classes. Turns out that Mika was trained most of her life in a martial art called Jujutsu. She said that her training was due to her mother’s experience at being kidnapped by the Initiators as a girl. Because of it, her parents enrolled her in self-defense classes at a young age. After our sword lessons Mika would sometimes teach Tobias and I a few self-defense positions as well, just to keep us on our toes.
Evenings turned out to be a rotation of movie nights at Mika’s apartment, or listening to Anna read from some of her favorite books upstairs. I thought it a nice balance between the past and the present. Mika’s DVD collection is pretty extensive. We’d usually watch two or three movies back-to-back. Mika thought she’d break the ice by making our first movie night be werewolf themed in my honor, which consisted of us watching the films “Silver Bullet”, “Bad Moon” and “Underworld”. Initially I thought the idea was funny but mid-way through the films I began to focus on where some of the storylines were dead on in their werewolf lore and where some were off the mark completely. Tobias, I discovered, is a sucker for romantic comedies whereas Mika can’t seem to get enough action films. The two of them made it a contest to see just how many times they could sneak the films “Steel Magnolias” and “The Long Kiss Goodnight” back into rotation over and over again.
Nights at Anna’s apartment however were a whirlwind of passionate literature and music. One night we’d be listening to Anna read from Robert Frost, others it would be Jane Austen or Washington Irving or William Shakespeare or Charles Dickens. The way Anna would give each character their own voice was mesmerizing. In the background she would always play music she had grown up to. She’d place her old 78 speed records on her vintage phonograph player, delicately placing the large needle so as not to damage the disc. Sometimes we’d listen to something soft and sweet like “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You” by Tommy Dorsey or “Stardust” by Artie Shaw. Other times it would be something catchy and fun like “Pistol Packin’ Mama” by Al Dexter or “Rum and Coca-Cola” by The Andrew Sisters. I never wanted Anna’s reading nights to end.
After the movies or book readings, if we weren’t yet sleepy, all of us would then go up to the roof top deck to enjoy the city lights. The roof deck is made of a wooden floor and railings. Various cat beds and water dishes are scattered about, reminding us of the roof’s usual feline sun worshipping visitors during the daylight hours. I’m told that during the day there’s a great view of Alcatraz, but at night all I can see are the lights off in the distance and the beautiful flow of the bay slowly drifting under the San Francisco Bridge. Everything seems so magical as you look out into the city. The serenity and romance of the moment overtake me on each visit. Even Fenrus seems more at ease, as if the horrors of being chased by witches and werewolves were a lifetime behind us. It’s only due to a bit of sleepy reluctance that we eventually leave the roof and it’s beauty, making our way to a comfortable bed below only to repeat the wondrous cycle all over again the following day.
Every day I could also see Tobias grow more and more stronger. It makes me happy to know that he is getting to be his old self again. At the same time it saddens me to know it also means that our new life with Anna and Mika would probably be ending soon. I have no idea what our next move is gonna be. Do we stay here? Do we keep running? Do we confront the coven? And what about the werewolves? None of us have sensed hide nor hair of them. Was Anna right? Were we able to hide from them after all? I decide I need to bite the bullet and make a decision. When I see Tobias is fully back to his old self again I wait in bed for him to arrive, to better speak in private. When he walks into the room and sees me, I can tell by the expression on his face that he knows what’s coming.
“Tobias, I think it’s time we plan out what our next step is going to be. I love it here, I really do, but sooner or later we’re going to have to leave the building and face our demons. I need to know if you feel the same way.”
Tobias takes in a big sigh and sits on the bed. “The truth is Devin, I’m scared. I have no idea what’s going to happen to us once we leave. There’s a chance we might be able to live our lives in hiding but they’ll always be out there looking for us. You said that Malik is planning to attack us on All Hollow’s Eve. What if we wait it out here with Anna until then, then make it out on our own after?”
“We can do that”, I say, “but what about Anna and Mika? Wouldn’t that put them in danger?”
“Both of them have said repeatedly that we can stay with them for as long as we want. They both also know about the All Hollow’s Eve attack. If Anna has faith in her protection spells then I do too. 100%.”
“Fine.”, I submit. “We’ll stay here until a few days after All Hollow’s Eve. But what then? Where do you think we should go afterwards?”
Tobias looks at me. “Something tells me you already have an answer to that question.”
I bite my lower lip. The truth is, after seeing my father and his new family, the desire to confront him has played on my mind quite a bit. Not just over the hurt feelings that he’s happily moved on without mom or me, but also for having some sort of tie to a group of monsters who tried to kill me and Tobias. Tobias is only just getting his full health back. I couldn’t throw him into another situation where something like that could happen again, or worse. Still, I know that Tobias deserves to know the truth. I tell Tobias about my out of body travel to the werewolf compound again, but this time I include the part about seeing my father among them with his new family. When I’m done I remain silent, waiting to see his reaction.
“I figured you were holding back something about your dad, but I had no idea it was anything like this. It puts a whole new spin on things. Devin, you have to tell Anna what you’ve learned. If your dad really is running with the wolves, maybe she can use her vision to find out more about why he’s with them.”
“Tobias, I’ve already taken so much from Anna. I don’t want to mire her down with more of my personal drama. It’s not fair.”
“Fair? Your dad is in league with a pack of blood-thirsty assassins who tried to kill us and you’re debating semantics on what’s fair? Devin, look at the big picture here. Once we’re out of San Francisco, we’re on our own. Forget Malik for a moment and think about this: if the werewolves do end up finding us and they realize one of the persons they’re after is the son of one of their allies...what do you think they’re going to do to your dad and his new family? Or let’s say they already know about the connection with your father and he’s in on it, doesn’t it bother you to know why he’d let them go through with it and not do anything to stop them?”
And there it was. The thoughts I’ve been repressing, said allowed. I feel like I’m going to be sick. Part of me is afraid my father could be killed because of my desire to confront him, and the rest is afraid that for whatever reason he wants me as dead as the werewolves do. Either scenario would devastate to me completely.
“I don’t know what to do Tobias. This has been eating me up inside. I feel I have to know what’s going on but there’s a huge part of me that doesn’t think I have the strength to face some of that truth. You’re probably right. I should go to Anna. I know you’d never leave me to fend for myself but I also can’t face those monsters and see you hurt again either.”
“You’re sweet Devin, but I’m a
lot stronger than you’re giving me credit for. Yeah, that asshole did peg me good but he also got me when I wasn’t expecting it. Next time around, you better bet I’m gonna have my guard up. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m one bad ass witch.”
I start laughing out loud in response, which makes Tobias grin largely.
“Alright, point taken. Tobias cool, werewolves lame. Got it.”
“Good. Now, do you want to go to Anna now or wait until the morning?”
“Morning. There’s something else I’d rather do right now, especially since seeing you’re back to full strength.”
Tobias grins again. “Oh?”
I grin back. “Oh.”
The two of us fall into the pillows kissing, each both nervous and excited at what’s to come next.
§
CHAPTER SIX
The Eye of Bastet
The next morning Tobias and I wake up an hour earlier than usual to catch Anna and Mika before they head downstairs to begin breakfast. Mika answers our knock and opens the door wide enough for us to walk through. Once inside I spot Sekhmet sitting regally atop one of Anna’s couches. Our earlier than usual presence has obviously confused him. His eyes dart down to our legs, most likely hoping to see Fenrus with us. Knowing that Anna’s cat pack haven’t yet taken to the roof for their daily sunning, I thought it best Fenrus stay behind in Mika’s apartment. Staying one floor below, the cats won’t be so agitated, but Fenrus will still be mentally close enough to be aware of what is going to be discussed. Anna enters from another room wearing her trademark crisp white blouse and antique cameo affixed to its high collared neck. She clasps her hands in front of her with a blank expression on her face. The silence is palpable and I wonder if she already knows what I’m about to say.
“Good morning Anna. I have something I need to share with you and Mika.”
Anna remains silent but motions to one of the living room couches. I feel a bit uneasy but am happy to feel Tobias slip his hand into mine for support. We sit on the couch together while Anna and Mika take the two arm chairs facing our direction.
“Do you already know what I’m about to say?” I ask.
Anna’s face breaks into a subtle side grin. “Not fully but I have my suspicions. Please, what do you have to share?”
I gulp down the excess saliva and look toward Tobias. He squeezes my hand and nods his head to go on. I look at Anna and Mika and continue.
“I’m afraid I haven’t been completely honest with you. When I told you my spirit self found the werewolf compound a few weeks ago, there was a little more to the story. The reason why I had so hard of a time returning to my body is because something shocked me. Right before I lost consciousness I saw a car approach the wolves’ safe-house. When it stopped, a family stepped out to greet them; a father, mother and a teenage son. I’ve never seen the woman or boy before but the man...he was my father”.
Anna nods and looks at me, as if to continue. I do.
“I wasn’t able to sense if he was simply an outside ally or if he had anything to do with our attack. Like I said, he left mine and my mother’s lives when I was 6. I tried finding him when I left Arizona but I never was able to track down anything. I’m really sorry for keeping this from you but it was really hard for me to come to terms with it myself. That’s really no excuse but I hope you can understand why I did it.”
Anna sighs and says, “Well, I’m really glad that you’ve finally told me but Devin there’s really no reason to apologize. I understand the anguish you’ve probably been going through these past few weeks. When we found you on the bed unresponsive, I used my vision to see what was happening to you. I was able to see bits and pieces of your travels...which included you seeing your father. The resemblance is very strong so it was pretty easy to figure out who he was to you.”
Confused, I say, “So you knew all this time?”
Anna warmly smiles and says, “Not really. I had my suspicions but wasn’t able to discern exactly what it all meant. Without a physical item to make contact with, my visions are just that: visions of what has been, is, or will be. I needed you to fill-in the pieces.”
I think a moment and say, “Couldn’t you just fill-in the blanks with a tarot card reading or something?”
I hear a gasp come from Mika and a slight snicker come from Tobias. Confused, I look to Anna to see why they would react this way. The look on her face tells me that I must have said something slightly insulting without knowing it.
Anna says, “Devin, one thing you should know about divination is that there are amateurs and then there are true practitioners. Lots of people see movies and TV shows of old Gypsy women waving their hands over crystal balls and telling people’s fortunes with tarot cards. Some of this is based in fact, but others are completely false wives tales. Crystals, as you know, do help amplify a witch’s craft in certain situations and spells, but they are useless if someone were to try to stare into them to see the future. Reading the lines on your palm or finding out what outcome your life has for you by reading tarot cards are other invented stories non-witches created to help make them feel special or different. You might have a better chance of seeing a person’s future in a game of Go Fish. It’s only the select pre-disposed few who have the unique gift of being able to tap into what most people consider magic. True witches like us...only we can truly see into a person’s past, present, and future. Some, like me, can see these visions quite easily. Others like Mika and yourselves have the potential for divination, but need practice in learning how to access that craft properly.”
I start laughing and say, “So you mean to tell me my mom and I paid $50 each for a tarot reading when I was a kid for nothing?”
Anna breaks into another subtle grin. “I’m afraid so. If it makes you feel any better, on the rare occasion I’m called to “see” for a normal person, I charge quite a bit more than $50. Sounds like you got a deal on what ultimately is a lesson learned.”
“Ha! I guess so.” I say with a mixture of foolishness and honest humor. “Well, there’s not much else I can share. I was hoping maybe you could tell me more. Is there any way you could use your sight to show me more about my father and why he’s with the werewolves? I can pay if...”
“Pish-posh! Your money is no good here. Devin, I told you that you are family now and I meant it. Save your money for a rainy day when you need it.”
Anna stands up and motions for us to follow her. Mika, Tobias and I fall in line behind her as she walks over to her hidden room housing her goddess temple. She waves her hand before the bookcase and it moves aside with ease, revealing the warm golden room inside.
Anna then turns to me and says, “What you are about to experience is something that once started can not be stopped. Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
Without hesitation I say,“Yes, I do. If not for myself, than for Tobias’ sake. I won’t let us go into this blind. We need to know the truth.”
Anna nods and walks into the temple. Once she does her clothing morphs into flowing white ceremonial robes. Her entire aura changes when she turns back to face us. She becomes as regal as Sekhmet and seemingly as powerful as an ancient High Priestess. I notice her cameo has changed as well. It morphs into a choker around her neck in the shape of a cat’s eye. This surprises me as it has a feeling of being a devotional amulet but I know that her amulet was transformed into her familiar many years prior. She motions for us to come into the temple. As we do, an army of cats follow us in. They strategically take their place around the temple walls. Ms. Whiskers winks an eye at me as she passes me by, taking a position among the others. Sekhmet sits at Anna’s side, looking back at us with wide eyes.
Mika, Tobias and I similarly take different stations around the central alter table. Around the alter is a circle of protection, similar to the one I crafted in my last coven battle. This circle though uses the symbols of protection against negativity and devotion to the divine. The sweet holy smell of incense fills the room from st
rategically placed censers. Multiple colored candles begin to light on their own. On the alter are the various items used to represent nature: a pentacle marked plate holding bread, representing earth; an athame dagger, representing fire and will; a short wooden staff, representing air; a golden chalice, representing water; and twin white candles, representing the divine. One candle is marked with the symbol of Isis, and the second marked candle depicts the symbol of Bastet. I look to Anna for instruction on what’s to come next.
On cue Anna says, “I’m going to need an item of yours, preferably something with ties to your father.”
My mind immediately goes to a photo of my father I have in my wallet downstairs. I close my eyes and find my spiritual center. I hold my hand out and will the photo to manifest in my hand. When I open my eyes it is standing between my displayed hand’s fingers. I extend it to Anna, who gently takes it from me to examine.
“Yes, this will do nicely. Normally I can call upon my visions through concentration alone but here in the temple with the aid of Bastet’s children I can access a higher level of power. They augment my gifts to a vast level.” Anna reaches for her choker and removes it from her neck, placing it and the photo of my father in the center of the altar. “This amulet is the Eye of Bastet. At times my visions can overwhelm me, giving me too much information at once. The Eye channels those gifts and allows me to take them in at my own pace or not at all if I wish. Here in the temple though, I allow my gifts free reign. Are you ready to begin?”