Havenwood Falls High Volume Two

by Cameo Renae

  For some reason, I wanted to hug him. To wrap my arms around him and tell him I hoped his future was better. It could be, now that he was here. Now that we were here.

  In the short time we’d spoken, I learned a lot about Rylan. That somehow, fate had brought him to Havenwood Falls. Fate had brought us all here, and we just had to figure out why we were chosen. Even if it was to live out our lives, knowing that there were others like us—different, but still searching for their place on this earth. A place where we all fit. And maybe, Havenwood Falls was that place.

  I made us sandwiches, and we sat and watched a few episodes of Supernatural—something we both agreed upon—and after the episode was done, he stood and checked his watch. “I have to run to the warehouse and help them shut down early for the New Year’s Eve barbecue tonight.”

  “The barbecue. Right.” It would be the first time, as far as I could remember, that my dad and I would be celebrating the holiday with family. “Thanks for coming over,” I said. “I really enjoyed the company.”

  A wide smile adorned his handsome face. “Thanks for listening. And, sorry about whatever happened in there earlier. I never spill my guts like that, or get emotional . . . with anyone. I guess you’re easy to talk to.”

  “Well, I’m honored,” I said and meant it. “Sometimes it’s good to spill, you know, so you can fill yourself back up with good things . . . better things.”

  He nodded, considering my words. “A wise theory.”

  I shrugged, hoping he wouldn’t regret spilling to me. “Will you be at the barbecue?”

  “Good food and great company? I wouldn’t miss it,” he said, heading for the door.

  I followed him, and without warning he turned and pressed his warm lips to my cheek. “Catch you later, cupcake,” he whispered, his warm breath grazing my face, his lips lingering so close to mine. He’d rendered me frozen and speechless, then winked and walked away. Jerk.

  I closed the door and pressed my back against it, my heart beating a mile a minute, while butterflies slam-danced in my stomach. The spot he kissed was still tingling and warm and . . . God, it was wonderful.

  Rylan’s good looks were one thing, but I was finding out there was a lot more to him than the prideful, snarky, testy jerk he first seemed to be. It would be hard to be normal around him, because whenever he was around, he made me feel things I’d never felt before. And there was no avoiding him. For God’s sake, he was part of the family and lived next door.

  Yawning, I realized how tired I was. The long trip last night and all the crazy events that happened today had taken their toll. I decided to take a nap before my dad got home. Besides, we’d be pulling an all-nighter to welcome in the new year.

  Curling up on the couch, I clicked through the channels. The house was too quiet, so I needed the background noise. Especially being alone in an unfamiliar place.

  The new version of Beauty and the Beast was on, so I left it and pulled a throw blanket over me. My eyes were heavy, and in no time, sleep had found me.

  Chapter 9

  Eris. E—ris,” a female voice called, but the voice sounded hollow.

  My eyes opened, and I was on a couch. The TV was off, and the house was dark.

  “Eris,” the voice called again.

  I sat up, getting my bearings, and realized I was at the house in Havenwood Falls. Feeling a bit frightened, I slowly peeked over the cushions. A bright light illuminated the top of the stairs, and I watched as it slowly hovered downward.

  As the light reached the bottom of the steps, it grew bigger and brighter. So big and so bright, it was almost blinding. Then, it suddenly dimmed, and a woman stood in front of me, her body ethereal, illuminating the darkness around her. She was wearing a long white gown, and I realized I knew her.

  “Mom?” My voice trembled. Tears blurred my vision as I gazed into honey-colored eyes. Eyes that looked a lot like mine.

  “Yes.” She smiled, her flawless porcelain face glowing. She was so beautiful, like I remembered, and was wearing a long white gown. “Don’t be afraid, my darling,” she replied. “Come.”

  But I couldn’t. I was frozen, my body trembling, my heart beating so hard and so fast I thought it might escape my chest.

  It was the first time I’d seen my mom since we’d left. But I knew her face. I’d memorized it from the picture we’d had, and I recognized her smile. She had the brightest, most beautiful smile I’d ever seen.

  “Come, Eris,” she beckoned. “There is something I want to show you.”

  I gathered my nerves and stood from the couch. Yes, she was my mom, but my mom had also been dead for the past seven years, and now she was hovering inches off the ground.

  I stepped toward her, and she waved for me to follow. Gently, slowly, she floated back up the stairs. When she reached the top, she turned right, and headed toward the only room I hadn’t been in. My dad’s room, and hers . . . once upon a time.

  When she reached the closed door, she floated directly through it. As she passed through, it unlocked and creaked ajar. I slowly pushed the door open, noticing her glowing figure near the closet. The rest of the room was dark, in black and white.

  “Come,” she said, then pointed toward the closet door.

  I walked toward the closet, and opened it. It was empty, aside from a few of my dad’s dress shirts on hangers. She pointed to the left, and gave me a single nod. I leaned inside but saw a wall. A solid wall and nothing else. What did she want me to see?

  “There’s nothing here,” I said, turning back.

  Her hand was still pointing. “The floor, Eris. Look under the floor.”

  The floor was covered with carpet, but I dropped down anyway, on all fours, and tugged at the edge. To my surprise, it wasn’t attached. It was merely a remnant laid on top. Tugging it harder, I folded the carpet back and crawled into the closet.

  Then, like I’d seen in the movies, I rapped on the exposed hardwood floor with my knuckles. Sure enough, there was a spot that sounded hollow. Two of the boards had a slightly bigger gap between them, so with my fingertips, I pulled on the lip of a board closest me, and it came right up, leaving a dark hole in the floor.

  Turning back to my mom, I watched her smile widen. “Take what is inside, Eris. It’s yours now,” she said, her voice angelic.

  I sucked in a deep breath and reached inside. There was something hard and quite large, so I wrapped my fingers around it and pulled it out. Carrying it out of the closet, I took it to the bed and sat down where my mom was standing—hovering—and placed the rectangular shaped object on the bed. It was wrapped in a red cloth, so I began to unravel it.

  It was a book. A leather-bound book with a pentacle—a circle with a pentagram inside—on its front. It was very old and smelled musty, and when I ran my fingers over the cover, the leather was soft, like velvet. I also felt something tingling inside my fingers when I touched it—a power pulsing within.

  “What is this?” I breathed.

  “A Book of Shadows,” she replied. “It belonged to your great-grandmother, Margret Witheridge. It was her diary, so to speak, of all things she practiced. Her spells, herbs, potions, among other things. It was passed to her daughter—your grandmother, Gertrude—when she died. And then, it passed to me. It possesses spells—powerful spells, but mostly spells to protect and spells to heal.”

  I opened the cover, and on the bottom, written in old script, was:

  Margret Witheridge – Salem Village, 1682

  Goosebumps riddled my skin. “She was one of the Salem witches?”

  “Yes.” For the first time, her smile dimmed and her eyes saddened. “She was captured, tried, and found guilty. They hanged her while her husband and daughter watched.”

  A pain pierced my heart at the thought, and a stray tear trickled down my cheek and dripped onto the open page of the book. I watched the wet spot disappear, as if it were being sucked up. I touched the paper, and it was dry.

  “The book has dried your tears,” my mom
murmured, and I felt oddly comforted.

  “What happened after Margret died?” Since she was here, I wanted to learn as much as I could.

  “After her death, your great-grandfather took Gertrude, and they left Salem, taking the book with them. Your grandmother treasured it, and entered her own spells she’d learned through the years. She later met and married your grandfather, and had me. When I came of age, the book was passed down.”

  “Dad told me what happened to you and Grandpa. I know he was a hunter and that you were kidnapped by werewolves and bitten in front of him. I also know they killed him and left you to die.”

  “That’s true. But there was also a silver lining.”

  “Silver lining?” I huffed. “Your father was killed, you were beaten and left to die, and your mom ran away, never to be heard of again. Where’s the silver lining?”

  “If none of that had happened, I would have never met your father, and we would have never had you or Camden or the wonderful time we shared together. It was all a gift . . . the good that came out of the bad.” She floated closer, and I could feel her warmth seeping through me. “I love you so much, Eris. I loved you the moment I knew you were in my womb, and even more the first time I held you in my arms and felt that magic pass between us. The very first time I looked into your eyes, I knew you were going to be special. Just like the rest of us Witheridge women. Yes, I loved you then, and I’ve loved you ever since.”

  “I’ve missed you, Mom,” I said, my voice exiting in a sob.

  “I know, my darling. But I’ve been with you, watching over you all these years.”

  Realization slammed me, like a brick to the face.

  “You,” I gasped, my eyes meeting hers. “You are my glimmer.”

  When she nodded, I lost it. My tears and sobs became uncontrollable, and my body wouldn’t stop trembling.

  “I’ve never left you, Eris. I’ve been with you all along.”

  Her words filled me, and wrapped around my shattered heart, attempting to mend it. How could I not know the glimmer was her? It was always there whenever I needed it most.

  “Thank you,” I finally said, after pulling myself together. “Do you know what happened to your mother? Did she die, too?”

  “No,” she answered. “When she heard I’d been bitten, and my father had been murdered, she panicked and ran. She was afraid, and I don’t blame her.”

  “If she ran, how did you get the book?”

  “When I was strong enough, I returned to the house and was surprised to find the Book of Shadows still hidden in a secret place only she and I knew of. It wasn’t long after that when we made our way to Havenwood Falls.” She pointed to the book. “I’ve added my own spells onto the pages. But remember, these spells should only be used for good. Never for evil or for gain.”

  I nodded. I would never use a spell to harm anyone. “Dad told me about the dark magic that killed you. The spell that evil woman cast that made him choose between us.”

  “Yes, it was a very dark and very ancient spell. One that could not be stopped once it was sent,” she said sadly. “But the woman had to give part of herself to the spell, and has paid for it.”

  “I’m so sorry,” I sobbed. “I’m sorry he chose me.”

  “Don’t be sorry, sweetheart. Don’t ever be sorry. I would have always chosen you.” Her hand reached for mine, but passed right through. “You are my life, Eris. You, your brother, and your father.” As she came closer, I noticed her body was beginning to fade. “I don’t have much time left, so you must listen carefully. The spell on your brother can be reversed. It was cast by a witch, who is attached to the woman who placed the spell against us long ago. It is being conjured out of revenge.”

  “Revenge? For what?”

  “The woman who put the death curse on us is her sister. Because she had to give something to the dark spell, she offered her remaining power. But the spell took more than that. It took her beauty, leaving her face blistered and scarred.

  “She twisted her story and told her sister—another powerful witch—that your father tried to seduce her, and that I had become so jealous I placed a curse on her. She lied and never told the truth. That she was the one insanely obsessed with your father, or that the dark spell she had cast was going to take a life.

  “Her sister has come to avenge her. To make your father pay for something he didn’t do. She spelled your brother, and her goal is to spell your father as well. A spell that will keep them in a deep sleep until they die.”

  Oh, God. I wasn’t sure I could do this alone.

  “There is no time, Eris. You must go, but remember, you won’t be alone. She is right outside the boundary of Havenwood Falls, getting ready to cast her final spell against your father. She has two men helping her. They came into Havenwood Falls and took something from your brother, which is how she cast the spell.”

  Oh, no. The two men. They must have been the ones the sheriff’s son was talking about.

  “I need to get in touch with Dad,” I said, breathless.

  “It’s too late. She already has him.”

  My heart dropped. “What do you mean she has him? How?”

  “The men. While he was out tracking down a lead in the woods, they knocked him out and have taken him outside of Havenwood Falls, just beyond the wards. She is heavily glamoured, but you can stop her, Eris.”

  “Me?” I gasped. “I can’t stop her. I don’t have powers, and I’ve never cast a single spell in my life. I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

  “Eris,” my mother whispered. “Everything you need is inside of you. Magic runs in your blood, and it will guide you. All you have to do is believe in it.”

  I was terrified. I’d just learned today, a few short hours ago, that I was part witch, and now I was supposed to stop a powerful, practiced witch on my own?

  I looked into my mother’s eyes and saw something that made me pause my thoughts. It was a look that only a mother could give. Unconditional love, trust, hope, and faith in her daughter. She believed in me, and I not only saw it . . . I felt it.

  She leaned forward and rested her hand against the middle of my chest. A surge of power slammed into me, making me fall back.

  Gasping, I sat back up. “What happened?”

  “The power inside you has been awakened. Find the witch. Stop her. She has the spell that can reverse your brother’s curse. As soon as it is broken, cast a spell of protection around the family. There is a powerful spell in the Book of Shadows. It was written by your grandmother. Find it, and speak the words, Eris. Speak them from your heart and feel them with your soul.”

  I nodded. I could do this. I would do it for my dad and for my brother. The evil witches had already taken my mother, but they weren’t going to take anyone else in my family.

  I could feel the power inside my blood start to churn. I could feel it growing, writhing, and coiling under my skin.

  “How will I find her if she’s glamoured?”

  My mother placed her pointer fingers on my eyes and spoke, “See that which has been hidden. See the evil lurking in the shadows and bring it to light.”

  When I opened my eyes, I felt a buzz all around me.

  “Find her, Eris. Find her before she spells your father. Once she curses him, she will disappear, and I fear you will never find her again.”

  I couldn’t fail. My mother had given her life for me, and now I would prove that she saved me for a reason. It was my duty now to save my brother and my father.

  “I’ll find her, mom,” I promised. “And I’ll reverse the spell.”

  “I know you will, sweetheart,” she said, reaching for me, but her hand passed right through. “I love you, Eris. I always have, and I always will. Remember, I will always be with you.”

  “I love you too, Mom.” With tears streaming down my face, I watched her fade, until I was left in the darkness, alone.

  Chapter 10

  I shot up on the couch in the living room with a cooking sh
ow on the TV. I glanced at the time, and a few hours had passed. The sun outside was already starting to set.

  “Dad?” I called, but the house was quiet. “Dad!” There was still no answer.

  I peered over the back of the couch, to the stairs and wondered about the dream. It felt so real.

  Real or not, I had to find out.

  Jumping off the couch, I dashed up the stairs and headed straight for my father’s room. Inside, the layout was exactly as it was in my dream. I walked up to the closet and pulled open the door, and another surge of déjà vu smacked me.

  Dropping to my knees, I pulled the rug back—a remnant that wasn’t tacked down. I found the two boards with the larger gap between them and pried the board closest to me open. Without thinking, I reached into the hole. My heart hammered as I felt the hard, rectangular object.

  Pulling it from the hole, I sat back, holding the book wrapped in a red cloth. The exact red cloth I’d dreamed of. Overwhelmed with trepidation and excitement, I quickly replaced the board, threw back the carpet, closed the closet door, and ran to my room.

  I plopped down on my cupcake bedspread and carefully unraveled the book from the cloth, and there, staring at me, was my great-grandmother’s Book of Shadows . . . old and leather-bound, with a pentacle adorning the front.

  I could feel the book, feel its power urging me to open its pages filled with magic. But I had one task. To find the spell—the protection spell—that would cover our family, written somewhere inside.

  I flipped through the pages, the symbols and drawings calling to me to look and decipher them. To draw from the power of the words written within.

  But not now. Right now, I had to stay focused.

  As I kept turning, I noticed a section where the handwriting had changed. Where the ink looked a little fresher than the last entry. It must have been the start of my grandma Gertrude’s entries.