Lena (Gypsy Spirits Book 3)

by Marianne Spitzer

  “That was my father’s name,” Paula added.

  “They said it would be easy for them to remember.”

  “They explained they chose Krystaqua because it would be an ideal place for Daniel and Garret’s spirits. Grandpa Josef knew that in fifty years the volcano would erupt and break through on the Krystaqua side of the mountain and the village would be destroyed. Daniel and Garret would be buried under rock for all eternity. When they catch them again, they’ll go back. They plan to save the village and be sure Daniel and Garret never come back.”

  “That was supposed to happen last time,” Annamarie said as she got off the floor and walked across the room to sit in a chair.

  “I know, but Grandpa Josef doesn’t like to kill a life’s spirit, even if it has caused trouble. He believes it should be allowed to continue to exist. That’s why he turned them into mold, a harmless substance, but still living. He said when he finds them this time he will eliminate their spirits forever and they’ll never return. They’ll be gone. However, since they’re here, they’re somewhere getting stronger. The last battle will be small in comparison to the one that’s coming.” Lena lay on her stomach on the floor, and pushed herself up with her elbows. She held her head in her hands.

  Annamarie stood quickly and looked at Sam. “This is bad news. It’s worse than I expected. We have been through this before. Michael hasn’t, and he doesn’t have powers to help him. Are your parents still planning on going to California for a month?”

  “Yeah, they plan on leaving on Friday. Why? Do you think they should take the kids the way they asked?”

  “Michael, yes. We’ll say Lena has some obligations here. Michael was sad he couldn’t go on the trip, but I was so worried about the length of time he’d be gone. Now, it’s a safe place and to be honest, I felt guilty he was going to miss out on Disneyland.” She smiled.

  “I’ll call them right away.” He rushed toward the study.

  “Tell them if there are any extra costs for the plane or anything, we’ll pay for it.”

  “Got it.” Sam disappeared down the hall.

  He returned in a few minutes, “They’re excited and will call us if there is any problem getting Michael a plane ticket for their flight. There are more flights they can take.”

  “I hate to say it, but the sooner he leaves the better I’ll breathe. I’m worried,” she left the room to find Michael and give him the news.

  Chapter Two

  Annamarie fought back a tear as she waved to Michael standing on his grandparent’s front porch. She knew he would be safe with Sam’s parents, but she had never been separated from him for longer than a night. She heaved a deep sigh and tried to relax. She took Sam’s hand. “We did the right thing, didn’t we? Michael’s really excited about the trip.”

  “Yes, it’s the best thing. He’ll have fun and be away from danger. He won’t have any memories of what may happen. Remember how hard it was when Lena was young and she remembered, but didn’t fully understand the spirit battle?”

  Annamarie’s brow furrowed although she knew Sam was right. “He’ll have fun and be safe. I’m being silly. Lena said this battle would be worse. How can it be worse than last time? If all the spirits are back, maybe Magdalena will visit my dreams. We need answers.”

  Sam pulled the car into their drive and parked. He reached over and pulled Annamarie close. “Whatever happens, I’m sure we’ll get details. We did before. Lena’s older and she says her powers are stronger as is the amulet. Magdalena and Josef wouldn’t have allowed her to come back here if they thought she was in danger. We’ll be fine.”

  Annamarie wasn’t as sure, but smiled at Sam. She loved him for being so strong and keeping his promise of standing by her side through anything Daniel might do. “Let’s go inside and talk to Lena.”

  Daniel and Garret’s spirits were hiding in the grass outside Daniel’s parent’s log cabin. Their energy level was low. Returning from the past through the portal had pulled much of their energy. They needed to gain strength soon. All they needed to do was attach themselves to another human and pull part of their energy. Each person wouldn’t notice the attack. They would feel as if they had overdone their day. Daniel needed not only strength, but energy from someone who could bolster his evil. He decided they would attack his mother first. She was the nastiest person he knew.

  They moved through the air to Maureen and George’s home. Daniel knew before they arrived that something had changed in his parent’s home. He sensed happiness and peace. Time had softened his parent’s hearts. They loved Lena and Michael and his mother actually got along with Annamarie.

  They changed their strategy and headed for the Tangledbranch Saloon. Any night of the week one would find the area’s least productive and most problem causing citizens tossing back shots and beer. Many had spent time in Sheriff Richardson’s jail cell. Daniel and Garret knew there was enough evil strength there to regain theirs.

  Their spirits slipped into the bar and stopped at each person in the bar. By nine o’clock people were heading home early. The bartender was confused why all his patrons were heading home. Most usually stayed until closing. Daniel and Garret’s spirits were stronger and flew back to the cabin. They settled inside the cabin where they would rest and gain their strength back fully.

  Annamarie was hoping for a quiet night. Lena and Sam were discussing some of the things she had seen during her journey to the past and Annamarie tried to get interested in a magazine. Feeling the stress of the day taking its toll, she yawned and stretched. She was about to suggest getting some sleep when Lena jumped up from her chair.

  “Trouble’s coming!”

  “What is it?”

  “Daniel and Garret have regained much of their strength. They’re planning some sort of attack. I can feel it, but I can’t see them.”

  “Magdalena and Josef will know where they are and what they’re doing. They’ll stop them. They have to stop this,” Annamarie wrapped her arms tightly around her chest.

  “Don’t worry, Mom. My amulet is keeping all of us and the house safe. Daniel and Garret can’t get in here or touch me. I don’t know if they’re strong enough to harass you, but they can’t kill you or Sam.”

  “I’m trying not to worry. Maybe my grandmother will visit me in a dream again and let me know what’s happening. She did before when they were in the pines.”

  “Remember when I was small, Mom? I could toss Daniel’s spirit around and protect us both with those magic sparkles? I don’t need them now. I can do the same thing with only my mind. One thought is all I need. The amulet has given me that power.” Lena stood tall and smiled--her pride showing on her face. “I’ll take care of us, I promise.”

  Annamarie wasn’t so sure and she took a deep breath. Exhaling slowly, she began to feel the same calm that came over her years ago when her grandparent’s spirits were near. She smiled back at Lena, praying her daughter wasn’t going to get hurt or worse.

  The glow of the campfire was back. Annamarie could see it through the trees as she walked into the pines. The soft violin music greeted her when the campfire came into view. She saw many of her ancestors that she had met years earlier when they helped her great-grandparents rid the pines of the evil Daniel and Garret brought. Annamarie’s smile brightened when she saw Magdalena and Josef. Knowing their return meant trouble was close, she was worried. However, she had missed her great-grandparents and had grown close to their spirits.

  “My child, sit,” Magdalena said as Annamarie approached. Magdalena sat on a large colorful blanket and patted a spot next to her. Annamarie sat next to her and hugged her great-grandmother.

  “I’ve missed you, but you’re here because of Daniel and Garret aren’t you?”

  “Unfortunately, yes. They gained more strength than we thought and disappeared before Josef knew they were gone.”

  “How could that happen? I thought they were gone forever,” Annamarie said. She bit her lip, wrapped her arms tightly around her ches
t, and began to rock forward and back. “What happened to leaving them on the mountains?”

  “Garret had a bit of energy from the blonde woman and when he shared it with Daniel, he was able to leave the mountain. Together they pulled a bit of energy from several townsfolk. When they were strong enough they found their way to the cave of the Krystaqua witch.”

  “A witch, there aren’t any witches. Are there?” Annamarie’s eyes grew big, fear tightened her chest.

  “There have always been witches. In your world today they are quiet and subtle with their magic. In the time and place we were residing, some wanted to rule where they lived. They caused trouble and made blood pacts with others. It is what they did with Daniel and Garret.”

  Annamarie shuddered afraid to ask. “What’s a blood pact?”

  “A person would make a pact to receive a power or a special gift and in return fulfill the debt with blood.”

  “Whose blood, are they going to kill someone?”

  “I am not sure, but I heard from the townsfolk that they made a pact to bring her a child.” Magdalena reached out to touch Annamarie’s arm.

  “A child? Oh, no, they want Lena?” Annamarie’s hands flew to her face.

  “No, they want Michael.”

  Annamarie screamed so loudly that she woke herself from her dream. She also woke Sam.

  He sprang from the bed looking around the room for whatever had woken him so abruptly. Turning around, he saw Annamarie with her face buried in her pillow. Her body movements showed that she was sobbing. Sam touched her shoulder and gently called her name. She looked at him, her eyes filled with terror. His tightened jaw and furrowed brow let her know he was confused. “She wants Michael. Daniel promised her Michael. They’ve come back to take him. He can’t have our son.”

  Sam pulled her close, “You had a nightmare. Michael’s safe in California with my parents. No one is going to take him.”

  Annamarie pushed away and sat up. Looking him straight in the eyes, “I wasn’t having a nightmare. I had a dream.” She told him the details she had learned from Magdalena.

  Sam ran his fingers through his hair. His heart pounded in his ears. He had promised years ago to always stand by Annamarie’s side. Now his son was in danger. Could he keep his promise and keep Michael safe? Reaching for her hand he said, “We’ll do what we have to do and keep him safe. The spirits helped keep Lena safe, they’ll do the same for Michael.” They lay down in each other’s arms. Annamarie was awake staring at the ceiling, Sam’s quiet snoring let her know he had fallen back to sleep. “Sleep,” she mumbled. “How can he sleep?”

  Sam saw the same firelight that drew Annamarie into the pines. He followed it until he saw the campfire and Magdalena and Josef sitting near it. Josef looked up, “Come, sit my son. I can tell you are worried. We will answer your questions.”

  “Annamarie said Daniel and Garret want to take Michael. That they made some sort of blood pact with a witch. Is that true? What can we do?”

  “We will do our best to keep Michael safe. He is safe in your home, but we know he will soon be going to school and likes to play ball with his friends. It will be harder to keep him safe outside of your home, but we will watch over him. Now he is safe with your parents. He is too far away for Daniel or Garret to reach, but he will return home soon. Then we will need to be very careful. What we do not know is what powers Daniel and Garret received from the witch for the promise of bringing back the boy.”

  Sam pounded his fists on his knees. “This is impossible. I don’t believe in witches. How did Daniel and Garret get back here?”

  Josef said, “You must open your mind to all possibilities. The witch exists. She is evil, but is trapped in the past. Blood of a child given to her freely will allow her to have greater power and travel at will. People in the village know of her evil and never ventured near her cave. Daniel and Garret found it as they tried to get away. They made the pact, and she taught them the secret to using the time portal Lena controls.”

  “A blood pact is not only barbaric, but unbelievable. Witches only exist in fairy tales and scary stories.”

  “No, my son,” Josef placed his hand on Sam’s shoulder. “There are more things in this world and past lives than you know. Many pass by you each day unnoticed, many sleep waiting for their time to come, and some make pacts and patiently wait for them to pass. That is what the witch has done with Daniel and Garret.”

  Sam leaped to his feet, strode to a large pine and punched it. He bent over in pain, and yelled, “They can’t take my son. I won’t allow anyone, even a witch, to kill him.” He grimaced when he saw the blood run off his hand.

  Magdalena took his hand in hers and covered it with her other hand. The pain left his hand immediately. He dropped his eyes to his hand and saw it was completely healed. “I’m dreaming,” he said. “That’s how you healed my hand.”

  “Yes, you are dreaming, but what you are experiencing is real. I will allow the scab to remain on your hand as proof. When you wake in the morning it will be there.”

  Sam pulled his hand away. “I know you have protected Lena and will protect Michael. Please help us be rid of Daniel and Garret forever.”

  “We will my son,” Magdalena touched his cheek, and Sam drifted into a deeper sleep.

  Sam woke, stretched, rolled over, and reached for Annamarie, but she wasn’t there. Looking around the room he saw her sitting on the veranda outside the bedroom. He rose, pulled on his robe, and opened the French doors. Sam settled in the chair next to her.

  “I dreamt about Magdalena and Josef. They’ll protect Michael. The witch won’t be able to touch him. They will also rid us of Daniel and Garret.”

  “What worries me is what happens between now and then.” She glanced up at him, tears in her eyes. “Who knows what powers that witch gave them.”

  “I know. Those two are evil and caused a lot of damage and trouble the last time they were free. We’re in for a fight, but we’ll win,” he tightened his jaw and looked deep into her eyes.

  “We have to, I refuse to lose Michael. If we sent your parents some money, do you think they would extend their vacation? They’re both retired. They could stay for an extra week and then maybe travel up the coast to Oregon and Washington. It would be a beautiful trip for them.”

  “Yes, it would. I think I can get them to extend the vacation without much explanation. They adore Michael. He’s their only grandson. I’ll think of something to tell them.” He took her hand and squeezed it tight. “He’ll stay safe.”

  “What happened to your hand? You didn’t have that last night.”

  “I was angry about that witch wanting Michael, and I punched a tree. I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming or really speaking to Magdalena and Josef. She took my hand and the bleeding and pain stopped, but she said she would leave the scab so I know it was real.”

  Annamarie smiled and placed her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. She glanced sideways at Sam. He was so serious when he looked at his hand. She knew the situation was dangerous, but she also knew her great-grandmother’s sense of humor. Leaving him with a nice big scab was what she’d expect from Magdalena. She patted his hand and said, “It’ll heal. She hasn’t scarred you forever.” His furrowed brow and twisted lips was too much for her, and her laughter broke through. Sam glared at her and then smiled. He knew she was right.

  Daniel’s anger grew as he used the portal to see Michael’s whereabouts. “Damn her, she placed him out of our reach. What good is this stupid portal if it can’t get me to that kid?”

  “It got us here, and we’ll have to wait. We can at least keep an eye on him and know when he returns,” Garret said.

  “I know, but the longer it takes, the longer we have to wait to become human again. Once we’re human we’ll be able to kill Annamarie’s ancestors and she’ll never be born. My life will be perfect.”

  “What about Lena? She won’t exist either.”

  “I don’t care. I never got to know
her and she helped Josef to look for me so he could destroy me. Is that a way for a daughter to act? Once they’re gone and we’re alive, I’ll marry someone worthy of me.”

  “Me, too. I’m going to find Nancy. Her love for me helped me to connect with her and gain my initial strength back. Yeah, I’m going to find that woman.”

  The two hid in the oaks near the cabin and made plans. The witch had given them the power to be invisible when hidden in the grass as spirits.

  Daniel laughed, “I’m going to scare the hell out of Annamarie before we snatch Michael. I hate that bitch. This’ll be fun.”

  After breakfast, Sam kissed Annamarie and said, “I’ll call my folks at their hotel before they leave for the day. We can send them money via Western Union once they agree.” His smile reassured her, but her fear for Michael grew. She knew she also had to tell her parents that Daniel was back, but not sure how to break the news.

  “Elaine, I feel like doing the grocery shopping this week. I need to get out of the house for a while. My mom said she was going to pick Lena up later and we’ll be having dinner there. You don’t need to cook tonight, and after you finish cleaning the kitchen you should take the day off. We all need a little peace and quiet.”

  “Thanks, Annamarie, I do have a few things I’d like to do,” answered Elaine, the family’s housekeeper. She had been Grandpa Logan’s housekeeper, too and stayed on when he passed. She had grown to become an important part of the family.