Enchanting Wilder

by Cassie Graham

  “That little pig sticker won’t kill me, and you know it,” Mrs. Carlson says, malevolence lacing her every syllable.

  Kai steps up, his voice a little wobbly. “It’ll put you down long enough for me to get the job done.” Kai looks to Noah, his eyes bright blood red. “Do it.” The panic in his voice makes me wonder if he knows what Mrs. Carlson wants to say.

  Noah’s eyebrows furrow and he reaches for Mrs. Carlson, her tired and dilapidated body not in any state to fight back. He pulls her from the ground, onto her feet, and brings the knife to her throat.

  I take a quick glance at Declan. His hands are fisted and his nostrils flared.

  “Your parents are in Beneath,” she says to me, her body shuddering. “You promised you’d let me free.”

  “They lied,” Noah says, and his eyes flash to Declan who rolls his shoulders.

  “How do we get to Beneath?” I ask, stepping closer. If she’s going to die, I need answers now. The look in Noah’s eyes is enough to tell me Mrs. Carlson doesn’t have much time. Was this Declan’s plan all along?

  Maybe he’s just as lethal as Noah…

  “You’ll know…” Mrs. Carlson advises.

  “That’s enough!” Noah cautions, the knife’s pressure starting to slice her skin.

  Mrs. Carlson snickers and thrusts out her chest. “You don’t want me to tell Declan he’s a…”

  Noah clenches her jaw shut and his eyes dart to Declan. Swiftly, he pulls the blade away from her throat and plunges it deep into her heart, stunning us all.

  “What the hell, Dad?” Declan says, dumbfounded. “We weren’t done.”

  Wood covers his mouth. “Holy shit.”

  Kai rushes the mouse trap in a black blur, moving to Mrs. Carlson’s body. Noah drops her to the ground and walks out of the cellar, his head down and hand swiping away the sweat on his forehead. He doesn’t look at any of us as he ascends the stairs.

  Mumbling an incantation I’ve never heard, Kai positions his hands over Mrs. Carlson’s limp body. Within seconds, a bright glow of red light surrounds her, swirling around, and she screams, pounding on the ground with her lifeless fists.

  Kai turns his head toward me, knowing I’m confused as to how the body is moving already. “It’s the demon fighting to get out. That knife won’t kill it.” He’s screaming now. “We have to kill the soul.” The magic overpowers our space. It hugs us, pushing our good into the demon.

  Declan squints against the wind, and rushes up the stairs to find his dad.

  “Wood!” I yell. “What’s happening?”

  He shakes his head, somber, not taking his eyes off Kai. “Just let him go.”

  I breathe in and move to Candy. “We have to help Kai.”

  “But his eyes…”

  That worries me, too. They’ve turned their deadly shade of red. Demonic magic can’t be good. “I know. But we have to help him.”

  She nods apprehensively, her clammy hand grabbing mine.

  My boots stomp heavy against the cement trap.

  Listening carefully to Kai, I mentally say the incantation in my head. Once I have it down, I take hold of Candy’s other hand and move over Kai and Mrs. Carlson. “Ready?”

  “I think I have it!” Candy yells.

  I nod and close my eyes. “Ejiatco daemonia, extermati soont.”

  Over and over, with the help of Kai, the red light starts to engulf us in its power.

  Unlike Strix magic, this feels different. This pulls from my insides, tugging on my desires, my insecurities, my fear. I don’t like it, but I can also feel myself growing more powerful. The sensation working its way into my veins, coursing through my blood; it energizes my soul. From the inside out, I feel commanding. I demand it. I don’t want to crave this feeling—but I do. I like it.

  “McKenna stop!” Candy shouts at me. I hadn’t realized but I’d let her hand go and I was producing the magic all by myself.

  I sneer, and then comprehend what I’m doing, shaking my head of the magic. “Oh my God.”

  Kai stands, moving away from the motionless body of Mrs. Carlson, his eyes back to their chocolate color. “That’s enough McKenna.”

  I cover my mouth, my cheeks burning from embarrassment. “I’m sorry.”

  I don’t know exactly what I’m sorry for, but what I do know is that overwhelming feeling isn’t something I should have embraced.

  Kai moves to me, his hands up. “It’s okay. Take a deep breath and take hold of Candy’s hands. Channel her.”

  Candy gulps, her eyes huge.

  “O…okay.”

  My hands burn the moment they touch her cold hands. The instinct to pull them away overpowers me. But I don’t.

  “Channel her,” Kai demands. “Now.”

  Breathing in through my nose and out my mouth, Candy begins to chant. Clearing my mind of all thoughts, worries and embarrassment, her cool, tranquil emotions blanket me like the darkness that was just housed in my body. She pushes and shoves into me, forcing me to hold her emotions.

  I can’t help the desire to push them back. Reject her.

  There’s a tug of war raging inside my body and I’m not sure who I want to win.

  Finally, after long minutes of chanting, Candy stops and I’m able to fully breathe again, the weight of the bad leaving my body. I let go of her hands and step back, feeling naked and exposed.

  “What was that?” Candy roars.

  I blink rapidly. “I…I don’t know.”

  Kai rushes to me. “We don’t have time for that now. We have to find Declan.”

  “Where’s Wood?” I ask.

  “He left a while ago.” His eyes downcast and he crosses his arms over his body.

  I didn’t even notice.

  Candy backs away from me slowly, a stern expression on her face. “Come on.”

  Pulling my leather jacket tight around my body, I follow behind her and Kai as we make our way up the steps outside. White pieces of snow flurries around us, and I tug my scarf higher on my face. The tall evergreens move and sway in the harsh wind. It pierces my uncovered skin, prickling me with its tiny icicles.

  None of us say a word as we make our way down the dirt path to the house, each of us in our own world.

  We find Wood sitting outside the house on a white rocking chair, a scowl deep on his forehead. His blue jeans are creased from the long day of sitting in the car, and there are splatters of mud on his University of Denver hoodie. His feet bounce with nervousness as rocks he back and forth.

  “Hey,” he says when he notices us walking up the porch.

  “Where’s Declan?” I ask.

  Wood points to the house with this thumb. “Talking to dad.”

  I bite my lip and pull fretfully at my jacket. I feel awkward being around Candy and Kai after the way I acted. “I’m going to use the bathroom.”

  Candy opens her mouth to say something, but I turn away from her quickly and race into the house. Before I close the front door I hear her say, “She’s acting strange.”

  Understatement. I’m feeling so unlike myself, I might need to sit down.

  The kitchen is empty as I make my way farther into the house, and the downstairs bathroom is locked.

  Taking off my jacket and hanging it on the back of the couch, I quietly make my way upstairs. Declan’s room is on the right side of the house, so I decide to head left, figuring I should probably stay clear of it. I’m sure that’s where him and his dad are talking.

  More family pictures decorate the walls on this side of the house. Most of them Declan and Wood at various ages. I stop at one, and touch my finger to it. Declan’s smile is so bright. It couldn’t be more than a few years old. He and his dad are sitting in a boat with a fish on the line, and Noah has his arm wrapped around Declan’s shoulders.

  So carefree.

  The third door on the left reveals a marvelous bathroom. My bladder sings its praises. Closing the door behind me, I quickly do my business.

  When I’m done, I walk to the
sink and stare at my reflection in the mirror.

  The mascara under my eyes makes me look a couple years older and my scowl ages me more years than I like to admit. I straighten myself up, I replace my grimace with a smile and erase the black smudges with my finger. The water runs over my hands and I pat my neck, staring down at the running water. It’s so cold outside, but, in here, the heater must be turned up because sweat is beginning to form on my face. When my eyes meet the mirror again, the woman staring back at me in the reflection isn’t me. She looks like me, but her eyes are red like Kai’s and her teeth are long and pointed. She snarls, her face contorting into something that resembles a monster.

  I inhale deeply and fling my body back with teeth-shattering force, my back hitting the doorknob. I quietly shriek in pain. Closing my eyes to the point of discomfort, I will my body to settle down.

  The hairs on the back of my neck and my arms stand at attention and my breaths come out in shallow wheezes.

  That wasn’t me. That wasn’t me. I repeat on a loop in my head.

  That wasn’t me.

  That wasn’t me.

  God, that looked a helluva lot like me.

  I shake my head of those thoughts. It must have been the magic. The way it made me feel, it had an effect on me. I can’t do that type of magic anymore.

  Demonic magic. Is that what Manifestation is?

  No. No. I put both of my hands on the side of my face. I didn’t like the way it felt as the power flowed through my body.

  Stop it! I press the palms of my hands into my eyes. Bursts of color fills the blackness behind my eyelids.

  “Seelias a me, fuut me, pasis,” I chant, putting my head between my knees. Calm me. Make me peaceful. Over and over. I repeat it.

  Finally, when I force my eyes open, I take a deep breath and center myself. I wipe the moisture from my face and stand, straightening my shirt.

  It was just a panic attack. There’s nothing wrong with me.

  Satisfied with my mini pep talk, I nod once and turn from my reflection and head out the door.

  As I’m about to pass the master bedroom, the murmur of voices flows from under the door and I stop in my tracks.

  “Dad,” I hear Declan say. “It can’t be true. I don’t believe it.”

  Noah sighs. “I’m sorry, son.”

  “No!” Declan shouts, followed by a loud bang, like he punched a wall. “Dammit dad.”

  I flinch and then there’s silence.

  Seconds pass by as I rock in place, biting my lip, contemplating what I should do. My brain tells me to move away from the door and mind my own business. My heart, that snoopy little thing, it’s telling me to stay in place, find out what they’re talking about.

  “How am I supposed to tell her?” Declan asks, his voice cracking.

  I move closer to the door, placing my ear on the cold wood. My hands lay flat, steadying me.

  “That’s for you to figure out, son. I can’t do this for you.”

  Declan sniffles. “And me? How is that possible? How am I…”

  “There’s so much you don’t know,” Noah cuts him off.

  He’s a what?! I want to yell at them.

  “But you’ll tell us everything? After I tell McKenna, you’ll tell us the whole story? I can’t be in the dark any longer.”

  My breath stops in my chest. What about me?

  Heavy footed feet pace the floor. “I promise.”

  Declan exhales.

  “You have to tell her…”

  “I know,” Declan stops him. “I have to tell her she’s a demon.”

  Heavy steps barrel down the stairs, and both Dad and I perk up at the interruption.

  “What was that?” he asks.

  I wipe my eyes and stand up. “Come on. Let’s go.”

  Dad stands too, his hand on my shoulder. His eyes are dejected and his mouth is turned down. Pity emanates through him. “You going to be okay, son?”

  My neck stiff, I fidget.

  “Is she worth this?”

  My mind instantly goes to McKenna. The way she so willingly accepted me into her life and encouraged me to be me. I don’t know how she’s going to take the news, but I know she’s better than a demon.

  Christ, she’s better than me.

  “She’s worth it all, Dad. I can feel it with everything I am.”

  Dad becomes quiet, pinching his bottom lip.

  “And—and Kai? Are you okay with him?” I’m almost afraid to ask. My chest tightens, the guilt setting in. I didn’t really get a chance to fully explain what happened with Kai and how he came to be a part of our team.

  Dad lets go of his lip and looks me square in the eye. “I’m trusting you on this one. He’s not the first monster I’ve met to have some humanity, but tread lightly. You know your mom would have my hide if she knew we didn’t at least try to give him a second chance.”

  “Your mistakes don’t define you,” I say with her voice in my head.

  “Right.”

  “Let’s get going. I know I can’t put this off. Should we do it with everyone?”

  “I would. It’s easier, and I think McKenna will need some help to cope with it.”

  Dad rocks on his heels and trails behind me.

  Everyone but McKenna is outside when we get downstairs.

  “Where’s McKenna?” I ask, shoving my hands into my pockets.

  “She’s in the house somewhere,” Candy offers and sits on the railing of the front porch. Kai settles next to her while Wood, dad, and mom sit in old, rickety rocking chairs in front of them.

  I nod. “I’m going to go find her, but we need to talk to you.”

  Candy swallows.

  I give her sympathetic eyes and turn back for the house.

  The living room is empty as well as the kitchen. Something thumps inside the closet just off the hallway and I take a quick glance outside. Everyone but McKenna is accounted for. Pulling my gun out of the back of my jeans, I cock it and place my hand on the door knob. When I open the closet, I find McKenna with her head between her knees rocking back and forth on the ground. Switching the safety on, I shove my gun back in my pants.

  “McKenna?” I say, rushing to her, putting my hands on both sides of her face. “What’s wrong?”

  When she looks up to me, her eyes are bloodshot from crying and the mascara she put on this morning is running down the apple of her cheeks. Her body shutters, sobs wracking her body.

  “Mighty…” I sit down next to her, pulling her into my lap. “What happened?”

  She tucks her face into my neck, her cries muffled by my skin. She shakes her head and holds onto my body, refusing to let go.

  “Shh,” I say rocking her. I close my eyes and will myself to stay strong. I don’t know what’s going on, but somehow I can feel her anguish. It barrels through me like a bulldozer, hitting me straight in the heart.

  “I know,” she finally says.

  “You know, what?”

  “I heard you,” she whispers. My heart stops, taking my breath with it. She heard what?

  She holds me tighter now.

  I keep my arms around her for a long while, her cries subsiding and then starting back up again.

  “We need to talk,” I finally tell her.

  She sniffs and pulls back her body, her skin blotchy with redness. “Okay.”

  Brushing my fingers under her eyes, I kiss her forehead and help her stand. Threading my fingers with hers, I grab a hoodie from the closet and one of my mom’s long sweaters for McKenna. She quickly shoves her arms through the light purple cardigan, her eyes puffy.

  “Everyone’s outside.”

  She winces, pressing her fist to her chest.

  I look ahead at the front door, my vision tunneling like I’m in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Each step we take feels like a step away from the life we had only minutes ago.

  “We’re going to be okay,” I promise when my hand lands on the doorknob.

  McKenna’s chin trembles and s
he stares at the ground.

  As we pass the threshold, our families sit, eyes wide in worry.

  “Is everything all right?” Wood asks, taking note of McKenna’s obvious distress.

  Candy immediately stands. “McKenna…”

  McKenna puts her hand out, stopping her, shaking her head.

  Dad takes a deep breath and looks to mom, her eyes shining with tears. “I think it’s time, my love.”

  Mom bites her lip and looks to me, apologies pouring from her expression.

  “Mom?” Wood says.

  She takes a deep breath and grabs dad’s hand. “I guess we should start from the beginning.”

  McKenna sits down next to mom and I take a seat next to her, the old chair creaking under my weight.

  “I don’t know any way to buffer this,” dad begins. “I’m—I’m immortal.”

  “What?” Wood says, his tone rising in pitch.

  McKenna’s eyes blink rapidly.

  “How? How is that possible?” Wood asks, a little put off my dad’s blatancy.

  Dad gulps. “Many years ago, God wiped the world clean. He sent a flood and killed all life on Earth.”

  “Like Noah and the Arc?” McKenna clarifies.

  Dad nods slowly, giving a side-glance to mom.

  Wood barks a condescending laugh. “So you’ve been around since the Great Flood. Dad,” he deadpans, “how are we supposed to believe that?”

  Mom tilts her head and Wood looks at me, his eyes harsh with accusation.

  “You don’t believe this, do you?”

  I look away. I had the same reaction. I’m still confused, but how can I not believe dad? He’s the greatest man I’ve ever known. I don’t think he’s ever lied to me. Not even once. Not even when he probably should have.

  “Hear him out,” I coax.

  “Did you survive the flood?” Wood asks, but you can tell he thinks the words coming out of his mouth are ludicrous.

  “I—I did.” Dad’s eyes skirt around the group. He grips the rocking chair, his knuckles turning white.

  Wood shakes his head, his hands fisting. “You really expect me to believe you’re actually Noah? Didn’t he have an entire family? Three sons and their wives?”

  Everyone stays silent and McKenna sits up straighter, her eyes expanded. She whips her head to me and I nod.