by Rachael Wade
“Anastasia!” he screamed, his yell echoing into the house. I pulled the living room curtains aside, spotting him running full speed toward her, two silver knives in hand. Anastasia continued to fight off some of the attackers and hurriedly exchanged words with Gavin, ushering him inside.
“Cam, thank God!” he exploded with relief, bursting into the house. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here. Are you both okay?” He dropped his weapons and took me and Ava into his arms, frantically kissing the tops of our heads.
“We’re fine, it’s okay. Anastasia’s an original witch—Samira’s twin.”
Gavin’s face paled, his arm’s grip tightening around us. “Twin? How can that…how do we know we can trust her?” He nervously turned his head to look out the window. “This could all be a trick, Camille. I don’t know what’s going on, but I went back to the secret passage, found the entry to the tomb from the conservatory. There was furniture set up, like a bedroom or something, tucked away in this dark, musty corner. Looked like someone had been living in there. There was some sort of shrine or something, a wall of pictures of Anastasia, with candles and everything. It was like a tribute to her life. I don’t understand.”
“The conservatory,” I whispered. “Samira’s favorite place was the conservatory, remember?”
“I thought her favorite place was the throne.”
“Second favorite place, then. The roses, Gav, the roses. And her sister was buried in the tomb next to the conservatory…”
Suddenly, it all made perfect sense.
Samira could slip from one of her favorite places to the other—the conservatory and the throne—with ease, thanks to the secret passage, and have the luxury of visiting her sister’s grave whenever she wanted. “She really did regret it,” I said, my body bristling with the recollection of Anastasia’s earlier words.
“Cam, you’re losing me. What’s going on?”
I shook my head and apologized, working to train my gaze on a very baffled Gavin. “We can trust Anastasia, I promise. Look, she’s fighting out there to protect us. Samira and our friends back home have used her as a link to contact us. They’ve found a way to open the portal, Gav. They’ve found a way to set us free from this realm. We’ll explain everything to you. But first, we have to get her inside. I don’t know how many more of those villagers might show up.”
Gavin’s mouth fell open, his eyes blinking rapidly. “Anastasia said to pack a bag. Said something about hiding out until the next crescent moon…that’s because they’re opening the portal? You’re telling me…”
“Yes.” I reached out and cupped his cheek, running my thumb over his stubble. “We’re going back to Earth.”
He stepped closer, fixing me with his deep, chestnut eyes. “Gabe? Ari? Audrey? And Josh, what about Josh?”
“All of them,” I nodded, “and your mom, too. They’re coming for us.”
He released a whoosh of breath, a broken laugh. “So help me, Cam, if this is some kind of sick joke Anastasia’s playing on us—”
“It’s no joke, Gav.”
“Wait, those people outside—they’re the ones from the Haven. Did they hurt you? Did they hurt Ava?”
“They tried,” I answered, quietly shushing Ava’s soft cries. Her head had resumed its position on my shoulder, and I worked to soothe her, hoping I could lull her back to sleep. “They’ve turned against us, Gav. They blame us for trapping them in this realm, and they want revenge. They’ve been plotting against us for years, have been learning to conjure so they can use the magic to take over.”
“Son of a bitch.”
“You owe a moon to the bad word jar, Daddy,” Ava said softly, turning her head to look back at Gavin.
Gavin looked sheepishly at me. “A whole moon? Since when is it a whole moon?” Moons were like our dollars back on Earth, but only made in coins, not paper bills.
I laughed, loving this swear jar thing we had going. It was a riot. Ava was five, but in those five years, Gavin and I still hadn’t entirely grown used to filtering our words around Ava. “Don’t look at me, take it up with the profanity gods.”
“Ava, honey, leave the accounting up to me and Mommy, okay?”
“But…but…”
“And cover your ears.” He smiled at me playfully and bent to kiss her head, then maneuvered around us to hurry toward the bedroom. “I’m going to pack up. Anastasia’s right. We should hide out somewhere else until we figure this thing out. Until they come for us.”
As soon as Ava was passed out again, I carefully laid her on the couch, covering her with a blanket. The sounds from the street had died down. As I moved to pour myself a glass of water, the front door creaked open and Anastasia rushed inside, locking up behind her. She wiped at her brow and sagged against the door, relief evident on her face when she clocked Ava sleeping peacefully on the sofa.
“I’m not sure how long we have. I took care of as many of them as I could. Some were injured, took off. More of them might show up,” she said. “We need to hunker down until the portal opens.”
“Thank you for protecting us. The next crescent moon isn’t for days,” I said. “Who knows what they’ll do to us—to the villages—if we run and hide. We have to confront them. Find out who all is involved and try to put an end to this thing before it gets any more out of hand. I don’t want any of the villagers to be in danger. Aren’t you more powerful than all of them combined? Can’t your magic protect us?”
“Yes and no. I’ll do what I can, of course, and yes, I’m an original, so their magic is no match for mine. But they know quite a bit, and when banded together in larger numbers like that, they definitely pose a threat. Amateur conjurers find ways to make their limited powers work to their advantage. The way they were manipulating those torches and other objects out in the street? Not so scary compared to what an original can do, but very effective in terms of creating distractions. Illusions can be powerful, especially under hectic circumstances, like what just happened out there.”
“Damn it.” I began to pace, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I bet you wish you were a frozen soul right now, huh?”
“Gotta admit, it wouldn’t hurt.”
Anastasia looked like she was about to say something, but she pressed her lips together tightly, averting her gaze from mine. I opened my mouth to ask her to come out with whatever she was thinking, but Gavin reappeared, carrying a small brown leather bag with him, stride brisk and stance determined. He handed us black hooded cloaks—they still came in handy, even after our fashion advancements, thanks to the witches’ magic—and we slipped them on, concealing our bodies in the dark robes.
“So, where are we headed?” he asked.
“Are you sure we should take off just yet?” I asked. “The villagers are waiting to hear from us. We promised them a report of what we found in the secret passage. Maybe when we tell them the news, this whole thing will be resolved. The people who attacked us will be mollified, then. They’ll get exactly what they want; they’ll be free to return to Earth.”
“You don’t know that,” Gavin said. “You said these people have been working against us since the beginning, for years, now. Who knows if they’ll ever be able to let go of this. The desire for revenge can be a powerful thing. We, of all people, know that too well. Who knows how far reaching this thing is. Regardless of the news that we can return to Earth, it’s our duty to keep the Amaranthians safe from these rebels. They openly attacked you and Anastasia.” His jaw clenched. “They threatened our little girl. We need to find out exactly what we’re dealing with here, before we address everyone.”
“He has a point,” Anastasia agreed, biting her lip.
“Well, how about the Haven?” I said.
“Too risky. How about Dali and Akim’s old bunker, in the windmill?”
“If we can get in...how about we stay with Greta and Denise?”
“No, we don’t want to put them in danger. We’ll find a way into the windmill. Come on.” Gavin
started for the door, grabbing the bag and kneeling down to gently lift Ava into his arms. She let out a soft sound of slumber and her head rolled onto his chest. “Anastasia? Start filling me in.”
Anastasia gave him a brisk nod and followed after him, relaying all of the details of her history with Gérard and her sister, elaborating here and there to make sure Gavin was following the whole crazy story. He was just as surprised by these developments as I was, but was equally distracted by the fact that her awakening meant Samira and our friends back on Earth were trying to contact us. This was our chance to go home; to leave Amaranth for good. Seeing the spark in Gavin’s eyes as this news really sank in awoke feelings in me that I hadn’t felt in a long, long time.
For a brief second, I could almost catch a glimpse of the old me—that Louisiana girl with the homey yellow house and quaint bookshop job, who once fled a painful past from Seattle, Washington.
Almost.
8
By the time we arrived at the windmill, Gavin was up to speed on Anastasia’s identity and her role as link to our friends on Earth. We’d made it there in a matter of minutes, careful to stick to the inner side streets. There was no getting around having to make a mad dash up the hill to the windmill, but we’d managed to do it without being spotted. Anastasia used her power to unlock the door and we snuck inside, worming our way around the tables, chairs, and tablecloths to get to the bunker door. Although it was an even tighter space now, since turning into a supply storage area, the four of us still managed to huddle inside and close ourselves away.
I removed my cloak and settled Ava onto a blanket behind some boxes, giving her a soft kiss before returning to chat with Gavin and Anastasia.
“Okay, now what?” I asked on a sigh, letting myself sink to the ground. I used my cloak for some cushion, draping my arms over my knees.
Anastasia cleared her throat, and I could tell there was something she wanted to say again, only this time, she was more determined.
“What is it, Anastasia?”
“Well, you might not like it…I mean, of course I understand if you absolutely detest what I am about to suggest.”
Gavin’s interest piqued and he sat down beside me and took my hand. “What is it? I doubt you’ll suggest anything crazier than plans we’ve made before.”
She eyed him for a moment, as if to test his sincerity before speaking. “Okay, if you insist. You see, I’m a little familiar with the hybrid spell. Okay, a lot familiar, actually. I used to sneak into Gérard’s lair. I studied the spell, used to study all of his spells. Even stole some of his notes. I memorized them, just in case…in case he ever tried to hurt my sister.”
Gavin and I exchanged side glances.
“I quickly saw the danger in what he was doing and wanted no part in it. I quit snooping, but the spells are all here.” She tapped her forehead. “I can perform the hybrid spell, if you wish. I studied alongside him, I know his technique. As much as I loathe the man, there’s no denying he was brilliant. Innovative. A mastermind at manipulating our magic. I don’t know everything. I obviously don’t know how to reverse what he’s done here with Amaranth, but Samira and your friends have already taken care of that, it seems. I know enough to work the hybrid spell, though. I was thinking, with the villagers up in arms over my appearance and their plan to overthrow your leadership here, well…there might be a way to ensure our protection. Temporarily, I mean. Just until everyone returns safely back to Earth.”
Gavin’s hand tightened on mine. “What are you saying, Anastasia?”
She breathed deeply as she moved a stray lock of raven hair behind her ear, and fixed us both with her intense jade green stare. “As you know, a human witch cannot touch a hybrid’s magic. Even the frozen souls, when they existed, were no match for Gérard or Samira’s magic. Their conjuring abilities were limited in comparison, because Gérard created their curse to limit them in that way. He couldn’t keep them from using the witches’ magic completely—he didn’t have quite that much control over the witches’ magic—but he still discouraged the frozen souls from learning to conjure, to keep them in the dark.”
“Yeah,” I shrugged, “so?”
“Aside from the hybrid species Gérard created, original witches yield the greatest power over their magic, right? All of the other witches are just regular practitioners, do you follow? They don’t have sacred blood; they’re not consecrated with special powers like the originals. And we have originals on our side. Those rebels out there don’t. Which means…” She widened her eyes at us, turning her palms up in a silent conclusion.
Gavin and I waited.
She let out an impatient sigh. “Which means we have something those rebel villagers don’t have: knowledge of how to create a hybrid, and original witches on our side. We could use those things as leverage, to ensure our protection and stop them from starting another war, stop them from turning everyone against each other. Isn’t that what you want?”
I held up a hand. “Wait, what good would the knowledge of creating a hybrid do for us? It’s not like we’re creating one.”
Gavin and Anastasia went quiet, Gavin’s head turning slightly in my direction.
Anastasia bristled. “If we have hybrid powers, they’ll be no match for us.”
“Oh, no way.” I stood, wiping sweaty palms on my thighs. “You’re seriously suggesting we create another hybrid?” I scoffed, looking to Gavin for some support. “You’re talking about bringing the vampire curse back temporarily to scare off these amateur witches? These villagers who are just throwing their weight around because they’re on a power trip? How is that possibly a good solution? You’re joking, right?”
Gavin suddenly spoke, his voice calm and even. “A power trip driven by revenge, Camille.”
I spun around to face him. “You can’t possibly be on board with this idea.”
Anastasia quickly rose, lifting her hands up defensively. “I’m not trying to get in the middle of your realm and how you run it here, Camille. I’m only trying to point out an option. They almost hurt your daughter back there. Did you see the looks in those men’s eyes when they were restraining us? They’re angry. Bitter. That bitterness has been bottled up, and when it explodes, innocent people will get hurt. Not just us. Not just you, or your family. But many of the Amaranthians who you’ve worked so hard to protect since Gérard’s fall.”
“Gavin,” I said slowly, “please tell me you’re with me on this.”
He rose to join us, carefully sliding his long arms down his sides, letting his hands slip into his pants pockets. “Anastasia may have a point. I’m human, Camille. I can’t protect you or Ava like I used to. When I was running down that hill, when I heard the commotion in the street and I didn’t know what was happening, all I could think—” his throat muscles tightened and his eyes grew watery, “all I could think was, I’m not strong enough to protect you anymore. When I saw the magic those men were using, saw them fighting Anastasia, I knew. This is all going to get out of hand very quickly if we don’t figure out a way to send a message to them that we won’t be bullied. We won’t be moved by their threats. Especially not with this news, when we find out we’re days away from possibly leaving Amaranth for good. We have to keep everyone safe long enough to get out of here. These idiots are going to cause a lot of unnecessary fear and violence if we don’t do something about it.”
My jaw dropped. “Absolutely not, Gav. Not after all this time, after all we’ve done to create a peaceful life here. Are you kidding me? Just like that, you want to throw us back into everything we fought so hard to destroy in the first place?”
“Like Anastasia said,” he urged me softly, gripping my arms, “Gérard and Samira aren’t hybrids anymore. Gérard’s gone, and Samira is on our side, now. We have no one to fear this time. We’re not going to create an army of frozen souls, Cam. If we have just enough power to protect ourselves until this is all over—”
“I said no. I mean it.” I glared at them both. “That’s
an extreme solution, and one I’m not willing to risk when we have Ava to worry about. Not to mention the uproar it will cause when word gets out that we’ve brought back the curse. Can you imagine? If you think those people are angry now, just imagine what will happen if we do that!”
Anastasia stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on my arm. “Okay, Camille, I’m sorry I even mentioned it. Please, just forget it. We can think of some other way. Maybe we can simply bluff about the hybrid plan. We don’t actually have to go through with it. Maybe tossing around the threat will be enough.”
I shook my head adamantly. Peace was priority. I wouldn’t let what these rebels were doing ruin all we’d worked so hard for. “No. I still say we go out there and call a meeting. Go to the Haven. Tell everyone the truth. Once everyone knows we’re about to be set free, maybe this whole thing will blow over.”
“That’s still a risk,” Gavin said quietly.
“But it’s a risk we can live with. The alternative is too messy. I won’t agree to that.”
What felt like an eternity passed as Gavin thought, his brow wrinkled in concentration. “Okay.” He pulled his hands from his pockets. “If that’s really what you think is best, I won’t push you. Anastasia?” He shot her an earnest look, one full of need. “We’ll need all the protection we can get. Can we count on you to do your best to keep us safe from those rebels? You can teach Camille and me how to work some spells. We know some basics, but we’re limited at best.”
Anastasia smiled sympathetically. “I will do all I can, Gavin. You have my word. But I cannot guarantee anyone’s safety. I may be an original, but I am only one witch.”
“I understand. Fair enough.”
My whole body sagged in relief. The very last thing we needed in this situation was the return of the frozen soul curse. The mere idea of it sent fine shivers down my spine, and the fact that Anastasia was privy to such dangerous information didn’t sit well with me, either.