The Vaga

by S. A. Carter

  I land back in the kitchen and reach out for the bench, my energy weakened by the strain of teleporting so much. Or maybe it’s the terrifying feeling I have that I may not see them again?

  ‘Tomana betu.’ The spell works quickly, pumping me with some magic Berocca.

  The house is eerily quiet. Where are they? They should be here?

  ‘I’m back!’ I shout.

  There is no response, and a tingle of fear creeps across my skin. Where did they go? Magi suddenly barks and I run out on to the back porch and down the stairs, where I stop in my tracks.

  All three men are standing side by side near the boundary of the property, their broad backs facing me, their bodies rigid and alert. Seeing them like that makes me wish Uncle Jo could have been a dad. He would have been great, and I know he would have loved a son.

  Magi turns her head to look at me and sends me an image of a predator in the surrounding woodland.

  Oh no. Not here too.

  I walk towards them quickly.

  ‘What is it?’

  Uncle Jo puts his fist up. ‘Shhh, listen.’

  None of them move. Their eyes are focused straight ahead. I stand between Julian and Uncle Jo, brushing Julian’s arm as I do. It sends a shiver of desire through me and his quick glance tells me he felt it too.

  I try to ignore the urge to kiss him. Under the circumstances it should be easy, but it’s not. To feel his sweet breath against my lips once again would be more than okay right now. Even being away from him for this long, which on this plane was really only a few hours, caused me longing.

  The sun is beginning to set, the soft hues casting speckles of light to dance through the trees. A flicker of movement redirects my vision.

  ‘There!’ I point to the field of wildflowers off to the right. ‘Can you see it?’

  A faint mist moves low to the ground, weaving its way through the wildflowers, blending into its surroundings like a chameleon.

  ‘Got it.’

  ‘Yep.’

  ‘Good eyes, Ellie.’

  ‘What is that?’ I say, trying to make sense of its blurry outline.

  ‘I don’t know but the damn thing took out two of my traps about an hour ago,’ Uncle Jo says.

  ‘Is it testing the perimeter?’

  Uncle Jo grits his teeth. ‘That’s exactly what it’s doing.’

  Erebus must be getting desperate if he’s sending out his minions while it’s still daylight. First at the farm and now here. He’s amping up his tactics.

  ‘Has it tested the shield yet?’

  Uncle Jo shakes his head. ‘No, not yet. But it couldn’t get through even if it tried. You’ve made them too strong.’

  Have I? I replay the scene back at the farm where the boar beast rammed the shield so hard it started to shimmer. It wouldn’t have held much longer.

  ‘I wouldn’t be too sure about that.’

  Sam frowns. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘You’re not going to like what I’m about to tell you.’ All eyes turn to face me. ‘There was another creature at the farm as well.’

  ‘Are you alright?’ Julian asks, laying a hand on my shoulder, the feel of him sending hot sparks through me.

  Uncle Jo scowls and Julian withdraws his hand. ‘Was anyone hurt? Is your Aunt…safe?’

  Aunt Lily’s face flashes to mind, her blue eyes wide and terrified as she looked upon the beast. That nightmare will stay with her forever now, and there was nothing I could do to protect her from that.

  I shake my head. ‘No, they’re all fine. I got them out before it got through the shield.’

  A collective sigh of relief follows.

  Uncle Jo frowns. ‘Through the shield? How big was it?’

  ‘Big,’ I say.

  His frown deepens.

  Magi growls as the image of the beast reaches her mind.

  ‘Can you describe it?’

  I tell them what I saw. I don’t tell them about Old Olsen though. My bond with that tree is sacred to me and I would rather keep it to myself.

  Julian’s face shifts. ‘What you’re describing is a Calydonian. A monster of a boar which once belonged to Artemis.’

  ‘The Artemis?’ Sam says. ‘As in…the Greek Goddess of the hunt?’

  Julian nods, his expression unreadable, and his body tense. His gaze returns to the woods.

  An eerie silence follows.

  Sam grabs one of the chocolate muffins off the table. ‘Do you think that thing is still out there?’ He bites into the muffin and closes his eyes, revelling in the taste.

  ‘I’m not sure,’ Julian says. ‘It seemed to back off when it realised we were on to it. Maybe it wants the element of surprise?’

  Sam snorts. ‘Yeah, well it’ll get a surprise if it tries to come in here.’

  Julian smirks and I feel his eyes on me as I place some pasta bake down in front of them. Aunt Lily must have known we’d need sustenance because she left heaps of cooked meals in the fridge.

  Uncle Jo walks back into the kitchen. ‘Is there a party I don’t know about?’ He gestures towards the food.

  I shrug. ‘May as well build up our energy while we can.’

  Julian’s hand pauses midway between the pasta bowl and his plate as he flashes me a concerned look.

  Uncle Jo doesn’t miss the meaning either. He leans up against the bench and crosses his arms, his gaze following my every move.

  Ignoring them both I sit down at the table and serve a bowl up for Magi and then myself, forgetting the last time I ate a proper meal. I place her plate down next to my chair. ‘Eat, girl.’

  She doesn’t need an excuse, diving in nose first.

  Uncle Jo clears his throat. ‘The attack on the shields today was a warning. They’re testing the perimeter, checking for any weak spots. Eventually they will get through, and then our problem increases tenfold.’

  I know that look on his face, having seen it many times before. ‘What are you thinking?’

  ‘We need to consider the possibility that there are going to be more Vaga coming. Right now we are at a disadvantage. They know where Ellie is, following her power like a beacon, it seems.’ He scans our faces. ‘We need to bring the element of surprise to them.’

  ‘What are you suggesting?’ Sam asks, pushing his dark hair away from his forehead. ‘We take them out before they get a chance to strike first?’

  My uncle’s smile makes a rare appearance. ‘Something like that.’

  ‘Love it!’ says Sam, grinning like a madman. He takes another mouthful of food.

  My fork drops onto the plate with a loud clang. ‘Whoa! Are you serious? We don’t even know how to defeat these creatures, let alone take the battle to them. It’s ludicrous!’

  Uncle Jo ignores my outburst. ‘Do you think you killed the Crocotta?’ he asks Sam.

  ‘I doubt it,’ Sam says around a mouth full of food. ‘That thing was ferocious. We fought for a good five minutes and I got in a few shots, but in the end it just disappeared into thin air.’ He jerks his head at Julian. ‘I bet the hunter over here could enlighten us on how to kill these things?’

  Julian has had more experience in dealing with supernatural creatures than any of us. Maybe he does have an answer?

  We all turn to face him.

  He lays down his fork and wipes his mouth with the serviette, placing it back into a neat triangle before raising his eyes.

  His table manners are obviously part of his military training, etiquette being a sign of discipline and order in the world. I know because Uncle Jo possesses the same qualities.

  ‘Fighting supernatural creatures isn’t the same as fighting the Vaga. For one, most creatures I have killed,’ he glances nervously at Sam, ‘have had a heart of some kind. Those things out there are purely doing Erebus’ bidding. They have no heart, nor do they have a soul. It’s not going to be easy to find their weak spot.’

  ‘Maybe my grandfather could help?’ Sam says.

  I shake my head. ‘I don’t wan
t anyone else involved, especially Taqôq Wiyon,’ I say, knowing that I can’t tell them I’ve already seen him otherwise they would know where I’ve taken the others.

  ‘Whether you like it or not, he’s already a part of this. We all are,’ Sam says.

  The others nod in agreement.

  I push away from the table and stand up. ‘So that’s it? You all just make the decision to risk your lives trying to protect me and I just have to put up with it?’

  ‘Yes,’ Julian replies, his eyes hardening.

  My anger bubbles to the surface. I won’t let them do this. I can’t. It’s too dangerous. I know that I have to face Erebus, but there is nothing that says they have to be involved too. I’m about to tell them just that when there is a knock at the door.

  Magi growls and all three of them stand to attention.

  ‘Could it be them?’ Sam asks, clenching his fists.

  I raise an eyebrow. ‘Do you really think they’d knock on the door?’

  Uncle Jo says, ‘I wouldn’t put it past them.’

  ‘They can’t have gotten past the warding. I would’ve felt it.’

  ‘Then who else could it be?’

  Another knock sounds out, echoing through the old house.

  ‘I don’t know, but how about we go take a look.’ I make a move towards the doorway and Julian blocks my path. ‘Move, Julian.’

  ‘There’s no way you’re going to be the one to check. I’ll do it.’

  How typical male of him.

  I smile, casting the immobility spell I used on Sam earlier. Julian freezes in place.

  ‘Ellie!’ Uncle Jo scolds.

  Sam grins like an idiot. ‘Actually I think that’s the best idea she’s had all day.’

  I stand on my tiptoes, looking Julian right in the eye, keeping my voice low. ‘I don’t need you to be the hero, understand? I can look after myself.’

  His eyes glaze over and I know he’s angry, but then so am I.

  I turn to the others. ‘That goes for both of you too. I’m not some helpless maiden that needs big, strong men to come to her aide.’

  Uncle Jo’s face remains passive, but the tick in his jaw tells me he’s not happy.

  Sam cocks an eyebrow. ‘You think I’m big and strong?’

  Rolling my eyes I say, ‘Shut up.’

  I manouvre around Julian, heading for the door before undoing the spell. They bring up my rear, positioning themselves for a possible attack.

  Uncle Jo takes up position behind the door and gives me a nod.

  I open it up halfway, reeling back in surprise.

  ‘Blake?!’

  Chapter 19

  Of all the people I thought it could be, Blake wasn’t one of them.

  My heart beats a little faster as I take in his appearance—dark jeans that cling to his legs just right, and a black V-neck sweater that outlines his toned arms. My eyes travel upwards noticing that strands of his hair are still slightly damp, as if he’s just taken a shower. The smell of soap and aftershave wafts through the door, enticing my nostrils. His eyes gleam, but his smile lacks its usual spark.

  He flips his phone shut. ‘You’re lucky. I was just going to ring you…again.’

  I shoo Uncle Jo away from the back of the door. ‘What are you doing here?’ I say, checking the yard for any signs of danger. All appears quiet…for now.

  ‘Well,’ he moves a little closer, ‘you said for me to ring you last night, and I did. Embarrassingly I’ve left you about twelve messages since then. You haven’t returned any of them.’

  My heart sinks. I did tell him that, didn’t I? My phone has been in my room all day, I haven’t even checked it. As I take in his appearance again I realise that he’s made the effort to look nice just for me. Most girls would be swooning by now, but unfortunately, I’m not most girls. Although looking at him standing there all washed and a little sheepish does make him look even cuter.

  Julian’s energy surges behind me and I hope it’s not because he’s picking up on my hormones right now. That could be dangerous.

  What do I do with him? He can’t stay here, and yet I can’t keep letting him think there’s a chance with us either. It wouldn’t be fair.

  ‘Uh…can you just give me a sec?’ I close the door in his surprised face and turn to the others. ‘You all need to go away,’ I hiss.

  ‘You need to get rid of him,’ Julian says, jealousy lining his voice.

  ‘Keep your voice down. And don’t tell me what to do. I’m trying to do the right thing.’ I scowl at him but it has no effect. His eyes are nearly bulging out of their sockets.

  Sam steps forward and puts a hand on my arm. ‘Just let him down softly.’ He smiles.

  I shrug his hand off and he walks back to the kitchen, laughing to himself. I’m understanding more and more why Phoebe and Sam are made for each other.

  Uncle Jo intervenes. ‘Take Magi out with you. Stay vigilant. C’mon, Julian, let’s give her some time with Pete.’ He smirks and gives Julian a wink.

  Frustration flares in my cheeks. A house full of bloody comedians, great! Not to mention the fact that he actually winked at Julian. What is happening around here?

  I watch them walk away, Julian casting a glance over his shoulder, worry streaming out from his body.

  I look down at Magi, thankful that there is still one female left in this house of testosterone. ‘Coming out, Mags?’ She nuzzles my leg and I open the door.

  Blake is sitting on the cane lounge, looking less than chirpy. He moves over as I sit down next to him. Magi positions herself beside me, her stance tense and alert.

  He frowns at Magi. ‘You know, for so long I wondered what it is with Magi that makes her so special. She’s not like other dogs. She’s different.’

  My back bristles.

  ‘You’re like her, Ellie. There’s something different about you, and I’ve been trying to put my finger on it but I can’t.’ He shakes his head. ‘I thought that if I was patient, or if you got to know me better, that you’d give me a chance to find out.’ Disappointment fills his brown eyes. ‘But I’m not going to get close enough to find out, am I?’

  My throat constricts. ‘I’m sorry, Blake. It’s really not you. You’re great.’

  He laughs half-heartedly. ‘Yeah, right. So great that you constantly rejected me for the last six months.’

  ‘That wasn’t because of you. Look, my life is complicated. I don’t get close to many people.’

  ‘I noticed.’

  ‘It’s just…easier that way, for me,’ I say, knowing that people who get close to me run the risk of being hurt.

  He grabs my hand, linking his fingers with mine. The touch of him sends little pulses of current through me. There were times when I wondered what it would be like to touch him, to feel his smooth skin against mine. Up until recently it was something that crossed my mind more often. That is…until Julian returned.

  ‘I know you keep to yourself, but that’s what I like about you. You’re not caught up in all the crap that floats around campus. You’re not like other women.’

  You got that right.

  He squeezes my hand and I almost feel guilty knowing that Julian is right inside, probably going out of his mind wondering what we’re doing out here. Almost.

  ‘I don’t know what you want me to say, Blake. I’m sorry.’

  He brings my hand up to his lips and kisses it tenderly. ‘I’m sorry too. I think we could have had a chance at something.’

  The feel of his soft lips against my skin nearly causes me to rethink my final rejection.

  He gently unlinks his fingers from mine. ‘Maybe another life, hey?’

  I smile. ‘Yeah, maybe.’

  He stands up, thrusting his hands into his pockets, and flashes me one of his heart-stopping smiles. ‘I’ll see you around then?’

  I stand up, sad that there was never a chance to see where this relationship might have gone were it not for the fact that I’m in love with someone else. Oh, and the little
detail about being the vessel for the New Coming, let’s not leave that part out.

  ‘Yep, I’ll see you around.’

  He gives me a final look before making his way down the porch steps. I watch him walk across the gravel driveway and cross over into the campus.

  I look down at Magi. ‘What a waste, Mags.’

  She snorts and we make our way inside, heading for the kitchen.

  ‘Did you hurt his feelings?’ Sam asks as we enter, a twinkle in his eye.

  I fight the urge to flip him off. ‘He’ll be fine, I’m sure.’

  Julian passes me a troubled glance and I avoid him like the plague, preferring to put this whole thing behind us. He won’t have to worry about Blake any more.

  Uncle Jo diverts around the subject of Blake, sensing the need to move on. ‘Right, well now that’s done, we need to talk more about how we—’

  A high pitched screech suddenly fills the air around us. I whirl around just as Magi’s hackles rise. Everyone springs into action, heading towards the front door.

  Julian flings the door open and we follow him out onto the porch.

  A foul smell finds its way to me on the breeze and I cover my nose against the stench of evil. One of them is out there, waiting in the shadows.

  Julian scans the yard. ‘Where is it?’

  I adjust my vision, searching the bushes and low-lying areas. ‘I’m not sure.’ Another screech echoes out into the still night and I know where I’ve heard that sound before. ‘It’s the Crocotta.’

  ‘Merda,’ Julian spits.

  Sam lets out a guttural growl.

  ‘Ellie, get back inside,’ Uncle Jo snarls.

  It sounds out again, but this time it sounds further away, closer to the campus.

  Oh no! It’s going after Blake.

  I take off at a run, heading straight for the boundary. Before I can cross the warding, Julian grabs me from behind, yanking me backwards. ‘No, Elena!’

  ‘Let me go!’ I scream. ‘Blake is in danger.’