“What?” Lucian withdrew, dropping his hands to her knees. “Are you alone in your head? I mean, do you share thoughts? Do I need to worry she will take over your body?”
“No, I do not believe that is possible, I mean, I can touch her mind but I think it is more emotions that tie us. For example, I am pretty certain she experienced some level of pleasure from our foray in the shower.”
Lucian leaned back against the wall. “That’s a lot to process, Soph. Just give me a moment to wrap my mind around it all.”
“Well, there is no going back, my love, we choose between a life with her or no life at all. And then we roll with whatever happens. Will you accept me even if it means accepting the Phoenix too?” Sophia stared at him, waiting for an answer to her impossible question. Gods he hated that thing, but she gave him Sophia again. If it hurt then she would hurt. Lucian stepped back against the wall again hanging his head into his hands.
“How can you even ask me that, Soph?” Lucian lifted his head and met her eye, “Is there a choice? I would not send you away again for anything. I swore once that I would pay any price to have you again and to that I hold.” She leapt off the counter and into his arms with the grace and speed of a cat – or a Phoenix. Her prowess surprised them both but Lucian let it go, opting instead to pull her in for a kiss. Gods, she tasted amazing. Heat seared through him, or rather around him, not at all unpleasant.
Sophia withdrew first, a stunned expression on her face. “Did you feel that?”
“Of course, how could I not. I have been dreaming of you since I left you.” Lucian reached for her arm to pull her in again but she recoiled a bit.
“No, not that, the fire. Did you feel the burning?” Fear flickered in Sophia’s voice. She opened the bathroom door and searched the room, “There you are, were you a naughty girl stealing into my kiss?”
Lucian watched Sophia kneel beside the creature, now sprawled at the foot of the bed as a dog would. It leaned into her and licked at Sophia’s face but his woman did not shirk away. She giggled and looked to Lucian, a broad grin lighting her face. “It won’t be so bad, Lucian. You will see. She is fond of you actually.”
The beast. Lucian corrected himself, no, the Phoenix, bounded over to him and leapt to his shoulders, talons scratching his bare skin slightly. He met her blazing red eyes and heard her speaking to him, humming that sound she always made around Storm and Sophia. This is where you are to be, Immortal. Take after our Sophia, she is precious in many ways.
“My Sophia. Remember that. She is mine.” Lucian whispered low but firm, holding the Phoenix’s gaze. “I will accept this bond provided it causes her no pain. And, I thank you for your sacrifice, Phoenix.” The creature seemed to receive his words favorably. After a moment of further scrutiny, she dropped down and trotted back to the foot of the bed, curling into herself. Sophia took a throw from the bed and covered her.
“We will have to get her a small bed to sleep on. Something cushy and feminine.” Sophia watched the Phoenix for a few moments and then swung round to face him. “Lucian, I think we had best get some sleep while we can. I am exhausted and it seems that things are not going to let up around here for a while.” Sophia tipped her head toward the bed, dropped her towel and slipped under the covers, pulling them up under her chin.
Growling, Lucian dropped his own towel and jumped in after her. He would never, ever, have his fill of this woman.
Storm
“I do not give a damn what Damarra said, I am not going to sit here while my grandfather is missing!” Dammit. It was bad enough she’d lost the night to exhaustion but being grounded, locked in while she could be helping. Storm glared at Ryder. How could he agree with Damarra on this? Did they not see what she’d done already? “You cannot keep me here. Ry, don’t do this to me. He is my grandfather.”
Ryder’s face softened. Dammit. Back to the condescension, she really hated when he did that, as if she were a teenager to be scolded. “Storm, my love, Damarra has her reasons, you know full well that if she issued such a warning there is reason for it. The Scots took off after her last night, I contacted Frederick and he will be checking into the underground, he is coming out of hiding and has called on his relatives to guard Durstine. Angeline is packing up and will be leaving this morning. They will find him. Besides, there are many things we can accomplish from here and you can help Sophia and the Phoenix sort out their bond. It is not as if there is a shortage of work for you or that we are asking you to be useless. We all know what you are capable of.”
She silently paced the bedroom again before perching on the end of the bed. “You know I hate being told what I can and cannot do. Does anybody have any leads at this point? At least tell me that.”
“No. The brethren swear they do not have him. They are seeking him as well which poses some additional challenges but all the more reason for us to remain here. Please, Storm. I know how your mind works even if I cannot read it, do this for me.” Ryder knelt before her, placing his head on her leg. Dammit. How could she go against that?
“Fine. I will stay.” For now. Perhaps with Sophia and the Phoenix on her side she could figure something out. Storm wondered how much power Sophia had retained. Ryder said she still had the amulet and the Phoenix could still flare up. Pac Man jumped up on the bed and licked her face.
“I am so glad you stayed put last night.” Storm nuzzled his face and rubbed his ears. Pac Man, the only normal thing in her life, a reminder of the time before when she was just a simple seer. Ryder stood to leave; he and Lucian were going to cover remnants of their skirmish. “Ry, will you let Sophia know I will be down in a few to show her around?”
He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. “Sure thing, my love.”
Ryder
“She took things better than I expected, Luc. I still expect a few attempts to escape but I am hoping you and Sophia will aid me in foiling those.” Ryder and Lucian volunteered to clean up the signs of battle so they could contribute. Though Willow Wood was surrounded by farmland, an orchard, and a meadow on three sides, it would not do for area teens to stumble across the remains of the witches during one of their secret bonfires. They found the charred corpse, or what remained of it, without much effort. Lucian bagged the largest parts in a trash bag to be burned in the hearth with proper binding spells. Searching out the smaller parts of the lesser witches was more challenging. Ryder sprinkled some potions and powders Damarra left with rather specific instructions on how to neutralize any remaining dark magic, disintegrate the remaining bodies, and heal the scorch marks in the grass. “The Phoenix did a number on Elba, did it not?”
“She, I have been informed the Phoenix is actually female. And, yes, she tends to leave such messes in her wake.” Lucian thrust the remains in the bag with more force than necessary. Ryder watched him, pausing to contemplate what his friend just said. He burst out laughing. “What? What is so funny, Ryder? Come on, brother, I could go for a chuckle as well.”
Ryder could not seem to stop. The irony of it all. “Come on Luc, do you not see? Lucian, the ladies’ man, could not tame a female Phoenix who now eats out of the palm of his woman’s hand like a gentle pup.”
Lucian threw the bag to the ground and glared at Ryder. Eventually, a grin broke across his face though. “Alright, it is amusing. But you do not have to be an ass about it, it is not that funny.”
“You are right, friend. There has been little to laugh about as of late. I guess you need to get more in touch with your feminine side in the future.” Ryder could not help himself.
Lucian scooped up a handful of dirt and flung it at him. Ryder ducked out of the way only to find a second chunk smacking him in the small of his back. He fell into a roll and snatched his own fist full of dirt and grass, flinging it back at Lucian as he leapt to his feet. Ryder ducked behind a random oak tree and formed a half dozen mudballs quickly but Lucian was still faster and tackled him before he could make a move. They bolted across the meadow, Ryder weaving in a serpe
ntine path to offset Lucian’s speed.
“Enough, you two. Honestly, you couldn’t complete a simple task? Storm sent me to see what was taking so long but I can see that you have been very busy indeed.” Sophia frowned, hands on her hips and the Phoenix on her back, its feathered tail wrapped about her waist like a colorful belt. Ryder wondered for a moment how the Phoenix could alter its size. Last night it had appeared as tall as a man yet this morning it looked more like a small chimp. He supposed they would be figuring out new quirks to the physical embodiment of the Phoenix for a long time to come.
“Sorry, Soph! Tell Storm we will be right there. We were almost done.” Lucian’s tone and expression changed the minute he saw Sophia. Ryder could not get over the vast change in his friend, unsure of how much he could attribute to being rid of the Phoenix as opposed to having Sophia in his life. Regardless, Storm would be pleased to have Lucian mated off and gain a new female friend in the mix.
Storm
“So, you do not share a conscious but you share some feelings. And, you still have the amulet from Alva so that is all still at your disposal. Sounds like she made out pretty well after all, Lucian. And you were all worried.” Storm tore off a piece of her roll and watched Lucian shift in his chair. Ryder had been right; Lucian was completely different with Sophia around – and without the Phoenix tearing around inside him. The Phoenix curled up at Sophia’s feet in much the same way Pac Man laid on Storm’s. “I hope you two plan to stay around for a while so I do not completely lose my mind with boredom.”
“And what am I, my love?” Ryder reached over and squeezed her hand.
“You are the most brooding person I have ever known, brother. The Emerald needs some entertainment to carry her through the next few months, especially when she resembles a beached whale more than a human.” Lucian braced himself for Storm’s response but Sophia punched him in the arm instead.
“Lucian, remember that conversation about calling me fat or any derivative thereof? Have you forgotten already?” Storm arched an eyebrow but she had to admit it was good to see Lucian in such good spirits. “I will let that one go, but watch yourself, Immortal.”
“In spite of Lucian’s rude behavior, we are both grateful for all you have done, especially opening your home to me since I have no place to go.” Sophia beamed at Storm.
“There is plenty of room here, I hope you intend to stay with us for a while.” Storm felt an electric current pulse through her as Ryder squeezed her hand again. He sent images through her head of his intentions for the night.
“Luc, would you two mind cleaning up tonight? I am exhausted and I think it would be a good idea for Storm to check in with Trin.” Ryder stood and yawned, almost believable.
“Sure, brother, no problem. You two get some rest.” Lucian raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anymore.
Ryder led Storm out of the dining room and up the stairs, Pac Man jingling after them. He was right; she needed to talk to Aunt Trin. Some things were still troubling her, namely Roane’s disappearance, but she had other questions. “Go ahead and get ready for bed, Ry. I do want to check in with Aunt Trin.”
He yawned, a real one this time, and nodded as she slipped into the closet. Storm had done a better job of rigging the entrance for the secret room off their closet and now had to mutter a few words for it to open. Slipping inside she stood before the mirror and called for her aunt. It took a bit longer than usual but Aunt Trin appeared in the mirror. Storm reached for the glass to withdraw her aunt but Aunt Trin waved her off.
“I think you had best leave me in the mirror tonight, Storm. There is much going on over here and I feel I should keep one foot on my plane.” Aunt Trin smiled, “You did wonderfully, luv. I am so very proud of you.”
“Thank you. That means a lot. I miss you so much. I should not have left and I am so sorry that I did.” Storm forced back the tears and continued with the things she should have said so many times before. “I was wrong and I need your help with this. I need to find Roane. Have you heard anything on your side? Anything at all?”
Aunt Trin frowned. “No, luv. Nobody seems to be taking responsibility for it. Damarra did escort him to the Immortals but they apparently released him. But that is not what you came to ask me, is it?”
Dammit. How did she always know? “Well, no, I mean, I am worried and you know how I hate sitting idly when there are things to be done, but I have other concerns as well and I understand that others will be coming for me, and for my children.” Storm paused, she wasn’t quite sure how to ask the other questions.
“Go ahead, luv. You can ask me anything.”
“How can I bring you back? There has to be a way. If I could bring Sophia back then I should be able to bring you back. It could not have been your destiny to die by my father’s hand.” Storm allowed the tears to flow freely, wiping at them with her shirt sleeve.
“I do not know of a way, luv. I died and I am here. There is so much more to the story, so much about me you do not know. I cannot return to your plane, you cannot resurrect me. Sophia was a special case, you know that. The power exerted to bring her back and hold her there is exceptionally rare and you must learn that there are some limits to power and consequences for abusing or misusing it.” Aunt Trin looked sad, remorseful. “I have much to teach you about yourself, about our line, about what I did. But we should not talk about this now, you need to get your sleep and I suspect there is a certain Immortal waiting in bed for you.”
“Wait, I have another question. Where did the Emerald Oraculum come from?” Storm feared the answer as much as she needed to know it.
“You know the answer to that question already. Think on it and I am certain you will come to grips with it. Remember, I love you dearly and I will be here for you when you need me. We will talk more about my past, who I was. I think you are almost ready. Good night, Storm.” Aunt Trin blew a kiss and vanished from the looking glass. Storm frowned. Dammit. Just when things were looking like she had a good grip on them, they exploded into several more questions.
She plodded out of the room, sealing it once again, and slipped into bed beside Ryder. His slow, even breaths let her know he’d fallen asleep long ago. Storm hadn’t realized how long she’d been in with Aunt Trin, she supposed, or he really was that tired. Either way she fell back on the pillow thinking of the Oraculum. Aunt Trin was right, she did know where it came from, an answer that both amazed and frightened her – the Tuatha De. Somehow everything seemed to start and end with them – when it came to her life at least. When Damarra returned she would ask her more about the mysterious Tuatha De. But that would have to wait for tomorrow.
Storm leaned over and flicked on the radio, music always helped her clear her mind for sleep. She started chuckling the moment she recognized the song, how apropos, another classic by The Doors…
Whiskey, Mystics and Men
Angeline’s Tale
Emerald Seer Novella
Angeline 1996
10 Months Later
18 Months Later
The Next Day
One Week Later
One Month Later
Six Months Later
Angeline - 1996
“Come on, An-hell-ina! Stop being so boring!” Olivia tittered as she bolted toward Fortune Row. The sounds of the carnival died at the edge of the Row where a dozen or so faded wagons and tents acted as an off shoot of the main affair. Every year this particular group of gypsies rolled into town on the tails of the travelling carnivals to set up camp; a part of the festivities but not part of the carnival itself. Angeline frowned. Not again. She swore she would stay away from them, not sure what made her more uncomfortable, the things they knew or the lies she would have to tell Olivia. Angeline shifted uncomfortably, “Liv, you know I loathe those phonies. And stop saying my name like that.”
Olivia stomped back over, her long, blonde hair flaring around her with each dramatic step. “How are we related? You don’t even know fun when it smacks you in the fac
e. Besides, Angelina sounds so much more romantic.”
“Yes, I am terribly concerned about how romantic my name sounds.” Angeline rolled her eyes. She could tell where this was headed – the lesser of two evils, fortune teller or séance. Angeline kept trying to convince herself Olivia would feel differently if she knew the truth but mother forbade it. Instead, the younger sibling remained completely innocent to the truth of the world including Angeline’s reality. Part of her hoped Olivia would never learn the truth; never see the other side of their world. But then again, that would mean – no, that would not happen.
“Mom said you are supposed to do things I want to do, too! Ang, please stop being so boring!” Olivia tugged at her arm, opal eyes pleading. “Please, Ang, I just want my fortune read. If you take me for my fortune we can go home early. PLEASE.”
Angeline sighed. “Alright, Liv. Just one fortune.” The sense of foreboding crept up her spine with every step closer to the first tents. There were real mystics among these gypsies. Bloody hell. Angeline steeled herself against the coming probes. She built walls like mother showed her, sealing her magic in the recesses of her mind. It mattered not. A strange breeze rose from the nearby meadow carrying with it a collective sigh from the gypsies. They knew her. A woman emerged from the first tent, dressed in stereotypical gypsy fashion, brightly colored scarves all about her frail form. Clearly the elder of the group, Angeline nodded respectfully, gestured toward her sister and shrugged apologetically. The woman sized up Olivia’s reaction, the younger girl clearly oblivious to the change in atmosphere. Seemingly satisfied, the elder nodded crisply and pointed to the third tent with a gnarled finger. Angeline exhaled, not realizing she held her breath through the exchange. She steered Olivia to the tent, smallest of the lot and much newer than the others. The emerald flaps parted as they approached.
The Storm Sullivan Saga: The Emerald Seer Series Box Set Page 32