by Wendy Owens
“Oh please! That’s so much crap. Screw the balance; this is my life we’re talking about!” Dina snapped.
“Fine, I’ll just say there are questions you shouldn’t ask me. Questions about things that can lead you down a very dark path,” the oracle answered.
“About Madame Laveau?” Dina asked.
Calysta nodded in response.
“What kind of questions would I ask about her?” Dina inquired.
Calysta did not respond.
“You do realize how messed up this is? You tell me I can’t ask certain questions, but I wouldn’t even know to bring up the witch’s name if you hadn’t mentioned her in the first place. How can say you don’t want to upset the balance when you are the one who started me down this path in the first place?” Dina shouted, but Calysta still remained silent.
“Fine! Rot here then,” Dina condemned the woman as she reached for the door knob.
“Wait, you’re right … I shouldn’t have said what I did to you before. In the reality I witnessed, you already knew about her, you must have done your research. Because of what I said, I’ve already given you a head start.” Calysta explained.
“What do you mean by a head start? I’m so confused. Do you drive everyone this crazy?”
“In my vision of the possible future, you came to me in tears and begging for help. You had read about a spell that can bring back someone from the brink of death. I knew of the spell and of a woman capable of helping you to cast it,” Calysta continued.
“Madame Laveau?”
“Yes, but I also warned you in my vision that it was dark magic, the kind you do not want to be messing with. You did it anyways and it ended badly for everyone involved. Now, I’ve already said too much, leave it alone— please,” Calysta pleaded.
“No, don’t you see? I can’t, I need to know more!” Dina growled. “What did you mean when you said you gave me a head start this time?”
“I can’t.”
“Do you want to get out of here? Tell me!” Dina insisted.
“Please child, you don’t have the ability to get me out of here, so let’s not pretend you have something to bargain with.”
“Oh no? How about I transport you out?” Dina asked.
“You’re not strong enough to transport me past that spell, nice try.”
“I’m not, but this is,” Dina said, pulling the small stone from her pocket.
“Is that—”
“A transportation stone? Yes, and it’s yours if you tell me what I want to know.”
Calysta stared at the stone laying on the girl’s open palm. Escape from the prison she had been held in for hundreds of years was only feet away.
“Are you certain you want the consequences of the answers I hold?”
“Let me worry about myself.”
“I know of your love’s fate, it was in my vision.”
“And you did nothing to warn me?” Dina could feel the heat of anger on her face as she fought to restrain from strangling the woman with her bare hands.
“It wouldn’t have mattered if I had; it was the boy’s fate. That’s why you should leave this alone. If you pursue this, it will likely end with the same results.”
“I know you won’t tell me what those results are, but can you explain how this time is different than your vision? You said I have a head start. Why does that matter?” Dina managed to ask through gritted teeth.
“When you came to me in my vision, it had taken you time to research, find out about this type of magic, and figure out what magical being might be able to help you find the kind of person capable of doing a spell like this. All of that takes time. The longer a body is separated from its soul, the more likely it is you won’t be able to successfully reunite them.”
“I get it. You’re saying I took too long, that’s why things ended so badly, but this time I’m already closer to the cure than I was in your vision because of what you said to me. Raimie still has a chance.”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying. I mean, yes, you made it to this step more quickly, but chances are that Raimie has already been under for way too long. Some people have an expiration date kid, that’s life,” Calysta pushed back.
Dina glared at the woman before tossing her the stone. “I don’t accept that. Now, I kept up my end, do you know where I can find Madame Laveau?”
“Can’t say I didn’t warn you,” Calysta replied, clutching the stone tightly in her hand as if it were a precious life line. The woman stood and made her way over to a small wooden trunk. Opening it, she rummaged through the random items before pulling out what looked like a petrified claw.
Calysta stared at the claw for a few moments before handing it to Dina. “She once owned this item; you should be able to use a locator spell on it. Dina, please, I know you don’t trust me, but if you only believe one thing I say, believe me when I say you shouldn’t do this.”
Dina could see the concern Calysta had for her was genuine. Even with that insight, she could not bring herself to feel anything but rage in return, unable to shake the idea of betrayal. Unable to overcome the idea that this woman knew what was going to happen to Raimie before it actually did and chose to say nothing.
“I’ll take your words under advisement,” Dina responded coolly.
“I see. Well, it’s obvious I can’t talk any sense into you.”
“If time is sensitive, then I think we should really be on our way, don’t you?” Dina asked.
“And just how do you propose we get past those demons out there? A transportation spell won’t work on this side of the barrier.”
“No, my spell won’t work, but that stone is an elder’s stone,” Dina replied.
“What?” Calysta looked down into her hand as if it were pure gold she was staring at. “I don’t understand, how—”
“Michael, he won’t notice.”
“Maybe not right away, but when he does, he’ll be livid,” Calysta gasped.
“Do you want to get out of here or not?”
“Wait, how are you going to get out of here? You have to be on the other side of the barrier to transport.”
“I’ve got that taken care of, don’t worry. I’ve tuned the stone to the sacred circle near Iron Gate. When you arrive, tell the clerics who you are and they will take you to Michael,” Dina instructed.
“What? No, that’s not part of the deal. I have been caged up for too long, what makes you think I would put myself right back into my captor’s hands? You must be crazy.”
Dina looked at the woman silently for a moment before a smile began to curl at the edge of her lips. “You’re going to do as I say, because if you don’t, you know there’s a good chance a demon will find you, hunt you down, and shred you into a tiny million pieces… or worse. We don’t live in the same world we used to, demons roam around freely on the earthly realm and they wouldn’t think twice about torturing you. I can guarantee if you do not do as I say, no guardian will ever come to your rescue.”
“I think I can take care of myself.”
“Then by all means, try it.”
Calysta studied the girl, mulling over her words before finally relenting. “Fine.”
“Besides, if you hand that stone back to Michael voluntarily, maybe he will see you in a new light and you’ll end up in his good graces. A guest instead this time,” Dina suggested.
“I doubt that. I obviously don’t have as much faith in him as you do.”
“No— I doubt it too, but you never know. Now go.”
Much to Dina’s surprise, Calysta leapt forward, grabbing the girl and pulling her in for a deep embrace. Stepping back, she looked into the young girl’s eyes, “You didn’t have to come back for me. I hope this works for you, I truly do. I want you to find the answers you seek; you’re different than the others. Be careful.”
The oracle then took a step back. Inhaling deeply, she closed her eyes, and in the next moment she was gone.
Dina wasted no time in her plan. Pre
ssing her body against a nearby cave wall, ensuring she was hidden from the demons, she crossed her fingers, kissing them before uncrossing them and whispering. “God, please let this work.”
She closed her eyes, concentrating on the idea of what she looked like. She envisioned looking at herself in the mirror, all the details, her hair color, the size and shape of her eyes. Her chanting began low and soft, intensifying as her focus narrowed. Without warning, she felt a spark in her gut. Opening her eyes, much to her pleasure, she stared back at herself. She had done it, created a replica. She had never cast such a spell and knew it was likely the effects would not last long, so she wasted no time.
“See those demons?” Dina asked her temporary clone.
The girl nodded in response.
“I need you to jump through them and run, don’t let them catch you, alright?” she instructed.
The creation didn’t speak, it simply turned and took off running towards the barrier at full speed. The demons stared and looked almost stunned to see its approach. In only a second the Dina duplicate dove through the confused beasts and darted up the stairs. They quickly began to chase after their prey. Dina knew she probably only had a few minutes until the vision would fade and the demons would realize they had been duped.
Running as fast as her feet would carry her, Dina made it to the steps. She could hear the demons in the distance still chasing the impostor. With her next heaving breath, she appeared on the beach outside Rampart. Dina knew once Calysta made her way back to Michael and gave him the stone, he would likely come after her. With an intense focus, she turned towards the woods and took off, knowing she needed to find the voodoo witch and fast.
As the room came into focus, Uri reached to his side, fumbling around for the bandages. He was a little surprised by the lack of pain. Though he knew the capabilities of the healers, it never ceased to amaze him just how skilled they were.
“Hey, sleeping beauty,” he heard Seraphine’s voice call out just over his shoulder.
Spinning around and sitting upright on his cot, Uri couldn’t help but smile as she approached. Her long, raven black hair was twisted and pulled over her shoulder, cascading down her chest and bring his focus to her perky bosom.
“Ahem,” the girl cleared her throat in an effort to bring the young man’s attention back to her face. His eyes quickly shifted, focusing on her full lips. He wondered what it would be like to kiss them. He watched her lick them self-consciously; obviously she could feel his stare. Uri’s gaze trailed up to her dark and captivating eyes. She didn’t look away from him, the way he didn’t hide what he was thinking thrilled her in a way.
“I’m so glad you’re still here, Seraphine,” Uri said. The intense feelings he was having towards her were unlike anything he had ever experienced.
“I told you, call me Sera.”
“Right, Sera. What are you still doing here, Sera? I mean, I know I have a very charming personality and we’ve spent some time together recently, but to see you’re still here, I must admit, I’m a little surprised,” Uri didn’t hide his flirtation.
“You wish. I’m still here for Raimie.”
Her answer surprised him, “What? You don’t know him, do you? Why on earth would you still be here because of him?”
“I don’t know,” she hesitated for a moment. “Maybe I’m the type of girl that when I rescue someone, I want to make sure they’re all right.”
“Oh yeah?” Uri pushed. “So, Raimie’s the only reason you’re still here then?”
“Well, I guess not the only reason,” she smiled coyly.
At the mention of his name, Uri couldn’t stop his thoughts from shifting back to his friend that was lying motionless in the nearby room. “He’s going to be fine, you know.” His words were said more to convince himself than anyone else.
“I hope so.”
“He will be. He’s been through worse than this.”
“Well, it does appear that he’s being well taken care of,” Sera looked at Uri, his concern weighing on his face. His small stubble had grown into a full but short beard during his recovery. Though he looked a bit disheveled, he was undeniably handsome. “Do you want to get out of here?”
“Yes, please,” Uri hopped to his feet without hesitation.
“I mean— are you feeling up to it?”
“Are you kidding me? I just want to be any place but here,” Uri confirmed.
“Great, then follow me,” Sera said, reaching out a hand. Uri was surprised at first, but then happy to grab hold, comforted by the warmth and tenderness of her touch. She led him out of the congested room, weaving around the endless rows of cots. They didn’t speak while passing hundreds of people milling about, consumed by the importance of their own immediate surroundings.
The world was a different place now. Before, Uri had been someone people stood and took notice of. He was the commanding hand of Michael, the one trusted to carry out the important missions that needed doing. None of it seemed to matter now. All that mattered was tending to the injured and the hundreds of refugees, there were no heroes in times this full of desperation. He didn’t mind though, as his friend was dying nearby, the last thing he felt like was a hero.
Sera continued walking outside. Uri never let go of her, feeling the softness of her palm with his fingertips. They walked until they reached the woods at the edge of the grounds; the memory of the oracle and the hunt for a cure to Sophie’s curse came back to him. He stopped, finding it quite unsettling. His tight grip pulled Sera backwards as he halted, causing her to stumble.
“Is something wrong?” she asked, regaining her footing and pulling her hand free.
“Let’s not go that way.”
“What way? Into the woods? Are you afraid of the woods?” she asked laughing.
“No—” Uri had no desire to explain certain areas of his past, especially the failed attempt to save a friend. Sophie was forever changed because he had not been able to help her quickly enough, and now Gabe was gone too because of him. The continuing loss of friends was more than he could bear to talk about it. “I’m just starting to feel a little fatigued, could we find a place to sit?”
“Oh, yes, of course. I’m so sorry,” Sera exclaimed, leaping forward to grab hold of Uri’s arm due to his false claims. She led him to an oversized tree, assisting him into a seated position. Sera took a seat across from him, looking at him with concerned eyes.
“Better?” she inquired.
“Oh, I’m fine. I only need a moment to rest.”
“It’s quiet here,” Sera said, looking around them as she noticed it was the first time they had been completely alone since arriving at Iron Gate.
Uri didn’t reply to the observation, instead he focused his attention onto the divine being before him. Uri wasn’t new to relationships with the opposite sex. In fact, he had been involved with more love interests than he cared to recollect, and they often ended badly due to his loss of interest. Seraphine was different; she held his attention in a way none of the others had. It was an immediate attraction, an infatuation that seemed to only intensify the more time he spent with her.
“So, tell me more about this keeper gig.”
Sera laughed. “Gig? Really? Is being a Guardian something you call a gig?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I guess. I already told you how the keeper stuff works. Why the question?”
“No, you didn’t. The only thing you told me is that a keeper is a sort of protector. That doesn’t tell me anything. What do you protect?”
Sera looked away, the question obviously unnerving her. “I don’t get it, what’s bringing these questions up?”
“Wow, usually girls complain when I don’t ask enough about them. Is it so terrible that I’ve taken an interest in what you do?”
“Well, no— I don’t know. I’m just not sure I’m comfortable talking about it, we’re really not supposed to.”
“You do realize I’m a Guardian. There ar
en’t many secrets that are kept from us.”
“Oh,” Sera’s tone took on a devilishly snarky bite. “I didn’t realize I was talking to royalty.”
“That’s not what I meant. You told me before that the keepers are overseen by the elders. I was just trying to point out that they wouldn’t mind if I knew what your assignment was.”
“Is that right? Because now you speak on behalf of the elders?”
“Well, no, but—”
“If they wanted you to know about me, they would have already told you about me.”
“Jesus, fine!” Uri snapped, annoyed by her resistance.
“Don’t get angry at me.”
“I’m not angry. I just don’t see what the big deal is.”
“It’s not a big deal, I simply didn’t like the way you asked.” Sera grinned, pleased with the torment she was putting Uri through.
“So, what if I say please?” Uri asked with a sigh.
“Oh, how do you already know me so well?” Sera laughed. “Please is the magic word for me.”
“So, you’ll tell me?”
Sera considered her words carefully. “Let’s just say, I protect a very valuable weapon.”
“Seriously? What is it? Do you have it on you?”
“Not exactly. And please, don’t ask. I know I’m not allowed to say anything about it.”
“Fine—” Uri replied, but as hard as he tried, he couldn’t just leave it alone. “Can you tell me what kind of weapon at least?”
“Uri,” Sera said firmly.
“All right, all right, I’m sorry.”
Sera could see his disappointment. “Grr … you’re going to end up getting me in trouble, I can already tell. All I can say is that I’m protecting something very important, something that could possibly be used to shift this battle in good’s favor permanently.”
“Really? You’re going to toss me that after telling me you can’t say anything?”
“Well, I must admit, it’s fun to torture you with the information. I could tell you I suppose …” she added, watching him lean forward in anticipation. “But then I would have to kill you.”