by Bonnie Lamer
“Is he skilled enough to get through the protection circles?”
I see the word no forming on Grandma’s lips but they’re moving in slow motion as the walls of the kitchen start sliding forward. It seems to take my mind forever to figure out that it’s not the walls that are moving, it’s me. I’m travelling backwards as my chair falls to the floor and a searing pain bursts from my abdomen, spreading like wildfire to the very tips of my fingers and toes. Kallen has jumped down from the counter with a look of panic on his face as he reaches out for me, but he’s not quick enough, and I feel my head and back smack hard against the far wall, and the sickening metallic taste at the back of my throat must be blood.
Grandma and Mom rush from the room as Kallen drops to his knees next to me. Dad is looking at me over his shoulder, and he becomes a shade paler as I feel blood slide over my bottom lip and onto my chin. Even amongst the pain, it strikes me as odd that Dad would be bothered by the sight of blood. He was a doctor, after all. Unless it’s just the fact that it’s my blood that bothers him.
“Xandra, what happened?” Kallen’s asking me as the room, sound and time suddenly start moving in synchronization again overloading my senses even more.
“I don’t know,” I say the best I can around a mouth full of blood.
Grandma’s back now and she’s kneeling in front of me. She has that awful clay stuff and she’s putting it on my forehead, but I can’t smell it this time because I’m pretty sure there’s blood in my nose. I’m afraid to close my eyes, even though they’re burning from strain, the pain might consume my soul if I do.
“Xandra, you have to repeat after me – ‘I am your chalice, you are my shield, Divine power only you wield, please take from me the pain I feel, with Divine mercy my fate you seal.’”
Somehow, I manage to get the words past my lips as I try to swallow back the blood. As the last words leave me, the pain intensifies to a crescendo and a blinding light encompasses me, forcing my eyes to close against my will, and then it’s gone. The pain is gone. The light is gone. I’m sitting on the floor of the kitchen with Kallen looking frightened, which I’ve never seen before, and Grandma looking relieved.
That is, until Kallen turns to her with fury in his eyes. “What just happened to her? What have you done?”
Grandma’s skin flushes green as she sits face to face with one of the most powerful Fairies alive, and all of his anger is now directed towards her. “I have never seen a bond like this before. She is physically connected to the protection circle.”
“What does that mean?” Kallen demands. As I’m lying against the wall reveling in being pain free, he’s getting ready to choke my grandmother. I can see his hands twitching, ready to strike.
“I think it means she was just hit by a car,” Mom says quietly from the doorway and all eyes zoom to her.
Dad looks seriously confused. “Julienne, what are you talking about?”
“My father drove his car into the protection circle. If Xandra is physically attached to the spell, then it’s as if she was hit by his car.” Hmm, that would explain the blood. And the pain. Grandpa’s a real ass.
Grandma gasps and puts her hand over her mouth. “No,” she whispers. Mostly to herself, I think. “He wouldn’t.”
“Was that your plan, Athear? Connect my daughter to this spell so your husband could kill her easier?” I’ve never heard Dad shout before. And I’m amazed at how much anger and hatred he can put into his words. I want my old, carefree dad back.
Grandma shakes her head as she pulls her hand from her mouth. “I swear to you, this is a mistake. I didn’t know that she’d become so ensconced in the spell. This is unprecedented.”
“How do we fix this?” Kallen snarls and I reach out to take his hand before he can accost Grandma. She is the only person who knows how this works, after all.
“I-I don’t know.” Grandma looks so lost that my heart goes out to her. Dad’s and Kallen’s, on the other hand, not so much.
Dad has a finger pointed in her face and she backs up an inch or two so his cold hand doesn’t touch her skin. “You’re a liar! Fix this, or so help me, I will spend the rest of my time on this plane making your life as miserable as you’re making my daughter’s.”
“Dad, I think she’s telling the truth.” I push back and slide up the wall until I’m standing. Kallen grabs my elbow to make sure I’m steady on my feet. I’m okay, but I probably shouldn’t make any sudden moves.
“Xandra, she had to have known,” Kallen starts to say but I cut him off.
“No, she didn’t.” Even Grandma’s looking at me in surprise.
“How do you know that?” Dad demands.
I think that’s the harshest tone of voice he’s ever used with me and I’m a bit taken aback. It takes me a second to find my voice again. “I just know, Dad. She’s telling the truth.”
Wow, did those words come out of my mouth? But as I think about it, I know it’s true. Even if Dad and Kallen are both looking at me like a demon just burst forth from my head. The good news is, I think I stunned them both into silence. Turning to Grandma, I say, “Grandpa must know that I’m connected to the spell. How would he have figured that out? Have you told him about this magic?”
She shakes her head. “No. I’ve never said a word to him.”
I’m about to ask her if she’s sure when I figure it out myself. “It’s the light rope.”
Kallen’s brows are tightly scrunched. “Light rope? What do you mean?”
I roll my eyes at him. “Remember when I got pulled to the airport – I said there was a rope of light coming from my belly button. It was there when I met up with Grandpa, too. He must have figured it out.”
“Son of a…”
“Jim,” Mom admonishes before Dad has a chance to finish his thought.
Clearing his throat, he tries again. “So, the bastard knows he can hurt Xandra physically. How do we stop him from doing that?”
There’s a determined glint in Mom’s eyes. “Mother and I will take care of it. Kallen, why don’t you help Xandra to her room? She’s been through a lot this morning, and she could probably use a little rest. I’m going to go introduce my father to some of the security precautions I’ve spread around the house and mountain over the years.”
Her mouth set in a determined line, Mom floats towards the front of the house with Grandma at her heels. I suspect Grandpa’s going to wish he never got on the plane this morning.
“Your mother is right, you should lie down,” Dad says, concern replacing the anger in his voice from a couple of minutes ago. “I’m going to go with your mother.”
“That may not be wise,” Kallen warns.
“Probably not, but I’m not going to let Julienne face that man alone.”
Kallen inclines his head in understanding. “Neither would I.”
“Shouldn’t I go out there as well?” I’m feeling like a big lump of ‘not very helpful’ right now.
“No, until we figure out how to separate you physically from the spell, we need to keep you better protected.”
Frustration washes through me, but I know he’s right. “Fine, I’ll be in the bathroom brushing my teeth.” Yes, I sound a little pouty but I do need to brush my teeth. The bleeding may have stopped, but my mouth still tastes like blood. I push away from the wall and I’m surprised that I’m so steady on my feet. Kallen offers his hand but I shake my head and walk past him, leaving him and Dad in the kitchen staring after me. Okay, maybe I’m taking my frustration out on them, but I can’t seem to help it.
I take my time brushing my teeth, trying hard not to think about how close I came to dying. Tears are doing their best impersonation of Olympic swimmers trying to free themselves from my eyes, but I refuse to let them go. This would be an easy time to fall into a vat of self-pity but I won’t give in to it. So most of my biological family wants me dead, that doesn’t mean I have to roll over and give them what they want. But it’s sure easy to anchor my mind on the fact that
most other seventeen year old girls aren’t recovering from their grandfather trying to kill them.
Disgusted by all this feeling sorry for myself, I put my toothbrush back in the medicine cabinet and slam it closed. Enough. Life took a crappy turn and I have to deal with it. Kallen’s right, I should revel in the fact that I’m a magical being. I’m proud of who I am and I’m going to fight to stay alive.
I square my shoulders as I walk out of the bathroom and into my bedroom to change clothes. My shirt and jeans have blood on them. As soon as I walk through the door, hands grab my shoulders and push me gently against the wall. Kallen leans his forehead on mine. “Do not ever scare me like that again,” he says and I can see the shadow of the pain he felt when he thought I was dying still lingering in his eyes.
I bring my hand up to his cheek and smile. “I’ll do my best.”
“I love you,” he says as his lips capture mine in a long, sensual kiss. When ours lips part, he leans his forehead on mine again. “I have never said that to anyone before, you know.”
That makes my heart spring to life. “I love you, too. And I’ve never said that to anyone before, either.”
He chuckles as he stands up straight and puts his hands on my cheeks, stroking them with his thumbs. “In all fairness, you have been caged in this lonely house in the mountains. You have not had much opportunity to spend time in the company of males your own age. Perhaps I should not feel as special as that statement would imply.”
I raise questioning brows to him. “Afraid you wouldn’t stand up under competition?”
He chuckles again. “Perhaps. Suffice it to say, I am pleased not to face any.”
Not that I want to change the subject, but…“Did you check on Mom and Grandma?”
He nods and drops his hands back to his sides. “Yes, while you were brushing your teeth. They seem to have things well in hand. Your grandfather is quite surprised by the amount of Witch’s bottles your mother has buried. He is having a difficult time avoiding them.”
Mom and her landmines. Apparently, she’s been busy over the years. I wonder when she found the time to plant them when Zac and I wouldn’t see her doing it. Come to think of it, she and Dad did spend a lot of time taking long walks in the woods. Maybe it was less walking and more burying.
“Is your circle still holding?”
“Yes. If you were not connected physically to your protection spell, you would not have felt any of the things you have this morning. How are you feeling?”
I shrug. “I’m fine now. Nothing hurts, so I’m good.”
“I was not speaking only of the physical sense.”
I grimace. “Give me time to answer that one. Things are flying at me so fast; I can’t keep up with my emotions.”
Pulling me into his arms, he hugs me close as he rests his chin on the top of my head. “I am afraid I understand that much too well.”
“You’re doing that nice and sweet thing again.”
“My apologies, I will try to work more derogatory statements and sarcasm into our conversations.”
I can’t help a small laugh. “Thank you, I appreciate it.” Pushing away from him, I walk to my dresser. “I need to get out of these clothes. They have blood all over them.”
“I will check on your father while you do that. I am afraid he will get caught in magical cross-fire.”
I grimace. “Yeah, me too.”
Kallen leaves and closes the door behind him. I pull out a pair of clean undies, jeans and a long sleeve dark blue tee from my drawers and change my clothes. Just as I pull the shirt over my head, I feel my skin start to tingle and I know the feeling of lightning striking is coming. I close my eyes and I’m no longer in my room. Have I mentioned how old this is getting? I’m back to really not liking Grandma again, even if she didn’t know this would happen. Oh well, at least I’m dressed. Ten seconds earlier and I would have been in the middle of this hotel room in just my bra.
Chapter 11
“Hallo, Xandra,” the man in front of me drawls in what I think is supposed to be an English accent but he’s not pulling it off well. He’s just an inch or so taller than my five feet six inches and he’s almost as big around as he is tall. His dark brown hair is slicked back like only the bad guys on TV wear it, and his face is pock marked from what looks like many, many years of acne breakouts. Huh. As a Witch, you’d think he would have learned some sort of spell to prevent that from happening. My belly button light is wrapped around his head but it doesn’t seem to hurt him as much as it did Beren. He doesn’t even seem to be paying attention to it.
When I don’t reply, he continues, “Your Grandfather is right, you do come when you’re called. How lovely for us.” Ah, that’s why – he was expecting the rope light. I wonder if he’s wearing some sort of amulet or something to block the pain.
I look down at the double bed next to me and there’s a mirror tossed on the tacky flowered bedspread. I’m confused. “I thought Beren was the scryer.”
The man in front of me laughs and I get a great view of how yellow his teeth are; and I can actually smell the garlic and onions he must have eaten recently on his breath. Okay, I’m sure there must be some sort of magic that can help with that. Or maybe a toothbrush? No wonder Grandma thinks he has to use magic to get women to like him.
“I may not have Beren’s talent, but I am an efficient scryer. I’m certainly good enough to find a young Witch like you.”
I wave my hand under my offended nostrils. “Do you think you could hold your hand over your mouth when you talk, or something? I think I’m going to be sick if I have to keep smelling your breath.” Rude yes, but oh so true. Between the blood I swallowed and his rancid breath, I really do feel nauseous.
“You impertinent little…” and then he seems to get control over his tongue and clamps his mouth closed for a heartbeat. When he opens it again, it’s to say a spell. “From my mind and from my heart, a feeling of wellbeing to you I impart. Led astray by family and foe, find safety here for your restless soul. I take from your heart your worries and pain, I cleanse your mind of its burden and strain. Heartbreak and sorrow await in the night, only in my presence will you find peace and light.”
It dawns on me as I listen to him drone on that I really should learn to interrupt Witches who are trying to work a spell against me instead of waiting to see if their spells have the desired effect. If only Mom and Dad hadn’t taught me to be polite. Realizing that the guy is now looking at me expectantly, my mouth forms into a broad smile.
“Excellent,” he says. “You see, Louhi, I told you I would take her to task.”
The voice behind me startles me and I turn around quickly. Okay, interrupt Witches saying spells and look behind me. Crap, he could have knocked me out. Well, except for the fact that I’m not really here.
Louhi is older than the guy I figure must be Midar. He looks to be in his seventies, and where Midar is as big around as a three hundred year old oak, Louhi is about as big around as a sapling. His yellow papery skin is stretched taut over his skeletal frame and his eyes are sunken into dark caverns topped by a bushy unibrow. His hair is a couple of wisps here and there sticking out from his scalp in no particular pattern and his nose looks like it’s missing some cartilage. Ugly doesn’t even begin to describe the man. He looks like he could have just walked off the screen of any number of horror flicks wielding an axe or a chainsaw. This is the guy who can put your mind in a happy place? I think he needs to put himself in a happy place – someplace far away from mirrors.
“I don’t believe you’ve been successful, Midar.” Thin lips stretch over a row of perfectly straight white teeth that have to be dentures. I think he’s trying to smile. He has failed miserably. He looks like his teeth ate his lips. The other man didn’t scare me but this one does. I’m going to be seeing his face in nightmares for years to come.
And he might be a bit of a mind reader, because he says, “This is what becomes of one who must carry the burdens of the minds of crimin
als, my dear. Not a pretty picture, is it?”
“No.” Yes, Mom and Dad taught me better manners than that, but they also taught me not to lie. Honesty won out this time.
A dry chuckle escapes his mouth. Or he was coughing. I’m not sure which. “Perhaps a fresh young mind like yours will rejuvenate me. Shall we give it a try?”
I shake my head and unconsciously back up a step. “I’m sure I’d have the opposite effect. Mom always says I’m an old soul. I’d probably make you look worse.” Oops, didn’t mean to say that last part out loud.
His smile was iffy but his snarl comes across perfectly clear as one side of his upper lip crawls up past his gums. “You do have a smart mouth, don’t you? Perhaps I should stop wasting time and get on with it. The sooner we can all go home, that way.”
I don’t know if I do it or if the protection spell does, but another rope of bright light shoots out towards Louhi and wraps around his head. The pressure it causes must be in direct proportion to how frightened I am because he grasps his head and falls to his knees as Beren did in the airport.