Exigency (Protectors of the Elemental Magic Book 2)

by Cate, Marnie

  Sitting beside her, I focused my attention back to Meg. “Before you open the box, I want to talk to you about the woman you were talking with tonight.”

  Frustrated, Meg said, “I don't remember what you're talking about. There wasn't anyone there. Why don't you believe me when I say there was no one there?”

  “You asked me to treat you like an adult,” I said warning her. “You have to understand that I don't know the answer to everything. I am learning also. The woman that you don't remember is the sister of Danu.”

  Interrupting, Meg cried out, “What? The Goddess can't have a sister.”

  “Meg, I will continue but you can't interrupt right now,” I scolded. “Let me just tell you everything I know and you can ask questions after. Okay?”

  Nodding, she set the chest down on the bed and took my hands in hers.

  “It is true that the Goddess does have a sister and for some reason she doesn't like the rules we obey regarding our gift of magic. She likes to do things her way and uses her magic for whatever makes her happy. She wants us to join her and no longer honor the commitment our family has made to protect our gift.”

  Handing her the chest again, I said, “Open it, love. It is time you learn who we are and what is inside.”

  When she opened the chest, I was surprised to see that inside there was a light green ring. A ring with the stone in the center of a nest of silver much like my own. As I watched her staring into the box with a serious look on her face, I thought back to all that I had seen when I was given the container. The minutes passed slowly as I continued to watch her expressions change. When she picked up the ring and closed the chest, I realized she was crying.

  “Meg, what is wrong? Do you want to tell me what you saw?”

  Trembling, Meg climbed off the bed and slid under it.

  “Meg, where are you going? Come talk to me?” I said with frustration and worry.

  When she returned, she was holding a lavender pouch. Climbing onto my lap, she carefully poured the contents of the pouch onto the bed in front of us—a crystal vial of dark blue liquid, a piece of white paper tied with string and a silver heart broken into two pieces.

  Opening the scroll, she handed it to me and said, “Gram said that this will help me tell my story.”

  Trasferimento memoria

  The memories are yours to share.

  ~ A drop of liquid in the eyes of the receiver

  ~ A drop of the liquid on the tongue of the storyteller

  ~ A heart for each in the palm of the hand with a promise of love and respect.

  ~ Together you will travel back to the first sight.

  ~ Together you will return with new insight.

  “Are you sure this is what you want?” I questioned, holding the vial. “Can't you just tell me what you saw?”

  “No,” Meg said, sounding frightened. “Let me show you everything. I'm ready.”

  “Ready.”

  Handing me a half of the heart, she tilted her head back and opened her mouth wide.

  Following the instructions, I placed a drop of the liquid on her tongue and then tilted my head back to put the drops in my eyes. The liquid stung and blurred my vision as I watched my sister collapse into my arms. The darkness consumed me and I lost consciousness.

  Chapter 11

  When I awoke, Meg was standing in front of the bed with the chest in her hands. Opening the box, she said, “The first thing I saw after the ring was Gram. Come see.”

  Both of us stared into the chest. As the view shifted from the contents of the box to a silver light, our grandmother stepped into the room and stood before us. The scent of fresh lavender and vanilla filled my senses. Wearing her favorite dress, she wore her brown hair flowing loose and wavy. Her beauty took my breath away.

  “My loves, I am proud of how well you have worked together to keep our family strong.” She kissed us each on the cheek. “Such sadness in your eyes, Mara. You have so much to be happy about. Let go of the feeling of loss. As you can see, I am well, even though I miss you both terribly. Stay true to your promises always.”

  She faded away and the sound of strong wind and the light twinkling of chimes surrounded us. Squeezing my hand, Meg whispered into the air, “Goodbye, Gram.”

  Another bright light appeared. As it faded, the images of our ancestors promising to protect the magic flashed before us. When our mother appeared, she took her pink ring and made the promise. A wall of red light blocked out the image of her and I was soon standing in the middle of Starten Forest.”

  Taking a deep breath, I glanced around for my sister. Scared, I began to run through the forest searching for Meg. My search ended when I saw my mother. Eliza was a teenager now and she was talking to Blanche Drygen. Blanche's hair was not the silver that she wore today but raven black. Her face wore a dark expression to match her dark lipstick.

  As my mother backed away from her, Blanche held her arm and began to drag her through the forest. Blanche hissed, “You better choose wisely. Your family has caused enough trouble for me.”

  Eliza's crying had no impact on Blanche. If anything, it seemed to fuel her anger and she walked faster, pulling my stumbling mother. When they reached a tree covered with a dark red liquid, they stopped.

  Shaking, Eliza pleaded. “Please. Don't make me go in there. I will do what you want. Tell her that I will listen. I will do what I am told.”

  “It's too late now. I warned you,” Blanche said, pushing her through the red ooze and then following her.

  I didn't want to walk into the bloodlike substance. I was scared but I closed my eyes and stepped into the tree. I found myself covered with the warm, sticky ooze that had covered the outside of the tree. Holding my breath, I forced myself to continue walking through the path. When I finally reached an opening, I climbed through it and entered a large cave.

  The space was covered in long strands of spider webs. In the middle of the largest web, there was a young man. He was attached to the web and didn't look as if he was breathing.

  “Please let us go. I have agreed to follow Snowystra,” Eliza begged. Trying to wipe the red slime off herself, she cried, “What more do you want from me?”

  Blanche slapped her so hard that it sent her reeling to the floor. “You promised me already and you didn't keep your word. She will kill us all for your disrespect. One by one I will destroy everything you love… if she doesn't end us first.”

  All of a sudden, a woman floated down from above. As she came closer to the ground, I could see it was Snowystra. She dressed as if she was going to a ball not coming to punish someone. When she touched the ground, she glided over to Blanche and gave her a threatening glare. Blanche shuddered and distanced herself from Eliza. Staring down on my mother with pity, she bent and picked her up by her hair, holding her above the ground.

  Dangling in front of her, Eliza began to apologize. “I am sorry that I didn't listen. I will not make the same mistakes again. I will do as you say.”

  Pleased, Snowystra carried her to the web and set her next to the young man. The trap swayed causing him to groan in pain.

  “Do you love this boy enough to save him? If you want him to live, you will have to commit your loyalty to me and me alone. You will have to leave Cedric until I tell you that you can be together again,” Snowystra said, caressing his cheek. “If you listen to me, your life will be wonderful. You will marry the finest man that I choose for you. I will allow you to keep the magic Danu has given you.”

  Tears falling from her eyes, Eliza nodded as she watched the woman walk to the sleeping boy. “Cedric, Eliza is here to save you. Wake up, sleepy boy.”

  Awakening, he stared up at Snowystra. When he saw Eliza lying next to him on the web, he began to struggle.

  “Let her go,” he snarled. “She has nothing to do with any of this.”

  Laughing she said, “Quite the contrary, Cedric. She has everything to do with this. But, she has come to her senses and she has realized the error of her ways. Y
ou will not see her again until I give you permission. Until the time is right, you will stay away from Eliza. She is no longer yours.”

  The words infuriated him and he began to buck against the sticky trap. “Let us go. You cannot make this decision for us.”

  With a look of anger, she cupped his face in her hands. The small touch silenced him. Cedric was no longer cursing at her or even moving. It was as if she had paralyzed him completely. Staring at him with pity, she released her hold on his face and then she took her pointer finger and she drug her long silver nails beginning under his eye and continued down his cheek.

  Screaming in pain, he could do nothing to stop her attack. She closed her eyes and smiled as if she was listening to a beautiful song.

  As the blood flowed down his face, Eliza screamed. “No! Please don't hurt him. I promise that I will do what you want. Please stop. I will obey you.”

  In the corner of the room, Blanche stood watching as Eliza cried and Cedric continued to scream, the blood flowing down his cheek. She wore an odd smile of satisfaction on her face. Was she that cold? How could a mother watch her son being tortured in such a way with no response?

  The cold laughter of Snowystra echoed throughout the cavern. Swiping at the spider silk with her sharp fingernails, the web broke dropping Eliza and Cedric to the ground with a hard thud.

  Eliza gazed at Cedric with tears in her eyes but she knew she couldn't help him.

  “Go now!” Snowystra screamed.

  Eliza scrambled to her feet and began to run. When she reached the entrance to the red oozing tree, she stopped and said, “I promise to always love you, Cedric. We will not be apart forever.” Then she disappeared.

  Everything went dark again and I found myself in our home. A younger version of myself was holding my baby sister in my arms. Our mother stood behind me brushing my hair as I sung to my sister. Eliza put her arm around me. Stepping closer to listen, I could faintly her the words she was saying to me.

  “Marina, you will be the one,” she said in a hushed voice.

  Her words repeated over and over until I found myself once again drifting into the darkness of sleep.

  “Wake up, Mara,” the frightened voice of my sister pleaded. Opening my eyes, I found myself face to face with Meg. Tears streaked her cheeks.

  “When the woman was standing in front of me asking if I would protect the magic, I was scared and I didn't answer her. Will she be mad?”

  Breathing harder, she held the silver chest close to her. Reaching for her hand, I squeezed it to remind her that she was safe.

  “No, Meg,” I comforted. “When you are ready to take this commitment, you can open the chest again and make the promise.”

  “I'm ready to promise now, Mara. I am not going to go with that snow lady. I love all of you and I want us to always be together.”

  “You don't have to accept this now,” I said. “I know you love us and you won't be tempted by the things Snowystra is offering us. We have everything we need right here. So I need you to do me a favor. I need you to think really hard before you say yes. Maybe don't answer the question tonight. Maybe we should put it away until you're ready.”

  “No, I am ready,” Meg said firmly, “I am ready to promise now.”

  Opening the box, she stared into it. She put the ring on her finger and held it out. “I will protect the magic, Mara,” she said.

  “I know you will,” I said. “Now I need you to promise to stay away from Snowystra. If she comes anywhere near you or if you suddenly feel a cold wind blowing near you, I need you to run. Run as fast as you can until you are in my arms. I don't want you to think you can fight her with your magic because she is so strong. Promise that to me, Meg. I can't lose you too.”

  “I promise, Mara,” Meg said. “I will be brave but smart.”

  “I know you will,” I laughed and kissed her on the forehead. “Why don't you head up to bed? Miles had a long day today. I'm really proud of you both.”

  Smiling, she began to leave the room. “Meg,” I called. “I know you knew about Mile's magic. Don't keep secrets like that from me again, ok?”

  Looking ashamed, she quickly nodded and left the room.

  Chapter 12

  With Meg and Miles tucked in their beds, I fixed myself a pot of tea and sat down at the kitchen table with Gram's journals. Moments ago, my spiritual body had been with her and I longed for her to return to us in this world. Lost in her writing, I jumped in surprise when Cole sat down at the table and poured himself a cup of tea.

  “Well, they are tucked in bed and fast asleep,” Cole said, taking a long sip of his drink. “Meg didn't want me to leave but she wouldn't tell me why. What happened today to shake her so much?”

  My father sat down at the table and poured the last of the tea. “Miles just stopped tossing and turning. Tell us what happened, Caterpillar.”

  Recapping everything that had happened today, I began with Snowystra interrupting our picnic and the elementals saving us. When I told them what I had seen while in the memory transfer, my father's eyes glistened with tears.

  There were no words I could say to comfort him. We would not be able to defeat Snowystra. She was too strong.

  “You said she tried to give Meg a box,” my father said. “Where is it?”

  “I don't know,” I said. “I guess it is outside still.”

  “We don't want anything she is giving. It shouldn't be opened,” my father said. “I will go find it and get rid of it”

  “I will come help,” I said, standing up.

  “I will be quick. Sit down and finish your tea,” he responded. “Remember that I am skilled at my Earth magic.”

  Kissing me on the head, he whispered in my ear, “Stay with Cole. He needs you. You are right about her messing with lives. He is one confused boy.”

  As my father left us, we both sat at the table in silence. The tick tock of the grandfather clock in the living room grew louder. Unable to deal with the unwritten tension, I decided it was time to be brave.

  “Cole, you need to talk to me. You can't marry someone you don't trust and I won't marry someone that doesn't trust me.”

  “You are right. People that don't trust each other shouldn't get married.”

  His words were like a bucket of ice water dumped over me. Twisting the ring he had given me, I slowly slid it off my finger and set it on the table in front of him.

  “No, Mara. That's not what I meant. I didn't mean that I don't want to marry you.”

  Frustrated, I said, “What do you mean then?”

  “I just meant we have a lot to figure out together.” Moving his chair closer to mine, he stared deep into my eyes. “I don't know why her words scared me so much but I don't want to lose you over this.”

  “So how are we going to get past this? How are you going to forgive me for what happened in the elemental world?”

  “We will get through it together,” he said. Slipping the ring back onto my finger and kissing the inside of my wrist. “I love you. I will always love you and I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me, Mar?”

  The tears that had been building inside me streamed down my face. As the wetness ran down my cheeks, I felt the coldness of a wind blowing through the house.

  “My father,” I said, jumping up I knocked over the chair I had been sitting on. “We have to go to him.”

  “Mara, I need you to answer me,” Cole said with a hurt expression on his face.

  “Cole, I love you but right now we need to make sure he is safe,” I snapped. “Can you not feel the icy wind around us?”

  Looking at me as if I had lost my mind, he shook his head.

  “She is here,” I said. “We need to find Elliott.”

  Not waiting for him to understand, I ran out of the house. The entire backyard was covered with a thick frost. The surrounding trees had large icicles hanging from them. Cole caught up to me and grabbed my arm.

  “Wait,” Cole said with frustration. “What are you doing
out here?”

  Pointing to the icy forest in front us, I said, “Do you understand why we need to find my father now?”

  “How can this be?” he asked. Wearing a look of complete confusion, he ran his fingers through his hair as he stared at the ground. Dropping to his knees, he began to stroke the frozen grass like a child playing in bath water.

  “Cole,” I snapped. “We need to find my father now. What is wrong with you?”

  Ignoring me, he continued stroking the grass. I noticed his eye color had changed. His deep blue eyes were a milky white color and his expression was frozen.

  How could she have enchanted him again? Stop, Mara. You need to focus on helping them now. Think. Focusing my fire and air magic on the frozen areas, I sent out a blast of warm air. The shimmery orange wind I created swirled around the trees and grass, melting everything it touched.

  Over by one of the oak trees, I saw my father lying in a puddle of water. Running to him, I knelt down beside him and began to pat his face.

  “Daddy,” I said, trying to wake him. “Oh Goddess, please don't let him be dead. Wake up. Please.”

  Slowly opening his green eyes, he rasped pointing to the black box lying next to him, “Bury the box in the circle. Don't open it, Caterpillar.”

  “I can't leave you both right now,” I said, hugging him tightly. “You won't be able to defend yourselves.”

  “No time. Go now before she returns,” he pleaded, pushing me from him. “I will be fine. I will take care of Cole. Go now.”

  Picking up the box, I left for Starten Forest.

  Chapter 13

  Stopping at my grandfather's workshop, I decided it was time to see if I remembered how to use the ATV. I had been there for the lessons. How hard could it be? After several false starts and a very choppy beginning, I was able to fly through the rest of the property and into the forest. Red and black trees blurred as I bumped through the mossy floor. When I arrived at the stone altar, I slowed, inspecting the area.