She relaxed back in her seat and continued to read. The plane taxied, took off, and leveled out and, as if on cue, the group popped out of seats and resumed their original seating arrangements.
Pita saw the flight attendants whispering and shaking their heads in annoyance, but left the group undisturbed. She took one more look at the unruly group and caught the gaze of the Matriarch. Pita’s skin crawled as if an onslaught of carnivorous insects bit and tore at her flesh. Even from the distance of several rows, Pita felt drawn into that ebony stare. She had the sensation of darkness ooze over her mind like sticky black tar. Fear shot through Pita. She tore her gaze away, staring into her lap at the open book. The darkness faded, the link broken. After a few moments, Pita stole a peek at the woman, but she no longer paid Pita any mind.
Aside from the size of the plane, the fact she’d been spooked, and the tumultuous flight, Pita began to wonder if she should have taken something to calm her now shredded nerves. She felt woozy and watching the group perched upon the luggage in the aisles teetering back and forth wasn’t helping matters. At one point, turbulence made the plane drop what seemed several hundred feet, and Pita thought her stomach had been left on the ceiling. Exhausted, she leaned back and closed her eyes. In an effort to lull her wretched state of mind, she concentrated on the time spent with Niko to distract herself from the nausea rising from the constant bumping and dipping of the small plane.
Of one thing Pita was sure, she couldn’t wait until this plane landed.
Chapter 15
Tired, cranky, and shaken from the rough flight, Pita took a few deep cleansing breaths and smiled. Finally, she sighed. Glancing around, she exited the plane and her smile dimmed a bit when her eyes settled upon the tall, darkly gorgeous man holding the card with her name on it. His discomfort oozed in the uncomfortable look on his face and the constant way his eyes darted back and forth. His body language screamed, I have better things to do than stand here and wait for some stranger. If Niko was day, this guy was the deepest part of night. Everything about him screamed total opposite. His dark, clean-shaven face had sharp rugged angles. Thick, short, dark hair spiked stiffly on top of his head. His body was lean with just the right amount of muscle definition. Pita digested the black jeans and black crew neck tee that hugged his body as if painted on. Her perusal drifted down to his black leather boots with tarnished silver studs.
Great, either he’s a biker or into Goth, either way it can’t be a good sign.
Pita approached him unnoticed, stepping amid people rushing to gates, families reuniting, and flight attendants pulling convenient, compact baggage on wheels, heading off to yet another destination all in a day’s work.
“You must be Tomas.” She offered her hand.
“Yes. Pita?” He took it. A low pulse of energy jolted up her arm.
“Yep.” She exchanged a firm handshake, fighting the urge to pull back. What is it with these people? Must be getting used to it, she surmised, but the sensation still irked her. It definitely wasn’t as pronounced as it had been with Niko, but what did it mean? She gave herself a mental pat on the back for not reacting. He didn’t seem to notice. I really should have gotten out of the Rockies a little more often. Maybe there is something to the adage that people emit energy and aura thing.
“Good. I feel stupid holding this sign.” He chuckled and let go of her hand.
“I could tell.” She replied, taken aback by the odd silver blue color of his eyes. Almost the quality of a marble, they glittered like the vivid blue eyes of a Husky. Their oddness distracted her from the urge to rub the thrumming sensation from her arm.
“Oh?” He seemed embarrassed that she’d read his discomfort. “Sorry, was it so obvious?”
Pita nodded giving him a full smile. “Uh huh.”
“Oh, hell… Come, better we must gather your luggage.” He turned and headed in the general direction of baggage claim, dumping the name card in a trash receptacle as he passed. Pita followed happy that he’d picked up the carryon bag she’d been dragging. At least he has good manners, she thought.
****
Pita and Tomas emerged from the terminal to a dull overcast day. Such a contrast to yesterday in Munich. On further scrutiny of her surroundings, she realized there were many other differences. Nothing appeared finished. The road that wove past them was primitive, loose gravel and uneven. No landscaping graced the area. Off in the distance, she saw simple high-rise apartment buildings-lots of them. The area aside from the apartment buildings resembled an industrial park. The effect appeared drab and dusty. Instead of grass or shrubbery and mulched gardens, abandoned construction supplies and dirt littered the ground.
Tomas led her to a wall, about knee-height, near the road and piled the luggage beside her.
“Wait here. I will bring car.” Without waiting for her to answer, he jogged off to a parking lot at the rear of the terminal building.
“All righty then,” Pita mumbled plopping down to sit on the wall. “I hope Sasha’s on her way. Why didn’t I just wait and come with her?”
Exhaustion a big factor, she realized, but here she was, sitting in a foreign country alone, at the mercy of total strangers and grouchy acquaintances.
The slam of a car door interrupted her thoughts. Tomas strode toward her. Well, at least he’s smiling.
She jumped off the wall and gathered up her handbag and the smaller bags while Tomas picked up the heavier luggage and loaded it into the trunk. He finished, and then rounded to her side of the car, opening the door for her. Pita settled in, laying her head back on the rest. I’ll just close my eyes for a minute, she thought. The last things she heard were Tomas getting in the driver’s side, the soft hum of the engine idling, and the forward motion of the vehicle moving into traffic. Then nothing.
****
Pita awoke to persistent but gentle nudging. Disoriented, she started at the sight of the tall dark-haired man bending over her, but quickly realized it was Tomas.
As Tomas moved off towards the rear of the vehicle, she blinked several times and shook her head in an attempt to clear the grogginess. After a hefty yawn, she stretched and called, “Are we there?” Wherever ‘there’ was, she thought peering around as she got out of the vehicle.
“Yes. We have arrived now at my home.”
Pita gasped when her eyes lit on the vision before her. “Wow…”
The house sat nestled in a lush blanket of greenery. Surrounded by trees and ferns, it stood two stories and donned grey stucco with a rose-colored tin roof, latticework and a beautiful raised border of white stenciling graced the midline between the two floors. Its architecture mimicked the Victorian era. In the front yard was an old well complete with a bucket hung as if ready to drop to gather fresh, cool water. A low, seasoned wood-framed fence surrounded the entire property with a little wooden garden gate at the front walkway. The effect absolutely charming. “Tomas, it’s beautiful.”
“It is not castle, but my mom and me, we work hard for it.” Tomas smiled. “Our heart and hopes are all here.” He waved his hand in a wide arc to emphasize the comment.
While Tomas opened the trunk and placed luggage inside the gate, Pita did a slow turn to check out the immediate area. Few other cottages peppered the landscape. The village compared to sparsely populated rural areas back home. Quaint with old world charm, Pita thought. Her eyes feasted upon the surrounding mountains. Evergreens and mounds of hay were most abundant. Hmm…familiar. Then it hit her. Just like the photos from the lock box. Could this be the place?
Off in the distance, she noticed a large fieldstone fort-like building with large turrets at each end. Pita asked, as she pointed at the structure, “What’s that?”
Tomas set the last of the luggage inside the gate and turned to look. “Oh. That is old castle. We can go later for look if you will like.”
“Yes, I’d very much like that.” She grinned, feeling a little less lonesome and a bit more adventurous.
“Come. We go inside.
Mama excited to meet with you.”
They had gathered up the luggage between them and mounted the two steps to the door when it swung open. Inside a woman who shared the identical appearance of Sasha’s mother, stood smiling.
Ohmigod, their twins, Pita’s last thought before she found herself encompassed within a brisk hug, then whisked through a short hallway and into a charming little kitchen where introductions were made over hot tea.
****
“You have good trip?” Dorina asked, placing pastries in front of Pita on the scarred but spotless Formica tabletop then sat across the small table. Pita noticed that little decoration adorned the efficient space. A crude cross hung over the inner doorway and a woodstove claimed one corner while an antiquated rotary phone hung on the wall next to an older model refrigerator. Tomas had left the women to get acquainted after the introductions.
“Yes, thank you.” Pita chose an interesting diamond-shaped tart and took a bite. The pastry melted in her mouth and the lemon filling teased her taste buds with tart sensations of sweet and sour. “Umm…this is delicious.”
Dorina smiled. “I make myself.”
“Wow!” Pita managed around bites.
Dorina tapped her forehead. “Oh. I forget to mention, Sasha called before you arrive. She not able to come. She say for you to call her, and she explain. But, you not worry. You welcome as long as you want to stay in Romania.” Dorina smiled patting her arm.
Pita’s belly took a tumble and the pangs of fear and panic began to rise up, but she staunched it. You’re a big girl. You’re here now, so do what you came here to do.
She turned her eyes to Dorina. “Thank you so much for having me. May I call Sasha now?”
“Yes…yes. You most welcome, child. You use telephone in front hall for privacy.”
****
“Sasha, what happened?”
“Pita! You’re there.” Her friend stated the obvious.
“Yeah, I’m here.” Pita laughed. “I have so much to tell you. When are you going be able to get here? Why aren’t you able to leave?” Pita picked at a scratch on the table’s edging.
“I’m so sorry, but my dad…he’s not feeling well.”
“Oh, Sash, what’s the matter? Is it something serious?” She straightened in the chair.
“We’re not sure.” A deep sigh hissed through the phone line. “The doctors admitted him last night. He was complaining of chest pain. You know how mom is. I mean it could just be gas or indigestion, but she got nervous and took him right to the hospital. They’re running tests and will keep him under observation. I’ll have to let you know. I didn’t want to leave mom alone. You understand.” Sasha’s voice quivered with worry.
“Yes, of course.” Though disappointed, Pita armed her voice with cheerful support for her friend’s predicament. She would have done the same had it been her father. “You do what you have to do. I’ll be fine.” I hope. She bobbed her foot up and down, then uncrossed her legs and placed her feet flat on the floor. “Your aunt and Tomas have been great. Hey… You never mentioned your mom and Dorina were twins. It’s awesome how much alike they look.”
Sasha’s laughed. “You know? I just never thought about it, I guess. You know “outta sight, outta mind.” Aunt Dorina is so far away from our world it just never came up.”
“Yeah... I guess you’re right. Anyway, I don’t want to stay on the phone too long, but I really do have a lot to tell you about the trip over.” Niko’s face flashed into her mind, an adorable snapshot complete with that crooked smile of his. Pita sighed and stood. “Please call me when you know something about your dad and when you can get here, okay?”
“I will. Listen, I’m really sorry, Pita. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”
“Don’t worry about it. Take care of your mom and dad. Keep in touch.”
“We’ll talk soon.” The connection broke.
It looks like I’m on my own now.
Pita placed the handset on the receiver, stood, and stared at the instrument a moment longer.
Oh well, so much for best-laid plans.
Chapter 16
Dorina Stepes had welcomed Pita into her home as if she were a long lost family member, complete with a big hug and lots of warm chatter. After their tea, she took Pita to a simple room on the second floor. The walls were white washed and for the most part plain. A crucifix hung centered over the bed. The only other adornment in the room was a large vase with an assortment of fresh wild flowers on the dresser. Pure beauty sighed in this room with its simple décor of a four-poster antique bed, a small vanity with an oval mirror, a long dresser, and armoire. The colorful, hand-made, patchwork quilt and the thick mattress, beckoned to Pita. She stifled a huge yawn as Tomas brought her luggage into the room.
Dorina crossed to the room’s only window and closed the heavy hunter green drapes, then she turned down the quilt. “Child, you look to fall down from your feet. We leave you now. You sleep.”
With that, mother and son left the room gently closing the door behind them.
Alone, Pita crumpled onto the bed. Her brain crowded with disjointed thoughts of the trip, Niko and the wonderful time spent with him, Sasha’s news and the fact that she now found herself alone in a country she knew practically nothing about.
So tired…
Pita slipped off her shoes and outer clothing, then lay down and snuggled into the goose down mattress and pillows. Ahhhh….no more thinking right now…
So very tired…
She closed her eyes and succumbed to a long-needed, blissful sleep.
****
Fragrant pine-scented air tickled Pita’s nose. The light mist seemed to dance hauntingly among the trees a few feet above the ground. Wind rustled through the pines and birds chirped and called while flitting back and forth in search of early morning insect fare.
The chill in the air barely noticeable but for the small puffs of vapor that escaped her nose and mouth as she breathed. Excitement flowed through her and acted as an internal heater. She loved the solitude of the forest.
Something−more like a need to be in a specific place at a specific time−drew her deeper and deeper into the woodland.
Pita sensed rather than heard the wolf. She glanced sideways into the tree line to her left. Their eyes locked. The big gray appeared to smile at her, his tongue lulling, and teeth grinning. He loped over to her. Pita stood her ground, relaxed, expectant.
“You are not afraid.” The familiar voice filled her head.
“No.” She smiled reaching out her hand to the gray.
“Good.” It nuzzled her hand then sat on haunches beside her like a well-trained dog.
“How is it you are here? This forest is in Romania.”
“This will become clear soon. You have much to learn, yet.” The wolf perked its ears and tensed, sniffing the air. “Come.” It trotted off into the trees. Pita followed.
The gray kept to an old deer path, something Pita knew well. She’d practically grown up in the woods and had no trouble keeping up. The wolf stopped short, and she almost tripped over it. “What’s wrong?” she whispered.
Once again, the voice slid into her mind. “Quiet, must be very quiet now. I want to show you something.”
They came to a clearing. The gray and Pita kept to the heavy undergrowth. Pita got down on all fours and followed the wolf, keeping her head down to shield her face from the backlash of the dense foliage. Branches pulled at her hair and scraped her arms as they neared the edge of a wide clearing. The scent of wet leaves and moss wafted up and dampness seeped into her clothing. She sat back on her legs as quietly as possible and peered through the bushes into the clearing. She gasped but covered her mouth before any sound escaped.
Before her was a caravan of Gypsies. A circle of vehicles surrounded them: old pickup trucks with homemade camper-like additions built into the back beds, station wagons, and even old horse-drawn carts right out of an old Gypsy movie. About thirty people milled about. Some sat
by a large fire talking loudly and laughing, while others worked at some project or other and children ran about playing amongst themselves and a couple of mangy dogs.
“The dogs...” Pita didn’t finish her thought. She couldn’t speak. At that moment time stopped. Her eyes locked with those frightening dark ones of the Matriarch, the woman from the plane. The cold black orbs seemed to focus on her.
“She knows we’re here.” Pita whispered.
“Yes...” That single word burned in her head like a hot branding iron. The wolf leaned against Pita as if to comfort her, to let her know it was there beside her. But she felt no comfort just cold fear like icy water running through her veins.
Benevolent eyes bore into hers, dark fathomless hatred reflected within. Then the woman’s voice sliced into Pita’s head.
“Go back from whence you came. You will not win, Pita Sedgwick…”
Chapter 17
Pita’s eyes snapped open. Darkness still filled the room though a tiny bit of light crept around the edges of the heavy curtains. As details of the dream faded back into the recesses of her mind, she could still hear the Gypsy woman’s remark. What did she mean? You will not win… Win what?
She scrubbed her hands over her face, grabbed the scrunchie off the bedside table, and pulled her hair back into a ponytail, stretched her arms toward the ceiling, and then relaxed back against the headboard.
Why would I even dream about that woman? Pita mused. Because the woman made me feel so damned uncomfortable with just a look. I must have been thinking about her subconsciously, she reasoned.
Hugging her legs to her body, she rested her chin on her knees. What is going on? What does the wolf have to do with the woman from the plane? Why did it show me those people? The wolf… weird and yet, it seemed familiar. An involuntary shiver ran up her spine. Hmm…maybe if I named the wolf, it would seem less eerie. Pita smiled. The ridiculous thought eased some of the tension she felt.
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