by Marnie Cate
“They took our magic away from us,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “When it left our body, I followed it.”
“You need to go back to him… to you. You're not whole like this,” I said.
“He should have fought harder. He was too sad and weak. I had to leave him to protect my water. We made a promise and he just gave up.” His eyes welled with tears and he rubbed them away.
“You need to—”
“I live here now. You need to go on your way.”
The darkness in his tone scared me. Such a small boy with such anger inside him. He needed to return to his body but I couldn't help him now… maybe never.
“I need to follow that path. Is it safe to cross the water here?” I asked.
“Of course. You need to step very carefully or you will get wetter,” he said. His demeanor changed and once again the bubbly boy was in front of me.
“Can you take me?” I asked.
Shrugging, he said, “Why not? Ok, follow me.”
He jumped to the first stone and turned. “Hop to me,” he said.
When I landed, he laughed as we wobbled. “See easy.”
We leapt stone to stone until we were in the middle of the lake. A large fish with pink scales and blue polka dots jumped out of the water splashing me.
“Don't scare her,” Cole scolded the fish. “She is afraid of the water.”
A silver whiskered nose peeked out of the water. A second fish flew into the air, before splashing down. It began trilling. The first fish poked its head out of the water again, chiming in with its own set of whistles and clicks.
“Ok. Ok,” he said, placing each foot on the backs of the fish. “Sorry, I need to go. You don't have much further before you reach land.”
“Wait. Where are you going?”
“Don't worry. I will be back soon but right now I need to protect my water. You just keep going forward.”
Cole stood tall, balancing himself as he rode away on the back of the fish. I watched until he became a small dot in the distance before I continued.
Stone to stone, my heart began to beat faster. When I could see I had only six more stones until I reached land, I stopped and stared. I couldn't make out what was ahead of me. My heartbeat drowned out the sound of the water. Go! Stop standing in the middle of the lake and get to land. I jumped to the next stone. Just ahead, I could make out the faint outline of a house.
Splash! A wall of water fell on me. Without thinking, I jumped again. Stone to stone. Not looking back. The stones ended at a rocky beach. Standing on the shoreline, I could now see the house clearly. Lights inside the wooden home illuminated the glass pane windows. Loud footsteps sounded and a tall man stepped through the door onto the extended front porch.
As he stepped under the light, I could make out his familiar features. I had seen pictures of this man since the day I was born. For the first time in my life, I would meet my grandfather, Chester Finnegan Veracor. Gramp's hair was not the silver color it was in the later pictures. Instead, it was a dark brown. Here he was a young man in his forties.
His blue eyes twinkled as he called out. “Are you going to come say hello to me, Meg?”
“Um… um….”
“Don't let the cat get your tongue. Come on up here and give your grandpa a hug. I have been waiting for you.”
“How do I know you're not a soul stealer?”
“Those fools won't come around me. I have no sad stories to share with them,” he said.
“Tell me something only you would know,” I said, eyeing him.
“Only something I should know… hmm. That is a tricky one. Would it be that your favorite food my Mae made you was her famous chicken pot pie? Or could it be that you once snuck into my woodshop and carved your name on a wall? You tried to carve a little flower but it looked more like a swirl.”
Dashing up the steps, I threw myself into his arms. “Gramp, I am sorry. I just had to be careful. I am so glad you came.”
“My pretty girl, you're so grown up. Come in. Come in. I did make you something to eat while I was waiting. It is not like what my Maesi would make but I tried to remember the recipe,” he motioned for me to sit.
“It is a sandwich,” I said, looking at the plate on the table.
“If I had cooked a meal for you, you would know that it was one of those soul stealers. Making this sandwich took every ounce of my cooking skills,” he said with a chuckle. “Sit and tell me how I did.”
Taking my seat, I picked up the overstuffed sandwich and tried to not drop any on me. It was piled high with turkey, cheese, salami, lettuce, tomatoes and peppercinis. Squishing it together, I took a big bite as my grandfather watched me.
“This is so good. I didn't realize how hungry I was,” I said, through my mouthful.
“I'm glad you like it.”
“How come you're here? I thought you were in the Afterlife,” I said, setting my sandwich down.
“I asked to be sent. Your Gram is raising hell back there. I wouldn't want to be any of those Gods right now. So, I am here to help you with your decision,” he said, taking my hand.
“I don't know what to do. I don't like any of the choices,” I said, staring at my food.
“Well, sometimes we don't always get everything we like. The longer I have been gone from the mortal world, the more I have realized some things just don't matter. But some things mattered more than I thought they would. Do you know what matters, Meg?”
“Family?” I asked.
Shaking his head, he said, “Yes, family is important. You're always one to do what is best for our family. You worry about Mara. You worry about Miles. You worry about Gram. You even worry about your parents. But, it is time to stop worrying about your family. Your decision must be for you. You should make the choice for you alone, not how it will help anyone else. The best thing you can do for your family is live a happy life. You can only worry about what is best for Meg Violet Stone.”
“What do you think I should do?” I asked.
“Honey, I can't decide that for you. You should decide what scares you the most and if it is worth the price you will pay for it. You have to decide what you will be able to give up.”
“If I take the Winter, Mara and Cole won't have to worry about their baby being taken from them.”
“But?”
“I lose my Earth magic and I don't know what else I lose,” I answered.
“And your other choice?”
“To say goodbye to the mortal world and join you and Gram in the Afterlife. I will have to say goodbye to my magic, my friends, my home, to Dunn.”
“It is not so bad in the Afterlife. It is harder when you can't or won't break ties with the mortal world. I am afraid you will be like Mae and will refuse to release your connection. I know she will never give up that world if she can keep her connection to her grandchildren. I worry you will be just like her. Don't get me wrong. My Maesi did a good job raising you girls. She only lost you one or two times,” his eyes sparkled with those words.
“Gram was the best,” I sighed. “I still don't know what to do, Gramp.”
“I know one thing. You need to finish up your sandwich. It is never smart to make an important decision on an empty stomach.”
Smirking, I picked up the sandwich and took a big bite. Gramp beamed at me and picked up his own. “Mae once told me her mother, Genevieve's, gift had been passed down through the generations with not only elemental magic but with the curse of short lifespans. When Mae had turned sixty-seven, she thought her luck had changed. As you know, it hadn't.
“Your Gram had a hard time when she first heard of your injury. For a minute, I was worried, I had lost her to the darkness.”
“What do you mean?”
“The day you were hurt I found your grandmother. She was frantically gathering supplies in the kitchen. When I asked her what she was doing. She refused to answer my questions and told me to help her or go away. I gathered up her things and laid them
on the table in a circle just as she had taught me.
“Mae was going to call black magic. I tried to convince her it was a mistake but she felt the Gods wouldn't help her save you. She felt she had to contact them.
“I was not going to let her throw away everything to bring darkness into our life. I threw the mortar from the table and wrapped my large hands around hers.
“I had never seen her so angry. She screamed at me. Then you know what she did? She fell to the ground and began pushing the potion off the floor and back into the mortar. Her hands turned red as it burned her.
“I wrapped my arms under her and dragged her away from it. Your Gram is strong and she tried to save her spell again. By the time she reached the potion, it was too late. The magic was gone from it.
“Your mother begged her to not call them. You would have been proud of her. She said, 'You're right. I was not a good mother but I can't undo any of my past mistakes. Mother, you need to remember the light you were connected with. In your life, you kept your promise and you raised my girls to do the same. Please do not give up on everything you believed. Everything you tried to teach me. Call out to the Light, Mother. Do not seek the dark.'
“Then you won't believe who showed up. Kinema Delli. Your Gram pleaded with her to save you. Well, you know the rest. Now it is up to you to decide your destiny.”
“Was she really going to summon the darkness to save me?” Gram was so strong in her commitment to Danu. I was amazed she would even consider this.
“Meg, you mean more than anything in the world to your Gram. She felt so desperate I don't know what she would have done.”
“Eliza was right. She had always taught us to focus on the light and not seek dark… no matter what.”
A chime sounded and Gramp sighed. “Well, that went by too quick. My time is up.” Kissing me on the forehead, he said, “Like your Gram always told you follow your heart and you can't go wrong. No matter what you decide, I am proud of you. And one day I will see you again. Next time we meet, we should have Miles cook for us. I hear my grandson has a way with a spatula.”
“He does,” I laughed. Hugging my grandfather tightly, I whispered, “Thank you.”
As my grandfather faded away, I left the house and went back to the beach. I sat with my feet near the edge. The waves beat against me.
An image of the little girl flashed in front of my eyes. She was so happy building her snow structure. Do not be afraid of the Winter, Meg. Fear will just make you cold and hard. I thought of Cole who believed he was nothing without his magic. And there was Gramp. He told me to do what was best for me… to follow my own heart and to make the best decision for me. I knew what I wanted but I didn't know if my family would understand.
Throwing my head back, I called to the night sky. “I know what I want. I have made my decision.”
The lake lit up a magnificent silver color and the silhouette of a woman appeared.
Chapter 41
As she moved towards me, her body took form and I was staring into the green eyes of Kinema Delli. “Are you sure you're ready to make this decision, Meg?” she asked.
In her human form, she was petite. Her sage colored, wavy locks fell over her shoulders, browning at the tips. She was breathtaking.
“I think I am ready to make my choice, Kinema,” I said.
“You are not ready.”
“I am. I want—”
Placing her pointer finger on my lips, she said, “When you're truly ready to decide, come to me.”
When she removed her finger, I said, “I know what I want. I am sorry I sounded as if I doubted my choice. Please, I am ready.”
“No, Meg,” she said. “You are not ready. Come to me when you have collected your thoughts.”
“Why? I can tell you know. I promise I am ready,” I said frantically.
“You will need to come to me,” Kinema said.
“You're here. Why are you not letting me choose? I don't understand,” I said, clenching and unclenching my fists.
My hands began to shake and my heart began to race. I was livid.
“Your temper tells me that you're not ready,” she said.
This was not the first time my mood had got me in trouble. Gram had taught me how to calm myself as a child. Now, I needed to prove I could make an adult decision. I inhaled and slowly exhaled.
As I felt the anger inside me fading, I said, “You're standing before me and I am listening. See I am calm.”
“You are very persistent, Meg Stone,” she said with amusement. “Do as I say and come to me in the grove. I will be waiting there for you to accept your decision.”
“The grove? But Ladarsha is there,” I said. “You said I was lucky to get away from them.”
“She can only take from you what you offer. If you offer your sadness and pain, you will feed her. Only you can choose what you will give to her. She has no great gift other than glamour, a convincing tone and a soft touch to comfort you. Otherwise, she is quite powerless here.”
“She didn't feel powerless. Who is she really? Was it just another test?” I asked.
“In your present journey, Ladarsha is of little consequence. The darkness is always around us. With the light, there will be dark. I promise you I have not brought Ladarsha to test you. However, your reaction right now is telling me you are not ready to make such an important decision. One which will be irrevocable,” she said.
“Wait, there is no more darkness. Snowystra is gone.” The words became too real. “If I choose the Winter, there is no more darkness. Will I fill that role?”
“The darkness is within all beings. Can you not see you're not ready to give me your decision? You still have many questions you need to answer within yourself.”
“Fine. I will ask you questions,” I said.
I had been confident moments ago but now doubt filled me. She was correct. I wasn't ready. I wasn't sure I would ever know the right answer.
“Snowystra took children to feed her magic. If I take the Winter, will I have to fuel my power? Will I have… followers?”
“If you choose Winter, you will have more power than you could ever imagine. I promise you will not need to resort to the cruel ways of Snowystra. You will not be alone, Meg. There is much more to being the Winter than what Snowystra offered the world. She did not understand her role. She isolated herself.”
I would be a Goddess? The responsibility was unfathomable. I would be alive or sort of alive. I could see my sister and Cole… and Gram? But I would lose my Earth magic and creating new life. Wouldn't I? It was as if I finally understood what I would be choosing and it scared me as much as it excited me.
“My Earth magic feels like it is part of the Winter. I could be wrong but I think all life and growth needs time to rest and heal.” As I said the words I felt they were true. Confident, I continued, “When the ground begins to be covered by the Winter it rejoices in its time to recover and relax. Am I wrong to think this? You would know better than anyone.”
“Yes, Meg. We do need the time to rejuvenate. Winter is often thought of as death and loss, but as you said, it is a time to renew. It is nature's way to clean the slate. You already have a strong insight, Meg. Otherwise, you would not have been chosen. Danu's Ciethre were wise when they chose your family. Now come to me, child. Knowing along the way you will have temptations. You will reconsider your choice many times. By the time you return to me, you must be ready. You will need to make the absolute and final decision.”
“But, I understand now. I can choose,” I said.
“Then the temptations will be no trial for you. Come to me and I will hear your decision.” She vanished.
I was once again standing on the edge of the lake. The sun had set and the night sky was full of dazzling stars. I looked back at the house I had come from and saw my grandfather in the glow of the porch light.
“Do not go with them. Make the choice to come to live with Gram and me,” Gramp called to me.
“I lo
ve you both, Gramp but I have to make this decision on my own. Tell Gram that I am following my heart,” I called to him.
Glimpsing one last time at my grandfather, I could see his mischievous smile.
Not a very good test, Gramp.
Chapter 42
Hopping back across the stones, I felt focused and prepared for what was ahead of me. It seemed like there were many more steps than the first time. Each stone was blocking me from finding Kinema and beginning my new life. When I finally arrived on the other shore, I found Cole. He sat with his head buried in his arms. He was crying.
“What is wrong, Cole?” I sat beside him and rested my arm on his back to comfort him.
“They took my magic… all of it. Why did they do it?” he sobbed. “I am nothing without it.”
“That is not true. You are strong and brave. One day you will be an amazing husband and father.”
“But, I feel empty inside. He feels hollow. Don't let them take your magic. You will feel horrible for the rest of your life,” he said, grabbing my hand tightly.
I kissed him on the forehead. “Don't worry about me, Cole. Everything will be ok. I promise. One day, we will meet again and you will know I am telling the truth. Can you do me a favor?”
“Maybe,” he said, wiping the tears from his face. “What do you need?”
“I need you to return to your body. You're needed at home. I know Cos needs you.”
He pursed his lips together and stared at me.
“I will see you again, Cole. Please go home.”
Leaving him on the water, I hoped he would listen to me. If he didn't, I would find a way to return to convince him. But what if you can't return to him, a nagging voice in the back of my mind called.
I stopped and called to him. “Wait, I need you to come with me, Cole.”
“Where?”
“I need to return to Kinema.”
I couldn't leave him by the lake feeling horrible. I needed to find a way to repair Cole's fractured spirit.
“Fine, I will go with you,” he said. “But, I am not promising to go back. I am just helping you.”