“Do you remember what you were thinking about right before this happened?” he questioned.
“My mom. I was thinking about how good it would be to have her back. How I missed her. I was allowing feelings to finally run through me that I’d been ignoring for months.”
“And the voice. You recognized it, right?” Logan asked. He confirmed my suspicions.
“My father.”
I tipped my head back and stared at the ceiling. “Does that mean he can communicate with me from the underworld?”
“Or you with him. I’m curious about what started it.”
“My pendant warmed before it happened. I couldn’t do much communicating. I was pretty much frozen and the space, it was like nothing I’ve felt before. It was complete desolation, just empty.” I looked behind Logan where the flames were dancing freely in the fireplace, but my palms began to get warm. “I think it’s time that I reach out. The worst that happens is that I’m called crazy, right?”
Logan grinned. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
“Can you hand me that piece of paper that’s sticking out of the green book?” I pointed to the stack of books near the chair. “So for the last time, how long was I out?”
“Over three hours.” He got off the couch and tugged on the piece of paper and brought it over to me.
“Not what I expected to hear.”
“I don’t think you hitting your head had anything to do with falling unconscious. You were on your way out before that happened. At least that’s what I’m guessing.”
“I agree. My body started to shut down before the fall.” I scanned the piece of paper, knowing some of the answers I needed were on it. I just didn’t know how to decipher them yet. But I knew that there were practitioners out there who did.
i.
Scriptoriums
Portals
Ruinations
Guardians
Colligeres
Tempestas
ii.
Dominium Defensors
Realitatem Falsarium
Adflictas Regnum
“There is an incantation I’ve heard about that allows us to tap into those who’ve been placed between here and there. It’s pretty dark, but I can work on it so you can speak to him again,” Logan whispered. He walked over to sit next to me, his eyes boring through me, waiting for me to acknowledge him. “ Your father—”
I shook my head, interrupting him. “It won’t be necessary. There are other ways, and I’m not certain that’s what needs to be done. I think that…” I looked away quickly realizing the darkness had returned to his eyes. Fear began stirring deep within me as I worried that the pull to the dark side was enticing Logan once again.
“What’s on your mind, Triss? I can tell you’re thinking about something,” his voice solemn.
I shook my head. “I wanted to believe that I was hallucinating, but I don’t think I was. I need to talk to someone. I wasn’t in that pantry. I was somewhere else, at least temporarily, and I need to know where that somewhere else might have been.” My eyes connected with Logan’s. “I need to talk to an expert.”
My aunt shuffled back into the family room, looking drained. She took a seat in the overstuffed chair, yanking on the lamp chain turning off the light. Her foot tapped the stack of books, and the top one tumbled to the ground. “Sorry.” She picked it up and glanced at the cover. “Finding anything good?”
“More than before,” I answered, flashing a look to Logan. Now was the time to bring up my questions with my aunt. “Do you know much about the Colligeres or…”
“Plenty,” she interrupted, shifting uncomfortably in the chair. “Why?”
“I found a list and that was on it, among other things.”
“They’re the collectors of information,” Aunt Vieta said.
My mom walked into the family room, holding two cups. She walked over to me and handed me one of the cups that was full of tea, and she trundled over to sit on an oversized pillow by the fire. That always used to be one of her favorite places to relax. My mom was finally remembering how to exist as herself. “The Colligeres? What are you up to?” she asked in her motherly tone.
My God, there was so much she didn’t know about me, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I’d be able to keep it that way.
“I need to make sure what I experienced in the pantry was nothing more than a hallucination.”
“And what is it that you experienced, my dear?” Aunt Vieta asked, frowning.
“Her father spoke to her,” Logan answered, looking directly into my Aunt’s eyes.
“Did you see him?” my mom asked, her fingers trembling as she placed the cup on the ground.
“No. I couldn’t see him. I couldn’t see anything.” The heat in my palms was excruciating. I needed to release, but I wasn’t sure what brought it on. I had come so close to controlling this ‘gift’. I didn’t understand the sudden setback.
“How so?” Aunt Vieta asked.
“There was nothing to see. Everything was dark.” I expected them to dismiss my statements or confirm that it was nothing more than hallucinations, but they did nothing of the sort. My mom jumped up from the pillow, nearly spilling her tea, and ran to my side.
“You didn’t have anything to do with this, did you?” she questioned Logan who quickly shook his head.
“It’s not something to mess with,” Aunt Vieta confirmed.
“I wouldn’t do that,” Logan replied, anger biting his words. “I’d never open up those gates without someone knowing. Ever.”
“Why would you think that?” I demanded.
“I just had to check,” my mom said, half apologetically. She kneeled next to me and grabbed my hand, which felt as if it was on fire now and her touch only made it worse. I felt the tiny droplets of sweat begin to form at my hairline. “If you have this ability, it’s something that can help guide. Very few can communicate with the dead without—”
“Trying,” my aunt concluded, noticing the dampness on my forehead. “And it doesn’t sound like you tried to do so.”
Now would have been the perfect opportunity to discuss the fact that this seemed to be one of many “special abilities”, but I didn’t have it in me. It would lead directly to me confiding that I was a Trifecta witch, and undoubtedly the Divinus witch, and I wasn’t ready to expose that. Truthfully, my mother wasn’t ready to cope with it either.
“I think it’s time for you to speak with Madeline,” Aunt Vieta said, glancing at my mom.
“Yes. I think it’s time,” my mom acknowledged. She folded her hands in her lap and looked out the window. “I hoped you’d never have to be exposed to these things.”
Her voice was weaker than it had been all night, and it told me our hunch to keep her out of things, at least for now, was the right thought.
“Madeline?” I asked.
“She’s someone who will be able to train you to deal with this special skill,” Aunt Vieta said, pressing her lips together. My aunt was aware of the other skills that I had already developed, but I could tell she, too, was keeping them quiet from my mother. “She’s a sole practitioner.”
Things were falling into place.
“And where can she be found?” I asked my aunt but was surprised when Logan answered.
“The undercity. It’s where a lot of the sole practitioners hide out. It’s safer for them,” Logan said quietly, catching my gaze. “Safer for everyone.”
“Safer?”
“You’ll see,” Logan said, smiling.
“I think it’s time we take off,” my aunt said. “We need to get in contact with Maddie and…”
“What about dinner?” I interrupted. “You guys made it. You should enjoy it.”
“You’re looking tired. You’ve been through a lot. We’ve got food at home,” my aunt stated, prompting me with her eyes. “Besides, I’m sure you and Logan would like your privacy before your mom comes back home.” My aunt laughed as my mom shook her head and started t
oward the kitchen.
My aunt quickly tapped her forehead when my mom was out of sight, and I realized the sweat was running down my scalp and face. My aunt was trying to get my mom out of here before she caught on.
“Thank you,” I mouthed to my aunt as I wiped my forehead with my sleeve. I needed to get my release and figure out what started this.
“Veronica, would you mind grabbing some of that delicious blueberry tea?” Aunt Vieta asked.
“Of course.”
I stood up slowly but still felt dizzy. Logan wrapped his arm around my waist and brought me close to him. “I’ve got you, baby,” he whispered in my ear, sending a warm sensation through me.
“Thank you,” I whispered, looking into his eyes. Relief spread through me as I saw that the darkness was no longer present in his deep, blue eyes. I was just overreacting before. I had to stop worrying about things I couldn’t control.
“Okay, sunshine,” my mom said, walking back into the family room. “If you need anything, give us a call. But something tells me Logan’s just fine at handling things.” She winked at me and tapped his shoulder. “I look forward to coming back here.” My mom looked around the room slowly, taking in everything as she’d left it months ago.
“We’ll let you know what time to meet Maddie. My guess is that it will be in the morning,” Aunt Vieta said, sliding her arms through her coat sleeves.
“Sounds like a plan.” I gritted my teeth as the burning sensation began traveling down my hands to my wrist. My aunt was hurrying, but the pain was severe. I needed to get out back. Logan sensing my misery gave me a gentle squeeze as we watched my aunt and mom let themselves out of the house.
As the lock clicked into place, I glanced out the window. It was completely dark outside, perfect for what needed to be done. Time for a bonfire!
The searing pain whipped down my fingers as Logan helped me through the sliding glass door. The cold air hit me as I stepped onto our patio, only marginally cooling me off. Logan flipped on the light, exposing the frost that had already crawled onto the patio’s edge from the grass.
I felt Logan’s arm slip away from my waist as I walked to the far corner of the yard, crunching on the frozen lawn. I looked at the fire pit and over at Logan who was studying me closely. I took a deep breath in, letting the crisp air into my lungs as I closed my eyes. I threw my hands toward the pit and saw the brightness ignite through my lids. The relief spread through my fingers and palms as the heat was released. Keeping my mind free from interference I focused on the sound of the flames as I thought back to what had brought this on.
Images of my mother and father pushed their way into my mind, placing a history of them as a young couple deep inside my memory.
“Triss,” Logan said. “Your parents are appearing on the flames.”
My eyes flashed open exposing the very same images I was seeing in my mind — now against the flames — life size. My breathing began speeding up as I witnessed things I shouldn’t even know about. It felt like I was stealing someone’s memories, trespassing on a world that wasn’t my own.
Logan came up beside me, locking his hand with mine.
“Did you do this?” I asked him, remembering back to the night so long ago at the cottage when he located my mom.
He shook his head, squeezing my hand lightly. “No.”
The images flashed quickly. One moment my father was getting down on one knee, displaying an engagement ring for my mom, and the next my mom was pregnant with me, rubbing her belly. Next I saw my mother in tears as she watched my father leave. A man who I didn’t recognize comforted my mother as she was holding a tiny baby, me.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” he whispered.
I watched the fragmented movie continue to unfold, and I was utterly frustrated that I didn’t know exactly what to do with this information. The nonsensical memories continued to play with me as I watched the unidentified man disappear, leaving images of my mom raising me alone.
“I can’t take any more steps back down memory lane. I’m done,” I said, leaning against Logan.
“I don’t think you have much choice in the matter,” he whispered, nuzzling the top of my head. “You somehow opened the door.”
The flames began dying down, and the last of the images of my mom and I splattered across the smoke.
“It’s freezing,” I mumbled, turning to press my face into his chest.
“No kidding. I’ve been freezing since we got out here,” he teased, pulling me deeply into an embrace. “Are you doing any better?”
Just being in Logan’s arms made me feel better, but I knew what he meant.
“I think so, but if people are able to interfere with my mind like this, it’s really worrisome. It’s one thing to share things with you, but I don’t understand how my mind has become a gateway to the underworld.”
“I don’t think that’s what’s happening at all. I’m positive it’s something that you’re doing.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? You think I wanted these thoughts?” I was surprised at my own snippiness.
“No, not at all,” he sighed.
“Sorry.” What was the matter with me? He didn’t deserve that.
“I know you’re under a lot of stress, but we’ve got to continue to approach everything together. I’m not trying to piss you off, but there’s something inside of you that’s allowing this or inviting the information. That’s all I meant. We just have to figure out how to control it. Hopefully, the person tomorrow can help.”
“How are you so certain that I have some sort of control?”
“Just about everyone is susceptible to mind play… everyone but Trifectas and the Divinus. I read about it while you were unconscious. So you at some level had to be open for the images to make their way into your mind.”
I began shivering as I remembered my father’s words. I’ll be providing you with more soon, but I…
“I let my father in. He told me he had more information for me. This must have been what he was talking about…You’re right. I somehow let him in.”
Chapter 4
“So can you tell me about the undercity?” I asked. “Like why’ve I never heard you mention it until now? Have you gone there?”
I was on the hunt in my completely disorganized dresser drawer for the perfect pajamas to wear tonight. It was a toss-up between a flannel pair or a nightshirt.
Logan smiled, squaring his shoulders, as he reached for one of the spell books that I had placed on top of the dresser. Grabbing the book, he flipped to a page and turned it around for me to see.
“What’s that?” I asked, seeing a sketch of several cottages. “Or should I ask where’s that?”
“It’s an undercity.” He closed the book and put it back on the shelf.
“That doesn’t look like anywhere around here,” I said, puzzled.
“Good eye,” he joked.
I rolled my eyes at him and grabbed the flannels. “Looks like you just made the choice of sleepwear extra easy.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, as he slid his arms around my waist, pulling me close to him.
“You know very well what it means.” I narrowed my eyes at him pretending to be annoyed.
“Flannels just happen to be my favorite,” he murmured behind my ear. God, he could make anything sound sexy.
I started giggling and attempted to push him away, but his grasp became firmer. His chin lowered toward me, allowing his lips to hover only inches from mine. The corner of his mouth turned up slightly and my breath caught with anticipation. Closing my eyes, I felt his lips quickly brush against my cheeks and that was it. He released my hips, and my eyes flashed open when he took a step backward, grinning.
“So not fair,” I complained.
He shrugged his shoulders and couldn’t hide his smile. “The undercities have been around as long as we have. Every city has them. In Seattle, they’re actually under the city.”<
br />
“Kind of ironic,” I huffed, not really wanting to talk about the undercities any longer.
“Most often they’re in the countryside or off in the mountains,” he continued. “The witches who live in the undercities tend to be loners. They don’t always have the best social skills. But they’re masters at whatever they’ve chosen to study or whatever gifts were bestowed upon them.”
“Have you been before?” I asked.
“No,” he replied. “I thought about going a few times since everything began with your family, but I honestly had no idea back then what I’d say or ask.”
“I’m not even sure I know now,” I agreed.
Logan nodded and leaned against the dresser. Shoving his hands in his jean pockets, the waist dipped down lower. Not what I needed to see at the moment. But as I stood staring at him, I noticed his left hand couldn’t go very deep. Something in his pocket got in the way, but he didn’t attempt to adjust or do anything to maneuver around it either.
“Whatcha got in there?” I asked, pointing at his hand-pocket configuration.
“Nothing. Just some receipts and stuff.”
“Right.” I raised a brow. “Seriously. It’s gotta be something good.”
I actually doubted it was much of anything, but I was just nosey.
“Your mom and mine have both been there,” he said, ignoring me.
“What? Do you know why?”
He shook his head. “Not a clue. I knew years ago my mom had gone, but she’d never discussed it with me. It was only by accident I found out your mom had been.”
“I wonder what they went for. Maybe my aunt knows…”
“She’s probably been too,” he said, carefully removing his hands from his pockets.
“Well, hopefully it’ll all become obvious once we get there.”
I grabbed some matches and began lighting the candles I had in my room. I felt like the scent of lavender might do the calming trick that we both needed. There was a strained quietness between us, and I didn’t understand it until he finally spoke.
“I’ve been researching immortality, and I don’t think it’s quite like you think,” he began. “It really might be the only option.”
Shattered Souls Page 3