Shattered Souls

by Karice Bolton

I whipped my head to see Logan break down the front door to the home, and all I could do was let out a scream as I dropped to my knees.

  Chapter 21

  I looked up to see Logan staggering out of the home, holding his mom as several firemen barged into the home. Applause erupted, but not before the Captain began reprimanding Logan. The medics quickly surrounded Logan and his mom, and all I could think about was my mom. Ellsy was having difficulty breathing and didn’t look like she’d be able to provide much information. I ran toward Logan, who caught my stare as he shook his head.

  “She wasn’t inside?” I asked.

  “No. Not that I could see,” Logan responded. “And I tried to ask my mom, and I got a head shake so I think we’re lucky.”

  We walked across the street to where Jenny, Angela, and Trevor were all standing. I turned to face the house and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The smoke was billowing out of the ground floor windows. I couldn’t see flames. The fire hoses were gushing, and it took everything I had not to manipulate the water, but the firemen were the ones who knew how to fight this fire, not me.

  “Get the irons,” a fireman yelled.

  “Got ‘em,” another one responded.

  My heart ached as my calls and texts remained unanswered. I wanted to believe that my mom wasn’t inside but not hearing from her only added to my distress. I texted my aunt again, hoping that my mom was with her and still nothing.

  Logan wrapped his arm around me and hugged me, kissing the top of my head. “It’s going to be okay,” he whispered. “She’s not inside.”

  Relief spiked through me when I heard my aunt and mother’s voices shouting from down the street. They were running toward Ellsy who was strapped to oxygen. I don’t think they saw us. Logan squeezed me as we crossed the street to meet my mom and my aunt.

  Tears were streaming down my mom’s face as she hugged Ellsy.

  “Are you okay?” my mom asked, not letting go of Ellsy.

  Ellsy nodded.

  “Logan went in and got her,” I told my mom.

  “Well, that deserves a hero’s recognition,” my mom said, smiling still holding Ellsy.

  “Not if you talk to the firemen,” I muttered. “They are pretty angry with him because it was a really bad idea.”

  “Do they have any ideas as to what started it?” my mom asked, watching the firemen fight to stop the flames from spreading.

  I shook my head. “Not that I know of. But we certainly have some ideas.”

  “At least we’re all out alive,” my mom whispered.

  The Captain walked over to where we were standing. “Is one of you the owner or renter?”

  “I own the house,” my mom replied.

  “Can I talk to you, please? Over here,” the captain requested, taking a step away from us.

  Our group fell silent as my mom and the captain stepped away.

  “One of my men found what looks to be signs of an accelerant.” I overheard the captain.

  “Where? What do you mean?” my mom asked.

  “The point of ignition was the back porch,” he answered. “I think we’re looking at arson. The investigator is on his way.”

  I looked back at the house, and the smoke had diminished. This fire was set purposely, just like the others, and if the fairies were involved I didn’t know what that meant.

  “They’ve got it under control now. We’ve got the mop up crew making sure every ember is extinguished.”

  My mom and the captain continued walking, and I couldn’t hear anything more. Ellsy was still breathing the oxygen, and her eyes were brighter, less red.

  “I think I need to bring up my concerns with Dace and Bakula,” I said, looking at Logan. “If they started this fire to prove a point…”

  “I don’t think they did that,” Logan said, his eyes a shade darker.

  Storm gusts lashed down the street and I began to shiver. Maybe tonight wasn’t the best night to go find Dace and Bakula, but it had to be done.

  “You want to go to the mountains tonight?” Jenny asked, attempting to rub warmth into her bones.

  “I need reassurance,” I said.

  “What makes you think they would tell you?” Trevor asked.

  “I’d like to think I could tell if they weren’t open about it.”

  “Good luck with that.” He shook his head. “You know they’re the ones watching all the people we’ve been picking up lately.”

  “You’ve been dumping them off with the fairies?”

  “They offered and it seemed like a good idea,” he said. “Obviously it doesn’t seem like a good one now, but I might be able to poke around and find some stuff out without making it look connected to the fires.”

  “A snow storm’s brewing in the mountains,” Angela protested. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. And you don’t know for sure where they are in the Cascades. You said they’re constantly on the move.”

  “She’s got a point,” I agreed, looking at Trevor for a reaction.

  My mom came over to fill us in, her expression grim.

  “They think it’s arson. The fire was actually caught in time before any major fire damage occurred. I saw where it looked like someone started it, even I could tell that, and of course, I’m a suspect.” My mom pursed her lips. “He said it was standard procedure, but it’s still unnerving. Why in the world would I do this to the home I love?”

  “They’ve got to check everything out,” I assured her.

  “I sure hope whoever set this was sloppy and left something behind.” She shook her head and sighed, wrapping her arm around Ellsy. “Looks like we’ve got a find a new place to live for a little while.”

  “Here I thought moving out would keep you safer,” I whispered. “I guess I was wrong.”

  “My guess is that they thought Triss was still there,” Logan said, looking over at his mom and then back at me. “I think all three of you need to bunk at Vieta’s or back in Illinois until things are...”

  “I say it’s time we hold this discussion back at the house,” I interrupted, watching as the investigator arrived on the scene. There was no way he was going to find what he needed to solve this arson. Magic started it and magic hid it.

  Everyone agreed and we all went our separate ways. Ellsy got the go ahead to leave, and we trundled to our cars. I felt a heaviness on my heart. If Ellsy hadn’t made it, I don’t know what I would have done, but tonight’s disaster actually made me suspect the fairies less than before.

  I slipped into the passenger side of the car, and Logan drove us back home. Trevor, Jenny, and Angela pulled into our driveway before we did, and I could tell the entire discussion must have centered around Trevor’s eagerness to head to the mountains.

  I sat in the car for a moment, sliding my hand to Logan’s and waited. He shifted in the seat to look at me. “This is going to be over soon,” he whispered, touching my cheek softly.

  “I hope so.” I sighed.

  The pendant warmed on my chest, and I raised a brow. “Interesting,” I whispered, feeling the warmth as my fingertips touched it. “I guess we don’t have to worry about going to them. The fairies are coming to us.”

  “Good,” Logan said. “By the looks of it, we better let Trevor and Angela know the news a.s.a.p.” I looked out the windshield and chuckled. Trevor had no idea what he was getting himself into with Angela. She never showed that side to guys until it was too late. Poor Jenny and I saw it far too often.

  “The pouting is going to be any second if we don’t break the news,” I said, laughing.

  “All right. I’ll be the hero for two times tonight,” he whispered, swinging open the door.

  Angela turned and glared at me through the windshield, so I decided to chicken out and wait until Logan told them.

  “The fairies are on their way,” Logan said, smiling. “No one needs to go there.”

  Angela hopped up and down, clapping her hands, and I knew it was safe to get out of the car.

  “W
ell, I came up with something especially brilliant,” Angela said. “I can’t wait to tell you about it when we get inside.” She immediately clamped on to Trevor’s arm, and he threw me a look of annoyance. So much for the honeymoon period.

  The house had warmed up substantially since the window had been repaired. Logan went to fix the fire and I wandered off to the kitchen. I was thoroughly exhausted and wanted nothing more than to hide out under the covers, but judging by all the energy everyone was carrying I knew that possibility was only a dream. Instead, I put a teapot on the stove and grabbed some Earl Gray tea. It was going to be a long night, especially once the fairies got here.

  “Want to hear my bright idea?” Angela asked, coming up behind. “I say it’s a good one. I surprised myself.”

  “I bet you did,” I replied, rolling my eyes. I turned around to face her and saw the excitement in her expression.

  “Don’t you think every single sorcerer is lying in wait for you?” Angela asked, her hand on hip, as she stood directly in front of me. “It’s the only option.”

  “What’s the only option?” I asked.

  “Trading places,” she whispered, giving me a knowing look.

  The color ran out of my face as her words settled in.

  “I trade with you, and you can get done what you need to do and no one will be aware,” she continued. “It’s the only option, really.”

  “It’s not the only option. I can’t let you do this,” I said, shaking my head. “You’re not even fully…”

  “That doesn’t matter. I looked it up. As long as the participant is willing it doesn’t matter what she is, and I am more than willing. Things have never been this exciting in my life, and I have to tell you it has given me an entirely new perspective on what I want to do with my life.”

  “Is that so?” I asked, raising a brow.

  “Yes. I want to become just like you,” she teased, tapping the end of my nose.

  “Very funny.”

  “Seriously though. I think this idea could really change the speed at which you get things done, and the sooner we get through this as a team, the sooner we can begin enjoying life, a normal life.” She winked at me.

  I let out a deep breath and sank my tea bag into the mug of steaming water and wandered into the family room. I sat in front of the fireplace, attempting to gain some sort of grounding force, before I tried to explain exactly why this wasn’t going to work.

  I heard Jenny in the downstairs bathroom washing her hands and wondered if she knew about Angela’s idea. Was she the one who gave it to her?

  “I already spoke with Trevor about it, and he fully agreed with me. It’s the best option for you to get inside the network unnoticed,” she continued.

  I froze. Trevor was in on this? Why wasn’t he more worried about poor Angela’s well being?

  “I appreciate your devotion. You’re an amazing friend, but I couldn’t live with myself if something went wrong and the way things have been going lately, I really don’t want to take that risk,” I argued. “The thought of you running around looking like me is beyond anything I can handle. I mean look at what happened to the house I was living in. Thank you but no.”

  The front door opened and Logan walked in carrying a bundle of wood. Trevor was right behind him and glanced quickly at Angela and then at me.

  “Have you mentioned your hot idea to Logan?” I asked, raising a brow.

  “Whose idea about what?” Logan asked, putting the timbers next to the hearth.

  “Why don’t you fill him in, Trevor,” I said.

  “Fill me in about what?” Logan questioned. He stood up and dusted his shirt off and rubbed his hands to get the dirt off.

  “Angela and I have been talking a lot lately. She’s really interested in helping. I tried to talk her out of it, but she seems really adamant. I told her about your abilities, and what they might mean for our kind…” his voice trailed off.

  I didn’t even necessarily know what they meant for all of us so that surprised me.

  “Well?” Logan prodded.

  “Angela wants to trade places with Triss,” Trevor replied, turning to Angela and giving her a smile.

  Logan whistled and ran his fingers through his hair. “That’s not a good idea.”

  “Exactly what I’ve been saying,” I agreed.

  Angela knelt in front of me. “Listen, I know I’m new to this world of yours, but from what I can tell this isn’t about individuals any longer. The cause is bigger than all of us, and it just so happens that you’re the one who was chosen. You were given gifts that even the grandest sorcerers aren’t granted on their best day. At least that’s what I’m told. So to do anything to jeopardize your gifts is not only foolish for the ones who love you, but to the community as a whole.” Her eyes began to tear up, taking me by surprise. “I may be new to everything, but I can see the way people look up to you. I know you didn’t ask for it, but that’s the way it is. Because of that, precautions will be made surrounding things that need to be done, whether you like it or not. The decision’s been made.”

  I pulled out the blue chalcedony stone from my pocket and placed it in Angela’s hands. Now I understood why I wanted to give it to her.

  Chapter 22

  “Do you remember that book in the Witch Avenue Coven’s library that was cursed?” I asked, looking at Logan. We were in the dining room going over some spells that might transition the swap between Angela and me.

  “The one that caught on fire?” he asked. “Hard to forget.”

  “Just a day in the life of,” I said laughing. “But I started to look at the last couple of pages and it’s interesting. There’s a section that looks like it didn’t scan over, even though the rest of the pages did. Actually, it looks like the writing has been wiped out.” I shoved the paper over to Logan. “I know we’re supposed to be looking at the shifting spells, but this caught my eye.”

  “That’s weird,” he replied, looking it over. “What was this section on?”

  “Bylaws,” I replied. “Well not really bylaws, but what to do when an Order’s covenant system isn’t abiding to the natural world. It would be helpful if I could actually finish reading it. I was going to go look at the book in the library. See if the print still appears there.”

  “Sounds like a good idea,” Logan said. He leaned back in the chair, and looked over at me, watching as I flipped through the pages. I felt a flush run up my body.

  “Yes?” I asked, grinning.

  “Just admiring,” he said quietly. “So how do you think the meeting went last night with the fairies? Do you feel like you can trust them any more?”

  I thought back to the horrified look that Bakula gave me when I approached her and Dace about the fire at our Witch Avenue home. I knew after that she had nothing to do with it, and I felt like a horrible witch for even allowing myself to go there. I felt the ring on my pinky shift and looked down at it.

  “Looks like I’ve lost weight,” I sighed. “My ring keeps slipping.”

  “Have you figured out what that’s for,” he asked, pointing at my finger.

  I shook my head. “Bakula said I’d know when I needed to. I’m assuming I haven’t needed to know yet. I honestly feel like the less I have running around in my head the better, and I’m hoping that whatever it is really will become apparent when the time is right. Why? You have some ideas?”

  “A few,” he muttered. “Only time will tell though.” He flashed me a smile and leaned forward in the chair as he started thumbing through the book from our cottage.

  “I was talking to Trevor, and we were both thinking that trading with Angela might be best around the time of the convergence,” Logan said, still skimming the pages.

  “Like when we get the Demonikers and Praedivinus back East?” I questioned. “That seems dangerous.”

  “Does it really though? If they intend to do anything to you, I’d imagine they’d plan the attack around that time.”

  I let out a deep brea
th and knew what was really bothering me was just how much danger that would put Angela in.

  “She’s committed to this,” Logan said. “You can’t be worried about her safety the entire time, regardless of when you choose to do the switch.”

  I found myself biting my lip, thinking about how I was going to get over my worry. I wasn’t sure I could and that would put us both in danger. “Let’s go to the library and see if we find anything.”

  “All right, sounds good,” Logan said, slamming the book shut and hopping up. “Does a gingerbread latte sound nice?” He was smiling at me, holding his arms open. I knew he was trying to make me feel better, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I nodded and wrapped my arms around him, allowing myself to enjoy his kindness.

  “I’ll let my mom know that we’ll stop by after our trip to the Coven’s library,” I said, stepping back but not wanting to release from his embrace.

  “Okay,” he said, placing a kiss on my cheek before allowing our hands to link as we walked to the front door. I grabbed my wool coat and scarf and hoped it would keep me warm enough from the house to the car. Icicles had formed along the gutters of our home overnight, and I think the weather had no intention of letting up.

  “You know we really should try to decorate a little. The arrangements were nice from Meredith, but until you mentioned the gingerbread latte, I had completely forgotten that the holidays were coming,” I said, locking the door.

  “It’s been a weird one, that’s for sure,” Logan agreed.

  The walkway to the car was icy and I navigated with extreme caution.

  “You’d think there’d be a spell for this,” I said, pointing at the ice-skating rink that previously functioned as our driveway.

  “It’s a brutal winter so far,” Logan said, helping me around to the passenger side.

  The moment the key turned in the ignition, I had the defroster blasting, hoping it would warm up soon. It was Thursday afternoon, and the commuters hadn’t hit the streets of Seattle yet, so our drive was a pretty pleasant one. I got my gingerbread latte and enjoyed sipping it all along the way to the coven. Logan turned the car into the Covenstead’s lot and parked. I hadn’t been back since everything happened with my father and Eben. Construction had begun to repair the damage to the corner of the building. Temporary fencing had been placed around that entire side of the building. There were still construction workers on site for the day. It looked like they were in the process of framing out the exterior walls. One of the men waved at me and I waved back. It was kind of nice knowing we weren’t going to be here alone. There were several cars in the parking lot as well, but I wasn’t sure which ones belonged to the workers or if any belonged to other coven members.