Another gasp left me. “Isn’t that our Heaven? You are walking into Heaven while you are still alive?”
Art nodded becoming more thoughtful. The seriousness of his mission was evident to him. "Yes, and I can talk to any one of our ancestors as I am talking to you now. Touch them, feel them, or search for any soul I want. I'm not sure how it works yet, I guess you can say I haven't received my first assignment."
“Our Mother Goddess said you were ready now, that she needed you now?” I asked, one by one the questions filled my mind. My gaze shifted to Cyn’s. I could see the awe in him as he looked at his brother. Even his posture had changed. I was almost afraid he was suddenly going to drop on his knees and kiss Art’s feet or something. “How many Soul Hunters have our people had?” I asked, hoping I could stop him.
Cyn blinked out of his admiration trance and looked at me. His brow furrowed trying to understand why I was asking, but not even I knew. “Only two. To be truthful, I never thought I would be alive to welcome the next one. I inherited the knowledge from the Mòr sagart because I was part of The Order of The Druids. Nevertheless, to everyone else, it was a myth. A legend. Nothing more. That is the only reason I was able to recognize my brother as the new Anam Sealgair.”
I nodded taking it all in. There was meaning there, but I couldn't grasp it.
"So, tell me how the cave went," Lia asked, successfully changing the subject, and interrupting my train of thought. "I only got back to the village yesterday, and Art told me about it."
"It was intense," I said, letting out a deep sigh. "But it was also a beautiful experience. I don't think I could ever describe it even if I wanted to. I… I feel different now. I know exactly who I am, and it makes me feel complete. There is also this sense of purpose in me." I looked at Cyn, who nodded encouragingly. My gaze returned to Lia. "Which is why I'm here. I need your help, Lia."
She reached for my hand and smiled. “Anything you want.”
I honestly hoped that after I asked, she'd still feel that way. Taking a deep breath, I tightened my hold on her hand. "I want to go talk to Felix, and I need you to come with me."
Art's body tensed instantly. His arm pulled Lia closer protectively, while Lia's eyes bore into mine. I almost regretted asking the question. Almost. I held her gaze while I witnessed the emotions play out in her eyes. Pain traveled through me, and the memories of what we had been through and the realization of what I was asking of her slammed against my chest. My heart followed.
“I’m truly sorry, Lia. I know what I’m asking of you, but I need you. I can’t do this alone.”
Lia stood and so did I. Our hands remained joined as we looked at each other. Her eyes watered but she nodded. “Okay.”
Art stood. Surprisingly, there was no trace of anger in him, only concern. “I’m not sure this is a good idea, little sis. You don’t know everything Lia has been th…”
“It’s okay,” Lia added, interrupting him. Her left hand reached for his chest, caressing it. “I can do this for her. She needs me, and she would do it for me. Plus, you’ll be there with me, Chewie, so I’ll be safe.” Her gaze returned to me. “He can go too, right?”
Somehow I knew she wasn’t just asking for his benefit.
“Yes, of course.”
LIA
* * *
“So what exactly do you need me to do?”
I asked Bri while taking a settling breath. Cyn’s fist lifted towards the door preparing to knock. We were in the jungle, close to the mountain where Felix had once been kept captive. Except now, we stood in front of a hut almost as beautiful as the ones in the village. It was small like Cyn's, but it lacked the charm that the others had acquired through the years of being here. It was evident Art built it. My gaze returned to Bri as Eisha greeted us.
“I don’t expect you to forgive Felix today, or even talk to him if you don’t want to, but we need answers about what’s happened. About what he can do.” I frowned. What was she talking about? "I am willing to talk to him. I thought that while I did, maybe you could open yourself to him. You know, use your gift. You can see people's essence and, in a way their destiny, right?" I nodded. "Then please help me. I need to know if it's true that Felix has changed. I need you to look at his essence and tell us if he is good, and if we can trust him."
I was nervous about seeing Felix again, but if I were honest with myself, I would have to admit I needed those answers too. “Yes.”
Once at the door, Eisha hugged me, and I kissed her cheek. She seemed nervous, as though she knew exactly why we were there. Had she seen this moment already? I couldn't help asking myself that as I walked in after Bri. The door closed behind us, and Cyn walked further in, taking Bri with him. He seemed completely comfortable here. Yet I remained rooted by the entrance. I had expected Bri to be hesitant, but she wasn't. There was this focus in her, this air of certainty, leadership. She was right; something had changed. The innocent, quirky girl I had met was gone, and before me stood an assertive, poised woman who wasn't afraid.
Art held my hand as I stood there, taking another deep breath while my eyes slowly focused on Felix. He stood in the far corner, and was evidently avoiding eye contact with me. I wasn't sure if it was to make me feel more at ease, or because he couldn't bring himself to look me in the eyes. He stepped closer to Cyn and Bri, briefly looking to Eisha as though he needed the encouragement. A tender smile met his eyes, and he cleared his throat.
“I have been waiting for this day for a while now.” He said motioning for Cyn and Bri to sit.
Well, I guess that answered my question. Eisha had already seen this meeting and had told him about it. What was her deal anyway? Why was she here?
"Thank you for having us, Felix. We came because we need to talk to you," Bri said calmly, sitting at the table. Felix nervously wiped his hands on the jeans he wore and sat in front of her.
“You want to know about what you saw me do at the battle. About my parents.”
Felix’s statement had been a matter of fact. Eisha smiled like a proud mama and sat on the bed, staying away from a conversation Felix apparently already knew by heart. I frowned.
"I guess we'll start with my Mother. It will make it easier for you to understand," Felix added, not needing for Bri to confirm. "I didn't know my Mother. She died giving birth to me, and my Father didn't talk about her. For the longest time, I didn't even know who she was. Not until you brought me here."
His gaze went to Eisha, and they exchanged a meaningful glance. He looked down at his hands and I realized he was avoiding Bri's eyes as well.
"Once I woke up here, I learned that my Mother had been one of you. A Celt." Bri and I gasped at the same time. Felix waited a moment, taking a deep breath as his eyes filled with emotion. "Her name was Ailidh, and she was the daughter of the basket maker." A small smile curved his lips as though he was reliving a memory. Once again his gaze met Eisha's, although only for a second. "She was with Leigh when the Romans intercepted their ship and captured them. Through the years they both ended up at the mansion. Against all the odds, my Father fell in love with her and even suffered the wrath of Agustina when he stood against his own mother for the woman he loved. She caged him like she did the Druids, but nothing could keep him away from Ailidh. He truly loved my Mother, and he defended her from Agustina until the day she died."
A tear fell from Felix's eyes, and he blinked as though returning to the present. Bri and I exchanged a glance as my chest constricted. Felix cleared his throat regaining composure, and my gaze drifted to Eisha, her eyes had filled with tears too, and somehow I knew the pain she felt was real. Had she witnessed those moments also? It was clear by her reaction that her connection to Felix was deep. Did she have anything to do with him changing? Was it possible he wasn't the same man that had allowed the others to torture us?
I shut my eyes tightly at the questions whirling in my mind, and I knew they could be answered with just one look into his soul… into his Aura. Still, I couldn't bring myself
to do it. I just couldn't. I wanted to hear more.
“A chuisle…” The whisper caressed my skin pulling out of my thoughts. I opened my eyes to find Art looking at me with love. He cupped my cheek, his lips brushing against mine tenderly, he pulled back gazing once again into my eyes. “Are you okay?” I nodded and lifted my chin as he briefly kissed me.
"After my Mother died, my Father changed," Felix continued, bringing my attention back to him. "He closed himself off to life, and retook his place in The Brotherhood. Dad never spoke of my Mom, so I never knew. He was a good Father though. He loved me and gave me everything, but it didn't shelter me from growing up under Agustina's iron fist." He raised his gaze, and for the first time since we arrived, his eyes connected with Bri's and then mine. "That doesn't excuse how I behaved. I shouldn't have let them touch you. I shouldn't have helped them take you in the first place."
His fists trembled on the table as his jaw hardened, and when he looked into my eyes again, I could see the pain and regret lit on fire inside him. He quickly dropped his gaze from mine and cleared his throat.
"But if you only knew the hold The Brotherhood has on its people. The power they held over us. If you knew how Agustina dealt with those who defied her… I'm so sorry for what I did to you. I know I shouldn't ask for forgiveness yet." His eyes briefly met Eisha's then settled on Bri. "I know this is not the time, and my apology means nothing to any of you right now, but I need to say it. I need you to know that I'm deeply sorry for everything I did. For what I said about your Grandfather, and for what I didn't do."
He looked at me once more, but I averted my eyes, looking at the man I loved instead, which made me feel safe. Art smiled, kissing my forehead and wrapped his arms around me. I rested my cheek on his chest and closed my eyes.
“My Mother didn’t have any abilities,” Felix continued. “I understand now the difference between a Druid and a Celt. Ailidh wasn’t a Druid, she wasn’t born with any powers and never studied the way of the Druid Order, but she was a Celt, and the magic transferred from her ancestors in the blood that is now inside me."
I looked at him as the words left his lips. The blood that is now inside me… Did Felix have powers too? Oh, my God. He was half Roman, half Druid.
"I am a Healer, Briana. A true Healer like your Grandfather was." Standing, he took a knife from the kitchen and sliced his forearm open. Before we could react, a blue glow erupted from within his body. It moved through his skin, slowly regenerating each cell as it passed. It was almost hypnotic. Rays of light shone through his pores, moving like a wave until the skin was pink once again, the wound nonexistent. "Nothing can hurt me anymore. I self-heal, and I can heal others too."
Bri gasped, and I instinctively stepped towards her. Before I realized it, I was only a few feet away from Felix. The tears spilled from her eyes as she stood. I couldn't even begin to imagine what was going through her mind, but I didn't have to wonder for long.
"Oh, dear Goddess. What have I done?" A trembling hand clasped her mouth as she shook her head. "You were trying to heal Marcus when I stopped you at the battle. When I tried to protect you… you could have saved your father, and I stopped you. I killed him." A sob caught in her throat but Felix quickly walked around the table standing in front of her.
"No, you didn't! It's not your fault, Briana. Please don't blame yourself." His hands rested on her arms while he urgently tried to make her understand. "I attempted to save him, but even as I did, I knew I couldn't. There were too many bullets inside him, and they kept shooting at us. It was The Brotherhood who killed him. It was Agustina who gave the order for them to kill me, and my Father gave his life for mine." Felix shook his head as his eyes watered. "Even in the hold of The Brotherhood my Dad loved me, and he fought for that love until his last breath. Thank you for trying to save me that day. Any hope I have of being able to live this life, to walk this new path in front of me, comes from that moment. From your choice to save my life, even after everything I had done to you. So, thank you."
Tears spilled from his eyes as he took a step back and kneeled in front of Cyn and Bri. The tears gathered in my eyes as I watched him. Wiping his cheeks, Felix looked up at them once again. Determination had replaced the pain in his eyes.
"With his last breath, my Father asked me to be a better man than he was. I still have a lot to learn from you, Cyn, about your people and your beliefs, but I do know one thing. The word of a man means everything to you. It represents his honor and his heart, so I give you my word today. I swear to you I'll be better. I will do this not only for my Dad, but also for myself. If you can forgive what I've done, and accept me as one of your own, I will be the best man I can be. I swear my loyalty and respect to you. I will protect this village and its people with my life, because it holds the only thing that makes me want to live."
Eisha stepped closer, the tears falling from her eyes just as they did from Felix's, and as their gaze connected, I finally understood. He was in love with her. The man who knelt in front of Cyn and Bri right then, was not the same man who just stood by, as I was tortured. I didn't need to see his essence to know that, but I did it anyway. Taking a deep breath, I let go and opened myself to him.
The burst of light startled me.
An ocean blue light—similar to his healing glow—shot out from the center of Felix’s chest. It projected above him, shimmering and moving in waves. Blue was a prodigious color in the spectrum of the Aura. One I had seen in him before, if only a glimpse. Blue Auras belonged to loving, nurturing, and supportive individuals. They were emotional people because they possessed a great level of empathy towards others. They were caretakers, which usually included nurses and doctors. Other’s pain became theirs, and they didn’t stop until it was healed. Family was the most important thing for them, and everyone they loved was considered their family. They were peaceful and harmonious people, who lived life with one purpose: to serve humanity, give and receive love. My eyes briefly swept over Art as I recognized the irony before me. The similarities between their essences were astounding.
Taking a step closer, I saw the second ray—I now expected—shot through Kevan, it took the form a snake. Large and intimidating she moved, sliding gracefully above him until she raised her head like a cobra and swayed. She jumped at me, scaring me and I gasped, then it disappeared in a shower of sparkles—just like Cyn's Jaguar and Bri's Queen Bee had done when I first looked at them.
The third ray of light appeared, shaping into a man. He stood with his arms raised and his hands began to glow. Slowly, a second person formed lying at his feet. The man placed his glowing hands on the woman's chest and his light radiated through her. Standing, she walked away from him. He healed her. His hands touched each other, and the power burst around him, causing the shimmering shower to fall again as he
disappeared into it. The blue glow finally receded, surrounding Felix's whole body, and like small waves, it moved around him—alive and pulsing.
“You are welcome as one of us, Felix.”
Cyn's voice brought me back to the present, and I caught a glance of them. Felix slowly shook his head. The tears still fell from his eyes as he remained on his knees in front of Bri and Cyn.
"I'm not that man anymore. I never want to be him again." The conviction in his voice was heart stopping. "My Mother named me Kevan Duel when I was born, and I want to honor her by representing her name. I want it to be my legacy."
Cyn's lips stretched into a pleased smiled. He nodded approving the request. "Very well…" Cyn stepped forward, placing one hand on Felix's shoulder and the other on his head. He closed his eyes, as his hands began to glow.
* * *
“Grant, Oh Mother, what I ask today.
Sanctify the essence before me,
Use me as your humble instrument and
Pass on your blessing through me…
Let this child become part of you,
Allow his essence to flow through you
And yours through him.
/> Oh, Great Mother of all,
In your name and with water, earth,
Wind and fire as my witness, I declare,
It shall be as you once intended.
From this day forward,
He becomes one of our own.
Let it be so.”
* * *
The emotion in the room was palpable. Bri's eyes looked into mine, and although she didn't speak, I knew exactly what she wanted to say. I slightly nodded. Her gaze returned to Felix, and as she placed her hands on him, I knew she had forgiven him. The tears I was holding back, spilled from my eyes when a white glow enveloped her hands. Unlike Cyn, she didn't use words, but she didn't need to. The feeling rushed out of her and into Felix, and the second he felt it we all knew. His posture changed, even his tears stopped as the emotion traveled through him. An overwhelming appearance of peace took over Felix's face and body.
“Rise, Kevan Duel. New member of The Order of The Druids, Master Healer, and student of its High Priest, Cyn Bressall."
Bri’s melodic, yet commanding voice, carried through the hut as we all stared at her in awe. My friend transformed in front of my eyes, and the High Priestess stood in her place.
The Priestess she was always meant to be.
Chapter 2. Bridesmaids
BRINA
* * *
“Welcome to my home,” Lia said and I chuckled as she extended her arms wide, waiting for me to enter Art's hut. I turned blowing a kiss to Cyn, and his dimple winked at me in return. It made me want to go back, and jump him. Facing Lia again, I hugged her as the portal closed behind me.
Absolute Magic Page 3