by Tish Thawer
“Here.” Kenna handed us each something to further our progress and returned to her designated spot, working furiously until she had a long tract of upturned dirt in front of her, despite the smudges it created on her cotton petticoat and stockings.
“Did you find anything?” Jeremiah asked, settling back on his knees.
“No, not yet. Did you?” I replied.
“No. How about you?” Jeremiah lifted his chin at Kenna.
“Nothing here, either.” Kenna threw her digging stick to the ground. “Damn it! The shaman must have moved them this time around.”
Jeremiah turned to me. “You said these objects are feeding this loop, correct? So they must be here somewhere,” he deduced.
“Yes. That’s right.” I pushed to my feet, removing my ragged wool coat. “Look around. Search for anything that appears to be out of the ordinary.”
Kenna stood with a huff. “Everything here is out of the ordinary. Look at all of this!” Turning in circles, she pointed out the beautifully dyed clothing and handmade items littering the space. “How do we determine what is out of the ordinary?”
I walked to meet her in the middle of the dwelling and took both her hands in my own. “With a spell, of course. That should make things a little easier, don’t you think?”
Magic sparked in her eyes and tingled between our joined fingers as I cast a quick spell.
“Goddess of old, lend us your sight, open our eyes, to see as you might. Through altered time, unveil unto me, hidden objects, so mote it be.”
A gust of wind blew through the flap of the teepee, lifting our hair and drawing us all outside. A tiny shimmer of light sparkled before us, leading the way on a swirl of chilled breeze. Following its path, we crept toward the back of the teepee, then bent down as the spark settled in a pile of leaves at the base of the structure.
“Here.” I pointed, pushing away the leaves to reveal a mound of freshly dug dirt.
Jeremiah shooed me and Kenna to the side, protective as always. “Let me.”
With his roughly crafted spade, he dug into the fresh loam, tossing tiny piles to the side until he uncovered a tightly wrapped object. It was sealed within a skin and bound by twine with bones and feathers weaved into its knot.
“I think we found what we are looking for,” he surmised.
I moved forward, grabbing Jeremiah by the arm.
“Do not touch it.” Reaching out, I closed my eyes and held both hands slightly above the object, scanning for any ill intent. I concentrated, letting my magic read the energy that was used to forge the talisman. “The magic here definitely has pure roots, but it has been tainted for a darker purpose.”
“Well, that’s not good,” Kenna stated the obvious. “What do we do?”
“I am not certain at the moment. We need to understand what this is. We need more time to determine what kind of spell was cast before we can create a counter-spell of our own to negate its power. With all that being said, I am terrified that when we go to sleep, this whole damn loop will start all over again.”
“And back to square one we go.” Jeremiah stood and crossed his arms.
“Exactly.” I lifted a brow.
“Goodness me. Then let us get it inside so we can get started,” Kenna prompted, clearly eager to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible.
I nodded and leaned forward, whispering a quick protection spell, then grabbed the package gently by its edges.
Sneaking quietly back to the front, we all ducked inside, then sat crossed-legged on the ground with the bundle resting in front of us. I slowly unwrapped the package, carefully sliding the bone and feather from the twine, then gingerly plucked at the edges and pulled back the exterior skin.
Each of us gasped and stared at three glowing stones hidden within. One was a ruby, pulsing bright red; one, a rose quartz, shining a beautiful pink; and the last, an amethyst, radiating a deep violet glow.
“That was not what I was expecting,” Jeremiah confessed.
“Nor I.” I leaned forward, placing my hands above the stones, and began another chant.
“Stones of earth, stone of old, rid yourself of your evil goal. Cleansed by the goddess and her servants three, as we will it, so mote it be.”
When nothing happened, I nodded to Kenna and Jeremiah who immediately joined in, intoning the spell two more times.
Energy whipped around the room, stirring on an unseen breeze until it reached its crescendo. Tendrils of magic in the color of each individual stone rose in sparkling strands as they lifted into a vortex. I concentrated on the push and pull of the tainted native magic, and finally, the spell snapped, turning all three strands instantly black. Charred dust floated to the ground, and the room immediately settled.
“Wow. So it is done?” Kenna asked. “The spell is broken?”
“I am not sure. I guess we will have to wait and see if things reset in the morning.” I shrugged.
“Should we do a remembering spell, just in case?” Jeremiah suggested.
I nodded in agreement and reached out to join our hands. The tingle of magic that remained from the spell we had just worked burst forth past my lips, shooting light out of the roof as my chant took flight.
“Remember now, remember us three, today, tomorrow, and forever need be. If time resets, our magic trumps thee, straight from the goddess, so mote it be.”
I smiled. “There. That should do it.” I released their hands and took a deep breath, grounding myself and releasing any residual magic back into the earth to safely dissipate.
“Should we dress for their dinner now?” Kenna prompted, twirling her hair.
“Yes, I suppose the best thing we can do is continue the evening as if nothing has changed.” I reached forward and picked up the stones. Energy pulsed from within them, calling out to each of us specifically. Following the energy, I handed the ruby to Jeremiah, the amethyst to Kenna, and kept the rose quartz for myself. “Let’s keep these with us, though. I do not want to chance the shaman getting his hands on them and recharging them in any way.”
Kenna and Jeremiah tucked the stones into their pockets and moved off to dress for the evening, while I whispered one last request to the goddess.
“Goddess of love, goddess of light, protect all those I love this night. Allow us triumph over any threats to thee, as I will it, so mote it be.”
Phaedra
I pulled my wings in tight, landing in the nearest tree as I stared at a bright light that had just burst from the top of a teepee in the canyon below. Magic filled the air, and I shivered. This was true power, born of something greater––something divine, and not the usual earth-based magic the natives practiced here. After all my wandering alone, it was their traditions and magic that drew me to the area originally, but now, something had changed, and I would not be leaving until I knew exactly what.
Chapter 8
Kara
“All set,” Jeremiah called out as he emerged from the teepee in a pair of dyed pants, a matching beaded vest, and with a thick fur slung over his shoulders. He gestured to the worn footpath in front of us and took the lead without a single misstep. “Here we go again.”
“Are we all good?” I asked, holding up my stone before dropping it into a small skin pouch I had tied to my side.
Jeremiah and Kenna both held up their stones, each clutching them tightly as we started down the path. I drew in a deep breath. “Smells good. Let us enjoy the food but be sure to maintain vigilance. Do you both remember what happens in there?”
“Yes. I’ve already produced the salve for the gift exchange.” Kenna patted the small jar tucked into the folds of her dress.
“Yes. I remember, but what do we do if things go awry? What if the shaman realizes we have broken his spell?” Jeremiah asked.
The drums sounded at that exact moment, bringing another ominous end to our short walk.
“I guess we will just have to wait and see.” I shrugged.
Jeremiah pulled back the flap
of the oversized teepee, and the pounding beat of the drums assaulted us again. Smoke drifted from a fire pit in the center, while members of the tribe were dressed in their elaborate headdresses and seated around the perimeter of the gathering just as before. Chief Aquakawwa stood, and the drums fell silent.
“Welcome, friends. Please sit.”
Jeremiah, Kenna, and I walked forward and took our seats upon the blanket-covered log.
“Tonight, we welcome you into our village and celebrate your arrival with the Ute Bear Dance . . .” The drums picked up again, and dancers moved into formation as the chief’s words trailed off.
We all sat quietly, straining to appear interested in the show. But just as before, my focus flickered nervously back and forth between the dancers, the chief, and the shaman. I squinted and watched as he continued to work his spell. Frustrated, he blew a third puff of smoke over the herbs in his small bowl, but the ingredients remained benign. No flames rolled, and the magic I had felt before never began to rise. The shaman’s head snapped up and caught my eye.
“He knows,” I whispered.
Holding his stare, I sat still while Kenna quickly chanted a spell of her own.
“Words on the wind, float to us three, allow us to hear any plans to harm thee.”
A puff of smoke escaped the fire, as if a dragon had just released a breath that carried Kenna’s words toward the heavens. We all quickly turned back to the dancers, keeping the shaman and chief visible in our periphery. However, when the shaman stood to speak to the chief, his voice now drifted clearly to our ears.
“The spell has been broken. We no longer have the witch’s magic to protect us here. The time loop is at its end.” The shaman turned, then exited out the back of the teepee, leaving us surrounded by warriors when the chief raised his fist to stop the celebration.
Phaedra
Balanced on the lodge poles of the nearest teepee, I watched as the tribe’s shaman scurried away from the gathering being held below. Hurriedly, he shuffled down the path and walked straight toward the dwelling the newcomers had just recently left. Ripping back the flap, he entered unimpeded. I glided to the top of the structure with a pump of my snow-white wings, and then peered down through the top flap to continue my investigation.
The shaman was frantic, tossing clothes and furs, upending their beds, and throwing tools and dishes against the far walls. Finally, out of breath, he stood in the middle of the room and began to chant and shake his rattle. The sounds of the beads, feathers, and bones raked through the air like claws ripping at the sky. Tainted magic radiated up and out of the opening, blasting me to the ground as I covered my ears in pain.
Kara
Jeremiah stood in front of us, arms crossed over his chest.
“What is the meaning of this?” he asked, taking in the warriors surrounding us.
Surprisingly, Chief Aquakawwa pushed through the men, waving them off and dismissing the entire crowd. “Return to your homes. There will be no feast tonight.”
All the natives shuffled to leave, casting curious glares in our direction––some worried, some sad, and even some angry.
“I am sorry,” the chief offered. “It is clear you now know what my shaman has done.”
I stepped around Jeremiah, pulling Kenna close to my side. “We know we have been trapped in a time loop but are unsure how or why.” My words were short and direct but left no room for misinterpretation. I wanted an explanation, and I would not be leaving without one.
Chief Aquakawwa gestured for us to retake our seats, folding himself to the ground in front of the fire. “I will explain the best I can.”
With protection spells at the ready, we all sat and listened intently.
“A few years ago, the Ute and Comanche began negotiations to ensure peace between our two powerful tribes that controlled the southwestern plains. However, peace talks were interrupted, and since then, war has threatened us all.” The chief shifted uncomfortably on the ground. “When our shaman sensed your arrival, your well of magic called to him, and the idea of utilizing your power to safeguard our tribe took root in his heart.” He met my eyes with an intense gaze. “I did not understand his true purpose at the time, but once I saw his spell working, I had no idea how to break it.” He lowered his chin. “Nor did I want to.” Shaking his head and freeing his guilt, he looked up at us and continued. “He protected our home and people, and as chief, that is my one and only goal. I had no idea he would have to siphon your magic to do so, and for that, I am sorry.”
“What do you mean, siphon our magic?” Kenna snapped, sparks playing at her fingertips.
“While trapped in the time loop, your memories were lost. You have not performed magic in all the seasons you have been here, and without it, your powers have started to drain. Only when your minds fully break free do you regain full access to it and can you start casting again.”
“Wait. How many seasons has it been, and why do we not remember the rest of our time spent here?” I asked, desperate to obtain as much information as possible.
The chief took a deep breath. “Your lives here progress normally until you begin to recall other memories, at which point, the shaman resets the loop to start again, wiping all your previous experiences from your mind.” He swallowed hard. “It has been three seasons.”
Kenna jumped up. “What? We have been stuck in this loop for nine months?”
I stood and grabbed Kenna by the arm, trying to calm her while I explained as much as I understood.
“Yes. It is why we are remembering the others of the tribe and working in the fields during the summer.” I turned to the chief. “From what you have explained, I assume we only reset whenever our memories break free, which brings us back to this initial starting point each time, correct?”
Chief Aquakawwa pushed to stand, addressing us each and spouting his apologies. “Lorenzo, Clara, Catalina. I am sorry, but yes, that is correct. Once it begins again, the rest of us are also pulled in, and as I have explained, I had no knowledge of how to break the spell.”
Kenna yanked her arm from my grasp and strode to the opening of the teepee and tore back its opening. “Well, we did break the spell, and now, we’re going to make sure this never happens again.” She jerked her chin at Jeremiah and me. “Come on. We have a shaman to find.”
Chapter 9
Kara
Racing from the teepee, Kenna pounded down the path that would lead us back to our assigned dwelling. She stopped dead in her tracks, however, when she caught sight of two wolves stalking around a prone figure lying on the ground directly in front of us.
“Go on, get out of here!” Jeremiah shouted at the wolves, pushing past us and waving his arms in the air.
“No. Wait.” I grabbed him and walked forward. “These are not normal wolves, and that isn’t a person wrapped in white coverings.”
Kenna joined me, and I immediately felt it when she sensed the same magic I had. I looked around, making sure we were alone, and quickly cast a spell.
“Cloak us now, from mortal sight. Hide their vision, though try they might. Allow us to talk safely within, protect this haven as we greet new friends.”
A shimmering bubble burst forth, encapsulating us all within it. Under the protective dome, our true selves became visible instead of the Vargas façades we currently wore.
“Hello. We are the Howe witches from Salem, Massachusetts, and have been brought here through our soul journeys. Is the angel going to be well?” I asked, fully aware of the divine being lying before us.
The three of us remained still as the two wolves began to shake. They shed their pelts within seconds, reclaiming their true form, standing naked before us, completely unabashed.
“Greetings,” the male replied with a tilt of his head. “We are Ric and Gaby Kasun. And yes, I think she will be fine.”
Gaby, a stunning woman with long black hair, silver-gray eyes, and an exotic oval jaw line, bent down and ran a hand over one of the angel’s snow-white
wings.
Stirring slowly, the delicate angel rose from the ground. Stark white hair fell over her beautiful, yet sullen face, while crystalline blue eyes roamed over each of us from between the strands. There was a sadness about her that somehow darkened the space in which she stood.
“Hello, my name is Phaedra.” She smiled kindly at us all, but her voice rang with a sadness that had me clutching my chest as we all introduced ourselves again. “I was drawn here by your magic.” She nodded to Kenna and me. “But after witnessing the shaman’s attempt to reclaim his power, I was knocked to the ground.”
“You saw the shaman here? He did this to you?” Jeremiah asked.
“Yes. He ransacked your teepee, obviously looking for something, but when he did not find it, he cast another spell, which was tainted and forceful. Its off-balance resonance knocked me from my perch above.”
Ric Kasun, standing broad-shouldered and at least six four, looked up at the top of the lodge poles sticking out of our teepee and shook his head. Black hair, silvery-blue eyes, and a slight scruff along his jaw painted the picture of a hardened mountain man, yet his concern for the situation rang with the sincerity of a true protector. “Sounds like we need to find this shaman before he hurts anyone else.”
“Our thoughts exactly,” Kenna replied, then with a swipe of her hand, clothed the Kasuns.
Phaedra and the Kasuns followed us into our teepee, and we began our preparations.
“I could take flight and look for him in the surrounding forest,” Phaedra offered.
“Not to offend, but we have been here for a very long time and know the territory well. It would be quicker for us to shift and track him through the woods,” Gaby stated flatly, pulling on the hem of the cotton shirt Kenna had produced without asking.