"No I guess not, but a girl can try can't she?"
He leaned over and whispered in her ear. His breath was so icy it made her shiver. “You can try, but someone already holds my heart. Tell Tremain I said hello and that he has a worthy companion.” The angel kissed her lightly on the cheek, but it was as if he was human and none of his cold power transferred to her. And then he was gone.
The witch shook her head. She didn't understand the working of angels, and even more perplexing was why Maili had turned on her as she had. She had everything Linnea ever wanted. She had a blooming career, a mother who loved her, and power beyond her wildest dreams. Why did she want to throw it all away like that? The witch sighed and went over to Caleb, who was trying to console a grieving Betha. She had achieved one of her goals by coming here even though it wasn't the way she intended. She proved Tremain was innocent. Now all that was left was to free him from his eternal curse.
And then I can be with him. I can feel his arms around me. Wait, what am I thinking? I just lost my best friend.
She didn't dare look at the woman in front of her. How could she ask the queen to free Tremain when she had just killed her own daughter? Linnea shook her head. “Betha, I'm sorry"
"Do you expect me now to free your feather-brained lover? Is that it? Can't you see my heart is dead? Well, you coming here was in vain. I can do nothing for him. Once the curse has been brought down, it is only up to Morrigain to undo. Now leave me in peace."
Caleb glanced at Linnea. The look in his eyes told her he did not know Betha could not reverse the curse. Throne room doors opened. She didn't have to say anything as she knew she was being excused. She sighed as despair washed over her. How was she going to get Tremain free from his curse? Where did that leave him now? If only Morrigain could release him, how was she going to call upon the Goddess to recognize Tremain had been falsely accused? Her heart shattered, and she finally realized she was head over heels for a man stuck as a bird for the rest of eternity.
"Do not despair. There is always a light." Caleb's voice whispered in her thoughts.
No matter how much hope she tried to stir from his statement, she knew Tremain was lost to her forever.
Chapter Twenty-One
Tremain rubbed his head against Linnea's cheek. It had been two weeks since Maili's death. Everything the Old Cronies did to call the Goddess had resulted in nothing. His heart sank every time they tried and failed. He knew he was stuck in his raven form forever. The longer he was in the feathered body, the more he lost the sense of himself. The edges of his memory were getting fuzzy. He still remembered he had been cursed, but he couldn't remember his wife's name. Even the details of her face were blurry. The Druid stared at Linnea as she slept. She was so peaceful and innocent.
Internally, he sighed. There was no use for him to stay with Linnea. What was the point if he could not hold her, touch her, hell even communicate with her? It was painstaking for him to write anything out to her even though he could. They had devised a system of yes and no answers, but it really was getting them nowhere. All of him desired to hold her. He wanted to wrap his arms around her, feel the heat of her body as she slept, and protect her. With his heart finally opened, he understood what it meant to be in love after so long. He had forgotten. Sure he had the memories of Beatrice, but it was so long ago and he had turned away everything that was good in life. This was certainly a hell he lived in. It would be better to fly off and try to hold onto his humanity for as long as he could until it all faded away like the dying sun.
Goodbye, my love. I pray if the goddess hears my pleas we'll meet again in another incarnation. He bowed his head touching his beak lightly to her lips. As he did, he felt a tear slide down his feathered cheek and land on her pillow. His heart was breaking. He could not take it anymore. Tremain turned and hopped down onto the floor and then slowly, painstakingly drew the symbol for his brethren, the same symbol of Morrigain. He stared at the triple ravens and nodded. He had been proud to be among them. He never relished that until now. He was sad to part with them. Caleb was a good leader. Jet was an honorable man and the only one he had thought of as a friend. Darius was a brute, but he was trustworthy. Tremain knew he had always been looked down upon because he had complained so much during his tenure. Now he wished he could be back there. It might have been a curse, but in some ways it was also a blessing. He understood that now. He had lived for years and seen time pass. He had an eternity at his feathertips, but now he had forfeited that.
Good-bye, Linnea. My beloved.
He hopped over to the window and alighted on the sill. He took another look at the room knowing it would be the last time he would ever see it. With a graceful leap, he let the wind fluff his wings and catch his weight. From now until the end of time, the currents would be his guide. And not matter what, he would watch over Linnea even if she didn't know it.
* * * *
"Tremain!” The witch opened her eyes and searched the shadows for the raven. He was nowhere to be found. On the floor she saw the crudely drawn symbol of Morrigain, the triple ravens. Sadness entered her soul as she knew she would never see him again. He was gone. Tears encroached upon her vision. She wiped her nose and bit her lip. She was not going to let this happen. After trying everything she and the Old Cronies could think of for the past two weeks with no result, she was not going to give up. She couldn't give up. She didn't prove him innocent only to have him stay as a raven forever. It was not fair.
Quickly, she got up, phoned Henrietta, and told her to gather the troops. They were going to raise supernatural hell if they had to. Someone was going to give them an answer. Caleb had tried with the council of his and had come back with the same answer Betha had given her. It was all up to Morrigain. Linnea sighed. What would the Goddess want with her? Then again why would the Angel of Death answer her call? It gave her hope. Hope and her grandmother's advice about believing in what she wanted was all she had. With those, she could accomplish anything.
Two hours later, the Old Cronies and she stood in the attic. Linnea had redrawn the lines of the two circles and fortified the one on the outside using the instructions her grandmother had left for her in the family Book of Shadows. Before she never would have attempted anything out of the book, but she was now confident in her own powers.
"You think this is going to work?” Charlotte asked.
All three witches stared at her.
"Of course it's going to work,” Coralline answered as if she never doubted it.
"Ladies, please. We do not need to be bickering among ourselves. Linnea does not need to hear that. She needs the man she loves by her side. I know because I sacrificed him myself ages ago. Now please, Linnea, call out to him."
Linnea smiled at the older woman. She had told her all about her past life with Tremain and being his wife, Beatrice. Linnea understood there was a part of Henrietta that loved the Druid as much as she did. She accepted that and liked the fact that they had something else in common. They all joined hands.
"Across time, through mists and flame, I call upon the Warriors Thirteen. On this day and in this place, I break your curse and rescind any edict. Appear before me as humans.” Linnea called in the stuffy attic. The older witches repeated the chant three times. When their hands dropped, the energy in the room was almost visible like a heat wave. The stones on the five pointed star vibrated like a bass speaker were making them rattle. Then one by one, twelve men appeared, all kneeling between the first and second circle. Caleb was the first to rise and stare at the old witches and then at Linnea.
"You have broken universal law by summoning us here. We are cursed. Any interruption in this curse will draw down the wrath of Morrigain."
"I know."
"Then why did you summon us?” Jet asked. “Do you want to condemn yourself as Tremain is already cursed? Do not sacrifice yourself in order to save him."
Linnea stepped through the barrier of the circle and looked at the Raven who had helped save her from the poi
son that had infected her with the bite from the Jenny Greenteeth. He had a calm demeanor, but on the inside he was fierce. She sensed that. Smiling she ran a hand along the Warrior's cheek.
"I would rather face her wrath than see Tremain cursed for something he didn't do,” she whispered.
Jet looked long and hard into her eyes and then nodded. She turned her back on him and then went to face Caleb. “I called you here because I need your help in summoning Morrigain. I've tried, but she won't listen to me. I need your help."
"What do you need me to do?"
"I need you to find Tremain. He left this morning and I don't know where he went. You have a link to him no matter what happened to him. Can you summon him back here please?"
Caleb nodded and closed his eyes. It took him a few minutes and his forehead furrowed in concentration. After a moment, he opened his eyes and let out a breath. “It is done. He is losing his humanity quickly now, and he has given up the fight. His thoughts are addled, but he will come."
Linnea kissed Caleb on the cheek. “Thank you."
"So what do you need the rest of us for?” Darius asked. Linnea walked over to him and smiled. She knew he didn't like her, but no matter she put on her best face.
"I need your energy to help me break the veil. With all your combined power, Morrigain will hear me. You are her Warriors, and she will hear your summons."
"What if we don't want to help you,” he retorted. “I, for one, think Tremain deserves whatever he got."
"Darius, hold your tongue.” Caleb remarked.
Linnea watched the silent battle between the two of them. Caleb had barely raised his voice, but it was obvious he meant business. There was an unspoken challenge between the two Warriors. The witch wondered if Darius had challenged him for leadership of the flock.
"No, Caleb. Darius has a right to his own opinion. I know he does not care for me. That's fine. If you wish to leave, once you step away from the circle, your feathered form will return until the next full moon. My power is holding your humanity—"
"And I bet you like having that kind of power over us, don't you?"
Linnea passed her gaze over the other men, but they did not meet her gaze. It was obvious they did not share their brother's view. This time she was not afraid to face the man who had nearly beat her to death. She saw the hurt in his soul even if he had turned it into a knife to hurt anyone who showed him any kind of affection. She understood it. He was the mirror image to what Tremain had been before she met him. This was he before she had cracked the key to his heart. One day Darius would find his soul mate too. She knew it. Linnea leaned in and whispered to the Scot. “Hate me all you want, but don't push away the one who will give you back all you have lost.” She kissed him on the cheek gently and then stared into his alluring eyes.
The look softened him for a split second and then his hardened exterior came back. “Whatever, witch. I'll stay."
She nodded and was about to say something when she heard a rapping on the glass. Henrietta smiled and went to let the large raven in. After the window was opened, Tremain flew in and landed on Caleb's outstretched hand. Caleb ran a hand along his back, and Linnea noticed there was a silver feather in the Druid's tale.
"Place him in the center of the circle, please.” Charlotte stated.
Once Tremain was standing in the center of the pentagram, the four witches, standing at four points of the star, joined hands. Linnea grabbed Caleb's hand and nodded over to the fifth point. He didn't say anything, but took his place.
"All of you join hands,” Coralline told the other warriors. They did as they were asked.
Linnea let her eyes sweep over the other warriors noticing how different and diverse all of them were. She saw one who was Native American, another who could have been formed from the very onyx stones he was so dark. And others. They all closed their eyes and began a low hum she realized was the same frequency as the circle. They could hear it.
"Morrigain, fierce goddess. Bathed in the blood of your enemies. One of your Ravens calls you to right a wrong.” Caleb's voice rang loud and true.
"Hear us, Dark Mother. We who have been cursed and do your bidding ask redemption for one of your very Warriors who was wronged. Please bless us with your presence and give him back his human form."
Linnea, along with the Warriors, repeated the chant with Caleb three times. Each time the words left her mouth, she heard the hum of the circle getting louder. The energy swirled faster, creating a vortex like she had never seen before. The triple raven symbol Tremain had drawn pulsated silver. Linnea didn't let her eyes off the chalk drawing, not even when Tremain squawked and tried to get away. Once he tried to move outside of the center of the star, a faint barrier of silver energy encompassed him. There was a loud boom and then silence.
"Did it work?” one of the other Warriors asked.
"You were the ones who summoned and you do not know if it worked?"
Linnea slowly turned her head to Charlotte. There was a lilt to her voice that had not been there five minutes ago. A form, a powerful being, had stepped over Charlotte's form. Dark hair mixed with the silver of the severe bun, and the face was smooth as silk and showed no signs of wrinkles. The witch almost backed away but remembered not to break the circle in case she would lose the Goddess. All the Warriors, including Caleb, went to one knee with bowed heads. The sight was awesome.
"You summon my Warriors and have held them in human form. Impressive. I should reign down punishment on you for it. However, as remarkable as it is, you are not needed.” She clapped her hands, and in place of the Warriors were twelve large ravens. “Your charges need you. Now go."
Linnea watched as Caleb cawed and in a flutter of wings they all hopped into the air and then were gone. The witch looked down at Tremain, now silent and looking at the Goddess. “Please. He's—"
Morrigain put up her hand. “I know why you called me, Linnea. I'm not blind to the calls of love of my children. I was just waiting for the right time. One gets so bored these days. They are not like the old days, when the mention of my name inspired fear. Besides I had to do some damage control. It was unexpected that Betha would kill her only child. It appears that banshee and humankind should not mix. Poor Maili. She was insane in the end. Her humanity loved you as a sister, and her banshee half wanted all the power and eventually won out. It appears she was calling upon Nyx, the essence of night, to enhance the banshee in her. I didn't realize it until it was too late."
"And yet you did nothing to override whatever it was Maili was going to do. She was going to kill me to get my power. She blamed Tremain—"
"Save it. I told you I already know. I'm here, aren't I? You have so much more power than your grandmother. You are the culmination of your line. But I digress.” Morrigain bent down, grabbed Tremain and held him up to her face. She stared into his eyes for the longest moment and then smiled.
"So perfect. If you deserve flesh, then by full moon next you will be."
"That's the best you can do?” Linnea cried.
"Lin, hush."
"No, Henrietta. I won't. I call her here and this is what she says?"
The Goddess fixed her cold stare on Linnea. The witch felt the awesome power slice through her, but she did not back down. “You have spunk. I can see why he chose you. On the full moon, I'll be here. I'll pass my ruling then."
Suddenly, Charlotte fainted to the floor. Coralline helped her up, and Linnea tried to catch Tremain who flew over to the altar. The witch balled her hands into fists. She hated waiting, but that was something she would have to do if she wanted to see her love made flesh.
* * * *
Two weeks later, on the first night of the full moon, the four witches were exactly where they had been when the goddess told them to be. Even Tremain waited patiently for the time to tick by. It had been a harrowing fourteen days. Linnea nearly pulled out her hair waiting and trying to figure a way to have Tremain be human on her own. No matter what she did, nothing worked. She
even tried to call the other Warriors, but even they would not hear her call. No matter that she had learned a lot and had discovered more from her grandmother's books of shadows than she had ever known existed. Power emanated off the books from the ancient spells written on the frail pages. Inside one was a letter from her mother to her. Linnea had read it with tears in her eyes. That book of shadows was blank. Her mother had planned on giving it to her on her sixteenth birthday. The letter was written when she was a year old and now was in the drawer next to her bed. It still made her weepy when she thought about it, but even that was a blip on the two-week screen of her life. Tremain stayed with her, but it was hard for him to communicate with her. Even the little yes no system they had worked out was no longer viable.
Caleb was right. The man in him was deteriorating fast. She only hoped he would be fine. Now the moon was full. The Old Cronies had come over early bringing dinner. No one had said much as they ate and Henrietta had taken the elevator up to the third floor and gotten the space ready. Linnea followed with Tremain on her arm.
"I hope she keeps her word. I can't think of you being as you are for the rest of eternity. Oh, Tremain, I don't even know if you're still in there. I can't tell. I believe it, but I don't know. Whatever happens, I swear I'll take care of you."
The four witches stood in the center circle with the large raven in the middle of them. Linnea couldn't help but cry. She tried not to, but it hurt to think of the man she loved as a bird for all time.
"It's okay, Lin. He'll be fine. She'll be here."
Linnea nodded, unable to say anything because of the lump in her throat. Coralline gave her a hug and then joined hands to form the circle.
A Conspiracy of Ravens: A Raven Saga Book 1 Page 20