Nicole touched his cheek. “Austin, you can tell me.”
His gaze returned to hers and he nodded. “I know. That doesn’t make it any easier. Because what I’m trying to tell you is . . . well, I—I love you.”
He was so serious, Nicole couldn’t help but smile. “You do?”
He nodded, his eyes sober. “Yes, I do.”
Nicole giggled, putting her arms around his neck. “I love you too!”
Austin’s shoulders slumped. “Oh, good,” he breathed. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and pressed his forehead against hers, his relief evident. “I’ve never said that to a girl before.”
“Not even Savannah?”
“Not even Savannah.”
“That deserves another kiss.” Nicole pulled his head closer until their lips met.
***
That evening, after saying goodbye to Lizzie and returning to the manor for dinner, Nicole and Austin sat on the window seat in her room, wrapped up in a blanket. Nicole had tried to convince him several times to go to his own room and sleep, but so far, he’d resisted. They stared outside, watching as the sun set. The trees turned pitch black and the magical pulse that had been so strong during the day increased.
Nicole leaned against Austin’s chest. “I can barely breathe, it’s so powerful.”
“I know.” Austin pressed his lips to the top of her head. “You’re trembling.”
“I’m a little freaked out. I keep expecting Rebecca to show up any minute and demand that we go to the farmhouse. I don’t want to sleep, in case she does come.”
“I’d wake you.”
Nicole glanced up at Austin. “As I’ve already said, you need to get your own sleep, mister. You and Coolidge are supposed to protect me. How are you going to do that if you’re up all night watching for a ghost to appear that you probably won’t even be able to see?”
“I’d figure something out.” Austin sighed. “I feel like I’m on the verge of losing you. Like we only have a few days left before something happens that rips us apart.”
Nicole straightened, turning to face him better. “What do you mean?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know . . . it’s just this premonition. What if they take you away? What if that portal sucks you in and destroys you?”
Nicole frowned. “I . . . I hadn’t thought of that. I mean, I just took Rebecca’s word for it—that the messenger would bring me the elixir and that I’d get further instructions . . . but that nothing else would happen for a while.”
Austin kissed her temple. “I worry a lot, if you haven’t noticed.”
“I’ve noticed.” She leaned against him again. “Things will be okay, Austin. I don’t think they mean me any harm.”
“But you don’t know for sure.”
Nicole didn’t respond at first. Then she said, “Rebecca is my great-great-grandmother, after all. I know she loves me—I can see it on her face and hear it in her voice.”
“That doesn’t mean she doesn’t have something evil and dangerous in store for you.”
Nicole sighed. “I guess not.”
She felt Austin shift his position. “This is why I’m not comfortable leaving you alone. Yes, I know I need sleep. But I’m paranoid someone will take you during the night.” He rested his head on top of hers. “You have to understand where I’m coming from. It’s purely selfish. I finally have you—you’re finally mine.” He fell silent for several moments. “You’re the first girl who hasn’t dated me for my abilities.”
“No, I’m only dating you for your looks.”
“Oh, I already knew that.” She heard a smile in his voice. “I hope you’re also dating me because you like my personality.”
She shrugged, still in a teasing mood. “It’s growing on me.”
Austin chuckled. “So, weren’t you supposed to have a concert tonight? For symphony?”
Nicole took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Yes. Professor Harris excused me, due to current circumstances. I’ll be in symphony again next semester without having to re-audition. I really hope I’ll eventually have a normal semester where I can take part in the symphony without being constantly pulled away.”
Austin was quiet for a moment. “I’m sure being able to play the cello just for the sheer joy of it will help, and not just because you need it to Channel.”
Nicole nodded. He was right. She loved her instrument, but playing it had become something of a chore lately.
“Once this is all finished, I’ll help you learn to Channel without a focus. Okay?”
“I’d love that.”
They stared out the window for another thirty minutes at least before Nicole realized that staying awake all night really was a bad idea. She sent Austin to his own room and snuggled under her covers.
Nicole tossed and turned for several hours. Her mind raced and her emotions scattered everywhere as the magical pulses pounded against her. She felt the portal growing, calling to her, beckoning her. She recognized that didn’t mean it was ready—Rebecca had said she’d let her know when the time was right—but Nicole knew that the portal was just as aware of her as she was of it.
Sometime during the night, she heard Austin come back in the room. He placed a kiss on her cheek, then curled up on a couch with a blanket within her line of sight.
It didn’t take her long to fall asleep after that. Just knowing he was near calmed her anxiety.
***
Nicole didn’t wake until after ten the next morning. When she realized how late it was, she flung off her blankets and rushed from her room, searching the manor for everyone. They were huddled in Albert’s library, talking.
“Why didn’t anyone wake me up?” She folded her arms, glaring at the three men.
Austin approached her, giving her a hug. “Nothing could happen without you anyway. I figured if the time came, Rebecca would wake you. And you really needed that sleep.”
Nicole sighed, deciding not to be upset. “You’re right. I didn’t even fall asleep until at least four.”
“I know.” He kissed her forehead.
Just then, they heard the front door slam. Nicole and Austin looked at each other, then rushed to the front entry, where they found Winston leaning against a pillar.
He turned and saw Nicole. “I can’t find Orson anywhere. My little Orson is gone!”
Nicole winced. How was it possible he didn’t remember what they’d told him last time he visited?
Albert walked around Nicole and approached Winston. Coolidge must have stayed in the library.
“Orson is fine,” Albert said. “He’s fine.”
Winston shook him off and stumbled away from the door, his bloodshot eyes roving. “How would you know?”
Nicole glanced at the man’s feet. She gasped. One was completely shriveled and the other was mangled, swollen, bleeding. “Winston, your feet.”
Winston didn’t seem to hear. “He’s missing. I need help finding him.”
It wasn’t only Winston’s feet that were in bad shape—his neck was shriveled, his arms swollen. A weird smell surrounded him. Nicole couldn’t place it—it was chemical-like, similar to formaldehyde mixed with Windex. Nauseatingly sweet.
The longer Nicole watched Winston, the more sure she was he wouldn’t make it much longer. “We’ll go look for Orson,” she found herself saying. She glanced over her shoulder at Austin, then turned to Winston again. “Because you shouldn’t be on your own right now anyway.”
Austin seemed to sense her plan. “Albert,” he said, “do you have a place here where Winston could stay?”
“Yes,” Albert said. “I’ve got an apartment over the garage. Winston, you can stay there while we—um—go find Orson.”
Winston’s crazed eyes flitted from person to person, and Nicole could tell he struggled to understand. But finally, he nodded. “Orson’s in danger. Them soul-suckin’ leeches are comin’—they want him. They want Iona. They’ll take her too.”
“We’ll also
check on Iona,” Albert said. He glanced at Austin. “Help me get him to the apartment?”
Austin gingerly took Winston’s left arm, and Albert took his right.
Austin turned to Nicole before they left through the front door. “You should probably change soon.”
Nicole looked down. She was still in her pajamas. Yeah, she couldn’t go meet a messenger of the Great Ones dressed like this.
Nicole shut the door behind Austin and Albert, then, taking the stairs two at a time, she rushed to her room. She stripped, then pulled out a pair of her darkest jeans—wondering if they looked intelligent and capable enough—and a navy-blue hoodie from her chest of drawers. Her hand brushed the leather journal, and for a moment, she sensed warmth coming from it.
Nicole . . .
It was Captain Price’s voice. Nicole raised her eyebrows, realizing she hadn’t opened the journal in a while. She’d better take the time to see if there were any last-minute instructions. Nicole donned her clothes, transferring Anna Morse’s paper from the nightstand to her pocket, then sat on the bed and flipped through the book to where she’d last read.
Nicole,
It has been some time since you last read in this journal. Don’t worry—Rebecca tells me you’ve learned a great deal from her. I’m relieved you now know who we are and that we love you.
If you are reading this message, the portal is nearly ready. In fact, it should open before midnight tonight. In order for it to open, a few simple things need to happen.
First, the well must be emptied. Be aware that it will take several hours to get all of the water out.
Second, you must play your cello. Inside the farmhouse will do. The messengers are already familiar with your style and magical touch, and they won’t come until they hear you playing. Use your magic to coax the portal to finish growing.
Third, be ready for anything to happen. Messengers of the Great Ones are temperamental and difficult to work with. We’ve bargained with this one to spare your life. He should keep his end of the deal.
Lastly, remember how much we love you. Rebecca will be with you as much as possible to give you any other instructions that might be necessary.
Sincerely,
Christopher
Nicole lowered the book and closed her eyes. Wow. Empty the well? She had no desire whatsoever to do that. And what would they find in it? Would the portal open right away? Would the messenger be in the bottom?
And what was that about the messenger and how he should keep his end of the deal? Rebecca had promised up and down that Nicole would be safe. Had she exaggerated? Lied, to get Nicole to agree to help?
Nicole shuddered as she saw that Rebecca probably hadn’t been completely honest with her. Nicole had been such a fool. She should have questioned Rebecca further. Was it too late to get out of everything? Could she back out now? What would happen if she did?
She sighed, realizing she was in this for the long haul. She refused to allow Iona and Sterling to have died in vain.
Nicole took a deep breath, deciding not to clue the others in to how the situation had changed. They would definitely stop her if they felt her life was in danger. She wouldn’t be able to convince them to allow her to continue, not before the portal opened. That was happening today.
Nicole felt goose bumps spread down her arms and legs. Today.
It was time to go. They had a well to empty.
She thrust her feet in her shoes, then dashed downstairs to get the cello. She passed Albert and Austin on the way and stopped them. “We need to go to the farmhouse. We’ve got things we have to do before the portal can finish growing. The elixir is supposed to come tonight.”
Albert nodded. “I’ll tell Lucas to get the wagon ready. We won’t all fit in the buggy.”
Nicole put her hand on his arm. “I just found out they need me to play a cello. Do you have another one here, other than Niko?”
Albert’s face paled. “No. Niko’s the only one. The rest are in pieces. It would take far too long to put them back together.”
“I’m sorry, Albert.”
Albert didn’t meet her eye. “Go get him, then.”
Nicole did so, recognizing the sacrifice Albert was making. There was a big chance Niko wouldn’t make it through the evening. Given Nicole’s history with cellos recently, it was probable the instrument would be destroyed.
She almost decided to fix one of the other cellos anyway. There were plenty of parts hanging around Albert’s instrument room. And if the portal couldn’t finish growing until the well was emptied, then they’d have time to wait for the glue to dry.
But she pushed that idea away after giving it a bit of contemplation. The most important thing was getting that elixir as soon as possible. Putting it off, even for a day or two, wasn’t wise. It might weaken the resolve of the Great Ones to help. Not only that, but Nicole wanted her life back. She wanted to go home to her apartment in Seattle and never visit that cursed farmhouse ever again.
She found Niko in his usual place and put him back in his case, making sure to grab one of Albert’s cheaper cello bows, in case everything did get destroyed..
She carried the cello to the front of the manor, then waited until Professor Coolidge, Albert, and Austin joined her.
“Sorry for the rush,” Nicole said as they loaded up in the wagon. “But there’s a lot to do.”
Albert handed his keys to Lucas, who was staying behind. “Keep an eye on Winston. If we don’t come back by . . .” He glanced at Nicole.
“By midnight,” she said.
“By midnight,” Albert repeated, “come find us in the buggy.”
Lucas nodded, his face grim. “Good luck.”
Albert flicked the reins and they headed down the dirt road.
Coolidge leaned forward from the wagon bed where he and Austin sat. “Nicole, would you like to explain what’s going on?”
Nicole glanced back at him and Austin, then to Albert. “Have any of you emptied a well?”
The three men shook their heads.
“Well, neither have I. But apparently, the portal won’t be able to finish until the one at the farmhouse has been emptied.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” Coolidge said. “Why would the water be getting in the way?”
Nicole shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m hoping Rebecca will clarify when she shows up.”
“She’s coming?” Austin asked.
“The journal said she’d be with me as much as possible, giving instructions and helping me know what to do and say.”
“Good,” Austin said, “because I have no idea what’s going on.”
Albert glanced over at Nicole. “And why do they need you to play a cello?”
“Because they’ve heard me play before and will be listening for my style. I think they’re hesitant to trust it’ll be me for sure.”
His eyes popped open. “Have they been here?”
“No. I’ve played in the presence of beings from other dimensions twice now. Once in Arches, and once in Ohio. I don’t know which instance they’ll be comparing against, but they do know my style.”
Albert gripped the reins with both hands and stared straight forward. “I don’t know if I’m okay with where all of this is going. And don’t think it’s just because of Niko. I don’t want any harm to come to you.”
The others agreed, and Austin reached up from where he sat in the wagon to put his hand on Nicole’s shoulder. “We’ll help and protect each other. Nicole shouldn’t be alone, especially when she starts playing.”
Just then, a spider raced along the wagon’s dashboard, and Rebecca appeared in the seat next to Nicole. Her eyes were bright, her smile big.
“It’s almost time, Nicole. We’re almost done!”
“No, we’re about to begin.”
“Okay, yes. But this phase of the process is almost over. And you have to admit to some excitement that the portal will no longer be needed, and you won’t be stuck here any longer.”
<
br /> Nicole nodded. “Yes, I’m definitely looking forward to going home.” She turned to the others. “Rebecca’s here. She’s excited to get things going.”
Rebecca rolled her eyes. “They didn’t need to know about my presence. They can’t hear our conversation, you know, not even your side.”
Nicole sighed. “They’ll find out you’re here soon enough.”
“I suppose so.”
The wagon pulled to a stop at least two hundred feet away from the farmhouse, and Nicole looked at Albert questioningly.
“Just in case,” he said. “I don’t want my wagon and horse being destroyed if things get messy.”
“Fair enough.”
Austin jumped out, then helped Nicole down, handing her Niko. “Go set up. We’ll tie the horse and wagon, then get started out here.”
The men turned their attention to the well. According to Albert, it was at least fifteen feet deep. It had collapsed several times as it was dug deeper, and finally, Albert had helped Winston reinforce it with rock, gravel, and cement.
Nicole watched for a few minutes as Austin hauled up the bucket by its rope. Too bad Winston had never installed a pulley system. This would get tiring soon. Nicole placed a kiss on Austin’s cheek, then, holding Niko, walked to the farmhouse. Rebecca disappeared, promising to return soon.
For several moments, Nicole stood at the door to the farmhouse, gazing inside at the couch where she’d seen Winston sleep and his threadbare blankets. Nicole’s gaze passed over the stairs—she had no desire to remember anything that had happened up there—and she looked into the dining room, where the scratched-up table still sat.
She wondered if Prudence and Orson would want to come back here after they recovered. If they recovered.
Nicole pushed those thoughts aside. They would get better. She was sure of it. And it would happen as soon as the elixir came. Then her heart felt heavy as she realized she was already thinking of Winston as being dead. Was it possible he wouldn’t make it through the night? Albert hadn’t even asked the man if they could take him to the hospital.
She closed her eyes. “Nicole, focus on the task at hand.”
Perceive, Mosaic Chronicles Book Three Page 17