“So, what are we looking for now?” I ask, still rattled by my draw.
“I have no idea! Like I said, I just wanted to know why I was meant to be in this town. What do those cards mean? Why are you so angry right now?”
Angry? I realize that my jaw is clenched tight, and my back and shoulders are stiff. It takes me a moment to physically relax, and then another to restrain my voice enough to a calmer level.
“I'm not angry. I'm, well to be honest, I'm a little scared. These cards are warning about pain, loss, and chaos. So, I'm guessing that’s something horrible coming our way. If you got a map, it may be that me stepping into your spell did what I wanted it to. I wanted to help you find your answer to whatever you were searching for, if I'm right -”
“- then I found this place because either Sasha's in more danger than I thought, or I'm going to be.” Tania finishes my sentence, her eyes reflective and worried.
I reach my hands across the table and touch her arms. “Tania, can you recreate that map? It could lead us to a way to protect you from whatever's coming.”
Elliot was right to be cautious, but from the moment I realized she was a witch, I knew that Tania could either hurt the town or be severely hurt by it. Now, after everything I've gone through tonight, I’m certain that she's not a danger I need to fear. She's the one that needs to be saved, even if she doesn't know it yet.
Elara jumps onto Tania's lap and grabs hold of the pendant with her mouth, darting off to what can only be Tania's bedroom.
“I'm not sure. If I can manage to clean the crystal, maybe. It might be easier to get the original one except we left that-”
“At the restaurant! Oh crap! Anybody could have found it by now! Do you think it could be read by a mage?”
She shakes her head quickly. “No, nobody can. Wine spilled all over it when you fell. It should just look like a stain by now.”
I sigh and slump down in my seat, relieved at least that's one thing we won't have to worry about too much. We still need the map, obviously, but there's got to be a way to recreate it. After all, even though they were pretty much ruined, my cards were still able to give me a prediction.
Except all of the cards should have been ruined, not just some. If Tania's crystal is completely broken like she thinks, then wouldn't that mean the other manipulative still works?
“Tania, where's that little cat thing you were working with?”
Confusion crosses her face, “You mean my guide? It's right here.”
As her hand reaches the small figurine, I notice a jagged line pushing across the top of it. The shape is familiar, though I'm not sure why.
“Wait, what is that?” I start to ask, but it's already too late. The animal breaks apart into sharp shards as soon as she lifts it, and it's clear that it can do us no good. Unfortunately, that also tells me one more thing. The only possible clue left from her side of the spell is the map, and I'm almost positive that wine isn't going to cover it up if it wants to be seen.
Tania's crestfallen, and she gathers the pieces of the guide into her hands like a child trying to hold together fistfuls of sand. The more she attempts to fix it, the more brittle the stone seems to grow, breaking into even smaller fragments. As painful as watching this sight is, I'm more rattled by my suspicion about that stained tablecloth.
“I have a feeling that map can still be read. We need to find a way to get it before a mage does. Even if they can't decipher it, it will be a dead giveaway there's a witch in town.”
“Do most mages report that sort of thing to your council?”
“No,” I frown. “But there are enough mages that fear your kind that they might out of precaution.”
“Then I'll get it back first thing in the morning.”
Tania's nearly glaring at me in determination, and her eyes are so full of mischief, I can almost see flames dancing within them. I'm not sure how she plans on getting her hands on the tablecloth, but it seems pointless to bother asking. After everything else I've seen her do tonight, it's obvious that she does what she wants no matter the risk. Besides, with her confidence, I'm willing to bet things usually go her way.
Instead, I show her the way to my house, and after awkwardly helping her settle into the spare room, I eventually doze off to restless dreams.
Chapter 10: Atlas
FROM THE MOMENT I WAKE up, I'm aware of the day being different than usual. There's a large weight on my chest, and a sense of panic overcomes me as I move to sit up. A loud keening noise keeps me from tossing the blanket to the ground, and pausing, I realize that Elara had been lying on me while I slept.
“What the hell, cat? Shouldn't you be with your witch?” I ask, rubbing the back of my head where a persistent ache reminds me of how hard I hit it last night.
I don't know what I was expecting, but the only response I get is a lazy yawn and the unwanted view of the cat's backside, as she stretches before jumping down from the rumpled sheets.
“Oh sure, that's great. Just how I wanted to wake up,” I pan, unhappily. Well, at least I'm still alive. Now I need to shake off these frayed nerves and move on with the day.
Opening my bedroom door, I let Elara out, and glance down the hall to the guest room. The plain, wooden door is still firmly shut and there's no light coming out from underneath. Perfect. That means Tania is probably still asleep.
If I can get showered and make us some breakfast before she wakes up, then I should be able to get over to the shop by noon. According to my text messages, that's the absolute latest I need to get there unless I want the place closed for an hour or two because, of course, Elliot never gives me advanced notice when he's taking off.
Work, holiday parties, things we need to take care of for our parents, he's never seemed to care about my schedule. But in this situation, I guess might've I pulled the rug from under his feet first, so I decide to let it go, and start the shower. Still, he could have just told me on the phone last night.
“Atlas?”
I've only been in for a few moments, but a knock at the door grabs my attention, and I quickly shut off the water and start to dry off.
“Oh, hey, sorry. I'll be right out,” I mean I don't really have to, but there's a frenzied excitement in my stomach that tells me I ought to hurry up.
Tania's muffled voice drifts through the door, “No problem, it's just there's someone at the door and I wasn't sure if it was a smart decision or not for me to open it.”
I button my jeans and finish tugging a tee shirt on over my head before wrenching the door open. Tania must have been speaking directly against the door, because as it swings inward, she loses her balance and falls into my arms. A tangled mess of hair brushes my face as her head hits me squarely in the chest.
“Oh, I am so sorry!” Crap. I didn't mean to knock her over. It seems neither of us can stay on our feet.
“No, that was my fault, I shouldn't have been leaning on the door!”
We're both caught off balance and it takes an extra second to steady ourselves. Tania draws warm air around us when she realizes that although I'm dressed, I'm still pretty much dripping wet. Another knock sounds out from the living room, and after frantically shooing her back into her room, I rush down the hall towards the door, leaving soggy footprints in my wake.
“Mom?”
A huge sigh of relief leaves my body, as I lean forward to rest my forehead on the doorframe.
“Well that's an odd hello. Hi, nice to see you too!” Her willowy form steps firmly over the threshold and she eyes me suspiciously.
“You're up to something, what is it?” She cranes her neck around me, her wispy, caramel colored hair falling down from the knot she keeps it in on the back of her head.
“Wait, Mom, slow down. What are you talking about; why are you here?” I press the door firmly into place and lock it behind her, then open the curtains to let some sun in as I greet her. She continues to watch me, her wariness highlighting the bags under her eyes.
“Well,
I'm not so sure now, why don't you tell me? All I know is that I was sitting at the table having my morning coffee, and I got a horrible headache. You know, like the ones I always got when you and Elliot were little and doing something reckless?”
“Yeah Mom, I'm aware,” I start, but she cuts over me like I'm not even speaking.
“Well, I talked to Nova last night and already know that all Elliot's doing today is working and taking her to that appointment she's got. So that leaves you.”
I sigh again, this time in defeat. Of all the forces I had planned on reckoning with today, my mother was not one that I had counted on.
“Okay, yeah. You’re right, I've got something going on. I'm just not so sure how to explain it to you,” I tell her, rubbing my jawline and wondering where to start. Before I get a chance to think of a plan, she leans forward and plucks a long, black hair off of my shoulder.
“Is there a woman here, Atlas?” One eyebrow is raised as she appraises my face for reaction, clearly daring me to lie. “I thought you told me last week you weren't seeing anybody? Or are you hiding me away from your girlfriend as well as The Council?”
In so many ways losing Dad has hit her the worst, although I don't think I should have expected anything less. It's the first time I've seen depression present itself as anger, but as exhausting as it is, I'm just glad she's awake and out of her house. The only downside is, the longer it takes me to explain, the more explosive she'll get. May as well just get to the point.
“Well, to be honest, yes there is a woman here. But, no, I'm not dating anyone.” Leaning back on my heels, I shout towards the hall. “Tania can you get out here please?”
“Tania? I don't know any Tanias.” Mom's face hasn't relaxed any, but I'm relieved to hear her voice deflate.
Elara appears first, taking everything in with her glowing eyes, and winding herself around my legs. Tania follows, with her hair tied back in a ponytail, but still dressed in the plaid pajama shorts and tank top she was wearing a moment ago. As she picks her way around my footprints, I can't help but hold back a laugh. In more ways than one, she really is cat-like, and apparently that extends to a dislike of water.
Smiling softly, she walks straight up and extends her hand to my mother. “Good morning, I'm Tania. You must be Atlas’ mom.”
“Yes, I am, but my dear, pardon me for asking, what are you?”
“Damn,” Tania curses. “Is it that obvious? I was trying to keep everything neutral.”
Neutral? I twist my wrist and allow the symbols that encircle it to draw from the energy in the room and double check the magic in it. From my mother is a strong beam of light, persistently bright in its purpose. Near her, Elara is emitting a soft glow that I'd never realized she had. But behind them, Tania is just a hint of a presence, barely registering on my read. Just as panic and confusion begins to build in my chest, a fire is unleashed and I stumble backwards, unprepared for the blinding light that suddenly fills the room.
“What the hell?” I yell, at the same time I see my mom step forward and gasp, “You're a witch?”
Talking over both Tania, who is apologizing, and my mother who is on the brink of a panic attack, I push the magic back out of my ink and into the earth below.
“Tania, how did you stifle your magic like that? I thought there was something wrong with you! I could barely see you at all!”
The curtains flutter for a moment and a light blush raises over her cheeks as she grimaces in apology. “I'm so sorry. I can cloak myself, I told you that at the festival!" She turns to my mother and awkwardly twists around in a near curtsy.
“Would it be too Oz-like if I told you I was a good witch? I'm so sorry ma'am, your son is just trying to help me fulfill a prediction that led me here. I'm planning on being out of your town, and your son's life by the new moon.”
I flinch unwillingly at her statement. I know that was the deal from the get-go, but the idea of her actually flitting off to some unknown life is a bit unsettling. And to think yesterday, I was scared of her. Well, I'm still scared of her, but less. And I care more now. It takes a good person to literally throw themselves stupidly through the air and onto the ground to defend a stranger against a banshee.
Mom has her hand to her chest and is still slightly gasping as she shakes her head back and forth.
“A good witch? Oh, my dear, who on earth has made you feel like you need to defend what you are? I would never apologize for being a mage. I'm so sorry for raising my voice like that; but no, I just wasn't expecting a witch to be standing in my son's living room. We don't get many of your kind through here.”
Tania squirms uncomfortably, and I can feel her resisting the urge to glance at me. She has more than enough reason to be mad at Elliot, and this would be the opportune moment to admit that, but politeness seems to win out. Instead, she pulls at her shirt hem and talks down at her bare feet.
“Oh, nobody, I just know that this is an earthquake zone. I'm aware of the dangers I could present, and I just want to be clear that I'm not planning on staying or triggering any natural disasters.”
“Well, if you’re that good at controlling your magic that I could hardly even see it, I'm pretty sure we'll have no problem,” I interject wryly. Turning to Mom, I gesture back over at Tania and Elara with my hands. “So, Mom, does that answer your question?”
She blinks at me and sits down. Now that her suspicion is fading, I can see fatigue setting in almost immediately. The longer I can keep her here, the better. Once she goes home, it may be another week before she leaves the house, and if she runs out of groceries before then, there's a good chance she'll just stop eating.
“Sure AJ, I'm sorry I overreacted. I was just so sure there was something more serious going on.”
I don't say anything as Tania walks over to the sofa and sits next to her. I'm torn between wanting to ask my mom for anything she may know and knowing it's safer to keep her out of the loop.
Mom’s intuition has always been strong, but she's also always leaned on the side of trust when it came to Elliot and me. My guess is it was easier to believe the stories we told her and be happy, than to keep digging and be disappointed.
Scratching the back of my neck, I excuse myself to go make breakfast, as Tania takes Mom's hand in her own and leans forward familiarly. There's a softening to her posture I didn't realize she was lacking before, as though Tania hasn't been relaxed in a while. With a start, I realize that may well be the case. I can only imagine what kind of lunatic I'd turn into if Mom or Elliot went missing for any reason.
Elara yowls noisily behind me, her tail twitching imperiously. I shake my head in disbelief. Both the witch and her familiar are demanding and expectant, yet here I am, letting them twist their way into my life.
I still have no clue how Elara even made it into my bedroom last night, with the windows and doors both being closed. But no matter where I go, she trails me. Her whiskers tremble with insistence, so after a short hunt through the pantry, I finally settle on opening up a can of tuna in offering. She appraises the food, and then begins to meow again, obviously not satisfied.
“Tania!” I call through the doorway to the living room, “Your cat is mad at me, and I think she's just being picky. Is that normal?”
“Is a cat being finicky normal? Of course, it is, almost every cat is a jerk. Elara is a sweetheart, make no mistake, but she's still a jerk.”
Both women stand, and I'm surprised to see a little more peace in my mother's face than before. Whatever they were discussing seems to have been healing, and I pray that she holds onto that serenity after Tania leaves.
As they join me in the kitchen, I lean against the countertop and let myself relax.
“Oh, no wonder she's upset. No, it's not the food,” Tania's nose is wrinkled thoughtfully. “She's just thirsty. Do you have a paper bowl or anything we can put out for her?”
Paper? I pull my brows down, bothered by the disposable option she suggests. Temporary, just like everything else abo
ut her.
“Sure, I can do that, no problem.”
From the cabinet, I pull down a heavy ceramic bowl and fill it two thirds of the way, careful to give enough to be appreciated, but not enough to spill. Placing it on the tiled floor, I align it with the small can of tuna and wait for the cat's approval. A rough, sandpaper tongue brushes against my knuckles, and I'm proud that I've finally accomplished something right. Even if it is as small a task as feeding the cat.
“I like her, Atlas,” Mom's soft voice draws my attention as soon as Tania's left the room. Sitting next to her, I reach for her hands and hold them in mine. They're cool, soft to the touch, and I'm pained to note, lining with age.
“She is a good girl, that one. You know she told me she knew I was hurting and gave me a sweet little blend of oils to help? They are already making me feel a little less fuzzy. I think I might drive into town today and drop off those boxes I've been meaning to move out of the garage.”
I shake her hand slightly in encouragement and smile, “That's great Mom, that sounds like a great thing to do.”
“Atlas, you need to take care of her, you know. The Council means well, but after that sinkhole business... well, I'm not so sure they'll treat her very kindly.”
Raising my eyebrows, I lean forward and tighten my grasp on her palm. “I'll do my best, Mom. But she's not planning on staying real long, I'm sure it's not going to be a problem.” I might be stretching the truth a bit, but I'm itching to get out of the house and actually do something productive.
“Now, remember Mom, this evening you're supposed to be over at Elliot and Nova's for supper, okay?”
She grimaces and tucks a stray wisp of hair back behind her ear, placing her clean plate onto the drying rack. All I'd done was excuse myself earlier to grab my wallet and shoes, but she gathered the dishes and started washing them as though she were at home. It's heartening to see her cleaning, even if it is at the wrong house.
“Yes son, I think I can manage to run two errands and a few acres for some dinner. What about you? Are you going to be able to help this beautiful young lady here, and keep the store up and running?”
Shattered (Tempest Coven Novels) Page 5