“Just hang on a moment. This is the worst one. Then we'll clean up the rest of you, you're lucky, you've avoided stitches this time around.”
Pressing a large section of gauze against my forearm, he repositions his grip and yanks the section out, prepared for the immediate outflow of blood. I'm hit with a wave of nausea, and the corners of my vision begins to blur.
“Hold on there, Atlas. I don't know how the hell you managed that one, but the bleeding should stop in a second.”
My only response is to groan, and clench onto the arm of my chair with my free hand, tempted to break it, if only it could distract me from the pain. After a moment the pressure eases, and I can feel him wiping the cut down once more before taping it up. My stomach feels off, but at least my lunch isn't still threatening to reappear.
“Now what happened next,” Jason prompts, reminding me he still doesn't know how we got scraped up.
“Oh, yeah right,” I mumble. “Last night I checked the town lines for any witchcraft, and nothing turned up, so we figured we'd resume today... and split up. When Thomas came in with the mailbox all busted up, I realized that thing from last night might be stalking me. Nothing else about his home was damaged at all.”
Jason interrupts me sharply, pulling out the last of the wood particles. “What exactly is it, or what does it look like at least?”
“To tell you the truth man, it's like a hellhound in cat form. I didn't see it today, but after seeing that mailbox, I figured I ought to go find Tania just in case. Good thing I did too; I found her in an abandoned house.”
Jason's face is contemplative as he places bandages the last few cuts. “Why was she in there?”
I shake my head, desperately wishing she'd explained at least that much to me. “No idea. But I went in after her, and this horrible feeling came over me like we weren't alone in there... then she fell through the floor. I didn't know what to do, Tania looked like she was suffocating, and it was too dark and cold. So cold.”
Goosebumps raise from the memory and I absentmindedly rub my arms.
“Do you think it could be a ghost? It doesn't make much sense for a hellhound to be sniffing around here, even with a witch in town. I'd believe an omen over that, and even then, it seems like the normal catastrophe that usually hits when her kind is in town is only affecting the two of you.” He asks, making air quotes as refers to the past trouble Hildrun has had with witches. Despite our conditions, Jason appears as calm as ever, no doubt believing I'm exaggerating the whole experience.
But a ghost, that's a possibility I hadn't considered. In a place that dark, it's easy to imagine a restless spirit lurking around. Shrugging one shoulder, I straighten up and watch Jason as he packs away his supplies once again.
“Yeah, I guess that could be just about right. I still don't know why Tania was there though, and I'm scared if anyone finds out what she is, they're going to blame her for the creature. Or ghost. Whatever that thing is.”
Though I outwardly agree with Jason's suggestion, I reflect on the solidity of the beast, and know it's more than just a spirit. I can't let him in on the rest of my worries but having him be a part of it in at least this capacity is comforting.
“Do you think someone would hurt her? She's just one witch, and a pretty harmless seeming one at that.” Jason jerks his head thoughtfully towards Tania, and I choose my words carefully, noting that Elara is taking in every word we say.
“I really hope not, but Elliot met her yesterday and acted like a total ass. That's my own brother, and he didn't trust my judgement, how am I supposed to trust the rest of this town will?”
He draws the side of his mouth back, accenting the deep dimple on his right cheek; an asymmetrical grin that always drew attention when we were in the academy. It gives him a careless look, and his usual cadence amplifies that impression, although I don't know anyone who works longer shifts.
“You don't trust them, Atlas. Small town means home. It also means close minded. You're right to try and keep her hidden, but you can't believe people are going to spot what she is straight off.”
He stands and brushes his hands off on his lap. “Why don't you just shroud her in some of your energy and pass her off as a distant cousin?”
Gazing over at her resting form, I feel nothing but comfort at how peaceful she is right now, and I wonder if his plan could work.
“Or better yet,” Jason chuckles, jarring me from my thoughts, “tell people she's my cousin. Nobody's going to believe the two of you are related if you keep staring at her like that.”
Chucking a pillow at his face, I shake my head at him. “Don't you start with me, she'd never have me anyway, and she's planning on leaving in a month's time. Even if I was interested, and I'm not saying I am-”
My ears are burning as I try to ignore Jason's shaking frame, his silent laughter interrupting my response. “- I'm done with flings, so I'm not really into her whole flitting-off-to-who-knows-where plan. I want to find someone to actually, I don't know, be with.”
“In that case, I'm sorry, man. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes.” His hands are raised up in defeat, and he stretches after being so close to the floor for so long.
He probably just wants to go home and sleep. Hell, I'd like to lay down and take a nap, today has been way more than I expected. But I still have to take care of Thomas's mailbox. I can't afford attacks on anyone else.
“Hey, Jason...” Geez I hate asking him for anything else. “I know it's your day off and everything...”
Jason eyes me with a tired expression, dropping his arms down in apprehension.
“But do you think you could just hang out here awhile with Tania? Make sure she doesn't need any help with anything?”
Rushing over my words, I continue, anxious to get them out before he has a chance to say no. “I mean you're more than welcome to take a nap in the guest room or whatever, but I've really got to go fix that piece for Thomas before sundown.”
Jason grins easily at me, his voice and body at ease once more, “Sure, man. No problem. It's not often I'm asked to care for a patient by napping in the next room. I'm assuming you don't want anyone to know who she is or where you are though, right? If anyone stops by, I'll just make up an excuse and, in the meantime, make sure she doesn't need anything. You said her name was Tania, right?”
“Yeah, Tania.” Even if he's planning on sleeping, I know I'm leaving her in safer hands than most. Glancing over to the couch, I notice Elara is purring, and I assume she agrees.
“Right, awesome! I'll just zip this up so the familiar doesn't mess with my things and go lie down then.” Clapping his hands, he leans back on his heels for a second then grabs his case off the floor.
“Oh!” I slap my forehead and edge down the hall ahead of him. “Tania stayed in the guest room last night. You can use mine, let me just grab a jacket first.”
“Um, Atlas?” Jason watching me, amused.
“Yeah?” I stop, blankly staring at him.
“If you really want to keep a low profile, I'd change your whole outfit.”
Looking down I realize my jeans and tee shirt are still splattered in dirt and blood, and although my arms are cleaned up, a thick layer of grime remains underneath my nails.
“Yeah, good plan, thanks.”
I have half a day's work, and only a couple of hours to do it in, so as tired as I am, I push on.
THE LIGHTS ARE STILL out when I reach the shop, so I assume Nova's appointment ran late, and let myself in through the back. Here, the dark is comforting, and breathing in the air, I can almost feel my dad's hand on my back.
“I need you,” I whisper out loud, brushing my hand over the top of his work bench. “You helped me save Tania today, you know.”
Three months without him has seemed like an eternity, and it isn't so much the big things that bother me. Taking over the shop, trying to convince Mom not to sell the place... no it's the little things. Just calling him for advice, having him greet me when I get t
o work. Helping me figure out when I'm blowing things out of proportion, or not letting myself feel anything at all.
I don't know what I'm doing. I can't lie to myself and say that Tania's appearance is changing my life; my life changed as soon as I got that phone call.
It's one thing to have a heart attack in the middle of the street, but even if they could have helped that, the impact of his car hitting a streetlight meant there was no coming back.
It feels as though everything stopped with his death. I've done nothing but push through as normally as I can, but the town itself is starting to feel like an anchor. No matter where I turn, there's traces of his magic imbued in every road, every street, and how can I move on when I'm trapped with those reminders?
I can understand why my mom doesn't like to leave the house. It's painful to wrap myself up in just this workshop, but it helps because I can feel him here. I can remember how happy he was here. Out in the town, we can still feel him. But it's twisted up and vague, mixed up with the craziness of the town and the pain of his death.
Usually the only deaths that leave such a large stain are those that were cut down before their time. At sixty, he still seemed pretty young to me, so I can easily see how much time he should have had left.
Standing here in the quiet, I have to force myself not to fall apart. Not to scream, and cry, and grieve over my dad. Not to panic over the demon that's after either me or Tania. Not to anything but fix up that stupid mailbox. Thomas needs to be safe; we all do. Whatever that thing is, it’s power mad, and driven by an instinctual hunger that overpowers all other senses. My gut tells me that much, and after years of dismissing its heedings, I'm finally learning to trust my intuition.
So, I work. I work and ignore the pain that's edging itself out. The heartache of everything that's gone wrong; the fatigue that's plagued me for weeks that I pretend doesn't exist; and the physical pain that reminds me of this afternoon. I work and I let it all out. I work, and for once, when I say that the prize was made with blood, sweat and tears, I can say it without a hint of humor in the words.
Eventually, I run out of work.
Chapter 16: Tania
I'M VERY FAINTLY AWARE of being wrapped in a cocoon, some sense of safety that seeps into the dark edges of my mind. I think that's the only thing keeping me sane, because I don't know how many more times, I can keep reliving this.
“Sasha, I promise, I will always take care of you.”
Clumsy fingers intertwined with mine are a familiar sight. The pin pricked tips on each one are not. As blood drips down and between each of our hands, I repeat my promise again.
“I will take care of you always, even after I die. You'll never have to be alone.”
We're eight and twelve. We're alone at midnight once more, and we're never going to be apart again.
“Are you sure, Tawny? What if she makes you go away again?” Her pale face trembles in the candlelight.
“Shush, Bug. This isn't how the spell is supposed to go.” Guiding our hands down into the rose quartz bowl, I wash our palms together, ignoring the squirming in my stomach as red overtakes the water.
“Now what?” She whispers, her voice hushed by the blankets above our heads. “We don't have to drink that, do we?”
“Eww no, Bug. We're not dark witches. We're going to plant it. As long as this little jewel grows, my promise will stick, see?”
Showing her the succulent I'd bought on my way home; I give her what I hope is an encouraging smile. I told the salesperson I needed something sturdy. This better work.
I pour the bowl into the soil of the pachyveria glauca and place it carefully outside the windowsill. Thank goodness Mother picked a place with window boxes.
“Now you wipe down that bowl and leave it in the moonlight to get clean. I'm going to take care of the rest of this before she gets back.”
The small pin we'd used to prick ourselves lies open on the carpet, and I'd hate for her to accidentally jab herself. It was bad enough that she had to do it once on purpose. Running it through the candle flame once, I pin it on to my quilt, and latch it shut. Then I blow out the flame, and run the candle back down the hall, eyeing the dust on the shelf as I make sure to put it back where I found it... just right.
There are clipped heels near the door, and a languid voice slips through, charming whatever person she has on her arm.
Sliding back to our room, I pull Sasha away from the window, and stash the dirtied towel beneath the mattress.
“The fort, get back in the fort!” I hiss, pushing the bedspread back into place.
“Let me just check on my girls, you know how the full moon gatherings worry them. I swear, you'd think they were scared to be home alone or something, the way they fuss.”
We dive back into our nest of pillows and I yank the quilt over our bodies, then throw my arm over Sasha. My heart is pounding, and my throat is in pure agony trying to slow my breathing to convincing sighs. But we appear to be asleep, and a moment later, the heels click their way down the hall once more.
I'm left holding my sister in my arms as I try to overhear the scheme's being hatched in our living room and wait for the sun to rise.
“THE SUN NEVER ROSE,” I mutter into the blanket.
“I'm sorry, what?” Dr. Stone's, Jason's, face looms in front of mine, and I jerk back, alarmed. He sets down a blood pressure cuff, and cell phone on the coffee table then retreats to the other side of the living room, eyeing me with concern.
“I'm sorry, I was just checking your vitals, I didn't mean to wake you. Atlas called and wanted to see how you were.”
“Atlas called? He's not here?” My heart does a funny little twitch, and before I can process anymore, Elara is in my lap, purring away.
Everything must be fine then. Atlas went out, and his friend is taking care of me. This is... not what I'm used to. But if anyone meant me any harm, Elara would have his eyes clawed out by now. So, scratching behind her ears, I consider thanking Jason for checking on me. Even if it is creepy.
“Don't worry, he's on his way back now. He had some work he needed to finish, from the sounds of things, you scared the crap out of him, and he closed shop early. But he's just grabbing some dinner for us now.”
For us. Us? Like the two guys? Or the two guys and me?
I guess I can consider the dude who sewed me up an ally. That'd be a useful one to have... I'm not sure what shape I'll find Sasha in.
“Is there anything you need?”
I stare at him, finding words fail me once again. There's plenty I need. My sister, whole and safe. My mother's love and approval, that I'll never get. A home.
Nothing he can fetch me.
“No. No, I'm okay, thanks.” My voice comes out steady enough to me, but he's still staring, so I change my mind.
“Actually, yeah. Tell me about Atlas.”
“Atlas, what about Atlas?” His mouth lifts into a smirk, and the dark hair that falls over his shoulders harkens an air of lazy amusement to the room.
“I don't know. He's pretty young, but has his own house, he lives in... alone. That's interesting. He works with his brother; I get the idea they argue a bit. And he's putting up with me after I basically cornered him and demanded help. Most guys would have gone running, or I don't know, sent me running?”
There I go, rambling again. It's either that or snapping at people. It's a wonder they've put up with me even this long.
Jason pushes his lip out thoughtfully and falls into the armchair with a thump. Crossing his arms behind his head, he lifts his eyebrows and chuckles.
“Atlas is... one of my closest friends. Certainly, one of the guys I see the most, when I'm not working. This house,” he knocks on the wall behind him, “was built by him and his dad. Kind of a hands-on lesson for practical mage work. Elliot's got a matching one just a little while down the road; their mom owns the land.”
He built this place. My jaw threatens to unhinge itself. I thought it was impressive he had his own plac
e... but to build it? It makes my raggedy little trailer look even more like a dump on wheels.
“Is that common around here? I've never heard of mages in big cities doing that sort of training.”
“Yeah, well, they're in cities,” Jason smirks back at me. “They probably learn how reinforce public transit or ground bus stops to lower crime rate. But, yeah,” he continues. “It's normal around here. Families are really big on homesteading.”
“And he's always lived here alone?” The words fly out before I can even process what I'm saying. Oh, geez what a way to make myself sound like a guy crazy fool.
Damn my light complexion! A burning blush travels uncontrollably up my neck as Jason fixes me with an all too knowing gaze.
“More or less, yeah. He's waiting for something serious, what can I say? He's a pretty old-fashioned kind of guy. But why are you so interested? He said you're looking for someone, why would Hildrun be the place?”
I shrug, carefully pulling my legs into a more comfortable position.
“I really don't know.” Starting at spot on the curtain, I allow myself to detach slightly. It's hard to really admit why I'm here, my mouth is back to tasting like pennies at the very thought.
“My sister, she got into some trouble where we were before... And it's always been my job to take care of her. I tried to do that, but things got kind of messy. We got separated, and...” I hesitate, scared to let on the extent of my problems. “And,” I push on. “Our coven decided I didn't do a good enough job as a guardian and disowned me.”
“What the hell? For something your sister did?” I can see Jason leaning forward in my peripheral, but I make no effort to focus on his blurry form.
“It was my job to keep her out of trouble." I shrug, feigning casualty.
"I failed. But she's still in danger, and I've got to find her, and fast. The spell she cast ends at the New Moon, and if I can't find her before anyone else does... she'll end up trapped in the Shadow World.”
Shattered (Tempest Coven Novels) Page 11