As he caught sight of Autumn approaching, a look of relief shown across the face of the young scruffy hippie working the register. He bid the customers a merry part and merry meet again as he handed them a bag of purchases before focusing his attention wholly on Autumn. The gleam in his eyes clearly indicated respect and if I wasn’t mistaken, adoration as well. Autumn greeted him as if she hadn’t even noticed.
“Hey Jimmy, how are things going today? How are the new oils selling?” Autumn asked as she pulled her jacket off and hooked it on the old wooden coat rack next to the counter before reaching for my wrap as well.
I quickly interjected before she has had a chance to grip my wrap. “Umm, I am still a little chilled from the nippy wind. I think I’ll keep it on for now.”
Her eyes met mine and she nodded before returning her focus to Jimmy and the day’s events. There was no mistaking the adoration he had towards Autumn with the flow of a very casual conversation that followed. I waited until he was in the backroom rummaging for an invoice before commenting.
“That boy has it bad for you dear girl. He is crushing hard. Too bad for Jimmy, you finally hooked up with Augustine,” I said coolly.
“Hmm, Jimmy, really?” she asked quizzically.
I simply laughed and shook my head knowingly. Of course she hadn’t noticed. It was Augustine that ruled her thoughts, all day, every day. Autumn had always been insanely focused and aloof to anything outside her direct line of vision.
At an attempt to change the subject, I inquired about reference material to read while she got to work. Her eyes lit up in interest as she perused the bookshelves, a sound of delight as she found each one before handing the intimidating stack to me. My eyes went wide as saucers at the volume of reading material she actually expected me to look at.
“Umm, hope you mean these for me to skim, not read. I am smart, but not a super speedy reader here. It will be morning before I can get through all these,” I said holding the large and heavy stack of eclectic books.
“Of course, silly, but I am super freaked out about the whole dream murder thing. Any information right now is a good thing even if we have to stay after close and sift through them together,” Autumn said in a tone that told me she was truly shaken by my confession earlier.
I sighed in resignation and carried the books to a table across the room. I sat them in neat stacks of three as I could finally see over them now and nodded to Autumn across the room. She winked in reply and headed to the back room to get that invoice I supposed.
I on the other hand, turned my focus to the first stack of uniquely shaped and sized books. They were so unlike conventional research books that I found it hard to believe they would yield me with any substantial information. I had my doubts but knew Autumns’ belief was true and even a night of fruitless research would go a long way to ease her frayed nerves.
I glanced over the titles before me, observing a random array of topics. An A to Z guide of divination sat large and thick on bottom, topped by a slightly smaller but equally as thick book about clairvoyance. Above that sat gold leafed and leather bound book about Pagan symbolism. A small plain book titled “Rites and Rituals” capped the first stack.
The second stack was started with a small, thin journal that looked to be a personal account of some Jacquelyn O’Tate. Not sure how that one was going to help in any way, I continued skimming the titles.
The next book was expensive and decorated with ornate drawings, displaying the title nestled in the middle. It was a thick volume on dreaming and dream meanings. At the bottom of the stack sat an ordinary reference guide to Wicca and witchcraft.
Moving on, I saw the third stack, was more of the same: precognition, Wiccan beliefs: modern and historical, Sex Magic, and Metaphysics. I forced my gaze back to the first stack with a reluctant sigh and started with the book on divination. I began skimming the pages, noting some more common types of divinations throughout the pages.
Hydromancy: divination by water
Necromancy: divination through communication with the dead
Oneiromancy: divination involving dreams
Pyromancy: divination involving fire or flames
There were several types of divination that were just bizarre and truly creepy such as:
Hematomancy: divination through blood
Ichthyomancy: divination involving the head or entrails of fishes
Scatomancy: divination by examination of excrement
Brushing off the involuntary shutter at the thought of what such divinations would entail, I skipped forward to the methods of divination. Here I noted some of the more commonly accepted methods such as astrology, clairvoyance, numerology, tarot and tea leaves.
Clairvoyance caught my eye and I filtered through its description. The divination attached to it was the gift of seeing. A strong clairvoyant could see the past, present and future. They could also enter the spirit world between realms.
Reading all of this just seemed to bring more questions to the forefront of my boggled mind. I wondered if Autumn had a divination. Since I never really believed or understood any of this, I never really asked about it. I then began to wonder how much of my best friend I had pushed and explained away. It became unsettling and disconcerting just to think about.
I looked up to find Autumn and then become quickly flustered when I notice how busy she was. There was no way I would be able to break her away for discussion anytime soon. I mentally reminded myself to check with Autumn about divination and common applications before I moved back to the stacks of remaining books.
I gave the titles a once over, then settled on the reference guide containing Wicca and Witchcraft. It was an encyclopedia of sorts and looked slightly worn from age. The grey marble pattern on the hardback cover was dented with scuffs from use and abuse.
The pages were all legible, but displayed used highlighting, underlining and bunny eared pages. The signs of such heavy usage looked promising.
The book seemed to be in a similar format as the last one, arranged alphabetically as any other encyclopedia would have. This made it easier to filter through.
I absorbed knowledge on things such as arcane, candle magic, four elements, invocation, lei lines, ritual, summer solstice, Welsh traditional practices and Wicca. The words began to swirl in my head, light and feathery.
The more I read, the further I felt from being best friends with Autumn. How had I remained so ignorant of all her beliefs and practices for so long? I had known her practically what seemed like forever so I managed to dismiss major pieces of the parts that made up my best friend. There was just so much.
Before long the words grew slippery and melted together like lead pressing on the forefront of my brain. It was all I could seem to do to wipe them away and press my eyes shut.
Chapter 6: Dream for Two
I was not sure exactly what led me to fall asleep, but before I knew it I was awake in a dream. I was instantly anxious for fear of a repeat of the last dream. It appeared that I was in a very old and large library.
The shelves were enormous and climbed the walls all around me. Large metal ladders scaled the walls and I hesitantly stepped forward to touch one. I was unsure and slowly evaluated the ladder before assuring myself enough to begin climbing it.
I reached the first tier after seven rungs and stepped forward carefully. I grabbed onto the outer railing and turned to see the sight that astonished me the most. I was in awe at the breathtaking view before me.
The library was circular with walkways around each tier going as far up as six or seven tiers. The amount of material here was insurmountable to anything I had ever experienced. The ceiling was an elegant crown molded mandala that made me feel at inner piece upon viewing.
Everything was illuminated by bright wall sconces and dangling pendulum lights in a soft yellow luminescent glow. I ran my fingers over the spines of a few books on the nearest shelf.
The books all looked old and rustic. Gold script graced the spines o
n a few, while others were plainly labeled with black letters. They looked too precious to just pull off the shelves.
I began to wonder where the staff might be. A library of this scale had to have employees. Yet, I didn’t see anyone, anywhere. Furrowing my brow, I perked my head to the side and listened. I didn’t hear anything aside from the beating of my own heart.
Testing it, I let out a slow neutral “Hello?”
The words echoed off the walls and hung in the air before dissipating. Then the only response was the matched silence from before. Certain that I was alone; I began to walk the shelves.
I ran my hands along the books like they were prized possessions. My eyes were alight with curiosity and I was focusing more intensely on the books before me.
When a sound did finally resonate in the cavernous walls, I nearly jumped out of my skin, I was so startled. I felt like a naughty kid, caught in the cookie jar.
I was not sure what to do or where to go so I just stood there, pressed up against the bookcase. Several seconds went by before I heard anything else. It sounded like tapping. A steady stream of beats echoed off the walls then stopped. The noise sounded like it was coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once.
I swiftly made my way back down the ladder and placed my feet firmly on the ground. I was looking around frantically, now unsure of my surroundings once again. The joy was fleeting as I began to worry if I was in danger. The racket started up again and it sounded like tapping or knocking from somewhere nearby.
I looked around for an entrance or exit but found only a large curved pane window several stories in height. Its’ view was slightly obscure from afar, but up close it cleared.
I felt so small standing in front of an object that was so clearly superior to me in every way possible. I reached forward and placed my hands firmly on the base of the window to peer through it.
I was shocked to see a beautiful landscaped garden around the outside of the library. Beautiful arrangements of ornamental grasses and elegant white flowers lined the cobblestone walkways winding through the gardens. Wrought iron benches were perched throughout the garden in various places.
An intricate wrought iron gate was just barely visible towards the front of the garden. I strained to look closer and see a figure standing on the other side of the gate. I couldn’t see who it was from this distance, but they were waving at me. This startled me and I jumped back away from the window slightly.
It seemed odd that they could see me from such a distance, even though I could hardly see them. I didn’t have time to ponder it though, because the tapping started up again.
I peered out again and noticed they were banging some sort of brass knocker on front of the gates. I couldn’t make out the shape of it, just the motion.
I stepped back and peered up at the intimidating window, looking for a latch of some sort. I saw one about nine feet above me and contemplated a way to open it. After a few minutes I decided to take the ladder up the first seven rungs to the first tier of the library. Making my way to the first tier, I followed the circular shell of bookshelves to the second floor of the window.
To my chagrin, the latch of the window lined up with the second floor perfectly. I was able to easily reach forward and unfasten it. With a light push, the window swung open and the library was cast in the bright glow of the midday sun.
Everything in the library seemed so much more awe inspiring in this light. All the eclectic books appeared to make up what any viewer might consider the perfect library as a whole. The velvet covered chairs looked elegant and expensive, yet cozy.
It didn’t take long before the tapping started up yet again after its’ short respite and the spell that enthralled me momentarily was broken. I hurried down to the main floor and stepped out of the window and into the garden.
A violet incandescent butterfly fluttered past me, its wings shimmered under the direct sunlight. The floral scent hanging in the air was heady and I stopped for a minute to bask in it. The garden was truly peaceful and slowed my jittery heartbeat. Satisfied, I returned to my senses and continued down the cobblestone path towards the gate.
The closer I got to the gate, the clearer the figure outside it became. First, I noticed that it was a man. Then his hair color became ash blond before I could make out his eyes meeting mine. The gray eyes I couldn’t forget were meeting my green ones and it was all I could do to keep my composure as I coolly finished down the path to the gate. He never took his eyes off me the entire time.
My heart had sped to a pitter patter and I was mentally preparing myself. I had so many questions swirling around that my focus was wavering.
I needed to get some answers from him and it was hard to keep myself from swooning in his presence. He was smiling at me with that sexy crooked smile, his hands stuffed awkwardly in his dark wash jeans.
I managed to finally reach the gate and let out a casual, “Hey,” before wrapping my fingers around the warm metal bars between us.
Jared moved forward, placing his hands on top of mine gently. That invisible spark ignited and my breath caught in my chest.
“It’s you. I mean of course you’re you. That’s a silly thing to say. I mean you’re here, in my dream. It’s nice to see you again,” I stammered feeling like a love struck idiot.
He just smiled brighter and responded with more confidence than I could ever muster.
“The pleasure is all mine, may I come in?”
I wasted no time unlatching the large metal bar and swinging the gate into an open position. Not wanting to make the first move, I just stood there, letting my breath hitch as I waited for him. To my relief, he entered and wrapped his arms around me in an embrace.
For several minutes, we stayed like that, basking in the energy our embrace created. It was so warm and soothing, like the soft sunny glow that engulfed us. All I could think was how I could feel so much for someone I hardly knew. I couldn’t seem to discount the feelings, especially when it seemed they were reciprocated.
He brushed my hair from my face and tucked it behind my ears in that gentle way he managed and melted me with a slow intense kiss. I relished in the sweet taste of his lips on mine and was far from ready when he released the kiss.
Trying to tamp down my libido, I grasped his hand and nodded to the bench nearby. I said nothing, not feeling the need to fill the perfect silence just yet. It wasn’t until we were perched on the bench hand in hand that I breached it.
“Is there a last name to go with your first, Jared? Or would that shatter this mysterious persona you have going for you,” I asked lightly.
He laughed, and then made a show of thinking before answering.
“It is Townsend. Jared Ian Townsend. It’s my pleasure to meet your formal acquaintance Noel Alice Kennedy.”
I furrowed my brow in confusion now. Autumn’s warnings rose in my thoughts about danger. “How do you know my name? I’m pretty sure I didn’t tell you,” I asked cautiously.
He must have sensed my unease because he just laughed lightly and looked me straight in the eyes before answering. “I must confess, you didn’t tell me. It was on your mail sitting on the side table just inside your front door as I was leaving. Sorry to shake you up like that.”
I visibly un-tensed, but still kept the edge internally. I had to remind myself of the danger I had already encountered since I met him. I tried to stay on track and get my questions out.
“Why did you leave like that? And where did you get the coin? Are you into a cult or witchcraft or something? How is all this even possible?” I asked, gesturing around us.
He appeared to be choosing his words wisely, as if plucking them out in a precise order. “I truly am sorry to leave you like that but I had an emergency come up and you looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake you. The coin is a slightly tougher matter to explain,” he paused.
“I wanted you to have a memento of me and the flower I left was for the amazing night we spent together. I know it sounds cheesy, but I h
ad a great time with you. It was unbelievable, as are you Noel.”
I tried not to blush at the slew of comments, but when he held my chin in his hand and leaned in for a kiss, I melted. The passion between us sizzled and I wanted more and more of him.
When we finally managed to break away again, he looked at me with seriousness in his expression. I mentally prepared myself for the other shoe to drop.
“Look, Noel, I’m not sure exactly how to go about this. There are so many things you need to know. I just don’t want to freak you out or scare you away. The hardest part is that there is no good way to go about this. I just ask one thing of you,” he said holding my gaze.
“Yeah, sure, what is that?” I asked my curiosity piqued.
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