To Speak of Things Unseen (Hemstreet Witches Book 2)

by Rain Trueax

  She let her powers enter his mind and search for the truth. When she decided he had held nothing back. “Do you truly wish the magick to be gone? All that you saw as power to be forgotten?”

  He nodded. “More than you’ll ever know. I was a fool to believe that man. I hate it. Stuff kept happening, and I didn’t know how to stop it. It sucked me into it.”

  She smiled at that. It sounded very like a young boy, which was about how Joe was looking after his emotional storm. “So, Joe, how do you feel about witches?”

  He clenched his jaw, looking some like Mitch when he did it. “Ain’t met one yet… Okay, you’re saying I have.”

  “I am saying that, and because of what I have been taught, down through the rules and order of the people who have long taught a right use of magick, I can clear you. Not of all you know but of all the falsehoods you were given. You will have to start over where it comes to magick-- if you should ever so wish to follow that path again.”

  “Only if it’s with Mitch. Clear me if you can.”

  “Lie on the ground.” She circled around him and began to chant the words she’d long ago been taught-- the ones that gave all power over to the light, and all goodness had to come from it. Although she knew the meaning of the words, she liked using the old language.

  It took maybe an hour although she lost track of time between the chants and songs, that pulled her into a different place, intensified her aura and with it all, drew to her the powers of the Elementals as they agreed and lent their own energy to the task.

  “In harmony with the Universe, and the One, I declare this man cleansed of ill intent and purposes. And so be it.”

  She moved from him to sit on one of the lawn chairs and watch him come back to himself. The look in his eyes had changed. When he sat up, he looked at her. “Thank you,” he said. “I do feel different.”

  “If they try to contact you, use these words.” She gave him a simple affirmation that he could remember. “Repeat three times and they will have to go. Right now is not a good time for you to again attempt to take on magick, not even with Mitch, but he will know when the time comes.”

  “You think he’ll ever forgive me?”

  “You’ve known him longer than me. Do you think he’s the type to hold a grudge?”

  Joe managed a weak smile and shook his head. “No, he’s not.”

  “Go rest now.”

  Time fell away from her as night fell over the beautiful valley, a soft, comforting darkness with stars twinkling overhead. All around felt good and at peace. She had one more task to complete as she sent out energy to the place the Rugaru had been and where the hemlock had been left. When she recognized its vibrations, she used a power blast to annihilate it, avoiding the chance of someone else accidentally coming across it. She sensed no more Rugarus in the area but that didn’t mean some would not arrive.

  She thought then of the body of the murdered girl, the one someone might have thought was her. She asked for mercy for her soul and peace. Maybe it had been the girl’s time, but it made Elke feel sad and a little guilty that someone innocent might have died in the place of her.

  Sitting in one of the lawn chairs, Elke had never known anything like she felt here in this house and on this land. As much as she had loved Tucson, something here was agrarian and serene. She knew there were evil spirits nearby, ghosts who should have gone on, maybe even her father was one, but this place could be kept safe. The question was—could Tucson? She had to go back and do what she could to make that happen—no matter what the cost. No more innocent lives must be lost.

  Chapter Thirteen

  When Mitch woke at first light, he felt sore but stronger. He was surprised to find Elke sleeping alongside him. He lay watching her. Her lashes were dark against her cheek. When her eyes were open, they were so expressive, even fiery. Those beautiful eyes drew him to them more even than the rest of her features like the high cheekbones, the full, very kissable lips. He contemplated kissing her awake when he realized she was now watching him.

  “How do you feel?” she asked, reaching to touch his forehead.

  “Better.” He didn’t need to add as though a mule had kicked him. He was lucky to be alive, and he knew it. Two run-ins with the monsters should be a limit but then he wondered about the old saying about things running in threes.

  “Quit worrying,” she ordered, brushing his lips with her fingertips.

  “I blame myself for this whole thing. I should have seen what was happening with Joe.”

  “Ah, omnipotent now, huh?” she suggested with a little laugh. She got up and headed for the shower. He heard the water running, knew he needed one too, but if he went in, it’d not be a shower he’d be taking. They needed to talk about that too. He had told himself they had no future. He wondered if she agreed with that. He wanted her to argue him into why they could have one. What a weakling.

  When she came out, he went in and stood under the hot water, sudsing his body, and trying not to imagine her drying off her soft skin and then sliding into her clothing. He was too far gone to kid himself that he he didn’t want her and for more than a day. He kept coming back to that not being logical. They had nothing in common. Probably would fight all the time. She would draw as many enemies to her as he did. What a team… but then again, what a team.

  When he came out of the shower, he dressed in shorts and a t-shirt as she watched. “You know we both should have been more aware of Joe, me more than you,” she said as he came to sit beside her on the bed.

  “He isn’t your cousin.”

  “But I’d seen how this worked before. Nick Beringer had a stepbrother, who Ornis used. Someone near is who we most should watch for changes. When a stepbrother or in your case, a cousin, wants to be you, then they are vulnerable. We can’t afford to forget that again.”

  “Again?” He reached out and took her hand, stroking her fingers.

  “Your want to be stepbrother is one.”

  “Him I wouldn’t ever trust.”

  “This is a war, Mitch. The other side uses all they can find against us. You knew that in Vislogus, and after meeting you, I understand it better also. I suppose like all wars, there will be a truce at some point, or we will get a better understanding of what is behind it, but for now, we can’t afford to relax.”

  “And what comes next?”

  “I have to go back to Barrio Viejo. I think the battle there is just beginning. I have to be with my family, as it will take all we have. I fear it could be more than we have. It’s being fought on several levels. So far, no monsters there, at least not that I knew, but human and demonic powers. A woman was killed and that has to be resolved. A church, led by a man who is not operating under the One, is at war with my family—at war with all that is good.”

  “All right.”

  She smiled and brushed her fingers over his lips. “You need to shave while I go see what Sofia has figured out for breakfast. I smell coffee.”

  He rubbed his hand over his bristle. “Is there any special reason I need to shave?”

  She laughed and ran out of the room.

  When he entered the kitchen, Sofia looked up with surprise. “I thought you’d be in bed today. I was readying a tray.”

  “I’m mostly just tired now.” He sat at the table, across from Elke. “When do you need to leave?” he asked.

  “I am not in a hurry. I’d like us to discuss a plan.”

  “You’re going to listen to me?” he asked with more than a little surprise.

  “How about if we eat breakfast on your beautiful patio,” she suggested, rather than answering his question. “I love the morning outside.”

  “What would you like?” Sofia asked.

  “Scrambled eggs, toast for me,” Mitch said. “Can you bring it out there?” When she agreed, he followed Elke to sit at the table in the sun, feeling it energizing him.

  “You look much better today.”

  “I feel better. Just tired. As for a plan, I’d like to
go with you when you go, but I am not up to much yet.”

  “It would be safer for you to stay here. Whatever is going wrong in Tucson will involve human evil. I almost think I’d prefer monsters. You can kill them with a sword and the bodies disappear with no questions from police to answer.” She gave a little laugh.

  Sofia came out with a tray heaped with eggs, bacon, toast, jam, butter, a coffee pot, and cut up fruit. Elke waited for Mitch to fill his plate, then filled her own mostly with the fruit and a piece of toast, snatching a piece of bacon to munch.

  “As for a plan, you are looking for a murderer in Tucson,” he said as he ate. “One who now has killed three women.”

  She shook her head. “No, I told you. This is a different murderer, someone who wanted to hide his murder behind the fear it’s a serial killer.”

  “You told me that before. Now tell me how you know.”

  “My family and I knew that it was a man called Braddock, who had ties to both women. He operated as a sorcerer in Tucson—someone others went to for instruction with great spiritual wisdom.” She laughed with no humor. “Like the man, who contacted your cousin, he was playing with the dark side. In the end, we drained him of his power.”

  Mitch let out a whistle. “Like you did Joe?”

  She shook her head. “There are levels. I truly believe Joe didn’t mean wrong. He got another chance. Braddock knew exactly what he was doing. He’s a shadow man, who preys on the vulnerable and went beyond it when he murdered with an intent of framing Nick.”

  “You could have killed him. Why not?”

  She shrugged. “Maybe it was a mistake but it seemed more just. Instead of just taking the magick he’d acquired, we also drained his fleshly energy to leave him alive but no longer capable of plotting or doing more than surviving. Maybe it was more cruel. The thing is that the law would have never dealt with him. He didn’t leave evidence, and black magick is not something a court system would recognize. Sometimes those with spiritual power have to mete out justice—when it can’t be done any other way.”

  “You and your family became judge, jury and stopped short of executioner.” He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. His own battle with the spirit world had not been against humans. Even having human enemies, his father’s ex-wife and her son, he’d never thought of using his otherworldly power to resolve that situation.

  “I guess you could say that,” she said accurately reading his concern. “We had spirit guides and an angel along with us. I won’t claim we asked for a Divine edict. Should we have left him to kill again? Ornis was helping him, and you know what he does.”

  He did know that. It still bothered him.

  “Do you want me to go?” she asked her gaze levelly on him.

  “It’s too late for that.” He shook his head with a twisted smile.

  “Of course, it’s not. I would go if you asked.”

  “I don’t ever want you to go, but I’ve learned the hard way though in life, that what I want is not always how it is going to be.”

  “I’m used to getting what I want,” she said, rising and coming around the table. “Are you up to a woman on your lap?”

  He pulled her down, stretching her long legs across his, and putting his arms around her. “It would depend on the woman.” She bent then and kissed him lightly before he turned the kiss into something headier by thrusting his tongue into her mouth as she met him with her own teasing touches.

  When she pulled her head back, she said, “You and I are different.”

  “I know.” He liked the feel of her on his lap.

  “I want you to meet my family. They are a little crazy.”

  “Crazier than you?”

  “Different. Maybe Grandma Elsa is a little more.” She giggled.

  “You all meet to have planning sessions then?” She nodded. “Do they have to okay me?”

  Before she could answer, Joe came up from the barns. He looked sheepish. “Do you want me to leave?” he asked Mitch without sitting down.

  “Want some of Sofia’s breakfast?” Mitch asked pointing to all the food left on the table.

  “You willing for me to eat at your table?”

  “Sure.”

  “I could have cost you… or her your lives.”

  “You’re smarter now though, aren’t you?”

  Joe’s laugh was a little sick sounding. “I sure hope so.”

  “Go beyond hope. Be sure of it.”

  Joe nodded. “Then I’m not fired?”

  “Nope. You’re a good man with horses. I need you. Now that you know more, you should be a bigger help.”

  Joe let out a sigh. “I am sorry.”

  “I know. So eat already.”

  ><><><

  An hour later, Elke had talked to her mother and decided there was no rush to get back to Tucson. She wanted more time with Mitch, wanted him to be fully back to health. The truth was she didn’t want to leave this place, but she had no choice—eventually.

  “Want to see the vineyard?” he asked as he came out from the house dressed in jeans, a light cotton shirt, and the usual boots.

  “I’d love to. When do you harvest the grapes?”

  “When Jacque says. He just called, and he’ll be down there to assess the timing. I thought you might like to meet him.”

  “I’d love that.” A few minutes later, they were at the edge of what seemed miles of grapes on wooden supports. “It’s beautiful,” she said. “I’ve never actually been in a vineyard.”

  “Ours have several varieties; so the harvesting times vary.” He picked a grape from the vine and popped it into her mouth and then another for himself.

  “Sweet,” she said. “Are these grapes all for sweet wines?”

  “Nope, that’s determined by how long they ferment. The same grapes can make dry or sweet.” He bent and claimed her lips with a kiss. “There is a kind of sensual element to making wine. Did you know that?”

  She laughed. “About all I know regarding wines is to order white or red and leave it up to the waitperson as to which is best with my dinner.”

  He brushed his finger lightly over her lips and cupped her chin so that she looked into his eyes. “Well there is the picking, of course…” He drew her into his arms.

  “Do you do that mechanically?” she asked leaning into him.

  “No, it has to be by hand. Jacques says it’s much better for the grapes that way.” He ran his hands down her back to cup her buttocks, pulling her more tightly against his groin. She felt his hardness, and it stirred her body.

  “And then?”

  “There is the press… Unfortunately, these days we don’t do that with bare feet… A pity, but evidently mechanically is better and more sanitary.”

  “I can’t even imagine what it must have felt like to wade through grapes.”

  “Maybe we can do a small batch sometime.” He laughed and brushed his lips over her forehead. A truck, coming in the drive and stopping, interrupted whatever play he might’ve considered next. Just thinking what it might’ve been stirred her senses.

  A dark-haired, middle-aged man got out of the truck and walked over to shake Mitch’s hand and be introduced to Elke. “You are a genius at wines, I am told,” she said.

  “Mitch is too kind,” Jacque said. He had no accent but had a Mediterranean look to his skin and features.

  “It was actually my sister, Torre. She’s the wine connoisseur. I am a novice at it. When we eat out, I let her pick the wine. To be honest, my total skill is recognizing one that is corked.” She gave a little laugh. “And I am not being modest.”

  Jacques grinned. “Then you can learn if you have a good teacher.” He smiled at Mitch.

  “I am just learning too,” Mitch said. “I am, however, appreciative of your skills.”

  “After they are pressed, without bare feet,” Elke said, “what happens next?”

  Jacques picked a grape and ate it. “You will see that soon if you are here. Perhaps in a week for the first.�
�

  “How exciting.”

  “Mitch always is here for the harvest… or has been. Will you be this time, amico?” Jacques asked.

  “I have to go to Tucson on business, but I’ll be back if it’s in a week.”

  “Good.” He turned back to Elke. “As to what comes next, well, they aren’t all ready at the same time—fortunately.” He looked affectionately at the grapes as though they were his children. “After the pressing, we produce what is called must. That is when we remove the skins, seeds and solids for the white wines. Reds and whites each go into their own big oak barrels for fermenting, which varies for how long-- depending on sweet or dry.

  “After that, any solids are removed, and they can be put into bottles or back into oak barrels to age—depending on the quality of the harvest. A fine wine might set in the barrels for two years. It is all done by the touch.” He grinned. “Like touching a beautiful lady. It must be just right and then… voila, they are bottled and sent to buyers or sometimes to competitions. Nothing like many ribbons to up the price.” He chuckled changing his sensual words into practical ones.

  As they talked and walked through the vineyard, alive with bird, butterflies, and bees, Elke’s body and mind were astir with energy and desire. Mitch’s hand rested lightly at her waist, very innocent gesture, but she found herself imagining it other places. She wanted to touch him again, stroke his strong body, make love to him, while he made love to her. When she looked up into his eyes, she knew he was feeling the same things.

  “Thanks for the lessons and tour, Jacques,” Mitch said as they walked him back to his truck. After waving good-bye, Mitch turned back to her. “The river is beautiful this time of the year. Want to see it?”

  “I’d love to.”

  “I’ll get us a quilt.” His smile told her what he had in mind. Half an hour later, he had a quilt and basket, and they were standing beside the Verde. Big cottonwoods and willows shaded its grassy banks. Because there hadn’t been many strong storms, the water was not bank full, more a sleepy river. He spread the blanket and lowered himself to look up at her. “Is white all right?” he asked.