by Stephy Smith
“Or nightmares! We better get these berries in the pot, or I’m going to be too full to eat with the rest of the clan.” Aisley started again, pulling Greta with her.
****
The clan members lined up around the big black cauldron, ready to dip their share of the tasty soup inside. Thad leaned against a vardo. Greta sucked in a breath. His golden face concentrated on picking at his fingernails. One leg crossed over the other. She would never grow tired of looking at his tall lanky form in its relaxed state.
Thad’s eyes rose to meet her gaze. He pushed himself away from the vardo and walked her way. Her mother intercepted him and handed him two bowls. Greta watched as he nodded and smiled at her mother before he moved toward her again.
They ate in silence. Too many people were around to discuss their meeting with Doriya. Greta wished the musicians would hurry up and start the dance. After about thirty minutes, her wish came true. Thad helped her stand, and they walked toward Cherished Silence. They wound around the outside of the vardos to make their way to Doriya’s.
“Hurry, you must come inside.” Doriya waved them in.
“What is happening?” Thad asked.
“There is a storm brewing, and it has nothing to do with the weather.”
“What kind of storm?” Greta wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer.
“A war of the witches. We must prepare ourselves.” Doriya’s words seemed rushed.
“How can we prepare the clan for such a war?” Thad’s brows furrowed.
“Most of the clan knows what to do. Their safety will depend on the three of us and the guidance of the ancient guardians.” Doriya poured hot water over herbs that she had stuffed into three cups.
Greta grasped the amulet. It heated in her hand. Its white light ran through her. She raised her chin as the confidence inside eased her mind.
“There are some rules you must follow. I am old and won’t be of much help to the two of you.” Her eyes grew wide as if asking Greta and Thad if they were ready. “It will be a simple ceremony held at Cherished Silence. I will prepare the area with the help of the clan. Drink this.”
“What are these rules you speak of?” Greta sipped the sweet, tasty concoction.
“Never fight hate with hate. It only makes it stronger.” Doriya’s eyes shifted from Greta to Thad. “Keep positive thoughts. Do not let the negative have a chance to breed in your mind. It will be hard to control, but I’m sure the two of you will do fine.”
“Will we be allowed any sort of weapons?” Thad turned to Greta and then back to Doriya.
“Oh yes, the love in your hearts. Haven’t I taught you that you can ward off evil with the white light of love?”
“That doesn’t sound too dangerous.” Greta rested one hand on her hip.
“Oh but Greta, it is. The evil negativity from the dark forces can consume you. The power of love will always outweigh evil. The heart is as powerful as the mind.”
“No guns? No knives?” Thad straightened his back and raised his chin. “I’m not certain Cleo and her group will play by these rules.”
“Some of the clansmen are sure to have those things. It is not yours or Greta’s place to physically harm another. If the two of you work together, there will be no need for violence to eliminate the Black Magic Coven.”
“Greta and I are to ward off evil magic without weapons?” Thad raised his hands and covered his face.
“No, you have misunderstood. Dig deep within your soul, Thad. You have many weapons stored there.” Doriya covered a yawn with her gnarled hand. Without warning, she reached up and grabbed hold of Greta’s amulet. Her voice was soft and simple as she chanted in a foreign language Greta couldn’t understand. She glanced over to Thad. His brow creased as he stared at Doriya.
“Greta, place your hand on Thad’s heart.” Greta held out the palm of her hand. A tiny heart appeared. “It will not hurt since you have the white magic. But it will make you a little woozy in the head. Plus, it will give you more strength for your own fight.”
Greta reached over and laid her hand upon Thad’s chest. His heart pounded against her open hand. The warmth of her amulet continued to heat. Her love for him drained from her. The flowing sensation left her hand and melted into his heart.
He jumped back and squealed. “Remove your hand, Greta! Now!”
“I can’t Thad! It’s stuck.”
“No, Greta. You both need to relax. He must soak in your power of love. It does not lose its power, not even during a fight.” Doriya’s eyes sparkled with a mystical twinkle.
Tears stung Greta’s eyes. Thad hopped around, shaking the vardo. “What is it doing to you, Thad?” Greta captured Thad’s arm as he tried to pass.
“It burns cold. I cannot contain the love flowing through me. Joy, intense happiness, and forgiveness are all bountiful. It is unbelievable. What does it do to the evil witches?” Thad had a smile stretching from ear to ear.
“With a little extra power, it can reach their black hearts. If used in massive amounts, it will explode the heart of the black magic witches if they refuse it. Then they will vanish from their bodies. They will no longer be able to carry on the practice of black magic. This is our goal, to stop them.” Doriya smiled at Thad. She grabbed the pouch containing his talisman, and in the same tone, she chanted the same foreign words. “Thad, place your hand on Greta’s—”
Greta moved back as she cut into Doriya’s words. “Oh no, Thad… don’t.” Before she could blink, he had stepped forward and placed his warm palm on her chest. The strange sensation of cold heat shot through her. White light invaded her senses. Love swelled her heart as the intense happiness and forgiveness embedded in her soul.
Chapter Nineteen
Thad leaned against the steps of Doriya’s vardo. Greta sat on the bottom one. They waited for a while and were talking when Thad noticed Greta’s mother, Rhonda, heading their way.
She stopped in front of them. “Where is Doriya? She never showed up to teach the children this afternoon.”
Thad’s breath caught in his throat. “We don’t know. That’s why we’re here. She never came for our lessons either.” He cast a warning glance at Greta.
“We will go in search of her, Mama. Don’t worry. She is probably out gathering herbs and lost track of time. You know she is getting old and doesn’t pay much attention anymore.”
After her mother left, Greta rose and stood beside Thad. “What do you think?”
“My intuition tells me it’s time for war. Slap me with your love, my dear.” Thad braced himself for the overpowering sensation the silly little gesture caused. He placed his hand onto Greta’s heart at the same time. An overwhelming amount of energy swarmed between them. They waited a few moments for the full effect to kick in and then headed to Cherished Silence. No one was there but the lingering sent of Doriya mixed with the stomach-churning stench of black magic.
“They have her. Thad, how are we going to find her?”
“Follow the smell. My nose seems to be picking up more smells than normal.” He turned and headed down the trail Robert Ray always used. “Robert comes here a lot. His scent is the strongest. I’m sensing he has also joined the Black Magic Coven.”
“Yes, my senses have all grown stronger. I can see things I don’t normally see when I touch things. Cleo and a woman dressed in a shimmering black dress and gray cape are dragging Doriya. She is either unconscious or…dead.” Greta’s voice sounded extremely calm to him. Neither one seemed to be overly excited; even though they knew the evil witches had taken their teacher.
“Robert Ray has split off from the group. He has two or three other men with him. I’ll go after them. You follow Doriya and the others.”
His heart picked up a beat, and his talisman in the pouch at his side heated as he stroked Greta’s hair before they parted. As soon as she was out of sight, he ran through the brush. Following the smell of Robert, he came to a clearing. A large stone circle forming a fireplace held glowing embers.
A cauldron swung from a tripod above the fire. Bubbles from the boiling liquid inside it hissed and fizzled down the side of the pot. The stench of burnt hair and decay filled the clearing.
Two men perched on stumps nearby turned their noses to the sky. Their wrinkled, scrunched faces turned one way then another. Thad heard the deep breaths they pulled in as they sniffed the air.
“What is that smell?” One of the men turned to the other. His nose was wrinkled, and his face paled. “It smells sweet, fresh. I don’t like it.”
“I don’t know. Robert, you had better come out here quick. Think we may have some kind of visitor.” The other stood up, wiped his nose on his sleeve, and then continued to smell the air.
Robert poked his head up from a hole in the ground. “What have y’all done out here?”
Roberts’s mouth opened like he was going to throw up. “That is nasty. Where’s it coming from?”
“We have no idea. What do you think it is?” The first man asked.
“I’m going to find out. Come on fellows. The brew is ready. We need to join Cleo and the others before they come looking for us. They probably got the old woman back at the livery by now.” Robert shoved a basket of bottles at the men. Sticking a dipper in the cauldron, they filled each bottle and fit it with a cork.
Each bottle was carefully placed in the crate and the three men started winding their way through the woods. Thad followed at a safe distance. His anger welled as he listened to the men belittle Greta and Doriya. His love for Greta swelled in his chest, and his anger died.
They talked about how Cleo was going to make them rich. They were ruthless in the plans they had for her. A laugh escaped Thad’s throat before he could muffle it.
The men stopped and set down the crate. They all faced different directions. “Whatever that stink is, it’s in this area. And it’s alive. We may be in the midst of a white magic witch. Let’s get her.”
Thad stepped into the underbrush and waited for the evil witch heading his way. He stilled his breath and drew in the white light from the ancient guardians swarming above. His talisman turned cold, and then it froze to his skin. The ancient ones blocked off the path when the man tried to turn back.
When the man twisted around, Thad stepped into the path. The man tossed a stone, and it exploded near Thad’s face. Anger and hatred boiled inside Thad. The love Greta sent to him filled his mind with all the good things it was meant to. He walked straight to the man in the path.
Thad chanted as he brought his hand to the man’s heart. The evil witch stared at Thad. Thad got the feeling that she didn’t seem to care about anyone except Robert Ray. The stranger’s eyes glazed over. Black mist whooshed from the man’s open mouth. He dropped to his knees in the path. The pleas for forgiveness flowed from his mouth along with the tears streaming down his face. Thad could feel the smile crossing his face as he started after the second man. There wasn’t much to the fight as the next man faced the same fate as the first.
Robert came back for the crate and found Thad standing near it. Thad crossed his arms across his chest and smiled. The whimpers of the other two men crouched in the path drew Robert’s attention. His eyes grew wide. He twisted around and raced through the bramble. Thad followed him to the livery. As soon as he pulled Cleo out of the clutches of Greta, he ran for the path leading to Cherished Silence.
Chapter Twenty
Stepping into full view, Cleo, Madonna, and Sherpa turned to her. Greta straightened her back. The air around her turned cold as winter. Brilliant white light illuminated the barn. With every breath she took, the light grew brighter as the ancient guardians joined her.
Cold, cruel fingernails raked down her back. Greta sucked in the cry stuck in her throat. She reached out her arm, her index finger pointed at Madonna. Greta closed her eyes and chanted of love and happiness. A large white light leapt from her fingertip. The ball of energy stuck to Madonna’s chest. The black magic witch mumbled a curse as she tugged at the white light burning to her skin. Greta easily warded off the foul curse. She continued to send the healing chants to Madonna.
Greta moved closer, chanting louder, asking the white light to enter Madonna. The black magic witch moaned or screamed at each word of kindness Greta uttered. Greta sent forth another one into the heart of Madonna. The evil witch burst into tears as the dense, black mist escaped from her open mouth.
Greta rushed toward Sherpa. The high priestess cried out, but whirled around with her hand raised. Greta leaned to the side, barely escaping the back of the witch’s hand. The interior wall of the livery shook as Sherpa backed into it. The dark lady moved around. Her evil chants went ignored by Greta.
Greta reached deeper into her soul in search of stronger love and forgiveness to send to Sherpa. With perfect accuracy, she let her love fly through the air, hitting the dark lady in the heart. Sherpa screamed out in agony. Black smoke rose in the air and clashed with the white light. She placed her hand on Sherpa’s heart. The last scream from Sherpa echoed in the livery. Her body crumbled and then turned to dust.
“You still have to defeat me, Greta.” Cleo huffed out her annoyance. “Your words and spells cannot hurt me. I am not as weak as the others.” She held out both hands and produced a huge black crystal ball. Dark mist floated inside the orb.
“Not a problem. Say your good-byes, Cleo. You have not disgraced your family or the clan. Only yourself. We all forgive you because you were influenced by the Black Magic Coven. They used you, Cleo.” Greta drew in a long breath. Soil, hay, and splinters from the rotten boards of the livery whirled around them. The evil spirits contained in the crystal thickened inside the glass prison. “Everyone in the clan loves you, Cleo. Why do you do these vile things to your family and friends? You are free of the evil. It is now up to you.” The dark mist began to settle to the bottom of the ball.
Cleo glared at Greta and then flung the orb toward her. Greta easily caught the orb. Cleo screamed out and cursed Greta. The ancient guardians swarmed over Greta’s head as she chanted. Cleo covered her ears as the mumbles from the ancients blended in with Greta’s spell. Greta softly lowered the crystal ball on the floor and placed a mist of white light on the top. The weight of her love outweighed the evil in the orb. She turned and smiled at Cleo.
Cleo’s face turned red. Her hands shook. She narrowed her eyes and shot black daggers at Greta. The daggers fell short. Greta laughed at Cleo’s poor attempt to harm her.
Greta stared at Cleo. “Here, catch.”
Cleo stuck her hands out and caught the blessed talisman Greta tossed. It instantly began to glow with bright red light. Cleo screamed out in pain.
“Get this off me!” Cleo rubbed at the heart branded on her palm. “You will not get away with this, Greta.” Cleo ran for the open door of the barn.
Greta pursued Cleo. Her continuous words of kindness were aimed at Cleo. As they neared the open door, Robert Ray ran into the barn and pulled Cleo outside.
Thad ran in after Robert. “Let’s go, Greta.”
Greta ran for the door. She caught sight of the hem of Cleo’s cloak just as she entered the woods with Robert. Running as hard as she could, Greta chased the smell of black magic, Cleo’s cheap perfume, and the manure from the livery all mixed to take over Cleo. Thad’s labored breath and his close footsteps soothed Greta as they ran through to woods.
Thorny brush ripped at her legs. Debris cut into the soles of her feet. Twigs from low hanging branches slapped at her face and tangled in her hair. Tree roots spread across the winding path.
Cleo’s quivering voice begged for anyone in the Black Magic coven to help. Greta continued her pursuit despite the burning in her legs. The pain in her side felt as if she had been stabbed by a heated blade. Nothing could stop her from taking Cleo to justice. Whether it was in front of the gaje or the gypsy, Greta didn’t care. Cleo was going to pay for the wrongs she committed to both worlds. And she was taking Robert Ray to the gallows with her.
Thad and Greta followed the two as
they wound their way through the woods. When they reached the clearing, Robert stopped. The clan closed in around him and Cleo. He raised his hands in the air and turned his eyes to Cleo. “I give up. I’m out of that evil coven, Cleo. It has caused me nothing but trouble. This time I cannot escape from trouble. You vile excuse for a woman. I no longer have any use for you and your kind.”
Greta’s elbow made contact with Thad’s side. He glanced at her and raised his brow. She nodded, and Thad took a few steps forward. He raised his hand and placed it on Robert’s heart. The clan harmonized with Thad’s healing chants. As he was being led to the side of the clearing, Robert was mumbling something about love, forgiveness, and kindness. How much wrong he had done to his mother and father. He prayed he would be able to see them one last time, so he could apologize and tell them how much he loved them.
Thad leaned into Greta and whispered, “Your turn.”
Greta stepped forward. As she raised her hand, Cleo slapped it away. She screamed her hatred for not only Greta and Thad but for the clan as well. Greta tried again, but this time met the resistance of the gnarled fingers of Doriya that clutched her wrist.
“Do not waste your good heart on that one. She is evil to the bone and will not escape the wrath to be placed upon her.”
Greta swiped at her eyes. “You’re alive!” Thad joined Greta in a slight celebratory dance around their Shuvihani.
Cleo and the gaje were bound and taken to the caravan. Greta moved closer to Thad. Thad’s hand rested on the small of Greta’s back. The entourage stopped in front of them.
“Why, Cleo? What did I do to cause so much hatred in you?” Greta took a step toward her.
Cleo twisted around, but her father held tight to her arm. “You always get everything you want. If Greta wanted it, she got it. Even though my papa had more money than yours, you still had all the friends, the envy of the clan, everything. I had nothing!”
“That’s not true. You were my friend for years. How many times did I ask you to go pick berries or make baskets with me? I reached out to you. I tried to fix our friendship, but you wouldn’t allow it.” Greta watched Cleo’s lip quiver. “I’m sorry you feel the way you do.”