by T. A. Foster
“Leo Giovanni.”
“Is that Italian?” It sounded Italian, like mobster kind of Italian.
“Yes, my dear. Why?”
“Because Finn’s last name is Delano. Doesn’t it seem strange his human parents are Italian?” Maybe I was reading too much into it.
“I’m not sure.” She stood from the bench. “I’m headed in this direction.” She pointed to the street closest to us. It was the route to her townhouse. She wanted to see something between her and Leo one last time. I knew by being here, she was resolved with never coming back to this day.
“Gigi, what else? What else do I need to know to defeat them?” I didn’t want to talk about the Fire Spell, but these catastrophes seemed to descend upon my life when other more important things should be at the forefront, like spending time with my grandmother. I would give anything to spend the day with her on this bench laughing and talking.
She wrapped her arms around me. I inhaled the lavender for the last time. “You’re going to be fine. You’re a strong witch.” She patted my back as if she was sending me off to school. “But watch the moon cycles. They begin to gather during the new moon, but on the first night of the full moon on the last Friday of the month is their ceremony. There should only be one of those all year, so I hope you haven’t missed it.”
I took a mental note: first full moon Friday. It was like figuring out the date for Easter each year. I hoped it hadn’t happened yet. Maybe we had months to prepare for it. Maybe I would be able to make sense of everything by then.
“Bye-bye, dear. See you for dinner tomorrow.” She giggled then crossed the street.
I watched as she passed a storefront and walked out of view. My heart sank. I felt like I had lost her all over again.
I looked at the bench. I needed another moment to pull myself together before I returned to the present. My world was suddenly a heavy place to be in.
THE CONFERENCE room was quiet as I closed the supply closet door behind me. I pulled out my phone to check the time. I had no idea how long I had been in 1949. The minutes had blended into hours, and all I could do was try to absorb the enormity of what was in front of me.
My phone buzzed in my hand, taking in missed calls and texts that couldn’t reach me in 1949.
There was one from Ian.
We have a problem. Call me when you’re back.
I immediately tapped on his name to make the call. “What’s wrong?” I ditched the usual pleasantries.
Ian cleared his throat. “I think you’re going to have to come down here.”
“What do you mean? Where’s Finn?”
There was a long silence.
“Oh, he’s here.” My brother didn’t sound happy.
“So what’s the problem? Bring him back. I have to go look up moon charts and find out when we’re supposed to perform the spell.”
“Ivy, he’s not coming with me.”
I leaned against the conference room wall.
“What? He has to.” I was starting to get angry and I didn’t mean for it to rub off on Ian. I knew he was the messenger.
“He’s in the middle of something big and he won’t tell me what it is, but maybe you can figure it out or at least convince him to put it on hold. I’ve tried everything.” He paused. “Ivy, he’s different.”
I closed my eyes and sighed into the phone. “Ok. Text me the address. I’ll be there tonight. I have a few things to take care of here, but I’m on my way.”
“Will do. Sending it now.”
I ended the call and waited for Ian’s text. Things could not spiral out of control more than this. What could have gone so terribly wrong on Finn’s quest to make him deny his best friend’s request, or mine for that matter? The sinking feeling hit me again. What if I had been right? What if he had gotten over us, and the idea of a Fire Spell completely disinterested him. Maybe saving the world didn’t matter to him anymore. Could the quest have taken over?
If my keys weren’t in my room, I would have hopped in my car and headed south for Savannah without talking to Jack, but they were tossed somewhere in my leather bag and I wasn’t about to fiddle with a spell to hotwire my car. My mechanical skills weren’t that great.
I slipped the keycard into the door and pushed it open. Jack and Holly were on the bed watching a movie. They looked happy, chummy I’d say. At least he looked like he was in a better mood.
“Hey. How did the Time Spell go?” Holly asked. “We were watching a John Wayne movie. These westerns are kinda hot.”
I groaned. Right now, I would trade in all the world’s disasters and write that damn western if I could.
Jack stood and walked toward me. “You ok?” His eyes bore into mine as if he was searching for any ounce of hope I could give him.
“Um, are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Holly interrupted the moment.
“Right. I know.” I turned to face her. “I need your help while I’m gone.
“Gone? Where are you going?” Jack’s voice was rough.
I picked up my jacket and slung my leather bag over my shoulder. Maybe if I raced out of here it wouldn’t be nearly as awkward.
“I have to drive to Savannah. Ian needs help.” I looked at Holly. “Can you look up all the moon phases for this year and find the one when the first day of the full moon lands on the last Friday of the month? There should be only one all year.”
She looked puzzled.
“Grandma Grace told me that’s when we have to do the Fire Spell.”
“You talked to your grandmother?” Her voice rose an octave.
This would be hard to explain. “I did. She Time Spelled at the same time I did, and we ran into each other. Although, I’m starting to think nothing that has happened lately is a coincidence.”
“That is crazy.” Holly’s mouth was open.
“My head is still spinning. But, she told me more about the spell, and if I don’t get Finn on board with this plan, we’re going to have sixty-five more years of nightmares and evil cloaked men threatening people I care about.”
“What else?” she asked.
“There’s an island right off the harbor. Not Fort Sumter, but north of it. Can you research it for me? I don’t know if it will give us any more information or not, but it can’t hurt.”
Jack stepped forward. “I can do that. There’s no way I’m sitting here without doing something.”
Holly smiled. “We’ll handle the Scooby gang part. You go. If you need anything else, let me know.”
I reached for the door handle. “Keep Jack safe. I should be back later tonight.”
“Wait.” Jack placed his hand over mine. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s not safe.”
He pulled his shoulders back. “Then in the hall. I’ll be two feet from her.” He pointed at Holly.
I nodded and closed the door behind us. I could hear piano music playing through the overhead speakers.
“Maybe my timing is terrible, but who is this Finn guy? Is he the ex you uh…is he the one?” Jack’s eyes darted back and forth.
His timing was god-awful. I clutched the strap on my bag. “I-I— It’s complicated, but yes.”
“Ivy, I don’t understand anything that is going on.” His eyes shifted. “Nothing makes sense after this morning.” His thumb brushed along my jawline. “You and I make sense. I don’t know what I have to do to prove that to you.”
Of course Jack would be the type of man to fight for the woman he loved. Wasn’t that one of the things about him I always thought was so amazing? I couldn’t start a relationship conversation again. “Is that what you wanted to tell me?”
“Yes, and I want to throw your arms around my neck and kiss you until you think you’re drowning in me and just when you think you can’t take anymore, I’ll kiss you again. And this time you’ll ask me to open that door and take you to bed and finish everything we started.”
My knees went a little weak and I gripped my
leather bag.
He whispered, “That’s what I wanted to say.”
I nodded. “Ok. Ok.” My breath was ragged, and my heart rate was bumping through my veins.
He squeezed my hand. “I’ll see you later tonight.”
“Yep, see you later.”
I turned for the elevators and walked away before Jack tried that kissing move. Just talking about it made me blush. Dammit, he wasn’t making this any easier.
I GRIPPED the steering wheel and pointed my car south. I had two hours of South Carolina and Georgia roads to navigate. Ian hadn’t called or texted again. My phone rested in my cup holder, and I pressed my Bluetooth function so I could let him know I was on my way.
“Hey, I’m on the road. Should be there in two hours,” I reported.
“Good. Things aren’t getting any better.” Ian sounded worried.
“What are you talking about? Is Finn ok?” I pressed my foot harder on the accelerator.
“Ivy, spells are falling apart everywhere.”
“What do you mean?”
I hadn’t talked to anyone else in the family since I left for Charleston. My communication to others in the magical community was limited.
“Some weird things happened in Sullen’s Grove before I left. When you called to tell me about Holly’s Eraser Spell and then about Finn and your nightmares, I knew there was more to it.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” I was annoyed with my older brother.
“Because, I didn’t want to tell you I was having nightmares too.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” I didn’t know what to say. He shouldn’t be embarrassed; we couldn’t do anything to prevent them.
“Yeah, they’ve gotten stronger. I thought everything was an isolated incident until now. Our magic is at stake.”
“That can’t be. I just Time Spelled, and all my spells worked fine.”
Ian sighed. “You can do the spells, but they won’t hold. I know you’re on your way here, but don’t Time Spell for a while until we figure it out.”
“What? You’re afraid I’ll get stuck somewhere?” I laughed, but Ian’s silence made me stop.
“It’s serious. I should have told you before, but when I got to the hotel, we were in such a hurry and I didn’t want to worry you more.”
“What is it? What didn’t you tell me?” I clutched the wheel tighter.
“Mama told me that none of her elixirs are working lately. She tried to deliver some of her special cough medicine to one of the women at church who had taken ill, and it ended up making her twice as sick as she was before.”
“Oh no, that’s terrible. Will the woman be ok?” I couldn’t imagine how upset my mother must have been. Her potions were perfect. They healed the sick and saved lives. Making someone worse, surely would crush her.
“I think so, but she said she isn’t going to mix anything new for a while.” He sighed. “This morning I tried a Locality Spell to help with a missing teen back in Sullen’s Grove, and it didn’t work.”
“What do you mean it didn’t work? You just did the Locality Spell to find Finn.”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you, Ivy. It’s breaking the spells before we even know we can’t cast them. It’s faster than any of us can figure out. You and Finn may be the only real chance we have with the Fire Spell.”
The sour pit in my stomach swirled. There were some spells I didn’t enjoy performing as much as others, but this one sounded awful. I didn’t want to think about the palm cutting, or the crying. Ugh! Why was this our only solution? If it meant restoring my mother’s healing powers and Ian’s Locator skills, I would do whatever it took.
“I’m on my way. I’ll be there soon.”
“Be careful, sis.” He hung up.
I stared at the road in front of me. Things were unraveling faster than I could have imagined.
Sullen’s Grove, 2010
“What do you think about my waffle spot?” Finn asked while pouring a circle of syrup on his plate.
I smiled. “I think it’s perfect.”
The older couple who owned the place smiled at us from behind the counter. It was unlikely they served waffles often to customers dressed in full black tie attire. My date looked like he should be on the cover of GQ in his tuxedo. I didn’t know men like him were in Sullen’s Grove. I couldn’t stop staring at his eyes. They were a brilliant blue. It made me blush every time he winked at me.
“So, Ivy Grace. Tell me something about yourself.” His expression was devilish, almost as if he was undressing me with his eyes rather than asking a standard getting-to-know-you question.
He had already seduced me out of my designer gown and heels. We were doing this all backward.
I sipped the coffee our waitress poured. “Well, you already know my biggest secret.” I smiled.
“That I do.” He winked, making my knees go a little weak.
“I work for a marketing company. I have a dog named Cooper. Oh, and I’m a Scorpio. What about you?”
“Hmm, let me see. I like long walks on the beach, dancing with beautiful women, and waffles.” He bit on the end of his fork.
I laughed. He was smooth, and I loved every line he fed me along with the waffles.
“Here, try a bite of mine.” He served a forkful over the table, and I leaned toward him to take it.
“Mmm. Those are good.”
He wiped my bottom lip with his thumb. “A little syrup.” He smiled. “I know we just met, but what about your non-human position?” he whispered.
I shrugged my shoulders. “I’m a Traveler. What about you?”
His eyes lit up. “A Traveler? That sounds hot.”
Did he realize everything he said sounded hot?
“I don’t travel much anymore. I sort of stopped after my grandmother died. I’ll probably pick it up again.” It had been a few months since I had tried the spell. “And you?”
He cut into the last waffle on his plate. “I’m a Guardian.”
“Impressive.” His sex appeal had suddenly skyrocketed. After the evening we spent on the roof, I wasn’t sure how that was possible. Holly and I used to talk about Guardians like they were knights in shining armor. Finn was the first one I had met. Maybe knights wore tuxedos and drank champagne instead of armor and ale.
He flashed a grin. “What do you say we get out of here?” He nodded toward the door.
I was hoping our date wouldn’t end, but I had never been in this situation. What was the protocol for sleeping with someone you just met, then eating a meal together? Did we go home separately? Should I invite him over?
“Sure. What did you have in mind?” I would put the ball in his court; clearly, he could handle it. This guy had more finesse than all my exes combined.
“Have you ever been to Oaks Park at night?” His eyebrows lifted.
“I’ve gone plenty of times during the day but never at night.” I placed my hand in his as he guided me from the table.
“Then this is your lucky night,” he whispered in my ear as he pushed open waffle shop door. “After you, babe.”
If only I knew then how that night would change my life.
Savannah, Present Day
Ian said I’d be able to spot his car from the road. I hadn’t been to Savannah since the trip Finn and I took together. It wasn’t a pleasant reminder for me.
I parked behind Ian’s car and scanned the sidewalk for observers. All I could think about was that inside that house was Finn. After almost a year, he was here.
I pulled the key from the ignition and tried to steady my hands. I wasn’t sure what he was doing here, at this house. It was planted in the heart of the city, surrounded by historic homes. It looked eerily similar to the vacant one we used for our Time Spell. Heavy raindrops splashed on the windshield.
The moss on the oaks swayed. I hurried up the stairs to the wraparound porch, trying to avoid the pelting rain. Before I got any farther, Ian met me at the top of the steps.
“Hey.
You made it.”
I pulled on my bag. “Yes, I’m here. Where’s Finn?”
He nodded toward the door. “He’s inside.”
I moved to walk past my brother, but he stopped me. “Ivy, wait he’s not the same.”
My eyes shot to his. “What do you mean? Is he hurt?” I wanted to barge past him more than before.
“Remember when I said the spells are breaking down?”
I was afraid to answer. “Yes.”
“All of his Protection Spells are gone. Every one he cast has evaporated.”
My hand flew to my mouth. “No. No. They can’t be. What about the people those spells were keeping safe?” I didn’t know how often or how many spells Finn cast, but as a Guardian, it was likely a large number.
Ian put his hands on my shoulders. “They are dying.”
“Oh my God. We have to do something.” I rushed to the door. “We have to do the Fire Spell.”
My brother jerked me around. “Yes, you do, but he can’t get past what is happening. You have to convince him.” His eyes bore into mine. “Can you change his mind?”
I nodded. I had no idea what state Finn was in. I couldn’t possibly imagine what it would feel like if people I was protecting suddenly started to die. It was unthinkable. However, Finn and I had a connection unlike any other. If anyone could persuade him, I knew it would be me. We had to stop the pain from spreading.
Ian hugged me. “You might need that.” He smiled. “I’ll stay out here and keep an eye out. Take your time.”
I turned the door handle and walked into the house. Finn needed me.
FROM THE foyer, all I could hear was the sound the rain made against the windows. The rooms were dark.
“Finn?” I called. I walked to the next room. “Finn, I need to talk to you.” I thought, for a second, I should ask Ian where he was. I had already walked through three rooms and there was no trace of him.
I entered a sitting room and noticed a sliding glass door. A screened porch off the room jutted into the backyard. From where I stood, I could see his silhouette. He was sitting in a chair with his back to the glass, staring at the rain.