Blaire’s shoulder brushed mine as she helped to steady the book. “Together?” she said, pressing her mouth into a thin line.
“Together,” I agreed. The corners of the grimoire bit into the tips of my fingers as we read aloud, “As the sun sleeps the moon rises to shine. Unbroken, be the ties that bind. Winter’s Moon will come at last. Behold, the future is the present and the past.” My vision sparked white around the edges as a blazing light erupted from the grimoire. An explosion of heat scoured my skin where the amulet rested. I cried out, dropping the grimoire as I clawed at the necklace with rigid fingers, attempting to wrench the stone from my chest. Liquid fire flooded my veins, burning and scorching me from the inside out. My eyes snapped shut, knees buckling.
“Quinn!” Wren’s voice penetrated through the excruciating torture. I felt his hands tighten on my shoulders as I hit the ground, but his touch only heightened the burn. The fire had spread to my throat–too hot now to scream.
You know who I am, White One, call out my name.
“The enchantress isn’t here.” I picked out the strain in Hailey’s voice. “The sun is almost in full eclipse now. What do we do?”
“Quinn, can you hear me?” That was Blaire.
“What’s happening to her?” Wren’s tone was gravel, raw with anguish and rage. His hands were still on my shoulders–his arm, moving under my back as if to support my weight. I couldn’t see anything. The fire had blinded me–it was burning me alive and they couldn’t see it happening because it was on the inside. I couldn’t move my limbs or my mouth to make them understand that I was dying. My muscles were melting; veins and sinew all turning to mush and waste inside my body.
Call my name and make it stop. Tether us together, White One.
“What’s happening to her eyes?”
“What the hell is that?”
“They’re… stars.”
Like the map of the galaxy glowing in the eyes of the owl. The owl called Orion–clues–all clues. They called her Winter, my mother had written. She goes by many names but what her true name is, I will not speak. She’s a lunar goddess with an affinity for animals. Lunar goddess–affinity for animals–all clues, I thought. Let Orion show you the way. In my mind, I saw the little golden bow and arrow light up on the page of the grimoire.
You know who I am. Call my name and this will all be over.
“Artemis!” I choked out.
Was this what dying felt like?
There was no blinding bright light at the end of the tunnel, or a familiar voice calling out to welcome me to the Great Beyond. I couldn’t see anything in the veil of endless black. The pain was gone–in fact, I couldn’t feel anything. Not just physically, but, also emotionally. I was contentedly numb.
You can’t stay here, a voice said. There was a cosmic ring to its tone. Where was it coming from, and how could I make it go away? Didn’t she understand that I was dying? There was nothing left for me back in the world in which I’d left.
Not true, she said, as if she could read my mind. How could you forget? Her face appeared before me, indescribably beautiful and radiant. Her features were framed by thick auburn hair that seemed to be floating in the air around her; the silken strands catching light as they drifted along. She bent before me, pressing her rosebud lips to the space between my eyes, and my fragmented mind was restored.
The ache in my chest expanded as Wren’s beautiful face filled my mind’s eye. He was my whole world. I needed him. That ache crumpled and expanded, squeezing my heart until all I could do was choke on the sobs that had risen in my throat. There were other faces now–faces from my childhood that smiled at me. I saw my parents, Annabelle, Torrance, Huck and Jamie and knew that I had to keep fighting for their sake. Blaire’s face came into view, and a fresh pang of grief tightened in my chest. I couldn’t leave them yet. I needed to get back to them–back to Wren.
Dúisigh, the voice commanded.
I opened my eyes and bolted upright, sucking in a sharp lungful of air. I coughed, head pounding. Strong arms smashed my frame against a solid chest. My face folded into the curve of a neck, and the scent of the forest and sea burned my nostrils. Wren’s hands were rough against my face, brushing the hair back from my eyes. When I was finally able to look up at him, his large golden eyes were glossed over, a mix of tribulation and relief contorting his eyebrows.
“I thought I lost you. I thought you were–” his rough voice broke on the words. His thumb stroked my cheekbone, warm lips pressing to my brow.
It took most of my effort but I reached up, catching the side of his face in my palm. “I’m sorry,” I managed. He caught my hand, squeezing it.
“Oh, thank goddess,” Blaire breathed behind him.
“W-what happened?” I blinked against the dim lighting I now realized was haloed behind his head. I saw that our group had gathered around, but their faces were in blurs. I tried to sit up, but the motion caused pain to spike through my chest. I winced.
“Take it easy love, you’re hurt.”
“She’ll be all right,” said a feminine voice. I twisted my head to the side, trying to peer up at the face it belonged to. She was more beautiful than humanly possible, with skin so flawless even her age was impossible to determine. She looked just as she had in my dream–long, dark-auburn hair cascaded down the middle of her back with eyes that matched in color. I studied the braided leather cuffs on her arms–arm guards for archery–and the dainty silver jewelry she wore looked as though it had been fashioned from the moon. The pendant around her neck depicted a downward facing crescent moon with three arrows piercing the center.
“Artemis,” I breathed. “You’re here.”
“Not for long, I’m afraid. I’m sorry it has to be like this, but it was the only conceivable way I could come to you. It’s forbidden for gods and goddesses to interfere with mankind, but the power of the eclipse is keeping me shielded from their watchful eye.”
A frown creased my brow. “How did you know we would need you?”
Artemis smiled, and the silver moonlight glossed her lower lip. “That is quite a long tale, so I shall try to explain the short version.” She paused, drawing a breath. “I was born unto the Titan god Zeus and Titaness Leto. Since the beginning of time, I’ve always loved nature and all her divine creatures. I vowed to be a protector of nature and women, to be a Light Bringer, and to always watch after those who still seek my aid–”
“You’re a Light Bringer?” I interrupted.
“She is thee Light Bringer,” Bryna said in a voice of awe.
Artemis cast a glance my way, and her russet eyes glittered like the stars. “When the Dark Witch rose to power, it was I who called for the creation of the White Witch. Luiseach was a daughter of my desire to restore balance between Light and Dark. I breathed life into her, but it was she who established the Trinity. I’ve always been watching your bloodline, Quinn. That’s how I knew your mother would need my help protecting you.”
I swallowed over a lump that had begun to rise in my throat. “You created Luiseach?”
Artemis nodded. “The Light Bringers needed a champion to bring an end to the Darkness. Since I could not physically enter the human world, I called upon nature to fashion a maiden from the earth and breathe life into her. She was to be Pandora’s incarnate–a human version of the goddess herself with the purest of white Light. After all, there must always be balance between Light and Dark.”
“If you can’t physically enter the human world, how is it that you are here right now?” Ryker asked the goddess.
“It’s the eclipse,” Blaire answered. “We’re being held in suspension between the realms.”
“We are, my daughter, yes.” Artemis turned her lovel
y smile towards Blaire. “The stars are in planetary alignment with this exact spot but only for a few short moments. I wish I had more time to spend with each of you, but this is all the time I have to offer. The Trinity has a very dangerous journey ahead of them. More dangerous than any that’s ever been.” The goddess reached out, her fingertips brushing against my arm.
“That’s why we came to you. We were hoping you could help us find a way to destroy the Dark Witch’s amulet.” I reached up, fingertips brushing over the stone and the fresh wound it had left on my chest.
“We were told that nothing on earth could cause its destruction,” Blaire added. “That’s why the Aurora Coven has been guarding it for generations.”
Artemis nodded, touching the moonstone with her index finger and the jewel began to glow. “The Lord of the Underworld began to whisper to Rionach’s bloodline,” she said. “The Dark Lord thrives on death and chaos, and must remain trapped in the nine circles, for if he is freed, the world as you know it will end. That’s why he wants to wake her. Rionach is the only being that’s ever come closest to bringing an end to your world.”
“The sacrifices in the Hollow…”
“They failed,” Artemis said. Her starlit gaze rested on Wren. “Your father’s death was a sacrifice for the Light. His blood was given in protection to the hallowed ground because I knew the beings you call rogues would try to poison the Nexus. I am truly sorry for your loss, Wren, but your father died a warrior to our cause. He understood what was required of him, and his sacrifice has atoned for his past sins. Please take comfort that he is in peace in the realm of the Otherworld, and you will meet him again one day.” Artemis clasped Wren’s shoulder, and my eyes burned hot with tears.
“You’re the one who sent me the vision before he died,” I said, dropping my gaze from her face. Silent tears began streaming from the corners of my eyes. “I thought I was supposed to save him. I thought it was my fault he died.”
“No, daughter.” Artemis’s voice rang with such tenderness the sound nearly broke what was left of my resolve. “I only meant to show you that it had to be done.”
“So how do we stop the Dark Witch?” Wren spoke evenly. “How do I guarantee that my father’s sacrifice wasn’t for nothing?”
A shadow passed behind Artemis’s eyes before she spoke. “The Trinity is young, and though there is great power within you, you still have much to learn. In the months to come, there will be a rise in Darkness. The forces of Light must unify and take a stand against the corruption.” Artemis paused, looking around at each of our faces. “The unity of Light must start here. Before it’s over, you will have to summon the Dark Witch and vanquish her before the amulet can be destroyed.”
“You want us to bring her back?” I heard myself say. My heart picked up pace, frantically beating against its feeble cage of bones. That wasn’t the answer I’d been expecting. Wren’s hand worked up the side of my arm, fingertips squeezing into my shoulder.
“How?” Blaire asked.
“With help,” Artemis answered. “The world has awakened a young necromancer not far from here. She’s new and doesn’t understand the rare and potential power of her gifts. You’re going to need her on your side, for it was her blood that Nyla stole to give to the human woman of Rionach’s bloodline. It is how the summoning must take place.”
“The summoning?” I raised my eyebrows.
“Your bloodline can awaken Rionach’s spirit,” Artemis said to Blaire, “but the ritual to bring her body back requires the blood of a necromancer, spilled onto her amulet as an offering to bind her to her bones.”
I shivered; the tiny hairs on the back of my neck crawling upwards.
“The Aurora Coven has a necromancer,” Bryna said. “What need have we of this girl?”
Artemis smiled, but the light didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Her blood is the key to vanquishing the Dark Witch and destroying the amulet for good.”
“How do we find her?” I asked.
“Her name is Emery Green. I wish I could share more, but I’ve risked enough of fate as it is. I hope you understand that this is all I can leave you with.” Artemis looked up at the sky behind me, at the fireflies twinkling in suspension. The moon was slipping past the surface of the sun, sliding out of alignment with the eclipse. “Rionach will meet her end in the place where it all began. To vanquish her, you must go to Ireland. Unite the Ossory clans.”
“When?” I asked.
The light was already shifting; the sunlight bleeding through the clouds above.
“I’m afraid I’m out of time.” Artemis stood and turned her face towards the sky. “Be brave, my sons and daughters. You will know when the time is right.”
The world split in two, blinding us all with brilliant strands of shimmering light. I shielded my face with my arm, squeezing my eyes shut until Wren’s arm slid across my shoulders and I felt his breath against the side of my face.
“She’s gone,” he said.
For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. Artemis had departed before all our questions could be answered, and yet, she had answered so many in such a short amount of time… With a trembling hand, I reached for the amulet, gripping the moonstone between my thumb and forefinger. I looked around at each face before me, chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. I lifted my chin as the weight of all that had happened settled on my shoulders. The burden was heavy, but I didn’t have to bear it alone.
“It starts with us,” I said. “If we want to see a change in our world, we have to be that change. Artemis said the forces of Light must come together in unity. The road ahead isn’t going to be easy, but I need to know now… if we’re in this, we’re in this together. So if anyone wants out, now’s your chance to say.”
“I’m in,” Wren spoke immediately.
“I’m in, too,” Blaire echoed. Bryna followed suit.
Ryker worked his jaw, shifting his gaze towards Hailey; her face a mirror image. After a short clip, Ryker spoke, “This goes way beyond the initial concern of the pack,” Ryker bit out, “however; if we don’t join this fight, I fear there might not be a life waiting for us when it’s all said and done. I think we can tolerate putting up with a few other Supernatural races if it means we’re saving the world.”
“As far as I’m concerned, we entered the big fight when we agreed to accompany you on this little adventure,” Hailey said. “No chance I’m backing out now.”
I nodded slowly. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
“This is what we were made for,” Blaire added, reaching for my hand, “this is our legacy… our calling.”
The power of the White Witch soared inside me, filling me with strength. Something had changed when Artemis pulled me back from the deep–awakening something ancient within my blood. What it was, I couldn’t yet say, but I knew this much… I wasn’t afraid.
I held out my hands, reaching for Wren and Blaire beside me, until everyone in our group had linked their hands together. “So mote it be,” I said, binding us once more in a mission to save the world from Darkness.
Epilogue
October had come and gone and November had taken its place, spreading through Silver Mountain in such a gentle, quiet manner that I couldn’t help but wonder if it was something akin to an eerie calm before the storm. I tried not to think about that too much and scanned the computer for the hundredth time, typing in variations of keywords and phrases to try and find the one thing we’d been futilely searching for since our return from the coastline.
Wren entered my bedroom, carrying a ceramic plate with a single vanilla cupcake complete with colorful sprinkles and a birthday candle poking out from its center. A smile crawled across my face as I spun in my chair. “Wha
t is that?” I asked, shaking my head.
“This?” Wren pointed to the cupcake and furrowed his brows. “Well, it’s a delicious dessert people sometimes eat in celebration of noteworthy events. For example, weddings, baby showers, graduations and birthdays are just a few of the things people tend to celebrate.” He grinned wryly.
“But it’s not really my birthday yet.” I narrowed my eyes at him.
“It will be in a few short minutes,” Wren said, gesturing to the little clock in the right-hand corner of the computer screen. “I just wanted to be the first to wish you a happy birthday.” He sat the plate down on the desk beside me, perching on the edge of my wooden trunk at the foot of the bed.
I swiveled the chair in his direction. “Have I told you that you’re the sweetest, most wonderful boyfriend a girl could ever hope for?”
“Not lately.” He grinned. “Do me a favor though and don’t go spreading that around. I have a reputation to uphold.” I snorted and rolled my eyes. He might ‘look’ like a bad-boy, but his heart was anything but. “So,” he said, “any luck tracking down our necromancer?”
I sighed, blowing out a breath that ruffled the hair across my forehead. “I keep searching for Emery Green but there are hundreds in the database. Artemis said she was new and young, so I’ve narrowed down my search to girls between the ages of ten and thirty.”
“And you’ve searched the North Carolina coastline?”
I nodded. “What if she doesn’t have social media?”
“We’ll find her.” Wren sounded more confident than I felt. He stood up from the trunk and bent forward to kiss me. “Happy birthday, Quinn. Make a wish.”
The corners of my mouth lifted as I drew a breath, staring at the flickering candle flame. I made the only wish I could think of: Please, help me find Emery. I blew out the candle, and Wren lightly traced the slope of my cheekbone before glancing up at my window.
The Calling of the Trinity (Trinity Cycle Book 2) Page 30