by Tara Weeks
“Hey. Glad to see you’re still here.” He said, getting out of the car, looking directly at Selene.
“Where else would we be? We’re kind of stuck here, remember?” Cassie said.
“Oh. It’s just Ravi—the landlord—called me, accusing me of pulling his leg. He said he came up to the house to welcome you and go over the details of your stay here, but there was no answer,” Marek explained, running a hand through his sweaty, sandy blond hair.
“Ah, well…” Cassie started, looking over at Selene quickly before continuing. “We went for a walk. You know, exploring the grounds and all that. I guess we just lost track of time.”
“Then we lost Addie, so we were looking everywhere for her,” Selene added. Her voice came out with a bit of a squeak, and she wished the ground would open up and swallow her.
Marek grinned but said nothing and Selene snuck a glance up at him, watching him intently as he rubbed his short-cropped beard like he was trying to think of what to say.
“So we need to find Addie. I know Auberon must seem quaint to the three of you, but it’s not safe to wander around after dark on your own. Especially up here.”
“Why?” Selene asked, as panic hit her in the chest. “What’s up here that we should worry about?”
“Oh, nothing!” he blurted, flashing her a slight smile. “It’s just old, and no one’s lived here for so long; you don’t know what’s out there,” he said all too quickly. “Where were you when you last saw her?”
“Well, we went for a walk through the woods and found these old ruins…” Cassie started.
“You found the Auberon Urn?” Marek asked, his eyes wide.
“Uh, yeah. It wasn’t like it was hard…” Cassie said slowly, flicking a quick look at Selene.
Marek nodded slowly, rubbing at his beard again.
“Why? Were we not supposed to go there?” Selene asked, puzzled by his reaction. “There weren’t any no trespassing signs or anything.”
“Evidently,” he replied, his blue eyes locked on hers as though he was trying to see into her soul.
Selene chewed on her lower lip, not liking how awkward and strange she felt.
Cassie cleared her throat. “So, like I was saying, we were at the, uh, Auberon Urn and we haven’t seen Addie since. We thought maybe she’d come back to the house, but when we got back, we couldn’t see any sign of her here either.”
“Hmm.” Marek said, looking past them into the house. “Do you mind if I use the phone? I should call Ravi.”
“Uh, sure. I’ll show you…”
“It’s fine, thank you, I know where it is.” Marek said, striding between them and into the house.
Selene waited until he was out of earshot. “Is it just me, or is he acting strangely?”
“Strangely. Did you see his face when we mentioned the Auberon Urn?” Cassie whispered.
Selene nodded. “Maybe it’s some kind of sacred relic that you’re not supposed to go near or something. Right now I’m more concerned about finding Addie.”
“Agreed,” Cassie said, grabbing her arm and leading them through the house to the kitchen where Marek was just hanging up the phone.
“Ravi’s on his way,” he said, walking over to the windows and looking out into the night towards the bordering trees.
“So, uh, what do we do in the meantime? Should I try to find some flashlights and we can start looking through the woods again?” Cassie asked.
“That won’t be necessary.” Marek stated, turning to look at them over his shoulder. “Your friend’s no longer here.”
Chapter Five
Addie
T
he tunnel was narrow, dank and dark, and all Addie could see was the purple smoke drifting along up ahead. The creature’s pace quickened the further along they went and she was struggling to keep up.
Suddenly, she tripped over the uneven terrain, and fell heavily forwards. Groaning, she sat back as she rubbed at her aching knees and elbow. Her arm felt sticky; she was sure her elbow was bleeding, but using the wall for support she pulled herself back to her feet.
Oh crap.
The smoke—and the figure—were both gone.
Addie took a quick glance into the blackness behind her, considering turning back, yet she didn’t know how she could get out that way. She knew the only way was forward.
Come on, Addie. You wanted adventure? Well, now you’ve got it. So put on your big girl pants and keep moving.
Taking a deep breath, Addie hobbled onwards, refusing to acknowledge the pain in her knees and elbow as she used the wall to guide her forwards. She had only walked a short distance when the tunnel ended, and she stepped into a magnificent cavern. It rose so high that the only way she could make out the ceiling was because of the numerous crystal stalactites that hung from it.
Where am I?
In the middle of the cavern was an orb, suspended in mid-air like a giant looking glass filled with smoke. The smoke changed colors—purple, to blue, to green, and then grey. Addie felt mesmerized by it, and she walked towards it without a second thought. As she neared, she could have sworn she heard voices. They were quiet at first, and Addie strained to hear them. Yet they quickly grew louder, more urgent. They sounded like they were coming from within the orb, but also all around her. The voices made her feel on edge and even though she couldn’t understand the words, the tone was loud and clear.
Danger. Get out. Now.
Addie conceded there was no other choice—she had to go back the way she came. Yet as she ran to the wall behind her, the tunnel was no longer there.
That’s impossible!
Thinking she must have become disoriented, she ran her hands along the wall. She ran the entire way around the cavern and there wasn’t a single exit. She felt sick to her stomach as panic seized her; the increasing volume did little to calm her.
Suddenly the colored smoke in the orb turned an inky black, and the voices ceased. All but one.
He’s here.
Addie pressed her back to the wall, willing herself to disappear into the shadows. The orb trembled with a vibration so strong she could feel it through her feet. As she saw a large, black boot step out from the smoke, she placed a hand over her mouth, fighting against the urge to scream.
A man stepped out, tall and stocky. Dressed all in black, he wore a black cape decorated with gold thread. His long black hair was pulled back and gathered in tiny braids and his beard was long with gold strands woven through it. There was something about his presence that made Addie’s skin crawl—her senses were on overdrive as she tried her best to remain out of sight.
“May I suggest, in the future, if you wish to remain out of sight, then perhaps wear something a little more inconspicuous,” the man said, slowly turning his head to the side to stare at her. His eyes were the same color gold as the thread.
Addie remained silent, but the man continued as though her response was irrelevant.
“I suppose I should thank you. If it wasn’t for your little impromptu arrival, I would still be in the Nethers.”
He walked away from the orb, his steps purposeful as Addie slowly slid along the wall in the opposite direction, trying to keep her distance as a thousand questions ran through her head.
Who is this guy?
What is he talking about?
How can I get out of here?
“I have to admit, Adamina, I had my money on Cassiopeia…”
“How do you know my name?” Addie blurted out before she could stop herself.
He paused in his pacing and stared at her, one eyebrow slightly raised. “I can’t decide if you’re being coy, or if you really don’t know…”
Addie kept her expression as neutral as she could as she tried to buy some time.
I’ve got to get out of here. But how?
Before she could take her next breath, he was in front of her, close enough to reach out and touch her.
How did he move so fast?
Addie gasped and looked from one side to the other, but she knew that she couldn’t move in either direction without him reaching her.
I’m trapped.
His gold eyes glinted despite the darkness. “You can't play games with me, Adamina. I know you better than that. Or did you forget?”
“You’re a madman! I’ve never seen you before in my life!” Addie hissed at him, cursing herself for reaching into the urn.
“A madman, yes, I’ve heard that before,” he chuckled to himself, withdrawing a dagger from within the folds of his cape and raising it before him, so the tip rested beneath Addie’s chin. “Now tell me how to control the portal, or I will hurt you. You know that I can.”
“What portal? What are you talking about?” Addie tried to wriggle away from the knife, but he only poked it harder.
“Do you think I’m a fool? First you use it to trap me in the Nethers for over a hundred years, and then out of nowhere you release me, only to pretend you know nothing of it? If you think I will let you or anyone else send me back there, you have another think coming. Now tell me how it works!” His anger reverberated around the cavern and Addie looked up, fearful that the vibration would send the stalactites falling onto them.
“I told you! I don’t know what you’re talking about! I don’t know who you are or what the Nethers are. I just want to get out of here and get back to my friends!” she spat.
“Friends?” He lowered the knife, chuckling to himself as he rubbed his forehead with his freehand. “I’m assuming you mean Cassiopeia and Selene? They’re here with you?”
“Not here, here. But yes.”
“Of course they are. And you expected me to believe you have no idea what you’re doing. Well, I’m not fooled, and now it’s time for you to pay your dues!”
Before he could move, Addie felt like time had frozen, while simultaneously speeding up. Her mouth fell open as she watched both what the man was doing, and what he was going to do.
Holy crap!
Addie ducked as time returned to normal, having seen him throw the ball of lightning towards her before he did. Her bruised knees protested as they once again hit the stone, but she knew she didn’t have time to waste.
A second ball of lightning exploded into the wall above her, and she covered her head with her hands as she tried to scurry out of the way.
Diving across the cavern floor, she landed heavily on her left shoulder but rolled across the room before his next blow put an actual hole in the wall where she’d just been.
If ever you were going to have actual power to control your destiny, Addie, now is the time to work out what kind of bloody power it is.
Chapter Six
Cassie
W
hat do you mean Addie’s not here anymore? Of course she’s not here. If she was, then we wouldn’t have called you.” Cassie said, her hands on her hips as she frowned at Marek.
He remained silent, looking out into the night.
Cassie looked to Selene where she stood beside the kitchen island, but she just shrugged her shoulders.
“I told Ravi I’d meet him out the front.” Marek said, turning from the window but avoiding looking at either of them as he strode out of the kitchen.
“What the hell was that about?” Cassie asked, sliding onto a stool.
“Maybe he’s just worried for Addie, like we are?” Selene suggested.
Cassie shook her head. “No. He knows something. I can feel it.”
“Have you always been this suspicious of people?” Selene asked, softening the question with a smile.
"I’m not suspicious, I can just read people and places well. I’ve always been able to. It’s easy enough to see when someone’s being shady. People aren’t as complex as they like to think they are,” Cassie explained, pulling the bottle of vermouth towards her. “Do you think it would be unseemly to have a drink while Addie’s missing?”
“Maybe, but I sure could use one,” Selene stated as she started rummaging through the cupboards for glasses.
“While we’re waiting, how about you try that neat little trick you mentioned earlier? See if it works again?” Cassie suggested, running her fingers over the bottle of vermouth.
“I can tell by the tone in your voice that you don’t believe me,” Selene said dryly as she placed two glasses on the bench.
“It’s more that I’m just the kind of person who needs to see things for myself. Do you think you could do it again?” Cassie asked.
“Do what, exactly?” Selene asked, looking around the kitchen.
“I don’t know, maybe you could try turning water into wine.” Cassie joked, but as she looked up, she saw the smile on Selene’s face as she picked up one of the glasses and filled it with water from the sink. Placing it on the bench between them, Selene stared at it, chewing her lip.
“So?” Cassie asked.
“Hold your horses. I don’t know how I did it the first time.” Selene snapped.
“Well, you said you were holding the bottle the first time. Maybe you need to hold it?” Cassie suggested, leaning forward on her elbows.
Selene held up her hands and hesitated before closing her eyes. It felt to Cassie like she was taking ages, and it was all she could do not to drum her fingers on the bench top.
Finally, Selene opened her eyes, and Cassie realized she’d been so focused on Selene’s motionlessness that she hadn’t seen what was happening right in front of her.
“Holy shit! You did it!” Cassie clapped her hands. “Taste it!”
Selene picked up the glass and tentatively held it up to her lips. “Oh, that is so good.”
“Let me try.” Cassie held her hand out and took a swig, closing her eyes as she savored the mouthful. “I don’t know how the hell you did that, but that is the best tasting wine I think I’ve had in my entire life.” When she reopened her eyes, she saw Selene grinning at her.
“What is it?” Cassie asked. “Have I spilled wine on myself?”
“No. But I have a theory about what’s happened since we arrived in Auberon.” Selene whispered, looking out through the entryway in case Marek was lurking around.
“And that would be?” Cassie asked.
“I think we’re witches.” Selene stated.
“Witches…” Cassie scoffed. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“Is it so hard to fathom? After everything that’s happened recently?” Selene asked.
“Well, yes. I told you before. Witches don’t exist. It must just be some kind of side effect of inhaling that smoke earlier. It’s messed with us somehow.” Cassie theorized.
“No, I don’t agree.” Selene stated. “I think we were brought together for a reason. I know…” she held up her hands before Cassie could protest. “I consider myself to be a pretty level-headed person, but this entire chain of weird-ass events can’t be a coincidence.”
“But what if it is?” Cassie asked.
“And what if it isn’t?” Selene countered.
Cassie could see the sparkle of excitement in her eyes and she had to admit to that becoming a part of something greater than herself had more appeal than she could say. Yet, there were too many reasons to hesitate. She remained pensive as Selene made them both a martini.
“A penny for your thoughts?” Selene said, sipping her own drink.
Cassie put her glass down and ran her finger around the rim. “Let’s just say for a moment, that we’re going with your theory that we’ve been brought here for a reason. Why us? I mean, you probably couldn’t have picked three more different women to throw together if you tried.”
“True.” Selene said, “But variety is the spice of life, as they say.”
“Yes, but I mean, have you ever shown any interest in the paranormal, or the occult, witchcraft, anything?” Cassie pressed. “Because I know I haven’t.”
“Honestly, no. All I wanted was a change. To reclaim
my life.” Selene said wistfully.
“Same here. That was literally the reason I was at the airport in the first place. I was looking for a fresh start.” Cassie confessed.
“So was I.” Selene confirmed. “Do you think Addie was too?”
Cassie shrugged, “It seems likely, given how things seem to align between us.”
“It’s probably not relevant, but the day of our flight was my birthday.” Selene said.
“Same here…” Cassie sat up straighter and looked at Selene.
“What’s the bet it was Addie’s too?” Selene stated.
Cassie just nodded, her mind racing. Despite her rebuttal, she felt hopeful this was more than a coincidence. The sound of a loud car horn interrupted her thoughts as it honked outside.
Cassie raised an eyebrow in distaste. “I take it that’s the landlord?”
Selene grinned. “Yes, it seems we’ve been summoned.”
Cassie rolled her eyes as she hopped off the stool and followed Selene out of the kitchen. “Next thing you know, he’ll be out there leaning against some ridiculously expensive car all cocky and shit.”
Selene giggled, “My soon to be ex-husband drove a ridiculously expensive car.”
“My point exactly.” Cassie grinned.
They walked out the front and Cassie immediately heard Selene try to stifle a laugh as they found their landlord leaning against a shiny black Audi, looking like he’d stepped out of an advertisement for successful businessmen. Despite the lean, it was clear he was tall, and with his hands folded across his chest, his arm muscles showed that he also worked out.
“He’s probably one of those preening gym guys that spends more time admiring themselves in the mirror than they do working out,” Cassie thought to herself.
His hair was black, expertly styled, and his clean-shaven face showed off his chiseled jaw. His eyelashes were as dark as his hair and his blue eyes had a mischievous twinkle to them that only made Cassie scowl further. She didn’t attempt to hide the look of distaste from her expression—there was nothing she detested more than flashy men. In her opinion, the more money they had, the more obnoxious they seemed to be. He stood up as he saw them, holding out his hand in greeting.