The Phoenix and the Witch

by H. M. Gooden

  Robin turned to look at Evelyn, then moved close enough to touch her forehead with a gentle caress. "Look inside, love," he said.

  Cat watched as Evelyn's head fell back and her eyes glazed over, as she experienced the vision Robin was sharing. This time Cat was left to wait, not knowing where Robin was taking Evelyn. It wasn't long before he turned back to Zahara and Cat.

  "I must leave, but know this. It is time for the five of you to join together. It begins now so you must be ready."

  Robin disappeared so fast it was almost as though he'd never been there, leaving the girls standing in the sunlit glade, confused and frightened.

  "What did you see?" Zahara asked Cat. She knew Robin better than the others did but appeared studiously unconcerned.

  Cat shuddered, thinking about the images that she'd seen.

  "He showed me the witch, Carman, I think was her name, and about how she disappeared, but then a tree appeared where she'd been before. Then I watched this same tree move through time, centuries or longer, I don't know. It got more twisted and dark, looking progressively more dead and awful until some men came and died. Then the tree was alone again. I think it's the same tree I've been seeing in my dreams, the one that bleeds and yells at me."

  Cat rubbed her arms, hugging herself and attempting to bring warmth back after the vision had drained it away. She looked at Evelyn, who'd snapped out of the vision that Robin had given her and she looked like she was going to be sick.

  "Are you okay, Evelyn? What did you get for the candy surprise in your brain-movie?" Cat tried to lighten the mood, but failed miserably.

  Evelyn looked at her wanly. "I don't think you want to know."

  Cat and Zahara both groaned.

  "No, probably not. But go ahead if you feel up to it."

  Evelyn sighed and dropped down on a nearby stump. "Remember how we thought Dub was dead? And hoped that all his minions were gone too?"

  Cat felt herself get mad. The heat from her rage had already travelled up her neck to her face by the time she spoke.

  "What do you mean? He'd better be dead. That was kind of a big deal on the bridge that night. You know, when I DIED."

  Evelyn waved her hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, Dub's dead alright. Calm down. Now, while he may be dead, Robin showed me his legacy. Apparently Dub had been busy during the thousand or so years he was here. Since he's been gone, there's been a bit of a power vacuum. Luckily for the leftover bad guys, there's another power they can turn for assistance in their difficult transition."

  Now it was Zahara's turn to look confused.

  "Minions? What do you mean? I thought you guys had gotten rid of them last year in San Francisco."

  Cat and Evelyn both shook their heads then Evelyn explained.

  "We got rid of some of them, but apparently there are more, which we sort of expected and totally dreaded. And it looks as though they're going to start congregating near that evil tree Cat was shown by Robin. Looking for a shiny new boss, I guess."

  Cat looked at Evelyn dourly. "Well, that's not at all what I wanted to hear. I guess it's time to call Vanessa and Mai. They need to get here ASAP if we're expecting that kind of company."

  Zahara cleared her throat timidly. "Um, I have an idea, if you don't think it's too crazy."

  Both girls looked at her.

  "What?" Evelyn asked, crossing her arms in front of her while she tapped her foot.

  Cat could tell that she was still stressing about the vision of darkness she'd seen moving towards them.

  "There may be a way to get them here quickly, without using human modes of transportation," said Zahara.

  Cat looked at Zahara and her eyes widened with sudden comprehension.

  "Do you mean what I think you mean? Is it possible to use this place as a passageway?"

  Zahara nodded. "As an earth mage, Summerland is usually available to me, especially since it's literally in my parent's backyard. I have a feeling that Robin will give your sister and friend access at their end, given the magnitude of what's coming."

  "So what do we do? Do I just call Vanessa and tell her to get her butt over here?" Cat asked, half-joking.

  Evelyn pursed her lips thoughtfully. "I would. Tell Vanessa to get back to your parents with Mai, tonight if she can, and to pack her clothes and passport for ID, just in case, then go to the park in Valleyview. That way they'll arrive before we leave to go back to the city."

  Cat looked dubious. "I don't know. She may not be able to get away from work on such short notice."

  Evelyn waved away Cat's objection. "Please. The original Miss Charisma? She can get anything she wants. Just call her, tell her what you saw and what I said. They'll be here by tomorrow, guaranteed."

  The girls walked back through the gazebo and Cat watched as the air shimmered again. They were suddenly back at the cottage, surrounded by the normal human world so abruptly that it was disorienting. Cat felt as if every time she turned around her equilibrium shifted a little more. She was forced to adjust almost daily to a new set of rules. It was frustrating, but at least she was starting to get used to the frequency.

  She made the call to Vanessa and as Evelyn had suspected, Vanessa agreed.

  "This is great! Don't worry about it. Now is actually the perfect time for us to come. The whole set flooded last night and they just called to let us know. It sounds like they'll need a few weeks for repairs," Vanessa said, then laughed. "So ironic, really. The last scene we were working on was one about the same thing happening to my character."

  The sound of Vanessa giggling about the situation made Cat suspicious.

  "You don't think Mai had anything to do with it, do you?"

  Vanessa's giggles stopped abruptly.

  "Of course not! Mai would never purposefully destroy property. She's not like that, no matter what the situation. You know that! Now, if I was a water power...well, that may be a different story."

  Cat sighed into the phone. "You're right. Don't tell Mai I said anything. I'm sorry for even thinking she's capable of something like that. At least this means you guys are able to get away easily. I can't wait to see you tomorrow. Safe travels!"

  Cat ended the call, still suspicious about the timing of the flood, but agreed with Vanessa. Mai would never destroy anything on purpose, which meant that other forces were likely at work. Like Robin, or perhaps someone else who was working for him. She pushed aside the feeling of unease for the remainder of the night. As she joined Zahara and Evelyn in the living room for a movie, she tried not to think about the looming darkness.

  THE MORNING DAWNED clear and sunny for a change. It was March in Scotland so it was hardly warm, but there was a beautiful sunrise over the green lushness of the Khan's property that belied the season. Cat figured that was to be expected from the home of a family of earth mages. She found herself hopeful and excited that Vanessa and Mai would be arriving soon, although her excitement was tempered by the knowledge that the arrival of the other girls meant that events were being set into motion toward another confrontation with evil.

  Zahara sat and watched Cat as she paced back and forth. "Don't worry. I have complete faith that Vanessa and Mai will get here safely."

  "I know. I mean, I believe you, it's just..."

  Cat stopped pacing and looked anxiously at her watch, which had stopped working at some point while they'd been waiting. She resumed walking around the gazebo, but on the human side of the entrance. It felt as if they'd been waiting forever, although she knew it really hadn't been very long.

  "What if they end up somewhere else?" Cat said, looking to her friends for reassurance as she absently rubbed her arms.

  Evelyn sat calmly on the bench next to Zahara. "You know by now that if Robin wants something, it's going to happen," said Evelyn, giving Cat a patient look. "If he wants us together, he'll have no problem arranging transport. Heck, he arranged plane tickets through his people and he's thousands of years old! My mom hardly knows how to use her smart phone apps."


  Cat smiled, feeling some of her tension ease. "You're right. I'm just nervous. Of course Robin will make sure they get here."

  The first sign Cat noticed regarding the impending arrival was Zahara's ears perking up, much like Cat imagined they would in her fox form. Zahara stood up, walking over to the nearby invisible gate before disappearing in a shimmer. She returned moments later with Vanessa and Mai following behind her.

  There was a flurry of hugs and excited chatter followed as the four girls caught up and introduced Zahara. Once the introductions and reunions were complete and everyone had calmed down, Vanessa and Mai were able to talk about their trip.

  "Well, it was great, really. We got home around ten, had a great sleep, then ate and went to the park first thing this morning. The grandfather tree was super easy to find and the doorway was open and waiting for us." Vanessa paused, looking grave. "That's how we knew something big is up. In all the trips we've made, we've never had the doorway open and waiting. So, we entered and stood in the glade for a few minutes, just looking around. Everything seemed the same, but Robin wasn't there. We didn't wait very long before we saw the cutest little fox come hopping through the grass, one of those adorable foxes with the small body and big ears, you know the ones?" Vanessa digressed slightly, holding her fingers up like antlers over her dark brown hair, obviously enjoying the memory. "Then the fox poofed into Zahara and told us to follow her. So, here we are. I brought a suitcase, but it felt really weird to have it in the glade, let me tell you."

  Cat pictured her stylish sister standing in the glade with her leopard print hard-sided luggage set and stifled a giggle.

  "Did Zahara fill you in on what Robin told us?" Cat asked.

  "Yes, she told us. Sounds to me like we'll need to stay on guard for a soul sucker convention."

  Evelyn nodded. "Basically that's what we're thinking. I'm not sure how many there'll be, but we'll have a lot to cope with. We need to come up with a plan. The last few times we've fought together it's been mostly Cat doing the work. I just don't think that's going to cut it this time. Cat won't be able to keep up with the volume I've been seeing in my dreams, so we'll have to neutralize them together and possibly even without her sometimes."

  Cat agreed, although she didn't want to admit it. "I'm getting better at not being as drained, but there must be a way for you guys to disarm or destroy them. I've been thinking about it and I don't see any reason why you guys can't. All of our powers have grown over the last year. Fire isn't the only element that's powerful enough to destroy, although it does sometimes seem to make a better weapon."

  Mai smiled serenely at Cat and tucked a strand of her long, blue-black hair behind her ear. "I've also been thinking about this and I completely agree with you. Water can drown the body, air can remove breath, and earth can smother. We can all destroy the human vessel that carries this darkness easily, but we'll need either you or Evelyn to give us the go ahead to know that there's nothing human to save, as well as to let us know when you spot one. I would hate to destroy someone if they had any chance of redemption."

  "While you're right about not destroying someone with potential for redemption, that isn't what we will be up against now," said Evelyn, grimacing. "The beings that will be coming for us now are the oldest ones, full of darkness, with nothing human left to save. We've both seen it in our visions and dreams and are at the point in this adventure where it's going to be kill or be killed. We've got to be ready to strike quickly, as soon as we see them walking among us with no aura. They're going to be coming for us from everywhere. Are you guys up for it?" Evelyn looked at the girls, who were standing in front of her with expressions of resolve.

  "We are," they said in unison, heads high and jaws set.

  Cat put her hand in front of her into the centre of the loose circle they'd formed as they spoke. One by one, the others followed her lead and Cat observed their hands in the circle for a moment. Different sizes and colours, but all strong in their own way.

  "Together, we're tougher," said Cat. "I'm so grateful that Robin arranged our group, with all of us here together in one place at the same time. Together we have power over the elements and the responsibility to find and destroy darkness to maintain the balance of nature and protect humanity from evil."

  Cat stopped her attempt at a rousing speech, having run out of words.

  "Do we want to have a cheer or something? Like the Power Rangers?" she asked awkwardly, as the girls waited with their hands in the impromptu pile.

  Vanessa laughed, dropping her hand from the centre of the circle and ruffling her hair instead. "Oh Cat, I love you. No need for a cheer, let's just go out there and kick some ass. Good enough?"

  Cat smiled. "Good enough."

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The following week took on an oddly familiar pattern. Cat and Evelyn continued to attend 'school', as it was an opportunity to research coming events and any past events that might be related to what was ahead of them. After all, Dr. Brown was in the loop regarding everything that was coming and Cat was pretty sure that, regardless of whatever project they handed in, if they lived long enough, they'd pass their travel elective.

  Zahara took Vanessa and Mai on a tour of Edinburgh during the day while they were at school, as she had with Cat and Evelyn. Vanessa was stoked she hadn't had to spring for a plane ticket and planned to go shopping on High Street to spend an equivalent amount of money, if only to make the most of her time off work. Mai was excited to see another continent, as until recently she'd been stuck in a one place as a dragon statue. She was enjoying all of the novel sights around her, although frequently mentioned how much she missed her boyfriend, Jake, who she was practically bonded to as a fellow water adept and dragon.

  As the days sped by, Cat and Evelyn researched as much as possible. On Wednesday, they were surprised to look up from their studies to see the other girls entering the library. When Cat looked at her watch, which worked fine away from close proximity to Summerland, she was even more surprised to see that it was only three o'clock. Usually they worked in the library until at least four before Zahara came to get them. As Cat looked at the trio, she noticed that they seemed a little too smug and suspected that something had happened.

  "Okay, what's up? You have that look, Vanessa, like you just got away with something."

  Vanessa sat down on a nearby chair and stretched out her legs, resting her boots on the table with a knowing grin before Cat pushed them off.

  "Not here," she hissed, looking around to see if anyone had noticed before relaxing again. "They're really strict and you'll get us kicked out."

  Vanessa shrugged nonchalantly.

  "No worries. I already checked to make sure we're alone. Anyway, do you want to hear what happened or not? Do we have to whisper?"

  She did look a little guilty now, glancing around to see if anyone was watching, but Cat brushed off her sister's belated sensibilities.

  "Just talk quietly. It's not that busy in this section, but we don't want anyone to hear if it's about something...other."

  Mai and Zahara also sat, but on the edge of their chairs, looking excited and quite pleased with themselves.

  "Okay, so we were out on High Street, looking at a few of the tartan stores, you know? I'm thinking we should get something made for Dad and maybe I'd get one for me too. And maybe Mom."

  Vanessa quickly became distracted and Cat could tell she was thinking about something she'd seen at the store, before she snapped herself back to the conversation.

  "Sorry, there was a purse I liked. Anyway, we'd barely stepped out of the store before we noticed a little kid there. Normally, I wouldn't have thought anything about it, but he gave me the creeps."

  Vanessa shuddered and looked at Evelyn.

  "He was just a little too cute, you know? Red hair, freckles, gap toothed grin?" Evelyn nodded. Cat knew she shared Vanessa's suspicion of cute children.

  Vanessa continued. "So we get ready to walk past this kid, right, and he drops someth
ing on the street as we pass him. Mai goes to get it, being the sweetie that she is, and he reaches out to touch her hand. Well, I can't see auras but I can tell when someone looks sick. The colour drained right out of her face. I reacted on instinct and slammed the kid down on the sidewalk with a wind gust. Zahara jumped in and did something with the ground so that it, like, trapped his feet in place."

  Cat leaned in, aghast. "What happened? Did he do something? Didn't anyone notice? You guys took a huge risk!"

  Mai spoke, hesitantly at first before her voice became more confident.

  "When he touched me, I could feel my energy leaving my body, like it did with the guy in San Francisco. Vanessa dropped him before he took too much, but he was most certainly one of the dark ones that we've met before. Once he was trapped, you didn't need any special senses to know it. He spit at us and hissed and had dark, dark eyes that held so much ice."

  Mai stopped, shivering before she continued. "I knew that he had to be stopped, so I looked around and realized he was kind of in the narrow alley between two buildings. The way we were standing around him because he was small, it wasn't really obvious he was there. I made sure no one could tell what was happening and then I did something I'm not really proud of."

  Mai bent her head down, avoiding eye contact as she softly finished. "I called to the water in his blood and moved it into the air. He went limp very quickly, becoming mummified."

  Zahara grimaced. "It was horrible to watch," she added. "Thankfully, he stopped moving relatively quickly. I checked for a pulse and found nothing, so I buried him under the dirt of the alley."

  Cat and Evelyn sat with mouths open and stared at Zahara.

  "Excuse me, you did what?" said Evelyn, in disbelief.

  "Well, remember how we said that we'd all have to learn to use our powers to get rid of these guys? Cat can't do it all on her own? We figured out how to use our powers a little more defensively, I guess you could say," Vanessa said, with her eyebrow raised. "Don't look so surprised. It was bound to happen."