by Moni Boyce
“She is Archie’s twin sister and the librarian for the coven. Any book we need, she’ll find it.”
“You flatter me too much.” Despite what she said, she preened like a peacock at his words.
Once they were seated at a table, he rubbed his hands together and addressed Enid.
“We’re looking for books about faeries. Books that detail their abilities, history, anything you got.” He gave her the information like he was ordering from a restaurant menu.
She closed her eyes and raised her hands into the air. “Books hear my voice and come when I call. Bring me books, poems, fairytales, histories, manuals and everything about faeries. Veniunt ad me.” When she opened her eyes books came flying off the shelves and began to stack themselves into piles on the table where they sat.
“What does that mean?” She whispered while her eyes watched the books that floated and whizzed through the air.
“Most of our spells, chants and incantations use Latin. ‘Veniunt ad me,’ means come to me now.”
She merely nodded her head at his explanation and continued to watch in fascination.
It was hard not to feel the shock, surprise and awe that Willow felt as she watched Enid work. Her mouth hung open and her eyes were round with wonder. When it was over she turned to Eli, her face beaming. “Oh, my goodness. That was like being in a Disney movie.” The level of childlike excitement must have embarrassed her because she dialed it back before speaking again. “Very few things used to surprise me, but... ever since I met you, I mean ever since you talked to me,” This statement made them both laugh. “I’m surprised ten times a day.”
He tried to deflect. “It has nothing to do with me and everything to do with you finding out about supernaturals.” It was bad enough they were alone. The last thing he wanted was her attributing any special feelings to him. One title caught his eye, and he grabbed the book. “Let’s get started.”
While they worked he overheard her hum a tune and realized it was The Cure’s ‘Lovesong’ that they’d heard on the radio on the way to the coven. He cleared his throat and tried to block it out. Even humming, her voice sounded amazing. It could easily lull him into doing something he shouldn’t. Like finding some place cozy in the book stacks and kissing her senseless. He shook himself.
No.
“You should look at this.” He reached the book across the table while discreetly adjusting the hard-on that was growing in his pants. If he engaged her, then she would stop singing and he wouldn’t feel so turned on by her. Willow took it from him and flipped through the pages. He was both happy and disappointed when her humming stopped.
“Did you know that spiritual faeries have more powerful abilities than physical faeries? They’re only surpassed by ethereal faeries.” She sounded proud of her newfound lineage.
“I wasn’t aware of that.”
“Do you think I’ll be able to do this?” Enthusiasm seeped from her pores while her index finger pointed at an illustration in the book.
Stupidly, he came around the table to stand next to her so he could see. Peering over her shoulder and being this close to her made his body respond in a way it shouldn’t. The picture showed an image of a faery entering another person’s body. Possession. Or maybe it was astral projection. Either way, both were difficult.
“It’s a possibility that’s a power you possess, but it could take time to get you there if you have it. Possession isn’t an easy thing to do. Astral projection is even harder. Plus, you’re half fae. Sometimes that limits the abilities you inherit.”
Her face dropped.
“I’m not trying to discourage you. I just don’t want you to think you can jump into bodies right away... that’s all.” He amended his earlier statement trying to infuse humor. “The more I can get you in tune with your inner mind,” Gently, he pressed his forefinger and middle finger to the center of her forehead, “the easier manifesting your powers and abilities will be.”
They spent the rest of the morning going through the myriad of books that Enid had found for them. The way she laughed at a book of faery limericks, with her head tossed back, eyes closed and her hand over her belly, made him want to keep finding ways to making her laugh.
“There once was a faery from Derry;
Who always was quite very merry.
He liked to drink,
But not to think
So he often found himself in a quandary.”
Some books unearthed more serious content about the numerous abilities and powers that faeries could have. Other tomes spoke of the history of faeries among humans and other supernaturals. All of it fascinated her. It was hard to pull his eyes away from her as she poured over every book soaking up the knowledge with a newfound sense of wonder.
After they exhausted themselves with reading he dragged her back to the makeshift gym for more training. On the way there she asked him about the house. “This house is pretty old, huh?”
“Yeah it was built in the early 1600s.” He stopped walking and turned to her. “During the Salem Witch Trials they used it as a safe haven to harbor witches that fled persecution and the threat of being imprisoned or executed.” He enjoyed feeding her thirst for knowledge since she’d stepped into the supernatural world.
“Like an underground railroad, but for witches?”
He nodded in agreement to her comparison. “Yes, very similar.”
Most of the others had already left by the time they returned. The rest he shooed from the room.
“Don’t we kind of need them if I’m going to spar with someone?”
He shut the door on Zoriana. Thankful that Phaedra wasn’t one of the people he’d just kicked out or he would never hear the end of it. “Instead of jumping back into combat training we need to work on tapping into your powers.” The look he saw on her face was not what he expected. “I thought you’d jump at the chance to work on figuring out your abilities.” He approached her.
“It’s just...” She rocked back on her heels while eyeing the ground. “You saw how well it went the first time. I don’t think I’m any good at this.”
Before he knew what he was doing, he grabbed her by the shoulders. “Don’t underestimate yourself. This is all new. No one expects you to get it right away...” Her eyes found his. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Okay?” He dropped his hands and took a step back.
What does she use in her hair?
He had to stop getting so close. Her smell was intoxicating. Whatever body wash or shampoo she used made him want to lick her, taste her. He took a deep breath. “Let’s begin.”
Moments later, she sat in front of him cross-legged with her hands resting on her knees, palms facing upwards. An unsure look marked her face. She had yet to close her eyes, but she wouldn’t look at him.
“Do you trust me?”
His question must have startled her because her eyes flew up from her lap to meet his. “Do you trust me?” He repeated.
Several seconds passed before she answered him. “Well, I have worked with you for over a year where you never spoke to me and then one day I woke up in your bed, where you told me I had magical psychic powers.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Let’s see. Then I went on the run with you and an RV full of witches and a werewolf that used to be my dog. I was attacked and now I’m here at your coven.” A smirk lit up her face. “I think the answer to your question is obvious.”
His lip twitched as he tried to suppress a grin. “A yes would have sufficed.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Her smirk turned into an impish grin and there was a part of him that wanted to kiss the cute look right off her face. He cleared his throat and copied her earlier position with his hands resting on his legs palms facing upward.
“Back into position and close your eyes.” He made his voice sound more gruff and authoritative so he wouldn’t think about having her beneath him on the mat.
She obeyed.
“We’ve done this part before. Clear your mind. E
mpty it of everything, past, present...” He watched her breathing even out. “That’s good.” A few minutes passed without him saying a word. He wanted her to focus on her breathing and clearing her mind. “Everything you are is already inside of you, Willow... all you have to do is tap into it. Tap into your inner mind and your gifts will manifest themselves.”
She breathed deeply, but he could tell she was struggling. It was going to be a long night.
CHAPTER 21
Willow
The last couple weeks passed in a blur of trainings, day in and day out. She’d only had two migraines since arriving. Could that be attributed to staying at the coven? Morgana was kind enough to sit with her during one of the episodes. During that episode she dreamed of Killian. It was nice to wake up from the nightmare and not find herself alone. She was grateful to Morgana for being there.
Alternating between various combat trainings, studying in the library and meditation had her exhausted. Plus, she didn’t feel like she was making as much progress as she should be. Her combat skills had definitely improved, but the supernatural abilities were a different story.
Eli was very pleased, but she expected more. She was getting the hang of using the energy blasts and learning how to control them during combat. There had only been one other incident. When she meditated, she would see flashes of the future like she had the first time. They came so quick. She still wasn’t able to identify what she was seeing. Some of her other faery powers were making appearances, but at the most awkward and inappropriate times.
In the shower, a few days ago she created faery dust out of nowhere and ended up covering herself and the shower in the magical, glittery, powder. Not all the dust would wash out of her hair, so she walked around with shimmery hair the rest of the day, which resulted in everyone calling her Tinker Bell.
The dust eventually faded she realized as she wiped the steam from the mirror after her shower. “Finally.” She muttered to herself while finger combing through her hair. Her muscles were sore from the earlier combat session. She rubbed them through the fluffy bathrobe and walked into her bedroom. Sleep was pulling and tugging at every part of her physically and mentally. The long yawn that left her mouth made her shake her head. The minute she hit the mattress she was asleep in seconds.
Where am I?
When the thought entered her mind she knew she was dreaming, but wherever she was, she’d never been there before. She looked down at her body and saw she was still wearing the bathrobe. A chill crept up her spine because this felt eerily real. In any other dream she wore a random outfit. The hallway was massive, like she was in a palace. Her bare feet made no sound as she tiptoed down the corridor, frightened she would encounter someone. This place had an ominous feeling. She shouldn’t be here.
“Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.” The whispered words did nothing, because she remained in the dream or whatever it was.
A large doorway loomed at the end of the hall. The door was slightly ajar. Against her better judgment she crept towards it.
What am I doing? Why am I going to investigate? I should head in the other direction.
Despite the screaming thoughts in her brain she proceeded to the door, frantically looking around for anyone or anything that might lurk in the shadows. The sliver of an opening was enough for her to press her eye to and attempt to look around without being caught. It was a bedroom. There were floor to ceiling windows on the far side of the room. There must have been a balcony or terrace situated outside because the flimsy, gauzy curtains billowed out from the windows, caught by a breeze. In the dimness she could barely make out a sleeping form in the cavernous bed. The room seemed devoid of anything else, save a large armoire.
Something made her crack the door open and walk inside.
What are you doing you crazy person? Go back. Get out of here.
Still she moved closer, her curiosity carrying her closer and closer. Seconds later, she stood on the stairs that led up to the bed. Her hand and arm shook as she reached out to touch the shoulder of the sleeping form that had their back to her.
“Who’s there?”
His sinister voice froze her in place. The hairs all over her body stood on end. This was Killian’s bedroom. He rolled over and sat up. The covers slipped down revealing his naked chest. His green eyes scanned the darkened chamber. She was sure his vampire sight allowed him to see just fine despite the lack of light. The crazy thing was, he seemed to look right through her like she wasn’t even there. She waved her hand in front of his face.
“You can’t see me?”
His eyes continued to search the room. While she was definitely dumbstruck that she was invisible to him, her mind chose that moment to have a stupid thought.
If he’s a vampire why isn’t he sleeping in a coffin or underground?
She wanted to kick herself.
Really? Right now is not the time for this.
“I can smell the witch on you, Willow.” His nostrils flared.
Her body went rigid with terror.
He knows I’m here.
The derision in his statement made her wonder if he knew she was staying at the Walker Coven. After the attack he already knew she traveled with witches.
“I will find you.” He sounded so sure she swallowed to keep from choking and clutched her throat feeling like he was strangling her.
Wake up!
Her eyes flew open, and she took in a deep, much needed breath before she sat up and looked around the beige and white, eighteenth century bedroom she occupied at the coven and sighed.
THE NEXT MORNING SHE was in the library bright and early. She hadn’t expected to find Enid there already, but there she was. The old woman gave her some space and Willow claimed the table she and Eli had occupied before and poured over some books that discussed faery powers. That had been no ordinary dream last night. She’d never been able to do that before. How had she placed herself in Killian’s bedroom? There had to be an explanation.
Two hours later, that’s where Eli found her, surrounded by faery books hungrily gobbling up every crumb of faery knowledge she could.
“You were supposed to meet me for training.”
Wrangling the snarkiness she wanted to spew at that moment, she took the high road and ignored the annoyance in his voice. “I know. I know, but something happened last night.”
Eli dropped into the seat across from her. “I’m listening.”
She pushed the book she’d been browsing away from her and rested her folded arms on the table. “Last night, I dreamed about Killian.”
The chair scraped against the wooden floorboards when he jerked to the edge of his seat. “What? Why didn’t you come to me right away?”
This time she didn’t bother to hide the eye rolling. “I know you’re one of my Protectors, but I’m not always going to come running to you for everything.”
If he planned to say anything in return, he chose not to. His face was a blank mask.
It hadn’t been her intention to hurt his feelings. She needed him to know she could take care of herself. History may have painted Oracles as some damsels in distress, but that was no longer the case. She pulled the book back towards her. “The dream I had wasn’t like the other dreams. I didn’t have a headache before dreaming about him. I came here this morning because one power I’ve read about that faeries have is this.” She slid the book towards him.
“Dream manipulation.” He read aloud and then looked back at her.
“I think I was in his dream last night and not him in mine.” At his look of confusion she kept talking. “I wish I could explain it better, but I can’t. I just know it wasn’t like all the other dreams.” She sighed and leaned back in her chair. She picked at something beneath her thumbnail in frustration. “He knew I was there, even though he couldn’t see me.”
While she pretended to find more interest in her nails, she noticed him lean his elbows on the table. “What do you mean he couldn’t see you?” The patience he exhibited w
hile he waited for her to respond was impressive.
She dug at her nail a few seconds longer before she responded. “I was invisible to him. Before you even ask, I’m not sure how I did it. I wasn’t even aware that I was invisible until he woke up and caught me.” Leaning on the table, she finally looked at him. “Listen, can we just go meditate and train? I really want to nail this and I’m not going to do that by talking it to death. I will master it by doing it. You said you’re here to help me, so help me.” She expelled a quick breath.
For a few seconds he stared at her. Neither his face nor body conveyed emotion. “Okay, let’s go train.” His mouth lifted in a lopsided grin.
THE ONLY PHRASE THAT came to mind hours later as she sat cross-legged on the floor in the training room where they’d locked themselves away was: Be careful what you wish for.
“Stop telling me what you can’t do and just do it. You said you wanted this so I’m going to keep pushing you.”
The mental energy she’d been exerting had left her body spent. Sweat poured out of every pore like she’d been doing hot yoga.
He walked around her. “Let’s go again.” They’d started off with him seated in front of her, but as the session wore on he’d gotten up and paced circles around her; being a hard to please taskmaster, issuing order after order. When she didn’t shut her eyes right away to try again, he barked at her. “Again”
“I can’t.” She could feel how close she was to attaining what she wanted, but her brain was feeling like a sizzling egg on a skillet. Anymore mental gymnastics and she would vomit, pass out or both. She was about to stand up when he placed his hands on her shoulders preventing her from getting up. His eyes met hers.
“You can. Now try harder.” This time he said the words softer and with even more conviction. “Push past whatever mental block is in your way. You can do this. I know you can.”
In his eyes, shone the complete faith he had in her. Seeing his belief written there so plainly gave her the courage and renewed strength to keep pushing. She shut her eyes and cleared her mind of everything like a teacher erasing answers on a chalkboard; it was all wiped away: whatever happened today, the nightmares, the things she learned about her mother, the music career she would never have. It was a clean white space by the time she finished. She heard his voice from afar off. “Tap into who you are Willow. You’re the Oracle.”
