Corviticus University: Void

by J. E. Cluney

  “I know,” he said softly. “I’m beyond grateful.”

  “Do you think she’ll tell the Brady family they can’t come?” I mused aloud as we pulled apart.

  “No, they’ll be welcome, and she won’t say to them that Lucas isn’t welcome, too much of an insult to their good name. Hence why she has gone through me,” Ollie muttered.

  I cringed as I felt Lucas looking in, having heard the whole thing.

  “And he’s taking it as a challenge to go,” I groaned.

  “That’s Lucas for you,” Ollie chuckled, but I could see the uncertainty in his eyes.

  Facing off with his family was not something he wanted to do. Ever.

  But Lucas was not about to be told what to do.

  The afternoon went over well, Ollie and I got through our lectures without any hiccups, and upon getting home after the hot walk, Lucas welcomed us with two milos to cool us down.

  “I’ve got something for you too,” Lucas said as I dumped my laptop bag on the floor and took a big gulp of the refreshing beverage.

  I arched an eyebrow at him as I plopped onto the lounge, knowing what it was before he even handed the manilla folder to me.

  An unsolved case.

  “My father found this case. A little girl went missing, they believed she’d been kidnapped or even drowned in the family dam, but divers couldn’t find anything. My father tried his spells, but he couldn’t find anything either. You see, spells need to have had witnesses or left traces. They need certain elements, and sometimes, spells just don’t work. In this case, the tracking spell revealed nothing, and the seeking spell turned up empty. If the wielder of the spell doesn’t know the victim, the spells are less likely to work. I think it’s the universe’s way of balancing things out or something,” Lucas shrugged. He didn’t quite understand it, but the spells around investigation were always the most difficult and unpredictable it seemed. But what he wasn’t saying, was that not even the dingo trackers had found them. His father had even gotten a true shifter who’d shifted into a bloodhound, but they hadn’t found anything.

  Which had led them to the belief of kidnapping.

  I set my milo down on the coffee table and opened the folder, my heart pulling at the smiling five-year-old girl. She looked so happy, with her bright blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair up in pigtails.

  “Samantha Brunston,” I murmured as I read over the missing persons report. There were pages of the investigation report in the folder too.

  “My father got the whole case file out for us,” Lucas said, indicating at the cardboard evidence box beside the other lounge.

  I slid off the lounge to investigate it, finding a hairbrush belonging to her in the evidence box.

  “He said you can open the plastic bags, but please be careful. She went missing a few years back,” Lucas informed me.

  I just nodded as my stomach knotted.

  “You sure you want to try this?” Ollie asked gently from the lounge.

  “If I can help give her family closure, then yes,” I murmured, turning the bagged hairbrush over in my hands.

  I could feel my banshee responding to it.

  There was more to this case. Something I could find.

  But to find the answers, I wanted to be alone. I needed to practice these powers alone, to try to understand what clues Sasha had been talking about.

  “I’ll be in my room if anyone needs me,” I said quickly as I dropped the bag back into the box and slipped the folder in as well.

  Both Ollie and Lucas watched me carefully as I carried the box off in a hurry, my heart beating frantically as nervousness washed over me.

  I could only try to figure out what happened.

  But the truth was, I was worried by what I might find.

  I sat in my room with the files, holding the brush carefully with both hands as I sat on the edge of my bed.

  I couldn’t spend too much time on this, especially since I needed to get ready and be picked up in just over an hour to go to dinner.

  But I really wanted to try this now.

  I could feel my banshee responding to the brush, and I drew in a steadying breath as I slipped into the void.

  The darkness engulfed me, a strangely comforting thing now.

  I was no longer afraid of it. I knew exactly what it was and the purpose it served.

  I looked around, taking a few steps as I tried to find the scene.

  A flicker to my right drew my attention, and I turned, spying a young girl looking my way, grinning broadly.

  The girl from the picture.

  Samantha.

  “Do you want to play?” she called out.

  I frowned as I started towards her. Was she talking to me?

  “Come play with me,” she giggled, beckoning me closer.

  It was definitely me, as a glance over my shoulder revealed only the endless darkness.

  “I want to play hide and seek,” Samantha chuckled, toying with the hem of her frilly pink dress. Her hair was up in pigtails, just like her photo, but she looked happier here.

  “I can’t play right now,” I said, my voice echoing around us.

  She pouted as she clasped her hands behind her.

  “But you need to find me. That’s the game,” she sighed.

  Find her.

  That was what I was trying to do. Was she trying to give me clues? Was this what Sasha had meant?

  “I loved playing on the swings, they were my favorite,” Samantha grinned as she turned away from me.

  “The swings?” I clarified, but she was running off now, her laughter echoing around me.

  I went to give chase, but her retreating form dissipated, leaving me alone in the void.

  “Wait, come back!” I called out, but only the darkness greeted me.

  I sighed as I pulled myself from the void, staring down at the hairbrush in my hand.

  My banshee side was silent now, no longer reacting.

  Was that my clue?

  I pursed my lips as I reached for her file once more.

  Swings.

  I needed to find where the swings were that she was talking about.

  ‘You doing okay?’ Ollie asked.

  ‘Following the clues,’ was my abrupt answer as I flicked through the pages of her file.

  Her mother took her to the park often. But they also had a swing out in the backyard.

  She’d disappeared from home though.

  So the swing at home was probably my best bet.

  ‘Don’t forget your dinner tonight with family,’ Lucas reminded me.

  I groaned as I glanced at my phone. I’d been in the void for only a few minutes. But he was right. I couldn’t just go running off to this girl’s house.

  ‘Before you ask, her parent’s still live there. They didn’t want to move in case she ever came home,’ Lucas said.

  My stomach churned at his words.

  “She’s not coming home,” I sighed. I was a banshee. Not someone who found missing children.

  That wasn’t my power.

  I found dead bodies.

  14

  “That certainly is interesting,” my grandmother mused as we all sat at the table.

  When they’d picked me up, they’d had many stories to share about their explorations on the coast, and I’d kept my mouth shut until we’d reached the restaurant about the case I’d been given.

  “I’d say you’re right about the girl being deceased though,” Natalie grimaced as she toyed with the menu in front of her.

  “Be good to find her though,” I murmured as I eyed the menu. It was hard to focus on anything else apart from finding out what had happened to Samantha. I knew the next clue would do with the swings. I just needed to get there.

  I’d spent my entire shower and getting ready wondering if I should swing by after dinner, and Lucas had caved, saying he’d drive me once I was home. He’d use a spell to mask us so that her parents didn’t know we were there. I felt bad about the thought of tres
passing, but I had to know.

  I was the only one who could figure out the truth.

  And instead, I was stuck at dinner.

  I pulled myself up, feeling guilty for being unhappy that I couldn’t continue my little investigation.

  My family had come to help me, and they just wanted to spend time with me.

  I needed to let it go. Samantha was obviously deceased, which meant a few extra hours weren’t going to change anything.

  “So, how was your beach day, you guys said you popped down to Dicky beach?” I asked, wanting to focus on their holiday while they were visiting. Tonight, for now, was all about my family.

  My banshee investigation would continue when I was done.

  “It was great! We got fish and chips for lunch and had a swim. It was a beautiful day for it today,” my grandmother beamed as she spied the waiter coming over.

  “Mom spent most of her time checking out the guys there,” Natalie snorted.

  “As if I could resist, you looked too,” Trish laughed, and Dixon pouted at his wife as Natalie’s expression turned to one of mortification.

  I chuckled as she scolded her mother and Dixon just waved it off.

  “We made our way to a shifter beach, met some nice mermen,” Trish continued. “Some fine specimens there,” she clucked, and Natalie just groaned as Dixon grinned at me.

  We made our order and continued chatting, and for the majority of the dinner outing, I was able to push away my desire to work out this mystery around Samantha.

  “I’m so glad we can finally be a part of your life more,” Natalie said as they pulled up out the front of Lucas’ house.

  “I’m really glad we finally reconnected,” I agreed.

  “Well, I wish I could spend more time with you darling, but I need to head home tomorrow. I’ll be visiting again for your birthday though if you don’t mind,” my grandmother said as she leaned over from her seat in the back with me to hug me.

  “Of course! Hayley is welcome to if she wants to come,” I smiled, loving her genuine hug. She meant what she was saying, and tonight had been wonderful, laughing and nearly crying at her crazy personality. She was indeed the best grandmother ever.

  “I’ll let her know,” she said as she patted my back and pulled away. “Make sure you let me know how this search goes for the little girl. I’m not on this Facebook social media thing, but Nat has international calls and texts, so she can pass on the info if you let her know. I’m curious to see how your ability works. Could be a new line of work for you,” she said thoughtfully.

  “Maybe,” I murmured, turning to Natalie and Dixon in the front seat.

  “We’ll be in touch, and you are all welcome up at ours anytime, we’ve got two spare rooms,” Dixon said as he beamed back at me.

  All the worries that had niggled at me when I’d first met him were gone. He was genuine and sweet, and I had nothing to fear from him.

  “We might see you tomorrow though before we head back anyway, swing by your work to try one of those burgers,” Natalie suggested.

  “Ooh, good idea!” my grandmother grinned, and I found myself adoring how lively and bright she was. She really didn’t show her age at all.

  We said our goodbyes, agreeing to see each other tomorrow one final time.

  I waved them off, shaking my head when Natalie honked the horn as she drove off.

  I was so glad I’d found them again. That I had some family, and that they truly cared about me.

  It was a welcome change.

  “We care about you too.”

  I jumped as I turned on Lucas, scowling at him for the fright.

  “I know,” I said with an eye roll.

  “I promised I’d take you out, and I know you’ve been dying to see what this swing thing means,” he gave me his gorgeous, toothy smile. He was in a purple suit tonight, and it glittered as he moved forward.

  “I grabbed the brush, wasn’t sure if you needed it,” he said, holding Samantha’s brush out to me.

  I accepted it, smiling sadly at it.

  “You really want to keep following the clues?” he checked, scanning my face for uncertainty.

  “Yes, definitely,” I said firmly.

  “Want to change first?” he nodded at my new green dress I’d gotten while op-shopping with Emma.

  “No, I’m okay,” I answered. The night had cooled a little, but I wasn’t feeling it. I was too giddy now, my mind reeling over what the swing at her parents might reveal.

  My stomach knotted, and I was thankful I hadn’t gorged on the carbonara I’d gotten. Dixon had ended up finishing it for me, and they’d eaten rather well in public, considering their wolfish natures.

  “Okay, let’s go then,” Lucas murmured.

  I looked into those deep green eyes, seeing the belief he had in me. He believed I could figure this out. He wanted to help me find out.

  “You really think I can find out what happened to her?” I asked softly.

  “Honestly, you’ve surprised me so many times since I met you, if anyone can, it’s you,” he smiled, closing the gap between us to cup my cheek.

  The electric tingle ran through me, and I smiled back up at him.

  “Let’s see what you can find,” he said, giving me a kiss on the tip of my nose before twirling away.

  I pouted for a moment before focusing on the task at hand.

  I followed him to his car, sliding into the passenger seat as he started the Mercedes up.

  And then we were on the road.

  I clutched the hairbrush tight, seeing little Samantha giggling and laughing as she ran into the darkness.

  I had to find out what happened to her. It was important to me now. I felt like I knew her a little.

  Lucas glanced over at me, and I could feel his deep affection for me, how he admired my passion and drive.

  I wanted to look back at him and smile, but my mind was too focused.

  We drove in silence for the next ten minutes, and he was quiet as we pulled up out the front of a small house set away from the road. It was on a decent block of land, and my eyes instantly went to the tree swing in the front yard.

  “Wait,” Lucas instructed as I quickly moved to climb out.

  I froze, watching as his eyes and hand glowed purple. He muttered a few words, and then nodded at me before climbing out.

  I joined him on the driver’s side of the car, and we made our way to the rickety white gate out front. The property was fenced off with dog fencing, but there was no dog coming to greet us.

  “They own a Labrador, but it won’t sense us. I’ve masked us completely,” Lucas murmured as he pushed through the gate.

  A path led down to the front door of the brick home, but no lights were on.

  What made me falter was the small tricycle on its side at the edge of the house. Weeds had grown around it, despite the lawn having been recently mown.

  And her file had said nothing about siblings.

  “Maybe keeping it there for her,” Lucas contemplated softly.

  The thought was crushing. It would break them to finally learn their daughter was dead, but at least it was closure.

  But I needed to know how, and where she was. Why, would be even better.

  Under the cover of darkness, with only the half moon above lighting our way, we crossed the lawn and drew up beneath the tree.

  I stared at the swing, a homemade wooden plank with rope. Basic, but I knew it had brought her joy.

  My heart pounded as I held her brush tightly in one hand, and I took comfort in Lucas’ presence beside me as I reached out, hesitating for just a moment before touching the swing.

  A wash of joyous feelings moved through me, but they vanished just as quickly, only a distant echo of Samantha’s laughter ringing out in my mind.

  I frowned, chewing my lip as I held the rope of the swing.

  This wasn’t right. There had to be more.

  “Everything okay?” Lucas asked softly.

  “No, hang
on,” I mumbled. I steadied my breathing, willing my heart to settle as I let myself fall back into the void.

  The darkness surrounded me, but I already knew that I’d find nothing here. No flicker or sensation. Just the darkness.

  “It’s not the right swing,” I sighed as I pulled myself back from the depths.

  “Then the park,” Lucas affirmed.

  I nodded, and slowly followed him back to the car.

  I paused as we reached the gate, glancing back to see the swing moving in an unseen breeze, and hearing her childish laughter in the distance.

  I’d figure this out.

  “I felt it too, that wave of joy from her. It made me realize that you trying to figure out what happened to her is the right thing to do. She deserves it,” Lucas said after driving for a while in uneasy silence.

  “Did you hear her laughing?” I asked quietly. To anyone else, it would’ve been terrifying, but I’d only felt her joy and happiness. So carefree and innocent.

  How had she died? And where was her body?

  “No... I didn’t,” he frowned. “It’s not going to upset you too much?” Lucas asked, reaching over to rest a hand on my thigh.

  I smiled at his sweet gesture, and covered his hand with mine.

  “Maybe, but it’s the right thing to do.”

  He nodded, not saying another word as we drove to the nearest park. The one she’d gone to plenty of times.

  I could hear his mind though, whirring away as he worried about me. I was making progress with my powers, but he was thinking about this wendigo while we tried to solve this mystery.

  I’d not even given the monster any thought since Lucas had given me the case, which was startling. I’d been too consumed with it to even stress. But I needed to remember that I was still being hunted.

  It was a sobering reminder.

  “It won’t get to you,” Lucas stated, squeezing my thigh. “I promise.”

  “Don’t make a promise like that,” I said, turning to gaze at him. His stubble was a little longer than usual, and in the dull lighting, I could see the underlying purple hue glinting in his eyes. Night vision. I instantly knew. Being a warlock gave him so many powers. Except smell. That required spells, but night vision was something he could activate internally.