by Tara Weeks
“Okay, okay. Damn it you’re a feisty bunch.” Marek groaned. “The Warlock you saw, his name is Brenner, and the last time he was seen in this realm was right here at the manor during a New Year’s Eve party in 1920.”
“Wait—that’s where—when—I was?” Addie asked in a hushed voice.
“Shh, let him continue.” Selene hissed.
“Three women lived in the manor, cousins I think they were, if my memory serves me. Anyway, Brenner managed to kill one of them before the other two could stop his destruction. While the cousins couldn’t kill him, they were able to banish him to another dimension. It was supposed to be permanent, and no one except the remaining cousins knew where he was sent to. That is, until you entered the cavern, Addie,” Marek explained.
Cassie looked at Addie who looked like she was about to cry, and reached out and patted her arm.
“So it’s my fault the other Addie was killed. I led the warlock straight to her,” Addie whispered.
“Yes and no. It was already in the past, so it was always going to happen. You can’t change the past,” Jove said.
“How did you end up in the cavern in the first place?” Marek asked.
Addie looked from Selene to Cassie, her expression questioning.
“Fair’s fair. No secrets from either side if we want to get to the bottom of this,” Selene said, finally unfolding her arms and stepping back from Marek, but she grabbed his hand as he went to lift his arm up from her around her shoulders.
Cassie shrugged. “I agree.”
“Okay. Well, basically the three of us saw a weird figure in the garden and we followed it through the woods to an old, rickety bridge that led to some old ruins. In the middle of the ruins was a giant stone urn,” Cassie said matter-of-factly.
“You three saw a strange figure and just decided to follow it? Who does that?” Marek looked at them, wide-eyed.
Cassie shrugged. “It’s been crazy from the moment we met each other at the airport, so I figured we should just embrace it.”
“I was the first to wake up,” Addie said.
“What?” Marek asked, looking at Selene, “You were unconscious?”
“Shh..” Selene shushed him.
“As I was saying,” Addie continued, “I was the first to wake up. I don’t really remember what happened, but we were all lying on the ground in front of the urn and the figure was gone.”
“Except for its cloak,” Cassie added.
Addie nodded. “I tried to wake Cassie and Selene up but I couldn’t. Then I saw a strange-colored smoke coming from the urn and I kind of just fell in while I was checking it out. It was like I was Alice in Wonderland, just falling and falling and I wondered if it would ever stop, when I landed in the caves. The figure was there, watching me, and I followed it through the tunnels and into a large cavern. The rest, I’ve already told you.”
“Do you know who the figure was?” Selene asked Marek.
He shook his head. “I’ve never seen anything like that, which is concerning. Though it definitely sounds like it knew who you were. Did you have your powers before your encounter with the creature?” he asked.
The women each shook their heads. “At least, not that we were aware of, or not to the extent that we have now.” Cassie confirmed.
“All I can think of is that the creature was sent here somehow to lure you to the ruins to activate your powers, so that you would release Brenner.”
“Well, that’s shitful,” Cassie scoffed.
“Would the creature have any connection to the creepy guy we saw?” Selene asked Marek.
“What creepy guy?” Addie asked.
Selene filled the others in their minor mishap in town, including the part where she performed her magic in the open.
“The Cult?” Jove asked Marek.
“I think so.” Marek nodded and Jove let out a long, low whistle.
“The who?” Selene asked.
“The Cult are a group of magical hunters. They’re kind of like reapers for the magic community; they hunt down powerful sources of magic and drain the magic from its source as a means of sustenance. They’re barely cognitive and extremely dangerous,” Jove explained.
“So let me see if we have this right. There’s a warlock on the loose after a hundred years that wants to kill us, and a creepy cult dude that wants our magic?” Cassie stated.
“Yeah, that pretty much sums it up,” Marek confirmed.
“Right. Well, what else did I miss while I was gone?” Addie asked, half-jokingly.
“Well, nothing quite as exciting as you lot, but I had little adventure in the living room with an owl and the landlord,” Cassie said, and proceeded to tell them about the sudden appearance of Ravi and the strange inscription at the base of the owl. As she spoke, she noticed the curious looks between Jove and Marek, and once she’d finished her explanation, Cassie demanded they explain themselves.
“All we know, is that from the moment the three of you arrived in Auberon, strange things have happened—and not just to the three of you. Ravi, Jove and I have undergone changes too.” Marek explained.
“Really?” Selene asked. “Like how? Do you have powers too?”
“Well, my first shift took place after your arrival.” Jove confirmed. “I knew it was always a possibility and when I first heard of your arrival I wondered if the time had come—though it wasn’t until I sensed that Addie was in trouble that it happened. And before you ask—I don’t know how I knew. I just did.”
“What about you?” Selene asked, looking up at Marek.
“Well, it’s a bit different for me. I come from a long family line of protectors. My parents told me stories of the Auberon witches ever since I was a child. Though to be honest, I always thought it was an urban legend. Until you arrived. I was reading when I heard a phone ringing—only it wasn’t the land line. I hunted through the house, trying to work out where it was coming from, and I found it on top of the bookcase, covered in dust. I was stumped—as you know Auberon doesn’t get cell reception. Yet, there I was, holding a ringing phone in my hand. I answered it and a voice told me it was time to serve the order, and I was to go and meet the Auberon witches as they had returned.”
“Why didn’t you say anything that first night?” Selene asked.
“Well, because I didn’t know how much the three of you knew about Auberon and your legacy. If I’d just blurted it out on the drive into town, would you have believed me?” Marek asked.
“No bloody way. I’m still finding it hard to believe now.” Cassie laughed.
“So that’s why your phone worked while we were at the pub?” Selene asked.
Marek nodded. “The order called to make sure I was with you. I suspect they already knew Brenner was free from his exile.”
The group quieted, each letting the flood of information sink in. Cassie found herself thinking about Ravi with his handsome, albeit cocky, looks and the way he always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye. It both annoyed and intrigued her. “What’s Ravi’s deal?” Cassie asked, playing with her wine glass while trying to pretend she was interested in the answer.
“Best let Ravi tell his own story.” Jove suggested.
“That’s thoughtful of you, Jove.” Ravi said as he suddenly appeared next to Cassie. In her surprise she staggered and almost tripped over the stool. Ravi reached out and grabbed her by the waist to stop her, and she felt an instant rush of electricity surge through her. Looking up, she met his mischievous stare and she swallowed thickly as he grinned at her. Cassie realized everyone’s eyes were on them; she squirmed out of Ravi’s grasp and slapped him across the face.
“Cassie!” Selene chastised her, but Ravi just burst into laughter. Cassie scowled at the sound, and turned her back to him while her heart did little flips in her chest.
“It is so cool that you become invisible,” Addie said, and Cassie rolled her eyes at her friend’s attempt to diffuse the situation.
> “I’m still getting used to it,” Ravi admitted. “The first time it happened, I completely freaked out until I returned back to normal. Like the rest of you, my powers only kicked in when you arrived in town. Turns out I can also astral project and teleport.”
“Okay, I’m super jealous,” Addie said.
“That’s all well and good, but I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to use your powers to spy on people like some supernatural peeping tom,” Cassie scowled.
“I wasn’t spying. I was making sure you were safe,” Ravi explained.
“I can look after myself, thank you very much,” Cassie snapped.
“Besides, if it wasn’t for me, you would never have found the lock,” Ravi said.
Cassie turned and glared at him. “That was you knocking shit off the shelf?”
Ravi grinned, clearly pleased with himself. “At the rate you were going, it would have been weeks before you found it.”
“What lock?” Selene asked.
“I’ll show you,” Cassie said, hopping off her stool and shoving her elbow into Ravi’s side as she stormed past him.
In the living room, Cassie dragged the stool back over to the bookshelf and pulled the book from the shelf before hopping back down. “It’s right there, in the wall. This book looks like it might have once stored the key, but it’s empty.” She opened it to show them.
“Well that’s perfect,” Selene sighed, crossing her arms against her chest. “Another mystery we have no clue how to solve.”
“Uh, guys…” Addie said, and as they all turned, she grabbed at a delicate silver chain hanging around her neck and pulled it from beneath her dress. Hanging from the end was an ornate key.
“Where did you get that from?” Cassie asked, reaching out touch it. She felt like she’d seen it before, but she knew she hadn’t.
“The other Addie gave it to me right before she went to fight Brenner,” Addie explained.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Jove asked, gently pushing Addie towards the stool. “See if it fits the lock!” Addie stepped up onto the stool as Jove protectively placed his hands around her waist.
“It fits!” Addie cried. Cassie clapped her hands together, hoping they were about to get some answers.
“Blast…” Addie said.
“What is it?” Selene asked.
“Well, it fits, but when I turn it nothing happens,” Addie said.
“Let me try,” Cassie demanded, replacing Addie on the stool, but she got the same result.
“This is so frustrating,” Selene moaned. “We have a mismatched lock and key and a disappearing window, neither of which are any help protecting us from what’s after us.”
“There are some family tomes back at my house that might hold the answers we need,” Marek said. “If anyone had information about all this stuff, it would be the order, right?”
“It’s worth a shot,” Cassie agreed. “Why don’t you take Selene and go and grab them?”
“I think it’s best that we all stick together,” Jove cut in. “We don’t know if the cult will be back—or Brenner for that matter.”
“I think Jove’s right. After seeing that creepy…thing…in town, I’d feel much better knowing we have our combined powers if we run into them again, especially since we’re still working them out,” Selene confirmed.
“Right. Well, let’s go,” Cassie declared, leading them out of the manor, making sure to keep some distance between herself and Ravi. As she watched him climb into the front passenger seat, her annoyance grew that he hadn’t bothered to ask anyone else if they wanted the seat.
Stop it. You’re being petty. You don’t even want the front seat. Or is it because you want him to sit in the back with you?
Cassie scowled as she climbed into the back next to Selene. Addie was about to join them when Jove reached out and grabbed her hand. “I need to shift. Would you mind bringing my clothes along for me?” he asked. Addie grinned and the two stepped back from the car. Both Cassie and Selene leaned forward, wanting to watch. Jove stood back from the car, and closing his eyes, his whole body seemed to both shimmer and vibrate before vanishing before their eyes. On hearing a small yap, they looked down at the pile of clothes on the ground to find a raggedy-looking puppy instead of a brazen, wolf-life dog.
“Okay that was awesome,” Selene exclaimed, “He’s so adorable!”
Addie scooped both Jove and his clothes up in her arms and got into the car, placing them on her lap as she closed the door behind them.
“Can I pat him?” Selene asked as Jove ran across their laps and licked her hands. Addie and Selene giggled.
“This is just straight up bizarre. You guys realize there’s a naked man there somehow, right?” Cassie pulled a face and tried to press herself up against the seat as Jove scurried across her lap.
“Stay alert,” Marek instructed sternly as he started the car and pulled out of the driveway.
Chapter Four
Selene
T
he drive took them through the town; Selene shuddered when they drove past the pub as she thought back to their attacker. She felt that Addie or Cassie weren’t as concerned by what was happening—that she was the only one who was scared. Her new-found friends seemed more concerned with touching or avoiding being touched by the puppy version of Jove. Selene, on the other hand, sat with her hands across her stomach, as it cramped and fluttered with nerves. She didn’t think she’d ever felt so anxious in her life.
Just before they reached the outskirts of town, Marek steered the Jeep off the main road and onto a narrow dirt track that weaved through the forest. Despite her fear, Selene found herself admiring the surrounding trees. They rose into the sky, with their skinny trunks and sparse branches. The sunlight filtered through the treetops causing shadows to dance across the ground. It gave the forest a hypnotic quality, and somehow made her feel a little calmer.
They pulled up in front of a large cabin, constructed by row upon row of logs that Selene imagined were the same as those surrounding the property. It was a single story, but it was sprawling, topped with narrow-peaked rooves of dark slate. To Selene, it looked more like a home than the sterile mansion she’d lived in with her husband.
They piled out of the car; Addie followed Jove as he leaped out and ran around to the back of the car.
“You’re not going to just stand there and watch him, are you?” Cassie asked.
“Well I can’t just put his clothes on the ground! They’ll get dirty!” Addie exclaimed with a grin.
“You could at least turn your back to him, you perve,” Cassie retorted.
“Too late!” Addie giggled as Jove suddenly sprung up before her.
“Ugh.” Was Cassie’s response as she walked towards the house.
“I think they’re sweet together,” Selene whispered as she walked beside her.
“Would that be because you’re all loved up with Mr. Protector over here?” Cassie asked, nodding towards Marek’s back as he stepped up onto the porch to unlock the front door.
“Shh!” hissed Selene, nudging Cassie in the ribs as she watched Marek to make sure he hadn’t heard.
Marek pushed the front door open and stepped aside. “Welcome to my humble home.” He waited until everyone was inside before he closed and locked the door behind them. “Make yourselves at home. There’s not much in the fridge except a few beers, but you’re welcome to anything you can find. I’ll go and find these books, if you want to help me, Selene?”
She nodded, the flurry of nerves returning, only this time they had nothing to do with an impending attack and everything to do with being alone with Marek. She followed him silently through the cabin until he led her into what looked like a large study, lined on either side with floor-to-ceiling shelves overflowing with books. The rear of the room had a long, narrow window that ran the length of the wall, letting in what natural light managed to filter down through the trees. Selene hove
red over a wooden coffee table in the center of the room that was hedged on either side by worn lounge chairs. She felt awkward just standing there, but had no idea what Marek was looking for. So instead, she pretended to admire the room while she covertly watched Marek run his long fingers along the spines of the books, the muscles of his arms apparent under his shirt. Selene found herself wondering what his muscles looked like without the shirt on them and as though sensing her eyes on him, he spoke softly.
“I was hoping we could take this opportunity to talk,” he said softly.
Selene was grateful his back was still turned, as she blushed at her interrupted thoughts.
“Uh, sure. What did you want to talk about?” she asked.
“I know the timing is shit, but it’s doing my head in. The kiss…I wanted to know…”
“It was a mistake,” Selene cut him off, turning away from him, fearing that if he looked at her, he’d see the lie in her eyes.
Marek didn’t say anything for a moment, but she could hear him pulling books from the shelves. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Selene distracted herself by reading the titles of the books piled on the table, each of them with pieces of paper sticking out from their pages, marking places. She jumped when Marek whispered over her shoulder.
“Why?”
“Why what?” Selene asked, spinning around.
“Why was it a mistake?” Marek asked, his eyes searching hers in a way that made her feel completely exposed; it made her want to run from the room.
“How many reasons do you want?” She asked, trying to make light of the situation but failing.
Marek reached out and grabbed her hand. “I know it’s crazy, that we’ve just met, but I’ve seen the way you look at me and I know you feel the connection between us as strongly as I do. The whole time I was listening to Addie try to explain her connection with Jove, I knew exactly how she felt. It’s how I’ve felt about you since the moment I saw you on the side of the road.”
