by Bonnie Lamer
It is this one that makes her grandmother pause. I also notice Xandra’s mother is trying to hide her fear. I have a feeling I know what the last member of the Witan does. And Xandra is going to flip out when she hears it.
Patience being an unfamiliar term for her, Xandra asks again, “What does the last one do?”
Her mother squares her shoulders and holds her head high. “Tell her, Mother.”
Still, the Angel does not speak. Xandra looks to me but there is no way I am going to speak my hunch out loud. I do not want to be the one she takes it out on. “Will one of you please tell me?”
“Fatin is a master of Evocation and Exorcism,” her mother says, admirably covering the fear in her voice with indifference.
“Exorcism. Like getting rid of ghosts?”
I am about to explain that this is actually a valuable skill, in other situations, of course, but her mother beats me to it. “Yes, Xandra, Evocation is the ability to call forth spirits in preparation for exorcism.” She sighs. “Not all spirits who linger in this plane are good. Sometimes, a Witch will hold on because he or she wants to take revenge on an enemy or someone who they believed committed some wrong against them. Some will even try to take control of another Witch’s body.”
“But you don’t do any of those things so he’ll leave you alone, right?”
She is so innocent. I would like nothing better than to wrap her in my arms and take her as far away from here as possible. Instead, I have to stand by and watch threat after threat come her way. The only thing I can do is help her learn how these things work. I lay my hand on hers and squeeze gently. “A threat to the ones you love may cause you to do things you shouldn’t.” I can tell she knows that I am referring to her offering to open the realms to each other to save her brother.
“You think they’ll threaten to exorcise Mom and Dad?”
Innocent. So innocent. They will go after the easier target first. With a look in her father’s direction, I say, “I think they will threaten at least one of your parents, yes.”
Her father understands what I am saying. “And I’m the only non-magical one here. I would be the easiest target.” There is fear in the far corners of his eyes. Good, there should be. He truly is the most vulnerable one here.
A homicidal shadow is clouding Xandra’s eyes. I am going to avoid teasing her for the time being. Otherwise, I may end up on the wrong side of that shadow.
Her grandmother is thinking the same thing. “There are protection spells that may be used against all of the Witan’s infinities. As well as spells that can render their spells null and void. We’ll protect your family – whatever it takes.”
Something clicks in Xandra’s mind in regards to her grandmother. It is apparent in her demeanor. I do not know if it is seeing a mirror image of her own homicidal thoughts in her grandmother’s eyes, or if it a leap of faith, but she is no longer looking at her grandmother as a potential threat.
“How long do you think we have before they arrive?” Xandra’s father asks. My guess is they’ll be here in the morning.
“I would be surprised if they’re not here by tomorrow morning,” the Angel says. Hmm, good guess on my part.
“Do you really think they can prepare in that short of time?” Xandra’s mother asks. In all of history, wishful thinking has never won a war. In any realm. The Witch needs to face the fact her father is coming to kill her daughter. Again. I thought grandmother was hard on me growing up. She seems like a pussy cat compared to the Witch’s family. Well, a very large pussy cat, with sharp claws and teeth, and a great deal of power. Okay, bad analogy.
“What do we do first?” Xandra asks. She is getting antsy in her chair. She needs to do something before her head explodes. Or we do, because she is starting to draw magic in her agitated state.
The Angel turns to me. “Are you powerful enough to defend against any of these types of magic?”
“Ekstasis will not work on a Fairy. The Fae are too in tune with their mind and body for them to be separated from each other. It is the difference between how we draw magic – filling ourselves with it as opposed to using it externally as Witches do.” That sounded more diplomatic than saying our minds are not as weak as Witches’ are.
“Do you think I have that ability?” Xandra asks.
I wish I could give her a solid answer on this one. “I would imagine that is the case. Your magic is internal. You command it from within as I do.”
“Okay, one down and six more to go. You said that the tree magic will strip away Maeva’s Seduction?” Xandra was paying better attention than I thought she was. She asks several more questions about the Witan and how we will defend against each of them.
When the conversation comes around to the Summoner again, I am happy to say, “Fairies are also immune to Summoning spells meant for Witches.” Superior mind control again. I will continue to keep that thought to myself. I am a bit less smug when I am asked, “What about Summoning spells for Fairies?”
“If the magic is still known, it would be effective.” I do not like admitting that.
“The magic is still known,” the Angel says. There is a satisfaction in her eyes that should not be there if we are on the same side.
The conversation continues with the surprise of Xandra’s mother being able to create illusions. Another Angel trait. It seems she was kept ignorant of what, exactly, Witches can and cannot do. Otherwise, she would have been second guessing her heritage years ago.
Finally, after several more long minutes of rehashing old family tricks from days long gone by, the Angel rises to her feet. “Alright, let’s make the mighty oaks become our shield.” Exactly what I have been waiting for.
Chapter 6
I have a hard time containing my curiosity as we go outside. I am about to witness magic that even my grandmother has never seen. The only downside is that I will never be able to tell her about it.
As we wait for her grandmother to pick the trees that will be used in the protection spell, Xandra looks up at me. “Why are you so excited?”
Guess I should tone it down a bit. Taking her hand in mine, I try for indifference. “I am always interested in learning about magic I am not familiar with.”
Her narrowed eyes tell me she is not buying it. “Uh huh, why do I think you’re not telling me the whole story?”
Without meeting her eyes, I say evenly, “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
Fortunately, her grandmother stops walking and interrupts us to comment on the forest. “The trees here are marvelous. I would have loved to live among them.” Well, I guess she has her destination picked out if she chooses to fall again. Though, considering how this trip to the Cowan realm turned out for her, I am guessing she will stay with the Angels from now on.
Turning around to face us, she says, “There are enough oaks surrounding the house that we will be able to make a large circle of protection. Xandra, I need you to take this,” she hands Xandra a bowl of paste that smells god awful. It is strong enough that if the smell lingers on Xandra, it will be difficult to want to be near her. That says a lot because I am all about being near her.
Xandra was squeamish about adding her blood to the mixture. She has no idea how powerful blood can be in a spell. Her blood, with its mixture of magical heritages, is like shooting a cannon when you only meant to shoot an arrow. I am really hoping that the Angel has kept that in mind. Then again, she is asking her to do magic that neither Witches nor Fairies can do, so I am guessing she is keeping that in mind.
With a complex marking of trees, Xandra says a spell with each one. On the first tree, she says, “From earth to heaven, I call to thee, Heavenly Divine, guardian of this tree. Circle of magic, circle of life, protect us now from mischief and strife. Forged images in malevolent aspect, our minds’ eye will forcibly reject.” The Angels always made their spells cutesy.
The second tree, she says, “By thou who whispers gentle yet strong, thou for whom my soul doth long, I beckon t
hee with magic old, let your Divine light, darkness unfold.”
Next is, “By wood and wind, crimson and clay, your wisdom guides me this fateful day. Come to me, I beckon thee, from beyond the gates of death and birth, the one who gives all life upon earth. Guide me through this tangled path, of knowledge gained and wisdom’s wrath.” Xandra looks confused on that last line. I admit, it seems a bit odd to me, as well.
Xandra’s next drawing looks like a melted wine glass. I do not think that it is supposed to look like that. “The Divine chalice filled with love, water, salt and wing of dove, from your lips to mine, this elixir of life, hold me fast against nameless strife. Fill my body, cleanse my soul, wash away thine enemy’s hold.”
On the next tree, she draws a stick with a dot on top. I am assuming the spell works when the thought is there, not the actual talent of drawing. “By wind and fire, this molten flow, brings light from dark in a hollow soul. Bless me now with your love, light and power, become one with me this fateful hour.”
I have no idea what her next drawing is. I am going to give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that it is difficult to finger paint on a tree. “Defender of sky, forest and field, breathe upon me your heavenly shield. Humbled by your mighty presence, fill me with your holy essence. With my life force held in hand, protect me as I make my stand.”
“This last tree will bind the spell and close the circuit,” The Angel says as she moves to an elder tree.
“Shouldn’t it be another oak tree?” Xandra asks.
Her grandmother shakes her head. “The elder tree is a magical entity that has enough power to bind the oaks.” Something Xandra would have learned if she had been taught, oh, anything about magic.
The last part of the spell is the Drawing Down of the Moon. This is a spell still spoken by Witches, but not with the same effect it had for Angels. Or will have for Xandra.
“Bewitching Goddess of the cross roads
Whose secrets are kept in the night,
You are half remembered, half forgotten
And are found in the shadows of the night.
From the misty hidden caverns
In ancient magic days,
Comes the truth once forbidden
Of thy heavenly veiled ways.
Cloaked in velvet darkness
A dancer in the flames
You who are called Diana, Hecate,
And many other names.
I call upon your wisdom
And beseech thee from this time,
To enter my expectant soul
That our essence shall combine.
I beckon thee O Ancient One
From far and distant shore,
Come, come be with me now
This I ask, and nothing more.”
A whirlwind begins to connect the trees, building an invisible wall around us. “Remarkable,” I whisper. Ancient magic at work before my very eyes.
Xandra gives me a testy look. I guess I would be testy, too, if I smelled like she does at the moment. “What, are you her number one fan, now?”
I try to remember that she just worked an incredibly difficult spell and she is dealing with the aftereffects. Regardless, I am about to say something guaranteed to get me in trouble, when Xandra places her hands over her ears and drops to her knees. She is panicked and scared. All thoughts of anything else leave my head as I kneel in front of her. “Xandra, what is it? What is wrong?” She is not responding to me. I do not believe she can hear me.
Her grandmother joins us in the snow. She starts tugging at Xandra’s arms, trying to get her to uncover her ears. Xandra pulls back from her and she has tears streaming down her cheeks. I swear, I am going to kill the Angel if she cannot fix this.
“What is wrong with her?” I demand.
“She is resisting the magic! If she does not accept it within her, it will drive her mad!”
Even if she can fix this, I believe I am still going to kill her. “That seems an important little detail she should have been told going into this,” I growl. “She has never experienced Angel magic, so she had no idea to expect this. Your precious little secret is going to get her killed! Fix this or we shall see if a Fallen Angel’s magic is stronger than a Sheehogue Fairy’s.” I can see the fire in her eyes from my challenge, but there is also fear. Every cell of my body is ready to back up my threat and there can be no doubt in her mind about that as she looks at me.
“Distract her. Do something that will force her to think about something else.”
Like what, stick her with a hot poker? Whatever she is experiencing at the moments seems pretty hellish already. I guess there may be something else I can try. Reluctantly, I attempt to pull her arms down. Stronger than her grandmother, I am successful. The murderous look in her eyes almost makes me put her hands back on her ears.
“Xandra!” her grandmother shouts. “Accept it! Stop trying to block it. Let the magic take hold!” From the look of things, if Xandra does become homicidal, I believe her grandmother will be first on her list.
“Xandra, listen to her. Trust me!” So help me, the Angel better be right about this. Placing my hands on her cheeks, I bring her lips to mine, stunning her into compliance. She places her hands on my chest and begins to push me away, but something stops her, so I deepen the kiss. After a moment, she wraps her arms around me and pulls me closer. My eyes are closed, but I know light is radiating from her as she brings us to a place I have never been before. The passion and desire she is sending through me with her touch blocks out everything else as our hands begin to explore each other. At this moment, it is just the two of us in the universe. She could demand anything from me and I would give it to her. I love her. That knowledge no longer scares me. It makes me hungry for more of her, and she answers me with her hands and her lips. Her light is filling me, filling me with the love she feels for me, allaying any fear I may have had that my feelings are stronger than hers. She is bringing me so close to the edge, I will fall any second now.
And then, she passes out in my arms.
Chapter 7
Coming back to reality is painful. In many ways. Physically. Emotionally. Life threatening. I add that last part because three pairs of eyes are getting over their shock of watching Xandra and I practically make love in the snow, and now, at least two of them are very angry.
“What the hell was that?” her father growls. He has never looked more corporeal than he does right now. Color has rushed into him, and I believe if he concentrates just a little harder, he will have enough form to wrap his hands around my neck.
To my surprise, the Angel steps in front of me. “It was not his fault.” It appears she is determined to be on all the same kill lists that I am. I must admit, my feelings of well-being towards are beginning to grow as she stares down an angry father in my defense. If this had happened in my realm, Xandra and I would be getting married as soon as she regains consciousness.
“I have eyes,” her father snarls. “They still work perfectly.”
“The power of the magic was surging through her and into him. They were caught in its web and until it ran full circle, they could not leave it. They could no more help their actions than you can stop being see-through.”
I almost chuckle at that last part. Fortunately, I am smart enough not to do so. Instead, I scoop Xandra into my arms and stand up. “I will bring her inside,” I say, not looking at anyone in particular.
“Kallen, please come into the kitchen after you have seen to Xandra,” her mother says. “Jim, you and I need to take a little float around the house.” I think he is going to say any number of things about how he feels about taking a float around the house, but he does not. Smart man. I do not think Xandra’s mother is in any mood to hear it.
I carry Xandra into the house and down the hallway to her room. Laying her down on her bed, I sit next to her for a moment. She looks so peaceful. There is still a light glow about her as the magic settles in. Her black hair against the pillow is silky soft, and there is
a tiny smile on her lips that makes me want to kiss them. I push a loose strand of hair from her cheek and lightly touch my lips to hers. Her smile becomes a little brighter, but she continues to sleep. I have no doubt in my mind now that she will be fine.
So, it is time to face the wrath of her parents.
Chapter 8
As I walk down the narrow hall, I prepare myself for what is to come. Xandra and I must be hand-fasted, of course, after such a display of…affection in public. In front of her parents, no less. I can still feel the euphoria that overcame me when she began kissing me back. But hand-fasting? Am I ready for that? I simply do not know. What I do know, is that I can no longer imagine a life without Xandra in it.
The Angel is alone in the kitchen and she is busying herself by searching the cupboards and refrigerator. I believe she is going to make lunch. I hope I am still around to have some. Those little discs Xandra had me eat this morning were not at all filling. I walk to the table and pull out a chair. I sit down and watch the Angel as she begins cracking eggs into a bowl. I do not believe she is ignoring me; she is simply focusing on her task.
It is about five minutes later when Xandra’s parents float through the back wall, startling me. Again, they really need ghost bells. I stand up and say, “I would like apologi….”
That is as far as I get before Xandra’s mother holds up her hand, cutting me off. “That is not necessary. I am familiar enough with magic to know that powerful spells can create havoc in our minds.” Havoc is not exactly what I felt, but I will not correct her.
I nod my head. “Thank you. I understand that you will want to plan a hand-fasting…”
Again, I am interrupted. Her mother is taken aback. “A marriage? Whatever are you talking about?”
“In my realm, such actions would lead to a hand…” Apparently, the middle of my sentences keep interrupting the beginning of hers.
“This is not your realm, Kallen. We don’t have such old-fashioned ideas any longer,” she says with an amused smile. I am about to say something when she continues, “But, that does not mean that we condone such behavior. If you are going to remain here with us, a certain amount of decorum will be expected.”
