Turning the Stone (The Blood Rites Trilogy Book 2)

by S. L. Perrine

  Gwen suddenly felt a heaviness in her heart as she entered the house, then felt a light fill her. “She’s gone. Why did you make me leave? I could have been with her when it happened.” Gwen rushed over and started to pound her fists into Silas’ chest.

  He grabbed her wrists and held them close. “She told me to. I know, I’m sorry, but for a witch who gave up her gifts, her will was strong. She was the driving force that got us here, not me. I’m so sorry.” Tears fell from his eyes as he cradled her to him.

  She tried to fight through his hold, jerking her whole body so her fists would hit, but she couldn’t. She leaned into him and he wrapped his arms around her. Gwen cried until her chest hurt and her lungs burned. She cried until the tears would no longer fall, and her face was raw from wiping them away. Her chest heaved and Silas pulled her closer, his hand stroking the back of her head while he rocked her back and forth.

  “Shh, it’ll be ok.”

  She pulled away from him. “Will it? Do you see the sky outside? It’s the middle of the day, but it looks like night. This is it, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, I think so.” He smoothed her hair from her face and wiped the last of the tears from her cheeks with the palms of his hands. Dirt streaked her face.

  The phone on the wall began to ring and they both stood still.

  “I’ll get it.” Gwen rushed to the phone while Silas locked all the doors and windows. Gwen gave him a questioning look.

  “It might not keep them out, but it’ll give us a bit more time.”

  She lifted the receiver from the wall. “Hello?”

  Chester was on the other end. Her heart felt heavy again even as her friend confirmed what she already knew. Then the shock replaced her sadness. “Silas? No. He didn’t. He couldn’t.”

  “Your father doesn’t think so either, but your sister is adamant.”

  “Listen, Chester, it’s happening. I don’t know how it’s related, but mother knew today was her last day. She told us. You must meet us at the cabin. It’s starting.” She screamed and jumped as the first explosion hit the outside of the house.

  “Gwen…they’re here,” Silas yelled from the other room.

  “Chester, get the others to the cabin. Go now, so you can’t be tracked.”

  “I can help.”

  “You’re not a part of this vision, Chester. Please, meet us there. It’s the only way.”

  “Fine...be safe.”

  Gwen hung up the phone and went to Silas who was closing the curtains on all the windows. She moved to help him, but he kept her back. “They know you and the baby are bound. That’s why it’s not real fire. Once they realized that you’ve figured out they don’t want you dead, they will enter the house.”

  “Then we should go, now.”

  “No, we have to wait for the right moment.”

  “Why?” she cried, though she’d shed all the tears her system could shed.

  “Because, if we leave before they try to enter they will see us. We must do it at the same time. Then we can double around and head back through the woods.”

  “What about the car?”

  “No. We have to let your family and mine think we died in the fire. They will burn this house to the ground when they find us gone. They’d have to.”

  “What about the Council? Can’t we go hide there?”

  “They’ll find us. No, we talked about this. Our best bet is to go hide. Wait it out. It’s just eighteen years,” he said and the corners of his mouth raised. “Think you can handle eighteen years cooped up with me or are you reconsidering letting me into your life that night in the cave?”

  “I would rather die right here in your arms than to have never loved you at all.”

  “Luckily, you don’t have to do either.” He pulled her to him and moved to the center of the room next to the new area rug they bought to conceal the opening in the floor. “Wait here.”

  Gwen watched Silas run to the pile of gifts and reach under the table. He stood with a dripping wet rag in his hand and placed it in Gwen’s when he reached her. She rung it out a little and placed it over her mouth and nose, before taking one last big breath.

  The smoke started to snake its way under the front door. Another explosion on the back side of the house made Gwen jump again. The cloth moved as she screamed. Silas placed his hand over hers to put it back into place as more smoke started to fill the house. Another explosion, then another until blue flame started to seep through the walls.

  Paint started to bubble. Wall paper began shrinking. Heat. They were beginning to feel real heat. A bottle was thrown through a window. Then a bang on the front door. Gwen remembered the vision. That was the cue. Silas moved her away, lifted the rug and with it the hatch. It led to a small tunnel under ground. Gwen could feel the cool early autumn air move up to greet her.

  “It’s ok. It’s time.” Silas held the door as she sat on the floor.

  She looked down and all she could see was her bulging abdomen. Looking back up to Silas she gave a nod and dropped down to the earth below her. She moved to the right two steps and waited for him to drop down beside her. She watched as he pulled the rug to the edge of the door, held it and the hatch together and dropped down, letting it down as quietly as possible. Then she noticed a piece of the frayed rug in his hand as he lifted the hatch and pulled on the fabric. They just had to hope the rug covered the edges enough that nobody would notice it. The accelerant under the house in that very spot would keep the authorities from knowing there was a hidden door in the floor once the house was burned to the ground.

  “That wasn’t so bad.”

  “Yes, but we still have to make it to the cabin,” Silas pointed out.

  “Right. Lead the way.”

  Gwen stayed quiet as Silas put a finger to his mouth. They listened to the men enter the house in the front and made their way to the back. Having no basement, they were crouched under the house itself. Once at the back, Silas looked around for any signs of the men. Once he concluded there were none, he pulled her free from under the back porch. They made their way to the trees, both mentally blocking anyone from sensing them.

  They made their way to the deepest part of the woods before they stopped to rest. Gwen watched as Silas looked for something. He pointed to a yellow ribbon tied to a small branch and then ducked underneath a fallen tree. He lifted two back packs from beneath it, handing her one.

  “When did you do this?”

  “Last night while you were asleep.” He pulled the ribbon from the tree and stuffed it in his pocket.

  “Sneaky.” She laughed finally releasing the events of the day. She couldn’t think about it all yet. She had to keep going. The baby pulled at her insides, and she felt a spasm flush against her abdomen and then down her back. “Oh, no. Not now.”

  “Is it the baby?”

  “I think so. I’m not sure.”

  “It’s too soon. Come we have to keep moving.”

  “Unless you have a car hidden as well, we can’t make it all the way to the cabin. You’re talking about walking over fifty miles or more.”

  “I would never ask you to walk that far.” He held out his hand and she took it.

  They walked to the edge of the woods and saw the silver Honda sitting on the side of the road. Ophelia jumped from the driver’s seat and opened the trunk. Silas threw the packs in and he and Gwen climbed into the back seat. Seraphine sat in the passenger seat and smiled back at them.

  “Good to see you two made it out in one piece. How about we get you home?”

  Gwen gave her a nod and a smile as she tried to catch her breath. Then she let out an ear-splitting scream.

  Ophelia balked. “Silas, drive.”

  She jumped from the driver’s seat and took Silas’ place next to Gwen. She placed both hands on the mother’s stomach and hummed. The car lurched forward, and Ophelia’s hands started to move in a clockwise motion around Gwen’s belly.

  “What’s happening?” Gwen's heart raced.

>   “This is a natural reaction to stress, and I’d wager you’ve been handed your fair share today alone. Just relax. Take deep breaths. Let her know she is okay now.”

  Gwen nodded her understanding and hummed along with Ophelia. The woman was a true seer. She could speak to the baby and Gwen knew whatever she was saying was working. The pain moved down her back again and she winced, though it wasn’t nearly as bad as before.

  “Just relax. It’s still not your time to come, little one.” Ophelia kept calm, humming and rubbing in a way that seemed to lull the baby to rest. “See, she’s asleep.”

  “I guess it was too much excitement for her,” Silas said as he laughed and Gwen felt the urge to shout out some profanity. She lay her head against the seat of the car, instead and closed her eyes.

  When she opened them again they were pulling up the long dirt road to the cabin. Their friends were all there waiting on the small front porch.

  “Thank the goddess,” Elle screamed rushing to her friend’s side.

  Seraphine and Ophelia helped Gwen from the car, while Chester and Marshal grabbed the bags from the back.

  “What happened after we left?” Gwen started to ask as they rushed her into the cabin.

  “Not now,” Ophelia warned. “It’s too much, and much too soon. Your body needs rest and relaxing.”

  Gwen was reminded of the pains she’s felt from the baby earlier and nodded her agreement. There would be time to discuss everything later. Nothing that happened could be changed. She let the woman lead her into the house, and up the stairs at the back. She heard water running in the distance through one of the doors and hoped it was a bath for her. They were right. It wouldn’t do her any good to have the baby come early. They weren’t nearly ready for her. Besides, hiding out meant there would be no hospital care.

  Ophelia would be all the care she needed. She specialized in positions and herbs. She could also speak to the baby. She was studying every piece of reading material she could get her hands on to become her midwife. She would deliver the baby and care for Gwen.

  Gwen just had to calm herself and make sure her daughter stayed put for the next month. That’s when the human doctor had said she was due. The middle of October. She just had to avoid any more stress. She could do it. She had too.

  “The bath is done. Do you think you can undress, or do you need a hand?” Ophelia asked and Gwen shied at the question for a moment. “I can go get Silas to help.”

  “No, I think I’ll be ok. Just help me to the bathroom.”

  She found it easier to move than she anticipated, and the warmth of the bath was just what she needed. Though as soon as she felt her body relax, she remembered that her mother was gone. That, someone, was trying to take her child from her, and her body began to shake. She sobbed silently, not wanting to alarm the others, but allowed the release, so as not to hold it in and cause more stress on her body. Once she was done she vowed it was to be the end of it.

  Gwen dressed in one of her summer night gowns. It tickled the top of her feet as she moved. She descended the stairs, finding everyone in the large sitting area off the kitchen. She sat next to Chester on the couch and Ophelia handed her a large cup of tea. Chester placed a hand on her thigh, and instantly her nerves were calmed.

  “I almost forgot,” she spoke low.

  “Forgot what?”

  “Your gifts, truly are gifts. I don’t have to feel all the bad stuff while you're around.”

  “Yes, for now.”

  “What?”

  “Not feeling is not good either. I’ll help you get through tonight. Maybe tomorrow, but you can’t numb the pain forever. You must move on. Heal from it.”

  “He’s right,” Ophelia said taking the seat next to her to check on the baby. She placed her hands-on Gwen’s abdomen and smiled. “She’s asleep.”

  “Good. Then maybe we can talk a little bit about what’s going to happen from here,” Silas said sitting across the room.

  “What do you mean?” Hex walked in the front door, a haggard looking Finis on his tail.

  “Well, Gwen and I are going to stay here. You guys will go back home in a day or two. After we put a few spells in place.”

  “Ok, so what, we’ll take turns on a rotation? Bring you supplies and whatnot. Check in on you,” Hex said plopping down in an old green armchair.

  “No. You guys leave, and you don’t come back.”

  “Wait, ever?”

  “Hold it, Ginger. Surely, you don’t mean for us to stay away for good?”

  “I do.”

  “What? That’s madness,” Marcus yelled.

  “It’s the only way they won’t find us. We must stay off the grid. If any of you were to be followed, it would be too easy to find us. They just have to keep an eye on you.” Silas looked at Gwen. They had already had the conversation over and over. There just was no way around it. They could stay or go. None of them could come back if they left. “Ophelia will be staying to help with the delivery, just as any of you are welcome to stay. If you do…you can go back at any time. If you go back, you can’t return. We will spell you to forget this place.”

  “What?” the room erupted in shouts and cries. Nobody remained seated except for Gwen and Ophelia.

  Gwen sipped on her tea. Thinking only of her child and the next eighteen years ahead. “It’s the only way.”

  When she spoke, the room quieted. She was still the high priestess. They would always respond to her until she was not. Chester sat back next to her and went to place a hand on her shoulder, but she waved him off.

  “We must stay here. For her sake.” She placed her free hand on her stomach. “My mother was right. She will be the reason all is righted. She must be protected at all costs. If that means we lose our friends, then I’m sorry, but this is how it must be. I truly believe you should all go. Live your lives. Be happy. Find love. Finish college.” She laughed a little at Elle and Marshal. Her two friends who wanted nothing more than to move away from home and become something more than just witches.

  “We are fine. We will be fine. She will be fine. As long as everyone plays their parts,” Silas finished.

  Gwen looked to her cup for solace, but found none. She hated pushing them all away, but it seemed like the best thing to do.

  Chapter XXX

  “What have you done?”

  “What do you mean?” Sabina moved languidly around the trees. Her nails piercing the bark, drawing blood from within. Black puddles began to form at the base of each punctured tree.

  “Stop that. You know perfectly well what I mean.”

  She retracted her claws and looked upon her accuser. “I have made it easier to access the child.”

  “How? They’ve fled. We have no way of finding them now.”

  “Oh, but I believe we do. You see, one of them has a weakness. The one I plan to exploit, mercilessly.” She skipped around him.

  Sigmis had to spin in circles to keep his eye on her. “Really? And what will you do, once you find them? I told you I do not want the child or my son harmed.”

  “And my sister? What of your daughter-in-law? May she be harmed?”

  “Do what you will. That is your family drama.” Sigmis turned to walk away.

  “If you should find them first, I’ll have you know a little secret.”

  “What?” He balked. Fists clenched, jaw tight. Sabina laughed as the vein in his forehead bulged.

  “She’s bound herself and the child. They cannot be harmed. Killing one will kill the other, until the brat’s eighteenth birthday. Now, what say you of killing my sister?”

  “If you harm my family…”

  “Calm yourself. I have no intention of harming any of them. I never did. Well, Gwen excluded. However, my plan has just been altered is all.”

  “I have no use for your plans. I want my son and my granddaughter delivered to me. Do you understand?”

  “Testy.”

  Sigmis moved swiftly to her side and clasped a hand around the
girl’s wrist. His strength more than she could handle, Sabina winced in pain. Terror shown in her eyes.

  “Ah, you see, I am not as useless as others may now believe. I may not have the powers of the high priest, but I do maintain gifts only I have ever had. Brute strength.” He looked toward his men standing around them in the clearing. “And when that is not enough. I have their gifts at my disposal. So, don’t dick me around. Now, I ask again. Do…you…understand?”

  “Yes.” She gave him her best charming smile. “I understand perfectly. However, if I am to deliver Silas without Gwen, then how do you suppose you’ll keep him from going after her? No, I think I like my idea much more. As we speak, they are being flushed from their house. They are bound to come here in hopes of hiding themselves away. Then you get to play the hero. Keep them here until the kid is eighteen. Raise her as you’ve always wanted.”

  Sigmis let go of her wrist. Sabina straightened her shirt and tugged on the sleeves of her black jacket.

  “What do you mean, flushed out?” he asked before she had a chance to get very far.

  “Witch-fire. It burns blue and hot, but doesn’t kill witches. It will, however, destroy the house and everything in it. Giving them an out.”

  “I thought you said they fled?”

  “They had. They fled my family home. Your son has been accused of killing my mother.”

  “Your mother…she’s? No, he couldn’t have.”

  “Of course, he couldn’t. Your son, while he has your looks, he lacks your backbone. No, I ended the woman’s suffering.”

  “You speak of your own mother in such a way? Why?”

  “She could never have been my true mother. Seraphina should have been my mother.”

  “You’re mad. I want nothing more to do with this. If any harm comes to any of them…”

  “Oh, now I’m too much to handle? Fine. I’ll do it on my own. Trust me. You’ll thank me later.”

  Sabina raised a hand and was gone in a puff of smoke.

  “How the hell?” He turned to his men. “If you see that girl again, kill her on sight.”

  Sigmis turned, his dark trench coat billowed in the wind as he stomped away. To say he’d lost his temper would be an understatement. He almost killed the child himself. To think a teenage girl would undermine him. He slowly began to wonder where her motivation was coming from, and if her bark was worse than her bite.