Myth (Book 1)

by Angela K. Crandall

  “At least leave him a note. Plan B along with some studying up on that book Star gave you,” suggested Dan a bit out of breath. “I never expected this to escalate so rapidly.”

  “Neither did the clan,” I replied. “The plan was to depart tomorrow after the test, but we cannot leave Cal and Nuria in a cold cavern with the enemy! We must be ready for an ambush. My logic says the other bandits will most likely surround the area to protect the cave. They may have even rigged up booby traps. We won’t just be able to go sprinting in there,” I remarked.

  “You may be wrong, how will they know we’re coming? That is, especially if they assume our attack was, meant for tomorrow evening and not tonight,” stated Owl as we reached the campus.

  Molly advanced ahead. In fact, she ran as if her life depended on it.

  “Jones, wait, we have to talk to you! It’s urgent,” she shouted chasing after him. He’d just come out a side door exiting the building, his briefcase slapping against his thigh. He stopped, looked up, and began to walk over to us.

  “Hey, guys, there’s no class today. I came by to check my e-mail and urgent messages, from the dean. He’s been on me regarding my teaching habits. He’s never favored me,” he said. Then covered his mouth with his hand. “Oops, I’m not supposed to speak to students about that. There I go breaching confidentiality again!”

  “You haven’t changed a bit! It’s like a flashback from my college days,” said Dan punching him playfully on his arm. “I’m Starla’s father,” he explained, extending his hand. Professor Jones took it, shaking it wildly.

  “Yes, yes, it’s good to meet you. Now, what is so imperative?” he asked, opening the entrance door for us.

  What was I going to say? I didn’t want to lie to him. No, I wasn’t going to fib. If he knew all about this predating stuff, why couldn’t I trust him?

  “Jones,” I said, glancing at my friends. “I have an emergency. It, can’t wait. My family has to leave tonight. You see two of them are in great danger. If we don’t, they could perish! Molly, Jenson, and I are working with my father on the investigation of Du-Vance’s death.”

  “And what does that have to do with your family young lady?”

  On the spot! I was on the spot! Fudge, did I tell him that I could get all foxy. That all these years, what he had been teaching and speculating was the truth? Damn it!

  “Dan, what’s going on? You and I have been friends for a very long time. I’ve got a few secrets in my closet too. Maybe we could step into my office. You can fill me in on what this pertains to. If it’s, what I presume, it is then I’ll give them an extension. “Starla,” he said, turning to me. “Do you have the essay completed?”

  “Yes, of course! Math is what my mother has to prod me about.”

  Jones pushed open the door to his classroom, allowing us to enter. “Now I have about forty-five minutes before I have to take off,” he said as we advanced into his office.

  “Here, let’s just sit down.” He guided us to a small cubicle. “I don’t have enough seats for everyone so you’ll have to stand.”

  “That’s OK,” said my dad.

  I pulled out the essay from the back pocket of my jeans. “It’s kind of, rumpled,” I declared, handing it to him.

  He unfolded it and scanned its contents. “Good, good, this is very conclusive on who you suspect may have been involved in killing Du-Vance. Most would find it far-fetched alongside your allegations of this group you claim, were experimented on by scientists, but it all makes sense to me,” he added.

  “Huh,” we said, looking at each other.

  “You didn’t assume I was that naive did you? I’m a member of the alliance,” he boasted setting down the papers on his desk. “All the times you had your meetings in the cafe, or library I observed you, your tendencies, and interest in the Kitsune fox. I planned on revealing myself eventually. Even your father wasn’t aware I knew. I saw when he and your mother fell in love. I just chose not to expose it, who would have believed me?”

  “I certainly wouldn’t have if you’d told me on the first day of class,” I replied.

  “I’m sorry if I rattled you. I’m only letting you in on the most pertinent activities. I don’t even know, who in the clan is aware of me. I like to call myself a silent observer. If I perceive something going on that shouldn’t be, I report it anonymously to Nuria. Since she’s left, I haven’t tried to make any further contact. Owl, your father Rascal is among us. I considered contacting him a few times,” he responded.

  “What kept you from doing so? Why spy on us?” Owl screamed practically throwing over Jone’s desk.

  “He’s only trying to help us, push us, get us to grow. Now let’s not start a war. We have another situation to deal with at Thunderhead Bay!” I exclaimed.

  Molly sat crossed legged in the corner, appearing as if she might bolt at any minute. Her hands trembled flat against the carpet floor.

  “Simmer down, you’re all scaring Molly,” Jenson piped in.

  “If I can’t handle this, then how am I going to be able to handle healing people?” she asked me.

  “It’s going to be OK, we just have to go over that book, Star gave us,” I said.

  Jones pulled out a stack of documents from a nearby filing cabinet. “Here’s the rest of the paperwork on the bandits. I’m not sure, how much time you have, better get back to the clan.”

  “You’re not coming with us?” I asked, my eyes diverted to the floor.

  “It’s not my fight, and while I appear immortal to others, it’s only the slowing down of age. My story is for another occasion. I must go. I’ve said all I can without putting myself at risk,” he replied getting up from his chair.

  “Dan, it was nice seeing you again, hopefully, it will be on a lighter note when we next meet,” he said exiting the office.

  Stunned, should I be? My own, teacher had been stalking, us!

  “He was protecting you Araina, let it go,” spoke Nayla pushing into my mind with her thoughts.

  “OK, fine, for now,” I replied.

  “Now go, open that book Star gave you, gather up some things, warmer clothes, perhaps, and then meet us at Mike’s. We’re all leaving, together,” thought Nayla...

  Jenson shook my shoulder bringing me back to reality.

  “What?”

  “You spaced, come on we need to get to the library. It’s almost four. That gives us an hour and a half before we have to get back,” he explained.

  “And eat,” said Molly. Her stomach grumbled.

  I stood up, from the hardwood floor and rubbed my butt. That had hurt! Time to get my Willow on!

  “What are you pondering?” spoke my father in a rather needling manner.

  “I have to merge with Willow,” I mumbled.

  “Who the hell is Willow, there is no one by that name in our tribe!”

  “She’s from “Buffy,” said Molly as we left the office, making our break for a secluded spot in the library before it closed.

  “Ah, I bet your mother loved that you watched those shows,” he snickered.

  “No, not at all, in fact, when she found my spell books she threw a hissy. She took them away. Afterwards, I was stuck getting my advice from the history channel and documentaries hence, the reason that my spell probably won’t last long, if it works at all.”

  “I bet you’re more talented than you give yourself credit for,” chided Molly as we passed the Cafe.

  “Oh, coffee, Please come on,” I pushed, grabbing my dad by his shirt.

  “Your not two Starla, but I’m sure the library has a no coffee policy. All of us will get something quick before we go back. It’s time to learn spells, your mother, has no say. I assume she’d rather have you and I come back alive.”

  I shut my mouth thinking it best. It had a way of getting me into trouble. So far I’d been a good girl listening, following instructions, even if, I was a bit bossy. Ah, no independent I considered smiling to myself. We waltzed into the stacks as if we owne
d the place. We practically did, my home away from home three days a week out of five.

  “Our usual table,” Jenson said to Dan pointing out seats near a window. There was no one in sight.

  “Perfect, now let’s get cracking!”

  I laughed at my dad’s slang, and he grinned at me.

  (Nuria&Cal)

  Meanwhile...

  “You’d better hope they come for you,” it hissed. Nuria and Cal were cowering against the cave wall, shivering, still unable to transform. Nuria thought, that with all the stress converting would be possible. She couldn’t explain it. She’d inspected the enclosed area various times, as it guarded the front of the cave. Its evil eyes darted back and forth, teeth protruding from its mouth as saliva poured out of it onto the floor.

  “We’d better keep quiet, child. They’ll be back, they said, they would. The light she left around us should protect us for a bit longer,” she, mind spoke to Cal.

  The thing tossed them a blanket, “Here this will keep you warm. I don’t want you to freeze to death.” It laughed. “The bandits want you, delivered alive! That Minder was so easy to deceive. I held on to the hope that she, Cal, and you were hiding, close by. Bulls-eye! You see, us, shape-shifters have our advantages. Unlike the Bandits, I hate everyone, not for what they did to me, but because I can!”

  “Don’t listen to it, keep focused, stay in-tune, try to connect,” I told myself, looking down at Cal. It was my job now to keep her protected until that girl came back. Starla, I think that’s her name. The one, the clan, talked so fondly of. The individual, Tri kept from us.

  Chapter 31

  (Magic)

  “Now some of these spells are specific. The best ones for our use would be...” my dad paused skimming through the book of contents. “Hmm, let’s see temporary paralyzes your victims. Quite conveniently called paralysis. I’ll write that one down.”

  “Are we going to try and capture this thing?” I asked, peering over his shoulder at the book. There before me appeared a location spell. “How come, we didn’t use that to find Cal and Nuria?”

  My dad patted me on the back. “We tried several times to use that incantation long-ago. It didn’t work something blocked Star’s powers. She’s the most talented in her craft given she’s a half-gypsy,” he reflected, drumming his fingers on the table. “A few of us have managed to learn some of these, but we are limited unless one of you is, able to pick up the ability quickly and precisely.”

  I wondered if anything televised on Buffy was true. Shouldn’t Star be here teaching me this instead of my dad? What did he know about Wicca?

  “Starla, you ought to give one of these spells, a whirl. You were successful using your intellect as a weapon during the candle magic ceremony,” Molly reminded me, adjusting the book towards her observing it more closely.

  “Yes, all of us will play a part in this. Dad, how many enchantments are we discussing here?”

  “The highest ranking ones, are our top-line of defenses paralysis, protection, and banishment. If this entity is not of this world, and a demonic force we’ll need to send it back where it originated,” he added rifling through the pages. “Ah, here it is. The paralysis spell. You pour salt around the attacker next soak them in white vinegar, oils, thus purifying their soul,” he read.

  “Why would you purify someone’s soul who’s harmed you? Wouldn’t you banish them to hell?” Jenson pointed out as he chewed his gum rather loudly.

  “I’m not sure, this is what the book says. It also speaks of asking, our gods to take our enemy into his or her own hands. It depends on who your god or gods are.” My dad blinked his eyes twice staring again at the chant on the page we were to use. “A very odd book for one of wizardry,” he said.

  “A little too moral for you,” sassed Star. She’d crept up behind me. “Magic is only to be used sparingly. It’s why, each of you has been taught to defend yourselves in combat. Now, the spells you’re looking at here,” she said, gazing down at the ones Dan had jotted down. “Right, these are the only ones we should need. You must go over paralysis first.” She said and sat next to me

  It was peculiar, to witness Star in her human form. I hadn’t grown accustomed to people shifting from one shape to another. I’d have to do so myself. I brushed it off, struggling to focus on the task.

  “Paralysis takes a bit of concentration. It’s basically, freezing your victim in time, so you can get passed them. Your opportunity to escape is limited purifying their soul is optional. It’s trickier since one has to have this as their chosen gift,” she said looking straight at Jenson.

  “Me, how do you know, I can do this?” he stammered.

  “Kaya told me prior, to coming here. Remember, she can see the future?”

  “Yes, but Cavin said...”

  “She experienced a vision when she gifted you individually at the ceremony. A lot was going on. We figured the best thing to do was contemplate it when the issue came up. Rushing things is not our style,” she reasoned.

  “So, who exactly is he going to paralyze?” Owl said.

  “Why not you, go ahead Jenson.”

  “Just like that, on the spot, no training needed!”

  “Shh, just do what she says boy,” said my father.

  Jenson squinted as if he was in deep agony, and then flicked his hand towards Owl. He froze. Well, he half froze.

  “Waa di you jusss do too muh,” he responded.

  “Don’t worry,” she said and placed a hand on Owl’s shoulder. “It happens to beginners. Jenson will learn how to completely freeze someone sooner or later. For now, it will suffice. We could try again at the end of this session.”

  “Rally, whhh mu?”

  “Hang in there, only two more spells to learn.” I tried not to laugh. It was pretty funny. Nevertheless, Owl had to have a variety of special gifts. Why hadn’t he shared them? It wouldn’t surprise me if, in the middle of an attack, he transformed into his namesake. Sigh...

  “Protection is pretty much Starla’s area, isn’t it? Since, she used it on her vision quest?” Jenson asked.

  “Protection spells can be used by many; however, how potent, depends on the one’s passion for protecting another. It’s inwardly produced such as adrenaline. I can give you basics as the book does, but overall it must emerge from your spirit pushing it out towards the ones you wish to shield. We are hoping for slight fatalities here so no one, go rogue hero for us OK? While, on this mission, we work as a team,” Star ordered.

  “You know, you’re using all my lines, and I’m the father,” Dan said sternly. He looked as if she had hurt his pride.

  “Finish up telling them about banishment,” Star instructed, pushing away from the table. She stood facing us. “Now I’ll meet you in a half -hour. Dan, please brief them accordingly. We don’t know what this thing is. It could be demonic, a ghost or even a brand new...”

  Dan put a hand on her arm, “I’ll advise them, and we’ll be on our way. Thanks, I’m glad you came to facilitate,” he admitted.

  “I was passing through and remembered about Jenson. I thought it imperative,” she offered. Then turned away dissipating into a fog.

  I shook my head twice clearing my brain of what I’d seen.

  “She knows magic, don’t be shocked that she can just, poof!” whispered Molly. She turned the banishing spell page back towards my father.

  (Megan & Tri)

  “Mom, stop pacing. They’ll be fine,” she said as we sat down to eat dinner.

  “If, it wasn’t her first assignment with her clan. I wouldn’t worry so much. It’s exasperating, things have gotten so erratic.” I picked at my rice and chicken. Then brought it to my mouth and chewed.

  “She said she’d be home this evening, if she isn’t, she should call, if not ground her.” Megan stabbed pieces of veggies with her fork.

  “I’m sure your dad would love that. I imagine he’s confident that I’ll reunite with the clan.”

  “Will you?”

  �
��I don’t desire my life to be so solitary. Secretive...”

  “Mom, you’re still hiding parts of who you are, just like you were hiding them from Starla. You guys are lucky to be part of something so cool,” she responded.

  “Cool, isn’t the word for it. When you have bandits hunting you down,” I snapped.

  “Oh, the same people you let run you out of town?” Megan put down her fork. “Why did we come back?”

  “Your father made me promise Starla would go to college here. That way you both could reunite with him. I never planned on, us falling back together again,” I answered, wiping my hands on my napkin.

  “How come you never got a divorced?”

  “There’s no such thing in our clan. Marriage is possible. Then there is the separation, but we don’t call it a divorce. It’s more about cutting ties, and you have to have a ceremony. We never did.”

  “Why not,” nagged Megan.

  I began stuffing myself with mouthfuls of veggies and chicken. It was too painful to reply. My life was finally starting to come back together again with my girls and Dan. I had to make my final decision about the man I loved, my truth, and if I’d go back to it all. If I did I’d have to acknowledge the way things were, would I have to fight? How would I fit in? Now that I was a librarian, could I?

  “Mom, are you OK?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine. After we finish up, I’ll contact your dad. There may be some complications. Nothing for you to agonize over.”

  My daughter pushed around the chicken and rice left on her plate. Setting aside my own, I got up, taking hers and mine to the sink. “Do you want some dessert?”

  “No thanks, I’ll go, wash up. Let me know if you reach Starla,” she replied, getting up from the table. “I’m going to go, do some homework in the living room.”

  “OK, let me know if you change your mind about dessert,” I shouted as she left.