“Grandma,” they said in unison, “Lena was teaching us magic. You scared us and we dropped the bear. We have to learn to be strong warriors.”
“Lena,” Paula stood with her hands on her hips, “I’d like to speak to you alone, now.”
Lena followed her grandma to the kitchen while the twins tried to use magic again.
“Sit down,” Paula demanded. “Tell me what in the world you think you’re teaching those two innocent babies.”
“Grandma,” Lena placed her fists on the table, “A battle is coming, a big one. One that’s much bigger than when I was little. Daniel and Garret are back, but they have powers given to them by a witch. You know my amulet gives me power, but Lizzy and Emmy have their own powers. They’re twins and have connected with our ancestors. When the time comes, they’ll be stronger than Daniel or Garret and they’ll help us win.”
Paula shook her head, “If your Uncle Carl finds out about this, he’ll refuse to let you see the girls. Then what will you do?”
“It won’t matter. Grandma Magdalena speaks to them in their sleep. If I’m not allowed to see them, she and Grandpa Josef will teach them. Either way, they’ll learn and be ready.”
“Carl and Bonnie will take them away.”
“It’s too late.” Lena stood and walked to the window. “Daniel and Garret are loose, no one can leave. They had their chance when mom offered them the money to leave. Uncle Carl said no, now everyone will have to stay and fight. Please help me get the girls ready.”
Annamarie parked her car under a shady tree, picked up the library books, her purse, and got out of the car. The sun was hot and she hurried into the air-conditioned library. She returned her books and headed to the back of the library where the mystery books were kept. After all she had been through, she still loved mysteries. Glancing at the titles, she didn’t see the two young men approach the mystery shelves. Garret approached from one side, Daniel from the other.
She noticed one and then the other. Annamarie didn’t recognize either of them, but a shiver ran down her spine. Goose bumps raised on her arms. Her senses were on overload and she knew that meant trouble. The body Garret possessed cleared his throat. She looked in his direction. His eyes turned a hideous shade of slimy yellow green. Spinning to look at the second man, she watched his eyes turn red.
“Daniel,” she mumbled.
He smiled an eerie smile. “Hello, Annamarie.”
His voice crawled into her ears like rotting bugs. She threw her hands over her ears and dropped to the floor. Her mind raced and called out for Magdalena and Josef. She felt Daniel’s hand on one shoulder and Garret’s hand on her other shoulder. Both hands burned her skin. As they began to tighten their grip, she felt their hands cool and they were gone.
Magdalena’s voice filled her head, “They have been removed from the bodies, but their spirits still live. Go home and be safe.”
Annamarie stood and saw the two men sitting on the floor. Holding their heads, they were mumbling about drinking too much. She left them behind and hurried out of the library. No one noticed that she had been near the young men. Climbing into her car, she drove home.
Chapter Five
Daniel and Garret used up most of their energy possessing the bodies of the young men and flying back to the cabin. Their spirits lay quietly for several hours before speaking.
“I don’t understand how Magdalena and Josef found us. The witch said no one would know it was us when we’re in another body,” Garret mumbled.
“I think it’s because Annamarie called them. They were there to save her, but couldn’t catch us. Before they knew we were in the bodies we were back here. She has a connection with them. I may not be able to attack her personally,” Daniel said.
“Then what are we going to do?”
“Cause mayhem and blame Annamarie. If I do it right, she will be a pariah in this town.”
“Give me an idea.”
“I’ll start with my parents. When I was at their house I sensed they were friendly with Annamarie, but I also sensed something in my mom. She’s a bit afraid of Annamarie for some reason. I’m going to use that. I’m not sure how yet, but it’ll work.”
The cabin grew quiet as Daniel and Garret’s spirits rested.
Carl arrived at his mom’s home after work to pick up his girls. He was still furious that his sister had the nerve to expect his daughters to fight anyone much less evil spirits. Not sure the spirits existed; he intended to get answers from his mom.
“Hi Mom,” he called out as he walked in her back door.
“Daddy, Daddy,” the girls yelled as they ran toward him and both jumped into his arms.
He groaned and set them down. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to do that. You two are getting bigger,” he laughed.
“And stronger, maybe the magic is making us bigger,” they said in unison before running off to play.
“Mom,” Carl hollered out. He was fuming and pacing around the kitchen.
Paula walked into the kitchen, “Calm down, sit, and we’ll talk.”
Carl and Paula were sitting at the table when Theo arrived home. He joined them, a pot of coffee and three cups sitting in front of them.
“Okay, Mom, Dad, I remember what you explained to Bonnie and I about leaving town fifteen years ago when there was a supposed spirit battle in town. No one here saw anything except a strong summer storm. Old Mrs. Graysbe thought the Martians had landed. No spirits. Why should I believe this now?” He leaned his elbows on the table and placed his head in his hands.
“Son, you and Bonnie were still in San Diego when the battle of the spirits first began. The people in town thought it was a severe storm. They all hid in their basements. I saw a bit of the horrible storm and red lightening. Mrs. Graysbe did, too. That’s why she thought it was Martians.” Theo reached for the pot of coffee and poured a cup. He added cream and sugar and stirred it while waiting for Carl to answer.
Carl sighed and shook his head. “I still don’t understand why Daniel would be a spirit or why Garret is with him. On top of it all, they have powers from an ancient witch and my girls are going to battle them. Do you know how insane that sounds?”
“Yes,” said Paula, “but I believe what Annamarie told us is true.”
Lizzy and Emmy ran into the kitchen. “Look what we can do,” they said in unison. Emmy placed their large teddy bear on the floor. Both girls stood a few feet away and pointed their hands at the bear. Sparkles flew from their fingertips, surrounded the bear, and it floated up to the ceiling.
Both girls smiled, “We did it.”
Carl and his parents were speechless.
The bear fell to the floor, Lizzy picked it up and Emmy said, “Lena said we could do it and we can. We’ll be ready for the battle.”
They ran off to play.
Carl dropped his head to the table. “I give up. I don’t understand, but I can see something odd is going on. My girls are magic and we have a battle coming. I’ll do what I can.”
Paula filled his cup again, “Keep an open mind and if Magdalena comes to your dreams tonight, listen.”
Carl nodded.
Annamarie was busy cooking in the kitchen when Lena came in from swimming with her friends. She dropped her wet towel in the laundry room and walked into the kitchen.
“Hi, sweetie, how was your day. Your nose looks a bit burned. You better put something on that before it blisters and peels. I wish you were more careful about using sunscreen.” Annamarie took a deep breath and sighed.
“I know, Mom, I’m sorry. How was your day? Tell me what Daniel did now?” Lena poured a glass of milk and grabbed two cookies before sitting at the kitchen table.
Annamarie didn’t need to ask Lena how she knew Daniel had been up to no good. Lena knew things no one else did. She told her daughter the events of the day.
“Wow, Mom, that’s something I didn’t expect, but I should have. He’s going to use every power the witch gave him. I can tell when he sha
pe shifts into a wolf or other animal. Now, I’ll be sure to sense if he inhabits another person’s body, but you can’t. You’re going to have to be very careful. Maybe Grandma Magdalena has some answers. My amulet protects me and gives me knowledge I didn’t know I had until I need it.”
Annamarie closed the oven door and sat down at the table with Lena. “What kind of knowledge?”
“I knew Daniel tormented you today, but not that he possessed someone’s body. Now I can feel him at the cabin plotting. He’s going to possess someone again to get to you. I never felt that before. Knowing what he’s capable of will help me feel what he’s planning. I wish I could hear him and get details. Maybe I can find a way to know when he possesses someone the way I know when he’s a wolf. If I can do that, it would help us.”
Tears formed in Annamarie’s eyes, “You’re fifteen. You should be out with your friends without a care in the world. I’m so sorry this has fallen on your shoulders.”
They both heard the back door open and close. “Hi, I’m home.”
“Hi, Dad.”
“Hi, Sam.”
He walked into the kitchen and said, “How are my favorite girls?” He kissed Annamarie on the cheek. “Let me clean up and I’ll be right back.”
Lena began to set the table and Annamarie drained the potatoes for mashing. They were busy with their tasks when a loud thunderous boom rattled the windows. Sam rushed into the kitchen. “Are you two alright?”
“Yes, it came from outside. It must be Daniel. The sheriff isn’t going to be happy. Were you able to talk to Steve again?”
“Yes, we had lunch together today and I filled him in on the rest of what I know. He isn’t happy, but he’s ready. He’s going to fill Deb in tonight. Last time we went through this, he sent her to live with her aunt for a while, but her aunt is gone. There’s nowhere for her to go. He’s also scared for Brian. At twelve, he thinks he’s old enough to take care of his mom and not the other way around. He’s worried about them both.”
“Daniel hated Steve, I wonder if he’ll go after him or Deb. I’m going to offer Deb the same thing I offered Bonnie. She could take Brian to Disneyland. If they don’t want to leave, they could stay in the north wing. Daniel can’t touch any part of this house. She’ll call me after Steve talks to her,” Annamarie wrung the towel in her hands and looked at Sam. “This is such a mess, why couldn’t Daniel stay where he was?”
“I wish I knew. He’s after revenge. We can’t do anything now. I’m hungry.” He smiled at Annamarie. The three sat down to dinner.
Carl tossed and turned fighting sleep. He punched his pillow several times. Bonnie woke once when he punched it too hard and hit the headboard. He was sitting on the side of the bed rubbing his knuckles.
“Are you alright?” She reached for her arm.
“Yeah, my mom said I would learn everything tonight if I dreamed. You did last night. I can’t let myself fall asleep. I’m not sure what to expect. This all seems insane and I think I’ll go crazy.”
“No, you won’t,” she scooted closer to him. “You’ll understand why we’ll be safe and how no one can hurt the girls. It should ease your mind.”
He lay down next to her and held her in his arms. “If I don’t sleep, I’ll never make it through work tomorrow.”
She ran her fingers through his hair and within minutes he was sound asleep. She rolled over whispering, “Works every time.”
Carl’s body was in a deep sleep when he began to dream. He found himself in the pines. He could hear the river rushing close by. It was dark when he spied a tiny glimmer of light. The glimmer grew and he followed it. As he drew closer, he saw it was a campfire. Several horse drawn wagons were parked near the fire. An older couple sat on a blanket. They looked up, saw Carl, and waved. He waved back and walked up to the couple.
“I’m so glad you came, Carl. Please sit.” Josef said.
Carl sat on the blanket and surveyed his surroundings. It seemed as if he has gone back in time a few hundred years.
“Where am I,” asked Carl.
“You’re in the pines next to your sister’s house,” Magdalena said.
“You look just like Annamarie.”
“I am your great-grandmother, Magdalena and this is Josef, your great-grandfather.”
“This is real?”
“You are dreaming, but we are real. When you are awake, we can’t be seen in human form, but we can cause things to happen. Fighting the last battle of the spirits with Daniel and Garret, we were able to cause lightening and knock trees over. Violence is not part of our normal lives and we prefer peace, but we fight when we must.”
“I understand you must fight, but why my daughters? They are small girls.”
Magdalena took his hand and explained the roles Lizzy and Emmy would play in the battle. Once he was assured they wouldn’t be hurt, Carl nodded and agreed to help in any way he could.
“You will dream when you need to learn more. Emmy, Lizzy, and Lena are able to see and hear us when they are awake. If something comes up that must be handled immediately, all three girls will know. They will tell you. Please listen to them and believe them no matter how strange it may seem.”
“I will. Thank you, I understand more now.” Carl smiled.
Magdalena touched his cheek. “Sleep well now and do not be afraid.”
Carl breathed deeply and slept until his alarm woke him. He rolled over and looked at Bonnie. “I had quite a dream last night. I understand now.”
She hugged him. “I’m glad. We’ll make it through this. It’s time to make breakfast. I hear the girls.”
Chapter Six
Daniel and Garret flew to George and Maureen’s. They sat outside the window and watched Maureen prepare breakfast. Daniel noticed his mother was making de-caffeinated coffee. “Hmm,” he thought, “that’s new. Maybe I can scare him into thinking he’s having a heart attack.”
Garret laughed, “I’m going to enjoy this show.”
George walked into the kitchen and kissed Maureen. “What’s for breakfast?”
“Egg white omelets and turkey sausage,” She placed a plate in front of George. As he began to eat, Daniel’s spirit circled his father and entered his body. He shuddered when he tasted what George was eating. He preferred the food from Rays and decided he needed to go back. First, he had to scare his mother into hating Annamarie.
“George, you’re not eating. Aren’t you hungry this morning?” She placed his coffee in front of him.
George rubbed his chest and said, “I don’t feel well this morning.”
Daniel let his spirit irritate George’s heart which caused it to beat faster and harder.
George began to feel lightheaded and grabbed the edge of the table for stability. “Help me, Maureen.”
Maureen turned to see George clutching his chest and fall from his chair. She grabbed the phone, dialed, and yelled, “My husband’s having a heart attack. 2410 Lemon Tree Ct. Hurry.” She dropped the phone on the table and knelt next to George.
He tried to talk, but she told him the ambulance would be there soon. She could hear the siren. “Hang on, George, they’re coming.”
He reached up to grab her arm and said, “You’re right, Annamarie caused this. She’s evil. Stop her.”
When the EMTs entered the house, Daniel’s spirit left his father’s body, George’s heart rate returned to normal, and he was responsive.
The EMT said, “He seems fine now, but we’ll take him to the hospital. They’ll check him out completely.”
Maureen watched them take her husband out to the ambulance and hurried to get dressed. She was shaking not because of George’s illness, but his words. How did he know about Annamarie? When she had a problem with her years ago, George didn’t believe her. What did he know about Annamarie now? He called her evil. She rushed to her car and drove to the hospital. Her hatred of Annamarie returned.
Daniel and Garret laughed knowing Daniel had caused his mother to suspect Annamarie of harming
George. By the time he was through, Maureen would be sure Annamarie was a witch or worse and the entire town would believe her.
Sam was finishing breakfast when Lena rushed into the kitchen. “Trouble’s coming. Daniel possessed Grandpa George and made him sick. He’s on the way to the hospital. Before he left grandpa’s body he whispered to Grandma Maureen that it was your fault, Mom. Daniel, using grandpa’s voice, told her you were evil and grandma has to stop you. She thinks you’re a bad person the way she did years ago.”
Annamarie slammed the frying pan she had picked up into the sink. “Damn, Daniel. He’s going to stir things up between Maureen and me. If he does that, it’s going to take away from the time and energy I can devote to fight him.”
“Mom, we should nip this in the bud and go see her right now. Everyone would expect me to visit Grandpa George,” said Lena as she placed the fry pan into the dishwasher.
“Maureen will have a fit, but that may play in our favor. Whatever is going on, she’ll spread the lies. If she has a meltdown in the hospital maybe people won’t believe her.”
“I’m taking you,” Sam said. “You’re not facing that lunatic woman alone if she’s back to the way she was when Lena was small.”
Arriving at the hospital, Lena jumped out of the car. “Let me see her first. If she gets nuts with me, you’ll know what to expect.” She took off through the E.R. doors into the waiting room.
“I’m Lena Logan,” she told the nurse behind the desk. “Where’s my grandpa?” She let tears form in her eyes.
“He’s having tests, but I can get your grandma for you. Please take a seat.”
A few minutes later Maureen walked into the waiting room. Lena ran up to her and threw her arms around her.
“Grandma, I heard grandpa may have had a heart attack, is he okay?” She let her tears flow.
Maureen believed her and sat with Lena. “The doctors think he’ll be okay. Right now they believe it was stress. Maybe we should take a vacation.”
Lena (Gypsy Spirits Book 3) Page 5
