by Kristen Day
“Natasha?” I croaked my thoughts out loud and tried to lift my head.
“Yes dear. I’m here.”
“Oh good.” The pain in my abdomen receded as I laid my head back down with a thump. I immediately thanked the sand for being so soft. A light pulling sensation was my answer, and the pain in my abdomen receded even further.
“Where am I?”
“We brought you to the Fortunate Isle. You needed the Isle’s essence to heal your body.”
“Am I hurt?” I asked, completely perplexed. No wonder I was in pain.
“You were stabbed, but we got to you in time. The Isle’s water has healed you to a point where your own cells will be able to regenerate.”
“Stabbed?!” I tried to sit up, quickly reminded by the piercing pain why I was lying down in the first place.
“Easy, trigger,” I heard Phoebe say. Somebody stabbed me? The little boy. The two little girls. As the memory came slamming back, so did the excruciating panic.
“What happened? Is everybody okay?” The pain returned as the panic made my stomach clench.
“Shhh…you need to rest. We’ll talk about it later.” Later. For some reason ‘later’ seemed like a luxury I didn’t have. But I couldn’t remember why. Not feeling up to searching my memory banks; I closed my tired eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep.
The next thing I knew, I was being carried. A soft wind flowed along the bare skin of my legs and my senses reveled in the decadent smells of sage and lavender. Without fully opening my eyes, I could tell it was twilight. The absence of bird calls, the cool breeze, and an odd sense of just…knowing were my only clues.
I also sensed something else. A recognition. A welcoming. I could feel the energy of each tree. Each shrub. Each small animal foraging. They stilled as we travelled by; acknowledging our presence. Or was it just my presence? Something else whispered to my heart and my soul. The jewelry lying against my skin warmed slightly, and a frenzied energy began to race through my veins. Both of my traces warmed and I knew. I was home.
“I don’t see a house,” I heard Carmen say.
“You are correct. But that doesn’t make it any less real, child,” Natasha answered wisely.
“So, do we do a dance? Say a chant?” The corner of my mouth lifted in response to Phoebe’s questions.
“Maybe we should ask the future Goddess who’s pretending she’s still asleep,” Willow snickered. Damn.
“I’d really like to see you guys do that dance,” I retorted softly; immediately surprised at how much better I felt. My abdomen reflected a dull ache, but it was only slightly uncomfortable. I knew the island was healing me. And one dip in Thetis’s estuary would fix me right up. I knew the magical qualities of the water on the Isle because it had healed me the last time I was on the brink of death. I was apparently making a habit out of that these days.
“As would I,” the voice of the person carrying me said. Liam. He was just as strong as Finn; supporting my weight effortlessly as we stopped in front of the intricate wrought iron gate.
“Stasia! It’s your trace!” Willow exclaimed as she ran up to the gate.
“Careful, Willow,” Natasha warned and then turned to Liam. “Move Stasia closer. The house will feel her essence.” Liam slowly stepped forward inch by inch with a slowness that made me giggle.
“It’s a house, not a volcano. It’s not going to hurt you,” I smiled up at him. I looked to the right and took in the same meadow I had seen the first time I’d come to the Isle, spreading out before us just past the gate. Then I remembered the lightning. I guess that could technically hurt us. Maybe I spoke too soon. I felt my trace burn and the gasps told me the house had appeared. No dramatic entrance. No natural disasters or lightning. One second it was invisible and the next, a sprawling, majestic home stood before us. Unlike the last time I had arrived, the home and surrounding gardens were immaculate. The mangrove trees still dwarfed the manor with their size and stature, but nothing could compare with the home’s beauty. Not even the gardens overflowing with the colors of Autumn displayed by the mums, zinnias, and marigold flowers.
“That’s unbelievable,” Liam muttered in amazement.
“So it recognizes her?” Carmen asked with shock swiftly spreading over her dark features.
“That’s right,” Natasha confirmed. “She awakened the island, as well as the house, the first time she arrived.”
“Wow,” I heard Willow breathe.
“I think I can walk now,” I informed Liam. He gently tilted me forward; allowing my feet to land softly on the grass below. As soon as my feet hit the ground, the frenzied energy rushed through me like an electric current. I closed my eyes and sighed with happiness. I pushed open the ornate gate crawling with ivy and led everyone down the stone path. The sandstone exterior of the house shaded with the warm colors of sunset set my heart on fire. Its gothic majesty wasn’t lost on my roommates, who were still gawking like it was their job. As I stepped onto the first step leading towards the door, it clicked automatically and swung open slowly.
“You better say it’s supposed to do that,” Carmen narrowed her eyes at me.
“It’s supposed to do that,” I snickered back at her. As we entered the grand parlor, my focus fell on one thing only. The fountain. Namely the estuary that lay hidden below the fountain. And it was calling to me. As everyone else scattered around the room to appreciate the many wonders it held, I walked straight for the fountain. I stood on the edge and peered down into the shaded water below. It was also fairly dark in the house as well. We would need lights soon. Before I could get my thoughts out, several lights including the crystal chandelier hanging over the staircase came to life. I could definitely get used to that.
“You better say it’s supposed to do that,” Carmen hissed at me from behind Phoebe, whom she’d jumped behind in a brief moment of fear.
“I honestly didn’t know I could do that,” I smiled widely at her, enjoying the connection I had with the house. It was almost as if it were an extension of myself.
“What are you doing?” Phoebe asked curiously just as I stepped off the ledge of the fountain; submerging my body in the soft, healing waters of the estuary. I automatically took a deep breath of water, marveling at the warmth it sent through my body. It was dark, but I could still see relatively well…so I wasn’t expecting what happened next. The algae on the walls of the underwater cavern began to emit a blueish glow, illuminating the underwater room in an ambiance of magic. My trace shimmered blue right along with them and I continued to swim in circles, enjoying the feel of the water gliding over my skin.
“Hello, dear. I see you found your mother’s favorite hiding place.”
Chapter 31
I whirled around at Natasha’s soft voice to see her descending from the fountain with a nostalgic glow lighting up her face. Her flowing black pants and lacy top danced in the water as she swam to me.
“You can breathe underwater, too?” I asked, completely shocked. She smiled at my surprise.
“I have an affinity for killer whales,” she explained, “therefore I have the ability to breathe underwater.” I thought about what she had said and tried to wipe the utter disbelief off of my face. I don’t know why it was so surprising - Finn could breathe underwater. It would only make sense that his mother could as well. I was still trying to figure out how one comes to the conclusion that they have an affinity for killer whales when I registered her comment.
“Did you know my parents well?” I questioned her.
“Yes. Your mother was a brilliant leader and your father was an loyal, loving husband; he was the foundation of her strength and happiness. They loved you very much. They would be proud of you, Anastasia.” She touched my arm, “I know I am.”
As I allowed her endearing words to touch my heart, I remembered Finn’s betrothal. The walls of my heart slammed shut and I twisted away from her.
“Why are you here?” I said harshly.
“Your friends brought y
ou to my house last night when they found you in the kitchen. They knew I could help,” she explained with concern.
“Last night?” Anxiety clutched my chest, “What’s today?”
“Today is November 1st.”
“That means…”
“You will need to leave for the Underworld at midnight.” As if that realization wasn’t enough, it would also be Finn’s eighteenth birthday. The day of his fight. The day he would be betrothed to Nadia. I spun around to face her again, anger spreading through my veins.
“Why didn’t you tell me Finn was betrothed?” I spit at her with venom in my voice; instantly feeling guilty. But I deserved an answer. I had trusted her. I thought she cared about me. I waited as she took a deep breath and her features settled into sadness. It seemed like she had aged considerably since the last time I had seen her. Being the mother of the Future Prime must take its toll on a woman.
“It wasn’t my secret to tell, Stasia,” she answered calmly, instantly infuriating me.
“Apparently it wasn’t anyone’s secret to tell, since I had to hear it from Nadia!” I yelled, exasperated.
“I am so sorry, dear.” She reached for me but I swam farther down into the cavern; running my fingers over the fronds of the kelp to calm me down. Several of the massive seaweed stalks swayed in my direction and I allowed them to wrap around me, comforting me and showering tiny electrical currents across my skin. Natasha kept her distance, but I wasn’t done talking.
“And now it’s too late. Tomorrow is his birthday.” As the tears burned in my eyes I let them melt into the surrounding water. “It’s too late.”
“Finn is very wise. He does nothing without forethought and careful consideration. I trust he has a plan.” She swam closer, “He loves you.” Her words only succeeded in eliciting an onslaught of sobs as my sadness pulsed through me. I wiggled out of the seaweed as she gently hugged me and I pulled her close, craving a supporting touch. She let me cry for several minutes before she pulled away and met my eyes. The dark red stone around her neck glistened and seemed to catch fire in the blue light of the algae. It was magnificent.
“It was a gift from Finn’s father, Charon.” She smiled lovingly as she grasped it in her hand.
“It’s gorgeous. What kind of stone is it?”
“Fire agate. It represents the Underworld.” Fire agate. That was the stone hidden within the black onyx Finn had given me. And the same stone hanging from Nadia’s necklace. Now it made sense why it would act as a beacon for anyone who knew its meaning. Bianca said it would call to Nadia. Finn said it would act as a beacon for my mother in my reveries. What else could it do? Would Charon also recognize the black onyx and fire agate stone Finn had given me? The possibility of bumping into Charon while I was the Underworld did little to make me feel better.
“If Charon is in the Underworld, how do you ever get to see him?” I asked curiously. Talk about a long distance relationship. Something else occurred to me, “And how is that possible? Doesn’t your soul have to be connected to the Underworld in order for you to be married?” She patted my hand and smiled.
“You are correct, but Charon comes and goes from the Underworld at will. He visits often. Secondly, there is much you do not know about me. I am a descendent of Hecate, as is my own mother. Hecate is a goddess of the Underworld, so I am connected to the darkness. I am also connected to the sea as my father was a Tyde.”
“But…Hecate? Wasn’t she technically a witch?” What we read in history class had painted a picture of dramatic displays of sorcery and witchcraft.
She chuckled at me, “She is the goddess of magic and witchcraft, so I suppose she could be classified as such.” This was one of the most fascinating things I had ever heard. Descendent of Hecate and a Tyde? She was the ultimate double threat.
“So what kind of abilities do you have?”
“I have a connection with all herbs and plants as well as the moon. I have the ability to work enchantments.”
“Like a real witch!?” I blurted out.
“Technically, yes - although the term ‘witch’ is fairly recent in the history of the world. In its rawest form it isn’t the hocus pocus you see in the movies. I simply call upon the elements to assist me.”
“Wow.” I was utterly impressed.
“My connection with the moon, along with my Tyde heritage, allows me to manipulate the ocean tides as well.”
“Wow.” For some reason that was the only word I could say. Suddenly it made perfect sense as to why she would be able to help me reach the Underworld. The anxiety I had carried with me for a month lessened slightly as I felt safe in her capable hands.
Suddenly, I remembered the other items I had planned to bring with me on my journey.
“My valise! I need it-“
“Willow made sure we had it before leaving Lorelei. It awaits you along with several changes of clothes that she also packed for you,” she explained. Relief flooded my system, followed by fear.
“So…how long do I have?” I asked apprehensively.
“Five hours,” she said plainly. “I have everything we will need.”
“To kill me?” I squeaked.
“Technically, yes,” she confirmed. I could hardly contain the bile that fought its way up from my stomach, threatening to force its way out. Noticing my discomfort, Natasha linked arms with me, “You should be feeling almost back to 100%?”
“Except for the permanent panic that’s taken up residence in my chest, I’m great,” I told her sarcastically with a smile. My entire body did feel incredibly strong, and my mind had been revitalized as well.
She laughed and her cool blue eyes turned comforting; reminding me of another set of piercing blue eyes. “Everything is going to be fine, dear. Let’s head back up and make sure your friends haven’t gotten lost in this sprawling home of yours.”
After pulling our wet bodies and clothes out of the fountain, we met four sets of wide eyes staring at us in confusion. I shook my hair out and took the towel Natasha offered me.
“Hidden underwater cavern,” I disclosed simply.
“That’s it. I’m moving in.” Carmen put her hands on her hips. “I am in love with this place.”
After changing into the dry leggings and t-shirt Willow had packed for me, we gathered in an upstairs loft overlooking the gardens that cascaded down the wide expanse of the back yard. Two large couches and one loveseat faced the ceiling-to-floor windows that covered one side of the room. We feasted on the three bags of chips Willow had brought from our suite as we discussed the events of the night before.
“So you didn’t actually see any ghosts?” I asked them in disbelief.
“We could tell something had taken hold of Ricker, but we never actually saw anything. Well, besides the furniture flying around the room. We definitely saw that,” Carmen shook her head in disbelief.
“I can’t believe he broke his arm,” I shook my head. At some point during the scuffle, a table lifted on its own and was launched at Ricker. As he shielded himself from it, his hand took the full force of the blow; snapping the bones of his forearm. Ian was currently nursing Ricker’s bruised and battered body back at Lorelei.
“Did you see any blood running down the walls or anything?”
“I don’t think so,” Phoebe answered as she stuck her arm in a bag fishing for chips. Her eyes widened and flickered up to mine. “Why? Did you?”
“It was everywhere,” I whispered remembering the horrifying scene.
“I still can’t believe you got stabbed….by a ghost.” Willow looked close to tears, “We should have been there for you.”
“You wouldn’t have been able to get in. Nadia made sure of that,” I huffed.
“When we got the door open, we just saw you slumped over on the floor and blood all over you. We still don’t know what that little bastard stabbed you with,” Carmen complained. I thought back to the knife I had seen in the small boy’s hand right before he tried to kill me.
�
��It was a knife.” I told them, my tone weary. Had Nadia forced him to do it? If not, why would a little boy no older than seven years old try to kill me?
“They told me to say I was sorry,” I divulged; monotone.
“Sorry for what?” Phoebe squinted at me.
“I don’t know. Dr. Drake thought I was coming to take them.” I rubbed my temples, “He said I wasn’t like the others.”
“That is the creepiest thing I’ve ever heard,” Phoebe gawked at me.
“Tell me about it,” I muttered.
“Do you think Nadia was controlling them?” Carmen asked.
“I honestly don’t know,” I sighed, “I figured she’d be busy planning her life with Finn.”
A buzzing sound had Liam pulling his phone out. “Oh wow,” He muttered as he read it several more times before looking up at us.
“That was Ricker,” he announced solemnly. “Apparently, Priscilla’s body was found this morning near campus.” We all looked at each as he confirmed what we were all thinking. “She’s dead.”
“Dead?” I gasped.
“Are they sure?” Phoebe sat up. His phone buzzed again and he took a moment to read the text.
“There doesn’t look like there’s any foul play. It must have been a heart attack or something.”
I was leaning toward the ‘or something’ possibility. Although the prospect of Priscilla never harassing me again was tantalizing positive, I had a very bad feeling Nadia had something to do with her demise. If she decided to steal Priscilla’s soul the crime scene would show no foul play. Her soul would have been snatched cleanly from her body.
“Wow,” Carmen breathed. “I mean obviously, I’m not her number one fan, but nobody deserves to just keel over dead like that.”
