Blood Burdens (The Shadow World)

by Brandy Nacole

  Danika is staring out the window with a fierce concentration. “I don’t know, Racquel. But I do know that it would be a difficult debate to win in the Shadow World.”

  I want to tell Danika that I would fight until we won. That we would win and people would accept her and Ethan being together. I know that’s what she wants more than anything. After fighting alongside them, watching as their relationship built, and then to hear her turn him away, I knew that’s what Danika wants even if she doesn’t directly mention it. But before I can reassure her of anything, the door opens and Addie steps through. She looks over at us with an “am I intruding?” expression on her face.

  Then the realization hits Addie that I’m out of bed, walking around, and she quickly changes back to her motherly self. “What are you doing out of bed? You’re supposed to be resting.” I indulge her by going back to the bed and sitting down. I don’t lie back down but it feels good to rest my quaking legs.

  Danika walks to the door, placing her hand on the knob. “I’ve got to go check on a few things before the bonfire. See you guys in a bit.” With that, Danika leaves with nothing else being said about our conversation. Now I wish I hadn’t opened my mouth about adapting like the humans. Instead of making Danika feel better, I created new issues for her to think about.

  “What was that all about?” Addie asks as she pours me a glass of water.

  My promise to keep Danika’s secret was still fresh on my mind. There was no way I was going to cross a Witch who promised to make me pay if I spilled the beans. So the lie that held some semblance of the truth easily slips past my lips. “Oh, we were just debating my vision problem.” Shame mixed with a little hurt crosses over me as I think about how easily it has become for me and Addie to fib to one another. We use to be open and honest, comfortable with sharing personal feelings. Now, here we are engaging each other with small lies and hidden truths.

  “What vision problem?” Addie brings me the sandwich and water with a perplexed look. “I thought your vision was clear? I know you had a rough time after, but you’re feeling better right?”

  “Addie, I shouldn’t have that kind of bone-crunching pain after a vision. Remember what you told me about what the Elders said? That my body was fighting the visions? What else did they say? Did they tell you what normally happens to a Witch after a vision?”

  Addie hesitates for a moment, almost like she doesn’t want to answer my question. “They said usually the visionary would only suffer a headache afterwards.”

  I stand up with rage, even as a part of me wonders why I’m pissed off about it, since this wasn’t even on my mind thirty seconds ago. “Exactly, yet I didn’t have just a normal headache did I? No! I had a skull-splitting one that shot pain all over my body and made me feel like I was coming apart. And you know why?” I turn toward Addie who is standing behind me, “Huh, do you? It’s because of the other three bloodlines that occupy my body. It’s not a part of their nature to experience that. Vampires, Lycans, and Shape-shifters don’t see visions Addie and they couldn’t accept it.”

  Addie interrupts me before I can continue my rant. “You have to find balance, Racquel. You cannot continue to live in shattered pieces the way you are now. You need to learn to control each part of you so things like this don’t happen. You can’t allow all that power to control you.”

  I turn back to gaze through the forest to the ocean. “It seems as if everything is about balance and peace. But what happens when the balance and peace wear out?”

  Chapter Five

  The next morning the air was filled with an energized atmosphere. The bonfire last night had really brought back focus to many in the Coven. When Eldrida died, it seemed as if the whole Coven had been drained. They had forgotten what she had taught them and instead continued to mourn her loss in this realm.

  Last night all that had been erased. Now the Witches of the Coven were celebrating her new life in the spirit realm.

  They were also reminded of Hecate and her original vision for the Witches. Hecate was and still is one of the highest-regarded goddesses of all time. Once the other gods had created beings such as the Shape-shifters to walk upon the earth, Hecate knew there would have to be order to keep those that were created in line.

  Hecate blessed her daughters with her gifts of earth, sea, and sky. She taught them how to use their powers, and what purposes those powers were for. They were never meant for evil but only for balance and serenity. Hecate and her descendants were and still are the protectors of the earth. They bring forth restoration, protection, and accord to the lands.

  Looking out over the grounds, I could see the difference in everyone’s demeanor compared to yesterday. Yesterday when everyone had been doing their chores, they had sullen, despondent looks on their faces. Today everyone is in high spirits, with smiles on their faces and their heads held high.

  I see Addie in the throng of it all, chatting with a few young girls about some herbs growing in the small garden. She was squatted down, gesturing to a few as the girls looked on in awe.

  Addie glances up, almost as if she could sense me, and says something to the girls before leaving them to come join me. I notice a cute guy checking out Addie as she walks by. It would seem that my dear older sister has an admirer.

  “Don’t look now, but your knight in shining armor is waiting to whisk you away.” Of course when someone says something like that you’re going to look. Addie turns back to glance over her shoulder to see who I’m talking about. When she does, the guy averts his eyes and gets back to cleaning the fire pit, preparing it for tonight’s festivities.

  Addie turns and stands beside me. Her eyes locked on her admirer. “Oh that’s Reed. He’s lived here his whole life. I’ve talked to him a few times but I don’t think he likes me like that. He’s just a friend.”

  “Oh, I beg to differ. That boy was looking at you with hungry eyes. If he could have reeled you in with those eyes, you would already be tangled up with him.” That earns me a punch to the shoulder as Addie blushes, averting her eyes everywhere but at Reed. “So I take it the feeling’s mutual.”

  Addie shrugs as she bites her bottom lip, a sure sign she’s conflicted or nervous. “He’s okay.”

  “Okay? I’m thinking a little more than okay. Cute, handsome, and downright sexy are the words that come to my mind.” Reed’s a sculptured hottie with a handsome face, shaggy black hair, a nice tan complexion, and muscles that would woo any girl. Every time he picks up a shovel-full of ashes and dirt, those muscles move and bulge under his black short-sleeved t-shirt.

  Addie tucks her hair behind her ear. I can tell she’s trying to hide a smile as she changes the subject. “So what happened to you last night? You left a little early.”

  “Nice diverting.” I say, preparing to give another lie. “I just got tired. The stories were interesting but after a few hours, I was worn down.” I had left once they started talking about individual powers and how each Witch has a special talent even though they can wield all the powers of the earth. The speaker, Marnie, had started talking about balance and power. That’s when I’d had enough. I knew Addie was right but just like everyone else, I don’t like being preached at. And that’s what it felt like. I felt pressured to find my balance, but how? They only had one power to worry about, while I have four monsters to try and control. How do you balance that?

  “I called Ethan this morning to check on things. He said Coy hasn’t left his room since we came here.” Addie has a worried expression on her face. The one that says she’s champing at the bit to fix the problem, although she doesn’t know exactly what the problem is.

  “He hasn’t come down at all? Not even to eat or get something to drink?” We left two days ago, surely he went downstairs to get something by now.

  But Addie just shakes her head, “Ethan has been sleeping on the couch. He said he hasn’t heard a peep from Coy since we left.”

  “That’s odd. Has he gone upstairs to check on him?” If I was staying wit
h someone who hadn’t come out of their room for two days, I would begin to wonder if they were still alive.

  “I asked him to, but he said he didn’t want Coy to think he was treating him like a little kid. I’m beginning to wonder if Coy is even there.”

  Red flags start flying in my head. The whole purpose of Ethan staying over at the house was to make sure Coy didn’t leave. Addie and I both have our concerns over Coy being addicted to a Vampire’s bite. Not too many have this problem, but when that’s all you have been used to your whole life, it’s probably a huge void to fill. Even if Coy doesn’t like the thought of being bitten, he may not have it in him to stop.

  “I’ll call Ethan and check on things this afternoon. If he still hasn’t made an appearance, I’ll tell Ethan to take the phone to his room. That way Ethan has an excuse to check on him and we can see if he’s all right.”

  Addie turns toward me. “Sounds good, are you ready to go meet with the Elders again?”

  “Yeah, I just hope I don’t have another incident like yesterday.” After the vision I had yesterday, I would be fine with never having one again. A shudder passes over me as I remember the pain.

  As we walk across the grounds Addie tells me that Danika will not be around today. Casper, the leader of the Shape-shifters, is going to be speaking tonight at the bonfire. Danika is giving him a tour of the grounds, showing him his guest room, and going over tonight’s schedule. Why you need a schedule for a bonfire is beyond me but apparently there’s a need for one. That’s Danika.

  When Addie reaches to open the door to the Elder’s House, I notice her scratch-covered hand once again. On instinct, I reach out and grab it. I run my finger over the marks. “Addie, what happened?” My voice is soft, barely a whisper. I don’t want to push her into revealing something she doesn’t want to talk about until she’s ready. But I can’t take her harming herself. Yes, I pushed it away earlier but I shouldn’t have. Next time could be worse.

  But just as I fear, she lies again. “It’s nothing. Last night I got bit by a mosquito.”

  I press the issue. “And you decided that peeling off your skin was the solution to ease the itch?” I give her a skeptical look. I can tell she’s going to continue lying, so I press on before she can reply. “Listen, I just want you to be careful okay? When you’re ready to talk about it, I’m here. Just don’t let this get out of control.”

  Addie turns away ashamed, and walks into the house. I can’t understand why she’s so ashamed. It’s not her fault she’s having nightmares about what happened to her or the others—if that’s even what she’s dreaming about. For all I know she could be having nightmares about me joining Cerelia and killing her. That thought agonizes me. I don’t want to be the reason behind Addie’s nightmares and self-harm. But how can I be sure unless she opens up and tells me about her dreams?

  Once inside, we are met by an already-assembled group. The Elders are sitting around the living room waiting for our arrival. There’s a boy I have never seen before standing behind Witten with his arms crossed. He had been reviewing a painting behind him but turns around once we enter. He stares at me with open curiosity, tinged with a little fear. His rigid body betrays slight unease.

  “Hello Addie, Racquel. I’m glad to see you’re feeling better. Please have a seat.” Dagna gestures to the two open chairs across from the couch. We both take our seats, still under the scrutiny of the new boy. “Have you had any more visions?” Dagna asks.

  “No ma’am.” I hold a high respect for Dagna. She stood up for me when she didn’t have to, even though she had once also been someone who feared my family.

  “I’m sorry your experience with the vision was so harsh. As I told Addie, a Witch usually only suffers a headache at worst. Once a Witch gets a handle on the visions, they come and go without any side effects. I hope you can reach some sort of peace with it. It’s truly an amazing gift that has only been given to very few.”

  “I hope so too.” If I’m going to suffer for the rest of my life the way I did yesterday from the visions, I would rather not have them. I wonder if that’s even possible. Who would you even ask for a refund? Hecate?

  “Before we start I would like to introduce my apprentice, Lucas.” Witten says, gesturing to the mystery guy. “He will be joining us from here on out. Lucas, this is Addie and Harmony–otherwise known as Racquel.” I had started to protest against Witten calling me Harmony, but he quickly corrected himself when he saw my reaction.

  Lucas gives us a curt nod before he turns away from us with unease. With a mischievous grin, I stand and approach Lucas. I was fixing to do this guy a favor. If he ever wanted to take Witten’s place, he was going to have to get over any uneasiness he felt around me, and focus on the Coven. Right now he was failing miserably. Upon my approach, Lucas starts taking small steps back. I don’t pause or give him a minute to mull over my confrontation. I just rush in, offer my hand, and say with a cheery tone, “Hello, I’m Racquel.”

  Lucas stares at my hand for a moment, with sweat running down his face. If not for his blue eyes and racing heart, I would have thought he was a Vampire—his face is a ghostly white now that all the color has drained out of it. Lucas regains some composure, shaking my hand as he mutters “Nice to meet you,” but he wastes no time releasing my hand, which is now covered with his sweat.

  Lucas changes his posture and demeanor once Addie is before him. Instead of waiting for Addie to say something, Lucas extends his hand, giving her a nice smile as he introduces himself. “Hey, I’m Lucas. You must be Addie.”

  “That would be me. It’s nice to meet you.” Addie offers her hand to Lucas, who takes it very gently in his own. The two exchange a few more common pleasantries before Addie walks back over to sit next to me. We both seem to have caught Lucas’s attention today, just in very different ways.

  I waste no more time, and throw my plan out there to the Elders. “Okay, now that we all know one another, let’s get down to business. We know that Cerelia is more than likely going to retry her stunt she pulled in Greenland. In order to do that, she’s going to need to replenish the numbers she lost. We need to stop her from doing this and fast, before she kidnaps anyone else. The question has always been how? How do we find her when she’s untraceable? But I think I have a solution. It was something Eldrida said to me once. She said she could feel Cerelia’s power once she was close enough. If we can get every Coven to monitor their region for a power surge, plus keep other Shadow beings on the watch for her or any Chimera activity, we might be able to pinpoint their location within a few days.”

  Witten steeples his fingers, “Although your plan sounds foolproof, there is a snag. We could not possibly assemble that kind of surveillance in, what, a few hours? That is what you want, am I not correct? You want to have this so-called surveillance strategy up and running today?” Witten has his eyebrows arched as he waits for a response. I have one.

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. And don’t tell me it isn’t possible. I know the Covens can be called on for support. Then once that’s taken care of, we can start on the others. First get Jobe-” I’ve barely even started on my plan before Witten interrupts me again.

  “So you expect us to just-”

  Looks like he isn’t going to get to finish either, Dagna wants a say. “I think it’s actually a rather good idea.” Dagna and Laveda exchange approving nods. I was glad to see they’re not as doubtful as Witten. Dagna continues, “We actually already have part of your plan in motion.”

  Witten listens but seems grim as he furiously rubs his chin with his fingers. If he kept that up, we would see bone soon.

  “We contacted a few of the bigger Covens this morning.” Dagna says. “We didn’t think to include all the Covens, but if we did call that alert, every Witch within the Covenant would be on alert for strange power surges, which would give us a greater chance, considering the number of Witches and Covens on this planet.” Dagna glances over at Witten. “What do you think Magister?”


  I have never heard Eldrida or any of the other Elders call one another by their formal titles. I wonder if Dagna said it because she isn’t initiated yet, or if she was trying to focus attention on him.

  Witten frowns, “Obviously I think involving the other Covens is a good idea or I wouldn’t have voted for it this morning. However, I’m not sure about involving other Shadow beings. There are those that still blame one another,” Witten focuses his stare on me, “and you. Some of them don’t know what to believe. If we involve those who still blame one another, instead of searching for Cerelia they will be pointing fingers at one another.”

  I have to respond to that. “No offense sir but they’re already watching one another, whether we tell them to or not. I believe it’s worth the risk so we can have more eyes out there watching. You know if we don’t get this under wraps the whole world, including the humans, are in danger. We will all be exposed to the humans. Then we could all possibly fall under Cerelia’s rein. And if that happens, that means you failed what you were created to do, protect the humans and the Shadows.” I look at Witten, unwilling to back down from his menacing stare.

  Witten’s red face becomes pinched with anger. “How dare you accuse me of failing when you, you have no-”

  I’m caught off-guard when Meira jumps into the conversation. “That is enough Witten. The girl is right. We have to protect the world as best we can. If that means we call out for help from the other Shadow beings then we will.” Meira is fierce with her words, clipping them just the right way to sound like reason but with an undercurrent of demand. Witten cuts his eyes at the new Mother but stays silent. The Crone and Maiden agree with Meira as they nod their heads in approval.

  I’m a little surprised that Meira sticks up for me. The Mother has yet to acknowledge my presence, yet she stood up for me against one of her own. I wonder why? Either way, I’m glad she did. Now it seems that everyone is on board with my plan, even if Witten is still grumbling about it.