Tammy smiled as though remembering. “I haven’t heard that name used in almost two hundred years.” She sat. “I’m one hundred and ninety-seven years old. I used to play with Skav’s sister, and he was a total pain. Now he is chief of his clan.” She chuckled softly until she looked at me and the laughter disappeared from her face. “I don’t remember my home or where I was born, but I remember my years in Jötunheim. I was nine when they came for me and took me from the only home I’d ever known and brought me to Earth. Victorian England. My guardians were what they called lower upper class, ship owners, very wealthy. They moved to New England, and that was where I grew up. And in all those years, I never forgot where I came from and wanted to go back. My parents were nice, but I was angry. At age eighteen, I left home and moved to New Orleans. With time, I gave up hope of going home. We, Immortals, weren’t so organized then, and it took a long time before I heard about the orphans needing homes. When I adopted Hayden, they didn’t explain who the orphans were or where they came from but I knew. I was tired of the wars and the craziness of this world, but then I fell in love with my little girl, and I forgot about going home.” She sipped her drink. “That changed ten years ago when she was eleven and a couple with an adopted orphan invited me to join their group for our protection. That was the first time I heard about the wealthy Immortals who wanted to go to the realms of the gods. The difference was, they weren’t even from there. They were from here and were once human. We thought it was the most hilarious thing, until they started coming after us. We’ve moved a lot during the last ten years, met many Immortals with orphans. Some joined our group and some left. Others refused to join us.”
She drained her drink and got up to throw away the empty bottle. I waited patiently.
“The Webbers were some of the first orphans brought here. They’ve changed their names over the years. From Wiggen when they lived in a village in Norway to Wagner in Germany, and finally to Webber in England. Like most Immortals, they moved around and reinvented themselves every couple of decades. They practiced the old religion of the Norse, seidr. Seidr practitioners can travel to the other realms and communicate with the dead when in a trance. They taught me how to do it.” Her face lit up as she continued. “I traveled home, and even though my people couldn’t see me, I saw them. The Webbers introduced me to their goddess, Angrboda. Not only could we talk to her, she could appear to us, and talk to us. She promised to bring us home as long as we brought home the orphans.” She sighed. “She was a Seeress and would tell us what she saw. She had a vision of you traveling to her realm and destroying her grand plans, which included bringing us home. Hearing that filled me with dread. I could finally go home, and the only one that could stop me was you. So when Angrboda asked me to come to Windfall, get close to you, and shroud you with a locator spell so she could find you when the time was right, I did it.”
I tried to see things through her eyes. She was right. When I was trapped in Helheim, I would have done anything to come home.
“I was just a stranger, so you had no reason to be loyal to me.”
“In the beginning, yes. But I got to know you and your grandmother, and struggled with what I’d done. I tried to reverse the locator spell with little success. So I added a camouflage spell, so she couldn’t find you. I also used spells to hide Hayden’s scar and the pull to other orphans. Then the Webbers stopped by and said it was time to go. They’d received instructions. Angrboda was angry you’d slipped through her grasp. The Webbers made sure we got the kids, including one your mother had found, a blonde with gray eyes called Anne Marie. I was supposed to bring you, too. She wasn’t happy when she found out I’d left you behind. I told her you were in Helheim with the goddess, but she didn’t care.”
No wonder Angrboda had beaten her. I felt bad for her, but now that I understood her motive, I couldn’t continue judging her.
“I’m so sorry for betraying you and your grandmother, Celestia. If I could take it back, I would.”
“But I would not have met Eirik if I hadn’t gone to Helheim,” I said.
“I don’t know. I think you two are meant to be together. You would have found each other eventually. The one thing I’m not sure about is your ergokinetic abilities. We might not have known about it this soon if you hadn’t brought me back.” She leaned forward and reached for my hand, then stopped before she could touch me. “Thank you.”
“It was nothing. I mean I didn’t plan it. So it’s called ergokinesis?”
“There are many names for it. Some people just call it energy manipulation. In your case, the energy you manipulate is your life force. It’s an extension of your telekinetic abilities. How did you do it?”
“I just knew you weren’t supposed to die yet, so I pushed your soul back into your body and pressed on your chest. I grew weak, until I passed out. Just like today when I helped Mrs. Mouton. The difference is I did it in the astral plane when I helped you.”
She pressed a hand to her chest. “I knew it. When you remained in a coma and Eirik couldn’t find you, I suspected you’d used your life force. Because of me…” Her voice trailed off and her chin trembled. “We… We almost lost you.”
“Yet, here I am.” I spread my arms, hoping to ease her guilt. “It all worked for the best. How do I control it?”
“I don’t know, honey. Only another healer can explain that.” She reached for my hands and this time gripped them. “However, I can share with you what I know. You have a rare gift coveted by many in our world. It is unique because you can share your life force. Life force is the energy running through our bodies, tethering our physical bodies to our souls. It keeps us alive. Most elemental Witches act as conduits and become one with an object, so the energy flows through them as they manipulate elements.” She chuckled. “They can become quite drunk with it. Your life force doesn’t mix with those of the people you help. You give, and as a result, you grow weaker as you use it. Please, be very, very careful choosing who you help with this ability. An evil Witch can absorb your life force and kill you. People will exploit you because of it, appeal to your kindness, and make you feel guilty if you don’t help them. Pick and choose those you help.”
I nodded. “I’ll remember that. I accidentally brought back a crow from the dead, and she now follows me everywhere.”
She chuckled. “That’s because your life force is in her, and she’s bonded to you. Crows are smart and resourceful, so be kind to her. You mentioned Mrs. Mouton.”
“Someone attacked her and left her with broken ribs and a collapsed lung.” I explained what happened when I chose to help her. “It was scary. I have no idea when to stop or what to expect afterwards.”
“Why don’t you take it slow until we get answers, hun? I mean, until you get answers. I know you have no reason to trust me, but I want you to know I’m here if you need me.”
“Thank you.” I stood, feeling much better about her. I asked her about homes Immortals used to help their young.
“I’ve heard of them, but never bothered to find out their locations because they move every few years. Immortals shroud themselves in secrecy. It’s how they’ve managed to live among humans for this long.”
“And you still have no memories of the events before you took the orphans.”
“I’m so sorry. What is this about?”
I almost told her. After what happened to Mrs. Mouton, I was not asking anyone to help me anymore.
“Just curious.” I heard laughter through the door and smiled. “I think Hayden is back. I’m happy we finally talked.”
“Me too.”
When we left the room, we found Hayden munching on an apple behind the counter. She was eyeing the Grimnirs and grinning. Daiku was behind the register ringing up purchases for a woman who was busy memorizing his face, while Ranger discussed the magic effect of an array of candles to two customers vying for his attention. Either the women passing the shop suddenly had a sudden urge to replenish their supplies of herbal ointments and mys
tic objects, or the men’s good looks had pulled them inside. I counted seven of them and only one appeared to have the energy of a Witch.
“I should use them more often,” Tammy said, watching the men work their magic.
“Yes, let’s do,” Hayden said. “You two finally talked?”
Tammy grinned. “Yes, we did, hun. How was school?”
“Pointless. Can I quit?”
“No.” She went to talk to the Grimnirs, leaving me with Hayden.
“Thank you,” she said.
I shrugged, but I knew she was happy her mother and I talked. “It was time. We talked about the past and my powers. She calls it ergokinesis. There’s not much she could tell me about it, so I still need to find answers.” The door dinged as a customer entered the store and we both looked toward the entrance. I frowned when I saw who it was. I hurried to his side.
“Dad, what are you doing here?”
“I was at the hospital checking up on Mrs. Mouton when I found her packing to go home. She said you went to see her. I went home and there was no one. I called the school and was told you were unwell, which led me to this place.” He noticed the Grimnirs. “Do they work here now?”
“No. I needed to talk to Tammy and they offered to help. But I’m done now, so I need to pick up my car from school before heading home.”
“I’ll drop you off. Nice to see you again, Tammy.”
She smiled. “It’s been a while. I hope everything is okay.”
“Oh yes. We’re still trying to figure out the attack on Mrs. Mouton.”
“How is she doing?” Tammy asked.
“She made a miraculous recovery and checked herself out of the hospital. She was going home by the time I left. She refused to let the doctors examine her.”
Tammy glanced at me, and we exchanged a smile. Mrs. Mouton was catching on fast.
“Did she see her attacker?” Tammy asked.
“No, and the cameras at her house didn’t capture the person either.”
This time, Tammy frowned.
“It’s bizarre, but we have a way of getting these people.”
“Later, guys. I’m driving with my father to pick up my car from school. He and I need to talk.” That meant they couldn’t go invisible and ride with us, but they knew our destination. I took Dad’s arm, and practically dragged him toward the door. “Can we get something to drink, Dad?”
“Starbucks is not on our way.”
“A frappé at Mickey D’s will do.”
Dad’s SUV was parked at the curb. He waited until we took off before asking, “So I take it Mrs. Mouton’s attacker is an Immortal?”
“Yes, and no, I don’t know who the person is. And yes, I saw her at the hospital earlier.” He pulled up at McDonalds, and I got a caramel frappé and fries. Dad got coke and a large burger.
“She said you fainted and Eirik took you home. What happened?”
“I, uh, helped her.”
He indicated a turn and pulled over on the shoulder of the road. The look he leveled me with was stern. “Don’t you mean you healed her? Did someone see you? I thought we agreed you wouldn’t go around town healing people.”
“Animals,” I whispered. “No one saw me except Eirik, Dad.”
“That does not make me feel better. You take chances with magic, and usually I support you, but this is different.”
“I know.” I didn’t dare tell him I could bring someone back to life. “I won’t take anymore chances. I promise.”
He sighed and stared at the passing cars. “What is this power called and what else happens when you use it? Is it the reason you fainted?”
“It is called ergokinesis, and it’s the ability to manipulate energy.” His hands tightened on the steering wheel as I explained what happened and how I’d healed Tammy in Svartalfheim. I didn’t tell him she’d died. “It’s why I was in a coma for three weeks.”
Dad cursed. “Does anyone know about it?”
“No. All I know is I have to sleep and rejuvenate my life force after using it. I need to learn more about it so I know my limits.”
“You could die if you used too much of it, couldn’t you?”
I hadn’t thought of it, but it was possible. “I don’t know, Dad. Eirik said there’s a goddess in Asgard I could talk to. Healing is her field. He wants us to go sometime this weekend and see her.”
“Today. Not tomorrow or this weekend. You are going today even if I have to come with you to see the goddess and demand she okays it. I’m not having you go around healing people without knowing what damage you are doing to yourself. You can go today, can’t you? Asgard is only a portal away.”
“I’ll ask Eirik.”
“No, I’ll tell him. You go today and find all the answers before you come back here. I can’t believe I’m having this conversation. Asgard. Goddesses.” He shook his head and started the car. “I think I just grew more gray hair in the last five minutes.”
I glanced at him and grimaced. He was the world’s most awesome father, and I was so lucky to have him. I touched the gray at his temple. “You’re right. Those weren’t there when we were getting our food.”
He laughed, and I joined him.
~*~
EIRIK
Celestia’s father pulled up next to her car. The parking lot was empty, the students long gone. Even the teachers had left. She didn’t leave the car immediately. I’d followed them from TC, keeping my distance. I wasn’t trying to hide. She was powerful enough to sense my presence before finding my exact position.
A portal opened and Ranger and Daiku joined me. I pulled out the picture I’d taken from the board at Serenity House and handed it to them. “Those are the three girls who attacked Mrs. Mouton on Monday and landed her in the hospital. They work for Marguerite.”
“Celestia already showed us their picture and explained about the mall,” Ranger said.
Daiku chuckled. “She captured their likeness perfectly, but she didn’t say they worked with Marguerite.”
“That’s because she’s still giving the woman the benefit of the doubt. Marguerite is behind those girls. She’s the one running the show. What I don’t know is, why?”
And the very thought that I might owe the woman for rescuing my sister left a bitter taste in my mouth. I pulled out the printout Paula had given me and studied Anne Marie. Same golden-blonde hair, but instead of gray eyes, blue ones stared back at me. Why was she hiding the fact that she had blue eyes? Unless…
No. Anne Marie is my sister. Anne Marie is my sister. Mother had blue eyes like hers and Father had blond hair. But Mother had said Einmyria had gray eyes as a baby. Could her eye color have changed this drastically? Then there was the name change from Jessica to Anne Marie. Anne Marie sounded so close to Einmyria, and the guards at Serenity House couldn’t tell me if that was the unintelligible name Marguerite claimed was Anne Marie’s other name.
Damn it, I needed to stop questioning every goddamn thing. I was imagining conspiracies where there might be none, just because Marguerite had lied about Anne Marie’s whereabouts. Being adopted by her ex-husband might have been a better explanation than the truth—that Anne Marie was the daughter of a goddess and had gone home. Especially since the Immortals had been obsessed with visiting the other realms at the time.
Everything fit in neatly and made perfect sense, yet I had a feeling I was missing something.
Celestia finally left her father’s car. Just before she entered hers, she turned and stared straight at us. Her father couldn’t see us since we were cloaked, but she could. I pushed aside the nagging thoughts about Anne Marie and focused on Celestia. She must have rested because she seemed more chipper than earlier. I loved that she was a healer, but the life force drain and its effect on her bothered me. I had to find a way to help her.
I waved, and her eyebrows rose in question.
“Stay with her. I need to have a little chat with her father. Do not mention her mother.” The Grimnirs joined her. Her father waited
until she took off before gunning his engine. I stopped in front of his SUV, forcing him to stop. He stepped out of his car.
“What the hell are you doing, Son? And why did you let her heal that woman? You’re supposed to know these things. Protect her from people like that.”
“Celestia is unstoppable once she makes up her mind about something, Chief Deveraux. But I stopped it before she used up all her energy.”
“Get her out of here. She said there’s a goddess with answers in Asgard. Take her and find a way to control this.”
“That was the plan.”
“Today, Son. One more day here and there will be people with all sorts of ailments making a beeline to our house, and she will help them or die trying.”
This was better that I’d hoped for. With Celestia safe in the hall or Asgard, I could finish this mess with Marguerite.
“I can do that.”
“Good. Was there anything else?”
Part of me wanted to tell him about Marguerite and how she was trying to manipulate Celestia. “Have you heard from Marguerite, Chief Deveraux?”
“No. Why?”
“I’m trying to find her to answer questions about my sister. She runs a home for at-risk Immortal youths, and my sister was one of the residents. The last time I saw her was at the hospital. She’d gone to see Mrs. Mouton. She entered an SUV.” I gave him the number plate. “I have no means of tracking it down.”
He studied it, and pulled out his phone. “Do you need a ride somewhere?”
Not when the Norns were waiting. I could see them standing by the school entrance. “No, sir. I’ll use a portal.”
“Okay. I’ll see what I can find, but in the meantime, you and Celestia must go find answers. Leave today.” He stomped to his car, the phone on his ear. I waited until he got in the car before cloaking. He looked around and shook his head, before taking off.
I went to join the Norns. They didn’t bother to camouflage their appearances. They smiled, the wrinkles on their faces moving in such a way that was both fascinating and repulsive to watch. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to how they looked.
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