“Not even a god can do that, my dear.” Doc squeezed her shoulders, cutting off the bubble of panic that was threatening to burst inner chest. “Nobody can change your memories, or make you think one thing over another by force. The mind is an amazingly strong place and has its own defenses that nobody, not even any god has figured out how to defeat. Besides which even attempting a spell of that sort would require so much power and a true devotion to evil that I can’t imagine anyone willing to try.”
“Not even…” Sarah stared at Doc. “Oh man, I have so many questions now. Gods? Plural? What are you talking about?”
“Oh, my dear. I keep forgetting how new you are to all this world. You know now about the spirits that live amongst us humans. Well some of them are extremely powerful and long-lived. Once, back when mankind was living in much smaller communities and cities were much more rare, these spirits were worshipped as gods. It’s not hard to understand why that would be, really.” Doc shrugged. “Many of them are still around in the world, just living more quietly than they once did. But I have to say that they hardly ever get involved in problems like we have in our little community. Don’t worry about that, there aren’t any gods around here to worry yourself about.”
“So the old gods from all those mythological stories are real? Like really real? But they’re not really gods, the way we understand them, they’re just really powerful spirits?” Sarah wanted to make sure she understood this. It felt somewhat vital to her continued sanity. Doc nodded.
“You’ve got it, my dear. And they may be powerful, but they’re not omnipotent by any stretch of the imagination.” Doc patted her arm and smiled reassuringly. Sarah nodded slowly and tried to absorb the new turn her life had taken. It was like the day she met Sebastian on the trail, her life had taken so many turns she felt like she was on a switchback trail going down a gorge and trying not to fall over the edge into an abyss.
“So… if nobody can affect another person’s mind, what was that attack about and why worry about my nightmare?” She asked.
“Well,” Doc took a deep breath and looked worried again. “Nobody can change your memories, or plant new ones, so whatever you remember is true enough. Not that memory itself is particularly perfect, but that’s a different subject. What someone can do, however, is change your perception of something. Influence your opinion. They may have sent the nightmare to make something you like feel frightening so that you stay away from it. Combined with the vandalism, I have to wonder if someone doesn’t want you living in Rosie’s house. Which makes not a lick of sense to me, but that’s all I can think of.”
“But why?” Sarah gasped. “Who even cares that I’m living in Gran’s house?”
“Well, the land around here is pretty valuable. I know Kai has gotten a number of offers for the Village, not that they’re selling. Maybe someone hopes to buy the house cheap by scaring you out of it?” Doc said though the doubt was written all over her face.
“Seriously? I mean I can almost understand sending a vandal, but this seems to be a bit much just to buy a house. Why Gran’s house particularly? Why not some other house on the street? And I have to point out that I am really not comfortable with the idea that someone could just invade my dreams at their whim. We’re going to get back to that at some point.”
“Invading your dream?” Kai came around the wall that separated the small front hallway from the living room. As soon as he appeared, Sarah felt a moment of pure terror. Something must have shown on her face because he immediately frowned. “Sarah, what’s wrong?”
“I… I’m not really sure, actually.” She stumbled over the words, trying to think of any explanation for her sudden aversion to the man. Sebastian came in behind and there was a second small flicker of nerves. Doc looked between Sarah and the brothers who stood by the entry.
“Well, I’d say we just figured out what the scary thing in your dream was supposed to be. And I don’t think this is about Rosie. I think it’s about scaring you away from here entirely. I think the dream was meant to be about cutting you off from us.”
“But why?” Sarah asked. “Who could possibly want to keep me away from you guys so badly as to do this?”
“I’d say it’s past time we find out,” Doc said, her eyes hard and her expression grim. “Gentlemen, get some coffee and start a new pot, we’re going to have to call a council.”
Fourteen
The next half hour was spent mainly calling people and pulling chairs together. Sarah helped Sebastian make some more coffee and setting out cups and arranging some snacks for the apparently imminent crowd. Before she did anything else, though, she marched up to Kai and Sebastian and hugged them both in turn.
“I don’t care what anybody says, you’ve both been super sweet and unbelievably helpful to me since the day we met. It’s been weird as hell, but I don’t care. You’re my friends and nobody is going to change that. Just so you both know,” she told them. She didn’t tell them that she was now feeling slightly ill from nerves when she was that close to them, but the dream seemed to be wearing off a bit over time, and she was determined not to let some jerk she didn’t know affect her new friendships. They were the first friends she had made that were just hers, not people her mother had pre-approved by cherry picking Sarah’s schools and workplaces.
“Um, thanks?” Sebastian said, turning a little pink. Kai had just looked surprised and a little chagrinned but hugged her back. Neither of them knew how brave she had to be to make the gesture, and she hoped she never had to tell them, but just that small act made her feel a little stronger.
Soon the room was full of people. Besides Doc, Kai, and Sebastian, there was an older couple bickering affectionately by the window, Jennifer chatted with a young woman with green, waist length hair. Sitting by himself in a dining char that had been pulled over to accommodate everyone was a older, Asian looking gentleman who sipped his tea with a grace that Sarah was at a loss to describe. Doc hustled in from her room where she’d been on the phone and clapped her hands. The group took the signal for what it was and everyone found seats for themselves and looked inquiringly at Kai.
“Honestly, I’m not sure what this is about. Doc?” He said, turning to her.
“Well, first, maybe we should introduce ourselves. This is Sarah, she’s Rosie’s granddaughter and is her heir. She knows the boys, and Jennifer, and myself of course. She’s a bit new to our world, however, since apparently Sarah’s mother didn’t much like Rosie, so her knowledge has a few gaps a the moment.” Doc smiled at the older couple and nodded.
“Oh honey, that’s so too bad! I know Rosie was so proud of you though. I’m Alexandra, but please call me Alex. And this is my husband Nick.” He smiled and nodded a greeting. Sarah saw the twinkle in his eyes and had the sudden image of him in a false beard and a Santa suit. He seemed to have the right personality for it, somehow. “If you ever need anything you just call us. Now that Nick’s retired he’s got all the time in the world.” Alex grinned at him as nick poked her side. Sarah felt herself grinning with them.
“And to fill a gap, we’re both full blood cyclopes,” Nick added after he finished tickling his wife. Sarah tried not to gape at this news. Nick twinkled even more at her reaction, and she wondered if he had been trying to get a rise out of her.
“Nick. For pete’s sake.” Alex swatted his knee and the whole group chuckled. Sarah stuck her tongue out at him and he laughed out loud.
“She’ll be fine, Alex, let the girl know what she needs to know.” He said when he caught his breath.
“Well, scare her to death and it’ll be moot, won’t it?” Pointed out the green haired girl. She looked like she was perhaps twenty, but when she met Sarah’s eyes there was a sense of deep understanding far beyond two decades of life. “My name is Ellie. I’m mostly here because Mom’s away on a business trip and I’m just filling in. Since we’re laying our cards on the table, I guess I should tell you that my mom’s a tree spirit. Kind of like a dryad, I guess, but less
Mediterranean.” She smiled and added. “Miss Rosie let me come over and play in her garden sometimes. She made the best cookies ever, and I hope she left you the recipes.” She glanced over at the older gentleman who was sitting quietly, watching the conversation without participating.
“You know me already, but it’s never come up that I’m a griffon. My sons are half human, though.” Jennifer smiled. “Hope that doesn’t startle you too badly.” Sarah shook her head. At this point, she wasn’t sure anything would startle her anymore. Then Kai spoke up.
“This is Mr Young.” Kai bowed formally to the older gentleman who smiled at Sarah. She suddenly felt oddly uncomfortable, like she was wearing dirty work clothes at an audience with royalty. Mr Young just tipped his head slightly, to acknowledge her and to let her know that he understood her discomfort and wished to reassure her. She also knew, somehow, that if she was respectful and honest with him, she would find him to be an ally and that was humbling. The wealth of communication in his small gesture left her feeling slightly breathless and dizzy.
“Mr. Young doesn’t speak much. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him talk, actually, but he doesn’t really need to.” Sebastian grinned at her but made sure that he first bowed to the elderly man. She wondered if she should copy the brothers, but Doc spoke up before she could move.
“We are honored that he accepted our invitation,” Doc added, “and welcome any guidance he wishes to provide.” Everyone in the room was treating him with a great deal of respect, and Sarah somehow knew that it wasn’t simply because of his age. She also felt that if this man wasn’t one of those spirits that was considered a god, he was very close to it, and she felt herself huddle a little closer into Sebastian’s side.
“I called you all for a council because, on top of the wight problem we’ve been having, there’s been a new development that may or may not be related.” Doc addressed the group. There was a quiet murmur as everyone reacted. She felt, rather than saw, Kai glance at her briefly.
“What sort of development?” Alex asked.
“Well, you all know, I think, that Sarah here has moved into Rosie’s house. Yesterday she found that her grandmother left her not only many years of journals, but also a sort of lesson plan. It’s a spell book, for lack of a better way to put it. A way for Rosie to pass on the teaching that she wished she could provide Sarah.” Now the group reached louder. Sarah felt all the eyes in the room turn to her, and tried not to fidget.
“That’s pretty impressive. But I’m not sure how that relates?” Ellie said.
“Well, what you don’t know is that Rosie’s house— Sarah’s house— was vandalized last night. By someone who clearly knew what Rosie was, and what Sarah might choose to become.” Doc paused to let the rumble of outrage settle down. Nick and Alex looked completely affronted. Jennifer reached across Sebastian to pat Sarah’s knee. Ellie looked shocked, and beside her Mr Young frowned slightly. Sarah felt suddenly like she wanted to never, ever, see this man angry.
“Are you okay, Sarah? Do you need anything?” Alex asked.
“No, I’m okay.” Sarah shook her head.
“No, you’re not. I haven’t gotten to the last part yet.” Doc interrupted.
“There’s more?” Ellie looked incredulous. Doc took a deep breath.
“Sarah came to stay here overnight. We intended to go back to her house after breakfast to start cleaning up. However, late last night, after she’d gone to bed, there was an attack.” Doc now looked angry. “Someone invaded Sarah’s dreams.” This time the room was silent. Sarah was staring at her knees now, trying not to make it obvious that she wanted shrink into the sofa. Doc continued. “Whoever it was tried to turn a pleasant dream of her home— and us— into a nightmare. They appear to have been unsuccessful, but the fact that there was an attempt at all is significant. Especially in light of everything else happening recently.” Doc looked around the group, then sat down in her armchair.
The whole room seemed to take a breath, everyone lost in thought for the moment. Finally, Ellie broke the silence with a question.
“What was the dream?” she asked.
“I don’t really remember it very well. Even less now than when I woke up.” Sarah shook her head. “But I remember it started I was at home washing dishes, and just felt happy. You know, it was just a normal sort of everyday thing. Then it gets really fuzzy but I remember getting cold, and something came in the back door. I remember being terrified of whatever it was and trying to go out the front, but then everything sort of went back to the way it was at first. Sunny and pleasant and, well, just nice.”
“Given your reaction when I got here this morning, I’d guess the frightening thing was based on me.” Kai gave her a sad glance. Any lingering fear that had been attached to him evaporated, and she reached out to squeeze his hand.
“I told you that we’re friends, and no dream-trespassing jerk is going to change that.” She said firmly. “And anyway, I honestly don’t remember. I just remember the feelings, you know? I think…” Sarah tried to remember but it slipped through her mind like water through her fingers. She just grimaced and shook her head. “I have this funny feeling that someone came in and helped me, but…” She shrugged, frustrated.
“Well it’s clear that she’s being persecuted for some reason, but I’m not sure that it’s connected to the wights.” Said Ellie.
“No, that’s true, but considering how bizarre the wight thing is, I felt it was best to mention it,” Doc said.
“And it’s good for us to know about. The vandalism, as well. We’ll make sure that we keep a better eye on Rosie’s house.” Nick added. “I mean Sarah’s house. Not to mention, Sarah, I was a handyman and contractor before I retired. If there’s any damage or you need anything fixed over there, you let me know.”
“Thank you. I was so shocked last night that I just left as soon as the police let me go. I didn’t even think to look for actual damage to the house.” Sarah said. “I’ll let you know if there is anything.”
“And I will reinforce the wards on the house, and teach you some spells to keep unwanted visitors out of your dreams,” Doc added.
“Besides that, we still need to find out where these damn wights are coming from. I mean it’s not like we have a graveyard full of family vaults out back on the Creek Trail.” Ellie pointed out. “I mean where are they coming from? And why? It’s just beyond bizarre.”
“Is that something you could help with, Ellie? Any news in the wind?” Kai asked
“Not that I’ve noticed, but then I’ve had a huge paper coming up. I’ll ask around.” She said, her face turning thoughtful. “Mom’s better at this but she won’t be back for another two weeks. This job finishes up just in time for some sort of huge garden show and she’s a keynote speaker.”
“Give you a chance to stretch your wings a bit, young lady,” Alex said, cheerfully. Ellie rolled her eyes and got up to refill her coffee cup.
“Um…” Sarah felt her face heat as everyone returned their attention to her. “I was just wondering, did anything change recently? I mean these wights just started showing up a few weeks ago, right? Maybe something happened that stirred them up?”
“That’s a good point.” Jennifer agreed. “Perhaps there was some construction nearby that dug something up. Nobody would notice during the day, after all, and at dusk, the construction guys would be packing up. I’ll look into recent construction in the area.”
“Does anyone have any idea why they would be coming out of whatever hole they live in?” Kai asked. Mr. Young turned his heavy gaze to him momentarily, then stood and with a slight incline of his head to the company, turned and glided out of the room.
“I guess Mr. Young will look into that then.” Kai sounded a bit winded. After that, the conversation got a bit unfocused and Sarah tuned it out. She didn’t realize that she was dozing off until Sebastian shifted to say goodbye to the rest of the group as they left and her head slid off his shoulder just enough to jog her fully a
wake again. She looked sheepishly up at Sebastian and he just crinkled up the corners of his eyes.
“Well,” Kai said. “Do you want some help cleaning up?”
Fifteen
That afternoon was spent gathering bag after bag of garbage since so much of what was strewn across the floor was completely destroyed. Sarah decided to save a great many bits of the shattered dishes to make a mosaic with. She had no real plan for it, but she was sure that she could come up with something. After all, the internet was a thing, right? And people posted all sorts of crazy projects. If nothing else, she could follow the directions.
The bedroom wasn’t as awful as she’d expected it to be, but in there it was just as much a mess. Gran’s ornaments were pulled off shelves and many were smashed. Sarah’s clothes had been pulled out of drawers and thrown around and stomped on. Her jewelry had been pawed through in a clear attempt to see if there was anything valuable in the small box. She was very glad that she’d left her few nice pieces in a safe deposit box back in New York. StillonGran’s jewelry had received the same treatment and Sarah thought that several pins and rings were missing, though she would have to check her inventory list and let the police know.
It took a long time and a lot of scrubbing to get rid of the graffiti, however. Even when they’d finished scrubbing the wall it was there, a faint ghost of paint and hate. She called a locksmith in to replace all the locks and had a chat with the police about the investigation. After her experience with the dream, she was pretty sure that the cops would never find anything, but she wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. And even a spirit an be arrested, apparently.
She sighed as she looked at the faint epithet on her wall and leaned on the counter. Doc had dropped by with cookies and they were all taking a break to munch on fresh chocolate chip cookies. Sarah was even being wild and having a glass of chocolate milk with it like she had when she was little.
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