by J. J. Neeson
“He can’t help.”
“How do you know?” Thorston pressed.
“I saw him earlier today in New Orleans.”
“He was nearby? Today?” He glanced at his aunt.
“Don’t go there. You’ll be wasting your anger. I did the math. Calder was with us around the time of the attack. He’s not involved.”
“No, I never thought he was,” Thorston mulled. “Not when it came to the threat. But with you… What was he doing in New Orleans? I thought he was out of the picture.”
She wasn’t sure she should tell him, but she did, because soon everyone would know. Lu would make sure of it, thinking she was doing good. “He followed me. From Jotunheim. I’m sure it’s no surprise to you, but he is what everyone thought him to be. He’s a being of Norse mythology. But he can’t help us. With humans, he can see all, I guess because we’re connected to the Yggdrasil tree. But when it comes to other worlds, he’s blind. He can only see that which is Norse.”
She continued to fill him in on her conversation with Calder, leaving nothing out, including how he had invited her to travel with him. “But he’s still my friend. He’s still the Calder I know.”
“That doesn’t give him the right to ask you to choose between your life here and the unknown that awaits you there,” Thorston argued, his expression overcrowded with sorrow and anger for his aunt, neutralizing all other emotions.
“Why does everyone assume it’s a bad thing if I go?” she demanded, her voice starting to rise.
“Because it is. I don’t understand why you’re considering it.”
She leaned against a wall, weary. “Why wouldn’t I? He’s the only one willing to stay by my side. For years, he’s traveled across the universe to be with me.”
“So for him you’d be willing to leave?”
Reigh knew what he was trying to get at. You’ll leave with Calder, but you won’t leave with me. The difference was, Thorston had never asked. Nor was she certain he would. “He would stay here, if he could. Maybe now it’s my turn to make the effort.”
“You love him enough to do so?”
It was a heavy question, formed beneath many conflicting emotions. So she didn’t answer. Not directly. “I know him.”
Out the window, the dust continued to light the town. “This isn’t the time,” she determined, compassionate to Thorston’s suffering. “We’ll discuss it later.”
“Later may be sooner than you think. Reigh, don’t go. You belong here. Broken Ridge is your home. You have Lu. You have the pottery circle. You have your job.”
“But I don’t have you.” The words came out before she could stop them. They sounded harsh echoing across the hospital room, spiked with meaning.
“This is your home,” he repeated, evading a more elaborate reply. “That’s why the woman in your vision led you here with the rune. She’s trying to tell you this is where you belong. I was wrong to tell you the rune could be misleading you with hope. Maybe she truly is your guardian angel.”
Reigh was tired of thinking about it. She moved over to Mrs. Florence’s bedside and sat. “And what of her guardian angel? Where was her protection when she was attacked? She is so good. She didn’t deserve this.”
Thorston stood from his seat. “This isn’t a battle of good and evil. It rarely ever is. We have to remember that, if we hope to destroy he who is responsible. He didn’t set the mill on fire, or cause the blackout, or…” He went hoarse looking at Mrs. Florence. “Or do this to my aunt out of some primal affiliation. He did it by choice. We need to figure out why he’s doing this. What it is he’s trying to seek vengeance for.”
There was no sympathy to his tone. Only hatred. But he was right. There was no good or evil. There was only choices.
He continued. “Perhaps you can try to summon the woman of the rune? She seems to have a foresight, whoever she is. She knew to lead you to Broken Ridge. Maybe she can see what Calder cannot.”
Reigh adjusted the pillow under Mrs. Florence’s head, hoping she was comfortable. “I can try,” she agreed. “Last time I saw her, I was meditating, trying to access the power inside of me. I can try again, but I’m not sure she can be summoned. Her presence is warm and wholesome in a way superior to normal understanding. I don’t know what type of being she is, but she is far from human.”
She reached down to stroke Mrs. Florence’s forehead. Upon touching her skin, she felt an energy charge across the room, giving it life.
“Child,” a familiar voice said behind her. “Don’t move your hand. You’ll break the connection.”
“Mrs. Florence!” Reigh cried as she turned, more dismayed than heartened. Though her hand still rested upon the woman’s head, she could also see her standing by the bed, an apparition of herself. “Are you…?” She flushed red with tears.
“I’m not dead. I need you to listen to me. There isn’t much time.”
“What’s happening?” Thorston questioned frantically.
“It’s your aunt. She’s here, but she has something important to tell me. I need to listen.”
He opened his mouth to say more then closed it again, resigning.
“I was right about the threat,” Mrs. Florence revealed. “He seeks vengeance. Against me. But he is a lot more powerful and a lot darker than I realized. Or was prepared for. He came after me, a king amongst shadows. I knew I couldn’t fight him on my own, so I put myself into a sleep. It’s for my own protection. I’ll wake soon.”
Reigh should have been relieved, but it was all too bewildering. “How are we speaking now?”
“You are of Norse blood. As you’ve learned, the Norse are proficient in crossing worlds. As are my people—Creole descendants. You and I are unique in that way. I believe it is why the universe brought us together. We may not be able to peer into other worlds, but we have the ability to navigate the crossroads, if certain measures are taken.”
“You mean like when you’re in a self-induced coma.” It seemed like a high price to pay.
“He wants something from me, but even in this state, his true form is shielded. I don’t know who he is.”
“I talked to Calder. He doesn’t know either. But he says he’s not feeding from our powers—that he has enough of his own. And that he is playing us.”
“Calder is correct. The storm brought the threat, but it did not keep him here. Nor did it make him as powerful as he is. He wanted us to let our guard down, to think we had succeeded in keeping him at bay.”
“So he could attack you while you were vulnerable,” Reigh concluded desolately.
Mrs. Florence nodded. “Leave the shop closed. It’s too dangerous. He wants something from me. When I felt him near, his wrath was personal. But he’s still a danger to the rest of you. Especially Lu. Right before he attacked, before I put myself into the coma, I had a vision of Lu and her family. I saw death, but I do not know to whom. The warning from the owl is imminent.”
Reigh was struck with a fresh wave of grief. “Is there a way for you to tell her? She’ll have questions.”
“No. Lu does not possess the same kinesis with the crossroads that you do. You and Thorston are the only two I can establish a connection with, but it’s short-lived. I weaken, child. I must go.”
“Will you be okay?” She worried for Mrs. Florence. “Where are you?”
“I am alone, but I am safe. Don’t fear for me. Fear for Lu. And watch over my nephew.”
“I will,” she promised.
Then seeing how weak Mrs. Florence was, her presence weighed by the events of the day, Reigh broke the connection, removing her hand from Mrs. Florence’s forehead.
“Tell me,” Thorston beseeched, sliding onto the bed next to her. “Is she alright?”
“She is. She put herself in the coma for her own protection. But Lu is in danger.” Urgently, she took out her phone and called her friend. The phone rang, but there was no answer, so she sent a text.
We need to talk.
***
Wal
king through Lu’s house was like stepping through a magic spider web. The energy of the blessings cast were tangible, thick in her lungs as she breathed in. Lu was guarding the house well. An ant wouldn’t go unnoticed.
Good, Reigh thought. Armor is good.
“Welcome back, Thorston,” Samuel said as he led them into the kitchen. “It’s been a long time since my wife has allowed you into our home.”
“The first time in this one. You’ve done well, Sam.”
Samuel smiled affectionately at Lu as she finished preparing a pot of coffee. “Yes, I have.”
Reigh took a seat at the table. “I hope I didn’t wake the kids with the knocking. It’s just really important that I talk to you.”
“They’ve settled back down,” Samuel told her. “At least this time when you came pounding on the door, you didn’t leave Thorston alone in the woods.”
“Samuel!” Lu admonished.
“Too soon?” he asked sheepishly.
“I didn’t leave him in the woods,” Reigh defended, taking the coffee Lu handed her. “Anyway, that’s not important right now. I need everyone to sit. I talked to Mrs. Florence tonight.”
“How?” Lu asked, dropping into the seat across from her. “I just spoke to the hospital. She’s still in a coma.”
“She is,” Reigh said then she recounted what had happened, speaking carefully when she got to the part about the vision Mrs. Florence had.
Lu immediately began to cry. “I knew the owl was a warning, but this just makes it all the more urgent,” she sobbed as Samuel took her into his arms. “Did she say who? Is it one of my children?”
“She doesn’t know,” Reigh said regretfully. “But she believes it’s imminent.”
“I won’t let anything happen to this family,” Samuel asserted, squeezing Lu. He didn’t look as confident as he spoke.
“It’s only a vision,” Thorston reminded them. “It can be changed.”
“I know,” Lu said, trying to compose herself, running a thin but sturdy hand across her cheek to wipe her tears. “We will change it.”
“What about Maine?” Reigh put forth. “It might be time.”
“It might be,” Lu said, glancing sadly at her husband—a look of defeat. Reigh thought back to her conversation with Lu earlier. Maine meant they could lose everything.
“With hope, this will be the last we see of owls,” Reigh muttered, staring into her coffee, hating what was happening to her friends.
“The universe speaks our language. It sends the owl as a warning because it knows of my heritage,” Lu told her. “But owls are noble creatures. I hope to see many more in my life. Just not in my home.” She looked out the window as she spoke, her thoughts far away.
“Maybe we should go,” Thorston suggested lightly.
Lu turned her attention back to the table. “Actually, Samuel, why don’t you show Thorston the house. It’ll give me a chance to talk to Reigh.”
“You sure?”
“Yes,” she said, patting his hand.
“Okay. Let me know if you need anything.”
As soon as the men left, Lu stood to pour Reigh another cup of coffee. She’d had her fill, but knowing Lu needed to move, she didn’t object.
“How is Thorston doing?” Lu asked.
“Better now that we know Mrs. Florence was protecting herself. And that she’ll wake. Eventually.”
Setting the coffee pot down, Lu went to a kitchen drawer and pulled out a brightly decorated ceramic box, which she riffled through. “And you? Is all of this encouraging you to take Calder up on his offer?”
“Thorston has made his choice. He’s given me no indication that he plans to stay. So now I have to make mine.”
“I didn’t realize Thorston was still part of the equation.”
Reigh spun her coffee cup around, dejected. “I didn’t either.”
Lu returned to the table and set an amulet down before her, a tree made of a tarnished gold, the folds of the branches black with age. “I bought this long ago from an antique store, knowing the power it held, but I think it was meant for you. When you wear it, Calder will not be able to see you when he sits on his uncle’s throne. You can live your life freely, unafraid of hurting his feelings.”
It took a moment for her words to register. “Freak’n hell! The night in the woods! Calder might have seen me and—” She couldn’t finish the thought.
“It doesn’t matter. He can’t now. I know he watches over you because he loves you, but you’ll never know your own heart if you’re constantly worried someone else is listening in.”
“Thank you,” Reigh said, putting the amulet around her neck. It reminded her of the quartz necklace Lu had given her the night of her date with Calder on the riverboat, which she had returned soon after. This one—the tree—was a gift, not a loan. A lifetime of concealment. “That box of yours must be filled with all kinds of amulets.”
“Something like that,” Lu said, sitting back down.
She admired the fine details of the leaves. “It’s beautiful.”
Lu didn’t seem to hear. “May I make a suggestion?” she asked.
Reigh let the amulet drop against her sweater. “Go on.”
“If Calder can’t stay, and Thorston isn’t willing to, then choose neither. Broken Ridge is your home. Maybe it hasn’t always been, but it is now. I know you’re lonely, but you don’t have to choose between two men to be happy. You just have to choose yourself.”
Chapter Eleven
Nowhere was comfortable. Not the library. Not the shack. Everywhere Reigh went, she felt restless. Even her favorite spot on the porch, where she could take in the bayou, embrace its beauty and its danger, couldn’t tame the itch. So she went for a walk along the water, guided by phantom music that resonated from when she celebrated Rusalijska Nedelya with her Romani neighbors.
“The samodiva returns,” Stoyan called from the dock of the river house, pulling what looked like a bucket of fish from his drifter. “More radiant than ever.”
“Is Nikki around?” she asked.
“She’s gone back to Baton Rouge,” he said, laboring with the bucket. There must have been a lot of fish inside of it. “Anything I can help with?”
“I was hoping to borrow her boat. I’m tired of land. I need my sister water nymphs.”
“Go ahead,” he allowed, waving his hand towards Nikki’s little motorboat. “She won’t mind, especially if it means winning the favor of the samodiva.”
“You don’t really believe in that?” she asked, testing the first plank of the bridge with her foot. It sank into the water by an inch, but it appeared to hold.
“Being a Catholic who celebrates festivals dedicated to mermaids makes it hard to know what to believe, so I embrace it all, just in case.”
Reigh stepped onto the bridge fully, praying she didn’t fall through the wood.
“You might want to open your eyes,” Stoyan teased. “Or not. It’ll make you crossing the bridge much more impressive.”
Defiant to her own fears, Reigh let out a breath and scurried the remainder of the way across. Stoyan waited for her on the other side with his bright smile, helping her onto the reeds near the dock.
“Thanks,” she said, shaking dry her wet feet.
“Good thing I didn’t tell you it’s only loosely attached by rope on this side so that we can move it to let the boats in and out.”
“A very good thing,” she agreed. “Are you sure Nikki won’t mind?”
He led her to the motorboat. “No, but it needs to be repaired. The engine isn’t working. You’ll have to row.”
Rowing appealed more to Reigh than handling an engine. It seemed like it would be more intuitive. She only had to rely on her own strength, not mechanics.
“You do know how to row?” he asked, assisting her into the boat and handing her a set of oars. They were heavier than she’d expected.
“Until a few weeks ago, I had never been on a boat before,” she admitted. “Not even the
gondolas at the Venetian. But I think I can figure it out.”
“You poor creature. I can’t imagine life away from the water.” He wasn’t joking. “It’s simple. Just follow the current. If it takes you left, row on the left-hand side to straighten out. If it takes you right, row on the right-hand side. Easy strokes will do, otherwise you’ll end up turning circles.” He spoke with a calmness that gave away he was a father of a young child.
“I think I’ve got it,” she lied, not so certain she did.
He laughed. “Don’t freak out. If you need help, whistle to the birds. I’ll come rescue you from the water nymphs.”
Being in Broken Ridge, there was no point asking how whistling to the birds far down the river would somehow attract his attention. Wriggling her backside on the flat bench, she settled into her captain’s seat as Stoyan threw her a rope.
“Nikki won’t be back for a while. She doesn’t exactly covet being home. Feel free to hold onto the boat for a few days. Just make sure you tie it down tight. You have a pier, right?”
“I do.”
“Then you should be all set.”
“Rock on,” Reigh said, delighted. She needed something new to engross herself in so that she didn’t have to deal with all the other new stuff in her life, like her new roomie, or her new knowledge of Calder, or her new magical abilities. “Anything else I should know?”
“My daughter hasn’t stopped talking about you since Rusalijska Nedelya. She’s told all her friends about the samodiva who lives in the woods down the river.”
Reigh liked it. “Tell her I’m here to guard her,” she proclaimed, and she pushed away from the dock with the tip of an oar, the rhythm of the boat on the water soothing her restlessness. On the dock, Stoyan returned to his buckets and his fish.
Enjoying the freedom of being in control, she maneuvered down the river, letting the green of the scenery heal her. She had yet to see the lost temples of Cambodia, but the bayou was her jungle, her sacred refuge. On a blazing hot day like today, it was warm and golden, full of harmony. Experiencing it from the boat was not like standing on her pier. She was totally immersed in the lush wildness.
