Her nose twitched as the unmistakable scent of bacon frying tickled her senses. Motivated by a ravenous hunger, she got out of bed and cuddled into a comfortable pink sweat suit. She crossed to the window and pulled the drapes back allowing the warm sunlight into the room. Leaning a shoulder against the window frame, she gazed out over the rolling hills. God, it’s beautiful.
She caught a glimpse of one of the old castle’s turrets through the distant pines and hoped Tomas had some free time today to take her for a tour of it. The day promised to be nice, and what better way to spend the afternoon?
As if on cue, a knock at the door jarred her from her thoughts, and Dorina’s voice filtered through.
“Pita, you wake?”
“Yes, I’m coming,” she called as she crossed the room to open the door. Dorina’s gentle smile greeted her.
“Good day. Come. We have food.”
They entered the kitchen as Tomas placed the heavy iron skillet on a trivet in the center of the table. The enticing aroma of the scrambled egg and bacon concoction made Pita’s mouth water with anticipation. They all sat down, and Dorina dished out servings of the food. A large bowl of fresh fruit made its way around the table as well.
Pita tasted a forkful of the eggs and bacon. “This is delicious!”
“Enjoy, child. Eat! Eat!” Dorina said. “Son, why you so quiet?”
Tomas looked up from his plate, “Can you not see, I eat?”
Dorina laughed a rich hearty sound. “Yes, I see. Never bother man while he eat.” She turned to Pita. “You sleep good?”
“Oh, yes.” She answered between bites. “Thank you.”
“Pita, please tell me of my sister. Is she well?”
“Oh, yes.” Pita took a sip of tea to wash down the last of the delicious breakfast fare. “They are all well, though as you know Hosef is having some sort of ailment, but he seemed fine last time I saw him. Sasha said she’d call and let us know what’s going on as soon as the test results are back.”
Dorina nodded. “Yes, yes. I know. Oh poor Sera. She must worry.”
“Do not worry so, Mama. I tell you go see your sister, but you say no.” Tomas got up to clear the dishes from the small table. Pita stood. “No,” he waved her back down. “Sit. I do this. You and Mama, you talk.”
“Nais tute,” Dorina chuckled. “I mean, thank you, Tomas. We speak English for our Pita.”
“Nass tute? Thank you?” Pita repeated. “I’d love to learn some of your language, Dorina.”
“Naze toot.” Dorina repeated phonetically and smiled, showing crooked though very white teeth. “We teach you, but for now we speak in English. It good practice to me. Tell me what is like in Mon...ta?”
“Montana,” Pita corrected.
“Mon-tan-a.” Dorina mimicked.
“It is similar to this.” Pita waved a hand at the window. “We have areas that are forested but much more densely and the mountains, called the Rockies are much higher. Some are so high they disappear into the clouds.”
Dorina sat enthralled as Pita described Mystique. The morning passed with pleasant ease. Tomas went into the village to run errands while Dorina and Pita conversed over the household chores.
****
Pita and Tomas crossed the distance to the castle on foot. The day indeed turned mild and the sun shone brightly with fast moving shadows of clouds as they sped past. She’d worn her bootleg jeans and a long-sleeved, knit tee along with hiking boots to ward off scratches from the foliage and brambles. Tomas also wore jeans with a cotton-gauze, button-down shirt that was snowy white in contrast against his dark complexion. He donned the same black boots as yesterday and carried a Maglite. Pita had been surprised when he’d told her the castle was accessible to the public. She’d thought it a historical site and therefore, guarded. The information only increased her excitement at the venture.
They approached the massive structure from the front, and Pita saw the huge gaping black doorway yawning open. A chill passed over her, though the sun warmed her skin. She welcomed the thrill of the unknown. Excitement tickled through her veins.
“To think this has been here for hundreds of years.” She said in awe. Though there hadn’t been any restoration efforts for many years, the castle seemed sound. The walls appeared to be mortared fieldstones. Many outbuildings surrounded the exterior along with other structures that may have been stables at one time. The roof, for the most part, was in sound condition, at least from this vantage point. Small square windows ran around the entire castle just below the roof. The architecture definitely meant for defense and protection. “Can we go in?”
“Yes, of course, but I go first. Many creatures have made home here.” Tomas reached out to her as he passed.
Pita hesitated only a moment but then took hold of his hand. A jolt shot straight up her arm. It hit so strong, she loosened her grip to pull away when, suddenly, the dream from the night before hit her. The ebony eyes burned into hers, and she felt the rough fur of the wolf pressed against her side. As fast as the memory came upon her it was gone.
“Pita? You…uh…okay?”
She met Tomas’ concerned stare and nodded affirmation, then tightened her grip on his hand signaling him to proceed. “Just got a little dizzy, must be from the long walk and the heat.” She lied.
Pita was relieved he did not pursue the subject. Instead, he turned and led her into the cool darkness of the castle. Once inside, he switched on the flashlight. The bright beam danced around the stone walls of a huge room.
“The great hall.” Tomas said. “Beware. Step carefully.”
High windows afforded very little light so their only illumination came from the flashlight. Tomas guided her, with his hand lightly pressed at the small of her back, across the debris-covered floor to another doorway. The chilled air smelled dank and sour from years of dampness and rot.
The next chamber measured a little smaller than the first, but had a huge stone fireplace at one end. On the opposite wall were several small openings or doorways.
“Was this the banquet hall, or whatever they called it back then?” Pita asked, smiling at her lack of the correct term.
“Yes. See the great plank on the floor?” Tomas pointed. “That was crude trestle table like…um…how you say? Picnic table?”
Pita smiled. “Yes. Wooden picnic table. I see.” She walked carefully around the room, touching a wall, caressing the mantle of the fireplace then turned to Tomas. “I would have loved to be here back when it was a thriving keep. You can almost feel… an energy here. I can’t explain it.”
Tomas approached her and said, “Come, I want to show you the turret room.”
Together they left the banquet hall and entered into a foyer-like chamber, then mounted a circular stone staircase. As they ascended, the darkness gave way to light and the air freshened. Pita stepped into the large round turret room first and the thunder of wings resonated along with cries of what seemed hundreds of birds. Startled, Pita jumped, screamed and fell directly into Tomas’ arms.
“Omigod, I am so sorry. The birds…” She felt the heat of the blush spread across her face and the strange but persistent low thrum of energy as she stood captured in his arms.
“Holes in the roof allow the birds come in. They nest.” Tomas explained looking upwards and then pressed her away from him with a gentle push.
Pita followed his gaze. Several areas of the roof gaped open giving a view of the azure skies. “Ahhhh…” Pita said, still embarrassed at her reaction. She crossed and gazed out the room’s single window. A large, arched opening that afforded a beautiful view of the grassy mountains. They rolled into each other, a sight far different from the rugged peaks back home. Tall pines and obelisk-like mounds of golden hay dotted the landscape along with other varieties of trees that Pita couldn’t name. Off in the distance, a lake glittered golden in the sunlight.
Tomas stepped up behind her. She felt his breath warm at her neck. “See that lake?” She nodded. “It is said Vlad Te
ppes, Dracula, is buried on island in middle.”
Pita turned to face him, “Really?”
“Really.” He smiled.
For a moment their eyes locked. Darkness and doubt flit across Tomas’ eyes but disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Pita took a step back, sensing Tomas wanted to say something. For a moment they stood frozen face to face yet distant. Tomas started to speak, but the sudden caw of a crow shattered the moment, and Pita pivoted around to the window. That’s when she saw it. Her legs weakened and threatened to give out from under her. She gripped the ledge as tightly as she could to keep herself from falling to the floor.
Chapter 18
Pita’s mind opened and the familiar shroud slid into her head. She slammed it shut like a cold steel door. “No…no…”she shook her head vigorously from side to side, “how can this be?”
So overwhelmed with seeing the wolf, she hadn’t realized she’d simultaneously blocked the communication attempt. Then, her thoughts wrapped around the knowledge. I can control it. I can stop it.
“Pita?” Tomas knelt down beside her. “What is wrong? It is only wolf. We have many here,” he explained gently. “Why afraid?”
She looked into Tomas’s beautiful eyes. Husky. Canine eyes. An involuntary shiver ran up her spine for the second time that day. She banished the thought from her mind. Now I’m really being silly. She refocused on what he’d asked, but couldn’t find the right words to explain. Rather than try, she continued to shake her head.
“I can’t….I don’t know…” Frustration built within her; she reached for the window ledge to pull herself up. Tomas read the movement and helped her to stand, his hands grasped beneath her upper arms. She kept her back to the window afraid to see what was out there. “I can’t explain, at least at the moment.” She sighed and then added, “no, I’m not afraid of wolves. It’s just…” She waved a hand as if swatting at an insect. “Never mind.”
“Pita, it go. You can look.”
She noticed Tomas didn’t push her for information, but instead, walked across the room and gave her space.
Pita turned to the window, knowing what Tomas said to be true because she’d opened her mind and knew the creature was gone. How could the same wolf be here in Romania? What’s going on? What’s happening to me? This is all too weird. She heaved a deep, shaky breath, to control the dam of fear and confusion that threatened to burst.
Tomas cleared his throat and laid a hand lightly on her shoulder. “We go.”
She gazed up into his eyes and caught for a fleeting moment, darkness, a subtle shift of color cross the vibrant pools, then it was gone and his eyes smiled brightly into hers once more. Pita nodded and followed him out of the turret and back down the stairway.
Neither of them spoke as they picked their way back through the debris-strewn main hall toward the arched exit. Once out in the sunny courtyard, Pita drank in the sunshine and warmth. She inhaled deeply the scent of fresh air and pine washing away the musty darkness of the castle. Finding solace in the chatter of birdsong, the cloak of anxiety that had closed around her slipped away.
She caught a glimpse of reds, yellows, and lavenders peeking out of the overgrown weeds and bramble, and she migrated towards the color-burst for a closer look. Before realizing it, she found herself in the midst of what seemed to be an ancient rose garden.
“Wow. Look at all the roses. They’re beautiful.” The heady scent of flowers drifted heavily on the light afternoon breeze invading Pita’s senses causing her to pinch her nose with two fingers to stifle a sneeze. She beamed up at Tomas. “And look…” She parted the underbrush to get a closer look. “Statuary. This must have been the formal gardens at one time.”
“Yes. You are correct.” Tomas took her hand and led her a few feet to the left where they followed a narrow pathway into the overgrown foliage. “Come. I show you something.”
They moved deeper into the overgrowth. Pita let out a cry of delight. A natural clearing opened on what seemed to be ancient stone pavers. In the center stood an intricately masoned fountain with several different size triple-tiered pools and a multitude of miniature and weathered statuary of gods, goddesses, and animals. The masonry, though weather worn, still held a breathtaking appeal with its finely scalloped pools and floral-sculpted bases pulling Pita towards its magnificent edge for closer inspection.
She laid a hand gently on one of the statues. For the briefest moment, a sense of the past snaked up her arm, a hum of its essence. Her flesh broke into goose bumps as she felt the subtle link to centuries lost, but it was fleeting and disappeared almost before she’d become aware of it.
“This is unbelievable.” She watched a colorful butterfly flit back and forth then land on the edge of the fountain and drink from a small pool of rainwater at the bottom of the bowl. She felt Tomas’ gaze upon her and turned to look at him. His eyes, though, seemed distant, as if he were deep in thought. She waved her hand in front of his face. “Hey!” She laughed. “Earth to Tomas. Where are you?”
He blinked in confusion and focused on her. “I not understand. I am here.” Then he smiled, “Ahh…American idioms. I just think this place beautiful like you. How you say? Caught up with moment?”
“Caught up in the moment.” Pita smiled.
“Yes. We go back now. Time passes and Daj will want help with the meal.”
“Daj? Mother?” Pita asked.
“Yes. Mama.” Tomas took her arm and guided her back out into the courtyard. As they walked away from the castle, Pita flinched. Damn!
That annoying sensation blanketed her mind once again. Without missing a single step, she screamed a silent No! and closed her mind to the invasion.
Tomas glanced at her with concern although said nothing. They continued across the field, and Pita did not turn to look back. She didn’t have to. She knew what was behind her.
****
Later that evening, the three sat in the cozy parlor. The furnishings, though faded and scarred, were clean and well cared for. Pita sat with Dorina on the sofa, and Tomas sat in a matching oversized armchair across a small cherry coffee table. The grouping faced a fire Tomas had set when the night turned chilly. Orange flames bounced about the fieldstone fireplace, casting shadows on the walls. Pita enjoyed the warm comfort of the room. She listened to the crackle of the fire and stared into its dancing flames.
Dorina broke the companionable silence.
“Pita, now you are settled, you must have many questions. Sera tells us you find you have roots in Romania.” She rolled the ‘r’ when she said “Romania.” Pita loved the deep rich timbre of both Dorina and Tomas’ accented speech. It lulled her to relaxation like the constant undulating movement of the ocean’s waves. She could listen to them talk for hours and never tire. Ah, but Dorina awaited her response…
“Yes. I knew I’d been adopted, but until recently I’d never questioned my heritage. That is until the Gypsy woman in the supermarket…” she blushed, “I’m sorry. I mean, Floricita, the…well, I guess you would call her a reader or psychic.”
“No,” Dorina wagged a hand in dismissal. “Do not worry, child. We proud people. We choose Roma, but Gypsy part of our history, no worry. Go on.”
Pita explained the whole story leaving the wolf out, of course. Some things were just better left unsaid, and she was pretty sure this was one of those things.
“Anyway…so here I am. I brought the photographs. Maybe you can tell me where they were taken. The landscape around here does resemble the background in them.”
“Go. Bring them. We look.”
Pita looked over at Tomas who’d been very quiet. He nodded in agreement and smiled. “Go, Pita, get your photos.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
It didn’t take her long to retrieve the pictures because she’d laid them out on the bureau before she’d gone down for dinner. She crossed the room, picked them up, and then hurried back downstairs.
The low murmur of conversation between mother and
son drifted into the hall as she approached the parlor. They spoke softly to one another about what, Pita didn’t know. When she entered the room, they both gazed up at her and smiled conspiratorially.
“What are you two up to?”
“We discuss what nice girl you are.” Dorina confessed with a big, toothy grin.
Tomas looked embarrassed, but he too smiled. “Sit. Show us your photos,” he said.
Pita laid the few pictures out on the table then sat down beside Dorina on the sofa. “Do you know the man in the photo holding me? His name is…”
“Petru,” Dorina whispered. “Soske.”
Chapter 19
“Do you know him, Dorina?” Pita shifted forward on the couch, hope and excitement coursing through her.
Dorina caressed a finger over the man in the photo. “Yes…” She seemed lost in the past. “He was my first love’s father. We no good match. Petru send Alexsi away from village. He go in the night, not know why. Later I meet Tomas’ father, God bless him. He take good care Tomas and me.” She smiled. “Alexsi and me, we young; we think all revolve around love.” A sad smile crossed her lips as she brushed a wisp of hair from her face. Still gazing down at the photo, she continued, “Aleksi not come back. My heart broken, but I live. Then I marry my true love.” She looked over to Tomas. “I am blessed.”
He grinned at his mother. “Yes, Mama, Papa was good man. But what of this Petru?” His gentle tone took the edge out of his pressing question
“Yes, Dorina, what does Petru have to do with me? He is holding me and these people over here are my adoptive parents.” Pita pointed to the young couple in another photo. “Who is my real mother? And my father, who is he?”
Dorina patted her hand. “I do not know, child. We investigate. I not see him in many years.”
“So you think the photos were taken somewhere around here?”
Dorina nodded, “Yes, child, many years ago, but somewhere close by village.”
Curse Of The Marhime Page 8
