“Can you keep her calm until I get back? I’m going to try again now; hopefully I’ll see you in a minute.”
“Ok, see you soon then. Be careful, please.”
Jilly handed the phone back to Nikolai and closed her eyes again, wishing that she were back with Hannah and William. She felt the pulling, her body being shoved from every angle and when she opened her eyes, she was back on the couch in the den with William and Hannah.
“Well, that was way weird,” Jilly said as she stood up. William’s phone rang; it was Nikolai wanting to make sure Jilly was there with him.
“Yeah, she’s here.” He was silent for a moment, listening to whatever Nik was saying. “Okay, man, we’ll see you tomorrow afternoon or evening. Take care of everything on your end.”
Jilly led Hannah back to her room and sat on the bed with her. “What did you dream about?” she asked quietly.
“I’m not really sure. It was really foggy, but there was a man with dark hair and he kept calling my name. He chased me through a forest and I finally made it to a big house with stairs that led up from the forest into the house. I pounded on the door and when it opened, a lady that looked kind of like you, but with dark hair, let me in the house.”
Jilly’s eyes widened in surprise. “Do you dream like this a lot?”
“All the time,” Hannah said. “It started a year ago. Right before Sabine came for me the first time. Everything I dream usually happens. I dreamt of you before you came for me. Walter said it’s my gift. I can see the future, but I don’t think it’s much of a gift. It’s more of a curse if you ask me. My parents would still be alive if I didn’t have this so called ‘gift’.”
“I know. It’s not always easy, honey, but once you learn more about what you can do, it gets a lot better. It’s really scary at first because you don’t really know what you’re doing or what’s happening, but once you learn more about it, it’s amazing. Who’s Walter?”
“Didn’t you meet him? He said he talked to you guys. He owns the bookshop; he’s nice, although he seems somewhat gruff at first. He’s been helping me a lot. He lets me stay in his shop at night. But when the shadows come, I run. I don’t want him to get hurt because of me.”
Jilly thought for a moment. “You said that you didn’t call us tonight. If you didn’t, was it Walter?”
“I don’t know. Maybe,” Hannah said as she thought about it.
“It sounded just like you, so maybe it wasn’t him,” Jilly said after a bit. “I guess it’s a mystery, but I’m glad that we found you when we did. I don’t want to think about what could have happened. You should get some sleep. We’ll be leaving in the morning for Boston.” Jilly leaned down and kissed Hannah’s cheek as she tucked her into bed. She went out and found William in the hall waiting for her.
“Everything all right in there?”
“Yeah, I think we may have discovered what her ability is. I think she’s psychic. She has dreams where she sees the future and she says they always come true. I’m sure she was dreaming about Patrick chasing her through the forest behind my house and Caroline letting her inside. I’m not sure if it’s literal or if it’s just what’s possibly going to happen. We assumed that Sabine was working for Patrick anyway, so maybe her dream could mean Patrick’s trying to find Hannah and Caroline is going to help her. What do you think?” Jilly asked him as they walked into their room and sat on the bed.
“I don’t know what to make of it, really. I guess we’ll find out in Boston. Did Kat know anything about the shadow spirits?”
Jilly frowned. “It wasn’t good news. She doesn’t think they can be stopped unless they’ve been called off, and I doubt Sabine is going to help with that.” She got up and paced around the room.
“Patrick is behind this, I know he is. Sabine is just a pawn in whatever game he’s playing. I’m not sure what he’s after, but it’s not good,” William said. Jilly continued her nervous pacing until William grabbed her hand as she walked past. “Come sit, you’re like a caged lion with your pacing. It’s making me antsy. So, we should talk about your little jaunt over to Boston.” He paused, waiting for her to speak.
“Um, I don’t really know what to say. Apparently I can teleport now. Why have I never been able to do it before now?”
“I’m guessing when you’re sleeping you astral project. Your mind leaves your body. I don’t know why you’ve never done it before; maybe something triggered it this time.”
Jilly shrugged. “Whatever. I’m too tired to figure it out right now. What time are we leaving tomorrow?”
“After breakfast. I told the pilot to be ready by nine.”
Jilly stifled a yawn. “Okay, then I need to get to sleep. I’m dead on my feet. I’m going to change into my pajamas and I suggest you do the same.” She got up, grabbed her pajamas out of her bag and went into the bathroom to brush her teeth and change. William watched her go and got up to do likewise. Ten minutes later, they were in bed, Jilly was already asleep, but William was wide-awake, worrying about Patrick.
Jilly slept fitfully, dreaming of being chased through the fog by someone she could not see. She called for William to help, but he was too far away to hear her. Jilly woke up in a cold sweat, the covers twisted around her legs. William wasn’t beside her; she untangled herself and went to look for him. She found him in the atrium off the kitchen, sitting with a blanket wrapped around him. “Couldn’t sleep?” she asked him as she sat down next to him on the ground.
“No, I have too much on my mind for sleep,” he said with a sigh.
“Anything I can help with?”
“No, I’m just worried about everything. With Patrick out, it’s only a matter of time before he finds Mary. He’s too strong now. I don’t know if I can fight him.” William scrubbed his palms over his face.
“It seems daunting for sure, but we’ll get through it,” Jilly said with confidence.
“I have to believe that we will. I cannot face a reality where Sabine and Patrick win,” William said as he pounded his fist on the ground.
He turned to Jilly. Tipping her lips up to his, he kissed her. Jilly was surprised by the heat behind the kiss but she let herself go with it for a while. She enjoyed the pinpricks of electricity that jumped from his skin to hers. He maneuvered himself so that he could lay Jilly back on the blanket and covered her neck with kisses. As his blanket fell away, Jilly noticed that he wasn’t wearing a shirt and her fingers ran over his bare flesh. She shivered with pleasure as she smoothed her hands over the muscles of his back, reveling in the attention he was paying to her neck. She pulled his face up to hers, his stubble scratching her cheeks on the way to her lips. She deepened the kiss, feeling slightly dizzy from the magic flowing through them.
After what felt like forever, or maybe no time at all, William pulled away. He was glowing with silver incandescent all over his body. Jilly lay on her back looking up at him, her hair rumpled and her lips swollen from his kisses. Her skin was lit from within and she took on a golden glow, her magic calling out to his. William bent down and kissed her softly one more time.
“We should go to sleep. Not that I wouldn’t like to do this forever, but we have an early flight.” He helped her to her feet.
“Thanks for cheering me up,” he said with a wink.
Jilly woke up feeling blissfully rested. William was sound asleep next to her. She turned onto her side and smoothed the hair out of his face. His arm snaked out and captured her around the waist, pulling her close to him. “How did you sleep?” Jilly asked him as she nuzzled into his neck.
“Like the dead, actually. I don’t even think I dreamed.”
“Mmmm me, too. I feel really rested. I’m ready to attack the day and whatever it has in store for us. I’m going to get up and check on Hannah and then get ready.”
Jilly hopped off the bed and padded out into the hall and over to Hannah’s door. She knocked once. “Hannah, can I come in?”
“Hmm?” a sleepy voice said from inside.
Jilly op
ened the door and went over to open the drapes, letting in the sunlight. “Good morning, sleepy head. How are you feeling this morning?” she asked as she perched on the side of the bed.
“Um, okay, I guess. When’s breakfast? I’m starving.” Hannah sat up and pulled her long hair into a ponytail, using an elastic band to tie it back.
“I’m sure it’s about ready now, if you want to go into the dining room. I need to get dressed and I’ll join you shortly. Oh, and we’ll be leaving right after we eat. Be sure to gather anything you want to bring with you.” Hannah nodded, and Jilly left the room to go get ready. She found William already dressed and throwing a few things in a suitcase.
He looked up when she came in. “Hey, doll, I need to grab a few books from my library before breakfast. Are you all packed? I’d like to leave as soon as we finish eating.”
Jilly nodded. “I never really unpacked. We’ve really only been here less than a day. Hannah says she’ll be ready to go, too. I’m just going to shower quickly and get dressed. I’ll be out in like ten.” She ran over to the bathroom, stripping off her shirt as she went. William caught a tantalizing glimpse of her naked back and felt the heat go straight to his stomach. He shook his head; he needed to be clear minded for the days on the horizon. He went back to his packing and then left to go to the library. He almost ran into Hannah as he left the room.
“Sorry, I wasn’t really paying attention,” he said with a smile.
“It’s okay,” Hannah said shyly.
“Going to breakfast?” he asked as he stepped aside so she could pass by. She nodded and continued on her way. He watched her go, feeling sad for the life that she had to lead because of Sabine.
Caroline was uneasy; she could not shake the feeling of impending doom. She felt like she was being watched, like something was going to happen. All through her shower and doing her hair and makeup, she felt as though a cloud was hovering just above her head. She found Katya eating breakfast by herself in the dining room.
“Nik’s gone out for a while,” she said in her accented English. Caroline thought it was funny that neither Kat or Nik had ever lost their Russian accent after all the years they had been alive. Caroline sat down at the table across from Katya and helped herself to some eggs and a few slices of bacon.
“I feel like something’s wrong, Kat. I don’t know what yet, but I can’t shake this feeling that something bad’s going to happen soon.”
Katya studied Caroline silently for a while. “Have you ever had premonitions before this?”
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Caroline asked. Her voice raised an octave. “I’ve never had one before, that I know of. Is that what this is? Something bad is really going to happen?”
“I’m not looking at you like anything, I promise. I’m just trying to figure this out,” Katya said with a laugh. “I don’t know for sure, but it could be a premonition. Or you could just be overwhelmed by all that’s happened in the last week.” Katya quickly masked the worried expression on her face before Caroline started freaking out again. “What are your plans today?” she asked.
“I need to go into work; but other than that, just waiting for Jill and William to get home. I know it’s weird, but I’m actually really excited to meet Hannah.”
“It’s not weird at all. It’s something nice to look forward to rather than the nonsense we’ve been dealing with. I need to make some calls this morning before they get home to try to solve the shadow spirit problem. I’m not sure if we can solve it without Sabine’s help, but I’m going to try. Come find me before you leave, okay?” Katya sauntered out of the room, leaving Caroline alone with her thoughts. She mentally went over the events of the day before and relived the terror of finding Patrick in the house. She shuddered at the memory.
“Don’t be afraid of me, Caroline,” A soft voice whispered in her head. “I don’t want to hurt you.” Caroline shook her head vigorously, trying to clear the voice out.
“Patrick?” she said aloud.
“You don’t have to speak, I can hear you just fine in your head,” he said sarcastically, his low laughter all too loud in her ears.
“What do you want?” Caroline asked inside her head.
“Nothing but your company, my dear. I wish to know you better, that’s all. We are almost family, aren’t we? Plus, our time in your dreams wasn’t nearly enough for me.”
Caroline was afraid to think, afraid to speak. She didn’t want to give him anything to use. “Kat!” she screamed loudly. Katya raced into the room, looking around quickly for trouble.
“You ruined all the fun. Oh, well, I’ll be seeing you soon, Caroline,” Patrick said wistfully.
“What’s wrong?” Katya asked as she ran over to Caroline. “Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m fine. I didn’t know what else to do. Patrick is in my head. He can hear my thoughts and speak to me,” Caroline blurted out.
Katya’s face went pale. “Stay here, I need to call Nik.” She returned a few moments later, already talking to Nikolai. “Yeah, it’s like we thought. What should I do?” She was silent as she listened to his response, her eyes never leaving Caroline’s face. “Ok, I’ll try that first. Come back soon.” She hung up and threw the phone on the table as she walked over to Caroline.
“What is like you thought?” Caroline demanded. Katya looked unsure of what to say next. “Seriously, Kat, just answer me. You’re freaking me out more by not.”
“Well, it obviously means you have some sort of connection with him. What kind of connection, I’m not sure. We’ll figure it out though, okay?” Caroline looked at her like she wanted to say something, but she remained silent.
“I’m going to need you to turn and face me for this,” Katya said. Caroline shrugged and turned her chair around. Katya knelt in front of her and placed her hands on either side of Caroline’s head, right at the temples. She closed her eyes and spoke rapidly in Russian, her hands growing warmer the longer she spoke. After a minute, her hands began burning Caroline’s cheeks, but Caroline bit her tongue to keep from crying out. She didn’t want to distract Katya from what she was trying to do. After a few more minutes, Katya let her hands drop away as she fell back on her butt, exhausted. Caroline had two perfect bright red handprints on her face.
“Did it work?” she asked.
“I sure as heck hope so; I don’t have the energy to try again. I put a barrier up for you. I’ll teach you how to repair it later. It should hold for now, though.”
Caroline helped her to her feet and into a chair. “Here, drink some tea. The sugar is good for you right now,” she said, sliding a cup over to Katya.
Katya looked up from her cup, but hesitated a moment before speaking. “There are some things you need to know, but I want to wait until Nik gets back before we go into it.” Caroline didn’t like the expression on Kat’s face, but she nodded and sat down.
Everyone was quiet on the drive to the small airstrip just outside of town. Hannah was nervous about returning to the states, afraid that the shadows would find her. Jilly was anxious to get home but nervous about what was waiting for them there. William was afraid to think too far into the future. He didn’t want to think about what he might have to do to Patrick. When they reached the plane, everyone got out and Jilly led Hannah aboard while William coordinated with the staff about their luggage and whatnot.
“Is this for real?” Hannah asked incredulously as she looked around the spacious cabin.
“I know, right? I thought the same thing when I first saw it, too. It’s crazy to think William owns this. There are a few rooms on the plane, so you can nap or whatever during the flight.”
Hannah nodded and flopped down onto one of the couches. “Everything is going to change now, isn’t it?” she asked softly.
Jilly frowned slightly but quickly recovered. “It could, Hannah; but it could change for the better instead of the worst. I have to believe that everything will be okay. I’d never get out of bed if I didn’t.” Jilly smile
d and pulled Hannah close to her in a tight hug. “Always remember, you’re safe with us,” she whispered in Hannah’s ear. “I’m going to see if Will needs help.” She got up and left Hannah to wander around the plane.
Hannah got up too and made her way back towards the bedrooms. Each door she opened revealed a room bigger and grander than the previous one. She threw her backpack into the first one and continued her exploration. She found the kitchen and the gym and then made her way back to the front of the plane to wait for the others to board. She didn’t have to wait long. As soon as she sat down, she heard them coming up the steps. Jilly and William appeared a few moments later, followed by a few other people Hannah assumed were flight attendants.
“Did you find everything okay?” William asked as he threw his bag on one of the couches.
“Yeah, this is a crazy big plane. I put my bag in the first room. I hope that’s all right.”
Will smiled at her. “Of course, wherever you want to be is fine. The captain said the weather is a bit rough, so it may take a little longer than normal to get back; but not to worry.” Both girls nodded. “We’ll be taking off in about five minutes, so let’s all buckle in.” Everyone complied and they moved across the walkway to the rows of seats to fasten their belts.
An hour after takeoff, Hannah was curled up on the bed in her room watching a movie. Jilly checked on her and made her way back to William so they could talk. Jilly blurted out all of the things on her mind. “I think we need a strategy. We need some sort of plan of attack. I don’t want to just blindly go into a bad situation where many people can potentially be hurt. We also need to decide what we’re going to do about Hannah. Do we think her parents are for sure dead?”
“I agree. Nik and I have already started thinking about a plan, but it’s still rough and we’ll talk more about it when we get home. As for Hannah, she can remain with us if she likes. I would love to have her. I don’t know a lot about the Shadow realm, so I’m not sure where Hannah’s parents were taken or if they were taken at all. Sabine could have just given orders for them to be killed.” Seeing the puzzled look on Jilly’s face, he continued with an explanation. “Shadow wraiths come from the realm of shadows. Usually when they are called into service, they come for specific people and take them back to their realm. I’m not entirely sure what happens to the people they take once they’re down there. Maybe they become shadow wraiths themselves. There are some wraiths that have become so powerful that they don’t need to be called to come up from their realm. They can come and go as they please, snatching people whenever they want. I don’t think the ones after Hannah are like that, though. Sabine called them and they can be called off. I’m hoping Kat can figure out a way to get rid of them without involving Sabine. I doubt that she’ll want to be helpful. Come sit down, your pacing is making me nervous.”
Chasing the Witch (Boston Witches) Page 10
