by Tish Thawer
Tucked in, Trin gave a silent prayer. “Lord and Lady grant me peace this night, protect all I love from harm and fright. Let me wake to a brand new day, filled with joy in every way.”
“Jason, what happened?” Caris demanded as she rifled through the closet for his favorite blanket.
“I’m not sure. One minute I was staring at the jig and the next, I was falling through the damn hole. Something had ahold of me, Caris. A ghost or demon maybe, but it was definitely pulling me down until Trin cast her spell.”
“Does she know?”
“No. I didn’t want to push her and she didn’t feel obliged to share.”
“We’re going to have to put more protection in place until we’re ready,” Caris warned.
“I agree. We can’t keep this up much longer.”
Chapter Eight
Trin woke from a peaceful sleep, ready to face the day and excited to start the spell that would break this wretched curse, if that’s what it was.
“Time to rise and shine,” she prompted Kit.
“Ugh...leave me be, woman,” Kit groaned in response from under the covers.
“I need your help with a spell.”
“Since when?”
“Since something evil is trying to keep us from finding Kara.”
Kit flipped the duvet away from her face with a quick snap. “What?”
“Yeah. I did some scrying last night, and I know for a fact that something or someone is here and blocking us from finding our sister.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes. I mean, I didn’t see a face or name, but the odd blood rituals and dead bodies I saw in my vision were a pretty clear indication.”
Kit sighed. “Katrine...”
Trin hated when she used her full name. “Don’t ‘Katrine’ me!” Trin exclaimed. “I know what you’re going to say. I’m letting my imagination run wild because I’m so desperate to find our sister, but I’m telling you...there’s something going on and we need to find out what it is.”
Kit tossed the rest of the blankets off and stood to face Trin. “I promise you we will get to the bottom of this, but it’s going to have to wait. I’m due back at the gallery tonight and won’t return until Friday morning.”
“What? Why? I thought the show was only supposed to be two days?”
“It was, originally, but when Harold had to cancel and reschedule due to the weather, the gallery offered to extend the showing due to the inconvenience.”
Trin felt like the petulant one now. She should be excited and proud of Kit, and she was, but the urgency of finding out what magical barrier was being cast upon their entire destiny seemed like a trump card in her book. “Fine. I’ll keep searching for answers while you’re gone, but won’t do any real magic until you return.”
“Good. And don’t be mad at me. I love you, Trin, and I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“I know. I love you, too.” She hugged her sister and returned to her room, resolved to get some rest while she could.
Unable to fall asleep, Trin tossed and turned for the hour it took Kit to leave the house. When Trin heard the front door close, she pushed out of bed and slipped on her fuzzy slippers and started for the kitchen but stopped halfway down the stairs. Walking back into her room, she grabbed her cell phone from the night stand and looked at the display. She needed to check on Jason and hoped 9:00am wasn’t too early to call.
“Hello?” Caris answered.
“Caris. Hi. It’s Trin. I’m sorry to call so early, but wanted to check on Jason.”
“Hi, Trin. It’s fine, we’re up and he’s doing good. How are you holding up?”
Trin scrunched her brow at the odd question.
“I’m fine. Just a little worn out.”
“Would you be up for some company? Jason insists on seeing you, but I refuse to let him out of my sight.”
Trin looked around the kitchen and glanced into the living room, making sure it was clean enough for guests. “Sure, that would be great.”
“Okay, cool. Say in about an hour?”
“Perfect. I’ll put something on for brunch.”
Caris laughed. “Well, you know we won’t say no to food.”
“See you in a bit.” Trin ended the call and turned to the stove. If she was going to be hosting brunch, she’d need to fix something more fitting than the bacon and scrambled eggs she’d been planning to make.
A quick shower and Trin dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, throwing her slippers back on for comfort. She was a wiz in the kitchen and it didn’t take long for the biscuits, sausage gravy, and broiled potatoes to fill the air with a hearty aroma. She placed fruit and juice on the table just as a knock sounded from the door.
“Hi...” Trin’s voice trailed off. It wasn’t Jason and Caris, but a strange man Trin had never seen before.
“Forgive the intrusion, but my car has broken down and it’s freezing cold.”
Trin looked up and down the street, looking for the man’s car but found nothing in sight. “I’m so sorry for your inconvenience. Please come in, and you can borrow the phone.”
Trin paused. Why doesn’t he have a cell phone of his own? And why did he end up on my doorstep when his car’s obviously not even close?
“Actually, if you could wait here a moment, I’ll fetch the phone and a cup of coffee for you.” Trin held fast to the door jam, blocking his way inside.
The stranger frowned and pulled his coat tight. “Sure. I’ll wait right here.”
Trin closed the door and returned to the kitchen, grabbing a cup and filling it with coffee as fast as she could. Yanking the cordless phone from its cradle she returned to the door, opening it only to find Caris reaching for the doorbell.
“Hi!” Caris jumped.
Trin frowned and looked past her and Jason, in search of the man. He was nowhere in sight.
“Trin, are you okay?” Jason asked.
“Yes, I’m sorry, please come in.” Trin returned the phone to its base and set down the cup of coffee then took their coats and welcomed them to her home. “The food is almost ready. If you’d like to join me in the kitchen, I’ll grab you something to drink,” Trin offered.
Trin walked towards the kitchen, passing up the cup she’d set on the table by the door.
“Don’t you want your coffee?” Jason asked.
Trin shook her head then gave a faint smile. “Thanks.”
“Trin, are you sure you’re okay? Something seems up.” Jason’s tone was kind but serious.
Trin sighed. “Just before you arrived, there was a man at my door claiming to need help because his car broke down. I didn’t see a car anywhere and he seemed frustrated when I asked him to wait on the stoop. When I came back with the phone and a cup of coffee, he was gone and you two were standing there instead.”
“Wow. That is weird. We didn’t see anyone when we drove up,” Caris looked at Jason then shrugged.
“Maybe he got picked up by one of the guys. You want me to call the station and see if anyone has him?”
Trin blew out a relaxing breath. “No. That’s okay. You’re probably right. There’s always officers cruising this street,” Trin smiled, “lucky for me.”
Jason laughed and Caris shared a smile with them both.
“The food smells great, you need any help?” Caris offered.
“Nope. Stay put, I’ll grab everything. Help yourself to the juice and fruit.” Trin set the casserole dishes on the table and sat down to join her guests.
“How are you feeling, Jason?” Trin turned to Caris. “Did his body temperature stay up throughout the night?”
“He was still a little chilled, but yes, whatever you did to warm him initially saved him, I have no doubt.”
Jason smiled at Trin from across the table, bringing a blush to her cheeks. “Well, I’m glad he’s okay, but I’m surprised you’re both not still tucked in bed. I bet it was a long night.”
“I tried to insist he stay put, but he wanted to see yo
u and after hearing what he had to say, I thought it was best if we both came.”
Trin raised her eyebrows. “Okay...what is it you have to say?”
Caris looked at Jason and nodded.
“I think that whatever happened at the pond was more than just me getting sleepy and falling in,” Jason stated.
Trin blanched.
“After thinking about it more, I could actually feel hands pulling me down, so I wanted to see if you saw anything before you grabbed me.”
Trin grabbed her glass of juice and took a slow drink. Jason hadn’t brought up her magic so she wasn’t sure if she should either, but then again, they were all practicing witches. The problem always came when she revealed that her magic was so much more.
IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS
1691
“Karina, you mustn’t ever tell what we are. You know our ways and the root of our belief is to know but not tell,” Jeremiah pleaded. “There are dangerous things happening about, and I will not risk losing you, or your sisters.”
“I am not a child, Jeremiah, and do not plan to go about screaming ‘I’m a witch’ from the hilltops, but I will not be scared into hiding my gifts when someone is in need of my help.”
“It could be a trick, Karina. You’ve only met this woman and suddenly she needs your magical assistance with her newborn baby?” Jeremiah dropped his head, feeling the pull of what he was saying deep within his chest. He was a witch, akin to Karina, and denying someone assistance went against his nature as well. “Things are changing, my love, and we have to be more careful for it.”
Karina touched his cheek and smiled, “I’ll be careful, my dear. You have my word.”
With one last glance at her beloved, she followed the trail to town, her basket filled with homemade remedies and magically enhanced tinctures. She ventured straight to Sarah Bishop’s, as she always did, for it was her new neighbor, Ann Putnam, who was in need of assistance. Sarah had told the young girl of Karina’s gifts and suggested that perhaps she try one of her potions to help cure her baby’s fits. Upon arriving, Karina asked Ann to remove the baby’s clothing and lay him flat on his back.
Warming her hands with oil, Karina closed her eyes and slowly began massaging the infant’s belly in a deosil motion. The women remained silent and still as Karina pulled a small vial from her skirt pocket. She unscrewed the dropper and pinched three dots of liquid onto the baby’s tongue.
“This contains chamomile, fennel, caraway, and blackthorn. Place three drops on his tongue after every meal.” Karina replaced the lid and handed the bottle to Ann, just as the baby ceased to cry.
Ann reached out a trembling hand and took the vial without saying a word.
“See, didn’t I tell you, Ann. Our Karina here is a wonderful healer. The salves she gives me are pure magic. Magic I tell you,” Sarah beamed.
Karina smiled and handed Mrs. Bishop the ‘magic salves’ she was gushing about in exchange for her payment, then gathered her things, ready to make her departure.
The rain had settled in, forcing Karina to pull the hood of her woolen cloak around her auburn hair as she stepped back onto the path. Turning to again bid farewell to Sarah and Ann, Karina felt a chill as she looked into Mrs. Putnam’s face. The evil Karina glimpsed behind her smiling eyes had her racing for home.
“Jeremiah! Jeremiah! You were right, and I think I’ve ruined us all.”
Chapter Nine
“Trin. If you don’t want to talk about it, it’s okay,” Jason offered.
“No, no. It’s all right. I’m just trying to recall as many details as possible. It all happened so fast.” Trin recovered. “I was relaxed and daydreaming too, and suddenly, I heard a noise and opened my eyes and saw you slipping in. I fell to my knees next to the hole and slammed my hands on either side of the ice, screaming your name. Then, once I saw your hair below me, I reached in and grabbed you by the shirt and pulled as hard as I could,” Trin shrugged. “That’s really all I remember.”
Jason looked from Trin to Caris and took a deep breath. “Okay, well, I guess that means I’m going crazy.” He shrugged. “Thanks for having us over, now let’s enjoy this fine spread, shall we?” he suggested with a half-smile.
Trin dished potatoes and biscuits and gravy onto their plates, then tried to fill the space with generic conversation as they all enjoyed their food.
“When do you two have another day off?” Trin asked.
“Jason works the entire week, but I still have tomorrow off,” Caris replied. “It’s scheduled as teacher work day, but I took care of everything I had to do on Saturday so I could have some extra time to myself.”
“Good plan. What are you gonna do with the extra time?” Trin asked, trying to remain engaged.
“Actually, I was thinking of making a run to Ipswich to get some supplies. Would you like to come with?”
Trin’s smile lit up the room. “Caris, that sounds fantastic. Let me make sure I can move any appointments I have for tomorrow, but yes, I would love to join you.”
“Well, that sounds like a party. Wish I could come,” Jason added.
“I wish you could too,” Trin replied shyly.
“How about this? I’ll let my cousin steal you away tomorrow, but come Friday night, you’re all mine.”
Caris laughed and began clearing the plates as Jason reached for Trin’s hand. Blue sparks erupted as their fingers met, knocking them apart.
“What the hell?” Caris gasped.
“Wow. That one was a doozy.” Jason shook out his fingers.
“You mean it’s happened before?” Caris asked.
Jason looked at Trin and she nodded. “Yes. Practically every time we touch,” he stated flatly.
“I wasn’t sure you noticed,” Trin replied.
“Oh trust me, I noticed. I told you, Trin. It’s like I’ve known you all my life, and when we touch, not only is there an actual spark, but there’s also a spark I feel inside. I can’t explain it.”
Trin stared at the two cousins and felt her heart sink. This couldn’t be anything more than magical energies recognizing and reacting to each other. Kit had warned her that she would get hurt again if she kept thinking there was more to it than that. So, resolved to spare herself any more pain, Trin accepted that this man was a fellow witch that she had a true connection with and nothing more. And right now, that worked for her.
“I feel a spark too, Jason.” Trin reached for his hand again. “Actually, with both of you. I feel like our energies recognize each other, and I couldn’t be happier to have found two more witches whose company I enjoy.”
“Two more witches?” Caris prompted.
“Yes. My roommate and friend, Kit, is also a witch. You’ll get to meet her this weekend.” Trin nodded to Jason.
“That’s awesome. Honestly, I thought Jason and I were going to be the only Wiccans in town. So cheers to that!” Caris raised her glass of orange juice and smiled.
“Perhaps we should add a bit of champagne and make this toast official,” Jason teased.
“Oh no you don’t. No alcohol for the recovering patient,” Caris’s tone was serious, despite the smile on her face.
“Would you like to see our work space?” Trin offered.
“Absolutely,” Caris remarked.
“We’d be honored,” Jason added.
Caris helped Trin finish clearing the food, then followed her down into the cellar. She and Jason’s sacred space was located in the shed at the corner of their land, and often times she wondered if they should convert a space indoors, like Trin had, for the convenience.
Jason stood, watching the girls as Trin showed Caris her stock and stores. Gray washed stone walls, wood shelves and cabinets lined with candles and oils. Dried herbs hung from a wooden lattice overhead, and a beautifully carved wood altar sat on a hand-woven rug patterned with stars and moons in the center of the room.
“This is lovely, Trin.” Caris spoke humbly. “Truly, such a perfect space.”
“Thanks.” Retrieving a piece of paper from the cupboard drawer, Trin lifted a quill and began to scribble down the list of items she planned to look for on their trip to Ipswich.
Candles, yarrow, mugwort, and rose petals.
“Looking for something?” Jason asked from over Trin’s shoulder.
“Yes, as a matter of fact I am.” Trin was impressed with his knowledge of her intended use of the ingredients, but as with every other life, she couldn’t elaborate.
“I prefer the pendulum to scrying, personally.” Caris pulled her pendulum from her pants pocket. It was a delicate pink rose quartz point with a beaded gem half way up its chain.
Trin stepped closer to inspect the bead but stopped short when the crystal started to spin wildly in Caris’s hand.
Trin looked up at Caris. “Did you ask it a question?”
“Yes, in my head.”
“What did you ask?” Trin demanded.
“Whether you’d find what you’re looking for,” Caris replied with a somber face.
“I assume that’s not your ‘yes’,” Trin replied.
“No, but it isn’t my ‘no’ either. I’m not sure what’s happening. It’s never done this before.”
Trin stared at the pendulum and became lost in the connection between it and Caris. “Slow and steady, find your way. Reveal the answer, and do not sway. Truth to truth, from the highest light, answer your mistress, proof of right.”
Trin blinked, freeing herself from the involuntary spell that had just flowed from her lips. Caris and Jason were staring at her with gaping mouths.
Trin’s aura was glowing and the pendulum was frozen solid in midair, pointing straight at Caris’s chest.
“What. The. Hell?” Jason’s breathless question mirrored Trin’s thoughts exactly.
Chapter Ten
Ice clung to his boots as he stomped around the cave. Desire and need drove him, but it was anger that pierced his soul. He refused to let centuries of work be all for naught. He cast the stones then slid the knife across his mangled wrist once again, to add the final ingredient. “Bound by time, her soul and mine. Cast astray, day after day. I will not falter, I will not fail, charge these words by the crimson veil.”
