by Tish Thawer
“Car. It’s me. Yeah, yeah, I’m okay,” he muttered. “Listen, I’m gonna turn on my location service so you can track my phone. I think I’m along highway 1, but can’t be sure.” Jason fumbled with the buttons on the screen, his fingers stiff and aching. “You got it? Okay, thanks. See ya soon.”
Jason hung up to the sounds of Caris’s joyful sobs. It would take her at least forty-five minutes to get to him, so he needed to warm up. The pain in his sides made gathering kindling and wood a daunting task, but once stacked, he tossed flames from his fingers and eased down beside the fire. Soon, he felt the circulation returning to his frozen hands and tried to process all that had happened.
Wednesday afternoon, after Caris confirmed Trin was coming over, Jason finished his reports and punched out early. He wanted to get to the local herb shop to replenish the stock that had been destroyed in the attack on their shed. After paying for his oils, herbs, candles, and sage, he crossed the parking lot, returning to his car.
As Jason unlocked the door and placed his bag in the seat, a sickening dizziness took hold of him. He woke up bound and gagged in a cave with a cloaked man hovering over him.
The man barely spoke as he worked at his altar ––a large piece of petrified wood scattered with rough, old tools. When his potion was mixed he flicked his hand towards Jason, ripping his cell phone from his pocket. Obviously familiar with modern technology, he dialed Caris and made his threats.
Satisfaction sat upon his mangled mouth, for it was all Jason could see from beneath his hood. “You will all learn your lesson,” he spat, throwing a chunk of hair into the flame, then muttered some spell. Jason felt the same overwhelming dizziness settle over him, and the next thing he knew, he awoke in the woods, alive but with a few good bumps and bruises.
Jason took a deep breath and tried to walk backwards through the memories again. He focused on every detail, every smell and sound, looking for a clue as to where, who, or why this was happening. Unfortunately, nothing stood out and the question remained...Why didn’t he kill me?
Caris arrived within the hour with a thermos of hot chocolate and some extra blankets, which she handed him after wrapping him up in a massive hug.
“Thanks.” Jason winced.
“What is it? I thought you said you were okay.” Caris’s voice held her unshed tears.
“Yes, Car. I’m okay, but I think the bastard got in a few good kicks while I was out.” Jason held his ribs, sucking in a breath as he struggled to climb into the Jeep.
“Besides that, the only thing he actually did to me was steal a chunk of my hair I think.” Jason reached up to the nape of his neck, feeling for the uneven cut. “He cast a spell just before he freed me.”
“Could you decipher the spell?”
“Not really, something about destiny, I think. He said that we’d all learn our lesson.”
Caris gasped. “That doesn’t sound good. Do you think we should prepare for another attack?”
Jason shifted uncomfortably and felt an irritation settling in his heart. “Maybe we should just move away from here and not look back,” he snapped.
Caris slammed on the brakes. “Why would you say that after all we’ve been through?”
“Because, after all this time, we are still no closer to finding the answers we seek. I think it’s time we face facts and let go of the hope that Trin’s the one.”
“I’m not so sure we should, Jason. Think about it. We’ve never been this close before and you yourself saw that she was blocked. I think if we can find a way to free her from that, we would all be able to see the truth of things. Trin’s the key, though I’m not sure getting her help will be easy at this point.”
Jason squinted at Caris, “Why would you say that? Did something happen while I was gone?”
Caris took a deep breath. “We kinda had a fight.”
Jason clenched his jaw and turned towards the window. The stress of the ordeal was finally catching up to him. He was tired. Tired of searching and hoping, and tired of always being let down. Maybe it was time he left Caris behind too and followed his own path.
“Great. One more thing we’ll have to sort out. Can you take me to the herbal shop? I have to get my car.”
“Are you sure you can drive?”
“Yes,” Jason snapped.
Caris guided the Jeep back onto the road and decided to give Jason some peace and quiet for the rest of the ride home.
“We’re here.” Caris nudged his shoulder.
Jason looked up and spotted his patrol car right where he’d left it. He kicked the blankets off his legs and climbed out of the Jeep. Glancing through the window, he found his bag of supplies still lying in the seat behind a locked door. Jason fiddled in his pockets, retrieving the keys. “I’ll meet you at home.”
Caris cast him a sad smile then jumped back into her Jeep, taking a left out of the parking lot.
Jason sat in his patrol car and debated if he should follow Caris home or simply take a right and leave. It’s not like they needed him. He wasn’t part of the three. Slamming his hands against the wheel, he pulled up to the street and checked his mirrors. Catching his reflection in the rearview, he reached up to the spot where he was missing a chunk of hair and cursed. “Fuck!” Realization dawned and Jason scolded himself for missing it. “He’s spelled you into wanting to leave, stupid.”
Jason reached into his bag, retrieving the sage and punched the cigarette lighter. Grabbing it once ready, he lit the smudge stick and cleansed his heart and mind. “In the name of the Lord and Lady, please remove any negative energies affecting me at this time.” He took a deep breath and felt the threads of the spell leave his body, carried away by the healing smoke.
Clear of mind once again, he checked his car, making sure no talismans were left behind to play with his head, then he, too, pulled out and headed south towards home.
Jason rounded the corner at the end of the drive and sucked in a shocked breath. Parking in a rush, he carefully exited the car, nursing his ribs. “What are you doing here?”
“Caris called and said you were in trouble and that I needed to come home, and from the looks of you, it was none too soon.”
“Well, I can’t deny I’m glad to see you. Come on in.” Jason responded. “How was your drive?”
“Not bad. It’s only nine hours from Washington, DC to BlackBrook.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
After an entire day of selfish wallowing, Trin decided it was time for her to return home. With Lillian’s death, there was no one else she could talk to about her situation, except Caris, Jason, and Kit. She’d decided that regardless of their fight, she wanted to inform Caris what happened to her friend in person, and not knowing if Jason was all right had been eating her up inside. Two more hours and she’d be at the Hardy’s door. Trin hadn’t bothered calling Kit; experience had taught her that dealing with her face-to-face was the best way to go.
Clear of mind and happy to be moving towards some sort of amends, Trin turned on the radio and cracked the window, letting the crisp end-of-winter air keep her awake. She passed the miles thinking about all the moments in her past where she’d encountered another witch, only to be distanced by some twist of fate. But now, after everything she’d discovered, Trin was sure fate had nothing to do with it.
Stopping at a convenience store, Trin filled up with gas and grabbed a bottle of water for the last leg of her trip. She debated, again, whether to call in advance, but decided against it in case they refused her. No. She’d deal with that after she got there and said her piece.
With only miles to go, Trin’s veins buzzed with a nervous energy and magic, strangely enough. She felt a positivity settle over her that she hadn’t felt in a very long time. Perhaps her vision walking with Lillian had somehow unblocked her after all. Trin certainly hoped so as she turned the last curve of the road and parked behind an unfamiliar Range Rover.
Grabbing her witches ladder, Trin walked to the front door and knocked.
“Hello, Caris. May I come in, I have some news I need to share with you.” Trin’s tone was somber.
“Um...sure. Yeah, um...can you give me a minute?” Caris shuffled nervously, hoping the healing work on Jason’s ribs was done.
Trin cocked her head. “Okay, but is everything all right? Is Jason all right?” Trin glanced past Caris’s shoulder.
“Car, who is it?” Jason’s voice rang out.
Trin sighed when Caris smiled and led her straight to the kitchen.
“You’re okay,” Trin stated.
“Yes. I’m okay.” Jason moved to Trin, giving her a gentle hug.
“We have company?” a voice sounded from the back door.
Caris took a deep breath. “Trin. I’d like you to meet my sister.”
Trin froze. Here stood another striking red-head, whose magic was singing in her veins. Trin laughed internally at the sight before her; two sisters resembling her own staring at her from across the kitchen counter, her lost love smiling down at her with his arm around her shoulders, and all the while knowing none of it could be true. She was losing her mind.
“Hi! I’m Trin.” She offered her hand, not sure at this point what to expect.
“It’s nice to meet you.” The woman smiled but didn’t return the gesture.
Caris huffed and motioned to the living room. “Let’s all take a seat, it seems we have a lot to discuss.”
Trin sat across from the Hardy’s on one of the two couches, clutching tightly to the witches ladder in her pocket. The collision of her past and present was no longer avoidable. She had to tell them the truth, all of it, if they had any hope of making sense of this mess. “Unfortunately, I must insist that I go first. The news I have may alter what you’d like to share,” Trin explained.
Caris nodded and took a seat beside her sister and Jason on the opposite couch.
“After what happened,” Trin nodded at Jason, “I fled to Ipswich in search of answers. I met with Lillian and she helped me make this.” Trin produced the ladder and laid it on the coffee table between them. “It’s a witches ladder and it helped me climb into my past. What I saw there is that you were both right. I have been blocked by something.” Trin nervously retrieved the talisman and held it tight within her hand. “But what you don’t know, is that it’s been happening for centuries.”
The Hardy siblings gaped at each other, smiling wide.
Trin took a deep breath, ready to reveal her secret. “I was born in 1673 as Karina Howe. I had two sisters, Kara and Kenna. We were all true witches, like our mother before us. I was set to the flame in 1693 where I cast a spell that catapulted our souls forward through time.”
Jason smiled encouragingly at Trin, while the sisters continued to look on, interested but reserved.
“In every life I’ve lived since, I’ve found one of my sisters but never the other.” She motioned towards Caris. “When I first met you, I thought you were Kara, but as Kit explained, you couldn’t be her, as all my sisters live their lives as only children, waiting until the three of us can be reunited.”
Caris cast a weary look at Jason, who just shook his head and let Trin continue.
“Lillian was able to help me see that something had attached itself to me during the casting of my spell. A demon most likely, and that it’s been blocking me from finding my final sibling all this time.”
Trin took a shaky breath as tears filled her eyes. “While I’m so grateful for Lillian’s help, I wish I’d never gone.”
Caris reached for her hand, absorbing the severe jolt between them without a word. “Oh, Trin. What happened?”
“Whatever has been attacking you followed me.” Trin sobbed. “Lillian is dead.”
Caris sucked in sharp breath and sank back onto the couch.
“I’m so sorry, Caris. You were right. It is all my fault.” Trin wrapped her arms around herself as her tears fell. “I’m sorry to you, too, Jason. It’s my fault you were taken. Can either of you ever forgive me?” Trin pleaded.
Jason rose and took Trin in his arms, kissing the top of her head, “It’s okay, Trin, it’s not your fault. There’s nothing to forgive.” He continued to rock her while she cried herself out.
Caris was led to the kitchen by her sister, who tried to comfort her over the loss of her friend. Caris continued to listen to her soft whispers, but it was the ritual of grinding herbs, letting them steep, and breathing in the gentle aroma of the tea that helped sooth her soul.
Jason nodded to the girls over Trin’s shoulders. “Would you like something to drink?”
Trin nodded, feeling like a fool that she’d laid all her cards on the table, so to speak. What if sharing her secret with the Hardy’s––all of them, ended up being a huge mistake?
Jason held Trin’s hand and told her what happened during his capture while they waited for the tea. “Besides a few sore ribs and another round of hypothermia, I promise, I’m perfectly fine.” Jason winked.
“I can’t tell you how happy that makes me,” she confessed, laying her forehead to his.
Suddenly, as if cast backwards through time, Karina and Jeremiah laid tangled in the sheets of their old bed. Kissing, fondling, and madly in love.
“Whoa...what was that?” Jason pulled back.
“Oh my god, I’m sorry. I must be projecting my desire for you. That was a vision from my past life of me with my beloved, Jeremiah.”
Jason rose from the couch and excused himself. “How about I check on the tea? I’ll be right back.”
Trin collapsed face first onto the couch. How embarrassing. She needed to get control of herself, because it seemed that opening these floodgates may have been an all or nothing kind of thing. She didn’t want to confuse the situation, especially for herself. Sitting up, she shook out her arms and ran her fingers through her hair. She’d get it together and hopefully with the Hardy’s help, they’d put a stop to whatever this was so they could all move on with their lives.
Jason returned to the living room with a plate of cheese and crackers, followed by the girls who carried in an elaborate tea set upon an antique silver tray.
They all sat their items on the coffee table and retreated a few steps, staring at Trin in an awkward silence.
Trin scanned each of their faces and offered a quirky, “Thanks?”
As she reached for the kettle Trin gasped. “Oh my god!” She looked up into three smiling faces. “This was my mother’s platter. How on earth...?”
Caris’s sister stepped forward. “Let me properly introduce myself.” She knelt directly in front of Trin. “My name is Kennedy, and it’s finally nice to see you again, sister.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
A massive explosion of blue energy filled the entire room when Kennedy touched Trin’s hand. It pulsed with a magic that only grew stronger when Caris joined in.
“I don’t understand,” Trin confessed. “This can’t be possible.”
“Trin. I really need you to listen to us, okay? We have a lot to tell you, and you’re right, it’s going to be hard to believe, but I promise you, we are your sisters,” Caris stated.
Trin sat back on the couch, casting Jason a weary glance. She figured, however, if they could give her the courtesy of listening to her tall tale, the least she could do was offer them the same. “Okay. I’m listening.”
Caris blew out a deep breath. “You have travelled through time thinking you’ve always found one sibling and were missing other, when in reality, it’s you who are the missing third. Kenna and I have always been together, along with Jeremiah.” Caris cast a glance at Jason. “Your spell not only pulled us, your sisters, forward, but also any true witch in the vicinity at the time.” She gestured to the three of them. “We’ve always been together, searching for you, not the other way around.”
Trin gasped as her head wavered back and forth of its own accord. “How is that possible when I’ve always found Kara? I re
cognized her energy just as I recognized the magic within you.”
“You said it yourself earlier, Trin. Whatever has been blocking you attached itself to your soul at the time of the casting. It’s been able to find you because you’re intertwined, but it’s not in the way you think,” Kennedy stated.
“You’ve always felt it was Kara you found, when in reality it was the demon who found you.” Jason took her hand. “Kit isn’t your sister, Trin. She’s the bad guy,” he summarized.
Trin pushed from the couch. “No! It can’t be true! Kit has never hurt me,” she snapped.
“Why would she? You’re her meal ticket,” Kennedy replied. “Why else do you think she attacked and threatened to kill Jason if we didn’t keep away?”
Trin’s heart was racing. “How can it be Kit when the thing doing this is a man?” Trin demanded.
“Trin, do you remember when Lillian told you about Henrich Kramer?” Caris asked.
“The demon who started the witch trials? Wait...how do you know what she told me?”
“Because, Lillian knew who I was and I asked her to fill you in. I thought it might help you to hear the story of our heritage, possibly jar your memories enough to knock loose whatever was blocking you.” Caris continued with a sad smile. “Now, do you remember the part about the demon shapeshifting into a man?”
Trin’s eyes grew big. “Are you saying this demon has transformed himself into a female for centuries, just to trick me?”
“I’m afraid so, sweetheart,” Jason stated softly. “Think about your connection, is there any difference between what you see and feel with Kit, versus what you experience with us?”
Trin processed his words, focusing internally while she searched the memories of her recent vision walk. She didn’t make it back to the couch, but fell to her knees and began to weep. “The connection I have with Kit displays as red and is mangled and twisted between us, while the energy we all share is pure blue and pulses with the Goddess’s signature.” Her heart wrenched as she looked up at Jason, Caris, and Kennedy. “How could I have been so blind? I’ve spent life-time after life-time with this person, always hopeful we’d find the third, when all along, I was being duped.”
