The Witches of BlackBrook

by Tish Thawer

  Caris wrapped her arms around Trin while Kennedy poured everyone some tea. Jason grabbed Trin’s hand and guided her back to the couch. “We need to figure out how to untangle you and Kit, because even though the three of you are now together, your powers are still being blocked.”

  Trin shook her head and wiped her tears. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of that,” Trin stated, remembering the reverse Tower card from her tarot reading. “Now that I know who I can and can’t trust. It will be easy work to put up my own blocks while I try to break the connection.”

  “You’ll have to get inside her, or his lair. Only at the source of his power will you be able to break the tie,” Kennedy added.

  “This is going to be tough, Trin. Will you be able to pretend nothing’s changed until we find the cave?” Jason asked.

  “I guess I’ll have to,” Trin said with a firm set to her jaw.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Trin had spent the rest of the night reminiscing with Caris, Kennedy, and Jason, each providing stories from the past that proved their claims. As the last spark from the fire cooled, Jason held Trin in his arms, declaring his undying love once again for his soul mate.

  “Though you don’t look the same, I feel you, Karina, deep within my soul. I’ve waited centuries for this moment, and I won’t lose you again. We’ll do whatever it takes to free you from this curse.”

  “Thank you, my love,” Trin replied, fully immersed in their relationship of old.

  Trin smiled at the memory of his lips on hers, and couldn’t wait until his promise was fulfilled so they could be together in the here and now. But, at present, they all needed to keep their distance so Kit would assume her threats were continuing to work.

  Trin: On my way home. Need anything from the store?

  Trin wasn’t sure what to say, but acting as if she had no idea that Kit had followed her to Ipswich and killed Lillian was going to be the greatest test of her acting abilities, not that she had any to begin with. She’d already asked herself, “What would I normally do?” over and over again. She had to continue to act like herself if they stood any chance at breaking this bond, when in reality, all she wanted to do was rip Kit limb from limb.

  Kit: No. I’m good. See you soon.

  It was obvious Kit was still mad at her for bolting out of town, but Trin also knew Kit wouldn’t be able to stop herself from picking her brain about where she went and what happened. Trin was stuck. She couldn’t lie about it, since Kit already knew the truth, so she was left trying to figure out a way to use that same information against her, maybe force Kit to slip up and reveal something she shouldn’t.

  Trin pulled into the drive, practically hyperventilating. She had to do this or risk putting all her newly found loved ones at risk.

  Despite Kit’s response, Trin had grabbed some quick-heat lasagna from the store and a bottle of wine.

  “Honey, I’m home,” Trin mocked as she deposited the bags in the kitchen.

  Kit sauntered down the steps and took a seat at the island. “So, are you going to tell me where you went and what prompted your spur of the moment get-away?” Kit had a smile on her face, but the tension in her words cut like a knife.

  “I’m sorry. I was just getting really burned out at work, then with Jason wanting to take me to Niagara Falls for the weekend, and then my fight with Caris...everything was pushing in on me. I had to get away.”

  “You had a fight with Caris? Are you okay? What happened?”

  Trin took a deep breath and prayed for the right words. “With the attacks that have been happening and Jason being abducted, she basically blamed me straight to my face.”

  Kit gasped. “You’ve got to be kidding? How can any of that be your fault? We’ve never faced any threat until those two came into your life. If you ask me...they’re the ones who are the root of all our problems. We need to stay away from them, Trin.”

  “I agree.” Trin turned to put the lasagna in the oven, hoping she was now off the hook.

  “So where did you end up going?”

  Trin’s shoulders slumped. “Ipswich.” She spun around. “I told you I wanted to go back and see Lillian, but that, too, was a huge mistake. She had a heart-attack after meeting with me.” Trin covered her face with her hands and forced herself to cry. “I don’t know, Kit. Maybe I’m cursed and all this is my fault.”

  Kit walked to Trin and placed her hands on her shoulders. “Don’t you dare say such a thing. You are the kindest person I know, and there’s no way any of this is on you. Were you and Lillian working on something stressful that could have caused her heart to weaken? As you’re well aware, all magic has a price.”

  “No. She helped me do a bit of vision walking, but all it revealed was your and my connection throughout the centuries, and that something has, in fact, been blocking us from finding Kara.”

  “So you were right. Did she show you who or what is blocking us?” Kit moved nervously to pour herself a glass of wine.

  “No. Just a strange fog, kinda like what Jason described, and probably what attacked you the other night as well.”

  “Wow. I guess we need to put some more protections in place before we continue searching for Kara.” Kit paused. “Hey, maybe it’s all the magic you’ve been doing that’s drawing it to you. Do you think we should take a break for a bit, and see if things die down?”

  Trin grabbed a glass for herself from the cabinet. “Yeah. That’s probably a good idea. We’ve been waiting this long, what’s a few more months, I guess.”

  Kit smiled and took a sip of her wine, while Trin fortified the blocks she’d placed on her mind. If Kit could sense what she was truly thinking...dinner would not be going well.

  “Did you find anything?” Trin asked Caris in the private massage room of the Wellness Center. They’d decided this would be the safest place to talk and give them at least an hour or more to plot and plan without interference.

  “No, not yet. Kennedy and I are a little stronger now that we’re back together, but we’re still nowhere close to full strength. Jason is taking a dog patrol up to where he was released, though, and hopefully they’ll be able to track his scent back to the cave.”

  “Oh...that’s a great idea. Wouldn’t it be great if we could bring the demon down without using magic at all?” Trin snickered.

  “Talk about irony,” Caris laughed.

  “Yeah, and a heavy dose of wishful thinking.” Trin took a seat on the table and took a deep breath. “Caris, can I talk to you about Kennedy?”

  “Of course. What would you like to know?”

  “It’s just that, I’ve spent hundreds of years with a person I thought was our little sister. Her thoughts and actions always matched the personality I associated with our Kenna from old. But now, with Kennedy here and our bond reforming, she isn’t anything at all like I expected.” Trin rushed to add, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m beyond grateful to have found you both and definitely feel the love between us that we once shared, but it’s a little hard to wrap my head around the fact that this bad-ass FBI agent is actually my little sister.”

  Caris laughed. “Yes, I can see how that would throw you off. But after you saved us, Kenna changed. She was so moved by the sacrifice you made to protect us, that it became her life’s goal to do the same. Are you familiar with the Jim Crow laws of 1910?” Caris asked.

  “Vaguely.”

  “Well, after they were imposed, the atrocities that came with such racial segregation were horrific. Kenna had already been developing her mental skills, but it was this particular turn of events that pushed her to work harder.

  “By 1950, thanks to Kenna influencing public opinion, blacks had started moving into city neighborhoods that had previously kept them out.” Caris smiled. “And the rest is history. Kenna has proven herself to be strong and selfless, just like you, in every life we’ve lived.”

  Tears pooled in Trin’s eyes as pride overtook her. “I the healer, you the teacher, and Kenna the protector. I c
an now clearly see the Goddess’s plan.”

  “Why don’t I have Kennedy schedule some time with you here at the spa, as well. That way you two can work on your magic while you get to know each other?”

  “I would love that.” Trin beamed. “May I ask you another question?”

  “Of course.”

  “Do you ever think about Mama?”

  Tears came quickly to Caris’s eyes. “Yes. All the time.”

  ISPWICH, MASSACHUSETTS

  1686

  Kara heard her mama give Karina instructions to watch after them while she was gone, then promised a surprise if she and her sister behaved.

  She and Kenna started sweeping and scrubbing the kitchen, hoping not to disappoint.

  Once the cleaning was done, it was time to practice their magic––Kara’s favorite part of the day.

  Kenna suggested creating a spell to rid the house of dust, but Karina quickly put her in her place and set them both to the task of working to master their water magic.

  While Karina worked alone on her healing, Kara and Kenna pulled out the scrying bowl and filled it with water.

  Kenna whispered, “I bet we look silly just staring at this bowl.”

  Kara giggled. “Perhaps, but if we develop our sight within its waves, who will look silly then?”

  Kenna smiled and scrunched her brow, concentrating intently as she peered into the bowl.

  Kara took a deep breath to clear her mind, opened her third eye, and cast her sight beyond the surface.

  The waves began to ripple and Kara closed her eyes. The blue of the sky filled her vision, a lovely image, until she realized it was being seen through her mother’s eyes who lay hurt in a field.

  Both girls gasped.

  “What is it? Karina asked.

  “Mama. There’s something wrong with Mama,” Kara exclaimed as Kenna started to cry.

  “That was the worst day of my life,” Caris sobbed. “I thought I’d be forced to witness my own mother’s death.”

  Trin leapt from the table and wrapped her arms around her sister.

  “I’m so sorry,” Trin replied.

  Caris pulled back and held Trin’s gaze. “But it was also that day, that I learned how strong and caring you were. I knew that once Mama left us, we would still be okay. Even until the very end, you refused to let anyone harm us. You are an amazing sister.”

  Trin’s breath hitched. “Thank you, but look where it got us. Aren’t you even the slightest bit mad at me for ruining our lives? I cast us and all of our kind to the wind. Sometimes I wonder if that was a selfish decision.”

  “If you had died that day, we’d have been left behind to suffer the same fate. I saw it and so did Kenna. You saved us all.”

  Trin closed her eyes and shook her head. “I’m so glad to have finally found you.”

  The buzzer beeped and Caris and Trin finalized their plans to meet later in the week to discuss what Jason had found. Hopefully it would be good news.

  “Shadows lurk within and without, lies are afoot and searching’s about. Continue to twist and break their minds, for all will be mine in a matter of time.” Once again he slit his wrist, dripping blood into the cauldron. “I will not falter, I will not fail, bless this charm by the crimson veil,” he chanted the familiar words. Desperate times called for desperate measures. He leered at the jar sitting on his altar. The witch in Ipswich had a loose tongue, but he’d dealt with that. He roared with maniacal laughter as the blackened organ twitched within the glass.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “It took me a couple days to schedule the dogs, and they’re good, but not much use against magic,” Jason explained. “I think the three of us should go back out together and try to find the trail ourselves.”

  “I’m up for that,” Caris offered.

  “Okay. Me too. When do you want to go? I have an appointment with Trin tomorrow, so maybe when I get home after that?” Kennedy suggested.

  “Yeah. That sounds good. Let her know what we’re up to and then hopefully by the next time either of you see her, we’ll have something to share,” Jason stated.

  The siblings broke, moving to separate areas of the house as they each prepared for the next day in their mundane lives.

  “Do you have to be back in Washington anytime soon?” Jason asked Kennedy as he packed his lunch.

  “No. My position with the FBI is extremely flexible,” Kennedy winked and touched a finger to her temple. “Especially when I still have some magical abilities at my disposal.”

  Jason smirked. “Well, I’m sure glad you’re on our side.”

  “Me too,” Caris piped in. “But that begs the question. Why can’t you just use the skill on Kit and force her to reveal where the cave is?”

  Kennedy shrugged. “I may be able to manipulate human minds, but a demon’s? I’m not sure I would have the same affect, and it’s not a risk we can take without exposing what we know.”

  “True, true. All right, I guess that means we’ll be needing our hiking gear,” Caris replied.

  “That, and some ingredients for the spell we’ll most likely have to cast.” Jason added.

  “Okay, why don’t you get the hiking stuff while I gather the supplies,” Caris suggested.

  “Why? What’s wrong cuz, don’t want to go digging around that dirty garage of ours?” Jason teased, knowing his cousin hated that cobweb infested outbuilding.

  “You got that right!”

  “I’ll go with,” Kennedy offered, joining Jason as he headed out the back door.

  “You’re a couple of brave souls, the both of ya!” Caris called.

  Caris moved to the breakfast nook and began assembling her ingredients at the makeshift workspace they’d set up. She’d chosen lemon grass to provide clarity of mind in addition to its bonus ability of repelling snakes, grabbed some sulfur to ward off any demonic presence, and tossed in some angelica root for protection and also to boost her and Kennedy’s female power. Caris gathered salt, candles and rope, and lastly the box containing the demon’s tooth before she took a seat. She’d completed the ritual of filling her basket, just as she’d done so many centuries ago.

  IPSWITCH, MASSACHUESETTS

  1690

  “Kara, have you packed everything we’ll need?” Karina asked.

  “Yes, sister. It’s all prepared. Thank you for letting me come to the celebration this year. It’s my first official Beltane as a matured woman.” Kara spun around. “Do you think I’ll find my soul mate at the bonfire, or perhaps at the maypole dance?” Kara beamed.

  “Perhaps, sister. Anything is possible when the God and Goddess join under the stars.”

  “Do you want to see the wreath I made for my hair? I can make you one too, if you’d like.” Kara excitedly pulled the flower ring from her basket, displaying roses, daisies, and sprigs of baby’s breath.

  “It’s lovely, Kara. But we need to be on our way, so gather your cloak and let’s prepare to depart.”

  Kara watched her older sister as she tasked Kenna with specific chores while they were gone. Kenna, of course, was not pleased she’d be left behind, but with her healing touch, Karina smoothed her dismay and set extra protections in place as she kissed her farewell.

  Karina and Kara left Kenna and the hound safely in place and ventured onto the path that would lead to the Epps estate on Castle Hill. Daniel Epps was too old for Kara, but his son, Lionel, had taken a shine to her when they last met in town. Kara smiled at the potential union the magic of this night may bring.

  “Caris. What in the world? You’re flush and have a lovelorn look about you?” Kennedy said as she fanned her face.

  “Oh my, I’m so sorry. I was lost in a memory.”

  “Looks like a fine memory to me,” Jason teased.

  Caris jumped from her chair and smoothed her t-shirt. “Let’s just say, I’ll be damn happy when all this is over and we can all move on with our lives. We’ve sacrificed enough.”

  Caris felt two sets of ar
ms encircle her and could no longer hold back her emotions. Tears streaked her cheeks for the lost potential her previous lives had held. So many lost loved ones, missed opportunities to have children, passing of the ones she tried to start a family with...every single time their destiny had gotten in the way.

  “You’re right, Car. It’s time we put a stop to this and with Trin’s help, you can damn sure bet we’re gonna kick some ass,” Kennedy stated, boosting their spirits.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Trin closed her eyes and concentrated on the feel of Kennedy’s hand in hers. The witches ladder wrapped around both their wrists, snaking up their arm as they increased the amount of power between them. Blue sparks flared when they reached the peak of their meditation.

  “Dang it.” Trin sighed. “I can feel our bond strong and true, but it lies just beneath the fog of Kit’s barrier.”

  Kennedy smiled. “We’ll break through soon, I’m sure of it. Besides, if we’re successful tonight, this could all be over.”

  “Very true. But promise me you’ll all be careful.” Trin hugged her little sister and waved goodbye as she left the massage room.

  They’d spent the first part of their hour-and-a-half together simply talking and reminiscing. It hadn’t taken long for the two of them to become reacquainted, and Trin’s pride at how strong and capable her little sister turned out to be grew exponentially. They had a few more visits lined up, as Trin had made sure she was booked solid this week. The less time she spent at home, the better. Kit hadn’t pushed her any further about her impromptu getaway or the Hardy’s intrusion into their lives, which was great. But it also felt as though Kit was just biding her time.