Hidden Sight (Coastview Prophecies Book 1)

by Simone Pond

  “I think we should just call it a night,” Aunt Ruthie suggested.

  Vago turned to me. “But what about—”

  “There will be more parties.” I cut him off. Obviously he couldn’t come back into the house with me. “You guys go back to Eli’s. We can hang out tomorrow.”

  Vago nodded with a slight smirk.

  Eli grinned. “We’ll see you at the coffee shop tomorrow morning.”

  “Seven. Sharp,” Vago added.

  “Sorry for the disturbance,” Eli told Aunt Ruthie.

  “Oh, it’s fine, honey. I’m happy to see my Sibby making new friends. Although, I do prefer you meet during the daylight hours.”

  Everyone laughed. Except for Chief Pike.

  “I better head out,” Pike told Aunt Ruthie.

  As they said their goodbyes, I whispered to Vago to go straight to Eli’s and not go anywhere near that bar without me. We’d try again the following day. Then I told him to read some of Esther’s books on supernatural warfare. And to make sure Eli witnessed him shifting. He nodded, gently ushering me off, then stalked away with Eli.

  The original plan had been foiled, but like everything else, I believed it happened that way for a reason. Call it divine intervention or having blind faith.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Vago

  After Sibyl walked back into the house with Aunt Ruthie, I got into Eli’s coupe. The scent of vanilla and maybe a hamburger from earlier filled the car. We pulled away from Sibyl’s house in silence and stayed that way until we reached the main road that led to the farther part of town where he now lived.

  “Bruno? Really?” I joked, trying to lighten the heavy mood.

  “So, I take it you’re Vago?” Eli finally spoke.

  “Yeah … Woof.”

  He glanced at me sideways with a slight grin.

  I laughed. “Bad joke. Sorry. Look, I know this shit is crazy—”

  “Crazy doesn’t begin to cover it. After talking to Sibyl earlier today, I went to my grandma’s library. Something was pecking at me like a crow … like even though everything she told me was totally bizarre, somehow I got the impression it was true. So I dug through the folders and some of the journals. Lemme just say, I hit a gold mine.”

  “And?” I asked.

  “And … My grandmother was into some creepy supernatural shit. My head was spinning like a twister. I kept digging through papers and books until things just started making sense. It was eerie. Honestly, I wanted to pack my bags and get the hell out of Coastview.”

  I cracked the window to get some fresh air and almost hung my head out by habit. “So what changed your mind, dude?”

  He tightened his grip on the steering wheel and glanced at me from the corner of his eye. “You.”

  “Me? What are you talking about?”

  Reaching into the pocket of his blue short-sleeved shirt, he pulled out a photograph. “This.”

  I took the photo and flipped on the overhead light to get a better look at the thing. Something like a tsunami knocked against my chest.

  “Where’d you get this?” I asked.

  “Found it in one of the file folders. The one labeled Vago.”

  The photograph was taken at the local beach dated ten years ago. A group of boys about the age of ten or eleven were standing around a slender woman with silvery white hair. I had no doubt the boy on the far right was me. Same chocolate brown shaggy hair and exact same pale blue eyes. In fact, we all had the same pale blue eyes.

  Eli turned down a long driveway that led to a cream-colored Victorian home behind behemoth oak trees.

  He parked, then pointed at the photo. “That’s my grandmother. That’s me on her left. And according to her hand-written scrawl on the back, that’s you on the far right.”

  I nodded, my mouth too dry to form a response. How could I’ve known Esther Townsend for a decade without remembering a thing other than the day she handed my leash to Sibyl?

  “Are we brothers?” I choked out.

  “I don’t know. I don’t even remember this photo being taken. I don’t know these other boys. When I was snooping around in her files, I realized how much I didn’t know. Almost like chunks of my memory had been erased.”

  I laughed. “Tell me about it. I’ve been living in a black hole.”

  “All of this must have something to do with my grandmother’s untimely death. Which is definitely suspect. I always had a feeling it wasn’t natural causes, but after looking through those books, I know it wasn’t. Come on, let’s get inside.”

  Eli got out of the car, but I sat alone for a few moments. Was it Esther Townsend’s death that had precipitated this tribulation? Or perhaps something else? Maybe it went further back, to the night of Sibyl’s accident, or even before. The only way to find out what any of this meant would be hitting up Esther’s library and doing more research.

  “You coming?” Eli called out from the wrap-around front porch.

  I got out of the car and as I walked up the wooden steps of the old house more waves hit me. This was home. We entered and as we walked across the living room, the scent of pine and lemon verbena wafted over me. Everything about this place from the wood floors and the high ceilings and drapery to the shabby chic couches had a familiar ring. The pastels and florals and lace edges. The large and ornately crafted antique pieces that probably dated back to the early 1900s. Even the faces in the portraits hanging from the walls.

  “Dude, this feels like home,” I said.

  “I say that every time I step through the front door. Although, I’m not sure about some of those portraits. Might have to do some redecorating.” He looked up to the sepia tones of the old-timey faces staring at us.

  When we got to the back half of the house, Eli unlocked a door that led to an enormous library with wall-to-ceiling bookshelves containing thousands of books. He opened the back doors to the patio to let in the cool summer night breeze. The inviting atmosphere of the room brought back another flow of familiarity. A feeling of closeness and friendship lingered in there. I rubbed my hand over the surface of the paisley armchair and brought my hand to my nose. Dogs. Many sunlit afternoons with piles of chocolate brown labs basking in the rays. I could actually feel the warmth on my skin, though it was well past midnight.

  “Remember something?” Eli asked.

  “Yeah …” I replied in a half daze, then came back to focus. I pointed to the photograph Eli had found. “I wanna know why I’m in human form during the daylight hours in this picture. As far as I know, I’m only able to shift between the hours of midnight and sunrise.”

  Eli shrugged. “Maybe you weren’t always a shifter.”

  “No. That’s one thing I know for sure. I’ve always been a shifter.”

  I stood by the open doors and stared out into the shadowy back yard. The tall trees stretched for acres. Overflowing bushes of jasmine and bougainvillea decorated the perimeter of the patio area and the white gazebo just off in the distance. I flashed to memories of romping around in that grass as a puppy. As a boy. I remembered playing Captain Vago in the gazebo. Chasing balls down the hill. In the spring, I’d gather flowers from the garden for the dinner table. I lived here with Esther Townsend. But why didn’t either of us remember?

  “Where’s the folder?” I asked Eli.

  He walked over to the large oak desk and picked up the thick green folder and handed it to me. “I also included some historical info about my family line. Thought you might want some background first. Need anything to drink? Eat?”

  “I’m good for now. What are you gonna do?” I asked.

  “Finish reading this book on supernatural warfare.”

  “Sounds like a light read,” I joked.

  “It reads like Greek mythology or something,” he said.

  “Anything useful?”

  “Definitely interesting …”

  He plunked down on the leather couch and cracked open an ancient book with meticulous calligraphy filling up the yellowed
pages. I parked myself in the paisley armchair and started riffling through pages of hand-written notes and official documents. And the two of us got to work like Holmes and Watson. No internet searches for us. Strictly old-school paper trails, photographs and physical documentation …

  According to the historical records, a distant relative of Eli’s settled this land long before it was Coastview. He was one of few Americans living among a small nation of Hispanics. They accepted Nester Townsend and his family and allowed them to live and farm on their land for many years. The Townsend family had a special arrangement with the group of men and women who were, according to the records, Guardians of the Rock.

  At the time, the northern coastal area was a little-known region, but after a series of expeditions in the 1840s, and right before the massive gold rush, the Americans conquered California and claimed the land. Through a series of letters to the government and unexplained “coincidences” that involved tragic mishaps to any outsiders attempting to remove the Townsends from their land, Nester was able to keep the rights to his property. He shared as much land as he could with the remaining natives that hadn’t been pushed out or killed by the Americans. This remnant group continued to be known as the Guardians of the Rock. Whatever that meant.

  The grandfather clock struck one in the morning. I glanced at the hefty stack of papers, then over to Eli. “I have about five hours before I shift. Sibyl wants you to bear witness to the big event, but you don’t have to if it makes you uncomfortable. I wanted to give your fair warning in case we get bogged down, and I start twitching and shit.”

  “Oh, I definitely want to see that.”

  I laughed, liking Eli’s open-mindedness. I finished up with the historical documents, then started going through my personal folder. Esther had meticulously organized every single scrap of paper and document so I was able to review everything in a logical timeline.

  Nearly twenty years ago, Esther Townsend had rescued six chocolate brown Labrador puppies from a puppy mill in Hanford, just south of Coastview. She’d been rescuing and placing dogs for decades. Out of the six puppies, five were placed into nearby homes. She decided to hold onto the sixth pup because she believed he had a special purpose. She named him Evangelos, Vago for short. It was cool seeing my full name written out in her precise handwriting. Evangelos was Greek for messenger, but that’s where we get the word angel. How I knew that was a mystery.

  So, Esther had taken me as one of her own because she considered me some sort of messenger. Though it was an interesting fact, it didn’t solve any big questions. However, I was pleased to discover from reading her pages of notes that I was her most trusted and loyal companion. She trained me to be a guide dog for the blind and had me certified. Toward the end of the stack, I finally came across a note with regards to Sibyl.

  It’s time for Vago to follow his charge. He must go to Sibyl Forsyth and become her loyal guide. He must help her find her way home. They will work together to protect and counsel our town. A third will come. And maybe a fourth. These will be the new generation of Guardians of the Rock.

  Whoa. That certainly ended on a heavy note.

  Eli looked up, rubbing his eyes. “Find anything?”

  I tossed the folder onto the floor. “Got the dog adoption story down. But nothing about my human side. I keep reading about these Guardians of the Rock. Any clue what that’s all about?”

  Eli carried the archaic book he had been reading over to me. “Here,” he said, dropping it on my lap. “This might give you a little more insight. While you read that, I’ll keep scrounging around.”

  “It’d sure help if your grandmother were alive to coach us along,” I grumbled.

  “Don’t worry, Vago, we’ll figure it out. And if the sun comes up before we do, Sibyl and I can keep looking.”

  I turned my attention to the huge book perched on my lap. The thick parchment read like ancient lore. But it wasn’t lore. It was real. They were describing my kind.

  Centuries ago, this territory (which is now called Coastview) had been ordained sacred land by the Most Holy. A giant rock sat at the center of the region, where the purest spirits would go to communicate with the Most Holy. The dog shifters had been sent to protect the area and they were called the Guardians of the Rock. These dogs became guides to lost or wandering spirits, helping them find their way to the rock.

  By the mid-1800s, men began to flock to this region to mine gold. Many of them came with evil intentions driven by greed. Within a short period of time, these men infiltrated the area and nearly destroyed the sacred lands. The dog shifters did their best to guard the rock, but the evil men began slaughtering them one by one. When they realized the dogs were imbued with special gifts, they captured them for breeding so they could steal their supernatural powers. Without the dogs guarding the rock or guiding the wandering spirits, the area became a supernatural battleground.

  Eli’s family line has been protecting the Guardians of the Rock—by providing land and shelter—since the days of Nester Townsend. Esther had spent her life rescuing dog shifters from their captors. My litter was one of the most recently saved. And now her grandson, Eli, would carry on the tradition.

  Throughout some generations, there have been anointed dog shifters partnered with women of divine counsel, or sibyls as they are also called. These anointed dog shifters guide these sibyls to the Holy Rock where they seek divine guidance and prophecy that is to be carried forth to the people.

  “Whoa,” I mumbled

  “Whoa is right.” Eli looked up from the pile of books on the floor.

  “So that’s why your grandmother put Sibyl and me together. I’m her designated guide. And she’s some sort of divine prophet sent to counsel people. Ha! She’s gonna love that part.”

  “What about the Holy Rock being somewhere on my property? I’ve never seen it,” Eli said, shaking his head.

  “You find anything else?”

  “Ever heard of a lightning conjurer?” Eli asked.

  I shook my head, glancing over at the grandfather clock. One more hour before sunrise …

  “Well, apparently, that’s what I am,” he said, grinning.

  Chapter Twenty

  Sibyl

  On Saturday morning, I planned to get out of the house before Aunt Ruthie woke up and started asking questions about Eli and his cousin, “Bruno.” She wouldn’t be upset about the sneaking-out-the window-to-go-to-a-party incident, but she would want to know more details. And after she juice pressed what she could out of me, she’d go into the details about her evening with Pike. Things I didn’t need or want to know.

  I didn’t bother with a shower. I didn’t even change my clothes from the night before. My jeans, a white t-shirt and sneakers would have to suffice. I did brush my teeth and pull my hair back into a ponytail. After all, Eli was going to be at the coffee shop.

  My trusted watch with the built-in GPS guided me there without a hitch. I ordered a latte and a muffin and sat at one of the tables outside, waiting for Eli and Vago. I hoped they had made some progress on our background story and why the three of us were connected and how we were supposed to work together to either stop the vision from happening, or getting whoever was behind it locked up.

  The morning was still in its virginal state. No cars, people or loud noises to pollute the solitude. The creamy latte warmed my lips with each sip. For some reason that made me think of Eli Townsend.

  Woof!

  Vago caught my attention as he sprinted down the sidewalk, his spirit lighting up like a blue sparkler. He pounced on my lap and covered every inch of my face with his wet tongue.

  “I missed you too, buddy. Strange not waking up with you panting in my face,” I teased.

  Eli sauntered up to the table, his eyes a little red and puffy, but his smile was bright and his vintage t-shirt with the crisp collar was sharply fitted. “Morning, Sibyl.”

  I stood up and hugged him, inhaling verbena and pine. Something about holding him close made me f
eel so complete. Like when you put that last piece of the puzzle into place.

  “How’d it go after we left?” he asked.

  “Oh, fine. I went straight to bed. So did my aunt. And I left before she woke up. I’ll eventually get a thorough interrogation. She loves details, so if you have an extra resume lying around …”

  “How about a website?” He smiled.

  I still couldn’t get over how wonderful it was being able to see another human during daylight hours. I felt less alone.

  I sat in my chair. “I got you a latte. Hope that’s okay?”

  He sat across from me and sipped from the paper cup. “I’ll probably be drinking these throughout the day.”

  “I take it you guys didn’t sleep?”

  “Nah. But we found some fascinating info,” he said, then sipped his latte.

  I leaned forward, biting my bottom lip. “Well? Are you going to share?”

  He grinned. “I’m afraid you might think I’m a nut job …”

  “Oh, don’t worry. I already think that.”

  “I don’t know where to start, so I’ll just hopscotch all over, cool?”

  I nodded.

  “First of all, Vago’s been with my family since he was a puppy. My grandmother saved him from a puppy mill about twenty years ago. She had been saving dogs—specifically chocolate labs—for decades. In fact, my family has been saving them for generations. It’s kind of our thing. But only these special shifter dogs like Vago here.”

  Woof!

  I reached down and scratched Vago’s head. “Why? And why give him to me?” I asked.

  “My family has been indebted to the dog shifters for centuries,” Eli explained, then he went into the history of Nester Townsend and the Guardians of the Rock, and how the gold rush was the beginning of the end for the dog shifters because evil, greed-ridden men started capturing them to either steal their gifts or enslave them for nefarious purposes.

  “So, there’s a Holy Rock on your property?” I asked, a bit shocked.

  He nodded. “Yeah, but I’ve never seen it. Neither has Vago.”