Hidden Sight (Coastview Prophecies Book 1)

by Simone Pond

  A thunderous crack boomed from above and with it came flashes of lightning. Apparently, I could see lightning. Yet another exception to the rule of what I could and couldn’t see. The bolts began striking the earth. As one of the streaks came in our direction, I shoved Eli out of the way and glared, directing the lightning to go on another path. It shot to the left, missing our tree by inches. It hit something in the back yard that exploded like fireworks.

  “Whoa,” Eli panted, standing up.

  “Did you do that?” I asked.

  “I have no freaking clue.”

  “I think you did.”

  “Did you move it out of the way?” he asked, looking in the direction it had shot.

  “Maybe? We definitely need to figure out how to control that,” I said.

  “There’s a book in the library. I’ll bring it to the soirée and try to do some reading during bathroom breaks.”

  “What will we say about Vago?”

  “Groomers,” Eli said.

  The air got warmer as we edged out of the forest and walked across the grass of the back yard.

  “Damn,” he whispered.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “The gazebo,” he said sullenly.

  “What about it?”

  “The lightning split it in half.”

  I took his hand and pulled him forward. “I’m sure your grandmother would’ve preferred the gazebo getting blasted versus us. Come on. Let’s grab that book and get to this barbecue before my aunt starts binge texting.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Vago

  In my dream, I heard Esther calling for me.

  Come, Vago, come!

  I couldn’t move because my feet were chained to a metal chair. I couldn’t yell because of the gag in my mouth that smelled like gasoline or butane. I wriggled around, trying to free myself from bondage, but every movement locked the restraints tighter around me. Helpless and trapped. My volcanic blood simmered below the surface, waiting to erupt in a blaze. I clenched my jaw as Esther’s calls grew more desperate.

  Come, Vago, come!

  I sensed distance spreading between us. If I didn’t hurry, I’d lose her forever. I needed to shift into my dog form. Something was keeping me from shifting. Shift! I shouted to my insides, trying to force myself to change. Shift! Icy pain wrenched through my muscles and tendons, from toenail to hair follicle, until finally the shift began. My cells trembled and vibrated with intense velocity. A violent prickling of needles coursed through my limbs as my body jerked around with uncontrollable torque. Back and forth, I jarred against the metal chair. After the change, the chains slipped from my paws. I bit through the gag with my sharp incisors, then darted away, leaving the metal chair to clang against the floor. I shot through the room into the house and followed Esther’s call through the darkness. I ran to her library, but she wasn’t in her usual spot behind the desk. The doors to the patio were closed, so I made a running leap and smashed right through the panes of glass. I landed on the bricks outside in a tumultuous roll, but the shock of pain didn’t register. The only thing I felt resonating through me was Esther’s call.

  I got up on all fours and galloped across the back yard and into the dark woods, chasing the call. As I ran through the pines and oaks, the dim glow of moonlight shifted to sunlight. It was daytime. Esther hadn’t been calling for me because she was dead. I had been dreaming while sleeping at Sibyl’s feet in the gazebo.

  I shook out my coat to wake myself out of the haze. Esther’s voice had been so clear and real. The scenario of being chained to the chair seemed familiar. Had that happened? Or was it a vision? Something had called me into those woods and the only way to know the truth would be to answer that call.

  I didn’t turn back to get Sibyl or Eli. I had to do this on my own. I padded through the trees, sniffing the pines and woodsy scents, listening for any hint of Esther’s voice. Though she was no longer present on the earthly realm, she was somewhere in the woods. I felt her presence. It felt like home.

  The soft echoes of Sibyl and Eli shouting my name grew more and more distant the farther into the woods I traveled. Dense green foliage joined together and became like an awning, blocking out daylight. A stillness layered the quiet grounds. The only noise came from the sound of my paws thumping against the cold dirt. Inside the vacuum of silence, an unusual feeling came over me, one of vitality and strength. Something beyond my own reserves. It was a powerful exuberance that swept through the air and flowed straight through me.

  “Vago,” a voice called.

  I turned in circles, searching for its owner, but could only see the dense forest of trees surrounding me.

  Woof!

  “I need you to shift,” the voice said, and that’s when I recognized Esther’s soothing tone.

  She was everywhere and nowhere. And she wanted me to shift into my human form. This was impossible since I could only shift between the hours of midnight and sunrise like a pre-set alarm clock. Not by choice. And definitely not on command. Esther must’ve known that since she was the one who had rescued and raised me.

  I responded with a soft howl.

  “You can do it. I’m allowing it,” she said.

  I continued sniffing around at the tree trunks, looking for evidence of my master/mother, but the only proof of Esther’s existence was her voice reverberating in the wind and the tugging at my spirit. What did she mean by she was allowing me to shift?

  A breeze picked up and circled around me in a swirling funnel of twinkling silver light. I stood motionless, enthralled by the colorful display. The area ignited and from the burst of light appeared a spirit version of my Esther. I ran over to her, only to jettison straight through her diaphanous body.

  “Oh, Vago. So good to see you, boy,” she said, laughing.

  I whipped around and trotted back over to where her spirit hovered just above the ground.

  Woof!

  “I know. There’s a lot to explain, but let’s get you into human form first so you can actually converse with me. Go on, you can shift now. It’s okay.”

  Instead of obeying her command, I sat silently. Maybe she didn’t know that I couldn’t remember anything from my past? Either way, we were at a standstill.

  “You don’t remember, do you? I thought by now some of your memories would’ve returned. Or at least the knowledge of your ability to shift at will.”

  My non-response was the best method of communication at this point. I lay down on the cool dirt and waited for her to further explain the circumstances.

  “I had to bind your memories and put some restrictions on your gift, Vago, dear. You were beginning to worry me with your one-track mind for vengeance. I couldn’t allow you to let your hatred darken your heart. Not when I knew what was coming. I needed you to be there for Sibyl. To guide her with a pure heart and good intentions. Not hate. Not revenge. And so before she signed the adoption papers, I bound up your memories and put a restriction on your shifting abilities. It was only supposed to be for a short period of time, then it would reset, just in case anything happened to me, which … well, you know what happened there …” Esther paused and smiled at me, the edges of her spirit glistening in silvery wisps.

  Now I understood why I had no memory of my past. Esther had been protecting me from myself. Though I wasn’t a detective, I could guess the “they” in this scenario were the ones who had been capturing my kind for centuries and stealing their gifts. Had I been seeking revenge on them?

  “You had a vision of my death,” she said, as if reading my thoughts. “And you went on a vengeance mission to take down all evil. But I needed you to help Sibyl. To be her guide. I didn’t have a choice but to bind you up. I figured with the knowledge of your vision, I could play the odds, but the Evil One got to me,” she explained.

  Woof!

  “You see, Vago, it was written long ago that there would be a blind girl who would see things. And she would be the one to reset the balance. Her visions would p
rotect the innocent from the harmful acts of evil. Only she would need a guardian and a guide. Someone to lead her by day and watch her by night. So I had to set some restrictions on your internal clock, at least until your hunger for vengeance ceased, and Sibyl was better equipped.”

  My hackles rose and shivers rippled along my coat. I was going through the shift—of my own free will. The process surged through my body, and I went from my furry chocolate brown coat to my twenty-year-old self in just a few minutes. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a change of clothes. And though Esther was a mother to me, I ducked behind the closest tree to conceal my nudity.

  “Sparing you the details,” I said.

  She laughed and a gentle breeze swooshed all around me.

  “I’ve missed your sense of humor, Vago.”

  “I wish I could say the same, but I don’t remember anything about you.”

  “I intend to fix that,” she said.

  “Anytime soon?”

  “As soon as the deed is done.”

  “Care to elaborate?”

  “Stopping the attack on city hall, of course,” she said with the casualness of someone discussing a football game.

  I leaned against the tree, wishing I had a towel to wrap around my waist. “So, care to elaborate on how to stop the attack?”

  “I can’t intervene,” she said. “But I will tell you this. You must guide Sibyl and Eli. You must make sure they reach their destiny.” She spoke in a fading whisper.

  “Wait, are you leaving? That’s it?”

  “You have enough for now. Trust, Vago. Listen for the call.”

  A swell of wind rose up and whipped all around the patch of trees, blowing back my hair. The sound of thunder cracked overhead. Lightning streaked across the sky and shot through the forest. One of the tree branches snapped off and came crashing down on me. I dropped to the ground, smacking my head against the trunk of the tree. The last thing I remember was hearing Sibyl calling my name.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Sibyl

  Before we left Eli’s, I taped a note to the backdoor for Vago—low enough to read from his four-legged vantage point just in case he returned from the woods before midnight.

  When we arrived at my house, Eli held my hand and guided me up the steps to the front door. Before we went inside, I reached into his pocket and removed my sunglasses, returning them to their rightful position.

  “Why?” he asked cautiously.

  “Feels safer this way.”

  “But you’re with family,” he teased, recalling Pike’s use of the term.

  “Let’s get this over with so we can get to the Sons of Cain. If we don’t find something today, we’re gonna have to make a visit to the city manager tomorrow empty handed. Something I’m hoping to avoid.”

  He opened the door and we walked inside. The smell of burning charcoal and lighter fluid permeated the house. My father was the last person to use the grill. Pike’s grubby hands all over his prized possession seemed blasphemous. We followed the sound of Aunt Ruthie’s singing streaming from the kitchen.

  “We’re here,” I called out.

  Whatever she was holding clattered into the sink and her pinkish lavender spirit rippled in waves around her body as she approached. “Oh, Sibby! I thought you’d never get here. And nice to see you brought your friend.”

  “Yes, I brought Eli,” I said, grinning.

  “And where’s your cousin, Bruno?” she asked.

  “He’s studying. Think he knew I wanted Sibyl all to myself,” Eli said, winking.

  “Now isn’t this nice? The four of us getting together for an afternoon soirée!” She laughed and kissed Eli’s cheek.

  “We brought some wine.” He set down two bottles of cabernet.

  The wine had been my idea, hoping to tamp down Pike’s meddling.

  “You’re old enough to buy alcohol?” Aunt Ruthie asked.

  “Next year. Got these from my grandmother’s wine cellar. It’s a good year. Someone should enjoy it.”

  “Well, isn’t that sweet of you?! Go on out to the back. Reggie should be finishing up soon.” She paused a moment. “Where’s Vago? Thought for sure the smell of chicken would lure him back here.”

  “Groomers,” Eli and I said in unison.

  “Well, that’s a first. Usually you like to bathe him yourself.”

  “Felt like doing something different.” I cringed for lying again.

  “I’m liking this new Sibyl Forsyth. Maybe one day you’ll even take off those sunglasses so we can see those glorious eyes God gave you …” Aunt Ruthie said.

  “We’ll see …” I joked, grabbing a glass of water before heading outside.

  In the back yard, my sanctuary was overwrought with the pungency of barbecue sauce and grilling meat. The noxious smoky air caused me to choke.

  “Hmm. Looks like I need to throw on some more bird,” Pike said, then tossed something to Eli. “Make yourself useful, son.”

  Eli stood next to Pike’s spiritless shadow body and assisted with the slabs of chicken. I perched in my chair, touching the face of my watch. We needed to get to that bar before it got to be too late. The warm patch of sun started to cool down. I touched my watch again. It was already four o’clock.

  “Time to eat!” Aunt Ruthie finally announced.

  “Gonna join the party?” Pike called over to me when I didn’t race to the table.

  Though I was in a rush to get to the bar, I meandered, taking my sweet time getting to that table. It was so packed with plates, bowls of side dishes, and utensils I had no room to set down my glass. Aunt Ruthie uncorked the bottle of wine, pouring a glass for herself and Pike. The smooth aroma of peppery cabernet wafted across my nose. The bouquet had hints of currants and berries.

  “I better not,” Pike said. “Could get a call. Saturday nights are never quiet.”

  “Oh, just one glass,” she begged. “Besides, you’re off tomorrow. Let’s have some fun!”

  He chuckled lightly. “Okay … But just one glass. I’m off tomorrow, but I’d like to enjoy our day together without a hangover.”

  Pike blathered away about how crime was at an all-time low since he had become police chief. Aunt Ruthie giggled and sipped and giggled and sipped. More wine was poured. I checked my watch at least three times.

  “So, Eli, did your grandmother leave you anything besides a chunk of property to manage?”

  Eli straightened in his chair. Before he had a chance to respond, I asked Aunt Ruthie, “I forgot to ask. What did the historical society talk about on Thursday?”

  “We’re all in agreement. There’s simply no way that development company will be able to sway the entire town. They might get a few greedy grubbers, but the majority of the town will not back down. Mark my words!” She poured another glass of wine.

  I smiled behind my napkin, pleased with my diversionary tactic.

  “I just hope everyone shows up in support,” I said.

  “They will. Don’t you worry about that. Isn’t that right, Reggie?”

  “Your aunt has the whole town involved,” he said, then with enthusiasm he added, “Heck, pour me some more, too!”

  “Told you it was a good year,” Eli said.

  Judging by the increase in volume, a potent year was more like it. Now that they were distracted, we could slip away.

  “Dessert?” Aunt Ruthie asked.

  Eli patted his flat stomach. “I’m stuffed. One helluva barbecue chicken, Chief Pike. You could retire from the force and sell your sauce. You’d make a killing.”

  Pike roared with laughter. “Not a bad idea, son. Not a bad idea.”

  I stood up and nudged Eli’s shoulder. “We better go pick up Vago from the groomers before they close.”

  “Okay, dear. We planned on staying in tonight. Reggie brought over some movies. You and Eli can join us.”

  “That’s awfully nice of you,” Eli said, “but we’ll give you some privacy. Sibyl offered to help re-organize some of the braille
books in my grandmother’s library.”

  “Isn’t that wonderful!” Aunt Ruthie sang out.

  “Thanks for the barbecue,” I said to Chief Pike.

  “Much obliged,” he replied, as he got up to shake Eli’s hand. “Which groomers did you use?”

  Silence.

  We hadn’t thought the lie all the way through. And that’s why lying is such a dangerous business. Too many things to remember.

  “Um, I forget the name. Little place out by Eli’s. Lady does it from her house,” I said.

  “Don’t recall hearing about anyone doing pet grooming from their home,” Pike persisted.

  Why was he so determined to catch us in a lie? Maybe it was engrained from years of training? Or maybe he just wanted to intimidate me? I didn’t care to find out the motives behind Chief Pike’s investigative tactics. I had my own investigation to conduct, and we were running out of daylight hours.

  “She keeps it on the down low,” I said, then opened the back door. “Have a great night!”

  ***

  We made it to Eli’s car without Pike or Aunt Ruthie lobbing any more questions. I sat in the passenger seat and Eli shut the door, then went around to his side and got in.

  “That was painful,” I said.

  “Not too bad. He just seems lonely.”

  I fiddled with my sunglasses. “Don’t we all?”

  He turned the ignition and before we pulled away, he reached into his back pocket. “I didn’t have a chance to sneak in any reading. Pike’s a talker.”

  “Well, I can’t read.”

  “Sure you can. It’s in braille.”

  I smiled, taking the book into my hands. It’d been months since I had touched raised letters. “Are you getting the feeling that this whole thing has been designed?”

  Eli nodded as he pulled the car onto Church Street. “I have no doubt that this is all happening for a reason. It’d just be nice to know why,” he said.

  “Strange question, but are your parents still alive?” I asked.

  “Funny you should ask.”