Gathering Storm

by Jess Parry

  Barking out a laugh, Jason ran his hands over his face “Jesus, this place is just whacked”

  “Aye, that we are” Shawn responded between chuckles

  They listened to the car idle as they watched the last sheep saunter across the road before Shawn punched the gas. The car lurched forward with sudden momentum squealing the back tires as they raced down the road. Shawn barely slowed the car as he turned into his grandmother’s drive. Braking hard at the front door, Shawn cut the engine jumping out they both ran to the front door.

  Throwing the door open, it slammed into the hall wall with a thundering boom. Jason followed behind Shawn as Sarah and Siobhan came running from the kitchen eyes wide.

  “What the hell!” Sarah squealed

  “Gran” Shawn bellowed

  “Seriously?” Sarah asked

  “Sorry, Sarah, I need gran now” Shawn replied as he walked past Sarah towards the kitchen

  “What is it Shawn?” Claire called

  “Jason, he was pulled into Moira’s call” Shawn followed

  “Bring him back here” Claire called out

  Shawn turned and pulled Jason into the kitchen with Sarah and Siobhan following. Claire stood at the counter with ingredients spread out before her. She continued to measure out a white powder and slowly poured it into a clear glass jar.

  “What did Moria do?” Claire asked as she twisted the cap on the jar

  “She..ah…god…she came to me in the orchard” Jason stumbled

  “Aye, I gather that, but what exactly happened?” Claire asked calmly

  “We…ah…” Jason blushed as he looked at Siobhan sheepishly “We made love”

  “She has been doing that for a while, what did she say to you?”

  “oh god” Siobhan mumbled as she collapsed into a chair refusing to look at Jason

  “She said mine” Jason whispered hoarsely

  Claire dropped the spoon she held, scattering herbs across the counter as she turned abruptly to Jason. “She said that”

  Jason nodded his head as he sat in the chair opposite Siobhan.

  “What did you say back to her?”

  “Always”

  “Shit” Sarah muttered as she watched Siobhan’s face pale

  “Siobhan, I’m sorry” Jason hoarsely whispered “I can’t explain it, but I feel her everywhere, but here in this house”

  “Yes, well that’s because this house will protect its occupants from the magick outside” Claire responded as she looked at everyone in the room. “I made sure of that years ago, when my grandson was born”

  “She did say that she thought she had lost me”

  “Aye, she did while you are in this house, she can’t reach you” Claire replied calmly “By her saying you are hers and you’re responding always, you have given yourself to her. She has taken enough of your essence that I may not be able to protect you once you leave”

  “Why does that sound ominous?” Sarah asked

  “She doesn’t love him, she will only drain his essence and leave him empty of his soul” Claire answered

  “She loves me” Jason bellowed

  “You are a fool if you believe that” Shawn answered

  “The hell with you, the hell with all of you” Jason screamed as he pushed back from the chair running to the front door

  “Jason” Siobhan yelled as she watched him run outside. Racing to the door, Siobhan watched as he ran down the drive screaming Moira’s name.

  Siobhan saw the mist swirling quickly towards Jason, screaming she started to step out, but Shawn grabbed her back sharply.

  “He has made his choice” Shawn whispered gruffly into her ear

  Whimpering Siobhan saw the mist completely enfold around Jason, only the shadow of him outlined the mist. She watched as a second outline formed embracing Jason’s. Siobhan felt her legs give out, crumpling she was caught in Shawn’s tight hold before she fell.

  “I’m sorry Siobhan” Shawn muttered as he lifted her up and carried her back into the living room. Sarah ran and slammed the door, closing out the view of the lovers embracing.

  “Asshat” Sarah muttered as she walked into the living and sat down next to Siobhan “We’ll fix this, that bitch isn’t taking Jason away from us”

  “I don’t want him” Siobhan cried softly “He loves her, he fell in love with her the moment he saw her”

  “He’s still an asshat for doing this to you!” Sarah screeched

  “I second that” Shawn replied

  “We will get him back, it’s the only way to close this loop” Claire replied as she walked into the room “We need him to complete the circle and stop the chaos”

  “How do you suggest we get him back?” Shawn asked as he glanced as his grandmother

  “He is a pawn to them, nothing more, they will bring him tomorrow, to hurt Siobhan and make her stop the ritual”

  “How am I going to stop this?” Siobhan wailed

  “Do you not know your own power child?”

  “What power? I don’t have anything, I’m a girl without a soul. I have a damn ring on my finger that I can’t get off. So what damn power do I have?” Siobhan screamed

  “Close your eyes and search inside yourself. It’s there within you, slumbering but waiting for your call to summon it”

  “Oh dammit we are back on this mumbo jumbo shit” Sarah balked at Claire

  Closing her eyes, Siobhan blocked out the sounds of the other people in the room arguing. She blocked the sound of the clock ticking in the hall, the birds calling outside. The only sound she could hear was the beat of her heart thundering in her ears. Taking a deep breath, she exhaled as she felt a shimmer run through her. A vibration so low squinting her eyes harder as she tried to pull it closer.

  The ring on her finger started to scorch her, but she pulled away from the pain lasing up her arm. She welcomed the pain; it meant she could still feel something. The vibration grew stronger; feeling her heart beating stronger as she willed the power to come to her.

  The air inside the room shifted as it raced through her. Claire stopped talking and stared open mouthed as she felt the power emerging around Siobhan. Reaching out to Shawn, she tried to pull him away from Siobhan as the energy shifted wildly around her.

  The sounds of Sarah and Shawn arguing grew louder in Siobhan’s ears. Anger flooded her as she remembered Jason embracing Moira. The only boy she had ever loved had just walked away from her, without a second glance. Another boy she didn’t even know was claiming she was his beloved. She didn’t belong to anyone but herself.

  Heat consumed her as she let the energy flow into her. She felt the strength it gave her, embracing the gentleness it provided. Opening her eyes, Claire watched as Siobhan’s eyes grew darker, her ears slowly tilted upwards at the tip. Sucking in a breath, Claire started to call Shawn to her.

  “ENOUGH” Siobhan’s voice boomed as the energy within her exploded around them. Shawn was pushed back a few steps as the energy shoved him away from Siobhan.

  “What the hell was that” Sarah screamed

  “I want this ring gone, I want to be home and away from this chaotic crap” Siobhan bellowed as her body rose off the couch slightly, her hair blowing wildly around her now elfin face.

  “Dear goddess” Claire whispered

  “Our goddess will not answer you” Siobhan answered harshly as she turned to look at Claire

  “Your ears…holy shit Siobhan your eyes” Sarah screeched as she scrambled back from Siobhan

  “This is my power, it’s the one true thing I have” Siobhan answered as she turned to look at Sarah with eyes completely black. “I will not keep this inside me any longer.”

  “You have fae blood inside you” Claire whispered “Siobhan, calm down before you lose yourself completely”

  “I want to lose myself” Siobhan whispered hoarsely as a single glistening tear trailed down her cheek

  “No, child you do not want to become what those outside are” Claire responded
softly

  “Oh Jesus” Sarah hissed as she ran to Siobhan wrapping her arms around her best friend. Tears fell down her face as she squeezed Siobhan close to her.

  The tears fell onto Siobhan’s shoulder breaking the energy circling around her in frenzy. Blinking, Siobhan looked at the wild eyes of her best friend. The veil lifting the cloud that was encircling her heart to shut out everything around her, the vice of reckless anger loosened.

  “Sarah” Siobhan hiccupped as tears started falling down her face.

  “Oh God Becky, don’t you ever do that again!” Sarah scolded

  “I won’t”

  Claire watched as Siobhan’s eyes cleared back to the deep emerald. Sighing as she watched the girl turn away from the chaos that was engulfing her.

  “We need you to tap into that tomorrow night, but until then we need to have you understand what it is that you are capable of” Claire spoke crisply as she walked over to Siobhan and laid her hand on the girls trembling shoulders

  “Oh my god what am I?” Siobhan cried

  “I think that you are a cross between fae and human” Claire answered as a slight frown formed on her face.

  “How is that possible?”

  “At some point your family encountered a fae who encased them with power through a child. This child continued the line as they grew and had children. The fates brought you this strength for a reason, to wield a power that may break this curse”

  “Will it give me my soul?”

  “Child, you soul isn’t gone; it’s been split as has the one who seeks you out. This dance you have done for so long that your memories are hidden from you. You are the only one who can bring them to the forefront, when you are truly ready to face the truth hidden inside this dance”

  “I don’t know if I will ever be ready” Siobhan muttered softly

  “You will when your heart has opened itself to the power within you and accepted this part you have hidden” Claire responded as she started to rise off the couch “Come it’s late and we still have much to do, but for now let’s have some dinner”

  “I can’t even think about food right now” Sarah retorted “I mean my best friend just lost her boyfriend to some skank ass siren, and has some damn crazy ass prince of whatever the hell magick chasing her around screaming she’s his beloved”

  “Fate, my dear Sarah, has entwined the three of you for countless years. You are as much a part of this as Jason or Siobhan” Claire said as she walked out of the room into the kitchen. The sounds of pots rattling around sounded throughout the quiet house as the three sat in the living room absorbing the words.

  “I don’t know what to do” Siobhan hoarsely called out

  “You will when the time is right, you will have a decision to make” Claire called back “You will either embrace who you are or lock the door to the world you are about to open”

  “I have chaos running through me” Shawn mumbled “I am just as much a part of the fae as you are Siobhan”

  “What” Sarah stammered as she stared wide eyed at Shawn

  “My father was fae, from what my gran told me he was a strong fae, who was enthralled with my mother the night of the summer solstice” Shawn calmly replied “She was dancing at the fires and caught his attention, he took her that night and that was how I came about”

  “Holy hell” Sarah’s eyes widened “So what does that mean?”

  “It means that I know what Siobhan is about to embrace.” Shawn answered as he looked directly at Siobhan “You have a strength I have only seen a few times in my life. One of which is my father, the one you call Marcus”

  “Shit!” Sarah screeches

  “Yes, he was once a king in the fae world, but he walked a tight line within the darkened side of fae. His passion for recklessness engulfed him. I have only seen him once, when I was a teen, it was actually the night my mother left.”

  “Why did she leave?” Siobhan asked quietly

  “She saw me walk out of the woods beyond and saw my father standing behind me.” Shawn sighed as he closed his eyes before continuing “She wandered those woods day and night looking for him, but he never showed himself to her again. She was so angry that he chosen to show himself to me.”

  “Oh my god, she couldn’t understand it was your dad for christsake?” Sarah asked

  “Tell me how would you feel if the only man you loved stayed hidden from you for more than 10 years?” Shawn replied

  “Oh”

  “So this is why Ash as you call him is seeking you out, you are or were in some lifetime, his soul mate, his beloved” Shawn spoke softly as he watched the emotions play across Siobhan’s face.

  “How come I don’t remember him?” Siobhan asked

  “Maybe because what you feel for him, broke something inside you beyond comprehension and your heart protected itself by burying those memories” Shawn responded shaking his head

  “So how do I bring them back?”

  “You know how, you did last night” Claire answered startling the three on the couch “Come dinner is ready”

  The group ate their soup in quiet, each lost in their own thoughts. Shawn rose to clear off the empty bowls and began washing them. Sarah watched him, with mixed emotions coursing through her tattered heart. She watched the muscles in his back flexing as he placed a clean bowl onto a towel. Her mind racing as she replayed his early statement. He had power she didn’t understand, but also knew in her heart, that she couldn’t be without him.

  Rising from her chair, Sarah walked over and wrapped her arms around Shawn’s back, squeezing gently. A small groan escaped from Shawn lips as he felt his body relaxing with her touch. Turning he brushed a light kiss into her hair, breathing in the scent of her.

  “Hey” Sarah spoke softly to his ear

  “Hey you, are we ok?” Shawn asked his eyes searching

  “Yes” Sarah smiled and Shawn expelled the breath he had been holding

  “Good”

  “It’s late, we all need to get a good night’s sleep” Claire said as she shuffled into the kitchen carrying several jars “I have gotten everything we need for tomorrow”

  “Do you need me to do anything?” Siobhan asked as she rose from the chair

  “Yes, I want you to wear this tonight” Claire responded as she handed Siobhan a necklace with a beautiful amethyst hanging off it.

  “What is this?”

  “It’s to help you find the strength and calm you will need”

  “Thank you”

  Siobhan pulled the necklace over her head and immediately felt the stone warm against her skin. She felt the calmness filling her, easing the tension within her tired body. Turning, she gave Sarah a hug, followed by Shawn and the went up to her room.

  Opening the door, the emptiness swam around her as she saw Jason’s things lying on the bed. A small whimper fell from her lips as she walked over to the bed. Picking up Jason’s shirt, she brought it to her face, breathing in she felt the warmth of him encircle her.

  “Jason, wherever you are I hope you are truly happy” Siobhan muttered as she gazed out into the darkness.

  19 CHAPTER Nineteen

  Lifting his head, Jason looked around the room bleary eyed. “Siobhan?” he called out

  “Shh…tis just a dream” Moira whispered seductively into his ear as she eased his back onto the pillows.

  “God, I could have sworn I heard Siobhan” Jason mumbled as he pulled Moira closer to him

  “She can’t reach you here my love” Moira crooned sweetly as she brought her lips to his

  Groaning, Jason pulled her closer to him as passion raged inside him. Pulling away he opened his eyes and stared into Moira’s hauntingly beautiful gaze. He wanted to lose himself within the depths of those striking eyes forever.

  “I love you” he whispers into her mouth

  Rising slowly, Moira looks into Jason’s face, searching his warm brown eyes. She sees the truth to his words, a smile ghosting her lips.

 
“Mine” she moans as she pulls him to her tightly.

  “Always” Jason answers

  Marcus passes inside the darkness of the woods, his anger raging wildly inside him as the chaos festers. He watches the candles glowing softly against the glass windows of the house beyond. He wants to storm inside the old woman’s home and grab his son. He wants to get him as far away from this place as he can, before Baliel finds him and does gods know what.

  “What is tearing you apart?” Ash asks calmly as he approaches Marcus

  “Nothing that concerns you” Marcus retorts

  “Really?” Ash asks with a raised brow “As I recall your son has my beloved in that house. So I think it does concern me”

  A growl escapes Marcus lips as he turns stomping towards Ash “Leave my son out of this”

  “I can’t he is as much a part of this as we are”

  “Bloody hell” Marcus runs his hands through his hair in frustration

  “I know what she is going to try to do tomorrow night, Marcus is she capable?” Ash asks quietly

  “I honestly don’t know” Shaking his head Marcus turns and gazes back at the quiet house “She has power Ash, I don’t know to what extent, or if she is even aware of it”

  “I felt it tonight”

  “What” Marcus hissed through his teeth “When?”

  Earlier tonight, the ring on her finger it felt the vibration of something” Ash turned to look at the house, a sullen look crossing his face

  “Do you understand it” Marcus asks closing his eyes

  “No, the house protected her, the vibration I got was limited”

  “Then I guess we can only wait”

  “I don’t want to wait”

  “Well what the bloody hell do you want to do Ash?” Marcus turns to face Ash “We are at an impasse brother, you cannot change whatever the fates have laid out”

  Marcus watches as a sea of emotions flashes across Ash face before sadness settles. Shaking his head, Marcus pats Ash on his shoulder before turning and walking into the darkness.

  Sighing heavily Ash turns back to the house to see a shadow pass in front of Siobhan’s window. Stepping forward his muscles tense as he sees the candle flicker then go out. Racing to the edge of the woods, he eyes widen as he sees the back door open.