Angelique Armae

by McNamara's Ghost

  “Do not blame yourself for my brother’s wrongful deeds. I’ll find a way to reverse his curse, I promise you. In the meantime, I don’t want you or Sam to do anything drastic. Besides, I can’t come across permanently without another soul being sent back.”

  She bit her bottom lip. “I know.”

  A look of concern covered Hugh’s face. “No. Don’t even think of it, Julia. I would never allow you to cross over in my stead.”

  “You don’t have a choice. None of us has a choice in the matter.”

  “Julia...” With an open hand, he reached out for her.

  But it was too late.

  Hugh McNamara slowly faded away.

  “No. Don’t leave me, Hugh. Don’t go. You can’t. Please...No...”

  He was gone—even his cape.

  She had to find a way to bring him back.

  The bedroom door creaked open.

  The feel of an immortal spirit still lingered in the house. Julia sensed another presence invading her home. The hair at the nape of her neck stood on end.

  She stared at the door. Apparently whatever was here wanted her and called to her. Julia followed her gut instinct and entered the hall. She searched the darkness for a wandering spirit, but found nothing.

  She started down the steps. “Hugh?” She knew talking to herself would never frighten a ghost, but in a strange way, it helped calm her own panicking nerves. “Who’s there? Hugh? Samuel? Is that you, Sam?” She didn’t hear anything in response. She swallowed hard and faced the inevitable. “Alex?”

  Silence prevailed. She continued down the stairs, her step slow and cautious. She stopped mid-stride, and froze in her tracks.

  A shadowy apparition formed at the foot of the stairway. A figure clad in a black hooded cloak stood below, arms crossed in front of its chest.

  Julia’s initial instinct was to turn around and run back up the stairs to the safety of her bedroom. She chided herself. What good would that do? A ghost body knew no boundaries. “Who are you? What do you want?”

  The figure lifted its head, threw back its hood, and stared up at her.

  Shock washed through her senses. It was a man—a man who looked much like Hugh, only older.

  “Who are you?”

  “I am no longer permitted to say my name. The privilege has been stripped from me by the god Ogham.”

  “You’re the Sage of Ogham Castle, aren’t you? You’re Hugh’s grandfather.”

  He nodded his head. “You can’t go back, Julia. Doing so would never help my grandson.”

  “But I have to. There is no other way for him to cross over into man’s world. And if the exchange isn’t made soon, he’ll die.”

  “You can’t go back.”

  She didn’t believe her ears. How can a man allow his own line to die?

  “Remember the bond of blood. For no other can save Hugh.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  The figure vanished. “Remember the bond of blood...” The man’s words echoed in the night air.

  “What the hell is going on here?” Sam flicked on the hallway light. He stood at the top of the steps and stared down at Julia, one leg of his black sweat pants rising higher than the other. His hair was tussled. “Are you alright? Is something wrong? I thought I heard voices out here.”

  “It was nothing, Sam. Nothing.” She walked back upstairs and brushed passed him. “I’m sorry I woke you.” Julia headed for her room.

  “You can’t keep secrets from me, Julia. We’re in this together, remember?”

  She stopped at the door. “I’m going back no matter what you say,

  what Hugh says, or what anyone else says. I’m going back.”

  “You can’t. It won’t help anything.”

  “Good night, Sam.” She crossed the threshold and closed the door behind her.

  “What do you mean no matter what anyone says? Who was here?” Samuel pounded his fist against the door. “Damn it, Julia, tell me who was here tonight?”

  She refused to answer.

  Chapter 7

  Julia entered the kitchen and went straight for the teapot. She turned to Sam sitting at the table. He sat hunched over a stack of yellowed papers and the Ogham stones, and looked much like a mad wizard searching for a long-lost answer. He wore a gray sweatshirt and black jeans. His hair still looked uncombed.

  “Can I get you anything? Tea, coffee, eggs?”

  “No, thanks,” he said. “I’ve had my fill of coffee already.”

  She glanced up at the clock hanging on the wall above the sink. “It’s only seven-thirty. What time did you get up?”

  “Actually, I’ve been awake since last night. I couldn’t go back to sleep after I found you in the hall.”

  A feeling of guilt churned in her soul. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “No, it’s quite alright, really.”

  Julia filled the shiny stainless steel pot with water and set it on the stove. She turned the burner on and took a seat at the table. She stuck her hands in the pockets of her terry robe. “What are all these papers?” “My great-grandfather’s Book of Secrets—his personal Book of Shadows. It’s amazing what he wrote down here. Look at this line.” Sam pointed to a page written in various hues of red ink. He placed his finger on a series of words etched in deep red.

  Julia studied the flowing script. “It’s written in Ogham’s sacred language.”

  “Yes, I know. The entire book is written in the same code. Can you read it?”

  “Of course I can.” She took the book from Sam and turned it to face her direction. Julia read the words in silence. Shock assaulted her soul. She read the passage again, but this time, she read it aloud.

  “The bond of blood is the only bond by which a soul of my line may be saved. Salvation for my kin must come from our own line.” Julia looked up. “Do you have any idea when your great-grandfather wrote this?”

  “A year before my father tried to kill Hugh.”

  “So he knew what was to come.”

  “Yes, I suppose so. He was a very powerful Warlock, and despite his love of the dark arts, he respected magic in all forms. He wasn’t stupid.”

  “He saved Hugh. Your great-grandfather was the shadow that caused the ripple in time.” She tapped her fingers against the table. “What do you think ‘the bond of blood’ means?”

  Sam chuckled. “You’re staring at it. I’m Hugh’s savior.” He poked his hands against his chest. “I’m the bond of blood—Hugh’s blood. Alex and Hugh were brothers, and I come from the same blood.”

  The sudden realization hit her hard. “Hugh can only be saved by a descendant of the Sage of Ogham Castle.” She paused. The idea made sense save for one small fact. “You can’t fight Alex alone. We have to do this together. He’s way too powerful for you.”

  “Don’t underestimate me, Julia. You don’t know my strength. I’ve been practicing magic for as far back as I can remember. Now’s my chance to make amends with the past—to make a worthy Witch of myself.” He took the book back from her and closed it. “Besides, my father never recognized me in the past. It’s about time he did so now. He needs to know he had a son and heir. I’m the only soul who can right the wrongs he committed on this earth. If I don’t, I’ll pay for his sins for all eternity.”

  The teapot whistled. Julia rose from her seat and headed for the stove. She lifted the pot off the burner. A white mug decorated with lavender sat on the edge of the stove. She filled it with hot water and placed a tea bag inside. “Even if this idea works, we still need to call Alex out.”

  “That part should be the easiest. When the veil between this world and the Summerland are at its thinnest, Alex Caldwell can easily cross over. We’ll call him at midnight. I can guarantee my father will have no problem stepping into this world if he thinks there’s something here for him to gain.”

  “And what would that be?”

  Sam offered her a sly smile. “The Ogham.” He lifted the small box and shook i
t in a careful, light manner. “My father will return here to fight for the powers he feels are rightfully his. He’d do anything to satisfy his greed.”

  “That could work. We’ll set a place for him, and for Hugh, at the table tonight. Between the two of us, we should be able to call them both forward.”

  Sam gathered the loose papers into a neat stack. “Its also dangerous, Julia, but I suppose you know that already.”

  “Yes,” she said. “Calling the dead is never an easy feat. And calling an evil entity is even more dangerous. I must admit, I don’t relish the idea of bringing a character as vile as Alex Caldwell through to man’s world, but we don’t have a choice. If Alex doesn’t come this way, I’ll never be free from his curse. Only he can reverse the spell. If he doesn’t, I’ll never regain my full powers. And without those powers, I can never give Hugh the blessing of the daughters of Danu.”

  “Right,” said Sam. “And the Ogham stones face the danger of falling into the wrong hands—perhaps even into Alex’s.”

  “And Hugh will die.” The thought pained her like a knife slicing through her heart. She took a deep breath. “I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to save Hugh and to save the Ogham stones. But we won’t have much time. Once Alex and Hugh come across, we’ll have to act quickly. We have to send you and your father back before it’s too late. If we miss the portal, time will be shifted, and only the gods know what will happen then.”

  “Precisely. If two souls come across, then two souls must go back.” Julia leaned across the table and placed her hand upon Sam’s. “Hugh loved you like his own son.” A tear fell down her cheek. “He’d be proud of you.” She caught her breath. “I...I...”

  “Please, Julia. There’s no need to say anything. The past is over with. I have no hard feelings about you leaving that night. You did what you had to do, that’s all. My father is a very cunning, sly soul. Had I known then what he was up to, I’d never have allowed it to go this far. Just know this—whatever happens, I’ll never forget you. You were my only real connection to Hugh.”

  He felt the same about her as she did him. Sam was right. The past was the past. She had to look to the future now.

  Chapter 8

  “With being so short on time,” said Julia, “we’ll have to do this the most efficient way using spells not our own.”

  Sam followed her down the hall. “I agree. There’s no time to write specific spells. When dealing with Alex, we can use great-grandfather’s works. Like attracts like, so the Sage’s powers can combat that of a Warlock.”

  Julia opened the doors to her study and entered the dark paneled room. She reached her hand behind the wood door and searched for the light switch. With a flick of her hand, she turned on the room’s three lamps. A chilly air enveloped the study. She rubbed her arms and buttoned up her sweater.

  “My most prized possession is right over here, Sam. Come, take a look.” She motioned for Sam to follow her to the other side of the study. “My book of secrets sits under that black cloth on the antique book stand. It was a gift from my mother, the goddess Danu.” Julia walked over to the corner of the room. “We’ll use spells from the book for the ceremony tomorrow night.”

  Sam followed her across the study. In his right hand, he carried the box containing the Ogham stones. He clutched the cardboard container as if guarding it with his soul. “After I cross over, I want you to promise me something.”

  She paused and looked back at him. “Certainly. I’ll promise you anything. What do you want me to do?”

  “Promise me you’ll see to it Hugh gets my great-grandfather’s book of shadows.”

  “Of course, I’ll promise that,” said Julia. “Hugh will look after all your things. Besides, you’re coming back. I won’t have it any other way.” She knew such a feat would be nearly impossible, but to admit that now would pain them both.

  Sam smiled at her. “Yes, I’m coming back. Though, I don’t know when or how.”

  The notion unsettled her.

  “You’ll have to be careful,” she said. “When you go back, you might not return to the same era from which your father left. You could end up anywhere in time.”

  “I know, but that’s not my concern now. We need to concentrate on getting my father over here and freeing you of his spell-work.”

  Julia walked up to the book stand and removed the cloth draped over the top. A worn, leather-bound book emerged. She opened the cover and centered the ancient tome in the middle of the stand. “My mother gave me this book when I first showed signs of my natural magic abilities.”

  “Is the blessing of Danu inside its pages?”

  Julia nodded her head. “Yes, but it’s written in a secret language only my mother’s daughters can read.”

  Sam stepped behind her. “What spells do you intend to use?”

  “We’ll need several. One to call Hugh and Alex so they can cross over into man’s realm, and one to open the portal so we can send you and your father back through.”

  Julia ran her hand over the gilt-edged pages. She thumbed her fingers through various chapters, not stopping until she came to the pages marked with the word Samhain written in black. She thumbed through a few more pages.

  “Here,” said Julia. “This is exactly the spell we’re looking for. Now let’s see if this is what the gods want us to use.” She turned to Sam. “Give me the Ogham Stones.”

  He handed her the box.

  Julia untied the cord and opened the container. The stones went to her as if they belonged in her hands. She clutched one hand over the other and shook. The stones made a rattling sound.

  Julia cast the Ogham on top of the magic tome. The stones fell in a scattered manner and quickly separated. Only one Ogham remained on top of the book, the others fell off and landed on the stand. “It’s the Rowan stone.”

  “The Ogham predicting the god’s protection.”

  “Yes,” said Julia. “Then this is the correct spell to use. If we have the god’s protection, the spell can only work in our favor. We’ll be kept from harm.”

  She picked up the Ogham stones and placed them back in their box. She thumbed through several more pages.

  “This is the only spell I know of that can be used to send a soul back through a portal between the realms. I’ve known the words since I was child. They came to me in a dream.”

  Sam rubbed his chin. “Then if it’s your own spell, I’d say it’s safe to work with. The words will thrive on your natural powers.” “Precisely.”

  Julia closed the book. “We have our spells, Sam. Now we just need Hugh and Alex.”

  Chapter 9

  He came back to her again.

  Julia sat at the edge of her bed and waited for Hugh’s shadow to take on a tangible form. He shifted from murky grays to white and back again, finally falling into a human shape.

  He lowered his body down on the bed next to her. “I can only come back one more time, Julia. I don’t have the strength to keep doing this. I can feel my soul growing weaker by the moment.”

  He took her hand in his.

  The feel of his flesh against hers was electric. Julia wanted to capture the moment for all time, never wanting Hugh to ever leave her again. She looked up at him. “Hugh, you have to listen to me about that plan Sam and I have. We’ve been working on finding a way to bring you across for good.”

  He smiled at her. “Do you think that’s wise? The scales will have to be balanced. And I refuse to let you cross over in my place.”

  She nodded her head. “I know that. Sam knows that. But we’ve found another way.”

  “How?”

  “We will have to bring you across, then Alex.”

  “What?” He didn’t let her finish. “Are you mad? My brother is not a soul who should cross into man’s realm. He has the ability of a trickster. If he captures enough energy, it might be possible for him to remain in man’s world and destroy it. I won’t allow you to bring him across. I simply won’t.”

  “We have
to bring Alex over in order to free me of the spell he cast.” The words rolled off her tongue before she even knew it. She waited for Hugh’s reaction.

  “Spell? Caldwell cast a spell on you?” He pulled his hand away from her and rose from the bed. “Wasn’t forcing you to make a pact with him enough for his vile soul, that he had to also curse you? Why didn’t you tell me this the other night?”

  “I didn’t have a chance. You faded before I could tell you about the crest—about anything.”

  A puzzled look covered Hugh’s face. “So you are forced to wear his crest. You don’t do so out of want or desire?”

  “Of course not,” said Julia. “I could never desire Alex over you.”

  “I never said you did.”

  “No, not in words, but you did with your eyes and voice.”

  He glared at her. “What else are you and Samuel plotting?”

  He was accusing her again and she didn’t like it. “Why do you think I am doing something against you?”

  “Again, I said no such words.”

  “You didn’t have to. I sense your feelings. Besides, if we don’t do this, you’ll fade from existence. You’ll die for good, Hugh McNamara—in this world and the next. And I can’t let that happen.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “I lost you once, Julia. I don’t want to lose you again.”

  She rose to her feet and approached him. “You won’t lose me,

  McNamara. I’ve always been yours and yours alone.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

  His lips brushed against hers in an urgent manner. Her knees trembled. Highly charged shivers of passion raced through her body. Julia wanted Hugh more now than she ever did in the past. She welcomed his savage kiss with a soft moan.