He wrapped his arms tighter around her and carried her back to bed. He gently eased her down on the silk-covered mattress. “Julia.”
“Yes, Hugh?”
He untied the black laces holding her blouse closed.
“If Alex didn’t interfere with the past, would you.. .would you have kept our secret vows and married me?”
She felt her lips curl in a satisfied smile. “An immortal witch and a fairy. Do you think that a wise match?”
A look of disappointment crossed his face. “I never thought of us in such a way.”
She hadn’t expected him to be upset by her words. “Of course I would’ve married you. I would still marry you.”
A stern look veiled his face.
“What’s wrong Hugh?”
“What if your plotting doesn’t work? What if I can’t come back? Or if I do, what if I cannot stay?”
She pulled Hugh closer and kissed him. “We have now. And that’s all that matters at the moment.”
He removed her blouse and gently cupped her left breast with his hand. His lips brushed against her nipple.
The wild sensation delighted her.
His tongue teased playfully at her swollen peak.
Julia reached up and untied the string at the top of Hugh’s cape. Much to her surprise he wore nothing underneath.
He smiled at her amusingly. “You see me with a cape only because you choose to do so. In this existence, I am only form. Nothing more,
nothing less.”
“But I can feel you and you can feel me.”
“When my energies are focused, I have substance. And at the moment, I have no desire to waste my energy on clothes.”
Hugh reached for her inner thighs. His hand trailed teasingly along her flesh.
The tingling sensation caused by Hugh’s touch was intoxicating. Julia had never imagined anything as hot or as intense.
In mere moments, she fell completely under Hugh’s bewitching spell.
Chapter 10
Dressed in a black turtleneck and black jeans, Sam carried a bowl of apples into the dining room.
Julia took the bowl from him and set in the center of the table. “Shoot!” She stomped her foot lightly against the floor.
“What is it?”
“I forgot about the trick-or-treaters. Being new to the area, I have no idea what to expect tonight. We certainly can’t have kids ringing the doorbell while we’re calling out ghosts from the other side.”
Sam smiled. “I already took care of that matter. While you were in the shower, I ran down to the local market and picked up some candy. I also bought one of those huge pumpkin buckets.” He gestured with his hands as to the bucket’s size. “I filled it with the candy and sat it out down at the front gates, along with a sign saying self-serve treats, no tricks aloud.”
Julia laughed. “I’m going to miss you, Samuel Caldwell.” Tears welled up in her eyes.
“Don’t go getting all mushy on me now.”
“I’ll try not to, but I’m not making any promises.” She wiped the tears from her face.
“What can I do next?”
“The candles,” she said. “I’ll sweep. You get the black candles. They’re in the hutch drawer—the top one of the left.”
Sam searched through the drawer and pulled out a box of black votives and matching glass cups. Keeping with Irish witchcraft customs, he placed the candles in each of the dining room windows. “Are you sure Alex will still be able to cross over if we’re using black candles?”
“Yes,” said Julia. “The candles won’t stop your father if we call him, but they will help in holding back other dark spirits. We don’t need any unwanted guests tonight. It’ll be bad enough having to deal with Alex, without having to fight off uninvited evil.”
“What are you burning?” Sam wrinkled his nose.
A black cauldron sat in the center of the table. Steaming vapors rose from the pot’s belly. “Sage incense. It’ll help purify the area and scatter the negativity.”
Sam laughed. “Alex won’t like it here.”
She liked Samuel’s carefree nature. No other soul could make a joke at a moment like this. “Are you sure about this, Sam?”
“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life as I am about tonight. I have to free my soul from my father’s sins. In the process, I’ll be helping Hugh.”
With broom in hand, Julia circled the room and swept every last inch of space. She wasn’t leaving anything to chance—especially remnants of negativity.
Samuel walked over to the corner china closet and opened the wood-framed glass doors. “Do you want four shamrock plates or the black and orange ones?”
“Black and orange—and make that five.”
He turned to face Julia. “Why five?”
“Your great-grandfather.”
“I hadn’t thought about calling him.”
Julia smiled. “I know. But if all else fails, we’ll need the Sage of Ogham castle. He’s the only soul who can battle Alex on his own. Hopefully it won’t come to that.”
She stepped back and studied the room. A kaleidoscope of black dotted with orange gave the usually plain dining area an ethereal air. “It looks good, Sam. If I were on the other side, I’d come for a visit.” “Yeah, so would I,” he said. “Hey, what about a picture?”
“I’d love that.”
Sam reached for his duffle bag and retrieved his digital camera and tripod. He placed the camera on the stand and set it for the picture. “Are you ready?”
Julia nodded. Sam joined her across the room and wrapped his arm around her. She smiled.
The camera flash went off.
“Now let’s see what we look like.” Sam brought the camera to Julia. “Not bad. You make a good-looking Witch. No wonder Hugh fell for your charms.”
She jabbed him playfully in the side.
“Here, you keep this,” said Sam. He handed her the camera. “I’ll have no use for a camera where I’m going.”
She stared at the picture displayed on the back of the camera. She and Sam both looking happy, both wearing black. No one would believe they were moments away from toying with time. The long velvet gown was a copy of the one Hugh used to like her to wear. She hoped he’d still like it. She’d keep the picture for Hugh.
“This isn’t going to be easy.”
“I told you—no mushy stuff. Just remember to set a place for me next year.” Sam smiled and set the plates on the table. He placed small portraits of both Alex and Hugh at opposite sides of the table. “I think you should sit at the head of the table, and leave an empty seat for great-grandfather at the other end. I’ll sit next to my father’s setting.” Julia checked her watch. “It’s almost midnight. Do we have everything in place? Where are the Ogham stones? We can’t forget the stones and—”
Sam cut her off. “It’s alright, Julia. Calm down.”
“This isn’t going to be easy. What if something goes wrong? What if we’ve made a gross mistake in disturbing the past?”
Sam took her hands in his. “It’s alright, Julia,” he said. “Trust me on this one. Besides, this time it’s you who doesn’t have the choice.” He smiled at her.
“You’re going to make me regret ever saying those words about Hugh, aren’t you?”
He winked at her.
Julia knew the truth though. When it came to dealing with the higher powers that be, no soul really ever had a choice.
Chapter 11
Julia turned her head and looked across her shoulder. Sam sat at her side. “Are you really sure about this? Once we start, we can’t stop.”
“I’m sure,” said Sam.
“Okay, then here goes nothing.” Julia raised her arms up and turned her open palms skyward. “To the powers that be, lift the veil of time and send the Unconquerable McNamara to me.” A radiant beam of white light pulsed from her palms. “To the powers that be, lift the veil of time and send Alex Caldwell to me.” The bright light illuminating from her hands turned d
ark.
Sam stared at her, a look of fascination covering his face.
A shadow emerged at the head of the table. The shape slowly took form. Hugh McNamara returned in the flesh.
A slight rumble filled the room. The house shook.
Sam gripped the table edge with his fingers and held on tight. “That’s not supposed to happen, Julia.”
“It’s Alex,” said Hugh. “You’ve stirred him from his sleep.”
A murky, black shadow formed in the corner of the room. The entity swirled in place, then grew darker.
Julia watched in silence.
The dark figure crossed the room and hovered over the place setting meant for Alex. Forming a ghost hand, the entity reached out, and forced the portrait and plate to the floor. The shadow took definite form and emerged in the flesh.
“Well, well, brother. After all these years, we’re finally back. And the feeling is—oh, so good.” Alex stared across the table and eyed Hugh with a dark glare. He scanned the room. “And your bastard son.. .How quaint.” Alex turned his back on Sam and approached Julia.
An angered look stained Sam’s face. “I’m not.”
In silence, Hugh nodded his head.
Sam held his tongue.
“And the lovely Julia.” Alex reached out his hand and caressed Julia’s cheek. “How long I’ve waited for this moment.”
His whispers disgusted her. She turned away.
Alex took a seat in the chair designated for his grandfather. “Nice touch, Hugh. Did you put her up to this? Do you really think the old man will show tonight?”
“I’d curb my tongue if I were you, brother. The Sage of Ogham castle can befall you in an instant.”
Alex shook his hands in false terror. “I’m frightened to the core.” His mocking gestures angered Julia. She shot him an evil glare.
“Oh, my little Fairy Witch, how pathetic you’ve become. Even I could do better than that. Show me what you’re really made of.”
Julia raised her hands and collected air, sending a sparkling ball of dust in Alex’s direction.
He banished it with an open palm. “Pity. Your powers aren’t strong enough against mine. You should have learned the black arts when you had the chance.”
Julia rose to her feet and kicked back her chair. “You’re a thief,
Alex Caldwell. You stole my powers. Tonight you’re going to pay for all the sins you’ve committed.”
He laughed. “I don’t think so. And what about you, brother? Do you not have anything to say after all these years?”
“I wouldn’t waste my breath on you.”
An evil grin crossed Alex’s lips. “Then at least give me a cry—a good yell.” He turned toward Sam. “Perhaps the sacrifice of your son will bring out the beast in you.” He hurled a bolt of lightning from his palm toward Samuel. “Let me hear you now. Humor me.”
The bolt came back to him.
Alex doubled up in his chair. He sucked in a deep breath.
He was surprised. Julia saw a look of total, utter shock cross Alex’s face. He’d never expected to meet his match—especially in Sam.
She bent down to face him. “Still want to play, my little Warlock?” He curled his top lip in a snare. “Is that the best you can do?” Alex rose from his chair and hurled a ball of fire across the room. “I won’t be banished so easily.”
“You have no idea what lies in store for you.” Julia glared at him. Sam rose from his chair. “We’ve waited a long time for this, Caldwell. And you’re not going to get away with your antics any longer. It’s payback time.” Samuel sent a charge of power toward Alex. The Warlock doubled over a second time as the bolt sizzled through his body. “You might have had powers over others in the past, Caldwell, but you have no claim over me. I am a soul who can best you at your own game.”
Alex remained hunched over, bound by Sam’s powers.
“Now, Julia.” Sam’s voice echoed about the room.
Julia lunged for Alex’s neck. She managed a firm grip. “Release me from our pact, Caldwell, or I’ll send your soul to hell here and now. Free me from your spell.”
He gasped. “To the powers that be, hear me now, hear me well. Release and let free this Witch from my spell.”
She let go of Alex. The crest at Julia’s neck fell to the floor and sent an empty, clanging sound pinging throughout the room. The pendant shattered to dust.
Alex fell back in his chair and rubbed his hand against his neck.
Julia’s hair spread out about her head and shoulders as if attacked by a bad case of static electricity. Her feet lifted off the ground. A current of energy enveloped her body and her aura. She cried out to the heavens above. A wild wind coursed through the room. Julia took in a deep breath and welcomed her long-lost powers back to their rightful home—her soul. Her feet returned to the ground.
“I’m back, Alex Caldwell. And you’ll never have me again—ever.” Julia stared him in the eyes.
He turned to Samuel and shook his finger. “I may be through with her, but I’m not yet done with you.” He growled. Alex rose from his chair and deliberately approached Samuel.
“Before I’d do that,” said Hugh. “I’d remember the real reason for my return.”
Alex turned around.
Hugh dangled a small pouch from his fingers.
“You have no right to the Ogham,” said Alex.
“He has every right,” said Julia. “He’s earned my blessings.”
Alex spun into a shadow and flew across the room.
Hugh tossed the pouch to Sam, then transformed himself into shadow form.
Alex passed right through him.
Sam stepped to his toes and lunged for Alex. A second bolt of lightning came hurtling toward him. He raised an open hand and repelled the tainted energy. He cornered Alex against the wall.
Hugh appeared at Sam’s side.
A ripple of time shot through the house. Everything shook and shifted. “The veil is closing,” said Julia.
Sam reached for the pouch of stones in his pocket. “Uncle Hugh,”
he shouted, “it’s now or never.” He tossed the Ogham back to Hugh.
A wild wind blew through the house.
Lightning flashed against the windows and bolted across the room. The plates and glasses cracked and popped. Broken shards of porcelain and glass flew to the floor.
Julia raised her hands out in front of her. “Time of now, Time of past, take back these two souls, one from here, one from there. Take one I thee give, and take one thou hath cast. Make our present equal with thy past.”
Hugh opened the pouch with the Ogham inside and reached for the stones. He folded his fingers over the round trinkets and withdrew the sacred relics. He shook his hands. He cast the stones toward Sam.
The veil of time lifted. A portal opened, and Alex and Sam were drawn in. The portal closed. The wind vanished.
Julia stood frozen in the corner of the room. “They’re gone. They’re really gone.”
“Samuel will be back,” said Hugh. “I know he will.”
Julia ran toward him. She placed her hand upon his face. “You’re here. You’re really here now.” She kissed him.
“I’ve waited centuries, Julia. Despite my hurt and anger, my heart never gave up. In truth, I would’ve waited all eternity for you.”
“You don’t have to wait anymore. We’re together—and the Ogham is safe.”
Hugh pushed her away. “Not exactly.”
“What do you mean?”
“For the Ogham to truly be safe, it cannot remain in any one person’s control.”
Hugh reached down to the floor and retrieved the stones. He counted them. “Nineteen- and-four.”
“That can’t be. The Ogham is twenty-and-five.”
He smiled at her. “I have nineteen-and- four.”
A shadow emerged from the corner of the hall. “You did well, my son.”
Hugh turned around. “It was my destiny to free your soul, Grandfather.”<
br />
“Yes, it was. By saving the Ogham, you saved me. Sam will care for the two stones he has been entrusted with. Alex can’t exist in both worlds. He’ll never be able to take control of the stones now.”
Julia walked up to the ancient sage. “Aodan. Your name is Aodan, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” said Aodan. “Hugh was named after me. He has always been my rightful heir. It was his destiny—as is Ogham Castle.”
“I could never take your home, Grandfather. You belong there, not I.”
Aodan offered a caring smile. “I am tired. Very tired. I belong in time, Hugh. Not in any one place.”
“Don’t leave me.”
“You have Julia,” said Aodan. “For Samuel’s sake, take your rightful seat at Ogham’s council. The bond of blood will always remain among you, your brother, and Samuel. The war with darkness is far from over, my son.
“My line must never die. You have a responsibility to mankind to keep alive that which my people started. And should you ever really have need of me, I will be here for you. You have my book of secrets. In its pages, you have all my knowledge. For now, I have nothing more to give. I must go.”
“No. Please don’t.” Hugh reached out for his grandfather’s arm, but it was too late.
Aodan vanished into the ethereal plane.
“He’s right you know,” said Julia. “Sam may very well still need you. When the portal opened, it wasn’t guaranteed he’d go back to the era from which Alex came. They can be anywhere in time.”
“We’ll simply have to wait and see.”
Julia placed her head on Hugh’s shoulder. She toyed with the cravat tied about his neck. “Times have changed since you last visited man’s realm. I have much to teach you. And I’m sure we’ll find something to pass the time. After all, we’re two immortal witches with all eternity ahead of us.”
He smiled a wicked grin. “Oh, have no fear, my beloved little Witch. I know exactly how we can pass the time.” Hugh wrapped his arms around Julia and pulled her close. His lips met with hers.
“You’re a wicked witch, Hugh McNamara. Wicked to the core.”
“I know.”
Together they melded in an eternal embrace.
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