Light and Shadow

by Patti Larsen

  As luck would have it, not too many people were out an about in the middle of the night in Wilding Springs. None, actually. Only me. Surprise, surprise. Oh, and my very anxious bodywere and demon cat who both came bounding across the grass toward me as I crossed the wards and entered the family property.

  Charlotte looked very unhappy. And when the weregirl showed her emotions, it was all kinds of bad. Sassafras stopped in his tracks at the sight of the boy and girl, wrapped in glowing blue magic, floating beside me. I eased them gently to the ground, releasing the air element I’d used to keep them moving, settling them, still unconscious, onto the ground.

  “I see you’ve made some friends.” Sassafras’s sarcasm was exactly what I needed. I laughed and sagged a little while Charlotte slid close to me, snuffling and tense.

  “You know me,” I said. “Always dragging stuff home.” I sighed as the weregirl touched my arm as though doubting I was there at all.

  “I didn’t feel you leave,” she said, forehead creased, tone vibrating.

  “Yeah, well, I didn’t choose to.” I squeezed her hand. “Blame the maji. I do.”

  Sassafras sniffed the kids, the girl’s glasses catching the light of the motion-sensitive lamp over the back door. “I take it these two are connected to what’s going on?”

  “Yes,” I said, crouching next to them, remembering the moment of shock I’d felt when I pushed their limp bodies off me and realized who I’d rescued through the veil. “These are the two I saw in the maji chamber.”

  “The light and the shadow,” he said. “Interesting. She is familiar. Her power, at least.”

  I agreed, letting my magic slide over her. “She’s maji,” I said.

  “But he feels empty.” His silver tail twitched. “Syd…”

  I shrugged and sighed. “Let’s just get them inside, okay? The back yard probably isn’t the best place to hold this conversation.”

  Sass grunted something under his breath, but when I tapped my power to lift them again, his joined me. Together, Charlotte looking around like we were about to be attacked, her energy that of a wary guard dog, we floated the passed-out pair to the door and into the house.

  Not even thinking, I headed up to my room, settling the two of them side-by-side on my rumpled covers, watching as Sass jumped up beside them and sniffed them over again.

  “Mind telling me what happened?” His amber eyes met mine. “And where you went?”

  Charlotte’s gaze bored deathly holes through me as she waited for the answer.

  I rolled my eyes. “Sure. Like I had a say in the matter.” I filled him in, heard him grunt again though he kept silent as I relayed the battle over the two of them.

  “Syd?” Meira poked her head in my door, rubbing sleepily at her eyes, those same eyes widening as she realized we weren’t alone. “Who are they?”

  Again with the story. I was getting good at telling it, though to be fair Meira missed the entire thing earlier. My sister perched on the end of the bed while she listened, eyes locked on the boy. When I finally wrapped it up, I noticed the sky wasn’t quite as dark as it had been.

  Morning already? I shoved down a yawn though it still made my eyes water. I really needed to find a way to catch naps during these times of crisis.

  The girl groaned, a soft, deep sound, louder than it should have been in the suddenly quiet room. Sassafras’s tail twitched as he watched her wake, one of her sneakered feet bobbing over the edge of the bed. Her long, dark hair tangled around her neck and face, glasses slightly askew. She was pretty, very pretty, skin darker than the boy beside her, hair almost black, rims of her glasses a match. The dark denim jacket she wore hung from her thin frame, tank top under it showing her ribs. He wasn’t much better. The pair of them were skinny and almost wild looking, his hair overgrown, a smudge of dirt on his cheek and a tear in the knee of his jeans. But they both had an innocence about them I trusted immediately, the feel of them telling me I’d done the right thing listening to Iepa.

  Speaking of the maji, if she was so worried, where the hell was she? A little help would have been nice.

  Dark brown eyes bordering on black flashed open behind smudged glass. The girl sat up abruptly, grabbing for the boy, pulling him to her as she shoved herself backward into the wall, scrunching my comforter and sheets under her dirty sneakers as she tried to escape.

  “Whoa,” I held out both hands, Meira standing and backing away as Sassafras started to purr, the soothing sound augmented with his magic. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”

  Her eyes flickered from me to the cat at the end of the bed, to Charlotte and over Meira before returning to me again.

  “I’m just supposed to believe you, is that it?” Her voice snapped like a whip, aggression pouring off her as she slid sideways, the boy firmly in her grasp, finding her feet only to crumple under his weight, face paling.

  “Fair enough,” I said, a little more sharply than I intended. I’d just saved her miserable hide and that of her companion. What more did she want? Still.

  Deep breaths, Syd. Try tact.

  Because, yeah, tact was my strong suit.

  “Who are you and why did you kidnap us?” She jerked on the boy, managing to make it to her feet though her attempt to pull him upright and support him despite his unconscious state ended with her falling sideways onto the bed again.

  Um, what? “Excuse me,” I snapped back, “but you were about to be trapped inside the veil by someone and I just happened to save your sorry ass. So a little gratitude and less attitude, if you don’t mind.”

  No. I did not just sound like my mother. Did not.

  The girl’s scowl told me my tone was dead on bossy parent. “Who asked you?”

  Okay then. Throwing her to the wolves felt like the ideal thing to me. Perfect.

  A wall of maji magic flashed into being, cutting off her and the boy beside her from the rest of us. It shimmered and eddied like the veil, and when I touched it with my magic it felt like the same rubbery substance.

  The family magic oozed and eddied around them, rising through the floor in reaction to my anger and the presence of foreign magic. I soothed it, though it didn’t seem aggressive, instead curious, winding its way around the shield as if tasting it.

  “Trill.” The boy was awake at last, voice tired and weak. But when he looked up at me, those incredibly blue eyes met mine and I knew the maji was right.

  I had to help them, no matter what.

  “Owen.” She forgot me, about all of us it seemed, turning to the boy and touching his face, rubbing at the dirty spot on his cheek. “Are you okay?”

  He smiled, swiped at her hand. “I’m fine.” Owen sat up, a grin on his face as he met my eyes again. “Thanks for the ride, by the way.”

  “You’re welcome.” I glared at the girl, Trill he’d called her, while Owen groaned and rubbed his head.

  “I was sure we were goners.” He poked Trill. “Told you to trust whoever was on the other end.”

  Trill glared at me, cleaning her glasses on the hem of her tank top as Owen swung his feet over the edge of the bed and stood. A moment of wobbling and he seemed okay.

  “I was right, wasn’t I?” He held out one hand to me and, despite her continuing glare, I took it. “You’re witches.”

  “More than witches,” Sassafras said at his most dry. Trill jumped while Owen turned and stared before laughing.

  “Wicked,” he said, one of his blue eyes winking at me.

  “Demons.” Trill let out a deep breath. “And a werewolf.”

  Owen nodded to Meira and then to Charlotte before focusing on me again. Funny, he was the younger, but seemed to be their leader. “I’m Owen, in case you hadn’t figured that out.” His smile was a sunny day, a refreshing walk in a warm rain. I adored him immediately. “And that is my sister, Trillia.”

  “Trill,” she grumbled.

  Owen flashed his very white teeth. “Trill. Zornov.” Sassy hissed softly at the name, but didn’t comment and Owen mu
st have missed it because he went on. “It seems we’re in your debt.”

  He had a way of speaking that seemed beyond his normal age, maybe eleven or twelve.

  “I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter,” I said. “You have a powerful guardian angel watching over the two of you.”

  They both looked confused. “What are you talking about?” Trill seemed nervous again, standing to join her brother, pulling him against her, one arm in a protective hold around his shoulders.

  I waved it off. “That can wait,” I said. “But I’m assuming I’m right to say you are the light,” I pointed at Trill whose eyes flared wide, “and you are the shadow?” Owen’s frown was more sad than angry.

  “Yes,” he said, before his sister could shush him. “Where did you hear about us?”

  “Guardian angel, remember?” I looked back and forth between them. “Mind telling me what your cryptic titles mean?”

  Trill stiffened, but Owen shrugged.

  “Simple,” he said. “My sister is maji. That’s why she’s the light. Creation magic, you get me?”

  I nodded, already knowing what was coming. The empty feeling of him, I knew it, had felt it before.

  “And you?” Sassafras had no compunction speaking up.

  “And I am a sorcerer,” Owen said with so much sadness I wanted to hug him. “And I’m going to be her downfall.”

  ***

  Chapter Ten

  Even though I felt bad for the boy, a twinge of nerves put my back up. After all, according to Iepa, weren’t we going to war with sorcerers? How smart was it to have one in my house?

  And yet, there was no way the sweet-faced kid standing in front of me, his crushed expression telling me how much he worried about his own abilities, could possibly be a threat. At least, not on purpose.

  I’d take it.

  His sister, on the other hand, had this way with my last nerve that was about to get her a serious smackdown. She grabbed her brother and shoved past me, heading for the door, a harsh, determined look on her face. I naturally reached for her to pull her back. No way was she storming out, not after I’d saved their butts from whoever was trying to hurt them.

  My fingers slipped over the denim of her jacket, caught her hand. The moment our skin touched, power rippled between us. Trill came to an immediate halt, turning to face me, her eyes at my height, slim body quivering.

  “Why haven’t you finished it?” She held onto my fingers, a stab of anger passing between us through the connection. “You’re so close to balance.”

  I jerked my hand free of hers and glared at her. “Maybe if I knew what you were talking about, I could answer you.”

  Owen looked up at his sister. “What’s wrong?”

  Trill held her hand against her body, as if touching me had hurt her in some way. “Never mind,” she snapped. “If you’re too stupid to figure out what you are, I’m not going to fill you in.”

  Violence wasn’t in my nature. Much. But if this chick didn’t stop being such a bitch, she’d be out on her behind and I wouldn’t think twice about it.

  Sigh.

  I didn’t get to wring her neck. Just as I was considering my coven leader options, the door slammed wide and Gram strode in, a huge smile plastered on her face, thin, lined hands rubbing together like finding two strange kids in the house was par for the course.

  “Who wants pancakes?” Her faded blue eyes sparkled as she reached out and rumpled Owen’s hair. He shook his head to resettle his do, but he was smiling so I liked him even more. Trill just scowled at the crazy old lady, one arm going around her brother, pulling him back and away.

  “Gram.” Relief flooded through me, the tension I’d been carrying since this fiasco began releasing in a rush. I was careful to stay calm on the outside, not wanting to give the nasty girl anything to criticize, but happily reached for my grandmother and let her feel how much I needed her.

  Gram’s gaze flickered to me, smile disappearing. “We have a lot to talk about,” she said, voice low and vibrating with something making my anxiety return. Where had she been and now what? But when she finished, she grinned again and poked a finger into Owen’s tummy. “I put chocolate chips in my flapjacks,” she sing-songed in a little girl voice before giggling and covering her mouth with one hand. “Yummers.”

  I had to laugh. Had to. “This is Ethpeal,” I said, “and I’m Syd. That’s Meira,” she bobbed her head, smiling shyly at Owen, “Sassafras,” the silver Persian flicked his tail when I said his name, “and the weregirl is Charlotte.” No response. Yeah, hardly a shocker. “Now, if we could all just get along for five minutes, I’m starving.”

  Trill opened her mouth, protest all over her face, but I held up one hand, the very idea of arguing with her making me tired. “Gram might be a little light in the load,” I said, “but she makes amazing pancakes.”

  The maji girl caved, though I could hear her softly grumbling to her brother as they preceded us out the door. I sent Meira after them, her with a nod of understanding to keep the two occupied while I grabbed Gram’s arm and held her back.

  “Mind sharing where you’ve been?” I pulled her into a hug, felt her arms squeeze me back.

  “After breakfast.” She tweaked my nose with two fingers, a little smile on her lips though her eyes seemed troubled. “You had to bring them here, didn’t you?”

  “You’re assuming I had a choice.”

  She moved off, dancing a little dance in her familiar fuzzy socks, humming to herself as she left the room. Sassafras leaped down from the bed and followed her, his tail high and quivering behind him. That left only Charlotte and me and I knew exactly what she was going to say before she said it. Partly because she waited to say anything until we were alone.

  “You left without me.” Ah, the guilt trip of the wereguard unable to protect her charge. I’d grown accustomed to Charlotte’s poking me with shame ever since her meltdown when I was trapped on Demonicon.

  “I wasn’t given a choice.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Besides, I thought you watched over me so things like this wouldn’t happen?”

  A slow flush of red colored her cheeks. “Forgive me,” she choked, but not in her own guilt. Oh boy, was she pissed at me.

  I sighed and hugged her, waiting until her rigid body softened. “The next time a maji takes over, you’ll be the first to know.”

  Charlotte’s lips finally quirked, her version of a giggle. “I suppose it will have to do.”

  I was surrounded by smartasses.

  The kitchen was a bit of a bustle when I finally reached it, kids and Gram and Sass hustling to set the table, make pancakes, pour milk and juice.

  Within a few minutes, we were all seated and eating. Even Trill seeming to appreciate the deliciousness of Gram’s pancakes. Owen laughed over the magic the old lady used to continue to make breakfast, spatula wavering in the air over the hot frying pan while the glass bowl full of batter rattled impatiently for its turn to pour more goodness. Gram seemed to ignore what she’d set loose while she piled her own plate with butter and syrup, eating large chunks while drips of stickiness trickled down her chin.

  I sat back after my first batch was devoured and took a sip of milk. “Can I ask how it is the two of you ended up in the territory of the Hayle coven?”

  Trill kept her head down, now frowning at the remains of her food, stirring the pools of syrup with her fork while Owen answered.

  “Nona sent us,” he said, like that meant everything. “We’ve been on the run for so long, but we’ve always managed to stay ahead of the Brotherhood.” Sassafras’s snarl was louder than his hiss had been at the name Zornov. I really had to talk to him, it seemed. “But somehow they knew where we were last night, found a way to track us.” He turned sadly to his sister, fork clattering to his plate. “It’s my fault, Trill. I’m sorry.”

  “You don’t know that,” she snapped back. “Stop apologizing. They could just as easily have found a way to track me.”

  Owe
n nodded, glum. “Nona felt someone watching, said she’d been sensing another for a while. She said whoever it was felt different, not a threat. When she cast her cards, they told her the person she was feeling could be trusted.”

  Confused. “Nona?” I hated to pause the story, but without further information I’d have to have him repeat it.

  “Our grandmother,” Trill said, for the first time with a soft tone. And worry.

  “She’s maji too?” The girl’s nod, joined with Owen’s agreement, answered that question. “What’s this casting cards?”

  Gram snorted before either of them could say anything. “Tarot,” she said, as though it were some insult. “Still, seems they did the job.”

  Witches didn’t use Tarot, finding them unreliable at best. Our magic tended to influence them one way or the other, depending on how we were feeling. But since maji were creationists, I guessed it was possible they would work better in their hands.

  “It was a close call last night,” Owen said, hands now clenched on the table in front of him as he stared sightlessly into his empty plate. “We’d just crossed over into Tennessee when we were cornered. Nona made us stay with the RV while she left us to lay a false trail.”

  “We should never have let her go alone.” Trill had the biggest chip on her shoulder I’d ever felt, bigger even than the one I’d carried around for years. I let my magic touch her, felt her mix of guilt, shame, blame and terror, all smothered in so much rage it was a wonder she could function.

  “We heard her tell us to run.” Trill looked up at last, as though she knew I was feeling her out, met my eyes, gaze cold, but angry. “So we did.”

  “From the Brotherhood.” I glanced at Sassafras who nodded to me.