“I need your help. Are you up for it?” Reagan tried to read Winona’s expression and body language, not just rely on her words, and took it as a good sign when she straightened her body and looked Reagan in the eye.
“You want me to help you remember what Sasha shared with you, don’t you?”
In a day-to-day existence of fighting and questioning, she appreciated cutting to the chase. “Yes. We need every advantage we can get going into this battle. If we can’t figure out Sasha’s clues ourselves, then maybe we can ask her when we contact Cecilia and Nana.”
“Good idea,” Mom said. “Why don’t I go grab you girls some breakfast and bring it back here. I don’t want you too drained since we still have stuff to do today.”
Such a mom thing, worrying about making sure her kids didn’t go hungry. Once she left, Reagan and Winona sat on her bed.
“Okay, close your eyes, and try to remember the scene. I might have to prod around in there.”
“Let’s do it.” Reagan searched her mind.
She remembered holding Sasha’s hand and seeing images of Ricardo and feeling fear and pain. Hoping to help, she’d tried to push her energy into Sasha, but it wasn’t enough. With steady breaths, Reagan tried to recall the moment. Traveling through someone’s mind felt like walking through a dark hallway, whether she was trying to access her memories or someone else’s.
Something tugged her through the blackness surrounding her. A male voice. As she focused, she knew it was Ricardo’s. Then, she heard Sasha. No image came forth, but the voices increased in clarity and volume.
“Please, don’t do this.” Sasha’s voice broke.
“It’s already been done. Rafe is coming, and Otaktay is with him.”
Otaktay? After that, there were scuffling sounds and a scream, but nothing else. Who was Otaktay, and what did it mean for them? Reagan opened her eyes and looked at Winona.
“Do you know who this Otaktay is?” she asked.
Reagan shook her head. “I’ll check with Papa, maybe see if he can contact Lucent. And we’ll talk to Cecilia and Nana about it.” Midway through the ramble, Reagan noticed her sister’s shoulders had slumped again, and her eyes appeared glazed over. “What he did was reprehensible. You didn’t deserve to be caught up in it.”
“I was naïve and stupid,” she said, standing.
Anger seemed to have replaced sadness, as her fingers tightened into her palms, forming fists.
“Don’t do that to yourself. He used you. Just like Rafe used Madeleine and Amélie. You know Madeleine. It’s hard to believe she could’ve loved Rafe. Right?”
Winona lowered herself into the chair, opening her hands but then rubbing them back and forth on the fabric.
“And don’t forget, I fell for him too.” Saying the words left a horrible taste in Reagan’s mouth. Her friends had gone crazy for the new boy in town, and when he turned his attention to her, she’d been so flattered. Even when ominous things started happening, she found herself intrigued.
“Yes, she did.”
Winona jumped, causing the chair leg to scrape the floor. Not faring any better, Reagan felt her heart jump into her throat. No matter how much training she’d had, people still managed to sneak up on her.
“God, Mom. Don’t do that.”
“Sorry. I couldn’t help but overhear as I came into the room.” Mom stepped over to Winona, handed her something wrapped in a paper towel, and then knelt in front of her. “Our hearts don’t always take time to communicate with our brains. In some cases, like when I found a daughter I never knew I had, it turns into something beautiful to trust our hearts. But other times, it doesn’t.”
“Or when I knew to trust Nana or go to Sam,” Reagan said. “Or Rowan.”
“But before Rowan, there was Rafe and Dex.”
She cringed. “Thanks, Mom. Rub it in.”
“I’m just trying to help Winona.” Mom chuckled and stood to give Reagan a kiss on the cheek. “When I found your father, I knew with every part of me that he would be my life. But before him, I’d fallen for Bobby Cole. Hard. I wrote Susie Cole on every notebook with a bunch of hearts.”
It was Reagan’s turn to laugh, and she appreciated her mom lightening the mood.
“I’ve known many women over the years who’ve thought they found their perfect man, only to be wrong. Finding true love is a combination of heart and luck. Don’t give up.”
“What’s going on in here?” Aunt Sarah asked. “Am I missing the fun again?”
“We’re talking about love.”
“Oh, don’t get me started. I’m still looking, but I’ve not given up hope.”
As they continued to chat, Reagan wished—as she had so many times since her life had forever changed—they’d had more normal family moments. It would be nice for life’s biggest challenge to be discussing boyfriend issues. Still, she relished the moment of bonding between her sister, Mom, and Aunt. If only Nana could be there, joining in. Thinking of her, Reagan knew they needed to get moving, even though it pained her to end their sharing.
“Guess we should grab Jessica and Madeleine and go the library,” she said.
“I have to go get the tea ready, so I’ll find them, and we’ll all meet you there,” Aunt Sarah said and exited.
“And I’m going to check in with Papa. See if he has any clue about this Okatay.”
“You mean Otaktay. It actually means kills or strikes many,” Winona said.
That can’t be good, Reagan thought. Why couldn’t they face someone whose name meant runs through the flowers or flies with angels?
“Winona and I will meet you in the library,” Mom said, and they walked into the hall and split up.
Reagan had no doubt where Papa would be, and her suspicions were confirmed as she entered the command center. He and Rowan were bent over a table, already hard at work.
“Ahem.”
Both men turned at Reagan’s pathetic attempt to draw their attention.
“Good morning, dear. How’s Winona?”
“Better. Beating herself up a little,” Reagan said.
“We all are. I should’ve sensed something,” Papa said. “Are you ladies getting ready to contact Cecilia?”
“Yes, I’ll join everyone in the library in a few, but I wanted to ask you something. Mom had a vision. Long story short, Winona and I reviewed my memoires, to when I was with Sasha before she died. We discovered a name. Otaktay. Do you know it?”
He shook his head. “Something about it is familiar, but I’ve heard many names over the years. Rowan?”
“Agreed. I feel like I should know.”
“Could you ask Lucent? He seems to have his finger on the pulse of bad guys.”
“Good point. I’ll contact him, but for obvious reasons, we won’t have any information until tonight.”
True, guess you can’t contact vampires during the day, Reagan thought. “Thanks. I think we might’ve caught a break with this, but I hate to get my hopes up.”
Papa clapped a hand on her back, almost making her lose her footing. “Go see what you can find out, and Rowan and I will continue our work here.”
She left to head to the library, rubbing her shoulder. For a man who raised daughters, he’d never really developed a softness. Of course, for most of his life, he’d been a warrior focused on keeping some kind of order in a crazy world.
Once in the library, she made her way over to the table to join everyone else. She couldn’t help but look around and love that yet another cave was outfitted with books and resources. Maybe Papa had a soft spot after all.
Aunt Sarah passed around tea and brandished her knife, ready to start the ritual to bring forth Cecilia. Reagan studied her palm, and noticed a faint line from previous communications. She’d probably have a scar from all the times they’d cut there to join their blood. Yet, it was the least of her scars. She was sure everyone in the room would agree.
“This might be one of our last times to get information, so let’s focu
s and find out as much as we can,” Aunt Sarah said as they each stepped into place around the six-point star chalked onto the floor.
“Veni foras, Cecilia,” she said, beginning the ritual. Reagan noticed how she shortened the Latin phrase this time.
“Come forth, Cecilia,” they repeated.
Swirling winds began, followed by an increased energy in the room. Reagan’s skin tingled as the hairs on her arms stood on end and her pulse quickened. When a low hum filled the room, she opened her eyes.
Before them stood Cecilia and Nana, joined at the hands much like the rest of the room.
“My children,” Cecilia said. “The time is upon us. On the evening of the third day, the war will begin. You haven’t much time. Before then, you must find nature’s army, for without them, you cannot win.”
“Nature’s army?” Reagan asked.
“A coven of powerful witches. To face Otaktay, you must find Ariana. We’ve already contacted them, and they know you’re coming.”
“Where do we find them?” Madeleine asked.
“There are three. Ariana will guide you there,” Nana said.
Dead center between Cecilia and Nana, Cheveyo appeared. As if he were reaching out to Winona, a wind enveloped her and caused her hair to fly around her head. “She’ll speak to you, Winona. Trust your heart.”
“We will also be there. Some should stay behind and strengthen what you need,” Cecilia said.
Reagan started to ask for more details, but something told her they would be forthcoming.
“Yes, my dear, they will. You must fight with faith. Everyone will be tested, and faith will be all you need. Be strong.”
With the last word, the room stilled and their benefactors disappeared. Hands dropped and silence remained for several minutes.
“Why do I always feel we need a debriefing after talking to them?” Aunt Sarah said. “Let me see if I can summarize. Ariana will lead us to her through Winona, we now must face this Otaktay in addition to Rafe, some will stay behind, and we’ll all be tested. Did I miss anything?”
“No. I think you got it. I’m going to update Jed and Rowan,” Madeleine said.
“I think we need to get Lucent involved,” Reagan said. “Papa had already planned to contact him to see what he might know.”
“Perfect. I’ll check in with him.”
After Madeleine left, Reagan noticed her mom over with Winona and joined them. “Are you up for this?” When Cecilia had said Winona’s heart would lead them to Ariana, Reagan couldn’t help but wonder how well a broken heart could function. But it was time to find out.
“My heart needs a purpose, so I’m glad it has one,” Winona said.
Proud of her, Reagan put her fist out and Winona bumped it. How many seventeen-year-olds would have such clarity and purpose? Hope began to build anew. “Okay then. I’m going to join Madeleine and see what Papa and Rowan have to say. Mom, I think you and Aunt Sarah should be the ones to stay behind. Maybe you can work a spell from here. We’ll know more once we speak with our new friends.”
“No.”
Taken aback, Reagan struggled for a second before responding, “What do you mean? You and Aunt Sarah can’t shift and…”
“No. I will not let my girls go into battle without me. That’s my final word.”
Reagan put a hand on her hip. “Well.”
What more could she say? Maybe the new witches could convince her mom otherwise. Or Dad, or Papa. Somebody. She decided to let it go until she had reinforcements. Knowing it’d be easier to deal with strategy and logic for a while, she headed to Papa.
With hours until sunset, only so much could be accomplished until they could contact Lucent. Madeleine had just begun to update Papa and Rowan when Reagan arrived.
“Sounds like you ladies had a good meeting,” Papa said. “It’s certainly helpful to know our timeframe. I wish we had more, but at least it’s not tomorrow.”
“And she said ‘on the evening of the third day,’ so I assume she means three days from tonight.” An evening battle posed both advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, they could involve Lucent, and she hoped he would agree. But that meant Rafe would have his vampires, too.
“We need to make sure Lucent is with us,” Madeleine said before Reagan could.
“I want to go with you tonight to speak to him,” she said to Papa.
He nodded. She wasn’t used to not having to fight for what she wanted, especially where Lucent was concerned. Since she seemed to have Papa where she wanted him, she pushed her luck. “Nana mentioned not everyone would go. I suggested to Mom that she and Aunt Sarah stay behind, and see what kind of magical support they could provide from a safe distance.”
“I agree.”
“Mom doesn’t.”
He shook his head. “Of course she doesn’t. She is my daughter. I’ll get Steve on it, but Reagan, I have to be honest with you. Nothing, and I mean nothing, would keep me from being there to protect my family.”
So much for his support, although she understood Papa’s reasoning. “Let’s see what we can do to change her mind.” She wanted to add that she couldn’t watch her mother die like Nana. But it might be the least of what she’d have to face.
“I’m going with you and Papa,” Winona announced as Reagan prepared to go meet Lucent. She cocked her head, wondering her sister’s intentions.
“My father said to trust my heart, and it’s telling me to go with you tonight. I believe he’ll have the answers we need.”
“Are you sure?” Reagan asked, knowing better than to argue, but needing reassurance.
Winona nodded.
“Okay, grab a bag. Not sure if we’ll shift or not. Papa will let us know when we join him. I still don’t understand this communication method he has with Lucent, but I trust it.” Reagan wondered if Papa had some kind of signal like the way Gotham’s finest called upon Batman. After all, a bat symbol would work for a vampire. Or would it? Come to think of it, she’d never seen one of the vampires turn into a bat. Maybe that was a silly urban legend.
With the angel sword tethered to Reagan, as always, and a couple of packed bags, the two women joined Papa at the cave’s entrance.
“Did you reach him?” Reagan asked.
“Yes, and I have coordinates. It’s a little farther out than I would like, so I’ve asked Rowan…” He trailed off as Rowan came into view. “To join us. And I see you’re joining us, too, Winona.”
“I am. I believe I need to be there.”
“Then, let’s go. Even with the date of the battle already set, I don’t want us out at night for long.”
Reagan agreed. It wasn’t like they’d never been armed with information only for it to have been misinterpreted or misunderstood. Still, she wondered how they could possibly screw up the idea of three days. Left in Rafe’s hands, she was sure it could happen.
“So, how far are we going?” Rowan asked.
“About an hour west, so we should probably get to it.”
A few feet into the forest, they shifted. Stars filled the clear night sky, and a bright, almost-full moon lit the way. At times, Reagan still found herself in awe of the changes in her life. Three days from then, she would face Rafe, the Devil’s pawn. But before, she would consult with an ancient vampire and representatives from a powerful coven. Determined to focus, she shook off the thoughts. It wasn’t the time to overthink how the impossible became possible.
“We’re almost there,” Papa announced.
At least her rambling thoughts made time pass by. She’d have to keep herself focused to make their three days last as long as possible. Beside her, she felt Papa slow down, and she mirrored his pace. Before she saw Lucent, she felt him. She wasn’t sure when she’d become so connected to his presence, but she took it as a good sign.
When Papa shifted, she, Winona, and Rowan did the same. As Reagan tugged a tank over her head and readjusted the sword, she saw Lucent step into view.
“So, we meet again,” he
said.
“Thank you for coming. We hope you’ll have some information for us on someone. Otaktay. We have it on good authority that he’s working with Rafe.”
For a moment, she thought she saw fear flash in Lucent’s eyes, which didn’t make sense. What could a vampire possibly be afraid of?
“Not a name I wanted to hear,” he began. “Otaktay is a warlock, and he’s very powerful. I should’ve known Rafe would’ve been working with someone like that.”
“Have you come up against him before?” Papa asked.
Winona reached out and touched Reagan’s arm. “Someone’s coming.”
Trying to be nonchalant, she surveyed the area, using her eyes and controlling the movement of her head. She didn’t want to worry anyone quite yet. Then, Winona took a few steps forward, as if in a trance.
“Ah, I see you sense some new friends of mine. They contacted me just as you did,” Lucent said.
Friends? Nervous energy spread throughout Reagan’s body when three women stepped out of the trees. They moved together as if choreographed, although they looked nothing alike. A beautiful, tall blonde stepped forward, her hair halfway down her back, her soft, acorn brown eyes mesmerizing.
“I’m Ariana,” she said, walking up to Winona. “It’s you I seek.”
“Yes.” Her reply had no hesitation.
“These are my coven sisters, Nina and Zarya. We’ve come to help you. We worked with your father many times. We hated to hear of Cheveyo’s passing. We’re sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” Winona said. “Can you tell us more about a warlock called Otaktay?”
“He’s evil, much like Rafe. It’s no doubt they were drawn to each other. Hell opening up would serve them both well, since we believe their souls began there,” another of the women said, stepping into the moonlight.
She had golden brown hair, the color of wheat in the sunshine, and equally golden eyes. Unlike Ariana’s willowy frame, the woman before them looked strong as an ox, short and muscular.
“We hope, with our combined powers, we can prove a real threat to Otaktay. But it won’t be easy.”
“Please, let me introduce everyone,” Ariana said. “This is Nina”—she pointed to the one who’d just spoken—“and this is Zarya.”
Tala Prophecy: The Complete Series Page 60
