Released Souls

by Karice Bolton

  “Do you think everyone will be ready?” I whispered, looking into Logan’s blue eyes.

  “They wouldn’t want to deal with me if they weren’t,” he joked, but there was sharpness to his words.

  “They know not to come inside unless I’m not out within twenty minutes, right?”

  He nodded, his eyes wrinkling on the edges as he smiled at me.

  “No matter how angry or worried I get once I’m in there, I’ve got to remember to cast spells that won’t leave any evidence of my newfound talents.”

  “Very true,” he agreed. “But if you have to, you have to.”

  The wind was picking up, carrying the mist from the sea inland. I found myself taking a deep breath in and thinking of my mom.

  As we walked behind one of the large oak trees, I thought back to the day I entered into the Witch Avenue order with Logan by my side. When I was still unsure of whether my mom was dead or alive, he was the one constant in my life. He’s still the only one I can count on.

  “What are you thinking about?” his voice softened, catching my glance.

  “Just everything we’ve been through together,” I whispered. “You’ve done so much for me since you came back into my life, and I just can’t imagine —”

  “Why you never wrote me back all those years?” he teased.

  “Yeah, something like that.”

  We could still see the house from where we were standing. As a figure moved across one of the front windows, I froze in place. My nerves were already on high alert.

  I wasn’t sure if it could have been Lara, Eben or one of the many followers that were staying with them, but it made everything very real.

  I didn’t want Logan to see the tension that had momentarily built up, so I slid back behind the tree and pulled him with me.

  I reached in his pocket and grabbed his phone, checking the time.

  “Three minutes,” I said, shoving it back in his pocket. “I should get going.”

  Logan gently grabbed my wrist, bringing it to his lips.

  “Be careful. Stay in contact.”

  I nodded and stretched, pecking him on the cheek.

  I lifted my sweater, revealing the nectunt. “What do you think that’s for?”

  He smiled and threw his head back. “God, you drive me crazy.”

  And I was off, jogging along the fence that led to the backyard. Every so often, I’d see a slight movement in the trees and would recognize one of Trevor’s team. It actually made me feel pretty safe.

  There was a part of me that wanted to call them in, and we’d just destroy Eben and Lara, but I wasn’t sure it would go down that way. Plus, selfishly, I wanted to find out a few things from them first. It would be more difficult if they were dead.

  There was only a smattering of garden lights on the side of the house, which made it easier to hide as I ran quickly along the iron fence. Dodging twigs and dips in the lawn became more difficult as I reached the backyard where the landscape turned to a wilder, natural area.

  I spotted the back door that was next to the kitchen and noticed that all of the backyard lights were already on. They weren’t motion-activated so at least I wouldn’t be setting off blazing lights every time I took a step.

  I felt a familiar sense behind me and realized Trevor must have been staking out the backyard where I was entering. This wasn’t the first time I sensed Trevor’s presence, and I wondered if it had to do with the infamous spider bite.

  I watched the back of the house for a few seconds and didn’t see any activity. The lights were on in two of the windows upstairs. The kitchen light was on, along with the light from whatever room was next to the kitchen. I quickly turned to glance at the darkened woods behind me, signaling to Trevor that I was going in.

  Rather than waste my time ducking, dodging, and hiding my way over to the entrance I just took off.

  Reaching the door, I tried the knob, which was locked and I quickly muttered, “Reserare Metalli,” hearing a slight click as the door unlocked.

  I pushed open the door revealing the kitchen just as the website showed. There was a large prep station and cabinetry that wrapped around the entire room. It was huge — huge and empty. There was stainless steal everywhere. The kitchen felt very sterile. The appliances, sinks, and backsplash were all in the shiny stuff, and the walls were painted bright white. That would not be fun to keep streak free.

  I stepped inside and quietly closed the door, my heart pounding at an unprecedented rate. I heard the faint sound of a television down the hall to the left, which, thankfully, was not in the direction I had planned on going.

  “Inside,” I channeled to Logan.

  I walked to the hallway that I hoped would lead me to the office, but a voice met me halfway to nowhere.

  “Did you want a beer?” a man asked.

  Shoot! Beer! Fridge! Kitchen!

  I scanned for a place to hide and quickly crawled under the prep station. I tugged on the white drape that was meant to hide compost and garbage to hide most of my body. If someone looked hard, they’d probably be able to see my shoes, but I was hoping that he was more focused on retrieving the beer.

  “Okay. I’ll grab a few.”

  He was in the kitchen. His footsteps were all over the place. He didn’t just go to the fridge and grab the beers. Of course not! He putted over to the corner and grabbed a bowl and filled it up with something.

  His mouth crunching on something was the next disappointing noise. I was trying so hard not to make a sound; I realized I hadn’t been breathing. I slowly started to inhale a shaky breath just as his footsteps started again, and the whoosh of the refrigerator door opening covered up my suck of air.

  He began talking to whoever sent him in for the beer run, and his footsteps became more distant with each passing second. Time was really not on my side now.

  I slowly slid the curtain open to scan the kitchen, and it was empty once more. I stretched my legs out to get the blood flowing and ducked out from underneath the counter.

  “Minor setback,” I channeled. “On my way again.”

  “Setback? What do you mean?” Logan asked.

  Shouldn’t have told him that.

  “It was nothing, just a guy grabbing a beer.”

  Quickly making my way back down the hallway that I had just abandoned, I saw an open door, leading into a room with the lights off. Please let that be the office. Following the cherry wood paneling that covered every inch of the wall, I turned into the mystery room. The shadows of the bookcases that wrapped around the entire room showed me what I needed to know. I was in the wrong room.

  I spun around and quickly made my way to the hallway.

  All clear. I scanned the hall, which seemed to be getting narrower the longer I stood in it. It looked like there were two more doors on this side of the hallway, but the doors were closed. I really didn’t want that to be my course of action. Across the hallway there was another room with the door cracked open and the lights off.

  The floor creaked above me, and I realized there must be quite a few people upstairs. Maybe that’s where the beer was headed. If the media room was upstairs that would only leave so many options for where the office was. I glanced cautiously up and down the hallway before darting to the next room. The hall’s light sprinkled into the room enough so that I could make out the wall of short bookcases and a giant desk — matching my visions perfectly. There was a desk organizer and one of those metal, cradle balance games, but no glass box. My heart sunk. I know I saw her on the corner of a desk just like this. Where could she be?

  A soft yet persistent tapping began, but I couldn’t tell where it was coming from. I turned around slowly to see the back wall completely covered by mirrors, and in its reflection were the bookcases and desk, but in this view the tiny glass box containing Bakula was visible.

  I quickly turned around to face the furniture again and no Bakula. I turned back to the mirror and there she was. I walked over to the desk and felt for the g
lass box based on where it was in the mirror’s reflection and was beyond ecstatic when I found her.

  My time was running out, and I wasn’t going to bother trying to break any spells until we both got out. I leaned over the glass box, only able to see a shadow of the little fairy who I adored so.

  But she wasn’t moving.

  “I’ve got her,” I channeled to Logan. “I’m bringing the box with me. We’ll try to open it at the house.”

  My fingers wrapped around the glass and slipped off as I attempted to lift it up. It wouldn’t move. I placed my other hand over the box and heaved with all the strength my fingers had, but it still wouldn’t budge.

  “Slight problem. The glass box won’t budge. My fingers just slide off.”

  “Try Glutinosius Digitis,” he replied.

  “Got it.”

  “I’m just going to check on our little house guest,” Eben’s words spilled down the hall.

  Oh, no!

  I looked around and spotted a closet. I ran to it and hid inside, closing the door softly. I didn’t want to risk my feet poking out from under the desk with that annoying magical mirror so this would have to do.

  My grandfather flipped on the switch and slivers of light shot through the gap around the door. My heart was pounding, and I was running out of time. I know I could get out of here on my own, and I didn’t want a rush of sorcerers complicating things.

  “How’s my magical friend doing?” Eben taunted Bakula by tapping on the glass box and laughing. “You’re looking a little frail, like you’ve lost an ounce or two.”

  “Tell Trevor to stand down for a few more minutes. I know that’s not what we agreed to, but I’ve got a slight snag, and I need more time.”

  “Triss, what’s the problem?”

  “Now’s not the time to fill you in.”

  “Goodnight, my dear,” Eben replied, turning off the light. I heard the soft click of the door as he left.

  I gave it a few seconds and then slowly pushed open the closet door, revealing an empty room. I ran over to Bakula and slid my hands on top of the glass case.

  “Glutinosius Digita,” I whispered.

  Nothing.

  “Glutinosius Digita,” I whispered again.

  Still nothing.

  “Babe, not trying to panic here, but it’s not working. I’m saying Glutinosius Digita and nothing’s happening,” I channeled to Logan.

  “It’s Glutinosius Digitis, tis not ta!”

  Relief spread through me as I whispered the words, “Glutinosius Digitis,” and the glass box stuck to my fingers without a hitch.

  “Uh, how do I get it unstuck?” I channeled again frantically. “Never mind.”

  Magic 101 – Must. Not. Panic.

  “Glutinosius Digitis Non Plus,” I whispered, feeling my fingertips slide off the glass as the box rested in my palm.

  I gently placed it against my body and walked to the door. I didn’t want to jiggle Bakula to death. I slowly and quietly opened the door leading to the hallway and checked for any sounds. Hearing silence, I ran to the kitchen and kept on running, throwing the back door open and not even bothering to close it. My heart was pounding, and I was beginning to feel lightheaded, but I didn’t care. I just kept running.

  Making it to the edge of the backyard, I hopped the fence and fell into Trevor’s arms. He was grasping me so tightly I didn’t know what to make of it. The other sorcerers began shifting uncomfortably as did I.

  “We need to get out of here,” I whispered, and pushed myself away from his embrace. Feeling embarrassed, I began to run toward the front yard and where Logan was waiting for me.

  I wasn’t sure what came over Trevor, but I hoped it was only a passing phase.

  Running as fast as my legs would carry me, I watched as all the lights in the house began flipping on. One by one, a new room would blaze up, only making my legs move that much faster.

  “Get the car,” I channeled.

  The plan was to get in the car and get out of there as quickly as possible. Trevor would take care of his groups and under no circumstances was I to wait to make sure it worked and they left safely. I had to think only of Bakula and me at this point.

  I had made it to the front of the house just as Logan pulled the car into view. He leaned over the passenger seat and threw open the front door.

  My throat and lungs burned with the amount of air I was attempting to pass through them as I dove into the car with Bakula. He stepped on the gas and I managed to shut the door.

  “You okay?” Logan nodded, turning the corner.

  I nodded because I still couldn’t talk. I was too breathless and the pain in my lungs was too severe.

  I folded the mirror down and watched as the remaining sorcerers scattered. We had done it. I held the glass box up and watched Bakula remain sitting, oblivious to what just occurred.

  I hoped we weren’t too late.

  Chapter 17

  We were back at the house with Bakula still in the glass box. I placed her on our kitchen table while we tried to figure out what spell would be best. We tried the first two on our list and nothing happened. Trevor had contacted Dace so he’d probably be here any second. Dace tried acting as if he was less impressed with bringing her home and more upset with me being involved with her rescue, but nobody bought his tough guy act.

  Bakula looked so weak, both mentally and physically. Her cheeks were concave, and her chin looked even pointier than usual. Her skin was ashy, and she looked very sickly. I was hoping she wouldn’t smile because I wasn’t sure I would handle it in the state she was in. The pointy teeth would probably do me in.

  She’d stand up, walk over to the glass wall and stare. She’d look at the floor, the ceiling, and finally collapse back down. She could speak, but none of us could hear her. Her little lips would move and then the only thing that would happen was the glass would fog up slightly. It was horrible.

  I tried talking to her, but I think as we couldn’t hear her, she couldn’t hear us because she’d simply stare at me and shrug, with her little arms flopping around.

  “Should we wait until Dace gets here? Do you think he knows something we don’t?” Trevor asked.

  “Possibly. But we might as well keep trying until he gets here,” I replied.

  Logan was onto the third spell that might break Bakula out of the box. I felt helpless. I grabbed a pen and wrote that Dace was on his way and held it up to the glass. I saw a faint glow in her eyes and a slight smile, sans teeth. It was heart-wrenching to see such a tiny creature struggling for no fault of her own.

  “I just thought of something,” I began. “The glass box wasn’t visible in that office. I only saw it through a mirror, but once I managed to grab onto it, the box became visible. Are those characteristics to any spell you’ve heard of?”

  Trevor let out a big sigh and started laughing. “I can’t believe it.”

  “What?” I asked.

  “They used the impollutus spell, which is a good spell. It makes whatever is cast invisible, unless someone with a pure heart touches it.”

  Logan stopped the spell he was attempting and walked over to where Trevor and I were standing.

  “He’s right. I didn’t even think about it. It’s one of the easiest invisible spells to cast and there’s never anyone around that’s pure enough to bust through it. I’m sure Eben or Lara or whoever cast Bakula didn’t expect that anyone with a pure heart would show up. I’ve actually used the spell myself,” Logan said.

  “On what?” My brows arched together, and I tried to undo my grumpy face, but it wouldn’t budge. My word! What didn’t Logan dabble in?

  “Nothing living,” he insisted, drawing his finger across my brow. “I hid my mom’s keys a few times and her wallet.”

  Logan stationed himself back in front of the glass that housed poor Bakula and began speaking softly.

  “Awesome! So you know how to undo it,” I half-shouted, hopping up and down.

  “It might take a lit
tle longer since it’s on a living creature,” Trevor cautioned.

  “At least we know what needs to be done.” I smiled at Trevor and his hand rested on my shoulder.

  It caught me off guard and my body stiffened. It shouldn’t have made me react like that. He’s a friend, and friends are allowed to make contact. I double tapped his hand that was still resting on my shoulder as if to say thanks but enough. He didn’t get the hint. In fact, he stepped closer to me.

  I continued to watch Logan and chose to ignore Trevor, hoping I chose correctly. I didn’t want to distract Logan and have him come flying off the handle at Trevor, leaving poor Bakula in the box to witness it.

  A piercing noise rang through the kitchen as Logan continued his chant. I glanced at Trevor, and he nodded that this was part of the spell. I turned my attention back just in time to watch the glass walls turn to liquid, and Bakula collapse. I ran toward her, leaving Trevor in the dust, and bent down to look at her. Her senses were probably all muddled from being in a silent world for days, so I was careful to not speak too loudly.

  “What can we get for you?” I whispered, bringing my palm down to her.

  She slowly got up and trudged through the liquid, finding my palm to sit down on.

  Her mouth moved in tiny ovals but still no words would come out. Her lips stretched in aggravation, and her dull eyes looked into mine. I hoped we got to her in time.

  She began moistening her lips and her mouth started moving once more. This time, fractured words made their way off her tongue.

  “Dace. Knows.”

  “Is there anything we can do?” I asked.

  She shook her head slowly.

  “He should be here soon.”

  Her head moved to the left, and she cocked it, looking at Logan.

  “Thank you.” She told him.

  She placed her hands behind her and began leaning on them, finally lying down on my palm. She kept her eyes open as if she were afraid closing them might mean the end.

  At long last, the front door opened and Dace zipped right in.

  “Where is she?” he asked, flitting all over the place.