by Mia Fox
“You gonna be good or do I have to send that snake back into you? Cuz if I do, it ain’t gonna go in the same place it came out.”
The snake laced its way up Phineas’ leg and he jumped backward, flicking it across the wooden floors. Maebeline reached down and the serpent wrapped itself around her arm. She stroked its back gently.
“I’m cool,” he said, more than a little shook up.
“Is that all?”
Phineas stared at her, like a child being scolded. “What do you want?”
“What do I want? You come in here like a bat outta hell, kill my sweet neighbor, the very one who always enjoyed my sweet rolls and then some, and you tried some no good nonsense with me too? I want an apology.”
“That’s all? I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry...what?” Maebeline asked, her tone angry.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am.”
“That’s better. Now, follow me into the kitchen; I need a glass of sweet tea. You want some?”
Phineas shifted uncomfortably. “I think I should be getting back...to...”
“Yeah, you need to get back, but you’re going to need James for that and he’s gonna be spitting mad when he finds you here, so I suggest you sit and have a glass of sweet tea with me because I damn as sure want one and you’ve given me enough grief for one afternoon.”
“Yes Ma’am,” he answered and shuffled behind Maebeline into the next room. Maebeline crossed to the refrigerator and retrieved the pitcher. After pouring two glasses, she grabbed a hefty knife from the butcher block and waved it in Phineas’ direction.
“You know, I’ve got a mind to...”
Phineas gave her a wary glance, but didn’t dare speak a word.
“You and that harlot Raven have enough crazy in y’all to fill the world’s asylums. What were you thinking?” she asked and finally took the knife to its intended -- a brown sugar pound cake.
Ignoring her question, Phineas indicated the cake, “Can I get a slice?”
“Boy, you have got some nerve about ya.” Regardless of her annoyance, Maebeline cut a healthy slice for each of them and then sat down across from Phineas at the table.
She accepted a hefty mouthful and after swallowing and wiping her lips with the embroidered serviette she preferred to use at tea time, Maebeline handed Phineas her talisman.
He turned it over, inspecting the intersecting triangles that made up its form. “The Seal of Solomon?” he asked.
“That’s right. You know of it?”
Phineas nodded. “Raven showed it to me years ago...told me that it was used by the king who ruled the Genii -- the Jinn.”
“And she told you this because...” Maebeline prodded.
“Because she has researched everything there is to know about genies, from their whims and weaknesses to their history and hopes.”
“Then you know that this protects the wearer from all evil. The interlaced triangle consists of one apex tilted upwards, thus representing good; and other one...,” Maebeline paused and like a school teacher, waited for Phineas to finish her thought.
“The other is inverted, indicating evil,” his voice dropping, not wanting to recognize his part in the equality of the symbol.
With the last sentiment spoken, a harsh wind rushed throughout the kitchen and with it, in swept James. He stared at the scene in front of him, not believing his own eyes. Never could he have envisioned the time when his partner and fellow Shade would be entertaining a rival like Phineas.
“Afternoon Maebeline,” he said smoothly. “Everything alright here?”
Phineas stood and extended his hand.
“I don’t want to shake your hand,” James said evenly. “I just want to know what you’re doing in my home.”
“Phineas came to pay me a visit,” Maebeline said, pouring James a tall glass of his favorite minted lemonade.
“James...let me explain...”
“We had a deal. I can only imagine that if you’re here, you came looking for trouble.”
“I might have been, but...I was compelled and that was before...”
James shot him a look that could have scared a shooting bullet back into the barrel of a gun. Phineas ran his hand through his hair, suddenly feeling much more ill at ease than when Maebeline released a snake from his system.
“James, why don’t you sit down and we can finish this conversation in a manner suited for civility,” Maebeline purred.
Still glaring at Phineas, James grabbed the nearest chair, turned it backwards and straddled it, leaning his muscular torso against the wood frame. “You’ve risked the entire operation. You come here to do who knows what to Maebeline, forcing me here as well?
“You can see that I was perfectly capable on my own,” Maebeline chimed in.
“Yes, but had something happened to you,” James replied, eyes on Phineas, “then I’m a goner as well. Did you ever think of all that before you decided to jump in the sack with Raven again?”
“She’s quite convincing in that regard, isn’t she?” Phineas goaded.
James grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him up to standing, not liking the implication.
“Hey, I’m not going to fight you. I’m just pointing out the obvious.”
James sat back down and rested his head in his hands. After a moment, he let out a big sigh. “It’s not a coincidence. Nothing ever is.”
Phineas took a long sip from his glass and asked, “What part?”
“When did you find out about...” James shook his head, not wanting to finish his own question.
“About you and crazy doing it?”
Maebeline looked up to the heavens as if her ears could be saved from the pending conversation.
James stood up and paced to the other side of the kitchen. “Yes, when did Raven tell you that we had been together?”
“I’d say it was about five minutes before she jumped me.”
Maebeline made the sign of the cross over her chest and poured herself another glass of tea.
“She planned for us to both be here, separated from the others at this exact moment,” James met Phineas’ gaze. “She wanted something to drive each of us away from the Romani Realms.”
“It’s happening, isn’t it?” Phineas asked, the worry palatable in his voice.
Maebeline took both of their hands in hers and nodded. She held up the talisman symbol again. “There’s one more piece of information associated with this triangle. With its apex pointed upward, it’s also a symbol of the Trinity.”
James and Phineas both stared at each other, trying to make sense of the situation.
Suddenly, James pounded his fist into the table. “She’s going to launch the Reckoning.”
“Raven’s been hedging her bets this whole time, trying to figure out who will form the Triad,” Phineas said. “She said she wanted it to be with me and get this...our future child.”
“But that would never happen if the girls triggered it with Suki,” James added.
Phineas shook his head. “It doesn’t make sense. Why would she force both of us out of the picture now?”
“She couldn’t possibly think that our little truce meant that...you, me, and Suki? God, it’s too disgusting to even contemplate.”
“Right back at you, James.”
Maebeline listened quietly to their bickering while letting her hands rest lightly on the triangle of her ouija board. Finally, she spoke up. “You two wanted to know who would make up the Triad, so it seemed sensible to let the triangle guide us.”
“Did you get a reading?” James asked.
“Yes, but you’re not going to like it,” she answered, eyebrows raised.
Maebeline looked from James to Phineas, who also sat anxiously for her answer. “Please tell us; what is it?”
“Does Shadow mean anything to either of you?”
* * *
The Buraqs had no intention of letting Charlotte escape the Reckoning. If they made that mistake, Raven would ensure that they
remained in their hideous form indefinitely. As it was, they had hopes of carrying out the sentence inflicted by the magistrates of the Romani Realms and being granted the freedom to return to fully human form and then perhaps they would one day find love and escape this place completely. Until that time, they were determined to test Charlotte’s ability to survive the Reckoning.
Two walked ahead of her, two behind, and the last carried her on his back. The long path they took extended through the forest to the frigid lake and for the nearly two miles of its expanse, the citizens of the Romani Realms lined either side of the dusty thoroughfare.
When they finally reached the dock, a makeshift dressing room had been erected where the Nephilim were waiting to prepare Charlotte once again. They tsked to themselves when they saw her muddy dress, annoyed at the effort they had made earlier and the fact that they would have to repeat their efforts. If there was one thing that was expected in the Realms, it was an attractive Reckoning complete with pomp and circumstance. Nobody took any enjoyment from watching someone ugly get their comeuppance. So as a small band of musicians tuned their instruments and readied to entertain the crowd, the girls immediately got to work on changing Charlotte into more appropriate attire.
Re-doing her makeup wasn’t necessary as she would soon be plunged into the frigid lake, but there were sure to be photographers at the onset of the show so every effort was made for Charlotte’s dress to be perfect.
It didn’t disappoint. When she was led out, a hush fell over the crowd and the band immediately stopped playing.
“If we weren’t in the Romani Realms, I’d swear there was a bit of civility among these people,” Raven said to a girl as she landed beside her and transformed out of black bird form.
It was no wonder that the crowd was rendered speechless. Charlotte was a vision of beauty like none that had ever been seen in these Realms. Her dress was off the shoulders with a form fitted bodice that gave way to a flowing skirt. The soft, white silk was layered resembling the feathers of a swan. Charlotte’s own creamy pale skin and long, straight blonde locks completed the look, giving her an ethereal quality apropos of the circumstances.
“She looks like an angel,” another murmured.
An old woman stopped to admire the scene and replied, “She’s as beautiful as the swans that will take her to her death.”
“It’s lovely, isn’t it?” a third agreed.
“What’s wrong with them?” Samantha asked in horror. “Don’t they know that their thoughts will condemn all of them?”
“There’s no hope for them. But there is for you so keep your eyes down,” Daniel warned.
“And make sure your hair doesn’t escape from that cloak,” I warned. “We need to get close enough to help Charlotte channel her thoughts.”
As they inched along the perimeter of the crowd, blending in by wearing cloaks Daniel had stolen from the Nephilim salon, they positioned themselves within a stone’s throw of Charlotte. So close to her that they could see the fear in her eyes, and yet unable to help or they would risk all of them being captured.
The crowd broke out into polite applause, greeting the sight of Charlotte and showing their appreciation to Raven for finding such a worthy specimen to sacrifice for their own souls.
Raven took that moment to climb to the top of a small podium and greet the crowd. “Thank you all for coming to our annual Reckoning. You know how important this event is to our future here. So without further ado, please join me in repeating our motto.”
The crowd spoke as one: “One life sacrificed saves many souls.”
“And let the Reckoning begin!” Raven’s voice carried out loud and clear, and as her hands rose in the air, punctuating her statement, the Buraqs and Nephilim bowed to the crowd and then forced behind Charlotte, huddling close to her, shoving her closer and closer to the edge of the pier until she was forced to step off and plunge into the dark water.
* * *
Chapter Sixteen
Neither James nor Phineas were thrilled at the prospect of traveling back to the Romani Realms together, but it had to be done. Passing through time would bind them until eternity.
“Unbelievable. Now I’ve got you in my system as well as your psycho lover,” James muttered as he begrudgingly readied himself to leave with Phineas.
“Ah, sweet nothings. Is that the type of stuff you whispered to Raven when the two of you...”
James stood inches away, his stance threatening. “Don’t say it.”
“You did it.”
“She was dying. What choice did I have? I didn’t know what she would become.”
“Does Suki know?” Phineas asked, while fastening Maebeline’s talisman to the inside of his coat.
James looked to Maebeline, the regret clear in his eyes.
“I haven’t been able to get a message to her. She’s closed off all of her channels to me. Maebeline can’t get through to her either, so I’d say that Raven took pleasure in letting her know.”
Phineas patted James on the back, a bit harder than necessary. “You’ll get her back. Just look at you...all muscles and manliness. I’d jump you...that is, if I didn’t already have plans to save Charlotte and kiss her from here to Sunday.”
“You know, after that declaration we’re doing this my way. Turn around,” James instructed. “Hands behind your back.”
“James, you don’t want to lose him,” Maebeline chided.
“I’ll take my chances.”
After giving Phineas an ‘after you’ wave, James bound his hands behind his back.
“Is this really necessary?”
“You came here with the intention to harm Maebeline, and in effect, to do the same to me. So, yeah...until we get there, consider yourself bound to me...literally. Besides, the trip tends to bring out people’s emotions, so it’s for your safety too. I wouldn’t want to forget our deal and decide to kill you.”
Turning so that they were back to back, James gave the signal to Maebeline. She tied James hands with the same cord he had used on Phineas and then fastened both men to each other so their hands were behind their backs, each tied to the other’s wrists.
“You’re all set, gentlemen. Have a pleasant trip.”
“See you when I get back,” James answered with a nod. “Have a slice of coconut cake waiting for me.”
“The one with the cream or the custard?”
“Surprise me.”
“See ya, Maebeline,” Phineas added. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
Maebeline raised one eyebrow, but nodded nonetheless. “Be safe and God speed.”
James closed his eyes and instructed Phineas to do the same. Each concentrated on the loved ones they had left behind and hoped to return to soon. James also summoned the wind energy that would transport them past horizons, in and out of space, over oceans and to the Romani Realms.
A darkness fell over the sky and the leaves started to rustle. Birds scattered and the street became quiet. The air grew cold and as the wind started to pick up, the leaves lifted from the sidewalk and spun around them, forming a dust cloud that attracted even more energy until they could hear the clocks of time ticking.
Wails of passed souls followed them through the darkness, along with the sorrowful cries of the innocent lost. The sounds were excruciatingly painful, more so than the last trip as each time brings greater clarity. When they landed, both were silent for a moment as the memories of the trip still plagued them.
Phineas dropped his head and rubbed his temples. A drop of blood dripped from his left ear.
“You’re bleeding,” James noted.
“Like you care.”
“I don’t. I just don’t want your weakened condition to mess up this mission,” James smirked and then took a deep breath of air, his chest billowing out with his inhalation.
Phineas wiped his ear with the back of his hand, rolled his crystalline green eyes, and made a show of coughing while uttering, “Poser.”
“Cute. Let�
��s do this.”
* * *
The bitter cold of the water made Charlotte gasp for breath. After less than five minutes, she sank under the surface. Most of the crowd moved to leave, but a few had been given the honor of fishing her body out of the lake. Samantha stood between Daniel and I watching as three men in wetsuits jumped from their small row boats to pull Charlotte up.
“Why did they bother throwing her in if they are only going to pull her out again?” Samantha asked, her eyes remaining on the lake for signs that Charlotte had survived.
I looked to Daniel for an explanation. “Some people’s lungs won’t survive the extreme cold for even a moment. If Charlotte is still alive, they’ll pull her out and leave her alone here in the woods overnight without shelter or a change of clothing. If she doesn’t die during the night of hypothermia, they’ll burn her at sunrise.”
“Samantha, take my hand,” I instructed. “Give her strength.”
I focused my thoughts on Charlotte, causing a flurry of butterflies to release into the air with thoughts of love and hope. Their wings beat frantically, creating a vacuum to ward off some of the cold air.
“I don’t know what to do,” Samantha cried.
“Just focus on the goodness that you see in people. It will materialize and help her,” Daniel said, reaching to take Samantha’s hands in his own.
Samantha closed her eyes and focused her attention on anyone who might help Charlotte from the present, while I concentrated on the Amulet of Pollox that Charlotte wore, urging her to use its power and retrieve pertinent information from the past.
“Shadow!” Samantha exclaimed excitedly, releasing my hand.
* * *
Charlotte lay in the center of a solitary stone that jutted up from the center of the lake. The crowd had dispersed leaving her alone to die under the watchful eyes of the Buraqs that stood as sentries around the lake.
As hypothermia began to set in so did the hallucinations that plagued Charlotte’s mind. Memories of her time in London flooded her senses as if it were occurring at that very moment. She closed her eyes and allowed herself a moment of happiness, remembering the day Phineas brought her back in time. She remembered the day she fell in love with him. But that was before Samantha died.
