by Mia Fox
She shuddered in the cold as her thoughts turned from something wonderful into a memory of utter sadness and with her change of spirit, the hallucinations grew. From walking happily hand-in-hand along the streets of London, her mind shifted to a time when she was younger and lost in Oxford. Initially, she saw them turn down an alley and enter Oxford’s Covent Garden. His smile warmed her and she felt her insides glow, but as is typical of hypothermia, the extreme cold can make one believe they are burning with heat. With this thought, the pleasant day of shopping shifted to an experience of horror as the maze of shops within the Covent Garden shifted and rather than being shops selling pottery and keepsakes, the shopkeepers changed form into creatures selling horrific wares: humans for trafficking, bodies to inhabit. Throughout the ordeal, the worst feeling imaginable hit her psyche. She felt utterly alone.
* * *
James and Phineas trudged through the sleet and snow.
“When did it become Winter?” James complained.
“Raven’s favorite season,” Phineas noted.
“The cold...figures. You know her better than anyone. What’s she planning?”
Phineas stopped in his path for a moment to concentrate. “I honestly don’t know. It’s as if the connection has been severed. Ever since Maebeline...well, whatever she did. I wonder...” he said, his thoughts drifting off.
James picked up a stick and threw it, annoyed with the situation. “What?”
“If I can’t feel her thoughts, then perhaps she can’t read mine either.”
“That’s an improvement over your previous...connection.”
“You’re one to talk,” Phineas replied snidely. “Any word from Suki?”
At the mention of my name and the reason for our own cold front, James stiffened. He stopped momentarily and concentrated on the bond we shared. For centuries he had been watching over me, always waiting for the time when I would be his. With intimacy, our bond grew more complete, and yet, our time together had been limited because of Raven. James realized now that she had made sure to cause diversions at the most inconvenient of times.
He walked in silence remembering the way it used to be -- to feel my skin under his touch, cradle my small frame and hold me tightly against his chest until my thoughts permeated his entire being. But that was before. Suki, let me help you.
James shook his head when no response came. “Nothing.”
“Silent treatment? That sucks.”
“Thanks for the astute observation. What about you?”
Phineas closed his eyes and focused on Charlotte. He saw her clear blue eyes, he felt her soft, straight hair, the smoothness of her skin. He could even smell her perfume. But then, as he went deeper into the connection, he felt her heart beat -- at first strong, pounding with fear, and then what he felt was even more worrying for it started to dissipate as if...fading away.
* * *
Samantha and I trailed behind the crowd as they made their way back to the ballroom. Fitting in had never been so easy or so difficult. By being one with the crowd, we managed to avoid casting suspicion onto ourselves, but having to endure listening to the conversations left both of us despondent.
When we finally made it out of the forest, Daniel was there to greet us. His eyes met mine and he nodded; our plan was already in place. Turning to Samantha, I spoke the words I never imagined would come from my mouth.
“You are so special to me, you know that, right?”
“Of course, Suki.”
“Samantha, that makes it even harder for me to tell you what I need to say...especially since you are my Releasor.”
I took Samantha in my arms and burying my face in her shoulder, I whispered, “Please know that I have no choice. I must keep you safe.”
Samantha pushed away and forced me to look her in the eyes. “What are you asking?”
“Daniel is going to take you deeper into the Realms -- to where you’ll be safe. Someplace where Raven won’t be able to find you.”
“How is that possible?”
“Because you will appear dead -- even to her.”
Samantha’s face went pale, and Daniel quickly placed a protective arm around her waist. She swallowed hard before bravely raising her chin, and then looking upwards at the gathering black birds in the trees, she answered. “I want nothing more than to show that bitch that she can’t manipulate us any more.”
I threw my arms around Samantha. “We will get out of here. I promise you.”
Quiet up until that moment, Daniel finally spoke. “It’s getting late. When the sun sets completely, Charlotte is going to get even colder and you’ll need to put this plan into action.”
“You’re ready?” I confirmed.
Daniel nodded.
* * *
At the mention of Charlotte’s name, the Celtic Knot that Phineas wore around his neck grew warm against his skin, giving him hope that there was still a connection between him and Charlotte in spite of Raven’s treachery and his unwilling indiscretion.
“I never intended nor wanted to be involved with Raven during this trip,” Phineas spoke aloud.
“Why are you telling me this?” James asked.
“I assume you came back to Maebeline’s home because you thought that I was aligned with her again -- fully.”
“I came because you were influenced by her, in more ways than one. Phineas, she had you completely under her spell. You might have brought harm to Maebeline, to myself, and then indirectly to Charlotte.”
Phineas bowed his head and ran his hand through his hair. “The Knot...it’s warm, which means that she’s still alive. I have to believe that we’re still meant for each other.”
“We need to get there before it’s too late.”
“You aren’t totally without blame, you know.”
James clenched his fists and pressed his lips into a thin line. It wasn’t a subject he was proud of. “That was a very long time ago.”
“It doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I just don’t get it. You and Raven?”
“She was dying. I couldn’t let that happen. Not on my watch.”
“If that’s how you feel, then we better hurry or you’re going to have Charlotte, Samantha...and even Suki on your head.”
The thought of losing me was more than James could bear. He looked skyward, taking in the movement of the clouds and birds. “The energy is too calm. It’s eerie.”
Phineas reached for the Celtic Knot and held it tightly while closing his eyes. Almost immediately the wind picked up, rain began to fall, and suddenly, as if looking into her very eyes, he saw Charlotte clearly in his mind.
“It’s so damn cold!” he said urgently. “And this rain, it’s just going to make it worse.”
“Don’t be such a pansy. Your perfectly coifed hair will survive.”
“Do you have to be an ass all the time, James? I’m talking about Charlotte. I can hear her.”
* * *
In and out of consciousness, Charlotte vacillated between calm and frenzy. The Buraqs had fallen asleep and huddled together for warmth on the far side of the lake, but something was moving under the surface of the water, swimming in circles around the stone that was her perch. She tried to pick up her head to look over the edge, but her weakened state nearly made her fall into the frigid water. Bracing herself against the stone’s hard surface, she put her head down and wept.
Charlotte, be strong.
She quickly picked her head up again and looked around, confused by the clarity of the voice. It awakened her thoughts, giving her hope. Phineas?
How she longed to go back to the way it was, but wasn’t it her own selfishness that landed her in this precarious situation? She went back in time with Phineas, leaving Samantha alone and now they were all paying the price.
Find your strength.
The same words, a similar message. She so wanted to believe. There had to be a way out of this, if not for herself then for Samantha. “This isn’t going to be for nothing!” She
declared, shouting to the heavens. At that moment, she felt a small burst of heat from the Amulet of Pollox, the pendant I had left for her, which she found while traveling in the past.
“Of course. I may have been wrong for going back with Phineas, but it brought me this,” she told herself, grasping the pendant and rubbing it between her thumb and index finger. She prayed that she could still access the wisdom of those who had possessed it before her.
Try Charlotte. Your pendant burns with mine. Try!
Phineas!
There was no doubt; she heard his voice. And with the sound of his voice, the one she still loved in spite of everything, she would do as he said and try with all of her will. Details and facts fluttered through her mind like the pages of a book until her brain, practically in computer mode, paused on one piece of information: “Suki and James...Phineas’ bond with Raven...” she spoke her thoughts aloud. “As their intimacy grows, so does their bond.” Her mind was a whir with thoughts. But where does that place me and Phineas? We’ve never fully been together, at least not in that way. Can I trust you?
She hadn’t intended the question to be heard by Phineas. It was merely a cry for help and a plea that escaped her mind as she looked to the shore where the Buraq still slept and all the while, she was tormented by some other creature swimming around and around her stone.
Let me help you.
The answer both surprised her and gave her hope. When she and Phineas had time traveled back to London and been caught in his former employers’ office, he had gallantly referred to her as his wife. She smiled in spite of the cold and her circumstances, remembering the way he winked at her, the way the men who had paid a visit to the office had tipped their hats at both of them upon leaving. And when they were alone once more, Phineas had wrapped his arms around her, held her close and given her a kiss that could only be described as supernatural for the way it left her legs weak.
But in spite of the thrill that she felt with him that afternoon, she had never heard him speak to her telepathically. Their bond hadn’t allowed for that...but Raven’s did. At that moment, she knew he had betrayed her. Her mood shifted once again from feeling elated to the hopeless reality of her situation. The water splashed her, cold and icy, as if that creature swimming around her wanted to remind her of her current predicament.
You don’t love me. She thought to herself hopelessly. You’ll always be with Raven.
Trust me, please. Charlotte, what do you have to lose by just trying?
She wanted to trust him, to fall in love with him again, but she didn’t want to be a fool. And yet, if she threw away her life, then Raven would win. It was exactly what she wanted. Determination rang through her again. She came here to help Samantha and now she had landed herself in trouble. Picking her head up, forcing herself onto her elbows and then feeling even stronger and pulling herself into a seated position, Charlotte looked out to the shores. The Buraq were sleeping; the water was calm. She had no choice or she would die from the waiting.
Tell me what to do.
I’m coming for you.
Charlotte was both calmed and inspired with the thought that she could still hear Phineas. With one hand on her Amulet, she focused on the mind of Charles Babbage, the genius who created the difference engine and made it possible for her and Phineas to travel back in time together. “That was a time when I was happy and as God is my witness, I will not die here in sorrow.”
Although still unsure of Phineas’ intentions, she focused on the positive believing that there was little chance for her life or Samantha’s if she did nothing. And with that positive imagery, she imagined herself and Phineas in love.
I do love you, Charlotte.
She gasped. The words were so clear, but the sentiment was not one he had ever expressed prior. With her hope, her mind soared to new thoughts and images including seeing Phineas kissing her tenderly and a flash forward that was most curious -- an image of herself holding a child.
The water around her splashed again, bringing her out of the surprising image, and before she could regain her positive thoughts, a dolphin jumped the rock, its sudden appearance causing her to slide off it and into the frigid water.
The shock of the water caused Charlotte to inhale sharply, the cold water hurting her lungs. She felt herself growing heavy and realized that the dolphin was pulling her under. Losing her battle, she allowed herself to be dragged deeper under the water. But before losing consciousness, the dolphin shifted and Charlotte caught a glimpse of a mythical creature -- the Encantado. Although she tried to hit it, her punches were futile under the water and when its hands reached for her own and she stared at it, all fight within her stopped. She looked at the Encantado face-to-face, their eyes meeting and she found herself looking not into the eyes of a dolphin, but into those of Shadow, before blackness took over.
* * *
Chapter Seventeen
I held onto Samantha’s hand while Daniel led us through the woods, along the back trail past the lake and even farther past the glass ballroom. Our trek took five hours, during which time we saw the changing landscape of the Romani Realms from the brutally cold and dead woods to the lush pastures.
When Daniel finally stopped, it was only a momentary reprieve. Within seconds he pushed away a large boulder that hid a safety line he used for the difficult climbing of the mountainous terrain. One could cross the forests and pastures, but his hidden line gave him access to an otherwise impossible route, one that kept the demons and dead away from the quiet retreat that he called home.
“What now?” I asked taking in the fact that we stood at the edge of a canyon with a massive drop downward. A narrow, but fast-moving river ran below us, between the two rock formations.
“How do you feel about rock climbing?”
Samantha and I looked at each other before staring at Daniel in shock. “You’re kidding,” I finally answered.
“I told you that it was secluded.”
“Yes, but you didn’t tell us you lived in the boonies,” Samantha spoke at last, squinting her eyes to see if she could spot his elusive cabin on the other side.
“If you’re trying to see my little abode from here, you won’t be able to. But I assure you it’s quite a place,” he said taking her in his arms. “You’ll just have to wait -- and come with me.”
I nodded, more to myself than the others. “We can do this, Samantha. We’ve certainly been through worse.”
Suki...
James’ voice. How I longed to have him here right now. I bowed my head, nearly letting him in, wanting to use our connected powers to speak with him. Only I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
“Then let’s hurry. You probably only have until daylight to get back to Charlotte. The Buraqs will come for her then.”
We made our way down the steep mountain formation, holding onto the rocks and relying on the ropes that Daniel had in his pack. He had carefully tied them in loops and then harnessed each of them together for added leverage. Down the rocks we went before crossing the river bank and making our way through a meadow.
“This is beautiful,” Samantha noted.
I nodded in agreement. “It’s not unlike the meadow where I landed.”
“But this one is very different. It’s hidden in plain site. There is no portal to access it. When I said we would be safe, I meant it.”
For a moment, I stopped to listen to the sound of our surroundings. “There’s no sound of birds, insects, anything. How can we be so alone?”
Daniel took a deep breath before answering. “It’s part of the reality that I am cursed with -- I was sent here to dwell forever in total solitude.”
Samantha took his hand and brought it to her cheek. “That was before,” she reminded him.
“It’s not all bad,” he said, seeming to reflect on something in the distance. “You get what you deserve, I guess. Black magic and voodoo, even if performed with the intention of doing good...it’s still going against nature.”
&
nbsp; A grave look crossed Daniel’s face, and although he tried to hide his feelings, it didn’t get past my prying eyes. “You alright? You look all catawampus.”
But before he could answer, Samantha exclaimed. “Just look at that!” She pointed to a darling cottage with a thatched roof, flower boxes on the window sills, and a well cared for garden that ran around the side. A giant oak tree stood proud in the center of the lawn that made up the front garden.
Daniel led the way to a bench that graced his front porch and sat down. Samantha skipped up the front walk behind him and happily took her place beside him. “I could get used to this place,” she beamed happily.
“You’re going to have to get that out of your pretty head,” he chided her.
“You don’t know that.”
“I do, Samantha.”
I looked at both of them -- now understanding the distress I saw in Daniel’s eyes and realizing that I had stumbled onto their first squabble. “What’s going on between you two?”
“Don’t...” Samantha said instinctively.
“Samantha, do I have to remind you that I am your genie? I should be privy to matters that involve you.”
“You won’t like it.”
“Like it can be worse than landing in this place?” I asked rhetorically.
“Much worse,” Daniel added.
It wasn’t often that I found myself surprised, but this was one of those moments. “What could possibly be worse?”
Daniel took a deep breath before answering. “Worse would be staying here, even when you have the chance to leave.”
“I don’t know if I want to go,” Samantha added quietly.
I gave her a ‘you’ve got to be kidding look’ before involuntarily pressing my fingers to my temples. “You don’t look so well, Suki.”
“I’ve got a bit of a headache coming on, but crazy ideas and silly notions tend to do that to me. Samantha, I know you’ll be safe here with Daniel...until I come back. And then, mark my words...we’re all leaving.”
