by Lynn Landes
Inside Baron runs, yelping into the back of the house and leaps through a back window! Glass explodes outwards and he runs to escape the raining debris. Fire licks ups the walls, catching quickly it begins a deadly rampage. Memories, hopes, and dreams, burn as Baron runs for the shelter of the trees.
Ayva laughs and sends another fireball into the garage, destroying the sleigh Michael had worked on with his father. “Excellent, time to go. I have so much to do to prepare for my reign as Winter Queen.” With a toss of her long black hair, she disappears.
Baron’s distress reaches Noel, and she yells for Nick. “Oh, NO! Michael!” she screams thinking they are still at the house. Noel leaves and arrives in the front yard. She stands staring in horror at the house of flames. She screams for Michael and gets no response. Nick follows closely with workers from his shop.
“Nick! I can’t find Michael!” Tears are streaming down her face as she stares at the house. She calls on the element of water and sends a steady rain over the house to put out the flames. In the background she can hear Baron, whining. His barks have grown hoarse.
“Stay here, Noel. I will check the house!” he orders. Some of the workers go with Nick, to search the house. Finding it empty he looks for Baron. He would not have left the humans, Nick thinks. That is when they notice the back window. The glass is pushed outward, Baron escaped but where is his son?
“Michael!” He yells telepathically. “Where are you son?”
“Wow. No wonder you moved here Serenity. The view is stunning!” he says staring at the ocean from her front porch. Her cottage style house is a rental. She lucked into it after the family staying here decided to move to Florida. She loves the view and sound of the ocean.
Serenity works quickly throwing her clothing into a duffel bag. Her bathroom accessories go into a large plastic bag and she tosses that into the second bag.
“You should see the sunrise over the ocean, Michael. It’s breathtaking!” She drops two duffel bags on the porch and her guitar case, then walks over to stand beside him. “I love to sit here and write my songs,” she inhales deep pulling in the ocean air.
Michael watches her with sad eyes. Their worlds are so far apart, would it even be possible to breach that? Does he have the right to hope for more? He looks away and watches people play on the beach and smiles. “The boys would love it here.”
“I would love for you to bring them for a visit. We could spend hours on the beach, I could teach them how catch lobsters. We could take a ferry ride to the lighthouse and go frog catching at Capisic Pond! There is nothing like eating fresh Maine lobster on the rocks at the Lobster Shack…” she slows down and looks at him blushing, “Sorry, I get carried away sometimes.”
Michael starts to say something when he feels his father’s panic. “We have to go now!” Serenity doesn’t argue, she simply steps into his arms and they are gone. Before they arrive her power begins to build. Serenity feels a darkness watching them as though waiting for them to arrive. On the air she hears a chant, Memories and dreams, hopes and fears, your sorrow will grow and bring me your tears. I take the power I desire! I am the Winter Queen! She reaches out with that same power and rips Serenity from Michael’s arms.
Michael fights to hold onto Serenity, and yells in fear when she is torn from his embrace. She spins through time, whirling and twirling with no end in sight. Serenity stops screaming when she hears Noel’s voice. Use your gifts Serenity, picture Michael in your mind and call to him!
“Michael! Help me, Michael!” She screams and feels his instant response. His arms close around her and they fall in a heap to the snowy cushion below.
“Are you hurt, can you talk? Serenity speak to me!” he yells out to her unmoving body.
“Can’t breathe,” she mumbles and inhales deeply when he leaps off her body. He runs his hands over her legs and arms searching for any breaks. “Michael, I’m okay. How are you?” she asks sitting up slowly.
“I’m good, but I have to get home. This time, my parents will shield us. Are you sure you’re okay.” He asks pulling her to her feet and dusting the snow off her body.
“Yes, you can stop touching me now.” she snaps.
“Why? I like touching you.” he says smiling and tugging her into his arms once more. “This time Serenity, face me and wrap your arms around my neck.” He waits for her to comply.
She looks at him like he’s crazy. “Michael, are you trying to torture me? I don’t think it’s a good idea...” His mouth silences her protest and she immediately wraps her arms around his neck. He lifts her body to his and kisses all rational thought from her mind.
“I will keep you safe this time, Serenity.” He says after he tears his mouth from hers.
She does not respond. As she buries her face in his neck she thinks, “Yeah but who will keep my heart safe from you?”
They arrive in the front yard to chaos. Noel is so relieved to see him, she is crying and laughing at the same time. Baron comes flying around the back of the house, singed, but alive and Nick is making sure all the connections are off for the gas, and power.
Michael releases Serenity and hugs his mother, never taking his eyes off his home. “No.” he says startled. “Where are the boys?”
“They are safe, Michael. I left them with friends, and came as soon as I felt Baron’s panic,” she explains.
Serenity watches as they put the rest of the flames out sensing Michael’s anger, and helplessness. Baron nudges her softly and she squats to hug him. The moment she touches his fur, images flood her mind. They are ugly images of hate, and fury. More images seen through someone else’s eyes of Michael and her kissing on the lawn, and images of a woman with dark hair, chanting and sending fire into the home. Serenity, has never had a vision before. She is shocked at the intensity of the feelings. Is it possible to smell flames, and taste hate? When the vision releases her, she stumbles to her knees.
“Michael! She was here, watching us! When we left she attacked the house. What if the boys had been here?” he turns to her and sees the paleness of her skin and knows instantly what has happened. His mother has had visions as long as he can remember.
“The boys are okay, Serenity. It’s just a house, just things. We will be okay.” he reassures her but she knows the truth. The boys have been through enough and to lose their home will be a devastating blow. The thought of their tears fills Serenity with determination. She stands aided by Michael and when she looks up at him her eyes are glowing purple! The intensity of her power stuns all who watch as she steps toward the house and raises her hands to the sky. Her voice echoes across time as she repeats the spell she heard earlier.
“Hear my voice and heed my call, rebuild this house, rebuild these walls!” Light erupts from Serenity’s finger tips and she continues walking towards the house. Nick takes Noels hand and smiles at the shock on Michael’s face, when the boys appear right beside him. Each child takes his hand and they move toward Serenity, pulling Michael with them. Sincere reaches out and takes her left hand, allowing the power to flow through him and into Michael and Nate. Nathan takes her right hand and Michael holds on tightly, as the house begins to rebuild.
Serenity looks at Sincere and smiles, “Memories, dreams, laughter, and love. Sorrow will come and our tears may flow, but nothing will reach those in this home.” Noel joins Michael and takes his hand and Nick joins Sincere completing the bond. The flow intensifies and the ribbons of colors erupt from the group and when at last they fade, the house stands as though new. Untouched.
The trembling starts and they release Serenity. Michael catches her as she falls forward into his arms. Before the blackness engulfs her, she whispers, “I am the Winter Queen.”
Nathan releases her hand and watches as she tumbles forward into his father’s arms and he whispers, “We are keeping her.”
Sincere smiles and says, “Yep.”
Chapter 9
Serenity follows the sound of the hushed voices to a living room with a blazing
fire. It’s almost midnight and she has slept the rest of the day away. Her energy was drained and she needed time to rest and wrap her mind around what has happened. She can no longer deny the truth. She has stumbled into forces she can’t comprehend, and she has a million questions.
Michael stands and turns to greet her, relief written on his face. “How are you feeling? Come join us and have some tea.” She smiles up at him and hurries to his side taking his outstretched hand, needing the contact.
“Thank you, I feel much better. I hope I didn’t scare you too badly.” Noel watches closely how Michael tends to her needs and she looks at Nick with hope. He gives a small smile and turns back to his guest.
Michael tucks a blanket over her legs, and gives her a cup of hot tea then sits close by her side. Baron trots over and rests his large head on her lap. “Hello beautiful,” she says. “I am so glad you are safe.” She scratches his chin and he chuffs at her, then curls up at her feet as though protecting her.
Concern erupts as she thinks about the boys, “Michael?” he drops a hand on her arm stilling her, “The boys are fine, Serenity! But now they think you are Superwoman.” Nick laughs out loud at the look of embarrassment on her face.
“Serenity, how did you do it?” Noel asks.
“Well, I couldn’t have done it without all of you. I felt the power, Noel, around us, and when I touched Baron the images flooded my mind. She was watching us before we left and it infuriated her. The spell she chanted rang out in my mind, I just reversed it and did the opposite. She abuses her power, Nick.”
He nods in response, “She takes with no thought to giving back, Serenity. It will be her downfall.”
Michael leans forward looking at his father, “Tell us who she is. Who is this woman who would kill my children, and destroy my home?”
Noel looks at Nick, afraid of her son’s reaction to the truth. “Mom! I deserve to know. I won’t lose my children!”
“You are right. It’s just complicated,” she replies. Nick clears his throat and grabs a book wrapped in a red velvet cloth. He places it carefully on the coffee table in front of them.
“First you should know the history, Serenity, of our people. You know I am a Saint. Through time our people have chosen a Saint to carry on our traditions. Not the toy giving tradition, but the business of bringing hope, to the hopeless, peace to the tormented and joy to the lonely. In order to bring balance to the gifts of immortality and magic, a guardian is chosen to join the Saint on this journey. Normally the Saint and the Guardian are lovers, soul mates, and partners. The partnership ensures balance. Only one time in history was this ever challenged.” Nick pauses and sips his coffee looking at Noel.
“You see, The Saint does not choose his guardian, but rather it is chosen for him, by the Well of Souls. The creator wanted to ensure that the gifts given would not be abused. So he created, The Well of Souls. It only shows itself on the Winter Solstice. To drink is an honor, Serenity. Those with a pure heart receive the gifts of immortality until the next guardian is chosen.”
“What happens to the current guardian?” Serenity asks.
“She will spend the rest of her life, loving her soul mate, and spoiling her grandchildren,” she replies softly.
“You are the guardian?” Serenity asks.
“I was the guardian. The five hundred years are almost up. This is where it gets complicated, Michael,” Noel says looking at her son.
“Only one other time has The Saint not had a guardian. You were chosen Michael to take over for your father, and Ashley was to be your guardian but...” she looks at Nick.
“But she died,” Michael responds. “Why wasn’t I told the truth before now? When was I chosen for this task?” he demands angrily.
“Don’t you dare yell at your Mother!” Nick roars. “It doesn’t work that way son.” He says pacing by the fireplace. “You and Ashley were to be the next in line, but she became sick. Dr. Chow could not save her. That left you without a guardian. We assumed that meant one of the boys would be the next Saint.”
“Michael, please understand that this has only ever happened once before, and we thought it was a myth,” Noel pleads. Nick pulls a leather bound book out of the velvet pouch and lays it down. The books is marked with a leather cord.
“There is a legend of the Winter Queen. It’s a little complicated so I will simplify it for you. It tells of a time when a guardian will fall. A Queen will rise, gifted with power mighty enough to protect both worlds. Her role is to ensure the safety of the Saint and if necessary his children, until they come of age and choose a new guardian. You are the Winter Queen, Serenity,” Nick explains.
“What of this witch, for lack of a better word. She is powerful and her hatred is deep. Who is she?” Serenity demands
“Tell him the rest,” Noel urges her husband.
“You see all those who came before you were partners and soul mates. When the guardian was chosen for me, I was already in love with your mother. Ayva was a local girl who was chosen to be my guardian instead.”
“I was prepared to let him go, Michael. A match between a guardian and their saint has always been true soul mates. I urged him to follow his destiny.” Noel says with tears in her eyes.
Nick walks to her and cups her face, “You have always been my destiny, Noel. I was prepared to step down to be with your mother. What good would immortality be, if I had to spend it alone?” Noel presses her hand to his and looks at Michael.
“Ayva was furious! She went after The Well of Souls determined to become a guardian, no matter the cost.” Noel takes a deep breath and continues. “She attacked me in the night and forced me to take her to the Well.” Noel replies quietly. Baron stretches and moves over to Noel whining softly. “It’s okay, boy. I had a protector that night, he stalked us all the way to the Well and just before she drank, he attacked. Baron was sent as a protector of the Guardian. Something told me to drink! I felt compelled and I drank before she could reach it! The Well began to swirl as though the plug had been pulled. The water drained away but Ayva broke free from Baron’s grip and dove for it. She drank only a handful of water but it was enough. The damage was done.”
“You see, Son, she was never meant to be a guardian, Noel was. Ayva used black magic to get her way, but in the end it backfired.” Nick continues. “Ayva was gifted with immortality, but not the full power of the Well. Her true spirit is hatred, fury, envy, and revenge. She is consumed with it. Her power fades, as the new guardian comes to power. For her punishment she was banished to the human world, never to return to ours. Now, it seems she has found a way.”
Serenity slowly stands and walks toward Michael. “The boys will be safe here, now. When the house was rebuilt, I wove a protective spell into the very fiber of every piece. The nails, the wood, the carpet and even the land your home sits upon. As long as they are here, they will be safe. How much time do I have Nick, before the solstice?”
“Eight days.”
“Why does Ayva need to drink from the well again?” Michael asks. “If she gained immortality, why does she need it again?”
“She did not gain true immortality, her power and beauty are tied to the appearance of the Well. In order to stay alive she must drink again, or fade,” Noel answers.
Serenity walks away to look out the front window into the snow beyond. “I can feel her, watching us, waiting for another chance to attack. We need a plan and I think I have it.” She turns back to smile at them, her eyes glow reflecting the purple light of the Winter Queen.
Chapter 10
“Renity, please don’t go.” Sincere begs through his tears. “The bad one is watching you. She wants to hurt you!” He says rushing from his hiding place in the hallway to Serenity. Michael turns shocked by his son’s appearance and watches as he runs into her open arms. Serenity lifts the child into her arms and sits with him on her lap. He wraps his arms around her neck and holds on tight. “It’s okay, everything’s going to be okay,” she promises.
He pushes back and looks at her determined to be heard. “NO, you have to listen to me or she will hurt you, like she did mommy!”
The room falls silent as Michael whispers, “What did you say?”
Sincere buries his face in her neck and sobs, “She wants to hurt you, Renity, just like mommy.” His muffed answer becomes clearer when he lifts his face, “She hates you for coming! If you go, you will get killt!”
“Come here son.” Michael demands and plucks Sincere from her arms. He pats his back and sits with him on the couch near his mother. “Sincere, we will keep Serenity safe. I promise. Have I ever broken a promise to you?”
“No, Daddy. You said that Heaven listens and judges us by our promises,” he quotes his words back to him.
“That’s right, and I promise to keep Serenity safe, okay.”
Sincere cups his Father’s face with both hands and stares deeply into his eyes. Finding the answer he seeks, he smiles and hiccups, “Okay, Daddy.”
“Son, you said she wants to hurt Serenity like she did mommy, but your mom got sick, Sincere.” Before Michael even finishes the sentence, Sincere is shaking his head no.
“No the bad lady, killt her.” He climbs down and runs to his grandmother. “I’m hungry, Nana. Can I have a cookie?”
“Of course, Angel. But first can you tell me how you know that your mommy wasn’t sick?” Noel asks her grandson.
“Cause I saw it in a dream, Nana. Now can I have a cookie?”
Smiling Noel asks “Tell me about your dream and I will give you two cookies.”
His eyes get big and he smiles a toothless smile. “Yes! Mommy was sick and I watched Dr. Chow give her the bad medicine. It made mommy get killt.” Sincere yawns loudly and scrubs at his red nose.
