You swear youll set her free after this? Caleb asked on a trembling breath.
Yes. After this, theyd have no more need of her.
Yes what? Riley asked, then shook his head. Never mind. You werent talking to me.
The wolf was learning. Put the blindfold on me. And yes, this time Im talking to you.
Riley did as instructed, and suddenly darkness surrounded him.
Im going to try and fade to the back of her mind. Hopefully, she wont know Im there. Try to keep her talking, distracted. And if she wont talk to you, you talk to her. Try to say things that prod her memories of the death curse. She couldnt speak her secrets, but he would soon find out whether or not she could think them while someone listened.
I need you to be quiet now, he said, and no, Im not talking to you or Victoria. He didnt want the witch to hear the souls. Please.
Fine, Elijah said on a sigh.
Sure, Julian said.
All right, Caleb grumbled, but only because I want her released.
Aden breathed in, heldheld, then slowly released every bit of air. As he did, he threw himself into a shadowed corner of the witchs mind. He could have eased to the back, but then she would have become gradually aware of her surroundings, might have had time to notice something was amiss. This way, it was like ripping a Band-Aid. He was there, front and center, and then he wasnt.
Well? the witch demanded as if their conversation had never ended. Know you better than what?
Good. She didnt recall Aden removing her blindfold, looking into her eyes and disappearing.
Enough, Riley said. Tell us your name.
Contrary wolf, she thought, and Aden almost whooped. He could hear her, and she didnt seem aware of him. I thought you didnt want me to talk.
Riley kept up a steady chatter, but Aden tuned him out, concentrating on the witch. Blah, blah, blah, she was thinking now. Whered the Summoner go? I cant feel the pull of him anymore. If he left Argh! Ive got to get out of here and take him with me. The girls are going to be so pissed. I cant believe I got caught. Stupid vampires. Im going to be teased about this forever. I may not be able to die by physical means, but Ill probably die of embarrassment.
Nothing useful there.
He turned his attention to the vast sea in front of him. The boxes had disappeared, the memories that had been inside them now floating freely. There were so many, each like a tiny TV screen. He didnt know which to focus on. If he picked the wrong one, he was afraid hed waste hours, lost, and learn nothing. That was better than waiting, doing nothing, he supposed.
He scanned the images before him until he caught a glimpse of the blond witch who had spoken to him in the forest a week ago, the one Caleb had reacted to so strongly. The one who had spoken the curse that could kill his friends.
When he saw her, Aden automatically reached out. The moment his fingers touched the screen, dizziness flooded his mind, catching him in a surprising whirlpool, spinning him out of control, tossing him like a ragdoll. And just when he thought he could take it no more, he stilled. Or rather, his body did.
He closed his eyes, shook his head.
Hey, are you okay? a female voice asked him. A familiar voice.
In the back of his mind, Caleb whimpered.
Quiet. Slowly he cracked open his eyes. The blond witch stood in front of him in all her pale glory. Her hair hung to her waist, curling slightly. Her skin was flawless, her eyes a dark, navy blue and her lips like a frosted plum. She looked to be about twenty years old.
She wore the same red robe shed worn that day in the forest. For that matter, so did Aden. They stood outside a chapel-like building comprised of white brick, with a pointed roof that seemed to stretch to the sky. Rose bushes covered the front, hugging the sides of steps that lead to a wraparound porch. The air was hot and humid, fragrant with the scents of summer.
Well?
Aden waited a moment, trying to decide how best to answer. He didnt want to change the past, and thereby alter the future, but he couldnt remain silent as hed done while inside Shannons head. Shannon was ashamed of his stutter and often ignored those around him; Aden had a feeling this smart-mouthed witch never had.
What were we discussing? he asked in that female voice.
The blonde rolled her eyes. Look. I know youre scared about punishment. You told the human about your powers, and now we have to move before the witch hunt begins. But
She continued speaking, but Aden tuned her out. This wasnt the right memory. He closed his eyes and imagined himself back inside the witchs head. He didnt know if it would work and hethere was another whirlpool, more tossing about, but suddenly he was there, back in that shadowed corner, little TVs floating in front of him.
Thank God.
He must be getting good at this.
This guy going to shut up? she was thinking.
Riley continued babbling about right and wrong, life and death, how all he wanted to do was protect his friends and to do that, he had to get Aden to that meeting, yet he couldnt do that if he didnt know where the meeting was. His voice was hoarse and Aden wondered how much time had passed.
Again, Aden tuned him out. He watched those TV screens until he again spied the blonde. Once again, he reached out.
TWENTY-SIX
THE SCENE ADEN NEXT FOUND himself in was vastly different than the first. Night had fallen, and he stood in a circle, surrounded by witches draped in red robes. There was a drizzle of rain, soaking him. The moon was high, the air so cold mist bloomed in front of his nose every time he breathed. Yet he wasnt cold. A fire crackled in the center of the circle, wafting heat at him.
His skin tingled, the fine hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. He looked around.
The blonde was across from him. She said something in a language he didnt understand, and the women at his sides reached for his hands. That startled him, but he didnt allow himself to jerk away.
Everyone but him began muttering something under their breath. He listened. Now they were all speaking in that strange language. This must be a spell-casting, he thought, but for what?
Caleb repeated the words. I thinkI think theyre asking for protection from dark forces.
If Aden had ever doubted that Caleb had an affinity with the witches, those doubts faded.
Someone is impeding our power, the blonde suddenly snapped. Her gaze scanned the circle, then backtracked to Aden, locking down. Jennifer, she said. Why arent you chanting?
Finally, the witchs name. Jennifer. So veryhuman.
Rather than reply, Aden pulled back from the memory and settled inside Jennifers mind with only the slightest unease, once again watching those TVs. They moved back and forth.
Had his blunder changed anything in the future?
He looked around. Riley was currently draining a glass of water and Victoria was talking about her desire to save the humans. Thank God. Nothing had changed, really. There was no window inside the room, so Aden couldnt peer outside and determine what time it was. Hed try one or two more times, and then leave the witch, informed or not.
Choose carefully, Elijah said. Did he sense something? Dread had layered his voice, and he wouldnt have spoken, fearful of alerting Jennifer, without reason.
Aden wanted to ask for Calebs help, but didnt. He wouldnt risk it. So many screens passed him, some of Jennifer as a little girl, some of Jennifer with a boy, obviously in love, some of Jennifer crying.
Then he saw the unexpected. Dr. Hennessy. Aden stopped breathing. He reached out before hed realized what he was doing, inserting himself into a new scene. Dizzy only for a moment, he blinked and was clear-headed. This time, he found himself in the very woods he walked through every day. Only, the blonde witch and Dr. Hennessy were keeping pace beside him.
Again, it was night and the moon was high, the air frigid. In the distance, he could hear the howl of several wolves.
The blonde witch tensed.
Do not worry about the wolves, Dr. Hennessy said. They cant see or sense us.
And why was that? A spell? What kind of power did the doctor possess?
So what are you doing here? the blonde demanded of the doctor.
So beautiful, Caleb said. And mine, I think. We have to talk to her, Aden. Please.
Hush! Aden hissed, but he wasnt sure if the soul heard him or not. Do you want to alert Jennifer?
Now is not the time for chatter, Caleb, Elijah reminded the soul, perhaps sensing Adens thoughts. The psychic was more attuned to him than the other two.
Theres never a good time.
The same thing you are, Im sure, Dr. Hennessy replied, yet his voice was different, softer, more feminine. You, too, felt that explosion of power, Marie, then the tug of whatevers here.
Marie. Another name. This conversation must have happened when theyd first arrived in Oklahoma, when they hadnt yet known Aden was the source of the tug.
Yes, Marie said. We did. Are you saying you didnt cause that tug to lure us into a trap?
Of course thats what Im saying. Were allies. Unless you meant to lure us into a trap. This feels like black magic to me.
As you know, we do not deal in the black arts.
Then were still allies.
The tension eased. Great, but admitting were still on friendly terms is not the reason you called this meeting, Im sure. And will you please drop the mask? Youre hideous like that, and I cant stand to look at you a second longer.
Dr. Hennessy frowned. Subterfuge is necessary.
With the humans, yes, but not with us.
Oh, very well. White light seeped from the doctors pores, brighteningbrighteningbefore exploding in a shower of sparks. When those sparks faded, Aden could only gape. Ms. Brendal now stood in Dr. Hennessys place.
They were one and the same?
Did I just see what I think I just saw? Caleb asked.
I never suspected, Elijah breathed.
ImIm Julian couldnt finish his thought.
Why had Brendal come to the ranch as herself, then, after pretending to be Dr. Hennessy? Because Dan had told Dr. Hennessy that Aden would be finding a new doctor? No, because the dinner invitation had come before the firing. This wasthis wastoo weird. Heshewas a fairy.
Better, Marie said. And thank you.
Again, Brendal shrugged, but her gaze snagged on Aden and she quirked a brow. Im beautiful, yes, but theres no reason to stare at me.
Uh, sorry. Aden cast his gaze to his feet. He wore sandals under his robe and his toenails were painted neon green. What the Oh, yeah. He was in Jennifers body.
Marie nudged his shoulder, and he glanced up. She was frowning at him, a whats-with-you glare in her eyes.
So what do you plan to do about the tug? Brendal asked, returning them to the only topic that mattered.
Tell us your plans first, Marie said.
Brendal gave another of those casual shrugs. Very well. We must first discover the source of the allure. Is it human? Something man-made? Something just found beneath the earth? She closed her eyes for a moment, inhaled deeply. Her step never faltered. We are close to it, whatever it is. I can feel it more strongly than ever.
Aden tried not to cringe.
Me, too, Marie said.
Me, too, Aden echoed, just to blend in. What do you plan to do with it when you find it?
Dispose of it, of course, the fairy said.
Maybe we should keep it instead, Marie suggested.
Brendal blinked in confusion. Why would we want to?
At Adens left, branches and leaves rattled together. Then several goblins sprinted out, their short legs moving faster than Aden would have thought possible. They were grinning evilly, grins that said this was all a game, blood dripping from the corners of their mouths. Two wolves burst after them, leaping through the air and slamming into their backs, sending them hurtling to the ground face-first.
A second later, high-pitched screams, growls, snarls and pleas erupted, then silence reigned. As Brendal had promised, neither the goblins nor the wolves noticed the trio.
Aden watched, horrified. He didnt recognize the wolves, and he knew what they were doing was for the best, for the protection of the people, butall that violence.
Brendal and Marie continued walking, unconcerned. When they realized Aden had fallen behind, watching the action, they turned. Frowning again, Marie motioned him over with a wave of her hand. He hurried to catch up, and they kicked back into gear as a group.
This is a rare opportunity, Marie went on as if theyd never been interrupted. Lets assume the tug comes from a human rather than an inanimate object, which I believe it does because were being pulled in different directions all the time, usually at the same time each day. The power required to do something like that must be tremendous. And therein lies the opportunity. Because not only were we summoned, but the vampires and their furry friends were, too.
If we capture this human, we can harness its strange power for ourselves and lead our enemies into a trap. I mean, think about it. If we slaughter the vampires and the wolves, well no longer have to worry about being used as a blood bank or medicine chest, and youll have protected your precious humans from the giant ticks we so abhor.
Ticks. Adens hands fisted at his sides. Victoria was not a tick.
Neither of our people is known for sharing, Marie. This you know, Brendal said. How would we share this human? If we are indeed looking for a human.
Well work out a custody plan. Anything is better than destroying someonethingso powerful.
So. She didnt want to destroy him. That was good to know, and finally something he could use.
Unless that something powerful can be used against us, the fairy said.
Marie sighed. True.
Well, well continue to search for it and reconvene when weve found it. Meanwhile, we must keep each other informed of our progress. Agreed? Brendal asked.