Wed like that very much, Romy says.
And wed like to leave now, Rayne adds, eyes narrowed. After all, its the very least you can do.
I swallow hard. I deserve that, but I still wonder whos more desperate for them to leave, them or me?
I motion toward Rayne as I head for the futon, wondering why neither of them thought to sleep on it instead of the floor. Come, I say, glancing over my shoulder. You sit here on my right, and Romy, you sit here. I pat the lumpy cushion. Now grab my hands and close your eyes, then focus on seeing the portal with all of your might. Envisioning that golden shimmer of light as though its before you. And as soon as the image is clear, I want you to see yourself stepping right through, knowing Im right there beside you, keeping you safe. Okay?
I peek at them, seeing them nod before we go through the motions, re-creating all the right steps. But just as I step through the light and into that vast fragrant field, I open my eyes and find Im alone.
Told you, Rayne says, the second I return. Standing before me, eyes angry, accusing, small, pale hands clutching her plaid skirted hips. Told you our magick is gone. Were stuck here now with no way to get back. And its all because we tried to help you!
Rayne! Romy shakes her head at her sister, then glances at me with an apologetic look on her face.
Well, its true! Rayne scowls. I told you we shouldnt risk it. I told you she wouldnt listen. I saw it clear as day. The overwhelming possibility shed make the wrong choicewhich, I might add, she did! She shakes her head and frowns. It went exactly as predicted. And now were the ones paying the price.
Oh, youre not the only ones, I think. Hoping theyve lost their ability to read minds as well, since Im immediately shamed by the thought. No matter how much shes annoying me, I know shes right.
Listen, I say, swallowing hard as I glance between them, needing to defuse this. I know how bad you want to get back. Trust me, I do. And Im going to do everything I can to help you. I nod, seeing them glance at each other, two identical faces marred by complete disbelief. I mean, Im not exactly sure how Im going to do it, but just trust that I will. Ill do everything I can to help you get back. And in the meantime, Ill do everything I can to keep you both comfortable and safe. Scouts honor. Okay?
Rayne looks at me, rolling her eyes and heaving a sigh. Just get us back to Summerland, she says, arms crossing her chest. Thats all we want. Nothing short of that will do.
I nod, refusing to let her get to me when I say, Understood. But if Im going to help you, Ill need you to answer some questions.
They look at each other, Raynes gaze signaling a silent: No way, as Romy turns, nodding at me as she says, Okay.
And even though Im not quite sure how to phrase it, its something Ive been wondering for a while now, so I just dive in. Im sorry if this off ends you, but I need to knoware you guys dead? I hold my breath, fully expecting them to be mad, or at the very least insultedpretty much any reaction but the laughter I get. Watching as they fall all over themselves, Rayne doubled over, slapping her knee, as Romy rolls off the futon, practically convulsing. Well, you cant blame me for asking. I frown, definitely the one whos insulted. I mean, we did meet in Summerland where plenty of dead people hang out. Not to mention how youre both unnaturally pale.
Rayne leans against the wall, fully recovered from her laughing fit and smirking at me. So were pale. Big deal. She glances at her sister, then back at me. Its not like youre exactly rockin a tan. And yet, you dont see us assuming youre a member of the dearly departed.
I wince, knowing its true, but still. Yeah, well, you had an unfair advantage. Thanks to Riley you knew all about me long before we met. You knew exactly who I am and what I am, and if I have any hope of helping you, then Im gonna have to know a few things too. So as much as you may resent it, as much as you may want to resist, the only way were gonna get anywhere is if you tell me your story.
Never, Rayne says, staring at her sister, warning her not to rebel.
But Romy ignores her and turns right to me. Were not dead. Not even close. Were more likerefugees. Refugees from the past, if you will.
I glance between them, thinking all I have to do is lower my guard, focus my quantum remote, and touch them for their entire life story to be revealed, but figuring I should at least try to get their version first.
A long time ago, she starts, peering at her disapproving sister before taking a deep breath and forging ahead. A very long time ago, in fact, we were facing a She squinches her brow, searching for just the right word, nodding at me when she says, Well, lets just say we were about to become victims of a terribly dark event, one of the most shameful times in our history, but we escaped by fleeing to Summerland. And then, well, I guess we lost track of time and weve been there ever since. Or at least until last week when we came to help you.
Rayne groans, dropping to the floor and burying her face in her hands, but Romy just ignores her, still looking at me when she says, But now our worst fear has come true. Our magick is gone, weve nowhere to go, and no idea how to survive in this place.
What sort of persecution did you flee? I ask, watching her closely, searching for clues. And how long ago is very long ago? Just what are we dealing with here? Wondering if their history stretches as far back as Damens, or if they belong to a more recent past.
They gaze at each other, communicating a wordless agreement that shuts me right out. So I move toward Romy, grasping her hand so quickly she has no time to react. Immediately pulled into her mindher worldseeing the story unfold as though Im right there. Standing on the sidelines, an unnoticed observer, fully immersed in the chaos and fear of that day, witness to images so horrible Im tempted to turn away.
Watching as an angry mob swarms their home, voices raisedtorches hightheir aunt barring the door as best she can, making the portal and urging the twins toward the safety of Summerland.
Just about to step through the portal and join them when the door gives way and the twins disappear. Separated from everything they once knew, having no idea what became of their aunt until a visit to the Great Halls of Learning showed them the torturous trial of false accusations she was forced to endure. Refusing to confess to any kind of sorcery, having taken the Wiccan Rede of An it harm none, do what ye will, and knowing shed done nothing wrong, she rebuffed her oppressor and held her head highall the way to the gallows where she was brutally hung.
I stagger back, fingers seeking the amulet just under my tee, something about their aunts gaze so eerily familiar, leaving me shaky, unsettled, reminding myself that Im safe, theyre safethat things like that dont happen these days.
So now you know. Romy shrugs as Rayne shakes her head. Our whole story. Everything about us. Do you blame us for choosing to hide?
I glance between them, unsure what to say. I I clear my throat and start over. Im so sorry. I had no idea. I glance at Rayne, seeing how she refuses to look at me, then over at Romy who solemnly bows her head. I had no idea you guys escaped the Salem Witch Trials.
Not exactly, Rayne says, before Romy chimes in.
What she means is we were never tried. Our aunt stood accused. One day she was revered as the most sought-after midwife, and the next, she was rounded up and taken away. She sucks in her breath, eyes welling up as though it were yesterday.
We wouldve gone with her, we had nothing to hide, Rayne says, lifting her chin and narrowing her gaze. And it certainly wasnt Claras fault that poor baby died. Its the father who did it. He didnt want the baby or its mother. So he did away with them both and blamed Clara. Crying witch so loud the entire town heardbut then Clara made the portal, and forced us to hide, and she was just about to join us whenwell, you know the rest.
But that was over three hundred years ago! I cry, still unused to the idea of an existence that long despite my immortality.
The twins shrug.
So if you havent been back since I shake my head, the monumental size of this problem just beginning to unfold. I mean, do you have any idea how much things have changed since you were last here? Seriously. Its like a whole different world from the one that you left.
Its not like were idiots. Rayne shakes her head. Things progress in Summerland too, you know. New people arrive all the time, manifesting the things theyre attached to, all the stuff they cant bear to let go.
But thats not what I meant, in fact, not even close. I wasnt just referring to cars versus horse-drawn carriages, and trendy boutiques versus hand sewnbut more their ability to get along in the worldblending in, adapting, not standing out in the glaring way that they do! Taking in their razor-slashed bangs, their large dark eyes and extremely pale skin, knowing their twenty-first-century make over is far less about a uniform change than a complete and total overhaul.
Besides, Riley prepared us, Romy says, eliciting a loud groan from Rayne, and my full attention from me. She manifested a private school and convinced us to enroll. Thats where these uniforms came from. She was our teacher, coaching us on all the modern ways, including our speech. She wanted us to return and was determined to prepare us for the trip. Partly because she wanted us to look after you, and partly because she thought we were crazy for missing out on our teens.
I freeze, suddenly grasping a new understanding in Rileys interest in themone thats got far less to do with me, and everything to do with her. How old are you guys? I whisper, looking to Romy for the answer. Or should I say, how old were you when you first arrived in Summerland? Knowing they havent aged a day since.
Thirteen, Romy says, knitting her brow. Why?
I close my eyes and shake my head, stifling a laugh as I think: I knew it!
Riley always dreamed of the day shed be thirteen, a bona fide teenager having finally made it to the important double digits. But after dying at twelve, she chose to hang around the earth plane, living her adolescence vicariously through me. So it only makes sense shed try to convince Romy and Rayne to return, not wanting anyone else to miss out like her.
And if Clara can find the strength, and Riley the hope, in situations so incredibly dire and bleak, surely I can overcome Roman.
I glance between the twins, knowing they cant stay here on their own or come home to live with Sabine and me, though there is someone whos quite able and ready, if not entirely willing to lend us a hand.
Grab your stuff, I say, heading for the door. Im taking you to your new home.
CHAPTER 13
The second we step outside I realize well need a car. And since Im more interested in speed than comfort, especially after seeing the way the twins cling to each other as they gaze around warily, I manifest something thatll get us there fast and quickly herd them in. Ordering Romy to sit on Raynes lap as I get myself settled and step on the gas, navigating the streets with surprising skill, while the twins practically hang out the window, gaping at all that we pass.
Have you guys been inside this whole time? I glance at them, never having seen anyone react to the beauty of Laguna Beach in quite the same way.
They nod, never once averting their gaze. Squirming in their seat as I pull up to the gate. Allowing the uniformed guard to peer through the window and scrutinize them, before letting us in.
Where are you taking us? Rayne eyes me suspiciously. Whats with the guards and big gates? Is this some kind of prison?
I head up the hill, glancing at her when I say, Dont you have gated communities in Summerland? Never actually having seen one myself, but then again I havent lived there for the last three centuries like they have.
They shake their heads, eyes wide, clearly on edge.
Not to worry. I turn onto Damens street and into his drive. Its not a prison, thats not what the gates are for. Theyre more to keep people out rather than in.
But why would you want to keep people out? they ask, two childlike voices blending into one.
I squint, having no idea how to answer since its not like I was raised like this either, all the communities in my old hood were open access. I guess its meant to keep people I start to say safe, but thats not really it either. Anyway. I shake my head. If youre going to live here, then you better get used to it. Thats pretty much all there is.
But were not going to live here, Rayne says. You said this was just a temporary fix until you find a way to get us back, remember?
I take a deep breath and grip the wheel harder, reminding myself how scared she must feel, no matter how bratty she gets.
Of course its temporary. I nod, forcing a smile. Or at least it better be, because if not, someones going to be extremely displeased. I climb out of the car and motion for them to follow, saying, Ready to see your new temporary home?
I head for the door, the two of them close at my heels as I stand right before it, debating whether or not I should knock and wait for Damen to open it or just stride right in since hes probably asleep. And Im just about to do the latter when Damen swings the door open, takes one look at me, and says, Are you okay?
I smile, tacking on a telepathic message of: Before you say anythinganything at alljust try to stay calm and give me a chance to explainhis eyes curious, questioning as I say, Can we come in?
He moves aside, eyes wide with shock when Romy and Rayne step out from behind me and barrel right into him. Skinny arms wrapped around his waist, gazing up at him adoringly as they squeal, Damen! Its you! Its really you! And as nice as this little reunion is, I cant help but notice how their reaction to him, with all the love and excitement, is pretty much the opposite of their reaction to me.
Hey. He smiles, ruffling their hair and bending down to plant a kiss on the top of their heads. How long has it been? He pulls away and squints.