Mystic Embrace (2 page)

Grams takes a seat at the end of the bed, “You saw them. They came to you, didn’t they?”

“
How…how did you know?” I ask with surprise.

“
I’ve always sensed your mother and father with us. I know they are your spirit guides. There is no one better to guide you to the light than your own parents,” she admits.

With tears welling in her eyes, Eliza asks, “Why wouldn’t you tell us?”

“
I did not tell you because this is something you needed to find out when your parents felt it was the right time. They without a doubt felt it was the right time now, that this is when you need them the most.”

“
We understand this is just a little bit of a shock.” I sit up to hug her.

“
Okay someone needs to fill me in. I thought your parents were dead?” Sophia says with confusion.

Matt smiles. “Let me explain this one. Everyone has something called a spirit guide. It is that little voice in side of a mortals head. With witches or those with physic abilities, spirit guides can appear or communicate freely with them. They do require permission to make initial contact with their entity. This is what’s happened to Ebony and Eliza. They’re at a time in their lives that without the guidance of their spirit guide there could be a shift in the universal order. Because of the power they hold and the way their parents died, it only makes sense that their parent be their guides,” Matt explains.

Matt is always so good at explaining witchcraft. He’s helped us learn so much since we came of age last year and regained our powers that were once hidden from not only us, but those who threaten us. I’m lucky to have Matt in my life, his support and love holds me together. The knowledge he has gain from his years of guardian training has also been a great help to my sister and me. I try not to think about the day I will lose him and he becomes guardian, otherwise known as an angel guide for other witches, but it can be hard at times. I do know he has to procreate before he is taken, the guardians pass along their gifts through genetics. Knowing this is what gives me hope and time.

“
Yeah that helps a little, thanks Matt,” Sophia says.

“
So girls, what did your parents say to you?” Grams wonders with excitement.

“
Just that now is not the time to take on Naberius. He was aware of our coming and we need to prepare more. They promised to help us with our training,” Eliza explains.

“
I must say that I agree. I’m not ready to lose you Ebony. Naberius is the protector to the gates of hell. He’s a strong demon and in charge of twenty-nine legions, a Marquis of hell. You and your sister have the power to defeat him, but you must be prepared for a bigger battle than you could ever imagine. I’ll work with you, and teach you all I know. Sophia he’s even been associated with the Cerberus,” Matt asserts.

I can’t help but reflect of the Cerberus, a group a rogue vampires we fought this past winter. Combining our powers with the Pierce vampires (Sophia’s family), the shape shifters we met that protect the area and the governing vampires, the Renata leaders of the vampires we were able to stop them. Thanks to Caspian, Sophia’s brother we learned that the Cerberus planned to gain power from the area so they could overtake the Renata. It has been a while since we have heard much from them in that sense, but Caspian is still working on it. I just hope they can wait till Eliza and I deal with our own demons.

I reach for Matt’s hand. “Thank you Matt, we’ll make sure we are prepared and until that time we deal with whatever scum he throws at us. I’m not ready to lose you either. I love you all. You mentioned he is associated with the Cerberus, just keep in mind that we helped Sophia’s family defeat them back in January. At least we thought we did, until we learned about Cyrus and Drake.”

“
They shouldn’t cause much trouble, but remember there’re always more of them. Cyrus and Drake have already proved that.”

I find myself thinking back to last year, when I first met Sophia in Spanish class. The moment I saw her necklace, I knew all of Grams tales were true. I was scared and excited all at once. Vampires existed and with the help of witches they could become day walkers, and Sophia is one of them. Her necklace is made with a special day crystal, a black diamond called
veneficus lamia sol solis partonus
, which is Latin for “magickal vampire sun protector, blessed by a powerful witch, my Grams and her mother. Sophia lives with a family of vampires, the Pierce family; they’ve been living civilly for nearly three quarters of a century, and I’m lucky to call them my friends. Each member of her family has a talisman, with the exception of Caspian who returned his. When rogue vampires threatened our small town of Wenham, with the assistance of the native shape shifters and now our friends, the Williams, and the Pierce family we destroyed them. Although we soon learned that there are always more where they came from.

“
Well I think it is time for the girls to get some rest. We can work on training tomorrow,” Grams insists.

Matt and Sophia lean in one at a time giving both Eliza and I hugs. Matt takes mine one step further, with a slight touch; he brushes a stray strand of hair from my face and brushes his lips against mine. Pulling him closer to me, I move my lips in sync with his and take in the full robust aroma of his breath, tasting the mint trident gum he’s been chewing. He instantly energizes me with his touch. Grams comes back with some tea for Eliza. Matt and Sophia take their cue and leave through the large oak door. The roar of Sophia’s car echo’s through the house as she peels out of the driveway. I take the tea from Grams, lifting the cup to my mouth and gently blowing at the steaming liquid before taking a sip.

Chapter
Two

Hints

Waking at first light, I feel well rested and ready to train. I crawl out of bed and pull back the large green drapes to my room, allowing the light to come in. Basking in the sun of a new day, the brightness beams in proving to be full of energy and filling me with optimism. I am glad we still have a few weeks left to summer break, and hope to enjoy some of this beautiful weather with my friends. Deciding to let Eliza sleep in, I head downstairs to the office. I want to study more on alternate realms and the various demons we have faced. I begin to wonder if there is a pattern to the attacks
Naberius has been placing on us. Looking at the large leather bound book and tracing the outline of the triquetra I feel a sense of relief within the three intertwining ovals, this represent my sister and me and the power we create together I still find it amazing. As I flip through the book of shadows, I realize there is a new entry, one that was not there before. Our book of shadows has been passed down through the generations of our family and helps us to understand our roles as the Magnificent Ones, the world’s most powerful witches. Magnificent ones are always born on the sixth of the month at midnight, the witching hour, just like me and my sister. Our book of shadows is packed full of information about various supernatural forces, spells, potions and rituals, everything we need to be successful at protecting the innocent. I know that neither Eliza nor I put this new entry there, because we always do our entries together and only when a circle is cast.

I assume my parents added it last night. “When one is traveling to alternate realms and through the pathways of the underworld there are rules to follow. Always be respectful of the guards, they will not cause you harm unless harm is caused to them or to their realm. You must never approach them or speak to them as they foresee that as a treat. When there always remember the path you have taken or you may become a trapped soul. Whichever way you go in, is the way you must come out. Leaving through a different route leaves the gateways open to unwanted guests and negative energies will attach to you. After your travels always ensure proper grounding of yourself and return the energy to the realm, or there will be repercussions.”

Maybe everyone is right. Maybe we aren’t ready for this yet. I have zero understanding about the underworld and travels through it. This must be what my parents want us to study today. I try to retrace our steps from last night. Did we follow the same path in? We must have. I don’t recall seeing a spilt in the path. I pick up my sketch book, a pencil and begin to draw what I remember from our travels. We can add it to the book of shadows later today. I’m not a good artist; maybe I should describe it to Sophia and have her do a sketch. Sophia is an amazing artist; no Sophia is amazing at everything. I just wish she would realize it.

The smell of vanilla and waffles comes wafting in from the kitchen. Closing the large leather hand bound book of shadows and placing it under my arm, I follow the divine scent. I’ll help set the table for breakfast and show Grams what I found this morning in the book of shadows. Grams may have something to add to Mom and Dad’s entry. Heavy footsteps thump down the staircase as Eliza joins us in the kitchen. Her bright pink and very fuzzy house coat is wrapped tightly around her tall, thin frame as she plops down in a chair. Eliza’s thick black hair springing out in every direction, she tries to pat down her nappy locks.

Still half asleep, Eliza asks, “Is that waffles I smell?”

“
Yes it is. Waffles have always been the easiest way to get you out of bed,” Grams admits with a chuckle.

“
You spoil me Grams.” Eliza smiles.

“
Well that is what Grandma’s are for my dear.”

I pour each of us a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice into three large tumblers, as Gram’s places the plate of homemade waffles on the table next to the fresh cream and berries and takes a seat.

***

“
So when I woke up today, I decided to start on my studies while Eliza slept.”

Grams pats my knee. “That is great Ebony, but do not get ahead of yourself.”

“
Don’t worry Grams, I got the message loud and clear.”

“
What do you mean? Did Mom and Dad come back when I was sleeping?” Eliza asks with excitement.

“
I think they were here when we were all sleeping. I found a message in our book of shadows,” I explain.

“
What does it say?” Eliza inquires.

“
It explains about alternate realm travel,” I go in to detail and show them the entry. “I think we have a lot to learn still. Don’t you?”

“
It appears that way. I never knew it could be so dangerous. I knew about taking the same path in and out, but never the ramifications of not doing so,” Eliza admits.

“
Well girls once you’re finished eating, why don’t you go study and I will clean up breakfast today.”

“
Thanks Grams, you’re the best,” we both say.

***

After we finish eating, we head back to the office and begin to peruse our notes when we hear a bang, and move slowly towards the noise. I peer around the office to see if anything is different and notice a book on the floor. It is open to a page about underworlds. Mom and Dad must be behind this. Grams comes running, as fast as a woman her age can run that is, to check on the noise as well.

“
Everything is okay Grams; it was just a book from the shelf,” I explain.

She nods and turns back to the kitchen. Eliza and I sit on the area rug of the floor next to the book and begin to take more notes.

***

About one o’clock the doorbell rings, “Ebony, Matt is here,” Grams calls out.

“
Can you send him in here please?”

As I get up off the floor to greet Matt I notice him with an armful of books and journals. “Hi there handsome. Whatcha got?”

“
These are just some of my study journals and texts for my guardian training. I thought they may help you.”

“
Thanks, we need all the help we can get.” I take the books and journals placing them on the floor where we are studying. Then wrap my arms around him.

“
I got permission from the great ones to help you and share our information with you. They agreed based on the fact that your work is for the greater good.

“
Please thank them for us. The support of the great ones is appreciated. I only wish we knew our guardian,” Eliza declares.

“
You will when the time is right. I am sure he or she is watching out for you and you don’t even realize it yet.”

***

Now is a great time for a break. We have been cramped up on the floor for hours. So the three of us decide it is time to go meet Sophia, Nathanial and Luke at the pool hall. We have a great group of friends. Nathanial, Sophia’s boyfriend and the best quarterback this town has ever seen and his older brother Luke who attends Harvard on a basketball scholarship and now is Eliza’s boyfriend. They come from the most upstanding family, Nathanial knows about us being witches and our powers, he also knows about the Pierce family being vampires and has never judge any of us. Even with how accepting Nathanial has been, we have not shared our secret with Luke. I can see how it has been weighing on Eliza and am grateful every day that I decided to have full disclosure with Matt. Which in turn got him to open up to me about being a guardian and since he’s taught us so much about our own heritage.

“
I can’t wait to see Luke. It has only been a few days but I miss him so much,” Eliza gushes.

“
I am so glad you and Luke found one another. You really are perfect together.” I give her a little nudge.

“
I know it too. Let’s go get our things and check on Grams before we leave.”