The Wanderers Beginning: The Wanderers, Reborn, & Unforgiven (112 page)

             
It was Jack.

             
I took a step back in surprise. He was smiling, holding something in his hand. When I looked down it was a bloody heart. His entire fist and arm was dripping in blood as if he just ripped the heart right out of someone’s chest. I gasped at the vileness of it all. “It was just so easy,” he said.

              I placed my hand over my chest only to feel a giant gaping hole. I looked down. It was my heart he was holding.

             
I woke up with a jolt, accidentally kicking the chair in front of me, and causing the woman to glare over her seat at me. I mumbled sorry, but she didn’t seem to care.

             
“You alright?” Cameron asked.

             
I put my hand over my chest. Still intact…just broken.

             
“Yeah,” I nodded. I readjusted myself in the seat. I wasn’t use to flying coach and sitting in these smaller seats. They definitely did not cater to taller people. I was regretting our decision to not fly first class. We thought it would be easier to keep us under the radar but my legs and back were starting to disagree. Not to mention I couldn’t count how many times the stewardess hit my elbow with the damn drink cart. I rubbed my elbow. It was still a little sore. “What time is it?” I asked Cameron.

             
“Not sure. I’m still on Rhode Island time,” she shrugged.

             
“What does your watch say?”

             
“Nine am.”

             
I stopped the flight attendant as she was making her rounds. “Excuse me ma’am? How much longer until we reach our destination?”

             
“About an hour,” she said.

             
I turned back to Cameron. “Okay so Ireland is five hours ahead and we should be there within the hour so…” I started ticking the numbers off in my head. “It’s two in the afternoon now so we should be there around three.”

             
“How do you even know all that?” Cameron asked, scrunching her brow. “Let me find out you’re secretly a nerd,” she smiled.

             
“Being smart does not make you a nerd,” I glared. “And it’s basic math.”

             
“Whatever,” she said, waving her hand, and leaning back against her pillow. I wish I could do the same, but I was too worked up over my last dream. I decided to get up and stretch my legs. When I returned back to my seat Cameron was already out. I took out my IPod and tried to relax. I had another hour before we could start to look for Tristan and with each passing minute I was getting more and more anxious.

Chapter two

As soon as we landed, Billy told us he would head to the rental kiosk while we collected the bags. Happy to be off the cramped plane, I stretched my arms high while I waited for my bag on the carousel. After we retrieved all our things, we met Billy outside where he was waiting with our new rented car. We handed off our bags to Billy then piled in the rental.

             
Billy told us the nearest hotel was only a few miles away. He suggested it would be better if we checked in to the hotel for the night and figured out where we wanted to start. He also suggested we map out different places where we think he would be and then check those places out in the morning. I wanted to start right away, but they were right, we needed to get settled in and figure everything out. Not to mention I was still feeling pretty weak and the long flight pretty much wiped me out.

             
On the way to the hotel, I gazed out the window at the wide stretch of land. I knew Ireland was beautiful, but I never expected it to be as breathtaking a view as this. I was in awe. I’ve seen pictures and heard stories, but nothing compares to the real thing. I relaxed back in my seat and took it all in. Committing everything I could to memory afraid I might not see it again.

             
About twenty minutes into the drive, we passed a large garden. I looked out the window watching all the exotic flowers whiz by my vision; Daises, Lilies, Roses, Forget-me-nots, Jasmine…Jasmine. Something in my head clicked. “Wait, stop the car,” I said. Billy kept driving. “Stop the car,” I said again.

             
“What?” Josie asked.

             
“Stop the car! Stop the car!” I shouted this time. Billy slammed on the brakes almost causing me to fly into the front seat. I bounced back against the rear cushion, jerked by my seatbelt. I frantically fidgeted with the latch trying to release myself from my restraints. Once free, I jumped out and ran over to the vast garden in front of me.

             
“Ella what is it?” Josie asked, joining me.

             
“I know this place,” I said, studying the way the flowers were strategically placed. The way the vines crawled up along the stone archway and over the fence. 

             
“Wait what? How?” Cameron asked, finally getting out of the car.

             
“I’ve seen this before. In a dream.” I walked closer to the gate that led into the garden. I ran my fingers over the ivy that had ingested the door, pausing on the handle.

             
“Ella, where are you going?”

             
“I need to get a better look,” I said, pushing my thumb down on the latch and opening the gate.

             
“You guys,” Billy called, running up behind us.

             
I knew this was someone’s property and I was trespassing, but I had to see for myself. Everything about this place was so familiar. From the row of flowers that traveled down the stone pathway, the small cottage in the corner, the little lily pond down by the edge of the wooden fence. “Ella,” Cameron called softly. She hesitated by the gate, not sure if she wanted to risk going further. Not wanting to be left alone, she joined us in the middle of the garden.

             
“Guys we need to go. We’re trespassing and I’m starting to have a feeling this is a place we shouldn’t be,” Billy said worried.

             
“I feel it too, but not so much alarmed by it. What is it?” Josie asked.

             
“Power. Very old and very strong power. This place is surrounded by it,” Billy replied, looking over his shoulder at the small cottage.

             
“Ella?” Josie grabbed my hand.

             
“Josie I know this place it’s…” I began until I felt it. The power. It was unlike anything I’ve felt before. It was strong, strange, and gunning for me. I turned around slowly. Standing a few feet away from us was an elderly woman and she looked pissed. Her white as snow hair was glowing under the moonlight and her long paisley skirt was billowing in the wind.

             
“What are you doing here?” the woman asked with a heavy Irish accent.

             
I took a step forward to address her, but she threw her hand up stopping me in my tracks, making the bangles on her wrist jingle like crazy. “I know what you are,” she glared.

             
“I’m not here to hurt you,” I said, putting my hands up in surrender. “I just –”

             
She cut me off. “How did you get in here?”

             
“I uh, walked through the gate,” I said, wondering if she was serious.

             
I saw a small flicker of humor in her eyes before she switched back to her accusing glare. I could tell I wasn’t going to get anywhere with her so I said, “I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to disturb you. We will be leaving now.” I signaled for my friends to follow and went to take a step forward when the woman let out a cackling sound and before I knew it I was knocked on my ass and out cold.

*

Josie

Josie was the only one left standing. She turned to the elderly woman with fear in her eyes. “Who are you?” the woman asked curiously, clearly knowing Josie was different from the rest.

              “My nn-name is Josie,” she stuttered. “And these are my friends.”

             
“What brought you here?” the woman asked, squinting at her.

             
“My friend Ella thought she had seen this place before and she wanted to –”

             
The woman waved her hand indicating she heard enough. “What are you?” she asked, taking a step closer.

             
“I’m an angel,” Josie said proudly.

             
A small smile crept across the old woman’s wrinkled face. She took another step closer, merely inches from her. She looked Josie over, studying her. “Humph,” she made a disapproving noise. Then she craned her neck to the side, listening. Her eyes grew wide and then she looked back at Josie. “Quickly, inside,” she said.

             
Josie looked at her like she was nuts. “Now,” the woman demanded.

             
“But what about my friends?”

             
She looked over at all of them lying on the ground and sighed. She grumbled something under her breath then stomped her foot three times. Two men came running out of the house. “Grandma, what happened?” the younger boy asked.

             
“Josef,” she hissed. “Don’t question me. Just help us get them inside.” The young man looked at Josie before he picked up Ella and carried her inside. Then the woman shooed Josie toward Cameron while the elderly man helped Josie carry her in. Then the two men went back outside to get Billy.

*

Ella

When I finally came to, I had a massive headache. I sat up slowly and looked around the room. Josie, Cameron, and Billy were sitting comfortably on a large couch sipping tea. Confused, I scanned the area. Across from me was the woman who knocked me out. She was sitting in a rocking chair and staring at me. For a moment I thought I was dreaming. I stood up quickly, panic surging through me. My head was spinning. I thought I was going to pass out.

              A young man with dark hair came over and helped back on the couch. I flinched at first. “Whoa, careful there,” he said. He eased me back onto the couch and gave me a shy smile before he sat back down.

             
“What’s going on?” I asked my friends, thinking we landed in an alternate dimension.

             
Before anyone could say anything, the old woman stood up, and poured me a cup of tea. “Drink,” she said, shoving the cup in my hand. I looked at her thinking she was nuts. It was not the time to sit around drinking tea. It was time to get the hell out of there.

             
The old woman stared at me, waiting impatiently for me to drink it.

             
“It’s not poisoned is it?” I mumbled and she laughed. Afraid to drink it, I glanced over at Josie and she motioned for me to take a sip. I hesitated, afraid my friends were under some kind of spell.

             
“Don’t mind her. I made the tea myself and it’s not poisoned,” the young man smiled. “I’m Josef by the way,” he said bashfully.

             
“Ella,” I said, cautiously taking a sip. When I didn’t gag or instantly start convulsing, I proceeded to take another sip. My throat was dry and the warm liquid was soothing. “Can someone now please tell me what is going on?” I asked again.

             
“I’ll be the one asking the questions,” the old woman growled. Her accent was so thick it was hard to understand her. “Why have you come here?”

             
I eyed her warily before I answered. “Your garden,” I said with caution. “It’s very familiar to me.” She narrowed her eyes. I could tell she was trying to figure me out. We stared each other down.

             
“Ella, this is Deirdre and Caleb and their grandson Josef. They were kind enough to let us wait here until you woke up,” Josie said, giving me the eye.

             
“You’re kidding, right?” I said, giving the old woman the evil eye. “She knocks us out and then all of sudden decides to be hospitable. I’m not buying it. No offense,” I said to her husband.

             
“No offense taken and I understand your need to be weary, but I can assure you we mean you no harm. My wife,” he paused, receiving a warning look from her. “Thought you were here to attack us which was why she cast a spell to disarm you, so to speak.” I opened my mouth for a retort when Josie hit my knee letting me know to keep my mouth shut. “Once she realized you were not a threat we brought you inside to make sure you were okay,” he smiled kindly.

             
I looked at my friends. They smiled and nodded their heads. “You missed a lot while you were out,” Cameron shrugged. Apparently, I thought. Feeling a little more at ease, I sat back and sipped my tea. No one said anything else for what seemed like forever. The silence was deafening.

             
I looked back over at the elderly woman. I didn’t know her and already I didn’t like her. She stood up and took the cup of tea from me pouring out the contents into a bowl. Then she swirled her finger around the inside of the cup. “What is she doing?”

             
“Reading your tea leaves,” Josef said.

             
She stared into the tea cup, concentrating. Then she looked up at me and smiled. “Who is it you seek?” she asked. I opened my mouth to reply but she interrupted me before I had the chance. “Who are you?”

             
“Ella, Ella McCallister,” I said, my head held high.

             
She flinched, but only enough that I noticed. She reached out and grabbed my hand. I tried to pull away but she held on tight. Despite my friends saying they were not a threat, instinct had me pull up my shield, but when I did, nothing happened.
What the…?
I tried again, causing her grip to tighten. I met her eyes and she was smiling. “Your power is useless against me,” she said.

             
I tried to pull my hand away but she jerked it back to her. I took that as a challenge. “We’ll see about that,” I said, turning up the juice. I was not going to let this woman get me, again.

             
Her grip was crushing. I thought she may even have broken a few fingers. I didn’t care. I fought through the pain and pushed harder. I pushed so hard I could feel the sweat dripping down my forehead. “Ella,” Cameron said in a warning tone.

             
I heard a rumbling noise. Soon the floor started to shake, rattling the walls, and picture frames that hung loosely. “What the hell is going on?” Josef asked.

             
“Get back,” Caleb warned him and pushed Josef behind him.

             
“Ella,” Cameron cautioned, but I didn’t listen. Cups crashed to the ground shattering. Frames dropped from the wall breaking glass. I pushed against her giving her everything I got. There was an explosion of light. It was so powerful and so bright it jerked me back. When my eyes adjusted I realized the bright light was me. I was glowing.

             
“Damn Ella, don’t you have a dimmer switch or something on that thing,” Josie complained, shielding her eyes with her arm.

             
The grumpy old woman finally let go of my hand. The look of shock on her face was enough to make me smile. That was until I noticed my glow blast had knocked everyone else out, but Josie, the woman, and me. I automatically healed my friends first then moved onto Josef and Caleb who were lying on the floor. The grouchy woman put a hand on my shoulder to stop me. “Relax,” I said. “I’m not going to hurt them.” She reluctantly let go. I placed a hand on each of them causing my glow to slowly diminish as I healed them.