The Witches of BlackBrook (12 page)

Trin’s mind was on fire, burning with centuries old images. Witches hung from a tree on Gallows Hill, while others rotted in prison. The assault on her head and heart was almost too much to bear.

Trin felt Lillian’s hand stroking her arm and gave thanks for her insight to use the brown and black feather to help focus her physical being. She took a deep breath and grounded herself in the present, becoming only a witness to the scenes playing out in her mind.

As she pulled back from the heartbreaking violence, she was able to see a thick fog coating the ground in the outlying areas of each image. Focusing her attention, she asked the Goddess
, “My lady, with your keen insight, reveal the evil within.”

The ground slithered like a snake, parting the fog to show a horde of witches who’d been gnawed to the bone.

The image shifted, showing her and Kenna in their first life together after she’d cast her spell. A red cord of connection shone brightly, but a cloud of darkness had weaved its way into their bond. This repeated with each new life, the darkness thickening and their bond growing tighter with every reincarnation.

Trin woke, panicked that whatever was blocking her now had been doing the same to Kit for all these years.

Lillian looked drained and Trin quickly guided her to sit. “Were you able to witness any of my visions?”

“Only a few, but whatever is happening now, it’s clear that it goes back to the casting of your original spell.”

Trin sighed, feeling the weight of everything building within her. Not only was she responsible for scattering other witches throughout time, but apparently for bringing with them an evil that had woven its way into their lives.

“What can I do?”

“You have to find the source. It will be ancient and well-cloaked, but now that you have the thread, you can follow it to its core.” Lillian handed Trin the witches ladder. “Keep this with you at all times, it will help reveal the truth.”

Trin wrapped the cord around her wrist, holding the end as if it were a set of rosary beads. “Thank you, Lillian.”

“You’re welcome, but be patient, Trin, this may take some time. The magic you’re dealing with is as old as we are.” Lillian sighed.

Trin smiled as Lillian moved back to the front of the store, needing to open for the day’s business. As Trin cleared the altar, she noticed the locked case off to her right. Peeking again at its contents, she realized the demon’s tooth was missing.

“Lillian?” Trin called.

Trin heard the bell on the front door and walked out to pose her question privately. Gazing from left to right, Trin found no one in sight, including Lillian.

“Lillian, where are you?” Trin walked to the door, peering out the window. No one was there, but as Trin turned to move she caught sight of a thick black fog retreating from the sidewalk and into the sewer drain.

Trin spun around and ran to the heart of the store. Search from side-to-side, Trin finally spotted Lillian on the floor behind the counter. Her life and magic had been completely drained.

Trin summoned all her magic and placed her hands above Lillian’s heart. “Lord and lady, please grant me a boon. Heal the wound of this faithful witch, for she does not deserve to die like this.”

Trin’s usual healing abilities sparked to life, but they weren’t enough to save her friend. Trin dialed 911, then sat, crying until the paramedics arrived. They too were unable to resuscitate Lillian, which Trin already knew would be the case. The police on scene asked her all kinds of questions, which was no surprise. Searching a shop of this kind always prompted suspicions and fear. Luckily, Lillian was a pillar member of the community and most of the officers had known her personally. Five hours later, the next of kin had been contacted and Trin was free to go.

She returned to her room at the Inn and collapsed onto the bed. Tears continued to roll down her cheeks as she thought about Lillian. Trin rubbed the witches ladder between her thumb and finger and debated calling Caris. It was she, after all, who had introduced her to Lillian. But, recalling their fight, Trin decided against it. Caris had been right. Everything happening was her fault, and she refused to put anyone else in danger.

Trin cast her usual protection spell before crawling in to bed, then flicked her finger towards the light, casting the room into a quiet darkness.

He cut the rope, freeing the boy’s hands and began preparing him for transport. His lifeless body would be found on the cold ground at the boundary of his woods. Oh, the pup would soon wake and make his way home, telling the tale of his capture, which is exactly what he wanted. He needed them scared, needed them to keep their distance or else he’d be forced to take more drastic measures.

Jason woke cold and sore, at the edge of a forest that ran along an unfamiliar road. Digging in his pocket with shaky hands, he found all his belongings, including his cell phone and quickly dialed Caris.

“Car. It’s me. Yeah, yeah, I’m okay,” he muttered. “Listen, I’m gonna turn on my location service so you can track my phone. I think I’m along highway 1, but can’t be sure.” Jason fumbled with the buttons on the screen, his fingers stiff and aching. “You got it? Okay, thanks. See ya soon.”

Jason hung up to the sounds of Caris’s joyful sobs. It would take her at least forty-five minutes to get to him, so he needed to warm up. The pain in his sides made gathering kindling and wood a daunting task, but once stacked, he tossed flames from his fingers and eased down beside the fire. Soon, he felt the circulation returning to his frozen hands and tried to process all that had happened.

Wednesday afternoon, after Caris confirmed Trin was coming over, Jason finished his reports and punched out early. He wanted to get to the local herb shop to replenish the stock that had been destroyed in the attack on their shed. After paying for his oils, herbs, candles, and sage, he crossed the parking lot, returning to his car.

As Jason unlocked the door and placed his bag in the seat, a sickening dizziness took hold of him. He woke up bound and gagged in a cave with a cloaked man hovering over him.

The man barely spoke as he worked at his altar ––a large piece of petrified wood scattered with rough, old tools. When his potion was mixed he flicked his hand towards Jason, ripping his cell phone from his pocket. Obviously familiar with modern technology, he dialed Caris and made his threats.

Satisfaction sat upon his mangled mouth, for it was all Jason could see from beneath his hood. “You will all learn your lesson,” he spat, throwing a chunk of hair into the flame, then muttered some spell. Jason felt the same overwhelming dizziness settle over him, and the next thing he knew, he awoke in the woods, alive but with a few good bumps and bruises.

Jason took a deep breath and tried to walk backwards through the memories again. He focused on every detail, every smell and sound, looking for a clue as to where, who, or why this was happening. Unfortunately, nothing stood out and the question remained...
Why didn’t he kill me?

Caris arrived within the hour with a thermos of hot chocolate and some extra blankets, which she handed him after wrapping him up in a massive hug.

“Thanks.” Jason winced.

“What is it? I thought you said you were okay.” Caris’s voice held her unshed tears.

“Yes, Car. I’m okay, but I think the bastard got in a few good kicks while I was out.” Jason held his ribs, sucking in a breath as he struggled to climb into the Jeep.

“Besides that, the only thing he actually did to me was steal a chunk of my hair I think.” Jason reached up to the nape of his neck, feeling for the uneven cut. “He cast a spell just before he freed me.”

“Could you decipher the spell?”

“Not really, something about destiny, I think. He said that we’d all learn our lesson.”

Caris gasped. “That doesn’t sound good. Do you think we should prepare for another attack?”

Jason shifted uncomfortably and felt an irritation settling in his heart. “Maybe we should just move away from here and not look back,” he snapped.

Caris slammed on the brakes. “Why would you say that after all we’ve been through?”

“Because, after all this time, we are still no closer to finding the answers we seek. I think it’s time we face facts and let go of the hope that Trin’s the one.”

“I’m not so sure we should, Jason. Think about it. We’ve never been this close before and you yourself saw that she was blocked. I think if we can find a way to free her from that, we would all be able to see the truth of things. Trin’s the key, though I’m not sure getting her help will be easy at this point.”

Jason squinted at Caris, “Why would you say that? Did something happen while I was gone?”

Caris took a deep breath. “We kinda had a fight.”

Jason clenched his jaw and turned towards the window. The stress of the ordeal was finally catching up to him. He was tired. Tired of searching and hoping, and tired of always being let down. Maybe it was time he left Caris behind too and followed his own path.

“Great. One more thing we’ll have to sort out. Can you take me to the herbal shop? I have to get my car.”

“Are you sure you can drive?”

“Yes,” Jason snapped.

Caris guided the Jeep back onto the road and decided to give Jason some peace and quiet for the rest of the ride home.

“We’re here.” Caris nudged his shoulder.

Jason looked up and spotted his patrol car right where he’d left it. He kicked the blankets off his legs and climbed out of the Jeep. Glancing through the window, he found his bag of supplies still lying in the seat behind a locked door. Jason fiddled in his pockets, retrieving the keys. “I’ll meet you at home.”

Caris cast him a sad smile then jumped back into her Jeep, taking a left out of the parking lot.

Jason sat in his patrol car and debated if he should follow Caris home or simply take a right and leave. It’s not like they needed him. He wasn’t part of the three. Slamming his hands against the wheel, he pulled up to the street and checked his mirrors. Catching his reflection in the rearview, he reached up to the spot where he was missing a chunk of hair and cursed. “Fuck!” Realization dawned and Jason scolded himself for missing it. “He’s spelled you into wanting to leave, stupid.”

Jason reached into his bag, retrieving the sage and punched the cigarette lighter. Grabbing it once ready, he lit the smudge stick and cleansed his heart and mind. “In the name of the Lord and Lady, please remove any negative energies affecting me at this time.” He took a deep breath and felt the threads of the spell leave his body, carried away by the healing smoke.

Clear of mind once again, he checked his car, making sure no talismans were left behind to play with his head, then he, too, pulled out and headed south towards home.

Jason rounded the corner at the end of the drive and sucked in a shocked breath. Parking in a rush, he carefully exited the car, nursing his ribs. “What are you doing here?”

“Caris called and said you were in trouble and that I needed to come home, and from the looks of you, it was none too soon.”

“Well, I can’t deny I’m glad to see you. Come on in.” Jason responded. “How was your drive?”

“Not bad. It’s only nine hours from Washington, DC to BlackBrook.”

After an entire day of selfish wallowing, Trin decided it was time for her to return home. With Lillian’s death, there was no one else she could talk to about her situation, except Caris, Jason, and Kit. She’d decided that regardless of their fight, she wanted to inform Caris what happened to her friend in person, and not knowing if Jason was all right had been eating her up inside. Two more hours and she’d be at the Hardy’s door. Trin hadn’t bothered calling Kit; experience had taught her that dealing with her face-to-face was the best way to go.

Clear of mind and happy to be moving towards some sort of amends, Trin turned on the radio and cracked the window, letting the crisp end-of-winter air keep her awake. She passed the miles thinking about all the moments in her past where she’d encountered another witch, only to be distanced by some twist of fate. But now, after everything she’d discovered, Trin was sure fate had nothing to do with it.

Stopping at a convenience store, Trin filled up with gas and grabbed a bottle of water for the last leg of her trip. She debated, again, whether to call in advance, but decided against it in case they refused her. No. She’d deal with that after she got there and said her piece.

With only miles to go, Trin’s veins buzzed with a nervous energy and magic, strangely enough. She felt a positivity settle over her that she hadn’t felt in a very long time. Perhaps her vision walking with Lillian had somehow unblocked her after all. Trin certainly hoped so as she turned the last curve of the road and parked behind an unfamiliar Range Rover.

Grabbing her witches ladder, Trin walked to the front door and knocked.

“Trin!’ Caris’s high-pitched greeting was a surprise.

“Hello, Caris. May I come in, I have some news I need to share with you.” Trin’s tone was somber.

“Um...sure. Yeah, um...can you give me a minute?” Caris shuffled nervously, hoping the healing work on Jason’s ribs was done.

Trin cocked her head. “Okay, but is everything all right? Is Jason all right?” Trin glanced past Caris’s shoulder.

“Car, who is it?” Jason’s voice rang out.

Trin sighed when Caris smiled and led her straight to the kitchen.

“You’re okay,” Trin stated.

“Yes. I’m okay.” Jason moved to Trin, giving her a gentle hug.

“We have company?” a voice sounded from the back door.

Caris took a deep breath. “Trin. I’d like you to meet my sister.”

Trin froze. Here stood another striking red-head, whose magic was singing in her veins. Trin laughed internally at the sight before her; two sisters resembling her own staring at her from across the kitchen counter, her lost love smiling down at her with his arm around her shoulders, and all the while knowing none of it could be true. She was losing her mind.

“Hi! I’m Trin.” She offered her hand, not sure at this point what to expect.

“It’s nice to meet you.” The woman smiled but didn’t return the gesture.

Caris huffed and motioned to the living room. “Let’s all take a seat, it seems we have a lot to discuss.”

Trin sat across from the Hardy’s on one of the two couches, clutching tightly to the witches ladder in her pocket. The collision of her past and present was no longer avoidable. She had to tell them the truth, all of it, if they had any hope of making sense of this mess. “Unfortunately, I must insist that I go first. The news I have may alter what you’d like to share,” Trin explained.

Caris nodded and took a seat beside her sister and Jason on the opposite couch.

“After what happened,” Trin nodded at Jason, “I fled to Ipswich in search of answers. I met with Lillian and she helped me make this.” Trin produced the ladder and laid it on the coffee table between them. “It’s a witches ladder and it helped me climb into my past. What I saw there is that you were both right. I have been blocked by something.” Trin nervously retrieved the talisman and held it tight within her hand. “But what you don’t know, is that it’s been happening for centuries.”

The Hardy siblings gaped at each other, smiling wide.

Trin took a deep breath, ready to reveal her secret. “I was born in 1673 as Karina Howe. I had two sisters, Kara and Kenna. We were all
true
witches, like our mother before us. I was set to the flame in 1693 where I cast a spell that catapulted our souls forward through time.”

Jason smiled encouragingly at Trin, while the sisters continued to look on, interested but reserved.

“In every life I’ve lived since, I’ve found one of my sisters but never the other.” She motioned towards Caris. “When I first met you, I thought you were Kara, but as Kit explained, you couldn’t be her, as all my sisters live their lives as only children, waiting until the three of us can be reunited.”

Caris cast a weary look at Jason, who just shook his head and let Trin continue.

“Lillian was able to help me see that something had attached itself to me during the casting of my spell. A demon most likely, and that it’s been blocking me from finding my final sibling all this time.”

Trin took a shaky breath as tears filled her eyes. “While I’m so grateful for Lillian’s help, I wish I’d never gone.”

Caris reached for her hand, absorbing the severe jolt between them without a word. “Oh, Trin. What happened?”

“Whatever has been attacking you followed me.” Trin sobbed. “Lillian is dead.”

Caris sucked in sharp breath and sank back onto the couch.

“I’m so sorry, Caris. You were right. It is all my fault.” Trin wrapped her arms around herself as her tears fell. “I’m sorry to you, too, Jason. It’s my fault you were taken. Can either of you ever forgive me?” Trin pleaded.

Jason rose and took Trin in his arms, kissing the top of her head, “It’s okay, Trin, it’s not your fault. There’s nothing to forgive.” He continued to rock her while she cried herself out.

Caris was led to the kitchen by her sister, who tried to comfort her over the loss of her friend. Caris continued to listen to her soft whispers, but it was the ritual of grinding herbs, letting them steep, and breathing in the gentle aroma of the tea that helped sooth her soul.

Jason nodded to the girls over Trin’s shoulders. “Would you like something to drink?”

Trin nodded, feeling like a fool that she’d laid all her cards on the table, so to speak. What if sharing her secret with the Hardy’s––all of them, ended up being a huge mistake?

Jason held Trin’s hand and told her what happened during his capture while they waited for the tea. “Besides a few sore ribs and another round of hypothermia, I promise, I’m perfectly fine.” Jason winked.

“I can’t tell you how happy that makes me,” she confessed, laying her forehead to his.

Suddenly, as if cast backwards through time, Karina and Jeremiah laid tangled in the sheets of their old bed. Kissing, fondling, and madly in love.

“Whoa...what was that?” Jason pulled back.

“Oh my god, I’m sorry. I must be projecting my desire for you. That was a vision from my past life of me with my beloved, Jeremiah.”

Jason rose from the couch and excused himself. “How about I check on the tea? I’ll be right back.”

Trin collapsed face first onto the couch. How embarrassing. She needed to get control of herself, because it seemed that opening these floodgates may have been an all or nothing kind of thing. She didn’t want to confuse the situation, especially for herself. Sitting up, she shook out her arms and ran her fingers through her hair. She’d get it together and hopefully with the Hardy’s help, they’d put a stop to whatever this was so they could all move on with their lives.

Jason returned to the living room with a plate of cheese and crackers, followed by the girls who carried in an elaborate tea set upon an antique silver tray.

They all sat their items on the coffee table and retreated a few steps, staring at Trin in an awkward silence.

Trin scanned each of their faces and offered a quirky, “Thanks?”

As she reached for the kettle Trin gasped. “Oh my god!” She looked up into three smiling faces. “This was my mother’s platter. How on earth...?”

Caris’s sister stepped forward. “Let me properly introduce myself.” She knelt directly in front of Trin. “My name is Kennedy, and it’s finally nice to see you again,
sister
.”