Page 66
11
CALLIE
I can't believe I just left them behind, but it feels like the right thing to do, and I need to follow my instincts. That's the best way to stay alive and make sure I see this thing through until the end. As I follow the trail, something pulls me to the right. And, sure enough, a few minutes later, I spot a smaller trail branch off. It's probably just animal tracks, where they've used the same path for so long it's made a trail, but I feel like I need to walk down it.
So, I do.
As I make my way through the woods, without a clue where I'm going, the reality of what's happening sinks in. A cold rush of ice moves through my veins, and I stagger for a second before continuing forward, almost by instinct alone.
All of this is too much. How am I going to save Hank's mom? Will has already lost his. I wasn't quick enough, strong enough, or smart enough to stop it. I should have seen it coming.
I should've seen so much of this coming.
The world begins to spin as my breathing quickens and my pulse races. I can't focus on anything other than the impending sense of doom. Why am I even trying? For a second, my vision blackens, and it feels like someone is standing on my chest, and then I realize that I’m about to completely come undone.
I can't let the panic take me. I've had panic attacks, and I know what's happening. And yet, that doesn't do anything to help stem the flow.
Crouching down, I hang my head between my knees and take deep breaths. It takes a few minutes, but my breathing starts to return to normal. I straighten slowly, and even though the anxiety still courses through me, I stop and look back the way I came. It would be so simple to turn back, retrace my steps, and return to the safe, welcoming arms of the men who have helped me. Accepted me. Loved me.
Why I thought I could do this without them, I don't know.
I lift my foot to start back, but a tugging around my navel stops me. I turn around again, looking toward the path, toward the unknown. Why am I so compelled to continue through the woods, fighting an anxiety attack just to carry on?
Whatever it is, I have to find out. I can't go this far and stop. Something has me convinced I need to be in these woods. At first, I thought it was to connect to nature, to prepare for the upcoming battle.
But this isn't that. It tingles differently. If I had to describe it out loud, I'm not sure I could. Whatever it is, I continue down the path and away from the cave. In for a dollar and all that.
The path ends suddenly, a few feet from a dramatic drop-off. My jaw drops at the view. Damn. Clear out a few trees, and this is a multi-million dollar spot to build a home.
"Calliope." A whisper through the trees behind me dances across my skin. I freeze without turning. This isn't a person. It's magic. "My dear." The whisper returns, raising goosebumps. I try to open myself to it, to the magic trying to reach me, even though my heart is racing so fast it's making me nauseated.
The wind kicks up, leaves flurrying around me. The power in the air is palpable. It has a flavor, a smell, and a taste. Gardenias... and... what is that? I lick my lips. Cherries. Lovely. Comfort washes over me, ensnaring my senses. I close my eyes and bask in the feelings coursing through me, washing the anxiety away. Belonging, companionship. Like being hugged.
Family.
When I open my eyes, my grandmother stands in front of me, clearly a ghost.
"Whoa," I release a breath. "Hi."
"Hello, beautiful girl. I'm so glad you came." Her eyes crinkle, and a doting smile lifts her lips.
A tear forms in the corner of my eye. I've been robbed of this woman. And my parents. They've all been taken from me before I could get to know them. And yet, I can feel the affection coming from her. I can't take my gaze off of her face. She's so familiar, yet I've never really met her.
"How are you here?" I have more questions than that, but this seems like a good place to start.
She chuckles and holds out her hand. "Many things are possible, Calliope." It's so strange hearing my full name. No one uses it. Not unless they're trying to intimidate me. But she isn't.
I don't know if I'll be able to take her hand, but it's worth trying.
"Open yourself to me," she says.
Sucking in a deep breath, I do my best to relax my defenses and let her in. The thought flashes through me that this could be a trap, but I can't believe that. It's too authentic. Too precious.
When she puts her hand in mine, her aura floods mine, and I know it's real, beyond any doubt.
"Oh, wow," I whisper. I want to say her name, but I don't even know which one to give her. Do I call her Phoebe? Grandma? Nana? The possibilities seem endless, and yet none of them is the obvious answer. "What should I call you?" The best way to solve this dilemma is to ask.
"Well, you can use my name, but I always wanted my grandchildren to call me Nan." She chuckles sadly and turns toward the ocean.
"Okay, Nan." The name feels natural on my tongue, and I like the way it sounds. For the first time in my life, I have a family. Even if the only member I have is dead. "Why are you here? Not that I'm complaining," I amend quickly.
She stares out at the water, and I can't take my eyes off her. I fear that if I do, she'll disappear, and I'll lose any chance of getting to know her.
"You seem to need some guidance." She looks at me again, and her eyes dance with merriment. "And also, for a selfish reason, I wanted to talk to you."
A huge grin spreads across my face. "I'm so glad. I'm out of my element here." I don't want to admit how out of my depth I really am. I don't want to disappoint her.
"All will be well if you connect with nature. The magic will choose you. You're pure and good. Your uncle has perverted the magic, forced it to work for him." Anger drifts through the last part of her statement, and I remember my uncle is also her son. She must be disappointed in what he's become.
Naturally, I don't say the last part of my thoughts out loud. I don't want to anger her.
"Don't we have to make the magic do our will?" I ask, still a little confused about how it all works. The guys have been trying to teach me, but there's been so much pressure that I don't think all of it has sunk in. Plus, while they're good at what they do, teaching isn't their calling.
Nan, on the other hand, feels like someone who would have loved nothing better than to help me learn how to wield my magic and the best way to hone my skills. A fresh wave of anger hits me. Why can't my uncle stop taking things away from people?
"Sort of. But a true catalyst doesn't have to force it. You might sometimes have to convince it. But the magic will work for you willingly if your heart is pure. And it's always stronger when it's willing."
I never knew that. But then, perhaps no one knows it. Nan prepared Fran for her death and what she needed to tell me, but perhaps this isn't something that can be told to a non-royal.
Huh. Royal. I know people have been calling me a princess and a future queen, but for some reason, it hasn't completely sunk in that it means I'm royalty.
She leans closer. "Your uncle never understood that because he never could get the magic to work for him. His heart was always a little dark, even as a child. I wish I knew where I went wrong."
Her face twists with a sadness that isn't grief. It's something more complicated than that. I slip my arm around her, delighted, if a little confused, that I'm able to touch her.
"How are you corporeal?" I ask, but only after a few moments of silent contemplation. I don't want to rush her into telling me anything.
She squeezes my arm with her free hand. "Through you. If you cut off our connection, I'll fade to nothing again. At least in this realm. Please don't. At least not yet." She winks.
A small laugh escapes me at that.
"What's beyond?" I ask, desperate to know. I don't think any living person would be able to resist asking. It's one of life's unanswered questions. But she's here, with me. Which means there must be something.
"Ah, that's something I truly can't share." Her answer isn't totally unexpected. I've already reached the assumption that she isn't the first person to ever make her way back. "But see my face? Am I tortured?" She smiles, a peaceful look drifting over her face.
I shake my head. "No, you seem at peace."
She nods, confirming my theory. I'm oddly settled by that. It must mean the other people I've lost are at peace, too. And Will's mom. I need to tell him that when I see him again.
"Now, there are a few things I must tell you quickly in case we lose our connection." She turns to me, so I have to move my arm, then takes both my hands. "Tell my Frannie I love her, and I can't wait to see her again, but caution her against hurrying up our meeting. It will happen in good time, okay?" She raises her eyebrows, waiting for my agreement.
"I'll tell her word for word, I promise." I lift her hands to my chest and hold her close. I hope she can see from my eyes how serious I am. I'm not ready to lose Fran myself, not when she's the last living connection to my family. Hopefully, we can spend years getting to know one another. "What else?"
"Tell my son I forgive him, even for what he hasn't done yet. He doesn't know it, but he will regret his actions one day." She shakes her head. "Don't tell him that. Just the forgiveness part."
"Got it." I'm not sure how to feel about that one. The idea of my uncle feeling remorse isn't one I can easily marry up with the way he's been acting towards the town. But I trust Nan, and as his mother, she must know him better than anyone. Plus, I hope she's right. If he regrets what he's done, then there's hope for everyone.
"Your mother sends her love. Oh, Callie. I was so happy to see her again. She would visit, but the way the magic works, it had to be one of us, and she said next time, it'll be her. She doesn't have the knowledge to connect you to nature the way I do. As perfect as my daughter was, she never quite got as strong magic-wise." Nan shrugs. "But she wanted you to know she and your father are safe. And they look forward to meeting you."
An odd feeling settles in my chest, and it takes me a moment to realize it's part of my heart mending. I always thought the part that belonged to my former family would stay broken. But it hasn't. It's fixed. Just like that. Knowing they're all safe and happy in a place that's good for them is enough for me. I've missed out on a lot, but it's none of their fault. They didn't abandon me on purpose. And one day, we can be whole again.
"Thank you, Nan," I whisper, tears threatening again. They aren't born of pain this time, though. I don't think there are words for how these tears feel.
"You're welcome, Callie." She lifts her hand and cups my cheek. "There are a lot of people who love you in this world and the next."
A sob escapes me as I nod. "I know, I feel it," I promise.
She smiles sadly. "But I have to go."
"I know." As much as I want her to stay around for as long as she can, there are things that need doing and people who need saving. Nan is here to help me, not stop me from doing my duty.
"My parting gift to you, sweet girl." Nan closes her eyes and pulls me close, hugging me tight in a way I've never been hugged in my life. The hug of a grandmother, with unconditional love and acceptance.
As she holds me close, magic begins to flow between us. I recognized some of it as my own, but other bits weren't. With each pass back and forth, I feel more and more power resting within me.
And with it was the knowledge of how to use it. She's giving me far more than a simple power boost.
When I open my eyes, she's gone, but I don't feel alone. On the contrary, she's still coursing within me, in my power. My mother as well, and though he was human, my father.
And I know what I need to do. She didn't tell me this part out loud, but it's there.
I make my way down the path toward the beach. It's the fastest way to town. As I walk, I commune with the water. The sand. The crabs and little creatures on the beach. The birds above. Even the plants are given a voice by the magic. It hums through the world, a promise written in the air. Life is everywhere, and it's impossible to ignore it.
When I reach the boardwalk, I set a glamour around myself. I make myself tall, at least twenty feet. I put a gown of green leaves and bright flowers on my image and bare feet. My hair is wild, and a ring of flowers sits on my head. I want to tell the people I'm here. I'm here, and you can trust me.
I spot a burning fire. From here, I can’t see what it is, but it doesn't take a genius to guess, and I have to help. Theresa wasn’t lying. Before I can begin my message, I have to stop that. It's more devilry from my uncle. He must be stopped at all costs. I let my twenty-foot-tall image disappear for now and run flat out toward the smoke and flames.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66 (Reading here)
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74