Page 5 of Voyage of Magic and Malice (The Vampires of Charleston #3)

FIVE

a heritage complete

While Thorne, Cam, and Phyllis work on the wards outside the house, I flip through the grimoire and work on clearing my mind of the darkness that’s fighting to take over. For the first time since receiving the book, I read through a few of the spells.

Most seem relatively simple. Just a few ingredients, a few words, and poof—magic, or at least that’s what I’m assuming. Out of the thirty or so pages in the grimoire, half of them are nothing but off-white parchment paper. “What’s on this page,” I absentmindedly whisper at the empty page in my hand. With my words, letters begin to appear. Protection , the title reads at the top. “What the hell was that?” As quickly as they appeared, the words disappear. Was that my imagination?

Carrying the book outside, I find Thorne and Cam following Phyllis around the yard like lost sheep. Both have confused looks on their faces and remind me of children following a parent around at the store rather than the fierce paranormal creatures they are.

“Phyllis? I have a question.” I hold the book in front of me. “On one of the blank pages, a spell appeared then disappeared.”

“Show me.”

I flip the book to the blank page. “It was right here. It said protection at the top.”

Phyllis laughs. “Seems that even from the grave, Aaron is trying to help.”

“You think he was trying to help protect us?” I can’t hide the what the hell look on my face.

“Elsbeth, I can’t begin to explain the way magic works to someone who hasn’t been around it their entire life. Hell, I don’t even understand how it works sometimes. I guess that’s why the universe named it magic—that’s exactly what it is.” She gently lays her hand on top of mine. “You’re going to have to take my word for it. Aaron will send the spell when it’s needed.”

“He’s dead.”

“Yes, Aaron’s dead, but his magic isn’t. The grimoire holds bits and pieces of his magic, which means it holds pieces of him.”

I stare at the woman in front of me. “Thank you, Phyllis.”

“You’re welcome, my dear.” She turns behind her, staring at her vampire and lycanthrope shadows. “Think you can help me find a job for these two?” She winks with her words.

“I think I can help you with that.” I turn toward the duo. I’m not sure when we adopted Cam, but it seems he’s not leaving. “I could use some help with some defensive fighting moves. Would you guys be willing to help?”

“Of course, acushla,” Thorne answers first, moving to my side.

“Cam? It would be nice to see how things are done from a wolf perspective,” I lie.

“Oh, sure. I’ve never really been in a true fight, but I grew up with five older brothers. I can hold my own.”

“Holy cannoli. Five older brothers?” Ms. Phyllis asks. “Your poor mother. Give her a hug for me.”

Cam smiles, lifting one side of his mouth higher than the other. “I would, but she’s gone. She was killed when I was still a teenager. It’s a long story.”

“I’m sorry, Cameron.” Phyllis’s voice is soft. “I didn’t mean to bring up something negative.”

“You didn’t. It was a long time ago. She was a wonderful woman, and I got to spend sixteen years with her. When my dad passed, my oldest brother became the alpha and took over the pack.”

“For what it’s worth, I’ve met many lycan throughout my lifetime. Your energy is some of the warmest I’ve felt.”

“Thank you, Ms. Phyllis. But I’m supposed to terrify people around me, not be warm and fuzzy. I’m a lycanthrope.” He claws his bare hand in the air with a soft “roar,” making the elderly witch laugh. His energy is relaxed and easy, reminding me of Luna.

Phyllis clutches her chest teasingly. “Oh, that was terrifying. How could I have been so wrong about you?”

“Pfft.” He scoffs, following me and Thorne away from the working witch. “I like her,” he announces once we’re out of earshot.

“Yeah, me, too,” I agree.

“I’m guessing Phyllis asked you to entertain us?” Thorne asks, making me smile.

“Aye. She did.” The three of us stop underneath the canopy of a large shade tree. I turn toward Cam, hoping to change the subject. “What’s it like having five older brothers? I was the oldest in my family. I’m curious to hear the other side.”

He laughs. “There was never a dull moment growing up. I was the smallest, which meant I had to learn to fight early.”

“You would fight each other?” Thorne asks.

“Yeah. We used to wolf out and try to kill each other over the dumbest things.”

Thorne and I stare at the lycanthrope. “Really?”

Cam shrugs. “Yeah. It was fun.” He laughs deeply. “There was this one time that my brother Colby nearly killed me. I was in the hospital for weeks after that fight. That’s when Dad stopped allowing us to roughhouse.”

“That was fun for you?” I ask, watching him reminisce over a near-death experience.

“Of course.”

“Do you know anything about fighting witches?” Thorne redirects our conversation.

Cam clears his throat. “Even though I’m tasked with keeping the covens in line, today was my first experience with fighting an actual witch. Most are docile and follow the rules.”

“So, none of us really knows what we’re up against.” I lean against the trunk of a large live oak tree.

“It’s a battle that can’t be won with physical strength. We have to use magic.” Thorne’s right. This isn’t going to be a battle of who’s the strongest. It’s going to be a battle of whose magic is the most powerful.

“I’m afraid all I can provide is brute force,” Cam says, flexing his biceps in an awkward goofball way, providing the comic relief we need.

“Brute force is helpful, too,” I announce, moving in front of the lycanthrope. “Don’t take offense to what I’m about to do.”

“What…” is the only word Cam gets out as I move vampire speed behind him, wrapping my arms and legs around his torso and bringing my fangs to his throat.

“Your brute force needs work,” I tease, clinging to his back.

“Shit. I wasn’t ready. I…I didn’t realize we were going all out.” Cam’s heart rate has picked up significantly, sending the blood flowing through his veins faster. The temptation to drink is strong.

“Don’t,” Thorne warns, sensing my desire.

Before I have time to think, the man I’m clinging to shifts into wolf form, throwing me to the ground. The wolf turns toward me, snarling a warning. “What the hell was that?” screams through my mind.

“Cam?”

“Yeah, it’s me.” His voice is deep and out of breath.

“How can I hear you and you hear me?”

“Well, this is an interesting development,” Thorne’s familiar brogue joins the conversation.

“Can you hear our thoughts in human form?” I ask out loud.

The wolf shakes his head dramatically, leaving a path of slobber along the way. “I don’t think so. This is the first time.” Cam sits on his hind legs, staring into my eyes. “Does this mean I have some sort of witch’s blood?”

“Maybe a little. I’m of the belief that we all have a little magic inside us,” Phyllis says from a few feet behind. She claps her hands loudly. “What a fun day.”

“You can hear us, too?”

She shrugs. “I don’t think I hear everything, but I definitely heard that. Cam was shouting through his mind, and it was as clear as day.”

“Can all witches hear thoughts?” Thorne asks.

“No,” she answers quickly. “I’ve known a few others in my lifetime, but only aware of one at the moment.”

“Who?” Cam asks, now back in human form and standing naked without a care in the world.

“Sable.” Phyllis looks Cam up and down, pausing in a certain area. “Hmm, I’ve always wondered what sort of package a man of your size would have.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “I’m pleasantly surprised.” For the first time since meeting him, Cam seems to gain a bit of modesty. Large hands move in front of his groin, blocking him from our eyes.

Phyllis’s laugh echoes off the side of the house. “Don’t cover up on my behalf. I’m too old for such things. But,” she pauses, “looking never hurt anyone.”

Cam’s ears burn red as he turns toward the house, covering his bare ass with his other hand. “There are clothes upstairs that should fit,” Thorne calls after him.

The moment the door closes, the three of us burst into the sort of laughter that brings tears to your eyes. “Oh, my word. I needed that,” Phyllis announces.

“What? Cam naked or the laugh?” I ask.

She shrugs. “Both. Ok, it’s training time,” she announces with a loud clap, looking between the two of us. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” we answer in unison.

“Would you mind grabbing a few things from the house, Thorne?” she asks the vampire at my side.

“Of course.”

“I was hoping you’d say that. We need a candle and salt.” Thorne disappears and reappears before Phyllis has time to turn around. “That was quick,” she laughs, taking the items.

I watch as she squats to the ground. “Join me.” She pats the grass next to her. Thorne and I follow instructions, sitting on either side of her. “Elsie, let’s start with you. Place this candle wherever you want.”

Taking the pink taper candle from her hand, I put it a few feet in front of my knees, making sure it’s standing straight and tall.

“Now, make a small circle around it using the salt.”

I take the salt and begin pinching small amounts around the candle. “This seems weird,” I whisper.

Phyllis laughs. “It may seem that way, but it’s going to ground you.”

“Ground me?”

“Yes, ground you. It will help build confidence and center your energy. Now, light the wick and focus on the flame while you repeat after me.”

“Burn,” I whisper, bringing the wick to life.

“Earth below, flame bright, calm my mind, grant me sight,” Phyllis says, and I echo. “Let my spirit grounded be, centered, calm, and wild, yet free.” I echo the words, feeling a strange peace enter my body. “Now, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and let the energy settle within you.”

I follow instructions, allowing the calm to spread from the top of my head through my body until it exits my feet. I open my eyes to the warm smiles of both of my companions. “Did it work?” I ask, not sure anything happened.

“How do you feel?” Phyllis asks.

I shrug. “I don’t know. Relaxed?”

“Then it worked. Snuff out the candle, and Thorne will do the same.” I watch as Thorne lights the candle and repeats the actions and words. The sense of calm I feel is different. The energy that fills the world around me gives me a sense of tranquility for the first time in a while.

“How do you feel?” Phyllis asks Thorne.

“Really good,” he answers. “I feel like I’ve slept for several days.”

Phyllis laughs. “I thought vampires didn’t sleep.”

“We don’t,” he answers, flopping backward on the grass. “Are all spells this easy?”

“No. That was a beginner spell.” She slowly stands, grunting a few times along the way. “You both did well. I could feel the energy flowing through you.” Phyllis moves to take a step, and her knee gives out. Thorne is at her side before she falls, keeping her off the ground. “Oh, goodness.” She laughs. “Between protecting the house and that spell, I’m a little tired.”

“We have plenty of space,” I interrupt, moving to her side. “Thorne can take you to a room where you can rest.”

“That would be perfect. Thank you.” I watch the two of them slowly make their way into the house just as Cam exits. Phyllis has enough energy left to swat the lycanthrope on the ass on her way past. His eyes grow twice their size as he mouths the words, “Help me.”

“What’s going on?” he asks, moving to my side.

“Phyllis overdid it a little. Thorne’s taking her to lie down.”

“She’s dying.” Cam’s words are simple and straightforward.

“What?” I turn toward him. “What are you talking about?”

“Phyllis. She’s dying.”

“Are you speaking metaphorically or literally?”

Cam sighs. “Phyllis is or rather was the protector of the grimoire, as her ancestors have done before her. Now that you are here and have the grimoire, her lineage is complete.”

I turn, facing the open window of the room Thorne took her to. “How long does she have?”

“I don’t know. I’ve only read about this sort of thing, but from what I’ve read, it varies. A few years, a few months, a few days…”

“A few days?” Guilt fills me. “Can I do something to change it?”

“I don’t know,” he answers honestly, staring into the same window I am.

“Does she know?”

“Yes. The moment she gave you access to the grimoire, the process began.”

“That’s simply unacceptable,” I retort, heading into the house and leaving Cam alone in the backyard.

Racing up the stairs and opening the door to her room, I find Thorne helping Phyllis get on the bed. “Elsie? Do you mind me calling you Elsie?”

“No.” I smile. “It’s been my nickname since I was a kid.”

Phyllis laughs softly. “Okay, good. I have to ask. Were you worried I was going to take advantage of Thorne up here all alone?”

I stare at the wide plank floorboard in front of me, not sure what to say. I direct my thoughts toward the older witch. So, you’re going to die? Is that the truth?

“Yes, I am. It’s true,” she answers, reading my mind.

“What are we talking about?” Thorne asks as he covers her legs with a throw blanket from the foot of the bed.

“It seems Elsie has just discovered my demise.” She yawns widely as she speaks. Wrinkled hands smooth the blanket covering her.

“Your demise?” Thorne looks between us. “Can someone explain, please?”

I sigh before answering. “Now that Phyllis has given me Aaron’s grimoire, her life’s mission is completed, meaning…meaning she’s dying.”

Thorne whips his head toward the elder witch. “Dying? Why?”

“Just as Elsie explained. My ancestors were tasked with guarding and protecting the grimoire. Now that our job is complete, I’m not needed.”

“I don’t want it,” I interrupt. “You can take it back.”

“It’s not that easy, dear. You are the rightful heir to the grimoire. You can’t just simply return it like a shirt that’s too small.”

“There has to be another way,” Thorne adds.

Phyllis smiles, lifting one side of her mouth higher than the other. “Look at you two. You’re vampires, for goddess’s sake. You’re supposed to be terrifying, heartless, and cruel…the adjectives go on and on. Instead, you’re sad about an old witch dying. I’ve lived my life. I’ve completed my task. I’m happy. Besides, I’m just tired today. I’m not dying today or even next week. I’ll be here as long as I’m needed.”

“But you got tired and needed to lie down,” I retort.

“Because I’m old and worked all day at the library dealing with shitheads who don’t know how to reshelve a damn book. Using my energy wore me down slightly but not any more than usual.” She claps her hands loudly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take a nap and dream about a hot lycanthrope.” She wiggles her eyebrows, dismissing us with her words.