Chapter 10
Morgan kept the door ajar, peering skeptically at the old man on the porch. ”Mr. Dove, what is it that you think we have of yours?”
Maynard Dove’s hands clenched around his cane. ”The stones,” he said. ”They were part of my private collection, and I”ve been informed they found their way to you.”
Behind the door, Morgan shared a look with her sisters. Without a word, they understood each other. It was Fiona who stepped up, her voice calm and even. ”We have nothing of the sort, Mr. Dove. If you’ve been robbed, I suggest you talk to the sheriff.”
He squinted, betraying a desperate understanding. ”Those stones are far more significant than you realize,” Dove whispered, the urgency in his voice punctuated by a sudden clap of thunder. ”They are key to controlling the effects of the celestial phenomenon. Without them?—”
A foreboding rumble interrupted him, and the sky outside darkened unnaturally quickly. The air around them seemed to press closer, the anticipation of the storm mingling with an unseen tension.
Celeste chimed in, her words light yet firm. ”It appears we”re in for a storm, Mr. Dove. Perhaps this conversation can wait until tomorrow, when it”s safe.”
Dove, however, stood his ground. ”I must insist?—”
Raindrops began to fall, tapping hurriedly on the porch. Morgan”s intuition told her that they needed to hear Maynard Dove out. Time was of the essence. ”All right, come in,” she relented. ”But we can”t promise that we have anything of yours.”
It was true. Morgan hadn”t seen the stones since they flew into the woods, and she had no idea where they were now. But it was clear the stones were important, and they needed to know what Mr. Dove knew about them. Morgan led the old man toward the kitchen.
His eyes darted around the foyer, lingering on the antique portraits of their ancestors that lined the wall. She thought she saw a glimmer of recognition in his gaze, as if he knew some of the faces staring back at him. But that was impossible; those people had been dead for a hundred years or more.
Johanna busied herself preparing a pot of chamomile tea, gently insisting that Mr. Dove have a cup to warm himself from the damp outside. He acquiesced with a polite nod and settled into one of the wooden chairs at the table as rain pelted the window.
Morgan watched the old man carefully as he sipped the tea. At first glance, he seemed like a harmless old guy, frail and dependent on his cane. But Morgan knew better than to make assumptions based on appearances alone. In her experience, the paranormal world was often deceptive.
”Now, Mr. Dove, why don”t you tell us exactly what you are looking for?” Fiona asked.
Maynard Dove fixed his piercing gaze on her. ”You must be Fiona,” he said. ”I think you know exactly what it is. I”m not here to harm any of you, and there is no need to play games.”
Fiona met his stare, her jaw tightening. ”Mr. Dove, I assure you we are not playing games. I think you might be, though. Why can”t you just come out and tell us what you”re looking for so we can help you?”
Dove”s eyes narrowed, his wrinkled face creasing further. ”The stones,” he stated plainly. ”The ones that move and vibrate of their own accord. I know they came into your possession recently.”
Fiona glanced at Morgan, who nodded. They might as well get it out in the open if they were going to find any answers.
Fiona sighed. ”Yes, I know the stones you”re talking about. But we didn”t steal them from you.”
”I know that,” Dove said. ”But I would like them back.”
”I”m afraid that won”t be possible,” Morgan said.
Dove”s face darkened. ”Why not?”
Morgan looked out the kitchen window toward the woods. ”They flew off into the woods, and we haven”t seen them since.”
Dove studied Morgan as if trying to ascertain whether she spoke the truth. After a moment, he sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly.
”This is... unfortunate,” he said. ”Without those stones, I fear events will unfold that cannot be easily undone.” His voice took on a grave quality that sent a chill down Morgan”s spine.
Morgan studied their guest, noting the concern in his eyes. ”Mr. Dove, it”s clear you know something important about those stones. What, exactly, will happen without them?”
Dove hesitated, his fingers tapping on the handle of his cane. ”It”s... complicated,” he said after a moment. ”I”m not sure you would understand.”
Morgan glanced at her sisters. They all gave slight nods, communicating without words.
”Mr. Dove,” Morgan said gently, ”I think you”ll find we understand more than you realize. We know about the upcoming celestial alignment and the effect it could have.”
Dove nodded as if he wasn’t surprised at what they knew. He studied Morgan carefully. ”How do you know about that?”
Morgan met his gaze evenly. ”Let”s just say we have our sources. We also have reason to believe whatever is happening is focused around the woods bordering our property, where the stones disappeared.”
Dove leaned back in his chair, regarding the sisters thoughtfully. ”I thought you might know more than you let on,” he said finally. ”Very well. I will tell you what I know if you share what you have learned. Our knowledge together may shed some light on the situation.”
Morgan nodded. ”Agreed.” She could tell Dove still had his guard up, but she sensed he was telling the truth. They were at an impasse, and both had information the other needed. She still wasn”t sure if she could trust him, but it made sense to at least hear him out.
”You first,” she prompted. ”What will happen without those stones?”
Dove took a deep breath as if mentally preparing to unload a heavy burden he had carried alone for too long.
Morgan leaned forward, listening intently as Maynard Dove began his tale.
”Those stones amplify magical power,” he said gravely. ”And they are drawn to the epicenter of mystical energy, wherever that may be. In this case, it seems they have been pulled into the woods near your home.” He paused, taking a slow sip of tea before continuing. ”When the celestial alignment occurs, the stones will cluster at the focal point, amplifying the supernatural effects exponentially.”
Jolene furrowed her brow, skepticism written on her face. ”How do we know you”re telling the truth?” she asked pointedly. ”Why should we believe anything you say?”
Dove regarded her calmly. ”You have no reason to trust me yet,” he acknowledged. ”But I am not your enemy, nor am I the cause of the strange events occurring. I only wish to contain the damage.”
He set down his teacup with a clink. ”Let me start from the beginning. I am a wizard of old—my sister and I were once very powerful practitioners of the arcane arts. But we had a terrible falling out centuries ago and have become estranged.”
His eyes took on a faraway look as if peering into the distant past. ”This celestial alignment holds special significance for us. We once stopped an alignment from wreaking havoc together, but now, I am afraid my sister wants the opposite effect. That is why it is imperative I recover those stones before they cause damage.”
Dove refocused his gaze on the sisters, his expression grave. ”Make no mistake, the magic unleashed will be chaotic and dangerous if the stones are allowed to run unchecked. I only wish to mitigate the effects.”
He spread his hands imploringly. ”I know you have no reason to trust me. But I beg you to believe that I mean you no harm. We must work together if there is to be any hope of controlling the impending supernatural storm.” The old wizard fell silent, awaiting the sisters” response.
Morgan weighed his words carefully. She sensed no deceit, only earnest concern.
”Very well,” Morgan said finally. ”We will take you at your word... for now. But know that we will be watching closely.” She glanced at her sisters and saw her own resolve mirrored in their eyes.
Dove inclined his head gratefully. ”That is all I ask. With your help, perhaps we can prevent a catastrophe.”
The rain continued to patter steadily on the window as Morgan told Dove about their foray into the forest.
”I”m afraid strange things are already happening,” Fiona said. ”We encountered odd animal behavior and strange creatures.”
”And something tried to attack us,” Celeste added.
”Attack you?” Dove seemed unsettled. ”Did you see them?”
Jolene folded her arms across her chest, a skeptical look on her face. ”We didn”t get a good look at whatever it was that attacked us,” she explained matter-of-factly. ”It was more like a dark, shadowy figure.”
Dove raised an eyebrow. ”Just one? That seems... odd.” He tapped his cane thoughtfully.
Luke piped up from where he was leaning against the kitchen counter. ”There was something else in those woods too,” he said. ”I only caught a glimpse, but it looked like someone in a green cape. Whoever it was turned and ran off when they saw us coming.”
At the mention of the green cape, Dove”s expression turned grave. ”Green cape, you say?” His voice was tight.
Luke nodded. ”Yep, emerald green.”
Dove”s knuckles whitened as he tightened his grip on his cane. ”That was my sister, Sofie,” he said, urgency creeping into his tone. ”You must avoid her at all costs. She is unpredictable right now. And very dangerous.”