Chapter 13
Danielle
The late afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of our magical kitchen. My gaze traced the patterns of light across the gleaming countertops. The room was alive with a symphony of scents. There were fragrant herbs, exotic spices, and the unmistakable hint of magic that permeated the space.
Adele, our feline familiar, lounged regally on a plush velvet cushion. Her emerald eyes watched us intently despite her relaxed posture. Her presence infused the room with an aura of mystique. She looked like a tiny kitten but felt as if she held secrets of the ages.
Kota stood at the center of our gathering. She was the one of us who had a passion for concocting potions. Before her lay an array of rare and mystical ingredients, each more captivating than the last. Moonflower petals, phoenix feather dust, dragon scale shavings, and mermaid tears. And then a shimmering sprinkle of pixie dust adorned the workspace like an alchemist”s dream. The phoenix feather, dragon scales and mermaid tears had been sent priority from England by Fiona and her friends.
Kota clapped her hands together. “Alright, sestras,” she declared. Her voice was commanding yet infused with an infectious excitement. “Are you ready to make this memory dust?”
“Absolutely,” Dre replied.
Phi held up the pen in her hand. “What are we naming this?” She tapped the page of our family grimoire as she asked.
Kota pursed her lips and tilted her head to the side. “What about MindMist Blend? Its name won’t alert mundies entirely and yet is still understandable.”
Phi started writing. “I like it.”
With that decided, Kota got to work. “To craft this memory dust, we”ll need the most potent elements nature and magic can provide. I don’t know the exact amounts so I’ll need you guys to help me with that part.”
Lia, Dre, Dea, Phi, and I gathered around Kota. Our eyes alight with anticipation as we all agreed to do our best. None of us were expert potion makers, but we knew enough to be dangerous. Adele observed from her perch, her tail twitching with curiosity.
Kota”s hands moved with practiced grace as she began the delicate task of blending the ingredients. Moonflower petals, harvested under a full moon”s glow, were carefully measured into a large mortar. I had no idea what this was supposed to feel like, so right off the bat I knew I wasn’t going to be of any help. I did pay attention to the feel of it as she worked. The petals exuded a subtle, dreamlike fragrance and distinct magical hum that filled the air.
“The moonflower petals will enhance the dust”s ability to interact with the subconscious,” Adele interjected as if she could read my mind. Her voice was soft yet commanding in my head. “Their essence will allow for a gentle extraction of memories.”
Next, Kota picked up a phoenix feather obtained from Violet in her majestic firebird form. Instead of dropping it in, she took a comb and brushed debris into the mortar. The substance shimmered with an otherworldly iridescence, infusing the mixture with clarity and purpose.
“And now, for the rarest of ingredients,” Kota announced with a spark in her eye. She carefully sprinkled dragon scale shavings into the mortar. It was a treasure obtained through our friendship with the Backside of Forty coven across the pond. The scales added a touch of resilience and strength to the concoction.
Adele picked up her head and looked us over. “The dragon scales will lend fortitude to the dust, ensuring that it navigates the complexities of memory extraction with precision.”
While Kota was working her magical alchemy, I uncorked a delicate vial containing mermaid tears. These tears were shed during a lunar eclipse. They glistened like liquid sapphires as they joined the mixture, imbuing it with a profound sense of emotion and empathy.
“The mermaid tears will lend compassion to our creation so the user cannot tear through the mundie mind obliterating it,” Adele explained, her gaze focused on the swirling mixture. “They will also help connect with the memories we seek to uncover.”
Kota added several more ingredients. To complete the recipe, she retrieved a vial of shimmering pixie dust. It was a gift from mischievous sprites who now called our plantation home. With a flick of her wrist, she sprinkled the ethereal dust into the mortar, causing the mixture to emit a soft, sparkling glow.
“The pixie dust adds the right touch of magic to make this all work together,” Kota relayed with a satisfied smile. “It will enhance the potency of our memory dust, making it a formidable tool in the battle to keep the magical world a secret.”
As the ingredients melded together, a sense of reverence filled the air. We had crafted something truly extraordinary. No one had ever concocted a potion capable of locking away memories we needed to stay out of the general population.
Adele jumped from her perch to the table. Her gaze swept over Kota’s creation. To my surprise, her expression was hesitant. “Remember, sisters,” she reminded us, “with great power comes great responsibility. Use this gift wisely and with compassion.”
I smirked at the cat. “Is that a Spiderman reference?”
Adele sniffed the air. “I watched it with Eli when he was home on leave. It seemed profound yet.”
Kota chuckled and waved to the mortar. “Do you know if this will work? Did I get the amounts right?”
Adele started licking her back leg while she responded. Only a cat that could talk into our minds could pull something like that off. “You’ll need to test it. But you didn’t blow anything up, so that’s good.”
Dre narrowed her eyes on the cat. “That’s your bar?”
Adele looked up at her. “That’s huge for someone creating something that has never been done before. Kota has a natural talent for feeling things out. Combining dragon scales with mermaid tears can be dangerous, but she did it without problems.”
Kota’s chin dropped to her chest before she snapped her mouth shut. I was right there with her incredulity. “Why didn’t you warn me?”
Adele looked her in the eye. “If I had, you wouldn’t have taken the risk and done it. Great things happen when you push the boundaries. Besides, I would have stopped you if you got close to that point.”
I sighed and saw movement through the window. “We can talk about this later. We need to get out there. People are starting to show up.”
We’d called the council and asked them to spread the word to the community to gather at Willowberry this afternoon. We needed to find a way to significantly weaken Agnes so we could get close enough to the well. The one way we thought we might do that was to find her anchor to Earth and destroy it. No one had ever held summit quite like this.
The supernaturals sprawled across the expanse of Willowberry Plantation. the gathering of creatures created a tapestry of diverse forms and energies. We’d been nervous about this. But Adele had assured us that our wards would keep out those that wanted to harm us.
The air was a complex blend of scents. Some were sweetly floral, others musky and primal. They mingled to form a heady atmosphere that bespoke the convergence of different species within the gathering.
Dreya navigated through the sea of creatures, her eyes wide with wonder at the astonishing diversity that surrounded us. Pixies with gossamer wings fluttered gracefully talking to Talewen and the others who lived there. Their iridescence contrasted the hulking figures of shifters who prowled the edges with watchful eyes. The visiting pixies quivered as they watched Noah’s pack members.
Dre nudged Lia and gestured toward a trio of animated gargoyles perched atop a tree trunk. “We should add some to the main house. They’d make Marie and those like her think twice before trying to find a way through.” Gargoyles were impervious to most magic. And exceptional warriors who would fight tooth and nail for those under their protection. We could use some of that joojoo.
Lia”s laughter danced with the ambient magical energy, her gaze flitting from one supernatural being to another. “We should extend an offer to some. Do they have a guild or anything?”
“Focus on the matter at hand,” Adele chastened.
Phi glanced around with an assessing eye and changed the subject. “This is an amazing turnout. We should start a new trend—supernatural brunches.”
“Sounds good,” Dea said absently. “There”s an ancient spirit near the entrance. It seems to be watching us. I wonder if it has a message or if it’s gathering information to take back to Agnes.”
Kota scanned the bustling scene with keen interest as Kaitlyn got the meeting going. “The elemental energies are colliding here like a magical mosh pit,” Kota whispered. “If we”re not careful, we might accidentally start a mystical rave.”
My gaze was fixed on a peculiar creature with waving tentacles as I murmured. “That might be tough to avoid. I never thought I”d say this, but I miss the simplicity of dealing with straightforward ghosts. There are more creatures here that I realized existed.”
Kaitlyn”s request for information about Agnes or anything that didn’t fit in their areas ignited debates on magical ethics. There were discussions about ancient artifacts. And even a heated argument between a warlock and a witch about the proper way to brew a potion.
Dre looked at me with a wry smile, “I thought supernatural politics would be more... political. This feels like a surreal blend of a magical flea market and a diplomatic summit.”
Lia”s eyes widened at the passing centaur. She marveled aloud, “This is a good reminder that the supernatural world is as diverse as the human one, perhaps even more so.”
I nodded in agreement and added. “Who knew monsters had such a flair for drama? It’s like watching fans of rival teams debate who’s better.”
Our attention was drawn to a young witch whose features were marked by curiosity and determination as she approached us with an air of urgency. “Excuse me,” she began, her voice only slightly above the din of conversations. “I didn”t want to say anything too loud, but I believe I might have information that could be of interest to you.”
Dre regarded her with a nod of encouragement. “What can you tell us?”
The witch”s eyes flickered with a mix of excitement and apprehension. “There”s an old house not far from one of the cemeteries close to where I live. I pass by it on my way to give the tours. It’s closer to the outskirts of the Quarter. Anyway, I”ve felt a strong surge of power emanating from the house. It might be nothing but it reminded me of Agnes”s energy near the well.”
Lia”s interest was piqued. “Are you saying there”s something there? Something connected to Agnes?”
The young witch nodded fervently. “I”m certain of it. The energy felt ancient and potent. And it was identical to the power when I tried to visit the well.”
Phi leaned in, her expression serious. “Did you investigate further? What did you find?”
The witch hesitated before answering. “I didn”t venture inside. But I sensed a lingering presence, much like Agnes”s spirit by the well.”
Dea shivered like her ethereal senses were tingling and looked from the witch to us. “We should investigate this place. It could hold the key to unraveling the mystery surrounding Agnes.”
“Thank you for the information,” Kota told the witch as she got the address and gestured for us to walk away. “We”ll need to approach this cautiously. If there”s a connection to Agnes, it could be dangerous. I’ll text Kaitlyn and let her know we’re going now. She can continue gathering information here. I don’t want to stay for the rest of it.”
I chuckled, knowing how Kota felt. “Feel like a bug under a microscope?”
Kota pursed her lips and made a face. “More like a fish in a bowl.”
“At least we have an escape path,” Lia said as she gestured to Lucas and headed for the parking lot where her car was located.
It took us twenty minutes to reach the car as we were constantly stopped and asked about the plantation and what we were doing to stop the curse. If that was what celebrities felt like, I understood their constant requests for privacy. Walking across our property was exhausting.
We piled into the car, and Lia took off across town. It didn’t take long to reach the street. Lia parked the car down the street and we approached cautiously. The house was weathered and in need of some TLC, but not in terrible shape considering those around it. The door was unlocked when Dre tried it.
“We should cast a reveal spell,” Lia suggested. “We need to see anyone hiding along with any traps.”
“You took the words out of my mouth,” Dre replied. We joined hands, and I focused my intent on the house and property. Someone or something could be hiding outside as easily as inside. My heart hammered against my rib cage while we crossed the threshold. I shivered, feeling as if something crawled up my spine.
The entry gave way to a large space. The room exuded an ancient mystique. It was dimly lit by a myriad of flickering candles that cast dancing shadows across the weathered brick walls. I pointed at the intricate mystical symbols etched into the floor. “Look at that,” I whispered.
Dea made a sound and said, “They’re pulsing with latent energy. The question is what are they responding to? This is obviously a trap.”
Aged parchment and herbs filled the place, adding to the ambiance of secrecy and intrigue. There was something under that, but my nose wasn’t sensitive enough to determine what it was. We were a formidable group whose bonds were forged in magic, blood, and a shared history. We stood there wary about what we might face. My jaw dropped open when I caught sight of the young witch that had lead us here.
“How is this even possible?” I asked. “You were still at Willowberry when we left.”
“Forget about that,” Dre said. “How did you get on the property to begin with? Our wards should have kept you out.”
The ally-turned-betrayer laughed at that. Ignoring her amusement, Dre fixed the young witch with a piercing gaze that could cut through the thickest veil of deception. Her eyes were like chips of ice as they bore into the figure before her. “So, what”s the game this time? Is Agnes going to try and take our powers again?”
The betrayer was clearly uneasy as she shifted on her feet. A mixture of emotions flickered across her face, but they moved too fast for me to catch them all. It seemed as if she was caught between remorse and a desperate desire for redemption. Steeped in ancient magic, the room held its breath, waiting for the revelation that could either send us into battle or continue talking.
Phi crouched down and traced the edges of an intricate rune on the floor without her fingertips touching the wood. “You needed us to willingly walk into the lion”s den. What do you get out of this?”
The betrayer swallowed nervously, her gaze shifting. “Trust is a luxury I lost when I betrayed you but I realize now that Agnes is unlikely to follow through on her promises. I offer information - a key to unraveling her plans. What you do with it is your choice.” Her words hung in the air, a precarious offering that could spell doom or be the answer we needed.
Kota observed with a discerning eye. She was wary and pissed, yet willing to listen. “If this is a trick, we will haunt you.”
Dea added an ominous note. “Spirits do not easily forget betrayal. Be prepared to face the consequences if you give us what we are asking.” I titled my head and looked at my sister. What the heck did that mean? Was she saying Agnes would make this young witch pay for going against her? It sure seemed as if that was the case.
Lia studied the betrayer”s eyes, seeking sincerity. “Redemption is a complicated journey. I sense a genuine desire for it. But actions speak louder than words. We can help if Agnes comes after you.”
I crossed my arms and pinned her with a look of skepticism. “Forget all of that. Spill it. What do you know that could actually make a difference?” My tone demanded substance amidst the uncertainty. I was tired of the freaking games.
Under our scrutinizing gazes, the betrayer began to weave a tapestry of secrets and revelations. Her narrative unfolded like a cryptic spell, revealing hidden meetings, covert agendas, and the looming threat of cataclysmic events. Each word became a piece of a puzzle while not giving us anything concrete. We knew Agnes wanted to come back as a ghoul and wanted to use us as a battery during the process. I doubted Agnes could actually pull that off. She wasn’t connected to the source any longer.
The young witch looked at me with a sad gaze. “She used me as a test. If she can give me a body, she can do the same for herself.”
That admission landed like a bomb in the room. It left a thick, nauseating sensation behind. The mystical symbols etched into the floor pulsed as if they were confirming her comment.
Lia eyes glowed with her frustration as she broke the silence with her characteristic sarcasm. “Well, isn”t this just perfect? Looks like we”ve stumbled into a game of body-swapping. How in the hell did we miss this? We should have sensed something when we met you.”
Dre ran a hand through her disheveled hair. “How could we have known anything? We’ve had countless prophecies that might apply here. And then there is fate and destiny. There’s so much bullshit we can’t possibly wade through it all. It’s a good damn thing we think on our feet.”
Kota smoothed her hand down her top. “At least we look good for this showdown. It beats being dressed in our favorite jammies.”
Phi chuckled softly. She was the source of more than a few prophecies about us. “If only we were dressed in glittering robes and facing a dance-off.”
Dea”s gaze moved to the side and she was looking into the distance but not seeing anything. “Spirits murmur of a dance where every step echoes through realms. We are in a unique position to stop Agnes from returning to continue her evil magic.”
Talking in circles was getting old. We needed answers and we needed them now. The old house loomed around us, its atmosphere heavy with secrets and lingering enchantments. Having my sisters with me, eyeing the betrayer with suspicion bolstered my confidence.
“None of that matters right now. You mentioned there was something here connected to Agnes. Was that true?” I asked.
The young witch nodded. “I wasn”t lying about that.”
“Take us to it,” Dre demanded.
As the betrayer headed upstairs, I cast a protection spell around the six of us. Each of my sisters did the same, making the spell far stronger than most could get through. Knowing it was unlikely that we would be seriously hurt, we followed. The room where the garden statue was supposedly hidden was an office on the second floor. The floors were wood and the walls covered in bookcases.
Dre noticed the subtle shimmer of a ward guarding the room before I smacked into it. “Looks like someone didn”t want visitors,” she muttered, her brow furrowed with concentration.
Phi reached out a hand to touch the ward, her fingers tingling with a probing energy. “It”s a complex spell, designed to keep unwanted guests out. But we”re not exactly known for playing by the rules, are we?”
“We can break through with our magic blended,” Dea added.
“I love it when they underestimate us,” Kota said.
Lia summoned a gust of wind to disrupt the ward”s energies while I wove threads of celestial magic around us, creating a shield against any retaliatory spells. I stepped forward, my psychometric senses tingling with anticipation. “Let”s do this,” I said, my voice steady despite the tension in the air.
Together, we pooled our magic - a symphony of elemental forces and magical energy. The ward shimmered and faltered under our combined assault, allowing us entrance to the room beyond. The young witch pointed to a garden statue that stood like a sentinel on one of the bookshelves. Its stone form was weathered by time yet infused with a strange resonance that set my teeth on edge.
With a focused expression, Dre extended her telekinetic abilities toward the statue. “Kota, Lia - incinerate it with your dragon fire the moment I lift it.”
Kota nodded, summoning flames from within her elemental core while Lia channeled the same fire through her mouth. Their efforts intertwined into a searing blaze. Kota and Lia unleashed their dragon fire, engulfing the stone figure in a torrent of incinerating flames when Dre lifted the statue with her telekinesis. The second the statue turned to ash, the betrayer”s body convulsed and collapsed to the ground, decaying rapidly before our eyes.
Dea approached cautiously, her ethereal senses probing the remains. “She was a vessel. A puppet,” she murmured. “I’d bet anything she was used to test Agnes”s ability to make a soul inhabit a corporeal form. She’s closer to her goal than I thought.”
“Why would it be any different?” I asked rhetorically.