~ Chapter Four ~
“ Y ou sure you can do this?” Regan asked as he watched the circle of sparks by the front door. The light was a combination of all the colors sputtering like a million twinkle lights all moving in a whirlpool, a current of motion, not appearing safe.
This is crazy. Regan took a step back, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned away from Lutin. There was no way he could do this.
“Grab my hand. You’ll be fine.” Lutin stretched his hand and arm closer to Regan. “I’ve been doing this longer than… well, a long time.”
“Okay.” Regan wiped his hands on his pants before taking Lutin’s hand.
He closed his eyes, stepping forward. The warmth from Lutin’s skin crawled from his hand up Regan’s arm and into his chest. As seconds ticked by, heat and a tingling energy filled every part of Regan.
Regan peeked out his mostly closed eyes to see Lutin take several steps toward the whirlpool of lights.
Tickling filled Regan’s chest, pulling him toward the door as they stepped into the buzzing lights.
Before Regan could speak or even take a breath, they phased into the foyer of a house.
To his right was a kitchen, and in front of him was a living room overlooking a deck.
Beyond the deck were trees and a body of water—a lake.
To their left was a bathroom, and then along the left wall, a set of steps going down.
“Where are we?”
“This is the Jones’s house in Kings Beach.”
“What?” Regan took a step forward, his eyes and mouth opening wide. “Impossible. We were in Boulder Creek not even a second ago.” He looked back at where the currents of light had been, but now only a solid wood front door sat there. “But… how?” He stepped around to take in the space.
“I told you. My way of travel is faster.” Lutin bobbed his head up and down with approval.
“You said you wanted to check on the other locations, well, this is the house in Kings Beach.” Lutin ran a finger over the small table next to him, then rubbed his fingers together, frowning. “Take a look around.”
Regan took a few more steps toward the kitchen as he took in the space. Everything appeared ordinary. Nothing seemed odd or strange. “It all seems so normal.”
Lutin laughed. “What were you expecting? Some kind of Witches’ lair with cauldrons and broomsticks all around? Maybe some torches to light the space? That’s all Hollywood.”
Regan moved into the kitchen—the room was nice, but nothing huge or over the top.
What made this space special was the wall of windows overlooking a deck, and beyond, a view of Lake Tahoe.
He moved through the eating area and ended up in the living room, finishing a full circle.
Pulling out his phone, he checked his location and the time. “You weren’t lying—we’re really here.”
“If I’m going to lie to you, it won’t be about something silly like this.
” Lutin pointed to the stairs. “Under us are two floors. The floor below us has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Then the next level down is the family room, laundry room, and another bathroom. They didn’t come here often once Max grew up.
However, when he was younger, they came all the time. ”
Regan nodded. “I remember Max telling me about their ski trips and how they would spend a lot of time up here, but after high school they didn’t come up here much.
Something about him not having time once he was in college, but I always got the feeling there was more to the story.
” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Max never mentioned them owning this house.”
“No, I suppose not.” Lutin fluffed the pillows on the sofa. “Susan and Valentine came here, especially for Valentine’s work . I don’t think Max and Valentine always saw eye-to-eye on things.”
“I read some of this in Max’s journal.” Regan scanned the space. “I don’t think Max always approved of how his father handled things with the Hereditary Witch Council and the various Covens…”
I can’t believe I’m saying those words.
Lutin’s expression stiffened. “Anyway, go check the other levels out.”
Regan nodded and made his way around the house, exploring the two lower levels.
Each of the floors exited onto a huge balcony with views of the forest. Despite the sunny day, Regan figured the weather would be chilly, and with another peek at his phone, he saw the temperature hovered at 42 degrees.
A shiver ran down his spine. He glanced at his jeans and shirt.
“Wish I brought a jacket.” He climbed back up the stairs to see Lutin fussing around the house, checking the kitchen and cleaning the counters.
“You keep this place clean?”
“No. Well, not really. The neighbor keeps an eye out for things and we have a weekly cleaner come here, though during the winter it’s not weekly but more of when the weather allows. But I keep posted. It’s not bad.”
“You said Valentine used this house for work?”
“Something like that. It was his work with the Hereditary Witch Council. There was always something happening he needed to tend to.” Lutin pursed his lips.
“Doesn’t sound like Max wasn’t the only one who didn’t approve.”
Lutin chuckled. “Let’s just say I have opinions.”
Regan figured it was best not to ask. “So, now what?”
“Want to check out the other places?”
“Seriously?”
“Edmonton will be chilly like here, but Puerto Vallarta will be a lot warmer and there’s a nice bar, the Cheeky Monkey. We can have lunch there. If you want.”
“What about passports?”
“I won’t tell if you don’t.” Lutin smirked and winked.
“I… I don’t know what to say.” His gaze danced around the space as his shoulders sank. So much of what happened the last two days pushed him far from his comfort zone.
What if we get caught? What if something happens? What if he leaves me there?
“Come on.” Lutin walked over and grabbed his hand, moving them to the front door again. With a wave of his hand, a whirlpool of lights and colors engulphed them and the two men appeared in another entryway. This house appeared to be a craftsman-style home.
“But what…. wow.” Regan gasped as he took several steps into the foyer of the house.
“We’re a couple of blocks from the University of Alberta. This is a great town and has one of the more active Witch communities, as well as other… um… magical beings. Overall it’s not a bad place.”
Regan walked around the living room, his concerns vanishing.
He made his way into the dining room before heading into the kitchen.
The space had a similar design and style to the house in King’s Beach.
The back of the house had a converted bedroom into a family room.
He walked up the stairs to the second floor, finding three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Again, there was nothing off-putting about the space or the home.
From the outside everything appeared normal.
Normal. Do I even know what that is anymore? How could Max keep this from me?
After exploring the second floor, he made his way down to the main level and took the stairs to the basement. A large room greeted him. To his left were double doors that he walked over to and opened. A dusty mix of cigar smoke and cedar met his nose. “Cigars?” he questioned.
“Good nose,” Lutin responded. “Not in…well, probably thirty-five years. But I think Valentine enjoyed the memories the scent brought up, so…” He shrugged.
The space was like the den at the cabin in Boulder Creek, a walnut desk and several books filling the shelves.
Regan moved to the books, running his hand over the bindings.
Mixed amongst the books was the occasional knickknack, but again the books, furniture, and even the scents all seemed perfectly ordinary.
“Valentine loved Edmonton and would spend a lot of time here working.” Lutin chuckled but his gaze dropped. “Max was a lot like his father. Loved this place.”
“Max never spoke of any of this.” A frown pulled at Regan’s lips.
I wonder if Max keeping the magical world from me was difficult? I kind of got that idea from his journal, but…
“Doesn’t surprise me. Max and his father had a rocky relationship. Their connection improved once the two of you got together, but when Max was young…” He whistled. “I guess all fathers and sons have to find their footing.”
“Mr. Jones always seemed like a good guy to me.”
“Oh, Valentine was. He was one in a million. He did a lot for the Witch community, and the whole magical community, really. Despite all my personal thoughts and feelings, Valentine was probably one of the fairer Hereditary Witches out there.” Lutin sighed.
“It’s not an easy job, keeping the balance.
Max and Valentine often didn’t agree on the best way to handle situations and conflicts in the community.
Then there was you, and they really didn’t agree on magical matters where you were concerned.
Still, they managed to sort their feelings out. ”
“What do you mean?” Regan leaned against the desk.
“Max wanted to bring you into the fold, once he learned your elemental connection didn’t wane.
I refused to get involved, because… well, they were Hereditary Witches, and then there was the whole Witches’ Council.
” Lutin paused a moment, focusing on the books on the shelf.
“Valentine didn’t want to risk exposure of the magical world.
Not that he didn’t like you or trust you, but with this knowledge, there are risks.
Least of all your age. He never believed you would be able to access your powers.
Max didn’t agree, citing all the incidents where magical events occurred involving you.
” He huffed out a laugh. “Max didn’t seem worried and even offered to train you and work with you even though you’re an Elemental Witch.
And… I might have given him the impression I would help too. ”
“Wow. That’s a lot to unpack. But I don’t think I understand what this whole Witch thing means. What’s a Hereditary Witch and what’s an Elemental Witch?”