Chapter 09 CHARLIE
The room was covered in cobwebs. There was nothing in here that made me believe that this room was on the blueprints. I’d studied them so frequently before I started renovations that I knew I’d have caught on to secret passageways. The walls in here were down to the studs. Other than the single electrical outlet, there was nothing else but the desk and chair.
I carefully sat down on the chair. It creaked, but it didn’t immediately break, so I focused on the note on the desk. Scared to touch it for fear that the paper was too delicate for the oils on my hands, I pulled the sleeve of my hoodie down to pull it toward me.
Charlie,
I know this is going to come as a shock to you, and for that I’m very sorry. You will find this letter when you’re ready to hear it.
I consulted the cards, then took the opportunity to find someone who could help me learn about you. I’m writing this long before you’ve even graced this earth, but I know who you are. You’re meant to be here, and so is she. Don’t believe me yet? The horse and the shoot on the bluffs today was an entrance into a new life.
When this home was built, I imbued it with magic. See, the first woman who lived here, Mareile, was a dear friend of mine. She was taken from her homelands and brought here, and her husband built her this home as a way to try and bring her some joy. The trees outside, the pond that may no longer exist in your time, and even this room were all created so that she could feel more at ease.
My magic finds broken people and helps them mend. Your pain from losing Shana crossed timelines. Please take care of this place, as much as you take this second chance seriously. I know you will succeed.
Sincerely,
Hecate
I jerked back from the letter so the tears running down my face wouldn’t damage the paper. I laid my head against the back of the chair, taking deep lungfuls of air. If I’d read this even five years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it was real.
“You should tell her,“
someone said behind me. I nearly shrieked.
I moved too quickly, and I went down as the chair finally collapsed underneath me. I’d have to fix it later. An ethereal flicker of a woman with long blonde hair stood in front of me.
“You’re—" I couldn’t even form words.
Her demeanor shifted. I couldn’t tell how I knew she was amused since I couldn’t make out facial features, but she crouched down and held her hand out to me. I took it, and she helped me up. It was surreal. I couldn’t feel her hand. It was as if her hand was both air and corporeal enough to help lift me off the floor.
“Yes,“
she told me. “When you and Shana started coming around, I watched from your bedroom window. I saw myself in you. When you were attacked in the glen, I knew that this had to be yours. This home protected me when nothing else would. It was yours as soon as I was gone. I didn’t cross over because I needed to know that you were safe here.”
“I don’t know what to say. Thank you?“
I replied awkwardly.
She chuckled. “Your skills in the trades paid off, Charlie. I can’t wait to see what you do with the place. I’ll be out of your hair soon, I presume.”
“Are there any other secret rooms in this place?” I asked.
“Yes, there are two others. I don’t think I’ll tell you where they are, though. One is for Shana when she’s ready for it. The other one is for you both, eventually. You’ll find it when the timing is right.”
“This is so weird,“
I tittered.
“You need to tell her everything, Charlie. It’s time,“
Mareile said before she turned, walking through the wall. I stared for long moments. I hoped that I would meet her someday, but I never thought it would be like this.
I scrubbed my face, trying to come to terms with the fact that my nearly two-decade long obsession with this house was likely partially due to magic. I had no idea how I was going to have this conversation with Shana without her running, but I had a Goddess and a ghost telling me that I needed to trust the process.
I stood up, grabbed the letter off the desk, and went to find my love.