23. Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-three
Three hours later, I feel the exhaustion fry my eyes. At this point, the dozens of books I flick through start merging and all I see is the same thing. But in any book, I don’t see the answer. I‘m desperate. I rise from the floor and close the three open books.
"I want coffee. Do you want one?"
John takes his eyes off the book he’s reading and looks at me in confusion. "No. I have no need to consume caffeine.”
"For a second I forgot you’re superhuman."
"Not super and not human, just a vampire."
“Whatever.”
I start to walk up the stairs when he stops me. “Wait, I found something.” Excitement floods me as I rush to him. “Look at this! This page is all about the Tree of Life. Is it the same tree you saw?”
“Yes. It’s exactly the same,” I whisper in awe. Sitting down next to him, I take a closer look.
There is a whole chapter on the Tree of Life. The drawing of the tree in the center of the page makes it look so alive and beautiful. The minute I see it, I feel a deep connection to it. Tracing my finger on the fine lines, a wave of chills raids my body.
“I feel it. It’s like it’s calling me.”
“Maybe there’s a deeper connection between your line and the tree than we thought.”
I read, "The Tree of Life is the oldest tree that exists. It holds the power to undermine the scales of the universe. One leaf from the tree can cause chaos, the likes of which the world has never known. There are only four trees left in the world. Four trees that hold the power to become a blessing or a curse for all of humanity. They can bestow life or take it.”
I scroll further and discover the following pages in the chapter are torn .
"Someone tore it up. Why would anyone do that?"
"Maybe someone tried to do what we're doing," John says.
"No one comes in here except me and my grandmother."
"Maybe your grandmother knows more than she tells you."
No. It cannot be. She would have told me. Especially after seeing me suffer without my magic.
"I have to go see her," I say, getting up.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Do you have a better one? Because we have to know what the Tree of Life has to do with this. It will lead us directly to them and you know that."
"Your grandmother is in a coma."
"I have to try." Taking my bag, I rush out.
**
I move between the nurses in the entrance, making my way to my grandmother’s room. The urgency to see her clouds my thoughts and I don’t notice one of the nurses until my body collides with hers. Irritated, I straighten up, apologize, and continue on my way.
I enter my grandmother's room feeling a little nervous. She’s still in the same condition, connected to all the machines that help her. Still unconscious. Still not really with me.
Seeing her like this breaks me. I just need to see her contagious smile, full of wrinkles. Taking a deep breath, I move closer. Maybe I can make it. Maybe I can do it.
I have to try. Feeling my power bubble inside me, I summon it, call out every little piece that’s left, and throw it at my motionless grandmother. Wave after wave of magic meets her body in a rush of excitement. I feel it. My magic merges with hers. Joy overwhelms me, and I send another wave of heat in her direction.
I can feel her magic awakening, but not enough for her to get up.
Shit.
"Your magic is running out," John says from the entrance.
"What are you doing here?"
"You ran away, so I followed you."
"I thought I would be able to wake her up."
"The magic is still adapting to you like your body is adapting to it. Don't forget your body is not used to it."
I feel the pain climb up my throat.
"I know. I just can't see her like this. It hurts. She’s the strongest woman I know."
"Then believe she will survive it. "
"I can't believe that you’re giving me a lesson in faith." I roll my eyes but smile a little.
"You think that just because I'm doomed to live life as a vampire I’m not a believer? I believe in a higher power. Call it whatever you want. One thing I know, a life without faith is empty, and as a vampire, life is long. Living it in emptiness is harder."
Feeling the gravity of his words, I’m taken back. Who knew this vampire was so philosophic?
“You’re right. I just thought I could fix her.”
“Maybe you can. Just not now.”
Nodding in agreement, I take her cold hands in mine before closing my eyes.
Granny. I miss you so much. I miss your company, your joy and wisdom. I need you.
“Open your mind and look around. Meet me at the end and hold my hand.” I repeat the phrase over and over until I notice a dark hallway in front of me.
I step forward. My eyes dart everywhere, looking for her.
"Grandma? Are you here?"
I keep walking forward until the blackness becomes lighter and a red door stands in front of me. Rushing to her, I turn the handle and step inside.
I stop. I'm in Grandma's basement. How is that possible?
Surprised, my eyes pass the shelves, checking that the books are the same. They are. After that, I check the plants.
"Well, don’t just stand there.”
“Granny?” I turn around to find her sitting on the old beat-up couch, reading a book.
“Oh my stars! It’s you!” I rush to her, taking her by surprise, and hug her tightly.
“I missed you too, Hailey. So much,” she says, breaking the hug to look at me. “You did this?” She points to the room.
“What do you mean?”
“My mind was so wrong and all over the place, but you fixed It. You restored me. Thank you,” she says softly.
Blinking back tears, I nod, knowing from her face a scolding is about to come.
“Now, tell me what you’ve done.”
“I need your help. I’m going to take down the coven that cursed us.”
“What have you done, my sweet Hailey?” Sadness fills her eyes.
“What should have been done decades ago.”
“You accepted his offer, didn’t you?” Ignoring her disappointment, I focus on my power and the tingling I feel all through my body .
“It’s the best feeling ever. The magic is coursing through me as we speak. I feel whole.” I lift my arm to the side as I feel the magic pumping in my veins. My heart beats so loud it’s like it shouts with joy. Everything is brighter than before, more accurate. Even as I sigh, I feel this wholeness spreading all over me, like I’m at peace.
“You’re right. We should have dealt with this a long time ago. We were too afraid to deal with the consequences.” She is hiding something. I can feel it.
I level my eyes with hers “You aren’t telling me everything. You’re a bad liar, and you know it.”
Her face turns soft as she places her palm on my cheek “There are things that we are banned from retelling. It will only make it worse.”
Why can’t she just be honest? I tilt my head to the side.
She breathes heavily and brings her hands closer to her chest. “I know about the Tree of Life,” I declare. “I know about the book and the torn pages, so please tell me the truth.” I avert my gaze back to her, pleadingly. “Please, Granny. I need your help.”
“I never wanted this burden for you. I wanted you to have a regular life, to be free of this. But you have too much of our line in you. Maybe even more than all of us combined. ”
Taking a breath, she continues, “There were four covens who each hold one tree. The power of the tree is greater than I can describe. It gives life. It’s what grants us a longer life. A coven without the Tree of Life is less powerful. It’s the same tree that made the vampire curse. To find the coven, you have to follow the tree. Over the years, humans started to invest their interests in other things rather than the tree, so it may help you to search for it. Remember that I love you. I am so proud of you, and I believe in you.”