Any Witch Way (16 page)

Sadie seemed perplexed. Without thinking, she spoke up.

“What can you do? I mean, you’re so little and cute,” she said.

The four lined up again and turned to face the grouping of chairs by the far wall. The large, lead Bellower left the group and came to the table. He looked at Ms. Cabot, she nodded, and then he took a fizzy drink that she had magikked from thin air. Waddling back to his lineup, he passed the drink down the line after taking a large swig.

When the can was empty, the last one tossed it and the foursome began to rumble. The cute and tiny little creatures trembled and few small burps escaped. They seemed to be gearing up for something. In one mighty burst, they let loose a stream of fire and heat that burned one of the chair groupings to a pile of ash and cinder. And it also caused the room temperature to rise slightly. As the ash settled, they turned to face the group.

“Is that good enough, witchling?” the larger one asked Sadie.

Embarrassed yet again, she replied, “I’m sorry. I’ll never question another magikal creature about their abilities, no matter how cute they are.”

“If we may continue then?” asked Ms. Cabot.

The hair on the back of Sadie’s neck rose as the next two participants came forward. They had been hiding behind the three trolls and five other people that were blocking the entrance. It was none other than two of those man-vulture things she had come into contact with during the several small battles with the Syndicate so far. They lumbered forward, as if it were awkward to walk instead of fly. Chained to their hideous legs was a surprise Sadie had not expected.

“HANNAH!” she exclaimed.

The distain in her voice was not hidden.

One of the man-vultures began speaking, uncomfortably, timidly, and he seemed in so much pain.

“We’re an abomination created by the evil magik of the Syndicate. We have no name. We want no name. We want only to exist on some plane where we can live in peace—after all this war business is over. Ms. Cabot has promised us that, and we have promised allegiance to the Guild until it can be provided.”

(His speech was labored as was his breathing.)

“Not all of our brothers have gained conscience or intelligence enough to think for themselves, but we have. That’s why we’re here. Use us as you wish.”

It bowed deeply, completely, and stayed in that position for a bit before righting itself again.

Sadie lowered her head. She felt bad for the creatures and their lonely, depraved existence. A lump welled up in her throat, and she began to twist her hair. She made a mental note to try and talk to them, to try and make them feel better sometime soon. She knew from experience what it was like to be an outcast. As the creatures took their place at the table, she caught a whiff of the burning smell she had been witness to before when dealing with those of the Syndicate.

“Hannah, not knowing we knew her traitorous ways, came back to the Guild to make more trouble. We brought her here to you, North Wind, in the hope you could keep her in one of your ‘Ice Boxes’ ‘til this war is over, and we can decide her fate,” said Ms. Cabot.

“Would be my pleasure, One of Three,” he said.

He then took Hannah away to parts of his palace unknown. Sadie didn’t want to know.

One by one the rest of the group stepped forward. The three trolls were distant cousins of Gur and Alroy. They pledged their undying devotion to the Guild and promised to squash as many evil-doers as they possibly could. They also carried with them a magikal talisman from the magikal realm that gave them the power of invisibility. Sadie laughed to herself at the thought of these three giant and menacing looking trolls simply appearing before their foes. If there were ever a reason to soil your pants, they were it.

The next to come forward was a wizard who resided in Romania though you couldn’t tell from his attire. He wore Bermuda shorts, sandals, and had on a Hawaiian shirt; nothing matched. His glasses kept sliding down his nose and were held together with tape at the middle. He had a pocket protector and wore a large ring on one finger that looked like a globe. His name was Martoose. He said he’d been practicing magik practically since birth. His powers were so strong that he claimed he didn’t need a talisman or any magikal object to conjure anything. He also claimed to be a direct link to the Source. This interested Sadie, and she made a mental note to talk to him more once all the fighting was over.

The second was a beautiful woman who moved forward, only to change into a man before their very eyes. She/He said his name was Versipellis. It then changed into a teal blue snake that wrapped itself around Tara before slithering over to Miss Bruja. When it reached Miss Bruja it turned into a soft and cuddly kitten that purred against her neck. The kitten leapt down from her lap and then jumped onto the table. When it reached Sven and Elgarbam, it-he-she spoke again.

“I can be of much service to the Guild as I can become whatever is needed of me,” it said as it changed into an elegant maiden dressed in white.

As she lay on the table before the Viking and gnome, the two seemed as lost in her beauty as they were with the Lorelei.

“But my true form, the one that may be needed most is this.”

As soon as the last syllable was uttered, the maiden quickly changed into an enormous, menacing werewolf, complete with fangs dripping with saliva. It let out a howl that caused Elgarbam to leap into Sven’s arms. The bookcases rattled and crystal vases shattered. Some put their hands over their ears while others seemed to quake in their shoes.

“Enough of the theatrics, Versipellis,” said Ms. Cabot.

The shape shifter returned to a human woman form and sat next to Elgarbam. The little gnome slid a bit closer to Sven and kept his eyes on the creature for the rest of the introductions.

Third to come forward, leaving two left, was a child of Asian descent. He carried before him a glass bowl that held three yellow octopuses.

“I am Niko from Japan. My family has offered the use of the Kyuusoku Chi. We’ve been their keepers for Millennia and, as always, are faithful to The Guild. Kyuusoku Chi, loosely translated, means Fast Energy. Would those here care for a demonstration?”

All in the room seemed fascinated and nodded “yes” simultaneously. Some leaned forward in their seats and others eyes grew wide with anticipation. As Niko waved his hand over the glass bowl, the octopuses gathered near the surface. One began to float from the water into the air above the table. Its tentacles spread out and beautiful sparks and flashes of light began to appear in the air.

Soon, a firework display, the likes that none had ever seen before, was bursting and exploding in the air above their heads. The octopus changed color and so did the fireworks. The crowd watched in awe. When it was finished, all seemed stunned.

“That’s beautiful an’ all, but ‘ow will this ‘elp us in…” started Mrs. Teak, but she stopped short when she realized that all of them were tied to their chairs, unable to move while the remaining two octopuses floated at the head of the table.

“Distraction can be a powerful weapon, as can this,” said Niko. He waved his hand again in a circular motion; before he was finished, the octopus had untied everyone with faster than lightning speed, returning to the bowl, and all was as it were before.

“Very impressive, child, come to the table,” said Ms. Cabot. She then turned to face the doors. “Now, you two, show yourselves and your powers.”

The last two people walked forward, snapped their fingers, and one turned to fire and the other ice.

“I’m Charlotte O’Reilly, and this is my brother Duncan. I am in control of fire and he is in control of ice—makes for a tricky family dynamic, but great use in times of need. We come to assist in any way possible.”

The O’Reilly’s nodded recognition at Tara, and she smiled the same.

“Been a long time, how’s the Isle fair these days? I haven’t had much time to go back for a visit lately. I see you two fare well, and wish good tidings on your family,” said Tara.

“The Isle misses you, Tara. It’s in need of your charms. Mother sends her best; she’d be here, but is dealing with some very stubborn imps from the Cliffs of Mohr who refuse to stay put. They be terrorizing the local gentry and stealing their wares. If rounded up in time, she says she’ll come to assist. You know her first loyalty is to the Isle.”

Turning to the crowd around the table, Charlotte O’Reilly continued. “Mother has control of water and father wind. Mother won’t let father come without her...she’s the boss.”

“Good, we’ll look forward to their arrival. And now that we’re all properly introduced, let the strategizing begin,” said Ms. Cabot. “Oh, and let me add, we have the sworn oath of all magikal creatures residing in the human world to fight alongside us for our future existence. Now, I, being One of Three, think we should begin with this….”

“Now that we’re all agreed it’s necessary to go to war to save our race, as well as humankind and the other worlds, and we’re agreed at our plan of attack, I think we should separate and gather all those who couldn’t be here. Oh, and all others, magikal and not, who will fight for the cause—who will pledge to help destroy the Syndicate. Everyone is to meet at our offices at the Cranberry Grove Cemetery within one day’s time,” said Ms. Cabot.

She slammed a gavel down onto the table that had magikally (of course) appeared in her hand.

Sadie was relieved. They had been sitting around North Wind’s table—arguing, discussing, and planning strategy to the point of her extreme frustration—for even more hours besides the ones they’d spent waiting for her mother to arrive. How can adults sit still so long?

Several times she had to stifle yawns, and she had realized several hours ago that one can only fidget for so long in the same chair without wanting to run screaming from the room. Ms. Cabot looked at everyone still sitting around the table and spoke once again in a more somber tone.

“This isn’t going to be easy. Some of us will die; some will be forever changed. Who knows what dark magik the Syndicate has unleashed? All we can do is keep our purpose in heart, our minds on the end result, and our battle for good shall prevail. Now, if there are no further questions or comments, let’s part ways and do what needs doing,” she said.

Sadie sat upright, rather quickly, remembering a key factor in this war. “Um, Ms. Cabot? What about the Ataraxia Heart,” she murmured.

The room went silent. Versipellis shifted into the form of a mouse while others looked away. One of the Blaze Bellowers let out a hiccup full of smoke and heat before slapping his little paw over his mouth. Some put their heads down, averting their eyes from Sadie and her mother, who sat beside her. Adrienne MacDougall put her arm around her daughter, cleared her throat, and gently turned Sadie’s face to meet hers.

“Sadie, everyone here has been informed about the Heart. Not since its first appearance in our family millennia ago has anyone other than the bearer known about its whereabouts or how it’s passed or even how it’s used. I felt that since these are dire times, it was necessary to tell them all. No one can speak about it. We can’t tell you a thing. Though all know you have it now. You must discover it and its powers on your own. I can only pass it to you, which I have.” Sadie tried to interject that she never gave her any such thing as a Heart, but her mother put her finger to her lips.

“That is the only way its great powers will work. You must discover it, and it must discover you; that way you’ll each know the others true intentions.  Now, we speak no more of it ‘til you find it and all its glory, on your own. Do you understand?”

Sadie nodded. Now more confused than ever, she felt as though everyone but she had been let in on some great secret, and she didn’t like it. And in fact, that wasn’t far from the truth.

“Let’s depart,” said Ms. Cabot, slamming a fist on the table.

The room became filled with muffled chatter as the magikal beings and creatures assembled began to mingle and form small groups. Some took off immediately, like the Lorelei and Sven, while others relayed where they were going and who they were bringing back. The desire not to sit still any longer had left Sadie, and she sat alone at the table, pondering the Ataraxia Heart. The centaur Zeno trotted over to her after leaving his conversation with Versipellis and the O’Reilly family who had congregated by the door.

“Girl, why the sad face? You trusted me before when we had to fight our way out of the bookstore. Do you trust me now when I say that you will find your path?” asked Zeno.

Sadie took a deep breath. “I never got to thank you for that, so, um, thank you. And yes, I trust you, Zeno; I’m just worried I’ll let everyone down. I have no idea of the Heart’s whereabouts, and I have no idea what to do with it once I find it.

“I’m not even a full witch yet; I’m just a witchling that was thrown into the middle of a giant mess. I’ll bet other witchlings don’t have this hard of a time when they turn. And another thing, that ring you gave me, what’s it all about?” Sadie rambled out.

“Trust in yourself. I think you’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish if you put your heart and mind into it. Sorry about the heart thing, no pun intended,” said Zeno with a deep laugh. “And they say centaurs have no sense of humor. As for the gift I gave you, you’ll know when and how to use it. I’m sorry to leave you with another riddle, but I really must go and gather my brothers in arms. You’re a smart girl, Sadie, and a powerful little witchling. I believe you’ll figure it all out when you need to. If not, I’m afraid I’ll just have to become a cart horse for the mine gnomes.”

He laughed a strong, deep laugh that made it quite clear their conversation was over.

Sadie laughed, too. What else could she do? As everyone else left, Zeno said his goodbyes to Adrienne who had come to stand by her daughter. Soon, only the North Wind, Sadie, her mother, and the Three were remaining.

“I best be getting’ ‘ome to me tea. I’ve not ‘ad a decent cuppa since leaving the Guild ‘eadquarters,” said Mrs. Teak as she snapped her fingers. In a puff of smoke smelling like fresh baked bread, she disappeared.

“And I simply must get my nails done before all of this hoopla begins,” said Miss Bruja. “I’ll leave behind nothing less than a good looking corpse should I not make it through this battle.”

With a swish of her hips and a whoosh of her arms, she too disappeared.

“I best get to work myself,” said the North Wind. “There’s a gale that needs happening off the coast of Massachusetts tonight, and I’m already four hours late. At least it’ll keep those weathermen on their toes.”

He, too, left the room by a side door, and all who remained in the massive hall were Sadie, her mother, and Ms. Cabot. The air seemed heavy to Sadie, and all she wanted to do was disappear with her mother, back to the life they once had. It all seemed like a distant dream.

“Sadie, you will get through this, and we are all right behind you, as one big extended family. Though you must discover…certain things…on your own, you are no ordinary witchling. We need you, Sadie; we need you to be strong and have faith in us, in yourself. I apologize once again for ever doubting you, and I hope we can work together in the future. You’re going to make one heck of a witch, dear,” said Ms. Cabot.

With a nod and a wink she vanished, leaving behind a rainbow assortment of sparkles of light that burned out as they hit the icy floor.

Sadie looked up at her mother. Her eyes welled with tears she could no longer hold back and the deluge began. Heaving with sobs and leaving a wet little puddle on North Wind’s table, Sadie let it all out.

“Sssshhhhhh, it’s okay, Ladybug. You and I, we’ll get through this,” said her mother as she held Sadie tightly.

“I just don’t want to lose you again. It was hard the first time even though I KNEW you were still alive and nobody would listen to me. I also don’t want to let anyone down, especially not now. I’ve never had anyone tell me the things Ms. Cabot did.

“I have friends now, people who are depending on me to discover something that I know nothing about. I never had anyone count on me or depend on me for anything. Can’t you tell me anything, something to make it easier? I promise I won’t tell anyone,” cried Sadie.

“I can’t say a thing; that’s not how it works. There are some things in life, whether it be a witch’s life or human’s that one must find out for oneself. And when you do, that’s what gives the discovery so much power, so much importance. This is one of them, Sadie. You’ll understand what I’m saying, what it all means, when it happens. I believe in you, the others believe in you, now you must believe in yourself,” said Mrs. MacDougall.  

Sadie took some comfort in her mother’s words, maybe just because her mother was with her, but it helped nonetheless. She stood up, wiped the remnants of tears from her eyes, and hugged her tightly.

I will not let my friends and family down, she thought to herself as her mother smoothed her hair and brushed it back over her shoulders. 

“That’s my girl. Now, are you ready to go? We’ve got a ton of wood nymphs to round up and some rather argumentative spirits to get past in order to do so. Hold on to my left hand with yours, put your right over your heart with three fingers in the sign of a W and….”

“I know, I remember,” said Sadie with a smile.

The mother and daughter were off in a flash of light, as was everyone else, to begin their part in the battle between the Guild and the Syndicate. It was a battle that would decide the fate of everyone in every plane of existence.

*  *  *

Sadie and her mother materialized in a huge, rolling, and recently snow covered field of old cornstalks. Immediately in front of them was a vast, dark forest. The trees were so close together it seemed impossible for anyone to even attempt to enter—not to mention the foreboding look of all the trees bereft of leaves with their twisted, gnarled branches winding in and out of each other like so many angry arms. Sadie shivered at the sight; her mother stood tall.

“Are you ready to meet the wood nymphs? I think you’ll like them. It’s the spirits haunting the woods that’ll probably give us some trouble.”

Adrienne MacDougall smoothed her daughter’s hair with her hand as she spoke to her. The comfort she brought to Sadie was obvious, and they stood side by side to face their latest challenge—together.  

Sadie nodded and the pair walked forward towards the imposing forest. Upon entering, Sadie’s stomach began to knot and her chest felt a little tight. She was beginning to understand what this feeling was. She got it every time something was about to happen: sometimes for good, sometimes for something quite possibly not so nice. As they walked on, Sadie could swear someone or something was watching them. The hair on the back of her neck rose, and it wasn’t from the chill in the November air.

The forest was indeed thick, and they had to maneuver carefully through the tangled and quite substantial undergrowth. Without speaking to one another, the pair moved forward and had made enough progress that Sadie thought they were probably about five hundred yards inward. There were no animals about, which Sadie thought odd, save for a large white owl that immediately and rather silently left the vicinity. Stepping into a clearing lined with a thicket of spiny brambles, Sadie spoke. “I haven’t seen any spirits or ghosts or anything. There aren’t even any animals, except that owl we saw. And where are all these wood nymphs supposed to be? I thought that….”

But her words were cut short by a distant moaning.

“That’s the trees in the wind, right, Mom?” She asked this question more to comfort herself than to get an actual answer. She knew the answer; there was no wind.

The moaning grew louder and came towards them faster and faster until it seemed to be surrounding them in the clearing. Squinting her eyes, Sadie tried to see whom or what it was coming from. Several ethereal bodies could be seen ducking, dashing around, behind trees here and there. More moans came; more translucent shapes began to gather. Finally, they seemed to be surrounded by spirits on all sides, about four deep into the woods. It looked like an unearthly army had come to do battle. She looked at her mother and was somewhat surprised that she seemed calm and almost annoyed.

“Show yourself, wraiths. Come into the clearing; we are not afraid of you, and we know your purpose. No matter what, we are getting through this wood,” said Adrienne in a tone Sadie remembered her using when she was in trouble for doing something bad.

She smiled at the memory and took her mother’s hand, squeezing it, more for the love and admiration that rushed through her than from the fear that had been building.

A snapping branch behind them brought Sadie back from her memory, and the mother and daughter both turned to see the source of the noise. They saw nothing. In large groups the gathered spirits began to make a hasty retreat into the forest. The woods were unbearably silent. More ghosts left in a hurry. Another snapping branch. This time to their left. All the spirits were gone. Then another to their right, and the pair spun around to face the sound.

“Don’t be afraid, Sadie; it’s just the spirits playing tricks on us. They haunt these woods to keep others from finding the wood nymphs so that they may live in peace. Don’t let them scare you; they can do no harm. At least not to us,” said Adrienne.

“They can’t, but I can.”

Stepping from the tangle of briars, some embedded in its skin and raking blood trails across its flesh as it moved forward, came a creature so hideous it was hard for Sadie to look at.

Its black skin oozed yellow seepage in places where pustules seemed to burst from the briars scraping them. Greasy lips smacked and parted to reveal a long, blood-red, snakelike tongue. Its glowing orange eyes flashed threateningly, and its pupils turned to slits as it came to stand across the small clearing from Sadie and her mother.

Sadie trembled, never having seen something from a distance that was large enough for her to focus on the detail in its eyes. But the worst was yet to come. Beneath its two muscular arms, two more on each side tore from its flesh and formed and flexed, baring razor sharp claws. The creature dropped down on its arms as its legs retracted to match its arm’s length. The skin on its back began to bubble and then tear.

From the bloody rips came enormous black leathery wings lined with spikes. They were the length and height of a small truck. Spikes and spines began to rip through its flesh and protrude from any spot left available. The air was permeated with a burnt hair smell, though no fire was to be seen. Sadie almost gagged when the stench hit her nose.

“Sadie, take my hand. This is something new to me and utterly evil. Can you feel the evil? We’ll have to fight this together,” said her mother.

“Fools, you cannot fight me. I come from a place you can’t even imagine in your nightmares. And how often does one win in her nightmares? I am going to eat you both alive, piece by tiny piece, so each can bear witness to the other’s horrific and painful death,” the creature said, taking a step forward.