Mystic Embrace (5 page)

Eliza nudges me in the side to snap me out of my thoughts. I smile and continue to eat.

While still licking her fork, Eliza says, “Thank you for breakfast. It was delicious.”

“
Matt and I would love to take credit for it. But Florence prepared breakfast today. I will let her know how much you enjoyed it.” Luke reaches down to take Eliza’s tray. “Why don’t you to get dressed and come downstairs. I think Elijah wants to go over the funeral arrangements with you. Of course only if you are ready for that.”

“
Yes, of course, we will be down soon. Thank you so much for being here for both of us.” I look at Matt remembering what happened last night and smile.

Almost as fast as the boys leave the room, Eliza turns to me. “You didn’t?”

“
I didn’t what?”

“
Did you and Matt solidify the deal?”

“
Why on earth would you ask that?” I feel the blood rushing to my cheeks as I start to blush.

“
I can tell by the way you two are looking at each other. You and Matt had sex for the first time, didn’t you?” She is almost busting at the seams.

“
And what if we did?”

“
Was it your first time, is he your first, are you his first?”

“
Fine, okay, just stop with all the questions. Matt and I had sex last night. And yes it was the first time for both of us. Are you happy now, you know my big secret.”

“
Oh my God, my baby sister is now a woman. How do you feel about it today?”

“
It was the right time, I needed Matt, and he needed to know I need him to get through all this. We’ve waited a long time for this, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.” A huge smile breaks across my face.

She jumps across the bed flying into my arms, squeezing me tighter than she ever has before. “I am so happy for you. I want to hear all about it.”

“
Not right now, you nut job. They’re expecting us downstairs. Not to mention I would like to enjoy this on my own for a little while.”

She flops back on her side of the bed with a pouty face, “Fine then be that way.”

With a boisterous giggle, I start to get dressed. And then I realize I have my pajamas on inside out; I must look like such a dork. I snicker continue to get dressed and make myself presentable before heading downstairs.

Chapter
Six

Arrangements

The Pierce house is huge and the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Upstairs is several bedrooms, there must be at least a dozen. Then the grand staircase is amazing. It starts as one large staircase and then splits leading to opposite sides of the upper level. The main foyer is gigantic, open and lined with gorgeous marble. There are several more rooms on the main floor, including a family room, formal dining room, gourmet kitchen, library, an art/music room and the games or entertainment room. Then of course the indoor swimming pool, we have had so many fun times in there. I like staying here. I feel safe and welcome, kind of funny when I think about being safe in a house full of vampires, but I really am.

Coming off the grand staircase from upstairs, everyone stops and stares at me. I can tell they are just worried about me, but I’m okay today. Seeing Grams last night help put everything in perspective for me. This is just the cycle of life, we live, we die. I am just lucky; because of magick I can still see my Grams.

“
Good morning everyone, we would like to thank you for all of your help, but I also want to let you know that we are okay. We’ve come to terms with what has happened and are ready to proceed with the arrangements in our lives without Grams.” The more time I spend with the Pierce’s, the more formal or proper I become. I feel very sophisticated, that’s what it is.

“
That is very grown up of you Ebony, but it’s okay to mourn your loss,” Florence encourages.

“
Thank you Florence, I really don’t feel that there is anything to mourn. We’ve realized that Grams had lived a very full life and she passed as a happy woman.”

“
Well then why don’t I go over the arrangements with you?” Elijah offers.

“
Thank you. Why don’t we go to your office to finalize the details?”

“
I will take Eliza to pick out a coffin and urn for the cremation,” Florence offers.

Eliza overhears the she comes down the stairs, “Yes Florence let’s do that. I would also like to stop at the manor to pick up a few more things. Do you mind if we stay here until after the service?”

Florence walks towards Eliza, and holds both of her hands, “You two girls are like daughters to me, you can stay here as long as you like.”

“
Thank you, you are like a mother to us as well.”

As Eliza and Florence prepare to leave for the funeral home, Elijah and I head to the office. This way everyone else can go with their day.

***

Elijah points to the black leather sofa in his office and takes a seat next to me, “Okay Ebony now that is just the two of us. Do you want tell me what happened?”

“
How did you know I needed to talk to you?” I ask, somewhat puzzled.

“
I know you well enough now to know that you would not ask to do this in private unless you have something you did not want others to hear.”

“
It’s Luke that I am worried about.” Nervously biting my lip I continue, “As you know, Luke is still in the dark about both our families and the supernatural nature involved. With Grams gone things are going to get worse. I believe it is time to let Luke in on our secret.”

“
Why is it after so long you feel it is so important to tell him now?”

“
Last night, I thought I was dreaming, until I met Eliza in my dream. She too thought it was her dream, then Grams came to us,” I continue to explain the events of last night to Elijah. “This is why we are so at peace today.”

“
That definitely explains a lot. I must say that I am delighted to know that you truly have not lost your grandmother. It is also wonderful that you will get to know your mother and father after so many years.”

“
Yes, they told us they would return to help us train for our fight against
Naberius. It sounds as though this may be a bigger fight than when we helped you against the Cerberus.”

“
I think we made great team against an evil vampire cult and I think we can do even better against evil demons. We are all much stronger now. Always remember, our family is ready to fight, right beside you as you did for us.” Elijah puts his arm over my shoulder, “Now we need to finalize the funeral arrangements. After that, we will concentrate on the fight ahead.”

In agreement, we begin to go over the final arrangements. Elijah has everything taken care of and only needs us to accept what he has planned.

“
Ebony, I also want you to know that Florence and I will take care of all the financial aspects of the funeral. You girls don’t need to worry yourselves about money now or ever. Your Grandmother took care of us when we needed it and we will be here for you. Your grandmother wouldn’t have any other way.”

Receiving the details for the funeral, I agree to everything Elijah has planned. This is going to be a beautiful service. And will do Grams justice.

“
It appears that you have done a wonderful job. I think Grams would appreciate the service you have put together as much, as I do. Thank you.” Small tear trickles down my face before I wipe it away. “I especially like that you are arranging a small gathering at the manor after the town service. That is where she would’ve wanted it.”

“
It is my belief that your Grams would have wanted a death ritual or the requiem. She always told me that death is celebrated and honored, not feared — death is simply a part of the cycle of life.”

Surprised by Elijah’s knowledge of witches and our beliefs I add. “Yes I believe she would too. From what I have read in the book of shadows the requiem can include the deceased person being buried with their ritual tools. Items such as their wand, athame, etc., some choose to be buried in their ceremonial robes. Many witches believe in reincarnation, and most believe in a “Summerland” where the soul can rest between lives.”

“
Is Summerland where you saw your Grams last night?” Elijah asks with interest.

“
I don’t believe so. I think that is a sacred place that only spirits can travel too. I also know that some of us believe that the dead become ancestor spirits, and protect and guide us from the spirit world. This is similar to what Grams was explaining. I believe that my family is following that path. It has also been implied that all of these things are possible, and that it is up to the soul how they choose to spend their afterlife.”

“
Thank you for sharing this with me Ebony, I very much enjoy learning about your family and the belief system you have.”

“
It helps me to explain to others. Unfortunately, I can’t really tell other people I know this kind of stuff.”

“
Always know that my family and I are here for you, no matter what. You can always teach us what you are learning. After so many years, it can be difficult to find new things to learn.”

“
Well here is another fact that you may not know. Some pagan traditions are very focused on the dead-on honoring the ancestors, giving them offerings, keeping their memories alive. Samhain or Halloween is all about the dead — it is primarily an ancestor holiday. It is a time to honor, and even communicate with, those loved ones who have passed, and also a time to say good bye to those who died in the past year.”

“
Interesting, and what is it that you believe Ebony?

“
After meeting with Grams last night, I believe those whom we love become our ancestors when they die. They continue to love us as they did in life, and they guide, protect, and aid us in subtle ways. They can even communicate with us in dreams, meditation and through divination techniques such as scrying. Similar to how we tried to locate Danika when she ran away. And, after a period of time, they may choose to be reborn—to reincarnate. It is kinda a milkshake of most beliefs,” I joke.

“
Well just remember death is not an ending. It is just part of the cycle, part of the wheel that vampires rarely complete. You can consider your Grams lucky to have completed her wheel,” Elijah says with a hint of despair that he never will.

Chapter
Seven

Remembering

The next few days pass quickly and before we know it, it is Grams is funeral. With the service about to start Eliza and I enter the funeral home and take our seats up front. Matt and Luke are already sitting there waiting for us. The Pierce family sits one row back as it is a small funeral home with very little sitting room. Staring straight ahead at the beautiful mahogany casket, I try to remember how peaceful Grams was the night she came to us. The picture of Grams, right behind her casket is fairly recent, showing her beautiful silver hair. On either side are smaller pictures of Grams, one with mom and Dad and another one with Eliza and myself. Beautiful bouquets cover almost the entire altar, the largest one filled with lilies, Grams favorite flower.

The funeral director rises to the podium, “I would like to welcome everyone here to celebrate the life of Ms. Edwina Triggs. Edwina was born, raised and lived out her life here in Wenham, Massachusetts. She was an active and productive member of our community and will be missed by all who knew her. With the passing of her daughter and son-in-law Edwina took on the challenge of raising her two infant granddaughters into wonderful young women. Edwina was the type of citizen that was always willing to help others, in any way that she could. Whether it was serving Christmas dinner at the homeless shelter, sorting out care packages for those in need, or volunteering her time at the crisis center. Our town always knew we could count on her.”

I look around the funeral home not expecting many people to be here, but the place is full wall to wall and out the door. I always knew Grams was amazing, I just never knew that everyone else knew it too.

The service lasts about forty-five minutes and the director paints Grams in a perfect light. He does a beautiful job, as did Florence and Elijah in the planning. Following the procession line, myself, Eliza, and those closest to us will go to the crematory. Following will be time for our private service at the Manor.

***

“
I’m glad the formal part is over, it was beautiful,” Eliza admits.

I agree, “It was perfect. I can’t believe the turn out. Who knew that the so many people in town cared about Grams?”

“
Ms. Edwina was one of the most amazing people I have met in all my centuries.” Florence hugs me and my sister.

“
How are you two holding up?” Matt asks.

Taking hold of his hand, I confess, “I think we’re doing okay, really. I am just anxious to get the cremation over with and get back to the Manor.”

“
Well then we should proceed to the crematorium,” Elijah recommends.

***

“
Would you like to go to the viewing area for the cremation, or the private family room?” Asked the tall lanky attendant.

“
Girls, what would you prefer? Either option is fine,” Constance asks.

Eliza answers, “I would like to go to the viewing room, what about you Ebony?”