The Witches of BlackBrook (15 page)

“Do we have everything?” Jason asked.

“Yep. All the hiking stuff is loaded, and Caris already climbed into the back seat with her basket.” Kennedy winked.

“Okay. Let’s do this.” Jason jumped into the driver’s seat of Caris’s Jeep. He’d bookmarked the location of where he’d been left on his GPS and was anxious to reach the spot as soon as possible.

Trin was going to be keeping Kit busy tonight with a dinner and a movie, which meant they’d only have around four hours, including travel time.

“Do you have the tooth?” Jason asked.

“Yes. I have everything we need,” Caris reassured.

In Jason’s mind, it was no coincidence tonight was the new moon. The timing of everything seemed to be on their side, which left him excited and confident about their plan.

“Let’s cast a cloaking spell from inside the Jeep when we get close. That way, we can block our presence from the get go,” Jason suggested.

“Good idea. Just let me know when to start,” Caris replied.

They drove in silence for forty minutes until Jason gave the signal.

Kennedy turned around at Caris’s instruction and watched as her sister sprinkled angelica root into the palm of her hand. Reaching for hers, Caris began to chant once their fingers were entwined. “Goddess dark, like the moon, we ask you shield us from evil’s view. Boost our strength and hide our link, as we search for the source we seek. So mote it be.”

“So mote it be,” Kennedy and Jason intoned.

A silver energy burst from the girls’ hands, settling over the entire Jeep like a protective, transparent bubble.

“Great job, Car.” Kennedy smiled and turned around just as they rolled to a stop.

“We’re here,” Jason announced.

With the Jeep safely off the road, they all climbed out and retrieved their gear. “I figure a straight cut through here would be our best bet to start. Then, once we reach this clearing we’ll cast the spell.” Jason folded his map and took the basket from Caris who fell in line between him and Kennedy.

They hiked in silence and on full alert. After thirty-five minutes, night had fallen. They paused for a drink and to retrieve their flashlights at Caris’s suggestion. She thought it best if they didn’t use magic until absolutely necessary. So, after checking the compass, Jason led on, following the small beam of light.

The hike was easy, the terrain mostly flat and compact, but the lack of light was definitely becoming a hindrance.

“Car, do you think we could do something to boost the flashlights’ output? That way we’re not casting a spell for light, but simply enhancing the mechanism?” Kennedy asked.

“Sure. We can try.”

Jason sat the basket on the ground and took a seat on a fallen tree trunk while the girls worked.

“Here, take this.” Caris handed Jason the end of a red rope. “Wrap it around your flashlight then your wrist.”

Jason stood and did as he was told, then waited as Caris took the middle of the rope and repeated the process herself, then had Kennedy do the same with the end. With their hands bound in a tight circle, the light cast from their flashlights shot straight up into the night sky.

“Charge this light, brightest bright, concealed within our space this night. Never to be seen but by us three, as I will it so mote it be.”

Kennedy laughed out loud when they were suddenly bathed in a bright white light that filled up their protective bubble. It looked like they were encased in a miniature version of the sun.

“Damn, Caris. I didn’t realize you were getting so good,” Jason boasted.

“I think working with Trin and Kennedy has definitely boosted my powers. They’re not fully restored, but we’re definitely on the right path.”

“Well, I hope that’s not the only path we’re on that’s right. We need to hurry this along if we’re going to get out of here before Trin’s ruse is up,” Kennedy piped in.

“You’re right. Let’s get going.” Jason untied them all from the rope, stuffing it in his pocket, then took off again at a clipped pace.

In just under an hour later, they’d reached the clearing.

“The hills begin to rise from here, so I think the chance of us finding a cave in the area is pretty high,” Jason expressed, placing the basket in the center of the small meadow. He and Kennedy patrolled the boundary while Caris set up her tools. About halfway through his scan of the woods, his phone buzzed. It was Trin.

Trin:
Leaving the restaurant. Heading to the movie. You’ve got 2 hours.

Jason quickly typed out his reply.

Jason:
Thanks. About to cast spell. Be careful.

Trin:
You too.

“Okay, come on,” Caris announced minutes later, her timing spot on.

Gathering around the makeshift altar, Caris handed each of them a candle to hold, then cast her circle using the salt she’d packed. “I cast this circle, once around, all within magic bound. Earth and dust, salt and sea, protected now, by one by three.”

Caris nodded at Kennedy, who flicked a finger and set their candles alight then chanted, “Fire strong, fire bright, guide our passion on this night. Reveal what’s hidden that we seek, evil’s lair, curses keep.”

They each smiled as the flame on all three candles elongated and pulled in one common direction.

Caris moved to the altar and placed the lemongrass and sulfur in her pestle and mortar, then gently retrieved the black box that contained the demon’s tooth.

Sliding off the lid, Caris carefully pulled back the black satin cloth and used its corner to grab and toss the shard into the mix.

The sulfur bubbled around the tooth, dampening its vibration. Taking a deep breath, Caris opened her mind and inhaled the smoke.

Transported instantly, Caris flew through the night sky, joined by Kennedy and Jason’s astral bodies on the hunt. Jason’s thoughts pricked her mind as he plotted the land that passed below. Kennedy used her mental clarity to search the woods for any sentient presence, while Caris opened her heart in an effort to sense any magic in the air.

Hills rolled and grew in size, merging with rocky buttes and small creeks. Waterfalls ran nearby as they continued to soar deep within an untouched part of the forest. Jason finally pointed to what looked like a small crack within the rock face. As they touched down, Kennedy put up a hand, stilling their movements. She used her mental link to share her thoughts.
“There is definitely something evil residing within this cave.”

“I agree. I can see a red aura radiating from within,”
Caris added.

“This is it. I’ve marked the location. Now, let’s get back to our bodies and return for real,”
Jason stated.

With the speed of the Goddess they were all hurtled back into their physical bodies, aware and ready to face what was coming next.

Caris closed the circle, carefully depositing the demon’s tooth back into the box and placing it in her pocket. Jason quickly gathered their flashlights and checked his map, preparing to retrace the trek back towards the cave.

Kennedy grabbed her service pistol from her bag, and shrugged when Caris cast her a skeptical glance. “What? We have no idea what’s going to be in there. Besides, it makes me feel better.”

Jason laughed and could obviously relate. He too had brought his gun and winked at Caris as he withdrew it from his back holster. “It should only take about twenty-five minutes to get there on foot, so we should have plenty of time to search the cave and destroy his power at its source.”

Kennedy and Caris nodded and fell in step. An anxious excitement could be felt in the air, and with any luck, this curse would be over in a few minutes and their powers fully restored.

Jason brought them to a halt outside the mouth of the cave. He crouched down in the bushes next to the opening and whispered to the girls. “Caris, do we just go in, or should we cast a spell from here?”

“We already have our protection in place, so let’s go in and have a look around. Kennedy, be on the lookout for an old talisman, something that’s tying him to this place.”

Kennedy and Jason both nodded and gripped their guns a little tighter as they all crept forward.

Suddenly, a massive blast of air threw them backwards onto the ground. A loud screech resonated from inside the cave followed by a thick black fog that billowed from the opening.

Caris screamed and Kennedy gasped as they all squirmed to get away from the demon’s face that had taken shape within the fog.

“He’s in there, Jason. We have to get out of here.” Caris grabbed her pocket, trying like hell to keep the box from ripping its way out of her jeans.

Jason gathered the girls and ran back the way they came as an eerie laughter echoed off the hills.

“Trin. What the hell happened?” Jason’s message confirmed her fears.

Trin had arrived home to an empty house and thought the worse. At least hearing Jason’s voice meant he was okay. She quickly dialed his number.

“Jason. Is everyone okay? Did she hurt you?”

All Trin wanted to do was race straight to the Hardy’s and wrap herself in Jason’s arms, but that was still not an option. They had to maintain the distance they’d been keeping, in case this ruse was something that needed to continue.

“Trin. We’re all fine, but Kit was there. She cast a banishment from inside the cave that knocked us all on our assess.”

“I don’t understand how she could have gotten there that fast. She was literally out of my sight for no more than five minutes while we drove to the theatre.”

“Well, you of all people should know how powerful magic can be. I’m sure she just teleported into the cave when she sensed someone was near.”

“That or she has it booby-trapped,” Kennedy called out.

“At least you found it. When do you think we can all go back together and end this?” Trin asked.

“Caris isn’t sure. She thinks we missed an opportunity tonight by not having you with us on the new moon. She’s going to do some scrying and try to pinpoint the best time for us to try again.”

“Okay, but what the hell am I supposed to do until then? Kit probably knows I was involved.”

“Involved with what?” Kit’s voice sounded from behind her.

“Hey!” Trin spun around, wide-eyed and petrified. She debated hanging up, but knowing Jason was still listening on the other end of their call gave her a small measure of comfort.

“Sorry I had to bail. I got a call from Harold who demanded I meet him immediately to discuss tomorrow night’s celebration, which from the sound of it, you already know about. Are you in on this damn party, too?” Kit smiled as she set her purse on the table.

An excruciating laugh tore from Trin’s throat. “Dang it! It was supposed to be a surprise.”

“Well, you guys blew it, then, because the second Harold said he was in town, I knew something was up. He hates traveling this far North.” Kit laughed and waved goodnight as she climbed the stairs.

Trin waiting for Kit’s bedroom door to close then whispered, “Did you hear all that?”

“Yes. It sounds like Kennedy was right, the place was booby-trapped, and it looks like you have a party to go to tomorrow night,” Jason replied.

“Oh joy!”

“Bone and blood, spirit and soul, ripped from them, my only goal. Set a trap, fall in line, all their magic will soon be mine.” The potion boiled and churned, sending up a gray mist that turned into a protective net that looked like a mass tangling of spider webs. He smiled as they attached themselves to the walls and ceiling. He was ready...all he needed now was the bait.

“What time should I be at the restaurant?” Trin asked between sips of her coffee.

“Harold says we’re to meet him at 7:00pm. Will that give you enough time to get home from work and change?” Kit questioned.

“Yep. I’ll be there with bells on.” Trin swallowed the bitter taste the words left in her mouth. Suppressing her anger was becoming more and more difficult, since every time she looked at Kit, all she saw was centuries of betrayal. There had been numerous times over the past week where Trin wanted to scream from the top of her lungs,
“I know who you are and what you’ve done.”
But after what happened last night, and the fact that they were so close to putting an end to this charade, she forced herself to remain diligent and stay on task. Willpower was a weapon she’d continue to hone.

“Great. I’ll see you there.” Kit was dressed in her usual painting gear: a t-shirt, baggy overalls, and bare feet, which meant she’d be spending the day upstairs in the room they’d set up as her studio.

Trin finished her coffee and left for the spa, anxious for her mid-day appointment with Caris. Jason had reassured her that everything was fine, but she wanted to hear Caris’s side of the story as well. She needed to see if there were any details that she could pick out that maybe they had missed.

“Good morning, Mia.” Trin offered her usual greeting to the receptionist and proceeded straight to the locker room to start her day.

Five hours later and it was finally time for Caris’s appointment.

“Okay, so tell me everything.” Trin hopped onto the table, happy to be off her feet.

“Well, Jason pretty much summed it up. We came to the clearing and cast our searching spell which worked great. We all flew through the astral plane and located the source with no problem. Then, once we were physically there and about to go in, a blast of air and fog burst from the mouth of the cave. There was this creepy demon’s face inside of it,” Caris shuttered.

“It makes me sick to know that that is Kit. I still can’t wrap my head around it.”

Caris took Trin’s hand in hers. “I know it must be hard, but Trin, you’re going to have to come to terms with this, because soon...we’re going to need to do whatever is necessary to put an end to this.”

“I know,” Trin sighed. “I’ll be ready.”

Caris smiled and handed Trin a pouch of angelica root. “Here. Keep this in your pocket. I’m sure you’re aware that it’s great for protection and boosts female power, and this is some of the stuff Kennedy and I used the other night. It should help strengthen our connection.”

“Great! Thanks!” Trin tucked the white cotton satchel into her pocket and instantly felt at peace. “Have you worked out when we should go back to the cave?”

“No. Not yet. The full moon is only a week away now, but it still doesn’t seem to be lining up with the spell.”

“Is there anything I can do to help from here,” Trin motioned around the private room.

Caris cocked her head. “Maybe. Let me do some more work tonight. Kennedy and I will both book appointments before the full moon and I’ll fill you in then.”

Trin smiled and hugged her sister, anxious to finally be able to contribute in at least some small way. Following Caris out to the front room, she waved goodbye before pulling her next chart.

“Trin?”

Trin spun around at the sound of Kit’s voice. “What are you doing here?” Trin asked nervously.

“Harold called and bumped up the time of the party. I brought you your dress so you wouldn’t be late.” Kit glared out the window as Caris pulled away in her Jeep. “Isn’t that your teacher friend?” Kit leaned in. “I thought you were staying away from them?” she whispered.

Trin took a step back and squared her shoulders. “I can’t control who books appointments with me.”

Trin swore she could see fire sparking behind Kit’s eyes. “It may only be a massage to you, but if they are the ones causing the problems, then even the slightest touch could be fueling their means. You need to remove her from your approved client list, Trin. For your own good.”

Kit pushed the garment bag into her hands and left without another word. Fuming, Trin raced into the locker room to dial Caris and quickly left a message when she didn’t answer. “Kit was here and saw you leave. Please be careful and call me once you’re safely home.”

An energy ball flew from Trin’s hand, denting the door of her locker. Trin collapsed onto a bench, forcing a few deep breaths in an effort to calm down. They needed to bring this to an end and soon, but first she had one more appointment to get through and a party to attend.

Trin walked to the sink and splashed some water on her face then returned to the front to greet her next client.

As she glanced at the file, the door to the waiting room swung open. “My turn,” said the very sexy Mr. Hardy.