Witch's Awakening (33 page)

“What brings you to New Mourne, Dr. McGuire?” Gladys asked.

“Studies of the paranormal, my dear. I hear you've had some interesting things going on, and I can't wait to start my own investigation.”

Gladys's smile dimmed. “You may find more than you want to.”

Jake turned to her in concern. “Has something happened?”

“No, but there will be.” Gladys glared at the sky in the much the same way Jake had just moments ago. “I can feel it.”

“Aren't you supposed to be off tonight?” Jake said to her. She had been pulling double shifts most days since Garth's death.

“I need to stay,” Gladys said. She nodded to Rodric again. “I hope you have some good luck with your studies, but I also hope we don't live up to your expectations.” She went back into the office.

Rodric chuckled. “She's just as you and Garth described her to be.” His expression turned serious as he looked at Jake. “Now tell me what's happening. I tried to get here sooner, but I had quite a battle with a stubborn ghost in a tavern. Patrons were being driven away in droves and I had to help the poor family save their business.”

“It was quiet here until last night,” Jake said and told Rodric about the fire that sprouted from the ground.

Rodric's gaze sharpened when Jake explained that the Woman in White and demon had refused Brenna's sacrifice. “Interesting that there is a spirit and a demon at work. Are they working together?”

“We assume so.”

“You should know yourself never to make assumptions about the paranormal.” His friend glanced toward Main Street. “It's a charming town, but even I can tell there's something wicked in the wind.”

“What wind?” Jake asked. The words were no sooner out of his mouth than a gust of super-heated air chased down the street.

“Very interesting.” Rodric studied the dying leaves and debris that danced at their feet in the breeze.

Where earlier the sky had been so bright it hurt Jake's eyes, a film now lay over the town. He hoped the heat wave was breaking, but he didn't think it was that innocent or simple.

“I told Brenna's parents you were coming,” he told Rodric. “You want to go meet them?”

“Lead the way.”

Although he dreaded seeing Brenna, Jake knew that the entire family was gathering at the home place. Doris was coming home from the hospital, and despite the fire last night, the family still planned a welcome home party and celebration for the Summer Solstice. In addition to introducing Rodric to the Burns, Jake wanted to check on everything. The fire on Connelly land signaled a shift in action.

As they drove out of town, Rodric pointed toward the clouds that were lowering over the mountains. “The sun may leave us early.” The sky was a strange color, a bilious green that Jake mistrusted.

“I'm very anxious to meet your Connelly women,” Rodric continued. “It's incredible that Eva Grace is both a witch and an empath, and that Fiona is also a medium. I've watched some of her webcasts. She has an amazing ability.”

“That has been inactive for the last four days. She's heard almost nothing from the town's spirits since the incident at Siren's Call.”

Now Rodric looked worried. “That kind of silence is most unusual.”

“It's extremely rare around here,” Jake said, peering anxiously at the sky as they approached the turn-off to the Connelly's. “It looks like it could storm any minute, but I'm not hearing any thunder.”

Lightning was playing over the peaks of the mountains. Bear Mountain and Big Frog were lit up in turn. Towering over them all at almost forty-seven hundred feet was Rabun Bald. According to Native American legend, Rabun was home to a fire-breathing dragon. The continuous stream of lightning gave credence to the name as the clouds glowed red, then yellow over the tall peaks.

“Quite a welcome you've rolled out for me,” Rodric commented as they pulled to a stop behind the collection of Connelly cars.

Everyone was present for Doris and the Summer Solstice, including husbands and children. As they made their way across the broad front porch, Jake could see Rodric's eyes begin to glaze as he met the assorted cousins and uncles.

As usual, the Connelly witches were moving from the kitchen to the dining room, loading the sideboard and two other small tables with food. The table was set for the coven, with Doris already seated. The injured witch looked pale but strong, Jake thought as he greeted her and introduced Rodric. She was at last able to talk, albeit in a husky whisper. He didn't see Brenna, but spotted Dr. Burns immediately.

Jake introduced Rodric and the three of them drifted to a corner away from the traffic between kitchen and dining room.

A moment later Lauren sidled up to Rodric and held out a tall, frosted glass. “Have some peach tea.” Her green-eyed gaze was avid with interest.

“Umm. Peach?” Rodric took the glass and studied it as if it was evidence of an ancient haunting.

“I think he would prefer a cup of hot tea,” Jake said.

“Sugar and lemon, if it's no bother,” Rodric added.

Lauren's emerald eyes flashed as she flipped back her hair. “I'll get that for you, Dr. McGuire. I'd be happy to help you with that or anything else.”

“Call me Rodric, and you're most kind, Lauren. You live up to everything I've heard about Southern women.”

She laughed and walked away to get his tea, her hips swaying.

Jake took the iced tea from his friend and enjoyed the bemused expression on Rodric's face. “I warned you about her,” he reminded the Scot before taking a long drink.

Dr. Burns smiled at the interplay, but he brought the conversation back to where they had been heading. “I've heard a good deal about you from colleagues. I just read your study about weather conditions and how they relate to paranormal activity.”

“Jake told me about the unusual storm that ushered in these events here in New Mourne.”

Brenna's father frowned. “And now we've got this heat. Today we broke all temperature records, and it hasn't rained since Delia and I arrived.”

“A storm's brewing now, I think,” Jake said. “Clouds gathering over Rabun Bald.”

“Strange, given that our storms usually boil up from the west and the Bald is east.” Dr. Burns glanced toward the window. The outdoors was now a murky green. He moved off to speak to his wife while Jake finished introductions. Brenna wasn't with the others, and Jake looked around in concern and went into the kitchen.

Getting worried, he was about to search on the back porch when she came down the back stairs and into the kitchen.

He resisted the impulse to kiss her. “How are you doing?”

Her expression was serious. “There's a storm on the way.”

He didn't pretend not to understand what she meant. This storm wasn't about rain, thunder and lightning. “Is it good or bad that you're all together?”

“I'm not sure.”

Before they could continue, Sarah's voice rang out from the dining room, calling the group to gather. Jake and Brenna slipped in, and she took her place at the coven's table. The others in attendance crowded into the room as well.

Sarah looked pale and tired, as could be expected after the shock of last evening. She stood tall and proud at the head of the table, however, and lifted a glass of iced tea to her oldest sister. “I'm delighted to say that Doris is, according to her doctor, doing quite well. With help from Eva Grace, she's healing quickly and feeling better every day. She'll be staying here with Marcus and me until she has recovered. Welcome home, Doris.”

A chorus of well wishes filled the room as drinks were lifted in salute.

Doris beamed while holding her daughter Diane's hand. The entire coven clasped hands around the table. Jake felt the buzz of power that sprang to life in the room. Candles on the tables and mantle lit on their own. A shimmer of light, almost like glitter, drifted down from the ceiling and disappeared. The children giggled in delight.

Sarah glowed, smiling at the circle around her. “We're so grateful that we're all together, my sister witches and our families. We are whole.” Her glance lingered on Brenna. “Despite the efforts of evil to burn us out, we are one.”

Brenna nodded at her grandmother and Jake was surprised at the real harmony he felt from them both. Out of the tragedy of last night a truce had been called between the two.

Either that or Brenna had just given up.

The idea disturbed Jake as Sarah recognized him and Rodric. “We welcome our guests, as well. Now let's all eat, enjoy the bounty of the summer, and celebrate the good life we Connellys have made in New Mourne. May it continue forever.”

In moments, the circle was broken and everyone was moving around the room, filling plates, talking and laughing. Jake watched Brenna go into the hallway, toward the front door.

He followed her. “Aren't you hungry?”

She shook her head, looking sad.

Suspicious, he studied her. “What are you planning?”

“A good question,” a voice said from behind.

Jake turned as Delia joined them.

Brenna glared at her mother. “I'm not going to spoil the party.”

“The party is the least of my concerns,” Delia replied. “You're up to something. I can always tell.”

“Always?” Brenna laughed. “You don't know me well enough to know what I'm thinking or feeling or what I might do.”

“You're enough like my sister and me to be easy to read.” Delia's expression was grave. “Don't tempt evil, Brenna. Don't taunt it. It won't work.”

Brenna looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Aiden came up beside Delia and put his arm around her shoulders. “Just listen to your mother's advice.”

“What exactly is that advice?”

Delia took a deep breath before she spoke. “I've been remembering some details about the day Celia died. The truth is we went to call out the Woman in White. We each had a baby girl. We couldn't imagine losing you or Eva Grace, or dying before we could raise you. Like you, we wanted the curse to end. We were young and foolish and strong witches. We thought being twins made us invincible. We thought we could fight her.”

She shook her head, her eyes filling with tears. “We fought, but at the last minute, Celia gave herself up. I think that's what she intended all along.” Delia rubbed her forehead. “It's all been coming back to me, but I'm still not sure…”

Brenna looked stricken. “So first the Woman wanted a fight?”

The sudden flare in her eyes troubled Jake. “Your mother just said she's not clear on the details, Brenna. The Remember-Not spell could have clouded her thoughts.”

“I think that spell is wearing off,” Delia murmured.

Sarah appeared in the hallway. “What's going on out here?”

Jake expected Brenna to lash out at her grandmother in anger. She surprised him by simply shaking her head. “We're just talking.” She turned, heading for the front door. “I think I'm going to get a little fresh air before I eat.”

Jake followed her, wary of her calmness. From the look on Delia's face, she was equally worried.

Brenna opened the door to reveal Fred Williams on the front porch. His tailored suit was wrinkled and his tie askew. His normally smooth smile was absent, as well.

Jake stepped in front of Brenna. If this was about what happened this morning at Fred's house, Jake didn't want any unpleasantness spilling into the family gathering. “Surprised to see you here, Fred,” he said as he held the door open.

The minister looked past Jake. “Sarah, do you mind if I come in for a moment and talk with you?”

“Of course not. Please come in.” The coven leader moved forward to welcome the head of the largest Christian organization in the county. She led Fred to the dining room where the crowd of Connellys fell silent at the sight of him.

“Can I get you something?” Sarah asked the minister. “Sweet tea?”

“With lemon, if you've got it,” Fred said and sat down in the chair Marcus vacated.

Jake introduced Fred to Rodric and studied the minister. The man was twitchy. Whatever Fred wanted to talk about was making him nervous. Marcus handed Fred a glass of tea. Fred gulped some down and then looked around at the group.

“I'm glad I found you together like this. I've known for many years that it's the Connelly family that keeps New Mourne safe and makes it a haven for anyone. My father explained all of that to me. He didn't agree with all of your practices, and neither do I, but…”

Fred turned to Brenna. “I'm sorry I couldn't say more this morning, but Ginny is not as open-minded.”

Jake noticed as Fred sipped his tea again that his hand shook a little. Was he frightened by what he was saying or just frightened about being with the coven?

“We operate on different realms with our religious beliefs,” Fred continued, setting his glass aside. “But I have wrestled with what to do about these problems a great deal lately. I've prayed and prayed for a solution or a way I might help.”

He stood, hands out, palms up. “I believe something is about to happen, and I've got the prayer warriors in my congregation praying for all of you. I don't want anyone to die. Not any of you.” His gaze locked with Delia's. “We go back to school days, you and I. Your sister was always kind to me.”

Delia's smile was tremulous. “She was good to everyone.”

“And was taken because of that, I think, because evil doesn't want goodness to live in this world.” Expression hardening, Fred's gaze skipped to Eva Grace. Abruptly, he turned back to Sarah. “That's it, really. I just wanted you to know that I'm not against you. I can't be with you, but I do want this terrible time to be over for your family, for the tragedies of the past not to be repeated. “

Sarah rose and went to him, taking both his hands in hers. “Thank you, Fred, for your encouragement and your kind thoughts. It was good of you to come by and speak to us personally.”