The Witches of BlackBrook (4 page)

Caris grabbed Trin’s elbow, again touching only the material of her sweater. “Trin, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m sorry. I just got a little light headed for a moment.”

“No more wine for you,” Jason teased.

“Very funny,” Trin retorted. “Really, I’m fine. I think I just got up too fast. Now let me get these potatoes into the oven, then you can give me a tour of the rest of your home, if that’s okay?”

“I’d love to,” Caris responded.

Trin tossed in the potatoes while Caris checked on her roast––about thirty-five minutes to go she calculated.

Caris led Trin to the backdoor and pointed. “It’s hard to see buried under the snow, but we have a garden in the yard and a small shed in the back there.”

Trin smiled, spotting the cute structure in the far corner that butted up to the surrounding forest. “It’s truly lovely, I can’t wait to see it in spring with everything in bloom.” Trin shook her head. “I’m sorry. How presumptuous of me. That’s if I’m invited back, of course.”

Caris laughed while Jason smiled and shook his head. “Of course you’re invited back, Trin.” Jason ran his hand down the arm of her sweater, their fingers touching briefly, igniting yet another shock. Trin didn’t pull away this time, but instead, looked deep into his eyes.

Time spun and suddenly it wasn’t Jason in front of her, but her long lost love, Jeremiah Hollsteen.

IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS

1690

“Karina, please. Do not deny me any longer. Your sisters are old enough to get on along, and if needs be, I will move into your home and provide a father figure to them both after we’ve married. I love you, Karina,” Jeremiah professed.

“My sweet, Jeremiah. I love you, too, for I always have and I always will. But I fear that a terrible time is upon us. I have to remain vigilant and not get caught up in the trappings of love. I’m sorry.”

Jeremiah dropped his sad eyes and hung his dark head. Karina touched his cheek, lifting his eyes to hers, then placed a sweet kiss upon his lips. “Do not despair, my love. While I cannot commit to becoming your wife, I will never deny you my heart.”

Jeremiah, strong and handsome gathered Karina in his arms and in an instant transported them to their special place, a hidden meadow deep within the Berkshires.

“I want you, Karina. Mind, body, and soul.”

Their passion ignited, as did their magic, lighting up the night sky. Witches both, they weren’t bound by mortal rules, freedom to love and celebrate ones wild nature had always been the pagan way. Rejoicing in the circle of life, the turning of the wheel was celebrated across the land on this Beltane night.

Earlier this same eve, hidden deep within the woods, they’d circled the maypole, secretly dancing to the drums and partaking in the cakes and ale of the ritual. Smiling coyly at one another, they kept their distance until their passion could no longer be denied. Now, here under the stars, they made wild love, casting their thanks and wishes up into the night sky.

“Trin, my god, are you okay?” Jason asked.

Trin looked up from her new location on the floor. “What happened?”

“One minute you were looking at me, and the next, you fainted.”

“Here, drink this.” Caris offered her a cup of tea, smelling strongly of oatstraw and rose hips. Yet another thing to alight Trin’s curiosity. How did Caris know to brew her such a grounding potion?

“Thank you, I’m so embarrassed.”

“No need to be embarrassed, Jason’s made many a girls faint with his ridiculous adorations,” Caris joked.

“Ha ha. There is nothing ridiculous about this.” He looked at Trin. “You scared me. Are you sure you’re okay?”

Caris moved away, leaving the two of them on the floor in front of the fire. Trin blinked rapidly as words caught in her throat. Jason smoothed the hair from her face and smiled kindly, gesturing to the cup in her hand. “Drink up.”

A few more sips and Trin was once again grounded and centered. “Thank you.”

Jason helped her to her feet and trailed close behind as Trin made her way back into the kitchen. “Thanks for the tea, Caris. It did the trick.” Trin smiled at the petite red-head, hoping Caris would reveal her secrets.

“No problem. I get it at a little herbal shop back home.”

Back home?

“Where in Massachusetts are you from exactly?”

“Ipswich.” Caris winked as the oven timer went off. “Oh good, I think some food will help settle your head.”

Trin couldn’t agree more. This push and pull between the present and the past was becoming too much to bear. As Kit had mentioned, she’d had visions before, in other lifetimes, but not like this. Not actual memories of her former life, but more like echoes of who she used to be. This was different, and despite what Kit said, she needed to figure out why.

“Caris, do you mind if I ask you a personal question?” Trin asked as Jason returned to the living room to clear their drinks.

“Sure. Shoot.” Caris smiled as she grabbed her pot holders and opened the oven door.

“With your tattoos and carefree spirit, and now seeing your home and knowing where you come from, not to mention your familiarity with herbs,” Trin took a deep breath, “I’m wondering if you’re Wiccan.”

There. She’d blurted it out, hoping it would be the best way to go. She didn’t think her tone sounded accusatory, but was left to stand nervously while Caris set the roast on the counter then returned silently to the oven to retrieve the potatoes.

“I’m sorry. Please don’t be offended. I only ask because
I’m
Wiccan and thought I recognized a kindred spirit within you,” Trin explained.

Caris set the pot holders down and smiled up at Trin, taking her measure. “You have good instincts. Actually, we’re both Wiccan.” She gestured to Jason as he returned to the room.

“You giving away our secrets, cousin?”

Caris and Jason laughed while Trin stood relieved, happy, confused, and conflicted all at once. Kit was right, it was Caris’s magical energy that had drawn her and nothing more. She couldn’t be Kara if Jason was her cousin, it simply didn’t work that way. Trin tried to relax, popping a potato into her mouth in an effort to unclog her mind. In one way she was disappointed, hoping that somehow, she’d finally found her long lost sister. But in another, this meant that she could pursue a relationship with Jason, if that’s what she wanted.

“Trin asked and I answered. Besides, like you said, I feel like I’ve known her forever, too. She puts me at ease, so yes, I told her our secret.” Caris winked at Trin and gathered three plates from the cupboard.

The rest of the evening was pure heaven. The pork roast was tender and juicy, and Trin’s golden and sweet potatoes were the perfect match. Caris had also prepared a salad and roasted carrots they’d grown and harvested themselves this past season. They talked about the root of their practices, Trin keeping her true story concealed, of course, then spent the remainder of the night watching movies.

At a little after eleven, Jason helped Trin to her car, depositing her bag of utensils she’d brought from home into the passenger seat.

“Thank you, again, for another pleasant evening,” Trin genuinely expressed.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you came.”

“Me too.”

Jason leaned in, causing her stomach to flutter. The internal debate taking place in her head would have provided a decent laugh for anyone privy to her thoughts.
Cheek? Lips? Do I turn away? Say something first? Wait, no. After? Shit, what should I say?

The brief kiss was over by the time Trin got out of her own head.

“What are you doing tomorrow?” Jason asked, taking away all the pressure.

“Nothing.”

“Great. Would you like to accompany me on an adventure?”

Trin giggled. “Sure. Sounds fun.”

“I’ll pick you up around noon if that’s okay.”

“Should be fine. I’ll see you then.” Trin smiled and let Jason place another light peck on her cheek before backing out the drive.

The road home was fraught with rainbows and flying unicorns as her heart began to soar.

He dragged the witch by the hair, deep into his cave. Disappointed in the failure of his last spell, he’d taken steps to boost his power. Feeding on the blood and magic of witches has been his kind’s only hope of survival, and he wasn’t about to lose his favorite meal. She whimpered as she lay frozen on the stone floor, his knife nicking her precious flesh. “Boost my power, boost my sight, forbid the three to reunite. Blinded by blood, shielded by lies, my strength alone will forbid the rise.”

Trin crept in the front door and across the living room to the kitchen, trying not to step on the squeaky plank in the floor.

“You’re home late.” The kitchen light flipped on.

Trin jumped. “Shit, Kit. Will you please stop scaring me?”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just worried about you since the roads are getting icy again.”

“Are they? I didn’t notice.” Trin walked to the sink and laid her bag on the counter. She’d deal with putting everything away in the morning. Right now, all she wanted to do was sleep and see where her dreams took her.

“Why are you smiling?” Kit prompted. “Oh my god, tell me everything. Did you let Officer Hardy frisk you?”

Trin burst out laughing. “Shut up! No, of course not. I had a pleasant evening with him and Caris, that’s all. Now I’m going to bed. Goodnight, sister.”

“Goodnight, yourself. But tomorrow, you better plan on waking up early and giving me all the details.” Kit wagged a finger at her as she ascended the back stairs that led from the kitchen to their rooms.

That night, Trin dreamt of Jason and crystals, Jeremiah and ropes, Kara and water, and Caris and herbs. She tossed and turned, slipping through space and time. Sister, lover, cousin, friend. Her head spun as she tried to use her magic to break through this hellish mix of hopes and dreams, fears and regret. A final image of being devoured by a shrouded being jolted her from the nightmare.

“Trin, wake up!”

Light poured in from the windows as Kit shook Trin’s shoulders. “What’s going on? What time is it?”

“Oh my god. Are you all right? I couldn’t wake you.” The fear in Kit’s voice brought her quickly to attention.

Trin looked around the room, trying to get her bearings.
What the hell was that?
she thought. “I’m okay. Everything’s okay. Calm down.”

“I heard you screaming but when I tried to wake you I couldn’t,” Kit sobbed.

“That’s so weird. I feel like I just laid down and yet obviously it’s morning.”

“Obviously, you’re
not
okay. It’s not morning...it’s almost noon.”

“Shit!” Trin bolted out of bed, startling Kit further.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“I have a date.”

“What? After what you just went through?”

“Relax, Kit. I didn’t go through anything. I had a bad dream is all.”

“Really? A bad dream that kept you locked inside your mind for hours? You’re just going to blow that off for a date?” Kit’s fear had turned to anger.

“There’s nothing to be done now that I can’t do later. When I return we’ll do the scrying spell for Kara, and I’ll take some time to look into my dream then. Okay?”

“Yeah, sure. Whatever.”

Kit stomped from the room while Trin raced to get dressed. Thank god it was winter and she could throw on multiple layers of clothes and a hat without appearing rushed or lazy. She brushed her teeth and grabbed her camera, racing downstairs just as the doorbell rang.

“Good morning!” Trin exclaimed, out of breath.

“Good afternoon?” Jason smiled, looking down at her bare feet.

“Oh, yes. Come on in while I grab some boots.”

Jason stepped over the threshold and closed the door while Trin hopped from foot to foot, pulling on her flannel-lined hiking boots. “All set.”

Jason laughed. “Are you okay? You seem a bit flustered.”

“No, no. I’m fine. Getting a late start is all. I’m all set. Let’s go.” Trin rushed Jason back out the door, wanting to avoid an awkward introduction between him and a grumpy Kit.

“So...what are we doing today?” Trin asked.

“You’ll see.”

“Well, as you can see,” Trin held up her camera case, “I plan to document everything.”

Jason’s laugh washed away any lingering stain her nightmare had left.

Snapping pictures out the window, Trin enjoyed the twenty minute ride and was excited when they crept up to the edge of Taylor pond. Jason parked the truck then helped Trin out and onto the path that led them to a very cute, well-maintained ice shanty.

“Have you ever been ice fishing before?” Jason asked.

“Nope.” Trin giggled.

“Then it truly is an adventure.” Jason opened the door to the little shack. “It’s not big, so be careful and mind your head.”

Trin climbed in and took a seat on the futon that was placed against the wall, pulling the heap of blankets over her legs.

“Give me a minute and I’ll get a fire started.” He gestured to the tiny wood burning stove that sat in the corner. Its pipes were only about three inches in diameter and it was just the cutest thing Trin had ever seen. This tiny, functional little house had Trin smiling from cheek-to-cheek. She debated lighting the fire with her magic, but wasn’t sure how advanced Jason and Caris were. Most Wiccan’s could access magical energy, but only a select few actually become attune enough to hone it into a manifested power, at least not in this century.

Sparks flared as Jason lit the fire-starter already placed in the belly of the tiny stove with a long wooden match; within minutes the fire had taken the chill off, and it was downright cozy. Trin couldn’t help but notice Jason’s broad shoulders and strong arms as he took off his plaid coat and unlatched the small door in the floor of the hut. The round hole beneath was large enough for a person to fit through, and while still visible, it was now almost completely frozen over. Jason used a hefty hand-held ice auger to reopen the hole, scooping out the loose pieces with a large skimmer as he did.

“Okay. All done. Which pole would you prefer?” Jason asked, all smiles.

Trin laughed and grabbed the wooden pole shaped like Tweety Bird, leaving the one shaped like a duck for Jason. “You’ve got a real
Grumpy Old Men
vibe going on here.”

Jason’s boisterous laugh filled the space as he tossed his head back. “Well, that little comment just made me love you even more. That movie is a classic and one of my all-time favorites.” He wiggled his ‘Green Hornet’ lookalike in the air.

Trin sat straight faced, all joking aside. He’d just said he loved her, but was he being serious or was she once again taking him the wrong way?

Jason eased the tension when he placed a small peck on her cheek. “Let’s get you baited up.”

“Baited up?”

Jason nodded. “Yes, I’m going to be putting on a lure called a jig with some shiner minnows, and all you’ll have to do is lift your pole up and down to attract the fish’s attention.”

“Sounds exciting!” Trin smiled.

Ten minutes passed and she’d found that ice fishing was anything but exciting. Trin had done as instructed, bobbing the pole up and down but hadn’t gotten a single bite. The cabin was warm and in the background drifted soft music from the old-time radio Jason kept on a shelf. The two were enjoying each other’s quiet company and Trin quickly found herself lost in thought as she stared at the icy water.

Flashes of her past life with Jeremiah played through her mind. Memories at first, then faces of strangers twisting throughout time, always dark-haired and hazel-eyed, exactly like her lost love’s. She looked at Jason and felt a connection, one that couldn’t possibly be. Trin desperately wanted to grasp to the thread that was being laid out for them both, but knew it was only a desperate woman’s wish. This couldn’t possibly be what she was imagining. Magic or not, Jeremiah had been lost long ago.

Focused again on the developing vision, Trin closed her eyes, sighing at Jeremiah’s smiling face. Contentment suddenly turned to panic, however, when the vision of Jeremiah began to frantically wave his hands in warning.

Trin’s eyes snapped open. “Jason!” she screamed.

Without warning, Jason’s body was slipping through the icy water as phantom hands drug him under the frozen surface. Down, down he spiraled, away from Trin and straight towards his death.

Trin moved to dive in after him, stopping short, realizing a fool’s plan. She couldn’t save him if she too were dead. Trin closed her eyes and pulled what little magic she had from deep within her and placed her hands on either side of the hole. Words flew from her lips. “Break the grip of these cursed hands, return my love safely to land, feed my power, from three to one, as I will it, so shall it be done.”

Trin slammed her palms on the ice, sending a massive energy blast throughout the pond. The tidal wave created sent the water rushing outward then back in on itself, forcing a solid spout of water to jut up through the hole that carried Jason up and out with it.

“Jason, oh god, please be okay.” Trin scrambled to grab the blankets off the futon, casting flames from her fingertips to stoke the fire.

“What happened?” Jason asked through chattering teeth.

“I’m not sure. One minute everything was calm and the next you were slipping through the hole. Do you remember anything?”

“Not really,” he mumbled. “Only that I became really tired all of a sudden. I must have nodded off and fell forward through the hole,” he struggled to explain.

Trin stood silent, choosing to let him believe his own version of the story. “I’m sorry. I should have been more entertaining company,” she joked, trying to lighten the mood before she burst into tears.

“That’s just it, Trin. I’m so comfortable around you that I find myself at peace whenever we’re together. I can’t explain it. I’ve been out here by myself with no one to talk to, yet I’ve never fallen asleep. You calm me, Trin.” Jason professed through blue lips.

Without another word, Jason leaned in, placing his forehead against hers while taking her hands in his. Another blue spark flared at their contact and Trin looked into Jason’s heated eyes and was overwhelmed.

He had opened up his third eye to her, whether he meant to or not, and in that moment their connection became a tangible thing. She looked into his heart and mind and found Jason to be a kind and loving man. Suddenly aware of his unabashed feelings, she felt his lips on hers and didn’t resist. Tentative tastes and sweet pecks quickly turned to playful nips and sensual swipes of his tongue.

Jason pulled her close, his body still cold and shivering. “They say to warm a hypothermic body you should lay skin-to-skin.” Jason smiled.

“I’ve heard that too.”

Jason raised his hands above his head, mischief playing in his eyes, as Trin lifted off his wet shirt.