Back in the living room she had gathered what I needed and just to be precise I asked for the book; I was reciting the chant correctly but the reason behind it not working hasn't been found yet.
"If the spell failed former then,"
"Not just Jake but the entirety of his pack spent a good part of their lives in these grounds. So this makes it the perfect place"
My voice sounded light and full of happiness just like I felt inside, but it seemed I was the only one filled with bright lights in the room.
"All I need now is something of his; I can get from the village" I was nearly jumping from my seat as I continued to gaze down at the book of spell while Ruby seeped her tea and Cassuis stood towering, I could feel his eyes bore through me.
"I will be back with his belongings" I was on my feet when Cassuis said, "I will follow"
"Absolutely not, this is a werewolf territory and one of the strongest too" Cassuis adamancy clearly showed itself as he wasn't willing to sit back and let me go
"No one knows my identity here but you have a very bad reputation and the locals will not hesitate to attack"
"I can withstand a handful of them" I glared intensely into him, I wasn't leaving with him and he wasn't going to let me leave without him but the last thing I want is to stir off a huge storm here
"They have lost enough already, do you think this is a really good idea?"
For once Cassuis turned out to be considerate and actually let me left As soon as I walked into the village, everything was the same; the kids running around and the elders all at their various works. I walked in silently like it was the first time I had been there, it was like nothing of a storm had repeatedly whipped this community; they looked truly at peace. They had each other to lean on and very oblivious to the fact that they were missing a couple of their members and the biggest storm ever is starting to from over their heads.
"Hey Gia," I felt a set of hands wrap around me from behind and the voice was filled with cheer
"Hey," I said before the child came around to face me with his hand still around my lower half. It was one of Phoenix's friends
"Where have you been?" the girl with brownish short hair asked, I had come to know her as Peggy. Peggy and I had the closest relationship in the group besides Phoenix. She was bright, sassy and smart and very brave too and she was just six; the youngest of them all.
"Peggy I had been busy for a time now,"
"Busy with what?"
"With grown up stuff," I bopped her nose as I said that
"Ooh, can we play now?" she tugged at her shirt as her eyes sparkled with joy but I was running on the clock
"Sorry honey, I can't. I have some work to do in the village." I hated to do that looking straight into her eyes, I could see her disappointment. Her eyes left mine and the tightness in her grip loosened
"But you can help me," I added, she looked up again, I lowered my upper half and cupped her cheeks before whispering,
"I am on a secret mission." she squealed happily and nodded repeatedly; the innocence in her made me smile.
"You know Phoenix's elder brother Jake?"
"Yes,"
"I need you to take me to his house," For a moment she stopped to think before answering
"Come on now let's go," she held my hand and we moved further in, many of the kids came by her asking to play but she either ignored completely or say, "I am busy today"
Just like I thought he stayed with Phoenix and his aunt but only in their courtyard; he had a house of his own on it. I asked Peggy to go inside and inform Jake's aunt about my visit while I checked his place. I pushed the door and I was almost choked down by dust; I coughed heavily sweeping my hand in the air, the room basically his bed and some clothing hanging around and a chest drawer plastered against the wall; it was as though he was there. It still held his smell and his gentle touch; I stared at the room for a second before his aunt stumbled inside panting; I turned towards her.
Hair in a messy bunny bun; face drawn and tried, a dirty looking apron around her tiny waist and in her hand was a napkin; it looked like she was in the middle of a chore. She wiped the sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand that was holding the napkin she observed me just as I was for a while before she said, "I have seen you before with Jake"
"I am sorry I didn't catch your name" her voice was cool, fair skin and pearl eyes
"It's Gianna"
"Gianna," she repeated her brows furrowing for a moment
"Gia? Phoenix had talked about you a lot"
"He's a really good child"
"I hope you don't mind me being here"
"No not at all, make yourself at home. I will bring some snacks"
"No, no it's ok. I can't stay long" She exited after the conversation and I was left to look around, what was it that will be personal to Jake? Where should I start looking? I was so overwhelmed being in that environment, so much of him being around in his absence. I headed for the dresser, the first compartment it seemed to be jammed but I got it opened. There was no clothing in it but just a dusty old square box; I picked it up and set in on the bed, I unhooked the lock and opened it hoping that I would find something but it was empty. I set it back in and pushed it closed, in the second and third I found more of his wearing; clothes. Although there was a lot around I didn't know what to take back with me, I shifted from one item to another hugged it against me, sniffed through it; it was like he was just there inside of me. I dropped a bag down topple in whatever I seemed to be drawn to which was almost everything; I crashed out the door with my heart heavy in my chest, it felt like a weight I didn't want to carry with me.
Exhaling tears welled in my eyes as his aunt came across the compound. He glanced down at my hand perplexed; I forced a face on my face.
"Are you leaving already, stay for a tea please" She solicited and I wouldn't dare reject her; I followed her into the main house, stepped on the small porch before we went through the door in the corner of her house; as I entered the atmosphere was different from Ruby's. My great grandmother's was strong and filled with different opposing smells; it showed the healer inside of her but this house was delicate; the smell of fresh fragrance all in sync calmed my tensed muscles immediately.
Entering the door lead directly to her small living room with a kitchen where different pots of fresh flowers sat on the kitchen windowsill, and up ahead was just a single door facing me and that was the whole of the house; small but it felt like home. I imagined Phoenix's energetic body jumping from one angle to another, making his print everywhere.
"Please have a seat," She offered before she went into her open kitchen and grabbed the tea kettle that started whistling with a napkin. She poured the content of the kitchen two small size tea cups, I watched her to so like it was something she enjoys a lot. She brought them forth with the sweetest smile I had seen on beautiful faces like hers. Phoenix's aunt looked young to me; just worn out by chores or life itself she handed me the tea and sat across of me silently seeping it.
"Jake came the other day saying he'd want to accompany you to someplace and it could sometime" she said as she swallowed down the small content in her mouth and placed the cup onto the saucer gently. I felt the tea strangle me in the throat as she said that
"Yes, that's true" she smiled again but this time it was different from the first like there is something hidden of pain behind it
"He said he'd visit" she exhaled heavily
"He will we are just caught up with a lot" I straighten up placing the tea to my foot
"I know he can get really busy for others especially people he loves" She looked into my eyes as she said that and I felt a burn behind my throat; it wasn't the good kind. Instead of seeing something I simply nodded while she took another sip, brushed away the hair on her forehead and sniveled like she was about to cry
"It gets lonely around her without them"
Neither was her statement funny nor the situation but she laughed briefly turning towards the kitchen window, I could see her fight the tears. I rose from my seat and knelt in front of her, placed a gentle hand on hers before her glossy gaze fall on me again
"I know just how bad it can get; but I promise you, you will not end up alone. Jake will be back with you soon"