23rd July
After weeks of chasing loose ends, I finally have the name of the necromancy witch; her working name is Bristlecast.
I have sent a message to her, begging for her help.
The necklace is still hidden; it is nowhere in the house.
It's the only thing to save my dear daughter from the repetitive cycle.
She deserves more than an early death.
~Nick
____________
Leo's magic simmered over his skin; his face was dark as he listened to what Isobelle told him. His anger was felt and seen. Rage filled his core.
Why?
What was going through her mind?
To push her magic through the lock was a death sentence. All hope left his being. No matter how much she improved, there was no coming back from that. Now was a waiting game to her death.
"I need a moment."
Leo stood from the chair and exited the ward. He took deep breaths as he walked to keep his anger at bay.
He seethed as he finally got outside and around the side of the building.
His mind reeled as he released his anger on the brick wall. Thud.
Why? Did Lexi have no regard for her own life? Thud.
Why did she push through the lock?
Why did Nixon force it onto her? Thud. Why that spell?
Why did they take her? Why couldn't Cornelius leave them alone and find another witch? Why them?
Thud, "Damn it!" Leo bellowed.
A sharp pain registered in his nerves. He had scraped and bashed his knuckles until the wall was bloody. His hands throbbed, but his mind was now calmer.
There were many people to blame.
He leaned against the wall and sighed. Deep down, he knew why. Why Lexi took action: She loved her friends fiercely; she would take the bullet for her family.
Leo was angry at himself for letting her go alone. He loathed not getting to her sooner and realising she was in danger.
"Leo?"
Leo turned to the breaking voice; Alex stood at the corner looking towards him.
Clearing his throat, Alex continued, "They have taken her for more tests. You might want to get that checked out." Alex gestured to Leo's knuckles.
"It's only minor. I'm a klutz."
Leo wasn't kidding anyone. Alex wasn't an idiot; he could practically hear the punches inside the hospital but nodded anyway.
Leo's blue magic raised around his hands. He was repeating 'Soona' every so often. After a few minutes, his knuckles were as good as new.
"You know. No one will blame you if you go back and get some sleep," Alex's voice broke in towards the end.
Leo couldn't help but chuckle, "It's annoying, right? The voice."
Alex rolled his eyes, "Super-duper. I hope it evens out quick."
His voice shifted again, and Leo tried to hold his laugh. Stepping closer to Leo, Alex thumped his shoulder hard.
____________
Walking back to the room, Leo offered coffee to Lexi's mother. The bed was still missing, and Isobelle's leg bounced with anticipation.
Three nurses pushed the bed through the door; another wheeled the IV drips.
One stayed behind to hook Lexi back up to the monitors. Leo noted it was the same woman who jogged his memory.
She turned to inform the visitors, "We normally don't allow anyone other than immediate family to visit for the time being. Until the results are back, I must ask about your relationship with the patient."
"I'm her mother," Isobelle whispered, glancing at her daughter.
"Brother."
Leo cleared his throat, "I'm-" "Thank you for the information." The nurse interrupted.
Leo's face contorted in confusion, and watched her leave through the door. Leo huffed a chuckle while Alex smiled.
"Say nothing," Isobelle warned, her hand wrapped in a lime green glow.
______
The doctor came in an hour after the interaction to give an update.
"Nothing further could be found. We will move her to an admissions ward to free up the space. She will be allowed visitors there."
"She's stable enough?" Isobelle asked, a little shocked.
"Yes. The bleeding has stopped, and the venom antidote seems to be doing its job; she is improving. Her brain activity is even; she is still in a deep coma. There are no signs of her waking yet. Which might be a good thing due to her ribs."
"Okay, Thank you, doctor. Will she be stable enough to be transferred? Somewhere closer to home?"
"I advise another few hours. We can file and arrange for tomorrow once we are happy with her improvements."
She nodded, and three healthcare workers moved her bed to another ward. Isobelle sighed and followed behind them with her things. Leo and Alex were not far behind.
_____
Leo yawned again; his eyes dropped while holding Lexi's hand. The doctor was correct; her heartbeat on the monitor got more robust with each passing hour.
A nurse interrupted the serenity, "Visitors hours end in five minutes," she informed.
"Come on. We need some sleep and proper food." Isobelle coaxed, placing a hand on Alex's shoulder, "You too, Leo."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Leo stretched and picked himself up out of the chair; before leaving, he kissed the hand he was holding while his thumb traced a protection sigil.
_____
After being surrounded by the coven, Leo was exhausted. The coven was happy to hear she was stable enough to have more visitors. He warned them of the sight; it was unpleasant while she was still healing.
He sighed, wishing she was next to him once more. His heart ached, but he found comfort in the fated string, still tethered, reaching.
He hoped to dream of her tonight.
____________
Morgan
She tutted, leaning away from the obsidian mirror. Her son blocked her scrying.
Morgan grumbled as the blue sigil glowed strong. She had underestimated Lexi's abilities. She was much stronger than her father in magic and spirit. Her game was not over yet.
Even Morgan had to admit they were a strong couple. It was a shame; their inevitable end would come soon, as always. Morgan wished Leo would listen to her warning.
"But no, they went to the Abbey," she muttered to herself, "Well, I did warn them."
Gronk-Gronk!. A colossal raven landed on the table, seemingly agreeing with her.
"Hm, I think your right. Time for a little visit."
Morgan covered the sleek black mirror with the black velvet and wandered to bed; the raven squawked and hopped along after her.
____________
Leo
Leo was indeed dreaming of her.
He took in the evening sun as it danced lower into the sea. He felt her shift beside him, catching his attention. He loved this dream. They shared it often.
Rose pink lips and cheeks, not a bruise or scar in sight. Bright green eyes reflecting teal in the sunset.
He rose to his feet, took her hands, and pulled her into his arms.
The breeze caressed the striking blonde hair, which always felt so soft.
Gazing into her eyes, he gently leaned her back. Hands felt her waist as he leaned in closer.
Gone.
He awoke to the crowing of a bird and stared up at the tree canopy.
"Shit. Not again."
Leo sat up slowly, vegetation and fallen trees around him. He was back in the astral.
Gronk!
Leo inspected his surroundings apprehensively; that was new. A black bird circled him, playing in the trees before swooping south. He felt a tug on his little finger; the red string fit snugly around his finger.
It lay on the ground going south. It looks like he was following this bird. A thought entered his mind, 'Was Lexi awake here?'
Without hesitation, he shouted, "Lexi?" hearing the familiar echo bounce around the tree line.
Croak, it was the bird that responded. He trekked forward, hoping to find Lexi soon.
____
After walking for hours, the bird landed and turned to him. Leo's skin crawled when it turned to him, staring into his soul. It hopped through an underbrush. He was hesitant to follow it until he heard a familiar grunt.
"Lexi," he whispered, pulling the tall bush apart.
She lay in the undergrowth, not awake but moving and grunting, seemingly dreaming. The bird nested beside her head as Leo inspected her.
"I told you not to go to the Abbey."
He was startled by the unrecognisable voice; he glanced over his shoulder.
An older woman stood, arms folded. Long black hair in a plait draped her shoulder, and charcoal eyes. His Mother.
"I have nothing to say to you," Leo spat venomously.
"There is always a choice. You made the wrong one," Morgan spoke softly.
She moved closer to them. Leo fully turned blue flame in his hand as a warning.
"You know," Morgan trailed, "There is also a choice in love."
Leo's eyes narrowed as she continued, "You are both trapped in a cycle. One of you will die soon."
"I don't believe you."
"Anna and Edward are just one of your many past lives together. I do not want to see my son heartbroken or worse, dead."
Leo scoffed, "Your son? You don't get the right to call me your son."
"Now Leonard, don't-" "I don't know how you even dare!" Leo interrupted.
The blue flame spread to his arm, and Lexi groaned behind him.
Morgan glanced at the young woman, "She will not wake up, you know. Just like her father."
"Shut up."
"Leo, please, I can help you both break this cycle. She might even wake up once we are done, but you must leave."
"What do you mean leave?"
"Leave her. Leave this. Untie the string. Leave," she urged.
Leo shook his head. He could not believe this was the other 50% of his DNA.
His arm swung out, and a blue ball of fire was shot in her direction. She was gone like a puff of smoke.
Croak! The giant bird took off in flight and hightailed it out of there.
Lexi took a deep breath, startling him. Turning, she was seated upright, green eyes wide open.
"Leo?"
"Thank gods, Lexi."
He tackled her into a hug and pulled her into his lap.
"Please don't ever do that again."
"What happened?"
"You don't remember?"
'Leo!'
"What was that? Wait... We're in the astral again?" Lexi gasped.
'Leo, wake up!'
"That sounds like... my brother."
"Lexi. Listen to me," Leo grabbed her face, thumbs stroking her face, "Please wake up."
He kissed her cheeks, face, nose.
"What are you going on about? I am awake!" she laughed.
Oh, how he missed it; his heart ached, and before replying, pecked her lips, "No, I mean, you're in a co-"
Leo gasped awake as Alex practically sat on his chest. Leo groaned loudly,
"Damn it, Alex!"
____________
Lexi
"Lexi..."
I stood looking down at my body. I was at the Abbey, the scene frozen as Leo held me.
"Lexi."
Tears fell from my eyes. I knew that voice, "Grandma?"
"Hello, sweetie."
Her sweet smile, the blonde perm, glasses, her old skin sagged against her cheeks. Just how I remembered her. I went in for a hug.
"I missed you so much."
Her bell laughter rang in my ears, "You will have to keep missing me."
"What do you mean?" I leaned back, confused, "I am dead; there is no reversing that."
She shook her head, "Not yet. There is still so much you need to uncover. Although I am not supposed to tell you this... Your time is soon, but not right now."
She made no sense, "Grandma, have you still lost your marbles?"
She laughed, "No, dear. I know I do not make sense right now. You must go back."
She grasped my cheeks, "Back," she emphasised, "Find the truth. Break the wheel. Your fated story must be fixed. Beware the Crow." Her words rushed from her mouth; I almost missed them.
Her palm hit my forehead, and I fell back.
____________
Leo
"She's awake!"
Leo could not believe his ears and mentally happy danced; his mother was once again proved wrong.
He could hear sobs echoing through the whole house.
She was transferred to a different ward, and Dr Rupert Clears was back watching over her. He winked at Leo as he passed.
Relieved, he could not help but thank the doctor.
"Anything to help a sister in need. Her magic grew just as you left. She is asleep from the morphine but is out of the coma."
Leo sighed and entered the room where the others had gathered. Luckily, she did not have a roommate; as the doctor said, she was asleep. Her colour has returned to her face; the bruises faded more dramatically, now green and yellows, and the cuts and bites slowly disappeared.
The coven huddled around her, Quinn and Seri crying still. Keiron also stood looking on in relief. His niece was strong indeed. She was showing differences from her father.
"Did you find out any more about Cornelius?" Leo asked Keiron, turning to him.
"No. As usual, Vampire's business is for vamps only." he informed, crossing his arms, "I have an old friend; he is looking into it. I have a feeling he knows more than he is letting on... So, I will visit him."
Leo nodded in response.
"We should tell Jack about what we found too." Deven pitched in.
Jack, the owner of Jack's Hideout, was frustrated at the cold trails he was following. Having a name might help him catch the crook.