I needed a break from the books. Not only did reading Dad's and Grandma's books bring back memories, but it was also an emotional rollercoaster. For one second, I thought pieces were falling into place. The next, it was all thrown out the window.
I gave Sooty a job for the first time in his life. Let me put the necklace on him and keep it safe. He obliged. Seeing him with a collar on was weird, but it still gave me the heebie-jeebies.
Luckily, Leo was a perfect distraction. It was Thursday, and with our fingers entwined, he pulled me along the rows of stores. We were in the nearest shopping mall. Leo held a couple of light bags as we continued down. Laughing and joking at work stories.
"Ooh! Look, shiny!" I say, tugging him in front of a crystal store.
Glancing at him, I swiftly marched into the open store while he chuckled.
______________
We sat next to one another at the busy food hall, discussing what I had recently found out from the two books of shadows.
"Damn. So, he just went back to America? Did he ever come back?"
I shrug at his question, "No idea if he did; I haven't got to that part yet. She gave no last name. After finding out, she must have gone back to her maiden name quickly."
I looked at the people bustling in the distance, thinking, "Although my dad and Grandma mentioned the same name. Maybe we should try to reach out to them to help us?"
"Well, it's the best lead we have." He threw an arm over my shoulders, "What's the name?"
My attention returned to his face, and I leaned on him, "Hm, I can't remember…Begins with a B… Anyways, she is somewhere in Scotland, a necromancer, according to my dad."
Leo's eyes narrowed, "A necromancer…? How could they help with our past lives?"
I shrug, "Beats me. But as you said, it's the only lead we have."
Leo sighed, "Back to Scotland… Hm, I can't say I miss the cold air, but I'll be sure to keep you warm." He looked down and winked at me.
I couldn't help but giggle and shift closer to his warmth. His scent enveloped me. My mind was elsewhere, still trying to remember the damn name.
"You're going to be annoyed until you remember it now, aren't you?" he smiled and pushed the wrinkles forming in my brows.
"Yes, I am," I said, determined.
"Brussels.. no, Brass?" I whispered, "Brusslecast?" I tried.
"Bistlecast?" he spoke quietly, eye narrowed as he pushed the name.
Bingo.
"Yes! That's it! Bistlecast!" My smile quickly dropped as I noticed his tense muscles.
"You know the name…" I stated.
His mouth formed into a grim line, and he sighed through his nose.
"I think I do," he muttered, "I hope I'm wrong."
Leo did not explain further, especially after a phone call from his Da asking for us to babysit.
___________
"Hi, Rowan!" I greeted.
I held my hands to the two-month-old and took him from Cynthia, cooing and asking questions in a baby voice, responding to his garble like we were chatting.
With a bright and relieved smile, Cynthia thanked us both for the favour.
"It's fine," Leo said, "That's what big brothers are for."
He put a finger out, coaxing it into the tiny fist.
"Have fun!" I said as they grabbed their coats and left.
Even parents need time away from their kids. The babysitter they initially hired bailed due to an illness, halting their plans for a 'date night'. We were more than happy to cancel ours. Knowing we could meet up with our little coven next week.
Rowan was out for the count just as Freya came in from her weekly lesson.
She sighed as she leaned onto the door as I placed the baby monitor down on the coffee table.
"Tough lesson?" I teased.
She nodded, trying to even her breathing. My eyes narrowed, and a quick glance at Leo told me this was the first time she had come home like this.
"What happened?" Leo asked concerned.
Freya shook her head, "Winnie taught us about barriers. We had to run home without getting hit," she said, finally leaning off the door.
I chuckled, "Is she still using bean bags?"
"Bean bags…? No! They were cricket balls!"
I laughed harder and wiped my eyes, "Glamour spell, they are sponges. She won't hurt you."
"What?" Freya asked wide eyes, "But… The ball was heavy! And they left a bruise…" she trailed off, "Damn it."
"Language," Leo scolded.
I hit his shoulder, "Like you're a goody two shoes!"
"It's different, she's my innocent sister. Do as I say, not as I do," he recited with a smirk.
Two short soft knocks went on the door, and a letter entered the letter box. I sensed no one approaching or leaving. I looked at Leo, confused, as he got up to investigate.
"Shit," I heard him mutter.
"What is it?" I asked softly, now approaching him.
Before I could touch him, he swiftly turned around with the letter in hand, holding it up for me to see.
A handwritten letter with a seal. The letter 'M' is stamped in.
Morgan.
"Remember I said I might know the name…?" His pointer finger tapped the envelope.
"You think it's your mother?" I ask carefully.
His grim face returned as he broke the seal and opened it, sighing. I made him pause with a slight touch to his hand. His eyes explored mine; I didn't need to say the words I was thinking.
"If we have to see her, we will do it together," I whispered.
One of his hands clasped the crown of my head. He pulled me towards him until our foreheads were touching.
He sighed, "I don't trust her."
"I know."
"I don't like this."
"I know."
My arms wrapped around his waist as he pulled away, and his attention returned to the unexpected letter.
______
Dear Leonard,
You have every right to be angry at me.
You have every right not to trust me.
Even more so now, I have lied to you more than twice. I did not know Lexi would wake; your future is shrouded; it seems to be unwritten, like the Greek fates have not decided or written this yet.
I am determined to help you.
Please, give me a chance to speak my truth.
I can and I will help you, my son.
Lexandria. Ask your father about the name Bistlecast. It is my working name. I saw him, spoke to him, and taught him many things.
Speak soon,
Morgan.
________
"Speak to my father…?" I tried to keep my anger in check, "Surely she knows my father is dead," I said lowly.
"Necromancy," he reminded, "Communicating with spirits. He might still be around," he muttered, re-reading the words.
My eyes narrowed in thought, "They can communicate with the dead… Why the hell did my dad do the spell? Goddess, this is all backwards."
I dragged a hand through my hair as I pulled away from Leo. I did not want to think about whys anymore. I glanced at Freya; she was fast asleep, curled up awkwardly in the armchair. A small smile covered my face as I inspected her.
"She does not look comfortable," Leo remarked, swiftly picking her up.
He climbed the stairs to put her to bed without jostling her too much. I also yawned and followed him.
Rowan did not stir as I checked on him before joining Leo in bed.
"If only all babies were as good as Rowan," I remarked as I snuggled in.
"Hm, he sleeps for England."
Leo chuckled, pulled me in closer, and buried his head into my shoulder. I smiled, taking a moment to enjoy his warmth.
Call it intuition, but I felt we would have fewer moments like this from now on.
__________
Rowan only stirred twice during the night. Leo and I both got up to see him.
In the morning, his parents returned from their rendezvous before Leo, Freya, and I left for school. I had to ring Alex to get his ass up in time.
The day was gruelling. The nerves and pressures of our final exams were now becoming a reality. We had seven months of the year left before said exams, both teachers and students were not feeling the pressure, and I really needed to bump up my P.E. grade.
I found Coach in her usual office at lunchtime. I was nervous. This was the first time I ever had to ask what I could do to bump my grade up. I cursed, tasting metal in my mouth. I had chewed my lip too much.
"Lexi?"
I glanced up, not at the coach, but at Tiffany. She was looking at me, standing in her Cheer uniform.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
I could see her nose wrinkling, probably due to the blood she could smell.
"Yeah, just bit my lip too much."
She nodded in understanding and hesitated.
"What is it?" I encouraged.
She cleared her throat before being cryptic, "My family might need your help again."
My eyebrows furrowed, "Why? I thought you were getting specialised help?"
"We are – have, but it seems you are the only one to hear a word from it…" she admitted sheepishly.
My confusion grew more, "Does your specialist have a plan?"
"He doesn't have a scooby," she joked flatly.
She paused, taking a tiny bit of paper from her bag, and wrote down some numbers.
"Here. Please, ring me when you can. I want to get to the bottom of this." she stated with determination before twirling around and leaving for the field.
I pocketed the number and turned back around to Coach's office.
I cursed under my breath. She was gone. I would have to grab her next week.