CLINGING TO THE OLD
Nathaniel
I stood on the balcony of the cottage, staring out at the rocky shoreline. The moonlight reflected off the whitecaps of the crashing waves, making them appear iridescent. Regardless of how many hundreds of years I had roamed this planet, and how much I thought I understood about life, the beauty of our world still astounded me.
But so did the ugliness.
From inside the house, Sheila called out to me. “Nathaniel, your mobile was ringing.”
“No need to answer,” I shouted back.
The balcony door squeaked open and Sheila handed me my phone. “You should answer. The screen said ‘Home.’”
I cleared the missed call and shoved it in my pocket. “I’m sure Louise just wanted to tell me she arrived home safely.”
Louise and Anthony had spent days with me in Ireland and England, helping me find information about Dedrick’s disturbing plan. We would need all the help we could get, but I had no updates for them, and so far no one else had agreed to get involved.
“There must be someone powerful enough to counteract Dedrick. Perhaps someone can put a binding spell on him?” I spun around and faced Sheila. She was nearing one-hundred years old, but even with sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and most of her hair whitened, she looked radiant. I had never wished for a soul to be an Element so badly. It was unfair that someone as wretched as Dedrick had found a way to never age, yet an exquisite soul like Sheila grew more fragile with each passing day.
Her Irish accent wasn’t as strong as it used to be, but her tenderness remained constant. “Word is spreading far and wide. Every coven, old and new, is being notified, but Dedrick is practicing very dark magic. It would take a foolish witch or warlock to stand against him.”
“Even with the support of two kindrilies?”
“Elements are still human, Nathaniel. Alchemy is the manipulation and control of the powers of nature. Whether white or black magic, the witches who practice it will never believe that anything, or anyone, is stronger. Not even all the kindrilies united together.”
“But we are stronger. We could convince them if someone would step forward.”
“Yes. If only.” Using her cane, she lowered herself into a patio chair, still impressively nimble for her age and mentally sharp as well. I couldn’t imagine the day her mortal clock would stop ticking. Losing her would obliterate me and everyone else in our kindrily.
“Someone will come forward. I have to believe that. The alternative is…” I couldn’t think of a word severe enough to convey how tragic Dedrick’s plan would be if he succeeded.
A gust of salty sea air blew Sheila’s long hair into a tornado of white and gold. “How is our favorite girl? You don’t mention her much. Did you pay her a birthday visit?”
Stabbing pains rippled through my chest. I would never understand how a heart as broken as mine continued to beat. “No.”
Sheila let out a disappointed tsk. “You’ve visited her every year since you were wee babes.”
I’d visited Maryah on her birthday and Christmas every year like clockwork, but it had been for nothing. I pushed away the memory of River with his arm around her. I could only imagine the frivolous birthday gifts he gave her. Perhaps more jewelry, or something worse. “Not this year. Things are different. All trace of the soul we knew is gone forever.”
Sheila took each of my hands into hers. “If it were anyone but Mary, I wouldn’t have this unwavering faith in what seems like the impossible. But it is her. She proved there are exceptions to the system if you will it to be so. If anyone can recover from erasure, it’s her.”
Throughout all of my existence I could count the number of times I cried on one hand. I refused to let Sheila see me break down.
“How?” I pleaded through burning eyes. I wanted to feel the confidence Sheila possessed. But why were we fighting so hard to reverse the result of Maryah’s free will to choose? My voice cracked as I finally asked the most painful question out loud. “How could she erase me? ”
“I don’t know,” Sheila whimpered. Her tears welled for both of us. “But there had to be a reason, a reason more important than any of us understands.”
We sat in silence, watching the waves crash below us. Sheila’s eyes drifted closed, and I thought she was sleeping until she asked, “Ye gave her the ring?”
“Louise did. Maryah hardly glances at it. She doesn’t see its power anymore.”
“Bah. I still say she and I should have a sit down. My kind isn’t a big secret like yours. She might believe a batty old psychic like me.” Sheila shook her cane. “I’ll show her my tarot cards, inject some history into that fresh mind of hers, and tug some memories loose. She needs a good shaking up, she does. That’s all.”
I smiled, seeing glimpses of the rambunctious child she had been ninety some years ago. She hadn’t lost the fiery spirit she inherited from her mother. “Right now, you’re needed here.”
“I’ll be visiting Amber once her babe arrives. That seems good a time as any.”
I nodded, appeasing her until then. Several weeks remained until Amber’s due date.
“So.” Sheila rested her chin in her hand. It was hours past her bedtime. “I suppose you’ll be on your way then, traveling around and sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong rather than spending time with me here on the island.”
I sat beside her and held her hand. Her skin felt like soft paper, another reminder of how fragile she had become. “I wish I could stay longer. Truly, I do. But Edgar found a new lead.”
She squeezed my hand, shaking it gently. “I’ll ring you if I hear anything from the covens or other psychics.”
“I may not be reachable by phone at times, but as soon as I’m finished I’ll come back here and spend time with you. We’ll go letterboxing and find you some new treasures.”
“That’d be lovely.”
“Come, Sheila. Time for bed. You look tired.”
She pinched my cheek. “Not as tired as you look, ye old handsome thing.”
I assisted her to her bedroom and tucked her in. “Sleep well, love. The stars are waiting for you.”
