Shifting Read online

  The emptiness in Meghan’s mind was growing.

  “How could I let this happen?” she muttered.

  Only Ivan heard her.

  “What do you mean? You didn’t cause this,” he replied, through the blustering snow.

  “You don’t understand, Ivan. He’s my brother. My responsibility. My uncle would never forgive me if I let anything happen to him.”

  “You cannot control what you cannot see,” Ivan told her. She was about to reply, when a faint voice entered her head.

  “Colin! Where are you?” she yelled frantically over the storm. The group listened anxiously.

  “He’s alive,” she yelled, “I can hear him.” Meghan remained cautiously still, sensing where he was. The connection was weak. She slowly walked in the direction that felt the strongest, leading them to a snow covered pathway behind The Steel Gin.

  She walked as fast as she dared, hoping not to lose his presence in her mind, when she stumbled. There, below her feet and covered in snow, lay the blue and unconscious body of her brother. The sight of him stunned her and she couldn’t speak.

  Irving, without hesitation, clutched Colin’s lifeless body, noticing his eyes frozen open in fear.

  “Balaton,” he yelled forcefully. Two appeared, one of whom immediately grasped Colin and disappeared. Irving turned to the gathering crowd with a furious glare.

  “Magic has been used against that boy!” he declared. The gathering crowd stood in paralyzed disbelief. This had never happened before.

  The connection with her brother failed and Meghan grew dizzy, slumping toward the ground.

  She was caught before her head collided with a protruding tree stump.

  It was Ivan Crane who lifted her off the snow-covered ground.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  She gazed at him then, trying to remain conscious.

  “I don’t understand,” she murmured, grabbing his coat for balance. She then lost consciousness and was whisked away as deftly as her brother. The Mochrie family, bewildered and exhausted, rushed to the hospital and awaited news of the twins.

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  Meghan awoke briefly. A nurse gave her something to make her sleep. Her last conscious memory was that of her feet burning, the results of warming up too quickly.

  Her dreams were vivid and strange. One second she was in Ivan’s nightmare, except that Jae’s broken body was joined by Juliska, Ivan, and the Mochries, all pointing and laughing malevolently at her.

  Then, the next second, the pillar dissolved and the darkness turned to bright light. Meghan found herself sitting on a rose petal watching a woman sleeping soundly on a floating feather.

  This merged into another dream, in which Ivan chased Meghan through the woods. She fell and he gently picked her up off the ground, whispering he was sorry. Meghan did not think he looked sorry though. Conflicted better described it.

  His face leaned into hers, his cold breath hitting her face as he searched her eyes for some hidden truth.

  “Oh God! Is he going to kiss me?” She cringed away.

  He dropped her, his eyes turning furious. Ivan fell to the ground, yelling incoherently, punching his fists into the dirt.

  “What you are does not change anything!” he shouted, as if regaining control of his conflict.

  His eyes scathingly jerked from the ground to Meghan. He edged closer to her, like an animal stalking its prey.

  “I will sacrifice anything that gets in my way!” he told her, pulling out a knife. Meghan screamed, inching backwards across the ground. He pinned her easily, raising the knife over his head, ready to plunge it into her body.

  Then, he was gone. She was sitting in a dreamy memory of the old mill in Grimble, with her brother.

  “Colin!” she yelled, hugging him fiercely.

  “I was hoping I could find you,” he said. “It’s harder than I thought to track someone through their dreams, though.”

  “You could not have found me at a better moment, Col. That last one was a doozy.”

  “What was all that about, anyway,” he asked, having caught a glimpse of Ivan with the knife.

  “Ah. Who knows! Stupid Ivan,” she blew it off, hesitantly adding, “I’m so sorry, Colin. What happened?”

  “Don’t be sorry, Sis. You found me, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, but none of this would’ve happened if I’d done what Uncle Eddy said, and kept the connection open.”

  “True,” he replied. “But I have more important things to tell you, because I may not wake up for awhile.”

  “I’m listening,” she said.

  “I was ambushed.”

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  “By whom?”

  “Never saw anything but a shadow sneak up on me. But Meghan, they stole the Magicante.”

  “What?”

  “It’s gone,” he said.

  “What do we do, Colin?”

  “You mean what can you do? I don’t think I’m going to wake up any time soon, and I’m pretty sure Uncle Eddy’s not going to be happy when he hears it’s gone.”

  “I wish he would tell us what is so important about that book. I mean, it’s magical and all, but what’s in it that he doesn’t want any one else to see?”

  “I think that’s for you to find out, Sis. Just promise me you’ll be careful, whatever you decide.

  Don’t go and do anything rash,” he begged, his voice growing more distant.

  “Colin, don’t go, let me stay,” she pleaded. But he was gone. Meghan bolted upright, inhaling air deeply. The Mochrie household stood over her, anxiously, in the hospital room. The sunlight told her it was morning.

  “Have some water,” said Sheila putting the cup to her lips.

  “My brother, how is he?”

  “I am afraid Colin is in a coma,” answered Irving honestly. “We are so sorry, Meghan. It appears someone used some sort of spell against him. Doctor Stamm is working hard to sort it out. Don’t worry, he will.”

  There was only one thing Meghan could do. As soon as possible, she would go to Uncle Eddy and tell him what happened. Unfortunately, the visit would have to wait, as the doctor determined that she needed to stay for one more day. The Mochries went home to get some rest after the long night, minus Jae.

  “This letter came for you while you were sleeping,” he said, handing it to her.

  “It’s from Jul …the Banon,” she told him. “She says she’s sorry about my brother and hopes I am better. She says not to worry, that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated.”

  “She is a good woman, Juliska Blackwell,” said Jae. Knowing that she was on the trail of the culprit, her thoughts strayed to the Magicante.

  “Jae,” she whispered hesitantly. He leaned closer. “Whoever attacked Colin stole his book!”

  “I was so hoping that was not the case,” he sighed. “I can’t believe someone hurt him, and all within the confines of the village. Something isn’t right!”

  “I was going to ask you, I thought the Balaton always came if they sensed magic being used against another person.”

  “In the past I would have always answered, yes. Unless, someone cast another spell to allow it.”

  “Darcy,” growled Meghan, already planning her vengeance. “Ugh! Not Darcy. She was at the dinner last night.”

  “I can’t imagine it, but Garner could have done it himself. We’d never prove that though.” Doctor Stamm arrived then, insisting Meghan drink another sleeping potion and rest. She fought, but he won in the end.

  “What’s your next move, Meghan?” asked Jae, as the potion kicked in.

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  “I’ve got to talk with Uncle Eddy. After that, I haven’t decided yet,” she said in a slurred voice, fighting sleep.

  Jae leaned in again, whispering in her ear.

  “Remember, you are the sister of someone who was attacked, it’s possible you’ll be followed.” Her eyes popped open.

  “I’ll be careful,” she promised. “I�
�ll figure out something. I have to,” she said, her eyes closing again.

  That evening, Meghan awoke feeling recuperated, but Dr. Stamm would not allow her to return home until morning, and only with a promise to rest for another day. Once home, Meghan thought she would go mad waiting for the right time to sneak away and visit Uncle Eddy. There had been no more contact with Colin since the first night; he was deep in a coma, farther than even she could reach. In addition, Ivan had barely shown himself since the night of the dinner party. Was he friend or foe? She wasn’t sure what to make of him.

  Jae brought up dinner, and news; she was allowed out of bed the next morning. “I was hoping to go into Grimble with you,” he added. “Turns out my father needs me at the office. I don’t think I can get out of it.”

  “That’s okay, Jae, I can go on my own.”

  “What if something else happens, I’m not sure you should go alone.”

  “Actually, alone might be better. I can hide more easily if I need to.”

  “Okay,” he finally agreed. “Be careful, we don’t need you in a coma, too.” Meghan knew he was genuinely concerned and wondered, since they were talking freely, if maybe he would open up to her.

  “You sure do work hard, Jae,” she said. “You must be a great help to your dad.”

  “It’s all good training, I guess,” he said, shifting uncomfortably. “Dad takes me to work, mostly so he can watch me practice.”

  “I’ve never seen someone work so hard, not even my brother,” said Meghan.

  “Colin’s smart, it comes easy for him. Not me. I think that’s why my dad keeps me working so hard, he wants me to succeed now, so it won’t be so hard later.”

  “My Uncle Arnon always said school is important, but so is being a kid, which you can’t do later.”

  “Your world is much different than ours.”

  “I’m learning that,” she said, thinking of the argument she’d had with Ivan in the carriage. She yawned from the boredom of lying in bed all day.

  “You should rest,” he said, getting up. She didn’t want Jae to leave yet, he’d finally started talking.

  “I’m not tired,” she insisted. “It’s just all this lying around, can’t help it.”

  “I gotta get into bed anyway,” he said. “Morning’ll be here fast enough. Night.” He disappeared behind his curtain, as Mireya drifted in with another tray.

  “Mom thought you might want some tea before bed.” She exchanged the trays.

  “Thanks, Mireya.”

  “Oh, Ivan checked in on Colin tonight. Said he’s the same, no change. But that Dr. Stamm feels confident they are getting closer to finding a cure.”

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  “Ivan?” repeated Meghan.

  “Yup. Night,” Mireya chirped.

  “Night,” Meghan mumbled back, not looking forward to another fitful night.

  Colin slept, deep within a dream, running and spinning like an airplane in an open field.

  Only, he was not alone. A girl with silver hair spun along side him. She looked familiar, but he could not place her. She was, by far, the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, and she was small, like him.

  “Do I know you?” he finally asked her.

  “No,” she replied. “I think, however, you might be the only person who can help me.” She began to fade from the dream.

  “No, don’t leave. Who are you?” She had gone, the dream had gone, and Colin continued to sleep in the darkness.

  The next morning, after Jae and Mireya were up and out of bed, Meghan heard scratching at her bedroom window. Nona sat perched on the sill and her small paw scratched at something outside. Meghan tiptoed out of bed to look, surprised at what she saw sitting in the snow-covered tree; the bird that had followed them into the Svoda world.

  “Are you following me?” she asked, as if the bird could understand her. She opened the window, allowing the cold air to rush in; the bird did not fly away. “What do you want? Did you steal my brother’s book?”

  She thought about what she had asked and then said to the bird, “How could you steal a book?

  You’re a bird.” She then thought about what she had said, again. “On the other hand, nothing is what it appears in this world.” She eyed the bird cautiously.

  Nona jumped onto the branch. Meghan was afraid she might have her way with the bird and kill it before she had a chance to understand why it had showed up at her window. To Meghan’s bewilderment, Nona licked the bird’s tattered face. It didn’t even flinch. Meghan reached out for the bird and it allowed her to pick it up.

  “You look awful,” she said, using her robe to wipe its snow-coated feathers. “I can’t imagine what you want, but Nona trusts you, so you must be okay. Perhaps you’re just home sick, like me,” she said.

  She took the bird to the bathroom and washed it, then made a little bed for it by the fireplace.

  Mireya came in, instantly spotting Meghan sitting next to a small nest of towels.

  “Where’d that come from?” she asked. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Not sure. Nona found it outside the window, looks to have been roughed up.” The bird was beautiful and now that it was clean, it was also terribly thin. Mireya stroked the bird gently.

  “You know what’s strange, Mireya, I can’t place it, but this bird seems familiar, like a distant memory or something.”

  “Maybe you knew it in a past life,” she giggled in her playful manner, running off to see if they had any food fit for a bird. Meghan let Nona tend the bird while she got dressed.

  Mireya came up the stairs with an old cage.

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  “Mom found it in the basement. She said Corny’s back to being his old quiet self again.” Meghan didn’t care about Corny, but gladly accepted the cage, placing the bird safely inside.

  Sheila Mochrie climbed up the stairs, covered in dust, with a small basket in her hand.

  “What a pretty bird,” she said. “Luckily, I found some bird seed.” She handed it to Meghan and then disappeared back down the stairs. The cage was set near the fireplace to keep the bird warm. Meghan gently placed the homemade nest inside the cage, filling the food and water dishes. The bird stirred for a moment taking a beak full of the water, then collapsed again. Nona jumped into the cage and rubbed her back against the bird, as if saying good-bye, and jumped out, watching Meghan lock the cage door.

  “Okay, Nona. You ready to get down to business?” Nona meowed and led the way. It was not overly cold, but the snow covered ground made it slow going; once outside the wagon, it was gray, but there was no snow at all.

  “I won’t ever get used to this,” she said, taking off her coat and scarf, stashing them high into a tree. She assumed that Timothy would show himself, but when he did not, she headed to the old mill hoping her uncle would be there. It was empty. She grabbed a leaf, preparing a message.

  “I’m in the place we always meet, Meghan.” She kept it vague in case, as Jae suspected, she was being followed. The leaf floated away. Ten minutes later, he appeared, and even for a ghost, he looked disheveled.

  “If I could put my arms around you!” he cried. “It is good to see you up and moving. How’s Colin, any change?” Meghan had asked Jae to send a leaf explaining what had happened, leaving out the part about the missing book.

  “The doctor thinks he’s getting closer to finding which spell was used, but no change yet.” She leaned into her floating uncle. “Jae feared I might be followed,” she said in a low voice.

  Uncle Eddy understood at once.

  “I expected Timothy to find me,” she noted.

  “Yes, getting worried about him. Haven’t seen him in nearly two weeks,” said her uncle, seeming distracted.

  “Did he move on?” she asked.

  “No, I don’t think so, he would have said goodbye,” her uncle assured her.

  “I hope he’s all right.”

  “I’m sure he’s just busy getting himself into some sort of trouble. Oh, nothing to worry abo
ut, I’m sure. I can handle Timothy. You need to be with your brother.”

  “Yeah, um, there’s something else,” she admitted reluctantly, searching for the right words to explain, in case they were overheard.

  “What is it?” he asked, his voice distressed.

  “Colin lost his favorite thing,” she said softly.

  Her uncle reeled, already knowing she was talking about the Magicante.

  “I’m going to find it,” she promised straightaway. “I’m not sure where to start, though.”

  “Yes, well, that’s always the hard part, getting started.” He floated in circles for a minute before letting out a ghostly whisper.

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  “Meghan, I didn’t want to burden you with this, but it appears I have no choice. You must find it! Failure is not an option!” Her uncle’s serious tone left her uneasy.

  “I know, I promised Colin I would find it.”

  Eddy checked one more time, to make absolutely sure they were alone, and then explained what he meant.

  “It’s more valuable than I’ve let on, Meghan. And in the wrong hands, or stupid hands, it could be made to do very horrible things; not only to the Svoda, but every… living… thing!” His voice was so low she could barely hear him.

  “What do you mean by horrible things?” she asked, her unease turning to fright.

  “It contains ancient information, things forgotten by most and heavily sought after by those who do remember. Power that could change the course of every world, for good or bad.” His words petrified Meghan near as much as the thought of losing her brother. As she attempted to comprehend what her uncle had said, Nona meowed a warning. Meghan was not sure how she understood, but it meant someone was coming.

  “Meghan, I realize you’re confused,” said her uncle. “I’m sorry I can’t help you more. If my presence is discovered many lives will be put in danger. You must figure this out! Or, well let’s not think about the or! You can do this.” He smiled knowingly and then vanished.

  Meghan spent exactly three seconds staring blankly into nothing. Confusion could not even begin to describe how she was feeling. Nona meowed again. Meghan jerked her head, instinct telling her to follow the Catawitch. They escaped the old mill, sneaking out the back into the woods, avoiding whoever had arrived.