Embrace Read online

  Juliska continued her rampage. The beast thrashed viciously, apparently caught in a spell, which would not allow it to fly away. It snarled maddeningly at its unseen cage.

  13

  “What gives you the right?” Juliska then spoke, in a voice much deeper than usual.

  The beast writhed in agony. The other two Scratchers, seeing Juliska’s true force, ended their attack and flew away.

  Juliska then spoke a spell none could understand and the imprisoned Scratcher went silent.

  It was not dead, just frozen, suspended like a statue floating in the air.

  A circle of light started to surround them both, forming a barrier. Juliska began to rise to the level of the beast.

  “You will return to where you came from and you will deliver this message. We will never stop fighting! We may not yet know how to kill you, but heed this warning: we will find a way! And when that day comes you had better start running.” She sank back down to the ground, the barrier that had surrounded her and the Scratcher dissolved, and the beast fled into the evening sky.

  Juliska’s Balaton came to her side at once.

  Noah Flummer tried to comfort his mother, Sidra, but could barely comfort himself.

  Realizing the Scratchers had retreated, the Svoda hesitantly emerged from their hiding places, witnessing the lifeless body of Balloch Flummer. Tears streamed down many faces.

  Svoda young and old alike knew Balloch well.

  Meghan and Colin joined the Mochries as they exited their home, but they did not see Balloch’s body lying on the ground; instead, the dead stare of their Uncle Arnon gazed up at them.

  After a few moments, Banon Blackwell walked to the center of the gathered circle and stood next to the grieving family.

  “This is a sad reminder of what we all must strive for,” she began, somewhat shakily. “Yes, Initiations are a vital part of our livelihood and a tradition long standing. Nevertheless, whether you are chosen this month, or next year, you must each do your part! Our rules and traditions must always keep us moving toward our goal, of living in safety, and someday, returning home. We must find a way to fight this evil!” She paused, listening to the sniveling crowd.

  “Balloch Flummer was a good man,” she sighed. “A devoted member to his final breath. He gave his life so that the young could live. Our future.”

  Sidra Flummer then looked up from her husband’s dead body.

  “It is what he always wanted,” she mustered the strength to say. “To be sure we had a future.”

  Nothing more was said.

  Juliska Blackwell looked unusually defeated. The crowd helped the Flummers’ into their home and assisted them in carrying Balloch’s body.

  Irving Mochrie turned to his family and the twins.

  “Night is coming. We had better get home. It is bad enough that Banon Blackwell had to use magic. We must not break any other rules of this place, or we will face permanent expulsion.” He swallowed hard and then led the way.

  14

  Once inside, no one spoke. The silence was deafening. Then, Ivan Crane sauntered in. He did not live with the Mochries but did often come by to check in. He did not speak but sat down. After a while, Irving broke the silence.

  “I believe that even though this night was fatally marked, there is a lesson here for us all.

  We were not prepared. Yes, we did not know the Scratchers were here, hiding in wait for us.

  But we must always be prepared.”

  “You are right, of course,” answered Ivan. “If we do not find a way to defeat this enemy, we may never be able to go home.”

  With that, he stood up to leave.

  Sheila grabbed his hand.

  “We realize it’s crowded, Ivan, but you’re welcome to stay.”

  “No. Thank you,” he replied gently. “There’s something I need to do,” he added. He then nodded to Irving and Sheila and took his leave.

  His departure triggered a mass movement in the Mochrie house. It was not late, but no one could muster the strength to put into words what they had witnessed.

  As everyone dispersed to their rooms, the door on Corny Tibbett’s room opened, just enough for his dingy sleeved arm to reach out; it held a piece of paper.

  Colin’s heart raced. Was it for him? Some new message he needed. He grabbed the paper and Corny’s door instantly slammed shut.

  The Mochrie parents just nodded their heads in tired confusion, and went into their room, but not until after Sheila had thoroughly hugged her children.

  Colin took a sweeping glance at the paper. It seemed as though he would have to wait for more pages. He only hoped there were more, especially since it spelled nothing coherent, even when read backwards.

  Once Meghan, Colin, Jae and Mireya were alone in their room, no one knew what to say about the evening’s events. Jae comforted Mireya. She cried softly while lying on her bed.

  Balloch often spent hours reading and reciting stories to the young children.

  Once Jae had calmed her down, he closed her curtain to let her sleep. The three slipped into Jae’s cubby and sat on his bed. It was a tight fit.

  “Messed up,” he whispered.

  The twins did not know how to respond. They had hardly known Balloch Flummer.

  “So much for boring, dry and dusty,” whispered Meghan.

  Colin and Jae did not understand what she meant.

  “Something I wrote in my journal earlier,” she explained. Sadly, this was the first time in a long time the three had been alone, and none of them were feeling overly conversational.

  “I expect my father will keep me busier than ever now,” said Jae.

  “Is that possible?” asked Colin.

  “Somehow, my father will find a way.” He mocked his father’s voice, in hushed tones, saying, “C’mon Jae, lots to be done. It’s my responsibility to make sure you stay on the right path.”

  15

  The twins chuckled, and the mood lightened ever so little. Mostly, they just felt sad, confused and tired. This new magical life was taking over. Their goal of getting home and back to Uncle Arnon seemed farther away than ever.

  “How do you think the Scratchers got here?” asked Colin.

  “My guess is they got stuck here after following a previous group of Svoda, and then waited to attack until we were all together.”

  “Well they would’ve had to have followed a group of Svoda here,” said Meghan. “I mean, they have to use the same doorways we do, right?”

  “Yeah,” said Jae. “They do.”

  “They must’ve been unable to leave with the last group, then,” said Colin. “Or, maybe the last group didn’t know they had been followed.”

  “I’m thinking the latter, because the Banon would have made an announcement if any messages had been left behind from the previous group, about being followed.” Jae shook his head. “They stayed hidden just long enough for us to think we were safe here. Just sat back and waited for the right moment to attack.”

  The three sighed deeply, knowing that in every corner of every home, similar conversations were beginning. What would they do about this threat? Would Eidolon, the ruler of this world, allow them to use magic if their lives were in danger?

  “Why does Eidolon not want us using magic, anyway?” asked Colin, hoping Jae would know.

  “All I know is that its part of the agreement Juliska worked out for the Svoda to be able to travel here. When he finds out that we’ve not only used magic, but also brought Scratchers here… ” he trailed off.

  “Has anyone ever seen Eidolon?” asked Meghan.

  “Other than the Banon, I have no idea.”

  “He has to be reasonable about this,” she added insistently. “I mean, we had no choice.

  Julis…Banon Blackwell had to defend us.”

  “Maybe Eidolon could find some way of destroying them,” suggested Colin.

  “Doubt it. We’ve been trying for years,” reminded Jae. “There’s no known way to kill a Scratcher.
We have injured and maimed, but never successfully killed one.” The three had no more to say, their strength waned, and they crawled into bed. Neither Meghan nor Colin fell asleep easily, and once they did, their dreams forced them to relive the savage attack.

  Meghan, once again, found herself in her repeating nightmare. Except this time, as she sat on her pillar feeling helplessly just out of reach, a Scratcher stood over Jae’s beaten figure, rather than the usual foreboding cloaked shadow.

  Colin tried to focus his mind on Catrina’s glass coffin; but whenever his dreams brought the coffin into view, only the body of the deceased Balloch Flummer lay inside.

  It was the second longest night of the twins’ lives; following their first night living with the Svoda Gypsies.

  16

  4

  “Good, everyone is up,” said Irving as he abruptly appeared from the tunnel door during breakfast the next morning. “The SLC is having an emergency meeting. Ivan, I’ve been instructed that you may attend even though your Initiation isn’t complete yet. Boy, you must have really made an impression on Banon Blackwell.”

  Ivan had joined them for breakfast. He responded to Irving’s announcement by immediately heading down the tunnel toward the meeting. Sheila rushed to change her clothes to a more presentable dress.

  Irving looked sternly at the four youngsters sitting at the kitchen table.

  “Be very careful today! Jae, I am leaving you in charge of your sister while we are in this meeting. It could last awhile.”

  Jae perked up.

  “Yeah, dad, of course. I won’t take my eyes off her.”

  Irving nodded his approval and then turned to Meghan.

  “In all the chaos of last night, Sheila and I did not have a chance to congratulate you on being picked as Learner Companion.” Irving looked as though he was not entirely sure what he wanted to say. “I am sure that Banon Blackwell is teaching you well, but take great care. It seems she has a special task in store for Ivan, and now with the Scratchers at our backs …” It seemed he had made his point, as he then turned and took hold of wife’s arm and they disappeared down the tunnel.

  Meghan’s appetite, which was barely there at all, completely vanished. Why had Ivan picked her? She sucked at magic, and although her Firemancy was improving, she realized she still had far to go, especially after seeing Juliska’s display of power the evening before.

  “Is it safe for us to go outside?” asked Colin.

  “I’ve heard a few others outside this morning,” Jae replied.

  Colin wanted to keep practicing his Aspectus Remotus skills, hoping to regain a connection with Catrina, when a frightening thought dawned on him. He had been using magic just hours before the attack. He panicked. Did my use of magic trigger the attack? Did I show the Scratchers where we are? How will I keep searching for Catrina without using magic?

  Regardless of whether his use of magic had somehow attracted the Scratchers, he needed to be more careful.

  A knock at the door shook him from his thoughts. It was a friend of Mireya’s.

  The group stepped outside, and were instantly confronted by a new human barrier, marking a point to which the children could not pass. A few older Svoda teens made up this barrier, protecting the younger Svoda as they played outside.

  At the far end of the barrier, they noticed a trio of three female watchers, made up of the Three D’s.

  17

  “Can’t believe they would allow those three to be responsible for the safety of others,” said Meghan.

  Colin and Jae nodded in agreement.

  “We are small in numbers, but really, they could have asked anyone else and it would have been a better choice,” added Jae.

  Mireya ran to join her friends.

  “Don’t leave my sight, okay. Remember that I promised, Dad.” Mireya ran back, hugged her brother quickly, and then darted back to her friends. Jae took a seat on a rock nearby and the twins sat down beside him.

  Surprisingly, the dry, dusty air, and horrible events from the evening before did not dampen the spirits of the younger children, hard at play.

  “It’s a little disturbing if you think about it,” Jae suddenly blurted.

  “What’s that?” asked Colin.

  “How used to these attacks we’ve become. How easily we slip back into our daily lives.”

  “But isn’t that why the SLC is meeting today?” asked Meghan.

  “Definitely. No question there. Still, life keeps moving forward. Meetings will be had, decisions will be made, maybe even new laws put into place. But when all is said and done, tomorrow we get up and start another day. Waiting and wondering when the next attack will come.”

  Seeing the terrified expressions on the twins’ faces, he bit his lip and nodded toward a group of huddled youngsters, which now included his sister.

  “Let’s go see what’s up,” he said.

  “Hey guys,” a familiar voice called out as they arrived. “You wanna check it out? It’s today’s Jackal Lantern.” Oliver Stamm handed the paper to Jae, and then joined the dispersing children in a game of tag. Jae was sure to keep Mireya in view.

  The front page was a detailed story of the previous nights attack. None of the trio wanted to relive this event and turned the page. Inside, was a two-page spread about Ivan Crane and his Initiation. Meghan grabbed the paper and read the piece aloud.

  Newest Initiate Report,

  By Kalila Jackal

  How sad it is that the young Mr. Ivan Crane had to have his glorious night ruined by such horrific events. Such an amazing talent at such a young age! At least Banon Blackwell thinks so.

  So what can we expect from Ivan Crane?

  18

  I believe that in order to understand this young, and may I say handsome, talent, we need to step into the past. Many of us recall the tragic story of Ivan Crane. The losses he has suffered, we have suffered alongside him. Firstly, the death of his mother; the poor boy was just four years old when she died. Taken by an incurable illness that even magic could not heal.

  Secondly, almost nine months after her passing - well we all know what happened then: all hell broke loose!

  Need I remind everyone that during this time, the Svoda still resided on our beautiful secluded island, off the northern Maine shores. Sadly, though, the peace we had known for hundreds of years slipped away with the tides. A split amongst our people cut through the Island like a knife. Some even came to believe that one of our very own had betrayed us to the Immortal Grosvenor. Yes, our most ancient enemy!

  Of course, this split began when Juliska Nandalia Blackwell (before becoming our fearless Banon), made the following prophecy:

  “Beware! A new threat rises! You will be betrayed by one of your own!”

  Well, what could one expect from such a prophecy. Small battles broke out on the island, lines were drawn and sides taken. The next few years brought nothing but pain as these battles tore our friends and families asunder.

  One group banded together and demanded changes to our laws, the very laws that had kept us safe from the non-magical world for hundreds of years. They wanted to leave the island, and return magic back to its ‘rightful glory’, as in the days of old.

  Can you imagine returning magic to a world that has forgotten it ever existed? Can you imagine the turmoil this would cause?

  This kind of nonsensical thinking can lead to no good I tell you. No good!

  Alas, I digress.

  It is at this point in our history that Juliska Nandalia Blackwell took her place as our leader. The rebellion continued, creeping into our daily lives. Taking sides became unavoidable.

  Our Banon made the only decision possible. She decreed that anyone caught rebelling against the long-lived Svoda tradition would be henceforth banished from the island, even if it meant splitting family and friends!

  19

  To their credit, those who rebelled came willingly, together, to make their final stand. It was a sad day, because disagree or not,
they were our loved ones. The Banon tried to reason with them. She promised to do everything needed to protect our way of life.

  The leader of the rebellious group, Amelia Cobb, stood before her group and defied our Banon.

  ‘We are tired of hiding! We are tired of living as hunted prey! We want our freedom to come and go as we please. We want magic to be a part of the world again.’

  The speech continued and the Banon did not interrupt. However, when Amelia finished she did speak:

  ‘I understand your desires to live amongst the outside world. However, have we not had a good life here? Have we not been safe here? To go out into the world and think that people who do not know, or understand magic will accept you is wrong! Magic had to go into hiding for a reason. Need I remind you of our past torments? The very reason our ancestors came to live on this island? Hiding is our only option!’

  Of course, Amelia and her followers refused to give in. There would be no peace.

  Now, you might be asking yourself, has good ole’ Kalila had too much to drink today?

  What does this have to do with our Initiate, Ivan Crane, just shy of five years old at

  the time?

  For those of you too young to remember, this is what occurred:

  Three days after the banished Svoda departed our great island, the Banon called a gathering of all that remained. It was during this gathering that we were attacked, our first encounter with the Scratchers!

  Sadly, to this day, we cannot say with absolute certainty, that it was not our own brothers and sisters that sent these terrifying creatures to hunt us down.

  Although I do know, for certain, that I am not alone in hoping that one day we will discover the truth, and it will clear our long lost loved ones of this terrible charge.

  But again, I digress.