Tethered (A BirthRight Novel) (27 page)

I forgot just how peaceful her sunroom is. Most of the outer walls of the room are glass, all twenty by twenty feet of it, as well as the ceiling. The center of the room has a large island where she does most of her work. And along the walls are shelves that take up the entire length and width of the room, standing about six feet high, overgrown with various herbs and plants. But in the far corner rests Gram’s pride and joy, which we all know better than to ever touch: her spectacular pink and white Lotus flower indoor pond. It’s truly exquisite.

As I admire the cheerful room that used to fascinate me as a child, I notice she moved a chaise lounge along the inside wall. Behind it sits a long sofa table blanketed with dozens of vanilla candles.

I
know
what she’s up to, but I decide to mess with her a little at first. “You trying to set the mood for you and Pap, or what? We’d be
more
than happy to leave you guys with an empty house tonight so you can get your groove on. I’m sure it’s been a while. You know, since he’s been sick and all.” Aunt Morgan and I snicker, watching a delightful blush form on Gram’s cheeks. Something that
rarely
ever happens.

“Don’t get fresh with me, dear. I can
still
put you over my knee.” She sends us a coy smile, then turns to close the
Book of Shadows
she’d so diligently been reading when we walked in. “So how’d it go with Michael?”

“It went well. He’s probably across the street talking to his father at this very moment.”

“Then we should cross our legs and eyes and hope he’s able to get through to that stubborn old fart.” We laugh at her callow attitude.

“He’ll be over when they’re done talking, so I’m not sure how much time we have right now.” Aunt Morgan pulls out her cell phone from her purse to check the time.

Gram points to the chaise lounge. “Then we’d better get a move on, dear.”

“Yeah, I had a feeling that was for me. Nice touch, Gram.”

“I do what I can, dear. Now put a sock in it and make yourself comfortable.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I raise my hand in a limp military salute.

“Just take a few minutes to close your eyes and get relaxed. Focus on the music.”

As I sit down and stretch out, they both grab chairs and sit on either side of me.

Even though I had my doubts about this little experiment, there’s no reason
not
to try. But any time I attempt to call back a vision—I’m never able to. So I’m not sure what we can do differently this time to make it happen.

“Okay, Chloe. I want you to think about Mr. Russo. Think about how upset he was that day. Feel his emotions the same way you did. Take it
into
yourself and try to allow those feelings to become your own. Tell me what you see?”

I shake my head. “Nothing, really. I only see the same things I did that day. There’s nothing new.”

“That’s okay, dear. Just keep feeling those emotions. Remember how angry he was...and how unbelievably frightened he became when he saw us through the windows. Imagine you feel panic in your chest the same way
he
did. Do you see anything now?”

“No, Gram...nothing. I told you before I’ve never been able to do this. It just might not work that way for me.” Even though deep down I hope I’m wrong.

“Wait a minute,” Aunt Morgan says, “what if we’re looking at this the wrong way. Bear with me for a moment, but Chloe, didn’t you say you’d never had a vision before where you
became
another person? This was the first time it ever happened, right?”

“Yes, that’s true. In my vision, I’m either myself, or I’m just seeing what happens to someone else. I’ve never gone into another person’s body and mind to experience it the way they did.”

“Okay. So maybe, just maybe, the only reason you had this particular vision in that fashion was because you were meant to understand how Mr. Russo felt. The beginning of your vision you said he was filled with remorse. But then it was replaced by fear and anger. Maybe you were just meant to know how he was feeling, and why.”

“Hmm. Sounds like a logical theory,” Gram adds.

“So, if that’s the case, we shouldn’t be trying to take Chloe back to the emotions she felt in the vision...we should be taking her back to where it left off...with the fire. Maybe she should just try focusing on the
visual
aspect, not the
emotional
.”

“You know...you might be on to something. So let’s give this another shot. Gram, what do
you
think?” I ask, noticing her staring off somewhere.

“Oh, absolutely. Morgan’s right. If that’s not how your visions work, we shouldn’t be trying to tap into it. Makes perfect sense.” Gram rubs her hands together. “Okay, Chloe. Close your eyes again. Try to remember exactly
where
Mr. Russo was when you last saw him. You said you only saw him speaking to Father Gabriel, so take yourself back to those last few moments.

“Focus on everything you see.

“Your surroundings.

“What they were doing.

“Try to focus on
where
they are.

“What do you see now, dear?”

I take myself back to the vision for a minute. “I still only see the two of them talking.”

“Tell me what you see around them? Describe the room?”

“Well, it’s sort of dark. There’s candles lighting the room, but it’s still hard to see. I can make out a large unlit fireplace behind them, and what looks to be a wall of books. It might be a library, but not a real one. It’s like the kind someone has in their home.”

“Wait a minute,” Aunt Morgan chimes in, “that sounds an awful lot like the Russo’s house across the street. I remember being in their den years ago, and there are two walls of
nothing
but books.”

“What else can you see?” asks Gram.

“Well, there’s ladders in the room...like maybe they’re painting the walls or something. I can’t really see anything else. It’s too dark to focus in on small details.”

“That’s okay, dear. Is this the same thing you saw the other night, or is this new?”

“No, it’s not new. It’s the same thing I saw before...only now I’m paying attention to the background, instead of the people.”

“That’s good. Just keep doing what you’re doing. Take
everything
in. Perhaps when you’ve been able to pick up on all the details, your vision will continue.”

“But there’s nothing else around them I can see. But Father Gabriel on the other hand looks pissed. He’s arguing with Mr. Russo. I’m trying to hear what they’re saying, but it’s as if someone has turned the volume down. They’re muffled...like they’re far away. I’m sorry, Gram. I can’t see anything else. It won’t show me anything new.” Damn it, this is so frustrating!

“It’s okay, dear, you’re doing great. So far, we’ve nailed down the location. Now all we need is to figure out
when
this happens. Just take a break for a few minutes then we’ll try again.” Gram sends me a reassuring smile, but it doesn’t do much for my confidence. I
hate
disappointing them.

Perhaps this is my punishment for ignoring my visions for so many years. My inability to face my fears might have been at the expense of others, all these years later.

As the three of us sit in silence thinking, a male voice calls out. “Hello? Morgan? Aurora? Chloe? Where are you hiding?”

“We’re back here, Michael! In the sunroom!” Aunt Morgan shouts.

A few seconds later, he appears in the doorway wearing a furrowed brow. An expression I’ve only recently seen him wear, which can only mean it didn’t go well with his father.

“Hello, ladies. I’m sorry to interrupt, but Sam said you’d want to see me right away.”

“He was right. How did it go with your father, dear?”

“To be honest, it didn’t go well at all. I’ve never met a more
stubborn
man in my life. I tried and tried to get through to him, but he wouldn’t listen. He insisted what he saw that night proves everything he’s ever believed about you. And he’s determined to stop you from hurting other people—or yourselves.” Michael runs his hands through his already mussed hair. “I even tried to tell him about the fire, but he just thinks that’s a story you guys made up, just to stop him from doing what needs to be done.”

“You tried, Michael, that’s all you could do.” Aunt Morgan places her hand on his arm, a polite gesture for most, but a huge step for her. “Did you tell your mother?”

“Yeah. I talked to her afterwards. You
have
to know, she’s not of the same mind as my father. True, she’s supported him over the years because she felt it was her duty, but not anymore. She believes me when I tell her the kind of people you are...and she’s
never
thought you were evil like my father did. She wanted to make sure I passed the information along.”

“That’s very sweet of her, dear. Please tell her we said ‘thank you’. It means a lot that she believes us.” Gram gives Michael a somewhat uneasy smile, which only makes me nervous.

“Michael.” I pause. “Are your parents doing any remodeling in their den right now?”

“Uh, as a matter a fact, they are. Not just the den though, they’re re-painting the entire house. They’ve had a painting crew in over the last few days. Why do you ask?”

“Right before you got here, we figured out the fire we told you about might happen across the street. Now I know for sure it
definitely
is.”

“Are you serious? Oh man, this isn’t good.” The fear in Michael’s voice grows by the second. “I
really
need to figure out how to stop my father.”

“What’s that in your hand, Michael?” Aunt Morgan asks, noticing him fidget with something shiny.

“Oh.” He glances down. “My father gave me this before I left...to protect me. This is his most cherished possession. His Rosary Beads. Beautiful, aren’t they?” He holds the amber beads up in the air, allowing the dangling gold cross to sway back and forth, sparkling in the candlelight.

Gram nods. “They’re lovely, dear.”

“Hey, I’ve got an idea.” Aunt Morgan holds out her hand towards Michael. “May I?”

“Um, if you insist.” He hands the beads over.

Right away, I know just what she’s thinking. “
Fantastic
idea!”

She winks, holding the beads in the palm of her hand. Her eyes close. I bet she’s replaying the last moments Michael shared with his father.

I reach up, laying my hand upon of hers for support. I
know
this won’t be an easy thing to see, especially if he talks smack about the family.

The second my hand meets hers—I’m jolted with a surge of energy.

Without warning, the vision we’ve been so desperate for me to receive, begins playing.

Mr. Russo’s in the den with Father Gabriel.

They’re arguing about whether or not they should perform the exorcism in this house with the children sleeping upstairs.

Father Gabriel doesn’t think it’s a good idea, but Mr. Russo thinks the house is the safest place for his family.

I hear crying in the background.

It’s Mrs. Russo.

She sounds heartbroken.

Father Gabriel gives in to his brother, walking to the doorway to tell the others they’re ready to begin.

Seven people come walking into the room, but I only recognize Mrs. Russo and her daughter Natalia.

Father Gabriel stands in the center of the heavily candlelit room. A bible in one hand. Crucifix in the other.

The remaining seven people form a circle around him.

Once they’re in place, Father Gabriel crosses himself then begins to speak. “In the name of God, whose nature is forever merciful and forgiving, accept our prayer that these servants of yours, the Crawford’s, bound by the fetters of sin, may be pardoned by your loving kindness.”

A thunderous sound shakes the entire house along with its contents.

They’re frightened, but Father Gabriel continues. “Depart, then, impious one, depart, accursed one, depart with all your deceits, for God has willed that man should be his temple.”

The windows rattle and the licking flames on the candles reach out, growing hundreds of beast-like tentacles.

The terrifying scene works at Father Gabriel’s resolve.

In a panicked voice, he instructs everyone to recite The Lord’s Prayer with him.

“Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.