Reliquary's Choice: Book Two of The Celtic Prophecy (11 page)

Chapter 10

Alex studied the map of the cave system on the wall of the main lodge’s lobby before deciding on the Signature Rock Discovery Tour. It looked to be the most comprehensive and, according to the advertisement, the new areas weren’t electrified so that spelunkers would be able to see the underground system as it had originally been viewed back in the 1900’s. It would give Brenawyn a chance to adjust to the complete blackness and the physical strain of spelunking that they would encounter on their second visit later that evening. He’d have to remember to stop at the gift shop afterward to purchase a cave map to include with their provisions.

He turned to find her looking in the window of the gift shop at the displayed geodes and jewelry of semi-precious stones. She was casually dressed in acceptable, even modest attire for this age, but where they were going it would be scandalous. He’d regret not seeing her legs once they went back, or any part of her natural figure. She’d be bustled in stays and paniers then swathed in layers of heavy fabric except for secreted moments, but how many would he be allowed to have? He put the thought out of his mind, disgusted with himself for allowing his yearning to enter the reality of day.

They were just waiting for the tour guide to return with the coveralls, lighted helmets, and boots, though Brenawyn passed inspection in that regard. She wore a pair of Asolo Meridians that had been waterproofed. Alex chuckled again remembering the boy’s shock as it registered on his face when she told him she actually had appropriate footwear. Obviously the caves didn’t have too many prepared visitors. As for himself, he gave over his shoe size also. He didn’t generally require additional means of protective gear, and did not require it now if not for the need to blend in with other would-be visitors. This afternoon’s foray was a reconnaissance mission to assess security and to scout out a good location for the incantation of Widdershins, the time traveling spell he would need to perform.

When the tour guide reappeared hefting a box of helmets on his shoulder and carrying a pile of neatly folded coveralls tucked under the other arm, Alex had a chance to peer into the room beyond before the door slammed shut. It had an open closet of hanging coveralls and overhead shelves for boots, each organized according to size. Helmets must be in there too on the opposite wall. There was no other place for them in the lodge. The building’s structure wasn’t that big, and there was no lock on the door. That would cut down last minute prep time.

The coveralls felt damp and smelled a bit musty, despite the use of strategically placed dehumidifiers throughout the space; there was no help for it. It was the entrance of a large cave system. Alex handed Brenawyn a coverall.

Brenawyn came over after dressing and stood next to Alex. “Are you ready for this? I haven’t been on this tour; I’m excited that we’ll be seeing more of the caves. I love this stuff. I always wondered what was beyond the dam. There’s this metal chain at the end of the basic tour, well, I don’t know if it’s still there, it was when I last visited, but I always wondered what was beyond it.”

“I suppose we will find out together, then.” Alex responded.

They were gathered together for a group photo in front of the cave map. There were seven of them altogether; the others seemed friendly enough, with an air of excitement pervading the small group.

“Hello, folks. My name is Brianna and this is John.” We’ll be your tour guides this afternoon.”

John waved and inserted the key into the elevator’s control panel. “Nice to meet you. The elevator will be up momentarily and we can start our tour.”

“The picture you just posed for will be available to purchase, as well as two others if you’d care to pose for them once we’re down in the caves at the kiosk behind you at the end of our tour.” Brianna added, the elevator doors opened behind her, “Ah, here we are!”

“I thought that the tour covered an unseen section of the caves without lights and walkways?” a middle-aged man in the group asked.

“You are correct, but the tour begins at the bottom of this elevator, and there are lights there. This will be the easiest part of today’s tour because we will be on walkways and we’ll see the spectacular rock formations. The various sediments, existing minerals, and species of moss in places provide vivid color. We’ll be passing the photo opps and if anyone would care to take advantage … ”

John shrugged his shoulders and winked in Alex’s direction, nodding his head once at the protective arm Alex had around Brenawyn. “Don’t worry though, most of today’s tour will be in the dark, the only light provided by these.” He tapped his helmet lamp. “It won’t disappoint.”

The elevator doors closed and the car started its descent down 156 feet to the cave floor. The temperature dropped noticeably.

“You are probably noticing the change in air temperature right about now.” Brianna remarked to general consent from the group. “The caves are at a constant temperature of 54 degrees in the heat of summer and the cold of winter.”

~ ~ ~

Leo watched the road as one after another commuter accelerated past her. She could feel Maggie’s impatience grow as the miles ticked by until it was a physical force separating the two of them. Deaccelerating further, she dug her heels in; she wasn’t going to rush to say goodbye.

Thoughts swirled in her head. What to say knowing this would be the last time she spoke to Brenawyn? She didn’t need advice. No reminders of memories. They both had that. What consumed Leo was the emptiness that would be left by her departure. She could not go where Brenawyn was going. There would be no contact, no communication. There would be nothing after today.

The hours ticked by louder than before, echoing in her head until there was no room for anything else but the reverberations of the seconds slipping by on her empty heart. She swiped at her eyes, wiping tears away hastily.
Don’t start crying now; you won’t be able to stop.
Her breath hitched on a sigh, and her heart fluttered in her chest, jabbing pain radiated out from her lower spine, sweats, dizziness. She knew her heart was giving out. She’d make an appointment at a cardiologist after this was done, but she didn’t need a doctor’s diagnosis to tell her that she was dying. She knew what was at stake when she accelerated Alex’s resurrection process. What choice did she have? What if they sent more acolytes? Brenawyn was vulnerable. Leo knew that she was giving up what little life she had left to ensure that Brenawyn had a protector. Someone not bound by laws and who would do what was necessary.

Her hands tightened on the wheel.
Get a grip. There are things that need to be done.
“Maggie, do you know how to drive a stick?”

“No, Leo. I never learned.”

“Okay, then you take the truck back, and I’ll drive Bren’s car.”

“Where is she going, again?”

“Scotland. Alex is taking her to Scotland at least at first.”

“For how long?”

“Indefinitely … probably.”

“And you’re okay with this?”

“No, absolutely not, but I have no say here. She’s a grown woman.”

“It makes no fucking sense—sorry. I mean, why would she leave?”

“You know why, you’ve seen them, what they can do.”

“Yes, but I’ve also seen what she can do, and you—what you can do, too. And Alex, I mean, what the hell? He came back from the dead, for shit’s sake!”

Realizing how ludicrous the events of the past weeks must seem, Leo snorted, “You have that wrong.
We
helped him come back from the dead, for shit’s sake!”

This declaration silenced Maggie, and she looked down at her hands slowly nodding her head. “Yes, I did,” she whispered.

“There will be retribution, and that’s why, after we tie up loose ends, we will leave too.”

“Are we meeting her?”

“No, it’s too conspicuous. Two people can travel faster, slip away, go into hiding. Can you imagine how much I would slow them down?”

“You’re not exactly feeble, Leo.”

She smiled, and reached to squeeze Maggie’s hand, “No, but as a group, we’d be more recognizable, especially with the dog.”

“I see why, but it still just feels wrong. It’s not sitting well, here,” Maggie put her hand on her abdomen.

“I understand; it feels that way for me too.”

“What needs to be done when we get there?”

“Not much, other than saying goodbye.” Leo simplified, eyeing the cardboard box sitting on the backseat. She knew every item in there. She had packed it herself, guessing what one would bring on such a trip. The athame and
Eiliminteach
were definites. They were two of the five pieces that were Brenawyn’s by right of office. They were her rightful tools. She’d also included Margaret’s journals and her Grimoire. In her estimation, the journals had to be included. To so recently find out there was a physical link to her dead mother, only to lose it? The presence of the dates was unfortunate and, the possible problem they would cause if they were to fall into anyone else’s hands upsetting. Though her Grimoire was a greater threat, Leo wished she knew more about Brenawyn’s destination. Alex was 600 years old, and if he took her back then it would be after the European witch hunts started in earnest. If the book was found in her possession, it would be enough to condemn her as a witch. When she was going, Leo couldn’t foresee. It was a dangerous time, full of ignorance and fear, but she’d let Alex decide whether it was worth the risk.

~ ~ ~

Cormac paced the length of the motel, the closed doors locking him out of finding which room was theirs. Her car was here and that was enough for now. A cursory look in the window revealed nothing of note on the inside. It wasn’t worth setting off the alarm. They would have to wait it out. He sent the bulk of the acolytes armed with cell phones off to scout out the area. They had watch over the main lodge, the mining building in the rear, the head of the nature trails, and key positions along the roads approaching. Alex was prepping for Widdershins. He was going to take her back. Not if Cormac had anything to say about it. He’d itched to have it done. The chase was taking too long, Samhain was approaching too quickly. He’d have to wrest her power away and claim it for his own before the next fire feast. That was the next time the veil would be thin enough to move through the realms without the expenditure of energy. He’d need to reserve all his strength for his battle with Finvarra.

The phone rang in his pocket and he touched the screen, lifting it to his ear in time to hear, “The old woman approaches from the north.”

He ended the call and whistled. Another acolyte appeared at the end of the building, nodded once and disappeared. Cormac scanned the area for trace evidence of their presence, seeing none, he walked swiftly in the same direction.

He envied Alexander in moments like this. Lying in wait would be so much easier if he had the ability to shift. He’d be a bird sitting on the wire or apex of the building looking down. He’d like to see it all, even though he was impatient. He especially liked when he was successful at gaining trust. Thank the gods his pleasing face had more uses than to get a lass in the rushes. He particularly relished when their panic and fear registered followed by the rigid tension of the body, the cold sweat, and the spasmic breathing, and their faces...changing from incredulity to horror. He adjusted himself with a grunt.

Before he rounded the corner, he glanced back to see the sole picnic table directly across from the reservation office occupied by his two newest recruits. He considered the two girls, faces in their phones, and hoped that they knew the importance of what was at stake. He’d filet them himself if they were lax in their responsibility.

Before he had the chance to think further, he heard a whistle off to his right, and an acolyte extended his arm above his head palm outward,
stop.
Then a fist in a circular motion at the waist,
prepare to move.
Understood.

Interminable minutes later, Cormac watched the man pick up his phone again, nod, and make eye contact, extending his arm again holding up four fingers.
Room Four.
There was little chance they could do this next part without attracting attention, so they would just have to be quick about it.

He came around the side of the long building and sauntered to Room Four, lightly rapping his knuckles on the door. He was granted entrance immediately; there were three of his men in the room, and the women were bound and gagged huddled together on the far edge of the bed.

              “Well done, lads. Well done.” Cormac commented. “Secured the ladies without a clishmaclaver. Och, now I kin we can wait ta hear when the priestess emerges. Sinclair willna take her through Widdershins just yet. He needs ta scout it out first.”

              Cormac approached the dog and put his fist out so he’d get a scent. The dog sniffed his hand and pulled its jowls away from his teeth, emitting a low growl. The younger woman gave what he thought to be a satisfied grunt. He pulled his hand and backed away, skirting around the dog to face her. “Ye kin that funny? Dae ye?” He backhanded her. “What about now?” He turned to one of his men, “Go get the Vate. She needs ta prepare.”