Chapter 8

"You need some concealer, Pheebs. Those dark circles have circles," Tseki observed as I walked into the kitchen of the Airbnb we'd rented. "Did you get any sleep?"

I yawned and eyed the espresso machine they'd brought with them. I would need to have my one cup of java now, or I wasn't going to make it through the rest of the day. "Not much. The babies were restless thanks to the energy buzzing through this town."

"Salted caramel or Italian cream?" Stella asked and wiggled the jugs in front of my face tempting me.

"Italian, please. Thank you," I told her gratefully.

Tseki fussed with the hem of my shirt, fixing the way the material draped over my abdomen. "Those babies are going to be a handful when they arrive, and I can't wait. I found some of the cutest matching outfits. And don't worry, I bought for both sexes."

Aidon smiled at the dragon shifter. "You still convinced we're going to have two boys and one girl?"

Murtagh smirked and said, "He is so certain, he bought two little Armani suits and a dress to match. I bought a second dress because I think you're having two girls."

Accepting the coffee from Stella, I shook my head at Tseki and his boyfriend. "I"ll take whatever we get. I just want them born healthy."

Aidon looked down at my abdomen with a soft expression. "I never dreamed I'd have children. I hope you're right and we get at least one of each. I want to experience the moody teen years with my daughter and the worry when my son does stupid shit." Unlike his family, Aidon had told me before that he had no desire to have kids with someone other than his mate. He'd seen too much drama where procreation was concerned.

The visions hit me like a magical freight train and I swear, being a Pleiades came with way too many side effects. I mean, couldn"t they throw in some perks like unlimited coffee, immunity to stupidity, or back massages? My friends and the kitchen vanished, and I found myself lost within the enchanting confines of a dream world. Only I wasn't asleep. And I wasn't a damn oracle. As if that mattered. Pay attention!

My mind was fuzzy, but I took in as many details as possible. Reality waltzed with the extraordinary. Boundaries blurred into a swirling kaleidoscope of transcendental images. Each one was a brushstroke of magic. Light and colors coalesced into the indistinct image of a person.

The scene was fantastical, and the details solidified until I was looking at a formidable sorceress. That was the description that popped into my head. Likely because her form-fitting, mermaid-style black dress was what I'd seen in more than one movie. This woman's dress even had a high collar and sleeves dripping with fabric.

She became the epicenter of what looked and felt like an ancient, dark ritual. The blood wasn't the only reason my stomach was revolting, and I fought the urge to force myself out of the vision. It was incredibly unpleasant. I prayed my curiosity didn't get me killed.

A dark glow haloed the sorceress's silhouette. Magic wove together the unseen forces at play. Arcane symbols, whose pronunciations eluded my mortal grasp pirouetted around her like dancers in a foreboding ballet. The air crackled with an ominous power, resonating with the primal echoes of her incantations. A scent as enigmatic as the ritual itself permeated the atmosphere. If malevolence could be distilled into an aroma, it would be a haunting fusion of burnt popcorn and the delicate fragrance of lavender.

The details played on each of my senses, leaving me disoriented in the surreal ambiance. Beneath the sorceress's feet, the ground pulsed with an otherworldly rhythm akin to a driveling mud-beast"s heartbeat. It was not merely soil but a living entity, a sentient extension of the mystical energies converging in the sacred space. The earth responded to the sorceress"s incantations, pulsating with a darker energy than was normal.

As I stood there as an inconspicuous witness to this mystical convergence, the air became charged with the palpable anticipation of the unknown. Every detail of the arcane spectacle unfolded like a nightmare. I was jolted when the sorceress stiffened and turned her head in my direction. Panick made my heart race like a hummingbird's wings before I forced myself out of the vision. Worrying about the safety of my babies drove me back to awareness. I had no idea if she would have seen me, but I wasn't going to risk it.

I shook my head, trying to clear the disorienting haze. Aidon's arms grounded me and brought me back fully. The concern in his blue eyes warmed my heart. "What happened? Are you alright, Queenie? Is it the babies?"

Shaking my head, I stood up from his lap. "That was weirder than a movie. We should make some popcorn. You aren't going to believe what happened." My quip earned me a couple of eye rolls from Tseki and Murtagh. Honestly, it"s like they don"t appreciate the finer things in life.

"You saw something. I can tell." Stella handed me a croissant and clarified, "Anything that can help us figure out what"s going on?"

I sigh dramatically, "Oh, you know, just an evil sorceress in the spotlight. And, of course, she was starring in a dark magical production. Cue the ominous music."

Aidon"s hand ran down my back. "What other details can you share? What kind of ritual are we talking about? Who"s pulling the strings?"

Tseki held up both hands. "Wait just a minute. Why aren't you two freaking out that Phoebe suddenly started having visions like she's an oracle and not a witch? That seems like the bigger concern."

Aidon's lips twisted to one side. "Phoebe is a unique being. There is no one else with her combination of powers and heritage. She's mated to me and is pregnant with my babies. All of that changes her on a fundamental level from any other witch or Pleiades alive. I want to know more about that, but I don't want to be here longer than necessary."

Tseki inclined his head. "When you put it that way..." He let his comment trail off.

I reached over and squeezed Tseki's hand. "I love you, too. I'm lucky to have you guys looking out for me. I wouldn't have survived without you."

Tseki preened and smiled. "You can always rely on us. And I wasn't thinking clearly, Aidon. Watching her eyes turn white and her body shake like that put me into protective mode."

"Same, brother," Stella said while Aidon chuckled and wrapped his hands around my side. "The only reason I am sitting here as serene as I am is because I had her in my arms."

I gave Aidon a knowing look. "And our bond told you I was safe. Back to what I saw. A convergence of powers surrounded her," I started and my voice took a more serious tone. "The ritual wasn"t just dark magic. It was a fusion of different supernatural energies. I saw fae, demonic, and arcane elements blending together. This is some next-level magical mash-up we"re dealing with."

Aidon"s eyes widen with realization. "A convergence is catastrophic magic, Phoebe. Are you certain she was pulling each of those elements?"

A rock formed in my gut with the weight of the impending threat settling on my shoulders. "I was focused and paying close attention, but it was dream-like, so I could be wrong." I chewed my croissant as I replayed what I'd seen.

Aidon sighed, his warm breath blowing over my shoulder. "It's best to assume you're right. Because putting any less than one hundred percent effort into finding this sorceress could lead to a magical apocalypse."

Tseki dipped his chin. "Then we have our mission. We stop this convergence, no matter the cost." He frowned and lifted a finger. "Without sacrificing our lives. Those babies will need their village."

"Yes, they will," I agreed.

As we prepared to face the brewing magical storm, I wished for a bit more clarity. Like maybe a roadmap to the nearest coffee shop. This mystical stuff was seriously messing with my caffeine levels. And the espresso Stella made me was now cold.

I got up and popped the mug in the microwave as Stella plucked a grape from a stem. "We should call Todd and give him an update. There's a chance he has some information that might lead us to a clue."

Murtagh nodded in agreement. "After getting over her anger at being excluded, Layla asked Selene to help her reach out through channels to gather information. Can you ask Todd to go to Nimaha House? That way, they're all together to update at once?"

Stella was already typing on her phone. "The whole supernatural conspiracy thing is one party I don"t want to attend," Stella said. "And I hate that my hubby got an invitation. He has no idea of the danger, and we can't tell him."

Tseki scowled at Stella. "Girlfriend, I told you to tell him the truth. I get that dragging innocent bystanders into a mystical maelstrom isn't what anyone wants to do, but he's married to you. And he deserves to know what happens to you."

The microwave beeped, and I carefully took the mug out. "Those are valid points. Todd"s joining the magical rollercoaster now, whether we like it or not. He"s got to know to put his seatbelt on." I held up a hand, stalling Stella's objection. "However, that doesn't mean he should know every dangerous detail. Maybe this is selfish of me, but the more Todd knows, the more likely he will never let you hang around me."

Stella grimaced. "We can't let that happen. We're a team. We complete each other. Besides, I love our adventures."

"Same," I told her and returned to the table, taking my seat instead of sitting on Aidon's lap. "But that's not all it is. Todd would worry any time you left the house, even if we weren't together. People worry about their spouses. To lay this on Todd would be cruel. There's nothing he can do to help or protect Stella. He'd be a liability."

Aidon crossed one ankle over his knee. "And he could get himself killed. Stella and Phoebe were always meant to be a team. Both will be in danger if they are forced to stay apart. Not to mention how miserable they will be."

Stella's expression was a mix of worry and irritation. "I never wanted him involved, but the supernatural forces have other plans."

Murtagh sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. "We will keep the danger under wraps as much as possible. But the more people get tangled in this mess, the harder it becomes to keep the magical world under wraps."

"I don't like the thought of him being in danger because he is drug deeper into our world," I said. "What can we do? Give him a crash course in magical self-defense, or hand him a magical amulet and hope for the best?"

Stella's eyes widened. "I like the idea of a talisman. It would offer him protec..." We all jumped out of our skin when Stella's phone rang. My heart was in my throat as she answered the FaceTime call.

We brought him up to speed, telling him about the hidden community and the cult behind Olive's disappearance. Stella mentioned there could be some danger of having a mundie police officer asking about a witch, and she wanted him to wear a talisman. That seemed to grab his attention.

Todd looked from Stella to me. "Magical amulet? What exactly is that? And why do I need one now? You guys have been through a lot of shit. You went to Hell, and I didn't need anything. What is different now?"

Stella shot me a look that clearly said, "This is your fault." Instead of saying it, she took a deep breath and explained. "Todd there"s something going on. Something magical. And it involves us, whether we like it or not."

Todd"s eyes widened in alarm. I could practically see the questions forming in his mind. I leaned in and gave him a sardonic grin. "Welcome to the club, Todd. We have magic, mystery, and a distinct lack of membership benefits."

Aidon redirected the conversation. "It'll be easier for you if we prepare you for the supernatural forces closing in. We don't want them to see you as a loose end." I squeezed Aidon's leg under the table to get him to shut up. We weren't going to tell him the gory details. He inclined his head, letting me know he understood.

Todd's gaze roamed around and lingered on his wife. "Prepare me for what, exactly?"

I shrugged, "Oh, you know, the usual. Demons, fae, magical conspiracies. The whole magical enchilada." My tone was light, hoping to allay some of his fears.

Stella nodded her head. "That's why we are going to have the girls create a talisman for you. It will keep the fact that you are an informed mundie hidden from any supernaturals you encounter. It's just a precaution since you have been looking into this."

Nina, Reece, and Charlie shoved their faces in front of Todd, putting them front and center in the screen. "We get to make this, Mom?" Reece asked.

Nina's expression was pleading as her gaze landed on me. "You know I can teach them how to do this. It won't be hard. GamGam and Nana will help."

I shared a look with Stella and then shrugged one shoulder. "That's the plan. Until you hear from us later today, work on cleansing enough silver to make a charm. The metal needs to be free of all impurities. We will talk more about it later. For now, we need to find Glimmerford. Give everyone my love."

All four heads on the screen nodded and we said our goodbyes. I turned to my mate and put a hand on his arm. His mind had been churning the entire conversation. "What's running around in that head of yours?"

Aidon smirked at me. "I've been thinking about you not being a seer, which led me down a rabbit hole. Long story short, I have an idea."

"That could be dangerous," I teased him as I grabbed some grapes for myself. "What is it?"

Snatching a globe off of the vine in my hand, Aidon's expression brightened. "Seers don't actually see the actions of others, right? Well, as I was going through their power and how it works, I realized one might be able to help us."

Everyone's eyes snapped to Aidon at that. Stella leaned over the table and slapped the wood. "How? What can they do for us? And is there one nearby?"

I chuckled and gestured to her. "What she said.

"There's a seer along the edge of town. I had paid her a visit a couple of weeks before meeting you, actually. She was one reason I was personally hunting demons in your city," he admitted.

My jaw dropped open, and I gaped at him. Tseki gave me a look and said, "That look is not good for you, Pheebs." Turning to face Aidon, he continued. "Where is this seer? And do we need an appointment, or can we show up at her house?"

Aidon waved his cell from side to side. "I've sent her a request. We will undoubtedly get a cryptic message from her. It might or might not direct us to the next step. And there's an outside chance the information could help us identify the individual behind this plot. However, we could just as easily receive information on how many boys or girls Phoebe is carrying. While I would love to know the latter, we really need to know the former."

My expression crumpled. "And we can't ask her for which."

Aidon shook his head. "We can ask. But we might not get the answer." The chime of his phone made the room go silent as all eyes zeroed in on the device in Aidon"s hand. He made a show of opening the message. "Looks like she will see us. She's anxious to meet the woman she saw upending my ordered world."

My heart tripped in my chest, and I caught my breath. Oblivious to my reaction, Tseki jumped to his feet and grabbed a soda from the fridge. "What are we waiting for?"

Allowing Aidon to pull me to my feet, I put my shoes on and filled my water bottle before we left. Traffic was horrendous and it took far too long to drive to the seer's house. It was located at the edge of Salem, nestled amidst an old-growth forest that seemed to whisper forgotten tales.

A shiver ran down my spine as we made our way through the trees. And it wasn"t just because of the mystical atmosphere. The air carried a scent of incense, ancient knowledge, and secrets. I couldn't fathom having my mind hijacked on a regular basis. It had been bad enough earlier.

The mysterious cottage and its timeworn facade came into view five minutes into our walk from the side of the road where Aidon told Tseki to park. The structure was draped in ivy. Once a robust oak, the wood wore a weathered coat of mossy green and rustic brown, blending seamlessly with the ancient trees that stood sentinel around it. Small and weathered, the windows seemed like portals to another world. Their wooden frames were tinged with a fading shade of lavender that hinted at the passage of time.

As I approached, a sense of trepidation washed over me like a gentle ripple. Adorned with intricate carvings of runes, the door creaked open as if beckoning us into the seer"s abode. The thatched roof was woven with strands of silver and midnight blue. They caught the dappled moonlight, creating an ethereal glow that bathed the surroundings in a soft luminescence.

In the heart of this mystical sanctuary, stood the seer. Her attire mirrored the cottage"s color palette. She wore a flowing gown in shades of midnight blue and silver that was adorned with subtle patterns. Strands of silver hair cascaded gracefully around her shoulders, framing a face that bore the wisdom of ages. Her eyes were pools of ancient knowledge as they met mine. Her gaze seemed to pierce the veil of time itself.

"So, this is the woman that completes you, Aidon. It is a gift to meet you. I rarely get to see the outcome of one of my predictions," the seer said with a smile. Her voice was a melodic echo.

I exchanged a bemused look with Stella, who seemed entranced by the seer"s aura. Aidon extended his hand and clasped hers when she touched it. "I owe you everything for your words all those months ago. My life was an empty shell compared to now."

The seer inclined her head and turned that rheumy stare on me. "You should come inside."

I shared a look with my friends when the seer moved away from the doorway. "I guess that means we"ve come to the right place for cryptic warnings and vague prophecies, " I quipped, eyeing the seer with curiously.

Stepping across the threshold, I found myself in a realm where time seemed to stand still. The interior was adorned with crocheted blankets, candles, and crystals. Their colors were muted and radiant at the same time. The furniture was gracefully carved from an ancient oak. It looked as if it carried countless stories within its grain. The air was infused with the scent of lavender, creating a soothing aura that wrapped around me like a comforting embrace.

The seer"s eyes twinkled as if amused by my skepticism. "In the dance of destiny, clarity often wears the mask of enigma. Now, let the threads of time unravel before your eyes."

A shiver ran down my spine in a harmonious dance of apprehension and awe. In the presence of the seer, the lines between reality and enchantment blurred. It left me both anxious and spellbound. I was caught in the embrace of a world where the mundane and the magical converged.

I sat on the couch next to Aidon. Stella sat on my other side while Murtagh and Tsekani waited outside. The room was silent as the seer lit some herbs in a burner and bent over the top of it. I was transfixed, watching her breathe in and out. When the seer finally spoke, the room seemed to pulse with a rhythmic energy. Symbols appeared in the air, shimmering with an otherworldly glow.

"What can you tell us about the sorceress behind the chaos threatening the magical world?" I asked, arms crossed. "Is she a member of the Order of Umbra? Where can we find her?"

Stella shot me a look that suggested I was disrespecting sacred knowledge. I hoped I hadn't messed up the reading.

It seemed like the silence would go on forever until finally, the seer lifted her head and spoke. Her eyes were milky white and creepy. It distracted me from what she was saying.

"The winds of destiny whisper tales of a sorceress veiled in shadows. She is a mischief weaver entwined in the tapestry of magical realms. Beware the one who orchestrates chaos, for her malevolence casts a shadow upon the sacred grounds of Salem. A witch, ensnared in the threads of fate, has been plucked from the earthly realm, and the echoes of her abduction reverberate through the mystic currents." The oracle's voice was raspy like a three-pack-a-day smoker's.

"The sorceress is a conjurer of arcane storms. She weaves a tempest that threatens to disturb the harmonies of our enchanted world. Seek the clues woven in the murmurs of ancient trees, unravel the secrets concealed within the whispers of time"s echoes, and let the ethereal energies guide your path. The veil between worlds grows thin, and the destiny of Salem hangs in precarious balance. The key to unlocking the mystery lies within the enigmatic dance of time, where past, present, and future converge.

"Forge ahead, Phoebe, with courage as your ally and the wisdom of the Oracle as your guide. Unravel the enchantments that bind the sorceress. And may the echoes of your quest resonate through the realms, bringing harmony to the magical tapestry she seeks to unravel. You hold the key to unraveling the malevolent force. But beware, the threads of fate are delicate, and the choices you make will echo through time," she finished.

Aidon braced himself on his knees. "Can you guide us to where the heart of this disturbance lies? Time is of the essence."

The seer"s gaze pierced through the room. "Seek the convergence. Where ley lines intertwine, and energies collide. There, the answers you seek shall reveal themselves."

We thanked the oracle and left not long after. Her words clung to us like a second skin. Ley lines and convergences sounded like a recipe for a headache, but if it led us to the heart of the disturbance, then so be it. Armed with riddles and a healthy dose of sarcasm, Tseki drove us back toward town.

"I think I felt a junction near the old prison. The site where they held the witches waiting for trial," I said.

Tseki turned down the main street that would take us past the museum and park where we saw the Dark Fae last night. I leaned forward between the seats when we came to a complete stop. "What's going on?"

Tseki shook his head and scanned the road ahead. "No idea, but we aren't moving."

"Park over there. It's close enough that we can walk," I said, pointing to a street on our right.

Tseki did as asked, and we were out and striding up the sidewalk in no time. Within two minutes we saw why traffic was stopped. "Fucking hell," Tseki muttered as I stood staring.

The sorceress's machinations had turned the once quaint town of Salem into a vibrant kaleidoscope of fantastical chaos. The air hummed with a cacophony of magical energies. It blended the scents of enchantments, mythical creatures, and the subtle aroma of freshly baked pastries from a nearby bakery. It was a surreal carnival where the mundane and magical coexisted in a delicate dance. It created an atmosphere that oscillated between whimsical and disastrous. This was going to destroy life as we knew it. There would be no hiding the magical world now. We would be hunted and experimented on.

Stella grabbed my arm. "We need to cast a befuddlement charm over the city. It's our only hope to keep a lid on this."

My arms flailed wildly. "It's a bit late for that now."

Aidon shook his head and grabbed my shoulders, making me look at him. "Stella is right. You confuse them, and I will have my agents hunting down and destroying any photo or video evidence. Xinar created a virus that he can send out in text messages. It'll wipe the phones."

I took a deep breath and nodded. Grabbing Stella's hand, I gave her a smile that wasn't as confident as I hoped. "Befuddlement. That's easy enough," I told her.

She snorted. "I don't know about that, but we have to try."

Unfocusing my gaze, I pictured the city limits and my magic infiltrating every nook and cranny within that. When Stella squeezed my hand, I chanted the spell with her. Our magic exploded out of us like a wave coming ashore. We stood there pouring energy into it for several long seconds.

Satisfied with our efforts, we continued through the mystical mayhem. Colorful sparks erupted from the wands mischievous imps were wielding. Tseki grunted and took one from an imp. "Whoever jumped on the bandwagon and decided to make these for witches needs to be shot. Other magical creatures can cause chaos with them too."

A look of disgust crossed Aidon's face. "There"s always something." Imps heard the cadence of his voice, shrieked, and took off running.

A centaur trotted by, engrossed in a conversation with a pixie. The streets had transformed into a bustling marketplace where enchanted trinkets floated in mid-air, vying for the attention of curious onlookers. Stella"s eyes were wide with both wonder and concern as she said, "This is beyond anything I"ve read about in magical lore. It"s as if Salem itself has become a living, breathing storybook."

I smirked. "Well, at least it"s not a boring storybook. Could use a few more dragons," I teased shooting Tseki a smile.

"I doubt we can find the convergence with all of this going on," Aidon observed.

I glanced around, waving at a passing group of fairies engaged in a spirited game of tag. "Are we sure we didn"t stumble into a supernatural concert by mistake?"

The seer's words echoed in my head as we continued to make our way through the chaos. We had to get to the heart of Salem and find the convergence and, hopefully, the missing witch. The sorceress was too smart to be hanging around, but we could use Olive to learn her plans.