22. Forgotten

CLOVER

We wander to the center of the town. An ominous black void resides in the center. You can feel in the air that something is very wrong here. It’s heavy and sticky.

“The whole town screams bad vibes. How are we going to find him?” I whisper.

“We were going to break the curse, so let’s start there. Find a clue from your ancestors’ home, perhaps?”Kushim asks.

I nod. “How are we going to find which house it is, though? This town has a lot of old, worn-out buildings.”

“I think I can guess.” Fitzy chuckles and shoots me a smile, pointing at the best house I’ve ever seen. The one I accidentally parked Suisy in front of.

“Oh, it is so pretty!” I jump up and down a few times before grabbing the guys’ hands and all but sprinting up to it.“I think I’m in love!” It’s all wood and stone, curvy stairs, archways, and balconies. Almost like it was carved from a tree itself. The perfect whimsical abode. Though worn with time, it has small intricate carvings and faded bursts of color like it once was painted. Some of the windows are even beautiful round stained-glass masterpieces.

A flower-shaped doorknob greets us, and as we enter, it’s clear that while time has done a number on it, it was once beloved. There are hidden nooks and crannies filled with different art styles and pieces. Almost like different witches and people left their little additions to the home over time. It is amazing. The only unifying piece is a large handmade tapestry that hangs on the far wall far above the fireplace. It has a tree with a bunch of branches. Names are written on each branch, though some seem burned off, as if someone took a cigar and dragged the lit end across it.

I drift toward it, and Kushim says, “Wow, a family tapestry. I haven’t seen one of these in 250 or so years.”

“Family tapestry?” I ask, curious.

I reach up and touch the soft fabric. A soft glow emanates from my fingertips and spreads across the tapestry, revitalizing its color. I watch in awe as my name is illuminated with a soft yellow glow at the bottom.

“I think it’s safe to say we’re in the right place,” Fitz says.

Kushim hums as he looks over a dusty bookshelf with mismatched, curvy shelves. “Do you think your family has a grimoire or something similar around here? Might give us clues.”

“I’m not sure,” I say. I look up and watch Fitzy trace his fingers over the name etched on the branch before my own.“That’s my mom. My father, whom I never met, is apparently named Joe. That’s a nice name, I suppose.”

“It’s gone, though,” Fitz says, studying the tapestry closer. “Only the women’s names are burned over?”

“Cause they’re gone,” I say, my fingers trailing after Fitzy’s. He captures my hand and gives it a kiss.

“It’s odd. It’s clearly a magical tapestry. It should retain the names, even if they…” He pauses and looks my way. “Passed on.”

“They didn’t just pass on. They vanished. They’re, like, gone, gone,” I inform him.

Kushy tilts his head sideways. “What do you mean, sweetness?”

I shake my head. “They are completely gone. Forgotten, as if they never were to begin with.” Both my men look at me, eyes widening slightly. I reach into my bag and pull out the only photo I don’t keep on my wall. I slowly unfold it. They both lean in to look.

“You as a child?” Fitzy says.

“Are you levitating?” Kushim asks, looking impressed.

“Nope, I’m not Jack-Jack. It’s a cute picture of me as a kid being held on my mom’s lap. Grandma’s on my mom’s right, see?” I point to the picture. But I know all they see is just a floating child sitting on nothing. “Or it was. I keep this one because in the background there’s a faint outline of where they once were. It’s also proof I’m not completely bonkers,” I say, running my fingers over the faded outlines.

“That photo wall in Suisy,” Kushim whispers.

“Is that why you take photos with the people you meet?” Fitzy says.

Dawning realization dances over their faces.

“Yup, I think a part of me hoped someone might find the photos and remember me. Or maybe it was just my way of hoping to stay.”

“Oh, Clover.” Fitz pulls me into a hug.

“Don’t worry, sweetness. We will break this curse. I won’t let you disappear,” Kushy says.

Thump, thump, thump.

“Look out below!” Mip hollers as he comes bouncing down one of the smaller flower-painted staircases riding on a leather-bound tome of some sort. After coming to a sliding finish and posing, he announces, “Found it!”

He points between Kushim and Fitzy after hopping off the book. “See, this is why I’m the bestie.”

“A bestie would not risk a centuries-old family heirloom by riding it down a staircase like a sled,” Kushim informs him.

“Humph…” Mip humphs as I reach out to pick it up.

I browse through the old book. It’s full of spells and art, and—Oh! Is that a new crochet pattern? Suddenly I’m lifted off my feet and sitting in Fitzy’s very nice lap. It seems my guys found some comfy old leather chairs for us to read in. I squirm and feel something firm beneath my butt. Could I read the book while I play with Fitzy? My eyes meet Kushim’s as he leans over the chair behind Fitzy. His eyes heat, and I lick my lips as I glance at his kissable mouth.

I quickly turn back to the book.

What is wrong with me? I’m sitting here thinking about sex when Aldrich is—Ugh! Focus, Clover. Focus!

I ignore my stupid vagina and flip through more of the tome. It seems traveling to other worlds and places or anchoring people to different worlds was just what we Callas did.

“It tells me we can make portals to places, crochet patterns for different kinds of dollies, and how to make good food,” I say, trying to stay positive.

“Yes, but nothing seems to help us figure out how to bring Aldrich back from that place. Even if you make a portal, you would have to find him and then bring him to where the portal is.” Kushim says.

“That thing prolly won’t let us do that, huh?” I say, a chill tingling down my spine as I remember the Blobby. I sigh. The book seems useless. “I love the patterns for the dolls and food recipes, but I was kinda hoping I could just zap him back.”

“I agree. I don’t see how a stuffed doll will help save Aldrich,” Fitzy says. “And unlike most things, I don’t think I can beat the shit outta that goo beast. I watched what it did to Rubble.” Fitzy shudders, and I nod in agreement.

“The remnant of the Sorcerer Morfran, you mean?” Kushim clarifies.

“Yes that,” Fitzys says.

Kushim rubs his chin with one hand as his other thumb traces soothing circles on my shoulder. “Indeed, my magic will have little effect on it, either.”

My eyes go wide, and I quickly turn and kiss the crap outta Fitzy’s face. Both men jump a little.

“You’re a genius, Fitzy!”

He gets a glazed, dopey, adorable look of cuteness on his face. “Damn right I am.” He pulls me in for a long, hard kiss.

Kushim pulls us apart. “You don’t even know why, you jackass. Let her breathe.”

Fitzy pulls back and glares at Kushy. Then he turns back to me. “Why am I a genius, though?”

I hop up off his lap, jumping up and down a little. I am so excited.

“I have a plan!” I announce as I take off running through the house.