Chapter 339: _Playing With The Dead
"A spell meant to summon a spirit?" Aunt Althea repeated what I told her with dread, shaking her head. "No way. Not happening."
I sighed heavily, rubbing the bridge of my nose.
After Regina had dropped the information about the spell and left Kaelos and me to "think about it", I had immediately run to Althea and told her.
We were currently sitting on a bench in the mansion’s garden, our favourite spot.
"Aunt Althea, I—"
"No, Odessa." Althea shook her head yet again, this time getting on her feet with a trembling tone. "I understand your grief... But playing with the dead is not the best way to cope with Caroline’s demise."
I bit my bottom lip, blinking at her back as the wind blew her purple robes into the air.
It was late in the afternoon but the clouds were still gloomy, coiling like they weren’t done pouring rain on the earth.
I ignored that, getting on my feet with my fists clenched beside me. "Regina only told us she’ll need my help for the spell. Maybe it’s not as difficult as it seems. I’ll just need to reach into the spirit realm, connect with Caroline’s spirit and summon her."
Althea suddenly turned her head to me, her purple eyes glinting with clear warning.
"And you think the Vein wouldn’t respond chaotically to all that?" She queried, arching an eyebrow. "The spell in question borders on necromancy, Odessa. One of the hardest arts of magic. It’s not as easy as playing around with an ouija board or whatever toys humans use."
That’s the thing though—
"I know the risk, Aunt. Which is why I’m telling you." I stepped closer to her, placing my hand on her shoulder. "I might need your help with the spell as well."
She blinked at me like I’d gone mad. "Are you—"
"Althea, please!" I couldn’t take it anymore and snapped, my voice cracking. "Please, give me this opportunity. Caroline’s death haunts me because I ignored all the warning signs from Marcellus. I... I need to see her—"
"And then your parents?" Althea interrupted, causing me to choke on my words. "Your husband’s mother? And Elder Davina? Layla perhaps? After Caroline what assurance do I have that you wouldn’t misuse this spell and try going further?
My jaw clenched as I subconsciously drew in a deep breath, withdrawing my hand from her.
Her eyes softened just then, her hand brushing my arm. "My child. You have no idea how much restraint I’ve held simply not to walk the path you’re about to tread. The dead are dead for a reason. Disturbing them usually doesn’t end well."
I closed my eyes for a moment, going through her words and asking myself deep questions.
Would I really not get satisfied and try summoning more dead folks? Might I go further and even... Try resurrecting them?
’Girl, I barely know shit about magic but I sure as hell know you’re playing with fire if you try that.’ Sirena’s voice was firm in my head just then, losing its usual playfulness. ’You sure you want to do this? Can we even trust Regina?’
’No, we can’t.’ I answered, opening my eyes again. ’But that wouldn’t stop me from trying.’
"I know you’re only trying to look out for me, Althea," I spoke softly, a small smile curling the corner of my lips. "But I’m not going to rest if you refuse. And I might end up meeting Regina behind your back and doing the spell anyway."
Her eyes flashed with shock, and then fear.
"Odessa, you can’t—"
"Oh, but I can, Althea," I said firmly, my mind made up.
Her jaw tightened, and she seemed like she was battling mental demons, trying to ponder my words.
I waited anxiously, my heart beating heavily until I felt like it was going to give out.
But eventually—
"Goddess, you’re so stubborn." She sighed, shaking her head with a defeated look. "Very well, Odessa. Where’s this minion of Ryker so we can begin preparations?"
My smile widened but truth be told, I was nervous as fuck. Navigating that spell on my own would’ve been problematic and I sure as hell didn’t want to add any new problems into my life.
"Let’s go..." I grabbed my aunt’s hand, gesturing at her to follow me.
.
.
Later that day, around six in the evening, it was finally time to begin the spell.
Regina had debriefed us on the requirements—while getting an occasional suspicious side eye from Althea.
Safe to say my aunt was both impressed and seemed like she was going to turn Regina into a frog at the same time.
When the clock rang six o’clock sharp, we gathered inside the ceremonial room where Althea had opened a portal to Mexico. Apparently, it was also the room she used to track me to Ryker’s hideout.
Regina, Althea and I stood around a magic circle drawn with black chalk, candles lit at nodal points.
As for Kaelos... He stood at the side, his arms folded in front of his chest, his face etched with tension.
"Go over the requirements again let’s get this over with," Kaelos grunted at the side, his silver eyes locked coldly on Regina.
The latter parted strands of her black hair, stepping aside. "I’m currently on the run from Lord Ryker. I can’t risk using my magic to help because it’ll be like a beacon, giving him access to my mind."
We all stared at her in silence, causing her to sigh lightly.
"It’s complicated." She muttered before continuing. "Point is, other than me, Odessa had the strongest connection to Caroline. So her doing the summoning is best. High priestess Althea should stand outside the circle."
Althea frowned while I sucked in a breath, stepping into the circle.
"Stand outside as what? Moral support?" Althea queried with snark but I brushed her shoulder reassuringly, giving her a silent "I’ll be fine" look.
I prepared myself, fixing my eyes on Regina who had also stepped away from the circle. "Anything else?"
She nodded. "Your blood as a sacrifice. Also, you can’t leave the circle no matter what until the spell is complete. If you do, you risk getting possessed by her spirit... Or summoning something else that we wouldn’t want to see."
I swallowed hard at that last part, nodding slowly.
After a few more seconds, I spoke up. "Let’s do this."
Althea handed me a ceremonial dagger, brushing her fingers on my palm one last time before stepping further away.
I held the cold blade of the dagger gently before bringing it close to my wrist.
Here goes...
I slit my left wrist cautiously, gritting my teeth from the sting as my blood fell in drops on the ground within the circle.
But as soon as that happened, an ominous force descended in the room, signalling the beginning of the spell and sending a chill down my spine.
"By the power within me and the guidance of the goddess of the crossroads..." I said with a loud voice, my hair blowing slightly despite the stillness in the room. "I begin this spell."
The wind suddenly picked up pace, my Bohemian white shirt flowing widely. But I held on, flinging the dagger aside and continuing the words Regina had told me.
"Under the darkness of night. Here in this sacred room... I call upon one who died unjustly." I yelled out, my voice rough with grief, sorrow—and finality.
I reached for my back pocket and brought out a small plastic bag containing a sprinkle of grave dust.
Caroline’s grave dust.
Her grave was dug at the eastern wing of the mansion grounds, but that was beside the point.
I poured a pinch of the dust inside the circle, keeping the bag aside before continuing.
"Caroline Runeheart!" I called her name with a sharp cry, all the memories we’ve ever shared flashing through my mind in quick succession. "Hear me, Silverborn! Child of Selene."
Suddenly, the black circle began lighting up with a bright silver shine, warm like an embrace.
I shivered, trying to control my breathing as the droplets of my blood began levitating off the ground, staying suspended by a few feet.
She’s close.
"Caroline. Come to me." I continued with a trembling smile etched on my face, nodding even though I couldn’t see her yet. "I use all the moments we’ve shared as a tether and I summon you to the world of the living."
My hair began floating like clouds around me, rising into the air.
I noticed Kaelos stiffen with hesitation, like he was holding back from making a move. But no one said a word, as if their very breaths would break my concentration.
Before I knew what was happening, the silver light surrounding the black circle converged into one beam, forming a figure in front of me.
It was faint and ethereal, seeming transparent.
I squinted, my eyes flicking to Regina who nodded for me to go ahead.
"Come to me, Caroline," I whispered, a single tear finally dropping from my eye as a heavy wind blew through the room.
And then—
The silver figure brightened up like a mini moon, forcing me to close my eyes as more memories of Caroline flashed through my mind.
Her smile. Her hesitation to gossip about Kaelos. Her bashfulness about anything I brought up about her love life...
I wanted it all back!
"Odessa?" A soft but confused voice snapped me out of my reverie just then.
I opened my eyes, my breath catching in my throat the next second.
I couldn’t believe it.
"C–Caroline?" I croaked, the tears flowing more as I gawked at her.
Indeed, Caroline stood in front of me, her ginger curls as real as life, her body draped in a flowy white gown. She shimmered with a faint silver light.
But before I could say anything or even try to reach out, her eyes flicked to Regina behind me. That’s when her face deformed into an ugly scowl.
"You." Her voice was icy as she suddenly lunged without any warning.