Entwined Fates

Ch. 5 Towering Dilemmas

Not too long after breakfast Sam and Duncan started heading out. Sam lingered at the doorway causing me to worry about him again.

"You know you can alway talk to me Sam, there's nothing you can say that will drive me away"

The look he gave me could break a heart in two and instead of speaking he gave me a tight hug. It wasn't normal for him to be so lost, for once I didn't know what to do and just held him. He finally let go, giving me a weary smile.

"I'll be fine, I promise."

My instincts were telling me otherwise but, I couldn't bring myself to push him further. He left without another word, leaving me one more thing to worry about. I had decided to clean the house to help me sort through the many events of yesterday night. I started on the bathroom, clearing everything out for a deep clean.

~ Okay first, weird lady in the mirror. Personally I don't know what to think of that but I think I should tell my parents. Especially since I've never dealt with many magical people outside of our community. Maybe it was shade, I read about them once but then who released the shade?~

I went back and forth in my head until I completely finished the bathroom and resolved to tell my parents; after they came back from their walk. I headed towards the living room next, I noticed there was dust everywhere and could never understand where it came from.

~ Next, Golden boy,~

Even just thinking about him made my heart race,his voice, his touch, his lips on mine, it made my face flush.

~ God I've never wanted to jump someone this much in my life. Why do I feel so drawn to him and why did he say those things? In our world coincidences do exist but my instincts tell me he's connected to the lady in the mirror. Would that make him a bad guy? He certainly didn't FEEL like a bad guy? Tide don't fall for the dream bad guy. But why was he dreaming about me?More questions then answers.~

I kept berating myself for thinking he's hot when I could literally be in danger and even worse hoping to see him again. The mental checklist I created in my head was slowly growing as I moved onto the next area.

~Next, my abilities, I'm losing control of my magic, after thinking about it that spell I put on the door yesterday shouldn't have hurt that much if at all. My abilities seem to want to work when they feel like it. Even last night when I was jumping through dreams I didn't expect it work with my random words. At the same time though, they feel stronger then ever, I wonder if I should be concerned? Also what's up with Sam and Duncan they're being extra odd and those dreams. Well specifically Sam's, does he have a split personality we don't know about and why did he bite me?~

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud thud in the next room. My parents were avid readers and before I came along they created the most amazing circular library. It smelled of old books and lavender and is one of my favorite rooms in the house. Looking around, I didn't immediately see what made the noise until I saw a small bluish glow out the corner of my eye. There on the wooden floor was a small leather bound book. The outside was quite sturdy, but the inside pages looked delicate to the touch. In the center was a small pit as if something were missing from it. The longer I held it the more I could feel magic pulsating against my hands, curious I tried to open it to no avail. Injecting it with my own magic didn't work either, turning it around I took note of a small name barely visible now.

~Faye~

Before I could ponder the name any further my dad called out to me from the foyer. I didn't even notice the sound of the door opening. Shuffling out of the library I greeted my parents in the kitchen, the tiredness of yesterday could not be seen anywhere on their features. My mom kissed me on the head pausing once she saw the book in my hand.

"Doing some light reading sweetheart? Thats a rarity now a days" , She smiled at me in a teasing fashion.

"I still read, I've just been.... distracted." was my poor excuse.

" Well I'd rather you be distracted with boys then turning your classmates into other species"

Dad pitched in from the pantry

"it was one time! She didn't even turn, her skin just changed green before she passed out."

My parents gave each other that look as if to say "our ridiculous daughter", I rolled my eyes in response.

"Actually I have something to ask you guys about, magic wise."

They both stopped what they were doing, surprise and curiosity evident in their eyes.

"You never ask us questions, now I'm concerned, what did you do?" Mom said more matter of fact then I liked.

"I didn't do anything!, Yesterday, something weird happened to me. While I was using the bathroom an apparition appeared in the mirror."

I paused coming to the realization that I might get in trouble if they find out I wasn't at home all of last night. I mentally smacked my head wishing I could take back my words and praying they didn't pry about that specific detail. It took me a minute to realize neither of my parents had said a word which in turn made me even more nervous.

"What did the apparition look like?" my dad finally asked.

I was expecting more surprise ,but based on their rigid body language it was safe to say they knew something. The tension in the air was slowly becoming palpable as I opened my mouth again.

"I only saw bright red lips and sea green eyes, but it was weird, she was able to read my thoughts. Also when she answered my question she said I'd find out soon enough".

The last statement had my dad throwing curses left and right, He disappeared in the library and came back with a huge black book and slammed it on the counter.

"Aurelio calm yourself, you're going to scare the child"

"How do you expect me to remain calm after hearing that Leia?!"

Following that remark, their bickering filled the kitchen before I could interject. They had a knack for forgetting I was in the room sometimes.

~Reminds me of a couple of boys I know.~

"I am still here you know" I said flatly and loud enough to make them stop.

They both looked at me as if I were cursed and speaking gibberish.

"Take a deep breath and tell me what's going on."

My dad finally sighed while opening the book he brought out.

"At last night's conference Elder Miranda gave us a warning about a calamity meant to befall the magical community on a whole. She couldn't discern exact dates, but she said to prepare and that other covens and communities will be contacted to do the same"

He paused as a slow grimace started to outline the corners of his mouth. Mom picked up where he left off once it seemed like he wouldn't say anymore.

" Right after the meeting Elder Miranda pulled us aside and warned that you would somehow be in the middle of it all. she refused to say how, which concerned us even more. She did inform us however that the main cause of the calamity was a woman"

The dread I felt the day before came careening back as my stomach dropped to a new low. For once I was speechless. I knew that our Elder's predictions typically came true; minus a few exceptions. End result was that I was screwed.

"So what does that mean for me, what did she say to do?" my voice sounded calmer than I felt looking back and forth between my parents.

They went silent at my questions.

"We might as well tell her Lio, you knew we wouldn't be able to ignore it"

My mom spoke his nickname gently so as not to set off his anger, although I think it's more or less unavoidable. My dad, "The Great" Aurelio Blackwell, has always been overprotective of me. How he also managed to be equally free-spirited was a contradiction I had yet to solve.

"Yeah well I was also hoping it wouldn't hit home so soon. To put short the Elders want to lock you up", Dad put bluntly.

"That is not what she said and you know it"

"That's what it translates to Leia."

Frustrated my mother came over and wrapped me in a hug.

"The Elder wants to protect you sweetheart. She said there were large parts in her vision that would not reveal themselves; as if something were blocking the connection."

She then looked at me, her eye's much like my own and I saw the pain there behind the facade of strength. It was only Noon and I felt so helpless with all thats happened in a handful of hours. Looking back at my dad I remembered the book he dragged out.

"What's the book for?"

"A long time ago my father was considered an outcast within our community back in Italy. He spoke end of the world nonsense but his future foresight was questionable at best. No one believed him, even I didn't, I just felt pity. He spent his days trying to figure out how to avoid the calamity or at least survive. Unfortunately, he disappeared and hasn't been seen for years but left this book to me. Inside is his research on creating portals that can lead to safe places. Personally I think he went through one and never came back."

Dad ran his hands through his black mass of curly hair, a habit he formed when he's in deep thought. It always hurt to see him in a wrecked state. The last time was when grandma passed away, his days were spent locked away in his study untill mom coaxed him out. Knowing the current situation caused him so much grief was one of the few times I wished we were a normal family with normal problems.

Just as he was about to continue mom cut him off, knowing what he was about to say.

"We are not going to send her through some unknown portal that may or may not work Aurelio. What is the difference between sending her to the community compound and leaving her alone in an unknown world".

" She can have a chance, I did the research, my father wasn't crazy!"

" Well your father hasn't been seen for almost 5 years and you want to risk my baby?"

It was rare to see my parents disagree on much but thinking back it usually involved me when they did. At that point I understood I had to decide for myself, seeing how I wasn't a child anymore. I knew my dad would be upset but I felt the need to stay here.

" I'm going to go to the compound.", I interrupted my parents for a second time.

When the silence grew I gave my reasoning even if it would put me in more danger.

"As much as I have faith in your work dad, I need to stay. It might be ridiculous, but there's something I need to do. I don't know what it is but I think the Elders can help me figure it out."

Although I said it, I didn't believe it and wasn't 100 percent positive I was making the right decision but I had to believe I did. At my words, dad looked defeated. I couldn't blame his hysterics since any parent would go to great lengths to protect their child, mine not being an exception. He finally came over and joined our hug circle.

"Who told you to grow up so fast, my beautiful yet mischievous daughter." He placed a kiss on my head then moms.

I was just happy they stopped fighting. The next question however was the one I hoped wouldn't come up.

"Mischievous hm. Now that it comes to my attention our house is protected against all forms of outside magic. Tide, where were you?"

I went rigid at my moms accusing tone. Like me, she has really good instincts and figured it out the minute I didn't speak.

"Duncan and Sam convinced you to sneaked out, didn't they? Right after we said you were to stay in and repent on your actions.

Goddess, if you weren't being sent away already I'd have you grounded for a month."

"Nothing bad happened though, minus the scary mirror lady and the dreams."

~Damn it Tide shut up!~

it was too late dad turned toward me puzzled.

"What dreams?"

There was no way I was going to mention sexy golden boy, so I ended up mentioning my adventures into Duncan and Sam's dreams.

"Tide that's an advanced skill. You have to be more careful with how you use your magic. There's a reason we never taught you how to walk through dreams, it's dangerous, even to those who are experienced. If you want to learn such things you come to us first,"

Though serious in nature dad's smiling face gave him away on what he thought of my new skills. Mom smacked his arm in disbelief.

"Don't encourage her before she's ready Lio. It's bad enough she seems to have gained your ability to get into trouble"

"I don't know what talking about honey, that was a proper scolding."

His smile grew bigger and that scene reminded me why I love my parents so much. Intense one minute care free the next, looking in from the outside a person might think we were a very chaotic family; I just blame the witch genes. The happy feelings quickly vanished though after dad left the room.

"Surprise after surprise sweetheart, your're going to give this mother of yours a heart-attack one of these days. Since you decided to go to the compound you should start packing. Also you might want to tell the boys goodbye for awhile; at least until we have a solution."

It just dawned on me that I wouldn't see Sam and Duncan after today. There was sympathy in my mom's eyes as she stood near the library doorway. She understood what it meant to be apart from them but there was no other choice. I left the Kitchen to go upstairs to my room, I didn't know where to start or what to bring for my prolonged trip. Instead I texted the boys to meet up, their response was instantaneous as always. It turned out neither of them could meet until tonight putting me right back where I started.

I had never been away for extremely long periods of time. Being the daughter of not one but two prodigies left many expectations from our community. My parents didn't want me to experience any unnecessary hardships so I was very sheltered, even from those they call friends and family.

~And they wonder why I get into so much trouble~

I layed back on my bed, staring up at the old glow in the dark stars on my ceiling. My nerves were on edge slowly threatening to push me over any minute. Unintentionally, I fell asleep and woke up to the sun setting and a blanket placed over me. I decided it was going to be one of the things I bring with me. I groggily got up causing something to fall to the floor with a small thud. It looked like the book I picked up from the library earlier

~When did this get here, hm I'll bring this too maybe it'll help my boredom while I'm away.~

Chucking the book along with a few other items in a bag, I prepared to meet the boys. They said they would meet up at the beach since it was the closest thing to all of our houses. I knew my parents wouldn't like me leaving now, but they weren't going to stop me from seeing my besties one last time. Unfortunately for me, luck wasn't on my side. Mom and Dad were congregating in the living room discussing our plans. Taking a deep breath I walked out quickly and shouted.

" I'm going to see Sam and Duncan and you can't stop me, love you bye!"

I was out the door before either of them could catch me. I thought I heard dad say to just let me go, again so serious yet so carefree.

I jogged to the beach, the sky grew darker by the minute leaving the air oddly cool and sticky. Unlike yesterday however, I didn't feel like someones prey as they watched me from afar; allowing me to calm down to some degree.

Fifteen minutes later I was trekking our trail to the hideout. I could see a faint glow meaning someone started a fire, that someone being Sam. Something was off though as I entered the clearing, I saw the fire but the man sitting by it was neither Duncan or Sam. Based on his hunched posture I'd say he was a big dude. His hair was a mangled mess and matched the brown fur coat around his shoulders. At first I thought he was just a bum who happened upon our spot; that is until my gaze landed on the unmistakable arm and brown hair of Duncan's head. He was face down in the mud and wasn't moving.

"TIDE RUN!"

Everything went into slow motion after those words harshly hit my ears in the silent space. I could only hear my heart beat at that point, as I turned to where the yell came from. There was a grunt and I saw Sam fall further back in the brush. The thing hovering over him was far from human, it's body blended in with the darkness so well it was nearly invisible, except for the constant convulsing of its limbs.

~React Tide, You've got to react!~

I couldn't process anything that was happening. My hands began moving on their own and abruptly stopped as if they were frozen. Something had struck my neck causing my knees to give out. The man was still sitting by the fire. unnervingly still. Before I completely blacked out I honed in on a scar on his right eye and noticed he was also blind.

Multiple high pitched screeches echoed around us chilling my heart before darkness took me.