The Scroll of Osiris: An Eva & Lilura Novel

Chapter 2 Lilura

Chapter 2 Lilura

“s**t,” I muttered under my breath. I had lost track of time and now the sky was turning to dusk and it was never a good idea to trek through the woods back to my cottage at night.

I picked up my worn basket and shoved the rest of my spell ingredients inside. I jumped to my feet and started a brisk walk along the path I had worn back to my house.

My mind was focusing on the failure of my spell. I couldn’t understand why my protection spell wasn’t working. It wasn’t for me. It was a job for a poor woman who came to me asking to be protected against her ex-husband. I would just have to try again tomorrow. Maybe at dawn, it would work better I thought.

I was so focused on my spell that I almost missed the tingling feeling of being watched. I stopped dead in my tracks. A large dark figure was leaning in the darkness between two trees.

Even though he was sheltered by the darkness the way he stood was enough to tell me who he was.

“If you think I didn’t notice you, then you have no faith in my abilities” I chided.

There was a soft chuckle in response. He stepped quietly out of the shadows and into the light so I could see him easier.

“I was testing you.” He stated simply with a shrug.

It was Tyr. One of the resident Fae that wandered the woods near my house. Tyr was a creature that lived in two worlds. My ordinary familiar one, and his own magical and mythical one that lived adjacent to this own. He was tall and loomed at least a foot taller than me. He was broad-shouldered and had the musculature of a Viking. His strong jaw came to a point at his chin, and his lips were full and wide. His dark green eyes shifted from forest green to almost black. His black hair hung in waves grazing the tops of his shoulders. When the sun hit the locks of his hair I could see glimpses of warm brown.

I had studied his features so many times it was borderline obsessive. I turned my gaze from his beautiful face and focused on my feet.

“Anytime a Fae is testing you, it’s never a good thing. Too many chances to fail.” I responded.

“Yes, I could have you fail my impossible little test, and as punishment whisk you away to TriNaNog and have you as my slave for the rest of your mortal life.” He said with a false sincerity. His lips curled at the edges as if he were fighting a smile.

I let out a heavy sigh and started my walk back to my cottage. He fell into step beside me.

“You’re not amused.” He ventured looking at me with a concerned expression.

“I am just trying to go home, get into some pajamas and go to bed. I do not want to be harassed by some random Fae in the woods.” I groaned. I knew I was acting more annoyed than the situation warranted.

“Is that all I am now. Well this random Fae was politely escorting you to your door, I can very easily not be.” His green eyes glinted with anger. Before I could apologize, he had disappeared back into the woods.

As I finally reached my cottage, I breathed a sigh of relief. While I was comfortable wandering the woods in the light, being on the edge of Fae lands made the woods dangerous at night. While Tyr had his flaws, I did feel safer having him around.

My cottage was my favorite house I had ever lived in. When I bought it, it was a run-down weathered shack. After the assistance of a very friendly werewolf and some elbow grease, it was now a small hideaway in the woods outside of Laurel Tennessee. I had painted it a happy yellow, with blue shutters. The inside was similar bright colors with comfortable and overstuffed vintage furniture. Some may consider my home cluttered, but I found it cozy.

As I approached the front porch, Tyr lounged precariously on the railing, one long leg dangling over the edge. He flipped a gold coin and caught it over and over. He said nothing as I walked up the porch steps.

“I thought you weren’t escorting me home,” I commented, setting my basket down by the front door. I turned to face him, placing my hands on my hips.

“I didn’t, we just happened to end up at the same destination.” He explained. His concentration still on the gold coin. I sighed heavily and turned to go inside.

“Wait, don’t you want to know why I’m here?” He asked gracefully coming down from the railing and sidling up against the front door. The evening light made his pale skin look almost blue and his black hair like ink. His eyes no longer resembled forest leaves as he cast his gaze on my face, they were dark like the deepest depths of a lake, and they were serious. His lips straight no hint of a smile, like he was teasing me.

“Tyr, I’m too tired for games, why don’t you just tell me why you’re here instead of me guessing.” I sighed.

His serious expression didn’t waver, “May I come inside?” He asked finally. I gave him a quizzical look. Tyr has never been inside my house, the porch was the farthest he had ventured.

“I suppose.” I hesitated. Deciding against my better judgment I opened my front door. I quickly entered and Tyr followed me.

We were in my living room. The walls painted a light blue and my heavily cushioned cream couch. I had a small TV in the corner and the far wall was built-in bookcases filled with various genres.

“Your home is nice,” Tyr said simply. He looked completely out of place. The ceiling was low and he seemed cramped in the space. His black hair and otherworldly features made him seem photoshopped into the room.

“Thanks.” I murmured, still unsure about having a Fae in my home.

“So why are you here?” I finally asked, succumbing to my curiosity.

“Two reasons. One, I wanted to see what the inside of your home looked like. Two, I need your help with something.” He explained. He glanced around the room taking in all the books, knick-knacks, and furniture. Seeming pleased with his assessment he took a seat in the blue armchair in the corner. It was much too small for him. He ran a hand through his long black hair and set a steady gaze on me, gauging my reactions. I took a hesitant seat on the couch across from him.

“Well, it seems you have achieved the first thing. What can I help you with.” I continued. He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped together loosely.

“How well do you do divination spells?” He asked. I was a bit taken aback. Fae had their own magic and it was uncommon for them to ask for a witch's help.

“Well I use multiple methods, but I would say I’m good, better than most,” I said confidently. “What sort of information are you seeking?” I continued.

“I need guidance on a particular person.” He answered. He clasped and unclasped his hands. It was odd to see a Fae nervous, they usually acted with a certain air of superiority.

“Well, that shouldn’t be too difficult. A simple tarot spread would do the trick. I still don’t understand why you don’t look to one of your own, I’m sure their magic is much more suited to you specifically.” I said still not understanding his request.

“I can’t trust my own people right now. The court is…” he stopped and shook his head.

“The court is what? Is something wrong?” I asked worriedly. He stood suddenly. I looked up at him, startled.

“I didn’t mean to pry, it just helps me do my job better if I know what I’m looking for,” I said getting to my feet also. My small figure was not nearly as intimidating as his.

“Forgive me Lilura. I just need you to help me with all the information I’ve given you.” He pleaded, his face had softened and his eyes were now a lighter softer green.

“You’ve hardly given me any information, but I’ll do what I can. It won’t be tonight, if you are looking for a powerful reading a full moon would be best, that’s in a few days. I can meet you in the woods and we can do the reading then.” I suggested. He nodded.

“Yes, that will be fine. Thank you Lilura.” He agreed. He reached for my hand and took it in both of his. I noticed that his left hand was in a soft black leather glove. I didn’t have time to ask as he brought my hand to his warm soft lips and planted a kiss on the back on my hand.

Stunned, I didn’t register that he quickly stepped away and walked out my front door without another word.

I felt that the night's events were too overwhelming to process, so I decided the best course of action would be to go to bed. I quickly slipped out of my old jeans, a dirty white t-shirt, and slipped into an oversized black t-shirt.

Before I drifted into a deep slumber my last thoughts were on warm lips on my hand.

The ringing from my phone violently ripped me from my pleasant sleep. I almost considered not answering it but a pinching in my stomach told me it was important.

“Hello?” I grumbled.

“Lilura, it’s Lottie. Something horrible has happened.” Lottie was barely holding back a sob.

Lottie was a witch in my coven. She was a middle-aged woman who had found her magic much later in her life. I always found her a pleasant person, if not a little neurotic, so I could only imagine what she considered horrible.

“Okay Lottie, tell me what’s happened.” I sat up in bed and tried to wake up. There was some quiet sobbing on the other line.

“Lottie, Lottie calm down. Tell me what’s going on.” I commanded. Finally, I could hear Lottie taking deep breaths to calm herself.

“Sadie is dead.” She said simply. My world seemed to tilt, and a coldness ran through my spine and I shivered. This was no tragic accident. I had a sense that this was something more.

“How?” Was all I could muster.

“I think you should just get over here. We haven’t called the police.” Lottie said. I was already throwing back the covers and pulling on another pair of worn soft jeans and sneakers. Lottie gave me the address.

I jumped into my truck and headed to Sadie’s house. As I drove, I tried to prepare myself for what I was about to walk in on. More than that I tried to wrap my head around how Sadie could be dead. That same chill ran through me and a word was whispered in my ear. “Murder,” it said.

“Who could murder Sadie?” I asked aloud to the wind. Whatever had whispered to me didn’t feel like responding and I drove the rest of the way I silence.

I sat in Sadie’s driveway staring at her small brown house. It was deceivingly ordinary. No one walking by would even assume that a kind, lovely, and talented witch lived there. Sadie was a member of our local coven when my grandmother was the High Priestess. Sadie was also the only member that stayed after I took the role. Others that had followed my grandmother had expected me to follow in her footsteps and when I had not met their expectations, they all left. Except Sadie. I took a large breath and got out of my truck.

The smell hit me first as I reached the front door. While I had expected the smell of death, it still hit me like a wave. I was about to open the door when it was whipped open and someone pushed past me and promptly vomited in the front yard. I left the woman to take care of herself in the yard and moved into the house.

The house was dark except for a few table lamps someone had turned on. A small table sat in the middle of the living room with items for a wellness spell strewn about it. In the armchair beside the table sat a body. Sadie Graves could have been mistaken for sleeping had I not already known the truth. Her face looked peaceful yet gray. I could tell from the state of decay that she had probably died hours earlier. While her face looked undisturbed, a quick evaluation of the rest of her body told another story. Both of her hands had been cut off. Blood had pooled at the base of the chair and seeped into the carpet. The hands had not been cleanly cut, but instead had been brutally amputated almost in a barbaric manner. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. This wasn’t just a murder but a hateful and violent mutilation. The sick woman from the front yard came back inside. It was Jess Andrews, a young witch that I had recruited to the coven. She was barely out of high school but a talented witch when it came to love and relationship spells. I always thought she should use some of that magic on herself as she had terrible taste in men.

“I don’t understand Miss Black. I just don’t get who would do this.” She cried to me as tears were streaming down her pale cheeks. Her youthful warm eyes were usually bright and excited, now they were bloodshot and weary. I threw my arm around her shoulder and brought her closer for a hug. I let her sob into my shoulder for a minute, then let her go. I was the High Priestess of this coven and I had to take charge.

“Jess I need you to call the rest of the coven members. See if Rita can get over here, she’s the best at time spells.” I ordered, Jess nodded and went back outside with her cellphone in hand.

I found Lottie in the kitchen downing a shot of Sadie’s whiskey.

“Sorry, just needed some courage to get through the rest of this business.” She said wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. I nodded and put my hand on her shoulder to steady her.

“Lottie, if you can, I need you to tell me everything you know as to what happened here” I soothingly requested. Lottie hiccupped and then nodded.

“Well,” she began, “I ain’t been feeling too well lately, been having some god-awful headaches. Sadie said she could do something for me. Said she used to get them all the time but had a spell that could help. So, I agreed that she could do one and then I would come over and make her dinner, cause you know how she hates to cook. She called saying she was just about to do the spell and if I felt worse to call her. Well, I felt fine, actually better than fine, so I didn’t call to check back in. Then I headed this way to make her dinner. She didn’t answer the door, so I just let myself in and then…” she trailed off, “then I found her in that chair” Lottie broke down into sobs no longer able to keep her composure.

“Thank you, Lottie. How about you go home and get some rest. I’ve got it from here.” I proposed. Lottie

Shook her head and made her way out of the house still sobbing. While Lottie meant well, her story wasn’t all that helpful. I went back into the living room to examine the area more thoroughly. I explored the items of her wellness spell. Nothing seemed unusual or dark about the ingredients. There seemed to be no reason for me to think that she could have accidentally summoned a demon or any other dark magic. I searched the room for other evidence. There was a side table next to Sadie’s chair with a cold cup of tea. I remembered the many tea parties Sadie had hosted at her humble home. I picked up the cup to take a whiff of the familiar earl grey tea that Sadie adored. There was another scent mixed with the strong odor of the black tea leaves. A bitter scent. I set the cup back down. I went back into the kitchen and looked for Sadie’s stash of tea tins. I opened the Earl Grey and sniffed again. The bitterness was there again. I took a pinch of tea leaves out and set them on the counter to examine more closely. There was definitely something off about the contents. I raised my hand above the pile of tea leaves and closed my eyes.

“Little pinch of leaves, what’s up your sleeves. For you are not just tea, but something more I see.” I whispered the spell.

As if a magnet was pulling the contents of the tea leaves apart, they separated into two groups. One little pile was the tea leaves and the second pile...was as I suspected Belladonna or deadly nightshade. Sadie has been poisoned and then mutilated. While that shed a little light about the event it did little to tell me who or why.

I jumped as there came a knocking on the door. I rushed over to answer it. Rita, another coven witch stood in the threshold flanked by two other coven witches Mary-Beth and Joanne.

“Hello Rita, I’m glad you were able to come. Hello May-Beth and Joanne. I should warn all of you,” I started but Rita was already pushing past me.

“Sorry Lilu, but Jess already told us, and I got to see myself, or else this ain’t real,” Rita said as she made her way into the living room followed by the two others who muttered apologies as they passed.

They all stood facing Sadie’s body silent and faces growing pale. Mary-Beth began to cry, and Joanne had her hand to her mouth. Rita was a tall and thick woman. Quite intimidating both in size and personality. I knew her heart was good even though she was abrasive at times. Rita’s short orange curls bristled as she stood and stared at Sadie. Surprisingly she walked toward Sadie and very gently placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“I am so sorry my sweet sister.” She whispered. A small tear rolled down her cheek before she quickly wiped it away and stood up again. She turned toward me with her composure back in place. Her face in a determined expression.

“Alright then, Priestess you ordered me here now tell me what to do. I even brought dumb and dumber to help.” She grunted, tipping her head toward Mary-Beth and Joanne who didn’t seem to have noticed what she said.

“I need you to do a reverse time spell for the room. Maybe the kitchen too. I need you to go back at least twenty-four hours if not more. You’ll be looking for someone other than Sadie in the house. Joanne and Mary-Beth I need you to get Sadie’s body out of here and take her to the Coven’s headquarters. Once you’re both done than I need you to return and clean this place as best you can.” I directed.

“The time spell is going to take me a few hours to set up and I’ll be using a lot of energy, I hope you ain’t on a time crunch,” Rita grumbled already setting to work about the room.

“Take all the time you need to do it right and call me when you’re done. I have to make a report to the leaders about this. If any of you need anything call me.” I responded.

They all nodded in understanding. I left them to their tasks and headed to my truck. I took a calming breath as I got in my truck and headed back home, making phone calls along the way.

While I was relieved to be home, I was also exhausted and anxious about what I had found. A poisoned and mutilated witch with no suspect or motive. I would have to call Eva too. Maybe she could help piece this all together. As I arrived back home, I stumbled up the porch steps to the front door and noticed the flowers stuck neatly in the door jam. They were there every morning without fail. Even when I have had the most trying times, they didn’t fail to put a smile on my face. I plucked them from the door and took them inside to be pressed into books as I had done with the hundreds of others.

I sent a short text to Eva about meeting soon, then promptly passed out on my couch with my shoes still on.