The Scroll of Osiris: An Eva & Lilura Novel

Chapter 6 Lilura

Chapter 6 Lilura

The Coven Headquarters was located on the abandoned property where a beautiful mansion once stood, but now was a dilapidated mess that had crumbled decades ago. That, however, wasn’t the headquarters. The headquarters resided farther on the property and was once the conservatory. It had been kept in spectacular shape. Intricate copper work now green from years of weathering wove around windows and doors of warped glass. The roof peaked with the same metalwork and glass. The building was large, and vines crept along the sides obscuring some of the view to the inside.

Inside the conservatory had been renovated to meet the Covens needs. There were plants for spells, tables for work, candles to burn, and a large stone circle built into the floor for casting elaborate magic. At the other end of the building was a library of grimoires from past coven witches. A large table sat ready for meetings.

That table was now the resting place of Mary-Beth's corpse. Her brown eyes were lifeless staring infinitely into nothing and her skin grey like slate. Dried and dark black blood was crusted around the long cut across her throat and her arm ended in a mangled stump. I walked slowly to the table. I stood a long time looking at her blank face. Her brown hair was matted with old blood.

“Maybe we should close her eyes?” It was Jess and she stood silently at my shoulder. I nodded in agreement unable to form words around the large lump in my throat. I reached down and gently closed her eyelids.

“The others should be here soon. Should we move her body?” Jess asked.

“No. They will want to see for themselves.” I answered. The doors of the conservatory burst open and several women poured through. Rita was at the front, her large presence blocking the way for others. She was joined by a teary Joanne. Following them was Rachel, Abigail, Naomi, Sarah, Gina, and Florence. They made up the remaining members of the Coven. There were always twelve members and one High Priestess making thirteen in total.

They gathered around the large table, all experiencing varying reactions to Mary-Beth's dead body. Some sobbing, Somme crying quietly, others angry with their mouths in thin tight lines. I took my place at the head of the table.

“Everyone should sit down. We have a lot to discuss.” I suggested. The others followed taking their assigned places. It was difficult to look at the empty chairs knowing who should be there. I directed my focus back to the coven. They all stared patiently at me.

“We have had two great losses in just as many days. It has been a tragic and confusing time. I called this council in the hopes we can work on getting the answers we need.” I started. Most witches nodded in agreement while others continued to stare at Mary-Beth.

“To begin, we should perform a Revealing on Mary-Beth’s body to determine if there is any information about her killer. “I continued.

“What a waste of time. We don’t need to do that if we already know the killer.” Florence spat. She was another long-term member. She had followed my mother’s coven but had left when she realized my mother was nothing like my grandmother. I suspected that was the same reason she joined when I took the position. So far, in her mind, I had been as disappointing as my mother.

“Truly Florence?! Then please, by all means, enlighten us all.” I snapped back. My eyes narrowed in Florence. Her pinched face with her dark eyes seethed at me.

“This is obviously the work of a vampire. All you have to do is look at the blood loss.” She raged. The other members stayed silent.

“Hmm, and what about Sadie? She suffered no blood loss are you suggesting these were two entirely separate incidents and it is purely coincidence that both had hands removed?” I questioned.

“If not a vampire, then who? Please, High Priestess tell us who the murderer is then.” She fumed. I had no idea was her goal was, but she was only making herself look idiotic.

“I don’t know. However, I have no wish to deceive my coven and tell them lies about who the murderer is. A good leader doesn’t look for false answers to appease their people’s anxieties. At this point, our goal is to collect as much information as possible to identify the killer with the utmost certainty. Not to point fingers at random supernaturals, to fulfill some need for scapegoating.” I explained.

“We don’t need to start a war with other supernaturals either.” Rita pointed out. Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Now, Florence, if you have nothing of value to add to the conversation, I suggest you shut up,” I added before turning the conversation back to our next step.

The Revealing of Mary-Beth's body did not really yield too much information. It determined only that her throat had been cut first and then the right hand had been removed. It was also revealed that she had been performing a cooking spell right as her throat was slit. Which obviously meant the killer had been in her house, most likely waiting for her.

“So, what now?” Florence taunted. I gave her a frustrated glance as did several others.

“Well, we know a few things now. The killer was in her house. He obviously knew where she lived and where to hide. The hand was removed after her throat was cut. And lastly, that the killer was looking for the right hand.” Rita explained. I glanced at Rita questioningly.

“How do you know he was looking for the right hand?” I asked.

She shrugged, “Well Sadie had both hands missing and Mary-Beth is only missing the right.” Rita assumed.

“Maybe he didn’t have time for the other one?” I inquired.

“Could be, but she wasn’t found for hours, her house is miles out of town, don’t know what could have held him back,” Rita said with a shrug. I had to agree, it still didn’t answer the question as to why.

“Your grandmother would not have wasted so much time on this bullshit,” Florence muttered under her breath.

“Something worthwhile to add Florence?” I asked bitterly. She elected not to comment further.

“That’s really all we can do for one day. I will reach out to some of my connections and see if we can get more answers.” I concluded. No one seemed obliged to stay any longer and they filtered out of the conservatory. Rita lingered staring at Mary-Beth's lifeless figure.

“There is a theory I have about the killer,” I mentioned standing next to her.

“A human,” Rita answered. I gave her a quick glance.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Other supernaturals, they don’t kill like this,” Rita claimed. I had to agree.

“There have been vampire killings too. Strange ones.” I added. She stared at me.

“Really? Connected to these you think?” She asked.

“Yes, I am starting to think they are,” I said quietly.

“Then this is a bigger mess than we thought,” Rita said, shaking her head in disbelief.

“I know. I’m going to look into this. I promise.” I declared. Rita grabbed my hand and squeezed.

“I know you will.” She said with confidence. She left shortly after. I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Eva. I was going to need her help.

After my phone call with Eva, I decided I had enough of this day and made my way back home. The day was turning to dusk and the moon was rising. A full moon.

“s**t!” I thought. I need to meet Tyr to do a reading. I raced home. I ran up my front porch steps and burst through the door. I grabbed my cards off the coffee table, a flashlight, and ran back out the door.

There was still a little light out but once I was past the tree line it was total darkness. I turned on the flashlight and weaved my way past tree limbs and roots. I came to the same clearing I had used for my spell the other evening. It was empty and pale white wildflowers shone in the moonlight like little lights.

I sat cross-legged in the middle of the clearing. I turned off the flashlight as the moon was bright enough tonight. I pulled out my cards and gave them a quick shuffle. I was focused on my cards, so I didn’t notice when Tyr stepped in front of me. I jumped when I finally did notice.

“Hi,” I said lamely. He was dressed in his same black pants and a simple white button-up with his sleeves rolled up, his feet were bare. His hair was deep black and seemed to absorb the light from the moon. The moon cast a bright pale light on his skin making his eyes very dark. He quietly sat across from me in the same position and grinned with his smile touching his eyes.

“You forgot.” He accused me. I gave a dramatic gasp.

“I did not!” I said with mock hurt in my voice. We both smiled at each other.

“Then why were you rushing?” He asked.

“I was trying to get my heart rate up. You know, for my health.” I lied. He shook his hand and ran a hand through his hair again. Was he nervous?

“How do we start?” He mused. He reached for my cards and I slapped his hand away. He gawked at me astonished.

“No one touches my cards except me.” I insisted.

“No one touches your cards except you. Understood.” Tyr repeated with a smile.

“So, we start by telling me your question. It can be a yes or no, but it’s better if it’s more open-ended.” I began shuffling the deck again.

“How should I proceed on the path I’m on?” He asked quietly. His head was bent but he looked up at me through his long lashes expectantly.

“Yes, I can work with that. While I shuffle keep your question in mind.” I commanded. He closed his eyes and I shuffled again. His eyes remained closed and I dealt out cards across the grass.

“You can open your eyes,” I said and he obeyed.

“I will turn all the cards over and then I can explain them.” I continued. He said nothing but rubbed his hands on his thighs. I noticed again the gloves on his left hand but asked nothing.

I started to turn the cards over with deliberate caution. I closed my own eyes and focused my energy on the cards, asking the gods to show Tyr his path, and let it be true.

I opened them and looked at what the gods had laid before us and what they told us in the cards.

“What do your cards tell you?” Tyr asked, breaking the silence.

“It says you have come to the fork in the road. Two paths. The path you are currently on indicates betrayal.” I began and pointed at the seven of swords.

“The Five of Wands means you are locked in a bitter rivalry. Then there is Death, which doesn’t mean literal death but rather the end of something or a major change in your life. And lastly the Hierophant, traditional or conventional expectations.” I finished. He appeared deep in thought and it was a while before he spoke.

“And what does the other path say?” He inquired. I closed my eyes again and performed the same ritual, flipping the cards slowly. I opened my eyes and looked down. I said nothing as I tried to make sense of them. Tyr’s pale hand reached out and pointed at one of the cards.

“The High Priestess. That’s you.” He stated although I think he was asking a question. I collected myself quickly.

“No, not necessarily. The High Priestess has many meanings, but in this sense, it could mean mystery or secrets, or even to trust yourself.” I answered trying to explain that the cards rarely represented people.

“Or it could mean you.” He pressed. He now looked at me with those dark green eyes.

“Yes, but I doubt it. The rest of the cards can tell us more. The Tower, meaning ruin, disgrace, a great upheaval in your life. The Two of Cups, a romance or partnership, and the Wheel of Fortune, could mean good luck and change.” I explained further.

“All that means really nothing to me.” Tyr sighed.

“Okay, I guess, to sum up, the second path, the one you aren’t currently on, if you follow your intuition your life will have a ruin and immense change, but may lead to new love and good luck or things that you want in this life.” I finished. We stared at each other for a while. Tyr looked deep in thought.

He abruptly stood up, and I was left startled still sitting in the grass.

“I am sorry if…” I began, he shook his head vigorously and ran his hand through his hair again. I could see that it shook as he brought it back to his side.

“No, you did well. I have much to think about. Thank you Lilura. I will walk you home and then bid you goodnight.” He announced. I guess our night in the woods was over. I quickly got to my feet shoving my cards and in the back pocket of my jeans. I was about to turn on my flashlight, but Tyr’s hand grasped my wrist stopping me.

“You need not fear the dark. You will walk with me.” He stated, his hand moved from my wrist to grasping my hand lacing his fingers with mine. His hands were dry and rough, but warm and comforting.

“Tyr, that’s a very...nice gesture, but I can’t see as well as you in the dark and there is too much to trip on,” I argued. He laughed and let out an exasperated sigh.

“Do you not trust me Lilura?” He inquired. Now was time for my own sigh.

“Fine, but if I fall and break my neck it’s on you.” I chided. He smiled again.

“I promise to keep you safe,” Tyr said. To promise something was a very big deal to the Fae and not offered lightly. If Tyr was promising my safety, I had to trust him.

He still held my hand as he led me into the darkness of the forest. But as we left the field, I noticed that it was not nearly as dark as I had expected, and I could easily see the branches and roots and maneuver around them. Somehow moonlight was lighting our path. I looked up to the canopy of trees and noticed that The Moon was lighting our path. The trees were leaning away from one another leaving an opening for the light to filter through them. I glanced over at Tyr and he was looking ahead, appearing unconcerned about the magic happening above us.

“You’re doing this.” I acknowledged. He turned and gave me a smile.

“I did make you a promise.” He laughed. Suddenly we were back at my house and I felt it had come too quickly. Tyr still held tightly to my hand and walked me all the way to the front door.

“Thank you. For walking me home. I hope I was helpful to you. I know it may not seem like grand magic to you, but maybe it gave you something.” I hesitated, I almost didn’t want to go inside and say goodbye.

“Your magic is special Lilura. It did help me. You may be the only person I can trust. Thank you. Thank you for letting me walk you home.” His deep voice was husky and quiet. He still held my hand tightly in his. He brought it up to his warm soft lips and planted a lingering kiss on the back of my hand.

Before I knew what, I was doing I lost total control and lifted myself on my tiptoes and placed my lips on his. My lips trembled as a spark went between our lips. He was hesitant at first, but then our kiss deepened. I wrapped my hand around the back of his head and grabbed a fistful of hair. He wrapped his arms around me like iron bands pulling me against his body. He deepened the kiss and it was like we were trying to devour each other. Our breathing sped up and I was lost. I could not tell what side was up, there was only him.

Like being slapped in the face he tore himself away from me. He pulled my hand from his hair and held me away from him at arm's length. We both breathed heavily as if we had run for miles. His lips were red and swollen. His pupils were blown, and I could tell he was trying to hold himself together. I knew because I was feeling the same.

“Goodnight Lilura.” He said breathlessly. He turned and walked away quickly. He disappeared into the woods before I could get another word in or have another coherent thought.

I went inside and sat stunned on the couch. I put my tarot deck back on the table and sat back to meditate on the night's event.

The next morning, I went to the address Eva had sent me the night before. I needed to put Tyr out of my mind and focus on these murders.