Firemancer Collection (Fated Saga Box Set Book 1) (15 page)

   “Visit here? Why?”

   Maybe she was putting Colin’s and her uncle’s lives in danger by not going with this menacing cat. Maybe this master person could answer some questions about what was happening to her and Colin.

   She stepped closer to the cat, within its reach now, her legs touching the fire pit.

   “Why should I go with you? Will I be able to get home?”

   “You will have to trust me,” it trilled. 

   “And why should I trust you?”

   “I’m leaving. You can either come with me, or stay here,” it purred. Meghan’s eyes rolled anxiously to her family in the trailer, and then back to the cat.

   “To come, you simply take hold of me.”

   “I’ll burn myself!” Somehow, she knew this was not true.

   “I do not think so,” said the cat. “You and fire, let’s just say, get along extremely well.”

   Meghan leaned in and grasped hold of the cat’s back.

   “Hold on, it may be a rough ride.”

   The cat began to dissolve into the fire, and Meghan’s arm fell into the burning embers; it was a strange sensation, but it did not burn.

   Something grabbed her from behind, pulling her out of the fire. The cat meowed viciously, dissolving fully into the flames. Meghan fell back and landed on someone. She rolled over onto the ground.

   “What do you think you’re doing?” she asked, before looking.

   Jae’s voice answered, startling her.

   “Saving you from that Catawitch.” He helped her up.

   “You know what that thing is?” she asked him.

   “Yes, I caught a glimpse of it from my window. I ran over as fast as I could. You do not want to mess with a Catawitch until you are positive what its true motives are. They are loyal to their masters, good or bad.”

   “But why would it want
me
? It said its master wanted to meet me.”

   Jae was instantly alarmed. 

   “Its master wanted to meet you?” he was silent for a moment. “This is strange, Meghan. You see, those cats rarely come out of the magical world, they do not belong in this one.”

   “That thing is from the magical world?” she asked.

   “Yes. They are magical cats, loyal only to their masters; so loyal, that they can even give up one of their lives to save them from death.”

   “Now that’s a heck of a cat!” exclaimed Meghan. “But that does not explain why it wanted me to come with it.”

   “No, it doesn’t. But I would guess it has something to do with what’s been happening to you and your brother.” He paused again, and advising, “I would ignore it if it returns.”

   Meghan did not think she would care to go, and was glad she had not.

   “Thanks for stopping me,” she said to Jae.

   “It is the least I can do after all your help. It certainly has not been boring around here.”

   “It is odd you say that, Jae, because before we met you, things were always boring around here. None of these bizarre things ever happened.”

   “Maybe after I leave things will go back to normal,” he said, trying to convince himself that his new friends would be safe once he had left. “See you tomorrow,” he said, vanishing into the darkness.

   “Yeah, tomorrow,” she replied, feeling even more overwhelmed.  

   She
was
hopeful that Jae would get home the next night, but her mind was full of doubt. Why were all these strange things happening? Moreover, what was this new problem of the Catawitch, as Jae had called it? Why was the magical world, which they had only just discovered existed, sneaking its way into their boring, normal world? 

   Inside the trailer, Colin could not hear Meghan’s thoughts, but similar unanswered questions raced through his own mind.

   There were no answers.

   Later, Colin and Meghan lay in bed, both awake, and both hiding their confused thoughts from each other. Eventually they drew the same conclusion. Whatever was happening to them would have to wait. Tomorrow was a big day. Tomorrow, they had to be sure that Jae Mochrie returned to his caravan, safe, alive and preferably in one once piece.

Chapter 7

   The twins lay in bed early the next morning, having not slept at all. They did not speak or get out of bed right away. Hearing movement in the kitchen, they knew their uncle was awake. Meghan knew she should make breakfast, and dragged herself out of bed.

   “Colin, what’s happening to us?” she asked him unexpectedly. She did not sound scared, but puzzled. He had been up most of the night thinking about the same subject.

   “No idea, Sis. It is a peculiar feeling, though. I feel different, but not wrong.” He shrugged, realizing his explanation did not make a lot of sense.

   Meghan had not yet told him about the Catawitch from the previous night. She took a deep breath and started.

   “Not that this helps answer anything, but last night, another
unusual
thing happened.”

   “When?” he asked.              

   “While I was putting out the fire,” she explained. “I had a visitor. One I am guessing was not a friendly foe.” She told him about the cat appearing in the fire and asking her to go with it to meet its master, how she had almost gone when it threatened Colin and Uncle Arnon, and how it did not hurt her when she touched the fire.

   “What stopped you from going with the Catawitch?”

   “Jae. He was the one that told me it
was
a Catawitch. He also said it was a creature from the magical world.”

   “Magical world?” he questioned. “But why?”

   “I’m not sure, but I have been thinking about it, and I believe it might have something to do with Jae. All these things started during the time we met him.”

   “And Jae did hint at more enemies out there than just the Scratchers,” reminded Colin.

   “Maybe they are trying to use us, to get to Jae, or his people?” suggested Meghan.

   “How can we be sure? What can we even do about it?”

   “I think we need to hope that things go back to normal once Jae is gone. I also think Jae might be in a lot more danger than he’s led us to believe,” said Meghan.

   “But the Catawitch’s visit and Jae being in danger, still doesn’t fully explain what has been happening to us,” said Colin, with an inquisitive look on his face. “There has to be some kind of explanation or connection.”

   “Colin,” said Meghan apprehensively. “What if that book was not meant for you, but for Jae. Perhaps someone trying to help him. We don’t really know that much about him when it comes down to it. Maybe he was not as alone as we thought.”

   It had not crossed Colin’s mind that the book was not meant for him.

   “Jasper Thorndike seemed quite keen on
me
having this book.” He thought for a few minutes more, before saying, “Magicante did help us escape from those Scratchers, before Jae got stuck behind.”

   “That’s true. Maybe someone wanted to help us then, knowing Jae and the Svoda would bring trouble with them.”

   “But who? And why?” he asked. Colin then had a depressing thought.

   “How do we know that when Jasper Thorndike sold me Magicante, he was not trying to hurt them? We would have been an easy, unsuspecting target! We could have put Jae in danger and not even realized it!” He snatched up Magicante and asked it, “Are you using us to try and hurt someone?”

   The only response was the sound of interrupted snoring.

   “Was worth a try,” he shrugged.

   “I don’t think the book was meant to harm anyone, although, it is rude enough. I
do
think Jae might believe something could use us as a target, and I would bet that is why he is still watching us from his wagon window.”

   “Has he been?” asked Colin.

   “That is how he saw me talking to the Catawitch.”

   Colin gazed sadly at his book, looking forlorn.

   “I will miss Jae, too,” she said. “Whatever he’s not telling us, or protecting us from, I hope he makes it home safely.”

   “Oh, I do hope he makes it home,” agreed Colin. “I was just thinking that doing magic is incredible. I guess I am hoping it will stick around after Jae’s gone.”

   He drew back his curtain so he could be alone, attempting to hide his disappointment. Colin sulked in his chair thinking back to how he had been able to stop the bullies, and trusting that after tonight, it would not happen again. At that moment, he did not feel strong or powerful. Just the same old version of himself, who always needed his sister to come to his rescue.

   Meghan left the room to prepare breakfast, but discovered her uncle had beaten her to it. It was ready and on the table. Colin did not come out until thirty minutes later and appeared sluggish when he did.

   “Bad night’s sleep?” questioned his uncle.

   “You could say that,” he groaned.

   “You two have had some long days and late nights. I think an early night is in order tonight.” He added, “Need to get your rest. Rest revives your energy and you both seem short on it this morning. Yup, early to bed tonight.”

   The twins gawked at each other. Had he guessed they were planning to sneak out again? They knew they were facing a major grounding in order to help Jae.

   Unease overshadowed the rest of the breakfast as their fears intensified. Mostly, they feared getting caught, and Uncle Arnon not allowing them to leave, and Jae being on his own against the Scratchers.

   After finishing their morning chores, they headed out to meet Jae and ran into Sebastien.

   “You look as bad as we do,” Colin attempted to joke.

   “Speak for yourself there Bro,” said Meghan.

   “I hope Jae slept better than we did. Let’s get over there!” suggested Sebastien.

   Jae greeted them at the wagon door, and to their astonishment, he looked rested and awake.

  “You guys look awful,” he told them.

   Meghan took special offense.

   “A little tired maybe,” she commented. 

   Colin and Sebastien gave Jae a sign
to not go there
.

   Jae changed the subject. “What should we do on my last day here?”

   “Do?” Meghan said bombastically. “How do we know that as soon as we go anywhere, to DO anything that those Scratchers won’t be out there?”

   Jae could see they were all worried about this. He made an announcement, one he thought would help.

   “I have made a decision.”

   They listened eagerly.

   “When the time comes tonight, I will go alone.”

   At once, the three of them disagreed, arguing the point as to why they should accompany him. He let them continue for a few minutes, before finally interrupting.

   “If I am alone, less can go wrong. I would bet my life that my dad will be coming for me, and, I think it is best if I am there alone. I have not exactly mentioned it before, but the Svoda are not always kind to strangers. They will not approve if I’m standing there with three people who obviously know about our magic. Our secret.”

   They realized that for Jae’s long-term safety, this might be necessary, but it did not make them any happier about promising.

   “Are there more than just the Scratchers out there hunting the Svoda?” asked Meghan, hoping to have at least one question answered. Jae bowed his head, and took a long time before answering.

   “I do not dare say too much, but yes,” he sighed.

  “Oh. I can’t imagine living with constant fear of being hunted.”

   “That is why I have to go alone, otherwise…” Jae stopped.

   “Otherwise, what?” asked Colin, leaning in closer.

   “Otherwise, they will make you forget you ever met me!”

   “That’s possible?” asked Meghan, alarmed.

   “Yes, and they will do it if they find out. When it comes down to it, I have been breaking many rules. Really, there was no way around it. But they will not see it that way, and I do not want you guys to forget, because maybe someday our paths will cross again.”

   “Will you get into trouble if you are caught breaking the rules?” asked Sebastien.

   “Yes, another reason to keep the secret. If anything ever got back to our Banon, Juliska Nandalia Blackwell, well let’s just say it would be a majorly ugly situation!”

   “Banon?” questioned Meghan.

   “Our leader. You two must have seen her. She was there the night I got stuck behind.”

   Meghan recalled the woman, instantly.

   “She fought the Scratchers. I liked her style.”

   “Now I remember,” said Colin. “Scratchers were looming overhead, people were disappearing into a pine tree, and she remembers how stylish the woman was.”

   The boys laughed.

   Meghan scowled.

   “She just seemed to be with it, and beautiful to boot.” It did not help her cause.

   “She is definitely
with it. S
he has held her position longer than any other Banon, and many Svoda are stricken by her beauty!”

   “Humpf,” was all Meghan said, now annoyed.

   “One cannot help it I suppose,” Jae continued, oblivious to Meghan’s escalating temper. “She is possibly the most beautiful Svoda woman, ever.”

   “I’m getting out of here,” huffed Meghan, stomping her way out of the wagon.
I will never understand boys.
She recalled the woman, the Banon of the Svoda, with an odd fascination. 

   “Juliska Nandalia Blackwell,” she spoke it aloud. The name had a regal ring to it. A few minutes later, the boys exited the wagon. She still had an annoyed look on her face and sat waiting, but they were not sure for what. Colin searched through her mind, trying to pick up what she wanted; it finally hit him.

   “Apologize? For what?”

   Sebastien and Jae stood off to the side, waiting for an explanation.

   Meghan sighed and nodded her head in annoyance. It was now late morning and the day was disappearing quicker than she had anticipated. In her mind, she went over the things she
should
be taking care of. The laundry was piling up. Uncle Arnon needed a zipper fixed on a pair of jeans.

   None of these normal duties mattered to her today. They seemed mundane and pointless.

   “Let’s go down to the lake,” she suggested, already taking off. The three boys followed, shaking their heads behind her, muttering, “Girls,” and making crazy motions with their fingers against their heads.

   The lake was crowded and loud, which was a rare pleasantry since none of the youngsters desired to talk. They waded in the water, skipped rocks and wasted away the day. With every minute that passed, Meghan, Colin and Sebastien grew more anxious for Jae, and as evening approached, Jae poorly hid his own rising concerns.

   Clouds rolled in, covering the warm sun that had followed them all afternoon. A cool breeze followed, and then it began to drizzle. Fog rolled across the lake hiding most of it from view and patches of it hid the ground along their pathway home.

   Colin protected his book, which he had kept with him all day, hidden under his sweater, just in case. Part way back to camp, one of Kanda’s caretakers was burning a large pile of brush.

   “Gotta wait for a rainy day to get a permit,” he reveled in the irony. The foursome enjoyed the fire, but after a minute, Sebastien and Jae went and sat on a nearby rock, saying the heat was too much for them. Colin shortly followed. Meghan thought it was perfect and could have moved closer. When she tried, the manager peeked around the corner.

   “Don’t be gettin’ too close, little lady,” he warned. “May be damp out here, but clothes can still catch.”

   She stepped back, shivering. In a split second, the flames pulled her back in. The Catawitch was back, staring at her from inside the fire.

   “Hello Meghan. Did not think I forgot you now, did you?” it purred.

   “Like that’s possible,” she mumbled back. “What do you want?”

   “You know what I want, and you know you want to.”

   “You don’t know anything!” she boasted too loudly, seizing the attention of the manager. He stepped around the corner of the fire.

   “All right there, little lady?”

   Meghan nodded yes, hoping he would not come any closer and scare away the Catawitch.

   “What do you really want?” Meghan asked as soon as it was safe. “Are you using me to get to someone else?” She decided to speak bluntly.

   “Someone else,” it purred. “Like who, your brother or dear old uncle? Maybe your best friend, Sebastien?” it purred more loudly. “Or, perhaps your new friend, Jae? Ah, wouldn’t you like to know.” It snarled at her, stepping closer.

   Meghan was so close to the fire now she was afraid the manager might come and pull her away.

   “Come and you will see. My master will show you.”

   “Who is your master?”

   Before the Catawitch could reply, the camp manager yanked Meghan backwards. She did not realize that she had fully stepped into the fire. The boys, now seeing what was happening, flew to her side. The Catawitch was gone. Disappointment covered her face. The manager looked over her arms, which were completely unharmed by the fire.