Portals (34 page)

Everything continued to remain peaceful the next morning. Well, as peaceful as three kids and two dogs tearing through the house could be.

Nana Fae floated near me as I made the potato salad to her exact instructions. I dutifully copied down other recipes from her and Mama Deb and emailed them to Becca and Jude, as well as Ally. My grandmother and mother-in-law had insisted on that as their contribution and a way to participate so the rest of the family would know they were loved.

The morning kept the promise of lovely weather. Clear blue skies and a slight breeze to keep things from getting too hot. I even managed to upload the pictures we’d taken on Neva to our family website.

After getting Carter and myself ready, Thulu and I filled our cooler with the veggie platter, my raw burgers à la Fi and the potato salad.

Carter was excited to see the other kids and show off Treya. We were taking Jenna, Parker and Sophie, as well.

Once the SUV had been unloaded at Erik’s, Thulu moved the car. Holding Carter by the hand and Treya by her leash, I went inside. The other kids crowded around and the two were soon swept outside to the backyard.

“She’s still a puppy guys, so be very careful with her,” I cautioned, as I put the meat in the fridge. Not an easy task, as it was crammed with food. I helped the matter some and poured a glass of wine before I headed out to the patio where the grills were. It appeared that a lot of our enormous family had already arrived and the large yard was filling up. I scanned the area, greeting and waving to family members, but looking for Carter.

He sat on the grass, with the puppy in his lap and appeared to be taking my admonition seriously. He’d made the others line up and was letting them pet Treya one at a time. I smiled as I turned to scan the yard once more.

Surrounded by a high block wall fence, repainted since the last barbeque, and tall evergreens that cast their shade invitingly, the property felt secluded and private and isolated from the city. The other two Nanas, Nana Bette and Nana Tara, were already ensconced in a couple chairs under the trees. Nana Tara was Erik’s mother and Nana Bette was Mama Deb’s.

They had been quite close to my own Nana Fae. Nana Bette already had her glass of wine and sipped serenely as she watched kids run around playing games. She gave me a wave when she saw me and leaned over to say something to Nana Tara, who also turned to me and waved. I went over and gave them each a hug before returning to the grills.

Erik had an in-ground pit, as well as two grills. My apron and chef’s hat had been laundered and sat neatly folded on a chair nearby. I put on my “Erik’s Minion” apron and set my chef’s hat on my head.

Erik already wore his “Erik, Grill King” apron and hat.  He gave me a mock critical appraisal before also giving me a hug and handing me a long-handled stainless steel spatula.

He looked even better than he had yesterday, I was pleased to note. While I saw some strain around his eyes, he was holding up better than I’d expected. Before long, the platters filled with meat were paraded out and we were soon busy grilling chicken, burgers, hot dogs and steak strips.

We watched the meat cook, while also eyeing the dish after dish of salads, vegetables, fruits and breads that made their way to the ends of long rows of picnic tables. Everything was served buffet style and our usual fare was complete with favorite dishes.

We may have been missing members, but the familiarity of years of family barbeques soon eased everyone’s spirits. The smell of cooking meat had hands reaching for plates.

Once the meat had been cooked, everyone had filled plates and found a spot to sit, Erik stood and raised his glass of wine. The rest of us watched him as a hush fell. Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins got to their feet and raised their own glasses.

Erik took his time looking around. Thulu’s warm hand found my free one and clasped it in his. Next to me, Carter solemnly stood on the picnic bench, with his plastic cup raised high.

Erik’s voice was warm and firm, as he spoke two simple words, “To family.” He was answered by a chorus as we joined our voices and echoed him. We took sips of our drinks and Erik sat down. Our meal began quietly for a few more seconds as we thought of those we’d lost. Soon, though, conversations started back up and the delicious food eased our hearts somewhat. Well, for the others, at least.

Our three recently dead stood next to Erik, even though he couldn’t see them, and I raised my glass once more to Nana Fae, Mama Deb and Evan before I took another sip. They smiled and I nodded back, a bit sadly, missing their physical presence. The three waved as they popped out, taking Jenna, Parker and Sophie with them. That was fitting, too. The day was one for the living. A day to draw together and move forward.

I turned my attention to dishing up and cutting the food on Carter’s plate and fell into the camaraderie of family. It was my safe haven, being one person among many, a part of something bigger than all of us. I was once again reminded how lucky I’d been to meet them and be accepted.

Soon I was drawn in to the discussions around me and lost myself in the familiar warmth of family as everyone relaxed.

The afternoon passed much as lazy summer afternoons had in the past when our lives had been more on track. I felt the tightness that had been deep inside since the day Gabriel attacked ease up. My smiles came quicker, my laughter less shrill and forced. It even felt easier to breathe.

I looked around and saw my renewed happiness repeated in the faces of the other adults. The kids had bounced back quicker, as kids do. And even though it had only been a little over a month, it had been a very long month, with days feeling like weeks at times.

Thulu and I fulfilled our promise to tell everyone about our trip off-world.

Some had gotten to see the pictures already, but others pulled out phones and tablets to share them around. The oohs and aahs of angels in flight took away some of the resentment of what their former leader had done to our family.

Thulu and I had agreed that we didn’t need to discuss the suicides. We only said that the spell had been successful and the Light Ones were preparing to move forward with their newfound freedom. If any of those closest to us sensed we left out anything, they didn’t ask.

We let them know that the portals were natural phenomena and to expect even more. We cautioned everyone, especially the kids, about going through any that might pop up. We hated to scare them, but we’d decided it was worth being serious.

Thulu explained that these portals weren’t the same as our other portals and told the kids to never, ever go into a portal unless an adult approved it.

He looked at everyone. “I also suggest that adults not assume the portal is okay, either. Check with La Fi or me first. There’s no telling where you’d end up. You could even end up on a world with no air, or a portal can close on you. Don’t trust anything unless we have cleared it.”

They seemed to take the warning seriously and there were nods all around.

The rest of the afternoon passed quietly. I found an empty lawn chair near the Nanas and settled in.

Ally soon joined us, pulling up another chair and we sat companionably in the late afternoon sun.

Carter brought Treya to me, asking if I’d watch her while he played hide and seek. It was one of his favorite games.

Treya seemed relieved to have a quiet place. She curled into a small ball on my lap and instantly went to sleep. Chatting with the Nanas and Ally, I petted Treya’s soft fur. It was very relaxing. I’d never realized how therapeutic petting a dog was, although Ally had been telling me for years that it was the ultimate relaxation. I guess she knew what she was talking about after all.

I got a glimpse of a smug grin on her face and rolled my eyes at her. She refrained from saying I told you so out loud, but I heard it in her expression.

At home that night, I took the puppy out while Thulu got Carter ready for bed. It had been a good day. Maybe bittersweet, but the family had pulled together as we always did and a lot of healing had happened.

Thulu was reading Carter his bedtime story when I carried Treya up to his room and put her in her crate.

After the story and with Carter snuggled in bed, we went downstairs. Thulu opened a bottle of wine, while I pulled my phone from my purse to charge it and noticed I’d missed a call from Daria.

Voice mail held only a simple “Please call me back when you get a chance. Nothing’s wrong, so no hurry.”

Pushing the number, she answered on the second ring.

“Hi, La Fi. Thanks for calling me back.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Much, much better, thanks. I wanted to invite you, Thulu, Reo and Sloane to a small get-together at my apartment to meet some of the others tomorrow, if you’d be up for it? Not like one of our meetings or anything, just an informal dinner.” She sounded upbeat.

Thulu nodded when I relayed the invitation, and I accepted. Daria seemed poised for a polite and regretful decline, as she whooped and said that it was a surprise for the others. They had no idea we’d be there.

“Good thing none of them are very strong psychics, right?” Her smile came through in her voice, and I agreed.

I called Erik, asking him to watch Carter and Treya, while we went to Daria’s dinner party. He agreed and we set a time for him to come over to our house this time. Carter had been gone too often, and I felt it was better for him to sleep in his own bed. Fortunately Erik agreed.

The next morning, I took Carter and Treya to the park, while Thulu did his forms and exercises.

The walk from our house was only a few blocks and Treya gamely limped along. Ally had said not to baby her, but I felt bad making her walk too far and picked her up after the first block.

A few of the usual group were there and Carter went to play under my watchful eye, while I held Treya.

It was a pleasant interlude with the other moms commenting on the portals and wondering what they meant. Since none of them knew what I could do, I refrained from enlightening them, but it was interesting to listen to their interpretations of what was going on. Most seemed more intrigued than afraid and everyone agreed that exciting things were happening.

The morning sun played peekaboo with high, fluffy clouds, but they moved quickly and rarely blocked the sun. Carter loved the slide and swings. I spent time pushing him as he giggled, demanding to go higher. Treya ducked behind my legs every time the swing came back to me.

We were on our way out of the park, when a man, dressed in shorts, no shoes or shirt and unkempt hair and beard caught my attention. I heard him before I saw him, but was surprised to see he had a gathering of a couple dozen people when I rounded a building. I skirted the edge of the group, but slowed to listen for a moment.

“The end really is near this time. Those portals of evil are just the first sign. This isn’t some made up interpretation. This is real. The portals are real, and we must prepare for the coming apocalypse. There are demons and devils among us. The witches are going to take over the world.” He paused, but I picked up my pace and moved quickly by the fringes of the group. “Like those witches there.”

Carter started to ask me something, but I didn’t hear it because suddenly the group’s attention was focused on us. I glimpsed the man as he stood on a bench, pointing right at me and Carter.

I scooped up Carter in my other arm squishing him and Treya together. I didn’t like the feeling rolling off the group that watched us suspiciously. I felt their eyes follow us, but no one moved to stop us.

“They are of the devil. Beware because they are not the only ones who will come out of the shadows, my friends.”

I had quickly moved toward the street, but hated turning my back on the crowd. My heart beat had picked up, and I had a sick feeling in my stomach.

“Carter, tell me if anyone follows us,” I said quietly and calmly.

“Okay.” He sounded serious, but not panicked, for which I was thankful. I kept glancing over my shoulder, but no one paid any attention to us once we left the park.

After a block of no one following, I breathed a sigh of relief and set Carter down tightly holding his hand.

“Too tight, Mama,” he said, trying to extricate his fingers.

“Sorry, sweetie.” I loosened my grip on both him and Treya, who hadn’t uttered a sound the entire time.

Turning onto our street I breathed an even bigger sigh of relief. The moment I turned onto the front walkway, I felt safe. I hadn’t noticed Jones’s protective wards before. I knew they were there, but that was the first time I actually felt them surround me as I entered our property. I made a mental note to thank Jones once again.

I turned to watch the street behind us once more and saw no one suspicious. I tried to open up my mind to see if I felt anything, but the surrounding area felt clear. I wasn’t going to bank on that, since my track record was less than stellar, but still I didn’t want any of that mob to know where we lived. Not that they could get in, but they could wait until we left the property. I suddenly knew how people became agoraphobic and shook off the feeling.

Once in the house, I took off Treya’s leash and hung it on the hat rack. Thulu was in the kitchen, and I filled him in on what had happened. Parker and Jenna showed up with Sophie, and Parker immediately went out to patrol the area and check out the group in the park.

“Be careful,” I warned. Of course, he and Thulu both turned disbelieving glances on me. “Well, why would he call me and Carter witches, huh? Maybe he can see the dead, maybe he’s psychic?”

Parker didn’t succeed in hiding his grin, although he popped out, without a word.

Thulu began to pull food out of the fridge for lunch and we fixed sandwiches for the three of us, putting a small amount of food in Treya’s dish, which had found a home on the floor near the sink.

Parker returned about thirty minutes later, to report that the man in the park was still talking and that his audience was about fifty people.

I frowned. “That’s twice what was there when we left the park.”

Parker nodded. “There’s something about him, La Fi. I think he might be a supe.” He paused thoughtfully. “A new one, not one that knew stuff before, but recently his abilities came out. I don’t think he even knows he is one.”

I looked at Thulu and back at Parker. “Well, let’s keep an eye on him. Can we get the dead to do that do you think?”

Parker shrugged. “I guess so. It’s not very exciting, though.”

Thulu and I smiled. “No, I guess it isn’t, but I think La Fi has a good idea. We should probably try to identify any newly talented folks where we can. I’m thinking they had a proclivity to it even before our system moved into this area, but knowing who potential allies and enemies are wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

Parker nodded and said he’d gather those who might be willing to watch the park guy.

“People probably won’t mind watching out to see if there are others, so that part should be easier. We are already watching the neighborhoods where the family lives.” He grinned at us. “I’ll be back in a bit, since I’m assigned to watch over you guys.” He popped out once more.

I was actually comforted that a fourteen year old ghost watched out for us. It felt like having our very own guardian angel.

We moved into the family room to work with Carter’s learning games and Jenna joined in, as well.

Treya and Sophie played with each other and it was amusing to see Treya pat ineffectually at her incorporeal playmate. The poodle took pouncing on thin air in stride, but one jump caused her to go skidding across the wooden floor and she ended up against the baseboard with such a surprised look on her face that I laughed. She limped over to me and stood on her hind legs, which I learned meant she wanted to be picked up. I obliged and petted her as we went through Carter’s colors and shapes game.

As the peaceful afternoon passed, I wondered what was going on with Jones and the others. We hadn’t heard anything that day, and I was getting curious.

My phone sang just as I decided to call him. I thumbed the answer bar.

“You know Jones, I swear you really are psychic,” I said with some exasperation as I put him on speaker.

He laughed. “We have heard back from the others. They have decided to be relocated to a more hospitable world.  While a few have chosen to return to Phaete, the majority declined to come back. I am not sure my brother will allow any to return. If he does it will be with extensive vetting. It is unfortunate to be so distrustful of our own kind, but Satorah has left her legacy, and we are not as complacent as we were before her attack.”

“That’s good news, though, right?” I asked.

“It is, indeed. Aurelia wanted me to let you know that they have apprised your leaders of the theories we discussed and that human scientists have been brought in. The hope is that the scientists will be able to confirm the laws of magic working and alert your people through human channels rather than through off-worlders. We all feel that as much distance as we can keep from it, the less we will be blamed.”

“Jones, La Fi had something happen at the park today.” Thulu nodded at me and I told Jones what had happened.

“I think we are moving into a very dense area, and we should all be prepared for many different supernatural and magical things to happen.” Jones cautioned.

“Oh and by the way, thanks again for the wards on our house. I could feel them kick in,” I added.

“You felt them? Really?”

“Yeah, as soon as I stepped onto our property I did.” I paused. “Why? Shouldn’t I feel them?”

“Well, La Fi, you have not noticed them before, even though you knew they were there.”

I looked at Thulu before responding. “Hmmm, yeah you’re right. Maybe I’m just becoming more aware?”

“Obviously. I shall be interested in seeing just what you can do as magic continues to expand throughout the world.” Jones said placidly. “Please do keep me posted on any other changes.”

“Sure, Jones.”