Mother of Darkwaters: Book one of the Vessel series (86 page)

   “Sounds risky,” Caroline sees all sorts of holes within her cousin’s logic.

   “Normally, yes,” Julianna agrees. “But with my inner-circle, no.”

   “How can you be so sure? Aren’t you new at this?”

   “Uh - yeah. It’s a feeling. I just
know
it.”

   “Don’t worry, Caroline,” Jennifer chimes in, “It’s okay to gamble your everlasting soul on Julianna’s lesbo tendencies.”

   Caroline looks at Jennifer.

   “What?”, Jennifer speaks with a faked innocent tone, “I’m just saying.”

   “You’re an idiot,” Caroline says.

   “Oh my,” Jennifer seduces while leaning closer to Caroline, “You are
so
beautiful when you speak to me like that.”

   Jennifer puckers her lips. Caroline places her small hand on Jennifer’s face and pushes it away.

    “Heh,” Jennifer amuses, “Maybe next time.”

   Caroline turns her attention to Julianna. She takes a deep breath and exhales while staring into her cousin’s green eyes. Caroline forces a partial-smile.

   “I’m in,” Caroline says, “I’ll be by your side for life. I vow myself to you and put my life into your hands.”

   Julianna begins to smile.

   Caroline points her right index finger, “And you better keep me safe or I’ll torture you forever in hell.”

   Jennifer stands up with a loud clap, “Now that’s the spirit!”

   Caroline throws her head back, “Oh gawd! Don’t you ever shut up?”

   “Mine,” Jennifer speaks with a creepy whisper.

   Caroline’s eyes widen in horror as she looks at Jennifer.

   Jennifer points to her own forehead as she speaks, “I think your makeup’s wearing off.”

   Caroline scowls, “I took a shower before I came over here. And we’ve been drinking all freakin’ day. You’re an ass.”

   Jennifer fakes surprise as she uses her right hand to cover her open mouth. She lowers her hand and holds out both her arms, “I love you.”

   “Gawd,” Caroline answers while standing up. She hugs Jennifer.

   Jennifer whispers loud enough for Julianna to hear, “You’re so hot when you talk dirty.”

   Caroline shoves Jennifer back in a playful manner.

   “Heh,” Jennifer replies. 

    Caroline shakes her head and looks at Julianna. She watches her cousin stand up.

   “What happens now?”

   Julianna holds out her newly healed left hand. It is starting to itch. Caroline takes hold and offers her left hand to Jennifer. Julianna leads them around the coffee table to an open space by the stereo. Together, they join hands to form a circle.

   Julianna stares at Jennifer and waits. A few moments pass by in silence.

   “I’m not feeling anything,” Jennifer says.

   Caroline speaks up, “She’s waiting for you to vow yourself.”

   “I already did.”

   “I don’t think
I’m in
is going to cut it,” Caroline counters.

   Jennifer looks at Julianna, “Really?”

   Julianna smiles patiently.

   Jennifer looks upward, “Fine - whatever you bitches want.”

   The tall cheerleader lowers her gaze back to Julianna. She stares into the eyes of her new friend.

   “I, Jennifer the Awesome Hammond, do hereby swear my allegiance…”

   “Stop it,” Caroline chastises, “This is supposed to be serious.”

   “What?”, Jennifer sounds hurt, “I was making my vow.”

   “No you weren’t,” Caroline complains.

   “You
really
need to have sex.”

   Caroline glares.

   Jennifer grins while shifting her eyes to look at Julianna. She winks with her right eye, “I vow myself to you.”

   “Ugh…”, Jennifer grunts as her head forces itself upward. She can hear sounds of whimpering to her right where Caroline stands. Julianna is speaking a language she doesn’t understand.

   Jennifer’s eyes widen as she sees black mist begin to form by her ceiling. It thickens in density. Her hair sways from an unexplainable breeze. She knows there are no windows in this room that could cause such a thing.

   Her mouth opens against her will. Tears sting her eyes as they fall down her cheeks. Julianna silences the strange speech coming from her direction. A moment later, Jennifer understands the nature of the black mist. She becomes afraid.

   It wants her. It longs for her. It calls with sporadic voices of whispering within her mind. The wind in the room causes her to sway as it intensifies. Her legs become weak as the black mist begs her – begs to be one with her.

   “Stop fighting it,” Julianna’s voice teaches with a calm tone.

  
Stop fighting it? Is she crazy? I didn’t sign up for this shit.

   “Stop looking at it,” Julianna’s voice says with a gentle nature, “Close your eyes. Relax yourselves.”

  
Easy for you to say. Your baby’s daddy’s the devil. There’s no way I’m closing my eyes.

   “Close them, Jennifer,” Julianna coaches with a soothing tone, “You must trust me to take care of you.”

   Jennifer feels a tiny squeeze in her left hand. She hears Caroline let out a sigh of relief. The hand holding her right hand relaxes.

   “I have control over this,” Julianna continues, “You must close your eyes. You are too afraid.”

   “Listen to her, Jen,” Caroline’s voice speaks through the madness of Jennifer’s racing mind, “Close your eyes and surrender.”

   Jennifer’s eyes release more water as she forces herself to close both eyelids. Her heart speeds with the fear that has possessed it. She begins hyperventilating.

   “Deep breath, Jennifer,” Julianna’s voice speaks, “Long and steady.”

   Jennifer fights to regain control over her body. It sucks to be in panic mode. She just wants this nightmare to end.

   “It will end,” Caroline answers, “Just say yes.”

  
Yes.

   Jennifer takes a deep breath. The taste of ash fills her mouth as a warm wind rushes into her throat. The wind around her begins to calm – it vanishes into the stillness of normalcy. Her heart finds a steady beat. She opens her eyes. Caroline and Julianna are smiling at her.

   “What are you two virgins staring at?”, Jennifer says while releasing the hands that hold her. She catches a glimpse of black-looking ink swim across one of Caroline’s eyes. Jennifer shakes her head and refocuses. The ink is gone.

   “How do you guys feel?”, Julianna questions.

   Jennifer shrugs her shoulders, “I dunno. Different, but not. It’s hard to explain. What just happened?”

   “I feel fine,” Caroline says, “It’s nothing like being possessed. That was horrible. I like this.”

   “I didn’t say I didn’t like it,” Jennifer evaluates her feelings, “But I wasn’t there when you bitches were at the hospital. Hearing it in a story and seeing it with your eyes is two
entirely
different things.”

   Jennifer looks at the liquor on the table, “And where in the hell is our alcohol? The liquor store is just right down the road.”

  
Welcome to the family, Jennifer.

    Jennifer slowly turns and looks at Julianna.

  
Try it. I need to check something.

   “No way,” Caroline answers in awe.

   Jennifer glances at Caroline and grins.

  
Okay, how’s this? Can you hear me?

   “Sure did,” Caroline says.

  
How about me?

   “Loud and clear,” Jennifer answers.

  
Amazing.

   Both Jennifer and Caroline look at Julianna. She has a bewildered look upon her face.  

   “I take it this was unexpected?”, Jennifer questions.

   “The ability for you two to communicate back to me…yeah. Had no clue.” 

   “You haven’t done this with the other five?”

   Julianna glances to her cousin, “They didn’t make the vow directly.”

   “Maybe they should,” Jennifer gives her opinion on the matter.

   Julianna remains focused on Caroline. She sees a black tattoo race over the girl’s right eye.

   “Do you see it, too?”, Jennifer questions.

   Julianna nods.

   “See what?”, Caroline pushes for an immediate answer. Her belly rumbles. She looks at her cousin with embarrassment.

   Julianna smiles at Caroline, “It’s nothing. But we should probably get something to eat. I’m starving.”  

   Julianna walks over to the bar and grabs her phone.

  
Spill it, Jennifer. What did you see?

   That stuff from the ceiling moves across your eyes sometimes. It’s kinda creepy.

   Julianna smiles as she brings up the number to her security team. She sees Caroline dart around the bar. Her cousin walks up to the small mirror hanging on the wall and looks.

   “Ma’am?”

   “Yes, I hate to bother you guys,” Julianna speaks into her phone, “But could you care to explain why I don’t have my liquor yet?”

   “Sorry ma’am,” the voice answers, “It is here.”

   “Then why didn’t you let me know it was here?”

   “Ma’am, I just thought you knew the store was right down the road. I thought you would call whenever you were ready for it. Would you like it delivered to the door?”

   “I’m on it,” Jennifer calls out. She heads for the door leading to the hallway.

   “Yes,” Julianna answers while watching Jennifer open the door. The tall cheerleader takes a right as she steps into the hallway.

   “I also need two large pizzas.”

   “Toppings ma’am?”

   “Leave it up to Jennifer. She’s on her way.”

   “Yes, ma’am.”

   Julianna pushes
end
on her phone and looks up. Caroline is examining her eyes in the mirror.

   “See anything?”

   “Not what you guys are talking about,” Caroline answers while turning around. She points to her forehead, “But this is looking better.”

   Julianna looks upward and grins. Black dots work to repair the damage inflicted by Jamés.

   Julianna makes eye contact with her mesmerized cousin, “Listen, I want to discuss something with you.”

   “Sure.”

   “I want you to know that I came here for you. Jennifer is a blessing and if Rebecca and Tamara come onboard, that’s even better. But the real reason I came was to give you a chance.”

   “Okay.”

   “You are of the bloodline, Caroline,” Julianna continues, “And I have this strange feeling that you’ll be a game changer.”

   “What makes you say that?”

   Julianna observes swirling blackness dance its way across Caroline’s left eye.

   “Oh nothing,” Julianna answers, “It’s just a feeling I have about you. Welcome to the family, cousin.”

   Caroline smiles appreciatively, “Thanks, I’m glad we got to meet. And double-thanks for the car.”

   Julianna grins, “You’re welcome.”

  
Damn, you’re fine. The body delightfully matches the voice...yummy. I’d like you on my pizza with a very large order of d…

   Caroline’s brows rise. Her nose crinkles with the action.

   Julianna laughs.

   “I think I should probably teach you guys how to control your projections,” Julianna says.

   “Definitely,” Caroline agrees, “Like now.”

Chapter 18

   Boundaries

   “Good morning, Mother,” Julianna hears a cheery voice. She stretches her arms above her head before sitting up. Julianna looks to her right. Caroline is waking up within the sleeping bag that Jennifer gave her. Julianna wipes the sleep from her eyes and glances left. Jennifer stands in the room – showered and fully dressed.

   “Julianna,” Jennifer’s guest corrects her. Julianna slips out of her sleeping bag and reaches over to the coffee table. She grabs her phone and makes a few swipes.

   “Ma’am?”

   “Brian,” Julianna speaks with a hoarse throat, “Lose the truck, bring my car, and assemble two teams for Caroline as Jennifer as temps.”

  
Ow…my freakin’ head.

   Julianna covers her mouth as she yawns. She looks over at her cousin. Caroline is rubbing her temples.

   “Remove vehicle from parking lot,” a man’s voice responds from Julianna’s phone, “Deliver car and good clothes. Assign two details for Caroline Reynolds and Jennifer Hammond. Will that be all, ma’am?”

   Julianna looks at Jennifer, “You guys want some breakfast?”

   “Pancakes sound good.”

   “A girl after my own heart,” Julianna responds.

   “Bacon,” Caroline gives her answer, “Can we get it uncooked?”

   “What?”, Caroline replies to Jennifer’s strange look.

   Julianna thinks about a slimy piece of meat sliding down her throat. She gags. The Mother of Darkwaters holds out her right hand towards Caroline with her palm outward. She stands and quickly walks out of the room.

   Caroline hears her cousin gag in the hallway.

   “I really hope you were trying out a horrible joke,” Jennifer says while still staring at Caroline.

   “Right, um-yeah. Of course. Why would anyone want raw bacon?”

   Jennifer keeps her stare upon Caroline as her head subtly moves towards the hallway on her right.

   Jennifer hollers out, “She was joking.”

   Jennifer sees Caroline shake her head to convey a duh-factor. Caroline lies down and rolls over on her left side. She closes her eyes. Jennifer forces herself to look away as Julianna enters the room. Caroline’s cousin assumes her previous position on the floor with her back to Caroline.

   “Okay, I’m back. Three orders of pancakes, sausage, o.j., chocolate milk, and a gallon of Gatorade.” Julianna glances to the bottle sitting on the coffee table. The Crown Royal bottle is two-thirds full.

   “And buy out the Tylenol company.”