Two Halves Series (66 page)

“Now!” Ayer instructed.

William rushed to Aseret’s corpse. He picked up the body and threw it into the rippling mirror. Its flesh sizzled when it hit the hereafter.

Another strand of light from Ayer twined around Aseret’s left shoulder. The twins yanked, throwing his ghost into the magical box.

On her knees now, the Miranda looked at the warlock with hate in her eyes.

“If we work together, we can break through,” he said to Miranda.

“Our ties are cut. We are no longer bound by blood, remember? Your oath has been broken,” she said, all will gone from her soul, for the witch had to realize they were no contest to a triple threat of witches.

“You will not betray me!” he screamed at the witch as Eric, Xander, and Mira extended their hands forward and pushed the box toward the in-between.

“You have no choice. You are no longer a warlock. You are powerless and will soon be bound with no one to help you.” Miranda laughed as the invisible box slid toward their doom.

Eric fell to his knees, bleeding from all of the two dozen spikes on his neck. The seekers slowly backed out of the doorways, looking from side to side, then finally fixed their gazes on Crystal and Ayer before they left. Chills ran down my new spine. The twins each had a new streak of gray hair woven into their auburn curls.

“We’ll hunt them down,” said William.

“We will.” I turned to my husband.

The witch who seemed so strong a few minutes earlier no longer fought our chant. Her cackles and Aseret’s hiss were the last of them to leave the cave as their spirits and the magical box began sinking into the in-between.

Before he’d left, I thought I’d heard Aseret say, “Silly, silly creaturesss. It’s not over! His time has come.” but Miranda’s laugh vibrated louder than his words.

Aseret and Miranda melted into the ripples of the mirror.

Chapter 15

A week had passed since our ordeal, and my family and I were taking some well-deserved time off.

“Cannonball!” Ayer tucked his knees up to his chest before plunging into the water.

Crystal followed her brother off the rock face into the emerald pond. The water from her splash hit my face.

I sat on the ledge of the mountain, in Miranda’s old body. It took a while to hike the back of the mountain, then repel on the ropes down the side of the cliff. With William’s help, it didn’t seem that difficult, though I was sure I’d fall into the pond had he not been holding me. I missed my vampire abilities and my old body that Xela still had. I hoped Xander didn’t lay a hand on it until she got her own host back.

Each time I tried to speak, my tongue caught on the nicks and chips of Miranda’s uneven teeth. Even with a quick makeover from my daughter and Mira, I still resembled a witch.

“How are you feeling?” William asked.

“Like I can finally live in peace.”

“Good. There’s only one thing left to do.” William twined his fingers into mine.

“I don’t think Eric is strong enough. You may be stuck with me this way for a while.”

“I don’t mind.”

“I know. But I’d love for the upheaval to settle down. To have a normal life.” I looked at the twins jumping out of the water like dolphins, flipping onto their backs.

William laughed. “I doubt we’ll ever have a normal life.”

“At least we’re still the only ones who can disappear under the water.” I pointed to Crystal’s silhouette as she streaked along underwater like a mermaid.

“Not until your body’s returned.” William placed his arm around me.

“Yeah. I really think Eric will be too weak to bend for a while.” I took a deep breath. Today was perfect—except for my new body, of course. The cloudless sky reflected turquoise in the water below. The smallest of the fish couldn’t hide in that water.

“This feels nice,” William murmured, shifting closer.

“It does.” I rested my head on his shoulder.

“Sort of like a family picnic.”

“Less the food.”

“Says who?” William pulled on a rope hanging over the cliff, lifting a basket into view. I tried to smell it, but Miranda’s nose wasn’t nearly as good as my vampire one.

“When did you do this?” I asked.

“Well, one thing that hasn’t changed is your need to know everything.”

“I do not!”

He cocked his head.

“All right, I do,” I admitted. “I guess I may have some control issues.”

“Some?” he teased.

“Fine, a lot. I like to do things by myself and my way.” Frowning, I crossed my arms.

“And that’s why I love you.” He kissed the tip of my nose.

Crystal and Ayer sprang out of the pond like penguins and sat beside us, one on each side. Water dripped from their dangling feet into the ripples below. They seemed to prefer remaining in their late teens.

“I figured you’d smell the food.” William laughed.

“Yup. What you got there?” Ayer wiggled his nose, dug into the basket and pulled out a grilled chicken sandwich. Three bites, and the sandwich was gone.

“Three for each of us,” William warned, passing me an apple.

“What am I, chopped liver?” I asked.

“Nope, I have something special for you.” He placed a container on my lap.

I opened the lid. “Pancakes! Thank you, thwank wou,” I mumbled around the forkful I’d shoved into my mouth.

“Hold on!” William pulled a bottle of maple syrup from the basket and poured it on top of the stack in my lap.

“Where did you get the recipe? These taste just like—”

“Your Aunt Helen’s?”

“Yes!”

“Now the recipe has been passed down to you.” He handed me a booklet. “Xela put in her goulash recipe, as well. Just in case you need to bribe Xander.”

“I have to memorize that one.” I let out a laugh.

Crystal took the fork from me and speared a piece of pancake. “Yummy.”

Ayer leaned back, resting against the rock. “We’ll need to leave for a while.”

“When?” I asked.

“After you’re bent back,” Crystal mumbled, chewing her food.

It seemed natural for the fledgling casters to go into the world to explore and fulfill their duty. I remained unusually calm, then noticed Crystal’s hand resting on mine. “Are you soothing my emotions?”

“Yes.” My daughter’s warmth oozed through me.

“You don’t need to.” I leaned against her shoulder.

“I thought you’d be upset we’re leaving.” Her head rested on top of mine.

“Sad, yes. Upset, no. I’m pretty sure you can handle anything.”

“We can,” she said. “It won’t be long. And we’ll visit.”

“You’d better.” I smiled as she sat up straight. “Your home will always be here for you.”

“We know, Mama.”

“Where will you live?” I asked the twins.

“We have some cleaning up to do. Aseret managed to build sects of demons all over the world.” The excitement in Ayer’s tone reminded me of William’s. “We will take up Uncle Eric’s home for a while.”

“I wish you weren’t the ones to clean up Aseret’s mess,” I said, my voice flat.

“It’s not just Aseret. The keepers need us. Don’t be sad, Mama. We’ll visit often.” Crystal placed her hand on top of mine again.

“Anything you need, we’re here,” William said.

“What I need right now is a swim.” I looked down at the reflection of four pairs of dangling feet. Miranda’s bulkier body released sweat in places I wasn’t used to. Drops trickled down my back, and today’s breezeless air didn’t help.

“Let’s go, then,” William encouraged.

“I’m not sure if this body can swim.” I felt the chill in my spine “What are you doing?” I exclaimed as Crystal took hold of my elbow and William the other.

“Taking you for a swim!” William laughed.

“No!”

But it was too late, and I hit the water with my behind. The sting of the contact singed my buttocks, and I found myself struggling to breathe. Miranda’s lungs weren’t as full as my vampire ones. William lifted me to the surface.

“A little warning next time would be nice,” I said wryly when we emerged.

“What, and ruin the surprise?” He laughed as he helped me out.

“I can’t wait to have my own body back,” I said.

“I can’t wait until you have your body, too.” William’s lust shone in his eyes.

“Sh, the kids.”

“Mama, we’re crafters, not kids,” Ayer yelled from above before plunging past us into the water. “Cannonball!”

“You will always be my kids.” My voice bounced against the cliff.

For the first time since I could remember, I actually had a family day to enjoy. Though not in my own body, I felt as comfortable in this skin as in my own. I treaded the water, enjoying its cooling effect as I tipped my face back to soak up the sun. Floating on my back, I outstretched my arms and closed my eyes. Stray clouds wandered across the sun, shading the glow behind my eyelids every few minutes. William held my hand, floating at my side, the partially submerged parts of his body invisible, the same way mine would have been if I had my half-breed body back. I heard the twins finishing their lunch up on the cliff.

“I have a surprise for you,” William said.

“Another one?” I opened my eyes and turned my head to the side.

“Yes, but you’ll love this one. We need to get home.”

“Now? I’m really enjoying this.” I squinted when the sun hit my face.

“I know you are, but you’ll enjoy your gift even more.”

“I’m intrigued.” I picked up my head and looked around. “Is the surprise at home?”

“I’m not saying anything.”

“Hmm, you’re cute when you’re secretive. Now I really want to know.” I faced my husband’s bopping torso.

“Then let’s go.”

William lifted me over his shoulder and swam to the shore. He set me down and jumped over the wall of shrubs while I lifted a towel from a bench and wrapped it around Miranda’s black hair.

“OK, I’m ready.” I stepped from one foot to the other.

“Home, Sarah, home.” William took a step and disappeared.

“Are you forgetting I’m still human?” I shouted after him.

He reappeared at my side just long enough to say, “Not for long.”

I used Miranda’s legs to run as fast as they could go. The muscles ached, complaining with each step. My lungs wheezed, feeling they could work at only half capacity, and by the time I got to the clearing, I was heaving louder than a marathon newbie. I sat down on the front steps and stuck out my hand. William handed me a water bottle.

“I will never take being a half-breed for granted again.” I gasped before pressing my lips to the tip of the bottle to suck in water.

William handed me another one.

“Why is your Hummer parked there?” I pointed to the center of the clearing.

My husband shrugged. “I let Ekim take it for a spin.”

I finished the second bottle. “Okay, I’m ready for my surprise,” I announced, wiping drops of water off my chin.

“You will have your half-breed body soon enough,” Eric said as he stepped out of the cabin. The siblings and Xela followed.

“I really do miss my senses.” Sweat dripped down my back as I pushed myself up. If I’d been in my own body, I’d have my abilities. Then my friends wouldn’t be able to surprise me. It must have been a week of sneaking and whispering. Even the twins were acting as if they were hiding something, I realized now. At least I wasn’t a ghost, though I missed my mother, the same way I’d missed her my entire life. Willow often stepped in to comfort me when I thought of her.

“Change first, then come back out.” William motioned me inside. “And, Sarah, take your time.” He winked.

“Like I could move quicker than a turtle.” I rolled my eyes and walked to my room.

My hands swept through the clothes in my closet, and I looked for a comfortable skirt with an elastic waist. Fitting Miranda’s body into my wardrobe and trying to care for a neglected face turned out to be a challenge each morning. William had bought a few necessities, though I didn’t want much; I’d rather hold onto the hope that it wouldn’t be long before Eric could exchange my soul with Xela, who still possessed my body.

After a few unsuccessful outfits, I pulled one of William’s t-shirts over my head.
What seems like a fast change for me must seem like an eternity for my husband and my friends,
I thought, not happy with my outfit, but it was the best I could do. I left the room and headed back out to the porch.

The twins had changed and shifted to younger selves to play rock, paper, scissors in the doorway. They looked like they’d been at the game for a while now, two nine-year-olds as carefree as I remembered them. It made me happy to know they could lose themselves so easily. I stepped between them onto the porch, squinting into a setting sun.

William sat in a lounge chair, sipping a Bloody Mary. A Fuzzy Navel waited for me on the table. Mira swung on the hammock Eric had installed, one end attached to the stump left after Ayer took the tree down. Xander and Xela relaxed on the lower step of the porch, his arms wrapped around her. I still had a difficult time getting used to seeing Xander’s arms around my body and wondered if it bothered William.

William read my expression. “I know who you are. I always will.” He pulled me onto his lap.

Willow was at the end of the porch, reading through a new gardening book. Atram and Ekim had moved the loveseat from the solarium to a corner of the porch and were now discussing their plans for tomorrow. My father said he’d join me on my trip to the prison, to meet up with an acquaintance in Pinedale.

“I’d like to come along my friend,” Atram said to my father.

“Not a good idea this time. It’ll be dangerous,” Ekim said.

Before I had a chance to question him, my gaze found the center of the clearing.

I gasped. “How did you . . . when did you . . .”

The Hummer had been moved back to its usual parking spot at the side of the house. In the spot where the last of the evening’s rays streaked through the lower canopy, a garden bloomed. I remembered stepping out of William’s Hummer for the first time to feel the tickle of the freshly mown grass. Now the blossoms of orchids I had never seen before bloomed here, their stems swaying with the breeze as if they were dancing. With William at my side, I walked toward heart-shaped bed of flowers.