Epilogue 1: Eventually Move On
Epilogue 1: Eventually Move On
\[Elise’s POV\]
“Then I need to find this crone.”
My voice rings out confidently as I speak, and I know that that is the next plausible step for me, but before that, I would need to find another witch to help us. Did we even know of another witch?
“The sooner the better.” I continue. “Do any of you know of another witch?”
“Tatiana,” Tristan murmurs, turning his gaze to his mothers. “She’s still within the packhouse, correct?”
“She is,” Maria confirms. “Due to the seriousness of the situation at the time she stuck around for her own safety.”
“Then we just need to go to this Tatiana.” I say. “Where is she right now?”
“In her room, probably.” Tristan shrugs. “I can lead the way if you want…”
“No,” I snap. “You are going to stay here and take care of Denali along with Jolene.”
“I don’t need his help.” Jolene huffs. “He will only get in the way.”
“Who will get in the way?” Tristan counters. “If that is anyone, it will be you.”
“No, you,” Jolene argues, and I roll my eyes.
“Maria,” I say leaving the two to argue amongst themselves. “Could you show the way to Tatiana’s room.”
“She can’t see,” Tristan snaps.
“I’m not helpless,” Maria repeats. “Even if I have no sight it doesn’t mean that I can’t feel.”
At her words, I let a small smile play on my lips because I appreciate her stubbornness and then I feel something stirring within me.
What’s this? I wonder as I feel like something is bubbling to the surface, but it isn’t quite coming.
Forget it. I tell myself silently. Right now, the only thing you should be focusing on is finding a way to the crone.
“Maria,” I repeat, wrapping an arm around hers. “Let’s go.”
Nodding, Maria tightens her hold on me and then we are moving.
Together, we head out into the hall and then towards the stairs that lead to the sleeping wings, and when we reach, I let Maria slowly take each step one by one.
Despite her words to Tristan, it was clear that she did struggle a bit with the navigating the world around her, but I understood why she would want Tristan to worry less.
“He has good intentions.” I say before I can stop myself, and Maria simply smiles.
“That boy has always been overprotective.” She explains. “You may not remember it since you lost your memories, but he and I went through a lot before finding our way to Emerald Moon.”
“Mmmm,” I nod, and I feel my heart squeeze painfully as guilt starts to bubble in me.
Once again, I don’t let myself get lost on what this feeling may be, and instead focus on the rest of the stairs.
When Maria and I are on solid ground again, we head to the left wing where I can only assume Tatiana’s room is, and when we reach, Maria lifts a hand and knocks on the door.
“Whose there?” A voice calls from within. “What business do you have with me?”
“I’m sorry,” I respond. “It’s Elise and Maria, we had something we wished to discuss with you.”
“With me?” The one within asks as the door slowly moves open and then an old lady with long gray hair asks me. “And what on earth would you need with me?”
“The child needs to see the crone.” Maria explains. “She had a vision that said she is the only one who can help us.”
“The crone.” Tatiana repeats. “And what makes you think the crone will help us? That old coot is only interested in keeping the timeline as it should be and not interfering in our matters.”
“But what if the timeline was disrupted by dark magic?” Maria asks.
“Dark magic,” she repeats as I take in what she has said. “Are you saying that dark magic is at play?”
“You must know better than anyone.” Maria tells her. “You were the one who returned the memories to our comrades. You must have sensed something.”
“I do not see nor sense anything when I am performing my magic.” Tatiana says slowly. “Only those who are having things returned do, but…” she continues considering. “I am aware that they are not from our timeline.”
“That’s right,” Maria confirms. “Which means that the crone may be willing to help us.”
For a moment, Tatiana doesn’t speak as she considers what Maria has said, and after a bit of deliberation, she begins to open the door to her room more until we can see the area within.
It’s dimly lit, but I don’t miss the wisps of smoke that float around, or the shelf that is filled with herbs. My nose is also attacked by the scent of incense and something earthy, and I wonder what exactly it is that the woman was doing.
“Careful,” the woman in question says as we step inside and nearly topple over some books. “I wasn’t expecting guests.”
As she speaks, she bends over to retrieve a few things from the ground, but even then, it does nothing to free up space, and out of worry for Maria, I tighten my hold on her as I lead her safely in and to a seat.
“Thank you,” Maria smiles, getting comfortable. “I can handle moving alone for the most part, but when there is too much in the way, well…”
“It’s alright,” I assure her. “I’m always here to help.”
“You shouldn’t have been.” Tatiana says and I whirl around to find her directly behind me. “You should have already passed on to the goddess’ domain.”
“What does that mean?” I ask, frowning. “I don’t…”
“You can’t continue to possess this child’s body forever.” Tatiana continues. “You will eventually have to move on and allow her to continue her journey. Anyway,” she sighs, moving to a desk and grabbing what looks like chalk. “Let’s get this over with, shall we? It’s almost time for my drama to come on.”
“Drama,” I repeat, watching as Tatiana continues clearing the middle of the room. “That’s what you’re worried about?”
“Of course,” she huffs, beginning to draw a large circle. “Devin is about to make his choice between Lilly and Gianna, I can’t miss it.”
Crazy. This woman was absolutely crazy, but if not missing her drama meant that she would move quicker, then I didn’t mind it.
Remaining in place, I continue to watch as she draws a large pentacle on the ground, and once she finishes, she moves back to the desk, and starts grabbing various items.
“A candle for fire,” she begins, placing the candle in it’s place. “A bowl to fill for water. An incense for air, and some cedar for earth.” She recites these things while placing them, and when she finally finishes, she grabs salt and begins to slowly lay it on the outer edge of the circle.
“Let’s begin,” she murmurs and I feel the energy in the room slowly shift. “Maria, your hand, and child,” she continues turning her gaze to mine. “Don’t fight when the time comes.”