Chapter Seventeen

The three of them arrived at the Halloween festival in the town hall just after noon. Children laughed and ran around, weaving in and out of the crowd. A food table had been set up along the far wall. People participated in all sorts of crafts and games. In the middle of it all, Mrs. Hall barked orders, checked on supplies, and smoothed out any rough spots. Parker waved to her, and she hurried over.

“So this is our guest,” she said. She held his hands and smiled at him. “Welcome to Garland Falls, Wayne. We’re so happy you could join us.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you invited me.”

Mrs. Hall peered at him. “You look exactly like your mother.”

“Wait. You knew her? Did you know my dad, too?”

She nodded. “Your mother was a lovely, frail girl. We could never understand what she saw in Edmund McGee.”

“Mrs. Hall,” he said. “There’s no way my dad would’ve hurt her. Until the day he died, he said that over and over. Whatever the people here thought of him, he’d never hurt anyone. He loved my mom. He showed me some old photos of the two of them. If you could see them, how he looked at her, you’d know he could never hurt her. He adored her.”

Parker’s mother approached them. “I see you made it.”

“Mrs. Callahan, this is my friend, Wayne Billings,” Renee said. “Wayne, this is Sara Callahan, Parker’s mother.”

Sara stared at Wayne. “Your mother’s maiden name was Billings. Did your father change your last name when the two of you left?”

“Billings is the only name I’ve ever known.” He looked at the people who surrounded him. “My dad never explained why he had a different last name from mine.”

“I bet he wanted to protect you from The Huntsman,” Parker said. “If all of this is true, we expect The Huntsman to show up tonight to try and claim you. I’m expecting him to come to the ritual site.”

Wayne sighed and stared at the ceiling. “I should’ve stayed in New York.”

Parker laid his hand on Wayne’s shoulder. “Where you lived wouldn’t have made any difference. If The Huntsman wants you, he’ll find you.”

Wayne frowned at him. “Don’t you ever have any good news for me?”

****

Lucas pulled Parker aside. “The air has gotten more oppressive. The Huntsman is almost here for Renee’s friend. How do you plan we should stop him?”

“Get the elders. They can set up a defensive wall.” Parker glanced at Renee as she talked with Mrs. Hall and his mother. “Renee might be able to help me with the ritual. Her abilities are similar to mine and almost as strong. If we can cross over Lily, The Huntsman may lose some of his power.”

“That’s a mighty big ‘if,’ little bro. What happens if you can’t?”

Parker gave him a small grin. “Then, I guess we’re all doomed. The Huntsman and his hounds will run over this town and take all the spirits with him. We’ll be headed back to the fairy realm for his weird brand of justice for defying him. After all, he could feed off our power for decades. I don’t think the Green Prince would appreciate us messing up what he did for our family in the past. After all, he risked a lot for us back then.”

“You’re a real barrel of laughs sometimes, you know that, Parker?”

“Yep.”

Renee approached them. “Can you guys feel something bad coming?”

“We were just talking about it,” Parker said, and Lucas nodded.

“We have to take Wayne with us to the woods for the ritual, don’t we?” she asked. “I feel in my gut it’s the right way to go.”

Parker nodded. “Me, too. It’ll put him in jeopardy, but he’ll draw out Lily. Maybe she can help us stop The Huntsman.”

“It’s a chance we’ll have to take.” She paused. “Before we go to the ritual site, I need to go the B and B to get Gran’s urn. Can’t spread the ashes if I don’t have them.”

“Very true.”

She smiled and pulled him toward one of the craft tables. “Well, until we go out in a fiery blaze of glory, we might as well have some fun.”

Parker loved her enthusiasm as she made a Halloween mask and a scarecrow. Soon, she dragged him over to play some of the games that were set up. They filled up on the different foods and snacks. The time flew and before long the town clock struck eleven. The new moon cast a dark shadow over the town as its white ring shone brightly around it.

Parents herded their children out the door to get them tucked into their beds. As people drifted out, they wished Parker, Renee, and Wayne luck. Everyone in town had some sense of the high stakes this holiday. Lucas hugged his brother and headed back to his fields. He’d promised to draw on the power of nature to feed into Parker’s.

Renee walked over to Wayne. “We have to go. You need to come out to the woods with us tonight. I won’t lie. This will be dangerous for you. The Huntsman wants you, but we mean to stop him.”

“Great,” Wayne said. “Like I said to Parker, don’t you ever have any good news for me?”

“Your mother’s spirit should come out to protect you.”

He shrugged. “I’ll take it. You think she’ll be at peace after tonight?”

“I believe so,” Parker said. “She’s waited a long time for you to return. She’ll want to see you. I think you’re the last piece of her puzzle. We believe it was her spirit who helped you this morning.”

The three of them left and headed for the B and B. The two men waited in the foyer while Renee ran to her room and grabbed the urn. She turned and smiled at her grandmother over her shoulder before heading back downstairs.

“Gran, are you coming with us? After all, you need to be at the clearing for the ritual to cross you over to the afterlife.”

“I’ll be beside you the whole time. Let’s get this done.”

Renee took a deep breath and hurried down to meet the two men waiting for her. She gripped the urn tighter to her chest as they walked toward the north woods. The closer they got, the heavier the air got around them. Even the ghosts who followed them felt it. Some faded from sight, while others stayed with them.

“It’s so hard to breathe.” Wayne’s steps faltered and he slowed down a little. “I don’t think I can do this.”

“Yes, you can. You’re stronger than you think.” Renee laid her hand on his arm. “It’s okay. Parker and I will protect you. You won’t have to worry about The Huntsman after tonight.” She smiled. “And your dad will have justification that he really did love your mother and you.”

“I hope you’re right.”

Parker hushed them as they followed him into the woods. He cradled the floral bundle he’d picked up from Lucas in his left arm. In his right hand he carried a small burlap sack. The trees seemed to close in around them, their steps muffled by the carpet of leaves. The deeper they went, the more a great sadness enveloped them.

“Call your mother,” Parker whispered.

Wayne glanced at him. “Are you sure?”

“I can’t cross her over unless she’s here. Let her know who you are and that you’ve come back. Tell her you’re safe and you’re here to help her.” He nodded and gave him a small smile. “It’s okay. She loves you. She has no reason to harm you.”

“If you say so.” Wayne took a deep breath and stepped away from Parker and Renee. “Lily McGee? It’s me. It’s your son, Wayne. I’ve come back to tell you I’m safe and unharmed. You need to come out and let Parker help you cross over. It’s okay. You don’t need to stay here any longer.”

The trees bent as a stiff wind blew around them. Leaves and dirt swirled up around their faces, making them cover their eyes. Soon, a pale figure materialized before them. Wayne jumped behind Renee when the ghostly woman reached her hand out.

“It’s all right,” Renee said. “It’s Lily. Go to her.”

Wayne stepped out and walked toward the ghost. “Mom, is it you?” She nodded and her fingers caressed his cheek, making him shiver at the cold contact. “You know Dad never hurt you, right?” She nodded again. “I’ve missed you all of my life.”

“I always prayed your father had kept you safe,” she said, her musical voice soft. “I’m so happy to see you doing so well. I’ve missed you so much these many, long years.”

“Dad never stopped loving you.” Wayne held his hand out and she laid her ghostly one in his. “He felt so guilty he couldn’t keep you safe.”

A trumpet sounded in the distance, a familiar cadence of calling hounds to the hunt. Faint at first, it grew louder by the minute, followed by the sound of baying hounds and pounding hooves. All conversation stopped and the three of them turned as one. Lily’s eyes widened and her head snapped around and she ran through the trees, fading with every step.

“Mom, don’t go,” Wayne shouted. “We’re here to help you. We can keep you safe.”

“Come on,” Parker said. “We’ve got to get to the ritual site. The Huntsman will be here quicker than we want. We’ve got to get started.”

They hurried to the curtain of vines and Parker shoved it aside, gesturing for the other two go in first. He removed his shoes and stopped at the fairy ring first. He opened the sack and set out a small bottle of wine, some bread and cheese, and seven gold coins. Power surged into the soles of his feet, and he knew Lucas had begun his own incantations. The smell of the woods filled him, and he held his hands up calling more of the power of nature into himself.

He thanked the fairies for their permission to use their sacred circle. He offered the gifts on the ground as a thank you for their blessing. He unrolled the bundle and began to place flowers in a circle at the base of the oak tree. He started with a dark red rose, then a dark pink geranium, a pale pink peony, a bright yellow daffodil, working through a rainbow of colors, all the way to the last flower in his hands. Even though some of the flowers were out of season, Lucas had provided all the needed blooms from his greenhouse.

He held a large white gardenia with reverence, bowing his head over it. When the circle was complete except for one last spot, he circled the oak tree again, murmuring a quiet incantation. The trumpet grew louder, and the hounds sounded closer than ever. His hands shook, but he didn’t stop. The ritual needed to be complete to open the door to the afterlife. The Huntsman would have to take a back seat to the spirits depending on him.

“Parker, you have to hurry,” Renee whispered, her voice shaking. “He’s almost here.”

He nodded in silent acknowledgement, never taking his gaze from the ring of blossoms. He raised the gardenia up to the new moon, letting the dark, blue sphere and white ring of light shine on it. With the incantation completed, he lowered it, and bowed his head. “As I place this last bloom, the spiritual connection will be complete. Let the scent of this gardenia open the gateway to the other side. Let the spirits who are here find peace in the afterlife.”

As he laid the white flower at the top of the circle, every flower glowed with ethereal light. The Huntsman burst into the clearing, his blood-red eyes boring into them. Astride his huge, pitch-black horse, they couldn’t tell where the horse ended and his body began. He dismounted and stalked toward them, making them all back away. Parker stood straighter, summoning whatever inner strength he could. The spirits needed him, now more than ever.

The Huntsman could easily be ten feet tall, if not more. His dark tan pants and tattered shirt had the distinct sound and smell of well-oiled leather. A long, black cape fluttered around his legs as he got closer to the small group. Black boots ended halfway up his thighs, his footsteps sending shockwaves through the ground, while his hounds circled on huge paws, snapping at the small group when they got close.

His skin was deep brown and rough, like the bark of a tree. Long, moss-green hair flowed from under the helmet covering most of his face. The head-dress itself was frightening, with a jagged edge resembling sharp teeth. What they initially thought were horns curving from the top of the helmet were more like antlers. Small prongs jutted out all the way up and the top points appeared thick and sharp. His eyes glared at them from underneath the head covering, flaring with malice.

“Green Man, you will give me the spirit who has eluded me for far too long,” he said, his hollow voice reverberating through their skulls. “This will be your last chance for leniency from me. Do not forget the warning I gave you the previous night.”

Parker bowed to him in a show of respect. “Forgive me, Huntsman, but I can’t let you harm any of the spirits here, living or dead. I have pledged to keep them safe until they cross over to their well-earned rest. You need to return to the realm of fairy. You have no chance at taking this man or any spirit from this sacred place.”

The hounds circled Parker and Wayne, snarling as saliva dripped from their massive jowls. Renee started toward him, but he shook his head and held his hand up, stopping her. The hounds jumped at him, their teeth snapping inches from his fingers.

“Finish the ritual,” he called out.

“I don’t know how,” she cried.

Wayne stepped forward and brandished a large branch he’d picked up. “We’ve got this, Renee. Do what you need to do.” He turned his attention to The Huntsman. “You took my mother from me. You haunted my father’s dreams until he died. You won’t hurt me or anyone else.”

The Huntsman leaned close. “You were chosen to be mine, boy. This is a high honor for you. Come with me now and I’ll spare the others.”

“Thanks, but I’m afraid it’s an honor I’ll have to do without.” He hefted the branch a little higher on his shoulder. “You should listen to Parker and go back to wherever it is you came from.”

“You have no idea how this honor was bestowed on you, do you?” The Huntsman laughed, a sound chilling them all. “Your father’s village offered himself and his firstborn to me to keep them all safe from my hunt.”

“Well, then they didn’t really know my father,” Wayne spat out. “He wouldn’t have gone along with that plan, not by any stretch of the imagination.”

“How little you know of your heritage, boy. The villagers did, but you’re right. Your father ran off with you.” He leaned down close to Wayne’s face. “The bargain was struck, and it is your duty, your obligation, to honor it.”

Parker stepped in front of him. “No deal, Huntsman. I am a descendant of the Green Prince, as are my brother and parents. Even though you rule over us, we have the power to stop you. There won’t be any spirits for you here this year or any other. The bargain you speak of will not be honored in the mortal realm. This man is free from the deal you struck. I’ll use every power at my disposal to stop you, here and now.”

“Are you so sure, so confident, in your words, Green Man? Let’s test that, shall we?”

The Huntsman reached out with his power. Green cords of light wrapped around Wayne’s body, drawing his spirit out of him. His back arched and his grip on the branch loosened when The Huntsman gave a hard yank. Wayne grimaced and fought to pull his spirit back into his physical body.

Parker immediately countered with a blue light cord, anchoring Wayne’s ghostly self with his physical form. The ghost of Lily McGee reared up out of the ground and stepped in front of them, blocking The Huntsman’s way to her son. She used herself as a shield, stopping The Huntsman’s attempts to steal Wayne’s spirit. Parker grabbed Wayne’s hand and murmured a short incantation. The blue cord turned into a silver thread, linking him, Wayne, and Lily in an unbreakable chain. A powerful barrier formed around them, glowing bright and strong. The Huntsman continued tugging on Wayne’s spirit, and the green cord around Wayne couldn’t be broken.

The Huntsman swung his thick arm, knocking Parker to the side. He rolled and pushed to his feet. He wrapped the silver thread tighter around his fingers and stared defiantly at the large entity towering over them. He felt blood trickle down his cheek and narrowed his eyes. Liege or not, The Huntsman had just overstepped his bounds.

“This is my clearing to perform the sacred ritual, giving peace to the spirits who come to me,” Parker shouted. “I won’t let you soil the rites to be said in this place of peace. You’ll take no spirits from here this year.”

The Huntsman lashed out again, knocking Parker off his feet for a second time. He staggered back over to Wayne and strengthened the thread between them. He’d told Wayne he’d protect him, and he meant to keep that promise, no matter what. He grabbed the silver thread and wrapped it tighter around his fist, keeping Wayne anchored solidly to his body.

Wayne stepped in front of him and swung the branch, connecting with one of the hounds. He brought it down again and the hound yelped as it scrambled backwards. As the others continued to circle, he swung the branch in a wide arc, keeping them back as he made his way over to Parker, when The Huntsman knocked him down for a third time. Parker shook his head, blinking rapidly to clear his vision. He took Wayne’s extended his hand, letting him pull him to his feet.

“Are you all right?” Wayne asked. “That’s a pretty nasty cut.”

“I’m good, but if we can’t stop The Huntsman soon, it will be the least of my problems.” Parker stepped next to him and nodded as Wayne gripped his makeshift weapon tighter. “Leave now, Huntsman. All in this glade are under my protection. I’ll fight you with everything I have to stop you.”

“And he won’t fight you alone,” Wayne said.

The Huntsman laughed. “I know how much power is within you, Green Man. You cannot match me in that regard.” He lashed out again, and Wayne was dragged closer to him as his spirit was tied to The Huntsman’s horse, the silver thread Parker had conjured thinning. “I will have this boy and there’s nothing you can do. As my subject, my will is yours. Do not expect the Green Prince to interfere on your behalf this time. He has slunk back to his pitiful castle on the outskirts of my lands.”

“I’m not now, nor have I ever been, your subject, and I don’t need the Green Prince’s help to defeat you now,” Parker shouted. “My parents left your realm. You have no claim on me or anyone here in Garland Falls, including the man standing here.”

The Huntsman grew taller and pointed at him. “Insolent boy. It appears a lesson needs to be taught.” The hounds surrounded his legs, waiting for a command to attack. “Not yet, my pets, not yet. Obey my orders, Green Man. This is your last chance. You have no choice but to bow to my will.”

“I can’t and I don’t want any of your chances.” Parker stood straighter, refusing to avert his gaze. “You’ve hurt too many people and ghosts through the years. I’ll do anything and everything I can to stop you. Right here and right now.”

“So be it.”

Parker watched The Huntsman drag his finger through the air and his chest burned. He refused to give in to the pain filling him and pulled more of Lucas’ power into himself. The burning ceased and he strengthened his grip on the silver thread. It was more important than ever to keep Wayne and Lily safe.

“Renee, you have to finish the ritual,” he yelled. “If not, there’ll be no stopping The Huntsman. All the spirits need you, need your strength. I need you.”

“I’ll try, but I’ve never done anything like this before.”

“You can do this.” He blocked another attack from The Huntsman. “Just believe in your power.”

He spared her a quick glance to see her hurry over to the oak tree and set her grandmother’s urn on the ground. He blocked another attack from The Huntsman. She had to finish the ritual and she had to do it soon. If not, everyone and every ghost didn’t stand a chance against The Huntsman and his hounds.

Lily’s ghost faded in and out. Wayne’s skin was beginning to pale the longer The Huntsman had his spectral rope around him. When the branch Wayne held fell to the ground, Parker realized his strength was waning fast. Renee needed to hurry. They were in a literal fight for everyone’s life.