Chapter Eighteen

Renee stared at the ring of flowers and didn’t have a clue on how to proceed. She wanted Parker to come over and finish the ritual, but he was a little busy right now. She talked to ghosts, but she couldn’t help them cross over. Could she? He was depending on her, they all were, and she didn’t know what to do next. She had to try and pray she didn’t screw up what he’d started. She clenched her fists, then flexed her fingers, and wished she had Parker’s experience.

“Renee, you know what to do,” Gran whispered when she materialized. “Look inside yourself. The knowledge is there. You have to find it. You have to believe in your skills.”

“I’m scared I’ll mess it up, Gran. I need Parker’s help. I’ve never even thought about attempting anything like this before. I’ve never even heard of anything like this before.” She turned to her grandmother’s ghost. “What do I do?”

Gran looked over her shoulder. “You’d better do something or Parker and Wayne and everyone else are done for. Come on, girl. Get yourself together. You have the instinct to know what to do. Use your gift.”

Renee looked at The Huntsman as he loomed over the two men in her life and Lily’s ghost. The three of them were in deep trouble if she didn’t do something soon. Gran was right, as always. She needed to focus on her ability and help the spirits, Parker, and Wayne. She glanced behind her and watched as Parker stood in front of Wayne, shielding him from The Huntsman’s wrath. He wove his arms in elaborate patterns, and bright blue light surrounded them. She could see a silver thread tied around him, Wayne, and Lily.

The Huntsman’s horse glared at her and snorted. As she stared at the massive beast, she saw a large sack tied to the saddle’s pommel and something inside was struggling to get out. That had to be the spirits he’d captured. They needed to be freed, so they too, could cross over to the afterlife. She had to do what she could for them. Determination made her stand taller. Gran was right again. Everyone in the clearing needed her to be stronger than she’d ever been in her life.

“Focus, Renee. People are depending on you,” she muttered.

Would Parker’s power be strong enough to delay The Huntsman and his hounds? When Wayne swung the branch he held, a little bit of pride puffed up in her chest. She didn’t think he had it in him. She cringed when she saw The Huntsman knock Parker to the ground and then scratch his chest without ever touching him. This entity was really powerful and Parker, along with Wayne, depended on her to help stop him.

The best way to do that was to finish a ritual she’d never done or heard of until she came to Garland Falls. Parker had erected some kind of a magical shield around them. For now, it seemed to keep The Huntsman’s hounds at bay. What would happen if the hounds decided to come for her? Could she be as strong as the two men behind her? There wasn’t any choice. She’d have to be.

She cringed as the hounds leapt at the barrier, scratching and gnawing as they tried to get in. The Huntsman smashed his large fists down and the blue dome faltered for a moment. Parker dropped to one knee and stretched his arms out. The shield glowed brighter and pushed out against the attack. Wayne grabbed Parker under his arms and hauled him to his feet. The Huntsman bellowed and lowered his massive fists again and she took a step toward them.

“Finish the ritual,” Parker shouted. “The ghosts are depending on you to open the gateway.”

“I don’t know how,” she cried.

“Yes, you do. You know you can do it.”

Her head whipped back and forth between them and the ghosts hovering in the trees. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her power. She laid her hand on the gardenia. Golden light surrounded her, and the earth thrummed under her feet. She kicked her shoes off and let the power of the surrounding trees and all of nature in the clearing fill her. Energy rose up within her, and a deep connection bound her to every living and un-living being around her.

She opened up her abilities and felt an instant connection to the spirits hovering away from The Huntsman and his hounds. They flowed to her side, and she stood, calling more to her. Power surged into her and a light beyond the veil began to shine brightly, making her squint. She raised her arms, her fingers weaving in a strange pattern of their own accord. In the middle of the circle, a doorway opened and revealed a bright, colorful passageway. A gasp escaped her at the warmth and beauty flowing out of the gate.

Her power sang within her and called out to all the spirits in the area. The Huntsman roared as ghosts zoomed in from every direction, flying past him and filling the clearing. Occupied with trying to break Parker’s protection spell, he couldn’t turn his attention to capture any of them. One by one, they sailed through the doorway and were swallowed by the light. She backed up until she was right by the large sack.

The horse whipped its head around and snapped at her. “I don’t think so,” she said, bringing her palm down hard on its nose. “Bad horse. Mind your manners.”

When it reared back in surprise, she yanked on the rope and the sack opened. Spirits shot out in all directions, heading for the opening to the afterlife. The Huntsman roared, shaking the trees, and turned to her. When his attention was diverted, Parker sent out a thread to hold him in place. She nodded at him and concentrated on keeping the portal open.

Renee’s grandmother floated next to her and smiled. “I’m so proud of you, my dear. I knew you had it in you. You’ve always been filled with magic. Being in Garland Falls has awakened it and brought it up to its full potential. You truly belong here.”

“Thanks, Gran. That means a lot.” Her breath hitched and she swallowed hard. “I know you have to go, but I don’t want you to. I don’t know how I’ll get along without you.” Tears streamed down Renee’s cheeks as her grandmother floated surrounded by the light. “I’ll miss you so much, Gran.”

“You’ll figure it out. I’ll miss you, too, my dear.” Her grandmother gave her a hug that chilled her blood. “I’m waiting for my old man to come for me.” She peered into the light. “There he is now. He never could be on time. Remember, I’ll always be with you. Now go help your men out. I’ll take care of the ghosts.”

As Gran directed the spirits into the gateway, Renee walked over to Parker and grabbed his hand. The silver thread flowed around her, connecting her to the other three, glowing brightly. It regained its strength, growing back to its original thickness.

“You need to leave, Huntsman,” she shouted. “There is no place for you here. Take your hounds and go.”

The Huntsman loomed over her, if possible getting even taller. “Who are you to speak to me in such a way, girl? Do you not realize I can destroy you? You are but a mere mortal and not worthy to address me in such a way.”

“Apparently, I’m more than human, and even if I am a ‘mere mortal,’ this is my world. You can try to destroy me, but you can’t touch me, and you know it. I’m not part of your realm and therefore you have no claim on me, nor do I have to listen to anything you say.” Renee raised her chin in defiance of the shaking her knees were doing. “I’m a protector of spirits and a conduit for them to the afterlife. You can’t win this time. Make it easy on everyone and leave.”

The Huntsman pointed to Wayne. “I’ll have this man as payment. The man who sired him stole him away, though I finally took him in servitude in place of what I was owed. The woman who gave him life escaped me, but he will not. Give him and the woman to me now and you shall all be spared my wrath.”

Lily’s ghost stretched until she stood as tall as him. “You took my life when my husband tried to save me and our child. You won’t harm my son, and you will never make me serve you. If it takes eternity, I will fight you and free any spirits you bind in servitude.”

A man’s spirit floated over to where the stood. “You have kept me captive long enough, Huntsman. I’m with my family and you can’t divide us again, no matter how hard you try.”

“Dad?” Wayne whispered.

Wayne’s father and mother joined hands, blocking any access to Wayne that The Huntsman tried to get. He stood with them, the silver thread linking the whole group, living and ghost, to Parker. The more people who joined in the protection spell, the stronger it became. The hounds backed away, snarling in fear. Even The Huntsman’s horse shied away as the three living and two ghosts glowed with power.

“I have told of the bargain struck with this man’s village. He and his offspring are owed to me. Green Man, you defy me at your peril.”

“Oh, grow up,” Renee said. She cast out her own silver thread, connecting it with Parker’s. “You sound like a whiny, spoiled brat. So, like a brat, why don’t you take your toys and go home?”

Renee grinned at the shocked look on Parker’s and Wayne’s faces. Who knew she’d have the courage to stand up to a being who could squish her with one blow? A large group of people came through the woods and formed a circle in the clearing. She smiled at the crowd before focusing again on the gateway, keeping it open.

More spirits were filling the clearing, heading straight for the gateway ahead of the crowd. Thank goodness the cavalry had arrived. About time, too. Leading the charge were Miss Dee and Mrs. Hall. Of course, those two lively ladies would be at the forefront.

“Back up a little,” Mrs. Hall shouted. “We’ll put this party crasher in his place. Come on, everyone, let’s get this done.”

Miss Dee and Mrs. Hall led the town elders in casting a banishment spell. The stood in a loose circle around The Huntsman, his horse, and his hounds and linked hands. As they shouted the spell in unison, glowing purple sigils formed in the air. Behind them, the fairy ring glowed pink and the mushrooms expanded to twice their normal size.

As the runes surrounded The Huntsman, he howled his rage. His hounds yelped and his horse reared up as a cyclone enveloped them all before it shrank down to a pinpoint and winked out. When the wind stopped, The Huntsman, his horse, and his hounds were nowhere to be found.

“I’m so glad to see you again, Lily,” Wayne’s father said. “I regretted for the rest of my life I couldn’t save you.”

“I know, my dear,” Lily said, as she laid her hand on Wayne’s cheek. “You loved us more than anyone in Garland Falls knew.”

Wayne nodded. “I knew. I’ve always known.”

Lily smiled. “You have magic in you, too.” She turned to her husband. “Would you like to tell him?”

He nodded. “My parents were from a part of the fairy realm known as the Dark Lands. I’m actually an ogre. My tribe made me, and by association my folks, outcasts because we didn’t look like the rest of the ogres in our village. I could pass for human. My parents couldn’t, but I could. When it was time for me to leave home, I wandered over to the realm’s Light Side and met your mother. Her lineage is leprechaun, and one of the more powerful families.” He smiled at her. “We fell in love and, despite everyone condemning us, we got married. We were forced to leave the fairy realm, so we settled here, in Garland Falls.”

His mother took over. “We weren’t sure if we’d be accepted here, so we lived outside of town and kept to ourselves.” She smiled at Mrs. Hall and the elders. “I suppose we should’ve asked for help, but we’d had such bad luck with other people. We were afraid of letting others know our secret.”

Wayne looked at his hands. “So I’m part ogre and part leprechaun? That explains how I knew to swing that branch and connect in the right spot.” He smiled when she nodded. “I guess that’s what also makes me good at my job as an accountant. I just can’t take no for an answer when talking to new clients.” He gazed at his parents. “Are you sure you have to leave? I’ve wanted the three of us to be together all my life.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve waited for so many years to have the answers denied me in life.” Lily smiled. “Now that I’ve found you and know what a fine young man you turned out to be, it’s time for me to go. I’ve waited so long to be with your father again.” She gazed at her husband. “I’m happy to be reunited with him. I’ve missed you both so much. Take care, my baby boy. We shall always love you, and we’ll be watching out for you from the other side.”

Wayne’s father shook his hand, sending chills running down his spine. “Thank you, son. I always wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your help while I was alive. You’re a good man.”

“Thanks, Dad. I love you guys.”

They all watched as his parents drifted toward the passageway. They paused and smiled at him one more time before smiling at each other. They turned and waved before joining hands and disappearing inside. As soon as they were gone, the light faded. Parker wrapped his arms around Renee. Wayne was surrounded by the elders and hugged by Mrs. Hall.

“Let’s head to the Bed and Breakfast,” Miss Dee said. “I’ll make some tea and put out some food. We all need to replenish our strength. This has been a most tiring evening.”

One by one, the small crowd talked in low voices as they drifted out of the woods. As soon as they were alone, Renee opened the urn and spread her grandmother’s ashes all around the base of the tree. The flowers glowed with a brilliant white light for a moment, which then faded away.

“Goodbye, Gran,” she said, tears running freely down her cheeks. “Hug Gramps for me. I love you guys.”

Parker helped Renee to her feet and brushed the tears from her eyes. “Looks like you’re a spirit conduit after all,” he said. “And it appears that you might be from a magical realm yourself.”

“Well, I’ve heard anything’s possible in Garland Falls.”

“I can’t believe you called The Huntsman a spoiled brat.” He held her close. “No wonder my mother likes you so much.”

“I can’t believe I did it either.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “He just made me so mad, I had to say something.”

“I completely understand.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad you’re on our side.”

She laid her hand on the tree and bowed her head for a moment, then picked up her grandmother’s now empty urn. “Let’s get back to the B and B.” She shivered and hugged herself, while slipping her shoes on. “It’s way too cold to stand around out here. I think my toes are frozen. You know, I thought after I spread Gran’s ashes, I’d be totally alone.”

“And now?”

She laid her head on his shoulder as he held her close. “Now I know I’ll never be alone as long as I have you.”

“Then you’ll never be alone.”

When they walked in, Dee gave them each a cup of hot chamomile tea and a small plate with several cookies on it. They didn’t see Wayne with the group at the table. Dee glanced upward, telling them he’d gone to his room. The rest of the elders sat at the dining room table and talked in quiet voices while they drank from mugs. Renee and Parker sat on the love seat in the drawing room.

Parker glanced up. “Will he be okay?”

“Wayne?” She nodded. “He’ll be all right. He needs time to process what happened tonight. You know, for him being half ogre and half leprechaun, he’s actually a pretty decent guy. It explains a lot about his personality. I’m glad we found out the truth about Lily and her husband with the town elders there.”

“Same here.” He grabbed a cookie from the plate. “Now my mother can update the story of Lily McGee and give her the happy ending the whole family deserves.”

She sipped her tea. “I’ll have to go back with him, you know. I’ve got to pack my stuff and close my business. I’ve also got to get Gran’s house on the market. There’s a million things I have to take care of back east.”

“Oh.” He squirmed on the loveseat. “Should I go with you?”

She chuckled. “As much as you dislike cities? I don’t think so. Besides, I need you here.”

“Why?”

“You really are a man of few words.” She finished her tea and snuggled close to him, sighing when his arm went around her shoulders. “I leased a store on Main Street. When I send my stock here, I need someone to take it to the shop for me. I need a place to live, too. I’d appreciate it if you’d take care of everything on this end.” She sat up and raised her hand to her chest in mock surprise. “You didn’t expect me to do it all by myself, did you?”

“I guess not.” He pulled her back down to his side. “All right. I’ll get your place of business and a house for you set up. Thanks for trusting my judgement with something so important.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll miss you.”

“You’re welcome, and it won’t take me long.” She frowned a little. “At least I hope it won’t. With paperwork, you just never know, and don’t worry. I’ll be back before you know it.”

He held her tightly. “I hope so. I’m tired of dealing with Lucas by myself. I’ll be glad when his wife gets home.”

She snuggled close to him. “Don’t worry. I’ll give you so much to do, you won’t have time to miss me or deal with Lucas.”