Chapter 14 — Travis

It’s been a few weeks since I've seen Emmy. I know she is doing better. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to come up with much, just that Emmy started going to the Dark Forest when she was about nine. I can’t seem to come up for a reason as to why the Enchantress would want Emmy in the Dark Forest. It is a complete mystery; one I don’t like. I don’t know why the Enchantress would bring Emmy to the Dark forest at all, but she has. It doesn't make sense, but then I’ve learned that most of the things the Enchantress does, does not make sense to the everyday person.

What bothers me is I can’t understand why the Enchantress would want Emmy in her layer, or why she never revealed herself to Emmy. She could have easily started convincing Emmy to join her side, Emmy was young and impressionable, it would have been a really good plan, but for some odd reason the Enchantress didn’t do any of this. I don’t get any of this which just frustrates me more.

Emmy has summoned me to the manor, so I head over there. I don’t know what she could want, but my kid needs me, so I am there. Even though I am in over my head with all this research, perhaps the break would be good. I’ve been held up in my cabin for the last few weeks, time traveling, reading, and teleporting all over the world. I can’t even think straight at the moment. Yeah, I need a break. Seeing Emmy will be a good thing.

I teleport over to the manor and find Emmy with her team relaxing in the main family room. They are talking and taking turns playing some racing game on the TV. Emmy sees me and she jumps up off the couch and runs to me. I catch her in my arms and hug her back. I have missed her. I hate being away from her, but until the Enchantress is taken out and I have Gemma back in one piece, my time has to be spent doing research.

Emmy pulls out of my arms and smiles at me.

“Dad, what are you doing here?” She asks with a smile.

I tilt my head confused as to why Emmy doesn’t know why I am here, after all she summoned me. “You summoned me.” I reply.

We can summon the other person because we are connected through our dark magic. It binds us. I figured that out in my research. At least my research had yielded some results, even if it was not the results I was looking for.

“No, I didn’t.” Emmy looks confused.

Someone then teleports into the room with us. Everyone turns to look at the stranger.

“I summoned you.” The stranger states I look at him. He is wearing all black, black jeans with black boots, and a black hoodie. He’s toned and slim like me. He is on the taller side, about my height. He has long dark brown hair that is a little past his shoulders and the same blue eyes as Emmy and Gemma. In fact, his hair is the same color as theirs is, but his is a little lighter. The stranger has a similar build to mine, and his skin is fair like mine. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he could be Gemma and I’s son, but that’s impossible. However, I can’t help but think this guy looks like he could be our kid. He looks a lot like Emmy if her brother was alive, but he died. It couldn’t be Calder, could it? Then again if he wasn’t my son then how could he have summoned me here?

“Calder?” I ask in disbelief. There is no other explanation. I have to see if this stranger could be my son.

The stranger looked at me and smiled. “Yeah, dad it’s me.”

I look at Emmy whose mouth has just hit the floor. “I’m sorry did he just call you dad?” Emmy asks as she swivels her head at me.

I realize everyone was looking at me. Great. So not what I need at the moment. I mean I’m glad my son is alive, but still not great timing. I have to explain before Emmy goes nuclear. I can tell she wants to lash out.

“Yes, he did. Before you were born your mom was pregnant with Calder. When Gemma was about seven months pregnant, we were attacked by the Enchantress. It forced your mom into early labor and Calder died. That’s how we figured out that the Enchantress was after our children, that our kids held some importance to her. Three months later your mom got pregnant with you and that’s when we came up with the idea about William Chase.”

I turn to Calder. “You died, son. Your mom and I buried you.”

“I know. The Enchantress brought me back to life. I’ve been her prisoner my whole life. I escaped a few weeks ago when Emmy came to the Dark Forest. I was the one who was summoning her there. When Emmy was there with me, we weakened the strength of the Enchantress. I don’t know why, but I have some theories. The Enchantress used me against mom. When she kidnaped mom, mom refused to let the Enchantress possess her. See the witch the Enchantress possesses must let her in. So, the Enchantress threatened to kill me if mom didn’t let her in. I’ve been trying for years to escape, but I’ve never been able to. Either Emmy wasn’t there long enough, or I got caught. However, this last time Emmy was there long enough and then dad weakened her even more when you fought her. I was able to escape, but I was badly wounded and dying. I had to find a Knightswood Tree, which I did, or else I wouldn’t be standing here with you now. That’s why I didn’t come right away.”

“The Enchantress brought you back to life?” Emmy asks with disbelief.

“Yes, she is a necromancer like dad. Only five witches and five warlocks in the word have ever been able to become necromancers.” Calder answers.

“Dad, you’re a necromancer?” Emmy askes. I can tell she was curious.

“Yes, I am, but bringing someone back from the dead is extremely risky. It requires a lot of strength, power, and magic. Even then the person doesn’t always come back whole. They either are missing their soul, part of their personality, or like the zombies you see on TV. The fact that Calder is even whole is a miracle. You are whole, son?” I have to ask. It is so rare someone ever comes back all in one piece.

“Yes. I have my soul, all my vital organs, and my personality, although it could have been altered, I don’t know I was only a baby when I was brought back from the dead. The other thing is like you dad, my powers awoke earlier than sixteen. I was twelve.”

“Wait, that's not possible? Is it?” Bex questions.

“Not normally, but it did happen for me. I thought it was because of my dark magic. I didn’t think much when it didn’t happen to Emmy, I just figured it was because of Gemma’s bloodline that it didn’t come to light sooner, but that must not be true because Calder has the same blood running through his veins as Emmy does.” I feel a bit proud to outsmart the smarty pants of the family.

“Could it be because Calder was brought back from the dead?” Bex askes. Bexton is always inquisitive and needs to know the answers to everything.

“Perhaps, but I’ve never died and come back, at least not that I’m aware of.”

“Maybe because you are both males.” Avery suggests.

“I doubt it. Gender hardly plays a factor into things like this.” I turn to Emmy. “You okay Little Bird?”

“I swear to the stars above us, if I find out one more damn secret that shatters my world one more time, I’m going to lose my shit, and it won’t be pretty.” Emmy takes a deep breath. “Other than that, I’m fine. I have a brother.” She says the last part mostly to herself.

Emmy introduces Calder to their cousins Bexton and Brielle, and then to the others. Vivian comes to join us and at first when I tell her who Calder is, I think she is going to have a heart attack, but she doesn’t. She hugs Calder and welcomes him to the family.

A few hours later Jason and Kenzie were meeting Calder as well. I was in shock; I still couldn’t believe he was here. I hugged him. I’m glad he was alive, but this is a surprise that knocked me on my ass.

Calder was unsure of what he wants to do. He can't decide if he wants to come with me or stay with the team. For now, he is going to share the suit that the guys have. They are going to add an extra bed to the room. Calder will train with me and the team till he makes up his mind.

I am curious to see what skills Calder has since the Enchantress let him practice and wanted his skills developed. We aren’t sure if she wanted his power along with Emmy’s, or to use his powers against Emmy. We aren’t really sure what her crazy ass had planned.

Once Calder gets settled, I will see what he knows about the Enchantress. He might have some vital information that could help me with getting Gemma back in one piece. Now I had even more of a reason to get her back. I want the four of us to be a family. After the hell this family has been through, we deserve it.