Chapter 126: The Tarnished Ring

Shayne felt completely exhausted, and her head hurt. Yet, she still knew she was unconscious. She blinked several times and realized that she was again standing in the room with an eerie purple light. She could feel the magic flowing all around her and it gave a momentary feeling of calm and peace.

Just as the first time, she watched as the Anderson house appeared before her. She expected it to be the Civil War version, and she braced herself to meet with the sorceress Glennys again.

As it formed, it wasn’t the 1800’s version at all. The basic structure remained but all the modern touches that she loved were there. The porch was exactly as it had been that morning when she left for work. The summer roses were blooming and the gardens looked exactly as they did the last time she had seen her grandmother. She instantly knew that she was home as she turned and started up the walk.

“Shayne!” She heard Grandma Rachel cry out excitedly from the front porch. Her Grandmother was in her favorite red and white princess cut dress with the bold white lace collar.

Shayne ran up the stairs and into her arms. Tears of relief and grief spilled down her face. She had so many questions swirling inside her.

“I missed you,” Shayne sobbed against her grandmother’s tiny shoulder. She clung to the little old lady like a small child.

She pulled back to look her grandmother in her eye. “Why did you leave me? Where have you been? Didn’t you know I would need you? Why didn’t you tell me about being a witch or that I had powers? I don’t understand.” Shayne said all at once like a huge run on sentence.

Rachel caressed her face. “Hush now child, it’s going to be alright,” she whispered soothingly. “I can only answer one thing at a time.”

Her grandmother hugged her again. “Shayne, look how far you have come. I am so proud of you. You have done what I could not.” Her grandmother said. She caressed her granddaughter’s cheek. She wiped away the tears that were slipping down her face.

“Let’s sit and talk a while,” Rachel said as she pointed to the wicker furniture on the giant porch. It was comfortably placed in the shade with a view of the empty street.

“I’m so sorry you have felt so alone without me. I would never have left you, if there had been any other way. Once I saw the vision of the accident, I had to act.” Rachel said as they walked across the porch.

“Why didn’t you tell me about the magic?” Shayne asked as she sat down on the wicker loveseat. Her grandmother took a seat beside her.

Rachel shook her head sadly. “I just wanted you to have a normal childhood without all the pressure of being an Anderson heir. I was trying to spare you. Please, forgive an old woman, I was just trying to do what I thought was best for you.”

“I’m not mad at you, I just wish you didn’t have to leave.” Shayne said.

Rachel reached over and put her hand over Shayne’s abdomen. She mused aloud, “Strong and healthy.”

“So, you know?” Shayne said as her eyes grew large. She wondered how Grandma Rachel could possibly know, especially now that Shayne had the braided ring.

“Of course I know, you didn’t think I wouldn’t be keeping my eye on you, did you.” She patted her knee. “I know you were finally able to break the family curse that Glennys placed on us.”

“Not without a price,” Shayne said sadly. She felt the tears well up in her eyes again.

Grandma Rachel nodded her head. “I know. Balance has a wicked backhand.” She shook her head. “It broke my heart to leave you, but that was the price, and I paid it.”

Shayne couldn’t believe her ears. It had never occurred to her that her grandmother would sacrifice herself to save Shayne’s life. She should have realized that her grandmother would never abandon her without a good reason. She felt so guilty.

“Are you dead?” Shayne asked horrified. She silently prayed that the answer would be no.

Rachel chuckled. “Do I look dead?” She asked with a raised eyebrow. Shayne shook her head, but in her heart, she knew this place was magical. That made the impossible possible.

“I am what, I am.” Rachel replied. It was cryptic and Shayne didn’t understand.

“I don’t understand what you are talking about.” Shayne said with a confused expression.

“I know, that’s the problem with balance. Everything becomes riddles and mysteries. It’s all rather annoying but I didn’t make the rules.” Her grandmother said with an irritated expression. She shrugged dismissively and Shayne realized it would likely be the only answer she got.

“The price is Jeffrey’s life, and I can’t pay it.” Shayne wailed. She buried her face in her hands.

Grandma Rachel shook her head and gave her a stern look like she was trying to say something. “Actually, the price is sacrifice, and you already have a plan,” she said as she gestured to the locket that had mysteriously appeared around her neck.

“I can’t control the magic or the locket. Even if I put it on him, I don’t know where he would go.” Shayne explained her fears.

“You are right, but it changes nothing. Shayne, you already know what you must do.” Rachel scolded her lightly.

“I’ll never see him again.” Shayne said, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Bean will never know his father.”

“That’s why it’s called sacrifice. If there wasn’t a steep price, everyone would abuse the magic like Glennys did.” Rachel said as she wiped away her tears.

“I can’t” Shayne said.

Grandma Rachel chuckled. “You are stronger than you think. When the time comes, I know you'll do what you must, when it comes to saving him. But in the meantime, you need to get back. Time is running out!”

Shayne reached out and hugged her grandmother one last time. “I love you,” Shayne said as she felt the magic that has been swirling around her faded away.