Chapter Fourteen
Meredith supposed that she was lucky this was only a day trip. It wasn’t like this was a big vacation or road trip. This was a job, the last job she would be doing for Archie and the most important one.
It felt weird, being in the car with just Daric. Thank God for music streaming services, and she could at least listen to the radio at full blast as they sped down the highway. Whether Daric was disturbed that her road trip playlist included songs like Highway to Hell, Airbag, and Killer Crash, she didn’t know. The warlock hadn’t said more than a few words since they left Manhattan over three hours ago. Instead, he stared out the window, his face a neutral mask.
“I think we’re almost there,” Meredith declared as they entered the town of Little Water, New York. After driving through the town, they followed the back country road for another 15 miles. They almost missed the turnoff that would lead them to the compound if Daric had not pointed it out.
By the time they entered, two figures were waiting for them. One was an older, redheaded woman and the other was a tall, burly man wearing a plaid shirt.
“Welcome, Meredith, Daric,” Vivianne Chatraine, leader of the New York coven, greeted as they exited the SUV. “How was the trip?”
“Long,” Meredith said with a sigh.
“Well, you’ll be happy to know, we have lunch ready,” the older woman said with a grin. “Hello, Daric.”
The warlock stopped short, his eyes flickering in surprise. Intense blue-green eyes scrutinized Vivianne, and then he shook his head. “Forgive me for being rude,” he said with an apologetic bow.
Vivianne shook her head. “Don’t worry about it, Daric. I’m sure it’s shocking to see me, especially since Victoria and I are twins.”
“But they’re nothing alike,” the large man beside her said in a gruff voice.
“Oh, I’m sorry for being rude,” Vivianne laughed. “This is my husband, Graham Chatraine.”
Graham eyed Daric suspiciously but gave the other warlock a nod.
“Wow, this is Mr. C?” Meredith exclaimed. “But you…” she looked at Vivianne and back again at Graham. The witch had always seemed so classy and worldly. Meredith often joked with Lara that she wanted to be Vivianne when she grew up. And Graham? Well, with his white beard, he looked like Santa Clause, if Santa hit the gym every day the rest of the year when he wasn’t delivering presents. He was over 6 feet tall and had wide shoulders with thickly muscled arms straining under his shirt.
The witch chuckled. “I know, I know. But trust me,” she said, giving Meredith a wink. “It works.” She turned back to Daric. “I’m sure you’re eager to see your mother. She’s been anxious and has been waiting for you. She’s back at the house.”
“Thank you again, for helping her,” Daric said. “For that I owe you.”
“We always help those in need,” Vivianne said. “You know that, Daric. You’re a warlock after all. Now, let’s go to our house.”
Although Vivianne was chatting with Meredith, she only half-listened as she tried to sneak glances at the warlock. Daric remained quiet as they walked to the house at the end of the compound. What was he feeling right now? Anxious? Nervous? It had been years since he’d seen his mother, so she could only imagine.
They entered Vivianne and Graham’s house and went straight into the kitchen. Next to the stove was a tall, but slight woman, stirring a steaming pot of what smelled like seafood soup. She had delicate, elfin features, and her closely-cropped blonde hair only made her look more pixie-like. As she turned to the newcomers, her blue-green eyes widened and filled with tears, and Meredith knew this was Signe.
Signe dropped the spoon on the floor and then rushed over to Daric, embracing him in a tight hug. The warlock wrapped his arms around her, soothing her back as her frail body wracked with sobs.
“Oh, forgive me, I’m sorry,” Signe hiccuped as she disentangled herself from Daric. “I’m just overcome with emotion.”
“Yeah, someone’s been cutting onions around here,” Meredith said as she discreetly tried to wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes.
Signe’s gaze landed on the Lycan, her eyes scrutinizing Meredith. “Daric, who is your…friend?”
“Mother, this is Meredith,” Daric introduced. “She drove me here.”
Meredith bit her lip and balled her hands into fists to stop herself from smacking his stupid face. “Right. I’m the driver,” she said with only a hint of sarcasm in her voice. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.” She held out her hand, but Signe embraced her instead. Meredith was taken aback by the gesture, and she stood in the older woman’s arms awkwardly but sank into the hug after a few seconds.
“Thank God you’re finally here,” Signe gasped, then shook her head. “I mean, thank you for bringing him here. For,” she looked at Daric, “driving my son here.”
“No problem,” she murmured. “Just doing my job, ma’am.”
“Call me Signe,” she said. She walked back to the stove and picked up the dropped spoon. “I’m so clumsy; please forgive me. I wanted to make some fiskesuppe for Daric. It was his favorite when he was a child.”
“I remember,” Daric commented.
“Graham was kind enough to go fishing this morning, so it’s quite fresh.”
“I’ve also been making a pot roast and other fixings,” Graham added. “We can eat in five minutes.”
“Will you help me set the table, Meredith?” Vivianne asked, and the Lycan nodded.
After everything had been set up, they all sat around the large kitchen table for lunch. Meredith had a bit of Signe’s fish soup, which frankly wasn’t her kind of thing, but she politely finished her small bowl. She was more of a meat-and-potatoes kind of gal, so she was glad Graham had made pot roast, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Yummy…Vivianne Chatraine was a lucky woman because the food Graham made was better than sex.
“Uh, thank you?” Graham answered in a puzzled voice.
“And yes,” Vivianne said, flashing her husband a naughty smile. “I am lucky.”
“Oh fuck-nuts, I said that out loud, didn’t I?” Meredith slapped her palm over her mouth. “Sorry.”
Daric looked at her with a disapproving look.
Oh God, Meredith thought. I’m such an idiot. And Signe must think I’m a trashy, foul-mouthed ho. She wasn’t sure why she needed the witch’s approval, but Signe having a good opinion of her felt important.
“So, Daric,” Vivianne said, quickly changing the subject. “You really can’t stay overnight? I assure you you’re very welcome as long as Signe is here. She’s staying in one of the empty cottages, so there’s plenty of room for you and Meredith.”
The warlock shook his head. “Thank you for your offer, but the Alpha wanted us back in New York right away.”
“It does seem unusual, you two traveling alone.” Vivianne looked to Meredith. “I hope you understand about me not allowing your brothers to come here. I have to protect my coven, too.”
“No worries. I’m just glad I can drive Daric here,” she said sweetly while giving the warlock the side-eye.
“Thank you again. I’m so happy he’s found you,” Signe said, then quickly cleared her throat. “I mean, I’m so happy he’s found someone to bring him here.”
“Uh, you’re welcome.” At least Signe was grateful. Maybe the witch didn’t hate her.
“Now,” Graham began as he stood up. “I have dessert. Chocolate cake and coffee?”
“Yes, please,” Meredith said eagerly. “I love chocolate.”
“That she does,” Daric replied, which earned him a dirty look from the Lycan.
“I’m fine, thank you, Graham,” Signe said. “If you really must leave, then perhaps we should spend some time together? We can take a walk in the woods out back. You probably will want to leave for New York before it gets too dark.”
“Yes, excellent idea.” Daric stood up. “Vivianne, Graham, thank you for your hospitality and the meal. We will be back in a few hours.” He helped his mother out of her chair and led her out of the house through the back door.
Meredith remained seated, unaware she had a scowl on her face until Graham placed a plate with a large slice of chocolate cake in front of her. “This should help,” he said gruffly.
“Uh, thanks…” She took bite. “Oh. My. God. This is the best chocolate cake I’ve had. If you weren’t married already…”
Vivianne laughed. “Sorry dear,” she said, patting the younger woman’s hand. “You’re gonna have to find one of your own.”
“Ew, no,” Meredith grumbled through another mouthful of cake. She swallowed and took a gulp of water. “I’m never getting married.”
The witch sighed. “That’s what they all say.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, nothing. Would you like another slice?”
***
Daric followed Signe as she led them down a path to the woods behind the Chatraine home. The leaves on the trees were already beginning to turn, and there was that crisp and cool feeling in the air that signaled the beginning of autumn.
They didn’t speak at first, merely enjoying each other’s company. Daric had so many questions in his mind he wanted to ask her but feared bringing up the memories of her captivity.
Finally, Signe spoke. “I’m fine, Daric, you can talk,” she said as if reading his mind. “Being here, surrounded by other witches, has been good for me. You can relax.”
“I can’t, Mother,” he said, gritting his teeth. “Not while he is still out there. He must pay for what he’s done to you. You were his prisoner for eighteen years.”
“And so were you,” she said, linking her arm with his. “Don’t forget, you were also a captive. Not locked up behind bars or with chains, but still a prisoner.”
“Yet I did unspeakable things,” he said with a frown. “If you only knew—“
“Shhhh,” she protested. “You are now working towards redeeming yourself, and I know you will. I have seen it.”
“What else have you seen, Mother?”
Signe looked at him cryptically. “I cannot tell you, but there are other things we should talk about. Like, why you are here.”
“Yes,” he nodded. “The Alpha has told you?”
“He explained it somewhat. But, it’s best if you show me what you saw.”
Daric stopped and turned to his mother, taking her hand. He closed his eyes, feeling the link between them. He searched his memories, finding the vision from Sven, sending it to her through their connection.
Signe gasped, and her eyes flew open. “These were all the visions from the boy? Sven, you said? Is he hurt?”
He nodded. “Yes. He’s alive, thank God, and recovering in the hospital. Do you recognize anything?”
The older witch grew pale, and she nodded. “The first one, it reminded me of our village. But, from a perspective. One I’d never seen before. It’s like watching a familiar place through someone else’s eyes.”
“Exactly,” Daric agreed. “And the second? It is your vision, right?”
“Yes,” she confirmed. “It was indeed my vision. I had it just before I was released. Daric,” she said, her voice trembling. “That vision was for you. I mean…I can’t go into detail, but it was important for you to see it.” She took his hands in hers. “I couldn’t use our link, knowing that Stefan would see it, too, so I thought I’d cast a wider net.”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought, if you and I were the only seers in the world, if I sent out the vision, then you would eventually pick it up. I kept trying and trying until Stefan came to bring me to you.”
Daric frowned, and then he realized what his mother was saying. “I didn’t, but I suppose this Sven did. How? He is human.”
Signe shrugged. “I don’t know, Daric. Perhaps he was meant to see it. Maybe he is connected to us in some way.”
“We have lost all other connection with the larger world,” Daric pointed out. “We have only each other now, Mother.”
The witch smiled sadly. “Yes. Our village is long gone, I’ve seen it in my mind. I guess not many young people want to fish or hunt these days.”
Daric laughed. “Yes. They prefer the convenience of the modern world.”
“So,” Signe continued. “The man in the hat, you know him?”
“Not personally, but he was Meredith’s adoptive father, and I’m helping her and her brothers find who killed him. It’s starting to look like Stefan may have had something to do with his death as well.”
Signe looped her arms through her son’s and then tugged at him. “Let’s continue our walk since it’s such a lovely day.”
They went deeper into the woods, where it grew even more still and quiet. This place was special. Daric could feel the magic surrounding them. It was a subtle presence that hung in the air. The feeling was refreshing, something he hadn't felt since he was a child.
“Now,” Signe began. “Tell me about Meredith.”
“She and her Lycan brothers were raised by the man in your vision. His name was Archie Leacham. The police suspected—”
“No, no,” his mother interrupted, shaking her head. “Tell me about Meredith.”
“What about her?” he asked.
“What is she like?”
“She is brash, crude, loud-mouthed, stubborn, headstrong.” He let out a sigh. “Beautiful. Loyal. Kind hearted. And she hides her vulnerability behind that brassy exterior.”
“And you can’t stop thinking about her,” Signe finished. “Don’t lie to me, Daric, I’m your mother. And you need to be careful what you send me through our link.”
“I didn’t realize…” Daric felt embarrassed and turned his head away. “I hope you didn’t see anything inappropriate.”
“I didn’t. But I could feel her at the edges of your thoughts and feelings,” she explained. “So, tell me, why are you avoiding Meredith and denying what you feel for her?”
“You don’t understand,” he said, unlinking their arms.
“Then tell me so I can.”
“I don’t know where to begin, Mother,” he shrugged. “She was my enemy, and she’s also bonded to the New York clan against her will. I don’t know where her loyalties lie.”
“Ah, so you can’t trust her? Do you think she trusts you?”
“I don’t…I mean, that’s not the point. Also,” he took a deep breath. “When I touch her, I see nothing, Mother.”
“Nothing?”
Daric shook his head. “Yes. For the first time, I’ve encountered someone whose past and future are unknown to me. What does it mean? Does she have no future?” A cold fear gripped him. “Will she die, Mother?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know, Daric, but just because you can’t see what lies ahead for her, doesn’t mean it’s bad. Maybe you just weren’t meant to see it. But maybe, just maybe, you should follow your heart.” Signe placed a hand on his chest. “It’s a good one. Like your father’s heart.”
Daric’s face became stone-like. “I cannot, Mother. Not while Stefan is alive.”
“Your need for vengeance is clouding what’s real. The truth.” She sighed and laid her head on his chest. “My son, don’t let the hate overcome you. Stefan must pay for his crimes, but don’t get any more blood on your hands. Or have hers tainted.”
“What do you mean—”
Signe pulled away. “Come, we should head back.