Chapter Twelve: Past Payments

Juliana

“You finally moving out?” Jared asks.

I hug the bulging duffle bag in my arms and shrug. The straps of my overloaded backpack dig into my shoulders. “No. And no plans to until after college. Something unexpected came up. Better to be prepared, right?” I unload my bags onto a bench seat inside the van and take a seat.

“Is the zombie apocalypse finally starting?” Jared asks as he backs the van out of the driveway.

“I don’t own one zombie killing weapon. Try again,” I say.

My mind knows what I have to do, but my feelings about the situation are in complete opposition. Talking about my mission with Jared is only going to deter me. If I can stave off his twenty questions, it will make this easier. Not that any part of this is easy.

“When did you start keeping secrets?” he asks. His inquisitive eyes watch me in the rearview mirror.

“It’s not a secret,” I say. “I need to borrow a truck from Vivian’s ranch.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Star says. “But I can’t loan it to you without asking my aunt. I’m sort of in a similar quandary as Jared these days.”

“What do you mean?”

“Jared told me he’s trying to stay clean for good this time, but he also has to earn your trust back. I’m trying to earn back my family’s trust, as well as yours.”

“Oh,” I say lamely, and lean against the back of the seat.

Great. They’re both trying to prove they can be trusted again. When did everyone start caring so much about what I thought? I push the realizations aside. I don’t need more responsibilities right now. First things first, I have to do something about these visions. I massage my forehead to help ease the building pressure, but no relief is to be found. When I close my eyes, all I see are stampeding horses and wildfire.

∞

Vivian Costa is an elderly witch who lives alone in a lodge surrounded by hundreds of acres of pristine forest. She’s not at all what I imagined. I met her the night of the moon festival and coven meeting, but it was a brief hello and no personal interaction. In the daylight, I see her with new clarity. Her aura, facial expressions, and the sickness in her body are visible, but she’s more vibrant than I expected.

She takes my hand in both of hers. “Hello again, Juliana. And Jared.”

She glances at my brother for only a second. Her green eyes turn back on me and are so similar in color to my own that it catches me a little off guard. Nathaniel mentioned this anomaly, but I didn’t realize how accurate he was. Other than the eyes, Vivi doesn’t resemble me at all. Her hair is shoulder length, thick, and straight. It curves neatly under her chin and the color is a fantastic old lady color. Silver with a black streak. She has a wonderful classic look to her. Sweeping curves and natural grace. Star has some of the same features, I notice. Nathaniel told me about her cancer, and it makes me happy that she appears healthier now than the last time I saw her. Her smile isn’t overly generous, but the speculative and appraising gaze is sincere, and that’s good enough for me.

“May we cross the bridge?” I ask.

“I suppose it would be a good idea,” she says. “Things around here were churned up quite a lot after Lammas.” Her gaze shifts to the side of my neck for a brief second. “I’ve been working my patootie off redesigning the protection border around the ranch house. Anyone who was allowed on my property prior has to have a new pass. Some of the coven members aren’t too pleased with Star, and I want my niece to have a safe place.”

“Thanks, Auntie Viv,” Star says.

“I felt the difference immediately,” I say as we stroll across the wooden footbridge. “The sound would be enough to keep anyone away, but the feel of an invisible waterfall is cool and kind of eerie.”

She must like my version of her magical protection. She smiles again and this time it is more than a tight-lipped curve at the edges of her mouth.

I lean a little closer to her and say in a low voice, “Can the big angel back there stay outside the boundary line?” Looking over my shoulder for Marcus, I find him sitting crossed legged on the roof of the van.

“He’s not welcome here and he knows it,” Vivi says as she leads us to the front door. “Will you come inside for tea? Star, did you want to show your friends what you’ve been working on?”

“Maybe later,” Star says.

We gather around the dining table with mugs of herbal tea.

“Nathaniel’s spoken so highly of you, dear. You live up to everything he’s said,” Vivi says.

I try not to cringe or blush. Both are probably happening in spite of myself. I take a drink to hide my face behind the mug.

“She’s the greatest,” Jared adds. “She sees ghosts and fairies and all the woo-woo fru-fru stuff. My sister is a gem.”

I reach over and pinch Jared’s leg. His bold grin confirms he’s trying to make my cheeks flare like the sun.

“Don’t listen to him, Ms. Costa. He’s only trying to embarrass me.”

“Well, any decent brother should know how to tease his sister well enough,” she says.

Jared pokes my leg under the table. “Vivi totally gets it.”

“Jared, would you do an old lady a favor and mix me up a drink? It’s been a heck of a long morning. This tea isn’t nearly strong enough for these old bones to subsist on.”

“Aunt Viv, I’ll get it,” Star offers.

The subject of the pickup truck hasn’t come up. Jared wants to get back to town and find his band members to load the van. I’m going to need an answer before too long.

“I need you to open a new bottle from the pantry. If you would help this old woman out, it would be a blessing.”

Star and Jared rise from their seats. They share a look and then head toward the kitchen. Jared looks relieved to have something to do, and Star appears all too happy to have Jared to do it with.

“They’re a stunning couple, aren’t they?” Vivi asks.

I nod and sip the tea. “It’s still pretty fresh in my mind, but I think I’ll get used to it again.” Absently, my hand brushes my neck.

“I understand where you’re coming from. She wasn’t right and made a mistake that will cost her dearly. You on the other hand, are showing your inner strength. Not many would be able to bounce back so well.”

“I bounce,” I say. “You wouldn’t believe how this summer has been going.”

“Ahh,” she makes a knowing sound. “Nathaniel has been keeping me entertained with stories.”

Great. Hairy balls great. The summer of horrifying demons, ghosts, magic, and supernatural woo-woo fru-fru as Jared so plainly put it, and Vivian knows all about it.

“Don’t fret. He doesn’t tell me everything.”

“That’s somewhat relieving,” I admit.

“And where is our young handsome Nathaniel today?”

“Resting. We had quite the morning, too.”

“He’s such a hard worker. And caring. He’s a keeper, Juliana. He loves you like I’ve never seen. And love is something you should never throw away.”

“Thank you,” I say. “I’m trying hard to accept that our circumstances aren’t as different or difficult as I like to think they are from a normal relationship.”

“Believe me. Every relationship comes with its own challenges. The unique and private aspects are what make them special.”

Vivi glances across the great room toward a large window. Her eyes are suddenly distant and I watch with fascination as her aura simultaneously pulls inward to her body and reaches out toward the window.

“Here you go, Auntie.” Star sets a tumbler with ice and alcohol in front of her.

Vivi’s knobbed fingers wrap around the glass, but she doesn’t focus on the drink. “Thank you, dear. Why don’t you take Jared to the greenhouse and show him the new stone garden?”

“All right.” Star turns to Jared. “It’s a lot cooler than it sounds.”

I’m intrigued, but before I can invite myself to go with them, Vivi asks, “If you would spare me a minute?”

She places her hand over mine on the table.

“Of course,” I say.

She pulls her hand away to reach for the drink.

After a slow sip and Jared and Star’s voices have faded from hearing range, she says, “Let’s make a bargain. I’d like to ask you a question. You don’t have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable. If you answer, I will do something for you in return. Nathaniel mentioned your love of plants. I would be willing to trade a plant for an answer, or maybe even a spot of magic for a minute of your time. I’m a water witch and I also lean toward Earth magic. It’s been a useful combination when it comes to the herbs and gardens.”

Her grim expression makes me want to go hide in the van and forget about borrowing the truck. As if she’s well aware of my skittishness when it comes to my powers, she continues on conversationally about Star.

“My niece is more of an Earth witch. She has Fire tendencies as well. We’re focusing on the Earth aspects to help her stay grounded. You’ve seen what happens when her Fire side is out of balance.”

“I hope we never see it again.”

“Absolutely. You’re not of the magical kind, but you’re a seer. There are some who have magic in their blood and can see clearly, but it’s a rare combination.”

“Probably because they’re stark raving lunatics who live at a mental facility,” I say.

“Good point,” she says.

“There was a time when I didn’t appreciate any of the magic flowing through me. I blamed every hardship I endured on it. I tried to ignore my power and then I cursed it up, down, and sideways, but you can’t deny a part of yourself that lives in your blood.”

“Well, that’s a disappointment,” I say only half joking.

“The sight might be harder to live with. I couldn’t say for sure as I don’t have it, but the magic was a challenge for me from the very beginning. If I were to go back, I would have done a few things differently.”

Regrets. I didn’t want them. I didn’t need them and hearing this older, strong, intelligent woman tell me she has regrets, serves to strengthen my desire to live without them.

“Would you tell me, do you see anyone of the spirit realm outside the window?”

She gestures toward the plate glass window she was staring out of a few minutes before.

“They won’t enter my house. The creek’s magic is too strong, but the dreams pull at me. And I have to know if my imagination is playing with my mind or if it is not.”

I hesitate for only a second. It wouldn’t hurt to look, would it?

Rising out of the chair, I move to the window. There’s a two-story barn on the other side of the creek. The sky above the treetops is muted with gray-blue storm clouds. The sun has refused to break through all day, but the clouds are being stingy and have yet to share the needed rain.

My gaze returns to the front of the barn.

I swallow my hesitancy. “He’s standing by the barn door.”

The clink of ice rattles in her glass before Vivi speaks. “Tall, blonde, and handsome as the devil. A broad chest and a bum women lust over.”

“I can’t see his back side, but pretty much,” I agree. If one likes the vintage look on a man. “Who is he?” I ask, hoping I don’t regret the question.

“My past come to slap me in the face,” she says with a sigh.

The man notices me watching him, but otherwise doesn’t move or beckon me. Thank merciful Mary. I don’t want a conversation with a dead guy today. At least, any dead guys I don’t know.

I return to the kitchen table. Vivi’s complexion has paled.

“Do you need me to talk with him?” Why do I say things out loud? I make the offer even as I picture slapping tape over my own mouth.

“You’re a sweetheart to offer, but no. I know why he’s here.”

“When Nathaniel gets back, he may be able to persuade him to leave,” I say.

“There’s no need. Mr. Scanell means me no harm. He wants what I promised him.”

“You made a promise to a dead guy?” I ask.

“He wasn’t dead back in the forties,” she says as if I should already know it. “He was charming and full of himself and he liked me. And I was too much a basket case to see that love doesn’t come around like that but once in a lifetime.”

Her lost love. Oh my God.

“He’s waiting for you?” I whisper.

“Not exactly. I owe him a dance and I think he wants to cash in.”

She swallows the last of her drink and sets the glass on the table. Vivi clears her throat and I hear the rattle of phlegm from somewhere deep in her chest.

“It’s so… romantic and sad,” I say.

“Enough of that.” Vivi swats the air in a dismissive gesture before scooting her chair back and rising. “I need some time in the greenhouse. Would you like to come see it? You’ve earned anything you like.”

“Oh, Vivi, thank you. I don’t need to trade with you. I would have told you he was out there anyway.”

“A bargain’s a bargain and I won’t use someone with gifts such as yours without payment.”

“I did come out here to ask you something,” I admit.

Vivi holds the back of the chair as she waits for me to continue.

“It’s…” I stall finding it even harder to ask than I imagined.

“Start at the beginning and say it one word at a time,” she suggests.

“Nathaniel drives your work truck sometimes. He’s out of commission right now and I don’t own a truck.”

“You want to borrow the beast?” Vivi asks with surprise. “Take it. I don’t drive it anymore. The keys are in it.”

“Really? Thank you! You don’t know what a relief this is. There are some horses that have to be moved and I didn’t know how I was going to do it. I saw your truck in this ridiculous vision I keep having…”

“Vision? Well now then, you have to take it. The trailer is behind the barn if you need it as well.”

“Trailer?” I ask. I had been so concerned on how I was going to get the truck I forgot about needing a horse trailer.

“You’re going to haul horses, right? Not herd them?”

In a mild state of shock, I nod enthusiastically.

“It’s an antique like myself, but the tires are good,” she says as if it’s already settled. “Now, let’s go find those youngins and get you on the road.”