Witchy Days BC 38/ Elsewhere : New Arrivals

“Is the blizzard getting stronger?”

“It looks that way, yes.”

It’s been a few days since the couple met Olga, and since then, they and Joseph spent a lot of time at her little cottage. While water was a good deterrent for the ghosts, her wards were just as effective and it was pretty nice to sleep without feeling the room move for a change.

Olga and Joseph quickly became good friends. They were both delighted to find out there was another real adult here this whole time – it was nice to have someone to talk to without having to be in a parental role.

“It’s not just the weather though, is it?” he asked carefully. As soon as he started spending time with the three of them, he noticed how on edge the woman was. He wondered if it had to do with the spell that happened here all those years ago.

“You are very perceptive,” Olga gave a weak smile. “And no, it’s not just the weather. You don’t feel it, do you?”

“Not really,” he admitted. “Maybe because I’m currently a spirit. But even when I was alive, I didn’t have any aptitude for magic, so I doubt I would have felt whatever it is back then either.”

“I’m starting to think that would be preferable,” she told him. “I’ve been feeling off ever since I got here. And it’s only getting worse lately. I do wonder…”

“What is it?” he asked.

“Well, it’s just a hunch,” she admitted. “I wonder if I’ve been feeling more on edge because of these kids’ presence here.”

“What do you mean?” Joseph asked, joining her on the loveseat. “They are good kids.”

“Yes, but unfortunately, Bristol’s grandfather wasn’t so great,” Olga sighed. “Darius Saddler.”

“Oh yes, he told me about him.”

“And neither was my father, much as it pains me to say it. Say, do you recall seeing a gaunt man who looked like me here anytime before the event?” Olga inquired. 

“Ah… I have,” he admitted. Now that he thought about it, that was why he found Olga to look very familiar the first time he saw her.

“And there was another one, right? Brownish hair, snobby face?”

“As a matter of fact, yes,” Joseph confirmed. 

“And now, two people directly related to the original spell workers are present here,” Olga put things in perspective. “And even though they never did so before, the ghosts have been emerging during daylight and both of us are feeling on edge. He hasn’t said anything yet, but I know Bristol’s feeling it.”

“You think it’s related.”

“Do you have another explanation for it?” she asked. “Besides, those aren’t even really ghosts.”

“They aren’t?!” Joseph was confused.

“No. You are a ghost. A spirit who remained behind because there was unfinished business, I presume. In essence, you’re still you, just not physical. Then there are poltergeists. They tend to be angrier, but in essence, they are also still themselves and can be reasoned with. There are other kinds too, some nicer, some not so much. But these ones you have here, they don’t feel like ghosts.”

“So, what are they?” he asked.

Olga was about to answer, but suddenly something jolted her up, almost as if a huge lightning strike just hit near her.

“What was that!” she exclaimed.

“What happened?”

Without answering, she ran towards the window and started searching for the source of the jolt she felt.

“Is everything alright?” Joseph followed.

“I don’t know! Did you really not feel it? It was like an explosion!”

“No,” he shook his head.

“I see.” Come to think of it, this wasn’t the first time she felt that sort of jolt, except the previous time, it was much weaker. And now that she thought of it, the older jolt coincided exactly with Bristol’s and Lakeisha’s arrival on the island.

Olga wasn’t the only one who felt it.

Bristol woke up from the jolt, instantly hyper-aware of everything in the room. Checking to make sure Lakeisha was safe and sound beside him, he quietly headed towards the other two.

“What’s going on? There’s trouble, isn’t there?” he was direct.

“Not yet,” Olga turned to him. “There might be, though. I think someone else just got here.”

“Oh…” Who else would have a way to get here? This couldn’t be good. “How sure are you?”

“There was a similar disturbance when you two arrived, but weaker. I’m not sure why there’s such a big difference now,” she admitted.

“Maybe there’s more people arriving this time around?” Joseph offered an explanation. 

“If there’s a way in, there has to be a way out, doesn’t there?” Bristol rubbed between his nose. All this was giving him a headache.

“Technically, the portal in should also be the portal out,” Olga supposed. “Except, neither of us currently has it.”

“Yeah… here’s to hoping whoever just got here was smarter about theirs.”

“And that they aren’t here with any problematic plans,” Olga adde

“Bristol, what’s going on?” Lakeisha emerged from the bedroom. She looked on edge, the same way she usually did when she sensed those things near them. “We’re in danger, aren’t we? Don’t lie please.”

She was near tears, afraid to look at the windows.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Bristol ran towards her. “It’s ok. We’re not under attack or anything. You know Olga has those spells on the house. You’re safe.”

“But why does it feel so bad?” she quivered in his arms. “It feels like something awful is about to take place.”

“We won’t let it, ok?” he reassured her, not completely believing in his own words. “Hey, maybe it’s the pregnancy doing this to you? You know how some women get a sharper sense of taste or smell when they’re expecting? Well, you seem to have a sensitivity towards the supernatural and maybe that’s the sense your pregnancy decided to enhance?”

“You’re just saying that to make me feel better, aren’t you?” she spoke into his shirt.

“I could be right, though.”

“You could be.”

“Why don’t you go back to bed? If anything changes, I promise we’ll wake you up. I won’t keep you out of the loop. But you need to rest.”

“Ok,” she agreed.

Meanwhile, Olga wondered if Lakeisha’s increased sensitivity to the supernatural phenomena at their location was truly a cause for concern. If she could sense the ghosts, it was useful. But what did her current state mean?

---

What happened a few minutes earlier…

After what was most certainly not a smooth landing, the trio found themselves very achy but ultimately unharmed on a cold unfamiliar beach.

“Ugh, what happened?” Terra finally started coming to her senses. Her head was still spinning from… what exactly was it that happened? The last thing she remembered was climbing up that dock. The rest was a blank.

“Are you kidding? You opened the portal!” Matthew exclaimed. “Don’t tell me you don’t remember!”

“Yeah, where are we?!” Boris looked around in awe.

Terra looked around. The weather lowered visibility greatly, but despite the snow and the time of day, she ended up recognizing several landmarks. Namely, that lighthouse.

“I’d say we’re in Northeney,” she announced. 

“Huh. So it worked.” Matthew stood up, brushing snow off of his jacket, a pointless task due to the blizzard they stood in. “What happened to the compass?”

Looking around, Terra spotted it a few feet away from them, by all signs, unharmed. “It’s here.”

“Where to now?” Boris asked. He never imagined he’d find himself in a place like this, much less completely unprepared for the journey. “We should look for shelter, don’t you think?”

Terra looked around. Shelter? That was a good idea. But what about the spell? Wait, what spell?! What was she thinking about? She came here with the goal of finding her brother! 

“Let me try something first,” she asked. Whipping out her wand, she started up the same spell she previously used to locate Bristol to no avail – except this time, it worked! “This way!”

It was an interesting feeling, traveling across the island.

On the one hand, the direction of her locating spell kept growing stronger the more distance they crossed. On the other hand, the further they went from the center of the town, the more she felt like she was ignoring something very important, something that was her duty to do.

She didn’t like that feeling, and kept on following her spell, with the two men following.

Eventually, they all stopped for a breather.

“You know, we should be careful,” Boris reminded the younger couple. “While it’s true that we don’t know the extent of what happened here, the island wasn’t locked down for no reason.”

“Well, between the three of us, we have a few decent protection spells,” Matthew reminded him, hands going towards the wand. 

“Do either of you get this weird feeling to go towards the town?” Terra asked.

“Do you?” Matthew asked back. “I don’t.”

“Same here,” Boris shook his head. “Your spell is pointing us in the opposite direction, isn’t it?”

“Yeah…” she wondered what they would find. “Ready to go?”

Eventually, as Terra’s direction spell grew stronger, they found themselves on what appeared to be a small country road. Passing a cemetery, which by all accounts appeared untended for years, they saw several homes.

All of them had the lights off. 

Except one.

Approaching the fence, Terra stopped. 

“What is it?” Matthew noticed her uncertainty.

“The spell is telling me it’s this house. But it can’t be, can it? It has to be some kind of a trick.”

“Only one way to find out.”

Boris only barely heard them. His mind was on his wife. Rodion said she was most likely dead. But Boris knew Olga to be a fighter. He couldn’t believe she would just perish, even in a difficult environment like this. So, was there a chance she was also somewhere on the island?

“Someone is outside,” Bristol told Olga quietly. She walked over towards him from her position at the other window.

Joseph was looking over Lakeisha, since he seemed to have a calming effect on her, but Bristol and Olga were on high alert for anything out of place.

Olga especially was on edge. After all, considering how she ended up here in the first place, it wouldn’t be out of character for Rodion to find a way here, if only to settle their score.

“Can you see them clearly?” she asked the young man. “Do they seem hostile?”

“Can’t really tell. They’re too far to make out. They are definitely checking out this place, though.”

“Maybe we should’ve shut the light off.”

“A bit late for that now,” Bristol shrugged.

A small knock on the door made Olga and Bristol exchange a curious look with one another. They were thinking the same thing: would invaders really knock politely on the door?

“Might as well check who it is,” Bristol offered.

“But if anything goes wrong, I attack,” she agreed.

On the count of three, they opened the door.

Once they all saw each other, the only one able to string coherent words together was Matthew.

“Hello. Bristol Sidheins, I presume? And good to see you, Mrs. Crimson.”

“Terra? What are you doing here? How?!” But she was already squeezing him tighter than either of them believed possible.

“Came to find you. Obviously,” she whispered, breaking down into tears.

Bristol felt his own eyes getting heavy as well. Turning to the young man at the door, he mouthed “Thank you.”

Matthew just shrugged with a small smile. “Don’t thank me, she did all the leg work.”

Olga was already outside with Boris, making sure her eyes weren’t playing with her. And he could barely believe his own – he truly did not expect to find her here.

“I’m so sorry,” he kept whispering. “So sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner. I’m sorry I believed him. You’re really alive?”

“Would I be able to do this if I wasn’t? And what are you talking about? You have to tell me everything.”

“Let me just get my bearings. This doesn’t even feel real.”

“Hmm, how did you get here?” she asked.

“It’s a long story, but we used a portal. Oh, I have so much to tell you!”

“I agree. Let’s do it inside. Before the ghosts show up.”

“Ghosts?”

“You’re not the only one with a lot to tell.”

Witchy Days BC Ep 37: Risky Move

As it happened, Polina was right. In less than an hour, the woman was up and angry.

“Let me out, Boris! Don’t make me repeat myself!” 

Boris approached the door without standing too close to it. “Karina, calm down, stop screaming, and please think about your situation very carefully before pressing on. This apartment is currently full of people who, for various reasons, have grievances against you. Another such group is within a call from getting here at the slightest provocation. If anything, the barrier on this door is for your safety, because quite frankly, you are outnumbered right now.”

“You want me to think my people have ran at the smallest sign of trouble?” she asked, incredulous.

Matthew and Terra smiled at her question – Sylvia’s call proved right in this matter.

“Your people are currently under arrest, after numerous warrants against them have been brought up by Stoneshields police,” Boris informed her. “It so happens that hired hands tend to have spotty backgrounds.”

“I see…” she considered the situation. Was she really to believe that dim old Boris had outwitted her? No…

Gathering all her magical and physical power, Karina threw herself at the door, intending to take both the physical object and the barrier spell off. 

Of course, the spell was intended exactly for such a situation. And equal force pushed the angry woman back and she fell against the desk behind her, out of breath.

“Boris, you imbecile!” she spat, furious. “I’ll break through this yet…”

“Will she?” Terra asked quietly. She really wasn’t looking forward to that.

“No,” Boris shook his head. He might be terrible at reading people, but spell work was always one of his strong points. He was the one responsible for the majority of the spell at the Voronov house in the woods and for the majority of the spells that kept the academy running – and they still held well. 

Of course, there was another problem.

“We can’t keep her in here indefinitely, though,” Boris whispered. “What do we do?”

Eventually, everyone sat down to a tense meal. Boris placed a temporary spell over the dining room, one that prevented Karina from hearing their discussion – but for safety reasons, they could still hear her.

And even though she had quieted down somewhat, they knew she was still plotting against them. 

“Well, it hasn’t even been half a day, but everyone’s worn out,” Sylvia noticed.

“Who wouldn’t be?” Boris asked. “This is not how I imagined this day going. I hoped we could figure out what the compass is all about, but now we’ve got this to deal with.”

“Oh, it’s not such a big deal,” Sylvia shrugged. “I have a few ideas on what to do with her.”

Polina tensed up at her words, wondering if the woman’s idea was using the gun the way it was intended.

“Don’t worry, dear,” Sylvia reassured her, noticing. “I’ve no plans to shoot anyone. Considering what they are all after, however, we can send your mother on a wild goose chase.”

“How do you intend to do that?” Boris asked.

“Easy,” Sylvia smiled, digging into her pasta. “We can make her think the compass is really somewhere else. Say, Moonlight Falls.”

“I’m listening,” he perked up.

“And I can tell you from firsthand experience, the magical community over there has had it with this family. Sorry, Polina, but it’s true.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything else, at this point,” she smiled sadly. 

“Do you think they can deal with this properly?” Helena asked, joining them.

“Better than the Stoneshields authorities, I imagine,” Sylvia told them. “And if we warn them ahead that she’s coming, they can be prepared.”

“Of course, you’ll have to convince her of the story,” Polina reminded everyone.

After their meal, everyone got busy with their own thing, which ticked off Terra. Did they forget there was an emergency? Did they forget what all this was about?

There was literally a hostage in a room next to them and she tried to attack the people here!

Shuffling the coals in front of her, Terra tried to ground herself. She shouldn’t let all of this stress get to her. She already had the compass where she wanted it and she wasn’t going to let it out of her sight again, not even if something about it bothered her. 

And she wasn’t going to let some snobbish woman ruin her day with her cursing and complaining. 

If Karina thought they were going to let her out just because she annoyed them, she had another thing coming.

Another of the woman’s punches (kicks? slams?) on the door jolted Terra away from the fireplace. This wasn’t working, she just wanted it to stop! How was she supposed to think clearly with this ruckus right next to her?

A decision was made in that moment.

“Hey, Mom?” she approached Sylvia. “Do you want anything from the store? I’m going to run for some apple crisps.”

“Go for it. I don’t know what they carry locally, but anything with carbs and cheese works for me,” her mother smiled. “Stay safe. It’s not far from here is it?”

“No, only a couple of blocks. Besides, anyone dangerous has been rounded up by this point.”

“I suppose you’re right,” her mother chuckled. “See you.”

It really had been a crazy day, thought Sylvia. Crazy enough that she regretted that the strongest thing to drink in this apartment was coffee. But it’ll do.

As she reached for the cup, something in her brain told her to stop and pay attention.

Something about her daughter’s look right now wasn’t right. No sir. It was the same look she had when she decided to come to this forsaken city, except taken up a few notches.

Slamming the cup down, she ran to her sleeping bag, where she hid the compass once they found out this crazy woman was coming here.

“Is everything ok?” Matthew asked, barely jumping out of her way before she slammed into him.

“I don’t know,” she continued to search the folds of the bag. “No, everything is not ok. She took it. She took the compass. I don’t think she’s going to any store.”

“What?” Matthew crouched down next to her. “Are you sure it’s not there?

“She’s going to use it,” Sylvia knew, searching the bag pointlessly.

“But she doesn’t even know how…” he drifted off. Maybe she did? He recalled Terra’s experience from the previous night. Clearly, something was calling out to her and it had to do with that little metallic object. No one else in the household seemed to be affected by it, but Terra was. “We need to bring her back. We can’t just let her go along with it.”

“What are you talking about?” Polina asked.

“Why would Terra just run with it?” Lawson asked. “We told her we were going to help.”

“Uh…have you guys noticed how obsessed everyone is with that little compass?” Boris asked. “Do you think maybe whatever happened in Northeney has some kind of a pull on those related to the ones involved in the spell? Or at least, on some of them? It would certainly explain my in-laws’ behavior, don’t you think?”

“Ok, I’m ready to go!” Sylvia jumped up.

“Wait,” Boris stopped her. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but I’ll go instead. I know this city better than you and besides… well, aside from the magical aspect of it, you’re way better at dealing with her than I am.” He nodded towards Karina’s bedroom.

“But Terra’s out there.”

“We’ll go with him,” Matthew reassured her, looking at Lawson, who also nodded vigorously.

“Great?” Boris asked. “And if anything comes up, Helena can deal with the spells on that door. I taught her how to open or strengthen them. Let’s go boys.”

Bartholomew observed everything and for the first time ever felt lost. He could only directly communicate with Terra and nothing he could tell them would be understood. Although, Boris seemed to have a pretty good idea of what was up…

He only hoped they would find her in time.

“Ok,” Sylvia agreed. “Go, don’t waste time.”

The moment Terra was out of the building, she made a run for it. She didn’t know where to go, but she knew that if she returned to the apartment, she won’t get another chance to do what needed to be done.

Checking in her pocket to make sure the compass hadn’t fallen out, she got the sense that she needed to head East of her current direction. That meant taking a right.

She broke out into a brisk jog, hoping she could gain good distance before her mother and the others realized what she was up to. The brisk jog quickly turned into a full run and Terra didn’t realize how distracted she was until she crashed into someone at full speed.

“Umph!!!” A familiar voice grunted at the impact. “Terra? What’s going on?”

“Frankie? Hi! I’m so sorry!” she took a step back. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“Not really, but you’ll hurt yourself if you keep on like this! What’s the rush?”

“Sorry, just making a run to the store!”

“Isn’t it open 24 hours?” he sounded confused. “And in the opposite direction?”

“Different store.” Terra paused. “Hey, Frankie? I’m really sorry, ok?”

“About what? Crashing into me? I’m fine.”

“No, I mean everything. I know I gave you lots of mixed signals. And you’re a really cool guy who deserves better. So, once again, sorry.”

“Eh, it happens. We’re cool, really.”

“I really hope so,” she gave him a small sad smile, eyes darting back to the road. “I promise you’ll meet someone really amazing one day. Well, I have to run.”

And off she went.

“Huh, that was weird…” Frankie looked after her as she disappeared from sight. The girl was fast. He wondered why she was so on edge and if he should follow just in case. 

Only a few minutes later, he was nearly crashed into again, this time by his professor and two classmates, who figured out Terra’s general direction by the still-visible footprints in the snow.

“Frankie! Did you see Terra?!” they yelled.

“I did! She went that way. What’s going on?”

“She took the compass and ran with it,” Matthew explained, slightly out of breath.

“Oh no… that’s why she’s so jumpy?” He reconsidered her behavior from moments before. She wasn’t really behaving like herself… That was bad. “Wait up, I’m coming with you.”

Terra continued to run, trying to pay attention to her surroundings this time around. Despite being in fairly good shape, she was getting tired, but the more she ran, the stronger the pull was towards the “right” direction. So she continued on.

Eventually, she crossed the bridge they frequently traveled over when going to Rodion’s house. A flicker of alarm crossed her mind. Was this another one of his tricks? Did he find out about the compass really being here and, despite all they did, managed to place a spell on her?

She stopped and reevaluated her surroundings. Rodion’s house was a mile or so to her left. And to her right was the junkyard where Boris had a meetup with him.

The compass was telling her to go straight ahead, ignoring both of those locations. Slowing down, she proceeded, carefully and keeping an eye out for anything or anyone who shouldn’t be here.

Eventually, Terra found herself at an old dock. Seeing it, she recalled one of the guys mention the place as one that was historically a hub of trade, but these days was all but abandoned. Despite that, it was still here and easily reached by foot.

The snow was increasing, worsening visibility, but upon a purely aesthetic inspection, the dock looked safe and sturdy, so Terra proceeded on.

Even though the snow was thick and the temperatures were sub zero, she could swear it felt a little warm the further she walked along the wooden structure.

And was it just a trick of light, or did she really see something as she passed that lantern? Terra wondered what was further out there, across the ocean. 

Instinctively, she reached for the compass and, taking it out of her pocket, looked into the swirling blue stone inlaid inside. And then she saw it all.

Of course. Those fairies knew what they were doing when they created that spell. It was an intricate one, but with the right person holding the key, it was just waiting to be opened.

Terra smiled as it all came together in front of her.

“There she is!” Frankie was the first one to spot her when they finally caught up.

“And she’s… oh, wow! Terra! Can you hear us?!” Lawson yelled out, but with her lack of response, she either couldn’t hear them, or she was past caring.

“I think we may have been a minute too late,” Matthew exhaled. After her reaction the previous night, he was afraid of what was now happening.

“Oh no, I promised Sylvia I’m bringing her home,” Boris yelled, running towards the girl. 

Matt followed right beside him.

What they saw as only a strange static in the air opened up into a full-blown portal by the time the three reached Terra.

They didn’t know how to close it, but they did try to pull her back from it.

The spell, recognized Terra’s intent to go through the door.

When Boris and Matthew touched her, the spell recognized them as her travel companions.

And when the time came, and the spell was finished, all three were pulled through a door that was opened for that short period of time…

Only to close again, the moment they went through.

“Bro! What the hell was that!” Lawson stared at the empty space in front of them, dumbfounded.

“Are they gone? They’re really gone!” Frankie tried not to freak out, totally freaking out.

“Wait, so does this mean this thing worked?” Lawson asked. “I mean, I sure hope it worked. Especially when you take into account all the trouble we’ve had over that portal. I’m assuming that’s what it was.”

“Yeah, was… how do we even know it works both ways? How do we even know it really work and isn’t just some trick?” Frankie asked.

“Uh… good question,” Lawson agreed. “For all we know, it doesn’t. And you know what’s an even better question? How badly is Sylvia going to tear us a new one when she finds out we’ve lost three whole people, including her daughter? Because, real talk, that woman means business and she’s not gonna be happy with this.”

Witchy Days BC Ep 36: Expected Confrontation

After the excitement of the day, it was decided to turn in for the night and think over the next actions to take in the morning, when everyone was reasoning better. Due to the number of people in the house, Terra and Helena ended up switching rooms with Frankie and his parents, so they could all stay together.

Terra and Sylvia ended up staying in the living room, by the fire. They wanted some time to catch up without sharing space with others, a fact Terra somewhat regretted when her mother asked a few rather pointed questions about what was happening with her and these boys. She had no idea how to answer it all without digging herself into a hole.

That night, for the first time, she dreamt about that island, which she had never seen before. But this time around, there was an urgent quality to the dreams…

She woke up a bit before 4 in the morning to someone walking in the kitchen.

“Sorry,” Lawson whispered. “Didn’t mean to wake you up.” He put the cup he was drinking from away quietly.

“I thought I heard more voices,” Terra frowned.

“Oops, must’ve been the Medranos. They moved out just down the street – Frankie and Toris are keeping an eye on them. I think they felt a bit awkward with so many people here.”

“Oh, they didn’t need to,” she yawned. “We’ve had more people here before.”

“That’s what I tried to tell them,” he nodded. “Well, sorry for keeping you up. Night.”

Lawson headed off to bed, but Terra was wide awake. Her thoughts kept drifting to the item sitting on the table only a few meters away from her. This is what she’s been looking for this whole time and now she had it! All she had to do was use it.

She approached the little compass. It contained what she initially thought to be a glass insert, but now that she could study it more, it seemed to be an expensive rock of some kind. And were her eyes playing with her, or was she really seeing some kind of movement in the rock’s surface?

Approaching, she tried to study it better, learn more of the secrets beyond its existence. There was powerful magic on it, she could feel it and she wanted to touch it, experience more of it…

“Terra, what are you doing?”

Her familiar’s voice came seemingly from miles away, but it was enough to break through the reverie.

“Your eyes were all glazed over and you were breathing funny,” he added.

“Was I really?!” she took a step back from the compass.

“Yes. I suggest you keep your distance from this thing until we figure out the safest way to proceed with it, dear.”

“Yeah, I think you may be right…” She backed away more, to be safe, now afraid to look at the item. Bartholomew’s concern was rarely baseless and she didn’t like how quickly the little object affected her. 

The question now on her mind was, would she be able to use it at all, without losing sight of her real reasons for doing so?

“Is everything ok out here?” the door of the boys’ bedroom opened and Matthew leaned out.

Terra nodded, but her expression probably wasn’t very convincing.

“Is it about what Boris said yesterday? About Northeney affecting your whole family?” he asked. 

“That too,” she admitted. She wasn’t sure what to make of her family’s situation after learning that particular piece of information. “It’s the compass. It’s freaking me out.”

“No kidding, this thing is something extra,” he agreed. “Don’t worry, we’ve got this.”

He pulled her into a hug and somehow, for a moment, things were much better than before.

“Thanks, I needed that,” she breathed into his shoulder.

“Why don’t you come in. We can talk without waking up the others.”

“What about Sam and Atherton?”

“The later is still at Gordon’s with Polina and the former is next door,” he winked towards where Helena slept.

“It was like, I was in a trance of some sort,” Terra explained once they were laying down. Being close like this gave her a sense of comfort she’s been missing for the better part of her stay here. “I didn’t think it would affect me like that.”

“I’m not surprised it did,” Matthew admitted. “It’s a powerful magical artifact and it’s supposed to be a portal into the one place you’re trying to get into. And considering how it came to be made, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s not all good magic.”

“Great, just great…” 

“Look on the bright side. Toris is here and she knows how her family’s magic works. Your mother’s here. Boris and Gordon have Rodion and the majority of his people roped off, so they can’t after anyone here.”

“That is all good.”

“And think about it – less than 24 hours ago, you thought looking for the compass would be another wild goose chase. But now, it’s here.”

“You’re right,” she smiled, considering all the positives. “I think I’m just freaking out now that it’s all real.”

“And that’s valid. Just know, you’re not alone.”

“Thanks. I should go. I don’t want to crowd you.”

“Nonsense, this is fine. Stay with me. Besides, it’s nearly dawn.”

“Alright.” She didn’t really want to leave anyways. Soon, she drifted off, feeling calm with Matthew holding her close.

---

 

Boris wasn’t sure what to make of Terra’s mother. On the one hand, her arrival singlehandedly solved one of their biggest mysteries. On the other hand, he felt a little uncomfortable around her, at least because she seemed a little too comfortable with all the craziness happening here. And now, she was sitting right next to the portal, as if it wasn’t even there.

“Doesn’t it bother you at all?” he finally asked, putting away the book he was unsuccessfully trying to focus on. “I think all of us can feel the energy from this thing.”

“The compass? Really? I thought Terra and Toris were just acting like that because they knew it’s impressive and all,” Sylvia was surprised. “It really gives off some kind of energy?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Huh! The more you know,” she continued eating, finishing up her meal. “You know, sometimes I feel out of depth not being a witch myself while my kids are, but at times like these, I’m glad to only be human. All this magic stuff just seems complicated.”

“It does look that way at the moment,” he agreed, slightly relaxing. “I promise you, things aren’t always like this around here.”

“I believe you,” she smiled. “But people are people. Magic or not, they do selfish dumb things all the time. What are you going to do with that brother-in-law of yours?”

“Do? Turn him in to the authorities,” Boris shrugged. “I hate to do it, but he left me no choice.”

“And you think the authorities will deal with him properly?” Sylvia raised an eyebrow. “From the looks of it, he was able to get away with a whole lot of things, right under your nose. Where were the authorities all this time?”

Boris paused for far longer than she liked and she knew she hit a sore spot. “This city has always had less than favorable elements. Just because they aren’t so obvious these days, doesn’t mean they aren’t hiding in plain sight. Most likely, in positions of power.”

Boris thought of the Osmonds and of the trouble they were always able to cause for the school, seemingly out of nothing. He knew they had some powerful connections. How many of them would come through for them, even now? How many of the others in this city were of a mindset similar to the Osmonds’ and his BIL?

Too many, he knew. Old habits died hard, and old magical families were loathe to part with power hunger.

“What should I do?” he asked.

“Well, first let’s figure out what this little piece of metal leads to. I have a very strong feeling what the rest of the world knows about the island isn’t the full story. And I’m sure your idiot-in-law hasn’t told you everything either. They are all treating it as a big source of power. Perhaps, something can be done to change that – which would change the equation in the city as well. Can’t fight over the piece of cake once it’s gone, can you? Oh good morning!”

Terra and Matthew joined the room, emerging from the same room, still sleepy. The two of them looked a bit frazzled to be spotted like this by the older people and Boris wondered if he needs to comment anything on the potential sleeping arrangement from last night. At the same time, he wasn’t their parent and Terra’s parent didn’t seem to have the slightest issue with anything, so he remained quiet.

“Hi, Mom. What are you guys discussing already?” Terra asked. She and Matthew grabbed a bit of the leftover macaroni and joined the table.

“Strategy, dear,” Sylvia smiled. “Toris will be here in a little while to instruct us on the portal’s use.”

“Ok,” Terra realized she was sitting next to it and warily scooted back a bit. She didn’t want a repeat of last night. Sylvia noticed and was going to ask her about it, but Boris’s phone rang distracting her.

“Yes! What?! He is! That’s wonderful!” Boris’s mood changed several times within a minute. “No way! Oh, at least that’s something we don’t need to worry about. They’re both safe? Yes, thank you. No! Keep them both there.”

He continued listening to his friend. “Ok, and that was how many hours ago? No, everything’s peaceful here. But thanks for the warning. We’ll be careful.”

“More trouble?” Sylvia asked once he ended the call.

“Potentially. Our missing student Leo is alive and well. He’s now at Gordon’s along with Julius. But Karina Voronova and her hired hands showed up at the hospital seconds after Leo got Julius out of his hospital room, and from what they’ve heard, she’s planning a visit here next.”

“Rodion’s wife?” Sylvia asked.

“The very same,” Boris verified. “Leo is convinced she’s the reason he couldn’t come back here this whole time. She believes Julius will be here.”

“But he isn’t,” Sylvia smiled. 

“No, and neither is Polina, thankfully,” Boris sighed. The last thing he wanted was to involve the girl in another conflict with her family.

“Morning. Did I hear someone call me?” Polina herself emerged from the bedroom.

“Polina! I thought you were at Gordon’s,” Boris nearly jumped.

“That was the plan. They dropped me off home, though, for some very good reasons,” she sighed. “Helena and Sam are out though – they ran off to get  those everything loaded pancakes from the diner as soon as it opened.”

“Alone?!”

“I know. But you can’t argue with hangry people.”

“So, what’s the plan?” Polina asked in annoyance as they all looked at the clock multiple times. 

Since Gordon’s call, they’ve all had the chance to get dressed, clear the tables, and hide the compass, which meant Karina and her people were taking their sweet time getting to the apartment.

“I guess we play nice until she makes the first move,” Matthew shrugged. “I think we can afford to do so, what with her husband and other helpers still under the containment spell.”

“I think so too,” Boris agreed. “I don’t understand why she thinks it’s a good idea to show up here, even if she thinks Julius and Leo are here. Unless she’s planning to bring a whole army with her, we’ve got her outnumbered, besides you’re here.” He looked at his niece uncomfortably. No matter which way this meeting went, this wasn’t a good way to deal with one’s own mother.

“Don’t worry on my account,” she smiled. She had a few choice words she wanted to tell her mother and this could prove to be just the chance to do so. “But whatever happens, if things are peaceful, I’d like a chance to talk to her first.”

“If this is something you really want, of course,” Boris agreed, hesitant to give his sister-in-law any chance to hurt his niece. At the same time, the girl deserved a chance to talk to her mother.

Terra was also worried, but she just really wanted this whole thing to be over with. She was still antsy from the earlier magical experience of the day.

“You sure you’re ok?” Sylvia approached the girl while the others made sure the doors were sufficiently defended against magical attacks. “She’s your mother.”

“Hmm. I wonder if she remembers it,” Polina rolled her eyes. “Mothers don’t turn their children into unwitting spies against the rest of their family and friends.”

“I see,” Sylvia saw the fact of the matter. The girl felt betrayed, as she was completely within right to be. A fleeting memory of Darius and all he put her and her mother through came to mind. Karina would have to tread very carefully here, indeed.

At this moment they all heard loud knocking on the door.

“Excuse me,” Sylvia hurried into the bathroom nearest the front door, closing the door behind her. The others were confused by her actions, but Terra had an inkling of what her mother was planning.

“They have protection spells on the place,” Karina observed as she and her people approached.

“Should we take them down?”

“No, let’s see what we can observe first. Besides, I want to get my hands on Polina first and haul her out of there before we deal with the rest of them.”

“What if she doesn’t come with us?”

“Of course she will. She’s part of the family.” Karina knocked on the door. “Let me talk to them first. I’ll give you the sign for attack when I’m done.”

Karina most likely wasn’t expecting her daughter to be the one opening the door. Or to find a group of very annoyed-looking people looking at her and her companions. Her plan was to wait until it was late enough in the day that many would be out of the house and taking the people she needs would be a simpler task. This however…

“Hi, Mom. How was skiing? I hear there are some seriously dangerous slopes over in Switzerland. So dangerous, in fact, that they look like legitimate routes, but once entered, even the pros can’t stop and wipeout hard. Real hard.” Polina stepped closer. “So hard, in fact, that they never get back out there again, because they can’t walk and start to curse the day they even decided to try skiing.”

Karina wasn’t prepared for such a level of directness from her youngest, especially when she was always so polite before. 

“What in the world have you done to your hair!?” she finally got out.

“It’s hair dye. Surely, you know such a thing exists,” her daughter looked her straight in the eye. “It’s not the most serious thing in the world and can be easily corrected and changed. Unlike some other things.”

“What in the world are you implying, young lady?!” Karina found herself losing her cool, which wasn’t helped in the slightest by Boris and that guy in plaid snickering. Turning to them, she snapped, “The hell are you laughing at?”

“Probably at the fact that you thought it was a functional idea to show up here with those two after what you and Dad put us all through for these past few weeks!!!” Polina yelled at her. “How dare you show your face here?!!!”

The others exchanged uncomfortable glances. They didn’t to witness a blowout like this and were wondering whether to intervene – but Polina’s grievances with her family were real and she was within right to voice them.

“Learn some manners!” Karina shot back. “I am still your mother.”

“Manners? Is your behavior what you call manners? Using me as a spy? Poisoning my classmate? Kidnapping people? Is that what you call fucking manners?! I regret to even be related to you. You and Dad have made a farce of our family. He’s not here by the way, the person you are looking for. But now that you are here, I have a chance to tell you this: you are no longer my mother. I disown you.”

At the same time, Helena and Same returned to the apartment. Sure, her Dad warned them to stay away because they were expecting trouble. But what was the fun in that?

Arriving to their floor, the now well-fed couple saw some familiar faces, or rather masks. 

Distracted and not even looking in their directions.

“Hey,” Helena whispered to Sam.

“Yeah?”

“Want to get even with those bozos?” she asked.

“Think it’s the same ones from last time?”

“Does it matter?”

“It’s 2X2. The odds are fairly good in our favor.”

By the time the henchman noticed the angry couple rushing them, they didn’t have time to put up a good defense, and the two were able to subdue them without further trouble.

“If you two know what’s good for you, you’ll stay down and make little noise,” Helena smiled at them pleasantly, once the masked duo were nursing their bruised sides and egos.

“You little!!!” Karina blew up at her daughter. “I should’ve grounded you more as a child!”

“For what? For being a decent person rather than a two-timing rat?” Polina parried. “Except, that’s an insult to rats everywhere.”

This did the trick. Karina leaned forward to slap her daughter, but the girl seemed to expect it and leaned back just enough to avoid impact.

“Hey!” Boris yelled at his sister-in-law. “Get away from her!”

“You don’t get to hit anyone in here,” Matthew moved closer, equally pissed off.

“Watch me!” Karina raised her palm for a slap once more, but just at that time, Sylvia jumped out of the bathroom (after listening to everything carefully), and pistol-whipped the woman on the head. 

Hard.

And down she went.

“I wondered when that was going to happen,” Bartholomew purred happily.

“Same,” Terra agreed.

“Is she…?” Boris started to ask, but Sylvia silenced him.

“She’s fine, just a little out cold. This one isn’t heavy enough to do any serious damage. Only to cool her down a bit.”

“How did you get a gun through airport security?” Matthew blurted out.

“I have my ways,” Sylvia smiled, not giving any more information. “I wasn’t going to come here unarmed, when all of you have magic to defend yourselves with, was I?”

Yep, there was the mother Terra knew.

“She’s going to wake up in a bit,” Polina looked at the woman out cold on the floor. “What do we do now?”

“Well, I don’t think letting her go anywhere would be a good idea,” Boris gave a tired sigh. Lawson, now that Frankie’s with his parents and Atherton’s helping our Gordon and Wade, would mind sharing Matt’s and Sam’s room for a bit? I think we can rope it off, similarly to how we did with the others, and put her there. Would that be ok with you, Polina?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“Are you ok?” Terra approached Polina while Boris set up the spells on the allotted bedroom. “I’m sorry that this happened.”

“Yeah, you’re sorry. But she isn’t. That’s the problem: she doesn’t even understand why I’m so angry. She thought I would just go along with it all,” the girl answered, with slumped shoulders. She was trying to make something to eat, but had to put the knife down – she wasn’t taking the events well at all.

“She’s in the wrong here, I won’t argue. I am sorry that you had to see my mother hit her, though.”

Polina nodded. “Is it bad that I feel relieved that she did? I think if she didn’t force us to deescalate, this meeting would’ve gotten uglier.”

Terra figured the same thing and likely, so did her mother. Sylvia had no problem getting physical with people, but only if the situation called for it.

“Do you want to go lie down?” Terra asked.

“No, it would be pointless anyways. She’s bound to wake up sooner rather than later. And I’d rather be around for it.”

Witchy Days BC Ep 35: Reunited in the Stoneshields

“Mom! What are you doing here?!” Terra exclaimed, seeing Sylvia. “OMG, I tried to call you and couldn’t.”

“I was on the plane,” Sylvia nodded. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”

“Are you kidding? Come here?” She pulled her mother in for a big hug. As confusing as seeing her here was, she did feel happy about her presence. 

“That’s more like it!” Sylvia smiled.

Matthew and Boris exchanged a look. They didn’t know what to make of the woman, but if this was Terra’s mother, at least, it wasn’t another enemy. 

“Wait, how did you know where to find us? We’ve moved from his real house,” Terra remembered.

“Toris told me where to go. Where is she, by the way?” Sylvia asked.

“Not here. Is she supposed to be here?” Terra asked.

“Oh yes. She’s going to be interested in this, I’m certain. And I’m interested in asking her a few questions,” her mother smiled.

“Ok… Let me introduce everyone. Boris Crimson, Matthew Niers, Gordon Fairchild.”

The others all waved and Boris came forward to shake Sylvia’s hand, duly aware that he was being sized up.

“Sage’s cousin?” Sylvia studied him. “I see the resemblance. How are you doing? Not too bad, I hope. In any case, I might be able to help you with your problems while I’m here.”

“Alright,” he smiled, a little confused. “You must be tired from the trip? Would you like something to eat, drink?”

“Of course, but a little later. Now, fill me on on what’s happening here. You had several of your people kidnapped, I know.”

“Oh, we got that covered,” Terra smiled. “We got them back.”

“I was one of those kidnapped people,” Matthew introduced himself. “But your daughter and the others got me out. And the other two are asleep in the room right now.”

“That’s wonderful!” Sylvia clapped her hands. “How did you guys do it?”

“Used an enchanted ruse to confuse the kidnappers,” Terra explained. “And they fell for it.”

“Of course they did,” her mother laughed. “Those types always do.”

“But we’re still not any close to finding the real compass,” Terra explained.

“We were just thinking of different ways we could really track it down, now that we’re pretty sure it was never here in the first place,” Matthew reminded them. “I was thinking, we could contact the older Crimsons in Moonlight Falls and ask them if they could list all the items they ever had. Assuming they remember…”

“Oh, you’re so sweet. And that’s a great idea, you’re right, ” Sylvia smiled. This boy seemed very involved in a cause he didn’t have much reason to be involved in. From the way he looked at her daughter, she was sure she knew the real reason. She just hoped he wasn’t one of those who previously gave her trouble. She checked her watch. “But where is Toris? She told me she’ll get here as soon as she could.”

“Sylvia? You didn’t waste any time getting here! What’s the hurry?” Toris appeared, out of breath from rushing here.

“There you are!” Sylvia smiled, feeling a little smug. “First, I just want to ask you a few things.”

“Go ahead,” the fairy replied. She couldn’t help but be aware of something feeling different here. Some sort of energy, really similar to her own was present. An aftermath of her performing an enchantment in here, perhaps?

“Tell me, when you said your magic compass wasn’t in Moonlight Falls, what did you base your opinion on? Where did you look?”

“In the Crimson house, in the Archives, in the museum, since the Crimsons donated several items. And in the homes of the people they gifted items to,” Toris recounted. “Why?”

“So, you didn’t look in the Wickham house?” Sylvia clarified.

“No… I would’ve, but by the time I started looking for it, Adelia already moved in with the Crumplebottoms, and she took all the valuables and gifts with her.”

“Not all of them. There are some she might not have known about,” Sylvia understood. “Tell me, is this it?”

She placed the compass on the table. Instantly, the fairy’s eyes grew wide.

“This! How did you find this? Sylvia, do you understand what we are all looking at?” she breathed out the questions.

Terra felt her whole body tingle. She recalled the fairy telling her she’ll know when she found the mysterious object. And she was right – there was a strange pull on her. Like she was just meant to do something with it.

“So, I take it, the answer is yes?” her mother groaned. “It was locked up in the grand piano at the Wickham house. Or rather, our house now.”

“Are you telling me this was in our home this whole time?” Terra gave a tired sigh. “And that I would’ve found it if I had gone home, a long time ago?”

“Talk about a turn of events,” Matthew gave a surprised chuckle.

Gordon didn’t even bother hiding his laughter. “Well, well, well, what would you know! That old coot of your grandpa managed to outwit your father and so many others, eh Boris? Or maybe it was your Aunt and Uncle who did it? I wonder how it all happened. I think this is for the best though, don’t you? If it had been here, that idiot of your brother-in-law would’ve found it eventually.”

“Well, he’s not wrong,” Sylvia appraised the situation. “It was a good thing you didn’t have it here. Where is that idiot, by the way?”

“Trapped in their ‘lair’, along with his likeminded and my mother, who has apparently been in on all of this,” Toris gave a tired sigh. “We have it under control now, for the most part. The other fairies are now in discussion over what to do with her. We are pretty certain that, if not for her involvement, the Northeney disaster would’ve been averted…” 

“How do you feel about all this?” Sylvia noticed the fairy’s mood drop.

“Been better,” Toris admitted. “But at least, now she’s not out there, pretending to be me.”

“If you need to talk to someone,” Sylvia offered, “I might not understand all that magical stuff, but I can listen.”

“Now that you are talking about the disaster,” Boris approached them after a quick whispered conversation with Gordon,” there are some things you should be made aware of. You won’t like them.”

He proceeded to fill them in on what Rodion told them when he confronted him. About the spell their ancestors performed possibly having some serious effects on the descendants soon.

Terra listened carefully. All things considered, she wasn’t surprised by what Boris was told. She remembered what Julius told them in the hospital, about his family suffering because of their involvement with dark magic.

And her grandfather was very involved in it, by all known accounts. That meant that she, Bristol, their younger siblings, and her mother were in trouble.

The same stood for Helena and Polina.

Come to think of it, she wondered if her brother’s strange disappearance was possibly brought on by some sort of karma catching up to their family.

Her mother seemed to be thinking along the same lines. “How do we reverse it? We need to undo the dark magic, right? And then, things go back to normal? And what sort of effects are we talking about here?”

“Bad ones,” Matthew spoke up. “My mother knew a family like that. Apparently their matriarch was involved in something dark generations ago… and tragic deaths plagued the family ever since, not to mention an array of other problems.”

“Well, that isn’t good!”

“No. And there are ways to reverse that sort of karma,” Toris told them. “But they aren’t easy. And you absolutely will need to deal with Northeney if you want any sort of success with that.”

“How do I go about that?” Terra asked. “I thought I would just have to get into the island and go from there.”

“You need a proper team for that,” her mother considered it. “You can’t just go there alone.”

Terra wasn’t so sure. Would it even be possible for multiple people to go in?

“Perhaps it would be better to discuss it all in the morning,” Toris offered. “I’m going to have to walk you through and frankly, I’m exhausted today. And this is not something I want to do without enough energy.”

“Yeah, that’s reasonable,” Terra conceded. She still had some catching up to do with her mother, after all. 

---

Meanwhile, at the other end of town.

“You gonna be ok? Or do we need to restrain you again?” Atherton asked Polina, who now sat quietly, half-seething, half-embarrassed for her earlier behavior. He was still kind of amazed at how much strength and raw spite was hiding under her girly demeanor.

When they apprehended her brother, she thought she’d be ok simply keeping an eye on him, considering she knew his behavior as well as anyone. But it turned out she didn’t know her own behavior – all it took was for Tikhon to say one of his usual idiotic opinions and she was ready to throw down with him. 

It took both Atherton and Wade to restrain her from punching the daylights out of the guy.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized, still deep in thought. “I don’t know what came over me. Perhaps I’m not the best person to keep an eye on him.”

“No need to apologize,” Gordon understood. As someone who’s known this family for some time, he could’ve told anyone the relationship between the siblings was less positive than first appeared to the eye. He supposed she didn’t realize that fact until faced with the young man today. “It’s fairly natural for emotions to get the best of people in situations like this one. It is best for you to keep clear of him for the time being, though.”

“I agree. I’m sorry I hit you guys,” she apologized.

“Apology accepted,” Wade chuckled. In her shoes, he would’ve done the same.

“Ditto,” Atherton agreed.

“Has there been any news of my mother, by the way?” Polina asked.

“No, but we know she’s not at the old house,” Gordon answered. “It’s safer to assume she knows something didn’t go according to plan during the exchange, by now.”

“Do they have a working phone from inside that house?” Wade asked the obvious.

“They do. And we’re keeping an eye on it,” Gordon reassured him. “Surprisingly, there haven’t been any outgoing calls from Rodion or the Osmonds. And Maera has more pressing issues right now, than to make phone calls, what with all of her relatives royally angry at her.”

“I’m kind of surprised Karina’s been this absent from the operation up to now,” Wade pointed out.

“Me too. She’s a powerful witch, I wonder what she’s up to,” Gordon agreed. “Come to think of it, I don’t believe anyone’s seen her around for some time.”

“Well, she did call me, back when they were still pretending to be skiing,” Polina remembered. “But not since we’ve discovered what the family’s been up to.”

“Interesting…” Gordon wondered what the significance of the timing was.

A knock on the door interrupted them.

“Is it Toris?” Wade asked. “I thought she was going to stay with the Medranos?”

“She is,” Gordon turned to the door. “Everyone be ready.”

Everyone was on guard as he opened the door. 

“You!? Where the hell have you been?!” Wade asked. “We thought you were a goner!”

A couple of hours later, at the hospital.

Julius didn’t fall asleep until well past midnight, after becoming completely engrossed in the latest book – a gift from the overly-friendly nurse. 

He was woken up by someone carefully nudging him with the words “Wake up, man. This is important, you can sleep later.”

“Whaa…” he turned around, still groggy.

“Come on, wakey, wakey! We need to go.”

The person in his room turned the lights on, to wake him up more. That did the trick.

“Ugh, no, it’s early,” Julius rolled over, but the person was pulling his blankets down, fully waking him up. “What?! Leo!!!?? You’re alive!”

“And you almost weren’t and likely won’t be, if we don’t get you the hell out of here soon!” his missing classmate half sang in a hyper voice.

“What are you talking about?” he reached up to rub his eyes, remembering that he fell asleep in his reading glasses. How convenient. “And what happened to you?”

“I’ll fill you an as we go, but I don’t think we have much time,” Leo explained.

“Wait, what’s going on?” Julius asked, still swaying a bit, and not just from the small remnants of poison in his system. Trying not to blush with Leo this close to him, he demanded, “Who else wants to kill me? I thought no one knew I’m alive, but Terra and Lawson.”

“I don’t know anything about them, but I know Karina Voronova will try to use you, now that their stunt with the kidnapping fell through,” Leo explained.

“Kidnapping? Did the others get their missing people out?” Julius asked.

“Oh yes, they did. I just got here from Prof. Fairchild’s place – which is where we’ll go, for now at least.”

“But why? What does the Voronov family want with me?”

“Knowledge and power – the same thing they want from me. Except, in my case, they rather wanted my knowledge to stay as far away from here as possible, after a particular turn of events,” he chuckled. “I still came back though! But I’m certain they are on the way here as we speak, which is why we need to hurry.”

“Ok, let me get my stuff,” Julius agreed, still confused.

“No time, let’s just go. We have some warmer clothing in the car downstairs.”

“It’s ok, you can lean on me,” Leo reassured him. “I know you’re still weak. Really sorry about that, by the way.”

“How’s that your fault?” Julius asked, blushing from the proximity. “Atherton most likely poisoned the cups, and he was under the Voronovs’ control.”

“Well… it’s my fault Atherton’s bracelet got switched… I wouldn’t have done it if I realized what was happening. I got played, too.”

His idea was to take the elevator down, but instinct made him instead walk away from the main lobby and into the other part of the hallway, the one that led to the emergency exit and the stairwell.

“He and I had that dumb argument over who was the quickest on their feet or something equally pointless. And someone slipped me the idea to replace his bracelet with a fluke, since he was behaving like a know-it-all after he started wearing it. Come to think of it, the idea probably came from Rodney and passed down to me through someone I actually would’ve listened to…” he pulled Julius further into the darker hallway and not a moment too soon.

“This is the room, boys,” Karina stepped out of the elevator, followed by two of her flunkees. “I don’t think he’ll be putting up much of a fight, but just in case, be prepared. But don’t hurt him. I need him alive.”

“Uh…you said he’ll be asleep,” one of the henchmen asked Karina once they found the room empty.

“He was supposed to be here,” the woman looked around. “Where would he have gone?”

“Home?” the other one offered.

“Weak and alone? I don’t think so. If he went anywhere, I bet it was back to Boris. Perhaps I should pay my brother-in-law a visit,” she smiled grimly.

“See what I’m talking about?” Leo quietly asked, as they observed the invaders enter Julius’s room.

“Yeah… what the hell?” he felt anger bubbling up. What more did these people want with him?

“They suck, ok? Ever since Dahlia teleported me away from their dungeon, I’ve been trying to come back and tell everyone what was going on, but someone was making me get lost over and over on the way to the Stoneshields. I’m fairly certain Karina is that someone. I was able to come back because something broke her concentration on the spells keeping me away.”

“We need to tell the others!” Julius whispered furiously.

“I know. Do you think you can handle the stairs? I’ll help you.”

Barron and Sylvia 45: Antique Treasures (Witchy Days Crossover)

This comes directly after Witchy Days 34. Also, a little spicy at the end.

The same evening, after the meeting at the Farchild home.

Thinking hard about everything they needed to do, Barron tried to clear his head a little by playing some of his favorite songs. 

However after a few minutes of the activity, he knew the music was doing the opposite of relaxing him.

Not because he couldn’t play it. 

But because he couldn’t play it on this damn piano!!!

“Aaaaah!” he screamed, after finally slamming all the keys angrily at once, giving his wife a start and scaring the teenagers upstairs enough that they ran down to see what was happening.

“What is wrong with you?” Sylvia gave him a look.

“What’s wrong with me?! You try playing smooth jazz on something that sounds like it went down with the Titanic, then spent time underwater getting chewed on by all sorts of sea life, jumped on by some elephants, and only then was brought into this house! That’s what’s wrong with me!” he complained.

“Ok?” Sylvia backed away a bit. “Well, can’t we just call in someone to tune it? Addie said Jonah didn’t play it much in his later years and he passed away like a decade ago, so it’s obviously been without a musician’s or tuner’s touch for years.”

“I’m sure my grandparents know some people who can fix it within a week,” Laurel offered.

Somehow, that set him off more.

“A week? A whole week? Are there that many people here with antique instruments that someone can’t be here within a day?” he complained.

“What’s all this really about?” Sylvia asked. This wasn’t her husband’s normal behavior.

“I just can’t deal with all this,” he grunted. “This not being able to do anything without someone else’s help. What in the world? I’m a grown man, I can take a look at a stupid piano myself.”

Sylvia would’ve warned against it – these things required professionals. But something told her such words won’t be taken well at the moment. Barron was clearly going through the same emotions she was dealing with lately and this was his way of dealing with them. A piano, even an antique one, could be replaced if broken. His peace of mind couldn’t.

And it was better for him to pay attention to the piano rather than to how ruffled up and flushed the teenagers were. She knew he was very liberally-minded, but he might not deal well with such coupling at the moment. She herself would have to check the condom box later to make sure proper precautions were taken.

Luckily, Addie gave them a key to the piano along with the house keys, so nothing had to be broken to open the lid. As soon as he lifted the cover his expression became one of confusion.

Barron: What the actual fuck?

Several minutes later, the contents of the piano were extricated: an ancient scroll, an expensive-looking crystal, a fancy ocean shell, several expensive stones, and in addition to a few smaller tidbits, a rusty-looking compass.

“Well,” Barron studied their haul. “I guess that explains why it was making such an irritating clunking noise. For real, I thought either the entire soundboard was messed up or the hammers and strings were broken off.”

“Who in the world stores stuff inside a piano?” Laurel asked the reasonable question.

“Someone who wanted to hide it, that’s who,” Xander decided.

“I can see why,” Sylvia agreed. She had to restrain herself from secretly grabbing something and keeping it for herself. “These things look expensive.”

“They kind of look like the things in her grandparents’ home,” Barron noted.

They all exchanged a look.

“Didn’t your Grandma say her father and the Wickhams used to be very close friends?” Sylvia asked Laurel.

“Yeah, they still are with Addie…” Laurel looked at her. “Do you think these things are theirs?”

“Well, we should call Addie and ask,” Sylvia decided. “Although…”

Her attention was drawn to the compass. There was something about it.

“Barron, isn’t that the same sign that was on that bracelet Toris always wears?” she asked, remembering why it looked familiar.

“I’d say it is.”

“Honey, do you think your grandparents would mind if something belonging to them was removed from them for very important and urgent reasons?” Sylvia asked Laurel.

“I’m sure they’ll be fine with it,” the girl replied. “From the looks of it, if this does belong to them, it’s been removed from them quite a few years ago.”

“Alright then. Babe, do you think you could hold the fort without me for a few days?” she turned to her husband. 

“What are you thinking of doing?” he asked.

“I’m thinking of being on the first available flight from here to the Stoneshields,” she announced. “I feel like this is kind of important. I feel like this little piece of metal is what all the ruckus is about over there – and something tells me it needs to get there sooner rather than later.”

“You’re going no matter what I say, right?” he asked. “Just please, please be safe. I hate that our daughter is there, I don’t want you involved in all that hubris.”

“I don’t think that’s up to us, hon,” she hugged him and he pulled her close. “Sometimes, life just throws hubris at you. And either it hits you square in the face, or you hit it back at those who threw it at you, but harder.”

“Well, you do you, and do the later, ok?” he smiled. “Don’t worry about me. I can hold the fort here.”

“I still don’t understand, how did all this stuff end up here?” Laurel kept on asking. “And why?”

“Well, you were surprised to see it here, weren’t you?” Xander pointed out.

“Well, duh, who wouldn’t be? Normal people don’t use pianos as storage bins.”

“Exactly. Meaning, if you wanted to hide something from someone, it would be a pretty perfect place to hide it!”

---

 

“What’s taking him so long? So much for spicing things up before the trip.” Sylvia’s flight was very early the next morning and she didn’t want to leave without a proper takeoff. But her husband somehow didn’t seem to catch on to why she made sure the kids were in bed early.

“Oh, hey…” he finally came in and appreciated her efforts. “How much time did I waste?”

“Enough that I’m considering calling it a night and taking an early nap,” she frowned. 

“Oh, shucks,” he feigned being wounded. “And here I thought I was setting the mood right by getting your favorite incense in the diffuser and warming that massage oil up. Perhaps I should go put it all away.”

“Oh?” she considered. “This does sound nice, when you put it that way.”

“Glad you think so. But now that we’re both on the same page…”

“You sure you won’t be too tired? It’s an early flight.”

“When was I ever tired? Let’s do this properly.”

Witchy Days BC Ep 34: A Few Deserved Breaks

Hours later, after stopping by the apartment for lunch and a breather, the two friends returned to the scene of the crime. 

At first, they were met with complete silence. Then, the door opened up and a bedraggled-looking Maera stumbled out of the house, only to land on her knees outside in the snow, barely able to look straight. Right behind her was Rodion, looking positively green, and he pushed her out of the way before the contents of his breakfast made an unwelcome visit.

“Yikes,” Gordon grimaced. “It does look like Toris overdid it with the spell. Or maybe that’s how those pills normally work? I wouldn’t know.”

“Maybe. Or maybe that’s finally their true nature coming front and center,” Boris responded. “What do we freaking do with them now? They are barely coherent.”

“Were you planning to find out anything useful from them?” Gordon side-eyed him. “After everything?”

“Well, yeah! I would like an explanation for why they felt the need to turn everything upside down,” Boris maintained. “Or at least, an attempt at one. Besides, if he has anything to do with Olga’s disappearance, I want it out of him.”

“Well, looks like he spotted up and he’s pissed,” Gordon pointed at their former coworker, who was rushing at them, furious, only to be met with the containment spell they’ve placed on the house.

“What the hell, Boris! Let me out of here!” he yelled.

“What for? So you can puke on me? Which is what you’ve been doing with the academy, with your family, with my family? Isn’t that so?” Boris spoke to him coldly. “Why don’t you start talking. What is all this about?”

“Why should I tell you anything?” Rodion balked. “I don’t owe you a thing.”

“No? Fine with me,” Boris conceded. “Just keep in mind, that you aren’t going anywhere from this house until we lift up the containment spell. And whether we are going to do this or not – well, we’re still thinking about it.”

“What do you mean, you’re still thinking about it?” Rodion snarled. “I have your student. And your other student’s worthless elders. Are you sure you want to leave them here with me, locked down?”

“You have them?” Boris smiled. “Are you 100% sure about that?”

“What do you… you tricked me!!!” his brother-in-law blew up. “This little thing. This was another stupid fake, wasn’t it?”

“Duh…” Maera groaned from behind him, head slumped against the wall. “You’re just getting it?”

“What was I supposed to do?” Boris asked. “I told you – I don’t have it. I don’t have the real compass, or whatever this crap is. Never fucking did! But you wouldn’t believe me!”

Gordon gave his friend a concerned look. Boris never cursed, which meant he was dangerously close to losing the plot. It seemed like Rodion knew it too, because he took a step back.

“It’s not just about power,” he finally conceded. “I mean, it is. Do you know how powerful whoever absorbs the energy of that island would be? Powerful enough to have it all… But if we don’t do something with that spell soon, we’re all fucked.”

“From this point on – explain,” Boris demanded.

“My father and two others performed a spell in Northeney. It was supposed to kill off the residents and turn their life energy into magic energy.”

“Dark magic,” Gordon corrected. “The sort no one ever should be using. Because it screws over everyone around it.”

“What’s done is done. And like I was about to say, the spell wasn’t quite finished. Or it didn’t go according to plan,” Rodion continued, swaying a bit from the spell still affecting him. “I never understood which way it was. In any case, the three decided this was actually a better outcome, because after being left to stew there for more than half a decade, the potential energy payoff would increase.”

“And a certain someone helped them seal the island, to make sure no one disturbs it,” Borris narrowed his eyes at Maera, who was still trying to contain the contents of her morning meal.

“Well, yeah, I guess she did,” Rodion admitted. “The others would’ve realized what happened if the island didn’t get locked down. But the truth is, the spell the three cast has been growing stronger over the decades, and soon, all the growing energy on that island will explode through the barriers and affect those outside as well. And the people descended from the original three are going to most screwed by the fallout.”

“Why are you just telling us this now?!” Boris was furious. The people descended… that was his daughter. His niece and even his idiot nephew. Terra, that poor girl… and most importantly, his wife. “Where is Olga, Rodion? No more bullshit, where is she?”

“She’s probably dead,” Rodion looked away. “We had a scuffle and she disappeared, along with the only portal I had to the island. I can’t imagine she survived in there.”

“And you fucking kept quiet this whole time?!!!”

Gordon had to physically restrain his friend from jumping in and beating the living daylights out of his brother in law. As it was, he had to drag him away from the house, shooting Rodion one final warning glance.

Once they were further away, he released his friend.

“You ok now, or you gonna jump in there again?” Gordon asked.

“That was stupid of me, wasn’t it? Do you think he’s telling the truth? Or was he just trying to get a rise out of me?” Boris analyzed the conversation.

“Either way could be true,” Gordon admitted. “I do think it’s a good idea to track down that compass they are all after. I’m starting to think it could answer many of our questions.”

“But how would I even start looking for it?”

“Well, you are sure your father never had it. That’s a start, I’d say. And we should probably talk to the kids. If any of what he’s saying is true, they deserve to be made aware of things.”

“I know,” Boris sighed. “Like they need any more trouble on top of everything. Anyways, do you think Maera is good for Toris to deal with now?” 

“Oh yes. I suggest not letting her sober up too much before Toris gets a chance to chat with her.”

---

Coming to their senses at home, the former prisoners and their rescuers were finally getting over the excitement of the morning. Finally safe, Denise and Jesse were with their son, enjoying family time after all the hassle.

“We were worried about you, dear,” Denise explained. “It was a gut feeling, if you will. Like we knew something wasn’t right around here.”

“But you got kidnapped because of this,” Frankie cringed. “I’m so sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about,” his father reassured him, taking a sip of his hot cocoa. “We should’ve known better than not to warn you about our arrival – and getting in a vehicle with this guy was a rather poor decision on our part.”

“What were you supposed to do? He was one of my professors,” Frankie understood their confusion.

He glanced in the direction of his classmates. Everyone was still giddy from their successful adventure and the happiness was well-deserved. Everyone was so stressed out for the past few weeks… and he was still stressed about another thing. A question that still nagged him, after all this time. He caught Terra’s eye from across the room, and she gave him a knowing nod. He knew he had to ask for his peace of mind.

“Mom, Dad, this is probably not the time, but I need to know. Am I adopted?”

His parents put their mugs down on the ground and exchanged a knowing look.

“How long have you been wondering about this?” his father asked.

“For a while, if I’m honest,” Frankie admitted.

“Fair enough. Well, if we’re speaking about biology purely, then yes, you are adopted, sort of. Your real parents are your mother’s cousin and his wife. She was a witch,” Jesse told him. 

“Was? So…”

“They aren’t with us anymore,” Denise rubbed his shoulder. “They passed away in a car accident when you were just a baby. And your father and I always wanted a baby, but it wasn’t really working out for us the usual way. And then when that awful day happened, we were more than happy to take you in.”

“We were always going to tell you the whole truth,” his father gave a sad smile.

“But we’ve always loved you like you were biologically ours. And we didn’t want you to feel weird about things,” his mother finished the sentence. “And then, when you had to go to boarding school because we knew next to nothing about magic, it seemed like a bad time to tell you. Like we were sending you away because you were adopted – because that wasn’t true. We just wanted you to get a proper education and we knew we couldn’t give it to you.”

“Mom, Dad? Just so you know – I really love both of you. Like, a lot. I don’t care if you gave birth to me or not. You are and always will be my parents,” Frankie smiled. And he meant every word he said. He only asked the question because he really needed to know for sure.

His parents gave him a big hug. No matter what, their family always will be together.

While the others were outside, Helena and Sam were enjoying some privacy. The last few days really made her think about some things she never really considered seriously before.

For starters, she knew she was seriously upset when Sam got beaten up while defending her. She hated that someone could harm him, just like that. And she knew she was intensely relieved when he wasn’t seriously injured. The idea of harm coming to him was impermissible to her. She wanted to protect him, not vice versa! That meant she’ll have to step up her game – in other words…

“Let’s date. For real, with labels,” she offered.

“Who are you and what have you done with the real Helena?” he looked at her funny.

“I am me, you doofus,” she sighed. “Look, I’ve been thinking, ok? And I know I wasn’t fair to you by keeping us in a friends-with-benefits arrangement, especially when you’ve always wanted more.”

“But you don’t really want to date,” he smiled. “You always say it’s all just a social arrangement and outdated.”

“I did say that,” she admitted. “I’ve reconsidered, though. So, what do you say? Will you be my boyfriend?”

“You know it.”

“So, can you explain what all those codewords were about?” Matthew asked Terra. 

“We figured those were some pretty innocuous words someone kidnapped could use on a phone call without tipping off the kidnapper it was a means to communicated with the other side,” Terra explained. “And when you didn’t say them when talking to Boris, we knew he had a way to impersonate you.”

“Damn… this guy’s really something. Did he really use his own son as a stand-in for me? Now that’s worth a Father of the Year award… not. That was a smart idea with the code, though,” he complimented.

“Well, Frankie helped,” she admitted, glancing over to where he was happily talking to his family. “They seem happy.”

“I hope so,” Matthew smiled. “He’s been missing them pretty badly.”

“And you’ve been missing your Mom, too,” she knew.

“Yeah…I wonder if we’ll even have a next semester, at the rate things are going,” he wondered. “Maybe we’ll get sent home. I know I wouldn’t mind it.”

“Not gonna lie, after news of recent events gets out, I imagine many parents would be hesitant to allow the students to return here,” Terra considered his words. “And many of the students will be afraid to come back, even if the parents ok it.”

“Sad, isn’t it? Years of work to build it all up, and its all gone just like that,” he pondered. “I hate it when that happens.”

He looked down, trying not to smile. “I kind of feel guilty about it, but I do feel like one good thing came out of all this – us meeting like this.”

“Wouldn’t we have met without the explosion too?” she smiled.

“Probably, but we both would’ve been too busy in our individual business to really grow closer. And we certainly wouldn’t have lived under the same roof. I’m glad we got to spend so much time together.”

“You are?” she couldn’t help but notice his fingers were gently brushing hers.

“Hmm. And I really hope once all of this is over, we can spend more time together. Preferably, without something nefarious hanging over us.”

“I think I’d like that too,” she smiled. 

Of course, without the investigation giving them an urgent topic to focus on, there could be some awkwardness, but Terra knew she had enough humor to diffuse any potentially strange situation that came up during a date.

She did still have an investigation on her mind, though. She still didn’t have any idea where the real compass was – and Bristol was still missing.

“What’s wrong?” he instantly noticed her shift in the mood.

“Just thinking. I’m glad we got you and the Medranos out of there and that we know who was responsible for the trouble at the academy. But I’m actually further away from knowing where the key to my brother is.”

“What do you mean? Didn’t you find it? Isn’t that how you bated Rodion?”

“No, that was a fake. No one knows where the real thing is, but Boris is convinced he never had it.”

“That sucks,” he squeezed her hand. “Well, at least you know it’s not here. And if it never was, that could be a good thing!”

“Yo, Terra! Your plan worked!” Lawson rushed in. “Thanks for suggesting it!”

“The butt-dial?” she asked.

“That’s right! Maera fell for it hook, line, and sinker! Toris called me she was on the way to talk to her – and to consider my problem with Maera as good as gone.”

“That’s great!” she laughed. “What else did she say?”

‘Well, she already contacted the other Pearson fairies. To say they are furious with Maera is an understatement.”

“I’ll say,” Terra chuckled. “I wonder what sort of disciplinary action she’ll be facing.”

“Didn’t Toris call you? I think she was trying to,” Lawson told her.

“Well, my phone’s still broken,” she reminded him.

“Wait, still? Ask this guy to help,” he pointed at Matthew.

“Your phone’s broken?” Matt asked. “What happened to it?”

“I smashed it into snow.”

“Oh, that’s simple. Give it here.”

With a few spell-words and a sparkle of light, Matthew was done and her cell started to turn back on.

“It worked!”

“Of course! I’ll have to teach you that spell. You’ve no idea how many times I’ve broken mine,” he laughed.

“Thank you so much! Huh, I have a bunch of missed calls,” Terra studied the little screen. “Toris, Boris, Polina, my parents. Oh, wow, I have way too many missed calls from my parents. It’s late now, but I’ll call them in a few hours. They must be sleeping now.”

“Maybe you should call them now?” Lawson suggested. “Could be urgent.”

“You’re right,” she considered it, dialing her mother. “She’s not picking up. It’s cool, I’ll try again in a bit.”

“So, what are you going to do now?” Matthew asked. “Now that you know the item you are looking for isn’t here? Are you leaving soon?”

“I don’t know. I guess, I want to be sure everything is set here before I make any decisions,” she admitted. “I wouldn’t know where else to look for it, though. Toris said it wasn’t in Moonlight Falls, where the other Crimsons are. And my teacher didn’t have it either. Honestly, I’m at a loss here.”

“You should talk to Toris again. Maybe she can help you look for it? After all, it seems like something that’s at least partially her responsibility. And I can help you look for it too. I’m no detective, but two brains are better than one, right?”

“Yeah, but do you really want to spend who knows how long looking for this?” Terra asked.

“Well, now I’m curious to its whereabouts, too,” he admitted.

A sharp, loud knock on the door interrupted their conversation, making Boris and Gordon who just returned from their trip turn around warily. After all, while they had Rodion and the rest of his helpers in custody, his wife Karina was still out and about, and no one knew her whereabouts. It was a good cause for concern, especially since the door wasn’t locked yet.

To Terra’s surprise, Bartholomew, who was lazily lounging by the fireplace the whole evening, instantly jumped up and headed towards the door.

“Barthy?”

“It’s all good, Terra!”

She understood his behavior the moment the door opened.

“What are you doing here?!”

Witchy Days BC Ep 33: The Exchange

By 4 in the morning, the crew was in the woods by the Voronovs’ house. Gordon and Wade were here earlier on as well, keeping an eye on the building from a safe distance, to make sure no one came and left and to verify how many people were inside.

“According to Gordon, there are four of them,” Boris filled them in. “Rodion, Tikhon, Sandra, and Malcolm.”

“So, we’re going to need a way to get them all out?” Terra asked.

“Yes, but we know Rodion’s going to leave when he has to meet with me. I’m assuming the other three are going to stay.”

“Oh, about that – Toris mentioned she could help with a diversion,” Lawson notified them. “I’m not sure what exactly she’s going to do, but she was convinced it’ll work.”

“Works for me. I’ll stay with you until she gets here. The others are already at the junkyard, scouting out potential vantage points. You know, I’m kind of surprised Rodion hasn’t called you,” Boris told Frankie. “I thought he’d try to use you again to leverage something.”

“I’m surprised too,” Frankie admitted. “Maybe he realized he was going to jeopardize everything if he calls and gets caught?”

“Who knows?” Boris wondered. 

Almost as if on cue, Frankie’s phone rang with Rodion’s call.

“Hello? Why are you calling?” Frankie asked, signaling to the others to be quiet.

“Just to make sure there’s no funny stuff happening,” Rodion’s voice came through. “He’s really bringing it?”

“Yeah, you got what you wanted. Happy? Now, when are you going to let my parents go?” 

“Hold you horses, now. There’s still a lot that needs to happen for that.”

“What else do you want?” Frankie asked.

“Let me get the compass. Then we’ll talk.” Rodion hung up and Frankie cursed, which wasn’t natural for him.

“Calm down, man. We’ll get them out,” Terra reassured him.

“I believe you. I just hate this whole situation,” he explained.

“Hopefully, it’ll end soon,” Lawson wished. “Look, there’s Toris now.”

“Hi. Everyone ready?” the fairy joined them and Boris took his leave. He still needed to get to the meetup site.

“As ready as we’ll be,” Lawson shrugged.

“So, what’s the game plan for the moment?” Terra asked.

“The game plan is keeping an eye on the place and going in when it’s safe,” Toris explained. “And also, making sure nothing gets past us.”

Hiding at a good distance that allowed them to observe the house, they finally saw the people they were interested in leave the building.

“Rodion and Matthew! He’s bringing him after all!” Lawson whispered.

“Hmm…” Terra looked at the two men. “Are you sure about that?”

“The two of them do look kind of chummy,” Frankie noticed as well. “I can’t, for the life of me, imagine Matthew just laughing and smiling with that guy.”

“So it’s a stand-in?” Toris offered. “Wonder who.”

The captor and prisoner left, heading off in the direction of the junkyard and Toris made a quick call to Boris, alerting him to what was happening, along with the concerns regarding the identity of the prisoner to be exchanged. 

In a few more minutes, Malcolm Osmond left the building, walking to his car with an urgent stride of someone in a hurry.

“You’re welcome,” Toris smiled.

“What did you do?” Terra asked.

“Called his business and told them a financial examiner was coming in to audit his documents. Looks like I hit the jackpot – he’s not playing fair at work either.”

“Figures,” Lawson snorted. “What about Sandra? She’s still in there.”

“Are you sure?” Toris asked. She saw the woman in question leave when she was on the way here. “I think she’s out.”

“So…”

“Let’s go in. Time is running,” Toris decided.

Meanwhile, Boris was getting antsy at the junkyard. Even knowing that the others were hiding out nearby, he was nervous. What if they miscalculated something?

And what did it mean that Toris suspected he wasn’t really getting his student back?

He didn’t have long to ponder, because Rodion and Matthew were here.

“Ok, you have it?” his brother-in-law asked without any hesitation.

“It’s here,” Boris held his hand with the compass out, careful not to give anything unnecessary away. 

On the count of three, two things happened: Rodion snatched the compass out of his hand and pushed Matthew towards him, while quickly putting the item deep into his pocket.

“See? That wasn’t so hard,” Rodion smiled coolly.

“Was it really worth all this, Rodya?” Boris asked without smiling.

“Oh, you wouldn’t understand it, Borya. You’re happy to just sit around with your musty old books and your mediocre students. And that’s suitable for you. But some of us want more from life. Well, in any case, we both have what we want now, so let’s not waste any more of each other’s time.”

With that he turned around and walked away, not turning back once.

As the meeting went on, Polina could barely contain restrain herself from jumping up and rushing there.

“That bastard,” she spat.

“Your father?” Atherton asked, seeing her reaction.

“Who else? This is not Matthew, I’m telling you.”

“Well, let’s see what happens when your Pops leaves.”

“Let’s indeed.”

“Are you really alright?” Boris turned to his student. The young man remained quiet during the whole exchange and it was putting Boris on edge.

“I’m fine, yes. Thanks for getting me out of there,” Matthew smiled and Boris knew for sure it wasn’t Matthew.

Just as the young man swung at him, someone grabbed his arm sharply and he yelped from pain.

“Polina, please go easy!” Boris warned his niece.

“Oh, I’ll go as easy as he was going to go, isn’t that right, Tisha?” she asked, making his eyes grow wide.

“He really didn’t last too long in the role, did he?” Helena stated. The rest agreed.

With only a little effort, Polina ripped the spell on “Matthew” away from him, revealing Tikhon in all his bewildered and confused glory.

“I can fully believe you would go along with this, for all that you lack any and all gray matter, but did Dad really not realize that I’d see through it instantly? Come on!” Polina called her brother out.

“I was supposed to-”

“I don’t care what you were supposed to do,” she spat. “Just wait until I’m done with you.”

Quietly, Boris made a mental note to himself not to leave the siblings alone, just in case…

“I’ll take him off your hands now,” Gordon offered. “We can keep a good eye on him.”

At the same time, Terra and the crew were breaking into the Voronov house.

Unfortunately, it turned out Sandra was home after all.

“Excuse you?! What the hell are you doing here!?” she demanded, preparing to attack.

“Crap,” Terra hissed under her breath, turning to Toris, who made a sign not to worry.

The fairy flew towards the incredulous witch and… did something.

The next thing they all knew, Sandra was conked out, asleep on the floor like there was no tomorrow.

“Is she…?” Terra frowned.

“She’ll sleep for a bit. She won’t remember what happened once she wakes up,” Toris reassured her. “Now, where is the entrance to the basement?”

“I found it!” Frankie yelled. Under the giant music player, there was a staircase. Seeing as the player was used to disguise it, they had no doubt this was it.

“Hey! You guys in there?!” Terra yelled once they came face-to-face with a well-locked door.

“Terra?!” a familiar voice responded. “Yes, we’re here!”

“Ok, then stand back!”

She didn’t care what sort of a building this was and who it belonged to – she blasted that door handle and all its contents right off.

“You weren’t kidding about someone coming to get us out,” Denise noted with approval. “This girl means business.”

“Too bad she can’t blast the jerk who brought us here the same way,” Jesse wished.

“Mom, Dad!” Frankie rushed to hug his parents.

Terra did the same with Matthew, who definitely let the hug last a bit longer than was ok at the moent.

“Are you all ok? No one is hurt?” Frankie looked everyone over with concern.

“We’re not hurt, dear. Just freaked out. You have some very rude people in this city.”

“That’s one way to put it,” Jesse laughed.

“If everyone is safe, we should get going,” Toris reminded them. “Time is of essense – Rodion is already on the way back.”

“Let’s go!” Terra pulled Matthew towards the door and called the others to follow them.

“Let’s get you all home,” Toris hailed them a cab once they walked a bit away from the house.

“So, what is going on?” Matthew asked.

“Oh, boy, there’s a lot. I’ll tell you all about it at the apartment, ok?” Terra promised.

For now, she was just glad to have everyone out of their predicament and safe.

Toris smiled too. She was pretty sure she glimpsed a piece of a certain someone’s purple wing as they were leaving the Voronov house…

Maera was careful not to cross paths with her daughter and her crew. 

She went to great lengths for these past years to make sure everyone believed she was dead. She was not too eager to “revive” and have to deal with the rest of the fairies.

But she was eager to get her hands on the portal. Her previous attempts failed, but this time, she would win!

---

Less than an hour later…

“Where were you?” Rodion accused Malcolm, after finding him returning to the house alongside him. “You were supposed to stay here.”

“Was I? Yeah, I got a call from the office…I came back though. The office matter is less important than this. Now that we have the portal, office problems aren’t really problems, heh! You do have it, right?” Malcolm asked.

“It’s here,” Rodion grinned.

“That’s it?” Sandra asked yawning. She felt so drowsy, for some reason…

“That’s it,” Rodion boasted. “He couldn’t possibly leave that little idiot with me. Little does he know!” Once again, Rodion was happy to have outwitted his dim brother-in-law.

“Oh yeah, should we give the prisoners their food yet?” Sandra asked. “They annoy me. How much longer do we need them?”

“Not much longer. It was very useful that we got our hands on them though, for all that you complain about them,” Rodion reassured her. 

“Right, so how does this work?” Malcolm studied the little compass. “I know you said it can get us into the island, but you never told us the proper way to do it. And I don’t know, it doesn’t seem all that impressive.”

“Of course you don’t find it impressive, you dimwit!” a new voice joined them. Maera was done waiting for these idiots to figure out what a goldmine they had in front of them.

“You! What the hell are you doing here!?” Rodion exclaimed. He recalled his father complaining about one of the Pearson fairies who took far too much interest in what he and his associates were doing – she wanted the power to herself. His father thought he managed to kill her, but a couple of years ago, Rodion got wind that his information was erroneous and that the fairy was alive and well. And still interested in the same thing he was after. Of course, he was sure she was not in town, until now.

“What am I doing here?” Maera smirked. “I’m just here to grab what’s mine. We all know those three idiots would never have managed to get away with what they did to the island if I didn’t help. Time to pay up.”

“Like hell!” he screamed.

“Uh, who is she?” Malcolm asked, confused.

“Someone who can actually work that thing, unlike you,” she smirked, leaping around them and reaching out towards the compass with her magic.

The spell worked. 

Exactly the way Toris intended it to.

“What the fuck…???” Maera’s eyes grew wide, but it was too late to block the spell.

The effect was immediate.

“Hey! Who planted those sunflowers there?!” Malcolm exclaimed, pointing at their couch. “They are so blue!”

“Lizard man! Get away from me, stupid lizard man! Your skin is all purple and dry!” Maera yelled at Rodion, who couldn’t understand why a purple cloud was yelling and prancing in front of him.

“Woah, pink rhinos…” Sandra stared into the distance. “I kind of want to pet them…”

From outside the house, Boris and Gordon observed what was happening with their enemies.

“You think they’re going to be alright?” Boris asked. 

“You’re actually worried about them?” Gordon was incredulous.

“Well, it’s not everyday I send people on what is basically a drug trip,” Boris explained. “I hate that it had to come to this.”

“Yeah, me too. But you know what? They made their bed. Now they have to deal with it.”

“How long do you think they’re going to be like this?” Boris asked.

“At least for five or so hours,” Gordon recalled how bad it was for the students he confiscated the base for the spell from. “Unless Toris made it stronger. She might’ve for all I know. Why don’t we set up a nice perimeter spell on this place, to make sure they can’t leave once they come down from their trip?”

“Great idea.” At least for a little while, he’ll feel relaxed that these idiots couldn’t do anything else to him, his family, or students.