“Oh, please, go on. Were you directly involved in any of the fights?”
“My coven was. I was not a warrior witch, but I lent whatever power I had to our cause.” Zylla picked up a thick cloth, wound it around her hand and arm to protect them from splashes of hot liquid, and moved the pot from the fire to a flat stone to cool. She put out the fire with a flick of her hand and pulled the shawl around her shoulders. “No, I do not feel the cold, child,” she said in response to Ari’s quick look. “It is nothing but a comforting habit.” Zylla’s hand went up to touch the deep crow’s feet near her temples. “I was an old woman before I became a vampire. I still enjoy the familiarity of the life I once lived.”
Which explained the clothes and the fake fire.
“Now where was I? Oh, yes. The beginning of the war. At first the witches did not object to the vampires’ expansion. As long as the vampires were discreet, they didn’t bother us much.” She settled her colorful skirt around her. “The war started over a pig.”
“A pig?” Ari couldn’t quite stifle her disbelief.
“Well, I suppose it was really the boy who owned the pig. The creature had gotten loose and the young child was chasing it. A vampire, whose name escapes me, thought the boy would make a tasty drink. The village witch, who by some quirk of fate was present, took exception to the vampire’s intentions. When she raised an energy barrier to protect the boy, the vampire turned on the witch and ripped out her throat. The coven reacted by bringing in a fire witch to burn out the local vampire nest. I imagine you can see where it went from there.”
Ari nodded. “Retaliation, back and forth—all the way to the O-Seven, I assume. And they declared war on all witches?”
“Eventually. It took a while, but it was merely an excuse. The vampire elders did not want to share control of the land with the witches. They wanted it for themselves. I doubt if they cared about the fate of the local vampire nest.”
The corner of Ari’s mouth twitched at the old woman’s cynicism. Even after eight hundred years as a vampire, it was obvious where Zylla’s loyalties still lay. “You felt the vampires were in the wrong.”
“I do not favor aggression by either side, but the witches did not welcome it. Nor did they try to exterminate the entire vampire world.” Zylla’s fangs flashed in the firelight.
“So how did the witches survive? Then and still today?”
“By forming the Witches’ League, using their combined powers to set up barriers, improve wards against vampires. They perfected teleportation spells for quick in-and-out attacks, and they recruited at least one fire witch into every coven.”
“So many fire witches?” Ari shifted forward in interest. “I’ve always thought it was a rare gift.”
“It is now, child. The vampires concentrated their wrath on the fire witches as their most feared enemy, and many wonderful bloodlines were extinguished. Over the centuries, the O-Seven has continued to hunt them, forcing many into hiding. Some, like your family, eventually escaped to the New World.” Her gaze sharpened. “Andreas tells me they do not know you have the gift of fire. Guard your secret well. If you do not, instead of providing those you love with protection, your gift could bring the wrath of the elders to Riverdale.”
Ari’s magic spiked with alarm. Her witch fire could be a liability?
“I do not mean to frighten you, but you, and those around you,” Zylla’s gaze drifted to Gabriel, “must prepare for the day the elders learn the truth. Strengthen your magic, learn to control the fire spirits, and keep your coven close. You will need the power of many to withstand them, and Andreas must eventually seek out his own roots.”
“His roots? What are you talking about?”
Zylla folded her hands in her lap. “It is not important now, but I will talk with Andreas when the time comes. For the present, you and he should strengthen the bond you share.”
“Have you seen something? A piece of the future? Can you be more specific?”
Zylla’s smile was unreadable. “You will figure out your path. I have seen no more than hazy images.” She drew the shawl tightly around her shoulders. “I grow weary as dawn nears. The sun weighs heavy on me these days.”
Ari uncrossed her legs and stood to go. She understood a dismissal when she heard one. “Thank you for talking with me. I hope I may visit again.”
“That would be nice, my dear. You too, Gabriel.”
The vampire rose to follow Ari back into the tunnels. “Count on it,” he said with a wink.
Ari suddenly turned back. “I almost forgot. I have a last question, if you will allow it.”
“By all means. You must be quick.” But Zylla looked intrigued.
“The place you call Spirit Cave. Can you tell me when and why it was unsealed?”
Zylla’s face cracked into a grin. “I wondered if you would ask about the lines of life. The cave was opened before my time, but there is an Indian legend regarding the Ancient Ones, who once lived here. It is said that when the time came for them to leave this world they retreated into another dimension. If they were the ones who opened the cave in order to use the ancient power, it was many centuries ago.”
“So, it wasn’t opened by Blackhawk,” Ari said, more to herself than anyone. She looked at the wise woman. “A powerful amulet may be hidden there.”
“Ah, Blackhawk’s bloodstone.”
“Yes. You know of it.” Ari’s tone revealed her great interest. “Do you know where it is?”
“Have you found the symbol?” The vampiress waited for Ari to nod. “And have you spoken with his descendants? He said he would leave instructions.”
“But they weren’t clear at all,” Ari protested. “More like a riddle.”
Zylla frowned. “Blackhawk spoke with me before he departed. He wanted his people to have the stone if he did not return. He was most definite he would give them its exact location.”
“Can you tell me where it is?”
“I cannot.” The old woman’s face pinched in regret. “I asked him not to tell me. I did not want to interfere with fate, as it was Blackhawk’s secret, not mine. He must lead you to it in his own way or it shall remain hidden forever.” She smiled and held out her hand to Gabriel, who kissed it and bowed.
Frustrated, but knowing she wouldn’t learn more tonight, Ari thanked the vampiress again and joined Gabriel to head back into the cavern maze.
“Do you think she knew more?” Ari spoke the moment they were out of hearing.
Gabriel shrugged. “Does it matter? She isn’t going to tell you. Surely this isn’t your first introduction to the vampiric respect for secrecy.” Gabriel seemed taken aback. “If so, I really must talk with Andreas about his loose tongue.”
“Oh, Goddess, don’t do that. He hardly tells me anything as it is. And, yes, I have heard that sentiment before about protecting somebody else’s secret. It’s freakin’ frustrating every time it crops up.”
Instead of his usual lighthearted comeback, Gabriel slipped into silence. They were almost to the outer cave entrance when Ari pulled out of her thoughts long enough to notice his mood. “Worrying about your missing vamps?”
“We’re almost into the second sleep cycle since they vanished. If they’re alive somewhere, I hope they’ve found cover. Dying from exposure to the sun is extremely painful.”
“I’ve seen it.” When he gave her a sharp look, she explained. “A legal execution. But once was enough.” She laid a hand on his arm. “We’ll find them or at least learn what happened. When I track down the coven, I’ll force them to tell me.”
Gabriel nodded, for once seeming to have no witty comeback.
Chapter Thirteen
In spite of the late night, Ari took Zylla’s advice and climbed in her car shortly after 7:00 the next morning to drive into the hills southeast of Riverdale and visit her coven. She had called her priestess thirty minutes earlier in hopes of catching her sisters before they left for their regular jobs. Emmy said they’d make appropriate excuses and be waiting at the usual place by the time Ari arrived. Ari’s family had lived in the small town of Perry—her grandparents still did—and she’d been initiated there. Her twelve coven sisters lived in town or close by.
Although Ari had explained the situation to Emmy over the phone, something like this required a thorough discussion and approval by each of the involved witches. Besides, Ari wanted to be there in person to emphasize the danger. This was far beyond anything her witch sisters had previously faced.
Ari parked her dark green Mini Cooper on a side road and walked down the narrow dirt path that led around Lake Perry to the clearing that Ari’s coven used for secret meetings and rituals. Not only did the air smell cleaner here, it felt cleaner away from the city. Spring crocuses peeked their heads through the dead leaves left from last fall. Birds sang in full voice. Ari might have lingered to enjoy the peacefulness if she wasn’t so wrapped up in thoughts of the coming meeting. She frowned, hoping she hadn’t made a bad decision involving the group.
She heard the chatter of voices ahead and hurried her steps. As she entered the clearing, the conversations stopped. Twelve women, seated on stones placed in a circle, rose to greet her. Every one of her sister witches, ranging in age from twenty to sixty-seven, had responded to her call.
Her chest tightened. How could she place them in danger like this? Maybe Zylla’s advice had been too one-sided, only thinking about what Ari needed.
“You’re troubled.” Emmy, the thin, dark-haired High Priestess of Ari’s coven, grabbed Ari’s hands when the greetings were completed. “Do not sell us short, sister. We are witches, not children. We will not place ourselves in danger if there is no hope of success.”
Ari’s fingers tightened around the other woman’s in surprise. “How did you know about my doubts?”