Last Witch Standing

chapter 21



The Present

Earth



“The father lacks a grounding in the Power,” Karen said after Dan Edwards left the table to call home. Rachel accompanied him.

“Is that a problem?” Candice asked.

“Not an insurmountable one. The Gift is dormant within him, unused and untaught, but it is there. Even a small amount of Power will provide a second or two of buffer between him and Katie. If we act quickly, while she is disoriented, that should be enough,” Karen said.

“Sometimes a family member with the Gift can provide the support necessary,” Jakob said.

“What about the wife?” Candice asked. She wished she had surveiled the woman more carefully and had a better fix on her character.

“Barren. Not a hint of the Power. She married into this family and her lineage holds no strands of it,” Karen said.

“Then we will definitely need the boy?” Candice asked.

“Yes. Problem is: would the father allow his son to become involved?” Jakob asked.

“I don’t think so. Not as presented to him, so far,” Candice replied. Not a snowball’s chance in hell.

“If we do not prevail, the sorceress may come after the lad next. The instant he begins to channel…” Queen Annalisse said.

“If we presented it to Mr. Edwards in that light, and were able to assure him that his son would not be directly involved in hostilities, he may allow it. You know him best, Candice. What do you think?” Karen said.

“He’s still getting used to all this. Too much more information, too quickly, will lead him into overload – and shutdown. It is a defense mechanism I’ve seen time after time in investigations,” Candice said.

“Yes, I agree,” Karen said.

“We will go slowly then. Let him know what she has been up to, and that his son is vulnerable. Do not broach the subject of the child’s involvement until you are made certain of his response,” Annalisse said.

“I will do that. Let me choose my time and place, though. I’ll need to pick just the right moment,” Candice said.

“We trust your judgment, Candice Strong. That is why you are here,” Annalisse reassured her.

“And the girl?” Candice asked.

“She must remain ignorant of her full role. If the child-witch knows what is required, her ambivalence towards Katie could lead her subconscious to block the Power,” Annalisse said.

“Afterwards?” Candice asked.

“Rachel will go to the Citadel. It is long overdue. The mountain witches taught her much, and Katie some, also, but the girl is more wildling than trained witch,” Karen replied.

“A wildling?” Candice asked.

“One with the Gift, but without the training and discipline necessary to use it safely and responsibly. Rachel’s entrance has already been delayed by nearly two years. A crucial time,” Karen said.

“It is best to ferret out and secure child-witches within weeks of their first channeling. The earlier the better. Yet, wildlings do ofttimes develop in unique directions. Dangerous paths are not kept from them, and sometimes one succeeds where we don’t risk going for fear of the hazard,” Queen Annalisse said.



***

Karen and Annalisse arranged that Rachel stay with the detective. However, Karen wanted them to switch motels to one outside Melville for security.

“I will help you with your sensitivity to the Power,” Karen said to Rachel after they had checked into their new room. “There are many things you need to know. You are bonded to her, and will be able to sense her before any of us – if you know how to feel it out.”

“I hope so,” Rachel sighed.

“Mary-Beth always regretted the way she handled her. Patronizing when she should have been guiding, is what she told me once. Personally, I don’t see what else she could have done. None of us had any idea that Katie could read or that she was a burgeoning sorceress,” Karen said.

“Did you think she was a Mountain Witch?” Rachel asked.

“No. We thought she was a common garden gnome. One of above average intelligence, but not a witch and certainly not a sorceress.”

“Certainly, I had no idea. When she produced that ball of plasma, I almost wet my pants,” Jakob said.

“We were all surprised. I ran just as fast as you did.” Karen looked at Jakob.

“Have you tried anything before this?” Rachel asked.

“Many things. We tried to bind her ability to channel, but she broke off the yoke easily,” Karen said.

“We tried to trap her in space, where she has little power to channel, but she had this device, like a kite’s tail, trailing after her. It collected energy from the stars and nebulae,” Jakob said.

“Yes, those were her capacitors.” Rachel laughed. “Silly things, but they work. She spent years perfecting them.”

“Not well enough, or she wouldn’t need you,” Candice broke in.

“No. I guess not. What makes you think this plan will work?” Rachel looked at Jakob and Karen.

“We have no surety it will, but this has been years in the planning. Never before have we been able to marshal so many resources. Also, for the first time, we have a hook in Katie. Thee. Your bond with her, Rachel,” Queen Annalisse said.

Rachel looked at each of them in turn, noting their resolve. So this all comes down to me?

“Your channeling will summon Katie. Even if she has left this world, were you to channel enough Power, she would sense your location,” Karen said.

“Our dear sisters are moving into place in your province of Hawaii. It is there we believe you can channel to best effect. It is there we will spring our trap and bring this misguided child to heel,” Annalisse said.