Owen sat in the shelter at the center of the camp, scowling at his notebook. He’d made several notes regarding Beltane and the ritual. He stumbled over details of the pole ritual and the odd, but interesting events of the day before.
The men had humored him, sitting up for most of the remainder of the night answering at least a hundred of his questions. His problem? Each question they answered, he thought of two more.
When he woke, even though he should have been exhausted, he charged out of the cabin with renewed energy. Then he ran back to grab a rain cape, notebook, and cell phone, and then once again to get his wreath.
He stared at the phone and wondered who he would have called. He was compelled to call and say, “Guess what I can do?” or “I’m a... what?” What was he exactly? A witch? A wizard? He didn’t know, and that was just one more question he needed answered.
Glancing up, he waved at the older woman making her way toward the kitchen building. Gwen was a blast from the past. She projected a carefree attitude and her dress made him think she could be a sixties love child. A wonderful lady.
He noticed her husband, Justin, stood in the pouring rain looking at the dripping ribbons on the maypole. Beside him stood the events handyman, as Dade called him. He’d seen him set up chairs at dinner and collect wood. An odd older man Charlie was. Mumbled a lot to himself, and though he smiled, Owen never saw those smiles reach his eyes. He’d make a perfect character for one of his books. A dour butler, more pagan than British though.
Everyone here would make a great character, as he now thought they all fell into the slightly odd, yet intriguing, category.
“Rather deep thoughts so early in the morning.”
He jerked his head around to see Leena standing at the edge of the shelter. “I’ve had nothing but deep thoughts since I arrived. Not even sure if I slept longer than a few moments.”
She smiled and wandered to the table. “I remember when I realized what I could do. I spent days making things dance around, just testing to see what was and wasn’t possible. It’s invigorating.” Leena glanced at his phone. “Were you calling to tell all your friends?”
Owen looked down at the phone again. “I don’t know what I was going to do. It doesn’t much matter though, there’s no signal here.”
She leaned on the edge of the table and looked at him thoughtfully. “Sharing what you can do with the wrong people only brings more problems than you know, Owen. Trust me on this.” She ran a hand over the wreath on the table. “How is your burn this morning?”
“Barely there, but it gets itchy when I think of it.”
Leena frowned as she reached into her pocket. “I wondered about that. I made this for you when I woke up.” She offered him a small bottle.
He took it, opened it, and then sniffed the pungent concoction. “Out of what?”
She smiled and sat. “I won’t bore you with the details, but it will help cleanse leftover negative energy.” She turned and reached for his shirt. “We felt bad when this happened. It wasn’t intended…but, life rarely happens without little surprises.”
Lifting his shirt, she ran her hand gently over the faded marks. She took the bottle from of his hand and began to tenderly rub the oil into them. His breath caught as her hands moved over his skin.
Owen didn’t care about the marks. He could feel nothing but her cool fingers gliding over him. Leaning forward, he pushed his face into her hair and inhaled. She smelled of fresh leaves and rain. A smell he’d never found tempting until that moment.
When she lowered his shirt and lifted her head, it brought her face a few inches from his. He could feel her breath against his jaw and his mind went back to the night before.
Leaning away, she capped the bottle and dropped it into his pocket. “Would you like to go for a walk on this wet Beltane morning? I don’t think breakfast will be ready for at least another hour or so.”
“Yes.” He scooped up his notebook and phone, stuffing them in his pockets. Tying the wreath to his belt loop, he pulled the cape over his head. “Maybe you could answer a question or two for me?” He grinned, “After last night, I have several thousand.”
She laughed. “I’ll see what I can do.” Then she turned and started away from the camp.
Little streams of water rushed along the ground, having carved trails after the intense downpour. The morning was a dull gray, but Owen found it more beautiful than he ever had before. He watched the water trail and thought of how he would describe them in words. “So, what am I, Leena?”
“A man, a writer. Nothing’s changed from what you were yesterday.” Leena watched his brows draw together. “You don’t need a label, Owen. The world is already filled with far too many. Among ourselves, we joke and call each other witch and other silly names, but in truth we’re all human and really no different than anyone else.” His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Okay, we are a little different in certain ways, but unless we tattoo it on our foreheads, no one knows, or cares, in the outside world. Most are happy with not knowing that different is possible.”
He walked a few more steps and then stopped. “You each follow your path in secret, except in the company of each other, and just carry on same old, same old then?”
“Basically, yes. The world, for all its wonders and words, isn’t all that accepting of different. If you aren’t mainstream, then you’re not normal.”
“And your path is what?”
“Harder to define with a name or label.” She motioned around them. “My beliefs are what you see. I believe in nature and all that she holds. I don’t have deities, really, not in the sense that Kasey does. She follows the Goddess path. For details, you will need to speak to her.”
He filed this new information for later inquiry. “I think I’ve already figured out the Doc, Chris, and Rachel have the same beliefs, as Dade and Cora have theirs. That leaves me standing here wondering what I believe. If anything.”
Leena touched his arm in reassurance. “You don’t have to convert overnight, Owen. Take your time, follow your heart, and you’ll find your own path.”
She continued walking. “Some never settle on one path, they remain open and revel in all ideas.”
Owen sighed, “Well, until I can process everything I saw last night, I think I’m better off hanging back to see what’s what.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve decided the underlying message of my next series will tackle religious tolerance, or differences, in some way... in a fictional storytelling way.” The fine mist turned into drops again.
She reached out and ran a hand down the bare, slick branch of a tree they were passing. “Quite often, serious research into a subject comes from a passing mention in fiction. It’s more fun.” She stopped and looked up at him. “Each faith, or religion, likes to believe they are tolerant.” She paused and glanced at the sky. “I would like to believe I am, but I know when wars break out and horrible crimes are done, I will push it onto another faith, or the values of people who practice a specific faith. If you can make just a few deeply think of religion and acceptance, or even accept those that are different, then I’d say you will have performed your own little miracle.” Raindrops ran down her face, but she didn’t seem to care.
Owen was drowning in her expression. “Someone’s belief in a particular faith shouldn’t predict what they do. They are still free to make their own choices despite the path they follow. Blaming anything on your particular set of beliefs is simply an excuse for your own failings.”
“Exactly.” She smiled. “I would love to help you in any way I can with your book, as long as you keep me out of it.” She sighed. “As soon as you get home, you’re going to digest all that’s happened here, and more questions will come.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know if I’ll ever digest all this. If I hadn’t been there last night and saw and felt what I did, I’d still say it was a fantastic dream.” He reached out and tucked a wet lock back under the hood of her cape. “Including you.” He dropped his hand to her shoulder and gently pulled her close. “You send me straight from dream to fantasy, Leena.”
She stood there just looking up at him. He recognized the look in her eyes and lowered his head to gently brush his lips across hers. He forgot the dampness, forgot the rain.
When he would have kissed her again, she placed a palm against his chest to stop him.
“Owen...” her voice was a whisper, “please don’t take this the wrong way. I know last night was... well, it was... I’m not looking to get into a relationship right now.”
Owen studied her eyes for a moment. He could see her fear. What scared her from accepting a few kisses? Even if he admitted he wanted more than that. Last night, he’d wanted a whole lot more.
Her hand was trembling. “I can’t...”
He placed a finger over her lips. “I’m not asking for your heart and soul, Leena.” He brushed his hand down her damp cheek and stopped at her chin to lift her face again. “A friend, nothing you don’t want.” He smiled. “Of course, if I can steal the odd kiss from those inviting lips of yours from time to time, I’m going to try.”
She relaxed visibly under his hand. Proving his words, he lowered his head and brushed his mouth over hers. He dropped his hand as he straightened. “Someday I’ll ask why, but for now, you’ve got a free pass.”
Leena slid her hand down his chest and turned away. “Thank you for not asking.” Taking a deep breath, she looked back toward the camp. “I had wanted to see the river, but I think the closer we get, the harder it will be to walk in this mud, so let’s go back and get a hot cup of tea.”
He nodded and put his arm around her shoulder as they started back toward the camp. The rain came down harder still, and he saw how she shivered from the cold of it. Looking around, Owen spotted the top of some sort of shelter in the trees. “Want to take shelter for a few minutes and shake off some water?” He motioned toward a roof he had seen.
She laughed and nodded. “A hot tub would be welcome right now.”
Moving faster, they headed off in the direction of a small picnic shelter. A few moments’ reprieve from the pounding rain was welcome. She slipped in the mud, and when he reached to steady her, he also started to slide. They slipped a few feet in a struggling dance, and when they finally righted themselves to stand still, they were both laughing, clasping each other’s arms. “Thank you for the dance.” She tensed as her head jerked up. “Oh, Owen, look.”
He turned toward the shelter and saw the bare feet sticking out from under a small tarp. “Someone had way too much mead last night, from the looks of it.”
She dropped her hands and started to walk over. “We can’t leave them to catch pneumonia while sleeping off too much fun.” She grinned at him. “They’re going to be sorry enough as it is.”
Shrugging, he walked over then squatted down and patted the leg. “Oh, they’re out for the duration. Freezing, too.”
Leena smirked, “pour souls.” She jerked her head toward the second pair of feet that had appeared when he had moved the sheet. “Well, let’s see if we can rouse them enough to stumble back to their cabin at least.” She walked to one end and pulled the sheet back. With a gasp, she stumbled back and covered her mouth.
Jumping to catch her before she fell over the wood scattered on the ground, Owen pulled her toward him. “What...” He looked down, following the path of her eyes. The faces she uncovered were covered in blood and deathly gray. Two pairs of sightless eyes looked back at them.
“Shit!” He pushed her away gently and squatted down. He fought the nausea in his gut and touched the neck of the first cold, lifeless woman, then the other. Shaking his head, he looked back to Leena who stood with her eyes closed as a tear rolled down her cheek. He lifted the tarp to uncover them completely, afraid to see what was underneath.
“Fuck!” He dropped the tarp and moved to stand with Leena at the edge of the shelter. He rubbed his hand over his chest. “Leena.” He had to clear his throat before finding the words. “There are crosses in blood on their chests.” She gasped and hid her face in his chest, holding him as tightly as he held onto her.
Leena was trembling so hard her teeth were chattering. “We have to get Justin.”
He grunted an affirmation, looking around to note exactly where they were. “Come on.” Not letting her out of his grasp, he began to trudge back over the muddy ground toward the camp. He wasn’t sure whether he or Leena was holding them upright, and wasn’t about to let go and find out.
As they reached the edge of the camp, they spotted Charlie heading toward the maypole. “Charlie.” Owen cleared his throat. “Do you know where Justin is?”
The older man barely paused, pointing toward the entrance gate. “Up there. Bridge is washed out.”
Leena looked up at Owen and stammered, “We can’t leave.”
He pulled her tightly under his shoulder. “I’ll carry you if I have to.” He pulled her closer to his side and marched her forward.
When they finally fought up the hill on the muddy road to reach the bridge, they found Justin, with the medic, Kevin, and Dade standing together looking at what was left of the bridge.
Dade turned and frowned at them. “What’s up?”
At his words, tears started pouring down Leena’s face and his heart stopped. “Owen?”
Owen turned and gently pushed Leena down on a nearby boulder. “Sit.” Then he turned back to the three and tried to find the words to tell them what they found. He knew his voice was shaking as he watched the faces blanch.
Justin let out a long breath and stared at the bridge again. “I’ll go radio for some help, but if the broadcasts are any sign, there’s flooding everywhere. I don’t know how soon help will get here.”
Walking over, Justin squatted down in front of Leena. “Aileena. I want you to go back to the cabin with Owen and Dade.” He glanced up at Owen, “we have to keep this under our hats until help comes. The last thing we need is panic.” Owen nodded. “Kevin, you go find Jean and Gwen and let them know what’s happening, then meet me at the pole. The fewer people who know, the better.” Kevin nodded and started the walk back down the hill. Justin glanced back at the shaking woman. “Aileena, go and get dry. We’ll come talk to you when we get back.”
Dade stepped over and looked down at Leena. “We’ll take her back, then get Chris and Steven. They can help with what needs to be done. Then I’ll come back here and see if I can’t figure out a way to get across. I’ll need a truck. A four-by-four, if anyone has one, to pull the logs over.” Justin nodded and started to walk down the slope toward the gate.
Owen helped Leena to her feet, pulling her tight against him. He nodded to Dade, and they started walking. They met Chris in the center of the camp as they headed toward the cabin. He looked questioningly at Leena in Owen’s arms, but didn’t ask as he fell into step with them.
As they reached the cabin, Steven rushed to the door, and pulled it open.
“Cora.” Owen stepped inside with Leena.
Rachel, who was just pulling a sweater over her head, jumped in surprise and then saw Leena. “What happened?”
Cora sat up on the bunk at the sound of Rachel’s voice. Cora rushed to Leena and ran her hands over her as Owen was pulling the cape off her. “Oh, no!”
Leena pulled back from Owen and spun for the door.
When Owen got through everyone to get outside, Leena was on her knees beside a tree, leaning her head against it. He didn’t have to ask if she’d been sick. He could feel her suffering before he reached her. Pulling her wet hair from her face, he brushed it over her shoulder and picked her up, cradling her in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest. The sounds of grief as she let the tears fall, tore his heart from his chest.
As he held her, he glanced back to the cabin to see everyone standing helplessly in the rain. He didn’t need to ask if Dade told them. He could see the women were white with shock as they clung together, unaware of the soaking rain. “We need to get her warm and dry.” His voice croaked out as he carried her back to the cabin.
Once inside, he fought the urge to hold her until she stopped shaking, but the women were pushing him away to wrap her in blankets. Dade pulled him back, turning toward the door.
As the three men filed through the door, Chris stopped. “None of you leave this cabin until we get back and find out what the hell is going on!” It wasn’t a request, and each woman nodded in agreement.
“Lock it,” he called as they stepped out the door.
More than two hours had passed before they returned to knock on the cabin’s door. “Cora, open up.” The women sighed with relief when Dade’s voice boomed through the door.
Leena watched as the four men came through the door. They were dripping wet, pulling rain ponchos over their heads, hanging them on the pegs by the door. She watched Owen as he walked toward her, seated on the top bunk wrapped in a dry blanket. Taking it off, she wrapped it around his shoulders and offered a small, helpless smile. “You look frozen.”
He held her hand and relaxed into the warmth of the blanket. “I may never be warm again.”
Cora offered a blanket to Dade. “What’s happening?”
Dade took the blanket and threw it around his shoulders. “We aren’t able to get out of the valley, and rescue services are up to their asses with flooding and emergencies.” He glanced over at Steven. “We’ve done as requested, and wrapped the bodies and stored them until we can get out or they can get in. After we warm up a bit, I’m going to see what I can do about the bridge.”
Rachel looked up from her clasped hands. “Who were they?”
Chris shook his head. “No one we know. A couple of newbies that came together and stayed pretty much to themselves. Gwen is looking up their contact information so they can decide what to do from there.”
Kasey gave a blanket to Steven. “How did they die, Doc?’
Steven took the blanket and sighed. “Immediately.”
Leena let out a long-held breath. “That’s good at least. I’ve been sitting here thinking they’d suffered in the cold, unable to get help.” She accepted the comfort that Owen’s nearness gave her. “How’s your chest?” She looked in his eyes. “It was like the burn on your chest, wasn’t it?”
Owen nodded and dropped her hand, lifting up his shirt to show her. There wasn’t a mark. His voice was shaking again. “Either that smelly oil you put on this morning took care of it or...”
“The vision is complete,” Cora said softly.
Dade sat on the edge of the lower bunk and looked at Cora. “There’s more,” he said softly. She shook her head and stepped back, reaching for the small cloth gris-gris bag around her neck. “There was a note,” he said.
Leena sat straighter. “Left by the killer?” He nodded at her.
Cora took a deep breath and looked at Dade again. “What did it say?”
Dade looked at the men. “Two for your Beltane sins. Fifty-two days until you sin again.”
Leena gasped as Cora blanched. “This wasn’t a... random?” Leena looked at Dade. “Someone planned this, this...” She lowered her face into her hands and took a deep yet shaky breath.
“Where’s the note, Dade?” Cora asked.
Dade stood up and reached out toward her, only to see her step back. “Justin has it.” He looked at Owen. “We told him what happened last night.”
“I’ll want to touch that note.” Cora raised her head with determination.
He stepped closer to her again. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He’d lowered his voice and glared at her. “You took on too much last night, and hurting yourself again isn’t going to help.”
She shook her head and stepped past him. “If I can catch a glimpse of the killer, then it will be worth it, to have them stopped. Won’t it?” She glanced around the room.
“How are they handling this?” Kasey asked, nodding toward the door, to no one in particular.
Steven pulled the blanket she had given him off in frustration, tossing it onto the bunk. “They can’t tell people. As it stands, we can’t get out of this valley. The only communication we have is an old CB radio.” He glanced up at Leena. “We have to keep it between ourselves. Outside of this cabin, the only people that know are Justin, Gwen, Jean, Kevin, and old Charlie.”
“And the killer himself,” Rachel added in quietly.
Chris walked over and hugged her. “We’re going to meet Gwen and Justin at the admissions building. Gwen saved you ladies some breakfast, then we’ll decide from there.” He glanced around at the men. “Until we get out of this valley, none of us go anywhere alone.” His voice shook with anger and worry. “If you ladies need to go anywhere in the camp, make sure one of us is with you, at all times. The more of us together, the better.”
“Solstice.” Leena whispered and looked down at a confused Owen. “Summer Solstice is in fifty-two days.”
Owen let out a breath. “I don’t care what is in fifty-two days. Chris is right; none of us go anywhere alone until we’re out of this valley.” He glanced over at Chris. “Even once we’re out of it.”
Cora reached past Dade and picked up her poncho. “First I want to go talk to Justin and see this note.” She paused. “They’re not still planning to dance the maypole, are they?”
Dade stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked down at his feet. “They are.”
After she had pulled it over her head, she reached for Leena’s and held it out to her. “Fine, then we have some charms to work after the dance... together.”
Nodding, Leena jumped off the bunk. “Bathroom first.” She glared at Chris. “You guys left us here for two hours, and none of us risked leaving!”
Chris winked at her. “I’ll guard over you in the shower, Leena.”
She smirked, knowing he was trying to lighten the mood. Owen brushed past him and stood in front of Leena with his arms crossed.
“She had enough water on her head this morning.”
Chuckling, Chris acknowledged the warning tone and held open the cabin door. “Fair enough.”