Chapter 38

The ride home was silent. Each of us caught up in our own thoughts. Emotions rolled through me as I fought to keep my wall up so Sten couldn’t sense them. I wasn’t sure if I was failing, or he knew what I was doing as he kept glancing at me. I was relieved when we pulled into the territory, and further relieved as we stopped at the cabin.

We were home.

The front door opened, and Hilda stepped out. I smiled and jogged toward her for a hug.

“I’m sorry to hear about your trip. Mom and everyone are in the house. She has dinner ready, and they are waiting to hear every detail.” She warned with a soft smile.

I nodded, hugged her again and stepped inside as I felt Frode come up behind me. I scowled at his lack of warning, but honestly, I knew they would have ideas and answers. While I wasn’t looking forward to reliving the scenes, answers would be nice.

I stepped into the cabin and slid off my boots and coat. The smell of chicken soup filled the air along with fresh baked bread. My stomach growled and I realized it’s been awhile since our last meal. Brodil’s soft chuckle filled the air, and piece of buttered bread was thrust in my hands.

“To hold you over until dinner.” She smiled and patted my hand.

I nodded and took a bite, holding back a groan at taste of the fresh bread with melted butter hit my tongue. A clearing of a throat caught my attention and pulled it to the table. Looking up I was surprised to see the Seer sitting at the table among the rest of our extended family. I smiled as she smiled kindly at me.

Everyone settled around the table, and we sat in a moment of silence as we prepared to tell them what we witnessed the last few days. Sten sat beside me, while Frode sat to my other side. Each sat in a protective stance. They knew I was still working through what I’d seen, and the emotions that had plagued me the ride home knowing we couldn’t stop it.

“I thought that instead of trying to tell it over again, the Seer could help Astrid show us.” I felt my body tense at Bo’s words.

Show them? Would I have to do it one at a time? I couldn’t make myself do it repeatedly. That would be torture.

“How would that work?” Frode asked, his tone suspicious.

“I have a tool that can trap a memory. It won’t take her memory away, but it’ll be like a copy. Then we can view it with a touch. It can be shared at the same time or individually. It will also hold the memory until it’s erased. So, it can be reviewed later.” Faye calmly explained. “It’s pain free, and relatively easy.”

I nodded my agreement to do it, and she stood, signaling for me to follow. I followed her to the office, and she shut the door beside me. She gave me a kind smile as she pulled a globe from her bag.

I looked simple, like a cloudy crystal ball. It was clear, and empty looking. She placed it in my hands, removing hers after ensuring I had a strong grip on it.

“This is a Seer’s Crystal. All you do is pick the memories and imagine them being transferred. Create a connection like you did back at my cabin. Send the memories down the connection. Start when you left the hunting cabin until you left the barn to come here. They can control what they see, like fast forwarding a movie.” She instructed.

I nodded and closed my eyes. I felt my magic start to hum as I thought of the bond. I watched the bond connect. This was more rope like than what I’d done this weekend, but instead of knotting each strand of the rope fused to its partner, creating a solid bond. I did as she asked, and then broke the connection, opening my eyes.

“Your connections are solid. No longer knotted. It took me years to master that.” She hummed beside me.

“You can see my connection?” I asked.

“Only if I look for it. You’re getting stronger. You’ll be a powerful practitioner when you’re fully trained.” She smiled and held her hand out for the crystal.

I looked to it, gasping when I saw that it was no longer empty. A black smoke like appearance swirled in it. It had worked, the memories were copied in it. I handed it to her.

She frowned when she touched it but didn’t say anything. Turning, she grabbed her bag and walked from the office to take the crystal to the rest of the people. Frode’s gaze traveled my length, like he was checking for injuries or distress. He nodded, satisfied that I was fine, and took my hand as I sat back in my seat.

“I was afraid of that.” Skarde mumbled under his breath. “Dark magic. It explains the runes.” He said, meeting my eyes in explanation.

Was he an empath, like Sten?

I didn’t have time to question it as the men reached out and touched the crystal. They were silent as they reviewed the memories. Once they were done, Harald sat back, concern filling his expression as he processes what he’d seen, what I’d seen.

“You guys sure can’t do anything the easy can you?” Bo asked with an unamused smile.

“The runes let’s tackle those first. The ‘x’ shape means partner. The three rogues were bound together to work as a team. The arrow means warrior. I also recognized, strength, disruption, protections and enhanced athletic abilities. The major difference is these were done in dark magic. They were carved into the skin, it makes them stronger, gives them power over the wearer.” Skarde explained.

“Our tattoos aren’t used like they were back in the old days. Ours are accomplishments, badges of honor. In the old days they were meant to help enhance their meanings. They were magic back then. Over the centuries they’ve lost their belief and therefore their power.” Sten added.

“So, magic only works if it’s believed in?” Confusion filled me.

“It’s a little more complicated than that, but the short answer is yes.” Skarde nods.

“I also saw that you recalled nine deaths at the barn. I believe what you witnessed and then found was a sacrifice. My suspicion is that it was used to create the magic to bind the rogues together, which is why they were so power. Nine is a unique and powerful number in our history, and many others for that fact.” Bo’s tone was much too calm for the topic.

Anger rolled through me. Sten squeezed my thigh, and I realized I’d let my wall down. I swallowed and built it back up. Whoever was pulling the strings behind the rogues was using shifters as sacrifices.

“Shifter blood is stronger and more beneficial for sacrifices.” Skarde nods.

I couldn’t help the glare and growl that rumbled from me.

“Not that we’ve done it.” Skarde shot back.

“She didn’t mean offense. This is just a challenging time.” Frode said, squeezing my thigh in warning.

“She can speak for herself.” I snapped at Frode before turning to Skarde. “I apologize, it wasn’t meant to be directed at you. It just turns my stomach and enrages me that someone is using shifters to gain power. That we matter so little to them.” I explained, doing my best to remain calm.

“We understand, Astrid. Just remember who leads this territory. I know you’re still adjusting but growling at the elders isn’t recommended.” Brodil softly said, laying a calming hand on each of her protectors.

I nod and lower my gaze to my lap. Control. Control my temper, control my wolf, control my magic. One day I’d master it. Just not today it seemed.