Chapter 36: Offer

After sitting for a few hours at the dining room table looking over old languages, Lanie and I hadn't gotten much farther on the translation. The old book, which we brought out after Anton went to sleep, lay open in the middle of the table. Lanie stared hard at the laptop mumbling jibberish and jotting notes as she scrolled through various sites.

I stared at the circle and triangle pattern on the page without really seeing it. As my eyes focused and unfocused I caught a hint of a symbol I recognized. I squinted, trying to get a better look at it. I tilted my head sideways.

"What are you doing?" Lanie asked.

"It's a delta."

She raised an eyebrow at me.

"The whole triangle on the outside is a delta. The spell is a transformation spell, right?"

She nodded.

"What if all these runes around the spell are variables in an equation?"

She blinked at me, not understanding what I meant.

"It's all math, well physics." I started flipping through the book. "Ooh, here. Look this one shows up. What does this stuff say?"

"This spell is for trapping a soul."

"So, the soul would be the main focus. And look here, at the center of the circle is the person. This rune might stand for "soul", like a variable." I flipped back. "Look at these two circles. The same rune is in both of the circles." I held up two fingers. "Two souls."

She squinted at me as she tried to understand. "Well, maybe. I've been doing this a long time. I don't think I've seen a lot of rhyme or reason to those spells."

"Do you have a math degree?"

"Do you?"

I glared at her. "Almost."

"Well, go for it. Whatever helps. If we can figure out exactly what Isabell was planning, maybe we can find a way to stop her for good."

"And save Mila."

She frowned. "And save Mila." Her tone wasn't very reassuring.

I retrieved a pencil and paper from my room, then set about figuring out what all of these meant. Lanie wasn't too happy about the constant interruptions as I flipped back and forth between spells with matching runes. I at least felt like I was making progress.

The more I worked, the more I saw the patterns. The variable was defined, the action was taken out, and the result was specified. It was just like any basic physics problem. The trick was finding the right rune. Many of the runes were similar, but some would have a flourish, an accent, a wave, or a curl. I assumed if the base rune was the same, then I could declare it for that variable. The extras may mean something like male, young, virgin, or so on. That was something I would have to decipher later with Lanie's help. Or maybe I would just give up and learn each of the ancient languages. From what I could tell, this book held at least six of them.

The morning sun was starting to light up the ceiling behind the curtain to the living room. I stretched and yawned. One thing I loved about a good problem, is how it really made my mind work. It had been a long time since I had been challenged like this.

"I think I need to get some sleep. I still have to go to work tonight."

Lanie nodded. "Alright. Go ahead. I'll catch some z's later."

"Don't work too hard."

She didn't seem to hear me. I decided to give her some space. I got ready for bed and fell promptly asleep.

The darkness descended. The familiar feeling of vertigo struck me. My eyes sought for any structure to anchor my balance. I caught sight of the familiar dark-haired figure of my mother striding towards me. My hands shook. I knew more than before. I could do this. I just had to lie straight to her face.

"My darling, Remi tells me you've succeeded in summoning your sister."

"What about Mila? You said this would save her."

Mother reached out and touched my face. "I will, just give it time, my child."

"Why didn't you tell me I had a sister?"

"I knew you would understand if you met her. She's a compulsive liar and manipulator."

My eyebrows knit together.

"I know you don't believe me now, but give it time. You'll see. She's only using you to get to me. Do you really think it uses an entire soul just to teleport?"

My face fell. "What?"

"Souls are very powerful. They are used as power sources to cross realms between existences, not just to pop from Utah and back. Or did our dear Lanie not share that with you?"

"I...I brought Lanie back from the dead?" I felt like my world was falling down around me all over again.

"Well, sort of. It was more like limbo. Don't be too hard on her. I put her there to keep her safe. She kept getting in the way and making things much worse for all of us. But you wouldn't do that, would you, my sweet Kira? You were always my best daughter. I do love you so."

She stepped forward and cupped my cheek in her hand. "Don't worry. When this is all done, I will bring your friend back."

"My half-sister."

Mother nodded. "Yes. I apologize for that, too. It was safer to keep you hidden from your real father. Incubus can get hungry for their children's power when they are desperate. I had to keep you away from him."

"What kind of power do I have?" I whispered.

Mother smiled kindly. "Oh dear, you have none. You're sister took it all. Why do you think I locked her away? I had to protect you."

I wanted so badly to believe her. My eyes flickered over her shoulder as Remi appeared behind her. His face was stoic.

"Please, don't let your sister warp your mind. Just trust me. All will be okay in the end."

I couldn't decide who to trust. I didn't want to be caught in the middle anymore. I wanted to be strong, for Mila, for myself.

"What do you need me to do?" I whispered.

"Bring the book."

I knew what she was talking about. There was only one book. I nodded.

"Give it to Remi and he will tell you what to do from there."

"Why can't I give it to you? Why do I always see you in this place? Why aren't you in your body back home?"

Mother shook her head. "So many questions. Just trust me and do as I say. I will make it all right in the end."

"But Mom..."

The dream started to fade. The clouded blackness closed in. Mother faded. Remi faded. Just as his face disappeared, there was a slight shake to his head as if begging me to say no.