A Wishing Moon Read online

  * * * *

  He had missed killing. The rage that made his brain raw seemed to be assuaged to a certain degree. He dreamt of it so often, this taking of life. He knew this power was his right and his calling. The Lord had told him, in no uncertain terms, that society needed to be cleansed of the impurities which contaminated His creation and he had been sanctified to serve as the Lord’s hand of judgment.

  He washed his own hands at the sink. Over and over he’d washed his hands. The blood was all gone, but the stench of sin remained. He tried not to touch the bitch and her squalling spawn, but the microscopic germs of their filthiness had seeped through the rubber gloves he’d worn.

  There were others who would soon feel the wrath of God. He could read the signs and interpret the scriptures. There was much work to be done. Whores, unbelievers, faggots and ignorant liberals all must be brought to their knees and he had just the rod strong enough to beat them into submission.

  They thought they were so smart, using the devil to locate the dump where he’d thrown the Lord’s garbage. Damn pagans! The Bible said you shouldn’t allow a witch to live. He, the Righteous, intended to follow the teachings of Scripture to the letter.

  * * * *

  On a normal Christmas morning, they would have gotten up and eaten breakfast. Next, they would have gathered around the tree and opened presents in their pajamas. Today, would be different. There was important work to be done. Evangeline helped Arabella search the Internet for a place called Tranquility. After only three tries, they hit the jack-pot. Tranquility Place was an extended care facility, located about thirty miles north, near Llano.

  Arabella was anxious. She fluttered around, urging everyone to hurry. They humored her and didn’t keep her waiting too long, dressing in record time. Angelique and Evangeline volunteered to stay and get everything ready for Christmas dinner. Once they found Jade, then a decision would be made as to the wisest way to proceed.

  They took Nanette’s Jaguar. Elizabeth turned the English car loose and let the big sedan run as fast as the law would allow, plus a smidge. Arabella was, obviously, as nervous as a canary in a cathouse.

  “I know in my heart Jade has to be in terrible danger. We’ll be able to help him when we get there, won’t we, grandmother?”

  “Yes, baby.” She knew her grandmother intended to move heaven and earth to make her dreams come true.

  “Jade mentioned the doctor said there was no hope; that he would not live much longer and his organs would be harvested to give to other people. What do you think that means, exactly?”

  Nanette could read between the lines and she willed the car to go faster. She wasn’t cruel enough to interpret what Arabella had said in its truest terms; those vultures were preparing to kill the boy for spare parts. “It means we need to hurry. Your young man needs our help.” She began chanting under her breath, a prayer to the gods to break down the barriers and to pave the way for them to come to this boy’s aid.

  The luxury car ate up the miles and soon they arrived at an isolated, ultra-modern building with manicured lawns and a peaceful fountain out front. There were no gates or guards to maneuver through, so they parked the car and walked through the front door. A half-moon reception desk sat in the middle of a large, tastefully decorated lobby. An older woman sat at the desk, dutifully typing at a computer.

  “May I help you?’

  Arabella stepped forward. “Yes, we’re here to see a patient of yours, Mr. Jade Landale.”

  “One moment please.” The receptionist typed in the name, and then smiled. “You are Mr. Landale’s first visitors. This note says he has no immediate family. I wonder if I should call and check to see if your visit is okay with Mr. Phillips. He is down as Mr. Landale’s guardian.”

  Nanette did not allow Arabella to begin an explanation. She took a deep breath as if inflating her already substantial self. “We don’t have time for any nonsense. Do you mean to tell me we are not permitted to see my grandson? On Christmas?” She emphatically asked with clenched jaw.

  “You’re his grandmother?” The woman appeared flushed and uncertain. “We have no information on a grandmother or any other relative. Oh my, this is highly irregular.”

  “I would suggest you give us the room number and point the way,” Elizabeth advised the shaken woman.

  Arabella didn’t have to say a word. Nanette had her eyes closed and appeared to be praying, although it was highly unlikely what she whispered could be construed as a prayer. Elizabeth tapped one of her pretty size seven’s and after another few moments of semi-panic the woman finally gave in and rose to escort them to Jade’s room.

  They followed the mouse-like creature that seemed to become more mouse-like with every step. She certainly hoped Nanette hadn’t done anything foolish. Much to Arabella’s relief, the woman managed to maintain her human form for the duration of the journey.

  When they reached private room seventeen, the woman opened the door and said, “Prepare yourself ladies, Mr. Landale is a tetraplegic. He is completely paralyzed and the extent of his brain function is unknown. His eyes may open, but the doctor does not believe he is aware of his surroundings, so he probably won’t know you’re here.”

  Arabella wanted to scratch the woman’s eyes out as she left, but she restrained herself.

  Nanette and Elizabeth allowed Arabella to enter the room first. The interior was dark, a TV played and machines hummed and beeped their constant readings, which validated the fact they were keeping the body of Jade Landale alive.

  She tip-toed into the room and saw him.

  Her heart jumped and she thanked the heavens above. Her Jade was alive.

  He looked exactly the way she had seen him in her dreams. His eyes were closed and he seemed paler, but his body was as large and powerful as it had been the last time she saw him. So, she knew he’d not been in this condition long enough for his muscles to deteriorate. She walked up to him and placed a hand on his leg. There was no movement. She walked closer and saw his beautiful, golden-blond hair and his precious face. Nanette and Elizabeth were close behind her. Bending over him, she touched his face with her finger and whispered, “Jade, I’m here.”

  His eyes flew open and widened slightly. Arabella’s heart flipped, he was aware. Relieved, she looked to her grandmother. “He knows we’re here. He isn’t brain-dead.” She turned back to him and stroked his head. “I’ve found you now, and nothing bad is going to happen to you.” No change showed in his expression, but his eyes seemed to soften slightly.

  Nanette stepped up and placed her hand on Jade’s chest. She pressed down with a slight pressure and cocked her head as if listening to a voice only she could hear. “We can heal this boy, Elizabeth.”

  Arabella couldn’t believe her ears. She’d not allowed herself to think past the point of finding Jade. What would happen next had been a question she’d not allowed herself to think about. Her grandmother didn’t make offhand claims, if Nanette thought Jade could be healed, then Arabella believed her.

  Arabella turned to Jade and told him, “Grandmother says you can be healed. I won’t try to explain everything to you, but have faith. Nanette Beaureguarde, my grandmother, is a powerful woman. I will gladly explain all of this to you later, but for now—don’t you dare give up, or worry a moment that we will abandon you. I am going to be right here by your side until you can leave this place.” Before she could say anything else, the door opened and a man entered, flanked by the receptionist and a nurse.

  “Who are you people? Don’t you realize this is a very sick man and you have no right…”

  The doctor didn’t get to say another word before Elizabeth was up in his face. “We are his family.”

  Arabella knew Elizabeth wasn’t lying. She really thought they would be, or she wouldn’t have said it. This gave Arabella tremendous joy and hope.

  “I know who you are and I know what you do. You won’t get the chance to shorten the life of this young man. I am good friends with a police detective
, and if you give me one ounce of encouragement, he will be on you like white on rice. A criminal investigation would tear up your playhouse, wouldn’t it Doctor?”

  The doctor replaced a pen in his pocket, “Congressman or no congressman, you have twenty-four hours to find this patient a new place to stay.”

  “It will be a pleasure,” Elizabeth growled.

  “What are we going to do?” Arabella asked.

  “Twenty-four hours is more than enough time.” Nanette patted her granddaughter on the shoulder. “Now, don’t you worry. Your mother and I are going back to the house to gather up what we need. You stay here and we will come back and when we’re through—we will all leave together.” When she said all Nanette gestured toward the still body of Jade Landale.

  * * * *

  Jade was shocked. Arabella had found him—and they said he could be healed! Hope and doubt warred for dominance within his mind. How could they heal him? Did they know a specialist? Did they know a miracle worker? Jade knew he had to wait and see, but Arabella stood by his side and he finally felt a ray of hope warm his heart. Besides, it wasn’t as if he were going anywhere.

  He wished she would move closer so he could see her better. She looked exactly as she had only hours ago when he had made love to her on Enchanted Rock. She glanced at him, and as if she were reading his mind, she actually blushed. She came close and kissed him on the forehead.

  “I hope you remember our dreams and don’t just think I am some crazy lady come by to kidnap and molest you.”

  Of course, he couldn’t reply. He looked straight into her eyes and tried to convey trust and faith. He had no idea if she comprehended his thoughts at all.

  Arabella pulled a chair over next to the bed and sat with her hand over his, waiting.

  * * * *

  “Let’s go out and water some of the plants in the greenhouses,” Angelique said, knowing Arabella had been too busy to take care of every day duties.

  “Sure.” Evangeline rose to help her. They headed out the back through the sunroom. “You water the violets, and I’ll take care of the orchids. And remember to water them from the bottom—you know how particular Arabella is about these flowers.”

  Angelique opened the back door and held it for Evangeline to catch, as she did one of the rappers ran out between them, full sprint.

  “Slim Pickins, you darn cat, come back here,” Evangeline yelled at the errant feline.

  He paid absolutely no attention to her, but she could read the dastardly rascal’s mind. He was tired of being in the house with those two grouchy Texas cats and he needed some air. The faster Evangeline ran after him, the faster he ran away from her. He was heading full tilt for the woods. Evangeline knew if she didn’t keep him in sight, she might lose him.

  “Pickins, please stop,” she begged the cat. He slowed a bit, but he didn’t turn around. She lunged at him, but he evaded her quite easily, despite his chubbiness.

  Evangeline forged onward, determined to catch her cat. Suddenly, every sense she possessed went on red alert. She stopped in her tracks.

  Someone else was in the woods.

  “Pickins, stop! I command you to return to the house!” She spoke with every bit of authority she could muster. The words were sent out with magical force that the cat had no choice but to slow his sprint and circle back the way he came. He didn’t look happy about it, but the spirits of the woods were blocking his path.

  Evangeline stood very still and very quite. She listened for any tell-tale footfall, or the sounds of a breath being taken. She heard nothing, but she felt what she could not hear. Danger was imminent. She glanced back and measured the distance to safety. Too far. She had passed over the red brick dust barrier and was no longer on Landry land.

  * * * *

  He had watched her running toward him. For some reason, he wasn’t able to come closer. Every time he tried to move forward, his legs refused. A tingling and burning sensation crawled through his muscles, and he could find no relief until he backed up. So, he stayed where he was hidden.

  For the last two days, he’d kept a constant vigil of the witches’ house. He had wanted to sneak onto the property and see if he could catch one of them off by themselves. The Lord wanted him to take one of these heathens and purge her of the wickedness, which blackened her soul. Patience had paid off, now he didn’t have to go to them—one of the witches was coming to him.

  * * * *

  “Christmas dinner will just have to be postponed until Christmas supper,” Nanette commented, as she and Elizabeth drove south from Tranquility Place.

  “I don’t see a problem, this is far more important.”

  “Take me to that place Arabella has been dreaming about.”

  Elizabeth put on her blinker as they came to a crossroads. “Enchanted Rock? Why are we going there?”

  “I need to find a piece of fossil or petrified wood or bone from there.”

  “Why do we need those things?” Elizabeth wasn’t asking because she didn’t want to take the time, she knew her mother had a specific idea in her mind and she wanted to understand. Her mother possessed invaluable knowledge.

  “A piece of fossil is necessary for our healing ritual. This type of ritual is called sympathy magic. The fossil was once alive and now it’s stiff and lifeless like a paralyzed person.”

  “Enchanted Rock is a big place, a fossil might be hard to find.”

  “Well, honey, we’ll just have to call one up.” With that declaration, she let Elizabeth drive in silence. They had to double back, north, once they hit the right road and, before long, they could see the granite mountain.

  “The dome is beautiful isn’t it?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Yes, it is and I bet the wind is going to be cold, too.” Despite it being Christmas morning, there were other people at the park. Elizabeth paid the fee and found a parking place.

  “Mother, I don’t see how we are going to walk up that trail in these heels. We didn’t come dressed for this,” Elizabeth grumbled.

  “We won’t have to. Just help me get a little closer and off this parking lot concrete.”

  Elizabeth held her mother’s arm as they edged closer to the pink dome. A cold wind whipped their clothes and almost took their breath away.

  “Now what?”

  “Patience, child.” Nanette stood still and listened to the wind. Finally, she began to speak.

  “Come to me fossil, ancient as the earth

  I know your power, I know your worth

  Earth, air, water, fire

  Help me find what I desire

  Candle, cup. Wind and seed

  Help me find what I need.”

  Elizabeth watched her mother. “How do you come up with those rhymes so fast?”

  Nanette gave her daughter a withering look. “Rhymes add power, they fuel my intent.” She began to turn around, looking on the ground. “Your eyes are better than mine, Elizabeth. Walk around and look closely, we should find a fossil very close to where we’re standing now.”

  Elizabeth began a widening circle around her mother, watching the ground for a piece of bone or any rock that might catch her eye. A spiral shape jumped out at her.

  Elizabeth leaned over and picked up the small rock. “Look mother, an ammonite. I remember reading about these; they were once a type of squid that lived in a shell. They became extinct with the dinosaurs.”

  She handed the fossil to her mother. Nanette seemed pleased.

  “Now, that’s exactly what I’m looking for. It will work perfectly. Look at the shape—it’s the horns of Ammon, the healing spiral, the Golden Ratio. This will add great power to our healing ritual.”

  “You know, we’re not supposed to remove stuff like this from the park. It says so in great big letters on the paper the ranger gave us.”

  Nanette slipped the ammonite in her pocket. “Then we’ll bring the fossil back when we’re through with it.” As they walked, Nanette asked one last question. “You can’t hear that boy’s thoug
hts at all, can you?”

  “No,” Elizabeth answered. “I wish I could. It’s all of that electrical machinery, I think. They create too much interference.”

  “That’s all right.” Nanette assured her. “All will be well. I’ll make sure of that. This will be a Christmas to remember.”

  Chapter Seven

  Arabella knew they had thwarted the doctor’s nefarious plans and he was not happy about it, at all. Three times, he had returned to perform some test or another. This was probably the most attention Jade had received since he’d been admitted. She only moved from Jade’s side long enough for them to perform their perfunctory examinations.

  When they were alone, she returned to his side. “Jade, I need to tell you something before my mother and grandmother return.” She looked steadily into his eyes, hoping he could understand her. “What we are about to do is unconventional. My family practices magic. I know what I’m saying sounds farfetched, but this is real. I have grown up with magick, so its everyday stuff for me. Don’t be nervous, nothing will happen that will make you uncomfortable in any way. I don’t know what has drawn us together, but a power greater than us has ordained this and I know we will be able to help you.”

  Thoughts of what they had done together in her dreams past through her mind’s eye and she felt a flush of heat travel upward to her face. She picked up his hand and looked at it—strong, capable—so familiar to her. She knew his body intimately, as he knew hers. “I have so much to tell you. When you are better, we will make our dreams come true—if you still want to…” She wished she could be certain this was not all one sided. This man might be lying here, wondering ‘who in the hell’ these nuts were. Arabella shook her head and pushed those thoughts away. Time would tell.