Phoenix and the Dark Star Read online

“She’s preparing for work now,” Lance said as Everett’s ten-year-old sister—while wearing pajamas—stepped into the room.

  When everyone turned to look, Megan waved while saying, “Hey, Ellen.”

  “Hey, Megan,” Ellen replied. “How much candy did you get trick-or-treating?”

  “Lots…” Megan was only able to get out.

  “Megan, you’re supposed to be in bed,” Lance pointed out. “You… all of you, in fact, do have school tomorrow.”

  “I wanted to say ‘hi’ to Ellen,” Megan said. “And now I’m going back to bed.”

  “Goodnight,” Ellen said before Megan could step away.

  “Goodnight,” Megan echoed followed by Lance and Everett.

  Before Megan could leave the room, Kristen stepped in while wearing her nurse’s uniform.

  “Goodnight, Mom,” Megan told Kristen before Kristen could say anything to her for being out of bed.

  “Again, goodnight, sweetie,” Kristen told Megan before facing Ellen. As Megan was leaving the room, Kristen asked, “Is Allyson or Harris coming to get you, Ellen?”

  “I’m sure one of them will once I call and tell them that I need a ride,” Ellen replied.

  “I’ll take you home, Ellen,” Kristen offered.

  “Okay, thanks, Mrs. Delaney,” Ellen said.

  “You’re welcome,” Kristen told her with a grin. “And as soon as I get my jacket and my purse we can go.”

  “I don’t know what it is yet, but Ellen has a question for you,” Lance informed Kristen.

  “What is it, Ellen?” Kristen prompted.

  “At the party, Everett and I… and of course Jessica, Karla, Simon and Allen too, met this girl named Andie. She’s fifteen and she can see, hear and speak to ghosts.” Curious expressions came quickly across Kristen’s and Lance’s faces. “However, her parents don’t believe her, and they have her on medication. So my question is, what can we do to get her off her medication?”

  “If I understand you correctly, Andie is on medication for delusions…” Kristen was only able to get out.

  “She’s not delusional though,” Ellen insisted.

  Kristen gestured for Ellen to wait while saying, “Be that as it may, it sounds as though she is on medication for delusions…. and I believe you when you say that she can see, hear and speak to ghosts. However, most psychiatrists don’t believe in the paranormal, and the few who do couldn’t distinguish between a person having delusions and a person having a genuine paranormal experience. So to answer your question, I sympathize over Andie’s situation, but there’s really nothing that we can do to get her off of the medication.”

  “There has to be something that we can do,” Ellen insisted.

  “Ellen,” Lance called to grab her attention. When Ellen looked he continued with, “The courts will be on the parents’ side on this issue, and if you do anything to interfere, you can be held legally accountable.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t do anything illegal,” Ellen assured him.

  “And there’s nothing legally you can do about it,” Lance countered. “So I strongly suggest that you drop this issue and cut your losses.”

  “Andie is the one who’s losing here,” Ellen retorted. “That medicine she’s on makes her feel like crap and she’s missing out on the life that she should have.”

  Kristen placed her hand on Ellen’s back before saying, “And again I sympathize over Andie’s situation, but, sweetie, there’s really nothing that we can do.”

  Ellen formed her lips to protest some more, but grunted in frustration instead before grumbling, “Fine. I’m dropping it—for now.”

  “For now?” Lance questioned.

  “There has to be a legal way to help Andie, and I’m going to come up with it,” Ellen informed.

  “Listen to me carefully, Ellen,” Lance said sternly. Ellen gave him her full attention. “It doesn’t matter how noble of a cause you think this is, if you get yourself arrested then any future career in law enforcement that you hope to have after college could be ruined beyond salvaging. So before you start staging a crusade… over this or any other issue, make sure that it’s not a fool’s crusade.”

  “Yes, sir,” Ellen said politely.

  “Ellen, if I’m going to get you home and get to work on time, we need to leave now,” Kristen urged.

  “I’m ready,” Ellen assured Kristen.

  “I’ll walk Ellen to the car,” Everett announced.

  Kristen slightly grinned before agreeing, “Alright.” She then stepped up to and gave Lance a quick kiss.

  Once the kiss ended, Lance faced Ellen again before saying, “Goodnight, Ellen.”

  “Goodnight, Mr. Delaney,” Ellen replied.

  “Don’t forget, Ellen, that I’m picking you up tomorrow after school for your appointment with Dr. Pendell,” Lance reminded.

  Ellen smirked before saying, “I can’t no matter how hard I try.”

  Lance rolled his eyes before repeating, “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight,” Ellen echoed before turning and walking away.

  After getting her jacket and purse Kristen gestured for Ellen to leave out first. Everett followed Ellen out as Kristen followed him out.

  Once they were at the car, Everett gave Ellen a kiss. Kristen got into the car and shut her door before Ellen and Everett ended their kiss.

  “See you tomorrow at school,” Everett told Ellen as he slowly backed away.

  Ellen grinned before echoing, “See you tomorrow.”

  Everett turned, and as he was walking away, Ellen opened the front passenger door and climbed in.

  Minutes later, as Kristen was pulling up to Ellen’s house, Ellen saw a rented car parked in the driveway.

  “Who’s here?” Ellen rhetorically mumbled out incoherently.

  Kristen didn’t hear Ellen clearly and asked, “What, sweetie?”

  “Oh, um, I was just wondering who was here,” Ellen explained as Kristen was parking her car in front of the house. “I guess I’ll find out soon enough.”

  Kristen grinned before saying, “Okay, well, have a goodnight, and I’ll see you later.”

  “Have a goodnight too,” Ellen replied with a grin as she opened her door. “Bye.”

  As Ellen was getting out of the car, Kristen echoed, “Bye.”

  Ellen shut her door and waved ‘bye’. Kristen returned the wave before Ellen could turn and walk away.

  In the house, Harris and Allyson sat on the love seat. Sadie sat in the armchair. Blaire (Harris and Sadie’s second cousin) and Blaire’s two coven members Devon and Trevor sat on the couch. The six were having a casual conversation as Sonya slept in her playpen a few feet from them.

  Devon was currently talking when they heard the front door opening followed by Ellen announcing, “It’s me. I’m home.”

  The six waited quietly during the short time that it took Ellen to step into the living room. Ellen’s eyes gazed upon Trevor first after entering.

  “Ellen, we have company,” Harris informed.

  Ellen’s eyes moved onto Blaire, Devon and finally Sadie. Ellen grinned when she saw that Sadie was among the guests before agreeing, “Yes. I actually figured that out myself when I saw the rented car out front. I didn’t imagine that Sadie would be here though. It’s good to see you again, Sadie.”

  Sadie grinned before saying, “It’s good to see you, Ellen. Although I’m not sure how you got inside the house without a verbal invitation.”

  “What are you…?” Ellen got out before realizing what she was dressed up as. “Oh, my vampire costume. I went to a costume party.”

  “Yes,” Sadie said with an amused grin. “Harry informed us of that. Anyway, I should introduce you to the three you don’t know. This is my mom’s cousin, Blaire, and two of Blaire’s coven members Devon and Trevor.”

  Ellen shot Blaire a curious look before accusing, “You’re the Phoenix rising.”

  “Phoenix rising?” Blaire questioned curiously.

  “Phoenix rising
is a term that her uncle had coined a few weeks ago,” Harris explained. “It means that you were born with the mark of Merlin when both of your parents were in the Phoenix stage.”

  “Then I suppose I am a Phoenix rising,” Blaire agreed while facing Ellen. “I know that you and Harris now carry the mark of Merlin. Have you come up with a word that would describe you two?”

  Ellen shrugged before saying, “Phoenix is all I can think of to describe us.”

  “Why call yourself the Phoenix,” Devon curiously asked.

  “I’m not really a Phoenix rising, but yet I rose above the Phoenix stage,” Ellen replied without putting too much thought into her answer. “And if you think about it, Harris and I were destroyed… symbolically speaking of course, and then renewed when we received the mark of Merlin.”

  “Yes,” Trevor agreed. “And you two are unique on how the two of you had risen above the Phoenix stage. In fact, until I heard of you and Harris receiving the mark of Merlin, I had thought that it was impossible for anyone born within the Phoenix stage to receive the mark of Merlin.”

  “I was thrown by it myself,” Ellen retorted.

  “Yes. I imagine you were,” Trevor agreed with a grin. “Anyway, since you are here, we should include you in as to why we’re here.”

  “So this isn’t a social visit?” Ellen questioned curiously.

  Trevor grinned before saying, “Blaire, Devon and I are presently the co-leaders to the Tri-Star Confederation…”

  “And what’s the Tri-Star Confederation?” Ellen interrupted.

  Trevor held his grin as he said, “I’m presently the elected leader to a Brimstone acorn coven. The acorn coven that I’m in charge of has sixteen members above the age of fifteen… plus Sadie as an unofficial member.” Ellen glanced towards Sadie as he continued. “Blaire is the elected leader of a Raven acorn coven with fifteen members above the age of fifteen, and Devon is the elected leader of a Clover acorn coven with also fifteen members above the age of fifteen. And together we all form a large coven known as the Tri-Star Confederation, and this confederation was formed in the year 1435.”

  “Okay,” Ellen said in a tone as if she didn’t know what else to say. “So why are you here?”

  “We are always on the look out for potential members with proper morals, and I understand that you and Harris are now eligible to join the Tri-Star Confederation,” Trevor continued.

  Ellen busted out laughing.

  Everyone gave her a curious look. After a second, Blaire looked at Harris while pointing out, “She’s laughing. Why is she laughing?” When Harris shrugged Blaire turned towards Ellen again. “Why are you laughing?”

  Ellen tried to get her laughter under control while saying, “I thought you knew me better than that, Harry.”

  “What are you talking about?” Harris questioned.

  Ellen cleared her throat in order to get serious. Once her laughter was under control she said, “I’m assuming that to be a part of this Tri-Star Confederation Coven, one must commit to it fully and vow an allegiance to it… which I believe is how most private organizations are. However, I’m not one to blindly follow the commands of a leader. I need to know all the who’s, what’s, when’s, where’s, why’s and how’s, and if I have a problem with any of that then my first loyalty is to my principles.”

  “What if I tell you that we would accept your terms?” Blaire questioned.

  Ellen shot Blaire an incredulous look before asking in a matching tone, “The Tri-Star Confederation Coven wouldn’t pressure me into doing something I don’t want to do?”

  “We’re not that kind of organization, Ellen,” Blaire began. “Devon’s coven meets three times a year. My coven meets four times a year, and Trevor’s coven meets four times a year… I believe.” Trevor nodded. “The Tri-Star Confederation members meet once a year. If you would decide to join, you would be part of Devon’s coven, and although your attendance at the coven meetings is appreciated and strongly encouraged, nothing bad will happen to you if you don’t show up. Nothing bad will happen to you if you don’t go along with the coven as well.”

  Ellen thought for a moment before saying, “Over twenty years ago, my uncle was an animal rights activist. He was very committed… overly committed, in fact, in protecting the animals, and so about twenty years ago, he went to prison for several years for breaking into a lab, releasing animals and assaulting police and security officers.

  “Everett asked me earlier if I took after my uncle and I shrugged because I didn’t know the answer to that. I took his question wrong because I do know the answer to that. Blaire, if I join this Tri-Star Confederation Coven and see you or the other coven members doing something that I strongly think that you shouldn’t be doing, I’m not going to be turning a blind eye. I will do what I can to stop you and the coven.”

  “Thank you for your candor, Ellen, and to be candor with you, we do band together when a strange wizard or sorceress threatens a Tri-Star Confederation member,” Blaire began. “A percentage of them were killed in the way that you, Harris and Jessica had killed Leon Stone, while the rest of them were allowed to go on their merry way. It just depends on the individual and the situation at the time. In any case, the Tri-Star Confederation’s mission statement is to respect others and do no harm… unless threaten obviously and then we will do what we have to, to protect ourselves. From what I had learned of you, Ellen, your beliefs and morals fall in line with our beliefs and morals, so again, the terms that you’re setting are acceptable.”

  “Hmm,” Ellen let out as she contemplated on what to do. “Let’s say I joined, and a year from now, I decide that being a Tri-Star Confederation member isn’t for me. Can I quit?”

  “We aren’t going to force you into doing something that you don’t want to do,” Blaire assured her. “So after a year… or even ten years, if you decide to leave the coven, we’ll respect your choice. However, by being a coven member, you are guaranteed support from the coven if a wizard or sorceress would threaten you. You won’t be guaranteed support if you’re not a member.”

  “I’ll think about joining,” Ellen said.

  “Okay, well, are there any questions that you would like answered that would help you to decide?” Blaire asked.

  “There is a question I would like answered, actually,” Ellen replied.

  “Okay, shoot,” Blaire prompted.

  “What is Immortal Magic?” Ellen questioned. Disconcerting expressions quickly came across Blaire’s, Devon’s and Trevor’s faces. Puzzled and unknowledgeable expressions came across Harris’s, Allyson’s and Sadie’s faces. “Did I say something wrong?”

  With a slightly anxious tone to his voice, Devon calmly asked, “Where… where have you learned of Immortal Magic?”

  “At the party I met Andie Cornell,” Ellen began. “Andie is fifteen—and a girl I would like to add, since her name could throw people off—and she’s a medium. To top that, one of my volumes has Eleanor Thorne’s spirit attached to it. Eleanor is an ancestor of mine who had lived in the 1400s and she had followed me to the party. When Eleanor saw that Andie could see her, Eleanor asked Andie to pass on a warning to me.”

  “What kind of warning?” Harris asked quickly.

  “Remember that nightmare I had, about me fighting a wizard?” Ellen asked. Harris nodded. “Well, it turns out that my nightmare wizard is flesh and blood, and he is ritually killing people in New Orleans. I caught a glimpse of his latest killing from a vision tonight, and the warning that Eleanor had wanted me to have, is that the wizard can see me at the same time I can see him.”

  “He must’ve cast an echo spell on himself,” Trevor thought aloud.

  “What’s an echo spell?” Ellen asked.

  “It’s actually called something else… and I can’t think of its proper name at the moment, but it’s a spell that will alert him when a remote seer would have a vision of him as you did,” Trevor explained.

  “Okay, well, Eleanor wants me to cast that permanent clo
aking spell for individuals on myself before he locates me, which there is no way in hell that I will cast that spell on myself given the side-effects of the spell,” Ellen continued. “Eleanor then called me a fool because this wizard in New Orleans practices Immortal Magic—which brings me back to my question. What’s Immortal Magic?”

  “Eleanor didn’t tell you?” Trevor asked.

  “Eleanor said that she will explain it to me in person once this wizard has killed me, and then she vanished from Andie’s sight,” Ellen replied. “She was annoyed that I won’t do the cloaking spell.”

  “It sounds as though she was concern for your safety, and she has the right to be,” Devon said.

  “Is anyone going to explain what Immortal Magic is to me?” Ellen questioned.

  “Harris had told me about the spells that you, he and your friend Jessica had learned,” Blaire began. Ellen gave Blaire her full attention. “All of those spells are a part of Mortal Magic. Earth Magic is another word for them, and it’s the magic that dwells inside the individual wizard or witch. Now Immortal Magic—also known as Eternal Magic—is the magic that comes from the spiritual world. So it’s actually borrowed magic, and it is also very dangerous to perform as the wizard or witch performing it greatly risks spiritual possession; however, if the wizard or witch could pull it off without becoming spiritually possessed, he or she could emulate God-like powers.”

  Ellen’s eyes grew wide before demanding, “What kind of God-like powers?!”

  “After obtaining the borrowed magic, he or she would have twice the power that Merlin had, and he or she could be capable of teleportation, levitation, shape-shifting, alchemy, resurrecting the dead… limb regeneration—and a full moon isn’t required for any of it,” Blaire explained.

  “Wow!” Ellen uttered.

  “After obtaining the borrowed magic, most witches or wizards are only capable of performing one or two powers from the God-like powers list,” Trevor added. “In any case, I never heard of one who was capable of performing more than three powers from the list.”

  Ellen gave an acknowledging nod before asking, “So, how long does this borrowed magic last for before needing to… rest or recharge?”