And there it was, sleeping in a dark corner of a very deep cavern. A pocket of rage, a cunning sentience that was voracious. It was rooted into the land with tendrils plunging so deep that they grew right down into the molten core. The rage came from a painful place, and as I peeked into the abyss, I could see a trail of bones leading down into the hole, a trail of bones and memories as old as the world. The elemental attracted anger and turmoil.
The elemental had been here since the mountains had first risen, since the earthquakes and clashing tectonic plates had birthed the Cascades into being. It had been slumbered quietly before that, but the tumultuous movements of the earth had shattered its peace, and it had been awake and angry ever since, its venom cursing the land.
The elemental suddenly seemed aware of my presence and turned toward me. I gasped and broke out of my trance, almost falling off the sofa in my hurry to remain anonymous. I didn’t want it to notice me.
“Cripes…” I was shaking. “That…thing…”
“You sensed it, then?” Rowan said. “You understand what it is?”
I nodded. “It’s like a geyser, waiting to go off every time something triggers it. No wonder the native people of this area left that site alone.”
“Yes, because they knew they couldn’t win.” Rowan tilted her head. “Those of us who first founded the town did our best to dislodge it, but we had to give up. We should have erected a barrier around it back then, but we didn’t foresee the population growing so large. But take another look, this time at the building.”
Caitlin looked puzzled. “What? What are you two talking about?”
I closed my eyes again and lowered myself back into trance. Once more, I went drifting along the astral as I sought out the patch of ground again. But this time, instead of plunging beyond the building, I focused on it instead of the land surrounding it.
The first thing I noticed was that the asylum was tired. It was weary and it wanted to rest. The spirits who had kept it alive for so long had all been absorbed by the land elemental and they ran wild, like wayward children, banging and clanging against its walls. They were avatars of the elemental, and yet, they were almost autonomous. Like a swarm, each one spun off separately and yet all were linked to form a central hive mind. The building was tired. It was tired of being used as an extension.
My eyes flew open. “We have to destroy the building. It won’t destroy the creature, but it will calm the activity some, and it will allow the elemental to rest.”
“Exactly.” Rowan paused, smiling for the first time since we’d arrived. “Your guardian and I were keeping you protected while you were in trance. It took both of us, but we kept the elemental from figuring out who you are.”
Relieved, I let out a long breath. “Thank gods for that. As for my guardian, there’s a tradition in my family. The Ladies—former matriarchs from the family tree—watch over the witches who are born into the next generation. They watched over my mother, and now they watch over me.”
“I thought your aunt was a witch too,” Caitlin said.
“She is, and they guard over her. But I hear them easier, I think. My great-aunt Esmara is my personal guardian.”
Rowan nodded. “Do you understand my answer now?”
“Yes, I do. There’s no way we can detach the elemental from the land, but the building gives it more form and focus.”
She nodded. “Yes, the building needs to come down. It’s an anchor—a focal point—for the activity. And I agree, the land should be barricaded off. It will put fewer people at risk.”
“Will you explain to me what you found out?” Caitlin asked.
I gave them both a quick rundown of what I had seen and sensed. “Everyone who has died on that land has become bound together. The building itself acts as an amplifier. I think the dark magic that was worked in that place seeped into the walls, turning it into one big bullhorn.”
“You’re correct.” Rowan shrugged. “So my answer is no, I can neither destroy nor purge the curse. But if the building is destroyed, then the threat decreases substantially. However, it’s not my place to raze the structure, and my guess is the owner is motivated by money, not by charity.”
Caitlin leaned forward, elbows on her knees. “What if the city bought the land? They could destroy the building without a problem.”
“We can hope,” I said. “Millie wanted me to call her again. I can ask her if the city might be able to do that.”
“My guess is that you’re not going to get an answer you like. But it can’t hurt to try,” Rowan said. “As far as interested private parties, I know someone who has the money to buy it.”
I raised my head. “Who? Do you think they’d be willing to do that? To invest in land they can never really use?”
“Possibly,” Rowan said, standing. “I’ll get back to you. Meanwhile, I have an appointment.”
Caitlin and I said our good-byes and headed back toward my SUV.
“We didn’t exactly get the answer we hoped for,” Caitlan said.
“No, but I think we’ve made a valuable ally. Come on, let’s get back to the office. We can call Millie from there.” As I put the car into gear, I glanced up at the owl, who was still perched in a tree. Rowan Firesong was in my life now, for better or worse. And I had a feeling both were possible.
Chapter Sixteen
We stopped to pick up takeout—mac ‘n cheese, fried chicken, and biscuits—since we weren’t sure whether Tad and Hank would be hungry. I bought the food while Caitlin bought a latte for herself and a mocha for me.
Tad and Hank were already waiting when we got back to the office. Both had that death-warmed-over look and were sprawled in their chairs, listlessly staring at their keyboards. They perked up a little when Caitlin and I entered the room and Tad waved at us.
“Hey, where were you?”
“We were talking to Rowan Firesong.” I paused, then noticed that the coffeepot was empty. “You want me to make more coffee?”
Tad nodded. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“Tea for me, if you don’t mind,” Hank said.
“So,” Tad said, “Dr. Fairsight told me she had recommended you talk to Rowan. I should have thought of that before. I’ve never met her, but I know who she is.”
“Rowan’s different from what I expected her to be,” I said. “But she’s smart.” I glanced at Caitlin. “Should I tell him or do you want to?”
“You go ahead. You understand the magic involved better than I do.”
“All right,” I said, handing Hank a mug with a tea bag and steaming water in it. The coffee was percolating and Caitlin retrieved paper plates and napkins from the storeroom for the pizza. We gathered around the main table. By that time the coffee and tea were both done. Caitlin poured a cup for Tad and added three sugars and cream.
We settled in with our food and drinks.
“Here’s the thing…there’s a land elemental rooted in that parcel of land. It’s very angry and very aware, and it’s causing all the problems. All of the spirits on the land have been absorbed by the elemental.”