Chapter 11
Issac looked at the flower pots, and Anne watched him, noting the similarities between them. He was obviously Marion’s brother, the hair the biggest tell, because that was a Tyrell thing. Titus once hated it, probably due to how much he wanted to be a true Lockwood.
There was no easy solution to Thaddeus’ plan to complete the ritual Gregor wrote all those years earlier. From what he said elements of it came from mages of the past who’d also written in the journal. Had Issac been more capable of lying he might even have seen it.
Movement caught his attention, and he looked over to see a young woman, who could only be Anne. He reacted automatically with a wave, as though it was only days since they last saw each other.
“You’re welcome here, Anne.”
“That’s good, because I need to talk to you.”
“Does this have something to do with the ritual?”
“The ritual, Mama, Titus…” Anne closed her eyes for a moment. “I feel like they’re all keeping things from me.”
“You want answers, and you think I might have some of them.”
“At least some about Mama. Maybe Grandfather Tyrell.”
“You can come inside. We’re family, Anne.”
“Not yet. I mean inside. Not that we aren’t family, although it’s weird. After so long…”
“I know. Come with me. The least we should do is move away from anyone being able to see us, just in case.”
“Papa?”
“Or Titus.”
They stepped closer to the house, Anne wrapping an arm around herself.
“Where do you want to start?”
“How much do you know about the ritual?”
“Less than Marion. It’s not something we talked about, but she became Father’s focus when we were teenagers, due to me.”
“You weren’t able to pretend.”
“Not when it come to dark magics, and Marion… she never wanted to admit it to me, but I could tell she was fascinated. Even though she’d never use them she wanted to learn more.”
“Accepting anything her father was willing to share.”
“That doesn’t mean Marion’s a bad person. I think it was the right choice to make. Now she has a chance of stopping the ritual.”
“No, she doesn’t.”
“How can you be so certain?”
“It’s a feeling, nothing more, and not something I’d bring up to Mama. This… I don’t know.”
“Do your best to describe it, Anne.”
“Ever since I argued with Titus it’s been like I’ve had this… gap. Maybe. As though I should know more about all of this than I do.”
“Could be a memory.”
“A memory.”
“Sometimes, if a mage has lived before, they may have old memories.”
“You think that might be happening to me?”
“They often trigger for a reason, so the ritual could be bringing things up.”
Anne sighed. “How do I connect with it more strongly?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s an easy way. If there was I’d help. This might be useful.”
“For now it’s just annoying.”
“The only thing I can suggest is potentially meditation. It can help.”
“Mama thinks I should talk to Papa about the Lockwoods. Not for this, but could that help in some way.”
“Potentially. It really depends on the reason you’re having this.”
“Could it be this ritual specifically?”
Issac was silent. Then he nodded. “Father had journals passed down to him from before, which might be linked in some way to the Lockwoods.”
“Marriages?”
“Yes, and other events. According to some stories the Lockwoods almost died out.”
Those words wrapped around Anne, another connection, and she nodded. “You’re right. I don’t know how I know you’re right, but you are.”
“Marion’s right. Thaddeus is your next step if you’re going to be able to unlock these memories.”
“Or Titus. He knows more than he’s saying.”
“Magical bloodlines are complicated, Anne. He could also be in a similar position.”
“Tell me about the Tyrells.” Anne studied Issac. “I don’t even know what to call you.”
“Whatever you’re most comfortable with. Give it time if you’re not ready for Uncle. I do understand.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t. I should have been there, but Marion… when she married Thaddeus it changed things.”
“You were married to another Lockwood.”
“Petra was nothing like her brothers, and Thaddeus was close to Father, which also had an effect. Father’s death… it broke us.”
“I didn’t think either of you were close to him.”
“We weren’t, but he was the only parent we’d had since we were children. Marion wanted him to be proud of her, and it led her down a complicated path. Both of us married the people he wanted us to.”
“Two different Lockwoods.”
“Petra was the eldest of the three, and the one her father cared least about. He wanted an heir. As far as he was concerned Petra could never be that. Thaddeus was the youngest, so he was just the spare, but he wanted to prove himself. She made the decision not to care.”
“Papa’s never spoken much about his family.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. In the end he was closer to Father than he was to any of his family, until his father died. After that he was able to build a connection with Emory.”
“Emory being the Lockwood heir.”
“Only in name.”
“Both families view power as the most important thing.” Issac nodded. “Papa is stronger than Emory, and Mother is stronger than Papa.”
“Titus is stronger than everyone.”
“How about Dante?”
“I’ve not met the Fitzgerald boys, but knowing what I do now I think I need to.”
“Mama believes Dante may be the target, because he has more power.”
“Then I definitely need to meet him.” Issac studied Anne. “What do you think?”
“I’ve only met him in passing, Issac.”
“You know Titus.”
“All I’m certain of is that Titus wants them gone. Dante most.”
“He hates new magic.”
“There’s something more to it. I don’t know what, but the depth of hatred…” Another niggle of memory. “Only Papa met the Fitzgeralds.”
“Did Titus see them?”
“I don’t know. He may have been out when Victor knocked. Just hearing the name was enough.”
“Interesting. When I get a chance I will speak with the Fitzgeralds. Titus’s hatred must mean something.”
“Even though I don’t know why I’m certain it does, but it may not be this life affecting him.”
“Talk to him when you can, Anne. See if you can get something more.”
“Titus won’t open up about this. Not now. He needs me to be at the ritual, but Mama wants me to leave with at least one of the Fitzgeralds.”
“Do what Marion believes is best. If the two of you survive it will be better than you dying.”
“We both know death isn’t the worst thing.”
“Not when it comes to these kinds of magics.”
“Titus knows what he’s doing. I can see it. Nothing is being left to chance.”
“Apart from you being there. He can’t control that.”
“I have to leave, before I get caught up in the magic.” Anne was certain. “With Matthew.”
“Bring Finn if you can’t. He shouldn’t be tangled up in it either.”
“I come here?”
“Yes, and we’ll work to help Marion, even though it probably won’t be enough.”
“How?”
“Our own ritual. This isn’t the first time we’ve had to do this, Anne, so I know the best way to work it.”
“Your father.”
“Someone had to stop him before he did something stupid, and it was up to us.”
“Issac…”
“When this is over I promise I’ll tell you everything. For now we don’t have much time to get organised. Focus on Thaddeus for now.”
“For now, but I do need to understand.”