Page 98 of Autumn L.A.W

Reginald’s tail flicked. “Damn. I’ve been hoping for violence, and now I’m going to miss whatever happens.”

Victoria and Duke stood in front of the crone’s cottage that seemed to have settled into the woods. It was crooked, mossy, and just a little too quiet.

Victoria took a deep breath before knocking on the door. It opened slowly, revealing the crone. The wizened old woman with long silver hair and dark green eyes stared.

“Why have you come to my door again?” she asked. No greetings or small talk.

Victoria explained. Quickly. Efficiently. She didn’t bother softening the edges.

The crone listened, then gave a slow nod.

“I can help,” she said. “But she won’t come easily. I can draw her to you. But when she arrives, you must be ready to fight her. Are you willing?”

Victoria glanced at Duke.

He gave a small nod.

“So be it,” Victoria said. “But I need to know something. Will she have access to everything I know? My training? My reflexes? I have two black belts.”

The crone’s gaze flicked over her. “She has your body. Not your experience. Not your memories. Those are yours alone. But you are not used to the body you wear now.”

Victoria huffed out a breath. “No argument there.”

“Then you must rely on what you still possess,” the crone said. “Your knowledge and your will.”

Duke stepped in. “We’ll manage. I can assist.”

The crone lifted a hand. “You must remember, any damage done to that body will remain when it is returned.”

Duke grimaced. “Understood.”

“Tomorrow is our Samhain celebration,” Victoria said. “Is there a chance she could arrive tonight?”

“Ah!” The woman nodded, knowingly. “The festival of the last harvest. I would say it’s perfect for your purposes. Goddess willing, she will reap what she has sown. Perhaps I can help her get here quickly. Come into my home. I must prepare you.”

A moment later, Victoria stood in the middle of the dark room with Duke close by her side. The crone, cloaked in black, stepped forward and said, “I can help you capture the woman who stole your body in the switch. I have the power to manipulate the elements and use them to your advantage. With my help, you can bring her to justice. Are you positive this is what you want?”

Duke looked toward Victoria, and she took a deep breath. Then both said in unison, “Do it!”

The crone began to chant, and the air around them seemed to hum with energy. Duke grabbed Victoria's hand, and the two of them watched as the crone summoned the wind, water, and earth to do her bidding. The wind swept through the room, picking up dust and debris and carrying it away. The water cascaded down from the sky through the chimney, creating a tidal pool in and around the cabin that threatened to wash them away. Finally, the earth began to tremble and quake, shaking the walls and foundation.

Victoria and Duke clung to each other, feeling the power of the crone's magic. Finally, the tremors stopped, the water drained through the floorboards into the earth below, and the crone spoke again. “The woman you seek is located northwest of here. Follow the wind, and it will take you to her sooner. Or you may wait and let her come to you. There will be a fight. You may prefer to reserve your energy. Now go, and may justice be served.”

Victoria and Duke looked at each other. “I vote for taking the fight to her,” Victoria said. Duke nodded, and they set off on their quest to capture the thieving woman.

“Northwest, huh?” Victoria said. “She couldn’t have been more specific?”

“I know what you mean, but if we follow water, wind, and earth’s clues, it should help.”

“Do you really think so?”

“What choice do we have?”

“Well, I have no choice, but you do,” Victoria reminded him. “If you have something else to do…”

“My job is to serve the L.A.W., and even if it wasn’t, I’m curious to see how this plays out.”

“Are you sure? I mean, you’ve already done so much to help me, and…”