Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Jesse ran up the steps to the large, wooden double doors at St. Brigid’s Church. She was out of breath as she pushed to open the door. The doors were already locked after Sunday services. She ran to the rectory, where she saw the lights on. She pounded on the door until Father McMichael opened it.

“Sanctuary, Father McMichael!” said Jesse. “Please!”

Father McMichael pulled her in the door as he heard running footsteps coming closer. Those are not the footsteps of small men, he thought.

“Go through that door,” said the priest, pointing to the back of the room. “There’s a latch on the right underside of the third pantry shelf. It will open a door that leads directly to the church sacristy. Wait for me there.”

The three men reached the front doors of the church.

“It’s locked,” said a short, mustached man. “Where to now, John?”

They heard a cell phone ring. “She must have dropped this,” said John, picking it up and answering. “Hello.”

“Who is this?” said Jake, the anger evident in his tone.

“Well, it’s not Jesse, but we’ll find her soon enough,” said John, his thin lips forming into a malicious smirk. He hung up and threw the phone aside. “Go to the rectory, Zeke; she might have gone in there.”

The third man, a chunky redhead in his late fifties with a scar on his left cheek, rang the rectory doorbell.

“Just a minute,” called Father McMichael. “I’m on my way.”

Opening the door to three out-of-breath men, the priest said calmly, “How can I help you, gentlemen?”

“We’re looking for a young woman, about 5'6", short blond hair, blue eyes,” said John. “She came running this way.”

“I haven’t seen any young women matching that description,” said Father McMichael. “I’ll watch out for her. Is she in trouble or something?”

“That’s none of your business, Priest,” said Zeke.

“Maybe we ought to go in and take a look around,” said the scar-faced man. He pushed Father McMichael aside.

“I don’t know who you’re looking for,” said the priest, “but this is a small rectory. There are only two doors; this one and another one leading out back to the church gardens.”

John went through the kitchen into the small living room. The scar-faced man checked the bathroom and sparsely furnished bedroom. “She’s not here. She must’ve run past the rectory over to the school. We’ll check there.”

---

Jesse had been driving back from Logan Airport on Saturday afternoon after attending her best friend April’s graduation in Wilmington, North Carolina. After the graduation party, they flew up to Massachusetts together to visit Boston College. They were both accepted into the Earth and Environmental Sciences program and got the same dorm assignment. They stayed in Newport with her father and stepmother for a few days and had a great time shopping at Long Wharf Mall. Dan had surprised his daughter with a brand-new Honda Clarity plug-in hybrid for graduation, and she couldn’t wait to show her mom.

Jesse thought it wouldn’t be long now when she saw the US-202 turn-off. She’d be home in about twenty minutes, and she was looking forward to seeing her mother and Beast. She listened to Billie Eilish on her playlist and thought about how lucky she was to have such a great mini-vacation and a new car to travel back and forth from Boston College in the Fall.

Once the traffic had thinned out when she reached US-202, Jesse noticed a beat-up, light sand Ford-F150 with three men in the front seat following her too closely. She called her mom to let her know, and Elizabeth decided to stay on the phone until Jesse got home. But, just as Jesse reached Camden Hills' outskirts, the truck driver really began riding her tail.

“Jesse, just keep driving and stay calm,” said Elizabeth. “Take the dirt road cut-off that leads to St. Brigid’s Church, and go immediately to Father McMichael for help. He’ll let you in. I’ll call the station on that old burner phone and have Jake meet you there. We’ll stay on the phone until you get safely to St. Brigid’s.”

Keeping an eye on her rearview mirror, Jesse waited until the very last moment before swerving abruptly onto the cutoff. The truck behind her had been following so closely; the driver couldn't make the turn.

Elizabeth paced the floor, holding the phone. Beast stood watch at the front door as if he were expecting trouble.

“Easy, Beast,” she said, gently scratching the Yorkie’s neck. “The police station is close to St. Brigid’s. Jake will get Jesse and bring her home soon.”

“I’m at the front parking lot, Mom,” said Jesse. “I don’t see them behind me.”

“Go to the church and use the exact words I told you when Father McMichael opens the door.”

“Okay, Mom,” said Jesse. “Let’s keep talking until I get inside.”

Elizabeth could sense the fear in her daughter’s voice. Maybe it was nothing. Perhaps they were just tailgating her, thinking she wasn’t going fast enough. She hated people who did that, but she could understand how it could make an inexperienced driver nervous. Then Elizabeth heard the sound of Jesse’s cellphone falling to the ground, and the call ended abruptly. With a tense feeling in her stomach, she immediately redialed Jake, explained what had happened, and told him to hurry.

“Who could be after her?” Elizabeth said. “I talked to Jesse before she left last weekend, and she didn’t seem worried about anything. Please find her and bring her home.”

“There’s already an alert out for the truck,” said Jake. “Hank and Abana are off duty, but they picked up the information on their scanners. They’ll get there before me and be able to protect Jesse and Father McMichael if anything is really wrong. Don’t worry, Elizabeth. I’ll bring Jesse back to you safely. I promise.”

Jake had dispatch check Jesse’s cell phone location after the stranger answered her phone. The man had said that they would find her soon enough. That meant they hadn’t located her yet. She must have dropped her phone as she ran to find Father McMichael. Jake didn’t tell Elizabeth about the man who picked up Jesse’s phone when he called to check on her. He knew Elizabeth would be furious if she found out, but he’d worry about that later.

It was wise of Elizabeth to tell her to ask for sanctuary. Father McMichael couldn’t refuse her. The concept of sanctuary had been a part of the Catholic Church for centuries. Jake just hoped Father McMichael could keep her safe until he got there.

---

When Father McMichael felt the danger from the men had passed, he entered the sacristy located behind the altar. Jesse was nervous and absentmindedly looking at the vestments and sacred vessels. Her attention was drawn to the ornate gold chalice.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” said Father McMichael. “It’s almost 100 years old.”

“Is it real gold?” asked Jesse.

“Yes,” said Father McMichael. “Church law states that the chalice must be made of either gold or silver. If it’s made from silver, the cup must be gilt on the inside.”

“Pagans are more practical,” said Jesse, with a shrug. “Clay will do.”

Father McMichael smiled at Jesse’s comment and noticed how she was trying to hide her fear by placing her shaking hands behind her back.

“Any idea what those men wanted, Jesse?” he asked.

“Father McMichael, I have no clue, but something feels wrong. It’s not just about those men. It's bigger than that. Maybe Mom and Jake will be able to figure it out.”

There was a loud knock on the rectory door. Father McMichael went back through the secret pantry door and walked into the small hall entry. He saw Abana Ecker and Hank Green through the window and opened the door.

Abana wasted no time. “Where’s Jesse? Is she safe?”

“Yes, Officer Ecker,” said Father McMichael. “She’s fine. Follow me.”

“I’ll wait here in case whoever followed Jesse circles back,” said Hank.

Father McMichael led Abana through the secret door back to the sacristy. Jesse was lying on the sacristy floor, apparently unconscious.

“My God! What’s happened? She was fine a moment ago,” said Father McMichael.

Abana knelt beside Jesse and looked her over quickly for injuries. “It looks like she just fainted.”

“Something is very wrong,” mumbled Jesse, coming to and opening her eyes.

“Let’s get you home. Are you able to stand?” asked Abana.

Jesse nodded, then stood up slowly.

“I don’t think you understand, Abana. Something terrible is going to happen, and I can’t figure it out. It feels very dark.”

“We’ll sort it all out after we get you home.”

They both had on jeans and sneakers. Abana gave Jesse her hooded sweatshirt and watch cap. Jesse, at 17, was about Abana’s size. Jesse tucked her blond hair up into the watch cap Abana gave her, then pulled the gray hoodie up over the hat.

“You leave with Hank,” said Abana, “in case the men who followed you are still out there. I’ll stay here for a few minutes. Do you have your car keys?”

Jesse handed Abana her keys as Hank looked out the door to ensure the men hadn’t returned.

“Jake is close by,” said Abana. “Hank will get you home. I’ll be there shortly.”

Jake got a text from Hank. “Jesse’s safe, but she’s a bit shook up. We’ll all meet you back at Elizabeth’s. Abana will bring Jesse’s car.”

Jake called Elizabeth. “Jesse’s okay. Hank’s bringing her home. I’ll circle back to be sure Abana is alright.”

Abana was thanking Father McMichael for keeping Jesse safe when she saw three men run past the window. They didn’t bother stopping at the rectory. She got a quick look at the three men. They looked pretty rough. She noticed that the large man with red hair had a large scar from his eye's edge down to his chin.

“Is there any way to get to the front parking lot from inside?” she asked Father McMichael.

“Yes. We can go back into the sacristy, then through the nave, and out the front door.”

When they got to the front of the church, Father McMichael opened the front doors just enough for Abana to watch as the men checked Jesse’s car and ran back to their truck.

“It’s a damn shame I can’t follow them right now,” she said, straining to get the tag number on the vehicle, but there was no license plate.

She waited until the men had driven out of sight. “Thanks again, Father.”

“Stay safe, Officer Ecker,” said the priest.

“It’s Abana, Father. You don’t have to be formal with me. Please let us know if you see those men come back.”

As she got closer to the Honda, Abana noticed a cell phone lying on the asphalt. She picked up the phone and saw the cracked screen. Maybe it was Jesse’s. Abana put it in her pocket, got in the car, and began driving to Elizabeth’s house.

Shaking his head, Father McMichael walked back into the church and closed the door. That family is going to be the death of me, he thought.

---

Elizabeth heard Hank’s SUV pull into the driveway. She opened the door and ran out to meet them. Jesse stepped out of the vehicle and hugged her mother.

“Let’s get inside,” said Hank. “From Abana’s description, the men who followed Jesse were intent on finding her. The attack wasn’t random. Someone wanted Jesse kidnapped. We have to find out why.”

Jake followed close behind and decided to give Elizabeth time with Jesse. “I’ll just take a quick look around before I join you,” he said to Hank.

Jesse ran ahead into the house and scooped Beast up into her arms. “I’m okay,” said Jesse, as Beast telepathed his concern. “It was scary, and, yes, I believe it’s about magic.”

As Elizabeth walked into the living room, she overheard Jesse talking to Beast. “Why are you so sure there’s magic involved?” she asked her daughter.

“Mom, it’s a feeling,” said Jesse. “Just before I fainted. . .”

“You fainted?” interrupted Elizabeth.

“In the sacristy,” said Jesse. “I thought it was because I hadn’t eaten since morning, but as I started to feel dizzy, I sensed an evil presence in Camden Hills. It felt like another premonition.”

Since Elizabeth found out she and her daughter belonged to the Dé Danann legacy of witches, she had learned nothing was too farfetched to believe. If Jesse felt she was in danger and dark magic was in Camden Hills, the matter needed to be taken seriously.

Jake had stepped onto the front porch and knocked before going in. “Jesse, do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions?”

“Sure, Jake.”

“Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” asked Elizabeth. “Jesse’s been through a lot.”

“I understand, Elizabeth,” said Jake. “I’ll only take a minute. It’s best to ask some questions while the event is fresh in her mind.” He turned to Jesse. “I understand you were on the way back from seeing your friend for her graduation.” He knew Jesse and April shared many of the same magical abilities. “Did anything happen while you were with April?”

“No. The private high school in Wilmington isn’t huge, and I didn’t sense that any of the other students had special powers,” said Jesse. “The graduation party at April’s house was small. There were just a few friends, but mostly family. I didn’t sense any magic being used. If April had something going on in her life, she would have told me. After the party, we flew up to Boston and stayed with my dad.”

“Did you notice anything while you were at Boston College?” asked Elizabeth.

“No. It was a routine tour. We checked out our dorm rooms and took the same precautions any ordinary students would take. When we were on the Earth and Environmental Science department tour, only a few students were with us. They were friendly, and everything felt normal.”

“Did you feel anything out of place while you were with your father?” asked Elizabeth, realizing she was stepping all over Jake’s questions.

“No, Mom. As usual, Dad took a lot of phone calls. He was always working. Anne got irritated with Dad when he was on the phone all the time. Someone called Dad early in the morning and even while we were out at dinner, but I didn’t get his name,” said Jesse, yawning. “Do you mind if I go lie down in my room for a bit? I’m exhausted.”

“Sorry for what happened, Jesse,” said Jake. “We can talk more later.”

“C’mon, Beast,” said Jesse, as she walked out of the kitchen. “Let’s get some rest.”

This is about my family’s safety again, thought Elizabeth, putting her head in her hands.

“I’ve always worried that my involvement as an activist might bring trouble to my doorstep,” she explained. “I’ve been careful since CGC was in Camden Hills, but there’s been a lot going on over the past five years. We successfully won battles against other corporations in Brazil and Mexico. Last year’s efforts in North Dakota over that damn access pipeline were problematic. There are so many companies involved in One Earth for All’s monkeywrenching; it could be any one of them. It could also be something else we haven’t even thought of yet.”

“Are any of the companies aware of your involvement?” asked Jake.

“I don’t think so,” said Elizabeth. “Since I’ve been working full-time at the bookstore and teaching one night a week, I’ve not been active for over a year. All the witches who were part of the local group moved on. I occasionally get an encrypted email about the latest protests, but Callie Devlin coordinates the groups’ efforts, and she’s in New Jersey. I haven’t signed any petitions, documents or sent any email correspondence or texts. Janet Santiago does all the legal paperwork and represents the various pagan groups in court. Any new magical monkeywrenching is done by local witches in the areas where the problems arise. I haven’t been involved at all.”

Jake’s phone rang, and he saw it was Abana calling. He pressed the speaker button so Elizabeth could hear.

“I’m almost there, Jake, but I picked up a tail shortly after I left St. Brigid’s,” she said. “I took the back route that only the locals use. It doesn’t make sense they found me that fast.”

“Sand-colored F150?” asked Jake.

“Yes,” said Abana. “The same one that followed Jesse.”

Jake went outside to wait for Abana.

Abana reached the house and pulled into the circular drive. She looked up into the rearview, expecting the truck to follow. The vehicle slowed, but continued past the house.

Hank finished his check of the grounds and met Abana in front of the house. They went in and took their places at the kitchen table while Jake looked over Jesse’s car.

A few minutes later, he came in and placed a small metal box in the middle of the table. “I found this on the underside of Jesse’s dashboard. They’ve been following her since she left Newport.”

“When Peter Smith followed me in Massachusetts,” said Elizabeth, “you found the tracking device under my car. How could one get inside Jesse’s car?”

“It had to be someone with access,” said Hank.

“Dan wouldn’t do that to Jesse,” said Elizabeth, irritated at the implication.

“No, Elizabeth,” said Jake, “I don’t think he would. Did Jesse tell you when she got the car? Did she drive it around Boston?”

“They went to the dealership,” said Elizabeth. “Jesse got to pick out the color she wanted, and she had to wait until the next day for the car to come from another dealership. I understand the car remained parked in Dan’s driveway until Jesse left to drive home.”

“Then a tech likely installed it at the dealership,” said Abana, picking up the device and turning it over. “Someone pulled off the metal plate with the ID number, so we can’t find out who purchased it.”

Feels like old times, Elizabeth thought, as she poured Jake, Hank, and Abana coffee. She was putting the sugar and creamer on the table when they heard a scream come from Jesse’s bedroom.

“Jesse!” cried Elizabeth with alarm, knocking over the cream and sugar as she ran to Jesse’s room.

Throwing open the door to Jesse’s bedroom, Elizabeth was startled by how ominous the room felt. The misty, amorphous shape was hovering over the foot of Jesse’s bed. Elizabeth’s ring was pulsing, and she sensed a presence in the room. Beast was on Jesse’s bed, alert, but with his tail wagging.

Friendly or not, whatever it was upsetting, Jesse. Raising both arms and summoning the energy from her ring, Elizabeth commanded, “Stop!”

“Mom, what’s going on? Who was here?” asked Jesse, sitting up and pulling Beast close. “That dream felt so real. Someone was trying to wake me. I could see him standing at the foot of my bed.”

“Can you describe him?” asked Jake.

“No,” said Jesse. “At least not in a way that would help. I knew it was a man, but he had no shape or features I could see.”

“Did he say anything?” said Elizabeth.

“No. But I felt the man was trying to warn me.”