Time After Time

Chapter 12

Erik is still searching through the books in the library, trying to find anything that would give him a clue about the visions or memories Lexi and Dante are having. Normally, he would just let it go, but he and Dante have been searching too long and are finally so close to completing the triad and remaining immortal forever. He isn't going to take any chances on anything going wrong. And he has a bad feeling about these visions. Something isn't right. Sensing someone approaching, he looks up, probing to find the source. He senses the familiar feeling of Dante, followed by what he can only assume is Lexi, as he is butting up against an invisible wall. There is a third pattern, which seems familiar, but he just can't place it. Just then Dante and Lexi enter the room, followed closely behind by Cass. Ahh, that must be why the thought patterned seemed familiar. Erik still has a nagging feeling that isn't quite right, though.
Dante face is boasting his trademark smirk "Brother, I come bearing a gift." He boasts, ushering Cass forward. Erik looks at him, not understanding. Dante just smiles, obviously enjoying his brothers confusion. Erik glances at Lexi, who rolls her eyes at Dante and stepping forward to wrap her arm around Cass's shoulders, gently says " Dante says Cass is a witch."
Erik's eyes fly to Dante's, who is looking at him with an expression that could almost be described as glee, if he were capable of that emotions. Dante practically purrs " Oh no, brother, not just any witch. A Procter witch!"

Erik's eyes widen as he looks from Dante to Cass. Taking a step forward slowly, he gingerly approaches Cass, and before placing his hands on either side of her head, asks "May I?"

Cass looks nervous, but nods. Erik places his hands on her head and concentrates. First, he senses her thoughts that run in the uncommon linear fashion, as he had before. Now that he is aware of her identity, he realizes that is a natural defense. Digging deeper, he begins to unravel a tangled web of thoughts and memories, ones he is certain are not Cass's, they are before her time. Bloodline memories passed on by her ancestors, that she is does not even know how to access yet. Stepping back quickly, Erik removes his hands. He has no business digging in ancestral memories, and he certainly doesn't want to piss of the Proctor bloodline.
Focusing on Cass, he tilts her face up to look at him. " You had no idea you were a witch, did you?"
She shakes her head, and in a soft voice says
"

Not really, I guessed maybe I might be a little bit psychic or something, but not a witch. What is the big deal about being a Proctor witch?"

Erik glares at Dante, let his expression convey what a jerk he thinks Dante is for springing this on her out of nowhere. Dante shrugs on shoulder, trying to look innocent.

Turning his focus back to Cass, Erik gently replies " Proctor witches were very powerful, and it has been rumored that they all died out long ago."
Cass gulps but says " We'll, it doesn't matter, I don't know how to do any magic or anything like that."
Lexi chimes in " But Dante and Eric have magic, maybe they could help?"
Dante reaches over and squeezes her hand gently. " We would love to help, and we may be able too a little bit, but our magic is a bit different than what Cass has, right Erik?" He asks, never taking his eyes off Lexi's face, as he pushes a strand of hair behind her ear.
Erik's face darkens, but he recovers quickly, explaining "Yes, bloodline magic is quite deeper than the type of magic Dante and I acquired when we drank the enchanted spring water. Bloodline magic is deeper, more primal. Ideally, Cass would have another Proctor witch to show her the ropes, but seeing as how she is the only one..." He trails off, lost in thought. Snapping his fingers, Erik says "But the coven of witches I went to see when I took my recent trip" Erik pauses, unable to stop himself from giving Dante and Lexi a baleful glance "might be able to help you, Cass!"
Cass chews nervously on her lip " I can't go to Nova Scotia, my mom would kill me!"
Dante interjects "Well perhaps, Erik could convince the coven to allow a witch to come back and help you here?"
Erik taps his chin thoughtfully " Yes that might be worth a shot. I will book another flight right away."
"Okay" Cass says " but do you want to explain to me why either one of you care if I learn to become a witch, or why it matters to you two specifically if I am a Proctor witch?"
Erik opens his mouth to reply, but Dante shoots him a warning look and says " Erik and I are concerned with Lexi's safety. As you already know, she is special and her abilities can make her a target. You said it yourself, that you sensed danger. If you have your witch powers, especially Proctor level ones, you can keep Lexi protected."
Cass looks dubious, but she doesn't argue. "Fine." She says.
Erik heads back to the computer to book a flight, while Lexi and Dante head over to the couch and start snuggling together. Cass throws her hands up, turning towards the kitchen to go find something to eat.

Dante and Lexi are cuddled up on the couch, holding each other. Lexi reaches up and runs her hand through his hair. Leaning close, she whispers "I could sense your mood since you got to my house and realized about Cass, you want to tell me what is up?"
Nuzzling her neck, Dante asks " What mood did you sense? Relief at finally being near you again?"
Giggling quietly, she replies " Well yes that too, but you were excited and maybe a little anxious as well."
Pulling back, Dante regards her seriously. Sighing he pulls her legs across his lap. " I wasn't lying when I told Cass I wanted her to able to protect you."
Lexi regards him thoughtfully " I don't think that you were, but maybe there is more too it?"
Dragging his hand through his hair, Dante says " Your really not going to let this go, are you? Fine, Erik has searched for years for a witch bloodline, that would be strong enough to track down Kalista, if she even is still alive, wherever she is hiding."
Lexi pulls back, feeling hurt "Why would you want to track her down?"
Dante pulls her back towards him " Don't be ridiculous, not for any type of reason you are thinking. Well, that might be why Eric wants to track her down, though I doubt it. She took our souls, Lexi. If we wind a powerful enough witch, the possibilities might me endless. What if said witch could find a way past the loophole on the spell? Then our immortality wouldn't be hinged on a third person. What if we could find a way to get our souls back, then at least if we did die, we would have souls. At the very least, maybe we could just kill the bitch."
Lexi regards him carefully, she had alway had a sense that Dante could be dangerous, but she wasn't sure if he would actually kill anyone, although in this case, she might not blame him.
Deciding to let that part go, she asks " Do you not want to be with me forever, you seem to want to break the triad?"
Using his enhanced speed, he pulls her across him, until she is straddling him, her face inches from his " Of course I want to be with you forever, you could still drink and be immortal, but if the triad was broken, then we wouldn't have to spend eternity stuck in a triangle with Erik being angry at us for being in love and pretending not to be. Besides you aren't even sure your ready for immortality, remember?"
Lexi frowns " You make it sound like I am not sure if I love you , and that's not it. I just would have to give up a lot to be immortal."
Dante pulls her in for a kiss, murmuring against her lips " I know, that's why we are looking for other options. Enough talk about all that, let's focus on the now."
Lexi wraps her arms around his shoulders, deepening their kiss.
A purposeful clearing of a throat breaks them apart. Erik stands there, looking irritated. "I am leaving, just wanted to say goodbye." Lexi smiles at him timidly, and he returns her smile the best he can. Turning to Dante, his tone is short " I will update you once I find out anything."
Dante nods and raises one hand in a wave. Erik walks briskly out the door, barley missing running into Cass as she comes out of the kitchen.
" What is his problem?" Cass asks.
Lexi and Dante just look at each other and sigh.

Erik strides out of the house toward his ride to the airport, leaving his brother, Lexi and Cass behind. Bitterness and pain flood through him. Perfect, Lexi and Dante are in their own bubble of bliss. He is supposed to be stuck for eternity with those two in their happily ever after while he is the miserable third wheel? Thanks but no thanks. His mouth sets in a firm line, more determined than ever to get to the bottom of whatever is going on with these visions and hopefully get Lexi to come to her senses regarding Dante. This coven in Nova Scotia will hopefully let him bring back a witch who can help Cass. He is fairly certain they will, once he tells them she is the last remaining Proctor witch. Maybe between the two witches they can figure it out. He hopes so at least. An eternity of misery is not what he has in mind, it's already been over a century. Erik is so lost in his thoughts, he doesn't even notice the little red fox eyeing him carefully from the bushes. Even if he had, he most likely wouldn't have thought anything of it. Foxes are notoriously clever.