Free Nightwish (An Echoes of Eternity Novel Book 1) by Sydney Bristow

present it to the witch most worthy of its secrets. Only then can the new protector consult it.”
    “Knowing this earlier sure would have made things easier,” I said.
    “As I said, I wanted to shield you from the darkness that persuaded my daughter to turn her back on white magic. She has for the most part manipulated Alexis into being her minion. I wanted you to think for yourself, not have someone feed you lies.”
    “Darkness? What does that mean? They’re evil?”
    “They practice black magic to bring about…” She shook her head, unwilling to continue.
    “What is it? Shouldn’t I know? They’re my family.”
    “Bound by blood,” Grams said. “But not spirit. Remember that.”
    “If you give me the grimoire, can I find out how to get the entity out of your body?”
    “No,” Grams said with a determined stare. “I’m afraid The Book of Souls is not meant for you.”
    “Well, who are you going to give it to?”
    “Someone who will not be swayed by outside distractions.”
    My thoughts immediately turned to Celestina, who seemed pure of mind, body, and spirit. I admired her ability to remain untouched by her mother and grandmother’s scheming and bad intentions. Still, a twinge of envy hit my heart. I wish I could have been the person Grams could turn to.
    “So now what?” I asked.
    “I’ve nearly fulfilled my last purpose: teaching you about your ancestry. I’ve got to move on sometime. Now is as good of a time as any.”
    I scrambled out of bed and bolted to my feet, standing opposite her. “No! I won’t let you. There has to be a way to reverse things.” Her endearing expression made me realize that she’d already given in to passing away. But she also appeared ready to fight the inevitable.
    A tap at the window disrupted us. I glanced to the right and saw Darius standing outside, looking in at us. “What the hell!”
    “Let him in,” Grams said.
    That broke my reverie. “I can’t. He’s a vampire. If I let him in—”
    “He has worked with me for over one hundred years. You’ll need him on your side. He’s the best ally you could ask for.”
    I swiveled back to Grams. “Ally? Do you think a war is coming?”
    “Yes. Celestina foresaw it.”
    “A war between vampires and witches?”
    “I’m not sure.”
    “Didn’t you say that you’re prohibited from seeing Celestina?”
    “Yes, but I visited her before I came to see you a few minutes ago. Each witch in our family has a signature, similar to that of a sound wave. It takes time and practice to identify it, so even if you don’t know where they’re located, if you follow that signature, it will guide you to them. Since I’m in a spectral state, I was able to zip over there in seconds.” She grinned and her joy brightened the aura around her. “It was unbelievable!”
    My legs collapsed and my butt bounced off the bed before planting itself there again. I covered my face with my hands. “What else exists? Medusa? Dragons? The psychotic clown, Pennywise, from Stephen King book, It ?” I didn’t want to hear anymore. I removed my eyes to find Grams sitting beside me, although she obviously did so without adding weight to the mattress.
    “Medusa and dragons? That’s ridiculous. A psychotic clown? It’s possible.” She smiled, making it known she was kidding.
    “They’re inactive? This isn’t a sports analogy, right? It’s not like they’re on the disabled list or something, recuperating from a wolf bite.”
    “They’re not injured, but since you mentioned werewolves, they can’t turn until a full moon, not to mention a day before and afterwards as well.”
    “I thought they only change during a full moon? Is it because of The Rule of Three ?”
    Grams nodded.
    “Hey?” a voice asked outside. Darius splayed both hands at his side as if saying: Remember Me ?
    “Darius,” Grams said, “is the only vampire who walks the planet, as far as he knows. The same holds true for witches. We’re the only ones in