Journey to the Crown: The Madeline Calderon Trilogy Book II

Journey to the Crown

(The Madeline Calderon Trilogy Book II)

By Maymi Alicea

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2017 Maymi Alicea

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Thoughts of what to say to her once I arrive are spinning around in my head. Will she be upset that I have sprung this trip on her, or that I have come with an interrogation in mind. Who am I kidding, I am sure she already senses our arrival. One thing is for sure, I have to put my foot down and demand she tell me where my mother is and how to get to her. If I am to become a ruler everyone will have to take off their kid gloves and allow me to take risks. I don’t believe for a second she chose to leave out of fear. The captain comes on the loud speaker to announce we will be arriving shortly interrupting my thoughts. Surprising enough Bash, Lance, and Hailey sit together discussing the itinerary that will keep them all busy while I conduct my investigation.

Chapter 1

Gram’s place in Boston is spectacular, standing three stories high overlooking the Merrimack River. When we first arrive I can’t help but ask why she would purchase such a large house, and in true Grams fashion she responds, To entertain of course. She has been gracious enough to host me and all my friends, despite not having advanced notice. Truth is I didn’t even know they were all coming until boarding the plane. This sense of family is one that I would never have expected from this group. We each seem to have a different agenda or path to follow. Despite differences, they are here by my side. The fact that I am some kind of royalty may seem like it plays a role, but something deep down tells me that isn’t the case. I look around the table as we eat taking in all the familiar faces of the people I am lucky enough to call friends. As the laughter rings loud and long I vow to make sure everyone stays safe. It is my duty as future queen to watch over everyone, but this group holds a special place in my heart. Which is another reason I have decided to fight tooth and nail to reunite with my mother.

Since moving back to Jersey after years of living with my grandmother it has been one shock after another. To learn that I will be Queen, will be married, and probably have to deal with a war against those trying to take my powers, all in just a few months has been a lot to say the least. Now I have it on good authority that my mother is alive and I am certain Grams knows something about it.

A hibiscus leaf for your thoughts? Grams offers as she approaches with two cups of hibiscus tea. After watching the group leave on their first excursion, I took a stroll to the backyard, and am now sitting at the two person, wood swing adjacent to the river.

Hi Grams. Thanks again for hosting everyone, I say taking a cup.

Sweet pea you and your coven are welcomed anytime.

My what? Grams they are not my coven, I laugh. She looks at me while tipping her glasses down.

Sweetheart let’s break this down. Have they pledged their loyalty to you?

Um yes, I guess technically they have but…

Have they aided in your defense when needed?

Well, yes. I know I am heading toward a loss in this debate.

Have you pledged to remain loyal and protective of them?

Okay, I see your point, we are somewhat like a coven. But I never want to hold them to the rules of a coven. They should be free to travel where and when they want and join any coven of their choice.

I understand your position and your desire to ensure they have free will. But as Queen it will help to have a coven under your reign. You can still make sure they are using their free will by giving them an option and asking them if they would want to do a binding ritual.

Absolutely not! My annoyance rings clear. How could she suggest such a thing? A binding conducted by a coven promotes a limitless connection. In life, death, and reincarnation the group will feel each other. We become something like a wolf pack, even going as far as hearing each other’s thoughts. I would never subject them to that curse.

Maddie, I know how you feel about this, but it is a necessary step, and one you should consider, Grams says sternly. Besides, if memory serves me correctly, and I venture to say it does, you have helped a number of people with your curse." I turn my head toward the river taking in the majestic scenery. I hate when Grams and Hailey get into my head without my permission. Hails is right, I have to work on maintaining my mental blocks. The truth is there are a number of benefits to the binding. It will be that much easier to protect them if I can always sense them. Perhaps Grams has a point.

I’ll think about it, I say as a way to end the conversation. On another note, I’m surprised you have yet to ask me what prompted this visit in the first place.

Sighing deeply Grams responds, Well honey that’s because I know why you are here and what you have been up to in Jersey. And I am going to begin first by telling you what you did was extremely dangerous. People in the area can already sense your arrival but now you are attracting beings far and wide.

And what exactly have I been doing? I ask feigning ignorance.

"Oh let’s see, teaching a group of novice teenage practioners without a valid teaching license, sending yourself back and forth through time, using magic to regain memories of your past life.

Wait, what? I didn’t do those things, well okay maybe some of those things were my doing but most definitely not the time travel or memory thingy, I whine defensively.

Really then who pray tell was responsible? Grams says with a hint of distrust. For the first time in my life I felt like my grandmother was not on my side. I couldn’t hide the look of shock and sadness. But she was sticking to her guns.

Grams you were the one who gave me the memory potion, don’t you remember? I couldn’t believe she was pinning that one on me. Her eyes grew larger, Child, I have told you time and time again not everything is what it appears to be. You have to make sure you completely understand who and what you are dealing with. No, I did not give you a potion. I wouldn’t have done that. When a person is reborn it is an opportunity for a clean slate and a new lesson to learn. By regaining all your memories from previous lives you have changed the course of your current life. Besides how could you mistake my essence?

Wait a minute, let’s back track here. If you weren’t the one who gave me the potion, then who did? I can tell by her expression she would love to know that herself. And, this person’s essence felt exactly like yours. But how is that even possible? I even felt the sense of security and warmth you project.

There is one way, Grams look of concern could not be denied.

You know how you always use your calming influence to ease my tension, I thought you were doing that in the park so that I would know it was really you, I look her in the eye and for the first time in my life she looks well beyond her years. Grams, what is it?

Nothing, it’s just hard to emulate someone’s essence or feelings they project onto others. I mean obviously anyone can make you feel those things, but it feels different with each person. I wait a beat hoping she will continue. But when she doesn’t I interject her thought process.

What are you not telling me? I demand more forcefully than I intend to, but I am tired of all the secrets. You know or at least suspect who is behind this. Tell me!

She looks in my eyes and after a long sigh says, My twin sister, your great aunt, Gabriella. Grams stuns me into silence. I am not sure what she wants from you, but I will find out. I don’t think she had anything to do with your time travel. Do you have any theories on that?

Are there any other family members I should know about? Wait, why isn’t she listed on the family tree? I ask curtly avoiding her question.

I suspect the one-eyed book was responsible for my travel to the future, but I did not want to share that with Grams, at least not yet. Nor did I want to admit to her that I sent myself back in time. It would just help prove her case about my lack of caution.

Tons but let’s focus on this one for the time being. I’ve spoken with your father and I know he doesn’t have any leads in regard to your recent time travel to the future. But do you have any ideas about the past? Looking at her from the corner of my eye, I can tell she means business and that she’s trying to penetrate my mental blocks.

You don’t have to do that. Inspiration hits me. I will be honest with you if you do the same with me, I look at her expectantly.

Go on, she eyes me curiously. I decide to lay the majority of the cards on the table and hold out just a little until she tells me something of substance. I start with my decision to travel in the past to gain some insight on what happened to my mother’s disappearance. My grandmother looks angry yet impressed with my skill, but does her best not to show her pride. I recount all that I saw, heard, felt, and sensed. When I am done I wait for her reaction.

Grams takes a deep breath and looks deep into my eyes. You endangered your life and those around you by pulling that stunt. I will admit I am amazed by the growth of your powers, but you must practice with caution. I understand why you did what you did, I will take partial blame for it. She caught me off guard with that one. I look at her with disbelief. Perhaps if I had been more forthcoming with details you would have not taken it upon yourself to investigate.

Does that mean you are willing to discuss details of the disappearance with me now? Grams looks at me speculatively.

If it will get you to be honest with me in return, yes I will. Grams takes a deep breath and turns so that her body is facing me. There is a rite of passage every witch goes through on their 25th birthday. For a year the witch lives in a colony where those with similar gifts and interests go to train and essentially determine their path. The location and experience is different for each witch or warlock, so I can only share what I felt and learned during my time. It was easier for me to go because I hadn’t married or had children yet. Despite my insistence your mother allowed your father to court her and what’s more agreed to marry him before her time. Had she waited neither you or your father would have had to endure the pain that you did." I could hear the resentment and hurt in her voice and it stung. Realizing her words were having a negative effect on me, she quickly changed the direction of the conversation.

"Forgive me, I digressed. So the day of my 25th birthday I woke up and had breakfast with my family. One could cut the tension in the room with a knife. My father was not a warlock and did not understand our ways. My mother, like all mothers, was nervous to see my sister and I go. She was potentially losing her only children. Needless to say the breakfast table was very quiet. Once I was done eating, I announced I was going for a walk and my sister slowly rose without a word. My mother jumped up and gave me a lingering hug. I looked into my sister’s eyes and was shocked to find jealousy and resentment. My sister did not want to leave and had every intention of not going to the park that day. The truth is no one has a choice in the matter. Every warlock and witch leaves for this journey.

If it’s for a year, than why hasn’t mother returned? I asked wanting her to cut to the chase.

Honestly Maddie, I don’t know. Once training is complete each person is given a choice and an accompanying consequence. The look of confusion on my face prompts her to explain. My choices were to remain at the colony and become a teacher. I had made so many friends and would often help the teachers with their classes, so the thought appealed to me. That is until I was told the consequence. The second option was not as ideal, but the end result… Grams’ hesitation made me nervous. "Well even till this day I do not regret my choice.

Grams, what were the consequences? She turns away from me and locks her eyes on the river. Honesty, you promised. Taking a deep breath she turns only her head.

If I had stayed at the colony you would not have been born. And the importance of your birth expands a lot further than you know. Essentially my decision was based on what was best for the common good rather than what was best for me. I chose to go with what was best for this world as well as the supernatural world.

Knowing my mother she probably chose to do the same. Grams smiles at me and reaches out her hand pulling me closer to her.

Oh sweetheart I am sure that is the only thing that would keep her from watching you grow up. Without realizing it tears begin streaming down my face, and Grams makes short work of soothing me. I take a deep breath once the tears subside. I think about my recent meeting with her. She said I was downright hostile with her, which suggests I may not like the reasoning behind her choice. Not wanting what ifs to affect my efforts in finding her, I push the thought to the back of my mind.

What happened with Gabriella? I ask eagerly.

She traveled the world and eventually settled somewhere in Europe. The council took away what little power she was born with, making her a complete non-supernatural. Gabriella vowed to get her revenge on them, but that was over twenty years ago. I doubt she spent all these years plotting. Patience was never her strong suit.

Do you miss her? I can only imagine how difficult it would be to lose a sister let alone a twin.

At first I was angry and disappointed. This is tradition and as far as I am concerned Gabby broke it. She needed to pay the consequences. But in answer to your question, yes, I miss her every day. The conversation is taking a turn, and I know I need to steer it back to my mother.

So, I know you said every witch goes to a different place, but where is the colony you went to located? Wiccan traditions follow a set of guidelines that are rarely over ruled, so it is possible my mother went to the same area as Grams.

Like I’ve said, for everyone the experience is different, and that includes the location. In some cases a witch or warlock is swept into a different realm.

Damn! She knew where I was going with that question. Practicing Amelia’s spell of discretion I mask my power to sense whether or not a person is lying. I can immediately tell by the feelings of disappointment, guilt, anger, and sadness that Grams sincerely does not know where my mother can be found. Is there really no way of tracking my mother, I wonder? Feeling defeated I consider having my father’s plane pick us up early. Clearly there is nothing for me to learn here. Too bad I don’t know her cell number, then I could just track her. That’s it! I think to myself.

Her essence! I exclaim. If I head back to the location of her disappearance maybe some residual particles of her essence will still be left around. I can use them to trail where she went.

Sweet pea, I highly doubt after all these years your mother’s magic could be found in that area. Besides one’s essence is only left behind when he or she uses magic. Your mother did not use magic in the park that day. I’m sorry Maddie but you are really going to have to let this go.

Actually she did. Grams looks at me with wide eyes.

What are you talking about Maddie, that’s impossible? Your mother knew this was something that had to be kept private.

This is what I was trying to tell you the first few months after her disappearance. Something just didn’t make sense about all of this. Your family knew about your departure, so why would she think it was best not to tell me or dad?

She always said that your father didn’t understand our ways and therefore was not very accepting. He didn’t want your mother to go so she lied and told him she just opted out, Grams says with a flick of a hand. I played along with it and after the year was complete, when it was evident your mother was not coming back, I did what was necessary.

And what exactly does that mean, I say with a hint of venom. The silence between us is endless. You promised to tell me everything. Good or bad, I need to know what I am dealing with. It’s obvious there is more to this situation, she did not just willingly go away.

I charmed your father into not searching for your mother and… taking a long pause, Grams looks at me with tears in her eyes.

And what? I yell.

And into giving me custody of you, my mouth opens wide. It was for your protection and truth be told you were not going to get the kind of education I gave you from anyone else.

Really? I think Amelia would have done a great job! I stand up and begin pacing in front of her. How could you do this to him, to me?!? You let me grow up believing he didn’t care about me, or didn’t have the time for me. You could have told me the truth. I could have handled it then. I stop myself and take a deep breath slowly letting it out. I don’t want to ever disrespect my grandmother, but she has betrayed me and it hurts. "I’m sorry for yelling, I don’t mean to be rude to you. I am starting to feel like I can’t trust anyone. It seems each of