Double Couple: The Schattenreich, #3

By Sharon Kae Reamer

Book 3 of The Schattenreich

Double Couple begins in Burg Lahn, the ancestral home of the von der Lahn family deep in the hear of the Rhineland, Germany.

Finally reunited, Caitlin Schwarzbach and Hagen von der Lahn, newly returned from his journey deep into the Celtic Otherworld known as Ande-dubnos, seek to pick up the threads of their relationship.

But treachery again thwarts their attempts to return to a semblance of normalcy when someone sets fire to the Burg Lahn woods.

Science takes on the Otherworld when geophysicist Caitlin Schwarzbach strives to unravel the mysteries of the Schattenreich.

But the Schattenreich refuses to cooperate.

Double Couple: a fast-paced supernatural suspense that narrates the story of one woman's journey to overcome her fear, mend a broken heart, and solve the riddle of a 2,000-year old family curse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Terrae Motus Books
• Release date: Jul 2, 2015
• ISBN: 9781513055893

Sharon Kae Reamer

Sharon Kae Reamer studied geophysics in Texas. She then just up and moved to Germany to start a family and pursue a career as seismologist at the University of Cologne. Her research includes a geophysical investigation of ancient Tiryns, Greece, but neither she nor her colleagues has any real hope of answering the question: What killed the Bronze Age?  Sharon writes speculative fiction from her home on the outskirts of Cologne when she manages to chase her cats Loki and Finn off the keyboard.   

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Schattenreich, the grassy clearing

Heinrich left the lawn and wandered into the trees. He felt the knobby bark of a birch before moving on to caress the cool smoothness of a maple. Heinrich paused next to the grandfather oak that marked the entrance proper to the woods. He slid down, leaning his back against the tree and closed his eyes. The leaves rustled with an old man’s certainty.

He sensed Sebastian’s approach. Heiner. Maybe we should take a few minutes to mediate together. It can’t hurt.

Heinrich couldn’t suppress a sigh. Are Caitlin and Hagen together again?

Yes. They’ve gone off to Hagen’s thermae.

Heinrich opened his eyes. Sorry, Bastian. I certainly didn’t mean to, but I’ve painted the roses red. I’m afraid I’ve quite lost my head for it.

Sebastian plucked an oak leaf the size of a squirrel’s ear. I’m the one who needs to be sorry. I should have paid closer attention to the patterns. Sebastian traced the outline of the leaf with his finger.

Heinrich pushed himself upright. She is blameless. Hagen is nearly blameless, but I know he has used his craft on her. She never had a chance.

Sebastian walked to the stalemated spherical game board that floated just above the grass and waved his hand over it. It faded slowly. He approached the river’s edge and looked across to the meadow. Heinrich followed him and sat, dangling his legs over the bank.

Sebastian said, I accept responsibility for what happened. Believe me, though, I had no idea things would work out this way or that your talisman would end up with Caitlin.

Heinrich threw an acorn into the river. It disappeared without a sound. She accepted it. Maybe not consciously, but she took it.

The meadow flowers beckoned Heinrich with their flamboyant colors. Sebastian lowered himself to sit cross-legged next to him.

It’s awkward but not impossible, Heiner.

I gave my promise to Augustus to protect her with my life…he inhabits our shared dreamscape. Hagen will just have to accept it.

Augustus, Sebastian said. Caitlin hinted at it in her dream descriptions, but didn’t tell me explicitly it was him.

Heinrich tossed another acorn. Do you think he has any inkling?

Sebastian placed the oak leaf in his palm. He is as complicated as Caitlin. And he keeps his own counsel.

Heinrich drew himself up restlessly into a squat. He loves her above all else. Their bond is exceedingly strong.

They are also bound?

It’s likely. Although neither recognizes it as such. At the very least they have a bond formed from a lifetime of deep mutual trust and affection. Heinrich stood.

Sebastian glanced back to where the game board had been. We need him. I’m sure of it. And Caitlin. And, of course, Hagen.

Good luck in getting us all to the table. What do you think will come of it?

Sebastian placed a hand on Heinrich’s shoulder. He tossed his oak leaf into the river and watched it float down towards the end of time. Knowledge. And that which I have sought since I lost Caitlin’s mother.

What is that?

Resolution.

***

The Schattenreich, Lahn-dunum

Erich appraised the walls of the construct, trying to ignore Dagmar’s impatience. She smoothed down her black lace dress. She crossed her arms briefly, producing an enticing crease to her ample cleavage. She then unpinned her hair. It fell in a soft blonde veil to her shoulders.

"Dagmar, Geduld. Please be still, just for a few moments."

Am I distracting you, Erich?

Immensely, he said with a slanted smile.

There must be a way to get in. The double doors we saw when we walked ‘round it, perhaps? Her catty response was meant to egg him on.

He ignored her again. Erich knew how to get in. That wasn’t the problem. He wanted to figure out a way to get in without being detected by Lahn-dunum’s guardians. If Niehls was right, he didn’t need to get in at all. He had to be right. The effects Caitlin had produced with reciting just a few words wouldn’t have worked with the real curse tablet. The real one could only be used once and for only one purpose. To open the veil.

It’s not the real one, Erich said aloud.

The real what?

The inscription Hagen’s found. It’s not the one I’m looking for.

Dagmar stopped fidgeting. Does Kilhian know that?

No, or I wouldn’t be telling you now.

Dagmar ran a hand down his arm. You want me to tell him so he doesn’t waste time, right?

You’re cleverness is surpassed only by your feminine charms, Erich said.

That you seem to be immune to, she replied quickly.

Erich crossed his arms and contemplated Lahn-dunum. Not immune, my dear. I’m just cautious. I’d rather you employ your considerable skills in patching things up with Hagen.

Her dangerously seductive smile did cause a few goose bumps. Erich imagined her entire body was a weapon. One he hoped he could use to keep everyone on edge. For a while. Maybe the inscription Hagen had found wasn’t even here. Hagen could have secured it here. But then Heinrich could stumble across it. And that, Erich thought, wouldn’t be to Hagen’s liking. Not if what Dagmar had told him was true, that she had caused an enormous rift between the two of them.

It had been a rift long in coming. Erich understood it only too well. He and Theodor had never openly fought—especially not over women—but their competition for other things had always lain like a sleeping dragon between them. Until Theodor had ended the standstill by hanging himself from the Burg’s most expensive chandelier. A dramatic exit if a bit ostentatious. Typical Theo. And since he crossed over before he died, they all expected him to return after a lengthy spell in the Dreams.

But he never had. At least most of him. A pity that Sebastian had found what was left of Theodor first or things might have gone differently. Oh, Alison. My dearest Lissi. Erich sighed.

I’m going to search Burg Lahn first. But I’ll need your help, Erich said, finally.

And what do I get in return?

Knowledge, Erich said. That will help you attain your goals.

What do I have to do?

Something I’m not capable of doing, Erich said.

You don’t have the stomach for killing? I’m surprised, Dagmar said, her disdain showing in the flick of her head.

Oh, if I have to…that’s not the problem. I am incapable of setting fire to the Burg Lahn forest. It’s like an extension of our souls, you see.

Dagmar nodded. Yes. That makes sense. But I don’t have a problem with that. And I love setting fires. Shall it be a large one?

***

Chapter 2

Floral scents hung in the air, along with the reassuring smell of horse.

Is this really necessary, Hagen? I swayed comfortably in the saddle, eyes shut tight.

Hagen had insisted I ride without looking as per Sebastian’s instructions since I was skipping out on my scheduled blind walk. "Stop whining, Liebste. It’s only for a few minutes. We’re almost there."

Hagen’s saddle creaked as he leaned towards me. He covered my hands, resting on the pommel, with one of his. His sigh of irritation made me wonder what I had done to upset him. I squared my shoulders to dispel the edgy feelings I still had from my talk with Gus last night. This discord wasn’t helping.

Tell me what you feel and, ah, smell. Hagen played Bastian in absentia and was doing a very good imitation.

I feel bothered. I smell flowers. And Bertha here. I patted my brown and white-spotted horse for emphasis.

Sebastian had named the horse after his half-sister to tease her. Instead of being annoyed, the human Bertha took it as a compliment and the name had stuck.

I don’t suppose you could identify the flowers by smell. Hagen’s voice taunted. He knew my knowledge of flowers was not extensive.

Am I allowed to use deductive powers?

If you must.

I settled myself in the saddle, gently urging Bertha on, eyes scrunched together. Okay. It’s officially springtime. That means daffodils. And violets. That always meant spring in Alison’s garden.

A reasonable start. Hagen’s sarcastic tone suggested I was not even close.

I inhaled deeply. The overpowering sweet smell reminded me of a fragrant oil I had as a girl, a birthday gift from Gus. Every time I used it, the whole house reeked. Hyacinths.

A respectful pause followed. "Sehr gut."

Good. Can I look now?

He laughed, short and hard. I’ll bet you exasperate Sebastian to no end during your sessions.

It’s good for him. Keeps him on his toes.

I wouldn’t be too sure about who is keeping whom on whose toes. He might surprise you. Hagen’s tone chided, and I detected a ring of anger in his voice.

There had been little about my relationship with my father that had not been surprising. I would have loved to see him together with my mother, I said softly.

Hagen’s silence reminded me he had never known his mother or his father. The trees were just starting green out. A few were still bare and performed a bone dance in the near distance, branches clacking.

Heiner and I have trod that ground many times.

He showed me pictures of Isabel and Juliette when I was in Dinard, I said. They were both so pretty.

You look like them. A different kind of beauty. I never made the connection before.

It was my turn to be silent. Did he mean he thought I was beautiful? Like them? Is that a nice way of saying weird but kinda cute?

He cleared his throat. You really don’t know, do you?

There’s a lot of things I don’t know.

We rode a few minutes more before I heard Hagen dismount.

Keep your eyes closed still, Caitie. We’re not there yet.

I pulled gently on the reins. His hands circled my waist as I swung a leg over the saddle. He guided me to the ground. I hooked a finger through the belt loop of his jeans while he led Bertha and his handsome pewter horse, a stallion with some Arabian blood named Averroes, deeper into the woods. Hagen spoke of his journey through Ande-dubnos in hesitant tones. It sounded like a fairy tale. Last year’s dried leaves crackled beneath our feet. It had been a dry spring so far.

We came to a stop. I heard him tether the horses.

You can look now.

We stood in front of a rectangular building of whitewashed natural stone. Quite large but a single, low storey, it squatted among the trees.

What is this place, Hagen?

Hagen dangled the blindfold Sebastian had used for my last blind walk in front of me.

I turned quickly before he could hide a rakish grin. Devious man.

He slipped the cloth over my eyes, securing it behind my head. He whispered, It’s just a blind walk. Don’t be afraid. A door opened and he led me inside. I’ll be right back.

He returned and led me into a warm room thick with dry heat; I wandered, seeing with my hands. Wooden benches lined two wood-paneled walls, and a thick wooden door with a glass window fronted the room. My hands wavered above the source of the heat—the sauna rocks. Hagen opened the sauna door. After getting a measure of the dressing room with a roomy, tiled shower stall, I walked back to him.

Time to get elemental. The smile in his words sounded promising and much better than his earlier exasperation. He guided me to a bench and pulled off my boots and socks. He carefully removed my clothes so as not to disturb the blindfold.

Hagen?

I heard him take his own clothes off.

The suspense is killing me, darlin’, I said.

Patience, Kati.

He guided me into the shower…and turned the water on full blast cold. I yelped. He turned me around until I was wet all over and slipped under the water himself. I got small satisfaction at his answering exclamation at the cold.

An ice cold shower. Very romantic. Was that your idea or Sebastian’s?

Mine, he said, a tad harshly. It is part of the ritual.

The next room was as comfortably warm as the last one, but I shivered still.

Hagen guided me from behind, his hands on my waist, until I stood at an edge. I heard a gurgling sound.

Step down.

The water was shoulder deep and not quite as cold as the shower. It’s still cold.

Keep going.

He pulled me forwards and up steps at the other end.

Step forward and down again.

The next pool was warmer. We waded in up to our shoulders. I ran my hands over the still-cold skin on his shoulder blades. Warm lips parted mine before he pulled away. I heard him sigh again.

Mmm. That’s nice. I kissed him back. Are my lips blue?

He let his hands wander down the sides of my body to my hips before he turned me and pushed me forward again, the water resisting our progress. Hagen’s aggravated splashing relayed his impatience to my nonvisual senses. We exited the pool. Hagen opened a door before leading me through. The air was noticeably cooler.

Aww. Not cold water again, Hagen.

Wait.

I let my foot trail along the circular rim of yet another pool and heard him pad across the tiles.

Should I come in now?

"One second, Schatz. Pumps came on followed by the rush of circulating water and Hagen sloshing into the pool. Okay, step down."

I eased myself into hot water that bubbled and frothed. Hmm. Divine. Just so you know: I’m not leaving here until you drag me—

Our kisses were hungry, our breaths quick and hard. He broke off and led me to a seat along the edge. I felt him lower himself. I did the same and draped my legs over his. The hot water foaming around the bottom of my breasts and the intensity of Hagen’s kisses and made me pull back to get a breath. I sifted his hair with my fingers as he kissed my neck. His hands cupped my breasts, drawing a few moans from me. I moved to gain access to him and return the favor, but he stopped me.

Can you describe what you’re feeling? He rested his hands on my shoulders,

"Feeling? You’re joking, right?"

He licked underneath my ear at the place.

You are driving me insane.

Insane isn’t exactly a feeling, is it?

Hagen, what is wrong with you? I thought you wanted to ‘make it up to me’—your words, not mine—but you seem angry.

"I’m just carrying out Sebastian’s wishes with regards to your training."

"Okay. Feelings. Tingly. Good."

What about smell?

Smell? What about forceful thoughts?

Thoughts—only the here and now. What about taste?

I let out an explosive sigh. Alrighty, mister. I kissed his chest, still wet, just below the collarbone, licking a couple of droplets. I let my hand wander downward until I found what I was looking for, not letting him stop me this time.

"Tastes like wet male. Feels hard. Very nice."

I heard him smile out a breath. What else? His voice caught.

You smell like sweat with a residue of Averroes. And a trace of soap. I caressed his waist and moved my hands to his hips. At the same time I touched my nose and the tip of my tongue to his neck below his chin at the place I knew made him crazy. His sigh didn’t sound irritated any more.

I trailed fingers up his backbone. I stuck my nose into his hair and pressed myself to him in the bubbling water as I took a breath. Your hair smells like springtime.

Hagen wrapped me in his arms. I tilted my head upwards, still blindfolded, waiting for his mouth on mine. But he placed my head on his chest and held me close. I felt him shiver.

What’s wrong, Hagen?

"Your beauty, mein Schatz. It is other."

Is that a euphemism?

It’s a description. You are beautiful in both worlds, Kati.

You mean the Schattenreich?

It shines through you. I’m a complete idiot for not recognizing it before.

I traced my index finger over his lips. You think I look like Isabel…and Juliette?

Yes. Although since I never knew them—I don’t remember Juliette—I never felt the ‘other’ before. It accounts for your being irresistible.

That’s information I can live with. I want to look now.

Not yet.

We left the pool and Hagen opened a door. I toed my way down two steps onto smooth wood decking. He led me onto a large couch built into the floor. I sat, stretching out my legs onto what felt like a mixture of terry cloth and soft chamois. He sat behind me and untied my blindfold.

Above the couch, the wooden deck abutted a panorama window level with the ground outside. Tree trunks and mostly bare hanging branches surrounded us. The dry-leaved forest floor seemed a natural extension of the room we were in. The trees sheltered us on all sides, maintaining silent witness. Muted daylight spilled over walls and floor. Free weights, exercise machines and mats decorated the room. I scooted around to face Hagen, as dripping wet as I was, but clad in a thick terry robe. His eyes had a gemstone-quality blue cast in the dappled light. He handed me a matching robe.

I looked at it. "You want to talk?"

Hagen smiled the smile that made me weak. Just a short chat. He tucked a wet strand of hair behind my ear.

Maybe a very short chat, he said, and stole a couple of quick kisses. His eyes were doing their molten metal thing.

I slipped on the robe. You want to tell me what’s bothering you now?

He took my hands in his. This training from Sebastian. Do you know what it is?

He seems to think I need it for the Schattenreich.

He nodded. "It is a long tradition in our family, even though the methods have changed over the centuries."

Changed. Centuries. Well. If it will help me learn how to navigate the Schattenreich, I guess it’s a good thing.

Caitie, I don’t think you going there is a good idea. I think it’s a dreadful idea. I’m dead set against it.

The words ‘but Heiner liked the idea’ died on my lips as I took note of his grim expression. Hagen, I still don’t really understand it. Or why we go there, or how.

He looked out the windows.

I inhaled deeply, let it out. I do know that when I was there with Heiner it felt right. And wonderful. Why don’t you want me to go there?

He pushed a tendril of hair over my shoulder. "You weren’t really in. You were in our corner of it. Ande-dubnos. That’s the real place, and it is not for the inexperienced. Playing Druid games with Sebastian won’t help you in there."

I frowned, frustrated by his riddles. Then take me with you. You can teach me. And I can go with you on your journey.

The emotion that filled his face scared me. Hagen held me to him and I felt him shiver again. Kati, don’t tempt me like that. Please.

I whispered into his bathrobe. I couldn’t stand another three months apart from you.

He tilted my chin to kiss me. I combed my hands through his hair, holding it in small bunches as I held him and kissed him, tasted wet skin. I smelled his cleanliness and relished his sighs. We lay together, our bathrobes discarded.

Still remembering the shuddering force of his return from that other place, I couldn’t get close enough. Hagen held back, keeping us still for a few more seconds. My eyes closed tight as I pushed against him. With a moan, he released the hold on his passion, and I drew him into me. The core of our rhythm complemented the white snow of feathers, pleasure augmented by a myriad of small caresses. He held my hips with both hands to still me again and then placed one of my hands over the lynx pendant that bound us, covering it with his.

Hagen whispered, Feel it?

I felt him, both physically and other. Downy feathers. Within. Pure white. There. His intensity pulsed through my skin, my veins, my head. I shivered and nodded into his chest.

He propped himself on his elbows and kissed my forehead. I feel it, too. At least now I understand what it is.

What is it? I whispered back.

It’s…our craft. Together. His forehead barely touched mine. The closeness was almost unbearable.

Can’t we go there like this?

Hagen caught his breath. The strong pulse of desire that flowed through him lapped over mine. His jolt of fear, overlaid by anger, curbed the surge. He kissed me hard on the mouth. I melted into our kiss.

And felt a shift. Into that place of other. I had felt it before. Whenever Hagen and I had made love. With Heinrich on my birthday when we crossed over. Hagen stopped, his breath a hard exhalation against my cheek.

We’re together, nothing bad can happen. I coaxed him with my body.

He answered with a thrust and increased the pace, as if he wanted to hold us here, in this world, with his passion. Amid the force of our movements and mixed cries, he pushed my arms above my head, and his hands gripped mine so hard it hurt. Ecstasy overtook us. The melting feeling returned.

We crossed. A touch of the sublime, like being twelve again and finding that special secret place in the woods I could return to whenever I wanted and no one else knew about. But with feathers. The river caressed smooth stones; soft grass tickled my back. Then it was gone. We were back on the couch. We lay there breathing hard. A few short beats of eternity passed before he spoke, his words soft, his hand brushing my hair.

"Ar garantez zo ar vuhez.

Ma c’halon zo genoc’h.

Kemeret-hi get ur promes."

The words chimed like perfectly tuned bells.

What does that mean, Hagen?

Love means life. My heart remains yours. He kissed me. His hand covered mine again over the pendant. Take it with a promise.

I held his hand, twining my fingers through his. What kind of promise? I whispered.

He traced a finger down my spine. "The promise of the future, Liebling."

I snuggled up to him. It scares me.

What? The Schattenreich?

No. How much I love you.

He pulled me to him. I wanted it to last forever.

Can the future wait a little while longer? I asked.

He released me. Absolutely. Don’t run off. Hagen’s receding footsteps pounded in time to the aftershock of his touch.

He returned with a bottle of sparkly mineral water and some fragrant oil that smelled of lavender and rosemary and…hay. He handed me the water and dabbed oil on his hands. I turned onto my stomach after taking a deep drink. He rubbed oil into my shoulders, his gentle but rough-skinned hands working it firmly into my sore muscles, more carefully on my injuries, easing away the strain of the past three months.

Only then did he resume our conversation. Okay, Kati. Tell me everything. This scratch here. This bruise here. He brushed a fingertip across each one. I want to know about earthquakes. The inscription. Dagmar. All of it.

Where should I start?

After the solstice.

His weather-worn hands—the product of years of archeology field work and gardening—worked on my back, rubbing in oil while I told him my tale. I felt the muscles in his forearms tense when I told him about the first two sendings from Dagmar. I paused to drink more water before telling him about the final one. And my brush with Niklas Polifka. His breathing quickened and he stopped massaging me to listen. I didn’t want to tell Hagen everything. My self-esteem had been reduced to bubbling black tar pit feelings when I thought about how close I had come to being violated.

But he prompted me through the story. It came out in jerky spurts with many pauses for me to control my sobbing while trying to block out the images—Polifka behind me, pushing me down, and his heavy breathing that had no smell to it. None at all. And the desperateness of my attempts to rescue myself. After I finished, Hagen became quiet, his hands flat on the sides of my hips. My hand wandered to the lynx pendant. His deep fury, and the dark thundercloud that lurked behind it, scared me but also felt reassuring.

After a few long moments, he brushed a hand down my hair. And then?

I told him about the earthquake and my sending to Dagmar. But I didn’t tell him the earthquake was my fault, that I had said words from the curse tablet. I just couldn’t.

***

Chapter 3

It was late when we went back outside. The horses whinnied, shifting back and forth. Hagen had supplied them with grain and water in two troughs at the side of the building. We calmed them. Hagen’s head whipped around, searching. I caught the smell of burning wood a few seconds later.

Fire, he said.

We mounted the horses and continued to calm them as we rode in search of flames. The smell led us farther from the castle. We exited the wood on the far side. The border of the von der Lahn property was delimited by a chain of black hawthorn and a rough wooden fence not high enough to keep anyone out but adequate to restrain farm animals. We followed the fence. Hooves pounded behind us, coming nearer. Hagen stopped and wheeled his horse, poised in the saddle. My nostrils flared as I did the same. A horse came at us at full gallop.

Hagen, is that you? Heinrich pulled his horse up, nearly invisible in the gloom.

Heiner, what is it?

Sebastian got an anonymous call that the woods were on fire, he said. It was too dark to see anything from the kitchen. He paused. I smell smoke.

Hagen nodded into the darkness. We smelled it, too. We’re trying to find the source.

We? Oh, Caitie. Hello. I didn’t see you at first.

Hey, Heiner.

The two brothers conversed. We didn’t have a specific destination, only our noses to guide us so we set off again at a moderate walk. The property boundary took a turn to the right. The horses pranced and snorted in place as we rounded the corner. Then we saw flames within the trees.

Hagen and Heinrich spurred their horses. I fell behind. By the time I caught up, they had dismounted and were already smothering the flames with the blankets Heinrich had tied to his saddle. Only one tree burned. The two men worked quickly, heedful of the danger of fire spreading. While they yelled commands back and forth, I kept the horses calm. After the fire was out, Hagen and Heinrich walked to my side.

Did you get all of it?

Heinrich nodded. The tree is still smoldering. We need to make sure it doesn’t catch again.

The moon had risen, and lent their grim expressions a ghostly tinge in the wan light.

Dagmar. I felt impotent with anger, my hands hanging useless at my side.

Hagen and Heinrich exchanged a look. They had soot on their faces. The front of Hagen’s hair had been singed. I moved my hand to his face, but he took my hand and shook his head.

I’m all right, Caitie.

What kind of trees are those? I asked.

Rowans, Heinrich said. They were planted by our grandparents. They’re close to a century old.

Our eyes met in understanding. Dagmar was attacking us. The family. Me. In the dreamscape I shared with Hagen and Heinrich, the rowan in my clearing was now in full bloom. It had signaled Hagen’s return. I had been unable to visit it in the few days before he came back and had been unaware of the signs or I would have known to expect him. These rowans would not bloom for another couple of months.

So we need water, right? I asked.

They talked in their Breton tongue, and it sounded like arguing. I crossed my arms in irritation that they excluded me from the conversation.

Hagen put a hand on my shoulder. Heiner will take you back.

Why?

Securing the property, Heinrich said softly. I’ll start at the other end.

I’ll continue on from here, Hagen said.

I don’t want to go back. I want to help, I said.

Heinrich’s tone chided. "You can help by driving out here with Sebastian and some canisters of water."

I exhaled. Okay. But neither of you have cell phones, do you?

They both shook their heads. Hagen’s mouth twitched up as he smoothed the hair below my shoulders. I didn’t want to take a chance we would be disturbed.

This is Dagmar’s revenge, isn’t it? For the sending.

They shrugged. Okay, be that way. I climbed into the saddle and waited for Heinrich. Hagen got back on Averroes.

We’ll catch up here as soon as we’ve checked everything out. Hagen edged his horse closer to mine and brushed a finger across my cheek before riding off.

As Heinrich and I rode through a patch of moonlight, my unease grew. I pictured the beautiful woods in flames. It frightened me at a deeper level. Riding blindfolded with Hagen, I had felt the woods around me and knew instinctively that I had a connection here, a familial one. I glanced at Heinrich a few times as we rode, but he didn’t speak.

Unable to stand it anymore, I said, I just want to thank you again, Heiner, for rescuing me after the earthquake.

His head jerked towards me. Caitie. Even if I had not given my word to Augustus, there would be little on this earth that could keep me from protecting you.

The hurt in his voice made me wonder what I had done wrong. We rode through the trees, the way dark and slow. Heinrich was determined to take the shortest route to the Burg. I concentrated on riding Bertha and listening to the trees spread their own news for a respectable few minutes before I calculated it was time to pester him again.

Can I ask you something?

"Chérie. Could I possibly prevent you?"

In the darkness, I could only sense his amusement. He seemed to have gotten over whatever hurt I had inflicted.

Is there a connection between our dreamscape and the Burg Lahn forest?

Why do you ask?

Because…Hagen and I rode through the woods. Sebastian insisted I ride with my eyes closed. That opened my senses to other things, and I felt something, not real but there. You know?

He didn’t answer while we concentrated on ducking a tangle of low branches. The horses seemed less nervous now.

Our connection is here. You as much as Hagen and I. Augustus has one too, although he doesn’t realize it yet.

What does that mean?

His leg brushed against mine as we rode. Remember the first night we met?

I wouldn’t forget that anytime soon. Samhain. Waking up on the couch in my negligee and thinking he was Hagen. Of course, Heiner.

Lahn-dunum is a special construct intimately connected with the Burg. Your dreamscape is your special construct. It may have a connection to the woods.

"I don’t remember doing any constructing."

Your binding with Hagen and me automatically established a link to the Burg. It is no accident that the family settled here.

Because?

There are certain places where crossing is easier than others. The forest and the Burg are two such places. But distinct from that, you also have a deeper right of entry to dreams than most people—because of your heritage. Hence, your dreamscape.

You think it’s linked to the Schattenreich?

Dreams are the ultimate manifestation of symbols. Those who have affinities, perhaps because of their Celtic ancestors, have access to the realm of dreams when they sleep, even if they cannot do so consciously. Your access is directly under your control. You just have to learn how to use it.

Do you know of others?

There are others, other practitioners, other places. But my duties keep me occupied enough that I don’t have time for contact with neopagan aspirants or their religions. Although I respect their beliefs, I don’t share them. The other places of entry…nemetons is one name for them…they don’t really interest me. Hagen has explored them more intensely than I have. I’m a homebody, really.

Yep. Boring old Heinrich, just a stay-at-home kind of Druid.

He laughed. More than you might think.

And Hagen?

Hagen excels at ‘casual’ crossings. The family bond strengthens the connection here, he said. Like a well-worn path. I have my own talents at crossing, but they require a strong connection, the one I have with Burg Lahn.

I thought about my arrival in Germany last fall, when Niklas Polifka tried to drag me into a wall of glass—that crossing was partly my doing. I knew it but still didn’t know what had triggered it. Did that mean the airport was also a nemeton? And at the Dom, when I met Ankou and Melanie. And after the earthquake, with Kilhian. Well, I’ve done it but not well.

Heinrich remained silent for a few moments before speaking softly. That’s quite interesting.

The lights of the Burg twinkled in the distance, the castle blotting out a portion of the sky. Heinrich spurred his horse on, and I motioned gently with my thighs to encourage Bertha to follow. I wanted to question him further, to reestablish the bond we had made in Dinard. It had been just a few days since I sat with him on the couch at Gus’s house after he freed me from the earthquake debris and helped me with the sending, but we hadn’t talked since. And it was the sending that had prompted Dagmar’s act of revenge.

***

Sebastian’s Land Rover loaded with water canisters, we drove out of the main castle entrance and turned right.

Bastian, Hagen is on the other side of the woods, to the north, I said.

He nodded his understanding. It’s better if we follow the boundary road; otherwise we could mire down in the meadow.

He turned right again onto a small dirt road. We came upon a small gate. He handed me a key. I unlocked it and waited for Sebastian to drive through before closing and locking it again. We drove parallel to the forest, but the going was slow along the unlit road.

The gates and fences are not very elaborate are they? I asked him while he watched the road carefully.

No, Caitie. They were never meant to be. It was never our intent to erect impenetrable barriers to our property. Many people have snuck onto it for picnics and hikes in the past. That’s not a concern to us.

You mean you tolerate trespassing as long as no one vandalizes anything, I said.

Exactly.

This wasn’t vandals. It was Dagmar.

He was silent for a few seconds. Why do you think that?

Sebastian, I—

If she has launched a direct attack on us, and with this he looked at me, then we have to come up with a strategy to deal with it.

I considered his words. Bastian, this is an attack on me. It’s revenge.

Possible, daughter. As soon as we have things under control, we will have to discuss it with everyone.

We turned where the forest made a bend and drove until we came to the small grove where the rowan had burned. Canisters in hand, we doused the area thoroughly around the ruined tree. Steam came from the ground. We contemplated the blackened stump.

Was it an old tree? I asked him.

Hmm? He seemed preoccupied.

The tree that burned down?

One of the original trees that my father and my uncles planted.

Shit.

At least the other rowans have been spared.

After we poured the last canister of water around the perimeter, pounding hooves and rustling leaves announced Hagen’s arrival. He jumped lightly from his horse.

Hey, Bastian, Caitie. Hagen took me in his arms.

Everything all right? I couldn’t keep the worried tone out of my voice.

I didn’t find any sign of intruders, he said. Where’s Heiner?

He’s still checking the property, I said. He rode off from the castle.

Sebastian gestured to the burnt tree with a wave of his hand. I don’t understand how they could have known that was the original rowan.

Are you sure? Hagen examined the other trees.

I couldn’t tell them apart. They were all tall and fully branched and just starting to leaf out.

I’m quite sure. I spent a lot of time here when I was young, Sebastian said.

Heinrich rode around the corner. After he dismounted, he and Hagen talked quietly between themselves. Sebastian was still deep in thought.

Have you talked to Erich lately? I asked my father.

He looked at me curiously. I haven’t taught you how to read thoughts yet, Caitie, but you just successfully homed in on mine. I was thinking about Erich.

Oh. Well?

He is overdue.

Erich had been my adoptive mother’s companion and her cousin. I heard from him only sporadically after she passed away. He had known who I was all these years. Had Alison also known? If Sebastian’s suspicions were true, Erich was also Gus’s real father. These were things I wanted to know badly, and there were only two ways to get the information: either from Erich or in a letter Alison had written me and entrusted to him before she died. Erich met me at Alison’s grave before I left for Germany. He showed me the letter but didn’t give it to me. Later, he wrote me saying he was moving back here and would be in touch with me about relocating my mother’s grave. But he still hadn’t given me that letter.

In the letter he sent me, Erich said he would be returning in the spring, I said.

Hagen turned his head to us when he heard Erich’s name, but didn’t comment.

***

Caitie, are you hungry? Sebastian stood looking into the industrial-sized refrigerator.

"Ja, Bastian. Starving."

He handed me plates of fruit, pâté, butter and bread. I piled everything on the island block where he served informal kitchen dinners.

I can manage the rest. Why don’t you go up to my training room and meditate?

The idea appealed to me. I needed to relax after all that had happened in the past couple of weeks and especially the last couple of days. Hagen’s return, followed by my confession to Gus, had filled me with a jumble of wild emotions and thoughts.

Thanks. I think I will.

The wooden bars along the side of Sebastian’s specially outfitted room were meant for stretching exercises. I had done plenty of stretching on the couch with Hagen all afternoon. I just wanted to think for a few minutes undisturbed. I sat on one of the mats, crossing my legs as best I could, and began to relax. I needed time to process all of the events intruding on my emotional landscape. My phone rang, and I answered it without opening my eyes.

Schwarzbach.

Hey, Cat. Where are you?

Gus. Hey. Are you back home?

Yeah, I just got in. It’s dark and awful lonesome over here without you.

I giggled as my eyes opened. Sorry, I’m still at Burg Lahn. Sebastian is making me dinner. We had some trouble on the property tonight.

His silence yelled at me.

You okay, Gus?

You seem to be well integrated into family affairs.

Why don’t you come over and have a chat with Sebastian?

"I