See Part One (A) For Disclaimers

Chapter Six

Andy couldn't help being aware of the small, dark-haired girl who followed him from the foyer into the kitchen.  She stood in solemn silence as he finished making his sandwich. . .not that he could eat anything.   He felt sick.  It had taken every bit of self-control he possessed not to fly at the newcomer in sheer fury.

Not just for Derek Rayne's sins, but for committing the unforgiveable sin of entering the House with such trepidation, with such obvious anxiety.  Andy could have handled it much better if Philip Callaghan had been arrogant and egotistical, assuming he would be welcomed with open arms.  But he hadn't.

He had been shy and unassuming.  And the look on his face when he had seen Renee had been totally heart-breaking, as he obviously remembered the late Kristen Adams.  Andy had found himself wanting to comfort the other young man, wanting to apologize for his own anger.  And that made Andy even more angry.

He put the sandwich down, trembling.  Jasmine opened her mouth to speak, but Dani entered the room.  She was muttering about the latest case.  The ex-Marine stopped in her tracks, looked from Jasmine to Andy, then shook her head.  That infuriated Andy, for reasons he couldn't specify.  But he had been wanting a fight. . .now he had an opponent.

*    *    *

There is a terrifying reality to certain dreams. . .which are not dreams at all, but memories.  Even asleep, one knows that it's a dream, that it's in the past.  That the events in the dreams, in the memory play, can no longer cause pain.  But the memory play continues, and one finds oneself reliving a time in his or her life when they were most vulnerable.

In the years since her mother's death, Val had often relived the days which led up to that horrible waking nightmare.  Jonathan Boyle's initial arrival. . .her mother's whispered explanation that her weekly Hebrew lessons would now take place every day. . .and the horrifying sight of Jonathan Boyle attacking her mother, despite the attempts of her older sister to steer him away.

Since Melanie was in danger of being flung from Boyle's back, Val had raced into the room to defend her fallen parent.  The intention had been to get her mother to safety, since Val could tell there might be something wrong with the baby.  But a fierce pain shot through the small of her back as Boyle's foot connected with her spine.  Val slumped over her mother. . .she couldn't move, even if she had wanted to, especially after a few more kicks to her back.

But Val held onto her mother, trying so hard to be brave, until the police arrived.  Then the dream jumped ahead, after the death of her mother in childbirth.  Val was still in the hospital, recovering from her spinal and renal injuries.  She had been trying to find something on tv, until her father and Melanie came to say good night.  And she did get a visitor. . .just not the one she had been expecting.  It had been Jonathan Boyle, who wanted something very specific from the young girl.  

Before the dream could go any further, she was awakened by something loud hitting the ground.  Val snapped awake, still haunted by the image of Jonathan Boyle looming over her, demanding that she do as he told her.  Val looked around a bit wildly. . .no, this was still 2000, and she was in her bedroom at Baltimore House.  But the fear remained.

She ran her hand over her face, taking deep breaths to calm herself.  Her hand came away damp with a mixture of sweat and tears.  Even after all these years, there was a place within her soul that was terrified by Boyle's threat to further harm her family if she didn't do as she was told.  Even though he was now dead, that meant little, especially in the Legacy.

Her father had entered as Boyle told her that things happened in the Legacy, bad things.  And Boyle was sure Valerie didn't want to see anything happen to her father.  Being a precept was even more dangerous in some ways than being a field associate.  And her poor father was already grieving for her mother.  It was so. . .easy. . .for a grieving widower to take un-necessary chances, Boyle had told her, his blue eyes filled with an unholy light.

Douglas Barton had entered the room at that moment, and his temper promptly exploded.  Boyle had already caused the death of his wife, and Val's father would not allow him to frighten Val, too.  But it was too late. . .Val was already frightened.  And that, she still believed, spelled the beginning of the end for Jonathan Boyle.  Her heart told her that her father had something to do with the abuser's death.

While Val had grieved and moved on, there was a part of her which was still afraid.  If Boyle did come back as a ghost, she had little doubt he would come after her family.  Especially if, as she had long suspected, her father had something to do with his death.  But she had other things to worry about right now, aside from Jonathan Boyle.

As she glanced at her clock, Val swore. . .she had slept for three hours!  A second look told her that her alarm had been turned off.  And while Val wasn't a light sleeper, there was only one person who could sneak into her room without awakening Val.  And that was Renee.  Val swore again. . .Uncle Nathaniel was probably here with Philip Callaghan!  

Damn!  This was NOT the way she had planned to welcome Philip to Baltimore House!  No, she hadn't had any grand plans for his arrival, but she hadn't wanted to be asleep, either!  Val muttered, "When I get my hands on Renee Claire Lawson, I will kick her butt clear to Boston.  Let her deal with the Monsignor who just had a curate stolen from him."

She left her room and silently went downstairs, wincing as something else went 'thud.'  She murmured, "I hope that wasn't Andy slamming Philip into a wall. . .the poor man just arrived."  She was halfway down the stairs when she heard a door opening.  Val froze and turned, as a young man emerged from the room she had chosen for Philip.

He frowned at her sleepily, and now Val recognized him as her new priest.  Yes, she could recognize him. . .sort of. . .from his pictures.  He murmured, struggling valiantly against a yawn, "What was that?  Did someone let a djinn loose out of a bottle?"  Val bit her laugh back and slipped up the stairs to join Philip.

"Good question. . .I'm not even sure if it's something that benign.  You must be Philip," she said.  He nodded, eyeing her warily, and she continued, "I'm Dr. Valerie Barton.  But please, call me 'Val.'  Welcome to our House."  He smiled shyly, and the pair began walking downstairs.

"Thank you. . .I don't think this is quite the introduction which your uncle had in mind," Philip observed.  Now Val did laugh, and Philip grinned, transforming his face.  Solemn, he was handsome. . .when he smiled, he was positively devastating.  Gotta be careful with him around Tatya and Dani, Val thought.  Especially Dani.  

"Probably not, but Uncle Nathaniel doesn't always get what he wants.  Did the others treat you right when you arrived?" Val asked.  She was particularly worried about Andy, but she also hoped that Tatya hadn't frightened their new theologian, who seemed a bit on the shy side.  Even though Tatya was actually more subtle than Dani, she could still be overwhelming, as she remembered from her first meeting with Tatya.

"Yes. . .Andrew was better than I expected.  Your godfather told me about. . .well. . .about what happened.  T' you, and t' Andrew, because of m' former precept.  I'm terribly sorry. . .but that doesn't sound like the Derek Rayne I know," Philip said honestly.  Val cringed, but managed a smile for the newcomer.

"People change, Philip.  That's something you see often in the Legacy, in life.  I'm sure he thought he was doing the right thing.  That doesn't make it easier to bear when your mother, a loyal member of the Legacy, is vilified and your father is driven insane," Val replied, and winced at the bitterness in her voice.

She gave herself a moment to bring herself under control again, then added, "But Philip, that's not your fault.  Whatever  sins Derek Rayne committed, for the �good of the Legacy,' they are his sins, not yours.  I hope Andy doesn't try your patience too much.  He can be. . .difficult."

"It's all right. . .I understand t'tally.  And, I appreciate your open mind," Philip replied.  Val shrugged.  She had been given years to deal with her mother's death, and heal from the horror.  Philip continued after a moment, "There will come a time when Derek knows I'm here."

"I know.  And it wouldn't surprise me if Uncle Nathaniel arranged that meeting sooner, rather than later," Val admitted readily.  She could tell from Philip's expression that he agreed.  Val added, "But even so, don't worry about it.  In this House, people make their own decisions.  Being a parish priest is as important as being in the Legacy."

Philip looked at her in shock, and Val laughed aloud.  She said, "Don't look so surprised, Philip.  I'm sure my godfather has told you that I'm pagan.  I am.  But that doesn't mean I don't understand the importance of a priest or a minister.  What you do as a parish priest is very important, Philip.  If it weren't for people like you, the Legacy's job would be much more difficult, if not downright impossible."

"Thank you for sayin' so," Philip said softly, "that was never somethin' I could make Derek or Nick understand.  Alex always understood.  She hated it when I left, but she understood."  Val knew he meant Alex Moreau, and she decided she liked the sound of San Francisco House's researcher.   While she had swapped email with the researcher, she had never actually met the woman.  I might have to take steps to change that, Val thought, but another time.  For now, I have other things which require my attention, other priorities.  Like the newest member of my House.

Which was why she now told the priest, "Philip, while my mother was dying in the delivery room, I was fighting for my own life.  And I continued fighting, with help from Uncle Nathaniel.  My father had to worry about being a precept, about being a father, and I needed the extra support from Uncle Nathaniel.  I have no doubt that you give your parishioners that same support."

"Your godfather says that you don't believe in anythin'. . .but I don't believe that.  I didn't believe him when he told me, and I don't believe him now.  You do believe in somethin,' in a Higher Power of some kind.  Bein' in the Legacy, you have no choice," Philip said.

Val smiled at him.  While she didn't care for her godfather's methods, she was starting to believe he had been right about Philip.   Then again, she thought ruefully, I've always said Uncle Nathaniel isn't a fool.  She told the priest, "Of course I believe in a Higher Power.  I don't have a name for that Higher Power, but I know one exists."

She paused, then added, "Understand, I am not a Christian.  I am not Jewish, I am not Moslem.  I am not a witch.  I really don't belong to any religion.  But I do believe in a Higher Power, I do believe in the Creator.  The Creator gave me my abilities as a mage, and I do my best not to abuse those powers."

She stopped, turned to look at her companion fully, and said, "But I want you to understand something.  I will never stand in the way of your work as a parish priest.  I know that it's something you need to do.  But.  I want you to promise me something.  NEVER try to convert us.  Tatya, or Dani, or me.  Please give us that respect."

"You have m' word," Philip said immediately.  Val could tell that he wasn't comfortable making the promise.  He was a little like her godfather.  But she was giving him the freedom to make his choice. . .so he felt honor-bound to do the same for her.  She appreciated that.

So, she smiled at him and said, "Good.  Then, let's see if we can find out what caused that thumping noise.  It's entirely possible Andy irritated Dani, and she clobbered him.  She's an ex-Marine, so the best thing to do is avoid angering her.  Dani has ways of making you pay.  Usually, in ways you least expect it."  As Andy could tell you!

"Of that," Philip answered dryly, "I have no doubt."  Val laughed and Philip added, "You knew, didn't you?  You knew that Renee is the livin' image of  Kristen Adams, and you warned Renee ahead of time."  The pain in his voice stopped Val.  Uncle Nathaniel hadn't warned him about Renee.  Dammit, dammit, dammit!

She answered in an equally quiet voice, "Yes.  Uncle Nathaniel showed me the picture of Kristen Adams.  And, since I knew there would be trouble with Andy, I wanted to head off more trouble, so I warned Renee.  She's one of my best friends, but she tends to react strongly to what she sees as overprotectiveness.  Anyhow, she looked up Kristen's file on her own.  Her curiosity got the better of her."

Philip was silent, then said quietly, "Thank you. I don't know how long I can remain wi' the Legacy.  Even wi' your generosity, I don't know how much time I'll have before the walls close in on me.  Before I start feelin' as if I'm losin' m' soul.  But while I'm here, I'll do m' very best by you and the others."  Val nodded.  She had been expecting this, after her conversation with Tatya, and she had an answer ready for him.

"Philip, if you feel like you're in danger of losing your soul, then I want you to take a sabbatical.  Email me, call me from your retreat, whatever, but get yourself away from here, and the parish if necessary.  You will do none of us any good if you feel that way.  And when you're ready, come back to us.  Because. . .and I know you don't want to hear this, but I think you need us as much as we need you," Val said.

Philip stared at her in surprise.  It was obvious to her that he had never expected her to react in such a way, and Val said with a sad smile, "Haven't you figured it out yet, Philip?  The most powerful weapon any of us have is our hearts and souls.  Not guns, not ancient languages, not even magick.  Yes, those things help.  But it's here."  She pointed to her heart, continuing, "It's this that really wins the battles."

Continued

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