TUS NUA - ch 3

TUS NUA – ch 3

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

Before Julie could speak, Mia placed a hand on hers and said, “Jules, let me. I think I might be able to explain this a bit easier.”

Julie nodded as Mia stood. “Ladies, just a quick bio. You’ll learn more about who we are as I explain everything. However, as you’ve already learned, my name is Mia Diehl. Jules married my cousin Mickey. A few days ago, I was walking home from school and found Jules sitting on my front steps. I hadn’t seen my friend in a year, but we had been communicating every month. Well, except for the past four months. I knew something was wrong because each time I tried to call, her voicemail engaged. I wanted to hear from her what the problem was.”

She paused as Morena dispensed more raspberry iced tea. Some sipped, some ignored their drinks.

Mia continued. “I know you all have questions and want answers but please bear with me while I explain the friendship Jules and I share. We met when we were seven years old, but our friendship blossomed after we’d turned eight. Unfortunately, my parents moved to Ireland not long afterwards. As Jules said, we didn’t see much of each other. My family would make a yearly trip to New York and Jules came here less often. It was on my sixteenth birthday when Jules surprised me with a visit and also met my cousin. All that quickly said, let’s jump to the present day.”

She reached for her wine and sipped. Mentally, she said, “Aintin, when this is over, I’m going to need a large, glass of Hennessy.”

“As I said,” and stopped suddenly when they heard a loud clap and looked around to see Alistar, Evangeline, Ivy and her friends standing in the middle of the room.

The women gasped and some stood as if to run, but Evangeline spoke in a soft and comforting manner. “Sorry for the loud noise but we wanted to return as quickly as possible. We’d totally forgotten how the portal would handle all the luggage.

Mia sighed, “Ladies, please sit. Before I continue, there is something you’ll need to know and well, what I’m about to tell you, will help you understand even more.”

Unsure what was happening but also not feeling the slightest bit threatened but extremely curious, they sat.

“My family and I come from a community of witches.”

They seemed almost frozen in place, so Mia hurriedly said, “White witches. Our oath is to harm none. As I explain further, you’ll know why and how we were able to help Jules and how we got you here to Ireland.”

She saw a few of them relax a little but a few others looked worried.

“As I was saying, I arrived home to find Jules sitting on my front steps. When she stood to approach me, it was obvious that she was several months pregnant. It was also obvious that she’d been badly beaten. I took her into town to my mom’s clinic for a complete exam. Once it was determined that Jules and her baby were okay, I brought her home.”

Now, before I continue, this is the part where you really need to keep an open mind. Remember, please, you’re all safe here. You’re not prisoners. None of you are captives. You will never be under the influence of drugs. You can come and go as you wish. Our main goal is to carefully eradicate the drugs from your bodies with time and healthy foods, and help you regain your health and independence.”

She noticed they looked from her to Julie and back again.

One of the young women, interrupted, “Uh, Jules? Mia? Can someone explain exactly what happened to us? How did we get from New York to Ireland? If we want to go home, how can we? We have no money, no drivers’ licenses, no passports, well, really, we have nothing!”

Finola stood and walked towards Mia. “Ladies, we’ll explain everything but first, let me reassure you that when you decide to leave, you’ll have everything you need and more. Please, drink your iced tea and eat. This will be a long story.”

Mia smiled, “Aintin? I plan to make it as short as possible.”

“Aintin? I thought your name was Finola,” another young woman asked.

She smiled and answered, “My name is Finola Diehl and I’m the aunt of Mia’s father, Brian and his brother, Ian, both of whom are sitting against that wall with their wives, Morena and Liz, respectively. Ian is Mickey’s father. Aintin is the Gaelic word for Aunt. Mia has been calling me Aintin since she was eight years old.”

Finola smiled and mentally relayed to Mia, “The fog is lifting. That’s good. Their minds are waking up.”

Mia nodded and continued, “When Tony showed up with Monty, Aintin led them to her house. Not this one but her private home. It’s there we had them tell us everything. Tony’s first goal was to force Jules to miscarry. He had no interest in children. His only goal was building a New York, a, hmm, I’m not even sure what I’d call it but for the lack of a more adequate term, I’ll call it a harem. He, his father Leo and brother, Teddy planned to, I’ll say acquire as many young women as possible, then share all of them at their own pleasure. They also planned to include their friends and learning what I did, probably potential business partners. The drugs you were given, not only made you compliant, but induced you to be eager – almost as if whatever was happening was your idea, not theirs.”

The room turned quiet for close to a second but almost exploded when Alistar stood and raising his hands, screamed, “Finola, if you’d have told me all of this, I would have gladly broken my vow to the God and Goddess of White Magic. I would have beaten all of them to death with my bare hands!”

Finola calmly smiled. “My dearest cousin. This is exactly why I didn’t tell you. Now, let Mia continue.”