Redemption by Veronique Launier Page A

Internet?” I say as a joke.
    “I may have seen many people using computers and the Internet in the past few years, but I haven’t learned much about this home networking stuff.” Antoine holds up a small plastic box with a bunch of wires sticking out of it. “Why do they call this wireless?”
    “Couldn’t tell you,” I said. “But I made some progress today.”
    They all looked up at me. Well, at least they cared a little bit more about our plight than it had originally seemed.
    “Well?” Vincent asked.
    “I don’t know why you guys are suddenly interested.”
    “Has it ever occurred to you that after the initial shock of our awakening, we may have decided to pursue our own investigation? You’ve been so busy doing things your way, you haven’t even bothered to check in with us and see what we might be up to. Do you think this computer is for? Playing World of Warcraft?”
    “Playing what?”
    “Have you even listened to what people have been talking about for the past few years? Never mind, it’s not important. Please tell us about your progress.”
    I scrutinized his tone for any trace of sarcasm but found none. “All right. Aude and I went to a drumming workshop today.”
    “Oh yes, your rendezvous. How did it go?” Garnier grinned.
    “It was not a rendezvous of any sort. I joined her because it seemed it would be great place to start getting answers, and it was.”
    “What did you learn?” Antoine interjected.
    I thought about how upset Aude would be if she were to learn that I told them about the chanting, so I kept my mouth shut.
    “We’ll be talking to a Kanien’kéha:ka medicine man,” I said instead.
    “I don’t know why you don’t call them Mohawk, everyone does.”
    “It isn’t the name they call themselves, but really, that’s beside the point, Garnier.”
    “Well then, I’m happy for you that you’ve managed to secure another rendezvous. I take it the first one went well. Did you see her home? Was there kissing at her doorstep?” Garnier winked at me and laughed.
    “Enough Garnier,” Vincent warned.
    I admitted to them how our evening really ended.
    “She took off. I couldn’t find her anywhere. I panicked. Something could have taken her. I’ve seen her attacked twice before. We need our essence back.”
    Garnier shook with laughter. “It went that badly?”
    “She didn’t leave because of me.” Did she? I was certain I hadn’t said anything offensive to her. I shook my head. This wasn’t the point.
    “Garnier, someone was able to walk away from me and I wasn’t aware of it. This isn’t right.”
    I addressed everyone. “We’ve almost always had an Essentialist with us in the past, but now that we don’t, we are fading fast.” Every time I neglected sleep or nutrition, every time I pushed myself further than my mortal body allowed, I pulled from my essence, and I just didn’t know how much longer I could push myself.

    I went to apply for the music teacher job first thing the morning after the workshop and returned home. I met with Garnier on the way to the kitchen to get breakfast. I was still energized from the previous day’s workshop and felt like I didn’t need breakfast or sleep anymore, but I knew better than to risk it.
    “You look chipper this morning,” he said.
    “I’m feeling revitalized. I think she’s what we’re looking for, Garnier.”
    We still stood in the hallway where I leaned against one wall, completely relaxed.
    “How can she be? You know other witches can’t help us.”
    “How much did Marguerite tell you about her research?” I asked him.
    “Let’s go to the roof,” he said.
    This is why Garnier was my best friend. He always stuck by me no matter what. Even when he didn’t agree. Even after Marguerite. He also understood when I needed my privacy. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to tell the others everything, I just didn’t know how. I couldn’t stand the look of disappointment in Vincent’s now-young face or