Warning: This section you're about to read has spoilers for the A Chalice of Wind. Read at your own risk!

Chapters are not numbered.

 Prologue
Somewhere in Europe, on a train, one of our main characters, Thais Allard, is racing down the train cars with her friends Alison and Lynne, looking for their supervisor Ms. Polems. Thais muses over if her other friend, Anne, will be sent home, since Anne is starting to feel ill. Thais opens a compartment door to find four tourists but not her teacher. One man says, "Clio?", and Thais says, "no" and closes the door.

Two men in the compartment where Thais just exited from are shocked at what they just saw. Jules and Daedalus debate over who the girl (Thais) is. Is she Clio? No. Clémence? Surely not because Clémence is dead. But the pair are sure that the girl (Thais) looks exactly like another girl named Clio. Suddenly, Jules has the answer: twins.

 Clio
Our other main character, Clio Martin, is trying to direct her power through copper. Unfortunately, it's not working. While Clio grows more and more frustrated, her grandmother, Petra Martin/Nan, sits there patiently. Suddenly, Clio has a vision of herself in a swamp, in front of a cypress tree. Dark clouds appear and rain starts to fall on Clio. Suddenly lightning strikes and the cypress tree is slit in two. The tree bleeds red blood. Clio is terrified and panics, and her grandmother brings her back to the real world. Clio explains her vision, and her grandmother sits there and listens hard. Nan ends the teaching and says they will do another teaching tomorrow.

 Thais
It's a horrible day for Thais. Her father died in a freak car accident two weeks ago, and now she is in court with her neighbor, Mrs. Thompkins, to find out custody rights. Just when Thais thinks she will move in with Mrs. Thompkin, a bombshell occurs: a stranger from New Orleans named Axelle Gauvin, who is at the hearing, is her legal guardian. Thais is floored. Thais wonders who is Axelle, for she has never seen before.

The scene switches to Thais packing at home. Mrs. Thompkins tries to comfort, but nothing will do. Thais's world has gone from bad to worse.

 Connected by Fate
Daedalus prepares himself. He uses magick to summon several people: Sophie and Manon (through Sophie's lap top), Ouida Jeffers (through telephone), Claire (through phone again, but not successful, partly because Claire is on a drinking binge at this time), Marcel (through a book), and Richard Landry (through a fish).

 Clio
Clio is with her friend, Racey Copeland, in the Bontanika store. The girls skip a coven meeting so they could later go club hopping in the Quarter. As Clio admires her figure, she notices a gorgeous young man looking at her. She goes over to talk and flirt with the guy. The male stranger introduces himself as Andre Martin. The conversation ends with Andre leaving Clio his phone number. Clio is all excited but Racey feels a little unsettled about Andre, which to Clio is strange.

 Thais
Thais is in Café du Monde eating beignets and feeling self-pity. She's in New Orleans now, trying to adjust to her "new life". She still finds Axelle strange and wonders how in the world her father put Axelle down as her guardian. And then there are Axelle's friends--Jules and Daudelaus, whom Thais also finds strange.

When Thais returns back to Axelle's, Jules is there and introduces her to Richard. Richard appears young, and Thais notes all the piercing, tattoos, etc. on him. Soon Jules, Daedalus, and Richard follow Axelle up to a "special room". Thais is convinced that they do drugs up there. A few moments later, Richard comes back down for some matches. Thais asks him if he's a little too young to be doing "stuff" with the grownups. Richard brushes her comments off and leaves.

Thais goes online to register for school. Axelle comes down to tell her they will be going out to dinner (which they do every night). Thais tells Axelle that she has to register for school. Axelle looks at her confused, asking why she wants to go to school. Thais is appalled.

 So Much Has Changed
Axelle, Daedalus, Jules, and Richard appear to be looking for something in the city of New Orleans--and not being able to find it. The map they have always used is too old (map dating 1845). Daedalus reassures them it's only a "minor setback".

 Clio
Clio enters in Amadeos (a club/bar) and senses Andre. She goes over to talk to him. He tells her his last name, and Clio comments it's strange that they both have the same last name (Martin). Clio has a margarita while Andre has a 7-Up. Andre tells Clio he's taking a year off from the university to work as a paralegal with his uncle in New Orleans. The rest of the few hours pass in a blur. Clio and Andre make out, but Clio remembers her curfew and heads home with high hopes about Andre.

Clio sees her grandmother gardening when she arrives home. Nan knows about Clio's drinking, and tells Clio she should not "dull" her senses. Nan suggests that Clio should be more serious about her witch studies. If not, Clio won't pass her ascension rite (which happens in November). Clio ponders on how embarrassing it would be if she didn't pass her ascension rite. Nan begins say something else but stops in mid sentence. Anxiety crosses over the old woman's face, and Clio becomes worried. Nan says a storm is coming, but she doesn't go into further explanation.

 Thais
Thais has a vivid dream. She's in a swamp, seeing "ghostly images". When she's had enough, the dream doesn't stop. Suddenly, a snake grabs Thais and tries to choke her to death. Thais screams when she realizes her sheets are around her neck. Axelle quickly comes to her aid. When Thais tells Axelle about her dream, Axelle recommends they the keep the door open. Axelle whispers something on her breath as she traces her fingers on the door. It's only when the sun comes up that Thais can fall asleep again.

 Time is Running Out
Jules and Daedalus are shifting through maps, trying to locate something on them. Jules grows tired of Daedalus's orders. Richard comes in and pops a beer, which annoys Jules. Daedalus reassures them that soon things will fall into place. Richard is not so optimistic.

 Thais
Thais falls into a little, boring routine. She misses home and her old life, but she's shifting into the "accepting" phase. She gets the mail and finds a letter from the school district. She will attend École Benardin High School in six days. Thais finds Axelle burning sage and chanting in her room. Appalled, Thais flees from the house to a small, private garden at a local Catholic church called St. Peter. There, she sits and cries for a little bit. A stranger hands her a handkerchief and tries to cheer her up. They chat a little, and the guy says his name is Luc. Thais is smitten by him.

 I Have Sinned
Marcel goes to confession. He confesses he is angry, and if he acts out on this anger, he will hurt a certain person. Marcel reveals that this person is seeking him out and wants his power. Brother Eric tries to comfort Marcel, but it doesn't work. Conflicting feelings about the magickal power within Marcel bring only pain and desperation.

 Clio
Clio pouts because Andre is a little late. When he shows up, she shows him her secret childhood hideout spot. She says a tiny somewhat-spell in her mind about Andre. The couple talk, and Clio insists mentally that she's found her true love. Clio tells Andre about herself, and he tells her that he, like she, have deceased parents. They makeout, and, once again, he gently pushes her to go a little further. Clio thinks better of it and tells him she has to go home. Andre apologizes if he appears a little too pushy.

 Thais
Thais wakes and gets ready for school. She can't help but cry while she gets ready. Thais finds Jules, Axelle, and Daedalus sitting at a table downstairs. It's obvious they didn't sleep. Jules tells Thais to come to the table, and Axelle asks her if she has seen (or if her father had seen) maps like the one on the table. Thais says no and heads for school.

 Clio
Clio arrives at school to meet Racey, and some other friends: Eugenie LaFaye, Nicole, Kris Edwards, and Della. Clio talks about Andre and how she is so in love with him.

 Thais
Thais heads to her new school via street car. As she approaches the school, she starts to get strange glances. A girl named Sylvie Allen greets Thais and does a double take. Thais asks why everybody is looking at her like she's some alien, and Sylvie replies that she looks like somebody who already goes is a student at École Benardin. Thais heads to the school office with Sylvie. Mrs. DiLiberti, probably the office's secretary, stares at Thais strangely. She asks Thais if she's Clio, and Thais says no. She hands Thais some papers and forms, and Mrs. DiLiberti calls Clio who is passing by. Thais turns around to see a girl an exact replica of herself. She realizes the almost impossible: Clio Martin is her twin.

 Clio
Clio is beyond shocked while Thais grows faint. Thais is brought into the school office, and there a whole bunch of questions are fired off between the twins. Finally, Mrs. DiLiberti tells them they have to go to their first period classes. As the woman writes the passes, Clio vows to find out what's going on.

Later, Clio tells her grandmother about meeting her twin. Clio bursts into tears and demands to know what's going on. Petra doesn't deny anything, and after a few moments, Clio realizes her grandmother knew. Nan reassures Clio that she will tell her everything, but she must do something first. Nan runs outside and starts creating protection spells--against evil.

 Life at the Golden Blossom
Claire wakes up from one of her drunken stupors at the Golden Blossom hotel. More messages from Daedalus keep coming, and Claire keeps ignoring them. She orders a young Thai maid to draw her bath.

 Thais
Thais goes home. Thoughts about her new-found twin sister, Clio's grandmother (her grandmother too, obviously), her father's death, and Axelle's guardianship all cross her mind. She goes home to find Axelle not there and is determined to see what is upstairs behind the Axelle's locked door. When she tries the knob it's locked. Thais grows frustrated and thinks about opening the door. Almost by magic, the door opens, and Thais finds out that the room holds nothing but a bunch of "witchcraft" stuff. Disappointed, Thais leaves the house to go to the private garden at St. Paul's. Luc soon shows up and they talk. Luc makes a comment about relationships that offends Thais. Just when Thais stalks off, Luc kisses her. Thais says she has to leave but still breathless over his kiss.

 Clio
Clio talks with Racey while eating some Rasinets. She tells Racey about what Petra said to her. Racey asks if Thais will come live with Clio, and Clio is not sure. The conversations switches to Andre, school, and boy talk. Racey soon leaves, but Clio says a silent thank you for her friend.

 Thais
Thais goes home and takes a shower. When Axelle gets home, Thais reserves the desire to demand answers from Axelle. The next day she takes the street car to school. A truck hits the trolley by accident, and most of the impact was in the place where Thais was sitting. Thais meets up with Sylvie at school and tells her about the trolley accident.

Thais sees Clio go into one of the rooms and follows her. The twins soon meet up with Petra. Thais, Clio, and Petra leave school to go to Petra's home. Thais notices witch-stuff in the house immediately. She asks Petra about it, and Petra replies it's the family religion. Clio introduces Thais to Q-Tip--a deaf, blue-eyed, white cat. Thais mentions her father, and Petra speaks her condolences. Thais asks why were they separated, and Petra reveals that she was the one that separated them.

 Clio
Petra explains that she is a midwife, and the one who delivered the twins. Petra goes on to explain the origins their family magick, Bonne Magie. All the talk about magick has Thais a little nervous, and Clio shows a little simple trick with magick. Petra explains that it is believed if twins combined their powers, they can create some awesome, even dangerous magick. There are three recorded incidents of twins using their power for evil. The force eventually came back to the evil twins (and the community) in three folds, causing mass destruction. The witch community is wary of twins, and there are power houses within the community that would see the twins dead.

Petra made a promise the the twin's mother, Clémence, to keep the twins safe. No one knew that Clémence was having twins, except Petra. So, in a quick effort, Petra separated them. Thais was given to Michael Allard, and Clio was taken care of by Petra.

Thais explains how she got to New Orleans. When Thais mentions Axelle's name, Petra spills her tea. Petra is familiar with Axelle (they are from the same famille aka clan) and she doesn't think of Axelle as a murder. Petra says Thais is safe with Axelle for the moment. Petra also assures Thais that she will talk to Axelle. Thais appears hopeful while Clio is silently shutting down. Clio thinks everything is happen much too fast.

 Thais
Few hours later Thais is back at school. Sylvie is staring at her and admits that the whole situation of "twins" is unbelievable. She explains that she's known Clio for three years, and unlike Thais, Clio is a girl that knows she looks good and plays with it. Thais ponders over this and realizes the girl and boy power Clio has (just with her looks alone) Thais can also obtain. Thais wonders where in the social ladder she will end up at her new school.

After school Thais heads home and Axelle is there to greet her. Thais asks Axelle if she killed her father. Axelle denies it and says she didn't even know her father. She knew Clémence because they are in the same famille, and she believes that Thais should be with her kind. Thais asks what happens now, and Axelle answers everything should return to normal. Thais wants to go to the garden and meet Luc, but a dangerous thunderstorms occurs, so she decides to go to her room. The thunderstorm lulls her to sleep.

 We Have a Full Tréize
Ouida goes to Daedalus's house. Daedalus greets her and says they now have a full Tréize (thirteen members). She doesn't understand and Daedalus tells her that from Cerise's line there are twins--Clio and Thais. Richard and Jules are also there. Daedalus assures Ouida they will have a full Tréize...soon.

 Salvation Being Snatched Away
Marcel cannot sleep. Daedalus keeps haunting him during the day. In one instance Sean, a helper, spoke, "Come to New Orleans." Marcel knows that the boy was under Daedalus's influence.

Marcel thinks about the past...about the night the rite between the Tréize was done. He remembers when Cerise, his love, being there seven months pregnant. After the magickal rite, Cerise has her baby prematurely...and dies. Everybody appears concerned, except Melita. Then Melita asks who is the father's child. Nobody answers, but Marcel silently knows. Oh, he knows very well.

 Clio
Clio, Racey, Eugine, and Della are out clubbing. Racey is the only person that knows about the whole "twin witch curse" thing as of now. As the girls chat a mugger appears. However, the mugger doesn't want their money or purses, he tries to attack Clio only. Quickly, Clio shoots a bolt of witch fire and binds the mugger with a binding spell. Clio tells everybody to run when she sees another dark figure in the alley. However, moments later, they realize it's Andre. Clio finds a walking policeman and tells him that somebody had a seizure (their mugger) down the alley they just left. The girls don't want to tell the police man about the mugger for fear their parents will ban them from the French Quarter.

The gang head to Amadeo's. Clio doesn't reveal about Thais to Andre as of yet. Once again Andre and Clio make out, but when eleven o'clock draws closer, Clio says she has to leave. Andre tries to coax her to stay around, but Racey persuades Clio to leave. Andre walks Racey and Clio to the car. As they leave, Clio says that she appreciates Racey's intervention. Racey couldn't agree more (Racey doesn't appear to trust Andre).

 A Messy Business
Daedalus's demands to know why Petra was keeping the twins a secret. Petra ignores him and ponders on the throught that Clio is keeping a secret.

Petra greets the other: Ouida, Manon, Sophie, and Richard. She notices that Richard is drinking again. Daedalus continues to demand an answer from Petra. Pertra verbalizes she kept Clémence's last wish, and it was her duty to protect the twins, since she was the only one there who was willing to struggle with the family's burden. Daedalus announces to Petra that he wants to do the rite again. Petra is shocked, but she doesn't panic as of yet. Even though Daedalus says Claire and Marcel, the last two Tréize members, will come, they will be very difficult to convince. She still has time to save the twins. She believes that the rite will kill at least one of them.

 Thais
Thais meets up with Luc and they talk. Thais reveals she's a virgin. She feels embarrassed, but Luc says he doesn't care and apologizes for embarrassing her. Thais says because she couldn't give up her virginity--at least, not until he came along. She adds that he must have been with a lot of girls. Luc says that he wished he could have no memory of anybody but her. Thais swoons, and the couple hold each other in the light rain. She thinks of a line from a song: I'm all for you, body and soul.

 Clio
Clio wakes up and goes downstairs for some breakfast. Petra reveals that she will have to leave today for a few days. She doesn't tell Clio anything else. Clio calls Racey and leaves Andre a message. When Clio and Racey meet after lunch, they agree on having a party. Andre calls back, and Clio invites him to the party--and the fact that he can stay afterwards. He is up for it, and Clio shivers with anticipation. Racey is a bit cautious, and tells Clio she's moving too fast. Clio says that never stopped them before. The mood shifts and the girls think about the pending party.

 Thais
Thais wakes up to Axelle's crying racket. Axelle is looking for something, four cups to be exact. When Axelle is about to have a melt down, Thais shows her the four cups she used in her bathroom. Axelle snatches them up and tells Thais to never use anything in her house without permission. The cups are invaluable.

 Clio
Clio and Racey show Thais talk about Bonne Magie. Racey leaves to get some stuff for the party, and Clio and Thais or left alone. Clio shows Thais how to "meditate" with a candle. As they do so, they get sucked into a vision that takes them to a swamp. Clio soon recognizes the vision. Suddenly, there is a flash of light and a grumbling of the ground. The twins witness a birth of a baby and the death of the mother. Thais cries for Clio to get them out of there, and Clio tries with all her might. Then the hood from the witch holding the baby comes off and the vision ends. The girls here the door bell ringing, and Clio's friends march in to start the party. Clio and Thais look at each other. In their vision, the baby had the same birthmark they had--and the face of the hooded figure was Petra.

The door rings again, and a girl named Miranda Hughes opens the door. Andre comes in and Clio runs to him to introduce him to everybody. Andre picks Clio up and swings her around while kissing her. Clio notices that Andre's expression suddenly freezes. She turns around and sees Thais looking at Andre. Thais then whispers, "Luc".

 Thais
The truth is out: Andrew and Luc are the same person! Both twins are shocked. Thais runs away while Clio starts to beat on Andre/Luc. Della comes to Thais and gives her a drink to help calm her nerves. She tells Thais that Andre/Luc won't leave until he sees her. Thais goes to Luc to talk. Luc admits he has been decietful, but his feelings for her are true; he says he truly loves her. Clio is outraged and wonders outloud if she was just some fling. The twins ursher him out. Clio's closest friends are there, and Racey gives the twins some tea to help calm them. Clio thanks her friends for sticking around to clean up, but eventually they all leave. Clio and Thais are left alone, together.

 Clio
Thais says she wishes she never came to New Orleans, and Clio silently agrees. Clio broods over the fact that it was Thais, not her, that Andre wanted to talk to. The thought rages within her heart. Clio thinks about their vision earlier. She asks Thais if she thinks it's real, and Thais says she doesn't know. Thais asks Clio if she loved Andre/Luc, and Clio says no; however, deep down Clio is truly in love with Andre/Luc. Thais wants to go home, and Clio offers her a ride. When Thais walks outside, a swarm of wasps attack her. Clio cries for Thais to get inside, but Thais panics. Clio runs into the swarm and grabs Thais. She orders Thais to give her some energy the best way she knows. Clio weaves a protection and banishing spell. Soon the wasps disappear and Clio and Thais are left alone, stung all over but alive. Clio sends Melysa, a woman part of the Balefire coven and one of Nan's best friends, a telepathic message that they need help. Melysa comes to the twins' aid within minutes.

 Thais
Thais sleeps at Clio's house. When she wakes up, she goes to talk to Clio. Clio wants to know what has happened to Thais during her New Orleans stay. Thais explains about the street car accident and the sheets attacking her. Clio talks about the mugger she and her friends encountered. They both want answers, so they go to Axelle for some. Axelle makes a few calls, and all the Tréize show up at her house--including Luc.

 Clio
Another surprise: Luc is part of Petra's special famille. Clio on impulse throws glass shard at his head. Nut Luc, being the witch he is, senses it and deflects its direction. The group realizes what is up, and some chastise Luc for his constant infidelities.

Ouida announces that the group should initiate Thais and Clio into their little coven by first telling Clio and Thais a little about themselves. Daedalus explains there were fifteen original witch families that settled generations ago, but the ten that are there in the room with Thais and Clio only represents some of those families.

The original coven had thirteen members called Tréize (which means "13" in French). Cerise, the twins' ancestor, represented the 13th member. But Cerise died...and another member of the coven is assumed "lost" or "dead". So, for a long time, there were only eleven members (even with the twins' family line representing). However, when twins' mother bore Thais and Clio--twins--the coven, at last, has thirteen members again.

But Clio wants to know how do Richard and Manon (who are no where near their ascension rite) could even practice in a coven? Nobody answers, but Jules suggests they should have a circle, which may clear things up. They have the circle. Thais is swooned by it, and Clio catches the words, "a chalice of wind, a circle of ashes, a feather of stone, a necklace of water" in the incantation during the circle (in French, of course). Now, Ouida announces that the whole truth should be told to Clio and Thais.

 Thais
Thais is tired and feels she might not be able to take anymore of what has happened thus far. However, she looks at Ouida and her sister, and she decides to stick it out. Ouida tells the story...

Long ago, in the 1600s, a group of witches from France came to Canada and from Canada in southern Louisiana. They make a settlement not far from New Orleans. Fifteen families, 58 people total. For about a century, these fifteen families thrive, intermarrying with other covens to create new families, about eight more.

There are two kinds of magick: Bonne Magie (good magick) and Magie Noir (dark magick). Most young people experiment with dark magick out of curiosity, a small phase. However, one witch, Melita, didn't just experiment with it, she lived in it. As Melita studies dark magick in zest, the witch community turns a blind eye to her dabbings. But one night everything changed.

While Melita is practicing her dark rites a spring erupts, the so-called source. It is unclear if Melita conjured it up, or if it was all ways there; what is clear is that Melita drinks the dark, red-tinted liquid, and something magical happened. From that day on, Melita never ages, her powers increase by 100th fold. Within seven years, Melita becomes the most powerful witch in all the families. But Melita has a plan; she has a plan to consolidate her power forever but needs others to do so. So, through bribery, promises, threats, and coercion she creates her own coven that represents different abilities, race, age, sexes, etc.:

1. The elder, the mayor
2. The headstrong woman
3. The virginal young woman
4. The wise healer
5. The female slave
6. The ambitious male slave
7. The young girl, not yet a woman
8. The young boy, not yet a man
9. The heartless rake
10. The innocent and naive young man
11. The immoral village outcast
12. ...And the unwed, pregnant young woman

The rest of the Tréize soon realize that Melita is just too powerful. The Tréize tries to destroy Melita but fails. Melita gets away and destroys the cypress tree where the source originated. Melita is never seen again.

Heléne grows up normally. Strangely, she has the same birthmark of her mother, a fleur-de-lis. Heléne becomes an unnaturally strong witch, as if the power from that night Cerise died entered her. Eventually Heléne marries. She dies during the birth of her daughter, Félice--just like her mother Cerise. And so this cycle happens with every Martin woman. They were fated (or cursed) to die during the child birth of their first and only daughter. All the Martin woman carry the witch mark of the fleur-de-lis, even Clio and Thais. Ouida concludes that both Clio and Thais have the potential of being very powerful witches.

Clio adds also they could be more powerful if she and Thais put her powers together. But Ouida and Daedalus are not sure about Clio's comment. The twins within the families are not that very significant. But Thais believes they are lying, for she and Clio already know they are in danger (from what Petra told them earlier).

When Thais asks about the eleven other families, another truth is revealed: all the members of the Tréize are immortal due to drinking from the Source. The people that are before Clio and Thais are the ones that took part in the rite. Petra is not Clio's grandmother, but an ancestor. Petra is Cerise and Milita's mother!

Again, Clio wants to know why the Tréize wants to the twins together. Daedalus replies with Clio and Thais they have a full thirteen-member coven. If they preform the rite, Clio and Thais will become immortal, and unknown powers and desires are within all the members' grasps. And Luc adds quietly: one of the desires of some of the members is to die.

 Epilogue
Petra is on a plane, flying somewhere unknown. She's on a mission, and Petra believes she is the one thing that stands between the twins and danger. She just hopes she's up for the task.

Book One Finis

Last Modified: Friday, 01/15/10