Witch's Fire Page 2

  "I don't think..."

  "Then, there is your problem." I smile sweetly, "You can carry on with whatever exciting evening plans you had for yourself and leave me alone now."

  He studies me for a moment, amusement mixed with something else dancing in his features. But I'm no Reader, and therefore, I can only guess what's going through his mind.

  "Maybe I should stick around, in case I need to call a healer." So clearly he knows about the magic in this town, but I have no idea who he is. He's not putting off the same energy as the Ancients, but I can't be too sure. However, while he might not be outright evil, he sure is a jerk.

  "No offense, and by that I mean, please take all the offense in the world, but you have no idea what you walked into and without having all the facts presented to you, this situation is way out of your league. So do yourself a favor, and leave. Before your pretty face gets marred by me putting together something with an extra kick to it."

  The pleasant smile doesn't leave my face and I can see his eyes flash at the challenge. He doesn't look like the kind of a man who would be told no very often. And that is why I'm enjoying this even more.

  I expect another round, but instead, he surprises me. With a quick bow, he takes a step back.

  "Until next time, witch," he says, getting the last word in, before he turns and walks out of sight. I stand frozen for a moment, wondering if I should've done something to keep him here, until I could get a Reader to tell me who he is, but I shake that thought away. Good riddance to him. I have work to do.

  Most of the night was spent tossing and turning, and not only because I didn't get anywhere with my protection spells. That stupid...handsome...stupid man's face kept creeping in any time I relaxed even a little. Not only am I feeling like a failure, but now I have a visual representation mocking me!

  Okay, I'm being a tad dramatic, but I don't like to fail and that's all I've been doing lately. Rubbing both of my eyes at the same time, I resign myself to the fact that I'm not getting any sleep and get out of bed. My body shivers the moment my feet touch the floor, the temperature in the house much lower than usual for this time of the year.

  We've been noticing slight changes in every aspect of our community. Now, even the weather is reflecting the dim outlook our world has taken on. The sun's been setting sooner, and the night has been staying longer. I'm nervous to see what other changes are in store for us.

  "Good morning, sunshine," Harper greets me the moment I step into the kitchen. I wave my hand in her general direction, heading for the coffee. I'm not a fan of mornings, but I have trained myself to get used to the early days. Harper is way too chipper for someone who hates any time before ten o'clock.

  "What's up with you?" I ask, after taking a long sip of the morning fuel.

  "I'm not sure," Harper replies, turning to face me as I lean against the counter. "I woke up full of energy for some reason."

  I study my sister, mulling over her recent behavior. Two days ago, she had a panic attack out of nowhere. Today, she's up before the sun, smiling. This doesn't seem like her at all. She may be more spontaneous than I am, but not in such a drastic way.

  "Are you sure you're feeling alright?" I ask carefully, hoping not to offend her mood too much. There is definitely something going on, but I'm not sure what.

  "I don't know," Harper replies honestly, shrugging her shoulders. "I can't seem to find balance. It's as if I'm all over the place."

  Well, at least she realizes it too. Her shoulders drop and I'm instantly by her side, setting my coffee cup down.

  "It'll be okay. Maybe the stress is just affecting you differently than usual. This isn't exactly a normal occurrence in our lives."

  "Maybe," she replies, but I can tell she doesn't agree. I think I need to talk to Connor and soon. "Oh Bri!" Harper suddenly exclaims, "There is so much energy inside of me. I'm never this awake this early! It's freaking me out!"

  "Okay, remember what we talked about? Deep breaths."

  My sister breathes a few times, before I finally feel her relaxing. I don't think I need to mention this to Mother yet, but if it continues I might. No, I'll figure this out. Like a coven leader and a big sister should.

  "Where's you phone?" I ask, and Harper points to the counter. I grab it, opening the last text message and send a quick one back.

  "What are you doing?"

  "Getting Connor over here. He might be able to help."

  As soon as I say it, I know it's true. Wolves are typically roaming this early in the morning, so I know he'll be awake. The phone buzzes in my hand and I glance down.

  Five minutes.

  "Connor will be here in five."

  I put the phone down and turn to my sister, who's already trying to smooth her fly away hair down. I grin at her feeble attempt to look like she didn't just wake up.

  "Seriously, Bri! I don't even have time to change!"

  "He loves you, Harper. I don't think it matters much that you're still wearing your pajamas."

  "Oh my goodness! I'm still wearing my pajamas!" Harper moves toward the stairs, but it's already too late, as the knock sounds at the door. I don't particularly care what I look like, so I walk over to answer, chuckling at my sister.

  Opening the door, I find a grinning Connor on the other side. When he glances past me at Harper, I realize that he must've heard our exchange. That shifter hearing is something.

  "Good morning, Brianna," he says, turning his eyes back to me.

  "Good morning, Connor," I reply, fighting to suppress my amusement. I motion him in and he nods in thanks. Harper is still frozen at the foot of the stairs, now wearing a similar smile to that which is on Connor's face. Neither one moves toward the other, as if they're both seeing each other for the first time. Every time they meet, it's like the first time and my heart thuds in awareness. And a pang of jealousy. What I wouldn't give to have someone look at me like that.

  It's not like I haven't had boyfriends. It's just not a single one of them have set my heart soaring. And maybe it's unfair to them because I know not every relationship will have that magical feeling. But now that I know it exists, I want it more so than when I thought it was just a fairytale.

  "You guys okay over there?" I finally break the silence, and whatever spell is holding them immobile. Connor crosses the room, sweeping Harper into a tight hug. Her whole body relaxes against him and I'm glad I got him to come over. They both seem better for it. And that's when something occurs to me.

  "Connor, where were you this morning?"

  The shifter turns to me, setting Harper back on her feet. "Running in the woods. We woke up extra early, to patrol. It's getting colder outside."

  "And how did you feel, running in the woods?"

  Connor glances down at Harper, a bit confused at my line of questioning, but my sister just shrugs.

  "Like I usually do. Free. And happy."

  I let that sink in, but Harper still doesn't say anything. Taking a step toward them, I study their embrace, wishing I was a Reader. I think I'm right anyway, but it would be great to verify it.

  "You mean, like you were feeling this morning, Harper," I emphasize her name, staring her in the eye. I see the moment she realizes what I'm getting at.

  "Wait, you think I'm channeling him?" She exclaims, pulling away from Connor, just enough to look up at his face. He looks over at me, then at his girlfriend, confusion marring his features.

  "What are you talking about?"

  "I think Harper is channeling your emotions," I say, before turning to head back into the kitchen. It would explain her sudden mood swings.

  "How is that possible?" Connor asks, hot on my heels. I point to a cup and he nods. Harper walks over to the table and takes a seat, while I pour him some coffee.

  "And what about a few days ago?" Harper asks, before I can explain my thoughts to Connor. We follow her to the table, sitting down.

  "Well, let's ask Connor." I turn to the man now sitting next to my sister. "Connor, did you experience any high intensity emotions right before the coven meeting? Maybe worry or a panic?"

  He watches me for a second, and I know he's not exactly comfortable admitting to either. "It's okay," I say, trying to reassure him. "This is a safe place. It doesn't go farther than this."

  He takes another moment, before finally giving in.

  "I was worried. About Harper." He admits, turning to look at my sister. "I overheard the Elders talking about sealing off parts of the town, and that made me realize things are much worse than they're letting on. There was a moment of panic, because I thought that something might happen to you."

  Harper reaches over, taking one of his hands in both of hers. There is so much love on their faces, it's blinding.

  "I understand," Harper says, keeping her voice low. "I worry about you all the time." They share a smile, and something else, that makes me feel like I'm invading their private moment. Then, Harper turns to me.

  "I'm channeling his emotions. But I'm not a Reader. And even Krista can't project other people's emotions. How is this possible?"

  "I'm not sure, but I think it has to do with your soulmate bond. None of us know exactly what kind of a power is carried inside that magic. We're learning from the two of you, since before you, we didn't know it was real. I think you're so attuned to each other, your magic is reacting in ways we're not used to. But it's happened before, when Connor came after the Ancient's visit? I think this is a manifestation of that."

  When I'm done speaking, all three of us sit in silence, mulling that over. Soulmate magic is something no-one thought was anything but a bed time story. The oldest texts barely even mention it. It's the unicorn of our magic, an unattainable wish. Or it was. Until Connor and Harper.

  "There's so much we don't know," Harper finally says and I agree.

  "But we'll figure it out," Connor replies, squeezing Harper's hand.

  "We will," I state, reaching for my sister's other hand.

  "We have enough to worry about." She grumbles, and I give her a quick squeeze.

  "Just because we're in the midst of a war, does not mean we have to stop living," I say, keeping my voice firm. Connor looks at me, a small smile on his handsome face.

  "Your sister is right," he says to Harper, and I let go of her hand so he can draw her into his embrace. She clings to him and I watch with a smile on my face. Seeing Harper like this, loved and safe, makes my heart sing. Now, if only I could take care of the rest of the town.

  "So, Bri," Harper calls, sitting up. "Why are you awake this early?"

  I groan aloud, receiving surprised looks from both Harper and Connor.

  "Okay...there is definitely a story there." Connor comments and I groan again, putting my head in my hands.

  "Brianna..." my sister singsongs and I huff in her direction. "Spill!"

  I have no choice but to so.

  "Well, I met this guy."

  3

  “Can you please stop squealing? You're going to wake up Mother.” I say, getting up from the table and heading to the kitchen to rinse my cup. Harper is already on her feet, following close behind.

  “Mother left hours ago,” my sister waves away my concern, "Tell me all about this guy."

  “Your own love life has made you a romantic,” I comment, throwing a glare her way.

  “I have always been a romantic and you know it. Connor just brings it out in me,” she winks over her shoulder at her grinning boyfriend. I roll my eyes, because I have nothing else left to do. "Come on, Bri." She whines, and I know I shouldn't have said anything. But I kind of wanted to talk it out with my sister. I glance over to where Connor gets up from the table.

  “I’ll let you two talk. I have some matters to take care of,” he says, pulling out his phone and waving it in our direction. Harper skips over to him, kissing him on the cheek. She whispers something I can't hear and the two exchange a look that hits me right in the heart. They're beautiful in that blinding kind of way. Connor waves in my direction and then he's gone.

  "He's the best, isn't he?" Harper sighs, leaning over the table, her face shining with love.

  "He is." I agree.

  "Jefferson is having him run all over the place, doing all kinds of things. He's not stepping down as Alpha any time soon, regardless of what he told Connor. But Connor won't complain. He'll do his duty."

  "He's a good man," I comment, reaching over and giving Harper's had a quick squeeze. I can hear the concern in her voice, and I understand it on some level. Connor is vulnerable right now, being in the thick of it and I know Harper is worried. "He'll be alright."

  She nods, but the concern doesn't go away. We stand in silence, as I wait her out and I know the moment she shakes it off. My sister has grown so much in the last few months. Fighting an Ancient evil does that to a girl.

  "Can we get back to your guy now?"

  "He's not my guy," I reply, rolling my eyes. My hands reach for the nearest herbs plant, gently caressing the leaves. Even though Harper is the earth witch out of the three sisters, she usually reads to relax. I garden. It relaxes me like nothing else does, and clears my mind.

  My fingers sink into the soil, testing it for moisture, as I pull a little bag of fertilizing mixture out of the cupboard. Already, I'm feeling more grounded.

  "Whatever. Tell me, tell me."

  Chuckling, I dive into the story, as I work through the plants in front of me. Mint is a particular favorite of mine. I rotate the plant, allowing the other side to face the indirect light, before grabbing my spray bottle. This particular plant loves to be misted, and so I set to work, as I wait for Harper to say whatever she is going to say. I don't have to wait long.

  "He sounds...interesting."

  "Ha. More like annoying," I say, shaking my head. My sister just shrugs.

  "True. The Mr. Know-it-all is an unattractive persona. That's unfortunate."

  I think she's more bummed at this turn of events than I am. I wasn't kidding when I said being in love has turned her into a romantic. She wants to see me in love. It's not that I don't want that. It's just I know where my place is and how hard I have to work for it. There is no one in town I would sacrifice that for.

  "It doesn't matter anyway," I say, putting my supplies away and walking over to wash my hands. "I won't ever have to see him again."

  My phone dings with an incoming text just then, and Harper is the first to snatch it up.

  "There's another coven meeting this morning. It seems urgent." She comments, looking up at me. The worry is back in her eyes and I can't blame her. We're all living on the edge right now.

  "They're all urgent, Harper," I state, walking over to take my phone from her. "We're probably going to have a meeting every day. It doesn't mean that it'll always be bad news."

  She nods, but I know she's not convinced. There is only so much comfort I can offer her and it helps that she's not a Reader, or she would be able to tell just how much of it is fake bravado. At the end of the day, I'm not as strong as I pretend to be. But it doesn't mean I won't keep trying.

  "Do you think we can win?" Harper whispers, and it's a question we ask daily.

  "We will win," I say, pulling my sister into my arms. Somehow, someway, I will make sure that my family survives whatever comes next. With Papa traveling, and Maddie away in school, I can at least know that some of them are safe. Or safer. But Harper is right on the front lines of this battle. Especially because of her bond with Connor and their soulmate magic.

  Some would say those two were so insta-love, it gave them a whiplash. But I can see past that and to the childhood history they share. And the magic the two of them carry within themselves. They are the magical soulmates we have only read about in books and that gives me hope for my sister.

  Now, I just need to make sure the rest of the town survives as well.

  When we reach the town hall, the town is just waking up. While the tourist population has gone down drastically, there are still visitors here for now. Once the protection spell is in place, the town will be erased from the world's memories. At least that's the plan. If we can ever figure out how to do it. I'm not exactly on board with the plan, but the Elders voted, so that's what will be done.

  "Do you think there's been another attack?" Krista, Harper's best friend has joined us. She's a Reader and a strong one at that. Even though her mother is still on the council and is one of the Elders, Krista was asked to come to the meeting as well.

  "I don't think so," I reply honestly. "Do you sense anything in the air?"

  "Bri, I sense danger in the air on a daily basis. It's like a fog that has rolled in and won't dissipate." She shudders a little as she says this, and Harper reaches over to hook her arm through Krista's.

  "So if there's nothing new in the air, that means nothing happened." My sister states, hoping to calm all of our nerves. It's getting harder to stay positive, when we seem to be stuck in a weird place. As if we're treading water. Apparently, we're taking turns reassuring each other. Harper's words do the trick and Krista breathes a little easier.

  "Welcome," Miss Myla greets us at the front and I smile at the sweet librarian. She must've been called in for the meeting as well. We greet people as we walk in, when I realize we're the last to arrive.

  "Girls," Mother nods a greeting at us and I try to see if I can find any answers in her quick gaze. I can't. The moment we're in the room, she continues. "As we have discussed, we are trying to be more transparent with the information we provide. While we won't be putting out a bulletin to every supernatural creature in the area, those of the Elder's family will be notified."

  For some reason, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's like Mother is gearing up to say something and I have an inkling I'm not going to like it.

  "We have brought in some outside help. The protection spells are not working as well as we hoped they would. Your father," Mother says, looking at Harper and me, before addressing the rest of the people again, "My husband has been traveling for this exact purpose. He's the liaison we so desperately need when it comes to other communities and he's been able to find us some help. The witch's family is powerful and very knowledgeable in their ways. I believe this witch is the perfect candidate in helping us figure this out. Brianna, as the leading mind in these matters, I want you to work closely with our guest. We are hoping the two of you can come up with some answers."