The Witching Hour: 11 Enchanting Novels Featuring Witches, Wizards, Vampires, Shifters, Ghosts, Fae, and More!, page 115
“Be my guest.”
“Hopefully this’ll help.” I dug back into my satchel and found the locator marble.
“Are you going to draw a map?”
“No. Just watch.” I closed my eyes and brought the tiny ball to my face. I moved it around in the shape of a rune often used with locator spells. Then I whispered a spell I’d said many times. With any luck, it could find witches I didn’t even know.
I set it on the ground. It vibrated, and then shot off to the left.
8
The marble finally stopped at the edge of a clearing. A grouping of small, old-style buildings sat not far away. It was a village. The tingling of my skin eased.
Toby turned to me and arched a brow. “Looks like you found it.”
I leaned over and picked up the marble. “Could this be my father’s coven?”
“Let’s find out.”
My stomach twisted. I put the marble back into my satchel and stood tall. “Stay behind me. There’s no telling how this coven feels about werewolves.”
He nodded. “Will do.”
I stepped into the clearing and all my irritation melted away. Relaxation swept over me in waves, both physically and emotionally. I headed toward the buildings. Shadows appeared behind the largest one.
We had been sensed.
Mentally, I went over the ingredients in my satchel should I need to grab something.
A tiny witch, no taller than a preteen, stepped out from behind the building. Her hair was pulled back into a tight, intricately woven braid and she wore a multi-colored, long flowing dress which spread out as she walked toward us.
“Stop,” she ordered. Her voice was twice as powerful as I’d expected. “Who are you?”
“My name is Gessilyn. I’m looking for—”
“What coven are you with?” She narrowed her eyes.
That was a loaded question. “I’m not.”
She leaned her weight on one side. “Come again?”
“It’s a long story. I’m looking for Johan Riosson.”
Her eyes widened. “And you are?”
My lips formed a tight line. “Gessilyn. Who are you?”
“Selena-Marie, the head of this coven. How do you know about Johan?”
“Because I do. Does he live here?”
She stepped forward, her face paling. “Tell me your business.”
Behind her, others stepped out from the buildings and shadows. They each wore similar clothes to her, but none so colorful.
I held Selena-Marie’s gaze. “That is between him and me.”
She held her arm out in front of her. Invisible hands choked me. I gagged and scratched at my neck.
“Again, I ask what is your business?”
Still gagging, I drew from the magic within me. I forced her off me and I stepped back, gasping for air.
“What is it?” she demanded.
I glared at her. “He’s a distant relative.” Since I’d never met him, it was the truth.
Her nostrils flared as she looked me over. “His part in our coven is a secret from outsiders. How do you know to find him here?”
“Because he’s my relative.”
“I suppose I can see a slight resemblance.” Selena-Marie’s dress puffed out and her face turned red. She spun around and faced the other witches. “Send for Johan.”
Several of them scampered away.
The coven leader turned back to me. “What do you need of him?”
“I simply have some questions about my heritage of magic.”
She stepped closer. “If he’s such a distant family member, how do you know his heritage affects you?”
I took a few steps toward her, showing her I wouldn’t be intimidated. “Because we’re related.”
Selena-Marie clenched her fists. “How did you find us?”
“Using my own magic.”
Her face tightened. She looked me over again. “Yes, I can feel you have a powerful force.”
“I mean you no harm. Just let me speak with Johan and I’ll be out of your hair.”
“No problem, but I will be with you the entire time.”
“Why?” I demanded.
She stepped so close our noses nearly bumped. “Because he’s my husband, and I won’t allow someone as pretty as you to be alone with him.”
“He’s my—” I stopped myself from saying father. The news needed to come from me to him. And according to the vision, he didn’t want his family knowing of his illegitimate daughter. “Relative.”
Her eyes narrowed further. If she continued, they would be shut tight.
Perhaps she knew already? Or sensed it?
A hush came over the crowd of witches behind the tiny leader.
Johan stepped out from among them. I recognized him immediately.
Toby mumbled something about him looking exactly like me. I turned and glared at him.
“Sorry,” he mouthed.
I turned back around and met Johan’s gaze. His eyes widened. Clearly, he recognized me. His recent conversation with my mother probably still lingered in his mind.
He stepped forward, stopping to stand next to his wife. My stepmother.
“You’re looking for me?” he asked. His expression was stoic. He put his arm around Selena-Marie. Next to her, he towered like a giant.
Toby stepped closer, now standing directly behind me.
“And she brought a werewolf,” Selena-Marie muttered.
“You are?” Johan asked.
“Gessilyn,” his wife answered for me.
His eyes widened, but then he regained his composure.
“She claims to be your distant relative.”
Johan relaxed. “I’ve heard of her.”
“I only have some questions for you. Then I’ll be out of your hair.”
His expression softened more. “Sure. Follow me.”
Selena-Marie stomped her foot. “I’m going with you.”
Johan shook his head. “This will be quick.”
“I forbid it.” Her eyes turned orange and then ran through each color of the rainbow.
He turned to her. “Don’t you trust me?”
“Not her.” She glared at me.
“If you trust me, then don’t worry about it. I only have eyes for you, my dear.”
“Johan…” Her voice trailed off.
“Believe me, darling, incestuous relationships have no interest for me.”
Selena-Marie’s mouth dropped.
“Let me talk to my distant relative and then we can send her on her way.”
His wife crossed her arms. “Fine. Make it quick.”
Johan motioned for me to come with him.
The leader glared at me. “If you try anything, I’ll make sure you live to regret it.”
Toby stepped forward. “And then I’ll make sure you regret that.”
My father glanced at both of them. “There isn’t a thing for any of you to worry about.”
Selena-Marie’s face scrunched. “Better not be.”
Johan led me through the crowd of witches. Several looked like they could have been my siblings. I wondered if I would ever know if they were.
We passed the group and wandered down a path. Finally, he stopped in front of a house and opened the front door. “Ladies first.”
I walked in and took in the living room. Everything was tidy and all the furniture in earth tones. I sat on a rocking chair.
Johan sat on a leather couch. “Your mother always liked rocking chairs, too.”
My mouth gaped.
“Did she send you here?” he asked.
“No.”
“How did you find me?” He tilted his head.
“Locator spell.”
He scratched his chin. “The woods didn’t deter you?”
“I’m stronger than that.”
“What is that you need, Gessilyn?”
“Given my recent visions, I believe you already know.”
He nodded. “Have you spoken with your mother?”
“Can’t find her.”
“I’m not sure how I can help you.”
“What I need is to know everything about my magical heritage. It’s the only way I can defeat the coven I grew up with.”
“And they want you dead?”
“They have for centuries. I’ve managed to stay hidden, but they won’t accept that anymore.”
“Do you want to lead them?”
I shook my head. “I was perfectly happy living in solitude all those years.”
He crossed one knee over the other. “We witches aren’t meant for that life.”
“Works for me.”
“You’ve grown weak.”
“Hey,” I exclaimed.
“It’s true. I can sense your strength, or should I say the lack of it?”
I glared at him. “I just need information.”
“Which would be what, exactly?”
As annoyed as I was—was it lingering effects of the forest, or from having dealt with Selena-Marie?—I need to appeal to him without all the negative emotions. I took a moment to relax myself. “I need to know about what it means to be descended from this coven.”
Johan burst out laughing, a sound that thundered around me.
“Why is that funny?” I asked once he finally calmed down.
“You want me to sum up the entire history of my coven in one chat?”
“I was hoping more that you would point me in the right direction. What capabilities do I have? Specifics abilities and powers?”
He wiped his eyes. “You’re certainly your mother’s daughter.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’m also—”
“Don’t say it.” He sat upright. “That would be easier to explain than everything, but even so, it’s more than I can go over in an afternoon.”
It was time to take a risk. “Can I stay for a short while? Learn from you what I can?”
“I don’t think that would go over very well. As you can tell, we’re not a group that easily welcomes strangers.”
“Yeah, I noticed. My friend and I have never argued until we entered your woods.”
“My wife would never go for it.”
“So?”
“Coven leader, darling.”
“I’m sure if anyone can convince her, it’s you.”
“She can probably guess the relationship.”
“Well, in that case, it should be my mother she has a problem with rather than me.”
He leaned back and raked his hands through his hair. “Tell you what, darling. I’ll see if one of my children will take you in. I’m sure either of my daughters would be happy to have a guest, but I’ll of course have to speak with them first.”
“What if your wife disagrees?”
“Like you said, family can be convincing. It’s doubtful she’ll turn down two of us.”
It took me a moment to recover from the surprise of him agreeing. “Aren’t you worried they’ll figure out who I am?”
He leaned forward. “I’m sure you won’t say anything.”
“No, of course not.”
“Stay here. Don’t touch anything.” He rose and left the house.
I stared at the closed door. That had been surprisingly easy—at least compared to the trip through the forest. I leaned back in the chair, closed my eyes, and rocked. The squeaking was a pleasant distraction.
After a while, a commotion sounded outside. I opened my eyes and listened, trying to make out what anyone said, but there were too many speaking at once, over each other.
Surely, it had to do with me. Given the lengths they went to in order to keep people away, it had probably been some time since they’d had anyone inside, and maybe longer since one had stayed.
Footsteps pounded, nearing the house.
I braced myself for what was to come.
The door burst open. Selena-Marie entered, her eyes ablaze. “You dare invite yourself to stay here?”
Johan appeared behind her, followed by several people who could have easily been their grown children.
“Answer me!”
I stared at the tiny witch. “I merely asked to spend some time with some of your residents.”
“My husband and my children!”
“We’re grown, Mother.” A dirty-blonde shook her head at Selena-Marie.
“Silence. I still say what goes around here—and it’s her. Be gone, stranger.”
“She’s our relative,” said a handsome black-haired witch.
“We never get to meet distant relatives,” said the blonde.
Selena-Marie’s face scrunched up again. “I should have listened to Father.” She turned to Johan. “He warned me you would bring nothing but trouble.”
He grinned. “That’s why you liked me.”
“Not funny.” She adjusted a sash around her waist.
“Mother, please,” begged the blonde. “She can stay at my place. Come on. She looks harmless.”
Again? I really needed to do something about that. And really, was I all that harmless if my old coven wanted me dead?
“Or she can stay with me,” said a lighter blonde with curly hair.
Selena-Marie folded her arms. “Only because she’s your relative, Johan.” She turned to the two blondes. “And I have a condition. All of you children need to stay in one home together with her. If you can’t make that happen, then she returns home.”
I rose. “All I’m asking is for a little time. I don’t understand all my abilities—I just need some explanations and then I’ll be out of your hair.”
The tiny witch wrinkled her nose. “And that can’t come soon enough.”
9
I joined Toby at the edge of the woods, where he waited for me.
“Did you get what you were looking for?” he asked.
“Not yet. They’re going to let me stay.”
“Oh? Is everyone in the village a witch?”
“Yes, it’s their private coven. Do you mind going through the woods on your own, or would you prefer I go with you?”
“Might be easier by myself. Less chances of irritation. Besides, a werewolf can manage a forest.” Toby laughed.
“True. Feel free to return home if you need to.”
He shook his head. “I wouldn’t do that to you, Gess. There are some wolves in the area I’d like to visit. Why don’t you give me a call when you’re done here? We can meet up and figure out the next step.”
My eyes lit up. “Oh, maybe they can help me find Victoria. I’m sure they know spells I’ve never dreamed about.”
Toby wrapped his arms around me. “You’re the best.”
“Anything for a friend. I’ll let you know once I’m out of here.”
“Best of luck, and if you need anything, give me a call. I’ll be back here as soon as I can.” He glanced behind me. “I’d better get going.”
“Thanks for everything.”
He gave a slight nod, turned around, and walked away, picking up his speed with each step.
I turned around. My family stood near the buildings, watching. The father and five siblings I never knew who had agreed to help me out. Would they want something in return? Or could they just be curious?
Either way, it was time to find out. I walked over to the group. Selena-Marie stood behind them at a distance with the others in the coven. It was obvious by her glare that she still didn’t trust me. In fact, I was certain she would have liked to harm me just to prove a point, but she didn’t want to stand against her entire family.
I stopped a few feet in front of my father and siblings.
Johan stepped forward. “You’ll stay in Frida’s home. It’s the largest, with her being the eldest daughter.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
A dark-haired brother narrowed his eyes at me. “We’ll be watching you.”
“Nils,” Johan said with a warning in his tone.
Nils folded his arms. “She needs to know.”
“I’m sure she does. Your mother has made it perfectly clear.”
The dirty blonde from earlier stepped forward and smiled. “I’m Frida. Come with me. I’m so excited to have you stay with me.”
“Thanks.”
Frida spun around and walked toward Johan’s home. The rest followed her, and I followed them. The other witches made way for us. Everyone stared at me, most with expressions of distrust, but at least not hatred. If my old coven did manage to find me in this remote location, these other witches would likely fight them just for showing up en masse.
We passed Johan’s home and then some smaller ones before Frida stopped in front of one about the size of Johan’s. “Come on inside. I can’t wait to hear stories of relatives from afar.”
She held open the door and the other siblings went in first. Something was cooking inside. My mouth watered immediately, though I didn’t recognize the scent. I hadn’t eaten since the plane, and suddenly I realized how long ago that had been.
Frida indicated for me to sit on a couch, so I did. She sat next to me and the other sister sat on the other side.
“Are you hungry?” Frida asked.
“I am.”
“That can wait,” Nils said. His arms were still folded. “Why are you here?”
I stared directly at him, showing him I wouldn’t be easily intimidated. “It’s exactly as I said before. I carry your magic, and I need to know how to use it.”
Nils turned to Johan. “How can you allow this? Outsiders aren’t allowed in our coven.”
“She’s not entirely an outsider, now is she?” Johan asked. “Gessilyn is our relative.”
“Distant.” Nils drew his brows together and then turned to his two brothers. “You two can’t be for this insanity, can you?”
The one with black hair answered. “I’d actually like to hear what she has to say.”
Nils rolled his eyes. “You would, Eldon.”
“And why not? She might even have something to show us, as well.”
Nils turned to the final brother. “Keran, tell me you have some sense about you.”
Keran shrugged. “I’m curious.”
“I’m surrounded by idiots.” Nils paced the room and stopped in front of me. “I’m keeping my eyes on you.”
“Go ahead. I’m only here to learn.”
Nils scowled. “Don’t expect anything from me.”
“Okay.”
