by Amy Manemann
This time, Braeden groaned.
Sadie scowled at me.
I shrugged.
A murmur of voices broke out through the group, most of them sounding like grumpy complaints from men about women’s lib. I smugly smiled, waiting for them to stop bickering like old women.
“Sadie Devries is the most powerful white witch on that coast, my Lords. If she casts her protection spells and Braeden assists Willa’s training, it may be possible for her to be perfectly safe staying in Salem for the time being,” the woman spoke again.
Whoever she was, I wanted to give her a high five for taking my side. It couldn’t be easy standing up to a room full of stuffy old Council members. Another grumble of voices filled the room as the group debated this. I chewed my lip while they talked, shooting a worried glance at Braeden. His face remained impassive, though a small smile tugged the corner of his mouth.
“All right, Willa, we will agree to this. For now. But only with the understanding that should there be a shift in dark powers you are to come to London immediately,” Lord Lancaster finally agreed, albeit reluctantly.
“I understand.” Fat chance of that.
“My Lord, another thing if you would please,” Braeden interjected. “Has there ever been a mention in Lightkeeper history of having others present in your inner light?”
“Not to our knowledge, but there is a possibility of something being mentioned in the earlier archives. Why do you ask?” Lancaster asked.
“When Willa went to her inner light this afternoon, she was greeted by two other women, who had no knowledge of how they arrived there,” Braeden answered quietly.
“Could they be other Lightkeeper’s?” I blurted out, the thought suddenly occurring.
“It is possible, but you say they didn't know they came to be in your light?” the woman asked curiously.
“No. Their names are Addison and Riley, and they seemed just as confused and lost as I did. I tried to comfort Addison, but when we touched, light exploded all around us.” My hands tingled at the memory, and I rubbed them together.
Braeden shot me a questioning look. “You neglected to tell me that part.”
Oops. “Sorry, it was all so confusing at the time. I only just now remembered it.”
Silence filled the phone line, and I wondered if we’d lost the phone connection. Finally, a throat cleared, and I realized I’d stunned the entire room. Was that a good thing or a bad thing, though? Their silence was short lived, and soon the line filled with bits of different conversations going on all at once. Words of “Power of Three”, “Prophecy” and “Divided Lights” swirled around me, and I tried to keep up with the rush of conversation.
“Quiet!" Lord Lancaster finally boomed, quieting the room. "How could we have missed this? Why did the Scrye not see the prophecy forthcoming?”
“Even though they’re able to foresee the future, Scryes are limited to what their visions tell them. They cannot make certain events come to light. They can only tell what has been shown,” the woman interjected.
“If Willa is truly part of the prophecy, then I fear we have an even bigger problem on our hands,” another male voice cut in.
Um, prophecy?
“Indeed, we do, Lord Kensington.” Lord Lancaster grew quiet. A chill trickled down my spine, a feeling of foreboding prickling my skin. “Given the fact of the unprecedented women in Willa’s light, I think it’s safe to say the long-awaited prophecy has come to pass, and the divided lights will soon be united. Unfortunately, that also means the growing darkness we’ve been tracking is even more powerful than originally thought. Judging by Willa’s vision, it appears dark forces may already know the significance of her powers.”
My head spun, and I felt behind me for the couch to sit before I keeled over. “I don’t understand. What prophecy?”
“Long ago, the great Keeper of Light prophesied the coming of three Lightkeeper’s whose powers would be intertwined. He said it would come at a time of great darkness, when it would take the power of three to hold the light. If what you say is true, then we believe that you, Willa, and the other two women in your light, are those three Lightkeepers,” Lord Lancaster explained, speaking as though repeating a child’s bedtime story. I only wish it were. “But Addison and Riley…where are they? How do we find them?” Panic gripped me. They were out there on their own without a Guardian to train them. If the darkness could find me when I came into my powers, it would surely find them just as quickly.
“It is not your place to worry about such things, Willa. We will take care of finding the other two Lightkeepers. For now, you must focus on your training and preparing yourself for your powers,” the woman insisted.
I frowned, not liking that idea in the least. “But if they’re part of this circle thing too, then wouldn’t it make sense for me to help? I wasn’t able to make out their faces in my light, but I would know them if I met them.”
“We will do all in our power to find Addison and Riley, Willa. Have no fear. Braeden, given these new circumstances, I must impress upon you the importance of completing Willa’s training,” the woman continued.
“I understand,” Braeden replied tightly.
“Then it's settled. Should you notice any change in conditions, you are to leave immediately. This is not a debate. May the Goddess be with you both, Willa and Braeden, as you journey on this quest,” the woman spoke softly again. A moment later, the call disconnected and the sound of a dial tone rang in our ears.
“Are you all right?” he asked me, shoving his phone into his back pocket.
“Yeah, sure, why wouldn’t I be?” I joked, though the trembling of my lips gave me away.
“Perhaps some tea might be in order?” Braeden glanced at Sadie over the top of my head. With a look in my direction, Sadie nodded and rose from the couch and went into the kitchen. Braeden took the empty seat next to me, gently gathering my hand in his.
“We’ll figure this out, Willa. I promise,” he stated firmly, fingertips rubbing a soothing pattern across my skin.
“Do you think Addison and Riley will be all right?” Worriedly, I reached up to twist the end of my braid between my fingers.
Braeden sighed. “I’m afraid I can’t answer that. The power of the light rests inside of them, giving them an advantage over mere mortals. Did you sense their power when you were in your light?”
I drew in a deep breath, my mind replaying the details of the chance encounter like a slide show. In my mind’s eye, I could easily see Addison and Riley standing in my light, and as I focused, I realized a soft glow had surrounded the three of us while we were standing there.
“Like me, a glowing light surrounded them, but it was all the same. Do you think that means they haven’t come into their powers yet?” I asked, turning a hopeful gaze to his. If they haven’t come into their powers yet, there was still time for us to find them.
Braeden rubbed his jaw, mulling my words over. “I think there’s a chance of it, which is good news for us. It means the Council has time, even if it’s a small window, to get to them first.”
I frowned. “And what if the Council can’t find them? Then what, we just sit back and let them fend for themselves?”
“You underestimate the power inside you, Willa. Training conditions and teaches you how to control your powers, so when you face an attack, you are better able to fend it off. Even without training, Addison and Riley will be powerful beings in their own right. If attacked, they won’t be helpless.”
My stomach churned at the thought of Addison and Riley coming under attack from Goddess knows what. Thanks to Sadie, I’ve never had to deal with any dark entities before, which made me insanely grateful for the power she wielded. I’m sure she’s saved my hide more times than I probably knew. The reality of what we faced swirled uncomfortably around me, making me all too aware that I really had no idea what we were up against.
“Everyone keeps talking about this oh so scary unsettled darkness, but nobody has really
said what that is. So, Braeden, what exactly are we up against?” I forced myself to ask.
Sadie returned carrying a tray of tea items, setting it down on the coffee table in front of us.
“Oh the usual sorts, mostly entities from the Underworld. Vampires, werewolves, and demons, just to name a few. Tea?” Holding up a steaming teapot, Sadie was so nonchalant, as though she were talking about the weather.
I stared at her like she’d grown another head. She was joking, right?
“I thought vampires and werewolves were just fairytales,” I managed, my gaze bouncing between her smiling face and Braeden’s serious eyes.
Sadie laughed, giving a shake of her head. “Oh, Sweetheart, just because you haven’t seen any doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Now granted, it’s been many years since we’ve had any supernaturals in the area, other than coven members, but Salem used to be crowded with supernaturals back in the day. You take yours black, right Braeden?”
Braeden nodded, changing positions to accept the cup of tea from Sadie’s outstretched hand.
“If Salem was such a hotbed for supernaturals, then why did they all just up and leave?” I asked, brow furrowed in confusion.
Sadie paused in pouring another cup of tea, a shadow crossing her face. “The witch trials of sixteen ninety-two drove most of the supernatural beings away for fear of discovery. Those were dark times, when people turned on one another in mass hysteria for fear of being accused and hanged themselves. Our family stayed, as did most nearby coven members, and rode out the storm until the end of the trials in nineteen sixty-three, though not without loss. Good white witches were hung, one was pressed to death, and several others died while awaiting trial in prison. In remembrance of those dark times, the remaining Covens have since gathered annually to cast a circle around the entire town hoping to prevent further evil from entering our homes.”
Sadie finished her story by pouring tea into the cup and handing it off to me. I dumped a few cubes of sugar into the cup before cradling the steaming mug between my hands.
“All Hallows Eve, the circle of light ceremony,” I murmured, already getting what she was hinting at.
Sadie smiled, nodding. “Yes. All Hallows Eve is the time of year when the lining between this world and the supernatural realm is at its thinnest. Each group of Light Casters meet at the four corners of the town where we simultaneously cast the circle of light.”
“Okay, I get that. But if we already do the circle of light spell to protect the town, why is it necessary to cast additional protection spells? Isn’t the original spell strong enough?”
“I only wish it was. Living in a magically charged area and casting the light spell every year has so far hidden your Lightkeeper abilities from any evil entities lurking nearby. That will all change the minute you fully come into your powers, Willa,” Sadie said, her voice softening.
Angered by her words, and I set my cup of tea down on the table with a thud.
“What good is it to have all of this awesome power if I will always be looking over my shoulder, wondering who’s waiting to take it away from me?” I asked, bitterness lacing my voice. By the pained look on Sadie’s face I knew I was right, and it angered me all the more that I wasn’t able to do anything about it.
“As long as I’m around you’ll never have to worry about looking over your shoulder. I swear to you, Willa. I will do my best to ensure you will always be safe wherever you are,” Braeden promised, determination set in his jaw.
I turned in my seat, falling into the depths of his golden gaze. A small spark of light flickered in my heart, and as I stared into his eyes, I knew I believed him. And with that belief, came hope for my future.
Sadie cleared her throat. “As shall I, Willa, which is why I’ve called a meeting at Willow Hall tonight to discuss this situation with our nearby covens. I will need you both to attend.”
I cringed.
Willow Hall is a beautiful antique lighthouse that rests on the shoreline of Salem’s Neck. Once a beacon for sailors out at sea, its light had stood as a warning to all about the dangers of venturing too close to the rocky shoreline. The lighthouse has been long since retired and is owned by the local covens, who used the sea-worn building for their coven meetings.
It wasn’t Willow Hall that gave me the heebie jeebies, though, more so the thought of attending a coven meeting. I was eight the last time Aunt Sadie made me go, and I still remember how their intense, piercing gazes had pricked my delicate skin.
“Do we really have to go? I mean, can’t you just give them the cliff note version and find out what we need to do for additional protection?” I rubbed my hands up and down my arms to ward off the chill that had come over me.
“What are you, ten?” Sadie scoffed. “Yes, Willa. I may be powerful, but even I know when to ask for help. If we are going to buy you some time, we'll need a combination of powers to cast a stronger spell. This meeting will only be with the coven heads, so it’ll be a small crowd.”
I sighed. She was right. I needed to go to the meeting. No matter how much I really didn’t want to.
“All right. But if they decide I’m more trouble than I’m worth and turn me into a toad, I’m blaming you.”
Chapter 8
Rolling waves crashed over the rocky shoreline, and the smell of sea salt permeated the misty air. I stood inside the antique lighthouse that rested on the rocky shore, peering out the window to the black murkiness beyond.
I could hear the rustle of the head coven members arriving in the great room, though I wasn’t too interested in joining them just yet. All too soon I would have to feel the pierce of their stares on me. For now, I preferred to stare out the window.
A warm body came to stand next to me, and I somehow resisted the urge to lean into Braeden’s strength.
“Are you all right?” Worry edged his voice, and I forced a smile, managing a nod. No sense in worrying him needlessly. We needed to do this if we were going to buy me some time. Without the help of the witches in the next room, we were pretty much sitting ducks.
“You needn’t lie, Willa. I can tell you’re nervous,” he remarked, sliding me a sideways glance.
I sighed. How did he know me so well already?
“I hate this. I just wish it could be something as simple as getting my powers, learning how to use them and everyone else just leaving us alone. Why can’t it be simple like that?” I grumbled, scowling out the window.
“Because you are one of three chosen by the Goddess to fight the deepest powers of the dark, and you require more help than what we can give. More than I can give,” he ended softly, a frown touching his lips.
I turned, peering up at him. “What do you mean?”
“I mean…I’m your Guardian, Willa. I always imagined being your Guardian meant I could give you everything you needed. Yet here we are, facing a challenge that’s bigger than the both of us, and there’s nothing I can do to make it better.”
His words warmed my heart and understanding filled me. He wanted to be the one to protect me, not the coven of witches in the other room, and he hated the fact that he wasn’t powerful enough to do it himself.
Hesitantly, I reached up, gently touching his cheek. Surprise flickered across his features, and he turned to face me. “Braeden, do you really think you could have prepared yourself for something like this to happen? You being here has helped immensely. I don’t know where I’d be if you hadn’t come.”
His hand covered mine, his eyes turning a shimmering shade of gold as he searched my gaze. The noise from the other room faded away, leaving us in a world focused solely on each other.
“Willa…,” he whispered, the huskiness of his voice warming my blood.
A throat cleared in the doorway, and he took a gentlemanly step back, regret twisting his features at the interruption.
“Everyone has arrived if you’d like to join us,” Sadie announced, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
Her words instantly jerked me back
to the present. I shivered, wrapping my arms over my stomach.
“Uh, okay, thanks,” I bit out, the reality of our situation chasing away the fleeting moment of heat between me and Braeden.
Sadie smirked before ducking out of the room, giving us a few more minutes alone.
“I guess we should probably get out there,” he said, smiling apologetically.
I blew out a breath. “I guess.”
I was already turning to the door when Braeden reached out and grabbed my arm, turning me back towards him. I shot him a questioning look, to which he merely grinned, giving a shrug.
“For good luck.” With a small smile, he leaned down, brushing his lips against my forehead.
My body flushed from head to toe at the contact, and I was fairly certain the room spun before he pulled away. I blinked his face back into focus, immediately wishing we could steal a few minutes more. Somehow, something told me I could have Braeden for all the time in the world, and it still wouldn’t be enough.
He must have understood what I was thinking, because he leaned forward, pressing his forehead against mine.
“Me, too,” he breathed, and I closed my eyes, savoring his closeness. I knew I was stalling by enjoying these stolen moments, but I really didn’t care. The world was going to end anyway, why not enjoy these peaceful moments while we could?
All too soon, he pulled away. “Come on. Let’s go.”
Capturing my hand, he held it tightly while tugging me to the door. Mutely, I followed behind him, feeling like a lamb being led to the slaughter.
Eight sets of eyes swung in our direction when we stepped into the great room, and my mouth went dry. Everything you think you ever knew about witches, you can probably chalk up to fairytales. The ones I know don’t have green, warty skin, nor do they have stringy, unkempt hair or wear black clothing. The seven women present wore bright, shimmering colors that represented their covens, and all were equal in their youthful beauty. Nope, not a wart to among them.
Sadie and the seven coven heads sat in a circle on the floor around the serenity rug, which took up the entire center of the room. The serenity rug is a symbol of peace for all covens and was always present at any meeting. The beautiful, vibrant colors woven throughout the intricate pattern glistened under the soft light of the chandelier hanging from the ceiling, instantly filling those who entered with a warm, pleasant feeling. Probably a good thing, considering some of these meetings have gotten a little heated.