Winter's Awakening (Light Coven Chronicles Book 1)

by Alessandra Jay

  “Remember Hazel’s prophecy? I can’t help but wonder if it’s you, Scarlet.” I was not expecting that at all. “I don’t know, Evan. I only just got my power. I have so many questions. I mean, it can’t be me.” It didn't even occur to me about how life-changing it would be if I was the chosen caster. Now I'm more afraid than anything. “I know it’s a difficult time for you, Scarlet. And you can ask me anything, and I will always answer honestly. But I think all of your questions should be answered by the Sisters themselves. Even if you're not the caster of the prophecy, you would still need to meet with them so they can welcome you into our world. It’s tradition,” he says simply.

  “Okay. We can do that. But first, let’s tell my family. They have the right to know. And maybe they can answer some questions I have for them, too.” He nods his understanding. “Of course, love. Right after breakfast, we’ll go see your family. But first I have an important question,” he says mysteriously. “Do you want to keep the bed in here to watch the movie or return the bed and watch on the couch?” He jokes playfully with me. I giggle and close my eyes to find my power and easily make it flow to my fingers. I think of where the bed should be, and I cast out my magic. I'm thrown back on the couch, and Evan lands with a thud on the floor behind the couch. He snaps up and jumps on the spot next to me, as if nothing just happened. “What do you wanna watch?”

  “I think a comedy will be best, considering my life is going to officially change in the morning.” He kisses my hand, and I rest my head on his shoulders. “Not all change is bad, love. And remember, I will be by your side through it all.” His reassurance means so much. As Evan is looking through the channels for a movie, I can’t help but stress his theory. Is it really possible that I could be the caster they're all looking for? “One more question,” I ask, during the first set of previews. He turns and gives me his full attention. “Can you feel my power?”

  He smiles and says, “I can. It’s exhilarating. And powerful. Very, very powerful,” he answers. “Do you think everyone else will feel it?” I ask. “Well, I guess we’ll find out tomorrow, starting with your family,” he finishes. I turn to watch the movie, savoring every last second of normal and calm freedom before my life is turned upside down.

  Chapter 23

  Eden

  Evan and I are almost to dad’s house, and I'm beginning to get really nervous. Unable to sit still and feeling like there isn't enough air in the car to breathe, I roll down the window and Evan takes my hand in his. “It’s going to be okay, love. Would you like me to pull over?” He very sweetly asks. But I shake my head. “No. Keep going. If we stop now I’ll chicken out,” I admit. He squeezes my hand and continues the way. I sent a message to Demi, Dad, and Dimitri this morning when I woke up, asking them to meet me at dad’s today, and we’re about to turn into my neighborhood. I can do this. I have Evan here with me. I'm a little surprised at how much I actually need him by my side. I look over at him and just stare. At his curls I stare at the stubble on his cheeks; I stare at his full lips that are singing along to the radio. My heart beats faster and faster the longer I admire him.

  I want to see more, like last night when he stood naked in front of me. I want to see his biceps and his perfectly chiseled body. Before I realize what is happening, I see Evan quickly turn his head to me, and then the car gets pushed to the other side of the road. When Evan regains control of the car, I look up to find him wide-eyed and shirtless. Where did his shirt go? Was that me? Oh, my God! “Scarlet, if you wanted to see my rock-hard abs, you could have just asked.” He jokes, helping me forget about how stressed I was just a moment ago. Evan pulls into dad’s driveway, and all the laughter subsides. I hear a snap and look over to see Evan with his shirt on again.

  He takes my hand and with a sly grin, says, “We’re going to have to get your magic under control before you have my butt cheeks appear in front of your dad.” He jokes again. I pull him in for a hug, and he holds me for a second longer, whispering in my hair, “You've got this, love. I know you do.” I have to stop being a wimp and show Evan that I could be strong. This is it. I can hear Dimitri’s music from the front of the house, so they must be in the kitchen. Taking Evan’s hand and leading him to the sliding door of the kitchen, I momentarily freeze. Evan puts his hand on mine, giving it a little shove, helping me open the door.

  He leans in close to my ear, “It’s going to be okay.” And I believe him. I have to. There’s no turning back now. Just by being here with me, Evan provides me with the strength to step forward into the kitchen. And when I do, I instantly wish we were back at the Village. Evan is right behind me. And I'm so thankful that he’s here, not only giving me support but also witnessing my family’s reaction towards the news I'm about to hit them with. He takes his place by my side and bends a little to grab my hand. I can’t move. I'm stuck staring into the eyes of my family. Demi and Silas stopped mid-dance; Dimitri paused mashing his potatoes, and my dad stood up quicker than ever. All four of them are frozen in place and staring only at me.

  “Well, that answers your question about them feeling your power.” Evan communicates to me in my mind. Dad steps forward, slowly walking towards me. “Honey? Is that power coming from you?” He says, as he stops directly in front of me. “But…how?” I shrug my shoulders as a lonely tear escapes my eye. He catches it and kisses my forehead. Taking him in my arms, I hug him as tight as I can. “Scarlet, everything is going to be okay.” Dad reassures. I pull away, and it seems all I can do is nod my head. He takes my hand and leads me towards the counter to sit on one of the stools. Evan is right behind me, just like he said he would be. Demi is the first to speak. “Scar, how did this happen?” She asks gently.

  I wish I knew. So nervous, I begin to ramble. “I don't know how or why it happened. I guess I should have seen the signs at Syracuse. I woke up with a migraine one day, then had a nightmare that I guess was actually a vision. I’ve had a few of those, actually. Then the feelings I get when I'm near Evan. And then last night I unintentionally broke a waitress’ wrist, and Evan wanted to test it, so we tried a few things and, well, I have my power now…” Saying it out loud like that confirmed that I was, in fact, a caster now. I no longer feel afraid. Now I'm excited. I’ve wanted this all my life. And now I have it. Finally.

  Evan

  Everything was going great until we had to figure out who's going to Eden with Scarlet. An argument broke out among the men because only one other caster can escort a new caster to Eden. Since she has never been there before, Rick says that he should go with her. But I just had to speak up and tell them it should be me taking her. I don't know why, but I have such a strong feeling about going with her. I know it has to be me. I hear Dimitri chuckle and say, “If anyone is going, it should be me.” We go at it for a good ten minutes until Demi put a silencing cast on us. All it took was one question. One question we all should have considered first before anything. “Scarlet, since it’s YOU that this is happening to, how about you choose. Who is going with you to Eden?” She simply asks, as she gives us all the evil eye.

  I look over to where Scarlet is standing, and I don't think I have ever seen her so pale. It’s almost as if she is turning lighter and lighter. Wait, is she…? Oh, my Ava! She’s turning clear, invisible! But... that’s impossible. She didn't even chant a spell or drink a potion. How could she be casting this when she is only beginning to receive her power? Every single one of us sucked in our breath at the exact same time. I step forward. “Scarlet?” Rick next, “Honey?” Dimitri tries, “Pal, please.” Silence.

  We hear a crash in the living room and all race to get there. The first thing I see is Scarlet’s unruly hair swinging behind her as she paces the room. She suddenly stops short and perks up, racing past us, back to the kitchen. We follow her, returning to our previous positions. Scarlet is in the middle of the island, cracking eggs in a huge wooden bowl, hair frazzled, cheeks red, in complete beautiful chaos.

  Demi slowly walks forward and says, “Scar, step away f
rom the bowl. I know you're freaking out. But we’re all here with you, always. We will get through this together. You know I would never turn down your baking, but why don't we save that for when you return from Eden. It’s crucial that you get there as soon as possible.” I walk forward to stand in front of her and gently take her hands in mine. I take a deep breath in and exhale a deep breath out, and I continue to do that until she begins to mimic me and stop shaking. “Love, none of us will be upset with you. Your sister is right. The choice is yours and yours only. We will be right here every step of the way, together.” Dimitri steps up behind her and hugs her back as I see tears collecting in her eyes. Rick steps up to hug her, also.

  When we all let go, she straightens her back, and she turns to her father. “Dad, I can’t really explain why. I don't even know why myself. But I feel it right in the pit of my stomach. It has to be Evan. I'm sorry. I don't want you to think I don't want you there.” She begins to mumble when Rick steps up and takes her in his arms again. “Sweetheart, you and your sister are the smartest girls I know. If you say Evan should be there, then he should go with you. Just don't go turning invisible on me again.” He jokes.

  Dimitri says, “How did you do that, anyway?” She innocently replies, “I just panicked and wanted to disappear. I didn't think it would actually happen.” That’s when I step forward, happier than ever to have been chosen. “Well, let’s go get some answers from the Elders,” more than ready to finally figure out what has been happening to my Anima Partem.

  Scarlet

  We’re back in Evan’s car, and I'm not as nervous as I was before. He says the closest portal to my dad’s house is underground, in the subway. I can’t help but think of all the times I’ve taken that train, and all those times I passed the portal to Eden. We pay our way to get through, and he leads me to the platform. Only, Evan doesn't stop walking. We get all the way to the end, where there’s not one person to witness us disappear into another world. Evan turns around and touches a piece of a corner tile on the dirty wall. It gives in to his touch and pushes deeper into the wall. A crevice further down creaks open.

  He turns to look at me then takes my hand. “Ready, love?” I nod, slightly frightened. He pulls my hand behind him and goes to step through, and I don’t realize half of his body disappeared until all that’s left is the hand that’s holding mine. With one tug from him, I'm being pulled into the crevice with him. I squeeze my eyes shut, sort of like I'm going underwater and feel disoriented for a moment. And then, with a rush, everything is snapped into overdrive. I open my eyes and let out the breath I have been holding in, only to suck it right back in.

  Every piece of me explodes. I feel my chest expand as the power inside of me grows. The energy inside of me bursts into electricity. Evan places his hand inside of mine as he breaks me out of my trance. It’s now that I can look around and notice that I am standing in the most beautiful forest that I have ever seen. I have never seen trees as big as these. And the leaves, the leaves aren't just green. They're every color. Not even the changing colors of the trees in New York can compare to the array of colors before me.

  I see a blue leaf on the floor, and I numbly pick it up. This can’t be real. I'm holding a blue leaf in my hand. I get a weird tugging feeling in the palm of my hand where the leaf is resting, and I look up to see Evan smirking at me, seeming to enjoy watching me. “What is that pull that I'm feeling from this leaf?” I ask, awestruck. “Everything here has energy in it, love. That one leaf has its own flow of magic. You've never been here, so it’s almost as if it is welcoming you to Eden.”

  “Wow,” is all I can say, clearly in shock. I gently place the blue leaf back on the ground, and the second I stand up, I'm in his arms and he’s twirling me around. I feel happier here, lighter. I can’t hold back the laughter, the electricity from Evan’s touch, mixed with the euphoric energy coming from this world. I almost feel like I'm getting drunk. We stop spinning and fall back into a pile of red and purple leaves. It feels like they are all migrating to my body, hugging me. Welcoming me. “I will never forget this moment, ever,” I say, in true happiness.

  “Let’s head towards the Elders’ estate, love. We should be there in 15 minutes.” It takes me a minute to get up because I don't want to leave this beautiful forest. Evan senses my hesitation and comes to take my hands in his. “Trust me, if you like this, wait until we get to the Sisters’ area of the forest.” He wiggles his eyebrows and helps me to my feet. It took a few minutes more than Evan thought because I felt like I had to stop and acknowledge all of the new life and energy I felt along the way.

  Half an hour later, we are in front of a massive gate entwined with thousands of thornless vines. There is a black patch of burned vines sitting just above the gate, and I just had to touch it. The second I do, a large rainbow-colored rose bloomed right at the top of the gate, and just when I was about to pull the flower off to keep, Evan gently took my hand away and stopped me. “This is where the fire was the other night. It looks like they’ve been having trouble casting it back to health, until now.” He says, as he stares at me in awe.

  With eyes wide open and a million questions filling in my head, Evan takes my hand and pushes open the gate. A beautiful woman appears on the other side. Her pin-straight, shoulder length, blond hair was filled with natural brown streaks. It flowed in the wind, away from her flawless face. Her olive-colored eyes stood out against her pale-peach skin tone, and her full set of lips graced me with a genuine and welcoming smile. She looks right into my eyes and says, “Welcome to Eden, Scarlet Winter. We have been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”

  The moment she sees the rose that bloomed under my touch, her face flushes, and her eyes grow wide. She snaps her fingers, and we’re suddenly inside of the palace, in a room full of more thornless and flowerless vines. The walls and furniture are covered in them. The windows are the only space without them. Evan and the shimmering woman are watching me, expecting me to do something. So I turn away and walk towards one of the windows. Looking outside knocks the breath out of me, leaving me speechless. A panoramic view of the rainbow-colored forest we were just in is painted before my eyes.

  Evan comes up from behind me and hugs me from the back, resting his chin on my shoulder, he whispers in my ear, “I told you there was more.” It isn't until I hear the woman suck in a breath that I realized I put my hand on the vine wall, to hold myself steady from being so close to Evan. I thought she was surprised at the effect he had on me, until I looked up to see the entire wall has new rainbow-colored roses blooming from every inch. She says, “come, you two, quickly. The others are waiting.”

  I wondered why we stopped in the vine room if the Sisters were waiting for us. Then I realized the woman wanted to test me. My theory was proven to be correct when we entered what seemed to be a conference room. But it wasn't any ordinary conference room. Sure, there was a huge table directly in the center, but it was all made of marble. But the chairs and the walls were clear and made of glass. You could see right through to the room above and below.

  But what caught me off guard was the glass wall directly in front of the forest of colors. If I thought the window in the vine room was breathtaking, then this was absolutely awe-inspiring. I didn't realize I was being rude by not acknowledging the Elders, until Evan lightly coughed, trying to get my attention. I spun around and looked every one of the gorgeous Sisters in the eyes. “I apologize for my rudeness. I just have never seen anything like this before.” I attempt to explain.

  A few of the Sisters chuckled, but only one stood up, and she held her hands out to me. She was magnificent. Her hair reached her hips. And it was so red, it looked like lava. Her eyes are immensely violet. Looking into them felt like I was looking at sparkling amethyst gemstones. Her smile was radiant, and her voice was so silky that I thought I was going to fall asleep just listening to her say my name. “Scarlet Winter, welcome to Eden. We have long awaited this meeting. But before we can fully show you the magic that lies in this
world, we will need you to hold the parchment of prophecy.” Those words, sounding like a lullaby, had me in a trance. I didn't even respond to her until I saw her brilliant smile shine through, ceasing my thoughts. I nodded my head, feeling unworthy to speak in front of such a beautiful and powerful woman.

  “It’s quite all right, dear. You may speak.” She’s smirking now, and I feel my cheeks getting hot. Evan chuckles where he’s standing, and that’s enough to bring me out of my trance. “I apologize for my rude...” I begin to apologize again, when another beautifully striking woman stands up with a grin on her face. She walks up to me and says, “You said that already, cupcake.” This woman looks to have more of a playful energy about her. With short black hair and blue streaks spread throughout, she crossed her arms and giggled at my lack of speech. “Before you apologize again, why don't we get the introductions out of the way.”

  The woman with the red hair says, “Yes, Hunter. That is a grand idea. Let us begin. You have already met Belle when she greeted you at the gates.” I look over, and Belle gracefully bows like a ballerina would. Not knowing what to do, I return the bow and turn my eyes back to the woman doing the introductions. She continues, “This sparky one is Hunter.” I look over at Hunter, and she playfully bows like we’re about to dance. I can’t help but giggle as I turn back, and as she goes down the list of Sisters, each one stands up and bows. “Jade and Nova.”

  Jade has chocolate brown curly hair that reaches all the way down past her butt. Her dark caramel skin looks so smooth and rich. And her sparkling green eyes really pop against her skin tone. Nova, looks like the total opposite of Jade. Her straight orange hair is in a short pixie style. And her pale white skin looked almost as milky as mine, but hers shimmered. She has the most beautiful navy-blue eyes. They looked like the night sky as it begins to turn black. Both Jade and Nova bow their heads in welcoming.