by Elissa Daye
“If something happens—”
“You’ll come racing to help me.” Brina knew Kam wouldn’t leave her out there to get harmed, no matter what happened inside the circle. The Knight men would always protect one of their own. “I won’t be long, Kam.”
He nodded to her and looked over to the left, where there was another large rock. “I’ll be there.”
“Thank you, Kam.”
“For what?” He looked surprised.
“Understanding.” She smiled at him.
“My mother’s a witch too. Pigheaded to boot. I know better than to stir that pot.” He winked at her.
“Good man. Maybe you should teach your brother that,” she teased him.
“Hell no! It’s more fun to watch him dig his own hole.” He chortled in laughter.
Brina rolled her eyes and shook her head. Men! She continued toward the hollow, but before she stepped inside it, she felt its energy flowing around her. Brina closed her eyes and quickly conjured a shield to protect herself from it. She did not want a repeat of the day before. If she had shielded herself then, the voice would not have been able to manipulate her. Lessons were often difficult to swallow, but life was certainly filled with them.
Taking a deep breath, Brina was ready to enter Witch’s Hollow. As she walked, she could see an aura of lights swarming around her, as testament to the current of magic that wove its tentacles around any intruders. It was this very magic that kept the Knight pack from entering. Too bad it couldn’t keep out the dark casters as well. But then again, balance was always key. If one power had too much control everything else in this area could be thrown off kilter.
In the middle of the clearing were five large stones that were placed to represent the different elements. She could see white lines of energy flowing between them, creating a pentacle of energy the witches in the area used as their gathering circle. As she walked closer to it, she could also see the burnt lines in the grass, where some entity had made an inverse symbol to counteract the energy inside. She didn’t think the dark casters would have desecrated the area like this. While they were working with different energy, there was often a mutual respect still.
The closer she got to it, the stronger was the wave of energy surrounding her. Brina started to wonder if her shield would be enough. The hair rose on the back of her neck, and she heard the familiar whisper calling to her again.
Come.
“Not this time.” She crossed her arms over her chest and held her ground.
Witch! His voice accused her.
Brina felt a shiver up her spine. She reached down to touch the grass and closed her eyes. As she did, an image of an older man popped into her head, then disappeared. Definitely a male. Someone who was channeling something evil to kill the witches around here.
Opening her eyes, she went to the large flat boulder in the middle of the circle. This was where the witches created their altar for when they gave thanks to the goddess above. She could see dried wax at different places around it, but something else was there too. Was that blood?
Brina leaned over to look closer. Definitely a liquid, not a solid, but she wasn’t about to touch it. If this man was using this space, he could easily have sacrificed a living thing in one of his rituals. It would have to be cleansed properly, and she didn’t have the tools on her to do so. Perhaps the witches at the camp would know more about it.
Brina took a deep breath and closed her eyes again. She let her energy pour through her, connecting all the points in her body until she was able to activate her third eye, her spiritual lens that would allow her to see the other plane around her. When she was ready, she opened her eyes and saw a large grid of light around her. These lines were ley lines. If she followed them, she might be able to find from where this being was drawing its energy.
“Brina,” cautioned Kam from the line of trees.
“I’m fine, Kam. You worry too much.” He was right though. Someone or something was getting extremely upset with her presence. It did not want to be found. That was too bad. He would have to be brought down sooner rather than later.
“Brina.” Killian’s voice was right behind her.
She turned on her heels and squeaked. “Killian! Goodness, you scared me.”
“Good, you should be scared.”
Brina narrowed an eye on him. “What are you doing here? I thought you were working.”
“I was...until Kam texted me.”
Brina turned an accusatory glare on Kam. “Spoil sport!”
“Bri!” Killian almost growled at her.
“You’re not supposed to be in here,” Brina reminded him. She saw the hair standing up on his arms. She took pity on him and extended her shield to surround him. “Better?”
“No,” he grumbled. “We’re done here.”
Brina let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine, but I haven’t seen where the ley lines lead to.”
“Nowhere good.” Killian was dead serious.
Brina saw the terror in his eyes. Was he afraid of what lurked there? Or afraid of what could have happened to her? She found the fear more disturbing than the anger. Killian didn’t strike her as someone who was afraid of anything. “Well, if you won’t let me investigate it, will you at least take me to the witch camp?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Fine.” She gave him a half-smile. “You did tell me I could go into the forest.”
“I didn’t know you were going to come here,” he argued.
“You know why I’m here. I’m not going to stop my investigation. Are you planning on watching me twenty-four seven?”
“I’ve got plenty of people to help me.” His teeth were gritted.
Brina felt like hitting him. He was not the boss of her. Why did men always think they could make all the decisions? Her bottom lip trembled in anger, but she didn’t say a word. Turning around, she left the clearing the way she had entered. When Kam tried to offer her an apologetic smile, she glared at him.
Both of them tried to engage her in conversation as they walked back to the cabin, but Brina refused to talk to either of them. The two of them stayed at the outskirts just outside the cabin, talking about her more than likely. Brina was so angry she went inside the cabin and retrieved her keys and purse. She was about to leave, but then remembered her car was having issues. She decided to take her chances. Brina needed to get out of here before she said something that would really get her into trouble.
Chapter 18
Brina stomped through the forest, every inch of her seething with rage. She knew he was the alpha of his pack, but damned if she would let him dictate every inch of her life. Just when she thought things would be okay between them, he had to go and be a complete asshat. He’d better watch himself. She’d mount his hide on the mantle if he didn’t back off.
Mount him? She giggled. Suddenly, a totally different image popped into her head. “Get a grip, Brina.”
That’s right. Hang on to the anger. He had to learn that it wasn’t okay to boss her around. She followed the markers leading back to the inn. When she made her way to her car, she opened the door and tried to start it up. Again, nothing. “Damn it.”
“Would you like me to fix it?” A voice startled her.
“Oh, Mr. Knight. You scared me.” She put a hand to her heart as she took a deep breath.
“You seem upset. And call me Kenton.” He opened the door for her and offered his hand.
“Thank you. Yes. I’m furious.” Her nose twitched and she started to shake visibly. “Your son is an egotistical buffoon!”
“I can see that. Care to come in for some tea?” He asked her with merry eyes.
“I’ve a mind to skin him, one inch at a time.” She sighed. “Yes, tea would be lovely, thank you.”
“Amber’s a good ear,” suggested Kenton.
A tear gathered in her eye as she realized she didn’t really have anyone to talk to. She had never felt so lonely in her life. Surrounded by people for the first time, she r
ealized how much of an outsider she was to everything. She let him lead her inside to the kitchen, where Killian’s mother was already making tea.
“How did you know?”
“I’ve been there. Kenton, why don’t you take the boys out somewhere?” suggested Amber.
“Even—”
“Especially Killian,” she ordered him.
Brina watched Kenton leave the room and looked at her in awe. “So, how long did it take to get the upper hand?”
“Time, my dear. A lot of patience too.” She smiled at Brina and set the tea down in front of her. “Now, tell me what happened.”
Brina wasn’t sure if she should. Amber Knight would probably side with her son. “He tried to stop me from doing my job.”
“And what job are you doing?” Amber asked her quietly.
“I was called to Witch’s Hollow. The dead want the murders to stop.” Brina waited to see what Amber would say.
“It’s about time.” Amber’s eyes met hers. “The men, they often fear for our safety. It’s the feral part of their nature. Much harder to beat that out of them than one might think.”
Brina choked on her tea and sputtered slightly. “Excuse me.”
“Not that I want to see my son beat, but it might have to come to that.” Amber smirked slightly. “I have an idea.”
“What?”
“Stay here,” she suggested.
“Here?” Brina was trying to figure out what the logic was behind that. Was she trying to keep them apart? Had she gone back a few steps?
“Men sometimes come around when we refuse them.”
“You mean...? Oh my.” She couldn’t believe his mother was trying to talk to her about sex with her son. Brina blushed and looked away from her.
“Come now. Don’t be shy. It’s a natural thing. I also live in a house full of men. I’ve heard far more about their sex lives than anyone ever should. They seem to forget the walls are thin here.” Amber sighed dramatically.
Brina giggled. Amber Knight was definitely growing on her. “Poor woman.”
“Yes, do take pity on me. Maybe you’ll have daughters.” Amber looked wistful for a moment. “Then we can pass our heritage down to them. If you’d let me help....”
“Of course. But those are all hypothetical children at this point. I mean, it’s not like....” Brina stopped talking and bit her lip. “Anyway, the problem at hand. He refused to let me follow the trail.”
“Witch’s Hollow?” she asked her.
“Yes. There was fresh blood on the altar, and the ley lines seemed to be lit up unusually.”
“That’s not a good sign. Every time that happens, we lose another witch.”
“Even more reason to get to the bottom of it. We have to protect them.” Brina slapped the table with her hand.
“I agree. But when a Knight first mates he has trouble thinking rationally. The only way to bring him around is to deny that which he craves.”
“You’re wicked,” accused Brina with a smile.
“I’ve been there before, dear girl. You have to keep the upper hand with these men sometimes.” Amber smiled and patted her hand.
“I think I could use a night away from him,” agreed Brina.
“Good. Now tell me, how can I help with your case?”
“Did you keep records of the deaths?” Brina asked hopefully.
“You bet your ass I did.” Amber smiled at her. “Come out to my office.”
“Of course.” Brina carried her cup of tea in her hand as she followed Amber out to the room where she had sat with her earlier.
“Sit, sit.” Amber gestured to the small wicker chair next to the long coffee table.
Brina watched her pulled two plastic crates to the table. “That’s a lot.”
“They’re all in here, too. All the notes I’ve taken. Interviews with some of the witches in the area. They don’t like to talk to outsiders.”
“I’ve spoken to Marina already.”
“Really? She’s a cantankerous one. She must have thought highly of you to talk to you at all.” Amber smiled at her. “I’ve only met her twice.”
“Must be my charm.” Brina shrugged her shoulders. Or all the stars just aligned at the same time.
“Not just charm. You’ve got a pretty strong aura. Strong hereditary, I see.” Amber was taking in her aura. “You do seem to have a few holes in your aura. We should do something about that.”
“I ran into something nasty yesterday. Worst psychic attack in a long time. It was my fault really, though. I was distracted. When I went to Witch’s Hollow, I kept my guard up this time. I did hear the voice though. I’m pretty sure he’s working with something evil. A demon, perhaps?” Brina shivered just thinking about the long list of demons that were roaming the earth, creating pain and horror everywhere they touched. She’d helped banish a handful, and bound a few people who had been dabbling in the dark arts. It was safe to say her life was never boring.
“Let’s get that aura cleaned up, then. We don’t want him to get his fingers on you again.”
“Agreed.” Brina shivered slightly as she remembered how close he had come to ending her life. She’d barely had time to process it, as her world had seemed to spin out of control ever since. No thanks to Killian. She knew she loved him, but right now Brina wanted to lash out at him for trying to keep her from doing something she was destined to do. He had said she could still work. Clearly, he had no real idea what her work entailed.
Brina sifted through the files while Amber worked on cleansing her aura. Brina breathed in the sage as it floated over her. She was surrounded with different stones that were helping restore the right vibrations to her. Brina was starting to feel a little calmer, but she refused to let go of the anger that hummed inside her. Heaven help Killian if he tried to talk to her right now. The hair rose on the back of her neck just thinking about it.
“That should do it.” Amber snuffed out the sage and said a quiet blessing over her.
“Thank you.”
“Any time. Did you see anything?” Amber asked her.
“Yes. See here? The witches all have a profile.” She pointed to the photos of the women in the folders. “None of them were born here. They were between the ages of twenty-six and twenty-nine. Most were dark haired.”
“Like you?” The woman crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t like the sound of this, Brina.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not planning on doing anything stupid.” Brina gave her a weak smile. His mother was right. She did fit the profile.
“I don’t know how I didn’t notice that before.” Amber had a worried look on her brow.
“Sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes. Besides, this is what I do. Spirit sends me, and I dig into the details to find something that might help.”
“How are we going to use this information?
“I’m not sure yet. It might come down to the first victim, Lydia Stern.” Brina tapped her finger on the photo. “Would the women at camp remember her?”
“Perhaps.”
“I’d like to go there tomorrow if I can.” Brina wondered if that would even be possible.
“The boys were planning to go there soon. Maybe....”
Brina sighed. “That would mean I had to be on speaking terms with him, though.”
“True. Something will work out. Goodness, it’s almost dinner time. Care to help me?”
“Sure.” It had been a long time since she’d cooked with anyone else in the kitchen. What could it hurt?
Chapter 19
Standing by Amber’s side was actually pretty cathartic. She was reminded of the times she had spent in the kitchen with her own mother, who had passed away six years ago. Brina had been devastated by her loss, but the pain had lessened over the years.
“Tell me about your family, Brina.” Amber was peeling a potato over the sink.
“I don’t have any that I’m aware of. My mother left this world when I was twenty-two. Cancer.”
“That’s horrible. I’m so sorry, dear. You were just a child.”
Brina smirked. Funny how that might have been an insult to her at the time, but right now Brina heartily agreed with her. She had just graduated college with a degree in sociology, one that she never got around to using in a technical field. Although, honestly, knowing how people functioned and coped had helped her in her investigations. This made them more human, and not just mere photos at the end of a file. Sometimes it helped her figure out the motive behind murder, too. Not that she ever really got credit for the work she did. She was known around the paranormal ring, just not in any actual legal capacity. Brina had called in a tip here or there to help an investigation, but she had usually remained anonymous. She didn’t do it for prestige. Brina did it because somebody had to.
“I used to cook with my mom when I came home on the weekends. She wanted to make sure I was eating a home cooked meal at least once a week,” Brina offered up.
“That’s very important. I worry Kendrick isn’t eating well when he’s gone too.”
“Kendrick? I haven’t met him yet.”
“He’s in school right now. Getting his masters in anthropology.” Amber beamed in pride.
“Fascinating. My degree is in sociology.”
“Interesting.”
“Not really,” giggled Brina. “But it was the only thing that was palatable at the time.”
“Not everyone is meant for college. Take the rest of the brood. Kam went into the reserves. He’s finally off duty.”
Well, that explained the bigger build. “That had to be hard.”
“It was, but now that he’s home, I feel the worst is over.” Amber brought the potatoes over to chop. “Killian, he was always building things from the moment he could move the blocks around on the floor. He’s been pretty successful.”
“He’s very talented.” Brina smiled despite herself.
“Karter took ownership of the bar in town. His business model has done so well, he sold it to a franchise. He still owns the first one, Glamz.”
“Glamz?” Brina smiled. She was actually familiar with the place. “I’ve been to one. Love the paranormal touch.”