by Tara Weeks
The Auberon Witches
Destiny Revealed
Book Four
Tara Weeks
Copyright ©2020 by Tara Weeks
Published by K J Publishing
All Rights Reserved
This book is fiction. All characters, events and dialogue are from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any way without express written permission from the author.
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"By the dragon's light, on this night... I call to thee to give me your might. By the power I conjure thee, to protect all that surrounds me. As above, so below. So mote it be!"
CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Introduction
A
s the Auberon witches accept who they are, they find themselves in more danger than ever before. They demand the truth from Marek, Ravi and Jove, only to discover the men are as bound to the mysteries of Auberon as they are.
It’s not only their magic that grows by the second—Cassie, Addie and Selene each find themselves inexplicably drawn to the new men in their lives and their passions threaten to distract them from the very real danger hurtling towards them.
Need a memory jogger?
The Auberon Witches Books 1-3
Book 1 “Destiny Awaits”
Book 2 “Destiny Unlocked”
Book 3 “Destiny In Danger”
Chapter One
Addie
L
ooking around frantically, trying to get her bearings, the screams she left behind still echoing in her ears, Addie forced herself to breathe, taking in the cream ceiling above her and the wooden floor beneath leading over to the banister at the top of the staircase. She realized she was sprawled across the landing of the second floor of the manor. Her head was pounding and she clasped her hand against it as she slowly sat up.
Please let this be 2020 again.
At the sound of someone running up the stairs, Addie tried to stand up, but her ankle throbbed as fiercely as her head, and she winced trying to put weight on it. Using her hands and her good foot, she scooted backwards as quickly as she could. Thoughts of the warlock coming after her and doing to her whatever he’d done to the other Addie made her feel sick to her stomach as she imagined him coming up the stairs to get her.
No, no, no. I did not just go through all of that just to be killed by the warlock anyway.
Addie glanced behind her, looking for somewhere to hide. Seeing a door, she shoved herself over to the wall as the footsteps grew louder. Her panic threatened to take a hold as she struggled to reach the doorknob, her fingers just brushing the edge of it.
“Addie?”
Addie turned around; her mouth fell open as she saw Cassie standing at the top of the stairs looking just as surprised as Addie felt.
“Cassie! Is that really you? The now you?” Addie asked.
“Uh…I don’t know what you mean by the ‘now you’ but yeah, it’s me. Are you okay? We’ve been worried sick.” Cassie replied as she hurried over and helped her friend to her feet.
Addie braced herself against the wall and Cassie’s shoulder for support as she gingerly touched her sore foot on the floor. “I’m okay. I think I just landed on my foot the wrong way.”
“Landed the wrong way? What are you talking about? Where have you been?” Cassie asked, her voice full of concern.
“I’ll explain everything, but please just help me get downstairs first. I can’t be on the landing. He killed Addie, and he’ll kill me next.” Addie sobbed, her fear subsiding to relief at her return to the right time and place.
“Addie, you’re not making any sense. No one’s killed you, you’re perfectly fine.” Cassie tried to reassure her. “I mean, you look and smell like you could use a bath and probably a stiff drink too, but aside from that…”
“Wow, I forgot how tactful you are,” Addie said dryly, grimacing as she tried her best to hobble alongside Cassie. Before Cassie could reply, a dog’s bark sounded up the stairs.
“I’m gone five minutes and you get a dog?” Addie asked.
“We didn’t. It literally showed up in the back yard right before you reappeared.” Cassie explained.
“You know what, I don’t think anything can surprise me anymore.” Addie said.
“Yeah, me either.” Cassie admitted as the dog reached the landing and barked loudly in greeting.
As soon as Addie saw the dog looking up at her with its deep blue eyes, she knew it was Jove. “It’s you! But how?” Without thinking, she stepped forward on her sore foot and yelped in pain. The dog shuddered, growling deep and low, and within a matter of seconds the dog was gone and Jove was in its place, crouching on the floor.
“I take it back. I’m surprised.” Cassie squeaked.
Jove stood and a smile spread across his face as he stared at Addie, his black hair as scruffy as the thin beard which lined his jaw.
Oh my, he’s even more handsome than I remember.
“Oh! He’s naked!” Cassie yelped, turning her head before quickly turning back again. “Yep. He’s definitely naked!” She clasped her free hand over her eyes, though it didn’t hide the grin on her face.
Jove didn’t seem to notice as he walked towards Addie, his hand held out to her. “I’m so relieved you made it back safely. I was so worried when I followed you out of the cavern and you weren’t here.”
Addie removed her hand from where it was pressed against the wall and placed it in his. “You followed me? I don’t know what happened, but I went back in time.”
Jove’s eyes widened. “That’s most unusual. We need to tell the others.” Without another word, Jove scooped her up in his arms and turned to Cassie. “After you.”
“Uh…” Was all Cassie said as she looked from Jove to Addie and then walked to the stairs, taking them two at a time.
Addie wrapped her arms around Jove’s neck and when he turned to look at her, their faces were so close she knew if she wanted to, she could kiss him again.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Jove whispered.
“I am now,” Addie replied. She watched as his stare moved to her mouth, and her heart quickened with the anticipation of repeating the magical kiss they’d shared in the cavern.
“Are you guys coming, or what?” Cassie called up from the bottom of the stairs, ruining the moment.
“I’m sorry, Cassie has impeccable timing,” Addie explained.
Jove grinned. “We have plenty of time to get acquainted.” With the smile still in place, he carried Addie down the stairs to where Cassie was waiting.
“Oh, shit, bloody hell!” Cassie screeched as she saw them and covered her hand over her eyes again.
Addie giggled to herself.
It’s good to be back.
Chapter Two
Selene
T
he shimmering against the side of the house grew brighter, and as Selene stood on the grass with Marek, a large circular window appeared. The shimmering subsided and three figures appeared within the frame. Selene frowned, raising her hand to shield her eyes as she tried to get a better look. She gasped as she saw three women standing there, staring down at them.
“Marek, look! They l
ook exactly like us!” Selene exclaimed in a hushed whisper. Marek didn’t answer but reached out and grabbed her free hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Look out, naked man approaching!” Cassie declared loudly as she strode through the back door towards them.
“What are you…” Selene started to ask, but the question fell away as Jove followed, Addie in his arms. “Addie! You’re back!” Releasing Marek’s hand, Selene hurried over and awkwardly threw her arms around Addie. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Oh, she’s great. Ask her why a naked stranger just carried her through the house—you’re going to love this, Selene.” Cassie stated with a cheeky grin, keeping her back to Jove.
“Uh, that’s actually an interesting point. Who are you and where did you come from?” Selene asked.
“It’s complicated…” Jove started, gently, lowering Addie to the ground, but keeping his arm firmly around her waist.
“Okay…care to elaborate on that? And while you’re at it, why do you two look so cozy?” Selene asked with a frown. “Am I missing something? Am I the only one confused?”
“Nope. Right there with you.” Cassie agreed. “But before we talk about anything, can we please get this man some clothes? It’s distracting.”
Jove grinned, and Marek chuckled. “I usually have spare clothes floating around in the Jeep. I’ll be right back.”
“In the meantime, how about we go back inside?” Cassie suggested as she turned and walked back towards the house, her hand still over her eyes.
Chapter Three
Cassie
A
s they settled in the kitchen, Marek appeared with a pair of jeans and a red flannel shirt. “Sorry, that’s all I could find.”
“Thanks, Marek. It will do me until I get home.” Jove replied, making sure Addie was comfortable on the stool before he proceeded to get dressed there and then.
“Wait—you two know each other?” Selene asked, looking from Marek to Jove and back again.
“We’ve been friends a long time,” Marek replied.
“Okay,” Selene rubbed her forehead, “But do all your friends come to visit naked?”
Marek burst out laughing while Jove looked sheepish. “You know that huge dog we saw outside?”
Selene nodded, wondering what one thing had to do with the other.
“Well, meet Jove.” Marek gestured towards his friend.
“Ruff!” Jove said as he bowed.
Marek walked over and casually draped his arm over her shoulder. “Jove is a shifter. You first saw him as a dog, and now you can see him in his human form,” Marek explained.
“What? Werewolves are real?” Selene asked, her eyes wide.
“No. They’re not. I’m not a werewolf—I’m a shifter, which means I can turn into any creature I want. I just prefer to be a dog,” Jove explained, taking the stool beside Addie.
Selene nodded slowly, looking pointedly at Cassie.
“Believe me, I’m just as surprised as you. But I saw it with my own eyes. He came upstairs as a dog and then changed,” Cassie confirmed.
Selene walked over to the fridge without a word and pulled out a bottle of water. By the time she’d turned around and placed it on the kitchen island, it was an icy cold bottle of sauvignon blanc.
“Are you okay?” Addie asked her.
With a sigh, Selene began pouring them each a glass. “I suppose so. I just have so many questions.”
“Don’t we all.” Cassie said dryly as she reached for a glass and took a large sip. “First of all, give me a look at that ankle.” She gestured for Addie to lift her foot up on the empty stool beside her, where she started running her hand over it as she continued. “Secondly, I want to know why you two keep looking all doe-eyed at each other. It’s weird.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Addie started, looking at Jove as he reached across the bench and grabbed her hand, “He saved my life.”
“He saved your life? From who? What?” Cassie cut in.
“I’ll get to that in a minute,” Addie playfully swiped at Cassie, “trust me, I know it must seem crazy—I would think it was crazy if I was on the outside looking in, but as soon as I saw Jove, there was an instant connection. It was as though I’d known him forever, like we were two kindred spirits seeing each other for the first time in ages. There’s just such a strong pull whenever we’re near each other. I don’t know how to explain it…”
“Well, I don’t believe in love at first sight, but whatever,” Cassie said dismissively, annoyed with herself for feeling jealous and not wanting the others to see it in her expression. She removed her hands from Addie’s ankle.
“What? That actually feels better,” Addie said, running her hand over it while grinning up at Cassie. “I love this having power gig.”
“You’re welcome. Now, what I want to know is, where have you been? What happened? How did your knight in shining armor save you?” Cassie asked, returning to her glass of wine.
Addie took a deep breath and filled them in on her misadventures; Cassie heard the tremor in her friend’s voice as she described the warlock crashing the party and the demise of the other Addie.
“I know we’ve seen them in the photographs,” Cassie said from where she was leaning against the counter, “But what was it like to actually be in the same room as one of them?”
“It was the strangest thing I’ve ever experienced,” Addie disclosed.
“You mean stranger than instantly falling in love with a shifter you met in a cavern?” Cassie asked dryly; Addie rolled her eyes.
“The room was so strange. It was in the manor, but it didn’t look like any of the rooms we went through.” Addie said.
“It’s probably just been redecorated. That was 1920, after all?” Selene suggested.
Addie shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. It had a massive circular window, and we definitely don’t have those here.”
Cassie straightened. “I saw something like that in some of the photographs! I checked the manor from the outside I couldn’t see it anywhere.”
“We saw it.” Selene said quietly.
“What do you mean?” Addie asked as she and Cassie stared over at her.
“Cassie, remember when we were outside, just before Addie came back, and there was that strange noise coming from the manor and the wall outside looked strange? Like it was shimmering or something?” Selene asked.
Cassie nodded. “Though I’m not convinced it wasn’t anything more than a trick of the light.”
Selene shook her head. “You’re such a sceptic, Cassie. It wasn’t. After you ran inside, the shimmering increased, and the circle window revealed itself.”
“How do you mean it revealed itself?” Cassie asked.
“Exactly that. One minute it wasn’t there and then the next, it was. That’s not all though. Standing at the window, looking out at us, were the three women. You know, us, but not,” Selene explained with a confident enthusiasm.
“Were they dressed in old-fashioned clothes? Like from the twenties?” Addie asked.
Selene shook her head. “There were dressed in old fashioned clothes, yes, but older than the 1920s. It was hard to see clearly, but they looked as though they were wearing black dresses with high collars, long sleeves and white bonnets. They were only there for a moment, and then the window disappeared.”
“My guess is it appeared while Addie was trying to return to the manor,” Marek said, “And then disappeared once she was safely back.”
“As if the portal I came through let them reveal the room, but once the portal closed again it was gone?” Addie asked.
Marek shrugged. “It’s just a theory, but the timing of both can’t be coincidental.”
“I think we have a bigger problem we need to deal with first,” Selene stated, tapping the empty bottle of wine three times and magically refilling it.
“Have I told you you’re my new best friend?�
�� Cassie grinned and slid her empty glass towards Selene.
“Not today. Anyway, I want to know more about this warlock,” Selene replied.
Addie shuddered. “He was awful—and so strong, like crazy strong. And angry. So full of hatred, I could see it in his eyes as he came at me. I honestly believe he would have killed me if Jove hadn’t shown up.”
“Are we safe from him now, though? Here? How do we know he hasn’t followed you through the last portal?” Selene asked.
“Honestly, I’m not one hundred percent certain, but as I jumped through the portal, I imagined it sealing up behind me, leaving nothing but a brick wall and a dead end.” Addie explained.
“Is it really that simple?” Cassie asked, not looking convinced.
“I think so. I mean, I’m still not exactly sure how I do it at all, but I think if he’d followed me, we’d know about it by now.” Addie said.
“Was it really him?” Marek asked Jove, who nodded in reply. Marek swore under his breath.
“Okay, you guys can’t keep doing this. It’s annoying,” Selene said crankily.
“What’s annoying?” Marek asked, his eyes wide.
“You keep secrets! You tell us what you think we need to know and withhold everything else and it’s not fair! We deserve to know what’s going on.” Selene folded her arms across her chest and scowled.
Marek sighed and pulled Selene against him, wrapping his arms around her and planting a kiss on the top of her head, despite her own arms remaining folded.
Cassie made a retching noise and rolled her eyes but was ignored.
Ugh. These guys are killing me with all this lovey-dovey rubbish.
“I’m sorry.” Marek said to Selene. “I’m not intentionally trying to keep you uninformed, I’m just trying to protect you.”
“Marek, have you ever heard the phrase, ‘Knowledge is power?’ ” Cassie interrupted, raising her glass to him as though toasting before she winked and took a sip.