“She is dead,” Sydney said her manic laughter filling the room as she rolled over on to her back and stared up at the ceiling. Suddenly she heard a rumble as if something was falling and she sat up looking around her eyes widening as she said in disbelief, “An earthquake?”
The house suddenly caved in and her scream was cut short when the roof came down on top of her burying her.
The people next store felt the vibrations and looked at each other in wonder as their twelve-year-old daughter suddenly screamed from her room, “Mom, Dad, come take a look at this!”
They rushed to her room noticing she was standing at her window and they walked over looking out their eyes widening at the sight before them.
“That’s weird,” their daughter murmured as they looked in disbelief at the house that stood next to them. It had collapsed upon itself and sunk in to the ground as if an earthquake had destroyed its foundation.
“Did we have an earthquake?”
The daughter went over to her laptop and pulled up the information as her parents turned on the TV, and they all looked at each other in confusion. According to the news and national earthquake services, the area had no occurrences to happen within almost twenty years.
“So what happened?” The daughter asked as her parents shook their head.
“The woman who lived there probably was messing with things that should be left alone,” her parents said as they made a phone to report what happened.
The daughter nodded her head as she went back to the window staring at the house before she shook her head and closed the curtain going back to her homework.
“Lay her down there,” Cicely said as they arrived at her house not knowing what happened at the house they just left. After they covered her up, Jed shook his head and sighed putting his head in shaking hands.
“I don’t know what to do,” he whispered softly. “I have never seen this although I have heard about it. Cicely?”
She shook her head answering in a wavering voice, “Even I haven’t seen it before, but like you I have heard of it. I have been doing some research on it, but so far I have found nothing to reverse the concept of the living dead.”
They stared down at Abella who laid there her eyes wide open looking up at them as if she was listening to everything they said, but there was no reaction and the eyes that were normally grey were now pitch black as black as Caden’s eyes.
“So we can only sit here and watch her die after everything she’s been through and pulled herself out of, this is how her life ends,” Cicely said in exasperated voice.
“What do you want me to say?” Jed shouted at her his silver eyes wild with tumult. “I don’t know what to do for her and her mother never left any…”
His eyes widened as he looked at Cicely and they breathed together, “Her mother.”
“Where are the books that her mother gave her?” Cicely said as they took another quick look at Abella before they hurried out of the room.
“Back at her house if I had to guess,” Jed stated moving down the stairs as fast as he could.
“We need those books,” Cicely stated as Jed nodded his head in agreement as they rushed out the front door.
Jed took Cicely hand the minute they hit the porch and a few minutes later, they were standing in the middle of Abella’s living room.
“Check her sanctuary while I check her room,” Cicely said already heading for the stairs as Jed started for the hallway freezing as he saw the purplish light that emitted gently from the wall.
“So that’s what you meant,” Jed uttered as he approached the wall and opened it without much difficulty.
He checked the room thoroughly but couldn’t find the books anywhere and as he started to leave the room he glanced over to the table and he stilled seeing the broken wooden case that use to sit in Abella’s living room. He heard Cicely shout out, “I find them” as he walked over to the table and with only a slight hesitation, he gathered up the pieces placing them in a bag before he continued out of the room.
Jed closed the door behind him not bothering to turn around knowing that the door would disappear as soon as the door closed.
“Let’s take it back to my place,” Cicely said glancing down at the bag as Jed approached her and they disappeared a second before the front door opened.
“I’m sorry about this, Natalee,” Briac said as they walked in the house. “I promise I will make it up to you.”
“Are they sure she didn’t just leave for a few days?” Natalee asked as they put down their things in the hallway.
“From what Gregory said, they have tried calling her but no response. Leana wants to conduct a full search tomorrow and asked me to come back,” he told her.
Natalee nodded her head before she asked, “Has anyone heard from Caden since he left?”
Briac frowned shaking his head as he answered her, “No, although Leana is telling everyone that she has but I seriously doubt it.”
“Why do you doubt that Caden hasn’t been keeping in contact with her?” Natalee asked turning her eyes to him.
Briac was silent for a few minutes before he said slowly, “Because when he left, Caden had a lot on his mind including his mate. I think he got away so he could come to terms with what he was told and the fact his mate returned to him.”
“How long did his mate disappear before she returned two weeks ago?” Natalee asked as she walked to the living room.
“Three years according to what I understand,” Briac told her following as she settled herself on the couch.
“That is a long time to be away from one’s mate,” Natalee stated.
Briac nodded his head as he told her, “Timothy said that Caden took it as a rejection but only after a year went by because he hoped that she had just needed time to adjust to the fact that she was marrying a man like him.”
Natalee nodded her head slowly her hair grazing her neck and if she tilted a certain way, one could see the outline of a tattoo that seemed to start from her neck and disappear underneath the shirt.
Briac’s eyes lingered on the mark as a smile came to his mouth but the only thing he said was, “The house seems quiet doesn’t it?”
Natalee frowned at his comment as she got up from the couch starting for the stairs. “Maybe Abella is already in bed.”
Briac nodded his head at the suggestion but they gave each other worried looks as they started up the stairs. In front of Abella’s bedroom door, Natalee knocked softly then a little harder when no one answered.
“Abella,” she started opening the door only to stop when she noted the room was empty. “She’s not here.”
“What?” Briac asked taking a look in the room noticing that the room was in order as if she had went out to do something but would be back.
“Call Jessa see if she heard from her,” Briac said to Natalee as they backed out of the room closing the door behind them.
Natalee was already in the process of doing just that as he spoke so Jessa answered a few seconds later, “Hi, Nat. I thought you and Briac were taking some time to be by yourself.”
“Briac was called back by Leana to help with the search for Jenna,” Natalee said absently, “but that’s not why I am calling. Have you heard from Abella today?”
“No,” Jessa said slowly, “why do you ask?”
“She’s not home,” Natalee said worry leaking in her voice as she glanced up at Briac and shook her head.
“Is Jed there?” Jessa asked her voice rough with her own worry.
“No, he isn’t,” Natalee said her eyes widening as Briac heard the question and grabbing her arm lead her down the stairs. She stopped just as they reached them and shook her head at him turning back for Abella’s room as Briac watched her with narrowed eyes.
“Natalee,” he said in clipped voice, and Natalee looked over at him as she hurried inside Abella’s room speaking in her phone, “Where did say to look for those pieces, Jessa?”
She listened as Jessa told her but when she checked t
he drawer that Jessa indicated, she said in exasperation, “They are not here.”
Briac grabbed by the arm and she turned to him with a frown as he pulled her out of the room heading down the stairs.
“Tell her we are coming to the pack house,” Briac told her in a hard voice.
Before Natalee could speak in the phone, Jessa said, “I heard him. We will talk more when you two get here.”
Natalee hung up, and Briac with his one hand grabbing their bags they dropped when they entered started for the front door, and they walked out of the house.
“Let me lock the door, Briac,” Natalee said taking the key that Abella had given her from her front pocket.
Briac let her go so she could do so and as soon as the door was locked, he took her arm again eyes scanning the area around them as they got in the car.
“Do you think Abella is all right?” Natalee asked her eyes filled with worry.
Briac was silent as he backed out of the driveway and started for the pack house before he commented. “I think, honey, that Abella had more of a reason to leave town then Jenna, and it is possible that is exactly what she did.”
Natalee turned to him in shock as she thought about his words and her voice when she finally spoke was soft as she said slowly, “You think Abella decided to leave and not go through the heartache Alpha Caden is putting her through.”
She shook her head furiously as she said in bewilderment, “I don’t understand though if Leana is Caden’s mate then how is he connected to Abella? Is she is second mate?”
Briac shook his head as he pulled up in front of the pack house and turned to her. “No, she isn’t but I can’t explain the bond between them. I just know that it is there no matter how hard Caden fights it.”
Chapter 50
Caden walked slowly along the edge of the lake his black eyes distant as he thought about everything he learned in the last few weeks.
“You will need to get back soon,” a voice said behind him and he turned to see Stone’s mate standing some feet away from him.
“Yeah, I have been gone for too long from my pack,” he stated absently as he looked out of the water one last time before turning back to her.
“I’m sure that everything is okay,” she assured him as she fell in step next to him heading back the way they came.
Caden nodded his head as he told her, “I know it is. I trust Timothy, Gregory and Briac to take care of the pack in my absence.”
She nodded her head as they continued walking back to her pack house.
“Caden,” she began only to stop briefly before she went on. “Did you learn what you were looking for?”
Caden didn’t say anything at first until they reached the porch where he leaned against the railing. “I learned what I wanted to know.”
She looked at him as her mate came outside and he walked over next to her putting an arm around her waist as he asked, “So you are leaving today?”
“Tomorrow,” Caden stated with a small smile his black eyes still blank.
Stone looked at him before turning his eyes out to the yard where they narrowed slightly as he said, “Let’s go in, sweetie.”
“But,” she protested until she followed his gaze and she nodded her head letting him lead her inside.
Caden frowned after them as Oden said, “We need to talk, Alpha Brody.”
Caden stiffened as he turned slightly to look at him and he said sharply, “What is it that I should know?”
Oden moved fast and had Caden pinned to the post behind him before he growled, “Do you want to make the same mistake I did? What if I told you that right now your mate, your true mate, is dying?”
Caden’s eyes were black with rage but at his words they widened and he whispered, “What are you talking about? Leana…”
Oden growled and before Caden could react, he was thrown over the porch railing.
“I’m not talking about HER,” Oden snarled at him and Caden carefully picked himself up from the ground.
“What do you want me to do? According to our society, she is my mate the one destined for me even though another resides in my heart,” Caden shouted at him. He ran both hands through his hair, “I have been told by everyone that I must accept the woman that the Fates decided for me so tell me what can I do?”
Oden looked at him stunned before he shook his head. “What have you been doing these last few weeks?”
Caden looked at him with narrowed eyes before he turned away and looked out over the yard.
Oden observed him for a few minutes before he sighed walking down the steps. “Did you even read the book?”
Caden gave him a surprised look before he asked, “How did you know about the book?”
Oden stopped beside him and scanned the area before him as he said, “Every Alpha is given it to read so they can understand more about why they weren’t given second chances as other werewolves. Only a few Alphas like you and me, truly understand the significance behind what others consider a myth.”
Caden didn’t understand and his look said so to Oden.
“Read the book, Caden, because I know you have it with you,” Oden advised him as he began to walk away. “Before you leave tomorrow, I will explain a few more things to you, the things that you haven’t been wanting to hear in the last week.”
Oden gave him a shrewd glance before he shifted to his wolf and ran off.
I told you to read the book, his wolf snapped at him, and Caden was stunned because his wolf hadn’t truly talked with him in a week since he ignored Oden the first day he was there.
I’m confused and I don’t want to be given hope only to have it snatched away, Caden said bluntly as he turned to go back inside.
It is up to us what we do after we read the book, his wolf adviced, and Caden sighed as he took the steps in a rush.
“Caden…” Stone’s mate began as he came in the house but he didn’t stop as he headed for the stairs taking them two at a time to get to his room.
The book was lying on the bed as if waiting for him and he slowly closed the door before he walked over to it remembering the conversation that he and Abella had the day they separated.
“I’m not going to like what is inside, will I?” He asked looking at the book in his hand before glancing up at Abella.
Abella hesitated for a moment before she said softly, “I don’t know you may not.”
Caden remembered that conversation ended with Abella admitting she was in love with him and the book in his hand became more important than ever as he opened it settling himself down on the bed.
“Did you find anything, Cicely?” Jed said in a frustrated voice as he shut the last book Abella’s mother left her.
“Nothing,” Cicely said with a sigh as she sat back in her chair reading the last sentence Abella’s mother wrote her.
Be safe my darling and remember we will always be with you. Love, mom and dad.
“Either she didn’t know what would happen or…” Cicely began.
“She didn’t know how to correct it,” Jed finished shaking his head. “I don’t know what else to do.”
Cicely looked over at him noting the worry lines on his face and for the first time since she’s known him, Jed looked his age.
“You know,” Cicely said slowly sitting forward resting her elbows on the table, “I thought I was going to die before you guys were able to find me.”
Jed glanced over at her as she stared down at the table. “I kept a block up so Abella couldn’t locate me although I had ulterior motives, but it was hard. Then I used what strength I had to send that message.”
Jed nodded his head slowly as he opened his mouth remembering what happened in that room and the lights he had seen.
“Yet, when Abella gave me that smirk after I asked her why she walked right in Sydney’s trap and her answer was simply how else where you going to find us,” Cicely chuckled. “I knew that if that 18-year-old after everything she been through could actually be confident eve
n though she knew our chances were slim than I couldn’t just give up without fighting back so…”
She shrugged her shoulders as a smile lurked around her mouth and Jed sighed as he said, “So you used some of your own energy to send back those stolen powers.”
Cicely nodded her head although she said clearly, “I didn’t use some of my energy, Jed.”
Jed looked at her sharply as he said, “You don’t mean…”
“I used almost my energy to strip her of those powers,” Cicely confirmed. “I knew that it was forbidden for a witch to do, but she shouldn’t be allowed to keep her own after stealing from other witches in the process killing them so I gave mine up as my punishment for taking hers.”
“Yet you used it earlier,” Jed remained her and Cicely frowned slightly.
“That surprised me too,” she admitted. “So I guess I have a little bit left although how much I don’t know.”
Jed shook his head at her admission because for a witch to lose their powers was like a death sentence. Although the practice of stealing another witches powers has been reported and used, most witches don’t have the knowledge or the technique to actually steal a power away from another witch. Those few who do tend to guard the secret closely knowing the havoc it could cause and Jed wondered how the witch they just faced knew the secret.
“I taught her it,” Cicely admitted reading his face accurately. She sighed as Jed gave her a narrowed look. “It was some time ago and I saw the potential in her so I decided that she could replace me in protecting it as my adopted daughter couldn’t but…”
She stopped shaking her head as Jed told her gently, “You made a mistake, Cicely. It happens to all of us including me.”
He frowned at his own admission as Cicely looked up at him in astonishment. “What did you do that was considered a mistake?”
Jed sighed as he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I was the one who came to Caden’s pack three years ago and bought a few other council members with me.”
“I don’t follow what you are saying,” Cicely said with a confused frown.
“One of those council members was a newcomer to the council. He just stepped in his father’s shoes although many didn’t think he was suited for the job,” Jed said leaning his head back. “I vouched for him and told them to give him some time that he would work out just like we all did.”
The Witch Prophecy Page 49