I prayed we weren't entering a vortex that would generate a time leap. It was too soon. I wasn't ready.
And as my mind raced to the worst case scenarios, fearing my coven would be ripped apart, the wind settled. The dust and debris blew away on a gentle breeze.
Blinking in disbelief, I looked into everyone's faces. They were all still here with me, each with the same bewildered look in their eyes.
"What happened?" Asher coughed.
Hearing his voice confirmed to me that we were okay. Nothing major had changed.
"I'm not sure," I answered, glancing around as our surroundings came clear.
And then, as my eyes focused on an unfamiliar sign, I read its words out loud.
Lakefield Town Forest
Trailhead and Parking
Maps Below
My breath sucked in as I realized we'd been transported to the town forest.
"Where are we?" Hattie looked around as she pressed in close to me.
I swallowed hard, still disbelieving what had just occurred.
Something about the labyrinth. Something about Chloe.
Whatever it was, the shimmer of the labyrinth sent us to our intended destination.
I glanced at Hattie. "We're standing at the entrance to Hell's Gates."
Clayton searched the area as if preparing for a surprise attack from the Devil himself.
"Are you sure?" he asked, relaxing his shoulders in response to the quietude of nature.
"Definitely. I know this place. It's where I landed when I first arrived in this... time." I choked on my words, knowing how crazy they sounded. And now, having teleported across town, I felt even crazier than my words.
But there was no doubt in my mind. This was the location I'd come to when I shot through the portal as a young girl. Ms. Kelly and the others had found me cowering in a clearing within the trees. It was as if they had been waiting for me. The unsettling memories of my leap came flooding back as I looked around.
"There's a clearing somewhere in the middle of the forest," I said. "It's known to locals as the gateway to hell." My voice shook as I heard the power of my words.
I watched them, waiting for a response from their rigid stances.
"Well, there's a reason we're here," Clayton started. "So, let's go find Hell's Gates."
Chloe glanced at the low sun hovering over the pine trees. The days were getting shorter and the deep chill in the air proved winter was upon us.
"What if it gets dark while we're in there? And it's getting colder."
"We'll keep an eyes on the sun, and once it drops behind the tree-line, we'll get out." Clayton checked his phone for a charge, and shook his head. "Save your batteries, in case we need our flashlights."
Chloe zipped her coat and gave a toothy grimace, making clear she didn't have her phone.
I glanced at mine, noting thirty percent charge, and a pit gnawed at my stomach.
I wished Piper and Noah were here. They were supposed to be a part of this and things seemed off without them. I wondered if they had any idea we'd even left.
"Which way?" Asher asked, knowing there was only one way in.
"I'll show you," Hattie skipped to the trail opening. "There's a gate in there, we might need to jump it. But then, the clearing isn't too far after that."
Asher followed her with levity in his step as the rest of us stared with dropped jaws.
"She remembers now," I whispered.
Without hesitation, we followed them into the dark cover of the high pines.
With dusk not too far off, we had to move quickly. Last thing we needed would be an encounter with a creature of the dark with no way to escape.
All I really wanted was to see if the ancient journals were right. I wanted to know if the triangular portal was real. I had no memory of it, but a sketch in one of the books showed it to be built from wood, like a teepee shape, lodged in the shadows of the trees. I shuddered from the image, realizing now how creepy it truly seemed.
But if we were able to confirm the existence of such a gateway, then I knew I'd be able to get home. It was the information I needed leading up to the moon ritual. That date, according to the Higher Order, would be my expected departure.
My molars pressed together in resistance to the pressure. Decisions were being made on my behalf, leaving me feeling powerless. It wasn't that I didn't want to go home to reunite with my parents, but I wanted to do it when I was ready. And at the moment, I did not feel ready.
But of course, the Higher Order didn't believe I had the luxury of time. They felt obligated to send Hattie and me home as soon as possible. It made me worry that maybe they knew something I didn't. The fact that they had to hold so many secrets close to the vest infuriated me. But they remained steadfast to the laws of their positions.
"The gate is up ahead," Hattie called back. "I see it!"
We quickened our pace to catch up to them while I kept my attention on the dense forest on either side of the trail. The stillness of the trees and underbrush seemed almost unnatural, causing my guard to rise.
By the time we reached the gate, Hattie was already climbing over.
I'd seen gates like that at cow farms before, but didn't have any memory of it from my arrival. Although, I'd been pretty disoriented at that point.
"Come on," she called as Asher threw his legs over and hopped down.
With a final glance through the trees, I stepped on the first rail, preparing to heave myself over.
But then my eyes caught a blur of stealth motion within the shadow of the trees.
"Clayton," I whispered, pointing in the direction I'd seen it.
He looked, studying the area.
"What?"
I shook my head. "Nothing. Just my nerves."
"Come on," Hattie called again, running ahead.
"Hattie, wait," I snapped, still surveying the shadows for movement. "Don't go too far ahead."
"It's okay. The clearing is just up there. Hurry!"
Her enthusiasm was over the top, sending insecurity through me. It was as if she were on auto-pilot, ready to make unpredictable moves.
"Hattie, don't go into the clearing without us," I commanded. "Okay?"
And just as she turned to roll her eyes at me, a large form burst out from the shelter of the trees and went straight for her.
"Hattie!"
I screamed at the top of my lungs as a mass of flowing black fur filled my vision. Piercing eyes and bright white fangs stopped my heart as the massive wolf descended upon her.
Panicked energy surged through my muscles as I raced to her. But just as we closed in, the wolf darted into the woods again, leaving her unscathed.
Panting, she sat up on the dirty trail and brushed off her knees.
"Are you okay?" I dropped down to her.
Her eyes were wide as saucers as she tried to find her voice.
Breathless, she said, "It didn't mean to hurt me."
"What? It attacked you!" I shouted.
"It didn't mean to," she said, staring into the trees after it.
Chloe stepped to the edge of the trail, gazing into the shadows after the massive animal.
She turned back to us then. "It wants us to follow it. It knows the way."
Chapter 14
No matter how much Hattie begged, there was no way we were following that massive wolf into the woods. I didn't care that Chloe believed it knew the way. I was still on the fence about Chloe's abilities with communicating with other realms, particularly after busting her using a Ouija Board. It was the same thing as cheating in my mind.
So, following a huge, long-fanged wolf into the forest surrounding Hell's Gates was not high on my agenda.
"Keep to the trail," I demanded. "We have no idea what that wolf is capable of. We're lucky it ran off." I grabbed a long stick off the ground and held it out like a sword.
I inched over to Clayton as I wondered if it could be the same wolf I saw that night on the terrace. It was a good while ago, so not too far-fe
tched. I'd never forget those penetrating eyes, like they could see right into my soul.
Turning to him, I figured he'd be more focused on the dangers rather than the connections. It was likely he'd be on the side of getting out of the woods pronto. I paused lifting my gaze to his, knowing that as soon as our eyes met, we'd be heading straight out of there.
As I finally met his gaze with mine, my breath whooshed out of me.
His glowing red eyes made me gasp as my heart rate shot through the roof. Pounding in my ears like a war drum, my heartbeat set me in motion.
I raced over to him and placed my hands on his shoulders. Gently stroking his heaving muscles, I spoke in a calming voice.
"It's okay, Clayton. It's gone. We're safe."
His eyes continued to glow red as he struggled to steady his breath.
Heat poured off him, and I was sure fire would shoot from his nostrils at any moment.
"Please, Clayton. Just breathe."
He took a few slow, deep inhales and finally blinked his eyes clear.
His pupils filled the dark brown of his irises as he stared into my soul.
"I almost lost control," he whispered.
He glanced at Hattie and Asher for a brief moment.
"That can't happen. It's too dangerous." He exhaled, releasing the pent-up tension in his shoulders. "I can't trust myself."
"No, Clayton. I believe in you." I pulled his chin back toward me. "Your response was only to protect us."
He swallowed hard. "I hope so."
"I know so."
I reached up and kissed his mouth.
A small smile attempted to lift the edges of his lips, but he fought it.
"Well, if we can't follow the wolf, then let's just keep following the trail," Hattie called over.
It was crazy how unafraid she was, particularly after her close encounter with the wolf. In comparison to Asher's nervous pacing and Chloe's trembling, Hattie was steadfast and confident.
Following her lead, I took Clayton's hand and pulled him along.
"I know you'll keep us safe," I whispered.
He closed his eyes for a moment, then moved with me.
Keeping high alert and surveying the surrounding woods, we traveled along the trail in silence. My heart kept a steady, pounding beat in my chest, reminding me of the rising angst inside me.
The clearing was a place of legends.
Hell's Gates.
And we were about to step into it.
My molars pressed together in a vice-grip as brightness opened up ahead.
"It's there," Hattie called. "Just up ahead."
She skipped along, calling for Asher to keep up.
Clayton and I immediately caught up to them, each grabbing hold of our own mentees.
"Hold up," Clayton slowed Hattie.
I held Asher's shoulder, keeping him from the temptation of bursting out of the dark forest into the open field.
"Let us go first," I said. "Chloe, stay with Asher and Hattie, while Clayton and I check it out."
Chloe nodded, pulling them into her. She glanced behind, and all around, with a nervous twitch.
As we walked into the long grass of the meadow, I scanned the area with stealth focus. The space was tranquil, and I half-expected to see deer and other forest creatures frolicking about. But instead, an eerie stillness hung in the air. Silence all around.
"Weird," I whispered to Clayton. "It's so quiet."
He nodded without making a sound, still sharp in his senses, scanning the area for any sign of danger.
We moved farther into the center of the clearing, keeping an eye on the edge of the woods around us.
Chloe stared without blinking, waiting for any updates.
As I prepared to wave for them to join us, a sudden movement at the far edge caught my eye.
Clayton jolted at the same time, proving he'd seen it too.
We scanned the shadows at the tree line, and saw it again.
A massive, dark creature moved through the pines with a confident prance.
The wolf.
It hovered at the edge of the clearing, shooting its piercing glare at us, causing us to freeze.
I lifted a hand to stop Chloe from coming any farther into the field. She stopped short and attempted to grab Hattie. But it was too late.
Hattie had already shot out of her reach, and bombed through the grass toward us.
The wolf's ears perked up as it focused directly on her.
"Stop running, Hattie!" I seethed. "It'll see you as prey."
I shot my attention back to the wolf and shuddered from the penetrating stare in its beady eyes.
Clayton's shoulders broadened as he took a solid stance.
"Stay behind," he murmured. "I won't let it get past me."
My heart stopped short as my breath stuck in my chest.
"It doesn't mean to harm you," Chloe called over, breaking my catatonic terror.
She came closer to us, keeping Asher by her side.
"It wants to show us something."
I pulled back from Chloe, certain she'd lost her mind.
The muscle-bound wolf with shining fangs was a far cry from her blackbirds.
"Chloe, it's a wild creature. A predator. And there's a good chance we're its prey."
She gave a smug grin. "No, I'm serious, Shaye. I can read its energy. It doesn't mean to harm us."
I exhaled loudly.
Turning to Clayton, I worried that his condition may have reached a volatile point where he couldn't be controlled. But when I looked in his eyes, I saw only calm.
He blinked at me. "I don't feel any threat right now," he said. "Chloe might be right."
My head jolted back to the wolf.
It swung its head back and forth, as if claiming its territory. To me, it was a warning to stay back, but the others didn't see it that way.
But like any other time, I had to follow my gut, and my gut told me to stay the hell away from...
My eyes suddenly flew wide as I stared at a strange structure hiding in the shadows of the trees.
Its triangular structure, built of wooden planks, shot up high into the branches above.
My air sucked in and I fought to speak.
"Oh my god," I whispered.
Everyone followed my frozen gaze past the wolf and into the trees.
"That's it!" Hattie cried. And she launched out of the our circle and raced toward it.
"Hattie, no!" I screamed, running after her. "Stop!"
As I strained to catch her before she got any closer to the wolf's location, Clayton passed me in a blur and grabbed her.
Panting, I snagged her arm and held tight.
The others caught up to us with a nervous rush of energy.
"The wolf is gone," Chloe murmured, scanning the trees.
But the wooden structure still loomed in the shadows, beckoning us closer.
Scanning the trees, I searched for any sign of the wolf as we walked toward the hut.
"It's exactly the same as when I jumped through," Hattie squealed. "Daddy built it, you know. Do you remember it, Shaye?"
I stared at her as my heart swelled in my chest.
It seemed vaguely familiar, more like a feeling than a visual memory.
"Yes," I breathed. "I remember it."
Flashes of my father's face filled my mind and I reached for the images, desperate to see his features.
Clayton watched my every move as nervous energy shot from his every twitch.
"What do we do now?" he asked, staring at the strange hut.
"I think we need a closer look." I moved toward the tree line.
"Are we going home?" Hattie asked with a worried shake in her voice.
Suddenly, I wasn't so sure.
The portal was here, right in front of us.
It made sense to use it. There was no guarantee it would be here next time.
But in my gut, I knew I wasn't ready.
I had goodbyes to say.
I had more research to do.
I had to make my coven complete before I left.
And now was the time to do it.
"Clayton," I started.
"No," he spat, shooting a hand up to stop me.
He knew exactly what I was about to do, and at the same time, knew what it meant.
I was preparing to leave him.
The pain in his eyes stung my heart.
"Clayton, I name you High Priest."
His shoulders sank and his head fell back.
It was like the words had knocked the wind out of him.
And I understood why.
The coven would need a leader.
As he lifted his head again, his eyes met mine. The glimmer of wetness lined his lower lids as he gazed at me.
Swiping at his eyes, he pressed his lips together tight.
"You're not going without me," he said, shaking his head.
But his weakened tone made clear that he knew I had to. The coven couldn't lose both of their leaders. He would need to stay to keep the coven strong. And to make sure I made it back.
I stepped closer to the portal entrance. The opening was wide enough to easily step through.
"Not yet," he pleaded.
"I'm just looking."
I cautiously peered into the opening, curious what it might look like inside, and before I could see into the darkness within, a flash of energy pushed me back.
I stumbled away from the wooden hut, checking my self for pain or damage. The blast seemed like it would harm me like a lightning strike, but in my quick assessment, I was okay.
"What was that?" Asher stepped closer to the portal, and glanced at the residual wobble around the opening.
Chloe moved closer to it, studying the area intently.
"It's not ready," she murmured, holding a hand out to feel its energy.
We watched as she stepped around the structure, glancing up and down its wooden planks. Keeping her gaze on its pinnacle, her eyes narrowed.
She stepped back slightly and waved her hands in circular motion. Facing her palms toward the portal opening, she continued to move her hands as if they were running along a solid surface, like a mime trapped in a box.
As she continued her rhythmic movement, a silver shimmer formed where her hands moved. Within the blur of motion, a reflective surface appeared.
Mystic Coven: Winter Wiccan (Supernatural Academy Graduates Book 2) Page 12