The Aether Witch (The Coven: Elemental Magic Book 6)

by Chandelle LaVaun

  Then everything went white and I gasped.

  I pulled back and looked around, but we were still on the beach behind Leyka’s house. Tegan stared up at me with deep pink cheeks and wide eyes. She licked her lips, and my concentration snapped. I took her face between my hands and pulled her mouth to mine. Our lips crashed together, brushing and sliding against each other hard enough to leave a bruise, yet still not even possibly close enough. My chest was on fire, and I relished the heat. Everything else in the world melted away.

  In the back of my mind, I knew there was a reason to hurry. I knew there were things we needed to do. But in the moment, all I knew was the feel of her lips on mine and the echo of her memories in my mind. She’d told me she loved me before, but this was different. This wasn’t her words; this was experiencing her feelings and her thoughts like they were my own. All the little details she’d never shared. It was like we’d switched bodies for those brief moments, and I didn’t think I’d ever be the same. And by the intensity of her kiss, I knew I no longer had any secrets from her. She knew every nook and cranny of my love for her. She saw it all firsthand.

  Then the cold, hard, terrifying truth hit me. I could lose her at any moment.

  I kissed her with abandon, with every ounce of passion I held for her deep inside. I kissed her for all the love I’d told her I felt, and for all the times I didn’t say the words enough. I kissed her for the stolen kisses and whispered words. I kissed her for all the times I’d almost lost her, and for the close calls I knew we’d yet to face.

  If there was even a chance this fairy we were summoning could take my memories of Tegan away from me, then I wanted to let myself enjoy this one a few minutes longer. I wrapped my arms around her waist and squeezed her tight to my chest…then let the ocean sweep us under and out of sight.

  Chapter Five

  TEGAN

  We’re just summoning the Fae. No big deal.

  My stomach turned and twisted at the mere idea of working with the Fae again. It was the Fae who’d tricked us and sent us back in time in the first place. Playing with words was their specialty. I worried they’d find a way to twist my request even if I said it carefully.

  I followed Tennessee toward the back bedroom where everyone else was waiting. The second my feet crossed the doorway, a wall of ice-cold energy slammed into me. Deacon. I froze. My magic tingled and made the hairs on my arms stand tall. I pushed my magic out, and it slithered across the room and slid over his body. His eyes flew open. The air around his body shimmered with a soft red glow. His energy grew tense and electric. His magic was trying to defend him.

  It’s okay, D. It’s just me, I whispered into his mind.

  Instantly his energy simmered to a low hum. He turned his head ever so slightly, and his purple gaze found mine. He opened his mouth like he was going to speak.

  I shook my head once. Don’t speak. Save your energy.

  “Deacon?” Emersyn leaned forward and brushed his sandy blond hair off his forehead. “Are you okay?”

  He wasn’t. Not even close. I felt his life force draining out of him. I wasn’t going to tell anyone else though. They needed the hope. If we didn’t get him home, we were going to lose him. There was no ifs, ands, or buts about it. It never occurred to me that the healing spells we had hadn’t always been around. It wasn’t just about getting him home. If the demon’s venom was in there too long, the damage would be irreparable.

  My chest tightened, squeezing the oxygen out of my lungs. I gripped Tenn’s arm and placed my forehead to his shoulder. Even with his magic weakened, the raw strength of his power steadied me.

  I didn’t have to imagine how my twin was feeling. I knew. I knew from when my soulmate had gotten injured in the Old Lands, and I wasn’t sure if he was going to make it. But that was if. There was no guessing with Deacon. He was going to die unless we got him back to the future fast enough.

  Then a thought occurred to me. Back when Tenn had been in the infirmary, Katherine told me the main reason he’d survived was because I’d given him some of my magic. She’d said it was risky, because as the Aether Witch, most witches couldn’t handle my power. She’d said my magic could’ve killed him. We weren’t quite that desperate yet. If summoning the Fae didn’t work...then we might be.

  He needs strength.

  Everyone turned to me with wide eyes. It was only then that I noticed how quiet the room was suddenly. They’d obviously been talking while I was in my own little world. And apparently I’d spoken that thought out loud.

  Henley frowned and glanced back and forth between Deacon and me. “What do you mean?”

  Yeah, what do I mean? He needed something extra, something to boost his strength for now. Except...what could I use in 1692 for that? He needed an amulet or something—

  I gasped. The figurative light bulb lit in my head. I ran over to the bed and dropped to my knees beside Deacon. His eyes widened a little, but that was a good sign. It meant he was still in there fighting. I unbuttoned the top few buttons on my coat.

  “Tegan?” Emersyn leaned forward and tapped my shoulder. “What are you doing?”

  “Yeah, I don’t think flashing him will help,” Royce grumbled.

  “Because you’re gay, dear brother.”

  Cooper sighed. “She’s not flashing him...right?”

  “I’ve found it makes guys happier.” Henley laughed. “Desperate times, desperate measures. Right, Tenn?”

  “They are pretty magical,” Tennessee said softly.

  I gasped and looked over my shoulder at my soulmate. He grinned like the Cheshire cat and winked at me. My cheeks burned like a bonfire. I laughed and shook my head.

  “Dude.” Cooper smacked him in the arm. “Are you serious right now?”

  Beside me, Emersyn giggled and covered her mouth with the hand not holding Deacon’s. Cooper scowled. Tennessee shrugged. Goddess, I love that boy. He knew my sister was freaking out. He’d said that to lighten the mood.

  I reached into my bra and pulled out the little leather satchel. Neon green light poured out of the top. I tilted the pouch, and the Earth Stone fell into my open palm.

  “Oh, oh, that is a good idea,” Myrtle whispered. She pressed her finger to Deacon’s chest where a piece of material was wrapped around him as a bandage. She untied the material and peeled it away, then tapped directly over the crystal of his soulmate glyph. “Put it here.”

  I smiled and followed her direction. The longer I knew Myrtle the more I realized exactly why she was the lead Crone. Though I couldn’t fathom why she’d never been Marked for The Coven. She was certainly worthy.

  When I placed the glowing green Earth Stone to his skin, his eyes widened. The violet color shined a little brighter. His skin regained a little of its pink color. The red mist of his magic wrapped around his chest, covering the Stone like it knew it was helping. Myrtle covered it with a piece of linen that was wet and had a creamy texture. Then she retied the material, securing the Earth Stone in place.

  Deacon looked up at me and gave a small smile.

  I placed my hand over the Stone and smiled back. Don’t you go anywhere, okay? We’re not letting you go without a fight. I promise.

  “We can’t waste any more time,” Emersyn whispered. “How do we summon the Fae? Do we need Saffie’s help?”

  “Trust me, we don’t want them to know I’m involved,” Saffie said sadly. She stared at the ground.

  “It is best for Saffie if the Seelies forget she is alive.” Leyka sighed and wrapped his arm around his niece’s shoulders. “By the time they remember, she may be a Crone.”

  Yea, I don’t think that’s gonna be the case.

  “Regardless, civilian witches cannot summon the Fae.” Myrtle wrung her hands together. “We are forbidden from trying, though it would be no use. Only The Coven has the power to do so. Though I know it can only be done on a Fey line.”

  Royce looked out the window. “You mean the tunnels?”

  “Yes, and no.” Tennessee
ran his hand through his hair. “The tunnels are not in our realm exactly. But they are tied to our realm. Those ties are called Fey lines.”

  “So we have to find one?” Cooper cursed. “How are we supposed to do that?”

  I got back to my feet then walked over to Tennessee. I reached up and pulled the leather cord from around his neck. The familiar light blue crystal dangled from the cord. Purple mist shot out from the stone then cooled around it, like it was happy to be out and getting attention.

  Tennessee smiled. “George.”

  I nodded and squeezed the leather cord in my hand. Soft golden light seeped out from around my fingers. When I opened them, the leather had changed back into the silver chain. “George.”

  “Who’s George?” Saffie asked.

  Myrtle cleared her throat. “You’re going to want to look close by, because you will have to take Deacon with you and he cannot travel far.”

  “We can’t move him,” Emersyn cried. “He can’t— He has to stay here, rest, gain strength.”

  Saffie’s face fell. She shook her head. “If the Fae answer your summon, they won’t wait around while you go get him. You’ll have to bring him with you.”

  Emersyn groaned and dropped her forehead to Deacon’s arm.

  “Let’s stay as close as possible, then.” Tennessee took George from my hand and held it up in the sunlight streaming through the window. “Hello, George. Do you know about the Fey lines?”

  Our favorite pendulum swung toward him then straight out to me. Yes.

  “Do you know how to find them?”

  Yes.

  “Ask him if we’ll have to go into those tunnels again,” Royce whispered.

  “George, will we have to go inside the Seelie tunnels to summon the Fae?”

  The pendulum switched direction mid swing. No.

  Royce sighed. “Thank God.”

  Tennessee smirked. “George, can you guide us to the closest Fey line?”

  Again, it changed direction. YES.

  “Great, please lead us now.” Tennessee stared at the pendulum as it changed direction and swung toward the door on the other side of the room. He nodded and followed George’s path. “Let’s go.”

  Emersyn whimpered. She stood but didn’t let go of Deacon’s hand. “I’ll be right back.”

  Tenn froze by the door and glanced over his shoulder. “Emersyn, stay with him. He’s stronger when you’re near.”

  She blinked in surprise. “Are—are you sure?”

  “I’m positive.” He looked to me then back to my sister. “We’ll go find the spot then come back for you two.”

  I squeezed her hand. “Hang tight.”

  Royce walked over and pressed his palm to Deacon’s non-injured shoulder. “Don’t you dare die on us, D. We’re not done trying to save your ass yet.”

  Henley chuckled and hugged Royce from behind. “Come on, baby brother. Deacon’s far too stubborn to die that easy.”

  Deacon’s eyes sparkled, and his lips twitched like he was trying to smile.

  Cooper tugged the siblings by the arms and pulled them toward the door where Tennessee was waiting. My brother smiled. “We’ll be right back, D.”

  I looked down at our Devil Card. You see, we’re not giving up yet, so you can’t either. I winked at him, squeezed my sister’s hand again, then skipped over to where my soulmate waited for me at the door. He was the only one who hadn’t stopped to say anything to Deacon, but I knew he was thinking it. I knew by the way he wouldn’t meet anyone’s eyes that his emotions were fraying. I slid past my brother and took Tenn’s free hand in mine.

  “Okay, George. Lead us, please.”

  Chapter Six

  TEGAN

  The pendulum sparkled and glowed, like it was talking to Tennessee. Hell, maybe it is. It swung wide and at an angle, leading us toward the door that went to Leyka’s backyard. We followed George’s lead out the back door, across the yard full of chopped firewood and chickens, then into the forest area. We walked in silence, none of us wanting to interfere with the pendulum’s energy.

  The forest was definitely not frequented by the Sapiens. There weren’t any signs of trails or beaten paths. No markings. No footprints. Just nature thriving in all its glory. To our right, not too far in the distance, the ocean rolled onto the shore. We couldn’t see it from where we walked, but I smelled the salt in the air and felt the sea’s wild power tingle against my magic.

  Birds chirped and flew in circles over our heads. Squirrels ran along the branches. Little brown bunnies hopped between trees. They all watched us while keeping a safe distance. I felt like Aurora in Sleeping Beauty out for a walk with her furry friends and about to break into song. Chutney told me once that animals were drawn to our magic, that they instinctually knew we would protect them. I wished I knew if she’d made it back to Salem with my parents. I kicked myself for not taking a moment to call and check in. Now I may never know.

  Stop that. You’re going to figure out how to get back.

  Tennessee stepped between two massive pine trees into a patch of sunlight. The pendulum twinkled like a disco ball in the sun’s rays as it swung forward. Tennessee took two more steps, and the crystal stopped moving, hanging straight down to the ground. Tennessee froze in place and stared at the pendulum. The rest of us waited.

  A few moments later, he turned to face us. “We’re here.”

  I stepped forward until the sun warmed my skin. Here was a small section where there was no grass, just thick brown dirt covered in leaves and such. Above us, the branches were thin and the leaves sparse. Bright beams of sunlight poured in. I squinted and eyed the area. It was far too bright for what we needed to do.

  “George, is this the spot we need to summon the Fae at?” Tennessee asked.

  The pendulum swung toward him then away. Yes.

  “Thanks, George.” Tennessee nodded and held his palm out toward me. “Kitten?”

  I smiled and wrapped my hands around his. The crystal was cool against my skin, and I wished it took longer to transform because it was refreshingly cold compared to the sticky hot air around us. That soft golden light seeped between our fingers, and then the slick texture of the silver chain morphed into soft leather. When I pulled back, Tenn smiled and slipped the necklace over his head.

  “This is where we’re doing this.” I glanced over my shoulder. “Why don’t the rest of you go get Deacon. It’s probably going to take all of you to carry him. I’ll get us set up.”

  Tennessee hesitated for a second before he sighed and nodded. He waved for the others to follow him back to the house. I waited until they turned around a grouping of trees, then I pushed my magic into the trees around me. We needed more coverage. I took deep breaths and forced my pulse to slow down.

  The tree branches swayed and swung over to fill in the spot over my head. A soft shadow slid over the little clearing. It was still plenty light enough to see without hindrance, but dim enough to let magic connect with nature. A witch’s power was always stronger in the dark.

  I sank down to my knees. Despite the heavy skirt I had to wear, the dirt was cool and soft. I slipped my crystal necklace over my head. My magic acted without my request. It shot out of me and wrapped around the clear quartz crystal until it shimmered with light and transformed back into the Book of Shadows. I sat the Book down in the dirt and flipped it open. With my hand pressed to the page, I sent my thoughts into the book.

  Summoning the Fae.

  The Book answered my request. It flipped through the pages then opened up on the exact portion I needed. The spell. A cold blast of energy slithered down my spine. I shivered and tried to force my anxious energy away. Summoning the Fae was never ever a witch’s first choice. There were always heavy sacrifices and steep prices. But we have no choice, so focus. I leaned over the book and read through the instructions. The notes in the Book were written in different colored ink and entirely different handwritings, so apparently I wasn’t the only High Priestess who’d found a worthy
reason to take such a risk.

  Cast a circle to lock the Fae in.

  To summon the Unseelie Fae, call upon the Fire powers and use a blood spell.

  - Judith

  I shivered. We were definitely not seeking the Unseelie Fae. I couldn’t imagine any reason someone would want to.

  To summon the Seelie Fae, call upon the Earth powers and use a fire spell.

  - Rebecca

  If your circle floor turns to cinder, they are coming through. If your circle starts to rain ember, they did not answer your summon—they are not coming. Do not try again. This pisses them off and ends up costing you more. Trust me.

  - Victoria

  Do not speak a word until you see the signal that they have not answered your call. The Fae enjoy spying while making you wait. Cloak your belongings. If the Fae see anything of value to The Coven on you, they will bargain for it and nothing else. Do NOT bring this Book of Shadows unless you transform it. On that note, do not let anyone else speak. Bind their mouths closed if you must.

  - Althea Putnam.

  She may have given in to her dark side, but she was smart and cunning. She knew to watch her own back. She knew how to think like a fairy, which was something you needed to do when dealing with them.

  I was about to shut the Book when I saw one more note I hadn’t noticed before. It was written at the very bottom of the page in dark purple ink. I hadn’t paid attention to it before because all of the notes on summoning the Fae had been hidden by former High Priestesses, only appearing on the page when I requested it. But the note on the bottom wasn’t in hiding; it was written in plain sight. And I had no idea how I missed it before.

  Because it said my name.

  Tegan, do not read this note before October 25, 2018… After I left Salem, after we spoke, I had a vision of you summoning something. You need to know that when you summon, you will be asked to give them something from the land—DON’T. This would be catastrophic. You come from a long line of brilliant, cunning witches—you can trick them. Stand your ground, and play by YOUR rules. Also, don’t give away any personal objects. They can use it as a direct access key to you. Remember, you’re a Bishop, and you’re stronger than you realize. Give them hell.