Blind Magic: The Sanctuary Chronicles

by India Kells

  She stopped talking and smiled at the waitress who arrived with their meal. Ian started eating without really tasting his food, as his attention was on Valeria’s next words. The weredragon-witch took a bite of her hamburger and swallowed before continuing.

  “Sera was adopted by a witch couple when they found her as a baby, abandoned in the forest behind their house.”

  Even with all his might, Ian couldn’t find a word to say. Who on earth could abandon an infant in the forest like that? Fury, pain and compassion for Sera flooded him.

  “As she grew up, everything appeared as if she was a witch herself. She developed and used magic as any witch would do. It was in her teenage years that something started to be off. Sera started to have problems with her vision.”

  “And how did that cause a problem?”

  “Have you ever seen a witch with glasses before?”

  Ian shrugged. “I’m not very familiar with witches, to be honest.”

  “Well, I can tell you that we don’t wear glasses. Ever. Same for shifters and fae. Our unique kind of magic prevents us from experiencing body inconveniences, like myopia. And despite her adoptive parents’ efforts, it seemed that she couldn’t get away from wearing glasses. That raised a few eyebrows and more than a few suspicions. To protect her, her parents relocated, several times, before finally settling in Easthallows. And one morning, they just vanished.”

  “Vanished?”

  “Sera came back from high school and the house was empty. That’s what she told me.”

  “Damn.”

  “Yeah. As they had just relocated, Sera hadn’t yet made any contacts in the witch community. The only place she knew was Impossibilities Inc. and Layla.”

  It was easy to guess what happened next. The witch-cat may have had a rotten temperament, but he had seen firsthand how protective she was of the three women.

  As the words whirled in his mind, Ian realized that his plate was empty and took a sip of coffee, letting Valeria eat for a moment. Once finished, she pushed her plate aside and sighed.

  “So, Layla took her in, and offered her a life as normal as possible. And that’s where we met. Layla’s library had become our spot as we became fast friends. When we were alone, we would try new tricks, mayhem... but most of the time, we would do research. To find out who we really were. It hadn’t been easy, but there was one clue that led us to discover who Sera was, and that was her slowly deteriorating eyesight. It wasn’t normal. It was the effect of not using her real powers, but on a much more extensive period of time. She’s a seer.”

  Ian blinked, trying to wrap his mind around the word. “A seer?”

  “An Oracle, if you prefer. For example, in Ancient Greece, there was the Pythia, who was the Oracle of Apollo. In Ireland, they are called vates. They have the power to see what could happen. To predict the future.”

  The concept was so foreign to him, he had to shake his head. “I’ve never heard of them before.”

  “Well, it’s because they’re very rare. And very protected by guardians and priestesses.”

  “And those priestesses couldn’t help Sera?”

  Valeria winced. “Well, that’s the thing. We did a lot of research, trying to find other seers, but the stories always end the same. When found, the potential seer is whisked away and never seen again.”

  The fear of losing Sera made his heart pound, as if he had been running a marathon. “So that’s why you are looking out for Sera... you’re protecting her.”

  “We’re not certain of what’s happening. So far, Sera refused to use her powers at all and her existence didn’t seem disturbed by anything or anyone. But since she completely lost her eyesight, it’s as if she’s dropped a stone in the pond. Layla had heard rumors, but couldn’t confirm any of them.”

  “Is Sera aware of those rumors?”

  “So far, no. We didn’t want to worry her until we were certain, and as you’d taken guardian duty on your own accord...”

  “Me making sure Sera is okay is not the same as watching for a threat, Valeria!”

  As she raised her hands in appeasement, Ian gritted his teeth. “I know all that. But I couldn’t ask you to put your life and responsibilities on hold for my friend.”

  Dark emotions swirled dangerously close to the surface as he realized he was going for the door. Valeria shouted something behind him, but his wolf howled inside his head. Sera could be in danger, right now, at that very moment, and he was away. Too far away from her. She may not be his mate, but Sera mattered to him. Far more than he was willing to ever acknowledge.

  Chapter Four

  Sera returned another grimoire to its exact place on the shelves and skimmed her fingers over the covers, until she found the one she was looking for.

  When she realized her vision was slowly, inexorably declining, and that no possible magic could help her, she had taught herself to read braille. She then placed a spell on Layla’s library so that each time she touched a book, it would turn into braille until she was done with it. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t learn, and had proved it to herself once more. Aside from her magic, her brain was her greatest tool. There was only one thing she couldn’t change… her destiny.

  Her fingertips stilled on the page as she sighed. Sometimes, when she was alone, she wondered if she had made the right decision. If fighting her nature so hard was what she needed to do.

  “So quiet, I thought you had fallen asleep on your books, darling child.”

  At the voice of Layla, Sera straightened, forcing a smile to her face. “Of course not! But reading is not the noisiest activity.”

  Sera heard the witch in cat form move around and jump on the long work table. Her energy swirled and settled nearby. Normally, Layla was a chatterbox and it made it difficult for Sera to concentrate. However, this time, her friend and mentor stayed unusually silent. It meant only one thing.

  Closing her book, Sera touched the back of a chair before settling into it. “What’s going on, Layla?”

  As she swished her tail, Sera felt the air move. “Why do you think I need to talk about something?”

  Angling her head, she waited for the witch-cat to spill the beans. It never took long.

  “You spend too much time here, Sera.”

  “It’s called working, Layla.”

  “Well, you work too much.”

  What kind of conversation was that? It was slowly grating on her nerves. “I worked my ass off for that batch of healing potion last week! I’ve been on the phone non-stop to find that mandrake powder you seem unable to live without. I’ve completed the orders and inventory. Why are you suddenly reprimanding me?”

  “Darling, this is busy work.”

  Rolling her unseeing eyes, Sera almost groaned. “You’re talking nonsense.”

  “I wouldn’t if you would take time off. Why don’t you take a vacation?”

  “To stay in my apartment? I prefer to be here, and you know it.”

  “No! No! Maybe you could go on holiday. I have a friend who has a wonderful cabin in the woods. Secluded, calm. You could rest, wander the forest.”

  Sera was about to tell her that she wasn’t the least bit interested in a cabin in the woods, when the word ‘secluded’ blinked in her mind like a neon sign.

  “Why do you want me out of town?”

  The silence that followed was telling, and a ball of ice settled in her stomach. “Layla?”

  Her friend sighed. “It’s only a rumor whispered in the wind... I don’t know if it’s true.”

  There was no need to say the words, as what she feared the most seemed to come to life. “You’ve heard about them. They are coming for me. The guardians, the priestesses.”

  “It’s only a rumor, Sera. I could only gather that a powerful being is en route to Easthallows. It doesn’t mean it’s for you.”

  Sera put her face in her hands. All those years, she thought that if she didn’t acknowledge that other part of her, she would be safe. And all those years she
had been wrong.

  Straightening up, she pushed her shoulders back and stood up. Composed again, she finished clearing the table before putting her bag there and reaching for her coat.

  “Where do you think you are going?”

  Ideas popped in her mind, a way of making wide circles around her friend, preventing her from blocking her escape. “I like your suggestion. A vacation would do me good.”

  “Don’t mess with me, young lady. Do you think I can be so easily fooled? You are going to run.”

  “I can’t run, Layla, I can’t see. I’ll break my neck if I do so.”

  “And still you play smartass with me. Where are you going?”

  “Well, I’m hungry, so I’m going to grab a bite. And then I’ll come back here and finish my research on that herbal formula I’m working on.”

  Layla’s energy seemed hesitant to her. She was probably debating whether she believed her or not. And she was right. Deep down inside, her instinct of protection toward the people around her was strong. The danger may not be coming for her, but if it was, it was probably aiming toward her. However, that probability wasn’t something she wanted to gamble with. Those who were looking for her wouldn’t take no for an answer and would fight to get to her. What they didn’t know is that she didn’t have any intention of complying. Ever.

  Knowing the future had no appeal to her. On the contrary, Sera believed that destiny was composed of each decision made at every second of the day. Maybe someone could predict the future, but it would only be real for that very second only. And to be honest, she didn’t want to know, neither the good nor the bad that could happen to her or her friends. And even less becoming some sort of go-to destiny finder. Being worshipped was not in her life plan.

  When she made her way out of the study toward the store, Layla kept close, dangerously so, to her feet.

  “Layla, get out of the way, would you? It’s difficult enough walking without seeing my feet, and you twirling around them is not helping.”

  She huffed in indignation. “I don’t twirl.”

  “Then, walk in front of me or behind.”

  The wall ended, indicating that she had entered the store. Abrams, the store manager and so much more, was moving glass bottles to her right according to the sound. When she approached, making her way to the front door, she smiled at him.

  “Hello Abrams.”

  “Hello, Miss Sera. You came in early. I didn’t see you arrive.”

  “Yeah, early means less cars on the road and less people on the sidewalk. I tend to prefer that. I’m going to get something to eat, you want anything?”

  Layla groaned, and Sera knew she and Abrams had exchanged some sort of look.

  “I’ll take your annoying silence as a no. See you later.”

  Still fastening her coat, Sera stepped outside, shutting out Layla. The sudden cold made her shiver, but it was better than turning her white cat boss into an infuriated green one. Inhaling the icy air deeply, she felt a little sunlight on her skin and it made her smile. Before deciding anything, she needed to walk. To clear her head and figure her next step. Being impulsive wasn’t in her nature, and relying on her brain had been way more productive than relying on her emotions. Because right now, if she listened to any of those, she would turn herself invisible and run like hell, blind or not.

  Steady once more, she stretched her hand to feel the brick wall and started walking. Despite everything she had researched on seers and the order of priestesses guarding them, she couldn’t conceive that they would coerce her. She had to have a say in this, decide if she would go with them or not. Panic seized her, making her heart pound, and fighting it was a constant struggle.

  “Sera!” The voice brought her back to herself and she realized that she was almost running, and, with her wandering mind, she wasn’t sure where she was exactly. All those times she had imagined escape routes, she was trapped. Magic surged inside her and she was ready to blast her attacker, when she recognized the voice. Hands trembling, she shoved them in her pockets and smiled.

  “Hunter. Damn, you scared me for a minute.”

  She heard a door slamming and footsteps crunching the snow before stopping beside her.

  “Is everything alright? You looked scared to death. Pale.”

  She should have been more aware of her surroundings. Before answering him, she schooled her face. “I’m fine, Hunter.”

  He moved, and she suspected that he wanted to touch her, but refrained from it. “You’re not. I can tell. You’re breathing hard and you’re white as a ghost.”

  “The cold...”

  “Sera, tell me what’s going on, please.” His hand touched her shoulder. All she could detect in him was genuine concern. She covered his hand with hers and that’s exactly when hell broke loose.

  It felt like an energy blast all around her, but it was the deep animalistic snarl that shook her to the core. Before she had time to react, Sera was yanked abruptly behind Hunter and she heard the tell-tale click of a gun.

  Golden hues flared in her mind and the growl intensified. That’s when she realized that it was Ian, in wolf form, attacking in the middle of town in plain daylight! What was going on?

  “Holy shit! Stay put, Sera, there’s a wolf in front of me, ready to attack.”

  “Don’t shoot!” Was that Patricia shouting? The voice of the werebear was approaching fast, running in their direction.

  Hunter shuffled, and the tension intensified. If she didn’t find a solution, someone would get hurt. Ian may get a bullet, but Hunter would be the one ending up with the most damage, unknowing of the real threat.

  “Wait, Hunter! Don’t shoot!”

  “Sera...” His voice held a warning, telling her that he might not have a choice.

  “Is this a black wolf-type kind of dog, with amber eyes.”

  Hunter seemed to hesitate at her visual description. “Yeah. Why?”

  It was a gamble she had to take. “He’s my new guide dog.”

  “Your guide dog?” Sera was glad that his back was to her, because she couldn’t help but wince at her blatant lie and the incredulity in his voice. “Yeah. Please don’t shoot him.” When she tried to move around him, Hunter pushed her back again, making Ian growl even more in his direction.

  “You’re kidding me! This is a wild animal... how can it guide you?”

  “It comes from Sanctuary outside of town.”

  “The place that rescues wildlife and injured animals? The Stonelake place?”

  That was the official cover of Asher’s Sanctuary to human eyes.

  “Yeah, Mr. Stonelake found an animal with talent and trained him for me.”

  “It’s a wolf!”

  “A hybrid.” Patricia came closer. “Sorry about that, Asher asked me to bring Fluffy here to the vet before handing him to Sera, but he kind of escaped after the appointment.”

  Ian in wolf form seemed to choke at his new name.

  “It’s okay, Patricia. Hunter, move please.”

  But the cop was stubborn. “Call him off, tell him to lie down and I’ll let you approach him.”

  Sera hoped that Ian would obey her, as she knew perfectly well that she was fibbing her head off here. The moment of truth.

  “Fluffy, lie down.”

  The growling stopped, and she could feel Hunter relaxing a bit. Also, Ian’s energy glowed dimmer. A little bit.

  Not waiting for Hunter to move, Sera ducked under his arm and approached where she supposed Ian was lying down. Other footsteps were coming quickly in their direction. Valeria.

  Sera extended her hand, about to crouch down to touch Ian when the wolf stood, thrusting his head into her hand. Her body clenched as she remembered the last time she had touched the werewolf in wolf form, and that same tension that had flared up then was still as strong today.

  Aware of eyes on her, Sera turned to face Hunter and extended her left hand and Ian got the clue to stand by her side. Unable to resist, she caressed his furry head and she
felt him relax even more.

  “Sorry about all that, Hunter. I apologize.”

  From what she could hear, Hunter holstered his weapon. “Well, it was quite a surprise. But if your beast is helping you and protecting you, that’s all than I can ask for.”

  Patricia and Valeria came beside her. Patricia felt as if she wanted to snarl at the human, and Sera was glad Valeria’s cheerfulness hid the tension.

  “Thank you for watching out for my friend, officer.”

  “Grimes, Hunter Grimes, ma’am. And it’s no trouble at all. I’m new in town, and Sera helped me feel welcome. I’m grateful for that. I’ll see you around, Sera. And maybe you should have Fluffy neutered. I hear it helps render dogs more docile.”

  Ian stirred beneath her hand, but Sera tugged slightly at his fur in warning.

  “Thanks for the advice, Hunter. See you around.”

  Hunter leaned and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before walking back to his car. Ian almost seemed to leap after him, but Sera was faster, blocking him.

  “Oh, Fluffy. You and I are going to have a long conversation. And I’m not sure you’re going to like it.”

  Chapter Five

  The three people in front of her were cajoling, imploring, and threatening the living daylights out of her until Sera’s head crackled with irritation. While she usually appeared docile and subdued, it wasn’t her true personality. It was only a ploy so people acquiesced with her. Cold logic had always worked for her. Brain over matter. However, the witch, the werewolf and the werebear were not above bullying her to do what they wanted.

  Ignoring the three of them, Sera calmly walked to her apartment. If she couldn’t flee right now, she would find another opportunity. And going to Sanctuary was out of the question. It would be like sending a flare in the night, and too many people relied on that place for their own protection without bringing too much attention to the safe haven.