by Lola Kidd
“What if we told you that the Lost Tribe you encountered were in fact innocent of their crimes and were only banished as a precaution?” Susan asked.
Rory blinked twice before answering and kept her expression neutral. The fae had said what if. This was a hypothetical question. “I would feel bad for the Northlands Fae who were left to rot, but it’s not my job to fix the mistakes the Council makes.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Cross give her a warning look. It was sweet of him to be worried, but she had this. They weren’t going to mess with her head. What she had told him earlier was true, she wasn’t mad anymore, just sad. They weren’t going to make her feel any worse about what had happened. The decision was already made. She couldn’t go back and change it now.
“So you wouldn’t try to save your sister and her people even though they were wrongly banished?” Tran asked.
“No. As I said, it isn’t my job to clean up your mistakes.”
She could hear the edge in her voice and willed herself to calm down.
“Do you feel no responsibly to help your own kind?” Tran asked.
“I do not,” Rory said carefully. “My people are my coven. I don’t know Sophia enough to risk my life to rescue her.”
“What if Sophia made it over herself?” Delilah asked. “Would you join an effort to banish the Lost Tribe again?”
More hypotheticals. Rory could see where they were going. “If you think that I’m going to try freeing the Northlands Fae now that I know I’m one of them, then you rest easy. I would never do anything to endanger those I care about.”
Tran nodded. “I think we’re done here.”
Delilah looked at the other Council members. “I think we have all we need about this incident. As long as there are no more attempts to open a portal to their dimension, I see no reason for the Council to have anymore dealings in the New World.”
“Thank you,” Cross said, standing up. He shook the Council members' hands. Rory followed his lead and they left the hall together.
Cross went to talk to his father when they got outside while Rory went to the coven. Magda put her arm around Rory’s shoulder.
“How did it go?” Jamie asked first.
“Ok. They don’t want to talk to me anymore and don’t think I’m a traitor. I would say that’s good.”
“That’s great,” Magda said, squeezing Rory.
Cross came over to her. “You up for a little side trip?”
Rory shrugged. “I guess. Where to?”
“The Moon Brothers got the name of the hotel Prescott is staying at.”
She could only nod her approval. Magda didn’t say anything but nodded and gave Rory a small smile.
Rory gave the coven a wave before getting onto Cross’ bike. “I’ll see you guys at Jamie’s house later.”
She was excited and anxious the entire ride to the hotel. He was staying in the middle of nowhere at a one-storey hotel between Cleary and the next town.
Cross checked his phone when they got there. “It’s this way.”
The door to Room 23 opened when they got close. There was a man standing in the doorway smiling at Rory. He looked a lot like her, only with brown hair like Sophia. His features were delicate and very youthful. Rory would have guessed his age was 28 if she didn’t know he was a hundred-year-old fae. He looked more like her brother than father, younger even than Sophia.
“Hi,” he said. “Please come in.”
There was only a bed, dresser, and table with two chairs in the small room. Cross sat down on one of the chairs while Rory stood by the dresser. Prescott took the other chair at the table.
“Wow. You’re beautiful, just like your mother when I met her,” Prescott said staring at her. “How is your mother?”
“Alright. She doesn’t talk about you. Ever.”
Prescott chuckled. “I didn’t think she would. It was only one night after all. It wasn’t like we were in love or anything.”
Clearly, Sophia had gotten her agreeable personality from her own mother.
“I imagine you have some questions for me,” Prescott said. “I’ve heard the story about what happened to you and Cross. The way the guards hightailed it out of here, your meeting must have gone well.”
“It did.” Rory regretted coming to the stupid hotel in the middle of nowhere. She gave Cross a look and he shrugged. She would give Prescott a few more minutes before she left.
“Are you going to stand?” Prescott asked. He motioned to the bed. “You can have a seat if you want. Or I could give you my chair?”
Rory crossed her arms and leaned back against the dresser. “No, that’s fine. I don’t plan on staying long.”
Prescott nodded. “That’s fine. I just wanted to see you one time. It’s pretty wild being summoned to testify for the Council about a daughter you never knew about. You know?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I think you might want to know that Sophia is about as evil as they come. I’m sure she fed you the line about being innocent and all, but how do you think she became queen?”
Rory’s heart beat faster. She didn’t change her posture. “I never asked for details, but she said you were king and then you deserted your people.”
Prescott laughed. “I was a small time farmer. Her mother was a barmaid. Sophia killed the sitting queen when the queen didn’t want to go along with the ‘destroy all supernaturals campaign’.”
Rory blinked back tears. She believed him or at least she wanted to. It was ok that she left the Northlands Fae to die.
“What about the fae who set fire to the village?” Cross asked.
“Probably a ploy. She wanted Rory to feel bad for her and help them. I’m surprised she didn’t kill you the first chance she got. Lucky for you both, you had vampire blood before crossing over. It protected you from the seduction of the tribe,” Prescott looked at his hands. “I didn’t know about Sophia either until she rose to power. That’s when I left the tribe. I’m a lover not a fighter, you know?”
“I guess,” Rory said, wiping at her eyes.
“They killed your head witch too, you know,” Prescott continued. “She would have gotten in the way. Elena was a very powerful witch and she was crafty. Bumping her off gave them much easier access to you. It was enough to distract your coven while they were getting everything in place to take you. Do you know how fae magic works?”
“No,” Rory said. “It’s different than a witch's though.”
“Yup. That’s why she wanted you,” he told her. “If you share blood, it amplifies the magic. You aren’t the first she took, you know.”
Rory moved to sit on the edge of the bed.
“There were two others before. This was years and years ago. In the 1800s maybe,” Prescott said. “Anyway. It didn’t work out. You were her last chance. As far as I know anyway.”
Nobody said anything. It made sense what he said more than what Sophia had said anyway. Honestly, Rory would probably never truly know what Sophia’s motives were or if all the Tribe was guilty. Everyone had a reason to lie. Nobody involved with the banishment would admit to sending over innocent people. It would hurt the public’s confidence in the Council. They could have easily told Prescott to lie and keep their secret. There was no spell for her to cast to get them to tell her the truth or a book that held all the details she wanted.
“Is there anything you wanted to ask me besides all of that mess?” Prescott asked her finally.
“No, there’s nothing else I wanted to know.”
“Ok,” he nodded. “Would you mind if I asked you some questions?”
Rory looked up. “I guess not. Ask away.”
Prescott motioned to Cross. “You with this werewolf here?”
Rory smiled. “Yeah. I am.”
Her dad nodded. He turned to Cross. “What are you planning to do with her?”
“Huh?” Cross looked at Rory. “I mean. I don’t know, shit. Date her? Be with her? I guess I haven’t gotten far
ther than that right now.”
“You got a job?”
“I transport guns for the Moon Brothers and sell stuff in our shop,” Cross said, sitting up in his chair. “I live on a compound just outside of Cleary with the Brothers.”
“You two do know werewolves and witches don’t mix, right?”
Cross smiled and looked at Rory. “Yeah I think I’ve heard that one before.”
“Witches and fae also don’t mix.” Rory stood up and went to the door. “I think its time we leave.”
“Alright. You know how to find me if you ever want to talk again or anything.” Prescott stood up too. He shook Cross’ hand. “I know where to find you too.”
Rory shook Prescott’s hand and followed Cross back to his bike. They would go back to Jamie’s house and talk more about what had happened. She hoped for the last time. She didn’t know what the future held for her and Cross, but she was hopeful. Maybe witches and werewolves were supposed to mix after all.
A Note from Lola
Hello lovely!
I hope you enjoyed the Witch and Wolf serial. I have SO many ideas for more stories in this universe. In fact, in the early winter of 2014/15, I plan to release a new story that follows some of the characters from this serial. I’m not saying who right now but it’s an epic story I have in mind. I don’t know yet if it will be another set of serials or novels but I’ll update the Release Schedule on my website and announce it on my Facebook page when I do.
Up next though, I will be releasing three Black Oak Shifter stories. If you haven’t read my first two serials, pick up Taken by the Shifters now! The first full-length novel will follow the couple from Taken, Elle and Luke. It will be released the third week of September. If you want to be notified as soon as the novel comes out, sign-up to my new release mailing list!
Thanks for reading,
Lola
Other Works by Lola Kidd
Taken Serial:
Taken by the Shifters: Part One
For Elle Quinn, meeting tall, dark, and handsome Lucas Rivers at the farmer’s market is just what she needs. This strong, dominate man knows just how to handle all of her curves. Much to her delight, they can’t keep their hands off each other.
Too bad for Elle, her pleasure is cut short when a mysterious stranger whisks her away through the woods. Their destination will shock Elle and send her down a dark path of self-discovery.
Taken by the Shifters is a 16,000 word BBW/Shifter Romance. It is the first entry in the Taken Series, chronicling Elle Quinn’s search for love and the truth about her past. The series will contain explicit descriptions of sexual matter and is intended for mature audiences.
Taken by the Shifters: Part Two
After learning the truth about her father’s death, Elle Quinn goes on a search for answers. She confronts her mother with the truth and learns more than she bargained for.
Even with her new knowledge, Elle still wants to see Luke. Returning to his farm, she finds him still missing. Her concern for the missing Luke grows as she continues her search for the truth in Black Oak Springs.
Taken by the Shifter: Part Two is 13,000 words of BBW/Shifter Romance. It is the second entry in the Taken series and contains explicit sexual language. It is meant for mature audiences. It is a sequel and is not intended as a standalone episode.
Taken by the Shifters: Part Three
Elle Quinn has made it to “Bear Country” with Luke. With the help of her new “Bear Country” friends, Elle finally finds the answers she’s been searching for.
Once she finally learns the truth, Elle has a tough decision to make about her relationship with Luke and her future.
Taken by the Shifters: Part Three is 18,000 words of BBW/Shifter Romance. It is the third and final entry in the Taken series. This entry contains explicit sexual language. As such, it is meant for mature audiences. It is a sequel and is not intended as a standalone episode.
Captured Serial:
Captured by the Shifters: Part One
Inspired by the urban legend she hears at a family friend's wedding, Amina Blake decides to write an article that chronicles her town's long held believe in shapeshifters. Amina may not believe in shifters herself but she knows a great story when she hears one!
While doing research for the article, she makes a reckless mistake and ends up lost in the woods. She stumbles into a strange town looking for help and is surprised to find that the super-hot best man from the wedding is the town's deputy sheriff. Things rapidly turn from bad to worse for Amina when it turns out the town is far stranger than she ever imagined.
Captured by the Shifters: Part One is a 19,500 BBW/Shifter Romance. The series contains some steamy scenes and is intended for a mature audience. This is the first entry in the Captured series.
Captured by the Shifters: Part Two
Amina and Jaxon have their hands full in Black Oak Springs as the town gears up for its first ever vote. Amina is hoping to head home soon but finds herself drawn into the power struggle in the shifter town.
As she finds herself in the middle of a nasty fight, her relationship with her “hero” Jaxon becomes increasingly complicated as he asks her to take a special role in his fight against his father.
Captured by the Shifters: Part Two is an 18,000 word BBW/Shifter Romance. This episode contains very steamy scenes and explicit language. It is meant for a mature audience. This is the second entry in the Captured series and is not meant as a standalone episode.
Captured by the Shifters: Part Three
In the final weeks before the big vote, life in Black Oak Springs gets a lot more interesting. Lines are drawn as prominent families in town begin joining either side. The new column in the Times has everyone talking and wondering just what Amina Blake is up to.
Amina may not have all the answers for them just yet but she is sure of one thing, she wants Jaxon Traveler. She just didn’t expect it would be so hard to get him. She doesn’t know if she’ll ever be able to convince Jaxon that she has changed and is exactly what he needs in his life.
Captured by the Shifters: Part Three is a 20,000 word BBW/Shifter Romance. It contains sexual scenes and is meant for a mature audience. This is the final entry in the Captured Serial and is not a standalone episode.