“The baby’s fine.” Drina shook her head. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Tell you what?” I glanced at the unopened envelope on the dresser. They couldn’t possibly know the truth yet.
“You know what.” Victor grabbed my suitcase and backpack. “You need to leave town right now.”
“I…” The words stuck in my throat. They knew I was a witch. But how? “Wait. I have one more bag.”
I rushed to the living room, knowing they’d follow me. If they knew the truth, I couldn’t risk the wolves hearing our conversation.
“Where’s your other bag?” Victor set down my suitcase and backpack on the living room floor and looked around.
“There’s no bag,” I said as Drina entered the room. “I needed to get you both in here. There’s a spell on this room, so no one can hear us talk.”
“Then it’s true? You are a witch.” Drina sniffled. “You put a love spell on Kaleb to make him fall in love with you.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I mean, yes. I’m a witch, but I swear I don’t know anything about witchcraft, and I didn’t cast a love spell on Kaleb.”
“Then how is there a spell on this room?” Victor closed the curtains and turned to stare at me.
“Calandra cast the spell. I didn’t even know the truth about being a witch until she told me, and I didn’t believe her at first. It sounded crazy, but then we talked again at the hospital, and what she said made sense. The headaches, the fight with Lexi…I explained everything in a letter. If you read it, you’ll know the truth.”
“You mean this letter?” Drina held up the envelope. It was still unopened. “I knew it couldn’t be true. I told them it was lies. You wouldn’t trick us.”
“I don’t understand. Who told you I was a witch?” I asked.
“The Elders held a private meeting tonight. The High Council told them a young witch was in town. They said you’re Calandra’s daughter and you put a spell on Kaleb.” Victor crossed his arms and stared at me. “The Elders ordered everyone to stay away from you. Tomorrow, they’re banishing you from the community.”
“I can’t believe this,” I replied.
Banishment was the least of my concerns right now, but how could Calandra do this to me? She knew I’d planned on telling Kaleb the truth. Was she trying to force me to stay at the coven after I fulfilled my blood oath? At least she’d lied about Marie being my birth mother.
I looked at Victor and Drina, wanting to tell them the truth, but I couldn’t. What if a witch came to town and read their minds? I’d have to tell them the truth later. “Calandra said she’d give me a few days.”
“You can’t trust the witches,” Victor said.
“We can trust Sienna.” Drina pulled me into a hug. “No matter what, she’s still family.”
Warmth radiated throughout my body as I hugged her back. We were still cousins, and nothing would change that. “You shouldn’t be here. If anyone finds out you ignored the Elders’ orders, you’ll get in trouble.”
“We couldn’t stay home and do nothing. We had to warn you.” She stuffed the envelope into her pocket. “The Elders are meeting with the Town Council tomorrow morning. Once that happens, the Norwood wolves will come for you.”
The world slowed as I thought about everything falling apart. The Elders must be furious and worried about their alliance with the Norwood Pack. “Why are they waiting until tomorrow?”
“Dad convinced them,” Drina replied. “He’s worried about Nells. The High Council said she’d been under a spell, and she didn’t know the truth about you.”
“Henry and Norma left for Dover straight after the meeting,” Victor said. “He knew we’d come see you. He wanted us to convince you to leave town.”
“Do you know if anyone’s told Mom what’s happening?” I asked, hoping the Elders hadn’t called her. She didn’t need any more stress.
“Henry and Norma will tell her tonight,” Victor replied. “Don’t worry about your mom. We’ll keep her safe. I promise.”
“Thank you,” I mumbled. At least Calandra had kept her word about protecting Mom. “Markus promised me he’d watch over you guys. You can trust him.”
Drina frowned at me. “Does Markus know you’re a witch?”
“I told him this morning,” I replied. “I didn’t have a choice.”
“What about Kaleb?” Victor asked.
“He doesn’t know yet.” I lowered my gaze. “Markus is staying with Kaleb until he’s healed. Then he’ll tell Kaleb everything.”
“That’s probably for the best,” Victor replied. “I’m glad Kaleb’s okay. We heard one of the vampire hunters accidentally shot him with an arrow. I’m surprised Markus didn’t go after them.”
“They ran off.” I needed to change the subject before Victor asked questions I couldn’t answer. Whoever told them about Kaleb being shot might have mentioned the wolfsbane. “Have either of ever you heard of a wolf marrying a witch?”
“We don’t really keep up with that stuff, but don’t worry. I’m sure you and Kaleb will figure this out.” Drina patted my hand.
Victor rubbed his face. “You need to get going. Where’s your cell phone?”
“Why?” I pulled the cell phone out of my pocket.
“You can’t take it with you.” Victor took my phone and placed it on the coffee table. “Henry said the Elders have been using your cell phone to track your movements. They’re expecting you to stay home tonight. If they think you’re leaving town, they’ll alert the wolves.”
“Are you kidding me?” That’s why Uncle Henry hadn’t been upset when I asked for a new phone. I grabbed my cell phone and scrolled through my contacts. “I should write down your phone number and—”
“You can’t call or text us. They’ve forbidden us from contacting you,” Drina said.
“But they can’t forbid you from emailing us.” Victor pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to me. “You can write to us at this email address. No one knows about it. I’ll check it once a week when I’m out of town. If you need anything, let us know.”
“Thanks. I’ll email you when I can.” I put the piece of paper into my backpack and glanced at the clock on the fireplace mantel. “It’s getting late.”
Drina stood. “Where will you go?”
“I’m presenting myself to the High Council,” I said.
“Is that wise?” Victor said.
“I don’t have a choice. I made a blood oath with Calandra when she helped Mom at the hospital, so I have to present myself to the High Council. Whether or not I stay at the coven is up to me.”
“Well, at least you have somewhere to go.” Drina tilted her head, studying me. “Are you sure you don’t have any powers? I was thinking how cool that would be.”
I smiled. Of course, Drina would ask about my powers. Too bad I didn’t have any fancy tricks to show her. “No powers yet, but when I do, you’ll be the first person I tell.”
“We’d better go before someone notices we’re not home,” Victor said. “You can’t stay here any longer. Make sure you leave right after us.”
I nodded and hugged them both, wishing we had more time together. “Make sure you keep me updated on that baby.”
“We will.” Victor glanced at Drina as I released my hold. “You should tell her.”
“Tell me what?” My throat tightened. I couldn’t handle any more bad news right now especially about the baby. “You said everything was fine. What—”
“It’s nothing bad.” Drina touched my shoulder. “We wanted to tell you and Kaleb together, but with everything that’s happened…We want you and Kaleb to be our baby’s godparents.”
“What?” Tears welled up in my eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. Who else would we trust with our baby?” Drina hugged me again as we both sobbed. “Don’t forget about us when you’re kicking butt at the coven, or I’ll have to hunt you down.”
“I won’t.” I pulled out of her ar
ms and wiped the tears from my cheeks. “I love you guys.”
“We love you too,” Drina said.
After Victor and Drina left, I walked to the kitchen and filled a bag with snacks. Pretzels, trail mix, granola bars, chips—whatever would fit.
Picking up my suitcase and backpack, I took one last look around the room. We’d been living here for a few months, and this house finally felt like home. I couldn’t quite believe I had to leave everything behind.
I took a deep breath and walked outside, glancing up at the full moon. All was quiet as I unlocked the jeep and tossed my stuff in the backseat. I glanced over my shoulder as a warm, musty breeze brushed my skin. Something felt off about the night air, and it was much too quiet.
As I opened the driver’s door, someone grabbed me from behind. Screaming, I kicked and squirmed, trying to break free.
“Calm, my pretty,” a man with dark hair said as he lowered me to the ground. He stared down at me with red eyes that slowly faded to black.
Vampire.
I couldn’t move. I couldn’t fight. All I could do was lie helpless in his arms, staring up into his beautiful face. Was he a tatcho vampire?
“You used compulsion on her?” another vampire in a navy-blue suit snapped, his eyes flashing red in anger. “Idiot. He ordered us not to.”
“Who cares what he said? We’ll still get our payment, and we don’t take orders from warlocks.” The vampire with the beautiful face pushed aside my hair, exposing my bare neck. Unlike the other vampire, he wore jeans and a blue-collared shirt. Opening his mouth to reveal sharp fangs, he slowly lowered his head.
“Are you crazy?” The other vampire pulled me away. “She’s a witch. You can’t drink her blood without her permission.”
My head throbbing, I rolled onto my side and tried to stand, but I still couldn’t move my arms or my legs. The compulsion seemed to be wearing off, as I was able to turn my head to watch the two vampires quarrel over me.
“One taste won’t hurt,” the vampire with the beautiful face said. He reached for me, staring into my eyes again.
“No.” The other vampire pushed him, sending him flying across the yard. “If you bite her, he’ll—”
Wolves howled in the distance.
“Damn,” the vampire in the navy-blue suit muttered as he kneeled next to me.
“Leave her,” the other vampire said. “We’ll say we couldn’t find her.”
So many questions ran through my mind. Why had a warlock paid them to come after me? And what did he want?
I reached out my hand and touched the vampire next to me. Unlike the other vampire, he seemed torn between leaving me and taking me with them. “Who sent you?”
“A friend.” The vampire stared at me with gentle eyes that turned red as he said, “Forget you saw us and forget everything we said. Remember nothing.”
Chapter 29
I rubbed the back of my neck and groaned as my eyelids fluttered against a blinding light. When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself lying on a cement floor and locked inside a cage. A tall, wide cage, tucked into the corner of a room with two windows on the adjacent wall and divided by a steel door.
The cage door had a chain wrapped around it, locked with a padlock, making it impossible to escape. Splashed onto the room’s white walls and across the steel door were strange red symbols. There was no doubt a witch had a hand in this. Probably a spell to keep me in this room if I managed to free myself from the cage.
I groaned again and sat up, searching for clues as to where I was. Nothing about this room looked familiar, and the windows provided no information, only a night sky. No houses. No lights. No trees. Was I still in Woodlake?
I touched the side of my boot.
Damn. No knife.
I stood, stretching my sore legs. Couldn’t my captors have given me a cot? Even a blanket would have made the cold concrete floor somewhat bearable.
After pulling on the padlock several times, I tried to use my mind to unlock it. Calandra had said Marie’s spell was fading and my powers were manifesting, but no amount of thinking or pulling was about to open this padlock.
I sighed in frustration and gripped the cage bars with both hands. Closing my eyes, I pulled at the bars, willing them to bend. Again, nothing happened.
Nothing about this situation made sense. Why would someone lock me in a cage and have a witch cast a spell?
Think. What was the last thing that happened? What did I—
I covered my mouth as I gasped. “Vampires.”
That’s right. I’d seen my first vampire, had even touched him as I demanded to know who sent them. His reply had been nothing more than a smile as his piercing red eyes met mine. He’d told me to forget what happened. Forget that a warlock had paid them to find me.
If he’d used compulsion on me, then why didn’t it work? Was vampire compulsion like witches’ spells? Was I immune to it until Marie’s spell faded completely? Or had the vampire made me forget only the important parts of our encounter and had the compulsion worked?
I ran my fingers along my neck, feeling for bite marks. Although I could find none, there was a dull pain in the back of my neck.
Somewhere outside the room, a door slammed and footsteps pounded against the floor.
I yanked on the padlock again, hoping for a miracle. Even if I got out of this cage, how could I fight the vampires waiting beyond that door? I had no weapon and no powers. No way out of this awful situation.
Hushed voices drifted from somewhere outside. They were too low for me to hear, but someone sounded upset and frantic. Had they realized they’d kidnapped Kaleb’s mate and were they trying to figure out what to do next?
“Hello,” I yelled. “If you let me go, I promise I won’t say anything.”
My stomach twisted as the steel door opened and a familiar figure entered the room. Not a vampire, and not someone I’d expected to see.
“Well, look who’s finally awake,” Tessa said as she walked toward the cage with two large brown wolves following close behind.
I stared at the wolves, looking closely at their eyes. Were these the vampires I’d seen earlier? This didn’t make any sense. Everyone knew the vampires and wolves hated each other. Why would they be working together?
The wolves growled at me as they sat near one of the windows. There was no hint of red in their eyes, just the normal yellow flicker of wolf shapeshifters. Tessa and her friends must have shown up after I passed out. They were the wolves I’d heard howling. Did they even know about the vampires?
“You need to let me out,” I pleaded. Somehow, I had to convince her this was a bad idea. She had to let me go. “I won’t tell Kaleb. I’ll say I hit my head and woke up in the woods. No one has to know…If you keep me here, the Norwood wolves will come. They’ll kill you and—”
“Who do you think helped me?” she laughed.
My heart sank at her words. She had to be lying. Why would the Norwood wolves help her? They couldn’t be loyal to her: a Rocklin wolf.
I looked over at the two wolves again. Were they from Norwood Isle? If they were, they must know Kaleb wouldn’t stand for this. He’d kill them if they didn’t protect me. “You’re lying. The Norwood wolves are sworn to protect me.”
“The wolves would never protect a witch.” She crossed her arms as the two wolves growled at me.
My eyes narrowed. How could Tessa know I was a witch? Victor and Drina said I had until tomorrow before the Norwood wolves learned the truth. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t play dumb with me,” she sneered. “And you can forget using your powers in here. They won’t work. There’s a spell covering this room. I paid a high price, but I’d say it’s worth it.”
I examined the red markings on the walls. What witch would use her powers to contain another witch? Had they known who Tessa wanted to contain? “You’ve made a mistake. I have no powers.”
“It’s no mistake. Trust me. I’ll be a hero for
this.” She glanced over her shoulder at the wolves. “Maybe I should let them rip you apart right now. Save us all a lot of trouble.”
“Do it,” I screamed. If the Norwood wolves were helping Tessa, then she wasn’t in charge. She couldn’t order them to kill me. Only Asher could, and he wouldn’t dare give that order until he’d talked to Kaleb.
“Maybe later, but first, we have an issue to clear up.” She tilted her head to the side and looked straight at me. “What did the vampires want?”
I stared at her and widened my eyes, doing my best to look surprised. Being a witch was bad enough but being seen with vampires could only make things worse. “What vampires?”
Tessa eyed me carefully, as if trying to decide if I was lying. “They must have used compulsion on you.”
“Well, that explains why I don’t remember any vampires.” I released my grip on the bars and folded my arms, grateful the wolves hadn’t heard the vampires talking. “Who told you I was a witch?”
“Asher called me,” she said. “The wolf watching Drina overheard what the Elders said about you. When he told Asher, he was ordered to capture you. Of course, I offered to help, as catching witches isn’t always easy. Are you sure you don’t remember the vampires?”
I shook my head, and Tessa glanced at her watch.
Great. If Asher knew I was a witch, then he must have alerted the pack. Markus and Kaleb would have gotten the message unless they’d been out of range. Hopefully, Kaleb had still been unconscious. Finding out about me from his father would suck. At least Markus would break the news to him gently.
I was sure Kaleb and I would be fine. No doubt, like Markus, he’d be angry at first, but when he realized I hadn’t known either, I hoped he’d be okay. I just needed to convince Tessa that letting me go was in her best interests.
“What do you want?” I asked, trying to sound pleasant. “A spell to make you stronger than all the other wolves? If you let me out, I’ll make it happen. I’ll give you whatever you want.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You can do that?”
“Yes.” I smiled, confident she’d fall for this lie.
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