Uniquely Unwelcome (The Shadow World, #1)

by Brandy Nacole

  “But we don’t know her abilities and what she is capable of.”

  Oh how I’m disliking this Witch more and more.

  Dagna shakes her head. “I know you are scared, as are we all. But we must not let that fear drive us into blaming those that are innocent.”

  “But—”

  “Open up your senses, dear. You will see that she is just as innocent and concerned as you are.”

  Dayana looks at me and closes her eyes. It appears as if she is meditating or something. I don’t feel a sense of invasion, but I know she’s concentrating on me. After a moment she opens her eyes, meeting mine. After a moment, she averts her gaze to the floor.

  “I’m sorry. I can see that my aunt is right. I shouldn’t have just started pointing my finger at you. I should have come to my senses and I would have seen the concern and fear that lingers in you, just as it does in me. It’s just that I fear for my daughter. She is at the Covenant as well and it could have just as easily been her as any other Witch.”

  I just give her a slight nod and start to move on. But apparently not everyone in the room has come to agree that I’m innocent.

  “This is total bull. You’re going to sit here and let her go free because you sense fear in her. Well I would be afraid too if I was being blamed for something so hideous. Especially if I knew I was on the brink of being exposed.”

  “Ethan, I know you are upset at the disappearance of your friend but we must unite now in order to find true answers.”

  Dagna reaches over and places her hand on Ethans’ shoulder. I can see a spark of blue energy coming from Dagnas’ hand. Ethans’ shoulders slump against her touch, as if defeated. I have no doubt that Dagna was using her power to calm him.

  “It’s just… Evan is my friend. I talked to him that night. Not to mention my brothers who have been taken. We don’t know anything about what’s going on, if they’re dead or alive, who’s taking them. I just want answers.” Ethan glares at me. “And I don’t trust her.”

  “Ethan, we all want answers, but blaming those we don’t trust will not help. I don’t trust my thief of a neighbor, but I’m not pointing the finger at her. You need to move past that distrust so we can move forward and discuss plans on how to find answers.”

  Dagna puts her other hand on her niece. “We are going to face hardship in the next coming days, especially you, Racquel. You will face the hardest tasks and your faith will be tested. But you are the one who will find the answers we all seek, and bring our loved ones back to us.”

  “What?” I shriek. How am I supposed to do that? I admit, I want to find whoever is doing this and bring them to justice, but I didn’t actually think I would be the one doing it. “How—?”

  “My dear, I know this is a hard task. I know you don’t feel as if I am correct. But the power, knowledge, and strength are within you to stop all this that is happening. There will be others who follow you and help you. But you will be the key to bring this terror to an end.” Dagna gives me a hopeful smile. Her voice carries confidence that I do not feel.

  “How? And what makes you think I am the one to do this?”

  “This is a task that is going to take someone who has great strength and wisdom. And that person is you. Within you lies great power. You have the Lycan, the Shape-shifter, the Witch, and the Vampire essences inside of you. All of which can help you with this great task.

  “Your journey will be long and your faith will be tested, as I have said. There will be those who don’t believe in you, there will be those who don’t trust you, and there will be those who won’t help you. But no matter what, you must not give up. You must succeed.”

  Dagna looks over at Ethan and gives him a slight nod, as if she’s confirming some unanswered question. I bet he’s thinking ‘Her, really?’ or ‘Yeah, right.’

  Her voice gives off the confidence that would lead many into battle and know that victory lies ahead. I guess I would be the rebellious one in the group because her confidence is having minimum to no effect on me.

  “I don’t even know where to begin. These attacks have seemed to have happened all over the world. How am I supposed to save these people when I didn’t know anything about this until now?”

  “You will find the answers you seek by finding out all you can about the disappearances. In order to do so you must travel to each of the original colonies and find out everything you can about those that went missing within their clans. Then you must piece the puzzle together and find those that we love.” Dagnas’ voice is strong and still holds confidence. But that tone fades from my mind as I process her words.

  The original colonies, seriously? I have always avoided those places for fear of being put to death, or being taken captive. If they caught me, they’d probe me and experiment with me to see what I was capable of, and how someone like me is even possible. Now this old Witch wants me to walk right into the lions’ den?

  “I don’t think I can do this. I’m not strong, wise, or confident that this is a job for me. You say I am, but I seriously doubt it. There must be someone else.”

  Anger explodes from Ethan as he rises from his seat to yell at me.

  “What is wrong with you? You say you care about Addie and you want her home safe. But that doesn’t seem to be the case since you’re unwilling to do anything to save her.”

  “I do want Addie home,” I shout back. “That’s why I think someone who could actually bring her home should do this, not me.”

  Dagna clears her throat, loudly. Ethan looks over at the older woman and she gestures for him to sit back down.

  Then she gives me a small smile. “My dear, you can do this and you’re the only one who can. The reason I say this is because all the others are blaming one another. You will not do the same.”

  Anger explodes in me as I cut my eyes at Dagna. “That’s where you’re wrong. I already blame every one of them. I have seen and felt the Shadows’ venomous behavior. I’ve lived it my whole life. I have absolutely no desire to go save any of them. If it wasn’t for Addie, I wouldn’t even care now. The Shadows have abused me, not just mentally but….”

  I stop. I always stop when I start to mention the physical pain. Allowing other Shadows to hear of my pain is admitting defeat. I rise from the floor and walk quickly into the kitchen. I start taking deep, even breaths to calm myself. I don’t want to help these people at all. Why should I?

  But there’s Addie. The only person who has ever cared for me since my grandmother passed, the only person I can trust, and now she’s gone too. There’s no question, no doubt in my mind about what I have to do. I have to find my sister. Not for anyone else, but for her.

  I walk back into the living room where the others are talking quietly. Dagna looks up at me expectedly.

  “Has the Ruling Council agreed to this?” I ask.

  “The Ruling Council has been notified. When the Elders called me this morning, I expressed my concerns and suggested you lead the search. Normally, the Council would appoint trained hunters or sub-council members, but when I suggested you and your abilities they were reluctant at first, but came to agreement. The Elders want to meet with you first. They have some resources they would like to share with you.”

  Dagna must be a sub-council member. The Elders wouldn’t consult with just any Witch in the area. Then something pops in my head. “Did you say there were hunters?”

  “The Ruling Council does have a few hunters, yes. They are dispatched for rogues who break the law.”

  “Then maybe the hunters should be called. They would probably be more efficient than I would.” My search this past year didn’t end successfully, what if this one didn’t either? I don’t want Addie’s life put in further jeopardy because of me.

  Dagna stands and places her hand on my shoulder. “I know you are the one because your grandmother confirmed it with me last night. She visited me while I was sleeping. She said darkness was falling on the Shadows and only you could stop it. I cannot argue with someone wh
o sees more than I do, neither can the Elders, which is why they agreed immediately once I told them.”

  When a Witch moves on to the next spiritual plane, they are still able to see things in our world. They can’t intervene but they can send warnings. My grandmother must have seen something horrible for her to reach out like she did.

  I must have a determined expression on my face because Dagna smiles widely. “Good. There’s no time, your journey must begin now.” She reaches into her bag and pulls out a crystal. “This will give you strength and wisdom whenever you need it.”

  “But I don’t know—”

  “You will learn, dear.” Dagna gives me a sweet smile. “Now go.”

  I head up to pack my bags and just as I reach the stairs Ethan jumps to his feet.

  “I’m coming with you.” He announces with no doubt in his voice.

  I turn to face Ethan, a protest already on my lips. His hands are in fists at his side. Obviously this is something he’s struggling with. I’m about to fix that problem for him.

  I place my hands on my hips, making my voice as stern as possible. “Like hell you are.”

  Chapter Five

  I finish packing the car with essentials: sleeping bag, camping gear, clothes, and a bag of weapons. I look over my map one more time regretting the time I got mad at my GPS and punched it so hard it shattered. I should have replaced it before now but I didn’t, and there’s no time now.

  Dagna and Dayana are standing on the porch. They’ve sent word to the Elders that I have agreed to help and am coming to the Covenant. Since I don’t exactly know where the Covenant is, I am supposed to meet Dayana’s daughter Danika when I reach—of all places—Salem, Massachusetts. She will then lead me out to the Covenant.

  I hear a thunk behind me and turn just in time to see Ethan’s duffel bag land at my feet. No, I don’t want Ethan to go, but is he? Why heck yeah. Dagna spoke with the both of us after we voiced (screaming) our opinions on whether Ethan was coming with me or not. It got pretty intense. If the old woman hadn’t stepped in, I figure it would have ended with one of us unconscious, and more than likely it would have been him.

  Dagna told me that I would need help and that Ethan would be a great asset, which I highly doubt, unless I need a sacrifice of some kind or need someone to use as a body shield. I don’t know what she spoke to Ethan about but he calmed down some and went home to get his things. I am really not looking forward to being stuck in a car with him. It’s going to be so super fun!

  “Let’s go.” He barks at me and gets in the car. I’m tempted to leave his bag in the driveway but would rather not smell his stink the whole time. I give Dagna and Dayana a slight nod, not knowing what to say but not really thinking a proper goodbye is in order.

  “Wait Racquel, you will need this.” Dagna walks down the path and gives me a wad of cash. “There’s around $5,000. It is what is left of the money your sister gave me. Take care of yourself my dear and bring our loved ones back to us.” She gives my hand a squeeze, then walks back to the porch where Dayana waits.

  So begins our journey. I stop at the local Quick n’ Go to fill up the tank and my stomach. I don’t want to stop unless it’s necessary. It’s over a twelve hour drive and I want to make it as soon as possible.

  After filling up and grabbing some food to go, we hit the interstate. The car is deathly silent. I turn up the radio only to have Ethan turn it down. I’m guessing he probably can’t tune down his hearing. The noise was probably deafening to him. Ah, darn the luck.

  I turn the radio back up because personally I can’t handle the quiet. Ethan reaches over once again to turn the radio down but in a flash I grab his arm to stop him.

  “Remove your hand from my arm, now!” Ethans’ voice is tight, his body tensing, while he balls his hand into a fist.

  “Uh, excuse me,” I say as I sling his arm back to his side of the car, “but this is my car if you will remember. And I say the music stays on. If you don’t like it then by all means I can let you out.” I sweep my hand out to gesture at the side of the road, hoping he agrees.

  “Will you please keep the volume at a reasonable level?”

  Wow! That was probably tough for him to chew. His jaw is clenched tightly and the request seemed forced, but saying please was probably like fire scorching his throat. I wonder what Dagna said to him, and how long it will last.

  I reach over and turn the radio back down, leaving it at a reasonable level. Ignoring Ethan’s sour scowl, I focus on the task at hand, and the places we will have to travel.

  I only know the possible location of two of the original colonies. The first being the Witches Covenant, which is located in Massachusetts. They had originated in Europe but then moved to America after the Salem Witch Trials. They thought it was a better place to set up shop. After all there was no original colony in America and with the Salem Witch Trials over they used the energy of the land surrounding Salem, or something like that. How or why I don’t know because that is something you learn only when you go to the Covenant for training.

  The other colony I am familiar with is the Vampire Coven. Their original colony is on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe. I’m about ninety nine percent sure it’s in Sofia. I’m sure I can find out about the Lycans from Ethan but I’ll wait for that conversation at a later time.

  After we have visited the Covenant, we are going to have to make arrangements to travel to Europe. I have a passport but I am unsure if Ethan does. Which could work out great for me.

  “Can we stop?” Ethan asks, looking sheepish. I noticed him squirming a few miles back but didn’t say anything. Now he’s perfectly still and clutching his fists tightly.

  “Why? We have only gone—” I look down at my odometer. Wow, “200 miles.” I hadn’t realized we’d traveled that far. I guess when your mind is a million miles away time goes by quickly.

  “Well, don’t you think a stop is in order?”

  “No. I still have around a half-tank of gas. We’re good to go.”

  “No we’re not. Look I need to stop. It won’t kill us or anything. I promise to make it quick.”

  I start to refuse but honestly, I could use a stretch myself. Plus, if we stop now maybe we won’t have to stop again until we get there.

  Acting annoyed, I say, “fine,” as I get off on the next exit.

  Ethan rushes out of the car without a word as I get out to top off the tank. After pumping the gas I head into the store. While in the restroom, I look in the mirror, my hands shaking. I wash my face and take a deep breath. “I can do this.” I say to my reflection. My stomach twist into a tight ball of nerves as I think about meeting the Elders. Shaking off my unease, I walk out of the bathroom and restock on snacks.

  On my way out of the store, I run into Ethan.

  “Hey you might want to grab some food for later. I don’t want to stop again.”

  He just rolls his eyes and walks past me.

  “Fine,” I say as I walk behind him. “Just make sure your system is empty because next time you’ll have to piss in your pants before I stop.” He scoffs and gets back in the car.

  Before I get in, I take a deep breath and try to remind myself of what Dagna said. Ethan’s concerned and worried about his friends and fellow brothers. He can help; his ambition will fuel his drive to find answers. Yeah, yeah whatever.

  We get back on the interstate. I’m hoping the next 200 miles go by just as quickly as the last.

  “So, what was it you were looking for when you left?” Ethan asks, breaking the silence I was preparing myself for.

  Surprised, I look over at him. Is he really being genuine or trying to see if I was really telling the truth about the disappearances? Should I tell him about my mission of wanting to find another being like me? Hesitantly, I start to answer with the truth, but then he opens that big trap of his again.

  “Did you go stalking women and children in the night? Or are men more your style?”

  Yep, there’s the Ethan I
know. Apparently Dagnas’ pep talk is wearing off.

  “No, I prefer live chickens and dogs.” I say lightly as I scold myself for almost stepping into that one. I should have known better.

  “I’ll bet,” he says in that sarcastic way of his, absolutely driving me crazy.

  We fall back into silence but I am absolutely fuming. The longer we sit in silence and his smartass remarks roll over me, the more I want to kick his ass. I’m tempted to pull the car over and throw his hairy wolf butt out.

  ~

  After several miles, hours, and a lot of silence, we finally reach Salem. I had called Danika fifty miles before we reached Salem to set up a meeting place. We agreed to meet at a truck stop so we could refill the tanks. Ethan didn’t say anything after his snide comments earlier. Good thing too, one more word and the dog would have been put down.

  I pull into the parking lot and wait for a pump to open. Ethan gets out of the car and heads into the store without as much as a word. He was starting to squirm again but didn’t ask to stop. He probably couldn’t ask to stop again in a polite manner without cutting his tongue out.

  While I’m waiting for a pump I scan the parking lot for Danika’s car. She said she was driving a newer model black BMW. I see three of them in the parking lot, and they’re all black.

  I pull up to a pump. Maybe she will find me before I find her. As soon as I think it, a girl walks up to my car. Her Witch essence stands out amongst this dull, mundane place.

  “I see you made it without killing Ethan.”

  I look at the girl I know has to be Danika. Dayana’s facial attributes are shadowed on the girl’s face, along with the same pretty blue eyes and dark black hair that reaches past her shoulders. Danika’s soft casual appearance of jeans, an olive shirt, and a blue blazer makes her easy to approach.

  But although she seems approachable and nice, her comment sets me off. I’m really tired of everyone thinking I eat every person I see. I am so a hamburger and pizza kind of gal. She doesn’t even greet me, she just jumps right into making snide comments.