Uniquely Unwelcome (The Shadow World, #1)

by Brandy Nacole

  Humans? Why would someone involve humans in an ordeal like this?

  “Was she able to communicate with any of them?”

  “No. She could speak to them and they heard her but they were unable to speak with her.” Laveda sounds disgusted, her tone is tight and uneven. “They couldn’t communicate with anyone because their tongues had been cut out.”

  This just keeps getting better and better. First off, humans are involved, and second, why cut their tongues out? I can’t even imagine something so horrible, or any reason to do something so hideous to another.

  “Was there anything else?” I ask, trying to clear my head of the vision of tongue-less humans.

  “After a few days, one of the humans came to get her. They took her down a corridor where she was able to see all the other prisoners. They tried talking to her, but of course she couldn’t hear them and the humans were walking too fast for her to lip read. She ended up in a laboratory-type room. Two humans strapped her to a bed.

  “First, they took a lot of her blood. Then a Witch came, pushing a rolling cart. The cart held several different types of syringes on it, each one with different colored contents. The Witch injected Cate several different times before performing a binding spell.” Hanalei stops, too upset to continue.

  Eldrida places her hand on the woman’s shoulder and continues for her. “After that, she went through excruciating pain for a long period of time. We were able to feel her pain as it happened, and it was severe. After some time her body couldn’t handle the pain anymore and it gave up.”

  Everyone sits in silence for a moment. What do you say after hearing something like that? “Oh, well at least she isn’t in pain anymore,” or “That’s too bad,” just seems so inadequate.

  Eldrida continues after a few moments. “After Cate was able to get her message across, she was able to pass on to the next plane. Her spirit is at peace now. Unfortunately that is all the information we have.”

  I inch closer to the edge of my seat, needing to know more. “Were you able to see the Witch who did that to her?”

  Eldrida shakes her head. “It does not work like that, dear. We are only able to feel and listen.”

  “Did she describe what this Witch looked like?” Maybe if we can identify this Witch, we could track her or at least find out what she’s capable of.

  “I’m afraid not, dear. What we have told you is all the information that we could obtain from Cate.”

  I nod, but then pause. Maybe that’s not all they know. “Do you happen to know all the locations where the disappearances took place?”

  Laveda is quick to answer, “Of course. What kind of leaders would we be if we did not know such information about our people?”

  I start to reply, but apparently her question is rhetorical.

  “Cate was taken in Oregon, Quentin in Sweden. Imia was taken in Chile, Caden in Libya. And Addie was taken in New York State.”

  Okay, that’s a broad span of territory. I fumble around in my bag for a piece of paper and pen, knowing I will never remember all that. After finding what I need, I have Laveda repeat the information for me.

  “This is a good start I believe. Thank you for all your time.” Now that they’ve told me everything they know, I am eager to get a move on to the next clan. That, and to get away from Witten’s baleful eye.

  “Just a moment dear,” Eldrida says. “Danika will be going with you on your travels. You have a long journey ahead of you, and she will be of great help.”

  I glance over at Danika, who has no reaction to the news. Either she already knew or will do whatever the Elders say with no question or argument. But I’m the one journeying, and should have a say in who goes along—or doesn’t. “There is no need for her to come too, really.”

  “This is not a journey to be taken lightly or alone. We have discussed this matter with her, and she is eager to help. We need answers to not only find those who have been taken from us, but to stop those responsible to keep others safe.”

  I wonder if they ran this by Danika’s mother. When I left Virginia, she was filled with worry for her daughter. I bet she won’t be too happy to know that her daughter is being put in harm’s way.

  Hanalei speaks again, extending the Covenant’s generosity even further. “We also have provided you with one of the Covens’ private jets. It is ready and waiting for you in Boston.” Witches have private jets? Sweet! But seriously.

  “There is no need for that either, really!” Although that would be great, I just feel like it’s too much.

  “My child, you would be wise to take any help that is given to you along the way. Not everyone will be as generous, as you will see. You may receive some help, but there will be those who will not even answer your questions without demanding something in return.”

  I start to protest again, but stop. Deep down I know that I need to take this opportunity like Eldrida said. It will more than likely be a long trip and this would be a lot easier than trying to make travel plans in the mundane world. But it’s still a hard feat for me to accept the kindness of any Shadow at face value.

  “Okay. Well thank you, it will be very helpful. I have been worried about funds and other problems we might encounter.”

  Eldrida rises and comes to sit beside me. I can sense her overwhelming power and authority the closer she gets to me. I tense up, not knowing what her intent is. What if she hugs me? What if she puts a hex on me? I’m silently freaking out and realize, as I get dizzy, that I’m holding my breath.

  She sits down and extends her hand.

  “May I see your talisman?” she asks, extending her hand.

  My uncertainty about what she means shows on my face, causing Eldrida to chuckle.

  “Your necklace, dear.” I look down at the crystal Dagna gave me. Before I left, she had placed the crystal into a wire brace that hung from a leather cord. I unclasp it and hand it to Eldrida.

  “I see that this has been charged with energy and wisdom. Do you mind if we intensify the necklace’s charm?”

  I’m barely starting to respond with an okay when Eldrida rises and walks back over to the other Elders. I guess she was going to enhance it whether I approved or not.

  I watch with curiosity as the four Elders join hands, with my necklace floating in front of them. In unison, they say some gobbledygook that I don’t understand, and the crystal begins shining brightly with a blue glow. After a few moments the necklace starts to float toward me.

  I want to run screaming from the room as the crystal gets closer. My body stiffens even more when the necklace opens and slips around my neck. I feel silly for being afraid, but the only time a Witch used magic on me, it was not with good intentions. I can still remember Ravyn’s cold, spiteful eyes as she twisted my lungs from the inside until I couldn’t breathe. So yeah, I have a slight phobia when it comes to magic being used on me or my personal items.

  As the crystal settles on my chest, its glow dims. Power courses from the necklace, and into my body. I can feel my fear being replaced with strength and determination. The energy that comes from the necklace makes me feel like I’m now glowing like it did moments ago. I can only hope this boost of power stays with me.

  “Hopefully that will help you as well,” Eldrida says.

  “It already is. Thank you. I have never felt so strong.”

  I pick the crystal up in my palm to examine it. It still looks the same but I can feel an energy coursing from the crystal to me that’s sizzling. I place the crystal cautiously back down against my chest.

  I stand to leave but once again I’m stopped before taking a step. This time it’s Witten.

  “A few questions before you go. What types of powers do you contain?”

  Here we go. I knew it. I knew I couldn’t get away without being interrogated. I was really hoping my abilities and self-being wouldn’t be questioned. I wonder if they’re going to want hair and blood samples too.

  “Why? What does that matter?” I hate being hateful a
fter so much generosity but I have to be cautious. After the past I’ve had, caution is wise, even if the rest of the group has shown me generosity so far.

  Witten folds his hands in his lap. “Just curious.” For someone who didn’t seem interested in our previous conversation, he sure is full of questions and banter now.

  “It is more than that dear,” Eldrida says, “we just want to know what you have learned about yourself. How is anyone to know who you are if you do not know yourself?”

  Okay, true. But what does that have to do with what power I obtain? “I’ll admit. I don’t know much about myself. I mean, I have powers but I’m not certain of my full potential.”

  “What are your Vampire powers?” Witten asks, bitterly. I wonder what his deal is? Am I really that much of a bother? Or does he hold a grudge toward the vamps? Whatever the reason, I don’t like his tone.

  “I have great strength.”

  “Do you have to obtain blood?” Again, there’s a tired bitter tone to Witten’s voice.

  “A little. Sometimes.”

  “What about your—?” I know that Witten is just going to keep asking questions, so I interrupt him to speed up this process.

  “Okay look, here’s the rundown. I can hear really well, see in the dark, have to obtain blood sometimes, can move objects with my mind, shift into an eagle, and hold things in place. That’s all I can tell you.”

  “So you don’t know your full potential? You know nothing of each individual power? These are things you must learn. You will never understand yourself until you do, neither will anyone else,” Witten says, chastising me.

  I flinch under his scrutiny, and shiver at the memory of my grandmother giving me a similar speech. I can hear her voice now, as if she was standing in front of me, reprimanding me for burning my school book. ‘Racquel, do not stoop to this level of nonsense. You are better than this, better than them. If you want the others to see you for all that you are, then you must first see yourself.’ A small smile crosses my lips as I think about what happened next. My grandmother had gone up to Addie’s room and brought back her copy of the history book that I had burned, and for the next few weeks, I spent all my free time writing out that textbook word for word, creating a new copy to study from. Thankfully she didn’t make me draw the illustrations maps too.

  Eldrida rises again and comes to stand in front of me. “When this journey is over you must start a new journey, a journey to discover you.” She cups my face in her hands and looks me straight in the eyes. “You are precious, child, and your being lost has caused much confusion not only in yourself but in others as well. You are unique, but what makes you unique is not only the blood that courses through your body, but what you do with the power in your blood. Your actions now, seeking out those that have struck against you all these years, are remarkable. You will be great and we will be here to help you find what you need to know.”

  Wow. I don’t think I have ever had to fight back tears this hard in my life. My eyes are stinging from the dam that wants to break. I look down at my feet not trusting my eyes or my voice.

  Eldrida takes my chin and raises my face so she can look at me once more. Her kind eyes regard me with tenderness as she smiles fondly at me one last time, before releasing me to take her seat again.

  The room is quiet for a moment, but then Danika clears her throat as she steps toward the door. She looks to the Elders and says, “Blessed be,” before stepping out.

  Following her lead, I walk to the door, mumble the same parting words, and leave. Before the door shuts behind me, I hear all four Elders say the same.

  When the door clicks shut, I take a deep breath. Danika is waiting for me at the foot of the steps.

  “Where to next?”

  While lying in bed last night, I had already contemplated our next move. I only knew of one other original colony, the Vampire lair. The one I dreaded visiting the most. I was already worried about having to deal with Ethan freaking out when we went. Now I have a witch along with me too. This should be fun.

  “Sofia, Bulgaria.”

  “I will call the pilot and let him know. Go pack, we leave in an hour. I’ll meet you in the parking lot.” Danika turns and quickly walks toward the dorms.

  I follow behind her, with Eldrida’s words echoing in my mind. Maybe she was right. Maybe everyone has been afraid of me because I’m afraid of myself. How can I expect everyone to understand and accept me when I don’t even do it myself?

  Just like Dagna said. When people are afraid they do stupid things. Maybe if I had understood and accepted myself, then maybe I could have let others in, and explained who and what I was. Then maybe they wouldn’t have been afraid. That could have saved me a lot of pain and others a lot of fear.

  It’s a possibility, but one that I still doubt. Hate comes from fear, but people who inflict pain on others are hard to forgive, even if you know why they do what they do.

  Chapter Seven

  When I enter the dorm I find Ethan sitting in a lounge chair, reading a book. Interesting, I never thought of him as the reading type. He flips the book over, trying to hide the title as he mumbles, “Hey.” Unfortunately for him I saw the title before he hid it. So now Ethan boy has a sudden interest in Wicca?

  “Hey,” I say with a mocking smile. Catching Ethan reading the book on witchcraft was like catching a teenager with a porn magazine. The hiding, the embarrassed body lingo, all of it.

  Looking at him as he shyly looks at the floor, I start laughing. I’ve never seen Ethan look like this, it’s too funny. Ethan cuts his eyes up at me. “Shut up, Racquel.”

  I can’t help but keep laughing, as he puts the book in his bag with a sigh.

  “Did you find out anything or not?” Ethan stands, slinging his backpack over his shoulder, as I calm myself. All good moments must come to an end.

  “Yeah, did you get anything from your reading?” I cross my arms, smiling. I couldn’t resist one last jab.

  Ethan just shakes his head as he nervously messes with the straps on his bag. I decide to let the whole book thing go. “Why weren’t you there today?”

  “Didn’t feel like it.” Ethan runs his hand through his hair, which falls right back over his eyes. His hair is short in the back but tappers off a little longer up top, creating shadows over his already dark circled eyes.

  “What if I had forgotten to ask some important question? Or misread the whole conversation?” I ask, noticing a girl stopping in front of the door. With a glance at us, she turns and walks the other way.

  “Well, I’m sure you didn’t,” Ethan says as he watches the girl high-tail it across the grounds.

  “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  “So, what were they able to tell you?” Ethan finally looks at me, curious now.

  “Not much, although they did tell me about the first Witch, Cate, visiting them before she moved on to the next plane.” A shudder runs over me as I think about Cate and what she went through.

  “What did she have to say?” Ethan asks.

  I uncross my arms and walk a few paces past Ethan, trying to ease the tension in my body. The whole morning has left me on edge.

  “I’ll tell you later. Right now we need to get packed. We’re leaving in an hour.” I head to my room to pack, with Ethan right behind me.

  “Okay, I’ll be ready in five.” Ethan doesn’t even ask where we are going. He’s just going along with whatever. I like that. I hate people needing to know every bit of information when they know they’re going to do whatever anyway. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be here now. He knew before we left that we were going to be visiting all the original colonies. So he probably figures we are heading on to the next clan. Which one? Doesn’t matter.

  After packing and getting to the parking lot, I pause when I see Ethan and Danika. I’m starting to think that Ethan has a crush on Danika. At first I tried shrugging my suspicion off as friendliness on their parts, but this is something more.

  Ethan helps Dani
ka put her bags in the car, then after shutting the trunk, they both lean against the car to talk. Ethan looks a little more interested in Danika than the conversation, though. They’re leaning on the car, but he’s also leaning in toward her. His smile reaches his eyes as they laugh about something Danika says.

  I’m starting to have a better understanding of why he was reading that Wicca book. Ethan, like the rest of the Shadows, had learned the basics of each Shadow type in school. There was no real need for him to know more, unless a certain someone had caught his attention and he wanted to know more.

  I never got the privilege of taking that lone Shadow class. I was isolated from everyone, even the humans, in my own classroom. That’s eventually what drove me to quit and travel the world.

  Now what do I do? Should I interrupt this moment or give them a little longer? I glance at my watch. I’m already running late so I’m guessing the moment is over.

  I walk straight ahead, looking everywhere but at them. I glance from side to side, to my feet, and back to the side. I so don’t know how to handle situations like this.

  Danika pushes herself away from the car when she sees me. “Ready?”

  Ethan is surprised and stumbles back several steps, almost tripping over his own feet, which is unusual for Lycans. I guess you could say I caught him in another awkward moment. He probably hates me right now, more so than usual.

  “Yep, I guess I’ll follow.” I start walking toward my car, fumbling in my backpack for the keys.

  “No, we’re all riding together. Don’t worry, your car will be safe here with the Coven. It’s just more convenient if we take one car.”

  If I took my own car it would give them some more alone time, although relationship building isn’t why we’re here, but arguing would make it more obvious.