Celia noted to herself that Elaine was also one of those rare women that set the high bar on the beauty scale, even without makeup and dressed down the woman was stunning, almost as if she wasn’t really wearing those clothes, but had just walked off set after modeling them. She thought even Berny would have trouble competing with this one.
Ed asked, “Mrs. Saunders?”
Elaine’s face pinched in annoyance for a moment, but she relaxed a second later, “Yes, that’s me, and this is my daughter Cheryl.”
After a moment Elaine said softly, “I was expecting you, would you like to come in?”
Ed nodded wordlessly and she backed away to let them in.
Elaine led them into the living room and offered them a seat and to get something to drink, both Celia and Ed declined.
There was awkwardness and she wasn’t sure what to make of it, except perhaps that Elaine was running, and she was tired of running.
Ed asked, “Can you tell me what brings you here?”
Elaine said to Cheryl, “Go play in your room for a while honey.”
Elaine waited until the young girl was gone and said, “I needed a change. A fresh start.”
Ed nodded, “Most do who move to the area, but usually they ask about the local covens. You know we have the council and head coven in Charlotte, but there’s a smaller one here right in Rock Hill.”
Celia saw the woman actually shudder, what happened to her?
Elaine said softly, “I just want to be left alone. Raise my daughter in peace”
Ed frowned and asked suspiciously, “Are you running from your coven?”
Elaine snorted and looked down, “You could say that, I left my husband.”
Ed shook his head, “Did you break coven law?”
Elaine looked up distrustfully, “I didn’t break witch laws.”
Ed opened his mouth again but Celia touched his arm.
She said gently, “You need to explain what’s going on. I know it’s intrusive, but we need to know who or what you may bring into our city. You can’t live in a vacuum and we need to know if we should expect more visitors. Unless you broke laws, we will leave you be if you want it that way.”
She could tell Ed didn’t quite believe the woman, thought she might be acting. She couldn’t really blame him though, he didn’t have her advantages.
Elaine looked doubtful, like she’d have to run, but she started talking in a resigned voice, “Saunders is my maiden name. My husband is Gerald Burrows, head councilor of the Albany coven.”
Elaine looked haunted as she continued, “There used to be two covens, both heads sat on the Albany council. Then the war started, many of us died, both covens were gutted over the years. Ten years ago, when the war ended, it was decided to join the covens together. I was eighteen, naïve, and grateful when the head of the coven started to pay me so much attention after the merging.
“He treated me so well, but that started to change when we were married. Not all at once, little by little he changed, or perhaps little by little my eyes were opened to what he truly was. I’m not blind, I’ve seen myself in a mirror, but I was naïve enough at the time to not realize I was just a trophy wife, to be seen and not heard. It became apparent when Cheryl turned five and her magic started to bloom.”
Elaine looked up, “One of her primary abilities is rare, and he wanted to start using her, a five year old. We argued about it, how to raise her, but he never listened to me before, and he didn’t then. Even at that time I didn’t really know him, because I asked for a divorce and was stupid enough to think he’d let me leave.”
The poor woman shivered, “For the last four years I’ve been under his power, what I thought, what I believed, what I did, all controlled by his magic. I was his you see, and so was Cheryl. It never occurred to me he could do such a thing, violate me in such a way, but it should have. I’d seen the way he dealt with his competition after all.”
Elaine frowned, “But I escaped, took my daughter and ran with enough cash to start a new life. That is what a coven is to me, nothing more than a prison. Covens also meant I had to just relive my past, so I want no part of it. Will you leave me alone?”
Celia could tell she didn’t expect them too, was probably even planning to run again as soon as they left.
Ed cleared his throat, “We will leave you alone if you wish. But not all covens are like that, like him. Even you told us, the Saunders coven wasn’t that way. I’m not suggesting you should join one of ours, that is your business, but we can protect you if he comes after you. I assume he’s looking?”
Elaine said angrily, “He’ll never give up. I’m a trophy and our child is a valuable resource.”
Celia handed Elaine a card, “Consider staying, you have to stop running sometime. If they come for you, we’ll help if you call.”
Elaine frowned, “Why would you help me, you don’t know me.”
Ed sounded annoyed, “It’s what we do. We aren’t exactly puppies and rainbows, but we do follow the rules unlike your husband. Mind control magics are strictly regulated and we do not ever take slaves. But if you need a better reason, a more selfish reason, we can’t allow others to come into our city and kidnap woman and children, it would make the local covens look weak and ineffectual.”
She shook her head and said in a teasing tone, “Not true, he’s all about the puppies and rainbows.”
That startled a laugh out of Elaine.
She added, “I’m also the owner of a shop, so if you ever need supplies, just call or stop by the shop.”
Elaine frowned, “You won’t try and make me join a coven?”
She shook her head, “Believe it or not, I’m not in a coven either, I just work for the local council. But I’m weird; you should consider it after enough time goes by. At least reach out and make friendships. It works too, I’m friends with a lot of the coven, and the rest of them stay away from me.”
Elaine didn’t look thrilled at the idea, but she thought it had to be said. Maybe once the wariness and shock wore off she’d be able to reach out again. She had a little hope though, that the woman wouldn’t just run again. It got awkward again when they stood to leave.
When they got back in the car Ed spoke, “You did good in there, but I’m going to have to verify all that somehow. I believed her, but she could have been twisting things.”
She sighed internally.
“What if that leads her husband right here?”
She was shocked by his growl, wasn’t she the shifter?
“Then we get to kill the bastard. The point of a council is to prevent witches from abusing their powers, not license to do so themselves.”
She nodded, he had a good point. Still, they’d have to put Elaine in danger to do it, so she wasn’t sure it was the best idea ever. Assuming the man even came himself and didn’t just send his goons AKA enforcers.
When she got back to the store she tapped out a quick report, this one only going to the witch’s council. She’d thought her life was messed up recently, what that woman had gone through really put it all in perspective for her. Plus, even if she was crazy and broken at least she’d never be alone. To her amusement, Silva heartily agreed with the sentiment.
Chapter 18
When she arrived at the pack barbeque she was amazed at the amount of food available. Of course, it was a little lacking in variety, being mostly meats. She had a choice of burgers made from venison, bison, and cow. Some where even mixed with pork.
She was sitting with the women of the pack, plus Kelly, and she learned a little about wolf shifters by watching body language. It was clear Tina, Jennie and Sarah all deferred to Natalie, the alpha’s mate, but it was subtle. Jennie clearly wasn’t all that happy with her, having killed her brother, but she was making an effort to get past it.
Of course, the true center of attention was Rose, Kelly’s newborn baby. She had a hard time seeing any major differences between their gossip and what she was used to from Fran, Berny and others in the coven. There
were differences though, no shy retiring types here, and Celia found herself having fun as they talked about the men of the pack.
Until she was picked on.
Tina asked in an intimating voice, “So Celia, how about that Paul, anything going on there?”
She shrugged, “I’ve been trying to figure myself out first before I worry about that, why?”
Kelly snickered, “Because he can’t keep his eyes off you longer than thirty seconds. He keeps looking over here.”
Natalie tried to look wise, but her eyes danced with mischief, “Well then you should experiment dear, you know… all in the cause of discovering yourself.”
She blushed, shifters weren’t very shy about sex. Probably because there was no real way to hide it, she could scent all their mates on them, the ones mated anyway. She looked over at Paul who was hanging with the guys and their eyes met. She had to admit… it was tempting, he was tempting. He was gorgeous, treated her firmly at times which could be frustrating, but he also treated her very well.
She shrugged, “Too complicated right now, but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it.”
Jennie rolled her eyes, “What’s complicated about it?”
She gathered her thoughts, “He’s my mentor and trainer, he’s also my partner working for the council, and I’m still figuring out what I want for myself. It could get… awkward.”
She left out that she felt like a mess most of the time. Still, she wondered if she was making too big a deal out of it, maybe she should just see where it goes. Then again, she’d caught him looking at times, and thought he was interested, but he hadn’t hit on her either, or even asked her out.
Luckily for her they moved on and started talking about something else for a while. Then at some unknown signal she missed at some point, they all got up and joined the men, Tony, Jim, Brice, and Paul. She wondered about Sarah for a moment, had she been with Tom? The other six wolves were couples, if not mated.
Brice smirked at her, and she caught a sniff of smugness but had no idea what that was about. What had they been talking about over here?
Tony said, “You’re welcome to stay, we’re going on a run.”
They started to strip off their clothes right in front of her. She turned away, but Kelly and Paul seemed totally unfazed. Would she ever get used to it?
Kelly said, “I think I’ll head out, Rose needs a nap.”
Celia walked her to her car, mainly to avoid staring at the seven naked people turning into wolves. Paul joined them as well.
When Kelly was driving off, Rose in a child seat, she turned to Paul.
“Something is bothering me.”
Paul looked at her curiously.
“The whole Tom thing. Something wasn’t right about it. Like how he’d known to run, if he was going to run he should have done it to start with. And he set up an ambush to get revenge against whatever I did instead of trying to just escape, which makes no sense.”
Paul shrugged, “He as much admitted to it, I wished we could have talked to him first but that’s his fault. As for making sense of it, well I don’t want to know how his mind worked. He was crazy, end of story. Let it go Celia, no good can come out of being obsessed with past cases.”
She frowned. She supposed he was right, but there was something else about it that was bugging her, she just couldn’t nail it down. Was she so bored with picnics and the peaceful store that she was making things up in her head? She wasn’t sure, she didn’t think so but… she did find it exciting. Another checkmark for her insanity.
“Fine, I’ll deal with it. You’re all healed though right? Training tonight?”
His eyes were laughing, “Sure, can’t miss another day, can we? Thank you by the way, I was sure I was dead when I was stupid enough to get thrown off a cliff.”
“No problem, who would I beat up tonight if you were gone?”
Her joke fell a little flat, her own worry about him leaking into her voice.
He had a serious look in his eyes as he turned to her, she caught the scent of his desire that he’d been hiding from her and she froze under his gaze. She responded to that desire, stronger than she expected and she wondered if he was going to…
His voice was low, intense, “Celia I…”
The wolves ran from the trees, interrupting the moment as their gazes snapped away from each other. When she looked back he had an expression on his face she couldn’t quite read. The smell of desire she’d picked up was gone, and she wondered for a moment if she’d imagined it.
His voice was a little off but friendly, “I have to go, I’ll see you tonight.”
She nodded, not quite knowing what to say. What was it about her that he kept turning away from her? She knew he was at least attracted to her. Was it her, or something she didn’t understand holding him back? Did he have the same reason as her, or… She had to admit it was possible it was just her, she was crazy after all and had more baggage than an airport, being both shifter and witch, what was physical attraction next to that?
Chapter 19
When she got back to the shop, Fran was there in the corner chanting, a quick look around to confirm no normals were around made her feel a little better.
She whispered to Bernie, “What’s going on?”
But Fran was finished, and answered on her way to the next corner, “I’m putting down wards, you should add your own, it’s not enough just to ward your apartment.”
She replied cautiously, “Why?”
Fran sighed, “Threats, not from our coven, but some of your prior customers and one supplier called the coven, they were very outraged we hadn’t… dealt with you.”
“I see, so you’re…”
Fran rolled her eyes, “Don’t be lazy, look yourself.”
She felt ten again for a second.
She blushed, “Of course.”
She muttered the same revealing spell from earlier and saw the wards Fran was building. It wouldn’t keep any people physically out, but it would protect the store from water and earth damage. It would also stop inimical magic of a more ephemeral nature. It was probably a good idea, it would not only protect from elemental spells, but her store was probably earthquake and flood proof now too.
Not that either of those things were common here.
Her upstairs was protected a lot better of course, only specific people could enter without consequence. But for the public store, that kind of security would be problematic. She decided Fran was right, now that she was a freak it could happen. No one had really attacked her yet, just stopped dealing with her business wise, but it made sense.
It was also depressing; she’d never had to worry about it before.
She decided to add fire and air wards, they were her elements, so would be decently strong, even if it would take longer than usual to channel the power. It would also make her store resistant to normal fire catching, or hurricane damage.
“Thanks Fran, I’ll do that.”
Fran stopped and looked over at her, “I know it’s not easy dear, but I know you, your one of the strongest women I know, just like your mother, you’ll figure things out. I’m very proud of you.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat and went into the back. It didn’t take her long to build the wards; she had all the ingredients she needed. She ground them up in the pestle, as she cast the necessary spells of protection for fire and air. Then split the results into four small natural cloth bags and continued to feed the wards magic as she placed the bags in the four corners of the store.
Obviously they needed to be hidden. She had some large plants in the front corners of the store, and buried them in the dirt. The small plants had natural protective properties of their own that added to it. The last two went in the back corners, those didn’t really have to be hidden, but she had shelves there and put them behind some other storage.
Then she had to go back and starting at the northeast corner she cast the ward spell that would connect the bags togethe
r, forming a fence of protection around the entire building. Once cast in all four places, she felt better, being surrounded by her magic. Fran’s magic had very familiar warmth to it as well, and she would have to remember to maintain them.
It wasn’t a hard spell, she would need to stand in the middle of building, an equal distance from all the wards, and with another chant she could feed more magic into them. But they wouldn’t need that more than once a week, unless of course, the wards activated to stop an attack.
The wards wouldn’t stop someone truly determined, but it would slow them down long enough for her to respond.
Fran nodded to her approvingly, “Good, I’ll let you know if I hear anything more solid, so far they’ve been trying to make me do it, stupid will out,” she said harshly at the end.
She asked, “Do you think it’s safe enough for Berny and Mia to work here?”
Berny made a dismissive noise, “It’s safe enough. I’ll not abandon you.”
She frowned, “It’s just a job.”
Berny said angrily, “No it isn’t. You’re also my mentor and a close friend of the coven, so drop it.”
She sighed, she should have known better than to expect her to quit, but she didn’t want Berny to get hurt.
“Yes ma’am,” she said teasingly, then added softly, “I just worry.”
Berny grinned impudently, “I love you too.”
Fran shook her head, “Anyway, I need to go. Just you make sure to keep these wards charged with magic.”
“I will,” she promised…
Berny reminded her that Mia was working the day shift tomorrow before she took off with Dan that evening, who’d come by to pick her up.
She hadn’t been making much progress on the ladder, still stuck at a two and they were both getting frustrated. It’d only been a day, but she wasn’t exactly a patient person, either of her. It could be a real issue in a fight, maybe not with a shifter, but she’d be at a distinct disadvantage with another witch. It had been on her mind since she told Elaine this morning that they’d protect her.
She went upstairs quick and grabbed her war spell book and read through it when the store was empty, and once she’d gotten all of today’s orders packed up.
Witch's Moon: A Celia Winters Novel Book 1 Page 13