High Witch Box Set

by Mona Hanna

  “Oh my goodness!” Ariel exclaimed. “Come here, I need to hug you!”

  Hallie giggled, then moved forward and gave Ariel a huge hug. “I don’t know when it will happen, but I believe it will. Sera even saw what we’d name our children—after our fathers. It’s the most amazing news I’ve ever heard. I’m so pleased.”

  Ariel beamed at Hallie, then reached out and kissed Brayden on the cheek, then kissed Erica’s head. “Two little cousins for Erica,” Ariel said. “Hallie, could you get Sean? There’s something I need to tell both of you.”

  Hallie nodded and left the room, then returned a short while later with Sean. They both sat on the end of the bed.

  Ariel swallowed nervously, a little scared about what she had to say. “When we meet with the other witches tomorrow, I was going to tell them that I wanted to keep the coven going. We’ve given all the witches in the world extra power for when they’re in trouble, but I think they need more than that. I want to work with the witches, teach them to use their magic better for those that need it, be a support for them with new spells they want to learn, and most importantly, try to break down the barrier between magical and nonmagical people. I want to stop the hatred, stop the oppression of witches. It affects warlocks too, but I think my job, my calling, is to work with witches. What do you think?”

  Hallie hesitated for a moment. “I think you’ll do a wonderful job. You were born to be a leader. You have it in you. You’ll be marvellous at helping the witches, and they’ll owe you so much.”

  “So you think it’s a good idea?” Ariel asked.

  “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

  Ariel swallowed again. “Because I want you to do the same thing, back at your home. Hear me out before you respond. At the beginning of all of this, when we first had the vision of the prophecy, you said you didn’t want your powers. That if you could take them away, you would. I don’t think you saw what the point of being a High Witch was, and you just wanted to be normal. Hallie, you’re not normal—you’re very, very special. You are a High Witch, and I believe with all of my heart that you were meant to be. I want you to start a coven back at your home because my eventual goal would be for there to be large covens all over the world, all connected, so witches everywhere can be joined together. So the help me and you can give them, the leadership, can be passed on and continued forever.

  “You say I was born to be a leader, and I believe so were you. There are different types of leaders. Some are a bit more forceful, like me, but what you can do, what you can give, is another perspective for the quieter witches out there. For the witches who’ve been through what you’ve been through, who’ve suffered like you have. There’s so much you can do, that you can give. I want Sean to be with you, your partner in all of this. But you weren’t meant to be a scribe forever, Hallie—you’re meant to use your gifts, your strength, to help others. Will you please do this for me?”

  Ariel looked at Hallie while the younger witch stared back. Ariel was petrified that she would say no, that she would say she couldn’t do it. She watched her friend closely, then finally Hallie smiled.

  “Alright. I’ll do anything for you. If you think I can do it, then I do too. I’m scared, but I’ve seen what we can do as a group, and I’ve seen what you and me can do together. We gave all the witches that extra power. We did that. I’m proud, finally, of having my powers, and I don’t want to waste them. But you have to promise me something. Please visit me and Sean as much as you can! I’ll need your help sometimes, and I want you to see my boys! Oh, I can’t wait. For my children, for the coven, everything. I couldn’t be more happy. Thank you for believing in me.”

  Ariel smiled, her eyes starting to brim with tears. “Thank you for listening. I love you so much. I can’t wait to meet your children, to see you be a mother. You and Sean will do so well! I hope me and Brayden will have more children too.”

  Brayden leaned over and kissed Ariel on the cheek. “Many more,” he said softly, his gaze dropping to Erica.

  Ariel kissed him back. “Maybe a little boy for you, my darling. Maybe we’ll have twins too!”

  Brayden’s eyes widened. “Oh good heavens. Twice the crying? Let’s leave the twins for Hallie and Sean. One baby at a time is enough for me.”

  Everyone laughed. Ariel was filled with joy, with happiness. She felt some pressure over her new life, over what she had to do next, but was so pleased. A new life for them all.

  ***

  The group relaxed for the rest of the day. Nina and her family brought over a large amount of hot food for dinner, as Alexandra didn’t have much left in her house. Everyone settled down to eat creamy potato soup, crusty bread, roasted chicken and vegetables, and sweet pies for dessert. The spring evening was warm with a gentle breeze, aiding the calm atmosphere. When they had finished eating, Ariel asked Alexandra to step outside so they could talk.

  The two stood in the back garden in the dim light of evening. “Tomorrow afternoon, we’re all going to go home,” Ariel said. “Me and Brayden, Erica, Hallie and Sean will take a carriage back to my home after we talk to the other witches. Raven said he’ll return home, but he’ll stay in contact with me by writing letters. As for Sera, I’m going to see if I can find a temporary home for her with someone in the area. I’ll keep an eye on her to make sure she finds work and gets settled.”

  Ariel reached out and touched Alexandra’s arm. “I want you to know I’ll always be in your life. I don’t live very far away, and as long as you’re okay with it, I’d like to visit you as much as possible. Julia is a very special child, and I want to help her to use her magic, her enormous powers. I want to help her grow and manage her magic. I don’t want to interfere too much and get in your way, but I think it’s important for someone who understands about High Witches to show your daughter how to deal with it. I had Brayden, Hallie had me, and I’ll be there for Julia. Does this sit will with you?”

  Alexandra nodded. “My fear was that I’d never see you all again. I’m going to miss everyone terribly, and I definitely want you to be in Julia’s life. I’m going to need all the help I can get. And please bring Hallie with you when you come to see me, when she’s visiting you. I value her friendship too.”

  Ariel smiled. “Of course. Thank you so much for letting us all stay here, for changing your life to allow for us. I bet you’ll be glad to have your home to yourself again! Although, I’d also bet that Cameron will be here more often than not?”

  Alexandra blushed. “Yes, I hope so. Don’t tell anyone, but I hope that we get married one day. I don’t know if he’ll ever ask, but I know I could never love anyone more than him. I hope to tell Julia he’s her father soon. I don’t know if she’ll understand, but the sooner I tell her, the better. I’m so happy, Ariel! I love him so much.”

  Ariel reached out and gave Alexandra a hug. “You deserve all the happiness in the world,” she said, stepping back. “I don’t want to get too ahead of things, but maybe there’ll be a little brother or sister for Julia.”

  A smile crossed Alexandra’s face.

  The two headed back inside and joined the others. Ariel sat next to Brayden and took hold of his hand, kissing him on the cheek. She was ecstatic.

  ***

  Everyone left Alexandra’s home the following afternoon. Ariel and Brayden packed their things, ready to take a carriage after they left the field later that day. Hallie and Sean had lost their things in the fire at the inn, but Ariel and Brayden leant them some fresh clothes to wear. Raven took a carriage from the house to head home, a long journey. Sera was going to magically transport with the others to the field. When everyone finally left, Alexandra shut the door behind them, then turned and looked at Julia and Cameron.

  “Our new friends are gone!” she said. “Did you like Erica, Julia?”

  “Eica,” Julia said, clapping her hands while she sat on the floor.

  Alexandra smiled, then went and sat on the settee. She looked over at Cameron, standing across the room, and
in a heartbeat, he walked over and sat beside her. Her immediately put his arms around her.

  “Julia,” Alexandra whispered, gesturing to her child. “We need to talk to her. I mean, she’s seen us hugging, but we need to explain things.”

  Cameron put his hand on the side of Alexandra’s face. “And what do you want to say? Do you…” He looked down. He was silent for a while, and then he looked back up. “One day, do you think you could tell her… about me? How we’re connected?”

  “Of course, sweetie! I’m not sure when, but I definitely want to tell her. But for now, I just want to explain that we’re together, and you’re going to be around us a lot. That’s right, isn’t it?”

  Cameron smiled. “Just try and keep me away.”

  Alexandra smiled back. “Julia, come to Mama.”

  Julia stood up and ambled over to her and Cameron. Alexandra picked her up and set her in her lap. “You know how Cameron has been here a lot lately?”

  Julia nodded, then reached out a hand towards Cameron. He took her hand in his, then leaned forward and gave it a kiss. Julia laughed.

  “Well, he’s going to be here a lot,” Alexandra said. “He’s Mama’s special friend. The other people are gone, but you’ll still see Cameron. Are you happy?”

  “Yes,” Julia said, snuggling her.

  Alexandra wrapped her arms around her, then looked at Cameron fondly. He reached out and put his arm around her, the whole family cuddling together.

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  Alexandra bit her lip, trying to stop from crying. She gently kissed him on the mouth. “I love you too.”

  ***

  Ariel and Hallie stood before the large group of witches in the field. All the women, young and old, were there. They were fine after what happened the day before. They’d recovered virtually straight away, and while they remembered what happened, they all found it hard to believe. They waited to hear what Ariel had to say. She clasped her hands together and began.

  “I want to thank you again for all you did yesterday. You were all amazing, and I appreciate it so much. I brought you here to tell you that I don’t want this group to disband. I want to be here to support you, to help you, to teach you. I want us to work together and grow as a group. I live nearby and will travel back and forth, speaking and helping any witches who need me. I want us to form a real coven, using our magic as one, spreading out and bringing new witches to us. Will you all join me? Will you let me lead you?”

  There was silence for a while. Ariel held her breath, waiting to be rejected. What if they didn’t want her help? What if she’d built up all those hopes and dreams for nothing? What if she’d been a fool?

  “You helped us and made it so we could all save our town,” a woman called out. “You gave us a gift so we won’t be persecuted anymore. I’ll always be grateful to you for what you did. It would be an honor to work with you, to have you as my leader.”

  Other women’s voices joined in agreement. Some of them came forward to talk to Ariel and congratulate her. Ariel noticed some women leaving, but she had expected not everyone would agree with her plan. But she was overjoyed that most of the women stayed, that most of them wanted what she wanted. She had a new family. She had new friends.

  ***

  Ariel, Brayden, Erica, Hallie, and Sean caught a carriage to return to Ariel’s home. Before she left, Ariel gave her address to some of the other witches and said she’d be in contact soon. She found someone for Sera to stay with and promised she would be back in a couple of weeks to help her further. In the meantime Ariel knew she had a lot to sort out. She was going to enjoy the remaining time she had with Hallie and Sean before they had to go home, but she also had to organize how she was going to gather new witches to the coven, where they were going to meet, and how they were going to raise the money to support all the work they were going to do. She was excited, scared, and looking forward to everything so much.

  Epilogue

  And so their lives went on. Hallie and Sean went home a little while later. Hallie quit her job and began the new coven in her hometown. She and Sean led the coven, Hallie gradually growing in confidence. She became pregnant six months after returning home and gave birth to beautiful, twin, red-haired boys. They were both warlocks, James very quiet and Caeden much more outgoing, and they constantly delighted their parents

  Erica was nearly two when Hallie’s boys were born. Ariel became pregnant a few months after Hallie and had a boy named Elliot, with blond hair and blue eyes. When he was a year and a half, Ariel became pregnant again, giving birth to another boy named Ethan, who was the spitting image of Brayden. Both of Ariel’s sons were warlocks, and she helped them learn to use their magic while teaching Erica to embrace and control her High Witch powers. Erica grew up to be very beautiful and wise and was best friends with Julia.

  Alexandra and Cameron got married three months after reuniting, and Cameron moved into Alexandra’s home, along with his cat. Alexandra gave birth to a daughter named Merilyn one year later. Ariel and Hallie remained in the family’s life, helping Julia learn to use her powers and learn what it was to be a High Witch. Julia flourished, growing up to have wild, curly black hair and spending as much time as she could with Erica.

  All of the children grew up in one anothers’ lives. Ariel’s children, Hallie’s, Alexandra’s, and Julia’s cousins. The covens grew, new leaders were born of them, and more covens were formed all over the world.

  Ariel and Hallie, and the lore of High Witches, became known everywhere. There were more challenges, and it would take longer than Ariel and Hallie’s lifetime to undo the stigma and curse placed on the heads of witches and warlocks everywhere. But they made great headway over the years and helped the witches they came across to grow in their magic and confidence. Ariel and Hallie stood up for witches everywhere while raising their babies. They were happy and fulfilled and stayed close friends, like sisters, for the rest of their lives.

  About the Author

  Mona Hanna is an author of fantasy/romance books. She enjoys writing about love, magic, conflict, trials and the joy of overcoming them. Mona enjoys reading, movies, chocolate, and adores cats. She hopes to release many more fantasy books in the years to come.

  monahanna.com

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  Table of Contents

  High Witch (High Witch Book 1)

  Witch Emerging (High Witch Book 2)

  High Coven (High Witch Book 3)