“About time,” Agro scolded. “And you bring bad news.”
Farriss alighted and bowed his head. “There are no Callaways in Blaine County, sir.” He offered proof of his claim, and Agro snatched the piece of paper from his hand.
“Figures,” he simmered, scanning the evidence before turning it to ash.
He looked to the moon as he thumbed the smoky quartz encrusted in his belt, wondering how far he should dig. “Widen the search to include Ada County,” he decided. “Boise is the most likely option as well as the county seat, so we’ll start there. I want to eliminate this possibility before visiting her family.”
“I’ll put together a unit,” Farriss offered, “then head that way.”
“Four,” Agro instructed.
“Sir?” Farriss returned.
“I only want four soldiers in the unit,” Agro elaborated. “The best we have on hand. I’m going with you.”
“With all due respect, sir, we’re merely searching the hexless…”
“I want my witch,” Agro snapped. “I know her scent, and her energy is easily detected among the hexless if you have half a brain and a nose for power. I’m going with you.”
“As you wish,” Farriss agreed. “I’ll gather the party.”
“Make sure they can be discreet,” Agro added. “Now’s not a good time to raise alarms in the hexless capital of Idaho.”
He turned to enter his tent, finding nothing but cones and needles, and his chest expanded as he scanned the nearby soldiers. “Where’s my tent?”
A young man cleared his throat as he slowly stood, a bowl of soup cupped in his trembling hands. “Well, sir, you… you said don’t bother.”
Agro narrowed his eyes on him. Then he snapped his fingers and pointed. “Right. No tent. Get my cloak.”
Chapter 15
Layla had never seen such a diverse spread of food—dozens of dishes piled with perfectly prepared appetizers, entrées and desserts, as if each of the twenty-eight magicians had ordered a separate five course meal. But Layla practically ignored the food as she raptly watched the scene from her spot between Quin and Morrigan.
As talking quelled eating, a cloudy moon overtook the clearing, and floating flames illuminated the table. The people, however, were lit by colorful auras. Soon the food and platters disappeared, leaving behind the beverages, and Caitrin stood, stealing the coven’s undivided attention.
“Tonight is a special night,” he announced, suspending the silence. “We’re gathered to welcome not one, but three new members into our coven, and each of them already holds a special place in our hearts. Serafin and Daleen have been in our lives for over twenty-one years, always displaying the benevolence and loyalty our family fiercely regards. Any coven would be lucky to have them, but they’ve chosen ours. It’s an honor to welcome you,” he conveyed, squeezing Serafin’s shoulder. “We couldn’t be more thrilled with your decision to make our home your own.”
“The honor’s ours,” Serafin replied, smiling at Layla. “There’s nowhere else we’d rather be.”
Caitrin looked at Layla as well, and as everyone’s eyes followed, Layla’s cheeks ignited.
“And you, Layla Love,” Caitrin proclaimed. “We’ve waited so long for this moment. By coming home, you’ve renewed hope and mended a family that’s been broken since the day your parents left. Words simply cannot convey how much this means to us. We can only hope you’ll be as happy here as we are to have you here, because only then will you understand the enormity of your homecoming.”
His welcome was beautiful, but Layla’s lungs froze as she tried to swallow a painful lump. It didn’t work. Not that it mattered; her voice had run away with her nerve. She was a fool drowning in a sea of silence as an audience watched, wondering why she refused to speak and save herself. She squeezed her eyes shut, searching for a dose of bravery, and while she found solace in Quin’s warm hand as it took hers under the table, her confidence barely improved.
Well, time to show them who you really are, a bumbling idiot. “Thank you,” she offered, forcing herself to look around. “It’s an honor to join such an amazing family.” Her body and voice shook, so she cleared her throat and clutched the edge of the table. “Everyone’s been wonderful. I look forward to learning more.” A small whoosh of air escaped her lungs as she looked down, so flushed with embarrassment she surely glowed.
“Then let’s not delay,” Caitrin returned, “and make it so.”
He raised his wine into the air, and the rest of the coven followed suit. “To Serafin,” he called, and everyone echoed the name. Even the pets joined in, barking, mewling and twittering their agreement. “To Daleen,” Caitrin prompted, and the coven repeated him as he turned his gaze on Layla. “To Layla.”
“To Layla,” the coven chorused.
Then Caitrin looked to his goblet as he raised it higher. “And to a healthy and happy family.”
“Hear, hear,” the family exclaimed. Then everyone drank as hair-raising excitement and heart-swelling love charged the atmosphere.
Amazed by the tradition, Layla followed everyone’s lead, and the hot humiliation faded as warm tingles awakened her pulse.
When the wine glasses were placed on the table, they disappeared, and everyone got to their feet. Quin stood and pulled out Layla’s chair, and she took his hand, rising as witches and wizards soared into the air.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“The clearing you learned to fly in,” Morrigan answered. “That’s where the ritual will be performed.”
Caitrin stepped forward and squeezed Layla’s shoulders. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” she answered, and she was. Adrenaline inundated her veins, spiking her enthusiasm.
Her grandparents took turns kissing her cheek then flew away without her, so she looked at Quin. “Ready?”
He smiled. Then he squeezed his eyes shut as a tiny voice spoke from beside them. “May I wide with you, Quinwin?”
Layla looked down at Alana then up at Selena, who quickly approached. “Not tonight, Alana. Quin’s riding with Layla.”
“Oh,” Alana mumbled, puckering teeny lips.
“I don’t mind,” Layla blurted. She would not be the one to put that look on Alana’s face. “You can ride with Quin, Alana, and I’ll fly beside you. How does that sound?”
“Yeah,” Alana approved. “Then you can see me fwy.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Selena interjected.
“I want to,” Layla insisted. “It sounds fun.”
“It wiw be,” Alana assured, waving her mom away as she soared into Quin’s arms.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Selena pressed.
“Positive,” Layla answered.
“Okay,” Selena agreed. “Be good, Alana.”
“I’m aways good,” Alana boasted, bouncing on Quin’s arm.
Selena laughed then shot toward the sky, leaving them alone on the lawn.
“That was sweet of Layla, wasn’t it?” Quin asked, nudging Alana with his nose.
“Yes,” Alana agreed. “That’s why I wuv her.”
“The pleasure’s mine,” Layla countered, smiling at the toddler. Then she blushed as she looked at Quin. “We’ll get our chance, right?”
“Right,” he confirmed, shifting Alana to his chest. “Are you two beautiful girls ready to fly?”
“I’m weady,” Alana answered, laying her cheek to his.
Layla watched them for a moment—gentle giant and pint-sized pixie. Then she smiled at the sky. “Me, too.”
“On three then,” he said. “One... two... three...”
Alana squealed as they shot into the air, and Layla watched her face, laughing at the wonderment in her wide eyes.
When Quin leveled out w
ith his back to the ground, Layla leaned forward, slightly disoriented by the vastness around her, endless cloudy sky and unnerving freedom. Without familiar landmarks to guide her, not even a distant aura, she was lost, so she stayed close to Quin, anxiously flipping her gaze from him, to the toddler in his arms, to the dark trees below.
Quin stifled laughter as he watched Layla’s concentration.
With his stare glued to her, his speed suffered, and he had to remind himself multiple times to pay attention to his route. It was damn difficult. Layla had him spellbound—her uncloaked body alluringly silhouetted against purple clouds; her expression intrigued and fastidious; her onyx spirals recklessly flowing behind her as her stimulated aura called his name. Only the child in his arms kept him from answering.
Unsurprising, really—the fascination he felt. He’d been captivated since their first meeting, mesmerized by every step she took and every word she spoke, even those uttered through insecurities. She was perfect, yet her beauty and magnetism continually strengthened. Quin spent years imagining what she would look like, contemplating her attributes and personality traits, and he often scolded himself for setting the bar too high, for creating a fantasy no woman could ever fulfill, not even the mysterious Layla. As it turned out, he never imagined her well enough, beautiful enough or sweet enough, and he vastly underestimated the affect she would have on him.
He wondered what he’d done, for mankind or the Heavens, to deserve the attention of the most exquisite creature to walk the earth. He also questioned his ability to keep her attention, a challenge only a fool would ignore. He wasn’t the only man who’d throw himself at her feet with the hopes of catching her eye as she walked over him, and she would be meeting the others soon—hordes of handsome wizards clamoring over each other for a chance to impress her, all of them ingrained with magic, charisma, and an unrelenting desire to gain the coveted attention of the most beautiful witch in the world.
Yes, keeping her would be a challenge, but Quin relished the opportunity. He hadn’t suffered true defeat since he was fifteen, and he’d never been more determined to win. If someone wanted to take Layla from him, they had their work cut out for them.
Smoky firelight rose from a gap in the trees, and Quin slowed, securing his hold on Alana as he floated upright and headed for earth. Layla, however, stayed in the air, mouth hanging open as she scanned the breath-taking view.
Smaller than the lawn, with a large bonfire leaping from the center, the ritual clearing glowed with bright auras—a sea of rainbows dancing around roaring flames. Layla never wanted to forget the astonishing view, so she closed her eyes, making sure she had it memorized.
When she looked again, she found Quin hovering in front of her, and her weightless body jolted. Quin’s hand closed around her arm, keeping her upright, and she laughed as she rolled her eyes.
“Hey,” she greeted. “I see you no longer have your passenger.”
“I left the little angel with her mom, but she wants to make sure you saw her fly, so you’ll be bombarded when you land. Come here,” he insisted, pulling her into a hug. “You’re freezing.”
Layla tucked into his chest, thrilled her opinion mattered to Alana. It made her feel all warm and tingly. “That little girl can bombard me anytime she wants.”
Quin rubbed her arms and kissed her head. “Then let’s give her a chance. You need to get out of the wind.”
“I’m fine,” Layla laughed, letting him pull her under his arm. “I was cold on the way over, but you fixed it.”
“Good,” he approved, heading for earth.
As they descended into the colorful mist, Alana came into view, staring straight up while bouncing on her toes. Her patience snapped when she saw them, and she soared into the air.
Layla panicked and grabbed the toddler around the waist, hugging her to her thundering chest. “Wow, Alana. Every time you jump you take my heart with you.”
Alana broke into giggles, apparently proud of herself for scaring the new girl. “Did you see me fwy?”
“I did,” Layla assured, finding solid ground. “You were magnificent.”
“I went wiwwy fast.”
“Yes you did. Maybe someday you’ll be one of the fastest.”
“That would be fun.”
“Yes it would. We should practice together sometime.”
“I would wike that.”
“Me, too, angel.”
Alana smiled and kissed Layla’s cheek. Then her focus drifted. “Otay, put me down.”
Layla laughed as she obeyed, and Alana flitted to Selena, shouting about how Layla wanted to practice with her, and how she might be the fastest someday.
“I can’t get over how cute she is,” Layla whispered.
“She obviously likes you,” Quin noted.
“Nuh-uh,” Layla corrected. “She wuvs me.”
“We all do,” Daleen interjected. “Are you ready to start?”
“Sure.”
Without warning, Quin pulled Layla into a hug and whispered in her ear. “I’m going to let your grandparents have you for a while.”
Layla froze, shocked and anxious as his breath drifted through her hair and his fingers slid to her quickening pulse.
“See you soon,” he promised.
She gave a nod, and he kissed her cheek before dropping his hands and flying away.
Layla pouted as she watched him go. Then she straightened her shoulders and turned to her grandparents. “What’s next?”
“The good stuff,” Serafin answered, taking her hand.
“You won’t have to do anything for this part,” Daleen added, taking Layla’s other hand. “Just listen.”
Caitrin and Morrigan moved to the other side of Daleen, compelling the rest of the coven to join hands around the fire. Then a hush fell over the clearing as everyone closed their eyes.
Everyone except for Layla, who was curiously looking around when a harmonious hum rose from the coven, dropping her jaw and cinching her throat. She’d never heard anything like it. In all her experience with music, including a New York opera and dozens of concerts, not one tune had provoked such intense emotion, such compelling feelings of peace, security and belonging. The coven’s mesmerizing song could surely cease a war, felling armies with nothing more than fuzzy warmth and chilling goose bumps.
Layla’s heart beat hard, and she closed her moist eyes, letting the melody flood her senses.
For several seconds it was merely a pleasing thrum. Then the baritone voices strengthened, maintaining a hypnotic tempo while adding lyrics.
“Unified ‘til death are we,
sweet connected family.
Our bonds are strong beyond compare.
Our love is pure; our judgments fair.”
As the baritone voices faded, a higher chant sung by the women stole the spotlight.
“Our family holds a love that’s true.
We show our light in all we do.
We are connected, one and all.
Our perfect wall shall never fall.”
The feminine note lingered, tickling Layla’s spine. Then the men joined the women for the final verse, creating the most magnificent harmony Layla had ever heard.
“Keep us safe and keep us strong.
Provide us with a life that’s long.
For each of us, a shelter be.
Bless us all, our family.”
As the final note reverberated on the air, electrifying energy shot from Daleen’s and Serafin’s hands into Layla’s. She gasped and popped her eyes open, but her vision blurred as the thrill vibrated up her arms and throughout the rest of her body.
The others still had their eyes closed, like they were soaking in peace, but Layla didn’t understand how they remained idle. The magical energy had
fizzled, but it left behind a tingling trail of charged hair follicles. She could dance a jig she was so frenzied.
Fingers and toes wiggling, she gnawed on her bottom lip, impatiently waiting.
“Did you like it?” Daleen finally asked.
“That—was—amazing,” Layla gushed, stimulated yet soothed, at peace internally, in her soul, but bouncing off the walls externally, her flesh and bones frenetic. “No, it was magnificent. No… There really are no words to describe what just happened. I loved it!”
“We’re so glad,” Morrigan approved.
“Yes,” Caitrin agreed. “Your enjoyment is important to us. Are you ready for the next part?”
“Umm…” Layla mumbled. “Can you give me a minute? I’m still wired from the last part.”
“Sure,” Caitrin laughed. “Take all the time you need.”
Serafin and Daleen released Layla’s hands, and she shot into the air, unable to stay on the ground. Gravity was of no assistance or resistance. She reached the treetops and found the wind, but its chill merely strengthened her vigor, so she began flipping and spinning, laughing at the ritual’s lingering tingle.
A colorful flash caught her eye, and she halted, her body quivering with the urge to move again. “Hey,” she greeted, smiling at Brietta.
“You’re having way too much fun to be having it alone,” Brietta returned.
“You’re right,” Layla agreed, grabbing her hand, and a fresh tickle shot up her arm. She looked down, realizing it was the first time they’d made skin contact. “Did you feel that?” she asked, tired of speculating.
“Yeah,” Brietta confirmed. “It means we share blood.”
“I’ve been wondering,” Layla mumbled, but she itched to move and barely had time to absorb the revelation. “Ready?”
“Let’s dance,” Brietta answered.
So they did, effortlessly staying in sync as they soared, flipped and twirled like children. When they came to a halt, they found each other’s eyes and burst into laughter.
Impassion (Mystic) Page 17