by Bryce Evans
“Well, good times are coming again. Tomorrow we will go to the store and take a look around. There won’t be a crowd of people watching your every move either. Quinn gave me the key in case you changed your mind. I think she wants you to be happy and this is how she can help you achieve that.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Haven grabbed her sketchbook and turned to a blank page. “That’s exactly what we’re going to do. Let’s write down our goals and what we want to achieve. I will have a list too. We can mark them off and put the date by it when we accomplish them. How does that sound?”
“I can’t read what you write,” Greer admitted.
“I will read it for you and when you do learn to read, and you will, we can mark them off together.”
“Okay. That sounds good to me.”
“So, the first goal for you is what?”
“Of course, I want to learn to read and write,” Greer said.
Haven pointed to the sewing machine. “Okay, well, for me, I want to make my first design by myself using that thing.”
“Me next. Then I want to be the first person to wear the first dress you make,” Greer said, pointing at the paper. “Go ahead, write it down.”
“Then I want to make my first line of clothes to sell at Quinn’s shop.”
“This is getting deep now. But I want to start making my own glass creations, so I can put them in the window at the shop,” Greer added. “I’m so stupid. What needs to go first on the list is to be able to control my magic. Because without that, I can’t accomplish any of the others.”
“Okay, but remember just because they are down further on the list doesn’t mean they can’t be first,” Haven said.
“Hey, let’s watch the second season of the treehouse man,” Greer said, getting up from the table.
“I want some popcorn.” Haven made them the snack. Greer stared at the list, but like before, her senses came alive. She inhaled but scented nothing that was different. Getting up from the table, she went to the back door.
She allowed her bear to come forward and search out into the night. Nothing was there. Why was this happening? Maybe it was just her. Maybe she was just tired.
“You ready to binge?”
“Sure.” She took one last look and closed the door and followed Haven into the living room.
Chapter Eight
“Hey, Lettie, are you ready?” Quinn asked her grandmother. Scarlett smiled at the nickname she gave her grandmother when she was just a tot.
“Yep,” Scarlett replied. Quinn watched as Scarlett put oils and other stuff into her bag. “Now, I’m ready to go.”
“Okay, I will drop you off and go to the store and make sure Alex can run it for a while then come back and help you train Greer and Jade.”
“Sounds like a plan, my sweet girl,” her elder said, picking up her bag. As soon as they walked outside, Quinn felt it. Energy like never before. The hairs on her arms stood. She scanned the area but saw nothing.
“Lettie…”
“Don’t move, child. I know.” Scarlett threw her arms out with a protection spell. They watched as an old woman peeked around a tree. She was much older than Lettie. Quinn could tell she was a witch of some kind.
“Who is she?” Quinn whispered.
“In all my years, I never thought I would ever get you to come here,” Scarlett said, smiling, running down the stairs and into the arms of the old woman.
“Well, I figured I would since I’m moving off that damn land with that crazy man. I’ve had enough, I tell you. Enough!”
Scarlett pulled away from the witch, frowning, “What did he do now?”
“He’s scared that everyone is going to kill him now that the Death Hunters have moved here. I told him if he didn’t shut up and grow a set then he was right because I was going to kill him. All the moaning and wanting more and more protection spells. The man reeked of magic. I just couldn’t take it anymore. Plus, I missed you something fierce.”
“You will stay here, of course. I want you to meet someone.” Scarlett turned and motioned for her to come down the stairs.
“No, this can’t be her. She’s beautiful, Scarlett. Nothing like her dad, that’s for sure.”
“Thank God,” they both said in unison.
“Quinn, I want you to meet my dearest friend and mentor. This is Minerva Proctor.”
At first, Quinn just stared at the woman. She didn’t know what it was, but magic was pouring off this woman and she wasn’t sure she wanted to shake her hand until Scarlett said, “Quinn, where are your manners?’
“Oh, sorry. Hello.” Quinn shook her hand, and when they touched, she felt something dark pulling at her magic, but she had to be mistaken.
“Oh, dear, Quinn. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you and, of course, your mate and everything that has gone on here in New Hope. I had to come to see what all the fuss was about and the reason my dear friend packed up and left the Old Ones.”
Scarlett scoffed, giving the witch a dismissive wave of her hand. “I didn’t leave you, Minerva, but I wanted to be close to Quinn. I’ve missed so much of her life growing up and plus, like you said, I got tired of the council. It was time. And this is perfect timing, Minerva. We are going to Death Hunters’ land to train Greer,” Scarlett said, smiling.
“The white bear?” Minerva closed her eyes and smiled. “I still can’t believe she is here now and still alive.”
“Of course, she’s still alive. Jean made sure of that before she was killed. The woman has so much power, it’s hard to be enclosed in the same room with her. You must come with us and help. You can help her too,” Scarlett said.
Minerva’s eyes sparked with joy then it disappeared as she muttered, “If you wish.”
Quinn watched the old woman, but the feeling she had felt strange. But this was an Old One and maybe it was just because she was just different. Lettie had told her countless stories about this woman and how she trained her and been her mentor for most of the times she was with the Old Ones.
“Your grandmother tells me that your pack is growing with witches. I have to say that I think that’s wonderful. We are way out numbered. I’m tickled for you.”
Quinn didn’t say anything. Just listened. She wasn’t sure if she liked Minerva. What did she mean way out numbered? “To be honest, I’m just glad the pack is growing with any type of member, whether it be a shifter or witch. We have a lot of humans in our pack as well.”
“I don’t think Minerva meant anything by that, Quinn. Stop taking everything to heart, dear. She just meant that it must be nice to have someone else who can relate to you being a witch too.” Her annoyance flared as her grandmother chastised her.
“Actually, I did mean it that way. Our forces have depleted, but the council members all expect us to perform miracles for everyone while shifters and even vampires out number us by ten to one. At one time, we were plentiful. Now most go underground so they’re not persecuted for their powers. It’s a shame, and it's time to see that change,” Minerva said, still smiling which made Quinn cringe. Something was off with this woman. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but something was very different about her. Her views wouldn’t bode well with any of her pack.
The conversation ended as they drove to meet Greer and Jade. Now that she thought about it, how did Minerva get on Dixon pack land without anyone knowing? She never got a call saying she was here.
“Minerva, how did you get past the front gates to our land?” Quinn asked, glancing at her in the backseat. “We never received information saying you were here.”
“Oh, sweetie, you have to let an Old One like me continue to keep some of my gifts a secret,” Minerva answered.
Quinn was about to say something, but Scarlett yelled out, “We’re here. Look how beautiful it is, Minerva. Before they started, it was nothing but a bunch of trees. Now look at it.”
Later tonight, Quinn would find out how she did it and Lettie would te
ll her. When Arden found out, he was going to go ballistic. He loved her and Lettie, but like her, he didn’t know Minerva and now Lettie had already asked her to stay with them.
Arden would also go nuts when he found out Minerva penetrated their boundaries without his permission. This wasn’t going to go well. When she got to the office, she would talk to him, but they needed to be cautious because Minerva was Lettie’s best friend and mentor.
Chapter Nine
Greer was outside watching Reed and the others put the walls up to her treehouse. While she sat and enjoyed the breeze blowing on her face, her bear stood up on alert. She opened her eyes and scanned the area. What is it, girl? This was happening way too much. She saw nothing. Her whole body tensed as she stood.
“Goodness,” Greer said, bending over trying to catch her breath.
“Are you okay?” Reed yelled down from the top of the tree. Concern marred his beautiful face.
She smiled and waved him off as she scanned the area again. Whatever it was, she couldn’t find it, but something went off inside her. Maybe it was her magic. This had never happened and when these feelings came on, she knew there was danger around. Her bear would easily spot it and she would either run away or kill it. Most of the time it would be a wild animal that wouldn’t leave her alone or it was the coven who got too close.
“You got company,” Reed yelled down at her.
Greer smiled when she saw Quinn and Scarlett walking up the trail toward her. They had another lady with them. She had never seen this woman. Her hair was long and gray like Scarlett’s, but unlike both of the witches, this one was different. Her aura was off. Lines of darkness trailed behind her.
At first glance, you would think that she wasn’t a good witch, but even Jean had traces of darkness around her. She explained that it didn’t always mean that the witch was bad, so Greer held her stance but kept her weight on the tips of her feet in case she had to move quickly. The closer the witch got, the more uneasy she felt.
“Hey, Greer.” Quinn didn’t hesitate as she walked straight up and hugged her. What shocked her was when she whispered in her ear. “After this, come meet with me and tell me what you think about this woman.”
“Hello, Greer,” Scarlett said, standing beside her now. Quinn didn’t act like she said anything and pulled back and held her hand. “I want you to meet my oldest friend and mentor. She’s one of the Old Ones. This is Minerva Proctor who has come to visit for a while.”
When she stepped forward to hug her, Greer’s bear jerked her backward. “Whoa.”
“It’s okay, Greer. I promise Minerva is a dear friend and would no longer hurt you than she would me,” Scarlett said with her hands on her arm.
When she didn’t say anything, Quinn squeezed her hand. “Greer’s not used to strangers. Just give her some time to get used to you.”
“Hello, Greer. I mean you no harm. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Minerva said, even her eyes crinkled like she was a prize or something.
Clearing her throat, Greer offered her hand. She watched as the witch smiled like she knew what she was up to, but her Aunt Jean showed her what to look for when she didn’t know about someone. The darkness moved away from the witch when her hand came out and shook her hand. Nothing, not even a sparkremained, and that worried Greer more. Even the day she met Quinn the first time and their hands touched, she felt a tingling in her hand. Whoever this woman was, she was different and smart.
“Nice to meet you, dear,” Minerva said.
“And you too.”
“I thought it would be good if Minerva helped with the training since there are two of you now,” Scarlett said.
“What? Did you say two, Scarlett?” Minerva asked. Her eyes narrowing.
“Yes. When Lennox’s mate was ten years old, she was on a camping trip with her brother, and Greer put half her magic inside her.”
“But...but this can’t be. That would mean the white bear isn’t as powerful.” Minerva turned away and started pacing.
“What does it matter? Together they will be a force nobody has ever seen,” Quinn said.
“Yes, dear, but—” Minerva’s voice chastised as she dismissed Quinn as if she were a child. Greer could see that Quinn was about to explode.
“What would you like to work on first, Scarlett?” Greer asked, changing the subject.
Scarlett pulled on her arm hauling her away from everyone. “Yes, we need to work on control.” She could tell that the Old One was scattered now because of Quinn and Minerva arguing. To be honest, she wasn’t liking the new witch herself. She spoke of her like she was a special weapon, and since she put half her power in Jade, she wasn’t worth the effort.
“Scarlett, does Jade need to be here too?” Greer asked.
“It would be better. Yes, I think that would be. Is she here?” Scarlett said, looking around the yard like she was going to pop up.
“She’s in the house. I can go get her.”
“Hello, everyone. Sorry I’m late. Had someone to deal with inside the house. He’s a little testy today,” Jade said, walking down the back porch. She stopped when she saw Minerva who was now staring at Jade like she was the last shrimp in the basket.
Jade glanced at Quinn then back at Minerva. With her eyebrow raised, she smiled and walked over to the new witch and stuck her hand out. “Hello, I’m Jade Bartley.”
“Oh, yes, you are Lennox’s mate. And you are the one the white bear put half her magic into?” Minerva said, shaking Jade’s hand.
“Really?” Quinn huffed out. “What the hell does it matter?”
“Oh no,” Greer muttered under her breath. She could see Quinn busting out into a brawl in just a few moments if Scarlett didn’t do something fast.
“I was wondering, Greer, if we could reschedule our training until later this evening? I would like to spend some time with Minerva and get her settled,” Scarlett asked.
“Well, today I have already made plans, but tomorrow morning would be fine. I’ve got some things to do anyway. That would work better for me. If that’s okay with you,” Greer asked. Anything would be better than having this go on and watch her friends fight an old woman.
Greer smiled when Cosmo and Haven walked out the back door. “Cosmo…” Everyone stopped as Scarlett smiled and walked over to him. “Be a dear and take me and Minerva home. Quinn has to get to work.”
“Hello, Minerva. I didn’t know you were in town.” Even Cosmo looked concerned that the witch was here.
“Nobody did. She just pops in. Watch your borders,” Quinn said, walking past her grandmother and Minerva. Cosmo and Haven both watched as Quinn stomped off.
“Sure,” Cosmo said, narrowing his eyes, taking a look at everyone’s expression. “Haven, I will be back to pick you and Greer up if you want to go to town later.”
Haven stood beside her and nodded. They were all watching the new witch. Greer could tell that even Cosmo wasn’t very fond of her. She would need to ask him about her.
“What the hell was that all about?” Haven asked.
“This Minerva woman must have rubbed Quinn the wrong way. I’ve seen that look before,” Jade said. “And I know that Quinn isn’t going to drop what’s bothering her either.”
“Who is she?” Haven said.
“Scarlett said she was an old friend. I think she’s one of the Old Ones, but Quinn doesn’t like her. That’s obvious. I usually get a vibe from people if they want to hurt me, but I felt nothing when I touched her. That was unusual, to be honest. Minerva is a witch and I should’ve at least felt a nudge from her magic, but not an inch pushed back. Let’s go to town and talk to Quinn and find out what’s wrong and why she doesn’t like this woman,” Greer said.
“Okay, but let’s wait on Cosmo. He was going and wants to take us. Plus, he won't let me out of his sight for long,” Haven said.
“Come see my treehouse. Reed almost has the walls up,” Greer said, walking toward the woods. She needed to change the subject. The feeling of do
om and gloom had taken over, and for some reason, this Minerva was bothering all the women here in New Hope, but nothing seemed to bother her. That was impossible, and Greer needed to find out why. If Aunt Jean had trained her in one thing, it was how to pickup danger. Basically, if someone touched her and she got the wrong vibes, they were probably dangerous.
Greer was taught to run away, but it wasn’t so easy now. She lived in New Hope and never planned on leaving. Not even Minerva Proctor could make her leave.
“Okay, spill it,” Haven insisted. Greer and Jade sat in Cosmo’s truck waiting for the info on Minerva Proctor.
“She’s an Old One like Scarlett and she is a very powerful witch,” Cosmo said.
“And?” Haven asked.
“And what? What do you want to know, my love?”
“You know exactly what we want to know. Why does Quinn hate her? You picked up on what she said. Stop acting like you didn’t see it.”
“Apparently, Minerva showed up in the backyard when Quinn and Scarlett came outside to leave today. Nobody let her in the gate.” Cosmo glanced at her.
“Dun, dun, Duuuun,” Jade sang out. “My brother and Arden are going to go crazy when they hear that. How would she be able to pull that off?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll talk with Lennox when I get to town. He is putting up more cameras.”
“What? More cameras? Why? We have a thousand of them already. He never said anything about that to me,” Jade said, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Now, Jade, you know your mate. He found some spots not covered and put a few more up. Look, guys, we have a lot of people in town everyday and some of them are up to no good. The alphas got together and decided that we would do whatever it took to make sure everyone was safe,” Cosmo said. Greer could hear in his voice that he didn’t care what his mate or Jade thought; their safety was most important. His words were final, and she understood.