“Is it true about the crystal heart part?” I blurted before I could stop myself. Nothing like asking your leader a super personal question. “Sorry, I just… I’ve never met anyone with a Soul Mate.”
“Don’t be sorry. I remember the first time I met Soul Mates when I was twelve. I actually asked them to take their shirts off and show me.” Her smile widened to a full grin that dimpled her porcelain cheeks. She reached up with her left hand and pulled the collar of her blouse to the side to show off the heart-shaped red crystal on her chest. “And yes, the crystal is real. It’s where it starts, though it’s not as obviously heart-shaped as people think.”
I nodded. She was right. When I looked closer, it barely had the dip on the top to make it a heart shape. Apparently when the Soul Mate glyph settled, it crystalized directly above your heart and was always in the red color family. “Aren’t there more crystals in the glyph? I thought I heard that before.”
She dropped her hand and let her shirt fall back into place. “When Soul Mates have children together, a crystal appears in the glyph to represent them. One per child. I don’t have any children, so I only have the one crystal.”
“That’s…cool.” I wanted to ask her more questions about it, simply out of curiosity, but then I spotted a map in her hand and my focus shifted. I frowned. “What is that?”
“The Gathering is a wild party. Parking is difficult to find, and the hike up to the clearing can take hours. Decades ago, the Coven created a parking lot near the top that only a witch would be able to find. Then the hike won’t take even an hour, probably less for someone like you. These are the maps you’ll need to find them. Daniel drew them for you. He’s been there.”
I took the maps she held out and scanned over them. “Timothy said Cards aren’t usually allowed to attend. Why is that?”
She sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Because we have too much power. In a normal year, the spiritual activity is low, enough to entertain the attendees but not enough to warrant widespread attention or fear. When someone of our standing attends, the activity rises. Nothing too frightening has happened yet…but…”
“But after Salem, we don’t like to push it?” I guessed.
“Precisely.” She glanced out the window and pointed. “Timothy has your vehicle ready. I’ve put a charm on the mountain to allow a witch’s cell phone to receive reception even if it says it doesn’t have any. If you have any troubles at all, please don’t hesitate to call.”
“Thank you.”
“And I know Walter is ready to bring you home whenever you get back, but should you wish to wait until morning, I live right across the street at the house with the big red door. My home is open for my Coven at all times. Honestly, I wish I could go up there with you. So does Timothy.”
“I do too. Your hospitality is most appreciated.” I smiled and headed for the side door.
“Between you and I?”
I looked over my shoulder. I didn’t like the way this sounded. “Yes?”
“Listen for the vengeful Fallen’s call.” She paused, perhaps choosing her words wisely. “The Fallen refers to those slain by our kind. They haven’t been seen in a hundred years. I expect that will change tonight. Be prepared for an attack.”
Chapter Eleven
Be prepared for an attack. Constance’s words echoed through my mind as I stood between two raging bonfires and thought about the history of the location. If only the tribe who lived in these mountains had the same kind of warning Constance gave me.
In the 1600s, our race’s sanctuary city of Eden was located just outside of Salem, Massachusetts. There hadn’t been a witch-hunting problem in the new world since they’d arrived, so our people saw no harm in mingling with neighboring human towns…until 1692 when everything went as wrong as possible.
After the original set of witch twins caused the infamous witch trials, our race had to cover it up and relocate Eden. They fled south to the heart of the Smoky Mountains. Unfortunately, the land they chose was inhabited by a tribe of natives and a huge, blood-filled battle followed. The entire tribe was slaughtered. It wasn’t a part of our history we were even remotely proud of. In fact, our Coven leaders at the time were so appalled by their own actions, they refused to settle on the land and moved Eden a couple hours away. They put up spells and charms to protect the mountains and that particular piece of land so no humans could ever destroy it. This Gathering party was intentionally allowed to persist as a way to remind witches of our unforgiveable sins.
Every year, on the anniversary of the night the tribe was slayed, their spirits returned to their fallen place. The clearing itself was all that was left of the tribe’s land, and nothing grew in it except grass and small wildflowers. Some people claimed the clearing was cursed. I didn’t know if I believed it, but standing there, I had to admit I wouldn’t be surprised.
No one had seen any of these spirits in almost a hundred years. Sure, minor paranormal activity was reported, but nothing to alert ghost-hunting reality television shows.
Be prepared for an attack. Constance was right. I’d been unsure until I set foot in the clearing. I felt it in the eerie chill on my neck and the edge in the breeze. The stars twinkled that telltale golden hue from a black, cloudless sky. The pine trees lined the clearing like skyscrapers, but despite the wind, not a branch swayed. Fog seeped closer to the clearing from between the trees like something out of a horror film. All of this I recognized easier than the back of my hand from my experiences on a nightly basis.
I stared at the crowd around me and wondered if they felt anything different, if any of them knew something was about to go down. I’d gotten more comfortable with fighting monsters than cleaning my laundry, but I loathed the waiting. It gave my brain too much time to think.
In the center of the clearing, a collection of snacks and beverages were piled on blankets and left unsupervised. I wasn’t sure if the large object in the middle was a keg or a cauldron, although it was probably both. The communal-style snacks between strangers were surprising. Who supplied them? Did everyone just show up with grub like a potluck Thanksgiving dinner?
A ring of bonfires circled around the snack section, crackling and roaring like a pack of lions. Partygoers mingled from fire to fire. Some people wore normal, everyday clothes and held red Solo cups like they were at a regular college frat party. Some guests rocked wizard robes and long lavish cloaks. Women danced around in Renaissance gowns and guys in…well, I had no idea what they called those outfits. I smiled at all the people, both male and female, who rocked flower crowns, had bare feet with toe rings, and wore crystals on every body part they could. Although, when I got home, I would have to ask someone why there were people wearing fake furry tails…because that had me stumped.
I tried to ignore the people dressed in all black with pentagram necklaces and acting like this was their territory. Sure, there were the occasional Sapiens who had magical abilities or strong spiritual energies, but they weren’t real witches. They just tried to look the way Hollywood depicted witches. Yeah, says the guy wearing all black with a vintage key tied around my neck and a crystal pendulum in my pocket. Did I mention the crystal and hematite dagger in my boot?
Focus, Tennessee. I pushed my long black waves out of my face and tried to rein in my thoughts. The attack was coming…but from where?
I sighed and scrubbed my face with my palms. I’d been so anxious to get here I hadn’t tried to pick Constance’s brain. Smooth move. I considered calling Kessler, but we’d brainstormed all night about it already. I knew everything he knew. Unable to stop myself, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the pendulum. This is becoming a bad habit. I’d used Daniel’s map to the secret parking lot for witches, but once I’d gotten into the woods, the pendulum showed me the way.
With the gold chain between my fingers, I waited for the crystal to stop moving before I tried communicating. “Can you lead me to the clue?”
Nothing happened. I cursed. Of course nothing happe
ned. I stood among a hundred people. Although, I wasn’t sure if humans counted. Like all the other times I tried to use it around people, the purple mist swirled around the crystal like a snake. Those whispered voices echoed in my ears like a hushed choir.
“Okay, okay. I hear you. Give me a second.” I held the stone in front of me while I walked. It seemed rude to shove it back inside in the middle of our conversation. I frowned and eyed the stone. “Maybe I better give you a name if I’m going to keep conversations like this.”
The second my black boots hit the dirt between the towering pine trees, the whispers faded and the mist disappeared.
I stopped and raised the stone. “Would you like a name?”
Yes.
I grinned. At least the stone liked me. Question was…what name? “Is Crystal a lame name for you?”
Yes.
Yeah, too obvious. I could do better. “Rose?”
No.
“Violet?”
NO.
“Penny?”
No.
“Come on, Penny for a pendulum is funny.” I sighed. None of those names worked. It needed to have meaning and importance. A name I connected to like I did the stone itself. Cassandra’s face popped into my mind against my will, but I smiled through the wave of pain in my chest. “George?”
YES.
“Okay, George it is.” I grinned and rocked back on my heels. “George, my friend, am I in the right place to find this next clue?”
No.
My heart sank. Then I realized my mistake. “George, when I go back in the clearing, will I be in the right place?”
Yes.
I rolled my eyes. Smart ass stone. “Can you lead me to the clue?”
No.
Well I should’ve known that one. “Will it be obvious?”
No.
Of course not. “Are the Fallen spirits going to show up tonight?”
Yes.
“Will I need backup?”
No.
I wasn’t sure if I should’ve been relieved or not. “Is it going to happen soon?”
Yes.
I frowned. “Do you know what I’m looking for, George?”
YES.
“But you can’t tell me?”
No.
“Please?”
Yes.
“Really?”
No.
I barked a laughed and shook my head. “Am I losing my mind, George?”
I don’t know.
That made two of us. “I appreciate your honesty, George.” I sighed and glanced over my shoulder at the booming party behind me. “George…are there other witches here tonight?”
Yes.
“Should I go looking for them?”
No.
“Will their presence interfere with my quest?”
No.
Well, that’s good news. “Is there any question I can ask that will actually help me right now?”
NO.
Well, that settles that. “Thanks, George. We’ll talk later.” I carefully tucked the crystal back into my front right pocket and chuckled. I’d just had a conversation with a stone. Perhaps I was losing my mind, or had already lost it. Maybe I’d spent too much time alone recently. No one needed to know I’d named the pendulum, though. I’d never hear the end of it.
With a shake of my head, I headed back into the clearing. Somehow, if even possible, the party seemed to have grown wilder in the few minutes I was gone. The flames grew taller and brighter. The voices grew louder…and the people at the bonfire directly to my left were now dancing arm in arm around the flaming pit.
The circle’s energy called to me. It was pure and innocent, full of happiness and excitement. A feeling I’d never experienced in my life. I walked around the dancing circle, moving in the opposite direction, when my body slammed into something warm. A female voice cursed. I reached forward and caught the girl by the elbows to stop her from falling. Her head snapped up, and our eyes met.
I gasped. My body locked in place. Her eyes were the palest green I’d ever seen in a human being or witch. They looked like the purest of gemstones the earth could make. They looked like peridot, my birthstone. I wanted to lean in close and inspect the tiny flecks of color inside. All of the sounds around me blurred into one distant buzz. Heat rushed through my body and up to my cheeks…and it had nothing to do with the bonfires. My chest ignited, like I’d stepped into the flames. I took a deep breath to rein in my runaway heartbeat. She looked like a wild jungle cat with her dark hair and light eyes. My body went numb, like I was a robot who’d been unplugged from the wall. My heart raced so fast it fluttered like hummingbird wings.
I licked my lips and opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. I didn’t know what to say or do. I didn’t know what day it was, why I was standing by a bonfire, or what my name was. My eyes refused to leave hers. I wanted—no, I needed—to memorize her face. I wanted to hear her voice and feel the heat in her skin.
I wanted to know what was happening inside me. “Hi…” I managed to croak out.
Her mouth opened, and I waited on the edge of my seat to hear her speak. “Hi…” Her voice was soft but packed heat I hadn’t expected. Like expecting silk and getting luxurious cashmere. It was warm and inviting, luring me in like a siren.
Say something.
Anything.
Hi. My name is Tennessee. I love your voice. Your eyes are breathtaking. I’m not usually this creepy… But none of this came out of my mouth. My lips curved into a crooked smile all on their own. My body seemed to have been hijacked by the jungle cat in front of me. Heat radiated off of her skin through her black hoodie and into my palms still holding her elbows. Do you feel this too? Tell me I haven’t completely lost it.
She took a step forward, and my hands slid up her biceps. She reached like she wanted to grab onto me. I desperately wanted her to, and the conviction in the need knocked my focus so off-kilter that I didn’t see the person approach behind her until they slammed right into her back. She gasped and tumbled to the ground. I reached down and pulled her back to her feet. She smiled brighter than the stars above, and it did something funny to the beat of my heart. I wasn’t even sure I was still breathing at that point; the burn in my chest suggested I wasn’t. She opened her mouth to speak when a high-pitched shriek tore through the crowd.
The all too familiar sound forced my brain back into the driver’s seat. I spun on my toes to face the center of the clearing. My ears rang from the scream, but my senses kicked into overdrive.
This is it. I flexed my muscles and rolled to the balls of my feet. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the girl drop to her knees and cover her ears. My body twitched and begged to turn toward her, but I forced myself to ignore it. I was here for a reason.
Bright light flashed and lightning struck the ground three times in a row a few feet in front of me. I took a few steps forward to get a better view of the entire clearing. Lightning bolts hit the dirt one after another without pause, sometimes striking the same spot over and over. We were trapped inside the clearing by Mother Nature’s rage. Thick, sizzling bolts of electricity formed a ring, blocking off all escape routes.
The pine trees that circled the clearing were completely blocked off by a fog so thick it looked solid. The trees were swallowed and lost to my sight. The fog shot straight up into the air and connected with the clouds that hadn’t been there before. I shifted my weight back and forth between my feet so I’d be ready to move in any direction. The bonfires roared like dragons and blazed brighter and higher until the flames stood taller than the forest around us. The heat off the flames rushed over my body. I soaked in its raw energy and let it fuse with mine.
Shock and terror hit the crowd one by one. Little blue bursts flashed like lights being switched on. I ignored the screams and cries of the people around me. Their panicked energy tickled my spine, but I shoved it away. There wasn’t anything I could do for their fear except be ready to fight. If I let my concentration s
lip, they could get hurt. My power rippled through my body, waiting for me to unleash it.
A wave of ice prickled against my right arm half a second before a man shouted in pain. I turned in time to see his long robe light on fire. He scrambled to get it off but wasn’t moving fast enough. Any second, the flames would burn through the material to his skin. I flicked my hand and sent a gust of wind in his direction.
“NO!” A girl’s voice sliced through my concentration.
I gasped and spun on my toes, searching for the girl with gemstone eyes. I found her standing in the same spot she’d been in before, her mouth open. But the scream wasn’t coming from her. Relief hit me like a Mack truck, crumbling my focus into dust. Her lips moved, but it took me a second to process what she was saying. Slow down? What does that mean?
“Hey! Stop!” she yelled and leapt forward. “No!”
I followed her gaze toward the edge of the clearing just as lightning ripped through a woman in a Renaissance dress. Her pained shriek pierced through the haze in my brain, and I snapped to attention. Damn it, Tennessee. A person in a black-hooded cloak ran by me in a mad dash for the forest.
“No! Stop!” The girl next to me shouted again.
I aimed my energy at the fleeing form. Lightning struck the ground at the person’s feet like a sharpshooter with a split-second delay. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the girl next to me duck down and cover her eyes, like she didn’t want to see someone else get struck. Not on my watch. I threw my palms out and pushed a gust of wind at the person’s side and sent them crashing to the dirt with a heavy thud just as lightning blasted the spot they’d been in. They didn’t move even an inch, but my hyper senses caught the beating of their heart.
I exhaled and my breath billowed in front of me like a white cloud. Arctic chills prickled against my exposed skin, but the power racing through my body prevented the cold from hitting me. All around me, puffs of smoke escaped people’s mouths as the temperature in the clearing plunged below freezing. Any second, the ground would turn to ice. Fire wasn’t my element, I couldn’t control it, but I could control the air around it. I held my hands out to the side and drew the fire’s energy toward me. With a swirl of my fingers, I pulled out little flames the size of quarters and pushed them through the air to bring the temperature to a safe temperature for summer clothing. I needed them to not get frostbite or hypothermia before I saved their lives.
The Chosen Witch Page 10