by Amy Star
“I have at least ten pairs of jeans at home, but I must admit I have a flair for the dramatic. All of my sisters and I do.”
“How many do you have?” It seemed like the polite thing to ask.
“No blood sisters but two coven sisters,” Edwina explained. “You will meet them soon.”
“Are they heart witches as well?”
Edwina and Holly walked side by side into the woods, sticking to one of the thin hiking trails that ribboned through the mountains.
“No.” Edwina shook her shiny red hair.
Holly waited for her to continue, but that was all the information the heart witch was willing to give about her sisters.
“What sort of help are you offering?” Holly asked.
“Guidance, if it’s necessary,” Edwina replied. “I want to know where you stand. My coven sisters and I need to know if we’re at risk.”
“This is a fight between bear clans. How does that involve witches?”
“We are of this earth, aren’t we? We are beings of both the natural and unnatural worlds?”
The Maiden used similar words just last night. It couldn’t have been a coincidence.
“Are the dark shifters a danger to you and your sisters?”
“Anything that threatens the balance is a danger to us. Magic comes from the energies around us. If those are thrown into chaos, magic can become unpredictable and dangerous.”
“I thought shifters didn’t have magic,” Holly said.
Edwina made a face. “Where did you learn that?”
“The men told me as much when they revealed their abilities to me. They said shifters possess enough only to change forms, but even that is incredibly taxing.”
“While that is somewhat true, there is nothing preventing a shifter from acquiring magic. It’s not an easy feat, to be sure, but it’s not impossible.”
“Do the dark shifters have magic?” That was the last damn thing Holly needed right now. Her staff wasn’t going to stop a magical fireball from charring her to bits. Did magic users even use fire, or was that only in the movies?
“Not that I’ve been able to detect,” Edwina said. “Though our definitions of dark shifters may differ.”
Holly let out a long sigh. She didn’t want to mince words with a witch in the woods at midnight. “Does anyone who wants to shed their humanity in favor of living as a morally depraved, super-powered-bear bastard have access to magic?”
“No.”
“Good. That’s one less thing for me to worry about.”
“But you do stand against the dark shifters, don’t you?”
“That’s an odd thing to ask.” Holly frowned. “Yes, of course, I do.”
“I only ask because my sisters and I know one of the Silver Spruce firstborns has fallen in with them.”
“Fallen in? The prick leads them,” Holly muttered.
“That may not be the case,” Edwina replied.
Holly stopped dead in her tracks. “What do you mean? I spent a week locked up in the silver mine at his command.”
“There is a veil between Silver Spruce and Golden Oak. It was put in place after the tragedy fifteen years ago.”
“A veil?”
“My predecessor, the heart witch who came before me, believed the dark shifters in Golden Oak used magic to discern the best time to attack Silver Spruce. She and her coven created the veil so that Golden Oak could not use magic against us. The spell was so powerful, it killed off half the coven.”
“I’m sorry.” Holly nodded solemnly.
“Thank you.” Edwina bowed her head. “Unfortunately, veils work two ways. Golden Oak cannot use magic to spy on us, and we cannot do the same to them.”
“Can’t you just…walk into town?” Holly asked.
“There is no physical barrier between Silver Spruce and Golden Oak. However, walking into the other’s territory would be seen as an act of war now that the dark shifters are gathering strength again.”
“But that’s already been done,” Holly exclaimed. “Golden Oak shifters are in Silver Spruce right now. They’re hiding in the old silver mines.”
“But the shifter running the operation in the mines is from Silver Spruce.”
“Then that makes him a traitor, doesn’t it?”
“Or a puppet.” Edwina’s expression darkened. “There have been great disturbances in the forest. The animals sense it. Listen now. Do you hear anything?”
Holly listened to the forest. She didn’t hear sounds of skittering animals and birdcalls that she’d grown accustomed to.
“The animals have fled,” Edwina said. “My sisters and I tracked the disturbances to the edge of our borders. I believe the source is in Golden Oak, but I can’t verify that for myself.”
“What sort of disturbances?” Holly asked.
“Energy fluctuations. Bursts of raw, magical energy. This town sits on a ley line, you know? The air is literally alive with magic.”
Holly stared at Edwina, confused. “I don’t know what that is.”
“They are natural lines that run across the earth. Stonehenge sits on a convergence of them, as do the pyramids. Think of them as linear rivers that carry the earth’s energy from one place to another.”
“Does the ley line run through Golden Oak?”
“No.” Edwina shook her head. “I believe that’s why the Golden Oak clans desire Silver Spruce territory. They want access to the natural energies.”
“What can I do about that?”
“I’m not sure. That’s why I come to you now. I want to offer help, but you, as the vessel of the Maiden, must tell me how.”
“I need a moment to think,” Holly mumbled as she retreated into her mind.
Are you hearing this?
I am, said the voice of the Maiden. Let this teach you that putting a wall between myself and your consciousness is useless if you do not maintain it.
I have something more pressing to think about at the moment. Holly bit back her annoyance. What should I ask the witch for?
Let this be another lesson.
“For fuck’s sake,” Holly muttered.
“I’m sorry?” Edwina sputtered.
“I wasn’t talking to you.”
You’re making me look like a crazy person.
No, you are the one who lacks control. Your second lesson today will be one of judgment. You must decide what to ask of the witch. You will get no advice from me.
“Unbelievable.” Holly sighed. “You may as well blindfold me while I’m at it.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand.” Edwina put another foot of distance between herself and Holly.
Great, now the witch with coin eyes thinks I’m a lunatic, Holly thought to herself but was certain the Maiden could hear her.
“It’s a long story,” Holly said. “But I know what I require from you.”
“I will assist if I can.”
“I want to know who I can trust,” she said. “I want to know if someone is going to betray me or is being dishonest before I even speak to them.”
“Trust spells are difficult,” Edwina said slowly. “I will need both of my coven sisters to do it.”
“But can it be done?”
“It can with the right sacrifice.”
“Whoa, what?” Holly’s steps faltered. “What kind of sacrifice? I’m not killing anyone for this.”
“You won’t need to kill anyone, but an exchange of power will be necessary. Is the trust spell all you require?”
“I want some kind of protection spell for Johnny, Keller, Garret, and Loch. They’ve done everything for me, and I will do whatever I can to make sure they’re safe.”
“It is difficult to make a protection spell when I don’t know the exact threat, but there are things I can do. I will find you soon to collect payment.”
“You can’t do your power exchange or whatever now?” Holly asked.
“I could, but it’s a lengthy process, and we don’t have time. We’re being watched.”
/> Holly’s blood went cold. Her gaze darted around the dark forest, but she saw nothing. Hardly any moonlight penetrated the thick canopy.
“What’s watching us?” Holly said, too scared to even whisper.
“Not a what. A who. Return to your home. It’s just behind us.”
“But we’ve walked so far.”
“Trust me. I kept us close for this reason.”
“Come with me,” Holly said. “I’ll bring you in the house. You’ll be safe.”
“Thank you for the offer.” Edwina smiled. “But if I return with you, who will keep our stalkers away from the house?”
Stalkers. Plural.
Holly swallowed hard.
“I take it you want your eye back?”
“That would be lovely.”
Holly reached into her pocket and retrieved the coin. She pressed it into Edwina’s waiting hand.
“Run back to the house. Do not turn around for anything, not even if you hear me scream.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Run, now!” Edwina barked just as a guttural roar tore from somewhere between the trees, far too close for Holly’s comfort.
She turned and ran in the direction of the house, or so she hoped. She heard Edwina cry out then felt a powerful ripple of energy tear through the air. As much as she wanted to look over her shoulder, she resisted.
Until she heard something crash through the woods directly behind her.
Unable to stop herself, she looked back.
A huge black bear chased after her. Even in the dark forest, she could see the pink scar along the length of its face. Its teeth glistened in the moonlight as the distance between them shrunk with each stride.
Holly clutched her staff and said a silent prayer to the Maiden.
She turned just enough to clearly see the shifter and swung. Her staff cracked against the side of its face hard enough to splinter the wood. Startled, the shifter faltered. Holly faced forward and ran as hard as she could.
She could see the house now as well as four figures on the deck.
Johnny, Garret, Keller, and Loch leaped from the deck as soon as she came into view.
“Loch, get her inside. You can’t be seen. The rest of you with me!”
Johnny, Garret, and Keller shifted into their bear forms while Loch scooped up Holly.
He ran faster than any average human should be able to and bore her weight like she was nothing. He ran around to the front of the house and shoved his way through the door.
Once safely inside, he bolted the door and pressed his palm against the wood.
Holly watched, wide-eyed, as he murmured something in a language she’d never heard before. When he removed his hand, a symbol glowed faintly before seeping into the wood.
“What the hell was that?” Holly demanded.
Loch whirled on her, his eyes burning with anger. “You don’t get to ask questions right now. What the hell were you doing in the woods?”
“That was magic!” Holly pointed at the door. “You can do magic!”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN—Holly
“First off, that wasn’t magic.” Loch ran a hand through his hair as he paced the room.
“Something glowed that doesn’t normally glow. What else do you call that?”
“A rune,” he said as if it should be obvious. “Tons of runes were built into this house. I just activated one, that’s all. You don’t need magic to activate the rune because it’s already soaked in it.”
“What does it do?”
“In layman’s terms, it zaps whoever enters the house uninvited. It’ll come in handy in case that big bad shifter you made friends with in the woods decides to follow you home. Which brings me back to my question, what the hell were you doing out there?”
“I was talking to the witch who made the concealment spell for the house,” she replied. “She wants to help.”
“At a cost, I’m sure,” Loch scoffed. “Johnny’s going to have a field day when he finds out. I’m more than happy to let him clean up that mess.”
“I didn’t make a mess!”
“Holly.” Loch pressed his fingertips into the bridge of his nose. “I think you’re the most amazing woman on the planet, but you have no idea what you’re doing.”
“Gee, really?” Holly made a show of scratching her head. “If only I had tried to tell someone that sooner. Oh, wait! I’ve been saying that for weeks now! Of course, I don’t know what I’m fucking doing.”
Loch’s eyes went wide as Holly’s temper exploded.
“Is there some unwritten rule that I don’t get to learn about anything until I smack into it? Or maybe there’s a rule that everything has to be as cryptic and mystical as possible, hmm? Is that it?”
“Hey.” Loch’s voice dropped to a soothing rumble. He gathered a pacing Holly into his arms.
She didn’t fight him.
“I’m sorry for snapping,” he said. “You just scared the life out of me.”
“I tend to do that a lot,” she muttered. “The others should’ve given you a crash course. Shouldn’t you go to help them? I’m worried.”
“Even the nastiest shifter out there can’t win a three on one fight. If that witch is out there too, I’m sure he’s already running for the mines.”
Sure enough, Holly soon heard the others coming up the porch steps. She opened the door for them, ready to dispense hugs and apologies as necessary.
Keller was the first through the door. As soon as he saw her, he wrapped his arms around her, crushing her to his chest. “Are you all right?” he asked, pressing kisses into her hair and forehead.
Holly tipped her face to speak but instead received a full kiss on the mouth. She felt his fear and urgency through his kiss. She kissed him back, hoping to soothe his worries.
When they broke apart, he didn’t release her from his embrace.
Holly didn’t mind. She felt unsteady after her run through the woods. She needed the support.
“You’re shaking,” Keller murmured.
“Keep me upright?” Holly replied, only half-joking.
“Can someone tell me what Edwina was doing in the woods outside of our house?” Johnny demanded.
“Edwina?” Garret asked. “I didn’t see her.”
“I smelled her magic in the air. All witches have a magic scent, if you will. I’ve been around them enough to know hers.” Johnny fixed Holly in his gaze. “Care to share?”
“She wants to help,” Holly explained. “She offered to make protection spells for the four of you and a trust spell for me.”
“Trust spell?” Loch’s brow furrowed. “Why do you need that?”
“Because you’re living in the house,” Johnny muttered.
“You know what?” Loch stormed toward Johnny.
“Stop!” Holly pled.
Loch halted on command.
“If we’re gathering an army to fight on my behalf, I need to know that every single person who joins us is someone I can trust.”
“That’s why we’re gathering them for you,” Keller pointed out.
“But people can lie. Someone could take advantage of your trust to get to me,” she replied. “That’s why I asked for the trust spell.”
“I wish you hadn’t done that,” Johnny groaned. “Witches are trickier than lawyers. Did she ask for anything in return?”
“Only an exchange of power as payment. She said the spells I’ve asked for are draining.”
“Did you specify any terms?”
Holly shook her head.
Johnny clenched his fists.
“Okay.” He sighed. “I’ll fix it. We’ll go to their witchy lair tomorrow and work everything out.”
“I don’t see why Edwina would try to trick me.” Holly shrugged.
The men exchanged a look.
“Maybe it’s a good thing you’ve asked for a trust spell,” Keller said. “You’re too eager to see the good in everyone.”
“It’s a good thing,” Loch
countered. “Otherwise, she’d be just like me.”
Holly couldn’t help but laugh. “What happened to the shifter that chased me?” she asked.
“He ran off,” Garret snarled. “Shame. I wanted to give him another scar.”
“Do you know who it was?”
“I didn’t recognize him,” Keller said. The others muttered similar sentiments. “Loch, you were cozy with the dark shifters for a moment. Know anyone with a scar?”
“Cozy isn’t the word I’d use,” Loch sneered. “But no. I don’t.”
“You were this close to being useful,” Johnny snapped.
“Johnny,” Holly murmured. “Easy.”
They locked eyes. The rage simmering in Johnny’s gray-green gaze cooled.
“I’m sorry,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m a little on edge. That shifter came way too close, and Edwina could claim our lives to satisfy her power exchange.”
“What?” Holly blurted.
“Don’t worry.” Johnny held up his hands. “I told you, I’m going to fix it. Just promise me you won’t make any more deals with witches after this?”
“Deal.” She nodded.
Exhaustion swept through her like a tidal wave.
Keller must’ve sensed her change in energy levels, for he held her closer.
“I think it’s time we all go to bed,” Keller said. “Tomorrow is going to be…interesting.”
“I’ll stay up and keep watch,” Garret offered. “If that shifter got close enough to figure out where the house is, he’ll come back with help. I want to be awake when that happens.”
“Thank you, Garret,” Holly said.
“I’ll relieve you at dawn,” Loch offered. “I’ll be up anyway.”
Garret nodded his thanks.
After bidding everyone goodnight, Holly made her way up to her room, wondering why she was so good at making a mess of everything.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN—Holly
Dusk fell as Holly and Johnny climbed into his truck.
“Why did we wait until so late in the day?” Holly asked, eyeing the dark forest nervously.
“Witches are nocturnal,” Johnny explained.
“Oh!” Holly’s brows shot up. “Yeah, I probably should’ve been able to puzzle that one out for myself. Edwina showed up at midnight, but I thought that was to set the mood.”