Crossroads Magic

by TJ Green

  "Not true," she remonstrated. "But I'll start."

  Between them they told the others about Hecate and the standing stones, and then Briar talked about her experience with the Green Man, but it wasn't long before Avery's head started to nod.

  "You're tired. We need to go home," Alex said.

  Reuben jumped to his feet. "Bed sounds good. Let's get rid of my magic wall of mist and we'll see what's happening out there. Give me a moment." He disappeared into the trees and within minutes they heard shouts, laughter, and music. Lights appeared at the edge of the wood as the campsite reappeared. There was a gap where Rafe and Mairi's van had been parked a few meters away from Caitlin's destroyed van, but Corbin's was still there, looking completely untouched.

  Corbin walked away from the fire as Alex quickly doused it. "Their van! Where is it?"

  "All gone! Maybe you won't have much explaining to do after all," El said.

  One of the performers walked towards Corbin, the greasepaint now wiped from his face. "Corbin! There you are. We've been looking for you. It was another good night. Are you coming for a drink?" He looked beyond him. "Who are your friends?"

  "Just some locals, they're heading home now," Corbin explained, and he raised his hand to them. "I'll see you soon."

  They watched him leave, and it was clear the performer had no concerns about the wood that had suddenly materialised.

  "That answers that, then," Reuben noted, and he slung his arms around El's shoulders as he led the way across the castle grounds.

  25

  The following day, the five White Haven witches met in the early afternoon in front of Hawk House, El's old family home, and they walked to the edge of the hill to look down on the castle and the circus.

  Alex let out a short laugh. "Look at the size of that!"

  "I don't think I'm ever going to get used to it," El said, as they stared at the newly created wood below them.

  Reuben whistled. "That is quite unexpected. It's bigger than I thought."

  The wood stretched from the back of the campsite, starting more or less by the hedge, cutting over the corner where Caitlin's van had been, and spread to the entire field beyond it. It finally stopped at the roads that bordered it to the top and the side, and ran to the cliff's edge on the other end. Most of the castle was unaffected, other than the remnants of the wall at the rear corner.

  "Unbelievable," Avery said, taking it all in. "If you hadn't had your magic wall of mist up, sealing the area off, it might have spread the other way, too, Reuben."

  "Maybe. I did have to work really hard to keep it going once the Green Man did his thing."

  They all watched Briar, who stood quietly taking in the scene below her.

  "Are you okay?" El asked her.

  She nodded and finally looked at them, her eyes haunted. "I'm fine. I think I have a Green Man hangover. I've barely slept, even though I'm exhausted. I had the weirdest dreams."

  "Like what?" Avery asked.

  "I was still in the wood, and I saw strange things---dryads, satyrs, sprites, and other things I can't explain. Maybe it was like when you kept seeing the crossroads, Avery?"

  Avery nodded. "Maybe. Although, I'm glad to say that did not happen for me last night, and I slept like the dead."

  "Is the mark still on your hand?" El asked.

  "All gone," she said, showing them her unmarked palm. "Which is quite a relief. I thought being soul-yoked might mean forever."

  "Come on," Reuben prompted them. "I want to get down there and walk in it."

  Fifteen minutes later, after they had navigated the lanes, they pulled up next to a gate in the hedge and walked into the newly formed ancient woodland. As soon as they were beneath its broad branches, a deep, dreamy silence enveloped them, broken only by birdsong.

  "It really does feel old," Alex said, as they walked along a barely there path, which was more of an animal track than anything made by humans.

  Thick moss covered patches of ground and the occasional fallen branch lay rotting in deep shadow. Shafts of sunlight pierced the canopy, and the farther in they walked, the quieter the wood became.

  "This is insane," Reuben murmured, as he pushed back overhanging branches. "You really outdid yourself, Briar."

  "It's got nothing to do with me."

  "Not true," Avery said. "You allowed him to do this. You helped him break free."

  "We all did," she replied. "He was using our White Haven magic. That's why the spring came early. I just gave him a nudge in the right direction."

  El swatted another branch away. "Has anyone said anything to you guys about this?"

  "No one!" Alex said. "Just like we were promised."

  They paused in a small clearing, enjoying the pale rays of the sun, and Avery asked, "Has this place got a name?"

  Reuben laughed. "It sure has. I Googled it earlier. It's called Ravens' Wood."

  "No way!" Avery said, astonished.

  "It's there, on the map, just like it's been here forever."

  Avery turned slowly, squinting as she peered into the wood's murky depths. "I thought I saw a dryad last night."

  "You probably did," Briar told her. "That fey magic you channelled for a while allowed that to happen. I think there are more of them, too---although I doubt we'll ever see them."

  El's eyes were shining, and she was almost bouncing with excitement. "We were part of something astonishing last night. This is where we should have our solstice celebrations from now on. What do you think?"

  "I think that's a brilliant idea," Reuben said. "But I have a feeling it's going to be popular with everyone."

  A shimmer of movement disturbed them, and they turned swiftly, hands raised, but it was only Shadow doing her usual fey appearance trick. She leaned against the trunk of the closest tree, grinning at them.

  "This is officially my favourite place in White Haven. How are you all?"

  "Pretty good," Avery admitted. "What about you?"

  "I'm aching a little. I haven't had such a good fight in a long time---even against Gabe."

  El walked over and hugged her. "Thanks for last night, Shadow. We couldn't have done this without you."

  Although Shadow looked uncomfortable at first, she eventually responded, giving El a quick hug in return. "Thank you, sister."

  "Things go well with Harlan?" Reuben asked, a wry smile on his face.

  Shadow looked impish. "Very well, thank you. He's a very generous man."

  "Of course he is," Alex said. "I'm sure you'll have a beautiful friendship."

  Shadow pushed away from the tree. "A girl's got to keep herself busy, and that's all I have to say on that."

  "Fair enough," Avery said laughing, and then quickly sobered. "I'm sorry you're stuck here, though. I can't imagine how that must feel."

  Shadow's eyes darkened to a stormy blue. "I'll survive. At least now I have this place---a taste of home."

  "Is it really?" Briar asked. "It feels magical to us, but does it to you, too?"

  "It does." She spread her arms wide and turned slowly. "The Green Man will always be strong here, a little oasis of fey magic. Something to feed my soul if there are dark days ahead. I have a feeling there are things hidden here that only I can find." Her eyes lit up again.

  She was irrepressible, Avery thought, feeling a flood of affection for her.

  "Well, this is great," Reuben declared, "but now I'm starving. Let's head to the pub for a late lunch. Magic is hungry work."

  ***

  Early on the following Saturday, the final night of the circus's stay in White Haven, Avery entered the back room of Happenstance Books. However, she didn't beat Sally, who was already there and putting the coffee machine on.

  "Have you moved in and I don't know about it?" Avery asked, watching her work.

  Sally laughed. "Not likely. You know me, the kids wake early and I've abandoned them to Sam. He gets the joy of sorting them out on a Saturday. Has Alex moved in yet?"

  Avery grinned sheepishly. "His
sofa arrives today. Reuben's going to help him load mine into the back of my van, and then take mine to his place and do a swap. But he's already moved his clothes, and toiletries, and books and stuff. They're picking up more boxes today."

  Sally hugged her. "That's fantastic. I'm so pleased for you. I like Alex, I always have, but I've told you that before."

  "I know. All those months ago, and you were right."

  Sally gave her a final squeeze before releasing her. "I always am. Heard anything else from Shadow?"

  "She's been suspiciously quiet, probably setting up some new business venture with Harlan."

  "The American?" Sally asked, as she finished preparing the coffee.

  "Yeah, and I haven't seen him, either."

  "Maybe he left as soon as he'd got the ring."

  Avery nodded. "He probably did. If it was so precious, his buyer wouldn't want to wait."

  Sally leaned against the counter, her expression thoughtful. "And what about Caspian?"

  "Nothing all week. I guess he's busy. We asked him if he wanted to come with us tonight, but he says he'll be away on business for a while."

  "Good. I think he needs to get away."

  Avery mulled over what she was thinking, but in the end said it anyway. "I feel guilty, like I've led him on, and that it's my fault he developed these feelings for me."

  "Don't be ridiculous. You've done no such thing. It's very obvious that you love Alex, and that he loves you, and you two moving in together makes that very clear. Caspian's a grown man, Avery, not a kid. He'll move on. This is his way of doing that."

  Avery nodded. "I guess so. I feel I've driven him away."

  Sally rolled her eyes. "Stop being a drama queen. How's Alex doing?"

  "Being calm and rational as usual, and very pleased about moving in. He's up there right now reorganising the kitchen, which is why I'm here. He says my cupboards are as disorderly as my mind. Cheeky sod."

  Sally sniggered. "It's part of your charm."

  "Oh, don't you start!"

  "Start what?" Dan said, catching the end of the conversation as he barrelled through the door.

  "Criticising my organisation skills."

  "They are legendary for their nonexistence," Dan admitted. "But it's okay, that's why you have us."

  Avery folded her arms. "Don't you start, either. I'm not a child!"

  "That is not what we're saying. It's what allows you to be such a creative witch," he said as he took his jacket off. "Anything you can do about the cold?"

  "No. It's February, suck it up."

  Sally poured them all coffees and passed one to each of them. "I miss the Green Man. Do you think he'll come back?"

  Avery sipped her drink, enjoying its sweet warmth. "I doubt it, not like that again, anyway. All the green shoots in my garden have got frost damage, and the early spring warmth has gone. Every now and again, I feel he's here, looking over my shoulder."

  "What about Briar? How's she doing?" Sally asked.

  Both she and Dan knew that Briar had become the Green Man for a few hours over a week ago.

  "It's changed her. She sort of carries this Otherness now, and her magic is even stronger. You should see her garden, and her allotment! She showed me a few days ago. The other gardeners think she has magical compost. They're not wrong, but not quite in the way they think! Hunter arrived last night. I think she needs him now more than ever. He's good for her."

  "So he's going tonight, too?" Dan asked.

  Avery nodded. "We all are. Corbin has given us free tickets. I can't wait."

  Sally said, "Caitlin's disappearance doesn't seem to have ruined the show. Everyone still loves it, from what I've heard."

  "You're right, and the performers are happier, too, although I don't think they actually remember her anyway. Or Rafe and Mairi."

  "I must admit, I have trouble remembering them," Dan said, his forehead wrinkling with concentration. "If you didn't keep telling me, I wouldn't give them a second thought. I can't even picture what they look like."

  Avery stared at them both, as she prepared to ask the question she'd been repeating all week. "And you're sure that wood has been there, next to the castle, all along?"

  Sally and Dan exchanged a glance, and Sally said, "One hundred percent. You can't magic an entire wood overnight, not ancient woodland!"

  "But the Green Man did!" Avery insisted. "You know about him, you can remember that much."

  Dan grabbed a biscuit to dunk into his coffee. "Of course. We're not idiots." He winked at Avery. "But I like the fact that you're trying to tell us it just appeared overnight. Another layer of mystery to White Haven. But trust me, it has enough already."

  Unbelievable. The Raven King had effectively made three people disappear, and the Green Man had spelled an entire wood into existence. Their magic was insanely powerful. No one had questioned the appearance of the ancient wood. No one. Not the locals, the visitors, the circus folk, or the news. If they weren't there during the spell, it hadn't happened.

  She nodded, giving up. "You're right, it has. I'm just messing with you."

  "You look better, though," Dan continued. "You've finally caught up on your sleep."

  "I have. The crossroads no longer appear in my head every time I close my eyes, and my magic is back to its normal self."

  "And your fey magic has gone?" Sally asked.

  "Completely, which is probably a good thing. It was very odd," Avery reflected, remembering how she could feel and see things that weren't really there---not in her world, anyway. "I'm enjoying normality. Speaking of which, I'm going to open up and refresh my spells." She left them to walk through her shop, enjoying its peace and security as she mulled over the latest crazy happenings in White Haven.

  ***

  It was dark when Avery arrived at the circus with Alex, and they parked at the normal car park rather than down the lane behind the hedge.

  "This is already feeling weird," Avery told him.

  Alex laughed. "We can walk across the fields if you prefer."

  "The car park is just fine," she said as she exited the car. "I'm hoping we can enjoy the show like ordinary people."

  "Got the tickets?"

  She patted her bag. "In my purse. I gave the others theirs earlier, so we'll meet them in there."

  As they walked up the path to the castle and the entrance of the circus, it was clear that the circus hadn't suffered from losing the magic of the Raven King and The Green Man. There were as many people milling around as on the first night. A few circus performers were entertaining the crowds---a juggler sent balls whirling in a bewildering show of skill as he balanced on a unicycle, a young man was walking on his hands, and a female acrobat dressed as a dryad cart-wheeled and back-flipped at the edge of the crowd.

  They made their way under the arched entrance at the beginning of the path, the fake standing stones looking over them like guards. There were still ravens at the castle, and one was perched on top of one of the stones, cawing loudly as they passed by. Avery gave an involuntary jump.

  "Bad memories?" Alex asked, pulling her close.

  She shook her head. "It was the raven at the crossroads that made me act so quickly. It was like the Raven King himself was watching over me."

  Alex kissed her forehead. "He probably was. He's very resourceful."

  "Speaking of which." Avery pointed to the entrance of the Big Top, where the tent sides were pulled back, revealing a glimpse of a shadowy interior. To the side, welcoming the crowd, stood Corbin as the Raven King. His costume still looked amazing, and when he saw them, he lifted his caped and feathered arms, shouting, "Welcome to the Crossroads Circus!"

  The screeching sound of hundreds of ravens filled the air, and the light show flashed images of dark wings across the tent behind him. They smiled at him as they passed, but didn't speak. There were too many people around, and it would have ruined the illusion, but he looked their way, and for the briefest of moments, Avery thought his eyes turned inky black, before
people came between them, obscuring him from view. She strained to look back. Did his eyes change for a moment, or did she imagine it?

  As soon as Avery entered the tent, she knew for certain. The Raven King was still there, and it was still his circus. She felt like an excited child again as she made her way to her seat, Alex's warm hand in her own, to watch the old myths come to life.

  Thanks for reading Crossroads Magic.

  Please make an author happy, and leave a review! Thank you.

  Author's Note

  Thank you for reading Crossroads Magic, the sixth book in the White Haven Witches series.

  After the crazy evil of the vampires in the last book, I fancied turning to the old myths again, specifically the Raven King and the Green Man. I had an idea for a circus with a twist, and thought this was a great way to bring these myths to White Haven. The Green Man and the Raven King have special places in English mythology, and are familiar and beloved figures. I couldn't wait to have them interact with White Haven magic.

  As usual, my characters continue to grow and change, and I thought it was only natural that Alex and Avery's relationship should evolve, but of course Caspian did, too. I'm sure there'll be more to come of his story!

  I'm very fond of my new character, Shadow, and I think Harlan Beckett could become a new favourite, too. These two, and the Nephilim of course, will get their own spin-off series, and I'm going to start working on that soon.

  I hope you enjoyed our new enemy, Caitlin. The Empusa is a real myth as well, and I love crossroads magic, so what a perfect fit!

  There will be seventh book, but not just yet, and later in the year I'll put books 4-6 in one package called White Haven Winter. I'll keep you updated on the release information. Join my readers' group by going to https://tjgreen.nz/to keep up to date, or follow my Facebook page. I post there reasonably frequently.

  Thanks again to Fiona Jayde Media for my awesome cover, and thanks to Kyla Stein at Missed Period Editing for applying her fabulous editing skills.