“I think so.” I giggled, tilting my head to the side to look at him.
“Then I’m glad he didn’t see me do this.” His voice deepened as he spun me in his arms.
I grinned at the amused look in his eyes as I reached up to push the hair off his forehead. The mischief and merriment that had been there before turned to heat as he tilted his head and he took my lips in a sizzling kiss that stole my breath away.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I sighed blissfully. When the kiss ended, we both struggled to breathe, our foreheads falling together. With a grin, Braxton kissed the tip of my nose.
“He is right. Your control is amazing based on the small amount of time you’ve had to learn.”
Running a hand up and down my arm, I tilted my head up just a little bit. “I do believe I have you to thank for a lot of this newfound control.” I smirked at him.
He chuckled. "And I am happy to have obliged, my fair lady.”
I grinned. “You say the most outrageous things.”
His smile was infectious as he nodded. “I do. To guarantee that I see that beautiful smile of yours.” He kissed me lightly again.
“Mmm. How did I get so lucky to find you?” I murmured across his lips.
“You walked onto my beach, that’s how.”
“You two are so disgustingly cute,” Bess’s voice rang out.
Both of us turned to look at her beaming brightly.
“What? It’s true.” She shrugged nonchalantly at us, then winked.
Once again, I was laughing and so was Braxton. We reluctantly let go of each other. I walked over to Bess to hug her this time.
Bess was my best friend since forever and a day. This girl knew what was going on with my life. Bess refused to stay away, often coming over to check on me. She loved that I was coming into a new power set and thought it was exciting. I adored her for it because she wasn’t afraid of me. I sent a silent thank you to the Great Divine over that one because I’m not sure that I could have gone through all of this without her.
“Baxter let you out of his sight?” I queried, quirking an eyebrow at her in amusement.
“As if.” I heard his voice before he walked into the room.
Baxter and Braxton exchanged greetings as Bess and I chuckled.
“How goes it?” Baxter asked, looking right at me.
I shrugged, looking to Braxton before answering.
“As good as can be, I guess.”
“Well, we’re here to discuss birthday plans!” Bess gushed, grabbing Baxter’s hand and squeezing it tight. Baxter rolled his eyes and she swatted his arm.
My eighteenth birthday was in just a few days. It was a big day, the day a witch of age got written into the great book of the covens and recognized as a full-fledged witch.
The thought of this happening made me shiver. Braxton saw the involuntary movement and he moved closer, wrapping an arm around me from behind. He brought his lips to my ear.
“You okay?”
I nodded. His calm wrapped around me again, and I was so grateful because the thought of the coven finding out that I was a weather witch made me shiver.
It was as if he knew what I was thinking when he said, “The book knowing what kind of witch you are making you nervous?”
“Well, damn. Some friend I am for not thinking of that.” Bess sounded distressed. “And here I am trying to make a huge deal out of your birthday by planning this party and you’re full of worry about it all.”
Baxter grabbed her hand and tried to make light of it all. “But that’s nothing! It’s a drop of blood and the book does all the rest for you.” He frowned, shrugging it all off.
If Bess’s eyes could have gotten any wider, they would have looked like saucers. After that, it was as if she figure it all out, slapping Baxter’s arm as he flinched in surprise.
“What? What did I do?” he asked, his voice high-pitched and loud.
“Insensitive jerk. The blood in the book tells everyone in the coven what kind of witch she is,” Bess said, her words coming slow like she was trying to explain it to a simpleton. She walked over to me and squeezed my arm.
Baxter got it after that. “And with that comes the possibility of the coven deciding to take you away …” His words faded in a hushed tone. “Oh, Sky. I’m sorry.”
Tears filled my eyes. Must not cry, must not cry.
I turned around in Braxton’s embrace, burying my face into his chest.
“I’ll keep you safe. Go ahead and cry.” He kissed the top of my head. Serenity washed over me and I cried because I was terrified of what the coven elders might do.
Chapter Two
Brantlee Stratan
The meeting of the coven elders was in progress, and I sat there listening to everyone even though my attention is elsewhere thinking of the ever-growing powers that my daughter now has. I admit that I’m nervous about what the coven might do when they finally realized there is a new weather witch within their midst and that I have been withholding the information. Perhaps I could have asked to step down from the council, even if I am one of the most powerful members on it. Many were nervous, wary of me and of my wife.
I did not want to see my daughter taken away from me or her mother. Sky is going to be eighteen in just a few days and about to leave her blood mark within the great coven book of witches. There could be no more hiding this secret then. The great book was a gift from the great divine. The magic inside it came in spades, and it always knew, always placed and recorded witches.
Every time a witch was born, an open entry appeared in the book. It was not until the week before the witches’ birthdays that their names appeared. But the telling magic of the book was when the witches’ single drop of blood hit the book. Then it would shimmer and tell the world what kind of witch the person was.
I shifted in my seat in a nervous gesture thinking about what they would do to Sky when the book showed the world that she was a weather witch. Though I have to admit, my daughter was showing much more control than I ever thought possible for a newly minted weather witch. Any weather witch the world had seen before in the past had been taught by an early age. Not only that, but most weather witches were not as strong or as rare as Sky was with it being attached so strongly to emotion.
“Now I would like to bring up the rumors that there is a possibility of a new weather witch,” a deep, rich voice spoke, breaking me from my reverie.
My head snapping up in attention, my gaze locked on Vincent Cromwell, who happened to be a long-time friend. The Cromwells and the Stratans had always been tight-knit friends and even more so when our children had been dating. Unfortunately, when Nick cheated on Sky, their relationship became strained. Jordan came by the house from time to time, which was good, but sadly things were still awkward.
“Weather witch?” Whispers flowed around the room.
“There have been no young children showing signs of this ability,” a female voice scoffed.
“Rumor is that this is not a child at all.” Vincent sounded slightly smug as he looked down his nose at me, then settled back into his chair with careful ease. “Isn’t that right, Brantlee?”
In that moment I wanted to punch Vincent in the nose. I took a calming breath even though my hands were clenched in fists underneath the table we were all sitting at. Being on the coven council meant learning to school one’s expression so none of the others saw what was really going through one’s mind. Though I could feel my heart racing, my expression remained placid. I angled my head to study Vincent, meeting the man's gaze straight on. Vincent swallowed hard, breaking the stare-down first.
I refuse to have this social-climbing twat get to me. He’s always wished for more power than he has. Outing my daughter to the coven will not win him any points. It will just prove to others that he is willing to rat out anyone, like in the witch trials. Being in Massachusetts and so close to Salem, he may want to rethink what he’s doing.
“The great book of the coven will be the on
e to confirm such a thing,” I said, my tone tranquil even though I felt anything but. Never letting my gaze waver from Vincent’s, letting the other man know that I knew exactly what he was up to.
I did not dare to look in the direction of Bishop Conrad, Braxton’s father. We had been watching our children grow very close the last few weeks. Where before we had not interacted much, we now had no choice. Both sets of parents knew there was a lot going on between our children and it could mean so much to the witch world at large.
I did notice from the corner of my eye that Bishop was giving Vincent the evil eye. I was pretty sure that Bishop wanted to throttle Vincent as much as I did. It gave me a slight thrill of pleasure, so much so that I had to suppress the smirk that threatened to shine from on my face. Somehow, I managed to give a subtle nod to the man. Bishop had no qualms about openly showing support, which he made clear when he gave me a decisive wink and a nod back. Both of us would do anything to protect our young.
Bishop and I had spoken at length over the past several weeks. We knew there was nothing we could do to separate Sky and Braxton. The Great Divine had a plan for those two, and we had seen it first-hand. We would not dare interfere with any of it. To do so could mean even greater peril for everyone at large. Bishop himself had always been rather disappointed in the nullifying effect that his son’s power had. Now he was reevaluating those former thoughts and evaluation of power. That his own son could be paired by the Great Divine with the latest weather witch was an honor in itself. I knew Bishop was looking forward to seeing what great magics our two children could bring to the world, as was I.
There were rumbles across the entire room until the head of the coven spoke.
“Indeed. The great book will let us know. Nothing can be contested within the book.” Becca Churchill spoke above the hushed whispers spreading through the room, silencing them. After a quick perusal of the room, she nodded. “It seems we are done for the night. I look forward to seeing everyone in two days’ time for the next signing.”
I was trying to stay calm when all I really wanted to do was get up, rush Vincent, and ask him what the heck he was thinking. To ask what had gone so wrong that he would say something as he had in front of the coven elders. I also just wanted to run home to Sky and hide her away. Something was going on within the coven, I just didn’t know what.
Chapter Three
“I’m really not sure if this is a good idea Brax,” I said with weariness, biting my lower lip as I looked out to the water in front of us.
The beach had always given me such tranquility and inner calm, but he was suggesting we go out into the water. Something I couldn’t control. Or could I? It just gave me an anxious feeling that made my stomach lurch just thinking about it.
He ran a hand through his hair, chuckling at me. “It’s a perfect idea and you know it. It’s a very good test. Come on.” He grabbed for my hand.
I dug my heels into the sand, literally whining as he tugged at me. His smile won me over though. I was about to give in when I caught the mischief in his eyes and, before I could do anything else, he scooped me up, running into the water.
We were both laughing when he tossed me into the air. I let out a screech of surprise as I hit the water. I came up sputtering water between chuckles. Not far from me, Braxton grinned like a fool.
Running my hands over my hair, I knew my eyes had to be sparkling because my face hurt from the size of my smile. His was just as big, but heat glowed in his eyes as they moved up and down my body. Who would have thought a single-piece bathing suit could have elicited such a reaction.
“Take a picture Braxton, it’ll last longer.” With my hand on my hip, I struck a sexy pose—or at least tried to. Except a wave chose that moment to shove me forward, ruining the sexiness I was going for and throwing me right into his arms. Laughter rang out, the crashing of the waves stifling the sound.
He held my arms, hauling me to him to keep us both balanced against the oncoming waves.
“The only picture I will ever need is looking at you. It is seared into my thoughts and dreams forevermore.” His voice was strong and held such devotion that I could never doubt he truly cared for me.
Tears pooled in my eyes, but happy ones. How did I get so lucky to have met such an amazing man? As if knowing my thoughts, he answered.
“You were trespassing. I couldn’t be happier that you did. Things would be a little less exciting and bright in the world without you, Sky Stratan.” He brushed a stray strand of wet hair behind my ear.
“You are too good to be true Braxton Conrad. Though I often question what the heck the Great Divine was thinking by giving me these new powers, I will always be thankful it allowed me to get lost that day. To have sent you into my life.” Reaching my hand up, I cupped his cheek, stretching on my tiptoes and pressing my lips to his in a gentle kiss.
He kissed me back, pulling away after a few moments to stare at me.
“I always wondered why my powers were never as grand or as great as either of my parents. I always felt lacking compared to them. But now I know why I’m here. I’m here to be the balance of the next great weather witch. My powers are now no small thing. They are symmetry to power, like a puzzle piece finally falling into place. I now know it was all meant to be. The Great Divine was just waiting to bring you into my life. We have to figure this out together.”
I felt myself completely relax in his embrace, the tension in my shoulders fading away as I let out a long slow breath of contentment.
“Hey, can I show you something?” he asked, giving me a tiny squeeze.
There was such a hopeful look in his eyes, and I knew in that moment I would never deny him. “Of course.”
“Well, I’ve been trying to get my hands on any literature about former paired weather witches and believe you me that is not an easy task! Getting into the coven library vaults, the old bat there guarding the tomes is …” he trailed off, shuddering to finish his sentence.
With a playful swat, I met his eyes. “Be nice. Now, what does that have to do with what you want to show me?”
“This …” His hand raised out of the water and I felt his hand raise magic with it. Not just his own but mine too. It was as if he was intertwining both of our powers together. I probably could have stopped him if I wanted to, but I would have had to use my own gift and why would I have wanted to do that when this was so thrilling?
He pointed at the water in front of us and toward the shore. The waters parted to either side of us, forming walls around us. Standing in the open, in the sand, we could walk to shore now like we had our very own ocean boardwalk. Upon reflection, I supposed it probably was one, and it reminded me of the parting of the seas the nonmagical religious book spoke of.
I was awestruck as I turned in his embrace to look at it. It rose above us, the walls of water that still had waves rolling onto the shore but stopped afoot to either side of us. There were fish swimming in it, coming right up to the wall to look at us. I giggled at that, reaching out to touch the wall that rippled over my hand.
“This is amazing Braxton. Wow.” I gave him a stunning smile. Still holding his hand, I stepped away from him to inspect it more thoroughly and to get a better feel for it. To sense the combination of our powers that were actually holding this water wall together.
“I’m a little impressed myself.” He chuckled. “From what I’ve managed to learn, a paired couple can borrow or use each other’s power. The stronger the couple, the stronger the connection, the more powerful the magic will be. So with us, I can nullify, even dampen your powers when they start to overwhelm you, but I can also amplify them if needed. Though I’m not sure when or why anyone would want to amplify a storm or whatever.”
I considered that, giving him a nod. If he amplified a storm, it could possibly turn catastrophic. Then again, if there was a need for rain to put out a forest fire or if there was a drought, amplifying my power might end up being a good thing. It was certainly something we needed to ta
lk about. Since I’d been so excited and stunned by the water wall, I hadn’t given it a second thought, but I was pretty sure I could shield him from using my magic. There always had to be a balance, and it wouldn’t do for either one of us to just be able to use the other’s power without consent.
I also realized I had seen my parents sharing power before. It was much more subtle than this but still sharing all the same. Since I grew up around it, it had never really registered that they were doing it. It was just normal. I guessed I should have considered it, though. It was my job now to think about things, to consider all possibilities. Stepping up my game was a must, no matter if I’d only just started to learn. I’d have to talk to my parents about their power sharing abilities, but later. Right now, I was too mesmerized by the wall of water.
I let go of his hand and the water crashed down on top of us. The waves rolled us toward the shore, both of us gasping for air.
“Guess we need to be touching to keep it going,” he said after another wave crashed over him.
I laughed and scooted back, sitting in the now ankle-deep water as it spread back to normal levels.
“I guess so.”
Chapter Four
“Oh my, what power these two have. How very interesting. Intriguing even. Do you see this girl?” A rich voice with malevolent tones spoke, slow and disbelieving, shaking my head before giving a quick sideways glance to the shivering girl beside me.
I was standing far up the dunes watching the couple frolic and play in the surf. The display of magic they had just put on was unexpected indeed. I really did not like it when things were unexpected. I enjoyed being in control of everything he did. This was not working out that way. With a deep sigh, I paused to close my eyes and calm the anger rising in my chest.
Fully turning to the girl beside me, I was hard-pressed not to kill her on the spot. She had failed, she was ruining my carefully laid out plan.
Magic Underground: The Complete Collection (Magic Underground Anthologies Book 4) Page 89
