Awakened

by Moni Boyce

  “Yep. Vervain is also known as verbena or herb-of-the-cross. Ancient Romans, Persians and Celtic druids believed it was sacred and used it to ward off evil and sometimes for religious rites.” He stepped closer and held her gaze, keeping her enthralled. “It was even believed to have been used to stop Jesus’ wounds from bleeding after they pulled him from the cross.” Once he walked away, the spell he’d cast with his story, broke. He continued his explanation. “Which is why people used it to keep vampires away. Add it to a charm, put it in a drink or place it near you and it should protect you from the bloodsuckers.”

  Samson knew a lot about this stuff. What kind of supernatural hunted other supernaturals? “Are you a witch, a shapeshifter or something?”

  Samson guffawed. “Nope. Just a human.”

  “So humans know about supernaturals? Are there many of you?” It fascinated Willow.

  Samson’s face soured. “Most humans are blissfully unaware of the existence of supernaturals and only consider them fairy tales and myths. Not all humans are as accepting as me. It scares many of the ones that have the knowledge of magic. They’re distrusting which resulted in them creating zealot and conspiracy theorist militias.”

  “That doesn’t stop you from selling your weapons to any of these crazies looking to kill us.” Max fumed and took a threatening step towards Samson.

  “I’m open for business to everyone.” Samson didn’t back down from his challenge as the men squared off against one another.

  “You might not want to get too close to that.” With the arch of his brow and a nod he indicated what was behind Max. “That’s pure, undiluted silver. I know you werewolves have an allergic reaction to silver more so than vampires.”

  Max’s head jerked around to look behind him. Hanging on the wall was a large silver net that looked as thin as a spider’s web. He backed away with a low snarl.

  “Hey! We’re here as friends remember?” Eli stepped in between the two men ready to fight each other.

  Phaedra touched Max on the arm and he stepped back.

  Eli glanced at Max, who was shaking with fury. “One of our commandments state that a Protector shall always have his comrades back. That weapon could harm Max. We’d never buy a weapon that could harm one of our own.” Max’s anger drained away at his words. He nodded in thanks. Eli turned back to Samson. “Can you show us some other toys you have lying around?”

  Samson gave Max the stink eye once more before he led Eli to another part of the room.

  Willow was in awe of the way Eli diffused the situation and wondered what else the Protector’s Commandment stated.

  As she followed everyone to another area of the warehouse, Samson’s account of the human factions that opposed the supernaturals intrigued her. Once the thoughts drifted away she perused the walls and tables of weaponry. Occasionally, she picked up an item and inspected it, still unsure what most of the equipment was used for or who it was used to hurt.

  “You planning to pay for that?” Samson’s voice was low. She didn’t have to turn around to know he was right at her back.

  “I wasn’t going to steal it if that’s what you mean,” She ran her finger across the dagger she’d stuck in her belt loop a while ago. “I just forgot it was there.” She peered at the blade and then at Samson in defiance.

  “Add it to the bill.”

  Willow looked up and caught Eli watching her. She mouthed ‘thank you.’ Without responding, he turned away from her and headed in another direction. He seemed upset.

  Did he think I was planning to steal?

  The indignation over how little he thought of her after last night made her place the dagger on the table. She walked away, but halted. Some part of her didn’t want to leave it behind. A quick glance back almost had her giving in, but she cursed under her breath when her stubborn pride had her leaving empty-handed instead of retrieving the blade.

  Twenty minutes later, they carried various packages to the motor home. Zoriana was the last to board after saying a private goodbye to Samson. She bit her tongue so she wouldn’t ask Zoriana about her relationship with him. Mathilda wasn’t the only one that had questions. Instead, she asked a question that wouldn’t get her into trouble. “If you’re witches, what do you need with these weapons?” She poked at a parcel sitting on the table in front of her.

  Eli, who was now riding shotgun, turned to answer. “Yes, we have magic, but every bit helps. If we’re kept from doing magic, those weapons will come in handy. Better to be over prepared.” He turned his eyes back to the road and left her to her thoughts.

  The vehicle ate up the miles and as the sky darkened to inky black, Eli allowed Phaedra to guide the RV down a dirt roadway that came to a dead end at a clearing much like the one they’d slept in the night before.

  Again, she got the cold shoulder from him while everyone worked to get the camp set up and the fire started. The changes in his mood were making her head spin. She had enough on her mind without worrying about how he felt towards her. Once she ate dinner she went to bed, hoping she wouldn’t encounter Killian, who haunted her dreams or need Eli, who now haunted her waking hours.

  CHAPTER 10

  Eli

  The night passed with no shrieks from Willow piercing the quiet. As he sipped his coffee, he hoped she’d gotten a good night’s sleep. It was early in the morning and he intended to use every bit of daylight possible to begin her training. He planned on them being here for several days so she could train. “Okay everyone, I’m getting ready to make your day.” He smiled at them. “We’re using our powers again.”

  Morgana pumped her fist in the air. Zoriana and Mathilda high-fived. They weren’t the only ones that felt hindered by not having magic.

  “Now that we have to be on high-alert for Killian or his minions we need magic. I want everyone of you studying whenever you have a free minute. We have to learn spells that will help us in the fight against the vampires.”

  “Why don’t we study some black magic spells that kill them?” Mathilda asked innocently and stood from where they’d been squatting next to the fire.

  A hush fell over everyone. In a flash, Zoriana stood and smacked her daughter hard across the face. Everybody looked aghast. “Never ask about black magic again.” The harsh resoluteness of Zoriana’s voice kept Eli from chiding her. The older Protectors knew and understood the dangers of even the curiosity of black magic, let alone the practice of it, but Mathilda was so young. Sometimes he forgot she was only seventeen and hadn’t bared witness to some of its atrocities. She’d been one of the youngest Protector recruits in its history and was still learning.

  “Go wake up, Willow.” He hoped giving her the chore gave her time to regain her composure. That kind of embarrassment in front of her peers more than likely stung her pride.

  It was hard not to coddle her. If he did, he’d only be pouring salt on the open wound. She didn’t want to be treated like a child.

  Clutching her cheek and fighting back her tears, she stomped off to do as she was told, slamming the door to the RV after she entered.

  Morgana was about to rebuke Zoriana, but Eli shook his head at her to leave it alone. She snapped her mouth closed and looked at him with insolent eyes.

  “We have a cloaking spell to do. Let’s get to it.” Putting everyone to work might alter the sour mood that had taken root.

  “Et pallium, quo praesidio perimetri.” At the edge of camp, he chanted while he pointed his palms outward to set the spell.

  While Mathilda was in the RV soothing her wounded pride and trying to rouse Willow from her slumber, the rest of them walked the perimeter casting various cloaking spells to keep their whereabouts hidden.

  THE COFFEE HAD GROWN cold by the time she emerged from the motor home. Sleep traced lines across her face. She rubbed her eyes and staggered towards the fire. It didn’t go unnoticed that Mathilda wasn’t with her.

  “Is there any coffee?” She looked around for another mug.

  “It’s cold n
ow.” He poured the dregs from his cup onto the ground. “You can get some later. Right now, it’s time for your training.” He stood and pulled an object from the back of his waistband and tossed it at her.

  Caught by surprise, she fumbled with the dagger she’d left behind at Samson’s before the sheathed blade settled in her hands.

  “I put this back.” She looked at him with wide-eyed confusion.

  “And I got it.” He walked away, lest she ask more questions and want to know why he retrieved it. “It suits you.” It was the only response he would give her. He turned towards her and took multiple steps backwards while he spoke. “Charge me.”

  “What?” Her voice squeaked out. She looked from him to the knife.

  “I said, ‘Charge me.’” He stood in front of her several feet away.

  She still seemed unsure, so he used reverse psychology on her.

  “Just as well. I figured you didn’t have it in you. I must tell Phaedra she owes me ten dollars.” He lied knowing the last detail of a supposed bet against her would rouse her anger.

  The second he finished, she roared and charged at him. It was hard not to show amusement as she ran towards him with the now unsheathed dagger outstretched in her hand, intent on injuring him. Before she could strike he disappeared and then reappeared behind her.

  Her head whipped back and forth, looking for him. He cleared his throat, and she whirled around to face him. “No fair. How am I supposed to fight with you when you’re using magic?” She pouted and her shoulders slumped in defeat. “I thought you guys weren’t doing magic right now. Something about it being tracked?”

  He smirked. “We resumed this morning.”

  She flipped him the middle finger, and he doubled over in laughter. After a minute, he sobered. “I was showing you the magic you so craved the other night, but playtime is over.” He walked towards her. “The war that’s coming won’t be fair. Killian won’t fight fair. You will battle those that have magic or you might have to fight in hand-to-hand combat. We’ll start out by teaching you how to defend yourself and how to use smart tactics to attack your opponent. It’s not always brute strength that wins, but a cunning mind.” He touched his temple with his pointer and middle fingers. “Max, Phaedra and I will train you each day and then Zoriana and Morgana will help you unleash your Oracle power.” By the time he finished talking he stood an arm’s length away from her.

  Willow looked over at Max and Phaedra. Max cracked his knuckles. Phaedra held two staves in her hand and appeared ready to go into gladiator mode. She didn’t intend to hold back, and that’s exactly what he wanted. They didn’t have much time and couldn’t afford to take it easy on her. Willow might hate him by the end of this, but one thing was certain, she would be ready to face Killian and anyone else that came for her.

  “Phaedra will give you your first lesson.”

  She tossed a staff to Willow, who missed it. The large stick hit the ground with a thud. She peeked at Phaedra with a sheepish expression painting her face. Phaedra wore a blank look. She picked up the staff and crouched low in a fighter’s stance.

  “Rush her.” He called out to Willow.

  She gaped at him unsure.

  He nodded. “Yes, you. Rush her.”

  She glanced back at Phaedra and then ran as if her life depended on it, which it somewhat did.

  Phaedra knocked her to the ground easily, exerting no energy. After falling, the weapon dropped out of her hands. The hard fall knocked the wind out of her. Phaedra picked up the staff and then reached out a hand to a groaning Willow, who clutched her stomach. She looked at Phaedra’s outstretched hand and reluctantly accepted it. Her frustration and anger at being bested presented itself in her pursed lips, furrowed brow and rapid rise and fall of her chest. She dusted herself off and snatched her stick back.

  “Don’t fight angry. You won’t win against her.” Eli tried to offer the much-needed advice, but it was clear his words were going in one ear and out the other. It was obvious she hated to lose.

  A repeat of the same incident happened several more times. She charged. Phaedra knocked her to the ground. Willow got up angry and repeated the same action again, and again and again.

  “They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result.” If he said the words before her eighth attempt, would she heed his warning?

  Nope.

  As she lay on her back yet again, he approached her and stood over her. She was panting and perspiring, whereas Phaedra hadn’t so much as broken a sweat.

  “Are you going to listen? Or do you prefer to keep doing the same thing and getting the same result? Anger will not defeat Killian.”

  Those words appeared to reach her. She nodded and let him help her to her feet. Now that she’d worked that out of her system the three of them walked her through the basics of combat. The training lasted until the middle of the afternoon when they broke for lunch.

  When they joined the others around the fire, Zoriana and Mathilda still weren’t speaking to each other. Poor Morgana looked happy to see them.

  “What’s for lunch?” Willow dropped to the ground exhausted.

  Zoriana passed her a plate and without waiting for an answer she wolfed down the food.

  They had worked her hard so far and the day wasn’t even over.

  Eli lay back in the cool grass.

  ‘ARE YOU GOING TO EAT?’

  He bolted into a sitting position and gawked at Willow. No one noticed the change in his demeanor. They continued to chatter, chomp and munch around them.

  ‘HOW DID YOU DO THAT? I USUALLY HAVE TO INITIATE THE CONVERSATION IN SOMEONE’S MIND.’

  A surprised look passed over her face and her eyebrows shot up into her hairline. ‘I DON’T KNOW. I JUST DID... YOU MEAN THIS ISN’T NORMAL?’

  ‘YOU STARTING A CONVERSATION IN MY HEAD? NO.’

  “You okay?” Mathilda asked and offered him a plate. Absently, he took it. He couldn’t have told you what he was eating. Everything he put in his mouth was tasteless as he thought about what just happened.

  Is she telepathic too?

  Often throughout the meal, he stared at her. Since the Oracle was usually unaware of her abilities, what if she was capable of far more than they knew?

  When he glanced at Willow, she seemed to be in quiet reflection. Tomorrow, they would forgo combat training to test her Oracle capabilities.

  CHAPTER 11

  Willow

  The next morning it surprised her when instead of handing her a weapon to begin combat training, Eli took her to a quiet area of the meadow. He sat in front of her cross-legged. Morgana and Zoriana were nearby in the same position.

  “Close your eyes and take deep breaths.” He demonstrated the technique he wanted her to use.

  She shut her eyes and followed his instructions.

  “Okay, good job. Now keep your eyes closed and let everything fall away. Don’t think about yesterday, today or tomorrow. Just clear your mind. Make it as blank as you can.”

  She squeezed her eyes shut and concentrated on what he wanted her to do. The more she tried to empty her mind, the more it was flooded with things that happened in the past and everything going on with her current situation. How the hell was she supposed to do this? Try as she might, she was unable to do what he asked. She would open her eyes and tell him so.

  “Deep breaths. Stay calm and allow it to happen. Don’t overthink it.”

  Annoyance sprang up inside of her.

  Deep breaths my ass!

  She shoved herself to her feet and stomped away. Eli was close on her heels. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m not doing this. Why aren’t we doing combat training?” She kept walking.

  “Because this is more important. We need to help you develop your power as the Oracle and see if you have other gifts.”

  She shook her head. “This is stupid.” Her nostrils flared.

  “You’re only saying it’s foolish bec
ause you’re having a hard time with it.”

  She didn’t respond, but kept walking away, although at this point she had no idea if she was heading in the right direction. It was easy for him; he had magic. She huffed. Eli stopped following her. “I never figured you for a quitter.” He called out.

  Her footsteps halted. He always used logic that made her stop? She hated when he was right. Stomping her foot, she turned to face him.

  ‘YOU’RE AN ASSHOLE.’

  The big smirk he wore in victory was infuriating.

  OVER THE PAST SEVERAL days, they’d alternated between combat training in the mornings and what she called Oracle training. It often seemed like she was cramming for an exam she knew she would never pass. She was doomed to fail. There was a good possibility she would never get this. Every time she came to the meadow for this training her steps lagged because she felt defeated. Shouldn’t she be able see the future by now? Was she the only Oracle in history that hadn’t been capable of manifesting her powers?

  She plopped down on the ground. “Why do I have to do this? I suck.” She folded her arms across her chest.

  He sat opposite her.

  “It’s because you’re trying to force it. It needs to happen organically. Today we‘ll try a new approach.”

  Eli bent his legs into the cross-legged position and shut his eyes. “Close your eyes.”

  She gave him a look overflowing with skepticism, but shut her eyes.

  “I realized that part of your problem is that you don’t know how to meditate. You need to learn that before we dive into the heavy stuff.”

  Cracking one eye open, she peered at him. Today, just the two of them were in the meadow. At the realization she was out here alone with Eli her body temperature rose a few degrees. Even though he still dressed like a professor, it didn’t take away from how sexy she found him: Eli, the sexy, magical professor. Her panties grew wet at the fantasies her mind conjured. The setting was intimate: an overgrown field of wildflowers, a beautiful sunny day and privacy. The only thing missing was —