“The Nayandi tribe,” Aveline read aloud, “believed to have originated in Egypt, roamed across North Africa, frequenting and facilitating trade routes. Yes, it’s believed they revered shamanic leaders who could harness the power of the crowd and use it to connect to the spiritual world. The spirits brought positive energy and fruitfulness to their cause.” Aveline looked at them over the rims of her glasses. “There’s a parallel with our own beliefs, albeit defined within the boundaries of their Egyptian roots and nomadic culture. They’re drawing on the natural and spiritual world as sources, just the way we do.”
Sunny wasn’t as impressed as everyone else around the table appeared to be. Her mother had said as much, but she hadn’t really given it any credence. Figured it was nonsense. Besides, she had another equally pressing question to ask Aveline. “When I asked you about the history of the cottage, did you really tell me everything you knew?”
Aveline looked at her over the top of her glasses as if Sunny should know better. “There were a few minor snippets about late Victorian times, but other than that there’s a huge gap in local records. Really.”
There was a purr to Aveline’s voice, as if she were part feline. Sunny recalled thinking the librarian had a sexy, secret side. It looked like her instincts were right. She also noticed Eben, the blacksmith, had great respect for her, and rarely took his eyes off her. Was he in love with her? Sunny’s curiosity grew and grew. The locals had always intrigued her, but seeing this gathering of such disparate types together—with such a strange thing in common—was fascinating, to say the least.
“So there you are,” Willow said, “You not only have the gift from your grandmother’s side, you have it from the other side of your family too. This is absolutely amazing...you’re the best thing that ever happened to our coven.”
Sunny bristled. “Bloody hell! I’m not an experiment, nor will I ever be! I don’t know what the hell’s going on here, or what’s gone on with you and Fox, but you’re not using me as some sort of pawn in your stupid game.”
“That’s not what’s happening, Sunny, really,” Celeste reassured, a concerned expression furrowing her brow. “This has got out of hand, yes, and of course we didn’t know about the other side of your family, how could we possibly, but you were Hanna’s granddaughter and you’d have discovered your magic soon enough. We’re acting as guardians as you do.”
“Guardians? That’s a bloody euphemism. You made all of this happen!”
“No, I didn’t. You dreamed of each other before we got involved.”
“It was like you laid down the trail of breadcrumbs,” Willow explained, “and we followed the trail, and built upon it.”
“You must understand,” Celeste said, rather defensively, “my matchmaking magic can only work where there’s a thread of desire to begin with.”
“You mean this was meant to be?” Cullen said.
He’d taken the words from her mouth. Sunny waited with her breath trapped in her throat for the answer to come.
“To some extent, yes. I often think our magic is the thread which stitches things together. The thread is there, we cannot stitch without it.”
“Sunny connected with the lingering spirit you left in that house. It’s akin to the ghost world but different. She identified with it. All we did was put the two of you together. We’ve always been curious about your history, Cullen. There are lots of legends and stories in Raven’s Landing, but few are as mysterious and untold as yours. Now we know your disappearance was due to Nathaniel Fox.”
“My head aches,” Cullen said, resting back in the chair, which creaked loudly under the strain of his massive frame.
“There’s something important we must not overlook,” Aveline said. “Fox had a plan and he got waylaid. His original plan was to sacrifice a soul to the dark tides, which he’s done over and again. It’s part of the reason he’s become so powerful—he’s been dealing in trade with the dark tides for several decades. However, he’s broken the chain of events by giving thirty days to you, Sunny. He’s currently not as powerful as he thinks he is. We must remember that, because it may be important. He’ll overestimate himself at a crucial time. However, as long as we keep Cullen here, that advantage remains with us.”
“Why do I feel like a pawn on a chessboard?” Sunny said, feeling irritated by the issue of Fox being presented to her.
“I’m sure it does feel that way,” Celeste replied, “but it’s not the case. Consider this: how would you have felt had I told you had magical powers in advance?”
“I’d have laughed in your face.”
“There you go. And if your innate ability for magic had revealed itself without us around, who would you have come to ask?” Celeste raised her eyebrows, speaking rather pointedly, as if gently reminding Sunny she’d come here seeking answers. “You’d have been shocked and confused.”
Sunny snorted. “Shocked and confused? I probably would have packed my bags and moved back to London.”
“We all know that feeling,” Aveline commented sympathetically.
Sunny felt a little guilty. It hadn’t occurred to her they’d all been sitting here in her seat at one time or another.
“We did our best for you,” Celeste continued. “We understand how shocking it can be when a human soul discovers their magical ability without support.”
Sunny lifted her hands in surrender. “Okay. I’m sorry. I can’t help feeling a bit unnerved.” Understatement of the year, she silently added.
“Of course you can’t. Rest assured we’ll help you learn how to control and develop your powers. We’ll stand by you like sisters and brothers. The motto of our coven is ‘one tree, many branches.’ The coven sustains us all, you included. Your grandmother paved the way for you, prepared us for your arrival, so we could support you.”
Celeste was trying to reassure her, but everything she said only made Sunny feel deeply entrenched in a situation she needed to get a grip on.
“Go home, get some rest, spend some time together. We’ve all got hard work ahead over the next thirty days, but we’ll teach you and stand behind you. Fox is waiting, but when the time comes, we’ll be ready for him.”
Sunny remained silent.
Cullen leaned forward in his seat, nodding. “We will.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Celeste called Rowena in to manage The Cauldron while she worked with Sunny. The following days were busy. Members of the coven took it in turns to spend time with Sunny to teach her and develop her skills. Every day without fail, Celeste would go to the cottage and explain what would happen that day.
While they were busy, Cullen worked on the house and gardens, doing everything he could to make the house sound for the winter. Still convinced their time was limited to thirty days, he promised he’d give Sunny a lifetime of security during the time he had there.
Sunny said she wasn’t quite sure what he meant by that, but confided in Celeste that as long as they had every evening and night together alone, she knew she could live forever on those memories.
On one particular day—the day Celeste taught her about controlling wishes—Celeste cracked open a bottle of wine at the end of the afternoon session. “You’re doing really well. You’ll be ready, don’t fret.”
Sunny nodded vaguely and gazed out the kitchen window.
Celeste followed her gaze, taking in the vision of Cullen stalking through the orchards, stripped to the waist, with a basket of early windfalls clutched easily under one arm. With the sinking summer sun blazing low on the horizon behind him, he looked so handsome, every bit the ideal match for Sunny.
Sunny sipped her wine distractedly, her fingers on her silver locket.
“How did I know,” Sunny asked, “that I could wish for him to be real?”
“You didn’t know, but you identified with him so strongly your emotions became involved. I suspect your magic is driven by emotion.”
“So just wishing made it come true?”
“There’
s more to it than that. It’s a bit like learning to juggle. It’s a knack. It clicks into place, once you know how. It becomes instinctive.”
Sunny laughed softly. “My mum tried to teach me to juggle when I was a kid. I never got the knack of it.”
“You’ve found the knack for this, though, because of your desire and affection for Cullen.”
They both looked back at Cullen.
“What’s he doing out there?”
“He claims he’s earning his keep.”
“Ah, a gentleman through and through.” She glanced back at the window. He was giving the trees a close inspection and looked deep in thought as he checked out their condition.
Celeste nodded and chinked their glasses, looking Sunny over. “Well, my dear, you’re positively glowing, so I don’t think it’s done you any harm.”
“No, I...he’s made my life feel complete. I’ve experienced true love. Mostly I’m annoyed with myself because I didn’t bargain for more time when I was negotiating with Fox.”
“Don’t think about that right now. Be happy.”
“I am. I think we both are. Although Cullen often struggles with the newness of it all. He’s twice said his time was more ‘agreeable’ when he’s been in a fury over something from our time.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s worth giving you up for. It’s just a momentary frustration,” Celeste assured her.
Sunny shrugged. “Maybe, but I wouldn’t blame him. I don’t know how I’d have coped in 1820 without him, and it’s much more complex coming forward in time.”
“Yes, but I’m sure you’re fretting over nothing.”
Sunny continued to stare out at Cullen.
“Give him time.”
“I’d give him all the time in the world, but we haven’t got that, have we?”
“You’ll fight for it.”
“I will, of course, but I’m not taking anything for granted. Neither of us are.”
“Whenever you feel overwhelmed, just pick up the phone. I’m here for you as a friend and a confidant as well as a mentor.”
“Thank you. I have got a decision to make—maybe you can help me with it.”
“Sure, what is it?”
“My parents are due to visit soon. I’m wondering whether I should put them off. I mean, what will they make of Cullen?”
“Wouldn’t you prefer them to have met your true love?”
“Yes, that’s what’s stopping me canceling their visit. But I don’t want to make things harder on Cullen.”
“I’m sure Cullen will cope. When are they due?”
“On the twenty-eighth day.”
“Are they planning to stay?”
“No, thankfully. It’s a flying visit. They’re touring the coast.”
“What are your parents like? I can’t imagine any offspring of Hanna Chambers being judgmental.”
Sunny laughed softly. “No, they’re not judgmental. They’re very easy-going.” She paused for a moment. “You’re right though, I’d rather they’d met him at least once, than never at all.”
Celeste pondered the topic. “If your parents are coming, do you think there’ll be an opportunity for you to discuss your nomadic heritage with your mum?”
Sunny nodded. “I should be able to bring it up in conversation. Is there anything specific I should try to find out?”
“I think we’ve seen enough to be sure you’re blessed by your dual heritage, but finding out more may make you feel more comfortable with it. I know it’s a big leap of faith when you’re introduced to your own magic and have to learn to channel and control it. You are doubly gifted. Try to find out a little more, if you can. I’m sure it would help.” She reached out and squeezed Sunny’s shoulder with her hand, allowing comfort to seep through her body.
Sunny’s eyes rounded. “Wow, that was a hit! Better than a glass of brandy.”
Celeste laughed. “You’re welcome.”
“Could I do that for Cullen, when he’s confused by modern ways?”
“You could, if you feel it necessary. He’ll settle in. It’s a big jump. I lived through the time in between, but he has a lot to take on. Remember, I’ll be here for you whenever you might need me. For anything.”
“Okay.” Sunny gave a weak smile.
“I can see you’re fretting about Fox.”
“You can tell?”
“You’re worried you won’t be strong enough.”
Sunny nodded.
“Relax, it’s unlikely.” She paused. “You’re also concerned because you’re falling for Cullen and you’re worried about how you’ll feel if he leaves of his own accord.”
Sunny gave her a sad look. “Yes, you’re right. I can’t deny it. I’ll do everything I can to free him from his obligation, but he may leave anyway. I love him desperately. I can’t bear the thought that one day he’ll be gone.”
“You’re deeply in love with him.”
Sunny met her gaze. “Yes, I am. And you were in love with Fox, weren’t you?”
Celeste sighed. It was good to know Sunny was perceptive, although she’d rather it hadn’t been focused on her. “Yes. Is it obvious?”
“Yes, right from the moment I saw you looking at him from the window of The Witch’s Brew Cafe.”
“I loved him. I suppose I still do. He was everything to me once—my teacher, mentor, lover. He taught me everything. Then he was drawn to the dark side. Once I saw him turn, well...it was heartbreaking. He told me we could be the most powerful couple in the magical world.” She paused, bracing herself to say what needed to be said. “I have no doubt he’s made the same offer to other apprentices and will probably say it to you as well, Sunny.”
Sunny grimaced. “No offence, but I can’t think of anything worse.”
“Good.” Celeste chuckled. “Don’t underestimate his charm though. Many men and women have fallen under his spell, and many have been seduced by his offer. One step wrong, however, and they felt the fatal backlash. The only reason he let me survive is because I walked away of my own accord. He now sees me as a pitiful adversary. He likes to toy with me, for fun.”
Sunny looked at her with a mixture of pity and distaste.
“I don’t blame you for being horrified. I was naive. I’m not naive anymore, but it still hurts. I still care for him—I can’t help myself. Do you hate me for doing so?”
The tension in Sunny’s expression eased. “You fell for the wrong guy. It happens. I know how hard it is to make big decisions when your emotions are involved.”
Celeste nodded. “You don’t trust me, and I don’t blame you.”
Sunny reached to put her hand on Celeste’s shoulder, squeezing her back. “I do trust you.”
“Don’t,” Celeste warned. “I wouldn’t if I were you.”
Sunny didn’t respond. Instead, she turned away and reached for the wine bottle to top up their glasses. “You talked about the shadow of the raven coming, just before Fox arrived. What is that?”
“It’s an old legend associated with the town, from when it was just a handful of fishing cottages, a hamlet. I’m not even sure how long ago it was. Legend has it a raven landed here. It came from a distant land and it brought with it two magical seeds—one of darkness, one of light. That’s where the magic in the town is said to stem from, and we certainly have drawn both dark and light forces. Gifted people are drawn here, they don’t know why, but they find what they’re seeking. They come to understand their own esoteric powers. Whether it’s true or not, the shadow of the raven falls from time to time, and it’s taken as a portent, a warning or signal of a clash between dark and light magic.”
“I see,” Sunny responded, rather forlornly.
Celeste sensed she was up to capacity with information. “I know, it’s the sort of thing you wouldn’t want to say out loud amongst regular company, but believe me, when that big black cloud comes—and it comes fast—you’ll remember the legend of the raven.”
Sunny shivered. “I have to keep reminding
myself you guys have been through all this before.” She sipped her wine.
“You won’t have to do this alone. We’re all with you.”
“Ultimately I’ll be alone though, won’t I? I made the deal with Fox. I have to make him trust me, it’s the only way.”
Celeste remained silent, guilt falling heavily on her. It was her fault Fox had such a vendetta against the coven and anyone associated with it. Therefore it was her duty to make sure he was kept at bay and none of these people came to any harm. She’d be behind Sunny at the crucial time, come what may.
“Is Fox the only practitioner of the dark ways?” Sunny asked.
“Alas, no. If only he was!”
“Please tell me he works alone.”
“At the moment, yes. Luckily for us, Fox is a law unto himself, and he doesn’t share. Well, he likes to have an apprentice, someone he can influence and seduce, to amuse himself. One day he might find an apprentice who gives themselves over fully. Then we’re truly in trouble.”
They both looked back out at the window at Cullen, who was now striding in their direction, his physique adorned only by the baggy shorts Sunny had picked up for him in one of the surfer shops in Raven’s Landing.
Celeste put her hand in her pocket and pulled out a muslin bag filled with her special brew. “Here, have one of my teas as soon as I’ve gone. It’ll help you relax and you won’t worry Cullen.”
Sunny raised her eyebrows but took the tea, tucking it behind the kettle when she heard the sound of the latch.
“Enjoy this time, live every moment. Just don’t forget about what’s on the horizon,” Celeste added in a whisper. “Learn from everything around you and flex your magical abilities often.”
“I will.” She paused when Cullen entered the room and set the basket on the floor.
He strode over, kissed Sunny, then lifted Celeste’s hand in his, kissing the back of it.
“You’re doing good work in the orchard,” Celeste commented.
“As much as I can,” Cullen agreed. “I want to repair the thatch and do some interior improvements before this month’s out.”
A Coven of Her own Page 12
