by Brenda Trim
Blue sparks left his hand and I twisted out of the way, avoiding the blow. I heard Violet talking to Ben and Bailey but tuned them out. I needed to focus. Wind started up from one of the Fae. It tossed Aislinn into me. We grabbed each other and I tried to keep us from landing on our asses.
I screamed out a warning to Violet right before my hip hit the hard floor. Aislinn bounced off my curves a split second later. Violet turned from the kids. As I anticipated, the Fae both went after her.
I shouted, “Ferio,” and threw both hands toward the guards. Their bodies jerked and flew toward Violet who added one of her own. Pounding footsteps echoed behind us and I twisted my head to see clawed feet coming toward us.
I didn’t have time to move before I was hit with electricity. It sizzled through my body. My back arched and I twitched. Agony trailed as the worst after effect on the planet. The smell of burning hair made it all the worse. My stomach revolted while I writhed in pain.
One of the tentacled Fae grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled me up while a lizard like one took hold of Aislinn’s arm. I heard a crack followed by her scream. Rather than deal with the one dragging me, I had to help Aislinn.
A bone was poking at her shoulder in a way that told me she was a thin membrane away from a compound fracture. “Infindo!” Both of my hands waved at Aislinn’s attacker. I made sure to add my desire to have this one cut to ribbons. I was over killing one of the creatures. My friends were in danger and I wasn’t leaving one of them alive to hurt someone I love.
Dark green blood spurted as an arm went flying. A leg was next, and its head detached going one direction while its body fell in another. Aislinn’s arm hung limply at her side but she flung water at an approaching tentacled fiend.
Ben, Bailey and Violet joined us and the four of us faced off with the three Fae that were standing in the way of our exit. The one in the middle was the many-eyed man with grey skin. “Petra!” Small stones flew from my hands and into the grotesque eyeballs staring at us. The wet pop as the eyes ruptured made me want to fist pump the air until the smell of dead fish hit me.
“Help Aislinn and make sure they don’t reach you,” Violet told her kids. They listened immediately closing the distance. Bailey wrapped an arm around Aislinn while Ben kicked the bodies out of our way, so we didn’t trip.
“You messed with the wrong witch’s kids, asshole.” Violet balled her hands into fists at her sides.
I was tossing fire at the one closest to me when I heard Violet’s shout. “Ensis!”
I turned expecting to see a steel sword and was surprised to see a blue glow in Violet’s hands. It was almost like a light saber, except it didn’t have a rounded blade or solid shape.
She swung, and a loud swoosh preceded wind blowing my hair back. She had a wicked follow through. I watched her push through some resistance before a loud snick. She had cut off fingers.
A fist slammed into the side of my skull while I watched her swing her spelled blade back and forth. I threw a punch while I ducked, hoping to hit the thing’s groin. Surely, all beings had the same weakness.
I wasn’t sure if they had genitals because I connected with a thigh. One that was solid enough to bruise my knuckles. I was sucking air and tired enough to pass out. One more piece of shit and we could get out of here.
Or not. Footsteps sounded on the stairs, urging me to finish this shit. I used the same spell as Violet just had and swung as fast as I could. Limbs and chunks of gray flesh went flying.
My chest was heaving, and I was covered in brackish blood, but I was ready when two sets of boots hit the bottom of the stairs. I lifted the blade ready to take the next on but released the spell and sagged where I stood.
“Aislinn’s hurt badly. Carry her and let’s get the hell out of here,” I instructed Sebastian. He scanned me from head to toe before nodding and turning to pick Aislinn up.
“I’ve got her. Let’s get out of here before more arrive.” Argiess had moved to Aislinn’s side before I managed to say anything to Bas. The dragon cradled her close to his chest with one arm while the other brushed the hair off her forehead.
“You okay?” I asked Violet.
“I’m done with this fucking day, but we’re all alive.”
I nodded in agreement and climbed the stairs groaning when the ache in my hips reminded me of the fall that I took a bit ago. Sebastian was at my side and wrapped his arm around my waist when we reached the kitchen.
The cool night air brushed over my heated skin and I barely registered when he nudged me across the street close to the café we’d eaten at earlier in the evening. I saw why when several of the guards ran down the street to the house.
“That was close,” Ben said behind me.
Too close for comfort. “We did it. I can’t believe we pulled that off.”
Sebastian looked at me with one eyebrow lifted. “You need more faith in yourself. You guys fought as many as we did upstairs. Not many can claim that.”
I smirked at him. “That’s because the Backside of Forty kick ass. Does anyone have a portal to Pymm’s Pondside? I need a damn shower and Aislinn needs a doctor.”
“I’ve already sent a message to Zreegy. She’ll be at your house by the time we get there,” Violet replied as we all climbed into Bas’s truck.
I sank into the seat and closed my eyes when he pulled onto the road. I felt like I could take a beat and relax for the first time in a week. Ben and Bailey were safe, and we were on our way home. There was still an evil asshole to find and deal with, but for the moment I could sleep.
Chapter 16
“How are they?” Violet practically pounced on Zreegy the second she descended the stairs. It had taken all of my best friend’s will power to obey the healer’s edict and remain downstairs while she looked over her kids.
Ben and Bailey clung to their mother the entire ride back. Both had bruises marring their faces, but Ben was favoring his left side and it had everyone worried.
Zreegy put the stethoscope into her bag and zipped it closed. “Bailey is shaken and has some significant bruising along with a minor concussion. Ben suffered the worst of it. I suspect he stood between the elves and his sister. He has three broken ribs and a bruised liver. I suspect his kidney might be injured, as well, so you need to keep an eye on him.”
Tears sprang to Violet’s eyes and I enveloped her in a hug. Aislinn wrapped her arms around Violet from the other side. “Should we take them to the hospital?”
Zreegy shook her head. “Not at this point. Tonight will be a long one for them, but by tomorrow afternoon they will be feeling much better. It will be a couple days before Ben is completely out of the woods. I know this is difficult, but remember they heal far faster than a human.” The healer turned to Aislinn. “You need to keep your arm in the sling for a few days and ice it for twenty minutes every couple of hours. You did a number on it, but it will heal.”
I shivered when Zreegy pinned me with her stare. “You know how to watch for signs of internal bleeding, correct?”
My heart settled and I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. This was familiar territory for me. I bobbed my head and squeezed Violet tighter when she made a noise of alarm. “I do. I’ll make sure they get to the hospital if I suspect anything is off.”
“There are no signs either of them is bleeding at this point, but we both know trauma. If you weren’t here, I would be staying until morning just to be safe. I’m glad you can do more than just guard the portal.” Zreegy turned to leave and stopped when my Grams stood there glaring at her.
“As if guarding the portal isn’t enough. This town has always been ungrateful for the job that has always fallen to a Shakleton. You should be bowing at Fiona’s feet.”
I released my friend and crossed to Grams’ side. “No, she shouldn’t, Grams. You were the only Guardian for decades and Zreegy has been the only healer here for even longer. It’s not easy having no one to help. You know that better than anyone. Everyone here apprecia
tes what you dedicated your life to. And, they miss having you here.”
“Hmmm.” Was the only reply from Grams.
“I will be available if anything happens.” With that proclamation, Zreegy left through the front door.
Violet glanced at the ceiling. “I don’t want to take them back to the house. They were supposed to be safe and instead our enemies breached my protections and took my kids.”
“You guys will stay here as long as you need. There are plenty of rooms.” I almost didn’t offer Violet a place to stay. After all my house had been the sight of more than one fight recently. But, in the end I knew the energy we’d poured into securing the land meant this was now one of the safest places in Cottlehill Wilds.
“My place is always open, as well,” Aislinn offered. “I might have the best views in town, but my place is much smaller, and I don’t have the wards like we put here at Pymm’s Pondside.”
“I love your place. Being so close to the ocean has always calmed me,” Violet admitted, “but it’s best if we stay here. Maybe you should stay here for a couple days, too. You live all alone on the cliffs. With the rest of us unreachable, you might become the next target.”
Aislinn glanced at Argiess but quickly shifted her gaze around the rest of the room. I couldn’t help but notice the way her cheeks turned pink. I think my friend had the hots for the dragon.
“I’m not going anywhere. The Backside of Forty is far stronger together. I just need to grab some clothes.”
“Can you get some things for me from the house, as well?” Bailey’s voice had everyone turning to the stairs as she and Ben came down.
Violet rushed to their side. “How are you feeling? Can I get you some tea or anything?”
Bailey’s lower lip trembled for a second before she nodded and grabbed her mom’s hand. “Tea and maybe some scones, if there are any.”
Of all the times not to have much in the house. “I don’t have scones, but I do have some cookies.”
Sebastian uncrossed his arms. “I’ll run to the store to grab some basics. I can even pick up whatever you need from your house.”
Bailey chewed on her lower lip, but I interjected before she had to embarrass herself. No woman wanted to have a man rifling through her drawers. “Why don’t you take Aislinn and she can help gather Bailey’s stuff?”
“I’m going too. If anyone tries to attack, it will be better to have two of us.” Argiess was looking at Aislinn when he spoke, and it made me wonder if he was just as into her.
Ever since I met him, Argiess had indicated an interest in me. I was flattered. I’d never really had many men interested in me and for a minute it felt good to be seen as desirable. I had a mom body with stretch marks, saggy boobs, extra weight and love handles.
I’d been reluctant to consider my love interests much beyond enjoying the attention of two hot guys, but I was glad to see him possibly showing an interest in my friend. Aislinn deserved someone as wonderful as Argiess. Besides, I couldn’t deny Sebastian was the one for me.
I didn’t think I was ready for anything too serious, but I wasn’t going to deny where my heart was either. I still had far more important shit going on in my life, but I was a middle-aged woman capable of multitasking and not losing sight of what was most urgent because some sexy guy smiled at me. I couldn’t have said the same when I was in my twenties. After all, that was how I ended up married and pregnant before I finished nursing school.
“Don’t forget to pick up some fruit and sandwich stuff while you’re shopping. We will have a full house and Fiona hasn’t gone grocery shopping in far too long.” Grams floated into the kitchen and we watched as she stuck her head through the refrigerator and pantry doors reciting a list of what Bas should get from the store.
“Grams. Sebastian is perfectly capable of getting food. Besides, he doesn’t need to get much. I will go out tomorrow and stock up.” I almost amended that statement and asked for a few things. I was all out of wine and tequila. I had some scotch and vodka, but not much.
Ben told Aislinn what he wanted, as did Violet and then the trio left through the backdoor. Violet led the kids to the couch, and I put the kettle on for tea. I was terrible at making the stuff according to Grams. In England it was an artform that I had yet to master.
I added the usual suspects to a tray and poured the hot water into the pot with the leaves then carried it into the living room. After setting it down I crossed to the fireplace and set logs on the grates.
When I reached for the matches, Grams floated in front of me. “Use your magic to light the fire.”
I blinked and looked up at her. There wasn’t a moment I forgot I had magic, but I wasn’t used to using it for anything but fighting. Sure, I’d done simple spells like tracking and protections, but it was always in relation to some emergency or another. It’s funny that I never considered using magic for everyday things because that had been what I was most excited about when I discovered I was a witch.
“Alright.” Focusing on the wood and kindling, I called up the power bubbling in my chest. “Ignis.” A second after uttering the spell, flames shot out of the grate and had me stumbling onto my ass.
Violet chuckled as she set the teapot down after pouring each of us a cup. “I think you’re still amped up.”
“Good thing the house is fire resistant,” Grams grumbled.
“I’m still learning how much energy to pour into spells. It seems I either dump everything I have into them or nothing at all.” I swore I was going to master this shit eventually. I was used to learning things quickly, so the fact that I still felt like I didn’t know anything irritated me to no end.
“It’s all about balancing your emotions,” Bailey interjected surprising us all. Violet beamed at her daughter. “Fear drives you but can also block your power. Anger too, but in different ways. And panic can make you freeze up entirely.”
Ben slid closer to his sister, wincing as he moved. “Anyone in our shoes would have panicked. There were countless dark elves coming after us.”
Violet’s smile vanished and was replaced by a furrowed brow. “None of this is your fault, sweetie.”
Tears slipped past Bailey’s lower lashes to stream down her face. “But it is. I’m the one that let them through the door. If I had kept my head, I could have helped Ben reinforce the wards when they started pounding on the boundary.”
Ben tried to lift his arm and wrap it around his sister, but he didn’t get very far. Bailey’s tears increased when he gasped in obvious pain. Violet already had her daughter wrapped in her embrace.
I knelt in front of Ben. “Broken ribs are brutal. You didn’t feel any stabbing pain just now did you?” I needed to make sure the bones didn’t shift and cause more damage. He shook his head.
I lifted a hand to examine him and stopped. I didn’t want to add to his pain. Realizing I could use my magic, I called up a spell. I wasn’t a healer like Zreegy, but I knew anatomy. “Exploro,” I muttered under my breath.
At first nothing happened, and I realized I wasn’t adding my intent for the spell. It was important that Ben hadn’t done something like puncture a lung when he moved. I kept thoughts of his body and his injuries and needing to know if anything vital was damaged at the front of my mind.
In my mind’s eye I detected the broken ribs. I’d need to tape them to help stabilize the area. Zreegy was right, his kidney was damaged along with his liver, but his spleen was as well. I didn’t see any active bleeding, but I would be rechecking him in an hour. Splenectomy’s were common in trauma cases. I didn’t want to miss if Ben’s condition worsened.
Several seconds later I released the breath I had been holding and opened my eyes to see Violet and Bailey staring at me. “Is he okay?” They blurted in unison.
I smiled at them and climbed to my feet. “He’s not worse. I’m going to tape his ribs, so they don’t shift and injure his lung. You need to take it easy, Ben. And I mean it. There isn’t internal bleeding, but if you don’t
rest it will change quickly and you might even need surgery.”
I headed to the bathroom where Grams was waiting for me. “Your power is growing faster than I expected. You shouldn’t have been able to see inside his body like that. You will need to share more of your power with your friends.”
“Is that safe for them? I already made Violet a target that endangered her kids. I don’t want them in even more danger.”
Grams’ silver hair was loose over her shoulders like she usually wore it and glinted in the fluorescent light as she shook her head from side to side. “You have no choice. And if you asked them, they would demand you do it. You have changed them already anyway. They are no longer what they were. Their power is greater thanks to you.”
I whirled on my grandmother, nearly dropping the white tape from my first aid kit. “Why didn’t you tell me sharing with them was going to alter them in such a way? I never would have done it.”
“Which is precisely why I didn’t tell you. You had no choice Fiona. And your friends knew the risk, yet they agreed anyway. You are rare. I knew when you were a young child you were special. So did your parents. We just didn’t know you were the unicorn of witches.”
I wanted to rant and rail at my Grams, but it would do no good. What was done was done. “They have more power now, too?”
Grams nodded. “They do. You’ve given them a priceless gift. They can now do things they never could have imagined. The three of you together are a force never before seen.”
Part of me wanted to take it back and relieve my friends of the burden, but the selfish part of me was glad I wasn’t in this alone. I needed my girls at my side to get through whatever was to come. Shoving those thoughts aside, I returned to the living room right as Bas, Aislinn and Argiess returned.
“Alright, Ben. This is going to hurt. I can cast a spell to dull the pain.”
“I’d prefer a glass of scotch or whiskey if you have it. My nerves are still on edge and it will help.” He turned pleading eyes to his mother. He and Bailey weren’t technically old enough to drink, but it seemed to me they were close enough. That decision, however, was up to their mother.
