Nodding his head yes, Maddox spoke with rapid-fire speed. “Yes, I remember clearly they said they almost had their spell finished. We have time, but not much,” Maddox said, glancing at me with worry in his eyes.
“Let’s go,” my dad ordered, as we all raced back to my house.
Once home, I found myself surrounded by our pack, Vampires, and Witches. It was demanded that I not be left alone and if I did fall asleep, someone had to watch me carefully as I slept. It was Saturday night and I wasn’t sure what would happen Monday when I returned to school. While I listened to everyone talk and develop more plans, the rain finally began to fall from the clouds and a storm raged outside.
Glancing out the window, Vincent shook his head. I saw the rage form in his eyes as he watched the rain harshly fall from the sky. “This storm, it is not good,” he said.
“It rains like this all of the time in the spring,” I said, remembering Maddox’s calming words.
Shaking his head, Vincent looked over at me as I sat on the living room couch. “Yes, I am well aware of spring weather. I have lived many centuries in various parts of the world and I am familiar with storms, but this wasn’t made by Mother Nature,” he said. “This is the Witches.”
“What do you mean?” Asher asked, holding me close to him.
“Who’s hungry?” my mom asked, as she burst into the room from the kitchen.
I almost laughed in spite of myself. My mom loved to bake, especially when she was worried or upset. I imagined racks of pies already lining the kitchen counters just waiting for more to arrive.
“Yes, thank you so much, honey. I think everyone could use a snack,” my dad smiled, as he welcomed her distraction for the moment. He loved my mom and her worrying over all of us.
Turning his attention back to us, Vincent and Jameson stepped into the center of the room.
“I feared they would do something like this,” Jameson said.
“The Witches are angry. They want to rule Shady Oaks and the Shifters and Vampires, and the Witches. They are angry they haven’t perfected their spell to kill Elle and exude her powers. The tornado you faced was part of the Witches. They created that tornado when they discovered the Vampires and Shifter boys looking for them. They are onto you all. These storms will only intensify and grow until they obtain what they want,” Vincent finished.
“And what they want is me,” I said, refusing to sit back silently.
“I am afraid so,” Eloise said, with sorrow filling her voice.
I hated how everyone was looking at me like a victim. Like I was already marching to my own funeral.
“We will stop them,” I shouted. “This is my life and I refuse to give it up to some crazy Witches who have entitlement issues,” I snapped.
“Elle, you are being protected by the fiercest warriors ever created,” my dad stated firmly.
“I would die before they hurt you,” Asher added, wrapping his arm around me and once again pulling me close to his side.
“Yeah, no one is going to hurt you,” Maddox growled next to me.
Coming out of the kitchen, the Witches eyed everyone with curiosity. Angelica, Careen, and Eliza were all holding plates of lemon pie to pass around to everyone in the room.
I could have laughed if the situation hadn’t been so severe.
“We heard the conversations,” Angelica spoke up, as she handed my dad and Jim plates and forks. Both men dug into their lemon pie, savoring the bites as they tried to focus on what the Witches were saying.
Asher waved the plate away while Maddox gladly accepted both his plate and Asher’s. My stomach was too nervous to eat anything, so I refused my dessert too.
“I am afraid that Vincent is correct. These storms are from our cousin and grandmother,” Careen said, as she sat down on the hearth of our fireplace.
“How?” Asher asked.
“We focus on the five elements of nature with our practices. Each coven has its own strength. Originally, our coven was fire but as our cousin and grandmother went rogue, they began to rely on wind as their power element. They are creating these storms from their own inner rage. They are angry that they can’t perfect their spell. They are lashing out at one another and in turn, creating disturbances in our weather. This will all only get worse until they are stopped,” she stated.
“Why don’t you stop them? I mean, it’s your family that’s acting crazy,” Maddox said, with his mouth full of pie.
I glared at him while I waited for Careen to reply.
“We are unable to harm our own family—at least physically,” Eliza added.
“What do you propose we do?” my dad asked, laying his plate down next to him on the coffee table.
“I suggest you call on an element that would help you,” Angelica offered.
“What do you mean?” I asked. I’m not a Witch, I am a Shifter. Sure, I can shift and have the power to shift into basically any form, but I don’t rely on elements like they do. That’s magic.
“Well, when you shift what calls to you the most?” Angelica asked.
I sat there thinking. When I shifted, the forest called to me. It was my home. My protector. My security from the outside world and all the dangers that co-exist in our world. I used the forest to shelter me from eyes not meant to see me as a Shifter.
“I call on nature,” I said, realizing that I did have something in common with them after all. Only, I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
Nodding, Angelica clapped her hands. “That’s great, Elle. When you finally meet and confront my family, you need to be in your element. Lure them to you where you feel most powerful, and they will be most vulnerable. Be prepared to fight them. They won’t give up easily.”
Suddenly, I knew what we had to do. Sitting around here and talking about our next plan wasn’t going to save me and stop these evil Witches from hurting any more people. We had to call them to us. We had to trick them and manipulate them just as they had been doing to me.
“I have a plan,” I almost shouted as I jumped and began pacing the room. “We need to lure the Witches to us in the forest. We need to get them in an area where we feel most confident. Then, we lure them to the open field in the center of the surrounding forests. We will attack them in groups,” I stated.
“Elle, if you are devising another plan, you need to tell us now. I don’t’ want this to be something you try alone. Again,” dad stated, and everyone else in the room agreed.
“I’m not doing this alone. I promise. Just as you suggested, we went in shifts when we spied on the Witches. We need to hide and attack in shifts. We need the Vampires Council hidden in the east side of the forest with a group of our pack. We need the Witches hidden on the west side of the forest with the second group of Shifters. Asher, Maddox, your dad, Jim, and myself. We will wait for the Witches in the open field. We will be surrounded by our team as they seclude themselves in nature. I will shift into the young Witch, only to surprise her and make her briefly lose focus. That will give us the ammunition we will need to attack. Angelica, Eliza, and Careen, can you all create a spell to clear their minds?” I asked, as I turned my focus back to the Witches.
Everyone in the room stared at the Witches as they waited for a response.
“Yes, I am sure we can. Why?” Careen asked.
“If we can distract them, you all could cast your spell on them and render them helpless. They will be cleared of their evil thoughts and ways,” I finished.
Thinking this over, Angelica smiled. “Elle, I think this might work. We haven’t been able to cast any spells on them because they haven’t been vulnerable to allow their minds to be open to manipulation. If you shock them by shifting into one of them, they will be clear of all evil thoughts and won't’ be able to block our spell. I thought you were just going to attack and kill them, which sadly, we were fine with too. I guess this way is more humane,” she smiled.
“I like the way you think,” Maddox said, winking at Angelica.
“Ugh, n
o time to flirt,” I said, rolling my eyes at Maddox.
“When would you want to utilize your plan?” Vincent asked.
“Tomorrow,” I said firmly.
“Tomorrow? Elle, don’t you think you need more time,” my mom chimed in. I hadn’t even seen her come back in from the kitchen. She looked at me with fright in her eyes. I hated to see my mom scared. She was so powerful and strong when she shifted into her animal forms and I missed seeing that side of her. But, seeing her daughter in danger changed something inside of her. My mom wasn’t the warrior she typically was. I needed to change that.
“No. If the Witches are still trying to perfect their spell, that means their anger will only grow. The storms will get worse, possibly deadly. If we wait any longer, they could continue to torment me in my dreams or finally kill me. I am done playing into their games. We found them. We tracked them. We now call the shots. Not them.”
Everyone around me began to talk amongst themselves, deciphering my plans and discussing the possible outcomes. I was tired of talking. I needed action and results. Cutting everyone off, I stood and shouted into the room. “Seriously, do you think this will work?” I asked, my voice bellowing throughout the room.
“I think it is perfect,” Angelica said.
“Sounds brilliant,” Vincent agreed.
“I’m proud of you for creating such a detailed plan,” my dad added.
Everyone seemed to be on board with what I was saying. For the first time in a very, very long time I felt hopeful.
Turning to Asher, I offered him a smile. “Asher, if this works, we can finally go back to just being you and me,” I said.
Sighing, “Asher nuzzled his head against mine. “Elle, I want you and me for eternity,” he spoke softly.
I knew the conversation would come back to that topic. Eternity for Asher meant me. Nothing else would suffice. With as much as we had gone through, eternity with him sounded nice if nothing more than to enjoy peace and quiet. Something I desperately missed.
Chapter 15
I didn’t sleep a wink that night. With the image of the Witches now burned in my brain, the fear of being killed as I slept, and the war we were about to wage tomorrow looming over me—sleep just seemed to evade me.
To be on the safe side though, Asher and Maddox stationed themselves in my bedroom that night. Now, normally parents would be against boys spending the night in my room, but we were under dire circumstances and let’s face it, Maddox wasn’t going to let anything happen between me and Asher. Nothing.
We sat up watching re-runs of old shows our parents grew up watching. Well, Maddox and my parents. Not sure there was television around when Asher’s parents were technically considered teens.
“Are we not going to talk about this?” Maddox asked, turning his face away from the bright lights of the television screen on my bookshelf.
“Talk about what? The war tomorrow?” I asked, sighing. I really wanted to just spend tonight in silence and peace. I was more than aware our lives would be in grave danger tomorrow and between the Witches, Vampires, and Shifters; someone wasn’t going to make it out alive.
“No, you and Asher wanting to become eternal dead beings,” Maddox said, his eyes boring into me.
Asher tensed as he sat next to me and I could feel his hands balling into fists. If his heart beat, I was sure it would have stopped at that moment.
“I’m not sure it is any of your business to discuss,” Asher spoke through clenched teeth as he slowly turned his head to look at Maddox.
Stationed between them, I could feel the negative tension filling the room and almost couldn’t breathe because it was so heavy.
“Guys, maybe tonight isn’t the best time to talk about this,” I began, trying to calm their moods.
“Does anyone want a snack?” my mom called up to us from downstairs.
All three of us yelled no in unison before turning back to the awkward conversation I was sure was about to take place.
Scooting out from beside me on my bed, Maddox moved to the end of my mattress, so he could look at both of us clearly. “Don’t tell me this isn’t my business. Elle and I have been friends since we were babies. She is my soulmate. I have every reason to be involved in your wanting to kill her,” Maddox lashed out.
I could see the brown of his eyes turning red as anger flashed in them. He ran a hand through his shaggy hair in frustration.
“Kill her? I want to give her eternal life. I want to make it so she never has to worry about Hunters or Witches or any other creature harming her again,” Asher said, his hold on my hand almost becoming painful.
“Maddox, Asher doesn’t want to end my life. Besides, I haven’t fully decided on what I am doing yet,” I admitted sheepishly.
That got Asher’s attention on me. “What do you mean? I thought you were sure of this? You would become so powerful. A hybrid of sorts,” Asher said, his voice full of sorrow as he realized I may be having doubts.
I wasn’t doubting wanting to spend eternity with Asher. I just wasn’t sure when and how I would make that decision. I had so many other conflicts to deal with that had honestly been the last thing on my mind.
“I’m not backing out, I just need more time to consider everything,” I said, looking into his eyes for understanding.
Crossing his arms like an immature child, Maddox smirked. “So, seems Elle isn’t ready to become part of the Walking Dead anytime soon,” he stated.
“Shut up, Maddox,” I snapped. “I am not saying anything right now. I know that allowing Asher to change me will turn me into some weird and powerful hybrid. That sounds cool and terrifying all at the same time. I need more time to weigh my options and figure things out.”
“You can’t be serious, Elle. We have talked about this. You know how I feel,” Maddox added, the cockiness from his voice now gone and replaced with sadness.
“Maddox, yes, we have talked, but you don’t really listen,” I began, leaning forward and letting go of Asher’s hand. I could feel Asher tense behind me and catch his breath as I reached for Maddox. “I am just so very confused. We are best friends. Soul mates who belong together as friends and allies forever,” I said, with a smile.
Swatting my hand away, Maddox jumped off my bed and I felt the emptiness from where he had just been sitting. “Don’t tell me that, Elle,” he yelled, hurt ringing from his voice.
Maddox began pacing the room and Asher and I just sat there watching him turn from sad to manic. As he paced the floor, I looked over at Asher for guidance, but he just looked angry and I didn’t’ think he would be of much help to me. “What is happening to you, Elle?” he yelled again.
“Maddox, I think you need to calm down. We are all under a lot of stress right now,” Asher said, his voice calm but his face reflecting a man who would want nothing more than to kill Maddox right now.
“Asher, stay out of this. Ever since you arrived in Shady Oaks, Elle has changed. She used to spend every minute with me. I was the one who helped her shift. I was the one who helped her when she fell when we were kids. I was the one who took her to her first cross-country practice. It has always been me and Elle against the world. Now, it’s all different,” he finished, his eyes filled with a pain that made me cringe.
I stood and walked over to where he was still pacing the floor. I grabbed his hand and made him stop moving and look at me. “Maddox, I’m sorry you are hurting but nothing has to change between us. We are and will always be best friends. But, Asher is in my life now and he isn’t going anywhere,” I said, smiling over at Asher before turning back to look at Maddox again.
“I can’t do this anymore, Elle,” Maddox whispered so low, I almost didn’t’ hear him.
“What?” I asked.
“Let’s calm down. Maddox, I’m sorry you…”
Before Asher could say another word, Maddox spun on his heels and unleashed a vengeance and wrath I had never seen before. “Don’t you dare talk to me,” Maddox growled.
I w
atched in shock as his body began to shift and morph and crack as he began to turn into his Shifter animal. His muscles flexed and grew before my eyes as brown fur began to spread over his arms and legs. His side expanded and before he fully turned, he looked at me one more time. “Elle, you have to choose. Me or Asher. I can’t watch you leave me behind. I can’t watch you allow him to suck your blood and kill you, so you can live out some twisted and freaky dark fairytale. And, I can’t help you tomorrow with the Witches. Too much of my time has been spent helping you just to have you run back to Asher’s arms.” Maddox said as his body finished the transformation. Opening my bedroom window, he turned and gave me one last look before he jumped out and landed on the grass below.
I ran to where he had once been standing and looked down from my bedroom window. Crouched on all fours, Maddox glanced up at the bright, silver moon looming in the night sky and howled before he turned and raced toward the forest.
I swatted away a lone tear that trailed down my cheek as I stared out into the blackness of the night sky. Before I could turn around, my bedroom door flew open and both my parents were leaping into the room, both in their Shifter forms. My mom was a lean, Black Panther with yellow eyes that pierced through me. My dad was a wild, large bear with claws as sharp as knives. Both had menacing stares as they searched around my bedroom.
Asher jumped off the bed and took a defensive stance as they bound into the room.
“What happened?” my dad asked, moving around the room like he expected to find an intruder.
“Was someone here?” my mom asked, stalking around and sniffing.
“No,” I cried out. “Maddox and I had a fight. He left through the window,” I added, pointing outside into the night.
Seeming to calm down, my dad let out a hearty laugh. “Oh, is that all. You two kids are always arguing,” he chuckled.
My mom stopped sniffing and walking around the room. “Elle, I hope he is ok.”
“He will be fine,” Asher said, his voice sharp and full of agitation.
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