Cassie (The Coven's Grove Chronicles #3)

by Virginia Hunter

  “Not a problem. I’ll tell you everything,” Cassie said.

  “Thank you, that means a lot to us.”

  A thousand questions ran through Cassie’s mind, but all she could muster was, “So, what’s next?”

  “That is up to you,” Miranda answered. “We have a lot to teach here, and much to offer in the way of creature comforts—”

  “Trust me when I say the hot tub is to die for,” Alix interrupted.

  Troy chuckled, as he sat down next to Alix.

  “Are you offering an education?” Cassie asked, confused.

  “I’m offering you a home,” Miranda countered.

  Caleb looked around at everyone, concern evident in his furrowed brow. “That’s great, but what’s the catch?”

  A warm, fuzzy feeling filled Cassie. She realized that deep down she’d been expecting to face this place from her dreams, but she’d been expecting to be alone when she did it. The fact that Caleb was here looking out for her made this whole thing easier.

  “I won’t say there isn’t a catch,” Miranda began. “In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I expect loyalty to the coven, and to Coven’s Grove.”

  “What does that mean, exactly?” he pressed, still skeptical.

  Alix placed a hand on Cassie’s. “It means you’d do what we all just did with that demon. We protect our own, and this place. With your life if need be.”

  Cassie sat in silence. Caleb watched her, and waited. The tattooed woman’s words rang true in Cassie’s mind, and were in sync with what she desired most. To be part of a family was something she’d searched for ever since her father had died. Could this sisterhood provide that for her?

  “Alix has decided to join our coven recently,” Miranda said. “We will perform the ritual this spring. You are more than welcome to come and watch.”

  Alix’s hand trembled.

  Cassie glanced at the purple-haired woman, worried that she might be afraid, but what she found in those pale green eyes was anything but fear. Excitement was what made Alix’s hand quiver.

  “I know all of this is a lot to take in,” Miranda continued. “My hope is that you will stay here and observe for a while, and then—”

  “I’ll do it,” Cassie blurted.

  Miranda paused in surprise, but recovered quickly. “I’m so glad. Take your time to figure out—”

  “I mean, I’ll do it,” Cassie said with more conviction. “I’ll join the coven.”

  “Whoa,” Caleb turned to face her. “Just like that? Are you sure?”

  She glanced down at the dagger, and then at Caleb. “More than ever.”

  He stared into her eyes, searching for any hint of doubt.

  She knew he would find none. There was no doubt in her mind that this was where she was meant to be. These people had saved her life, and more than that, she already felt as if this place could be home.

  After a few moments he leaned back. “Well, okay then. I guess we’re doing this.”

  Alix patted Cassie’s hand. “This is so awesome! We can join together!”

  She smiled. “Yeah. Yeah we can.” Her feelings of hope almost spiraled out of control. She was going to get a chance to build something stable in her life, and she was going to put everything she had into it.

  Miranda cleared her throat. She looked quite pleased despite her schooled demeanor. “There is still one more issue that must be dealt with before we proceed.” She picked the dagger up off of the table, and placed it into an unmarked pine box. “Brody.”

  The name hit Cassie like a ton of bricks. She’d completely forgotten about Caleb’s childhood friend. Apparently, Caleb had forgotten about him too as his jaw hung open in surprise. “Where is he?”

  “Here, in the house,” Miranda replied.

  “Is he okay?” Caleb asked, coming to his senses.

  “Yes, he’s fine, but there is the matter of what he now knows. About us.”

  Cassie got that sinking feeling, like whenever she’d been forced to uproot and move. “That doesn’t sound good.”

  Caleb closed his hands into fists.

  “No harm will come to Brody, I assure you,” Miranda said, picking up on the tension. “The matter will have to be addressed however.”

  “How?” Cassie asked.

  “My power,” Miranda answered. “I can alter a person’s memory.”

  “That doesn’t sound good either,” Caleb said. He didn’t appear any more at ease than when the topic had started, in fact, he seemed even more agitated.

  “I cannot allow the coven to be exposed.”

  “But surely there’s another way,” Cassie pleaded. “Maybe something that prevents him from talking about it.”

  “That would do more harm than good. The potential conflict could shred his mind. It would be better if he didn’t remember at all.”

  “Can we at least talk with him about it before a decision is made?” Caleb asked.

  “Of course, I just wanted to speak with you first,” Miranda said. “Believe me, I don’t want any harm to come to Brody, or any other innocent bystander. But my coven comes first, and the knowledge Brody now possesses, makes him a danger to us.”

  “There was a similar problem,” Alix interjected. “With some of Dominic’s friends. It all worked out okay though.”

  “Were their memories...changed?” Cassie asked, somewhat appalled.

  “No,” Miranda replied, as she moved an auburn lock of hair behind her ear. “There were special circumstances involved that don’t apply to Brody’s situation.”

  “Why not?” Caleb asked.

  “Because Brody didn’t kill anyone.”

  “Wait. You let these other people keep their memories because they killed someone?” Caleb asked, perplexed.

  Miranda folded her hands in her lap. “They did so in defense of the coven, and the whole affair created mutual leverage.”

  Caleb rubbed the space between his eyes. “Great.”

  Brody’s chances of stepping away from this unscathed, were looking slim. Tampering with someone’s mind seemed like a violation on so many levels, but looking at it from Miranda’s perspective, what choice did the woman really have.

  “Maybe we should talk with Brody now,” Cassie suggested.

  Miranda produced an old-looking skeleton key from her pocket. “He’s upstairs, first door on the right.”

  Cassie stood and took the key. “You locked him in a room?”

  “I didn’t want him to get hurt,” Miranda said. “You know better than any of us how dangerous that demon was.”

  “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.” Cassie headed for the stairs, Caleb following close behind.

  The banister was made from a dark wood that had been well polished. Steps of smooth stone led up to a hallway that could have come straight out of Forbes Magazine. Hardwood flooring, Persian rugs, and plush furnishings, trailed off in the distance. Portraits and paintings covered the cream colored walls all the way down.

  Their destination was a door just to the right. Its surface was etched with runes and symbols Cassie had never seen before. She stepped to the door, and unlocked it. “Brody?” she called, as she stepped into the room.

  “Thank God!” Brody hopped up off of a small couch. “Are you guys okay?”

  Caleb came in right after her. “Yeah. What about you?”

  “Other than feeling like a kid that’s been sent to his room, I’m fine.”

  Cassie gave him a hug, as did Caleb. “We need to talk.”

  “Sure. Right after we get outta here...” Brody started toward the door.

  “We can’t leave yet, man,” Caleb said. “We need to talk first.”

  Brody frowned, “Seriously?”

  Caleb nodded.

  Brody shrugged. He gestured to the many chairs and sofas that filled the room. “Take your pick.”

  The decor of the sitting room was similar to what was in the hallway. The ceiling was vaulted, and tall windows stretched across the outer wall. A broken
chair sat lopsided on the floor. One of the legs laid next to it on the floor.

  “Bullet proof glass?” Cassie asked, as she took a seat on a red, velvet couch.

  Brody glanced at the windows, and then the chair. “Something like that,” he grinned. “I got impatient.”

  “I can imagine,” Caleb said.

  “Is that demon thing still out there?” Brody asked.

  “No, it was banished,” she answered.

  “And the cult guys that were with it are no longer a problem either,” Caleb added.

  “Well, that’s good news,” Brody said. “So, why do you guys look like you lost?”

  Cassie’s mouth went dry. For some stupid reason she thought that this would be easier to talk about than it was turning out to be. She found herself at a loss for words.

  “Miranda has some concerns now that you know she and her friends are witches,” Caleb stated bluntly. “She wants to alter your mind, so you won’t remember what they are.”

  “What the shit?!” Brody jumped up again. “Are you kidding me?”

  “Way to ease into it,” Cassie said, narrowing her eyes at Caleb. “Nobody has decided anything yet. We need to find another solution.”

  “Running for it sounds pretty good to me,” Brody pointed at the windows.

  “That’s not an option, and I’m pretty sure you know that,” Caleb said. “Cassie’s right, we need to think this through.”

  “Easy for you to say!” Brody yelled. “You’re not about to get the ‘Total Recall’ mindswipe!”

  “That’s not what she said,” Cassie retorted. “She just wants to remove the part about you knowing they are witches. And most likely that I’m one too.”

  “Well I’m glad it’ll be that easy,” Brody snipped. “I mean it’s not like anything could go wrong, like frying my brain!”

  Cassie sighed. He was right. She had no idea how Miranda’s power worked, or how much danger was actually involved. “We need to come up with some alternative solutions.”

  Brody spread his arms. “What are the options?”

  “I think she wants us to come up with some,” Cassie answered.

  “Fabulous.” Brody flopped back down in his chair.

  “I’m not going to let them hurt you, man,” Caleb promised. “We come up with a solution, or we fight our way out.”

  Cassie cringed at the thought. She’d seen the witches in action, and knew full well the three of them wouldn’t stand a chance against the coven. Not to mention she wanted to stay, and be a part of this place. “It won’t come to that. Miranda seems reasonable.”

  Brody shifted in the chair, and scratched his chin in thought. Caleb did the same. Cassie couldn’t get her mind to stop racing. She kept going back to a fight between the witches and the three of them. Think, dammit, she chided. It can’t come to that.

  “They need to make sure I don’t spill the beans, right?” Brody finally asked.

  “Yeah,” Caleb answered.

  “Don’t they have a spell or something that would stop me from saying anything?”

  Caleb shook his head. “We brought that up, and she said it could mess up your mind.”

  “Well that’s out then,” Brody replied. “What if I pinky-swear not to tell?”

  Cassie gave him a deadpan look, while Caleb snorted. “You know her better than we do,” she said. “You think she’d go for that?”

  “No,” Brody shook his head. “Probably not.”

  “Would you be up to staying on the grounds for a while?” Cassie suggested. “You said she offered a place for you to stay while you were working. Maybe if you could build some trust with them, they would be willing to forego the mind tampering.”

  Brody pondered her words. “I’m practically here all the time anyway. It wouldn’t be that big of a stretch.”

  “Okay, so that’s a start.” She was glad he felt comfortable enough to at least try it, but she still didn’t feel right about the whole situation. She didn’t think she could be part of the coven if they ended up altering his mind anyway.

  “We need to include Miranda in this discussion,” Caleb said. He stood, and started pacing. “I think the main thing we need to get straight between us, is what happens if she decides to mess with Brody. I’m not going to let that happen.” He looked at Cassie.

  “We won’t stand a chance if it comes to a confrontation, but I’m on your side.”

  “Hey guys,” Brody said. “Miranda’s always been cool, even though what she’s proposing is kinda freaking me out right now. I don’t think we’re going to have to fight our way out.”

  “As long as the three of us are agreed that she’s not going to be jacking with your mind, I’m up for whatever happens,” Caleb said.

  Cassie nodded. “Agreed.”

  “Okay,” Brody said. He glanced at Cassie and Caleb. “I’m glad you guys are here.”

  “Considering we got you into this mess in the first place, I really appreciate the fact you feel that way.” Caleb patted Brody on the shoulder.

  Cassie got up. “Let’s get it over with.” She was hating this. One minute she thought she’d found a place to call home, and the next, she found herself poisoned against it. No easy answers. A lesson she’d learned several years ago. It was unfortunate that hope always seemed to make her forget.

  The three of them went downstairs. Cassie could still feel the pull to stay when she looked out on the great room, but it was tainted now with an edge of regret. Alix and Troy had moved to the large granite bar, enjoying each other’s company. The thing could seat over a dozen people easily, and was crafted from the same wood that could be found throughout the rest of the house.

  The matriarch was nowhere to be seen.

  “Where did Miranda go?” Cassie asked, as she approached the pair.

  Alix smiled from behind the bar. “She’s putting that dagger away. No worries, she’ll be right back. Drink?”

  Cassie declined, as did the rest of her party.

  “Hey Brody,” Alix said.

  He gave her a nod. “Hey Alix. How’s that new headboard holding up?”

  The crimson that suddenly brightened Alix’s cheeks actually complimented the purple in her hair. She bit down on her lower lip, but didn’t quite suppress the chuckle she was trying to hide.

  Troy barked a laugh. The redhead glanced over his shoulder at Brody. “Much better, my friend. Thanks for replacing it.”

  “Glad to hear it,” Brody said with a grin. “Let me know if you have any more...trouble.”

  Heat burned Cassie’s cheeks now as well. “Maybe I will have a drink. You got a Corona back there?” She plopped down on one of the padded bar stools.

  Alix shot her a thankful look, and reached under the bar. There must have been a fridge under the counter, because the bottle she pulled out quickly covered with condensation. “Lime?”

  “There’s no other way,” Cassie replied.

  Out came a small container filled with limes. Alix popped the lid, and slid the container over to Cassie along with the beer. “All yours.”

  Cassie dressed her beverage, and took a long pull off of it. The cool, burning sensation that rushed down her throat, was a welcomed relief. “So, since we’re kind of on the subject, there’s been something I’ve been wondering about.” She looked at Alix and Troy. “Do you guys get a tingling feeling whenever you touch each other?”

  “Wow,” Brody said, laughing. “And I thought I was getting personal.”

  Alix nodded, knowingly. “Yeah, you guys too?”

  Cassie signaled an affirmative with her bottle.

  “Hannah calls it Atingere,” Alix said. “It lets us know when we’ve found a suitable companion.”

  “That must be nice,” Brody quipped.

  “It isn’t a bad thing,” Caleb said. “Inconvenient maybe, but definitely not bad.”

  Cassie eyed him, and mouthed the word “Taser”, before taking another drink.

  Caleb rolled his cloudy blues with a sigh.<
br />
  “Glad to know that it’s a ‘thing’ with all witches, and not more weirdness only associated with me,” Cassie said.

  Alix laughed, “You can relax, you’re not that special.”

  “Cheers to that,” Cassie held up her drink.

  Alix and Troy did the same, and the three of them drank.

  “How long have you all known each other?” Cassie asked, pointing back and forth between Alix, Troy, and Brody.

  “Brody was working here before we arrived,” Troy answered. “So, a little over a year.”

  “So you know he wouldn’t tell anyone about this place, right?” Caleb asked, as he stepped up behind Cassie.

  “Yes, we know he wouldn’t intentionally put us in harm’s way,” Miranda said from across the room. Everyone jumped with a start, and turned to watch the beautiful woman in white, as she glided over to them. “Even if he let something slip, the likelihood of anyone believing him would be slim. The issue is that people like that cult leader are hunting for us, and they have means to force the information out of you, Brody. There is also a good chance that they know where you live now.”

  Brody swallowed. “What if I stayed here on the grounds, twenty-four-seven? You’d offered that once before.”

  Miranda raised her brow. “An interesting proposition.”

  “There’s something else,” Cassie said, as she slid off the bar stool. “I can’t stay if you do something to his mind. That may not mean much to you, but I hope it does. Brody took us in—just like you guys did—and I can’t sit here and watch while he suffers consequences that should be mine.” The tension in the room cranked up a few notches. She could actually feel Caleb’s heart rate increase. She wondered if it was the bond between them that allowed her to sense his anxiety.

  Miranda smiled. “I had hoped as much. I’m glad to see such loyalty given to a friend.”

  “So you want me to stay?” she asked unsure.

  “Yes. I do,” Miranda answered. “And it just so happens that I have need of Brody as well.”

  “The cottages,” Brody said.

  “Exactly,” Miranda nodded. “I will need twelve in all. The quicker you can build them, the better.”

  “I think I missed something there,” Caleb said. He seemed calm, but his heart was still thumping like a hammer.