Storm Witch (Wolf Ridge Chaos Witch Book 1)

by Jayne Hawke

  I should have been paying more attention to my surroundings. That was something they taught you from a very young age as a Morrigan witch. Never let anyone sneak up on you. I felt safe with Gideon, though, and I was so caught up in the possibility of the things from the between that I didn’t notice them at first.

  The footsteps should have had me calling down my Set swords. The prickling at the back of my neck brought me out of my thoughts, but not quickly enough.

  A dark rough bag started to descend over my head. My training kicked in. I elbowed the attacker in the ribs and mule kicked them hard in the shin, driving them backwards. Tearing the bag off my head, I spun around and called down my Set swords. Gideon and I had been walking through the evening rain, enjoying a little peace and quiet as we wandered around the edge of the forest. It was supposed to be a time of thoughtful contemplation and relaxation after a hard couple of days.

  We were surrounded by people dressed in black pants, big black boots, and black turtlenecks. They each wore a plain white mask with no facial features. My swords formed in my hands, the weight of them a comfort that allowed me to step into the familiar role of warrior.

  The attackers paused and looked at Gideon. I watched him out of the corner of my eye and saw the copper armour appear over his shoulders and spread down over his torso and arms. The shield formed next and the long spear, quickly followed by shorter throwing spears on his back. He was a thing of beauty, a warrior of old.

  I was on Gideon’s shield side as we surged forwards to turn the fight around.

  “We need to take them alive and in good health!” a masculine voice called out.

  Were these people the ones that took the solitary witches?

  The thrill of the fight filled me as we raced across the compact earth of the forest. The stance of the slender person before me was experienced, balanced, but not strong enough. Gideon thrust his long spear at the one of the left. I moved around him, corralling the one on the right into spearing distance. As much as I wanted to sink my swords into them, it was better to work as a team and watch each other’s backs.

  Gideon and I flowed around each other as naturally as a stream cutting through the woods. We controlled the movements of our attackers, pushing them back against the trees. They fought valiantly and with great ferocity. A larger person with the shoulders of a grizzly bear tried to batter his way through our defences. Gideon clapped him in the face with his shield, and I thrust my sword deep into his broad stomach. He roared, a terrifying sound that echoed all around us, making the entire forest still.

  We weren’t dealing with humans or normal witches here. Dark blood oozed from the wound, and he clubbed me in the head, sending me reeling. That really irritated me. Gripping my swords tighter, I pulled on my new magic and dug deep into myself, calling upon the lightning. If he wanted to play rough, then I was going to give as good as I got. Brilliant white electricity arced down my swords, and I laughed as the high hit me.

  Gideon was strong and determined in his attacks, holding the line, keeping them in place. I circled around behind the bear man, licking my lips as I looked him up and down. The blood was still oozing unnaturally. We were down to only three attackers. One had fled in fear. The bear man was our real problem. A smaller woman tried to come around behind me. She slipped between the shadows and appeared to my left.

  Her foot slipped on an exposed root, the small sound enough to draw my attention from the sound of the bear’s fist striking Gideon’s shield. She moved far faster than I had anticipated. A slender blade sank between my ribs. The pain blocked my senses for a split second. It was the shock of it. I wasted no time in blocking out the pain and focused on ending the woman. The time for trying to keep them alive for interrogation had passed.

  I was aggressive in my attacks and kept moving forward, not letting up as I drove her back and away from Gideon. The sound of the bear man groaning as Gideon struck him in the face with his shield was soon followed by the clunking sound of his spear striking the top of the man’s head. I laughed. I knew that pain a little too well. The woman tried to dance around me, but I pushed forward, blocking her movements as I thrust my swords at her soft exposed stomach.

  Her blade sank into my thigh. I reacted by hacking her throat open, leaving it in bloody ruins. Warm blood seeped through my jeans. I focused on the anger I’d been trained to form when in pain. Anger pushed me forward and kept me fighting. Turning, I raced to Gideon’s side as he thrust his spear into the bear man’s stomach again, and again. Each time he pulled it back out, the spear dripped with dark almost black blood. It looked wrong.

  There was someone else around there somewhere. I knew it. I could hear their footsteps. My lightning cast bright sparks of light into the darkness around us, and I saw them as the bear dropped to his knees with a final death rattle. Gideon and I separated and moved to attack the final masked assailant from either side. The man was powerful and fast. His matte-black knife was almost lost in the darkness, but I felt it with my magic. The lightning was drawn to it. It offered a route into the earth.

  My thigh was slowing me down. Thoughts were becoming difficult, and my vision was starting to grow a little hazy. It was all the masked man needed. His matte black knife sliced across my lower abdomen. Digging deep, I called upon the last energy that I had and pushed as much lightning as I could muster into him.

  His eyes flew open as he crackled and burned.

  Dropping to my knees, I tried to find my natural healing, but the last of my magic had gone into that lightning. Out of the corner of my eye, I was aware of the wrongness of the bodies. The misshapen forms and the darkness slithering from them before it evaporated. They’d been possessed.

  30

  To my incredible shame, Gideon scooped me up into his arms and carried me over to his car. I’d never had to be carried away from a fight in my life. He held me firmly against his strong chest when I tried to stand on my own two feet.

  “Now’s not the time for pride, Sky,” he growled.

  I huffed.

  “I just need a nice healing potion and a good night’s sleep. You’re being melodramatic.”

  “We don’t know if they laced their weapons with something. They were possessed by something dark. I have a healer in my coven. You’re staying at my coven house tonight.”

  “Take me home. I’m sure I have a healing potion.”

  “Stop being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn.”

  I crossed my arms and watched the darkness pass out of the window. We’d quickly passed through the suburbs and were out into the forest now. That was where the big old houses were hidden far from prying eyes. Gideon drove aggressively and far past the speed limit. The car hugged the road and cornered as though it was on rails. I was jealous. My little car would have rolled over had I have tried that - or had something drop off.

  He took a sharp left turn, and the road changed. I could feel the thrum of wards threaded through the tall mature trees as we flew down the narrow road. Ahead of us a set of tall wrought iron gates stretched towards the sky. A large spear and shield sat in the middle of the twisting metal, making it clear this was Gideon’s home.

  The gates opened just in time for Gideon to squeeze through them and continue down the driveway. Immaculate lawns stretched out on either side of the driveway. Through the darkness, I could just about make out tall heavy stone walls. The house itself was stunning. Three stories high, formed of pale silvery stone with elegant windows dotted across its frontage. There was even a small tower on the right-hand side.

  My Morrigan coven house hadn’t been this extravagant. They had opted for an over-sized cottage. This was somewhere between a French chateau and a Scottish castle. Gideon pulled up next to a pitch-black Porche and jumped out of the car. I opened my door but didn’t get a chance to try and step out. Gideon was there and scooping me back into his arms. His magic thudded against my skin, pressing me tight against him.

  He strode across the remaining driveway and up t
he shallow stone steps onto the porchway. The heavy wooden door swung open to reveal a concerned Greyson.

  “Gather the healing stuff. We were attacked and Sky’s lost a good bit of blood.”

  Greyson didn’t say a word. He vanished into the darkness. Gideon walked down the wide hallway with coppery-coloured parquet floors past the pale blue-grey walls which were covered in beautiful paintings of what I assumed was Scottish countryside. The place felt like a home. A really big home.

  When I glanced through the open doorways, I saw huge comfortable couches with throws and cushions scattered around about. Books were stacked up on a pale wooden table alongside magazines and what looked like manga. It had the distinct sense of being lived in, which I loved. If this was going to be my home, I needed a place I could relax and be myself. I couldn’t live in a museum.

  Gideon gently placed me down on a heavy wooden chair next to the long rustic farmhouse-style table in the kitchen. Greyson had reappeared with a large reddish wooden box in his arms. He placed the box down and looked past me at the doorway behind me. His mouth pursed and he dropped his eyes before he stepped back with his hands up.

  “I didn’t touch anything.”

  A small delicate blonde woman came running into the room. Her waist-length hair hung loose down her back and fell into her eyes as she stalked over to the box.

  “Why didn’t you call me first?” the woman growled at Gideon.

  “Greyson was closer,” Gideon said flatly.

  The woman muttered under her breath and opened up the box, revealing layers of vials, bottles, jars, and other glassware, all full of herbs and salves. She must have been the resident healer.

  “What happened?” she demanded.

  Greyson had backed away and perched upon the slate kitchen counter, watching like a bird of prey.

  “We were attacked by a group of possessed,” Gideon said.

  Ella held her hands about two feet away from me and nodded to herself.

  “I only feel a touch of their magic on her. It’s just flesh wounds. You’ll need two potions tonight; salves should take care of the rest. Now, if you can strip down so I can get to the injuries.”

  Gideon put himself between me and the little healer.

  “I’ll do it,” he rumbled.

  The healer sighed wearily.

  “Whatever.”

  She placed two large vials of lurid pink liquid out in front of me.

  “Drink those both tonight. One now, one once he’s finished.”

  Then two hand sized jars full of what looked like grey putty were placed next to them.

  “A thin layer will do the job. Be gentle.”

  She muttered under her breath some more before she stalked out of the room.

  “Ella hates when other people interfere with her healing,” Greyson explained.

  I looked pointedly up at Gideon, who gave me a brilliant smile.

  “I’m not going to let someone else strip down and touch my future wife,” he said with that smile.

  I looked down at my blood-soaked clothes and groaned. I only had one other pair of jeans, and that was my favourite shirt. Damn those possessed.

  I wriggled out of the shirt and jeans and was grateful that I’d put on a nicer set of underwear that morning. It wasn’t my lacy best, but it didn’t have any holes in it either. Greyson looked away, refusing to look in my direction. I wasn’t sure if that was out of fear of what Gideon would do, or respect for me. Either way, I kept my chin high and dared Gideon to get a good look. I wasn’t ashamed of my body, but you could bet I’d give him a black eye if he did anything inappropriate.

  31

  Gideon stripped down to his boxers. I was torn between horror and delight. I didn’t really want to give him a black eye. A black tattoo on his powerful thigh caught my attention. A phoenix rose from ashes inked around the top of his knee. Its great wings wrapped around his heavy muscle, and the head dipped just beneath the leg of his boxers. It was beautiful work. Despite being only in black, the artist had used shading to make it look as though it could flap its wings and fly off his skin.

  “It seemed only fair that if you’re down to your underwear, I be down to mine.”

  “Scots,” Greyson muttered.

  Gideon flashed him a broad grin, which drew an eye roll from the Nyx witch.

  I picked up the first of the pink vials, pulled the stopper out, and knocked it back in one long gulp. Normally healing potions were herbal, a little gritty, and distinctly medicinal in flavour. They were something you wanted to chase with a lot of water. Or vodka. This one, however, had a light elderflower taste to it that left my mouth feeling refreshed. I was going to have to buy some of those. There was no way I was going back to those awful medicinal potions after that.

  Gideon crouched down next to me and gently began work on my injuries. He worked efficiently as he cleaned the copious amounts of blood off my stomach and thigh. I’d lost a lot more than I realised.

  “Why aren’t you injured?” I demanded.

  Gideon laughed.

  “I had the good sense to wear armour.”

  “You do not need armour,” Set immediately said.

  “And I suppose you do have your pointy stick to keep them at arm’s length...” I teased.

  He raised an eyebrow at me as his hand paused just above the top of my panties.

  “Are you suggesting I can’t fight up close and personal?” he rumbled.

  “You said it, not me,” I said with a grin.

  He leaned in close, his warm breath caressing my lips.

  “I do enjoy a challenge,” he whispered.

  Greyson cleared his throat. He pointed at my thigh where the blood was drying.

  “You missed a bit,” he said impishly.

  Gideon narrowed his eyes at him, and I bit back a laugh.

  I stole looks at Gideon’s muscular body when he wasn’t looking. He was lean, but powerful. I was increasingly looking forward to exploring the shallows between his muscles with my fingers and tongue. Our wedding night was going to be a lot of fun, although I wasn’t sure if I’d feel the need to give him a test run before then.

  The salve felt cool against my skin and drained away the deep ache and pain that had been present in my wounds. I hadn’t even realised how much the pain had clouded my mind until it slipped away. Gideon gave me a warm smile that I found myself returning. He was a good man. The protective streak might need a little work so he didn’t suffocate me, but I could see myself being happy with him.

  Greyson hopped down off the kitchen countertop and handed me a shirt.

  “Don’t worry, it’s one of Gideon’s.”

  I took it and slipped the soft deep blue cotton over my bare skin before I buttoned it up. Gideon didn’t hide his disappointment at my being covered again.

  “Is the room made up for Sky?”

  Greyson have a small nod.

  “Don’t forget to feed her!” the healer called out from a nearby room.

  “What would you like to eat, Sky?”

  My stomach growled.

  “I’m not picky.”

  A tall imposing figure strode into the kitchen. The runes over his hands and bare forearms marked him as an Odin witch. Power and presence rolled off him. I found myself sitting a little taller and tugging the shirt down over my legs as far as it could go.

  “Ryan, this is Sky,” Gideon said.

  Ryan flashed a smile at me.

  “Oh, I know. Ella sent me instructions to bring back food,” Ryan said as he lifted the bags in his hands.

  Gideon brought plates over and Ryan dished up the most incredible-smelling burgers. My mouth watered as I looked at the double helping of rich beef topped with every topping imaginable set upon beautifully golden buns. Never before I had I seen such incredible food. That, or I was really hungry.

  Ryan placed a plate with two of those burgers down in front of me. I wasted no time in biting down into it. Somehow, it tasted even better than it looked. Salsa
mingled with fried onions to bring out the richness in the perfectly cooked beef. I wolfed down both burgers before Ryan had a chance to finish his first one.

  “She has a good appetite on her, then,” Ryan said with a smile.

  He was almost the direct opposite of Greyson in appearance. Where Greyson was lean and slipped into the shadows, Ryan was broad, muscular, and blond. His icy blue eyes saw everything. He towered over the other two men in the room and looked as though he could punch through a tree and not flinch.

  Something about Odin witches sets me on edge. I think it’s their incredible drive for knowledge and their cut-throat attitude towards war. They’re intelligent, fierce, and far more dangerous than many give them credit for. Many viewed Odin witches as scholars, but there was no way to miss the sharp edge and warrior side to the man sitting across the table from me.

  32

  “So, you were just wandering through the woods and stumbled into a fight...” Ryan said.

  I wrapped my hands around the large mug full of Mexican hot chocolate and breathed in the scent.

  “Isn’t that what happens when you walk through the woods?” I asked.

  Ryan laughed, a big booming sound that filled the room.

  “Apparently I’ve been walking wrong.”

  Gideon placed his hand on my wrist and smiled at my gently.

  “We can have this discussion in the morning if you’re tired.”

  I was exhausted, but it felt good to be hanging out with witches again. Witches who didn’t view me as broken or inferior.

  “No, it’s best to do it now while the details are fresh in our minds.”

  Gideon had a laptop at the ready to record any little details we’d noticed during the fight.

  “So, these attackers all wore the same thing?” the Nyx witch asked.

  “Yes. The masks were completely black. Their blood seemed weird, too,” I said.

  “There was clearly darkness within them. They didn’t have the same strength or tendrils reported from the other attacks, but they were clearly under the influence of the dark magic we’ve been dealing with. There was also a comment about taking us both alive,” Gideon said.