“No. We’ll both have one and toast our success.”
“You just can’t be serious today, can you?” Hildy asked.
They uncapped the vials and lifted them. “Healing rock water… the drink of Morgana’s champions,” Carol declared.
Hildy didn’t laugh, couldn’t laugh at the poor joke, but she did swallow down the contents of her vial. Healing spread through her instantly. “I do feel better. I think that actually worked.”
Carol nodded. “I’m not top notch yet, but I’m feeling better. If demons are there, we’ll deal with them, but I don’t think it’s the demons we have to worry about. They’re a symptom of the problem, not the source. I’m fairly certain it’s the blonde I saw. This is all about her. Even Thane is just a pawn in her game.”
Hildy rubbed her eyes. “I know we don’t have time to waste. Sorry I had a meltdown over Chuck. I can’t laugh things off the way you do.”
“One day you will. Sarcasm and irony sharpen over time,” Carol promised, hugging Hildy as she chuckled.
Finally, Hildy shrugged and took in a deep breath for courage. She thought for a minute, then slipped her arm around Carol’s waist, hugging her fellow witch tightly to her side. She didn’t want to lose her mid-transport.
“If I was a freaking lesbian, you still wouldn’t be my type, Carol. You have terrible taste in clothes and you’re way too soft-hearted on the bad guys. All you ever want to do is lock them up and teach them a lesson. You’re as bad as the Jezibaba.”
When Carol burst out laughing, it made Hildy smile too. She took another deep breath and raised her hand. And then they were speeding down a dark tunnel.
***
Isobelle lifted her head when a tingling began to creep up her spine. Excitement skittered through the goosebumps rising along her arms. “They’re here,” she said gleefully, clapping her hands. “Wake him up. Wake him up.”
Thane snorted and walked to the naked man he’d bound to the tree with chains. He swung a hand and slapped the man’s jaw hard enough to snap his face against the bark.
Chuck wiggled his jaw as he came around. “Dang Dude. Did I sleep with your sister or something? That hit was pretty hard.”
Thane snorted and looked over his shoulder. “Your captive is awake, Isobelle.”
A smiling Isobelle trotted over to her secret weapon. “Hello. Your mate is coming to rescue you.”
Chuck laughed. “Ma’am, I think you have the wrong bear. I’m not mated.”
“Is your name Charles?” Isobelle demanded.
Chuck nodded. “That’s what my mother calls me. Everyone else calls me Chuck.”
“Well… Chuck… the witch who loves you is on her way. I’ve made sure of it.”
Chuck made a face as he searched his memories. “Did you say witch? Now I know you’ve got the wrong person. I’ve never met a witch… not in my entire life. I’d be willing to pinky swear to that.”
Isobelle rolled her eyes. “I’m a witch. Carol is a witch. And Hildy—the love of your life—is a damn witch. But soon there will only be one witch you need to worry about remembering.”
Chuck blinked his eyes a few times to see if he was dreaming. Nope. “Witch Ma’am, you’re the first witch I’ve met… bear’s honor. And I don’t know anyone named Hildy, though that is a very pretty name.”
Isobelle screamed when she saw he was being honest. “Thane, what’s going on here? Are you sure you got the right bear?”
“His smell was too distinctive to get it wrong. I tried to tell you the bear might not remember the witch, but you refused to listen to my concerns. For many species, the first shift wipes away a lot of childhood memories. This is especially true for those species who aren’t exactly known for their brilliance.”
Isobelle crossed her arms and patted her foot against the dirt. “This will not stop me. He might not remember her, but she will remember him. Nothing’s happened to her memories. Right?”
Thane shrugged and then reluctantly nodded. “That’s a plausible theory.”
Dropping her arms, Isobelle stomped over to stare into her dragon’s too neutral gaze. “I don’t need to hear that it’s plausible. I need to hear this is going to work.”
“If you wanted an ass kisser, you’ve aligned with the wrong dragon.”
“You didn’t seem to have a problem kissing my ass last night,” Isobelle said.
Thane growled and stepped closer. “I warned you about playing those games with me.”
Irritated into taking action, Isobelle raised a hand, murmured a chant, and watched as Thane grabbed at the invisible cords now wrapped around his throat.
“Now look, dragon. I’ve had enough of your rebellion. You’re an amusing lover, but not the best I’ve had, so get over yourself. You are to go set the forest on fire like we planned and then get your ass to Witchery U and burn that place to the ground. No future magicals will be trained there. Don’t make me get nasty with you.”
When he growled, Isobelle waited until Thane was ready to pass out from choking. “A bad attitude will not be tolerated. Are we clear on who’s boss here, Hot Stuff? Nod please.”
Thane’s nod was short, but satisfying in its immediacy. Isobelle pulled back the magic and the dragon fell at her feet, which was exactly where she wanted him.
“Now get your firey ass into the sky and do what I said.”
Thane stood slowly, shifting to his true form as he did. Isobelle continued to stare him at him defiantly. “You’re lucky I need you, witch.”
“Back at ya, Hot Stuff,” she taunted.
Isobelle stood her ground while Thane launched himself into the air above her head. Hearing a gasp, she turned and saw the bear staring into the sky in awe.
“Wow. He’s a real dragon,” Chuck said.
Isobelle huffed and rolled her eyes. “Yes, fool. And I’m a real witch. Hasn’t that marble sized brain of yours caught up to reality yet?”
“Hey, you don’t have to talk so mean to me,” Chuck protested.
“Actually, I do because you’re the only entertainment I have at the moment,” Isobelle replied, stomping off to prepare. “I should have just called up the demons to help me, but instead I had to woo a damn dragon. Now I can’t afford the loss of power, not with both of the witches coming after me. I will have to get better at this if I intend to rule.”
“Better at what?” Chuck asked politely, trying to carry his part of a conversation he still didn’t understand.
Isobelle kept walking. “You should save your breath for your prayers, Chuck. Today is your day to die.”
“Alright, but you keep talking, and we’re the only ones here and the rules of polite conversation dictate that I…”
“Shut. Up.”
Chuck grumbled at the rudeness, but dipped his head. “Wow. Someone really needs a hug.”
Isobelle laughed at the comment. “Do you really think a hug would change me?”
Chuck blinked a couple times in surprise. “No, ma’am… Ms. Witch, ma’am. Only years of counseling, and maybe some hard time in the magic pokey, could possibly effect a change in you. When I spoke of needing a hug, I was talking about myself. I’m getting grumpy and no one likes a grumpy bear.”
Rolling her eyes at his naiveté, Isobelle stomped off into the forest looking for a quiet place to call her darkest magic. She needed to be tucked out of sight or the bear would never feel comfortable enough to lure the stupid Baba Yaga witches to rescue him.
***
Hildy and Carol landed in the middle of a clearing and looked around in surprise. All the surrounding trees were on fire and smoke filled the air.
“Guess this explains the dark tunnel we travelled in,” Hildy said.
“Guess so,” Carol replied, turning in a circle to assess the damage. “This was started with dragon fire. Thane probably did it. Someone needs to take that dragon down for good.”
Hildy’s mouth dropped open. “My gut tells me Thane did start the fire, but how do you do that? You took o
ne look and just knew.”
“We learned to identify fire sources in advanced pyrotechnics. I knew the source was a dragon and deduced it was likely Thane. Didn’t you pay attention in any of our advanced classes?”
Hildy sighed. “Yes… but only the ones I liked. I’m a whiz at potions and healing spells.”
“Neither of those are very helpful for fighting this though,” Carol said without any anger. Hildy had her strengths and she had hers. They were a team and you didn’t bitch at a team member when you were in the middle of a fight. “We need to put this fire out or at least contain it.”
“How are we supposed to do that? Neither of us can make it rain. Gaia won’t let us,” Hildy said sadly. She’d always wanted to have some power over nature.
Carol nodded. “Maybe we can fight this without water. I have another idea.” She closed her eyes and called her familiar. Barely a moment later, Ahmed in dog form danced at her feet. He was just as alarmed about the fire as she was. “I know. Can you conjure up enough sand to bank this forest blaze?”
Ahmed growled and studied the fire and the trees. Two yaps later, he morphed into a giant bird the size of an airplane.
“A for real Thunderbird. Very nice, Ahmed,” Carol said, patting one giant feather.
“Whoa…” Hildy exclaimed, backing away as his talons dug into the ground.
Letting loose a loud caw that could probably be heard for miles, Ahmed launched himself into the smoke-filled sky. They watched until he disappeared far above the wafting gray clouds.
Carol sighed worriedly, but there was nothing she could do except trust her familiar with the task. Their main problem was waiting for them far from where they’d landed. She took Hildy’s arm. “She’s not here, but her power calls to me. Do you feel it?”
Hildy looked around worriedly, then closed her eyes to block out the distraction of the fire. “Okay. Yes. I see her line of magic now. She’s about twenty miles from here. She’s certainly done her best to wear us out.”
Carol nodded. “Yes. That’s what I got too. Are you ready to face her?”
Hildy swallowed hard and nodded. Her gut was churning. It wasn’t the upcoming battle with a fellow witch that bothered her. She trusted her magic to help her. She just didn’t trust her feelings for a bear she hadn’t seen in ages. The thought of him in pain weakened her knees.
When she caught Carol studying her face and looking concerned, Hildy shook her head and stood straighter. “She’s using my feelings for Chuck to lure us to where she wants us, isn’t she?”
Carol nodded. “Yes. I’m glad you at least recognize it.”
“I’ll be fine, Carol. I won’t let you down… no matter what she’s done to Chuck. Let’s go,” Hildy said as bravely as she could considering she was lying out her ass.
Chapter 8
The two of them were still standing when they arrived, which was a proud accomplishment considering the bad day they were having. Carol looked around, her gaze landing on a naked man chained to a tree.
“Uh… Hildegard. Baby Bear is definitely all grown up now,” she said.
Hildy’s panicked gaze swung in the direction Carol pointed. A shiver went through her as her gaze raked Chuck’s naked form. “Goddess…” she whispered, swallowing past the giant lump of nervousness in her throat.
“Hello,” Chuck said, his gaze on the cute witch who was blushing. He looked down and blushed himself when he saw what had poked around a chain to salute the woman. “Geez… I’m real sorry about that. Sometimes it’s got a mind of his own and you’re really beautiful. By the way, who are you?”
Hildy stopped and put a hand over her eyes to block out the sight of him. “You don’t remember me?”
“No offense, ma’am… but I think if we’d met I would definitely remember you. Or at least parts of me would have. You’re having a profound effect.”
“Carol, a little help here. Please…” Hildy begged softly.
Checking the surroundings for danger, Carol chuckled and walked to stand by Hildy. “Well, I can see why you’ve been holding out for him. Damn, he’s fine, girlfriend. No wonder you couldn’t settle for a warlock.”
“Shut it, Carol,” Hildy ordered, smacking her friend’s arm. “Put something over his…” She waved in the general direction of his protruding interest.
Carol fisted hands on her hips and laughed. “Goddess, I wish the Jezibaba could be here to see this. I hope they make them in extra-extra-large. That boy’s endowed.”
When Hildy smacked her arm again, Carol snickered and waved a hand, putting an enormous jock strap around the bear’s protruding junk. She had to walk away when both Hildy and the naked bear sighed in huge relief.
She was still laughing when a zap of power flashed by and hit the ground between Hildy and Chuck.
“So you two laughing idiots are the alleged Chosen Ones I was supposed to worry about?”
Isobelle snorted as she walked forward.
“We’re the Baba Yaga witches. Who are you?” Carol demanded.
Isobelle dropped into a curtsey. “My name is Isobelle, and I’m a Baba Yaga witch as well.”
“You’re lying… and rhyming,” Carol accused.
Isobelle chuckled as she stood. “My late uncle, Lord Byron, kept me a secret. You see… the Baba Yaga witches were meant to be a trio. That’s why when I’m the only one left, I’m going to give myself a new name—one more befitting a superior witch working on her own.”
Carol narrowed her eyes. “How do you think you’re going to win this one? There’s two of us and one of you.”
“Are there two of you to fight me?” Isobelle asked, sending a flash of lighting in Chuck’s direction.
“No,” Hildy called, diving in front of him, calling for a magical shield. The blast got absorbed, but it pushed her back against Chuck, who grunted in her ear.
“Goddess, you smell good,” Chuck said roughly. “Did we ever…?”
“No discussing,” Hildy hissed, shivering with lust as she stood her ground, planted in front of him.
Isobelle laughed. “I just love it when a plan works out like I want.”
Carol lifted a hand, but a lightning bolt glanced off the side. “Damn,” she said, shaking it off.
Isobelle did a ballet dance and twirled. “Dark magic trumps everything magical you’ve been taught. See? I win.”
“Over my dead body,” Carol said.
“My pleasure,” Isobelle sang. She raised her hand and sent another shot of lightning towards the tree.
Hildy barely had time to catch it. Back she was thrown into Chuck again. The chains binding him ground against her through her clothes, making her back tingle. Chuck grunted once more and grabbed the back of her shirt with his fingers to keep her from falling completely down.
Hildy panted and glared as she stood. Angry now, she held up her hand, but felt no magic. She was drained. She looked at her hands in confusion.
“It was the troll chains, you lovesick wuss. They’ve absorbed all your power. All the better to hold your bear captive and incapacitate you. How have you survived this long?”
“No,” Hildy yelled, watching as the maniacal witch turned her full attention to Carol.
“Now let’s get down to business,” Isobelle said. “You’re the strongest so you must die first. The girlie girl can wait.”
Carol chanted and called on the Goddess, gathering power as much as she could.
Hildy swallowed as she watched. She knew freeing Iren had weakened Carol. The Stonehenge water had helped, but how much? She looked at her hands feeling more helpless than she could remember ever feeling.
“Here, kitty kitty kitty.” Hildy used a bit of power to call the cats to her because she didn’t know what else to do. She didn’t even know if they could help. Was she bringing death to everyone she loved today?
Power flew around the space and Hildy once again threw her body over Chuck’s to protect him. Her face was buried against chain and his furry chest when the blasting
stopped. She looked up to see if he still lived and saw him staring down at her.
“Stop worrying about me and go save your friend,” Chuck ordered. “I’m not always the smartest bear, but I know I’m not as important as she is.”
“You’re important to me,” Hildy whispered, pushing away once more. “But you’re right, I have to help Carol. If I die, ask someone to tell you the story about us.” She planted a quick kiss on his chin, then patted his chest, shivering with uncomfortable awareness as she stumbled away.
She ran to where Carol was now lying on the ground, a smoking hole burned through one shoulder. Isobelle stood in the same place she’d been, laughing softly as Hildy put a hand over the spot. Healing poured from her hands, obviously not affected by the chains, but she feared it was too little too late. Carol showed no signs of consciousness.
“I made the wrong choice. I should have jumped in front of you instead of Chuck,” Hildy whispered. “I’m sorry, Carol. So sorry.”
“This was far easier than I imagined.” Isobelle looked to the sky and smiled. “Are you seeing this from the great beyond, Uncle? This is my victory—the one you worked so hard to help me achieve.”
When her gaze came back, Hildy saw Isobelle’s hands lift. The chant called to sources of magic she knew were forbidden to witches. There was a price to be paid for such things—a terrible price. She hoped Isobelle one day had to pay it.
Hildy rose to her feet and stood in front of her fallen friend. Maybe the dark magic blow would kill her, but it might spare Carol enough time to heal. There was no time for Latin. There was only one spell left in her heart.
“Goddess Morgana, hear my plea,
let her dark magic only harm me,
as I will, so mote it be.”
Hildy closed her eyes and prepared for her death. She heard the power release from Isobelle’s palm and travel her direction. She opened her eyes to meet her fate because she wanted to go out bravely. Everything slowed as her attention focused on the jagged blast of power aiming straight for her. Just before it hit, she found her nose pressed against Fat Bastard’s furry ass. The power hit her cats, bounced off, and zinged back in the direction from which it had come. The cats fell against her, tumbling into a furry heap, all of them yowling as they bounced off the ground.
Magic and Mayhem: To Yaga Or Not To Yaga (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Baba Yaga Saga Book 3) Page 6
