After the Summerland (The Witches of Spring Hill Book 1)

by Patricia Proctor

  Chloe, still shaken by her dream, starts off by saying, “We need to bring the Silvans here.”

  “What?” Liam asks, shocked that Chloe would even suggest it after everything that happened that day.

  “Not Selene. In fact, Selene should never come to this house. Never. Something bad is going to happen when she does come here and the only way we can prepare for it is to make sure Cian, Brianna, and especially Xavier are on our side. Dad, I know this is going to sound crazy, but I just had a dream and for whatever reason, I know that they need to come here, now. Tonight.”

  Liam looks at Chloe and knows that he has to go along with whatever she says. He looks at his dad and granddad. They nod their heads in agreement. “Okay. Call them.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea if you don’t want Selene finding out,” Marcus says.

  “I agree. I’ll text Cian and hopefully he will be somewhere where he can read it alone.” She waits anxiously for a full three minutes for his response. When she finally gets it, she smiles at her family and says, “He agreed to meet us tonight. I need to pick them up at the school at 8:00.”

  Liam stops her and says that he will go to town to pick them up. Alone. He reasons that Selene could have discovered the plan and set up some kind of trap. “After last night, it’s obvious that she won’t hesitate to go after you three. At least I can scope out the scene and will be prepared if anything happens.”

  Chloe doesn’t argue with her dad and she certainly does not want to run into Selene Silvan anytime soon, especially after the dream she just had.

  “So what’s the plan?” Rowan asks.

  “We tell them the truth,” Chloe says. “We tell them everything we know.”

  Peter, Marcus, and Liam are about to protest when Chloe holds up her hand and says, “Please, hear me out before you say anything.” They agree and she explains to everyone that her abilities are getting stronger. She tells them about her naps that give her glimpses of the future. GG Peter interrupts and says, “It’s a sort of meditation — you quiet your mind enough to see.”

  “Yes, I agree that is what’s happening,” Chloe says, “but I think it is becoming stronger because of Cian Silvan. You know we have a couple of classes together, that we strangely enough have been partnered up in and,” she blushes and pauses knowing that this won’t go over well, “We’ve been texting each other since the first day we met.”

  She looks around at the surprised looks on her family’s faces. Before anyone can say anything, she says, “I’m sorry, Ro and I’m sorry, Kaiden. I know we said we would tell each other everything, but it’s all been happening so fast and it’s all innocent really. We’re just getting to know each other better. We haven’t talked about being witches or anything… well, until today, at the library.”

  Before anyone says anything, she continues, “I don’t want to get off track, but you have to know that I think my abilities are getting stronger because I am communicating with another witch — a full blown, practicing witch.”

  Liam looks at Rowan and Kaiden and then asks, “Have you noticed anything different about yourselves?”

  They both shake their heads and Rowan says, “But, we have not been talking to the Silvans, other than today at the library, right, Kaiden?” Kaiden nods his head in agreement.

  Chloe hears the hurt in Rowan’s voice, and drops her eyes from her. She feels bad that she kept a secret this big from her sister, especially since they have just started getting along again. Rather than acknowledging her sister’s comment, Chloe continues, “As you know, I was doing research long before we found out that we are witches. I learned that witches are stronger when around other witches or in a coven, which is why I think my abilities are getting stronger. I was thinking that if we bring Xavier, Cian, and Brianna into our fold, into our lives, maybe it would help both Kaiden and Rowan’s abilities to manifest. I’m hoping that by telling them the truth, we will be able to convince them to side with us when this thing with Selene goes down.”

  “What thing with Selene?” Rowan asks.

  Chloe shakes her head, “I honestly don’t know yet, but I know that something is going to happen and it’s going to happen soon. I haven’t actually seen it, but I can feel a… dark energy… and I know she is the source of it.”

  “Not to sound stupid,” Kaiden says, “But, if being around witches makes us stronger, then wouldn’t it be smart to spend time around Selene, too? Since they are witches, she has to be one too, right, and she’s a lot older, so…”

  GG Peter interrupts and emphatically says, “No! NO!” They all look up, surprised at how vehemently he answers Kaiden’s question.

  “No,” Chloe continues a little more calmly than her great grandfather, “You are right that Selene probably is a witch, and we all know that something is off about her, but I think I have it figured out. I think Selene is practicing black magic. I think you were right, Dad. I don’t think her intentions are pure and although I haven’t quite figured out what she wants, I do know that she is going after it the wrong way.”

  Peter is surprised at how much Chloe knows, but rather than say anything about it he pinches himself as a reminder to keep his damn mouth shut.

  Liam sees where Chloe is going so he asks, “Is it safe to assume you don’t think the kids are practicing black magic?”

  Chloe pauses before answering, trying to figure out how to explain something she can only sense. “I am sure of Cian and Brianna, but Xavier… I’m not sure of.”

  “So why wouldn’t we just invite Cian and Brianna up to the house and not Xavier?” Kaiden asks.

  “Because of me,” Rowan says, surprised. “It’s because of me, isn’t it, Chloe? He has to come here because you think he will be the one to draw out my abilities?”

  Chloe looks at her sister and nods. “Yes, Rowan. But that’s only a part of it,” she says quickly so that Rowan doesn’t think too hard about it. “I also think that Xavier is being …” she pauses to find the right word and finally settles on “corrupted. Yeah, I think Selene is corrupting Xavier, encouraging him to practice black magic. I think that right now he is standing on the precipice and could fall either way. I think we, but more specifically, you, Rowan, can save him.”

  “No pressure or anything,” Rowan responds sarcastically.

  “Okay, well, I think it’s worth a shot,” Marcus says. Liam nods his head in agreement and asks, “When you talked to them at the library, did they actually admit to being witches?”

  Chloe, Rowan, and Kaiden look at each other trying to remember if they did. Finally Kaiden says, “Well, we asked them directly but instead of answering us, Cian asked us what we know about ourselves. We started talking about trust…”

  Suddenly remembering the conversation, Rowan adds what she clearly recalls, “And that was when Xavier said he wasn’t sure if he could be trusted, remember?”

  They all look at each other, waiting for someone to say something. Finally Chloe says, “If he wasn’t on the edge, he wouldn’t have said that, he wouldn’t have said anything. We have an opportunity here.” Chloe suspects that her dad will now say he is against the idea, and she is already planning her rebuttal when he surprises everyone, probably even himself, when he says, “Well, let’s save him, then.”

  “What should I do?” Rowan asks nervously, in a rare moment of looking to Chloe for guidance. “How can I help?”

  “Well, I think you made the first step today, Ro. I think you need to be kind to him. Remember we don’t exactly know what he’s going through so all we can do is try to be nice. Be yourself. Try to get him to open up to you. All we can do is set a good example and hope that he comes around,” Chloe says, hoping that her plan will work. “I think if we can really connect with the three of them, then the six of us will be unstoppable — in a good way, of course,” she adds, smiling.

  Marcus and Peter decide that although they want to stay, they shouldn’t be here when Liam gets back with the Silvans. “It seems like we are
ganging up on them and that just doesn’t seem right if we are trying to convince them we are being friendly,” Peter says, grabbing his overnight bag. “Let’s go, son,” he says to Marcus. Marcus looks worried, especially for his favorite granddaughter. He wishes he could ease the worry in her heart, but all he can do is encourage her. “Don’t worry, Ro. The boy is probably already in love with you,” he says as he hugs her goodbye.

  “Thanks, Gramps,” Rowan replies automatically and then stops to consider what he said. She suddenly realizes that the best way to deal with Xavier Silvan is the same way she deals with any boy in school. Pssh, she thinks, flipping her hair — this should be a breeze.

  Once Grandpa Marcus and GG Peter left, Rowan, Chloe, and Kaiden began preparing for their visitors. They decided to talk in the kitchen, the most welcoming room in the house. They briefly discussed taking them out to the clearing, but that idea was nixed when they all agreed that it was way too soon for that.

  The idea came to Chloe to feed the Silvans food from the garden. She read in one of the books that people in town used to think of the Scotts’ sisters food as magical. If ever magic was needed, it was now. Although she had never taken any interest in cooking or baking before, she went out to the garden to gather some fruit and vegetables. She pulled out the recipe for the Scotts’ famous chocolate chip cookies and looked in the grimoire for a spell she could cast over the food. For her first time in the kitchen, Chloe baked with a newfound confidence. She sang, danced, and chanted while she sifted, stirred, and mixed. The only other time she had so much fun was when she was first learning how to garden.

  After everything in the kitchen was prepped and ready, they showered and primped. At 8:10, they anxiously watched the clock, knowing that Liam would be back anytime with their guests. The show is about to begin, Chloe thinks as she wanders into the family room with Rowan. She can’t help but second-guess herself, as she wonders if they’re doing the right thing. She knows if anything happens to her family after tonight, the fault lies with her.

  Chapter 25

  Chloe and Rowan kneel on the couch, looking out the front window and watching for headlights in the driveway. It is pitch black outside and the longer they look, the more nervous they become. Finally, after what seems like forever, they hear the jeep coming up the hill. Chloe jumps up and runs to the side door to wait for them. Rowan checks her reflection one last time in the mirror in the hallway. Kaiden ambles casually into the kitchen, grabs a chocolate chip cookie from the plate on the table, then drops into one of the chairs.

  “Chloe, these cookies are amazing,” Kaiden says, reaching for another one before he’s done with the first. Chloe swats his hand away before he can grab it and tells him to wait.

  Liam climbs out of the jeep first and walks toward the side door. Cautiously Xavier, Cian, and Brianna follow him, still in utter shock at Liam’s friendliness. The night is so dark that it is impossible to see anything beyond the light shining from the windows. A fire burns somewhere nearby as the smell of smoke fills the air. Xavier automatically looks up to find the billowing smoke, but is immediately distracted by how many stars fill the sky.

  Since moving to North Carolina he has been drawn to the stars. In California, light pollution made it difficult to see any stars, so actually finding the constellations was impossible. Up here on the hill in the pitch black night, the sky is so filled with stars that he has to search among the millions of shining lights for the constellations he is familiar with. After a moment, he finds the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper, and Orion’s Belt, before being nudged by his sister. He looks at her and she nods toward Liam who is watching him closely. Somewhat embarrassed by being observed by Liam and remembering that Brianna probably heard every thought in his head including his desire to just lay in the grass and observe the night sky, he nudges her back and catches up to Liam who waits by the side door.

  Liam looks up at the sky and says to Xavier, “I was in awe the first night I saw the stars up here, too. It’s hard not to be. You must know that your craft is stronger during celestial events, which explains your fascination with the sky.” With that Liam opens the door and welcomes Xavier, Brianna, and Cian into their home.

  Walking into the warm kitchen, they are bombarded with comforting sensations. A fire burns in the hearth and several beeswax candles burn bright on the island, giving off the sweet aroma of honey. The scent of freshly baked cookies lingers in the air, reminding them of their childhood when their mom had cookies waiting for them when they got home from school. A large bouquet of fresh flowers sits in the middle of the table along with a plate of fruits and vegetables, chips and dip, and of course the cookies that were responsible for the mouthwatering aroma in the air. The kitchen is warm, cozy, and comfortable and by how relaxed Chloe, Rowan, and Kaiden look, it is evident that they are welcoming Cian, Xavier, and Brianna into their home with good will. Walking into this homey scene certainly helped to eliminate the anxiety they were feeling in the jeep on the way up to the house.

  Chloe gets up and walks straight to Cian, embraces him, and says, “Welcome to our home. I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “Thanks, Chloe. We’re glad to be here,” Cian responds looking only slightly uncomfortable to be hugging her in front of Liam. He says hello to Kaiden and Rowan, who is surprisingly warmer than the last time he saw her.

  Picking up on that same vibe, Xavier walks toward Rowan with his arms outstretched, “What, Rowan? No hug?”

  She smiles, both a little disappointed and happy that he called her by her name and not Red, but she quickly shakes her head, “No, Jet. I’m not quite as nice as my sister — as I’m sure you already know, but c’mon over here and have a seat next to me,” she says indicating the chair on the end of the table right next to her.

  Kaiden gets up and gives Cian and Xavier a bro hug before they sit down and then walks over to Brianna. “Hey, Brianna. Welcome,” he says sweetly.

  Brianna blushes and says, “Hi everyone. Thanks for having us.”

  Liam, uncomfortable by all the teenage awkwardness in the room, shakes his head, grabs a cookie and says, “I’ll leave you guys to talk. I’ll be in the family room; holler if you need me.”

  After everyone settles in their chairs around the table, Chloe looks around at how comfortable everyone seems with each other. Feeling emboldened by the spells she cast earlier she says, “We wanted to get together tonight because we want to tell you everything about ourselves, in the hopes that you will do the same.”

  Xavier, Cian, and Brianna agree to tell them what they know about themselves and their abilities. Xavier realizes that before anything is said, he needs to explain what he meant at the library when he said he is not sure he can be trusted. “Before we start, I need you to understand why I’m not sure I can be trusted,” he says. “First, I want everyone to trust me, and it’s not that I’ll do anything to break your trust intentionally, but I can’t be sure that what you tell me is safe from my Aunt Selene.”

  When no one replies, he continues, “I am pretty sure my Aunt Selene can read my mind. I’m not sure if she cast a spell on me making my thoughts transparent to her, or if it is just one of her abilities, but on more than one occasion she has replied to something I thought to myself. I don’t say anything when she does it so she won’t know I’ve noticed her ability and I have tried to find a way to block her, but so far I haven’t been successful. And honestly, I’m not sure if I even should block her because it would just tip her off that I’m trying to keep something from her, which would only make her more aggressive.”

  Cian looks over at Xavier, relieved that he is acting like his old self: open and honest. Cian isn’t sure what changed with Xavier but he hopes that what he just admitted won’t ruin the conversation that needs to be had here tonight.

  Chloe looks at her brother and sister, trying to decide if they should say anything after all, but before she can say anything, Brianna says, “You should have told me about this, Xavier. I know what you need
to keep her from invading your mind. I have it at home and I’ll give it to you as soon as we get back. She won’t be able to read your mind unless you want her to, which really, why would you want her to?”

  “Won’t Aunt Selene become suspicious if all of a sudden she’s unable to read Xavier, though,” Cian asks his sister.

  “At this point, if she says something to him, Xavier can say he is practicing blocking spells because he suspects the Alexanders are attempting to read his mind. Since he is the closest to Selene, it would make sense that he would want to protect what he knows,” Brianna replies.

  “I like it,” Xavier says, grateful that his sister has a solution.

  Looking at Chloe, Cian adds, “I’ll make sure he gets what he needs; don’t worry.” Chloe nods, trusting Cian completely.

  Rowan starts where they left off at the library, again explaining that it wasn’t until recently that they learned about their history. As Rowan repeats what was said earlier, Cian returns his gaze to Chloe, who seems more confident and more beautiful than ever. He doesn’t know if it’s the power of the land or just being at home that makes her eyes a little brighter and her confidence a little stronger, but whatever it is, he can’t stop looking at her. He was a bit surprised at her boldness in hugging him in front of Liam. Even if it wasn’t the first time they hugged, it was the first time they hugged in front of their families.

  The first time was Friday at school when they were just walking to Spanish together and suddenly he couldn’t resist her pull a moment longer. In the middle of the hallway, he stopped, turned toward her, and wrapped his arms around her tightly. They were both pleasantly surprised at the full body electricity that moved between them. It took everything for him not to kiss her right then and there, but he did not want their first kiss to be in the middle of the hallway. No, he wanted to wait until they could be alone together, but he can’t wait to taste her lips and wonders what kind of electricity will pass between them then. Their connection is getting stronger and Cian can’t help but notice that the more time he spends around Chloe, the stronger his abilities are getting. He wonders if the same thing is happening to her.