The Hunter’s Awakening

by Bryce Evans

  Jade and the others listened as Greer’s voice cracked. Sitting on the couch, Jade placed her hand over Greer’s. “It’s okay. You’re among friends here.”

  “My aunt told me to run and hide. We always had a hiding place and an escape plan. She’d make them believe I had run away, and the plan was to meet up at a certain location. But I stayed hidden and watched.

  “They tried to get her to tell them where I went and when she didn’t…they…they tortured Aunt Jean. They were angry because she had distracted them, letting the prized white bear get away. Now they were going to make her pay. I wanted to help her, but I remained hidden, too scared to move. There were too many of them and their magic grew darker, and I didn’t know if I could defeat them.

  “I didn’t know how to control the magic inside me and I stayed hidden and…they…killed her. They stole her magic. My parents told me that was the reason I had to leave Ireland. If I hadn’t, they would have continued to hunt me until they found me and took my magic.

  “I didn’t believe my parents, but I saw with my own eyes. I watched the magic leave my aunt’s body and go into one of the mages. But it wasn’t enough that they took her magic. They made her hurt. I…I—” Greer let out a ragged breath. “They burned her over and over until she finally died, but she never told them where I was hiding.”

  “Why do they want your magic in particular?” Quinn asked.

  “My magic can control you, make you do things. No matter how strong willed you are, I can make you do terrible things if I wanted to. Well, I say that, but I really don’t know if everyone is immune. The mages that killed Aunt Jean might be. It can also be used for good. I’ve come across shifters where they had lost their mates and I helped them enough to where they didn’t follow their mate to the grave.

  “I’m strong, stronger than any shifter I’ve come across. I’m faster and I can mask my scent. To be honest, I don’t know all of what I can do because my aunt had been the only one helping me before…before they killed her. I was young and stupid. I’ve been on the run and I just wanted to be normal and forget about the magic.”

  Greer flinched, jerking her hands away from Jade. “I’m sorry, Jade. It’s not you. I’m just so sick of the running and not having anyone to talk to or help me. You are being nice to me and it’s just foreign. I don’t know what to say or how to act around you. I know the time will come when you will tell me to leave.” Greer looked up at the others standing around.

  “But why do you think Jade is a mage? She’s never showed any signs of magic,” Arden asked. Jade knew how hard this would be for her alpha. Arden had lost his mom and dad because of an evil witch.

  Greer’s head tilted to the side. “Nothing? She hasn’t done anything that you would consider out of character for her?”

  “She is stronger. I saw her crack a table. Right down the middle. Not just any table but an old oak table. A thick one. You remember that day in Get your Grub.” Everyone stopped and stared at Quinn. Thankfully, she didn’t start with the hysterical laughing. Quinn rolled her eyes.

  “That was just luck, Quinn. It’s an old table on its last leg probably,” Jade answered. Wouldn’t she know if she were a mage? Her wolf would let her know something different inside her existed. Surely her wolf would know. “Arden Dixon asked.”

  Jade frowned when she glanced around the room finding them all staring at her.

  Wrapping his arms around her, Lennox whispered, “Don’t be scared, baby. We’re going to figure this out. Scarlett will be here this week. She will know what to do.”

  Pulling away, Jade frowned at her mate. “You’re telling me not to be scared, but we just learned that I had magic put into me sixteen years ago. How is that even possible? And don’t tell me not to be scared. This is…” Jade stretched her arms out wide. “Big, Lennox, big. And to top it off, I know nothing about magic except what Quinn has taught me, but that happened to be us playing around with certain spells. This…” Jade motioned in the air with her hands, “is crazy talk. How is this even possible?”

  “It’s possible.” Everyone turned to see a tall older woman with long gray hair standing by the door with Cosmo.

  “Scarlett? I thought you were stopping to visit a friend.” Lennox looked surprised to the see the older woman.

  “Change of plans,” Scarlett said, smiling.

  “Lettie.” Quinn ran to the woman, wrapping her arms around the older lady. “I’m so glad to see you.”

  “And in the nick of time it seems,” Scarlett answered, walking over to Greer. Immediately, Scarlett’s hands went up as she got close to her. Scarlett closed her eyes.

  “What is it?” Quinn asked.

  “I’ve never seen anyone with this much energy. Never in one person.” Opening her eyes, she smiled at Greer. “I didn’t think I would ever meet the white mage from Ireland. You must be…what twenty-six years old now? I take it that your aunt Jean is dead?”

  “Yes, ma’am, she is. How did you know? Did you know my aunt?” Greer asked.

  “Oh yes, child. I did. She left France when she was only sixteen. Both her parents had been killed. Her sister was married and moved to Ireland. She didn’t want to go and be a bother to her sister and new husband, instead she took a boat, like you did, to America. I knew her mother from years ago and when Jean arrived in the United States, I helped her get on her feet.

  “Your aunt was a strong young lady and we got along well. She was on her way to becoming one of the Old Ones by way of nomination from every member. We all liked her very much and knew she was special. Like you.” Scarlett smiled at Greer, her old eyes turning sad. “I’m deeply sorry for your loss, but I know she loved you very much. She spoke of you often.”

  Greer flashed a pretty smile and turned toward Jade. “This is Jade Cross. I put half my magic inside her.”

  Scarlett moved—more like floated across the floor—toward Jade. “Yes, I see it. Very strong magic.”

  Jade swallowed hard. “How can you see it?”

  Scarlett’s hand touched the side of her face. The woman’s finger traced an outline around her body. “It hovers just above…waiting.”

  Quinn leaned forward, staring hard at Jade. “I don’t see it, Lettie.”

  “You will. Look away and you will see it in your peripheral vision. Eventually, my dear, you will see it as clear as day. It’s ready. Waiting for her command.”

  Jade wrapped her arms around herself. She didn’t know how to take this kind of news. It almost felt like a death sentence. This big ball of news had been unheard of. Would she change? Maybe Lennox would feel different about her now? Her pack…

  Jade glanced at Arden, her alpha. He came to her and squeezed her arm, then rested his forehead against hers. “I always knew you would be a bad ass, now I know why. Learn how to control it and then use it for good, Jade. I have all the confidence in the world that you can.”

  “Okay, Alpha.” She swallowed audibly and whispered, “I’m scared of letting everyone down. This is unbelievable. Don’t you think?”

  Pulling her back against his chest, Lennox growled. “We will handle this together. You’re not alone.”

  “I know…I’m sorry.”

  Pulling her out of her somber mood, Scarlett put her hand on Jade’s. “This will only make you stronger, Jade Cross. My granddaughter tells me you are a CEO and run your own business. She also told me you know what you want, and you go after it. Chin up, and get ready to learn. Greer can teach you a lot. I can help with the control of the magic. Together we can figure this out. Question is, are you ready to accept this precious gift given to you and thrive with it?”

  “Precious gift?” Bane snapped. “She mauled my sister.” Bane pointed at Greer and she saw the hate he had for her. He would never forgive her. “She almost killed my sister. And you call it a precious gift? Does anyone else see something wrong with this?”

  “Calm down, baby?” Simone, Bane’s mate, whispered, rubbing his back.

  “I can’t acce
pt this. My sister was traumatized by her bear. She clawed her face and body and now we’re supposed to forgive and forget.” Bane hissed a warning. His wolf hovered so close to the surface, Arden stepped in front of him.

  “I will never forget, Bane, but I’ve let it go. It’s time. I know now that Greer couldn’t help it. She was so young and had no control. She had just lost her aunt and had nobody. Just like me and you. We lost our parents and you remember how that made you feel. Helpless. You were young, and you had a little sister to take care of. Put yourself in her shoes. If I can forgive her then you should be able too. Please?”

  Bane stared at her and sighed walking over to the window. “I don’t know if I can, Jade, but I will try. For you.”

  Smiling, Jade ran to her brother and hugged him. “Thank you. I’m going to need your help to learn all of this. I will need that controlling brother I’ve always had. More than ever.”

  Bane laughed and shook his head. “Only you.”

  “Now that’s settled, let’s discuss the Winter Coven. Where are they now?” Scarlett asked, looking at Lennox.

  “Don’t know. Raven lost them,” Lennox answered. Jade saw her mate tense, knowing he hated to fail at anything. She walked back to him, knowing this wasn’t a conversation he wanted to relive.

  Raven didn’t lose anyone once she had them in her sights, but this time, she did, and it shocked Lennox and the whole team. Especially Raven. She couldn’t talk about it. She remained angry at Lennox for not letting her search for the coven again. Jade laughed inside, knowing Raven thought she was the master scout. Not this time.

  Scarlett busted out laughing. “Oh my, I bet she was furious. I can’t wait to talk to her.”

  “I wouldn’t if you want to keep your scalp. She’s not taking it well,” Lennox said as he nuzzled Jade’s neck. This always calmed her, and of course, she didn’t mind. They were going to be mated soon, but now this news would derail everything.

  “We need to find them, Lennox. I need to know where they are at all times. We have a lot to do here before they arrive. This isn’t just any coven. Presley Darden is with them and many more that are on the list. They are very strong and if they get their hands on Greer and now Jade, they will be unstoppable.”

  Lennox’s eyes flashed back to his bear. Clinching his teeth together, Lennox held Jade tighter to him. “I will kill them all if they touch my mate.”

  “You can’t handle them alone, Alpha. Nobody can.” Scarlett raised an eyebrow as she studied Jade and Greer. “Except…maybe the one who’s in my dreams. I can’t see their face, but I know they are the key to defeating the coven.”

  Chapter Three

  Haven waited in the car as her father and the others went into the woods. Before they left the Rumson’s B&B, they were going to do another tracking spell to find the white bear. She was last seen here. The famous white bear had slipped through their fingers again.

  She hated all of this. Hated the magic they used and what it stood for. If they found the bear, they would steal her magic then kill her. Blair would get so much pleasure out of it too. If only Haven could do magic or get a message to the Old Ones.

  The Old Ones must have sent a scout, but unfortunately for the female, she wasn’t a match for this coven. They knew all the tricks of the Death Hunters. This one, she was good, trying to be inconspicuous, but she never got close enough to see anything worthwhile.

  That’s why she hated her life. They killed everyone and everything that came against them. Nobody was a match for them and they practiced daily as a team on what to do. They were like the Navy SEALS. Train, train, train, and train some more. They ate, dreamed, and lived magic.

  She desperately wanted to leave. If only she had the money to take care of herself. But her dad made sure she had nothing. Not even a penny. She would have saved it and then another and another if it meant she would be free.

  Her father and the other members walked out of the woods. She’d seen a smile on her dad’s face. “Please, Lord, don’t let it be her. Please, please, please let her be safe.”

  She waited as Laris got back in the car. Everyone else rode in other vehicles. She tried to be thankful of that at least. Blair always wanted to drive, which meant she wouldn’t be riding with her. Haven waited patiently, her father never saying a word, but prayed they never found a location.

  Everything in her told her not to ask any questions. It would be best if she didn’t know the truth, but she had to know. Was the white bear going to be safe?

  “Did you find anything?” Haven asked, staring straight ahead. She didn’t want to seem too eager.

  “No. We will go to the next town and try again. I know we’re headed in the right direction. I know it.” Glancing at her, he smiled. Nothing seemed to worry her father. Even when he didn’t have a clue where the white bear was. “Just a little longer and we will have it all, Haven. We will finally have a home of our own. It will be perfect. I will rule the shifter and magic world. Nobody will be able to touch us. All I need to do is to find the white bear and I will have the magic.”

  Don’t say anything, just let it go, don’t say anything, repeated in her head, but she never listened, and she couldn’t stop what spun out of her mouth. “Why do you have to kill her? That’s murder. She is a human and a shifter. If you got caught—”

  “You know why,” Laris spit out. “Stop being so innocent, Haven. To get to the top of the food chain, you have to make sacrifices and they’re only shifters. More animal than human. We have been spat on, accused of witchcraft that killed countless innocent witches. They hung our kind from the gallows and shifters were the ones who helped the humans do it. It’s time for a shift in power in the magic world.

  “The Old Ones, the Shifter’s Council, even the Vampire Council, have continued to keep us ‘equal.’ It’s never been equal. I won’t stand for it anymore. I have a coven that thinks like me, and together we will rule this world. There are more like us out there waiting for the call to go out. With the white bear’s magic, that call will be shouted from every tree top and every city roof.

  “Witches and mages will come out from the dark places where they are driven to practice their magic. Together, we will have it all. I will be the ruler and you will sit on my right side as my daughter should. But all I hear you doing is complaining about hurting the animals. You better toughen up, Haven, or you will be eaten up and spit out. Don’t make me choose.”

  Haven’s breath quickened. He practically said it agai—she meant nothing to him. She had to leave and soon. Her life felt in as much danger as the white bear’s. She wasn’t a mage or witch. No, she was a human, and humans would be enslaved just like the shifters.

  She tried to calm her nerves. “Where are we going?” Maybe if she changed the subject, he wouldn’t notice how scared she sounded.

  “South, into Georgia. She will eventually give us a clue. Get some sleep. We will probably have to stay in a hotel. But it’s a few hours away. That’s where we will stop for the night.”

  Sleep, how could she sleep? She had to find someone who could help her escape or at least hide her away. She doubted he would search for her because it would take him off the white bear’s trail. This had to be the time.

  It was now or never.

  Jade sat on the porch swing trying to figure out how she had so much magic in her, but not once did it help her when she continued to get her butt kicked by the girls who bullied her in the pack or when she was captured with Quinn. Not once did the magic show itself. Throwing her hands up, she didn’t even know how it would have shown itself. She knew nothing about magic.

  “Can I sit with you?” Scarlett asked, standing beside her.

  Blinking, Jade glanced around, then at the door. She never heard the older lady come outside. “Of course.” Jade moved over allowing Scarlett to sit.

  “I love this area. It’s so peaceful and beautiful. I understand why my granddaughter and Lennox chose to move here,” Scarlett said, moving her leg back and f
orth. Jade didn’t know what to say. “I feel a lot of questions in you.”

  Jade exhaled loudly. “Does it show that much?”

  Nodding, Scarlett smiled, patting her arm. “Just a bit, but very understandable. I can see why it would be so hard to grasp what is happening. Especially, given all your pack has been through with Arden’s parents. So, let’s start with your first question.”

  “Why haven’t I felt the magic inside me? Surely, as powerful as Greer is saying it is, it should have showed some sign.”

  “Most of the time, it probably would have, but Greer’s magic is different. Some would say it has a mind of its own. I suspect it went dormant until you found your mate. Lennox is strong, probably one of the strongest shifters I’ve ever come across and you needed him to settle you once the magic did show itself. Your mate will help you control it. Inside, your bond will keep it contained until it’s time to let it loose.” Scarlett winked.

  “You mean it has a sentient mind of its own? It will be able to make me do spells?” Jade answered worried.

  “Not the way you think. You will always be in total control but when you’re panicked or can’t protect yourself, then the magic will do it for you. Make no mistake, Jade, this magic is very different than Quinn’s or even mine. It will protect you just like your wolf. She tells you when she senses danger and your magic will do the same. I think as you learn more and practice, you will see how much you will rely on them both. Especially for what’s coming.”

  A cool chill blew across her face. Bending over, she picked up a blanket from the basket they kept beside the swing and draped it across her and the woman. “What’s coming, Scarlett?”

  “Mages that are pure evil. They have no care in the world except their own personal gain. It doesn’t matter who gets in their way, they must be eliminated. We have been tracking them for a long time. They are very good at staying off the radar, but they’re coming and I’m afraid for Greer and you. Right now, they have no clue that Greer split the magic. And that plays in our favor. I’m sorry to say that you won’t have time to learn as much as you should, but we have to prepare. We will need your magic when the time comes, Jade. I know that’s not what you want to hear, but I feel something else coming.” Scarlett closed her eyes.