High Witch Next Generation (Generations Book 1)

by Mona Hanna

  High Witch Next Generation

  (Generations Book 1)

  Mona Hanna

  High Witch Next Generation (Generations Book 1)

  Copyright © 2015 by Mona Hanna

  All rights reserved. No part of this literary work may be reproduced in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—without the prior written consent of the author, except for brief quotations used in reviews.

  Cover Image: © Unholyvault | Dreamstime.com

  Cover Design: Mona Hanna

  Editing: Tricia Kristufek

  Acknowledgements

  Thank you so much to Tricia Kristufek for being such a marvelous editor. Your help means the world to me.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Gareth watched his father cut slices from an apple.

  He finally looked up. “It won’t be easy. If she doesn’t get you her mother will.”

  Gareth gulped. “But we need her.”

  Father spat out a seed, then continued slicing the fruit. “There are easier ways to get help for us, boy. I don’t think you have it in you. You can’t even kill an animal. Can’t even hunt! And you want to turn this girl?”

  Gareth shut his eyes for a moment. He had to prove himself. Had to do this. “I can do it. I just need to trap her—”

  “No! You don’t have the strength. The only way you could do this is to get her to trust you. To befriend her and lure her into it. You can’t just overpower her. She’s a High Witch! We’re not warlocks—and even if we were, your power wouldn’t match hers. No, you must make her your friend, then trap her. You have to go the long road.”

  Gareth twitched. “How long will it take?”

  His father shrugged. “As long as it needs to. Trust isn’t an easy thing to develop. When she’s with you, when she truly believes everything you say, then you do it. Not before. Got it?”

  Gareth nodded. “Alright. I’ll…I’ll start tomorrow.”

  Father swallowed. “Fine. Go slow. We haven’t got much time, but we have enough. There’s no point in doing this if you’re going to mess it up.”

  Gareth watched his father for a moment, then left the room. He had to do this properly. He was terrified, but their need was greater than his fear. He just had to force himself. He’d win Erica over. Then he’d turn her. Or his father would die.

  ***

  “Erica! Come here, you.” Caeden ran over to Erica, standing in her backyard, almost making her fall over as he enveloped her in a huge hug.

  Erica giggled and then pushed the tall red-haired boy back, amazed at how much he’d grown in the last six months. Hallie, Sean, and her twin sons, Caeden and James, visited about once a year, and Erica and her family visited once in between. Every time she saw Caeden and James, they were so much taller, now towering over her, even though they were only fifteen. At seventeen, she knew she wasn’t going to grow anymore, dismayed that she was nearly the shortest one in her family. She moved her wavy brown hair away from her face, then looked out for James.

  “Hello, Erica,” James said quietly, adjusting his glasses. “How are you?”

  “James!” Erica said, this time being the enthusiastic one. “You grew your hair!”

  “Caeden made me,” James said, grimacing as he touched the ends, well past shoulder length. “He said we couldn’t trick people into thinking we’re each other if our hair didn’t match. I hate it, though. He’s getting crazier every year.”

  Erica smiled at him, giving him a quick hug. “Did you say hello to my brothers?”

  James nodded. “Ethan’s reading, as usual, and Elliot’s out front waiting for Julia and Merilyn.”

  “He’s still obsessed with her, isn’t he?” Caeden threw his arm across Erica’s shoulders. “She’ll never fall for him.”

  “Hush, we’re not supposed to talk about it,” Erica scolded. “Elliot’s smitten with her, but Mother thinks it’s just because they’re aren’t a lot of available girls his age around here. Once he starts going out more with work, he’ll get over her. Don’t tease him about it. Promise?”

  Both twins smiled. “Sure,” said Caeden. “There’s plenty more to tease him about. I’ll start with his height.”

  “He’s not that short!” Erica wished Elliot and the twins got along better.

  Elliot was only a few months younger than them, but they were always quarrelling. Ethan stayed well out of everyone’s way, being the youngest of all the children at thirteen. Julia was the oldest at eighteen, and Merilyn, her sister, was also fifteen, but she acted much older.

  Merilyn was always arguing with Julia and her parents, determined to get her way in everything. Erica often thought Merilyn felt left out because she didn’t have magic like the other children in their group. Her father, Cameron, was a warlock, but her mother, Alexandra, didn’t have powers. No one really cared about Merilyn’s lack of magic, but Erica thought it bothered Merilyn. Something definitely made her constantly fight to be at the top.

  “Hey! No tigers!” Caeden shouted, a fireball hovering above his right hand while James growled before him. “Erica! Get him!”

  “I’m willing to bet you started it!” Erica walked over and used her magic to douse the flame above Caeden’s hand. “James, stop that at once.”

  “You heard her!” Caeden exclaimed, but Erica slapped him on the arm.

  “Hush, you. Come on, let’s go out front with Elliot. James.”

  James turned back into his human form, adjusting his glasses once more. “It’s the only thing that stops him,” he grumbled.

  The trio headed for the house. Erica smiled, happy the twins were there despite the trouble they caused. She thought of them like brothers, since they’d been in her life since she was very little. They walked through the kitchen, then into the front room, where their parents were sitting.

  “I’m going to be sick,” Caeden grumbled, gesturing to his parents cuddling on the settee.

  In response, his father, Sean, planted a huge kiss on Hallie’s mouth.

  “Yuck! At least wait until we leave the room!” Caeden exclaimed, hurrying towards the front door.

  The adults chuckled, but Erica noticed James looked equally nauseous. She didn’t look at her parents, assuming they would be behaving in a likewise manner. Their age didn’t seem to dwindle their affection for each other. They were in their forties, but still madly in love.

  Almost as soon as they joined Elliot in the front garden, Erica was pleased to see a carriage pull up. Julia and Merilyn got out, followed by their parents. Julia moved back her wild black curls, then grinned when she saw Erica. But before she could come forward, Merilyn pushed past her.

  “I hate traveling by carriage!” the shorter girl whined, flicking her wavy black hair. “I still think a High Witch should be able to transport people anywhere, Julia.”

  “It doesn’t work that way, and you know it,” Julia said, grimacing at her sister. “I can only transport a certain distance. It took a whole night to get here. Stop whining and shut up.”

  “You shut up!”

  “Girls!” Alexandra said. “Stop arguing. We’re guests here. Behave.”

  “Oh, they’re family. You always sa
y that,” Merilyn said, heading inside. “Why else would we always be here? I’m getting Erica’s bed this time. No damn way I’m sleeping on the floor again.”

  “Merilyn!” Alexandra cried, hurrying to catch up.

  Julia rolled her eyes at Erica, and then the two linked arms and walked towards the front door. The twins and Elliot followed after, shoving one another.

  Erica was wondering if Merilyn was going to keep her mouth shut anytime soon, when she felt a prickling sensation on the back of her neck, like someone was watching her. She frowned, turning and looking down the street. She didn’t see anything at first, but then a movement caught her eye.

  He was tall, with dark hair and very dark eyes. He was standing by a tree across the street. He put a hand in his pocket, then nodded, so slightly Erica wasn’t sure it even happened. Then, without a word, he walked away.

  “What is it?” Julia asked, turning to see what Erica was looking at.

  “N-Nothing,” Erica stammered. She caught her breath, wondering why her heart was beating so fast. She felt a little shaky and very nervous. Why? Over that boy? They hadn’t even spoken! All he did was look at her!

  So why did she feel so different?

  Chapter 2

  Everyone crowded into the front room later that day at lunch. The children sat on the floor, while the six adults sat on the settees. Erica sat beside Julia, pleased to see her best friend. Either Julia’s family would visit Erica’s, or vice versa, once every month. Still Erica missed Julia terribly when they were apart. They were practically brought up together. Mother taught Erica to use her powers from a very young age, and when they saw Julia, she trained too. Hallie joined Mother in the training when Hallie visited with her family.

  Erica had been told her whole life that she had a special type of magic, so she wasn’t surprised by it like her mother and Hallie had been. It had been a struggle to control, but over the years, she learned to cast spells carefully and accurately, and most importantly, not let her magic overpower her. Julia was taught the same thing, but it was harder for her, as she didn’t live with a High Witch like Erica did. Julia’s father, Cameron, helped her as much as he could, but being taught to use your powers by someone who understood what it was like to have them helped so much more.

  As she grew up, Erica learned what her mother did, working with the covens to teach witches to use their magic and encourage them not to be hurt and bullied by those who detested those with magical powers. Hallie did the same in her home country. Erica was very proud of both of them. She began helping her mother with the coven when she turned sixteen, and Julia worked with them when she visited.

  Erica knew her mother wanted her to become a coven leader when she was older. She wasn’t ready yet, but one day she thought she might be. She appreciated that her mother hadn’t burdened her with more than she should have to deal with, despite her powers. But one day she wanted to make her mother proud.

  A bread roll thrown at her head brought Erica out of her reverie. She frowned in the direction of the missile. “Caeden!”

  “What in the world were you thinking about? You looked all dreamy and weird.”

  Erica gritted her teeth. Sometimes Caeden was too much. “I’m allowed to think. You might want to try it sometime.”

  James burst out laughing. “Him? Not likely.”

  “That’s it!” Caeden exclaimed. “Prepare for a drenching!”

  “There will be no drenching in this house!” Hallie said. She stood, her demeanor far more menacing than her height. “Caeden, shut up. James, don’t mock him. Both of you behave. I’m not above putting you both in a trance to get some quiet.” Hallie sat with a huff, her husband rubbing her back in comfort.

  Erica grinned at Caeden, loving when he was admonished.

  Caeden frowned back.

  After lunch, everyone went their separate ways. The twins and Elliot went to the backyard, Ethan went to his room to read one of his many books, and the girls went to Erica’s bedroom. Erica and Julia sat on her bed, chatting about what had been going on in their lives since they last met, while Merilyn sat on the floor and unpacked her bag.

  “I really needed two bags,” Merilyn muttered to herself. “You’d think Father would let me, but all that nonsense about packing lightly.”

  “How many clothes do you need for two weeks?” Julia asked over her shoulder. “I mean, I know we’re staying here longer because Hallie’s here, but still.”

  “More than you. At least I care about how I look.”

  Julia frowned but ignored her sister. “So, how about the boy situation?” she asked Erica. “Anyone new?”

  Erica suddenly blushed, remembering the boy she’d seen across the street. “No one. Nothing. There’s nothing.”

  “Then what’s that blushing about! Tell me!”

  Erica shut her eyes. Dammit. “It’s nothing. I don’t even know him. I just saw someone outside earlier, and, well, he was nice-looking…”

  “Yes! You’re seventeen. You need to have had a boy in your life by now. I haven’t heard you talk about anyone you were interested in in ages.”

  “I’m not interested in him. He just… I… oh, Julia, he made me so nervous! I don’t even know if I’m going to see him again! What if I never do? It would probably be better, but…”

  “Nonsense. It would be terrible. What does he look like?”

  Erica thought for a moment. “He was tall and had dark hair and dark eyes from what I could tell. I only saw him for a moment. It was weird, how I felt after. Imagine how I’d react if I had to talk to him!”

  Julia grinned wickedly, making Erica feel very uncomfortable. “Let’s go look for him!”

  “No!” Erica cried. “And where would we even look!”

  “It’s a small town. Let’s just walk around.”

  “Looking randomly for a boy I saw for a moment? Don’t be silly.”

  “Julia just wants to swap kissing stories with someone. She loves smooching.”

  “Shut up, Merilyn,” both girls said.

  Erica met Julia’s gaze. “We can go for a walk, but I don’t expect to find him. And there’s no way I’m talking to him. Oh, I wish I hadn’t said anything.”

  Julia smiled, took Erica’s hand, and dragged her out of the room. They told their parents they were going out for a while, then left the house. Erica was filled with nerves again, but she was a little excited.

  ***

  Gareth sat in the town’s tavern with an untouched glass of ale before him. He’d started drinking a little in the six months since he turned eighteen, but he felt too ill to drink it. He’d done as his father asked, but he still felt he’d messed everything up with even that brief encounter. He hated this, but he had to do it. Anxiety filled him. But in a while, it would all be over.

  He ran a hand through his hair, then decided to get up and walk around. He intended to approach Erica again later that day, but had to figure out how to do it. He didn’t want to frighten her away. She’d probably been taught to be cautious of people wanting to take advantage of her, and with her powers, she could defend herself against anyone. His father was right: he couldn’t just trap her. Gareth had to make Erica trust him. But how in the world was he going to do that?

  He walked out of the tavern and down the street, filled with people bustling around, going about their day. Gareth strolled past the bakery and other small shops, his hands in his pockets, deep in thought. He glanced around occasionally, taking in the people around him, and spotted them down the road. Erica and Julia. His breath caught in his throat.

  Now’s your chance, he thought, but he was suddenly filled with fear. He wasn’t cut out for this. He just wanted to run away.

  But then she saw him.

  She looked at him, past all the people between them, then hurriedly looked away. She whispered something to Julia, and Julia turned and looked at him also. Gareth gulped but didn’t move, and tried to appear calm. It was now or never.

  The two girls were whis
pering to each other again when Gareth slowly walked up to them. His gaze was fixed on Erica, and he hoped desperately this would go well.

  Erica’s gaze met his when he reached them. A blush spread across her cheeks, making Gareth wonder what it was about. Embarrassment? Or…?

  “Hello. I noticed you earlier,” he began. “I’m Gareth.”

  “Erica,” she said, her voice breathy.

  The nerves within him grew. “How are you?”

  “Fine,” she said quietly. “How… how are you?”

  He smiled a little. Don’t look scary. “I’m well. Who’s your friend?”

  “I’m Julia,” Julia said firmly. “Do you live around here?”

  “Nearby. I—”

  “Do you live near Erica? Is that why you were outside her house?”

  Gareth frowned slightly but stopped himself. Julia was going to be a handful. “My home isn’t far from hers. I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable,” he said, looking back at Erica. She was a lot shorter than him, but that in no way diminished her beauty. She’s so pretty up close. “I just wanted to say hello.”

  “That’s okay. I wasn’t uncomfortable. I just wondered who you were.”

  He allowed a small smile again. “No one important. Just someone curious about you.”

  She blushed again and looked down.

  Damn, she’s adorable. “Do you think I could see you again sometime? Are you free tomorrow?”

  She quickly looked up at him. “Tomorrow? I’m busy with my family—”

  “Oh, you’re not that busy,” Julia said.

  Erica glanced at her, and Gareth swore she was yelling at her friend in her head, but Julia only smiled. “I guess… I mean, maybe after lunch.”

  “That would be great. Meet here again? Or do you want me to go to your house?”

  “No! Here’s fine. Don’t come to my house. There are… too many people there.”

  Gareth grinned, not having to force it that time. “Alright. I’ll see you tomorrow at two o’clock.” He turned and left, not wanting to push his luck any further lest Julia interrogate him. He felt a lightness within him as he walked, and he checked himself. What was that about? Why did he feel… oh heavens.