High Witch Next Generation (Generations Book 1)

by Mona Hanna

  He liked her. He liked her. This was a disaster! Not because of the unpleasantness of having feelings for someone. Not because of the embarrassment and confusion this sort of things caused. He couldn’t like her. He needed to hate her! If he even slightly cared for this girl, how in the world was he going to put her through the test?

  Chapter 3

  Erica and Julia returned home after their brief encounter with Gareth. Julia wouldn’t stop talking about how good-looking he was and how lucky it was that they ran into him.

  Erica thought it was strangely lucky too. She was nervous about meeting him the following day, but told herself to be calm. It’s not like she hadn’t spent time with a boy before, but she’d never really felt too much for anyone. When she finished school at fourteen, as everyone did in her country, she thought she might meet someone more mature than the idiots there. But there hadn’t really been anybody.

  She was jealous that Julia had kissed a boy before and she hadn’t. She felt bad for feeling that way, but she couldn’t help it. Julia was just so much more outgoing than her, so it was easy for her to meet people. Erica mostly spent time with her family, except when she was with the coven. And she certainly wasn’t going to meet any boys there.

  At dinner, Erica sat with Caeden and James at the kitchen table, wanting to hear what they’d been doing since they finished school. In their country, school ended at fourteen too.

  “I’ve been working with Father as a carpenter,” Caeden said. “He wants me to take over his work one day when he retires. I don’t know. The work’s okay, I guess. I mean, I’m good at it, but I could take it or leave it. James gets to sit around and read all day.”

  “I’m training to be a scribe. That’s writing, you idiot. Mother said I’m suited to it, and I’d rather do that than lug around wood all day.”

  “At least I can lift a piece of wood.”

  “You don’t exactly need to be intelligent to do that. Lucky for you, right?”

  “Oh, would you stop arguing!” Erica said. “You’re both doing well and that’s great. Mother has me helping a lot more with the coven these days. She said that’s my job. Sometimes I help Father sell the potions at the market, and I’m learning to make them when Mother’s too busy. Elliot helps Father too—he’s far more involved with working at the market than I am. I’m not sure what Ethan’s going to do when he finishes school. He took two weeks off because you’re all here, but he’s just going to read the whole time. I swear he only uses his magic to make books appear in his hands.”

  “About as useful as having the gift of calling things is,” Caeden said. “Glad I can create fire and water.”

  “Oh, calling things isn’t so bad,” James said. “Saves moving around so much. I’ve often thought it would be a good gift to have.”

  Caeden snorted and Erica rolled her eyes. Nothing much pleased Caeden.

  She gradually finished her meal, then went out into the backyard. She knew her parents would probably ask her to help clean up later, so she wanted some quiet before then. She strolled around the large space, her mind wandering.

  Her parents had moved their family to a much larger house after Ethan was born. There wasn’t room for all of them all where they had lived before. They were near their old house, so as to be still no more than a night’s travel from Julia’s family, and near Father’s family. Erica loved her grandmother and Aunt Sophie, but was sad she could never meet her other grandparents.

  Her parents had explained to her when she was young that Mother was an orphan. Mother seemed happy with her family, though, and they all spent time with Father’s mother as much as they could. Erica didn’t have any cousins since both her parents were only children, but she thought of the twins, Julia, and Merilyn as part of her family.

  “What’re you doing out here?”

  Erica turned and saw Julia walking up to her. “Nothing, just thinking. Are the twins torturing Elliot and Ethan?”

  “No more than usual,” Julia said, shrugging. “Have you decided what you’re going to wear tomorrow?”

  “Uh, just what I always wear, I guess,” Erica said. “I mean, Gareth’s already seen how I dress.”

  “Yes, but you want to look special when you spend time with him. I have a new green dress I can lend you, although it might be a bit long.”

  Erica grimaced. “I’ll look like an idiot. I’m so much shorter than you. I’ve got plenty of dresses. Besides, I don’t want to make too big a thing of this. I’m just spending time with a boy.”

  “A boy you like. Erica, he could be the one! What about how your parents met—the first person your mother loved, she married.”

  “That was a million years ago! Besides, they were older, and I don’t want to think about marriage! You’re scaring me.”

  Julia leaned forward and gave Erica a quick hug. “Sorry. I just don’t want you to be alone forever. I’m alone right now because every boy I’ve liked turned out to be horrible, but I know I’ll meet someone decent one day. I just want the same for you. But I’ll be quiet now, if I’m frightening you. We’d better get inside. Your father said something about the kitchen being a mess.”

  Erica sighed, more upset over Julia’s words than anything else. Get married! That was years away. Suddenly an innocent meeting with someone she found attractive was becoming so much more, only making her more anxious. She hoped tomorrow would go alright. There was one thing for sure. She hoped Julia would keep her mouth shut, because the last thing Erica wanted was for anyone else to find out about this.

  ***

  It was nearly two o’clock and Erica was a nervous wreck. She stood on the spot where she’s seen Gareth yesterday, with people busily walking by the shops and other buildings. Erica gazed at the cobblestones at her feet, feeling too awkward to look around. She smoothed out the skirt of her pale blue dress for what felt like the hundredth time, then told herself to stop being stupid and just look for Gareth. When she glanced up, he was walking towards her.

  She noticed what he was wearing for the first time—a white shirt with dark trousers. He reached her and looked down at her, smiling. She felt like being sick.

  “Hello,” she said, making herself smile. Stop being nervous. “How are you?”

  “I’m fine. And you?”

  “I’m alright.” There was a moment of silence. Erica felt it dragged on for an hour.

  “Would you like to go for a walk? It’s such lovely weather.”

  “Yes, that would be good,” Erica said, pleased at the thought of moving. At least then she’d walk off some of her anxiety.

  They strode down the street, the breeze rustling the trees on the warm spring day. Things were only quiet for a little while before Gareth spoke.

  “So, tell me about yourself,” he said. “What do you do?”

  I’m an all powerful witch who works in a coven. Watch out. “I, uh, I work with my mother. She brews potions that my father sells at the market.” It is mostly true.

  “So you work with magic,” Gareth said. “That must be fascinating.”

  Erica glanced up at him. “Do you have magic?”

  He shook his head. “No. I’ve always thought it would be wonderful, but I’m very boring, I’m afraid. I admire those who have powers. It would be a marvelous thing to have.”

  Erica smiled. He wasn’t a magic-hater. That was something. There were still so many people like that around. “What power would you like if you could have one?”

  “Hmmm, I’ve never been asked that before. I always thought being able to transport from one place to another would be a great gift. But all magical people can do that, can’t they?”

  “Yes, as well as turn invisible. But apart from those things, everyone has a single core power. Being able to control fire and water, or shape-shifting, or calling things to yourself, or having visions. One of my brothers can call things, and the other can receive visions, although the younger one hardly uses magic and the one who can have visions is still learning to interpr
et them. Mother has taught them both a lot, but they’re a bit shy about it.”

  “Your mother’s a witch? And your father?”

  “My father doesn’t have magic, only my mother.”

  “And what’s your core power?”

  Erica hesitated, not wanting to reveal too much too soon. But could she blatantly lie? Most people knew about High Witches now—in fact, it would be difficult to find someone in their town who hadn’t heard about Mother and Erica and their special powers. If Gareth did indeed live near her, how could he not know about her? Had his family only just moved there?

  “My magic is… different,” Erica said. “But tell me about you. How long have you lived here?”

  There was an awkward silence. Erica looked up at Gareth, and he was gazing at her. Did he notice me abruptly change the subject?

  “My family moved here recently. I was walking around, getting used to the area, when I saw you out the front of your house yesterday. I just… I guess I thought you seemed really nice, so when I saw you again later, I wanted to say hello. And now that I’m talking to you, I realize I was right. I do want to get to know you better. Erica? You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

  “Oh… no, you haven’t. You didn’t. I just don’t talk about myself much to people I don’t know, so I don’t know what to say.” She paused. “I….” Erica stopped, then looked up at Gareth, and he stared back silently. She sighed. “Gareth, I suppose I’d better be honest. I’ve never lied about who I am before. I don’t know why I’d start now. I’m a High Witch. I don’t know if you’ve heard of us. There are four witches in the world with a rare kind of power. We have all the core powers and can do much more. My mother’s a High Witch, my best friend Julia is, and so is my mother’s friend Hallie. I didn’t want to tell you because, well, it’s strange, and Mother always told me to be careful of people who want to take advantage of me. While I have a lot of power, in some ways I’m especially vulnerable.”

  Erica took a deep breath and looked away. She’d said way too much. Dammit.

  “Erica?” Gareth said.

  She glanced up at him again. He was quiet for a while.

  “There’s something I need to tell you.”

  Chapter 4

  “I’ve heard of High Witches before,” Gareth said, “but I didn’t know you were one. Or that you were so closely connected to the others. Even though I don’t have magic, I’ve heard of special witches like you. I’m honored to meet you.”

  Erica looked at the ground, thinking about what he’d said. It was a little too easy. She expected a thousand questions, or for him to run away from her, or at least act surprised. It was a little strange.

  “I don’t understand—you don’t seem shocked by what I said. If you truly knew about people like me, why aren’t you shocked? A High Witch standing right next to you. I mean, I don’t want you to be in awe, but…”

  “I am in awe—I’m just… I’ve never been someone who shows a lot of emotion,” Gareth said. “I guess I didn’t want to frighten you. I know about High Witches, and like you said, in some ways you’re especially vulnerable. You must have spent your whole life being fearful of people who would want to use you. I mean, for the test.”

  Erica winced. He knew about that. She supposed most people did. It still hurt, though, that people knew. That someone out there might want to put her or Julia through the test. Or even Mother or Hallie. It was Erica’s worst nightmare, something she was always afraid of. “I don’t want to talk about that.”

  “Fair enough. But I just wanted to say what your mother and Hallie did, casting that spell that gave witches everywhere special power when they’re in trouble—that was very brave of them. I don’t know much about it, just that two High Witches—which I presume were you mother and Hallie—cast a spell years ago to give other witches added power that comes in when they’re trapped. They helped witches everywhere. It’s amazing that they did that.”

  Erica nodded. “Who told you about us? About all of this?”

  Gareth shrugged. “Everyone knows there are people with magic, and I remember hearing about High Witches when I was a child. I didn’t know you all lived here, but like I said, my family only moved here a little while ago. I can tell you’re uncomfortable. Let’s talk about something else. Anything you like.”

  A wave of relief went through Erica. She didn’t realize how much tension she was carrying until it started to leave her. She did indeed want to talk about something else. It was too much to talk to a complete stranger about her powers. She didn’t want to blatantly lie to someone, but she didn’t want to reveal too much either.

  “Well, tell me about your family,” Erica said, walking again. “Any brothers or sisters?”

  Gareth shook his head. “No, it’s just me and my father. We moved here for his work, and I’m now trying to find work in this area. My mother passed away. There’s not much to tell—I don’t have an interesting family.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about your mother.”

  “Thank you. My father and I are okay. I mean, we get by. I hope to find work soon, although I don’t know what’s out there. I’ll do anything as long as it’s something I have a skill in.”

  They continued to stroll around, chatting about the town and the things Gareth could do there, and where the important places were. Erica enjoyed herself, especially when they stopped at a shop and had a cup of tea and cake. She relaxed, and Gareth seemed more at ease too. She would sneak glances at him, noticing how dark his eyes were and the delicate features of his face. He was very handsome, tall and slender, and she felt waves of butterflies when he would look into her eyes.

  She didn’t think she was very beautiful—boring brown hair and blue eyes, and she was too short—but her parents had always told her she was smart and pretty and wise, so she didn’t feel too bad about herself. She did feel bad for Gareth, having lost his mother. She didn’t know when it happened but didn’t want to pry.

  After a few hours, it was time for them to part. Erica knew she should get home before her parents wondered where she was. She was reluctant to leave Gareth, especially as she didn’t know if she would see him again.

  “Would you like me to walk you home?” Gareth asked, as they stood outside the shop where they’d eaten.

  “No, it’s fine. It’s still early.”

  They stood there awkwardly for a moment. “Can I see you again?” Gareth asked. “I like being around you.”

  Erica beamed, then checked herself. “Me too. I like being around you. I’d be happy to see you again.”

  Gareth also smiled. A lovely smile, Erica thought. “Alright. How about in a few days, on Saturday? We could meet in the same spot. At two o’clock again?”

  “I’d like that.” Great! Now leave before you make an idiot of yourself.

  Erica smiled at Gareth, then turned and walked away. She practically had a skip in her step, she was so happy. She adored him. It was too soon to feel anything, but she knew deep down she really liked him. She realized how much when she suddenly noticed a silvery glow emanating from her skin.

  Your magic’s coming out! It’s been ages since it came out without you controlling it.

  But the fact was, she’d never felt this way before.

  ***

  Gareth walked through the front door to his house and placed his key on the small table near the window. Father was sitting on the settee, waiting for him. The last thing Gareth wanted to do was talk to him.

  “How did it go?” his father asked.

  “Alright. We just talked. She told me she was a High Witch, and I had to pretend I didn’t know. I don’t think she knew I was lying to her, but she’s wary of talking about her magic. Can’t say I blame her.” Gareth began to walk to his bedroom, but his father stopped him.

  “Wait right there. She’s wary of talking about her magic. How’re you going to get her to trust you? Trust you enough to believe whatever you say
?”

  “It’ll take time. You yourself said I had to go slowly. She’s kind, and while she has some paranoia about her, I think she’s a trusting person in general. I think she’ll believe me, but I can’t force her. I’m seeing her again on Saturday.”

  “You’re waiting that long?”

  “It’s only a few days. I can’t see her every day—I’ll scare her off. Can I go now?”

  “You think I’m pushing you, but you know full well the pushing isn’t coming from me.”

  Gareth shut his eyes. He knew. He had to do this to save his father, but it wasn’t as if this was his father’s idea.

  The idea—the pressure, the insistence, the threat—came from someone else, someone Gareth wished he and his father had never met. But they had met him and now were trapped. This man was the answer to saving Father’s life, but Gareth wished there was another way. Then they could tell the man to leave them alone, to be gone, and to take his madness with him. Gareth felt so trapped, it made him sick. But after he’d lost his mother, he vowed he’d never let anyone he loved get hurt again, not if he could save them. So he had to hurt Erica to save his family.

  It would be much easier if he wasn’t falling hopelessly in love with her.

  Chapter 5

  Erica walked through the front door of her house and saw her mother hurry towards her.

  “Erica!” Mother exclaimed. “Where were you?”

  Erica looked behind her mother, but there was only her father standing nearby. Everyone else was nowhere to be seen. She looked back at her mother and saw the worry in her eyes. “I just went out for a while,” Erica said feebly.

  “By yourself? For the first time in a long while, all the people you love are here, and you go off on your own for several hours? Tell me what’s going on at once!”