Mystic Storm: An Adult Paranormal Witch Romance: Othala Witch Collection (Sector 2)

by Bella Love-Wins

  One of Kiera’s favorite pastimes was spending late evening hours reading about life before the ravagers. She would sneak into the main floor library and read by candlelight long after curfew passed, after everyone else in the fortress had retired to their sleeping quarters. Coco would keep watch, so whenever the Regent’s personal guards did their rounds, Kiera would snuff out the candles flame and hide until it was safe to continue. So far, they had never been caught, although there had been a few near misses. Since then, they kept their visits to a minimum. The punishment—three days of seclusion, and only bread and water—was not worth the risk, nor was being out of favor with the Regent.

  At the other end of the long hall was the kitchen, with the dining room extending from it. Most of the fortress witches had already eaten an early breakfast. Kiera did not mind the empty eating room. She was usually in no mood for making small talk with the majority of the fortress residents, and today was no different. She and Coco settled in at a small prep table with bowls of porridge, two apples, and glasses of warm milk.

  Years ago, the kitchen used to be her favorite place, even more so than the library had become. The warmth and bustling activity would help her relax. Her mother was an excellent cook, and took great pleasure in showing Kiera everything there was to know, from chopping vegetables to crushing herbs for soups and stews. Living in the fortress did not diminish her love for cooking. The kitchen staff also seemed to enjoy her company, which meant better cuts of meat and bigger dessert portions for volunteering. Somehow, they weren’t as welcoming to Coco, but it was more her sharp tongue and harsh, centuries-old expressions that made them cross.

  “Stop playing with your food,” Coco remarked a few minutes later, pulling Kiera out of her thoughts. “Are you that nervous about meeting him?”

  “I don’t know. I cannot quite relax this morning.” She did not add that with the meeting time drawing closer, she was a bundle of nerves.

  “Remember something, Kiera. You’re the one in the position of power. Just because Xander is tall and imposing…and handsome, does not mean you have to be on your guard. Just face him, explain your role, tell him exactly what you need. You don’t have to get to know him if it’s not what you want. You only have to work together for a few hours.”

  “Thank you, dear. I will.”

  “Not to worry. I will be at your side the entire time. I will make sure you do what is necessary. Xander knows the situation as well as anyone else in the Sector. His unit needs more shifters to protect the boundaries and waterways. No one has a choice in the matter. You’re the Chosen, so only you can make that happen. That means he needs you. Trust me, you will both come to an understanding.”

  “I hope we can,” Kiera said.

  Coco gave her a playful wink. “If all else fails, do your best to have some fun, darling.”

  “I doubt fun is even a remote possibility, love,” she answered, just before Regent Minassus strode into the kitchen with a disapproving expression on his face.

  2

  Kiera

  Kiera straightened up in her chair. “Good morning, your Eminence.”

  The Regent stopped at the prep table a few feet away, keeping his icy gray eyes fixed on Kiera as she finished her glass of milk. His critical glower made Kiera wonder if he still thought of her as a child. Maybe it was the way he towered over her, casting an ominous shadow as he stood silently.

  “Kiera, I have been waiting for you in my study. Did we not agree to have a chat before you leave to meet with Commander Oslo?”

  Kiera hurriedly rose from her seat, aware of her cheeks burning from embarrassment. She should have remembered that the Regent had a way of evoking guilt in the most innocent of persons without raising his voice or causing a scene. “Yes we did, Regent,” she answered. “My sincere apologies. I meant to come to your study as soon as I finished my meal.”

  “Let us speak while we walk.” The Regent turned with a great swooshing of his blood red cape, and walked out of the kitchen using the door closest to his private study.

  “Yes, of course.” Kiera threw an apologetic glance toward the cook for leaving her dishes on the table, and received a kind nod in return. Everyone knew there was no refusing the Regent. She and Coco hurried behind, almost unable to catch up, given the Regent’s customary long, purposeful strides.

  “Are you prepared?” he asked.

  Kiera fell out of step with Coco and jogged forward to his side. “I believe I am, your Eminence,” she replied. “Do you have any final suggestions?”

  He stopped at the door of his study and turned to face her. “I’ve taught you everything you need to know. Now, it’s up to you. I can facilitate these meetings if you’d like, but Commander Oslo and I are not on the best of terms, so my presence may not help. I will be in my study. Should you require any assistance, have one of the guards call on me. I’m sending five of my personal guards to accompany you to the Great Hall. They understand the…situation, and will be at their post outside the meeting room.” As though noticing Coco for the first time, he gave her a stern look before returning his gaze to Kiera. “You also have your familiar with you. She will keep you on the right path.”

  Kiera let out a short laugh before she could stop herself, then quickly covered her mouth. Coco was skilled in witchcraft, and had centuries worth of knowledge and perspective. She would keep Kiera safe, but as for being diplomatic or keeping on the straight and narrow, Kiera knew better. Coco was not one to censor her words, and lived for action and the unexpected. Never mind her enjoyment of seducing men just for entertainment.

  The Regent just stared at the two of them. He could probably read the reluctance that overtook her mind. He had powers Kiera could only hope to one day possess. Acting like an immature and impulsive child today of all days would not serve her well. Finding her composure, she smiled and nodded. “I have every faith this will be the first of several fruitful and beneficial meetings with the Commander.”

  “Excellent. It’s rare for him, meeting with the Chosen witches of my coven, as you know,” he reminded her for what felt like the hundredth time. “Keep your words brief and as to-the-point as possible. He is strong-willed, so persist in reminding him of his place. You have the authority. He may be the leader of the Boundary Protection Unit and alpha of his kind, but shifters will never rise to the same level as witches, or even to that of normal humans.”

  Kiera nodded. She did not agree, but knew to keep her opinions to herself. It always struck her as odd and unfortunate to hear the Regent say such things. It was the Regent who cast the first spell to transform all men with the 236-k gene into polar bear shifters so they could serve on the Boundary Protection Unit. This gene was only found in a select number of people, and the spell used to transform them would only turn them to polar bear shifters. The Regent’s core coven of witches had worked with scientists years ago. They had found that the presence certain genes could turn men and women into different types of shifters, but only the presence of the 236-k gene allowed a person to be transformed to a polar bear shifter.

  For the Regent, these shifters in particular were crucial to Sector Two. Only polar bear shifters had the physical strength, ability to swim in icy waters, and defensive characteristics required to fight the ravagers. As individuals, witches and humans were no match for the ravagers. Not even the Regent or his personal guards could take them on. These shifters were the saviors of Sector Two, strong, skilled and fearless, putting their lives at risk every winter to defend the Sector against the ravagers. Yet in the Regent’s eyes, becoming warriors for all those living in the Sector relegated Xander Oslo and his men to sub-human status.

  “Best of luck to you, Kiera,” the Regent offered in closing.

  “Thank you, your eminence.”

  Taking a step backward, Kiera took her leave of the Regent and returned to the kitchen with Coco.

  “You handled yourself well,” Coco said, patting Kiera on the back.

  “Except for the little ou
tburst when he mentioned you. Sorry about that.”

  “He is right, though. I will make sure your time with Xander is a success…even if it means slathering on the charm.”

  Kiera stopped in the middle of the kitchen and turned to Coco, frozen with newfound fear. “Goodness, please do not do that. We cannot afford a catastrophe today. Promise me you will remain professional.”

  Coco smiled demurely. “Relax. I will behave…nicely. I promise.” She looked at the table where they had been eating breakfast. “It appears that the staff put our food away. Are you still hungry?”

  “No. I will be all right. I think we should leave now.”

  “Fine with me. Let’s go.”

  Aleena had already brought their winter cloaks from upstairs, so Kiera and Coco headed to the main doors of the fortress. Their five guards were already waiting. Two of them led Kiera and Coco to the horse-drawn covered carriage outside, and three followed behind. It was a cold day, with a distinct chill in the air, the sort of chill that packed its own bite and promised a long, icy, treacherous winter. Kiera shivered with dread from the prospect.

  One of the guards helped them aboard, and then joined the others who climbed up on the outer seats at the back. With a click of the carriage driver’s tongue, the horse took off at a slow trot, passing human villagers and a few children in the market beyond the fortress walls. Crossing a large clearing, they took the shortest route to the Great Hall, a wooden bridge over the shipping canal.

  The Great Hall was a large brick and plaster rotunda, usually reserved for community events, town hall gatherings, weddings, funerals, and the annual shifter transformation ceremony. Today, only Kiera, Coco, and Xander would be inside, at a single table at the center of the space, behind closed doors. For reasons, Kiera still did not comprehend, the Regent had advised that privacy and confidentiality were critical today, so no one else was invited. After they had arrived, Kiera took a breath to steady her nerves. Worst case scenario, she had a few spells she could use if anything happened, and Coco was even more resourceful, but hoped she could avoid any conflict.

  Swallowing the lump in her throat, Kiera stepped inside, followed by Coco. Xander was already waiting. He was early. Probably to size her up. Or maybe his discipline as a leader led him to be prompt. She drew closer, pausing briefly at the end of the long table set with two chairs on one end, and one where Xander was sitting. He got to his feet and nodded at them. As he did, the light coming in from the high windows connecting the wall to the dome helped her get a good look at him.

  He was tall—huge, really. He had long, jet-black hair which nearly reached his muscular shoulders. His striking sky-blue eyes pierced into her despite their cool hue. All the men possessing the 236-k gene had that same characteristic build, as well as hair and eye colors. She took another few seconds to assess his body language, but honestly, was caught up in his appearance more than anything. He wore a simple white linen shirt, thick gray wool sweater, and black pants. Nothing fancy, yet his clothes clung to every contour of his body. The chiseled jaw, muscular frame, powerful profile, and his strength and confidence made such a strong impression on her that she could barely look away.

  “Good day, Commander Oslo,” Kiera finally managed when Coco cleared her throat behind her. She stepped forward with her right arm extended to greet him.

  “If you say so,” Xander replied coldly.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “You said good day. I beg to differ, but such is the plight of our kind. Please, sit. I have a full schedule today.” He refused her handshake, and instead, motioned at the other end of the table. All of a sudden, his attention turned to Coco.

  “Wait,” he said, narrowing his eyes as he gave her a sideways glance. “Why the hell are you here?”

  Coco stepped forward. “That’s no way to address a familiar, young man. And might I add, the meeting has not yet begun, and you’ve already been unacceptably rude to the Chosen, one witch you need to give your trust before this year’s first winter storm.”

  “Trust a witch? That will never happen. So, you’re her familiar?”

  “I am.”

  “Your being part-shapeshifter will earn you no favors with me.” He shook his head. “As far as I’m concerned, your kind is part-shifter, part-witch, part-immortal, and all traitor.”

  Coco glared at him, ready to pounce. “Watch that acid tongue, young man, before I remove it from your mouth with a single utterance,” she threatened.

  “This is the reason I will not sit at the table of a familiar.” He took in two short breaths as though sniffing the air. “Look around. Your sorcery fills the air in this entire room.”

  Coco crossed the space between them and Xander, and stood inches away from him, grimacing. “And how would you know that?”

  He held his ground. “I can feel it. I can smell it, and it reeks of wickedness. How old are you, immortal shifter witch?”

  “Did your parents never teach you that asking a lady her age is impolite and distasteful?”

  “You are no lady, witch. Tell me your age,” Xander demanded. “I would bet you were around before the first ravager attacked the city of Chicago.”

  Trying to regain control, Kiera stepped up to them and placed a hand on each of their shoulders to pull them apart. The moment she did, an energy flowed from him and hit her body like a jolt of electricity, causing her to jump backward so far that she almost lost her balance.

  Seeming only slightly surprised by Kiera’s reaction, Commander Oslo smiled stiffly. “Let the Regent know I will not participate in any meeting where your familiar is in attendance. I have no issue with you, but she fills this room with an ancient evil.”

  Pivoting around on one heel, he moved off toward the rear entrance.

  “Wait!” Kiera called to him. “Please, Commander Oslo. We should take this opportunity to speak today.”

  Commander Oslo glanced back at her after taking a few steps. “I agree…just not with your familiar present.”

  Kiera was not ready to give up on this meeting just yet. Why was the Commander so concerned about Coco? And what was that force he gave off? Ending this meeting prematurely surely would not provide her with any answers. She turned to Coco and pulled her a few yards away from Xander so they could speak quietly. “I didn’t expect his reaction to you, dear.”

  Coco smirked. “I’m not surprised by him. I’m only curious about you.” She leaned forward and whispered, “What did you feel when you touched him?”

  “I…I am not sure.”

  “I sense lust, darling. Desire. That’s a first for you.”

  “Please. That was nothing of the sort.”

  “Then what was it?”

  “I do not know. Listen. Let us set that question aside for now. For the sake of this meeting, will you wait outside?”

  “Absolutely not,” she answered, raising her voice. “How dare he start this discussion by dictating who can and cannot be present? This is exactly what the Regent was—”

  Kiera squeezed Coco’s elbow to calm her down. “Please, dear. We don’t have much time before the first storm. Go on. I will be all right.”

  Shaking her head, Coco gave Xander a look of disdain, grumbling under her breath as she headed for the front door.

  “Shall we begin?” Xander asked, taking a seat again.

  “Yes, Commander.” Kiera pulled out her chair and sat, more anxious than when she first arrived. So far, he was living up to all the rumors. And what on earth was going through her mind and body now that she had touched him?

  “I cannot believe how strong that familiar’s magic is. She has left the room, and I can still feel it.”

  Kiera pressed her lips together in a straight line and shook her head. “It is not her magic you feel. It is mine. That is how familiars serve their witch companions.”

  “So, she carries your abilities?”

  “In a sense. She is a vessel, of sorts. An anchor so that my abilities do not overpower me.”
r />   He raised one eyebrow. “You are stronger than the Regent?”

  “Not at all. His casting spells are far superior to mine.”

  “Yet you are the Chosen. You are stronger.”

  “My magic is…different.”

  He shrugged. “All right. Whatever you say. It’s interesting to finally meet you in person. I wondered what the strongest witch of the Sector looked like. You are something of a surprise to me,” he said in a tone so deep, the rumble of his voice reverberated through her.

  She shook off her reaction. “Surprised? How do you mean?”

  “You are a lot…smaller than I expected.”

  Kiera scowled. What did he expect, an Amazon princess? She placed her hands on the tabletop and leaned forward. “And even in your polar bear form, you are outsized by the ravagers, yet you and your troops can defeat them. Should I be surprised too?”

  She smiled inwardly when the smug smile on his face disappeared.

  “I think you’ll find that many of your preconceived notions about my soldiers and me are false.”

  “If you truly believed that, you would never demand the removal of my familiar the way you did.”

  Xander nodded thoughtfully. “Possibly. So, as my time is limited, let’s get to the real reason we’re here, Kiera.” The way he said her name—slowly, deliberately, with each letter lingering at the tip of his tongue—made it sound like music. It was as though she was hearing her own name for the first time. Her heart raced, and none of her thoughts made sense, especially while his eyes raked over her as though she was exposed.