Mia

by Jessica Samuels

  “We are all in this together,” said Angeline.

  “You have us now since you were cast out of your old coven like me,” Ember said.

  I smiled. “Now I have a place to belong.”

  Angeline smiled. “Yes, and now we can do the ritual to bring you into your power. Everything is ready. So follow me and you’ll be one of us in no time. And we can even speak mind-to-mind with our coven and even talk with our mates. None of that normal coven stuff; ours is much closer, and when we’re together, our power can rival every coven.”

  I smiled. “Exactly what I need.”

  “Okay, then let’s get you initiated so we can help you and you can help us,” Angeline said.

  “Agreed,” I said.

  I followed her and Felix. Even Ember and Syphon followed. It was cool to see the area. We passed room after room, and we finally got to see the place more. It was amazing and it had everything one could need to live. We finally get to the room marked ritual room. Angeline takes out a key card and goes inside after it slides through. The door opens and it has everything a witch needs; oils, herbs, candles, crystals. Everything.

  Angeline already had the stuff set up. And it was a matter of minutes before we were ready.

  “Ready?” she asked.

  “Ready as I’ll ever be…,” I said.

  She wore a blue robe and had a book in front of her. It was time to let the magic make me stronger than I was now. I was ready to be an AngelWitch.

  “Here, wear this. You’ll need it for the wings,” Angeline told me.

  I put on the shirt she gave me, and it was a soft, blue silky material with slits. It was time for the ritual to begin.

  Angeline stands in front of the book…

  “We are gathered here to bring Mia into her power as a water witch for the Elemental Angel Coven and she is bound to Castiel.”

  Then she picked up a lighter and there were candles set up already to call the elements. The magic flowed into the room as she stepped toward the first element candle. The candles even have their symbols etched into them; earth, water, fire, and air, the ones used to call power to the circle and bind the elements to the power base.

  “You need it to survive and thrive with plant life. I call the element water to the circle.” Blue energy appeared once she lit the blue candle.

  “It burns hotter than the sun and helps us warm our homes. I call the element fire to the circle.” Red energy appeared once she lit the red candle.

  “We need it to eat and sustain us for food. I call the element earth to the circle.” Green energy appeared once she lit the green candle.

  “We need it to breathe and it helps with oxygen. I call the element air to the circle.” Yellow energy appeared once she lit the yellow candle.

  “It moves in all of us. I call spirit to the circle.” Angeline lit the white candle and it responded with white energy. The elements collided and it became a golden bubble encircling us in this sacred space, and I loved the feel of it.

  “My coven Element Angel accepts you as one of their own. You now have their power through your veins. Do you accept?”

  I nodded. “I accept.”

  The power hit me like a wave, and it completely changed me since I could feel it strengthen my abilities. I was stronger and faster than I used to be. I could feel it and it will definitely mean I can heal faster, and that my wing tattoos are forming.

  Castiel steps in. “I’m your Protector and I accept you as one of us. You are my AngelWitch. I am your Angelmate forever. You have the power to fly with me. Have your wings.”

  Castiel takes the energy and hits me with it. I fall to the ground. Energy bursts through me. My powers merge together, and my wings formed with the blue light. He came over to me and kissed me. Power jumped between us. “I’m bound to you forever.”

  “And I to you,” I said. I was happy to have that since I have never had anyone really steady in my life.

  Angeline sprinkled the glitter and got the ambrosia. “Eat this and it will give you permanent access to the realm.”

  I eat it. Then she takes the arch angel essence and gives it to Castiel.

  “With the blessing of the arch angel you are finally one of us,” he said.

  I drink it. It tastes good and syrupy. I also see someone there too... An element. Mine. The shape materializes right there. “I’m Aqua. You know me as the water element. The mer-people need you. When it’s safe, visit them when you can.” Then it disappeared.

  The elements went away. Leaving me with new power. And feeling like I could kick ass. It filled me up like no other; a different, cleaner energy.

  “Yes, and you are stuck with all of us,” Said Felix.

  I nod. “I could get used to it, and maybe sometime we could all sit down and talk to each other over drinks and tell shitty relationship stories.”

  Angeline laughed. “That is doable.”

  Now that I have these angel abilities, I can finally fly anywhere. My wings are now retracted.

  “How do the wings work?” I ask.

  Felix smiled. “Well, it’s like a reflex and…”

  He got up and unfurled his wings. They were huge, white wings that took up the limo. Like, damn, and they retract too.

  “It’s going to look like a tattoo on your back, and you bring it to life with a reflex. To the world it will look like an awesome wing tattoo, but to us it’s a way to identify who we are…,” he said.

  “Totally. We can definitely all exchange stories since I have good ones, but we have a werewolf leader to bring down,” Ember said.

  “Yes, we do,” I said.

  “And I know exactly where we should start. Rockie’s Blood. The owner, Rockie, is a werewolf, and someone I used to work for. He should know more…,” she said.

  “Let’s go then; the sooner the better…,” I said.

  Chapter 5

  We went in multiple smaller cars to not draw attention to ourselves. I had no idea how this was going to go either. My palms were sweaty, and I was nervous, too. I hoped I could work something out since he needed to be stopped. This guy is bad news and my ex was the one who dealt with him. He wasn’t clean either since he was on drugs. That is how he met him, through a drug deal. I thought he was a werewolf though, not a dark angel, so he lied to me. Again another lie. Nothing he ever said was the truth. If I ever do get my hands on him again, taking him out will be an option.

  Everyone was quiet in the car. I was sitting there lost in my own head and trying not to think about anything too much. I have a lot to learn about this. This world is new to me in a way. On the ride there it was fun to see the Luxor realm turn into streets and some degree of normal. We got looks as we passed by traffic. It was surreal. I was just anxious to have this done. And it means that retail is over. A year of hiding which isn’t going to be in vain. I just need this done and to find out what happened to her. I need closure since she was his girlfriend. I was friends with her, and he was abusive to her. I remember seeing the red welts on her arms and her trying to pass it off as nothing. Her name is Layla Stevens and she was a nice friend to me when I had issues with my ex. And she was there for me through everything. Now I have to make it right.

  Once we opened the door to the restaurant, it was all black inside; tables, chairs, and there were a bunch of flat screen televisions placed throughout. There were waitresses and waiters dressed up and serving food, too. Creatures of all kinds were sitting and eating. Some were drinking and one of their drinks looked good. Some were even big enough for two. We followed Ember past it all. Even the wallpaper had wolves on it. She led us to a back office and a door marked Rockie’s Office.

  Ember knocked and a voice said, “Come in.”

  She opened the door and went in and I followed her. The office was nice. The dude sitting behind the desk was sexy, too. Dark brown hair, brown eyes, tan, and he looked like he worked out. He wore a black shirt and it was sexy on him.

  He was sitting down in front of a laptop and loo
ked up at us. He saw Ember and smiled. “Good to see you alive. I was worried about you.”

  She smiled. “Thanks, and we stopped the witches.”

  He smiled. “That is good. So how are things?”

  Ember looked at me, so I took it as an opportunity to speak up. “My name is Mia and I was cast out of my coven thanks to trying to bring down the wicked werewolf leader, Dorian Stone, who was abusing his girlfriend Layla Stevens…”

  His eyes widen. “I knew about it for a while, and there is no way to personally stop him since I don’t want to get into an all-out war, but I do need your help since you are an outsider. I have Layla but she is unfortunately sick.”

  I sighed. “That isn’t good at all, but I know a way to get a cure for it since I have a connection to the mer-people. They have a healing salve that can cure anything. How did she come to you?”

  He sighed. “She came to me after finding my address, and she was near death from it. I need to help her heal and save the pack. I can’t interfere with it until I have cured her. I also knew that Dorian was working with the dark angels and gathering wolves to turn into angel witches or Wolfangels and failing... He must be stopped, too.”

  I stood there taking it all in. Visiting the mer-people is just the thing I needed anyway. I was right all along. So now it’s my turn to help. And now I can save my friends. Save the world, too, in the end. And turn in my two weeks at Nikki’s since this is more important than people arguing and yelling at me about coupons.

  I smiled. “He is going to be stopped, and my friend is going to be healed. You can count on me.”

  He smiled. “Good, and glad to have you on board…”

  I smiled. “Good to be on board and helping people out.”

  “I will see you soon and then tell you where she is,” he said. And we left since we finally had an idea of where to go from here. Finally a plan of attack has been built and we know the steps to get Dorian taken out. It’s a relief to know I’m not crazy. I knew it, and he must be trying to brainwash his pack, too, so once he is taken care of then the pack will be safe. And yet I was involved because of a friend who was trying to help me. I wanted to get her out of an abusive situation. Instead, she got sick because of it and it was my job to get her out.

  We all headed back to the limo and everyone was silent. I break the silence and look at Angeline. “I can take Castiel, but I need to do this on my own with him since it’s my battle. I can’t take everyone since it’s too much, and he can follow me since he shares my power.”

  Angeline smiled. “That is okay, and I know Syphon and Ember had to do stuff alone. You are in safe hands so it’s okay since we need to do our individual journeys.”

  I smiled. “Yep, exactly. And me and Castiel need to prepare anyway.”

  Castiel smiled. “Yes, we do, and I’ll be happy to experience this with you. It will be fun to see mermaids, too.”

  “Trust me, you will be amazed,” I said, since I have been there plenty of times, and I even have a friend there that I have been meaning to talk to again. I was happy to go back since the water is my element. I wanted to see them again.

  “I know I will because you have a lot to show me and exploring with my Angelmate is something I was looking forward to,” he said. It made me giddy to think he was all mine to have and I finally have someone to share the world with. I loved the thought that he will be with me forever, and I want to see the world with someone. My mate; the one who I was meant to be with. I did need to get my stuff back from my apartment, though. I need the necklace that allows me access to the place, too. It was given to me by my mom when she trained me to access my mer-powers.

  “Hey, while we are in Luxor, can we stop by my apartment to get my stuff?” I asked.

  Angeline thought about it. “No one will try to attack you now that you have your powers since they wanted you before you had them. All you need is Castiel to have your back.”

  Good to know I am safe from it. So that is where we went, and everything was right where I left it, so we quickly gathered the rest of my clothes and witch stuff. And with the necklace in tow, we headed back to the limo. We had grabbed everything I needed from the apartment including my laptop and spell books.

  “To get this taken care of I need to be dropped off near the Luxor Cerulean Seaport. That is how I get there. I will swim as a mermaid there since I have to fit in with the rest…,” I said.

  Angeline smiled. “That is doable, and that way you can get it all taken care of.”

  “Exactly,” I said.

  As much as I wanted them there with me, some journeys you have to make alone, and I was looking forward to spending time with them and being part of a coven again. I finally have a family and a healthy relationship to look forward to once this was over.

  Chapter 6

  It was a little past dusk by the time we made it to the pier, and since Castiel was mine the magic would adapt to make him one, too. I was happy for once with the person I was with, and I couldn’t wait to see my friend. It’s been some time since I had last seen her, and the last time I talked to her was after the break-up with the abusive asshole. I came to her crying since it was after he hit me and called me a worthless witch. Like really? Who would say that to someone they love? An asshole. It’s a relief to finally be with someone who actually cares about me.

  I put on my necklace. It’s a string with green malachite as the stone. It’s also a portal opener, and it allows me to access my water-witch/mermaid powers. It’s also connected to Castiel now since he shares my power. I can also tell where he is because I can sense him. I can feel him in my head; he is always there. And the power felt so good, too.

  I let the magic loose and jumped into the water. It felt good and that is when my legs turned into a tail. My gills formed, too. The magic made me feel at home, and I loved exploring the underwater kingdom. It’s amazing and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I felt the power of the currents and all the creatures underneath, and Castiel looked sexy as a mer-person since it changed him the moment I changed, too. It did catch him by surprise since he wasn’t accustomed to changing this way, and it took some getting used to.

  He seemed to enjoy the sights since he was looking around taking everything in. I remember the first time I saw it too, and it was a sight to see. The watercolors and the first time I could turn into a mermaid was incredible. My mom told me I was a special witch; a water one with the power over the sea. She led me to the ocean and showed me how to access my magic. From then on, I made trips to see my friend, and now I was helping her find the sword. I’m happy to say it will all be worth it.

  We can even talk underwater, and it was like we were in sync. I could feel the connection even here. We are bonded on every level and I’m happy I don’t have to date around.

  The ocean is clear, too. It was time to make our way to the kingdom and I was happy to be able to see my friend again. I had to save another and also bring down the pack leader afterwards. I knew the way there, since I went there a lot, and passed schools of fish of all colors, shapes, and sizes. Some can even give you mystical properties if you eat them or use them in spells, but I don’t do that kind of magic at all. I’m a good witch, and spells that use body parts have a price to pay, one I wasn’t willing to pay since it can prevent you from using the good spells and they won’t be as powerful.

  I swam across the ocean floor, and I was enjoying the feel of the water as I made my way to the kingdom. It was a nice place, and soon it was time to enter the place. I swam to the entrance of the gate to get in and it was exhilarating. I needed to find my friend, Marsala Stevens, since she has access to the healing stuff. I do wonder what caused the disease, and how many people were affected by the sickness my friend has. I needed answers and the only way I can get them is through her. I see the speaker box, and I push the button…

  “This is Mia and I need to gain entrance to speak to Marsala Stevens. It’s important…,” I said.

  “No problem, you can come
on through. Our princess was wondering when you would come in. She has been waiting for you,” the voice said.

  The gate opened and in we went. It’s busy with mermaids coming and going. We are in the main area which is a market with a ton of vendors selling jewelry, clothes, shoes, candles, and even home goods. It is a nice place to pick up rare herbs for spells and potions. Even some rituals, too, that required rare ingredients found only underwater. I was happy to visit again since it had been a while. I make my way with Castiel straight up to the castle, and it was fun to see everyone. It was a different feeling though, and I could tell something had changed. The energy is different, and the people are more fearful than they used to be. They used to be happy and now they look miserable. It wasn’t the same either. I wonder if the dark angels have anything to do with it because I could feel an all-out war coming. Things were changing all over. Maybe they knew it was coming. I helped Marsala with a spell when she needed a push doing a ritual, and my mom brought me to see them since she helped them with stuff around the palace. Mom was also the resident witch and she became a royal witch for them, and they even paid.

  And that means they needed my help. I hurried there since I could tell something was wrong. There had to be since the energy was different, way different, since there was a tension there that I had never felt before. I make it to the entrance of the castle with Castiel and looked at him.

  “Are you ready to see this?”

  He smiled at me. “Ready.”

  I opened the door and we walked inside. The entrance led to the main throne room and sitting there was my friend Marsala, but her dad wasn’t there at all. Weird since he is the king. Marsala has black hair to her shoulders, brown eyes, and wore a black top and had a black tail. She was sitting on her throne and looked at me.