by Charla Layne
“Really?” I have to admit that my interest was peaked. “Why would me and my family be in danger? And what would the other shape shifters want with us anyway? I really don’t understand, Sean.”
Sean turned his head suddenly, as if listening for something. He nodded to himself and then pulled me with him towards the door. “We must go now. And quickly. Something has happened. Exactly what we had feared. Your grandmother has been attacked by one of our enemy shifters. We must hurry. We need to get you to her immediately.”
I felt faint as Sean dragged me down the hall and into the parking lot towards his car. Not Grams. I needed her.
Chapter Twelve
Sean drove quickly towards the hospital. I concentrated on breathing in and out and not crying. It was some time before I realized that he still had a hold of my hand. It was sort of soothing to me.
Sean continued to talk to me on the drive there, explaining to me that the shape shifters derive their power from mortal beings. The more power they obtain, the more shapes they are able to shift into. He explained that years ago, their enemy shifters began to seek their power from witches instead of humans. He explained that it takes nearly a hundred human lives to equal the power they can obtain from the sacrifice of one witch.
“So, wait…” I stopped Sean. “You’re telling me that you and your family kill witches to become more powerful?” I was beginning to feel sick to my stomach.
“No, Trina. My family has vowed to protect your kind. The treaty we have with the Council benefits us both. We increase our abilities to shift through learning to hone our skills via teachings from some of the strongest of your witches—like your grandmother. We would never intentionally harm another being.” Sean glanced at me. “However, the others of our kind do not follow suit. Your grandmother is a powerful witch, and I fear that they targeted your family because they suspect the power flows through you all.”
“But my mom and my sister never fulfilled their fledgling vows. They never came into their true powers. That means…” I stopped mid sentence when I realized what that meant.
“Yes, Trina. The clan is after you, as well. It was decided that I would be your protector. We moved here with the intent for me to attend your school to be by your side, and for my father and uncles to work closely with the Council to protect your grandmother. Something must have gone wrong.”
We had pulled into the parking lot at the hospital. Sean walked me quickly inside and told the desk clerk who we were there for. I was grateful that he was next to me. The strong smell of antiseptic soon erased the smell of musk imprinted in my brain from him. The clerk picked up the phone and made a quick call.
In a few moments, Gram’s friend Ben from the Council walked up to me. “Trina, I’m so glad you are here and that Sean has been able to keep you safe.” We followed him as he walked quickly down the hall, taking turns here and there, finally leading us to a private room in a wing of the hospital I never knew existed. There were four men standing outside the room. I could see the family resemblance and was not surprised when I saw Sean nod his head towards the group.
I stopped and took a deep breath. “Did they, like…call you somehow earlier? To tell you that Grams was hurt? I mean, I don’t understand how you knew…”
Sean nodded. “There is a certain amount of telepathy between the family members of our clan. They were on their way to class with your grandmother when she was attacked.”
The men outside her room all hung their heads down. I could feel the sense of failure permeating from them, but I was unable to say much at this time to acknowledge it.
“One of their members died trying to protect your grandmother,” said Ben quietly to me. I stopped and gasped. I once again felt faint. I felt Sean’s strong arms guiding me into the hospital room. I was going to see my Grams finally.
Chapter Thirteen
Grams looked terrible. Sean had tried to prepare me for the worst. And this was the worst. The parts of her not covered in bandages had gashes and marks. There were tubes and wires attached to her. For the first time in my life, my grandmother looked small and helpless to me.
“Please tell me what happened, Ben.” I had to know. “Why would they target an old woman? I don’t understand.” My eyes were full of tears that I refused to let fall.
“I’m sure Sean started to explain to you that your grandmother is a very strong witch in your coven. The Council was formed to protect all witches, of course; but especially those with the gifts as strong as your grandmother. She is a teacher, truly gifted in spells and incantations. But you already know that. On your next birthday when you are to surpass full fledgling status and become a witch, your grandmother was to begin your intense training. You, Trina Sayter, are not just to become a witch. You are to become the witch—to lead your coven and this Council. And I fear that if your grandmother does not make it, well…” Ben stopped talking and was looking at me.
I stepped back and shook my head, confused by what Ben was saying and all of the thoughts bouncing around in my head—things grandmother had told me for years about our coven and the traditions, her role as a trainer and consultant to the Council.
“What do you mean, Ben? Why me? What makes me so special?”
“You are a Sayter. The next in the line of the great descendants of Sayter family witches. Your family formed the original coven and Council, and one of your family members has led us for as long as any of us can recall,” said Ben.
“But-but….I’m a teenage girl. A fledgling. I’m not even a witch yet. How can I possibly help with anything?” I could no longer hold back the tears, and they now fell down my face and cheeks. I was so overwhelmed right now.
“Sir, the rest of her family is waiting in the lobby.” Sean announced this to Ben. I didn’t even have to question how he knew this. One of the others had “told” him, I’m sure. I wiped at my eyes with the back of my hands until Sean handed me some tissue.
“Trina,” said Ben, “We will lead them back here. But you are not to leave her side. If she wakes up, we need to see if she will be able to speak to you at all. She must perform the spell for the final transfer of power to take place.”
Final transfer? I ran over that in my mind. Final because it would be the last thing Grams did or final because it would complete my transformation from fledgling to full witch? Either way I was frightened.
My mom and sister burst through the door just then with Rachel and Devon behind them. “Omigod, Trina!” shrieked my friends. “We couldn’t find you at the dance and when we called your phone we realized you didn’t have your purse and….”
“It’s okay. Take a breath. I’m here. Sean found me and made sure I got here.” My friends stared first at me and then at him in quiet amazement.
“But how did he know what was happening?” asked Rachel.
“I’ll fill you in later, girls. Right now, we need to pray for Grams.” I turned to see my mother and sister at my grandmother’s bedside. My mother was weeping softly and holding her mother’s hand. My sister was pale and looked like she might pass out. Sean took her a chair and helped her sit down. I don’t even think she noticed.
Just then Grams opened her eyes. She struggled to say one word. “Trina.”
Chapter Fourteen
I rushed to her bedside. “Trina. Come to me now,” she gasped.
“I’m here, Grams. I’m here. We all are.” I took her hand and looked at my family and friends. All eyes were brimmed with tears as I leaned towards her.
“Make them all leave. Except for the young shifter and fledglings,” Grams leaned forward and rasped out. She fell back to her pillow, closing her eyes.
Ben nodded. My mother began to argue, and my sister began to cry as the other shifters came into the room and led them out and down the hall.
“There is not much time,” said Sean. “The scent of death is near.”
I opted not to ask him how he knew that right now. I assumed it had something to do with his keen sense of
canine smell. I looked at Devon and Rachel who were both pale and uncertain, just as I was. Sean locked the door and rushed over to help Grams sit up.
“C’mon, my little fledglings,” said Grams. “My time is near, and I need all of your powers to make this final spell hold. Trina, come and take my hand.”
I was shaking and did not even realize it until Sean placed his hand on my shoulder. I felt a sudden calmness enter my body as I sat down next to her.
Grams leaned towards me and whispered, “That is why the young shifter is here, Trina. He is to be your guardian and your protector. A source of strength and calm for you during your trials as a new witch. Much—much….” Grams struggled to speak. After a sip of water, she continued. “Much turmoil will come your way during your first year of the witch. The other two fledglings will be your trusted helpers.” She motioned towards Devon and Rachel. They nodded, eyes wide, and mouths slightly open as they drew nearer to her bedside, as well.
“Did you bring everything I asked for?” Grams asked Sean. He nodded and opened a burlap bag I had not even seen him bring in. He pulled out her spell book, medallion, runes, knife and candles.
“We need to hurry,” said Sean nervously. “The other shifters in my clan are sensing the enemies approaching. We must make the final transfer of power. I’m sorry, Trina, but there is little time left.”
He pulled the small bedside table closer and laid out the objects. I had helped Grams prepare for rituals before so I began to arrange them in the way she had taught me.
Grams struggled to speak now. “Fledglings, all of you please present your element and place it on the altar.”
Devon removed a black crow’s feather from her small purse and laid it on the table. Rachel did the same with the smooth gray rock from her pocket. Finally, I emptied the vial of water that was in my purse into a small bowl. I had carried that water with me for almost twelve years now. Grams had taken me to the stream near our home when I first learned to walk and explained to me that water would always be my sacred element.
Grams had Sean open the spell book and present it to us. She nodded that we should indeed begin with the incantation.
The three of us took a moment to breathe deeply and center ourselves.
“I call upon the forces of the Goddess—her fertility, nurturance, and abundance,” began Rachel. I watched as Grams closed her eyes, resigned to her final spell.
Chapter Fifteen
“I call upon the forces of the Goddess—her awareness, inspiration, and intellect,” continued Devon.
I lit the candle, and we all passed our palms over the flame, Grams included.
Then she said, “I call upon the forces of the Goddess—her protection, strength, and energy.” I could feel the power in the room growing and I could sense the heat on my skin.
I placed my fingertips in the water and recited my part. “I call upon the forces of the Goddess—her tranquility, peace, and intuition.”
We then all placed our hands, palm downward, over the objects collected on the makeshift altar. Together, we began to chant, “Goddess—we bring you the soil, the stone. You grace us with new beginnings in our change. We now call for the unity of your elements and power. Bless us, oh Goddess, empower us! Be here in this hour!”
The air in the room seemed to thicken, and the lights flickered. We began to move our hands together in clockwise circles over the objects of our elements while chanting, “Earth links and nourishes us! Air inspires us! Fire transforms us! Water cleanses and blesses us!”
My grandmother collapsed against the pillows on her bed. “It has begun,” she said. “Girls, unite in a circle, holding hands. Sean, block the door.” He looked at her quizzically but did so. I heard a low growl in his throat, as if he began to sense something the rest of us did not yet.
“Keep it going, Trina. This is your spell to cast.” Grams encouraged me. I continued, “ I charge you by the powers of the East, South, West and North; I charge you by the powers of the Earth, Air, Fire and Water; I charge you by the powers of the Sun, Moon, and Stars. To empower me in this year of the witch. So mote it be!”
I closed my eyes and tried to shut out the thoughts running through my mind. I could make out someone arguing on the other side of the door—possibly my mother, trying to work her way in. She must suspect something. She must fear that this final transfer of power to me from Grams will be her last spell.
“Darkness, Brightness, points of light; dimming, glowing, shining bright; shining down on me this night; bless me in my magic rite!” Grams took my hands and pulled me towards her. “Oh, Goddess lead us, transfer all powers between our hands. Lend it strength and energy; Energy that I now see! The power’s sent; the power’s free. This is my will; so mote it be!”
The lights flashed off throughout the hospital. The candles we had lit flickered. Grams took one last breath and said, “I freely give this up. I allow myself to return to the Elements which I am from and the soul of the Goddess.”
The rest of us responded, “So mote it be.” We watched as my grandmother left this world in her transition to the other. I looked up, knowing that Grams hadn’t darted away and was projecting herself to ensure the spell was bound and all was well. I nodded up to her and blew a kiss into the air. “I love you, Grams. Always.”
“I’m sorry, Trina. The spell is bound and now there is little time. I must take you and your friends to a safe house. Your coven arranged it all. We can only hold off the others for so long.”
I turned to look at Rachel and Devon, who were collecting the remains from the altar. “I’m ready,” I said.
Chapter Sixteen
The days and weeks after Gram’s death fell into a dull routine. My mother and sister were still barely speaking to me. I tried to remind myself that they were not only grieving but were still hurt that Grams had chosen to spend her last moments on this Earth with me. And transitioning me into a witch, as powerful as all of the other Sayter family witches before me. I wondered if they both regretted their lack of interest in the arts or if they were both just grateful that I was the one to take on the burden of leading the coven.
Some days I went to school, and some days I didn’t. My mother let me choose. Surprisingly, the school was being understanding, as well. I had successfully completed driver’s education and had received my learner’s permit. Not that I needed it. Sean drove me to and from school. In fact, he rarely left my side. Sometimes I found it highly annoying—like when I wanted to gossip with Rachel and Devon; and other times I found it comforting. I wondered how long he and the other shifters would remain with us.
A group of about seven of them had been staying with us in our basement, at Ben’s insistence. It really wasn’t that inconvenient for us since the basement had it’s own kitchen and entry way. I had started to grow fond of hearing their howls as I drifted off to sleep. Sean had explained to me that they took turns guarding our house throughout the day and night. I had soon learned what each of them were capable of shifting into. Sean’s father and uncles all shifted into bird forms, feline forms, and rodent forms in addition to their canine forms. I still had not seen Sean when he was shifted. He seemed embarrassed to share that with me for some reason.
Every afternoon I spent a few hours with Ben learning about the Council—it’s regulations, my role, and what my Gram’s plans had been for me. My mind was overloaded most of the time. My sixteenth birthday had come and gone. None of us had felt much like celebrating without Grams.
One day when I was sitting in the backyard reading a spell book, I turned to Sean.
“Hey, can I ask you something?” I knew he was a bit protective about his private life, and I saw him stiffen out of the corner of my eye.
“Um, I guess, Trina.” He said my name in such a way that I felt a warm tingle down my spine.
“I just wondered, Sean. I mean I know you’ve been in the process of learning to control your shifts for some time now.” Sean nodded at me. “I just wondered if we could talk
about what happened that night at the dance…you know, um, before…”
I turned to look at him. He had turned away from me somewhat, but I could still tell that he was blushing. “So like, um, in the ladies’ room, Sean. What you said and did…like with me, um…before we had to leave.” Sean remained quiet.
Was he actually going to make me say it? Oh, you know, Sean, like when you followed me to the bathroom and ditched your super hot date to kiss the hell out of me? Oh, and the things he had said about animal instincts and all.
He still had not responded. I turned and looked directly at him. He had no choice at this point but to return the direct stare. I watched him moisten his lips and lean towards me. I was uncertain if he planned to speak or to kiss me again.
“It is…um, difficult for me to control myself around you at times, Trina. I believe that I have imprinted upon you.” I stared at him quizzically. “As my mate,” he finished.
Chapter Seventeen
“Excuse me?” You’ve done what? What are you talking about, Sean?” I took a few steps away from him because I needed to think more clearly. And when Sean was near, I felt comfortable and safe and so relaxed. But I needed to think about his response. “You’re joking, right? I mean, you’re a teenager, too. Aren’t you a little young for a partner?”
“Mate, Trina. I said I believe I have imprinted on you as my future mate,” said Sean. His dark liquid eyes examined mine, so different from his but equally intense at this moment as I struggled to understand him.
“Sean, I’m not a dog or wolf or whatever you guys can all become. I’m a witch. And barely that. Your sense of smell or whatever helps you imprint, as you say, must be totally off.” That had to be it. If I convinced myself of that, maybe I could convince him.
“C’mon, you feel something, too, Trina. The feeling of calm and peacefulness that flows over you when we’re together. That’s part of it.” Sean tried to grab my hands.
