Calder Witch Boxset (Paranormal Vampire Romance): Books 1-4

by Martha Woods

  Calla was taken back by Tessa asking for her opinion. “Really, it just depends on how much responsibility you are willing to take on. If you say yes, the elders want to train you personally, that way you are trained properly and quickly. Of course, it will take you years to actually master everything, but they are willing to work with you as long as it takes. You’ll be in charge of protecting our people, meaning keeping up with scouts’ reports on Calder locations, and planning any attacks needed. In time, you’ll become a judge of sorts, high profile offenses within the clan would come to you for judgment. Things of that nature. The training you would receive and protection of the entire Firehaven clan, I think, makes it really worth it. You’ll be a natural leader, and you’ll get to know everyone in the coven. They’ll be like a secondary family.”

  Family… The word felt strange to Tessa. She knew the vampires considered themselves to be a family, but it wasn’t exactly a loving environment. It was more like banding together to last for eternity, rather than be plucked off one by one by witches or hunters. She knew that Calla had been very close with her clan before joining their family. Deep down, Tessa had been a bit envious of that aspect, wishing that things could have been different and Tessa grow up in the clan with her mother. Learn how to use her powers like all of the other witches… There was no going back, though, only forward. Maybe it was for the best for her to join them, but the thought of being their High Priestess was a little overwhelming. “Do they know I’m a vampire now?” she asked, wondering if that would be a deal breaker.

  Calla nodded, “I told them at dinner. They were actually happy about it, hoping that it would mean you could lead them for a long, long time.”

  “I see,” Tessa muttered. Then, a very important point came to mind. “If I accept this, will they allow you back into the coven?” Tessa asked, eyes locked onto Calla.

  Her cheeks reddened and her olive eyes fell to the floor. It was still a tender subject for her, Tessa knew that. Calla held a lot of guilt and remorse over joining Deidre’s side. “They said that would be up to you,” Calla admitted. “You’d be the High Priestess, and therefore would be able to give the final ruling on my status within the clan.”

  Tessa nodded, still contemplating, wanting to make sure to ask all the questions she needed before giving an answer. “And with being in the clan, what would that mean for us? Would we still be able to travel with the vampires? Would it be allowed for us to continue seeing Kristian and Jared?”

  “As far as it goes for living situation, we would mostly be based with the coven. Usually in Maine, but sometimes at the other compounds in Minnesota, Washington, even occasionally down to Georgia. However, they are fine with you being with Kristian, and like that the vampires want to help protect you. They would be fine with them staying with us, or us going with them from time to time. You’ll more than likely have a pack of witches traveling with you as well, as a form of additional security. You’ll have all the resources of the coven at your fingertips,” Calla explained, her eyes finally returning to Tessa’s face.

  A moment of silence fell over the room with all eyes on Tessa, waiting for her next question or an answer. Tessa was still worried about whether or not she could get acclimated to being a vampire, but it actually was a lot easier to be in the same room as Calla than it had been weeks before. As long as Tessa’s mind stayed focused on something else, she could ignore the smell of Calla’s blood and the beating of her heart. Would she do okay in crowds, though? It felt like so much was left to the unknown, and there wasn’t much time to wait and see. She wanted to do what’s right, not just for herself, but everyone. “I’ll do it,” Tessa stated firmly.

  “What? Tess, are you sure? Maybe we should talk about this first…” Kristian said, putting his arm around her.

  “I don’t need to talk about it. I’m going to at least try to do it,” Tessa told him.

  “It’s just a lot to put on someone who didn’t know they were even a witch for the first twenty-some years of their life, on top of recently turning into a vampire…”

  She looked deep into his eyes, “We’ve been doing right by only ourselves for quite some time. I want to do the right thing for everyone, and this seems like that.” Tessa gazed over to Calla, “If it turns out that I can’t handle it, will they let me step down?”

  Calla nodded, “There may be some hurt feelings and some may and try to kick you out of the coven, but I don’t think they would even do that. You would just go from High Priestess, to regular witch in the clan.”

  “Sounds like I’d be stupid to not accept,” Tessa noted. After a few more seconds to really think over the decision, Tessa nodded, “So, what do we do now?”

  Kristian’s thoughts soured, not liking that Tessa was so quick to accept the offer from the witches. He wanted them to talk about it and decide what was the best call. That was simply too bad. Tessa’s mind was made up. She was certain that some form of regret would come later, but that came hand-in-hand with all major decisions. The best thing for to do was at least try.

  “Well, it’s a matter of getting you and the elders in the same room. You’ll probably need a lot of space, so somewhere like here would work the best, I would say. That way you are comfortable as well,” Calla explained.

  “I don’t know if bringing in more witches is such a great idea,” Kristian chimed in. “Tessa’s doing well now, but that’s with just one human around. Bringing in more could be messy.”

  “Yet you brought her into the city weeks ago,” Jared rebutted before anyone could.

  “Can’t we learn from my mistake instead of making it again?” Kristian retorted.

  “They want to be very careful about the whole matter,” Calla called to Kristian, in hopes of settling him. “Only three elders are coming, and they are just bringing one aide along. To limit temptations for Calla, as well as to hold this whole thing as close to the chest as possible. I also don’t think you guys have ever met witches of their caliber. They aren’t exactly fragile or defenseless. However, they did say if you insist on more security, then it would be best to come from the vampire side of the aisle. For Tessa’s sake.”

  Kristian was silent, but Tessa could hear the wheels turning in his head. He didn’t like any of it very much, but he was slowly coming around. “Would you two be willing to stay with us? I know Calla wouldn’t be doing much of the training, but at the very least she could help keep the peace. Then you Jared, of course, for security. We’ll probably bring on Charley too, just to be on the safe side.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Jared nodded.

  “Me too,” Calla agreed. “We have to go back into the city to meet with them to tell them your answer. Then, as long as the coast is clear, they’ll more than likely be here by morning.”

  “Very well. Grab Charley while you two are out there.”

  * * *

  Tessa was stewing on the sofa as they waited for the others and the elders to arrive, the night quickly approaching its end. Her mind couldn’t stop meticulously going over every worry and wonder about what she was about to walk into. High Priestess… it just didn’t seem real. How could they want her as High Priestess? After such torment from the Calder over the past few months, Tessa found herself wondering if it could be a trap—but she knew it wasn’t. Jared was with Calla during her initial meeting with them, and he wouldn’t have allowed anything to advance if he sensed anything off with how protective he was of Calla.

  Every step of the way Tessa and Kristian had made one bad decision after another, and she feared that this one could be another. A prime reason she had asked Calla for her opinion outright. She knew the witches far better than anyone else, clearly. If she trusted this call and was behind it, and Jared didn’t sense foul play, then it seemed like a safe bet. All Tessa wanted to do was do the right thing, and for this entire mess to be over with. Why couldn’t they all just settle down somewhere in the mountains and live out the rest of eternity in harmony? Why did it constantly have to be dan
ger and fear?

  Kristian appeared next to her with a teacup of blood. “Care for a little pick-me-up?” he cooed, extending the cup to her.

  “Thanks,” Tessa said weakly, taking a sip of the blood.

  His arm went around her shoulders and gently rubbed her arm. “I’m sorry I didn’t trust your call at first… It wasn’t fair of me. No matter the outcome of all this, I’ll be happy as long as you are by my side,” Kristian confessed to her with his sparkling emerald eyes locked onto hers.

  Her chest swelled with happiness. Even with everything going wrong all of the time, Tessa and Kristian were brought closer and closer together. Every trial tested their relationship, and each one brought them closer together. Kristian had seen the worst of Tessa when she had attacked Calla, a primal and dangerous side that she had never known existed—but it hadn’t changed how he felt about her at all. There was a level of understanding between them that Tessa had never felt with anyone else. It was what gave her confidence that eternity was achievable together. “I feel the same way,” Tessa uttered softly.

  He cracked a smile then, “So after this training, and you become High Priestess, what does that make me?”

  Tessa’s lips curled into a sheepish smile and turned her cheek, “I don’t know the exact title. You know just as much as me…”

  “I know, I’m just curious about it. It’ll definitely be interesting to see you in charge all the time,” Kristian began, eyeing Tessa suggestively.

  “Some men might find that emasculating,” she countered with a smirk.

  “Not this one,” Kristian chuckled. He then swooped in and stole her lips in a sweet and gentle kiss. When he pulled back, Kristian’s eyes locked with hers, “I know how important this is to you, with how your mom was the High Priestess and getting this family you never knew you had... I didn’t mean to make it sound like I didn’t think you can do it. I just worry over you too much. It’s important to me that you know I believe in you, and that I’ll be here to support you through this and wherever it takes you.”

  Tessa was at a loss for words, not knowing at all what to say in response. Thanking him felt like an emotionless response, but she couldn’t conjure any more words to express her gratitude. She kissed him passionately, her lips completely dominating his.

  After several heated smooches and a couple of lip bites, Kristian pushed her back gently. “Easy there. They should be here any minute,” he chuckled, pecking her lips one last time.

  Tessa should have been embarrassed, knowing she had gotten a little carried away, but she wasn’t. “I love you, Kristian,” she breathed.

  “I love you too,” he replied softly, the corners of his mouth turning up in a light smile. Not a moment later, headlights beamed through the blinds of the living room windows and onto the far wall. Tessa sat straight up and cleared her throat before bringing her teacup to her lips. Kristian chuckled and stood to go open the door.

  The first ones through the door were Calla and Jared, then the four unknown witches, and lastly Charley, who was helping the witches with their luggage. Iron and the same cinnamon-like smell wafted through the rooms of the house, with a hint of bitterness that she assumed came from Charley. Tessa reminded herself to hold her breath, fearing the smell would be far too much to bear once they approached. The crowd migrated to the living room, finding spots to sit among the armchairs and couches. Tessa took them all in one-by-one. It was easy to tell which ones the elders were, considering they were the only ones who looked to be above the age of forty. They were very youthful looking to be considered elders.

  What struck Tessa was how different they all looked. One elder had golden blonde hair that was just starting to turn gray at the roots and dark blue eyes, with crows feet that were rather severe when she smiled. The one that sat directly next to her had frizzy chocolate hair with matching eyes, and laugh lines that paired well with the smile on her lips. The final elder had her strawberry blonde hair pulled up into a braided bun with two silver strands hanging down by her face. They were all slender, with the strawberry blonde being the only one with a bit of curve to her frame. Each wore a dress that covered from their necks, down to their wrists and ankles; though the colors and prints varied. How was it they all belonged to the same coven, but looked entirely different?

  “Hello, Theresa—oh, sorry, that’s right. You go by Tessa now. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” the brunette called over, her smiling broadening. “I’m Silvia, and this is Pearl,” she said, motioning to the blonde, “Marjorie,” she labeled the strawberry blonde, “And our lovely aide, Selena.”

  Another slender woman that was sat by the fireplace wiggled her fingers at Tessa. For a moment, she had honestly forgotten another witch had came in with them. She had thin brown hair that hung down to her chin in loose curls. She looked to be around Tessa’s age, perhaps a little younger. It befuddled Tessa that someone her age could be so skilled at magic that they could be an assistant to the elders. While Calla was used to Tessa’s lack of knowledge and experience, she was a little weary that Selena would judge her.

  “We’ve got to work on her ability to block out thoughts first thing,” Selena commented, making Tessa’s eyes nearly pop out of her head. “Don’t worry, I don’t think anyone expects you to know anything or get it quickly. We’ve all mastered it with years of dedicated study and practice. No judgment whatsoever,” she winked.

  “Thank you, I appreciate that,” Tessa nodded, though she was still riddled with embarrassment. She let herself forget that Calla wasn’t the only other one that could read minds. It was definitely going to be a problem if they could poke around her head whenever they pleased.

  “So, before we jump right into everything tomorrow evening, are there any questions you have for us?” Pearl asked, crossing one leg over the other.

  “Too many, I think,” Tessa said weakly. After a moment of contemplation she found one to ask, “Are we all related somehow? I’m just curious because all of the Calder look the same, but none of us do…”

  “That’s a good question, Tessa,” Silvia beamed, making her feel like she was once again in grade school. “See, it all goes back to the origins of the clans. I’m sure you’ve noticed that we are pretty young looking to be considered elders, let alone be well over one hundred years old. Yet every Calder witch you have came across has been white as a sheet, with stark white hair and pitch black eyes. More than likely, a lot of them had wrinkly and loose skin as well. It all has to do with how the magic in our veins effects us, and that stems from where the magic came from. The first women of our coven were from a port town in Maine, and came from all different backgrounds. It was colonial times, back when there wasn’t much law and order, but corruption and abuse. Many of the wives from the town came together, wanting to find a way to escape the fists of their husbands and oppression from society. So, they made a deal with a demon to get our powers, they had asked for the ability to protect one another, no matter the situation. Sacrifices were made to pay the price of the magic, and from then on, we have been free of the evil and darkness that we stemmed from. So while we aren’t technically all blood related through humans, we’re bonded by the same magic which to us, is thicker than any blood.”

  Oh, well that made sense. It was beautiful that even though they weren’t from a singular family, they considered each other even more than that. “So what about the Calder? Are they from the same family?”

  “Not quite,” Pearl answered. “They had a very similar beginning to us, only they started over in Europe and came over during colonial times. Their request from the demon was much more… ambitious, some would say. They didn’t want just the ability to protect themselves and their loved ones, but the ability to destroy others. To lord over all of society one day. Bring pain and death to the world with the help of dark magic provided by the heinous demon they got it from. The magic is very strong and vile, so it rapidly drains them of their humanity—which gives them such a creepy and nightmarish look.”


  “Just when I thought they couldn’t be even more disturbing…” Tessa mumbled.

  “It’s true, they tend to be very hateful, violent, and more determined than anyone you will ever meet. Not all of them are terrible, but rather just born into a family to which they don’t belong. Sad, really. A good rule of thumb when judging one, is the uglier and older they look, the more evil they are,” Marjorie joined in. “However, a Calder is a Calder. It’s impossible to say whether or not they are trying to trick you. More often than not, they are. As bad as it may sound, a black sheep Calder being dead is better than risking one of those dreadful witches getting into our clan. We are all still in shock that Deidre had been undercover for as long as she had been. I’m just grateful she was never allowed into any elder meetings or into our libraries. Since she was a rogue witch who claimed to be a long lost Fireheaven, we had welcomed her, but certainly had our reservations. Thank the Heavens that we did, and have learned to keep are guards up even higher.”

  “And why exactly do you guys want me to be your High Priestess?” she immediately asked. Tessa was meant to lead and protect the coven, how were they so sure that she could even do that? Thus far, Tessa hadn’t even been able to protect herself, let alone anyone else.

  “For many reasons, my dear,” Pearl began, reaching into the pocket of her cardigan and drawing out a cigarette case. “May I?” Kristian nodded at her. She placed the hand-rolled cigarette into the end of an opera length cigarette holder. When Pearl put it between her lips, the end of the cigarette suddenly began to burn into a bright orange ember. Tessa felt like a child being so impressed by such a simple trick. “Your mother, Esmeralda, was one of the finest High Priestesses this clan has ever had. She was loving and kind, compassionate and patient. Everything you could ever want in a leader, really. So even if you were to have an ounce of that in you, we would want to give you the chance to follow in her footsteps. We haven’t been able to elect one since Esmeralda’s death. There’s always some sort of infighting taking place, or too much going on with fighting the Calder to take the matter seriously. The clan will be happy to welcome you into the position, since it usually follows bloodline anyways.” She flicked her ashes into a small ceramic disk she brought out of her purse and then took a long drag yet again. “Then there’s the matter of you being a vampire now. I won’t lie to you, it’s very appealing for you to be one. It’ll make you stronger and more durable than the average witch, including Calder. And if you take well to the position, then you’ll be able to hold it for as long as you needed to. It’ll work very well in our favor.”