Chapter Two
Veda
I know today will change my life and I don’t like it. Of course, I have no idea what the hell will happen to set fate in motion. Maybe I’ll trip, hit my head, and forget who I am. It’s the best scenario I can imagine.
For months I’ve dreamed about today. Nothing solid and all of it confusing. Strange things—babies with long shaggy tails, an irritating gruff voice that makes no sense, and a burning heat that signals desire. Of all the stupid things, the last is the worst. The only thing I desire is peace and quiet.
I collect the poison mushrooms carefully. They won’t actually kill anyone, but the effects are unpleasant. For some reason gathering a supply is at the top of today’s list. Nothing bodes well for what’s to come.
Sadly, I miss my mother more right now than I have in years. It’s been a long time since she left and gave herself over to the Goddess. She told me it was her time. She said I will know when it’s my time. She was far away from me when she died but I knew the exact moment. A burst of electricity shot through my veins signaling her end. Death is the only way to hand over the final gift of power. A power I was born to possess. The pain was so great I doubled over and vomited. Then, I cried.
I have no one to give the power to. The fact that I can live forever means nothing. We are meant to share our gift, through death, with our daughter. I’m the first of my line to break the pattern. I will be the last beastkind witch. That in itself is a blessing. We exist in a solitary world after our mothers grant their gift. The loneliness is so deep it turns our hearts to ice, or at least that’s how my mother explained it to me. She said the years with me were what saved her sanity. I feel the pull of insanity and finally understand what my mother meant.
There will be no end to my loneliness and my young girl dreams will go unfulfilled. When I was younger, I wanted what every girl wants. A prince—a man to cherish me—and love.
My mother set me straight and her words haunt me. “Love is not on our path. We connect with a human male to enable us to birth a female child. You will never see the human again. Your daughter will be your light like you are mine.”
So, I live a solitary life. What sets me apart? I never searched out a human male to breed with. I never felt what my mother claimed to be an overwhelming urge, forcing my hand. The gift of a child isn’t in my cards. I gave up a long time ago.
I wrap the cloth over my basket to keep the sun shining through the tree branches and spoiling my bounty. The mushrooms are found beneath the densest trees, in the darkest areas, at the base of their trunks. They are scarce. And potent. It takes only a small amount to cause the damage they are known for.
A shiver runs up my spine. Are the feelings I’m having a signal that it’s my time to join the Goddess? Although my mother said I will know, I feel like I know nothing. I’ve studied the great texts passed from mother to daughter for centuries and found no answers. Every witch follows the same path and cannot deny her duty. I failed. Duty never called and now these stupid dreams will render me completely insane.
“Can you smell her? She’s close,” a deep voice echoes through the trees.
I know that voice, though I haven’t heard it in years. There is no way that insufferable bear would possibly search me out.
No. Way!
“It’s not a bad smell, father, you liar. She smells like herbs.”
“You haven’t met her yet.”
I look down at my basket. My reason for collecting the mushrooms becomes perfectly clear. I don’t have much time, so I run the two miles to my cabin. My legs are filthy by the time I throw open the door. Grabbing a large cast iron pot, I place it on the stove to boil water. I cannot believe this is happening. Tyboll hates me and I hate him.
The female who calls him father could only be the she-wolf he adopted. I was stunned when I heard he officially brought her into the clan. The man has no heart. He is the worst of the worst as far as the bear clan goes. And why the hell would he bring her here?
I pull down the heavy mugs and carefully arrange them on the table. I didn’t close the door behind me. All are welcome. It’s the witch’s code. I take down tea from the cupboard along with the dainty china teapot that a she-bear gifted me long ago. She needed a potion to ease cramps caused by her menses. I spent a week gathering the herbs needed. Much like gathering the mushrooms this morning, my dreams guided me before she arrived.
I hear the she-wolf whispering as they approach the cabin. “Do you think she’s home? Why would her door be open?”
“She welcomes us into her web so she can trap us and suck our blood dry.”
I roll my eyes and don’t bother standing. “Enter. I will pass on your sour bear-blood, Tyboll, but maybe your she-wolf is sweeter.”
The she-wolf gasps and I can’t help but smile when she enters ahead of Tyboll. The reason for the visit becomes clear immediately. She breeds and this isn’t her first baby. It saddens me that mothers never bring their cubs to me. They’re afraid of what they do not understand and only visit when they must. But no children.
Tyboll fills the doorway and everything inside of me heats. It’s a strange burn that is almost painful—like the dream. I suck air into my lungs and his scent fills me. His shaggy, unkempt hair and beard cover his face and leave nothing but his startling brown gaze to stare into my soul. This is a mistake. I need to hold my breath or come up with a quick spell so I only exhale in his presence. And he says I stink.
I look at the she-wolf to escape his penetrating gaze. “Sit down and join me for tea. Then we shall speak about your coming child.”
I expect her to do as I command. Instead, she barrels across the small space and wraps her arms around me. No one ever touches me and I’m at a complete loss. I pat her gently on the back trying to think of a way to gracefully escape her tight embrace.
“Give the witch breathing room, Mandy.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I saw you and you have no warts at all. You’re beautiful and it took me by surprise. My father was not completely honest when he spoke of you.” Her arms slip away and I instantly want them back. Beastkind contact is a surprise and not unpleasant.
“Please sit beside me, dear. Tyboll, you may go outside and wait.”
“Humph. Not likely,” he says as he takes the chair across from me. “And you have three mugs, so you expect me to stay.”
Mandy sits beside me and fidgets around making me worry she’ll fall from the chair. I pick up Tyboll’s cup and pour in the hot tea before moving it his way. I fill the wolf’s next hoping the herbs will calm her. I’m even more surprised that old sour puss would adopt this rambunctious female.
Mandy’s excited voice fills the room when she says, “You know why we’re here?”
“Of course, my child. Let us drink first.” I take a sip from my cup.
“You really are a witch?”
I can’t help but laugh at the same time Tyboll groans. This woman is the exact opposite of the shy she-bears of the clan. She brightens the darkness inside my soul. I wish to spend time with her without Tyboll. I’ve never wanted anything so badly before.
I sit back in my chair and take another sip.
“This is wonderful,” Mandy says after she tries hers.
“It will help your babies grow big and strong.” I watch Tyboll take a sip of his. “Unfortunately, it will make your father’s penis wilt and fall off.”
He chokes and I smile. His eyebrows arch and he clears his throat. “You don’t scare me,” he says as he drinks down the rest of the hot liquid.
“Wait, did you say babies?” Mandy asks and brings me out of my satisfied elation.
“Yes, two male children. You are pregnant with twins. When will you change form to await the birth?”
“Twins,” she whispers before jumping up and throwing her arms around me again. “Honey will be so proud. He’s such a silly bear. This will make him feel manlier. Like he needs help in that department.” She sighs in a way that lets me know she’
s thinking about things best not spoken aloud. “He is pure, one-hundred percent alpha even if his father is the current one in charge. He will walk around and crow for years.”
This entire recitation is said against my shoulder as she squeezes me tightly with her wolf’s strength. If I could actually spin a web, I would hold her against me forever. She is a blessing from the Goddess.
Chapter Three
Tyboll
I watch the stunned look on Veda’s face with a sense of pride. Mandy does this to people. No one is exempt. A smile cracks Veda’s stoic face. It changes her. For the first time, I see the same beauty Mandy spoke of after we entered Veda’s cabin. Unfortunately, I knew of the witch’s cold heart. I had asked her for one thing in my life—begged, actually—and she denied me.
Twins are a great gift. If we’re lucky, they will be just like their father. We can’t handle two more Mandys. Mandy releases Veda and runs to me. I can’t contain my grin. Veda raises her eyebrows. I’m not known for smiles, but what can I do when Mandy’s arms are wrapped tightly around me? Her joy is infectious.
My stomach rumbles.
Odd.
It rumbles again followed by a severe cramp that makes me release Mandy and stand from my chair. Veda’s grin widens.
She wouldn’t!
“What’s wrong?” Mandy’s concerned voice makes me stare daggers at the witch.
“If you poisoned her, too, I will kill you.”
“No, only you, you stubborn, ugly bear.”
“You poisoned him?” Mandy demands as another cramp bends me double.
I hear Veda’s voice from a distance. “Don’t worry…”
That is all the witch manages to say before Mandy attacks. I look up just in time to see my daughter’s fist connect with Veda’s face. The witch falls from her chair and lands on the floor. She doesn’t move. I should feel satisfaction, but the pain is so great that I go to my knees.
There is probably an antidote, but now Veda is unconscious and unable to administer it. I close my eyes and groan. The pain is unbearable. A minute later, I pull myself up and run outside. We passed an outhouse when we arrived and I have an instant need. Mandy runs after me cursing. I can see her panic. I’ll kill the witch just for that.
I throw open the door to the outhouse. “Go check on the witch and see if there’s an antidote,” I say before slamming the door in Mandy’s face.
“There better be or I’ll kill her.” Mandy’s voice fades as she returns to the cabin. I sit on the round wooden circle and purge my intestines. I probably won’t die. Another cramp seizes me. Not dying is a horrible option.
***
Veda
I come to with a splitting headache and a wet cloth passing over my cheek. I move my jaw from side to side and groan.
Mandy’s growling voice breaks through the thrumming pain in my temple. “If you don’t fix my father, I’ll give you another bruise to match this one.”
“He’s fine,” I groan.
She jerks me up so our noses almost touch. “He isn’t fine.”
Whoa. The little she-wolf has a temper. “The mushrooms will empty his bowels and they only last an hour or two. Grumpy old bears need cleaning out on occasion.” I wouldn’t bother to explain that giving him a needed purge is the only way around the strict rules in place for my kind: “Do no harm.” I couldn’t kill him even if I wanted to.
“Mushrooms?” She pushes me back slightly.
“Yes, he deserved it. The bastard burned down my home when I wouldn’t save his mother.”
“He burned down your home?” she repeats.
“Yes, I almost burned to death when I tried to save my books.”
Mandy stands, places her hand out, and assists me to my feet. She moves the chair closer so I can sit. I rest my elbows on the table and bury my head in my hands.
“You pack quite a punch.”
“And you scared the living shit out of me. I thought you were trying to kill him.”
“Speaking of that no-good, flea-bitten bear rug, you need to check on him.” I’d be lucky to walk a straight line or I’d do it myself.
“Could you save his mother?”
I should have expected that question. “Maybe… no.”
Mandy’s exasperation over my answer comes through loud and clear when her voice elevates. “What kind of an answer is that?”
I give a long sigh. “It goes against fate. One way or another, her death was inevitable. She could’ve only lasted a few days, maybe. So no, I couldn’t save her.”
“Did you explain that?”
I lift my head and look into Mandy’s piercing eyes. “You think he gave me the chance? Or that he would care if I did explain? When someone you love is dying, an additional day is worth selling your soul to the devil.”
For one so young, she surprises me. Her expression changes and I know she understands. “Where are the mushrooms?” she asks.
I nod to the counter. “In that cloth.”
She walks over and picks it up. “How many did you use?” she asks.
“Only two small pieces of one mushroom. I placed them in the bottom of his mug.”
She pushes the cloth deep in her pocket. “I’ll go check on him.” She looks over her shoulder before walking through the door. “Who rebuilt your home?”
It galled me to answer her question. “That infernal bear who probably wishes right now that I had killed him.”
Mandy laughs as she walks outside. I rub a hand over my temple and feel a hard knot. I realize that I most likely hit my head when I fell. My bear-shifter blood will help me heal quickly. Unfortunately, Tyboll will get the same benefit.
I take a deep breath and rest my head on my arms. I can’t help but think of Tyboll and how he was years ago. He wasn’t always a scruffy-haired Bigfoot. Bitterness turns you into a different person and Tyboll’s resentment proves it.
Now that I’ve met Mandy, I wonder what prompted his royal grouchiness to adopt her. It went against everything I thought I knew about the stupid bear.
I also wonder about his son, whom I’ve never seen. He must be about ten now. His ex-mate came to see me before she bred with a human. I didn’t like her. She held no love for Tyboll, which at the time I found sad. Now that I’ve dealt with him, I completely understand. Well, that’s not exactly true. Tyboll stirs my blood in a way that only he can. I noticed it when he asked me to save his mother. She was shot by a hunter. By the time Dmitri, the bear clan’s vampire, tried to save her it, was too late. So, Tyboll came to me.
A week after I turned him down, I was out collecting herbs and noticed dense smoke through the trees. My entire cabin was in flames by the time I arrived. I ran inside to save the great texts. The smoke overcame me and the next thing I knew, Tyboll was carrying me out cursing me for being a crazy witch. He also managed to bring out the books. It didn’t matter, though, because I would never forgive him for the fire. He was the most selfish person I’d ever met. The fact that he rebuilt my cabin while I was away meant nothing. It took weeks for his odor to disappear. That only made me angrier.
He deserved a strong case of diarrhea. Maybe that will teach him not to mess with a witch. I stand and cross to the sink to rinse out the mugs and refill the tea kettle with hot water. My head is killing me and I need herbal tea to soothe the ache. Tyboll and Mandy don’t return and that is fine by me. I am better off alone.
Chapter Four
Tyboll
“We are leaving now,” I growl telepathically at Mandy when she walks up to the outhouse. I waited outside after I shifted to bear. Shifting helps whatever poison the old witch gave me pass through my system quicker.
“I wanted to talk to her more about the babies,” Mandy whines.
I turn away and head deeper into the woods leaving behind my favorite shirt. “You will stay far away from her. The old bat is crazy and I should never have brought you here.”
I hear Mandy following me. “Do you blame her for the mushrooms after you burned
down her home?”
Of all the bullshit I’ve ever heard, this was the worst. I can’t hold my temper and shout my response. “I didn’t burn down her home. I rescued her after she burned it down herself.”
“She says you did it,” Mandy throws back not in the least bit intimidated.
My roar makes every animal for a mile scramble for a place to hide. I turn and see Mandy with her hands over her ears.
“I didn’t burn it down. I went to apologize for the names I called her the week before. I found her passed out on the floor of the cabin clutching her stupid books. From what I could see, the fire started at her stove where she left dried herbs too close to the flames.”
Mandy stubbornly puts her hands on her hips. “So why did you rebuild her cabin if you didn’t burn it down?”
The cocky she-wolf is lucky she carries my grandchildren or I’d be tempted to take a bite out of her backside. I refuse to answer, turn, and take off at a faster pace.
“You heard me. Why?” Mandy demands, running on human legs to keep up with me.
“Because who else would build the crazy witch a cabin?” I yell as loud as my telepathic voice will go.
Mandy says nothing for several seconds and then I hear her whisper, “How romantic.”
Yes, bears can roll their eyes and I roll mine. I refuse to talk about it any longer. I’m thankful that Mandy stays peacefully quiet for the remainder of our trip home. My mind drifts to Veda’s wild red hair. It’s obvious she’s never cut it. She keeps it pulled back in a long braid, but strands stick out around her head. I refuse to think about her green eyes that lit up when Mandy hugged her. The old witch comes from a line of crazy females. It would be so much easier if they turned into old crones instead of becoming more beautiful with age. Thank the Goddess I hate red hair.
Honey and Patreous are waiting at my cabin when we return. Little Deme is in bear form. She’s climbed half up her father’s leg and holds the fringe of Honey’s shirt between her sharp teeth.
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