by Bryce Evans
“Yes, sir.” Whoever it was, Reed didn’t feel the energy anymore. He would find out who it was before they did something to Greer and Jade.
Chapter Sixteen
Greer went over every word that Reed had given her. She stayed up late staring at the book he had gifted her. It was a child’s book, but Reed said this was how he started and to look at each word and learn it. And that’s what she did. Over and over again. Until she could write it and knew how to spell it and use it.
Haven and Jade bought her pencils and notebooks to use for her study sessions and she had to admit, she was loving learning the words and actually seeing it in a book and knowing what it meant. Eventually, she would move up to other books and she would know how to read. She would be able to read a newspaper instead of just looking at the pictures.
She glanced at the words she had written in her notebook. “Apple, boy, girl—” Knocking on her door made her look up as Haven poked her head in.
“Hey, can I come in for a few minutes?”
“Of course.” Greer sat on the edge of the bed, closing her notebook. She smiled at her friend as she came in with a bag in her hand.
“Please, don’t get mad, but I wanted to help you with your studies, and I ordered these and they came in. I know some may be too hard right now, but these are some great books and I wanted you to have them when you could read and then we can talk about the books. I just thought you might like them.”
Greer opened the bag and smiled. “Oh, Haven, I’m sure I will love them. Yes, we will talk about them once I can finally read them. That was sweet of you. Everyone is being so supportive. I don’t know how I will ever repay you for your kindness.”
“Look at the last one. It’s on glass blowing. I got that one because it has a lot of pictures and I thought maybe you could learn the words and look at the pictures to help you figure it out. Plus, the glass in those pictures are unbelievable. I can’t wait until you start.”
“Thank you, Haven.” Greer bowed her head staring at the books. “But I have nothing to give you.”
“Sure, you do. Once you get started, you can make me a piece of beautiful glass. The fact that you’re my friend is enough for me, and friends help each other.”
Greer jumped up and hugged this thoughtful person. Tears pooled in her eyes. “I don’t know how I got so lucky to have someone like you in my life.”
“I would say that we both lucked out coming to New Hope,” Haven said, walking to the door. “I think Scarlett is here talking to Lennox. Breakfast is on the table when you’re ready.” With that, Haven walked out closing the door behind her.
These were all wonderful people living in New Hope and she would protect them with everything she had.
Even if it meant she would protect them from herself.
She got up and went to find Scarlett. The magic she felt was something she had felt before but from where she couldn’t remember.
She found Scarlett in Lennox’s office. She hated to interrupt but she felt that Lennox needed to know about the magic too. Her only fear was that whoever it was could be after her and that would mean she brought trouble to her friends, again.
“Hello, Greer.” Scarlett had her back turned and hadn’t even knocked on the door yet.
“Hey...I was wondering if I could speak to both of you for a few minutes.”
“Come in and have a seat.” Lennox pointed to the chair beside Scarlett.
She could feel the power in the alpha’s voice as he watched her take a seat in front of his desk. “I don’t know if Reed told you yet, but last night we felt someone in the woods, but I couldn’t see them. I could feel the magic, though.”
“Every type of magic is different from the next. Your magic is different from mine and so on and so on. Did the magic feel familiar to you?” Scarlett asked.
Her jaw clenched as she thought about that magic. Closing her eyes, she remembered how the mage’s magic felt when they were held in the room. It was a long time ago, but she relieved that night over and over. “Uhm...the night the mages captured Aunt Jean and me. It smells like that. Only, I feel good, too, in the magic. Last night it didn’t feel like we were in danger, but...I can’t describe it. I’ve never heard of a witch who could hide in plain sight.”
“Some, but I’ve only read about them. It would have to be a very powerful witch to do that. One that...I was wondering—” Scarlett narrowed her eyes at her. Studying her. “Can you do that, Greer?”
“Me…” Greer coughed, and giggled but she didn’t know what she could do. “No...I’ve never done that. I wished I could have...maybe I could have saved Aunt Jean.”
Nobody said anything for a few seconds. Then Lennox said, “Greer, I don’t think you could have at the time. I don’t know why my parents and little brother were killed, and Haven survived, but if I let myself think about it too much...well, I would go crazy. Shit happens. Terrible things happen to us and wishing you could do something only stops us from living the future. I’m sorry about your aunt, but it wasn’t your fault. Just like it wasn’t my fault that I wasn’t here to save my family.”
“I know...but I feel like I could have.”
“No!” Scarlett said, standing in front of her. It was like a light bulb moment for the older witch. “No, my dear sweet, Greer. You couldn’t at the time. Your magic had yet to manifest and come to age. Just like you. I think now...that’s what’s wrong. Your magic is still young and needs structure and discipline. Most witches have family that train them from a young age, but you learned so little while you were on the run. Magic is like a child. It grows bigger and better with time and during that time you learn to control it. I’m sorry but in your case the magic is now acting out. With practice and patience, you can learn it, but you have to start living your life in the here and now. Stop thinking about the past and the things you cannot change. Understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.” But Greer still felt the guilt.
“Whoever is out there needs to be caught. I don’t care who it is. They’re on my land without my permission and that is unacceptable. Dixon feels the same way. Question now for both of you.” Scarlett and Greer faced the alpha. “How do we catch this witch?”
“Good question. I need to think about it. I will need to do some studying on this.” Scarlett glanced down at the bracelet she had on her wrist. Twisting it around and around, she said, “I doubt you’re going to like it, but I may need to call in a favor from an old friend.”
The alpha narrowed his eyes. “Who?”
Greer almost ran out of the alpha’s office when Scarlett said she needed to call a man by the name of Calum O’Keefe. Her ears rang as the alpha yelled “No!”
She could hear men running down the hall. Her instincts were to run, but Scarlett stayed put as the corners of her mouth turned up. His hand flew up as Cosmo and two other guards ran into the office. “I see you still hold the same resentment for Calum.”
“Calum is a blood sucker and he can’t be trusted,” Lennox said, slamming his hand on his desk. Whatever his desk was made of was extremely strong. Not even a crack, but she felt the force for which he used.
“He’s never attacked anyone, and you know that. He just gave you a little sniff and said your blood smelled good,” Scarlett said, giggling.
“You could tell, Scarlett...that the vampire wanted to. He’s a blood sucker and do you think I’m going to let him near my mate or your granddaughter. When he gets a whiff of Jade and Greer’s blood, he will want to bite them. The temptation will be too much.”
“He’s the oldest vampire I know, and he’s got more control than that. You just don’t like him. Never thought I would see the alpha of the Death Hunters jealous because a vampire is gorgeous and sophisticated. And, yes, all the women do flock to him. He can’t help that he puts off the vibes that attract women.”
“He’s a blood sucker!”
“Lennox Bartley, don’t you take that tone with me, young man. I don’t know what to do and he will. He
’s been around since...well, forever, but he owes me a favor and I will need his help to figure out how to stop this before it’s too late.”
Greer watched as the alpha rolled his eyes and looked toward the window. She could still see the side of his face and he apparently knew Scarlett was correct, but he wasn’t a happy camper. She had never heard of this vampire. She came across a couple during her younger years but that was with Aunt Jean. She stayed more in the woods after her death.
“You tell him that if he even sniffs in my mate’s direction, I’m going to skin him alive,” Lennox said, getting up and leaving the room. She turned and watched him as he left. Cosmo started to smile but glanced down at the ground as he passed. “Don’t make me skin you too, beta.”
After the alpha left, Cosmo came into the room and sat on the edge of the desk. “I’ve heard of him, but never met him. You think he will come knowing shifters occupy every direction of the town?”
“Oh, he will come. He’s fascinated by you and your kind. He loves to watch you shift. Lennox hates that his mate will give him some looks. He’s that good looking.”
When Cosmo started rubbing his hands together, Scarlett dropped the bomb on him. “That goes for your mate too.”
The smile left the beta’s mouth. “He better not look in my mate’s direction.”
“I think it will be the other way around,” Scarlett said, grabbing Greer’s hand and walking out of the room where a stunned Cosmo stood with his mouth open.
Chapter Seventeen
“I want to work on something with you alone. If you don’t mind,” Scarlett whispered.
“Sure.” Greer followed Scarlett deep into the woods.
“Now, I want you to calm yourself and think about flying up into that tree.”
Greer turned and glared at the Old One. “I can’t do that.”
“How do you know, if you’ve never tried? A long time ago, there were witches that could fly. Now I’ve never heard of anyone since my time of doing it, but something tells me that you can. Like I said before, Greer you’re special. If you can’t, then no harm, but at least try. Clear your mind. I hear your heart beating from here, Greer. Nothing is wrong. Nobody is after you. This is training. If you can’t, then it will be okay. Just talk to the magic. Tell it you want up in that tree.”
Greer closed her eyes, calming her nerves. This was just training. This was just training. She was going to be okay. Opening her eyes, she looked at the perfect branch she could stand on. Whispering, she spoke to the magic inside her. “Lift me to that branch.”
Nothing happened for a few minutes. She glanced at Scarlett, but she never opened her mouth. She just waited patiently and watched with the same smile on her face. Until the wind blew harder, and she lifted off the ground. Then she touched down.
She moved. Her eyes had to be huge as she stared at the witch. The color drained from the witch’s face. “You did it. I…can’t believe you did it. Now try again. Tell the magic again.”
This was incredible. She actually came off the ground. Her heart beat a mile a minute. She couldn’t believe it. She lifted only a few seconds, but it was a start. What did this mean?
Excited now, Greer lowered her head and concentrated harder. This time she really spoke to the magic. Lift me to the limb. The wind picked up and blew across her face as her body levitated off the ground. Her arms flailed around in the air like a new bird trying to fly. Her squealing had to get someone’s attention. It would have been embarrassing if anyone but Scarlett had seen it.
“You’re doing it. Keep going,” Scarlett yelled excitedly.
She reached out for the branch. “Got it.” Greer pulled herself up and held on afraid that she would fall backward. It wasn’t a graceful landing, but she made it.
“Now get yourself down without climbing,” Scarlett yelled up at her.
“I don’t think I can.”
“If you got up there then you can get down, young lady.”
Looking down was more terrifying than staring up at a particular branch. Her whole body started to shake. She couldn’t do it. She was going to fall.
Something shook the tree. Grabbing a hold of the branch Greer wrapped her arm around the branch, trying not to fall. She searched the tree as a black bear started climbing up. She couldn’t move. The bear would break the branch and both of them would fall to the ground.
The bear walked across and then sat on the branch and stared at her. It was just staring at her with a stupid grin on its face. “What? It’s not so easy to get down.”
The bear shifted. “You got up here pretty good. Very impressive by the way.”
“Reed.”
“Hello, beautiful. Stop looking down and talk to the magic like before and stop worrying that you will fall. You’re a bear and you can make this jump without hurting yourself. But you can fly, Greer. You can do something nobody else can. Just talk to the magic.”
She nodded and closed her eyes. “Take me back to the ground.” It was incredible as her body started to lift off the branch.
“You can let go, baby.” Reed’s encouragement allowed her to conquer the fear and let go. This time the magic put her on the ground.
“Now, pick Reed up and bring him safely to the ground.” Greer and Reed both looked at Scarlett.
“Hey, maybe we need to try something beside me that she can practice on,” Reed said, standing up holding his hand over his privates.
But before he could say another word, she told the magic to bring Reed safely to the ground. She watched as he yelled when the magic lifted him off the branch. He didn’t have time to reach back before he was actually flying. “Hey.” She wanted to laugh as Reed yelled out, but she had to concentrate, or he would fall.
Holding his chest, he went down on one knee. “Thought you said I could do anything?”
Reed blew out a deep breath and smiled. “Yeah, I guess I did, and you did. Let’s practice more with something else before we do that again.”
“Now, go away. We have work to do,” Scarlett instructed Reed.
With a wave, he shifted and ran toward her treehouse. “Now, let’s do it again and again. I want you to be able to do that with anything. And, Greer, let’s keep it between us, okay?”
Greer nodded. Why was Scarlett acting so secretive?
“Again, Greer. No time to think. Just act.”
She settled in and did what Scarlett told her to do. She would ask her questions later.
Half the day had passed, and she didn’t know if she had any magic left in her. She was exhausted. Everything on her hurt.
“Why am I so sore?” Greer asked Scarlett as they walked toward the house.
“Because the magic is like a muscle that you haven’t used as much. The more you use it, the better you will feel. By the way, you did a great job today.”
“Thanks.” They walked in silence for a few seconds, but she needed answers. “Scarlett, how did you know I could fly?”
“Minerva told me you could.”
“How would she know? I didn’t know myself.”
“Minerva is a special kind of witch, just like you. She has been my mentor since I started as an Old One. She nominated me. She has old magic deep inside her. She studies the old texts and learns from everyone. I’m sure she has heard all the stories about the white bear and put two and two together. Or she learned about your heritage. Maybe something was in your family’s history. She has documented more family trees than anyone. You can learn a lot from her.”
“I don’t know. I don’t feel comfortable around her. I…”
Scarlett stopped and put her hand on her arm, “She’s different, Greer, like you, but if you give her a chance, you might think differently. I would like to bring her by tomorrow if you don’t mind. I won’t tell her about you flying, but she has some drills that can help you control your magic.”
“I guess that would be okay. If you want her to be here,” Greer said. She didn’t know what it was about Minerva. The woman seemed
nice enough, but all the girls had a bad feeling about her. But Scarlett trusted her, and she owed her a lot and she would give her a chance.
“Hey, Scarlett, how do you know the witch isn’t out there watching us?”
“Before we started, I cast a spell that would let me know if any magic came close to us. I had to continue to cast it throughout the day. It’s hard to put out that much energy, but it works.”
Reed took a quick shower and placed the food in the cooler. Today was such a long day that he ran out of time to cook. Instead, he had the diner make a meal for Greer and him to eat while studying. He begged Raven to pick it up for him while she was in town. Of course, she complained but picked it up. Not a lot of people understood Raven. He would describe her as hard on the outside but gooey in the middle. She cried during Hallmark commercials. Who did that?
He leaned forward and inhaled the fried chicken as its scent covered his room. Haven told him that Greer loved fried chicken. Every day was going to be special for her. She had never had that in her life, and he was determined to make that happen. Haven and Jade told him stories of her childhood and how cruel her life had been. Always running, in fear of one of the mages catching up to her, scared to get to know anyone.
Trust would be huge for Greer and he planned on telling her everything even if it was something that hurt her. He would never lie. He closed his eyes thinking of the horrors she had witnessed. No child should have seen the evil that the mages had placed on her little soul. It was a wonder she was sane at all.
He was still shaking his head when the memory of her floating up a tree came to mind. Greer could fly. Not only fly, but she could make him fly as well. He had never heard of anyone able to do that. Scarlett had come to the treehouse before leaving and told him not to tell anyone. He understood. When others found this out, they would surely want her magic and if Jade could do the same thing... All that is holy...he feared for both of them. The chaos it would bring to their little town. If it became too much, they might want Greer to leave, and he would go with her. Nobody was taking her from him. Nobody!
