by J. C. Lucas
After he had been silent for a while, I noticed Teagan was staring at Hunter with a look I didn't understand. His eyes shifted back to me, his brows lowered, and eyes intense. “You’ll be able to change into other forms eventually, Andie. Once you harness your Witch powers, you’ll be able to shift. Maybe not into as many forms as Charlie and Emric, but you will be able to change.”
This information perked me up, and I started daydreaming about all the different things I wanted to shift to. I know I had teased Hunter before, but the more I thought about it, the cooler it sounded. Could I be a dragon, breathing fire at my enemies? Or maybe a cheetah that could run faster than lightning? Either way, the fact that I would be able to eventually shift, lifted my spirits and excited me.
Killian seemed to breathe easier now, and I had no idea how long he might sleep. Our group was silent, each of us lost in our own thoughts. The sounds of the jungle surrounded us, but I felt relatively safe for now. The recent events had caught up to me, and I stifled a yawn, blinking my eyes several times to keep them open. Emric and Charlie snuggled together, having fallen asleep some time ago.
“Rest, Andie,” Hunter whispered as he leaned over to put his pack on the ground. “I’ll keep watch for now.” He looked at Teagan, who was resting against a tree, his eyes closed.
“Are you sure, Hunter? I can stay up and help you.” I yawned again, covering my mouth with my hand.
He laughed and shook his head at me. “Go ahead. I’ll be fine. I'll wake you after Killian wakes up. And Andie? You did fantastic back there.” Gesturing to the pack, and for me to lay down, his eyes shone.
A little nap wouldn’t hurt, and I knew there was no way I could help defend our group if I didn't rest. Resolutely, I laid my head on the pack, curling into a ball, and soon fell asleep.
I slept fitfully, tossing and turning, dreaming that something was chasing me through the green jungle, but I couldn’t make out what it was. Just when it seemed as if it might catch me, I heard it calling my name.
“Andie! Andie, shh. It’s okay! Wake up.” I woke with a start, sitting up quickly, only to smack my forehead against something hard. “Ow!” I rubbed my hand against the spot on my head that had hit what felt like a brick wall and peered out from under my hand to find the offending object.
Hunter rubbed his cheek gingerly. Thankfully, he didn’t look mad about it. His eyes danced, and that half-grin finally made an appearance again as he chuckled. “You sure do pack a punch, Andie.”
“How was I to know your cheek was in the way?” I scowled, making him chuckle again. His eyes darted to the side. “We have a guest. I thought it best to wake you up. You were tossing around something terrible in your sleep.”
Teagan, Emric, and Charlie were speaking with an older man, and Killian watched from where he sat on the ground, awake now. The man didn’t look to be Fae. He looked human to me. But really, how was I to know anymore?
His salt and pepper hair was shoulder-length, and a short beard graced his strong jawline. As I studied him, he looked straight at me with piercing sapphire eyes that reminded me so much of Celeste’s. His clothing was pretty normal. Jeans, a button-down black shirt, and loafers. Who the heck was this guy?
Keeping his eyes on mine, he stood, pushing through the group, intent on making his way over to me. He stealthily approached, his eyes never leaving mine. I looked down at those shiny loafers as they came to rest in front of me, and he squatted until we were at eye level.
“Hello, Andie.” He dipped his head as I stared up into his face, confused. “My name is Coeus. Aine informed me of your quest, and I had to come and see you for myself. Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected someone like you.”
His statement made me bristle. “Do you mean it surprises you that a girl is taking this on?” I asked, biting the inside of my cheek to keep from spitting the words at him. “I’m not sure what you’re getting at, but please do tell. We haven’t got a lot of time to waste.” I stood up, not willing to be inferior to him.
He stood also, his height still looming over me, but at least I didn’t feel like a child being talked down to. His face lit up, and a brilliant smile showed through his beard. That look again reminded me of Celeste. She always had the same look after reading my thoughts. I groaned out loud, which only made him laugh again.
“You, my dear, are something special. I must apologize. I meant nothing rude, but I can understand how you misconstrued it,” he said sincerely. “I only meant to say that I had never expected someone so full of light, hope, and talent. Your combined powers may not be yet at their full potential, but they will be very soon, and you will be extraordinary.” He reached out and cupped my face in his hands, then spoke in a resonating voice, the flecks of blue in his eyes swirling as I gazed into them.
“You are nearly to the first Key, and treachery is around every corner. Do not doubt the strength that you possess in your mind and your heart. It will not let you down. Be confident in your choices, for only you can make the correct ones. And always, always remember you are not alone in this fight.”
As he spoke, the present had fallen away, and I saw snippets of events in my mind, like photographs snapped in quick succession. Some terrified me, and the others elated me. I was not sure what to make of them all. However, a sense of calm came over me as each one passed in my vision.
When they had played out, I returned to the here, and now, Coeus still stood in front of me, his hands clasped casually.
Clearing my throat, I asked the burning question. “What are you, Coeus?”
Behind me, I could hear Teagan coughing, and I turned to see what his problem was. He was fine after having choked on the water that he was drinking. Raising my eyebrow at him, I turned back, waiting for Coeus’s answer.
He seemed amused when he finally spoke. “You would not have a reason until now to know who I am, and it’s really of no consequence. Just know that I came here to give you the visions that you just received. They may come in handy in the future. And this.”
He reached into the pocket of his shirt, pulling out a silver bracelet. Extending it toward me, he indicated that I hold out my arm, and I let him slip it on my wrist. The silver metal was cold against my skin, and there was a small, intricate metal dragonfly in the center of the bracelet. A diamond graced each wing, glinting in the moonlight.
“It’s beautiful, but I don’t understand what it’s for?” I questioned.
“Darling girl, this bracelet is charmed by the gods. Dragonflies strip away the negativity that holds us back, and they are the keeper of our dreams. They help us navigate transformation with power and poise. But most of all, they represent our journey from darkness to light. This symbol will help you when it is time for you to transform, and it will also keep the darkness at bay. As you get closer to each Key, it will light up to let you know you are on the correct path. Never take it off. Do you understand?”
I admired the beautiful jewelry on my wrist, and then I realized that the bracelet had tightened around it. Not uncomfortably so, but it definitely had formed to my skin, the diamonds slightly glowing. My eyes were wide as I looked back up at him.
“I understand. Thank you,” I whispered in response, not knowing what else to say, and feeling embarrassed, I bowed my head and stared at his shiny shoes again. I could feel his hand on the top of my head as he whispered words in a different language. When he was done, he lifted my chin, bringing my eyes to his. “If you come upon a circular doorway made of branches, make sure you go through it. Tell it where you want to go, and it will take you there. It is imperative for your journey,” he stated with no-nonsense before grunting and turning to walk away.
“I’ll check back on you and your team, Andie. You may not see me, but I will be there,” he called over his shoulder as he faded into the lush plants that grew around us.
Chapter Twelve
I looked around at all the guys as they stared after Coeus. “Okay, someone want to enlighten me? Who or what is Coe
us? His answer wasn’t exactly forthcoming.”
They chuckled as they turned back around from watching him leave, and Killian raised a sardonic eyebrow at me. Was I the only one who didn’t know who he was? I was frustrated, and I didn’t enjoy being left out.
They seemed to enjoy my reaction and were stretching out the suspense until I couldn’t take it anymore. I stomped my foot on the ground like a toddler, my fists clenched by my side, and I frowned at them all. “Come on, guys!” I whined. “Stop with the suspense and tell me who he is!”
Killian took pity on me, coughing before letting the cat out of the bag. “Andie, Coeus is the wisest of the Titan gods, a god of Intellect and Prophecy. You received a rare and great honor being visited by him, and given a gift no less.” He grinned like a little kid, wonder still fresh in his eyes.
“Wait a minute... A god just came to me and gave me advice and a gift?” I looked at each of them, and all they did was stare at me, mirth dancing in their eyes. I knew they were enjoying this.
“One of you could have told me! I probably made the biggest idiot out of myself in front of a Titan god!” I groaned, covering my face with my hands, embarrassed and mad at the same time.
“Nah, you didn’t make an idiot of yourself in front of him, Andie,” Killian offered. “If you did, he sure wouldn't have given you that bracelet.” I looked at him gratefully, glad for the boost of confidence. The other guys nodded in agreement, and it somewhat made me feel better.
In all the excitement of Coeus’s arrival, I’d forgotten about Killian and what he had been through. Abashed, I rushed over to him to kneel and run my hand up his arm in concern.
“How are you? Do you feel okay?” I looked over my shoulder and called Teagan and Hunter, asking them to grab some water and a granola bar. Nan had always fed me when I was out of sorts, and I wanted to do the same for Killian. My stomach twisted with worry for him.
“Relax, Andie. I’m great. I promise!” He gave me a chastising look, but I didn’t care. After spending time with him, we had a connection. If I had a brother, I imagined he’d be like Killian, and I had a strong urge to protect him. When I was satisfied that he was fine, I sat back on my heels and smiled.
“Okay, okay. But you’re going to stick closer to us from now on. Nothing like that can happen again, got it?” I said as sternly as I could before standing back up and ruffling his hair.
I felt renewed, with a new sense of purpose. Staring down at the dragonfly bracelet on my wrist, I realized that I couldn’t do what I needed without the rest of this group. I needed them to teach me everything to be able to find and procure the first Key.
With a new resolve, I moved to where Hunter was standing, his pack slung over his shoulder, ready to get back on the move. I stopped right in front of him, looking into his eyes, so he could see how serious I was. They smoldered into mine, and my heart beat a little faster. Our friendship had become more complicated, and I finally acknowledged that I had a slight crush on him. He had that mysterious bad boy aura that drew me in. But I think the kindness that he tried so hard to hide was really starting to get to me.
I swallowed hard and pushed those thoughts to the back burner. I didn’t have time now. Maybe never.
“I need you to teach me how to fight. Now. I can tell you’re ready to go, but I feel helpless, and I need to be sure that I can contribute other than magically in a fight if I must. Your lives and mine might depend on it sometime, and I want to be ready,” I said firmly.
He was quiet as he studied my eyes, just like I had expected he would. Once he was satisfied with what he saw, he nodded stiffly, all business now. Laying down his pack beside a large rock, he sauntered behind me. His eyes never left mine, like a lion stalking his prey. I stood stock-still and waited to see what he did.
In the next instant, I was grabbed around the neck roughly and pulled back hard into his muscular chest. I started struggling, pummeling his thighs with my fists and kicking my feet back at his legs. He didn’t budge, continuing to apply pressure to my throat with his forearm, and I had a hard time even gasping for breath. Throwing an elbow back, I connected hard with one of his ribs, and he growled low into my ear, increasing the pressure.
“That was a good hit. Next time, use even more force and stomp on my foot at the same time,” he told me, releasing the tight hold around my neck, and I bent over coughing, my face flaming. He hadn’t been easy on me. Part of me was mad, and the other part of me rose to the challenge, ready to go again. Glancing over at the others, I noticed Teagan was grim, his arms crossed tightly in front of him, and Killian’s eyes were as round as saucers.
“Okay. Show me more,” I hissed, pumping myself up for whatever fresh pain awaited me.
With a gleam in his eye, he laughed. “Try not to be so much of a girl this time.”
Narrowing my eyes at him, I huffed in anger. Oh, it’s on now!
“Try to take me down, Andie. Knock me to the ground.” He jumped around like a boxer before a fight, motioning me toward him.
Taking a big breath, I rushed at him, intent on jumping on him as hard as I could and hoping the force took him down with me. At the very last possible moment, he moved faster than my eyes could process, and I flew forward into large green leaves and hit the ground hard. Pollen from the surrounding flowers floated over me in the air. As the sticky yellow fluff landed all over me, Emric and Charlie pounced into the flowers, sending another round of pollen flying. Their fur instantly coated with yellow. Rolling around like two toddlers would in a pile of leaves, they were having the time of their lives while I was still trying to gather my wits back to me.
I looked over at the playful cats and saw Hunter leaning against a tree, picking imaginary dirt out from under his fingernails. One of his eyebrows shot up as he looked over at me.
Frustrated with myself and him, I decided to give him a taste of his own medicine. I was so tired of his cocky attitude, especially now, when I was actually trying to learn. I searched my mind for words that would rhyme to make a spell. I had no idea what I was doing, but it couldn’t hurt to try. Right? The perfect words popped into my mind. I hope I don’t screw this up.
I slyly grinned at him as I mumbled the words low. I didn’t want him to hear the spell and try to stop me. As my lips moved, his self-assured demeanor changed to one of confusion.
Big Bad Wolf, with sharp fangs, let him change with a bang.
Make this big black kitty walk around singing a ditty.
Pushing my hands out into the air in front of me, a tingle of power shot out of my fingertips heading straight for Hunter. Emric and Charlie stopped their roughhousing and went still as they sensed the magic. A little too late, Teagan shook his head with a frantic look as the spell hit Hunter, causing him to flinch.
The strain showed in his eyes as he clamped his mouth closed, fighting the spell. The rest of us were silent, and the whole jungle was holding its breath. Birds stopped their songs, and the bugs went quiet. I watched as the corners of his mouth twitched, and one side of his lip curled up as he fought to keep his mouth closed.
His eyes screamed murder at me, and his fists clenched. Losing the battle, his mouth opened, and he belted out a song. Never had I heard a worse attempt at “Simple Man” by Shinedown. I gritted my teeth at Hunter’s off-key rendition, thinking maybe I should have picked a different spell.
His eyebrows lowered over eyes that radiated anger. As he continued to sing, he pointed his finger at me, shaking his head. Killian stood by the edge of the clearing, out of Hunter’s vision, with his arms wrapped around his waist and a huge smile stretched across his face. Teagan’s was pale, and he stood as if ready to intercede.
I was still shocked that my spell worked, and the hilarity of the situation, despite the awful singing, hit me, and I burst out laughing. Dusting off the sweet-smelling pollen as I stood up, still chuckling, I peered out from under my lashes at Hunter.
Laughing had obviously not been a smart idea.
Hunter stal
ked toward me as he continued to sing. Realizing that he was seriously mad and coming after me, I squealed and ran as fast as I could to the other side of the clearing where Teagan and Killian watched.
“Teagan! How do I stop the spell?” I panted, my adrenaline high.
Hunter’s eyes turned to the wolf's yellow as he reversed course, now stalking toward the three of us.
“Andie, I tried to stop you! Hunter hates to sing and hates music. You’ve done it now.”
Hunter was almost upon us. Sauntering in front of him, Emric brushed his tail against Hunter’s leg, muttering, “Spell, spell, spell be gone! Back to which ye belong.”
I swear Emric rolled his eyes as he looked up at me. Ugh. Now even this joker thinks I’m stupid.
Hunter immediately stopped singing, leaning over to spit into the grass beside him as if the spell left a disgusting aftertaste. He glared daggers back at me with fire in his eyes, and my stomach clenched at what I had done.
“Hunter, it was a joke. I swear! I got tired of all your sarcastic comments and just wanted to give you a taste of your own medicine. I didn’t realize it would make you this angry. I promise!”
Holding my hands out, I pleaded with him to understand.
Grabbing my hands in his much larger ones, he yanked me right up against his body, his breath warm on my face as he huffed. Anger radiated off him.
“Never. Ever. Mess with my free will again! This time, I’ll overlook your ignorance, but a second time and you won’t be happy with the consequences.”
As he said the last sentence, he leaned in closer, as if getting in my face would help make his point. Inadvertently, his lips grazed mine, causing us both to jump back as electricity bounced between us. His steely eyes pierced mine while his heaving breaths slowed, and the tension he held onto dissipated.
My heart stuttered as he turned and stalked off.
“Awkward!!” Charlie squawked as he flew by me, back in his parrot form. His words echoed my feelings. My face flamed. I was so embarrassed and furious all at the same time. How could I have known the spell would cause all of this? How was I to know that he wasn’t a good sport? I was so conflicted, so many emotions flowing to the surface.
