by Valia Lind
Tempest Witch
Hawthorne Chronicles - Book Four
Valia Lind
Contents
Foreword
Tempest Witch
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Note from the Author
About the Author
Also by Valia Lind
Copyright © 2019 by Valia Lind
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover by Anika at Ravenborn Covers
Foreword
To my readers,
When I began playing with the idea of the Hawthorne Chronicles, I became fascinated with the potential.
I saw many characters and many stories that needed to be told. Focusing on just one main character didn’t feel right, because I wanted to be able to explore different relationships with different point of views. That’s how the town of Hawthorne came about.
Why the novellas format?
This is something else I decided on, because I love fully developed, fast paced fiction. It’s what I wanted to read, and decided to see if maybe this is what my readers would like as well.
Think of each book as an episode of an ongoing series. Each book is a full story, with developed characters and their individual storylines. Hawthorne Chronicles have been likened to Charmed and Witches of West End and each novella centers around a different sister or a friend of the family, but all the stories are still interlocked.
Can the books be read as standalone?
Yes! Each book follows a different main character, but they all talk about the main overreaching story arc, so you can have the same experience, no matter which book you read first.
What’s next?
Hawthorne Chronicles will be expanding and growing soon! There will be four books in the first season, introducing most of the town to the readers.
Season two will center entirely on the youngest sister and I cannot wait for everyone to meet Maddie and her friends!
Will you see the rest of the characters you’ve met so far? Yes!
I hope this gives you a little of an insight into what’s going on in my little magical town and with its residents. I hope you come along on the journey and love my characters as much as I do!
As always, I ask, if you’ve enjoyed any of my books, please consider leaving a review. Thank you for supporting my dream!
Love,
Valia
Tempest Witch
Hawthorne Chronicles - Book Four
Valia Lind
“Tell me, in storms, that you love me.”
Julia de Burgos
1
My hands tremble with every strike, my knuckles numb after an hour of hitting them against the punching bag.
The steady rhythm of the punches, the practiced way my body moves, like a dancer to a familiar song, is oddly comforting. The old dusty gym, with its stained walls and a smell that can't be washed off, no matter how many disinfecting products are used feels like home. This is where I am the freest. This is where I can breathe a bit easier.
"Of course you're here."
The voice is soft, but with my super hearing, it's like it's whispered over my shoulder. I twist instantly, and my eyes land on a tall figure just stepping through the doorway.
"Mark!" I race towards him, launching myself with practiced ease, because I know he'll catch me. Which he does, hugging me as tightly as I hold onto him. When he places me gently on the floor, I take a step back and study my half-brother with a big smile.
"You look good," I say honestly, before turning my attention to the beautiful blonde hovering over his left shoulder. "And you must be Brianna."
"I must," she replies with a warm smile and I can instantly see why my brother is so smitten. There's a soft glow about the witch, a calming presence, but with a backbone of a leader. She looks like the lead witch, but also approachable.
"It's nice to meet you," I say, and mean it. Which I don't for a lot of people. I turn my attention back to Mark, hands on my hips. "What brings you to town?" I ask, but I already know the answer. There could really only be one reason.
"We're here to ask for your help." And there it is.
"I'm not sure how much help I can be." I reply, moving away, as I begin to unwrap my hands. They're a little more bloody than usual, and I really should take more care when I train. But sometimes, most of the times, I shut my brain off completely and don’t think much of anything.
"May I?" Brianna asks, coming up to stand in front of me. She's reaching for my hands and that's when I remember she's an herbalist. I shrug, but don't pull away when she gently cradles my fingers. "I'm sure you're aware of the Ancients," the witch continues, as she ministers to my hands. The messenger bag over her shoulder seems to be filled with all kinds of items. The balm she's using out of the little jar in her palm soothes the sting almost immediately. She's good, I'll give her that.
"Mark has been keeping us updated," I nod.
"We might have found a defensive spell," Mark says, stepping around so I can see him. "But we need an elemental magic. All of the elements."
"You need my water magic."
"Yes."
"Don't you have a sister with that particular affinity?" I ask, looking up at Brianna as she finishes up with my hands. I give her a small smile in thanks, but I don't take my question back.
“How..."
"You Hawthorne sisters aren't exactly unknown." I shrug.
"That may be so," Brianna says, and I can see the coven leader in her coming out. "But Maddie is barely sixteen. She has plenty of time to fight her battles. Her magic isn't as strong yet. We need the best."
"Well, sorry to disappoint on that front, but I'm not the best. I'm not exactly all about the magic."
"Because you got a bit of mermaid in you?"
The question freezes me in my tracks and I turn slowly to face Mark. My parentage isn't exactly a secret, but almost so. Maybe because I'm not used to seeing Mark with anyone, I didn't expect him to tell her about me.
"I'm sorry, Sky, but she had to know."
I don't blame him. I would have to be a blind person not to see just how in love these two are. Of course they share everything. But I don't have to like it. Babies of mixed races of supernaturals aren't exactly the most liked in my coven. Sure, others are a lot more lenient, but I didn’t luck into one of those families.
"Well, then you know everything and you know that my magic isn't the best. It's not pure."
"But I don't agree with that."
"Excuse me?"
"I don't mean to offend, Skylar." Brianna hurries on to say, taking a step toward me. Others usually shrink away from my anger outbursts, but Brianna doesn't even flinch. "But the fact that you're part mermaid just makes your water magic that much stronger."
"You can't be serious."
"I am. I think...I think that you've lived your life suppressing that side of you,
but if you let me, I can help you embrace it. Because without you, we won't be able to stop the Ancients. That's just the truth."
She sounds so sincere that I allow myself to hope. For just a second. When I look over at my brother, I see all the affirmation that I need. I trust him and he trusts Brianna. Maybe it's time I stopped running from myself. There’s only one decision to make and I make it.
"Okay, where do I sign up?"
The town of Hawthorne isn't anything like I expected. Maybe because I'm used to big cities, with it's high skyscrapers and even higher pollution, when we reach Hawthorne, I'm shocked into silence. There are more trees than buildings, more color than cars. I feel safer than I've been in years and that's odd considering we’ve just reached the battlefront of this war.
"We'll get you settled at Bri's," Mark says as he stops the SUV so Brianna can get out. The witch smiles and gives him a quick kiss, before heading towards the store. I glance at the sign, Hawthorne Herbs & Crystals.
"Very original," I comment, pointing.
"It's what the tourists come for," Mark replies with a smile. And I can see that. I can absolutely understand the pull this town would have for someone looking for the otherworldly. There's a charm to the old Victorian style buildings, the decorated window displays, and the park in the middle of the Main Street. If not careful, I can see myself falling for the charm as well.
"Are you sure staying with your girlfriend will be okay?" I ask, as we pull away, heading for the house.
"They're all staying at the house with her," Mark replies, as I continue to study my surroundings. There's the Town's Hall, with it's imposing looking pillars that make it look like it belongs in Washington. Then the cafe, which I am told carries the best pastries and coffee. This whole place is like stepping inside of a postcard. There isn't a world where I would belong to something like this.
"Sky, you're doing that scowl thing you do," Mark's voice pulls me from my thoughts. I turn to look at my brother and find concern there. He's the only one who could ever discern my moods, who could see past the walls I've put up.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I say now, turning back to the window. But he's not done.
"I know this is a lot," he says, his voice softer now. "I know it'll push you to your limits and I know it's dangerous. But I'll be there, every step of the way. And so will the Hawthorne witches. You are all in this together."
"And what is this, Mark?" I ask, as he parks the car in front of a two story house. It looks big and imposing, but also inviting at the same time. Let me try to wrap my mind around that.
"It's a war, Skylar," Mark replies, coming around to stand in front of me. "There's no getting around that. It's life and death. And there's no sugar coating it. Bringing you here, asking you to be a part of this, it's the hardest decision I've ever had to make as your brother. But if we don't do this, you'll be in danger anywhere you are. At least here you can do something about it or life as we know is over."
There's no denying the fear in his eyes or the worry. Not only am I part of this now, but so is Brianna. I can see how heavily this weighs on him. How much it costs him to have both of us here. I've watched them on the drive over, I see the intensity between them. The magic.
Stepping closer, I reach for his hand. He holds tightly to my own, and I know he'd take all of this on himself if he could. My brother has always been the one to carry the weight.
"I wish I could help, Sky," he says, his voice cracking just a bit. "But this spell, this trial, it's up to you and the rest of the Hawthorne witches. The only thing I can do is be here for you. My magic is useless in this fight."
And I know that pains him as well. For someone who is use to being the leader, it must be difficult to step aside. Not because he needs to feel the power, but because he is so protective of his people, he doesn't want anyone getting hurt.
"If your witch is as powerful as they say, you know we got this. And if she can help me learn more about my own powers, well. I'll take it."
Mark smiles, drawing me towards him. He pulls me close, wrapping his arms around me and I hug him back.
"I've missed you, brother," I mumble into his chest.
"I've missed you, sister," he replies.
And we stay like that for a little bit, clinging to each other. Because we don't know what tomorrow will bring and we both realize just how precious every moment together truly is.
2
Hours later, I'm sitting on my borrowed bed, staring out the window. The forest, which I was told is forbidden at the moment, sits right on the other side of their yard. I'd be lying if I didn't admit the pull I feel towards it. There's a magic there, older and more powerful, than anything I've ever felt before and I want to explore it. But I know better than to make waves so soon after coming into town. I need more information first. Which is why I'm going to a coven meeting tonight.
It seems strange to me, that shifters and witches are working together. That the meeting is between the pack and the coven. But I guess when all of the supernatural creatures are at risk, no one is above working with the other.
A knock sounds and I turn in time to see a pretty brunette stick her head through the partially open door.
"Hi, I'm Harper," she says, and I motion her inside. "I just wanted to come and introduce myself before everyone started arriving." I've already met the coven leader, Meredith Hawthorne, and Emily, the current main Reader for the coven.
"Hi, Harper," I say standing, "I'm Sky."
"Mark told us all about you," she smiles warmly as I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
"Mark has apparently become a blabbermouth."
The girl in front of me laughs, her whole face transforming into a ray of sunshine. I can imagine her being liked wherever she goes. There's a particular glow about her, something I've noticed in Mark and Brianna as well.
"He loves you," Harper says, drawing my attention back to her. "If there was any other way, he would've kept you far from here."
"I know that," I reply, walking over to the window. The forest keeps calling me and it's getting very hard to drown it out. Harper comes up to stand beside me.
"You're probably wondering why we didn't just get Maddie to help," Harper begins and I open my mouth to protest, but she waves me off. "It's okay. That's understandable. The spell that was found requires a ridiculous amount of magic. Maddie is not strong enough. But you, you are strong. Very strong."
For some reason, I think she's talking about my mermaid side. That secret has been kept for a long time, especially from our coven back home. People don't react kindly to intermingling between the supernatural races. But my parent's didn't care. My dad loved my mom, until the day she died. Both Mark and I lost our mothers and that has helped bond us as well. I wouldn't have survived without my brother, and now, I'm returning the favor.
"You don't have to explain."
"But I feel like I do," Harper says, looking out the window at the same forest I've been staring at. "As a sister, I understand how much it took out of Mark to ask you to come. But I also know that you being here, it's not just for us. Or for the rest of the supernatural community. It's for you too."
"What do you mean?" I ask, turning to her.
"I think, this will be what you may have been searching for. Even without realizing."
At first, I want to take offense at her words, but then something stops me. Because I think she's right. I have been searching for something and until Brianna said she could teach me about my mermaid side did I realize it was this part of myself. Our coven back home didn't want to acknowledge this part of me, but these people, they've come looking for it.
"Do you really think I'll be able to help?" I ask, a note of uncertainty in my voice. Harper doesn't miss it. She loops her arm through the crook of my elbow, puling me beside her.
"I have no doubt. You are part of this family now, Sky." She announces, a bright smile on her face. "We're in this together."
And in that moment, I no lo
nger feel alone.
Harper and I make our way downstairs as people start pouring in. Besides the two of us, Meredith and Emily are seated at the dining room table. Bri and Mark get there next, and Bri takes a seat between her mother and me. Krista, Harper's best friend and Emily's daughter, sits down by her mother.
Then, the shifters come.
There are four of them, but each is gorgeous in their own way. I'm introduced to Jefferson, the Alpha. He smiles warmly at Meredith and I think there are years of friendship here. They're both leaders, but neither one seems like the dictator type. Then, comes Connor. The moment he walks into the room and Harper whispers his name, I know he's hers. His eyes find her instantly and his whole body seems to relax just a little.
A shifter named Jay comes in next, and then there's Nolan. Harper introduces each to me and they incline their heads in greeting. They take their seats around the table, with Mark standing at Brianna's back and Connor at Harper's. It's like they have to be beside each other as much as possible. I notice the same with Nolan and Krista, who are now seated beside one another.
"I'm glad each of you could make it," Meredith begins, drawing my attention to her. I feel apprehensive about this whole meeting. I've never been in the presence of so many shifters before. Krista looks over at me, giving me an encouraging smile and I realize I need to keep a bit of a tighter reign on my emotions. There are two Readers in the room.
