by Valia Lind
But my eyes are still on the creature in the tank. Mason shifts closer and the movement seems to break my trance. I glance at him and find his eyes already on me. The look on his face, the confidence he seems to have in me makes me take just a tiny step closer. With him beside me, I wait for something else to happen, but there's nothing.
"I'm sorry," I finally say, turning around to face the group.
"It's okay," Harper steps up, squeezing my arm. "You'll get there."
"Maybe it would be a good idea to do some research," Brianna comments, "Maybe at the coven's library."
"I'll take her," Mason speaks up immediately. The girls exchange a look I don't understand, but the only answer I get is from Brianna.
"I think that's a good idea."
8
The town is only waking up when Mason and I make our way toward the coven's library. My coven back home had one too, but I was rarely allowed in there. And when we walk up to the gorgeous Victorian gothic building, I realize it's nothing like what I expected.
Mason holds the door open and I step into a museum. The entry way is short, the ceilings are high and they open up to a large circular room. The whole place is much like my starfish: heart in the middle, and all points spreading from there.
"Good morning, Miss Myla," Mason draws my attention back to him and I turn to see an elder lady stepping around a desk in a hurry.
"Mason, as I live and breathe. How long has it been since I've seen you?"
"A little over a month," he replies as the little woman reaching to give him a hug. She's swallowed up in his big frame and I can see she's eating it up.
"And this has to be Mark's little sister," the woman continues, turning to me.
"I'm Skylar," I say, extending my hand. Miss Myla studies me up and down, before shaking my hand warmly.
"It's nice to meet you, Skylar. I'm Miss Myla. I run this place. I pulled some books down for you when Brianna called. They're on the table. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask."
Just like that, the woman hurries back behind the desk and we're left staring after her. Mason motions for me to follow him and I do.
"She likes you," he says, as we reach the table with the pile of books. I glance at him sharply, wondering where he got that notion. "Don't look at me like that," he chuckles, "I've known her a long time. I can tell."
Instead of replying, I simply shrug. Honestly, I don't know what to make of these people. There's a bond here that I've never seen before. Shifters and witches living in peace, working together. Maybe this ancient threat brought them together, but I think it goes deeper than that.
"Tell me about this town," I say, as we take our seats. It's his turn to look at me with question in his eyes. I’m more tired than I’ve been in a while, and after only a few hours of sleep, I need to get my head on straight.
"What would you like to know?"
"Just start at the beginning. I know some, but I just want to hear it from you."
His grin is quick and disarming, as he turns to face me straight on.
"Okay then. Hawthorne was created as a sanctuary, centuries ago, by the Hawthorne witches. They settled here because of the energy nexus, and began to build a way of life that would include all supernatural creatures."
"Is that how the shifters came to be here?"
Mason nods.
"Generations ago, the coven sent out an open invitation to those in need of a refuge. At the time, there weren't many places our kind could congregate without the fear of discovery and persecution. Over the years, this place was built up and protected, until we could live peaceably alongside each other.
Sure, there were problems here and there, but nothing major. The town continued to grow, it was opened up for tourism, until the first inkling of the Ancients came along."
"What?" I sit up at this, because I thought the Ancients were a bedtime story until only recently.
"This is recently discovered information, but about thirty-five years ago, a sickness came to town that nearly wiped out everyone it. The same sickness that almost wiped us out less then a month ago."
"Mark told me about this after that first meeting. Krista was able to heal the town," I mumble, thinking back of the overview I got on the way here. Little by little, things have been happening. Things that have only been read in books before this.
"She did. It was pretty incredible. But I guess, the first time that happened, Meredith and Jefferson were the ones to do it. With the help of her now husband."
"Brianna and Harper's mom?" Mason nods again, leaning towards me just a tad.
"Meredith never wanted to be the next coven leader. But when the time came, she stepped up. She worked with Isaac and Jefferson to save the town and thus begin the ever needed truce between the main pack and the coven."
"Wow," I sit back, digesting all the information. "That seems incredible to me."
All of this seems incredible to me. I mean, these people are breaking the standard way of life in the supernatural world. Instead of staying in their corners, they're in the middle of the room, mingling.
"You know, if the Ancients were to rise in any town, I think this is a good one," I comment. Mason looks me straight in the eye, before that gorgeous grin of his comes out. He laughs, making me feel lightheaded and I smile in return.
"You're right on that." He finally says, and the moment is not lost on me. The air around us is charged, heavy with something I can't quite name yet. The sound of Miss Myla moving around is what finally breaks the spell.
"So, umm. What comes next?"
"The Ancients, of course," Mason says, "As I'm sure you know, they were the first creatures, the ones who experimented with their magic in ways that ended up with us being, well, us. Shifters and witches. And others. The Ancients warred against each other, each power-hungry and wanting to be the greatest. Instead, they exhausted their magic and went to sleep."
"We're told the stories as a kid."
"Yes, and I think part of that is to prepare us, in case the stories are not just stories. Which we find out they're not." I nod, but don't interrupt again as Mason continues. "They've been attacking slowly, using their minions to feel out the power they're up against. It's only because of the soulmate bond this town is still standing."
"They mentioned it at the meeting." I begin slowly, trying not to meet his eye, but failing. With just the mention of the magic, I'm intrigued. "Brianna and Mark are."
"So are Harper and Connor. And Krista and Nolan."
"Nolan is a shifter?"
"A half shifter, half fae."
"What?" I sit up even straighter at that, fascinated. I've never met a fae, but always wanted to. "That's amazing."
"It makes him very interesting. Especially to Krista."
"So how does the bond work?" Now, my mind is stuck on this. I'm more intrigued that I even want to admit to myself. Soulmate magic is even less talked about then the Ancients.
"I'm not exactly sure," Mason replies, fidgeting a little in his seat. "It's not something I've experienced, but the way Connor tells it, it's like feeling whole for the first time in your life."
He seems a little uncomfortable talking about this, the way he keeps squirming in his seat. But I can't let it go just yet.
"That's what you said about shifting," I comment, brining his attention back to me. He nods his head slowly, as if contemplating on what to say next.
"Shifting is like that. But I guess a soulmate bond is even more so. I can't explain something I've never experienced." He keeps saying that. I'm not sure what to make of any of this. It does make me want to be here, in this town, surrounded by these people. But I don't know how long they'll want me around if I can't get this magic under control.
We're running out of time.
"I think what we need is a girl's night."
It's three days later and we're just walking out of the woods at the back of the Hawthorne property when Harper speaks up. The three of us turn as one, looking over at
her.
"What?" She shrugs, holding Connor's hand as he smiles down at her. "We've been working so hard. We need a little relaxing time."
"In a middle of a war?" Brianna asks.
"If we forget how to live, what are we even living for?" Harper replies, and that punches me straight to the gut. That's how I lived much of my life: forgetting to actually live. I've kept away from friends and family, I've shut myself off from everyone. It's easier not to get hurt when there's no one around you to hurt you. But what kind of life is that really? What am I fighting to protect if I don't experience it for myself?
"I think a girl's night sounds great," I say, surprising myself and everyone around me. Harper and Krista both grin, while Brianna shakes her head at us. Being the oldest, she never turns off the authority aspect to her personality.
"Does that mean no us time?" I hear Connor ask, and sneak a peak at the couple. Harper snuggles closer, wrapping her arms around his stomach as they walk. He kisses the top of her head, his arms around her shoulders.
"We need girl time to do girl things," Harper replies, staying close. "You and the boys have guard duty tonight anyway."
"I guess I can possibly manage one night without you."
"It will be difficult, but I believe in you. You can stay strong."
They continue teasing each other as we walk and it makes me smile. I wonder what it would feel like to have that kind of a connection with someone. My mind instantly drifts to Mason, who's been staying close all week. We've spent a lot of time in the library, learning more about mermaids and the lore behind them. Tonight he's on patrol though, so Connor escorted us to the river. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss him. He has kind of become part of my friend group. Something I never thought I'd say.
"Okay, boys are out the door!" Harper announces when we walk inside the house. Mark and Nolan are seated at the table, going over plans. They glance up at the middle sister as we walk in, before standing and going to their girlfriends. I watch as my brother's face lights up when he reaches for Brianna, pulling her close. I've never seen him as happy as he is when he's around her. I mean, our whole world is crashing down around us, but he still seems to be filled with joy. That’s true happiness.
"Let's go, let's go!" Harper calls out, giving her boyfriend a quick kiss. "It's girl's night, so men, please exit the building."
It's another ten minutes before they're gone. I drift over to the kitchen, giving them a moment with their significant others. Even though I feel more at home than I've ever felt in any other place in my life, a part of me is still aching for that love that they have found.
"Okay, now. We need dinner and movies and braiding of the hair. Maybe cutting of the hair."
"What?" I ask, snapping out of my thoughts.
"Nothing. Just making sure you're listening," Harper replies, grinning at me. The girls begin moving around the kitchen, pulling out ingredients.
"What's happening?" I ask, as they continue their practiced dance.
"It's a girl's night tradition," Krista replies, pulling out a pan from the cupboard. "We make a meal, all together."
"We try to change up what it is every time," Brianna adds, "The next on the list is Italian."
Now the items on the counter make sense. As they move around the kitchen, they keep handing me stuff to put on the table. They don't have to, but they keep including me and that warms my heart enough to say,
"Okay, where do we start?"
The girls are definitely practiced in this and we have spaghetti and chicken simmering in no time. I'm working on the salad while Krista is putting together garlic bread. It feels nice, to be like this, to be like a family. The girls chat easily and I realize that they really needed this. Maybe as much as I did. They've been on the front lines since the beginning. It has to be wearing on them.
"Are we ready?" Brianna asks, once we have everything spread out on the table. I glance at the food, proud of what we've accomplished together. We take out seats, digging in without much fanfare and I feel warm from inside out.
Glancing over at the starfish, I notice the little creature moved so he can be as close to us as possible. It makes me smile, just how animated he is. I'm glad he's happy.
You are happy too.
The thought rushes through my mind and I drop my fork with a clang. Three pairs of eyes turn to me, everyone on high alert.
"Sky?" Krista calls out, watching me carefully. I can feel her Reader magic reaching out to me, but I don't move my eyes off the starfish. There is no other explanation. I heard his thoughts. Somehow.
"I think he's talking to me." I finally say, breaking the silence, before I'm out of my chair and moving towards the tank. I hear a scrape of the chairs as the girls move as well. They don't speak, letting me figure this out. I'm not sure what keeps opening up my magic, but I know I'm right about this.
"You can understand me, can't you?" I speak directly to the starfish, keeping my eyes level with him. "You tried when I first found you, and then later, after the water. What are you trying to say?"
I wait for a response, but nothing comes. Maybe I'm losing my mind a little bit, but I really don't think so. There's something here.
"I'm listening, little guy," I almost whisper, before I close my eyes. Looking for that center, for that part of me that can do this, I breathe in and out a few times. I can feel the girls move closer and their presence brings me peace. This whole night has made me feel like I belong.
The sea is calling to you.
The thought comes and I open my eyes to stare a the starfish.
"I think I hear the call. How do I answer?"
Trust yourself to feel. To be free.
"You've been trying to talk to me the whole time?"
I am here to help. You called me to help.
"I called you?"
Your magic did.
"My magic?"
Even though I can't see it, I think the starfish nods. I'm not exactly sure how this is possible, but here we are.
"Can I talk to any water creature?"
You can.
My head spins with possibilities, with this new discovery. Mason and I read about mermaid's gift to communicate with those breathing in the same water. But I never thought it'll be a power I would have. But I feel it. I feel my magic waking up, I feel myself finally channeling that magic.
Maybe I'm not a lost case after all.
9
We're on our second movie when someone bangs on the front door.
The girls jump up as one, their battle magic at the ready.
"Something happened," Krista whispers, before we rush to the front door. I watch her closely, noticing the way she goes just a bit pale, how her eyes grow unfocused. Whatever it is, it's bad.
When Brianna yanks open the door we find a bloodied shifter on the other side. One of his eyes are swollen, and he looks like he's been rolling around in the mud. He looks familiar.
"Jay!" Krista exclaims stepping forward and catching him before he topples over. Her and Brianna bring him inside, while Harper rushes to the kitchen. That's when it comes to me, why he looks familiar. He's Krista's sister's boyfriend and I met him that first night, at the coven meeting.
"What happened?" Krista asks, kneeling in front of him as Harper comes back with some supplies.
"We were ambushed." He hisses when a washcloth is placed against his wound, but that's the only outward sign of discomfort. "Those shadow creatures showed up on Main Street. We tried chasing them off but they just led us into a trap."
My body grows even more tense with his words. Mark told me about the creatures, and about their power to syphon and store magic. The shifters are a yummy snack for them, since they carry large amounts of it.
"Where?" Brianna's voice brings me back to the present.
"The playground by the library. Jefferson is there now. So is your mother."
At first, I breathe a little easier. Until Harper asks,
"Where are the others?" And I underst
and what she means. The other shifters who were attacked.
"Some were dragged into the woods."
"Who?" I finally manage to find my voice. Jay raises his head to meet my eye.
"Tonight's patrol."
Mason.
Without a second to think, I spin on my heels, heading for the door.
"Sky, stop!"
Harper grabs my upper arm, spinning me around. My self preservation instincts kick in, but I fight them off. Punching her is not going to help anyone right now.
"Keep your head on. What are you going to do?"
"I don't know, but I have to go, Harper. I don't understand it, but I do."
Her hand goes slack as she studies me carefully. I'm not sure what she sees, but when I turn to go, she doesn't try to stop me again. She must be scared for Connor, but maybe she knows he’s okay because of their soulmate magic. I don’t have that luxury.
It doesn't take me long to reach Main Street and the chaos I find there.
For a town with a curfew there are way too many people on the street. I spot Mark immediately, rushing up to him. He turns as I come up and catches me when I launch myself at him.
"What are you doing here?" He asks, setting me gently on the ground.
"Where's Mason?" It's not the question I meant to ask, but I blurt it out before I can think too much of it. Mark's expression doesn't give much away, but I can feel it. So when he replies, I'm not surprised.
"He was one of the ones taken into the woods."
I turn to head in that direction, but he stops me.
"Everyone needs to stop putting their hands on me," I growl, staring at my brother. He isn't phased.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"I'm going after him."
"No, you really are not."
We continue our stare down, but we both know neither one of us is winning. Not like this.
"You can't just run into the woods and look for him. That's what the Ancients want. They need magic, our magic. And you have plenty of it to go around." Mark whispers, his voice urgent. I understand where he's coming from, I get how dangerous this is. But if I don't do anything I will never be able to forgive myself.
