by Tara Weeks
The Auberon Witches
Destiny Unlocked
(Book Two)
TARA WEEKS
Copyright © 2020 by Tara Weeks
Published by K J Publishing
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This book is fiction. All characters, events and dialogue are from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any way without express written permission from the author.
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CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Introduction
A
ddie, Cassie, and Selene lay passed out in the old ruins after being engulfed by a strange purple smoke. Addie awakens and her curiosity proves dangerous when she inspects an ancient urn and finds herself pulled into a labyrinth of caverns and caves, fighting for her life.
Cassie and Selene frantically search for their friend, before enlisting the help of Marek and a mysterious and charismatic landlord, Ravi.
Despite the women’s newfound, rapidly evolving magic, they find their hearts challenged, as the men of Auberon leave lasting impressions.
But are they really what they seem?
Chapter One
Addie
O
pening her eyes, Addie found herself staring up at the night sky. It was overcast but the brightness of the moon provided some illumination from behind the clouds—enough to see, at least. She frowned, raising herself up onto her elbows to look around. Startled to see Cassie and Selene on the ground on either side of her, Addie pushed herself up onto her knees and crawled over to Cassie’s side.
“Cassie! Wake up! Can you hear me?” Addie shouted, shaking her by the shoulder, but she wouldn’t waken. Addie crawled over to Selene, but she was the same. Addie sighed with relief to find they were both breathing, but they appeared to be in a deep sleep. She sat back on the grass between them, and massaged her temples with her fingers, willing the headache and the queasiness away. She stared at the stone urn before them, and recalled a fire burning in it, and smoke drifting towards them. Yet it felt like a strange dream, nothing more.
An odd-looking shape caught her attention from where it lay on the ground, slightly obscured by the urn. Forcing herself to her feet, she staggered towards it, recognizing it as a cloak. The dreamlike quality of her memory cleared a little, and she recalled the strange, cloaked figure they’d followed from the manor. Addie leaned over to pick it up, but the minute her fingers touched the course fabric her mind flooded with a barrage of images.
I can see the figure, but it’s not wearing the cloak. It’s so tall, inhumanly so, and its grey hair is long and dirty, matted with leaves and twigs. I can’t make out if the creature is male or female—or even human at all. It’s raising its head like it knows I can see it… I don’t want it to see me.
The cloak grew hot against her fingertips and Addie let it drop to the ground, as though it was on fire.
What the hell was that? Where did the figure disappear to?
Feeling a little dizzy from the suddenness of the vision, Addie reached out to steady herself against the urn. It felt slightly warm, as though it still held the caress of the day’s sunlight, and as Addie felt better, she peered into it. Addie thought she could see something lying in the bottom, and with her curiosity getting the better of her, she reached into the urn as far as she could. Her fingertips brushed against something cool and smooth, and a sudden rush of air blew past her, causing her hair to fly up into the air. She tried to withdraw her arm from the urn, but there was a force pulling her downwards. Her heart pounded as the bottom of the urn seemed to disappear, and in its place the purple smoke returned, swirling and vibrant.
This can’t be happening. This isn’t real. Wake up, Addie. Wake up!
Addie fought against the pull, but it was of no use and as she felt her feet lift off the ground, she screamed out to Cassie and Selene, yet she could hardly hear her own voice over the roar of the swirling portal of smoke. There was nothing left to do but close her eyes.
Chapter Two
Cassie
G
roaning, Cassie sat up; her hand pressed to her forehead. “What happened? I feel like I’ve got a killer hangover.”
“What’s going on?” Cassie turned around to see Selene sitting up, looking as confused as Cassie felt.
“I had a weird dream about purple smoke…” Cassie murmured.
“I was just thinking the same thing…” Selene agreed.
“Wait, where’s Addie?” Cassie asked, frantically looking around as she rose to her feet. “Addie!” She walked over to Selene and helped her to her feet. They both walked around the small grove, calling for their friend as they looked for any sign of her.
“Where could she have gone?” Selene asked.
“I have no idea.” Cassie replied, peering into the urn. She couldn’t see anything, so she reached in, feeling along the bottom, but there was only cold stone.
“Why are you looking for Addie in the urn?” Selene asked.
“Obviously, I’m not. I just, I don’t know, had a weird feeling.” Cassie replied, giving the inside of the urn a last pat down.
“I don’t like this. I don’t remember what happened, or how we got here.” Selene said, wrapping her arms around herself.
“Well, that’s what we need to find out.” Cassie stated as she stood up, clutching at her stomach as a wave of nausea swept over her. “Ugh, I feel awful.”
“Join the club.” Selene added, pinching the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger.
“What did that smoke do to us?” Cassie asked.
“Is that a cloak?” Selene asked, pointing to a pile of material around the other side of the urn, but making no move to look closer.
Cassie rolled her eyes and strode towards it, picking it up with both hands and holding it up. Though she held the shoulder of the cloak above her head, the fabric still pooled on the grass at her feet. “Whoever wore this was super tall. It smells like…damp rotting leaves.”
“Charming.” Selene scoffed.
“Come to think of it, the last thing I remember was someone standing here, wearing this.”
“Yeah, I vaguely have that recollection too.” Selene confessed.
“The figure…” Cassie said, looking around as her memories trickled back. “There was someone lurking around the manor, remember?”
“The figure we saw lurking outside the manor was tall, but not as tall as you’re suggesting” Selene stated, folding her arms across her chest.
“I don’t know, maybe it was crouching or hid it somehow? I have no idea, that’s just what I remember.” Cassie answered.
“Great. So we followed a strange figure into the forest, inhaled some weird smoke, and lost Addie. Does that sound about right?” Selene summarized.
Cassie shook her head. “Okay, this is crazy. Whatever that smoke was, it must have been some kind of hallucinogen, or something, and we’re just experiencing the effects of a weird-ass trip. Probably just a prank from the locals—you know, show the fancy city folk a thing or two.”
“You’re right, that is crazy.” Selene replied.
Cassie groaned. “Well, what do
we know? We woke up here after who knows how long, and Addie is missing.”
“Do you think maybe she went back to the manor?” Selene asked.
“Maybe. Though I can’t see her leaving without us or walking through those woods alone.” Cassie replied. “In saying that, I don’t think we have any hope of finding her in the dark. We should go back to the manor and call Marek.”
“What, back across that bridge?” Selene gasped.
“Well, I don’t know of any other way, do you?” Cassie asked, trying to contain her impatience.
“No. It’s just pretty much dark now, and that bridge was long and narrow. Aren’t you in the least bit concerned?” Selene asked.
Cassie thought about it for a moment. “No. I mean, we came across it easily enough. It’s in good condition; if we just take it slowly, we’ll be fine.”
“Well, I don’t share your enthusiasm, but I guess we don’t have any choice.” Selene said. “Lead the way.”
Cassie led them through the ruins, towards the bridge, and as she tried to see the other side through the increasing darkness, she noted that it seemed a lot further than she remembered.
“I wish there was more light so we could see better.” Cassie said aloud, looking up at the sky. As soon as she’d uttered the words, the clouds parted, revealing the full moon as it shone its bright light down upon them like a beacon in the night.
“Did you just…?” Selene asked slowly.
“Of course not.” Cassie scowled. “It’s just a coincidence.”
“Either way, I’m grateful for the light, so let’s get a move on before the clouds move back over again.” Selene demanded, gently nudging Cassie in the back.
“Why am I taking the lead?” Cassie asked.
“Because you’re the one that led us over it in the first place, and I’m scared shitless.” Selene advised.
Cassie took a deep breath. “We can do this together,” she said, looking over her shoulder as she reached out her hand. Selene hesitated for a moment before taking it. With their hands clasped, Cassie gave a quick nod and took the first slow steps over the bridge.
Chapter Three
Addie
S
urrounded by darkness, Addie could feel herself falling with no sense of whether she was up or down or even sideways. It reminded her of one of her favorite books, Alice In Wonderland, and she was Alice, falling through the center of the Earth.
Suddenly, her thoughts were overtaken by a vivid scene.
I hear the screeching of tires—a vehicle is travelling too quickly. I’m standing at the entrance to the manor, looking out across the circular driveway. It’s night, and the light in the forecourt spills a golden glow over everything. I can hear Selene and Cassie walking through the house and coming up behind me, but I don’t turn around. I see Marek’s jeep approaching—he’s speeding. The jeep slows considerably when he sees us standing there and he pulls the jeep up in front of us. I see Marek leaning out of the window, looking at each one of us, his eyes wide with panic and his breathing heavy.
The vision ended as Addie crashed into something hard, and she moaned, pulling her throbbing knee to her chest as she rolled on the floor. As she lay there, her eyes started adjusting to the darkness and she slowly sat up and looked around. All around her was dark stone, rising as high as she could see. It looked like a cavern and Addie frowned as she scanned the walls, trying to find an opening or a way out. She was startled by a strange dragging sound coming from somewhere to her left. Peering into the darkness, Addie tried to see the source, her heart pounding in her chest. Just as she was about to look away, certain she was imagining things, the figure moved, alerting her to its presence. Addie gasped, recognizing it as the same figure that they’d followed through the woods to the ruins.
The same figure that led them to the ruins!
Addie couldn’t be certain, but it appeared to be staring at her. It was hard to tell because the figure was at least eight feet tall.
That’s not possible. It wasn’t that tall when we followed it.
The creature released a low, guttural sound —part growl, part moan —which sent a chill through Addie. As much as she wanted to turn away, she didn’t think she could move if she tried—her increasing fear had frozen her in place.
When she didn’t move, the creature seemed to take that as a sign, for it raised its hand, palm up, and as it stretched out its fingers towards her, a spiral of purple smoke drifted upwards, floating towards her as though it had a life of its own. Closing her eyes, and holding her breath, Addie tried to hold out until the smoke reached her, but when she couldn’t hold her breath any longer, she gasped for air. Yet, when she opened her eyes, the smoke had gone, as had the creature. Addie scrambled to her feet, a lump of fear rising in her throat as she thought she was being left behind with no escape. Scanning the walls, she tried to find a way out, when she spotted a faint wisp of the smoke at the other side of the cavern.
Maybe this isn’t a good idea. Maybe you should just stay put until Cassie and Selene can find you.
Addie shook the thought away, feeling there was no time to lose. Reaching the wall where she’d seen the smoke, she was surprised to find a passageway. She took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Chapter Four
Selene
A
s she stepped off the bridge and back onto solid land, Selene let out a loud sigh of relief and looked up at the full moon. “Look!”
As they watched, the clouds moved back over the moon, like curtains across the stage at the end of a show.
Cassie shook her head. “Not a word.”
“I didn’t say anything.” Selene piped up. “But…”
“Not. A. Word.” Cassie held up her finger in warning and led the way through the trees and back to the manor, calling out Addie’s name as they went.
As she passed through the threshold and back into the house, Selene felt a shiver pass through her, despite the relief she felt at being indoors once more.
“How about we split up and look for her?” Cassie suggested.
“I know it would be quicker,” Said Selene, “but is it such a wonderful idea to split up when there’s a creepy cloaked figure out there somewhere?”
“The figure isn’t wearing the cloak anymore, remember?” Cassie replied.
Selene rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”
Cassie sighed, “Yeah, I do. You’re right. Let’s do a quick sweep of the house and if we still can’t find her, I’m calling Marek.”
Selene nodded, letting Cassie lead the way. Despite their loud calls, there was no sign of Addie, so the two women made their way back to the kitchen to call Marek.
“I’ll call him if you like.” Selene offered, trying to sound like she didn’t care one way or the other, but the thought of hearing his voice made her heart quicken.
“Sure,” Cassie said, taking a seat at the kitchen island.
Selene grabbed the piece of paper with Marek’s number on it, from where Addie had stuck it on the fridge. Walking over to the phone, she stared at the round dial and the clunky, antique handset.
“You don’t know how to use a rotary phone, do you?” Cassie asked, and Selene could hear the laughter in her voice, despite her thinly veiled attempt to withhold it.
“Shut up.” Selene said sulkily, handing the piece of paper to Cassie, before taking a seat herself.
Who still uses landlines anyway?
Selene tried her best to distract herself, annoyed by how much she wanted to hear Marek’s voice.
You’re being ridiculous. You just met the guy, and he’s hardly your type.
Suddenly, Selene’s eyes fell upon the very distraction she was looking for—a liquor cabinet. Sliding off the stool, she flicked a glance over her shoulder to where Cassie was still on the phone, and walked over to the cabinet. As she placed her hands on the doors, she prayed it was stocked with a top shelf gin and some dry vermouth
.
Selene excitedly withdrew an unopened bottle of gin, inspecting it briefly before placing it on the ground beside her. She ran her fingers over the labels of the remaining bottles—whiskey, vodka, bourbon, scotch, a variety of schnapps, and Angostura bitters. But no vermouth. Selene sighed.
“So, Marek’s on his way.” Cassie said as she walked over.
“Oh?” Selene said as dismissively as she could, though she kept facing the bottles of alcohol, worried Cassie would see the sudden flush in her cheeks.
“What have you got there?” Cassie picked up the bottle of gin. “Oh! You read my mind!”
“I wanted to make martinis, but there isn’t any vermouth,” Selene stated, getting to her feet.
“What do you call that in your hands?” Cassie asked.
“Oh, just some bit…” Selene’s mouth fell open as she looked down at an unopened bottle of vermouth. She looked up at Cassie, her eyes wide. “I swear this was a bottle of bitters a second ago.”
Cassie burst out laughing, but it quickly fell away when Selene’s expression didn’t change. “Wait, what? You can’t be serious.”
“I don’t know what to tell you. I was disappointed, because we didn’t have any, and then the next thing I know, we do,” Selene explained. She could tell from Cassie’s expression that she didn’t believe her.
“We’ll have to talk about it later. I told Marek we’d wait for him out front,” Cassie said, placing the bottle of gin on the kitchen island. Selene placed the bottle of vermouth beside it and followed her.
As they opened the front door and stepped out onto the portico, they could already hear Marek’s ute coming up the hill at speed. Selene felt a flutter of nerves as he came around the bend, before driving around into the circular driveway and pulling up before them. He looked at them, his breathing heavy as though he’d rushed.
