by Valia Lind
Witch’s Heart
Hawthorne Chronicles - Book Three
Valia Lind
Contents
Foreword
Witch’s Heart
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
Next in the Hawthorne Chronicles
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
Witch’s Heart
Hawthorne Chronicles - Book Three
Valia Lind
All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own.
Johan Wolfgang Von Goethe
1
“Hey! You can't park there! You're blocking the way for everyone!" Jumping out of my car, I slam the door and march over to the blue Buick SUV parked right in front of the entrance to the cafe. The window rolls up before I get there, but that won't stop me. I knock on the door, and it opens just as I put my hands on my hips.
"You are illegally blocking the doorway. You need to move."
I jump back as the driver's side door swings wider and a body much larger than my own gets out. Glancing up, I stumble standing still as I meet the eyes of the gorgeous man in front of me. He's dark, like the earth right before the sun comes up. But his eyes are as light as snow.
"Is there a problem?" He asks when I continue to stand there like a statue. Shaking my head, I stand up straighter and point at his car.
"The problem is that you parked illegally, and you need to move. You may not think so, but other people need to get through here."
"I don't see how this is illegal." He turns and motions to the sign. I step around his large body and notice it for the first time. Apparently, the cafe needed more spaces because they repainted the lines and there is now a parking spot right in front of the front door.
I huff at the sign, before turning my attention back to the guy in front of me. He's got a small smile on his lips now, as he stands there watching me.
"Okay, so they may have changed that in the last two days."
"Is that your way of apologizing?"
"I don't think I have to apologize. You're still blocking the way." I motion to the couple that just got out of their car and are walking around his Buick to get to the front door.
"That's not exactly my fault."
"It is for having a large car!"
"Oh, now my car is at fault?"
His smile grows into a full blown smirk and it's taking much of my self-control not to let everything boiling up inside of me out. I'm trying to control my magic, but my emotions are too riled up and I can feel it seeping through my protective walls. Emotional manipulation is quite powerful magic, and I don't need it getting out of hand in the middle of Main Street.
"It's clearly a problem," I point as another person tries to get through. This time, when I meet his eye, he winks. That sets me off in a way that I don't expect. My magic trickles out of me, stretching out a good radius around me and I feel it all. The couple inside the cafe buying coffees and a muffin to share. The guy who just walked in, annoyed at the hassle of rounding the vehicle. The barista who stubbed her toe a few minutes ago and is now experiencing the pain. The dog walker down the street, smiling down at her puppy.
I read all of their emotions. Except for the man in front of me. I don't feel anything from him.
His emotions are non-existent.
Hours later, I still can't get that man's face, or his lack of emotions, out of my mind.
After I couldn't read him, I froze for a moment, before bolting out of there as fast as I could. I didn't even go inside the cafe. Now, I'm at the library, waiting for Harper to get off work, and still thinking about him.
Okay, I would be thinking about him anyway because the man is gorgeous. I'm not immune to the visual. Not that a man like him would ever look at me in any romantic way anyway. I may be a powerful witch, and I can battle magic with the best of them, as I've recently discovered, but I still can't battle away these extra pounds. I wouldn't say I'm unhappy with the way I look. I'd say those of male gender are, since my face doesn't exactly match my not-size-two body. Similar words have been used in the past. Pretty recently actually, which is why this is still such a sour point in my life. I've been told I'm pretty, but I don't make guys fall to their knees. It's nothing to write home about, just a fact.
But goodness gracious would I write home about one Mr. Hotness McMuffin. Muffin being what I wanted at the cafe, but couldn't even bring myself to grab because I needed to get out of there. I already made a fool out of myself, so I'm not exactly sure what I was running from. The humiliation ship had already sailed.
"I'm not a reader, but you are throwing all kinds of emotions my way," my best friend Harper says, coming up to where I'm sitting at the front of the library. I glance up at my beautiful friend, a little blinded by the happiness radiating off her.
"I'm not th
e only one throwing emotions around," I comment, getting to my feet.
Since Harper and Connor found each other, it's been difficult muting both of them. It doesn't help that they are true soulmates, something as rare as the sun and moon occupying the same sky at the same time. I've never believed the tales myself, not until Connor came into Harper's life. Before then, it was just a fairytale told to little girls and boys, a glimmer of hope in a world that doesn't exactly understand us or our way of life. But now it's real, and for someone who has never been envious of anyone, especially my best friend, there is a bit of that brewing inside of me now. I'm not happy with myself, but there it is.
"Krista?"
"Sorry, I'm still trying to get used to your overwhelming emotional presence," I say, smiling and focusing back on my friend. "What did you say?"
"I said I'm sorry I'm still trying to figure out if there is a way for me to block it off for you. I've been doing some research, but haven't exactly found anything."
"It's okay, you shouldn't have to hide around me."
And that's the truth of the matter. I'm happy for her and that's that. She links her arm through mine and leads me away from the library. With the threat of the Ancients around us, we've been spending every free moment trying to come up with a solution. Harper's mother is the leader of the cover and she's been working with the town's leadership in fortifying our borders. However, no matter how hard we try, the Ancients are older than magic itself. We've only seen a fraction of everything they can do and it's terrifying. So is what happened to Harper's father.
"Any news from Brianna?" I ask, as we head toward the herbal shop run by Harper's older sister. She left town, with her own Prince Charming, about a month ago.
Their father, a Watcher of the knowledge, has been traveling and trying to send help our way as much as possible for months. Then, suddenly, he was gone. Completely gone, with no trace, but a small flair of battle magic where he was last seen. We're all worried and Briana and Mark decided to leave and search for him themselves.
"She sent word that her and Mark reached our sister, but that's it. They're keeping everything hush hush, in case the Ancients find a way to gleam information."
The Ancients were another fairytale we've grown up with. A scary story to keep children in line. No one, not even the Elders, believed that they could rise again, but here we are. They're creatures who created magic, who we've descended from and we didn't even know it. Now, they want to take their rightful place, ruling over all. Humans and supernaturals included.
"She'll be fine. Mark is with her."
Harper smiles a sad smile and I know she's worried. Mark is a powerful witch, but none of us can stand against the Ancients. Even though Briana and Mark are true soulmates as well, their magic is stronger and purer than that of a regular witch. But even so, the only thing we've managed to do so far is play the goalie. And some goals have been sneaking past our defenses.
"I know she's be fine. Between the two of them, they can handle themselves. But I can't stop worrying. For her. For my dad. Or Maddie."
Having no words to comfort with, I reach over and give her a hug. Maddie is their youngest sister, and she's been safely tucked away in the boarding school this year. It might give us a little peace of mind having her so far away, but it doesn't help much. Harper hugs me back tightly, before stepping back.
"Have you heard from Leah?" She asks, mentioning my sister, who have also been sent on an errand out of town.
"Yes, she checks in with me. But they're about to reach a coven that's a little out of the cell phone zone, so she'll be quiet for a while." She squeezes me a little at my words.
"If that's not what's on your mind, tell me what's gotten you all riled up."
I should've known better than to think she wouldn't push the issue. She may not be a reader, but she's always been able to read me. Harper locks the door behind us, before turning to face me again. Since Bri is gone, Harper and I have been taking care of the store. But today, we're here on our own time. And I'm guessing some of that time will be spent talking about my morning.
"I may have met someone?"
Harper freezes for a second, before squeaking and grabbing my hands.
"Krista!"
"Okay, dramatic much?" I chuckle, unable to keep a straight face.
"Someone someone? Spill!"
And so I do.
2
“Can you please stop laughing?" I glare at Harper, as I settle on the couch in the back room, tea cup in hand.
"I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing from happiness. That was such a cute way to meet!"
"I think you've read too many romance novels, Harper," I reply, rolling my eyes. She settles on the other side of the couch, her own steaming mug in hand and tucks her feet beneath her.
"So? Maybe you should read some more. That was cute!"
"It was also embarrassing. And not romantic at all because there is probably no way I'll be seeing him again anyway. Plus, guys don't exactly fawn over me."
"Krista! You stop that talk. You are beautiful and smart and kind, when you want to be." Harper winks at me, "Just because you haven't met the right person, doesn't mean you won't."
"I know, I know. But let's be real, Harper. I'm not exactly a runway model."
"And you don't have to be. I'm not a model either, Krista. And Connor loves me more than I could've ever imagined for myself. It's not about how I look, it's what's underneath that matters. I found someone who fits me perfectly. You will too."
It's not as if we haven't had this conversation before. We were teenage girls once, hoping for our own prince. Harper had to go through a lot to keep hers once she found him. We've only now began taking the prejudice off outer breading. Shifters and witches were never meant to fall in love. But maybe that's just a stigma that's been taught to us all these years. Harper and Connor are soulmates. That doesn't happen by accident.
My mind drifts back to the stranger again. I can't pretend that I'm not affected by him, even outside of the fact that I can't read him. He seems to hold a fascination for me that even I don't understand. But it doesn't mean anything will come of it. He's just a new face, in a town that doesn't get many of those. Especially recently. Unless...
"Wait, Harper. What if he's an Ancient?" I sit up, placing my cup in the table, all thoughts of romance forgotten. Harper ran into a stranger just six months ago who ended up being evil incarnate. I can't believe I was so blinded I didn't even think of that.
"No, Krista. That's not possible. Not because of the wards," she waves me off when I open my mouth to protest, "But because you couldn't read him. You can read evil."
She's right, I can. My heartbeat settles a bit at her words, but not completely. That man is still a mystery to me and I don't think it's one I'll get to solve.
"Will we ever live in a world that isn't ruled by fear?" I ask, glancing up at my friend. She sobers up at my question, reaching over and placing her hand over mine.
"I don't know. But even through fear, we can find happiness in this world. Don't forget that."
I nod, squeezing her hand in response. This is what our lives have come to and it's never a place we've ever imagined ourselves. Living in constant worry over the next person we'll meet, or waiting for the wards to fail us again and the Ancients to descend in full force. Hawthorne has been around for generations. Our town may be smaller than some and nestled away from the prying eyes of much of the population of the world, but we're happy here. For years, we've been safe here. We live amongst the humans and they are a huge part of our tourist trade. But even so, we are mostly a secret and that's how we like it.
Now, with the Ancients trying to take over the whole world, we have to be cautious and battle ready at all times. Something that we never thought would be our lives. I've learned more battle magic in the last six months than I have in the whole twenty years of my life. Now, we are told to use it.
"I can't believe I was so blinded by my embarrassment and his good
looks that I didn't even consider the fact that he may be dangerous." I finally say, looking up at Harper.
"We shouldn't have to live like that, Krista. But even so, you magic didn't steer you wrong. If he was dangerous, you would've known. I believe that. Believe in your magic."
With that, we're done talking about it. We finish our tea and get ready to do some work around the shop. As I place my cup in the sink, my mind drifts over to the stranger. I wonder if he is sticking around and what exactly brought him to Hawthorne.
I would be lying if I said the possibility of seeing him again didn't speed up my pulse just a tad. Or sent my heart soaring.
The next day, it's my turn to watch Brianna's shop, so I'm up early. Mom is giving me a day off from the clinic, and it's nice to change up my scenery.
I've never been fond of mornings and I need my caffeine fix before I'm dealing with customers all day. When I park in front of the cafe, I do a quick sweep to make sure the stranger is nowhere in sight. I don't think I can handle the repeat of yesterday. Especially after the restless night I had.
I spent most of it tossing and turning. Every time I fell asleep, a dream filled with emotions would wake me. I couldn't even concentrate on what the magic was trying to tell me. All I felt was overpowered by the feelings of longing and love. With no way to know who those belonged to, I was tired and supercharged. It was going to be a long day.
