Other witch complete s.., p.69
other witch - complete series, page 69
She let out a strangled gasp before dropping my fingers. The light faded from her eyes and she looked at me with sadness in her eyes. ‘I don’t have enough power here to pull a true prophecy for you, but what I saw will come to pass. I’m sorry, Crone.’
‘What?’ I asked evenly. ‘What did you see?’
‘Your mother’s death, at your own hand.’
‘Never!’ I gasped.
‘You plunged a blade into her heart – but it will save us all.’
I shook my head and stumbled back from her. Never. I would never harm Mum. For all I cared, the world could burn before I did that.
Chapter 10
Bastion touched my wrist lightly. ‘What’s up? You’re upset.’
‘Not here,’ I murmured desperately. ‘We need to go. Let’s just go.’ There was an edge of panic to my voice that I knew Bastion could hear and feel. I struggled to put my emotions into a box inside of me. I couldn’t lose it here. Victoria was wrong. That’s all there was to it.
The others were in the car, waiting for Bastion to shift into griffin form for me to ride with him. My phone rang. I was going to ignore it, but then I saw who was calling: Sarah Bellington. Now that was something I could cling on to. I needed some good news. Surely the potion I’d made for Lucille would work, and that would be one thing I could do to help Mum – not kill her.
I swiped to answer. ‘Tell me good news,’ I demanded.
‘Yes, Coven Mother,’ she responded happily. ‘The potion works. It will help an ill familiar gain magical strength!’
I sagged a little. ‘Great,’ I said briskly, letting none of my relief show in my voice. ‘Get back to the Coven. And Sarah?’
‘Yes?’
‘Good work.’ I hung up and turned to Bastion. ‘You heard that?’
He nodded and gave a small smile. ‘You’re a genius. Was there any doubt that your potion would work?’
I loved his faith in me. ‘Yes,’ I said drily. ‘There was doubt.’
‘Not in my mind,’ he reassured me. He pulled me close and kissed my forehead tenderly. ‘You’re all wrung out, Bambi. You need to rest.’
He wasn’t wrong but I shook my head. ‘We need to get the potion to Lucille because I’m not sure how long she’s got. We don’t have a moment to waste.’
‘I’ll compromise,’ Bastion offered. ‘We’ll fly home, have dinner, then we’ll take the vial to Lucille. Then it’s back home and straight to bed for you.’
I thought of his hot kiss and whispered promise earlier. ‘Only if you join me.’
‘Always.’ Bastion fished out a small vial from his pocket and held it out to me: ORAL potion. I had never been happier to see one of my own potions.
I unstoppered it, downed it in one and the vile itching receded instantly. ‘Thank the Goddess,’ I murmured with a sigh of relief.
‘Thank you,’ Bastion corrected lightly. ‘The ORAL potion is all down to you and your hard work.’ He passed me the harness from his black backpack and then he shifted. I laid the harness on the ground, he stepped in, and I buckled it around him.
I didn’t bother saying goodbye. Cain and Victoria were talking intently and I didn’t want to disturb them, and it may have been petty but I really didn’t want to talk to Victoria right then. She clearly thought I was someone I wasn’t. I might deal with the monsters but I wasn’t one of them – though the line between us felt more and more blurred every day. The scorpions I’d just buried in the circus wards were testament to that.
I climbed onto Bastion’s back, hooked my feet in the stirrups and gave him a light pat that told him I was ready. I looked at the car: Oscar was watching me go with an unreadable expression, and Ria was laughing as Frogmatch played with her familiar, Fido. He was rocking the sleepy mouse in his arms like a baby.
I gave Oscar a thumbs-up and he nodded. He started the engine, which was our cue. I felt Bastion’s muscles bunch and tense and then he exploded forwards. When we were moving fast enough, his wings snapped out and with two mighty beats we were airborne. I watched as the car got smaller and smaller.
It felt a little like my conscience.
Chapter 11
Bastion and I flew right into a storm, and the rain pelted me and the wind whipped at me. He struggled valiantly to lift us above the clouds, but they were thick and heavy. It felt like forever before we burst above them.
‘Thank the Goddess,’ I called out, though the gusts stole the words as soon as they left my mouth. I hunkered down low on Bastion’s back, letting his body and wings offer some protection from the elements. Though we were out of the rain, the wind still blew fiercely around us and I was soaked to the bone. I started to shiver uncontrollably.
Luckily Bastion’s speed meant that we weren’t far from the Coven tower. I was looking forward to getting home. Bastion’s suggestion that we eat before we went to see Lucille was a great one, but I also added having a steaming hot shower to my to-do list.
Finally he dived. I recognised the tower’s roof right away, and he landed feather soft on top of it. He barely waited until I’d climbed off before shifting into human form and pulling me into his warm body. It felt decidedly unfair that his body was virtually an inferno whilst I was a shivering, quivering wreck.
‘Sorry,’ he murmured. ‘Shitty weather.’
‘You’re not kidding.’
Night had fallen and the stars winked at me. Being on the roof beneath them suddenly transported me back to another night weeks earlier, when Abigay’s eyes had turned milky white as she’d gazed at the stars for me.
My mouth dropped open. As the Crone, surely I could do the same? What need did I have for Victoria’s horrible prediction? I could see my own! ‘I could read the stars!’ I blurted.
Bastion shook his head firmly. ‘The only thing you’re reading tonight is a romance novel. You’re wiped out, Amber, and you’re shaking with cold. Let’s get you warm and fed, then we’ll visit your mum and Lucille. Hopefully Oscar and the car will have arrived by then.’
‘Griffin Air is faster.’
He grimaced. ‘But colder. I should have checked the weather before insisting you come with me. I should have just flown above the car.’
‘If the Connection knew you were flying so close to cars where Common realmers could spot you, you’d be in trouble,’ I argued.
He shook his head. ‘The Other realm protects itself; you know that. All the Common realmers would see is a giant eagle.’
‘Maybe – but the Connection still wouldn’t be happy.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘Since when have you cared about the Connection?’
‘I wanted to be the Symposium member once,’ I said primly, pushing away from him. ‘For a long time I wanted to work within it.’ And now I’d be outside of it forever because the Crone couldn’t be a Symposium member.
It was strange to realise that letting go of that dream still stung a little. The Connection was a good organisation in theory, but in practice too many bigots held positions of power. It was corrupt, lumbering and slow, not the unifying organisation that we needed it to be. For a long time, I’d wanted to be the one to revolutionise it, to bring about the change it needed, and letting go of that ambition was bittersweet. But my role as Crone would bring different challenges and different rewards.
Maybe Kass could introduce the changes that we needed. A good leader delegates, so this task would be all hers. And if I was a little jealous? For me, that was personal growth.
Bastion felt the swirl of uncomfortable emotions within me and tugged me to his side. He kissed me lightly. ‘Let’s get inside.’
The warmth and wards of the Coven tower wrapped around me as we entered. I was so eager to get to my apartment that I all but jogged down the stairs. Bastion keyed in the code on the security pad on my door and let us in. He immediately headed to the kettle – a man after my own heart.
‘Get out of those wet clothes,’ he ordered, ‘and I’ll run you a hot bath.’
That was an even better idea than a shower! ‘Deal! I’ll make us a cup of tea.’ While the kettle boiled I went into the bathroom and pulled off my wet clothes, cringing as the wet fabric dragged against my skin. I dragged on a fluffy dressing gown, almost sighing with relief as its soft fabric rubbed against me. I was still feeling glacially cold but things had certainly improved.
I went back to the kitchen to select my mug. I pulled out one that said Today I’m going to be more useless than the ‘G’ in lasagne because it felt true. I was wiped out and, I could admit to myself, a bit low. A lot low. Meredith had almost been killed on my watch. Victoria thought that I could and should kill my own mother. Someone had subverted my protective runes on the circus. I was working so hard, yet nothing was going my way. I felt like Destiny had me in her crosshairs.
I wanted to confront Hannah, but an interrogation was the last thing I could handle right now. Besides, I still needed to give Lucille her potion. If Lucille died… I couldn’t even finish the thought. Saving her was about all I had left in me. Tomorrow I’d confront Hannah – but after at least six hours sleep.
My tummy rumbled so I made a quick slice of toast while my tea was brewing. Bastion’s mug said You are the human equivalent of a participation trophy. It made me laugh because it couldn’t be more inaccurate. He was a specimen of male perfection and he knew it; as his girlfriend or partner or whatever I was, I needed to keep his ego in check. Just a smidge. He already knew he was glorious.
‘Bath’s ready!’ he called and I went into the bathroom, mugs of tea in hand.
He had put in masses of bubbles that towered above the bath like a gargantuan white castle. I was momentarily speechless. ‘I think I overdid the bubbles,’ he said, a shade sheepishly.
I wanted to assure him that he hadn’t but I burst out laughing instead. ‘Oh, Bastion,’ I finally managed to say while I still giggled. ‘How much did you put in?’
‘All of it,’ he admitted. That set me off again.
When I finally stopped laughing, I slid out of the robe and got into the bath. The water was hot perfection and I gave a happy noise. The chill in my limbs would be gone in no time. I hummed contentedly.
When I was submerged, I could hardly see Bastion for the cloud of bubbles. That made me start giggling again. He stepped forward, gathered an armful of them and plonked them on my toes so at least I could actually see. ‘Better?’ he asked.
‘Perfect,’ I smiled. ‘Don’t change a thing.’
‘Well, one thing,’ he said. ‘Give me a minute.’ He disappeared from the bathroom and I took the opportunity to grab my mug and sip my tea, warming me from the inside out. I had an inkling about what might be coming; after all, there is nothing better than reading in the bath.
Bastion came back in and held out a book. I grinned as I read the title: The Bite Side of Life. The blurb told me it was an enemies-to-lovers romance about a monster hunter and dashing millionaire vampire.
‘I’ve noticed that all the books you give me are enemies-to-lovers romances.’
He winked. ‘I had to plant the seed somehow.’
‘Sneaky griffin.’ I tried to act as if I was telling him off, but he could feel the amusement behind my tone.
He kissed my forehead. ‘Read and relax while I make us food. Oscar texted that they’d just stopped for a toilet break. They’re still an hour away, so we have time.’
I was finally feeling warm now, but it had nothing to do with the heat of the bath. As Bastion went to draw back, I used one hand to give him a bubble beard. My peals of laughter followed him as he left the bathroom. There was no way on this green Earth that I’d got the drop on him, which meant that he’d let me bubble him up to make me smile.
My heart felt suspiciously, almost painfully, full. I had tried for as long as I could to avoid naming the feeling that burned through me, but now I couldn’t deny it even to myself. I loved Bastion. Head-over-heels, gut-churning, I-can’t-wait-to-see-you love. He was my first thought every morning and my last thought every night. I cherished every moment I spent with him, even if we were standing over a dead body or facing a gang of zombie ogres together.
I loved him. Completely and utterly.
And I didn’t have the first clue what to do about it.
Chapter 12
Bastion and I borrowed a Coven car to get to Mum’s address, which he fastidiously checked over for bugs or transmitting devices. When he was sure we were all good, we drove off. I was behind the wheel for a change and Bastion was in the passenger seat, keeping an eagle eye out for any tails or any danger. I had about as much chance of spotting a tail as a first-week acolyte had of completing a batch of final defence. We each have our skills in life, and it’s important to embrace them.
As we drove, I felt a familiar presence join us. I looked up and Fehu swooped down obligingly so I could spot him even against the inky night sky. I guessed Bastion had summoned aerial backup.
Luckily, backup wasn’t needed and the drive was uneventful. We stopped outside the safe house and parked behind Oscar’s stationary vehicle. Bastion got out first, opening my door and covering me with his body as we hustled inside.
Charlize let us in with a warm smile. ‘Hi, Dad, Amber. Come on in.’
The lounge was spacious but still a little packed with all of us in there. I worried that we might stress Mum, but one look at her standing next to Meredith set my mind at ease. She was talking animatedly, busy showing off her latest artwork. Mum and Meredith had once known each other quite well, and I could see that they were happy to see each other.
I looked hopefully at Oscar but he gave a slight shake of his head; Mum might know Meredith today, but she didn’t know Oscar and probably wouldn’t know me. I tried to shove down the bitterness.
Frogmatch was busy tying the laces of Ria’s Converse boots into intricate knots, much to her amusement. Fido lounged on the toes of her shoe, watching with mild interest.
Benji rumbled over to me and gave me a cold hug. ‘How was your flight?’ he asked solicitously.
‘Wet and cold,’ I grumped. I didn’t mention the bubble-bath thing; Bastion probably wouldn’t want that sort of thing coming out and ruining his reputation. ‘Have you seen Lucille?’
‘She’s next to Oscar.’
‘Great. Can you find me a plate then meet me in the hallway?’
‘Of course, Am Bam.’ Benji headed to another room – the kitchen, hopefully.
I waited until Oscar met my eyes then pointed to Lucille and nodded to indicate he should bring Mum’s familiar into the hallway. When he picked up her small body, I hated how frail she looked cradled in his arms. She used to be so full of gambolling energy, and it was just wrong to see her so motionless, so lifeless. My breath caught.
Bastion went to speak to Charlize and the other two griffins, Apollinaire and Haiku. Oscar and I went into the hall with Lucille. ‘Lay her there,’ I told Oscar, gesturing to the bottom stair.
He set her down carefully whilst I rooted around in my bag for the vial. When I found the right one, I opened it and carried it over to the limp ferret. ‘Hey Lucille, I need you to drink this, okay?’ She blinked sleepy eyes at me but gave a distinct nod.
Benji joined us, carrying a small side plate and a large dinner plate. ‘I wasn’t sure what size you needed.’
I smiled gratefully and took the smaller plate from him. ‘Thanks, Benji.’ I poured some of the potion onto it and set it down next to Lucille. Her small pink tongue poked out and lapped, slowly at first and then suddenly much faster as energy started to surge into her limbs.
I poured a little more until my gut said that would be enough for now. She lapped at it enthusiastically and, when the plate was clean, she gave a chittering laugh. She scampered rapidly around my feet before she flew under my skirt and tangled around my legs.
I laughed. ‘It’s good to see you’re feeling a little better – but still no going under my clothes!’ I said as I fished her out. She wriggled in my arms and leapt up to wrap herself around my neck. My smile felt like it would never fade. I stroked her little head and she batted against my fingers.
Happiness was bursting in my chest. I hadn’t been too late! I might have failed Meredith, but I hadn’t failed Lucille. And hey, Meredith was still alive, so I was chalking up today in the win column.
‘Let’s take you to see Mum,’ I suggested to Lucille. ‘She’ll be so happy to see you’ve got your va-va-voom back.’
Sitting on my shoulders, she chittered excitedly. As I walked in with her, the room quietened. ‘That’s strange,’ Mum commented with a confused frown. ‘Lucille doesn’t usually like strangers.’
Her words hurt, but I tried hard not to show it and keep my face blank. ‘I have a way with animals,’ I said tightly.
Lucille knew how hard it was for me and she nuzzled me comfortingly. Then she leapt down from my shoulders and careened across the room to Mum.
‘Lucille!’ Mum laughed and clapped her hands with delight. ‘Well, I can see you’re feeling better! She’s been a little under the weather lately.’ Lucille ran up to where she was sitting, leapt on the sofa and ran circles around her.
Mum laughed again, and my happy glow was back. She was pleased, and that was all that mattered.
Chapter 13
Once we were sure that Ria and Meredith were settled, Oscar, Bastion, Benji and I made tracks. As Frogmatch watched us go from the window, he gave me a cheeky salute and a wink. I found that I was oddly comforted that he was there; I had no doubt he would give his all to keep the occupants safe.
I gave him a solemn salute, which made the smile slide off his face. He gave a deep bow then disappeared to protect my witches for me.
Bastion and I followed behind Oscar in the Coven car. We parked in the garage and started upstairs – until a loud noise from the common room made me veer off the steps.
There was a huge gathering. There was music, nibbles and drinks. There were bowls of crisps, sweets, a huge vat of jelly and a can of squirty cream. I raised an eyebrow at Ethan and he came across to join me.
