Book2: Chapter 66
A/N: Be on the lookout for the next book: The High King’s Bride February 14th! I already have over 30 chapters ready!!!
Heidi
We let Rahrraam change and clothe himself in the men’s bathroom of the airport. He would be our translator, as we could not speak or read Russian. He could only speak it… but at least that was something. He looked spent, but otherwise ready. He was about John’s height and size, so he would have to share with him. Neither of them liked that idea, but it was the only one I had until we got more stuff.
As it was, I hated this place… it felt like everyone knew we weren’t human. They gave us looks that were dirty as coal… and I could feel eyes on us. It was weird. It was like I knew something was watching us but my mate didn’t notice. It meant that this was magical in nature, and I really didn’t like it.
“Let’s go.” Said John, ready for anything. I was with him.
We were supposed to meet a goblin. He walked right up to us, finding us because we kind of stood out. This airport was in a small village, and everyone seemed to know we were foreigners… also we were speaking English. Clouse was his human name, but for his safety we weren’t to know his real one. He was a liaison for the goblin mafia here, and if things went wrong, he was paid in gold to get us home. He was also our driver to the witches’ coven.
He said something with a grunt, and Rahrraam translated. “He said this is a three hour drive. We will not stop, so if you have anything you need to do, do it now.”
“Tell him we’re going to eat when we get there.” Said John. “It’s better that we don’t so no one has to go to the bathroom on the way.”
“Fair point.” I said, looking at the little human formed goblin nod, walking swiftly.
“He said feral shifters, hunters, and more importantly, the goblin eater Baba Maggi lives out there. We don’t want to meet her.” He mumbled.
“Why not?” I asked.
“It isn’t important.” He said flatly.
“Mind explaining why?” Demanded John.
“Because you’re asking too many questions.” He grumbled walking faster. He had to have known that creature in some way, but I wondered what. I bet if I asked when he’s a rat he might spill it… not telling had made me slightly more curious.
We got to the red SUV, though it looked old. It was dinged up, but started up for the goblin without a problem. He changed as soon as we drove off, remaining the same height, but greener. He had pointed ears, and fanged teeth. He was a different kind of goblin than the ones I’d seen at the castle, as he was taller than his own king by at least a head.
“He says the windows are magically tented to make you appear human so long as you’re a human shape. I can’t undo any of this though, I’ll take too much effort to revert back.” he grumbled.
The ride through snow covered roads was honestly beautiful, but once we left the village, everything was very rough and bumpy. This was the middle of nowhere, and there were very few tire tracks out here. I saw I swear a blue glowing crow for a second, but it could have been the fleeting light on the snow. We got stuck on a layover, getting here a little late, but still here. The sun set really early here too, as it was only 3:30 their time….
He seemed to drive a little faster, and I wanted to use my power to help keep him steady just in case, but with them so new and different, I didn’t know what I could do. it would be really bad to try experimenting in the car.
“He said that the feral witches of Baba smell us.” He grumbled. “They won’t go beyond that tree there though. We’re about to be in Diamond Territory.”
He sped through the invisible wall, yelling a word that didn’t sound Russian. There was a flash of white, and when my eyes adjusted the road was clean as if it’d been salted. A well-manicured brick estate was in the distance, along with an ominous aura that really… really made me nervous.
It was the power of a pure witch… I could feel the High Crone before I could even see the place… I felt her from the airport. Holy crap. “Heidi I feel you’re nervous. It’ll be ok. This isn’t your old coven.” He said with a gentle smile.
“John… their estate looks almost exactly like Emerald. It’s even the same material…. But this one looks older.” I mumbled.
“Maybe someone visited here and wanted to copy it.” He said rubbing my back.
“Maybe.” I responded, sitting tall. I must not show weakness. I repeated to myself. Wolves would not respect me. My demon could turn on me, and witches would use me if I was timid. I cannot be who I was… I cannot fall victim to my own mind.
As he got closer, it indeed looked like High Crone Ezabi copied this place. Brick for brick, the tree lined driveway that ended in a wide U, and even the hedges by the door were there. A tall thin man with white hair stood at the doorway, in a suit like a butler. He held the lime green eyes of a witch, but his face held one of distaste. He could probably see through the car’s illusion, and already disliked us before we even stopped.
“He said that’s the head butler.” Rahrraam grumbled. He was unhappy being a human form, he’d rather be his true self or a rat.
The car slowed, and the men got out getting the bags. I was still in the car, having to kind of mentally slap myself. Sparkle had been quiet this entire time… even the flight. She remembered too. She was the one who took the brunt of everything once she did develop….
“He said he’ll come if we call him.” he handed me a black card. “Rip it up and he’ll come pick us up since your phones won’t work here.”
“Tell him we said thank you.”
“Lord Jonathan Stone I presume” said the butler, waving his hand to motion the door. He took our bags, but looked at us as if we were bugs when we came in. We were probably the first guests of half witch and full wolf lineage to ever come in here, and it showed.
“I’ll go get the mistress and her familiar.” Said someone zipping down the hall floating. I inwardly cringed, remembering a painful moment, but saying nothing.
Down the stairs came a man with small horn nubs, along with a woman who wore all black robes. Her hair was black, her skin was nearly translucent white, and she wore gold protection bracelets…. She was the woman I sensed… I could see the red aura of her.
“Welcome to Purple coven. I almost denied the Second Seat of your people, until I had visions otherwise.” She said with a thick Easter European accent. A smile graced her red lips, and she came down the stairs floating gently. “Let me see your papers.” She smiled, snapping her fingers. They were in her hands instantly, reading them and they vanished.
“Nice to meet you, High Crone Theophania.” Said John, going to shake her hand. I stayed at the threshold of the door.
“Just call me Lady Tiffany.” She smiled. “Come closer little one, I won’t bite.”
Sparkle whined, but I walked slowly to her. I didn’t want to touch her, because it was probably a trick… but when I shook her hand nothing happened to me… but she shed tears.
“Oh you poor child.” She said quietly. “I gave Ezabi that spell in confidence…. And I wondered why for so many years had our crops failed and he did not answer our prayers.”
“I’m ok.” I lied and she patted my back. “But I don’t understand…. I summon him all the time.” I mumbled.
The chatter in the house went silent. They looked at me with fear whoever heard, and it made me nervous. Their leader cleared her throat.
“Come, sit in the grand lobby. I have some calming tea and sandwiches we may share.” She said almost as a mother would a child.
I sat, looking around. The furniture here was gilded Victorian couches and chairs. There was also a chandelier. We sat on a couch while Rahrraam for some reason decided to stay human formed. In the center of the circle of furniture was a beautiful glass table shined to perfection, and we were served tea. It smelled of tears, and I knew it was safe to sip. I couldn’t remember the name of it, but I’d used it before. It’s good for pain, calmness, and sleep depending on the dose.
“I’ll be right back. It seems Stan forgot his manners.” She said almost as a joke, while her demon stayed behind, standing behind the couch across from us. He stood there almost like a soldier, not saying a word with his hands behind his back. It was demon culture that that meant he meant no harm, but my mate suspiciously tried a bite of food after sniffing it.
There was an assortment of food laid about the table by witches in maid outfits, and we gingerly ate. Rahrraam was given a hearty bowl of magic infused rabbit stew, a known staple for familiars. He ate and drank like a gentleman, but he didn’t need to blow his soup. He ate it while it still steamed.
She came back with another man, but the horned man stood next to her. He was probably her mate. It seemed in this coven, men didn’t really have an essential role within their coven. I didn’t’ see nor smell any magic off her husband…. Nor many of the females either now that I thought about it. It could have been that her overpowering aura and scent threw me off….?
“You may release your horns familiar. I will not ask your name.” She smiled. He chose not to speak, nor release his horns. “As I said, call me Lady Tiffany. I am the High Crone, and this is Stan Yoltier, my husband. We are of the Horned One, and I sense you are as well. All who bare his soul mark are welcome here with open arms. Now… Tell me why you two have braved the wilds and Baba Maggi to see me?” She asked.
“I believe you were briefed some, but not fully. My brother has an ancient artifact created by my goddess, the Pale Lady. If he figures out how to unleash it’s secret, he intends to kill our king, but as one not strong enough to lead… or wise enough… it would restart the war.” Said John.
“You would think that the children of the Horned One would Want that to happen, but we do not. it would disrupt the order of things. Needless death would happen, and the Master’s son would likely kill us all in his rage.” She casually sipped her tea. “We would never help him, however, neither of you would be ready to fight someone who was old enough to know about an artifact like that.”
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