Page 86 of Hallows End
“The wind has been blowing all day,” Lorelei says with a frown. “I was afraid I’d lose power.”
Suddenly, the lights all come back on, and my cousin smiles.
“Good thing I bought a generator.”
“Good idea,” I say with a nod. “I remember Aunt Astrid complaining about losing power here a lot.”
“It happens often with the high winds coming off the ocean,” Lorelei replies. “So, I thought it was a good idea to have this installed. It’s hooked up to the natural gas, so I don’t even have to worry about filling or replacing a gas tank.”
“Handy,” Breena says with an approving nod as the wind howls outside. “Maybe we should head back to my house in case I’ve lost power there, too?”
“We should check on it,” I agree. “But will you be okay here, Lorelei?”
“Of course. Storms are my jam, and I have a little magic to work tonight. But, yeah, get home before it gets too bad out there. Let me know that you got home safely.”
Moments later, Breena, Nera, and I are walking the short distance to Breena’s house. As soon as we cross the street from Lorelei’s cottage, the wind dies.
There is no storm.
It’s completely still.
“It’s so weird how the wind pattern is different on the shoreline,” Breena says, but we pick up our pace.
Nera won’t leave my side, and the fur on the back of his neck is up.
“I don’t like this,” I whisper. “From now on, we drive.”
“I’m with you on that,” Breena says, and we move even faster when her house comes into view. Once safely inside, Breena locks the door, and we turn to stare at each other. “I wasn’t the only one who got the creeps, right?”
“No, you weren’t. Nera and I felt it, too.”
Breena sinks onto a chair and drops her face into her hands. “I’m going to be honest with you here, Luce. I’m terrified. I’m not equipped to deal with stuff like this.”
“You’re a powerful woman,” I reply, shaking my head, but she stands and paces the room.
“I know that I’m a strongwitch,” she says. “I know my Craft, and I’m learning more all the time. But, Lucy, this is so much more than that. I am not a strong enough woman to deal with this much fear and uncertainty. I hate it so much.”
“I’m sorry.” I pull her in for a hug and rock us both back and forth. “I know that your heart can’t take this kind of stuff, and I’m sorry. But we’ll have to agree to disagree, because I think youarestrong enough to handle literally anything.”
She sighs and pulls back from me. “I want it all to be over.”
“Me, too.”
I call Lorelei to let her know we’re safe while Breena takes a hot shower. Then, with Nera always staying close, I take a nice, hot shower of my own and get ready for bed.
It’s a little early yet, but I’m exhausted from the past week of events, and we were all up late last night with the handfasting ceremony.
Did we really get married just last night?
I can almost see Jonas’s smile as he hears my thought.
How are you, sweetheart?
Just fine. Nera and I are with Breena, getting ready for bed. I’m tired. How are things there?
Nera jumps onto the bed with me, and we curl up together with my iPad. I like to watch videos on YouTube about gardening and herbalism before bed.
Beginning to calm down. I’ll stay through the night, just to make sure that everything is okay, and then I’ll head your way in the morning.