Page 23 of The Powerless Witch
I rolled my hips, trying to push him off me, but it was like trying to lift a house with my bare hands. He gave me a mocking grin, pressing down until I couldn’t even wiggle.
“WAKE UP!” I shouted, and he winced. “Also, it’s noon and I’m leaving, with or without you.”
“You’re insane if you think I’m going to let that happen.” He frowned, even though he released my hands. I fought the urge to push him off, knowing it would be pointless if he didn’t want to move. Damn it, I already missed my magic. “There is an entire Coven of witches after you, and who knows how many hunters. Not to mention one of them almost killed you. You better get used to me because you are not going anywhere without me or the bloodsucker.”
“How cute. Are you and Roman buddies now?” I scoffed.
Isaac grimaced as if the idea pained him. Before I could poke more fun at him, a knock came on the door.
“If you two are over with your morning kiss, we can go. The escort from the Blacktooth Pack has arrived.” Alice’s voice filled the room. Isaac glanced down at me, his eyes pausing on my lips, then he sighed and finally got up.
I slipped out of bed, straightening my clothes that I got back from the sisters, while he went to find his. Striding to the door, I opened it to find Alice leaning on the wall with her arms crossed and a knowing smile on her face.
I still couldn’t believe she had stayed with the sisters all this time. It was funny, in a way, how she ended up integrating among them when her brother could barely breathe the same air as my kind. Still, I was glad she was alive. I could only hope the little Fae child made it as well—her wounds had been much more severe, and she had spent a long time outside of her grove. If I was lucky, I’d be able to confirm that my sacrifice hadn’t been for naught after all.
“Let’s go,” I said, moving past her. She glanced at her brother, whose steps followed me into the corridor, and then the siblings quickly caught up. We descended the stairs in silence, only to find Morena’s Second waiting for us at the bottom. A few more of the witches were talking to what I assumed were the Blacktooth Pack representatives—a woman and a man in thick winter clothing, their hair bound and their eyes locking on us the moment we appeared.
The Second moved in our path, catching Alice’s hands and leaning her forehead against hers. Alice’s grin softened as she closed her eyes, accepting the informal farewell. When the Second pulled back, the smile she gave Alice had none of the reservation I had seen in the Head Witch’s office.
“If the world gets too hard or you need somewhere to heal, child, you are always welcome back. You and anyone you hold dear,” she said, letting go of Alice’s arms.
“Thank you, Emma. For everything,” she replied, bowing at the waist—first to the Second, then to the other witches waiting nearby. “I will never forget your kindness and care.”
The Second smiled, then turned toward me. The warmth immediately vanished, giving place to cold formality.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t do more for you, Ancient one, but know it is not out of ill will. You are welcome back, should you need a place to rest and heal. We take care of those who take care of our own.” She looked to the side, and I followed her gaze to where an older witch stared openly at us. It took me a moment, but I recognized her—the old woman from the magic shop. Her granddaughters were nowhere in sight, but when our eyes met, she smiled and inclined her head in greeting. I replied in kind.
After exchanging a few more goodbyes, we joined the two werewolves while they waited impatiently. Alice waved at the witches one final time, then all three of us sneaked into the narrow pass leading out of the heart of the Coven of Eternal Light. Once we stepped through the ward hiding the place, we found the two werewolves waiting by a big, mud-splattered jeep.
I ended up squeezed into the back seat between Isaac and Alice, feeling the warmth of their bodies seep into me. Isaac particularly seemed perfectly content with sitting with his legs apart, his hand on his knee and casually brushing against mine every time the car rocked. I wanted to tell him he wasn’t fooling anyone, but with everyone cramped in the vehicle, I thought better of it.
The drive down the mountain was completely silent and when the male werewolf parked the vehicle in the middle of nowhere and got out, I sighed with relief. After all this jumping and rocking over the uneven path, I felt like I might throw up.
“Thank you,” Isaac was just saying when I staggered outside. Alice joined my side, and we watched the two members of the Blacktooth Pack drive off. “This way.” We walked for less than a minute before we reached another car, tucked under a tall tree with overhanging branches. Isaac opened the passenger door and the one behind it, looking at the two of us. Alice snuck into the back, leaving the front for me. Giving him a forced smile, I got in, pretending not to hear his scoff.
Once we joined the main road, Isaac reached over me, opening the glove compartment and rummaging through it. When he found what he was looking for—a phone—he started typing a number.
“We should let Roman know we are on our way back. He has called like twenty times. Impatient bastard.”
He pressed the call button, but I snatched the device from his hand and ended the call. The shock on his face almost made me laugh.
“We are not calling Roman yet,” I explained, throwing the phone back into the compartment. There was nothing I wanted more than to see his handsome face and sink into his familiar embrace, but knowing him, he was going to go out of his way to ruin my dangerous plan. He chased after me for two hundred years—he wasn’t going to die if he waited a little longer. Besides, I was still mad about him telling Isaac it wasfineto mark me without permission. He deserved to suffer and not be given a choice in the matter.
When I glanced at the driver’s seat, Isaac was still staring at me.
“We are going to meet with the Fae,” I said, trying to keep my tone nonchalant. I had a feeling Isaac could also be a problem, but he couldn’t hold a candle to Roman’s stubbornness, and most importantly, he wasn’t hurt by sunlight, so I wouldn’t have to worry about him if he insisted on following.
“Why?” Isaac demanded.
“Because I said so, puppy.” I sighed, rolling my eyes. “Do you need any other reason?”
“Yes, and don’t call me that.” Isaac snarled. “The Fae are dangerous, Celeste, and from what I hear, you are not welcome among them. Why do you need to go there when you have just been healed? Shouldn’t you wait until you have restored more of your magic?”
I opened my mouth to snap at him when Alice cut in.
“Just do it, Isaac.” He gave his sister a look of betrayal, but she smiled at me. “Since you are so worried about her, we’ll all go. If you know so much about their feelings toward her, you must have a friend among them, no?”
Isaac huffed a breath in defeat, sinking back into his seat.