Chapter 18 Jaxon
Jaxon
This way, Alpha.
Follow me.
No. Me.
The leaves tittered and danced as the branches lowered themselves, reaching to caress my arms and back. I shook my head at their antics. Deciduous leaves were always so playful, their youth never more apparent than in the spring.
But I didn’t blame them. They lived such short lives. Best to enjoy it while they could.
A female giggled up ahead, her voice light and airy like the breeze ruffling the tall grass.
I stopped in a clearing where the moon shone brightly above. “Show yourself, witch.”
The silence that followed was ghostly. Unnaturally still. A cloud passed over the moon. Monstrous shadows grew from tree branches, taking the shapes of humans and beasts. I knew this magic. Had tasted it once before. A witch of illusions.
It made me wary about whatever this witch had to say, but I’d said I’d be here, and I stood by my word. “Reveal yourself,” I said again. “And no tricks.”
Darkness split between the trees and the light from the moon shone once more. Another shadow emerged. A human-shaped one. It beckoned me closer with a curled finger.
I dragged my hand down my face. “I’m too tired for games, witch.”
Still, I trudged over to the shadow. The leaves giggled and shook overhead.
“Apologies, Alpha,” the Ossory witch whispered, removing the top of her cloak. “The trees have ears tonight.”
“You know my magic,” I said. She nodded. Of course she did. How else would she have known to cast illusions in the woods where I’d be drawn to?
“Then close the prying ears,” I addressed the trees, placing my hand on the nearest rough bark.
The leaves grew louder, covering our words, as a breeze whipped faster through the branches. Yet the witch’s eyes still darted around.
“I didn’t know who else to turn to,” she whispered fast. “Sarah, our high priestess, she’s been acting strange.”
“Strange?” I motioned with my eyes to the shadow monsters and their theatrics.
The witch twirled her wrists, and all was still again.
“The past few weeks, she’s been working in secret with Vincent Matthis.
We thought they might be lovers. But then she came back to us, and something was different.
She changed somehow. Losing a bit of her spark.
Not like we’d expect from a happy union.
Now that the festival has started and we need her most, she’s disappeared. ”
“Where did she go?” I frowned. It’d only been a day since I’d seen her last.
“We think she’s been bewitched by Vincent, but there’s no proof,” the witch said. “I looked for her today, but she’s nowhere to be found. I thought that since you’re participating in the trials, you’d have a better chance of finding her. My gut says something bad is happening.”
I knew better than to question the intuition of a witch. It was one of our strongest powers.
“Have you spoken with the Ossory Alpha?” I asked. This was his territory, even if he’d lent a portion of it to the magic festival.
The witch chewed her bottom lip. “Sarah is the only one who deals with Alpha Liam.”
I sighed, scenting her fear. “Is your Alpha approachable?”
“Yes,” she hurried to say. “He provides everything we need and treats witches well.”
“Then be brave and go to him, let him know what’s happening.” It would be best to inform him before Kera’s arrival anyway. “Tell him that other packs are concerned about this Vincent character and his plans. The Cerberus Alpha is on her way too. Tell him I’m already here and I request an audience.”
The witch breathed a sigh of relief. “I knew you’d know what to do. I’ll go first thing in the morning.”
“Safe travels.” I nodded, taking my leave.
“Wait, Alpha. My name is Emily, by the way.” She smiled at me as she rested her hand on my forearm. “The night is young. Let me show my appreciation for your help.”
No fucking thank you.
I studied her delicate fingers. The half-moons of her nails pressed into my skin, gripping me with an intensity that pulled at my Alpha sensibilities.
A branch snapping in the distance had me baring my teeth and pushing the witch back to keep her safe as a strange new sound echoed through the trees.