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“So, you…witches…need stuff to make magic?”
“Well, some of the higher-ranking witches do not need catalysts. It is a little complicated. Depending on your abilities, ranking, and specialty. But, I’m quite new and I specialize in emotional spells anyway. In short, yes. I need my stuff.”
“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
I thought about that answer. Why didn’t I say anything earlier? “I’m an outsider. The first witch breeder in a thousand years. I’ve heard the rumors. Dealt with the suspicion. I didn’t want to bring any of that before I got to know whether or not I was staying here.”
“You had your doubts?” His arms wrapped tighter around me. I snuggled into his warmth. Did I have my doubts?
“It sounded more like tryouts. I thought the process would be longer. I had no idea that there would only be one round.” Which was the truth. Not the entire truth, but it would suffice.
Gerard cleared his throat. “I’ll get you your supplies. Make a list. Don’t think about tryouts or anything else anymore. You’re my breeder and it is my job to provide for you. And you get the benefit of having three of us.”
His words were kind, but I could hear a pinprick of another emotion beneath the surface.
“Are you jealous at all?” The silence stretched. I counted to thirty. Please speak first.
“I thought I would be. I’ve never shared any woman before. But it just doesn’t feel weird. For some reason, I don’t mind them taking pleasure in you. In possibly impregnating you. Because, it will be good for the tribe. And of course, I also have in my mind that we can back out at any time. If this could get too…complicated.”
I was moved by his vulnerability and honesty. These warriors were quite in touch with their emotions. It was incredibly refreshing. Were the men I’d been dealing with cave men? He kissed me on the cheek and patted my back. The bed groaned as he sat up.
“Where are you going?”
“You need your rest. I’m going to go see if anyone’s heard from the party searching for Vivica. Adam’s in the kitchen eating. He’ll stay with you through the night.”
“I’m not tired.”
“Just try.”
Before he left the room, I was unconscious.
-19-
I woke to the smell of onions and garlic frying. Mom. What was she making during that last night? Was it beef stroganoff? Shepherd’s pie? Lasagna? The smell made my stomach turn and grumble. Light filtered in from around the curtains. Someone hadn’t closed them properly. At least I knew it was daylight. The sleeve of my purple silk nighty was twisted. The guys must have changed my clothes. What was I wearing before? My head felt like jelly. I needed coffee. And fast. I hopped out of bed and scanned the room for my slippers. Nowhere to be found. In the walk-in closet, there were no slippers. Weird. I did find some flip flops though. I guess those will have to do. I flopped my way into the kitchen to find the source of the frying garlic and onions. The smell grew stronger as I got closer to the kitchen. My stomach continued to growl. When I entered the kitchen, I could hear the sizzle of the pan. The smell was overpowering, sweet and inviting. Much to my surprise it wasn’t Adam, Ian, or Gerard at the stove. It was a tall woman wearing a cloak. The raven was no longer perched on her shoulder. Instead, it was on the fridge. Its beady eyes looked down on me. Squaaawwwwk. The raven’s cry released a stabbing pain in my forehead. I flinched and covered my ears.
“Oh, don’t worry,” the stranger croaked. “She won’t bother you anymore.”
Don’t worry? There is a stranger frying onions and garlic in my kitchen. “Who are you?”
“That’s not an important question my dear. The more important question is, who are you?”
“Don’t you know? You are breaking into my house.” The woman looked at me. Her transparent blue eyes seemed to glow. Her youthful skin was rosy at the cheeks. Long red curls stuck out from her hood.
“You’re a witch, aren’t you?”
“Perhaps.”
“Why have you come here?” The witch continued to stir the garlic and onions. As if it were the most natural thing to break into people’s houses and cook.
“To warn you.”
To warn me? “About what?”
“They’re coming for you, Cat. The other tribes have discovered the code’s broken. You have shattered one-thousand years of history.”
She put down the spoon she was using to stir the onions and took a step towards me. My first instinct was to run, but I couldn’t. My bare feet were stuck to the floor beneath. I couldn’t move. I was paralyzed. She walked slowly to me and placed her hand on my belly.
“You’ve reset the clock.”
