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I chased away the thoughts. Good soldiers didn’t dwell on their good deeds just to get a good night’s rest. They took responsibility for their actions. Macy was my responsibility. I had chosen to rescue her and harbor her, to protect her. It would be my pleasure to make sure she remained safe.
Even if she did make me feel like I was losing my mind.
Mellow energy drew my attention to the door. Ah, that was Etta getting ready to knock. I opened the door to find her standing on the porch with her fist in the air. She was a slender woman with radiant copper skin and black hair that hung to her waist. Dark eyes like volcanic ash sparkled at the sight of me.
She smiled. “Juriah, it’s good to see you.”
“And you in such fantastic health.”
She stood on her toes to kiss my right cheek and then my left as was her custom. When she floated into the living room, she gasped, holding one of the many pendants that hung around her neck and blended with the multicolored silk blouse she wore that matched her long tan skirt.
“This must be Macy,” she whispered, and then ran to Macy like she was a long-lost sister. “You’re more beautiful in person! I sensed your energy the other night, but gosh, you’re sobright. Look at her colors.”
Etta tapped the air around Macy who appeared rightfully confused. It appeared Macy didn’t get to meet many witches like Etta, witches who were, much like Elderlings, in tune with auras. My senses informed me that Etta didn’t see auras exactly like Elderlings, but she got their impressions, and that translated to colors and feelings in her brain.
“Violet,wow,” she groaned. “Don’t you worry about a thing. Etta is here. Etta will fix everything.” She looked curiously back at me. “Doesn’t matter what kind of tension is hanging around here.”
Macy blanched while I scratched my head. Tension? I hadn’t anticipated such a thing occurring here. I knew Macy was upset with me. I knew she was ready to punch me in the face if I got too close to her. But I didn’t think of it astension. I merely assumed she was running on fumes from last night and unaccustomed to showing gratitude.
Hmm, tension, I considered once more.I should make more coffee.
Caffeine had become a common staple in my diet. Estaria had similar beans, so it wasn’t terribly unfamiliar, and I found earth’s coffee to be much tastier than Estaria’s. I brewed a pot, passed out mugs, and then followed Etta around to help with the wards. Within twenty minutes, the entire cabin was secure.
“And for good measure…” Etta announced while reaching into her satchel. She lit the end of a bundled wand of herbs. “Juniper should help cleanse the air. Lavender should, uh…” She glanced rapidly between Macy and me. “Soothe tension.”
“What is this tension you keep referencing?” I asked, but received no response other than a few short chuckles.
Macy stood aside, grumbled something under her breath, and then retreated to the kitchen. The sound of the sink came next. Was she really washing the dishes? Of all the things the woman could choose to do—like perhaps rest, take a hot bath, or walk through the garden—shechoseto wash the dishes?
Ihumphedwhile Etta finished up her cleansing. She stubbed out the bundle of herbs in a tin tray and went to the door. “Would you be so kind, mister?”
Nodding, I went to open the door for her.
Ashen eyes peered over my shoulder. “You know, many couples in this pack started off just the same. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
I frowned. “Etta, what are you talking about?”
“I know I’m new and all—” She made a symbol in the air with her fingers while whispering the late Philomena’s name. “—but I can tell true love when I see it. Good luck!”
Off she went without further explanation. How irritating it was for people in these parts to say things without clarification. It was typical to come across such people in the general population of Wolfcreek, and even more beyond its borders.
At any rate, Etta had misread the situation. The protection wards were to make sure Macy wasn’t discovered, not to protect her from running away from me. A comment like that wasn’t important enough to linger, yet it poked at the back of my mind as I returned to the kitchen and started taking meat out of the fridge for dinner.
True love—that was silly.
How could it be true love when Macy practically hated me?
***
Evening came upon us quicker than anticipated. When the steaks had fully defrosted, I set them on a cutting board and started seasoning them. I figured something hearty would be good for Macy. If this morning’s inhalation of her breakfast was any indication of her appetite, she would enjoy eating homemade mashed potatoes and grilled steaks.
Right on cue, Macy wandered into the kitchen wearing what Raven had brought earlier in the day. The jeans hugged her curves and the top accentuated her figure, forcing me to turn away to keep my body under control. Never in my days had a woman had such an erotic grip on me. Just seeing her wearing something snug and casual made me feel like I was about to burst into my true form and fly circles around the sun.
It’s just hormones, I told myself. But I wasn’t so sure.Earth’s realm has a strong effect on me. That could have been true without Macy’s influence, yet it didn’t seem reasonable either.She’s hot.
The last thought inspired me to set my knife aside. The steaks were prepped enough. I placed them on a plate and covered them with foil before going to the sink to wash my hands.
Macy observed the steaks. “Tenderloins, huh?”
