The witchs curse, p.2
The Witch's Curse, page 2
I waited until Colton hung up with the last one before I spoke. “I don’t even know what she looks like. I dream of a woman all the time, but by the time I wake up, I can’t remember her face.”
“The first time I saw your wolf, I had to laugh.”
I turned and looked at him in confusion.
He chuckled and rubbed a hand over his short hair. “Grace has black hair, about to her shoulders, with the tips dyed purple. Your fur reminded me of her.”
I huffed a small laugh, which quickly turned into silent sobs. “Something isn’t right.”
“Nothing is right. But we will get her back. We have to, or my mate will go on a rampage. Carrie won’t settle for anything less than getting her sister witch back.”
I sniffled and wiped my eyes.
“She isn’t the only one.”
I lifted my head and met the eyes of my Sergeant, looking back at me.
“I made a promise and I mean to keep it. If that little spy is our future Luna, then I have even more reason to get in there and pull her back out. You have my word, Alpha. We will bring her home.”
I swallowed and gave him a short nod in thanks. I knew if I even opened my mouth right then, I would lose all the control I had over my emotions.
Part I
1000 years ago, give or take a century,
(People weren’t great at tracking time back then)
Chapter One
Conrad
“Conrad!”
I laughed as I stepped through the front entrance to my parents’ home. Then braced myself for what I knew was coming. Sure enough, a few seconds later I was knocked breathless from a four and half foot firecracker. Also known as my younger brother.
“Hey, squirt.” I ruffled his brown hair, the exact same shade of brown as mine.
He tipped his head back far enough to look up at me but did not release his grip on my waist.
“How long are you staying? Wanna go for a run with me?”
I chuckled at his youthful exuberance. We had a fairly large gap in our ages, but that was common among our people. I hit 100 last week, whereas my younger brother will turn 12 next month.
When you lived as long as we did, the centuries-long age gap was to be expected.
“Not today, Dom.” He pouted and let go of me. I squatted down to be on his level. “Hey, I will be back in a few days, and then what do you say, you and I, go camping?”
His frown quickly flipped back to a smile, not much was able to keep this runt down. “Can we go hunting and swim in the river?”
I laughed and stood back up. “Sure, bud. Whatever you want.”
“Hope you aren’t making too many plans for the near future.” A firm but loving voice said from the entrance to the kitchen.
“Good morning, mother.” I stepped toward her and kissed her cheek.
My mother was pushing her first millennium, and still didn’t look a day over 25. That was another thing about our people, once we hit our mid-20s, we stopped aging. At least for a thousand years or so. After that it began again, only very slowly. I’d met a few men who were already gray by then, but most held it together well.
“Good morning, son. Have you had anything to eat recently?”
I smirked. I hadn’t lived at home for over a decade, and she still babied me. “I ate some bread this morning, mother.”
She clicked her tongue and turned to the kitchen. “Sasha?”
A young human girl with curly red hair came into the room. “Yes, my lady?”
“Conrad needs to eat before he sets out.”
Sasha walked over to me, a blush on her cheeks. “Yes, my lady.”
Being as my parents were actually the King and Queen, our human servants weren’t just for cleaning. We cycled through them on a regular basis. Mainly, it was the unmarried humans who worked for us, up until they were ready to move on.
Sasha was about average height. Her hips were the perfect size to carry a human child. She could have been every other human female, except for the red hair. It wasn’t seen as often in this area of our kingdom. She was pretty, I’d give her that. I took her by the hand and began to lead her to another room.
“Thank you, mother.” There were some things I just wasn’t comfortable doing in front of my mother. The others? Sure. My mother? Not even close.
I led Sasha to a room we often used for this purpose. In case we desired privacy. After I closed the door, she turned around to face me.
“Does his lordship have a preference?”
“Yes. Come.” I had a bit of a sweet tooth this morning.
I led Sasha over to a small table in the room, then lifted her up and set her on the table. I could smell a small hint of fear wafting off her and I stopped.
“I won’t hurt you, little one. You have no need to fear me.”
“I know, my Lord. I’m just still new to this.”
“Ah. Well, I am going to feed from you, right here.” I kissed her neck softly, causing shivers to run through her. These ones weren’t from fear. “While I feed, I am going to be doing something else, something you will enjoy very much.” I lowered a hand to her thigh, and she shivered again.
I laughed softly at the little gasp she made when my hand slid up her skirt. It didn’t take long for the sweet scent of dopamine to permeate the air in the room. As soon as it hit the right strength for me, I sank my fangs into her neck.
The initial spike of fear blended well. It soon disappeared altogether as she gave into the feeling. I was sure she would be staying with my parents for a long time. I couldn’t help but wonder if Dom had learned how to sweeten the blood yet. Was he even old enough for that? Hmm, something I would have to discuss with him when we went camping after my return.
I licked her neck softly when I finished, sealing the holes. I laughed as we had to wait for her to finish shaking.
“Have you not fed anyone before?”
“No, my Lord. I’ve only been here a few days.”
“And?”
She laughed. “And I may stay for a while. I did not know how good that could feel.”
I laughed with her and kissed her neck again. “It can get so much better. Maybe another time I will show you. But I need to leave soon.”
“Whatever you wish, my Lord.” She blushed again and I helped her down.
By the time I rejoined my mother, my brother was long gone, but my father was there.
“Good morning, father. I wanted to let you know that I am headed out to check on the Southern Territories. I should be gone for less than a week.”
My father had one hand running through my mother’s dark brown hair, the hair we took after. He smiled at me.
“That’s fine. Just remember to be home before the new moon. Yolanda and her parents will be coming to stay for a time.”
Dang, I forgot about them. Seeing as I had made it this long without a mate, my father had taken it upon himself to arrange one for me. I would prefer to wait until I found my fated one, the other half of my soul, but that could be anytime between now and a thousand years. She may not even be born yet.
“Yes, father. I will do my best.”
“I know you aren’t fond of this plan, son. But you are nearly old enough to take over the throne. You need a mate. You need to settle down.” He gave my mother a soft smile. “Besides, your mother and I would like to travel for a time. Maybe hide in the woods for a few months.”
I chuckled. “Are you trying to give me a sister next?”
My mother’s eyes glazed over. “A daughter would be lovely. I’ve had enough of being the only woman in the house.”
“What about Sasha and the other servants?” I of course was only being dramatic about it. I loved when my mother laughed.
Which she did. “You know what I mean. A vampire woman would be nice. And since I won’t be having a daughter anytime soon, how about you just give me a daughter-in-law?”
I snorted and shook my head. “Ganging up on me now, are we?”
She shrugged, then leaned over to kiss my father’s cheek. “I’ve got some gardening to do.”
She bade me farewell and walked out the door I came through not too long ago.
The amusement slid from my father’s face. “There have been rumors of unrest in the Southern territories. The witch city is not far from there. I heard they just lost their King and Queen. A daughter is set to take over, but she has yet to find a mate. This could cause problems for us. We need to make sure we are stabilized, ourselves. Humans are fickle creatures. We are all counting on you, Conrad.”
I nodded solemnly. “I know, father.”
He sighed and stood up, leading me outside and toward the barn. “It’s all this mess with mixed mating. I blame it on that. Bloodlines are getting tainted. If fate destined for you to be together, then fine, but not chosen. I fear a war between the kingdoms will soon be on us if it keeps happening. Not everyone agrees that fate would give someone a different breed for a mate. With how often you are checking on the Southern Territories, some are speculating that you are seeing a witch.”
I stopped and gave my father a confused look.
He laughed. “I guess there’s my answer to that. As the next heir to the throne, it will be your job to keep the lines pure, to set a good example. I trust you will do that with Yolanda.”
Our stable hand met me at the door, a horse saddled and ready for me. The bags I dropped off before I went inside my parent’s house were strapped onto the back.
“Yolanda is a beautiful woman, father. I’m sure we’ll work it out somehow.” I climbed on the horse and leaned down to shake my father’s hand.
“Good. I’m proud of you son. You will make a fine King one day.”
I chuckled. “Thank you, father. I will see you in a few days.” I clicked my tongue, and my horse took off in a decent trot.
We barely made it to the end of the path before a small brown head popped up next to me.
“Bet I can beat your horse!”
I laughed as Dom took off running. I kicked the mare with my heel, and she took off after him. By the time I reached the bottom of the hill, he was sitting back chewing on a piece of grass. Little skunk.
“Bye, Conrad!”
“Bye, squirt.” I leaned down and ruffled his hair as I passed.
It took me over a day to make it to the village closest to our border with the witches. I set my things up in a cabin kept empty for my use, then headed out. Over the next few days, I spoke to the human leaders in the village. I spoke to the local vampires. And I hung out with some friends and played games with some of the local children. All in all, it was a nice visit.
The day before I left, I decided to go for a walk further into the woods. There was a waterfall with a small lake nearby. It would be a good place to just relax and reset myself before returning home to my parents.
I made my way through the thick trees and leaves, passing through the natural territory line between us and the witches. It was usually pretty easy to tell where our land ended and theirs started. Nature. They were really big on nature.
Not that I could blame them. I always felt like I could breathe better there.
Technically speaking, I was trespassing. But I had done this a few times now and not once had I seen another person, of any species. I wouldn’t dare do this if it were the shifters. With their noses, they wouldn’t have to see me, they would smell me.
Last thing we needed right now was a war with the shifters. Or the witches. They may not be able to hold their own in a physical fight, but they played dirty with their magic.
Their blood had a way of healing us as well, so we were keen on keeping the treaty with them.
Fifteen minutes after passing the border, I could hear and smell the water. I stopped and took a deep breath. Fresh water always smelled the best to me.
There was something different about it today though. Another layer I never noticed before. I sniffed deeper as I followed the trail closer to the waterfall. The closer I got, the stronger the scent became. I was practically drooling by the time I reached the small shore.
My ears pricked up when I heard soft singing. It was too low for me to understand the words, but the voice was soothing. I felt my limbs begin to relax little by little. All the tension I had been feeling just melted away.
I watched carefully as a head of black hair appeared under waterfall. There must have been a rock under it, as she slowly stood up, her head tilted back so the water was brushing her hair down her back. The sweetest smile crossed over her face.
I watched the water trail from her hair, down her bare sides, and over those perfectly proportioned curves. Every inch of me screamed to join her.
As though she heard my thoughts, she turned to face me. Instead of panic and anger over being spied on in a private moment, her smile grew wider. Slowly, as though she were afraid of startling me, she raised her right hand. Inviting me to join her.
I knew at that very moment that I would never be able to deny this woman. Nothing else mattered. No one else mattered. She was fated to be my everything. And I would move mountains to make sure she always knew that.
Chapter Two
Angela
I needed an escape.
A fortnight ago we sent my parents back to mother nature. One minute, I was a spoiled princess, free to roam the countryside, free to be who I wanted. And in the next, I was the Queen.
I was responsible for the safety and protection of my people.
It was my duty to continue on the bloodline of my people.
It was my duty to hear them out when they had disputes.
It was my duty to comfort them when they needed it, to give them advice on things I knew nothing about.
It was Queen Angela this, and Queen Angela that. And “Oh no, your majesty you mustn’t do that! That is not befitting your station!”
Well, you know what else was not befitting my station? Running away when no one was looking. Bathing in the middle of the forest.
But I needed this. I needed time to myself to rejuvenate. To mourn the passing of my parents.
Like all magical creatures, we were given the gift of a true mate. That one person who held a power that matched our own. The person who was created to balance us out.
Yes, well. I’d been all over our kingdom. I met every man living within it. They all sucked.
The downside to a true mate, and binding yourself to them, your souls were literally bound together. When one went, so did the other one. Hence losing both my parents at once.
We may not live as long as the vampires did, but our life spans were still longer than the humans. Easily double their average life span. So, when my mother decided to try for another child, her fifth, at the age of forty-five, no one batted an eye. It happened all the time.
My father was the born prince. He met my mother at the market when she was seventeen. I was born a year later. My two sisters and one brother came every few years after. Randall, the youngest, was now ten. Thankfully, my grandparents were still alive. They were helping raise the rugrats.
Unlike my parents, I passed into my twenties without a mate. According to my council, the kingdom was in an uproar. The heir was not supposed to ascend without a mate. They were now trying to push me toward a chosen mate. Something that strictly went against tradition.
And against my heart.
I wanted my mate. I wanted what my parents had. I wanted the companion to my soul.
I sighed with relief as my dress and undergarments fell to the forest floor. There was nothing like the cool clean air against your naked body to rejuvenate you. Okay, well, there was one thing better.
I giggled for joy as I walked into the cool water. As soon as I was deep enough, I slowly made my way toward the water falling from a rock overhang. This beat a bath in the large pot we called a bathtub.
I sang softly to myself, a lullaby my mother used to sing while putting us to sleep at night, soothing our sorrows, or just because she felt like it. I kept it low, not wanting to draw attention to myself. Last thing I needed was for the others to find me out there, naked. No doubt, I would get a lecture about that.
I thought I was supposed to be the one in charge. You know since I was the Queen now.
I found a large stone on the lake bottom and stood up. There was a time when my chest barely came out of the water when I stood there. Now, half my body came out. With no one around, I didn't care.
I had been under the waterfall for nearly a minute when I felt a shift in the air. Something, or someone, was nearby. I pretended not to notice, while I pushed out my senses.
I couldn’t see the person just yet, but I could feel their eyes on me. I could feel their heartbeat as though it were right next to me. Goosebumps traveled up and down my skin, and it had nothing to do with the cool air.
Slowly, I turned, wanting to see who was spying on me.
Half hidden by a tree near the water’s edge, stood a man. A very well put together man. His hair was dark brown, reminding me of the tree stump he stood next to. Or chocolate. When our eyes met, his began to glow.
Vampire then. I had met a few over the years. Not too many, as I hadn’t traveled outside of my kingdom since I was a little girl.
My brain told me I should be afraid. I was alone in the woods, with a vampire. One who did not belong on this side of the border. But my heart, my soul, was telling me otherwise. They were telling me that this man, this vampire, was my protector.
When he didn’t come to me, I raised a hand. I was on the verge of begging him to come. He seemed almost shy about it. Or he did. Until I raised my invitation for him to join me.
A giant grin appeared on his face, making those strong features soften. He had to be the most handsome man I had ever met. More so then any of the unmated men in my kingdom, that was for sure.
I kept my hand up as he quickly stripped out of his clothes. The speed he used made me giggle. Then he waded into the water and swam to me, painfully slow after his previous speed. I was beginning to think he was trying to torture me.
