Aqua Magic

Aqua Magic

Book Four of the Witch Guardian Fantasy Romance Series

Caryn Moya Block

Published by Caryn M. Block

Smashwords Version

Copyright © 2017 Caryn M. Block

Cover Design by Melody Simmons

https://ebookindiecovers.com/

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Dedication

To Fran Cecere, facilitator of the Windmore Pen to Paper group. You are more than a mentor, you are my friend. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement.

Acknowledgements

They say it takes a village and in this case, writing this novel certainly did. I so appreciate my friends and family who continue to provide support when I need it. Fran Cecere, Ann Rezelman, Shirley Etta Scott, and Paula Luddy, I don't know what I would do without you. Thank you so much! Also to my husband and mother, thank you for always having my back.

Aqua Magic

Book Four of the Witch Guardian Fantasy Romance Series

Brenna Ross is trapped in her own mind. Possessed by a Marwolaeth, that is slowly killing her, it used her to murder those she loves. As hard as she struggles to regain control of her body, she can’t break free. Still she will fight, desperately trying to tell her sister she’s sorry.

Marcus Ondine knew the moment the little witch and her older sister walked into his pub, The Blue Dolphin, she was the one — what the magical folk call his Destined One. Now he’s returned to Earth to find her possessed by the Marwolaeth. Only by taking her to his home world of Aquarias can he save her from death, but what will happen when she wakes and finds herself in an underwater world?

The Guardians

Royal Avery

Mabel Avery

Owen Avery

Earth – Amhurst House

Garrett Amhurst III

Josiah Terren

Damek Terren

Air – Luften House

Elise Delaire

Haytham Luften

Water – Ainsworth House

Calder Ainsworth

Kendria Ainsworth

Fire – Brandreth House

Safara Pyralis

Vahni Brenton

Lycan – Siberian Volkov Pack

Anatoly Tolya Mikhailov

Seth MacDonald

Witches’ Council

Royal Avery

Mabel Avery

Owen Avery

Earth – Amhurst

Garrett Rodric Amhurst, Jr. – Speaker of the Council, Head of the Amhurst House, Garrett’s father.

Adam Terren – Older brother of Josiah and Damen.

Fire – Brandreth

Collin Brandreth – Head of the Brandreth House.

Curtis Brandt – Librarian of Magic Items and Artifacts.

Air – Luften

Finley Luften – Head of Luften House, Haytham’s uncle.

Claire Delaire – Head of Healing Center, Elise’s mother – possessed by a Marwolaeth.

Water – Ainsworth

Sevan Ainsworth – Head of Ainsworth House, Sister of Venetia, Calder and Kendria’s mother.

Kuval Trevain – Brother of Arethusa, Garrett Amhurst III’s uncle.

Other Characters

Blacksmith – Aiden Kindle, Fire Witch

Candace Kindle, Fire Witch, (Aiden’s younger sister).

Chelsea and Eileen Amhurst, Earth Witches (Twins, Youngest daughters of Garrett Amhurst II and half-sisters to Garrett Amhurst III)

Gabriella Ross, Water Witch, (Destined One to Garrett Amhurst III)

Brenna Ross, Water Witch, (Gabriella’s younger sister, possessed by a Marwolaeth)

Angeline Penwick, Air Witch, Office Manager for Guardians, (Mate to Tolya)

Arethusa Trevain Amhurst (Garrett’s deceased mother)

Marwolaeth Undone

Destined One full of love

Strength of two hearts connected

Love embodied magic makes.

Upon the journey your destiny claim

Four love unconditional-strength tested

Only the pure of heart the mark will bear.

In the East stands spring eternal

Fairy's Breath whispers upon the skin

Healing arms hold the wisp.

In the South summer’s heat rises

Dragon’s heart dances in flames

Firelight transmuting into purity.

In the West autumn dreams flow

Living water quenches thirst for reprisal

Peace drowning bitterness.

North winter blankets fertile soil

Renewing sand rests in crystal hands

Order transformed to normal.

The married elements, their purpose clear

Celestial light shine on what is inflicted

Magic undone, breaks the chains.

As it is commanded, so it is done.

Chapter One

Brenna Ross, Water Witch, focused all her strength and will to make her mouth whisper the word she wanted. Lips press together then tongue to the roof of your mouth.

Peanut, she said, with an outpouring of breath.

She began again, pushing against the walls that confined her mind and pulling the trickle of magic that still existed within her body to follow her will. Lips press together then tongue to the roof of your mouth.

Peanut, she whispered.

Again, she mustered her strength. Brenna wasn’t going to give up. Now that someone put nullifying cuffs on her wrists and put her body into a trance-like state, the parasitic Marwolaeth possessing her was confined. If only her sister would get the message!

Gabriella must remember Peanut, the little dog they both loved so much. She could still smell his puppy fur. See his loving brown eyes. He was accidently put down, innocent of attacking a small child.

Brenna wanted to shy away from the memory as much as she wanted to forget the Marwolaeth using her to kill her mother’s best friend, Venetia. It wasn’t her fault. She was innocent like Peanut. The Marwolaeth controlled her body. The creature only let her see it happening to increase the agony and horror Brenna already felt. She’d tried to stop her finger on the trigger, but all she could do was watch. Watch as the bullet penetrated and blood spattered. Watch as the beloved old woman sunk to the floor before darkness surrounded Brenna again.

She stopped that train of thought. Guilt and recriminations needed to wait until she was free of the Marwolaeth. The creature fed off her despair and horror of being locked in her own mind.

She concentrated on making her lips and tongue move.

Peanut.

Brenna couldn’t open her eyes and could hardly feel her body lying on a cot. But, she heard her sister talking when Gabby visited Brenna’s poor lifeless body.

Again, Brenna made her mouth form the word.

Peanut.

Gabby came to visit again today. Brenna heard the Guardian on duty take notice of her saying the word over and over. Gabriella leaned close as Brenna whispered the word.

Peanut.

Gabby must get the message, she just has too.

At least the constant pain stopped. The Guardians put her body into a coma, crippling the Marwolaeth’s ability to feed off of Brenna’s magic. Once her magic was gone, her soul would be next. If Brenna could have, she would have shivered.

Her magic grew weaker. She could feel it within her mental prison. Soon, she would die if Gabby didn’t figure out a way to get the parasite out. Brenna sighed in her mind. She didn’t want to die, though some might think she deserved to. She’d done some horrible things while possessed. Really horrible.

She pushed against the walls confining her mind.

Peanut.

§

Marcus Ondine swam down, lower and lower, until the water became icy and dark. He shivered while searching for the lights that marked the entrance to the cave. It was finally time to get back to Earth and his Destined One. His heartbeat sped up at the thought. What kind of woman did she grow up to be? He couldn’t wait to find out.

Marcus nodded at the guards and waited for them to allow him entrance. When they hesitated, he flashed the golden medallion he wore around his neck. The first guard jumped and quickly swam out of the way. The second guard frowned and slowly lowered his staff weapon. Marcus made a mental note to speak to someone when he returned about the second guard’s attitude, if he returned.

He swam into the rock cavern and noticed a silvery sheen coming from one of the tunnels. Without pausing he continued swimming down the corridor until he faced a large luminous mirror. Taking a deep breath, he plunged into the light.

The silvery surface parted, coating him in shining light. He blinked, unable to make out anything but a blur as he fell through space. His heartbeat filled his ears and his hands made fists. He gritted his teeth. If the portal wasn’t properly calibrated he could be ripped apart.

After what felt like an eternity, Marcus’s body slammed into reality, jarring his every cell. He moaned and blinked his eyes. He floated inside a white plastic chest. A bubble of air filled the space pushing the lid open. Marcus tumbled out of the contraption and began to swim toward the surface, following the bubble, and heading for the light above.

He called his magic and felt his tail shrink and split, while his whole body grew in size. Up, up, up he surged. The gills on his neck closed and suddenly Marcus didn’t have enough air.

When dark spots started to appear before his eyes, and he feared passing out, he reached the top. The lid to the fish tank fell into his arms as he took breath after breath of fresh air. He glanced down at his naked dripping form, seeing muscular thighs and legs. His normally silvery blue skin turned the color of human flesh.

Earth, he sighed.

Marcus Ondine, what are you doing here and where have you been? It’s been six years since you disappeared. I thought you were dead.

Marcus smiled at the familiar voice. He turned to see Gabriella Ross, her hands on her hips as she scowled at him while wearing a flannel blue-green pajama set. He glanced around the unfamiliar space, taking in the darkness outside the windows, the large rooms and expensive furniture. Where were they?

Not dead, missing. He swiped his hand through his long, brown hair, and pushed the dripping strands from his face. I needed permission to marry from the council of Aegae. Now, why is my fish tank in this house and not my apartment? Where is Brenna?

Marcus stepped out of the water and onto the carpet below. He returned the lid to the tank and leaned down to make sure none of the occupants had been injured during his transformation.

The fish all swam happily along and Marcus smiled in relief. Gabriella’s cough brought his attention back to the lovely woman. If her sister turned out as beautiful, he was a lucky Aquarian.

This is my house. The apartment over the Blue Dolphin is currently empty. Where is Aegae? Do you mean the ancient city located in Greece?

No, I mean the underwater city located in the Dimension of Aquarias. Now where is Brenna? She’s of age now, is she not? Marcus asked. Sorry about the mess. He motioned at the wet spots on the carpet. Gabriella picked up a lap blanket from the couch and tossed it to him.

Cover yourself. I’m not sure how I’m going to explain your presence to my husband.

Marcus chuckled and began to wipe the last of the water from his human form.

Gabby Ross, have you become a prude? I raised you better than that. Wait. Husband? You’re married?

Marcus searched her face. Married. He wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Gabriella and Brenna had been like daughters to him, until he’d realized that Brenna would grow up to be his mate.

Yes, married. I found my Destined One. I’m Gabriella Amhurst now. How come you don’t look a day older than when I saw you last? It’s been six years!

Time moves slower in Aquarias. Marcus brought the blanket up to his hair to wring the last of the water from its length. Destined One? You must be happy then.

Ella, why is there a naked man standing in our study? a male voice asked in a deadly calm tone.

Vines suddenly sprouted from the wooden furniture and wrapped around Marcus’s ankles keeping him from moving. The owner of the voice moved into the room to Gabriella’s side and stepped slightly in front of her. Marcus smiled. Gabby’s husband was protective. Marcus took a moment to size the man up. He was tall and muscular and possessed the famous Amhurst amethyst-colored eyes. An Earth mage, then.

I’m Marcus Ondine, I own the Blue Dolphin Pub." Marcus held out his hand.

You can let him go, Garrett, Gabriella said, tugging on his shirt. Marcus is the man I told you about. The one who took Brenna and me in off the streets.

Stepping forward, Gabby’s husband shook Marcus’s hand, his grip firm, but continued to stand slightly in front of his wife. Then with a wave and a muttered verse, the vines receded and Marcus was free.

"Garrett Amhurst, the third. Ella told me of your kindness. Wait, you own the pub? I thought Gabriella owned the Blue Dolphin." Garrett looked from Marcus to his wife.

I put the pub in Gabriella’s name when I realized that Brenna was my Destined One. As I was telling Gabby, time moves differently in Aquarias. I have only been gone a year there, but Gabby said it has been six years here. I needed to get the proper forms filed and go before the council so I could bring Brenna back with me. Destined One Law is the same throughout all the Dimensions. You cannot keep a Destined pair apart. Now may I see Brenna? Marcus wrapped the damp blanket around his hips. This was not how he’d thought his reunion with his foster children would go. He had pictured walking down the stairs of the pub from his apartment above to be met with hugs and shouts of goodwill from the customers, who were always a rowdy bunch.

Brenna’s your Destined One? That might be a problem… Garrett began to say. Gabby placed her hand on his arm and stepped forward. Marcus noticed their now-united front.

Brenna has been imprisoned. Gabriella’s eyes welled with tears as she spoke. She blinked. "She murdered a Water Witch and tried to kill me.