Shades of Reality: Daughters of the Craft, #2

One

Why had this happened?

All of my life, I’d been taught our thoughts created our reality. Yet, I sure as hell never wanted to lose my power or to be taken as a prisoner by a psychopath. How had I gone from being one of the most powerful witches in existence to fearing my shadow? I needed to regain my strength. The bond between myself, Kalista, and Natasha had returned. In theory, I should have been as connected as before the wizard captured me. Why couldn’t I convince myself of this truth?

Somehow I would come out of this stronger than before. That bastard would not win. 

I drew a breath and opened my clenched hand. Sunlight poured through an open window in the dorm room I shared with Kalista and Natasha, reflecting off of the polished angles of a display of crystals near the bed on which I sat. Heated air whispered through the vents overhead, and our room smelled of soothing incense. I should have been relaxed, but I was on edge. 

Willow, are you okay?

My head jerked up, and I met Natasha’s worried gaze. Yeah, I’m fine. Just lost in my thoughts.

She tucked a strand of her long, black hair behind her ear. I want to help you. Isn’t there anything we can do?

I shook my head. You’re helping just by being here. Don’t worry, I’ll be back to my old self before you know it.

Doubtful, Natasha nodded. I’d consistently been the calm, steady one. Not withdrawn, which used to be Kali’s role. Since she’d met Ragnar, Kali had come out of her shell. I couldn’t believe she had a boyfriend after all of these years. Even through my misery, I could find a glimmer of happiness for her. Kalista deserved joy in her life. 

Do you want to go out tonight? Party at the frat house? Maybe a boost of your powers is what you need. Natasha raised a seductive eyebrow. 

My shoulders tensed. No, thanks.

Yet, there’d been talk of sending me home to heal. I didn’t want to go back to the coven house. I wouldn’t have been able to deal with being apart from Kalista and Natasha right now. They were the only thing keeping me together. Well, them and also the demon. 

My lips twisted. It was ironic that a demonic being made me feel safe, protected.

Does that smile mean yes? Natasha asked. 

I’d forgotten she was there and awaiting my answer.

A party was the last thing I wanted, but I had to get back to a pretense of normalcy. I nodded. Yeah, I’ll go with you to the party. I need to get out more.

She let out a visible sigh of relief. 

Natasha needed me to be strong. Recently, she’d lost her younger sister to the Dark Witches. She needed me and I had nothing to offer. My gift of controlling the emotions of others swirling around me was buried in a thick fog of my own misery.

Once more, I reminded myself Thane no longer existed on this plane of physicality. I had to toughen up. 

Why did I still feel sick to my stomach? I couldn’t drive away the memories playing in the back of my mind. The things Thane had done to those poor girls … Their cries reverberated in my mind and pierced my soul.

I’d give anything to go back to the period before the wizard had captured me, back to the old me. Thane hadn’t even had me for three whole days, but he stretched time with his magick, so the captivity felt like years.

Counterspells didn’t work. My soul was shattered, and no amount of time would change that. 

When do you want to go? Natasha asked. 

I glanced up once again. Lost in my mind, I’d forgotten she was there for a second time. 

Focus, Willow. 

My grades were suffering. I needed to pull it together before I got booted out or the coven pulled me back home. 

I would have to fake normality. But there was no way I could hide from Kalista. There was no way to mask myself from her empath ability. 

As if she realized I was thinking about her, Kalista walked through the doorway carrying a sack of groceries. 

Willow, I picked up herbs for your tea. She smiled, her eyes locked on mine. 

Thanks. I realized I hadn’t answered Natasha’s question. I’m going out with Natasha tonight. You and Ragnar should join us. 

Her face brightened. Yes! I’m so glad you want to go out.

I gave her a look. 

Okay, fine, I’m overjoyed you agreed to let Natasha drag you out, that’s a significant step for you.

I forced a smile. I need to pull my shit together. Who knows when the Dark Witches will strike again. We need to be at maximum power. I refuse to be a liability.

Kalista frowned. We’d never see you like that. I know, if the time arrived when you required your powers to help us, you would be there.

Natasha nodded in agreement. You’ll be fine. I know it.

Where’s Frank? I asked. I hadn’t seen Natasha’s bodyguard all day. He was usually within several yards of her. 

He’s been spending a lot of time with Angelica, Natasha smirked. 

Nice. A sincere smile tilted the corners of my lips. 

Angelica was an angel who owned the tavern Mirage, a sanctuary of sorts downtown for supernaturals. She was also the demon’s twin sister. 

While taken captive, Frank learned that he was Natasha’s guardian angel but had incarnated in this life to be a human protector for Natasha. There was so much we’d thought we understood when in reality we hadn’t had a clue. The universe was a complicated place. I still didn’t grasp what Kalista’s new role was after all the dirt had settled and we’d defeated Thane, the wizard and former dean of Kingsbridge University. Maybe after the heaviness lifted from my brain, more would make sense. 

Can we grab something to eat before we go out? Maybe at Mirage? I asked.

Both girls nodded. Eating out was a step in the right direction. I wanted to see Devin, but they wouldn’t understand. 

He was the only person who made me feel protected when he was around. It would hurt them if they realized he could do something for me they could not. We were stronger together, the three of us. But ever since the abduction, I didn’t feel like part of the circle, even though our bond was intact. More than anything I wanted to feel close to the girls like I used. Now they almost felt like strangers. They could never comprehend what I’d been through; nor did I want them to. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. My family had advised me to speak with someone, a shrink or a healer. Maybe they were right. 

I’m starving, I said, forcing a smile that didn’t feel natural. 

Then let’s go. We can walk to get fresh air since Frank isn’t here, Kalista suggested as she put away the groceries. 

That might help clear my mind, I agreed. 

Reaching over, Natasha pulled her jacket off the back of the chair. It was almost Yule, and the weather was much brisker up north than we were used to in Virginia. I crossed the room to get a jacket and hat out of the closet. 

Kalista was still in her coat, so we headed toward the door. The hallway was rather quiet. Most of the students were studying for exams—like we should be doing, but my lack of focus was making it impossible. 

The brisk air hit my face as soon as we stepped out the door. It wasn’t late, but already it was dark, due to the season. I glanced around as if I expected someone to jump out at me. Fear coursed through my veins. 

Let’s link powers, Kalista suggested. I knew it was because she could sense the panic in me. 

Natasha didn’t respond, but I felt her power merge with mine, along with Kali’s. It was soothing. Thank you, I whispered. That used to be my role. 

Let’s always link when we’re out at night. It’s hard to say when my father or one of his coven members might show up, Kalista added.

True. I knew this wasn’t about her father. It was about me. My steps quickened, and the girls matched my pace. I wanted to reach the tavern as soon as possible. There was safety at the sanctuary, and if I were lucky, the demon would be there. 

The Mirage was almost a thirty-minute walk from the campus. I wished I could have said I appreciated Mother Nature as we walked, but I was trying to shut off the voices that echoed in my head. The wizard wouldn’t stop haunting my mind. Sometimes, I could even hear him laughing. 

Maybe a shrink or a medicine woman was a good idea. Perhaps, Angelica would recommend someone. 

My heart sped up when I saw the weathered sign with the Kraken on top, Mirage. When I’d asked Devin why the Kraken, he said it was twofold: an octopus could camouflage itself regardless of where it was, and if anyone broke the rules of the sanctuary, there would be hell to pay. 

Natasha pushed the door open, and my tension eased. Devin was there, thank the Goddess. I hadn’t told the girls about his ability to make me feel better, but they knew there was an attraction. That wasn’t shocking. The man was sexy. I didn’t even know they made demons like that. But his looks were not the reason that pulled me toward him. It was something more profound I didn’t quite understand. He told me it was because he’d ingested my blood to track me down, so now he was a part of me. Sounded kinda creepy, but by the Goddess, I wanted to be near him all of the time. We hadn’t been sexual. I wasn’t ready to go there and wasn’t sure I would ever be able to. Thane had not raped me as the girls suspected, at least not in the typical sense of the word, but he forced me to watch others abused in unimaginable ways. Not even by the wizard himself, but by the shades that remained on the earth plane after death. I wasn’t sure I could ever see sex in the same way again. I used to love it, thrived on it even. Now the thought made me ill. 

Thane locked me away in another dimension that was not visible from our current reality. A shudder ran through me. I didn’t know so much inhumanity existed as I witnessed there. 

A fairy led us to a table. As soon as we sat down, the back double doors opened to the kitchen, and Devin’s massive frame strolled out. He wore khakis and a button-down white shirt with the sleeves rolled at the forearms. Our eyes met, and he smiled—not a full-face smile, but a secret, hidden smile that let me know he enjoyed seeing my face. A warm presence filtered throughout my being. I waved. 

Natasha turned to see whom I waved at. She looked back at me. You need to be careful with him.

I know. It was not smart to have feelings for one of the most dangerous creatures in existence. Devin was a primitive beast. He was a demon, but he hadn’t started out that way. He was part of the Fallen. There was more to him. I felt it.

Ladies, it’s always nice to have a table full of witches, he said. 

This is about the only place we’re welcome, Kalista retorted with a grin. 

He held his arms open. You are always welcome here.

I tried to tear my gaze away from him, but that was a losing battle.

Even though he was talking to Kalista, his eyes were on me. My pulse soared, and all of the chaotic thoughts and feelings that were always in my head stilled. Why did I find the darkness that surrounded his aura so enticing? 

I thought he would turn and leave, but he tilted his head as if telling me to move over so he could sit down. May I?

My breath caught. I scooted over. 

He slid in next to me. His thigh brushed mine. 

How were classes, Willow? Devin asked, his intense eyes searing into my soul. 

It was okay, I guess. Just another day. I made it to class, so that is a plus, I answered. 

Natasha and Kalista shared a look at our exchange. They both had broached the subject of Devin, but I was never too forthcoming with my feelings. 

It had been over a month since I had returned from being held at the whim of a madman. I wasn’t ready to acknowledge my feelings fully, let alone share them.

School was great for me, Natasha chimed in. 

Devin didn’t even bother to shift his glance toward her. This made me feel extra special. Natasha was enchanting, and Devin only had an interest in me.

I picked up the menu to give my hands something to do. I wanted to ask your sister if she knew a wise woman I could speak with?

Reaching up, he scratched the side of his face as if he were thinking. He nodded. I’ll ask. He stood and went back through the double doors. 

What’s up with you two? Natasha demanded. 

My shoulder lifted. I don’t know. I guess we’re sorta friends.

Just friends? she asked, as she ran her finger around the rim of her glass of water.

He’s done nothing to lead me to believe he wants more. I wasn’t sure how I would react if he did. The thought of being touched made me flinch. It was something I needed to get over sooner than later. Witches thrived on sexual energy, and that aspect of myself had shut down. I didn’t like that I was still giving my power away to that jackass, Thane. It pissed me off, but I couldn’t seem to move forward.

Two

A few minutes later, Angelica floated down the aisle. Even if you didn’t know about supernaturals or the pale blue angelic ring around her eyes you would know there was something special about this woman. When she reached our booth, she placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. Healing waves of energy entered my body. I smiled in appreciation. My brother tells me you are looking for a wise woman?

I nodded. My parents think I should speak to someone. They’ve threatened to send me home if I can’t come back into balance on my own. My stomach clenched. There was no way I was leaving Kingsbridge. I need to figure out how to get past this.

Angelica’s face turned thoughtful. I assume you have tried witchcraft and working with the goddesses?

I couldn’t bring myself to meet the angel’s eyes. Instead, I glanced