was hard on you both but I suspect it had something to do with The Circle’s curse.”
Yes. “No.”
“It may be hard for you to understand why The Circle forbids a witch to get involved with her Keeper, Sienna. They don’t want that kind of emotional connection interfering with your choices in maintaining the balance of nature.”
“Those old hags shouldn’t have a say in my love life!” Sienna snapped and then quickly drew herself back. Challenging a bunch of ancestral witches that governed the rules around witchcraft was not something she usually did. “And besides, my leaving after Sarah’s death involved a lot more than just my relationship with Archer.”
“Sarah’s death wasn’t your fault, Sienna. That was all Warrick Brogan.”
“She was there because of me.” Her tone had taken on an edge of venom to it, despite her resolve not to. “And when Warrick killed her, I lost it to the point that I hurt my Keepers. That’s not something that’ll ever leave me.”
Rose placed a wrinkled hand on Sienna’s arm. “It was a mistake, Sienna.”
“I almost killed them!”
“But you didn’t.”
“I could have. I was so angry, so devastated when Sarah died. I destroyed the tomb with powers I had no idea how to control and once I became weak, I drew my strength from Declan and Ethan to the point that I almost killed them. What kind of witch does that make me?” Sienna turned away, struck with the images of the chaos she’d created that night.
“The reason witches have that connection to their Keepers is for that very reason, Sienna. We’re supposed to be able to draw energy from each other.”
“Not to the point that I kill them. I couldn’t stop,” she said, her voice filled with the anguish that had taunted her for years. An image of Archer trapped in the fire in the tomb whilst trying to stop her came to mind, ripping open old wounds. “And Archer was burned in the fire I created. His hand still carries the scars.” Unlike the rest of his scars, this one would never disappear as it was caused by a witch, by her.
Rose’s hands came up to cup Sienna’s face so that they were facing each other. “Sienna, you made a mistake. One that you can’t change but eventually, you’ll learn to live with it.”
“I wasn’t ready.”
Everything fell quiet, the elephant in the room having reared its head. For a moment, neither of them spoke, but when her grandmother wrapped her arms around her, Sienna couldn’t help but let her.
“You have to trust me, Sienna,” Rose said quietly against her granddaughter’s hair. “Receiving such power is enough to frighten anyone. I know because I was also once in your position.”
“How did you learn to control them?”
“With practice, a lot of whiskey to numb my nerves, and plenty of time spent alone in nature.”
Sienna gave her grandmother a brief smile. Rose might be heading toward seventy, but the old woman still loved her whiskey.
“You simply need some time, Sienna. Play with your magic, practice your skills, and embrace them. They’re a gift.”
“They’re nothing but a curse.”
“Sienna, don’t say that.”
“Magic destroys, Gran. My parents, Sarah, the way I harmed my Keepers.” Sienna pulled back, the familiar urge to run making her feel agitated. “I should leave before Archer comes looking for me.”
Rose placed a gentle kiss on Sienna’s cheek and pulled back to look at her. “You don’t understand why I transferred my powers to you, Sienna, but one day you will. You have your own destiny to fulfil, just as I did. But it’s your journey to discover.” She pulled away, offering a weak smile that was oddly comforting. “Your Keepers are waiting.”
Sienna glanced outside at the fading afternoon sunlight and nodded. “Yes, I should go.” She hugged Rose one more time before making her way to the door. She hesitated in the doorway and turned to look at her grandmother. “What would it take to break The Circle’s curse on a Keeper and his witch?”
Rose met her gaze, her own eyes flashing with a brief glimpse of sorrow. “It’s complicated.”
“But it can be done?”
“Yes.”
Hope fired, despite the warning voice that niggled. “How?”
“With a counteracting spell and a blood sacrifice. A death.”
And just like that, all Sienna’s hopes went up in flames. There was no way she’d ever offer a blood sacrifice if it meant death. Sienna bit back a response and simply nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
By the time Sienna made her way through the forest toward the Manor House, the sun had begun setting at a rapid pace. The fading light didn’t worry her; the darkness was well suited to her mood.
Archer. Sarah. Her parents. Rose.
Not a day went by that she didn’t think of her parents or Sarah Bennett, her fourth Keeper. And every day, the pain that came with the memory surrounding their deaths still twisted her soul. She’d simply discovered how to muffle the pain and move on.
Her parents, solid and kind, full of wisdom and love. They’d made her feel safe, treasured, and she’d blossomed under their care. Her father had been the town sheriff of Rapid Falls, her mother a Beckham witch. An odd couple but together, they’d fought for order and harmony in their town.
Sadly, it was their quest for peace that had eventually destroyed them.
Sarah too, with her kind eyes, contagious laugh, and endless chatter. She’d been like a sister to Sienna and living in such close proximity with three strong males had called for some female companionship to balance the odds. They’d shared so much love and laughter and losing Sarah was like losing a treasured part of herself.
Sienna swiped at her tears, cursing them. She’d be damned if she’d put Rose or another one of her Keepers in danger protecting her. They were all she had left.
But Archer was right.
She did need the Bennett brothers and the protection they offered. She’d missed them and a small part of her was thrilled they’d found her. The thought unsettled her and she frowned, rubbing her arms with her hands to ward off the chill.
The snapping of a nearby twig had her whirling around.
“Hello?”
Silence greeted her and she swallowed, trying to ignore the sudden uneasiness that had taken hold of her. Her instincts prickled, and she cast a quick glance toward the Manor House. She was close but even at a fast run she would never reach it in time.
In time for what?
Before being mauled by the likes of Harper? A wolf? Before she could contemplate which option would be the lesser evil, two dark shadows stepped out from the shadows of the night.
