The Keeping Place (Book Six in the Witch Hunter Saga) Page 18

  “Aunt Gabby!” Ismena cried, struggling against Nye’s grasp. “Aunt Gabby, no!” She lunged, desperately reaching her hands out toward the witch.

  Gabby faltered, her knees buckling beneath her. The barrier flickered and failed, the shimmering shield glowing brightly before disintegrating into nothing. As Gabby crumpled to the ground, Reed rushed forward and caught her in his arms.

  “Mena,” Nye asked the little girl. “What did you do?”

  “No!” the little witch cried, tears running down her face. “She was going to use the shadow. She was going to lock me away!”

  He glanced at Gabby, but she was knocked out cold, Reed’s jostling doing nothing to wake her. Eleanor smiled in triumph and closed the gap between her and Isobel, the dagger glinting in her hand. He had to do something.

  “Daddy, let me go!” Ismena shrieked, the ground beginning to shift underneath them.

  Nye glanced between her and Isobel, completely torn. Reed cradled Gabby in his arms, desperately trying to rouse her, Alex and Tristan were immobilized against the standing stones, and he held his daughter in his arms. Nothing stood between Eleanor and the woman he loved. Even if Ismena weren’t there, he wouldn’t be able to face the wraith, not without getting his neck snapped.

  He knew what Isobel would tell him to do if she were capable of voicing her wishes. Save Ismena.

  He took a step backward, cradling his daughter in his arms, and the movement caused her wailing to increase.

  “Daddy, no!”

  “I need to get you away from here,” he murmured, his gaze falling to Isobel.

  “No, no, no, no!”

  Ismena began to squirm in Nye’s grasp, the earth beginning to shudder violently beneath his feet. A sharp breeze stirred his hair, gaining momentum until it buffeted his body. She thrashed against his hold and eventually broke free, the little girl too cunning even with his vampire strength in play.

  “Mena, no!” he cried, but the little witch wasn’t listening. He ran forward, moving as fast as his vampire strength enabled him, but he was brought up short, his face smacking into an invisible barrier. “Mena!”

  She ignored him, her power forcing him back, and she ran straight for Isobel and Eleanor, completely unafraid.

  “Mena!”

  Eleanor loomed over Isobel, a look of pure malice on her face, and raised her hand to strike…

  This is it, Isobel thought. This is how it all ends. Stabbed to death by a psycho wraith. Who saw that coming?

  Instinctively, she held up her arms to shield herself, but at the last second, Ismena appeared before her. Flinging her little body between the women, she stood defiantly in the face of the wraith, not even breaking stride.

  “Go away!” she screamed, her tiny voice shrill in the storm of her own creation. “Leave my mommy alone!”

  Eleanor’s eyes widened, and she recoiled as if she’d been slapped with an invisible power. “Darling,” she cooed, dropping the dagger to her side. “I’m your true mother. You’re destined to save a great number of people from a dark place. Did you know?”

  Ismena turned, her gaze fixing on Isobel, who was dumbstruck by the turn of events. She raised her hand for her daughter. Whatever the little girl thought, she didn’t know, but she ignored her mother’s beckoning and turned back to Eleanor.

  Her heart began to break. No!

  “That’s it, darling,” the wraith murmured, gesturing for the little witch to follow.

  Everyone froze, not knowing what to do. One misstep and Ismena could be torn from them forever, but if they did nothing… Tears began to stream from Isobel’s eyes, her sobs bursting forth unchecked.

  “Mena,” she cried desperately. “Mommy loves you, you hear? Whatever you choose, Mommy loves you no matter what.”

  Suddenly, at the sound of her mother’s voice, the little girl sprung to life.

  “Go. Away!” Ismena threw her arms wide and screamed at Eleanor, her little body exploding with a light so bright, Isobel was forced to shield her eyes.

  “No!” Eleanor cried. “You wouldn’t dare!”

  “Mena,” Isobel sobbed. “Mena…”

  The light intensified, and a silent burst of energy forced Isobel to fall flat to the ground. It was if a bomb had exploded above the stone circle. A bomb that was completely silent. Then just as suddenly as it began, it seemed to be over. The light began to fade and the night sky came back into view, the stars shining just as they always did.

  Isobel blinked, her vision full of spots, and she pushed herself up off the ground, dazed and confused.

  “Mena,” she said through a moan. “Mena, where are you?”

  “Mommy!” Little arms circled her neck, and a matching body flung itself into her lap.

  “Oh, God, Mena!” she exclaimed, hugging her daughter. “Are you okay? Did she hurt you?”

  Ismena shook her head furiously, and Isobel pulled back so she could check, making sure all her limbs were intact. Finding nothing physically wrong, she hugged her tightly.

  “Is she okay?” Nye asked, appearing at their side. “That was some light show.”

  Ismena sobbed quietly, burying into Isobel’s lap.

  “She seems to be fine,” she replied. “Just tired and frightened.”

  “We certainly weren’t expecting…that,” the spy said, smoothing his palm against the little witch’s forehead.

  “Where are Reed and Gabby?” Isobel asked, scanning the stone circle. Seeing that Alex and Tristan had fallen to the ground, she said, “Are they…”

  “They’ll be fine,” Nye said, rising to his feet. “They’ll wake up and find out they missed the fireworks. Lucky bastards.”

  He crossed the clearing and joined Reed, who still held Gabby in his arms. Isobel hid a smile, sensing the vampire had developed a little crush on the witch. How it wasn’t obvious to her friend was beyond her.

  Gabby stirred, moaning softly as her eyes opened.

  “Easy,” Reed murmured. “You’ve got one hell of a bump on your head.

  “They’re gone,” Gabby said breathlessly, trying to push away from him and stand.

  “Eleanor?” Reed asked, helping the witch to her feet.

  She nodded, leaning against the standing stone, her shoulders hunched as she caught her breath. “All of them.”

  “How do you know?” Nye asked as Reed moved off to check on Alex and Tristan.

  “Ismena,” she said, glancing at the little witch. “When she tapped into her power, I was somehow connected to her. I was out cold, but I saw everything. The Unhallowed are just…gone. All traces of them… From here… The other side…”

  “Shh,” Isobel said as much to Gabby as to Ismena. “Are you going to be okay? The shadow…”

  “What shadow?” the witch asked with a frown.

  “Ismena was desperate to save you from the shadow inside you. That’s why we stowed away,” Isobel explained. “So? Are you okay?”

  Gabby hesitated, thinking before she spoke. “It’s always been there, and I’ve tapped into it before. This time… I’ll be okay.”

  “Hear that, Mena?” she murmured to the little girl in her arms. “Aunt Gabby is going to be okay, thanks to you.”

  Ismena began to sob softly in her arms. “Mommy, I want to go home.”

  “Good idea,” she replied, smoothing down her matching fiery hair. “Let’s go home.”

  Chapter 20

  Isobel and Nye stood side by side on the balcony, watching their daughter in the garden below.

  The wilted wasteland had been transformed into a lush oasis of greenery, the lawn a brilliant emerald, and the trees full to bursting with leaves. Considering it was the beginning of December, it was completely unnatural. Ismena had been busy practicing with her powers, by the looks of it. That girl had the greenest thumb she’d ever seen. Needless to say, Alex was pleased his niece took after him.

  “Did you get a good one?” Isobel asked.

  “Of course, I did.” Nye bristled. “What do yo
u take me for?”

  “Christmas is no joke,” Isobel declared. “The tree is the most important part of the decorating process.”

  “The tree is fine,” he said with a groan. “Its proportions are symmetrical, and it takes up half the living room.”

  “Good. It’s Mena’s first Christmas, so we’ve got to make it special.”

  “By allowing a tree to fall on her?”

  “Nye, seriously?” Isobel complained. “Have you seen the size of her? She’s taller than you.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Don’t remind me. They grow up so fast these days.”

  “I know, right? Two months old and she’s already legal drinking age.”

  Turning her attention back to their daughter, she laughed as Ismena twirled, her long fiery hair flaring as she brought a shrub to life. Her little girl had transformed into a beautiful, young woman right before her eyes. Their fears about her future seemed to be laid to rest for the time being as she seemed to have stopped growing a few days ago. Just as Gabby had theorized, Mena had grown to maturity, and there she’d remained.

  “Did you realize that Reed was Tristan’s son?” Isobel asked, thinking about their family. “I had no idea. Not until Gabby told me.”

  “Neither did I,” Nye replied. “Guess the old bastard has something to live for, after all.”

  “Besides Ismena? He’s besotted, you know. She’s like a daughter to him.”

  “As long as it stays like it.”

  “Pfft,” Isobel spat. “Do you really think he’d romance her? Unlikely.”

  “I still have that video of him playing with pink ponies,” the spy grumbled. “I’ll use it if I have to.”

  “I always knew you were a big softy,” she quipped, jamming her elbow into his stomach.

  “As long as you keep it to yourself, we’ll have no problems…behind closed doors.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Mena was a one-time occurrence, you know. I’m back to firing blanks.”

  “Thank, God.” Isobel laughed, thankful she’d never have to give birth to another magical baby ever again…she hoped.

  Nye turned his gaze back to the garden as Gabby appeared on the lawn with Ismena.

  “Who knew how long Gabby was carrying around that secret,” he mused.

  “The dark power she was born with?” Isobel asked. “Knowing her, it was likely years.”

  “She’s fond of sacrifice, but then again, witches are a self-righteous lot.”

  “Careful, Nye,” Isobel said, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Your daughter comes under that umbrella, remember?”

  “Who? Mena?” He smiled mischievously. “She’s in a class of her own.”

  “The Immortal Witch,” Isobel whispered. “She’s going to do some incredible things. I’m sure of it.”

  “No doubt,” he replied, lowering his lips toward hers. “No doubt at all.”

  Gabby stood on the patio at the Hampstead manor and gazed out over the garden.

  Smiling, she watched as Ismena twirled on the lawn and brought a little shrub back to life, its leaves sprouting and forming perfect emerald tips.

  Ismena turned once more, her hair fanning out as she went, and finding the older witch watching her, she smiled proudly, pleased as punch with her handiwork. The air shimmered around her as her power coaxed all the flowers in a ten-meter radius into full bloom. Petals unfurled in the thousands, and the sweetest scent filled the air.

  Gabby raised an eyebrow but allowed the witch her fun. A thousand roses in bloom wasn’t exactly natural for the beginning of winter, especially when the air was full with the promise of snow.

  Bundling her hands into her coat pockets, she descended the stairs and joined the witch on the lawn. Ismena had grown so fast they’d had a hard time keeping her clothed, but now that she seemed to have reached maturity, her closet and Isobel’s had been thoroughly raided. Mena currently wore an emerald coat belonging to her mother and Gabby’s purple woolen hat. Her hair loose around her shoulders, the deep ginger locks reached down her back, almost touching her waist. Gabby had already made sure Nye was banned from teasing his daughter with ‘ginger ninja’ jokes.

  Mena was a beauty—that was for sure. She was the image of her father with the spirit of her mother.

  “Aunt Gabby,” she said. “How did I do?”

  “Hmm,” she murmured, looking over the garden. “All these plants are out of season, but they’re formed perfectly. But you already knew that.”

  “Then we shall save them until spring.” Ismena laughed and waved her hand. At her command, the flowers curled in on themselves, closing back into tiny little buds. All but a single brilliant red rose on the bush before them.

  “I still don’t understand what you did that day,” Gabby said, kneeling down and smelling the bright bloom. Its sweet scent filled her nose, and she smiled. Impeccable.

  “If I’d let you tap into your dark power to face Eleanor, she would’ve forced you to become like her.”

  Gabby rose to her feet and glanced at the witch. “You’re saying it was a trap?”

  Ismena nodded. “There was no other way.”

  “There’s always another way,” she said stubbornly.

  Ismena placed her hand on Gabby’s shoulder and smiled. “I don’t blame you, Aunt. I know you believe you betrayed me by allowing me to use my power against Eleanor, but it’s all right. It was what I was meant to do.”

  “You were just a little girl. None of us wanted you to grow up thinking you were only with us because of your abilities.”

  “I never was,” she said. “I’m with you because you love me despite the reason I was created. All of you.”

  “Mena! Come inside!”

  She glanced back at the house at the sound of Isobel’s voice and smiled.

  “Are you coming?” she asked Gabby. “Tristan’s told me all about Christmas, and I’m very excited. Dad has brought us a tree to decorate. Will you help?”

  “Only if you don’t cheat and use your powers.”

  “Of course, not. ‘The pleasure is in the work, not the result,’” she said, quoting Gabby’s words back to her.

  “Mena!” came Isobel’s voice again.

  “You had better go in,” Gabby said.

  Ismena turned and began to cross the lawn. When she realized Gabby wasn’t following, she stopped. “Are you coming?”

  The witch nodded and waved her inside. “In a minute, okay?”

  Mena glanced at the olive tree and smiled knowingly before making her way inside. Through the kitchen windows, Gabby caught sight of Isobel embracing the witch before they disappeared deeper into the mansion.

  Turning to the olive tree, she smiled. “Well, Regulus?” she asked. “How did I do?”

  A cold droplet of ice settled on her nose, and she shook her head. Another flake fell before her, and she glanced up at the sky as the first snow of the season began to fall, softly at first, then heavier, coating the garden with a blanket of shimmering white.

  Laughing, she glanced at the olive tree one last time, and then went inside to join the others. Reed would be waiting for her under the mistletoe, and there was no way she was missing that.

  Somewhere on the other side, she knew Regulus was looking down on them, smiling at the irony and uttering the words, “Not half bad…for a witch.”

  OTHER BOOKS IN THE WITCH HUNTER SAGA

  When a witch threatens to destroy him, vampire Zac Degaud can’t bear the thought of dying a second time. Witch Hunter Aya is the only one who can help — and she’s not so sure she wants to. At least not until Zac proves he’s worth saving…

  Enter a world full of supernatural creatures, ancient curses and love that stretches over hundreds and thousands of years. You've never seen vampires and witches like this before...

  The Witch Hunter <—FREE!

  The Return

  The Shadow’s Son

  The Awakening

  Young Blood

  The Unhallowed

  The Keeping
Place

  SIGN UP FOR THE VIP NEWSLETTER

  If you love The Witch Hunter Saga and want to hear about exciting new stuff, then sign up to become a subscriber to hear about everything before it happens. That means the moment it leaves my fingertips!

  SIGN UP FOR THE VIP NEWSLETTER HERE!

  * * *

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  * * *

  Hey there. My name is Nicole R. Taylor (the R stands for radical…not really, but I'll never tell) and I write books and stuff.

  I write about vampires with complexes, insane witches, super heroes, post-apocalyptic warriors, soul baring music lovers and samurai sword wielding women…all from a desk in a country town in Australia.

  To hear about new releases and more sign up for the email newsletter

  For More Information:

  @nicole_noir

  nrtaylorwrites

  www.nicolertaylorwrites.com

  nicole.this.is@gmail.com