The Hunt of the Grimalkin (Erresuma Book 1) by Dani Swanson (books to read romance TXT) 📗

had enough of her cousins being cruel to her and launched a fireball right at their heads.” Robin fell backwards as if acting out missing a giant fireball from the sky. “The market caught on fire and burnt to the ground; ruining everyone’s booths – a few people even died. The town now had confirmation of the family being witches. Lilly fled and hid in the forest as the town’s people started a mob to look for her. Lilly Quinn changed into the Grimalkin and never looked back. It is said that her vanity became so deep, that she found a spell that kept her youth intact by devouring the souls of people. She never changed back from being in her cat form. She had been hiding for so long, she forgot how. She has been hunting throughout the land for hundreds of years, hunting down the most beautiful or powerful people in order to eat their souls and stay alive.” Robin took a bow. “And that is the story of the Grimalkin or as those of us who know the story, Lilly Quinn – the Witch”.

After a moment of silence, while the story settled in, Thea questioned, “Why do you think she’s stalking me?”

“She either wants your beauty, or your powers.” Robin said non-empathically.

Thea raised her eyebrows at Robin.

“Oh, come on Thea, you have both. You would be the perfect person for the Grimalkin to get.” Robin said as she plopped down next to her.

“What do you mean about powers?” Thea asked.

“You really don’t remember anything, do you?” Robin asked. Robin leaned in really close to Thea’s face. “Thea, you are a witch! You have powers.” Robin had a wide smile across her face as she giggled.

“Wait….what?” Thea stammered. Fig nudged her hand and meowed.

Robin got up and grabbed a spell book that she put in Thea’s hands. “You. Are. A. Witch.”

chapter nine

 

Thea and Robin spent the entire night, into the wee hours of the morning, sharing the experiences of the last few weeks. Robin told Thea stories about how they met while working in the market when they were still in school, and how Thea had healing powers. Robin too, was a witch, though she did not have the same level of powers as Thea. Thea learned that she had lived with her aunt since a young age, but Robin did not know what had happened to Thea’s family.

Robin had many spell books, and books on herbs. “I feel like I’ve been walking around with this blank stare on my face. Everything feels so surreal to me.” Thea said as she thumbed through a book of healing potions. “I don’t remember any of this business.” Thea looked up to catch Robin’s gaze. She had her head tilted to the side and had a concern look on her face. Thea grabbed her temple as her head started to throb again. looking over Robin’s shoulder towards the trees, a blank expression on her face. The red headed woman slowly backed out of her embrace and looked Thea square in the eye. “What’s wrong with you?”

Who is this? Fig seems to know her and is fine with her. Thea’s lips were slightly parted as she started to speak but then abruptly stopped.

“Here, Lady,” Robin said as she tossed a small vial at Thea. “Rub that on your temples and take a couple deep breaths.” Thea popped the cork and ran the vile under her nose; the sweet aroma of peppermint came pouring out. “It will calm the pain. And, chew on this eucalyptus leaf.” Robin pulled out a leaf from a pouch on a shelf. “It also helps with colds,” Robin said with a wink. Almost instantly, Thea felt better and her head felt clear; the pain had subsided.

“Well, Lady, I don’t know what happened to you, but if the Grimalkin is stalking you, we better have you study up on your spells….and maybe on how to defend yourself. You looked like you were going to pass out yesterday.”

The two girls sat out in the grass with a stack of books reading about herbs and spells, and creatures from far off lands. Fig was nearby, practicing his hunting skills by chasing the little critters that hid in the long grass. They drank dandelion wine and dandelion fizz, as they lounged outside each day. Thea had learned about her ability to heal, and what all the herbs were that she had found in her bag. Thea, for the first time that she could remember, didn’t have a headache and felt calm. Fig seemed content as he grazed on catnip and laid amongst the books and parchments. It felt like a lazy summer vacation visiting someone’s lake cabin – drinking, talking, and lazing out in the sun. Thea started to forget about that there was a killer witch…grimalkin….thing, stalking her. The two girls grew closer over the week, as they shared laughs and taught each other things.

“Come on! Start!” Thea yelled at her hand. “Please start?” She had one finger on a line of a book, as she held her other hand out in front of her – staring at her palm with intensity as if she was watching a small ant walk across her hand. She was getting mad that the spell was not working.

“I can’t do this!” She yelled in frustration up to the sky.

“Ha! Sure you can!” Robin laughed. “You just need to believe that you can.” Robin picked Thea’s hand up out of her lap and pressed the tip of her nail into Thea’s palm. “Push all of your energy right…there,” she said as she jabbed her nail down into Thea’s palm.

“Ow! You slag!” Thea cursed as she shook her hand in pain.

“Just do it,” Robin said with annoyance in her voice. “Here, shut your eyes and focus.” She stated, as she put her hand up