The Witch: Book Two of The Sorceress Saga by Taliesin Govannon (top 10 novels of all time .txt) 📗

“Give Jazzy a hug for me. Is she going to accept the change?”

                “Midsummer.”

                “Maybe we can be there.”

                “That would be cool. I wish that I could call you on my phone”

                “I know, but whoever attacked Jexo’s fortress had some sophisticated technology. Your number is too connected to you… once we get you a new one, you can use it more.”

                “When can I come home?”

                “I think Gaia’s okay with coming to get you tomorrow.”

                “I’ll see you then.”

                Okay. I love you.”

                “I love you too.”

                                                                                                *                *                *

                The next morning, Seamus and I stood in the entrance hall, waiting for both Gaia and Tiffany to arrive on the scene. Jazzy was also, absent, so it was no mystery as to what was going on.

                “I’ll drag them out of bed if I have to.” Seamus assured me.

                “I’m not worried.” I said. “Tiffany is more responsible than anyone else I know. Even if I’ve given her permission to relax and let her hair down, she won’t abuse it.”

                Almost on cue, a door opened at the top of the stairs opened and Tiffany and Jazzy walked out. They had an arm around each other’s waist and stopped frequently to make out, but they got to where we stood eventually.

                “Sleep well?” I asked, grinning.

                “Not hardly at all.” Tiffany replied, grinning as well. “And it was awesome!”

                “Good for you.” I said. “If you can’t find me for a few hours once we get back, I’ll be doing the same with my boyfriend.”

                “Good for you!”

                The air shimmered in front of us, and Gaia appeared. She rushed over to me and threw her arms around me.

                “Thank the makers!” she said. “I was so worried when the fortress was attacked!”

                “It’s okay.” I said, hugging her back. “I had a bodyguard.”

                We broke the hug and Gaia turned to Tiffany. “Thank you for watching over her.” she said, relief in her voice.

                “It was my pleasure." Tiffany said. "Sometimes an extreme one." she added, kissing Jazzy's hand.

                “Seriously?” Gaia whispered to me while Tiffany was distracted. “Another one?”

                “Not as bad.” I said quietly back. “As fearless as Raina, yes, but not nearly as relentless.”

                “If you say so.” Gaia returned to her full vocal volume. “Okay everyone, it’s time to go.

                “Thank you for your hospitality.” I said to Seamus.

                “Any friend of Vincent and Angelique’s is a blood sibling of mine.” he said with a nod of his head. “If you have need of anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

                “We may have need for this one to come for a visit soon.” Tiffany said, looking at Jazzy.

                “That won’t be a problem. Seamus said.

                “Give me time to re-hydrate, ya horny bastard.” Jazzy said to Tiffany with a grin.

                Gaia, Tiffany, and I stood close together, and soon the room winked out of view.

Chapter Fourteen

                From the Diaries of Angelique Dupre

                08/17/1589

                Roanoke Colony

                It seems that young Sarah has been keeping a man in a cave to be used for her pleasure. I was worried that it might come to that once her libido came in after her power did, and the poor soul was half starved when I found him. She had brought him some food, but not always. His state of extreme fascination with her meant the he did little except dream of her return in between their carnal sessions, and he will not lift a finger to keep himself alive.

                I have taken to feeding the young man. He has been missing too long from his tribe for explanations, so he will remain at Sarah’s beck and call for now. Perhaps he will make a good guard on the day that Sarah must leave her family.

                I have not spoken of this with her. I fear her reaction.

                I have given Sarah strict instructions about how she is not to ride the young man more than three nights a week… any more than that, and his health would surely fail. She has expressed an interest in enchanting another young man, this one to service her when the first couldn’t, but I nixed this idea as well.

                She is more evolved than humans, magickally, but cannot be allowed to start viewing people as things to be used. Such is the path to corruption!

                                                                                                *                *                *

                “Blessed Lady, come!”

                My hands raised to the sky, I listened to the dying echo of my words bouncing through the winter woods. I had just invoked the Great Goddess, my duty as Priestess for the rite. Raina had already called the Horned God of the Witches, she standing in for the Priest of the rite.

                We did that often those days. My growing comfort with magick in general meant that I was becoming more proficient in doing all kinds of ritual. Raina, who had done the majority of rituals in her life by herself, had plenty of practice in calling the God… and thus was the most experienced to act as Priest. Jack was present, but he was the self-described ‘eternal ritual space-filler’… he  might stumble through an invocation, but in no way was he ready to lead.

                That left me and Raina.

                I looked around the circle at who was present in the forest temple space with me. Tiffany, Gaia, Jack, Katsu, and Evelyn were all clad in cloaks, hands clasped as we circled the fire. Raina and I stood in the middle, marking the sacred center of the circle by the fire.

                I knew that we weren’t alone in the forest. Drucilla, Darla, and Cordelia were patrolling the woods, ready to alert us and help in our evacuation if need be. Even Tiffany was doing a duel role, her Kevlar body suit under her cloak in case she needed to become a human shield.

                I didn’t think that we were going to have that kind of trouble.