The Witch On The Mountain

Chapter 23

Nathan lowered his head at the new comer, the other two men flanking the unknown person remaining silent.

" Yes, I'm sure they do." He said still looking down.

I stared at Nathan uneasy, him lowering his head in submission was not something I was use to. I quickly decided I didn't like it. I reached out for his hand trying to comfort him.

He glanced at me a small smile visible from the corner of his mouth. He returned my clasp forming a firm hold.

" I'm aware of what took place in the past but I'm unclear about the current situation. Explain." The same towering man spoke again his voice echoing in the night air. Demanding everyone's attention.

Nathan flexed his fingers in mine before answering.
"I felt that my mate was in trouble, I had to come to her aid." He glanced at me then added more to himself than the group of new comers. "Not that she needed it." He said proudly.

The man made a sound of acknowledgment his eyes turning in the direction of the alter where the bodies of those treacherous women laid cold. His scrutinizing gaze shifted to me as if trying to discern my abilities.

" She must be a powerful witch to take out a covent of five by herself." The man added indifferent.

Nathan answered "Yes."

I raised my hand ready to attack the man, I didn't like how he obliterated Nathan's usual confidence. Just being around him had made him unsure of himself, forced his usually highly held head to fall, made him seem small. I would get rid of him.

Nathan glanced back at me as if knowing exactly what I was thinking, he took my arm returning his gaze to the group.

Another one of the new comers spoke. " What's our next move, this land isn't on our territory."

The man gave me a hard look his gaze flickering between Nathan then me.

" We clean up this mess then we leave." He redirected his attention to us. " Prepare her for the journey." They both walked away not awaiting a reply.

I felt the building tension in Nathaniel fade away. Nathan made a noise of acknowledgment as the two disappeared in the direction of the alter. My killing intent had been put on pause for awhile.

The other man who had been silent came up to us holding an article of clothing out to Nathan.

"Sorry, he forced me to tell him everything once he found out you left." He said his gaze to the floor.

"It's fine" Nathan said taking his offering. I was secretly sad he released my hand.

The unknown blonde's gaze turned to me as if assessing me. I didn't feel any animosity in his demeanor but I didn't know him. I tried it use Nathan as a shield to block his discerning eyes.

The man let out a laugh startling me slightly. "You got a good one Nate."

Nate?

Nathan's smile returned as he encircled my shoulders. "Yeah, I told you she's perfect."

I looked between the two men, Nathan must have been friends with him.

"She's the closest thing to perfect besides Juana." The blonde said patting Nathan shoulder. Nathan pushed him away turning to me.

"Azula, this in Alexander. He's my best friend." Nathan said motioning to the blonde.

I looked him up and down taking in his lean frame. His soft features made him look feminine but his build was powerful with natural muscle. My inner voice told me not to underestimate him.

"Nice to meet you." I said staying close to Nathan, if Nathan trusted him I would trust him.

He beamed down at me his smile showing dazzling white teeth. The two shared a look as Alexander opened his mouth to say something.

"Shut up." Nathan cut him off.

Again  Alexander laughed throwing his hands in the air. " Ok let's go." He said leading us to where the other men had disappeared.

Coming upon the scene again I realized just how gruesome it actually was, blood splattered all over porcelain like stone. Alexander turned to me shock obvious in his gaze but similarly to Nathan his eyes held no fear.

"She did this?!" He asked eyes pinned to the body being dragged away by on of the men. Nathan didn't get a chance to answer him.

"It's just like you to get such a powerful mate." He mumbled going to join the other men. 

I looked up at Nathan his eyes following his friend. "Come on." He said ushering me away.

He led me to the cabin. "Is there anything you want to take with you?" He asked as he sat on the kitchen table. The aged wood creaked loudly under his weight.

I looked around the room, eyes focusing on the bowl of wilted apples. With Greta dead their was no magic to sustain the place and all the enchantments would slowly fade.

This place was never truly mine, it was the cage where I was kept captive for slaughter. I had nothing of value or note that I would miss from my time bringing reared. My plants maybe, but nothing more. It wasn't like I could uproot my entire garden and take it with me.

"No. There's nothing here for me." I said going to the bedroom. The small hand held mirror that had barely been used laid at the bottom of my closet. I lifted it trying to get a look at myself.

Unsatisfied I returned it to its resting place, It was far to small.

A string of thoughts ran through me, their origin unknown as I found myself saying a phrase I vaguely understood. Suddenly a wall length mirror appeared before me floating in mid air giving me the exact view I desired.

I didn't know what was more shocking, my sudden use of magic or my appearance.

I was a sight to behold.

My once white dress was varying degrees of crimson the fabric stained with blood. Who would have guessed that blood was a good mordant? My hair wild and smeared with blood blended with my skin that was splattered with the same dried metallic liquid.

I reached up inspecting my exposed shoulder where Nathan's mark had already healed. The skin scarred over but still red and irritated. A shiver ran through me as I traced his handy work.

He appeared in the mirror behind me taking my waist from behind and kissing my neck as he pulled my against him. " It looks good on you." Nathan said his hands slipping under my dress.

It did, but I looked terrible. "How come you didn't tell me I looked this bad."  I said running my hand over his.

Warm breath escaping into my skin he replied. " To a wolf, seeing their mate bathed in the blood of their enemies is the most attractive thing they could ever see."

Huh? He found my deplorable state attractive? It must have been a trait of his animalistic side. His compliment still made my heart flutter as the mirror vanished away it's purpose having been fulfilled.

" But their scent isn't appealing on you, I want you clean and only smelling like me." He said taking a step back and clasping our hands together.

"Come with me."

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