The Paranormal Side

Chapter 14

**(Three Weeks Later)**

My eyes closed, I breathed deep, focusing on opening up my body. I concentrated on letting my mind relax into the calmness of magic, letting my energy run free in my body. I breathed a sigh as a warm feeling spread through me.

"Finished with your warm-ups yet?" Zach asked as he reentered the room. My eyes shot open and I gave him a mock glare, but nodded as I sat up.

Zach had been training me everyday for the past three weeks, and we had become very close. We were more like siblings then cousins. It was odd, but I already loved him like I would a brother and would give my life up for him.

For the past three weeks, everyone had been busy. Zach and I with our magic training, and my Grams who had been bringing more and more witches to our house.

Our home was now full of guests. All witches and warlocks Grams trusted. When the house had become full, the rest of the witches still coming began to stay at a hotel nearby. Waiting. Practicing their magic.

Preparing for war.

I shivered at the thought. I was barely eighteen, and I was going to war.

The witches that were staying here rarely talked to me. Instead they cast me wary, yet curious glances. The girl with the power of three witches. So young.

Paige had been in and out. She was usually helping their pack leader call in other packs to fight with us. Or helping train the "cubs". I learned that Brian was one of those cubs.

My heart still ached at the thought of Brian and I hadn't backed down on my vow to get him back. Everyday I saw Paige I asked about Brian. She told me the same thing each day. "He's fine. Training hard. Good wolf," she would say, but wouldn't meet my eyes and then immediately change the subject or hurry off. I worried constantly what was happening to Brian, but Paige said I couldn't see him because he needed to focus on his training and learn to control his wolf first.

Grams agreed, but for different reasons.

"He is just a distraction right now. You need to focus on your training if we are to have any shot at winning this war," she told me, giving me a stern that-is-all look. I nodded, embarrassed and would hurry off.

There was no sign of Autumn. We continued to look for her, but Grams was sure we wouldn't find her until the war. She claimed Jeremiah is probably using magic to hide her or.... We tried not to think the worst thought.

My mind snapped back to the present as my ears caught the sliding of fabric upon fabric as Zach shrugged on his jacket. I rose an eyebrow, confused. "Are we training outside?"

Zach shook his head as he slid his phone in his jeans pocket. "We're going to the werewolves place."

My heart stopped in my chest and I choked on air. Brian.

I scrambled to my feet and walked over to him. "W-why?"

He sighed and twirled his keys around his index finger. "They want to observe you. I know I know. Weird. But they're going to be a big help in the war, so Grams couldn't say no. Anyways, the pack leader wants to talk to me about battle strategies. And they have a bigger training area which we are going to need because you'll be dealing with harder magic today. So come on, lets go."

Not able to believe this was happening, that I was finally given a chance to maybe see Brian again, I hurriedly yanked on my jacket. As I fixed my hair in the mirror and removed any smudges of makeup, someone came running down the stairs.

"Zach!" It was Taylor. She came bounding into the living room, a big smile on her face as she looked for Zach. When she saw us by the door in our jackets with Zach holding his keys, her face fell.