Darkwraith bk 2

chapter 3: coven gone

Tension filled the manor from floor to ceiling; I didn’t need any gift to know that, either. Ever since he mentioned Wanda’s summon, Alex became distant. “Tell me what this is about.” He avoided my gaze. My frown deepened. “Fine, I guess I’ll find out from Wanda.” I pulled from Alex’s hand, folded mine under my arms, and served him a nasty glare.

We continued our seeming death march down the grand staircase on quiet feet after I freshened up. Though I knew I was the one who’d pulled my hand from Alex, it still hurt when he didn’t try to hold it again. Fine.

Tears stung my eyes. More secrets. How I hated secrets, but mine was much too personal to share.

The house was dark as always. The front room sat in ghostly silence, dimly lit by the dimming candles in the dining room several yards down. Boy, did this feel familiar. A shiver coursed its way up my back as I remembered the night Geothro and the rest of the coven assembled here.

Air became scarce in my lungs and I did not notice that I’d stopped in my tracks until Alex’s face pierced my line of vision.

“Winter?”

I blinked, breaking our eye contact. Drawing a deep breath, I said, “I’ll be fine. Let’s see what Wanda wants.” But I wasn’t expecting the entire coven at the table, either. I lost my confidence as we stepped foot into the room, but Alex stood behind me.

“Winter, darling, welcome.” She rose, and so did everyone else; their gazes wary.

I curtsied and lowered into a chair that had been pulled out for both Alex and I.

“You’re probably wondering what this convening is all about.” Her smile slid up at either corner of her mouth, never reaching her eyes. I stiffened. When I didn’t say anything, she cleared her throat and continued, “First of all, darling, as Guardian of Stormhold Coven—”

Her words cut off so suddenly that I met her gaze head-on. To my shock, moisture glistened in her dark eyes.

“It is my deepest regret for what our dreamcaster had done.” She sniffed, ignoring a single tear as it slid down her white cheek.

I took the liberty right then and there to observe everyone else’s face. Heads down, noses red, eyes on the tabletop. No one was happy. I did not look at Alex. What was I expecting?

“It was a tragedy indeed and we are deeply sorrowful, Winter.”

Desperation filled my entire soul and I forgave Alex at once. I needed to hold him. Silence grated my hearing and I nodded, trying to separate myself from the lure of Alex’s presence.

“It is evident, however, the influences of this great enemy has had upon you.” My mouth fell, my objections ready to spring. Did she know? Her eyes held mine. Clear, bright, deep. “It haunts these walls even as I speak.” Her gaze roved around the walls, and I, naturally, followed her sight.

Dru turned quickly so as to avoid eye contact. Kit, Cory and Rowan kept their gazes downcast as did the Hanah and Natalia. Everyone but for Geothro avoided me. My heart snapped, and I resisted the urge to ease the physical pain of rejection inside my chest.

“What do you mean, Wanda?” I ventured, my voice stronger than I felt. My dreams floated into my skull, threatening, no, daring me to relive them. This was one place I’d refuse to relive the horrors of my realizations that Alex had called . . . visions.

She met Alex’s eyes briefly, and I felt him stir. He knew she was going to say this! I refused to acknowledge him. “It concerns us, my dear, how we can no longer feel you—you are . . .” Wanda paused, her eyes drinking me in. I wanted to run and hide because I knew what she was talking about. I could not feel them, either. “You are as if we possessed no gift. You are flat, like the image on a movie screen. Not real.”