Fated Truth (The True Witch Saga) (27 page)

“Do I let the other Vampire Elders in?” I ask
ed looking out the front window where Seb and the other two men were angrily pacing the front lawn.

“Not just yet.” She turned to Jaxx first and held out her hand which he took and bowed
lowly over. “It is good to meet my daughter’s soul mate in the flesh.”

Ha!
Jaxx’s ears just turned pink. I didn’t think anything could make that man blush.

“Your destined suits you,
my daughter. He is strong of heart and soul. He will be steadfast and supportive.”

I grin
ned at Jaxx. “I love him very much, Mother. He is special to me. He is more than just my soul mate. I would have chosen him regardless of the Fates matching us together.” I joined Jaxx and wrapped my arms around his waist and nuzzled my face into his chest.

Hekate
was approaching my brother and he looked a little freaked by her. He bowed lowly in a show of respect but seemed to be struck mute.

“It
is okay child. I’m not here to harm you. You are womb mate of my little light. That makes you precious to me also.” She pulled Gavin into a hug and his shoulders began to shake. “I will be a mother to you also. Know that you are loved my child.”

Gavin collapsed
in on himself sobbing silently.

I look
ed at Jaxx with wide eyes, not knowing what to do.

“Just let him get it out. He hasn’t been shown much in the way of affection in his short life.”

“Sometimes I forget how old you are. Cradle robber.” I slapped his chest with the back of my hand and laughed.

“But you love me. Don’t you
, little raven?” he asked with a grin.

“More than moonlight,” I said
with solemn eyes. I turned back to my mother and Gavin and saw that he had gotten himself together. Hekate had seated herself daintily in a green club chair and Gavin was sitting at her feet while she idly ran her fingers through his hair. If I didn’t already love my mother, I would love her right then for showing my brother that small kindness.

“It
is time to let in the Vampires that are waiting outside.” Hekate looked up at me when she spoke.

I wave
d my hand and the force field surrounding the house disappeared. Within moments the front door was sent crashing into the wall and three irate immortal males came flashing in. Seb stopped in his tracks at the sight of my mother sitting in the room. He immediately dropped to his knees and stayed there eyes prone on the floor.

The other two had
n’t noticed her presence. She must have muted her power before they made their entrance. They were facing me where I stood, looking at me like they would love to follow through with Moira’s threats. They were both tall. Well over sex feet in height with dark hair and muddy brown eyes. Their faces were nondescript and neither was handsome nor overly attractive. They were clearly twins. Their looks were nearly identical.

“Who are you to kill one of our ancients
? Some youngling drunk on power!”

I didn’t get a chance to r
espond because my mother decided this was the moment to make herself known.

“Who you are speaking to
is my daughter, daughter of my blood, daughter of my light. You will show respect to your betters or I will cull you where you stand.”

“We are ancient Elders of an ancient and noble race. My name
was Odar and this is my brother Adar. Who are you to speak to us thus?”

Power unlike anything I had
ever seen spilled through the room like a tidal wave. It took all of my stubborn will to remain on my feet. If I wasn’t clinging to Jaxx I would have been mowed over. As it was, we were both holding each other up. The two Vampire Elders finally realized their mistake. They might not know who exactly they’d just insulted, but they obviously know when they were out matched and out classed.

“I know exactly who you are,
Odar, Adar. Twin mortals my once would be mate decided to make into his play things. I saw the night that he took you whilst you were shoveling muck outside your pathetic hut.”

The
look on their faces were priceless. “We owe no allegiance to you, Goddess,” Odar fairly spat. “You cursed our maker without cause. We did not worship at your alter like these weak Witches.”

Hekate narrowed
her eyes in the direction of the twin Elders. They both dropped to their knees in screams. Blood was pouring from their eyes, ears, and mouths.

“Kelian
is and was a weak man. If it is he that you show your allegiance to after he cut you loose to survive this troubled world on your own, then you are as worthless as the parasite that my daughter eradicated,” Hekate’s voice echoed through the room.

“There
is a war coming. All factions will be forced to join a side. Tread lightly. You do not wish to be on the losing one.” With that bit of advice she released them from her thrall.

The Elders quickly stoo
d and flashed out the door as if the hounds of hell were nipping at their asses. Good riddance and all that jazz. My mother walked to where Seb was still kneeling on the floor and bid him to rise. I quickly made introductions.

“Mother, this
is Sebastian. He is Jaxx’s uncle.”

“It
is a pleasure to finally meet you in the flesh teacher of my daughter.” Her voice was back to tinkling bells.

Sebastian looked
flabbergasted. It was a good look for him. I smiled into my hand to hide it.

“It
is an honor my lady.” Seb bowed low over my mother’s hand.

“Seb,
we have healed Jessa. Moira had been torturing her in your absence. That is why...Umm. Why I killed her. I read her thoughts and memories. The things she said and did were horrid. I couldn’t just let it go. Elder or not. I’m sorry if this upsets you.” I hung my head. I loved Seb. He was a part of my newly formed family. I wouldn’t want him to hate me.

“I don’t blame you for your actions child. T
hey were wisely done.” Seb turned back to my mother. “You said something of a war on the rise, my lady. What did you mean by that?” When Seb spoke to my mother he whispered like he was afraid of her disapproval. I had never seen him so humbled.

“There are certain clans of True Witches that have turned to the ways of darkness. They have turned from me and from the light. They want to eradicate all others who
do not follow their new ways,” Hekate whispered with great sadness.

I went
to her and clasped my hand in hers to offer what comfort I could.

“They were once my children. Not children of my blood. Not children of my light or soul
, but my children all the same. I listened to their pleas and prayers. I led them in the way of the light, the way of the just. They have turned from me. Who they follow now I cannot see. They have cloaked themselves from my sight.”

“Well I don’t think we can rely on the Vampire factions to be on our
side in the upcoming conflicts,” I whispered to the room at large.

“There are many factions of Vampires. There are many Elders in each of these factions. The Elders you met tonight are of no consequence. Many of my kind still follow the
old ways.” Seb nodded in my mother’s direction. Then looked to where Moira’s remains still lay on the floor in a steaming pile of flesh. I had forgotten her.

My mother
saw the direction of our stares and waved a gentle hand through the air and what remained of Moira just disappeared. Well that takes care of that. I shrugged. You either rolled with it or drown.

“It
is time for me to take my leave from this plane.” Hekate looked at me squeezing my hand tighter. “Child take wisdom from the book I have gifted you. If you have need of me, I will come. You are loved, my little light.” She stepped forward and embraced me in a tender hug. When she pulled away I felt as if I were going to weep. “You have many trials ahead. Danger looms very near.” She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, and then shook her head in the negative. “This danger is hidden from me. They wear a false face. Someone familiar to you, I think. Tread carefully. Trust only those closest to you.” She looked around the room and the people in it. My new family, people I would gladly kill and die for if I had to.

Hekate backed
away from me and green tinged mist started to surround her. Once she was fully covered in it there was a bright flash of light and she was gone. I felt her absence keenly, but I had to push it back. There were more pressing matters to attend to at that moment.

Everyone in the sitting room
was looking at everyone else’s shell shocked faces. It wasn’t every day that you were in the presence of a Goddess. Seb looked at me with questions in his eyes.

“We healed her
, Seb. Jessa will wake sometime tonight.”

“Thank the, Goddess,” Seb sighed
out.

Jaxx came over, pulled me close to him and settled us into a vacant club chair with m
e sitting sideways across his lap. Everyone was silent for a while, taking in the events of the morning. I lay my head on Jaxx’s shoulder and had almost fallen asleep when Gavin spoke. I jumped at the sound of his voice.

“So what are we going to
do about this upcoming war? It doesn’t seem like this is something that we can put off. Or something that we can handle alone.”

“I agree. There
is a gathering coming up in one month’s time. The Wandering,” Jaxx said. When I looked at him in question he explained. “It is a gathering that True Witches flock to for the chance they might meet their intended mate. Or soul mate.”

“Yes! My boy
, I think you have it!” Seb shouted. “There will be every Clan of True Witches present, along with their Clan Elders. We can bring the warnings of the Mother Goddess to them there.” Seb looked at Jaxx like he was a genius.

I snuggle
d back into the space between Jaxx’s neck and shoulder and decided to dose for a while. The boys could speculate and plan all they wanted but that morning had wiped me out.

When I woke
up a little later, I realized I needed to check my phone and email. Touch base with the real world for a bit before my uncle and Devon sent out the FBI to look for me, even though it’s only been a week since I had spoken either of them. They were most likely freaking the fuck out. “Has anyone thought about what I’m supposed to say to my Uncle and Devon when I decide to contact them again?” I asked the room at large, which was rewarded with weird looks from everyone. “Geez, sorry! It was just a stray thought, but a valid one I think!”

“Your uncle thi
nks that you are at a boarding school in upstate New York. I have a Vampire friend that added a few things to his memory.” When Seb realized that I was getting agitated at the thought of anyone messing with my uncle’s head, he waved his hand at me to calm down. “I’m close to this one, Ella. I trust him. He didn’t hurt your uncle in any way. I swear it on my word. I took care of Devon myself. He thinks you have fled to the boarding school as well. Just remember the cover story when you call them later.”

I sigh
ed in relief, closed my eyes and felt my mind begin to drift. Snuggled into Jaxx was my favorite place in the world to be. “I love you so very much,” I whispered for his ears alone.

“And I you, little raven
. We have much to discuss when you wake, but for now sleep and dream of good things, dream of me.”

If it was only that easy.
As soon as I closed my eyes I found myself running through that all familiar maze. It was made of giant thorns and I could hear the footsteps of the person chasing me gaining ground. I could almost feel their breath on the back of my neck. I remembered the part that came next and I was seriously not looking forward to it.

Good dreams indeed.

Chapter Twenty

She Bit Me!

I wo
ke up to people shouting. I rolled over and tried to bury my head in the warm pillow my head was nestled against. Unfortunately I was not lying on a pillow at all. I accidentally head butt Jaxx in my attempt to escape the noise.

“
Umph! What are you trying to do, little raven?” He smiled at me while rubbing his chin.

“
I’m trying to get away from whoever is down stairs squawking.” I shook my head to clear some of the cobwebs. “What is all the commotion about anyway?” I asked him.

“
Jessa woke up hungry.” He laughed and shook his head.

I guess that explained
why someone was bitching. Just when I was about to ask what she had gotten herself into this time, Gavin charged through the door. “Knock much?” I scowled at him.

“You wouldn’t bother knocking either if someone just tapped your
ass like a juice box!” He yelled at me. “She bit me!”

“Watch your tone
, brother!” Jaxx snarled at Gavin. “You are upset, but don’t take your frustrations out on your sister. You get me boy?”