SWNOVELS Chapter Chapter Twenty-two
Amethyst’s Pov:
“Joseph, can you track the witch? She just took off. I lost sight of her,” Sanders linked the mysterious voice. “You are useless, Sanders. You know that, right?” the voice growled.
The laughter became deafening, almost as if it was surrounding me. Their presence was more ominous than we first suspected. I tried to seek as many of them out as I could. “So, they sent you,” a voice growled from its hiding place. “I was hoping they would send your weak blood, Amethyst.”
“Weak blood?” I hissed, allowing my anger to rise in me. A chill overtook the surrounding air. Good, they wanted to fight. “I’ll show you weak blood,” I screamed. “Main? You find that witch for me yet?” Sanders asked.
“No, but I have found a cluster. They haven’t noticed me yet. Something has their attention. There are about six of them.” The voice that I assumed was Joseph’s replied.
“Where?” I tried to link him. “Please, I need to find out if it’s me who has their attention,” I pressed, pleading to the Goddesses he got my link. “Who the hell are you?” he snapped. “The witch Sanders sent you to find. I need to discover their location,” I growled.
“The coven has lost its nerve if they allowed you to become its soul leader,” the witch continued to harass me. “You do not know who you are dealing with,” I spat.
“Who ever heard of a witch whose line couldn’t even hold a flame?” another one chimed in, causing the laughter to intensify.
“Sanders, I think my mate is close by. All I can smell is lavender and lilacs,” Joseph’s voice broke my train of thought. “If you will not help me, I suggest you shut up,” I hissed. “As you are breaking my concentration.”
“Shut it, witch,” he growled. I tried to push his voice to the back of my mind. His attempts to insult me helped to reignite my anger. The skies turned black, casting the lands into a darkness so deep that it was like the moon itself vanished from the night sky.
“Cute trick, but we still see you,” the witches cackled. I couldn’t help but to allow a smile to claim me. Any magic they used would illuminate them like a beacon.
“Sanders, can you see anything? This is an unnatural darkness,” Joseph asked. “Come on, Joseph, what are you blabbering about? Did you walk into a tree, you dolt?” Sanders replied, irritated.
Thanks to these two, I was getting a good laugh. I wasn’t sure which of them was lacking brain cells more. “Are you away from the witches?” I asked Joseph. “Yes, why?” he answered. “Good, just stay back. I need them to show themselves.”
Of course, no sooner than I spoke, there was a loud crack from a branch snapping. My heart sank as I realized it was from him moving. “Idiot,” I yelled through the connection we somehow shared.
Instantly, the darkness lit up with fire as the witches turned their attention to him. Unfortunately for us, they had the advantage. They could see him, I couldn’t.
I raised my arm. “Goddesses, please guide me,” I whispered. Much to my pleasure, a torrent of wind roared as silver tendrils raced to intercept the cascading flames which were on their way to the poor, stupid wolf.
Screams of anger filled the air, followed by laughter. My heart sank. I was not fast enough. “I am so sorry,” I attempted to link the lost wolf. “For what? Whatever you did, they can’t get past. They can’t see me either. I should kiss you,” Joseph laughed.
“Get out of there before they tear down my barrier,” I hissed. At least I knew where some of them were. “Where is she?” I pushed Joseph’s voice out of my head and turned my attention to the witches.
“By the Goddess’s light, I illuminate you,” I whispered to myself. Instantly, several twinkling lights revealed themselves like stars. “There you are,” I beamed.
“You know how to stop them. Ask and you will receive. Remind them of their former Goddess’s strength,” the Woman’s voice kissed my ears.
Nervous, I took a deep breath. This was going to require much of my life force in order to draw the power needed to maintain the barrier for that wolf. As well as to attack as many of these witches as possible. “By the light of the moon!” I yelled, raising my free arm to the sky. All around me, the wind swirled before a purple haze descended to the earth and surrounded me.
The weight of the power I was channeling was almost like being crushed. Every muscle in my body ached as I struggled to breathe. Once it seemed the Goddesses’ power was about to tear me apart. I lowered my arm and glanced to the illuminated witches allowing the purple haze to pass through me. And destroying all those in the path of the Goddesses flames, their moon fire.
Screams of pain from the witches, who turned to ash, echoed in the dark. “Weak blood? I’d like to see one of you do that,” I scoffed, completely satisfied with what I just accomplished. A moment later, the light of the sun filtered back into the forest. Those who remained shrieked amongst themselves.
“Amethyst?” Timothy’s terrified voice called out from behind me. I turned to face him. He appeared to be utterly panicked. Clearly, he shifted before getting here.
“Look out!” Joseph’s voice yelled. Just then, someone tackled me to the ground. Almost instantly, the searing heat from flames passed over us. Obviously, one witch tried to take full advantage of my distraction.
I stared up at the person who saved me and was startled to see the most handsome face peering back at me. His icy blue eyes filled with surprise and fear. “This can’t be right. She’s a witch. She can’t be mine,” his voice filled with confusion. But somehow, he was not speaking a word.
“What do you mean, yours?” I squeaked, praying it was not what I thought it was. His eyes grew twice the size than they already were. If they grew anymore, I feared he would lose them.
“What do you mean, yours?” I screamed in panic. “Joseph?” Alpha Jennings gaped at us, then at Timothy, confused. “I never said a word. Shit. Lavender and Lilac.” Joseph stated, both aloud and in my mind.
“But you did. You said this can’t be right, she’s a witch. She can’t be mine,” I hissed, tossing him off me. Much to my surprise, an expression of hurt crossed his face. Thankfully, the comfort of Timothy’s powerful arms wrapped around me, pulling me up. Joseph looked away as if he was in pain.
“No, this is all wrong. She doesn’t sense the sparks,” his voice invaded my mind again. It was almost as if I was losing my mind. “What do you mean, sparks?” I continued to yell at him.
Timothy’s grasp on my body suddenly let go, sending me back to the ground. Unfortunately, I hit the ground hard, my wrist gave a loud crack. Joseph jumped to my aid, looking into my eyes, desperately needing something. “Amethyst, I am so sorry,” Timothy linked before he attempted to help me once again.
“I am fine,” I spat. “She’s as crazy as the rest of those witches,” Joseph scoffed. “I am not crazy! I know what I heard.” My eyes fixed on Joseph as I argued. My anger reverberated through my entire being as I forced myself to stand. My legs, which had become shaky, gave out. This time, it was Joseph who caught me. I gaped at him with surprise.
His eyes clouded with confusion as we stared at each other for a moment. “Just because the bitch saved your life doesn’t mean you owe her anything,” Sanders’s voice invaded my mind. “I know. She is a worthless witch,” Joseph replied, handing me to Timothy’s arms.
“A worthless witch?” I whispered. Tears of hurt and rage stung my eyes. Somehow, there was pain emanating from Joseph. “I am NOT a worthless witch!” I screamed. I wanted so desperately for Timothy to let me go so I could reach Joseph and beat the life out of him.
Tim’s Pov:
Amethyst’s anger forced the winds to shift. Her body felt like an inferno. I worried her heart would burst at any moment with how it was racing. “Thyst, you need to calm down,”
I demanded. Her eyes met mine. They were pure silver, filled with rage and hate. “I am not a worthless witch,” she repeated with venom before turning her rage back to Joseph, her mate.
All the pain and heartbreak she was feeling was fast becoming mine. “I’ve not waited 181 years,” she snapped finally, breaking free of my hold. Still pissed off, she headed towards poor foolish Joseph to unleash her rage on him.
“Amethyst!” I yelled, trying to regain control of her. “Timothy move,” Madeline demanded. To my surprise, Madeline rushed to Amethyst with her shield in her hands.
To all of our utter shock, Madeline raised her shield and smashed it against the back of Thyst’s head. Instantly, Amethyst collapsed. It was Joseph who made it to her first. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he screamed.
“Do you know how to subdue a pissed off witch that wants your head? Because that’s all I could think of. You’re welcome, by the way,” Madeline scoffed, pulling Amethyst from his arms. His eyes locked on Madeline, unable to hide his anger.
Madeline turned to me. “Now there are no doubts left. That wolf is Thyst’s mate,” she shrugged as she dumped Amethyst into my arms. “Don’t let the witch find out it was me. I don’t want her wrath; I won’t be so lucky as to avoid it,” Madeline whispered. The stress was clear in her eyes.
After that episode, we headed to the pack house. My heart was heavy with hurt. Thyst finally found her mate. It was always my hope for her it would be an instant and a powerful attraction.
Instead, it was just instant resentment. Joseph kept just far enough away to make it seem as if he didn’t care. Except he constantly glanced towards Amethyst, and the worry which seemed to surround him.
Nothing could prepare me for the guilt and jealousy which ate at me. If Amethyst lost her mate, it certainly would be because of my love for her. But if they became mates, he would be the one to hold her all night, to make love to her. To be her rock and all she ever needed. She would lose all feelings for me, and I would be tied to mine. And when she passed, I would mourn her more than I mourned my mate before her.