“Within these walls, nothing. It’s beyond the protection stones of our land that we should be afraid. Witches have powers that can hold their own against small numbers. We’re a smaller pack, an easy target. I guess it’s why we’ve had so many attacks in recent weeks. The vampires are trying to pick off the smaller of our kind before we unite to set out on a war once again. In numbers they’re not a match for us.” Despite her words that should instill a little confidence of our safety all I can feel is her overwhelming sadness.
Sierra has been quiet of late, her powers growing again and spending more time studying the grimoires of the house than venturing outside of her own walls. I know she’s pining for a mate she hates but can’t be unbound from, and a life she lost that she can’t go backwards to. Her unhappiness has been increasing in the last months, the longer we live this way, and I don’t think it’s down to the vampire attacks. I think her heart is grieving and with every new niggle and unrest brought up, she feels even less useful to her pack.
“So, their magic can’t invade beyond the runes buried outside the perimeter?” Colton cuts in, his eyes on his mom and I can tell he too feels her underlying lack of vavoom today. He won’t push her though; he still treats her like precious glass that may shatter should he blow a little too hard.
“No. Those runes were created and buried by my great, great, grandfather, under guidance of the world’s most powerful witch. He was a great sorcerer and made sure this house would withstand magic of any kind that was not borne within from blood. We can use ours, we can freely come and go, but anyone else touched by spell or gift that we don’t invite in, can’t pass. I’m not even sure humans can pass without our say so.”
“That’s something I suppose. So, they can throw all they have at our walls and outside within the boundary, and nothing gets through?” I raise my brow, finding some peace in that. The first boundary line where the rune stones lie are about ten feet outside the village walls and our front sweeping drive.
“Yes.” Sierra seems confident in it, so I settle, glad of something at least. One less concern. We can sleep at night, knowing nothing gets in, even if the vampires stray close. We still must patrol though as our power lines, telephone cables all route outwith these lines and our main water supplies come in from the west. They have been targeting those with every new attack.
“We need to reduce the distance we chase from now on. No longer use the frequency as our measure of distance. We need to properly mark the rune boundary and forbid any of the pack straying beyond until we know more about what they intend to do.” Colton places his fork down and frowns, focus off outside the large double window of the veranda, staring at the looming presence of the distant forest and mountain as though trying to visually spot the enemy. The sun is bright today, despite the chill in the air and the land before us looks green and luscious. A far cry from the shadowy danger we faced last night.
“It’s not a bad idea. Safety first. As always.” I smile at him softly, knowing that’s what he’ll do for the good of our people and tap his plate to encourage him to eat.
“Talking of magic…. I had another dream…” Colton turns instantly invasive; his posture stiffening and a heavy cold fills the atmosphere around us. I flicker my eyes his way in question and surprise. He hasn’t mentioned any dreams to me lately, so I squint at him with brewing doubts.
“When?” I blurt out, hating the thought he has kept something from me. It’s not how we are. He tells me everything and vice versa, we have no secrets, and one hundred percent honesty.
“Last night. I figured I would tell you both at the same time and save the agony of having to repeat it.” He glances from his mom to me and that subtle frown appearing on his brow makes me wonder how bad it can be. Simmering my internal pang of betrayal momentarily. Colton is rarely fazed by anything, especially not dreams, even if he thinks they may be visions of the future, so this has to be something upsetting.
“Tell me.” Sierra reaches out across the table and covers his hand with hers, that gentle maternal love she smothers us with shining through as she too senses unease. Colton sighs heavily, leaning back a little without breaking her contact and rolls his shoulders. A sign he’s starting to get stressed and my nerves pick up, pushing me to lean towards him. Aching for him as his emotions taint mine and I get equally antsy as I feed from his inner despair. I reach out impulsively and take his other hand, the one on his thigh under the table and tangle our fingers together as a way of consoling what I don’t even know yet.
He throws me a soft look, a hint of a smile and a little ‘I love you’ squint of his eyes as he wrinkles his nose cutely. I blush in response, never immune to the faces and messages he sends my way, even when it’s in a serious moment like this. Colton clears his throat and tenses as he exhales with his words.
“It started out in a forest. I think, maybe the north side of the mountain. It was familiar, but not here. I was alone…. Maybe…. I don’t know. I saw no one, but it wasn’t quiet, like I was alone. I felt like there were others in the shadows.” He sighs again, flinches, and this time his eyes start to subtly amber out, a sign his emotions are pushing through, and I squeeze his hand tighter to keep him calm. Wolf Colton would not be great at explaining anything as he has way too much hostile in that furry form.
“Go on…” Sierra encourages. Colton hesitates, screws up his face and blows out air as though the very words are painful, and I can feel it ebbing from him. The upset, the heartbreak and I listen intently, holding on for what he has to say.
“I was standing still, in human form, but my hands were clawed out like I was half turned but had no intention of fully doing so. Covered in blood even though I was uninjured, and I knew it wasn’t mine.”
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