The New World

“Any suggestions?” I asked as I look at Tessa and then Jonah. “Any small thought about any witch that sounds off?”

“There‘s a family, based out of Australia,” Jonah started, his hands folded as he sat at the table, “but I’m not sure they are strong enough to be what the God would want them to be. You almost have to be ruthless.”

“Not almost, Jonah, you have to be. I know The General, and I know Francis, both are cutthroat individuals who have no problem laying others down,” Tessa said, shaking her head. “Even my own run-ins with them weren’t good.” I rubbed my face and shook my head.

“I know this is a trait one won’t find in a family, I get that. Witches are so different in this regard, they connect and bond on levels that’s different to all species, then again, we all are different in that way too.” I started pacing as I started to think. “For a witch, they will have to be cunning as well.”

“Why?” Jonah asked, clearly confused.

“The General is a tormentor but sneaky. He traps his prey before they even know they are trapped. Francis is cold-hearted but brave. He has led his pack into some fierce battles for his own gain, but they have always come out ahead.

“The family’s is going to have it be smart but cunning, swift, and strong in their powers.” I turned to look at a map that they laid out on a coffee table. “They won’t be a big family because they can’t have all that power together.”

“Could they be old?” Tessa asked and that I was torn on.

“I don’t know. I’ve seen older families lose their way to the dark side and destroy their family lines.”

“That’s true,” Tessa said, her own eyes scanning the map. Finally, she stopped and pointed to Canada. “The Robinson family. They are small but powerful. I know their leader, Ashley, and she has dabbled here and there. But they have been around for centuries.”

“Yes, I know her. Not exactly someone I’d want to cross but I have seen how strong she is. And she is smart. Let’s look at keeping an eye on her,” I said and Tessa nodded.

“Here,” Jonah pointed to a spot in Europe, “the Harvey family. Martin is quick, skilled, swift, and strong. The previous leader was strong in the dark arts, but I don’t know if Martin followed.”

“We shall see. Keep an eye on him as well. There are two more I keep tossing around in my head,” I said, pacing once more.

“There’s a family in Egypt, decedents of priests from ancient Egypt.”

“I know of whom you speak,” Jonah said but he shook his head. “However, it’s not a family that I see being persuaded to follow a God because of their lineage.” I merely lifted a brow at that.

“That is the exact reason why I would think they would. But the other one is based out of Mexico with ties back to Mayan culture. Rebecca, I know for sure, is strong in the arts,” I added and both Jonah and Tessa agreed. “Well let’s see if we can’t get someone on them to watch and see. Now, since that’s out of the way and we narrowed some down, let’s discuss the book or the making of these weapons.”

“The list Sol gave was useful and not,” Jonah started, and as horrible as it was, I couldn’t help but laugh. Sol said he was helping, of course, but that didn’t mean we wouldn’t still have some issues. I pulled the chair out at the table as Tessa grabbed the book, their notes, and his list. “What’s funny?”

“Sol. He helped, sure. Was it easy to put together? Of course not.” I looked at the list and up at Tessa as she started explaining.

“He gave us ‘weapon’, which is one we had been tossing around. We didn’t know it was ‘weapon’, more like ‘stick’ or ‘rock’. By that, though, we should have the words needed to forge the weapons we need. This next one is interesting, it’s ‘family’. Which is odd because I can’t quite figure out why Sol would give you that word?” I wrinkled my brows as I thought that over.

“Have you found the word in the book?”

“Yes, three times exactly,” Jonah said, grabbing the book and turning to the pages. “The first one talks about a mortal wife and daughter.” I couldn’t help but smile, knowing that Sol was talking about us, his family. “The second time, we are still working on. It’s a little past the middle of the book. But the third time is near the end when he’s talking about the war.” Jonah stopped and I wrinkled my brow, obviously confused.

“Is he talking about Grayson and me? Or about us as a family?” I asked, trying to figure this one out. Who else would be in this war? My eyes snapped open wide as I stared at them. “No.”

“We all fight, but there is power in the trinity that makes your pyramid strong. And that’s what we have found. Your babies, Fire, are meant to be just as special as you and Grayson.” I stood up, my eyes blazing bright red before changing into a deep black color, my anger evident.

“They are my kids, my babies; it’s not as if I will be blessed to have more! And I am to let them fight because some God says I need to?” I roared, my fangs extending in anger, and both witches flinched. I cursed and turned my back to them, cooling myself down as best as I good before turning back around. However, I couldn’t get my eyes to change back. “I’m sorry; I know this isn’t your doing.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen your eyes anything but red,” Tessa said and I smiled.

“A trait I learned happens when I’m rather angry, my eyes turn black since I’ve found my beloved; his turn red.” I ran a hand over my face and nodded. “Again, I apologize. My children are meant to fight?”

“Meant to help,” Jonah stated. “They are a part of you, and of Grayson, and of witches and therefore their power will be needed as much as yours and Grayson’s. We never would have thought about needing them because they are young, but this is exactly why Sol gave you that. It’s vital to us and we would have overlooked it.” I licked my lips and took a deep breath. I hated to admit it, but he was right. I never would have thought to have my children around.

In fact, I was even coming up with scenarios about what to do with them or where to put them to keep them safe. But the truth was there, they were just as special. They will need to have a hand in this, just like Grayson and I. We were a pyramid and it had been stated a pyramid was to be powerful, that was us. Not just one section of us. And that was hard to swallow. And as much as I loved Grayson, and Midnight, neither one would care to hear about this.

“I don’t relish telling Grayson this,” I told them and Tessa smirked.

“I plan to be far away when you do.” I laughed but she was right, Grayson could very well be nastier than me. “The other three words he gave us, we are still working on. It’s ‘longevity’, ‘strength’, and ‘cloaking’; nothing of which makes sense to us, other than it’s roughly on the same page as family, but as I said, that’s one we are still working on.” I looked at the words and then looked at the book.

Something was pricking the back of my mind, a very old memory but I couldn’t remember and couldn’t bring it up. Cloaking wasn’t a word tossed around much in any of our species, so why was Sol bringing it up in his book? It wasn’t a power that anyone had either. Again, something was nagging at me but I couldn’t place what. I finally shook my head, not sure what more I could do.

“This is a great start. And some of the most important, seeing as we are going to have to make a trip soon.” Tessa smiled but you could see she wasn’t comfortable. “Tessa, you’ll be fine. I know how to save you, as does Grayson. I’ll call you soon.” Tessa nodded and I gave her a hug. We needed to have a meeting and then a bonding circle before those three left so that we could protect them.

I walked out of the room and then out of the hotel, needing a moment to process what I just learned. And figure out how the hell to tell Grayson because he was going to blow a fuse. Of course, we knew that ruling would take all of us, just never thought I’d have them close to war, and I’m going to assume Grayson didn’t either. I stood there, lost in my thoughts when I felt something come up behind me.

I quickly turned, seeing the wolf that was easily had four feet on me and foam at his mouth. From that and the color of his eyes, I easily pegged it as a demon, but I hadn’t seen one this big. So this is what Alpha blood was making it do, grow. Its arm lifted and I quickly grabbed it, surprised by the strength it possessed. I had never seen one quite like this; usually, they were a bit easier to take down.

He yanked his arm back and then shoved me, causing me to fly and land about 20 feet away. I coughed; dazed from the landing before struggling back up, my eyes once more changing and my fangs came out. I was over this, but I had the proof before me what these new demons looked like. With all my might, I jumped on it and started scratching and hitting it, making a few marks, but nothing that would bring it down or make a dent.

It howled as I got a good bite on its neck and it flung me off. I landed on my back again, once more dazed by the force with which it threw me. I could see it moving slower but it wasn’t going down. Grayson wasn’t here, nor was Derrick or Anna. “Tessa!” I screamed, praying that they would pick up on it.

I scrambled to get up as the wolf finally got to me, but I was slowing down myself and couldn’t get away fast enough. His massive paw grabbed my hair and hauled me up as his jaw latched onto my shoulder, making me scream in pain. Tessa and Jonah both ran out, their eyes opening wide as they started to run in our direction but before they could closer to do anything, the wolf stopped and left, just as quietly as he came.