Hedge Witch Diaries Complete Series Boxed Set, page 40
“So this was all some exercise in curiosity?” I asked. “You’re ridiculous.”
Balzac laughed. “If you want to know my true agenda, sister, you’ll need to recover your memories. Until then, my purpose will remain a mystery. Good luck.”
Balzac disappeared. He didn’t even trace a sigil in the air with his finger. He simply vanished.
Gareth put his hand on my back. “Come, let’s go. I’m done with this place.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You’re done with the Morai? I thought you were their leader.”
Gareth shook his head. “Not anymore. The covens are subject to the Grand Coven. The Grand Coven is headed by a maniac deity reincarnated. Dorian was right all along. The hedge is the only way.”
I nodded. “Will you come with me?”
“Of course. I assume you want to check on Dorian.”
I nodded. “I have to. If there’s any chance his curse didn’t return, I need to find out.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The wind whipped my hair as Gareth’s magic deposited us outside my trailer. I blinked, adjusting to the darkness.
Dorian paced along the dirt driveway, muttering under his breath. His clothes were torn and stained with blood from the fight with the Sharpes. When he saw us, his eyes narrowed, and he tensed.
“It’s okay.” I held up my hands. “I saved Gareth. He’s himself again.”
Dorian’s shoulders slumped. “I know. The pain…it’s returned.” He winced. “I can’t be near Sydney or Aiden without feeling like I’m being ripped apart from the inside out. Did your mother…”
“The Sharpes forced her to dispel our betrothal. But now she’s gone.”
“Gone?” Dorian asked.
“Dead,” I barely believed my own words. “Killed by the Sharpes before she could remake our betrothal.”
Dorian clenched his fists. “Briar. I’m so sorry.”
I approached cautiously, not wanting to cause him pain. He looked at me with such sadness in his eyes that it made my heart ache. I took his hands in mine. To my surprise, he didn’t flinch or cry out.
“Your touch. It doesn’t hurt,” he whispered.
Before I could respond, he pulled me into a passionate kiss. Suddenly, memories that were not my own flooded my mind. Images of ancient Egypt, secret rituals, and lives lived centuries ago. Even Osiris’ dismembered body and my own hands putting him back together, fusing his bones with magic, his skin sewing itself together with sinew.
I jerked back, terrified. It was like Isis’ memories were trying to invade my own.
“What’s wrong?” Dorian asked.
I shook my head, my pulse racing. “It’s my past life, that ancient stuff from Isis. I don’t want to remember any of it.”
Dorian nodded as understanding dawned on him. “When Osiris gave me the crook, it must have bound us together beyond the betrothal. That’s why your touch doesn’t cause me pain.”
A knot formed in my stomach. “So if we’re together, it’s only a matter of time before I become Isis completely.”
Dorian took my hands again, more gently this time. “Briar, listen to me. I won’t let that happen.”
I pulled away, my breaths coming in panicked gasps. “You can’t stop it! I can already feel her trying to take over.” Angry tears spilled down my cheeks. “I don’t want to lose myself, but I don’t want to lose you either.”
Dorian wrapped his arms around me, and I collapsed against his chest, sobbing. He smoothed my hair and whispered reassuring words, but we both knew the truth. Our love had been doomed from the start by forces beyond our control. The lives we wanted together could never be as long as Isis’s spirit remained.
I don’t know how long we stood there, holding each other like it was for the last time. And it very well might have been.
Finally, Dorian pulled back, his expression filled with sorrow. “There’s only one way. I have to go.”
I grabbed his arm in panic. “No! You can’t just leave.”
He placed his hands on my shoulders. “Briar, be reasonable. I’m supposed to help you master your power, but clearly, my presence will only make things worse.”
“He’s right,” Gareth chimed in. I shot him a glare, but he continued. “You already know how to use those abilities. If this goes much farther…”
I shook my head defiantly as tears blurred my vision again. “It doesn’t matter. We’ll find another way.”
Dorian cupped my face in his hands. “There is no other way. Not yet. I have to figure this out.” His voice dropped to a pained whisper. “Don’t you understand? If we’re ever going to have a future together, this is the only choice. I need to go to Egypt. I need answers. There must be something that will help.”
My heart shattered into a million pieces. I knew he was right, but it didn’t make this any easier.
“What if Balzac comes back?” I asked desperately. “He said I’ll never learn his true motives unless I embrace Isis fully.”
Dorian’s jaw tightened. “Gareth will help keep you safe. And I give you my word. I’ll return as soon as I’m able.”
I searched his eyes. “So this is it? We’re breaking up?”
Dorian pulled me close again. “No, Briar. I will always be yours. For now, you need to live your life. Don’t worry about me.” He kissed the top of my head. “I promise, someday, I’ll come back to you. When I have the answers we need.”
I wanted to protest more, but the words died in my throat. All I could do was cling to him, wishing time would freeze, and we’d never have to be apart.
With a final, lingering kiss, Dorian stepped back. His eyes never left mine as he triggered a transportation spell.
“I love you, Briar Bloom,” he whispered.
And he was gone.
I stood there for a long time, staring at the empty space where Dorian had been moments before. My heart ached with a pain I’d never known. It was like someone had reached into my chest and ripped out a vital organ, leaving me hollow and numb.
Eventually, I became aware of Gareth still standing nearby. His presence was a small comfort. At least I wasn’t entirely alone.
“I’m sorry, Briar. I know how hard this is for you both.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak yet. A tear slipped down my cheek.
Gareth put a hand on my shoulder. “Dorian’s doing the right thing. With the agony he experiences around people, getting answers is the best chance he has. And perhaps…” He hesitated.
I looked up at him questioningly.
“If there’s a way you can fully embrace your power as Isis without losing who you are, maybe someday you can help Dorian too.”
I wiped my eyes, considering his words. He was right. As much as it killed me to see Dorian leave, if embracing Isis could free him from his curse, it would be worth it. We had to keep hope.
I drew a deep breath. “Okay. I trust Dorian. And I won’t let this destroy me.” I managed a shaky smile. “I still have a goddess’ power. I don’t need her memories to use it.”
Gareth smiled back and squeezed my shoulder. “We’ll figure this out together. I promise, Briar. I won’t let you lose yourself. If you lost yourself, I’d lose you, too.”
My hands were still shaking. So much loss in such a short amount of time. My mom, gone as fast as she’d returned. Now I’d lost Dorian. Gareth…well, he was back, but was he the best person to help me with this. I knew he had feelings for me, but my heart still belonged to Dorian. It always would.
Gareth stepped up beside me. “Dorian’s doing the right thing,” he repeated. “This is the only way to end his suffering. Have faith in him, Briar. He will find answers.”
I inhaled as we entered my trailer, trying to collect myself. Our goodbye had nearly shattered me, but I had to keep going. I couldn’t fall apart yet.
I wiped my eyes and nodded. I had to believe that, too. Dorian would find a way for us to truly be together. When he returned, I would be ready.
Gareth followed me inside. Aiden and Sydney were already there. They both looked up from the couch, surprised as they saw Gareth with me.
Aiden tripped over the coffee table, going for his rifle.
I chuckled. “It’s okay, Aiden. He’s himself again. No more darkness.”
“You saved him!” Sydney jumped up from the table. She rushed over and threw her arms around Gareth in a tight hug. “Oh, thank the goddess. I was so worried I’d lost you. The Morai need you, Gareth. You have to come back.”
Gareth gently detached himself from Sydney’s embrace. “I’m not coming back,” he told her. “I’m done with the covens, all of them. From now on, I walk alone, as a hedge witch.”
Sydney’s face fell. “But you’re one of our strongest. The Morai need your power, your knowledge.”
“The Morai will have to rely on their own strength now,” Gareth replied. “You have your own power, Sydney. It’s time you stepped up and led them yourself.”
“Me?” Sydney looked shocked. “I could never… Gareth, if you leave the coven, I have to go with you. I’m still your apprentice. Wherever you walk, I walk too.”
Gareth studied her for a moment, then nodded. “So be it. We walk the hedge together.”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Even with Dorian gone, at least I wouldn’t be alone. Gareth and Sydney would stay to help me figure things out. We’d find a way through this together.
I turned to Aiden, who was still sitting at the small dining table, looking dazed by everything that had happened.
“So what happened to Ball Sack?” he asked. “Is he gone for good this time?”
I sighed and sat across from him. “I don’t think so. He’ll probably be back at some point.” I paused, thinking about what Balzac had told me. That I’d never learn his true motives unless I fully regained Isis’ memories.
Aiden frowned. “Well, if he shows up, I’ll kick Ball Sack right in his namesake. I won’t let him hurt you, Briar.”
“I wish it were that simple,” I told him. “Something tells me we haven’t seen the last of him.”
I looked at the gold ring on my finger, the one my father left me that awakened the remnant power of my past life. Even now, I felt the power thrumming through it.
“I need to figure out what this new power means for me,” I mused. “Until I do, it’s too dangerous to keep tapping into Isis’ ancient magic. I’m going to take the ring off for now.”
I started to slide the ring off my finger, but Gareth reached out and stopped me. “That ring. There’s no telling what it might do in the wrong hands. It’s meant for you. Your father wanted you to have it.”
I unfastened my necklace. It held so many totems now that it was a bit gaudy. What was one more item? “I’ll keep it with me, but I’m not wearing it unless I need it. Not until I know what it will do to me.”
The others nodded in agreement. It was too dangerous to take any risks with the ring. We had already seen what kind of power it could unleash, and I wasn’t ready to fully embrace that yet.
As we sat in silence, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. There were still so many unanswered questions, so much I didn’t know about my past and my powers. For now, all I could do was wait and hope Dorian found the answers he was seeking.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The sizzling grill was a familiar comfort, grease popping as Aiden flipped burgers. I tucked a stray hair behind my ear, refilling ketchup bottles between a sparse scattering of customers.
Three weeks had passed since the crazy summer that turned my world upside down. Discovering I was a witch, dating an immortal warlock, and realizing I was the reincarnation of an Egyptian goddess—my old mundane life seemed lifetimes away.
I touched the totems on my necklace, feeling the smooth bone and wood, the braided leather, and the cold metal band. The ring was supposed to help me grow into Isis, yet I hadn’t cast a single spell in weeks.
With business slow, I sauntered over to Grace behind the bar. “Hey girl, you’re looking less miserable these days,” she commented, drying a pint glass. “That heartache over tall, dark, and mysterious finally healing?”
“I’ll always love Dorian.” I sighed. “But life goes on, right?”
“Speaking of life going on, what’s the deal with that Ken doll who’s been showing up during every one of your shifts? The guy looks at you like you’re a juicy steak. Why not let him take a bite?” She winked.
I laughed. “Down girl. That’s Gareth. He’s a friend.” Though he wanted more, my heart wasn’t ready.
Charlie glanced over as he wiped down the bar, his gaze lingering on me with that longing look I knew too well.
“Well, if you won’t ride Blondie, at least put poor Charlie out of his misery,” Grace teased.
I shook my head adamantly. “He’s my boss!”
“So? Dude’s crazy about you. Take him for a test drive.”
My cheeks flushed. “There’s no way. It wouldn’t be fair to Charlie.”
Grace waved her hand dismissively. “Honey, stop waiting for ‘the one’ who might never come back and have some fun. Let love find you when it does.”
I chuckled. “Believe me, those two would be no fun when I’m still hung up on Dorian. I’d feel gross doing it.”
“Hopeless!” Grace cried, throwing her hands up dramatically. We laughed as I headed back to wait tables, thoughts drifting to my immortal warlock and the thrilling summer that changed everything.
The familiar motions of waitressing grounded me. I missed Dorian like crazy, but it was nice to find my rhythm again after the chaos.
My shift dragged on. As I cleared a table, the cops who’d questioned me before strode in. Tall and Mustache. They made a beeline toward me.
“We need to talk,” Mustache stated gruffly.
I bristled. “I’m working.”
“It’ll only take a minute.”
With an irritated sigh, I followed them outside. Mustache flashed a photo of Gareth, his hands swirling with inky magic.
“This was taken near a recent homicide. Caught by a doorbell camera. We know you’ve been seen with this man.”
I scoffed. “You think every blond guy is the same person? I mean, I know you’re profiling witches, but this is too much.”
They scowled. “Don’t play games. If you see Gareth Sharpe again, call us.” They handed me a card.
“Suppose you catch this guy. Not saying it is Gareth, but that guy in the photo is a witch. You realize you could lock him up, but he’d teleport right out of the cell? You couldn’t hold him.”
The cops exchanged glances and turned, and Mustache smirked. “You think this is the first witch who’s been dealt with by the justice system? We have our methods.”
The cops turned to leave. I watched them get back in their car and drive off. Damn it. This was going to be an issue. I couldn’t let them take Gareth from me. I needed him, especially if Balzac ever returned.
My stomach knotted as I went back inside. I grabbed my phone and shot him a text.
Cops were here looking for you. Have a photo of you all dark and shit, right before someone was killed.
He texted back quickly.
Damn. Cops still there?
Nope. Just left.
As I sent the reply, the door to the men’s room swung open, and Gareth strode out. “Had to teleport onto the toilet. Classy, I know.”
I shook my head. “The cops think you’re a killer,” I whispered. “What are you going to do?”
His jaw hardened with determination. “They aren’t wrong, Briar. I can’t hide from what I did.”
My blood ran cold. “You’re not seriously going to turn yourself in, are you? I know you did what you did, but it wasn’t you. Not the real you. The justice system won’t understand.”
Gareth shook his head. “I’m not turning myself in, but I need to make things right.”
I frowned, not following. “What are you saying? You can’t bring those people back to life.”
“Can’t I?” His green eyes glinted. “You’re the reincarnation of Isis. Don’t tell me resurrection is beyond your abilities. You’ve been avoiding this for weeks. At some point, we have to try to get a handle on your powers in a way that won’t bring back ancient memories.”
I gaped at him. He couldn’t be serious. “Even if I could, that kind of magic is forbidden. We’d be messing with forces we don’t understand.”
“Since when do you care about the rules?” He leaned in, his voice low. “I know the real you, Briar. The fierce, defiant witch who bows to no one. I’m a hedge now, too. The Morai and their laws can suck it. Together, we can do this.”
My pulse quickened. He was right. Rules had never stopped me before, and when had I ever backed down from a challenge? If this could undo some of the harm Gareth had caused… That wasn’t my only concern, though.
“Look, if we start resurrecting people, it’ll only create more problems. I’m not only talking about the Morai coming after us, and you know they will.”
“The Morai are a shell of what they were under my leadership. They’ll overlook it.”
“Beside the point. The humans will freak out! News will travel. It’ll bring more problems on our heads than we already have.”
“People might freak out at first, but they’ll be grateful,” Gareth insisted. “Plus, if you can do this, think of it. You could do the same for your mother. Your father, too, for that matter.”
“I don’t know. There’s a reason why the covens forbid this kind of thing.”
“That’s because normal necromancy doesn’t bring people back the same. Your power isn’t normal.”
“All right,” I conceded with a sigh. “We’ll try it once. If things get weird or zombies start clawing out of graves, we stop. Deal?”
Gareth’s mouth quirked. “Deal.” His eyes burned with conviction. “Let’s put your goddess powers to work.”
I nodded, adrenaline coursing through me. We would be venturing into dangerous territory, but the thrill of it called to the rebellious part of me.
