A Reckless Witch - By Debora Geary Page 0,75
witchling. They tend to be pretty restless. Maybe that’s what you’re feeling.”
Nat shook her head slowly. “It’s more than that.” She took a deep breath. “She’s not going to come out quietly. It’s going to be her first taste of freedom.”
It wasn’t in Nell to offer stupid platitudes. “Probably. Most babies with power make a pretty loud entrance.”
“We have to help her.” Nat’s eyes looked off far into the distance. “You tease Devin about his reckless gene.”
Nell was lost. “Devin isn’t Amelia.”
“No, he isn’t.” Nat’s hands folded under her belly. “But he could have been. He has a heart that seeks freedom. Amelia didn’t know how to find that without being reckless. Devin does. With him, the reckless part is just for fun.”
It was the best description of her brother Nell had ever heard.
“I need to help my little girl seek like Devin. To fly high, but with a rooted heart.”
Her sister-in-law was one cool chick. Nell reached out. “Nat, I can’t think of any two people on earth more likely to get that right than you and Jamie.” She grinned. “And if your baby girl comes out flying high, we’ll send Uncle Dev to catch her. Trust me. He’s earned it.”
Nat smiled, her mind sliding back toward its usual serene cool.
It was Nell’s head that was restless now, retracing some of their strange conversational turns. “How did you manage to figure my brother out so fast?”
“He loves my best friend.”
Nell tried to breathe. “You’re sure?” Dev was the brother who had always flown the highest—and the one she’d caught the most.
Nat nodded, eyes sympathetic. “For now, it’s just him. Lauren’s heart isn’t quite as quick.”
That wasn’t helping Nell’s airflow any. “Is she going to catch up?”
Nat’s face slowly bloomed in amusement. “That depends how good a negotiator your brother is.”
Dev and Lauren.
Nell leaned back, trying to picture it. And decided it wasn’t all that hard. If any woman could partner with her hurricane of a brother, she’d lay her bets on Lauren.
~ ~ ~
Sierra winced as Aervyn missed crashing into a huge boulder by about a broomstick bristle. “How does he do that?”
Devin grinned. “Absolute trust in his magic.”
Jamie snorted. “Absolute trust in his ability to port himself out of trouble.”
Aervyn wasn’t the only one who could teleport. Sierra looked at Jamie. “Can you grab him before he crashes?”
“Smart question.” Devin’s eyes held approval. “Aervyn’s been working magic with Jamie for a long time, so they know each other’s limits.”
Jamie shook his head. “He’s going too fast. If he were slower or closer, I could probably snag him.” He winked at her. “Remember that if you want me to rescue you before you hit a rock. Close and slow.”
Close and slow. Check. Sierra looked at the broom in her hands, trying to mute the war inside her head. Sierra Brighton, storm witch, could hardly wait to get her feet off the ground. Sierra Brighton, newly cautious and safe witch, was trying not to puke.
Devin laid a hand on her shoulder as Aervyn skidded to a halt two inches away. “We put up a big training circle, and we’re all grounded. It’s a safe place to play—have some fun.”
Govin, standing beside her, tried to hop into the air—and nosedived into the ground six inches away. Ouch.
Aervyn giggled. “You gotta go faster than that, or you won’t stay up in the air.”
“Now you tell me.” Govin looked up from the ground and winked. “Any other tips before I try again?”
Aervyn studied Govin’s outfit for a minute—helmet, padded vest, knee and elbow pads, shin protectors. “I think you need a cape.”
Sierra couldn’t stop the giggles that bubbled over. “You can borrow mine.”
“I have an extra.” Devin pulled a pink sparkly cape out of his backpack. “I raided the girls’ costume stash.”
Govin didn’t bat an eye. “If a cape will help me fly, I’ll wear a cape.” He stood up, donned the cape, checked his helmet, and nodded at Sierra. “Race you to the rock.”
It was hard to believe this was the same guy who spent half his life making baby weather on a pond. And then did math for fun. “Which rock?”
He laughed. “Any rock I can get to.”
“I can help.” Aervyn ran behind them. “I can give you a push off.”
Devin swooped him up. “No way, little dude. No assists. Every witch must fly for him or herself. House rules.”
Jamie hopped on his broom and lurched off into the air. “You guys are making me look really good,” he called back