entered the hall. She’s cute with big blue eyes, bouncy brown curls, and Finn belonged on the beach with a surfboard in hand. They looked good together. I loved them both beyond words.
“Why are you feeling so heartbroken?” Haven asked, examining me with suspicious eyes.
I laughed. “That is somewhat annoying you know.”
Our soul-sister bond had become a royal pain in my backside. Not that I didn’t love sharing such a deep bond with her that made emotions between us impossible to hide. It’s just, I couldn’t feel anything without having Haven knocking on my door to investigate.
“It is not,” she rebuked, looking royally pissed. “It’s special.”
I took her hand, squeezing it and focused on warm and happy feelings to share with her. “Sorry. You’re right. It is very special.” I recovered that moment quickly, and moved on, eager for her to forget it. “Anyways, Valor has a young wolf that needs some help, so he came to see if I’d mind helping out.”
She perked up. Her big blue eyes opened and even sparkled slightly. “Another vacation?”
Talon cut in. “You will not be going.” His voice rang out deep and authoritative “We cannot lose all of you.”
Haven pouted and stomped her feet, putting her hands on her hips. Even her bottom lip came out a little. That was Haven—a ten year old in a twenty-four year old body—cute in every way, but also temperamental as hell.
The Master of Witches, Zia interrupted. “Do you wish to do this, Nexi?”
I glanced toward her. She gave me a smile that only intensified her beautiful features. Her strawberry hair seemed to do that thing you see in models when a fan is on them. Blow with beauty. Yeah, that was her—simply breathtaking.
This wasn’t even a question. I owed Valor. Even doing this wouldn’t repay my debt to him for all the hairy situations he had gotten me out of. “I do. It is a small thing he asks. Plus, I feel bad for this wolf. It’s scary as hell waking to this world, and I didn’t shift into a wolf either. Who knew what I would have done if that happened?”
Zia inclined her head, showing pleasure in the decision made. “You of all people should be able to help her.” She looked to Talon. “We can do without them for a while, can’t we?”
Talon grumbled something incoherent, which made Zade, Brax and even Valor laugh. Apparently, their super hearing understood words. After clenching his jaw, he sighed in resignation. “Go then. Contact us tomorrow night to advise us how things are going.”
Not that he wasn’t up for us helping Valor. It was obvious that wasn’t his issue here. Suddenly, I saw a little inkling of his true feelings and it just sent a shot of happiness right through my soul. He had missed us. Would he ever declare it? Never. However, his qualms weren’t about the situation, he didn’t want us to go.
Instead of embarrassing him by pointing out such things, since he would be considering the way Supes were, I just smiled and followed the others out. As I turned, I saw that clench in his jaw again and a little bit of longing reached his eyes. Needing to acknowledge him, I focused on the gifts I’d been given as Spirit Witch. I let the wall of protection down as Zia’s Spirit flooded my mind. This was the one gift as Spirit Witches we shared¯the ability to communicate telepathically.
When I felt her presence completely, I said, “Tell him we missed him too.”
When I glanced over my shoulder, she was whispering in his ear. As Talon raised his head and met my gaze, he smiled.
Chapter Two
We arrived at a large log house surrounded by green grass, dozens of shrubs and trees. Enormous wide windows sat along the front side of the home where low lighting poured out into the night. Four chimneys had dark smoke drifting from them and there were no flowers in sight. Snow would make it a perfect Christmas escape.
“Your home is incredible,” I said to Valor.
“It’s home.” Valor sighed, obviously tickled to be home.
Couldn’t say I blamed him there. The house was nestled into mountains with miles upon miles of wilderness.
“Come this way.” Valor waved toward the house. “Briggs is waiting for us.”
Kyden and I followed him up the stairs to the front entrance. Valor didn’t hesitate and swung the door wide. The moment I stepped through the thick wooden door, my breath was stolen as I looked up. The ceiling