The Witch: Book Two of The Sorceress Saga by Taliesin Govannon (important books to read .txt) 📕

think you should lay off for a bit…” she said, smirking. “This speed metal brew will burn you out like David Crosby’s septum.”

                Vincent sat a cup of coffee doctored to Raina's specifications down beside my spot as she settled in.  I looked at her attire for the day: skin-tight yoga pants with a tiny crop-top that was tie-dyed in a swirling pattern.  The shirt was very familiar, and I swallowed nervously.  "Isn't that the same shirt you wore in middle school?"

                “The very one I was wearing at the dance where Kelly Dee let me feel her up during a slow dance, that’s correct.” she answered nodding.

                “I didn’t think that you wore that stuff anymore.”

                “Most of the old clothes I brought with me from my Mom’s house are going to be donated, that’s true.  But some pieces, those with sentimental attachment, well… a few select snips and they become sexy casual wear.”  Vincent then sat a plate of bacon and eggs in front of her, and she bit into one of the crispy, greasy strips.  “I must have been in more of a hurry than I thought when I packed… my crates looked like they had been rummaged through!”

                “Yeah, well, there’s a reason for that…”

                My explanation was cut short by Starr’s dramatic entrance.  “Look who’s back in town!” he exclaimed, hands held dramatically before him.

                “Dude!” Jack exclaimed.

                “Welcome back.” Vincent chimed in.

                Raina, however, sat there slack-jawed.  “Are those my clothes?” she asked.

                I smiled sheepishly.  The star and galaxy shirt he wore was indeed from Raina’s collection.  She had worn it when she was twelve.

                “Don’t get an attitude, dearie, just because I look so good in this.”  Starr sashayed over to the table and took an empty seat.  He tossed his black and white hair aside as he looked at us.

                “Who gave him my clothes?” Raina asked, still disbelieving.

                I raised my hand.  “Sorry.  But Vincent’s archives are in Vienna, and all Angelique had were a collection of evening gowns and peasant dresses.”

                “I would have slayed in those, too, but I hate taking stairs in skirts.”  Starr thanked Vincent when he brought him a cup of coffee and took a sip.  “Oh, you remembered how I take it, you doll!”

                “No problem.”  Vincent grinned as he looked at him.  “You seem to be doing better at staying fur-free.”

                “Thanks to your awesome girlfriend.  She’s been helping me stay human.”

                Raina looked at me.  “I didn’t know that was one of your powers.”

                “I didn’t either, but…” I shrugged.

                “I’ll be lucky to make it to the end of breakfast, but… it’s a start.”  Starr plucked a piece of bacon from Raina’s plate.

                “Hey!” Raina said, trying to catch his hand and failing.  “I’m happy to see you human as well, but you don’t get my clothes and my breakfast!”

                “There are advantages to having cat-like reflexes.” Starr replied with a grin.

                Even Raina had to join in the laughing.

                                                                                                *                *                *

                Later that day we assembled in the parlor for another strategy session.  Trevor stood by the map showing the appearances of mystery lakes around the world once again, with his sister seated to his right.  The rest of us sat on comfortable sofas and chairs, Angelique being the lone standout, preferring to stand.  Starr, once again in cat form after a record length human romp that morning, was curled up in my lap, lazily surveying the room.

                “Okay ladies, gentlemen, and, uh…” Trevor began, eyeing Starr, “… felines, let’s get started.”

                “I take it there’s no word yet on the origins of the lakes?” Angelique interjected.

                “No, but we have uncovered something to help us narrow things down a bit.” he replied, and turned to Evelyn.

                “Several reports have surfaced of Celtic-type glyphs being found near several of the lakes.” she said.  “There are no reports of these glyphs being found at every appearance site, but we don’t know if that’s because they weren’t found at every lake...”

                “… Or if they were at every lake, but just not discovered or recorded.” I finished.  “So we have a Celtic lake and Asian ghost-people… any idea where it all leads?”

                “Uh, no.” Trevor replied.  “But this isn’t about the lake.  It’s about the other attacks on you people earlier this year.  Now Annabelle,” he continued, turning to me, “it’s about time we were completely honest about what brought us here.”

                “It’s because you and your sister were hired by someone who you can’t disclose to keep an eye on me, and if I go bad to help Angelique and Vincent take me down.”  I quickly said, looking right into his widened eyes.  “Is that it?”

                “Uh, spot on.” Trevor stammered, trying to recover.  “Since you somehow seem to know so much,” he continued…  shooting his sister a dirty look, which she answered with a smile and a wave… “then it should come as no surprise to you that some in the paranormal world aren’t as willing to wait and see as my employer is, and would like to take you out before you’ve settled into your full power.  Especially if you don’t turn bad.”

                This was new to me.  “If I don’t?  What the serious hell?”

                "Annabelle, my darling…" Angelique said as she drifted over to me, laying a hand on my shoulder.  "There are some very powerful beings that fear little in this world. Vampires far older than myself that can only be killed by the fires of the sun, and the like.  But they have cause to fear you… at least, once you come to know your full power.  They are trying to stop the latter, so they may never face the former."

                “Let them come." Raina said, her face serious.  "I've been practicing."  She held her palm out and a bright purple flame appeared, swirling with power.  She smiled, but then the flame shot out of her hand and hit Trevor's