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

Gaia said, walking in, "My healing did a lot, but the mystical energy running through a Sorceress's veins did the rest. How are you feeling?"

                “Ready for round two.” I said brightly. “Though, with all of you here, I take it I missed the end of the battle?”

                “There wasn’t much left to do.” Gaia said. “We had already destroyed the bulk of the creatures, and the rest pretty much shut down after...”

                She trailed off, and she and Tiffany looked uncomfortable.

                “After what?” I said, growing wary. “What happened?”

                “Raina.” Tiffany said quietly. “After you got shot, she… went nuclear.”

                “I’ve never seen rage like that in a human before.” Gaia said, awe in her voice. “She… obliterated those two men.”

                “Obliterated?” I asked, unsure of just what they were saying.

                “Her entire body glowed green.” Tiffany said.

                “It was a release of Fae energy I’ve never seen before.” Gaia continued. “There was… nothing left. We analyzed ash found near the scene, and it was probably human, but… “

                “So much for taking them alive.” I said, shaking my head.

                “Raina’s seriously upset about everything.” Tiffany said. “About you getting shot, about straight up wasting those two guys, about losing control.”

                “Give me a joint.” I said, holding my hand out. “Then I have someone I need to talk to.

                                                                                                *                *                *

                I found Raina in the basement, in a room off of Jack’s computer center. She was pouring through books and papers, an open laptop by her side.

                “Hey there."

                "Hey!" she said, her face lighting up. "You're up!"

                Raina got up and walked over to me, hugging me gently.

                “How are you feeling?” she asked.

                “I’m feeling like a million bucks!” I replied, and we both sat down.

                “I’m relieved.” Raina said.

                “So I’ve heard that you’re having a sexy lesbian Witch version of a freak out.” I said, getting out two fresh joints. I didn’t ask, I just lit both and passed one to my friend.

                She didn’t argue. “I’m reassessing.” Raina said pointedly, hitting the joint. “Annie, I lost control out there. The kind of magicks that have been entrusted to me… they’re dangerous! I only feel okay wielding them because of my rock-solid sense of morals. Lose that, and I’m a loose cannon waiting for disaster.”

                “Nobody will blame you, considering the circumstances.” I said, exhaling.

                “I blame me.” Raina said, pointing at herself. “One, I fucked up the mission… I’m the one who said how important it was to take people alive. Gaia even had a cyanide antidote to keep them from checking out. They were our best chance at getting real intel on our mystery enemy, and I fucked that up. But also… “ Raina took a deep breath. “I just ended two human lives, Annie. Not mud monsters, not glorified attack dogs, not paper fucking targets, but people. Now, I know that people may die in whatever’s going on… when stakes are high, consequences can be higher. But that’s a line that should be crossed only with good reason, not because I popped a gasket.”

                “I still think you’re being too hard on yourself.” I said, taking another hit. “There’s the whole ‘heat of battle’ thing, after all.”

                “Nah, I need to take a serious accounting of where I am and where I want to go from here.” Raina said, leaning back in her seat. “I’ve never been a ‘shoot first and ask questions later’ type of person… I’m a Wiccan book geek! I used to make fun of people who solved everything with their fists! I mean,” she continued, taking a hit, “it’s been nice going all ‘superhero’ and being able to kick ass for once in my life, sure. But I’m still that cerebral book nerd at heart, and I have to reconnect with that side of me.”

                “So what about the Order of the Stag?” I asked.

                “The Order will continue, only I’ve put Tiffany in charge.” she answered, nodding. “Her specialty is tactical, so it’s a dream fit. I’m hitting the books.” she continued, patting one of the volumes nearby. “I need to expand my non-combat magick, especially when it comes to healing and intelligence gathering. I also have something to ask of you.”

                That, I wasn’t expecting. “What?”

                “I need a spiritual center.” she replied. “Tiffany, Jack, and I are forming a coven. Other people may dip in and out, but we’ll be the core. I’d like you to be the Priestess.”

                I knew what this meant to her. I had to fight back a tear.

                “I’d be honored.”

                                                                                                *                *                *

                I hit the trails alone the next morning. Well, I appeared to be alone, but I knew that Drucilla, Darla, and Cordelia were living in the forest these days, their Fae clothing keeping them oblivious to the cold.

                The fact that it still manages to showcase every curve of their enticing bodies is actually kinda funny to me these days I thought. I almost never saw them… they wanted to be at one with the forest, and hanging out inside got in the way.

                But I knew they were out there, keeping watch.

                The hoodie I had raided from Raina’s closet was a classic: ‘I’m not gay but my girlfriend is’ was emblazoned across the front, it’s rainbow letters contrasting with the purple fleece perfectly.

                Raina bought this in middle school I thought. That’s when I stopped growing… hence it still fits.

                I tugged at the material covering my chest. This is why this one doesn’t fit Raina anymore I thought. I swear, her boobs kept growing until she was seventeen. Mine are still my middle-school specials, so I get to wear the classic hoodies!

                I also had an addition to my sweats and thermals: a shirt and pants made out of the impossibly silky dragon skin that Gaia had access to. It was hardly noticeable, but it gave me the confidence and