Page 11

Chapter 11

Rowan bolted down the hall, only to be stopped by Callum blocking his path. He tried to elbow his way past, but he might as well have shoved a mountain. “Cal, move!”

“It”s not safe,” Callum replied.

“That’s my sister in there!”

“I won’t let what is harming her harm you as well.”

Rowan ignored him, crying, “Aster! Azzie! Are you okay?!” Once again, he tried to circumvent Callum, but the satyr was unyielding, Rowan’s elbow in his vice grip. As soon as the screaming had started, it stopped, filling Rowan with an eerie dread that made his skin crawl. But she hadn’t rushed out like Ivy had. Oh Gods, what was happening to her while they wrestled with the stag? What if the shade had given up on Rowan and gone after her instead? No! That thing isn’t in our world! It can’t get past the wards! Unless it wasn’t really a shade. Bile crept up the back of Rowan’s throat.

Rowan jolted as Callum pulled him close, cupping his cheeks. “Easy Witch-boy,” he said firmly. There was a cool, commanding gleam in Callum, one Rowan had never seen before. The look of a warrior ready to defend all he loved. Rowan swallowed his fear, managing to give him a nod.

Callum shoved Rowan behind him, leading him towards Aster’s room. Her door sat wide open from the house’s ruckus. Carefully, he peered inside. “Aster?” His mouth turned a deep frown. “There’s no one there.”

“What?!” Rowan rose on his toes to look over Callum’s shoulder. “Azzie, where are you!?” he shouted. Horrible scenarios sped through his head. Dammit, if something happened to her it would be his fault. “Where is she?! What if someone got to her?!”

“The wards are too strong.”

Rowan shook his head. He knew very well that this place was a fortress, yet his terror shoved all logic out of the driver’s seat. “How do you know?!”

“Because I scent her.” Callum’s long deer-like ears perked straight up. He held up a finger. “And I hear her. Listen.”

Rowan held his breath. Over the sound of his pounding heart were the softest of whimpers. Aster. They crept inside finding tiny, pale feet poking out from under the bed, toenails painted a bright pink. Rowan sighed in relief. He lunged forward but Callum caught his arm.

“I go first.” His firm tone demanded no other choice. A part of Rowan softened and he stepped back, letting Callum take charge while he fell apart. It was comforting, almost welcomed.

Slowly, Callum knelt beside the bed. The tension in his roped muscles eased, a tiny smile brushing his mouth. “Hello, Little Sister. It”s only me.”

Rowan belly flopped onto the floor beside Callum. “Aster!” Bloodshot blue eyes in a face as white as a spirit peered back at him. Relief hit him like a tsunami. “Oh thank Hecate!”

Aster hugged herself, rocking back and forth, cheeks drenched. She burst into sobs, clawing the air towards him. “Ro!”

“Are you hurt?”

“No.” Aster pulled her knees to her chest, burying her face into them. “But it’s not safe!” She lowered her voice to barely a whisper. “The coven is here to get me! They’ve come to finish the job!”

Rowan shook his head. “There’s no one here. I swear it.”

“There were horrible noises and screaming in the hallway! I was sure they came and killed you!” Aster shuddered.

Callum pursed his lips, his thick browns tangled. “That was my fault, Aster. I am to blame for that ruckus.”

“But what if they are here? What if they got past the wards? They’re so strong! And smart! And-!”

“I swear on Hecate, Aster,” Rowan interrupted as gently as he could. “No one is here to hurt you,”

Aster shook her head, lost in her haze of panic. “T-They’re going to turn me back into that t-thing. I’ll kill you all! I’ll hurt everyone I love!” Her hand shot out, clutching Rowan’s like a lifeline. “Don’t let them do that to me again, Ro!”

Rowan’s belly twisted. This wasn’t fair. Aster was the best of the Bennetts. The strongest magic. The kindest heart. The sweetest soul. He should have been there when her coven took her. He should have stopped it. You are her big brother! What didn’t you stop it?!

Callum clasped Rowan”s shoulder. “Witch-boy?”

Rowan didn’t move, couldn’t move. No matter what you do, it will never be enough. He squeezed Aster’s hand, wanting to whisper “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” But the words stuck like paste in his throat.

Callum leaned in close, lips against his ear. “Rowan. Come back to me. I have you.”

Rowan turned to him, Callum’s tender gaze pulling him from his spiral. His strong, brave satyr. He would shoulder the burden tonight. He’d let Rowan fall apart. Callum nodded towards the bed. “If Aster feels safer under there, we should join her.”

Rowan blinked. “J-join, Aster?”

“Yes.” Callum looked at Aster with a tiny smile. “If Aster will have us.” Aster nodded, with a whimper. “And there’s our invite.”

“Cal, I don’t think we can fit.”

But Callum was already on his belly, wiggling his head to jam his horns under the wooden bed frame. He crawled under, barely able to squeeze through. As soon as he was within reach, Aster clung to him, face buried in his shoulder. He stroked her back, murmuring “You’re safe, Little Sister.” as he rocked her. Rowan’s heart ignited, a smile ghosting his lips before it flew away.

A thud, a creak, and a snap as the mattress above them popped up, Callum’s ass poking out from the box spring. Rowan pressed a hand to his mouth, too late to smother the laugh.

Callum blinked. “What?”

“Your butt is um... dislodging the mattress,” Rowan said.

Callum smirked. “You witches should have larger beds.”

“It looks like a confused groundhog,” Rowan giggled.

“My backside is far more fetching than a groundhog”s!” Callum narrowed his eyes at Rowan’s spreading grin. “No. I know that look. Don’t you say-”

“I think it wants to ass-k us a question.” Rowan snorted.

Callum pounded his fist on the floor. “Damn you, Witch-boy!” Rowan burst into laughter and Callum’s frown wavered into a half grin. Even Aster cracked a smile, a titter rough through her tears. Callum. held out his hand to him. “Are you joining us or not?”

Their fingertips brushed, palms pressing together secure and welcoming as Rowan was pulled under. He tucked himself on the other side of Aster, letting her roll from Callum’s arms and into his. “Like Mom used to say, snug as a bug in a rug,” he said. “We’ll stay here as long as you need, Azzie.” Rowan craned his head, looking towards Callum. “Right?”

“Indeed,” Callum agreed.

“But what if this doesn’t stop?” Aster muttered. “What if they come after me and… Oh Gods, what if he’s still alive?”

“Your King of Shadows?” Callum asked.

Aster nodded. “He’s out there hurt, and he needs me. I know it. I can feel it. And the coven…” Her words broke into sad whimpers. “This is all my fault. He’s probably dead because of me!”

“Hush, Little Sister.” Callum slipped his hand into his pouch, the other gently taking her chin. “Hush and look at me.” Aster turned her wild gaze to him, giving him her undivided attention. “We’ve talked about it before, remember? The nightmares. The fears.”

“You have?” Rowan asked.

“Often.” He gave Aster’s cheek a gentle pet. “We have much in common, your sister and I.”

“Yeah,” Aster murmured. “We talk a lot.”

Rowan blinked, looking between the pair. How had it never occurred to him that Callum and Aster might have talked about their demons?

Callum cupped Aster’s face, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “And what did you tell me when I was disturbed by such things?”

“That…you’re safe.” Aster wet her pale lips. “And it’s not your fault.”

A tiny smile touched Callum’s lips, a hint of a fang gleaming in the dim light. “So, what does that make you right now?”

Aster shivered. “…safe.”

“And?”

“…not at fault.”

“Good. Now breathe deep.”

A shaky breath expanded Aster’s chest, rattling out in a whistle. Callum’s inhaled along with her. Soon Rowan joined them. His own frayed nerves calmed as they connected. In and out. In and out. Stillness. Quiet. Peace.

“So, what was that noise then?” Aster suddenly asked.

Rowan cleared his throat. “Um… Callum put a claustrophobic stag in my bedroom.”

The oddness of that statement seemed to shock Aster back to herself. “What?”

“Rowan needs a familiar,” Callum said.

“You gave Rowan a familiar?” Aster gave a shaky smile. “That’s so sweet. Can I meet him?”

“He’s outside.” Callum replied. I’m sure Broderick-”

“Will be happy to go back home.” Rowan cut off. “I don’t need that big of a familiar. What about a rabbit? Or a squirrel?”

“You think a mere squirrel would suit your needs?”

“I’m more of a squirrel guy, Cal!”

“I’m not having my brother outdo me with a messy raccoon!”

Rowan shushed him. “Maximus is going to hear you and claw your eyes out.”

“I’d like to see him try. I just wrestled a stag for you, Witch-boy. I can handle Maximus.”

A laugh snorted from Aster’s nostrils, then another, glassy eyes softening with mirth. Callum fished a potion bottle from his pouch pressing it into Aster’s palm. “A small sip will do. We are strong, yes. But sometimes we need aid.” He curled her fingers around it. “This will help provide that aid while you regain yourself.”

Gods, Callum had never sounded so confident, seemed so sure. In that moment he was the strongest beast that Rowan had ever seen, a fierce fortress, one that would take a thousand warriors to breach. No one would hurt Aster as long as Callum breathed. The sight cracked Rowan’s defenses wide open.

Aster uncorked the potion, taking a tentative nip. “Thank you, Callum,” she said softly.

Callum shook his head. “No need for thanks.”

“Aster? Ro?” Where are you?” Ivy cried. “I thought I heard a scream! And I felt Rowan panic!”

“We’re in Aster’s room, Ives,” Rowan called.

Ivy’s foot falls padded down the hall, growing closer. “Is everyone all right? I would have been here sooner, but the damn stag woke up and that led to a whole new…” Her slippers paused in front of them. “Callum is that your ass sticking out from under the mattress?” The floorboards squeaked as Ivy got to her hands and knees, examining them like they had all turned into frogs. “Having a party down here?”

“They’re keeping me company while I freak out,” Aster said. Her voice was fuzzy, as the potion took its numbing effect.

Ivy paled. “Sweet Brigid, Aster. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. The boys took care of me.” She wiggled the bottle at Ivy. “Callum even gave me some of his potion. This stuff is stroooong.”

“And I believe you’ve had enough.” Callum plucked the tincture from her fingers before, dragging the lot of them from under the bed. The mattress fell back into its frame with a crash. “Time for you to sleep, little sister.”

He offered Aster to Ivy who helped her into bed. Aster’s eyes fluttered before her head rocked into her pillow. In a blink, she was asleep. Ivy sat beside her, smoothing her hair back.

“I’ll sit here a while and make sure she stays asleep. You two should get some rest.” She looked at Callum, her eyes brimming with gratitude. “Thanks so much for taking care of her, Cal.”

Callum’s tail twitched as he gave her a bow. “I would do it again in a heartbeat.” And Rowan was sure he would. The satyr slid up beside him, taking his arm, leading him to the hall. “Come Witch-boy. You can sleep in my wing while I clean your room.”

Rowan shook his head. “Cal, that’s going to take all night. Let me help.”

“No. I’m the one who destroyed it, I’m the one who…” They both stopped in their tracks, staring into Rowan’s bedroom. The furniture had mended along with the holes in the walls. Rugs were righted and Rowan’s things were put into neat piles, ready to be packed away. Only the debris of Callum’s nest remained strewn across the floor. “Looks like the house did most of the work.”

Rowan shoved the heels of his hands into his eye sockets. “Then we can get this cleaned up quick.”

“I will clean it.” He turned Rowan around, giving his backside a swat with his tail. “To bed with you.”

Sleep sounded like a decent idea, but after three scares in a row, it was far out of Rowan’s reach. He turned to insist he help but Callum closed the door on him. Well shit.

He headed down the stairs, passing through the living room, to the kitchen. Tea sounded good. No. fuck that. Wine. An entire bottle of wine. Gods he wished Ivy was a whiskey drinker. He touched his talisman, the jagged edge sharp on his fingertips. With a sigh he fished the broken chip from his pajama pocket.

“It wasn’t his fault,” he murmured, turning the pewter in his fingers, and waiting for the heartache. It was there, but not as devastating as he expected. Not after witnessing Callum with his baby sister. There was a warmth there, a deep care that he hid under his chuffs and gruff frowns. The same feelings that Rowan had when he was near Aster and Ivy. A fierce unconditional love for family.

Rowan untied the leather cord, placing his talisman on the mantle, its absence making him feel naked. His mind whirled for spells to fix it when a faint scratching came at the front window. Rowan stiffened. The shade. Fuck. He spun only to find a miserable stag tapping at the glass with his antlers. Looks like Broderick wasn’t going away.

They locked stares and Rowan stilled. Maybe if he didn’t move, the stag wouldn’t see him. But Broderick pressed his black nose against the panes, blowing out a circle of fog, eyes round and guilt ridden. How could a stag have sad puppy eyes?

Rowan shook his head, mouthing, “No.” The stag tapped again and Rowan sighed. “Dude. No.”

Broderick—noble stag that he was—licked the window in reply. And it was unbearably cute.

“Gods, I can’t take it anymore.” With a sigh, Rowan opened the front door, holding out a hand before the stag could march in. “No. You stay on the porch.” Broderick’s ears drooped. He nuzzled Rowan’s palm with his soft wet nose. Sweet Hecate, that was adorable. “Look, I know that Callum…um…recruited you for familiar duty…”

Broderick lowered his head and waited, probably for pets. How long had Rowan wanted a chance to pet a deer? Not just a deer but a stag the size of a Buick! His fingers curled then slowly he placed them on Broderick’s head. That cute fluffy tail wagged. Oh yeah. He was a goner.

“Okay fine. Let”s get to know each other.” Broderick pranced a happy little circle on the porch before trying to get inside again. “No! No! You out there! Me in here! We’re not having another demolition derby!”

Rowan didn’t know that stags could roll their eyes but oh wow, this one could. Despite his annoyance, Broderick nudged his arm, before sliding his head under it. Antlers just barely grazed Rowan’s skin, this time in a gentle way instead of in blind violence.

“Callum can be pretty persuasive when he wants to be, huh?” Rowan asked. Broderick snorted in agreement; eyelids half closed as Rowan gave him a good scratch between his ears. “Sorry about earlier. He should have explained better. Callum’s stubborn and sometimes acts before he thinks. His poetry sucks, and he always dives into the shallow end headfirst. And he leaves really important details out, like, oh I don’t know, possibly having a mate back in the day. Did you know that? I have no idea who this Orlaith is, but she sounds important. You think he would have brought her up sometime but…” He sighed. “Sorry. I’m unloading on you.”

Broderick perked. He gave a snort that said No, keep going. I want to hear this. Well, that was encouragement enough. Rowan sat in the doorway, letting Broderick lay his head in his lap. “He’s been through a lot. I mean a lot. I shouldn’t fault him too much.” Rowan scratched under Broderick’s chin. “Because despite it all Callum kept his big heart. And he cares about the ones he loves. He’s smart and he’s funny. Well, unintentionally funny but I think that counts. And Sweet Hecate, his ass.” Broderick let out a grunt. “Yeah, I know I’m not only one who’s noticed. But ass aside. He’s a good guy.” And he wants me. Even when I’m falling apart, he wants me.

He smiled at Broderick. “I’ll talk to him.” Broderick let out a series of bleats and Rowan laughed. “Whoa! Slow down their turbo! We’re not getting married. We just need to…clear the air. Especially about Orlaith.”

His talisman buzzed from the mantle, its sigil flickering with a blue light. Holy crap, it still held its magic, despite the crack. Rowan held his breath as it glowed, then went dormant. “Dad? Mom?”

You’re not alone.

Rowan wasn’t sure if that was his parents or himself speaking that mantra, but it there it was, nudging him towards a future that scared the shit out of him. He wasn’t alone. His parents spell had worked. They had sent someone to him. They had sent Callum. Maybe, just maybe it was time for Rowan start living for himself.