Page 21

Chapter 21

The joy that filled the house made Rowan’s heart glad. There was nothing but laughter and love as the Bennett witches readied for Yule with cleaning, candles, and warm spells of good wishes for the new year. It was as if time had turned back to when they were all young and untroubled. Best of all, there was still no sign of the wraith. Not a damn peep. With some mindfulness techniques, and the constant orgasms from Callum, he didn’t have the bandwidth to dwell in past sorrows or worry.

Rowan hummed happily as he cleaned, sprinkling dried rose petals and thyme and sweeping them out the front door. “Okay, I think that’s enough to make Ivy happy.”

“Wait a moment.” Callum peeked out from behind the tree, having taken it upon himself to decorate it with more pinecones. He clopped his way over, hands on his hips. “I have to make sure it’s a job well done.”

Rowan smirked. “Are you my supervisor?”

“Oh yes.” Callum gave a grave nod. “And I take my job very seriously.” He rubbed his chin then tapped the floor with his hoof. “There’s a smudge here.” Another tap. “And speck there.” Then he pressed his hand against his heart with a dramatic gasp. “Is that a hair?! Witch-boy, I thought you were better at this!”

Rowan grabbed Callum’s tail, sweeping the spots with its brush before handing it back to him. “Better?”

“Very good, Witch-boy. His rumbling voice sent Rowan’s pulse pounding. Praise. There’s another kink to put on your I-didn’t-know-I-liked-that list.

The door burst open, Rowan’s aunts entering like a storm, both of their arms filled with brightly colored parcels. “Sorry we’re late! It took us longer to pack the car than we thought,” Dahlia said. A series of clicks followed as Broderick poked his head through the door, antlers covered in bags. Dahlia patted his head. “Rowan, your new familiar is precious! We’ve invited him inside to-”

“No!” Both Callum and Rowan shouted in unison.

Undaunted, Dahlia shrugged, shoving her load into Callum’s unexpecting arms. “Well then, we should at least figure out a gift. I’m sure Rosie and I can whip up something.” She hung a couple of colorful bags on Callum’s horns, Rowan catching the few that tumbled from his grip.

“Uh, I thought we didn’t exchange gifts on Yule,” Rowan said. “We talked about it. Again. For the tenth year in a row.”

“Yes, but you know Lia and I never follow that rule.” Rosemary chuckled.

Broderick shook the bags free, Dahlia catching them with shocking agility. “If gifts during this season are good for the regular folk, then they’re good enough for us. Besides, combining Christmas and Yule has never been an issue for your parents. Why stop now?”

“Because we didn’t get any gifts for you two,” Rowan muttered.

“Pish, that doesn’t matter. Back in a moment, Darling. I have another load.” She hooked an arm around the stag’s neck, leading him outside.

Callum tried to look at the bags hanging off his horns, succeeding in only going cross-eyed. “Is this a witch tradition?”

“Not really.” Rowan freed his head. “But because Auntie Lia and Auntie Rosemary love to shop, it’s becoming one.”

“We don’t love to shop. We love to spoil you kids,” Rosemary explained as she slid her boxes beneath the tree. She gave Rowan a sly smile. “Someone needs get you things you would never give to yourself.”

Dahlia returned, patting Broderick on the head before shoving the door closed with her heeled boot. “That’s the last of it, Rosie.”

“You sure that’s all of them?” Rosemary rubbed her chin. “You didn’t forget the gifts for our Satyr-in-laws, did you?”

“Those were the first ones I put in the car.”

Callum blinked. “We’re receiving gifts as well?”

“Of course, you are! You’re family!” Dahlia took Rosemary’s arm, beaming at Callum and Rowan. “By Hecate, Rowan. I haven’t seen you look so cheerful in ages! Tell us everything, my darling! Everything!”

Rowan let out an awkward chuckle. “Not sure what you’re talking about.”

Rosemary giggled. “You know.”

Rowan cleared his throat. “Uh, no…I don’t.”

“Oh, you do.” Rosemary let out a dreamy sigh, tucking her clasped hands under her chin. “You and Callum consummated!”

Rowan choked as Callum slung an arm around Rowan’s shoulders, giving him a squeeze. “You’re correct! Cocks were out!”

“Cal!” Rowan howled.

“Oh, I forgot how shy you kids are about sex,” Rosemary replied. “I’m sorry Rowan dear. I just think it’s awfully romantic. Two lost souls finding each other and finally burying their carnal lusts.”

Dahlia patted their cheeks simultaneously. “We’re so excited! We even have a themed sale scheduled after Yule to commemorate! We’re selling ointments and some of our crystals shaped like-”

“Oh! uh Ha ha ha! Funny joke Auntie Lia!” Sweat trickled down the back of Rowan’s neck, his mouth hurting from the forced smile. “Because I know you wouldn’t tell the entire town about my sex life!”

“Love and lust spells, charms and candles are fifteen percent off,” she continued. “We’re calling it the nephew sale.”

“Oh Gods.” Rowan buried his face in his cackling satyr’s chest.

Ivy entered from the kitchen, a vision in emerald green. She carried a huge board of cheeses, meats, and other delectables, Finn behind her with several bottles of wine. “Okay, no more harassing Rowan. The overwhelming embarrassment is making it hard to cook.” She put the board on the coffee table then gave Rosemary and Dahlia hugs before gawking at the piles of gifts. “We said no gifts this year!”

“That’s what I said,” Rowan replied.

“Oh, lighten up you two!” Aster bounded down the stairs, stopping to pop a square of cheese into her mouth before hugging Dahlia and Rosemary. She’d finally gotten out of her sweats, into a pink dress dotted with blue flowers. She looked so healthy, the business of the season bringing her back to her old chipper self. Strung over an arm were handmade wreaths of holly and pine which she placed on everyone’s head after giving them a kiss on the cheek. Rowan rose on his toes, straightening Callum’s around his horns, accepting the kiss he received as thanks. This was going to be a good Yule. A healing Yule. He could feel it.

The front window shattered as a hulking dark figure tumbled across the floor. Aster and their aunts dove behind the couch, Finn curling around Ivy, shielding her from exploding shards. Giant wings unfurled, eyes blinding beams of gold as it cased the room. The shadows around it spun and twisted in a frenzy as it rose. The King of Shadows. He was alive, and well, and in the living room. Callum leapt in front of Rowan; dagger drawn as the gargoyle’s fog surged.

“Where is she?!” he roared. “Who dares harm her?!”

Rowan stepped out from behind Callum, hands out in a gesture of peace. “First off, are you okay? You just took out an entire window!”

Ivy on the other hand, ignored Rowan’s call. She shoved herself free from Finn’s grasp shouting, “What the hell!? How did you get past the wards?!”

The gargoyle shook his head, glowing eyes searching the room. “No time to explain.”

“Then you better talk quick, asshole!” She lifted her hands, spells lighting her fingertips. Finn bared his fangs, claws flared and ready to render. Ivy looked to the ceiling. “Throw him out!” But the house stayed suspiciously quiet, not even creaking its beams.

“Witch! I have no time for your pitiful antics!” The gargoyle snapped. He spread his wings, the shadows around his swirling in a wild cyclone. “Bring me your sister or I tear this place apart to find her!”

“No! Stop!” Aster leapt in front of Ivy, arms stretched. “Just stop. You’re not like this.”

The gargoyle softened, aggression draining away. He stepped forward one shaking hand landing on Aster’s cheek, gently tracing its curve.. “Kitten,” he whispered.

Aster shook with hysterical laughter. “You’re alive. Thank Artemis you’re alive!”

“You’re not safe here,” Was his only reply. He scooped Aster into his arms. “Forgive me.”

A symphony of screams played him out as he leapt through the broken window. His wings caught the air, and he took off into the darkening sky.

“Bring her back you bastard!” Ivy screeched. Finn grabbed her before she followed in pursuit. She was wild eyed, anxiety taking over as she screamed “Aster!” to the sky. They vanished into the setting sun. “What do we do. Oh Gods, what do we do!?”

“We go after her!” Rowan replied. “Finn, Callum can you…”

The bony touch of death brushed Rowan’s cheek. Mist flickered beside him, undulating into a skeletal grin. Rowan’s heart stopped. He was frozen as that smile grew sharper.

“Witch-boy?” Callum asked. “What’s wrong? What do you see?”

Everyone turned from the window, their eyes on Rowan as managed to whisper. “Its here.”

“What’s here?” Rosemary asked. “Rowan, you’re white as a sheet.”

“The wraith.” Rowan jabbed a finger at it. “You can’t get past the wards! I… I starved you!”.

A sharp, raspy screech filled the room. “Miiiiiiine!” Rowan was whisked off his feet and thrown across the room. Cold hands squeezed his throat, cutting off all air. Callum bellowed, dashing after him only to be tossed in the opposite direction. He crashed into the tree, buried under breaking branches, and shattered baubles.

A skeletal face formed, wide green eyes glowing like wild flame. The wraith bared its jagged teeth as it fully formed, towering over Rowan. “My prize!” . It wasn’t going to let go. It would take him, drag him down to whatever darkness it had come from. “My precious prize.! You. Are. Mine!”