Page 9 of Magic in the Music (Magic and Mysteries #4)

Cassian had spent the better part of the morning trying to come up with a reason to escort Samantha away from the others. If he would have suggested going into Bocka Morrow, who knows who would have wanted to come along. No doubt that Ares, Ajax and Simon would find a reason to be in their company.

And then he remembered what she had said about the silver in her hair and knew exactly where he could take her without anyone else wanting to intrude.

However, he still didn’t mention his plans to anyone just in case they decided that they wanted to accompany them on the outing.

After he opened the back gate and led her through, they stepped into the small clearing. Samantha gasped as she looked around.

“Is something wrong?”

“I forget sometimes how powerful the Drakos witches are and that they are grounded to the earth. On one side of the wall, one would think it was summer, but on this side, with the leafless trees, brown grass and lack of flowers, it is winter.”

Cassian chuckled. “It can be shocking to step from one world to another.”

“Why do they not let nature do as it wishes?” she asked.

“I do not think it is intentional. I have been to Nightshade Manor when there was no witch in residence, and it resembled the same season as the rest of Bocka Morrow. However, the moment that a Drakos witch steps onto the estate, grass grows, turning green beneath the foot of the witch. Summer then spreads out in every direction with flowers blooming, trees turning green as if it hadn’t been dormant for weeks, months, and sometimes years.

No wave of a hand, spell or incantation.

The land seems to know that they have come home. ”

“Years?”

“Nightshade Manor was the original estate from when the Drakos family came from Greece. It was during the reign of King James that a Drakos was given the title of Earl of Wharton and another estate. The women married lords, and now, all that is left are three siblings, with estates of their own. However, none of those estates are enchanted, and it was best that they are not, or people might notice and the witches be discovered. It was because of King James and his hunt for witches that the family decided to hide Nightshade Manor from the rest of the world. For the longest time a family only returned when a child was coming into their powers so that they could learn to control their magic in safety and behind the walls where no one was likely to see.”

“Hide? How do you hide an estate?”

Cassian arched an eyebrow. “Through magic. If anyone were to come looking for Nightshade Manor when no Drakos witch was in residence, it would not be found. Even then, a witch can choose to keep it hidden if they wish and it has happened when they have visited and did not want to be disturbed.”

“Does that mean that when everyone leaves, it will seem to have vanished?”

Cassian chuckled. “That used to be the way, but now that Orion and Nina make it their permanent home, it will not be cloaked again, unless it becomes necessary.”

Samantha frowned and looked up at Cassian. “Are the children not born with their powers?”

“They are, but for safety, it has always been a practice to bind them at birth until the child becomes of age, which is around twelve.”

She nodded as if she understood. “My family does not follow the same practice, but someone was always near to put out my fires.” She snapped her fingers and grinned, then blew out the flames.

Cassian chuckled and led her through the trees and pointed to the Romani camp across the field.

“Are you certain they will not mind?”

“If they do, they will tell us and we will go away.”

“Is that Ajax?” Samantha asked as they drew closer.

Iza Boswell, a Romani with the site, and great-granddaughter, or great-great-niece of Madam Boswell, was pointing toward Nightshade Manor.

“Leave!”

Given it was Ajax she was ordering away, Cassian could only imagine what mischief his friend might have gotten up to.

Though, in truth, those at Nightshade Manor held a lot of respect for their neighbors and only came here to seek answers, not cause trouble.

So, what had Ajax done to elicit such a response from the young woman?

“Do you think Ajax has angered her?”

“It appears that way.”

“I wonder how.”

“It could be as simple as Ajax being himself.”

“I find nothing objectionable about Ajax.”

His gut tightened as the jealousy returned.

Cassian knew of no woman who disliked Ajax.

He was handsome, charming and charismatic.

Had Samantha also fallen under his spell?

Not a magical one because Ajax did not possess such, but by simply being a delightful rake.

“For a gentleman for six and twenty years, he often behaves no differently than he did while at Eton,” Cassian explained.

“Were you in school together?”

“He was a year behind me.”

Ajax and his brother Ares were sometimes pranksters, but they had their serious moments when the family truly needed them.

“They also live a life of privilege and have only one requirement, which they will avoid for as long as possible.”

“What would that be?”

Cassian frowned. “You do not know what is expected of every male with Drakos blood?”

She shook her head.

“They must marry a witch.”

“Why?”

“Because they come from a family of witches, therefore, a witch would be safe with them. Whereas a witch marrying someone who knew nothing of magic would always need to hide her gifts or not marry at all. Then there comes the difficulty of any children if they turned out to be magical. That would be something not easily explained.”

Samantha nodded. “It is a dilemma faced by all witches, I suppose. Except, neither Viscount Bentford nor Lord Orion married a witch.”

“Their marriages were blessed by the goddess,” Cassian answered.

“How is it possible to know?”

He chuckled. “I cannot reveal the magic, and I should not even know, but I do and must never speak of it.”

“You are a pest, Lord Ajax,” Iza was saying as they drew closer. “You do not need a fortune, or a charm or protection.”

“That is not why I am here,” he argued.

“I know why you are here and I will not help you. I cannot help you. It is something you must find within yourself.”

“What if it is missing?” he asked quietly.

Some of the irritation disappeared as Iza’s shoulders relaxed and she placed a hand on his chest. “It is within, Lord Ajax, but it is not something a tea, charm, or even a spell will help you find. You must search your soul.”

Ajax stared at her for the longest time, before he gave a nod and walked away.

“What are you searching for?” Cassian asked as Ajax strode toward them on his return to Nightshade Manor.

“A purpose,” he answered and kept walking, clearly not in the mood to converse.

Cassian turned and watched Ajax. Was his friend unhappy? What did he mean by purpose? His life was set and needed nothing, other than to do the expected and take a witch as a wife one day.

“Cassian, what brings you here today?” Iza greeted them, though she studied Samantha, her dark eyes keen with interest.

“Lady Samantha was once told that because she has silver in her hair at such a young age that she must be an old soul or possess a soul who has lived many lives.”

Iza arched a brow. “You do not believe that is true?”

“I do not know if it is or not,” Samantha answered.

“It is why I suggested that we come here. If anyone knew of souls and such, I assumed it would be Madam Boswell.”

“I fear she is resting,” Iza said quietly. “She grows old and must rest often. It is why she is training me to take her place.” Sadness lingered in her tone.

“Then we shall not bother you further,” Samantha offered.

“I too, have the sight, Lady Samantha.” Iza reached out and took Samantha’s hand. “Come sit with me by the fire and we will see what we can discover together.”

* * *

Samantha was beginning to reconsider if she truly wished to know if there was an old soul that had been around longer than her physical body.

Was such knowledge beneficial or harmful?

Though, in truth, there was nothing she could do about a past that she had no knowledge of.

But what if it had caused grievous injury to another, or evil, or…

except, if that was the intent of her soul, would she not be like that now?

How did any of this work? And maybe having an old soul was just told to her to make her feel better about getting silver hair sooner than most.

Iza pulled her toward the fire and they settled upon stools.

“Souls really do have more than one life?” Cassian asked.

“Some have only one. Others have several. It often depends on lessons to be learned or what must be experienced.”

Samantha wondered if Iza would perform some kind of parlor trick, or one of the readings the Romani offered when they traveled from town to town.

But then, she listened to the music of Iza’s voice and knew that she was speaking the truth.

Or at least Iza believed that she spoke the truth, even though Samantha remained skeptical.

“Is there any way to know what my soul lacked, or what lesson it needs to learn?” Samantha asked, still not certain.

“Sometimes it is possible,” Iza answered. “Would you like me to search for the answer?”

“Yes, please.”

Iza smiled and delight was shown in her dark eyes. “I will return in a moment.” Iza came to her feet then turned and climbed the steps to a vardo of deep purple with yellow and red accents and disappeared behind a midnight blue curtain.

“I wonder what you did in the past,” Cassian whispered.

“I am still not certain I believe.”

“A witch that does not believe in something others think is beyond the realm of possibilities.” He chuckled.

“Shhhh! They do not know that I am a witch.”