Chapter 10

After spending most of the morning at her apartment in the city packing more clothes and items she wanted with her at her grandmother's home, Tabitha rounded the curve just outside the town limits of Whispering Pines.

She was admiring the new beautiful stone sign that announced the entrance to the town and its founding date when a dark figure darted from the woods alongside the road. She slammed on her brakes, skidding to a stop.

In the middle of the road was the same sleek black cat with piercing green eyes that she'd seen when arriving the first time. What was it with this shifter? Did it have a death wish?

She blew her horn, but just like the first time, the cat lay in the middle of the lanes, refusing to move. With a grumpy sigh, she climbed from her car and slammed her door shut.

"Really?" she hollered, "we're doing this again? Are you some kind alarm system meant to stop anyone before they enter?—"

The feline rose to its feet, teeth bared. Black streaks encircled the animal and suddenly there stood a cloaked figure hands wreathed in writhing shadows. Malevolence rolled off the being in suffocating waves.

"Well, well," a raspy voice taunted. "I finally got you alone."

Tabitha's heart raced, but she forced her voice steady as she backed toward her car. "I don't want any trouble. I didn't mean anything by my comment."

The figure laughed, a grating sound like nails on a chalkboard. "Oh, I'm afraid it's far too late for that. I'm here just for you."

Wisps of dark magic lashed out, seeking to ensnare her. Tabitha threw a shimmering shield up just in time, the obsidian energy sizzling against her barrier. Gritting her teeth, she retaliated with a blast of emerald light.

The mage batted it away effortlessly, cackling. "Is that the best you can do?" The being stalked closer, shadows swirling faster. "Pathetic."

Fear clawed up Tabitha's throat, but she ruthlessly shoved it down. She couldn't afford to panic now. Reaching deep within herself, she tapped into the very core of her power, letting it build until her entire body hummed with barely leashed magic.

Tabitha unleashed a barrage of verdant bolts, punctuated by gusts of razor-edged wind. The mage snarled, its own attacks intensifying. Darkness and light clashed in a dizzying display of power, scorching the earth and shredding foliage.

Pain lanced through Tabitha's side as a shadow blade slipped past her defenses, slicing deep. Hot blood bloomed across her shirt, but she didn't dare look away from her opponent. Another volley forced the mage back a step.

"Why are you doing this?" Tabitha demanded, her breath coming in harsh pants. "What do you want from me?"

The figure's eyes glinted coldly beneath their hood. "You have no idea about your past, do you? I want my birthright. You will give it to me or I will kill you."

Birthright? What was this person talking about?

A chill raced down Tabitha's spine at the ominous words, even as she lobbed a ball of crackling energy. It detonated against the mage's chest, sending them flying.

Tabitha swayed on her feet, black spots dancing in her vision. She'd poured too much of herself into that last attack. The mage struggled to rise, murder in the black eyes. She knew she couldn't withstand another assault.

Mustering the dregs of her strength, Tabitha cast the most powerful warding spell she knew, weaving it around herself like armor. The mage's next volley bounced off the light shield, shoving Tabitha back several feet where she tumbled and rolled on the asphalt.

Her enemy limped toward her. "You are pitiful. How could you have such a privileged life yet be so weak?" Within feet of Tabitha, the black magic witch raised her hands. "I'll get what is mine another way. You're better off dead."

Tabitha was too drained to save herself. Her only regret was not being able to say good-bye to Bram.

Thick black oil bubbled from under the witch's cloak and slithered across the blacktop toward her. It flowed over a bug, dissolving it instantly like lava consuming a valley of grass. Tabitha swallowed hard, facing her death as bravely as she could.

Just inches from her nose, the devouring sludge stopped as if it had hit an invisible wall. It spread out sideways across the road, never reaching any closer.

"What the hell?" The stranger stomped closer, throwing a dark ball of magic at her. It reached the same plane as the oil and dissipated into smoke.

The mage shrieked, balling hands into fists. "This isn't over. Tick tock. Your time is up."

The instant the magic wielder vanished, Tabitha rolled away from the remaining sludge. That was when she saw she was lying on the other side of the "Welcome to Whispering Pines" town limit sign.

She was inside the protective wards that surrounded the town. That was why the dark magic couldn't get to her. The townsfolk saved her again. This time without knowing it. Or did they? Were the people notified when someone evil tried to pass through the wards?

Black nibbled at the edges of her consciousness and she welcomed its numbing embrace.

Distantly, Tabitha registered the sound of her name being called, laced with panic. Gentle hands cradled her face. She forced leaden eyelids open to find Ellie's terrified face hovering over her.

"Tabby! Oh goddess, what happened? You're bleeding so much!" Ellie's normally melodic voice shook.

"Rogue... mage..." Tabitha managed to rasp. "Ambushed me. Wanted... to kill..."

Tears streaked Ellie's ashen cheeks as she fumbled for her cell phone. "Just hold on, honey. I'm calling for help. You're going to be all right."

The world tilted and swirled sickeningly. Tabitha felt herself being lifted, cradled against a strong chest. Wind whispered past her ears. Then softness beneath her - a bed?

Familiar voices ebbed and flowed around her.

"...losing so much blood..."

"...need to clean the wounds..."

"...fetch my strongest healing potion..."

"...my brave, stubborn witch..."

That last one pierced through the haze. Bram. Tabitha turned her face into the large palm cupping her cheek, drawing comfort from his touch.

"Bram," she whispered hoarsely.

"Shh, love. I'm right here. You're safe now." His deep rumble soothed her frayed nerves.

Other hands moved over her body, peeling away blood-soaked fabric, cleaning the deep gashes carved into her flesh. There was a sharp sting and Tabitha flinched.

"I'm sorry, dear. This salve will help prevent infection." Luna's calm, kind voice. Something cool and tingling spread across her injuries.

"Here, get this down her," Elsie said, firm but worried. A cup pressed to Tabitha's lips. She obediently sipped, grimacing at the bitter taste. Heat spread through her aching body.

With effort, Tabitha pried her eyes open fully. Four anxious faces peered down at her - Bram, Ellie, Luna, and Elsie. Bram looked haggard, his hazel eyes shadowed with fear. Ellie huddled at the foot of the bed, sniffling.

"Do I look that bad?"

Ellie shook her head but sobbed. "It's the hormones."

"What were you doing outside the safety of the wards alone?" Bram demanded gruffly, but she heard the underlying terror. "You could've been killed."

"Coming home," Tabitha mumbled. "Didn't...didn't know I'd be attacked."

"Did you recognize the mage?" Luna asked gently.

Tabitha mutely shook her head. "Cloaked. Couldn't see a face. But..."

"But what?" Elsie prompted.

"They said... something about their birthright. They wanted me to give it to them or they would kill me." A violent tremor racked Tabitha's body at the memory. Bram tightened his hold.

A tense, heavy silence fell. Tabitha could practically hear the anxious thoughts whirling through everyone's minds. Did this have to do with the mysterious item in her grandmother's will? But for someone to want her dead because of it?

"We'll get to the bottom of this," Bram vowed, steely determination hardening his jaw. He brushed a tender kiss to Tabitha's brow. "But, first, you need to rest and heal. I'll keep you safe. We all will. Nobody is going to hurt you again. I won't let them."

Exhaustion dragged at Tabitha, the soothing potion lulling her toward unconsciousness. She burrowed deeper into Bram's embrace, taking his words into her very soul.

"I know you won't," she breathed.

The last thing Tabitha felt was the soft press of his lips against her temple as she surrendered to the darkness.

Tabitha shifted gingerlyagainst the mound of pillows propping her up, wincing as the movement pulled at her healing wounds. The tantalizing aroma of Celeste's famous rosemary chicken soup wafted from the kitchen, making her stomach grumble. Trust her best friend to know exactly what comfort food she needed.

A riot of colorful wildflowers in a crystal vase on her nightstand brought a smile to Tabitha's face. Ellie's thoughtful touch, no doubt. The delicate blooms seemed to emit a faint, soothing glow - knowing the sweet witch, she'd probably enchanted them with a charm for swift recovery.

"Knock, knock," a familiar voice called from the doorway. Molly peeked her head in, arms laden with a basket overflowing with mouthwatering pastries. "Up for some visitors, honey?"

Tabitha's smile widened. "Always, for those honeybuns and cinnamon scones you make."

Molly chuckled, settling the basket on the bed. "I thought you might say that. Brought your favorites - scones, lemon tarts, and those honeybuns Bram inhales by the dozen."

"You're an angel, Molly. Thank you." Tabitha squeezed her friend's hand gratefully.

Luna appeared behind Molly, a tray of clinking bottles in her hands. "And I come bearing more potions. You're healing remarkably well, Tabitha, but a few more doses will have you right as rain in no time."

Warmth blossomed in Tabitha's chest that had nothing to do with her injuries. The outpouring of love and support from the Whispering Pines community over the past few days had been overwhelming. It seemed like every hour, someone new was stopping by with small gifts and well wishes - Daisy's hand-knitted blanket, Jasper's stack of romance stories to keep her entertained, Vincent's homemade get-well card with its endearingly crooked letters.

She'd never experienced anything like it, this sense of belonging and mattering to so many people. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes.

"Oh no, what hurts?" Bram was at her side in an instant, his brow creased with concern. "Do you need more painkillers?"

Tabitha huffed out a watery laugh. "No, I'm okay. Just... really feeling the love right now, you know?"

Bram's expression softened. He perched on the edge of the bed and took her hand, mindful of the bandages. "You've got the whole town wrapped around your little finger, sweetheart. Everyone adores you. How could they not?"

Molly and Luna shared a knowing grin. "We'll leave you two lovebirds alone. Holler if you need anything, all right?"

Then they were gone, leaving Tabitha cocooned in the warmth of Bram's presence. He'd scarcely left her side since the attack, hovering protectively as if afraid she'd disappear if he so much as blinked.

"How are you feeling, really?" he asked softly, his amber eyes searching her face for any sign of discomfort.

"Sore," Tabitha admitted. "Tired. But... safe. Loved." She brought their joined hands to her lips, brushing a kiss across his knuckles. "Thanks to you."

Bram's throat worked as he swallowed hard. "I've never been that scared. Seeing you like that, covered in blood... I thought I'd lost you."

"But you didn't. I'm right here." She tugged him closer until their foreheads touched. "And I'm not going anywhere."

"Damn right, you're not. I won't let you out of my sight until we figure out who's behind this." A low growl rumbled in Bram's chest, his protective instincts flaring. It shouldn't have been attractive, but Tabitha couldn't deny the little thrill that raced down her spine.

"Mmm, I kind of like this growly side of you," she teased, tracing the line of his stubbled jaw. "My big, tough, grumbly honey bear."

Bram arched an eyebrow, a playful glint entering his eye. "Oh yeah? Careful what you wish for, Tabby cat. I can out-growl any bear in these woods."

As if to prove his point, he let out an exaggerated snarl, baring his teeth. Then he proceeded to nuzzle into the crook of her neck, making silly growling noises against her skin.

"Ahh, oh no, I'm being mauled by a vicious beast!" Tabitha giggled, halfheartedly trying to squirm away. "Someone save me!"

Bram pulled back with a mischievous grin. "Nope, you're all mine. I've got you in my clutches now, witchy woman."

Laughter bubbled out of Tabitha, bright and unrestrained. For a moment, the pain and fear of the past few days melted away, banished by the sheer joy of being with the man she loved.

Bram's smile gentled and he cupped her face tenderly. "There's that beautiful smile I adore."

Tabitha leaned into his touch, turning to press a kiss to his palm. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Crash and burn," Bram joked, giving her the same response she'd given him when he said those words to her. "I promise you we will get to the bottom of this. Your family's past, these secrets... We'll unravel the whole mystery."