Chapter 13

ASTOR

Wynter is a witch. A full-blooded, magical, casts spells and wears a hat, witch.

"Cirrus, you are going to give me gray hair!" Wynter shouts at Rus while they argue about his truck and supplies parked on the porch.

"I know my little gumdrop, but I didn't mean to portal so close to the house. Please forgive me, my little Porky pig."

"What did you just call me?" she gasps. I watch as her hand begins to glow blue, and Cirrus starts to shrink.

"I'll give you a pig," she hisses, and Cirrus oinks. I jump away from them and stand by my brother. What the fuck is happening right now?

A fluffy blue pig sits at Wynter's feet, and she scowls before turning and walking outside.

"I know you love this girl, but we need to get the fuck out of dodge, Sin," I mumble softly, hoping no one hears me.

Laughing, he glances at me, shaking his head. "Watch."

I look back to the pig and feel lightheaded. Rus is turning back into himself, and he looks psychotically happy.

"I am going to marry that woman," he says with a sigh, then walks off toward his truck that is still parked on the porch.

"So are we just going to ignore the fact that not only is Wynter a witch, but Rus has some type of magical powers too?" I ask Arsen as he follows Rus.

"I've always had an inkling, Astor, and they are harmless. Let's help Wynter out with this curse, then we can figure out our next steps."

He leaves the room and I grab my phone. I need to find a flight back to Texas for tonight. I am not staying here in this crazy place. I was turned into a toad! They are not harmless.

ARSEN

I watch as she sits in the middle of the yard meditating. Cirrus is ripping off the wallpaper in the living room, but I know he's watching her too.

"How is she expected to remove century old magic?" I ask, because though I am internally freaking out, this is exciting.

"According to Mumsie, she is expected to tap into Mother Earth's magic and force out what's preventing her land from prospering. Yeah, I know it sounds crazy, but we will see what…"

A loud explosion happens outside and a film of smoke fills the spot where Wynter just was.

We rushed outside to make sure she's okay, but we shouldn't have bothered.

"Mumsie!" Rus screams, racing over to Wynter's mom who is pissed off and on fire.

"I told you that forcing magic into the ground wouldn't work," Wynter says, with a sigh, placing her hands on her hips.

"Yes, yes," Wynter's mom says, waving her hand and distinguishing the flames. Her hair is a bit singed, but otherwise she looks perfectly fine.

"What happened?" I ask.

"She's fine. I placed a protection bubble around her before she tried her foolishness."

Wynter looks tired. I wish I could comfort her, but I don't think we are at that point yet. I may still love her, but she hasn't seen me in years.

"Forgive me, for wanting to help. I see I'm no longer needed here with my foolishness." With a few mumbled words and a puff of smoke, Wynter's mom is gone.

"Ugh, she is such a child," Wynter groans, and Rus laughs, pulling her into his arms, and kissing the side of her head.

I wish I could do that.

I must have scowled because Wynter places her hand on my arm, giving it a small squeeze.

"I'm sorry about my mother, Sin. She's always been the overdramatic type. Being High Priestess has gotten to her head over the years, but I can assure you that she will keep her promise. You and Astor will be protected by the coven."

"Why is it illegal for me to know that you're a witch?"

I've been curious about why she's stayed hidden. There are people all over who claim to have powers. Why is that allowed?

"It's more for our protection than yours. Too many people have been betrayed. Used. My father died because someone he trusted told the wrong person. They tortured him and used his powers for greed."

"Well, spicecake, I will never use you," Rus mumbles, and Wyn rolls her eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, okay break time is over. Let's get back to work. Where is Astor?"

Looking around, I realize he's not here.

Wynter stops in the yard and begins to speak to the air.

"He left? What wolves? Are you kidding me?!" she shouts, then takes off towards the center of town.

Jumping over the scorched mark, I follow her.

"Wynter, what's wrong? Who are you talking to?"

Rus laughs, and places his hand in the air. A young man starts to appear and I halt. "Shit, you're a ghost!"

"Witches you're okay with, but a ghost freaks you out?" the man says, playing with a camera strap around his neck.

He seems shy.

"I've known Wynter for a long time," I mumble, then rub the back of my neck. I don't know why, but I feel almost bad for being so rude.

"Arnie, where did he go?" Wynter asks the man, and he points toward a gravel path with a broken gate.

"Cirrus, can you go find him? Make sure he's okay. Arnie said something about wolves in these woods. And not the normal kind. Why would he just leave? Is he stupid?"

Pulling out my phone, I try to call him, but there is no signal.

"In a dead zone, remember?" Arnie jokes, and I actually grin.

Cirrus mumbles something about my brother under his breath, then stomps off.

"What can I do?"

Wynter yawns, glancing around the town square. There's a path along the other side, and she walks that way.

"I need to find a way to break this curse and fast," she shouts, glancing at me from over her shoulder. "How are you with a hammer?"

I smirk, and she rolls her eyes. "Not in the mood, Sin," she mumbles, and I sigh.

"Astor and I have helped Rus with his projects before. Just because I sit at a desk and help preteens for a living doesn't mean I'm incapable of doing other things."

"I didn't mean it like that. Fuck, I'm tired."

Walking back to the house, I notice a glow in the window across the road.

"Hey, are we the only people here?"

"No, I think there are a few others, but they haven't come over to introduce themselves yet, and honestly I'm not in the mood."

Who else would want to stay here? The air alone makes chills run down my spine.

Entering the house, Wynter mumbles something, and a ton of candles appear lighting the kitchen.

"I'd like to do this room first, then the downstairs bathroom and bedrooms. I don't know how long this will take, and I'd rather not stay at the motel forever."

Nodding, I grab a hammer and remove some nails in the walls. "What are you wanting to do in here?"

It's a large space and I could see adding an island in the middle with some stools. Maybe marble counters and gray cabinets.

There's even space for a coffee bar.

Closing her eyes, she mutters something, then smiles.

"Can I show you?" she asks, offering me her hand.

Dropping the hammer, I shuffle closer and take her hand. Sparks run along my skin at our touch, and I lean closer.

"Close your eyes and take a deep breath," she says. I follow her instructions and wait.

A little girl sits at the kitchen island, whining about pancakes. Cirrus bounces a little boy in his arms as he makes himself a cup of coffee.

The walls are white with gray cupboards and dark marble countertops.

"Holy shit." I let go of her hand and run my fingers through my messy hair. I didn't see Astor or myself in her vision, but the kitchen was almost identical to what I pictured.

"Visions have a way of changing. You can never truly envision the future. Too many variables, but that's how I want this room to look."

Someone begins to shout in the yard, and Wynter sighs. "I don't want you to feel trapped here. I'd like you to stay and help, but if you wish to go home, that's fine. I know today has been a lot. I wouldn't blame you or Astor for leaving."

Walking out of the room, she mumbles under her breath about breaking the curse and finding love.

I want that for her. Wynter deserves the world, and if there's a way for me to help get it for her… I will.

CIRRUS

Yesterday was a disaster. I managed to stop Astor from leaving and convinced him to stay a little while longer.

The help of my magic was just a small assistance. I think Astor likes Wynter deep down and needed a teeny tiny push.

Wynter will have to take the reins now and make him see that he's meant to be here in Spells Hollow with us.

Now just to break this curse, so we can focus on bigger and better things. I saw what our future holds, and I want it.

I crave it.

She thinks that we can handle this on our own, but I don't think it's that easy. So I have a plan.

Leaving the motel, I pass a girl with a crocheted dress on and long blonde hair. She doesn't see me, so I sneak around the back of the building and make sure the coast is clear.

When I don't sense anyone I open a portal to home and step through. My Nan's house is the first thing I see, and I smile. Walking up to her cottage, I knock, then let myself inside.

"I was wondering when you were going to be back," she says, standing from a chair in her garden room. I can tell she's been working on some new flowers, and I wish I could bring some back for Wynter.

Maybe one day she can just visit here instead.

"I need your help in the mortal realm. Any chance I could convince you to come back with me for a day or two?"

She moves closer to me, and I have to lean down so she can place her hand on my cheek. "You're in love, but she's in trouble," she mumbles, reading my thoughts through her touch.

Sighing, I nod. "Her family was cursed a long time ago, but it's just now been brought to her attention, and she's figured out a way to break it, but it's not that easy. My little spikey pig is stubborn, but I know we need your certain expertise. That is if you will help."

Moving away, she begins to pack a small bag, and I want to jump for joy, but I'll wait until the curse is actually broken.

"You know your mother and brother, Gru, would be better at this than me…" she starts, but I don't have time for my family drama. It's bad enough that Wynter's mom decided to show up and give her two senses.

"Yes, well if we still have no progress after your visit, I will contact them."

Looking over her shoulder, she winces. "Too late."

"Well if it isn't my Wile E Coyote," my mother hisses as I slowly turn to face her. Wearing a ridiculous hat and garb, I try not to cringe at her tone.

"Mother, you look ravishing as always. How have you been?"

"Don't you try to butter me up, Cirrus. It's been months of you ignoring my summons."

"I know, but…"

"Your brother already told me. I don't know what is so horrible about being a ruler of our land, but if it's really something you don't want, then I will let you continue to wander for a bit longer."

Well it's only temporary, but I guess I should take the small reprieve and thank her. Gru frowns, and I feel for him. I really do. It's not his fault that he was born differently than I. He's still my brother. I don't care if he has wings.

"Now, where is it that we are going, and what do we need to do, Cirry?" Nan says while entering her den full of potions and herbs.

I give her a quick rundown of what I think may work, and within minutes she's whipped up a simple antidote.

"I don't know if this will work, but we can try it."

"Thank you. Now we just need to go to Spells Hollow and hope my little stinger isn't angry."