Chapter 4

CIRRUS

"I'm happy to see you," Nan says as she helps me carry Astor and Arsen back to my car. She may be tiny, but she's stronger than two Hornicats together. "Your mother stopped by the other day. She misses you. Are you really not going to go through with the wedding and take your rightful place in Court?"

Ugh, I don't want to go over all this again. Sighing, I place Arsen in the front seat and help Nan place his ‘lucky to still be alive' twin in the back. I can't believe he was going to hit on my nan.

"I never wanted to take the throne, Nan. Plus I like it in the mortal realm. I may have even found myself a spicy little witch. Maybe I'll marry her and get Mam off my back."

"Oh, please let me have a front row seat for that day. Your mother will throw a hell of a storm." Giggling, she gives me another hug, and I breathe in her floral and bismal berry scent.

"Seriously, I have never met another like her. Our connection was fireworks and explosions. I think she may be my mate. But when we kissed I saw visions about things I don't understand, but there was a place so I know where she plans to go next, and I will be following."

"Ahhh, young love. I remember when your Pap stalked me. It was so romantic," sighing, she stares off at the rainbow sky. "He's been gone a decade now, but I can still hear him in the wind."

"Love you, Nan. I'll come visit again…"

Loud trumpets sound in the sky, cutting me off mid sentence. Shit, I was so damn close.

"Oh, boy, you better skedaddle before your brother lands. And baby, keep your Goofeyjizz away from your friends. They got lucky this time."

Glancing at the sky I can tell my brother has brought the whole guard with him.

"Not today, Satan! Bye Nan," I shout, then dive into the driver's seat and hit the button for the portal back to the mortal realm.

I need to get these geese home and then pack for an adventure.

"I'll see you soon, my little goddess."

WYNTER

"Excuse me, what? You can't seriously be thinking about just up and leaving because some voice told you to go to some abandoned wasteland!" Halee is irate and though I am the boss I can't blame her.

"Hales, you can handle this place. I have it closed for a few weeks for the renovations anyways. All you need to do is keep an eye on the workers and make sure they don't cause any unnecessary damage to the upstairs."

She continues to ramble as I pack. I don't know how cold upstate NY is, but I grab a few cardigans and jeans just to be safe.

"And what about Roy? You gave him time off, so he won't even be here to help me," Halee whines, and I'm about to snap.

"Enough! I am so sick and tired of being casted out or left behind. If there is a curse which we know there is, then I am going to try everything to get rid of it. Now here is the number to the motel where I am staying. If you need me it better be because Ms. Whiskers is dying or the bar is on fire."

I hand her the paper I printed of the place I'm going to have to stay at and then scratch my kitten's head. I wish I could take her with me, but the owner, Adri, said absolutely no pets.

"Ms. Whiskers will be fine… Your bar on the other hand…"

"Halee, cut the shit. You can't come with me, so drop the attitude and do your damn job."

I watch as my words hit her and internally I'm cringing. I never used to be so damn mean. Especially to my friends. But that's what happens when your heart gets broken again and again.

"Yeah, um, okay. I'm gonna…" Halee walks quickly out the door and I groan as her sniffles and soft cries echo through the empty halls.

"Merooooowww." I glance at my cat and sigh.

"I know okay. You don't need to give me that look." She glares at me for a few more seconds, her orange and white striped tail flicking up and down on the bed.

She was completely black, but a potion went awry, which wasn't my fault. She jumped up onto the counter and dumped it all over herself. So now she is an adorable spotted mess.

Black on her face still with a white stripe down her nose and splotches of orange throughout in patches, and then of course her tail. Have I mentioned she's adorable?

"I won't be gone long, okay?" I coo to her and give her a few belly rubs. She's such an oddball and also likes to play fetch at times.

Finishing packing, I pull up my witchy GPS and try to find this place. It's going to be a few days of driving and once I reach the motel, finding my ancestors' land is going to be a real challenge it seems.

The only things I can find about it are urban legends and missing ghost hunters, who went exploring where they shouldn't have.

But one thing remains true with anything I read. I am going to need some good hiking boots. I'm kinda excited to go to Spells Hollow. I love anything sinister and occult. This will be fun and if I end up breaking the curse it'll be even better.

Did I say I was excited for this trip? After driving all day, I need to stop and stretch. Even bringing my large SUV, I am sore and bloated from the gas station snacks. I should have just flown to upstate NY and then rented a car or something.

I find a rest area that looks decent and take the exit. There are lots of semi-trucks around, parked for the night and the visitor's center seems to have good lighting surrounding it.

Closing my eyes, I mumble a quick spell, checking if anyone here has ill intent, then when nothing stands out, I park my vehicle and shut the engine off. It's startling how quiet everything is now that the music isn't playing or the tires aren't moving.

I can hear the distant sound of the people still driving on the highway, but other than that it's peaceful. Yawning, I open my door and let the night air chill me. Reaching behind my seat, I grab my keys from my bag, then unbuckle and climb out.

The crickets chirp all around me, and I breathe in the pine scent. The air feels almost damp and I hope it's just the morning dew, and I'm not about to encounter a storm. I hate driving in the rain.

Idiots hover between lanes and sometimes it's hard to even see.

I shut my car door and lock it, then walk toward the building. There is a man hovering by the vending machines, but he seems innocent enough. Leaving him to do his business, I start up the steps to the top and enter the ladies room.

Fluorescent lights greet me, and I groan. Rushing to the stall at the end I relieve myself, then wash my hands and use a spell to conjure a toothbrush with paste in the bristles.

I am sick of tasting coffee.

When done, I return to my car and open the back door. Even though Halee was upset with me, she did have the foresight to suggest I drop my backseats and lay an air mattress there so I could nap.

It's a smart idea and it may even come in handy in Spells Hollow. From what I saw the town I'm headed to is a good drive from the motel. I don't know what I'm going to encounter when I arrive, but hopefully it'll be a quick trip.

Climbing in, I make myself comfortable, then lock up the car once more and get a few Z's.

Early morning light pulls me from a weird dream of people being hung and running away from a massive fire.

Staying under the blanket, I mumble a spell to change my clothes with something I packed.

Wish I could shower, but it's okay for right now.

Pulling out my phone, I check how much longer I have to drive. Ten hours is doable, but my neck is stiff and my hips are killing me.

Might treat myself to a hotel tonight and arrive during the day tomorrow.

That way I'll have lots of natural light to explore. Some of the fandom sites said that there was no power, but I don't know how accurate that is.

Using the bathroom once more, I glance around checking no one is around. Magic is unknown to mortals, and I don't want to be punished if someone witnesses what I'm about to do.

"Ailorna washse," I mutter quietly and instantly feel cleaner. There's just something great about a washing spell.

Looking at my reflection I wince at the huge bags under my eyes. They are so big I'm shocked they don't need their own luggage cart.

"Ugh, just a few more days and maybe we can get some answers."

Walking back to the car, my phone rings, and I groan. I don't even need to know who it is. Psychic remember?

Answering, I keep my snark to a minimum. "Yes, Mom?"

"Wynter Sandra Nefari! Is there a reason you didn't tell me that you were taking a trip halfway around the world?"

God, she can be dramatic at times.

"I am going to upstate NY, Mom, not Timbuktu," I mutter and dig in my bag for my keys.

Finding them, I unlock the car and climb in.

"You left without letting me or even the coven know, Wynter. That is not how things work."

"Okay, well, I am following my destiny. I had a vision during the blood moon."

Cackling fills the phone and I really don't have time for her nonsense. "Yeah it's hilarious. I'll text you later if I have a signal."

Hanging up, I toss my phone in the cup holder and turn the car on. I need food, coffee and gas.

The truck stop is starting to get busy and a tingle runs down my spine, alerting me that someone with nefarious intent is coming.

Not having the time or patience for it, I reverse and get back on the road.