Jack left to go to the castle and Tristen, Amber and I headed to my house after finishing cleaning up. We knew we would have to go to the castle tonight for the meeting so we decided to go together. Of course, Amber called Kat to make sure she met us at my house. When we walked into my house Nana was in the kitchen as always and mom was outside with the neighbor's kids racing around playing tag football as we did when I was a kid. I noticed my Aunt Leanne was on the patio under the big umbrella watching and laughing. Her son Ryan was sitting next to her with ear buds in connected to the phone in his hand. He is one of the cool kids in school that go to every party, football game and dance; wears the name brand clothes and only those; and he will only talk to his click of friends. The normal teenager in the normal high school years of his life. I kind of envy him of that.
Making my way out to where they were I wrap my arms around Leanne from behind over her shoulders. Startled she jerks up and looks at me. With the biggest smile she stands and starts gushing over me. Just like she always did when she came to visit mom.
"There is my girl, look how beautiful you have become." She went on, "You look just like your mother, maybe even better. Don't tell her I said that." She laughed. "oh Tristen, how are you?" She of course had to hug him.
"I am just fine ma'am." He answered with a small pat on her back with one arm hug. "Aren't you two just the perfect couple? The way you look together, it's like a magazine article." She boasted. Even though I never saw her very much I always did love seeing her. When she was around, it was like my mom was a kid again. Due to the fact she is like one herself. "You kids know my son, Ryan." She gestured toward him.
"Of course, I see him around sometimes in the halls." I answered. "We play on the soccer team together" Tristen spoke up. Something I did not know he did. Out of nowhere the football came whizzing behind me and landed near the house. Amber walking over to grab it my aunt finally notices her.
"Oh, Amber I didn't see you there." She says. "You were always so quiet. How are you your father's child?" She laughs with her hands on her hips.
This makes Amber blush, "I hear that all the time. I guess I take after my mom." She tosses the ball back to the boys as mom comes up to us. Amber goes to sit at the table near where my aunt sat.
"I'm wore out." Mom states. "I'm going to go in and get something to drink and maybe some snacks. You guys want any?"
"That's a great idea. Ryan won't you go help Faith?" Leanne says. After having to snap her fingers toward him to get his attention and repeat herself he got up and went with my mom. "Sit, sit. I want to catch up with you and how you like it here." Leanne says to me while waving her arms around at the table for more dramatic effect. Tristen and I sit next to Amber while Leanne takes her spot she had. Leaving a place for mom between her and Ryan.
"So, how does it feel to know you have had this power all this time?" she asks me. I was taken by surprise, not thinking that she knew about my family or anyone of our kind. "What do you mean?" I reply.
"You being a White Lighter, how does it feel?" she responds. "You know about that, how and when?" I am taken back by this. "Honey, I am your mom's best friend for more than double your years on Earth. You really think she could keep something like that from me?"
That would make sense. She was everything to my mom her whole life. If it was me I would told Autumn if I had known. "Well yeah, it's different. I still freak myself out with the things I am learning I can do. But, Tristen has helped me handle a lot of it." I finally answer her after taking a moment to digest her knowing about me.
"You look so much like your mother," Leanne states while staring at me. "I am so happy you guys are back here. I have missed her so much."
This time mom and Ryan comes out with Lemonade and bologna salad sandwiches. Ryan walks around handing out a glass to each person and then goes to play with the boys in the yard. Listening to Mom and Leanne was so much fun. To know some of the things mom use to do was awesome. "Come on honey, let's go inside and have adult talk. While we let these kids be together for a moment." Mom spoke as she leads Leanne into the house and Kat comes walking out.
After sitting down at the table, she can't help herself. "So, how did the baby making go?" Not expecting that Tristen spits his drink out behind my chair, my eyes go huge with heat rising my neck to my face. "What are you talking about?" I ask her softly. "You know, last night, in his bed." She points at Tristen. "You two together," she finishes while wiggling her eyebrows. I just lay my head down on my folded arms trying to hide my now bright red face.
"Oh now, superstar don't go getting shy on me. I want details." She says while poking my arm. "Nothing happen," I mumble with my face still hidden. "Oh yes something did, or you wouldn't be like this." She answers. "Kat, enough," Tristen says calmly. I felt the power coming out of him as he did. It was like an order for her. At the moment I didn't care what it was if it got her to hush.
We spent the afternoon just relaxing around the back yard until time to go. Sitting in Tristen's car, I could not get my nerves settled. Running different thoughts through my head of what to expect when we get there. How am I to act? What do I say to people? Does this even involve me? My heart rate was rising, my hands were going numb from where I was folding and rubbing them over and over together. Tristen's hand snakes in between mine and locks our fingers together.
Everything will be just fine. I will by your side the whole time.
He spoke in my head. All the while stroking his thumb over mine. Knowing exactly what I needed and when. My heart filled with so much joy when I turned to look at him. His eyes never left the road, but pictures that he was sending me said more than enough about how he felt, how he saw me, and the desire he had for me. Before I knew it, we were pulling up to the castle.
When I got out of the car, Tristen to my side with Kat and Amber following we make our way inside. Walking into the castle, there were no one insight. We went right into a room before the stairs. With it being a circle room, it seemed everyone could see one another when they sat down.
With rolls of wooden benches down to the front of the room. There were seven chairs, one larger one and six smaller. This room was different due to no windows, there was two doors to the back of the room one on either side of the room. What made the room so distinctive was the ceiling, the whole thing was glass. Looking out the sky was beautiful, filled with nothing but the moon. It was the biggest I have seen in a long time and so bright. With just candle light, the room seemed filled with magic.
When I returned my focus back on the people in the room, we noticed Nan and Mom sitting close to the middle. Tristen's hand strongly in mine, he leads the way. I noticed that there were not that many people here. When everyone talked I thought it would have had the whole clan here. I sat next to mom, who had Nan on the other side of her, with Tristen to my left and Amber and Kat the other side of him.
After a few moments, to the left front side of the room walked in seven people. The last person walked in was Tristen's dad, Jack. The others I have never seen before, two women and the three men, I knew the man walking before Jack. Those eyes I would never forget, it was Christopher Collins. As they were sitting in the chairs in the front of the room, in walks Chloe. I could not stop the nerves in my stomach from forming at the sight of her. Then out of the doors to the back right came in Marcus and his crew. For whatever reason, I knew this will not be good.
Once everyone settled into seats, Jack spoke. "Today, we are here to discuss the wonderful news of finding our newest member Brynn McComas." He said. Feeling embarrassed by his statement, I look to the floor. Jack continues, "Brynn has grown up away from the coven but, she has been trained by her mother throughout that time to calm herself and powers. Now, What powers she has we been still learning day by day. Just as, any other new member that comes into their powers we are all here to help her with that." He said the last line looking around the room at every person making eye contact. The only person that would not look at him was Christopher. He seemed to not even care about Jack speaking. His attention was on me, and his eyes never left me either. "Now, if there are any questions or concerns for her entering our coven?" Jack finished.
With that the room became quiet. Someone cleared their throat to the left of the room when I turned to see who I was surprised. Chloe stood from her chair waiting for her chance to speak. "I have had the chance to work with Brynn. In one session I realized how different she is." Chloe paused to look at me. Her stone look on her face as normal I could not tell if she was angry or not. "Within an hour of being around her, I was able to see her powers in full effect. She is one of the strongest White Lighters I have ever encountered. Any member would be lucky to have her powers. However, this girl is not in control of her powers. Her emotions run full force in any situation she comes in. And the dangers that she could put the rest of us in not to mention the humans. She is a major concern for this coven."
Chloe turned to face the council, "It is not my place to decide on such matters, however I cannot sit back and not say my piece on the matter. Whatever you decide I will agree, just remember my words of warning of what might happen." With that she sat down.
Having the feeling of defeat wash over me, my shoulders slouch and I twist my hands in my lap until my fingers are turning blue. Without even looking at me Tristen slides his hand into mine and squeeze. The calmness that runs through me is exactly what I need.
Thank you I said through our mind link.
Tristen leaned over and kissed the top of my head. His thoughts were blocked from me, I tried not to fall into bad thoughts of why he would do that now. Shaking myself I returned my focus back on the conversation at hand. The lady on Jack's right, short dark hair cut right to her chin, spoke up. "If she is not safe then we cannot allow her to run around using her powers on anyone and outing us to the world." Unable to stop the breath I took to calm myself at her words. How dare she think that I would harm someone or let others know of us? Who is this lady think she is? Could I really be that dangerous? Between anger and fear rushing through me I did not hear what was being said. It must not have been good due to my mom and Nan stiffen next to me.
At that moment Tristen stood, "Everything that has been said is true. Brynn is still new to her powers. She will need further training to push those powers to see the extent of them. Just as we do for all members." Tristen said then looked at me. "The one thing that all of you are forgetting is that it is still part of your job as this council to take care of the coven. Even though Faith left the coven each of you knew about her and Lillian still lived in our community. How many of our people went to her alone last winter for sickness? And why did they do that? Yes, you know why?" He stared at the lady that spoke before. "You yourself were one who went, because she is the best healer we have? And even if she was not part of our coven everyone trusted her and still do. "
That made the lady look down at her hands in her lap. "Yes, son we trust Lillian but she is not the one we are talking about her. We are not even for sure about her mother at this point. How long has it been since she has been with any of us?" one of the men spoke.
"I can understand that you might not trust, for they themselves do not trust any of you either. For there has been things on both side that have lost that trust." Tristen replied. "But, when it comes to Brynn she is an innocent in this. For she did not know she was one of us until recently. And we cannot hold that against her. From what I have seen from her is unbelievable. And with that said, I will be held accountable for her and her actions. I will be the one to train and teach her."
Mummers started humming through the council and everyone in the room. It was Marcus who stood up to fight back against Tristen. "And what makes you think you can handle her? You yourself are young. If she can take down one of our strongest members with just a flinch then how can you guarantee that you will be able to control?" He spat.
To most no one would have been able to tell that Tristen was having a tough time keeping his anger under wraps. The only give away was when I saw his arm jerk while next to me. With a little chuckle Tristen responded, "Well Marcus you of all people should know better than to question my authority or my power. I have the strongest power of all of the coven besides my father. And I am next in line to proceed after him. I will have no problems with keeping Brynn under control especially, since she is NOT out of control." That one word he almost yelled at him. It was enough to get Marcus to sit down though.
The emotion that was rolling off of Tristen was enough to level a whole building. Marcus did not know how much he was testing his patience. My fingers reached out to touch Tristen's, there was no holding back I needed to know he was okay. And our mind link was shut down at the moment. Soon as we touched his shoulders relaxed. I noticed his eyes shut and he inhaled deeply. Tristen turned toward me and pulled me to stand with him. My eyes never left his, and his hand came to cup my face. The feel of skin to skin and seeing the emotion in his eyes was making me jelly knees. I so badly wanted to kiss him.
We have an audience right now, love. It would not be wise to do so.
Tristen spoke to me in my head. The chuckle let me know I had my calm Tristen back. Right along with my connection to him. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Christopher rise. Turning to look at him made Tristen do the same. The look on Christopher's face was between confused and shock.
"No way, it cannot be. You are his grá fíor!" Christopher stated like it was disgusting. "How can that be?" Asked the other lady of the group. "I thought he was plighted to Sasha?" asked another. After that everyone started talking over each other. It all became so confusing and loud, my head started hurting. Christopher started making his way toward us, when he got to the row where Marcus where they followed him. Tristen turned to face him while holding me behind him. His sister and Kat formed a line by taking up on either side of him.
Fear seeped into my stomach, there was not any way I was going to sit back and let the people I care for get hurt because of me. Taking a step back from Tristen I stand on the chair and step over to the other row and walk straight to Christopher. I could feel the fear and worry coming from Tristen. Standing with my chin tilted up to show that I was not scared of him, the grin he had turned to full smile. He looked like such a creeper, worse than normal for him.
"Well, Well, you look just like your mother." He said and I could feel the shock run through me at him thinking of my mother. This man was the cause of her pain for so many years. The feeling went all through me to know it was the truth. "I can see a little of your father in you. It's a shame that you never met him." With him talking about my father, made my blood boil. "Then again, maybe it was best that you never did. He wasn't worth it really. "This man was really pushing toward a death wish.
At that moment I felt Tristen's hand on the small of my back. The light touch was all I needed to calm myself. The fates of the world really knew to give me such a wonderful man. Straighten my back I focused back on Christopher. "What would you know of a good man? From what little I know of you, there isn't anything good about you." I said sternly. This made him step closer to me. I could swear that I heard Tristen growling at him. "Let's not forget that I saw you at the Boy Scout ranch. I know what you and everyone one of your minions were doing." I said calmly. Christopher's eyes went wide then back to normal so fast I would have missed it if I wasn't paying close attention.
He did not think that I would bring up what I saw. Did he really see me as someone who was so scared of some crazy man just because he truly was crazy? Well, he did not know a thing about me or what I would do to protect my friends and family. After a few moments of starring down at one another Jack showed up in my side view. Tristen placed his hand on my stomach and lead me back a few steps while his dad stepped into my place.
"Is what she says true?" Jack asked Christopher. There was not an answer. With the silence one could hear the shuffling of feet from Marcus and his counterparts trying to back up slowly. Two of the men suddenly appeared about two feet behind them. The crew stopped. Christopher smile turned into such an evil glare at Jack. "Are you going to take my word or some teenage girl who is sleeping with your son?"
Just being here the little bit, I know one thing for sure. Tristen's father, jack, is not one to be pushed around lightly. He knows his stuff especially when it comes to someone being truthful or not. "If you have nothing to hide then you would not care to do a circle." Jack stated as a matter of fact in his voice. Looking at Christopher I could tell that he did not want to do this. But, he did not want others to know his secret. I watched him close his eyes, while Jack and Chloe grabbed him by the arms to force him further down front.
Jack and the rest of the council formed a wall around Christopher. One of the ladies asked Nan to join since they needed seven to complete the circle. Mom came and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. Tristen walked closer to stand behind his father, Kat was next to me with Amber the other side of her. With eyes closed heads till to the sky, the members begin to chant. Moments pass, you could feel movement swirl around everyone. The moon became so bright, shinning down on the circle. Air starts to move about the room picking up anything that was light enough to move.
Looking around the room I could not help to feel like something bad was about to happen. Even though I did not know a lot about this part of my life, I knew something was not right. I lock eyes with Christopher. They were dark, looking at him one could see to his very core was just as black. An evil smile formed on his lips and I saw his mouth twitch just a little. It did it repeatedly. It was like he was mumbling to himself. Wait, he was. He was saying something but, didn't want anyone else to hear it. I yell, "Stop him". His eyes open wide, he smiles then he's gone. Just poof, disappeared.
Suddenly everything stopped. The air stilled, no sound was made by anyone. Pure shock was written on the faces of the council. Their looks told me that it should not have been possible for him to just do that. Jack was the first to get a grip on himself and speak. What he had to say was enough to bring me to my knees.
"Where's Faith?" Those words echoed throughout the room. Looking around, it can not be my mom is no where in sight.
Turning around to where she was standing, I find empty space. She was just there, where could she have gone. I knew the answer to that question deep down but, I did not want to admit it. Mom was gone and Christopher is the one that took her.