After two hours of mentally considering her situation, Jodie laid on the bed to rest a little. It was so cozy that her eyes grew heavy, and just when she began to nod off, she scrambled awake as the bedroom door swung open. Ingrid's smiling face popped in first, then the rest of her body followed suit.
"I came to apologize," she pouted. "Ares was out of line, Jo, I'm sorry."
"It's fine." Jodie adjusted her position on the bed so Ingrid could settle down beside her. "So what was discussed about my stay?"
"Err, he wants you to see the pack seer first." She tensed. "Her name is Viola, and she's a little crazy, but isn't that always the case?"
Jodie shrugged with a small smile. "I guess so. Why is he insisting though?"
"It's nothing serious." Ingrid took her hands in a comforting squeeze. "It's just precautionary measures put in place for every new recruit on our pack lands." As an afterthought, she added, "You'll be one of us soon...a Phoenix."
"Hmm," Jodie nodded thoughtfully. Ingrid acted normal, but she couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that it was all a hoax. "And the guards? Are they necessary?"
Ingrid sighed. "You have to understand that we don't really know much about you. Ares might be doing too much, but he's only looking after his pack. The Phoenix Pack isn't open to anyone who doesn't share from our rough history. It's just how it is."
"Yet, here I am."
"Because he couldn't leave you behind. Ares is everything everyone says he is, but he has a good heart. He's kind and compassionate...well, rarely, to be honest," her words came rushing out quicker. "...and mostly to people he loves, like me, for example, but I mean, he saved you and brought you here. He's good. But annoying. But good. I'm sure the guards would ease off you with time."
Jodie stared blankly at her for a weird second, wondering what it felt like to be loved by Ares...To be loved by anyone, honestly. Her mom was the only one who genuinely did, and although Esmeralda tried in her own little way, she just wasn't the expressively loving type.
"So are you ready?"
"Huh?" her attention snapped back to Ingrid. "To see the seer lady?"
"Viola, yes."
"Sure," she sprang to her feet. "I'm open to anything that could get me away from these walls, even for a few minutes."
Ingrid chuckled.
They linked arms together and strolled out of the room. Tinto was no longer standing guard by her door when they stepped out. She assumed he'd probably been dispersed since Ingrid had returned to take his place. They continued around the house till they pulled open the exit door and stepped out.
The sun hit her skin, and it felt like some invisible chains were removed from her feet. She admired the terrain as they walked. It was so lush and full of greenery. They were high up from what she could tell. Maybe shrouded in a mountain or atop a hill. She lived on a hill most of her life, so she was fairly good with altitudes. Being outside felt so different and refreshing. She could smell everything at once and hear conversations from miles away. She was ecstatic to be out and somewhat free. Ingrid led them down the path Ares had taken just two days ago to the outback. The seer needed to see Jodie and ascertain everything would go according to plan. So, instead of remaining in the confines of the house, Ingrid proposed a visit to Viola for a start. Ares was reluctant but agreed all the same.
Some people greeted Ingrid as they passed and then stared at Jodie in wonder as the pack didn't often have visitors. Jodie was equally curious about them. She'd never heard of the Phoenix Pack before. In school, they were taught about different packs and territories worldwide. Albeit a lot to remember, the name Phoenix didn't ring any bells.
They reached an outback that housed a little building that was similar to the shack Esmeralda lived in. The smell of wolfsbane, plumeria, and something potent hit her nostrils, causing her eyes to water.
"That smell," she blurted out, and Ingrid suddenly stopped, causing her to run right into her. She turned and steadied Jodie.
"I was expecting the Alpha, not you, Ingrid."
Jodie stared at the woman who had just appeared from within the building. She was rake-thin, with a youthful but weathered face. Jodie knew a seer when she saw one. And this one was staring right at her. The woman frowned at Ingrid, but she paid her no mind.
"If she gets too annoying, fling one of her black portions at her." Ingrid whispered conspiratorially. "Hopefully she turns into a goat."
Jodie chuckled but nodded all the same.
"Excuse me." Ingrid sent Viola a naughty look and left them alone.
"You have Esmeralda's essence." The seer said.
"You know her?" Jodie's eyes widened.
The woman shrugged and entered the building. Jodie hesitantly followed her. Different scents assaulted her nose as she stepped in, none of which felt calming to her. The inside was bigger than it seemed from the outside, and every single wall was covered in potions and magic. Even Esmeralda hadn't had this many kinks in her little shack.
"If you know her, can you pass a message to her for me?"
"You know that is not allowed," the seer replied, her tone firm yet kind.
"I can't believe I get saddled with another seer in a new pack." Jodie murmured.
"Makes you wonder if you're one of us, hmm?"
"Esmeralda said I'm not, besides my—"
Jodie trailed off instantly. The only person who knew of her visions was Esmeralda. She wasn't about to tell a stranger her deepest secret because she was feeling lonely.
"Your?" the seer pressed.
"I don't have the gift," she shrugged it off.
"That's true," the woman nodded.
"You can tell that too?" her brows perked up.
"No, but seers tend to have more tact," the woman smiled, and Jodie growled, but she was undeterred. "I'm Viola; lovely to finally meet you, Jodie."
She spent most of the day with Voila and watched as she worked, seeming very inclined with her craft. The potions on the shelves fascinated her, and at some point she got up and stared at them. They were all sealed up with no labels, but she recognized some from Esmeralda's shack. The portions for healing were blue, the ones for beauty were pink, the ones for love were yellow, and the black ones were poisonous. The other colors present were new to her.
As evening fell, no one came back for her. She was starting to wonder if Ingrid had forgotten about her entirely, and justifiably so. The poor girl had also been stuck with her in 'The Den' for two whole days. It was the first time in forty-eight hours since she would be returning to her daily routine—her friends.
"Someone's here for you," Viola suddenly said.
Jodie's head snapped up from a twig she'd been absentmindedly fondling with and turned to the door, from where a handsome werewolf stared inside the building with disgust. He was tall with tawny colored hair.
When he saw her, his face relaxed into a kind smile. "I'm Ethan," he introduced himself. "Alpha sent me to get you back to his den."
"Oh," she glanced over her shoulder to let the seer know she was leaving, but the woman had left for her inner chamber. With a slight shrug, Jodie got off her seat and approached the wolf.
"I'm Jodie; nice to meet you." She offered him a handshake.
Ethan took her hand, and immediately, the atmosphere began to darken. It was happening again. The vision.
Helplessly, she heard his voice die out until she couldn't hear him at all. The grayness came, sweeping away the serenity around them, and then she was in a dimly lit room.
On the bed were two people tangled together in the throes of passion. One was Ingrid, and the other was Ethan. A window was opened just above the bed, and a shadow was cast against a wall in the room—someone was watching their lovemaking.
Gradually, the scene faded, and Ethan's face came to focus. He was still making introductions, seemingly oblivious to what happened. Then suddenly, his gaze reverted back to the building, and his countenance changed to slightly disgusted. Jodie followed it to find Viola by the door, watching her intently with a cat-like glint as if telling her, 'I know what you are.'