Page 86 of Claimed

“The sight is telling me we may need these tonight, Greyson. If so, you’ll know what to do with them when the time comes. Keep them hidden.”

Without looking at the necklaces she put in my hand, I casually shove my hand into my pocket. She gave me a bracelet earlier, a black leather one, advising I should wear it today, advising it’d help block mindreading and offer some other protective qualities. It’s a flat, stitched leather and I feel tiny stones or crystals tucked between seams.

“Where are we setting up?” Erica asks.

The SCC meeting this afternoon was frustrating for Riley and Erica. They found out a lot of unhappy information about the intervention from the witches in the SCC about their relationship. Even more concerning is their interest in Erica’s newly acquired magical abilities. Apparently when a Youngcoven witch mates with a wolf shifter, big things happen. This was alluded to for me as well.

Erica is talking to the SCC witches who are here, wanting to do a witch circle at the site Erica was taken from seven years ago. One of them answers, gesturing ahead.

Aunt Mimi explained these witch circles to me earlier, and I paid close attention to the facts she shared.

Mimi squeezes my bicep and again speaks into my mind.

“You’ll learn how to internally communicate with others like this, too. You’ll find you’ve got a whole lot of skills going forward, Greyson. Don’t feel stressful about starting your training late. It’ll all come to you as it should. I do hope I have an opportunity to watch you hone those skills. But regardless, your cousins are looking forward to sharing their knowledge with you and when the time comes, you’ll find you catch on quickly. A benefit of becoming the head of our coven.”

I flex my arm to provide a response, though I dislike her train of thought. I’d really like to put a stop to the bullshit happening here right now with these two witches. Riley hasn’t hidden that he doesn’t trust them. But none of us do. I especially don’t trust the one with the hippie vibe that just answered Erica. I feel less threatened by the power suit-wearing one with the resting bitch face. This hippie witch seems conniving to me. She’s fake. Phony. The sooner they’re gone, the better.

They’re trying to get my cousin into a field where an illusion of flowers was part of a trap all those years ago. I’ll be ready to unleash hell if all of this is another of their traps.

Vivica and I exchange glances and although neither of us show it, I know we’re in the same boat. Promises have been made with the carrot dangled for Erica to learn things that will help her with her newly realized magic as well as, and even moreimportant – a fountain of youth dip equivalent for Mimi that’ll come from this circle.

I know Riley would rather turn our backs on them, ban them from our village and consider cutting ties with the SCC altogether. Unfortunately, in addition to wanting to help Mimi, who we learned today is about to decline in health, it’s also a political game.

My father and the other last generation council members warned us when we took over that despite not wanting to at times, we’ll need to cooperate with the SCC whenever they sniff around. Their reach is long, and their influence is formidable. It was drilled into us that there may come a time when we need their help. I sure as fuck hope not, not if the vibe I’m getting from these two witches is any indication of the sort of relationship we can expect going forward.

I exchange glances with Erica and her vibe is uncertain. Erica is pack to me now as well as a cousin and I want her to know I’ve got her back. I know she wants Mimi to get the health benefits of this magic circle. And I know Erica is anxious to be able to move on with Riley after waiting seven years and not believing that she’d get to have a future with him. She was certain she’d have to be subjected to a severing ceremony like my father and birth mother. Vivica clued me in to the fact Erica is beyond broken from all she’s endured, and I hope that’s not clouding her judgement here.

“We must ask that you leave us, Greyson Blackwood,” Lucinda Alexander, the power suit witch with the resting bitch face announces, pulling me from my careful assessment of every scent and sound around me.

“This is a circle for trained witches. Women,” she elaborates. “Not a mixed witch and warlock circle.”

“Oh, really?” I query casually. “Thought I could just watch.”

Lucinda shakes her head. “No observers.”

I shrug with fake nonchalance. “Maybe next time. I’ll take you all where you’re going and then I’ll take off. How long do you need, and I’ll come back?”

“Three hours should do,” the hippie witch says.

“Maybe just two,” the other one corrects.

“Give us three to be safe,” the hippie witch puts in with a bright smile that I don’t read as fake, I read it as something else, though my gut isn’t telling me what.

“Fine,” I shrug. “I’ll grab a beer and a basket of wings at the tavern. If you need me back early, just call.”

I make eye contact with Erica and then Vivica, who I know read that I’m ready to help should they need me before I kiss Mimi and move back the way we came.

Unfortunately, I’m beyond certain my familywillneed my help tonight. I just don’t know in what capacity.

***

I’m doing my best not to show my state of mind to Riley, but it doesn’t matter. Not only do we have the pack connection, also… he’s tweaked anyway.

Rye has been restlessly pacing since I’ve been back at the water tower with them, continuously driving his hand through his hair with frustration, eyes continuously pivoting to me, assessing, because I told him I’ll get a telepathic sign from Mimi if I’m needed.

He doesn’t trust those witches near his mate and I understand this. I’m not sure anything could get me to leave her alone with them if I were in his shoes. Guess it’s good she was paired witha guy like Rye. From what I can see, Erica Savage is a full-sun flower, not one that would bloom under the shady umbrella of over-protectiveness. He’s protective, but obviously understands her position and knows he needs to give her space to be who she is. That said, he’s not going to relax until he’s got her in reaching distance.

None of us here right now are at ease. It’s the six of us, the council minus Jase, who is at my place looking after Stacy for me.

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