Page 39 of Witch's Rebirth
"I can think of a few things," Raum grinned wolfishly.
Sal growled an affirmative in my ear.
The heat of their returned gazes set my body aflame. Ash's eyes flickered from me to the others' faces and he licked his lips. My core immediately melted into a pool of liquid fire. My stubborn, possessive angel was really entertaining the idea of sharing our private time together? If the hot kiss between us and Seth earlier didn't hint to that, his look right then sure did.
A high-pitched howl interrupted our moment before anyone could vocalize the suggestion. All of our heads swiveled to the treeline where a grey wolf and a red fox came leaping toward us.
"Please tell me that dopey smile means something good!" Nona shifted flawlessly and asked the moment she had a human mouth.
"Yes," I answered, my grin spreading so wide that it hurt my cheeks. "Diana is dead. She won't hurt anyone anymore."
An eruption of cheers and howls surrounded me. It finally sunk in for everyone else too.
"What's more," Ash added. "I felt the angel magic she borrowed become obsolete the moment she died. It seems her death made whatever contract she had null and void."
"That's fantastic news!" Astrid beamed, glowing almost as bright as her red curls. "And I have more for you." She cleared her throat and looked at me pointedly.
"I would be honored to have my rescue operation within your sanctuary," she said, her voice beginning to choke up. "Nona told me all about your idea and I think it's wonderful. We've had shifters stolen and murdered before so if they had magical protection..."
"Of course!" I sat up and pulled her into a tight hug. "You looked out for us so it's the least I can do. We just need to draw up boundaries, cast the spell around the perimeter and spread the word to anyone who needs protection. Then Voluspa will be a dream come true."
"Voluspa, huh?" Nona said.
"The name of our supernatural haven," I beamed. "Start spreading the word to shifters and all magical kinds in need."
"You should be part of the spell," Raum told her. "You too, Astrid. We'll need to say an incantation to seal it. Even if you don't have magic, just your voice and the repetition will fuel its power."
"All of you should," I agreed, linking my arm in his. "Your mates too, Astrid. And everyone you called up here. We're making history so let's get everyone involved."
"I know just the right spell to do it." Ash scratched his beard. "I'll need to look it up for all the details and," he looked at Seth. "I'll need your help."
"Whatever you need, man." Seth said it casually but I knew he was thrilled on the inside. His stormy eyes caught mine and he blushed when I smiled.
"Do you need a map of the area?" Astrid asked. "To see where to make the perimeter?"
"Yes," Ash answered. "That'll be really useful. We don't want to include human farms and towns within the sanctuary." He was going into leader mode again and it was really sexy. "Let's all meet at the house in an hour. For several reasons, this spell will have to be cast at night."
Astrid and Nona went off to the woods, shifting again into their animal forms while the five of us headed toward the house. Toward home.
"Let's make some magic!" I declared with glee, not caring who heard.
* * *
Roughly one hour later, about fifteen people were crowded into Ash's study. Us five, Nona and Astrid, Astrid's three mates, and five other shifters who answered the call for backup when Diana initially came out here.
I could tell Ash felt extremely claustrophobic with all the bodies in his private space, but he smiled and made polite introductions to all the shifters he hadn't met yet.
Most people mingled and chatted while he and I, along with Astrid and her mates looked over the large paper map she brought. They pointed out private property owned by humans and other barriers to our magical sanctuary. Together we were able to triangulate an area of land, including Astrid's place and our house, where no humans had influence. Ash drew dots on the map according to Astrid's instructions and I connected them with a red pen.
When I stepped back and looked, the emotion rose up too fast and tears of joy threatened to spill from my eyes.
It was an area of about ten square miles. Enough to build plenty of temporary housing, maybe even a school for children and shops to give people jobs. And still plenty of room for shifters to run, hunt, fly and or do whatever they needed within the safety of the boundaries.
It was Voluspa. Our home. And the home of those in need.
"Love?" Ash nudged me gently.
I took a deep breath to compose myself. "It's perfect," I breathed. "I never imagined we would have this much space."
