Page 46 of Shifting Years
That's fine because it gave me time to plan. My pup would be safe, I wouldn't have to go on the road, and the separation from Henry wouldn't revert.
A heavy, leather-bound book with blank pages appeared in my lap. "Troubled lovers will come to you in the eighties and continue until your final days. Fill the tomes with their stories. We will take the power from words."
Like a scrapbook? That's not so bad.
"It isn't," said the women in unison. "However, your life, Michael, is tied to Whispering Hills as you must accept the stories and troubled lovers when they appear. The ability to leave your home for long will be rare."
Jack Kerouac and others went on long adventures, dropping out of 'square society' for months. I had thoughts of crossing the country with Todd, having a lover at my side, and still emulating my heroes.It won't happen, but I'll do anything for my kid.
"Anything?" said Dawn to my thoughts.
Chill rose and I stayed quiet.
Both women faced Todd. "You are troubled."
"The child, I'd raise him like my own. I don't care who he came from."
I fought a tear. We hadn't hadthatdiscussion, but he obviously thought about being a father.
"I'm not afraid for myself, but I don't want Henry hurting Mike, so can I get a wish?"
"Don't," I pleaded.
"If you are willing to pay the price," said Tina. "However, we cannot kill, nor can we send him away. We cannot make him forget your Michael, for two memory spells so close together would cancel the other."
"I wish he couldn't hurt Mike."
"Too vague," said Tina.
"I want everyone to know what a worm he is, so they banish him away."
"It will not give you safety," said Tina. "Do not wish for that."
"I want to make sure we're safe forever."
"Not possible, for nothing is unending," said both.
"Fine. I want to make sure we're safe foryearsfrom that worm," said Todd. "That's my wish."
"Oh," said Dawn.
"You phrased it poorly," finished Tina.
***
We found ourselves back on the two-lane country road toward Whispering Hills with no memory of leaving. Todd grabbed the steering wheel before I did.
Did I… we make a mistake?A heavy book sat in the front with us, and the heavy paper smell suggested several more were in the car's back, possibly multiplied by Todd's wish. We'd start filling it out next decade. That heavily implied we'd still be together. If so, it was time to commit.
I said nothing to him, but he might have sensed something. We finished the drive, putting thoughts of witches to the side while we stood in the rustic bedroom. Orange evening light crawled over a tall man with short hair. There were no bar drinkers or anyone to force us to kiss or do more.
"Are you sure?" asked Todd, gesturing to our nakedness.
Did I want him in me? Yes, more than anything, but like my Alpha, I had to be practical. We had Tina and Dawn's help but added assurance couldn't hurt.
"Mike, are you doing this, so I get my power?" he whispered.
"Yes. No." My fingers ran over his developed chest. He kept himself in shape, even while hitchhiking. There was male lust, but he barely survived Henry. If he were to ever fight another shifter, he needed help.
