Part 6
633 Words
Present Day
Blair's words had shaken Jaime more than she expected. Her desire to hide her head under her pillow until a new heir was chosen. She didn't want to gather for the full moon bonfire sit next to people who she had trusted without a doubt just this morning. It didn't feel like the end of the month was approaching. The road ahead of her was a dark so complete Jaime sometimes found herself shaking her head. She had to remind herself that it hadn't manifested. That she could still see. Even if she couldn't run. Laughter pealed out, snapping Jaime out of her moody thoughts. A couple danced around and pressed close together. Those in their way either laughed while putting in a suggestive joke as they dodged the lovers. Or the person they bumped into fixed them with an exasperated glare. It probably wasn't their first run-in that night and it likely wouldn't be their last. Jaime had looked forward to this night but now that it was here, she only wanted it to be over.
She hadn't even touched a drink tonight. The fear that she might tell of what she was expected to do compounded by the fear that her failure would be used to bolster an ambitious witch's rise was too much to bear. Jaimie thought she'd be able to confide her feelings to Deanna who'd taken Jaimie under her wing since she'd arrived. But every time she'd tried, her friend put an instant stop to it. Deana never said it but Jaimie got the message. They were friends but when it came to the chosen they were competition. And you didn't write a neat little note on how to take you down. That meant she'd be alone. Win or lose she'd be alone. The realization was too much. She didn't want to be around these laughing singing people. She didn't want to be around couples wrapped up in each other, two or more people who'd tuned the rest of the group out. Not knowing who'd been assigned to test her, or even what the test would be, made her overthink every look that wasn't overtly welcoming. There was only one truly neutral place left, but even though The Bell was less than thirty minutes away Jaimie didn't want to endure cold winds coming off the sea. But for once Jaimie didn't know where she should be.
Jaimie found herself wandering until she ended up in front of where she used to live. It looked different, too bland for this building to have been where so much ended. She still took shifts at the garden center and occult store the Timberhalls ran. But that Jaimie from just a year ago wouldn't believe she was here instead of trying to mingle. Taking drinks even if she had to pinch her nose close. Instead of taking pictures of too many alluring dishes the witches particularly skilled in the kitchen brought, she was wondering where she fit. What would bring her to the attention of Callen? Jaimie looked up at the building with its white and tan paint that most likely hadn't been touched in months. Each day she'd walked up these steps to the back right apartment in a routine she was sorely missing. She was still feeling sorry for herself when she turned to see a woman who's earth magic was so strong it brought it's own scent. The woman was gently rocking a baby who was quiet but was making enough noise that Jaimie expected a ear piercing wail to come any moment.
What's she doing out here? And with just a blanket to cover her baby.
The woman noticed her looking and, when Jaimie raised her hand to give a polite wave, she turned and fled.
- Writer
