Chapter Eight (Tommie)
843 Words
We left Rundale behind us to venture more into the lands. Witches liked their mysteries so the coven wasn’t living in the city. They preferred the nature where technologies couldn’t interfere with their magic. My car ran on a road between hills and sea, a vision I always loved. Now that we were out of town, I could feel the land’s magic. It’s was a different magic from the witch’s yet it was so similar.
« And… where are we going exactly ? » finally asked Niall
« To the witches, to see Greer. She might be able to unravel all of what has been going on lately. And now that we’re mentioning it, I probably should prepare you to meet the witches. »
Niall gave me a puzzled look and I smiled slightly. He had no idea what he was heading to. I grew up among those witches and still, I wasn’t always at ease with them. For a human, and a human who knew nothing about Alter twenty-four hours ago on top of that, it was going to be quite the shock.
« Witches may look human but they don’t always follow the same codes. Because they carry great powers, they tend to be… disconnected with their feelings. Feelings are a dangerous thing in our world. They can make the difference between a powerful witch and a crazy one that needs to be put down. We have the reputation to be cruel in human’s stories but pragmatism and greater interest is what it is really about. The end justifies the means. »
« Are they hostile to humans ? »
« No. Remember we are the ones who stands between the humans and the rest of Alter. » I stayed quite for a few seconds, thinking about which words to use to tell what I was about to reveal. « Fairies and witches have one thing in common – though fairies how way worse – they find humans… distracting. Fairies like to torment humans and they tend to seduce them because conceiving with another fairy is complicated. Also they’re cruel and like making fun of everyone. Witches, it’s more about power and influence. Like a giant reality show. The more they’re liked or admired, the more their powerful. Because we can mix with human easily, we’re not really hidden. We have business with humans. »
« But you said Alter had to be hidden. »
« Nobody really thinks that we really are witches. They come to us for potions, charms etc but actually believes that we are what we’re pretending to be, and these people are marginals. »
« So you’re hiding in plain sight. »
« Precisely. »
I took a turn and we entered the woods. Soon, at the end of the trail, a manor appeared. It was built in grey bricks, in the most classic Scottish style. Numerous windows spangled the house and ivy was spreading in one of the corners. All around, gardens that would have made Louis XIV jealous.
Niall’s amazed face was priceless. Apparently, he’d never been to a place this fancy. I wondered what was his younger years like. I knew nothing about him or his past and I was… quite curious about it. But I won’t ask obviously. I needed to remember that after this meeting, we will part ways.
I parked in front of the house and cut the power. I was about to exit my car when I paused.
« One more thing », I said. « Witches tend to have… wandering hands. Stay close to me, okey ? »
I’d hate to see any of the girls lay a finger on Niall. s**t, did I just think that ? I mentally slapped myself and jumped off the car.
« This place is incredible », Niall whispered
« I suppose it’s okey », I conceded with obvious bad faith. « Wait until you see the inside. »
I led him inside. The place smelled like it always did: a mix of herbal scents and incense. The walls were painted in the same cream colour, everything still looked straight out of a vogue uk or maybe Buckingham Palace. Exactly how the witches liked things: neat and posh. We passed few witches who greeted me. I greeted them back but their attention was focused on Niall. Hell no. I grabbed his hand and almost pulled him all the way to the second floor where Greer’s office was. Those bloody witches were worst than I was anticipating. Seriously, can’t they keep their impulse under control ? I knew the answer was no. Our whole philosophy was based on following our impulse. The only reason I intervened was to keep Niall out of trouble. Nothing more.
« I think you can let go of my hand now », Niall said while scratching his head. « it sees safe now ».
I realised him like his touch burned me. Stupid Tommie.
« We’re here anyway. Let’s get some answers. »
I knocked at the door.
- Writer
