Shadow Witch

Chapter Nine

    "If what Dante said is true, I think the collar they put on her will keep magic from tracking her, but I have to try just in case." I say to Ryhes as we make our way back out to the clearing. 

    The sun was already setting and soon it would be dark, and I'll be honest once again and say that I really disliked the dark. If Ryhes and Ryker weren't here I wouldn't be out here. You can imagine how it was in the Dark Forest.

    I shiver at the memory of the fog and mist that covered me in there, not being able to see even my fingers in front of my face.

    I set my messenger bag down in the grass and pull out the map of the whole country, it was going to take a lot more magic to cover such a big space. That's why I asked Ryker to come.

    He sits down next to me while Ryhes walks a circle around the edge of the clearing. I know I'm safe here especially with Ryhes here, but I can't help but try and look between the trees to make sure there's nothing out there.

    "Summer." Ryhes calls me.

    I stand and make my way over to him. He holds out a hand to rest on the side of my neck. 

    "You do know I'd never let anything happen to you right?"

    I avert my eyes back to the tree and nod my head.

    "So what's wrong?"

    I sigh and mumble my answer while rocking on my heels like a toddler.

    Ryhes smiles, "Care to repeat that a little louder?"

    "Not really."

    "Summer."

    "I don't like the dark."

    His eyebrows lift in surprise and his smile grows, "Really?"

    I throw my hands up and walk away from him, "Yes really, it's only outside. I don't like not being able to see anything. Really freaks me out."

    "Which is normal."

    "Not for me." I grumble and cross my arms over my chest.

    "Oh yeah I forgot. Summer is so bad ass nothing scares her."

    "No need for sarcasm Alphahole."

    "Everyone is afraid of something Summer."

    "Spiders freak me out," Ryker calls from his spot across the clearing.

    "I hate snakes," Ryhes says with a visible shiver.

    "I get it." I say laughing before walking back to Ryker. We sit across from each other and hold hands over the map clasping the only necklace I own.

    "Really Summer? A Captain America shield necklace?"

    "Shut up."

    "Is it Steve Rogers or Chris Evans you're into?"    

    "Shut up Ryker." Ryhes calls out.

    I smile and mouth 'Chris Evans' to him.

    "Summer." He growls my name and I shiver at the low timber.

    "Yes?" I make my voice sickly sweet.

    "Don't push me."

    "What happens if I do?"

    "Do you really want find out?"    

    Yes! My whole body screams at me. I really want to know what lurks beneath the Alpha exterior, something tells me it would be a whole lot of fun to find out.

    Instead of answering I close my eyes and feel Ryker open up his magic just like I do. I see it in my head, our magics swirling together and becoming one to work stronger. I don't do this with just anyone, honestly it's only ever been Ryker. Uncle Ryan knows nothing about this, as well as Ryhes. The less anyone knew about the things I could do the better.

    I split my abilities between all three of them, they all know a little part of the puzzle. I pray every day that they don't start discussing me, then they'd all know everything.

    Keeping my eyes closed I call on the trackers magic and throw the swirling magic out. It zips through the trees and the sky. 

    Searching.

    I'm not sure how long passes before the magic has searched all of Illinois, but I can feel the power draining. I let it keep going, searching as far as my energy can allow. 

    "Summer." Ryhes voice is alarmed inside my head.

    "Hush."

    "Summer it's too much. Ryker told me what you can do."

    "I'm not pulling from Ryker, it's fine."

    "That's the problem, it's all you Summer. You're going to drain yourself."

    "I need to make sure Ryhes."

    "So pull from Ryker."

    "I will when I need to."

    "Summer-" I cut off his connection to my head and continue the search.

    I get through Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin before I feel the draining set it. Gently I pull on Ryker, getting through Iowa, Missouri and Kentucky before I have to let go and break the tracking connection totally. I can handle draining myself, but I can't do it to Ryker.

    "I searched every surrounding state, she's not traceable."

    "What the f**k Summer?" Ryhes barks wrapping an arm around my shoulders to keep my body up right.

    I look to Ryker and see that he seems a little sleepy but alright nonetheless. It should only take him a few hours to recover whereas it might take me a few days.

    "I asked you not to do this Summer."

    I lean against him as I try to stand, "I had to make sure."

    I take a few steps and stumble before getting my footing, I feel drunk without the elation.

    Ryhes lifts me into his arms and I watch over his shoulder as Ryker picks up the objects from the grass and slowly follows behind us. I rest my chin on Ryhes' shoulder and keep an eye on him as he trails behind us. I know in my bones I didn't pull too much, but if a witch has never been drained before they might act differently.

    "Are you okay Ryker?"

    "Yes Summer, just tired."

    I close my eyes and the next time I open them I'm being placed in Ryhes' bed. He goes to stand straight but I grab the strand of hair that fell loose from his bun.

    "Where are you going?"

    He smirks down at me, "To check on my brother."

    "I'm sure he's fine," I try to tug him close but his arms hold him above my body.

    "Ten minutes Summer."

    I nod and sit up, making Ryhes take a step back so we don't bump heads. "I'm gonna change."

    "I don't think you should get up."

    "Go check on Ryker."    

    "Summer-"

    I push at his chest to cut him off, "Go Ryhes."

    I watch as he walks out of the room. Slowly I rise from the bed, flinging a hand out to steady myself. I get to his dresser and pull out a shirt, knowing I can't make it to my room for clothes. 

    I stumble into the bathroom and close the door. I look in the mirror and see my face is pale and my eyes are blood shot with dark bags under them.

    I look like s**t.

    I slowly lift my arms out of my tank top and toss on the t-shirt before removing my jeans as well. I can't find it in me to care about what I wear to bed at this point, I just want to be comfortable.

    I stumble out of the bathroom and fall to the bed sideways. I know my shirt has risen up but I can't find the energy to do anything about it.

    I hear the door open but not close. I turn my head, not lifting it, to see Ryhes standing in the doorway. It's like he's frozen, like he can't bring himself to move.

    "What?"

    He shakes his head like he's clearing it and walks through the door, shutting it softly behind him. 

    "I can run to your room to get clothes," his voice is shaky.

    "Why?"

    "You're not that dense Summer, even if you're drained."

    He's right, I'm not.

    "Come lay with me."

    He sighs, "Summer, this isn't the time."

    "Please?" 

    His next sigh is heavy before he makes his way over to the bed.