A Gift of Magic

Chapter 8

            Leigh stepped through the tree in Massachusetts and out of a tree in Florida. She chose an old fairy ring that she had found years ago when exploring as a child. The pixies and sprites took off into the air as soon as both of her feet hit solid ground. She held out her arms and the fairy dragon in her arms took off as well. They immediately went to the fairy ring and buzzed around the area then came back to her. Dax spoke first, “Thank you Druid, you made good on your word. This place is better than any of us could have expected.”

            Leigh inclined her head, “This place is yours for as long as you need sanctuary. You are also welcome to stay if you choose to do so. I have many aunts and sisters who come through the area as well as uncles. I just ask that you do not attack them. They will not know you are here until I get back from my quest, which could take a while. If you would like to announce yourself there are cottages at each of the directions of the pentagram on this property. Approach any of my aunts and tell them that I brought you here for sanctuary and they will help in any way they can. This land has been used as a sanctuary for generations and it feels right to have it used so again.”

            The sprites and fairies all nodded. The fairy dragon came forward and spoke, “If you are in need of us during your quest all you need to do is ask. We will not forget your generosity or kindness. It is our way to pay forward those acts.”

            Leigh inclined her head. “I must go now and retrieve the staff hidden in the woods.” She turned and placed her hand on the tree again and walked through. She came out in the woods by the cottage. Immediately she knew something was wrong, she could feel a presence in the area. Before she could use her gifts to search out the issue a twig broke behind her. As she turned a heavy item connected with her head and the world went black.

            Logan had shifted and was running full out to make it to the cabin in time to protect Leigh. He had a bad feeling about her coming back, he should have found a reason to accompany her. As he sprinted, he kicked himself mentally. His wolf was going berserk, he could feel that there was danger to his mate, and he was desperate to find her. When he finally made it to the clearing everything was silent. He inhaled deeply and could smell her scent on the wind, but he could not see her. With his nose to the ground, he searched until he found a spot that had her blood. His entire being went still. She was hurt, he was supposed to protect her. He should have known someone would be here waiting for her when she returned. Now to make it back to the pack house to find out what happened. His wolf spurred him on, and they sprinted towards the pack house. About a hundred yards off he slowed down and slowed his breath. It would do no good to come in out of breath. He shifted at the tree line and put on his clothes. He walked slowly into the town and kept his senses on high alert. He could smell her blood faintly as well as her scent. What he saw in the center of the town chilled his blood. She was strung up on the post in the center of town with her arms chained above her head. She was obviously still groggy from being unconscious but was waking up slowly and taking in her surroundings. He dipped into the shadows of a building and started thinking. He overheard an elderly man talking to his daughter.

            “Alpha James is very upset, I heard he is going to make an example of the witch tonight,” the elderly man said.

            “I heard that Alpha is going to make her a gift to Beta Robert, and he has been bragging that she will be his concubine. Threatening to force her to bear pups that can channel magic,” the young woman said softly.

            The older man clucked his tongue disapprovingly, “What has our pack come to that we are treating witches so. I remember a time when they were revered because they are so rare.”

            The younger woman shook her head, “it is out of our hands. If we speak up, we will be punished harshly. Although I don’t agree with what is being done to her, I do not wish to suffer the same fate. I have heard that he is cruel to his mistresses, I can’t imagine he would be nicer to a concubine.”

            They moved out of Logan’s hearing and his blood stated boiling again. No one would touch his mate, especially that despicable male Robert. A true Beta should be just and fair not cruel and merciless. He needed to get to his phone, backup should be close by from the council.

            He slipped into the house he had been using and the old man that lived there looked at Logan. “You have been gone a few days. I kept your phone charged. There is a pack meeting soon so I will have to leave you to it.” His gaze was heavy as he walked out of the door. I checked my phone and there were a few texts and phone calls I missed from the council. They sent backup. My backup was another member of the enforcement side of the council, and he had given me backup a couple times. Apparently, he was the backup for enforcers on the east coast of America. I texted Carlo.

            Hey stranger, we have a huge issue. I text him.

            I’ve heard that Alpha James is a bastard, it doesn’t surprise me that he finally crossed the line. What is going on? I wasn’t told much. Carlo answered.

            Alpha James found a witch and is torturing her in the center of town. It is rumored that he is going to make her the concubine for his Beta. Logan had to breathe through the anger and panic that tore through him at the words he texted. He needed to help her and letting Carlo know what he was walking into was going to be the biggest help to her.

            That dude is an i***t. Do you know the witch’s name? Carlo replied.

            Her name is Leigh. She escaped him once because he underestimated her, but I don’t think he will do that again. We are going to have to remove the Alpha and Beta to save her. Logan texted.

            Carlo’s reply came slowly but surprised Logan, s**t Logan I grew up with that girl. She has had a rough time especially with shifters. I haven’t seen her since she left at 18. We have to save her; her family will tear the world apart if something happens to her.

            I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Carlo is going to be a major asset tonight. We need to hurry they are going to be starting the torture soon, they are making it a public spectacle.

            Carlo’s reply was instantaneous, I am at a hotel outside of Salem about 20 minutes from you. I’ll head that way with my weapons. Do you need me to bring you any extra weapons?

            No, I have my blades and I can always shift. He will have his whole pack there you might need to snipe him from the tree line. His pack is loyal, but I am pretty sure it is only out of fear. If we can take down the Alpha and Beta, they might just accept a regime change without further bloodshed. Logan hoped that wasn’t just wishful thinking. Her scream filled the air. Hurry they have started the torture we need to get this over with.

            I’m already on my way to you, be there in 15. Keep your phone on you and I’ll text when I’m in position so you can get me clean shots.

            Done. Another scream filled the air, hurry.

            Leigh woke up with a horrible headache. She couldn’t believe that she had been hit over her head. She looked around and saw wooden benches and groaned, she was back in the center of the shifter town, not again. As soon as she made noise a guard walked over to her, and yanked a chain lifting her shackled arms above her head forcing her to stand with her arms overhead. “I’m sorry, Alpha’s orders,” the guard whispered and then quickly walked back to his guarding position at the edge of the circle.

            Her mind raced. Being back here was not good. Obviously, her escape last time made them wary of her. Her mind raced to the spells she could do without touching the ground. Her first thought were her vines but as she tried calling upon her vines she screamed, a pain like fire went through her body starting at her neck. As the pain subsided, she realized that they had put a magic neutralizing collar on her. If she were to get out of this predicament it would have to be on her own.

            About five minutes later she noticed that the pack was slowly filling the wooden benches in the meeting area. All members of the pack from the oldest to the youngest filled the seats silent. Leigh knew something terrible was going to happen. She couldn’t touch the collar to try to get it off of her body. Her arms were pins and needles from being stretched so far above her head for so long. As the last of the seats were filled, she heard a noise from the other end of the meeting place. She remembered that there was a throne over there last time. She turned her head and had to slightly shift her body as well before she could see the hulking form of the Beta Robert come to stand by the throne. She realized that there was a table set up that was not present last time. Then came the form of the Alpha who took his seat. He said something quietly to Robert who stepped forward.

            Robert walked to the table and inspected it’s condense eventually choosing a long whip. He smiled cruelly as he walked with slow deliberate steps toward Leigh. Once he was six feet away from Leigh, he said in a low tone that seemed to carry over the assembly with ease, “the Alpha has given you to me as my concubine. You will have no status in the pack and will never leave the small cell I have picked out for you. When I am ready to use you, I will have you washed and brought to a special cell for my pleasure. When I get bored, I will share you with whoever I choose.”

            Leigh’s eyes filled with terror, she could do nothing to stop this, and no one knew where she was. Her eyes squeezed shut as the first whistle of the whip came towards her, then it cracked slicing into her thin tank top. She could feel the trickle of blood running down her back as the whistle sounded again and then c***k. She squeezed her eyes shut as tears rolled down her face and gritted her teeth determined not to let him hear her screams, she would endure him and stay whole so she could escape him one day. Whistle, c***k; this time was too much her whole back was throbbing and blood steadily trickling down her back she screamed. Her legs gave out and she was hanging by her arms as black started to fill her vision. The last thing she saw was the deranged smile of Beta Robert as he roughly grabbed a handful of her hear and pulled her head back to kiss her.

            She fell into unconsciousness realizing a few things; she was now a prisoner, her captor was cruel in a way she could never understand, she was going to have to endure much torture, and silly as it might seem he stole her first kiss. She had never kissed a man before today. If she really thought about it he kissed her and she didn’t kiss back, maybe that made a difference. She seriously doubted it once he had her in the cell where he would claim his victory over her. She would endure, she would escape, blackness filled her vision and she collapsed.

            Logan heard the whistle and c***k of a whip just as he got off the phone with Carlo. He had fifteen minutes to prepare. The whip whistled and cracked a few more times, Logan knew whipping was a common punishment in the pack and didn’t think anything of it until the smell of Leigh’s blood entered his nose at the same time, he heard her scream of agony. He peeked from his spot as he saw her legs give out and Robert forcing his mouth on her lips. A low menacing growl escaped Logan's throat before he could think better of it. That piece of garbage was handling his mate, he would pay dearly. He had to put his plan into action soon before she was gone for good.