Waylen's Witch

Chapter 6 (Waylen)

"My apologies dear. I am afraid these old hands aren't as steady as they used to be. But this should do the trick."

My first instinct is to reach up and feel the spot between my shoulders on the back of my neck, but Celia is quick to slap my hand away.

"Don't touch it yet. Let it dry and heal over."

This is my first tattoo. It wasn't an entirely unpleasant experience, given that it was done with a hollow needle and a jar of ink.

Had things turned out differently, I would have many markings by now. It was customary in my pack to be tattooed for every major accomplishment. It is a point of pride to have your back and arms covered fully, and I can't help but feel a sense of fulfillment now that I have one, even if I didn't receive it for an act of valor.

"So this should keep us from being tracked?" I ask.

"Yes. Just don't mess it up."

"It's a tattoo. How could he mess it up?"

Celia laughs at Solus's question, "You'd be surprised."

"An injury is the most common way," Matteo says matter-of-factly.

"Yes. Matteo here needed some of his touched-up after a particularly nasty sunburn a few years back."

"It looks great!" Matteo says as he clears my plate from the table. He stops to lift up his shoulder-length black hair to show me the one he has in the same spot "Now we match".

It's just a small sideways oval with a diagonal line through it. Not exactly something I would have chosen for myself, but at least it's not a butterfly or something I would feel embarrassed about showing off.

Not that this is for show. If it does what it's supposed to, it will be a literal life saver.

"Do no worry, Waylen. If you hate it, it will only last forever," Solus laughs.

I don't dignify him with a response and instead, turn to Celia "Thank you, and thank you for the meal too. It was amazing".

"Sí, Mama. Gracias," Matteo says, kissing her on the cheek, before collecting her plate and heading to the sink.

Celia lets out a long yawn and settles into her chair, resting her eyes. She looks exhausted.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about what she said would happen when she runs out of power and what that means for her. After she revealed that everyone and everything inside the boundary would disappear, Matteo returned with the onion and the subject was immediately dropped.

Dread fills me as I look from her to him.

I get the feeling that she didn't want to discuss it in front of Matteo. Which must mean that the outcome for her is unpleasant. I have only known these people for less than a day, but I already feel a strong connection to them. A big part of me is scared by that. I try very hard not to make connections with anyone, for two reasons.

1) Because I never stay in one spot long, and leaving will only hurt them and me.

2) I can't truly trust anyone but myself.

It may sound bitter, but when you come right down to it, we are all flawed. We all have our own motives that drive us, and that's all well and good when two people's goals align. But things change, and people can always change their minds about what they want or how they feel.

It's far better to only rely on yourself, rather than have the axe drop on you.

A loud howl of frustration sounds nearby and my blood runs cold.

My eyes dart to Celia and I find her already smiling kindly back at me. "I guess it's about that time," she says softly.

Matteo is out the door in a flash and I follow closely behind.

Three wolves pace along the boundary, noses to the ground.

One of them is the wolf from last night. He keeps his head down and stays away from the others. Nearest to him is another wolf I have never seen before.

How many hired hands have they sent to find me?

My breath catches as my gaze moves to the last one and my fists clench involuntarily.

Garreth.

I don't know why I am surprised to see him. I knew he would be hunting me. But seeing him now makes all the pain and misery I have associated with him come flooding back and it hits me like a kick to the ribs.

Which also happens to be one of Garreth's favorite things to do.

I suppose I am more shocked at my own reaction to seeing him. I guess I figured that once I was grown up and able to defend myself he wouldn't scare me anymore. But then again, I could write a whole book just on the things that I have been wrong about.

I watch him pace the boundary, his ears pinned straight back and that same menacing snarl still stuck to his face. He is clearly agitated. I guess he is still holding a bit of a grudge.

Good. Because so am I.

Matteo looks back at me and puts a finger to his lips and I nod in understanding. They can't see us, but they can hear us.

"Aye. He's here. I heard his wolf only a few moments ago." Garreth spits out angrily.

Fuck.

I make sure that I am completely blocking my thoughts. I feel like an i***t for letting it slip before. I know better than that. Or at least I should by now. I got used to letting Solus converse freely with Celia and, of course, it bit us in the ass.

"There's something keeping us out of the area, and his scent is gone now too." The wolf I don't recognize says.

Another frustrated howl, which sounds more like a bellow, rings out as Garreth stalks over to the wolf from last night.

I guess I am not the only one who is intimidated by him. The wolf, who easily kicked my ass last night, shrinks away as Garreth approaches.

"You insufferable halfwit." Garreth swings his paw out, dragging long claws across the wolf's face. "I should kill you for such ignorance."

To his credit, he doesn't yell out or turn tail. The wolf takes his punishment with a bold bow of his head. "I'm sorry sir." He says, holding perfectly still and riding out Garreth's rage. Perhaps they aren't hired hands at all. He seems to know Garreth well enough to know excuses only welcome a swift death.

I look back at Matteo and he gestures for me to follow him back to the house.

Celia is busy at the counter, shoving food into a backpack.

"There are wolves at the perimeter, Mama" Matteo whispers to her.

"Sí, I know." She doesn't look up and continues to stuff as much food as she can fit into the bag.

"Mama stop. What are you doing? I said there are wolves. You need to reinforce the barrier."

He tries to still her hands but she pulls away and stops just long enough to look at him.

"No. mi amor," she shakes her head "Not this time".

Matteo starts shaking his head over and over again as he processes what she is saying "I'll lead them away then. Or I'll fight them off if I have to!"

Matteo looks over at me for support but Celia places her hand on his cheek, turning him to look at her, "Matteo. mi amor, mi vida. It's time. I don't have enough power to keep this place going."

Matteo pauses to take her words in and eventually nods "OK, we will leave this place behind and run. I'll grab your pictures from the alter..."

Celia shakes her head and Matteo looks at her confused.

"I'm not going with you."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't. I won't make it."

"Yes you can, Mama. I'll turn into a burro and carry you."

Celia smiles "You are such a sweet boy," she says, putting her hand back on his cheek, "Once all of my power is used up, ill disappear along with this place. It's just my time."

"NO!" Matteo yells out but quickly quiets his voice "No mama. It can't be. I'm... No. I'm not ready."

Tears fill Celia's eyes as Matteo wraps himself around her tiny frame, holding her tightly and muffling his own sobs.

"Lo sé, I know," she soothes, stroking his hair.

"No," Matteo jerks back "There has to be another way. I'm not ready to lose you. We are supposed to have more time".

Celia only shakes her head.

"Please. Mama." Matteo's knees buckle and he slumps to the floor heaving.

She gets down on her knees with him and pulls him in.

"I'm so sorry Mama," he wipes tears away angrily "this is all my fault. You wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for me."

Celia's voice turns stern "Now don't you say that," she pulls his face up to look into his eyes "You have brought me more joy in these past few years than I ever thought possible. You are my love. My life. And I wouldn't trade that for anything."

Matteo shakes his head "I can't leave you. I won't leave you. I'm staying and I'll disappear with you".

"No, Mi Amor," she grips him tight "I have lived a long wonderful life because of you. And now it's your turn. You are meant for great things Matteo. This is not the end for you".

"I can't," Matteo sobs.

"You must, Matteo" she lifts his head again "Please. Do this for me".

Matteo hangs his head "What am I supposed to do without you?"

"You'll go with Waylen. He will help you."

Matteo briefly looks up at me, but all I can do is give a curt nod, not trusting myself to speak.

Celia stands slowly and Matteo rises to help her to her feet.

She hands me the backpack and gives me a hug too.

"Take care of my boy Waylen. I am trusting you," she whispers in my ear.

"I promise I'll protect him," I assure her as I fight to keep myself from tearing up.

She nods before turning back to Matteo.

They hug again and she whispers something to him that I can't make out. Matteo nods and squeezes her tight.

"This is not goodbye forever. We will meet again in the next life," she says, kissing his forehead. "Now you must go. You don't have much time."

Celia walks us out to the porch. The paradise that she has created somehow feels different. Everything seems dull, almost like it is fading. But I can't be sure. It could just be the heaviness of the moment clouding my perception.

The wolves have started to throw themselves at the barrier, growling in anger as they bounce off.

"Come out, little Baird. I know you're in there," calls Banner. His usual thirst for blood hasn't changed and I can hear the threat in his tone.

I turn back to Celia and wonder how she manages to remain so calm. I feel terrible for her, but I feel even worse for Matteo. I know form experience just how awful it is to be suddenly ripped away from everything that I know and love.

Celia points in the opposite direction of the wolves, up into the hills, letting us know that's the way we should go.

I nod in understanding and mouth a thank you.

She smiles at me and nods.

Matteo, on the other hand, looks stunned and just stares off into nothing. I know that look all too well. I wish I was the kind of person who could comfort him, but knowing the right thing to say at the right time has never been my forte.

Celia brings him back to earth as she grabs his face and covers him in kisses one last time.

"I love you, mama" he can barely manage to get the words out.

"And I love you," She gives him a shove "Now get moving, I'll hold on as long as I can".

When Matteo doesn't move I place my hand on his shoulder. He doesn't say anything but nods and begins to move his feet.

We reach the boundary in only a few moments and turn back before stepping through. Celia is watching us and gives a brief wave before she walks back into the house.

I wonder how many times she has done just that as Matteo came and went from the little world she created for him. I can tell Matteo is trying to imprint the memory as his hand lingers in mid-wave. If I had known the last time I stepped out of my front door that it was the last time I would see my uncle, I would have held onto that moment too.

Seconds tick by and he is still not moving and for a moment I debate staying as well.

He looks at me and the hollowness in his eyes is like looking in a mirror at my 17-year-old self.

"I don't think I can do this."

I nod in understanding.

"I ken." I put my hand on his shoulder. "But I made her a promise. And I never go back on my promises."

Matteo looks up at me confused.

"I'm sorry," I say as I push him through the barrier, stepping through myself immediately after.

Matteo stumbles forward onto his knees in the dust. He immediately turns over and looks up at me with accusing eyes. "Why did you do that?" he asks, scrambling to his feet.

He walks past me with a look that says I better not try to stop him, and I know if I do, he'll never forgive me, so I let him pass. But Celia must have known he would try to get back in because he hits the barrier and bounces right off, falling back into the dust on his rump.

"NO!"

He's back on his feet charging the boundary at full speed, his feet leaving the ground as he hurls himself through the air. I wince waiting for the reverberation to send him flying backward for the second time.

But it doesn't.

Instead, he lands in the dirt with an audible "oof" on the opposite side.

Celia's beautiful little world is gone, and so is she.