Chapter 4

Kayla Lewell sat on the ground in front of the gravestone of Alex Barrister, pulling blades of grass from the ground in front of her as she struggled to keep the tears from streaking her cheeks. Almost three weeks had passed since his death, and she still struggled to make it through every day. She wondered if he knew how much he meant to her before he sacrificed his life to heal the shield that wrapped around the Nether, the barrier that kept the most vile of the Unseelie imprisoned for eternity. He gave his all and left her with only remorse that she caused it.

She took a deep breath as she yanked another blade of grass from the ground. As she held the blade in her hand, staring at it, she wondered if she would ever feel that love again. She gave a soft laugh as she shook her head; she barely felt it with Alex, both of them afraid to admit what was inside their hearts.

Taking another deep breath, Kayla placed her palm on the earth, closing her eyes. She felt the grass poking up around the edges of her hand, felt a couple of small indentions in her palm where some small pebbles dug into her flesh, felt the richness of the soil. Pushing her power out, she reached down into the grave—the empty grave. There was no actual body in the ground, as there was no body to bring back from the Summerlands. The grave served as a symbol, something for Alex’s parents to visit and remember their son. Kayla reached down with her magic, touching the emptiness, mixing it with hers as she pictured Alex in her mind. The tears broke free.

“Kayla?” a familiar voice asked. “It’s so good to see you.”

Kayla glanced over her shoulder as Wanda Patterson finished crossing the distance to join her. Pushing herself to her feet, Kayla embraced Wanda, both women squeezing the other tightly. “What are you doing here?” Kayla asked once she stepped back from the older lady.

Wanda touched Kayla’s arm lightly before clasping her hands in front of her. “I come here every Friday before I go to the store.” She turned, glancing at the tombstone. “It seems to be so…lacking, considering what he did for the rest of us.”

Kayla could only nod as she turned back toward the grave, her throat tight with the guilt she felt.

Wanda wrapped an arm around Kayla’s shoulders, squeezing her tightly as they both stared at the stone. “We miss you at The Murky Cauldron. I understand why you haven’t been around lately, but I do hope you stop by and say hello. Tansy misses you, too.” The woman turned to face Kayla, her eyes brightening. “Laci’s back.” She squeezed Kayla’s shoulders again as she turned back to the grave. “She underwent some changes as of late. Seems she’s a necromancer now.” She shrugged. “Whatever that means. She talks to the dead, that’s all I know, really. Oh, and we have a new witch with us, Sherri Rockford. Poor girl has gone through so much.” She stood there, shaking her head. “Definitely a lot happening. Or happened. Most of it is over with now. At least, I hope.”

Kayla took a deep breath. She knew Wanda wanted her to return to the Cauldron Coven, but there was no way Kayla could do that. Too much pain. Too many memories. Regrets. “I’m thinking of joining another coven,” she blurted out before she thought better of it.

Wanda stiffened beside her, but only for a brief moment before Kayla felt the older witch relax. “I see,” Wanda said, her voice heavy with her breath. “Well, at least you’re surrounding yourself with like-minded people. A witch is stronger with a coven.” She squeezed Kayla’s shoulders once more. “Just remember, you always have a place with us.” She took a deep breath. “Now, what’s this coven you’re thinking of joining? How did you find them?”

Kayla placed a hand on Wanda’s hand that rested on Kayla’s shoulder. “It was all quite by accident, actually. I was sitting by the lake, weeping and feeling sorry for myself, when Selina walked by me on the other side. She turned to me, and I saw her eyes glow a bright yellow-gold. I followed her into the library, and she invited me to join her coven.” Kayla chuckled slightly. “Well, she invited me to be interviewed for her coven, the Daughters of Darkness. Apparently, they do things a little more structured and rigorous than Tansy. I met their High Priestess, a Cherise Rycroft. She’s a formidable woman, stark and grim, seems determined from the brief meeting I’ve had with her.” She took another deep breath. “I think the structure is something I need right now.”

Wanda nodded. “I can understand that, but remember, you need to have fun, as well. Magic is about being able to do more than heal yourself and the environment; it’s about being able to celebrate yourself. We need to savor each moment, experience it, not just endure it.”

Kayla smiled, nodding. “I’ll remember. Promise.” However, she could not think of anything worth celebrating in her life right then. She lost the one person who kept her from giving up on herself, had actually caused his death, even though the others would say it was the demon’s fault. That was why she wanted to know what the Daughters of Darkness could teach her, hoping they would strengthen her, so nothing like that could ever happen to her again. She would not be a victim. Kayla Lewell would rule her own life, never again being the pawn for others, never being a shell for them to manipulate. No one would ever use her again. She would make sure of that.