Chapter 7: Sky - the Strangers

One day some strangers walked into our house and Leaf made us all disappear like she did every time someone stumbles upon us. Maybe it was some new recruits? I when back to the book I was reading. A moment later Leaf called me.

“Sky, come over here dear. This is my father and daughter.” 

I was in shock as I continued walking towards them. Her father was the demon everyone at the village feared, the one that Hecate was supposed to keep us safe from. She had obviously failed. 

After hearing Leaf’s stories, I did not fear this demon as it was clear to me that he wasn’t out to kill us all. He would have already done so if he wanted to, especially because he was already here. He looked really young, so it was hard to picture him as Leaf’s father. She looked to be in her fifties, whereas he still looked like he was in his teens. 

“Sky can help you get in contact with me again, however I can’t risk you coming back here. The goddess is more than likely already aware that you are here, and the High priestess does not look kindly to outsiders, especially the kind that carries demon blood.”

I looked over at Leaf, and her eyes seemed to sparkle with happiness.

“Are you sure you will be okay here?” I asked her worryingly. The thought of leaving her didn’t agree with me, but I respected her wishes. I walked over and gave her a hug. She let go of me and let her hands rest on my shoulders.

“Don’t worry, child, fate has plans for me yet.” She reached into her pocket on the tunic and gave me a calling stone. “Here.” She gave me a smile “now go.” She nudged me towards the strangers.

The demon called Jax asked me to grab hold of him, so that he could teleport us home.

I wasn’t completely sure where home was, but Leaf seemed to trust them, so be definition I did too.

As we ended up in a house, I could feel that we were no longer in the witch village. The air here was heavier. The teleportation had made me feel sick, and I held my hand over my mouth. Luckily Leah, Leaf’s daughter, caught on and rushed me to the bathroom.

When I got out, Jax had disappeared and left me with Leah. These people intrigued me, and I couldn’t help but stared at Leah, to see if I could see any resemblance.

She started talking, almost like a way to defuse the attention.

“We have a friend that lost the ability to shift into a wolf. That was at the same time that Cassie went missing. We believe that our adoptive mother Abigail had a part in it, but we don’t know how. Luckily we got Cassie back, but Mark still can’t shift.”

I was digesting everything that she had told me when Jax and a girl walked into the house from the back door. 

Leah ran over to the girl and gave her a big hug. I followed Leah, hoping she would introduce me.

“Cassie this is Sky, Sky meet Cassie, the reincarnation of Leaf’s mother.”

I studied Cassie for a while. She looked nothing like Leaf. I thought I would at least see the resemblance.

“You look different from what I had imagined. Do you still have your magic?”

Cassie looked at me with a frown, like she had no idea what I was talking about, so I tried to explain.

“Everyone was always talking about the powerful Whitelake witch that got deceived by a demon while I was growing up.”

Suddenly Cassie seemed to understand what I was talking about.

“I’m not the same person now. I’m not a witch anymore.”

I felt bad for her, I knew how it felt to lose your magic so I decided not to ask her any more questions. Instead, I looked towards Jax.

“Leah filled me in on what’s happened and it sounds like Abigail is somehow connected to the movement that brings sacrifices to Hecate in exchange for protection.”

So this is the reason they had sacrificed fewer witches in the village for the last 100 years.

I was very intrigued by this wolf. I had never met a shapeshifter before and the only thing I knew about them was what I had read in books and that wasn’t much.

“Let me see this wolf that can’t change. Maybe I can figure something out.”

I wanted to be helpful. After all, Leaf had asked me to come with them because she believed I could help them. Everyone seemed a bit taken back by what I just said, which made me question if I had said something inappropriate.

Leah locked eyes with Jax before she spoke up.

“I don’t think it’s wise for you to go to the house right now. Let me bring him here later. I should head back though before Abigail realises that I’m not home.”

I couldn’t understand why they were still staying with Abigail, when they knew she was responsible for what had happened. I had no problems leaving my family after they made it clear to me they didn’t care.

A sound got me out of my thoughts. Leah was lying on the floor. Before I registered what had happened or made my way over, Jax was by her side, helping her up.

“Leah, you are in no state of going home, maybe you should stay here?” Jax told her.

“I have to get home, we have to keep up the facade, it’s important.” Leah replied before they walked out of the door.

At least now I knew why they still stayed with Abigail. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea to keep an eye on her. Keep your enemies close and all that.

Cassie said something, but I had completely forgotten that she was still around.

“Sorry?”

“It’s okay.” Cassie gave me a reassuring smile. “I just asked if you wanted something to eat.”

“Thank you, but I’m fine.” I was still feeling nauseous. A yawn escaped me. I tried to hide it by placing my hand over my mouth.

“Let me show you the bedroom. I’m sure you want to lie down for a bit.”

“I’m fine.”

“Don’t be silly, you must be exhausted. I will come and get you if anything happens.” She gestured for me to follow her. We walked up some stairs and through one of four doors.

“This is my room, you can rest here for now. I’m sure Jax wouldn’t mind sorting out the other room when he gets back.”

“Thank you.”

Cassie left the room, and I laid down on the bed. It was clear that Jax was very fond of her, but I hadn’t figured out in what sense yet. My thoughts were spinning in my head, but eventually I drifted off to sleep.

The next thing I knew, someone was knocking on the door.

“Come in.”

Cassie walked inside and gave me a smile. “Great, you’re awake. Jax is back. We are heading over to the cabin to meet with Mark. I came to check if you wanted to come with us.” 

I nodded and got up from the bed.

“I’ll see you downstairs soon. The bathroom is on the left,” Cassie said before she left me alone again.

I was excited to finally meet this wolf. Maybe there would be other shapeshifters around too.