*Lefu*
I lean over the edge of the roof of the building and look down at the busy cows trudging past.
I inhale the cold air and enjoy their aroma. Now that the cold is on its way, I need more food to keep my body from deteriorating.
"Look at them”. I smile at her, nodding down at the horde. "They have no idea they are being measured and weighed right now. How does it feel ?"
"Powerful”. She bares her pointed teeth and sniff
*Luca*The sound of a car engine hit my sense of hearing. I squint at Martin. The massive dork stands there with a crooked expression, which clearly shows that he knows the sound of the engine. I grind my teeth as Soleil's essence rips into my heart. She is in the car.I do not know why, but I can feel she is nearby and I can see that Martin is feeling the same way about the red-haired witch.A small Fiat filled to the brim with witches soon after rolls into the courtyard."Are you absolutely sure o
*Gudrun*"Elder, please let go of Jonas”. I stand completely still.I know that if I show the slightest hint of insecurity, the man behind me will go berserk. It is almost impossible to meet the woman’s, whom I consider my second mother, gaze, but I have to.Siri only hesitates for a moment, then she lets go of the mental bond to Martin's brother. From his sigh, I interpret that he is okay and I turn to Martin. My hand rests steadily against the marked muscles on his chest. He is furious, that is at least what the others see, but I know better. He is scared. Afraid that something will
*Soleil*I hold on to the armrest so as not to run away. I know that everyone's eyes are resting on me now, and I have to gather all my willpower not to show weakness through my body language. Now we have come to the part of the meeting which I had not been looking forward to at all. I would probably be able to live with being jealous of always having to fight for the things which Belinda seems to come sleeping to, but that my cousin will now also have Luca, crushes me."Belinda has dreamed of Luca”. I mumble. My throat feels like sandpaper. “My kin has told me that we can change partners if one does not want the connection”.
*Soleil*When he has run a little, he howls again, and this time the answer comes closer to us. He slows down and whimpers up to me.I know what Andreas is trying to tell me. Luca is on his way towards us, and if he is not to discover me and run off again, I have to remain completely still.Andreas slowly leans forward with his pointed, furry ears constantly to the south, breathing the air. We reach a rocky ledge where the river runs just a few feet below us. The mountain rises steeply over the ledge and reveals a smallca
*Gudrun*I see the young light brown hamram disappear into the trees with Soleil on his back. Things are not taking the course I had imagined. Behind me, the witches and wolves keep their distance and talk only among themselves. It does not sound like they are closer to a common solution than when we arrived. That Luca will not cooperateposes a challenge. Had I misinterpreted the signs anyway ? Her kin had been evasive when I had asked him, and the runes still will not do justice. By Loke's cunning, what have I gotten them all into ?I watch in silence as first Belinda disappears out the front door under the pretext of
*Gudrun* I lay down and snuggle into him to follow his movements. 'What's wrong, darling ?' 'They're some damn assholes. They do not understand what this is all about, and then it's me who has to submit ?' His thoughts are full of anger and humiliation. I let go of his mind and let him run. I can feel he needs to be alone and get the rage out. "When you're ready, can you not steer towards your lake ?" He grumbles in response and keeps running. I close my eyes and lay my cheek against his soft back. Listening to his heart and breathing. The trees and patches of rocky ground whips past us. The speed is so high that I have to gather my cloak around me so that it does not flutter in the wind. Martin has distanced himself a good way from Pugh territory when he finally slows down. Suddenly he turns and jumps. I look up in horror and scream when I see a beach come rushing towards us from below. I lose my grip and slip off his back. Martin grabs me and pulls me around in his arms a
*Soleil* "Elder ?" I step carefully to the armchair, where Siri sits and looks out over the landscape. "There's one I would like you to meet”. I pull Luca up behind me. Siri studies him without answering. "It's Luca". I hurry to say. “He is the one who saved me from the dark one and who has protected me ever since”. I turn to him. "This is my mentor, the smartest and nicest person in the whole world, Siri". Siri holds out her hand to Luca. He takes it and smile at her. "It's nice to finally meet you. But I'm afraid I'm just an old woman now”. She smiles and meets my surprised gaze. "I've decided it's time for Marta to take over. Something tells me the last pieces are falling into place right now. We're having a ceremony tonight where I'll hand over the job to her". "Marta ?" I roll my eyes. "She doesn't like me. I can not do anything right at all". "Marta loves you like a sister, and siblings do not always agree. But she has proven that she loves you, otherwise she was not her
*Lefu* "Lefu, darling". Lyndsey's smooth Scottish accent sounds at the other end of theline. "How does it feel like to be home again?" I smile knowingly to myself. Now it starts. "Never felt better. What about you darling ?" "Wonderful ! I went home not long after you, so we are kinda neighbours again". There is silence on the line. I have absolutely no intention of making it easy for her, so I let her come to me. "Listen, I am wondering if I should stop by one day ? I can not remember when I was last in your beautiful country, and it is right next door". She purrs. "You're always welcome, Miss McNeil. What's the point of the honor, if I may ask ?" "Are you really going to embarrass a woman like that ?" She laughs falsely. "I want your company again, of course. I enjoyed it". "Ah, forgive me. I did not realize my company had made a big difference. As I recall, your ladies kept yourselves quite excellently entertained. I was just a grateful spectator for most". I bite my fing