A Reckless Witch

CHAPTER 17



“Come on in!” Nell had two hands full of computer parts, and she hoped whoever was at the door wanted to help her reassemble Aervyn’s latest experiment. Superboy was awesome at the destruction part. So far he wasn’t showing any signs of genius at reconstruction.

It was hard to believe her Winter Solstice baby was going to be five soon. Two more days.

She sensed her sister-in-law’s presence before Nat came around the corner. And realized this wasn’t a casual visit. Nat’s mind felt… jostled. Uncomfortable.

Nell set down her tools. “Good morning. Jamie drop you off?”

“He did.” Nat smiled. “Apparently if I’m left alone for an hour or two, he’s afraid he’ll come home to me holding our baby girl.”

Not unless she was in a heck of a hurry. “Sorry, that’s kind of my fault. When I was pregnant with the girls, Nathan was driving me crazy, and I made Daniel take him out so I could have a nap. The girls weren’t due for weeks yet, so they went to the zoo.”

Nat grinned. “And you went into labor?”

“Yup. At four o’clock in the afternoon on the Friday of a holiday weekend. Traffic was bumper-to-bumper to get out of the city. It took him three hours to get home.”

“The girls were born in three hours?” Nat looked shocked.

She wished. They’d been fifteen hours of hard labor. “Heck, no. But Jamie got to sit with me while we waited for Daniel to get back. He was a tad stressed.” Truth be told, she hadn’t been all that calm, either. “Moira arrived about an hour later, but I think Jamie had visions of having to deliver triplets by himself on my kitchen floor.”

Nat frowned. “How did Moira get there so fast?”

“She’d left Nova Scotia that morning. Said she just knew it was time.” Nell tapped her laptop with love. “You’re lucky. This pretty toy will let us fetch you a healer in just a few minutes.” Shuttling people through Realm was cool for many reasons, but getting a witch midwife to the right place on time was one of the coolest.

Nat was quiet for a moment. “Did you know it was time?”

In nine years, no one had ever asked her that. “You know, I suspect I did. That’s probably why I wanted a little time to myself.” Nell grinned. “I must’ve known I wouldn’t get a second’s rest after the triplets arrived.”

Then it occurred to her that Nat might have a pretty specific reason for asking. “How are you feeling?”

“Unsettled.” Nat stretched into a pose that Nell couldn’t have pulled off unpregnant. “I’ve been having weird dreams.”

Pregnancy dreams could be seriously wonky. “Any sexy hunks?” Nell remembered a very steamy dream during her last pregnancy, featuring Nathan Fillion. In triplicate. Firefly reruns had never been quite the same since.

“Nope.” Nat blushed. “Those happened back at the beginning.”

Nell waited patiently. If friendly silence didn’t work soon, there was always chocolate ice cream.

“I’ve been dreaming about my little girl growing up. And turning into Amelia.”

Nell blinked. “Sierra’s mom?” That was a direction she hadn’t expected.

“Yeah.” Nat folded herself into a pregnant pretzel. “I’m sure it’s just my subconscious putting her face on my fears.”

Now they’d landed on the reason for the visit. Nell lowered onto the floor beside Nat. No way she was trying the pretzel. “And what’s scaring you?”

There was no answer for a bit as a careful yogini gathered her thoughts. “I’ve been wondering what must have driven Amelia—what kept her so far away from community, from everything she knew, from people who would love her.”

It was something a lot of hearts had been pondering. Nat’s answer was likely to be more insightful than most, even though she’d never met Amelia. “And what do you think?”

“Joy in seeing the world, maybe. And fear that coming back would mean limits—chains on her freedom. Some hearts can’t bear to be constrained.”

Nell frowned. Something more was going on here—that last sentence was practically imprinted on Nat’s brain. “You think she needed freedom that badly?”

Nat nodded slowly. “Why else would you leave a child alone—a child you loved immensely?”

For the first time since they’d fetched Sierra, Nell felt herself step into Amelia’s shoes. And find, at last, a tiny thread of empathy. “You can’t be a mother and be absolutely free.”

They sat quietly together for a bit. Then Nell looked up, asking the question that bothered her most. “Do you think she was coming back?”

“Yes.” Nat’s answer was quick and sure. “She wouldn’t have left Sierra in a hotel room if she was leaving for good.”

Nell nodded slowly, tugging on that slender thread of empathy for Amelia she’d finally been able to find. “She would have sent her back to us.”

“I think so.” Nat shrugged. “I didn’t know her, so I can only guess. But I know what it is to want to taste freedom from the realities of your life, even if it’s just for a few hours. Maybe that’s what Amelia tried to do while her daughter slept.”

Those were strange words from one of the most responsible people Nell knew. And where she could no longer feel any sympathy at all for Amelia. “She left a child alone in New Orleans, Nat. Why are you fighting so hard to find empathy for her?”

“I have to.” Nat’s face was intent. “That quest for freedom rides in the heart of my baby girl, too. And I don’t want her to grow up to be a woman who has to leave her child sleeping alone in a hotel room to get her own needs met.”

Anyone else and Nell would have brushed it off as the irrational fears of pregnancy. Anyone else. “She’s a fire witchling. They tend to be pretty restless. Maybe that’s what you’re feeling.”

Nat shook her head slowly. “It’s more than that.” She took a deep breath. “She’s not going to come out quietly. It’s going to be her first taste of freedom.”

It wasn’t in Nell to offer stupid platitudes. “Probably. Most babies with power make a pretty loud entrance.”

“We have to help her.” Nat’s eyes looked off far into the distance. “You tease Devin about his reckless gene.”

Nell was lost. “Devin isn’t Amelia.”

“No, he isn’t.” Nat’s hands folded under her belly. “But he could have been. He has a heart that seeks freedom. Amelia didn’t know how to find that without being reckless. Devin does. With him, the reckless part is just for fun.”

It was the best description of her brother Nell had ever heard.

“I need to help my little girl seek like Devin. To fly high, but with a rooted heart.”

Her sister-in-law was one cool chick. Nell reached out. “Nat, I can’t think of any two people on earth more likely to get that right than you and Jamie.” She grinned. “And if your baby girl comes out flying high, we’ll send Uncle Dev to catch her. Trust me. He’s earned it.”

Nat smiled, her mind sliding back toward its usual serene cool.

It was Nell’s head that was restless now, retracing some of their strange conversational turns. “How did you manage to figure my brother out so fast?”

“He loves my best friend.”

Nell tried to breathe. “You’re sure?” Dev was the brother who had always flown the highest—and the one she’d caught the most.

Nat nodded, eyes sympathetic. “For now, it’s just him. Lauren’s heart isn’t quite as quick.”

That wasn’t helping Nell’s airflow any. “Is she going to catch up?”

Nat’s face slowly bloomed in amusement. “That depends how good a negotiator your brother is.”

Dev and Lauren.

Nell leaned back, trying to picture it. And decided it wasn’t all that hard. If any woman could partner with her hurricane of a brother, she’d lay her bets on Lauren.

~ ~ ~

Sierra winced as Aervyn missed crashing into a huge boulder by about a broomstick bristle. “How does he do that?”

Devin grinned. “Absolute trust in his magic.”

Jamie snorted. “Absolute trust in his ability to port himself out of trouble.”

Aervyn wasn’t the only one who could teleport. Sierra looked at Jamie. “Can you grab him before he crashes?”

“Smart question.” Devin’s eyes held approval. “Aervyn’s been working magic with Jamie for a long time, so they know each other’s limits.”

Jamie shook his head. “He’s going too fast. If he were slower or closer, I could probably snag him.” He winked at her. “Remember that if you want me to rescue you before you hit a rock. Close and slow.”

Close and slow. Check. Sierra looked at the broom in her hands, trying to mute the war inside her head. Sierra Brighton, storm witch, could hardly wait to get her feet off the ground. Sierra Brighton, newly cautious and safe witch, was trying not to puke.

Devin laid a hand on her shoulder as Aervyn skidded to a halt two inches away. “We put up a big training circle, and we’re all grounded. It’s a safe place to play—have some fun.”

Govin, standing beside her, tried to hop into the air—and nosedived into the ground six inches away. Ouch.

Aervyn giggled. “You gotta go faster than that, or you won’t stay up in the air.”

“Now you tell me.” Govin looked up from the ground and winked. “Any other tips before I try again?”

Aervyn studied Govin’s outfit for a minute—helmet, padded vest, knee and elbow pads, shin protectors. “I think you need a cape.”

Sierra couldn’t stop the giggles that bubbled over. “You can borrow mine.”

“I have an extra.” Devin pulled a pink sparkly cape out of his backpack. “I raided the girls’ costume stash.”

Govin didn’t bat an eye. “If a cape will help me fly, I’ll wear a cape.” He stood up, donned the cape, checked his helmet, and nodded at Sierra. “Race you to the rock.”

It was hard to believe this was the same guy who spent half his life making baby weather on a pond. And then did math for fun. “Which rock?”

He laughed. “Any rock I can get to.”

“I can help.” Aervyn ran behind them. “I can give you a push off.”

Devin swooped him up. “No way, little dude. No assists. Every witch must fly for him or herself. House rules.”

Jamie hopped on his broom and lurched off into the air. “You guys are making me look really good,” he called back over his shoulder.

Sierra watched him fly for a minute, tracing his spell lines. Aervyn used primarily earth magic to propel himself, which she didn’t have. Devin used water. Water power she had, but Devin’s speed control was practically non-existent. Jamie, however, used air and fire, and that gave her the missing pieces she needed. Carefully, she levitated into the air, and then floated forward, mixing air currents under the front third of her broom to pull herself forward.

Jamie zoomed back around. “Nice. Now try going faster than my great-grandmother.”

The storm witch was rapidly winning the shouting match in her head. She could feel speed just a twitch of magic away. Doubling her groundlines, she shifted into second gear and felt the wind against her cheeks. It called to her. Heck, it was practically turning her inside out.

Let go. It’s okay to play sometimes. Jamie grinned at her as he shot by.

Tears stung her eyes—and then blew off her cheeks as she let her magic loose. Leaning forward on her broomstick, she shot through the winter sky, shrieking in joy.

And realized she was not alone. Aervyn was on her wing, eyes dancing. “Try this!” He swung up into a big loop, zooming upside down.

It was an irresistible offer. Pulling up on the front of her broomstick, she shot skyward, following him up into the clouds—and whooped as they came racing down toward the earth. Working quickly, she wove an air net to catch them, just in case.

Aervyn grinned and nipped in to touch her shoulder. “Tag. You’re it!”

He zoomed off, dipping and weaving like a drunken hummingbird. Sierra did her level best to follow him while not running into rocks or other witches. In two minutes, she’d mastered double loops. In five, they could do a corkscrew holding hands.

And Sierra’s heart ached with the joy of magic shared. She clutched the orange frog hanging around her neck. Momma would have adored broomstick flying.

It took cookies to finally lure them out of the air. Nutella cookies. Lots of them.

Sierra skidded to a halt at Devin’s feet, her heart still somewhere up in the sky. He handed her a fistful of cookies. “Eat. Then we’ll try the second lesson.”

She crammed a cookie in her mouth. “Wass’ that?”

He grinned. “I’ll tell you once we’re back in the air. Aervyn, can you hook us up with a group mindlink?”

Wonderboy, mouth full of cookies, just nodded and grinned.

Sierra felt an incoming nudge on her head and realized she could still hear Devin talking—even though his mouth wasn’t moving. If you’ve got a mind witch handy, this is pretty useful for group magic on the fly. If it gets too distracting, just let Aervyn know, and he can turn it off for you.

Voices in her head. That was so cool. Sierra grinned. What’s lesson number two?

Devin laughed. Hit the air—keep it to second gear. Then you’ll find out.

Sierra launched and headed forward at a sedate pace. Aervyn pulled up on one side of her, Jamie on the other. Sierra blinked—wonderboy was flying on air power now, instead of his usual earth power. Cool trick. Devin slid in front of them, flying backward. Lesson number two. Fly in formation. Sierra, you’re the lead. Think about what your team can handle.

She looked over at Jamie, thinking hard. Can you port yourself out of the way of a rock?

Gee, thanks a lot. He rolled his eyes, but answered. At this speed, yeah.

Well then, they sure as heck weren’t going any faster than this. Carefully she led her team of three through a couple of simple formations, and then flew them over to where Devin was still meandering backward on his broom.

He just shook his head. Do-over. This time, find your team’s edge. Get close, but don’t go over it.

No way. She landed them all on the ground. She wasn’t having a serious conversation with a witch flying backward. “That’s not safe.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You did corkscrews with Aervyn.”

“Sure, but he flies at least as well as I do. So if I could do something, so could he.” She looked at Jamie, trying not to be rude. “I think maybe he can’t do all that stuff.”

Jamie snorted, looking amused. “You think?”

“You’re exactly right.” Devin waited until she looked at him. “You’re a strong witch, Sierra. So you’re often going to be working with people who can’t match you. Find Jamie’s edge, but don’t break him.”

She frowned. Lesson two wasn’t sounding like much fun. “Why?”

His eyes were very serious. “Because the next time there’s a big wave heading at an island, you want to know what it feels like to have a teammate reach their edge.”

Her broom clattered to the ground as her legs turned to jelly. “I didn’t do that. I wasn’t careful.” She’d done the magic she’d needed to do—and assumed they could all keep up.

She felt Devin’s fingers under her chin. “You didn’t know. Had you ever worked with a team before?”

No. Only Momma.

“You did the best you could with what you knew.” He stooped to pick up her broom and held it out. “Time to learn a little more.”

The realization she’d put her team at risk was still poking huge, bleeding holes in her heart. “Maybe somebody else can lead.”

“They could.”

And she would still be dangerous the next time she worked with a team. Sierra closed her eyes for a moment, wound a bandage around her heart to stop the bleeding, and looked over at Jamie. “I think you’d better borrow Govin’s cape. Maybe the kneepads, too.”

As they launched into the sky, she tried to figure out how to keep three separate witches safe. Watching Jamie wobble as she moved to third gear, she knew she’d better come up with a plan fast. Pink capes only kept you safe in fairy tales.

Ignoring Aervyn, she swung into a simple loop—and cursed as Jamie stalled out at the top. Panic beating in her heart, she shoved his broom from behind, pushing him around the loop. He grinned and waved, looking totally unconcerned, and her heart slowed down a little.

She shifted the team’s speed up another gear. Going slow wasn’t always safest. She pulled up into another loop, glued to Jamie’s side—and grinned as he stepped on the gas at the top. Good. He learned fast.

A bit more practice, and they managed a couple of jerky double loops. But no way were Jamie and his broom going to make it through a corkscrew in one piece. Or whatever that thing was called where she and Aervyn buzzed each other in the sky.

Her team had reached its limit.

No. Her team had reached Jamie’s limit.

Sierra clutched her broom, thinking hard. And then grinned. Sending out air power right and left, she extended an invitation. If they were flying on one power stream, Jamie would no longer be the weak link.

Trust the magic. Devin’s words from the weather pond bubbled to the surface as she hooked her team onto a shared air flow.

Trust the magic. Sierra double-checked all the links—and then stepped on the gas.

Aervyn’s glee as they streaked through the sky in formation was no match for his uncle’s. She heard Jamie’s exultant war whoop as they fired into a corkscrew and threw the air net a little wider—just in case he let go.

Then she leaned into the wind and prodded Aervyn’s power stream. More.