Midwinter Magic by TJ Green

Author:TJ Green [TJ Green]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mountolive Publishing
Published: 2023-10-19T00:00:00+00:00

Sixteen

Shadow stood on the patio outside the farmhouse kitchen early on Wednesday morning, drinking coffee and studying her surroundings.

It was just after dawn, and snow was still falling, although not as thick as the day before. The wind had died down, too, and apart from the occasional bird call, it was quiet. Outside, at least. Niel was clattering around in the kitchen, and the sound of running water and doors opening and closing carried down to her.

She was mulling over the information that Niel had given her. Reuben had visited in the night with news of their predicament—and Beth’s vision. Today would be full of action, and they had a lot to do. They needed to find a way through to Stormcrossed Manor, and to White Haven. At least the farmhouse was unaffected, for now. And still Shadow couldn’t shake the nagging feeling she had about the magic around White Haven, or the sprites. How were they here? Who was the queen? And what was this about the Holly King?

The side door opened and closed, and Estelle joined her, carrying her own mug of coffee. There were dark circles beneath her eyes, and that familiar, guarded expression was back on her face.

“You didn’t sleep,” Shadow said.

“Is that your way of telling me I look like shit?”

Shadow gritted her teeth. “Herne’s balls, Estelle! Always so prickly!”

“How would you feel if Gabe was stuck in White Haven, or your brother was locked in Stormcrossed Manor?”

“I would be angry and worried, obviously. I wouldn’t necessarily be a complete bitch to everyone around me, though!”

“I wanted fresh air, but I’ll go elsewhere!” Estelle turned as if to leave.

“Estelle!” Shadow sighed. “Don’t go. I’m worried about Barak, too. And everyone in Stormcrossed. We’ll get them out. And actually, you don’t look like shit—just tired, like the rest of us.” She leaned against the fire-damaged loggia post. “I hardly slept. Gabe snored like a dragon all night, and I’ve been puzzling about this weird magic I can feel. It reminds me of home, and I don’t understand how it can be here.”

“Like a dragon? Attractive!” Estelle smirked, and her shoulders dropped as she made a visible effort to relax. “Are you saying the magic is like Ravens’ Wood? Isn’t part of that from your world? Although, to me, it feels like it’s been here forever.”

Estelle hadn’t been involved in the magic that made Ravens’ Wood, so like everyone, she thought it had always been in White Haven.

“It has been, in a way,” Shadow explained. “The roots are from a forest long gone, and the Green Man made it grow again. It’s nowhere near as big as the original forest, but he brought a few dryads here to populate it, so I understand what you’re saying. Ravens’ Wood has a touch of the Otherworld about it. But not like this. Not what I sense now. Especially the sprites!” She shook her head, perplexed. “They are absolutely from the Otherworld! They shouldn’t be here. I mean, I know

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.