Arbor's Descent by J.L. Brown

Author:J.L. Brown [Brown, J.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LGBTQIA+, fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, bisexual, polyamory, witches, dark, magic, fae, druid, naiad
Publisher: NineStar Press, LLC
Published: 2021-08-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

It was like getting kicked in the gut, hit by a truck, and flung face-first into a brick wall at lightning speed. I sensed the truth in Vivian’s words – at least, the truth as she knew it. And the truth rocked me. Now burdened and weighed down, staying aloft became impossible. I fell from the sky, but the trees slowed my descent, and cradled me in their branches. The branches knitted together until they created a throne of sorts around me.

Taking advantage of my vulnerability, Vivian and Eris raised their hands, and the river surged behind them.

I called to the wind and thrust out my hands. At my direction, the air held back the river. I called out to the trees and pointed at the Harcourts.

“Get them and bring them to me.”

Gnarled roots cracked through the ground around Vivian and Eris and twisted around their ankles, up their legs, cinching their waists, securing their hands—preventing them from casting spells—and tightening around their arms and shoulders. The river receded as their hands were bound. They screamed and cursed as the roots lifted them off the ground into the air and brought them to face me. They struggled in their tangled straitjackets, dangling about ten feet or so away from my throne in the trees.

“Put us down, you bitch,” Eris spat.

Composed, I ignored her, and folded my hands in my lap. “So, let me see if I’ve got this worked out. You’re here in Arbor because you think my mother killed your fiancé, Eris’s father? I think it’s safe to assume this gentleman wasn’t merely a powerful witch, but incredibly wealthy, and his death—occurring before any “I-do’s” could be spoken—denied you and Eris the prosperous life he would have provided. So, you’re taking your vengeance out on me, my mother’s daughter. And you’re manipulating the Arbor mundane to gain control and influence in the community in order to do it.”

Vivian glared viciously but didn’t reply.

Eris rolled her eyes, defiant even in her precarious situation. “For the love of Hecate, Eva Clarion, not everything is about you.”

I took a good, long look at her. My supposed sister. My twisted sister.

“You’re right about that. At the moment, it’s all about them.” I gestured to the poor sods lying in the dirt. “Eris and Vivian Harcourt, you will not harm another one of these people. You will free them from their spells and send them on their way. You will nullify the spells you placed on the two who already left. And you will not involve another Arbor mundane in any of your plans again.”

Eris seethed but remained mute.

“Why would we do anything you ask, you pathetic excuse for a witch?” Vivian forced out her words as she struggled against her bindings.

“I’m. Not. Asking.” With a wave of my hand, the roots tightened around Vivian and Eris, squeezing the breath out of them. I waved once more, and the roots loosened just enough for the Harcourts to breathe. The trees hovered the Harcourts out in the middle of the circle.

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