The Valerie Dearborn Trilogy by Caroline Hanson

Author:Caroline Hanson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: vampire, urban fantasy, paranormal, werewolf, series, fey, bundle, vampire adult
Publisher: Caroline Hanson

Chapter 19

“IS IT going to hurt?” Val asked.

Rachel looked at her distractedly, opening up a black backpack and taking out some herbs and a couple of stained wooden bowls. “Do you want it to?”

Rachel laughed at Valerie’s disgusted look.

“No, Val, it probably won’t hurt. Magic is funny that way. It’s one of those pleasure/pain things. It’s either going to feel really good, or it’s going to hurt. And that’s up to you. If you’re uptight and resistant, if you fight it, then it might hurt. But if you lay back and let it happen… well, you just might like it, little girl,” Rachel said distractedly. Like the comment was an afterthought.

But still…. Ewww.

Val wanted to change the subject. “So, how long have you been a witch?”

Rachel looked through the twenty or so, Ziploc baggies of herbs she had spread out on the ground. “I was born a witch. Raised a witch,” she said, holding one bag up so she could see the contents clearly in the fading light.

“Well, that’s succinct. Um, is that marijuana?” Val asked.

“No. Mongolian Moss. Lucas found me. Took me from the coven and gave me a life. Then he gave me Marion. I’ll always be grateful to him.”

Valerie held back a startled noise. “Grateful? He took you from your family and gave you to a monster, and you’re happy about it? That’s what you’re saying?”

“Um, no, that’s what you’re saying. You don’t know witches. They were burned at the stake for a reason. Nasty, evil women. I was very talented, and when Lucas took me away… I was on a dark path. I needed a witch-based After School Special.” Rachel was looking at the ground as she said in a deep, narrator-style tone, “Just say no.”

“But now you’re a white witch? Gray witch? Glenda?” Val said sarcastically. Rachel had been Marion’s sweetie—no amount of bleach was going to make her white.

“There is no such thing as a white witch. All magic is steeped in darkness. All power comes from death and harm.”

“Enchanting.” Valerie felt goose bumps rise on her arms.

Rachel held herself stiffly, spoke too confidently…like whatever she’d done had been so bad she had to hold herself perfectly still, or it would come and get her.

“Witches are tied to the earth. They force the earth to give up its strength and power, or they take it from people and animals. Pain and death charge our batteries. It’s like splitting apart an atom—the energy released is something quantifiable, something we can take and channel. And I’m strong. But there are less invasive ways to take power, and that’s what Lucas gave me. The freedom to not need a death for my magic. Marion… she was a twisted woman. The years had not been kind to her. She was a little bit broken. That’s what happens to vampires. We shouldn’t live as long as we do. It warps us, makes us odd. Marion was almost childlike in her wonder and pleasure. But normal things didn’t bring her pleasure.

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