บททั้งหมดของ The Bitten and the Born: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

Bradford thought to himself how she had great strength to be able to make it inside her house after the waves of his hypnotism. Seeing Ms. Bellavonnes charms are still active meant she was still alive somewhere and he had to get that cure. "Your blood ties are like maps. With your blood, a path to her will reveal itself and I can present my request to her. I will be able to calm the madness in return." Raven pulled the strands of hair that had fallen out of her braids behind her ears. Saving her words, she replied in thought, "One more question." Knowing anyone who means her harm can not pass the charms, "Why haven't you come inside by force?" Barren was found out. His intention to take her blood whether she agreed or not would not let him move forward. "I'm afraid I can't. I will require the invitation. How about this?" Bradford chanted a truth binding spell and stretched out his palm to shake her hand. Then he said to her mind, " Come out and ask me, as I cannot lie to you now."

It was chill on the air this night while a soft fire glowed in the hearth. The soup still boiling, Mama asked Raven, “You can’t forget to stir. My dear child, I hope you’ve absorbed all these books. You’ve read them many times.” Alexandre looked wistfully at the pot. This soup had been cooking ever since they settled here. The cabin was half covered by moss and Ivy when she acquired it. The wild flowers grew and the trees made a dome of beautiful protection. The Forrest has only grown since then. The magic has filled the space with such a warm safe feeling. “I did stir it. And added a few things. Found some mushrooms and grabbed some more herbs“ Raven didn’t even look up from her book as she twirled a loose curl around her left index finger while she held a book by the spine absorbing the words from the pages. Alexandre admired her child. One day they would talk more about her father and why he was really gone. Her thoughts shifted to more painful thoughts, “This mission may keep me

“Mama? Is that really you?” Licking her lips Raven began to open her eyes. Looking around the surroundings looked familiar as she batted her eyes. It smelled like home. Her mama moved her hair off of her face. The tendrils had loosened in her journey. It had only been a few short years and yet her daughter hair had grown and she was a woman now. The little girl she left behind was gone. Bradford watched the scene and felt like he was seeing firsthand what maternal love and protection looked like. It had been too many years since he had experienced these feelings and the discomfort was his alone. Shuffling his hands he waited patiently as Alexandre tended to her daughter. Raven awoke. She stood up timidly. She looked at the hearth containing the same carvings as home. The glow illuminated a small cauldron over the fire. The mantle held books and melting candles. Wax danced down their stalks. Vases held dried flowers and herbs. The enchanted bookcase had a place here as well. “Why?”

Raven, Alexandre and Bradford works through the night. The spell was completed and Bradford started to shift towards seeking shelter for the day. “I have a place for you to rest. Come.” Alexandre put the vials away in the cupboard and turned to walk out, “Raven, it would be best if you came to this destination with us. You may end up needing it.” Raven followed behind draping her cape over her shoulders and lifting the hood over her head. Everything she ever heard about the Bitten was dark and dangerous. The hard reality was her mama hid half of who she was from her. And now she had fears of herself becoming something that would have to be put down like a lame donkey. “Raven, you can choose to be better. I have given you all the knowledge I could gather for our library to help you know yourself as a caster and a right powerful one at that. I’ve seen how you’ve kept the charms strong at home and the way the garden thrives. The yields have kept the creatures strong. I believe you have

Raven took her mama’s hand and led her to the top of the table. Two chairs and place settings were aside the Elder Lord. He stood as did everyone else. The Ladies took their seat. A feast sat before them of cooked whole hogs, poultry roasted, bread loaves, cooked potatoes, fresh cherry tomatoes, fruits and the fanciest desserts. They all drank and began to fill their plates with food. The hall was full of laughter and talking. Raven observed the onlookers. Alexandre kept her guard up. Making eye contact occasionally, they spoke secretly about which ones had dark auras and could be enemies of them. A lady with black hair swept to a side bun, red hat with black lace over her face sat in her seat. Her long fingers and polished stiletto nails, wrapped around a goblet of blood she sipped on with her big red lips. Her pale breasts heaved out of the corset she wore and red and black satin wrapped around her tight voluptuous figure. Her dark eyes peered at Raven and Alexandre. Suddenly her th