Ronan stepped out into the rain. Brenna motioned for him to get into her car. He opened the door and slipped inside. “Hey,” he said, his eyes boring into hers in a way that made her pulse quicken.
“Hello.”
“Now that’s a familiar sight,” he said, nodding at the book in her lap.
“You’ve seen this before?”
“Many times. That book was Hawthorn’s pride and joy. It’s got a mind of its own, you know.”
“I’ve noticed.”
Ronan looked up at the motel then back at her. “Does the fact that you’re sitting in your car mean you’ve had enough of the motel?”
Brenna chuckled. “Well, you had a point. We will be safer together.”
“I’m glad.”
“Me too.” Silence fell between them.
“Shall we go then?” Ronan asked, breaking the silence.
“Sure.”
“Okay, follow me.”
After driving for about twenty minutes they arrived at a huge stone 17th-century two-story house sitting at the bottom of a grassy hill. She shut off her engine and stepped out of the car. Ronan’s dark boots crunched along the gravel, stopping when he reached Brenna.
“Well, this is it,” he said, gesturing at the grand house.
“It’s beautiful.” She meant what she said as she studied the ornate carving surrounding the arched windows, and the massive double front doors. “This is all yours?”
“Mhm. Nice house, gets damn cold in the winter though. Oh and I’ll apologize in advance, with this weather we’re having it’s like an icebox inside.”
“It has lots of chimneys, don’t you use the fireplaces?”
“Sometimes. I’ll light one tonight, for you.”
“I don’t mind.” Brenna took her handbag and the spellbook while Ronan carried the rest of her luggage and led her toward the house. Kiba greeted them at the door wagging his tail. The huge wolf was taller in person. Its ears reached Brenna’s chest. It would have been intimidating if it wasn’t for the playful look in its eyes. It was a stark contrast to the wolf she and Maggie were faced with in the woods. Brenna couldn’t help but wonder if the judge had chosen the form of a wolf to try and make her wary of Ronan and his pet. Brenna reached out her hand and let Kiba take a whiff. Skipping that nonsense, Kiba dove his snout forward and snuggled into her side. A huge smile took over her face. She bent down and put her face against Kiba’s and took in his earthy scent. “Hello, Kiba. Lovely to meet you.” And she meant it.
“He says likewise,” Ronan said.
“Don’t tell me you can read his mind as well?”
“Of course not.” He winked.
Not knowing if he was playing with her or not, she let it go.
Kiba followed them as they walked further into the big house. They stopped in what was set out as a living room. Her breath immediately plumed in her face. Shivering, she looked around for a fireplace. It was dark, and in dire need of a woman’s touch, but it was tasteful. A large Victorian lounge suite covered in faded green velvet was positioned in front of the original cobalt blue-tiled fireplace, with an oak coffee table in the middle. An ornate Persian rug covered the floorboards in front of the fire, creating a cozy place to sit. She plopped down on the rug with Kiba following suit.
Working quickly, Ronan built the base for the fire with kindling and screwed up newspaper. A wafer of smoke drifted up from striking a match he used to ignite the paper. The singed air brought Brenna back to cold winter mornings eating pancakes with Gran in front of a roaring fire.
Ronan threw the match into the rising flames then perched on the edge of one of the couches. “You should rest up for tonight. I’ll show you to your room,” he said.
“I’m happy getting to know Kiba for now.” She scratched around his ears. He closed his eyes and put his head down on her lap.
“Careful, he’ll never want you to leave. I’ll put your bags in your room. Let me know if you get tired. The ritual tonight might be a long one.” The fire roared to life as Ronan stood, illuminating their faces with an orange glow as Brenna stared into the flames, wondering what night would bring.
The weather went from bad to worse. After falling asleep in front of the fire, she vaguely remembered being carried somewhere. Now she lay in the middle of a huge four-poster bed, comfortable and deliciously warm, listening to what sounded like rocks hammering down on the roof. She yawned and rolled to get out of bed. It took two rolls of her body to reach the edge. Her feet landed on a thick rug and she padded across it until she reached the cold floorboards. A pair of fluffy pink slippers sat by the rug. She slipped her feet into them as Kiba came bounding into the room. He jumped up and nudged her face.
“Hello to you, too!”
Kiba yipped at the door then loped through it, wagging his tail. She shrugged and followed him out into a long hallway adorned with old scenic oil paintings and a burgundy floor runner. “Hey uh, Kiba, you wouldn’t happen to know where a bathroom is around here?” Brenna said, feeling an urge. Kiba’s ears pricked up. He walked a few more paces then stopped in front of a closed door. Brenna tapped on the door lightly, not really believing the wolf could have understood what she had said. She twisted the handle and gasped when she saw a black and white tiled floor, a clawfoot bathtub, wood-topped vanity, and a toilet.
“You’re amazing, Kiba.” She stroked his head and went in, closing the door behind her.
Kiba was waiting when she came back out. He led her down the hall, their footsteps barely audible against the wind and rain battering the house.
They came to the staircase and descended it. A window by the front door gave her a good view of the front yard and the continuing dramatic weather. Trees swayed in the roaring wind; sleet so thick Brenna could barely see through it fell fast. The sight made her shiver even though it was much warmer inside now. An old pendulum clock on a mantel behind her chimed, startling her. It chimed nine more times. On the tenth, Brenna heard car engines followed by doors opening and closing. Through the window, she saw Celestine and the members of the coven approach the front door.
She headed to the door, fiddled with the stiff lock, trying to open it. She got it open just as somebody rapped on the door. Celestine beamed a wide smile at her. “Brenna! Lovely to see you again.” She leaned in for a hug. Brenna gladly gave her one.
“You, too. Glad you made it out in this weather,” Brenna said, moving aside to let everybody in.
“The weather shows the power of the Goddess. We needn’t be afraid of it,” Celestine said, closing the door once the last member entered. They all had on their ritual cloaks.
“Unless there’s a hurricane or something,” Hazel Eyes added, laughing.
Brenna smiled and led them into the living room with the fireplace.
“Wait here where it’s nice and warm. I’ll go find Ronan.”
She stepped out into the hallway. “Ronan?” She weaved her way through narrow hallways. The place was huge. Without looking she turned a corner and bumped right into him.
“Sorry,” she said, flushing.
“I didn’t mind.” Ronan’s deep voice sent pleasant shivers running across her skin. Their faces were so close they were almost touching. They were interrupted by a noise behind them and Brenna turned to see the whole coven standing there.