I looked at Rome, but he only shook his head. “I’ll explain later. Or maybe it’ll make sense in a few minutes once Rowen explains everything else.”
“Nothing makes sense right now.”
“Hopefully, it will soon.” Rowen moved as the others came into the room. I was surrounded by strangers and my aunt, wondering when I would wake up from this very odd dream. “I’m the last of my family line. The last of my coven.”
I blinked. “Coven. As in witch? I mean, that’s wonderful for you, I believe everybody should practice whatever’s in their hearts and beliefs, but I’m not quite sure what this has to do with me.”
“It has to do with a lot more than you, honey,” Laurel said, and I gave her an odd look. She shook her head.
“Maybe it’ll make more sense if I show you,” Rowen said and then held out her hand.
I took in her gray gaze, then looked down at her palm before dropping the mug.
Hot tea spilled over my boots and onto the hardwood floor. Rowen shook her head as the wind funnel in her hand poofed away, the tornado that had been there no longer present. Rome cursed behind me before catching the towel that Trace threw.
“I’ve got it,” Rome said. “Maybe we shouldn’t let people hold hot drinks when we’re trying to change the world,” Rome grumbled as he wiped my feet. “Are you hurt?”
I looked down and then gently, awkwardly, patted his shoulder as I tried to process what I had just seen. I was so embarrassed. However, as soon as my hand touched his body, he stiffened, and I felt a zing snap up my arm. I shook and immediately pulled away. “I’m so sorry. I’m fine. Really. I’m wearing shoes. Crap, is this going to stain?”
“It’s why I don’t have carpets or rugs anywhere. I tend to make messes. You’re fine. Just breathe.” He hovered over me and I let out a breath.
Rowen sighed. “It’s been a while since I’ve done this. I’m sorry.”
I shook myself out of my need to watch how Rome moved, and the concern I felt from my aunt, and instead looked at Rowen. “Done what?”
“Shown someone that the town of Ravenwood is special.”
Special. That seemed to be a good word for it. If I were going to pretend that this was real, I might as well lean wholly into it. And, honestly, something tugged inside me, telling me to listen. I didn’t understand, but it was as if I had remembered something I’d been forced to forget long ago. “How did you do that? What was that?”
“It’s magic. I’m a witch with an affinity for air. Though I can work with all the elements, I mostly work with air. And I’m not the only witch in this room.” She gave Laurel a pointed glance, and I looked at the other woman.
Laurel sighed and shook her head. “Yes, I’m a witch, but I don’t have the type of power Rowen does. So, you’re not going to see a little fireball in my hand.”
“Fire? As in magic? Magic is real?” I asked, my voice choppy as my chest ached. The tattoos on my skin burned slightly as they continued moving around my body. I took a deep breath, trying to catch up. Rome knelt in front of me and gripped my hand. Somehow, he steadied me, and I didn’t understand it. I looked into his eyes and let out a big breath. “What’s going on?”
He stared at me then, and I inhaled his deep forest scent, feeling as if I were safe. As if no matter what happened, I wouldn’t be alone. “Think about it. Think about every instance when you were younger and wished for something so hard that it sometimes came true. Or when you needed something, and someone was suddenly there to help. Think about the ink on your hips, of the water that flows around you. Think about the affinity that calls to you.”
“Who are you?” I asked, staring at him. I wanted to move forward. I wanted to know this man.
And it scared me.
People didn’t fall in love at first sight. It didn’t happen. What was wrong with me?
“That’s something for another time,” he said and cleared his throat. He moved away, dropping my hand, and I stared at him, wondering about the curious looks everybody was giving me and each other. They knew something that I didn’t, and I wasn’t a fan of being kept in the dark.
“Shit,” Trace cursed under his breath. When Rome shook his head, I wanted to say something, but I needed to get back to what Rowen had said first. I’d ask Rome and his brother what the hell they were talking about later.
“You’re saying I’m a witch?” I asked. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Rowen lifted her head, her eyes dark and full of lightning for a brief moment. “Yes, I’m saying you’re a witch. And you’ve come to Ravenwood for a purpose. And not merely for baking, though the town can use you. This place is special, Sage. You know you’re a witch. You can feel it. That’s why you’re not running away screaming right now. You know. Deep down, you know. And it might take you some time to understand it, to realize that you’re not dreaming, and that you are a witch here for a purpose. The reason is to be part of our coven. Ravenwood is unusual. Our town knows that magic is real. It knows and protects that secret at all costs. There are many more than witches in town, but my family is the founders. We are the protectors. And we need you. For the town of Ravenwood knows that magic is might but not always right. And you were here at the time of the great becoming.”
I stared at her, my heart racing, and yet…not in panic. I tried to comprehend her words as everybody nodded and stared at me. I looked down at the ink now sliding up my arms, moving from my hips. I had lost so much. I had lost my heart, my husband. Everything. If I were indeed losing my mind, what was one more thing?
“Oh, come on, show her more. Do something. When you get all high and mighty like that, it’ll only make her think she’s losing her marbles.” I looked up at Laurel, and she shrugged. “I can’t show you the fire, it hurts too much, especially when it’s not a full moon. Walk around the town, and you’ll see. I may hate it, but you’re here for a reason. So, welcome to Ravenwood, witch. It seems we’re a coven of three. Whatever we need to be.”
“You’re saying I’m a witch. And that this town is full of them. I know I can see you using your magic. I can see my tattoos moving. It’s a lot. Do you get that?”
Rowen smiled. “You’re not going to understand much of what we say right away, but maybe if we give you some peace, your aunt can explain it. After all, she’s a witch, too.”
My gaze shot to my aunt. “What?”
Aunt Penelope pulled at her shirt, her face blushing a pretty pink. “Not to the extent of others. I am more of an herbal witch. I don’t have the powers that you have.”
“That I have?” I repeated.
“Sage,” she whispered, kneeling in front of me, “you consented to some of the ink on your body, but you didn’t sit through sessions to get all of it, did you?”
I met her gaze, swallowed hard. “What do you mean?” I asked, fear in my voice. I knew what she meant. I had seen what I’d been missing as soon as the tattoos first moved.
“You told me you were called to the waves on your hips, that you did it out of impulse one night, but that isn’t quite true, is it? They appeared one evening, right?”