Midnight Hour (Shadow Falls: After Dark #4)(127)

there. There will be less to fight.”

“What about the guards in the woods?” Miranda asked.

“They will all be here for the ceremony.”

“Wait. If the guards are in the woods now, how do you know they won’t catch Tabitha?”

“The guards never go into the woods unless there is a reason. That property does not belong to them.”

Miranda prayed Zander knew what she was talking about.

“What about their powers?” Miranda asked. “How strong are they?”

Miranda saw Zander shift slightly. “Before a ceremony they celebrate. Jeremiah put a potion in the wine. If it works, their powers will be

diminished. You will have the authority of the trees on our side. I will stand in the mouth of the cavern. I will attempt to help you bring a

storm.” She drew quiet. “They fear storms, they think it is the Salem witches, returning to punish them.”

“Good.” Miranda knew Zander could do a pretty powerful storm.

“As soon as you can, run west. There’s a path in the woods, the trees will guide you. I will hold the storm here as long as I can. If you run

fast, you can escape before the guards get to the woods.”

“Two things,” Miranda said. “When I run, you’re coming with me, and two: I thought we were stopping them.”

“The bad ones have existed since Salem, stopping them may be impossible. And someone must close the gates so they can’t follow you. I will do

that. They will open it, but it will give you time to escape.”

Zander finally looked back. A gasp left her lips. “Your markings! I knew you held great power, but I never guessed … you were this…” She

motioned to her tattoos.

“What I am is furious.” Miranda watched as Zander’s wrinkles began to fade, her hair turned brown and unmatted. “We can stop this. And I’m

not leaving you.”

Zander smiled. “With your strength, you may be able to stop them.”

“No,” Miranda snapped. “You’re not putting this all on me. Jeremiah said you still had strength. We both need to do this.”

“I will try.” She waved to the cot. “Rest now. We will need our strength.”

*

Time passed. Zander slept, but Miranda couldn’t. The guards came past several times.

Miranda wasn’t sure how much time had passed when she saw the witch, still curled up against the rock wall, lift her eyes.

Miranda stood from the cot and dropped on the floor to sit beside her. “I have some more questions.”

“I hope I have answers.”

“Who are these jerks?”

“They are a clan of warlocks. A gang, you’d call them in today’s terms. Legend has it they were Salem warlocks who turned their wives in to

save their own skins. They told themselves they’d done it to stop the persecution of all witches. They were shunned by the Wiccan society. So

they turned to black magic and created their own beliefs. Ones that devalued women and saw them as property.”

“They’ve survived all these years?” Miranda asked.

“And grown more powerful by capturing the most potent witches and producing heirs with them.” Tears filled her eyes and Miranda suspected she

thought of her own children.

“My powers, what can you tell me about them that might help me?”

“They come when you find and accept your true love. They are at their strongest now. You will never lose them completely. When needed you will

be able to call upon them. They are the same as your regular powers. Just faster and more potent. And now you have the ability to command the

trees.”

“And Jeremiah? Where did he—”

She sighed. “He was a guard, over forty years ago. His job was to watch over a powerful witch’s daughter. The girl was taken by the bad ones.

The witch was so angry, she cursed him. He would remain a creature of scales until he stopped it from happening.”

Miranda inhaled. “So what happened to the girl?”

“She died. He didn’t. He continued on his mission to save the forest mystics.” She paused. “He came to help me. I was too afraid to fight,

but I wouldn’t let him leave. I imprisoned him, like they did me, but he still came back to help.”

“Maybe helping you is what will free him.” And somehow Miranda sensed it was true.

“Helping us,” Zander corrected.

“Yes.” But Miranda sensed there was something special between Zander and Jeremiah.

“Can I really communicate telepathically?” Miranda asked. “Tabitha said she heard me. I’ve been trying again, but I don’t know if it’s

getting through. Does it work with anyone?”

“It varies with each witch. Normally, you must be connected to someone to speak.”

Miranda remembered she’d communicated with Perry.

The witch touched her arm. “Do not tell anyone where we are. If they come too soon, it will lead to death for many of those you love.”

“But could I just let them know I’m okay?”

She nodded.

“How?” Miranda asked, still unsure.

“Through your heart, the same way you connected with Tabitha.”