Witches (Runes series Book 6) (5 page)

“Wrong choice of words,” she said impatiently. “Mimic. You will see with your Mortal eyes and Mortal mind a new person, but it will still be you.”

Mimic. The very word made my stomach roil. The only consolation was I had no intention of doing it unless it was absolutely necessary. I tried it, but it didn’t work.

“You must want this, Raine,” she urged softly. “Just like you did with your powers. Focus and let the need fill you.”

Nothing happened. Annoyed, I walked to the mirror and stared hard at my reflection, then closed my eyes and tried again.

Nothing happened. Her cat meowed.

“No, no,
Bygul
. Pathetic is too harsh a word. She’s still a novice.”

Was she talking to her cat? I glared at the cat, and I could have sworn it smirked. No one calls me pathetic and gets away with it.

“Think of someone you love,” the goddess said. “Someone whose gestures and facial expressions are so much a part of your daily life that all you have to do is hear their name and their image pops into your head.”

We’ll see who’s pathetic now
.
I closed my eyes and let the image of my father fill my head. Not the way he looked now, but the robust man who’d loved life and adored his family. I wanted to see that man again.

Too scared to look and see my failure, I kept my eyes shut.

“See, that wasn’t hard,” the goddess said.

I opened my eyes and gasped. Instead of my reflection, Dad stared back at me. Same intelligent eyes I’d inherited, more brown than green. Same haircut, shorter on the side and longer on top. I had him in my favorite T-shirt, the one I’d bought him before he became ill. I turned and grinned at the goddess. The cat watched me from her arms.

Take that, feline.
The cat yawned.

I faced the mirror, and didn’t close my eyes as I went through another transformation. My long brown hair changed texture and shortened to wavy, raven-black. Brilliant blue replaced the hazel in my eyes. The gentle sloping of my jawbone shifted to a masculine line, my cheekbones became chiseled. The rest of me changed too, breasts flattening to a broad chest and shoulders.

I lifted my tank top and grinned. I had a six-pack. When my eyes met my reflection, I was staring into the sapphire eyes of the man I adored. Torin St. James.

I giggled. I could have fun with this. Torin still managed to look masculine in my silky pajama bottoms and snug tank top. But it was weird being a guy. No wonder they adjusted themselves. I had to.

Goddess Freya laughed. “I think you’re going to enjoy mastering this ability. For right now you can only transform into those you know and love, until you gain enough experience to look like anyone. When you do, choose carefully. You don’t want to mimic people they’d recognize.”

Yeah, like Maliina had done. The Norns had appeared to me in so many forms, some familiar and others not. Could I do that too? Pull any skin tone or hair color out of thin air, and keep the image intact without slipping back to me?

“Can anyone tell I’m fake?”

She nodded. “Only another powerful witch can
feel
that you’re not real. That’s how you see through the disguises the Norns wear. Keep practicing until it’s as easy as breathing. Say your goodbye, dear,” Goddess Freya added, lowering the cat to the floor.

I frowned. Was she talking to me? “Just one question. How do I hold on to the image?”

“Try not to think of yourself. Channel the person you choose. If you’re using your handsome Valkyrie, think of nothing but him. And Raine?”

I was busy watching my reflection as I transformed back into me, except my eyes didn’t go back to hazel. They glowed golden, something that happened whenever I used magic. My gaze met the goddess’ in the mirror. “Yes?”

“Now that you’ve decided to use your magic, be very careful how you deal with the Norns. You can be like them without being one of them.”

That was my plan. I had no interest in being a Norn, spinning destinies and messing with people’s heads. I planned to give people choices, something the Norns never did. “What did you mean by sacrifices?” I asked cautiously, but my insides clenched with dread.

“Like I said, I cannot see into the future. But the Norns took something valuable from me the last time I pushed them too far.” She smiled as though it was nothing, but I saw through the image she projected to the anger and hatred. She was the mistress of illusions too. “Be careful. I’ve left you a little present. She’ll be an asset as your powers grow, and she can always find me whenever you need me.”

A portal opened and she walked through it, two cats following her. I hadn’t seen the second one until now. The black and grey tabby looked at me, fur rising as though in warning.

What was her problem?

I dismissed the cat, my mind on what the goddess had said. What had the Norns taken from her for defying them? Not that I planned to defy them. I only fought them for the right to be left alone, to decide my fate. I stepped back, my feet sinking onto something soft.

A shriek filled the room.

I screamed, jumped back, stumbled against the edge of my bed, and fell.

You two-legged klutz. You broke my beautiful tail.

Torin burst into my room through the mirror portal like an avenging angel. I wasn’t the kind of girl who expected a man to run to my rescue whenever I screamed like a banshee, but he did look really good. His expression said he’d annihilate anyone that hurt me.

“You okay?” he said, eyes darting around the room before coming to me. I grinned. He frowned, squatting. “You’re smiling.”

I nodded. “You’re my hero.”

He reached out and stroked my nose. He loved my freckles. Always had from the first moment we met. He slid down and sat beside me, bringing his warm and intoxicating scent. He always smelled nice. “Except you don’t need me rescuing you, do you?”

“Not this time.” I rested my head on his shoulder while he stroked my arm. I trembled. My reaction to his touch had never changed since we met. A touch and I melted. Heck, he didn’t even have to touch me for my body to respond. A look across a room often did the trick and he knew it and loved it, the arrogant Valkyrie.

My mother and Femi joined us through the door, their eyes frantically searching my room. Usually, they’d react to my scream like it was the end of the world, but not today because they’d known I was with the goddess.

“You know, if I was being attacked and Torin wasn’t here, I’d be dead by now.”

At least they had the decency to look guilty. Mom recovered first. “What a terrible thing to say,” she reprimanded.

“Don’t even try it, Mom. You knew she was up here, didn’t you?”

She gave a brief laugh. “Yes, but uh…”

But nothing. Her loyalty was to the goddess, I knew that and understood why. My focus shifted to the cat.

So this was my present? Coat sleek and black as midnight, emerald green eyes that reminded me of Mom’s eyes, which was a plus, except they were slit like the cat couldn’t wait to scratch the crap out of me.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

Her fur rose as she arched her back.
You should be, skreyja vilfill. I’m being forced to live in this godforsaken realm because of you.

“What’s going on?” Torin asked.

“I stepped on the cat,” I said, giving him a sheepish look.

His eyebrows shot up. “You have a cat?”

“Not really. She’s a present, but she doesn’t want to be here.” I glanced at the cat. “Maybe you can take her back to Asgard.”

The cat’s arched back slowly lowered.

“No, you can’t,” my mother said in a horrified voice.

“Why not?” I asked. “Because your goddess brought it?”

One second Torin was beside me, the next he was on his feet. “We had a deal, Mrs. Cooper.”

“I know, dear. We were surprised when she appeared and asked if she could see Raine. I had no time to prepare. And she came bearing gifts.”

“So did the Greeks,” Torin murmured, but I heard him. Did he mean that the cat was like the Trojan horse?

“She’s very particular about who gets her kittens, Torin.” Mom went down on her knees, studied the cat, and smiled. “No, this one is not a kitten. She’s one of the goddess’ own. The changeling from the last litter.”

“What deal are you two discussing?” I asked, my eyes volleying between Torin and Mom.

“It’s nothing, hun.” Mom got up, and Torin gripped her arm, leaned in, and murmured something to her.

“Hey,” I called after them when he started to lead her out of my room.

“Bond with your cat, Freckles,” Torin said.

My jaw dropped. That sounded like ‘mind my own business’. The arrogant…

I tapped into my magic. It wasn’t easy getting the spark going, but I hoped it was enough. I let images fill my head and willed them into his. Torin stopped and squinted at me. I gave him an innocent smile.

“What did you just do?” Femi asked, surprise sharpening her blue eyes.

“Projected something to him. You felt it?”

She nodded. “Yes. Nice. You’re getting stronger.”

I grinned. “The goddess showed me how to find the source of my magic. It’s not easy, but with time, I might do it without stressing about it,” I said. My focus shifted to my unwanted feline present. “Cats have never liked me. This one will probably hate me forever because I stepped on her tail. It was an accident.”

“Goddess Freya,” Femi whispered, her expression dreamy. In fact, I doubted she’d heard anything I said. “I never thought I’d ever meet her.”

Femi was an Immortal, which meant she’d never visited Asgard. The gods tended to ignore Immortals, since they were turned in order to serve Mortals.

“Was she nice to you?” I asked.

“Oh yes, very nice and gracious. None of my friends will believe me when I tell them I met her.” She thumped her forehead. “For all that’s holy, why didn’t I think of taking a selfie with her?”

A selfie with a goddess. I laughed. Femi would have asked too. She might be pint-sized, but she was feisty. “Maybe next time.”

“Maybe next time what?” Mom asked as she and Torin returned.

“Take a selfie with Goddess Freya,” I said while studying their faces. Mom seemed the same. She even laughed at my response, but Torin… I was getting some weird vibes from him. He didn’t meet my eyes. What had Mom told him? I knew he wasn’t too crazy about me being a witch, but I thought he was adjusting. Maybe he didn’t like the idea of Goddess Freya paying me a visit in the middle of the night.

I reached for his hand and tugged. He slid down beside me on the floor. I searched his face and got my answer when he flashed one of his sexy grins. He wasn’t fooling me. Something was wrong. Mom tried to reach for the cat and she hissed.

“I can’t keep her,” I said. “She’s feral.”

Call me feral again, baulufotr, and you’ll be sorry.

Baulufotr
.
Skreyja vilfill.
They all sounded like curses. Part of me wanted to ask Mom if I was supposed to hear the cat or not, but another part shied from sharing that bit yet. Like I said, Torin wasn’t too thrilled about my witchy gifts, especially after I’d put a whammy on him before he battled his father.

“Cats hate me,” I griped.

Mom stood. “No, they don’t.”

“They do too. Don’t you remember how often I begged for a dog or a cat when I was little? And how we’d go to the pet store or animal shelter, and they’d hiss at me and the dogs would snarl?” My eyes met Torin’s. “Eirik used to call me animal repellant. I ended up getting fish and birds. Why couldn’t the goddess give me a bird? Isn’t she the patron of ravens?”

Mom dismissed my words with a wave of her hand. “Swallows and cuckoos, and Eirik didn’t know any better. You and the cat will bond and work together. Returning her would only insult the goddess.”

I knew about the bond between a witch and her familiar, but that didn’t mean I had to have one. I was an elemental witch. I communicated with the elements of the earth. “Did you guys have cats?”

Mom nodded. “Saoria was a charming companion.”

“Azhara saved my life more often than I care to admit,” Femi said.

Mom had a Celtic background while Femi was an ancient Egyptian. Both were thousands of years old. I was dying to find out if Mom’s cat ever talked to her, but I wanted to be alone with Torin and find out what was wrong. His hand let go of mine, leaned forward, and extended toward the cat.

There was no hissing. The cat left its hiding place and sniffed his hand, then rubbed her cheek against it. The little traitor!

“See? Just be as gentle as Torin,” Mom said.

The cat continued to rub her neck against his fingers. Finally, Torin picked her up and lifted her up like a baby, hands under her front legs. The two had a stare-down. It was both cute and impressive. Both had hair the color of midnight and sapphire eyes—Torin’s blue and the cat’s green. Both were deadly. One swipe and the cat’s claw could leave nasty gashes on Torin’s handsome face. And with very little effort, Torin could crush the cat’s skull. The effect of strength runes was scary to watch. I’d seen Torin bring down a tree with a blow. It was as though he and the cat were sizing each other up. When it seemed like they’d reached an understanding, Torin lowered the cat to his thigh.

And what do you know. The fur-ball curled up like they’d known each other forever. Seriously? Everyone adored Torin. He’d won Mom’s heart a long time ago and earned Dad’s respect. And now he had even bonded with my familiar before me.

He belongs to me
, I forcefully projected to the little cat.

The cat purred and closed her eyes.
Jealous?

I blinked, surprised she’d heard me.
Not of a four-legged fur-ball.

Kiss my paws, baulufotr. You need me, not the other way around.

Great! I didn’t just get any normal witch cat. She had to be smart-alecky. Torin glanced at me, saw my expression and smirked, but I saw through it. Something was wrong. I glanced at Mom. I wanted her and Femi to go. The cat situation could wait until tomorrow.

“Goodnight, Mom. Femi.”

Mom glanced at Femi. “I guess that’s our cue. Goodnight, hun. Torin. Don’t keep her up late. It’s a school night.”

As soon as the door closed, Torin said, “Why were your eyes glowing when I arrived?”

“I’ll explain after you put
her
,” I pointed at the cat, “down. I don’t even know what to call her or where she’s going to sleep.” The cat lifted her head and glared at me.

Torin scratched her neck. “You should name her. It might help with the bonding.”

“No, thanks. She’s going back to Asgard,” I said even though I knew she wasn’t. “Were you reaping?”

“No, scouting at
StubHub Center
. I’m subbing for a math teacher at a local high school and coaching a U-16 youth soccer team for LA Galaxy Academy in the evenings. Most of the team members go to the school.”

Torin often befriended those whose souls he reaped. “And that bothers you?” I pried.

“Nope.” He was such a liar. “It’s just a job.”

He didn’t look too thrilled.
StubHub Center was in Carson, California. It was the National Training Center for the U.S. Soccer Federation. There was no telling which team was about to have an accident because they held camps and competitions for all U.S. soccer programs in the area and for national teams. Even the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) used the stadium. Torin and Andris could be waiting for souls of teenagers or grown men.
Something about his present assignment
was bugging him, but I couldn’t figure out what.

“Can I come with you tomorrow and watch you coach?”

He chuckled. “Why? You hate sports.”

I bumped him with my shoulder. “Hey, I cheered the loudest when you were the quarterback.”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“We have a game on Saturday at three, but I’m having them practice at five every day this week. They made it to the quarterfinals.”

“Then I’ll come tomorrow after I shop for her,” I nodded at the cat.

“Don’t you have after-school lessons with Lavania?”

Lavania Celestina Ravilla was my trainer and a Valkyrie. “Yeah, but I should be done by five.” I stifled a yawn and the cat yawned too. Coincidence? “Seriously, where is she supposed to sleep?”