Chapter 5 : Meet The Coven

Selyna’s POV

     After the dreamlink cut and I had some water my mind was still reeling with too many thoughts and even more questions. Eventually sleep caught up to me then I proceeded to uncharacteristically sleep in late. Rolling out of my disheveled bed, I ran my fingers through my hair and scrubbed my hand across my face. That was one rough night and the actual dreams that came  after the dreamlink were nearly as unsettling…I need to get that grumpy Future Alpha out of my mind and get my head in the game. There is no way any of what I imagined in those dreams can actually happen. I know his pack and Ashe’s work alongside us witches but most Wolf Shifters, heck most other supernaturals see witches as an enemy. I have heard the rumors about how witches in other parts of the world, or outside of New England have to be secret or solitary for fear of both hunters and other supernaturals. I grew up with Ashe, they are my best friend and would never betray me, but I know not all shifters would feel the same love towards me. We witches pass as human completely, no tell tale signs are outwardly noticeable, as long as we don’t use magic in an obvious way humans and even hunters can not tell we are anything but human, maybe that is why other supernaturals don’t like us so much. We blend in. We don’t have to hide our eyes, or fangs or claws or wings or horns, etc …we just look normal objectively speaking. Even if we didn’t we could use glamours, although to a skilled enough hunter a glamour cloud give us away, that is what gets overly zealous fae caught. Thinking their glamour allows them to blend in indefinitely then letting too much attention fall upon them will eventually lead to a hunter with high enough skills or good enough technology to detect the glamour. Rayanne told me not to rely on glamours for that very reason. I catch myself in the mirror, ewww! I could use one right now, but I best stick with a shower and some fresh clothes. I groan as I stretch then hear a shuffling from beyond my door. Ashe stands on the other side, getting ready to knock.

     “I heard you moving and was hoping you would be up and feeling better today,” they say with a look of concern across their sweet face. I love my best friend. They really are a kind soul, not the monster myths or some witches believe werewolves to be. I give them a quick hug and go to walk towards the bathroom. “Uh, I heard you wake up last night and  all of the tossing and turning, do you want to talk about it?” I shake my head, still not ready for words. “I’ll have a pot of coffee ready when you get out and if you won’t talk to me about what upset you, maybe you could tell me about those other dreams. You do know you talk in your sleep, right?” a smirk plays across my best friend’s face and I know just what dreams they are referring to. Damn that future Alpha for invading my head. I blush deeply as I quickly shut the bathroom door and lean

against it. Crap! Those dreams were too graphic, too lurid, way too sexy…there is no way I can talk about it, not even to my bestie. I don’t even want to think about it.

     After my shower I quickly comb and style my shoulder length, raven hair…a little texturizing leave in conditioner and some scrunching and fluffing is all it takes. I am feeling like a pick-me-up could be good so I carefully line my upper lids with a little liquid eyeliner to emphasise the slightly upturned almond shape with just a small wing for a little emphasis.The voice in the back of my head asks if I am sure it isn’t that I just want to look extra cute incase we run into a certain wolf today but I ignore it, dabbing on some lip gloss before pulling my favorite skinny jeans and a black fitted tee. I amble into the kitchen and eye Ashe, standing by the counter with 2 mugs, just starting to pour coffee into them and still wearing that smirk. Uugh! Wolf hearing infuriates me sometimes! I will never be able to sneak anything past my best friend, they will hear it or smell it. I roll my eyes. 

     “Thanks for the coffee, it was a rough night” I grumble as I wrap my hand around my mug and inhale the sharp aroma of the fresh brewed life giving liquid. 

     “You don’t need to talk to me about it, but if real Damian could get the sounds out of you that dream Damian does, then we will need soundproofing and earplugs” they taunt with a mischievous laugh, then seeing my expression quickly add, “I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t leave it. If you really like him maybe we can see what he’s up to later, stop by the packhouse for a visit?” Again, I roll my eyes, but I sigh.

     “I need to get my head in the game, meet with the coven, talk to Rayanne about the dreamlink that I got last night. I don’t think it is wise for me to chase after some guy when there is so much that I have to do, besides he and I wouldn’t work.” I softly state as I sip the caffeinated elixir. 

     Ashe hands me a double chocolate muffin ( just what I need today, they know me too well) and takes a deep breath, “well, I am going to the packhouse later anyway. Any chance you want to explain about the dreamlink?” 

     “Sure, it’s a lot to digest, maybe we should sit for this” I nod and gesture to our bistro set. I always thought they were cute and it is perfect for our little kitchen. Once we are both seated I tell them about the dreamlink. As I finish up, Ashe suggests that I go to the Alpha right away, but I explain that it is a witch matter and that first I need to meet with the coven and talk with Rayanne. There is an odd look I can’t quite decipher on Ashe’s face, but they agree that it is up to me and drop the subject. I just hope that I didn’t upset or disappoint my friend too much. Eventually a comfortable silence falls as we finish our coffee and muffins. 

     I grab my messenger bag and slide on my slip-ons before heading out the door to meet up with the coven. I call out to Ashe that I’m going now as I shut the door behind me. I text Rayanne and am about to start down the stairs when I feel the pull of Rayanne’s magic. She loves her teleportation spells and suddenly I am standing in a rather colorful boho style sitting room across from a teal velvet sofa on which 2 figures sit. Rayanne’s playful smile graces her lips and she gestures for me to take a seat in a big wicker chair with velvety cushions and colorful pillows on it. I make my way over to the chair and quietly sit facing the pair. A huge smile crosses the face of the man, his brown eyes twinkling in delight and his teal goatee a contrast to his tanned face and dirty blond curls, his whimsical appearance so much like the energy Rayanne exudes that I can not miss that they are close friends. They are not lovers, i am sure of that…he is definitely gay, his aura screams “FABULOUS!”  As he tilts his head , placing his hands on his knee he says “and you must be Selyna! I have heard so much about you!” 

    “Selyna, this is Kurt! He is my best friend and coven mate. I have a feeling you two will get along well” Rayanne sings out, a bit more chipper than I can comprehend. What has her so excited? She continues, “Kurt and I were just having a little catch-up session when I got your text but the rest of the coven are due any moment.”

     Just then I hear a thunderclap and in a flash of light a beautiful blond witch with crystal clear blue eyes stands serenely smiling in front of me. “You must be Selyna! Storm Aisling Thorne at your service!” she beams as she curtsies. 

      I reach out and shake her hand, but before I can speak a whirl of wind carrying hints of wildflowers and fresh herbs spins around the room and a soft green mist reveals a tall, slender young women with short dirty blond hair and large, kind eyes that are a soft earthy brown color. She smirks a little and winks at me before nodding her head and saying “hello selyna, I am Alicia.” She hands me a wild flower bouquet and then says “welcome to Salem.” She is light like a spring breeze unlike Storm’s energy that seems quite  variable.

    “We are nearly all here!” chimes Rayanne, peeking at the clock on her mantle and starting to cross her arms over her chest.

     The front door bursts open and a short, stout witch with short light brown hair and serious dark brown eyes bursts in “overshot again, goddess damn it!” she scowls.

     “You just like keeping us waiting then making a dramatic entrance, Amylia!” Rayanne retorts, with a knowing smirk. Something tells me that not only is this a regular occurrence but that there is more than meets the eye with this group of witches. “Selyna, meet Amylia! Our coven used to be the largest in all of the country, but after  Marlene disappeared, well…most went into hiding or thought it best to break into smaller groups, 4 others here in Salem are mostly made up of former members of ours…we are the ones who remained in the original coven that first set up the treaty

with the Moonlight Dance Pack. The pack garners the name from the ball that is held in celebration of this pact between races.”

     “Giving the kid a little history lesson there, Ray?!” Amylia inquires a bit gruffly with a raised eyebrow then “Shoulda told her this stuff before she got here.” Is there a bit of animosity between these two ? There is definitely some tension.

     “Well, Amy, I was a bit busy between teaching the girl magical defenses and how to control her abilities, trying to figure out her specialty and my duties here to both the coven and the pack. I have been rather  busy and sometimes something slips through the cracks.” Rayanne states with a huff. I have never seen her feathers ruffled like this before, not even when I accidentally made the feather boa she was wearing explode into a shower of brightly colored fluff (lightning is not a strong point for me, I can summon it, but my aim kind of sucks). 

     “Okay, ladies! We don’t want to scare the girl off with your bickering, you should just get it over and done with and move on already!” Kurt chimes in with a sing-song voice and twinkling eyes.

     Both ladies huff but shake hands and turn to me. All eyes are now on me and it feels a little disconcerting until Rayanne breaks the silence .“ Selyna, this will be the first of many unofficial coven meetings for you. On the next new moon we will officially induct you into the coven. We will all be your guides and mentors from here on out. You can share anything with us and it will not leave this room unless you or we feel it is absolutely necessary.” she chimes. I will not tell them about my attraction to Damian, but this  is the perfect opening to bring up the dreamlink.