Ancestor's Enchantment Trilogy

Prologue.

The sun was long past setting as the six gathered deep in the darkness and began moving through the trees. Their only light was that of the luminescent moon at its fullest. The youngest of the six led the way, she may have been the least in years, yet the others knew she was the one that held all the strength.

In her wake, each would turn and check their trail to be certain no one followed. If their parents were ever to know, it would be the end of them all. The power and gifts they held secret had been discovered quite by accident a few years before, since that time they had honed their great skills of true magic.

Eden quickly caught up to her sister at the front, a sister of choice and not from blood. Ducking her head, she whispered as close to Alana’s ear as she possibly could. “Do you know of the reason for the summoning?”

Alana shook her pitch-black hair back from her face. “I do not.” She turned towards the lake and increased the pace of her step. Peering back over her shoulder, she gauged the others closeness and then spoke as soft as a breeze. “A dark feeling has filled me for many days past, I fear it is not for good reasons we gather on this autumnal night.” She patted the bundle she carried from a cord at her side. “We must be wary and prepared.”

Eden inhaled sharply and dropped back a pace. “I shall caution Bridget.”

Alana only lifted her face to the moon’s rays and continued on. Turning to look quickly at the three that walked a ways behind, heads close together, she turned and gave Bridget a stare to bring her to hasten her movement forward. As soon as she was within hearing, she whispered to the ground. “Alana has dark feelings-yet again.”

Bridget sighed quite loudly. “I have been a feared of such since two days’ past, she walks about with that crease on her brow and my guts supposed it was to be brusquely that our scheme was at hand.”

Eden nodded, but daren’t say more for fear of the others overhearing.

Once reaching the lake, the six spread out the distance between their bodies, in habit, a circle was formed. Alana set her bundle upon the ground at her feet and turned to the eldest among them. “Having done as you stated, not one of us has uttered a query for this assembly you have called, Ella.” She looked around at her sisters of her choosing to see their rapt attention on the one she spoke to. “Do end our curiosity, sister, and share the meaning, if you please.” She kept her focus on the crimson-haired sister, watching for a sign she prayed would not be revealed. Ella flipped her long locks back as she let her eyes move over each girl present. The last she looked upon was Alana, as she knew to be common with her.

“It is my right to call each of you–as only sisters of our circle apt to do.” Lenora and Jane were the only of the five that agreed readily. “The year is now one thousand, six hundred eighty-five. It has been five years past, since the night we found our way to one another, as we are. I have a wish to ensure the threats to our very lives are secure and to behold a power that we six are deserving of.”

Alana shook her head when Eden inhaled raggedly. “Sister, Ella, have we not spoke of this to the point of tiring? The hunts have ceased, no more shall be accused nor sought. We are here, each one of us safe.” She glanced at the others and found the group was as she knew it to be, split into two groups of three. “Not once during the trials and fearsome times did even one come to think of us as a sort of betrayer to the word...”

“Alana, child, you are what now? Ten and three years?” Ella smiled in that maddening way she had. “I, having five further years on yours can feel it in my bones, these outrageous happenings are not at a cease and we are very much in need of ensuring it does not come to pass again.”

Alana dropped her head down and let her black hair cover her face whilst she sought out the vibrations of the others dear to her heart. Lifting her face, she beheld the moon hanging over the lake. “We are but children, Ella. As god-fearing as any that step in the arch of our church, we have nothing to fear.”

“We have everything to fear!” Ella’s voice rose through the silence of the night. “I shall be a betrothed woman in a short time and then what will become of me when my husband discovers what I am?”

Eden replied before Alana had the chance. “I am certain William will be ignorant of your habits, sister. How would he ever find a clue unless you told him you are a witch of magicks.”

Lenora stepped forward and shook her head. “In less than the years we have been together, each of us shall be wives–then what shall we ever do?”

“I agree,” Jane said quietly. “In one year’s time, I too will be set to marry.”

Bridget lifted her head and glared at Jane. “Whoever shall marry you shall get what he has coming to him.”

Tiring from the words they had all said to her many times before, Alana raised her hands in the air and sent a gust of wind through the circle. “I cannot bear to hear this again, sisters.” She turned and watched as Ella and Jane nodded to one another. “I am not taking part in your scheme of evil darkness.”

Ella snorted in an unpleasant manner. “You would break your word to each present here?”

Alana took a step back, bringing her close to the water’s edge. “I would not.” Her eyes quickly met that of Eden and Bridget before she finished. “I would choose to revoke all that I have been given than do unjust things to others that cannot defend themselves from your dark ways.”

Lenora gasped. “You would not...”

Alana raised her hands. “I would exactly.”

Jane stepped in front of Ella. “For you to revoke your gifts, would you not be obliged to take all of ours?”

Alana shrugged. “Mayhap it will take all, no one can be certain.”

Ella shoved Jane out of her way. “You would not dare to try, young sister...”

Eden bent down at Alana’s feet and opened the bundle. Alana opened her hands in front of her and bit her lip to stop from hissing as her sister placed a small score on each of her palms. Keeping her focus on the three opposed, she prayed they could not see. When Eden straightened and walked past Bridget, she knew the task was complete.

Alana clasped a hand each of Eden and Bridget and raised their arms; the blood from the shallow scores upon their hands mixed and brought to her a heat of power that only she could have born.

“Sister, Eden, stop them!” Lenora cried.

Alana closed her eyes and felt the winds circle her with recognition. Beneath her feet the ground quivered, waiting for her to speak to it. As she opened her eyes and focused on the three sisters she did not now touch, she felt the spray from the water at her back cover her in small droplets. “I cannot be part of something that goes against all that I feel to be right, sisters.” Tilting her head, she looked at Jane. “Join us in protecting what is just.”

Jane’s eyes widened and for the briefness of a heartbeat, Alana thought there was a small chance she might agree, but she shook her head and stepped beside Ella. Woefulness filled her insides, and even though she knew the outcome days before, her heart begged her to attempt. “Lenora?” Once more she waited even though she knew another sister was lost to her. Lenora backed further away and looked at the sand under her feet. “So shall it be,” Alana whispered.

Inhaling slowly, she raised her eyes to the moon whose rays bound her to the sky above. “I call ...”

“Wait!” Ella’s voice was filled with panic. “We can speak more of this and draw an end that pleases each one of us together.”

The fear jolted into her from the hands she held. Without looking at Ella, she sought to feel what was in her soul. Pain enveloped her heart as the truth coursed into her. “Why speak of falseness, eldest sister? I know what lurks in your heart and I must protect the innocent you wish to cause sufferance to.”

Raising her hands higher she spoke to the night. “I call upon the night and all of her energy, come to me and abet me with this, my last task.” The winds swirled colored leaves around her, she smiled and let the magic wash over, feeling the warm welcome of it just once more. Lightning streaked through the clear sky above, she inhaled the power. “I seek to bind this three and three from doing any harm.” A circle of flames burst around them, flicking as long tongues of three feet high, blocking the outside from entering and the six from leaving. “I send for safe keeping all that we have, the gifts that you gave, to our furthest ancestors to keep within until there is a dire need of them.”

A stinging traveled along her flesh as the energies gathered, waiting for her leave go of. “When a time comes that this three and three be together once more, awaken and come again...” So much power was collecting inside her that she had no choice but to cry a single tear, knowing that this was the last time she would feel it in this body. “Collect inside the generations and carry us forward to a time long from now.” She could hear crying but was not to take a chance to see which sister or sisters it came from. “Select the one that bears goodwill, hold an honest heart, and make her remember. Remember the times of this six and behold the gifts we pass to her.” A clap of thunder sounded across the sky, its cry echoing over the lake until it faded back into the night. “I thank you from deep within and now set you free...”

A strong tunnel of wind gusted through the circle, stealing any more she had to speak. Opening her eyes wider she watched as each sister dropped to the ground, leaving her the last one standing. A burning washed over her, pulling at her until she thought she could bear it no longer, and then it was gone. Emptiness filled her as the flames swallowed into the ground. Behind her, the water was now lying calmly as it had been when they had arrived. The earth was now silent, as it had been. The rays of the moon seemed no more than a light in the darkness, without power and purpose.

A draining feeling passed through her, causing her legs to weaken under her until she dropped onto the sand and panted to seek to breathe once again. Looking around, the others didn’t move, they just lay where they had fallen without a word. When she glanced upon Ella, the hatred was clearly on her face.

“I will have vengeance.” Ella hissed at her.

Alana rolled onto her back and looked at the sky, feeling like nothing more than a child again. “You may seek to strive for such.” She answered softly. “My will shall fall to my kin far from now and we shall see if you find triumph.” To feel nothing but commonness once more—it was wondrous to feel.

Was she floating? See seemed weightless enough to be. Squeezing her eyes shut, she counted to ten before opening them again.

Hovering above a lake, she could see her own shadow cast on the water from the moon above her.

A dream, it had to be a dream. The last time she checked none of her life skills involved floating.

Glancing around, she didn’t recognize the area below her. People were walking through trees, or maybe those were just children...

Where was she?

A void feeling came over her like she was fading...

What was that ringing noise?

Bolting up, Teegan looked around to realize she was in her own living room.

Dropping her head down, she heaved out a loud breath. The dreams were just getting weirder and weirder. She froze—why was she sleeping on her couch? She remembered climbing into bed the night before, didn’t she? Her pills were the only solution her groggy mind gave her. She must have forgotten to take one sometime yesterday. It had happened before, one day blurred with another and she lost track.

Sighing, she reached for the bottle of water. It fell to the floor. Either she was still half asleep or she had just managed to knock a bottle to the floor without even touching it. It was going to be one of those days...

The phone ringing jolted her back to reality. Scrambling across the room, she grabbed it.

“Took you long enough to answer. Come on, we’re going to be late!”

Turning to the clock she gasped. “Cripes! Give me five minutes, Kat.” Hanging up the phone she spun around trying to decide what she needed. “I can’t believe this is happening again!” Running into the bathroom, she quickly brushed her teeth and hair.

Surveying her reflection in the mirror, she stopped and held her breath. When exactly had she put on her long sundress? Turning, she peeked into the bedroom to see the clothes she had taken off the night before sitting on the chair. On the floor beside the bed were the pj’s. What was going on? Was she blacking out now as well as having messed up dreams? Shaking her head, she spun back to the mirror and made the call that the dress stayed, she didn’t have time to find something else to wear. What day was it? Please don’t be Wednesday, she couldn’t handle a meeting today. Tossing the brush onto the counter, she grabbed her makeup bag and the bottle of pills and shook them as she bolted out of the room. “Why aren’t you working?”

Black shoes or white? Hitting the hallway at a jog, she grabbed folders off the table and stuffed them into her bag along with her cell phone. Keys, where are they this time? Shoving a foot into her black pumps as she looked around the room for the ever-elusive keys, spotting them, on the counter, she quickly put on the other shoe and darted over to get them.

Tossing her bag over the seat, she climbed in and slammed the door.

“Four minutes and fifty-two seconds. That’s a record for you, Teeg.”

Huffing out a breath she turned to look at Kat. “I slept in.” Kat made a strangled noise that could have been a snort, possibly a laugh.

“I gathered.” With her usual heavy foot, Kat shot the car into traffic.

Teegan dug through her make-up bag and then flipped down the mirror. “Cripes, I look like a corpse.”

“I’d ask if you had one of your wild dreams again, but I think I know the answer.”

“This is the fourth one in the last two weeks. I don’t think the doctor’s wonderful pills are doing their job.” She attempted to cover the dark circles under her eyes. “I took one at lunch yesterday, didn’t I?”

Kat swerved the car around a cyclist. “They need their own damn lane. Uh, yeah, I’m pretty sure you did take one. Why?”

Checking their path to make sure there were no obstacles before she raised the mascara to her eye, Teegan sighed. “I wasn’t sure if I did. I must not be taking them regularly enough lately or something…”

“Or the doctor’s a quack, I’ve been telling you that all along.”

Teegan dropped her makeup bag into the back seat. “Will I pass as alive?”

A quick glance from Kat made her smile. “You look sexy and exotic no matter what you do. I really hate that you have six miles of perfectly straight undyed black hair you know.”

“Your hair is lovely.”

Kat snorted, “My hair is mud-colored fuzz and we both know it.”

Shaking her head, Teegan leaned back against the seat, it was safer to be braced for anything with her crazy friends driving. “You fit into the cute category and that is a far better thing.”

“Whatever…” Her cell phone buzzed from the dashboard. Grinning, Kat hit speaker. “Hey, Ann. Are you there yet?”

“Early as planned.”

Teegan sat up straight. “New girl there yet?”

“Yep.”

Kat smacked her hands off the steering wheel. “And?”

“I don’t like her.”

“You don’t like anyone.” Rolling her eyes at Kat, she smirked.

“Wrong, well, okay possibly true. She’s snotty and I get bad vibes crawling all over my skin when I look at her.”

Kat tapped her fingers on the wheel as she waited for the light to change. “Last time you had your bad vibes, I ended up having to work for that mutant Ernest.” She accelerated through the light before most other drivers had a chance to even realize it was green.

“We’ll be there in five minutes, Ann. I’m going to hang up before Kat gets us killed.” Reaching over she hung up the phone.

“Hey. I wanted more intel.”

Teegan smiled at her. “We’ll get it firsthand shortly.”

Hurrying to her desk, she tossed her purse into the corner and sat down. How could she not know what day it was or what she was supposed to be doing? Her phone buzzed, signaling to her the work day was about to begin and her boss wanted her already. Hitting the intercom button, she let out a silent breath. “Morning, Wes.”

“Teeg, I can’t find the layouts for the sports blitz… did I give them to you?”

She flipped through the folders on her desk until she found them. “Got it right here.”

“Good, it’s due by the end of the day.”

“No problem. I just have to get Ann to finish up a few font changes.”

“Bring it when it’s finished.”

She nodded even though he couldn’t see her. “Okay.” Clicking the button off again, she leaned back and sighed. Her brain at least knew the right answers, even if she didn’t. Grabbing the folder, she headed out into the art department. Of course, she could have called Ann from her desk, but she had to at least catch one glimpse of the new girl so her mind would leave that alone and let her get some work done.

Kat came around the corner and held out a cup. “I thought you could use a tea after your brisk start this morning.”

Tucking the folder under her arm she accepted the cup and cradled it between her palms before inhaling the steam. “Thanks.” Blowing on it, she started walking again. “Ann in work mode yet?”

Kat snorted. “More like wrath mode…”

“What? Why?”

Kat looked at the floor as someone walked by. “They put the new girl in her space.”

“Oh. Bad.”

“Yeah and then some.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Kat grinned wide. “Thought you might Miss Director, can’t have your top graphics designer on the warpath.”

As they reached Ann’s room, a tall redhead came strutting out. She brushed right past Teegan, almost causing her to wear her tea. With her mouth hanging open she turned to watch the woman in the too-tight red skirt wiggle her way down the corridor.

“That was the new girl, Celia Barnes,” Kat whispered.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Obviously, the material binding her butt in was under a lot of pressure, it looked like it didn’t even move when she did.

“Nope.”

“No wonder Ann is hissing.”

“I am not hissing. I’m pissed. There is a difference.” Ann leaned against the door and watched the redhead disappear around the corner.

“You wanted help...”

“Help doesn’t mean I have to share my space, Teeg.”

Teegan watched the way the redhead’s hips swayed in the tight skirt, everything she disliked about some women was right there. Hope she trips. As if she’d pushed a button the woman stumbled over an invisible bump on the carpet. Maybe today won’t be so bad after all. Smirking, she cleared her throat and turned back to Ann. “I’ll talk to Wes and see if there is somewhere else we can put her.”

Ann beamed at her. “Thanks.” She pulled the folder out of her hand. “This the blitz layouts? I have some ideas...”

“Teegan.”

Turning she spotted Wes standing at the door of his office. “Yes.” Beside her Ann would be purring, she had a thing for the blond Greek god-like superior. Trying to see him from Ann’s yummy classification scale didn’t work for her. He was just Wes, her boss, confidant, and blond pretty boy. Dark and dangerous was what set her motor humming, unfortunately, there were no men in that group here at work… or anywhere that she’d ever found.

“Can you gather everyone to meet in the boardroom in an hour? I have an announcement.” Adding his best pretty-boy smile, knowing that she didn’t like unplanned meetings he turned and went back through the door.

Kat leaned closer. “What announcement?”

Gnawing on her lower lip for a few seconds, Teegan shook her head. “No idea, but I’m going to go find out.”

Wes was sitting behind his desk looking at his watch as she came through the door. “That was fast, less than two minutes.”

What was with everyone timing her today? Closing the door behind her, Teegan leaned back against it. “Announcement?”

“I’m great today, thanks for asking.” He flashed a bright smile.

“Teeg, I can’t find the layouts for the sports blitz…” Grimacing at her own imitation of him, she pushed away from the door and headed over to the chairs. “Sorry, it’s been one of those days from the second my eyes opened.”

Frowning, he leaned forward and studied her. “Everything all right?”

“Just another bad night, at least I think it was bad.” Did she tell him she had changed clothes in her sleep?

He stood up and moved around to lean on the desk. “Dreams are back?”

“Yeah, and they’re crazier than before.”

The concern on his face was evident. “Have you been back to the doctor?” She shrugged. “Maybe you need to see a new doctor?”

Standing up, she went over and stood right in front of him. “Maybe you should stop procrastinating and trying to distract me and tell me what this announcement is all about.”

He laughed. “Busted.” His face went serious again. “Joking aside, don’t let this get out of control. I am going to need you on top of your game for the next while.”

“Why? What’s going on?” She didn’t try to hide the suspicion in her voice.

“One of the top board members is going to be working with us.”

Groaning loudly, she dropped her head down almost to her chest. “Why?” She whined.

Wes laughed softly again and lifted her chin so she was looking at him again. “Because there are going to be some changes shortly and he’s here to assess the situation.” She feigned a pout as he held her face.

“Am I interrupting?”

They jumped apart and turned towards the man standing at the door. Wes cleared his throat. “No, come in.”

Teegan’s heart was in her throat as she studied the man entering the room. He moved like a predatory animal stalking his prey as he took long strides towards her boss. He had shoulder-length jet black hair that was combed back behind his head, so not the style she was used to seeing on men wearing two-thousand-dollar suits. Beneath the suit there were well-disciplined muscles, absent from any unnecessary handles, at least judging by the way he moved that was what he hid under the tailored cloth.

She stifled the urge to be as dramatic as Ann and wave a hand in front of her face. His jaw was broad and could have been molded from steel, from the angle she was getting. As she moved to his eyes, her heart skipped a few beats, dark and dangerous was the assessment her mind came up with. She also noticed those eyes were studying her as aptly as she was him. A man that masculine should be illegal. Sin in a suit was what this man was.

“Teegan.” She turned to look at Wes when she realized he was speaking to her. “This is Leland McKay, the board member we were just discussing.”

Swallowing, she debated for thirty seconds on whether she should speak or extend her hand. Both, she decided as she held out her hand to him. “Teegan Jacobs.” As his large hand closed around hers, shocks buzzed up her arm. Pulling her hand away quickly she met his eyes to see the humor in them. What was that?

“The amazing director you were telling me about? I look forward to working with you.”

When he smiled, she forgot any of the words she was about to speak.

Wes chuckled. “Be warned, Leland, stay out of her path when the deadlines are close, she’ll run down anyone in her way.”

Dragging her eyes away from the man, she glared at Wes. “Speaking of that, I have to go see if Ann has gotten anywhere with those changes.” Get away from him. Giving the sexy giant a wide berth, she smiled sweetly. “Pleasure to meet you. I’ll have everyone in the boardroom in forty-five minutes.” He inclined his head but didn’t speak.

As soon as the door closed, Leland turned back to Wes. “She’s the one.” It wasn’t a question, for he’d felt her power as soon as he touched her.

“Yeah.”

Leland smirked, “And do I want to know why you were holding her when I walked in?”

Wes snorted, “That wasn’t holding her. She wasn’t happy when I told her about you.”

“Ah.” Unbuttoning his jacket, he put his hands in his pockets. “Is there a connection between the both of you?”

Wes shook his head and leaned back against the desk. “Not the kind you think. We’re friends, nothing more.”

“Good.” Moving over, he studied the picture on the wall. “The other one arrived this morning?”

Wes blew out a breath. “Yes, Celia is here now and the energy coming off her is darker than anything I’ve felt before.”

“The council thought it would be strong.” Turning he sent the other man a serious look. “And where is Teegan with everything? Has she realized yet?”

“No, but she’s close. The dreams are coming to her...” Rubbing a hand over his jaw, he sighed. “I’m worried about her, she’s fighting it every step of the way.”

“That’s why I’m here, it’s my place to bring her to realize and accept her destiny.”

Chortling, Wes walked back around behind his desk. “I wish you all the luck in the world, you’re going to need it.”

“I don’t need luck, my friend, I have magic.” Leland grinned wide. “I felt her magic with my own as soon as we touched.”

Wes shook his head. “Years of training isn’t going to help. You can’t force anything on Teeg, she’s a fighter, you’re going to have to get her to trust you… and that, my friend, is a chore. I’ve been working with her for three years and it’s just the past year she doesn’t look at me like I’m a bug she’d like to squash.”

Leland studied him for a long silent moment. “We’ll see about that.”