***
“Shit…” Philip swore, quickly moving towards the three as Agyemang headed inside. He hoped he would be able to keep his sister from going ballistic on the witch until they were able to get some useful information from her at least.
“How about telling us who this bitch and her people are.” Deloris folded her arms across her chest. “What’s your name?”
“Amber.” The witch sighed. “They are warlocks from the Wyatt Clan.” She said without further prompting. “Their bitch of a leader is called Mary.”
“What?” Troy gasped, feeling his heart pound. He moved closer to the witch. “Mary?” There was only one Mary who was a Wyatt warlock and old enough to be a leader. “Are you sure?”
“Of course, I’m sure.” Amber looked Troy up and down.
“Describe her.” Troy breathed.
“What?” Amber gave Troy an incredulous look. “You think I’m lying?”
“Please, Amber…” He whispered. He needed to know whether it was really his guardian who wanted to kill his brother. The Mary he knew wasn’t that vicious.
Something on Troy’s face must have gotten to Amber because she gave a deep exhale and then began to describe Mary. “Red hair, blue eyes…need I go on?” She asked, looking intently at Troy’s suddenly pale face. Troy shook his head slowly, feeling himself go weak at the knee but Amber went on… “Fascinating combination if you ask me.” She said.
“Too unique not to notice. It’s the rarest in the…”
“Oh, will you shut up!” Camille growled.
“Wait, I’ll like to hear her.” Stan grinned. “You were saying…”
“Well, that combination is the rarest in the world.” Amber continued. “It only occurs in less than one percent of the world population. Unique.” She shrugged.
“I’m shocked.” Stan gasped with mock wonderment. “Looks like we have ourselves a nerdy witch.” He chuckled. But although he looked amused, he couldn’t mask the admiration in his eyes.
“Just trying to let him,” Amber tilted her head in Troy’s direction, “know that I know that wicked warlock.”
“Troy?” Philip stopped talking to the three he’d been talking to and called out when he felt his mate’s agitation. He went to Troy’s side and grabbed his shoulder, his eyes filled with concern. “What is it?”
“Nothing.” Troy croaked. “I’m fine. I’ll just go inside and sit with Jeremy.” He said, patting Philip on the hand in a gesture of reassurance but the alpha didn’t look convinced.
“Troy…”
“I’m just tired that’s all.” Troy gave Philip a quick kiss and turned to go. When he got to where his mother stood, however, he stopped and gave her a fierce hug before moving on.
“What do we have here?” Paige drawled, eyeing Amber with veiled interest. “You’re the killer witch huh?” She looked Amber up and down.
“No, I’m not.” Amber rolled her eyes. “Just an errand witch, if you please. She made us promises, you know.” She said. “And I’m going to make sure she keeps her end of the…”
“Aw shut up, bitch.” Camille snapped as the others erupted into laughter. “You’re not exactly in the position to make demands on Mary or whatever she calls herself. After all, you didn’t even meet your end of the bargain.”
“Ryan darling?” Paige turned to Ryan. “How about unfreezing her entire body? This looks weird. A witchy head on Paul’s body.”
“Thank you.” Amber breathed, giving Paige a grateful look. “I feel like a robot.”
“Deloris?” Ryan looked at the warlock. “Should I?”
“Just a moment,” Deloris said as she reached out to pull out a strand of Amber’s hair.
“Ouch…”Amber cried out.
“Aw, don’t be a baby.” Paige cooed.
“Paige…” Stan’s eyes followed Paige with suspicion as Deloris stepped aside to talk to Ryan. “What are you doing?”
“What do you mean?” Paige’s eyes remained on Amber, totally missing the wariness in the eyes of Stan and the others. They were so focused on Paige they didn’t even notice when Ryan held Deloris’ hand and softly chanted with her. “Waiting for this witch to be…” She trailed off when Paul’s body turned to a curvy jean-clad figure right before their eyes. And it wasn’t frozen anymore. But Amber’s reaction to being freed was certainly not what the people standing around expected.
“Oh god, oh god, what did you do?” She gasped shakily as her eyes welled up. “I can’t feel my…” The witch looked distraught.
“We nullified whatever spell you’ve been sent with and stripped you of your powers,” Deloris announced. “You no longer have your abilities. You’re just…normal.”
“Oh my god, please, please, not my abilities please.” Amber shook her head as tears slid down her cheeks. “That’s all I have.” Amber sobbed quietly.
“Shit!” Paige swore as she drew Amber into her arms to everyone’s surprise. Her eyes met Deloris’ over Amber’s head. “Tell me it’s temporary, please.”