Under His Spell (Book 1 of the Avec Series)

Chapter Five

100 years before Esmy's birth

    Selene and Herema looked at each other, knowing the plan was coming along slowly. They have sent so many couples to end the strife, but something always happened to one or the other of them. Everything from greed to taking from each other. The clan and coven have slowly come to a silent truce, not getting along or trusting each other, but no longer all-out fighting. Seeing a semblance of peace but not quite there yet as both sides have taken to just avoiding each other. 

     Even as Morgana's thinly veiled threats at revenge over the loss of her child and husband were all but forgotten by the rest of the coven. Even finding another lover and having a child with him did nothing to ease the pain of her first loss.  They died along with her nearly fifty years ago, her daughter not caring about revenge let that legacy die. But the prophecy must still be fulfilled as there was still turmoil amongst the clan and coven. Although, most of the members are now just repeating stories from their childhood. The elders from them all speaking in riddles about a king of the witches and a white owl bringing peace to the land that was once fraught with violence and fear. 

    Esmy's birthday party

        "Come on Esmerelda, we're going to be late!" Merideth called towards the back of their home, knowing full well that her daughter could hear her. "It's going to take us at least an hour to get to the clan's territory!"

    Esmy looked in the mirror at the flint-colored dress and cloak covering her body. "Today is the day the clan finally accepts me," she told herself in the mirror, " I hope." She knew some members still blamed her for her father's disappearance. Even though he left because my mother threatened to report him to the clan elders for beating me and molesting me. That was the final straw for my mother. She allowed him to beat her but the second he touched me it was game over. The verbal abuse was bad, being called everything from worthless to a w***e when you're still virgin stings and hurts. Your father isn't supposed to do that to you. He isn't supposed to show you his genitals and tell you that you are the one that makes it hard.  She hadn't told her everything, Jared, on the other, did and he was the one that told Merideth. 

    "Esmerelda Jane!" Her mother's voice breaking through her terrible memories and bringing her back to the present. Where a young lady now stands, not a broken little girl that doesn't know any better. Even if they didn't accept her, she was no longer caring what anyone thought. She had to be strong for her mother. 

     "Coming, Mom, sorry" Esmy called out rushing from her room down the hall.

    Merideth's breath caught in her throat as she caught a glimpse of her daughter. Tears began to fill her eyes as she looked at the young woman before her, realizing that this was no longer her baby girl. Merideth knew her time with her daughter was slowly coming to an end. She could feel the changes starting to come in the air. She was tired more often, her job was almost over. She had to keep Esmy safe for just a little while longer. The thought of leaving her broke her heart, but she knew she would be able to watch over her from the heavens. 

     "You look stunning baby," Merideth said trying to hold back the tears but failing miserably. 

    "Mom, don't cry. You'll make me cry and as you said we are already running late. We won't have time to fix our make-up" Esmy said embracing her mother, trying to make her mother laugh. 

    Merideth simply nodded while she sniffled her tears away. "Now is not the time to be sad, your birthday is in seven hours and we will be celebrating shifter style! Are you ready? Do you have a change of clothes and shoes for after the ceremony? Is Sherry ready to meet us?" She fired the questions to her daughter in rapid succession switching from sentimental momma to firm momma bear.

    Esmy grinned at her mother's quick change in attitude and replied, "Yes, and yes, and she is definitely ready. Let's go."

    True to her word as they were locking their front door there was Sherry in all of her bubbly excitedness, wearing a scarlet dress and cape. She figured she better be ready in case she needed to shift with her best friend tonight. There is definitely a weird charge to the air tonight and Sherry isn't sure if it's going to be good or bad. She just knows there's a major change about to happen tonight. 

    They all pile into Merideth's car and head towards the forest between the tiny oceanside village of Avec and the actual ocean to where the night shifter clan held their ceremonies and rituals. On the ride there Sherry and Esmy are talking about the cafe and the little old lady that spoke to them. Being careful to leave out the mention of Mr. Tall Dark Handsome. Merideth's ears perked up when they mentioned a little old lady wearing all red and a crazy hat. 

    " And that's not even the weirdest part!" Sherry exclaimed.

     "oh yeah?" Merideth questioned, " What would that have been?"

     "This weird old lady's eyes seemed to like a cloud over as if she was in a trance and told Esmy that the stories were true, and peace and some junk would be coming," Sherry said confused. " I thought we were at peace!"

    Merideth's hands shook at the mention of " the stories". She knew full well what those stories were. She thought she had more time. 

        shortly after Esmerelda's birth

    "Please, Mitchell, our daughter is destined for great things! I can feel it. Just give me a chance to show you!" Merideth said as she looked down at her baby sleeping peacefully in her arms. Mitchell just giving her an ultimatum because she gave birth to a girl and not a boy. Esmy's silvery wisps of hair gently framing face while she sucked her thumb. 

    "I'll give her four years if she isn't any use to me by then, she's gone." He said heartlessly. 

    Merideth's heart broke as he spoke those words, how could anyone not love their own offspring? "Don't worry my little bird, I will love and protect you with my last breath. No one will harm as long as I can prevent it," she said holding her precious baby close to her heart. 

    That night as Merideth fell into a deep slumber, she was visited by Selene, who looked down at the sleeping bundle in the bassinet beside her. " Yes, dear one, you will do just fine. You will face many heartaches and have to fight many fierce battles but you are so strong," She said as she gently touched the baby's face. As she was doing so Merideth awoke, " Who are you? Don't touch my baby!" Selene turned to Merideth and said, " You have no worries, Merideth, I am Selene, I am blessing your daughter. She will have to fight hard, but her reward will be great as will yours when the time comes. You have vowed to protect her with your very being, for that you will be given a wonderful reward. You will be her protector until it is time for her fated one to take over. I will drop in from time to time to remind you of your duties, but never fear for you are stronger than you know." With that she was gone as silently she appeared.

      present time

    "Those are old fables, girls, nothing but an old lady rambling," Merideth reassured them as they were pulling up to the clan's canopies. Tonight was not the night to tell Esmy about her fate. She wanted her to have a great night. " Now, let's get ready to party!"