Chapter 1 - Sky
I sighed and looked at the witch in my bed.
“Saoirse darling.” I mumbled at my almost 2 and a half-year-old. She wasn’t actually a witch yet, but give the girl her dues she was powerful at getting her own way. She was fast asleep diagonal taking up most my bed. Hey at least I didn’t have to sleep alone, when all I had myself lately was nightmares. I pulled her into a hug and sniffed the coconut smell of her honey brown hair. She was a little monkey but I loved her to pieces. She was my whole world. Give Dan his credit he still hadn’t proved to be fully pure, but he was an amazing dad and he never let her down. He and his girlfriend were going strong still and he seemed so happy. I couldn’t help but be happy for him. He had defiantly moved on. Now Aaron and I were a different story. We never did get that chance to date, we never did get a chance to be together. When he got home, his dad had wanted him to take over the pack, straight away. Oh and what did he completely forget to mention when we planned to date. That’s right he actually needed to have a next in line himself. This meant I was unsuitable anyway, because we all knew any child from me would be an actual witch, with how strong I am no one doubted all my kids would be witches, they had for century’s no dud had been born from my tree. I think he had wanted me to do something anything. Instead I had just stood there and blinked at him, emotionlessly. I had wanted to cry my eyes out. I had wanted to scream, but I put my emotionless cover on. I still liked him, in fact I still possibly loved him. So 2 guys I loved that I couldn’t be with. Yep I had sworn of guy’s full stop. I was up now there was no chance of more sleep, even if I wanted it. My head was now a whirlwind of thoughts all telling me I needed to be a big brave witch and put a front on, not show how I felt but inside how hurt. I hurt a lot. I got up and went and started making a coffee. I saw Fred asleep on my sofa and rolled my eyes. When the hell did he get here? That’s what I get for giving the guy a key and the spell to take the barrier down around my house to get in when he wants to without disturbing me. I went and grabbed a blanket and chucked it over him, he grunted at me. But he didn’t wake. I went and made us both a coffee. I placed it in front of him on my coffee table. He grunted at me again.
“Hey Freddy what brings you to my house at 6am?” I asked.
“What makes you up at this bloody time.” he moaned at me.
“The guy asleep on my sofa that broke an entry and stripped down to his boxers?” I suggested.
“I didn’t break in I have a key have done for years.” He mumbles into his pillow.
“What if I had a guy round Freddy?” I asked jokingly, it wasn’t likely to happen and we both knew it, not just because I had a toddler asleep upstairs.
“Then it would be a miracle and I would want to meet him.” He told me. I had to smile at him.
“How did the pack in Cuba go?” I asked him.
“fine.” he grumbles at me. I smiled, I slipped onto the sofa next to him not even caring he was just in boxers.
“How did the 4 sermons in Kansa’s go?” he asked me.
“They went fine.” I assured him. We both smiled at each other.
“What was her name?” I asked him.
“Theleia.” He told me, I gave him a look to say I needed more details.
“a Siren witch.” he told me. I nodded.
“So you fell for her call?” I asked him with a grin.
“I fell for her looks and power.” He told me. I rolled my eyes.
“So what does bring you to my sofa at 6am?” I asked him.
“When’s Dans next weekend?” he asked me.
“Today and I take it you knew that?” I asked.
“Well I might have thought I would go see Dan and Ethan.” He admitted. I nodded my understanding.
“You heard where Pure sun is?” he asked me.
“a big group was reported in California.” I said calmly.
“There’s a few in this area as well.” he told me.
“Oh I haven’t had them reported.” I told him worried.
“I know I told them not to bother you.” he told me.
“Hey.” I said.
“Hey yourself.” He told me. I stuck my tongue out.
“You’re the one planning a trip to Disney, I obviously can’t trust you alone.” He told me with a wink.
“I merely suggested that I would like to take Saoirse to Dan to see if it was possible.” I smiled.
“How’s that going?” he asked me.
“He's happy.” I told him.
“Aaron?” he asked me.
“I haven’t gone to council the last 3 as Saoirse wouldn’t settle with her babysitter.” I told him.
“Really and the babysitter clarified that?” he asked with a smile.
“Newt loves me.” I told him. He groined.
“Why don’t you try with him?” He started. I pulled a face, Newt was like a brother same as I felt for Fred.
“I don’t need a guy Freddy. Saoirse and I are happy.” I told him.
“Dan thinks your.” He started.
“What does he think?” I asked interested.
“That you’re dating?” he started I actually laughed I couldn’t help it.
“Okay you caught me I admit it I have a secret boyfriend happy? Can you drop the worry if I do?” I told him sticking my tongue out at him.
“Who may I ask am I apparently dating?” I asked interested.
“Dave.” He told me.
“I’ll tell Dave that.” I told him with a grin.
“Apparently the last 2 times you’ve dropped Saoirse of you’ve been with him.” he told me.
“Cool I’ll tell Dave that we aren’t going to work that instead we are secretly dating.” I told Freddy with a grin.
“Sky next time date a bloody witch.” he groined. I shrugged.
“I am not dealing with the male race, in any species ever again, I told you this when Saoirse was one.” I told him. He groined at me,
“Freddy you go through girlfriends like there a favour of the week, just let me get on with it. you really can’t judge.” I reminded him.
“Well you know what they say.” He told me with a wink.
“You’ve been working out.” I told him looking at his 6 pack.
“that’s not what they say. but I will bite the point out the obvious. You’ve not been sleeping.” He told me.
“Saoirse doesn’t understand that she has her own bed currently.” I told him.
“Sky I heard you when I came in.” he told me.
“I’ve been having nightmares too. I haven’t been able to sleep well in almost two weeks. It’s one of the reasons I came back.” He told me. I took a deep breath.
“Protector says he will come see me and help us if and when I need him, it doesn’t fill me with much confidence that something big isn’t about to happen.” I told him.
“it’s been quiet for two years. Why now?” he sighs. I shrug. I don’t have that answer. I wish I did. I look at Fred Was it strange sat talking to Freddy whilst he lounged on my sofa in his underwear whilst I myself was sat next to him in just a large baggy top that had once belonged to Aaron whilst we were on our last adventure and panties. Like always though the pair of us just ignored the elephant in the room. As far as I was concerned Fred was just one of my best friends same as Newt, same as Ethan, surprisingly Dan and I even had a friendship going after two and a half years of co parenting.
“It’s your weekend child free come out clubbing with Ethan and me. let your hair down and relax for a bit maybe it will help ease some of your tension” Fred suggested.
“Isn’t Dan going with you both?” I asked.
“It’s his Saoirse weekend.” He told me.
“His mum would watch her if he wanted to go.” I pointed out.
“Sky you two get on.” Fred pointed out.
“I know.” I admit, not sure what Freds trying to get at.
“Its been two and a half years. He’s really never going to pass the pure test.” Fred tells me. as if deep down I don’t know that. as if I haven’t accepted that. I was never meant to have a happy ever after. But every day I get with my daughter is a miracle in itself.
“I’m giving him until Saoirse awakens then I’ll give him his memory’s back when she does, so he will understand her.” I told him. He nodded.
“I’m sorry you and Aaron never worked out Sky.” he told me. I weakly smiled.
“It was years ago now Freddy.” I told him, avoiding going into the conversation, I have avoided it for two years now, I can a bit longer. Fred won’t hang around that long after all.
“Have you met his new mate yet?” he asked me.
“She’s from a pack in Alabama, she apparently seems nice. I have only spoke to her once, and that was the last time I had to go to council so was brief. I am sure the two of them will be happy together.” I told him. He looked at me he is suspicious but he doesn’t call me out like he would have once done. we have both grown up over the last two years. We aren’t the same scared 22-year-olds that set out to find faith. We are now apparently strong solid respected high priest and prestress. Yeah, it still feels like a big a lie to me. I suspect it does to him. I still feel like such a scared kid who doesn’t know what to do deep down.
“So you want to go clubbing?” I ask, he gives me a look telling me he knows I'm avoiding, but he doesn't call me out.
“So clubbing?” I said calmly. He gave me a look that said not over.
“You could tell Dan it’s checking out the competition.” He told me with a grin.
“There’s no other reason for us to go accept you want to get me drunk?” I asked. He smiled at me.
“I’m innocent, I just want to have fun with my friends and for us to let our hairs down.” He told me.
“That’s what you said last time you dragged me out.” I told him.
“yeah well I don’t drag you out enough. You need to come out with me more often.” He says.
“It’s funny Dan never addresses our relationship” I say with a teasing grin.
“You and I both know I wipe his memory about our relationship whenever he brings it up you’ve seen me do it. your just trying to get off clubbing” he told me. he seems to decide something
“Come on go get some sleep, busy night tonight.” He told me. I groined.
“I didn’t agree to clubbing.” I point out.
“sure you did, you know I’m not here for long and you know you have no actual plans this weekend that can’t be cancelled.” He points out.
“you checked my Calander?” I ask.
“of course.” He teases me.
“your password is so obvious Sky. We had the talk about obvious passwords.” He points out. Yeah well with all the stuff going on in my head and my lack of sleep I’d likely forget a hard one.
“Night Fred next time I’ll get you your own room in my new house.” I teased him.
“With a real bed please, it sounds good.” he told me. I laughed as I go back to my bed.
I wake up less than an hour later, to Saoirse jabbering excitedly in my ear in Latin about a spider.
“Just tell it to go back to its own home.” I told her. I opened my eyes and was greeted to her holding the spider over me oh that’s why she was talking about a spider, yawning I have to wonder when this became normal for my mornings. Possibly the same time she decided she no longer likes her cot, not that she ever did.
“Hello Mr spider.” I had to laugh. Good thing I really wasn’t squeamish. I stretched out like a cat sunning and yawned pulling my monkey to me and tickling her, she erupted into the sweetest giggles. I had to smile.
“So should we go see Daddy?” I asked her.
“Daddy.” She said now jumping on my bed excitedly. I had to smile. I dragged myself out of bed, got dressed into denim shorts and a white top. Throw a dress for clubbing into a backpack. Then I smiled at my monkey. Got her dressed had the argument about cleaning her teeth that was our usual morning time routine. Pack her rabbit teddy that still went everywhere with her. I had to smile as I heard her discoverer Fred and him start playing with her. Giving me chance to get everything ready. All the stuff she needed packed I went downstairs. Fred was in my kitchen cooking breakfast and coffee. Sometimes I thanked my stars for Freddy, sometimes I wanted to kill him.
“Hey what’s for breakfast?” I asked.
“Well as you’re my guest.” He started laughing.
“For Saoirse and myself I have made scrambled egg on toast.” He told me.
“For you scrambled tofu on toast.” He told me indicating both pots.
“I love you Freddy.” I told him.
“Remember that later.” he mumbled. I shot him a look, not fully trusting me friend.
“Are we taking two cars or are you driving or am I?” I asked him.
“You can drive me, I need gas.” He told me. I laughed.
“Come on then as got to get her to her dads for 1.” I told him with a smile. We sung the ABC in English, Spanish and Latin on the way and did our numbers to 100 in all 3 languages too. I was proud of her. Pulling up outside Dans I smiled at Fred weakly as Dans girlfriend came out to greet up with a smile
“you’re the better person.” Fred told me calmly.
“Hey Tiffany.” I said with a forced smile.
“Hey Sky.” she said with fake friendliness.
“Is Dan in?” I asked,
“Hes just popped to the shop. I can take Saoirse in if you want.” She told me with a fake smile. It had been awkward dropping Saoirse of since the two of them had moved in together five months ago.
“It’s okay I’ll wait, I need to talk to him about potty training.” I said with a fake smile.
“You remember Dan’s friend Fred right?” I asked her.
“Oh hey Fred.” Tiff said trying to appear friendly now, realising someone who was friends with Dan was here.
“Dan never mentioned you were coming?” she said interested. Fred had only met Tiffany once and tried not to again, but he could play friendly. He started chatting to her.
“I just got back from Cuba and plan to go see Ethan today so thought I’d pop in.” He told her with a friendly smile, which practically had her eating out of his hand. Sometimes I wondered if Fred was a secret Siren witch, since finding out about the different powers we haven’t actually been using it, a lot have discovered other hidden gifts. Ruby no surprise had turned out to have a bit of siren. I got Saoirse out the car, she wrapped her chubby arms tightly around me. Not wanting me to go. It would be the whole water works again I take it. I sighed at her. She had used to be fine going to Daddy’s and she loved him to pieces, she even didn’t seem to mind Tiffany, what she hated lately was me leaving. She was going through a clingy stage. Dan arrived then, I saw he had the stuff to feed Saoirse lunch in a bag and smiled. He never went against the vegetarian, I had kind of spelled him to never take her out after sunset to. His parents where spelled the same. They wouldn’t have my baby outside after the sun went down.
“Looks a good lunch.” I told him with a smile as he handed our daughter a plum smiling down at her and she bit straight into it.
“It’s nice to never have to fight to get veg into her.” he admitted.
“Hey Fred long time no see didn’t expect you to be back? I thought you were in Cuba still?” Dan said spotting Fred holding Saoirse’s weekend bag.
“I got back last night.” he told him.
“Thought I’d pop in on Ethan and you, going clubbing tonight before I have to get back to work if you fancy it.” he told him. Dan indicated Saoirse.
“I can watch her if you want to go out with Fred and Ethan.” Tiffany said. I bit my lip, I didn’t like that idea, but it was something I knew I had to live with my shield was big enough to protect my baby even if her dad did take her out nowadays and even if I didn’t have the best relationship my dad he was close enough to get here to protect my baby if something did set of my shield.
“Why don’t you come as well, I’ve convinced Sky to.” Freddy said to Tiff.
“He actually gave me no choice, he was on my sofa when I woke up this morning. I regret giving him a key sometimes.” I tell Dan, with a smile. Tiffany looked at Fred and I confused.
“Hey I cooked you both breakfast what more do you want?” Fred teased me with a smile.
“He robs my kitchen.” I told them with a smile, I knew Fred was helping me de stress.
“Want to come in a bit?” Dan asked me.
“Na its fine, I got to go meet Dave. Got work I should be getting on with.” I said.
“we really need to discuss our next business trip.” I told him calmly.
“Where you going next?” Fred asked me.
“Only one in Texas.” I told him calmly.
“Oh cool, I would love to sit in haven’t been to one with you in a while now” he tells me.
“Your welcome to, you can just do the whole trip for me instead if you want saves me from having to go?” I tell him hopeful.
“What do you do?” Tiff asked Fred.
“I am a partner in Sky’s businesses. It is too complicated to explain what I actually do, but my working holiday in Cuba was a lot of hard work.” he told her.
“Work? One word Fred Theleia.” I told him laughing.
“She was hard work,” he told me. I had to laugh shaking my head, I don’t doubt he works hard, but still, he plays hard to.
“What do your company own?” she asked Fred interested, had I never told her? or was she trying to double check what I say?
“Strip clubs.” Fred said. Dan gave me a look,
“night clubs.” I quickly corrected Fred sending him a look, he is making this harder with Dan right now.
“We only own a few strip clubs, and we are still all tempted to shut them all down. If they weren’t our biggest money maker and we didn’t need some upgrades and upgrades cost.” I mumble. Tiffany gave me a look, looking me up and down.
“You ever worked.” She started.
“All the time how else do you think I get.” I said calmly. Fred looked at me to say shut up that ain’t helping. I did, Dan was giving me looks that spoke volumes about that.
“She’s kidding.” Fred said seriously.
“Well I should get going. Like always I’m a text away if you need me.” I told Dan.
“She’s been going on the potty for the last 3 weeks I think we’ve cracked it during the day, but keep reminding her like last weekend.” I told him.
“If your mum has her tonight let me know and I will ring her there goodnight if not I will ring you to say goodnight to her.” I told him.
“Okay.” he told me.
“Mummy no go.” Saoirse said pulling my legs.
“Mummy’s got to go see Uncle Dave and go for a ride.” I said calmly.
“I mean on my horse.” I quickly added at Tiffany’s mumble.
“Yeah Saoirse was telling me about her new pony?” Dan said.
“She’s a beautiful horse called Unicorn.” I quickly said, ignoring the fact she was a real unicorn who had come to live with us.
“I’ll get you a picture of her when she’s ready to start riding, but she’s not old enough yet I don’t think. She just is learning young how to care for her.” I said calmly.
“Yeah I wish we had talked about it.” Dan started.
“You started riding at 4.” I pointed out. He smiled at me a weak smile, sometimes I possibly surprised him by how much I knew and listened to him. Tiffany gave me an evil look, she had no clue, how tempted sometimes I was to give her a shock and I’m a good witch.
“Text me or ring me if you need me.” I told him.
“Bye Saoirse honey be good for daddy.” I told her kissing her head.
“Mater velit non.” Saoirse said meaning ‘mummy please don’t go.’ I took a deep breath,
“Et bonus Pater feria videbo vos” I told her meaning ‘I will see you on Monday be good for daddy.’ I looked at Dan as if to say sorry, I knew he hated it when she did that.
“Her Latin’s coming on better than her English I see.” Fred told me.
“I’m trying, I have stopped talking Latin around the house and try to and get everyone to mainly talk to her in english currently.” I told them all.
“Latin is easier.” Freddy pointed out to me, not really learning any language is hard.
“Placere mater maneat, manere placet.” ‘Mummy please stay, please stay’ Saoirse begged clinging to me.
“Sorry.” I tell Dan. I gave her a big kiss.
“You’re going to have a great time with Daddy, Mummy’s not even going on a business trip this weekend she is just going to do boring chores.” I told her. Her Lapis Lazuli eyes seemed to judge my words. Then she gave up her fight. I kissed her little head.
“I love you to the moon and back.” I told her.
“I love you. Te amo.” She told me.
“Te amo.” I told her.
“See you later.” I told Dan trying not to cry leaving her is always hard, you would think I would be used to it by now, but it still hurts. I leave though, leaving Fred with Dan glad to get away. I drove the rest of the way to the ranch where my father lives, where Bergljot currently stays, I climb straight on her and ride around the land for a few hours talking to her about nothing and everything. Avoiding people as best as I can as I talk to the unicorn about my issues my life really.
