William
Starshine sat tucked into the small window nook of Legendary’s, her favorite coffee and fresh-pressed juice bar on Main Street in the small town of Red Bluff. Through the glass, she watched Vreni stretch her neck from the open-top Jeep, determined to sniff every passerby moving along the sidewalk.
Curled into the solitary corner booth with a warm peppermint mocha cradled between her hands, Star let her thoughts wander, as they often did whenever she came into town alone. She was still struggling to adjust to the new shape of her life after Akash’s death and the burden of being gifted by all five elements. Endless visits from fellow coven members and constant calls from the Elders had eventually driven her to seek refuge away from the ranch whenever she could. With her brothers’ help, she had earned her driver’s license and started making biweekly trips to Mt. Shasta, where she found comfort at Akash’s parents’ home.
They understood her need to escape the pressure constantly surrounding her, and they welcomed her without expectation or obligation. Best of all, when she stayed there, no one spoke about her gifts or tried to explain what the Elements wanted from her. There were no lectures or whispered conversations about destiny and responsibility. Instead, there were quiet walks through the forest with Akash and peaceful afternoons spent lakeside with him and his parents.
One condition Algiz had insisted upon was that Vreni accompany her whenever she left the property. What had initially felt excessive had quickly proven to be a blessing, especially after Star discovered the dog possessed gifts of her own.
Somehow, the Elements had connected them through vision. The realization had come unexpectedly one afternoon when a neighboring coven member arrived at the ranch unannounced. Vreni had been sunbathing on the porch while Star rested upstairs in her room. Without warning, Star's sight shifted and she realized she was seeing through the German Shepherd’s eyes. Since then, Star had learned Vreni could see people’s auras and share what she saw through their connection. Deep down, she suspected there was far more the remarkable dog could do.
Her thoughts drifted toward the rest of the day ahead. Her first tutor was arriving at the ranch, and the idea unsettled her more than she wanted to admit. She had no idea what to expect from this unfamiliar witch. Months earlier, shortly after her display of power against the demon army, her aunt and uncle had left in search of instructors who could strengthen the siblings’ abilities while fitting naturally into the family dynamic.
During their absence, her brothers had taken over responsibility for both their own herd and their uncle’s. Long mornings and even longer afternoons had become routine beneath the added workload. Star helped whenever she could. All of them had followed Algiz’s advice to use magick as often as possible to ease the labor. Even so, nothing could make her comfortable with the idea of strangers living under their roof. Still, she reminded herself that Algiz had negotiated the best possible arrangement for everyone. The Elders had originally intended to send her away to each instructor’s home, but her brother had convinced them to allow the tutors to come to the ranch instead. It was the only compromise she could tolerate.
Star continued sipping her coffee while keeping an eye on Vreni outside the window. Lost deep in thought, she almost missed the sound of her name being called from across the shop.
“Starshine? Starshine Erdriech? It is you, right?”
She looked up to find a man in his early twenties approaching her table. He was slender, with carefully styled brown hair, pressed jeans, and a pale blue polo shirt. His broad smile revealed unnaturally perfect white teeth that matched almost too neatly with his hazel-green eyes. Stopping beside the booth, he extended his hand. “I’ve been told so much about you,” he said, waiting expectantly.
Star remained seated, immediately wanting the stranger to turn around and disappear back to wherever he had come from. Since the encounter with the demon who had nearly killed her, she had grown deeply uncomfortable around unfamiliar people. Outside her family, she trusted almost no one. Her gaze dropped to his outstretched hand with obvious distrust. “I don’t do that anymore,” she said flatly.
He jerked his hand back at once and awkwardly rubbed his palm against his jeans. “Oh. O-o-of course you don’t. I should’ve known that. I-I-I’m sorry,” he stammered.
Star said nothing. She simply continued staring at him, waiting for him to explain himself.
“M-my name is Will. William, actually. May I sit down?” he asked, motioning toward the empty seat across from her.
Without speaking, Star extended her boot beneath the table and planted it squarely on the bench he intended to occupy. The message was unmistakable.
Will noticed immediately and wisely accepted the warning for what it was. Swallowing nervously, he tried again. “L-l-let me start over. My name is William Heiler. I’m supposed to be at your house today to begin teaching you. I just stopped for coffee before heading the rest of the way to the ranch and happened to see you here.”
Though her suspicion remained, Star slowly removed her foot from the seat and motioned silently for him to sit. Will carefully placed his coffee on the table before sliding into the painted booth seat. Raising one hand awkwardly, he turned it over as though still embarrassed by the failed greeting. “I should’ve known about the hand thing,” he admitted. “After everything you went through with that demon, it makes sense. I wasn’t thinking.”
Star immediately narrowed her eyes and leaned farther back into the corner of the booth. “How do you know about that?” she asked, anxiety sharpening her tone. Allowing him to sit suddenly felt like a mistake.
“Oh, well, everyone knows about that.” His excitement returned immediately, his words quickening. “What your family and coven went through is being talked about everywhere. Witches all over the continent are telling stories about what happened with your coven and the demon army. You guys are practically celebrities.”
The enthusiasm existed entirely on his side of the conversation. As Star studied him, the possibility that the man sitting across from her might be slightly unhinged crept steadily into her thoughts. Quietly, she began considering the safest way to remove herself from the situation. She briefly thought about reaching out to Moondust, but she knew her twin was in Paradise visiting a girl from their coven he had reconnected with at their Awakening celebration months earlier. They had become nearly inseparable since then, and Star didn’t want to interrupt him for something he couldn’t realistically fix from that distance. Texting Algiz or Raidho wouldn’t help much either. Even if they left immediately, it would still take them twenty or thirty minutes to reach her. The reality of being alone settled heavily over her, forcing her to accept that she would have to handle this herself.
Sizing Will up carefully, she decided he wasn’t much of a physical threat. He wasn’t weak, but compared to her brothers, he still looked painfully untested. “Celebrities, huh?” she repeated coolly, tapping one fingernail against the tabletop. “You want to know what I think you can do—”
A hand settled over hers before she could finish. The touch startled her for only a fraction of a second before recognition settled in. She didn’t need to look beside her to know it was Akash.
“Easy, Shiny,” he said softly, rubbing the back of her hand. “He’s telling you the truth. He is who he says he is. He’s the first witch coming to tutor you.”
Relief immediately flooded William’s face as he turned toward the apparition. “Thank you! I really am who I say I am,” he blurted. “You must be Akash. Wow, man, what a pleasure to meet you.”
Akash offered him an easy smile, attempting to smooth over the tension Star clearly had no interest in easing herself. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
William adjusted his coffee cup nervously. Though the strain between him and Star remained obvious, Akash’s presence had softened it slightly. “I think maybe I gave the wrong impression,” he admitted sheepishly. “Is it possible to have a redo?”
Akash gently squeezed Star’s hand, silently encouraging her to engage more politely, but she had little interest in accommodating a stranger who had interrupted the only peace she had managed to find all week. Instead, she turned her attention back toward the window, watching Vreni continue her determined attempts to sniff every person who walked past the Jeep.
“Perhaps we can use this opportunity to get to know each other,” Akash suggested smoothly, redirecting the conversation toward Will. “Is there anything you’d like to know about us, or anything you’d like to tell us about yourself?”
Visible relief spread across William’s expression. “Well, I suppose I can start with where I’m from,” he said eagerly. “I drove here from Salem, Oregon. That’s where my coven lives. My elemental gift is Spirit, obviously, though mine manifested a little differently than most witches’. I was actually born with it. My Awakening just made it official and opened more doors for me regarding the spirit realm.” He glanced toward Star again. “Honestly, I’m excited your aunt and uncle chose me.”
Star still didn’t acknowledge him. She knew Akash would never embarrass her by correcting her behavior in front of someone else, and she had no desire to pretend friendliness she didn’t feel. As far as she was concerned, Will had intruded upon her peace, and she saw no reason to make him comfortable. Outside, Vreni noticed Star watching her and immediately shifted her attention toward the man seated across from her owner. Closing her eyes briefly, Star silently asked the shepherd to show her William through the dog’s sight. Vreni obeyed instantly.
Focusing on the connection between them, Star felt her vision shift. When she opened her eyes again, both hers and Vreni’s had turned completely white. She saw William sitting before her, his aura swirling with shades of orange and green. He was a perfectionist, thoughtful and helpful. Those were all traits she could work with. Taking a slow breath, she blinked and severed the connection.
Akash paused mid-conversation to squeeze her hand again. “Did you see what you needed to see?” he asked quietly.
Still resting her cheek against her palm, she gave him a small nod.
“Am I missing something here?” William asked uncertainly.
“Star?”
Melanie, the owner of the coffee shop, emerged from the back office with concern already written on her face. Seeing an unfamiliar man sitting across from Star was unusual enough to immediately draw suspicion. Star had no doubt Raidho had asked Melanie to keep an eye on her whenever she came into town, and knowing her brother, he had probably made similar arrangements everywhere she frequented. “Is everything all right here? Do you want me to call your brother?” Melanie asked.
Star caught the nervous glance William shot toward the older woman. “No, Mel, everything’s fine. This gentleman was just about to leave,” she said, forcing a reassuring smile.
“Okay... are you sure, Hun?” Melanie pressed gently, positioning herself so William couldn’t clearly read her expression.
“I’m sure. Thank you, though,” Star assured her.
Melanie lingered another moment, carefully studying William as though committing every detail of his face to memory. “All right then. But if you need anything, you come get me.”
“I will. Thank you,” Star called after her.
William waited until Melanie disappeared back into the office before nervously looking back toward Star. “Should I be worried?” he asked.
Star grabbed her purse and slipped the strap over her shoulder as she slid out of the booth. “Yes, you should be worried, William. Right now, Melanie is in her office calling my brother Raidho to warn him about you.” She motioned toward the door. “Now grab your stuff. You can follow me to my house.”
Algiz and Raidho stood side by side on the porch when Star pulled into the turnout in front of the house. William followed directly behind her in his small two-door Nissan Altima. The brothers met their sister at the bottom of the porch steps as she made a beeline for the front door.
“He’s all yours now,” she said, giving each of them a kiss on the cheek. “I’m heading upstairs to lie down. I feel a headache coming on.” In truth, her head was perfectly fine. It was the conversation she knew was about to take place that she wanted no part of.
“Understood. Let me know if you need me, Shiny,” Algiz called after her before turning his attention toward the stranger climbing out of the car.
William closed the driver’s-side door and froze briefly at the sight of the two men waiting for him. Trying to steady his nerves, he started toward the porch. He had never personally seen men built like them before—tall, broad, muscular, and carrying the size and presence of professional linebackers. Standing shoulder to shoulder with their arms crossed, they looked deeply intimidating. The closer he came, the faster his heart began to race. His instinct quietly urged him to turn around and leave.
Sensing the tension immediately, Algiz forced a welcoming smile onto his face and extended his hand as the visiting witch approached. Whatever happened from this point forward would benefit everyone only if the relationship began on decent footing. He introduced himself and Raidho politely before excusing himself to step inside and grab drinks for the three of them.
Raidho motioned for William to take one of the patio chairs before lowering himself into another. “So, you already knew I was on my way here. Star told me about the phone call,” William said, attempting to break the tension. To say the two brothers were intimidating would have been an understatement. He had the unmistakable feeling he was being assessed, though for what exactly, he couldn’t tell.
“Yes. I got a call,” Raidho replied, leaning forward slightly in his chair. His eyes narrowed just enough to sharpen the pressure behind his stare. “But I do have a question for you. Has no one ever taught you not to approach women when they’re alone in public? It scares them.” His tone remained serious. Raidho had never taken kindly to strangers approaching his sister while she was alone.
Algiz returned a moment later carrying three beers. He handed one to William before settling into a chair of his own. The younger witch looked noticeably paler than he had a few minutes earlier, immediately confirming that Raidho had been intentionally applying pressure.
William swallowed a heavy drink from the bottle before answering. “No. I usually stick to approaching people of the same sex, if you know what I mean,” he admitted shyly, avoiding eye contact.
The atmosphere on the porch shifted almost instantly. Algiz laughed as he slapped Raidho lightly on the arm. “Oh! Well, that explains why our aunt and uncle chose you. That makes sense now.”
William stiffened immediately. “You think they chose me because I’m gay?” he asked, offense flashing across his face. “I’ll have you know I’m very experienced in my craft and more than qualified to teach your sister.”
Both brothers chuckled softly, amused to finally see something other than nervousness from him. “My brother,” Algiz replied, “you’re misunderstanding us. We have no doubts about your abilities. Our aunt and uncle wouldn’t have chosen you if you weren’t completely qualified. It’s obvious they favored you because you’re young enough to connect with her without getting tangled up in romantic feelings.”
His tone shifted as he continued, growing quieter and more serious. “You see, the light in our sister seems to be gone. We haven’t seen her smile since the day he died.”
William’s expression faltered as he listened.
“We miss her laugh,” Algiz continued, staring absently out across the property. “She always had this laugh that made everything around her brighter. I can’t wait for the day it comes back.” A faint sadness crossed his face. “Her smile too.”
Raidho reached over and gave his brother’s knee a quiet, supportive pat before continuing. “This entire ranch has felt different without it,” he said before looking back toward William. “And you need to understand something else. She didn’t ask for any of this."
He shook his head slightly, seeming to drift elsewhere in thought before refocusing. “She doesn’t see it as a gift. To her, it’s a burden she got saddled with. She knows she has to go through this training. The coven made her responsibilities very clear. But that doesn’t mean this is going to be easy for you. So whatever she says or however she acts, don’t take it personally.”
“But Akash is still here,” William said carefully. “I met him at the coffee shop.”
“There’s a difference between being here and really being here,” Algiz explained quietly. “You can’t marry a ghost. You can’t build a future with one. So yes, technically, he’s still around, but not in the way she needs him to be.”
William sat silently after that, nursing his beer while staring at the ground near his boots. Everything he had imagined about this experience was beginning to unravel in his mind. Instead of arriving at the home of some celebrated Queen witch surrounded by confidence and grandeur, he had stepped into a family still carrying grief so heavy it lingered in the air around them. “Is there anything else I should know?” he finally asked.
“I’m sure there’s plenty,” Raidho answered, “but we’ve given you the important parts.” He pushed himself to his feet and motioned toward the driveway. “Now, if you want to grab your stuff, I’ll show you where you’ll be staying.”
William stood quietly in the guest room, taking in the space around him. The old farmhouse was beautiful. Someone had clearly gone to great lengths to ensure any guest staying there felt welcome. A queen-sized bed sat against the wall beneath a handmade quilt stitched with delicate lavender flowers. Nearby stood an antique dresser with a small television resting squarely on top, while a matching dressing table and bench occupied the far corner of the room. A lavender vase filled with freshly picked meadow flowers completed the space, lending the room a warmth that felt both intentional and deeply personal.
Setting his suitcase on the bed, William began unpacking as Akash emerged quietly from the corner of the room. “They’re wrong, you know?” Akash remarked. “She does smile. It’s when we’re together and I can get her to forget. It doesn’t last long, but she does smile.”
William paused midway through unpacking and sat down on the edge of the bed. “I’m starting to think I’m here to do more than teach her,” he admitted.
“Well, Tunie has a good feel for what this family needs. I like to believe he saw something in you that’s more than magickal,” Akash replied.
William pulled a green polo shirt from his suitcase and carefully folded it before placing it into one of the dresser drawers. “I don’t know what that would be. Honestly, I selfishly thought coming here would be a great opportunity to showcase my skills. If I’m being honest, though, my instincts are screaming at me that this entire family—hell, this entire place—is broken. It’s not just Star.”
Akash quietly nodded in agreement. “I think you’re right. I want to believe there was a time this family was happy and filled with nothing but love. If you knew their history you’d realize love has never really been the problem.” His expression grew thoughtful as his gaze drifted toward the suitcase resting between them. “Happiness, though... that’s something that’s eluded them for nearly their entire existence.”
“You’ve known them your whole life,” William said. “What should I know?”
Akash sat down beside the open suitcase. “They’re powerful,” he explained. “And I don’t mean powerful in the sense that they know a few impressive spells. I mean powerful as in change-the-rotation-of-the-Earth powerful. You’re going to see them do things you’ve never witnessed before, things you probably didn’t even know were possible. The strange part is, they treat it like it’s nothing special because, to them, it isn’t. They’ve always lived this way. Their abilities are woven into everyday life.”
Leaning slightly forward, Akash held William’s gaze. “They’re like a pack of wolves, Will. Trust me, you want to be accepted into that pack. The best way to make that happen is to be yourself. No pretending. No bullshit. They see through fake people almost instantly.”
“So just be me,” William repeated quietly, though uncertainty lingered in his voice. Embarrassment crept into his expression as he nervously twisted the shirt still resting in his hands. “I’m not so sure that’s a good thing. These guys don’t exactly seem like the kind of people who would accept the me that is me.”
“Hey.” Akash reached over and gently lifted William’s chin so they were looking directly at one another again. “Don’t judge them before they’ve had the chance to know you, and they won’t judge you. That’s not who they are.”
The simple kindness in Akash’s voice eased something unsettled inside William. In a place that still felt unfamiliar and intimidating, the tenderness was unexpectedly comforting. William gave a small nod, silently agreeing to give the family a fair chance. “I’ll do my best,” he said softly. “Will you help me?”
“I want to see everyone here succeed, so yes, I’ll help every step of the way.” Relief flickered across Akash’s expression as he spoke. “I love her, Will. I want her pain to go away. I just don’t know how to do that. Maybe having you here will help her heal.”
William smiled faintly before placing his hand over Akash’s. “I’ll do my best. And thank you for this talk. I needed it.”
Once Algiz and Raidho had William settled into the house, they headed back outside to continue their chores. They were hauling feed into the barn when the crackle of tires along the long gravel driveway drew their attention. Thinking it might be Moondust returning from his visit to Paradise, they stopped what they were doing and stepped out from the grain room to meet him. Instead, they found a top-of-the-line heavy-duty black truck pulling a long four-horse trailer with living quarters. A brand neither of them recognized was painted across the side in elegant lettering: M.R., for Místico Ranch.
As the truck rolled to a stop beside the horse paddocks, Algiz and Raidho started toward it to greet their unexpected visitors. The back door swung open, and Kai stepped down from the cab. Algiz hadn’t seen her since the afternoon of the demon battle months earlier. He had hoped she would stay afterward so they could talk, but he had been forced to leave almost immediately to deal with the wayward witch and the monster he served. By the time he returned to the ranch, everyone who had fought beside them was already gone, including Kai and her family.
She crossed the yard toward him looking as beautiful as ever in fitted jeans and a simple white tank top, her oversized cowgirl belt buckle glinting beneath the afternoon sun. The sight of her brought an immediate smile to his face. Opening his arms, he silently invited her closer. The moment she stepped into his embrace, he lifted her from the ground and spun her once, one hand cradling the back of her head as he kissed her deeply.
“Hey now, Cowboy. That is our sister you’re molesting there,” a familiar voice called from behind him.
Algiz turned to find Kai’s brothers, Wynono and Calian, sauntering toward him with amused grins stretched across their faces. Laughing softly, he set Kai back on her feet before stepping forward to greet each of them with a quick embrace.
Wynono eyed the hand Algiz extended toward him and smirked knowingly. “You sure about this, Brother?” he asked.
Algiz smiled back without hesitation. “Take the glove off, Brother. I’m sure.”
He knew exactly what he was agreeing to. After their first meeting months earlier, he had never forgotten Wynono’s ability to read memories through physical touch.
“Well, all right then,” Wynono chortled as he removed the glove and clasped Algiz’s hand. Instantly, he was pulled through fragments of Algiz’s memories. Judging by the expression crossing his face, he clearly approved of what he saw. His sister’s heart had chosen well.
Raidho cleared his throat loudly. “Do I get a formal introduction?” he asked dryly, drawing everyone’s attention toward him.
“Of course,” Algiz replied. “Ray, this is Wyn and Cal, Kai’s older brothers. They were here helping us during the battle a few months ago.”
Raidho extended his hand politely, oblivious to either man’s abilities. Wynono had already slipped his glove back on before returning the gesture. “I remember seeing you both out on the field,” Raidho said. “Your fighting skills were impressive. You must be our trainers?”
“Sure are,” Wynono answered. “And you’re the Mind-Walker. We got to watch you work that day, and honestly, it was impressive. Your aunt and uncle speak highly of all of you.”
“It must’ve been one hell of a drive,” Raidho said. “What do you say we get those horses out of the trailer and let them stretch their legs?”
“That’d be nice,” Calian agreed. “Your uncle told us you’re managing his herd along with your own, so we figured you could use some extra help. Think you’ve got room for three more horses in the paddocks?”
Out of the corner of his eye, Raidho noticed Algiz and Kai standing close together again, hands intertwined as they gazed at each other with the unmistakable look of people who had spent months thinking about one another. Suppressing a grin, he assured her brothers they had plenty of room before offering to help unload the horses and settle them in. The three men headed toward the trailer, intentionally giving Algiz and Kai a few moments alone.
“Come sit with me for a minute,” Algiz said softly, guiding her toward the porch.
“I’m really sorry about leaving without saying goodbye,” Kai admitted once they were seated.
Algiz settled into the chair across from her with a faint smile lingering on his face At first he said nothing. Silence wasn’t natural for him, but neither was dishonesty. The truth was that her disappearance after the battle had hurt him. It had not been deep enough to breed resentment, but it had left a lingering ache behind. After everything that had happened—especially the sudden trip to Mt. Shasta and the chaos that followed—it would have been nice to have someone to talk to. He knew she was waiting for him to answer, but the words came slowly. His silence made Kai visibly uneasy. She understood he deserved an explanation.
“After seeing your sister in that condition, I thought it was best not to give you anything else to worry about. Not me... not us,” she explained quietly. “Word spread so fast about her gifts that everything became overwhelming. My father thought your family needed space. He knew you had things to work out with your coven, and he didn’t want me getting in the way.”
Kai struggled to maintain eye contact, shame creeping into her expression. Algiz finally reached across the small space between them and took both of her hands into his. “I understand,” he said gently. “I’m not going to pretend it didn’t bother me, though. There was a lot happening, and honestly, I was responsible for a good portion of it.” His thumbs brushed softly across her knuckles. “So how about we start over and agree not to let that happen again?”
Algiz lifted one hand to brush a loose strand of hair away from her face before smiling warmly at her. “Besides, I see you coming back as a gift—one I’m not willing to return.”
