Witch Emerging (High Witch Book 2) Read Free Page B

you’re welcome to sit.”
    He didn’t reply, just took the seat. Silence settled between them, but to Hallie’s surprise, it wasn’t all that uncomfortable. She glanced at Nicholas, noting he had pleasant dark eyes and full lips. He smiled at her, and she hurriedly looked away.
    He leaned close to her. “I’m surprised you’re sitting here by yourself. Wouldn’t a beautiful woman like you have men begging to spend time with her? Or do you reject their advances, Hallie?”
    She blushed, but she felt a slight chill run through her. Nicholas was getting a little too personal too quickly. She did reject any man who approached her because she wanted to be left alone. But how did he know? And why would be bring it up? “I—I just like to sit by myself. I’m sorry, I have to get going now. I’ll see you on Sunday. We can meet here at two o’clock, if you like.” She rose.
    He also stood, gazing at her, then reached out and took her hand. He smiled again. “Whatever you wish, Hallie,” he said softly. “I’ll be waiting.”
    Then Hallie felt an odd sensation—cold and wet—in the hand he was holding. She hurriedly moved her hand away and saw a faint sheen of ice fade from Nicholas’ palm. She looked at him in surprise. A warlock .
    He narrowed his eyes, and then he leaned down and put his lips to her ear. “I hear you can do a little more than just scribe, Hallie,” he whispered. “How does the rhyme go? What do the little girls sing?”
    Hallie stepped back, looking at him in horror. She clenched her fists. “That’s not who I am now. I left all that behind. Leave me alone.”
    She pushed past him, purposely shoving him with her shoulder, then hurried to the door. She didn’t look back, just hurled the door open and rushed outside. She heard laughter in her wake and felt her blood boil. How did he know? How did he find her? And who was he? She ran into the warm night, heading home, clutching her small bag to her as she raced. The last thing she ever needed was to be reminded of her past. The last thing she needed was to become upset. Lest she cast a spell. Lest she hurt someone.
    But as she neared her home, she felt her magic pulsing inside of her. No! Don’t come out! No! She hurried down the path to her neat, wooden home and had barely shut the door behind her when a huge wave of light poured out of her. The room glowed in silver radiance as it shone from Hallie’s chest, making her arch her back and freeze on the spot, and then she slumped against the door, the light fading. She struggled to breathe, beginning to sob as all her emotions caught up with her. Dammit, why did this happen! She didn’t want any trouble. She didn’t want to face any problems alone.
    But she was alone. Sean wasn’t going to rescue her now. All she had was herself. The realization made her heart break. She was truly, truly on her own, and if Nicholas was going to cause her trouble, she just had to face it herself. Maybe he was just a cruel man, wanting to bring about a reaction in her. Maybe he wanted nothing more.
    But, deep down, she didn’t think so.
     
    ***
    Nicholas stood outside of Hallie’s home, watching as he saw the enormous glow fade from her windows. He’d magically transported there shortly after she’d run out of the tavern, and had waited for her to arrive. He wasn’t disappointed by the display. He’d suspected she was a High Witch, the one written about in the journal. Seeing such magic come out of her, without her even trying, only confirmed what she was. A regular witch didn’t have that kind of power. He’d found her.
    Just what he needed for his revenge.
     

Chapter 3
     
    Brayden stood in his bedroom later that evening, watching as Rachel, a healer, looked over his wife.
    Ariel lay on the bed after the middle-aged, dark-haired woman had given her a potion as part of a spell to check on the baby.
    Rachel put her hand on Ariel’s stomach, waiting quietly, then a faint glow radiated above