Page 46 of Of Fate & Forbidden Desire

“Adrina!!” Gladys’ shrill voice filled the small courtyard around us, “what are you doing here?”

“Gladys,” I said, speeding towards her. She’s possibly the only person I know who’s smaller than me, however, that doesn’t stop her from dragging me into a tight hug. “We needed a safe place to rest for an hour or two.” I explained when she stepped back and her gaze focused on my companions.

“And who are your friends Drina?” She asked, her brows pulling together in a confused frown.

“That’s Alyssa and Jace,” I said in a low voice, indicating each of them in turn, before walking back to the car and Charleene’s side, “and this is Charleene.” My voice sounded different even to my own ears as I said her name. Gladys gave me an unimpressed look, her eyes fixed on the way our fingers entwined together.

“Well you better all come in, I’ve got breakfast, come on,” she instructed in her no-nonsense-voice, already striding to the house and propping the door open for us all. Tugging on Charleene’s hand that I still clasped tightly we followed, and from the raised eyebrow Gladys threw at me, I knew she’d be demanding to know what has happened soon. She’d known me long enough now, to know that I didn’t hold hands with anyone and I certainly didn’t bring people on my sparse visits. The Fae came soon after and I began leading the way as Gladys closed the door behind Ally.

“Wow.” Ally muttered as Gladys rejoined the front of our group.

At the same time Charleene said, “You’re so lucky to live here.” Her voice was quiet as she marvelled at the decor around her.

“Yep, it’s a shame that not everyone gets to see Kirby Hall in all its splendour but…” Gladys responded, trailing off and even I’m interested to know what else she was about to say, however she never continues the sentence.

“It’s beautiful,” Charleene complimented, not missing a beat, prodding Gladys to say something else and lose the far away look in her eyes.

“Elizabethan elegance in all its finest.” I heard her pride in the building in each word she uttered.

Gladys lead us into the kitchen she knows I hate. It has a long, black marble worktop, that flows seamlessly into a built-in electric hob, then to a massive Victorian, cream porcelain sink. All the while, a giant fridge-freezer hums away in the corner. In the centre of the room is the old Elizabethan wooden table, filled with pockmarks and burns which had built up over time. Around the table, Gladys had placed ten grey bar stools. I could see the look of confusion plastered on Ally’s face and found myself agreeing with her; what the hell had happened to this kitchen.

"How do you live in such a big place?” Ally queried, making Gladys double over with laughter, “What?”

When she finally calmed down Gladys shoot me an amused look, “Drina, have you been exaggerating again?” She asked fondly, pulling out tinfoil wrapped parcels from the oven, “I don’t live here, Alyssa was it?”

Ally nodded, her eyes wide as she stared at my friend’s back and waited for her to continue.

“I live in a small cottage right on the edge of the grounds.” She explained, placing a package in front of all of us except Dina.

“So why keep this place secret?” Ally blurted, as though she could not stop herself from asking, as she unwrapped the parcel in front of her, revealing a white polystyrene box.

“To protect it over the years.” Gladys answered plainly,

“From who?” Charleene asked, with a mouthful of food.

“Robbers, rich bastards that would want to own it for themselves,” she explained with a shrug, “it’s been in my family for the last couple hundred years or so, and as Witches, it gave us a big enough place to meet.” I watched as Gladys’ green eyes brushed over Charleene. I know she could feel that Charleene’s a witch, I also know how curious Gladys Kingsbrooke is, so her next question didn’t surprise me, “but you should be familiar with Coven practices hmmm?”

What I’m not expecting is how the simple question makes Charleene react. She flinches before shrinking in on herself, almost like a balloon deflating. Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, my brows lower into a frown.

“Charleene doesn’t have a Coven, Gladys, it’s one of the reasons we came here.” I told her.

“No Coven?” Gladys gasps, “what did you do?” she accused, shocking me for a moment when her eyes narrowed into slits at Charleene. Anger surged through me, joined by the fierce need to protect Charleene from Gladys and I wanted to rip her head off as I stared across at my old friend. Opening my mouth, I’m about to tell Gladys just what she can do with her accusations, however Ally’s angry voice beat me to it.

“She did nothing wrong,” she said, her voice firm and unyielding as she pinned Gladys with a look I can’t quite decipher, half derision and half shock if I was to guess, “why would you even jump to that conclusion?”

Gladys’ head snaps towards the Fae with a raised eyebrow and then I feel it. The hairs on my arms began to rise one by one as a static charge began to fill the air around us. I glanced over at Charleene, but other than being pale she didn’t seem to be letting off the magic.

“Because either her Coven is dead or they banished her,” Gladys stated, her voice flat, as she raised a finger and jabbed it at Charleene, “Witches protect our own, so which is it youngling?” she demanded.

“I…I...I don’t know?” Charleene stuttered and her shoulders began to shake.

“Adrina! What have you dragged me into this time, old friend?” Gladys demanded, not taking her eyes off of Ally as the magical current infusing the air grew stronger and stronger. “Why are you travelling with ancient ones and protecting an unknown witch?” Her voice was livid as flames licked across the back of Ally’s hands and I realised it was her magic I could feel building.

Anger coursed through me, anger that I hadn’t felt since I’d been condemned in much the same way by the London Coven for being different from the norm.Never had I thought Gladys would treat another witch in such a way, but here we were and I’d had enough.

“It’s a long story, Gladys,” I stated angrily, slamming my hand down on the scarred table top, making everyone’s eyes bounce to mine, as it shook. “Charleene is part of the Nicnevin coven,” I paused, drawing in a calming breath and holding it for a couple of seconds before continuing and pointing at the two Fae, “and as to those two, they shouldn’t even be here! But they are, so I’ve been tasked with making sure they leave. And hopefully soon.”

“The Nicnevin Coven?” Gladys questioned, “Drina, they haven’t been seen or heard from in what? Twenty plus years! And you’re right about those two, their kind do not belong here.”

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