Page 2 of Which Witch Is Wicked?
“Ow!”
Aerin blurted out a laugh, and Claire straightened to send her a glare. “Shut up and help.”
“I’m sorry, but the only way I touch fish is sturgeon caviar on a toast point.” She shook her head as if questioning their sanity.
“Really?” Claire couldn’t resist the temptation. She picked up the fish that had landed on her and tossed it at Aerin. Her sister grimaced as the large salmon fell squarely on one of her designer shoes. Before Claire could return her laugh, another bounced off the loose bun of hair on Aerin’s head.
Aerin narrowed her gaze as though plotting a counter-attack. “You’ll pay for that.”
She lost her ability to execute her plan when more bodies began to pelt both of them. Sounds of screeching seagulls filled the air as the fish falling from the skies increased exponentially with each second.
“Help me,” Moira called, tears in her eyes. “I can’t do this myself.”
Claire immediately shifted back to business. Surprisingly, Moira’s emotions were enough to spur Aerin into action as well.
A moment later, Tierra came toting an aluminum basin. “I’ll get the hose and fill it.”
“Don’t worry ‘bout that. I’ve got it covered.” Moira moved her lips in a silent prayer, and the skies opened above them. Rain and fish poured down on them like a vicious hailstorm. Only the fish were much bigger than hailstones, and a direct hit hurt like hell.
They scrambled to grab as many fish as they could and stuff them into the basin, even as the birds continued to deluge them.
“We need to figure out a way to stop the seagulls,” Tierra called over the cacophony as she pushed sodden hair from her face.
Aerin snatched a salmon out of the air as she straightened and tossed it toward the mounding pile. “Oh, balls. Why didn’t I think of that? I’ve got this one, sisters.”
She lifted a finger and twirled it, whispering into the misty air.
Leaves in the surrounding trees rustled as though Aerin had roused the spirits inside them. Twigs and rose petals joined in the dance, swirling about them. Seconds later, the heavens screamed as the atmosphere shifted and swept powerful gusts of air toward the open water of the Puget Sound.
Claire could barely maintain her stance as Aerin’s wind turned Moira’s rain into stinging pelts, the force of it nearly knocking her over.
She knelt to the ground and helped cover the pile of fish along with Tierra and Moira. Frightened expressions marked their faces, and Claire grasped their hands. “We’ll deal with this together.”
Aerin conjured gale force winds for a good five minutes, knocking birds and fish out of the sky. When she stopped, the world came to a halt as an eerie silence cloaked them. They all glanced toward the skies and then at each other with wide eyes.
“Are they gone?” Aerin whispered.
“I think so.” Tierra stood, her hair plastered to her face, her normally flowing skirt a sodden mess.
Soft sobs came from Moira’s direction, her shoulders shaking as she wept. Claire scooted closer, wrapping an arm around her. “It’s okay. They’ve stopped.”
Moira lifted her gaze, black tears streaking her lovely face. “Why would the Horsemen do that? Hurt my babies like that? Isn’t it enough that they’re trying to kill us? Why hurt these poor creatures?”
“I don’t know,” Claire said softly as she took in the devastation covering their back lawn. “But look around. We saved most of the fish. There’s no time for crying. We need to get them back to the Sound.”
“We can’t go out there.” Fear burned in Tierra’s eyes. “We’re too vulnerable.”
Claire met her gaze. “I’m not afraid. They might be some big, badass men, but look around. We’re not average women.”
“That’s right.” Aerin inhaled deeply, still looking like she owned the world despite her dripping clothes. “We’re powerful witches. According to the prophecy, we’re capable of ending the world,so don’t fuck with us.”
A tentative smile lit Moira’s face as she glanced at each of her sisters. “Thank you.”
“We’ll all go.” Tierra caught their enthusiasm and stood a little taller.
“Except you,” Claire added, which flipped Tierra’s smile to a pout.
“Yeah.” Aerin sent her a commiserating look. “Momma and the kid need to stay safe at home.”
