Page 22 of Captive Witch

“Jazelle,” Gideon snaps, his tone tired. “Please, the questions. You’re like a rabbit with the way you just spit one out after the other.”

She glares at him, huffing. “At least I know how to win Adara over instead of moping around like a big baby all the time.”

I cover my mouth as a laugh escapes me, quickly closing my eyes.

“Close your eyes,” he says slowly, almost growling. “Connect to your wolf, and try to find your way into their inner world.”

I wait a few seconds before peeking at Jaz. Her face is scrunched up, her brows knit together and her lips puckered. I gently touch her knee. “Relax,” I whisper. “Don’t force it.”

Closing my eyes again, I reach inside me for my wolf.

You’ve come so far,she says.

I open my eyes, finding the winter forest surrounding me, the black wolf sitting in the clearing. Embers dance in her eyes, and she tracks me as I move toward her. “I had a good teacher.”

She nods, standing a bit taller.It was easy, once you decided to listen.She stares at me, and I focus on the way the snow clings to the branches of the trees surrounding us, how the grass we sit on is warmed by the sun despite the slight chill in the air.Why did you come?

I shrug. “It’s the training lesson today.”

Hmph. You weren’t obligated to do the training. Gideon knows you’ve come here, though he isn’t aware how often you come.She stalks closer, sniffing the top of my head.

“Sometimes, it’s nice to come here. It’s… magical.”

Don’t insult me. Tell me the real reason you are here.

Sighing, I straighten my shoulders and take her in. Her fur is jet black, like coal, and her eyes flicker between glowing orange and silver. “I think Gideon is hiding something from me.”

She hums but says nothing, so I continue.

“He’s sending me to see my sister for a weekend, which is great. I miss Jules, how could I not? But… it’s strange. He keeps having these… meetings but acts as if they’re nothing important. I don’t understand.”

Why not ask him?

I throw my hands up. “I tried, but he says it’s nothing to worry about or changes the subject.”

My wolf stares at me for a long time, and I fidget, uncomfortable. Minutes go by, and I blow out a breath, gazing at the wonderland around us. Evergreens, spruce, and pine treesoffer glimpses of greenery, breaking up the blanket of white surrounding us. Snow and ice blanket every branch and cover the ground outside of the small clearing we’re sitting in. Looking to the sky, the sunlight is muted, hidden behind a layer of fog, an overcast sky that feels like a reflection of the earth below it.

“I don’t think he’s doing anything to hurt me,” I whisper, looking down at my hands, “but being in the dark like this is torture. I feel like I’m constantly looking over my shoulder or waiting for something to happen. I know my mother is out here somewhere. I just wish… I wish I could figure out what to expect so I could prepare myself.” Looking back up at my wolf, my brows furrow.

Her mouth tilts up into a grin.That’s a perfect idea. Seeing an oracle seems like the best choice. Maybe an oracle who could teach you a locator spell. To keep tabs on your mother.

“Batya would never help me… Not when I’ve deserted the coven like this…”

I don’t believe she would turn you away, though if we found another oracle, there would be far less risk.

“Another oracle?” I ask, putting a finger to my temple.

This weekend trip will be the key.

Suddenly dizzy, I close my eyes and press the heels of my palms into them. My ears pop, and I open my eyes to find Jaz sitting across from me, her face screwed up into a mixture of frustration and determination.

Chapter ten

Gideon

It’s obvious Adara left to go to her wolf’s world. I’ve never seen her so relaxed before, hands resting in her lap, her face the picture of peace. She lets out a small gasp when her eyes open, showing me she was thrown from the inner world. Seems as though our wolves have something in common—cryptic messages and quick conversations.

My wolf practically rolls his eyes at the thought, but he can’t dispute it. He knows as well as I do that it’s true.

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