The Hunt of the Grimalkin (Erresuma Book 1) Dani Swanson (reading women .txt) 📖

“You really need to make up your mind. Do you want me to be involved, or is this not our fight?” Thea snapped at her.

“The world needs people like you. People that care.” That was the best that Robin could come up with as a response.

“So, why don’t you care?” she questioned Robin. The two continued down the road with their little cat friend watching them debate from the back of the wagon.

“No one cared when I’ve had fights before. You have to learn that it is easier if you just mind your business. It’s not my fight, and doesn’t affect me.” Robin shrugged her shoulders indifferently, but how she stared ahead down the road suggested that there was more emotion behind the words than she let on.

Thea was silent for a second. “That’s the dumbest thing I have ever heard. I have a grimalkin and the Crow Witch trying to kill me, and you have interjected yourself into that situation. Last time I checked, that wasn’t your fight either.” Thea playfully bumped into Robin’s shoulder. “Hypocrite,” she teased. “Remember, there are two sides to every story. Some crazy broad keeps telling me that.”

 With the mood lightened they joked and played as they made it down the dirt road to the opening in the trees; trying to forget about past few days and the frustrations of dealing with creatures who do not listen. The ravens had finally left their sides and returned to the elves camp.

 Thea’s little cabin was just as she had left it so many weeks ago. Fig jumped out of the wagon and ran ahead to the porch. “Home sweet home.” Robin said as she wrapped her arm around Thea’s shoulder.

“If you say so.”

 Thea went through her books again. She knew that she had seen something about elements when she was here before. She was fanning through her books as Robin settled in to the little sitting area and popped a bottle of ginger fizzy.

“It’s going to take a lot of practice for you to figure out how to master the other elements.” Robin stated as she kicked her feet up on the table and settled in; relaxing her tired legs and really looking at home in the cabin.

Fig climbed up onto Robin’s lap and stretched out for his nap. “Ah! I found it!” Thea exclaimed. She had her nose in the book for the majority of the day while Robin napped or explored the property of the cabin. “Hey, listen to this.” Thea yelled at Robin who was fixing their dinner. “Some people are made of fire, some of water or air, or even earth. Some can be made with two or three of these elements and some can be made with all the elements on a rare occasion. Think about how the hawk and the sparrow fly high in the air, but flees water. The snake cannot fly and is bound to the earth as the fish can only swim.” Thea stopped and looked up at Robin. “How does any of this make sense? They’re comparing the animals to where they fit in the spectrum of the world…but where does fire fit in? What animal do you know can survive fire, swim in water, walk and land and fly in the sky?” Thea questioned. Robin pulled out Thea’s book of creatures and opened to one of the middle pages and slid Thea the book to examine. “A dragon?” Thea questioned. “When have you ever seen a dragon?”

Robin just giggled in the response. “Well, you have seen nymphs, elves, fairies, mud trolls, and a Crow Witch within the last few weeks and now you are questioning the existence of a dragon?”

Thea smirked. “Fair enough.” She stated before she put her nose back in the book.

Thea read the book from cover to cover and did not find anything that told her how to tell what elements are within a witch, or how to control them.

“You just need to focus on what you want to do, and do it.” Robin said to her as she took Thea’s book out of her hands. “Come here,” she said to Thea as she motioned for her to come to the pump sink. Robin began to pump the water into the sink and filled it about half full. She put some water onto her finger tips and flicked it at Thea. Thea flinched at the water hitting her on the face.

“Be one with the water,” Robin joked as she kept flicking beads of water at Thea’s face.

“Really?” she said as she splashed the water at Robin.

“Yes. Focus.” She splashed her back. Thea tried to control her emotions again and put her palms facing the water. The water started to ripple as she focused all her energy toward the water. “You’re doing it! Now, form it into a sphere.” Robin was coaching her from the side of the tub. Thea’s arm started to shake as the water started to splash around on its own. Thea let out a loud grunt and then the water rose out of the tub and splashed over her head like a tidal wave.

She was drenched from head to toe. Robin sat there and laughed hysterically. “I’m sorry,” she said as she placed a hand on Thea’s shoulder. “That was hilarious!”

 Thea had dried off with a towel and was sitting on the edge of the bed. “Hey, don’t give up; you can at least move the water and the thunderbolts. I can only move dirt,” Robin said as she rubbed her friends back in support. “Let’s go outside and try to make some mud trolls.” Thea nodded disappointedly, as she followed Robin to the door.

Thea stood outside with her wet hair dripping, leaving wet spots on her oversized shirt. She tried to control her core once again, as she pointed her hands down