The Witch: Book Two of The Sorceress Saga Taliesin Govannon (best free ereader .txt) 📖

                “Thank you, but no.” I replied.  “I need to feel how magick works in this world, not Fae.”

                “Call your boyfriend.” Raina said, turning to me.  “They own a bazillion properties around the world.  Tell them that we need one that hasn’t been used for a long, long time.”

                I had no doubts that he’d have one.

                                                                                                *                *                *

                Nocturne Plantation was reputed by the locals as being haunted.  Very few doubted this, even confirmed skeptics.  It was reportedly purchased by a 'wealthy heiress' just before the revolutionary war, only she and her companion had disappeared not long before the fighting started.  The slaves disappeared in the waning days of the 1700s, and it had been deserted ever since.

                What made the local mystery even deeper is how good the place had been reportedly kept up.  Vincent had, of course, arranged to keep the property structurally sound and in good repair over the centuries.

                Gaia had gone on ahead with a couple of other Fae to finish getting things ready.  With a glamour in place to disguise their true nature, they would look as human as anyone.  They would also keep the place running during our visit.  Vincent had, however, also arranged for an “old friend” to stay with us to help with things, and I was looking forward to meeting another one of Vincent and Angelique’s allies.

                Raina drove while I looked out of the window, searching for the gate to the property.  I knew that we were close.

                “How long?” I asked, leaning towards the windshield.

                “Five minutes closer than the last time you asked.” she replied, feigning annoyance.

                “I know, I’m just excited.” I plopped back into my seat.

                “Enjoy the ride.” Raina replied.  “I have never driven a ride this sweet, and I know that you’ve never ridden in a BMW before.”

                It was a nice car.  I had originally planned on a rental, but Vincent insisted on breaking out one of his numerous vehicles.  “Less chance of being traced that way.” he had said.

                I wriggled down in my seat, enjoying the feeling that it was molded just for my body.  I rolled the windows down, and let the mid-sixties air hit my face.

                “It’s a good twenty degrees warmer here than in Ohio.” I said.

                “It’ll get chilly in December, though.” she replied.  “Good thing that this place has a ballroom to practice in.”

                “Vincent and Angelique haven’t been back to this place in over two hundred years.”

                “What’s wrong with it?”

                “Nothing… they just haven’t gotten around to it yet.”

                “Must be nice...”

                Soon the woods dropped away from the edge of the road, and a large stone gate set in a row of iron fence soon appeared ahead of us.

                “Lucy, we’re home!” I joked, and Raina joined in on the laugh.

                The setting sun cast long shadows as we turned into the drive.  Raina hit a button on a remote, and the gate started to swing inwards.

                “Nice to see some modern updates to the old torture palace.” Raina observed as she drove through the gates, which started to close as soon as we were inside.

                The path was long and winding, but eventually we could see the main house in the distance.  It was just as impressive as I had been led to believe.

                “I know.” I sighed.  “It’s too bad that such splendor and beauty was built on the backs of slaves, in misery.  Kind of casts a pall over everything.”

                “Yeah, but this place is special.” she said.  “Vincent told me that they psychically dominated the white staff and overseers, leaving the black inhabitants to self-govern.  The overseers put on a good show for visitors, but left them alone most of the rest of the time.”

                “Yeah.” I said.  “I was reading about how harsh they were to slave hunters who trespassed.  It was the best place for their slaves during an impossibly cruel era.”

                We pulled up in front just as the sun sank beneath the horizon.  Raina and I got out of the car and walked to the front door.

                “Why do I feel like I should knock?” Raina asked me.

                “I know what you’re saying.” I don’t know if it was the creeping shadows or the history of the place, but it was a little spooky.

                As if on cue, the front door swung open to reveal a stunning woman dressed in a red dress with a plunging neckline.  Her hair hung in long, relaxed spirals that flowed over her shoulders and back.  Her skin was almost completely black, and it contrasted with the dress deliciously.

                Deliciously, Annabelle? I asked myself.  Since when are women ‘delicious’ to you?

                “Greetings.” she said, smiling.  Her voice sounded like it resonated in my very soul.  “Welcome to Nocturne Plantation.  My name is Ashara, and Vincent has asked that I make you feel at home while you’re here.”

                “That’s good.” Raina said, dazed.  “I mean,” she recovered, shaking her head, “it’s… nice to meet you.”

                “Likewise.” I added.

                “Please,” Ashara said, still smiling, “come in.  I will give you the grand tour.”

                We walked behind her into the house and through the foyer.  “How long have you known Vincent and Angelique?” I asked.

                “About two hundred and fifty years.” she replied.

                “Oh!” I said, surprised.  “Are you a...”

                “Vampire?  Yes, for the last two hundred and thirty or so years.” she said, still walking.  “Vincent and Angelique saved me from some evil men when they lived here, and turned me when I begged enough after I had grown. Don’t worry,” she said, looking back, “I was inspired by their example and only hunt the evil.  You are quite safe here.”

                “I hadn’t thought otherwise.” I replied.

                                                                                                *                *                *

                The lengthy house tour done, Raina and I sat on a back patio and looked over the rolling fields in the moonlight.  I sipped some most excellent coffee,