Free Forever Changed (The Mystic Wolves) by Belinda Boring Page A

keep me sitting. My magic might be out of control, but I wasn’t an invalid; and my dear friend was hurting because of me. “I am so sorry, Daniel. I didn’t mean to, I swear!” Frustrated tears threatened to fall. I was becoming a major liability and I hated it. Even though he was now standing, I couldn’t shake the dread that something inside me had lashed out.
    “I know, honey, I know. No harm, no foul. See?” He twirled about on his heels with his hands extended. He looked fine, but that didn’t change the fact that a minute ago he’d been knocked on his butt.
    “I can’t do this, guys. I can’t be around anyone if this is what happens.” A panicked feeling started closing off my throat and causing my chest to tighten.
    “Take a deep breath. That’s why we’re here. We’ll fix this, okay?” It was Vivien who now took control. “Come on, dear. Let me take you down to my study and we’ll see what we can do.”
    Nodding, I let her wrap her arm around my shoulder and we headed toward the back of the house. Her study was in the basement, expanding across the entire width of the building. Years ago, I’d curiously asked her why she chose downstairs for the place she spent most of her time.
    Vivien had always been patient, answering my countless questions, teaching me as she went. Now, as we descended the sturdy steps, I recalled her words. She said that as a witch, her strength could be drawn from the different elements found in nature—earth, air, fire, and water. And even though she was a master of all four, she had a natural affinity to the earth and felt closest to her magic when she was connected to her source of her power.
    As we entered the room, surrounded by the tools of her craft, I prayed the answer lay somewhere in the books, potion bottles, and various paraphernalia filling the cavern. When my eyes settled on her Book of Shadows that lay opened on her stained oak desk, I crossed my fingers, as well.
    It couldn’t hurt to ask for extra help.
     
    ****
     
    I felt wrapped up in the heady, familiar scents that filled the air. Inhaling deeply, I could pick out the fragrant lavender and rose oil Vivien loved, as well as the sage she used when she practiced her spells. Another lesson flowed easily from my memory trove of her explaining the importance of cleansing the air of negativity and harm. Burning the plant, it balanced the energy of the room and instilled harmony to the practitioner’s intent. Sure enough, she already had her smudge stick lit, the embers a bright orange as strands of smoke swirled above it. It was intoxicating.
    I’d forgotten how much I loved visiting her and spending time down here.
    There was no doubt this was Vivien’s sanctuary and her power thrived under her own nurturing. I could feel a thrumming building inside me and it caused me to take a step back. But this time it felt different, less volatile and more like a simple greeting between friends. My magic was, for want of a better word, happy.
    “Do you need to leave?” Mason asked, sensing the brief disturbance.
    “No, it just feels weird. Different.”
    “You’ll eventually learn how to recognize the various moods of your witch nature. Just like your wolf, it responds to different situations, always providing that part of what you need. You’ll learn to temper it, control the numerous layers, and know what triggers your outbursts. But for now, we want to bind your powers until we’re certain you’re safe. It’s always an unpredictable time when a witch first comes into her abilities. But they usually have years to master themselves. You don’t have that. I’d hoped we could’ve explored your new talents and abilities together, but . . .” Vivien became distracted by something on her desk. She frowned, studying the small jar’s label and unscrewing the lid, to slightly sniff at the contents. Shaking her head, she muttered under her breath and replaced it amongst the other items on one of the many