Free Timeless by Patti Roberts Page A

and clan, but to the other clans that also rely on her for protection against those that practise black magic."
    "Like the Bloodthorn Clan," Andrew interjected, nodding his head.
    Mindy shot him a sideways glance. "What do you know about the Bloodthorn Clan?"
    Andrew shrugged, cursing himself under his breath, remembering Alexandria telling him not to talk to anyone about what she had discovered in her mother's book. Not knowing who they could trust. "Alexandria mentioned it in passing the other day. She didn't elaborate. Why, who are they?"
    "The Bloodthorn Clan want to control all the witch clans, and those they can't control, they endeavour to destroy, and usually succeed. Originally, there were seven clans. Today, only five remain. Only one of those clans practices black magic."
    "The Bloodthorn C lan," Andrew repeated.
    "Yes, the Bloodthorn Clan. With the power the Bloodthorn witches have stolen over the years, they are a force to be reckoned with. A force not to be underestimated in any way, shape, or form."
    Andrew frowned, a chill running down his spine. "What exactly do you mean, shape or form?"
    "With black magic and trickery, the Bloodthorn witches are masters of changing their shape and form at will. Animals, birds, bugs, people. Anything, really."
    Andrew thought back to his last bus trip to Ferntree Falls, when he had first met Alexandria. He thought about the dream he'd had about Eden, and how, in the blink of an eye, Eden had transformed into an old woman, before changing again, into a dark cloud of black bats. Perhaps it hadn't been a dream at all. "I think I've met a Bloodthorn witch," he said, the blood draining from his face.
    The car swerved on the road as Mindy swivelled in the driver’s seat to stare at him. "What did she look like?"
    Andrew frowned, dropping his head, contemplating the question for a long moment. After a moment, he looked at Mindy and shook his head slowly. "I have absolutely no idea."
    Mindy nodded, a worried look on her face. "Definitely a Bloodthorn witch, and a powerful one at that."
    "How do you know?"
    "The fact that you can't remember what she looks like, other than that she was old, is a pretty good indication."
    "I think she was old... The more I think about her, the less I seem to be able to remember about her. How is that even possible?"
    "Like I said, black magic and trickery. There isn't anything a Bloodthorn witch wouldn't do to—"
    As Mindy turned onto Main Street, the wail of a police siren and flashing lights cut her off mid-sentence.
    "Oh, goodness," she said. "I do love a man in uniform." She pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned off the engine, while quickly checking her appearance in the rear view mirror. She reached over to the back of the vehicle and snatched her bag off the seat. Digging into her handbag, she retrieved her peach lip-gloss and applied a fresh coat. Next she found a bottle of perfume, and gave it a quick squirt before leaning into the flowery mist floating in the vehicle.
    Andrew coughed and waved his arms around. He shook his head, thinking about how alike Kat and her aunt were. "Seriously," he said. "Do you really think that's going to work?"
    "Watch and learn, young Jedi apprentice."
    Andrew shook his head again, and sank lower into his seat.
    A young officer dressed in a crisp police uniform swung his leg over his motorcycle and walked towards the vehicle, a flashlight in his hand. As he approached, Mindy wound down the window and smiled up at him sweetly.
    "Did you know you were speeding, ma'am?" he asked, sweeping the flashlight and his eyes carefully over the vehicle before turning back to her.
    "Was I?" she replied, a look of surprise crossing her face. She looked across at Andrew, who just folded his arms and shrugged.
    "Can I see your licence, ma'am?" he asked indifferently.
    "Absolutely," Mindy replied, turning on the small overhead light and fishing around in her bag. A few moments later, she handed him her licence.