Free Awakenings (A Witch's Coven Novel Book 1) by Ron Vitale

silver coins. “We’ll be back by one. Wait for us in the house so you can stay warm and not freeze to death out here.”
    He bowed his head and headed off to the servant’s quarters.
    “Thomas, wait.” I called after him, and then climbed down to catch up to him. Taking a flask out of my coat pocket, I pressed it into his hand. “With the lateness of the hour, this will help you make friends and keep everyone quiet.”
    “Thank you!” He accepted the flask and went to go, but I stopped him.
    “Just don’t overdo it. We need you to drive us back and not get caught.”
    “I might not be too bright, but I’m not the dullest tool in the shed.” He put the flask away and smiled at me, and I could see his brown teeth stained from his tobacco use. “I’ll have a bit but share around. I learned my lesson from last time. I’ll see you both at one.” He walked off and went down to the servant’s entrance.
    Stephen and I, arm in arm, headed to the front gate, and I knocked on the door. A surprised older man opened up and asked, “Is there a problem this evening that you need help?”
    I had not expected an older servant to be on watch this late, and thought more of the younger staff would be on duty. I doubted that the spirits would work.
    Stephen lowered his voice and leaned close to the man. “We are here to surprise the young master of the house with a visit to help cheer him up from his return from the front.”
    “But at this late hour, my mistress will not allow that.”
    Stephen took his hat off. “Daniel, it’s me, Stephen.” He leaned into the lantern’s light so that Daniel could get a good look at him. “You know the mistress is in bed now and would best not be disturbed.”
    Before Daniel could reply, Stephen reached into my coat and pulled out one of the bottles and offered it to him.
    A wide smile broke out on his face, and he grabbed the bottle from Stephen. “Where did you get this?”
    I chimed in and said, “It is for you for all the great service you have done for the mistress.” Stephen and I pushed passed him as he lusted over the large bottle in his hands. “We will head to the young master’s room and keep quiet and will be away a little after midnight. The bottle should be plenty to keep you and your friends occupied for the evening.”
    He looked as though a dragon’s hoard had been given to him. The war had been difficult with all spirits being rationed or saved for medicinal purposes. My house lord would not be pleased to know that I had stolen the bottles. He had plenty more hidden in the wine cellar and would not even miss these two, but if he learned of my theft, he would turn me out of the house. But sometimes, risks had to be taken for the greater good.
    Daniel let us in and could barely close the door with the large bottle in his hands. “Yes, thank you. I will see to this and head off for the night. Stephen, you know the way to the young master’s room.”
    Stephen smiled and led the way, holding me by the arm. He walked as fast as he dared, using his cane as a guide to help balance him through the house. When we arrived at Charles’ room, Stephen knocked.
    “Yes?” Charles’ voiced appeared annoyed. “What is it that you want? I’m busy.”
    Stephen pushed the door open, and I followed close behind. I stopped and put my hand over my mouth and tried to stifle a laugh. Charles had his pants down and his hands down his undergarments. When he saw us, he blushed and pulled his hand out and tried to pull his pants back up.
    “What are you both doing here?” He stumbled over the words, trying to recover and be as natural as possible.
    Stephen laughed. “I do apologize for intruding on you when you were ‘Crowning the King,’ but we thought you might need some company this evening to cheer you up.”
    I pulled a bottle out of my coat and handed it to Charles. “I promised we would come, and we thought we would celebrate your return now that you’ve healed up a