Page 4
�Yes,� the second witch announced. �He had his beasts murder everyone. He cursed this entire land, messing the natural order.�
�Witches are not to control the mortal world as he does,� the first witch said. �Sadly, he had the help of his sister. A witch can do no good when she listens to a warlock.�
�His sister?� Kate asked. �I don�t think I�ve met her.�
�She won�t come around,� the first witch replied. �I�m Emerald.�
�I�m Kate. I believe my ancestor from this century would be Rachael,� she told them.
The witches cackled excitedly. A witch in her late sixties stepped forward and appeared stunned.
�I�m Rachael,� she announced then smiled. �You�re my blood relation? Oh, my child!� She took Kate into her arms and hugged her.
The witches continued to cackle excitedly and pulled Kate toward their caldron.
�Come, my dear,� Emerald announced. �We�ll initiate you into our society.�
Kate appeared apprehensive. �What do I have to do?� Kate asked as they pulled her along.
�Drink brew,� Rachael said with a giddy laugh.
�Tonight, we all drink brew!� Emerald cried out. The witches cackled excitedly.
Kate eyed them and muttered, �I think you�ve already had enough.�
Kate giggled and staggered along the path in the woods now brightened by the light of dawn. She danced and sang a lively witch tune about black cats and toads. She appeared to laugh at her own unsteadiness. A horse was heard snorting. Kate turned on the path and stared at Brennan upon his black horse. She stopped abruptly and nearly fell over. A wicked smile crossed her drunken face.
�Oh, it�s you,� she said and giggled.
Brennan eyed her and frowned. �Are you drunk?�
�Nah,� she replied and waved her hand.
Brennan shook his head and dismounted the horse. He indicated the horse. �Come on, get on.�
Kate leaned against a nearby tree and smiled deviously in her drunken condition. �You take your job entirely too serious, you know that?�
�It�s not my job, it�s my life,� he replied simply.
She laughed softly. �You have some good intentions, Brennan, and I�d never question your loyalty, but you�re being played for a fool.�
�Yes--by a witch with an attitude,� he remarked. �Now will you get on the horse. I�m really not in the mood.�
�You do look tired.�
�Probably because I�ve been up half the night looking for you,� he announced sternly.
�You�re a witch hater, aren�t you?� Kate remarked.
�I was betrayed by a witch. She would have killed me if King Quinn hadn�t come along when he did,� Brennan said. �He was too late to save the rest of the kingdom from being slaughtered by the enemy.�
�The enemy? The enemy is closer than you think,� Kate said with a soft snort. She tilted her head and smiled warmly. �I had an interesting conversation with your king yesterday. He�s prepared to castrate or behead you, whichever I choose, if I agree to marry him.�
Brennan stared at her but didn�t respond. He didn�t appear to believe her.
�It�s true, Brennan. In fact, I can prove it,� Kate informed him.
�Really?� he scoffed lowly.
Kate straightened and walked slowly toward him. She paused a foot away, placed a hand on his shoulder, and looked into his eyes with a wicked smile. He suddenly appeared concerned.
�Quinn left you defenseless against me as a gesture of good faith,� Kate announced. She laughed softly and sank against him for support and placed both arms around his neck. �Do I frighten you, Brennan?
His eyes swept over her then met her gaze. �Kindly remove your hands from me,� Brennan announced firmly.
Kate laughed softly and ran her hand gently across his face. �Be nice, Brennan. You�re at my mercy, remember?� Kate remarked. �I�m not an evil person.�
�The king would never sentence me to death--nor would he harm me for your pleasure. I�m a valuable knight. I�ve proven myself hundreds of times,� Brennan said coldly. �And there�s no such thing as a good witch. They�re all evil. We�re going back--now.�
�I guess I�ve had too much to drink. I�m tempted to put a spell on you--just for kicks. Maybe a little love spell,� Kate announced softly and seductively. Kate again clung to him.
Brennan held her back. His look remained cold and harsh.
�And it would be so easy to do,� she cooed. �I just need to say the right words--like, love thee witch, love thee true--my love spell, I place on you.�
Brennan appeared horrified and attempted to hold her back. �Stop that! It�ll be both of our heads!�
�Too late,� she said softly and gently moved against him. �You�re under my spell. You can�t resist my charm--so don�t bother trying.�
Brennan searched her eyes with a look of concern. �King Quinn will be told,� he remarked softly. His eyes strayed to her mouth.
Kate smiled warmly and appeared pleased. �Admit it, for a witch, I�m not half bad.�
Brennan groaned softly, lowered his mouth to hers, and kissed her passionately. Kate gasped with surprise then returned the passionate kiss.
�What the hell--� came an explosive male voice.
Brennan and Kate pulled apart and quickly spun to face Quinn, who stood on the path in the woods.
�I can�t believe you�d even considering kissing her,� Quinn exploded. �She�s a witch! She�s also my witch!�
Brennan appeared alarmed and lowered his head. �I-I have no excuse, Sir.�
Kate held her head a moment and appeared slightly dazed. She looked to Quinn and slowly stepped forward. �It�s not his fault,� she remarked. �I put a love spell on him. He couldn�t control his actions. I was just trying to get him into trouble.�
Quinn�s eyes narrowed. �Witches don�t cast love spells.� He glared at Brennan. �They only have love potions. You�ve been had, Brennan. And for your disloyalty, you�ll be severely punished.�
Brennan appeared ashamed.
�You can�t punish him. I�m telling you, it wasn�t his fault. I tricked him. If you want to be angry, be angry with me, and I�ll put you in your place!� Kate announced.
Quinn stared at her and appeared surprised. �You seem to have found a new fondness for Brennan. If you want him, he�s yours.� Quinn pointed a finger at Brennan. He suddenly changed into a black cat. Quinn glared at her in anger. �And I�m taking your friend.�
�No!� Kate cried out.
Quinn disappeared. Kate appeared alarmed. She looked to the black cat by her feet. She grabbed the black cat and vanished.
