Summary – Hunter arrives in Widows Vale with his mentor Ciaran MacEwan. There he meets his half brother Cal and his girlfriend Morgan, whom he feels strangely drawn to, and is sucked into a cat and mouse game that has played between Ciaran and Selene Belltower for years and on top of it all he is reunited with his cousin Sky who is a Seeker for the International Council of Witches and has been hunting him down for years.
Disclaimer: These are all Cate Tiernans toys. They're just in my playground.
A/N: Back again! I'm so impressed with myself haha. So after this chapter there are only another two to go and they're almost complete so if this story isn't wrapped up by the end of October then I guarantee you it will be done next month. So let's get down to it. Chapter 25, please read and review. Most importantly Enjoy! x
Morgan and I spent the rest of that Sunday together. I took her out for lunch and then we just walked around aimlessly, talking, hand in hand.
We both made sure to avoid discussing recent events as we promised each other that this was our first date and it was going to be about us and getting to know each other better. We weren't going to tarnish it with tragic memories.
I can't remember the last time I felt this carefree and light-hearted. It must have been before my parents left when I was 11. Morgan made the world seem much brighter and being with her was as easy as breathing. She was funny, smart and incredibly beautiful. We discussed our favourite movies, music and books and she told me more about her childhood, what it was like growing up around here without magick in a Catholic family. I told her more about the happier memories of my childhood and promised her that one day I'll share the rest with her when we weren't trying to avoid topics of misery.
I told her about Finnegan and our plans, I held back the part about the travelling as I wasn't sure how to broach that subject. But she seemed happy for me finding a purpose and she sounded genuinely excited about it.
Then we got onto the topic of her coven Cirrus. It was the coven that Cal had formed. Morgan informed me the circle had to take a break as they had no initiated witch to lead it anymore. I was worried for their coven, they needed regular circles. So I came up with a suggestion that I lead an emergency circle for them as soon as possible so that we can discuss how to continue Cirrus. The circle had a lot of healing to do, who knew what damage Cal had done. I made a mental note to reach out to some of my trustworthy contacts to see if someone could lead it for them and guide them along.
At the end of our date I walked Morgan back to her front door, her family were home now and if I was honest they kind of scared me so I stayed on the door step. I wished Morgan goodnight with a sweet kiss and promised I'd call her tomorrow.
When I got home I realised I knew the perfect person to lead the coven and I picked up the phone because I owed him a phone call days ago.
"Hunter," Killian answered, "Hi,"
"Hello, Killian. How are you?" I asked
"I'm okay. I've been waiting to hear from you, I'm sorry I skipped out the way I did I assumed we all needed some time to get over that shit storml, are you okay? How's Morgan doing?"
"Morgan is doing pretty well all things considering. I'm good too, would you be able to come over as soon as you can? I have a favour to ask."
Killian agreed and told me he'd leave right away.
I called Morgan and arranged for her to contact her coven and ask for them all to make their way over to my house in Red Kill tomorrow evening for the emergency circle. Later that evening she sent me a witch message to let me know everyone was able to make it. That was a relief.
Now all I had to do was wait for Killian to arrive so that I could fill him in on the situation.
The next evening, Sky and Killian helped me set up for the circle in the sunroom. Even though the house had already been cleansed and purified from Ciaran's dark magick we had decided that letting Morgan back into the circle room might stir up some awful memories and she might not feel safe or comfortable in there. She may not feel safe or comfortable in this house at all I then realised and I wished I had asked her earlier how she felt about it, I just hoped that she would have said something to me on the phone if she was.
Killian was actually really excited about taking over Cirrus. He never had regular circles with a regular coven. Like a nomad he drifted in and out with multiple groups. I think he was looking forward to settling down in a regular weekly circle, it would definitely be good for him. And knowing Killian he was a little excited that he got to be the know it all in charge and would have a few opportunities to show off a little.
I knew Killian had tendencies to be flashy and sometimes he misused his powers, I've known him to use forbidden magick in the past but he never used it for malicious reasons or used it dangerously - usually - there was one incident that nearly blinded a woman but he doesn't like to talk about that. It was usually just so that he could be a show off and used it to have a good time. He loves being the life and soul of the party.
I made him promised me that he would lead Cirrus properly and would stick to the rules of what is allowed and encourage them not to blur the lines like he did. I then reminded him he had to guide his little sister properly and I think that was what sold it to him. This would be a perfect way for him to get to know her. I also made Killian promise not to flake out on them reminding him that the circles had to be consistent and regular and to always call me if he couldn't make a circle. He called me a stick in the mud but then promised me that he was serious about taking this role on. I believed him.
Sky finished setting out drinks and snacks in the kitchen for after the circle and then the doorbell rang. Morgan was the first to arrive, Sky let her in and led her to the sunroom where I had just set up candles of every shape and size on every surface around the room. I took out a box of matches about to light them all when suddenly every wick in the room burst into flames. "You need any help with that?" she asked with a playful smile.
She was incredible, I just stared at her in awe. "Hey," she said, I hurried over to her and kissed her gently. Goddess it was always so good to see her
"Hey yourself," I replied
Morgan realised she was the first one here, "Am I early?" she asked
"No," I told her, "I wanted you here first,"
"You want me all to yourself?" she was really playful tonight, it was wonderful to see her so relaxed after all the drama. I couldn't help but grin like a fool.
"I wish," I replied, "But unfortunately, no. I'd like to reacquaint you with someone,"
"Oh?" she raised an eyebrow
I lead her through to the kitchen where Killian was waiting, "You remember Killian?" I asked
She nodded and smiled, "Hello," she said politely.
Killian flashed her his famous charismatic smile and came over to us, he looked excited. "I've been so looking forward to seeing you again," he told her
Morgan looked to me for answers, "Killian is also Ciaran's child." I told her, "He's your brother,"
"Little sister!" Arms open, Killian pulled Morgan into a big bear hug, I wondered how Morgan was handling this, "I'm so happy that I'm not the baby anymore!" I knew Killian was being over the top, but I knew he was as nervous as he was excited.
"I didn't realise Ciaran had other children," Morgan said as she was finally released, she gave me a pointed look accusing me of not telling her before now. I was going to hear about that later.
"We also have an older brother and sister," Killian informed her, "Kyle and Iona, but trust me, you don't want to know them they're nowhere near as much fun as I am,"
Morgan seemed to relax then, Killian was easy to get along with. It was hard not to like him. He's not dark like Ciaran, is he? I heard her voice in my head
No, you're safe. He's a good man. I promised her.
"Wow," Morgan breathed, "So I have a brother,"
"Indeed," he grinned, "I'm sorry you found out about it all this way," he said sincerely and took her hand in his and gave it a gentle, brotherly squeeze, "but I am happy to have gained another sister and I do hope that you'd like to get to know each other because I'd really like to get to know you,"
Morgan smiled at him, it was hard to resist Killian's charms. He really was a likeable guy and that's what's going to make him perfect for running a coven full of non blood witch teens. That is, if he managed to behave himself.
"Sure," Morgan said, finally, "I'd like that too,"
Killian looked relieved, "Great, are you free after school tomorrow? I can pick you up and we can go somewhere to eat and talk,"
"I can meet you somewhere," Morgan answered, "I don't really know how I should explain you to my folks when I haven't really gotten used to the idea myself yet."
"Not a problem," they exchanged phone numbers just as the doorbell rang, Killian looked up at me, "Let's get this show on the road then shall we?"