Witch Out of Luck Read online

  Its powers were like nothing anyone had ever seen, yet it wouldn't help the witches with this task. See, the Gate had a sentience about it, a consciousness, and it believed that the box was here for a reason.

  The destruction of Kracken’s Hole was not something Brutas wanted to see, but what could he do about it? The thought hit him like a harpoon to the brain. The Gate wanted the box, but the only way to deliver it would be to dive under the pool and take the forbidden path. Only one kracken before him had taken that path. No one had seen the matriarch again.

  Brutas knew what he had to do. He couldn't ask Dave to do it. No, he was now the last kracken.

  It was up to him. He had found the other half to his soul, and for her he would gladly sacrifice himself. She had given him a glimpse of heaven, and for that he would gladly go.

  “Come,” he said, and was pleased when she didn’t hesitate to place her hand in his. The squirrel jumped off her shoulder and stripped off his small squirrel battle armour. If you looked closely, you could see the tears fall from his eyes.

  Taking his witch within his arms, he kissed her. Her kiss to him was more addictive and alluring as any siren could be. She was his own drug, one that would see him into whatever afterlife accepted him.

  Closing his eyes, he released her lips and bent his head until his forehead touched hers. There, he told her everything in his mind, everything he was unable to tell her verbally.

  “I love you, Isabeau. I have since the moment I saw you crying.

  You are my soul, and although I won't be here with you, I will always be in your heart.”

  “Brutas?” he heard her question, her face marred with a frown. Had she heard him?

  Instead of dwelling, he kissed her again, before he moved past her and headed for the box. The rainbow colours pulsed with life and made his skin prickle.

  “Brutas, don't touch it,” Isabeau called, but he ignored her, instead wrapping his large hands around the box. He plucked it up with ease.

  Knowing what he had to do, he looked his mate in her grey eyes, hoping she knew how he felt and that this was the least he would do for her. He would have battled legions of boats for her. He would have done anything if only to see her smile.

  “Love you,” he stated, and watched as her eyes widened before he ran for the pool. He knew the others would try to stop him. They didn't know what he knew. They didn't know that this was possibly the only chance to save Kracken’s Hole, a town that meant more to him than anyone could know.

  This was him giving back, even when it was ripping his heart out of his chest.

  As he dived for the water, he heard Isabeau cry out, heard her words, and he soared into the pool. With those words, he would be invincible.

  “Brutas, don't! I love you.”

  Isabeau fell to her knees as she watched Brutas leap into the pool. In his arms, the box that had caused nothing but trouble since she had set out to find it. The way he had looked at her before he leapt, broke her heart. He hadn't given her time to say anything. Hell, he had dived off without hearing her tell him she loved him.

  She had heard every word he said in her mind, heard his voice clear as day as he told her how he felt. There had been nothing sweeter than hearing his voice in her mind. It felt intimate and loving, and now he was gone.

  “Where the hell has he gone? What's he doing?” Will shouted, as everyone pooled around Isabeau, her cousins wrapping their arms around her.

  “He's taken the box. I think he's taken it into the sea—to protect us,” Isabeau cried out, her tears falling in steady streams. She felt like her heart had been ripped open.

  “Shh, he will be okay. He's a kracken,” Arietta cooed, only Grundlepus added,

  “Actually, he's not physically. He's just a normal human. Your spell changed him, Arietta. So right now, he will either drown, or if it gets too cold, freeze to death.”

  All of them, the witches and men, looked at the ginger cat, who sat licking his paw before doing the sweep of the face thing.

  “What?” he paused in his washing.

  “Really?” was all Arietta snapped.

  “Ginger twat,” Bas fired out, and Binky, in all his glory, called out, “WANKER.”

  Isabeau shook her head and looked at the surface of the pool. The only movement was of Dave, the last kracken now. His eyes met hers, and she could see the pain within them. He knew where his brother had gone. He knew what sacrifice his brother had made.

  Wherever he had taken the box, it was to save not only them but the whole of Kracken’s Hollow.

  And didn't she just love him even more— a monster turned man that only wanted to protect. Grundlepus was right though, even with his terrible timing. Brutas would not make it out alive, and he had to have known it, but that didn't make it hurt any less. It hurt more, especially to know that they had bonded. For her to hear him in her mind and feel what he felt meant that they were more than just lovers. He was her soulmate, and now he was gone.

  Raw pain filled her, and she folded over, her arms wrapped around her waist as she cried out her pain, cried out all the pain she had been subjected to in her life. The lack of love, the lack of family, and now, when she had finally found something so perfect, it had been ripped from her.

  She felt hands on her back, rubbing gently in soothing motions.

  “Let it out, Izzy.” Maeve's voice was quiet and calm.

  “Fucking idiot,” Bas snapped as he sat next to her. Isabeau looked over at her familiar and saw tears in his own eyes.

  “What he is… I liked him too, the big, giant tosser. Did you see how big his hands were?” Bas exclaimed, and shook his head. “Like fucking spades. No wonder you liked him, Izzy.”

  Isabeau sniffed then let out a small laugh. Bas had the ability, even in her darkest moments, to make her smile.

  “Yeah, I liked him,” she admitted. “No, I loved him.”

  “We know,” Arietta and Maeve said in unison, and she couldn't help but smile. “It seems it's the Moonchild way— to fall hard and fast for men that are not of the norm,” Maeve said as she picked up Bas and sat next to Isabeau. Sitting him on her lap, she tickled under his chin. Isabeau smiled wider when the squirrel’s back leg started to kick.

  Arietta sat down on her other side, leaned in, and rested her head on Isabeau’s shoulder.

  “Family stick together, right?” Isabeau asked.

  “Always,” both Arietta and Maeve answered. There they sat, whilst Will and Ethan looked on, trying to console a sobbing Binky and Grundlepus.

  Dave’s slow, deep cry filled the cavern as they mourned Brutas, who in a short time had cemented himself in all their hearts.

  19

  Baba sat on her swing. She didn't want to swing, not when so much sadness could be felt from the three witches. She had done everything she was supposed to, so why did it feel like she had let everyone down?

  Isabeau’s heartbreak affected even her. She could feel it like a raw wound that would only fester, and Baba didn't like it.

  “It's done then,” Fate called from behind, and Baba shrugged.

  “You know it is. It's why you are here.”

  “You know it had to happen like this. Brutas should have never been allowed to be changed. It was against the rules,” Fate stated.

  “What rules? Who makes up those rules? Is there a rule book, ‘cause if there is, I want to see it,” Baba snapped.

  “Why?” Fate asked, confused.

  “So I can throw it at your bloody head.” Baba stood and walked away from the swing, her arms folded across her chest. “I don't like it. I don't have to like it, and I won't be liking it. Is that clear?”

  “Crystal. But it’s fate, and fate must run its course,” Fate stated.

  Baba laughed. “Run its course. Woman, I’ve never seen you run for anything in your whole existence.”

  “What? I have. I run regularly.”

  “Bollocks. Oh wait— no, I was wrong.” Baba smirked and held up a hand. “You ran
after a donut. I believe it was chocolate filled.”

  “You are such a cow,” Fate snapped, then smiled. “And yes, I did. It was delicious, and I would do it again. Dammit, woman, I want a donut now.”

  Baba smiled, but then it dimmed as she walked back to her friend. “Promise me the pain goes away, not for me but for them.” She swept a hand over the town.

  Fate nodded. “All will be as it should. You will see. Come on, my friend. I believe you owe me an ale.”

  “Only if I can ghost-touch Blackbeard's fine bottom.” Baba pouted.

  “Only if I can use eye bleach after.”

  “Deal.”

  “Deal.”

  Brutas swam as fast as his arm not carrying the box would let him, his large hand useful as it acted as a flipper, propelling him through the water. His lungs burned, but he ignored them as he cradled the box in his other arm and pushed through.

  “Brother, what are you doing?” Dave called out, and followed, using his tentacles to push him along. He appreciated the help as he felt himself growing tired, but he wanted his brother up at the surface safe.

  “I've got to do this, Dave. Get back up to the surface, where it will be safer.”

  “No, I want to help. I can help. It's too cold for you in that form down here.”

  Brutas knew his brother wanted to help, wanted to be a hero. He had always said as much. But this was something Brutas had to do. He felt it, like a push at his mind from the Gate. Plus, he wasn't a kracken anymore, so Dave was the last of their kind, and as such he had to stay safe.

  “I need you to watch the girls, especially Isabeau, for me. You need to make sure she is safe. She is my mate, Dave. Can you do that?”

  “But why can't you stay here, and I do this? She needs you more than me.”

  “Because I'm the oldest, Dave. Now do what I say. Go, before it's too late.”

  “Fine, no need to be an arse about it. Be safe, brother. May the goddess keep you safe.”

  Brutas felt the tentacles release their grip on him, but not before they pushed him further into the rainbow abyss that was Merlin's Gate. The centre of power within the UK. It flowed around him, dispelling the cold, yet his lungs burned with a fire that he could no longer ignore. His sight dimmed, but he fought on, using every last bit of oxygen within his body.

  He thought only of Isabeau, of her grey eyes and beautiful smile. Of how she had kissed him and shown him pleasure like nothing he had experienced before. He thought of how good she felt cocooned within his arms, and how she looked up at him with such affection. Something he had never thought possible. Not for him— a monster.

  There, in front of him, bathed in light, was the entrance to the Gate. Colours from across the spectrum pulsed, bubbles appeared from nowhere, and the water warmed. Brutas felt the vibrations of the box increase, until he was unable to hold it with one arm. Instead, he grabbed it with both hands. Kicking with all his might, Brutas fought against the power and water. Pushed until his vision started to dim as the oxygen ran out. His arms outstretched, he felt the magic take hold of the box and him, and just before he fell into his own abyss of darkness, the box exploded.

  Then there was nothing.

  20

  The explosion hit Kracken’s Hole with such force it levelled some of the older buildings. Waves crossed over the dock and would have sunk the fleet of pirate ships if they hadn't been already in ghost form. The residents fled their homes and made it up to the cliff as the earth continued to shake. The earthquake that hit moments after was nothing Kracken’s Hole had ever seen before.

  After the earthquake subsided, they heard the cracks from the cliffs that protected the cove. Deep vertical cracks that opened to reveal a new cove, but that was forgotten quickly.

  They all felt it— witch, dwarf, fae, even ghost. Anyone who called Kracken’s Hole their home felt it.

  The incoming tidal wave, not of water but of power. It erupted from the cove like a bomb, showering the whole town before it hit the barrier and dissipated.

  Everyone was affected. Their bodies fell where they stood as the aftermath of the explosion slowly vanished, as if it had never happened.

  Kracken’s Hole and Hollow would never be the same again.

  As the explosion hit, everyone within the cavern huddled together in an effort to protect themselves from the aftermath. Crystals fell and rocks tumbled as a new cavern was revealed, as the magical wave coursed over them. Unlike the townsfolk, the three witches remained conscious. Their mates or familiars didn't fare so well.

  “What the hell was that?” Arietta called out as she picked herself up off the floor before racing towards where Ethan lay. “Oh fuck,” she called as she shook him. “Ethan, honey, wake up.” She turned to Maeve. “He's alive, isn't he? Please tell me he's alive.” Panic filled her voice as her hands flew over Ethan’s form.

  “They are all alive, Arietta. It's okay. They are just sleeping,” Maeve confirmed as she checked both Will and Binky.

  “It's the magic, right? So why are we not sleeping?” Isabeau asked as she cradled Bas in her arms.

  “We are the guardians. Maybe that has something to do with it,” Maeve stated, before she pointed to the new cavern that had been revealed. It was smaller than the main one, but it had many more crystals, and set gently between those crystals, were eggs.

  “Whoa, what are those?” Arietta shouted out as she stepped over a boulder. “I've seen this film. They burst open and then suck your face.” She shuddered. Maeve looked at Isabeau, who smiled back.

  The eggs were huge, sitting at about three-foot high. Their shells were a combination of blues and greens, the colours swirling like nothing they had witnessed before.

  “Why do they look familiar?” Maeve called out.

  “Told ya, horror film,” Arietta argued, only Maeve snapped her fingers.

  “I know, the carvings on the front door to the Hollow. These are kracken eggs,” she stated, awe filling her voice.

  “That’s a lot of eggs. There's got to be at least 20 in here,” Isabeau stated, as she pressed a hand to one, pleased to feel it warm to touch. She felt it then— the magic within. It didn't scare her. In fact, it felt welcoming. The way it had when, for that short time, she heard Brutas in her head.

  “So, what do we do?” Arietta called out. “Oh, I've found an exit. Hey, was there a beach cove in Kracken’s Hole?”

  “No?” Maeve asked, and grabbed Isabeau’s hand and dragged her with her.

  “Well, there is now,” Arietta stated, and all three stood and looked out. The small cove was secluded yet had access to the deep waters of the sea of Kracken’s Hole. The barrier that protected the town could be seen glistening in the light of the sun.

  “Does it seem strange that this has appeared as well as the cavern with the eggs?” Maeve asked. “You know, conveniently it looks awfully like a nursery cove. Like what they have for seals and stuff.”

  “I am not babysitting krackens. That is not in my job description,” Arietta argued, and Isabeau laughed.

  “Krackens weren't even in my vocab, but here we are. Do you think the town folk are okay?” she asked.

  “TWAT,” the echoed voice of Binky called out, before they saw Ethan and Will climbing over the rocks to get to them, the familiars in their arms. Binky was trying to wake up, whereas Grundlepus was still snoring his ginger arse off.

  “You guys okay?” Maeve asked. “How do you feel?”

  “Like I got drunk with the boys again, but there’s no hangover food.” Will smirked. “Are you okay, my love?”

  “Yeah, apart from realising we have over 20 new krackens to look after,” she admitted, and looked back at the cavern filled with eggs. “I've got a feeling this was all planned. The explosion, the eggs...”

  “Brutas’s death,” Isabeau added, sadness filling her voice. “His sacrifice had better be for a good reason,” she stated angrily.

  “We will find out, Izzy. Let's go back and check the cavern is still standing. O
h shit, Dave!” Maeve screamed and bolted for the cavern. Her cousins were hot on her trail.

  Once back inside, she headed straight for the submerged platform. “Dave,” she called. Dave!”

  “Err, Maeve.” Arietta nudged her as she tried to catch her breath from hurdling a load of giant eggs.

  “What? I can't see him. Why isn't he here? He will be so afraid,” Maeve rambled on, pacing the platform.

  “Maeve.”

  “What?” she shouted, and looked at Arietta, who raised an eyebrow and pointed to the left. There, hugging a rock like his life depended on it, was a very naked and very large man. His blue-grey eyes looked confused and petrified. He opened his mouth, and only a squeak came out.

  “Maeve!”

  All three witches looked shocked, and it was Arietta who spoke first.

  “Dave, is that you, sweetheart?” The man nodded and gripped the rock harder, like he didn't know how to use his legs.

  “It’s okay, you can let go and we will grab you,” she cooed, and held out her hand. Slowly, he lowered himself from the rock and slid onto the platform.

  “Whoa.” Isabeau turned her head and looked up at the ceiling. “I see size runs in the family.”

  “Definitely a kracken,” Maeve agreed, and turned away as Arietta used her magic to produce a blanket— an extra-large blanket— to cover Dave with.

  In human form, the kracken was illegally cute; short blonde hair, blue-grey eyes and full lips. He was the stereotypical surfer boy in looks. But if you looked into his eyes, you would see there was so much more.

  Splashes sounded from the pool before the huge head of another kracken appeared, its blue-grey skin more grey than usual. It’s tentacles waved about tiredly as it swam to the platform. Cuts marred its head, bleeding a steady stream into the water.

  “Brother,” Dave croaked out, nodding to the kracken.

  “That’s Brutas,” Isabeau cried out, and Dave nodded.

  “Brutas!” she screamed, and moved further onto the platform, trying to reach out. “Help me get him, he's injured.”