The Gentle Witch And Her Fierce Alpha

Xantha's Conundrum

Serena was blissfully unaware of what was going on around her, occasionally puzzled at the strange glances coming from her mother and Stella but knowing better than to comment on it. She could also sense that Xantha was a bit off this week, looking extremely stressed and haggard, her skin so incredibly pale that it was almost translucent and her eyes with large black circles that made her look old. What could possibly be keeping Xantha awake at night?

Serena hummed as she hung out the washing, the sun warm on her shoulders and face as she struggled to hang up the bedsheets and blankets, their weight so much heavier when wet. She flicked a piece of loose blonde hair back with a puff of air from her mouth as she hung the last sheet in triumph. It wouldn't take much time and these would dry quickly, ensuring she could make the beds before night for everyone. The sheets blew around in the wind, lavender nearby smelling divine. Serena had planted the lavender bush eons ago and was grateful for not only did it attract bees but also made the washing smell beautiful whenever she brought it in. 

For a moment she looked towards the cottage and determined that no one was calling for her or screaming her name and Serena sat on the grass and leant her head back as she closed her eyes in contentment. This was pure bliss she thought with a gentle smile. Just feeling the sun on her, the cool refreshing breeze and listening to the sounds of nature as birds chirped and called to each other. Her fingers tapped idly on the grass as she folded her legs and began to pluck little daisies from the ground. She would use them in her next batch of soap she thought idly, wondering what it might make the soap feel or smell like when she infused it in. 

She was completely oblivious to Xantha who was observing her from a distance, cleverly hidden by a large amount of foliage and bush to her right. Xantha was still trying to rack her brains for a way out, only having just over a day left to get herself and Serena to safety, For now she was just trying to keep an eye on her sister, make sure that she wasn't hurt by her mother or Stella. If she could just think of a way to get them out without alerting anyone, they would be more than fine. The problem was no matter how hard Xantha thought about it, there was no way around the spell at the perimeter or the alarm that would sound if they got through. She swore silently to herself as she sat down and made herself comfortable. It didn't look like Serena was coming inside anytime soon anyway.

Serena placed the daisies very carefully into her pocket and eyed the clouds that were gathering overhead. 

"Oh no" she groaned "please don't rain, not today" she said to the sky with a grimace "I'll be in for it if you do, with no sheets to place back on our beds."

It wasn't raining just yet but the clouds looked dark and ominous and she flung herself onto her back and looked up regretfully. Who was she to argue with mother nature Serena thought blithely, she the mother of all things who blessed them with the forces of nature, good or bad. She silently apologised to the mother in her head. 

She was just getting awkwardly to her feet, stumbling slightly and dusting off the grass when she heard a large squall and thud just behind her. Serena turned and stared at the poor little bluebird frantically hopping around in its desire to fly, its wing bent at a strange angle. 

"Poor darling" Serena murmured inching closer as the bird stared at her suspiciously "that must hurt an awful lot."

The bird stayed still as Serena slowly knelt in front and held out a steady hand. This was the hard part, getting the animal to trust her so that she could perform her magic on them. Eventually the bird decided that Serena wasn't a threat and hopped closer until it's beak was almost touching her outstretched hand. Serena gave it a reassuring smile as it c****d it's head, no longer hopping about or trying to stretch its broken wing. 

She concentrated, her forehead crinkling as her hand began to feel warm from the magic she directed there. A white light began to form underneath her open palm and above the bird's wing as it held still, intrigued and curious as the warmth hit them and felt surprisingly calm and soothing to it. The light slowly drifted into the blue bird's wing, beginning to heal it until the break was completely gone. In fact the blue bird looked good as new, stretching its wing out experimentally before giving a friendly little warble and flying away as Serena watched delighted. She felt slightly envious at the bird's freedom and quietly wished that she too could fly away as she bent down to grab the laundry basket and head inside. 

Xantha had watched everything unfold with wide eyes, unable to believe what she was seeing. Had Serena just healed that bird with white magic? Had she been hiding that from all of them all this time? If her magic was white then that would make her a white witch thought Xantha panicked. This was bad. This was very bad. Serena had no idea how much danger she was in and this had just enhanced it. The sound of leaves crinkling and footsteps made her turn towards it, keeping out of sight as someone passed by in a huge rush. 

Xantha looked at the figure disappearing, taking in the hair, the black dress and boots and the wild way that they were almost running in the opposite direction with frantic eyes. Xantha had thought that she was the only one observing Serena just now but apparently she hadn't been. Clearly Stella had had the same idea and now she was racing directly to tell their mother about Serena's magic. Xantha's heart sank. There was no time to formulate a plan, time was not a luxury for either of them. She began to run towards the cottage, hair flying behind her. They needed to run and they needed to run now.