Despite the sun kissing my naked shoulders as it arched further into the sky, there's still a chill I can't seem to shake. I block Maddox from our mind link and the satchel Lennon made for me ensures he can't track my scent. I didn't intend on traveling so far at first, I just wanted... Space.

Maddox is my mate, my other half. He's supposed to be on my side no matter what, but his words sank into my skin like sharp claws. I know he's probably just angry that I'm unwilling to fight dirty, but part of me wonders if there's truth to his cruel words.

Before I know it, our cabin has long since disappeared from my view, but I keep close to the riverbank so as not to lose all sense of direction. A small cottage comes into view and it looks like something straight out of a fairytale.

A large chimney juts out from the side of the roof and the entire building is made of stone. There's a pathway from the river to the front door, line with old oil lanterns and Aconite and Opium Poppy.

Ivy trailed down the side of the stone walls and every square inch of land surrounding the tiny home was covered in various flowers and herbs, enveloping the air in fragrant flowers. The clothing line that hung above an arrangement of bushes catches my eye.

Several black linens were strung up to dry and for a moment I contemplate stealing them and running, but something about the old-world feel of the place piques my interest.

I walk up the steep trail to the door and knock quietly, nerves pooling in my stomach. There's no answer at first and I begin to think nobody is home, but the smoke from the chimney suggests otherwise.

I raise my hand to knock again, but as soon as my fist is about to connect to the wood, the door opens. The woman behind it smiles mischievously at me and I'm instantly caught off guard by her beauty.

Her skin is a deep brown and free of any blemishes. Her hair is buzzed and she has strong, muscular shoulders, but there's something soft and feminine about her appearance. Her eyes, though, are what really captivate me, pulling me in and erasing any words from my tongue.

They were pitch black, no sign of where her pupils ended and her irises began, but there was something so vibrant and lively about them.

She radiated magic.

"You're... a witch," I finally manage to stutter out.

I'm embarrassed that I can't seem to say anything more eloquent, but the woman responds with a knowing smile.

"As are you," she says.

Her voice is deep and calming, laced with honey and old power.

"Come inside, my darling. Let's get you some clothes, hmm?"

I nod my appreciation, too afraid to open my mouth and say something stupid again, and step inside as she holds the door open for me.

The inside looks and smells exactly as I expected. Dried herbs were suspended from every inch of the ceiling. The small fireplace blazed and warmed my icy skin. It's cozy and I don't notice a bed or any modern amenities, but there's a black German Shepard and a little white cat curled up together next to the fire.

"I'm so sorry I intruded like this. I don't know why I wandered off... In a bed sheet no less," I mumble the last part. "I promise I'm not usually so rash."

"You're distraught."

Her voice is kind and she turns her attention to a cast iron kettle placed on a small wooden table. She pours two teacups and gestures for me to sit.

"Drink this. Warm yourself up."

I sit down next to her, taking in all the little curiosities she seems to have accumulated in her small space.

"So you live here?"

"On occasion. I have many homes in many places," she smiled in response.

Her response is ambiguous and laced with double meaning, which only makes me want to ask her more. She feels like a life-long friend, someone I can open up to and trust instantly. I wonder briefly if it's the overly fragranced herbs just messing with my head, but the look in her eyes tells me I can talk to her about anything.

"So what brought you here?" I prompt her for more.

"I felt my coven was in need of my help. I could sense their distress and decided that I should be closer to them, to help where I can. Here, let me grab you something to change into."

I take ginger sips of the hot cup between my hands, savoring the taste of chai and cinnamon on my tongue. The woman comes back moments later with a simple black dress before stepping out through the back door again so I can change.

There's a pounding at the front door just as I pull the cotton over my head and my blood runs cold. The animals by the fire perk their heads up briefly before falling back into their peaceful slumber.

I can tell by the tingling in my stomach exactly who's standing on the other side of that wall before I even see him. Maddox rips the door open before the woman has a chance to answer and immediately sets his sights on me.

His mouth is set in a hard line, his chest heaving with anger. If looks could kill, I'd drop dead right now.

"Don't-"

"Poppy, what the fuck!" He yells.

"Keep your fucking voice down," I hiss back. "You can't just barge into people's homes like this."

"The fuck I can't. Get pissed at me all you want, but don't you dare run off like that again. Not when you've got a fucking target on your back."

A pang of guilt hits me at the look that crosses his face. My actions were irresponsible, but I just had to get away and clear my thoughts.

"I'm sorry," I mumble sincerely.

"I couldn't track your scent. You have no idea how worried I've been."

"How did you find me?"

He at least confirmed that Lennon's satchel did in fact work, but how did he find me if he wasn't tracking my scent? Maybe I wasn't as good at putting up mental blocks as I thought.

"Hecate told me you were here," he shrugs.

My mind goes blank at his statement, completely unable and unwilling to wrap itself around his words.

"Hecate?"