Alpha Asher By Jane Doe

Chapter 237

“You’re wondering how we’ve managed to stay on your lands this entire time without anyone noticing.” Ember spoke softly, Angelica’s hand clutched in her own as she led the child in between houses to where the backyard was.

Tall picket fences divided the properties, each one the same uniform shape, height, and color. With the moon as our guide, Ember led us to the back of the property, right where the forest met the neatly trimmed grass.

“She’s not the only one wondering that.” Brandon muttered sourly, casting a glare in Ember’s direction.” This entire time I thought you brought me to some witchy village.”

“Freya told me to bring you to her, and this just so happened to be where she was.” Ember fired back.

Angelica giggled, watching the two of them with curious eyes that shimmered brightly even in the dark. My only option was to intervene before they could descend into a full-blown argument. We’d be here all night if that was the case..

“How have you been able to stay here for so long without anyone noticing? Someone should’ve been able to pick up mine and Brandon’s scents.” I said, wondering why even now I failed to pick anything up.

Right as we reached the forest line, Ember tugged Angelica to a stop. The little girl whipped around, a knowing grin on her face.

“You don’t have to cloak the house anymore, Angelica. If we’re going to play, you’ll need all your strength, yeah?” Ember said, lowering herself to the girl’s height.

Angelica tapped her chin in thought for a moment before nodding, a look of agreement on her cherub face.

“Okay.” She giggled.

The air around Angelica began to shimmer, like it had been embedded with shards of diamond. It grazed the bare skin of my arms, sending little electrical pulses of magic through my flesh. Angelica waved her hands, a self-satisfied smile on her face when the space surrounding the house and fence began to ripple and change.

The entire length of the fence began to darken in color. Splotches of mold grew across the wood like wisps of moss. A quiet grinding sound filled the air as some began to c*ack and splinter. The baby blue paneling of the house changed as well, warping as spiderwebs of mildew began crawling across its surface. The shudders began to fall, their paint peeling as the scraps fluttered to the ground.

the grass began to change. It wasn’t perfectly trimmed, identical to every other house in the neighborhood. Weeds sprouted in heavy clusters, growing higher and higher until they practically reached our knees. Poor Angelica was swallowed by them, only her head

the child giggled and clapped her

was all an illusion. That’s why Angelica was in the house. She was keeping us hidden.” I said, somewhat amazed. There was one thing bothering me, though. “What happened

poison. It doesn’t matter where you are, that poison seeps into everything…even houses.” Ember said, her voice low and ominous. She peeled her eyes away from the house, and as she did so, they glowed like two warm coals. She spoke in a whisper that Angelica failed to hear, “…let’s get going before Freya comes back. She won’t hesitate

I had just enough to reach out to Asher. The connection between us wasn’t at its strongest, but it was enough to get the

but I’m here. I’m alive and safe…for the most part. All of that aside there’s something I need you to

that made my skull rattle. I could practically feel his eyes turn my way,

my thoughts veering in the wrong direction. Holding the connection was sapping the little strength I had. Asher, sensing the drop in my energy,

Don’t tell them

Asher’s voice faded into nothingness, it’s absence a reminder that I hadn’t been able to mention Ember and Angelica. I’d

as it was, had been completely intentional. It could easily cost me my life, but despite what she had done,

the house.” I told Brandon, who

use the last seconds of my life burning someone you love to a crisp. Got it?” Ember hissed under

it.” I replied, sighing

to flourish together or destroy the world. There

The whisper of cold air against my skin

was still counting seconds, but this way I

game. I need you to hide the four of us, and our scents. Think you

feet up ahead, Angelica and Brandon carved a path through the forest. The child had a hold of Brandon’s shirt, using him to keep her balance over the rocky terrain. Whenever she hit a patch of mud and slid, she’d grab onto Brandon, nearly taking him down with her. The

a series of gestures, waving it through the darkness like she

glanced up at her, my stomach turning as a dark

hurt Angelica, would she? I mean, she’s just a child. She can’t possibly understand everything that’s going

of flame sputtered to life, illuminating where