Fields of ferns and wild flowers crisscrossed the lawn in a beautiful spectrum of colors. Every shade of green on the face of the planet was represented in the huge garden. An enormous greenhouse stood to the side of the house, blooming with color.
Lana smiled, her love of the land, obvious. “Romania has some of the most ancient forests in the world, full of primeval plants with healing properties. With the internet, we send our seeds all over the world. Come, you must meet my Gram. You call her Bunica.”
An ancient woman stood waiting at the top of a long and winding driveway. She opened the door and embraced Zoe in an enormous hug, overflowing with healing energy.
Lana translated her few words. “She gives thanks to the Goddess you are here, safely.”
The two spoke again, and Lana's face lit up. “You are pregnant?”
Zoe nodded.
Roxanne danced around the car with a great big grin. “Bunica always knows when there is another life in the clan.”
The old woman put a hand on Zoe’s stomach. Instead of smiling, her mouth formed a large O. She stepped back, old eyes creased in pain, and made a healer’s sign to ward off evil. Tears dripped in the corners of her eyes. “Why?”
Zoe looked to Lana. “Why what?”
Lana listened while the old woman ranted excitedly. When they finished their exchange, Lana turned to Zoe. “Why would you mate with a…a…Warrior?” She spoke the last word filled with contempt and disgust.
“We were pulled by the solstice.” And because she was part warrior. Had she forgotten that, or just dismissed it?
Bunica cursed in Romanian. Zoe guessed at the meaning and started to get dizzy. She’d been up for almost two days straight.
“He raped you?” Lana motioned for her to sit down.
“No, no. He’s not like that. I love him.” Zoe sat, held her stomach.
“Tell me you did not match.” Lana squatted beside her.
Zoe nodded miserably. “We have augmented each other’s powers.”
Lana interpreted for Bunica, her voice getting more and more agitated. Her hands went to her hips when she said, “So you have the wind tunnel from your father’s side and what else?”
Zoe shrugged, held out a hand, and brought forth a small tornado with a raging fire burning within. She quickly put it out and sat on her hands.
The three women gasped, spoke simultaneously, and then nodded in agreement. What would they do with her now?
“We will save you from your evil mate,” Lana said, nodding as if it were confirmed.
“What?” Zoe stood abruptly, and the room started to spin. “He’s not evil. Tell everyone he’s a good man. You must.”
Zoe had to swallow hard. She closed her eyes and broke out in a cold sweat.
“No doubt this warrior has put you under his spell.” Lana motioned for Zoe to sit down again, then patted her hand. “We will fix you.”
Zoe let her head fall back onto the couch and closed her eyes. The world spun out of control. “No, no, he’s a philanthropist… I keep telling you. A good man.”
Lana stood, paced, and answered with anger. “Your uncle? The one who just tried to kidnap you? He pretends to be a good man. Zoe, the warring clan deals opium, and sells children into prostitution. They would sell their own mothers if there was profit in it. It is the warrior witch’s way. They are warlocks. Liars.”
“The men who are after me are my birth father’s family? What do they want with me?” Zoe tried to think clearly. The odd time zone, the pregnancy, and the flight were making things worse.
“It is obvious, no?” Lana took a deep breath and spoke as if to an ignorant child. “Before you were even born, clan warriors were bartering for the right to try to mate with you, to have your father’s power. That is why your parents tried to leave the country. They died in that effort. Somehow, you were lost. Now that you are with child, and have given yourself to another clan, they want the child you carry. And then, perhaps will want to seed you with one of their own.”
“They want my baby?” Zoe moaned. When would this nightmare end? These people talked about pregnancy like she was a race horse.
Roxanne brought some refreshments into the room on an old silver tray.
Bunica spoke to Lana slowly, pointing her fingers at Zoe, in emphasis.
