Awakening (The Magic of the Black Forest Book 2) by Macy Farmer Page A

set up a couple of traps. If they had gotten into the house we would have known. I should have I listened in on their conversation instead of kicking them off of the porch. All we know is what the rumors are and that is they were looking for the two of you and that there were consequences for you getting married.”
    “Wait, I have an idea. Bradley, I need to go outside and talk to the trees will you come with me?”
    “Did I just hear you say you need to talk to the trees?” Colleen asked.
    “Yes. It’s a long story.” I turned to look at Bradley but he was already standing there, grinning and holding out his hand, waiting for mine. “Come on, Seager.”
    I led them deeper into the trees. As we walked past the trees, I took a leaf from each while thanking them for their sacrifice. After a few minutes I asked Bradley and Seager to wait while I went on without them. At the same time they both asked how far. It was just a few feet away, maybe a yard or so. When they realized they could see and most likely hear me, they were okay with letting me go on my own.
    Up ahead was a narrow shallow creek; the flow was constant. Kneeling down beside it, I drew a seven-point star on the bank with a seven-point sun in the middle. A symbol, my magical energy, that helped me talk to the trees. Gathering all the leaves I had collected, I prepared for my request. One by one a leaf was placed in the flowing creek while asking the trees to let us know what Anthony and Andrew had to say.
    For my protection, for my loved ones, please tell me the words that were unheard . These words were chanted each time a leaf was set into the flowing creek. My thoughts were images of them sitting on our porch talking. Once all the leaves were gone I rose to my feet and thanked the earth, air, fire, and water for their assistance. I carefully brushed my star completely away and began walking back to Bradley and Seager.
    Standing in front of Bradley, I was about to say it didn’t work when their angry words brought me to my knees. I cradled my head in my hands, trying to ease the pain caused by their hatred. I couldn’t hear anything through the pain so I let down my shield, hoping that Seager or Bradley could make out what they were saying. My head felt as if it would explode at any moment. Then, the light and pain disappeared. Everything went black.
    Familiar voices worriedly repeated my name, pleading with me to wake. All the voices and sounds faded when I heard the most beautiful sound in the world… My Bradley’s voice. He kept telling them to give me air, to back away. The sound of his voice was fierce but hesitant, as if he was afraid and not sure what to do. Cradling my body against his, he wrapped his arms tightly around me, rocking us. I could also hear Seager trying to tell everyone that I was waking up, but no one heard him, they were too upset and weren’t listening. Slowly, I began to open my eyes and saw we were on the front porch, my body cradled in Bradley’s arms.
    “Bradley, what happened?” I whimpered. He didn’t respond. No one heard me over all the commotion. With my arm that dangled behind him, I grabbed his hair and pulled his head back and whimpered the words again. This time he heard me and so did everyone else. When they attempted to reach out to me, Bradley growled furiously before he ran into the house and slammed the door behind us.
    “Natalia, my love. Please tell me you’re okay.” It sounded as if he was crying. I opened my eyes again to see that he was, but without tears. I cupped his cheek with my hand and laid my head against his chest.
    “I am now. I’m going to take a nap, okay?” I felt exhausted. Even though I wanted to know what happened in the woods, it had to wait. Feeling the safety of our house and his arms, I quickly drifted off to sleep.
    When I woke up Seager was with me in our room. He licked my face and got on the bed to lie beside me. We laid there while I listened to everybody telling