Read Online Coven of Wolves by Peter Saenz - Free Book Online

pulls up and a load of tourists step off. They take no notice of us and happily begin snapping photos of the buildings around us. We continue to the front door, which opens for us on its own magically. Upon entering a lavishly decorated lobby, we pass a beautiful curved wooden staircase which almost seems to be spotlighted by a series of custom stained glass windows. Just past the staircase an elevator door dings open and we step inside. The doors immediately close behind us and the car moves upward, finally stopping on the top floor. The doors open and I'm greeted with an intoxicating scent of sweet incense.
    "This way."
    Mika guides us past many pieces of ornate furniture and grand tapestries. We head toward an open door on the far side of the living room. As we walk through, the incense smell becomes stronger. The room is filled with many lit candles and along one wall stands many shelves, each containing several labeled glass jars. In the middle of the room is a red velvet lined folding table. Beside it stands an older woman immaculately polished with her pale white hands interlocked in front of her. Her stark white hair is neatly tied up in a bun and on her white high necked Victorian blouse she wears has a cameo perfectly centered above her chest. Her long black skirt goes down to the top of her high button boots, which carry a Victorian era look to them. The woman looks on at us with the same brilliant green eyes I see in Mika.
    Mika and I position Tobias on the table. In doing so I feel that beneath the red velvet are several padded cushions. The moment Mika and I step away the older woman goes straight to work on Tobias. Within seconds she has a series of herbs placed on his tongue, a medicinal smelling cold compress on his forehead, and a couple small censers set on either side of his head giving off unique healing aromas.
    My senses go into overload and I begin to feel somewhat light-headed. I look around and see Fenrus standing beside me still carrying Ms. Whiskers. I kneel down toward him and begin petting his cheeks and forehead. "Thank you Fenrus. You did great." He licks me in response. I then take Ms. Whiskers off of him and place her on a nearby chair. I then turn my attention back towards Tobias and the woman.
    "Do you think you can help him?"
    The woman continues her work but replies, "I'm definitely going to try. Mika, were you able to retrieve it?"
    At this Mika reaches into her pocket and pulls out a thick white handkerchief. She opens it up and inside is the long needle and red feather the would-be assassin used on Tobias.
    "Good. Drop it into this decanter." The older woman then holds a glass container with a clear liquid towards Mika and she drops the needle in. After a few moments the clear liquid begins to change into a misty purple. Noticing the color change, the woman moves over to the large shelved wall and begins pulling several jars down. She takes various amounts of the items from each jar and places them into a large vessel. She then grabs a small porous stone and begins to grind the items together. When she is done she takes the newly made powder and places it into a heating tea kettle set on a nearby table. She waits a few moments and then takes the kettle and pours its contents into a cup. Afterward she goes over to Tobias and with one arm manages to sit him up. She removes the herbs she placed on his tongue earlier with her free hand. When all the herbs are cleared she takes the cup and eases the concoction down Tobias' throat.
    "Come on Tobias, the goddess isn't ready to receive you yet." The warm motherly tone of her voice surprises me. She places the cup down and instead of laying Tobias down as well she leans him toward her and cradles him in her arms. With her free hand she pushes his hair back and kisses his forehead before resting it on her cheek. It reminds me of Tobias pushing the hair from my forehead only an hour ago.
    "You know Tobias?" I ask.
    She smiles at me and says, "I