Gwen Stone

  “For the love of the gods, you two have got to get away from each other,” Euryale growled. “The two of you have been fighting 24/7 for the three weeks the humans have been here.”

  Gwen understood Euryale’s annoyance, she and Brent were constantly at each other’s throats. From who got the last slice of toast at breakfast to what movie is playing on the tv, Brent and Gwen couldn’t find common ground, and she guessed she was causing her housemates to suffer.

  “I don’t see why you’re getting involved,” Brent snarled. “This is between me and the Witch.” Gwen flinched at the disdain in Brent’s voice as he called her “the Witch.” She knew he didn’t like monsters, but she didn’t feel the labeling with hatred was a necessity. She was more than just a Witch.

  “Are ya kidding me?” Euryale shot back. “You’re standing in the middle of the living room yelling at each other. We’re all involved whether we wanna be or not.”

  Gwen immediately felt the heat of embarrassment start heating her chest. She and Brent had been bothering the group and it made her feel awful.

  “Sorry, Euryale,” Gwen apologized while focusing hard on her shoes.

  “So you say sorry to her, but you take my chair, which you’re still sitting in, and say nothing?” Brent yelled.

  “You were gone for twenty minutes. It is no longer yours when you’re gone that long,” Gwen retorted. “Deal with it.”

  “Deal with it? Why can’t you deal with getting up and out of my damn chair?”

  “Maybe because when you’re gone for twenty minutes it’s no longer yours. You forfeit the privileges of the chair. So sorry for the inconvenience, get over it.”

  “And what kind of psycho keeps count of how long someone is gone from their chair so they can steal it,” Brent screamed. “How bout you get over yourself and get out of that recliner.”

  “By the gods,” Suzuko screamed. “Out. Out right now. Both of you out.”

  That heat started bubbling up again and Gwen’s gaze immediately found the floor again. For Suz to yell, Gwen knew the whole group must have had enough of their quarrels, which she knew was fair as this was their third fight today.

  “I need to go do my chores anyway before my watch shift,” then she takes off, leaving a confused Brent in her wake surrounded by annoyed monsters.

  Brent Shepherd

  Eruan was suddenly behind him causing him to whirl around.

  “I think it’d be best if you went and found Sam to get your first watch shift.” He said.

  “I don’t have watch shifts.”

  “Well you’re about to,” Eruan chuckled. “I think if you have more to do, you’ll fight with Gwen less.”

  “She isn’t an innocent child, it’s not like I’m cornering her. She starts as much as I do.” Brent couldn’t understand the monsters sometimes. Gwen gives as good as she gets, they just don’t see it because she never fights with them.

  The look he gets from the Dhampir causes his feet to move on their own, and soon he found himself looking for Sam.

  “You shouldn’t pick fights with her you know,” Sam said. “For one you’re older than she is. Two, it's unfair to her.”

  “Why because it’ll hurt the baby’s feelings?” Brent asked. Again with the babying of Gwen, even from the old Bodach, who Brent had learned, used tough love on the daily.

  “My goddaughter had an interesting beginning,” Sam said but didn’t explain further.

  “You knew her parents I’m guessing,” Brent assumed.

  “It’d be weird to be her godfather if I didn’t.”

  For once, Brent didn’t really mind the Bodach’s presence. It was nice to have someone who didn’t see him as “one of the intruders” as he’d heard himself called. But even as he was having a fine time with Sam, the Witch creeped back into his mind once more. This internal quarrel was getting old and fast.

  “You never explained what you meant earlier,” He started.

  “I’m aware.”

  Brent gave him a few seconds to begin his explanation, but when he didn’t, his annoyance came quickly. “You wanna start explaining?” He asked abruptly.

  Sam just smiled, “Not particularly.”

  Brent just scoffed and went to stand up and walk off.

  “But if it’ll calm you two’s fighting, I guess I could explain a bit.”

  Brent rolled his eyes, yet still went to sit down next to the old man. “I am listening,” He said, annoyed. “Tell me about what growing up with Witches is like I guess.”

  “Oh, Gwen’s parents are human,” Sam laughed. “Confusing, I'm sure.”

  Brent’s head snapped up in shock. “That makes no sense, were her parent’s mixed blood?” He asked. Simply for the reason that what Sam said didn’t make sense. It wasn’t because he wanted to know where the Witch came from, of course not.

  “No, her families’ lineage is human. Collette, Gwen’s mom, lost her best friend. A Witch named Gwendolyn Jones. Jones was a powerful Witch and an avid member of the rebellion, ”

  “Gwendolyn?” Brent asked. “So, was Gwen named after her?”

  Sam’s face had grown more and more solemn throughout the conversation. “Yes, Gwen’s full name is Gwendolyn Stone, and she's paid the price for it.”

  “A bit dramatic don’t you think? So she shares a name with a famous Witch, so what?”

  “Jones was an aggressive member of the rebellion. Going on dangerous missions, fighting humans she saw as threats to her people, it got her killed.” Sam’s tone was soft and sad, and Brent couldn’ figure out why.

  “Who was Gwendolyn Jones to you?” He asked.

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  Sam’s sigh he let out was one that left Brent feeling hollow. “I’d found her living behind the store I had. She was young, and small, and I couldn’t let her keep living out there alone. I asked if she had anyone and she of course said no.”

  “So you let her stay with you?”

  “No, I fully adopted her.” Sam said. “She was my daughter. My wife and I didn’t have kids as Bodachs’ can't, and she was the miracle we didn’t know we needed.”

  Brent didn’t know what to say and the old man’s sorrow Brent could feel coming off him, made him uncomfortable. “And then she joined the presence,” He guessed.

  “Gwendolyn and Collette watched a man be killed for being a Witch, and they joined the next day. I couldn’t stop them and Collie’s parents, quite frankly, didn’t care enough to,” Sam explained. “Collie met Thomas, and soon after he joined as well when Collie got pregnant with Gwen.”

  “This doesn’t explain how Gwen is a Witch.”

  “My daughter is how. She found a dangerous potion for Collie, one that takes a lot of energy to create.”

  “Which I’m guessing, in turn, depleted Gwendolyn’s,” Brent said. He couldn’t figure out why he was so engrossed in Sam’s tale because it was Sam telling it, or if it was the origin story of his Witch.

  Woah, his Witch? Gwen was definitely and decidedly not his Witch. A random Witch he was stuck with in a house too small? Yes. His Witch? Absolutely not.

  “Their group was attacked a few days after the potion was made, and Gwendolyn was hell bent on protecting Collie and Tom, but her magic couldn’t keep up.” Sam’s explanation snapped Brent out of his ridiculous thoughts. “There were just too damn many of 'em and Gwen just couldn’t take all of them.”

  Brent could now see the sorrow in the air; it was so thick. “I’m sure it doesn’t mean much,” He started to say, “But I am sorry about your daughter, losing family is never an easy thing.”

  “It doesn’t mean little coming from you,” Sam said. “I do understand your view, you know, you are the environment you’re brought up in.”

  He didn’t know if it was what he was bright up in necessarily or a hatred he’d learned because of Declan and Marsaili. “My brother married a Vampire and joined the resistance shortly after.”

  Sam looked at him with understanding and it irritated him. “And you blame him for getting you mixed up into this mess.” Sam guessed.

  “Well wouldn’t you?” Brent accused. “I’m stuck in a safe house for a cause that’s not mine with monsters who call me and Alex intruders. If he hadn’t met Marsaili, my family wouldn’t have been spread across the country. You would blame them too Bodach, don’t start with me.’

  And just like that, his sense of understanding and feeling like Sam was okay to be around was burned down with his heated feelings rushing back in. He was sitting here casually chatting with a monster about a Witch who gave him nothing but trouble.

  “You just wanted to learn about my family and why I’m here, Bodach, and I can’t believe I even entertained you,’ He scoffed.

  “Come on Brent, you really think there’s a member of my safe house I don’t know everything about?” He asked. “I have a full file on you, why would I need you to tell me?”

  “You just wanna get in my head, and I won’t let you.” He knew he was probably being ridiculous, but he was now fired up, and he couldn’t even think of anything else. “You just wanna get me to quit fighting with your Witch goddaughter when she’s the one being a pain.”

  “I never said that, but you really shouldn’t be picking fights like that with her. She’s been taught from day one that fighting isn’t something you step back from, even small quarrels.”

  Brent didn’t really understand what the old bodach could be referring to, and didn’t want to care. But, just like it was nothing he said, “So she was in a family that fought? Big deal, a lot of people come from that.”

  Brent knew he was most likely being a bit cruel, but the Witch had this unbelievable way of pushing every button he had. He doubted she even tried at all, just simply came upon every way possible to piss him off. So, why was he asking? Why was he asking more about the pain?

  “No, Gwen's family doesn’t fight with each other. I meant, Gwen has been taught that her life’s purpose in life is fighting and being strong for the coven.” Sam explained. “She takes care of every task that is given to her, she can’t help it. You, without knowing it, keep giving her the task of fighting with you.”

  “I’m over this conversation, I couldn’t care less about the Witch or any of you for that matter,” Brent yelled. “Eruan said to come get a watch shift schedule from you, so just give me the schedule Bodach and I’ll stay out of the way.”

  Sam gave a sigh, watching Brent carefully, “9 pm to midnight,” He said. “We’ll start you out small then work you up.”

  Brent just scoffed and walked off. His anger only fuelled his fire more. He had 3 hours till his shift, surely he could hide out in his room till then.

  “Dinner everyone, get here or don’t eat,” Eruan yelled out.

  He just couldn’t win today could he?

  ~~~~

  He wondered what was for dinner today, and hoped it was at least something worth being out here for.

  The Nymph was in charge of dinner and he thanked the gods if there were any. She at least made normal foods.

  He took his normal seat next to Alex, when the Witch walked in. He wanted to ignore her, craved to forget her existence. He didn’t know why he couldn’t.

  “Gwen go get the plates,” Eruan said. And off the Witch went.

  “Gwen, will you get the potatoes off the stove so I can mash them?” The Nymph asked. And the Witch went to do it.

  Everyone was eating when the Kitsune said, “Damn I’m out of beer, Gwen you’re closer, will you get me another one?”

  And the Witch shot out of her chair. What was happening? Has it always been that way? The Witch completing every task given to her with absolutely no questions? He didn’t know why he was noticing and was desperate not to care.

  “Alright everyone, no more asking Gwen for things today,” Sam declared. And he wasn’t sure why, but he felt as if he could focus on eating again after that. He also saw Gwen take a breath as well.

  Alex was now talking his ear off while he was barely listening, but as he went to grab the last roll someone was already grabbing it. “Are you kidding me?”

  “What now?” Gwen rolled her eyes and scoffed.

  “You knew I was going for that, don’t even start,” He grumbled. “Come on, hand it over.”

  He just couldn't escape this Witch who knew how to push every button. She was as immature as she was a pain in the ass which was extensive.

  “I wasn't even doing anything, I wanted a roll, I grabbed it first.”

  “Yea like a speed demon after you saw me going for it,” His tone was getting angrier and his volume louder, he really couldn’t take the Witch anymore.

  “He was going for it first you know, it's a bit immature to whine and complain,” Alex added.

  “Oh great, Brent, you have your annoying puppy backing you up again,” The Snake snarked. “I’m so happy your little minion can back you up with whatever you’re rumbling about.”

  “I am not his minion,” Alex shrieked. “I am his friend and I know right from wrong. She wants to whine and complain because she knows she’s in the wrong.”

  “Fine,” She sighed. “Take it, what do I care?”

  As Brent took the roll from her by snatching it out of her hand, the room seemed to sour. Alex was the only Alex had a look of victory on her face.

  “I’ll make more so you can have one Gwen,” The Kitsune whispered. She had a look full of pity and he couldn’t get why.

  “Nah,” Gwen huffed. “It’s whatever. He wanted it more than me anyway so.” She got up and put her empty plate in the sink. “I gotta get ready for watch at 7 anyway.” And with that she sulked off.

  “You guys really shouldn’t give into her when she throws a tantrum.”

  As soon as Alex said that, everyone’s gaze whipped back to her.

  “It wasn’t a tantrum, you hag, she hadn’t gotten one yet.” The Snake hissed at her. “They’re her favorite so she saves it for last as a treat.”

  “Then she waited too long and that’s on her,” Alex shrugged. Brent just looked down at the roll, a sinking feeling he wanted to ignore started settling in.

  Sam just sighed, “Suz, will you make more tomorrow and have a few set aside just for Gwen please?” His stare was pointed at Alex, “And make sure no one touches them.” Alex just rolled her eyes in response.

  “Let me take out the nuisance Sam,” Eruan snarked while staring at Alex, and Brent watched her pale next to him.

  “We’re not threatening people Eruan.” Sam replied.

  Brent just sat watching their interaction sinking deeper into the hollow feeling. His gaze kept finding the roll sat untouched on his plate.