Chapter 309: Chapter 309

The day had almost given up to the approaching evening. In the dim light filtering through the dense canopy of trees, Royston’s eyes focused entirely on the smallish female whose back was as straight as possible, showing an elegance that did not match the scenery; standing there, his breath hitched.

His eyes widened, and a flicker of shock rippled across his face. He had not expected her to say that, and in this shadowy part of the woods, where the air was thick with mystery, a flash of fear touched his heart for the very first time since he had first met her a few months prior. He was so shocked that his brain had turned to mush.

Never once did she raise her voice, but a terror rang underneath it. Royston was sure that he did not want to offend her in any way, but he did not wish to give Shelby up. Never! Royston had come a long way to even consider that! Still, he did not understand what she meant by he couldn’t handle Shelby.

He knew that the girl before him was unordinary, but he was willing to face all fears to realize and achieve his love no matter the price or what it took.

Royston had only heard of this person randomly some time back.

After staying around Shelby for a while, Royston had come to know that no male could touch her, excluding her brother. Royston had a keen eye but could not understand what that phenomenon was about. One thing that was clear was that whatever that was, it was not humanly possible.

So, when Royston had heard of a witch who could grant any wish, Royston had jumped for it. If he had heard of this before he had met Shelby, Royston would have dismissed this as a fairy tale. Like, who believed in witches?

Except maybe the books that talked of the ’Witches of East End’ that he had read of. However, Royston’s love for Shelby pushed him to try and find out about this said witch that people only whispered about.

In essence, it had been almost a year, if not more, since Royston heard of this witch. He made an ’easy’ choice to leave everything because he knew no man could touch Shelby anyway, so technically, his girl would still be there for him when he returned.

Royston was also not sure of what he sought and, therefore, did not tell Shelby of it. He just up and left, planning to surprise Shelby when he returned with his good news.

However, he had never expected the sequence of happenings after.

He had found this girl who had claimed to be the witch surprisingly. He never questioned her and had even paid ’the price’, which in his view, was absolutely nothing!

He had not paid with money or any worldly things. Royston did note that the girl seemed younger than when he had met her, which in his mind was totally ridiculous! Who grew younger and who paid for anything with their unused years in life?

Despite these thoughts, Royston was willing to believe in something if there was any tiny ounce of opportunity to be with this beautiful girl, Shelby, who had rocked his world.

But Royston was in for the surprise of his life: Shelby was married when he returned! How could she when no man could touch her? The devastation had been so bad that Royston had retreated inwards.

It wasn’t until he received a text from Shelby’s rich friend that he decided to still pursue this. The text had just let him in on a secret... it had said: ’Shelby is unhappy in the marriage and had let slip that she still thinks of you’.

That was all the nudge Royston needed, but no matter how much he tried to contact the person, he could not get through, so he turned to Shelby’s second friend and then went back to the witch; after all, he had supposedly paid for the service.

The witch did not give him any potions, as he had expected. She had just requested an audience with both him and Shelby, but then the woman went back on her words.

Royston would have thought that she was fake, but the woman had gotten them to the middle of the forest in an instant, and that, in itself, told Royston that he could not mess with her.

"What do you mean by misfortune? Are you trying to scare me?" Royston asked, taking an involuntary step back.

"Take the advice or leave it. That depends on you."

The girl turned and started walking deeper into the woods.

Royston closed his eyes and then, something popped in,

"You mean, I can touch and hold Shelby now?" His eagerness and enthusiasm seemed to overflow. Royston had thought that something had been done because of him and the price of years he had paid.

He took one step, then two but the woman was nowhere in his sight.

"My task is done. Heed my advice!" Her soothing, calming voice seemed to echo all around the forest, and then the whole place was plunged into silence, except for the sounds from the crickets and small insects around.

"Hey! How am I supposed to get out of here?" Royston shouted but there was no response.

"What did she say?" Ian repeated after checking that no harm had befallen Shelby.

"It was strange, like as if she knows me but I have never met her. She said that she had always wanted to meet me in person and that I was a lovely person, and she hated for what was to come and also that I should take care of myself....

That’s the strangest thing ever. I somehow know that she did not mean any harm, but I still cannot shake off the creepiness."

Ian pulled Shelby’s chair close and hugged her close.

"I’m on it. I’ll get you answers by the end of the day or tomorrow, max."

Ian nodded and then Ian turned to Murray,

"Would you like me to follow them?" he asked,

"No, leave them be for now but keep an eye on the Chicken."

"Chicken?" Murray asked, puzzled.

"I’ll fill you in, come on, brother."

Ian ran his hands through Shelby’s hair as if trying to calm her but he was doing that for himself!

Three voices called out to Shelby at the same time, and she straightened from Ian’s arms, putting on a smile just for the three of them. Ian was unhappy and pulled her back into his arms, making Shelby chuckle.

"Are you okay?" Shelby asked them.

"Yes, we just finished eating."

The three shook their heads and this drew reactions from all around. The family of five were just adoring to look at.

Even with them shaking their heads, Shelby could see that Ingrid and Gabriel looked exhausted. This was unsurprising, given that they had walked for hours from late morning to the afternoon.

Shelby pushed Ian away gently and hugged the two youngest.

"Let Suzie get you home to rest, and I’ll see you later, okay?"

Despite their reluctance, the two obeyed, playing soft kisses on either side of Shelby’s cheeks and then, turned to take Suzie’s hands, standing obediently by her side. Suzie had already sent a text for Albert to come get them.

Satisfied with this, Shelby turned her attention back to Ian but then closed her eyes and decided to try something. She knew that she could not mind link anyone but Ian and Murray, unlike what Ian could do, but she remembered what had happened in the hospital room with Ava and Suzie, so she tried it again,

’Ava!’ She used her mind link like she did with Ian and waited for a bit and tried again, ’Ava!’

Nothing happened. Opening her eyes in disappointment, she turned to Ian.

"It’s okay." He whispered for her ears only, as he had a hunch on what she had wanted to do.

However, to her surprise, Ava walked over hurriedly.

"Huh?" Shelby turned to look at her, wondering why Ava had left her task to come there.

"I had a hunch that you wanted to see me. Am I getting telepathic or something, hahahaa?"

Shelby’s mouth dropped open, and Ian lifted an eyebrow.

"Did you hear me call you?"

"Did you call for me? hmmmmm.... I didn’t hear that. Well, isn’t it good that I came then?"

Shelby shook her head as if trying to understand what was going on.

’Ava did not hear her but still came over because she felt that she had to?’ What kind of twist was that?

"Hey, what’s up?" Ava asked, noticing that something was wrong.

"Erm.... Samantha, can you help Ava pack up some of the snacks for Mum and Dad back home? Also pack enough for Gabriel and the rest too, as they are leaving."

Samantha’s smile brightened, and she felt her heart puff out at being treated like an adult. The kids had been sent home as it was already late in the day, but she was allowed to stay!

She almost jumped up, fist in the air, but restrained herself. She turned and followed Ava into one of the rooms in the back, not knowing that one pair of keen eyes was following her every move.

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