The Eden Series: The Complete Collection by Janelle Stalder Read Free Book Online

appeared to have, Elisa couldn’t understand how she could have stayed there as long as she had.
    What surprised her most was the appearance of the witch. Elisa had mentally prepared herself for an old lady, with rags on her body and warts on her nose. What she got instead was a young-looking girl, maybe around her late twenties, with long blonde, almost white hair, and a beautiful white robe on her body. The robe had embroidered symbols in it, stitched with a gold and silver thread that seemed to shimmer wherever she walked. It looked almost magical. The witch had wide, deep blue eyes and a friendly smile when she greeted her. Elisa couldn’t understand why anyone would be afraid of this place.
    “People are always afraid of what they don’t know,” the witch said from the kitchen, as if she were reading Elisa’s mind. She walked back over to the sitting area, carrying a tray with an old teapot and two cups on it. She smiled down at Elisa as she placed the tray on the small table before taking a seat on the sofa across from her. “Stories circulate of a witch living here, and everyone thinks the worst. What most people don’t know, is that the witch they knew died some years back now, and had taken on a new apprentice before then. I have taken up her teachings since she passed, and so now I have become the resident freak.” She chuckled, shrugging her shoulders. “I don’t correct any of the rumours, finding the privacy preferable.”
    “You are so young,” Elisa blurted out, immediately cursing herself for being rude.
    The witch laughed, pouring them both a cup of tea. “Young in age, my dear, but old in my soul. I’ve had centuries of teachings passed down to me, and that can’t help but age one’s inner spirit. Now, what is your name?”
    Elisa was shocked by this, assuming this woman would just know her somehow. Was she not psychic?
    “I am no fortune-teller,” she interrupted her thoughts. “I know things, but not all. Some things I choose not to look for, finding it nicer to have people introduce themselves normally. Normality is fiercely underrated.”
    “I apologize for my rudeness,” she replied, feeling her cheeks grow hot with embarrassment. “My name is Elisa,” she introduced herself.
    “Ah, you are Alistair’s star pupil, and also the great Captain Turk’s daughter, then. They must be in great need if they sent you here alone.”
    Elisa nodded her head, searching for the words the High Priest had told her to recount. “The High Priest told me to tell you that the time has come for the warrior to be awakened. The force in the north is growing too strong, and they fear our men will not be enough to destroy the monsters the sorcerer has created.” The witch grunted at that remark, but remained quiet. Elisa continued on with her narrative. “Alistair has discussed their weaknesses with the High King and his Chancellor, and both have agreed that they need a force of their own. Something that will be strong enough to challenge whatever Brutus and Callum send down the mountain. We need the foretold warrior, before Eden is lost forever.”
    The witch stood up and walked toward the fire in the stove. She was silent for a while. Elisa sat in silence, awkwardly waiting for her to respond. Even though her father and the High Priest had trusted her with this message, and the journey it entailed, she had no idea what any of it meant. Alistair had explained that there was a great warrior that would help them to victory, but she didn’t understand why they needed the witch, or where this warrior actually was. Unexpectedly, the witch began to smile.
    “I understand the great need Eden has for this one, but I’m not sure your father and Alistair realize the work that is still yet to be done. I will get this warrior for them at the next full moon. You may come back here to get him.” She turned to look at Elisa. “You alone. Until then, you must explain to your elders that he will not be what