Lauren, a Wellspring, Part 3 of 3

by BadFred

I found myself in darkness. I heard the noise of the tires and felt the shaking of the car.

Pain washed over me. My heart hammered in my chest. I gasped for air, flailing my limbs around. My body seized up.

I believe I passed out.

When I came to, the car was still running. I tried to stay calm. I wiggled my toes. I could feel both feet. I shifted my legs and they responded. They were intact. Likewise my arms, except my right hand, which ached deeply. It sent a shock of pain when I tried to move my fingers. I didn't try again.

I reached up and felt my neck. My pulse was too fast, but strong.

I cleared my thoughts. I did a simple math problem in my head. I thought of the names of the people I knew. I was Rachel. My lover was Erica. I was in the trunk of a car trying to save Lauren. I blinked each eye. I concluded that I hadn't had a stroke.

My heart was beating. My breathing felt clear. My brain worked. I had survived.

My former teacher had owned a Lexus. I recalled that there was a release lever inside of the trunk in case of emergency. It glowed. I found it. It was a faint green handle. I reached out and touched it, just to assure myself that it was there. I didn't pull it yet.

The car slowed. Something else moved in the trunk. It touched me. I jerked about, panicked. It bumped me again.

I forced myself to calm down. I steadied my breathing. I felt the object. It was smooth and round, some sort of ball, maybe a basketball or soccer ball.

The car turned. The tire sounds changed and we went over several large bumps. We had pulled off of the road.

Then the car stopped completely, and the engine shut off. Wherever we were going, we were there.

I heard a car door open and close. Then another open. I heard Lauren moan. I heard his voice, deep and gravely. I couldn't make out what was said. The car shifted. The door slammed. Then silence.

I waited a bit. I opened the trunk.

I looked out facing the sun. It was low in the sky. Streaks of red and blue washed across the horizon.

The car was parked on gravel in front of an old wooden house. Its paint was peeling, but had probably been white. There were slats of wood nailed over the windows. A rusty screen door hung loosely over the front entrance. I heard the front door slam.

I looked further. The house was surrounded by trash filled lots. There was an old cement warehouse a few blocks further. It was covered with graffiti. I could see a highway overpass beyond that. I had no idea where we were.

I sat up fully. Pain shot through me. I retched. I shoved my hand into my mouth and bit down. It didn't help with the pain, but it stopped me from crying out.

I felt a dull ache coming up from deep inside me. When I shifted again, it was a sharp pain.

I was hurt. Real bad. Deep inside.

I had known that the magic would have a cost.

I had to get out of the trunk. I sat up again. More pain. I sort of leaned out behind the car. I let myself fall to the ground.

Again, darkness.

*****

When I awoke, it was night. There was no moon, but the sky glowed from city lights. I could see only a few stars. I recognized Spica far to the west. Virgo was setting.

I knew that I was too late. I prayed to the goddess that the girl would have the strength to survive this.

I took a deep breath. I got up to my knees, but didn't have the strength to rise further. I began to crawl toward the house.

*****

He must have heard me trying to climb the porch. The door opened. The rusty hinges on the screen creaked. In the darkness, I saw his figure over me. He grabbed my hair and yanked me to my feet. I just whimpered. I hadn't the strength to scream. He dragged me into the house.

I realized that I was going to die. I wasn't afraid. Then I thought of Erica ...

I wouldn't let him see me cry. I fought back the tears.

There was a table in the corner of the room. An old style camping lantern sat on it, casting a faint glow across the room. A sleeping bag had been set down against the wall. Lauren lay on it, her wrists and ankles bound. Her eye was bruised and her lip was split. She wore a shirt, but her pants were gone. She looked shocked to see me.

"So! It is the witch again," he said as the lantern lit my face, "Well, you are persistent. However, I do understand your commitment. She is a most wonderful wellspring."

I spat in his face. He punched me.

He threw me down against the wall. I had enough strength to raise my arms and protect my head. He turned and sat on the edge of the table. He looked at me.

"Well, wellspring, would you like to say goodbye to your witch?"

I looked over toward Lauren. She sat up. Her eyes got big. I saw something there, some sort of feeling.

"Rachel," she mumbled out, "I should have listened to you."

"Yeah, you really should have," I replied.

I smiled at her. She just sat there quietly.

"Lauren," I said.

"Yeah?"

"Survive this."

He began to chant a spell, one that I knew, one that destroyed. It took several seconds. Power built up before him. It was visible as a dark glowing sphere. He cast it. It should have killed me.

It did not. Lauren got to her feet, staggering in her bonds, and threw herself in front of it. It clipped her arm, spinning her around, sending her careening against the wall. She landed near me with a thump.

She flipped over onto her belly. She scuttled on her knees and elbows. She reached me. She kissed my mouth. She kissed my neck.

"This is how you get power? Right?" she asked.

"Don't stop!" I grunted out.

Power surged into me. My eyes got huge. From any other wellspring, kissing would not be enough. From her, it was plenty.

He cast another spell. We weren't there. Just in time, I shifted us to the roof.

*****

I lay on my back with Lauren directly on top of me. The night air was cool. I saw a bright star. Cygnus was above us.

She kept kissing me. I embraced her. More power flowed, enough for me to break her bonds. She wrapped her arms around me.

"That is really nice," I said, "If you keep doing it, I can probably keep shifting us away from him, until we are safe."

"Can you defeat him?" she asked.

"Yeah, but you'd have to -- "

"I'll do it."

I looked at her silhouetted above me. One of her legs had slipped between mine. Her body was warm. She kissed me again. Her tongue was soft.

"I wouldn't ask you to, Lauren, not after what just happened to you."

"Will you make him suffer?"

"Yes."

She kissed me. "Then I'll do it," she said.

She slipped down between my legs. My panties came off. She went in. Each touch was intense. The pleasure spread, but when I moved, pain even stronger shot across me.

Still, magic flowed. I used it to heal. I cast a spell. I felt inside myself. I found organs burst and torn. I repaired them. I found festering infection. I soothed it. I rejoined the bones in my hand.

I left the other injuries. They were small enough to ignore.

I heard the door of the house slam shut. I heard his feet on the gravel. I had no idea how long it would take him to think of looking on the roof. I tried to relax and feel the pleasure.

Her tongue flitted about. Her mouth wrapped around me. She gave my pussy a long, sucking kiss. I writhed. I covered my own mouth in case I cried out.

She stuck a finger in. Then it happened.

Magic flowed. More than I could have imagined. It was like staring unblinking at the sun. My body shuddered. I kicked my leg down so hard that the roof cracked.

I couldn't speak. I couldn't think.

Another one hit me. Fear and pleasure covered me in equal measure. Could a body have too much magic? Would I explode?

"Oh fuck Lauren," I grunted.

I shuddered again. I cried out. I cried out as loud as I could. I didn't care if he heard me. I wanted him to hear me. I stood up, Lauren rolling aside. She looked up at me. Her eyes were wide with surprise. I had cast an illumination spell. A glowing orb hung above me.

Then he was on the roof with us. Power surged in front of him. I moved my hand with the slightest gesture. His spell evaporated.

He looked shocked.

It was my turn. I cast a bolt of power at him. He leapt aside, dodging. It caught his leg. His knee shattered. His leg bent ninety degrees the wrong way. He went down bellowing.

I cast again. This time it glanced off his head. His jaw splintered. He fell from the roof.

I shifted. I was next to him. He tried to speak, but only spat out blood and shards of teeth. He couldn't cast. He was helpless.

I gazed into his eyes. I looked for fear. I found it. I let him live a few moments longer, just to realize his fate.

I cast one last time. I stopped his heart. His eyes went blank. His body twitched twice, like a marionette. Then he was still.

*****

"Are you really OK?" I asked Lauren. She was driving the car, pulling onto the highway entrance ramp.

"Yes, and please stop asking me. I'm fine."

It was the third time I'd asked. I didn't really believe her.

She put on her indicator and carefully merged onto the highway. A truck roared past. I sat quietly.

After a bit she muttered out, "Look, this isn't the first time this has happened to me."

"Oh?"

"Yeah."

I turned to her. "Was it another warlock?"

I wondered why Amanda Stevens hadn't mentioned that. She should have.

"No. It was a football player."

"Oh ... I'm sorry."

"Yeah. Me too."

She indicated again and exited the highway. She had only driven past one exit. We went down the ramp and stopped at a light. It was a street that I recognized. The light changed. She turned, drove a block, then pulled into a Citgo station.

"Let's see if they'll let us use the phone," she said.

We didn't have any money, but there was an old phone in the garage. The attendant said we could use it. I called Erica.

"Hi Erica," I said when she answered, "I'm OK."

"Oh thank God!" she called out when she heard my voice, "Where are you? Are you alright?"

"We're at a gas station," I said, "We should be home soon."

"Is she ... ?"

"She's alive."

"Thank God. Thank the goddess. Was she ... Did you ..."

"I was too late. But we're alive."

"Oh dear ... I'm so sorry. Tell her I'm sorry."

"Where are you?"

"At your house. There are police at hers."

"Oh."

"So, you'd better come here. Answering their questions would be complicated."

"Yeah."

"I'm guessing you have the Lexus?"

"Yes."

"Can you have her drop you off?"

"Actually, I have another way. I'll talk to you soon."

"Rachel -- wait!"

"Yeah?"

"Uh -- Look, there is a lot going on here. It is about Jess."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Look, it is a lot to explain. Just get home quickly."

"That I can do."

I paused for a second.

"Erica ..."

"Yeah?"

"... Nothing. I'll see you soon."

"Yes, sweetheart. Be careful."

I hung up.

Lauren called her house. Even with the phone pressed against her ear, I could hear her mother's cry of relief. Lauren told her that she was safe and on her way home.

We thanked the attendant and walked back to the car.

"Lauren," I said when we got in.

"Yes?"

"I can't go back to your house. There are lots of police there. They would ask questions I can't easily answer. So -- do you mind kissing me again -- like enough so that I can shift home?"

She smiled.

"Sure," she said.

I kissed her cheek. She reached down and held my hand.

She still had a bruised eye. Her lips were swollen and split.

"You can heal people with magic, right?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"So, if I power you up a bunch, can you make my face look better? I don't want my mom to see me like this."

I could do that. It was just a few cuts and bruises. It wouldn't take too much power.

"Sure," I said.

I turned her chin to me and kissed her mouth, gently. Power flowed. She kissed me down my neck.

"There will be a tingling sensation," I said, "And maybe a little pain, but not much."

"OK," she said.

She pulled me to her and kept kissing me. Her hair felt soft against my face. I uttered the spell. Her wounds healed.

At least the wounds that I could see. I thought for a second.

"I can do more," I said.

"What do you mean?"

"I can cure more."

She just looked at me. I swallowed. What I was suggesting was forbidden.

"I can make you forget," I said.

"What?"

"I can make you forget about him. About everything that he did. It is forbidden magic, but I'll do it for you."

She was quiet. She looked at me, staring for a long time.

Finally she said, "I don't want to forget."

"Oh?"

"Then I'd forget that you saved me."

"Well, yeah."

"And I'd forget us on the roof."

She paused.

"I don't want to forget those things."

"Lauren ..."

She gazed into my eyes. I started to say something, but just sort of mumbled.

"Can I ask you a question?" she said.

"Uh -- yeah."

"When a witch pairs with a wellspring, are they like girlfriends?"

"Sometimes. It is up to them. I mean -- usually they are."

"I want to be your wellspring."

Her eyes were such a soft color, green when the light caught them. At that moment, the light was perfect.

"Lauren ... I won't leave Erica."

She looked surprised.

"Then -- why did you help me?"

"What?"

"Why did you help me if you didn't want me?"

The question caught me off guard.

"Uh -- you said that you didn't like girls. I respected that. I mean -- I wasn't trying to save you to score with you or something. I was trying to save you -- well -- just to save you."

She drew away from me and looked ahead.

"Kiss me," she said.

"Huh?"

"Kiss me," she repeated. She turned to me.

I did. I kissed her mouth.

"How did that feel?" she asked.

"It felt amazing. It felt tingly, all the way down."

"Yeah. Me too. When I told you that I didn't like girls, I didn't know that kissing you would feel like that. I didn't understand that it would be -- " she paused " -- magical."

She stared into my eyes. Then she reached up my skirt. I shifted my hips and spread my legs. She caressed me through my panties.

"And when I said that I didn't like girls, I had no idea what doing this would be like."

I looked around. We were parked on the side of the gas station. Cars were driving by on the main street, but I didn't think anyone would notice us.

She rubbed with a slow steady rhythm. My body began to twitch.

"Can you recharge this way?" she asked.

"It isn't the normal way," I grunted out, "But yeah, it should work."

She pulled aside the crotch of my panties. She slipped two fingers in. She pumped. She kissed my neck.

It hit me. I shuddered. I leaned forward and squealed. My head jerked back and forth, three times. Then I saw the sun. Power flowed. Too much.

It coursed through me like a fire. I clung to her, whimpering, just trying to contain my thoughts. I feared I would lose control and split from my body. Then, gradually, it suffused into my flesh, warming me throughout.

We sat back in our seats. A huge smile crept over her face. I felt stunned.

"Rachel -- " she said.

"Yeah?"

"I now like girls very much."

The warmth lingered. The orgasm clung to me.

"Lauren, I won't leave Erica, but -- "

She looked at me.

" -- well -- a witch can have two wellsprings. It happens."

"Oh?"

"Well, each coven has its own rules for stuff like that."

"What are the rules for your coven?"

"Well -- that's the point -- it's my coven. I get to make the rules. I'm pretty sure Erica will like you. I mean -- she does like you. Could you live with something like that?"

Her eyes got real big.

"I think so."

"There is one more thing."

"Oh?"

"How do you like Jessica?"

"I like her fine."

"Well, I'm planning on asking her to join my coven. If she agrees -- well -- I think the four of us could get along really well."

She opened and closed her mouth. Then she started kissing me again. She held me close. She stroked my body.

"Lauren, I have to go now. Erica said it was important."

"OK."

"I'll see you soon."

"You'd better."

I shifted.

*****

I was in my kitchen. I was not alone. Erica and Jess were there, along with three woman. One was Amanda Stevens. The next was Barbara Fleming, an older woman, and member of the Council of Mothers. I knew her. The third was a middle aged women who I didn't know.

"Well now!" I said.

"Oh my God!" Erica burst out when she saw me. I was still bruised and cut. My clothes were torn.

"Hi," I said.

"Are you OK?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. I thought I banned you from my domain Amanda?"

She opened her mouth to speak, but Barbara Fleming interjected.

"She is here at my invitation. Allow me to introduce you to Molly King -- " She motioned to the third woman. " -- She is the mistress and teacher of Jessica."

"Ah," I said.

"You've been harboring a renegade," Amanda said.

"Have I now? Jessica, tell me what is going on."

Jess sat quietly. She looked forlorn.

"Jessica is my student," the third woman said, "She left my guardianship to pursue a foolish goal."

So, Jessica was still an apprentice. It did not surprise me. She was very young. Apprentice witches were forbidden to go out on their own. They had enough power to be dangerous, but it was assumed they lacked the wisdom to use it properly.

Obviously Jess had violated this rule and was now in trouble. The solution was obvious.

"Is this true, Jess?" I asked.

She nodded.

"That is a serious charge," I went on, "She will need to be punished."

I looked at Barbara Fleming. "Tell me, while it is forbidden for an apprentice to leave her mistress -- "

"Yes."

" -- If I understand correctly, an apprentice can always change teachers, right?"

The three women looked at each other.

"She -- she has made no such request," Amanda stammered.

"But she could, right?"

"Yes." Barbara said.

"Jessica," I said, "Would you like to be my apprentice?"

"You can't do that!" Amanda said, "You're barely more than a child yourself!"

"I am a witch and a priestess. And this is my domain."

Jessica got up. "Miss Fleming," she said.

Barbara answered, "Yes, my dear?"

"I would like to be Rachel's apprentice."

"Jessica!" Molly King said, looking at her student -- her former student.

Jess wheeled around facing Molly King. "You wouldn't let me go after him," she blurted out, her voice harsh, "Even after he hurt Teresa."

Her former teacher said nothing.

I looked at Barbara.

"Things repeat themselves," I said.

She looked back at me.

"It seems they do."

Molly King just stood there. Her mouth was open.

"So, things are all settled then. As a punishment for violating the instructions of her teacher, Jess will have to ..."

I looked at her sternly.

"Do the dishes for a week!"

Jess smiled. Amanda gasped. Molly King sat down.

"You couldn't possibly allow this," Amanda said to Barbara.

"Jessica. How could you." Molly muttered. Amanda rested a hand on her shoulder.

Erica sat and smiled.

"Is my mother home?" I asked.

"Yes," Erica responded, "They said she had to stay out."

"This is her house and my domain." I called out, "Mother!"

She came into the room. She was wearing a tailored blouse and a little rose colored pencil skirt. She saw me and gasped. She rushed over and hugged me.

"Are you OK?"

"I will be fine."

"Oh my God! What happened?"

"I fought a warlock. I won."

She looked at the other women. "How could you let this happen?" she asked.

Barbara was quiet. Amanda started to say something but I spoke first.

"That is a long complicated story. I'll explain later. There is a more important issue. Mother, Jessica is going to become my apprentice. She will need a place to live. Can she stay with us?"

"Uh?" mother looked at Jessica.

"Hello," Jess muttered to her. She raised her hand, giving a little half wave.

"Uh? I don't know ..."

Mother looked around at the other witches and their disapproving stares. Then she looked at Jess, Erica, and me. Erica reached out and touched her arm.

"Please, mom," I said.

"Yes. Of course she can. Hello Jessica. Please call me Margaret."

"Hi Margaret."

I smiled. I hugged my mother.

Molly King sat, looking as if she was going to cry. Amanda Stevens scowled at me. Barbara Fleming just carefully observed, her expression shrouded.

"How did someone so young and irresponsible get to be a priestess anyway?" Amanda asked.

Mother gave her a baleful look, but added, "I'm curious to know."

I looked at Barbara. She looked back.

"It's a long story," we both said.

*****

"We have something important to talk about," I said.

We were still in the kitchen, Erica, Jess, mother, and myself. The other three witches had left.

Erica was seated at the table. Jessica went and joined her. Mother turned to leave.

"Mother, you can stay," I said.

"I don't mind giving you privacy."

"There should be no more secrets in your house. I don't want that. Please stay."

"Yes Margaret," Erica said, "I think you need to be a bigger part of this."

"OK," she said. She sat next to Erica. Erica reached over and squeezed her hand.

I sat opposite them. I gulped.

"So," I said, "Lauren has asked to be my wellspring."

Jess and Erica both looked shocked. Mother asked, "Is Lauren the girl you saved?"

"Yes."

I looked at Erica. She just peered at me. She arched her eyebrows.

"I told her that there is no way I'd leave Erica."

She smiled.

Jess popped up in her chair. "Does that mean she'll be mine?"

"Not exactly."

Erica's smile got real big. She had obviously guessed.

"So, an open coven," she said.

"There are only four of us," I replied.

"What is that?" mother asked.

Erica answered her, "It is where the witches and wellsprings -- well -- all share."

"Anyway," I went on, "Are you two OK with that?"

"I think that sounds like the most wonderful thing ever," Erica said.

Jess squirmed in her seat a bit. "I pretty much assumed we'd all be fucking each other all the time anyway, so yeah, I'm good."

She bit her lip and looked at me. Then she jerked her head and looked at my mother.

"Oops," she said, "I didn't mean to say that in front of you."

"It is fine dear," mother said.

Mother just looked at me.

"Mom, are you OK with all of this?"

"I think so," she said, "I mean -- it is a little weird, but I understand that the magic is important. I'm just glad you have such good friends around you. The sex is ..."

She paused.

"... Well," she went on, "I think I'm getting used to the idea. You all seem to love each other so much."

"That's very sweet," Erica said. She reached over and took mother's hand. I noticed that she was staring at her legs.

Mom used to be a dancer. She still played tennis. She had great legs.

"So when do we get to see Lauren?" Jessica asked.

"She's resting at home tonight," I said. "Probably tomorrow."

"OK."

Erica looked over at me. She arched her eyebrows, giving a questioning look. I nodded my head.

"Say Margaret," she said, "I think the girls might want to be alone together. Why don't we grab a bottle of wine and some glasses, go sit on the couch -- "

She sat back and gave mother an intense look. She almost leered.

" -- then we can discuss your skirt, how well it fits you, and what I'm going to do about it."

Jessica gasped. Mother's eyes got huge. She sat with her mouth open. Then, after a bit, she smiled.

"That sounds very nice," she said.

Erica stood and took her hand. Mother rose, stumbled a bit, righted herself, then followed Erica. They grabbed the wine and two glasses on the way out.

"Holy crap!" Jess said, "Erica's hitting on your mom."

I smiled. She deserved her fun. They both did.

"Let's go up to my room," I said.

"OK," Jessica replied.

As we passed through the living room I heard the clink of glass. They had poured the wine. Mother was sitting on the couch, leaning back with her legs up on the table. She had kicked off her shoes. Erica was curled up next to her. They both took a sip. Then Erica leaned over and reached up mother's skirt.

My dear mother noticed me. She smiled. Erica kissed her.

I grabbed Jessica's hand and dragged her upstairs.

*****

"Would you heal my wounds?" I asked Jess when we got to my room.

"Sure. It will take most of my power though."

"Then we'll just have to get someone to recharge you."

A gave her a glance. She smiled. She began casting. She took her time, running a finger over each cut and bruise, incanting the spell, then kissing my skin when the injury had disappeared.

The cut in my arm, where I had shattered the car window, took the longest. Little flecks of glass were embedded in my flesh. For each sliver, Jessica cast a spell, pulling it out and letting it hover over the wound. Then she plucked it out of the air with her fingers and laid it on a piece of tissue.

During the whole process, I felt no pain.

When she was done she lay back and let out a long sigh.

"I'm exhausted," she said.

"Well -- why don't we take a shower together, get dressed real nice, then I'll take you to get recharged."

"Can't I just go down and see Erica?"

"Oh, let's give her the night off. I think mom will appreciate it. I was thinking of our other wellspring."

"Oh," she said, smiling, "That sounds great!"

We showered quickly. We each got dressed, me in a little skirt set, and her in a tiny blue dress.

I called Lauren.

"Hello," she answered.

"Is the coast clear around there?"

"Yes. Everyone left hours ago. It is just mom and me, and she's in bed."

"Cool. We're coming over. Be in your room."

"OK."

I hung up.

"Will you drive?" Jessica asked.

I smiled. I took her by the hand. I shifted.

*****

"Holy crap!" she said when we suddenly appeared in Lauren's room.

"I've more or less figured out the shift spell," I said.

"It seems so."

Lauren was sitting in her bed wearing a loose fitting halter top and a pair of light blue panties. They were stretchy and sheer.

She smiled when she saw us.

"Hi sweetie," I said.

"Hi."

"So, Jess here has decided to join the coven as my apprentice. I've talked to her and Erica about you. They like you. I like you a lot. Do you still want in?"

"I do."

"Very good. As your first official duty -- "

I walked across her room. I looked at her from every angle. I was pleased.

" -- how would you like to recharge Jessica here? She just used a lot of energy healing my injuries."

Jess smiled at Lauren. Lauren smiled back.

"I would love to do that."

Jess jumped in bed and started kissing her.

"Holy shit!" she said when she felt Lauren's power, "That is amazing."

"It is," I said.

Lauren had a little desk with a chair. I went to it, turned the chair facing the bed, and sat down.

"Don't you want to join us?" Jessica asked.

"I will, later. I just want to watch for a bit."

The two girls embraced. They kissed, mouth to mouth. Jess started twitching from the power. She had to cling to Lauren. She started laughing.

"I can't believe how great it feels, just kissing her."

"Just wait," I said, "She's very powerful."

"Why don't you lay back," Lauren suggested.

Jessica did. Lauren pushed up the hem of her dress, stripped her panties off, and went in. Jessica writhed and squealed.

I sat back in the chair watching. I pulled my skirt up, spread my legs, and slowly stroked my pussy.

I realized how amazing this was. Lauren was easily the most powerful wellspring in a generation. Perhaps she was the most powerful ever. I could handle more magic than other witches. We were perfect together. Plus, we had Erica and Jess to back us up. Erica with her love, patience, and wisdom. Jess with her initiative and zeal -- and she could share the recharge!

I looked at the two girls. I was their leader. We could do so much. So, what did I want?

Jess started bucking her hips and breathing hard.

"Oh fuck I'm going to cum!" she exclaimed.

We could do almost anything. We could be the most powerful witches -- maybe ever. We could change history.

"Kiss me!" Jess grunted out. Her back arched. Her hands seized the edges of the mattress.

I went and locked my lips against hers. Magic flowed.