The Elemental Mate

Chapter 27

"I was hoping that you might remember some of the things Josie did or maybe something that your mom talked about that could help me teach Ivy control," I tell Amara, praying that there was something.

Over the last few weeks, I've been trying to train Ivy, but every time I release control onto her, it starts to radiate. Two days ago, she accidentally lost focus and half the guards that Xander had patrolling the house lost consciousness. They were overcome with a feeling of being powerless and weak, that they crumbled.

The blow may have knocked me and a few wolves down, but the blowback Ivy endured was disastrous. She was in agonizing pain for almost twelve hours before Hayden was able to calm her.

If she didn't get control soon, I was afraid she might never be able to make it back.

"The only thing I remember is her tea. Valerian root tea. She would use it to mellow out and quiet the voices, but I don't know if it helped with the emotions too."

"It's a start," I smile, "I'll try and see if I can find some."

"If not, call Jasper from the Circle Coven. He's a botanist. He might know of a substitute."

I nod in understanding and go to thank her, but Ivy decides to speak up first, "How did your grandmother die?"

Amara looks at me first for approval before turning to face Ivy. She gives her a sad look as she tells her what happened, "Like I said the voices drove her crazy. Eventually, they became too much for her, so she decided to end them."

Ivy's eyes widened in understanding, "She killed herself."

"Yes."

I watched Ivy for her reaction, hoping that she wouldn't assume that she would go down the same path. She shakes her head, not wanting to think about that information.

She turned to me first, "You said that there was another empath living in your coven growing up. What happened to her?"

"Nothing. She died during a vampire attack, but she didn't have any health problems," I say, "But she wasn't as strong as you or Josie. She never heard voices and she could only really feel emotions if she was in contact with the person."

"So the stronger the empath is, the more insane she will become. Great," Ivy mumbles under her breath, losing hope by the second.

"But Josie was alone. You aren't," Amara says as she reaches over to hold Ivy's hand.

"She didn't have a mate," I mumble as an idea comes to my mind.

"What?" Ivy asks.

"Josie didn't have a mate, so she didn't have the mate bond to lean on. Whenever you get overwhelmed by the blowback, Hayden reaches out and you can pull it back," I hypothesize, "Maybe we can use the mate bond you have with Hayden to control your gift."

"Do you think it would work?" Ivy asks.

"Possibly," Amara comments, "When a witch first comes into her powers, she forms a magical link with the coven like how wolves form a pack bond. It's why witches are more powerful in a coven then by themselves. The link is how we learn control. The mate bond could work as a substitute."

"I don't know, guys," Ivy says hesitantly, "What if I hurt Hayden?"

"We have to try, Ivy," I tell her, trying to sound as reassuring as I can, "Training isn't going well. I can feel your control slipping."

"I've been fine for years now," she stands up, clearly hurt that I didn't have faith that she could control it, "What do you think is going to happen?"