Random OCs from moi

Sweep Series by Cate Tiernan OC

"Her aim wasn't perfect." Killian was thrown back at that.

"Perfect?! Goddess, Da, do you remember the time she zapped old Floss? I had that dog climbing over me for a week!" He exclaimed. The twins burst into laughter as Killian threw back his wine, smirking at the two girls. Mackenzie's face was flushed by the time her giggles simmered down, Morgan's face hidden as she looked down at her cheesecake.

"Here, top us up, Da." Killian grinned, holding his wineglass out. Narrowing his eyes, Ciaran filled it halfway and then placed the bottle on the other side of the table. Mackenzie laughed again at the challenging look Killian gave him but Ciaran ignored it. A warm feeling spread through Mackenzie's chest at the clear family moment. She also cast a curious look at the wine before looking away, taking a sip of her tea. Ciaran caught it though.

"Do you want a taste?" He offered. Mackenzie blushed as she sank back.

"I'm only 18." She mumbled. She was curious though, it smelled good but she never had wine before. Killian gave a snort at that before sliding his empty wine glass towards her.

"We start drinking at 16 so you have some catching up to do, little sister." Mackenzie bit her lip before giving a small nod, casting a worried look around the room. Morgan shook her head profusely as Ciaran looked at her, offering some.

"I'm swearing off alcohol for the rest of my life." She grimaced, recalling the last time she got drunk. Mackenzie laughed as Ciaran filled the glass halfway, the boys eyeing Morgan curiously.

"She embarrassed herself pretty hard, the last time she drank. And a killer hangover to boot." Mackenzie teased as Morgan rolled her eyes.

"Poor baby sister." Killian teased, putting his head on a fist. "We'll teach you yet." Mackenzie smiled as she lifted the wine glass to her lips. It was really tart and she couldn't stop the puckered face that automatically formed. The three dinner companions laughed at her and she rolled her eyes before taking another small sip. She shook her head as she sat it down. She couldn't decide if she liked it or not.

"Were there many Woodbanes in your village?" Morgan asked, taking the attention back to her. Killian looked up from his pasta, trying to swallow his mouthful before answering.

"Mostly Woodbanes. A couple of others. People on the outside of the village or who married into families. My ma's family has been there longer than folks can remember, and they're Woodbanes back to the beginning." Morgan gave a wistful look past him.

"It must have been nice, being surrounded by people like you." She started. Mackenzie gave a half-smile and continued for her. "Feeling like you fit in, that you belong."

"Celebrating the same holidays." Morgan finished. Ciaran put down his forkful of salad and looked at his two daughters with a serious look.

"It is nice to have an all-Woodbane community. Particularly because of the commonly held view that most witches have about us. If it were up to them, we would be broken up and disbanded." The two girls looked at him confused, Mackenzie's nose slightly scrunched up in distaste.

"What do you mean?" Morgan questioned.

"I mean, Woodbanes are like any other cultural or ethnic group who has been forcibly dispersed. The Romany in Europe. The Native Indians here. The Aborigines in Australia. These were intact cultures that other cultures found threatening and so were killed, separated, dispersed, exiled. Within the Wiccan culture, Woodbanes have been cast in that role. The other clans fear us and so must destroy us."

"How do you fight that?" Morgan questioned, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Any way I can. I protect myself and my own. I've joined with other Woodbanes who feel the same way." At his words, the mood became tense once more as the twins looked at each other. Tensing her hand around her fork, Mackenzie stayed quiet, flashbacks from New York rushing through her head as Morgan named the coven responsible.