Hundred feet deep in the woods, house in sight, I crouched beside the witch, watching the old woman grind the herbs in to a black ceramic bowl. While two of my men kept watch nearby, and another two closer to the road keeping an eye for any unexpected visitors. It worked out nicely that the house was away from anything besides the quiet of the woods.
With video surveillance on the house and audio feed, we had a better chance to get in and grab what Boss Man wanted, and be out before anyone came by. According to what we had heard, we had less than an hour. This was one of the perks of my job; the other was soon to come.
Fantasizing on the upcoming mission, my excitement grew and so did my arousal. The awful smell growing beside me snapped my thought back to the mission on hand. Covering my nose, I asked the witch, "What is that god awful smell?"

The witch still grinding the herds into a fine powder, "Let me do my job and you do yours," she snipped back.

Smoke coming from what looked like a bunch of fine twigs entwined, at four points around her. The witch sat in the middle, moving the bowl she was using in front of her and lite a black candle. I did not mind working for and dealing with shifter's, in fact I could not wait to become one, but working with a witch, that I did not trust.

Standing out of the crouch, looking down at my watch, noticing time was flying by and we only had maybe 30 minutes before things became problematic. "Listen old woman we are losing time. When will this hocus-pocus shit be done?" I was annoyed and was not afraid to show it. This woman was being paid generously, and in my mind that meant she should be working quickly.

Never lifting her head to acknowledge my presence when I spoke, she mumbled, "Almost done."

The witch stood with bowl in hand and started to chant in some language I had never heard before. Eyes closed, her voice rose repeating her chant, over and over again. With every notch she went up so did the candles flame. I was mesmerized with her actions and of the reactions. I could feel the air around me shift, not sure what was happening but I had no doubt that something was.

Air grew still, animals scattered, and the only sounds were coming from the witch's chanting and the crackle from the candle. The louder she chanted the more concerned I got; air dense, overcast seemed to surround the area of the house and for the first time I was worried that they were going to be caught or this spell of hers was going to backfire.

Taking a handful of the herbs she had ground up, she tossed it into the flame of the candle. Flame bursting, shooting a good two feet straight up, turning black, and then a loud bang erupted, and shock the ground where we stood.

The witch collapsed to her knees, eyes wide, and body trembling, "Oh goddess what have I done?" she whispered with a shaky voice, "He said it was a protection spell." Looking at me in horror, and screamed, "That was not a protection spell of just any witch, that was Fae."
I did not have a clue or care on what she was saying, my only concern was did it work. Stepping over the burning, offensive smelling twigs, I grabbed the old woman by the upper arms and puled her to her feet. "Did it work?" shaking her when she did not answer, yelling, "Did it work?"

Nodding her head, I gave her a shove as I turned and called out to my men to move in.

"It is not a protection spell. You only have 30 minutes tops before the house comes back to life." Shaking her head, fear screaming from her eyes she took a step back. Staring out towards the house. Leaving everything as it lied the old and feeble looking women turned and ran. She had more speed and grace then someone a quarter of her age could have.

Back to the task at hand, him and his men move toward the house. Smile growing as the thought of their unexpected visit would have on her when they walked into her home with ease.