Nightmares (The Coven, Book 1)

by Erica Stevens

  “Yes, I can,” he said. “But it would be easier on everyone, Avery, if you gave in. Do you want your friends to suffer any more than they have?”

  No, she didn’t, but she had the overwhelming feeling he was lying to her and he couldn’t get free without her. “Why did you stay in that cave to die?” she asked.

  His face relaxed. “Because my spirit cannot die, but my body would have been trapped on Earth, and I couldn’t stand to live in your world without my powers or Celia.”

  “So, you sacrificed your mortal form to return to a land where you could still rule as a spirit,” she said. “But you no longer have a human body, only a spiritual one, and you believe I can help you get it back.”

  The power washing out of him when he edged closer caused her skin to prickle. Even with everything she’d learned about him, she couldn’t suppress her desire for him when his chest brushed hers.

  “You feel this need between us,” he whispered as his hand entwined in her hair.

  “No,” she protested, but her body screamed something else.

  He pulled her against him and his lips brushed her forehead. “Yes, you do.”

  When his lips traveled down to hers, she found herself swept into his embrace. Electricity ripped through her as his searing heat encompassed her. His lips brushed hers while he spoke against her mouth. “Think of all the power you could have. This is only the beginning.”

  His lips reclaimed hers with a desperation that turned her bones to mush and had her on the verge of collapsing. Avery forgot why she was resisting him as he became her entire world while his mind prodded against the edges of hers. The power welling between them was a drug she couldn’t say no to as it entwined around them.

  When his tongue touched hers, an explosion of images burst into her head; she saw Regan and everything he was. He stood in the cave, clutching Celia against him. “We will come back. Then we can do everything we planned. Think of all the destruction we can create then, my Celia.”

  “I cannot wait, my love,” Celia whispered.

  When more pictures of Regan swept through Avery’s mind, they revealed him standing proudly on a battlefield, soaked in the blood of the dead littering the ground at his feet. Next, she saw him with an executioner’s ax as he held it above a man’s head. His enthusiasm was palpable as he swung the ax down, and she tasted the copper of the man’s blood on her tongue. Then he was at a hanging with his hand on the lever that would kill the dozens of people on the gallows.

  More scenes flashed through her mind until all she heard and tasted was the screams of the dying, their fear, and their blood. Everywhere she saw him, blood, death, and destruction followed.

  Avery wheeled backward as she tore herself away from him. “You’re disgusting! How could you kill all those people?”

  Shock and disbelief twisted his features, and she realized he hadn’t meant for her to see any of what she’d witnessed. But somehow, she’d slipped past his defenses and embedded herself in his mind like he did to her. She’d gotten the best of him and discovered the truth of what he would do with her at his side. Triumph swelled inside her as she realized she was more powerful than even he knew.

  Her triumph faded when fury blazed in his eyes, and she once again saw the malevolence slithering beneath his perfect exterior.

  “Yes,” he hissed. “And you are going to help me do more.”

  “No, I’m not. I know what you are, and I’ve seen what you’ve done. I know the evil you possess and experienced the joy you take in killing people. I will not help you hurt anyone else. Take me back to my friends. Take me back now!”

  His power scorched her skin until it felt as if a sandblaster were scrubbing the skin from her bones. Then he vanished and a gust of wind ripped her off her feet. She opened her mouth to scream, but the air in her lungs was torn away from her.

  A whirling tunnel of hate and rage whipped around her as she was spun into oblivion.

  CHAPTER 38

  She was thrown unceremoniously out of the hole that had swallowed her. Agony flared through her bruised hip and elbow; she grunted as she tried to push herself into a sitting position so she could see if anything was coming at her. When hands grasped her arms, she screamed and beat at them.

  “Avery, stop! It’s all right. It’s me!”

  She froze when the voice finally sank in, and she spun to fling herself into Reid’s arms. He cradled her against his chest and rocked her while the tears she’d been holding back spilled free.

  “It was awful!” she sobbed into his shoulder.

  “I know,” he whispered as he ran a hand soothingly over her tangled hair. “But it’s over now; you won.”

  “It’s not over,” Regan growled.

  Avery’s tears froze as she braced herself for battle and lifted her head from Reid’s shoulder. She realized she was back in the sitting room when she spotted Regan standing on the stairwell. His hand rested elegantly on the banister while he stared disdainfully down at them.

  “I faced my fear,” she choked out.

  Rising, Reid helped her to stand. “We are leaving here, and we are taking Avery with us,” he declared.

  Regan’s eyes bore into Avery as he spoke. “You’re all free to leave, but I’m not done. I will have you, Avery.”

  “No, you won’t.” Reid’s arm tightened around her waist. “I think she’s proven she’s not as weak as Celia.”

  Horror filled Avery as she turned to face him. “You knew about Celia?”

  “We saw everything you did. We all saw,” Reid said, waving a hand toward the circle beneath the stairwell.

  Avery gasped when she spotted Landon, Sandra, Mario, Shawn, Isla, Eric, and Tina standing by the circle with their eyes focused on her. When someone shifted behind her, she turned to discover Rosie, Alex, Lila, and Karen standing there, scowling at Regan.

  “Saw?” Avery squeaked.

  “Yes,” Landon said gently. “We saw everything you saw, and we felt everything you felt.”

  Shame ripped through her, and she lowered her gaze to the marble floor. They were all so good, caring, and understanding. And she was… well she didn’t know what she was after everything Regan revealed. She didn’t think she was evil, but she couldn’t deny the strength of her powers had come from a place of evil.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  “There is nothing to be sorry for,” Reid replied. “You did nothing wrong.”

  “You were with us through our nightmares,” Rosie said, “and we were with you, but he didn’t let you know that. We understand everything that happened, Avery, because we know how he compelled you to feel.”

  She didn’t deserve their love and understanding, and she especially didn’t deserve Reid. How could he stand here and hold her after watching her kiss Regan?

  When Avery lifted her gaze to Regan, she knew she would never falter again. She would prove she deserved their faith in her, and now she knew she had the strength to withstand him. She would show them all, and herself, that the only things she had in common with Celia was her power and heritage.

  “We are leaving,” Avery said with her eyes locked on Regan’s.

  “Yes, you are,” Regan said. “But you won’t get far, and I won’t leave any of you alone. I will hunt you until you beg Avery to give herself to me.”

  Avery’s mouth went dry, and her fingers curled into Reid’s chest. After seeing what Regan could do, she had no doubt he’d make their lives a living Hell.

  “How are you, Sandra?” Regan inquired.

  Sandra smiled slyly at him; her red nails flashed as she flicked a strand of golden hair over her shoulder. Avery’s stomach somersaulted while she stared at her beautiful cousin. She wanted to reach out and stop her when Sandra stepped closer to Regan, but she couldn’t. Sandra’s loyalties were about to be tested, and they had to know where she stood.

  “I can feel the power in you,” Regan continued. “You are very strong.”

  “I am, but it didn’t com
e from you or Marjorie.” Sandra turned dismissively away from him to focus on Avery. “Are you ready, cousin?”

  For the first time, Avery felt a family connection between them. “Yes,” she replied, grinning at Sandra.

  Regan may have taken over their ancestors, but he wouldn’t take them. Reid squeezed Avery’s waist and led her over to the others. When they circled her protectively, their love enveloped her.

  “Can I go through?” she asked as she eyed the circle.

  “I have no intention of destroying you, Avery, so you are free to go,” Regan said.

  The smug, secretive glint in his eyes froze her. They were missing something with him, but she didn’t know what it could be, and she didn’t want to linger here to figure it out. When Reid nudged her forward, Avery tore her gaze away from Regan and stepped forward.

  “I’ll be seeing you,” Regan called after them.

  Avery knew it was a promise and not a threat, but she didn’t look back as she walked into the circle.

  • • •

  Avery clutched a glass of ice water in her hand as she propped her feet on the railing. As the ocean rolled gracefully onto the shore, the outgoing tide left a trail of shells and seaweed in its wake. She tried to gather strength from the sea’s comforting presence, but the soreness of her body wouldn’t let her forget what they’d endured.

  And she didn’t want to forget it as every bruise and cut reinforced her hatred for Regan. It felt like they’d been in his twisted house for days, but she’d been stunned to learn that only four hours had passed.

  Voices drifted from the house, but no one came out to speak with her, and she was grateful for that. She needed to be alone to sort through the jumbled mess of her mind. She’d been sitting outside for a while now, and she would have to face them eventually, but she couldn’t find the courage to do it yet.

  So they all tended each other’s injuries while she remained out here. From what she’d gathered before leaving Lila’s house to return to her home, Landon had woken shortly after Alex carried her through the circle. Instead of seeking a doctor, she’d called the rest of the coven to come help them. She was doing okay and showed no signs of a concussion.

  The ice clinked against Avery’s glass as she absently swirled it while the setting sun streaked the sky with a variety of oranges, reds, pinks, and yellows. A car door slammed nearby, but she didn’t look up when footsteps thudded across the porch toward her.

  “Hey, sweetie, what are you up to?”

  Avery looked up as her dad leaned against the railing before her gaze returned to the sea. She didn’t know what to say to him or anyone else anymore.

  “Avery, what happened to you?”

  She hadn’t bothered to change or brush her hair after they returned to her house. She didn’t have the energy for it, and she didn’t care what she looked like.

  Her dad sat in the chair next to her and leaned forward. “Is that blood?” he demanded as he touched a stain on her shirt and then the scratches on her leg. “What happened?” Avery still couldn’t bring herself to answer him. “Avery, talk to me. Why are you out here while everyone else is inside?”

  “I wanted time alone,” she finally said.

  His hand rested on her arm. “What happened? You know you can tell me anything.”

  “Have you ever heard of someone named Regan?”

  When he inhaled sharply, Avery whirled to face him. “You have!”

  “Stay away from him.”

  “It’s too late for that!” she cried. “He’s already here, and he’s coming for us.”

  “No,” he breathed.

  “Yes!” she snapped. “Did you know Regan was the one who awakened your powers?”

  He clasped his hands before him. “Avery—”

  “You did!”

  She hadn’t believed anything could hurt her anymore, but she’d been wrong. When she discovered he’d kept the witchcraft from her, she could understand it was because he wanted a normal life for her, but this was different. This secret had nearly destroyed her and her friends. If he’d told her, she would have been better prepared and could have defended herself better.

  “How could you not tell us?” she asked.

  Stark pain radiated from his eyes when they met hers, but it didn’t ease the disgust and distrust she felt toward him.

  “At the time, we didn’t know Regan was the one who awakened our powers,” he said. “We were teenagers, and we had no idea what happened to us. It wasn’t until we discovered and read through the Books of Shadows our ancestors stored away, that we realized our powers weren’t some miraculous fluke. We learned Regan was the reason for the loss of magic and believed he was the reason for the return. We knew there would be a price to pay for our abilities being returned to us.”

  “Why didn’t my coven know about this?”

  He had the grace to look ashamed as he lowered his gaze from hers. “We took all the pages about him out of the Books.”

  CHAPTER 39

  “Why would you do that?” she demanded.

  “All of you children were already born when we discovered this information about Regan, and we saw the vast amount of power you all possessed. Your powers nearly matched ours, even in infancy, but you were the strongest of all. When you wanted something, all you had to do was look at it, and it was in your hand.” His eyes took on a distant look as he shuddered.

  “You were afraid of me,” she whispered.

  “It was astonishing, Avery, and all of us found it a little unsettling,” he admitted. “No baby should be that strong, and to have all of you displaying such unusual abilities was unnatural.”

  Her dad’s obvious fear of her was almost more than she could take; she almost wept, but she held back her tears. There would be time to shed them later.

  “We also recognized the similarities between your coven, and the coven that bound Regan,” he said. “There were the same number of people, and through our reading, we learned they’d also been more powerful than any other coven to exist before them. It didn’t take us long to realize all of you children were as powerful, if not more so, than them. Plus, with your double birthmarks so similar to Celia’s, we knew if Regan was going to come for anyone, it would be you.”

  Avery rubbed at the mark on her left wrist as she gazed at him. “Regan said my powers are stronger than Celia’s, and that I possess them because of a spell he cast before he died; he believes we belong together.”

  Her dad blanched. “That may be true, but even if it is, we are each our own person, Avery, and this is your life to live and your choices to make. You are one of the kindest, most generous souls I know, and no matter what he says, you do not belong with him. Maybe he thinks you belong with him, but I think you are meant to destroy him.”

  Avery almost threw herself into his arms as he uttered those last words with genuine conviction, but she was still too upset to hug him now.

  “How come none of us knew about our powers until we were older if we were showing signs of them at birth?” she asked.

  He clasped his hands before him. “While you were still infants, we bound all of your powers until you were old enough to control them better. The other parents believed their children would be ready at thirteen, but your mother and I decided it was best to wait until you were older.”

  “That’s why our birthmarks, and yours, glowed after we were awakened; they did it because of the sudden influx of power we all had after the binding was destroyed and our powers were freed,” Avery said. “That’s why there are no other similar experiences written in any of the Books.”

  “Most likely,” her father agreed.

  “Why didn’t you keep in touch with any of your friends on the island after you left?”

  “Because I didn’t want to take the chance of you overhearing something or learning something before I believed you were ready to return. That’s why I kept everything hidden from you; it was safer that way.”

  Avery considered his words
as she gazed into his troubled eyes, and then she realized something. “This is also why none of you ever had any more children! You worried about what those children would be like and that Regan might go for them too.”

  Her dad nodded, and Avery placed her glass down before she shattered it. “This is too much,” she whispered. “I can’t handle this.”

  He squeezed her arm. “Yes, you can. You are a strong, beautiful soul, Avery, and you can do whatever is necessary to destroy Regan.”

  “And what if I don’t want to fight this battle?”

  He moved his hand away. “You don’t have a choice.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know,” she muttered. “Why did you allow me to go with my mother this summer? Weren’t you worried about what would happen to me?”

  “Of course I was, but you had to go back; it was time for you to learn what you are and to gain your powers so that you could protect yourself and them. Even if you didn’t know it, I sensed your powers growing stronger every year. It was only a matter of time before they broke through the binding spell, and then things would have been more traumatic for you without the coven around to help you through it. You also had to go back because they needed you. The ten of you are a force to be reckoned with and, without you, the nine of them would have been more vulnerable to an attack from Regan.”

  Avery laughed bitterly. “They would have been safer if I’d never gone to them. When they awakened my powers, they alerted Regan to my presence. That is why he came back.”

  Her dad gaped at her before regaining his composure. “I didn’t know, but your powers were much too strong to remain bound forever, and your coven needed you to complete them.”

  “Maybe my powers would have remained bound.”

  “That would never have happened, Avery. The binding spell wasn’t meant to last past your eighteenth birthday. None of us were strong enough to make it last longer. And when your powers finally broke free, Regan would have found you anyway. Your powers had to be awakened so you could all defend yourselves.”

  Avery wasn’t sure if he was telling the truth or trying to convince himself they’d done the right thing by allowing the coven to awaken her abilities. Either way, it didn’t matter. “If my powers needed to be awakened, then why did you allow me to come back here without it happening?”