by Anna Edwards
I switch off the lights and crawl into the makeshift bed on the sofa, I pull my t-shirt over my head but keep my tracksuit bottoms on. Normally I sleep naked, but I’m not with Juniper being here. I settle down and try to sleep.
It doesn’t come, though.
My mind is whirring with too much information.
A witch and a Guardian in love.
Evil deeds and punishment.
It’s all too much to take in.
A mystery with so many unanswered questions.
Eventually, my mind starts to quieten as the tiredness within my body takes over. My eyes drift shut and sleep begins to claim me, but I’m awake and immediately alert again when the sound of soft sobbing, coming from my bedroom, fills my ears. Juniper is crying. I slide from my sofa and make my way to her. From what I can see in the dark, she’s curled up in a ball, and when I enter the room, she looks up at me.
“What’s wrong?” I turn on the light and make my way over to her, pulling her into my arms to comfort her.
“I’m scared,” she whispers to me. “I don’t understand any of what’s happening to us, and I can’t help but think Sebastian’s death is because of me. I should never have spoken to him. I should have stayed away. Maybe I should stay away from school, I’m endangering everyone. No one seems safe near me. My father proved that today with his attack on me. I don’t know how much more of this I can take.”
“No, don’t think like that. Whatever is happening isn’t just because of you. It’s both of us.”
Juniper sits up and moves away from my arms. “You’re not telling me something.”
“You read me too well,” I reply.
“It’s because I love you.”
We both move closer to each other again, our lips nearly touching, but we can’t risk a kiss. I need to be in my body and aware of everything so I can protect her. I reluctantly pull away.
“Juniper, I want you to listen to what I have to say before you respond. All of it. Do you promise me?” I move farther away from her on the bed. I need to put distance between us so I can explain everything without falling apart. It’s not an easy memory to talk about when it’s so fresh in my head.
“I promise.” Juniper’s eyes are wide, and I can see I’m scaring her.
“I was with Sebastian when he died.”
She gasps.
“Listen, please, to the whole story. I went to see him after you’d told me you were leaving Caspian. I was going to ask him for his help in keeping you here because it’s where you’re meant to be. We got talking, and he found out I was a Guardian. He told me his grandfather was one.”
“I know, he told me as well.”
“Did he tell you anything else?”
She shakes her head. “I didn’t tell him about you. I just asked a few random questions, then we watched a movie.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “We discussed a bit more. He told me about a story of a witch and a Guardian who fell in love.”
“The book,” Juniper interrupts me again.
“What?” I’m not sure what she means.
“I found a book in my mother’s library about a witch and a Guardian. I’ve not finished reading it yet, but it’s not going in a good direction.”
“It won’t finish on a happy ending. According to Sebastian, together they nearly destroyed the world,” I tell her.
“I don’t understand. What does it have to do with us?” Juniper reaches out and takes my hand.
“I’m not sure, but I believe Sebastian thought we might be the reincarnation of them. When I told him I couldn’t control my powers, and then I mentioned you’d had something around your heart, he paled. He was so scared. He told me of a story his grandfather once mentioned about a witch and a Guardian needing to be controlled in order to protect the world. Evidently there’s a plan in place, and I asked him who devised it and who was in charge of everything, and that’s when he started struggling to breathe.” I get up from the bed, needing to put more distance between us. I know what I’m about to say is going to hurt her in so many different ways.
“Cobi, please.”
Juniper slides from the bed. She’s wearing a t-shirt and a pair of short bottoms, and I should appreciate the sight of her looking so pretty, but I can’t. I’m hurting inside. I need to get all this off my chest.
“He collapsed to the floor. I went to him, but I couldn’t help him, so I called an ambulance. I have a power within me, and I couldn’t summon it to save him. That will be my biggest regret. He was trying to tell me something, and I think he died as a result.”
“What do you mean?” Juniper comes closer to me, and pulling her against me again, I nuzzle my nose against hers. It’s the only way I can demonstrate my love for her. I let go of her and take her hand before leading her back into the lounge and to my desk.
“I think Sebastian was killed. Strangled in front of me by something or someone I couldn’t see. He knew too much and was murdered as a result. I can’t prove it, but I’m certain of it.”
Juniper shakes her head slowly. I can tell she’s trying to take in everything.
“I don’t understand. Could you feel anyone in the room?”
“There was a dark presence, but it was what I saw while I was watching him which makes me sure he was killed. He was tearing at his neck like he had something around it.” I’ll never rid myself of the memory of Sebastian’s last few moments. They’ll haunt me forever.
Turning to the desk, I pick up the book and hand it to Juniper with a bookmark in place at the foreword and continue to speak. “I asked Sebastian to tell me who put the plan in place, and with his dying breath he reached for this book and turned to the page I’ve bookmarked. I wasn’t certain it meant anything at first, but after today and seeing the way your father treated you, I’m worried, no, that’s too tame a word for what I’m feeling, I’m petrified of what it means.”
Juniper looks down at the book and then back up at me. She opens the book to the foreword and tears fill her eyes when she sees it’s written by her father.
“You think my father is responsible for whatever is happening to you…to us?”
I nod and lower my head. “I wish I could say it wasn’t, but I watched Sebastian die because he was telling me a story about the things he’d learned; things which could have a bearing on you and me, and who we could possibly be. It could be a coincidence he opened the book to this page, but I am sure he was searching for a way to tell me something in his final moments, and I think he found it.”
Juniper slams the book shut and places it down on the table. She’s unable to even hold it in her hand, such is her disgust. But is it for me or her father?
“If you think my father killed Sebastian, then so do I, Cobi. I’m sick of always being one step behind what’s happening to us. I think we need to find a way to get ahead for once, and I think the magical games might just give us a chance. Until then, though, I need to disappear and find out as much as I can about the witch and the Guardian.”
“What do you have in mind?” I question, not entirely sure what Juniper means but seeing the inner workings of her brain, starting to turn.
I can’t help but agree with her about getting ahead of whoever is controlling us for once. I’m sick of having my life ruined by someone invisible. If I’m a Guardian, I want to embrace the fact and not have all the mystery surrounding it.
Juniper opens her mouth to answer me, but she doesn’t get a chance. A loud thumping at my front door has us both turning towards the sound with fear in our eyes, like the devil himself is waiting for us on the other side.
“Juniper Ambrose, I know you’re in there. Open this door immediately. Emmie called me.”
Juniper looks up at me.
“We’re in big trouble, it’s my mum.”
I’m frozen, unsure of what to do, but Jacobi moves to the door and unlocks it. My mum shoots into the house. “Juni, where are you?”
“In here, Mum,” I manage to
croak out.
She quickly rushes into the room, followed by Jacobi. Her gaze bounces between me and him, no doubt noticing our current state of undress, but I ignore her confusion.
“What are you doing here, Mum?” I question.
“You’re leaving Caspian!” she shouts, and it surprises me. My mum never shouts; she’s always so softly spoken.
I look between her and Jacobi, not sure how much to tell my mum. He’s no help, looking at me blankly. This is clearly my choice.
“Why? Why would you want to leave Caspian when you have Emmie, and,” her eyes move back to Jacobi, “him. I don’t understand, Juni. It’s not like there are a load of other schools to choose from. You’d have to go to one in another country or be home-schooled again.” She sighs, and sitting down on the edge of Jacobi’s bed, she starts tapping her index finger against her lips. “Hmm, I suppose I could speak to Mrs Donovan. She was always a really close friend of mine. She would have you back if I ask, I’m sure,” she mumbles to herself.
“I’m not leaving,” I blurt out, and her eyes jump to mine.
“You’re not? But why would Emmie say otherwise?” She’s confused, and I’m in a mess. I have to tell Mum about my dad. There’s nothing else I can do.
“Dad told me I have to leave.”
“No,” she shakes her head, “he wouldn’t.”
“He did, Mrs Ambrose, I was there,” Jacobi confirms as he moves to lean against the windowsill.
“Why?” my mum breathes out, and I can see the sadness in her eyes.
“I don’t know, but there’s a reason he doesn’t want me to stay in school. I told him no, Mum. I said I wasn’t leaving, and he…” I break off. My mum is well aware of my father’s violent temper, but she’s never witnessed him hurting me before.
She edges forwards, closer to me. “He what, honey?”
I look at Cobi. I need his strength.
“He hit her, twice,” Jacobi grinds out.
My mum gasps, covering her mouth with her hand. “He wouldn’t-“
“He did,” I snap back, not willing to listen to her protect him.
Her eyes fill with tears, but I don’t feel sorry for her. I love my mum, but where my father’s concerned, we’ll never be on the same page.
“He told me he’s coming back in three days, and that I need to be ready to leave or he’ll do God knows what,” I explain.
I watch with morbid fascination as a hard resolve filters into Mum’s eyes. She works her jaw back and forth and clenches her fists until she seems to have herself under control, then she turns to Cobi.
“Jacobi, I understand your parents don’t live here with you anymore. How would you feel about me staying with the two of you for a few days, or longer?” she asks, and Jacobi’s jaw drops. He looks to me, clearly not too sure what to say.
“Why?” I ask. I’m being harsh now, but if she’s not in my corner, I’d rather she went back home. At least, I’d know she was safe.
“Because your father has had his own way for far too long. He’s become a spoilt brat, and I will not allow him to dictate what you do or don’t do anymore.”
I watch her eyes. There’s something in them, something she’s not telling me.
“What else, Mum. I know there’s more,” I push.
Her eyes drop to the floor, and it takes a moment for her to gather the strength she clearly needs. When her eyes meet mine again, I suck in a breath. “He’s promised you to the son of one of the lords on the council.”
“Motherfucker,” Cobi snaps, punching his hand through an internal wall.
My mum’s eyes don’t move from my face. “I’ve always said no, and we’ve argued about it, many times. I don’t like the man, and I fear his son is no better, but more than that, I know…” She breaks off with a cough, then she rubs her temples. “I never told you this, Juni.” Her gaze comes back to me. “I was promised to your father.”
I stand up. “What? You didn’t choose him?”
“No,” she whispers, and that single word holds more truth than the last seventeen years of my life.
“Do you love him?” I ask her. It’s something I’ve wondered for years.
Mum takes one of my hands and holds it between her own. “I tried to, I did. He was cruel and heartless, but I thought it was because of how his father treated him. I made excuses for him, but the truth is, I did love him at one point, but I’ve never liked him.” She looks over to Jacobi. “So you see, I want to stay here, to protect the two of you from him because if he says he’s coming for you in three days… well, then he is.” She shrugs. It’s so matter of fact, but I can forgive her for it because it’s better to have the truth.
“You can stay in my parents’ bedroom,” Jacobi tells her, looking over to me, and I give him a nod in agreement.
While Jacobi settles my mum in her room, I sit in the middle of the bed, waiting for him to return.
“Your mum just told me she isn’t a prude, and it’s totally fine me sleeping in bed with you,” he chuckles as he walks into the bedroom.
I shrug. “Why don’t you?” His eyes widen. “I mean we can’t kiss, but we can hug, right?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t know. I don’t want you to feel pressured into anything.” He stands still, running his hand through his hair. “There’s a lot going on at the moment. This isn’t…” I can see him struggling with his own emotions, so I kneel up on the bed and shuffle towards the edge.
“Come here,” I urge, holding my hands out to him. He stares at me but doesn’t move. “Please, Cobi,” I whisper, and instantly he comes to me. He closes his hands around mine, and pulling me into his chest, he nuzzles his nose into my neck and peppers my collarbone with gentle kisses. “At least it’s just my lips you can’t kiss,” I joke, and he pulls away.
“True, but there’s no need to get carried away.”
I nod, offering him a smile. “Come to bed with me.” It’s a plea, and thankfully, after a moment of clear indecision, he relents and climbs in next to me.
“Turn over,” he commands, and I do as I’m told.
Jacobi hauls me against him, my back to his front, and his arm snakes around my waist. I enclose his hand with mine.
“I love you, Juniper,” he whispers into my ear, and I shiver.
“I love you too, Cobi, night.”
“Sweet dreams.”
And I do, for the first night in a long while, I have sweet dreams.
“I’m nervous,” I admit to Jacobi as we head towards school, his hand firmly clasping mine.
He looks down at me, his dark hair falling into his eyes. “Don’t be.” It’s an order and I want to giggle. His eyes aren’t focused on me, because the moment we left the relative safety of his house, he’s been on the lookout for something turning up to hurt me.
The second we walk into school, it feels like the whole corridor goes quiet. People stand around watching us, their mouths agape. I see various emotions play on their faces, moving from surprise to jealousy to anger. It’s when we reach Taya the whispers start.
“So, decided to choose the whore over me?” She shakes her head, spearing Jacobi with a hard stare. “Big mistake, huge. You’ll see, Jacobi. Remember this moment because this is what will come back to haunt you when you lose everything you love,” she threatens him while her eyes move to me. A smirk appears before she walks away.
“What do you think she means” I whisper.
He shakes his head. “I don’t know,” he replies, but the muscle jumping in his jaw combined with the grip he has on my hand and the hard stare he’s sending in the direction Taya just left tell me he has an idea.
“Hey, Juni. Oh God, are you okay?” Emmie rushes up to me.
“I have a bone to pick with you,” I bite out, and her eyes widen. “You called my mum.”
Realisation washes through her gaze. “Oh, yeah I did. You were threatening to leave. What did you expect me to do?” she answers, eyeing Cobi warily.
“It’s oka
y, I forgive you.” I grin, and she rolls her eyes.
“So, you two are a thing now?” she questions.
“There was always us. We just had to admit it,” Jacobi grunts out, not looking at her.
I roll my eyes at Emmie, and she giggles back.
“We have different first classes,” I tell Cobi, and he turns to look at me, then searches the corridor.
“I’ll walk you to maths before going to my lesson.” His arm slides around my shoulders, and as we start to move towards my class, I wave a goodbye to Emmie.
“Hey, Cobi, Juni,” Lucas calls and comes jogging up to my side.
“Juniper,” Jacobi grunts.
“Huh?” Lucas queries.
Jacobi’s eyes pierce his friend. “You call her Juniper. I call her Juni,” he confirms, and Lucas looks at me with wide eyes. I can’t help but giggle.
“You know you can’t always be Mr Protective,” I tell Jacobi, tapping his chest with my hand as we walk.
His eyes dart down to me, a frown mars his face, and I bite my lip so I don’t laugh at how serious he looks. When we were at his home, he was so much more relaxed, but the moment we left, he became my personal bodyguard.
“Right, here’s my room. I’ll see you in spells class?” I ask, looking up into his beautiful face.
He shakes his head. “No, wait here. I’ll collect you, and we’ll walk to spells together.”
“Okay,” I whisper, and moving onto my tiptoes, I kiss his cheek. His face softens as his eyes move over my face, and I can see his love for me.
I walk inside and take a seat. Not happy I’m in front of Lance Drummond, who’s been a real prick lately. I don’t know why, but he obviously has a problem with me.
He kicks the back of my chair while we wait for the teacher to arrive. I ignore him the first time, and the second, but on the third kick, I turn around.
