Bound (Keeper of the Flame Book 2)

by Lila Kane

  I glance down at my pajama bottoms and frown. By now, Logan knows he’s convinced me.

  “I’ll wait while you change,” he says. He returns his sunglasses to his face and looks out over the lawn, the strong muscles of his back bunching when he folds his arms.

  I walk to my room and grab a shirt and a sweater to put over the top. I wear comfortable boots in case we do a lot of walking and pile my wavy hair high on my head to keep it out of my way.

  When I turn to look in the mirror and see Selena in the reflection, I gasp, stumbling back a step. She’s frowning, shaking her head at me.

  Logan bangs on the front door. “Willow? Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” I say, but my voice is so low I can barely hear it.

  Something angry flashes in Selena’s eyes and the mirror cracks right down the middle. My mouth drops open and I back up farther.

  “Why did you do that?” I ask.

  But she vanishes. Heart racing, I return to the living room and yank open the door as Logan starts pounding again.

  He reaches for me, but he’s stopped by the invisible barrier to my home. “Are you okay?”

  I nod.

  “What happened?”

  “You really can hear better,” I mutter.

  He gives a curt nod, but tries to look into the house again. “What’s going on?”

  I snag my bag off the table by the door and step onto the porch. “Nothing.”

  Logan frowns. His gaze travels the length of my body, checking to see if I have any injuries. “That wasn’t nothing. You were scared. I could hear your heartbeat.”

  “It was Selena,” I say.

  His eyes search mine. “She’s around a lot. I think she likes you.”

  He says it like a joke, but his face is serious. I’ve noticed, too. She is around a lot. Maybe what my mother said does have some merit. No, that can’t be. She’s only helping.

  “She probably knows you’re here, knows I’m going somewhere with you. Maybe she’s worried.”

  He isn’t offended at the words. “Hmm. Maybe. Selena’s family‒your family‒and mine, weren’t exactly on the best terms.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He sets his hand on my lower back and ushers me off the porch. “I’ll show you something and tell you a little more about what I know.”

  I step away from him, but follow to his car. “Okay, but you realize I’ll lose the very little trust I have in you if you try anything.”

  “And if I don’t?” he asks, opening the door for me. His gaze flicks to the amethyst on my necklace but returns just as quickly to my face. “Do I get more trust?”

  “We’ll see.”

  He’s quiet while we drive, and I’m grateful. I spot a blackbird like the one I saw yesterday flying near the car. It reminds me of Ryan and the hawk. But it’s not him. The bird swoops to the other side of the car and then back, making me frown. What’s its problem?

  I forget the bird and think about Selena. I want to know what she’s up to. I want to know if she’s truly trying to help me or she has ulterior motives. The more I learn about her past, the more that might help me figure out what’s going on. Especially if I end up needing her help with Myra.

  “How’s your sister?” I ask when we turn onto a dirt road not too far from the Shadow Hill Hotel.

  “She’s feeling better today, but still tired. If you hadn’t let me out, I…I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

  I toss him a casual smile. “It was the best way to do what we need to do.”

  Logan curves around a few trees and parks the car, but doesn’t get out. “I’m serious, Willow. Thank you. Myra needs me and I couldn’t help her stuck in the cave.”

  I start to shrug it off, but he takes my hand, fingers gentle. “Logan.”

  “Thank you,” he repeats. He brings my knuckles to his lips and kisses them softly. “You’re supposed to say, ‘You’re welcome’.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Very good.”

  He gets out and reaches my door in the blink of an eye. He takes my hand to help me out and I’m struck again by the difference between him and Ryan. Ryan’s blonder, taller, more serious. I wonder sometimes if he had much laughter in his life when he was younger. Logan is dark, charming, more emotional, sure, but also more compassionate. There’s a vulnerable side to him he’s not afraid to let me see.

  “Why are you doing this, Logan?” I ask.

  He keeps my hand in his. “What do you mean?”

  “Acting this way. Taking me here, pretending like everything is fine.”

  “Everything is fine,” he says, bowing his head to stare at our linked hands. “Or it will be. And I want to show you that. I want to show you that I’m not the person you think I am.”

  “You don’t know what kind of person I think you are.”

  “I do,” he insists. He takes off his glasses so he can meet my eyes. In the past, they would have turned dark, a sure sign he was trying to influence me. Now they stay a clear shade of blue that’s nearly as compelling. “You want to trust me but you’re scared. You want to like me, but I made it hard for you because of what I did. You’re attracted to me and you’re worried it goes beyond that.”

  “Beyond what?” I murmur.

  He brushes his finger down my cheek and traces my jawline. “Beyond attraction. That it’s deeper. That we connect on a level you’re not comfortable with.”

  I squirm from his grasp, showing just how uncomfortable the whole situation makes me. Why does he have to be so insightful? It’s unnerving.

  Logan replaces his sunglasses. “Okay, you’re not ready to talk about that yet. But I can still get you to try to trust me.”

  I take in the view, figuring it’s safer than looking at him. The trees stretch for miles, so thick and green they’re breathtaking. I can barely tell there’s a town in the midst of them. Behind us, slopes rise to the cerulean sky, most of them still tipped in white from spring snowstorms.

  “We’re helping each other out,” I tell him when he continues to look at me. “Business.”

  “It doesn’t feel like business. Not the way I see it.”

  I turn, flash him a smile. “Maybe you should try looking at it from a different angle, then. Now, what are we here to see?”

  “The distraction technique. Nice. Okay, then. Business. All this property here,” Logan says, gesturing to the trees around us and everything that stretches behind the hotel, “belonged to your ancestor, Selena. Or, more specifically, her parents.”

  I scan the property. It’s a large amount of land. I wonder what other family of hers‒or mine‒might have lived here.

  “Come on.” Logan nods his head toward the trees. “This way.”

  I don’t know when he pulled a backpack from the car, but now he hikes it onto his back and leads the way on an old trail that’s mostly covered in leaves and twigs.

  “Their entire clan lived on this property, and there’s a lot of history here.” Logan glances back at me. “Doing okay?”

  I’m glad I’m wearing my boots, but it’s nice to be out in the sunshine. To be talking about something other than trapping vampires and finding books. I nod. “Fine. Where are we going?”

  He stops so abruptly, I plow into him. He takes my arm to steady me, fingers warm against my bare skin. “Sorry about that.”

  I catch his smile. “No, you’re not.”

  “No, I’m not. I like this whole”‒he gestures to my boots and then my high bun‒“I-can-be-outdoorsy look. I mean, you’re smart and you’re witchy and now you’re hiking with me. It’s pretty hot.”

  “You’re just saying that because you’re stuck in Shadow Hill and the population’s pretty low. I’m the first new girl that comes along in a while and clearly it’s messing with your hormones.”

  He laughs and scoops his arm around my waist, pulling me close. “That’s not it at all.”

  My breath catches. I press my hands against his chest. “You’re per
sistent.”

  “One of my best qualities. Willow, you’re kind of amazing in case you didn’t know that. I should have…” He looks away, gaze turning distant. “I should have done things differently with you. Told you what was going on up front. But I was worried about you being a witch. I was worried you wouldn’t help me.”

  “I guess we’ll never know,” I whisper.

  His eyes return to mine. “No, I won’t accept that. I want to know you better and I won’t let my mistakes get in the way. I don’t think you’re the kind of woman who holds a grudge either. Life’s too short‒and you know I had a reason for what I did. Doesn’t mean I handled it in the best way, but I had a reason.”

  I can feel his heartbeat against mine. There’s nothing but sincerity in his eyes. And maybe a little hope, too.

  “I know you had a reason,” I say, nodding.

  “Good.”

  “But I want you to tell me something, then.”

  He doesn’t loosen his grip. “What?”

  “Something else you’ve been keeping from me. So I know you’re trying‒so I can build back up some of that trust.”

  I see him swallow. He scratches his chin with his free hand. “I have an older brother,” he says.

  “I already knew that.”

  “I have an older brother,” he repeats, “and he wants this curse to end.”

  I shake my head. “So do you‒or you did before.”

  “No, that was just the only way‒the quickest way‒I could think of to help Myra. He wants this and he’s a lot more, uh…determined than I am.”

  Pushing against Logan’s chest again, I back from his embrace. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying if you want to stop this curse for good, it might be smart of us to hurry.”

  “Logan, why didn’t you tell me this before? He’s not here, is he?”

  I look around, suddenly afraid there’s another vampire in town, waiting for me or my mom to help with the spell. To put things back to where they were years ago and vampires had free reign.

  “No.” Logan catches my hand. “Willow, no, he’s not here. And this is why I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want you‒or anyone else‒to worry. There’s already so much else to deal with. We can figure this out.”

  I frown, trying to pull away.

  He holds tight. “Willow, look at me. We can do this. Us. Your group. All of us. I want Myra to feel better, but then I’ll help stop the curse if that’s what you think is best.”

  I peer closer at his face, befuddled.

  “What?” he asks.

  “I feel like…you’re telling the truth.”

  He cups my cheek with one hand, his gaze steady. “I am.”

  We’re suspended in that moment so long, I start to feel like I’m swaying. Like I’m leaning toward him because for a moment, all I want to do is kiss him. To press against him and lose myself in this place and those words.

  And then something shrieks above us. I jerk back as the hawk swoops in between me and Logan.

  “Damn it,” Logan says, under his breath. He swipes at the bird as it circles around his head. “Get out of here, Ryan.”

  I gape as the bird flaps its wings in Logan’s face before making for the nearest tree and perching there. “Are you sure that’s him?” I ask.

  Logan grabs my hand and pulls me on the trail. “Yes. I can tell. And he’s being an asshole. Either he’s way overprotective or he’s jealous.”

  “Logan‒”

  “Come on, it’s up here.”

  Ryan stays in the tree as we reach the remains of a home. Stones are still stacked in some places, particularly the chimney, which rises up two stories and tapers at the top.

  “This is where Selena lived with her family. Not far from the hotel, as you can see.”

  I’m still self-conscious about Ryan watching us from the tree. I glance over my shoulder and frown, trying to find him among the branches. I’m irritated, but I’m also worried. He’s been in animal form since yesterday. What does that mean? That it’s harder for him to change back now?

  “Ignore him,” Logan says.

  “Can we look inside?”

  “Sure.”

  He takes my hand and guides me across the threshold. There’s not a door anymore and most of the walls have crumbled down, but we’re still inside the same place Selena lived. I’m walking the same floor she paced, where she thought about magic, where she grew up and learned who she really was.

  “Willow.”

  I whip around, searching for the voice. It’s a female voice, low and steady. Logan looks over at me, brows furrowed.

  “What’s wrong?” he asks.

  “Willow,” the voice says again.

  It’s a whisper on the wind this time. My heart starts pounding. It’s Selena, I know it. And she doesn’t sound happy.

  “We’re the same, you and me,” she says.

  I swallow and grip Logan’s arm. “Do you hear that?”

  “I don’t hear anything. Willow‒you look sick.”

  I don’t feel well. I bend over, clutching my stomach. My vision starts to swim. I see Selena on one side of the small home, and then on the other. She steps closer and I gasp when suddenly she’s right in front of me.

  “Logan.” I clutch his arm as he wraps it around my waist. “I think…”

  “What? Willow, do not pass out. You’re okay. Shit.” He glances around like there might be help nearby. “Let’s get out of here.”

  I try to stand, but my feet aren’t steady. My breath feels stuck in my lungs. “Logan, I can’t‒”

  “Okay, hold on, Willow.” He scoops me in his arms even as the world disappears around me. “I’ve got you.”

  Then I black out.

  Chapter 7

  I see them across the room. Lawrence is flirting with her, smile wide and easy. Like it’s meant to be. But we shared something last week at the town meeting. His eyes caught mine and lingered. Since then, I’ve been trying to reenact another shared moment.

  I grip the edges of my skirt and sway in his direction, keeping my back straight but lowering my eyes in a demure way most of the other men around here seemed charmed by.

  When he starts toward the other side of the ballroom, I catch him in a dark corner.

  “Lawrence.” The name leaves my lips in a low, breathy tone. “I’ve been waiting to talk with you the whole evening.”

  “Selena, please,” he says. He gives a surreptitious glance around the room. “This isn’t right.”

  “If you come to my home and ask my father if you can court me, it will be right.”

  He gently pushes my hand from his arm. “I’m sorry, Selena. I’m courting Rebecca.”

  His words hit me like a blow to the chest. Before I can react, he’s moving away, walking to Rebecca again. Taking her hand in his, bringing her to the dance floor.

  Flames flicker inside, dancing around angry jealousy. And I know what I have to do.

  The room is familiar when I open my eyes. It’s Logan’s room. And I’ve been here before.

  “You’re awake,” a voice says. Myra sits on a chair next to me.

  I turn my head on the pillow and wince. It feels like I got hit in the head with a brick, and my vision is still hazy. Mostly stuffed with visions of Selena in a period dress, full of her excitement to cross the ballroom to the man she thinks she loves.

  Echoes of her anger, her hurt, and her disappointment still resonate inside me. There’s also another emotion. One of vengefulness.

  “Myra,” I say, voice scratchy. “Why am I am here? Again?”

  She smiles. “Logan wanted you to be comfortable. Our house was the closest place.”

  I try not to panic. I’m not a prisoner this time. The door is open on the other side of the room. Why does he always bring me here, though? To his own bedroom? It’s so intimate.

  “Where is Logan?” I ask.

  “Phone call,” she says simply. “How’s your head?”

 
I sit up slowly. “I had a dream about Selena. I…”

  “What?” Myra asks, scooting forward in her seat. “Logan said he took you to her house.”

  “He did.” And it didn’t feel good. It felt like she was near me. Right next to me. In me. Maybe that’s why I had the dream about her. But it felt so real. Like I was her and it was a memory.

  It makes me uncomfortable. Even now, I can still feel her near. Like she’s a part of me.

  “How are you feeling?” I ask, changing the subject.

  She lifts her eyebrows with a smirk. “Better than you look.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Logan’s worried.”

  I swing my legs over the side of the bed and nod at her. “Of course he is. He loves you.”

  She laughs. “Not about me. Well, yeah, about me, too. But he’s worried about what happened with you.”

  “I’m fine. No big deal. This is getting kind of normal for me, actually.”

  “That’s what he’s worried about. Willow,” Myra says, standing, “maybe you should rest for a bit.”

  I ignore her suggestion and get to my feet. The amethyst on the necklace hums against my skin. I press a hand over the top of it.

  Myra eyes me like I might do something crazy. “Willow.”

  I smile at her. “Look at you trying to take care of me. This scenario is extremely weird.”

  She returns the smile. “It is.” She fiddles with the sleeve of her shirt. “I didn’t thank you for saying you’d help me.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. I have to figure out a spell or something first. And my magic is…not very refined yet. I have a lot to learn, and I’ll probably need to practice.”

  “I’ll help you if you need it,” she says.

  “Me too,” Logan says from the doorway.

  I look over to find him leaning against the door jamb, his arms crossed. He’s still holding his cell phone. I spot tension in his smile.

  “Feeling better?” Logan asks.

  “You know me. I’m resilient.”

  “More than I’d expect for all that’s happened to you.” He pushes away from the door and walks to us. “But sometimes people are stronger than we give them credit for.”