by T. M. Cromer
“Why are you being mean?”
The tearful inquiry tugged at her heartstrings. “I’m not trying to be. You are no different from any witch or warlock who came before you. My sisters and I weren’t allowed to go to school until we mastered our gifts and guaranteed we wouldn’t talk about it to anyone.”
“How old were you?”
“I was seventeen. Winnie was fifteen, and Summer was thirteen. Spring wasn’t allowed to go to school until she was fourteen, her freshman year of high school.”
“That’s so old!” Chloe cried. “My friends will forget me.”
“No they won’t, midge,” Keaton assured her.
The large honey-colored eyes filled with tears. “They will,” she choked out. “And you don’t care.”
Chloe ran from the kitchen, leaving two helpless adults in her wake.
“I don’t know what to do,” he confessed.
“Perhaps you can talk to my dad. Maybe he can give you some pointers.”
“I was terrified of your dad when I thought he was a mere mortal. Now that I know he is the second most powerful being on the planet, yeah, no.”
“If he didn’t kill you nine years ago, he’s not likely to now,” she teased.
He snagged a bite of her pancake. “Not inspiring confidence there, babe.”
“Want me to go talk to her?”
“If you think you can help.” Keaton sighed and set down his fork. “I only want what’s best for her.”
“I know.” Autumn laid her hand over his. “On another note, Alastair is pressuring us for the stone. Are you any closer to deciding if you intend to relinquish it?”
“I know he says it’s for your mom’s benefit, but that guy is shady as fuck. What was that whole thing with Lin about? Those two hated each other. You and I were almost the victims of whatever feud they’d started.”
“He did save us when he didn’t have to. He could’ve waited for you to freeze to death and left me to burn.”
“I know that too,” he said with a sigh.
Autumn could sense his frustration. She could also feel the energy pulsing from the pendant hidden under his shirt. The pull toward the Chintamani Stone was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Whenever she came in contact with it, she wanted it for her own.
Her head came up from where she’d been resting it on her hand. “Keaton?”
“Yeah?”
“When did Chloe start acting odd?”
He didn’t deny his daughter’s actions were off. “After the spa day. Why?”
“I think we need to get the stone away from her.”
His dark brows shot almost to his hairline. “Pardon?”
“I don’t think it’s regular kid behavior. I can’t be sure, but I think the necklace is influencing her moods.”
With swift fingers, he unbuttoned his shirt to stare at the necklace. What he hoped to see, she had no idea.
“Maybe the stone isn’t about granting wishes so much as it is about amplifying them. Or at least the emotions surrounding them,” she suggested. “Why did I react badly to your comment about Diane the other day? Why is Chloe acting strange? She’s a matter-of-fact kind of child. She doesn’t throw tantrums.”
He nodded slowly, staring intently at her.
Her heart sunk. She recognized that look.
Dollars to donuts, he believed his reaction to their love was too strong and perhaps enhanced by magic. He intended to kick her to the curb.
Vomit bottled up in the back of her throat, and she ran for the bathroom. As she deposited the contents of her stomach into the toilet, gentle hands pulled back her hair and caressed her neck.
“You okay, babe?”
With shaky hands, she ripped toilet paper off the roll and wiped the edges of her mouth. “I think so.”
“I’ll get your toothbrush, just sit here a second.”
Why was he being so kind when he wanted her gone? What was wrong with her that she sat there like a pathetic blob, waiting for him to drop the axe? She should just go to Maine. Start a new life. Forget all things Keaton Carlyle.
As Autumn positioned herself to teleport, Keaton returned.
“Where are you going?”
“You only think you love me because of the stone. You—”
His hands came up to cup her face. “That’s not you talking, babe. Think for a minute. What were you just saying about the Chintamani Stone messing with people?”
“But you…” She trailed off in confusion. “You don’t believe the things you are feeling for me are related to the magic of the necklace?”
He smiled warmly. “No. I know I love you. If anything, I might worry you don’t feel the same about me and that maybe you are being drawn in. But no, I know exactly how I feel.”
“We have to get rid of that thing. Or, at the very least, store it in a safe place while we figure out if it’s altering our moods. Although, you don’t seem to be similarly affected like me and Chloe.” Autumn ran the water and splashed out her mouth as she mentally ran through the reasons why the stone wouldn’t alter Keaton’s perspective of things. Was it because he was actually in possession of the thing? Because he was a male? She’d be curious to know if Knox and Cooper were experiencing any strange behavior. “Has there been anything off with your brother or Knox?”
“No, but then Knox has been in the barn with the new stock from sun up to sun down.” A frown etched his forehead. “I can’t recall anything specific, but I don’t believe C.C. is acting odd.”
“What is different about me and Chloe?”
They both registered the answer at the same time. “Physical contact,” they said in unison.
“That makes the most sense,” she said. “Chloe and you share hugs throughout the day. And as for us…” Heat rose in her cheeks.
He grinned. “Like rabbits.”
“I know you don’t want to, but I think this cements the decision to get rid of that thing.”
The smile disappeared from his face. “No. It just means I shouldn’t wear it.”
“Keaton,” she said warningly. “It’s dangerous. Don’t tell me you can’t feel the power.”
Irritation flared in his face. Then she knew—Keaton was obsessed with the stone!
She changed tactics. “You know what? I think you’re right. My nervousness is probably a reaction to the necklace.”
His brow cleared, and his smile returned.
“I’m going to pop home to clear my head of whatever the pull of this thing has. I’ll call you later, okay?”
She didn’t give him a chance to respond or touch her but instead teleported to Thorne Manor. When she arrived, she hit the ground running.
“Sisters!” she called with her mind and voice, sending the cry out to Summer at her Sanctuary in North Carolina. “I need you.”
Within seconds, they were all gathered in the living room discussing the problem at hand.
“Keaton doesn’t believe there’s a problem. I think he’s under the influence of that damned stone,” Autumn said.
Her sisters all shared a speaking glance.
“What?”
Winnie was the first to answer. “What if you only gave Keaton a second chance because the pull of the stone?”
The thought hadn’t occurred to her, but it should’ve. Nausea nearly caused her to lose her cookies for the second time.
“We don’t know enough about this thing,” Summer inserted. “We should call Alastair. He’ll know what it does.”
Spring spoke up with another option, “What about Nash?”
“My brother?” Summer shook her head. “I’m not sure bringing him into this is a good idea. He’ll take it to the Witches’ Council, and we’ll never see the darned thing again. What if Alastair can’t wake Mom without it?”
“Good point,” Spring muttered and slouched back into her seat.
“Are we all in favor of calling Uncle Alastair?” Winnie asked.
Autumn took in the resolute expressions of
her sisters. “I think so.”
Summer picked up her smartphone and shot off a text. Before she could place it back on the table, there was a knock on the front door.
“Think it’s him?” Spring whispered.
“Why are you whispering?” Autumn laughingly asked.
“He scares me,” her sister admitted.
“Fair enough.”
The knock sounded louder, and Autumn rose to her feet. “I’ll get it.”
She wasn’t surprised to see her uncle on the other side of the door. But she was surprised to see him dressed casually in a pair of black slacks and a pale blue shirt. With his blond hair slightly mussed and the two-day growth of facial hair, the man looked as if he could be on the cover of GQ magazine.
“If I didn’t already know round about your age, I’d never believe you were older than thirty-five,” she said in real wonder.
His pleased grin had her lips twitching. Who knew old Uncle Alastair was susceptible to flattery?
His expression turned serious, and he gave her a visual once-over. “How are you feeling, child? Any lingering trauma or nightmares?”
The concern he conveyed rattled her. Unexpected tears clouded her vision. “I’m okay.”
“You are the strongest woman I know, but if you need someone to talk to, I make a mean martini and am a great listener.”
She surprised them both when she hugged him. “Thank you.”
His arms tightened briefly before he released her. “Anytime.”
Twenty minutes later, a course of action was agreed upon. Autumn would take the first opportunity to spirit away the Chintamani Stone and deliver it to Alastair, who would be on standby.
Keaton wouldn’t be happy with her, but he’d given her no choice. That damned stone had to go for all their sakes.
“What will you do with it once you have it?” she asked her uncle.
“Certainly not wear it. Damned fool boy.” Alastair shook his head. “His parents did him a disservice by not teaching him from birth.”
“I tend to agree,” Autumn said.
Chapter 19
Chloe sat on the park bench and toed the pebble at her feet. From the corner of her eye, she noticed a group of kids laughing and playing tag in the field that doubled for the local soccer practices. They were the same kids she used to ride bikes with, but who now ignored her and refused to allow her to play. The popular kids had kicked her out of their circle. Now she was friendless and bored.
Her anger at the unfairness boiled within her, and the wind picked up in intensity. When an older, black-haired man stopped in front of her, Chloe calmed the air around them.
While she was told never to talk to strangers, something about the man compelled her to speak. “Who are you?” she asked as she stared up into his pale green eyes.
“I’m a friend of your father, Chloe.”
He smiled. The sight made butterflies dance in her stomach, but not in a good way like when cute Derek Sheehan was teasing her. This man’s smile made her stomach hurt.
She sat frozen in place when everything inside her screamed at her to run.
Autumn was always saying to trust her instincts. But this man had the same look as her mother did when Mama was about to hit her. And like with Mama, Chloe knew it was better not to run. Running made her mother angrier.
His grip on her arm hurt where he rushed her toward the van.
From nowhere, Derek appeared in front of them, stopping the man from moving forward. “Where ye be takin’ my friend?” The sound of his funny accent calmed some of Chloe’s jumping nerves.
“Another witch. Why am I not surprised?” The mean man sneered.
Derek grinned, and his deep dimples flashed. He cast a quick look at Chloe and shot her a wink. “If ye know what I am, man, then ye know what I can do. Let Chloe go.” Derek’s voice, though hard with warning, was music to her ears. She loved his musical Irish manner of speaking. The steel behind his command shot him to hero status in her eyes.
“I don’t have time for this,” snarled the dark-haired man. “Seize him, too.”
Men rushed Derek from the van opening behind him. But the young teen was faster and more wily than the attacking men. Derek teleported, reappearing behind her and the scary man.
“Run, Chloe. Run like the wind and don’t be lookin’ back,” Derek whispered in her ear then struck down on the wrist of the arm clutching her tight.
The man’s hold on her loosened. It allowed her to jerk away and run for all she was worth toward the police car pulling onto the road next to the park. “Uncle Coop!” she screamed with everything she had. “Uncle Coop!”
A gunshot echoed across the clearing. The screaming of her ex-schoolmates caused her to spin back. Derek crumpled to the ground at the dark-haired man’s feet. His hands clutched to his stomach and mouth opened in a silent scream.
“Derek!” she cried. “Derek!”
She wanted to be brave and run toward him, but the scary man was now focused on her. Fear propelled her into motion, and she whirled to run. A line of people blocked her path, and for a moment, she panicked until a familiar voice called her name.
“Autumn?”
“I’m here, kid. Now this is what I want you to do. Listen carefully,” Autumn said urgently. “You close your eyes and visualize Thorne Manor. Do you understand? I want you to smell the dirt, feel the breeze through the trees, picture the house. Can you do that?”
“Y-yes. But Derek—”
“I’ll see to Derek, but first I need you safe. Now close your eyes and picture my home,” Autumn ordered.
Chloe did as she was told. She blocked out everything else but what Autumn had said to imagine. When she opened her eyes, she was standing in front of the large three-story house.
“Miss Winnie!” she screamed. “Miss Winnie!”
Winnie, Spring, and Preston Thorne poured out of the house.
“Autumn… she’s in trouble. A b-bad man tried t-to… D-Derek is hurt… I…” Sobs wracked her body and made an explanation impossible.
“Chloe,” Spring stated her name calmly. “Sweetie, I need you to tell me where my sister is.”
“P-park,” she hiccuped out.
Winnie and Preston disappeared before another whimper could escape her.
“Uncle C-Coop, too,” she added on a whisper.
“Good girl. Go inside our house. The house is warded and will not let anyone bad enter. Do you understand?”
She nodded, unable to speak.
“You’re a brave girl, and when this is over, I want to hear about your first teleport,” Spring said with a soft smile and a light caress of Chloe’s cheek. “Run along now.”
Chloe did what she was told and ran into the house. With the last of her courage, she bolted the door, and then huddled in the corner by the stairs to cry for Derek.
Autumn faced Lin and his four minions. “Picking on little girls now, you douche canoe?”
Hate burned from Lin’s eerie pale-green eyes. “She was a means to an end. But now that you’re here, I still have a pawn.” He pointed his gun at her chest across the short distance.
“Let the Sheriff help the boy, and I’ll go with you,” she said. Where she found the courage, she’d never know. There was no doubt in her mind that if she went with him, she was as good as dead.
The left side of his lip curled. She was coming to hate that particular expression on his face. It always indicated an impending evil action on his part.
No one was prepared for the fog when it rolled in. Autumn hit the deck, dragging Coop down with her. The instinctive response saved her life as Lin’s gun discharged.
The heavy gray mist didn’t reach the ground but instead lingered about two feet above the grass and expanded upward. As Autumn army-crawled toward the writhing teen, she recognized the heeled boots heading for the fray.
Winnie.
If Autumn lived through this little showdown at the OK Corral, she intended to tell her sister how damned impres
sive this particular bit of magic was.
“Cloak,” someone shouted.
Well, fuck! Why hadn’t she thought of that?
Autumn silently mouthed the words to Granny Thorne’s cloaking spell and threw her hands wide to encompass her sister, Coop, and Derek.
On hands and knees, she continued to crawl just in case the spell had gone awry.
When she reached Derek’s side, his hopeless, pain-filled hazel eyes stared up at her, and a silent tear trailed down the side of the boy’s face.
“You are not dying today,” she whispered. “You hang on, do you hear me?”
He nodded and gripped the hand she held out.
In a flash, she had him in the living room of the Thorne estate.
“D-Derek?”
Chloe’s tentative voice caught her attention.
“Chloe, come here, sweetheart. I need your help.”
“I-I don’t know w-what to do?”
“I’m going to show you, but I need you beside me.”
The girl stayed huddled in the corner.
Autumn changed tactic. “Chloe, listen to me. Derek needs you. If you don’t help me right now, he might die.”
The harsh, no-nonsense tone penetrated the child’s haze of fear and had her scrambling to Autumn’s side.
“Remember how I taught you to harness your power? To feel it heat up within you and push out toward your fingers?”
“Yes.”
“I need you to do that now. Lay your palms flat on Derek’s stomach about three inches above his belly button.” She took a precious few seconds to reposition Chloe’s hands then went back to applying pressure to the wound. “Perfect. Don’t pulse your power, push it. But instead of through your fingers, do it through the center of your palms. While you are doing that, I want you to visualize a white light. Got it?”
Chloe’s dark head nodded.
“You do that until I tell you to stop.”
“Okay.”
With one hand, Autumn maintained pressure on the initial entry wound, while she dug out her cell-phone with the other. She placed one call to GiGi for help, and a second to Alastair to give him a ten-second rundown of the incident in the park.
