by R. L. Weeks
His eyes fluttered open. “Are you a vampire or something?” He groaned when he saw the sun starting to rise outside the window.
I grinned. “Just a witch.”
He smirked. “Ah, coming around, are we?”
“It’s a little hard to wrap my head around, but I can’t deny what’s right in front of me. I did promise if you showed me proof, I would believe you.” I explained as I fidgeted with my ring. “It makes sense with all the stories about witches, people still practicing witchcraft, Wiccans, and all branches of it. There’s must be some truth to the fiction,” I said, quoting him.
He stretched his arms up, and I noticed his muscles bulge. He’d always wear his leather jacket at school, so I never noticed how toned he was.
“You look good in white.”
He cracked a smile. “Hold the phone. Is Katherine Bathory giving me a compliment?”
“Don’t get used to it,” I warned.
He stared at me long enough to make me feel awkward. “I’m going to get coffee. Want some?”
“Thanks. Do you mind if I grab a shower?”
I pulled a towel out from inside my ottoman and tossed it to him. “Just have it before my mom wakes up at seven.”
As if she had some sixth sense, the moment my foot touched the bottom step, she turned around. “Morning cupcake.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you call me cupcake?”
She pointed at the coffee machine. My stomach grumbled. “Thanks.”
The microwave dinged. “Pop-Tart. You want one?”
I shook my head.
“You need to eat something.” She chastised and pointed at her purse. “Take ten dollars and get yourself some food today. Please.”
I took the money to avoid an argument. “I will.”
She grabbed her Pop-Tart to go and hurried over to the door. “I’ll see you later, okay? Make sure you stay in school today and any problems you call me.”
“Yes, I will. Bye.” I said as she walked out the door.
Reaching the room, I placed the coffee cups on the side. The sound of the shower running was soothing. Finally, the sound stopped. I waited for Nicholas to return. As I did, I grabbed my phone. I had a text from my aunt that had remained unread.
Call me sometime, sweetheart. I want to know how you’re doing. Miss you lots from me, Michael, and the kids.
I rolled my eyes. She always signed every text with that. I made a mental note to make time to call her after school.
Nicholas appeared in the doorway with a towel wrapped around his waist. My stomach flipped. I didn’t know where to look – well, I did, but that would have just made things awkward. A curve ran from the side of his nose to his outer lip. We maintained eye contact as his lips curved into a grin. “You need to use the bathroom?”
I flushed red. “Oh… I…”
“I meant to brush your teeth, shower.” He said, saving me the embarrassment.
Pressing my lips together, I looked down at my hands. He made me so… flustered. “Yes. Uh, do you need some clean clothes?”
He pressed the top of his finger against the chin. “You have boys’ clothes lying around?”
I bit the inside of my lip. “No, um, just my dad’s old clothes.”
“Oh.” His smile faltered. “No. I’ll be okay for today. Thanks.”
His pupils dilated as he looked at me. I ran my finger along my neckline and fiddled with my necklace. His lips parted as he took me in. He looked almost surprised at something. I couldn’t guess that. “Let’s go.” I urged.
He shook his head, snapping himself out of whatever thought he was in. He pushed strands of brown hair back, away from my eyes. “Yes.”
“I’m meeting Vanessa soon.” I didn’t want to risk Jayde and Amara seeing Nicholas and me together. I had no doubts it would lead to a fight. Not that I cared what they thought, I just didn’t need the drama or the lecture from Vanessa.
“I’ll walk with you to the gates then.”
“Okay.”
I texted Vanessa.
Meet you at school, girl. Going to be late.
I tucked my phone away and stepped out the front door. He followed. We walked by the neatly trimmed yards, all lined up in front of houses that looked the same. The sounds of the bees distracted me. I looked around to see where they were and spotted two by a bunch of bluebells. We cut through a shortcut, and I caught my sleeve on a bramble.
“Here,” he said and freed the thorns from my sleeve.
The sun hit his hair, bringing out the golden shades among the dark. We eventually reached the gates. “Thanks for last night. It meant a lot to me.”
“We’re in this together,” declared Nicholas as he fumbled in his bag for his phone.
“We are. We should get together after school and go back to the house.” I wasn’t overjoyed by the thought of going back there, but we needed to get to the bottom of it.
“I’m busy this evening, but tomorrow?”
I tried to keep my tone upbeat. “Sure. I’ll do some more research. I’ll find out if there were any hangings or covens recorded here.”
“Good idea. See you later.”
I spotted Jayde walking toward the gym, where she and her group of friends would meet. She looked at me, gave me the stink eye, then turned away. I wish I knew what her problem was.
Vanessa caught up with me at lunch. “Hey, girl!”
I hugged her. It felt so good to be held. “Hey, gorgeous.”
“Are you going to the game tomorrow?” she asked sweetly.
“Probably not.”
“You used to love going. How did Dana take it that you were leaving the team?” she asked, referring to the head cheerleader.
“Well, she hasn’t spoken to me since, so I’m guessing not well.”
She huffed. “I always thought they were stuck-up anyway.”
I scrunched my nose. “Many of them were nice.”
She sighed. “I’m sure they are. I shouldn’t judge.”
I changed the topic. “How did the exam go?”
“Bad. It doesn’t matter anyway. I’m going to work with my parents in Borneo when I graduate.”
I furrowed my brows. “When were you going to tell me this?”
“During the summer.”
“Ah.”
“You seem in better spirits today. Did someone sage your personality?” she teased.
“I just had a good night. That’s all.” I told her without giving any details.
We stopped by her locker, and she pulled it open. I looked at the pictures of us taped to the back of the door and grinned. I pointed at one. “I remember that. We went swimming in the random lake we found when you thought it would be a good idea to go hiking for four hours.”
She flicked her curls back. “Yes, on one of our many adventures.”
Jerimiah walked toward us from his locker. “Hi, Ness.”
Ness? I looked between them.
She beamed at him. “Hey, Jerry.”
Jerry? What in the world was going on? Since when did they call each other by pet names?
“Where were you during English?” he asked.
“I was pulled away. Needed to help my mom with something.”
“Oh, cool.”
I couldn’t stand the awkwardness for another second. “We should get going,” I told Vanessa, giving her a look.
“Yeah.” She flushed red. “I need to grab my books from Mr. Thompson’s class. I’ll be back.” She shot off, leaving me and Jerimiah alone.
He looked down awkwardly. “So, uh, I saw you and Nicholas yesterday. I didn’t know you two were friends.”
“I didn’t know you and Vanessa were friends either, or you and Nicholas.”
“Oh, we weren’t, but I had some personal stuff going on at home and he has been helping me out,” he said and looked at Vanessa’s locker. She forgot to close it, so I shut it.
“I’m going to find Vanessa.”
He nodded. He was so s
ocially unaware that I was the one cringing. “Thanks for the talk.”
“See you soon, Kate,” he said slowly.
I scanned the hall. My gaze landed on Maria. Her back was to me, but I’d recognize that pulled-too-tight ponytail anywhere. “Maria!”
She forced two books into her already-overstuffed locker and turned toward me. She looked flustered. “Sorry I didn’t see you at lunch. Emergency dance meeting.”
I’d forgotten she took dance classes. She would perform with her group during halftime at the games. I was cheerleading, and Vanessa would cheer from the bleachers. I missed those days. “Oh, yeah. How’s that going?”
Her forehead was dotted with beads of sweat. “Fine. I have so much I need to do.”
I placed my hand on her shoulders. “You need to take it slow, girl. You’re gonna burn out.”
She gave me a stiff nod as if she had heard that a thousand times. “I have to go. I promise we’ll catch up soon.”
Vanessa and I walked home. “I’m worried about Maria,” I told her. “She’s been doing so much.”
Vanessa gave me an Mmhmm and looked down the road ahead. She seemed distracted.
I took the opportunity to probe her about the history in Crimson Leaf. She knew more than anyone, except perhaps Maria. “Do you know anything about witch trials or something along those lines in this town?”
She looked up at me. “Since when do you care about history?”
“I’m doing a paper.” I thanked my brain for being quick with excuses and was grateful we didn’t have history class together. “History class.”
“Oh. Uh, yeah loads happened here, but there isn’t much documented about it. From what I’ve read, they executed the first person in Connecticut for witchcraft here. There was an entire coven that was massacred. They called themselves the Black Lily. The people in this town killed everyone inside the house where the coven practiced. Even children. I don’t know where it is though.”
My thoughts drifted to the house beyond the woods with the unmarked graves. “Can you tell me more?”
“That’s all I really know. Just look online.”
“Thanks.”
“This is me,” she said and hugged me. “See you tomorrow?”
I nodded.
She paused before heading to her door. “It’s good to have you back. I’ve missed you.”
“You too.” I squeezed her arm and added, “A lot.”
***
I grabbed a coffee and sat on a bar stool. Mom wasn’t home yet. She had put two new lipsticks on the counter with a note. Sweetheart, I saw these and know how much you love the Kissing brand. I picked up them up. With a matte-finish casing, in two striking shades of red, they were perfect. She always knew what I liked.
The gesture, however, reminded me of Dad. He had been the last person to buy me one and now he wasn’t. It was silly, yet I felt like I’d lost another part of him. I shook the feeling away and looked around our home.
Mom did so much for me. I hadn’t been a good daughter for the last few months. I looked at the sink full of dishes. It was rare for her to leave them like that. She must have been in a rush.
I got up and loaded the dishwasher, put my dirty clothes in the washer, and wiped the countertops. Once I had gotten into the groove of it, I decided to clean the whole downstairs. It was my way of an apology to Mom. I vacuumed, plumped the cushions on the sofa, dusted the fans and lamps, cleaned the TV screen, and swept and mopped the kitchen floor. By five, I was drained. How did she do it all every day?
“I’m home!” Mom shouted as I heard the door swing open. “Kate?”
“I’m here,” I said tiredly. “I’m going to go have a bath.”
She looked around. “Oh, sweetheart, you cleaned.”
“I’m sorry,” I said earnestly. “I haven’t helped you nowhere near as much as I should have.”
“I don’t expect that.”
“That makes it worse,” I admitted.
She pinched my cheek. “You’re looking a little pale. You need to eat something. I’ll make tacos.”
My stomach grumbled in response, and we both laughed. “Tacos it is.”
After dinner, I made a hot chocolate with an unhealthy serving of whipped cream and headed to my room. I shut the door behind me and opened my laptop. I pulled the covers over myself, feeling relief as I lay back and put my earbuds in starting my favorite playlist.
To begin the search, I started with “Black Lily Coven, Connecticut,” but none of the results was what I was looking for. One of them was a band page.
My search results got more and more detailed—and desperate—until I finally gave up.
I logged in to see if Vanessa was online when I heard the familiar ping of a new message.
Nicholas Nightshade
How did the research go?
Kate Bathory
Not good. Couldn’t find much, but Vanessa told me a few pieces that might help. Witches were killed here in the house they practiced in. Do you think it could be the house we went to? The one in my dreams?
Nicholas Nightshade
It sounds like it. Try to find out more.
Kate Bathory
They were called the Black Lily Coven. Have you heard of them?
I bit my bottom lip, anticipating his reply.
Nicholas Nightshade
Actually, yes, I have. My mom grew up here before she met my dad and we moved away. She said she used to be in a group called the Black Lily. I didn’t know it was a coven though. I never thought there would be more than one.
Kate Bathory
Can you ask her about it?
Nicholas Nightshade
I would, but it would be hard since she’s dead.
Kate Bathory
Shit. I’m sorry! I didn’t know.
Nicholas Nightshade
Not many people do.
Kate Bathory
Does your dad know anything?
Nicholas Nightshade
I wouldn’t know.
Kate Bathory
Oh. Who do you live with if not your parents?
Nicholas Nightshade
I live in my dad’s house but he’s abroad right now, touring.
Kate Bathory
You’re alone?
Nicholas Nightshade
Yes. I like it though. It means I can have whoever I want over.
Kate Bathory
Good for you.
Nicholas Nightshade
Can you ask your mom about your uncle? See if she knows anything?
Kate Bathory
I’ll try, but they’re not close.
I closed the laptop and looked at my door anxiously. I just had a good moment with Mom, so I didn’t want her thinking I was only doing that to get information out of her.
Besides, she would wonder why I was asking questions about Uncle John. He had been missing for ten years.
Chapter Four
Nicholas was in my dream again. He looked the same as always, tousled black hair, tall, and dressed in designer clothes with his signature leather jacket. The only difference was he looked angry. Something brewed under the surface, something dark, a power to be afraid of. His deep-set eyebrows were pointing downward. He had this authentic confidence as he looked at the staircase. Fear wasn’t something he was feeling—or at the very least showing.
“What are you looking at?” I asked as I stepped next to him.
He grabbed my hand. “Don’t move.”
His stance was poised to attack at any given moment. He moved in front of me, still holding my hand behind him. “What do you want?” he asked calmly at the darkness.
I couldn’t see what it was, but something was moving in the shadows. It was fast and made my stomach churn.
A pain radiated down my wrist. I hissed and looked down at the skin. A small, black tattoo appeared, surrounded by redness. It hurt like hell. The image was a lily inside of a circle.
“Ouch.”
He didn’t
look back. “What is it?”
I rubbed my wrist. “This tattoo appeared.” I thrust my arm forward. He looked down, briefly, then averted his gaze. “I got the same one. It appeared last night.”
“Wait, are you dream Nicholas or…”
He loosened his grip on me. “Hold on, are we sharing a dream this time?”
I nodded. “It is me, so yes.”
He looked at me with a hunger in his eyes. “This thing in the house. It’s been stalking us.”
“Since when? What is it?”
He looked back at the staircase. “It’s not human. That’s for sure.”
“It can’t hurt us here.”
“We don’t know that.” He turned around. “We need to wake up.”
I agreed. “I’ll pinch myself. That usually works.”
The creature from the shadows sped out of the house as we were both looking at each other, carrying with it a faint smell of rotting flesh. The temperature dropped a few degrees.
I shuddered. “That thing was fast. Too fast.”
He looked at the door with a hard expression and tight lips. He didn’t say anything, instead waited until he felt secure that whatever it was, was gone. I felt his strength circle through a bond. One that had become more apparent since the night he invaded my mind. It was like an invisible root tethered onto my soul, ending at his. It was powerful in the dream, as if he didn’t have any walls up there. He was vulnerable too, I could feel it. The bond, our bond, was incredible. I felt like I could reach into his very soul. I knew he could feel it too. It excited me, but it terrified him.
