Destiny in Danger

by Tara Weeks

  “What would you like to drink?” he asked her, and she felt her face flush.

  “Uh, I’ll have a glass of prosecco, please.” Selene replied, diverting her gaze from his face.

  “Sure. Why don’t you choose somewhere to sit, and I’ll bring the drinks over?” Marek suggested and Selene gave a quick nod as she eyed off the empty booths along the far wall. Deciding she didn’t think she could handle sharing the secluded quarters with Marek, she opted for a small table close to them. She went to tuck her handbag under her chair, but quickly thought better of it and placed it on her lap. While she waited, she looked around at the pub which was far quieter than the first time she’d stepped—barefoot—inside it. It was strange, but it almost felt like a lifetime ago that she’d stood near the steps with Addie and Cassie. She smiled as she thought how much her life had changed since meeting them, and for the first time in her life she felt like she had genuine friends, not just people interested in her money or her husband’s status.

  If only they could see me now, sitting in a pub with a handsome younger man, with two new friends and magical powers to boot.

  “They didn’t have any prosecco, so I got you a glass of white wine instead. Something called Sauvignon Blanc. I’m not really up on what makes an excellent wine, so I hope that’s okay?” Marek asked as he placed the glass on the table in front of her.

  Selene gave him a quick smile and thanked him.

  Just as he placed his beer on the table, his phone rang and he pulled it from his back pocket and inspected the screen. “I’m sorry, I have to take this. Do you mind?”

  Selene shook her head. “Not at all.”

  He flashed her a smile that caused her heart to flutter in her chest and strode away, leaving Selene with her wine.

  Hold on, how is his phone working when ours won’t? I thought he said there was no reception in Auberon.

  She turned around, but Marek was already outside on the footpath, his phone pressed to his ear. She frowned as she watched him and knew she would have to ask him about it when he returned. In the meantime, she turned back around and picked up her glass of wine. Taking a sip, Selene tried to hide her grimace before she placed the glass back on the table. Her distaste quickly evaporated though as she recalled her newly acquired talent. Grinning to herself, Selene flashed a quick glance around the half empty pub. The bartender had his back to her as he restocked the bar. There were a couple of guys with beers watching a sports match on a large television on the far wall, and another man slouched in the corner of a booth, hunched over in the corner as though he’d already had too much to drink.

  Good. No one’s paying any attention to me.

  She rubbed her hands together quickly and then placed her fingertips on the wineglass. Watching intently, she willed the wine to change into the prosecco she craved, and it was all she could do not to erupt into a fit of giggles as the tiny bubble started rising from the bottom of the glass. Selene picked up the glass and took another sip. This time she closed her eyes, the bubbles tickling the tip of her nose as she enjoyed the crisp flavor of apple, melon and pear.

  This has got to be the best prosecco I’ve ever tasted.

  She was pulled from her thoughts as Marek sat down opposite her. “Sorry about that, it was a work call.”

  “Not a problem at all.” Selene said, “Question, though. How come your phone works when ours don’t? I thought you said there’s no reception here?”

  “Uh, it’s a, uh, most don’t. Work provides me with a phone that can pick up reception so they can reach me.” He explained.

  “What, like a satellite phone or something?” she asked.

  “Yeah, pretty much.” Marek took a swig of his beer before placing it back on the table. Selene nodded but she noticed the way he didn’t look at her as he answered, flicking his gaze to the beer in front of him, to the street and back again.

  But why would he lie?

  Selene picked up her own glass of wine and took a delicate sip, distracted momentarily as she savored the taste.

  “What’s that?” Marek asked, pointing at her glass, a slight frown marring his features.

  “Oh! Turns out they had my drink after all.” Selene replied with a shrug that she hoped was casual, and she made a point of his meeting his stare, as though daring him to challenge her.

  Marek looked around the pub, his gaze lingering on the guy in the booth before he turned back around without a word and took a big gulp of beer. “So, how are you liking Auberon?” he finally asked.

  “It’s been… interesting so far.” She replied before she could stop herself.

  “Yeah? How so?”

  “Oh, it’s hard to explain. It’s just been different than what I’m used to, staying with two other women I just met in a place I’d never heard of before. It sure is beautiful here though.”

  “That it is. So, you didn’t know Cassie and Addie before now? I just assumed the three of you were friends.” Marek asked.

  “We are.” Selene said in their defense. “It’s just we hadn’t met before we ended up on the same plane together. It was all by chance.”

  “Was it?” Marek asked and the sudden change in the tone of his voice made her look up, but he smiled as soon as she did.

  Before Selene could respond, a sleek, black cat leaped up onto the table. It turned its back to Selene and faced Marek, meowing loudly. She watched as Marek lowered his beer, his eyes fixed firmly on the cat as the creature continued to meow. Selene frowned as she watched the spectacle.

  If I didn’t know any better, I’d think they were communicating with each other.

  Marek stood up so quickly his chair toppled over, but he made no move to pick it up—his eyes still fixed on the cat.

  “Marek?”

  He ignored her as he looked over his shoulder to the booth that was now empty.

  “We have to leave. Now.” He stated.

  Selene’s eyes widened as the cat appeared to nod at him, before it jumped off the table and ran off across the pub. “What do you mean? We just got here?”

  “I said now.” Marek grabbed her arm and Selene just managed to grasp her handbag, stopping it from falling to the ground. As she was pulled to her feet, she knocked against the table, sending her glass of wine toppling to the floor where it shattered. Yet Marek didn’t look back as he led them from the pub and out onto the street. He only released her to open the passenger door of the jeep.

  “Marek, what…”

  “Get in. Hurry.” Marek looked over his shoulder as he waited for her to get in.

  “No! I will do no such thing until you tell me what is going on!” Selene snapped, folding her arms angrily across her chest. If there was one thing she hated, it was being told what to do.

  “Selene, we don’t have time…”

  “Make time!” Selene demanded. “You invited me out for a drink, then as soon as we get here, you take a call when you told us there was no reception here—and FYI I know what a satellite phone looks like, and that’s not one.”

  Marek opened his mouth like he was going to try and argue the point, but seemed to think better of it.

  “Then, you come back inside and have a moment with a cat before dragging me out on the street. What the hell? Were you talking to that cat in there?” Selene snapped.

  “Don’t be ridiculous…” Marek started before Selene cut him off.

  “Don’t call me ridiculous! I know what I saw, so if you want to see me again, then do me the courtesy of telling me the truth, rather than trying to make out like I’m the crazy one in an attempt to divert my attention.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair.” Marek said, his eyes wide and filled with a sudden sadness that caused a pang in Selene’s chest. She wanted to reach out and grab his hand, to apologize for yelling at him, but Selene stopped herself. Her desire for the truth was stronger.

  “It’s just, things are different here in Auberon, to what y
ou’re used to.” Marek said quietly.

  “How so?” Selene asked.

  Does he know about us? About out powers?

  Marek cleared his throat. “Selene, believe me when I tell you we don’t have time to get into right now, but I promise you, I will tell you everything once you let me get us out of here. You’re too exposed.”

  “No. I want to know now…” Selene was silenced as Marek stepped forward and placed his hands on either side of her face as he bent down and kissed her.

  The moment their lips touched, Selene’s heart pounded furiously against her chest and she felt a tingle course through her whole body. Without thinking about it, she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck as their kiss deepened. When he pulled away, Selene felt every part of her cry out in protest.

  “Please, Selene. I need you to trust me. We can talk about this more but I need you to get in…”

  He was cut off as an enormous man suddenly appeared at the front of the jeep. Selene screamed, and Marek pushed her behind him. She peered around him at the man who stood at least a head taller than Marek, and twice as wide. He was dressed in black from head to toe and wore a hooded cape. She couldn’t see much of his face from beneath it, but from what she could see, his skin was bone white and his lips appeared cracked and bloody.

  A guttural groan came from him, but Marek cast his hand in the man’s direction and sent him flying half-way down the street.

  “H-how did you…?” Selene stammered, but Marek scooped her up in his arms and placed her in the passenger seat before she could protest again.

  “Put your seatbelt on.” He commanded before slamming the door shut and running around to the other side of the car. Starting the engine, he pulled out into the street. A car horn honked loudly behind them, but Marek didn’t even acknowledge it as he sped towards the man who was slowly getting to his feet in the middle of the road.

  “Marek! You’re headed straight for him!” Selene screamed, gripping the armrest to steady herself as she flicked sideways glances at Marek. He didn’t seem to hear her, focused instead on the man as he pressed the accelerator to the floor. The man was now on his feet and spread his arms out to the sides as a deep howl came from him that sent a chill up Selene’s spine. It looked like he was daring them to hit him.

  “Marek!” Selene screamed again, bracing herself for impact by placing her free hand on the roof over her head. She squeezed her eyes shut and turned her head—but nothing happened. When she opened her eyes, the man had disappeared, and they were still hurtling down the street.

  She lowered her arm and turned to Marek, her mouth open and her eyes wide. “Wh…where did he go?”

  “He’s gone for now. But he’ll be back. He knows who you are now.” Marek answered, not taking his eyes off the road.

  “People don’t just disappear into thin air.” Selene scoffed.

  “Yeah, sometimes they do.” Marek stated, his voice tight.

  “And what do you mean, he knows who I am now? Seriously, who was that guy and how did he just appear like that?”

  Marek opened his mouth as though to answer, before closing it again, staring at her a moment before looking in the review mirror instead.

  “You said you would tell me what’s going on!” Selene snapped.

  “Just let me get you back to the manor. Then we’ll talk.” Marek declared, his eyes fixed either on the road before them, or on the rear-view mirror.

  “Are you expecting us to be followed?” Selene asked, but he didn’t answer. She shook her head, playing back what had just happened, and unsuccessfully trying to make sense of it all.

  Once they had turned off the main road and had started up the winding road to the manor, Marek seemed to relax slightly and finally broke his silence. “I need you to tell me what happened at the pub.”

  “Huh? What are you talking about? You were there.” Selene frowned.

  “While I was outside. What did you do?” Marek asked.

  Selene gaped at him unable to answer at first.

  Shit. Does he know? I’m such an idiot using my powers. The girls are going to kill me.

  “What are you talking about? You’re the one who dragged us out of the pub like the place was on fire. What did you do?” Selene didn’t like the stormy expression on his face, as though the danger hadn’t passed, and it made her feel fearful.

  He flashed a couple of quick looks in her direction before answering. “It was your drink, wasn’t it? They didn’t replace your drink, did they? You did.”

  Selene opened her mouth to refute his accusation, but the hurt look he shot her way stopped her.

  “I can only protect you if you’re honest with me, otherwise you’re just putting us—and your friends in danger.” Marek said quietly, his eyes fixed firmly on the road.

  It’s not just my secret to tell. It wouldn’t be fair for me to tell him without speaking to Addie and Cassie first. But what if I’m—we’re—in danger?

  “Well?” Marek snapped and Selene could only look at him, her eyes wide and she noticed for the first time how tense he looked, semi-hunched over the steering wheel, his knuckles white. It made her feel guilty and she sighed softly before answering.

  “What would you say if I told you I did replace my own drink—with magic?” Selene asked, carefully observing his reaction, yet Marek didn’t seem to be in the least bit surprised.

  “I’d say that was incredibly irresponsible. Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Marek asked.

  “No! Of course I don’t, because you haven’t told me what’s going on! It’s just one inexplicable occurrence after another in this place, and you didn’t even bat an eyelid when I told you I can do magic!” Selene yelled, losing her cool.

  Marek groaned aloud as he pulled the jeep around to the front of the house. “Selene, this place, well, things happen here. I knew when you and your friends arrived that it wasn’t by coincidence—just like I knew you would have supernatural abilities. I just didn’t know what, or if you were even aware of them yet.”

  “What? How?” Selene gasped.

  “Because I have powers too.” Marek sighed, leaning his head against the headrest.

  Selene smiled, in spite of herself. “Really? Like what?”

  Marek turned and looked at her so intently she felt herself blush. “Well, I have super human strength, and I don’t have to physically touch something to inflict damage on it. I can also talk to animals—both of which you witnessed earlier. I also have an affiliation with plants and nature; I can use their elements or tap into their source to control them.”

  “I knew you were talking to that cat!” Selene stated gleefully.

  “Not the point.” Marek stated.

  “Then what is?” Selene asked.

  Marek reached out and grabbed her hand, and it was all she could do to concentrate on what he was saying, rather than the way her hand tingled at his touch.

  “You exposed yourself when you used your powers in the pub. Did you not see the guy in the booth?”

  Selene nodded slowly. “I did—he looked like he was passed out, huddled in the corner.”

  “Number one rule in Auberon—things are rarely as they seem. He was there waiting for you. Watching you. He was also at the pub the night you and your friends arrived and has been lurking ever since, waiting for confirmation that you are who we all think you are.”

  “And who do you think we are?” Selene asked quietly.

  “The Auberon Witches. Returned.”

  Chapter Six

  Cassie

  S

  tanding on her tiptoes, Cassie ran her fingers over the lock and felt a tingling sensation run through her fingertips, almost like a light electrical charge. She turned and scanned the room, trying to see something she could stand on for a better view. Her eyes fell on the squat, round velvet pouffe and she decided to give it a shot. She pushed it over to the bookcase and stepped up onto it, giving herself a p
erfectly unobstructed view of the lock.

  Cassie felt an energy surrounding her, drawing her to the lock as though they were both magnets. All other thoughts faded away and the only thing she could focus on was the lock—and how to open it. She stared at it, willing it to open by the power of her telekinesis, but all she did was give herself a headache. With a cranky sigh, she reached down and picked the book up from where it rested on the next shelf and replaced it over the lock, adding ‘find the key’ to her to-do-list. It was only then that she noticed the title, etched on the spine in gold cursive.

  The Sisterhood

  The sound of someone clearing their throat behind her startled Cassie, and in her haste to turn around, she slipped off the pouffe and fell. Powerful arms caught her, and Cassie yelped as she quickly pulled away from the intruder.

  “You!” she exclaimed angrily. “What the hell are you doing sneaking up on me? Better yet, what the hell are you doing here at all? You might be the landlord, but you have no right to just walk in here whenever you want.”

  Ravi just chuckled, unaffected by Cassie’s anger. “The front door was wide open. I called out but when I didn’t get any answer, I had reason to be concerned that there could be someone in here ransacking the place.” He smirked, and Cassie’s scowl deepened.

  “You’re full of shit! I would have heard you if you’d called out, so tell me what you’re really doing here before I call the police!” Cassie yelled, her hands on her hips.

  “Be my guest.” He said, gesturing towards the kitchen. “I just had lunch with the sheriff and I’d be more than happy to give you his direct number.” He smiled his perfect smile.

  “You think you’re just so charming, don’t you! Well, you’re not. You’re just another smug, rich, white guy who thinks he can get whatever he wants and do whatever he wants.” Cassie glowered at him.

  “If that’s the case then Cassie, tell me what it is that you want.” He took a step towards her but she held her ground.

  “I want you to get the hell out of here and leave me alone.” She stated.