Soulmates

by Nadine Nightingale

  Bonnie casts me a sidelong glance. “What’s eating at you? You’ve been on bitch crack all morning.”

  Alex watches me through the rearview mirror. He demanded to ride shotgun so he could stretch his legs. In reality, he just didn’t feel like sitting next to me. I felt the same way about him. Jerk-face has acted like an asshole ever since I left his horny hunter butt in the closet. Hilarious. He treated me like a piece of witch meat, but I get the cold shoulder treatment?

  “Amanda?” Bonnie nudges me. “You just gonna ignore me like you ignore poor Magic Bridge?”

  “Magic Bridge?” A cocky grin curls Alex’s lips. “You exchanged a Mustang for a Pony? Wow. That’s…lame.”

  I gaze out the window and bite my lip until I taste copper. Most days, I simply want to strangle Alex. Today, I wish I had a brazen bull, the medieval torture device. I’d love to see him roast to death.

  Bonnie puts a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Anyone ever told you what an asshat you are?”

  “Witches throw that shit at me all the time.” He looks back over his shoulder. “Right before I send them to purgatory.”

  Jesse pulls the key out of the ignition. “Guys, can we all get a grip?” Always the peacemaker, just like B.

  I yank the door open. “Yeah, the sooner we find jerk-face’s other miserable half, the faster we can all go back to our worlds.”

  We stand on the porch of the lake house like a third-rate version of the Scooby Gang as Alex’s gaze lands on me. “Everybody stick to the plan.”

  Sneaking into Diana’s bedroom to steal her brush? Great plan. Doomed to fail I’d say.

  After an eternity in front of Cinder-freaking-Diana’s glass door, Jesse knocks. Alex fiddles with the sleeve of his worn leather jacket. He’s nervous. Hundred bucks say it has less to do with the prospect of saving his soul and more with the reunion of his first love. But hey, who am I to judge? I’m just the girl he wants to screw in a closet if things go haywire.

  “Coming,” a contralto voice sings.

  When the door flies open, I stand face to face with Miss Asia. It’s not her flawless skin or her silky black hair that sparks a cruel fire in the pit of my stomach. It’s the way her eyes light up when she sees Alex. “Oh my God, Alexander Remington?” She puts a hand over her heart. “Is that really you?” The chick looks as if she’s about to faint.

  Alex. The Justin Bieber of all the Dianas in the world.

  “In the flesh,” he says, an impish grin tugging at his lips. “It’s been a while, huh?”

  Diana doesn’t answer. She’s too damn busy throwing her arms around Alex. “I can’t believe it. I thought I’d never see you again.”

  Alex wraps his strong arms around her and pulls her close. “You didn’t think you’d get rid of me that easily, did you?” There’s something so intimate and tender about their hug, it’s hard to imagine they haven’t seen each other the last four years.

  Diana steps back. “You brought friends?”

  “You remember Jesse?” he says, pointing to his brother.

  Diana’s smile widens. “Wow, look at you. All grown up.”

  He smiles that smile, the one that wets the panties of the whole female population. “And you’re still quite the beauty, I see.”

  Bonnie elbows Little Remington. “Thanks for introducing us, moron.”

  Jesse directs the I-drive-you-over-the-edge smile at my best friend. “Diana,” he says, never taking his eyes off Bonnie. “Meet the incredible, extra awesome Queen B.”

  Diana grins. “It’s nice to meet you, Queen B.”

  Bonnie winks at her. “Just B to you.”

  And as if the whole reunion isn’t bad enough, Diana spins on her heels and faces me. “And you’re?”

  I want to be nice. Every word coming to mind is either bitchy or downright mean. So I stick with the saying, if you don’t have anything nice to say, keep your stab-worthy mouth shut.

  Alex frowns. “That’s Amanda.”

  Diana’s gaze drifts from him to me. She’s totally trying to read us. I know, because I invented the look she’s wearing right now. “Nice to meet you, Amanda.” “Likewise,” I lie.

  Diana bats her black lashes. “How did I deserve a visit from my favorite hero?”

  I need to throw up.

  Hunter-heroic throws his arm around Diana’s shoulders. “We were in the neighborhood, and I told them all about your wicked coffee. Any chance we could bribe you into making some?”

  Smooth move. Gotta give it to him.

  Diana laughs and opens the door for us. “Well, you better come in. Won’t serve the best coffee in the country on the porch.”

  The way Alex has his arm around her makes me want to scratch my eyeballs out and feed it to the beast that haunted my dreams last night.

  “Hey,” Alex barks. “You coming?”

  I’d rather not. But I follow them inside nevertheless.

  Diana leads us down a hallway to a sunroom. The furnishings are a perfect blend of old-fashioned and modern. Light streams through the massive front window, illuminating the room in a beautiful orange light. Family photos decorate the walls.

  Diana. The girl with the perfect life.

  “Make yourselves at home,” she says, pointing to ebony rattan chairs circling a glass table.

  The gang gathers around the table. I don’t join them. “Do you live all by yourself in this big house?” Bonnie asks, sounding like a creeper.

  A genuine smile touches Diana’s doll eyes. “Oh, no. I live with my parents.”

  “Of course you do.” Shit, did I just say that out loud?

  Alex narrows his eyes at me.

  Jesse sighs.

  Bonnie shakes her head.

  And Diana? Well, she pretends she didn’t hear me.

  “You just missed my mom. She’s gone to get some books for me. Should be back soon, though.” The chick has a beautiful voice.

  “What about your dad?” Jesse sounds a bit like the wolf in Red Riding Hood—suspicious and way too nosy to be trusted.

  Diana gestures at a little shed next to the pier. “Gutting the fish. Amanda,” she says, walking up beside me. “Why don’t you take a seat? I’ll go and get the coffee.”

  Alex is on his feet in no time. “Need a hand?”

  “Absolutely.” She sounds a little too enthusiastic for my taste.

  The second the two are gone, I fling myself into one of the stupid rattan chairs. “All right,” Bonnie murmurs, not the least bit amused. “What’s the matter with you?”

  I examine my nails. They so need a manicure.

  Jesse studies me. “Amanda, is this about last night?”

  What does he know about last night? I want to ask. My stubbornness keeps my mouth shut.

  Bonnie looks from me to Jesse. “Someone gonna tell me what I missed?”

  Jesse’s gaze slams into mine. “Why don’t you ask Amanda?”

  “No idea what you’re talking about.”

  “So you’re saying you and Alex didn’t leave the room last night to do”—he makes a face—“you know what?”

  One side of my mouth curves up. Not that I find his accusation funny, but the shy look on his face is. “You should watch less porn, Jess.”

  Bonnie’s eyes go wide with surprise. “Wait a second. Are you insinuating they had sex?”

  She’s quick today.

  Jesse raises his brows. That’s all the answer Bonnie needs to go all mambo-bitch on my ass. “Please tell me you didn’t screw that moron.” Her voice is a mixture of annoyed-as-hell and I’m-begging-you-to-say-no.

  I tap my long nails against the glass. “No, B. Told you I don’t make the same mistake twice.”

  Little Remington calls bullshit. It’s written all over his remarkable face. “Then where were you?”

  I’m not in the mood to think or talk about the rumors, the closet, or the disappointed expression on Alex’s face when we went back to our room, but neither Jesse nor Bonnie will drop this. “I heard noises and fo
llowed them downstairs. Alex came to get me. End of story.”

  Jesse crosses his arms. “Yeah, right.”

  “It’s the truth. Believe it or not, I don’t care.” Okay, it’s a half-truth, which in my opinion makes the best lie.

  “The truth, huh? Then why the fuck are you guys acting like kids all day?” I expected such a counter from Jesse, not my so-called best friend.

  When I don’t answer, Jesse reaches over the table and pats my hand. “Manda, I have to ask. Are you okay with all of this?”

  I pull my hand away. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  He leans back in his chair and crosses his legs. “Maybe, you still l—”

  “Stop right there,” I bark, holding up a hand.

  He grins. “Why? Because it’s true?”

  “Because it’s a whole lot of bull, and you know it.” Alex and I give love a bad name. We fucking hate each other most days, want to kill each other on the others.

  Jesse’s mouth snaps open. Before he can object, Alex and Diana come back loaded with coffee and sweets.

  Diana serves Jesse and Bonnie. “I hope you like it.”

  Bonnie wraps her fingers around the steaming cup and takes a sniff. “Smells awesome.”

  A proud smile crosses Miss Asia’s lips. “It’s an old family recipe.”

  Alex hands me a cup, leans in, and whispers, “Can you act like a human being for a change?”

  I gulp down half the cup at once, secretly hoping booze is part of the family recipe.

  Once Diana makes sure everyone has been served, she takes a seat next to hunter-heroic. “Alex said you guys are on a road trip?” Diana says to me of all people.

  I manage to nod.

  Her doll eyes light up. “That’s pretty awesome. Cross-country trip is on my bucket list too, but I can’t leave my kids. They’d be heartbroken.”

  Can’t leave my kids? My hands tremble, and I swallow wrong.

  Diana jumps up. “Oh gosh, are you okay?”

  I’m coughing my lungs out. Do I look okay? I want to tell her to go fuck herself, but I’m a little busy dying. Talk about wicked coffee.

  While everyone else stares at me, Miss Asia rockets into action. “She can’t breathe,” she says as she yanks the cup out of my shaking hands.

  Alex gets on his feet. “Shit. We gotta do something.”

  Oh really? Thought you guys would just sit back and watch me die.

  Diana hits me on the back. A jolt of electricity rushes through my veins as her petite hand connects with my body. It’s painful. Diana must feel it, too. She jumps back and glares at me as if I’m the devil incarnate.

  Alex shoves her to the side and knocks some air into my lungs. I’m not sure how many times he has to hit me until I’m finally able to suck in oxygen. “Thanks,” I croak, drawing in a long, deep breath.

  Diana stumbles back. “Is she…a-a…w-witch?”

  Awesome.

  Alex holds both hands up. “I can explain,” he says.

  Back pressed against the large window, she shakes her head frantically. “Please, don’t hex me,” she begs in terror.

  Bonnie puts her cup down and gives me a concerned look. “You okay?” When I nod, she faces Diana. “Calm down. We’re not going to hurt you.”

  Diana’s doll eyes almost pop out. “We? You’re a w-witch, too?”

  Bonnie flinches. She hates being called a witch. “She’s a mambo,” Jesse explains.

  To say Miss Asia looks freaked out would be the understatement of the year. Her gaze lands on Alex, and it lacks the gentleness from before. “I can’t believe you. After everything these creatures did to me…” She fights off tears. “After everything I’ve been through, you have the nerve to bring witches into my house?”

  This is bad. Diana’s father is in the shed, her mother will be back any moment, and the girl looks like we’re some home invaders trying to kill her. Why the hell did I have to choke on the coffee? I should have known she was a sensitive. Most people who survive a hex develop sensitivity to the supernatural.

  I swallow the bitter taste in my mouth and get up. “Listen,” I say as calmly as possible. “I know you’re scared. Alex told us what the shtriga did to you, but we won’t hurt you.” I cross my heart. “I promise.”

  She ignores me and glares at Alex. “Why are you traveling with witches?”

  He approaches her carefully. “I can explain, and I will, but you need to calm down first, okay?” When she doesn’t slap him, he puts a hand on her shoulder. “Please, Diana, you have to trust me. You know you can.”

  I sit down on the rattan chair and sigh. This is ridiculous. We don’t have time for shit like this. “You have two options,” I blurt out. “Option one, you can throw us out and I promise we will never come back.” I get dirty looks from everyone, including Miss Asia. “Option two, you sit down and listen to what we have to say and help us save Alex’s life.” I shrug. “Up to you.”

  She drops her arms. “What is she talking about?”

  Jesse leans against the window next to her. “We’ll tell you, but you have to get a grip first.”

  Her hands shake like crazy. “I’m listening.”

  Alex and Jesse take turns telling the story. Diana is so focused, she doesn’t even blink. Her expression changes from surprised to confused to downright horrified.

  “Let me get this straight, Alex. You want me to give my blood to a witch so she can perform some creepy ritual that will reveal if we”—her finger drifts back and forth between her and Alex—“are soulmates?”

  Alex’s gaze drops. “I know how crazy it sounds, but—”

  “That pretty much sums it up,” Jesse says.

  “That’s not crazy.” She glides down the windows until she sits on the floor. “It’s insane.”

  Alex kneels in front of her. “I completely understand if you’re not up for it.” His malachite eyes meet mine. “I told them this was a bad idea.”

  Diana shakes her head. “A bad idea?” She gets on her feet. “Alex, why do you even believe these creatures will help you? How can you trust them after everything that happened to your sister?”

  Sister? Since when do Alex and Jesse have a sister? And what does she mean, after everything that happened to her? I’m close to asking, but when I see the warning expression on his face, I keep quiet.

  He clenches his fists. “Leave Natasha out of this, Diana. She ain’t got nothing to do with any of this.”

  “Manda and Bonnie aren’t like the shtriga that hexed you,” Jesse says in a desperate attempt to change Diana’s mind.

  “They are witches, aren’t they?”

  A part of me feels the urge to slap Miss Asia. She’s an American, for Christ’s sake. Prejudice shouldn’t be in her genes. I decide to cut her some slack, though, because being hexed really does suck.

  Alex’s features soften. “You’re right.” He cups her cheeks. “They are witches. But she”—he points his head at me—“saved my brother’s life, Diana.”

  Diana squints. “That true?”

  Jesse walks up beside me and throws an arm around my stiff shoulders. “Yep. This one’s badass.” Fear clouds Diana’s eyes, and he adds, “Not in an evil way, of course.”

  Bonnie, who has been quiet until now, rises from her chair. “Do you work for the Triad?”

  Diana is caught by surprise. “What? No. Why?”

  “You’re Asian,” Bonnie says matter-of-factly. “Don’t you all work for the Triad?”

  “Of course not,” Diana murmurs, offended.

  “Well, honey, it’s the same with witches. We’re not all evil.” The girl has a way with words. She could run for president and totally win.

  The wheels in Diana’s head turn. There’s a whole lot of guilt in her eyes. “How does that ritual work?”

  “I’ll burn a spell with Alex’s and your blood on it. Should the smoke of the candle turn red,” I fake a smile, “well then, congratulations. You’ve found your soulmate.”

  “And if
not?” she asks.

  “We’ll move on to the next girl on the list,” Jesse says.

  Diana glares at Alex. “You have a list?”

  He blushes and shrugs. Diana frowns. “And what if I am the one? What happens then?”

  The question catches me off guard. If Diana is the one, they’ll get the happily ever after most people only dream of. And I’ll lose him forever.

  “Then you’ll be one of the lucky girls who gets to live with the person she’s fated to be with,” Bonnie explains.

  Something that looks a lot like fear crosses Alex’s eyes. Seems like hunter-heroic isn’t up for a long-term commitment just yet. Jesse sees it, too. He smiles at his brother and says, “Can we do the ritual before we plan my brother’s wedding?”

  “Okay, but if anything happens to me—”

  “You can call Amelia, and she can send me straight to purgatory,” I suggest.

  Diana obviously knows Amelia. “Deal.” She gazes out the window at the old shed near the pier. “What about my parents, though? We can hardly tell them the truth.”

  Jesse taps his index finger against his temple. “Let’s do the ritual at Amelia’s. That way, Diana’s parents won’t catch us doing magic.”

  I’d ask him if he’s totally lost it, but my jaw is on the floor.

  “Excuse me?” Bonnie’s curls stick out in every direction. “Did you forget that woman’s stand on magic in her house?”

  Jesse beams at her. “Relax. I got this.”

  ****

  Half an hour later, we tottered into the lion’s den. Lady Amelia, aka Pulp Fiction Granny, reacted as badly as I thought she would. The hunter was running outta fucks she could give about Alex’s situation, and the harder Jesse and Alex tried to talk her into helping us, the more aggravated she got.

  If it wasn’t for Diana, she would have sent us all straight to hell. Miss Asia accomplished what Jesse and Alex couldn’t. She convinced Pulp Fiction Granny not to shoot us and talked her into letting us do the spell in her precious hunter B&B. Goes without saying, Amelia demanded to be present during the ritual. I had no problem with that.

  “That all you need?” Alex asks, positioning the white candle in the center of the small table in front of me.

  I stop scribbling and look up. “No, I need a knife and a lighter.”