by J. L. Weil
“A witch?” I heard both Tori and Austin echoed, bringing me back to the present.
Right. One disaster at a time.
First I had to get through this night and the explanation of what the hell they had just witnessed. By telling them, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I would be putting them smack dab in the middle of danger, but what other choice did I have, except tell them the truth.
The truth sets you free.
Well, I was about to find out if that was the case.
“Sweet,” Austin added.
Only Austin would think seeing the unexplainable was cool.
Tori’s eyes bounced between Gavin, Sophie, and me. “I-Is Brianna going to be okay?” she stammered, hugging her arms around herself.
Gavin raked a hand through his messy hair. “I hope so.”
I couldn’t help but notice that Tori stuck close to Austin side, and it made me wonder if she was afraid of me. I wouldn’t have blamed her. Hell, I scared myself.
“What just happened? I don’t understand. What is going on?” Tori demanded.
Gavin took my hand, threading our fingers together. “We’ll explain, but first we need to get Bri off the streets.”
“What do we do with her?” Sophie gestured with her eyes to the body.
His jaw worked. “I’ll come back and make sure she is…okay.”
Sophie narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure that is wise?”
Staring at his shoulder, I bit my lip. I didn’t really believe that Gavin was going to just let her walk away into the sunset. I’ve seen another darker side of him, and I think Sophie and I both wondered just how far he would go to keep me safe.
Wordlessly, I walked to the car.
I was afraid to look at my friends—scared to see the condemnation and fear in their eyes. Not everyone would be so willing to accept what I was—a witch. It had taken me more than a minute to accept, so I could expect nothing less of them. As much as it would hurt me, I would give them space and time to come to terms with everything they were going to learn about me.
Tori’s hand shook as she fumbled with keys, trying to unlock her car.
“You’ve had quite a shock, Tori. Let me drive,” Sophie offered, holding out her hand.
Tori chewed on her lip before dropping the keys in Sophie’s palm.
Gavin pulled me into his embrace and whispered in my ear, “Don’t stress. I’ll take care of it.”
I nodded and tucked myself into the backseat of Tori’s beetle with Austin beside me. I got one last glimpse of Gavin before he disappeared into the shadows.
We had barely glided out of the parking space when Austin’s mouth started flapping. “That was flipping awesome,” he raved, like he just had a caffeine rush. “Don’t get me wrong— It was some seriously messed up voodoo shit, but babygirl…that was badass.”
I couldn’t believe it. I just couldn’t believe it. Austin didn’t hang me on the spot with a noose, or burn me at the stake. “Thanks…I think.”
He shifted excitedly in his seat. “So you are like a witch?”
“She isn’t like anything. She is a witch,” Sophie replied, peeking at us from the rearview mirror.
Tori turned around in her seat, her light brown ponytail swished through the air. “Did you always know that you were...?”
“A witch,” I supplied, sensing her disbelief.
Tori fidgeted with the strap of her seatbelt. I couldn’t fault her for being uncomfortable, because I was feeling pretty awkward myself.
“No. I just found out this year. Gavin told me.”
“So hot and smexy is a witch too?” Austin asked.
I could only assume he was talking about Gavin. Austin looked to be rolling the idea around in his head, testing it out. I nodded. “Yup.”
“Christ. That explains why he is so piping hot.”
Only Austin. “I guess, but I don’t really think being a witch automatically means you are guaranteed to be swoon-worthy.”
He leaned forward. “I beg to differ. You. Lukas. Gavin. Sophie. I haven’t met Jared, but yeah…so far everyone on that list is categorized as smokin’ hot.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I have so many questions. You caused that wicked storm back there, didn’t you?”
Ding. Ding. Ding. Give that man a gold star. “Just one of my many talents.”
He angled in his seat toward me. “Just how many more do you have?”
The list seemed to be growing. I shrugged, eyeballing a piece of fuzz on the back of Tori’s seat. “I can summon dreams.”
“I always knew you were a badass,” he said, grinning.
I stared. He was giving me a brain freeze, and my lip was starting to throb. I tried to answer the gazillion questions Austin kept throwing at me, while Tori stay silent, just listening. It worried me. I glanced at the dash, checking out the time. My body was screaming to lie down.
“I can’t believe you never told us.” Hurt laced Tori’s voice, and it tugged at my heart. She had been quiet most of the drive.
My eyes begged her to understand from my perspective. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t know how to tell you without sounding like a total whack job.”
Tori looked away, chewing on her lip. “Nothing is ever going to be the same.”
Nope. Normal ended the moment I exposed myself. I struggled for something to say, but nothing would erase what she had seen, what she now knew. At least Austin had handled the truth with more vigor than I deserved.
The little car slipped lower into gear as we approached Holly Ridge. I stared out the window, losing myself in the blurring trees that crowded the sides of the road. There was lightness in my chest. I still wished the revelation of my true nature had been on my terms, when I had been ready, yet now that they knew, I was relieved.
No more lies.
No more hiding.
No more secrets.
There was only one more person left. I could just imagine that conversation.
Hey, Aunt Clara, Gavin is a witch. And so am I. Except I strip other witches of their magic, absorbing their powers. Just one small hitch, it damages my soul. No biggie. Any questions?
Yeah, that so wasn’t going to go well.
I knew that I had to tell her the truth…eventually.
The sight of my house, and the little glowing light in the kitchen window warmed my heart. Sophie assured me that she would see to it that my friends got home safe. I sent her a quick text when I dragged my butt through my bedroom door, thanking her again for everything. Then I tossed my phone on the dresser and collapsed.
Alone, tears climbed up my throat. I couldn’t stop thinking about what I’d done tonight. How could I look at myself in the mirror and not see a monster? The power I had, the enjoyment it gave me, and the thirst for more, all filled me with guilt.
Sleep eluded me and probably would for many nights to come. Lying on the bed, staring at nothing, I thought about invading Lukas’s dreams, but I realized I wanted someone else. It wasn’t that I didn’t think Lukas could distract me. I just wanted a different kind of distraction; because I couldn’t close my eyes without seeing the girl, with her pink hair, sprawled on the ground. It was an image I wanted burned from my memory, and maybe if I knew that she was alive, it would lesson my guilt.
Hey, if I wasn’t going to get any beauty rest, then I might as well do something productive. I should have been all out of juice, but I was guessing the magic I stole rejuvenated my energy.
Just handy-dandy.
Letting my eyes drift shut, tingles mingled as I guided them into the realm of dreams. At first I stumbled around in the dark before I find the star-like lights that led to millions and millions of dreams. I pictured Gavin’s masculine beauty and whispered his name, waiting…
Chapter 16
I refused to force my will upon him. It would be his choice to let me in…if he was asleep. By now it was well after midnight and the rest of the world was fast asleep with sugarplums dancing in their head
s. Not me.
Why hadn’t I done this more?
My heart skipped when I felt our dreams merge, two pieces that finally clicked.
The blackness around me was swept away in a tunnel of blurring speed. I blinked a few times, adjusting to my new surroundings.
Just like a guy to dream about being a rock star. Not that I expected unicorns and rainbows, but this…it made my lips twitch. I guess those little kid dreams still live in us all, and I could picture Gavin as a little boy rockin’ out in a make-believe stadium just like this. Although I imagined it would have been packed with screaming, adoring fans, instead of empty.
Thank God he wasn’t wearing tight leather pants. I might not have been able to keep it together.
The click of my heels echoed as I walked down the aisle toward center stage.
Wait. Heels?
WTF.
I glanced down at my feet, seeing silvery, cage-like high heels—emphasis on high. I’d be lucky I didn’t break my neck before I got there. But that wasn’t the only thing that caught my attention. I was dressed in a skintight dress that clung to my every curve.
Oh. He was funny.
I heard a chuckle, and my head snapped up. There he was, alone with just a stool and a guitar. Fireflies jetted into my belly, and I missed a step when he flashed me a sexy smirk.
Now he’s done it.
Even my heart sighed at the sight of him in ripped jeans and a black t-shirt. It wasn’t fair how just a glimpse could send me into cardiac arrest. And just like that my mind went blank and I forgot what I’d been running from. Mission accomplished. I got my distraction.
He had one leg propped up on the stool crossbar, with the acoustic guitar resting in his lap. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon.” His voice carried through the stadium.
I regained my composure and made my way up the stage. “I couldn’t sleep.”
Understanding crept into his eyes. “You had quite a confrontation tonight. Only makes sense that your mind would be racing.”
Racing? It was running a bloody marathon. “So this is what you dream about? Classic.”
He strummed a cord on the guitar with his thumb. “There is nothing classic about me.”
I kicked off the strappy shoes. “Thanks for the duds by the way. They really make a statement.”
His blue eyes sparkled. “It suits you.”
“That’s because you are a guy. I am about two seconds away from ripping this itchy dress into tiny little pieces.”
Undeniable amusement sparked in his expression. “Can I watch?”
I let a short laugh. In a just a few minutes of being in his presence, I already felt lighter, but I was about to make the atmosphere heavy again. The small curl on my lips faded. “What happened to her?”
He stood, setting aside the guitar. “I should have known that you just couldn’t let it be. Do you really want the details, Bri? They will not change anything.”
I might not want to hear them, but I needed to know. Maybe it will help clear my guilty conscious. “I need to know that I didn’t kill that girl or screw her up for life.”
His lips brushed the side of my cheek as he reached me. “You didn’t.”
“What I did—if she hadn’t pushed me—” I couldn’t finish the sentences without choking up.
“I wish I could give you the answers you are looking for, but she was gone when I went back. I’m sorry.”
“Are you sure you went the right way? I mean, she looked pretty out of it.”
His hand fell to his side, and he tilted his head to the side. “I might not have lived here long, but I have a sick sense of direction.”
I didn’t doubt his skills. My shoulders sagged. “She knew my name.”
Brows drawn tight, he said, “Then someone gave it to them.”
A bitter sensation had taken up residency in my belly. “That’s what I was afraid of.”
His hands curled at his sides and eyes flashed. “They know who you are now. You are not safe, and the attacks will only increase. I’m going to find out who has the big ass mouth and make them regret squealing.”
Right. I hadn’t told him that Lukas knows what I am. Now seemed like the wrong time. I wanted to talk to Lukas first. “I’m coming with you,” I said. Someone had to keep him out of trouble.
His jaw set. “Not happening.”
Stubborn as usual, but I had expected nothing less. I can be just as pigheaded. “You can’t stop me.” Sure, I had no idea where this underground community of witches was, but I could be resourceful. And he wasn’t the only witch I knew. Lukas could probably get me there just as easily. I hoped.
“It is far too dangerous for you to walk right into the lion’s den, because that is exactly where I’d be taking you.”
I pressed my lips together. “This is my life. I think I have a right to know what is going on.” If witches were plotting to kill me, I wanted a heads-up.
These gangs of underground witches were starting to become a real thorn in my side. I racked my brain trying to figure out who would sell me out, unless of course the culprit wasn’t a witch at all. You ask the right questions, cast the proper spells, and you could get Mother Teresa to spill her beans. Food for thought. Unfortunately, my brain wasn’t hungry at the moment.
His striking features were highlighted in the waning light. “I want to protect you from getting hurt, and that means sheltering you from all the evil in the world.”
The sincerity in his voice almost had me giving in. Almost. However, the desire to protect my only family and him overruled. “I’ll wear a disguise. No one will recognize me. I can get Sophie to help me.”
He wasn’t convinced. “You are going to get us both in a lot of trouble.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time,” I muttered.
Sauntering to the edge of the stage, he scanned the row upon row of empty seats, and then ran a hand through his hair. “If she got back to them and told them what happened, what you did… It will support their campaign that you are a threat and must be eliminated.” He spun around, pinning me with a look. “Don’t you see that?”
I understood exactly what I might walk into. Still didn’t change anything. If he was going, I was going. “Fine,” I huffed. “You made your point. I understand the dangers, but what about the risks you put yourself in because of me? What is the difference?”
He cocked a brow. “The difference is, I can handle myself.”
Oh, no. He did not just pull that Neanderthal stunt.
My inner bitch came out. “Is that a dig because I am a girl or because you’re a better witch?” My intention when I merged our dreams had not been to fight, but it looked like a fight was imminent.
Standing in front of me, he looked down, a frown on his lips. “You know that’s not what I meant.”
“Good. Then there isn’t a problem. I’m going.”
Doubt crossed his features. “If we do this, we do it my way, which means you follow my directions.”
“I can do that.” Well, at least in theory.
Warm hands framed my face, and the pupils of his blue eyes started to glow. “I’m counting on it.” Ever so lightly he pressed his lips to mine in a soft kiss. My pulsed kicked up. And then he was kissing me again, but it was nothing like the first. Gone was the tenderness and in its place was a fierce unspoken promise. It broke my insecurities, my fears, my uncertainties, only to build me back up.
He grounded me. He made me stronger. Maybe that’s what love did.
When I finally woke up, it was still dark and upon further investigation, I discovered it was just after three in the morning. Ugh. It was too early to get up for school, but I knew that I would not be able to go back to sleep—the undisturbed kind. My lips were still tingling.
I thought I deserved a mental health day.
After a very feeble charade at being sick, my aunt called me out of school for the day. I did a little happy dance in my room and then sent a quick text to Gavin who responded with,
hooky!
He could make even the simplest things bad. I loved that about him. He made me feel like a rebel, when I was anything but.
I switched myself off from the world and finally caught a few hours of needed sleep. It was my growling tummy that woke me up. Throwing my hair into a crazy knot, I went in search of something to satisfy my hunger.
A quick glance at the clock told me it was more lunchtime than breakfast. I reached for the box of strawberry Pop-tarts that were ever present in our kitchen, because I couldn’t live without them. I tore open the silver foil package, and breaking off a corner, I stuffed my face. I didn’t even warm them up.
I was going to take advantage of having the house to myself.
My aunt had already left for the day, and I had no intention of cleaning up after myself, getting dressed, or even taking a shower. It was that kind of day. I wanted to see no one and I wanted no one to see me. It was just me and my DVR filled with bad reality TV.
Taking my breakfast/lunch to the sofa, I collapsed like a hippo getting a suntan. I wiped the crumbs off my T-shirt and licked my fingers. Today, I wanted to give my brain a break and think about nothing related to magic, witches, or being hunted like an animal.
The doorbell rang just as one nameless girl on the TV ripped the hair from another nameless girl in what was surely going to be an epic catfight. I groaned. The last thing I wanted was to move, and I laid there a moment contemplating ignoring the salesman or worse. But the ringing was followed sharply by the rapping of knuckles on wood.
Swearing under my breath, I rolled off the couch and swung open the door. I took one look at who was on the other side and started to slam it closed. A menacing Lukas shot his hand out. I knew before he even uttered a word that something was wrong. His hair was disheveled, his usual college tee was wrinkled, and he smelled like stale beer. I was in for a treat.
“You slept with him!” he exploded.
Well, damn.
Lukas. Yelled. At. Me. I was almost in as much shock at him yelling at me as I was that he knew Gavin and I had…well, done the dirty. Lukas hadn’t even bothered to pose it as a question, but went straight to an accusation…meaning he already knew the answer.
