“It’s like I’m kissing the wall,” Kate complained, her eyes narrowing with anger as she abruptly pulled back. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry, Siren,” he said, his baritone coming out lethargically as their eyes met. “You’re wrong. What I have to tell you can’t wait. Damian has…” he faltered. “He’s partnered with Leonard Bethels. His name is on the same list your mother’s was. You know; the one that mentions the strongest witch families in the world.”
“Oh, my God,” a whisper of helplessness escaped her as she brought her hands up to her face to cover her mouth. “How did you guys find out?”
“He was in your dressing room, going through your stuff,” Dean announced, his voice picking up volume. “The club was closed, but we found a janitor in there. Cliff made him tell us his name. He’d paid him off to let him in your space.”
“This is surreal,” Kate sighed, sliding her hand up her face as she shook her head in disbelief.
“I have a favor to ask,” he stated as he leaned forward.
“I don’t think I want to hear it,” All of a sudden, stiffness rushed into his mate’s tone as she swung her leg over him once more. Kate stepped off the couch, and turned around, causing his heart to sink in disappointment.
“I haven’t even asked you yet!” Dean’s stentorian voice resounded through his cabin as he felt his blood pumping in his veins.
“I know what it is,” she claimed, maintaining the same, cold tone. “I can’t do it.”
“Can’t or won’t?” His last question forced her to stop. But as she spun around, her visage caused a deep snarl to rise in his throat. Kate’s big, hazel eyes had lost all their warmth and their kindness. In their stead was a quality he hardly ever witnessed in her: pure, unadulterated rage.
“Both!” Kate cried, the veins in her neck and her forehead bulging as she cocked her head in frustration. “I’m not a witch, Dean! I don’t care who my mother was. I want nothing of that, do you understand? None of it!”
“It doesn’t matter what you want!” he replied in an emphatic tone, jumping from his seat as his menacing growl rattled from his throat. “That wizard can kill us all! Do you even remember what your mother did to us?”
“Yes, I do!” she shouted, giving an angry nod. “You don’t need to remind me.”
“Why won’t you even consider it?” Dean asked, his tension sending his voice up an octave as he began moving towards her.
“Because it’s impossible,” she said, her tone changing altogether, once again. It wasn’t loud anymore. On the contrary, it lost its nerve and livelihood as if Kate had lost her hope, eerily reminding him of the broken girl who had heard him out at Clover Lake. “You don’t get it, Dean. This “Bethels”, he has probably been a wizard for decades. He’s been studying that craft, long before I even learned who my mother was. I don’t stand a chance against him.”
“I’m totally ignorant when it comes to witchcraft,” Dean admitted, gazing deep into her teary eyes. “Go talk to Helena. See if you guys can work something out to stop him. If you can’t, look for a way to give her back her sight. We owe her that much. Goodnight, Siren.”
Finishing his sentence, he dragged his gaze away from her. He couldn’t stand seeing her. Despite his growing desire to encourage her, the defeat on her face made him realize that he would only be wasting his time. Striding past her, Dean left his mate alone in their living room, unwilling to cast a glance at her. She had failed him. Yet, they loved one another fiercely. He could get over his bitterness, but, she had let down more than just him. By refusing to provide a helping hand, Kate had disappointed friends and family, people who believed she was their last hope.
Chapter Fourteen
Depressed and frustrated by Dean’s persistence, Kate had to push to get out of bed the following morning. For her, this was a matter of understanding; an understanding that he was too stubborn to show her. His ignorance was not an excuse. Even a child can understand the difference between a seasoned practitioner like Leonard Bethels, and a novice like her. If she had a fraction of Helena’s powers and experience, she wouldn’t hesitate to join them in this fight.
Nevertheless, Kate decided to pay a visit to her friend. Not because she desired to satisfy Dean’s request, but because, in this dark hour, they could comfort one another. In spite of Helena’s predicament, she could always offer her some useful advice. Kate could try and soothe her, even though she knew that such a thing would be much more difficult than in the past.
A view of luscious sunlight greeted her as she strolled out of her cabin. Springtime colors were everywhere around her. White, purple and red blossoms were abundant in the forest ahead of her as the mix of their wonderful fragrances lingered in the air. Kate bypassed the brothers’ workshop, hoping that Dean would come out and say he was sorry. Sadly however, his shouts to his younger brother proved to her that he had other things on his mind.
She swept the kitchen and the living room with her eyes, upon entering Helena’s cabin. Still, the witch was nowhere to be seen.
“Hello?” Kate said, tapping her finger on the door behind her.
“Up here,” Helena’s feathery voice filled her ears, just as she was about to leave. Turning right, she started climbing up the stairs as the scent that had mesmerized her earlier grew stronger and stronger by the second. Helena’s balcony door was wide open, letting it in as she enjoyed the quietness of the morning, on a purple armchair outside.
“Good morning,” Kate spoke, joining her on the balcony. A mere glance down at her face broke her heart. She had a few bandages on her face and her neck, but that was not what bothered her. The vibrant redness in her friend’s eyes had fled. They had both faded to a dim, pinkish shade.
“Life is full of irony,” Helena declared, interlocking her fingers over her stomach. “When the boys told me about their intention to build this cabin for me, I gladly accepted it, on two conditions: That they wouldn’t bother me about the colors on the walls or any other annoying details, like wood variety. They were doing it out of the goodness of their heart. I couldn’t burden them with my whims. The second condition was that they built this balcony. I wanted to gaze out at my town and the forest around it, on days like this.”
“Yeah,” Kate said on an exhale. “Where’s Cliff?”
“He should be talking to Sheriff Colby about taking some time off as we speak,” Helena’s response was sharp as she lay back in her seat. “I’m sorry, dear. Where are my manners? Julia was here last night. She mentioned your contract. Congratulations. I knew you would do it someday, although I do find that signing bonus a little disconcerting, to be honest.”
“Thank you,” Kate nodded, scooting a plastic chair along the balcony as a blissful smile spread across her face. “Jules is overreacting. All singers get bonuses when they sign their first contract. I have a dinner appointment with him tonight. I’ll talk to him; make sure he doesn’t think he owns me. That’s not why I’m here, though. How have you been?”
“I’m struggling,” Helena sighed, pursing her lips as she lowered her gaze. “It’s going to take a while for me to get used to it. Frankly: I don’t think I can.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Kate inquired, speaking in a sweeter tone of voice as she leaned over towards her.
“Well…” a snort of amusement escaped Helena as she gazed into the void. “No. This Kate cannot help me.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kate squinted at her as the feeling of curiosity stormed into her emotions.
“Before I can give you a straight answer, let’s go back in time,” Helena suggested, her voice deepening as she reached toward her friend. “Let’s go back to the night when Victoria stabbed Julia,” she went on, taking Kate’s hand into her own. “She was teetering on the edge of the abyss. Our only choice was to put the wolf in her. There was great peril in what we did. That incantation could have killed one of us, or even both of us. Now, the reason I didn’t tell you beforehand, was that
you could have been scared. Fear is never good as far as practicing witchcraft is concerned. It distracts you. It weakens you. When I saw that look in your eyes, I knew I had done the right thing. You were there, Kate. You were focused, driven by the desire to save your friend. Nothing could take your mind off your goal. That’s why it worked. Ever since that night, you’ve simply been…” she faltered, “toying with your abilities. You don’t care if you succeed or not. You keep repeating you’re a singer, not a witch. I respect that. We all make our choices. You’ve made yours.”
“Are you saying I should give up singing?” Kate wondered as her heart raced in her chest.
“No, no, no…” Helena rejected that notion, shaking her head sideways. “I’m saying you’re not focused. I don’t know what is going through your mind, dear, but it’s obvious that you are not concentrating. If you had been there, one-hundred percent, the blood that is flowing through your veins would ensure that you would never fail: ever. This is what makes those witch families so special, Kate. Every ancestor lives magic. They breathe magic. Do you recall why your parents abandoned you?”
“How can I forget?” Kate spoke in a faint voice as she gazed down into her friend’s eyes. “They gave me up for power.”
“You were distracting them,” Helena pointed out, running her thumb across her knuckles. “Their powers couldn’t peak, due to your presence. What they did to you was terrible, but it helped them discover their full potential. Put aside the woman who likes playing with spells. Embrace your heritage. Become who you were born to be.”
“It can’t be that simple,” Kate disagreed, slightly raising her tone.
“It’s not,” Helena went on, her voice coming out mellow. “If it was, you wouldn’t fail half the time, would you?”
“No,” Kate snorted as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “So, if I focus on what I have to do, I won’t fail?”
“Motive: Focus; Action;” Helena emphasized every single word coming out of her mouth. “Your motive must be much stronger than just an infantile will to teleport or move things around the house. Focusing on higher values, such as the life of a loved one, prevents you from getting distracted, just like it did in Julia’s case. I hope that helps.”
“It does. A lot,” Kate affirmed as her face tightened. “Where should I look for any spells to help you out? Please, be specific. Your library is huge.”
“My library is full of common books, mostly,” Helena muttered as her own face relaxed into an expression of satisfaction. “They’re not bad, but, like I’ve told you a hundred times already, your mother’s book is an absolute treasure. The lines of the spell you need could be scattered throughout the book. You could find one line in page 5, the next in page 26, and so on. Don’t expect to find it in a chapter titled: ‘How to cure blindness.’ You know it doesn’t work that way.”
“I sure do,” Kate nodded as the sight of her battered friend continued to grip her heart like a vice. “Hang in there, Helena,” she added in a voice that was a mere whisper as she leaned over her. “You’re not staying like this for long. Not on my watch. Thanks a lot. You take care.”
A fierce determination spread within Kate like wildfire as she spoke her last words. Was it Helena’s tragedy that sparked this feeling? Was it the danger that threatened to consume her as well as her loved ones? Perhaps it was all of the above. In any case, she was willing to assist her mentor, in any way possible. For the first time in her life, Kate was prepared to accept her heritage, for the sake of whoever she held dear.
Chapter Fifteen
Later in the afternoon, Kate was amazed as she went over the song lyrics Alstead had given her. Almost every page was filled with heartwarming words, causing her to shed a few tears. Unpredictably, however, the wonderful ballads had another effect on her because she was an artist: a musician. She could understand that Ryan meant to discuss more details about her contract, but she would much rather meet with the talented writers that had come up with the lyrics. They had much more in common with her, and she would love to know what had inspired these beautiful words. Even though the rich CEO lived in North Haven, a luxurious paradise, a dinner with him would eventually bore her out of her mind. It didn’t even matter to her that Alstead would be sending his limo out to pick her up. For her, a drive in an extravagant car was worth nothing compared to a few hours of learning song trivia.
Before she started getting ready, Julia visited her, and much to her frustration, she insisted on following the limo in her Toyota. Kate tried to explain to her that she didn’t need a babysitter; that she could take care of herself; but, Julia was adamant. Of course, she knew very well why her friend didn’t want to leave her out of her sight. Still, although she believed that Julia was being absurd, she chose to allow her to do what she had in mind. The redhead could be very stubborn, and arguing with one more person so close to her in less than twenty-four hours was going to break her up inside. Therefore, just before five, the two of them were at the bus stop outside Shandaken, waiting for Alstead’s limousine. Kate had suggested this location because she knew that a fancy car in Paxton would draw too much attention. Dean would be the subject of quite a few nasty comments from his brothers, and that would lead to yet another fight between them.
“I’m actually relieved that jerk didn’t send a helicopter,” Julia confessed, leaning her back against the side of her white Toyota.
“Why? I’ve never flown in a chopper, not to mention it would take a lot less time to get there,” Kate countered, gazing out at the narrow, empty road.
“Exactly!” exclaimed Julia as her friend turned to her. “Look at it!” she stated loudly while pointing at her car. “It’s a Toyota, not a Ferrari! How the hell would I keep up with a freaking helicopter? Anyway…” she paused, and then pulled a small, white object out of the pocket of her jeans. “This is an earpiece. It will allow me to hear everything you guys say. You’ll be able to hear me, too. Put it on,” she continued, handing it over to Kate.
“Okay, now this is absurd,” groaned Kate, narrowing her eyes at Julia. “First, you want to tag along, and now, you want me to wear a bug? Forget it.”
“Kate, please!” Julia begged, intensifying her stare. “I don’t like that guy. I’m just trying to protect you. Will you let me?”
“Fine,” Kate spoke through clenched teeth, snatching the earpiece away from her friend’s grasp. “If, and that’s a big ‘if,’ anything goes wrong, wait for my signal. Don’t just barge in, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Julia winked at her as her lips curved into a sweet smile. “I hear an engine. See you later, hun.”
Fitting the earpiece to her ear, Kate turned around as her friend entered her car. Julia’s persistence might have upset her; yet, Kate couldn’t deny that it had moved her as well. It was more evidence of the love Julia had for her.
In a matter of seconds, a massive, black Mercedes slowly rolled towards her. It was so clean that it sparkled under the bright sunlight. Its expensive look affirmed her belief that she had made the right decision to keep that car away from Paxton. The middle-aged driver moved around the limousine, and opened the right, rear door. Her heart fluttered as she thought that this could be the first of many rides in fancy cars like this. It was part of her dream; a dream of fame, money, and luxury.
Throwing a quick glance around the interior, she smiled to herself as the driver took off. It was lined in brown and gray leather. A large TV, a stereo, and a small fridge filled her line of sight, and her heart with pride.
“Look at all of this,” She thought to herself. “This car must cost more than most people make in a decade. I did it, baby. Magazine covers, interviews, concerts... I can’t wait for all of that.”
“Say something if you can hear me,” said Julia, in her ear, interrupting her thoughts.
“I’d love to take this baby for a spin,” Kate said, giving her friend a reason for a short chuckle.
“Alright, I hear you loud and clear,” Julia went on. “Don�
�t worry if you can’t see me. I’ll be keeping a safe distance away: Red out.”
Kate breathed a sigh of relief, upon her friend’s statement. Julia’s love for chatting was one of the qualities she liked about her. However, it seemed that she was unwilling to preoccupy her any further. So, she lay back and relaxed, imagining how her life would be from now on.
“Okay, Kate, don’t let it all go to your head. This is just the first step. Enjoy it, but keep in mind that it will take a lot of work on your behalf. Plus, a big workload will mean a lot of understanding from your significant other. Oh, Dean… Please, show me again why I gave up my first chance for you. Show me you can be the rock I can lean on. Otherwise, you and I will soon be history. It will break my heart, but if you keep pushing me like that, you’ll leave me no choice.”
Hours afterwards, the fancy Mercedes left the highway to cross into North Haven. Kate could still recall the insane amount of extravagance in that suburb from her last visit there with Melissa. Supercars, huge gardens, and massive mansions didn’t surprise her, but now, she was in a small piece of all that luxury, and was heading towards an ever bigger one. Still, the drive around the populated portions didn’t last long. In minutes, she was being driven away from the expensive neighborhoods, and towards darker territory. Tension tightened the back of her neck. Kate was still within the limits of North Haven; yet, her surroundings resembled more of the uninhabited parts of Paxton: Empty plots, filled with bushes, with tall trees around them.
A glance out her window though, somewhat set her fear at ease. Her destination was close, and it wasn’t dark at all. On the contrary, it was well-lit, both on the outside and on the inside. Kate could see large lights at the gate of a mansion as well as more lights, coming through its glass façade on the side. In truth, it wasn’t that different from the estates she had passed by. It was just extremely far from them, secluded, and surrounded by lush vegetation.
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