by Boyles, Amy
“No.” He scowled. I’d rarely ever seen such a nasty expression on his face. Axel looked like he’d bit into a lemon and instead of spitting it out, he decided to chew it up and swallow.
“The spell I taught Beverly showed her that if there was a possible negative future for someone’s life, it would be revealed. It was that simple. And simple enough to correct as well. Once you know a negative outcome, it’s easier to avoid. That’s what she did. See the negative outcome and then divine on her own a way to change the future.”
“So she wasn’t lying about someone’s future?”
He shook his head. “No. Not exactly. Just seeing a possible negative outcome.”
“But if people thought she was deliberately deceiving them?”
He nodded. “It would still give people a reason to want her dead, yes. Deceiving them into paying her more money to avoid a certain fate.”
“But it doesn’t answer the question of why—why would you give someone that sort of spell?”
He sighed and pulled away. Axel crossed to the window and looked out. His strong Atlas-like shoulders sank when he exhaled.
“Because she convinced me the spell was for herself. She’d recently had a string of bad luck and needed something to change. She wanted to know a way to see the future—the bad one. I was convinced she was being honest, so I showed her.”
“You didn’t do it because you were involved with her?”
His shoulders tightened. “No.” The word came out definite, and his tone hinted that if I wanted to ask something like that again, it would be best if I was on my way out the door first.
He didn’t like me mistrusting him, and I understood. I didn’t want to be that person—someone who didn’t fully trust the man I loved.
That wasn’t me.
But wasn’t that the situation I was putting him in? By refusing to cut ties with Rufus?
I crossed to the window and placed a hand on his shoulder. Axel stiffened. “I’m sorry I asked.”
“I’m sorry, too.” He turned and took my hands in his. My hands felt small in his strong, muscular fingers.
“Pepper.” His voice came out in a husky growl. “I don’t want to be here, questioning each other. Yes, I should’ve told you that I’d played a part in Beverly’s antics, but I only showed her the spell. That makes me responsible in part. But in my defense, I didn’t know how she would twist the gift I’d offered her into something that would hurt others. If I’d known that, I never would’ve given her the information.”
I rested my head on his shoulder. “I know you wouldn’t have. It’s not that. It’s that I feel like I’m being so stupid.” When I looked up into his face, with his blue eyes shining brightly, tears pricked my own eyes. “I’m not trying to deliberately push us apart. I just wish…I just wish you could see Rufus the way I do. That he is trying to be good.”
Axel tensed. He gazed at the ceiling for a moment as if to ask God for strength. He tipped his face down and studied me. Axel dropped one of my hands and slid his fingers over the chain holding the locket around my neck.
“This took a lot to make for you.”
I sniffed and nodded. “I understand.”
His gaze bored into me. “I have never, not once in my life, made something like this for anyone. Part of me is in this, and if the wrong witch got ahold of it, it could mean my life. But I’ve given it to you because of what you mean to me.”
I nodded dumbly, unable to form words. Everything he’d said was true, and every syllable pierced my heart. I realized how foolish and selfish I’d been. Axel would give his life for me, and I’d been freaking out like a scared kitten.
“I know.” I felt like an idiot.
He held out his palm. “Do you have the other stone? The one Rufus gave you?”
I slid it from my pocket and laid it in his hand. Axel closed his eyes. He was reading the amulet, I knew. His brow creased, and his lips pinched. After several moments he smirked and opened his eyes.
“This isn’t what you think.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“What I mean is, there is some protection on it, but this amulet isn’t meant for protecting you.”
I rocked back onto my heels. “Axel, if this is some sort of joke, then it isn’t funny. I know you don’t like Rufus, but come on. It’s a protection amulet.”
“Like I said, it’s partly that, but it’s also something else.”
I waited an eternity for him to explain what he meant. When it was obvious I would have to drag it from him with wild horses, I gestured for him to return it.
“Okay, so if it isn’t what Rufus said, then what is it?”
“Perhaps you should ask him.”
“I’m asking you.” My jaw tensed. Why wouldn’t he just tell me?
“If I tell you, you’ll think I’m saying this to sway you.”
I shook my head. “No, I won’t.”
“Yes, you will. You’ve already looked for ways to deny how you feel about me, about where our relationship could go, and now you’ll use this.”
I lowered my head. “No, I’m not. Listen, the only reason why I’ve been so difficult is because I’m afraid that if we mate for life, it won’t really be for life. You’ll get bored. Find someone else, and I’ll be devastated, heartbroken like I’ve been so many times before. But this time it’ll be a thousand times worse, like I’m being shot with a million arrows straight to the heart.”
He quirked a brow. “Have you been watching Viking shows again? The heart reference?”
“Yeah,” I admitted. “All they do is fight.” I shrugged. “Besides, it seemed a correct comparison.”
He chuckled and pulled me to him. “I thought I’ve explained this. If this happens, that we decide to be together, the bond will be so strong, nothing can break it. Nothing. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I said in the wimpiest voice ever.
He hooked a finger under my chin and raised it until our eyes locked. “I want you to understand it in your toes.”
I laughed. “That’s ridiculous.”
“No more ridiculous than you’ve been about this.”
I rolled my eyes. Just because it was true didn’t mean he had to say it. “This isn’t a small deal.”
“I know that. That’s why I’m telling you now. Before we go any farther. That’s why I won’t let us go any farther until you come to terms with what it means. We don’t have to do anything—physically, I mean. I only want you to know what being with me will become.”
“Selling my soul?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “So melodramatic. Which is why I love you.”
He tugged me into a kiss that claimed me. I was Axel’s, and he was mine. His lips expertly reminded me of that fact.
When we parted, I sighed and tucked my head under his chin. He wrapped his arms around me in a hold that told me nothing could or would break it.
“Are we fighting anymore?” I said quietly.
“I hope not. I don’t particularly enjoy fighting with you, though I think a good make-out session will help make sure we’re not.”
I lightly punched him in the gut. “Be serious.”
“I am. No. We’re not fighting.”
“Good. Now tell me about the amulet. Tell me what it is.”
He sighed. “It would be better if you figured it out on your own, but that could take a long time—months, probably.” Axel put me at arm’s length. “If I tell you, promise that you won’t run off and confront him, but pay attention. When the time is right, you can tell Rufus you know.” He pointed a finger at me and said in a stern voice, “But not until then.”
“I promise.”
He inhaled deeply. “Okay. This is what the amulet really is.”
SIXTEEN
By the time I returned home, it was late. I entered the front door to find Betty pacing the living room.
I shot my cousins, who both appeared extremely bored, confused looks. “What’s goi
ng on?”
Cordelia glanced up from the magazine she was reading. “Betty’s making a battle plan in case Gilda and the townspeople decide to tear down our house in search of the scroll.”
“And I’m drinking hot chocolate,” Amelia said in her overly chipper voice.
“Oh, about that.” I shrugged out of my coat and pegged it. “I met with Deidre Tipple from the school today. She has a book written by a Craple. She couldn’t open it, but I guess since I’m a Craple, I could. We looked in it for information about the scroll but couldn’t find anything.”
Betty stopped and stared at me. “Who wrote this book?”
“Umm.” I had to think. “Ernestine Craple?”
Betty darted over to me faster than a bolt of lightning zipping through the sky. “Ernestine Craple? Are you sure?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure. Why?”
“Woo-hoo!” Betty danced around the room. “Ernestine is one of the oldest Craples to have lived in the area. If anyone knew about the knowledge, it would’ve been her.”
I sank onto a chair and kicked back into reclining mode. “But that’s what I’m trying to tell you—there wasn’t anything at all in the book about that.”
Betty clapped her hands. “First of all, could Deidre read the book?”
“No. Only me.”
“Because you’re a Craple!” She wiggled her fingers as if she was about to work a spell. “Secondly, did you go through the entire thing?”
“Yes.”
She frowned. “It doesn’t matter. There may still be more information in there—things you didn’t see because you’re not as old or as wise as me.”
Now I really shot my cousins concerned looks. “Betty, I promise you I poured over the entire book, front to back. I didn’t miss anything.”
Betty moved to grab her coat. “And like I told you, there may be information you missed because you don’t have my old witch eyes.” Betty opened the door wide. “Now. Who’s coming with me?”
Amelia glanced up from her cup of cocoa. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to the school to find this book and inspect it for myself. See if it has more information.”
“At this time of night?” It was pitch-black outside. “Why don’t you wait until morning?”
“Because first of all, Gilda’s people can’t be trusted not to do something sooner rather than later.”
“Gilda doesn’t have people,” Cordelia said.
“Beside the point. But also, because I’m impatient and I don’t think that the book will reveal the good stuff in the presence of that teacher because she isn’t a Craple. No, this has to be done clandestine-like.”
I smirked. “You’re saying we need to break into the school and see what the book contains tonight just because?”
“Not just because—because I said so. There’s a difference.”
I rolled my eyes. “Sure there is. But to make sure a mayoral candidate doesn’t end up arrested, I’ll go with you.”
“Us too.” Amelia grabbed her jacket. “Come on, Cordelia. What’re you waiting for?”
Cordelia sighed and closed the magazine. “All right, I’ll come.”
The four of us left on our cast-iron skillets. When we arrived at the school, it was quiet. The building’s chimneys loomed high overhead.
“This place is so creepy.” Amelia shivered. “Are you sure we have to do this?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” Betty swung her leg off the skillet. “Pepper, lead the way. I don’t know where this teacher’s office is.”
So yes, I led my family on a breaking-and-entering excursion. No, I can’t say I’m proud of it, but it made me feel better to know Betty would’ve done it one way or another. Yep, she would’ve charged right into the school as if storming a castle, and she would’ve done it all by herself.
So no, I didn’t feel bad.
“Here it is.”
We locked ourselves inside Deidre Tipple’s office. The book lay closed on her desk.
Betty covered one nostril. From the other flew a stream of light. It curled into a ball and hovered above us, creating a glowing orb so we could see.
Betty ran her hand down the cracked leathery surface. “So this is Ernestine’s writings. I can feel it.”
Amelia frowned. “You sound as if you knew her, but I know this land was settled a couple hundred years ago.”
Amusement lit Betty’s eyes. “I did know her. Ernestine lived a very long time as a witch. She wrote for a lot of that, too. Had her books sent off to a witch library in Tennessee.” Her finger traced the golden vines. “That must be where Deidre got this from.”
I could feel my brow crease. “I don’t know. She ordered it from Magical Elements. They got it in for her the day Beverly died.”
“You mean the day she was murdered,” Cordelia said.
“That’s the one.”
Betty splayed her fingers over the book. “Open.” It shuddered, and Betty peeled back the cover. “Let’s see what’s inside this sucker.”
She made lots of hmms and mmms as her gaze washed over the writing.
“Are you seeing what I did? That it’s mostly genealogy stuff?”
“Hey,” Amelia said sharply. “Did Ernestine know anything about the scroll?”
Betty hitched a brow. “Know anything about it? She’s the one who told me.”
I shot a look to Amelia. “If she told you about it, why didn’t you ask her where it was? If she was so old and all, she should’ve known.”
“Oh, she was insane by the time I met her,” Betty said flatly.
Cordelia raked her fingers through her hair. “If she was insane, why did you even believe her about the scroll or the spell?”
“Because it seemed like a possibility.”
My cousins and I stared at one another. “Wait a minute.” I covered the book with my palm, forcing Betty to drag her gaze from it. “You’re saying a crazy woman told you about the spell and scroll. A crazy woman—you’re not even sure the thing exists, but the whole town seems to think it does. We’re searching in the middle of the night for clues about it—in the same crazy woman’s book?”
“Sounds about right.” Betty nodded. “Now if you’ll move your hand, I’d like to keep looking.”
I removed my palm. “I give up. We’re not going to find anything. There’s no way. It’s all probably a lie.”
“Made up by a crazy woman,” Cordelia added.
I laughed. “Yep.”
“Aha.” Betty glanced from the book and shot us a triumphant look. “I knew we’d find something in here.”
My cousins and I gathered around. On a page filled with names and dates of folks who had died in the area drifted words written below the first set.
The gold letters shimmered. They were almost impossible to see, but if you focused on the gold and not the black letters containing names, the writing surfaced and became legible.
“‘Here lies the way to be invisible to mortals.’” Amelia gasped. “Oh my gosh, this is it! This is the secret.”
“So it wasn’t a scroll after all,” Cordelia whispered. “It was in this book.”
I leaned closer. “What’s it say?”
A scuffling noise outside the office made us stop. I shot Betty a frightened look. She snuffed out the light.
We stood frozen in the room. The scuffling continued down the hall until we couldn’t hear it anymore.
Betty grabbed the tome. “I don’t know about you girls, but I’d rather read this in the comfort of my own home.”
“You can’t just steal it,” I snapped.
“I’m not stealing. I’ll have it back by daylight.”
“How? Are you planning on making a return trip before dawn?”
She tapped her nose. “I have magic, my dear. Have you ever thought about using it?”
I rolled my eyes. “Always have to be so darned smart.”
Betty thumped her belly. “That’s why I’ve lived this long.”
/> She hugged the book, and we hustled toward the door. A slice of light hit the corner of Deidre’s desk. My gaze landed there, and I noticed a stack of papers. Written on top was a title. “‘The Origins of Witches in the Southeastern United States.’”
“What’s that?” Cordelia said.
“Deidre’s paper.”
“Come on.” She yanked my sleeve. “Let’s get out of here.”
As quietly as we’d entered, we left. Before we slinked away, I glanced down the hall, looking in the direction of the sound. I didn’t hear anything, but I could swear there was a shadow tucked behind a doorway.
I wasn’t one hundred percent sure, but it seemed the shadow watched us.
Betty had been right; pouring over the book was more relaxing in the Craple cottage than in Deidre’s office.
“What does it say about the spell?” Amelia cozied up to Betty, who had placed the book on the dining table. Cordelia and I took seats next to them.
Betty peeled back the pages until she reached the correct one. She waited a moment, I assumed so that the print would surface again.
Her lips parted and she read. “‘The world we witches inhabit is perilous. There are those mortals who fear us and wish us dead. That is why we must take heart. There are those who have hunted us in the past. Those who fear what they do not know. We know what we are—we are witches. There is but one path to follow if we are to live with mortals and not be detected. There is but one path to walk if we are to stand side by side with humans and not be caught. There is but one road to maneuver if we are to belong with those who are not like us and live within a world of acceptance.
“‘That path is simple. Keep your secrets. Don’t use your magic. There is no spell that will hide you from humans every hour of the day. There is no cloak you can wear nor hole to hide in. There is no secret to keeping us strong and together. The only thing we can do is not draw attention to ourselves. Do not work magic in front of humans.
“‘For some of us this is impossible. So the only way to achieve true peace is to live apart. To remain in our enclaves and not be found. There is no spell I can promise that will work whenever your path may cross a human’s.’”
