by J. L. Weil
“Torent,” I sighed, staring at the half demon.
The blade clattered to the floor as my power whooshed out of me. What had I done? What happened to me? I hadn’t been dreaming, I’d been sleepwalking, and what I could have done . . . It scared the crap out of me.
“Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe.” His hands framed my face. I hadn’t noticed until then that I was trembling.
I cast my eyes downward to where the knife lay on the ground. “I could have killed you. Oh, my God. I almost killed you.”
The voice. It had coaxed me, wanted me to hurt him.
His thumb brushed over my cheek. “But you didn’t.”
My gaze lifted, colliding with his. He was here. I launched myself into his arms.
His arms swooped around me, and the tension in his muscles relaxed against my body. A long whoosh of breath left his chest, and he clung to me for minutes, as if he was never going to let me go.
I had so much to say to him, but I held Torent, allowing myself the immense pleasure of being in his arms. He smelled as I remembered, woodsy with a hint of mint.
After some time, he pulled back to look down at my face, and the first thing I noticed was his eyes. They were more violet than gold, but the flecks of his powers lingered.
“Where the hell have you been?” The high of seeing him alive and in the flesh faded, leaving me with a million questions. “Do you have any idea what you put me through this week?”
His face nuzzled the side of my cheek. “I’m sorry,” he murmured.
Lacing our fingers together, I tugged him inside. “Why didn’t you call me?”
His eyes shifted to our joined hands before looking back up. “Where I went, cell phones don’t exist. I never would have gotten a signal. It wasn’t until I returned to Havenwood Falls that my phone sent through all the messages.”
“You left Havenwood Falls? Why?”
“For you. I had to do something to help.”
My lips pressed into a thin line. “And you didn’t think you should have told me before you left?”
“But then you would have talked me out of it,” he explained casually. “I would have stayed if you asked, and I needed to at least try to find a way to break the hex.”
I crossed my arms, about to tell him I’d already figured out a way to break the curse, but I angled my head to the side. “Where did you go?”
“It isn’t important. I got nothing useful, just the ramblings of a trapped man.”
“You went to see my father?” I guessed, knowing it was like Torent to go directly to the source, screw all the red tape.
He didn’t deny or confirm, but said, “I’d do anything for you . . . even risk death itself.”
Dammit. Why did he have to go and do that, get all mushy on me? I wanted to stay annoyed at him, but how could I?
“What did he say?” I hated myself for even asking. Did I really care what my father had said?
“Most of it didn’t make sense, but he did say something about a mark of death. How your mother wanted to take you from him, and he found a way to ensure that never happened. With this mark, he’d always have a connection to you.”
I gulped. My father had done this to me—he had cursed me. I’d had my suspicions, but to hear it confirmed . . . It made me sick to my stomach. Sympathy shone in his eyes as I met his gaze. He hated being the bearer of such devastating news, but sometimes the truth hurt, and to be honest, my father had been dead to me most of my life. I wasn’t going to let him win.
“I appreciate you wanting to help me, but Beck and I found a spell that might break the hex. At least, Mrs. Augustine thinks so.”
His brows arched. “Mrs. Augustine, the teacher?”
I nodded. “She’s a witch.”
Leaning a shoulder against the wall, the corner of his lip tipped up. “I know. I’m just surprised you sought her help. Smart.”
“It was Beck’s idea,” I supplied, giving credit where credit was due.
Torent shoved his hands into his front pockets. “I have to give it to the shifter. He’s handy to have around.”
“There’s just one thing,” I added, biting my lip. “I need your blood.”
“My blood?” he echoed, a hint of incredulity glinting in his violet eyes.
I gave him the rundown of the spell Mrs. Augustine believed would free me of the darkness, of what I needed to do and where.
The light shifted in his eyes. “Magic always finds a way to balance the light with the dark. If it is my blood you need, I will gladly give you a pint, but . . . I want something in return.”
I was taken a little aback by his request for something in return, and my expression slackened. “What did you have in mind?”
He twirled a strand of my hair around his finger. “Go with me to the winter dance.”
A dance? Why was he talking about a dance? It took me a few breaths to catch up. “The Cold Moon Ball? Do you really think that is a good idea right now? My life is complicated. I don’t see how going to a dance is going to fix what is happening to me. The hex won’t give me a night off. In fact, it’s probably a bad idea. What if something happens?”
“It’s my last one before I graduate, and I want to spend it with you, if only for a few hours. You deserve to have fun, Mal.” He put his finger to my lips before I could protest again. “And it falls on the full moon.”
That got my attention. The full moon was when Mrs. Augustine would perform the spell, the lunar phase of the moon being at its height of energy.
“I’ll go with you, but I’m warning you. You might not leave with all your toes.” I was a swimmer, not a dancer.
His response was a dimpled grin, full of wickedness.
Chapter 15
The night of the Cold Moon Ball also happened to be the winter solstice. It was convenient—the perfect cover. While the town celebrated the winter solstice, Beck, Torent, and I would be sneaking off to meet Mrs. Augustine in the woods near Peacock Lake. I promised Torent a dance, but then the fun really began.
The day. The time. The place. It was all set into motion. We were to meet Mrs. Augustine around eight o’clock to get everything we needed in order. When the moon was at its highest point, she would cast her spell, and I’d drink the magical concoction.
And it wasn’t a moment too soon.
From the time I’d woken up this morning, my world felt off-kilter. Although I couldn’t pinpoint what was making me feel so foreign in my own body, I told myself to get through the night. As long as I didn’t have another sleepwalking episode, it would be all over by tomorrow, and I could go back to living my life, concentrating on things like graduating, swimming, and Torent.
To have a normal life with a hot guy—such an alien concept, especially since he was anything but average.
Beck had dragged me to every shop in Havenwood Falls the weekend before the big town celebration, something I dreaded as much as what would happen during the dance. Some girls loved makeup, hair, and frilly dresses. Then there were girls like me.
“Why did I let him talk me into this?” I mumbled to myself. I was alone in my room, trying to wiggle into an organza gown of baby blue and white. “What was wrong with yoga pants and a sports bra?” Talking to myself was my way of dealing with crap I didn’t want to face. And tonight was a double whammy.
Dancing and a hex.
Go me.
The last thing I wanted to do was get ready for a party. My palms were sweaty. My stomach was close to heaving with nerves. And my hair wouldn’t cooperate to save my life.
The silver-blue sparkly and sheer material looked itchy, but I was surprised to find it didn’t irritate my skin. Slipping my arms into the straps, I found the bodice was slimming and silky with teal jewels that resembled flurries of snowflakes. Mom had managed to salvage my hair, sweeping it up onto the crown of my head, a tiny braid curving around the base of the hair tie. Blond curls cascaded over my shoulders. When she brought out the sparkle hairspray, I nearly chucked it i
nto the garbage, but Mom was in her element, having the time of her life dolling me up. Since we were both feeling emotional and sentimental for two entirely different reasons, I only sighed, crossed my arms, and let her work her magic.
“There, all done,” she said, smiling pleasantly at me in the vanity mirror. Putting the cap back onto the soft pink lipstick she had applied to my lips, Mom stood up. “Go have a look,” she encouraged, gesturing to the full-length mirror in the corner of my room.
I stepped in front of my reflection, taking in the glittering material like woven snowy stars as it draped to the floor. My gaze connected to the aqua eyes in the mirror, framed with thick black lashes and shimmering eye shadow of smoke with hints of teal. A silver snowflake charm hung from a ribbon choker around my slender neck. I didn’t have words for the woman who stared back at me. She was a dream. I was afraid to look too deeply, for, behind the awe, darkness ascended.
“You’ve never looked more beautiful, Mallory.” Mom swept a curl off my shoulder, a mist of tears in her eyes.
Something was in the air, other than perfume, hairspray, and glitter. Perhaps it was the reenactment I had looming in front of me, the worst night in Mom’s life and the moment that shaped mine. We were both sappy. I hugged her.
“I don’t know what I would do without you,” I admitted.
She flicked the end of my nose. “Right back at you, kid.”
Growing up, I never felt like I was Mom’s top priority. It always seemed as if she was chasing some kind of happiness that didn’t really involve me, but I understood now. She had been trying to forget the past, not forget me. I knew she loved me, but now I felt loved.
The ball was a blur of people in fancy attire, twinkling lights, strumming music, and delicate cuisine. Not even the numerous weddings I’d attended, mostly Mom’s, held a candle to the Cold Moon Ball. I lingered at Torent’s side, my hand looped through his arm. I tried to smile, to have a good time for Torent’s sake, but what we were going to do later in the night plagued my thoughts.
I only had to survive another hour. In my current state of mind, it felt like a lifetime.
“Relax,” Torent whispered in my ear.
The skirt of my dress floated lightly around me as Torent and I strolled through the grounds.
“This is me relaxed,” I said through my teeth.
His soft chuckle warmed against my neck. “Have I told you how breathtaking you look?”
Only a dozen times, but I didn’t mind. Torent looked equally impressive in all black. He forwent the traditional tux for jeans, a button-down shirt, and a vest. I still had a hard time comprehending that this dashing male was my boyfriend.
“How about we skip the dance and go straight to making out in your car?” I proposed.
“Don’t tempt me.” The huskiness of his voice curled around me like a magnetic hug, pulling me closer to him.
That was the thing. I wanted to tempt him. And I wanted to stop my brain from hashing over what was still to come. My eyes connected with his, and a craving unfurled inside me. It was moments like this when it became so clear that we belonged together. My soul knew it.
“What can I do to change your mind?”
His hands slipped to my waist, and he leaned toward me, his jaw grazing my cheek. Tingles radiated from my heart, and my pulse quickened. His breath was warm and intoxicating. I arched up on my toes to press—
“What up, lovebirds?” Beck sauntered up to us with a stupid grin on his face. His wolfish silver eyes were beaming under the moonlight—the cold moon. It was fitting for my best friend. He never looked more alive, more in his element. The lapels of his navy velvet blazer were accentuated by the hues of his hair.
I found it difficult to be miffed at him for interrupting what could have been a blissful moment of peace only found in Torent’s arms.
“Look at you,” I said, my eyes taking him in fully from head to toe. Unraveling myself from Torent’s hold, I went and gave Beck a hug. “You look amazing.”
“Likewise, chica. We’re all set for tonight,” he murmured near my ear before pulling away.
I nodded, feeling that pesky lump return in my chest. It would follow me until this night was over and the hex banished.
Beck’s eyes scanned the bash. “Have you eaten?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I don’t think I can.”
Beck clucked his tongue, his eyes sharpening. “Mal, you need your strength.”
“He’s right,” Torent added, the two of them ganging up on me. “Come on, let’s get some food.”
Torent met Beck’s gaze, and a silent exchange passed between them. My guess was they had made a pact to look out for me or some other macho promise.
How could I be annoyed? They cared about me, and I would have done the same for both of them.
I let them lead me to a table for four, where we were served an elaborate feast of turkey, potatoes, salad, and more food than I could possibly eat. For their sake, I made myself pick at my plate, forcing down the tasteless food. It wasn’t that the appetizers, salads, and meats weren’t delicious. They were probably some of the best food I’d ever had, but I couldn’t enjoy the flavors.
As the ball shifted to the Mills Mansion and the crowds began to move out, Torent, Beck, and I took off in his Jeep, going the opposite direction. I glanced over my shoulder out the back window, watching the horse-drawn carriages fade in the distance.
My hands were shaking as I changed out of my fancy dress and traded my heels for boots. My attire was not fit for traipsing around the woods. Beck may have killed me if I’d gotten blood on the dress he claimed brought joy to his life.
He was such a weirdo sometimes. I couldn’t help but love him.
“You ready to make magic, crash car?” Torent stated in an attempt to quiet my nerves.
Lifting my boot up on the seat, I tied the laces. “After tonight, I’m taking a break from this supernatural stuff.”
“I’d say you earned it.”
Our drive toward Peacock Lake was short from the center of town. Torent got as close as we could get by car; the rest of the way we would be trekking through the woods.
The three of us slunk off into the snow-dusted trees. The land itself seemed empty, as if the plants and animals sensed what was about to transpire and bowed to the laws of magic. Peeking through the dense branches, moonlight danced over the shadows. As we passed a small frozen stream made by the occasional melting snow during the day, Torent came to an abrupt halt. His head swung over his shoulder, and those violet eyes were tinged with glowing gold flecks.
“What is it?” I asked when he didn’t say anything but continued to stare into the dark trees behind us, searching for something.
“I’m not sure. I can’t shake the feeling we’re being followed.” His body was tight.
“Who would be that dumb?” Beck pointed out, but he turned in the same direction and let his inner wolf peek out, eyes glowing silver. “The wind would be stagnant tonight of all nights,” he grumbled. “I can’t pick up a scent.”
“It could be nothing. Let’s keep moving. We’re not far.”
My boots snapped and crunched twigs and frosty blades of grass. As we drew closer to Peacock Lake, I became alive. I had no other way to describe the sudden tingles in my blood, the splash of waves in my ears, or the pull deep in the marrow of my bones. I inhaled, letting the crisp air burn my lungs. Being here, close to the lake, had somehow eased the dread that pitted in my gut.
We came to a fork in the path. One led to Peacock Lake, the other toward the greater falls. The vision Styx had given me was of a clearing hedged with various conifers and wild shrubs.
“Which way?” Beck asked as our eyes bounced between the two paths.
The trees to my right seemed to bend outward, forming an arch into an invisible path I couldn’t see. I blinked, and it was gone.
“This way,” I said, not waiting for either of them to object, and I took neither path, but veered into a section o
f the woods intertwined in a thick weave of untamed pines and snow-covered oaks and elm trees. Snow crunched under my feet as I pushed forward until the thicket gave way to the cultivated glade.
A flock of black birds soared out of the tree canopy.
“That wasn’t ominous in the slightest,” Beck said dryly, breaking the silence.
Magic seemed to tremble in the air, and the clearing felt ancient, a place of great natural power that existed long before humans walked the earth. Moonlight shone over the ice-tipped grass, making the glade appear like glass, enchanting and fragile. The three of us stood on the edge, taking in the wonder of this place. It was impossible not to feel it, human or supe.
Beck checked the time and his phone, after scanning the towering and thick trees for Mrs. Augustine. “She should be here already,” he muttered.
Puffs of cold air exhaled from my lungs, and I wrapped my arms around myself. Please don’t let anything go wrong.
“You’re cold,” Torent stated. “Beck, be a gentleman and give her your jacket.
“I’m fine,” I chattered, convincing no one.
Beck came up beside me and draped the warm, velvety coat over my shoulders. “That’s better,” he said, rubbing his hands over my arms to encourage blood flow.
“You’re late,” a woman’s voice sounded from the shadows. Mrs. Augustine emerged, the frost-tipped grass crunching under her feet. She too had been at the Cold Moon Ball but had slipped away a half hour before us. Her dress was a deep red, popping against the white-dusted trees and ground.
“Is everything in place?” Torent asked, forgoing pleasantries and taking charge. Crispness had entered his tone, making his words sound clipped. He wanted to get this over with. We had that in common.
“I just need the blood.” Her voice was different from what she used in the classroom. Gone was the teacher. The woman who stood in front of us was every inch the witch. Energy tingled in the air around her.
At the sudden reminder of what was going to transpire here, I felt the blood drain from my face, and my stomach twisted.
