Six Times a Charm

by Deanna Chase

  He gave me an impatient glance. “Step aside, Selene.”

  “What are you going to do?” I asked, not budging.

  “Wake her up.”

  “Leave her alone.”

  He rolled his eyes. “We don’t have time for this.” He flipped the covers off her leg, clamped his hand over her ankle, and shut his eyes.

  “What are you doing, you perv? Take your hands off my grandma.” I let go of Gram’s hand and pushed Cheney. He didn’t budge. He stood like a wall, ignoring my protests. “I said stop. Let her go.” Anger flooded my mind in gushing waves.

  His other hand seized my wrist so tightly, my hand immediately started turning red from lack of circulation. “You need to calm down. This is not the place to throw a tantrum. It will be a lot worse than a few cracked walls here.” He didn’t open his eyes or raise his voice while he spoke. His other hand remained on Grandma’s ankle, and I could feel energy crackling beneath his skin. I looked at Gram. She had a bit more color in her face. I stopped struggling against him and his grip loosened enough that my blood started to flow again. I watched as Gram started to look more and more like her old self.

  Cheney released us at the same time and stepped back, rolling his neck. “Try again.”

  I took grandma’s hand, which was decidedly warmer. “Gram?”

  Her eyes fluttered open. “Selene.” She smiled at me briefly, but then the happy expression melted from her face. “Selene, you’re in danger. What did you do to draw them here? I thought you would never have to know, but they found you—”

  “It’s okay, Gram. I know.”

  “No, you don’t. Get my Book of Shadows from the secret room in the attic. Take it and run. Defend yourself. Don’t let them take you back. I can no longer protect you. Your magic is your only hope of survival. The book explains everything. Don’t trust any of them. They just want to use you. Find—”

  Cheney appeared on the other side of Gram’s bed. “Hello, Edith.”

  Her eyes darted over to him and her hand clutched his chest. “You nearly gave me a heart attack. You were supposed to keep her from coming here.”

  Gram said not to trust any of them—and Cheney was most definitely one of them. My stomach sank, and I struggled not to look at him.

  “She doesn’t remember me.”

  “Oh.” Grandma’s eyes widened slightly, then she nodded. “I was certain she would still remember you—”

  “Apparently not,” he cut her off.

  “You explained?”

  “I gave her the highlights.”

  Gram’s mouth fell open and she looked at me quickly, then back at him.

  “Not about that,” Cheney said coolly. “I told her who was after her and why they want her.”

  “Does she have the support of the King?”

  He shook his head, jaw clenched. “Not yet.”

  Grandma sighed. “I thought—”

  “So did I. He’ll come around.”

  It was like they were speaking another language. Obviously I was “her” and Cheney hadn’t told me everything which irritated me. “You didn’t tell me everything? What else did I miss?”

  “Lene, mind your manners,” Grandma barked at me.

  Out of habit, my mouth snapped shut and I looked down.

  Cheney smiled, obviously amused, but answered me. “I told you all you could deal with at that moment, princess. I couldn’t possibly catch you up on 500 years of my family’s personal and political drama in 15 minutes.”

  Condescension made me furious. I gave him a hateful look but didn’t comment.

  “Without the support of the King what chance does she have?”

  “He’ll come around. She has my support. I’ll protect her.”

  “But without the King, what will keep your people from killing her? If she’s dead, she cannot be used as a weapon—no more problem.”

  He sighed and tightened his jaw. “I will.”

  “You’ll turn your back—”

  “I’ll do what must be done.”

  Deep worry lines etched Grandma’s face. “She needs to awaken her power. You cannot protect her alone.”

  “If she does that, she’ll be easier to find.”

  “If she doesn’t, there’s little hope.” Gram sighed again. “How did they find her in the first place?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Lene, did you use your magic?” She looked at me with those clear eyes I could never hide anything from.

  “I didn’t use any of my abilities per se…” I bit my lip, “but I did start a coven.” I was unable to keep a grimace from my face. I’d messed up royally. I knew it.

  “Lene! What did I tell you about magic?” Gram’s fury made me want to apologize, but I stood my ground.

  Blaming this entirely on me hardly seemed fair. “Absolutely nothing, which is why we’re in this mess,” I snapped at her for the first time in my life.

  Her mouth fell open. “You will not speak to me with such impertinence, child.”

  Immediately I felt guilty. Here she’d been protecting me and was half killed for her effort, and I blamed her for my mess. “I’m sorry, Gram. But we’re well past finger pointing. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

  “Actually this is a good thing, Edith,” Cheney said. “We need a coven to awaken her powers anyway, and it will be better with people she knows and trusts rather than strangers. Everything happens for a reason. You know that.”

  Our eyes met and something other than fear and loathing swirled in me.

  “I guess this is between the two of you now. You’re out of my depths, child,” Grandma huffed. “Get her out of here, Cheney. Protect her, but don’t be too easy on her.”

  “I will—and I won’t.” he promised, smiling at Gram. “I take it this is the book you wanted her to find?” The black book from the hidden room appeared in his hand. Grandma nodded solemnly.

  “We’re not leaving you,” I told her.

  “Go with him, Selene. Cheney can teach you, help you protect yourself.”

  “Who’s going to protect you?”

  “I may be older, but I am not feeble. I can take care of myself. They caught me off guard. Next time I’ll be ready.”

  I started arguing, but Cheney cut me off. “She’s in more danger with you here than if you leave. They want you. They don’t give a damn about her. No offense, Edith.”

  “None taken.”

  “If you honestly believe I’m going to leave my grandmother here completely unprotected, think again. I don’t know what I was like when you knew me, but that’s not who I am now.”

  “Lene—”

  “It’s okay, Edith. She’s right. We cannot leave you here without protection.” He handed her a small necklace with a green stone that bore strange markings. “Wear this and use it to reach me if you’re threatened. Any time. Do not hesitate.” He cast a meaningful look at me. “Can we go now, princess.”

  He called me princess with such bitter mocking that my hackles rose, but I fought against the urge to be difficult. “Fine.”

  I gave Grandma a kiss and hug, telling her I’d see her soon, though I wasn’t sure that was true. Then I went over to Cheney and put my arms around him like before. “Don’t call me princess.”

  He chuckled and everything went black.

  Chapter 9

  Cheney took me back to Gram’s to get my things. I collected my stuff and he tracked down Stewie, and we were on the road by dawn.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Go back to your house.”

  “How is that any safer than being here?”

  “It’s safe until they find us.” He adjusted his seat back. “I haven’t made other arrangements yet. I’m still hoping my father will come through.”

  “Does your father know about all of this?”

  Cheney looked out the window. “This is such an inefficient way to travel.”

  I didn’t reply. He didn’t seem to want to talk anymore and th
at was fine with me. I had plenty to think about. They kept saying I had to awaken my power, but I didn’t know what that meant or if I wanted any more power than I already had. After the past two days I was about ready to wash my hands of this whole witchcraft thing. It was more than I bargained for.

  From what Gram was saying to Cheney, it was pretty clear he was going out on a limb being here with me. Guilt at the way I’d treated him seeped in. I had actually been acting like a princess. Entitled and spoiled. That wasn’t who I was.

  Before I could talk myself out of it, I blurted, “Thank you for helping me.”

  Cheney glanced over at me, his eyes crinkling along the edges.

  My cheeks warmed, and I cursed myself for saying anything at all. “I figured I should say it now, given how often you make me mad. This might be the only time I’m willing to express gratitude,” I grumbled.

  “You’re welcome.” His voice was soft and he looked like he wanted to say more, but he turned his head and stared out of the window again.

  I focused on the road. Part of me wanted to know what I was like before, and part of me was scared to hear about it. What if I couldn’t live up to who I was? I battled in my head about whether or not to ask him. Whoever I was then, she was enough to get him to drop everything to help me now. How could I be anything but a disappointment now? I laughed at the irony. I was scared to disappoint the person who terrified me by just looking at him.

  “What?” Cheney asked.

  “Nothing. I was just thinking.”

  “Tell me about your life, Selene. Or do you prefer Lene?”

  “Selene. Lene was my nickname when I was a kid. It doesn’t evoke happy memories. Gram has always called me that though, so she’s grandfathered in on the ‘no calling me Lene’ clause.”

  “Does your grandmother know how you feel?”

  “No. I mean, I had a good childhood. I was popular and well liked, but—” I took a deep breath. “I don’t know. Something was missing. Lene was the submissive people pleaser.” Why was I telling him this?

  “And who is Selene?”

  I shrugged and fiddled with the vents on the dashboard while keeping my eyes on the road and my other hand on the steering wheel.

  “It couldn’t have been easy. Being a half of something puts you in a difficult position.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, you aren’t really either race so it would be difficult to be fully accepted. “

  “I never noticed, but I didn’t know I was half anything. People accepted me. Did the elves not?”

  “There’s a prejudice against half-elves.” He glanced in my direction. “But not everyone feels like that.”

  My laugh was bitter. The idea of people dismissing me for what I was rather than who I was rubbed me the wrong way.

  “We aren’t perfect,” he said as if reading my thoughts. “Elves tend to believe they are superior to all other races, but that doesn’t mean it’s true. You tend to let what other people think of you get in your head, but you shouldn’t. You’ve made a good life for yourself—a full life. You have a coven, friends, family, your students—”

  The truth of his words rang in my ears but didn’t smother doubt about whether or not I was making the right decision in helping him. “You’re right, I do.”

  Cheney’s laughter filled my car. “First you thank me. Now I’m right? Don’t apologize, or I might fall over dead. I might like your human half better.”

  I smiled despite myself. The heat in his gaze made my lungs constrict, so I continued to focus on the road. “It was insightful, that’s all.”

  “I’ve had a long time to think about it.”

  “Am I like I was then?”

  “Part yes, part no. You seem a lot more at peace with the world now than you used to be. I don’t see quite as much of the rebel in you these days.”

  “If I awaken my power, what will happen? Will I remember everything? Will I change?”

  “I don’t know exactly. I’ve never paid much attention to changelings. It’s possible it could all come back to you with the spell—that’s what I am hoping for. Or you may remember things in pieces as your mind processes. Memories can only be suppressed for so long, especially if there are triggers.”

  “But will it change me?”

  “Everything we do changes us.”

  I sighed, hating the political answer. How could I trust anything he said when he just wanted to use my power too? “I’m not sure if I want any of this.”

  Cheney didn’t respond, and I didn’t try to keep the conversation going. Instead I thought about what I had learned. The last couple days drifted through my mind.

  Oh crap, Michael.

  I was so preoccupied that I’d forgotten all about him—never even called. He probably hated me and would call off the engagement. I ignored the hopeful trickle at the thought. I dug my phone out of my pocket. I had missed calls from him and from the girls. I called Michael back first since he was the one I had promised to call.

  “Hello.”

  “It’s Selene. I’m so sorry I missed your call last night. Things just…came up.”

  Cheney scoffed in the next seat, and I gave him a threatening look.

  “I figured you were probably tired after being at the hospital all day. How’s your grandmother?”

  Cheney looked at me as if he was going to steal the phone again.

  I leaned toward my door. “She’s doing much better.”

  “It sounds like you’re in the car.”

  “Uh yeah, I’m coming home.”

  “Great! Can I see you tonight? We can have dinner.”

  Cheney flushed and turned toward the window, his knuckles on his clenched hands turning white.

  “Uh, no. I don’t think I can make it. I’m exhausted and I need to work some. Rain check?

  “Absolutely. I missed you.”

  Cheney’s head swiveled back to me, his eyes drilling holes into me. Could he hear Michael?

  My cheeks warmed. The words “I miss you, too” caught on my tongue and wouldn’t come out. “I’m sorry, I really have to go. Traffic is picking up. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.”

  “Oh…Well, talk to you later.”

  I ended the call, face still burning. “What’s your problem? I think we need to set some ground rules if this is going to work. You can’t flip out every time I talk to my fiancé.”

  “What is my problem? What is your problem?”

  “I don’t have a problem. I forgot to call him back until now. It wasn’t like you were talking to me, and it wasn’t fair to make him worry. Where do you get off looking at me like that?”

  “Nowhere, of course. Why should I be allowed to have feelings about anything, princess? We all know the whole entire universe revolves around you and your perfect little idea of how the world should be.”

  “Revolves around me?” Both my hand flew up and my foot pressed down on the accelerator, but I didn’t notice. I was furious. “Oh, that’s rich. This is as much about you as it is about me, Cheney.”

  He lunged toward me, and I threw myself back so hard I hit my head on the window. I waited for the attack, but it never came. He was steering the car, weaving in and out of traffic as our speed continued to increase. “Do you mind taking your foot off the accelerator?” he asked curtly.

  I eased my foot back, rubbing my head where I bashed it against the window. A bump was already surfacing. Cheney directed the car toward a rest stop, and I continued to decrease the speed. By the time we were on the exit, I took over steering again. I pulled into a parking spot and jumped out the car, my entire body shaking. I paced a bit, trying to shake out some of the nerves. Cheney grabbed me by the shoulders, lifting me until my toes barely skimmed the ground.

  “What do you mean this is as much about me as it is about you?”

  “I don’t know. I just said it. It popped into my head and came out the next instant.”

  His eyes searched mine, then he sat me back on t
he ground. A couple deeps breaths later he asked, “Did you hit your head?”

  I pointed to the spot.

  “Hold still.” His hand wove through my hair and cupped over the lump. A tingling sensation spread throughout my body. “I won’t hurt you, Selene. How many times do I have to tell you that?” He tilted my face toward him, his other hand on the back of my neck. Nearly all the green in his eyes had gone metallic gold again.

  There was something wild and familiar in his expression that made me feel like he was going to swallow me whole. I wanted to run away, but he held me in place.

  “Damn it, Selene.” His voice was barely a whisper. His head lowered, inching toward mine. I was powerless to stop him—I wasn’t sure I wanted to. He abruptly let go of me and stalked away from the car, leaving me dumbfounded in the parking lot.

  My heart thumped and my thoughts rushed at a dizzying pace. I didn’t know what to do. Should I wait for him to come back? Would he even come back? Why on earth did he just completely blow up? And what had I been thinking? I almost killed us out there. I had known him three days and I had at least as many meltdowns. I was beginning to think it wasn’t my human or elf half that was emotional. It was any part of me that was around Cheney that had a tendency to overreact.

  If I left him, he’d probably be angrier, so I waited. I sat on the park table closest to the woods, crossed my legs, and placed my thumb and forefinger together, resting my hands on my knees. I pushed all of the craziness of the last few days out of my mind with each deep breath I took. I listened to the bugs chirp and steady white noise of the highway and the occasional bird. I focused only on these things until I found my center and the tension eased from my body. When I felt more like myself again, I opened my eyes. Cheney sat at the table where I was perched, staring at me. Neither of us said anything or broke eye contact.

  “Are you ready to go?” Cheney asked, breaking the silence.

  “Yes,” I replied just as quietly.

  “I’m driving,” he said.

  I handed him my keys without arguing. Cheney adjusted my seat to better fit him, and I relaxed into the passenger seat, closing my eyes. Weariness finally caught up with me.