Six Times a Charm

by Deanna Chase

  “It will put him in danger, and I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. It really isn’t fair to stay with him.”

  “What time do you want me there?”

  “In about an hour.” I gave him my address and then got ready for lunch, feeling much more at ease.

  ***

  I came out of the bedroom, dressed and calm. Cheney looked up from the couch. “What time do you need to be there?”

  “Oh, I’ll leave as soon as Sy arrives.”

  He froze. “Why is Sy coming?”

  “I told you, I don’t want you to come with me, and since you wouldn’t discuss it, I found my own alternative protection.”

  Cheney’s eye twitched and he stood up, stalking in my direction. “You think he’ll do a better job protecting you than I will?”

  I swallowed hard. “That’s not why I called him.”

  “Then why?” He leaned in. His whiskers scratched my cheek and his whisper tickled my ear.

  “Guilt,” I whispered back.

  Cheney pulled back, his eyebrows knitting together. There was a knock on the door and I escaped before he could reply. Sy stood on the other side.

  “You ready?” he asked, all ease and smiles.

  “I’ll be back soon,” I told Cheney without looking back.

  Michael already had a patio table when I arrived. Sy told me he’d be around, then disappeared. I steeled my nerves and walked up to the table. Michael stood and kissed my cheek, then pulled out a chair for me.

  “I’ve missed you. How’s your grandma?” he asked, taking my hand.

  I slipped out of his grasp and took a drink of water. “Michael, we need to talk.”

  Instantly, worry appeared in his eyes. “Okay…”

  “I have to go out of town for a while. I don’t know how long.” I paused, trying to think of how to phrase the next part.

  Michael let out a breath. “I thought you were going to call off the engagement.” He laughed. “Where are you going?”

  I pressed my lips together. “I am.” My voice barely met my own ears, but he went still.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t really explain.”

  “There’s someone else, isn’t there?”

  I started to deny it, but the memory of kissing Cheney left a scorching trail through my mind. “Someone I knew a very long time ago.”

  “And you’re sure you want to be with him?”

  I shook my head. “But the fact that I think I might is enough.” I handed Michael the ring. “I am sorry.”

  He held the lovely piece of jewelry in his hands, looking at it like it was cursed. With a deep breath he stood up. “I always thought the coldness was a front because you have such a warm heart about so many other things, but you’re not even upset, Selene. I wanted to spend my life with you, and you break up with me as easily as you order a salad.” With that he stalked away.

  I took another drink of water and looked at my steady hand. He was right. When it came to love I was cold, shut off. What was wrong with me? I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, Sy was across from me.

  “Could’ve gone worse,” he said. “You want to stay for lunch?”

  I wasn’t ready to see Cheney yet so I nodded. “When I was…you know, my other self…” I raised my eyebrows and he nodded slightly, “how did I feel about love?”

  “You always had a big heart, Selene, but you never wanted to be tied down. Cheney didn’t understand that.”

  “Did I love him?”

  Sy leaned back in his chair and thought for a while. “Only you can really know that.”

  I nodded. I would find out soon enough. Sy and I ordered lunch and spent the rest of the meal getting reacquainted. By the end, I knew we would be very good friends. He rode home with me, then kissed my forehead and vanished.

  I unlocked my door and noticed that now, knowing Cheney was on the other side, my hands were shaking.

  He nodded as I came through but didn’t ask how it went. “Are you ready for tonight? You have everything you need?”

  I still had some minor packing to do, but I was mostly prepared. “Yes.”

  “Why would my being at the restaurant make you feel guilty?” His eyes studied me, taking in every tell, knowing exactly where to look.

  I frowned and walked back to my bedroom to finish packing. I didn’t know exactly what to bring so I went for comfortable. I made sure I had my iPod, charger, and headphones. I hugged my pillow to my chest and inhaled deeply. I already missed home.

  ***

  We stood in the middle of a forest, God only knew where. Cheney had transported each of us to a natural clearing where the ground vibrated with its own energy and the moon shone down full and bright, turning the leaves above us silver. The remnants of what was probably an old stone altar made me believe this wasn’t just a convenient spot. He had obviously used the past two days to find the best location.

  I looked up at the moon in silent prayer—don’t let this be a mistake. Cheney obviously thought this was the best idea and no one in the coven posed any objections to awakening my other half. I appeared to be the only one with trepidation. I avoided Jessica and Leslie, not wanting them to touch me and feel the worry consuming me. Katrina watched my interactions with Cheney with obvious interest. Devin studied the spell, making the odd adjustment here and there until she was completely satisfied.

  Cheney stood beside me, always nearly touching me but never quite. He stared into the dark forest. I had no doubt he could see just as well inside the forest as he could where we stood.

  “I’m nervous,” I confessed softly, part of me hoping he would say that I shouldn’t go through with it then. But he didn’t. Instead he told me everything would be fine and I needed to do this. I hid my disappointment and walked over to Kat and Jess, who were laughing softly.

  “Hey, lady, you ready for this?” Kat asked.

  “Yeah, let’s get this shindig started. It’s nearly midnight. Is Devin almost ready?” Jessica asked. Katrina and I shrugged. I went over to Devin and Leslie to see how they were coming along. Cheney caught my eye, but I quickly looked away from him.

  Leslie took my arm. “How long did you say you’ve known him?”

  “He knew me before I was a changeling.”

  She nodded. “The two of you are bound to one another.”

  “No. Well, not really. I mean, he said he was bound to me so he could protect me, but I’m not to him.”

  Her eyebrows pulled together. “No, you are. You’re both tightly joined to one another. I can see it between the two of you. Your paths will always run together through all time.”

  “How can you tell?”

  “I can see it. I couldn’t at the studio when we first met him, but out here I can. It’s like a stream of sparks running between the two of you. Right now it’s stretched, but it does not break. When you stood next to him it enclosed the two of you. Even now, look at his face. He feels the distance. His stance is altered; his body turns toward you. You’re the same way. You guys may not be aware of it, but it’s there.”

  I looked down. My body was facing him. I had only turned my head toward Leslie. Cheney met my eyes. This time I didn’t turn away. So we were connected. What exactly did that mean? Cheney moved toward me; I met him in the middle.

  “Did you need something?” I asked.

  “No.” Cheney shook his head as if trying to clear it. He touched my arm and sighed as if relieved in some way.

  “Are we connected?” I asked him bluntly, wanting to know how much he knew.

  “Did you have another memory?” he asked.

  “No.”

  “I told you. I’m bound to you.”

  “But I’m not bound to you?”

  “Do you feel like you are?” he asked carefully.

  “I feel like you’re not telling me what you know.” My patience wore thin.

  “It’s best if you recover these memories on your own.”

  “
Cheney…”

  “Yes, okay, yes. You are to me as I am to you.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because I’d rather you feel and remember than be told.”

  “Is everyone ready?” Devin called out.

  I wasn’t sure whether to be angry he kept the secret or grateful he wasn’t pushing feelings on me that I no longer had. My eyes prickled with tears. Why did he have his effect on me? I gave in to it suddenly, kissing him full on the mouth.

  His body went rigid with surprise, then he was kissing back, smothering any last worries or doubts I had with the inferno that touching him caused. He pulled me closer, weaving his hand into my hair. Energy pulsed around us, through us. My mind was empty of thought. All I could do was feel the rightness of his touch. He pulled back and rested his forehead against mine, making my heart clench. I took a deep breath, knowing I couldn’t wait any longer.

  It was time.

  Chapter 16

  “I’m ready,” I told Devin. All my friends looked at me with silly grins on their faces. “Not a word.” I held up a warning finger as I walked over to what would be my position in the circle.

  The protective circle was outlined in a variety of colors of agate and jasper stones, all signifying various elements to protect us while in the circle. The agates were primarily there to bring stability and acceptance while absorbing negativity and bringing peace. The jasper would ground us against fear and external threats. Cheney stayed outside of the circle. However, his energy crackled all across the clearing.

  I stood in the center of the circle. Devin initiated the ritual. She picked up her consecrated salt, stirring it three times counterclockwise. Leslie picked up the chalice of water and did the same thing. I visualized my energy flowing into the water and salt as Devin circled us with the salt. When she finished, she added a pinch of salt to the water and she nodded to Leslie.

  “May this power be doubled, thus increased, as life joins life to create a greater force than either,” Leslie repeated three times as she walked the perimeter of the circle, sprinkling the salt water.

  Katrina picked up the incense and followed the exact same path Leslie walked. “Triple this power with this combination of fire and air. Let nothing penetrate the protection manifested.” Katrina returned to her position.

  Lighting a green candle on the altar, Devin said, “I call on the guardian of the north to witness this rite and guard this circle.”

  “I call on the guardian of the east to witness this rite and guard this circle,” Katrina called to the heavens while lighting a yellow candle.

  “I call on the guardian of the south to witness this rite and guard this circle,” Jessica said, her arms spread out wide, the red candle blazing in front of her.

  Leslie lit the final candle—a blue one. “I call on the guardian of the west to witness this rite and guard this circle.”

  In unison we finished the ceremony. “In this circle we are bound with power all around. Between the worlds we stand with the guardians to protect us at hand.”

  They joined hands and Devin once again led the spell. “By the power of earth, we call to the mother of the moon to restore that which was bound. With these ancient runes, we ask you, hear our sound.” She lay four specific runes she had chosen on the altar.

  Katrina continued seamlessly. “By the power of air unmake the spell that binds. Take the fog from her eyes and help her find that which will make her wise.” Katrina laid the Book of Shadows on the altar.

  Jessica placed an old carved mirror on the altar. “By the power of fire, awaken what was hidden. Out of protection and love, make it no longer forbidden. Let her be complete with the power above.”

  Leslie stepped forward as Jessica spoke her last word. “By the power of water I beseech you by the rule of three. Return what she cannot see. Return what she cannot see. Return what she cannot see.”

  I took the blade and sliced my palm, squeezing my blood into a bowl. The spell was said three more times, the circle’s joined hands reaching towards the sky. The energy grew in intensity. Our voices rose loud enough to be heard over the rushing sound inside of the cone of the power. With the last word of the spell, a loud crack shook the forest as we sent our intentions into the universe with the force of a freight train. I looked at the moon. It seemed to be moving closer to get a better look at me. I could feel the gravitational pull on my skin. All of my senses were hypersensitive. I tore my eyes away and we grounded the energy as one.

  All five of us sat on the ground, breathing deeply, strength completely zapped. That was without a doubt the most powerful spell we had ever tried. I lay back in the grass staring up. The moon once again looked like the moon. In fact everything seemed to be exactly the same as it had been. I didn’t feel different or more powerful. How anti-climatic, I thought with a smile. I had worked myself up over nothing. The girls began to stir and get up. I stayed where I was. I was comfortable and so very relieved. I let my eyes close, enjoying the beautiful night air, smells, and the sound of nature around me. Sleep started to move in around the edges. I was just so tired.

  “Selene.” Cheney’s voice drifted above me. I opened my eyes. Everyone was staring down at me.

  I smiled, far beyond relief. The spell didn’t take. I was still just me. “I feel the same.”

  “What do you mean?” Cheney squatted and tilted my chin so he could inspect my eyes.

  I moved my head away from him. “I’m tired, but I feel exactly the same. No more powerful or elfish.”

  “It didn’t work?” Cheney looked at my friends. “Maybe you shouldn’t have changed the spell.”

  “She looks the same to me,” Katrina said.

  Leslie touched my arm. “She feels the same.”

  “Why don’t we all back away from Selene, before she hits us,” Jessica said with her own smile as she winked at me.

  “Look at her ears,” Devin said quietly.

  Immediately my hands popped up to my ears. Sure enough, they both had slight points at the tips. Other than that they were exactly the same, but the pin drop of trepidation had already begun to spread.

  Cheney pulled my hand from my ear so he could see. His smile made me want to push him away. “Why doesn’t she feel different?”

  “I have no idea. It isn’t like this is an exact science. Maybe it takes time to manifest.”

  I had enough of them inspecting me. I stood and brushed nonexistent dirt from my clothes.

  “Her skin is a little more golden—like you needed even more perfect skin. Whore,” Katrina added good-naturedly, making me smile.

  Cheney shot Katrina a disgusted look that she didn’t notice.

  “What do you feel, Selene?” Jessica asked me.

  “Tired,” I said. I tried to dig deeper to see what else, if anything, I felt. “Relieved I’m not completely changed—and annoyed that you guys are inspecting me like a rental car.”

  The girls laughed. “Yep, definitely hasn’t changed for the better,” Devin said.

  “Selene needs to go to the safe house, and then I’ll come back and take the rest of you home.” He looked at them expectantly and they all nodded.

  Before I let him take me anywhere, I gave each of them a hug, not knowing when or if I’d see them again. Leslie and Devin cried. Katrina sniffled but told me she’d see me soon, and Jessica told me to hurry back.

  Cheney finally pulled me away. “Selene, you have to go. That was way too much magic not to draw attention.”

  I didn’t resist and rested against him, watching my friends fade away. A moment later I stood in the beautiful house that wasn’t home.

  “I’ll be back. Try not to fall asleep before I return,” Cheney told me. He waited for me to nod before he disappeared.

  I wandered around the house because if I sat down it would be lights out. The refrigerator was fully stocked, as were the cabinets. The sofa was made from the softest leather I’d ever felt. A long, narrow, glass fireplace lit one end of the living
room. The flames flickered in a mesmerizing dance that made me want to curl up on the soft couch and watch them. Instead, I slowly shuffled to the bedrooms to see which one I would claim as my own. They were all pretty much the same. The only real distinction was the view from the window. I chose the one with the acres of dark forest. I stared out the window, trying to decide if I was seeing better in the dark or if the moon was just that much brighter tonight.

  “Is this the room you would like?” Cheney’s voice came from behind me.

  “Is that all right?” I asked, not turning around.

  “Of course, whatever you want.” His hands were heavy on my shoulders as he turned me toward him.

  “All I really want is sleep,” I said, ready to launch into a tired speech about how I still didn’t know how I felt about him.

  Cheney gave me an amused grin. “My intentions are nothing but honorable.”

  “Then why exactly did I have to stay awake?”

  “What do you see when you look at me?”

  “I see you.” I yawned, sick of this game.

  “No. Do you see me as blending in me or as elf me?”

  “I see you exactly as I have seen you.”

  Cheney frowned. “Focus and look at me. You should be able to see through the glamour.”

  I brushed his hands away. “You kept me awake to run tests on me?”

  Cheney didn’t respond, but that was obviously the case.

  “Tomorrow you can run all the tests you like—well, until you annoy me and we get into a fight—but tonight, I’m going to bed.”

  I patted him on the arm and crawled under the covers. “Get the light and door on your way out.”

  Cheney sighed loudly but did as I asked.

  Blessed, blessed sleep.

  ***

  The sound of voices woke me up. Cheney and someone I didn’t recognize were talking softly, but when I focused on just listening, I could make out most of what they were saying.

  “It’s not going well, Cheney. They’re recruiting. Rumors are they’re trying to entice the vampires now.”

  “They’re not even fae. What concern is it of theirs who rules?” Cheney sounded annoyed.