Bell, Book, and Sandals
Page 38
The next two weeks after the break-up with Ryan were cold and hard, filled with guilt, avoidance, and plenty of attacks on my life. It was a good thing I had control of my powers because they were really putting them to the test. Creatures whose names I couldn’t even pronounce were lining up to take a swing at me. Whether Ryan’s dad had placed a bigger bull’s-eye on my back, or everyone just wanted a shot at the new witch, I didn’t know. I was getting a magical workout either way, and although it helped to hone my skills, I was truly getting sick of it. I couldn’t even go shopping anymore, for fear I would blow up some boutique and they’d never let me back in.
Van had given me time off from work as well. She said it was because I needed less stress in my life, but I think she only did it so I wouldn’t destroy the hotel in an epic battle for my life. And I had to admit she was right. I didn’t know where and when something was going to show up. I could find an Ogre in my car, or a Duppy in the sitting area of my favorite coffee shop. It was enough to drive a girl insane.
The only place I hadn’t been attacked yet was inside our apartment. And I was beginning to spend more and more time there. I was going to turn into some eccentric recluse at this rate.
Yep, I vant to be alone.
And then there was Jensen. Every time I turned around, he was at the apartment, checking up on me. I get that he was concerned. I had magical hit men gunning for me every time I turned around, not to mention they were probably being sent by my ex-boyfriend’s father. The very same boyfriend who had turned out to be a vampire. It was amazing I hadn’t completely snapped by this point.
But Jensen showing up all the time wasn’t helping anything at all. I felt guilty every time I saw him, which just added to the misery I was in. He and I had a connection, one stronger than anything I had ever felt before. And having a piece of his soul attached to mine just made everything even more confusing.
I couldn’t get that kiss out of my mind. It had been perfect, magical even, but that’s all it was, wasn’t it? I had been dying and it was the magical balm to bring me back.
And I loved Ryan, even though I had to get away from him. I had broken his heart, so what right did I have to even contemplate being with another guy? And Jensen had been guilty of the same thing Ryan was. Everyone had. They all left me in the dark about what was really out there. I needed to forget about both of them and work on my life. I needed to worry about keeping it.
I was in the living room, watching a marathon of some kind of reality show, trying to pretend I wasn’t miserable. Though in all honesty, if I had to watch one more chick fight, I was going to scream. Everyone was at work and I was going stir crazy. I couldn’t spend my life in the apartment. I needed to be out in the world. Shopping, socializing, living life to the fullest. I refused to be a prisoner, trapped in my own life.
Getting up from the couch, I headed into the bathroom to check my makeup. I was going out, even if it was only for an iced latte. I wouldn’t let fear ruin my life. My fear or the fear of the other’s around me. I was a grown witch, a powerful witch, and I was going out.