Falling Hard

by Shelly Bell

  Loren blinked at Mitch before looking at Grayson, then me, then Blaze, then me again. He shifted. “Well, this changes things.”

  Blaze took a menacing step forward. “This changes nothing. It’s not my fault that your bother was stupid enough to fall in lust with a witch.” Loren stiffened and Mitch let him go. My father just made an enemy that he really should’ve kept a friend.

  “Hey Gray?” Loren said casually.

  “Yeah?” he replied.

  “Let’s beat the shit out of this fucker.”

  And in the blink of any eye, all three men attacked Blaze. I shouted warnings, but they ignored me, too lost in their anger to listen. My father was the most renowned wizard in the world. There was no way two witch hunters and a werewolf still in human form were going to stop him.

  The ground shook with a roar as Blaze stood up from the fray, sending the boys hurling against the wall with an invisible force. I screamed in frustration when I heard Grayson’s head hit the wall. A sharp pain immediately shot through my own, making me nauseated.

  This connection with our minds thing was bullshit. I wanted a refund.

  But before I could react, Blaze started to chant. My world dimmed. I couldn’t stop the scream from ripping from my lungs. The pain was excruciating. I fought with everything I had to keep him from pulling the power from my body.

  My skin felt like it was boiling, my muscles peeling from the bone. People say when they’re faced with death, their life flashes before their eyes. But all I saw was darkness. My body contorted in ways even a gymnast would find difficult.

  But I could not lose this battle. I could not lose Romi again. I couldn’t lose Grayson. I felt heavy, so heavy. Trying to hold on to my intangible power was like trying to catch smoke.

  “Fight, Zee! Don’t you dare give up on me,” Romi cried from far away. I felt her struggle against my bindings. “I don’t have enough energy to untie you, I’m so sorry!” How could she risk coming here? Her words pierced through the pain.

  I felt weak.

  I was losing time.

  I thought of Romi, my beloved sister. How I missed her more than I could ever describe. The hole in my soul at her absence. Every tear I’d cried since she died. I thought of summer days lying on our backs in the grass, braiding daisies into our hair. Late nights under the covers, giggling about boys. The time she’d borrowed my favorite dress for her first date, the time I gave her stitches. All of the tears we shared, the unanswered prayers we prayed. Her laugh.

  Then I thought of Mitch and Raine, Dean and Alex. Tiffany. Lilly and Hutch. Grayson. Even Jimmy and Carole. Of the people I cared about the most in this world, no matter how short of a time I had known them. And I took all the love I had for them and wrapped it around myself. Immediately, the pain stopped. I did it.

  “Hello, darlings.” Another familiar voice cut through the room. Romi gasped. I struggled to open my eyes at the figure standing in the doorway.

  It was my mother.

  Chapter 15

  Hazel

  Ginger Evanora was a sight. Despite her addictions, she was still tall, Amazonian. Her long, black hair waved behind her as she stalked forward. “How dare you harm our daughters!”

  He choked on his laugh, unable to take a full breath. “Says the woman who killed her own child and left the other one to starve.”

  “Says the man who ran away from his family. Did you tell them, Blaze, how I’m not the only one who uses black magic? That their father is addicted, too?”

  “What?” Romi and I asked in unison. She was standing next to me, but looked more like vapor than ghost. Everything was surreal.

  Our parents were standing in front of us, fighting. Loren, Grayson, and Mitch were struggling against invisible restraints, still pressed up against the wall. Grayson! I thought, concentrating hard. Are you okay? I felt a reassuring tug in the back of my mind.

  “That’s right, girls. I wasn’t the one with the problem. Well, not as big of one. Your asshole father was the one who left us with the bills,” Ginger admitted.

  “And your terrible borrowing habits got you into more trouble, you stupid witch,” Blaze bit back.

  “And it was your daughters who suffered,” Grayson spat. Both of my parents stopped and stared at him.

  What are you doing? I shouted in my head.

  Wait for it, he replied.

  Mitch’s eyes moved from the crumpled door with a smile. “That’s right. You are both the shittiest parents ever. Congratulations, do you want to know what you’ve won?”

  Aurora, Mitch’s half-demon girlfriend, stepped into the room with her demon eyes blazing and a limp, bloodied body in her hands. “Looky, looky, I found something of yours,” she purred in her chesty-demon voice. I had only experienced her demon side one other time, but it was a force to be reckoned with.

  She held the room captive, an impossible wind whipping around her. The air was charged with her presence as she walked into the center of the room. In her arms was a tortured man who was very clearly the third Lynch brother.

  “Fenton!” Grayson and Loren yelled in disbelief. Aurora walked around my parents and over to Loren, lowering Fenton into his arms. My dad took a step forward, but Aurora held up her hand and he froze, his face contorted in agony.

  “Ah ah ah,” she said. “Did I tell you to move, Blaze?” She spun around on her heel. “Release my boys.” Neither of my parents moved. “Hey, Mitch?”

  “Yeah, sweetheart?” he answered with pride.

  “Can you move?”

  “Nope.”

  Aurora flicked her wrist and my parents both crumpled to the ground. “How about now?”

  “Still no.”

  Suddenly my parents were sprawled on the floor, their eyes wide with pain. I wasn’t ashamed to smile. “Babe, how about now?”

  “Yes, dear. Thank you,” Mitch confirmed. The boys were released from the wall and they struggled to their feet. Grayson’s eyes met Loren’s for a split second, but I knew immediately what they were planning. So did Romi.

  “Is he for real?” Romi asked.

  “Damn straight,” Aurora said. “Boys, hurry. I don’t want to go full demon, so I can’t hold them much longer.”

  With three knocks on the back compartment of the wooden box, Loren pulled out a black flame candle and lit it with a lighter. Then they immediately started chanting a hunter spell in unison.

  “Zee, ready?” Aurora asked. “Do you have enough energy?” I struggled to raise my eyes to her. She grabbed my hand and nodded. We joined in the chant, and I concentrated on the energy from the candle flame, using the open channel to locate my parents’ hearts. And then I thought about all the pain of losing Romi. Of going hungry. Of being alone, cold, and forgotten. I remembered every tear, every scar, every threat.

  And I dumped it all into them. They both wailed. I felt Romi’s arm on me, needing my energy to do the same. And I knew they were feeling her now. I could practically hear the sound of the car crash again, the pain of death seeping into the room.

  Far away, I heard Grayson scramble to open the locked box. We were doing it. We were really doing it. The floor shook, the windows broke, and the room went black.

  And then suddenly, everything stopped.

  I slumped in my chair, unable to move. I was so tired, so drained. “I’m sorry,” Romi whispered. “I didn’t mean to use so much energy.”

  I tried to tell her I was okay, but I couldn’t. I concentrated on listening to the boys tie up my parents, to them locking the box that contained their powers, to the plans to get Fenton to a hospital.

  I felt Grayson’s hands on my face then on my body. He released me and I fell forward into his arms. “I’ve got you, love, I’m right here. You were so brave.” He held me close, stroking my skin softly.

  “Zee!” Mitch called, and I heard his footsteps running toward me. “Is she okay?”

  “Just exhausted,” Grayson promised. I felt Grayson’s lips brush my forehead before I fell into
a deep sleep.

  Chapter 16

  Grayson

  Raine tucked Hazel into her bed and pulled Mitch, Aurora, and I into the hallway. She met us at Hazel’s apartment the moment we got back. “You did it, Lynch. I’m proud of you.”

  I nodded. “Thanks.”

  “Her parents?”

  “Loren took Pandora’s Box to BMagic,” I explained. “I told him under penalty of death he needed to get the best price for them.” She nodded. “As for their bodies, we’re going to head back and take care of it.”

  Raine nodded. “I’ll stay here with Zee until you get back. Dean and Alex have Billy’s under control. If anyone asks, we all got hit with the stomach flu. Stay out of sight.” She pulled keys from her pocket and chucked them at Mitch, who caught them deftly.

  “Thanks, Rai. I’ll drive you back later.”

  She turned back to me. “Go kiss your love goodbye and get out of here. I want this all done by the time she wakes up.”

  I snuck back into the room, thankfully alone, and leaned over the edge of the bed. Hazel was pale, her dark hair in a tangled mess on top of her head. I brushed a few stray strands off her face and kissed her forehead, breathing her in.

  My heart hurt with how much I needed her. Even now, even when we were so new, she was one with me. And it struck me hard. I love Hazel. I loved her. I loved her, and I couldn’t wait for her to meet Fenton.

  ***

  The fairgrounds were twenty minutes away and black as night. A deep cloud cover kept the moon’s light locked away. Mitch, Aurora and I moved stealthily throughout the buildings, hauling the unconscious sacks of garbage that were Hazel’s parents.

  We put them in the stables and duct taped them together. Loren had texted me that BMagic would come take them to a “retirement home” across the country as punishment for abusing black magic. Once physically strong enough, they would be expected to earn their keep by doing manual labor. The alternative was to be thrown into “witch prison.”

  I wasn’t sure what that entailed, but I definitely didn’t want to find out.

  We stood in a half circle, eyes on the two people who tried to ruin all of our lives, until they showed up to haul them away.

  Chapter 17

  Hazel

  I stirred awake, feeling familiar arms wrapped around me. I blinked away the blurriness and was greeted by Grayson’s soft lips. “Welcome back,” he greeted, punctuating the words with a kiss.

  I smiled. “How long was I out?”

  “Two days,” he admitted.

  I bolted straight up. “It’s Friday?! I have to get to work!” But my swimming head quickly brought me back down to the bed.

  “You’re not going anywhere,” he ordered, wrapping his legs around me so I couldn’t move.

  “But it’s the night I make the most money,” I admitted, fighting back my fear. “It’s the end of the month, and I don’t have enough for rent and the payment to BMagic-”

  “Shhhh,” he whispered against my neck. Despite my panic, my toes curled at the caress of his breath on my neck. “Yes, you do.”

  “I do?” I struggled to sit up again, my body stiff from the hours of immobility. With a sigh, Grayson followed, reaching behind him to my nightstand to grab a bottle of water and a pastry. I smiled. He handed me the impromptu breakfast and sat against my headboard, making sure our bodies were still pressed against each other.

  “We sold your parents’ power to BMagic. Their debts have been paid, they were put into a secure detainment center, and there was a tidy sum left over. Not enough for you to quit working, but enough where you don’t have to worry about making rent for a while.”

  I nearly choked on my water. “Are you serious?”

  He turned to look at me and brushed my probably nasty hair away from my face. “Yes. Completely serious. You, my love, had fifty thousand dollars deposited into your bank account this afternoon. I had to bribe Celia at the bank to deposit it into your account, but it was worth it.”

  My jaw fell open. “Wait, what?! I have...bank...and holy shit!” Waves of relief and joy and sorrow for my parents and love for Grayson washed over me. And I burst into tears. He pulled the water and the Danish from my hand and wrapped me in his arms. “I c-c-can buy back my p-p-p-powers!”

  “I know,” he smiled against my skin. I felt his love inside and out. He held me while years of hunger and pain poured out of me. “I love you,” he whispered against my ear. “And I’m not going anywhere, I promise.” I cried even harder. “Hey, hey, what’s wrong?”

  I shook my head, embarrassed. “I love you back. B-b-b-but it’s too soon, isn’t it?”

  He took my hand in his and kissed the tips of my fingers. “We’ve been soul mates our whole lives. We just needed to get the whole meeting each other out of the way. And I’m not wasting any more time. I love you, Hazel Evanora.”

  My heart swelled in my chest and the tears subsided. When I was all cried out, Grayson forced me to eat and helped me get in the shower.

  I made him join me, claiming to be too weak to do it on my own. I was a big fat liar. We made slippery, soapy, passionate love until I really was weak in the knees. Then he dried my hair and carried me back to bed.

  “I want to sell the bike.”

  “Done. We’ll go car shopping next week. I’ll take care of the bike.” My eyes welled up again and I buried my face in his shoulder. “But we’re getting you a fast one with a convertible top, so you still feel like you’re flying.”

  I clung to him even harder.

  A few minutes later, Grayson let a man who looked like the kinder version of him into the apartment. I could tell immediately that it was the youngest Lynch brother. “Hazel,” Grayson said, taking a stack of packages from the boy, “I’d like you to meet Fenton.”

  He had light gray eyes like storm clouds, and was tall like his brothers. His face was still healing, his broken nose taped, but his smile was genuine. He sat gingerly on the edge of my bed. “Hazel, thank you for everything.”

  I reach out my hand and took his. “I’m so glad you’re okay. You know, I can whip you up something to help with the bruises, if you don’t mind smelling like roses.”

  Fenton flashed me a smile almost as devastating as Grayson’s. “That’d be sweet, thanks.” After a few more pleasantries, Grayson hugged Fenton tight and kicked him out, with a promise we’d all meet up for Halloween tomorrow.

  “Now, we have chocolate chip waffles, pumpkin pancakes, spicy sausage, and greasy bacon from Egg ‘n Oinks. Pastries from Roasted, and Mitch sent over one of everything from Billy’s. What do you want to eat first?”

  I threw my head back and laughed, opening my arms. “The food will wait. Come tell me you love me again.”

  He dove into my arms and made sure I knew exactly how much he loved me.

  Epilogue

  Hazel

  Raine, Romi, and I were lining the Pont d’Amour with candles before the trick-or-treaters descended in less than an hour. Last year, Billy’s staff had closed down the bridge with the college’s permission, decorating it with candles, poorly carved pumpkins, and fake spider webs. It had been such a success, the mayor asked us to do it again.

  Roasted would deliver pastries, coffee, and hot chocolate in about half an hour. Eggs ‘n Oinks had donated a dozen ghosts made from old uniforms that now hung in the trees. And of course, Billy’s had shut down for the night, the staff due at six-thirty to help hand out candy and snacks.

  Once all the candles were lined up, I flicked my wrist and the flames simultaneously went on. “My girlfriend is so sexy!” I heard Grayson call from the edge of the bridge. I rolled my eyes as he carried boxes of disposable cups toward the serving station. He leaned in for a quick kiss. “Loren and Fenton are behind me with plates and utensils.”

  I looked over my shoulder and waved to the two men whose arms were loaded up with boxes. Behind them, Mitch pulled a cart stacked with chafing dishes and Aurora carried cake boxes full of cupcakes. “Hey girlie,
we’re crashing early!” Aurora shouted.

  “Just the way I like my women,” I called back. “Ready to party!”

  “Hot!” Blake called, coming out of the trees behind Aurora. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

  “Blake, keep it in your pants,” Cat warned, coming up and kissing both of my cheeks. “Glad you’re feeling better, Zee, I heard the flu kicked your butt!”

  “Oh yes, major fatigue,” I lied smoothly. “Glad I got better before the party!”

  “Me too!” My heart leapt to my throat in excitement at the familiar voice. I turned around, my mouth hanging open. “My ankle is killing me and I need your magic touch,” Lilly smiled sheepishly at me, holding onto Hutch’s arm for dear life.

  “What are you doing here?” I screamed, wrapping Lilly in my arms and squeezing her tight.

  She laughed and squeezed back. “It’s a long story that will involve pumpkin lattes and girl time. Is my apartment still empty?”

  “Yes, yes, yes! Please say you’ll move back in and save me from Mrs. Pennington!” I released her and wiped away the emotions threatening to pour from my eyes.

  “First thing in the morning,” Lilly promised. Hutch growled and kissed her neck. "Make that afternoon."

  As the crowd started to filter out from the town, I was startled to see Professor Kelley, my Business Law professor, standing at the far end of the bridge talking with Cat’s roommate. I think her name was Isabella. At first glance, nothing looked out of the ordinary. But there was something in my gut that told me she was special to him.

  I looked around at the family I had assembled to celebrate this amazing holiday. Romi giggled. “This reminds me so much of my birthday present. But with more candles and better food,” she smiled. “’Que les âmes perdues contemplant ce pont fassent leur vœu, à ce moment là seulement le chemin vers l'amour véritable s'ouvrira à eux.’”

  My eyes snapped to hers as I remembered that night only three months ago. The words stung as they rolled off my tongue, “‘When lost souls look upon the bridge and make a wish, they will find their true path to love.’”