by Kaitlyn Hoyt
I can’t experience another situation similar to Claire. I just can’t.
“Ryanne,” he opens and closes his mouth a couple of times, trying to gather his thoughts. “I understand why you had to go, but couldn’t you have told us where you going? We were left here not knowing if we were ever going to see you again.” He leans forward and tucks a curl behind my ear. “You may not care about your safety, but some of us do.” His hand lingers at my ear for a moment, before he clears his throat and gets up and leaves the room.
My eyes follow him out of the room before I turn toward Liam, “What was that about?” Liam wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me toward him but never answers the question. I scan the room.
No one can look me in the eyes.
Chapter Four
I open my eyes in the middle of the grassy field. I do love this place…when I’m not being attacked by anything. I sit up and look around, waiting for Liam to appear. I’m a little worried. What could be so important that he can’t tell me in front of everyone?
“Ryanne.”
I jump and look behind me to find Liam walking across the field in my direction. “When did you get here?” I ask.
“A couple of seconds ago,” he says as he sits down on the ground next to me.
“Ok, so what’s this big secret you’re keeping?” I lean toward him, waiting and preparing myself for the worst. I can’t think of anything that he would intentionally keep from me.
He sighs. “It’s not necessarily a big secret. I just wasn’t sure how you’d respond when you found out, so I thought this would be the best way to tell you.” I lay down on my back and wait for him to continue. During his pause, I look up at the clouds. The soft white clouds move ever so slightly with the breeze. This place is so real. I turn my head towards him when he speaks again. “Do you remember when I told you the story about that pendant?”
“About how your mom made it?”
“Yeah, actually let me give you a little history lesson first. In my mage tribe, the Seasnáns, all the men are protectors. I am. Bragden is. When we reach puberty, our mothers will make a pendant for us signifying that we are now old enough and strong enough to begin our training to help and protect others. Each man only gets one, and he has to wear it every day. Every single day.”
“What happens if you were to take it off?”
“All my strength will eventually be drained out of me. I’ll gradually weaken. It doesn’t happen quickly, but it’ll happen. The pendant keeps everything connected together. Magic. Strength. Life.”
“Oh my gosh, Liam.” I grab onto the flame and start to take the pendent off when his hand stops me.
“You have to hear the rest of the story, Ryanne.” There’s more to the story? I let go of the necklace and give him my attention again. “As I mentioned, every male is given one pendent. It’s said that the pendants are meant to be given to the one person that we are supposed to protect. Each man is given one person in life that he’s meant to protect in some way. Apparently, you’ll find a way to that person. Somehow you’ll discover who you are going to protect.
“When you were stabbed in that dream, you would have been stabbed when you returned to your body. I had this feeling that you were the person I was meant to protect, so I gave you the pendant in the hopes that you wouldn’t be injured when you returned. Considering you’re still here, it must’ve worked; though, I honestly have no idea why. I’m supposed to protect you, Ryanne. You’re the person that my pendant accepts. It’s telling me that I have to remain by your side to protect you.” He lets out a breathy laugh. “You’re not making it easy for me either.”
“So, you have to protect me…is that why I’m so comfortable around you?” I can feel tears start to rise in my eyes. For some reason, it really hurts knowing that the pendant is the only reason that Liam is my friend. I thought we shared something special.
“No, no. Ryanne, listen to me. That pendant doesn’t affect you in any way. It doesn’t affect your emotions or feelings. I’m your friend. That’s why you’re comfortable around me,” he pauses and runs his hand through his hair. “I would have told you sooner if that was the case.”
Ok, so the pendant doesn’t affect me, but does it affect him? “Liam, what happens to you if I take the pendent off?”
“I’ll die,” he whispers. I shoot up and face him.
“What? Are you serious?”
“It wouldn’t be instantaneous, but like I mentioned earlier, all my strength will be drained and I’ll eventually die. I’ve heard it’s very painful when someone refuses protection after the pendant has been given away. The pendants basically choose who they think are worthy of protection and mine chose you. I need to be able to protect you, Ryanne. I need you to trust me.”
“This doesn’t make you like my…” I stumble through my words.
“It doesn’t mean that we are destined to be together, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m just meant to protect you at this point in your life. Because of the pendant, I can usually tell where you are. Sometimes I’ll get this weird feeling if you need help or comforting,” he explains. “Being around you gives me strength, which I’ll need to protect you with. That means no more hero stunts, ok? I’m not sure any of us can take it anymore. You’ve scared us a lot recently.”
“I’m not trying to, Liam. Danger just follows me around. I don’t ask for it to come to me.”
“I know. I know. Just next time you feel the need to go save someone, invite me, ok? I can help you. It’s physically draining knowing that I’m supposed to help you, and you won’t let me.”
“If you told me earlier, I would have brought you. You’re less annoying than Larkin.” He chuckles at my comment. I watch him. I know that sounds weird, but it doesn’t happen all too often with Liam. It’s nice to see him smile and it actually reach his eyes. It’s a good look for him. “I’ll try to include you in my near-death experiences from now on.”
“That’s all I’m asking for. Now go get some sleep.”
I wake up the next morning, and Emma is already in the shower. Since I took a shower last night, I just grab my “Team Weasley” Harry Potter t-shirt and a pair of shorts and get dressed. Once I’m fully clothed, I knock on the bathroom door. Emma stops singing a Lady Gaga song.
“Yeah?”
“I’m coming in to brush my teeth. I’ll make it quick!” I say as I open the door. Grabbing a washcloth off the counter, I wipe off the mirror. Because of Emma’s shower, it’s covered in steam. I gasp when I see my reflection. My hair is sticking up in every direction. I brush my teeth before I bother trying to fix my hair.
The water in the shower turns off, and Emma walks out with a towel wrapped around her body. She moves past me and heads into the room to get dressed, while I work on my hair. Ten minutes later and with no improvement, I give up. “Do you want to switch hair with me for a day?” I ask Emma.
“Of course.” She laughs when she sees my expression. “Hmm, your hair is a little thicker today than it usually is.” She grabs a couple of bobby pins and gets to work on my hair. She braids my bangs back and pins them down behind my ears. When she reaches for her straightener, I decide that I’ve had enough and run out of the room before she turns back around. “Oh come on Ryanne, let me straighten your hair!” she calls after me as I run down the stairs and into the kitchen.
“What’s up, buttercup?” Logan says with a smile at the same time that Emma runs into the room.
“You are such a spoil sport. First you refuse to dress somewhat girly, wearing all those nerd shirts with the weird sayings on them,” she points to my Harry Potter shirt. “And now you won’t let me do your hair or make-up.” She puts her hands on her hips. “I don’t know what to do with you.” I walk around the table and sit down in the seat between Bragden and Liam.
“There’s nothing wrong with how I dress, and what’s the point in doing your hair and make-up when we always end up training and getting all sweaty and gross?” I pull my le
gs up onto the chair and wrap my arms around them. “And it’s not like I’m trying to impress anyone. I don’t really care about my appearance, Emma. Sorry to disappoint ya.” My smirk turns into a full smile when I hear the guys laughing around me.
Emma turns toward David. “Do you see what I have to put up with on a daily basis?”
“Oh, I’m not that bad. No one has run screaming from me because I look that bad…yet.”
“They haven’t seen you when you first wake up.” She looks around the table. “Her hair is literally this big,” she tells them and puts her hands up to her head to show the size.
“I do not have an afro in the morning.”
“Ok,” she relents, “but it’s still crazy.”
“I’ll give you that.”
Tom comes into the room and grabs an apple off the counter. “Who all is going today?” David, Emma, Colton, and Liam all raise their hands.
“Going where?” I ask. They all made plans, but no one told me about them?
Tom looks over at Emma. “You didn’t tell her?”
“Psh, if I told her earlier she would have locked herself in our room and pulled a bunch of magic around her so no one could touch her. So, no. I didn’t tell her.”
“What’s going on?” I ask Liam. “Why would I have done that?”
“We’re going shopping today,” Emma replies. When I groan, she continues. “Well, you’ve destroyed like all of your clothes already, so you have to come with us. If you don’t, I’ll steal every article of clothing you have left while you’re in the shower and hide them randomly throughout the house.”
“I could just read your mind and find where you hid everything.”
“I’ll take all your bras and hide them in the guys’ rooms.” She crosses her arms over her chest and stares at me from across the table. The guys kept glancing between the two of us, waiting to see what will happen next.
She’s challenging me? Shaking my head, I lean toward Liam. “She does realize who she’s talking to, right?” David stands up and takes a couple steps away from Emma, knowing that I have something up my sleeve.
“Don’t you dare, Ryanne!” I call my magic to me and concentrate on visualizing what I want to happen. I close my eyes and wait for her reaction—her scream when my magic hits her. When I hear her gasp, I open my eyes and smile. There is a small rain cloud directly above Emma, pouring water onto her. She is soaking wet and gaping at me in shock. Her blonde hair is plastered to her face, and her clothing sticks to her body. Everyone around the table starts laughing. Spitting water out of her mouth, she turns and glares at David. I call wind to me and blow it on Emma like a giant blow dryer. When I finish, her hair is a mess, but she is dry again.
“Now who has big hair?”
“Well played, but you’re still going with us.”
When the laughter dies down a little, I say, “Do you remember what happened the last time I was surrounded by a lot of strangers? I collapsed under the pressure. I can’t block that many thoughts. It’s too hard.”
“That’s why you’ll focus on Colton the whole time. You can’t read his thoughts, right?” Emma asks.
“No, but I’ll still be able to hear everyone else.” They’ll be muted, but I’ll still be able to hear them.
“You know what I’ll buy for you if I have to go by myself.”
I groan at the idea of Emma shopping for me. She’ll buy every pink and frilly article of clothing out there as payback for what I just did. I can’t let that happen. “Fine, but if I pass out, it’s on you,” I warn her.
“Yeah, yeah. Blame Emma. It’s all her fault. No big deal. Now I have to go fix my hair,” she mumbles as she turns around and leaves the room.
“Who’s Weasley? And why are you on his team?” Bragden asks me.
I turn toward him, mouth hanging open, surprised at his question. Liam and Colton laugh at my reaction. “Who’s Weasley?” I repeat his question.
He nods, so I turn toward Liam incredulously. “He doesn’t know who Ron Weasley is?” Still laughing, he shakes his head. I turn back to Bragden, who is clearly confused at my reaction. “Muggle,” I mumble to him, which causes the guys to laugh again. I definitely need to remedy his lack of Harry Potter knowledge and soon. What kind of mage doesn’t know about the wizarding world of Harry Potter? I mean come on. We’re the closest thing there is in real life to wizards.
Emma walks back into the room, hair fixed and purse in hand. “Ok, I’m ready. Let’s go,” she announces and then leaves again, heading outside. David gets up and follows her out. Liam and Colton push their chairs back from the table and stand, looking down at me. I just smile up at them and remain seated. I’m not going without a fight. Bragden and Logan laugh beside me, amused at how I’m acting.
“You’re really going to make us force you to come?” Colton asks. I keep my eyes glued to the wall on the opposite side of their room and avoid their gazes. Liam just stands in the doorway, shaking his head at me. Seeing movement out of the corner of my eye, I put on the most innocent expression that I can muster. Colton walks toward me, so I move behind Bragden. When he gets closer, I push a shield of magic out, separating the two of us. Colton’s smile widens as he looks over my shoulder. I turn to see what he is looking at when I feel an arm wrap around my waist and pull me toward the door.
“Shoot. That’s not fair,” I say as Liam pulls me out of the room. “Guys, I hate shopping.” My voice comes out whiney, but I don’t care. “Liam, let me go,” I demand as he pulls me closer to the front door.
They’re laughing at my feeble attempt to get away. When we make it out of the front door, I stop struggling, and Liam unwraps his arm from my waist. He shouldn’t trust that I’ll just listen to them. I walk a couple more steps before I turn around and try to run back into the house. I make it past Liam before Colton is able to stop me.
“I don’t think so,” he whispers to me as he guides me toward the vehicle.
“It was worth a try,” I mumble as I get into the car. David is sitting in the driver’s seat, waiting for everyone to get in. I follow Liam into the car and sit between him and Colton. When Colton closes the door, David starts the car, and we’re off.
Chapter Five
Colton
Sitting in a parking spot at the mall, I watch Ryanne as she tries to push as many thoughts as possible back into that ‘mental box’ of hers.
David turns around and looks at Liam and me. “I can’t believe she tried to make a run for it. I’ve never met a girl who didn’t like to shop before.”
“She’s not like most girls, David.”
Emma unbuckles and turns around in her seat. “Wait ‘til she finds out I’m taking her to Victoria’s Secret,” she says with an evil grin. “Teach her to use her magic on me.” She scoffs and looks down at her.
Ryanne sits up. “Ok, I’m as good as I’m going to get. Let’s get this over with.” Emma jumps up and opens her car door. I get out and help Ryanne step out of the car. She grimaces at the mall. I laugh as we start walking toward the door. Liam grabs her wrist and pulls her along.
Standing just inside the doorway of the first store, Ryanne stumbles back into Liam. He steadies her as she closes her eyes, taking deep breaths. David and Liam both look concerned. We knew it would be difficult to be in such a public place like this, but I don’t think any of us realized how difficult it would be for her. She slowly opens her eyes. “I’m good.”
“Are you sure?” Liam looks down at her.
She arches her neck and looks up at him and says, “No, but I’m not going to get any better, so let’s make this quick.” Emma turns around and starts walking away. David takes one last look at Ryanne before following her. Liam keeps a hold of her wrist and slowly starts to walk. I stand slightly behind her just in case she is to fall.
After taking a couple of steps, she picks up her speed. She doesn’t seem to be hurting anymore, so I’m assuming the voices aren’t too loud. Emma stops and waits for the rest of us to
catch up. “Where to first?” she asks. Ryanne just crosses her arms and scans the mall. A small smile forms on her face, so I look in that direction and watch an elderly couple walking hand in hand into the small bookstore. When Emma realizes that Ryanne isn’t paying attention, she grabs her arm and starts pulling her toward a store. Ryanne turns around, sighs loudly, and lets Emma drag her.
An hour later, David, Liam, and I are standing outside a store, waiting while the girls shop. “She doesn’t seem to be hurting too much,” David says. “She obviously doesn’t like to be here, but she’s not complaining anymore.”
“She’s been blushing the whole time we’ve been here. She’s definitely not enjoying herself.” At that, Emma walks out carrying a bag, still dragging Ryanne behind her.
“She is the worst person to shop with. She won’t look at anything.”
“Everything in there was pink. Do I look like I wear pink?” She crosses her arms and then looks behind her, her blush darkening. I look past her and see a group of guys staring in our direction. Anger pulsates through me. They must have seen it on my face because they start walking away.
I move so I am standing behind her and scoot her between Liam and I. “Focus on me, Ryanne. Ignore everyone else.”
She looks up toward me and I see the weariness in her expression. “I’ve been trying, but it feels like everyone is screaming at me.” She closes her eyes and another look of concentration mars her pretty face.
I look up toward David and Emma, “We need to hurry up.”
“Well, if she wouldn’t make this so difficult, we could leave a lot quicker.” Ryanne opens her eyes, and Emma starts pulling her toward another store. I laugh when I see the store Emma is walking toward. Ryanne looks up and stops dead in her tracks and starts shaking her head.
“Oh no. I don’t think so.” She starts to turn around, but Emma continues walking. Emma leans forward and puts all her weight into pulling Ryanne along. We stop and stand out of the way of the traffic and watch as Ryanne struggles against the determined Emma.
