Wicked Dreams

by Lily Harper Hart

  “But … .”

  “Go and see Aunt Felicity,” Max prodded. “You’re overwhelmed. She’ll help you … clear your channels, or whatever it is the two of you do together.”

  “We usually gossip about you,” Ivy said.

  “Well, do that then,” Max said, winking. “I promise I won’t let Kelly out of my sight. I’ll make sure she has fun.”

  “Thank you,” Ivy said, hugging him again.

  “You don’t have to thank me for loving you,” Max said. “Even though I wanted to trade you for Matchbox cars when you were little, I’ve always wanted to take care of you.”

  FELICITY GOODINGS was Luna Morgan’s sister and an avowed witch. Unlike Ivy, who balked at identifying herself in such a way on most days, Felicity was more than happy to tell anyone who would listen that she was in tune with otherworldly spirits. Since she owned a magic shop, Ivy knew her aunt did part of it for show. She was also blessed with other gifts, though.

  “Hello, my darling,” Felicity said, drawing Ivy in for a hug when she walked through the door of her store. “I haven’t seen or heard from you in days. I was starting to worry.”

  “I’m okay,” Ivy said, hoisting herself up on one of the stools next to the counter. “How are you?”

  “I’m fine,” Felicity said, pushing Ivy’s hair out of her face so she could study her more closely. “You look exhausted. Your aura is … scattered.”

  “I hate it when you do that,” Ivy said. “Just because you can see auras, that doesn’t mean you should comment on them.”

  “If you would open yourself up to other things, I’m going to bet you could see auras, too,” Felicity said. “You’re too stubborn to let anyone – or anything, for that matter – take control of you. You’re the most obstinate witch I know.”

  “Well, I can’t see auras,” Ivy said. “I have been doing a little dream walking, though.”

  Felicity stilled. “Really? Wow. I’ve never been able to do that. I always thought it would be fun.”

  “Well, it’s not,” Ivy said. She told her aunt about Jack’s dreams, refusing to go into too much detail about his past because she didn’t want to betray him. When she was done, Felicity was smiling. “That’s not the reaction I was expecting.”

  “I’m just happy for you,” Felicity said.

  “Because I’m invading Jack’s dreams?”

  “Because you’ve found your match,” Felicity said.

  “Oh, don’t go there,” Ivy said. “You know very well that Jack is not interested in a relationship.”

  “He’s probably still not interested in a relationship,” Felicity said. “That’s what he’s telling himself, at least. His head is out of the relationship game. His heart has been spoken for since the moment he saw you, though.”

  “You’ve always been a romantic at heart,” Ivy said. “It’s annoying.”

  Felicity smirked. “Ivy, you know very well that Jack is calling for you in his dreams for a reason,” she said. “He doesn’t want to go through whatever he keeps going through alone. He’s not calling to anyone else to help him. He’s calling to you.”

  “I can’t help him,” Ivy said. “I can’t stop what’s going to happen to him in that dream. He knows it, and I know it, too.”

  “You don’t have to stop what happened to him,” Felicity said. “It already happened. You won’t solve anything by stopping it. You have to show Jack how to change his surroundings. You have to show him how to hope.”

  “How do I do that?”

  “You’ve already done it,” Felicity said, her eyes twinkling. “You’ve already changed the course of his life. You can’t change his past, but you can change his dreams.”

  “How?”

  “That’s something you’re going to have to figure out on your own,” Felicity said. “Come over here. I want to do a reading on you.” She gestured toward the small bistro table in the corner where she gave customers tarot card readings.

  “I don’t need a reading,” Ivy grumbled.

  “I want to give you one,” Felicity said, her voice firm. “Don’t make me wrestle you down and do it. I’m still strong enough to take you.”

  Since her aunt was in her mid-fifties, Ivy wasn’t so sure, although it wasn’t something she wanted to gamble on. She didn’t think her ego could take a loss. She sighed and moved over to the table. “Has Mom told you what else is going on in my life?”

  “She’s told me about Kelly,” Felicity said. “I’d like to meet her.”

  “I’m not comfortable bringing her over here,” Ivy said. “I don’t have a problem with you seeing her. In fact, I think it might do her some good. She’s … struggling. You have to come to us, though.”

  “I haven’t been to Shadow Lake since last fall,” Felicity said. “I’m sure I can schedule a visit. Tell me about her.”

  “She’s been abused,” Ivy said. “She has bruises on her arms, and when I first found her, she had a bad reaction to men. To be fair, though, her reaction to me wasn’t great in those first few moments.”

  “What has she told you?” Felicity asked, holding the tarot cards out so Ivy could cut them.

  “Not much,” Ivy said, cutting the cards and handing them back to her aunt. “She’s a foster child. Her foster parents were in it for the money, not for guidance. Her parents died when she was eight, and since her brother was a teenager, they separated them.

  “She was initially placed with a family who intended to adopt her, but they gave her back when a baby became available,” she continued.

  Felicity made a small growling noise in the back of her throat.

  “I know. It’s awful,” Ivy said. “She’s convinced herself that she’s living someone else’s life and she should be enjoying a happily ever after with her family. She won’t tell us what happened to her. Jack and Brian have been trying to track down leads, but they’re … caught … because Kelly won’t tell them what happened.”

  “Someone broke into your house,” Felicity said.

  “How do you know that?” Ivy was surprised.

  “Your mother told me,” Felicity replied. “She’s angry you didn’t tell her, by the way. I don’t think she wants to push the matter until Kelly is more settled, though, so you have that going for you.”

  “Max told her, didn’t he?” All the love she’d been feeling for her brother evaporated. “I’m going to beat the crap out of him.”

  “Max loves you,” Felicity said, arranging the cards on the table. “He always does what he thinks is right where you’re concerned. You know that. You’re not really angry with him.”

  “Oh, I’m angry with him.”

  “You are not,” Felicity said. “You’re actually feeling warm and fuzzy where Max is concerned because you realize what your life would be like without your family. You’re putting yourself in Kelly’s shoes and wondering what would’ve happened to you if Luna and Michael died while you were young.”

  “I … how did you know that?”

  “A young girl from a loving family, an older brother … it doesn’t take a lot to figure out where your head is sometimes,” Felicity said. “You wouldn’t have been put in the system, though. You and Max would’ve come to stay with me. You know that, right?”

  “I know,” Ivy said. “I still can’t help seeing the parallels.”

  “There are no parallels other than the size of Kelly’s family,” Felicity said. “No matter what Kelly is feeling right now, she does have someone fighting for her. Several someones, if I’m not missing my guess. Where is she right now?”

  “Max is spending the day with her.”

  “And Jack is sleeping on your couch to keep you safe,” Felicity added.

  “How do you know that? Oh, man, I’m going to kill Max.”

  Felicity chuckled. “Your brother is a fine man,” she said. “One day, when he gets over his own good looks, he’s going to find someone to make his own family with. He’s going to be a wonderful father.”

  �
�Do you really think he’s ever going to get over his looks?” Ivy asked.

  “Yes,” Felicity said. “It’s not going to happen soon, though. You’re going to have to put up with a few more years of his hound dog ways.”

  “Hound dog ways?” Ivy arched an eyebrow.

  “I love your brother beyond reason,” Felicity said. “He’s still a hound dog.”

  Ivy couldn’t argue, so she reclined in the chair and watched Felicity study the cards. After a moment, Ivy realized her aunt was being unusually quiet. Felicity often insisted on reading Ivy’s cards, and she happily told Ivy she was destined for greatness – and a happily ever after. Felicity didn’t look bubbly now.

  “What do you see?” Ivy asked.

  “I … nothing.”

  “Don’t lie,” Ivy said. “I can tell when you’re lying. Tell me.”

  “You’re in trouble,” Felicity said, raising her patient eyes up to Ivy’s clouded set. “You’re in big trouble, dear.”

  Ivy wasn’t sure she believed in tarot readings, but her aunt would never tell her something she didn’t have faith in herself. “What about Kelly? Can you see her?”

  “Your fates are linked,” Felicity said. “Your future used to be clear and precise. Now I just see darkness.”

  “Does that mean I’m going to die?”

  “I don’t know,” Felicity said. “I think it’s more likely that your fate isn’t set right now. You have to find whoever is causing the darkness.”

  “Meaning I have to get Kelly to talk,” Ivy said.

  “I don’t know what all of this means, Ivy,” Felicity said. “I do know you don’t have a lot of time. Don’t take unnecessary risks. Don’t go off by yourself. Do whatever you have to do to get Kelly to talk.”

  “What about Jack? Do you see him?”

  “Jack is your shadow now,” Felicity said. “You won’t be able to shake him. Your hearts are entwined. There’s no going back, no matter what either of you say you want. That won’t be settled right away.”

  “Is Jack in danger if he stays at my house?”

  “Jack is your link to salvation,” Felicity said. “Don’t cut that link. You may think you’re doing the best thing for both of you, but if you die, Jack will be as good as dead, too.”

  “You’re saying we have to save Kelly to save ourselves, aren’t you?”

  “I’m saying all three of you need to survive to thrive,” Felicity said. “Kelly can still have her own happily ever after. It won’t be the same as she envisioned as a child, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be great.”

  “What do I do?” Ivy asked, her mouth dry.

  “Trust Jack.”

  “I do.”

  “He trusts you, too,” Felicity said. “Work together. That’s going to be key.”

  “Are you telling me to stop fighting with him?”

  Despite the surreal nature of their situation, Felicity chuckled. “Never stop fighting with him,” she said. “He likes it. You like it, too.”

  “I do not,” Ivy protested.

  “Oh, don’t lie to your aunt,” Felicity said. “The cards won’t let you.”

  “This is just crap,” Ivy said, crossing her arms over her chest. “How do I know you’re not making this up just so you can push us together?”

  “Because I would never play games with your future,” Felicity said, her eyes serious.

  Ivy knew that was true. “How long do I have to get Kelly to talk?”

  “Don’t push her,” Felicity warned, turning her attention back to the cards. “Don’t let her push you away either. You’ll know when the time is right.”

  Ivy could only hope her beloved aunt was right.

  Eighteen

  Jack was waiting on Ivy’s front porch when she pulled into her driveway an hour later. The sun was still up, but it was starting to make its inevitable dip into the horizon, and under the muted light, Jack’s handsome face looked magnificent.

  Ivy’s heart stuttered when she saw him get to his feet and descend the stairs.

  “Where … ?”

  Jack didn’t get a chance to finish his statement, because Ivy was on him – her arms around his waist – before he could. He pulled her close, wrapping her tight and relishing the way she folded her face into the hollow between his neck and shoulder. “What’s wrong, honey?”

  “Nothing is wrong,” Ivy said. “I promised to greet you with a hug. That’s all this is.”

  Jack chuckled as he rubbed his hand up and down her back. He didn’t believe her. “Where have you been?”

  “I was over with Aunt Felicity,” Ivy said. “Max thought I needed a little time to myself, but I wanted to see her. I’m still not sure why – and now I wish I hadn’t gone over there.”

  That was a lot for Jack to wrap his mind around. He wasn’t sure which place he wanted to start. He opted for the easiest question. “Where is Kelly?”

  “Max took her for the afternoon,” Ivy said. “He said he was going to take her to dinner, too, so we don’t have to worry about that.”

  “That was nice of him,” Jack said, rubbing his cheek against Ivy’s forehead. “You smell like limes and coconut today.”

  “What?”

  “You smell different every day,” he said. “I like to try and guess what scents you’re wearing.”

  “Oh. I have a lot of different lotions. I just pick whichever one calls to me that particular day.”

  “I like it,” Jack said, inhaling again. “You always smell like something I want to eat.”

  Ivy’s face flushed. “Um … .”

  “That came out dirtier than I initially envisioned,” Jack said, smirking. “I just meant that you smell really good.”

  “Thank you … I think.”

  Jack’s chest rumbled with his laughter. “Tell me what has you upset,” he said. “Why do you wish you hadn’t gone over to Felicity’s?”

  “I don’t want to tell you,” Ivy admitted. “You’re going to think I’m crazy.”

  “I promise I won’t think you’re crazy.”

  “You can’t keep that promise,” Ivy said. “We both know that.”

  “Well, I guess it’s good that I like you however I can get you,” Jack said. “That includes crazy. Tell me.”

  Ivy told Jack about Felicity’s reading, internally thanking the stars that were readying to pop up in the sky that he couldn’t see her face because it was still buried in his chest. When she was done, she waited for him to laugh at her … or call her a liar … or walk away without saying another word. He didn’t do any of those things.

  “She thinks you’re in danger? How can we change that?”

  Ivy was surprised, and when she got up the courage to pull her face back far enough to lift her chin and study him, she found Jack’s face to be serious but free of recrimination. “Aren’t you going to tell me I’m crazy?”

  “No. I want you tell me how to keep you safe.”

  “We have to get Kelly to talk,” Ivy said. “We can’t push her, though. I know you want to, but that’s going to do more harm than good.”

  “We have to do something,” Jack said, cupping the back of Ivy’s head so he could stare soulfully into her eyes. “I can’t go through life not seeing your face.”

  “Don’t you dare kiss me,” Ivy warned.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “You look like you want to.”

  “Oh, I want to,” Jack said. “I’m not going to, though. Not right now, at least.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  Jack smiled and dropped his hands to hers, clasping them both. “I’m going to take you for a walk.”

  “You are?”

  “We have a few things to talk about,” Jack said. “I don’t want to risk Kelly overhearing us.”

  “What happens when Max brings her back and we’re not here?”

  “Max is a big boy,” Jack said. “He’s smart enough to wait for us. We’re not going to be gone for too long.”

>   Ivy slipped her hand into Jack’s and let him lead her toward the trees. He picked a slow pace, one that would allow them to talk without losing breath – or the closeness their linked fingers granted them.

  “Tell me about your day,” Ivy said.

  Jack did as instructed, leaving nothing out. When he was done, Ivy was at a loss for words so Jack opted to fill the silence himself. “Can we go to your fairy ring?”

  Ivy nodded. “I … you don’t have to ask that. You’re always welcome.”

  “That’s your private place,” Jack said. “I would never not ask.”

  “Do you remember where it is?”

  “It’s seared into my memory, honey,” he said. “I could never forget trying to find it in the dark when Heath was chasing you.” Jack was referring to an incident a few weeks before when a murderer stalked Ivy through the woods in an attempt to kill her and throw suspicion on someone else. “I was terrified I wouldn’t get to you in time. Then, when I found you, the problem was already taken care of. You’d saved yourself.”

  “I knew you would find me,” Ivy said. “For some reason, I’ve had faith in you since the moment I met you.”

  “You hated me when you first met me.”

  “The first moment I saw you I thought you were the handsomest man I’d ever laid eyes on,” Ivy said. “Then you opened your mouth and irritated the crap out of me.”

  Jack snorted. “The first moment I saw you I thought I’d died and gone to Heaven,” he said. “Then you opened your mouth and I reconsidered and thought I’d gone to Hell.”

  “You’re not being very charming,” Ivy chided.

  “I didn’t know that was the game we were playing,” Jack said. “If it’s any consolation, even though you drove me crazy, I still wanted to kiss you senseless.”

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “I have no idea,” Jack said. “I can’t seem to stop myself from thinking about you. I can’t seem to stop myself from dreaming about you. I can’t seem to make myself stay away from you.”

  “I … .”

  “We’re not going to talk about this right now,” Jack said. “Don’t worry, we’re going to talk about it. I don’t want Kelly’s plight hanging over us when we do, though. For now, we’re just going to take a walk and pretend that this particular conversation isn’t looming large.”