“Who’s being suggestive?” Aiden questioned, joining our small group.
We all looked around, not sure what to say, when Scott replied. “I said something to Livvie and Sadie overheard. She’s not happy about it, as you would imagine,” he shrugged, blowing off the whole situation.
“Ah, ok,” he said, sounding upset about it not being something more.
If only he knew the truth.
“You guys get your stuff, Liv and I are going to look over here,” Sadie said, grabbing my arm and pulling me a few aisles over.
“I didn’t say anything, I swear!” I promised, staring in her eyes. “I haven’t told anyone. He was talking about Aiden and the kiss and I told him I suspected you two had eyes for each other. He knows nothing of our conversations about the boy,” I stressed.
“I believe you,” she whispered, shifting her eyes to ensure we were still alone. “Scott is a bit protective of me sometimes….”
“Sometimes?” I chuckled. “It’s more than sometimes, Sadie.”
She smiled, “Well…yeah.”
We laughed, picking up a game of cards and a few magazines. She looked thoughtful, her face etched in worry.
“He wouldn’t tell Aiden. He doesn’t want anything to happen with you two…well, you and anyone, really.”
“I know…I was just thinking…I’m sitting back there with you now. I got sick earlier because my family looked so upset and it was too much for me to take. I got nervous,” she admitted, though I could tell she didn’t want to.
I patted her arm, hoping it brought comfort. “I know. I’ll figure this out, I promise.” And I meant it…if things looked bad, they didn’t know, but I was going to offer myself over. If the council wanted me, then they would get me. I wasn’t going to risk their lives, their powers.
Sadie
We travelled on, our hours filled chatting, looking at magazines, and taking short naps. Liv and I ignored the boys. I was annoyed with Scott for his behavior, she was annoyed for him insinuating she told him things she didn’t.
I didn’t know where we were, or how much longer we had. Liv worked on exercises she could do in the car, focusing and channeling her powers in different directions. She moved the cards we played with her mind, changed the radio channels with the flick of her wrist. She was gaining confidence, her powers growing with each new accomplishment. Her face beamed, eyes gleaming with excitement each time she did as I directed.
Scott now drove with Aiden riding shotgun. Of course, I ended up diagonal to him in the back, so every time he turned or moved his head, I caught his gaze in mine. His bright blue eyes staring in my brown, the fire igniting every single time we locked together. It was a good thing I could keep my emotions in check or the whole car would be reeling from the sparks in my chest, the butterflies in my stomach. I couldn’t control my mind, it constantly wandered to Aiden. The intense way his eyes roamed my face, my body, and the way his brown hair tousled when he ran his hands through it. His long, lanky legs that towered over me, but somehow made me feel safe each time he was near. I was much stronger, the power I weld able to trump his human strength any day, but I knew he wouldn’t hesitate for a second to throw himself in front of me, doing whatever was necessary to ensure my safety.
I was really scared this is what it felt like to fall, hard and fast.
I didn’t want it. I really, really didn’t. I wasn’t ready. He wasn’t ready. We had more important things to worry about, such as my almost sister-in-law being destined to die at every turn…or the evil spirit that wanted to claim Aiden’s body for his own to destroy us all.
I told my mind this, over and over, etching it in my memory. My brain listened, but my heart refused.
Aiden
Her laugh haunted me. The silky, sultry sound that echoed throughout the vehicle every time she or Liv said something was driving me crazy. I wanted to hold her, kiss her, find out she felt the same. There was only one slight problem.
I had no idea why I felt this way.
So I lay back, relaxing my head against the headrest, crossing my arms over my chest. I sunk into a restless sleep, the soft, melodic sound of Sadie easing my mind.
###
“Stop!” Liv screamed from the back. Scott instantly hit the brakes, slamming me forward and from my slumber.
“Whaaat?” I grumbled sleepily, bracing my body against the dash so I didn’t go hurling into it.
“Abana, I saw her!” she yelled excitedly. I heard the click of her seatbelt, then the door being flung open. Luckily, Scott pulled the truck off the side of the road, so we weren’t seated in the middle of traffic with her running out. She dashed from the vehicle, her legs moving quickly as she rushed into the thickened woods just past the guard rails, disappearing in the foliage.
“Stay here,” Scott commanded to the both of us, hurrying after her. He didn’t move as swiftly, but he soon disappeared just as she had.
Groaning, I leaned back. “So…are we there?” I asked, turning and peeking an eye at Sadie.
She shrugged. “How am I supposed to know? I don’t even know how she knows it’s Abana...I’ve seen probably fifteen deer in the past hour.”
I faced forward, ignoring her snappy attitude. The road signs gave no indication of where we were. As far as I knew, I hadn’t travelled to this part of the country, but who knew what I did for the two years I was a vessel.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly.
I looked back, seeing her head in her hands, bent over her knees. “Sade?
“I’m being crazy, and I apologize,” she admitted. Her voice was strained, the words appearing difficult.
“I just don’t know what you want…”
“I don’t either,” she confided. “I don’t mean to be snappy. This is the only time I’ll apologize.”
I chuckled, “Yeah, I figured. Thanks.”
She sat up, nodding. “Wonder how long they’ll be gone?”
“No clue. Wanna play cards with me?” I tried not to sound too desperate. I hoped I succeeded.
She watched me closely. I could almost see the wheels turning in her head, then her incredible eyes met mine, “Sure.”
I clambered over the seats, falling almost in her lap. Our skin ignited, our faces reddened as my legs tangled with her. “Sorry,” I mumbled, taking my time pulling away. She made me feel…happy. It wasn’t normal for me, and I knew it wasn’t for her, but I wanted more. “You smell different.”
She gaped, a hushed giggle sounding in her throat. “You smelled me?”
I could feel myself blush. Damn, I thought. “You smell like vanilla…and sugar? It’s different.”
Her eyes danced as she studied me. “I have a new lotion.”
“I like it,” I stated dumbly. Was I ever intelligent around this girl?
“Thanks,” she muttered, slowly shuffling the cards. They slid from hand to hand, the glossy texture making a slight scraping noise as they touched. She dealt our cards, not granting me eye contact. Her mind was reeling, and I would give almost anything to know what she was thinking. We were mostly silent, only talking when needed for the game as we waited for our companions to return.
Scott
I followed Livvie, listening to the leaves crunch beneath her feet so I’d know what path to take. She stood between two large trees, each leaning and arching over her. They appeared to be protecting her. Abana, or I assumed this one was her, was staring in her eyes, her body angled close to Livvie’s. Livvie slowly reached her hand out, caressing the deer’s face. It nuzzled her hand, pressing her body in closer. It appeared the deer was giving my love a hug.
“Livvie,” I said lowly. I wanted to make them both aware I had followed.
“Scott, come here,” she called excitedly.
Abana eyed me cautiously, but didn’t run as I approached. Her light brown coat shimmered in the few rays of sunlight that broke through the trees. She looked soft and clean, not rough how I’d imagined wild animals to be. She inched forward,
pressing her nose to my palm. It was wet and warm, the feel of her breath tickling against my skin.
“She approves. Scott, she wants to show you something,” Livvie explained.
I turned toward her, “Me? She’s your animal guide.”
“You’re a part of my journey. She’s telling us how to get to the council,” she said, placing a hand about a foot away from where my palm held the deer. “Pay attention.”
The world around me blurred as images danced in my head. It took a minute for me to process and gain control of my body again. Abana still stood pressed to me, her face nudging me every so often. She huffed in my hand, her breath bringing me back to the projection.
Mountains arched to the sky for as far as I could see. They were sprinkled with snow on the top, the white fluff growing deeper the lower the mountain went. It was a town. There were people, shops, hotels lining the streets.
And lots and lots of snow.
My eyes searched rapidly for a sign, a building name, something to tell me where it was. Nothing was visible, all the words blurred. I began to say something, but a deep breath from Abana silenced me. The world was spinning again, this time to an area enclosed from the town. There were rock walls and a magical light laminating the area. Were we in the mountains…like in a cave or something?
The space moved on, as if I was walking, but I wasn’t moving. Abana was moving the image for me. I drank in my surroundings, trying to remember every crook and crevice, every memorable sight. We kept on until there was a large clearing deep into the cave. It was cold, I could feel the chill all the way to my bones. We definitely needed warmer clothing before we did this. Abana peered up at me, releasing her nose from my palm and dropping me back to the present tense.
I waivered on my feet, but before I could get steady, she touched her nose to me again, showing me an exit sign and the city we were going to.
Cooke City, Montana.
Olivia
“She showed you?” I asked. My heart was soaring, but beating crazy fast. Abana was trusting Scott. Things are on a whole different level now.
“Yeah, we need to go get directions,” he started, running his fingers over his palm like he couldn’t believe what had just happened. “And jackets.”
I turned to Abana, who stood protectively at my side. She bent her head, gently ramming it into my backside so I stumbled closer to Scott. I giggled, rushing back to envelope her in a hug. “I hope I see you again soon,” I whispered. She touched her nose to mine, rubbing softly, before turning and walking away. I reached for Scott’s hand, the two of us walking slower on the way back to the truck. “I guess we’re going to Cooke City,” I sighed.
He nodded, though he looked pensive.
“What is it?” I asked.
“There’s a small problem,” he said, stopping us both in our tracks.
My heart sped up. “What problem?”
“She didn’t show us the entrance.”
###
“You want me to what?” I questioned from the backseat. I kicked Aiden up to drive, sticking Sadie beside him. Scott stared at me, his face showing just a hint of impatience.
“Dream walk to visit your mother. She will know where the entrance is. You have to ask her. I think that’s why Abana didn’t tell us how to get in. There’s something she needs to tell us…”
I sighed, leaning to rest my head on him. “How long do we have to drive still?”
“At least three hours, can you sleep now?”
I nodded, closing my eyes. He ran his finger through my hair, caressing my neck. Relaxation settled over me, lulling me gradually to sleep.
I was in the same place Abana showed me, only now in the wide open space, there was a long table, chairs seated on one side. Long drapes hung from invisible hooks on the rocky walls, waving from a breeze I didn’t feel. The chairs were empty. Each place held a pen, pad of paper, and a cup of water. I walked behind each chair, silently surveying the paper, searching for some sort of information to tell me who I was coming up against.
Nothing. Every page was blank.
“Olivia,” My mother’s voice was distant. Barely above a whisper, but I heard the urgency. “Come, Olivia.”
I followed her voice, she kept calling me. I trudged down the painfully dark, murky hallways, each step taking me further and further from the light. I trailed a hand along the wall, using it for comfort.
“Olivia, dear, I’m to your left,” she said, her voice much closer.
“Mom!” I exclaimed, holding my hand out and delighting when I felt her warmth grasp me.
“Olivia, I’m so glad you came. There’s so much you need to know.”
I took a few steps with her, suddenly both of us standing in a brightly lit room. It was small, yet quaint. I inspected her, reassuring my mind that she was safe and sound. I pulled her to me, comforted by her hug. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, but we don’t have much time. Dear, you have to convince the council you’re not a threat. They want to bind you again, but they can’t…you’re the only one that can do this.”
“Do what?”
“We don’t have much time. They wake me every so often so you can’t visit me. They want to know how you are naturally, no pretenses. Have you contacted your father?”
I shook my head, the uneasiness settling over me.
“Don’t. There’s more to tell you, Olivia. I need you to be safe. There’s so much we never explained to you…we should have,” she said absentmindedly, staring off into the distance. She was scared. The look Kyle had when he suddenly showed up at Juniper’s house flashed in my mind. She had the same fear in her eyes.
“Mom, why can’t I contact Dad?”
“You’ll find out soon enough. Let me show you the entrance.”
She rushed forward, holding my hand and dragging me along. Not knowing what to say, I stayed silent as I followed. We walked for what felt like forever, giving me time to think about what she wasn’t telling me. My dad…why couldn’t I contact him? Why was she so scared? Each time we became close to some answers, twenty more questions popped up. This journey was turning out to be harder and scarier than I thought.
“We’re almost there,” she instructed, turning a few more times.
I followed, not bothering to look for anything to remind me of our path. The darkness swam around me, completely blinding me. She finally slowed, stopping just before a wide entrance. She motioned me forward hurriedly.
“Go outside and take a look around. Make it quick darling, they will be here in a minute or two,” she told me. She pulled me close, holding me tightly for a moment. “I’ll see you soon, Olivia.”
I nodded, watching her rush off for a second before I walked outside and studied the entrance. I studied the trees, the rocks, anything and everything that was a way to remember where I was, how to get back. I walked away, looking for parts of the city to measure our whereabouts. I hadn’t gotten far, just a road sign, when the familiar pull of being sucked back to my body came over me.
Sadie
To say we were stressed and not thinking clearly would be an understatement. Scott and Liv explained everything when they returned, but she fell asleep quickly with an urgent need to speak to her mother. We sat in a thick silence, the realization of what was about to happen really settling in. This whole thing could blow up in our faces. We could all be stripped of our powers, made to live life like normal people. Being a sorceress was all I knew, it was my blood. Aiden had just got his life back, and they could…the council was good. I needed to remember that. They wouldn’t do anything bad to us.
I prayed.
Aiden drove on, asking for turn off directions every so often, and Scott would spit them out at him. The fun, loving environment was replaced with a heavy, dread laden hopelessness. I watched everything pass us by, the images blurring in my mind as I waited for Liv to wake.
###
Gasping as she regained consciousness, Liv scared us all half to dea
th. Aiden even swerved the truck a little before pulling to the side of the road. He claimed he wanted to listen intently, but I really thought he was just finished driving. She explained her meeting with her mother, noting how strange she acted about her father. The queasiness that washed over me told me something wasn’t right about the situation. Liv hadn’t seen or spoken to her father the whole time they’d been missing. Her mother now refused to talk about him? It worried me, to say the least.
“I know where the entrance is, kind of,” her voice echoed, bringing me back from my thoughts.
Scott was demanding. He was in total control mode, thinking he must protect us all. “Where?”
“I know what it looks like, Scott. And I saw a street name. So we have a city and a street. Surely we can find this,” she said. Her gaze moved around the car, settling on each of us, her eyes desperately searched mine, begging for agreement.
“Yeah, we can,” Aiden and I said in unison. I felt the blush creep up, and I sucked in a breath, willing it to stop and no one to notice.
Scott remained silent. He took out his phone, asking Liv for the name. He googled the map, quickly finding out this was a small road near the base of the mountain. It was usually closed off, which meant we’d have to use our other skills to gain us access. We were another hour and a half away from it, plus we needed to eat and conjure or buy some warmer clothing. Much warmer clothing. We all traded seats, Scott back in control, and headed to the nearest city for nourishment and attire.
Aiden
I was stuck in the front seat with Scott. Again. He didn’t want me alone in the back with either of the girls. It was kind of annoying, to be honest. We drove on, the girls whispering back and forth, talking about who knows what, while we sat in yet another awkward silence.
When could I get out of this vehicle?
We turned off an exit, the hustle and bustle of city life instantly taking over. I watched the people walking around, oblivious to this world, without any cares, and felt envious. I used to be that guy, I thought. Scott drove up and down a few streets before stopping at a little café and ushering us out.
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