Wayward Magic

by Melinda Kucsera et al.

  We both went still. Bess gasped and I could feel my heart in my throat. I reached for my necklace with my spare hand, clutching the stone and praying for calm.

  I can do this; I can do this. Stay calm. I don’t have to have Braxton here to keep the peace. I can do it on my own. I will not let this power own me. I own the power.

  “What do you want you emotionless little …” Bess started to say.

  “Ah, ah, ah,” Willow tsked, going so far as to actually wave a finger at her.

  When a tranquil feeling passed over me, I opened my eyes to find Willow standing in front of us. Thank goodness I felt blank at that moment, her presence since she arrived in Fall River made my magic go into overdrive. I needed to stay strong because no way would I let her do it in public. Not again. And I sensed that was exactly what she wanted.

  “Well, hello Willow. How are you today?” I asked so politely that both Willow and Bess gawked at me like I had two heads. “Are you shopping with Nick today? Having fun?”

  Bess seemed to catch on quicker to what I was doing than Willow did. She ducked her head, trying not to giggle at the look of astonishment on Willow’s face, who seemed to be at a loss for words.

  After a few moments of Willow not replying, I continued. “Well, my dear, as you can see we’re busy. So, you have yourself a wonderful day.” My grin showed all my teeth, so it probably made me look crazy, but that was all I had in me then.

  “Happy birthday Sky, I hope you have fun signing the book,” she growled as we stepped away from her.

  Bess hooked her arm through mine, and I paused as she gripped my forearm. It was like she was trying to shove every ounce of encouragement into me as she could, but all I could focus on was the anxiousness to get away, to avoid any and all conflict radiating from her.

  Again, I threw Willow for a loop when I turned to her, taking note of the smirk she had on her face. She thought she had me over the barrel, but she couldn’t be more wrong. Her perfect blonde curls bounced as she angled her head, and her cute bow lips were quirked in a sneer that only made her look as ugly as her heart actually was.

  “My, oh my. Well, bless your heart, Willow. Isn’t that just the sweetest thing you could say? You just have a nice day now,” I spoke in my best southern accent. If anyone actually from the south walked by, they’d know I had just told her off. When her mouth dropped open, satisfaction swarmed me like a hive of bees.

  “Let’s go, Bess. We have things to do.” I nodded at her, even giving her a saucy wink before turning away and tugging Bess with me.

  When we had put enough distance between us and her, Bess cackled. I halted and she leaned against the wall, obviously needing support so she didn’t fall over from her laughter. It was contagious and I found myself joining her.

  “I can’t believe you managed that,” she spoke through her gasps. “That was amazing. The look on her face when you said ‘well, bless your heart …’ I really thought I was going to choke. It was priceless. I wish I could have gotten it on video so I could stream it online.”

  That comment nearly doubled me over. “Only you would think to post something like that.”

  “But think of the views we’d get. We’d be internet famous,” she crowed as she tried to gain control over her mirth.

  “You are priceless. Let’s get out of here please,” I told her, grabbing her hand to drag her toward the doors to get home.

  Chapter Six

  “You won’t have to worry about anything. You’ve been training so hard dear. Everything will be alright.” My mother rambled as she pinned my hair.

  “Ouch! Geez, mom. Chill out,” I winced, jerking away from her.

  Mom looked back at me from the mirror, her eyes wide in shock. She dropped her hands and the pins she had been holding.

  “I am so sorry, Sky. I didn’t mean to hurt you,” she said in a sad voice.

  “Mom, I know. But you need to calm down. You’re making me nervous and that is what you’re trying not to do, right?” I asked, glancing down to clutch my necklace again.

  “Oh, Sky.” The pity in her voice was almost too much for me to handle, and when she touched my shoulder with her gentle hand, it almost undid me.

  A ball formed in my throat, and I knew I would cry if I couldn’t make it disappear. Mom hadn’t held back in sharing how afraid she was that the coven would come for me and take me away forever. How much fear she had at the thought they would put me to death for something I had not a single ounce of control over. Because of it, I’d created several thunderstorms already. I knew she was frightened for my welfare, but she didn’t realize she was only making things worse for me.

  I closed my eyes and started to count, letting the serenity in that keep me steady. But if Mother kept going on like she was, I wouldn’t be able to keep it up on my own.

  Where was Braxton when I needed him?

  Once I had finally counted in several languages, I met Mom’s eyes. “Mom, I love you but you’re freaking me out.”

  “I don’t know what you mean,” she stammered.

  “I know you don’t. For that reason, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” There was regret in my voice, and that feeling intensified in my head when I saw the hurt in her eyes.

  “But honey, I’m not done with your hair.” Plastering a sunny smile on her face, she tried to hide the fear. It didn’t work.

  “I can finish it. Thank you. Please, Mom,” I said pleadingly, my nerves making my voice crack and shake. Glancing out the window, I frowned when I took note of the clouds darkening the once-blue sky.

  Mom followed my gaze, wringing her hands. “Umm, okay. Okay, sweetie. I’ll just go make sure that everything is getting set up properly in the backyard,” she said, nodding to me in the mirror before she leaned down and kissed my cheek. “I love you, Sky. Never forget that. I am so proud of how far you’ve come.”

  “I love you too,” I whispered, my eyes brimming with unshed tears. If I didn’t find some inner peace fast, a rain shower The Weather Network never forecasted would start any minute.

  There was a knock on the door and Braxton peeked in. “Can I help?” He winked at me. “Or is it bad luck to see the birthday girl?”

  “That’s the bride, young man. Stop being so foolish.” Mom chuckled.

  Braxton smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. “Right, right. Silly of me to get it mixed up,” he said with a straight face, which only made us both grin at him.

  My mother turned back to me and gave me a genuine smile. Patting my shoulder one last time before walking away, she paused at the door right in front of Braxton.

  “You take care of my little girl. She’s special.” She cupped his cheek in her hand, tilting her head as if looking for something. “Then again, so are you.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek before walking away.

  “Wow, your mom is pretty dang awesome,” Braxton said as he walked into the room, shutting the door behind him.

  I turned on my chair to face him. “Yeah she is, but she was starting to overwhelm me.” I folded my hands in my lap, then thought better of it and tugged at the bathrobe I wore so I didn’t get makeup on my new pantsuit for the party.

  “I felt your power rise a little and the sky darkened. Figured I’d come and check on you,” he told me as he knelt in front of me and took my hands in his.

  Instant calmness poured over me. I gripped his hands a little tighter while giving him a bright smile. “How did you know I wanted you here?”

  He reached up to brush some hair behind my ear. “Don’t you always?”

  I choked on a laugh. “Think highly of yourself much?”

  “Why Sky Stratan, are you saying I’m conceited?” he mocked, his hand going to his chest as if wounded.

  I actually snorted at that. “You are priceless.”

  He chuckled. “It’s part of my charm. You know you love me for it and I know I love you too.”

  I froze. Did he just say the �
�L” word? Stretching back while sitting on his heels, he almost lost his balance as he seemed to realize what he’d just said.

  Grabbing his hands, I made sure he didn’t topple to the floor. “Did you just say—” I started, my heart stuttering in my chests.

  He gulped and cut me off. “Yeah, yeah I did.”

  “Did you mean it?”

  “I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it. It feels right,” he answered. “We feel right. I am falling hard and fast for you, Sky Stratan.”

  I saw the love in his eyes and I didn’t doubt a single word that he said. The happiness radiating through me almost overwhelmed me. I couldn’t disagree with him; it did feel right.

  “I love you too,” I whispered back.

  I wasn’t sure the smile on his face could have gotten any brighter. He leaned forward and I met him halfway, our lips brushing against each other’s in a sweeping kiss. Magic encompassed us, and it was absolutely breathtaking.

  “Wow.” The word was like an exhale.

  “Mmhmm,” I said in a haze.

  “Umm … I’m going to try and let you get ready for the party,” he said, letting go of my hands and standing up.

  “Yeah, get ready for the party. Do I have to?” I asked pleadingly.

  “Darn right you have to!” Bess flounced into the room, grabbing Braxton by the arm. “You scram! I need to get my girl ready. Baxter is downstairs waiting for you.”

  I shrugged at him, and he shook his head, rolled his eyes, then blew me a kiss before shutting the door behind him.

  “Let’s get you ready!” Bess beamed at me.

  I couldn’t help but smile back at her. Braxton loves me, and nothing else matters right now

  Chapter Seven

  The party was slow at first, just like most others. The backyard of my parents’ property had been transformed into a garden paradise. Trellises with gorgeous blooming flowers of protection—digitalis, hoya, and malva—created such a beautiful array of colors everywhere, the fragrant scent they gave off soothing to the soul.

  There were beautifully dressed tables scattered about, along with a big white tent with a hint of blue running through it, which happened to be my favorite color. The tent housed the food and drink buffet, but it was also where the coven elders would gather with the great book of the coven, and where I would sign it.

  Bess had finished pinning my hair up with silver crystal pins, did my make-up, and helped me into my vest pantsuit. The pants felt like they could have been tailored just for me, and the raw silk material fell in perfect lines. The vest top fit like a glove and wrapped around my neck, leaving my upper back bare and reconnecting at the middle of it. Bess had made sure to find another extra-long silver chain with white moonstones to drape along the showing skin, making it shimmer and sparkle.

  She had her arm looped through mine when we made it to the back door of the house before stepping out on the patio. The heels I wore made it difficult to keep my balance, although they glittered in all the right places.

  “Are you ready birthday girl?” she whispered, trying to contain her excitement but not able to keep it all in.

  Straightening my spine so I stood even taller, I nodded. “Let’s go.”

  People paused to pay attention, and applause rang out when we arrived. It almost overwhelmed me, and I felt my magic kindling as I searched for my parents and Braxton. As soon as my eyes met his, the calm feeling he induced washed over me. His eyes twinkled with a touch of heat, so I had a feeling Bess had dolled me up just enough to do the trick. Heat climbed into my cheeks, making me regret the small amount of blush I’d let Bess brush on them.

  My parents made their way over to me, giving me huge hugs. The love and acceptance that filled the air was blissful. It made the sky brighter. I honestly didn’t think I could have had more happiness inside me than in that moment, and that included when I signed the great book. It just didn’t seem as important to me as my family, friends, and ones I loved.

  Braxton finally made his way past my family. I sidestepped my aunt to step toward him.

  “You look stunning Sky,” he said in a soft voice as he took my hands in his.

  I squeezed his hands. “Thanks. Bess can take the credit for that one. She knows her way around the makeup and hairspray scene.” I chuckled.

  He lifted a hand and twirled one of the loose curls around his finger. “Bess can’t take all the credit. You were already a beauty to begin with.”

  “I keep telling her that, but she never listens!” Bess came from behind to squeeze my shoulders. “My beautiful bestie on her birthday!”

  Baxter almost looked uncomfortable as he tugged at the top button of his dress shirt, trying to be good and not undo the tie that Bess had painstakingly done up for him. I giggled at him.

  “You two gentleman look rather dapper.” I beamed at them both.

  That had both of them puffing up like peacocks.

  “What about me?” Jordan literally slid across the grass as if doing a dance move. His arms out for balance, he rolled the fedora he was wearing down his arm, tipping it to me before he repeated the move up his arm and placed it on his head. Then bouncing his head in a nod, he gave me a wink.

  We all applauded.

  “Most handsome indeed.” I took a few steps and gave him a hug.

  I hadn’t seen a whole lot of him this summer, so I had a feeling he thought he wouldn’t be welcome, especially since I used to date his brother. Although that wasn’t the case at all. I actually missed his silly face. Plus, he was nothing like his brother, so seeing him didn’t trigger me in any way.

  “Thank you for coming, Jordan.” I squeezed him tighter. “I’ve missed you.”

  He held me close. “Missed you too, Sky. But enough sap! Let’s party!” he crowed. He gave me one last squeeze before he snatched Bess and lifted her, twirling her around in a circle.

  “You have amazing friends,” Braxton whispered in my ear as he stepped behind me and draped his arms around my middle. “I’m happy to get to be part of this group.”

  “Happy to have you man.” Baxter slapped him on the shoulder.

  “Replacing me so soon?” a deep voice asked, one that I had not thought to hear again for a long time.

  Everything seemed to come to a standstill. My breath caught in my throat and shock paralyzed me as Nick came into view. Gasps rang out from all over the garden. It was as if they came through a speaker as quiet as it had gotten at the sight of Nick being here.

  I couldn’t believe he’d shown up after my father had run him off so many times.

  “I had no idea he was going to crash your party Sky. I am so sorry,” Jordan said, the sincerity real in his tone, although his voice also shook with anger so I knew how upset he was with his twin.

  “Stop apologizing Jordan. I was invited, remember?” Nick’s cruel smirk made me wonder what I’d ever seen in him.

  From the corner of my eye, I spotted my parents making their way toward us, my father looking to be on a warpath.

  “You were invited and uninvited the moment you started kissing Willow.” I stepped out of Braxton’s hold and inched toward Nick.

  Being in heels, I was almost the same height as him. Still, he sneered at me.

  “Oh yeah? And how was I to know something like that? I figured it was your eighteenth birthday and I just had to come and wish you a happy one,” he said, the cruel undertones in his voice sending shivers down my spine.

  “You should have known better after my father told you to get lost. What made you think you would be welcome in any possible way to this party is beyond me.” My voice rose with my agitation. He was actually here, and he was ruining my birthday. I wanted to stomp my foot because of the anger swirling through me, but I was more mature than that. However, I couldn’t help it when dark clouds developed in the sky, which only made him quirk his lips. That was what he wanted. Of course it was …

  “Yes, get upset Sky. Get upset. Show everyone here what you really are.�
�� His eyes were almost manic because he wanted me to lose control. There was a moment of glee that he thought I was about to lose control of my power.

  Stumbling in my heels to get away from him, Braxton caught me before I could fall, which made us a united front. My friends flanked us and so did my parents, but they left some space, telling me they were close enough to help if I needed them to but would let me handle things if I didn’t. I appreciated that more than they’d ever know.

  “You need to leave Nick. This isn’t cool at all,” Bess hissed at him. Baxter grabbed her around the waist, holding her back as she struggled to move forward probably to slap Nick right across the face. After what happened last time, it wouldn’t surprise me.

  “If you want it cool, why don’t you just ask Sky? I’m sure she could handle that for you?” he taunted, waving his hand at me.

  That had everyone’s attention. My eyes went wide. I knew that everyone was going to find out that I was a weather witch after I signed the book of the covens but that was on my terms, not on this idiot’s. What is he really trying to pull here? I paused considering my thought. Thankfully, the weather hadn’t gotten any worse since Braxton held my hand, which sent soothing magic my way.

  Then it hit me. “You want me to lose control.” The words were just above a whisper, only loud enough for the people close to us to hear. “Why? What have I ever done to you to make you want to hurt me like this?”

  The thought that he wanted to cause me so much pain made my heart ache. As if he understood my hurt, Braxton squeezed my hand.

  Braxton tensed behind me and pointed with his other hand. “Look.”

  My eyes moved to the direction he pointed to find Willow rushing across the lawn, a confident look on her face as she made her way to join Nick’s side.

  “What in the ever-loving shades of h—” I started, but my mother’s hiss cut me off, making me look at the darkening skies.