by Holly Hood
“The rope is part of the spell you will do to ward off your little problem,” he said, raising an eyebrow. I scanned my wits trying to make sense of it.
“Her,” I said, referring to Audrey. If I strangled her with the rope it would be easier getting rid of her. I didn’t get it.
“A binding spell is very powerful. It will keep whoever you cast it on from hurting others and themselves.” She explained. “But this could all well be a mistake.” Her eyes dropped to my wrist again. I dropped the rope and dropped my arm below the counter, so she wouldn’t stare at it anymore.
I knew a few people this could work on. I wondered if I should ask her for more ropes. And wondered why nobody else was doing this. The world would be a better place.
“That sounds simple enough,” I said to myself looking at the rest of the stuff on the wall.
“Not hardly, on a human maybe, on someone with their own power it can prove difficult.” Hutch handed over the rope and dropped his hands on the counter. “Jane, I know you’re concerned, but I really could use your help.”
Jane’s penciled eyebrows lifted; she drew in her bottom lip, and with a soft exhale spun on her heels. She looked around the shelves and settled on a couple of different herbs. She put them in a small black bag and secured the string.
“This should do it,” she pushed it across the counter, her rings catching my eye. Black stones and shiny silver gleamed in the rather dank environment. It was odd.
Hutch pocketed it, and pointed past her to something else. “What’s that?”
Jane turned, taking the feather off the shelf. She ran it across her fingers. “This is the feather of a very old crow said to have been around for hundreds of years. They say it only came around when evil was near and those who carried the feathers were protected.”
Hutch extended his hand; she placed it in his palm. He turned to me, his fingers slipping through my damp hair. “A gift for you.”
I smiled, accepting the large feather. Smiling at Hutch’s thoughtful gift, he ignored Jane’s gaping stare at our forbidden attraction—it was something similar to West side story or Romeo and Juliet the way this woman was making me feel.
Jane raised a hand stopping us from leaving. “Hutch, I hope you think wisely about taking what is not yours.” She warned, pocketing the bills he threw on the counter.
I spun around. “Look lady, I know you don’t like me, but you have no idea. This guy is not my keeper.” I crossed my arms offended for the third time since I entered the place.
She blinked, unruffled by me. “It is not you I dislike.”
I scoffed, that was amusing.
“It follows you and what you are; you are new to power, to magic. It will eat you alive if you let it.” She looked at Hutch. He touched my arm. “I see her aura. It's blue, but it’s being blotted out by black.”
I raised an eyebrow startled. Hutch tugged me toward the exit; it seemed he heard enough to. He pushed into the door taking us from darkness back to light and fresh air again. I already felt a million times better.
“What was she talking about my aura is blue?” Like my mood, I thought to myself.
“Don’t listen to her. She’s an old witch; she believes some lines should never be crossed. She’s old school like many others, but I’m not, and I said I would help you.”
“But what exactly is a blue aura?” I asked, following him through the sand. I wondered what color Karsen’s was, maybe Zebra striped or leopard.
“A blue aura, one that is spiritual, loyal, creative, sensitive, kind and moody. All things you are,” Hutch teased.
I wasn’t laughing. “If I was loyal I wouldn’t have almost slept with you last night.”
Hutch stopped walking and turned at my remorse. “If you weren’t loyal you wouldn’t be beating yourself up over it. It’s human nature, Doll. You can’t help who you’re attracted to and who is attracted to you.” He dropped down in the sand close to the water.
“It doesn’t bother you. That you almost slept with me, the queen of the dark side. The girl promised to the devil himself?” I raised an eyebrow; it was funny yes, but true in ways.
Hutch grinned; I dropped down on my knees watching him sort through the contents of the small pouch.
“What we are about to do, yet cool, may be a little disturbing. Are you up for it?” He shot me a crooked grin, waiting for an answer. “And to answer your question, it doesn’t bother me one bit, because I think you would be worth it.”
My cheeks warmed.
Nature
I watched as Hutch laid out the contents of the pouch strange Jane gave him.
“I never told you where I’m from,” Hutch said, he lit one of the herbs, I wasn’t sure what it was, the strong peppery aroma wafted past my nose disappearing in the breeze.
“So tell me,” I smiled, watching him rub the remaining ash in his palms. He reached for me. I offered my hand. Hutch grinned.
“I grew up in Maine with my grandparents after my parents left.” He tugged on my pointer finger. I watched him, concentrating on his story rather than what was happening.
“Once a coven grows so big they break apart into what we call a hive.” He dropped his gaze.
I yelped in pain pulling away from Hutch. He dropped the culprit—a thorn, in a hole he dug earlier. “Three drops of blood.”
I hoped he wasn’t talking to me. I was known for having a weak stomach, but he was. I gave my hand back letting him milk me of my plasma. Three perfect beads of blood dropped in the sand.
“What are you doing?” I asked, watching him cover my blood with bits of sand and more herbs.
“I am enhancing your abilities, giving you a chance to fight if it comes down to it.” He wiped my finger clean. “I'm fusing you with nature.”
If you say so. “Does that mean I can talk to the trees and those cute squirrels outside my window in the morning?”
Hutch’s expression changed. He didn’t find my joke funny. I reminded myself this was serious and his way of life. “Everything in life is natural. Everything comes together, and this will help you, believe me.”
I pursed my lips. If I was going to start somewhere I figured belief was the best road to travel to get there. “Okay, so what do I do now?”
Hutch sat back, collecting the remaining ingredients. “Believe in yourself.”
“That’s it?” I asked, disappointed there wasn’t a big ordeal that needed to take place filled with sparkles and potions.
“Think of the spell as a stepping stone, it will lead you down the path, but it’s up to you to get there.” He sat back, resting his arms against his knees and stared at the water. “When our coven got so large we split. And because my parents were of such great importance they traveled, leaving my brothers and I behind.”
This made me sad, to lose your family because of who you were. I could never imagine losing my father over magic. Nevertheless, it seemed Hutch accepted it.
“Where are they now?” I asked, watching the seagulls dive into the water in search of a bite to eat.
“I’m not quite sure. It’s been some time since any of us heard from them. My grandparents passed on, and that’s when I was responsible. It was a lot of responsibility at first, but I learned to accept it.” Hutch sighed.
“Why do you travel?” I asked, if he held such an important role, I didn’t understand why he was always on the road, never in one place.
Hutch looked over at me, “even those who mean well go off course."
I held back my shock. I hated to think he was hiding something sinister like everyone else around me.
“Our coven was attacked one night during a ritual. It was a mess, and the three of us took off. I abandoned our kind and several people died. I was young. I didn’t know what I was doing, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel like shit everyday about it.” He pushed my hair behind my ear, lifting my chin.
“I’d never mislead you. I hope you’re not thinking that. But I do have a past that haunts
me quite a bit.” His eyes were dark. I nodded I understood. I felt for him and his problems.
“I guess even the ones you think are so perfect have their flaws huh?” I said, producing a small smile. I leaned into Hutch; he wrapped his arm around me.
“Nothing is perfect, doll.”
“Why risk pissing off another coven?” Some things weren’t perfect, but they could be tolerated if you just didn’t rock the boat.
“It wasn’t something I planned. I saw a beautiful girl on the beach that night. Apologizing for everyone else and I felt like saving her.” He touched my face; his knuckle's grazing my skin.
He kissed the corner of my mouth. I lifted my chin accepting his kiss.
The wind crawled through my hair. I pulled away, realizing we were out on the beach a spectacle with the chance of being seen. And I knew I shouldn’t be kissing him.
Hutch elbowed me. “When you go home, I want you to do a spell. I think this will help with Blondie.”
I agreed. Anything would help with Audrey. I was going up against a very clever and devious witch.
“Do you have any spells for pissed-off fathers?” I cringed. I was gone since last night. I prayed he figured I was at work, or that he was immersed in his life with Lynette, for once that didn’t sound so awful.
“You’re a young woman. I’m sure he trusts you.” Hutch carried on with the spells, so many spells and things to know. “She wrote it down, so when you get home take this paper and read over it. And I want you to do it and do it right. You have to do it exactly, or it’s not going to work.”
I folded the piece of paper and slipped it into my shorts without reading it. I was nervous to see what I needed to do, what I could mess up. What if it was like on television and something else happened unwanted and unexpected.
Hutch touched my hand. “I have faith in your ability. Now you just need to have a little faith.”
I sighed. “I hope your right.”
“I am.”
“What if it works, what does that mean for me going up against Audrey?” I didn't think that far. A binding spell was supposed to protect me. And to keep Audrey from harming anyone else, but if it worked, if I was the winner that meant Audrey was the loser.
Audrey wanted Slade. I looked at Hutch concerned. “I’m not sure why I am even doing this anymore.” I was losing my way, my meaning.
Now that I met Hutch, I wasn’t sure Slade was the right guy for me. Or why I was struggling so hard to hold onto someone who didn’t want me as much as I wanted them. I thought Slade was the best thing that ever happened to me. I thought the world of him, but suddenly, sitting on the beach next to Hutch, he paled in comparison. And that was nobody’s fault but his. Hutch took what he wanted, he was willing to fight. Slade didn’t do much to hold onto the things he cared about—or maybe he just didn’t care about me.
Hutch tugged me by the chin; he looked me in the eyes. “The only thing you should be concentrating on is getting away from something that will ruin you. This will ruin you.”
I nodded. I was sure it could. I wasn’t as strong as Slade or Kidd. I wasn’t Lucy. I also didn’t know the first thing about surviving and keeping a dark coven happy at the same time. They would eat me alive. And Audrey would be the first one to take the bite.
“If you care about your friends, do whatever you see fit. But I am going to tell you like it is, Hope. You are going to find out they are a lot more loyal than you might have thought.”
I thought about the time Slade went to great lengths to rid himself of Ezra, so we could have a chance, and how he saved me from Tucker and his dad, the image of Slade driving a knife into my chest sent a chill through me. I saw his dark side that night.
“Do you think he made the right choice?” I asked Hutch. He didn’t know what I was talking about. So I explained. “That night, when Slade changed me. He also saved me from something horrible. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for what he did.”
Hutch shrugged. “I’m not the one to answer that. Maybe he didn’t want to be alone.”
“Yeah, but Slade could have anybody. He didn’t have to pick me.” Did he?
Hutch grinned, shaking his head. “It’s always funny watching something so beautiful not know how beautiful it is. It’s sad even.”
I looked away; some flattering comments were overwhelming to hear from another person. I could never believe such a thing, even if he was being sincere. I didn’t see myself that way.
“Don’t you see it,” Hutch asked. He pushed my hair from my shoulders, forcing me to smile. “He’s a lucky guy.”
This made me frown, and shot me back into reality. “Just when I think you couldn’t get any more charming you take it up a couple more notches.”
He traced my bottom lip. “And what about that is sad?”
“I don’t know,” I sighed, laying my head against his shoulder.
“Because I’m not the one you want to hear it from.” He laughed to himself, maybe he realized I was still hanging on to hope or lord knows what. I wasn’t sure.
“Hutch, I’m sorry,” I said, pulling away from him. “I’m saying and doing all the wrong things. This probably would be considered leading someone on.” I had no prior experience other than Slade. I stood up. I needed to get home. It was clear I was growing too fond of Hutch. And I wasn’t in the position to take advantage of his good will.
Hutch nodded, okay with letting me leave. “You take care of the things you have to take care of. And if you need anything you know where to find me.”
He wrapped his arms around me. “Be very careful, Doll. Promise me?”
“I promise,” I agreed.
He produced another scrap of paper. “My number, I know Karsen stole your phone last night so the old-fashioned way will just have to work.”
I smiled, tucking the paper in my pocket. “I’ll guard it with my life. See you later, Hutch.”
He smirked, lingering for a couple more seconds. “Fight the good fight, rah rah rah and all that good stuff right?”
I laughed, heading back to my house alone.
A little part of me was sad it was over, that I couldn’t have spent more time with him before I went back to my miserable life. And all the people that were going to let me have it when I showed myself, but I didn’t care, none of it mattered because there was one goal, crafting my special abilities, so I could defend myself from Audrey and the coven.
Time for changes
I turned the knob, trying hard to keep my noise to a minimum. Dad’s van was parked outside which meant he was home.
But all was for nothing when I saw Nona hovering over the stove stirring a pot of chili, her worry lines—or anger was very prominent.
“Hey, Hope,” she said, using my given name, that was always a bad sign.
“Hi Nona.” I dropped my gaze to the door already feeling like a criminal for showing up after such a wild night.
Nona ground pepper over the pot of chili and returned the pepper to the counter. The pungent smells of fresh herbs and spicy meats made my mouth water.
“How’s work going?” She eyed me suspiciously as I tried to get to my bedroom.
“Good, things are decent." I smiled before she dissected my strange behavior. “Look, Nona. I am sorry. Is Dad upset with me?” I looked into the living room for signs of him, but he wasn’t there.
Nona stirred the chili and let out a long sigh. “Why would he be upset with you, sweet pea? You’re not the evil bitch running around on him.”
My heart sank. This was nothing to do with me; Nona was in our house making food for Dad because of a breakup.
“When did this happen?” I pulled up a chair, covering my neck with my hair so Nona didn’t go on a rant about letting boy’s mouths do such horrid things.
“Well at one of the school committee meetings it was the big scandal circling around. You would think she knew better than to run around Cherry. Everything gets back to me.” Nona pulled up a seat and pulled out a pack of h
er skinny cigarettes. She lit one with a match, shaking the flame out. I hated when she smoked in our house.
“Did you punch her?” I smirked.
Nona shook her head, shooting a look at the hallway before she answered me. “No, I have more class than that. But I did tell her to think twice if she ever thought about coming around my son again.”
I frowned. Nona waved a hand in the air. “We are not going to let this get us down. I am making your dad his favorite food. And we are going to keep him in good spirits.”
“He said Lynette was the only good thing in his life,” I told her, and if she was gone I knew what was going to happen next. I could tell by the look in Nona’s eyes, she felt the same way.
“The boys are still young. They need a good parent in their lives. Lord knows your mother doesn’t care.” Nona rolled her eyes, snuffing out her cigarette and going back to the chili. “And your dad is full of shit. He has three very good things in his life, you, Elliot and Easton.”
I got up, lingering in the doorway, wanting to ask Nona what I could do to help keep Dad away from Jack Daniels. But I wasn’t sure she would give me a straight answer. She didn’t like to discuss Dad’s crutch with anyone. She liked to ignore it.
“Nona, what makes one person care so much and others care so little?”
Nona whirled around, her eyebrows high on her head. “I am not quite sure what you mean. However, I think whoever gave you that love bite cared enough in that moment.”
I pulled my hair over my neck my cheeks on fire. She leaned against the counter crossing her expensive red heels. “I think everyone cares, to some extent. Some people are just better at showing it.”
I nodded. It made sense.
“Is this about Slade and the blonde?” She asked.
My mouth fell open. How did she know? Was he running all over the town with Audrey?
“Like I told you, I know everything that goes on in Cherry. And if I was you, I would keep away from that girl. She looks like a bowl full of trouble.” Nona nodded her head.
