Altered Souls (Witch Avenue Series #2)

by Bolton, Karice

  “That might be next. You better be careful,” he murmured, bringing me close to him.

  “Really? That could be kind of fun,” I giggled, leaning my head on his chest.

  “Wanna go grab some food?” he asked.

  “Probably should before everything closes up.”

  Going to town felt like the most normal thing we’d done in months; like something most couples took for granted. For so long, everything had been about dealing with the grief from my mom or mentally trying to reconcile what my mom’s disappearance meant to us all. I was getting used to the feeling of expectations being blown to pieces when it came to the thought of my mother. Now having Logan’s mom dragged into everything, and the possibility of Trevor being more involved in my life than I’d like, I needed just one night to play along as if everything was going to be all right. Something told me that this could be the last moment of reprieve for quite some time.

  We were only minutes from town and my stomach was calling. We parked our car at the end of town. I looked forward to spending a little time walking around.

  “Do you think there’ll ever be a future when we can be normal all of the time?” I asked, squeezing his hand.

  It was a balmy night and the heart of the small Adirondack town was beautifully nestled along Mirror Lake, offering many places for couples to stop and admire the view.

  “Normal isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” Logan said with a half-smile. “But it would be nice to have the option.”

  The warm glow from the many shops lining the street bounced onto the sidewalk, but one in particular stood out.

  “Oooh, there’s a chocolate shop,” I said pointing. “We’ve got to check there first.”

  The window display was filled with glorious mounds of dark chocolate blocks, peanut brittle, and caramel apples. As soon as Logan opened the door, the wave of deliciousness hit me.

  “I think I‘ve entered heaven,” I whispered, as I walked under Logan’s arm while he held the door open for me. What a gentlemen.

  The sweetness in the air reminded me of a more innocent time. I scolded myself for letting anything slip into my mind to disrupt the happiness spreading through me.

  “Chocolate covered strawberries!” I pointed at the back counter. “Must get those.”

  Logan stood back beaming, with his arms folded. This is what it could be like— our future— wandering through shops, indulging on chocolate and each other.

  Someday.

  I spotted marshmallow bars, and my heart instantly plummeted. Those were one of my mom’s specialties. Would I ever get to have her back in my life or was it over, truly over?

  Logan came behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, guiding me to an area of the store I had missed. It’s like he knew where my brain went.

  “I’m going to do my best to keep your mind occupied,” he whispered.

  I let my hands rest on his as I felt his body direct me.

  “How about some of that?” I followed his finger to see buckets of homemade ice cream hiding behind the glass calling to me.

  “I’m going to gain like ten pounds in one night. I’m sure of it.”

  The bells dangling on the door, jingled as a wave of new customers entered.

  “I better get a move on it,” I whispered.

  Going up to the counter, I ordered about half as much as I wanted, which was still triple what I could probably manage to consume. The shop was getting packed as the confectioner handed me bag after bag of my order.

  “A movie must’ve let out,” Logan said, nodding toward the theater across the street. “Do you realize we’ve never even gone to a movie together?”

  “I’m telling you this normal thing might not be so bad,” I said grinning, holding my bags of candy up.

  We walked back outside, and the warmth from being out of the air-conditioned store was nice. I reached in for the caramel apple with walnuts, and Logan took the rest of the bags from me to hold as we walked along the sidewalk.

  “Do you think my mom’s too far gone?” I asked, surprised at myself when it popped out.

  “All we can do is run on hope. I don’t think she ever intended to have this happen. I know she loves you,” Logan said, pulling me into him.

  “I don’t know what I’ll do if she’s not able to return to her old self.”

  “Don’t think of the worst. Enjoy your caramel apple and let’s try our hardest to make this evening as ordinary as possible,” he said and quickly kissed the top of my head, sending warm sensations through me.

  “You know what I’m really impressed with?” I asked.

  “What’s that?”

  “That we made it across the entire country on a road trip without killing one another.” I smiled. “And we still want to hang out. I think this thing might actually work between us.”

  Logan’s laughter echoed through the evening air, inviting me to think of the afters of life; the fairytale endings that I’d been shutting out of my mind since that fateful summer evening when my mother was stolen from me. He allowed me to imagine the possibilities that life had to offer, and I wanted them all to involve him.

  He followed my gaze and pulled me to the crosswalk.

  The view of the lake was incredible, and there was no one around this lookout point in the park. Logan climbed onto a large boulder and pulled me up, wrapping his arm around me.

  “This is nice,” I whispered.

  I looked at the barely rippling water in front of us, but I could feel Logan’s eyes on me, and I started to fidget. Scanning the small boats that were bobbing along, I began feeling flushed and avoided his gaze at all costs.

  “Okay, just wanted to make sure I still had that effect on you,” Logan said, bringing me closer.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I shot back smiling. I turned my attention to him.

  “Oh, I think you do,” he grinned.

  Doing my best to ignore him, I closed my eyes and stared out at the lake once more. The smile that was threatening to give me away felt nice, natural. I could sense he enjoyed every minute of it.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that he began looking toward the lake too, so I turned to look at him. It was my turn.

  “Two can play that game you know, and I’ll win,” I chided, feeling like my old self again.

  He looked at me in a penetrating gaze filled with roguish desire. How could any one guy be allowed to exude that much power with one glance? Totally not fair.

  “But would you want to?” His voice was low.

  I quivered, and I was sure he felt it as his smile turned into a full-blown grin. This was what things were supposed to be like — innocent flirting turning into not so innocent thoughts — brought on by a spectacular smile or quiet glance. This is what I wanted my life to be one day very soon.

  His dark hair was looking especially disheveled, and his grin was unbearably wonderful. Oh, how I wanted this to last.

  “That caramel apple kind of filled me up,” I teased. “Maybe we should just go back to the house?”

  “Hmm.” He pressed his lips together.

  A noise behind us caught my attention, and I carefully turned to see a woman standing on top of a Land Rover with her friends gathered around cheering her on. Her arms were splayed out like she was gesturing for a flight somewhere.

  Logan followed my gaze. “That’s weird.”

  “Hope that’s her own car she’s denting up,” I replied. “She’s definitely had one too many.”

  Logan squinted his eyes as he took in the scene. His body tensed slightly and his jaw tightened as he leaned in to take a closer look. I quickly turned my attention back to the woman on top of the car, when she jumped. She attempted to land on her feet, but unfortunately she fell to her knees. The group gathered around her praising her flying ability before they all took off flapping their arms down the sidewalk.

  “Creepy.” I smiled at Logan who turned his attention back to me. His eyes were soft, but th
ey held concern.

  “What’s up?” I asked.

  “Something seemed off,” he replied.

  “Drunk people generally are,” I giggled.

  My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out of my pocket without thinking.

  “Oh no.” I showed the phone to Logan. “I can’t believe this.”

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, grabbing the phone.

  “It’s from Jenny in Colorado.”

  “Oh, Triss,” his voice was heavy.

  “People are talking about a movement my father’s leading. He’s everywhere, isn’t he?”

  He stared at me not saying a word.

  “I’ve got to text her back.”

  “What are you even going to say?”

  “Under no circumstance let anyone know we’re friends.” I let out a sigh. “I just don’t know what to make of this. All I want is to get my mom back — your mom back too. Now it seems like there’s so much more to learn. I’ve got to keep her safe.”

  He jumped off the rock and grabbed my hand helping me down. Here I was in a strange place, wearing a mask of happiness, pretending that I could escape the inexcusable acts my father had committed.

  “I’m so pissed. I want this all to be over with so that —” I huffed and scowled at Logan before turning away.

  “I love you so much, Logan,” I tried again, avoiding his stare. “But no matter how much I want you — us — to be alright, I feel like to move forward we should concentrate on getting our mothers back, nothing else.”

  The street was bustling now, but everything devolved into slow motion. The only thing I could hear was the beat of my own heart pounding. Logan pulled his hand away. He was staring directly at me, maybe through me.

  “Don’t play these games, Triss.” He couldn’t hide his anger or his surprise.

  “I’m not trying to play games,” I started, but the fear almost choked out my words. “I am so lost and everything seems insurmountable and —”

  Logan narrowed his eyes at me and was quiet for several minutes and then took off. I shifted uncomfortably wishing I could take my words back.

  Should I follow him?

  “You coming?” he asked turning toward me, his eyes completely darkened by whatever thought occurred to him.

  I skipped a step and ran over to him.

  He slid his arm around my waist as we hurriedly left the hillside. I stole a glance at him, and his face was completely devoid of expression.

  “Logan, I never meant…” I began.

  “Come with me,” he interrupted, his voice kinder.

  We were walking quickly down the sidewalk and before I realized it, he pulled me to a secluded area up a grassy hill on the other side of the street.

  “What is this place?” I asked. We were standing in front of a small wooden building with stonework covering the front. It looked beyond old and superbly spooky.

  “I don’t know some church or something,” he said, glancing at the church sign. “I just needed you to myself.”

  I looked at him puzzled, searching his eyes for any clue he might give. His hands gently cupped my face, bringing it up to his. The softness of his touch did wonders for my spirit.

  Why had I acted like I could turn off these feelings?

  “Listen,” he said softly, stepping closer to me. “This isn’t your fault. I know you didn’t mean what you said. Maybe it’s the spell. Maybe Trevor has gotten into you more than we realized.”

  I shook my head violently, unwilling to accept that possibility. I would never love Trevor.

  The intensity of his stare melted me in place. I wanted to prove to him how much I loved him. I would do anything for this type of love.

  “I don’t understand how that slipped out. I’m not feeling like that at all. I mean I’m confused, but I don’t want to put anything on hold between us. I love you. I love you more each day.”

  “I know, baby. I feel the same way,” he said, his voice gruffer and lips hovering so close to mine I didn’t think I could take it much more.

  His fingertips lightly ran over my collarbone, tracing his way down my arm, igniting a flurry of emotions deep inside. His eyes were burning into my soul, bringing intensity to the night that I desperately needed. I wanted to forget what had spilled out of my mouth. I wanted him to forget it.

  “Things might be a little difficult for awhile,” he whispered, “and I need to get used to it.”

  He wrapped his arms around me, bringing his mouth down to mine. The heat of our skin together built a fiery anticipation of the unknown. This kiss was deeper, hotter than any we’d shared before. My body began trembling against his as I felt his embrace tighten. Running his finger up my spine, a wave of chills ran through me as I felt his lips break free.

  “I’ve promised you before, and I’ll promise it again,” he whispered, “I’ll never give up on us.”

  Chapter 12

  The panic my earlier words carried finally subsided, but I didn’t feel any more settled.

  “This might be a stretch, but what if we did the spider spell again? I know the feelings I have for you are far stronger than anything that stupid spell might have captured between Trevor and me. Maybe a new spell would overpower the old one or something,” I offered.

  We were sprawled out on the floor in front of the fire on a pile of cushions and blankets. This seemed to be the perfect spot to discuss possibilities privately.

  “Mmm,” he replied, twisting his lips as he thought about my idea.

  Logan was stretched out next to me, and even with the seriousness of everything, he was difficult not to admire. His hands were behind his head, which only did worse things for my imagination due to the fact that his shirt was raised far too high for my own good.

  I reached over and tugged on his shirt, but he wrestled me into his arms instead.

  “You’re too distracting,” I complained, burying my head into his shoulder.

  “Am I?” he quipped. “I’ll have to keep it up and layer it on even more.”

  “Whatever works,” I whispered, snuggling into him. “Try to wear those jeans as often as possible as well.” If teasing about the Trevor thing will help him get through it so be it. “Seriously though, do you think that might work with the spell?”

  “It’s an interesting idea. But my major concern is that it would somehow connect me to Trevor.”

  “But he can’t see my images, right? I was just allowed to see his.”

  He nodded, “But who knows once it’s done twice with the same person.”

  “I say we try it.”

  “I don’t know about that. You seeing my deepest, darkest secrets and all?” His lip curled up slightly and the overwhelming desire to kiss him came over me.

  “It’s getting hot in front of the fire,” I teased, scooting away slowly.

  “Right here is perfection,” he said, letting out a sigh bringing me back to him.

  “It is,” I agreed, closing my eyes.

  The crackle of the fire kept me hypnotized as my mind wandered back to the possibilities of avoiding Trevor or thwarting the spell entirely.

  “One thing we’re going to learn through all of this is to never give up,” I mused. Logan’s embrace tightened.

  “That’s for sure,” he whispered.

  “Now for my father and motive,” I started again.

  “Don’t you ever stop?” His laughter lingered.

  “I thought that’s one of the things you loved about me? My stubbornness.” I opened my eyes and rolled on top of him, staring straight into his gaze.

  “One of many things.”

  “If my father’s got a network in some states, or worse yet, all states, he’s planning something big.”

  “Right.”

  I rolled off Logan. It was far too difficult to be that close to him without my heart’s desires taking over.

  “I saw something about my father’s side of the family being around during the Salem witch trials,” I paused,” But they were
n’t listed as suspected of practicing or any such thing. Kind of odd.”

  “Where’d you find that?” he asked, propping his head on his elbow.

  “In one of the books from the Witch Avenue Coven’s library. It’s on the table over there. I’m surprised I caught it all. It was only touched on lightly in one of the passages, but it got me wondering.”

  “Yeah, that is strange.”

  My phone buzzed, and I grabbed it off the table. It was close to one o’clock in the morning in Lake Placid, but a couple hours earlier in Colorado.

  “It’s got to be Jenny.” I touched the screen and sure enough, Jenny’s smiling face appeared next to her name.

  “What’s she got?” Logan asked, sitting up now.

  “It looks like there are several people in the coven who are considering creating an offshoot for something called The Praedivinus Order. Praedivinus? What does that even mean?”

  I began typing it in my phone’s dictionary, but Logan already knew the answer.

  “It’s like prophetic, an oracular being or idea.” His eyes darkened as he stared at the flames.

  “My father thinks he’s a prophet?”

  “Someone connected to the Gods,” his voice trailed off.

  “Or?”

  “The underworld,” he shook his head.

  “This might be a stretch, but what—” I stopped.

  There’s no way. Now I was just being paranoid. I sat up and leaned against the stone of the fireplace, allowing the heat to penetrate the back of my head. Maybe I’d fry the crazy out. Trying to find excuses for my father’s abhorrent actions was not going to help anything. I can’t just say it’s in his genes and be okay with it. Besides that would imply it was in my genes too.

  “What? Might as well throw it out there,” he suggested.

  I texted to Jenny again, hoping I’d divert Logan’s attention.

  How did she find out about this? I couldn’t afford to lose any more people I cared about. I hoped she followed my request to stay away from those members and leave well enough alone.

  “So what’s your thought?” he tried again.

  “What if this wasn’t my father’s initial plan, but something passed down through the generations. Maybe going back to —”