“I don’t know why it’s so hard.”
“We all have a reason for being here. It’s good that you’re not with Antony. It makes my job easier. Although, I am getting a little bored, if I’m honest.”
I slapped his hand to get him off me and he pulled back, rubbing his skin.
“Is this just a game to you?” I leant forward, getting in his face. “Why are you here?”
He scowled at me, his teeth bared. The man had kidnapped me and kept me captive. He had tried to trick me into believing that Daniel was my soul-match, and he had killed my match in all of our past lives.
Numbness spread over me as I took a deep breath. I didn’t care about any of it. I just wanted to get on with my life.
“Have you been practicing your magic?” Nick scratched the stubble on his chin, looking far too relaxed. “No,” he muttered when I didn’t answer. “I suppose you can’t without him. It’s because he was in danger that day. That’s what triggered the ice magic.”
Sucking my bottom lip into my mouth, I stared at him. I hadn’t told anyone about the ice that had come from my fingertips, searing into Nick’s skin. In fact, I’d convinced myself that it hadn’t happened.
“When was the last time you heard from your mother?”
I froze. I hadn’t spoken to either of my parents since I had left the townhouse. My siblings had stayed away too, allowing me the space I craved. I had hidden in the suburbs of London for weeks, sure that they knew where I was, and yet, leaving me to it.
Nick was the first to approach. How had he found me?
“You have my mother?” I asked, shuddering as chills slipped down my spine.
He nodded once, his grey eyes calculating. I had to force myself not to lunge at him.
“What do you want?”
He glanced around before looking back at me. “I want you to take her place by my side.”
My eyes narrowed on him. What did he mean – at his side? It sounded creepy and perverted.
I glanced over his shoulder to see if I could escape. I should have jumped up and run as fast as I could. The door to the café was wooden, I couldn’t see out. There was no point in running. His men would be waiting outside. At least if I bargained with him, he might let my mother go. If he was telling the truth, of course.
“What do you mean?”
“Your mother has been with me since your father left. Why do you think you haven’t seen her for a while? She’s recently developed a conscience and wants to leave. Of course, I can’t let her do that… unless you take her place.”
Bile threatened to come up my throat. With shaky hands, I gripped the edge of the table and looked into his eyes. He told the truth, I could sense it.
Crap, for five years, mother had been involved with the man that wanted us to fail.
“What do you mean take her place? Are you some sort of pervert?”
He blinked and threw back his head, a bark of laughter escaping him. I wanted to punch him straight in the throat. In fact, I lifted my hand to do just that, but he deflected the attack by grabbing my wrist and holding me still.
“Don’t be silly,” he said quietly. “I didn’t mean it like that. I meant as my second in command. She oversees my efforts to stop you and lover boy getting together.”
Shock rocked through me, taking my breath away. Surely not? The betrayal was too much and the tears came, springing into my eyes. Smiling, he let me go, patting my arm as it fell to the table.
“Everyone thinks you’re weak. I know better, Penny. Your strength comes from your emotions. I can teach you how to harness them to bring out your magic.”
Wiping away the evidence of my tears, I choked back the sob that wanted to come. I wasn’t strong, I was weak. My siblings were right about me. I couldn’t be anything other than a sensitive person. I had tried and it didn’t work.
“Okay, I’ll come, just to help my mum, not to stop the others. Surely, if I’m kept apart from Antony, it will be enough?”
Nick stood and offered his hand. Closing my eyes, I took a shuddery breath. If I went with him, maybe I could learn how he had managed to awaken the dark magic that had been hidden for so long.
My mother would be free, even though she didn’t deserve my pity. My insides quivered at the idea of abandoning my mission by going with him. Yet, I had been prepared to forget about Antony, hoping that by being apart, he would stay safe. No one would be safe from Nick, ever. There had to be a way to defeat him, there just had to be, and I was going to find it.
Opening my eyes, I took Nick’s offered hand, letting him pull me to my feet. The clock showed the end of my shift. It would be the last time I ever served anyone a coffee.
As I waved to my colleague, I swallowed the lump that threatened. My normal life was about to be a memory of the past.
Stepping out into the street, I braced myself. It was late, the darkness heavy over the calm road. The slower part of London had always appealed to me, which was why I had sought a job in a side street café, known only by word of mouth.
“Nick!” a familiar voice shouted as we came out of the café. “It’s good to see you again.”
Not needing to check who it was, I shoved my elbow into Nick’s side and stepped away when he grunted and released my hand.
“Penny, come here,” Alex called.
Rushing over to him, I looked back to see Father on the pavement, facing Nick. Our enemy had recovered his shock and watched Father closely.
Alex wrapped his arm around me and picked me up, ready to hurry me away.
“Let go,” I said, bashing his arm. “I have to stay and watch this!”
He dropped me, keeping a hand on my shoulder. Headlights lit up the pavement as a vehicle passed. My other brothers stood in the shadows, restraining Nick’s backup. All four of them were there.
“It’s been a while, Nick,” Father said, stepping closer.
“It’s been a very long while. I’m glad to see you.”
The sarcastic tone was noticeable, even from where I stood.
“Alex—”
“Be quiet,” he hissed.
“I’m sorry for how things ended in the last lifetime.” Father grinned so hard, I knew he wasn’t being sincere.
“I’m sorry for how it’s going to end this lifetime.”
“Don’t you ever get sick of fighting?”
Nick stilled, his back as rigid as mine. Alex’s hand was heavy on my shoulder, weighing me down. I wanted to pull away, to regain my freedom. It had been nice to live a normal life, even if it was only for a few weeks. It had been refreshing not to have to worry about my siblings or our mission.
“It’s what I live for. You know that.”
“There’s a difference between fighting and having fight in you.” Father slapped his chest and took another step forward.
Nick backed up. It was the first sign of vulnerability I had ever seen in him.
Father was right. I had run away because I didn’t want to fight anymore, but in truth, I had been fighting the whole time. Antony had wanted to speak, but I couldn’t face him. Blocking him on my phone had been the only way I could find peace. I had become the runner. I had resisted and mirrored my soul-match. When he was running from me, I had also run. Instead of surrendering, I had given up.
“Alex—”
“Shut it, Penny,” he snapped.
He was trying to listen to the exchange, but I needed to talk to him.
The conversation ended abruptly when Nick ran forward and jumped in the air. His leg kicked out, ready to plough into my father’s head. Father spun out of the way as Nick landed in a crouch.
“Are we really going to do this?” Father asked.
Alex’s hand tightened on me when Nick tackled Father’s legs and sent them both flying. Father rolled when they hit the ground and threw Nick off.
“Father…!” I shouted when Nick bounced up and lunged again.
My voice shocked Nick. His step faltered as he lifted into the air, hi
s arms outstretched. Father swiped his leg and managed to knock him back down.
“I always win one on one combat and you know it,” he said as Nick groaned.
Alex jumped up and down, letting go of my shoulder. He was dying to get involved, to take down the enemy for the first time. Lee was doing the same nearby, ready to finally go against the warlocks.
“Alex, go and help him!” I begged.
He shook his head and glanced at Lee. I followed his gaze, but Father’s grunt grabbed my attention. Nick had jumped onto his back and wrapped his hands around his neck.
Theo struggled with one of Nick’s men, punching the warlock in the face.
“You need to get out of here,” Alex said, pushing me away from the fight.
Backing up, I waited by the parked van. I hadn’t noticed it before, too wrapped up in the ongoing violence in front of me.
Full blown fighting broke out amongst my brothers and the warlocks.
“Father…!” I shouted when Nick tried to wrench his neck.
My father managed to fling him off and spun towards me. “Go to Antony! He knows what to do,” he called.
The sound of his name made my heart leap into my throat.
“Mother is with Nick! We need to help her!”
A sad smile fell over his face, making my stomach churn. He had known that she was with Nick. How could she have done it? She had lived a lie. We hadn’t seen her for a while, preferring to keep our distance. She had kept in contact only by phone, checking in every day. And all along, it was because she had been helping Nick. It was the reason she hadn’t wanted us to be free.
“Go, Penny!” Alex gestured, pushing his free hand into a warlock’s face.
The warlock screamed as smoke sizzled from the skin on his cheek, bright red and blistered. Alex’s fire elemental magic was stronger than usual. It was no wonder Nick was afraid of us, we were starting to regain our power.
Clambering into the van when Father pushed Nick away, I started the engine. The others wouldn’t have an escape if I took their only transport, I would have to find another way to get to Antony.
“No!” I heard Nick shout.
I turned in my seat, my heart jumping into my throat when Nick ran towards the van. Putting my foot on the accelerator, I shot out in front of another car. The car horn drowned out the swearing that filtered from my mouth. I wasn’t usually allowed to drive, my brothers claiming that I wasn’t a safe driver. It wasn’t true.
Looking in the rear-view mirror, I searched for my family. They were still fighting. A siren sounded nearby, indicating to the others that the fight had to end. I hoped the boys would get away before they were arrested.
There was a taxi ahead, parked outside a pub. I pulled the van up to the side of the road and left it there, hoping the boys would get to it in time.
Hopping out, I dove into the taxi and asked him to take me to the nearest mainline station. Shooting Alex a text, I let him know where the van was. The boys had to get away from the warlocks. We wouldn’t cope if they took them.
My heart thundered in my chest as I glanced through the back window. I couldn’t see my family as they fought with our enemies. Why couldn’t I stay and fight? No, I might have known how to throw a punch or two, but I would only hinder the boys.
There was only one thing that would help. Uniting with my soul-match.
Father had told me to go to Antony. I needed to get to Antony.
Chapter Eighteen
Pounding on the door, I glanced over my shoulder as my panting breath echoed around me. I had travelled on two trains, even though I didn’t need to, in an attempt to try and cover my tracks. There were no cabs at the station, so I’d had to run to my Father’s, checking for warlocks on the way.
It was now the middle of the night, surely they would be up, waiting for my father.
“Who is it?” Bev called through the door.
“It’s me, Penny.”
The locks clicked and the door opened. Bev stood in her dressing gown, her brow furrowed. I looked straight past her to Antony who stood by the stairs, aiming a gun at my chest. As soon as our gaze met, he lowered it.
Bev pulled me into the house and shut the door, fussing over my straggly hair. “Are you okay, love?”
Nodding, I swallowed, not able to take my eyes away from Antony as he stared at me.
“I thought I was dreaming,” Derek said from the balcony above.
I glanced up as Antony shook his head and looked away. Derek wore a pair of pants and nothing else. He also held a gun.
“I’m fine,” I said to Bev. “Father and the boys were fighting with Nick. He told me to come here.”
Bev pushed me into the library and sat me down in one of the chairs. Antony and Derek came in behind us, hovering by the desk.
“Are they okay?” Bev asked, pouring herself a stiff drink. When she offered me one, I shook my head. Alcohol wasn’t what I needed.
“He seemed to be doing well before I left. The police were on their way. Hopefully they broke it up.” I looked at the two brothers who glanced at one another.
“Should we go and find him?” Derek scratched his stomach.
“No,” Antony said, his tone hard. “I have orders. We’re to stay here. Don’t answer the door to anyone until he gets in contact. We’re safe. Bev, I think you should go back to bed. You too, Derek. I’ll get Penny settled and then keep watch.”
Bev came over and put her arms around me, giving me the comfort that I needed. Alcohol could never give me the reassurance that a hug could. She stroked my head before leaving, Derek trailing behind her.
“Night, bruv,” I heard him mutter as he patted Antony on the shoulder.
Sitting in silence as Antony checked the front door, I wrung my damp hands together. It was the first time I’d seen him in two months, and currently, my insides quivered as my fingertips went numb. No, not numb. Looking down, I frowned. Ice crystals formed on the tips of my fingers, falling to the carpet below.
Antony cleared his throat as he came back into the room and sat behind Father’s desk. Tucking my hands into my lap, I tried not to smile. Being near him had ignited my magic again. He might still be afraid, putting an invisible wall between us, but it no longer hurt. I understood. Magic was scary, even to me. Love was petrifying, especially for us.
“Why did you run away?” Antony gripped the edge of the desk.
“Same reason you did,” I replied.
I licked my lips as I glanced down, forcing my muscles to relax as he stiffened.
“Fair play.” The lightness of his tone made me look up.
He smiled and my heart pounded. It had been a long time since I had seen his dimples.
“Did you come back by choice?”
Lowering my head, I stared at my hands. A few short hours ago, I had told Nick that I didn’t want anything to do with my mission or Antony. I had been prepared to let him keep us apart. Did I tell him that?
“Be honest with me.”
I looked up and tried to smile. When our gaze met, something overtook me. My body started to shake and the shock of what had happened set in.
He leant forward, a frown on his face. “Tell me,” he said quietly.
My head shook, and I blinked, trying to stop the tears that blurred my sight. “I was going to go with Nick because-”
“What?”
He cut me off, a scowl on his face as he went to get up. Pushing to my feet quicker, I held up a hand and scowled back. He sat back down when I approached the desk, his mouth slightly open as I put my hands on the wooden surface and leant forward.
“Listen to me! Yes, I ran. I was scared and sick of crying over my failed mission. Nick found me earlier this evening and told me that he had my mother. I believed that he’d kidnapped her, like he did me. So I agreed to be exchanged.”
“I didn’t know where you were!” he hissed. “The others wouldn’t tell me.”
His fingers clenched the desk and his knuckles turned white.
“I know, I’m sorry,” I said, thrown off by the mismatched conversation.
“Anything could’ve happened to you.” He thrust up from the chair and leant forward on the desk, his nose inches from mine. “You were going to go with him? Even though you knew we could never be together if you did?”
Tears ran down my face, dripping onto my chest. We both ignored them. His breath hit my face as he panted, his bright blue eyes gazing into mine. I had to plant my feet firmly against the carpet in order not to run away.
“I couldn’t handle it,” I whispered. “All I thought about was you. Even when I distracted myself, I couldn’t get you out of my head. All I wanted was for you to turn up and take me into your arms, and obviously, you never came. Then Nick was there, offering to help me forget about you. I thought I would finally be able to accept that my mission to bring back witches had ended.”
His jaw popped as he clenched his teeth. My pulse raced as heat radiated from him, almost sinking into my pores. I knew I would get burnt if I dared to reach out.
“You want to give up on your mission?”
He grabbed my arm and yanked it up between us. Almost falling, I managed to right myself, using my other arm to regain my balance. What was he doing?
The bracelet that marked the curse was in my eye line. I cringed when the silver charm reflected the light from the nearby lamp. Antony fingered the frayed edge where I had attempted to cut it off several times over the last few months.
“Not anymore,” I whispered.
The anger left him in a rush and his breath landed on my face. His muscles loosened, but he still held my arm.
“Good.”
Letting me go, he left the room without a backward glance.
*
“Is Father back yet?”
The room stayed silent as I eyed Derek and Bev, who sat across from me the following morning. Antony had gone to bed as soon as his brother had got up.
“I’m assuming that’s a no. He must have stayed with the others after the fight.”
Bev fidgeted, stirring the cereal around her bowl. Neither of them had eaten anything.
Chasing Magic: The Last Witch Coven Book 1 Page 18
