Hex Type Thing

by Amanda M. Lee

  “Because Aurora likes you,” Booker replied for him. “And, more importantly, Aurora was there when you took on the cupids. She saw what you can do. She’ll have spread that story to her brethren, which means they’ll be less likely to kick up a fuss when we invade their turf.”

  That’s when things slid into place for me. “We’re going to Aurora’s village.”

  Galen nodded. “It’s not technically another town. I know that’s confusing. It’s more a series of bungalows located between the beach and the river. They’ve taken over that part of the island — the sirens — and it’s allowed because nobody wants to take them on.”

  I shifted on my seat as I considered what he was saying. “I thought the sirens hung out down here. I mean ... I always see Aurora down here. She and a few of the other sirens have been monitoring the water outside the festival for you.”

  “Aurora is the friendliest of the bunch, which boggles the mind, I’m sure. They don’t like being too close to hordes of people. They prefer privacy.”

  “When the sirens first came to the island it wasn’t bustling with people,” Booker explained. “The part you know as the city was a quarter the size it is now — probably less — and it was full of pirates who spent their time carousing and drinking while avoiding the authorities.”

  “The sirens didn’t like the authorities any more than the pirates did,” Galen expanded. “They wanted a private spot. They picked the other side of the island, and the pirates and sirens came to an agreement. They avoided each other. As the city expanded, the sirens felt more and more invaded. They don’t like it when people visit Cooper’s Hollow.”

  “Are they going to attack us?” A knot formed in my stomach at the thought. “Are we going to have to fight?”

  “Odds are they won’t fight us,” Galen reassured me quickly. “That would be a wasted effort. But if they’re really crabby they might. Aurora will stand up for us to the best of her ability, but we might have to run.”

  I didn’t like the sound of that. “Is that why we can’t be there after dark? Because they might attack?”

  He nodded. “I need to be able to see what’s coming. Odds are we’ll be perfectly fine. I just want to make sure that’s the case. I want Booker with me because he’s another elemental and he’s strong. The sirens respect him because he’s helped a time or two.”

  “What if they have Alastair and don’t want to give him up?” I asked.

  “We’ll have to decide what to do then. For now, we just need to confirm he’s out there. If he is, odds are he’s not leaving the island. Boats can’t dock there. The current is too strong.”

  I learned something new every day on this island. “The sirens have helped us before,” I persisted. “They’ve fought alongside us. Why is going out there tomorrow such a big deal?”

  “There are two factions of sirens,” Booker replied. “The ones who helped us when your reaper friend was flapping her mouth are the friendly ones. They want to join with the Moonstone Bay community. The others, the older faction, are the ones in charge, though. They like their privacy and they’re not afraid to kill to maintain it.”

  Well, that was a sobering thought.

  GALEN AND I WALKED ALONG THE beach on the way home, our fingers linked as we watched the ocean waves roll in. This part of the beach was off-limits to the festival attendees, but I could hear them carousing ... and they didn’t sound as if they were having a bad time.

  “Maybe Booker is wrong,” I offered as we swung our hands. “Maybe things won’t fall apart tomorrow.”

  “I hate to admit it, but Booker is rarely wrong about this sort of stuff.” Galen’s smile was grim. “We’ll handle it when it occurs. Right now, the sirens are our biggest concern. Once we deal with them we’ll figure out the festival stuff.”

  On a whim, I slowed my pace and fixed him with a serious stare. “I was thinking about something earlier. I know it might seem sudden, but ... I think it makes sense for us. If you believe it’s a bad idea, you should tell me. I don’t want to ruin this.”

  His expression was curious. “You’re not going to ruin anything. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

  “I thought of it when we were changing our clothes at the lighthouse. Every week you have to make a run to your place to get stuff and bring it to my place. That seems like a lot of effort when we spend every night together. Maybe ... um, maybe ... well ... I was thinking you might want to move into the lighthouse. There’s plenty of room, and that way you wouldn’t have to pick up stuff all the time. But ... you might think this is a horrible idea.”

  He chuckled as I babbled, his fingers gently moving to my hair to brush it from my face and stare into my eyes. “Do you want me to move in with you?”

  “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want it. The thing is, I don’t know if that’s too much for you. Maybe you need another space as your escape hatch, which I get. We haven’t been together all that long. This feels right to me, though, and I just thought ... um ... don’t stare at me.” I lowered my eyes, mortified. “You think it’s a bad idea, don’t you?”

  “No, I don’t.” He shifted his finger to my chin and tipped it up. “I’ve been considering the same thing. I didn’t know how to broach the subject. I thought you would think it was too soon.”

  The invisible fist that had been squeezing my heart eased its icy grip. “Really?”

  He nodded. “I would love to live with you.” He swooped in and gave me a hard kiss. “I think it’s a great idea. I don’t want to be away from you.”

  This time the smile I graced him with was warm and welcoming. “Then ... we can do it?”

  He nodded. “After we deal with this festival thing. We need to focus on that first.”

  “Totally.”

  He wrapped his arms around me and squeezed. “I think this is going to be good.”

  “Yeah.” I let out a sigh. “Of course, I’ll need to meet your mother before we move in together. That seems necessary before we do anything big like moving in together.”

  He groaned. “Ugh. You maneuvered me right into that one, didn’t you?”

  I ignored his tone. “Let’s go home and celebrate our big life change ... and then get some sleep. The sirens await tomorrow and I want to be well rested for whatever comes.”

  “That sounds like a fine idea.” This time the kiss he graced me with was softer. “I really do love you, Hadley.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “You’re going to hate my mother, though. You’ve been warned.”

  I already suspected that was the case. Still, it was better to get it over with. Dragging it out wasn’t going to help anyone.

  18

  Eighteen

  I was ready for action the next morning and dressed accordingly, including putting on a pair of black leather pants that I’d bought for a Halloween costume years ago. I could’ve still been giddy from the night before, but the look on Galen’s and Booker’s faces when I joined them in the kitchen were funny enough that it was worth whatever discomfort I would incur from wearing them in sweltering weather.

  “All you’re missing is a sharp, pointy stick,” Booker commented as he sipped his coffee. It was so early the sun wasn’t up, but Galen wanted to time our trip so we arrived at first light.

  “Excuse me?” I arched an eyebrow, confused.

  “You look like Buffy from that vampire slayer show.”

  That was just preposterous. “Buffy was blond. I am not. If anything, I’m Faith.”

  “Thanks for the clarification.” Booker’s gaze was speculative when he switched it to Galen. “Are you going to let her wear that?”

  Galen looked caught. “She looks cute,” he said finally.

  “What does it matter what I’m wearing?” I demanded. “I think I look badass. They’ll think twice about messing with me.”

  “Because of the pants?” Booker challenged.

  “You have to look the part you feel,” I replied airily, moving next to Gale
n so I could pour myself a mug of coffee. “I feel strong in these pants.”

  “You look strong,” Galen commented. When I glanced up, I found he was staring at my rear end. When he realized I’d caught him, he straightened. “I mean ... you look like a total badass. The thing is, sweetheart, you’re going to sweat to death in those things once we’re out there. I don’t think wilting because of the heat is the message you want to send.”

  He had a point. Still ... . “We’ll be in air conditioning for the ride out there. How long are we really going to be out in the open?”

  “You might be surprised. As much as I like the pants, they’re not practical. Why don’t you save them for a night when it’s just the two of us? I know, how about the first night after I move in. That might be fun.”

  “You’re moving in?” Booker’s lips curved. “You guys aren’t wasting any time, are you?”

  “Hey, when you know, you know,” Galen shot back. “It only makes sense. We spend every night together as it is. Why keep two places?”

  “I’m not judging.” Booker held up his hands in capitulation. “I simply find it curious. Just pretend I’m not here.”

  “If only,” Galen muttered, shaking his head. He looked apologetic when his focus returned to me. “The pants are a bad idea. Why don’t you change into something more ... um ... casual?”

  “You were going to say ‘normal,’ weren’t you?”

  “Yes, but there’s nothing abnormal about the way you look.”

  “Whipped!” Booker coughed into his hand.

  Galen ignored him. “You look great. I want to hunker down and keep you here all day, but that’s not an option.”

  He was adamant enough that I knew he meant business. “Fine,” I sighed, “but you’re ruining my badass rep by making me change into wimpy clothes. You’ve been warned.”

  “Thank you for the warning, baby. I’ll regret the request for the next few hours. I can guarantee that.”

  Well, at least that was something.

  I SAT IN THE BACKSEAT FOR THE ride to Cooper’s Village. Booker’s legs were longer, and he and Galen were talking strategy, something that felt out of place from what I knew about the sirens, but they were more knowledgeable on this issue so I let it be.

  I was familiar with the road until we drove past Wesley’s house, and then it branched to the left ... and turned rutted and rough. I was belted in, yet I bounced hard enough that my teeth clipped a few times.

  “How does anyone get out here?” I complained when Galen took a particularly hairy turn. “If they’ve lived here for as long as you say, why haven’t they have smoothed out the road?”

  “That might encourage visitors,” Galen replied, his eyes focused on the track in front of us. He didn’t as much as meet my gaze in the rearview mirror. He was too intent. “They don’t like visitors.”

  “But ... what about supplies? They must need supplies out here.”

  “People deliver, but they don’t need much and they handle the bulk of their stuff on location. They have their own gardens, fish for protein, and cut down the trees for construction. They’re very self-sufficient.”

  “And they’re all women?” That was the part that really confused me. “There were men with Aurora that day when we were attacked, but you mentioned the women out here. You didn’t say anything about the men. What’s up with that?”

  Booker snickered as Galen let out a long-suffering sigh.

  “So curious today,” Booker teased. “What’s up with that?”

  He was on my last nerve. “I’m just trying to figure out the intricacies of the island. This is my home now. I want to understand it so I’m not always the goof doing weird things.”

  “You’re not a goof,” Galen reassured me. “You’re just ... new.”

  The way he said it made it sound as if that was bad. “Is that code for something?”

  “It’s code for being the most beautiful woman on the island.”

  Booker made gagging sounds as I rolled my eyes.

  “That was laying it on a bit thick,” I said. “Keep it up, though.”

  He laughed and then leaned forward. “We’re coming up on Cooper’s Hollow. Hadley, I need you to let me do the talking out here.”

  Booker snorted. “That should go over well.”

  Even though I was annoyed, I decided to show I was a mature individual. Instead of commenting, I blew a wet raspberry in his direction and turned to look out the window. I couldn’t see anything. I was almost convinced this was an elaborate hoax ... but then the trees gave way to something I had never seen.

  “Holy ... !” My mouth dropped open because I was in awe. “It’s like Swiss Family Robinson.”

  “Kind of,” Galen agreed as the treehouses came into view. “This is the heart of the village. The cottages and cabins on the other side aren’t this picturesque.”

  “And where do we think Alastair is?”

  “That’s what we’re here to find out.” Galen put his truck in park and killed the engine before glancing over his shoulder and snagging my gaze. “Remember that I’m the one doing the talking.”

  He was serious enough that I nodded, despite my agitation. “Yes, King Galen. You can do the talking while the lowly woman remains silent and demure.”

  “Oh, geez.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is going to be a thing, isn’t it?”

  “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

  I was anxious as I hopped out of the truck. The picturesque village featured houses built on tree branches and walkways between the houses. It was like a scene out of a movie ... and I had multiple movies from which to choose.

  “Do they have Ewoks?” I asked after a beat as Galen joined me outside the vehicle.

  He cast me a sidelong look. “Not last time I checked.”

  “Are they going to let me see inside of one of those cool treehouses?”

  “No. I’ve never been inside and I’ve been out here at least thirty times over the years. They’re very protective of their secrets.”

  That was disappointing. “Why do sirens — women of the sea — live in trees?”

  Galen growled and then faked a smile. “You’ll have to ask them ... but not today.”

  He was acting weird. “And why did you mention women and not men?”

  “Because the men in this society are considered ... less. It’s the women who rule.”

  Oh, well, that was interesting. “Maybe I should’ve been a siren. Then I could’ve bossed you around for a change.”

  “There’s still time. Maybe they’ll adopt you.”

  I could tell he was unsettled so I let it go and focused on the movement I saw beneath the trees. In short order, five women, all of them carrying dangerous-looking spears, approached us. I didn’t recognize any of them, which was enough to make me feel nervous. Instinctively, I moved closer to Galen.

  He slid me a sidelong look and an encouraging smile, and then focused on our hosts.

  “Hello, Cordelia.” He held his hands out in a conciliatory manner. “I apologize for interrupting your day, but something has come up that involves you guys and ... well ... I have a few questions.”

  I wasn’t sure which woman was Cordelia until a devastatingly beautiful woman who looked to be in her forties stepped forward. She had long brown hair that hung well past her waist, and she wore what could loosely be described as a top. It barely covered anything, but she didn’t look bothered to be on display despite outside guests.

  “Galen.” She bobbed her head and flashed her eyes toward Booker. “Cupid.”

  “It’s good to see you, too,” Booker drawled. He seemed much more relaxed than Galen, even though he hadn’t been addressed by name. “It’s been a long time.”

  “Not long enough,” she countered, although there was very little bite to her words. When her eyes flicked to me I suddenly felt vulnerable, something I hated. “And this must be the new witch I’ve heard so much about.”

  “Hadley
,” I volunteered in a cracking voice. “Um ... Hadley Hunter. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “And you. Aurora has spoken of you numerous times.”

  I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing. “Oh, well ... great.”

  “Where is Aurora?” Galen asked, glancing around. “She might want to be present for this conversation.”

  “I’m in charge here,” Cordelia reminded him. “Anything you have to say should be addressed to me.”

  “I wasn’t suggesting otherwise. It’s just ... we have a situation.”

  “As far as I can tell, you have numerous situations these days.” Cordelia’s eyes were back on me. “This one has been at the center of most of them. Is that the case again today?”

  “Actually, it’s not,” Galen replied. “Hadley came with me because she’s helping with the investigation. She was curious about Cooper’s Hollow. I thought this might be the only chance for her to ever see it.”

  “Oh, if only that were true.” Cordelia blew out a sigh and then gestured for us to come closer. “Let’s sit in the shade. You can tell me why you’re here and I’ll decide if I want to help you. I probably won’t, but you never know.”

  “That sounds great.” Galen put his hand to the small of my back and prodded me forward. “You guys have been busy. Last time I was out here some of the walkways were in dire need of fixing.”

  “We came into some unexpected funds,” Cordelia replied. “We’re in the middle of a renovation.”

  “Well, it looks great.”

  We followed her to a bonfire area, numerous chairs spread around, and Galen made sure to position me between him and Booker. It was a conscious decision, something I was certain that Cordelia picked up on, but she didn’t comment.

  “So, we’re looking for Alastair Herne,” Galen started. “He’s in some trouble.”

  “What sort of trouble?” a voice asked from the edge of the clearing. This was a voice I recognized, and I was happy to see Aurora slip through the trees. She was dressed for a change and I offered her a happy wave when I saw her.

  For her part, Aurora merely smirked and shook her head. “Hadley. I wondered if you would ever make it out here.”