Gram pulls a small string out of a drawer by her hip. I follow her instructions and fill the bag to the top. She nods and hands me a brown mug.
“Now, all you’d do at this point is put the tea bag in the mug, fill it with hot water and after a few minutes, the tea is ready to drink. Adding honey makes it taste quite good in the end.” She smiles at me, proud of her herbalist skills.
I smile back. “Should I make it now? I’m curious to taste it.” And I’m curious to know if it works at hiding my bond.
Gram and Camilla both instantly shake their heads at me. Camilla takes the ingredients off the counter before putting each of them away. She comes back to me with a sad smile. “Hon, if you were to drink that tea now, your connection to Gavin would be temporarily shut off. Hopefully, you never need to taste the coleus tea no matter how good Gram makes it sound, but it’s best to wait until it’s absolutely necessary.”
I nod. “I understand. If I drank it though, how long would the connection be gone?” I glance nervously at Gram and she is watching me with curiosity again, rubbing her index finger along her chin.
Camilla shrugs. “In my experience, it lasts about twenty four hours.”
Alexa makes herself known again from her stool on the other side of the island. “Thankfully, though, my brother won't ever let anything happen to himself that’ll make you need the tea. He is much too in love to risk his life in that way.” She smiles at me, reassuring me in the same way she did yesterday.
I smile back, not believing that to be true in the least. “I know. The whole process is just so fascinating.” I turn back to the older women. “Thanks for teaching me.”
They both nod and a voice breaks through the silence. “Am I missing the girl party?” Gavin says from the archway.
He leans against the wall very casually with his golden eyes watching me, and my nervous insides turn to mush. I can’t not be drawn to him. I run to Gavin and throw my arms around his neck. He chuckles against me and sighs into my dark hair.
Alexa clears her throat behind us. “No boys allowed!” She teases her barely older brother.
Gavin glares past me at her. “Whatever, Lex. We’re leaving anyways.” He sticks his tongue out like an insolent child and waves goodbye to the ladies in the kitchen. “Bye Gram, bye Mom!”
In an instant, I’m pulled away from the Cole house and into the backwoods. As soon as we come to a stop, I have to exhale the deep breath I had been holding on the seconds-long trip. I am clinging onto Gavin with a death grip and he laughs at me.
I slowly pull away from him and give him a stern look. “You don’t have to always run so fast, Gavin. One of these days I’m going to vomit when you do that.” I run my hands through my dishevelled hair.
Gavin pulls me against him again and his bottom lip sticks out. “I’m sorry. I am only trying to get you used to the speed. Soon, you won’t want to slow down.”
I look up into his eyes and can’t help the smile that betrays me. He is so perfect, I don’t know how I’m going to be able to leave him. At the thought of leaving Gavin to possibly never return, my face falls. If only I could hide my feelings better.
Gavin studies my face, his is full of worry now. “Aella, I really wish I could read your mind sometimes, you know that?” He strokes my cheek with the backs of his fingers and I close my eyes at the contact. He whispers to me, only a breath away. “Please, open up to me.”
Before I end up crying, I throw myself at Gavin. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull his lips to mine in a rough kiss. With my fingers tangled in his hair, I explore his mouth like never before. The groan that comes from deep within him only spurs me farther.
I am gently backed into a tree by Gavin, and he lifts me up so I can wrap my legs around his waist. This time, I’m very aware of what my body is doing, even though the control is faltering. All I want is for Gavin to erase all of my worries with his touch. His hands slide to my hips and he grips them tightly, keeping me against him.
I leave his lips and create a trail of kisses down his rough jaw, and to his neck. My lips tingle all over from the contact. Gavin groans again, but this time he sets me back on my feet, against the tree trunk. His hands hold my waist as he quickly backs away from me. Our heavy breaths mingle together in the chilled air between us.
Gavin’s eyes burn as he watches me with a look somewhere between elation and confusion. “Aella, I don’t want to complain in the slightest, because I want this more than anything.” His eyes flick to my opened mouth again. “Though, I can’t help the feeling that you’re just using me to forget your problems.”
He silently waits for a response from me, while still holding my waist. I’m afraid that I don’t have a response though, and I’m just going to disappoint him. I shake my head and side-step away from him.
“I’m sorry, Gavin. Let’s just go home, okay?” I start on the game trail back to the house, and who knows why, but he just follows behind me, and doesn’t pry any further.
Chapter 10
I have been awake for hours into the night. The small creases in the ceiling molding have created an entertaining story for me. How could I sleep, knowing my dreams will likely be invaded? Having that other consciousness infiltrating what should be a one-person thing, dreaming, is unlike anything else in the world. I don’t want to see Barron at all. Then, at the same time, I need to see him and for him to see me in order to draw him away from Oregon.
Tomorrow is Kassy’s birthday, and I have to somehow figure out how to act normal and happy, when my mind is in turmoil. My friend deserves happiness, and that’s what I want for her more than anything. She has been everything to me for so long, that I can’t let her down.
Barron needs to die, as horrible as it sounds. I never thought until recently that I’d want any person or thing to actually be killed. Especially by me, but I know that I need to kill him, and I have to use skills that Barron doesn’t know I have. All I need is to actually come face to face with the demon, and I’m not willing to let that happen with my loved ones around.
I finally concede and my eyes flutter closed as sleep consumes me. No better time than the present…
I’m suddenly awake, when I’m sure that I had fallen asleep only moments ago. I scan all of the dark corners of my bedroom and try to find the demon who haunts me. My eyes land on Barron, in the same chair and the same corner that he hid in last time. I can see his flowy hair fall over his forehead and flip out around his ears. He is in the same robe thing as last time too, but now I can see that it is all black.
He isn’t totally in focus as I scan him. It’s as if someone took a blurry photo of him and placed it in front of me. But, still, I notice that he is somewhat handsome and older than the boy he was before his death. Though, he looks almost the same as he did before with slightly paler skin and long lanky arms that don’t quite match up to his thick torso.
I stand from my bed, fully clothed this time, and walk toward him. I try to hide any fear within me, for the sake of my family. “Barron, I have a proposition for you,” I say.
Barron stands as well and a sound almost like a chortle escapes his throat. “What could you propose to me? I am already going to kill you, little Ganis, and it will not be all that difficult.” His voice is steady and confident.
I cross my arms and stand up tall. “I will come to wherever you choose, so you can finish your business without problem. All I need from you, is the promise that you won’t harm any of my loved ones. Family or not.”
Barron crosses his large arms as well and seems to ponder my proposal. He shifts, his head tiling from one side to the other and his tongue makes a clicking sound. “Alright,” is all he says to my proposal.
“ Alright ? So, you’ll take my deal?” I ask, unsure if I can trust him.
Barron gives one curt nod. “Yes, I will not harm any family member, nor any other human you deem a ‘loved one.’ I give you my word.” He steps closer to me and it feels like a beefy chunk of air leaves the room. �
�Though, you must meet me in a place of my choosing.”
I nod. “Okay, I can do that. Can I trust your word, Barron?”
He shrugs, the movement fuzzy. “As I have told you before. I am old, and in my time, honor was of great value. I have done much in the time I’ve had to be dishonorable, but in this case, I promise you.” He reaches a large hand out for me to take.
I tilt my head, unsure why he would make the gesture in a dream state, knowing full well I won't be able to touch him. But I reach my hand out to shake his. It passes straight through him but he grunts approvingly nonetheless.
“Meet me in Granbury, Texas. That is the first place I saw your mother years ago. I wanted to kill her then , it only seems fitting that you finally fall in that same place.” Barron nods once more and just before vanishing, he says one last thing. “I will find you there.”
In a second, he is gone and I’m waking up in my big cozy bed, with the sunshine’s rays peering at me through the window. The warmth doesn’t comfort me like usual, though. All I feel is the dread that I may never get to feel the sun again, very soon. And tonight, after Kassy’s birthday party, I’ll be leaving the people I love most, maybe for the last time.
***
It occurs to me, as I sit next to Gavin in his car, that I haven’t told him I love him since that day in the woods after he saved me from Thrane. I want so badly to reach over and grab his hand, and tell him how much I still feel those words.
He is so focused on the road ahead of him while he drives us to Kassy’s birthday surprise at the Shakespeare Festival theater. I’ve never actually been out in public on any sort of date with Gavin before. The idea that I have fallen so hard for him and have yet to actually date him is completely bizarre to me. I wonder if he realizes the same thing as me.
All day, Gavin has been studying me like I’m some sort of enigma. I know he can tell there is something going on. I haven’t made it all that hard to figure out, considering I have been moping and feeling like I’m living my last days. How am I supposed to tell him the truth, though? He has proven multiple times that he will do anything to protect me, even at the cost of his own life.
It’s my turn to save him, though. I will fight as hard as I can to come back to him, but who knows if he will even want me back after all of my lies.
Gavin pulls up to the theater and looks over at me. He reaches for my hand and gives me a soft smile, not producing the dimple I love so much. “Lex said she would meet us here just before Kassy and Liam show up.”
I nod and try to smile back. “I’m really glad she volunteered to keep an eye out for Kass. I hate that something is always after me and threatening Kassy.” It’s the truth. I really hate it. I just hope for a better future than this.
Gavin leans over the gear shifter and places a gentle kiss on my lips. He whispers to me with his calm breath fanning my face. “Everything will work out, Aella. I promise you that.”
It’s hard to not believe his words when he talks to me this way. “Thanks. I know it will. Especially because I have you.”
Gavin smiles for real this time. Dimple and all. Thank heavens for that dimple.
We exit the car together and make our way up the wide steps to the front entrance in the setting sun. The streets and sidewalks glow with the wetness from today's rain, and the small breeze picks up my hair over my sweater hood. Gavin snuggles me closer into his side and I’m warmed again.
As time ticks on, bringing me closer to my big escape , all I wish is that I could freeze time altogether. That kind of magic could really come in handy at a time like this. Where’s one of those Wicca girls when I need one?
Chapter 11
I answer the phone ringing in the back pocket of my skinny jeans. “Hey, Aunt Mags,” I say as I make my way down the sidewalk with Kassy, Liam, Gavin, and Alexa. We all just left the theater and Kassy is seriously in heaven as she bounces ahead of the group, hand in hand with Liam.
“Hey my sweet girl! I wanted to wish my little Kass a happy birthday!” I have to pull the phone farther away from my ear at her way-too-loud excitement.
I smile at my sweet mom and put the phone on speaker for the city of Ashland to hear. “Aunt Mags, you’re on speaker now. Say hi.”
Her singing voice rings out through the phone speaker. “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Kassyyyyyyyy! Happy birthday to you!”
All five of us laugh at her craziness. Kassy’s giddy grin stretches from ear to ear. “Thank you, Auntie Maggie. You’re the best ever!” She tucks her hair behind her ears as she leans in closer to the phone.
“Your welcome, my darling. I hope you’re somewhere very public so my awful singing could bring attention to such a wonderful young woman who just turned nineteen!”
We laugh again, and a few people passing us turn to smile. Kassy grabs the phone. “It wasn’t awful, and yes, we are definitely in public. We actually just left the Shakespeare theater and are heading down the streets of Ashland. You’d absolutely love it! Very hippie.”
Kassy is right, Aunt Mags would kill for this kind of evening. “That sounds like so much fun! What a good idea, girls!”
I talk this time and wink at Liam. “Actually, it was all Liam’s idea. Kassy’s cute boyfriend planned the whole thing.”
Liam blushes and waves awkwardly at the phone speaker. “Hi, uh...Aunt Maggie. I’m Liam.”
I can almost feel her excitement coming through the phone, causing more embarrassment for her girls. “It’s so nice to meet you, Liam. I will be coming to finally see all of you this weekend. I cannot wait!”
I cringe, feeling terrible for leaving before I get to see my mom. I just hope she will understand. “By the way, is El’s cute boy there too?”
Gavin smiles and looks at me questioningly. As if he doesn’t know that he is my cute boy. Who else would it be?!
Kassy speaks up for me. “Yes, Gavin is here as well, and his twin sister, Alexa.”
Alexa and Gavin speak in unison. “Hi!” they both say in harmony.
We all snicker at them, including Aunt Mags. Gavin leans toward the phone. “Hi, Maggie. It’s great to finally meet you, though over the phone isn’t ideal.”
She giggles through the phone like a teenage girl. “We will meet officially tomorrow. I’m so glad that you and your sister are such good friends to my girls. Yes, Kassy, you are my girl and don’t you forget it!”
Kassy gives a ‘woot woot’ sound and jumps in the air.
“Anyways, I’ll let you kids get back to your night on the town. I love you all!” Aunt Mags sure has a way with people. Each one of us is happily smiling at the cellphone.
“Love you too!” Kassy and I both say before hanging up.
Kassy hands my phone back to me and wraps me in a warm hug. “Thanks so much for helping Liam with tonight. I feel like I’m on cloud nine.”
“Anything for my sister. You know that.” I smile at my best friend and before I burst into tears, I grab her hand and we all continue into downtown Ashland, for my last night of fun before my big escape.
***
“Ow!” I whisper-shout to myself as I sneak around the Cole house in the dark. I just stubbed my toe on a very mean-looking decorative table in the hall. I’m trying to make my way to the kitchen in search of the coleus herbs. I’m sure it won’t taste great having a bite of the crushed leaves by themselves, but I’m not exactly in the position to be making tea at one o’clock in the morning in the dark.
I was able to convince Lex and Kassy to have a girls night at Alexa’s house after our night out in Ashland. Even though I love a good girls night, I mostly needed to be able to snag the coleus on my way out of town. The only way to do that was to wait for everyone to go to sleep and sneak around like a ninja.
Gavin made the ninja gig look so easy when he was following Kassy and I around last month. In my case, I’m more like a fat cat knocking down everything in its path to the treats on the top shelf, only worse.
I
finally make it to the kitchen and find the cupboard Gram showed me. I grab the container of coleus and stick it in my backpack with the rest of my belongings. I can’t take a mouthful until I’m on the train. If Gavin feels our bond separation too soon, he’ll be running toward me before I can even get out of town.
I pull four handwritten letters out of my jacket pocket and place them on the kitchen counter. I stare at the names sprawled out in my girlish handwriting on each envelope. Kassy, Alexa, Aunt Mags, and Gavin.
Before I can change my mind, I take the front steps quickly and leave the picturesque Cole house behind. I meet my Uber driver at the end of the long driveway. I wasn’t about to steal one of their nice cars, on top of the rest of my betrayal. My heart clenches as I watch the dark forest fly by through the figgy window. I hope they can forgive me. That was the point in my letters.
I told each of them how much I love them, and how much I wish I didn’t have to face Barron on my own. But this demon has been hunting my family for so long, picking them off one by one. There is no way I’m willing to risk their lives in the hopes that I might survive it.
After a long drive, my Uber car pulls up to the small train station and I smile at the young man at the wheel, shutting my phone off and leaving it in the back seat. He gives me a friendly smile back and waves as he drives away. When I get into the station, I pay for my ticket to Granbury, Texas and find my plastic train seat. There is nobody else around me in my lonely train car, which gives me mixed feelings.
It feels completely suffocating to be out on my own, but with nobody watching me, it makes my next step easier. I pull out the container of coleus and scoop a teaspoon size onto my hand. With a deep breath, I pour the herbs into my mouth and almost gag past the dirty taste.
I down a bottle of water after the disgusting dry mouth that I forced on myself. The instant the magical herb kicks in, I feel it.
The usual tightness that has been in my chest from the string always pulling me to Gavin lightens, and I gasp at the empty feeling. Tears burn my eyes as I realize he has to be feeling the same thing as me.
Intended Series Collection: Books 1-6 Page 24
