by Pat Esden
Chloe glanced down, away from his steady gaze. “Personally, I’m shocked your grandfather didn’t bitch at you for getting involved with someone like me.”
“Why would you think that?” he said, clearly baffled.
“Your grandfather might be tangled up in a bunch of old rumors, but the gossip about me is totally founded.”
Devlin frowned. “You can’t be talking about the Vice-Chancellor’s son. Everyone knows that was an accident.” Sudden understanding crossed his face. “That boy, his near drowning—that’s why you want to go to med school. It’s why you were so eager to join the Circle.”
Chloe nodded, relieved that it was out in the open. “If I could find a way to heal the damage that was done to his brain, then I could make up for everything. Maybe, if I’m really lucky, Merlin already knows a way.” A sinking feeling balled in her stomach and she fell silent for a moment. It was the same gut level not quite right sensation she’d felt last night when she watched the coven members press their bloodied palms against Merlin’s crystal. But it didn’t make sense, Merlin was the answer to her prayers. His awakening was a way for the coven to resurrect their reputation. It would help humanity. Still, she couldn’t help feeling something was off. “How do you really feel about bringing Merlin back?”
“There’s a lot of good that could come out of it.” He shrugged. “Right now, I’m mostly worried about Athena. It isn’t like her to be manipulative and evasive.”
“You think waking Merlin is the right thing to do, though?”
“If we succeed, it could lead to some incredible re-discoveries.” He rested back on his stool, studying her intently. “Do you mind if I ask you something?”
“Yeah, sure.”
He shifted forward again and folded his arms on the island. He licked his lips. “Why did you come all the way up to northern Vermont? Why UVM? With test scores like yours, you could have taken the classes you need almost anywhere. You might have known that the Circle existed. But we’ve kept our interest in ancient medicine to ourselves.”
She stroked her wrist, toying with her absent charm bracelet. “Honestly, I had no idea that the Circle existed. All I knew was that I didn’t want to live close to home, but I wasn’t sure what to do or where to go. So I got out an atlas, dangled my crystal pendulum over a map of the world, then asked Hecate to guide me. She brought me here.”
He smiled, his eyes brightening. “That’s wonderful, perfect. Something your parents couldn’t argue with either.”
“Exactly.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “When I first moved to Burlington, I was so lonely. I thought I’d made a mistake. But now—” She gathered her nerve, and then let the rest out. “Last night with you was amazing. But I’m fine with just having fun. Seriously, I’m not looking for a commitment. More than anything, I don’t want to mess up my relationship with the coven.”
Henry returned, this time shoving his tennis ball at Devlin. He pushed the dog away and leaned further forward, his gaze solely focused on Chloe. “We need to get a few things straight. First, I don’t jump into bed with every woman that turns me on. Chloe, you’re special to me and that will always be the truth. Secondly, it may take a while but—with or without Merlin—we will find a way to help that boy.”
Emotion—one she couldn’t quite name—welled up inside her. Sure she might do something stupid like cry if she tried to speak, she bit the inside of her cheek and nodded. She longed to believe he cared about her that much, but she couldn’t afford to forget Athena’s warnings about him. And then there was the witch sex. More than likely her magic had messed with him as much as his had enthralled her. No matter what, sitting here alone with him wasn’t the place to attempt to untangle how she felt, especially with his bed only a few yards away.
He rested both hands on the island and pushed himself up onto his feet. “Now maybe you’d like some of my hangover cure. I could sure use some.” He glanced at her again, a bit sheepish. “After that, I’ve got to take Henry for a walk to the lake. It’s a Sunday tradition. He won’t let us have any peace until I do. You’re welcome to come with us.”
“A walk sounds great.” She smiled, feeling calmer already. Fresh air always made her feel better.
Ten minutes later, they’d chugged the hangover goop and she’d changed into clean jeans and a light sweater that Devlin had borrowed from Athena, along with her own underwear. Apparently, that’s where he’d been coming back from when Zeus had called.
With Henry tugging at his leash, they headed outdoors and down a path that ran alongside Devlin’s apartment and toward the rear of the complex property.
Morning sunshine glistened off the dense brush and scrubby trees that grew close on both sides. Chloe breathed in the crisp air, feeling more enlivened with every step. She wasn’t surprised when they reached a gate and a chain-link fence that blocked the path. It wasn’t like the coven could leave the complex accessible to everyone. However, it was unlikely that most people would ever notice or even sense the sheer wall of rippling green magic coating the fence and gate for added security.
Devlin pointed at the gate. “Open,” he said, sending a quick burst of energy toward it, similar to the way she snuffed out candles.
The gate swung open, closing again after they passed through.
Chloe glanced back. “That’s cool.”
“The Circle was lucky to get this property,” Devlin said. “It’s right on top of a major lay line. Between that and the lake’s magic, we can do some pretty unique things.”
After they walked a few more yards, the path intersected with a wide paved trail that ran in both directions. Chloe took a guess. “The city bike path?”
He nodded. “Go right and you’ll eventually come out downtown. We’re going left, Oakledge Park and Henry’s favorite swimming spot. There’s also a clock there that I think you’ll like.”
“A clock?” She glanced at him, inquisitively. “Like a clock shaped garden? A miniature Big Ben?”
“No clues. You’ll have to wait and see.”
What remained of Chloe’s hangover and exhaustion evaporated, replaced with sheer happiness. Her footsteps felt light as if moss and petals carpeted the path under her feet. For the most part, they walked alone. A few bikers passed by and a pair of joggers, smiling and saying good morning. Chloe suspected they mistook her and Devlin for a real couple out walking their dog on a Sunday morning. And, it felt good. Even if it was a temporary fantasy.
“I owe you another apology.” Devlin slid his free hand around her waist as they walked. “I feel awful about the quarry. We drew names to see who would be in charge of each initiation test and Jessica got you. I couldn’t do anything about her choice.” Her body warmed as his hand glided up onto her shoulder. “All I could do was insist on being on her team.”
“It’s okay,” Chloe said, though she had wondered about this. “Leaping into the water felt right.”
“I was hoping the water hadn’t cooled down too much.” He let go of her, bent down and unhooked Henry from his leash. The dog rocketed off down the bike path.
“It’s okay to let him run loose here?” she asked.
“Not really, that’s why I bring him down before the park opens. The lake’s just ahead.”
She brushed her hand down the sleeve of his quilted jacket until her fingers meshed with his. “Jessica was right, though. You lit that joint on purpose?”
He gave her fingers a squeeze. “But I didn’t inhale. I was the designated driver after all.”
Chloe laughed. “I’ll never forget seeing you in those woods. I was so relieved.”
They went around a curve and the path opened onto a mowed lawn with a view of a rustic beach and a wide stretch of slate-gray lake. But her gaze only stayed on the water and Henry for a few seconds, before straying to a circle of standing stones that was about forty feet across. A miniature Stonehenge.
Even at a distance, her skin tingled from the energy wheeling off it.
“That’s incredible,” she said. “Does the coven use it for rituals? I mean, it is a public park.”
“That’s the clock I wanted you to see. It’s the Burlington Earth Clock. Local Wiccans and Pagans come here to celebrate the solstices and other events.” He led her across the lawn toward the stones. “We use it late at night sometimes. That’s one reason we’re lucky to have Matt in our coven. Since he works for the city park department, he can make sure those ceremonies remain unnoticed.”
Chloe counted the stones, fourteen in all. With their rough surfaces shadowed by the early morning light, she had no trouble imagining wizened faces staring out from them, craggy and gnarled by time. She strolled to the closest stone and pressed her hand against it, letting its energy soak into her palm, echoes from past rituals and the circle’s vibrations mixing and rising from the lay line below. For a second, she wondered if Juliet came here with her Wiccan friends. Juliet. She was probably super pissed at her right now for pulling a no-show on pizza night.
She made her way over to an information board, scanning to get the most important details. Apparently, there was a flat stone sundial at the center of the circle. If someone stood on it, their shadow would tell the time of day. If they looked west across the lake, the five standing stones on that side of the circle marked where the sun set on solstices and equinoxes. The days when dark and light gave way to each other. Darkness and light.
She stepped closer and reread the solstice part. Darkness and light. Yin and yang. Could the orb’s warning have been referring to this place?
A creepy-crawly sensation slithered up her spine. She shuddered, and then froze motionless as she realized the feeling had nothing to do with recalling the orb’s warning. The sensation hung thick and heavy in the air around them, as if someone had opened a grave on this sacred ground. Disturbed magic. Not at all like the positive wheeling energy given off by the stones.
Her heartbeat slowed, dread pounding inside her. Slowly she turned around, searching for Devlin. She saw him striding toward the nearby woodline, holding something in his hand. He tossed it into the bushes. The creepy-crawly sensation vanished immediately.
“What are you doing?” she called out.
“I found a dead bird. I thought I’d do everyone a favor and put it someplace more respectful. It didn’t smell very good, either.” He glanced at his fingers. “Come on, let’s go down to the lake. I want to rinse my hands off.” He strode through the circle of stones, aiming for the beach where Henry was tugging on a chunk of driftwood.
She started after him. But as she passed the circle’s most westerly stone, the hair on the back of her neck prickled. She followed the tug of her instincts, her gaze swinging to where tufts of small black feathers speckled the grass at the stone’s base. A sick feeling built in her stomach as her gaze traveled upward. Blood smeared the rock’s rough surface, as red and gray as the ash berries and owl bones Jessica used to divine the future.
“Devlin!” she shouted. The bird hadn’t died of natural causes or even been killed by a predator. That kind of death wouldn’t leave behind such a heavy sensation of dread and magic, not to mention blood all over a stone.
Devlin jogged back to her. “What’s wrong?”
“The bird you found—someone sacrificed—” Her voice stuttered as she gestured at the feathers and blood. “You must have felt the magic.” A fresh chill went through her. He touched the bird. With his level of power, he couldn’t have missed the energy.
“Damn,” he mumbled. “I didn’t see that.”
“But you did sense it? The bird you found—was it—mutilated?”
“I didn’t sense dark magic if that’s what you’re worried about.” He slipped his arm around her shoulder, turning her away from the stone. “It could have been an offering with good intentions. Some practices call for live sacrifice, like us putting our blood on Merlin’s crystal.”
“I guess, I wasn’t expecting to see something like that…especially not here.” She snuggled into his warmth as they walked away from the circle of stones and toward the beach. It could have been a practitioner of any of a number of crafts, or even someone with latent powers messing around and giving life to a spell without even realizing it. Still, it was unsettling. “I thought the coven knew all the empowered witches in the area.”
“We try to. But the Earth Clock is a tourist destination.” He nudged her teasingly with his elbow. “You know witches do take vacations.” His voice quieted. “The bird looked pretty nasty. Its head was gone, but the magic was fading quickly. I didn’t want to show it to you and spoil the mood. I really enjoy being with you, Chloe Winslow.”
She gave him a peck on the cheek. “Same here, Devlin Marsh. And you’re right. I wouldn’t have wanted to see something like that.”
The corners of his mouth twitched into a slight smile. Warmth flushed her skin and a sense of contentment blanketed her. She glanced out over the lake, past the bright line of autumn leaves and seaweed staining the high-water line, beyond Henry, to the gray rhythmic waves, their white crests as fine as a woman’s hair, as misty as faces materializing out of stone.
Chapter 14
Hi Mom, These were made by Double Infinity Glassworks. I thought they were really elegant. I hope they’re what you wanted. Classes are going great. Loving my cozy apartment. XOX, Chloe
—Note in package to Joy Winslow
Late in the afternoon, Chloe got a ride back to her apartment from Devlin.
“Thanks for everything. Last night, this morning—all of it was beyond amazing.” She hesitated, uncertain whether she should lean in for a kiss. Their relationship had flown right past the handshake stage, but there were people on the sidewalk and a dozen young guys barreling out of a van right ahead of them.
“I’ll text later,” he said.
Her breath stumbled as his gaze met hers. What was she waiting for?
She bent toward him, a thrill rushing through her as his fingers stroked her cheek. His lips met hers, firm and moist. She wriggled in closer, enjoying the warmth of his body, the purr of his magic bathing her skin. His lips parted and grew more demanding. She tilted her head back, murmuring with pleasure.
Someone outside the car hooted. One of the guys banged on the car’s hood and gave a thumbs-up. Devlin returned the thumbs-up without taking his lips from hers. She trailed her fingers up his thigh, teasing. He stroked the side of her breast. She closed her eyes, losing herself in the pleasure for another moment before pulling back, breathless as a teenager on prom night.
“Mmmmm. We should say goodbye more often,” he said. He glanced down, his smile fading before his gaze met hers again. “I’m going to be busy for the next few days. A big project for a new client. But maybe we could get together later in the week?”
A lump formed in Chloe’s throat. Everything he’d said and done indicated he wanted a relationship with her, but her past experiences shouted that busy and maybe later translated into the exact opposite. “Ah—yeah, that would be great. I’ve got a lot to do for school. Reading, papers…” Her voice trailed off.
“Okay, then”—he gave the steering wheel a meaningful pat—“I better get going.”
Sadness tightened her chest. She opened the door and got out, then turned back. “Athena will let me know when the next gathering is, right?”
“Of course.” He shooed her off with a wave. “Go. Get your work done. If I know Athena, you’re not going to have a lot of free time in the near future.”
“I can’t wait,” she said, delaying the inevitable for another heartbeat before she shut the car door. He waved again. She waved back as he pulled away, the BMW vanishing down the street. She caught one last flash of orange as it turned toward downtown. Then she sighed and scuffed toward the apartment house. But when she reached the front door, she realized she had
a big problem. She hadn’t been home since Jessica and Brooklyn kidnapped her. She didn’t have her keys.
She tried the doorknob. It didn’t budge, locked as tight as usual.
“Damn it.” She took a deep breath. She could buzz the Rescue Twins and they’d let her in. But that still wouldn’t help her if her apartment door was locked. The only tenant the landlord entrusted with a master key was Juliet.
She pushed Juliet’s buzzer and waited. As a rule, Juliet stayed home on weekends. But no doubt she was pissed about the pizza night no-show.
Stepping back from the front door, Chloe looked up at Juliet’s apartment windows. One of her Persian cats glared down like a pudgy-faced gargoyle. Behind the cat, the lights were on. How long was Juliet going to make her wait before she answered the buzzer?
The front door flung open. Juliet stood there with her hands on her hips, her face as furrowed with irritation as the cat’s. “I was starting to think you’d been kidnapped or murdered and tossed in a dumpster.”
Chloe held her hands out in surrender. “I’m sorry. I was planning on coming to your place for dinner, honestly.” She sidestepped past Juliet and into the foyer. “Forgive me?”
“The Twins were more worried than I was. They had rescue squad duty last night and expected you to turn up in some alley raped or in the emergency room. Even Greta was worried. We checked your room to make sure you hadn’t had an accident.”
“I really am sorry.” Chloe edged closer to the stairs.
Juliet narrowed her eyes. “I assume this involves him—the guy from the coven. He asked you out? You tracked him down?”
“It was kind of a surprise thing.” She started up the stairs walking backwards, trying to escape without appearing unfriendly. “Seriously, I would have told you if I’d had time.
