“How could they possibly know?” Sandra demanded.
“Lila knew,” Avery reminded her. “Her mom told her stories about witches on Cape Cod, and when she saw Reid and me, she put two and two together. I’m guessing the people around here haven’t been as oblivious as you all believed over the years.”
“But why start threatening one of us now?” Rosie asked. “Why alert us to the fact they know about us when they’ve remained silent for so long?”
“She’s new, so they might assume her bond to us isn’t as strong and they might think they can frighten her away,” Landon said. “If they’re trying to cause problems for us, they’ll see Avery as the weak one and the one to start with.”
“They’re idiots,” Sandra said. “And if they start causing problems, they’re going to regret it.”
“Sandra,” Landon said warningly. “We can’t do anything to harm them.”
“I didn’t say anything about harming them. However, we can make it clear they’re screwing with the wrong coven. If they insist on playing games, they’ll learn I’m much better at it than they are.”
“We all are,” Eric said.
Avery knew the coven would never do anything to hurt someone intentionally, but Sandra, Isla, Mario, Eric, and Shawn all had a darker nature that made them unrulier. If people really started trying to screw with the coven, Avery didn’t know what the response of those five would be, but it could get ugly really fast.
“Besides, they’re a bunch of idiots,” Sandra said.
“They are not,” Rosie said.
“Oh, really?” Sandra drawled. “Then why did they pick the strongest one of us to start screwing with? Avery could flatten them without even trying.”
“I would never use my powers to hurt anyone!” Avery blurted.
“But they don’t know that. Which is why you got the note, cousin. They’re scared of the rest of us, but you’re fresh meat.”
“Not all of them are scared of us,” Rosie said. “We do have friends among them too.”
“Do we really?” Shawn asked. “Because none of us are overly friendly with any of them. Yes, we talk with them, play on the same sports teams, sit in the same classes, serve on the same committees, go to the same study groups, clubs, and dances, but when was the last time any of us had one of them over to our house or were invited to one of theirs?”
“Before we awakened our powers, I had lots of friends over,” Rosie said.
“And since?” Sandra asked.
“I had some friends over a few times afterward…”
“But?” Isla prodded when Rosie’s voice trailed off.
“But I don’t remember the last time,” Rosie admitted. “I got so caught up in the coven, my powers, and learning more about what we could do that I let those friendships slide.”
“We all did,” Landon said.
Avery could understand how that happened. Since finding out she was a witch, she’d let a lot of things slide as she focused more on the coven and learning what she could do. There was no way she’d ever let her friendships with Lila, Karen, and Tina go, but she couldn’t recall the last time she read a book, watched TV, or sat down to do a jigsaw puzzle with her dad.
Before she joined the coven, they always had a jigsaw sitting out on their puzzle table. Often, they would just walk by and pause to fit pieces in before continuing, but at least once a month they would sit together and talk while they worked on it for a couple of hours. Now, the puzzle table was set up in her dad’s den, but for the first time in years, no puzzle sat on it.
A twinge of sadness tugged at her heart as she realized all the things she’d been neglecting since joining the coven and moving. Her life had changed so much since July that she barely recognized it anymore.
“They’re trying to make a point,” Sandra said as she gazed at the school.
“Which is?” Avery asked.
Sandra looked back at her. “That they know about us, and they’re not keeping it secret anymore. What they do with their knowledge is what we have to worry about.”
“It was just a note,” Rosie said.
“That practically threatened to burn her,” Sandra said.
“Stop being a drama queen,” Mario said as he bit into an apple.
“I’d rather be dramatic and prepared than barbequed or stuck in some government facility.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Reid said.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen,” Isla said. “This is unfamiliar territory for all of us.”
“Even if they’ve guessed what we are, they don’t know the extent of our powers,” Alex said. “So let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This note could be a one-time thing from some ass who looking to torment the new girl. If there are more notes, or something else happens, we’ll deal with it, but stressing about it now is pointless until we know more.”
“Being nasty to them won’t help,” Reid said with a pointed look at Sandra.
Sandra arched a golden eyebrow at him. “If they keep this up and I find out who it is, they’ll get what they deserve.”
Avery’s stomach sank as Isla, Mario, and Eric nodded their agreement while Shawn glanced at the school before shrugging. Yes, this could definitely get ugly fast.
CHAPTER 5
“Why is she here?” Sandra demanded.
Avery didn’t have to ask Sandra who she was talking about; she knew it was Talia who stood fifteen feet away from them. “She’s my friend, so I invited her.”
“I don’t invite my friends from school to the coven parties,” Sandra replied.
“You don’t have any friends at school,” Avery reminded her, and Sandra rolled her eyes before giving a small nod of agreement. “Besides, this isn’t officially a coven party and Lila, Karen, and Tina are here too.”
“You’ve known Tina, Karen, and Lila most of your life, and they’re aware of what you are—what we all are. You haven’t even known this girl for three weeks.”
Before they battled Regan, Sandra hadn’t approved of her friendship with Lila, Karen, and Tina either, but though Sandra hadn’t gone through Regan’s nightmare realm with them, her three friends had. They’d fought alongside the rest of the coven and stood by Avery through it all. They’d proven their loyalty to the point where even Sandra grudgingly respected and liked them.
It wasn’t the same for Talia.
Avery glanced at Talia as she stood talking with Karen; she had her head bowed so her wheat-blonde hair hid her features. However, Avery was sure she could hear everything Sandra said.
“The fall equinox isn’t until tomorrow, and none of them will be here for that party, but I’m going to spend time with my friends too,” Avery said.
She’d learned the equinox, or as the coven called it, Mabon, was a special holiday for witches. She’d never celebrated it before, but Landon had told her they held a bonfire every year, dressed up, and marked the holiday with a large feast.
“Tomorrow’s party is just for the coven. This party is for everyone, and you have no say over who’s here and who isn’t,” Avery said.
Sandra smiled coldly. “Fine, little cousin, but if I were you, I’d choose my friends a little more carefully from here on out.”
Sandra’s hair nearly whipped her in the face when she spun and marched across the beach to join Isla and Shawn. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Avery muttered to herself.
“Everything all right?” Talia asked when Avery walked over to join them.
Talia’s cornflower blue eyes were round with concern while Karen’s hazel eyes were questioning. Karen’s sandy blonde hair dangled in a braid over her shoulder.
“Everything’s fine,” Avery assured her.
“Sandra doesn’t want me here, does she?”
Avery rested her hand on Talia’s arm. “Who cares what she wants?”
“She can be a little intimidating,” Talia said.
And a lot bitchy, Avery almost said out loud, but Sandra had the heari
ng of a bat, and Avery wasn’t about to get in a fight with her cousin.
“She’ll get over it,” Avery assured Talia.
Over the past couple of weeks, she and Talia had grown closer. Avery was the only friend Talia had at school. Talia started eating lunch with them last week; though few people in the coven had been happy about it. They’d stayed mostly quiet about it, except for Sandra and Isla, who both made their disapproval abundantly clear, but Avery insisted Talia eat with them as she had no one else.
“Sandra wasn’t fond of me, Lila, and Tina for a while either,” Karen said.
“But she isn’t nasty to you,” Talia said.
Landon strolled over and smiled reassuringly at Talia as she spoke. “Sandra’s nasty to everyone. Don’t let it bother you. She’s not happy if other people are.”
Avery snorted with laughter, and Talia cracked a small smile.
“That’s true,” Reid said as he appeared at Avery’s side and slid his hand into hers before kissing her forehead. “Come on. We’ve started the fire.”
Avery turned as Eric and Mario leapt through the fire. The glow of the flames danced over them while they laughed and kicked their feet like Russian dancers. Isla and Alex joined them, and the four of them took turns running through the crackling, eight-foot high flames.
Within the flames, the colorful dust the coven used for spells and rituals floated on the air. Avery spotted her blue, Reid’s silver, Sandra’s red, Landon’s purple, Alex’s yellow, Eric’s gold, Isla’s white, Mario’s green, Rosie’s pink, and Shawn’s orange swirling through the fire. She didn’t know who started the fire, but she was surprised they’d used the dust with Talia here. However, with the way the colors blended, she supposed they could be written off as the moonlight reflecting strangely off the fire.
A cool breeze drifted off the ocean as she glanced at the blanket of stars filling the night sky as the Milky Way stretched as far as she could see. Avery had the impulse to walk across the calm sea and brush her hand against the giant orb. With her powers, she might be able to pull off the walking on water, though she’d never tried it, but she’d never be able to touch the moon.
It was a perfect September night, yet she couldn’t stop herself from glancing nervously around the beach. She hadn’t had any more dreams about Regan or received anymore notes at school, but she’d been edgy for the past two and a half weeks, and she couldn’t settle down.
“Let’s go through the fire,” Reid suggested.
Avery tore her gaze away from the sea and looked up into eyes filled with love. “Race you!” she cried and, releasing his hand, took off across the beach.
The loose sand slipped beneath her sneakers, and she heard Reid’s breaths as he closed in on her. Arms encircled her waist, and she turned to face him. The snapping flames reflected in his eyes as she draped her arms around his neck. When his lips claimed hers, warmth seeped through her and love swelled in her chest.
Pulling away from him and laughing, she plunged into the fire with Reid at her side. She didn’t have to be a witch to run through the fire. The blaze was big enough that even her friends could run through without being touched by the flames, if they were fast enough. They preferred to stay away from the flames though.
The heat of the fire licking against her skin stripped her of the weight that settled onto her shoulders after her nightmare. Then she was out of the main part of the fire and in the cool center of the blaze. When she plunged back through the flames, the strength of the fire fed her powers.
“’Bout time,” Eric grumbled.
Reid punched him playfully on the arm. Eric laughed as he slapped Reid’s hand aside and hit him back. The two of them started dancing around while they tossed lazy jabs at each other.
“Are you having fun?” Lila asked.
“Yes,” she replied. “Are you?”
“I am.”
Avery hadn’t heard her friend approach, but Lila leaned on her cane while she watched Reid and Eric. Avery beamed at her best friend as the flames played over her chocolate hair and lit her doe brown eyes. Lila had come so far since her accident, but Avery was still plagued by images of Lila’s slender frame sinking lifelessly into the pool. Except, in her dreams, she couldn’t reach Lila in time and helplessly watched as her friend drowned.
Thankfully, they were only nightmares, and Lila was hopeful she’d still be able to join the diving team at one of the colleges that offered her a scholarship for her extraordinary ability.
Lila had been her best friend since second grade, and Avery had no idea what she would do without her or Karen and Tina’s unwavering friendship. Many people would have been terrified by what she and the coven could do and wouldn’t have accepted them. However, the three of them had thrown themselves into Avery’s new life. Even when Regan tortured them with their worst nightmares, they’d stood steadfastly by her side.
“Avery.” She turned as Tina and Shawn approached. Tall with a slim frame, caramel-colored hair, and mahogany eyes, Tina was pretty with a quick smile and a warm laugh.
“Hey,” Avery greeted. “Having fun?”
“Yeah,” Tina replied as Shawn broke off to speak with Reid, Eric, and Mario. “But I’m beat. It’s been a long week, and I could use some sleep. I’m going to head back to your house.”
“I’ll walk back with you,” Avery said.
“No,” Tina said and waved her hand at Shawn. “Shawn’s ready to head back too, and he offered to walk with me.”
Tina grinned at her when Avery’s eyebrows shot up. She’d barely heard Shawn say more than ten words at a time, never mind offer to do something for someone.
“I was a little surprised too,” Tina said with a laugh. “But I’m not about to turn down the protection of a six-foot-tall witch who looks like he could bench press me. I’m pretty sure that’s what dreams are made of.”
Avery and Lila chuckled as Tina embraced them both. “I’ll see you later,” Tina said.
“We won’t be too late,” Avery said.
Tina nodded and walked over to join Shawn. They spoke with the others for a minute before falling into step beside each other and making their way down the beach. Avery watched until they vanished over one of the dunes.
She talked with Lila as more members of the coven ran through the fire and tried to coax Karen into joining them. Karen laughed as she shook her head and retreated to sit beside Sandra on some boulders. Carrying a cooler, Alex walked over to join Reid, Mario, and Eric. He set it down by their feet, and they opened it to pull out some drinks.
“Avery, I’m going to head back to your house too,” Lila said around a yawn.
“I’ll walk you back,” Avery said.
“You will not. Stay and have fun,” Lila said. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll only be gone for twenty minutes, Lila, and you’re not walking back by yourself.”
When Lila’s shoulders went back, Avery realized she’d touched a nerve. “It has nothing to do with your injury,” Avery assured her. “No one should be walking alone at night. Regan may be gone, but there are a bunch of human crazies out there.”
Lila’s shoulders relaxed, and she tapped her cane in the sand. “I’ll bash them over the head with this if I have to.”
“Lila—”
“I’ll walk back with her,” Rosie offered, and Avery turned to find her walking toward them. “I’m a little tired myself.”
Avery frowned as she realized Rosie hadn’t been around much throughout the party; she was usually at the center of everything, but Avery couldn’t recall the last time she saw Rosie. The dejected air surrounding her was entirely out of place with the normally vivacious girl. A sense of foreboding crept down Avery’s spine.
“Rosie, is everything okay?” Avery asked.
Rosie’s gaze darted toward the ocean. “Yeah,” she muttered.
“Are you sure? You seem a little—”
“I’d prefer not to talk about it right now,” Rosie interjected.
“Talk about what?”
“Nothing.”
“But—”
“It’s a party, Avery. It’s supposed to be fun. Go and enjoy yourself while I walk back with Lila.”
Avery glanced at where everyone else had settled onto the boulders and were talking as they passed drinks and food around. They were only thirty feet away, but they seemed so much further as their laughter drifted on the air. Something about the night suddenly seemed surreal as the hair on Avery’s nape rose.
“Let’s take a walk,” Avery suggested.
“Oh, no,” Rosie protested. “Stay. Have fun.”
“I think a short walk is a good idea,” Lila said. “I could always exercise my legs.”
Rosie opened her mouth but seemed to decide she couldn’t argue with Lila. “Okay, a short walk,” she relented.
CHAPTER 6
The three of them strolled down to the edge of the ocean and stood staring out at the sea as the water rolled in and out. The sea was so calm she could skip rocks across its smooth surface. Avery wanted to ask Rosie what was wrong again, but she decided against it. Rosie would speak when she was ready.
“I know you think she’s a friend, but I don’t like Talia,” Rosie said after a few minutes.
Lila’s eyebrows shot into her hairline as she met Avery’s gaze over the top of Rosie’s head. Avery somehow managed to keep her jaw from dropping at this revelation. She hadn’t thought it was possible for Rosie to dislike anyone.
“I don’t trust her, and neither does Sandra,” Rosie continued before Avery could respond. “Sandra and I rarely agree about anything, but on that girl, we do.”
Sandra’s advice about choosing her friends more carefully came back to her, but she didn’t understand why they both disliked Talia. Talia could be a little clingy with Avery, but she had no other friends, so Avery recognized her need not to lose the only one she did have.
Avery could understand why Sandra, probably the most confident person Avery knew, wouldn’t like that trait in Talia, but she’d assumed it would pull at Rosie’s heartstrings. While they traveled together this summer to bury Regan’s skull, Avery had seen Rosie rescue just about every living creature she could, including snakes and ants. She would have thought Rosie’s benevolent nature would make her more inclined to befriend Talia, not dislike her.
The Maze (The Coven, Book 2) Page 3
