Witch's Heart

by Valia Lind

  He stops talking when he sees the expression on my face, which I'm sure mirrors the terror I'm feeling.

  "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he mumbles instantly, taking my hands into his and turning fully to face me. "I didn't think. It must be scary."

  "It is," I reply, but I have to admit that with him here, the fear is put on back burner and I can see his point. I can see the possibilities of this. "But I understand the excitement."

  The proud grin he gives me nearly blinds me. I still can't read him, but I see the emotions in his eyes and they take my breath away. Just like in all those romance novels.

  "I just wish you weren't getting so tired when you're there."

  "I know, me too. But,"

  "What?"

  "I think it may be because my magic is being syphoned by the creatures. Now that I think about it, that's what they've been trying to do this whole time. So it would make sense."

  Nolan mulls that over, nodding his head slowly. It's fascinating to see his mind work without having the ability to read him. It's a new experience for me, and one I'm beginning to enjoy. It allows me to get to know him on a different level. Something I've never had before.

  "I think we should take a look at the book I brought. Maybe there is something in there about this sort of connection."

  "That's a great idea!"

  I feel so much better for having shared this with him. That decided, I feel lighter, as if I don't have to carry this burden alone. Nolan is still holding my hands in his and even though I don't need the comfort anymore, I seem to crave it. I want him close and I don't know what to do about that.

  "Do you..." he begins, clearing his throat a little, "Do you think you can sleep or do you want to stay up a bit?"

  I know what he's asking. If I want to stay here with him or go to my room, since we've already fallen asleep on the couch. But I honestly can't bring myself to leave him, so I sit back, leaning against the cushions without moving away from him.

  "Let's watch a movie," I say, receiving one of his bright smiles. He doesn't argue, just leans back against the couch, staying just a few inches away from me.

  I feel safe in his presence, and that's not something I've ever felt with anyone outside of my family and Harper's. Even with people I've known my whole life, I've always been cautions. I guess you learn to be that way to keep yourself protected from the constant onslaught of emotions. But with Nolan it's different.

  Not just because I can't read him. But because I feel a genuine friendship between us, a kinship of sorts that I can't seem to deny.

  One, I don't ever want to deny.

  7

  “Are you sure this is okay?" I ask my mother the next morning. I didn't hear her come in, but she was home when we woke up. Nolan stayed all night with me, on the couch, and somehow I managed not to have any more of those weird dreams. I did, however, manage to somehow stay on my side of the couch this time, with only my head landing on his shoulder.

  "Yes. You need to figure out what's happening and Nolan is the perfect person to help you," Mama replies, pulling two mugs down from the cupboard. We've both showered and dressed for the day, but she looks a lot more put together than I feel.

  "And Steph and her husband? How are they?"

  A shadow falls over my mother's face as she pours each of us a cup of coffee. I don't have to be a reader to know it's not good. But since I am, I can tell just how worried Mama is. Learning how to control our emotions is the first lesson taught when we're children. I don't read Mama often. But when I do, I know it's bad.

  "We'll figure it out," she says with a smile, turning to face me.

  "I know you will," I say, keeping my voice as encouraging as possible, but I know Mama can hear the worry anyway. She's the most powerful reader I know, but she's also my mother. She can tell what I'm feeling without her magical powers.

  "Come here." She opens up her arms and I step into them gratefully. I don't care how old I get, there's nothing like a mother's hug. I feel better instantly.

  When I pull back, it's clear to see she needed it as much as I did.

  "Call me if you need help," I say, just as a knock comes at the door.

  "I will," she smiles, rubbing my cheek quickly, before pointing toward the sound. "Better get that. The boy is getting restless."

  I stop in my tracks, spinning to face my mother once more.

  "Can you read him?" I ask, a little afraid of the answer. Mama doesn't answer right away, studying me for a moment, and I'm not sure what kind of signals I'm putting out.

  "I can," she finally says, and my chest grows heavy with the words. I don't know what it means for me, if I'm broken somehow since I can't. "There's nothing wrong with you," Mama hurries on to add, reading my emotions correctly.

  "He's very guarded, Krista. More so than anyone I've met. But my magic is older than yours, and I've had more practice. I can't read much, just some things when he lets his guard down around you."

  "Me?"

  Mama smiles at my question, and I can tell she's shutting down this conversation from moving any farther.

  "This is something you two need to discover for yourself," she says over her shoulder, but I'm not done yet. Another knock sounds, and it's a little more worried than the previous. I don't think he can hear us, not with the wards Mama has around the house, and I'm sure it's as disorienting as my not being able to read him. I have one more question.

  "Mama, is he evil?"

  She stops what she's doing and turns to me once again.

  "No." I breathe a little easier, "But Krista?"

  "Yes?"

  "Whatever he is, I think that's for both of you to come to terms with on your own time."

  I don't understand what she means, but she won't elaborate anymore. With a sigh, I head for the door, reaching it just as another knock sounds.

  "Wow, someone is impatient," I comment, but with a smile. Nolan stands on the other side of the door, freshly showered, with water droplets still in his hair.

  "I can't hear anything!" He replies, worry evident in his eyes. "It's unnerving."

  "Tell me about it," I mumble, as I turn to grab my purse. Calling out a goodbye to Mama, I pull the door closed behind me as I step outside.

  "What do you mean?" Nolan asks, as we head away from my house.

  "About what?"

  "The comment back there."

  I realize he heard me mumbling. The door was open so the wards didn't pertain to that situation. He knows about my magic, since I spilled my guts about the dreams. But I haven't told him about the way my magic reacts with him. I don't know if I'm ready to tell him.

  "It's nothing," I say, keeping my eyes forward. We walk side by side, growing silent. We're both tired, from the long night and from all this tension between us.

  I'd be lying if I said it didn't affect me. There is something there, brewing in the space between us and I don't have a word for it. A part of me wants to call Harper and talk it out. The other part wants to keep it close to my heart.

  The person I should be talking to about this is walking right beside me. But I've never been that brave. I'm not a slacker when it comes to my battle magic, and I can handle a lot of tough situations. But for some reason, this thing with Nolan scares me. And I don't know what to do about that.

  "Would you like to stop for coffee?" Nolan asks, breaking the not quite uncomfortable silence. I glance over at him matching my pace and smile.

  "I never say no to coffee."

  We decided before he left to take a shower and change that we would walk over to the library. I needed the fresh air, after being so cooped up in my mind. Whitney's cafe is on the way, so we stop and grab our breakfast without any issues.

  "Good morning, Krista," Miss Myla greets us as we step inside the coven's library.

  The place is inside one of the oldest buildings in Hawthorne. The hallway is short, that opens up to a large circular room, with shelves fanning out around the tables, like petals around the center of a flower.
There are already books on the tables, as the Elders have been in here doing research for months.

  "Good morning, Miss Myla," I greet the librarian, as the older woman looks over at Nolan. "This is..."

  "It's nice to see you again, Nolan," Miss Myla interrupts, reaching over and squeezing Nolan's hand warmly. I look between the two of them, before turning on my heels and walking away. Apparently, I'm privy to less information than I thought.

  "Your mother called earlier," Miss Myla says, as she follows me deeper into the room. "I have pulled some medicinal books for you."

  "Thank you," I turn, giving her what I hope is a warm smile. She returns it, before retreating back to her desk. I sit at the table, pulling the stack of books towards me.

  "Are you okay?" Nolan asks, taking a seat beside me. At first, I want to ignore him. But that's not fair. It's not his fault.

  "I'm fine."

  I expect him to keep asking questions, but he doesn't. He reaches for one of the books, opening up without a word. But he does stay close, and I can feel the heat of his body reaching out to mine. It's as if his very presence is coaxing me to open up and I honestly don't know how long I can keep fighting this.

  "This is weird for me," I break the silence. Nolan immediately puts his book down, turning his attention to me. He does that, make me feel like I'm the only person in the world and I have his undivided attention. It's not exactly common practice nowadays. We are pulled in so many different directions at once. But Nolan doesn't seem to have that problem. At least when it comes to me.

  "I'm not sure how to act around you because I usually have a bit more understanding about the other person."

  "Because of your magic?"

  "Yes."

  "But with me?" He prompts when I don't continue.

  "With you it's different," I take a deep breath. "I can't read you. At all."

  He doesn't respond right away, and when I sneak a peek at him, his gaze is a far off. This is typically when I would pick up emotions, but he continues to read blank.

  "Does it bother you?" He finally asks, taking a little by surprise. Because does it? I mull that over, before I answer with complete honesty.

  "Not as much as it confuses me. I've never been in this situation before."

  We stare at each other, coming to terms with what this means for the other. I realize because I can't read him, I don't have to be as guarded around him. It gives me a freedom I didn't realize I needed. We continue to watch each other and then Nolan reaches out.

  He places one of his hands over mine on the table, sending little tingles up my arm. At first, he doesn't say anything. As if he's enjoying the feel of my skin against his as much as I am. The air around us becomes electrified, and I think it'll send a shock through my body if I move just a fraction too fast.

  "Thank you for telling me," he finally speaks up.

  And just like that, I feel lighter.

  We spend hours in the library, pouring over all the medical information we can find. Mama texted with a list of symptoms to check and we've found dozen of possibilities. But nothing seems to fit quite right and I'm getting more frustrated by the minute.

  In all the time we've been in here, I haven't asked about Nolan's book once. I keep thinking about it and the curiosity is nearly eating me alive. But I refuse to give into it. Not when there are more predominant issues at hand.

  Nolan has been taking notes and brining me books. He's a real trooper. This can't be his favorite activity, but then again, I don't know that much about him. Glancing over, I catch him as he raises his hands straight in the air, stretching his spine. The move lifts his shirt just a tad, reveling a sliver of skin and my own heats up at the sight.

  Quickly averting my eyes, I berate myself for my childish behavior. I am twenty years old. How am I getting flustered at the sight of Nolan's stomach, like a teenage girl. Clearing my throat, I force myself to focus on the words on the page. But it's difficult to do when Nolan is only a few feet away and my body is ridiculously aware of him.

  "Krista?"

  I jump at his quiet voice, chuckling to myself. I really need to get a grip on this. When I glance up, he gives me a quick smile, letting me know he didn't miss my little jump.

  "Are you hungry?"

  Just then, my stomach decides to growl.

  "I guess that answers your question."

  His small smile turns into a grin, and I swear I will follow that sight anywhere. Silently, I give myself a talking to. At least he can't read me, or this would be very embarrassing.

  "Let's head to the cafe. Whitney should have some sandwiches and I can use more coffee."

  We don't hesitate, both of us ready to get out of the building. After a quick see you later to Miss Myla, we head for the center of town.

  We walk into the café just as a large group of people are leaving. It's that in between lunch and dinner time and the room is a lot quieter than usual.

  "Hey Whit," I greet the café owner with a smile. She's been best friends with my sister Leah for years, but we've only now become closer. Something about fighting an Ancient evil and its minions that brings people together.

  "How are you, Krista?" Whitney asks, glancing over at Nolan and I don't miss the speculative look in her eyes. She's seen us together enough that she's curious.

  "Working away from the clinic today and looking forward to some of your yummy BLTs. Where's Caleb?" Whitney's face flushes at the mention of her boyfriend and her whole being lights up. They've only been together for a few months, but they fit together perfectly. Whitney's and Caleb's magic is just another shade of the soulmate prophecy we've discovered. They're different from the Hawthorne sisters, but powerful all the same.

  "He's been helping Jefferson's pack keep a safer perimeter."

  "Ah. Leah hasn't reported anything new with her and Jay." My sister has only sent me a few texts since she left, but I don't worry. As sisters, we have a special connection. I would know if something was wrong.

  "Yes, I haven't heard anything either." She allows herself to feel the sadness for a moment, before shaking it off.

  "And what would you like?" Whitney turns her attention to Nolan.

  "A BLT and some coffee sound great," he replies with a smile. He takes out his wallet, but I beat him to it.

  "Why don't you go grab us a table?" I say sweetly, as he narrows his eyes on the cash I handed Whitney. But he doesn't argue. As he walks away, I turn back to my friend.

  "You guys have been spending a lot of time together," she comments, keeping her voice low. I glance over my shoulder, but I can't tell if he can hear us or not.

  "He's knowledgeable in some magical aspects," I reply, turning back to her and making my eyes a little bigger. Whitney understands me immediately, and grabs a receipt and a pen.

  Shifter? She scribbles, turning it toward me.

  I nod my head, and she gives me a huge smile. I don't mention that he's a fox shifter. I'm not sure how widely known that is and I don't want to say it in a public place.

  He's gorgeous. Whitney writes, before she reaches for a cup to make us our order.

  And he knows it. I write down, receiving a chuckle from her. With a wave, I head toward the table, a small smile on my face.

  "What's so amusing?" Nolan asks as I take a seat.

  "Just girly stuff," I reply, placing my hand under my chin. He laughs at my attempt to look all innocent, but not with any malice. I enjoy his amusement and share in it, and in this moment. It's weird just how in tune we are, after knowing each other for a week. It's only because I've seen this happen with my own sister and best friend do I believe that a connection like this is possible.

  It might seem weird that a Reader, a witch with the power to read emotions, will be so closed off. But I have to protect myself somehow. While Mama still trusts people, I've always had a harder time with it. It's not like I've been entirely closed off. I'm just a little more picky when it comes to people. But Nolan has an uncanny way of sneaking under my defen
ses, before I realize he's even doing it.

  "It's cute when you're trying to be all..."

  "Cute?" I grin, interrupting.

  "Yes. Exactly that."

  We stare at each other, lost within our own world once again. It doesn't take much. One word, or look, and it's like we're two pieces falling into place. And I'm getting greedy for it. I never want this connection to break.

  The sound of plates against the table jerks me into present. I look up to find Whitney grinning down at me.

  "Two BLT's and coffees," she announces, and I realize she must've called my name and I didn't even hear it.

  "Thank you so much," I reply, as Nolan echoes my words. Whitney just winks at me, and walks away. I can read her glee at my expense and I can't fault her for it. I am making a fool of myself. At least, it really feels like I am.

  "Do you..." I stop, because the question I want to ask is way too personal. Nolan looks up at me, waiting for me to continue as he chews his food slowly. I shake my head briefly, and bite into my own sandwich.

  "If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?" Nolan breaks the silence, taking me by surprise with his question. A part of me thought he would ask what I wanted to know, but he seems to understand I'm not ready.

  "Italy," I reply without hesitation.

  "Wow, you didn't even have to think about that one," he chuckles, and I can see interest in his eyes. "Why Italy?"

  "Okay don't laugh, but in one of my favorite movies, the main character dreams of going to Italy. Florence, Italy to be exact. I always thought it was romantic, and kind of magical."

  "Why would I laugh at that?" his tone is so serious, that I freeze on the way to take a sip of my coffee. The intensity in his gaze warms me from inside and at that moment I want to tell him all my secrets.

  "Do you ever get scared?"

  The question bursts out of me as if it has a will of his own. He puts his food down, placing his elbows on the table and leaning towards me just a tad. I'm not sure why his answer means so much to me, but I hold my breath as I wait for him to speak.