by K. A. Fox
By the time Cal had returned from his extensive check of our security, the result of my efforts was cooling in the fridge behind a jug of milk. I handed him a cup of coffee almost automatically as he walked in. In such a short span of time, I’d learned his routine and the things he liked.
He sipped the brew, his smile grateful. “Things look good out there. The areas the Hound and I built up are holding and the stones are strong. As long as you’re within the borders, you’re safe. Assuming you’ll stay within those lines.”
It was an almost question, hopeful in its way. “I’ll do my best. If someone needs me, I’m not going to hide in here.”
He didn’t say anything, just laid a gentle hand on my arm as I started past him. When I looked at him, he searched my face, eyes roving over me, looking for something I was afraid he’d see. I stayed still, letting him look. Wondering if he might actually see something he liked in me.
When he released me, I moved on to the job of cleaning up the pans and utensils I’d used in my work. While I scrubbed, he slowly drained his coffee, filling the cup back up when it was empty. Needing to break the silence, I said, “Angus was here while you were out.”
“Oh. Was there something he needed?”
“Not really. He said he wanted to check in on me and see how Torren was.”
“Ah. The worried father.”
I laughed but it felt brittle. “Something like that, I guess. He did say you’ve told him good things about my skills.” I paused, needing to say this the right way. “Thank you for that. I want him to know I can take care of myself. He doesn’t have to worry all the time.”
I heard Cal moving behind me, could feel the air shrinking between us as he got closer. His voice was soft when he answered. “I didn’t do it as a favor to you. Or to him. It was simply the truth.” Then a teasing tone slid into his voice. “Doesn’t mean you don’t still have a lot to learn. And I told him I’d be happy to stick around for a while longer to teach you a few more things.”
I coughed to hide the pain I felt building inside me. “Glad I haven’t scared you off yet.”
He was so close behind me I could feel the loose hairs on my neck shift when he spoke this time. “Laney, I can feel there’s something you’re not telling me. What is it?”
I grasped for an answer that would appease him. “My mom asked me to give Angus a message. I don’t think he took it very well.”
“Oh. I understand.” From his tone, it sounded like he meant it. “He loves her still, you know.”
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t need to. This was another truth we both knew. I also knew that sometimes, not even love was enough to save someone. I swiped at an errant tear that escaped my eye. “Enough of that. Work to be done. I best get to it.”
As I tried to turn and go around him, Cal leaned in and put his arms on the counter, trapping me. The warmth of him flowed into me and the chill I’d been carrying around inside since I’d heard from Miss Tilly threatened to thaw. “We’ll get through this, you know.”
“How can you know that?” I felt desperation clawing up from my stomach, wanting to believe him.
“I just do. We’re all a team now.” He held up his wrist, the leather he wore tying him to me. His lips brushed over my forehead, fleeting. I wanted to pull him in closer and take more of what he offered in that simple kiss but forced myself not to. Instead I nodded and put a smile on my face.
“You’re right. I think I’ll go check on Torren now so Moose can take a break.”
He stepped back, giving me room to move away. “Good idea. I’ll take the Hound outside so he can stretch his legs. See if there’s anything he notices that I might have missed.”
Clearing them out of the house gave me a few undisturbed moments to think. Knowing what Miss Tilly wanted me to do, I felt sick. The spell she’d given me was powerful. My stomach twisted at the idea of what it would do to the ones I was surprised to find I cared about.
“You’re not a hard-hearted person, Delaney. That’s why you’re out here in the first place. To limit the number of people you could end up caring about.” Talking to myself helped me process the way I was feeling. I also recognized most people would consider me crazy if they could hear the conversation.
And crazy is undoubtedly what someone would think if they could hear the answering voice in my head, the one that reminded me of my mother telling me something important. “Worrying won’t get this job done girl. Chin Up. It’s gonna be all right.”
Checking in on Torren, I was relieved to see he looked much better. His color had improved and his breathing seemed easier. I squeezed his fingers and was shocked to get a response. As his fingers tightened on mine, the air between us shivered, a high sound ringing out. Closing my eyes and focusing inward, I saw the bright lines connecting us pulsing in rhythm. They looked healthy and whole, giving me hope that Torren might really be on the path to recovery.
I couldn’t resist the urge to run my fingers over his soft hair. A sigh escaped him at my touch and his lips almost curved in a smile. Guilt surged up inside me as I thought about what had happened between Cal and me earlier, while Torren was resting upstairs, recovering from an injury he sustained because of me.
“I need you to be okay, Torren.” I whispered the words, praying that he would hear them on some level.
He shifted under my fingers. “I think at this point, you can call me Tor.”
I leaned away from him, surprised by the sound of his voice. His eyes were barely open, but they tracked my movement. He tried to lift himself up, but pain flashed across his face and he stopped, breathing heavily with the effort.
“Fair enough. I’ll call you Tor, if you rest and get better.” I teased him easily, happy he was conscious and talking. He nodded, his eyes closing again as he relaxed. His fingers released mine and I stood to go. While it cheered me to think I’d been able to speed his possible recovery, my heart hurt when I admitted that he was here, in danger, because of me. Finding a way to end this mess for all of us was a priority. I patted his arm, whispered a goodbye and went to my room to change into warmer clothes. It was going to be cold and I planned to be ready for what was coming.
Chapter Thirty·Seven
By the time Callum and Moose found their way back, I had a quick dinner pulled together. I’d worked the ingredients Miss Tilly had given me into a sauce, the delicious scent of beef filtering through the kitchen. I put some treats in a bowl for Moose and covered them with the sauce I’d left chilling in the fridge, softening the crunchy bite sized pieces. Moose sniffed at the food cautiously, then began eating, wolfing the pieces down.
Cal nodded his thanks as he examined the food in front of him. I’d soaked the meat for his sandwich in the mayo-looking sauce as well and waited as Cal took a bite.
“This is really good,” Cal said, after he’d swallowed down several large bites. “Thank you.”
Words wouldn’t come, so I waved his thanks off like it was nothing. I nibbled at my food, hoping my nervousness wasn’t as obvious as I was afraid it was.
Still, Cal picked up on something. “Delaney, what’s wrong?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. Just worried about Maggie.”
“You know you can tell me if there’s a problem. Let me help.”
I closed my eyes at those words. “I know, but this is something I need to figure out on my own.”
He pushed back his chair to stand and I whispered, “Stop.”
Cal froze as that single word left my mouth and pain blossomed in my chest. Moose growled and started toward me. I turned immediately to him and in a soft voice said, “Lay down.” He collapsed onto the floor, a sad whine escaping him as he realized he had no control over himself. Tears pricked at my eyes but I swiped them away. The next words hurt as I forced them out. “You will both stay here tonight. You will not call anyone. You will not come after me.”
The stunned looks on their faces burned into my memory as I l
eft them behind. Racing down the stairs to the basement, I pulled on the coat I’d hidden behind the door. I tried to ignore the tears running down my face, wiping my nose on my sleeve. Nothing could forgive what I’d just done. It was only temporary, but they were still held there against their will. The only comfort I could hold onto was that Torren would be taken care of. If I didn’t make it back tonight, they would clean up the mess for me. Somehow.
Miss Tilly had made a quick call earlier that evening, letting me know that she and Aften had tracked Maggie to an old farmhouse not far from my property. It had been abandoned years ago and was hidden from view by a stand of trees. They were sure she was being kept there. It was my job alone to get her back.
I slunk down the tunnel between my house and the garage. Climbing up through the trapdoor, I fought the shiver that hit me and refused to give in to the worries that threatened to overwhelm me. Put one foot in front of the other. That’s all I had to do.
I lingered over my father’s red Mustang convertible, running my hands along the smooth paint he still babied when he visited. I’d kept this car for him, knowing how much he loved it. I opened the door, leaving the envelope from my back pocket on the seat. I didn’t need to put his name on it. He’d know what it was and by the time he found it, I’d be gone.
Opening the door of my own car, I felt a sad smile crease my face. I could almost hear Angus laughingly say, “My little Hellcat,” as I slid behind the wheel. The fact that I’d chosen Plum Crazy Purple over his favored flame red was something he’d never forget. I hoped when he remembered, that it was a happy thing for him.
I pressed the button and the garage door rolled up, my getaway fast with no one to stop me. I glanced back at my home once, only. The lights blazed behind me, looking like nothing had changed. I didn’t allow myself anything else, ignoring the reflection in the mirror as I focused on the road ahead.
I let the engine open up on the gravel road, miles flying by as I left a dusty haze hanging behind. If this was going to be my last drive, I was going to enjoy every bit of it. I gunned it, relishing the feel as the car leapt beneath me, power vibrating up into my hands on the wheel. I slid around corners I could hardly see in the darkness, driving more by feel than anything. Those rare moments of flight as I crested a hill were glorious and heart stopping. Miss Tilly had warned everyone off these roads and my way was clear. The only things I had to watch for were deer and the turns I needed to make.
Chapter Thirty·Eight
There are a lot of empty old farmhouses scattered around Nebraska, beautiful and eerie all at once, especially in the moonlight. The one Miss Tilly gave me directions to was exactly those things. The white clapboard siding shone, the chipped and faded paint not so visible with the surrounding darkness. The once graceful details that adorned the fascia and railings were allowed a brief return to their former glory once the sun went down. Even the ancient wood shakes on the roof gleamed silver, and I could hear the front screen door bang every time the wind swirled along the wraparound porch. There was no light inside but there was a watchfulness in the cold air. Someone was in there, waiting for me.
I slid out of my car, letting my hands caress the soft leather one more time before I left it all behind. It was time to face my fears. To be a good person. Stop evil where I could. Sacrifice myself if need be. The woman being hidden here would go home to her family. She had to.
I stepped up onto the old porch. It sagged with age, the wood creaking beneath my feet. I pushed open the unlatched front door, assaulted by the stale air inside. The moon’s glow lit the interior enough that I wasn’t entirely blind. To the right was what had once been a dining room, a grand space I could imagine filled with family and laughter. Now, it was empty and silent, the weight of memories piled up in the space.
A disturbance in the air to my left caught my attention. I turned in that direction, taking cautious steps from the entry into a large open room. The dust danced in the air and I could see a figure seated on a sagging couch along the far wall, long legs folded at uncomfortable angles. When he stood, I gasped. My heart stuttered in recognition. I knew this man. His straight blond hair was greasy, making me wonder when he’d last had a shower and his clothes hung on his thin frame. He’d been vibrant and strong when I’d last seen him. The changes in him from then to now made my heart hurt and I tried to catch my breath to say something. To say anything at all.
“Hello Delaney,” he whispered, his voice rough. He gestured at the space around him, as if he was welcoming me into his own home. “So glad you could join us tonight.”
“Brett,” I said, hating the shake in my voice but making no attempt to hide it.
“I wondered if you’d ever find your way here. Or if you’d ever care about someone else enough to even look.”
I chose to ignore the barb and got to the most important thing on tonight’s agenda. “Where is she?”
“No, no. That’s not how we do this.” Brett shook his head as he reached out to me, trailing his finger along my arm. “We’ve been apart too long. I want to hear about everything you’ve done since you left me. Everything.”
I refused to recoil from his touch, enduring it. “You’re the one who tracked me down. You must already know what I’ve been doing.”
“You’ve done more than you’re willing to admit to anyone.” He paused, silence adding to the tension filling the room around us. “Like in Angel Falls. Now, that was impressive.”
I closed my eyes, the confirmation that he had been there truly breaking my heart.
“That man was hurting women, Brett. He needed to be stopped.”
His voice was harsh this time, his anger intent on me. “That man was my friend. He helped me.”
“That doesn’t mean what he was doing was right.” I purposely kept my voice soft, hoping there was a way to lead him back to reason. “You know me. You know I could never stand by and watch someone be hurt. I had to step in.”
“I was hurt. Where were you when I needed you?”
Agony coated his words. I wouldn’t lie to him. I made sure to keep my voice calm, hoping I could soothe some of the pain he’d held since our high school prom. “If I’d stayed, things would have only gotten worse for you. For everyone. I left because I had to.” I took a step closer to him, reaching up to where his hand still rested against my arm. His indrawn breath told me it was the right thing to do. I pressed my advantage. I unlocked my magic, allowing the smallest bit to wrap itself around my voice, coaxing him. “And I know that you want to do the right thing too. So tell me, please, where is Maggie?” I used her name, wanting to remind him that she was a person with a life waiting for her away from these problems we had created.
Brett’s hand grabbed mine, bruising and angry. “Now, that disappoints me. All this time and you don’t even want to catch up. Right to what you want.” His grip on my hand tightened as he spoke, a vise that wasn’t going to release me.
“Why are you doing this, Brett? I don’t believe this is something you want to do. Not really.” I couldn’t help but question him, even though I feared I already knew the answer.
His words pummeled me, fast and harsh. “Because you left me. Left me with nothing. Left me in that place.”
“I left because I believed it would be better for you. I was trying to help you.”
He swung me around. The sudden movement had me backpedaling, trying to maintain my balance. He pulled me close, my back against his chest. He’d grown so thin, I could feel the sharp lines of his ribs as he sucked in a pained breath. “Help me? Help me! They couldn’t do anything for me. I needed you and you left me behind, alone.”
I forced myself to focus, desperately fighting the sudden flare of desire that threatened to overwhelm me at his touch. Even after all this time, we were still tied together. I shivered in his arms, but still hoped that I could make him understand. Maybe since I was there with him, the madness I was sensing in him would ease. This didn’t have to end ba
dly.
“Brett.” My voice was soft and I layered power into every word. Power loaded with happy memories of warm, sunlit days. Times we’d spent laughing, a reminder of our friendship that had turned into something more. “Please listen to me. I was poisoning you. When I left, I was trying to save you.”
His eyes gleamed as he bared his teeth at me. “Poison? Yes, that’s exactly what you are. My poison. But you were wrong about one thing. I didn’t want to be saved. I don’t NEED to be saved. I’m better this way and now you’re here. You’re mine again.” His put his mouth right next to my ear and I flinched away before I could stop myself. “When you left, there was a hole in me that constantly ached. Nobody in the hospital could understand why I needed you. They just shoved drugs into me until I stopped talking about it. I couldn’t make them understand how deep my pain was, what real longing felt like. They were used to dealing with crazy people. But I couldn’t make them see I wasn’t crazy.”
I winced as a memory of that pain hit him, traveling to me, almost stopping my heart for a brief moment, before it started up again. To go through that, over and over again.
“I’m sorry. I was trying to do the right thing.”
He shoved me away and I stumbled, tripping over my own feet. I landed on the couch, the ancient cushions groaning. I knew I could fight him, take him down and put a quick end to this. Despite his height, he was emaciated, his muscles weakened. I calculated multiple ways I could overpower him but even now, I didn’t want to hurt him. I could take a few bumps and bruises if it let him calm down, made him believe he was in control. I had to find a way to reach the good man I believed still existed under this sickness.
He stalked toward me, a feral look on his face. I forced myself to focus on his eyes instead of searching the room for ways to escape.
