A Witch's Love (8 page)

He had heard rumors of a group of demons being slaughtered near the witch’s house. The only reason demons would engage a fight would be if they sensed power. That area would be his first stop on the way back to the witch’s house. With luck, he’d be able to sense what might have happened there.

Maybe the demons sensed the fourth witch, attacking in hopes of capturing her, and just maybe she was not alone. There were few immortal beings capable of taking out a swarm of demons. Nevertheless, if the fourth witch did have someone helping her, then he would enjoy torturing them as well.

“Sit tight, my pets. I will be back with your sister soon.” Traxen yanked on the chain that bound their hands, but before he was able to turn away, Ella lunged at him, spitting in his face. It took him a second to register her insult. He raised his hand then realized beating her would do little to remedy her behavior. He lowered his hand, then stroked his chin as he looked at the girls.

“Well, well, which one of your sisters should pay for that?”

He grabbed Thea by the hair and heard Ella’s sharp intake of breath. Just as he suspected. “The rules have changed, Ella. You might want to think about what you do in the future. If you don’t, one of your sisters might get hurt for your stupidity.” With his attention on Ella, he backhanded Thea across the face.

To his disappointment, Thea refused to cry out. No matter, he would have years of fun with the witches. After all, this was after all their new home until they turned immortal. Zatar would need them after that but until then, they were his to play with. “You might want to conserve your strength for the coming month, witches, because, believe me, you’re going to need it.”

Ava couldn’t wait to get out of the car to stretch her legs. They had been driving for hours and had just arrived in Saratoga. Night was falling. They’d have to wait for morning to look for Belinda.

It was probably just as well. Traveling and fighting back tears all day made her feel like Samantha Baker from
Sixteen Candles
. Cara would love that she knew that. Her throat constricted. Were they even alive?

She had been so close to throwing herself into Lucas’s arms this afternoon. Despite her better judgment, she still cared for him. Even though she’d been unreasonable and mean, he’d been patient and kind to her. Answering her questions and explaining that he was trying to protect her. Still, his omissions hurt, especially after what had happened with her family.

They turned into a driveway. “Where are we?” She studied the Queen Ann house while he shut off the car.

“A bed and breakfast. Should be a nice place to stay the night.” He got out of the car and opened the trunk.

Her feet touched pavement as he removed their bags.

He walked toward the entrance, his movements smooth in spite of the cumbersome luggage.

Maybe she would be ticked, but right now she was desperate for a shower and some privacy to sort through her thoughts. With a glimmer of relief on the horizon, she followed him.

At the entrance, Lucas held the door open for her. Without paying him a second glance, she entered an exquisite foyer, filled with charming antique furniture and old-fashioned hurricane lamps. The woodwork around the door had beautiful carved details of vines and leaves, which seemed to extend into the other rooms. Lucas moved around her into the parlor.

Sitting behind a polished, dark wood desk was an older woman with silver hair and bright pink lipstick. “Good evening, I’m Beverly, how can I help you?”

Lucas nodded to Beverly and gave her a quick smile. “We wondered if you have a room available tonight.”

What did he mean ‘a room’? Walking up next to him, Ava bumped his arm. “We need two rooms.” She tried to keep her voice low and not create a scene.

Beverly studied a book on her desk and nodded. “You’re in luck, we have one room left.”

This lady had to be joking but before she could protest, Lucas turned to whisper in Ava’s ear. “Looks like we’ll be having a pajama party tonight.”

Ava looked around their room. The lavender and blue theme fit the rest of the house to a ‘T’. The comfortable space contained a full-size bed with a flowery quilt and lace curtains. Next to the bed stood another hurricane lamp and a blue area rug that looked hand woven. Beside the bed was a door that led to their private bathroom.

Hearing the door close behind her, she turned to find Lucas standing beside their bags. “I hope you don’t think you are sharing that bed with me.” She gathered her bag and when she glanced up, he was sporting a smile.

“What if I did?”

“Well you’re not, so you can just forget about it.” She gave him the look that always made her sisters think twice. “Now, I’m going to take a shower. I trust you know enough to stay out of there while I’m occupying it?” She headed toward the bathroom door with her bag in tow.

“As you wish,” he said as she closed the door.

Everything in this room was pink, with the lace shower curtain. It was obvious whoever had decorated this house loved lace.

Starting the water, she undressed and stepped into the claw foot tub. The warmth felt wonderful, but her thoughts alarmed her. Why couldn’t she stop thinking of Lucas?

She pictured his hands caressing her body and his mouth ravaging hers. She touched her breast, pretending it was him. Closing her eyes, she could feel his kiss. She imagined his lips on her neck and his body pulsing over hers. She moved her hand lower, gliding it across her belly, stopping when she felt her soft curls. Her heart began to beat faster as she moved her finger in-between her flesh. Just as she was imagining him suckling her breast, her eyes flew open. She was not alone in the bathroom.

Peeking around the curtain, she saw him at the sink about to use an electric razor. “What are you doing in here? You said you would stay out!”

He turned and his focused gaze told her he was trying to see through the curtain. “No, I agreed to not join you in the shower, not the bathroom.” He gave a small shrug and turned back to the mirror.

Her brows furrowed together. “You knew what I meant. You’re being deliberately dense.” She jerked the curtain back into place but could still hear him laughing as he shaved.

“Next time you will be more specific now, won’t you?”

If it didn’t mean revealing herself, she would have thrown something at him. Instead, she finished washing, then drew back the curtain again. Thank heaven he no longer filled the compact space in the bathroom.

She stepped out of the shower, reached for the towel, then secured the fluffy softness around her torso. Feeling better than she had in hours, she knelt down to her bag. She sifted through her things and was surprised to find her iPod. She hadn’t seen it there before but was grateful he’d thought to pack it. With a smile, she picked it up and hugged it to her chest with a sigh. Music was just what she needed right now.

Digging through the bag again, she discovered a couple pairs of jeans, plus a few tops and sweaters, but there didn’t seem to be any of her sleeping clothes. At least she had a pair of running shorts and a white T-shirt. That would have to do and would be comfortable enough. After she closed the bag, she stood to remove her towel when Lucas strode through the door, without a shirt.

His jeans hung loose around his hips as her gaze traveled to his chiseled abs. She should protest his intrusion, but she couldn’t seem to find the words. Her eyes wandered over his sculpted chest and arms. He moved to the shower, started the water, and grabbed a towel.

His back faced her, exposing a tattoo between his shoulder blades.

The intricate symbol resembled a knot. Fascinated with the complexity of the design, she found herself drawn to the pattern and didn’t stop as she reached out to touch his skin.

Her fingers traced the dark lines, following the lacing of the interwoven knot. His skin felt as warm as a ray of summer sun, filling her with desire.

At her touch, she felt him stiffen. “What does it mean?” Her fingers continued to trace the never breaking, never-ending symbol with her fingers.

“The tattoo represents my clan, our unity and bond. Aiden is leading our people, protecting them, providing for them . . . it is our way.”

“Aiden, why not you? You are twins, after all, and I thought you said you lived in Lake Placid alone.”

He turned, breaking her trance as his eyes met hers. “I do, I’m, ah, well I guess you could say I’m a lone wolf. I like to live on my own, but if my family ever needed me, I would be there in a heartbeat.

Hooded and dark, his eyes explored her body. The heat radiating off of his skin traveled up her arm. She wanted to bask in that heat, be swept away in its warmth. He reached for her. Her heart raced as the space between them closed. She should break their contact, but her body was betraying her thoughts.

Her nipple hardened at the contact. She placed her hand on his chest; she needed to feel his skin under her touch. He ran his fingers down her back, hitting the towel that shielded her naked body from him. She shivered as the towel hit the floor. His bare skin met hers.

She jerked back from their embrace. Embarrassed by her boldness, she gathered her clothes then ran out of the bathroom and slammed the door. God, what was the matter with her?

She hurried to dress and slipped under the covers. She could hear the water running and hoped she would be asleep by time he came into the bedroom. Turning her iPod on, she listened to her music, trying to calm her pounding heart.

She could hear the roar of the beasts and the agonizing screams coming from outside. Every second they seemed to get closer. She could see the fire burning and smell the smoke. Fear consumed her and pain filled her heart. Tears flowed from her eyes as her heart wrenched in despair. Then, they were upon them growling and clawing through the door. She knew at that very moment, she was going to die.

Chapter 5

Her eyes flew open.

“Ava, wake up, you’re having a nightmare.” Lucas shook her.

Her hands trembled as sweat trickled down her temples. She looked side-to-side, trying to see into the dark room, but only Lucas’s silhouette was visible. She attempted to steady her breathing by taking slow gulps of air. It was just a nightmare.

“It’s okay, I won’t let anything hurt you, I promise.” Lucas wrapped her in his arms.

She was safe. She clung to his shoulders, needing more of the comfort he was offering.

“Shh . . . everything is okay,” he whispered to her as he held her tighter to his chest.

Her eyes adjusted to the dark, and that’s when she noticed blankets and a pillow on the floor.

“Were you sleeping on the floor?” She moved back just far enough to see his face.

He nodded.

Her heart swelled. “Would you stay with me? Here, and just hold me?”

He laid her back against her pillow and settled next her. “What was your nightmare about?”

She sighed. “I’ve had it before. I’m being attacked by something not human. I can hear the claws scrap at the door, the growls—”

He stiffened at her side. “Growls? Like—”

She sat up in bed. “Demons.” But she’d had that vision for years now and had only just been thrown into a world of demons and supernatural. How could she dream of a noise she’d never heard . . . unless she had heard it before, but when?

Ava turned to face Lucas. “Do you think that means something? Could it have anything to do with my sisters being taken?”

He lifted himself up in the bed. “Ava, I don’t think it’s a nightmare.”

“What else could it be?”

He gently touched the side of her face with the tips of his fingers. “A memory.”

Birds chirped outside, waking her from her sleep. Ava opened her eyes and realized she was on top of Lucas. Her arms were wrapped around his torso and her head lay on top his chest. She lifted her head to find him staring at her.

She tried to scramble off him, but he wrapped his arms around her back, securing her against his chest.

“So where do we start looking for Belinda today?” She leaned back but doing so brought their lower bodies closer together. Heat warmed her face as she returned to her original position and settled her chin on her hand.

“First things first. Breakfast. Then as far as Belinda’s concerned, I have an idea on how to find her.” He wore a mischievous smile.

She found herself smiling in response. “Oh, yeah. What’s your idea?”

He shrugged. “You will have to wait to find out.”

After getting ready, they made their way downstairs. Beverly was already pouring coffee into their mugs by the time they reached the table. “Good morning, I trust you slept well?” She set out the rest of the food on the buffet. “Now we have bagels, muffins, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Help yourself whenever you are ready.”

Ava was starving and everything smelled delicious. Greasy bacon, sweet sugary breads, and butter fried eggs. Her stomach growled as her mouth salivated. “Thank you.”

She headed toward the buffet in front of Lucas, filled her plate, and headed to the table.

Lucas eyed her food with a raised eyebrow. “Are you really going to eat all that?”

Her mouth fell open. She turned to look at his face, only to burst out with laughter. He was carrying two plates of food. “I should be asking you the same thing.” She settled into her chair.

He grinned and took the seat across from her. “How do you like your coffee?”

“Just cream.”

Lucas handed her the half and half then turned to their hostess. “Beverly, you wouldn’t happen to have a phone book, would you?”

“Of course. I’ll get it for you.”

“What do you need a phone book for?” Ava scooped another fork full of eggs in her mouth.

“Phone books hold address of people who live locally, do they not?” He took another sip of coffee.

“Yeah, but why? You thought Belinda’s address might be in there.” Ava set down her fork, too excited to eat. She got up, circled the table, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You’re a genius.” She settled back into her chair and watched the entrance for Beverly.

“Here it is.” Beverly entered the dining room.

Ava intercepted her before she could get to the table and opened the book on a nearby side table. “Turner, Turner, . . . Here it is, Belinda Turner, two fifty-seven Sandalwood Drive.” Her heart was racing so, she wasn’t sure she was going to be able to eat.

New hope filled her and she had to admit all this happened because Lucas was by her side. She still didn’t know how she felt about him being a lycan, or what it meant that she was a witch, but he was turning out to be her knight in lycan armor.

As they turned onto the dirt road that led to Belinda’s home, Ava took a deep breath. She couldn’t shake the feeling that meeting Belinda would be a turning point. Maybe she’d finally get the answers she was looking for.

“Looks like she is the only house on this road. She must like her privacy.” Lucas tried to avoid the potholes that threatened to swallow his Camaro.

“Yeah, she must live on the lake.” In the distance, she could see the clear water nestled in a wood, and as the trees began to clear, a small house entered her view.

The building was white with blue shutters and a yellow door. A white picket fence encircled the property and contained a garden that about to bloom spring flowers.

Movement in the garden caught Ava’s eye. An older woman with a straw hat stood up, regarding the car that had just parked in her yard.

“Are you ready for this?” Lucas sounded as apprehensive as she felt.

“As ready as I will ever be.”

He reached for her hand and she accepted it, needing the comfort.

“I’m right here if you need me,” he squeezed her hand, then let go.

With a nod, she opened the door, praying this woman was the Belinda Turner that Maeve had meant.

Ava stepped out of the car and smoothed back her hair. As she approached the house, Lucas’s heavy footfalls sounded behind her. Odd, how she took strength from his presence. When she reached the garden gate, she stopped.

“Hello, I’m Ava—”

“Worthington,” the woman finished for her, taking note of her as she studied her face. “You look just like your mother.” She opened the gate for them, a smile on her face.

Ava inhaled the floral scented air. She never expected for her to know who she was, let alone her real mother.

“You knew my birth mother?”

“Yes. And I suspect you have questions. Please come in, both of you.”

She motioned for them to come through the gate, but Ava couldn’t move. She wasn’t sure if she could do this. Fear started to take over. Everything she’d learned thus far had made things worse. Did she really want to know what was going on? She was about to turn back toward the car, when she felt Lucas’s hand on her shoulder. Leaning down, he whispered, “Ava, remember why you are here, to help your sisters.”

She nodded, trying to refocus her attention on the task ahead of her. Belinda led the way into the house, took off her hat, and placed it on a peg near the door. Silver locks of her hair fell to her shoulders as she moved about her home.

The house had a heavy herbal smell of . . . basil?

The house didn’t seem large in scale but was probably perfect for one person. The entrance opened up into the living room and to the left of that was what looked like an eat-in kitchen. The other side of the living room was taken up by a staircase that had a large bookshelf underneath it filled with books.

“Would you like some iced tea or coffee?” Belinda headed into the kitchen.

“Tea would be fine, thank you. This is Lucas Grant, he is, ah, assisted me in finding you.” Ava glanced around. The room lacked the typical electronics. No T.V., radio, or computer. They were lucky Belinda had a phone.

Belinda returned with a tray. “It’s nice to meet you Lucas, please sit.” Belinda poured iced tea into three glasses.

They sat on the cream-colored sofa and Ava turned to Lucas, who gave her a reassuring nod.

Belinda sat in a matching stuffed chair across from them and sighed. “I guess I should start at the beginning.” She paused, then met Ava’s gaze with piercing brown eyes. “Your mother and I grew up together, just outside New York City. We were best friends.”

Ava noticed Belinda’s smile as she talked about her mother. “You see, Ava, both of us came from druid families, your mother and I were learning the art.”

“Druids?”

Belinda nodded. “Our families have handed down the ancient tradition for decades. There was a time when people had to rely on nature to survive. They honed their abilities and passed them down to the next generation. Your mother and I were taught these abilities. All druids are born with a belief that the earth is sacred and we feel a common bond with nature. Do you not sense the bond with nature?” Belinda asked, taking hold of Ava’s hand.

Ava searched her memory. She could always tell what the plants at the inn needed if they weren’t doing well but that could just mean she had a green thumb. But her neighbor’s dog was another story. That mutt hated everyone, always barking and growling at a passerby . . . except her and her sisters. Coincidence? Maybe. “Yes, but I never thought it was anything special.”

Belinda shook her head, “It’s much more than that. It’s a part of you, Ava. All druids take strength from nature, so in turn druids nurture Nature and help her grow. You will learn how as well.”

“So I was born a druid?”

“Of course, but you’re not your average druid.” Belinda got up from her chair, crossed to the bookshelf, and removed what looked like a very old book, then returned to them. “Your mother moved away after she married your father. Her parents did not approve of the marriage because he was a warlock.”

Ava’s eyes widened at her words. “A warlock?”

Belinda laughed. “Yes, your mother fell madly in love with him and he was just as crazy about her. She knew her parents would never approve, so they eloped. I seldom saw her after that, but we kept in touch through letters. She wrote about you and your sisters all the time.” Belinda opened the book and flipped through the pages.

When she reached a certain spot in the book, Belinda looked up and met her gaze. “Druids are not immortal, Ava. As you can see, I’m aging and your mother would have as well.”

Ava nodded, trying to make her brain accept the impossible.

Belinda sighed. “However, your father being a warlock makes you and your sisters very special witches. You all, no doubt, inherited your father’s powers, which will have to be evoked, and immortality, which will happen naturally, when the time is right.

Powers then immortality . . . Ugh, just add it to the list of things to worry about.

Belinda paused, then said, “But your mother being a druid might affect all this; your powers, I mean.”

Ava leaned back against the sofa, trying to absorb all the information. “Are you telling me my sisters and I are some kind of hybrid witches?”

Belinda smiled and nodded. “Yes, but to what extent I’m not sure yet. I know your parents are gone. And I know you and your sisters have been raised by your light guardian all these years, but I can teach you all the craft, if you would like to learn. I have many books on witchcraft and this one in particular”—she tapped the large volume on the coffee table with a slender fingers—“I think would be of great help to you.”

Tears sprang to Ava’s eyes at the mention of her sisters.

Lucas placed his hand over hers.

Meeting Belinda gaze, Ava throat tightened. “I think there is much that I should tell you.”

She told Belinda of her frightening ordeal, their attack, and of her sisters kidnapping by demons.

When she finished, Belinda insisted that they stay with her. “I have only one room but I’m sure you two will manage nicely.” Belinda gave Lucas a wink.

What did Belinda mean they’d manage nicely? They certainly weren’t a couple. While she wasn’t thrilled with having to share a room with him again, perhaps it wouldn’t be too bad. He’d helped her conquer her fear today and for some reason he had turned into her rock. Without fail, she’d turned to him for support.

“This is it.” Belinda opened the door to the room. “It’s small, but it has everything you need. The bathroom is the last door on your right. I’m sure you’re both hungry, so I’ll have something ready in an hour.” She closed the door as she left.

Ava went over to the bed, sitting for fear her legs would not support her weight much longer. Lucas must had noticed her unease, because next thing she knew he was kneeling in front of her.

“Ava, I know this is a lot to process but you must stay strong,” he said as he stroked her hair.

“I just need a minute. I think I’m going to lie down.” She lay back against the flower-speckled comforter, and stared at the yellow walls. The room had only one window, which was covered in plastic blinds but she could see the sunlight dimming against them.

“I’ll come for you when the food is ready,” Lucas said as he left the room.

She didn’t look at him. Couldn’t. Not after all she’d heard. Did those powerful demons know her and her sisters where some kind of
hybrid
witches, soon to be immortal? Is that why they were taken?