Blood Rush (The Lost Witch Trilogy #2) (4 page)

Sarah?

Sarah blinked in surprise and looked quickly at Zane apologetically and spoke to his mind.
Sorry, I’m being tested by my grandmother. I’ll tell you about it later. But to answer your question, I don’t know why, I just know that I feel awkward about it.

Zane looked across the table at Lash who was eating his soup and staring at Sarah
. It’s because of Lash, isn’t it? You don’t care what your dad or grandmother think. But you do care what he thinks.

Sarah took a bite of salad and frowned before answering.
There’s no reason to be cruel or rub his face in our relationship. This can’t be very fun for him.

Zane sighed audibly and speared a tomato with a little more zeal than the poor thing required.
Well, it’s not fun for me either.

“Sarah, you’re awfully quiet tonight,” her father said, drawing her attention to him.

Sarah patted her lips with her napkin before replying and felt a little bump of energy enter her mind. She reached over and tapped her glass three times before answering. “I guess I’m still getting used to everything. Zane and I were talking this afternoon and we were wondering how long we’re going to be here. Will we have to stay here indefinitely?”

Francis raised an eyebrow at her. “Are you displeased with my home? With my hospitality? With our town?” she asked, sounding surprised.

Sarah shook her head and turned to look at Zane before answering. “No, not at all. But even the Garden of Eden can become a prison if you’re not allowed to leave.”

Race winced and looked across the table at Gretchen, Lash and Agnes. “Sarah has a point. Do you feel that way too?”

Gretchen looked at Zane before answering. “I’m actually enjoying myself right now to be honest. I’m here in a beautiful home by the ocean. I have my mother back and I feel safe. That doesn’t mean that at some point down the road I wouldn’t feel constrained, but right now, no.”

Race looked down at his plate and shook his head. “Gretchen, I can’t know for certain that Charles would come after you,” he said in a low serious voice
.
“I know if I were him, I would though. By now he knows all about you and Agnes and Zane. He knows you and Agnes are witches, but Zane and his power are safe because he’s unaware of it. If you were to leave and go back to Colorado, I have a strong feeling he would follow you and interrogate you about Sarah. In the process I’m sure he would find about Zane and then Zane would be in grave danger. I know this is strange for everyone, but just bear with me until we can figure something out or until we can stop Charles. It’s for the best.”

Zane cleared his throat before speaking up. “But Lash shouldn’t have to be somewhere he doesn’t want to be. Charles couldn’t care less about him.”

Lash’s bright blue eyes narrowed across the table at Zane. “It almost sounds like you’re trying to get rid of me Zane,” he said, and then looked at Sarah with a raised eyebrow.

Zane shook his head. “Not at all buddy. I just don’t want you to feel like you’re being forced to be here.”

Lash smiled widely, still looking at Sarah. “Not a problem Zane, I’m right where I want to be.”

Sarah felt Zane sigh in exasperation and turned to look at Francis. “I am worried about Lash though. You might be unaware of this, but Lash’s dad has Blutraush. It’s an addiction to drinking blood. I know Mason would hurt Lash if he gets the chance. My power didn’t work on him when he came after me. Can you protect Lash?” she asked, turning to look at Lash.

Lash stared back at her, his eyes softening. “You’re always trying to protect me Sarah.” he murmured with a small smile.

Francis pursed her lips as she stared at Lash. “I know all about your father’s blood lust from Race. I have come across a few men and a couple women who were chained to that addiction. I would like to say that I’m powerful enough to stop your father but there’s just no telling sometimes. Your father at the time he attacked Sarah, was high, if you will, on that poor girl’s blood. They’re crazed, they’re powerful and occasionally unstoppable. But I will promise that we will all do everything we can to protect you. You have my word on it,” she said firmly with a nod of her head.

Lash stared solemnly back at Francis and nodded his head. “Thanks. I’ll do my best to repay your hospitality.”

Zane rolled his eyes and pushed away from the table. “Thanks for dinner Mom, Grandma. Sarah, if you’re done, would you like to join me for a walk on the beach?” he asked, glancing around the table grimly daring anyone to object.

Lash tilted his water glass towards the now empty bowls. “Gretchen probably needs you for kitchen duty,” he said with a grin.

Gretchen laughed and patted Lash’s back. “They set the table while you were doing homework dear. I believe it’s your turn for kitchen duty. Race has already volunteered to help you.”

Zane grinned at his mom and winked as he quickly pulled Sarah from the room and down the hall towards the breakfast nook where there was a door to the back yard.

Sarah laughed softly as she had to run to catch up with Zane’s stride. “Your mom is so sweet.”

Zane grabbed a couple jackets off the hooks by the door and helped Sarah on with hers. “Yeah, we have each other’s backs. Besides, I bet you a million dollars she takes a stroll herself with your father later tonight.”

Sarah blinked as she zipped up the large parka. “Let’s not think about it.”

Zane pulled his arms through a large black parka and opened the door for her. “Ladies first.”

They walked out onto the large stone patio and down towards the path that led to the beach. “It’s so beautiful here,” Sarah whispered.

Zane grabbed her hand as they walked down the stone path. “As far as prisons go, this one is pretty cool. Look at the ocean,” he whispered almost reverently as they reached the sand.

Sarah paused and wrapped her arms around Zane’s waist. “It’s incredible. It makes me feel so alive, like I’m a part of it somehow,” she said self-consciously.

Zane nodded his head as he hugged her warmly. “I feel the same way. Come on, let’s head this way,” he said and led her towards a grouping of large rocks and boulders.

They walked hand in hand in silence, both deep in their own thoughts.

“So tell me about your test during dinner. What was your grandmother doing?” Zane asked curiously.

Sarah filled him in on her lesson and how she could feel her grandmother enter her mind.

Zane shook his head with a frown. “That freaks me out to be honest. The thought of someone just walking in and making themselves at home in my mind and actually controlling what I do. That would kill me.”

Sarah grimaced. “Me too. But I was able to get her out pretty quickly. I can also do an energy shield to prevent it. Zane, do you ever use an energy shield? I’m worried that Charles might try to control you,” she said worriedly.

Zane snorted. “Honey, I’m not Lash. You don’t have to babysit me. I’m not worried about Charles. I think I could throw up a pretty good shield if the need arose.”

Sarah frowned up at Zane and shook her head. “Don’t get cocky Zane. I keep telling you, we can’t underestimate these people. What would I do if something happened to you?” she said, pulling her hand away from him and turning towards the ocean.

She stared at the violent waves, pounding the rocks and felt Zane’s arms come around her from behind. “Sarah, nothing is going to happen to me. Now stop worrying and stop wasting time. I’ve been waiting for hours to kiss you,” he said, turning her slowly around to face him.

She stared up into his eyes, now gleaming down at her and she frowned. He’d almost died when her aunt and Drake had drugged him. She’d been able to save his life, but just barely. Zane was not safe from Charles and the sooner he realized that, the better.

As Sarah was pulled deep into a kiss, she relaxed and let all her worries disappear for a moment. She was standing on a beach at sunset with Zane and he was doing a good job of getting her mind off her worries. So she let him.

As they walked back into the house forty-five minutes later, smiling and laughing, they came face to face with Francis.

“Young man, I’d like to have a private word with you.”

Zane glanced at Sarah but nodded his head. “Okay.”

He squeezed Sarah’s fingers and walked after her grandmother down the hall and in to a room that was her grandmother’s private office. The door shut firmly and she was left alone, staring curiously after them.

“I’d offer to take you for a walk, but you look a little worn out after the one you just had.”

Sarah turned around to see Lash leaning up against a wall in the shadows. She rubbed a few goose bumps on her arms and tried to smile at Lash.

“It’s starting to get pretty cold out there. How about we grab a cinnamon roll in the kitchen instead,” she said in a friendly voice, as she walked passed him.

Lash reached out and grabbed her arm. “Not so fast,” he said, soundly coldly furious.

Sarah paused and frowned at Lash. “Lash, what’s the matter?”

Lash pulled her closer to his chest as he looked down into her face. “I don’t like seeing you come back from a walk with your lips all bruised as if you’ve been kissing more than walking. I don’t like knowing it wasn’t me out there with you. I hate it,” he spit out.

Sarah put her hand over Lash’s tight grasp on her arm. “You’re hurting me Lash,” she said, quietly and firmly.

Lash immediately let go of her arm and sighed loudly. “I don’t want you to be with him Sarah.”

Sarah stepped back and turned as she felt someone come to stand beside her. She looked up in surprise to see her father.

“Lash, you might want to grab a cinnamon roll before we take off. You and Zane are moving in with me tonight,” he said easily as if he hadn’t heard and seen everything.

Lash stepped away from Sarah and nodded his head brusquely. He walked away without saying another word to Sarah.

Sarah and Race watched him walk into the light of the kitchen before the silence was broken.

“Looks like you’ve got yourself a hot mess there,” her father said with a smile in his voice.

Sarah groaned softly and leaned up against the wall. “You have no idea.”

Race grinned and leaned up against the opposite wall. “Actually, I think I got a pretty good idea just now. Which makes it an even better idea to move Zane and Lash in with me.”

“Just make sure they don’t kill each other,” Sarah said tiredly.

Race laughed softly and nodded his head. “Will do. Sarah, Gretchen told me about this girl at school you’re worried about. I’ll do some checking in town tomorrow. But I’m with you. I think we can safely assume she’s a witch. Until we know more about her, I want you to stay away from her. I don’t want any confrontations between the two of you. If it comes to something, for instance,
Zane
, back down and walk away. Okay?”

Sarah crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes. “I was so close to zapping her today. She’s the most annoying, snotty, spoiled, give me everything I want person I’ve ever met.”

Race smiled and nodded his head. “Even so, hold back. A fight between witches can become deadly before you know it. I don’t want innocent kids at school getting hurt. But most of all, I don’t want you put in harm’s way. Please, give me your word that you won’t engage this girl,” he asked in an intense voice that had her frowning sadly as she couldn’t help thinking about her mother.

“Okay, you have my word. But do I have permission to protect myself if she comes after me?”

Race ran his hands through his hair in agitation and nodded once. “If it’s your only option, yes. But do anything and everything not to get into a fight at school.”

Gretchen popped her head out of the kitchen and motioned to them with her hands. “Come on you two, get in here before Lash eats them all. He’s on his fourth.”

Race awkwardly put his hand on Sarah’s shoulder as they walked towards the kitchen. “Thanks Sarah. You’re a good girl,” he said quietly and then let his hand fall away as he walked into the lighted room.

Sarah smiled slowly as she joined the crowd at the counter. She’d never had a father tell her she was a good girl before. It was kind of cool. Zane and Francis joined them a few moments later. As she stuffed her mouth with the sugar glazed cinnamon roll, she popped into Zane’s mind.

What was that all about?
she asked as she laughed at Beatrice’s impersonation of the grocery store clerk she’d had a run in with that afternoon.

Zane reached for another roll and took a bite before answering.
She wanted to know my intentions towards you and whether or not I was an honorable young man. She mentioned the word virtue and purity a few times. Innocence and hormones were mentioned too.

Sarah choked on her bite and Zane immediately pounded on her back. Gretchen pushed a glass of milk toward her without missing a beat and Sarah turned bright red as she took a quick drink.

Oh my word. What did you say?

Zane rubbed her back as he took a drink from his glass and smiled down at her, his eyes glinting metallically.

That woman could probably kill me with a snap of her fingers. What do you think I said? I promised her you would stay a virgin until our wedding night of course.

Sarah immediately choked again on the sip of milk that went down the wrong pipe and felt Zane pound on her back again. Her eyes watered and she turned to sit down, wheezing.

Francis walked over to her and handed her a napkin with a smile. “Strike one. I’ve been in your mind for the last ten minutes and you never knew it. Keep your guard up dear,” she whispered into her ear.

Sarah bent her head over her knees and coughed a few more hacking coughs before looking up, her cheeks completely red, to see the whole room looking at her worriedly.

Zane grinned at her and took a large bite of cinnamon roll as she pushed the hair out of her eyes. “Don’t worry everyone. She’s just had a shock to the system.”

Everyone went back to their conversations as Zane pulled a chair out to sit beside her. He rubbed warm circles all over her back as she wiped her eyes with the napkin and tried not to look at him.