Double-Sided Witch (Covencraft Book 3) (35 page)

“It’s okay,” Jade replied as she pet Bruce on the head and then let her fingers trail down, trying to find his scaly patch. She frowned, feeling the dry, cracked skin. Bruce tipped his head up and Jade examined the area. It didn’t look as bad as it had before. It was no longer weeping and it seemed like it was starting to close up some.

“It’s looking better,” Paris said, coming closer.

“Yeah, it is,” Jade agreed. Bruce’s tail thumped against Lily’s legs and Lily patted his belly soundly in return.

“He seems really happy to see you,” Lily said.

“Us, he’s happy to see us,” Jade argued.

Bruce stared up at Jade, eyes blinking a few times and then he scooted forward, trying to bury his snout in Jade’s armpit.

Lily laughed. “I’m pretty sure it’s mostly you.”

Even though Jade didn’t know what Sakkara wanted or how far she would go to get it, looking down at Bruce, hearing Lily laugh, having Lily beside her, made her the happiest she’d been in a long time.

Her headache throbbed, sending an ice pick of pain through her skull. Her brain felt soft and tender with the pain poking at it relentlessly. She winced, feeling like the lights in the room were suddenly too bright. Bruce flicked his tongue at her and made a quiet whining noise.

“What is it?” asked Paris immediately, coming further into the room.

“Her head,” Lily answered for Jade.

“I’ll get Dr. Gellar.”

Lily’s fingers were cool against the back of Jade’s neck, as she tried to dig into the tight muscles. “This isn’t just a headache,” Lily said. Bruce pushed his snout further under Jade’s arm and she wondered if he’d showed up right before it happened because he knew it was coming.

“Do you have one too?” Jade asked Lily, shutting her eyes tight and trying to stretch out her neck, hoping it might help.

“No, but it’s like… I’m getting this feeling like my brain is bruised and I think it’s from you.”

Jade took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. “I think I might have fried something this time. With my magic,” she admitted, afraid to say it out loud.

“Well, maybe they can fix it with magic,” Lily replied.

Jade didn’t think it worked that way, but didn’t say so out loud. Of course, with Lily able to read her thoughts, she didn’t have to. Which turned out to be a good thing not two seconds later when she needed to throw up and Lily got a little plastic tub thing from the nightstand before Jade vomited all over herself.

Gellar was there a minute later asking questions and taking measurements, but she blissfully dimmed the lights so they were no longer assaulting Jade’s eyes. Gellar didn’t make Lily leave the room and Jade noticed Paris was hovering by the door as well. After her examination, she looked at Jade grimly.

“I scrambled my noodle, didn’t I?” Jade said, her own voice making her head pound more.

“I think this is the start of a migraine and it’s going to get worse over the next couple of hours. How much worse, I’m not sure.”

“Because of her magic?” Paris asked from the doorway.

Gellar nodded, face grim. “Most likely.” She faced Jade again. “Do you want some pain meds now or can you bear it?”

“Oh, meds, bring all the meds,” Lily said and Jade scowled at her. “What? They don’t hand out medals for not taking pills, you know.”

“Lily is correct, Jade,” said Paris carefully from the doorway. “If you’re suffering, you should take something for it.”

“Okay,” Jade managed. Gellar was gone and back again in moments, injecting something into Jade’s arm.

“We’ll have to keep an eye on this. This may only be temporary or it could continue. I don’t know enough about how your magic affects you to know at this point.”

Jade wanted to nod or say something, but she also just wanted to close her eyes and pull a blanket over her head.

“We’ll keep an eye on it,” Paris answered.

Jade finally decided there was no reason not to pull the blanket up over her head, feeling like she wanted to shut the world out. Bruce wiggled, getting more comfortable and then gently put his foot on her shoulder, almost as if to say, ‘I’ll just be here.’

Jade felt the bed move as Lily got off and then she heard the low sounds of Lily and Paris talking. It was so weird. Hearing her own voice, only at a slightly higher pitch, coming from outside her ears instead of inside it. She heard the door open and shut again and then the bed dipped as Lily climbed back in.

“He’s going to come back when you’re feeling better. He’s got stuff to talk to you about.”

“Is that the official British term for it,” Jade whispered, afraid her own voice would be too loud for her headache. “Stuff.”

Lily chuckled softly. “I think he said there were some things of great significance and relevance that he needed to discuss with you.” Lily paused. “He likes you.”

“I think he likes everyone.”

Lily made a low sound of partial agreement and Jade didn’t have it in her to argue or say anything more. She started feeling the painkillers kick in and everything went soft and fuzzy.

CHAPTER
SIXTEEN

“
Why
are you so nervous?”

Jade didn’t answer Lily as she struggled getting her tennis shoe on. She got more and more frustrated when she couldn’t wiggle her foot in without undoing the laces. She pulled the shoe off her toes and onto her lap, fighting with the knotted lace. Her fingers were thick and clumsy, a side effect of the headache that had turned into a truly spectacular migraine that left her bedridden for all of yesterday. She was feeling better today, the migraine receding to a low-level ache in her head that was more akin to having muscle strain. It was a thousand times better than the vomit-inducing pain she’d had for most of yesterday, even on pain meds.

Lily gently took the shoe out of Jade’s hands and deftly undid the knot, handing it back to Jade. Jade was finally getting sprung from medlab, although she was under Dr. Gellar’s orders to return if her headache got worse or turned into a migraine again. With both her shoes finally on, Jade paused, sitting on the medlab bed. Lily sat down next to her and waited. After a minute, Lily tapped her elbow against Jade’s.

“They’re your friends. You know them. They know you.”

“Well, clearly they didn’t know everything about me,” Jade mumbled, giving Lily a significant look.

“No one knows everything about everybody,” Lily answered. “Except you and me.” Lily slung an arm over Jade’s shoulder. “It’ll be fine. We’ll just have a coffee with them and then we can head home to the cottage. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Coffee with Callie and Henri or seeing the cottage?” Jade asked.

“Both. Either,” Lily answered. She’d stayed in medlab with Jade and hadn’t seen anything of the Coven yet. Paris had brought by a bag of some clothes and toiletries for them, letting the women know that Callie was the one that thoughtfully packed it - including hand cream, lip balm, some fuzzy socks, pairs of sensible underwear - all the things that men generally didn’t consider when packing. Callie had also included two full changes of clothes - presumably one for Jade and one for Lily. Jade didn’t want to lie to Callie or Henri, so that morning, after waking up with her migraine receding, she’d texted both of them and asked if they’d like to have coffee with both Jade and Lily. Jade didn’t think she was ready to face the cafeteria - not with Lily and the stares they’d surely get, so Paris had graciously offered up his office.

For now, after a discussion with Lily while Jade had been asleep, Paris had released a statement that Jade had a sister, a twin, formerly estranged, who was now back in Jade’s life. Yes, her twin also had magic. Yes, her twin would also learn to control her powers by performing Coven sanctioned magic. No, Paris didn’t think there were anymore lost leaves of Jade’s family tree.

Jade imagined it was causing quite a stir in the Coven. It was probably their worst nightmare come to life. Not only was Jade still around, now she was bringing family members with her.

Lily hit her with her elbow again.

“Hey,” Jade protested. “I’m recovering here.”

“You’re brooding and it’s loud.” Lily motioned her fingers around her brain. “It’ll be fine,” she repeated. “I don’t know why you’re so nervous.”

Unbidden, the things Jade was afraid to say out loud started spilling forth from her brain and she could feel Lily pick up each thought, including the horrendously selfish ones.
What if they don’t like you? What if they like you better than they like me? What if it’s all weird now and …

Lily’s arm tightened around Jade’s shoulders. “I’m not nervous. From what I’ve seen in your head, I’m not nervous at all.”
They’re your friends. That won’t change.

Jade wished she could be as relaxed and calm about it as Lily felt. “Let’s just go.”

Lily stood, slinging the overnight bag over her shoulder. They ended up looking at each other, Jade checking Lily’s appearance and Lily doing the same for her. Lily reached up and tightened Jade’s ponytail a bit, noting it was sagging some.

“I might cut my hair,” Lily said as they walked out of the room.

“What? Why?” Jade asked, immediately grabbing her own ponytail, liking the long feeling of it as it ran through her hands.

Lily shrugged. “I don’t know. It might be nice to try something different. Or maybe I’ll color it.”

You don’t like how I do our hair?

“It’s not that. It’s just… I thought it might be fun to try something else.”

The Coven hallways were moderately busy - mid-morning traffic as people were at work and moving from department to department, grabbing coffee, showing up late, going to meetings. Jade thought she was used to the looks and the head turning, but it was more pronounced now with people openly watching her and Lily. Lily smiled at everyone. Some people looked away quickly, but others hesitantly smiled back. Jade kept her expression neutral - neither smiling nor scowling, which she thought was a pretty impressive feat.

Finally at Paris’ office (where his assistant Suki still wasn’t at her desk), Jade knocked once and waited for Paris to invite them in.

Callie and Henri were already inside, seated in the Queen-Anne chairs in front of the fireplace. Two more chairs had been brought in, making a small semi-circle around the hearth. Callie and Henri were already sipping coffee, with two more large coffees sitting on the small table in the centre of the semi-circle. Paris made a ‘please, go ahead’ gesture and then moved to leave his office. As he walked by, his hand reached out, almost like he would touch Jade’s shoulder, but then he pulled it back at the last moment. Before she even realized she was doing it, Jade tugged at the sleeve of his shirt, by his elbow.

“Hey. Thanks for this,” she said quietly and then wanted to pull the lame words back out of the air.

“My pleasure.” He smiled at her and Jade heard Lily snort in her head.
I bet there’s more he wishes was his pleasure.

Jade turned to Lily, glaring at her with wide eyes.
Stop it!

What? He can’t hear me.

Jade rolled her eyes, hoping the gesture hid her embarrassment, as Paris closed the door behind him. She looked over at Callie and Henri who were watching them both carefully. She and Lily walked over to them, in unison.

“We brought coffee,” Callie said brightly. “We know how Jade takes hers, but didn’t know how you… that is… there’s cream and sugar for you.” Callie finished, gesturing to the small table where a pile of creamers and packets of sugar sat.

“Thanks,” Lily said easily, grabbing the coffee marked ‘black’ from the table, fixing it up before she sat down. “I take mine just like Jade. Double cream.”

Callie nodded, her smile overly bright and tight. Jade looked over at Henri, who was examining the air around Lily’s head, probably reading her aura. Jade felt her stomach roll over in nervousness, but then, Henri seemed to relax back in his chair.

“So,” Henri said with a grin. “Which one of you is the evil twin?”

A laugh escaped Jade, fueled by her nerves and anxiety. It came out with a strange ‘bleat’ sound, kind of like a goat. That set Callie off, who let loose with her indelicate snort, which in turn caused Lily to guffaw. Henri stuck his hand out, holding it in front of Lily.

“I’m Henri.”

Lily took his hand and shook it heartily. “Nice to meet you, Henri. I’m Lily.”

Callie put her hand out next. “Callie. I’m really glad to meet you.”

Lily took hers as well, shaking it with a smile. “Me too.”

Jade felt her insides relax and unclench. This was going to work out.

#

After
a whirlwind couple of days, Paris stood on Jade’s doorstep knowing he had to tell her what he believed about her past. He was certain that Jade was Josef’s niece - the little girl who drowned at the lake all those years ago. He worried about telling Jade for many reasons. He still didn’t understand or know how it had all happened, only that it
had
happened. Somehow, Jade was Josefina - a young Coven member they believed had died. Her essence or soul had escaped and found a home with Lily, in Lily’s body. Paris didn’t know how Jade would react. Would she be angry? Sad? Would she believe him? He squared his shoulders and knocked soundly on the door, waiting. When it opened, in the fading light of the day, he couldn’t tell who it was that answered - Lily or Jade?

“Oh, hey. Come on in. We’re just hanging out doing magic.”

Paris felt a surge of worry at the tone and also at the fact that he still couldn’t tell whom he was addressing. He followed ‘her’ in, not sure who she was. She rested a hand on the banister and shouted up the stairs, “Jade! Your Englishman is here!”

Lily, then. 

Paris took off his coat, hanging it up neatly, and then his shoes, placing them on the mat by the door. Jade came down the stairs, as always like a herd of elephants, Bruce hot on her heels, adding to the noise.

“Hey, we’re hanging out doing magic,” she said, a near replica of what Lily had told him.

“So I hear,” he replied wryly. He caught the scent of Jade’s magic, linden blossom and cloves, mixed in with Lily’s, grapefruit and cinnamon. “Fire spells?” he guessed.

Jade smiled. “Yep.”

“I’m not as good at fire as Jade is,” Lily added as the three of them made their way to the kitchen.

“She’s better at air,” Jade said.

“You don’t have to try to make me feel better about it,” Lily said good-naturedly. “I’m not as powerful as you. I don’t think I ever will be. I’m just… not the same. But I don’t mind.”

Given the look Jade gave Lily, Paris gathered it was Jade who minded, or was bothered by their differences. Lily didn’t seem to be bothered by it.

Before he could lose his nerve, Paris spoke. “That might be tied to what I wanted to discuss with you. With Jade, rather.”

Jade turned and looked at him. “You can say anything you want in front of Lily. I’ll tell her anyway.”

Paris glanced up at Lily and she must have seen the hesitation on his face. “You know,” she said, “why don’t I take Bruce for a walk in the Preserve? I can start collecting rocks. Jade’s going to help me make my own rune collection,” she added for Paris’ benefit.

Jade frowned at her. “I want you to know whatever it is.”

“And I will. But maybe you should take some time for yourself. We don’t always have to share.”

Jade looked confused at the statement and Lily darted forward quickly and gave her a hug. It was strange to see someone touch Jade without Jade flinching slightly or pulling back. Stranger still to see Jade hug Lily back, tightly and easily. Jade was more comfortable around Lily than Paris had ever seen her with anyone.

Lily headed back toward the front door, making a sort of ‘kiss-kiss’ sound to call Bruce. Bruce flicked his tongue at Jade, his customary ‘pffffft’ sound coming out low and soft before he trotted after Lily. Paris turned to look at Jade, whose eyes darted to the coffee pot and back to him again.

“You can start a pot if you’d like. If that would make you feel more comfortable.” He knew, for Jade, the ritual of coffee was just as important as the beverage itself. He took a seat at the kitchen table and watched as she went through the familiar motions - emptying, rinsing, filling and then starting. When she was done, she hesitated before sitting down at the table as well.

“I’ve something I need to tell you,” he began.

“Me too,” she interrupted and he blinked in surprise. She’d just blurted it out and seemed as startled as him that she’d said anything. “I mean, there’s something you should know.”

“May it wait?” Paris asked. “This is quite important.”

“My thing is really important too,” Jade replied, squirming in her seat. “But, uh, you go first,” she waved a hand. “We’ll get whatever out of the way and then I’ll tell you my thing.”

Paris frowned. He didn’t think that they’d just be able to brush past what he was going to say, but they’d cross that bridge when they got there.

He took a deep breath. “You know, of course, about the death at the lake, many years ago.” Jade’s shoulders stiffened slightly. She sat with her hands in her lap, under the table and he wished that she’d rested them on the table. He thought perhaps he would have liked to touch one as he spoke.

“Yeah, I know. Little girl.”

“I believe that little girl was you.”

She didn’t say anything - didn’t jump up and start denying it, didn’t look askance at him, didn’t even look shocked.

“You don’t seem surprised.”

“I’m… I don’t know what I am.” Jade looked down at her hands.

“Lily told me you saw a little girl, in the water, in your dream. Before you fell or jumped in.”

“I didn’t jump,” Jade said quickly. “I was… compelled to? Not like magically compelled, but I felt I had to do it. I don’t know why.”

“Nor I. But I think you saw yourself, perhaps in a memory, perhaps as imagery in your dream, or perhaps as something more, I don’t know. But you were that little girl.”

“Yeah. But I don’t know how it’s possible.”

“Nor I. But I believe it to be true. I’ll help you figure out what happened, how it happened. We can and will figure it out.”