Witch (3 page)

Sam

He tried not to judge the wolf eating the deer, even if it
was a baby. His mother’s people were kind vegans. They despised the injury of
any being, especially baby animals. He couldn’t help his upbringing anymore
than Lucas could help his animal urges. The Siren's had shunned his mother when
he was a tiny baby. He had been raised with the Wiccan's on an island in
British Columbia until he let himself get captured by the American government.
His mother had always believed in Wicca and the way of life they chose.

He looked at Luke and wondered if they would find the
trail again. They had lost it outside of a town called Portsmouth, on the
border of New Hampshire and Maine.

Lucas walked down to the river they sat on the banks of
and phased back. He stood naked on the riverbank and dove in. The blood rose to
the surface of the water, as it washed from him. Sam wrinkled his nose at him,
as he surfaced and beamed, “Now that was a meal. I left some meat on the bones
for you.”

Sam tried not to heave, “Yeah that’s not going to happen.
You’ve had your muzzle over every inch of that poor creature.”

Lucas rolled his eyes, “Pass my clothes Nancy.”

Sam, half tempted to toss them in to the river, passed
them to the edge of the water.

Lucas dressed quickly, “My family is from a small town
from just up state. I’ve lost the trail but they will know if they’ve had a
rogue wolf in their territory.”

Sam nodded, “Okay.” He looked at his phone, still no word
from Hanna. He pressed his lips together.

“Want to go to her?”

He looked up at the grin on Lucas’s face, “No. I just want
her to tell me she’s okay. It’s easy for you, Aimee and Ari like each other.
They both hate Hanna.”

Lucas shrugged, “They don’t hate her, they dislike her.
All supernatural girls dislike Hanna. Competition.” He winked at Sam.

Sam growled, “She isn’t competition.”

Lucas laughed mockingly, “I know I know. You’ve convinced
her to love only you, that doesn’t change the fact she’s a hot mess dude.”

Sam squared his shoulders at him, but Lucas stepped back
with his hands up, “Whoa dude, I get it. I smelled it on her when I met her.
Anyone who meets Hanna will agree she's a sweet girl. She’s also the scariest
monster I’ve ever met, including Lorri.”

“Not making me feel better.”

Lucas laughed again, “Nothing you can do. Nothing she can
do. Dude Aimee isn’t going to let anything happen to her. Neither will Ari. We
both know Dorian won’t.”

“Okay, stop trying to make me feel better. Jesus.”

Lucas pointed, “It’s this way. Want to flash us maybe fifty
miles at a time?”

He put his wrist out for Sam to take. Sam thought for a
brief second about leaving him to walk, but placed his hand over his wrist in
the last second.

xxxx

When Lucas had said his family lived in a small area in
Maine, Sam had not expected what he found. Lucas’s uncles had a massive hunting
retreat with expansive grounds where wolves walked freely. The lodges were
mansions, only made to look like log homes. Western Canadian Fir and Cedar made
up the huge houses and many decks. The lawns were less than what one would
expect surrounding such homes, but it made sense. Werewolves wouldn’t care
about how the grass looked when they were eating a carcass on it.

Regardless of the fact he was able to leave instantly, he
couldn’t help but feel nervous and out of place. He was the one that wasn’t
like the others. A tall stunning woman walked past him smiling seductively.

Lucas moaned, “Keep it in your pants Sammy.”

Sam punched him in the arm.

“Lucas!” A voice called out from a crowd.

Sam watched Lucas bound up to a huge beast of a man. The
man had dark red hair and dark amber eyes. He wrapped his huge arms around
Lucas.

They hugged and talked briefly but as others began to
notice the commotion, a group of people converged upon Lucas. Hugs and laughter
filled the circle surrounding him. Sam lost Lucas in the crowd. He felt like
twiddling his thumbs, as he waited for the reunion to end. He pulled his phone
from his pocket and sent a text to Hanna.

‘where r u?’

He put the phone back, not certain he wanted the answer.

“Luke, is that for me?”

Sam looked up at a sexy young woman with silky blonde hair
pointing at him. She wore the shortest shorts he had ever seen, revealing long
tanned muscled legs. She wore flip-flops and a tiny white tank top. The weather
was nowhere near warm enough for her outfit. Sam gulped. She watched him like
he was the fawn Lucas had just eaten.

Lucas reappeared from the crowd, “This is Sam. He’s
different. He’s not a snack Janine. He’s half Siren.”

Sam felt ashamed as he watched the faces of the people
around him change. Their eyes widened, their mouths tightened and theirs stares
became hardened. The Fae had long known sirens as trouble. They were like the
Fae's naughty cousin that no one wanted around.

“He’s a Rose?” The blonde asked indignantly.

Sam lifted his hand revealing the gleaming platinum ring.

She gasped, “That’s so wrong.”

Sam looked at Lucas who laughed, “He’s with another Siren.
He isn’t single. He’s met his mate calm down.”

Sam frowned and whispered, “TMI dude. What the hell?”

Lucas laughed harder, “We have no secrets man. The pack
shares everything.” He raised an eyebrow at Sam.

“Keep my details to yourself. I’m not part of the pack.”
He felt his anger rising.

Lucas shrugged, “You’re part of my pack.”

Sam’s anger was deflated. He lowered his gaze and nodded,
“It’s nice to meet you all.” He muttered knowing they would all be able to hear
him.

Lucas turned back to the growing group of people, “I have
terrible news.”
 
Sam watched as Lucas’s
lower lip trembled, “Ben was taken to the great mother.”

Sam’s heart hurt all over again, as everyone in the group
began to react to the news and howling filled the air.

Ophelia

“O some dude has a package for you and he won’t give it to
any of us. He’s British and snotty and mean. You have to sign it. Oh and Jake
is here for you.”

She groaned and rolled over. She felt her sister’s fingers
on her arm, “O Jake is here for you and an asinine British wanker.”

She opened her eyes, ready to scream but her sister’s
smiling face filled her blurry vision.

“Wha…?”

She laughed, “You fell asleep after school. Are you
feeling okay?” She ran a hand over her forehead.

She sat up wiping away the drool, “Yeah. I’m fine. Just
sleepy. Whose here?”

Her sister laughed, “Jake. British wanker.”

“It wasn’t just a nightmare. Great.”

“What?”

Ophelia shook her head, “Nothing. Tell him I’ll be down
in, like two minutes.” She rubbed her eyes, feeling the room spin slightly.

Her sister got up and left the room, “You’re acting
weird.”

“Yeah I know. Uh Abbs did mom and dad say anything about
the principal?”

“Yeah mom told him if no one saw you move then it was
pretty hard to prove you did it. Whatevs dude let's go.”

She got up and glanced at her mirror. She turned away from
it quickly before the faces came back. She pulled her clothes off and pulled on
her bathing suit. She threw on a pale yellow skirt and a white terry towel
hoodie with three quarter sleeves. She grabbed a towel from the bathroom and
slipped her flip-flops on. She walked down the stairs feeling anxious and
frightened.

“You are an incredible player son. I just adore watching
the games this year.” She knit her brow at her dad as she walked around the
corner.

“O package for you at the front door.” He pointed at the
door and went back to bromancing Jake.

She turned and inhaled sharply when she saw the face of
the man at the door. He sneered until he saw her. Then his black eyes lit up.

“Hello love.”

She smiled and walked toward him, “Hi.” She wanted to touch
him. She reached a hand out.

He laughed, “Easy love. Ophelia I need you to sign here
for this package. It’s a special delivery.” She stepped outside on the porch
where he waited.

She nodded and took the pen. It stabbed into her fingers
as she grabbed it. She winced but his eyes were mesmerizing. He took the pen
back. She wasn’t certain she had signed or not. She took the small box, but
never took her eyes from his face.

He leaned in, “You’re in danger. I need you to come with
me.”

She nodded, “I want to.”

He laughed, “Ophelia I need you to hear me, they are
coming for you.” His dark eyes were menacing. Ophelia felt uneasiness overwhelm
her. She stepped back in to the house. He took a step forward but didn’t enter
the house after her.

She felt a shiver as the evening air blew over her arms,
giving her a chill. She blinked at him, “Who are you?”

He grinned, “Better question is what are you?”

She stepped back again, clutching the box, “Leave me
alone.”

He shook his head, “Can’t love. Things are going to get
weirder than just some broken windows at school.”

She closed the door quickly and pressed her back against
it. He was part of the Ouija board problem. He was probably a ghost. She ran up
to her room before anyone in her family could see her. She tossed the box on
the bed and dropped to her knees against the rough carpet. She tore open the
box to see bubble wrap.

She swallowed as she peeled back the layers of bubble
wrap. Her trembling fingers clutched something cold and hard. She lifted it
from the box.

A snow globe.

She had officially lost her mind. Her birthday was in a
couple weeks. Someone had obviously sent her the snow globe for her birthday
and she was acting like it was a bomb.

She raised an eyebrow at it. Inside there was a blonde
woman in a long sleeve red dress standing at a window inside of a stone room.
The windows of the room revealed a snowy forest. She tilted it upside down and
glitter filled the room, making the water sparkle.

Through the swirls of sparkly water, she saw the head of
the woman turn toward her. Her bright blue eyes sparkled. Her lips curled up in
to a smile. She reached her long slender fingers toward Ophelia.

‘Ophelia’

A whisper floated in the air around her face. She dropped
the snow globe back in the box and closed the lid. Her breath was ragged and
her skin crawled with goose bumps.

She pushed herself up using her bed and backed away from
the box. She walked backwards until her back hit her closed closet door. She
shook her head and closed her eyes for a second.

O let’s go.” Her sister shouted up the stairs at her.

She turned and ran from the room.

She walked into the kitchen, wondering if anyone noticed
the frightened look on her face.

“What was the package?”

She shrugged, “Some snow globe. Not sure.”

Her mom frowned, “That’s weird.”

She nodded and looked over at Jake. He looked amazing.

“You guys played amazingly last game. Jake how many
scholarship offers did you get?” Her dad sipped his coffee and leaned against
the counter. Ophelia smiled. Her dad didn’t want them to leave.

Jake blushed, “I got four offers. I’m taking Notre Dame. I
never imagined I would get it.”

She couldn’t believe how humble and sweet he seemed.

Abbey walked into the kitchen and smiled at Ophelia.
Ophelia couldn’t help but notice how pretty she looked. Until she realized her
golden hair and bright blue eyes reminded her of the woman in the snow globe.
She shivered thinking about it.

Abbey frowned at her and nodded at the clock.

Ophelia cleared her throat, “Uhm dad we should be going.”

He laughed, “Oh right. I forgot you guys were going out.
You kids have fun and we’ll see you when you get home girls.”

Her mom kissed her on the cheek, "We'll be at the
movies when you get back. We're going to the late show."

She walked to the door, wishing she could crawl back under
the rock where she had hidden for eighteen years. She didn’t know what changed
to make Jake notice her or Maria be nice to her. She had a bad feeling the
Ouija board wasn't to blame. There had to be something else. She was terrified
they were going to torture her at the party. She looked at the sweet smile on
Jake's face and the annoyed look on her sister's and felt reassured. Abbey
would never hurt her.

Jake stepped in front of her, to get the door for her and
Abbey. She watched his huge hand take the handle. Images of his hands touching
her filled her mind. From the shadows she’d watched him forever. Whether it had
been playing football or making out in tenth grade with Melanie Nolan.

Suddenly as if she were Cinderella, she was living a
dream. The dream she had wished for every day.

He put his hand on the small of her back and walked out of
the house after her.

“You-uh, look, uhm pretty Ophelia.”

She felt the heat from his hand on her back permeating to
her face. Her whole body was blushing. She felt the sweat start to creep across
her brow again. She couldn’t wait to get to Lance’s house and get in to the
pool.

He opened the truck door for her. She tried not to look at
him as she climbed in.

“Oh you too.” She winced as she climbed into his huge
truck. He closed the door for her.

She unrolled the old truck window and looked at her sister
who was grinning, “I’m going to bring our car O. I will meet you guys there.”

She waved and closed the window. She couldn’t talk. She
was probably dying from a nervous breakdown inside.

Jake climbed in and sat on the seat not starting the
truck. He looked as if he was trying to build up the nerve for something. He
took a breath, “I’ve liked you forever. You make me really nervous.”

She started to laugh. He turned to face her looking
heartbroken. She put a hand up, “No I feel the same. I thought I was the only
one. I feel like a moron around you. You make me nervous. Look my hands are
sweating.”

His hurt face split into a huge grin, “Oh god you scared
me. I didn’t think a girl like you would ever like a guy like me.”

She shook her head, “Are you high? God. This is not really
happening. Girl like what? I know they call me emo and say I cut myself. I
don't by the way.”

He started to laugh, "Who? The mean girls who have
been with everyone? So what. No one listens to them anyway. They turn on each
other regularly."

She swallowed hard and watched the way her right knee
trembled.

He put a hand on her bare thigh sending sparks across her,
“Ophelia I’ve liked you forever. I’m not even kidding. I mean, you're the kind
of girl who is too cool to date a guy from high school. You just always seemed
so distant, like you didn’t want me to see you.”

She shook her head. Her whispered words floated from her
lips, “I'm not too cool. Too nervous is more like it. I’ve felt like no one
could see me.” She had never spoken truer words. She had always blended into
the background with the twins.

He leaned into her, taking the air and replacing it with
his warm breath, “I see you Ophelia.” His soft lips brushed hers, as if he were
holding back. She responded to his kiss and met him more than half way. She
wanted more of his kiss, his breath. She wanted him to cover her, pin her
against the truck door and run his hands up her bare legs. She saw an image of
his hands roaming her bare thighs.

She pushed him away and took a breath. His eyes were wild
with passion and life. Something she had never seen before.

He laughed a throaty chuckle, “We should go.”

“Yup.” She bit her lip before she told him to drive down a
dirt road and take everything. She would give him everything he wanted. She
knew what he wanted. She could feel it in the air. Touching him only made it
worse. His emotions and feelings crept into her mind with every touch of his
fingers. It was like the whispers but good.

Her breath was still too big for her chest, as they parked
in the driveway of Lance’s parents house. She didn’t know Lance anymore than
she knew any of them. They were the popular kids. They tortured the nerds and
dorks and ignored the rest of the insignificant nobodies, like her.

She went to open the door to the truck but Jake’s hand
reached over and pulled her in to him again. His huge hands crushed her into
his chest. He squeezed and pulled until she was in his lap. His greedy fingers
rubbed her back, wanting more. More skin to touch, more than just a kiss.

She pushed hard against his chest.

He smiled, “Your eyes are really different colors up close.”
He spoke breathlessly, “I have always liked that about you.”

She giggled nervously, “This is too fast for me.”

“Me too. I feel like we don’t know each other even though
I’ve seen you every day.”

“I think we should go in.”

“Okay.”

She leaned in for a soft kiss but his tongue met hers
inside of her mouth. She tried to pull back but his hands were too strong for
her. She saw the image again, him straddling her, her back against the hard
metal of the door and his hands roaming her skirt. They were lifting up her
thighs. His hands felt molten against her.

“Stop.” She spoke unconvincingly, as his mouth found her
neck. His lips burned a trail down her throat.

His hands slid around to her stomach. They started their
progression to her breasts. He moved quickly, skillfully.

She pushed against him and shouted, “STOP!”

He froze. His lips looked ridiculous frozen in position
they had been on her throat. His eyes were half closed, creepily. His hands
formed cups just in front of her breasts. She backed against the steering
wheel.

“Jake?” She whispered. He didn’t move, even to breathe.
She didn’t know what to do. She felt a panicked scream rising in her throat.

She looked around the truck but no one was there. Her
trembling fingers fought with his huge hands and arms to free her from his
embrace. She struggled to climb off of him. She kicked her legs and pushed
against him violently to get away. As her body hit the seat, she slid until she
felt the hard metal of the door against her back. She started to cry in panic,
“Jake. Jake please stop it. I was just scared. It was going too fast. Jake.
Please move again.” She put a foot out to kick at his body gently. He remained
in the position perfectly like a model at the wax museum.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, as she reached a wobbly
hand out to his arm. He was frozen completely and perfectly. She squeezed his
rock hard bicep and pulled her hand away quickly.

“Jake.” She whispered again into the silent cab of the
truck. The sun had started to set.

‘RUN!’

She turned looking for the faces as the whisper filled the
truck.

“Who are you?” She asked terrified to look around.

‘RUN, OPHELIA RUN HOME! DON’T STOP RUNNING! YOU AREN’T
SAFE!’

She opened the cab of the truck and leapt from it. Her
flip-flops slapped against the hard pavement, as she fled from the huge house
and the truck with the frozen boy.