Grey Witch and Halloween Magic

by Cece Rose

  “Is this some kind of weird four-way buddy system? Make sure we get out of the building alive?” she jokes.

  “Better that, than losing one of us in the crowd that’s about to form at the door,” Darren mutters.

  As he predicted, everyone seems to start moving for the exit a split second after we do. He seems to easily and confidently find a route through the crowd of people for us, dragging our little person train behind him. I try not to laugh at the thought, reminding myself that laughing right now would be all kinds of inappropriate.

  In the hallway to the main exit of the building, we end up in a hugely disorganised line. Thanks to Darren’s quick thinking, we’re luckily right near the front of it, though. Only two people are standing before us, a man and a woman. Now in line, we all release each other’s hands, other than Darren, who seems to be keeping a tight hold of mine. Not that I mind. Bulky looking men are standing at the door, and I know they hadn’t been there earlier for sure.

  The two in front of us nervously step up to them, seeming uncertain of what to do or say. The man to the left of the door holds up a clear, glass-looking stone amulet in front of the woman’s face before speaking. “Did you steal anything from this home?” he demands.

  “No, of course not,” she answers, indignation slipping into her tone. The amulet glows green and I realise what it is. A truth amulet. Using those is illegal without a permit, not that the fae here seem to care.

  Anyone in a royal fae line or in direct employment of them resides above the law. A terrible perk in their agreement with the supernatural races of this world from when they came over here hundreds of years ago after destroying their own world. They wouldn’t start wars, their people would obey, so long as the select few could do as they wished. As long as what they wished didn’t catch the attention of humans, nobody does anything to change that agreement with them.

  “Do you know who stole from us?” he questions.

  “I don’t,” she answers plainly. Again the amulet glows green. He repeats the process on the man, it glows green both times as it did with her. He glances between the two of them, as if trying to read them for any sign of deception. He sighs, stepping aside and allowing them to pass. “You can leave.”

  Not needing to be told twice, they scarper past the bulky fae men at the door, quickly vanishing into the night.

  “You two next,” he gestures at Darren and Paul. He begrudgingly releases my hand and steps forward. I hold my breath as they repeat the same questions and stare down, before allowing them both to exit too. I breath out a sigh of relief when they pass by the fae guards. Instead of leaving quickly, they wait just outside of the door.

  I flash Darren a grateful smile as me and Lizzy step up for our turn. The amulet is held out in front of me first. I feel a little light-headed as I begin to panic. What if it was Lizzy that took it?

  “Did you steal anything?”

  “No.” The light shines green. That’s honest at least.

  “Do you know who did?”

  Well, I have a few suspicions…

  “Do you know who took it?” he repeats when I don’t answer.

  Suspicion isn’t the same as knowing, right?

  “No, I don’t,” I answer firmly, hoping my conviction in loopholes will work. My heart thuds in my chest as I stare at the amulet, waiting for it to either flash green or turn red and expose me for my deceit. However, the amulet glows a bright green once more. They move to Lizzy, and I stare at her in concern, praying silently to the goddess that she didn’t have anything to do with this. It’s been years since she’d stolen anything that I knew of, but old habits die hard.

  “Did you steal anything?” the fae guard asks Lizzy.

  “I didn’t,” she answers. I bite my lip, waiting for the light. It flashes green, and even I can see the relief flicker on her face before she can smother the expression.

  “Do you know who did?”

  “None of my friends would have taken it,” she answers carefully. Again, it flashes green.

  They stare at us for a moment, before one of the guards turns to me. “Witch, you can go. But the other one is being searched.”

  For a second I frown, confused. We’re both witches…? Then I remember the costumes we’re wearing. Duh. I share a concerned look with Lizzy, before stepping through the door as they’ve indicated. I stand close to Darren and Paul, but remain silent as I watch my friend.

  They search her small, black clutch bag, and then one of them checks her hands, while the other hovers his hand an inch away from her skin. He moves his hand all over her, keeping the inch distance away at all times, while whispering some kind of incantation. Once satisfied she has nothing, they gesture for her to join me.

  She grabs my hand and tugs me away quickly, rushing us down the huge circular drive in front of the entrance in a speed walk that verges on a slow run. Looking back over my shoulder, I share a confused look with Darren, but Lizzy is already calling up a portal, her eyes closed in concentration as she recites a spell. It opens up seconds later, quicker than I’d expected, and I’m pushed through before I even have a chance to shout a goodbye.

  Seven

  A Faery Ring

  “Why were you acting so weird?” I demand when we get there, crossing my arms over my chest. As I do, I feel something digging into my skin under my bra on the right side and frown. My phone is tucked into the left side of my bra, so it can’t be that. Lizzy ignores me for a moment, lying down and stretching out on my bed instead. “Well?” I prompt impatiently, my arms dropping back to my sides.

  She shrugs, looking away. “It reminded me of when I was a kid, I guess. You know my mum would always use an amulet on me after she found out about the shoplifting thing.”

  Instantly, I feel guilty for doubting her. I know she hates the lack of trust in her family, no wonder that situation brought those feelings up. Although illegal, it’s not like any child is going to report their parent for using a truth amulet on them… so she’d just put up with it until she’d moved out. She was such a perfect person, a perfect witch, most of the time I forget she even went through that phase.

  “I’m sorry for bringing it up. I should have known,” I mumble, pulling my phone out of my bra and shoving it on top of the big chest of drawers I also keep my TV on top of.

  “It’s fine,” she replies, shooting me a smile. I smile back at her, hoping she’ll forgive and forget about my doubt in her. Goddess, why am I such a shitty friend?

  “I’m just gonna grab a shower, today has been really weird. Are you crashing here?” I ask, and she nods, before throwing a pillow over her head, clearly ready for sleep.

  I walk into my bathroom without another word, only realising when I’ve shut the door that I forgot a towel. Before I can step back into my room to get one, I yawn, stretching out my arms. Again, I feel something dig against my chest on the right side.

  Did my underwire break through my bra or something?

  I unclip my bra, shifting it off while keeping my dress on. Something clangs down onto my tiled floor. I bend over, picking up a beautiful, white gold ring. The design is beautiful, twisted across the band, with several blue stones scattered across it. A heavy feeling fills my stomach. Without thinking, I walk back into the bedroom to ask Lizzy about it, but when I get there I choke, and hide it in my palm instead. She sits up, giving me a curious look.

  “Is there a problem?” she questions.

  “I… I just forgot my towel,” I mumble, moving over my drawers. I sneak the ring into the drawer and trade it for my fluffiest towel. I’ll deal with it later. I have to figure out how the hell it got into my freaking bra. And more importantly, why? Why would anyone put it there? It has to be the stolen thing Aven was so furious about, it’s too much of a coincidence for it not to be. Shit. If anyone finds out about this, I’m so dead.

  My phone buzzes, and I pick it up, frowning. Who would be texting me this late?

  “How the hell did he get my number?” I mumbl
e, staring at the text message wide-eyed in disbelief. The text is short, but my stomach flips in excitement: Hey Kayla, I hope this is actually your number. Sorry the night ended so quickly, want to meet for a drink tomorrow to make up for it? Darren. I just stare at the message for a moment, unable to comprehend it.

  “Well,” Lizzy begins, and I look up at her, noticing the guilty expression on her face and already know what’s coming next before she says it. “I may have given your number to Paul so he could give it to Darren,” she explains.

  “You sneaky witch,” I accuse, although, I have to admit, I’m grateful she gave it to him. I try to hold back a smile, but fail.

  She winks at me dramatically. “You say witch like it’s a bad thing.”

  “It’s a good thing and you know it. Thank you. I’d have never given it to him myself.”

  “Oh, I know. Why did you think I stepped in? Now, hurry up and shower so we can talk about when you’re going to see the sexy shifter again,” she replies.

  “Fine,” I respond, rolling my eyes at her demand. I know better than to argue with her about it. Also, not that I would ever admit it, but I’m just as excited to talk about it as she is. The butterflies in my stomach are undeniable. I send a quick text back to Darren as I walk to the bathroom, agreeing to go for drinks. He replies almost instantly: It’s a date. I smile again, feeling ridiculous at just how happy I feel.

  Looks like I’m going on a date with a shifter. I guess there’s a first time for everything...

  Eight

  Too Perfect

  Seventeen days later…

  How the hell are we already over halfway through November? I stare at the calendar on my phone in disbelief, before glancing over at Darren’s sleeping form and smiling. Time does really fly by when you’re having fun.

  Ever since meeting at the Halloween party we’ve spent nearly every day and night together. It started when we got together for a drink the night after meeting... and things soon heated up from there. I’d expected the initial buzz to wear off by now, but instead I only find myself enjoying his presence more and more.

  The company, the conversation, and the sex are all good. Amazing even. I shake off the cold shiver that runs through me as a negative thought strikes me. All good things must come to an end... so how much longer do I have of this with him?

  Relationships, even casual ones like this, always end. I’ve seen evidence of this time and again all my life. Even my own romantic history reinforced that belief. My longest relationship could be measured in weeks, rather than years like most people I know.

  Rolling my eyes, I force out the train of thoughts from my head, deciding to focus on practical tasks instead. Getting ready is task number one for the day.

  I try to sneak out of the bed to grab a shower, but a hand latches onto my shoulder just as I’m about to make my escape and tugs me back. I’m quickly pinned down to the mattress, Darren’s body covering mine as he leans down to kiss me.

  “Morning, gorgeous,” he murmurs between peppering kisses all over my face and neck.

  “It’s seven in the morning, gorgeous isn’t a word I’d use to describe how I look right now,” I grumble, turning my head away. I’m in need of a shower, makeup, toothbrush, and my hair needs a good brush, too. Goddess, why does my hair have to get so tangled up at night?

  “It’s a word I’d use to describe you at any hour of the day,” he replies, tilting my head back to face him. He leans down, smothering any retort I may have with his lips. I relax into the kiss, encircling my arms around him, and pulling him even closer against me as his tongue dances with mine. He buries one of his hands in my hair, and the other slides under one of my thighs, lifting my leg up to wrap around his waist so that he can lie between them.

  Both of us are still naked from last night, and I can feel every inch of his hard body against mine. A soft moan escapes my lips as he grinds himself into me, his hand tightening in my hair as he does.

  Taking my time, I drag my hands over his bare chest, loving the feel of his muscles tensing beneath my touch. At a leisurely pace, I inch my fingertips down his front, dancing closer and closer to where I know he wants them to go. Growing frustrated with the slow movement of my hands, he grabs my wrists with one of his hands and pins them up above my head as he kisses down my neck and chest.

  His other hand trails down my body, slowly, but with more purpose than my own sedate movements. As he reaches the bottom of my stomach, he lifts his hand, moving them to my legs instead. His fingertips graze the tops of my thighs, returning the favour by teasing me just as I did him. My breaths come quicker as tingles of anticipation rush through me at every light brush of his hands. His hand finally settles between my legs, as he rubbing his fingers across my skin slowly at first, but at the impatient sound that escapes me, he pushes his fingers harder and faster against me.

  The hand that kept my wrist above my head releases its grip as his lips reclaim mine. He still maintains control despite relinquishing his hold on me, dominating the kiss as I moan into his mouth from the pleasure of his touch. Unable to wait any longer, I pull his hand away from between my legs and tug his hips closer to mine. He nips my bottom lip playfully, before yielding to my silent demands. I gasp at the sudden intrusion when he slides into me with one deep thrust, my fingers digging into his back when he begins to move. I match his movements as his momentum builds. He kisses me with a fervent passion, and his hands move all over my body, caressing every inch of me, leaving a feverish trail everywhere he touches.

  I look into his russet coloured eyes and shiver from the intensity reflected back at me. I try to turn my head, but he tilts my face back to look at him. “Don’t look away,” he murmurs against my lips. I nod mutely, agreeing, unable to trust my voice.

  We continue to move together; our eyes locked the entire time. I can feel the thundering beat of both our hearts where his chest lies on mine. A sound of pleasure tears from my lips as oblivion begins to roll through me. The pace between us increases, and his hand rests on my neck, his fingers caressing my throat and pressing down with the slightest pressure, as if testing my response. I move harder against him, my fingers scratching down his back. Darren’s body shudders above mine, as he drives into me hard. His mouth reclaims mine again in a breathless kiss as we each climax, my eyes drifting shut as he relaxes on top of me.

  We stay there, wrapped up together in bliss, breathing ragged, and bodies glistening with a light sweat. He kisses my forehead before shifting off of me and pulling me into his side, his arm resting over my stomach as he holds me tight.

  That was amazing. He’s amazing, hell, he’s perfect. Maybe too perfect. Definitely too good for me. But as he pulls me in for another kiss, I find I just don’t care, and my worries dissolve at the touch of his lips.

  Epilogue

  Rhydian

  “Why did you plant the damn ring on my best friend?” the annoying witch, Lizzy, demands when I finally answer her call. I’d been dodging it for weeks, too caught up in other things.

  “Does it matter why? It worked.” My grip tightens on my phone. I’d made the decision to hide the ring on Kayla at the spur of the moment. It turned out to be a good call, too, considering Lizzy had been searched. Kayla hadn’t known she was guilty, so she’d walked right out, unknowingly holding onto something Aven’s family would be furious at him for losing.

  “Why does it matter!? What if she’d been caught? Involving Kayla wasn’t a part of the deal! How am I supposed to get the ring without her realising I took it?” Her voice fills with concern, on the verge of hysterics.

  “She didn’t get caught and you needn’t worry,” I answer flippantly. Leaves crunch under my feet as I walk through the woods near Darren’s house. I could phase right in there if I wanted to, but I’m not here to see him. Not today.

  “What do you mean?” she questions slowly, almost sounding cautious.

  “I mean, your package is tucked under your bed, and I will take care of retrieving the
ring from Kayla. We’re done here, Elizabeth.”

  “Don’t call me that,” she mutters, and I hear rustling in the background, no doubt verifying my claim. She’ll find her parcel exactly where I said I’d left it.

  “Fine, we’re done, Lizzy. Don't call me again. Forget my face, forget my name, or I’ll make sure you do. You’ve got what you want, and I’ve got what I wanted.”

  “You mean, you’ll get what you want,” she corrects, and I laugh. I’d already gotten exactly what I desired.

  “I don’t care about having the stupid ring in my possession. All that matters to me is that Aven’s family doesn’t have it,” I pause, just for a second, letting that sink in before adding, “Goodbye, Elizabeth.” I hang up before she can reply, shoving my phone into my pocket as a grin spreads across my face.

  As I reach the treeline just across from his cabin, I notice Kayla in the doorway and pause, my eyes running over her form in appreciation. Memories flicker in my head of her pressed against me, her lips on mine.

  It’s been two and a half weeks since the party. Two and a half weeks since the night I met the intriguing witch. Darren steps out after her, grabbing her hand and pulling her back in for a kiss. Not a chaste one at that. I feel a pain in the palm of my hands and look down, holding them out in front of me. Crescent-shaped indents cut into my flesh, blood blossoming from some of the deeper ones. I didn’t even realise I’d clenched my hands. I brush my hands off, trying to ignore the slight sting.

  I shouldn’t be annoyed. It doesn’t make any sense for me to be. Especially not when they’re doomed romantically. I could just wait for them to implode on their own, or I could speed things along. Have my fun, get the ring, and then forget all about her.