by Moni Boyce
The minute the words left his mouth he knew he shouldn’t have said them. He stood and made to leave when she grabbed his arm. It was the first time she’d touched him and through his sleeve, the press of her hand felt as if it was trying to sear itself into his skin. He bit his lip to keep from letting a curse fall from his lips. In a few seconds, he composed his features into a mask and turned to look at her.
“Why didn’t you speak to me that day?” Her eyes probed his for the truth.
The question startled him, but the day she referred to was hard to forget. He was unprepared to explain to her right now. Her eyes bore into his, trying to glean answers. Disconcerted, he swallowed and looked elsewhere. He spoke the first thought that came to mind. “You must be hungry.”
She let her hand fall away at his words. He walked towards the kitchen and breathed a sigh of relief at having some space from her.
“I made dinner a couple hours ago, but I’ll reheat it.”
CHAPTER 5
Willow
If someone had told her, she would have a conversation with her disdainful but attractive co-worker, while sitting in his apartment, she would have called them crazy. Yet, here she was.
Eli was a mystery. She had so many questions. One of which, he wasn’t ready to answer. She watched him retreat into the kitchen. If she gave him more time, she hoped he’d tell her why he hadn’t responded that day. She wanted to know why they’d never communicated like she had with the rest of the Protectors.
A couple minutes later, she followed him. Whatever he’d prepared smelled delicious. He moved around the kitchen unsure. She raised her eyebrows while she watched him. He caught the gesture and looked embarrassed. “Most of the time, I cheat and use magic so I can do something else. I haven’t manually cooked in a while.”
She looked at him wide-eyed, with her mouth gaped open. Even though he’d told her earlier they were witches, she still had a hard time believing it. “You cook with magic, like they do in Harry Potter? That’s so cool. I know you told everyone not to use it, but just show me a little something. I won’t tell.” Awe and child-like wonder permeated her voice. “Cross my heart.” She made the sign of the cross over her heart.
“You heard everything didn’t you?” He quirked an eyebrow at her, daring her to lie.
She gave him a sheepish smile and looked away before she continued talking about magic, in the hopes he’d forget her listening to their conversation. “I would be the ultimate multi-tasker if I was a witch. Say ‘Abracadabra’ and make the food magically appear on the plate or something.” Willow was giddy with excitement.
Eli chuckled. “I’m not a wizard. I don’t say ‘Abracadabra.’” He shook his head.
His explanation confused her. “What does that mean? I thought wizard was a name for a male witch.”
He sighed and put down the pot he was holding. That comment appeared to get his undivided attention. “You watch too much television. First, regardless of gender, we’re known as witches, those of us that practice white magic. Warlocks are witches that practice black magic. Wizards are charlatans, posers. They don’t know magic, but are exceptional at trickery so they can give someone who doesn’t know any better the illusion they do.”
She digested the information he’d just given her.
“That’s why everyone went silent earlier when Matty referenced black magic, because none of you practice it?”
He nodded and picked up the pot of noodles. “Yes. Now may I finish making dinner?”
“So you’re not going to cook with magic?” She was expecting him to do tricks and wow her. Disappointment marred her brow, when he didn’t whip out a magic wand or say a spell.
“You just said so yourself, that you overheard me tell everyone magic is off limits.”
Her shoulders slumped in discontent and she pouted. “You can’t do even a tiny little spell?”
“Nope.”
She rolled her eyes. “Great. A witch who can’t do any spells or magic.”
Eli looked offended. “I didn’t say I can’t do magic. I’m just unable to do any at this time.”
“Uh, huh.”
He bristled at her disinterest and she had to hold back a sly grin. “Wizard.” She mumbled under her breath, knowing it would get a rise out of him.
“I’m not a wizard! I can do magic!”
If she lit a match and threw it at him, he would have gone up in flames he was fuming so hard.
“Whatever.” Maybe she’d just...
‘STOP IT!’
The voice in her head was so loud and clear she nearly jumped out of her skin. Her head whipped from side to side, while her eyes scanned the room. She was going to ask Eli if he’d heard the voice too. When she looked at him she saw guilt written all over his face. It was the first time he wouldn’t make eye contact with her. The shocking moment of clarity knocked her off her feet. It was his voice that spoke in her mind.
“How... how... how did...” She stuttered and tripped over her words while she stared at him and tried to make sense of what just happened.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. It was an invasion.” Eli wore a penitent expression. He still wouldn’t look at her.
Her amazement was so strong her mouth dropped open in an, ‘O’ of surprise. She could not muster up the fury she was sure should course through her veins right now. “I thought you said you couldn’t do magic?”
“That’s not magic.” He shook his head and continued to look contrite.
“The others can’t do that. I’m the only one in our coven with telepathy.” He looked at her. “I only enter someone’s mind when I have permission. I promise I won’t do that again.” Eli returned to his dinner preparations.
After experiencing Eli’s supernatural ability firsthand, she blurted out the question racing around her head. “Can you control people’s minds?”
He sat the pot he was holding on the counter.
“I know I still owe you many explanations, but if it’s okay, can we table this conversation for tomorrow. It’s been a long day for me too.”
They stared at one another. His eyes pleaded with her. She could force the issue and try to make him talk, but if she was honest, she wanted him to do it willingly, not because she was being a brat. She nodded. “Okay... so what’s for dinner?”
For the first time, since she’d known him she saw a genuine smile light up his face. The guy was gorgeous before, but when he showed off the pearly whites, he took her breath away.
“It’s an old family recipe for spaghetti and meatballs.”
While the meal preoccupied him, she leaned on the counter and studied him. Eli had broad shoulders and was over six feet tall. Earlier he’d appeared awkward, but now he moved around the kitchen with the grace of a dancer. Underneath his clothes was a nice, chiseled, muscular physique.
At the office he wore dress shirts and dress pants. Today was no exception. He was a guy that didn’t shy away from color. Today’s shirt was lavender, and the slacks were a dark gray. She wondered what he looked like in something more relaxed, such as jeans. Her roaming gaze moved back up to his face. His azure blue eyes and dark hair made her think he could be the actor Henry Cavill’s twin brother, because he had a Superman curl and a dimple on his chin.
Eli is sexy as hell.
She cleared her throat and stood up straighter. For the first time that day, she worried over her appearance. What had she put on this morning? She looked at her attire: black flats, black slacks and a basic white blouse. The clothing reminded her of the uniform a waiter wore at an upscale restaurant. Work clothes were so dowdy.
It could be worse.
Eli came to the end of his preparations.
What did it matter?
He wasn’t the least bit interested in her. Now the once snobbish co-worker that never spoke to her, seemed to tolerate her because he had to protect her.
“Ready to eat?” His words broke her from her brooding. She gave him a smile she di
dn’t quite feel.
“Yeah.”
CHAPTER 6
Eli
The RV Zora bought looked like it was on its last legs. The older model motor home had seen better days. Paint was peeling in various places. There were a few rust spots near the bumper. Zora shrugged her shoulders at him when he gave her a look. “It was short notice. What did you expect?”
It wasn’t so much the appearance of it he questioned, but the functionality. Was this heap of junk going to break down on them the minute they got on the road?
“Plus, you said you didn’t want us using any magic... Say the word and this vehicle can look like it just rolled off the lot.” Zora peered at him with a hopeful expression. When he didn’t grant her permission to perform magic and transform the RV she stormed off.
The no magic policy was biting him in the ass. He needed to amend his rule. He beckoned Matty over to him. “Think you can find a counter spell to cover tracking spells?” He asked in a low voice.
“I’m on it.” She smiled and went off to rummage in her backpack for one of the spell books she always carried.
No use in getting everyone’s hopes up if they didn’t find a powerful enough spell to keep their magic from being tracked.
He was testy after spending a restless night on his lumpy sofa with Willow fifty feet away in his bedroom. Besides lying awake, thinking of her all night, his long frame had barely fit comfortably.
After dinner, they’d both gone to bed, agreeing they needed to call it an early night. This morning, everyone had met them outside of her apartment. Phaedra, Max and Morgan were loading up the vehicle while they waited on Willow to finish whatever she was doing upstairs.
Eli glanced at his watch and then at the front door to her building for the fourth time in twenty minutes. He wanted to beat the early morning traffic, but that wasn’t going to happen.
Maybe I should send someone in to get her.
As he peered at his watch once more, she emerged. She carried a large duffle bag, a guitar case and a backpack. Her still damp curls indicated she’d showered and changed clothes while she was upstairs. She wore a black, leather jacket over a band t-shirt and ripped up jeans. Her coily curls now sat on top of her head in a messy bun. “I’m surprised I didn’t have you inside my brain telling me to hurry.” She teased.
He rubbed at the back of his neck over the unease he felt and laughed. Max must have overheard her comment, because before he responded, Max blurted out, “So Eli told you he had telepathy and was a mind reader? Did he tell you about the people he coerced into forgetting your gigs...”
Phaedra elbowed him in the stomach trying to shush him, but the damage was already done. Willow’s face crumpled. Everyone froze. His eyes locked on her, but in his periphery Max mouthed he was sorry.
“Is that true?” Her voice was just above a whisper. The betrayal erased the progress they’d made last night. “You all knew?”
They avoided the angry, accusatory glances she cast their way. The hurt she felt extended to everyone, not just Eli. “Why would you do that?” She directed the question at him.
Before he could respond, Willow balled up her fist and punched him.
“Ow!” The unexpected punch landed harder than he thought it would. He clutched at his eye for a minute, before he dropped his hand and squinted at her. He hadn’t expected her to resort to violence.
“That’s for the possible Grammy I missed out on,” she punched him again in the same eye, “and that’s for last night when you entered my mind without my permission.”
“Ow!” He covered his eye once more. “Wait. Just stop okay.” He held up his free hand in surrender, hoping she wouldn’t hit him again. “Am I going to get any help here?” He looked towards the group, and they glanced away and pretended to be engaged in something else. “Do you think I enjoyed crushing your dream?”
Willow glared at him with her arms folded across her chest. She looked like she was ready to pummel him again. It was the tears gathered in the corners of her eyes that dissipated his anger at being punched. He had robbed her repeatedly of a music career and possible stardom. There were multiple producers and labels that were prepared to make her offers and he’d shut them all down, entered their thoughts and coerced them to change their minds and forget her. He’d taken no pleasure in it, but knew those words would fall on deaf ears. He told her the only thing he could. Hoping to ease some of her hurt and anger. “I had to do it to keep you safe. If you became famous, it would be easier for Killian to locate you. I...” He swallowed. “We couldn’t let that happen... I’m sorry.”
A lone tear slipped down her cheek and she swiped it away. She didn’t say another word to him or anyone else. She picked up her bags and climbed up into the motor home. He heard the door leading to the sleeping area being slid shut.
He stood staring at the spot she’d just vacated. It was going to be a long road trip if she gave them the silent treatment the whole time. He only hoped, at some point she would understand and forgive him.
PHAEDRA DROVE THE LARGE vehicle expertly over the twisty, bumpy back roads. He hadn’t wanted to take any chances traveling on well-known highways. They’d been on the road for two hours before she emerged from the bedroom.
Eli didn’t turn around from the passenger seat when he heard the door slide open.
“Wanna play?” Matty’s voice carried to the front of the cab.
“What are you guys playing?”
The vinyl bench of the dinette creaked when Willow took a seat.
He wanted to engage with her, but was certain what he’d done still upset her. Without looking over, he felt Phaedra glancing at him. “Eyes on the road.” He didn’t look over at her when he spoke.
“Boy, I was driving long before you were. I don’t need you to tell me how to drive.”
He sighed. The last person he wanted angry with him was Phaedra. She was the one that always had his back. “Sorry.”
Neither of them said anything for minutes. The sounds of Morgan and Zora chattering about a magazine mingled with the laughter and slap of the cards coming from the dinette area where Max, Matty and Willow played a game.
“Why do you keep looking at me?”
“You know why.” Phaedra fully turned her head to stare at his profile before she returned her eyes to the road. “Need I remind you she’s off limits?”
Eli’s face flushed and his eyes glittered with anger. He clenched his fist.
“What’s all that bull you spouted off at Zora yesterday?”
“That’s different and you know it. My relationship with Max is not forbidden.”
Eli chewed on her words and let some of his indignation dissolve. She meant well. She didn’t want to see him get hurt or suffer. “I know the Council’s rules and the Protector’s Commandment. I don’t intend to disobey them. You don’t need to worry about me.” It was hard not to be angry. He turned and looked out the passenger window hoping the matter was now closed. The landscape of empty, overgrown fields and meadows passed by in a blur while he brooded.
CHAPTER 7
Willow
Willow wished she could hear what they were discussing. Phaedra and Eli must have been having a heated conversation if she was reading Eli’s facial expressions correctly. Where she sat, her view of Phaedra was blocked.
Why can’t I read lips or get in people’s heads the way Eli can?
She laid down a card.
“What’s wrong?” Matty played her turn, but looked at her with concern.
“Nothing.” Willow pasted on a smile.
They continued playing the game. Even though she understood Eli’s logic regarding her music career, her emotions were still raw over him keeping her from her dream. The irrationality of her feelings weren’t lost on her, but she couldn’t help how she felt. It didn’t stop her from wanting to get to know Eli. If she apologized for punching him, it might mend things between them.
“Isn’t this dress cute, Morgana?”
&nbs
p; Willow overheard Zora speaking. Even though she was in proximity to them, it felt like she was eavesdropping. Despite that, she intruded on the conversation.
“Um... I thought your name was Morgan? I get you guys have been lying to me for forever. Were your names not real either?” She tried to keep the irritation out of her voice. She wanted the betrayal to be water under the bridge, but the need to be spiteful was too good to pass up.
When she turned and looked at the two women they didn’t seem the least bit remorseful for the secrecy and lies.
“Morgana is my given name. Morgan sounds less... witchy or magical.” She chuckled.
Morgana’s pixie haircut and the way she giggled reminded Willow of a fairy. If fairies existed in the supernatural world, Morgana could pass for Tinkerbell. Willow smiled at her.
“My name is Zoriana Walker.” She closed the magazine she’d been reading.
“Zoriana, Zora, they are both beautiful names.”
“Thank you.”
Willow swiveled around and glanced at Matty. “What’s your full name?”
“Mathilda.” She motioned towards the front of the motor home. “You know Phaedra. She prefers her given name. No nicknames for her, at least not to her face.” Her voice dropped to a whisper during the last part and she smirked. When she spoke again, she returned to a normal volume. “Eli is short for Elias. Everyone calls him Eli except for Phaedra. She’s the only one allowed to call him by his first name.”
“Why is that?”
“It’s just the way it is.” Mathilda shrugged.
“We’re all Walkers. Related either by blood or marriage.” Zoriana offered.
Willow was okay with learning everyone’s names for now. She wasn’t ready to decipher or unravel the family tree that connected all of them.
Max is a werewolf though. Is he a Walker?