“Shit, I didn’t do anything other than tackle that big son of a bitch before he could get to you.” When she gave him a surprised look, he snorted. “I even tried to knock him out, but nothing was going to stop him from getting to you.”
Bonnie nodded at that information, then said goodbye to Kira, Ronan, Mira, and a still shook-up Steve.
“You are one badass witch,” Steve said, giving her a look of respect. “Never seen anyone get struck by lightning like that and live. Then again, come to think of it, I’ve never seen someone get struck by lightning. You fucking witches are crazy.”
“That’s what they say.” Bonnie grinned at him, then headed toward where Bishop had disappeared.
Her legs felt like jelly and her body pulsed with energy, but she ignored it. Ryker was right. She needed to rest before practicing her newly acquired powers. Bonnie was excited to see what it all entailed. She was still trying to come to terms that she had her mother’s powers added to her own. It felt right, and she knew this was exactly what she needed to defeat her father.
Heading further into the wooded area, she saw Bishop, his back to her. She stopped when he punched out, hitting a tree repeatedly.
“Kill my tree and you’ll owe me a new one,” Bonnie said with a frown.
“Bonnie, I’m really not in the mood,” Bishop responded without turning around. “Your tree is fine.”
Feeling a little weak and lightheaded, she slowly walked around him, so they were face-to-face. She eyed the tree to see some bark missing from where his fist had made contact. “Why are you punching the tree?” Bonnie asked, then cocked her eyebrow. “You mad, bro?”
Anger tightened his lips. No smile was to be seen. “How in the hell can you joke after what just happened?” His tone was low, tinged with a boiling rage.
Bonnie sighed, then held up her finger. Searching around, she saw a downed tree, headed that way, and sat down. “Sorry, I’d like to have this fight standing up, but I’m feeling a little shaky and need to sit down for a minute.”
That seemed to get his attention as he rushed toward her to ease her down. “Dammit, you should have stayed where you were. I was coming back.”
“Well, how in the hell was I supposed to know that when you just stomped off?” Bonnie growled, shifting her weight.
“I didn’t stomp,” Bishop growled back.
“You looked and sounded like a big old bear stomping away into the woods,” she countered, waiting for his response. “Why are you so mad at me? What did I do other than survive? Or is that it? I survived, and now you feel like you have to make an honest woman out of me with a proposal of marriage after the night we shared? I promise not to force your hand, so to speak. And well, we both know there won’t be no daddy with a shotgun.”
“You think you’re funny?” Bishop’s eyes narrowed at her. Still no smile.
“Hilarious,” she replied honestly. “Definitely funnier than Steve.”
Bishop didn’t respond. Instead, he looked away from her and stared out into the woods. Damn, what had she expected? No one got her. She was definitely different, but it was the way she coped. Humor. Maybe it made her more confident, even if people didn’t find her funny. She really didn’t know. What she did know was that humor kept her sane.
“Listen, I’m sorry. Not everyone gets me.” She spoke her truth aloud. “Being a smartass has saved me from going insane. Seriously. Deal with a maniac that you know is of your blood. See all the fucked-up things he has done and is trying to do. Know he killed your mother and would kill you in a second flat. Be forced to do things you’re not proud of. Fight every single minute of every single day to stay good when it would be easier to turn dark. Yeah, humor has kept me from the edge many times.”
Finally, he looked down at her, but he remained silent as his eyes looked into hers. He was hard to read, that was for sure. He’d make a damn good poker player.
“I was scared today. I didn’t know what was going to happen, but what I did know is that I’m amazing at my craft. No one can or ever will take that away from me. My mother’s powers belong to me. No one else. The only reason I didn’t get them at her death was that she didn’t want to put me in the position that I have now chosen to be in. She knew her powers combined with another powerful witch could take Orjyll down. I am my mother’s daughter, and I am powerful, and now, with her combined with me, this can all end. It is my decision, Bishop. No one else’s. I have never had anyone in my corner. I’ve been alone all these years. You don’t have to agree, you don’t even have to understand, but please see how important this is to me. That’s all I ask.”
She went to stand, but it was a little harder than she thought it would be. She wobbled, but he reached out and steadied her.
“I’m sorry I worried you, but I’m not sorry that I did it. Maybe I should have explained the process, but to be honest, I didn’t know exactly what was going to happen. I’ve heard about it, but never experienced the transfer of powers.” Bonnie looked up at him. “We are so different, you and I. But having you there today made me stronger.”
“How?” He finally spoke, even if it was only one word.
“Because, for the first time in my life, I had someone there for me,” Bonnie whispered, wanting him to know her true feelings. “Just me, and I don’t take that lightly.”
“Fuck!” he hissed, taking her in his arms. “You scared the shit out of me.”
She smiled against his chest. “I think Steve had that same problem.” She chuckled, holding him close. She then pulled away, all humor gone. “I know I acted like what happened today wasn’t anything, was no big deal. It’s just how I am. It’s over. I survived. Kira didn’t get injured. It was a win. Honestly, I wanted to back out so many times, but you being here gave me strength. I’ve never had that before. So thank you. And again, I’m sorry how I acted afterward.”
“No you’re not,” Bishop said, cocking his eyebrow.
“Okay, I’m not.” Bonnie shrugged in agreement. “It’s just who I am. Flippant and whatevs. If I didn’t have that, I would break. And breaking at any time for me is a death sentence.”
“I’m sorry you’ve had to live like that,” Bishop said, touching her cheek.
“I’m not.” Bonnie grinned. “It’s made me the badass witch I am today. Maybe deep down I wish I would have had a normal witchy upbringing, but I didn’t. I’ve dealt with it just like I’m going to deal with what lays ahead. It’s who I am. What I’ve had to be.”
“Witchy upbringing?” Bishop laughed. His head angled back, and Bonnie swore at that very moment she would do anything to see him laugh like that more. Then he turned serious. “You are definitely a badass witch, but those days are over for you, Bonnie.”
A hard knot formed in her stomach at his words. She had thought that before and needed to stay on course and make sure he realized her course wasn’t going to change, even for him. “Those days will always be my future, Bishop. Until my father is dead, nothing will change. Not even me.”
“I didn’t say anything about you changing.” Bishop frowned. “Soon, your life will be different.”
Bonnie nodded but didn’t agree. Having a different life was a thought she’d had a million times, only to be disappointed. Until it actually happened, she wouldn’t hold her breath. “Listen, I’m starving and am feeling really tired. I guess I should get us back. I’m sure you have better things to do, and I’ve used up plenty of your time.”
“You can have as much of my time that you want, Bonnie.” Bishop kissed her softly.
“I think Sloan would argue that.” Bonnie smiled against her lips. “But I’m seriously feeling a little weak, and I’m afraid if I don’t transport us now, we’d be stuck here for a while.”
“No complaints from me,” Bishop replied, his tone serious as he moved a strand of hair out of her eye. “But next time we come here, can I please drive? Transporting is not really my thing.”
Bonnie nodded, then yawned. “We’ll figure something ou
t,” she replied, hoping she wasn’t too weak to actually transport them to the right place. Transporting wasn’t really her thing either.
“Hey!” Ryker’s voice came out of nowhere. “I stuck around to make sure you were okay, Bonnie.”
“She’s fine,” Bishop yelled back, sounding a little annoyed.
“Actually, maybe Ryker needs to help get us back.” Bonnie yawned again. “I’m fine, but I’m really tired and am afraid I might transport us somewhere other than where we want to go. Sometimes that’s not pleasant. Transporting isn’t really my thing either. I failed miserably in witch school and ended up in the middle of the ocean once.”
“Ryker, hold up,” Bishop called out quickly as he picked her up in his arms. He headed out of the woods but looked down at her. “Are you serious?”
“No, there isn’t witch school,” she replied, putting her head on his chest. “But I did end up in the middle of the ocean.”
“Ryker!” Bishop called out again, making her smile.
Chapter 23
Bishop had just hung up the phone when someone knocked on his door. Quietly, he headed that way. Bonnie had been asleep for almost forty-eight hours, and he was worried sick. Ryker said it was normal and that she should be coming out of it soon.
Opening the door, he saw Raven standing there, looking bored. “She up yet?”
“No,” Bishop said, then stepped out of the way as Raven walked inside.
They headed toward the kitchen where Bishop was making breakfast. “She needs to wake her ass up so I can bitch her out.”
“Why’s that?” Bishop frowned, jerking away from the popping bacon grease.
“Because she didn’t tell me what she was planning.” Raven sat down at the counter. “I’m supposed to be keeping an eye on her, and I swear she’s harder to keep track of than any demon I’ve come up against.”
Bishop grinned at that, then nodded toward the fridge. “Got some water and juice if you want some. Coffee is almost done.”
“Thanks.” Raven nodded but didn’t move. “So, is she okay?”
“Ryker said this is normal after what she went through, but if the smell of bacon doesn’t wake her up, I’m going to.” Bishop had already decided he’d waited long enough to try to wake her. He had lain next to her, staring at her, watching to make sure she was still breathing, and fuck, it was driving him slowly insane.
While Sloan had put him on leave, he hadn’t sounded happy about it. Not that Bishop gave a shit. He was not leaving his house until she was okay.
“I heard it was quite a show,” Raven replied, then got up when Bishop cursed the popping bacon and pushed him out of the way, taking the tongs he was using. “Let me do it.”
“Steve?” Bishop gladly handed over the job of cooking. He hated to cook but wanted something ready for when Bonnie woke up. Plus, he really did hope the smell of bacon would help wake her.
“Yeah.” Raven grinned, shaking her head. “I’m sure it was embellished quite a bit knowing Steve, who said it was ‘shit your pants’ worthy.”
Bishop rolled his eyes, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. “Actually, Steve probably didn’t embellish much. It was definitely something I wouldn’t have believed if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”
Raven glanced at him over her shoulder. “Lightning actually ran over her body and she survived?”
He nodded with a cocked eyebrow. “It did.”
“Damn.” Raven turned back to the bacon. “Now I’m really pissed. That’s something you aren’t going to see every day.”
“See what?” Bonnie’s voice brought Bishop away from the counter and rushing her way.
“How are you?” Relief at seeing her up and awake shook him to the core.
Bonnie covered a yawn. “Actually, really good.” She rubbed her stomach. “How long have I been asleep?”
“Too long.” Bishop frowned, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and leading her toward the counter. “I was about to say fuck it and wake you up.”
“The smell of bacon woke me up.” She sighed, taking a deep sniff. “Goddess, that smells good. I’m starving.”
Bishop smiled with a chuckle. “Bacon does it every time. No one can sleep through bacon.”
“Hey,” Bonnie said, just now noticing Raven at the stove. “You switch jobs?”
Raven glanced at her, then pointed the tongs at her. “Me and you have some talking to do, but not until after you eat.”
“What did I do now?” Bonnie sighed, then held up her hand before Raven could say anything. “Hold that thought. Coffee. I smell coffee.”
Bishop poured her a cup after helping her on the stool. He grabbed the cream and sugar. Bonnie made her coffee to her liking, blew on it, and then took a sip. He couldn’t stop looking at her. She had a beautiful sleepy look to her, and it was sexy as hell. If the circumstances were different and Raven wasn’t there, he would be picking her up and taking her back to his bed.
“Okay, now you can answer,” Bonnie was saying to Raven, who put the plate of bacon on the counter.
“How do you want your eggs?” Raven asked, putting her hands on her hips. When Bonnie didn’t answer, Raven cocked her eyebrow at her. “I’m going to make sure you’re fed before chewing your ass out. How?”
“Scrambled,” Bonnie replied, then glanced at Bishop when Raven turned away to make her eggs.
Raven grunted, but turned around to fix the eggs.
“And I thought I wasn’t a morning person,” Bonnie said, then snorted with a frown as she looked around. “It is morning, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s morning.” Bishop smiled down at her and had to fight against taking her into his arms. She seemed too innocent and small sitting there, peering up at him. His protective instincts kicked into high gear. He reached out and touched her cheek. He was surprised when she leaned into his hand. Raven setting down a plate full of scrambled eggs with a loud plop had him pulling his hand back with a growl. He glared at Raven.
“What?” Raven glared back at him before turning to get two pieces of toast from the toaster and placing them on Bonnie’s plate. “She needs to eat.”
Bonnie buttered her toast, looking between Raven and Bishop. She grabbed a few pieces of bacon, taking a bite with a sigh. As she chewed, Bonnie continued to peer at the two who were both looking at her. “Aren’t you going to eat?” she asked them both, and both shook their heads. “Okay then. Go do something because I’m not taking another bite while you both stare at me like I’m a caged animal.”
Raven laughed, then walked around the counter toward the living room and sat on the couch. “I don’t do dishes,” she said to Bishop as she passed.
Bishop frowned at Raven, then walked around to start cleaning up. “I didn’t ask you to cook. You just took over,” he mumbled, then gave Bonnie a sideways glance when she chuckled. “And you. I was not staring at you like you were a caged animal.”
“It was a figure of speech,” Bonnie said over the rim of her coffee cup.
“I know what it was,” Bishop replied, as he made quick work of the dishes. Turning once he was done, he noticed her plate was already empty, and he smiled. “You want more?”
She shook her head. “I’m good, but thank you.”
“Good.” Raven walked over, putting her phone in her back pocket. “Now, how in the hell can I keep an eye on you or have your damn back if you don’t tell me what you’re up to?”
“Um, well…,” Bonnie said, then rolled her eyes. “I’ve never been good with telling people what I’m up to.”
“Yeah, think I got that.” Raven huffed. “I had to find out everything from Steve. You know you’re going to be a damn legend with that guy going around singing your praises.”
“I’m far from a legend.” Bonnie replied thoughtfully, then stood up from the stool. “Though, that does have a nice ring to it.”
“Don’t worry,” Raven said to Bishop. “I won’t let her head get too big.”
“G
ood luck,” Bonnie teased, then glanced up at Bishop. “Can I use your shower?”
“Of course,” Bishop said, then took her hand to lead her toward his room.
“Don’t leave,” she said to Raven. “I want to talk to you both, but not until I have a shower and clean clothes.”
“Do you need me to have someone bring you clothes?” Bishop said, his brain only thinking of her naked in his shower and nothing else. How desperate was that? She’d just gone through an ordeal, slept for nearly forty-eight hours, and all he could think about was her wet and naked.
“I’m a witch,” Bonnie reminded him, then squeezed his hand. “I think I can handle clothes.”
“I’ll be here unless you decide to slip out a window or something,” Raven called out after them. “I’m not the one who disappears.”
“Again, I’m a witch,” Bonnie responded with a sigh. “No window needed.”
“I said or something.”
Bishop cut Raven off as he shut the door to his room. “She’s persistent.”
“She is.” Bonnie nodded, then stopped. “But I trust her.”
They stood and stared at each other. Even relieved that she was awake, he was still worried about her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.” Bonnie patted his chest. “I really am. Have you been here the whole time?”
“Of course,” Bishop replied. “I wouldn’t leave you alone.”
Bonnie glanced away from him, biting her lip before she quickly grabbed him up in a hug. “Thank you,” she whispered, giving him a squeeze.
Picking her up, he held her against him. “You don’t have to thank me, Bonnie.”
“But I do.” Her voice shook slightly. “When I woke, I was confused, not really knowing where I was. I started to panic until I heard the muffle of your voice, and then I knew I was safe.”
“You are very safe,” Bishop assured her, kissing her softly. “Now, you best go and get that shower before I take you in there and bathe you myself.” If she only knew how close he was to doing just that, but he wanted to make sure she was okay before that happened, and it definitely was going to happen. Bishop set her on her feet and turned her toward the bathroom.
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