Witch of Warwick (Dark Coven Book 1)

by Heather Young-Nichols

  Miranda was back within minutes looking more like a teenaged girl, which at nineteen she was, than the bereaved young woman I’d met at the cemetery. Hard to believe that had been yesterday. Then we locked the door behind us.

  “Here,” I said, holding out my helmet for her.

  “What about you?” she asked.

  “I only have one with me and you’re wearing it,” I explained. “Don’t worry about me.”

  “Don’t worry about you?” She cocked her head to the side. “Is your head harder than concrete?”

  I snorted. “No.”

  “Then why is it more important to protect my head than yours in a crash?”

  “First, we’re not going to crash. Second, your head is just more important.”

  “That’s not an explanation.”

  “It’s the only explanation you’re going to get right now.”

  She narrowed her eyes on me and I thought she was going to continue to argue but instead she yanked the helmet from my hand then pulled it onto her head. When she fumbled with the straps, I swatted her hands away and did it myself.

  Once I was settled into my seat, I looked over my shoulder and said, “Climb on.”

  “Bet you say that to all the girls,” she said back making me laugh again.

  I didn’t know what happened in the last day but this was the real Miranda when not shrouded in sadness. What the hell were the people of this town thinking by keeping her at arm’s length? She was beautiful and funny and had this way about her that just made my chest puff up bigger. I guessed their loss was my gain but fucking hell this girl was endearing herself to me in just a day.

  She braced a hand on my shoulder while getting herself onto my bike then gently set her hands on each side of me. That was cute. I stood up and hit the starter button bringing my baby to life. This was my most prized possession and while Miranda had joked about other girls on it, I didn’t usually give other people a ride.

  I knew the town she’d mentioned because I’d passed it on my way to her. At first, I pulled out carefully to let Miranda become accustomed to the feel of being on a motorcycle. There was no doubt in my mind that she’d never been on one. The turns, the vibration, the wind hitting you in the face could all be too much if you weren’t used to it. Once I thought she was more comfortable, I opened the engine and really got going.

  Fifteen minutes later, we were pulling into Pineville, a town with one stop light which we got caught at even though there was no oncoming traffic. Miranda tapped my shoulder and when I looked back pointed to the right. Using those hand signals, I followed her directions until it was time to pull into the parking lot which was surprisingly full.

  “I’m surprised there’s so many people here,” I told her honestly after climbing off the bike.

  She followed and loosened the straps of the helmet then removed it fully. Part of her hair had been blown wild by the wind and it was sexy as hell. She quickly ran her fingers through which didn’t change much.

  “Yeah. This is the center of like five small towns so everyone comes here. It’s part of why I love it.” She began walking away, leaving me to hurriedly tighten the helmet to its spot behind the seat.

  “You love it why?” I asked once I’d caught up and fallen in step with her.

  “Not everybody knows me. I can blend in. Spend hours here without talking to another person.”

  “You don’t like to talk to other people?”

  “They don’t like talking to me,” she countered.

  “I like talking to you.”

  This time she stopped and looked up at me. With her being so much shorter it was a chore for her to do but her blue eyes were so vulnerable it could just about break a guy’s heart.

  “But you’re… I don’t know. Different.”

  Then she walked away again.

  I didn’t think Miranda had the intention of buying any of the wares that she stopped to look at or in the case of some of the melons, smell. But still, we took our time making our way to the vendor with the food.

  “How about we split the four-taco meal, on me, then we can share a slice of pie from that guy.” She pointed two vendors over. “They’re huge.”

  “I don’t know,” I said lowering my eyebrows. “Maybe I want my own tacos.”

  “I only want one,” she countered. “That leaves you three but if you really need all four, that’s fine. I’ll get my own.” She turned to order but I grabbed her wrist to stop her.

  “Miranda,” I said. “I’m kidding.”

  She placed our order and we didn’t have much of a wait before those delicious tacos appeared. We found a table just big enough for the two of us. Miranda had also ordered each of us a water.

  The first bite was an explosion of flavor that made me moan. “Damn these are good.”

  “Told you,” she said back around a bite of her own taco.

  Soon, my three were gone, though I’d asked four times to make sure she didn’t want another, and I was headed to the pie vendor. But there I bought each of us our own slice. She was right. They were huge. I didn’t care if she ate all of hers or not but I had a sneaking suspicion that I would even if it meant I’d have to run a couple of extra miles to work it off.

  “Uh, I can’t eat that,” she said when I’d set hers in front of her.

  “Doesn’t matter. You mentioned apple so that’s what I got you but if you want half of my blueberry, we can make that happen.”

  Miranda thought about it for a minute then nodded which left us laughing as we tried to split the slices of pie. In the end, I finished all of mine but she’d only eaten half of hers. Half of the apple and half of the blueberry.

  We’d spent an hour at the market, walking around looking at vendors, eating, and most importantly talking. For someone who didn’t think she was very interesting, Miranda was to me.

  “What should we do next?” I asked her as we made our way back to the bike.

  “Anything but go home.”

  I leaned into her space and whispered, “Anything?”

  Her back straightened as if something had forced her. “Yes. This is the best day I’ve had in a really long time. I don’t want it to end.”

  “Neither do I.”

  Without a plan, we were back on my bike and driving without a destination. I could’ve done that all day. Just me and her on the open road. That was until she tapped my side and when I glanced over my shoulder, she was pointing to the left which I took as telling me to go that way. So, I did.

  As soon as I made the turn, I saw where she wanted to go.

  I got us down the dirt driveaway slowly and came to a stop in a parking lot.

  “I’ve always wanted to come here,” she said as she took the helmet off, this time more expertly than she had before.

  “Why haven’t you?”

  She sighed and avoided looking directly at me by glancing around the area behind me as if she was looking for something. But then she shifted her weight back and forth from foot to foot like people did when they were nervous.

  “It’s the kind of place you go with someone else. Probably not much fun all alone,” she said quietly and fucking hell this feeling of protectiveness washed over me.

  Fuck the entire town of Warwick for making Miranda feel like she wasn’t worthy of them. They weren’t worthy of her.

  “Let’s go.”

  Miranda had directed me to a carnival. Nope. The signage told me it was the county fair. I hadn’t been to one in years and from the sound of it she’d never been to one.

  As we entered, I bought us each a wristband so we wouldn’t have to worry about tickets and Miranda could ride anything she wanted. That pun made me groan even though only in my head.

  “What should I ride first?” she asked.

  Miranda couldn’t have known what I’d just been thinking when she asked that question, but it took everything I had not to give her the answer bouncing around in my head.

  I’d been with women. That was the
easy part. But I’d never been drawn to someone the way I was Miranda. I silently thanked and cursed the council for sending me here in the first place.

  “Come on,” she said as she grabbed my hand and pulled me away. I got the feeling she’d said something else that I’d missed while imagining her riding something very personal.

  Chapter Seven

  Miranda

  I couldn’t believe I was at the country fair with Luken, this man who swept into my life when I was at my lowest point. While losing my grandma still nagged at the back of my mind, I didn’t want to let the opportunity to spend time with him pass me by. With no idea how long he planned to stay, I intended to soak up as much of him as possible.

  For a lot of people, going to the county fair with a boy wouldn’t have been a huge deal but for me, it was a first.

  Luken hadn’t answered my question about what to ride. Instead he stood there with a look on his face that I couldn’t interpret. Maybe a cross between humor and something more… carnal. But then I laughed at myself. How would I know what carnal looked like?

  “You all right?” I asked to which I received no reply. Though I didn’t think he noticed, I rolled my eyes and said, “Come on.”

  “These things look like death traps,” I told him when we came to a stop in front of the roller coaster like contraption in the back. Somewhere along the way I’d decided to start at the back and work our way forward and Luken hadn’t stopped me.

  One side of Luken’s mouth turned up. “That’s because they are. But they’re also fun.”

  My stomach turned at the idea. As we made our way to the back, I’d expressed interest in riding everything the fair had to offer because I had no idea if I’d ever come back. The more time I spent with Luken, the more I considered leaving Warwick. Having a normal life somewhere else where no one already knew me. Just having something for myself.

  “Come on.” He reached out and took my hand in his then dragged me to the line.

  I half hoped I wouldn’t be tall enough to ride but alas, five foot two inches was over the requirement.

  Damn it.

  The coaster wasn’t even that large. It didn’t go upside down. Yet I was still terrified.

  Luken climbed into our car first and the thought occurred to me that I could run off without getting in. I’d have a head start so he probably wouldn’t have caught me right away. He would’ve caught me if he bothered to chase, there was no doubt of that, but not right away.

  “Get in,” he said motioning with his fingers.

  As if I could’ve said no to that. Reluctantly, I settled in beside him. The restraints didn’t give me a lot of confidence that I wouldn’t fly out of the car and fall to my death. Luken didn’t seem to care as he slid his arm over the back of the seat.

  The machine clicked its way to the top of the first hill then let loose sending us falling then swooping back up. It took a hard turn to the right then the left that sent me sliding into Luken which was the best part of the entire thing. Didn’t last long and before I had the chance to be scared, we were walking to the next ride.

  “What’d you think?” he asked, his hand on the middle of my back.

  “Best ride of my life.”

  Luken chuckled then slid his hand across my back then down my arm until he took my hand in his. And he didn’t let go.

  This. Was. Not. A. Drill.

  I might not have had a lot of experience with boys but here one was holding my hand as we made our way to the next ride. Then the next until we were thirsty and needed a break.

  “Wait here,” Luken said when we found an open standing table. “I’ll get us drinks.”

  I nodded and smiled.

  Grandma would’ve warned me against getting too attached to Luken. Especially so quickly. She’d told me over and over not to trust people right away. Let them show you who they were before allowing them access to your life. But I’d already done that. She’d be so disappointed in me like she had been the other time I trusted someone I shouldn’t have.

  “Miranda Deerborne.”

  Every muscle in my body turned to stone as the reason for her original disappointment entered my personal space. I hadn’t seen him once in the two years since we’d graduated. He’d gone to college and I prayed I’d never see him again.

  Now here he was.

  I didn’t say anything to him and instead stared at him without interest. I didn’t even want a basic level of hate to seep through.

  “What’re you doing here?” David Bromberg asked leaning his elbows on the table. “You never come to anything. Or has that changed since I left town?”

  “Why are you here?” I asked but added ruining things for me in my head.

  “Visiting. I do still have parents who live here.”

  I glanced around at the people surrounding us. Was he alone? The Taylor twins come with him even though their father had just died? Shit that was judgmental of me. My grandma just died yet here I was.

  “Who are you here with?” I asked.

  “My sisters.” David had two younger sisters still in high school. I’d never met them but had seen them around town.

  “What do you want?” I asked, finding my voice again.

  The smug look on his face reminded me of the way he’d played me two years ago. Acted like he wanted to get to know me. Pretended that he wanted to be my friend. All of which bit me in the ass within weeks.

  “Well I—”

  His words were cut off by a pop dropping onto the table in front of me and Luken entering the small bubble of space that had previously only been occupied by David and me. Luken’s hand slid up my back, coming to a rest on my neck. It wasn’t painful. He didn’t squeeze. It was more… reassuring. He was there for me.

  “Hey, baby,” Luken said with an edge to his voice that even I knew was meant to make David back up. But he’d used the word baby. Logically, I knew he said it that way because David was there but warmth flooded me, nevertheless. “Ready to go?” he asked me.

  I nodded because my voice would’ve betrayed me if I spoke. David’s appearance rubbed me the wrong way mostly because I didn’t want to have to explain him to anyone. Luken’s grip on his soda seemed tighter than absolutely necessary but the way he led me away with his hand resting at that spot where my neck swooped into my shoulder told me that I was safe. David couldn’t hurt me again with Luken here.

  “Don’t bother looking back,” he said as if he knew I wanted to. Just to see the look on David’s face as Luken walked me away. I put the straw from my pop in my mouth and took a drink.

  He couldn’t have known that the fairgrounds included a small-ish pond that they used for water exhibits not far from us. I barely remembered it was there so how he knew was a mystery. Yet, that was exactly where we ended up. We walked down the short dock until I could dive in if I’d wanted to. Right about then, I really wanted to if for no other reason than to drown out the noise from the fair. Along with the memories of David speaking to me again.

  “You OK?” Luken asked quietly, standing extremely close to me. His thigh brushed against my hip. As if he could hear my thoughts about jumping in and wanted to be ready to stop me. Maybe I was making that up in my mind but that was how it felt.

  “I’m fine,” I said almost automatically.

  “Didn’t look like it.”

  Then I turned to him. “He and I don’t have a great history.”

  Luken nodded slowly. “Right but from the sounds of it you don’t have a great history with most of the town yet you didn’t look like that with anyone else.”

  “Look like what?”

  “Ready to commit murder.”

  I snorted. “No. I’ve definitely looked like that with other people. The Taylor twins come to mind.”

  Luken grew quiet and blinked several times as if mulling something over in his brain. “I think this was different. It seemed different. You didn’t only look ready to murder him but you also looked… I don’t know… uncomfortable. Like yo
u were trying to make yourself small enough to disappear.” His thumb stroked the skin near my elbow in a way that was not only reassuring but just overall nice. “What gives?”

  “It’s embarrassing.”

  “You obviously don’t have to tell me.” He motioned to the side of the dock above the pond. He sat then I dropped in beside him. My feet didn’t come close to skimming the water but one quick move and his would get soaked. “But you can. And I want you to. Given that just the look on your face makes me want to go back and murder that asshole myself.”

  “Don’t do that,” I said quickly then took a deep breath and sighed. “That guy… David… he’s an asshole for sure.”

  “I got that part.”

  Now I couldn’t look at him. This was the most embarrassing thing that had ever happened to me and while I had no doubt that I’d tell him, I wasn’t all that happy about it. A nervous hyena threaten to bubble up from inside me and laugh like a freak.

  “Ok, so,” I said staring out over the water, the sound of the fair still very much present. Distant but present. “He was the first person I had sex with. The only person I’ve had sex with.”

  I glanced over at Luken to gauge his reaction, but his eyebrows just went down in confusion. “That’s not really embarrassing. We’ve all got a first.”

  Now I closed my eyes as heat began to climb up my cheeks and shook my head. “Not like mine.”

  “Wait,” he stopped me from going any further, “did he—”

  “No,” I cut him off this time. The way I’d said it, of course he’d come to the conclusion that David had forced himself on me. “He didn’t force me. That’s why it’s embarrassing. I went willingly.”

  “Ok, Miranda, you need to give me some details because I’m about to go find him.”

  My heart swelled at the idea Luken wanted to protect me, but I shook my head. “Again, don’t do that. It’s embarrassing because I should’ve known better, but he played me like a fiddle. Started in the summer before school began senior year. Acted like he genuinely had an interest in me but still didn’t want people to know right away which is what I would’ve expected from anyone in that school. I thought we were becoming friends.” I swallowed hard. “Then we became more than friends.”