[Willow Harbor 08.0] Raven's Sight

by Jennifer Snyder

  All it took was a single glance at Violet to let me know she was in agreement with him. Thane steeled his body beside me, and I knew he understood another fireball was coming his way no matter what either of us said.

  I focused on Hubs while at the same time trying to call my shield to the surface. If I could send out my shield before he released his fireball Thane wouldn’t be hurt again. While all shifters had quick healing abilities, bird shifters weren’t the fastest at it. Also, it didn’t mean we couldn’t feel pain.

  My gaze remained locked on Hubs, searching for any signal he might give off to warn me a fireball was coming. He had a good poker face though because nothing came before he released his next fireball. It shot from between his parted lips, heading straight for me and Thane completely unexpected. Determination pulsed through me. My hands stiffened as my fingers spread as wide as they would go. I called to the shield inside me, trying to latch on and force it forward to encompass Thane. Flickers of purple bloomed from my fingertips and spread outward to form a thin layer between Thane and the fireball.

  The only problem was, I wasn’t fast enough.

  The fireball slipped behind the shield before I could get it in place. Thane tried to duck but he’d been relying on my shield to protect him.

  “Are you okay?” I twisted to face him, taking in the smoke coming off his shoulder where the fireball had singed his shirt. The stench of burning fabric hung in the air. “I’m so sorry!”

  “Damn, that hurt,” Thane grunted. He gripped his shoulder, snuffing out the smoldering fabric and winced in pain.

  “Do you need a cool rag or burn cream? What can I do?” I asked.

  It killed me he was the one suffering. Why wasn’t Hubs throwing his fireballs at me?

  “Throw the next one at me,” I said to Hubs. “Thane has been hit twice. That’s enough.”

  “No.” Thane gripped my wrist, pulling my attention back to him. “I’m fine. Just don’t let another one through.”

  He nodded to Hubs who began building another fireball deep in his chest.

  My lips pursed together. Not letting another one through was easier said than done. I hated this. Seeing someone physically hurt because of me wasn’t fun.

  “You’ve got this,” Thane whispered. “I know you do. Breathe. Focus. Don’t let it through.”

  His words held a confidence in them I didn’t harbor. The muscles in my body tensed as I locked my gaze on Hubs. I lifted my hands in front of me, facing my palms forward and tried to figure out what I’d done right last time. If I could do it faster this time I could save Thane from being burned.

  I stiffened my fingers and called on my shield like I’d done before, hoping it worked a second time. Nothing happened. I pulled in a deep breath and released it. Hubs was ready. I could see the fireball filling his mouth.

  You can do this, I told myself.

  I called to my shield harder than I ever had before, and suddenly I could feel it. Its warmth covered my hands like fuzzy gloves and then spread up my arms. Purple flickers emanated from my fingertips, and I knew I was doing something right. I pushed harder with my mind and seconds later a solid wall of glowing purple had formed between us and Hubs.

  “See that?” I asked. “I did it!”

  I stood a little taller. My lungs expanded to their fullest with each deep breath I took.

  When the fireball met with my shield it bounced right off.

  “I knew you could do it,” Thane said. “About damn time too. My shoulder is killing me.” He chuckled.

  “Very good. The question is, will it hold?” Hubs asked.

  He released a massive fireball ten times larger than his previous ones. My eyes widened at the sight of it.

  “Oh, shit!” Thane muttered as the fireball continued to soar through the air at us.

  Seconds before it hit my shield, I closed my eyes. I didn’t want to see the fireball hit Thane if it didn’t hold.

  “All right!” Thane shouted. I opened my eyes to see the fireball smoldering in the white sand at our feet. “You did it! You blocked that huge ass fireball like nobody’s business.”

  “You’re welcome,” I smirked.

  He snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me into his side. His cool lips pressed against my forehead. I hadn’t realized until then how hot I was. Sweat had beaded across my brow and along my upper lip. I was sticky and gross. All the training had taken a toll on me. My limbs were weak and my muscles sore. When I wiped away the sweat above my upper lip, my stomach grumbled.

  “I heard that,” Thane insisted. “You must be starved and exhausted from all this. Maybe we should end on a good note and call it a day.”

  I closed my eyes and leaned against his chest. “Sounds good to me.”

  I couldn’t remember a time when I’d felt this tired. The need for sleep pulsated through my limbs.

  “Come eat. Dinner’s done.” Violet called from somewhere behind me.

  When had she left the beach? I’d been so wrapped up in honing my shield skills I hadn’t noticed her absence. I twisted around to see her on the back deck to her bungalow.

  “It’s Hawaiian pineapple chili night. My favorite,” Hubs said. He hurried past us toward the house. “Been cookin’ in the crockpot for a while now.”

  I arched a brow. Hawaiian pineapple chili? That didn’t sound like a good combination. My nose wrinkled when an image of pineapple chunks floating in a bowl of chili surfaced in my mind.

  “Sounds different,” Thane said.

  He released his grip on my waist and linked his fingers through mine instead. We followed behind Hubs.

  “Trust me, it’s delicious,” Hubs insisted. “Especially when she makes those warm sweet rolls with it. Sweet and spicy in just the right ways. You’re gonna love it.”

  While I wasn’t big on spicy foods, if there was some sweetness to counteract it I’d be fine.

  Hopefully.

  “Don’t worry,” Thane whispered. “If you don’t like it we can always say you’re too tired and then pick something up on the way home.”

  He’d said home. Was he thinking of my place as home now?

  “I remember how much of a baby you always were when it came to spicy foods.” A shit-eating grin plastered itself on his face.

  “I’m not a baby about it,” I snapped. “It’s just not my favorite.”

  His grin widened. “Right.”

  “Come on you two lovebirds. Better get a move on it before it gets cold,” Violet shouted.

  I shoved Thane playfully. He laughed as we continued through the sand to their house. My mind circled back to the word home, and I sent out a silent prayer hoping he was thinking of staying. Willow Harbor wouldn’t be the same for me if he didn’t.

  Heck, I wouldn’t be the same if he didn’t.

  Fifteen

  Thane

  After we ate the amazing Hawaiian pineapple chili Violet had made, we hung around for a while chatting about Lena’s newly honed ability and the Sisters. I got the impression Violet and Hubs wanted to help take them down, but I knew Lena wouldn’t allow it.

  I didn’t blame her. Hell, I barely knew either of them myself and I felt protective of them too. They were good people. They wouldn’t deserve anything the Sisters might toss their way.

  I agreed with Lena on it being best if they kept their distance.

  “Thank you for an interesting day,” Violet insisted. Her gaze paused on Lena.

  Her cheeks flushed. It was cute. “It was definitely interesting. Thanks for helping out. I really appreciate it.”

  Violet stood and moved to grab Lena’s bowl.

  “Nope.” She shook her head. “You’ve done enough today. Why don’t you let me and Thane clean up?”

  I fought against the urge to grumble. Dishes had never been my thing. If I mentioned it to Lena though, she’d have my head.

  I stood and followed her to the kitchen with my bowl in hand. Lena washed and I dried while Hubs and Violet tended to their dogs f
or a minute.

  “What do you want to do after this?” I asked her. “Head home?”

  Something about my question had a smile twisting at her lips. I wasn’t sure why. Did she think I was insinuating something else? Like it was code for sex? I wasn’t. Not because I didn’t want her but because I knew she had to be exhausted from all the training today.

  “Home would be nice,” she said in a wistful tone.

  Was exhaustion settling in? Maybe I should drive.

  “Hubs and I have been talking,” Violet said when she and Hubs came back inside from taking the dogs out. “We’d like to help you more.”

  “You mean like train more tomorrow?” Lena asked. “I can’t ask you to do that. You’ve already closed the shop for a day.”

  “Where in that sentence of mine did you hear anything about you asking for more help from us?” Violet narrowed her eyes at Lena. “Nowhere. You didn’t ask. We’re offering. To help you train more and to help when these Sisters arrive. We want to be there.”

  Lena shook her head. “I can’t let you do that. I won’t put you in harm’s way. You’ve already done enough for me.”

  “We care about you, Lena,” Violet insisted. “Let us help.”

  Lena vigorously washed my bowl. “I care about you too. That’s why I can’t let you help more than you already have.”

  I knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t give in. Not to something like this. Her mind was made up. Violet must have known too because her lips pursed together. She grabbed a rag and some cleaner from beneath the sink and wiped down the counters with more force than seemed necessary.

  “All I’m gonna say is these old bones still have fight left in ‘em,” Hubs said. “If you change your mind, you know where to find us.”

  “Thanks, but I doubt I’ll change my mind.” Lena rinsed my bowl and handed it to me to dry. “You two mean too much to me to let you help any more than you already have. Please understand.”

  Violet glanced at Lena. Her face softened. “I know, honey. You mean the world to us too. That’s why we want to help you in any way we can.”

  “We’ll respect your wishes though,” Hubs added. Violet glared at him and he shrugged. “You know it’s the right thing to do.”

  Violet didn’t answer. She went back to scrubbing the counter.

  “Thanks,” Lena said.

  My stomach tightened as I listened to the exchange between the three of them. I wished the compass had never found its way here. I wished it had never found Lena. She was happy. She’d made herself a home and gained a family. People who truly cared about her. The compass and me coming along threatened everything she’d worked so hard to build for herself over the years.

  If there was a way I could keep the compass from ever coming here I would.

  Hubs bumped into me as he passed by me heading for the living room. Being jostled pulled me from my thoughts. When I glanced at the old man I realized from the look on his face he’d bumped into me on purpose.

  “Walk with me,” he muttered barely loud enough for me to hear.

  I crammed my hands into my front pockets and did as he asked. We slipped from the kitchen while Lena and Violet were still talking.

  “I’ve been watching you boy,” he said once we were almost to the front door. His dogs ran in excited circles around us, making me have to watch my every step. “I know what’s going on. The question is...do you?”

  I stared at the old man. What was he talking about?

  “Uh, I don’t think so,” I said.

  “I didn’t think you’d caught on fully.” The old man grinned. He swung the front door open and stepped outside. The dogs and I followed. “You’re running out of time, and you can’t tell Lena. She has enough to worry about right now with them Sisters, she doesn’t need to add worryin’ about you to her plate.”

  I scratched my neck. “I’m sorry but I’m still not following.”

  Hubs flashed me a dirty look as he closed the door behind us. “I’m talkin’ about you only being here for a limited amount of time. Lena doesn’t need to know that. She needs to be able to focus on the things she has ahead of her with them banshees. Knowing you’re goin’ to be leaving soon will only sidetrack her.”

  My brows furrowed. What the hell was this old geezer talking about?

  “I have no intentions of leaving her,” I said.

  “While that might be true, sometimes these things aren’t up to us.”

  He started down the porch steps after the dogs and headed straight for the beach without a glance back at me. I swallowed hard and then started down the steps.

  “Spend time with her while you can, boy, the veil will be closin’ soon.” He cast a sideways glance at me. “And when it does, you’ll no longer be here. You’ve got to feel it in your bones by now. Lord knows you look it.”

  I’ll no longer be here? The veil?

  What the hell?

  My body froze as soon as what he said registered. The odd things others had said to me since I stepped foot in Willow Harbor looped through my mind as well. The old woman with the ugly dog telling me I was here but I wasn’t. The way everyone acted as though they knew something about me I didn’t. And now Hubs telling me I wouldn’t be here after the veil closed.

  Wait. What veil was he talking about?

  “Halloween is almost here.” Hubs gripped my shoulder. A sad expression twisted his features. “Make the most of everything while you can.”

  All the breath left my lungs. The mention of Halloween had solidified everything, causing the puzzle pieces I’d been struggling with to finally fit together.

  I was a ghost. An actual ghost.

  “Now you get it. I can see it in your eyes,” Hubs said.

  His hand on my shoulder squeezed gently again.

  “I hated saying anything. The wife begged me not to, but I didn’t think it was fair. To you or Lena. One of you should know, and I figured that person should be you.”

  One of the Yorkies jumped up on my leg with a stick in his mouth. If I was a ghost how was he able to do that? How was I solid?

  The veil.

  “Bring it to me, Apollo,” Hubs said. He patted his thigh to gain the dog’s attention. “I’ll leave you to think. I’m sure that was one mighty big bubble for me to bust. I hope you understand why I did.”

  I nodded to Hubs, acknowledging what he’d said but found I couldn’t speak. My hands trembled as I ran them through my hair. The old man walked away, and I became lost in my thoughts.

  I was a ghost? I was dead?

  Lena’s laughter floated from inside the house to my ears. The sound of it tugged at the edges of my heart and pulled me from my depressing thoughts. I licked my lips and smoothed a hand over my face. My feet started toward the house again. I needed to be near her. Her laughter trickled through the open windows once more and my insides hummed to life. It was because of her; Lena made me feel alive. Maybe I was selfish but right now that was everything.

  I crept up the steps and let myself inside.

  “Hey,” Lena said. Her lips were twisted into a beautiful smile. Violet and her were on the couch eating pie and chatting. “Where did you go off to?”

  “Uh, Hubs had me step out with him and the dogs for a minute,” I said. “They wanted to play instead of use the bathroom so I came back in.”

  Lena patted the cushion beside her and motioned for me to sit.

  “Want some of this?” She asked. “It’s key lime.”

  I crossed the living room to sit beside her. Violet’s eyes were on me. I could feel them. I couldn’t bring myself to meet her gaze though. She knew what I was, and I was positive she’d figured out Hubs had told me.

  “Nah, I’m good.”

  “Suit yourself.”

  I settled onto the couch beside her and kept my mouth shut. Hubs was right, she didn’t need to know what I was. She didn’t need the distraction. The Sisters were sure to be coming soon, and she needed to keep a level head if she was going to
beat them.

  And she had to beat them. Had to.

  If I was supposed to move on after Halloween I needed to do so knowing she was okay, that she was safe. The only way I could be sure was if the Sisters were gone for good.

  Sixteen

  Lena

  The scent of coffee lingered in the air when I woke. It had to be early because the sun wasn’t streaming through my mini-blinds like daggers into my eyes yet. I yawned and stretched in bed. Where was the smell of coffee coming from? Had Thane gone to Urban Grind already? My fingers slipped across the sheets beside me. They were cold. He must have been awake for a while.

  Another yawn pushed past my lips as I slipped out of bed. When I reached my bedroom door I cracked it open and listened. No sounds came from my apartment. Was he even here? My heart thundered in my chest as worry he might have left for good echoed through me.

  Thane’s plans for the future were something we needed to talk about soon. I couldn’t handle the fear he might leave without saying goodbye hanging above me any longer. I needed to know what his next move would be once we defeated the Sisters.

  I padded down the hall in my tank top and underwear. When I turned into the living room, Thane was on my sofa. He had a book in his hand, and his feet were propped up on my coffee table. A cup with the Urban Grind logo on the side was in his other hand. My gaze dipped to the second cup on the table. There was an unopened Pop Tart beside it.

  A wide smile pulled at my lips.

  “You know me well.” I moved to the couch and sat beside him, tucking my feet beneath me. Then I reached for my coffee. I took a tiny taste to test how hot it was. It wasn’t cold but it definitely wasn’t hot anymore. How long had he been awake for? And why hadn’t he woke me? “Caramel macchiato. My favorite.”

  “I asked the guy who owns the shop if he remembered what you usually ordered. He said this was one of your favorite so I went with it. Glad to see he was right.” Thane grinned.

  “Loran gets everyone’s drink preferences right.” I took another sip. “Between you and me, I think he should’ve opened a bar in town instead of a coffee shop. I’d love to see what kind of concoctions he could make with alcohol.”