He nodded and his gaze met mine. As soon as our eyes crossed paths, I realized how close we were. Chest to chest, thigh to thigh. Mouth to mouth, our breaths mingled.
His eyes darkened as we lay there. The hissing faded away. I wasn’t sure if they truly left or if it was because of Baz. My heart sped up when I saw his eyelashes drop and his gaze focus on my lips.
I swallowed hard. This was really going to happen. The first time wasn’t a fluke. The teases since being interrupted by Armando had only upped the anticipation.
The light brush of his mouth against mine.
A slip of my tongue brushed his bottom lip. Both of us breathed out.
I opened my mouth to say something -anything- to ease the tension, and his pressed firmly onto mine. Not a brush this time, a full-on kiss.
Our lips sealed together. His tongue licked along my teeth and my heart raced. I wanted more. My hands curled around his back, and he rolled so he was leaning over me and my back was to the bottom of the boat.
I stared at him looking down at me; his body plastered to mine. I couldn’t believe this was happening. He felt so good against me. I put a hand to his cheek as another jolt rocked the boat.
Baz nearly fell off me and Armando squeaked in distress, scurrying up against us.
Dang, it I needed to look. I tapped Baz on the shoulder.
Bastion rested his forehead against mine briefly before rolling over. I sat up to glance over the edge.
Two flat eyes stared at me from a reptilian face. The eyes didn’t blink. I held out my hand, and the crocodile stared at it. It almost seemed to take a deep breath, then the animals pushed back and started to swim away.
I saw at least thirty of them swirling in the water. A fish breached near the shore and the pod of crocs floated off.
I turned to face Baz. He laid on his elbows in the bottom of the boat, his t- shirt askew, and still managed to look cool. So unfair.
“We’re good. The gators are going away and we are near the lock.” I slid down next to him and he rolled to face me. “So, in a few miles, we will get out and walk around the lock.”
“We are going to carry the raft?”
“It breaks down.” I motioned to the pack at the front of the boat. There is more fuel and a portable air pump inside. We should be there by tomorrow. So tonight, we get around one lock and camp, then tomorrow another lock and we are there.”
“Goodie.”
I snorted. I loved sarcasm.
12
A few miles later, we started our walk. I was used to it. My main form of travel was walking. Baz had a different type of childhood. He didn't like the sheer trudging. And he whined constantly; it was kind of cute in a way. Or my hormones might have been clouding my judgment. Ever since the kiss in the boat, I couldn't stop thinking about him. His pale eye lashes, soft skin. The one little freckle near his temple.
“Are we almost around the first lock?”
I jolted. Focus, woman. “Almost a mile or two more to be safe.”
“What are in the locks?”
“It really depends on the days. Vampires, raiders, animals sometimes swarm it. It is safer to avoid them all together if you can.”
To keep from ogling him anymore, I studied the area. The Midwest really was pretty with its green trees and lush grass. I loved natures. It called to me. I took in a deep breath and let my feet guide me, sure in my steps.
I only had a few moments of silence before Baz talked again. “Can we take a break?”
“Best to get closer to the water before we stop. It would be safer.”
Baz’s face fell so I took pity of him. “But it should be fine. Did you want a drink?”
He smiled. “Yes.”
I sat my bag down and palmed a water bottle as Baz shucked his. He had the heavier pack with the gas and pump, so I should be nicer I guess. I passed him the water and sat on a nearby log.
We sat in companionable silence until I realized it was really quiet. In fact, it was too quiet.
I cocked my head and pressed my hand against the tree next to me. It was a little-known secret in my family that the earth spoke to me, literally spoke. I could hear what walked on it and where if I listened hard enough which I did right now.
Silence.
Rustling. Armando rooted near the base of a nearby tree for food. A squirrel skittered nearby. The wind moved the top of the trees just enough to make a soft sigh.
More.
I felt light, cold, dead, unbelievably fast and hungry. There were vampires nearby.
My heart sped up and my eyes opened. I stood and glanced around left, right. Where?
Baz capped his water bottle and dropped it, straightening. “What?”
I held my finger to my lips and spun in a circle.
Somewhere, where? They were here, I could feel them. The movement of the small animals, everything stopped as if they were holding their breath.
The attack came from the left. Two vampires, unfathomably fast. One went for Baz. The other for me. Baz grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it in the face on his guy. Mine I dodged right, and he ran into the tree next to me.
Hah.
My heart raced. I grabbed the knife at my waist and centered like my dad always taught me. I’d trained for this, I could do it.
My vampire pushed away from the tree and circled me. Now that the first few seconds were over, he appeared to want to play.
My chest settled as I took a deep breath. My dude wasn’t that tall, barely topped me by a few inches, but was buff. He kind of looked like a dirty John Cena. And he smoked. I thought vampires didn’t need to breath. Do they still crave nicotine or was it just a nasty habit? He also had stains on his fingers.
Eww.
The internal monologue helped calm me. I could do this.
He palmed a knife a little too smoothly for my liking and stabbed at me. I jumped left and tumbled over a bush that I hadn’t realized I’d drifted close toward. The vampire pounced as I fell backward, and I used his momentum to put my feet on his abdomen and push him over me into a nearby tree.
I scrambled up and moved to put my back to another tree. I forgot about the knife. I should have stabbed the f***er as he flew over.
Damn it.
I glanced and saw Baz and his attacker wrestling nearby. Baz threw him back and raised a hand.
A silent whomp went off in my head, and I saw his attacker stumble, part of his arm missing.
What the hell?
My attacker stood and followed my gaze his mouth dropped open. He’d never seen that before either. Huh.
He looked back at me. I clenched my fist and held out my fingers in a come-hither gesture.
He grinned and then came right at me.
I focused on the ground and his feet and pushed. The earth pulsed and carried him right over me in a wild sprawl.
Holy crap. I did it!
First time I ever controlled such a small area for precise fighting.
Yes.
I fist-pumped and then remembered where I was. My hair flew around my face in a wave as I twisted. Where did my dude go? How stupid was I to let my eyes off an opponent? So dumb.
Baz’s grunts carried to me as his fight carried on, his enemy relentless even without his arm. I was on my own.
I spun in a circle. Where the hell did this dude go?
A noise overhead had my stomach dropping right before I lifted my eyes.
Yep.
I let my body fall forward and left, away from my pouncing foe. Luckily, he went right, and his knife sliced through the air just missing my face. I struck out instinctively before he could regain his sense from the fall.
Blood sputtered.
I didn’t know who was more surprised by my accuracy, him or me. His face moved sideways a little, and then his head toppled off with a gush.
Gross.
My stomached heaved and I swallowed hard, closing my eyes.
When a hand brushed my shoulder, my spin was automatic. My f
oot flew out and up.
Baz blocked it and held up his hands in a peace gesture. “Just me.”
I heaved out a breath.
13
Baz pulled me up and into his side. “We need to run.”
“Yes.”
“How did they find us?”
“There are always crews around the rivers. Alex said they patrol it to steal supplies. It could be that, or worst case, it could be someone after us specifically.” I heaved out a breath. “I don’t know. We will be safest nearer the water. We can immediately take off or Alex has traps.”
“Are we sleeping near the water or on it?”
“Near. Sleeping on the water isn’t safe. It is a river, unless we are close to shore, then it is hard to keep from drifting. Plus, water is moving. We can’t ward water. We need land.”
He nodded and we took off in a trot.
I was used to walking. This was running. I hated running.
After a few minutes I was panting, but he appeared fresh as a daisy. Baz appeared to have a hell of a lot more stamina than me. A good thing. Damn hormones.
Wait.
I stopped. Stupid as it was.
“What did you do to the vampire back there?”
Baz swung to face me still running in place, the show off. “Do you want to talk about this here or later? I vote for later. We don’t have time.”
“You said you were a minor telekinetic.”
“You obviously have secrets as well. But again, is this the place to talk about it?”
I glanced around at the ruffling leaves, and stark trees. He was right. Still.
“How do I know I can trust you?”
He clenched his fist down by his sides. “How do I know I can trust you?”
His eyes closed and when he opened them I could tell he’d decided. “I will tell you everything later.” He yanked me up and into him, slamming a kiss on my mouth. Our breath mingled. “Trust me, cherie.”
I did even though it made no sense.
He made no sense. We made no sense. Yet, it was perfect. And he was right. I needed to trust him.
I nodded and leaned my head against his chest. “Okay. But we are talking later.”
“Yes.”
His chin rested on my head. I could feel him looking around.
“We need to run.”
“Yes.”
“I hate running.”
His laughter rumbled against my forehead. “I can tell. My twelve-year-old niece is faster than you.”
I stomped his toe and his chest moved more.
“Come on, wheezy.” He grabbed my hand. “I will help you.” His fingers entwined with mine.
“I know.”
The run was better after that. Or maybe it was the handholding. It made everything better.
When we got close to the water, I pulled on his hands. “Look for somewhere to stay.”
“In a house?”
“Better than out in the open. We can set up booby traps and wards. Keep the boat safe. Common practice for raiders to puncture the boat so you can’t run.”
“You know a lot about the river trade.”
“My brother runs it. Of course, I do.”
We exited the woods and started to walk a paved road with faded yellow lines in the middle and weeds squeezing into its personal space. A few small houses, shacks really, dotted the road. The perfect fisherman’s shanty beckoned down at the end of the road.
“There.” I pointed to the last building on the local pier.
“That’s not a house, that is one of those shops that offer you boat rentals.”
“Yes, perfect. They are armored so people don’t steal their wares and near the water.”
“Where will we sleep?”
“They will have a couch or something, I’m sure.”
He made a face.
“Oh, you can do it.”
“Yeah, yeah’” He dropped his bag when we reached the house and attempted to open the door. “Locked.”
“What a surprise.”
“Well.”
“Can’t you open a lock?” I hip checked Baz out of the way and grabbed a bobby pin from my backpack and slid it into the lock until it clicked.
“Wah lah,” I said when the door swung open.
“Impressive.”
“I know I am.”
His laughter followed me inside and warmed my insides.
The counter was covered in grime and what looked like fishing supplies. We could use some of these hooks when it came down to it. I walked behind the counter and opened the rear door. A large office with a comfy sofa. Perfect. In fact, I reached under the sofa and pulled out the sofa bed. Room for two.
“Which side is mine?”
His words made me jump. Damn, this guy could move silently when he wanted. “You should be closest to the door.”
“So, I am the first target.”
“Exactly. Very gentlemanly of you.” I grinned. “But mostly so that I can be near the rear exit and the boat and get it ready.”
I sank down into the mattress and laid back. “Nice.”
Baz took a spot next to me. As we both settled, I realized just how intimate it was with the two of us on the same bed. I’d known him a day, if that. Yes, we’d kissed but... Heat rushed into my cheeks. What if he thought... My heart turned over. No. He wouldn’t. I closed my eyes and pretended that visions of our naked bodies weren’t traipsing through my mind. I’d never. Well. That wasn’t really what would happen.
The mattress shifted. I turned my head and Baz lay there smiling at me, this twinkle in his eye. He wouldn’t, um, what to say?
“Are you as hungry as I am?”
“Yes, no, um, what do you mean?
“Food.” His raised eyebrow and crooked lip suggested he knew where my dirty thoughts had taken me.
“Yes, food.” Of course, I cleared my throat. “What do we have left in the supplies?”
Baz reached over and grabbed his backpack, emptying its contents on the bed. “We have a smorgasbord of peanut butter, jelly and crackers A veritable feast.”
“Hm. Well I think I feel like jelly, peanut butter, and crackers. That sounds yummy.”
We grinned at each other and ate some crackers.
“Do we have any milk?” I ask almost wistfully.
“I wish. This meal was made for milk.”
“This was my favorite meal when growing up. When I had tea parties it was with PB and Js.”
“Get out! You had tea parties? So, did I!” Baz winked and finished up his sandwich.
“Yep, I was the queen of tea parties. Josie and I had to treat our bears to maintain their loyalty.”
“It is good to keep up morale in our plushie pets.”
“Exactly.”
He sighed and sipped his water. “We should set the wards.”
“Plus, just in case, I want to inflate the boat and be ready to leave in a hurry if we need.”
“Aye, aye, captain.”
After inflating the raft and setting up the boat on the pier, warded it and set Armando on patrol, I slowly walked to bed. Baz already lay with one arm over his face and the other rested on his belly. He took up a ton of room.
I ran my hand along my things and sat on the bed, keeping my back to Baz. I laid sideways facing away from him yet achingly aware of where he lay.
I settled against the pillow and held still.
A hand brushed my shoulder. “Not talking to me, cherie?”
I closed my eyes before turning over to face him.
He appeared so relaxed. Hair curly and face soft. The hand he had on my shoulder brushed my cheek and I blushed.
“We need to talk.” I said.
“Yes.”
“What kind of powers do you have?”
“I could ask the same.” He raised an eyebrow.
Hm. “I can control land, much more than a mere earth mage. I can feel it.” I placed a hand on my belly. “Here. More than that. I can move it. When I was th
e same age as Josie, I caused quakes in this area, and I was a much calmer child than Josie.”
“What about what you did today. You literally raised a wall of dirt—that is precise. More precise than just a mere Earth mage.”
“I am not a mere anything. My line is rich. My grandmother and grandmother’s mother going way back always stated our line would lead when we needed it. It led to generations of overly prepared mages.” And that wasn’t even the half of it. My family defined the word paranoid, sure that the end of days was right around the corner. I grimaced. Turns out they were right.
“There is even a family legend our ancestors would bear the embodiment of the three lines, the child, the maiden, the crone.
I grinned. “I always liked to tease Alex that if I was the maiden, he was the crone. But our powers are not typical. We score off the charts of all standard magical testing. That is why we never tested Josie. We knew the results wouldn’t help us.”
“It is also why my parents formed their own coven, to protect us from outsiders. Plus, the river masked our power, and there is a convergence nearby which only made us stronger.”
I stopped to gauge Baz’s response, just then realizing that he had kept his hand on my arm the whole time I talked and was rubbing back and forth.
His eyebrows rose. “Go on.”
I blinked. “Well, that’s it. At least about me. I can move the earth but Josie, man she can move everything, energy and matter. She is much stronger than me and Alex. And Alex, well he can sense things, extreme empathy in what my father called it. And it makes him great with people. You can’t help liking my brother.”
Baz smiled. “I look forward to meeting him.”
His words went straight to my heart. I don’t know why. Maybe because I was so close to my family. That he wanted to meet them made me all fluttery inside.
I swallowed. This next part would be harder. “My parents prepared us from birth that the power in our line -as opposed to most magic families- only appeared to be getting stronger not weaker. But my parents did not think that magic was necessarily going to define our power.”
He hummed. “What do you mean?”
“Well, my dad always said if just magic was the answer, then why wasn’t everything balanced and right? In fact, my parents didn’t really focus on our magical training until we hit puberty. Before that we studied everything else. We learned to read at age three. All of us trained in how to hunt, how to grow, how to survive in any situation. We can pick locks. Strip down any weapon and storm the freaking castle if need be.”
What a Witch Page 6