by Lila Kane
Sighing, I start walking again. Why can’t I remember what’s going on? Maybe I should ask Kane. He seems to know everything that’s happened since I came to Shadow Hill. But I guess that makes sense. He was there at the beginning. There to warn me about Logan and Myra and the werewolf and shapeshifter I’m not looking forward to meeting.
I take another corner and smile when I hear laughter in the row over. I can do this. I can take care of myself. And once the spell is done and the curse is broken, I should have better control over my power.
I’ll be able to defend myself.
The hawk swoops lower and I keep walking. The maze is pretty, full and green. It’s not huge, but it seems to go on forever. The laughter has faded away and the quietness around me makes me feel uneasy. Not peaceful anymore.
Lost.
“How do I get out of here?” I ask myself, propping my sunglasses on my head.
The only other thing I can see besides leaves is the hawk overhead. It continues to circle. I wonder if it’s hunting. Looking for dinner.
I turn another corner and promptly run into someone.
“I’m sorry, I‒”
My voice catches and I stumble back.
“Willow?”
He looks so much like Kane. So much, I might not even be able to tell the difference from a distance. But from up close, there’s no mistaking who this is.
Logan.
Chapter 15
I stumble backward, gripping the bracelet around my wrist. Ready to throw it at him if necessary.
“Oh my God, Willow.” Logan winces but takes a step closer. I keep retreating. “She said you were at the hospital and I‒I didn’t believe her, but‒”
“Stop. Don’t come any closer.”
He freezes, but holds out his hands. “Wait. No. It’s me, Logan. You know who I am.”
“Yes, I do. You’re Kane’s brother.”
His eyebrows draw together. Confusion is replaced with understanding. And then fear. “What did he tell you?”
“Everything. He told me everything, and I don’t want you to come any closer.”
His hands close into fists, and he lowers them to his sides, keeping his place several feet from me. “Cheyenne was right.”
“That werewolf?” My heart beats hard in my chest. Half of me wants to run and the other half wants me to stand up to him. I live here, too, and I won’t be scared to walk around town.
“Willow,” Logan says. There’s pain in his voice. “You don’t remember me, do you?”
“He was right.” I nod, taking another step back. “Kane was right. You’re trying to trick me.”
“No, I’m not. I’m not‒” Logan shoves a hand through his hair. “Are you hurt? Did he do anything to you?”
“Do anything? What are you talking about? You’re the one who’s doing something. If you don’t move aside and let me through, I swear I’ll scream. I’ll‒”
Fire heats my hands, burning into a ball of yellow and orange. I dome my hands so my fingertips meet like I’m holding a baseball. A baseball of flames I’m ready to throw straight at Logan.
His voice is choked when he says my name again.
“I’m not scared of you,” I tell Logan.
He steps back, retreats farther and farther until he’s at the end of the row several feet from me. “It’s this way,” he says quietly. “The exit.”
“Don’t try anything,” I tell him.
“I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Good.” I keep my chin high as I ease around the hedge and out the exit. “Stay there.”
“Please, will you just hear me out?”
I swallow hard and my foot catches on a loose stump. Logan’s there in an instant, hands secure around my waist to keep me from falling.
His touch is like a shock of electricity, zapping my entire body. I look up at him, my heart clenching. A feeling so familiar, I can’t speak for a minute.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
I straighten in his grasp.
“Please, Willow. I need to talk to you.”
I jerk back, fire shooting from my fingertips. I singe a spot near his feet. His breath rushes out, but he doesn’t move. His cheeks are taut, I’m assuming from the amethyst, but he still holds on.
“I don’t have anything to say to you.”
“I won’t touch you. I won’t even come near you.”
I glare at the man who killed my father, wanting to conjure more fire. But then I realize I shouldn’t even be looking at him. What if he tries to influence me?
“Leave me alone,” I hiss.
I shoot off another spark of fire to keep him away and run back to the hotel. Shane, the werewolf, catches up with me outside.
“What is it?” he asks.
“He was here. Logan.”
Kane arrives just after, catching my arms in a firm grip. “Are you okay?’
“Yes.”
He gestures to Shane, and Shane walks down the hotel steps, scanning the property.
Kane returns his attention to me. “They must be tracking you somehow. An oversight on my part. I’m sorry.”
There’s barely banked anger in his eyes, but he’s not directing any of it at me.
“How did Shane know someone else was here?”
“He can feel it. Which, come to think of it, is probably how Logan and his group were able to find you. They’ve got a werewolf, just like we do.” His gaze locks on mine. “What did Logan say to you?”
“Nothing, really. Just that he wanted to talk to me.”
“What did you do?”
“Got angry. Shot fire at him.”
Kane flashes a smile. “You’re dangerous.”
“I’m sorry, I know you don’t want him to get hurt, but he scared me.”
“Don’t apologize. If he’s a danger to you, you can’t help what happens. I understand.” His eyes darken, pupils dilating. “Don’t forget, Logan’s the bad guy.”
“Logan’s the bad guy,” I repeat.
“That’s right. He’s dangerous and evil and you need to stay away from him.”
I nod.
Kane breaks my gaze and steps back. “Good. Maybe it won’t hurt to practice some more. Work on the fire, just in case.”
“Just in case,” I echo. He’s right, I want to be prepared.
We work for several hours in and outside of the hotel, making fire, testing the other elements. James knows a surprising amount. But it’s head knowledge and all I’m used to is hands-on knowledge. I can make a fireball between my hands. I can throw it like I’m pitching a baseball. It’s helpful, but it’s not enough because what we really need is a spell.
That night, after a shower, I settle in the same room I woke in this morning. It must be Kane’s room because his stuff is all over the place. But he gives me space and leaves when I fall, exhausted, onto the bed.
And before I know it, I’m dreaming.
His eyes are dark, fathomless, and full of pain. He’s speaking to me, but I can’t hear his voice. He’s trying to tell me something, pleading with me to understand, and all I can do is stand there in a soundless void, aching inside for something I don’t comprehend.
I jerk awake, my breath coming in sharp gasps. Kane must hear me, even from outside the room, because the door cracks and he steps inside. He shuts the door behind him.
“What’s wrong?”
I shove my heavy hair off my forehead, breath still hitching. Pain in my chest. My heart. “Bad dream.”
The bed shifts when he sits. His eyes glint in the dark. “About what?”
“I don’t know. I think…” I shake my head. “I can’t remember.”
But I can. I do. There was someone in the dream, someone who looked a lot like Kane. But it wasn’t. It was Logan.
And all I wanted to do was listen to him. I longed to be closer, to hear his words. And that just…that doesn’t make sense. He’s the bad guy.
No, it’s a mistake. It must have been Kane in my dre
am. It had to have been.
“You want me to help you sleep?” Kane asks. “We’ve got a lot to do tomorrow.”
I settle back under the covers. “Sure.”
He leans over, eyes connecting with mine. “It’s been a long day for you. You’re tired. It’s time to go to sleep.”
I nod.
“Close your eyes, that’s all you have to do.”
My eyes droop, and the world starts to fade away. All but the pain in my heart.
The next day, I remember my Book of Shadows.
I dress in more of the same dark clothing, tossing my hair into a high ponytail before exiting the room and finding the rest of the group at the table near the bar.
“Morning,” I say.
“You look confused,” Kane answers.
“I am.”
“Sit.” He passes orange juice my way, and James sets a platter of food in front of me. “What’s confusing?”
“I have a Book of Shadows.”
“All witches do,” James says.
“Yes, but mine is…in a house. I remember a house, but I don’t know where it is. Or whose it is. I don’t have a house here, do I?”
Kane laughs, but there’s an edge to it. “No, you don’t have a house here.”
“Why can’t I remember?”
“He tried to influence you,” Kane says quietly.
I frown at my orange juice. “What?”
“Logan. He tried to influence you. I can only assume that’s why it’s hard for you to remember so much.”
My mouth drops open. “That’s why everything is so hazy?”
Kane nods.
“Will it come back? My memories‒or whatever he tried to take away?”
“I would imagine. Eventually. I’m not sure.”
“You’re right,” I say quietly. “He is evil.”
James nudges my arm and there’s a flicker of energy that passes between us. I glance over quickly and he grins. “You should eat.”
I try, but my hands are shaking with anger. “He had no right to influence me that way.”
No one says anything. I look up, but they’re all engrossed in their meals. Everyone except Kane. He meets my gaze. “There’s nothing you can do now.”
“Still‒”
“Don’t worry about it, Willow,” he says, pupils dilating. “Our focus is the spell, right?”
“Right,” I agree.
“So finding your Book of Shadows is a good idea.”
“I think finding my Book of Shadows is a good idea.”
He nods, breaking the stare. “Me, too. Now, let’s eat. I think I know the house you’re talking about.”
It’s a nice house. One level, with a cute porch and a lawn that’s been taken care of.
“Whose house is this?”
Kane parks the car at the curb. “You were living here. You rented it from the shifter.”
My glance is swift. “I did?”
“That was before you knew who he was and what he was capable of. Hopefully, he’s left your stuff inside and you can grab a few things.”
My hand clenches around the door handle. “Okay, good.”
“Don’t be nervous. I’m right here with you. James and Wes are patrolling the area in case they see anything. The others are at the hospital with your mom to make sure she’s safe.”
I swallow. “Thank you.”
“No problem. You’re innocent in all this, Willow. It’s not fair that you’re caught up in it like you are‒anything I can do to help.”
I try a smile, but I’m nervous. I don’t know what all these people have done, but I know how dangerous they are. It worries me that I don’t have all the details‒that I don’t know what I’m up against.
We walk to the porch and I automatically reach in my pocket before turning. “I don’t have keys or anything.”
“We’ll break in if we have to.” I open my mouth to protest, but he continues. “Try the door first, though.”
I reach for the handle and it turns easily in my grasp. I sigh. “Okay, that was easy enough.”
“So far, so good,” he says, but his eyes are sharp. He keeps looking behind us.
When I step inside, it’s dark and the curtains are drawn. I open my mouth to say something to Kane when a hand grabs my arm. It hauls me inside and someone slams the door.
My breath comes out in a rush when I see an unfamiliar face. He presses me against the wall by the door and slaps a hand over my mouth when I’m about to scream.
“Willow!” Kane bangs on the door. “Open up! Invite me in.”
“You will not invite him in,” the man says. His eyes are gray and focused. Sharp and locked directly on mine. But I don’t think he’s a vampire.
I start to feel the fire race through my veins.
“Don’t,” the man says. “Don’t do it. Don’t invite him in and don’t you dare try to set me on fire. I’m on your side.”
I squirm, but he whips me around and pulls me against him so my arms are trapped beneath his.
“Willow!” Kane’s voice is full of anger, so strong I can feel it pulsing through the door in waves of hatred. “Willow!”
I try to break free, but the man holds me tighter.
“Don’t struggle‒stop for a minute. We don’t have much time.”
But when another figure enters the room, my pulse races even faster. She looks like Logan and Kane. Same dark, thick hair. Same eyes.
Myra. It has to be.
I twist in the man’s grasp, breaking free long enough to let flames bloom between my hands. “Let me go right now.”
The man backs up. “Don’t do anything. It’s me, Ryan. You don’t want to hurt me.”
“Wanna bet?”
I prepare to throw the fire when Myra tackles me.
Chapter 16
We topple to the ground. Ryan and Myra are both on me in an instant, pinning my arms to the side.
“Stop. Stop it,” Ryan says, breathless. “Listen for a minute.”
“I don’t hear anything from outside,” Myra says, flashing him a worried look.
“Check.”
She stands, releasing me. Ryan grips both of my arms. “You need to listen to me, Willow. I swear I won’t hurt you.”
“Get off of me!”
I struggle, but he’s too strong. The flames are burning bright now, but I’m afraid if I let go I’ll catch everything on fire.
“Kane is using you. He compelled you to forget us‒to forget almost everything, from the looks of it. He wants you to break the curse, and if you do, it’s going to mean chaos.”
“I don’t see him,” Myra murmurs from the window. “Do you think he’s getting someone else? He’s the only one who can’t get in.”
Ryan ignores her. His grip loosens just slightly. I stop struggling. “Think about it. If we were trying to hurt you or kill you, we would have done it already.”
“You’re trying to trick me.”
“We’re not the ones who influenced you. Myra could probably do that right now, and she’s not. Because we’re on your side.”
“He’s got someone.” Myra steps back and grabs Ryan’s shoulder. “He’s brought others. We need to go.”
Ryan releases me. He shoves a bag into my hand. “Vervain. Put it in a drink. It’ll stop him from being able to influence you. Trust me. We’re on your side.”
They dash through the house, heading for the back door. I scramble to my feet and yank open the front door, ready to get away‒not caring where they’re going. The sunlight is bright in my eyes as I race across the porch and down the steps. At the last moment, I shove the bag of vervain in my pocket.
I stumble up to Kane and Wes. Kane catches me by the shoulders. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
He stares at me, eyes starting to go dark. No! I can’t let him compel me. Not right now. Something’s eating at me, telling me that I should at least try the vervain.
To distract him, I throw my arms around Kane, cli
nging to him tight enough he doesn’t pull back. “Where did you go?”
“I’m here now,” he says, smoothing a hand down my back.
I don’t let go. “Who were they?”
“There were two of them?” He eases me back, keeping me at arms length. “Tell me.”
I blurt it all out, being as honest as possible, hoping he’ll believe it all and not probe further. “A man and a woman. They wouldn’t let me get my Book of Shadows.”
“What else? What did they say?”
“Only that I couldn’t invite you in, and that I shouldn’t break the curse.”
“Shit.” He frowns, pulling back to rub a hand along his jaw. “Of course they told you that. Of course. They’re trying to keep you from the Book of Shadows so you can’t do the spell.”
“Why?” I ask.
“It changes the balance,” Wes says. “It gives us more power, and they don’t want us to have it.”
The vervain feels like it’s burning a hole through my pocket. I must be crazy to even consider the idea that Ryan and Myra were telling the truth. But then…why didn’t they hurt me? All they did was give me vervain so I couldn’t be compelled by someone else.
Kane wouldn’t do that, though, would he? He’s trying to help me. He’s on my side.
“I want to go now,” I say.
Kane paces one way and then back. He finally nods and glances at Wes. Wes walks away, probably to get James.
When they return, Kane asks, “Did you find them?”
“They ran through the back, faster than I could catch them.”
“They were waiting for her,” Kane bites out.
“Please,” I say. “Can we go?”
Kane snaps a glare in my direction. I wince before smoothing out my expression.
“Of course,” Kane says, his mood changing instantly. “We should get you out of here.”
He doesn’t try to influence me again, and I’m grateful. My mind is whirling, sorting through all the gaps in my memory, wondering what I missed. Wondering why the other team would keep coming at me like this but not try to hurt me.
Maybe they need me. They need me to stop the spell, that’s what it is. And they’re trying to get me on their side before they use me.