Torin scoffed at the idea and spread his arms. “Me? Jealousy stems from puny minds with trust issues.” He blew me a kiss when I glowered. “I trust you. Completely. I just don’t like that bonehead, so tonight you’re tutoring him in my house.” He turned to leave.
Puny minds? Just for that. I waved my hand and the towel flew off him. I covered my mouth to stop the laughter from escaping. Without an ounce of shame, he turned and put his hands on his hips, giving me full frontal.
Oh, my. Did I get my fill? He was magnificent.
Once again, images flashed in my head. Images of him. Naked. In his bedroom. Another premonition?
“My face is up here, Freckles,” he said.
That line had me flustered the first day we met. Not this time. If I couldn’t touch, I was going to look and memorize. I had ugly images of jocks to get rid of and a few fantasies to create. “Turn around.”
Torin sighed, turned, and posed like a body builder while looking over his shoulder and wiggling his eyebrows. He looked completely ridiculous, but I adored this goofy side of him.
13. No More Visions
I was still grinning when I finished getting dressed. Torin was visible through the window. As though he knew I was watching, he looked up and straight at me, and raised his glass. I waved.
Feeling better, I see.
I smiled down at Onyx. She hopped on to the window seat. “Yes. Where have you been?”
Downstairs. Femi was cooking steak. Why were you crying earlier? Did someone hurt you? The Norns again?
She and I had discussed the Norns after school. “No. I had a premonition of an accident I can’t stop. Many people are going to die.”
There shouldn’t be an accident you can’t stop.
“Unfortunately, this is one of them.”
Then get help.
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
If a job is too much for you, you need other Witches. I can find some for you.
The little girl at the crash site in my vision flashed into my head. Maybe I could save her family. I’d rather go for saving a few than none. “Can you find anyone for me?”
She sighed. Magical people. All you have to do is think about them and project their images into my head.
Too bad. She hopped onto my desk and watched the screen as I booted up my laptop.
Who are you looking for?
“A non-magical person.” After ten minutes of searching for the airplane in my vision and getting nowhere, I grabbed a piece of paper and pen and sketched the logo, and headed downstairs. Mom was setting up a dinner tray for Dad.
“Where’s Femi?”
“On a date. She’ll be back tomorrow morning. There’s food in the oven.” She scooped more casserole onto a plate. “We’re going to watch Hitchcock, if you want to join us.”
I was not into black and white oldies. “No, thanks. I’m having dinner with Torin. Mom, have you ever seen a plane with a logo like this? It had Middle Eastern script on the side.”
She studied my drawing. “Hmm. You know me with modern technology, hun. I’ve never flown anywhere and don’t particularly care for things I don’t understand. Ask your father.”
Despite the tumor eating his brain, Dad was still the most brilliant man I knew. He studied the picture and gave me a solution in seconds. “Most airlines will have the name of their country on one side in English. Look at the other side of the plane.”
Not the answer I was looking for. It meant revisiting StubHub and accessing the same vision. My stomach hollowed out at the thought. My visions weren’t two-dimensional like images on a screen. I was part of it, which made them real and traumatizing. Dad identified the team faster, thanks to the names on the shirts and the team colors.
“Uruguay,” Dad explained. “They’re in the roster to play Team USA in two weeks. If we lose to them we’ll be out of the World Cup. We have an amazing goalie, but Uruguay has experienced players. Since when do you like soccer? You could barely focus on the game a few days ago.”
“Since Torin started coaching at LA Galaxy Academy.” I couldn’t tell him about the plane crash. Mom, on the other hand, wasn’t easy to evade. She followed me out of the room.
“What’s going on?”
“I had a premonition about a plane crash.”
A thoughtful expression settled on her face. “Are you thinking of stopping the crash? Alone?”
I shook my head. “No. That would be too much.”
“There’s a reason Norns work in threes, my dear. It takes a lot of their power to change things. And don’t forget who is in charge of accidents.”
Evil Norns. I’d been so focused on what I could do; I had completely forgotten evil Norns were behind most disasters.
“If you take on something like this, you’ll be going against them.” She touched my cheek and went back to join Dad.
Sighing in defeat, I texted Beau and headed to Torin’s. He had already set up a picnic for two on the floor in front of the fireplace. He had gone all out. Stir-fried chicken on a bed of rice topped with shrimp scampi and fresh garlic bread sticks. Chocolate dipped strawberries completed the meal. I had soda while he had a glass of wine. Since he was barefoot, I kicked off my flats and joined him on the rug.
As usual, he cooked everything to perfection and there was plenty of it. I couldn’t believe I was ready to kill him this morning, and now we were playing footsie while he fed me strawberries. He even offered me a sip of his drink.
“Argh. How can you stand that? It’s so bitter.”
“I like spice in my life, which explains why I’m crazy about you.” He swept my hair over my shoulder. “You, Freckles, are ice and fire. Sweet one second then my worst nightmare the next.”
I bumped him with my shoulder. “Hey, that’s mean. I’m sweet.”
He smirked. “Sweet is boring, and that,”—he stroked my nose—“is something you’ll never be.” He tilted his head as though listening and yelled, “Get lost, Andris!”
I hadn’t even felt the draft that usually accompanied a portal opening. Andris appeared in the doorway between the living room and the family room. He studied us.
“Hey, you,” I said.
“Don’t mind me. Just checking to see if everything is ok.”
“Everything is fine. Now go away,” Torin said rudely. Good thing Andris wasn’t easily offended. He leaned against the doorway. For once, he wasn’t smirking.
“How are you doing, Raine?”
“Two seconds bro, then your neck. I have a date,” Torin warned.
I put an arm and a leg over Torin in case he decided to make good on his words. He shot me a questioning look. “I’m holding you down.”
“I could run with you on my back.”
I glanced up at Andris. “Everything is perfect.”
“Did Torin explain?”
“No, but he’s apologized in his own way.”
Andris groaned. “You bullied her? Listen, I owe you an apology. Torin would not have gone to that club if I hadn’t suggested it. But he behaved like a gentlemen the entire time. He told the girls he was taken.”
That didn’t explain the kisses. Andris looked so apologetic I decided not to go there. “It’s okay. Really.”
“The kisses were really goodbye kisses. He sat there and took it.”
He should have pushed them away. “It’s alright.”
“Until Sylvie decided to get creative.”
Moving fast, Torin threw his empty wine glass at Andris. Andris caught it and bragged, “Told you I was faster.”
“Who is Sylvie?” I was more than curious. I was jealous.
“The girl who’s probably wishing she’d never tried to seduce him. What did you tell her?”
“Please, let me shut him up,” Torin whispered.
I grinned. “No, I want to hear this.”
Torin groaned and buried his face on the rug.
“She’d have to be five-foot-seven with hair like silk, mouth meant to be kissed, an
d a smile that lights up a room to interest him.”
I lifted Torin’s head from the floor and kissed him.
“And, uh…”
“Say one more word, Andris,” Torin warned.
“Lavania would like to talk you, Raine. I think she’s taking off and won’t be back until next week.”
Nice. No lessons tomorrow morning. I could sleep in. “I’ll stop by after Beau leaves.”
Andris laughed. “He’s still coming? You’re losing your touch… Okay, I’m leaving,” he added when Torin sat up, taking me with him. “I’ll just take a few of those.” He picked up two breadsticks from our plate, put the wine glass on the floor, and smirked as he left.
Torin lay on his back and pulled me down on top of him. I propped my elbows on his chest and studied him. Whatever insecurities I’d had were gone. “So everything is cool between you and Andris?”
“It will be.”
“And with the Idun-valkyrie business?”
“All I have to do is turn everyone on my list and impress the Council. I’m keeping an eye on all of them. Jace will be my first.”
“Isn’t he too young to become an Immortal?”
Torin chuckled and traced my nose with the tip of his finger. “They’re recruiting them younger. He can decide later if he wants to age a little and adjust how often he uses the right bind runes.” He looked at his watch. “Tell me about your vision.”
He didn’t speak when I described what I’d seen. I didn’t realize tears were running down my face until he wiped them. Then he pulled me down for a hug and pressed a kiss on my temple. “I hate what these visions do to you.”
“Sorry.”
“Hey.” He lifted my face. “Don’t be. You care, which is more than I can say for most Norns. Not that you are one of them,” he added quickly. “It’s one of the things that make you special. If you want to stop the crash, go ahead.”
And mess with his promotion? No way. I was going to be a supportive girlfriend. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to go against evil Norns.”
“You did before at the pool, that first time, and stopped them,” he said.
“I rescued a few students, Torin. I didn’t stop the lightning. For me to stop the crash, I’d have to stop them before they mess with the plane. Oh, and it’s three of them against one.”
Torin sat up, dislodging me off his lap. “Giving up without trying doesn’t sound like you. Who told you that you shouldn’t stop the crash?”
Mom and Lavania, but he didn’t need to know that. “No one did. I can make my own decisions, you know.” He squinted, but headlights swept over the window and I looked at my watch. “Beau is here.”
“Beau can wait,” Torin said firmly and gripped my hands. He peered at me. “Why don’t you want to stop the crash? You’ve cried three times since you saw the premonition.”
“Stop interrogating me. I have enough to deal with without taking on evil Norns. My usual trio paid me a visit today at school.”
That got his attention. “What did they want? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“They said I’m supposed to heal the forest. Can you imagine they didn’t?”
He frowned. “It’s been a week. We haven’t heard anything in the news.”
“I know.”
He stood, clearly bothered by this more than the fact that I wasn’t going to stop the crash. He walked to the door and stopped before opening it. “Are you going to do it?”
“Yes. No.” I shook my head. “They’re trying to manipulate me.”
He grinned, his expression saying he agreed with me. The doorbell rang and he growled. “If we ignore him, do you think he’ll go away?”
“No. He’s my first case. Kind of like Jace is yours, so be nice.”
He yanked opened the door. “Hardshaw, right on time.”
“Raine is worth it,” I heard Beau say. “She texted me to meet her here. Where’s she?”
Torin slammed the door in Beau’s face. “Every time he opens his mouth, I want to punch him.”
“You’re better than that. Let him in.” The doorbell rang again. “You’re messing with my case, Torin.”
“He’s an asshole. Mine is a nice young man.” He yanked open the door.
“You live here?” I heard Beau ask.
“What do you think?” Torin stepped back, then he saw what I was doing, picking up our plates. “I’ll take care of that. Take him to the, uh, kitchen. You guys can work on the counter.”
Where he could keep an eye on us. He was so transparent. Beau was busy looking around with interest, but his eyes kept going to our picnic. I saw the hunger in his eyes. With his mother’s broken arm, chances were he’d left home without eating.
“Come in, Beau,” I said and his attention shifted to me. “Have a seat. I’ll be with you as soon as I take these to the kitchen. Torin, you cooked, I clean.” Torin looked ready to argue, but I ignored him and focused on Beau. “Do you cook, Beau?”
He shook his head. “I’d love to learn. Someday.” His eyes lingered on the breadsticks. Poor guy.
“Then you must try Torin’s food. I insist. It’s amazing. I’ll get you a plate.” I hurried out of the living room before either of them could protest. Torin followed me.
“What’s going on?” Torin asked.
“He’s hungry,” I whispered. He rolled his eyes. I smacked his arm. “Be nice. Remember? His stepfather broke his mother’s arm.” He disappeared back into the living room while I warmed a plate for Beau.
~*~
I’d never seen someone wolf down food so fast. I even got him a drink, but he was done before Torin and I finished taking care of the kitchen. Torin might be an amazing cook, but he used way too many utensils.
“Hey,” he said from behind us and we turned. He had his plate and fork, but was still chugging the soda. “Thanks for the food.” He handed me the plate.
I inclined my head to indicate Torin. “He cooked it. I just come here to eat.”
He shot Torin a weird expression. “I still can’t believe it.”
“Believe what, Hardshaw?” Torin asked in such a hard voice I was sure one wrong word from Beau and he’d boot him out of his house.
“That you two are next door neighbors,” Beau said. “So you live here with your parents?”
“No.” Torin didn’t bother to explain. He focused on me instead. “Are you using the kitchen or the dining room?”
“Dining room. Come on, Beau.”
I was sure Torin would hover, or worse, pull out a chair and join us just to be difficult, but he disappeared into the garage. Tinkering with his bike was his favorite pastime.
“So he lives here with his parents?” Beau asked.
“No. They’re in England. In fact his father, the Earl, was here a few days ago to visit.” Wow, nice. I could never lie to save my butt. My eyes met Torin’s. He’d come back inside the house and was shamelessly listening to our conversation. He shook his head.
Beau was facing me and didn’t see him. “So he’s some kind of royalty?”
“Nobility,” I said.
“What’s the difference?”
“Royalties are blood relatives of the king and queen. Nobility has to do with titles. So what do the tattoos on your arm mean?” I asked to distract him. He wasn’t stupid and might want to know more about Torin’s family. The present Earl of Worthington didn’t even know of Torin’s existence or his father’s.
Beau rolled up the sleeve of his sweatshirt and flexed his arm. In the kitchen, Torin leaned against the counter and rolled his eyes.
“What do you think they mean?” Beau asked.
“The butterfly is a symbol of the soul in many cultures. It emerges from a cocoon after being a lowly worm. A soul is believed to change with time too. So the tattoo must mean something happened to make you change for the better. I’m not sure what a snarling dog with red eyes means. Anger?”
He smirked. “Not bad.”
“But the way the butterfly overshadows the dog says there’s a connection between the two. And the last one is a dream catcher. In Native American mythology, they catch the bad dreams and let in the good.”
Silence followed, then I realized I had slipped. The dream catcher was on his shoulders and covered his left chest. Only one of the dangling feathers was visible on his arm and no one would be able to tell what it was from that. I’d seen all his tattoos while I was at his place.
“That was amazing,” he said, his eyes studying me with a speculative gleam.
“Was I right?”
“How did you know about the dream catcher?”
I should have known he wouldn’t let me get away with that. “During baseball,” I said, stammering.
He smirked. “What about it?”
“Well, you guys sometimes run around shirtless. I must have seen it then.”
“So you’ve been checking me out?”
I rolled my eyes. “No.”
The smile he gave me said he didn’t believe me, but I’d rather he thought I’d checked him out than the truth. He pulled down his sleeve, and then he lifted up his bag and removed the books.
For the next hour, we went over the chapters he’d read since yesterday. He was serious about finishing the book by next Friday and ahead of his class. Torin got tired of keeping an eye on us and left. Soon after, sounds came from the garage. The hour crept by. I got us sodas and water. An hour turned into one and half.
“That was amazing. Now I can go clubbing without feeling guilty,” Beau said, packing up his things.
“Where are you going?”
“We haven’t decided yet. Do you want to come with us?” he asked and wiggled his eyebrows. “You can bring Torin.” Or not was implied.
“No, thanks. I have…” I almost said I had lessons. “To help my mom and Femi take care of my dad.”
His expression grew serious. “How is he doing?”
I shrugged. “Pretty well, actually, but it’s terminal and he doesn’t have long.”
Beau shook his head. “I don’t know how you can stay so positive and nice. I’d be fu… a total mess.”
“No, you wouldn’t. You’re a survivor, Beau. Besides, death can sometimes be merciful. My father won’t have any more pain, and his soul can finally rest in a better place.”
Witches (Runes series Book 6) Page 22