Clearwater Witches Boxset

by Madeline Freeman

  Crystal sucks in a breath, pressing a hand to her mouth. “I think I know what’s going on. The chanting you and Owen heard in your heads—is there any chance it was a binding spell?”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  A binding spell. In a way, it makes perfect sense. Crystal told me about binding spells before the circle anchored to the crystal. She said they’re a way to pool abilities so a person can draw on them. Seth said basically the same thing earlier tonight. The swell of power I felt after the chanting ended? I was drawing on the collective energy of all the witches and all the psychics, as most of them were in no position to be using it themselves. But how could it have happened? And what are we going to do about it?

  After a few minutes’ debate, the consensus is to deal with the implications of having bound the circle and the psychics tomorrow, after we’ve all been able to rest. As most of the witches are having trouble standing on their own, it’s the only logical suggestion—even if we figure out how to fix things, it’s unlikely we’ll be able to do anything tonight.

  The psychics, being in better shape than the witches, volunteer to take people home. Owen offers to drive me but I refuse in favor of getting a ride with Bria. I don’t need to be a psychic to interpret the look on Fox’s face when Owen suggested I ride with him. Although I have a heightened awareness of the thoughts and emotions of all the witches and psychics, I’m most in tune with Fox and Owen, and I’m not sure why. Is it because of my feelings for both of them? Or is there another reason?

  Bria is quiet when she drives to my house, murmuring a goodbye when I get out of the car. I’m so distracted by the night’s events that I’m almost to the porch before I notice the car parked in front of the house: It’s the black Charger with tinted windows I’ve seen around town. I shiver and my heartbeat picks up. There’s a black Honda parked across the street, behind red Mazda. I sigh. Maybe a neighbor is entertaining and the car in front of our house belongs to some party guest. Jodi’s car is in the driveway, but my mom’s isn’t. Where could my mom be at this time of night? Guilt stabs at me: What if she’s out looking for me?

  I’ve come to a stop at the base of the stairs. I shake my head before starting up onto the porch. There’s only one way to know what’s going on, and that’s go get into the house. I cross to the front door and pause when my hand touches the knob. I can hear muffled voices inside. What could be going on?

  I open the door and cross the threshold. The voices silence immediately. I peer into the living room just as Jodi stands, relief washing over her features. She crosses to me, taking me into her arms. As she hugs me, I glance over her shoulder. Sitting on either end of the couch are Shelly Tanner and David Cole, her alternate-reality husband. I tense. In my timeline, the last time David Cole was here, it was on magic-related business. In her youth, Shelly was also part of Jodi’s circle. I push Jodi from me gently, studying her face. “The chanting—the spell. Was it you?”

  Jodi’s expression clouds. “Before we get into that—there’s something we need to talk about.”

  I cross my arms over my chest. The last thing I need right now is a lecture. If she wants to have a discussion about what happened tonight, she’ll have to wait until tomorrow. “Look, I’m really tired. Can this wait until morning?” Without waiting for a response, I turn toward the stairs. I don’t make it two steps before she hooks my elbow, spinning me back around.

  “No, it can’t wait. There’s something you need to know—”

  I yank my arm away. “What? That you bound the witches and the psychics together? Because I already know that. You wouldn’t happen to know how to undo it, would you? Because no one’s really super happy about it.”

  Jodi opens her mouth, but it’s not her voice that fills my ears. “It was the only way to save your friends.” The voice is masculine, but doesn’t belong to David Cole—I know that immediately. Besides the fact it doesn’t sound the way I remember his voice sounding, it’s coming from the dining room on my right, not the living room on my left. I turn toward the person who spoke and immediately reach for Jodi to keep from falling over. The man standing in the archway between the hall and dining room is tall, with broad shoulders and sandy brown hair. There is more gray in his hair now, and there are more wrinkles around his eyes than I remember, but he hasn’t changed enough that I don’t recognize him.

  “Dad?”

  My father nods, his face tightening. In two steps, he’s crossed to me and pulled me roughly into his arms. He even smells the same as I remember—Old Spice with a subtle note of sweetness under the surface. My eyes prickle and I can’t swallow. After a beat, my arms wrap around his back and he releases a shaky breath.

  How long we stand like that, I’m not sure, and before he finally releases me, he kisses the top of my head just like he used to when I was younger. His eyes glisten and his mouth twitches as he studies my face. “Honey, I’ve missed you so much. Not a day went by that I didn’t think about you.” He pauses, swallowing. “And as much as I’ve been looking forward to the day I’d be able to see you again, I’m afraid my being here isn’t good news.”

  I glance at Jodi, wondering if she has any idea what he’s talking about. “You’re here. How could that be a bad thing?”

  The corners of his mouth droop as he smooths the hair on the sides of my head. “I need you to understand I didn’t leave you and your mother because I wanted to—I left because I had to. And I’m back now because the thing I’ve been preparing for—the thing I’ve been fearing—is beginning. This thing with Seth isn’t over.”

  My muscles tense and my skin prickles. “Wait—what do you know about Seth?”

  “More than you, I’d wager. And I know that him coming back is just the beginning.” He squeezes my shoulders, pursing his lips. “Others will follow. And we need to be prepared.”

  Circle Magic

  Chapter One

  I can’t take in any of this.

  I’m on the couch, but I can’t remember how I got here. It’s good that I’m sitting, though, because even with my head in my hands, the world around me seems to tilt and spin.

  I must be hallucinating. After everything that happened tonight, it’s the only logical explanation. Then again, it’s not like logic has played a large part in my life for a while now. I could’ve died tonight, along with all my friends. But I stopped Seth from reclaiming the energy locked inside the crystal, and we’re safe now.

  At least I thought we were.

  Someone settles on the couch beside me and a warm hand rubs my back. “I can’t imagine all you’ve been through tonight.” Jodi’s voice is quiet but firm. “But there’s more you should know, if you’re ready to hear it.”

  I’m not ready, not at all, but I know it’s not the answer she’s waiting for. I take in a breath as I sit up straight and unclose my eyes. The living room is empty but for the two of us—but that makes sense. I heard her friends, the members of her old circle, leaving through the front door. But did everyone leave? Was I just imagining…

  I turn toward the main hallway and sigh when my eyes land on him. I wasn’t imagining things. He’s really back. My father leans against the wall, his face tight as he studies me. He looks older than I remember, with deeper lines around his eyes and a feathering of gray around his temples, but it’s silly to think he’d look the same. Five years is bound to change anyone. I wonder how different I look to him.

  Beyond my father, there’s movement in the dining room. A woman I’ve never seen before casts an appraising glance in my direction. She’s short, only coming to Dad’s shoulder, with dark brown hair and full bangs covering her forehead. Her hazel eyes are hooded, adding another layer of mystery to her already puzzling presence. She pulls a chair from the table and brings it to Dad’s side, brushing his arm lightly with her fingertips. He murmurs a thank you before bringing the chair with him into the living room and positioning it in front of me, but instead of focusing on him, my eyes remain on the woman. Something about her casual touch
and my dad’s reaction to it bothers me. Who is she? Why is she here?

  Dad settles into his chair, his knees knocking gently into mine. A ghost of a smile flickers across his lips as I turn my attention to him. “I’ve imagined this moment so many times. I always thought I’d know what to say, but now that I’m here… I’m at a loss.”

  I’m compelled to comfort him, but no words come. I’m at a loss, too. The last thing I expected tonight is sitting right in front of me. There have been so many times since he left that I would’ve given anything to have him this close, but at this moment, it’s just too much. I spent the evening fighting for my life, for the lives of my friends. I called on everything within me—more even—and in the end, it still wasn’t enough. Seth disappeared before I could stop him. He could show up here at any moment to finish me off if he wanted, all because I didn’t realize who he was, what he was capable of, until it was too late.

  “You knew about him.” I’m surprised when the words bubble out of my lips, but Dad doesn’t even blink. “Seth. You said so when I came in. You said you know more about him than I do.”

  He nods solemnly. “He’s the reason I left. I knew he’d come back, and I knew that when he did I’d need to be able to protect you.”

  Jodi still rubs circles on my back, but suddenly the contact chafes. I shrug off her hand, hot white anger flaring. “But you didn’t. Do you have any idea what I went through tonight? Of course you don’t because you weren’t there.”

  His complexion pales and his lips quiver. “I know. We didn’t realize Seth was back until it was nearly too late. We always expected the resurgence of his abilities would let us know he returned, but it seems he didn’t have all his power. But as soon as we realized, we came as fast as we could—”

  “Who’s we?” I can’t keep a note of irritation from my voice as my eyes flicker toward the stranger lurking just inside the room. “Who’s that woman, Dad?”

  He stretches his arm toward her and she walks to his side. “This is Anya. She’s a psychic—precognitive. She can see the future. And she’s known for years now that Seth would be returning. She’s the one who’s been helping me prepare.”

  I study her again. She’s not from Clearwater, that much is obvious both from her bearing and her familiarity with Dad. It shouldn’t surprise me that there are psychics elsewhere in the world, but if she’s not from here, why would she have special insight into Seth? And how exactly is my dad supposed to help? He doesn’t have any abilities—not to my knowledge. “Prepare for what?” I glance at Jodi, but her expression gives nothing away.

  Without her own chair to sit in, Anya crouches until she’s at eye level with me. “There is a group known as the Devoted. They formed just after Seth was trapped in the crystal generations ago. Members of Seth’s original circle went into hiding. They expected Seth would find a way out of the crystal within their lifetime, and when he didn’t, they passed his story to their children. To this day, there remains a loyal group awaiting his return.”

  My eyebrows pull together as I attempt to process what she’s telling me. “So, what? There’s a cult out there waiting on Seth like he’s some kind of savior?”

  She nods. “Over the years, their numbers have dwindled. Some gave up hope he’d return, others were cast out for not manifesting abilities. Some left for other reasons.” Her full lips press into a tight line for an instant before she continues. “But now that Seth is back, that he’s gotten some of his power returned to him, they’ll find him. And they’ll stop at nothing to help him do what he wanted to do before he was trapped—to cleanse Clearwater of all people without abilities. Take over the town.”

  “And you’re going to stop them?” I look from Anya to my dad and back again. It took the combined power of ten psychics and witches to stop Seth just hours ago. How are these two supposed to stop him and an army of devoted followers?

  “It’s a lot to take in all at once, I know,” Dad says. “And I don’t want to overwhelm you tonight—any more than you already are. But know that we have a plan, one we’re sure will work. For now, just trust me.”

  My lips twitch as I bite back the words I want to say. Trust him? There was a time I would have done so no questions asked. But now? He returns after being who-knows-where for five years with this strange woman. He claims he left to protect me, but how does that make any sense? I was in danger tonight and where was he? Not in that clearing by the river, that’s for sure. And as much as part of me wants to press him for more information, to learn what his plan is, exhaustion begins to win out. My questions will have to wait. “I’m going to bed,” I mutter, heaving myself up from the couch.

  “I’ll help you to your room,” Jodi says.

  It’s no use insisting I don’t need her. In addition to the fact the claim would be an outright lie, I doubt Jodi will leave my side until I’m safely tucked in bed. She eases my arm around her shoulders and helps me shuffle into the hallway and onto the stairs.

  We’re halfway up the flight when the front door creaks open. “I checked in town,” my mom’s voice calls. “She’s not at any of her usual hangouts.”

  My stomach twists. How long has she been out looking for me? I was gone for hours—I can’t imagine how worried she’s been.

  Jodi stills. Making sure I don’t lose my balance, she turns. “She’s fine.”

  Mom’s eyes find us and tension drains from her face. “How long has she been home? You said you’d text if she showed up.”

  Jodi’s cheeks tinge pink. “I’m sorry. Things’ve been a little crazy here.”

  Mom’s lips press into a tight line. “Crazy about sums up how I’ve felt the last few hours. What could possibly be going on here that would keep you from sending a simple—”

  Her sentence falls, unfinished, when my father steps into the hallway. For a moment, her mouth hangs open, like she’s forgotten how to talk, but then she’s in motion, crossing to him as she repeats his name again and again. “Ben.”

  “Amy,” Dad whispers as he wraps her in his arms. Tears spring to my eyes and I’m glad Jodi still holds me up. The emotion of this moment is making me weaker by the second. How many times have I imagined this? Although she tried her best to hide it from me, after he left, Mom spent many nights crying in her room. It was hard for her, having to raise me without him. And while I know those experiences aren’t exactly the same as this version of my mother had, they have to have been similar. I always dreamed that when my dad came home, we’d skip straight into “happily ever after” territory, picking up where we left off. But with everything that’s happened, with all my dad’s shared in the brief time we’ve spent together, there’s no way I can believe that will happen. There are too many complications.

  “Where have you been?” Mom asks, stroking his face. “You’re back. I can’t believe it. What happened? What changed?” She wipes at her eyes. “Ben, I’ve missed you so much.”

  Dad smooths her long brown hair. “There’s so much I need to tell you.”

  Mom’s eyes stray to the living room and her body tenses. She sees Anya. I’m glad I’m exhausted, glad I can’t sense the thoughts and emotions that must be pinwheeling through Mom’s mind. I’m not even sure I could sort through my own feelings about any of this right now.

  I nudge Jodi. “Take me to my room, please.”

  She nods, an almost grateful look spasming across her face. “Everything will be okay,” she says as we continue up the stairs. I’m not sure who she’s trying to convince.

  Chapter Two

  Seth’s green eyes glitter with reflected firelight as his lips curl into a smile. “Are you going to kill me, Krissa? After all, you’ve killed once already.”

  The words reverberate around me—you’ve killed, you’ve killed, you’ve killed—a thousand voices echoing them until it’s all that fills my head.

  The bonfire shoots up into the air like a pillar. The flames scorch my skin, forming angry red blisters. I’m melting. I’m burning. And I can’t sto
p it. I’m powerless against the heat.

  It’s no more than I deserve anyway, after Zane.

  My breath catches and I cough as the thick, black smoke slithers into my mouth, suffocating me…

  My eyes fly open and I blink against the early morning light filtering in through my bedroom windows. I cough to clear my lungs, but there’s no need. I’m not choking. There is no fire.

  I’m safe.

  But even as my senses verify it’s true, I can’t believe it. How can I be safe if Seth is still out there? If, as my dad claims, he has a whole group of followers ready to help him take over the town?

  I draw in a few slow, deep breaths, trying to calm my still-hammering heart. No, I’m not safe—I won’t be until I know Seth is gone for good. But for now, I’m as safe as I can be, and that will have to be good enough. Dad said he knew more about Seth than I do—he said he had a plan. Maybe he knows how to defeat him once and for all.

  My stomach tenses. Dad. I always thought I’d be elated when he finally returned home, but the emotions swirling through me now are hard to decipher. I should have a hundred questions for him—and I do—but my curiosity is tempered by the presence of that woman.

  The look on Mom’s face when she saw him last night was exactly what I expected—awe, joy, wonder—but all that evaporated when her eyes landed on Anya.

  My poor mother. As if learning about my abilities wasn’t enough for her to deal with—now Dad is back—but not to be with us. He’s here to help deal with a powerful ancestor bent on taking over Clearwater. It’s a lot for me to handle, and I’m part of this.

  I’m still tired from last night’s events, but the near-constant hum of the consciousnesses of others is starting to buzz at the edges of my mind. Typically, I block out this kind of interference—something I’ve done almost subconsciously since this particular aspect of my psychic abilities began manifesting five years ago—but I’m still wiped out from the battle with Seth last night. The idea of attempting to build my mental wall threatens to sap what little charge the night’s sleep provided. Instead, I allow the energies in.