Clearwater Witches Boxset

by Madeline Freeman

  It’s clear he wants to end the conversation here. I want to press on, but where would it get me? In a way, I can see where he’s coming from. If I focus my energy on what I can control—performing the vessel spell, taking on Seth—I’ll be able to bring my aunt home in a matter of days. I should trust her enough to believe she can keep herself safe until then.

  ***

  It’s nearly impossible to concentrate in school. West tries to get me to open up during first hour, but I keep telling him I don’t want to talk about it.

  It’s partly true. I don’t want to discuss my fears that Jodi might not make it back to Clearwater. I also don’t want to speculate what will happen after we’re able to perform the vessel spell. As much as I want to stop Seth, I can’t help remembering the last time he and I faced off. It took everything inside me—more even—to keep him from hurting the people I care about. What if even the combined energy of the psychics and witches isn’t enough to overcome him this time? If Dad’s suspicion is accurate, Seth could be drawing energy from an unknown number of his followers. How can we possibly stand a chance?

  At the end of first hour, I bid West goodbye and head into the hallway. I take a long while at my locker, staring blankly at the shelf. Owen is in my next class. He already knows there’s something on my mind today—he and Fox both—but has had the decency so far not to press too much to find out what. Since our talk the night of the funeral, Owen’s been making an effort to keep boundaries between our minds, for which I’m grateful. But sometimes proximity breaks down those defenses, and I’m afraid that being so close to him in science class will allow him access to my thoughts. Knowing Owen, he’ll want to comfort me about Jodi, reassure me that things will be fine. But he can’t possibly know that. I don’t want to be placated, I want my aunt to be home and safe.

  The warning bell sounds and I slam my locker closed. I can’t go to class. I can’t pretend to pay attention, can’t block out Owen’s consciousness all hour. I start down the hall and up stairs to the third floor. There are fewer classes up here and the bathroom is therefore visited less frequently. I reach out with my abilities at the door and am pleased to find the room beyond is empty. As I enter, I wish, not for the first time, that I had the years of magical experience my alternate-self had. Maybe then I’d know how to cast a spell to keep people away. But maybe a simpler spell will work. If I can lock the door, it’ll keep other people out. It’s not as if teachers routinely check the bathrooms, and the custodians don’t typically come in until school is over. I close my eyes, ready to attempt the spell, when the door opens.

  Dana Crawford stops short, eyes wide with surprise. I saw her last hour, of course—she came in late, as usual. Not that I typically go out of my way to interact with her, but since the whole elder council thing, I don’t think we’ve even made eye contact. “What are you doing here?” Before I have a chance to answer, she adds, “Don’t say using the bathroom, because I can tell that’s not it.” She taps her head meaningfully as she closes the door behind her. “Something’s up with you today.”

  The tardy bell rings and I hesitate. I can’t stay here now that Dana’s shown up, can I? Especially not if she’s planning to do exactly what I am. I could leave and find another place to hide, but now that class has started, there’s a bigger risk that a hall monitor or a teacher on prep might see me.

  Before I can commit to a decision, I pick up on a sensation from Dana. She doesn’t want me to leave. The fact surprises me. The last time I tried to be nice to her—right after her father died—it ended terribly when Crystal, Lexie, and Bridget lit the lunch table we sat at on fire. She’s barely looked at me since. Still, it’s obvious she wants me here now—as clear as if she were to say it aloud.

  I press my palm against the door beside the lock and focus on manipulating the tumblers. After a few seconds, there’s a soft metallic click. I offer a smile. “Now no one’ll bother us.”

  The corner of her mouth quirks upward. “Neat trick. Is that a spell or a psychic thing?” Her eyes dip, but only briefly. I wonder if the other council members have told her to keep her distance from us, or whether she’s been doing it out of a sense of self-preservation. “You’re both, right? Like him. Seth. And you’re from the same family lines, too, right? His parents were a Whitaker and a Barnette, like yours.”

  “Um, yeah.” I bite my lower lip, uncomfortable. It’s strange having someone just come out and ask me about Seth, especially when that someone is Dana. In my mind, she exists in a world separate from all things magical. Of course, that’s no longer the case. “Just how much do you know about… everything?”

  She sighs, shaking her head. “Too much and not enough all at the same time.” She walks further into the room and leans against one of the white sinks. “And it’s not like I can talk to anyone about it, you know? I mean, there’s the other members of the council, but they’re all so much older and… They’re not really the chatting type. Your ex-boyfriend’s grandma’s probably the nicest—and the one who could help most. Did you know she’s psychic? And not just because of the spell—she’s been psychic her whole life. Even had a little business for years, I guess.”

  A dim memory floats to the surface of my mind. Jodi once mentioned the mother of one of her circle members was psychic. Of course that had been Fox’s mom and grandma. I suppose when people from different bloodlines with different abilities have children, one kind of ability tends to win out over the other. It must be that way even among siblings, since Anya is a psychic and her sister Sasha is most definitely a witch.

  Dana crosses her arms over her chest. “But she refuses to help me. All these emotions and sometimes even thoughts are swirling around my head all the time. I can’t block them out. It’s impossible to concentrate. But when I asked her to help me deal, she said there’s no point since I won’t have these abilities long anyway. I am counting down the seconds until Thursday.”

  I tense. Thursday. The full moon. The day the elder council plans to break the binding spell on the circle, trap Seth again, and disperse all abilities back into nature. “So, you think it’s a good idea, then? Getting rid of everyone’s abilities?”

  “All they do is cause me grief. I’m honestly looking forward to them going away.” She rubs the back of her neck, the corners of her mouth downturning. “And it’ll be good to know the person responsible for killing my dad is gone. Not that I’ll know it for long. But maybe it’s better that way. Since I found out it wasn’t an accident, that Seth killed him and made it look like an accident, I can’t get it out of my head that maybe there was something I could’ve done to stop it, you know?”

  The familiar rush of guilt courses through my veins. Another unintended consequence of my actions. Is there something I could’ve done to stop it? Perhaps if I’d recognized Seth for who, for what, he was sooner, I could’ve stopped him before he took Dana’s father from her.

  Dana’s eyebrows pull together. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” I say too quickly.

  She snorts. “Even without this whole psychic thing, I’d know that was a lie.”

  I grope for a plausible excuse. I have to give her something. After a beat, my mind hits on something—close enough to the truth to pass for it. “I just wish I’d stopped him when I had the chance. The night I found out who he really was, I could’ve stopped him—I was so close. But it just wasn’t enough. But if I’d been able to, this never would’ve happened to you.” I study her, gauging whether she’s believing me. There’s only the barest hint of doubt on her face. I press on, changing the subject. “You said Fox’s grandma won’t help you get a handle on your abilities. How about I give it a try?”

  Her eyebrows draw together and her eyes narrow. “Why?”

  This question is easy to answer. “Because I’ve been there. I didn’t understand what was happening to me at first, and I didn’t have anyone I could turn to. But you do. And even if you’ll only be psychic for the next few days, they’ll be easier to
go through if you can tune out some of the chatter. Besides—what else are we supposed to do all period?”

  A smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. “Okay. I’d appreciate it.”

  I don’t regret making the offer, but I’m not sure where or how to start with training like this. During the training sessions I had with West, Felix, and Bria, we were working more on stretching our abilities—and each of us had at least a basic understanding of how they worked. Dana is brand new to this. I think back to the ways I used to control my powers before I understood what they were. “Pain can work,” I offer. “Back when I was first learning, sometimes I’d dig my nails into my palms. The sensation would help me stay in my own head.”

  She wrinkles her nose. “Anything less masochistic?”

  I can’t help smiling. “Clearing your mind can help, but it’s hard to do—especially when there’s so much noise. Sometimes I visualize a wall or a shield around me. That’s actually been really helpful since the binding spell. If I don’t keep that up, I’ll have Owen’s and Fox’s thoughts and feelings bouncing around inside me. More, if the circle’s nearby.”

  Her lip curls. “I kind of get the same thing with the council. Not so much all their thoughts, but…” She shakes her head. “It’s weird. It’s like we all know the same things. Not, like, everything, but all the stuff having to do with Seth and the real history of the town. We don’t have to talk about it. We just know.”

  “It’s gotta be an effect of the spell. It makes sense—you don’t have to waste time catching people up to speed.”

  “I guess,” she agrees. “So, can you help me practice the wall thing?”

  I bite my lower lip. “I’m not sure how…”

  “Just tell me how you do it, and I’ll try. I can pick up on some of your emotions and things, so long as you’re not trying to block them off.” She offers a half smile. “I’d be able to pick out the psychics even if I didn’t already know who you were. You’re the only ones in the school who have any control over what I sense and can’t sense.”

  I take a few minutes to explain how I build the mental wall to keep out the sensations I’d otherwise pick up. At first, I’m not sure if I’m making much sense. I’ve never tried to explain it to anyone before. But as I keep going, Dana nods like she’s understanding. When she says she’s ready to try, I drop the veil I keep in place almost unconsciously. She nods to let me know it’s worked before closing her eyes to build her mental image.

  If Dad’s plan works and he’s able to take down Seth without the elder council, does that mean Dana’s abilities will remain? Or will they disappear because Seth isn’t a threat anymore? If she had the choice, would she want to keep them? Or is she counting down the days until her mind is once again her own, unburdened by the desire to take Seth out of play and the thoughts and feelings of others?

  Something in the air shifts as Dana’s consciousness brushes against mine. Confusion and tension fill the space between us, but I’m not sure why. Her eyes flutter open and her gaze darts around the room.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  She shakes her head. “It’s nothing.”

  She’s lying, that much is evident from the look on her face. I press forward with my abilities to get a sense of what’s bothering her, but she holds a shield up, blocking my attempt. Although I’m sure I could break through her defenses if I tried, I don’t. “Dana, whatever it is, you can tell me.”

  Her lips twitch. Something happened and it’s clear she’s not sure whether or not to tell me what.

  Before she has the chance, the bell to end the period sounds. She darts past me to the door, pulling on the handle. When it doesn’t budge, she stiffens, turning back to me. “Could you unlock it, please? I, um… I really can’t miss third hour again.”

  I hesitate. Should I let her go without finding out what’s wrong? I don’t want to, but if the look on her face is any indication, she’s not interested in sharing. I shouldn’t press her. If she gets to the point that she wants to share, I want her to be able to trust me. “Okay.”

  A second later, the lock clicks and Dana has the door open. As she disappears into the empty hallway, my stomach twists. I recognize her look. It’s the same kind of fear that would fill me in the early days after my abilities started to manifest, when I didn’t understand what was happening. It’s a lot to handle. I can only hope it’s not too much for her.

  Chapter Eighteen

  I go to the rest of the day’s classes, but my mind is in a haze the whole time. Owen asks where I was during science but doesn’t press when I just shake my head.

  After school, Dad takes me to the shop. I beg off helping out, claiming I have too much homework. In fact, I have been assigned homework, and I am falling behind in my classes, but I have no ambition to actually do any of it. Instead, I prop open a few books and poise a notebook on my lap, prepared to appear busy at a moment’s notice should Dad walk into the stock room.

  I spend an hour staring blankly at my Spanish book before deciding it’s time for a break. I know he doesn’t like me being alone for any reason, but I figure I might be able to convince Dad to let me walk to the coffee shop by myself, especially if I offer to pick up something for him, too. I plan the arguments in my head—I’ll be on Main Street in the middle of the afternoon, I’ve got the protective charm to keep me safe. Dad’s at the front of the store dusting the crystals on the shelf as I approach, but before I can speak, the bells above the door tinkle as a customer enters.

  At first, I pay no attention to the older woman as she heads straight for my dad. We get people in all the time who would rather have an employee direct them to what they want than search for it themselves. But as she approaches, I catch a glimpse of her face and I know exactly who she is.

  Without so much as a greeting, she starts in on my dad. “I knew you had to have a reason for casting the charm to keep the council spell from affecting you, but this is beyond anything I could’ve imagined.”

  His eyes go wide as he looks at her. “Ruby. I have no idea—”

  Fox’s grandma holds up a hand to silence him. “Our purpose is to keep Clearwater safe, and that’s what we’ll do. If you wanted to help, you could’ve just allowed the spell to activate you, to provide you with the power and knowledge you’d need to rid the world of Seth again. It’s been done before, by people much smarter and stronger than you. What makes you think you can do a better job than our ancestors did? What makes you think this plan of yours will even work?”

  I gape. How does she know about the plan?

  Dad’s face hardens and he crosses his arms over his chest. “If our ancestors did such a great job, then why did they think it’d be necessary to lay in the council spell as a back up plan? If their way was so perfect, then why is Seth back?”

  Ruby turns her cool gray eyes on me for the first time since entering the shop. Her lips purse and her eyes narrow before she turns her attention back to Dad. “This isn’t your business, Ben. You need to let us do our work without your interference. Have you taken a moment to consider what could happen if you fail? If you take on the combined power of your daughter’s circle, Seth could very well take it from you. If he does that, he’ll be too powerful for the council to overcome.”

  Dad shakes his head, his mouth hanging open. “How do you know…”

  I take in a sharp breath. Dana. She must have picked up some information from me earlier today. And if an effect of the council spell is that they all know the same things about Seth, it’s possible whatever glimpse of our plan she caught was passed on to the others.

  Dad turns to me, disappointment heavy in his eyes. “Krissa?”

  “I can explain,” I say quickly, although I’m not entirely sure it’s true. “Dana and I were talking today, and I was trying to help her and she must have…”

  “Frankly, I’m surprised you’ve been able to keep it to yourselves for this long,” Ruby says, her attention back on Dad. “You really think it wise to trust the futur
e of this town—of the world—to a bunch of teenagers? Goodness knows they make more than their fair share of mistakes.”

  I shiver. Even though her eyes don’t leave my dad, I can’t help feeling the words are directed at me. Her tone is icy and Fox’s face flashes in my mind, an image pushed from Ruby’s consciousness. Is this about the two of us breaking up? Is she upset because her grandson is hurt? Or is there something more?

  Dad straightens, drawing back his shoulders. “Ruby, I think we can both agree that bringing down Seth and protecting the town are the most important things right now, but you need to appreciate the fact that the council spell is affecting the way you see the situation.”

  “On the contrary—it’s the spell that allows me to see things more clearly than you can. Take my advice, Ben: Leave this matter to the council. We’re this town’s best hope.” She pivots on her heel and starts toward the front door. Dad spares a glance in my direction as he brushes past me on his way toward the back room. His high emotions make his intent easy to read: He’s going to call Anya, warn her to increase protection efforts surrounding the herb.

  The bells tinkle again as Ruby pushes open the front door, but she doesn’t step out onto the sidewalk. Her eyes clasp on me, narrowing. “I know. Everything. After all the pain you’ve caused, I find it hard to believe you disagree with our plan to rid this town of abilities. We wouldn’t be in this mess without your powers. I’d think the idea of forgetting all of this would be comforting to you.”

  My stomach drops and my blood runs cold. How much did Dana see? I want to ask, but no matter the answer, it won’t ease my discomfort. The elder council knows I’m responsible for Seth’s return. The blame, the judgment, is clear in Ruby’s eyes.

  “I think the best course of action is for you to stop taking matters into your own hands. Haven’t your actions proven decisions are best left to others?” Without waiting for a response, Ruby exits the store, the door closing behind her with a gentle thud.