Maxie Duncan Box Set

by Webb, Melissa L.

  I sat the paper down on the bed and picked up the pendant. It felt warm against my skin as I held it. I didn’t really know if I wanted something of Ryan’s, especially something that meant so much to him. But I did know one thing. He killed someone to save my life, and that should mean something.

  Slipping the chain over my head, I let the pendant fall against my tee-shirt. It felt right on me, like I was the one it had been waiting for. Also, whether I liked it or not, it made me feel a little closer to Ryan. The vampire who had betrayed his family to save me.

  Van watched me knowingly and then turned for the door. “Oh, if you’re up to it, you have a visitor.”

  Visitor? Had Ryan stopped by? Had this all been a test? Intrigued, I followed Van out to the living room. Jensen waited on the couch. He smiled when he saw me.

  “I’ll leave you two alone,” she said, disappearing down the hall, into her room.

  “Hey,” I greeted Jensen, feeling the weight of Ryan’s pendant against my heart.

  He stood up from the couch. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m good. The bruising has almost gone away,” I told him, holding up my wrists, showing him the fading damage the chains had done to me. “It’s almost like I was never taken at all,” I said, but the reality of that day hung heavily between us.

  Jensen nodded, both of us knowing that wasn’t really what he was asking. He stepped closer, staring down at me. “When Van called and told me you were missing, my heart about stopped. The thought of losing you forever nearly shattered my world,” he said, stepping even closer. His hand gently pushed a strand of hair out of my face, his fingertips lingering against my cheek. “I know this hasn’t been the greatest start of a relationship, but if you’re willing to overlook that, so am I.”

  The look in his eye was easy to read. He wanted me. He had wanted me the whole time. I was the idiot who kept pushing him away and he still wanted to be with me. “Jensen,” I said, barely finding my voice. “I admit the feelings I have for you are more amazing, more frightening, and more real than anything I have ever felt before.”

  He smiled at me, encouraging me to continue.

  “But there is so much uncertainty in my life right now. I don’t even really know who I am yet. I’m just meeting the real me for the first time,” I told him, wishing I didn’t have to. “I can’t have my head in the clouds any longer. Ryan’s dad is still out there. More attacks are bound to be on the horizon. And…something is coming. I can feel it. It’s pressing down on the edge of my awareness. I have to be focused. I have to be the best witch I can be.”

  “Don’t you think I can help make you a better witch?”

  “I know you can. I’m going to have to rely on you a lot and well…” I stepped back away from him, pulling out of his arms, regretting it even as I knew I had to. “My last two relationships have been disasters. I’m not ready to lose what we have, too. I need you. And the best way to protect that is not to get involved,” I said, taking a deep breath. “So, I’m going to try single life and make magic the number one priority right now.” I looked up at Jensen, at the sadness in his eyes. I didn’t want to hurt him, but I couldn’t be with him, not when there were so many unanswered questions still left in my heart. I held out my hand to him. “Friends?”

  He looked down at my hand, a thoughtful look on his face. Slowly, a smile crept across his lips. “Of course, Max,” he said, scooping me into a hug. “There’s no one in this whole world I’d rather be friends with. Besides, someone has to stay by your side and keep you alive. You’re not too good at that yourself.”

  I smiled, snuggling into his embrace. I didn’t know what the future held, or who I’d end up with, but this looked like the start of a beautiful friendship.

  It’s Not The Great Pumpkin, Maxie Duncan

  Melissa L. Webb

  Copyright 2012 Melissa L. Webb

  All rights reserved.

  License Notes

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  Disclaimer:

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.

  May the true spirit of Halloween always be with you.

  My new passion pink heels clicked as I exited the elevator and headed down the hallway. My shopping bags rustled against each other as I hurried to my door. Excitement bubbled up through me. I couldn’t wait to show Van what I had bought.

  Letting myself into the apartment, I practically bounced as I hurried through the sitting room. I stopped for a moment as I entered the living room. A sly smile spreading over my lips, I glanced at Evangeline Evans, who was curled up on the couch with a book.

  Looking up at me, curiosity filled her face. “Why do you look like the cat that ate the canary?”

  I moved forward, my smile growing even wider, brandishing my shopping bags in front of me. “You’ll see.”

  Hurrying to my room, I dropped the contents of my shopping spree on the pink comforter. Quickly pawing through my haul, I found everything I was looking for. As I changed into them, I couldn’t believe how happy I felt.

  Maybe the dark cloud hanging over me since Ryan had disappeared was finally lifting. I was beginning to feel like I belonged here. I was more comfortable with this new life than I had ever been with my old. I could finally see that. Even the attacks on my life had stopped.

  I absently fingered Ryan’s pendant through the fabric of my dress, wondering if it had something to do with it. His letter promised it would protect me where he had failed. Maybe it was. Then again, maybe Papa Everheart was too busy licking his wounds to come after me.

  Taking a deep breath, I fluffed my long blonde curls. It didn’t matter one way or another. I was free for the time being, and my favorite time of the year was quickly creeping upon us. This was the time to celebrate moving forward, not dwell on things haunting our past.

  Checking myself in the mirror, I giggled in delight as I took everything in. This year was going to rock.

  Slowly I made my way back to the living room. Sweeping my arms out melodramatically, I posed for Van in all my glory. “Ta Dah!”

  Pulling herself away from her book, her eyes went wide when she saw me. “What in the world are you wearing?”

  I straightened up, my knuckles gripping the broom in my hand tighter than I should have. My moment was gone, and my spirits crashed before me. “What?” I asked self-consciously, looking down at what I was wearing. The short black dress flattered my figure perfectly and the candy corn inspired stilettos were certainly to die for. “You don’t like it?”

  “No. I don’t,” she told me flatly.

  Studying her face, I waited patiently for the punch line. Silence was the only response as she rolled her eyes at me.

  Well, darn. Sadness flowed through me as I pulled the pointed black hat from my head. She really didn’t like my costume. “Well, I guess I can return it. They had plenty of other costumes to choose from.” It was my first Halloween as a witch and I couldn’t even dress the part.

  Sighing, Van sat her book down on the coffee table. “Maxie, a wardrobe change isn’t going to solve anything. Supernaturals don’t celebrate Halloween. It’s degrading.”

  What? They didn’t celebrate my favorite holiday? That had to be a joke. I stared at the pixie on the couch, willing her to stop this ridiculousness. “This isn’t funny.”

  Before Van could say a word, I heard the front door open. “Knock, knock,” someone called from the parlor. “Are our two favorite girls home?”

&nbs
p; “In here,” Van called, getting up from the couch.

  A tall dark haired guy entered the living room. “Hi, honey,” he said as Van greeted him with a quick kiss.

  A shorter guy with brown hair and glasses entered behind him. I waved to him as his eyes came to rest on me. “Max?” he said as he took in my outfit.

  “Jensen?” I responded, confused by the bewilderment in his voice.

  The dark haired guy pulled his attention away from Van, doing a double take when he saw me. “Good Gods, woman. What are you wearing?”

  Oh, great. Everyone’s a critic. “I’m a witch, Danny. What else would I wear for Halloween?”

  He turned to Van. “You didn’t explain this to her?”

  “I was trying to. I don’t think she believes me.”

  “Come on,” I said, hands on my hips as I stared at the three most important people in my new life. This was going way too far. It was one thing for Van to mess with me, but for the guys to continue it, was just cruel. “What did I do to deserve this?”

  Stepping past his best friend, Jensen gently took the broom and hat from my hands. “We’re not teasing you, Max. We really don’t do Halloween.” Looking at the classic witch icons in his hands, he shook his head. “These are only jokes to our kind. It’s not how we represent ourselves.”

  I watched this man whose bits of soul intermingled with my own, as he set the items down in disgust, and realized they weren’t kidding. They were being perfectly sincere. “You really don’t celebrate Halloween?”

  Van shrugged. “I told you. Halloween is a terrible holiday. We’d rather stay home and watch movies, hiding away from the sugar-shocked kids who wander the streets mocking us.”

  These people were some of the coolest people I had ever met. What they were and the things they could do still blew my mind. I mean how many people could honestly say they ran around with a pixie, trickster, and a witch? But they were standing there telling me the way I had been raised was wrong. It was almost enough to break my heart. They couldn’t take Halloween away from me after everything else I had lost. “No one is mocking anyone. They’re just having fun.”

  Danny sighed. “I teach high school, Maxie. I know exactly what kids think of Halloween.”

  I felt a frown slip across my lips as I picked up my hat and broom. Why were they being so difficult about this? Halloween had been my favorite holiday since I was little and it wasn’t about to change, no matter what anyone said.

  After all, what was so wrong with a day where you got to dress up and pig out on candy?

  “Don’t be mad,” Jensen said softly. “It’s just the way things are.”

  I turned around. I didn’t want to hear it. Heading back to my room, tears threatened to take over. I hurried out of the clothes I was wearing; feeling like a little girl who just discovered there was no Santa. I couldn’t believe Supernaturals didn’t see what the day was really about. I guess that’s what happens when you’re too busy sucking the magic out of something.

  

  Yawning, I flipped through the book in front of me. Jensen had me going through the fundamentals of magic, and let me tell you, they weren’t much fun. I’d rather be out shopping than reading archaic texts that still didn’t make any sense to me.

  Getting up from the table, I retrieved my heels from where I had kicked them. Slipping them back on, I returned the world’s most boring book to one of the huge bookshelves surrounding me.

  Yawning again, I wished for some coffee. I hadn’t slept much the night before. I was too busy fuming over the fact I would have to leave my traditions behind, now that I was a witch. How could celebrating something so special to me be so bad in their eyes? And how could they turn down a night of fun? Halloween wasn’t a mockery of what they were; it was a celebration of who they are. There was absolutely nothing harmful about it. Why couldn’t they see that?

  As I turned away from the shelf with frustration, a loud thunk sounded behind me. I glanced over my shoulder, preparing myself for anything. I knew Jensen had his bookstore well guarded, but I had almost died there, in that very spot.

  A leather bound book laid at the base of the shelf, its pages fluttering in a non-existent breeze. Leaning over, I stopped the movement and looked around. What had caused this? The door I had made in the wall stood nearby, but it was closed, sealed tight by Jensen’s magic.

  Well, now. There must be a reason the little book jumped from the shelf. After all, one thing I had become sure of since moving to L.A. was everything happens for a reason. This book had wanted my attention.

  Scooping it up, I ran my hand over the leather binding, taking in the faded lettering on the spine. The Essence of Samhain? If there was one thing this girl knew, it was the other names for Halloween. Well, that and buying shoes.

  I flipped through the book, reading lines here and there. It seemed mostly to be a history of the ancient holiday as well as a few ideas on rekindling the spirit of it. That was exactly what I needed right then, a way to reawaken the magic of Halloween in the hearts of those around me. It looked like I had found the answer to my problem.

  Offering up a silent thank you to whoever knocked it off the shelf, I shoved it in my brand new Dooney and Bourke bag. It was definitely going to give me a few ideas on how to persuade the gang.

  Checking the time on my cell phone, I realized it was time to go. I had another lesson soon. I’d go bug Jensen for a while before I left. See what he was up to.

  We had been spending more and more time together lately. Between him training me in magic and us just hanging out, we were practically always together anymore. He was quickly becoming my other best friend.

  That was just asking for trouble.

  I walked back through the brightly lit stacks towards the front. It didn’t take me nearly as long to reach my destination this time as it did my first visit to “Curiouser and Curiouser.” Turns out there’s a secret to navigating the magical two-story mall of a bookstore. All you have to do is focus on where you want to be, tap into your magic, and viola, you’re there in a matter of minutes.

  I was finding out all kinds of useful things in my new life. Magic was quickly becoming my favorite accessory. And that was saying a lot. I just wish I didn’t have to sacrifice certain things in the process.

  Jensen stood behind the counter next to the cash register, as I approached. Leaning forward, he intently studied some paperwork.

  Sliding up on the counter next to him, I looked down at the papers. Deciding all they looked like were a headache, I shifted my eyes, staring at the bookstore owner who conjured a fascination in me I didn’t understand. He was so not the type of guy I usually went for, yet my heart skipped a beat every time I stared into his eyes.

  “I borrowed a book. Okay?” I asked softly, wondering what kind of mood he was in considering how much paperwork surrounded him. No wonder he’d let me slide on the magic lesson for the day. Poor guy was up to his ears in real life, non-magical blahness.

  “Sure. You’re welcome to them anytime,” he said absently, scribbling some notes in the margin.

  I sighed and went back to staring at him. Sometimes I thought asking him to only be friends was the biggest mistake I had ever made. He was different from any guy I had ever known, and I knew our relationship would be, too. However, considering every guy I had set my sights on ending up breaking my heart whether he meant to or not, it seemed safer to rein in my emotions and let our friendship be.

  I couldn’t lose him. He was like my beacon of light in these dark waters called magic. I knew I would surely sink without him.

  If only I could get the memory of his kiss out of my head. That would be the only way to keep my sanity while I grew into the person I needed to become. I knew my reasons for keeping him at arm’s length were valid, but I was quickly realizing it was going to be much harder than I had anticipated.

  Jensen scribbled across the paper, making notes here and there, then froze, pen poised inches from the letters he had written.
He looked up at me, a huge smile spread across his lips. “Are you having fun watching me?”

  I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped as his green eyes sparkled at me. I was mush under that gaze. “Of course.”

  His eyes lingered on me a moment, seriousness making them sparkle a little less. “Are you Maxie enough yet?” he asked me finally.

  Letting out a deep breath, I looked away. I knew he wanted me to accept I was done growing as a singular entity and realize I could only get better with someone by my side. But I wasn’t ready for that. I wasn’t strong enough to give my heart away again. Especially when the risk was greater than any I had ever known.

  “No,” I told him softly, not wanting to drive that small wedge between us even deeper. “Are you ever going to stop asking me that?”

  His smile grew wider as he shook his head, clearly getting amusement out of my predicament. What can I say? He knows how I really feel. “No. Not until I get an answer I like.”

  I let out the breath I was holding. I felt the part of his soul entwined around mine twitch at the joy those words gave me. It fluttered softly, embracing all I was even tighter. I loved hearing he wasn’t going to give up on me. I just hoped it was the truth, because even I wasn’t sure how long I’d make him wait. “I hope so. I can be pretty stubborn at times.”

  His eyebrows shot up at that. “At times?” he mocked, his fingers gently giving my knee a squeeze.

  I slapped his hand playfully. “Watch it, mister. That insult may cost you.”

  Pulling his had away from me, he sighed melodramatically as he returned to the paperwork.

  I watched in comfortable silence as his pen once again scribbled across the paper. I loved being around him. The world made much more sense when I was. Unfortunately, I was going to have to break that silence. I needed someone on my side and I couldn’t think of anyone better than him.