There was silence for what seemed like an eternity before Logan started speaking again.
“If she even had a mild interest in him at some point, after this process, they’d be connected for life, and I don’t know if she ever did. She said she never liked him, but who knows. If it was for a fleeting second even, there’s no turning back. This spell would capture that, and there’s nothing I could do. I’d never be able to have her. I’d never be able to save her from him. You can’t trade memories without consequences it seems.”
My aunt sighed and footsteps came closer to the door, but it didn’t sound like the conversation was ending.
“You can’t leave her hanging in there. Is Trevor still unconscious?” My aunt asked.
“I clocked him pretty hard, so I’d imagine,” Logan murmured.
“Well, I say you get yourself back in there before she wakes up with the bunch of daisies you gathered for her and quit worrying about the spell’s downfalls. We can only face the repercussions once they present themselves. Until then, I’ll get Trevor out of here and drive him to the train. I think if we can get him out of here before she sees him that would be the best.”
“Won’t that only prolong the inevitable? I’d rather just know if they are connected.”
I couldn’t take it any longer. I sprung the door open to see Aunt Vieta and Logan on the porch staring at me in disbelief. The porch light sprayed down on Logan showing no visible marks from the scuffle so maybe he was the one who did the attacking. I hoped so.
“You’re up!” Logan said surprised, as he reached for me while I attempted to steady myself.
“Yeah and so is your buddy,” I said wryly.
Even though my surroundings still spun around me, I was astute enough to see Logan freeze in his tracks as he caught Aunt Vieta’s gaze. Why were things so complicated right now? The pile of velvet-cushioned pillows stacked in the corner in the great room called to me, and I had to fight not to plop myself down and start the night over. Maybe that’s all I needed. Start everything over.
“You saw him?” Logan asked tentatively. His deep blue eyes canvasing me for something I didn’t understand.
“Not much to look at, but I saw him,” I nodded. “You did a number on him.”
I grinned, reaching for Logan’s hand. His lips did a slight curl upward but fell almost immediately.
My aunt came toward me and my body recoiled at the thought of her touch. Too many unknowns were going on right now and apparently my subconscious was on high alert.
“Sweetie, what’s the matter?” my aunt asked, obviously hurt by my reaction.
“I’m sorry. I—” stopping myself, I looked over at Logan.
Why was she here? What had he told her? I thought we were on the same page about her right now.
“Maybe you could go get Trevor out of here like you guys were discussing?” I asked her.
“You heard that?” Logan’s voice was strained.
“Parts,” I nodded.
My aunt scooted by me, and I stiffened as she patted my shoulder, “I’ll let Logan fill you in before I return. I’ll get Trevor out of here. If he’ll go.”
“He’s got no choice,” I replied coldly. “I want nothing to do with him. The images the spider bestowed on me were enough to let me in on Trevor’s true character, regardless of what I was hoping for him as a person. I don’t want him anywhere near me. And you —” I said pointing at Logan. “Letting me wake up to see that monster staring back at me first thing? I need an explanation and an apology. Do you know how frightened I was?”
The stress began trickling out of Logan’s eyes the more I ranted.
“I didn’t expect him to regain consciousness so soon,” Logan replied grimly.
“He really thinks he’s got me in the bag. Is there a reason he’s so sure of himself?” I questioned Logan. “I heard something about a side effect of the spell?”
Logan shifted uncomfortably and closed the front door behind him. The dizziness began again, and I walked toward the kitchen table with Logan’s help.
“I’ve gotta sit down,” I said, rubbing my forehead. “This is brutal.”
Logan glided the chair out for me, and I felt the weight of my body slump into the wooden seat. I seemed to be functioning on autopilot at this point. Every part of my body was bent on reminding me of what I just went through.
“I never meant for you to wake up without me there,” Logan apologized, grabbing the daisies from the counter, he placed them on the table in front of me. He pulled a chair out next to me and sat down, propping his elbows on his knees as he ran his fingers through his dark hair. I wasn’t going to let him off the hook. I needed answers because right now everything seemed like a jumbled mess.
“It really sucked. Not to mention I had Trevor too close for comfort when I finally opened my eyes. I don’t understand. You promised you wouldn’t leave my side. The daisies were a nice gesture, but —”
My aunt’s voice was getting louder as she unsuccessfully pleaded with Trevor who apparently had no intentions of leaving the cottage. My agitation level was soaring. I had so many things to tell Logan not to mention find out from him, and Trevor was being quite a nuisance.
“Why’s he making things so difficult. He certainly makes it easy to want to perform black magic on him,” I paused, throwing a smile at Logan hoping it would make him relax a little. “Where’s my snake?”
“It’s good to see you’re as spirited as before,” Logan teased.
“I could use some more target practice,” I said only half-joking. “Seriously though. He’s bad news. Whatever grain of goodness we thought we saw in him before the spell was all a mirage. Guaranteed.”
Logan furrowed his brows. “It can’t be that bad.”
“It’s worse. For starters, he wants you dead.” Certain my last point would hit home, I sat back in the chair, crossing my arms in front of me waiting for his reaction.
“That’s nothing new.”
“He asked my father for permission,” I countered.
“First, your father wouldn’t give it to him. Second, if someone has to ask permission to kill someone they don’t really have it in them to do the act. They wouldn’t ask, they’d just do it. Plus, he’s pretty incapable.”
“Glad you can be so sure of that.”
“We’ve got other things to worry about that are far more important.” Logan rubbed my arms.
“Trevor, she’s not interested in you. She wants you to leave,” Aunt Vieta’s words tumbled down the hallway followed by a couple sets of footsteps.
Oh, no. Why does this have to be so difficult?
“What is going on?” I asked Logan. “Why is he so entitled feeling?”
Logan let out a sigh. “It’s part of the spell. If you ever had feelings for him— even subconsciously— you’ll desire him, be connected to him for life. He’s banking that you have had some sort of thought about that, even if fleeting.”
Horror didn’t even begin to describe the emotion running through my veins. I never thought of Trevor in that way. Not even for a second. Or did I? What about the first time I saw him? No. No way. He was attractive and the girls loved him at school, but I wasn’t one of them.
“You’re worried about it, aren’t you?” Logan searched my eyes for any sort of affirmation.
“She should be,” Trevor’s voice startled me.
My finger traced the wood’s grain in the table over and over again while I tried to contain my anger. I wanted to hurt him so badly. His arrogance was infuriating.
“So you knew the entire time?” My words finally found a voice.
“Why else would I have agreed to go through that spell?” He shrugged his shoulders.
“I don’t know, Trevor. Maybe to be a kind and decent human being, but that seems to be asking too much,” I snarled.
Trevor’s eyes narrowed at Logan. “So what’s the plan?”
“Plan?” I interjected. “The plan is for you to get out of here.”
I stood up quickly, knocking over my chair and feeling extremely woozy at the same time. Logan was immediately by my side, wrapping his arm around me as I tried to ground myself. I needed peace and quiet. Not this.
Aunt Vieta walked quickly around Trevor. “Triss, you’ve been through so much. Let me get you something.”
“Just get him out of here and that will do plenty for me.”
“Why are you avoiding the inevitable?” Trevor walked toward me, and Logan held on tighter.
“The inevitable?” I squinted at him. “There’s nothing inevitable about us. I don’t care what you think that spell’s capable of.”
Trevor reached for my hand, but not before Logan released me and grabbed Trevor throwing him to the floor. Logan had him completely subdued with his knee digging into Trevor’s chest. Catching Trevor’s glance, my heart twisted in knots, and I didn’t understand my reaction. I hated Trevor and Logan was completely in control. Oh no. Please let this not be happening. There’s nothing to be conflicted over. I’m not feeling bad for Trevor. This was impossible.
“You heard Triss. She wants you to leave. Let her aunt take you to the station, and we’ll pretend none of this ever happened,” Logan growled. His knuckles were turning white with anticipation. He wanted to annihilate Trevor and a few seconds ago, I wanted that too. Now I was confused and wasn’t sure.
“I’m guessing he doesn’t know about the kiss?” Trevor shouted, trying to dislodge from Logan’s strength.
“Kiss?” Logan’s pain cut through to my heart. My eyes locked with Logan’s but no words would come. This was a complete misunderstanding. I had forgotten that Trevor had tried to kiss me once. He kind of managed it, but it was many years ago and inconsequential. That couldn’t count for anything. Could it? Why wouldn’t words come?
My head continued throbbing, and I reached behind me for the table to lean against. Logan’s eyes were filled with such agony, and my aunt’s hands were raised to her mouth in complete shock. All I could do was keep shaking my head no, unable to speak.
Logan stood up, and released Trevor by throwing him against the wall. What’s he doing?
“It didn’t mean anything, Logan,” I whispered.
“Maybe not in your head, but all we can do is wait to see what your heart says,” he replied. “And I don’t know that I can be around to watch.” Grabbing his jacket, he spun around and went outside leaving me in my own personal hell.
Trevor started toward me, and I raised my hand to stop him.
“Don’t.”
“We are meant to be together,” Trevor’s voice had new warmth to it.
“Quit saying that,” I cried, running after Logan.
***
The porch light did little to illuminate the forest beyond the porch, but it didn’t matter. I had to find Logan. I had to explain. The darkness brought with it silence, except for the occasional flutter of leaves or bats circling above searching for their late night snack. My body felt as if it was glued to the forest floor beneath me. Every movement I made was delayed with the heaviness of what life might have in store for me. None of which I wanted.
“Logan?” I called out to the night doubtful I’d hear anything returned.
A cracked twig off in the distance gave me hope, and I started toward the anonymous sound. The slight rustle of leaves ahead of me signaled that I was getting closer, but with every step it seemed the noise moved that much farther ahead of me. My stomach was in knots, and I wasn’t sure what I would say. There was no way I would have purposefully traded my future with Logan for Trevor. I only prayed my subconscious hadn’t betrayed me at some point in my life.
I was getting closer to the pasture that, only a week ago, held a magnificent carpet of blue bells. It was where Logan told me he was holding off college to help find my mom. He had done so much for me since he returned. Made me the priority. There was no way Trevor was going to get in the way of that regardless of the spell’s outcome.
Finally making my way to the clearing, the moonlight sprinkled its goodness onto the pasture leading the way. The blue bells had finished their bloom, leaving only the mounds of foliage behind for me to walk on. As far as my eyes could see, there was no Logan. Anger quickly displaced the worry and sadness that had been running through my system. How could he give up on me so easily?
Across the pasture, where the woods began again, a shadow danced at the slightest movement giving away Logan’s location. He was leaning up against one of the pine trees. His head extended as if he was looking to the sky for answers.
Despite my weakened state, I sprinted towards him. Surely he’d seen me coming as I barreled across the field. Upon approach, each step was heavier than the last, and I was completely breathless and fully agitated at him for making me come after him out in the woods.
“Hey, you,” I called to him.
I was trying to catch my breath, which seemed impossible. This was why I never attempted the mile-long runs in gym class.
The blood was pounding in my ears, and it was safe to say I’d done too much too soon after the spell. I reached for the nearest tree, but my complete inability to gauge distance caused me to miss the trunk as I fell to the ground.
“Whoa. I gotcha,” Logan said, grabbing me before I hit the bed of pine needles. His voice was as gentle as his touch, making it nearly impossible to be as angry with him as I felt.
Bringing me to his body, he wrapped his arms tightly around me.
“You can’t do this to me,” I whispered, placing my arms around his waist. “You can’t give up on me before you’ve even gotten me.”
I looked up to meet his eyes, which held a bit of the darkness we had done so well at eliminating.
“You’ve already started putting your walls back up,” I said.
“And you haven’t?”
“No. Because I know I’ve never had feelings for him.”
“What about the kiss?” Logan growled.
“I wouldn’t call it a kiss where both parties participated. He came in for it, and I was completely taken off guard. It made me cringe at the time, and the memory still makes me ill.”
“I wish it was that simple,” Logan replied, his embrace loosened some.
“Are you serious?” The fury was starting to build again. “Why don’t you take my word for it? Why doesn’t that count?”
“It’s not that I don’t believe you. I just —”
He looked away, and I caught a glimpse of moistness edge the blue of his eyes.
“I wanted to kill him.” Logan looked into my eyes, gauging my reaction. “And I would have. This is when I know how close to dark magic I still am.”
“I have a confession too,” I whispered. “That thought crossed my mind as well. See? It has nothing to do with dark magic. It has to do with being human. Ridding the world of evil.”
A grin spread across his face.
“Is that so?” his voice low.
I nodded as he embraced me tighter.
“I don’t want you to see that side of life,” he replied, his words strained. “I want to shelter you from all of that.”
“Too late.” I paused, wondering what to say next. “We’ve got to face everything head on, Logan. Together. We’ll be stronger as a team. No more ditching me. From now on, take me with you.”
“I didn’t mean to leave you in there like that, but shocked doesn’t even begin to describe the emotions that came over me when I heard about that kiss. I spent all night telling myself there was no chance you had feelings for him. And even in my darkest nightmares, I never thought there was a kiss involved. He was so smug, and I just needed to get out of there.”
“Still, you can’t take off like that. I don’t care what was going through your mind. I’d rather have you hit him again than be left with him. You abandoned me.”
“I’m sorry. Figuring that I’d lost you to him was more than I could handle. I didn’t want to see it unfold in front of me.”
He pulled me closer, and I reste
d my head against his chest.
“You still think you could lose me to him?” I murmured.
“Only time will tell.”
“How’s that? Wouldn’t I already be showing signs?” I asked.
“Possibly. I’m not really sure how it works.”
I let out a sigh, trying to find a balance between anger, sadness, and fear. I didn’t want any emotion to outweigh the other and tip me toward something I didn’t want to be a part of.
“You don’t feel anything for him. Do you?” Logan whispered, gazing down to the woodland floor. At night, it wasn’t that interesting so his avoidance technique killed me.
I shuddered at the thought of Trevor, but then worry crept in as I thought back to the fear I felt about Logan hurting him. Could that be a sign? No. It couldn’t be. My mind was all clouded from everything — that’s all.
“I hate him more now than ever.” It was true.
I needed to get far away from Trevor. I completely understood Logan’s desire to distance himself from the situation, and maybe it was better if I did as well. I didn’t want to know the outcome, and if I didn’t see him I wouldn’t have to worry about it.
“Let’s get out of here,” I whispered, looking up into Logan’s eyes. “Right now. Let’s just go.”
“Where would we go?” Logan’s eyes lit up slightly.
“I found out so much about my father and mother tonight that I think the sooner we make our way back east, the better. I’m still unclear about a motive behind my father’s actions, but I think that it will come out in time. I think there’s still hope that I can bring her home. And I don’t want to get caught up in the Trevor drama. It’s not worth it. We’re here now together and that’s what matters… So are you game?”
Logan brought his hands up from my waist, cupping my chin as he brought his lips slowly down to mine. I wanted to taste his mouth, his lips, everything about him. He was who I wanted, not Trevor. No matter what the spell tried to hijack from me, my feelings wouldn’t change for Logan.
As our lips met, the search for our security began. Neither of us wanted to believe that we could lose this. Running my fingers through his hair, I gripped his neck with my other hand. I didn’t want this closeness to end. The firmness of his body stretched along mine as he lifted me into his arms. I wrapped my legs around his waist, not wanting to detach from his kisses as they led away from my mouth down my neck. Feeling his breath dance across my skin as he kissed my collarbone brought a shivery delight to my senses. The softness of his lips was such a contrast to the firmness of his grasp as he guided his hands down my back.
Witch Avenue Series (The Complete Set) Page 27