WHAT?
The impact exploded Cooper’s training gear in a wave of green smoke. Tennessee strolled over and yanked Cooper’s limp body off of Easton’s chest, then poked the neck pad strapped across Easton’s throat. Blue smoke poured from the fake wound. Easton coughed and dropped his head to the grass. Cooper rolled to his side, groaning. Tennessee spun around in a circle like he actually thought there was anyone left to fight him.
“Dude, what was that?” Cooper said between breaths as he slowly pushed himself off the ground. “Really?”
Tennessee grinned and shrugged one shoulder. “I did what I was told.”
“If that was a real greater demon, we’d be screwed.” Tegan sighed and wiped her forehead with the back of her wrist.
Royce scoffed. “He’s not human. I told you,” he yelled from where he’d fallen.
Easton jumped to his feet then stumbled backwards. “Rematch. We can do this.”
“Yeah, maybe after thirty rounds and he gets—” Tegan gasped. Her pale green eyes went wide and her jaw fell open. She dropped her wooden sword to the ground yet didn’t flinch when it landed on her own foot. Her eyes widened even farther until the green was completely surrounded in white. Her face paled to a sickly grayish green color. She stared at nothing in the distance, yet her eyes fluttered back and forth.
“What’s happening?” I glanced around but there was no threat. “Tegan, what’s wrong?”
Chapter Eleven
Tennessee
“Tegan?” Cooper ran up to her and squeezed her shoulder. “Tegan, what’s wrong?”
She didn’t respond. Her head shook slightly and her lips moved, but no words came out.
Easton staggered into my line of view. He ducked down to get on her eye level. “Tegan, are you okay?”
Something brushed against my shoulder. It had long platinum blonde hair and smelled strangely of smoke. Emersyn. She pushed by the three of us and got right in her twin’s face. “Tegan? Damn it, answer us.”
“Is she having a seizure?”
“What did she say right before?”
“What did you do to her, Tenn?”
I flinched. My stomach rolled at the idea of being the cause of this moment. Nothing. I didn’t do anything. I’d barely touched her. I’d only blocked her strikes. And it wasn’t the first time I’d pulled the sweeping-of-her-feet move on her. In fact, I was the one who taught her how to do it. Besides, Tegan was tough. She could handle herself in a fight, even without magic.
Within seconds, everyone surrounded us, talking over each other. I moved closer. Her heart was pounding, and the vein in her throat throbbed. Goose bumps spread over her arms, under the sweat shimmering against her skin. Her beautiful eyes were open but not seeing anyone in front of her. If I hadn’t known any better, I would’ve thought she was watching something with the way her eyes bounced around.
“Cooper, go into her visions,” Bentley said from somewhere behind me.
I glanced over my shoulder and watched him push his way through everyone. His golden eyes sparkled with knowledge. He walked over to stand between his two siblings. It was eerie to see a child so calm when everyone else was panicking.
Cooper blanched. “What? I can’t…do that. She’s awake?”
Bentley waved his hand in the air then pointed to Tegan. “Yes, you can. Trust me.”
Cooper cursed. “Okay, okay. I’ll try.” He squeezed his eyes shut.
I felt the push of his magic roll over me like a wave. His Irish Spring soap scent tickled my nose. He mumbled something under his breath, and his fingers twitched. His eyes flew open, stretching wide until the whites surrounded his pale green irises. Just like Tegan’s, they bounced back and forth like he was watching something. The two of them stood side by side like zombies. No one else spoke.
“Bentley…” I whispered as low as my voice could go.
“Wait for it,” he whispered back.
It felt like an hour passed while we waited for anything to happen. But then, just as suddenly as it began, it vanished. Tegan and Cooper blinked rapidly and shook their heads. I held my breath. Something had just happened.
Tegan turned to face Cooper. “We have to go.”
Cooper nodded. “Now.” His voice was gravelly.
My pulse quickened. I frowned. “Why? What happened?”
Tegan licked her lips and met my stare. “Henley doesn’t have much time.”
“What?” Royce cried.
Deacon wrapped his arm around his cousin’s shoulders. “What do you mean?”
Tegan glanced up at Cooper, but he stared at the ground in silence. She closed her eyes and shook her head. When she reopened them, I saw pain…and fear.
She cleared her throat. “They’re planning something big and terrible. We need to get her back to our realm.”
Royce groaned and buried his face in his hands. He mumbled a prayer in our ancient language. If it wasn’t for his cousin holding him up, I wasn’t sure he’d still be standing.
“How do you know?” Easton asked.
“Don’t make her tell you.” Cooper’s voice cracked. He didn’t look up.
I shuddered. Ignorance was bliss. I didn’t want to know what they saw. Tegan and Cooper were the two people I trusted most, along with Kessler. If they said they knew, then I believed on faith.
“The quest starts now?”
Cooper nodded. He scrubbed his face with his palms. “Right now.”
“I don’t understand.” Emersyn twirled her long hair between her fingers. “How is the quest related to Henley? Not that I don’t want to rescue her.”
“Your fate lies in the Book of Shadows.” Tegan began unstrapping her training gear. “Our quest is to find The Book of Shadows. Inside it is the answer for how to save her.”
“How do you know that?” Willow said with a small voice.
Tegan narrowed her eyes and looked around the group. “I just do. I’m the High Priestess. It’s time for you to trust me.”
“She’s right.” Bentley rubbed his fingers over the prophecy lines on his arm. “We have to trust her. More importantly, those chosen must go now.”
“Okay, you heard them. The Cards chosen, go home now and get ready.” Kessler looked each of the selected witches in the eye. “Pack a bag of necessities, and make sure it includes ceremonial white. Meet at my house in forty-five minutes.”
Chapter Twelve
Tegan
I sprinted up our driveway, unlocking the front door with my magic as we ran. Emersyn’s footsteps echoed behind me. I raced through our house into our room without stopping to look for my parents. Part of me knew we needed to let them know we were leaving, but my brain was too preoccupied to tell my mouth to call out for them. I yanked my black backpack off the ground and dumped its contents on my bed. Notepads and pencils rolled across my sheets.
“Necessities. Necessities. Necessities. What in the hell are necessities for a quest?” Emersyn cried from somewhere behind me.
“I don’t know?” I ripped my sweat-drenched shirt off and tossed it in the general vicinity of my bathroom. Not like we were prepared for the last one. I ran into the walk-in closet we shared and yanked clothes off hangers. “Bring an extra set of clothes, and think about the things we did on our last quest. Nothing fancy or cashmere!”
Emersyn mumbled something, but I didn’t make out the words. I pulled a black graphic T-shirt over my head. I wasn’t even sure what it said since I’d grabbed it so fast. My concern was making sure my clothes covered the glyph on my chest and my shoulder since it was spreading.
I ran back into the room and tossed my sister her ceremonial white gown. “Here, we might need these.”
“You’ll need these, too.”
I gasped and spun at the sound of my father’s voice. “Dad? Mom. You heard?”
“I tried to call you on our way home,” Emersyn said in a rush.
Mom stepped forward and dropped a duffel bag full of stuff at the edge of my bed. “We were o
n the phone with Kessler and gathering things for you since this is your first quest to actually prepare for.”
“This backpack has a few weapons and such. Take it with you and use what you can. Share them with your Coven-mates.” Dad pointed to the bag. “You’ll also find some crystals, incense, a couple of wands, and some herbs—just in case. Your brother knows how to use it all. I’ve already told him you’ll have it.”
“Emersyn, sweetheart, I know you don’t usually wear these type of shoes.” Mom walked over to my sister with a pair of steel-toed black combat boots. They were definitely made for function over any kind of fashion, but they’d be awesome to have. “But you’re going into the mountains, so you’re going to need them. So borrow mine.”
“Thank you!” Emersyn flushed and tears filled her eyes. She took the boots and sat them on her bed. “I’m such a mess. I don’t know what I’m doing here. What else do I need?”
“Here, I’ll help you,” Dad said with a smile. He gave me a wink as he passed.
I frowned and watched him walk over to help my sister pack. It was ludicrous to think it, but I wasn’t sure when my father stopped helping me with stuff. Was I allowed to be jealous of the attention my father gave my twin?
“Tegan?”
I jumped and spun to find my mother waving her hand in front of my face. “I’m fine,” I said automatically.
“Come here,” she whispered and dragged me out of my room by my wrist. Once we were alone in the hallway, I realized she had something dark tucked under her arm. She pulled it out and held it out for me. “This, my darling daughter, is for you.”
“No boots?” I said before I could stop myself.
She chuckled and shook her head. “You have boots. You need this.”
I grabbed the black item. It was soft black leather that felt strong and sturdy under my touch, yet surprisingly lightweight. My eyes widened. “Wait, a leather jacket?”
“Not just any leather jacket. When I was your age, I wasn’t a Card yet and my parents did not like your father, so I had to hide…”—she glanced around then leaned in closer—“the glyph. I had this jacket made—long story—to do just that. There are spells and charms on this to keep the wearer comfortable in any temperature, so you can always have it on. Also, to keep it lightweight so you can fill all the pockets with anything you want without being dragged down.”
My jaw dropped. “Bad. Ass.” I smiled and slid the jacket on. The leather was silky soft against my skin.
Mom reached out and tugged on the front of the lapel. “There are straps up here over the chest that will also cover the glyph, if need be.”
“Mom…” I shook my head and looked down at the jacket. Every time I saw some new witchy object, it blew my mind, but a magical jacket was near the top of coolness. “Mom, thank you. This is perfect.”
“You’re very welcome, love.” She cupped my face with her hands. It was such a motherly thing to do that it made my eyes burn. “Listen to me. Do not let anyone in Eden know about the glyph on your chest.”
My stomach rolled and my mouth went dry. “Mom…would they really strip me of my Mark and my magic?”
She dropped her hands and took a step back. “Without hesitation or regret.”
Chapter Thirteen
Tennessee
“Wait. We have our own plane?”
“Yeah. What Emersyn said.” Deacon whistled and scratched the back of his head.
“Says the guy who drives a brand-new Porsche.” Willow laughed.
“I’m rich, but I don’t have a plane.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s The Coven’s plane. In order to keep the world safe from destruction, we have to be able to get around quickly, so we have a plane. One. Not a fleet.”
“Hold up. Do Coven members get paid?” Tegan walked up on my right then blinked up at me with those long, black eyelashes of hers. “Is that a thing?”
“Yes.” I held my finger up to stop her from asking more questions, and it took everything in me not to press it to her lips. “Let’s save the world first, graduate high school second, then worry about getting paid third. Okay?”
“I wonder…” Royce turned his back to the plane and wagged his eyebrows. “How many Mile High meetings The Coven has had?”
A wave of heat rolled out of Tegan. She chuckled.
I refused to let myself look at her. This quest was already going to be disastrous. There were too many people, too many eyes watching everything I did. Before Tegan came into my life, I’d never understood when people said, “there was so much tension, you could cut it with a knife.” Now I got it. I so, so got it. Whenever she was near me, my body temperature raised ten degrees. My fingers itched with the need to reach out and touch her, even just to hold her hand. I didn’t understand how no one else had noticed yet. Every time our eyes met, we stared a little longer. Surely our auras were radiating wild energy levels, but still no one reacted. I was grateful…and confused.
Just keep a safe distance away from her at all times.
“Royce.” Emersyn rolled her golden eyes and smiled. She smacked his arm playfully.
His smile faded. He shrugged one shoulder. “Henley would’ve said it, so I had to.”
“Come on, guys, we gotta get moving.” Cooper stomped past us with a hiker’s pack on his back.
Emersyn leaned into Royce and wrapped her slender, pale arm around his waist. She whispered something to him, and he sighed but there was a small smile on his face. Deacon walked over and squeezed his shoulder. Emersyn glared up at him with more anger and distaste I’d ever seen in her eyes. Royce and Deacon, however, missed this entirely. If Deacon did something to piss Emersyn off, I wasn’t surprised at all.
Up ahead, the plane door opened. A small flight of stairs were propped up for us to climb onboard. Walter, our pilot, stuck his head out to wave at someone behind me then disappeared again. Cooper ran up the steps. He’d been quiet since Tegan’s visions, and it made me nervous.
“So…” Tegan’s voice broke through my thoughts.
I looked down and met her gaze. Her pale green eyes sparkled in the afternoon sunlight. I waited for her to finish her sentence, but she just stared up at me under those black eyelashes. Up close, she had these adorable freckles on her high cheekbones that I wanted to count. She licked her lips, and it brought my gaze to her mouth. Her cheeks flushed a soft, rosy pink. The entire right side of my body was hot, like I stood in front of a fireplace. If I just leaned forward, I could kiss her. The idea filled my stomach with butterflies.
“So…” I said back, except my voice came out lower and rougher than appropriate.
“So…” She leaned closer, and her breath brushed over my shoulder. “Does this plane have a bathroom?”
“Um…” It was my turn to blush. A whole bunch of thoughts I shouldn’t have been having flashed in my mind. I blinked and searched for words to speak.
Tegan rolled her eyes, but her entire face turned red. She shook her head and tucked her black hair behind her golden cuffed ears. “That is not…”
I shrugged. “Well…”
She buried her face in her palms. “I just said the first thing I thought of.”
“And I make you think of airplane bathrooms?” I covered my mouth with my hand to try and hide my laughter. I failed.
“Oh my God.” She groaned and hung her head. “I’m just… It’s Royce’s fault.”
“What’s Royce’s fault?”
Tegan gasped, and if possible turned even redder. “Uncle Kessler. Nothing. Just…nothing. I’m gonna get on the plane now.” She spun and sprinted for the stairs.
“What just happened?” my father asked.
I sighed and shook my head. “I have no idea.”
My father nodded and stepped up in front of me, blocking Tegan from my view. “Listen, I know you have to go, but…um…just…uh…”
I frowned and took a good look at my father. His blond buzz cut hair was overgrown and his jaw rough with a five-o-clock shado
w. There were bags under his amber eyes I somehow hadn’t noticed before. But it was the stuttering that filled my lungs with ice. My father was the picture of calm.
I cleared my throat. “Kessler? Are you all right?”
He grabbed my shoulder and hauled me into his chest. He wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. After a few seconds, he stepped back and cleared his throat. “Come home to me, son.”
Well…
Hell…
Chapter Fourteen
Tegan
I should’ve waited for Tennessee to pick his seat first. Except I’d been so distracted by the elegance of the plane, I’d just taken the seat Emersyn asked me to. As a result, I spent the last seventy-four minutes trying not to look at him…while he sat directly across from me. Our plane wasn’t like a commercial plane where all the seats were in rows. Oh no, this private plane had to have seats facing each other. Deacon and Royce took the two in the back, next to the bathroom. Willow and Chutney were in the pair of seats right behind them. Which meant there was only the small grouping of four seats up at the front. And somehow that ended up with Tennessee and I sitting at the windows staring into each other’s eyes. Or desperately trying not to.
The sun setting outside my window painted a gorgeous picture of every shade of pink I’d ever seen. It was breathtaking to see it from above the clouds. Yet even still, I only managed a few seconds before I had to look back at him. My chest burned and my body was on fire. Sweat dripped down my spine. My mom told me the jacket would keep me comfortable, but I was starting to realize that only meant the outside temperature. Not the wildfire raging inside me. I peeked over and found his eyes on me. They were hot and intense. His chest rose and fell.
Why does he have to look so damn good all the time? I inhaled a deep breath and crossed my right leg over my left. My shin brushed the back of his leg. I exhaled in a rush. A hot electric shock shot up my leg. Tennessee arched one eyebrow at me like it was no big deal, but he clutched the armrests with both hands. His knuckles paled. The veins in his forearms throbbed. Abort. Abort. Abort. I flexed my leg out, and my boot slid under his knee. His lips parted and his chest rose.
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