by J. E. Cluney
He smiled at the gesture, giving my hand a soft squeeze.
“He does want to know if you’re interested in getting into cases. Helping out where you can,” Lucas changed the topic, not wanting to dwell on his family dramas.
“I don’t know. I do want to help, but after Samantha, I think I want to wait a little while. It’s a bit stressful to be honest, and I’ve got my studies.”
“I know, and he understands that. But the door is always open, you just say when, and he’ll get you some cases,” he said, walking back towards the house with me.
Taking on cases. It did excite me a little, and I had helped Samantha and her family find justice. Her killer had been put away, and her body had been cremated. I hadn’t attended her funeral, but I’d heard it was a large family gathering. They were grateful to finally have closure.
“How’s Walter?” Lucas asked as we reached the verandah.
“He’s been off in the spirit world. I spoke to him a week or so ago, he’s enjoying learning so much, told me a whole heap of historical things, stuff people got wrong and whatnot. He loves learning the truth about events,” I shrugged.
Having this weird thing with Walter didn’t bother me, and the boys were slowly accepting it.
The wendigo was long gone, all that was left was this man, who he was before his own father had turned him into a monster.
I felt bad for him, for what his own father did to him. I knew it hurt him too when he’d brought it up. His mother had died when he was just a child, so his father was the only family he’d known.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I smiled at Emma’s message notification.
My smile dropped when I read it.
‘Are you in town? Could use a friend.’
‘What’s up? You okay?’ I texted back quickly.
‘Scott just rocked up at the park. I’m here just doing some studying. He’s pissed about George.’
‘What park?’
“She okay?” Lucas asked as he peered over my shoulder.
“Her ex is hassling her,” I groaned. She’d told me a little about her ex, but she’d never gone into detail.
‘Levi Park.’
“Well, we’d better go help her then,” Lucas said. I didn’t even get a chance to say anything before the magic washed over me and we stepped through the vibrating purple portal.
I spied Emma immediately over on a park bench, a young man raising his voice at her as she clutched her textbooks to her chest.
He looked like he worked as a tradie, wearing a dirty hi-vis shirt, brown shorts, and boots. And his head was close shaven, with a short brown beard that I could make out from here.
Lucas waltzed over with me in tow, and the taller, bulkier man turned on us.
“Scott Durston, you’re not giving our friend Emma here a hard time, are you?” Lucas asked confidently.
A quick glance into his mind revealed he knew the man from school. He’d been a bit of a dick too back then.
“This doesn’t involve you,” Scott spat, his green eyes flashing furiously at the intrusion. Dingo shifter, I realized as I checked his aura.
“It does, she’s our friend,” I said, surprising myself. I wouldn’t lie, the sheer size of the angry man before me made me want to back away, but I wouldn’t let him keep yelling at Emma.
“This slut has been fucking around,” Scott growled as he jabbed a meaty finger at her.
How she could have ever dated him was beyond me.
“We broke up over a year ago!” Emma barked, and Scott rounded on her.
For a moment, I thought he was going to hit her, and all the abuse I’d endured growing up came smashing back into my mind.
“Get away from her!” I screamed as I stepped up beside him, not realizing what I was doing.
The sonic scream tore out of me, hurtling him backwards.
I just gasped, covering my mouth.
Lucas shot me a look before rushing over, but Scott was already pulling himself up off the ground, looking like an enraged goddamn bull.
“You best stay away from her, mate. Because she’s got us, and we won’t let you harass her,” Lucas warned as he stared down at the shifter.
I watched as Scott’s face hardened, as if he was suddenly remembering just who and what Lucas was.
“She’s not worth it anyway. Better tail out there,” he spat.
“Well, best go find it then,” Lucas said casually as he strode back over to us.
I watched as Scott dragged himself to his feet, giving me a strange look, as if he was trying to decipher what I was.
Then he shot Emma a dirty scowl before storming off.
“You okay?” I asked as I sat down on the bench beside Emma, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
“Yeah, I guess so,” she mumbled. Her hair was back to its startling silver color, and she was twirling the end of her braid nervously.
“How about you come back to ours?” Lucas suggested.
“It’s okay,” Emma murmured.
“I insist. I can make some mean cocktails,” he gave her a lopsided smile, and she managed a small one in return.
I helped her to her feet, and Lucas took my hand, leading us back through a portal.
We appeared in the games room, and I led her over to the lounge to sit down.
“So you’ve got the portals down pat then,” Emma noted, but her voice was soft, and I knew she was shaken.
“Yeah, want a drink now?” Lucas offered, and I gave him a bewildered look. It was met with a shrug. He just wanted to help.
“Sure, surprise me,” Emma said as she slumped on the lounge, dumping her textbook beside her with her bag.
Lucas got to work, and I gave Emma’s knee a reassuring pat.
“How’d he find you?” I asked, wanting to know a little more.
“Probably driving home from work or something. He works in construction, normally goes down to the coast for it,” she sighed.
“I’m sorry he said such nasty things,” I murmured. She didn’t deserve to be called such horrid names. She was beyond sweet, and she was an amazing woman.
“Thanks,” Emma mumbled, before giving me a pained smile. “Sorry, I let my walls down, I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s okay,” I reassured her, not caring if she read my thoughts accidentally.
“I can’t believe I actually dated him for nearly a year. He’s such a tool,” Emma groaned, but then a small smile broke out on her face as she turned to me. “You owned his arse.”
“I didn’t mean to,” I groaned.
“It was awesome, he deserved it,” Emma chuckled.
“Amen to that,” Lucas agreed as he strode over with a fancy blue cocktail. He’d even stuck an umbrella in it.
“Thanks,” Emma chuckled lightly as she accepted it.
She had a sip of it, closing her eyes as she tried to relax.
“I’m going to go see what the boys want to do for dinner. You’re welcome to stay for dinner too,” Lucas said, giving me a knowing look. He had a feeling she may want to just be alone with me.
I nodded gently at him as he headed off, and I watched as Emma took a decent gulp of her drink.
“He does make some mean cocktails, this tastes amazing,” she smiled as she set it down on the coffee table.
“He’s a warlock, nothing surprises me anymore,” I said with an eye roll.
“Scott wasn’t always a dick. He was nice to me at first. But as time passed, I began to notice that he may have just been with me for the social status. He’d dated the telepathic girl,” Emma scoffed.
I gritted my teeth as I put a hand on her shoulder, and she gave me a soft smile before sighing.
“I never told you why we broke up. I tried so hard not to listen into his mind. Always keeping my walls up like he’d asked me to, said it was the right thing to do. I accidentally overheard his thoughts one day. He was wondering how long it would take for me to figure out he’d been cheating for the past few months. He’
d laughed with his friends about how I was telepathic and didn’t know. It was just a big joke to him. It crushed me,” Emma sniffled, and I pulled her into a hug as she began to sob softly. “I hate him so much. I hate that I cared for him!”
What a goddamn bastard. How could someone be so utterly cruel? I hated him with every fibre of my being for hurting her like that, for using her.
“And now he’s annoyed I’m with George. I don’t get it, we broke up ages ago. He never really loved me. Maybe he just hated losing control of me,” she sobbed softly.
I had a feeling she was spot on there. He’d been using her, so of course he was pissed off when he lost his hold on her.
Now she’d moved on, and it infuriated him.
“I did so much for him. Always tried to make him happy. Now I see what it should’ve been like. George is so sweet to me, cares so much, just wants me to be happy. Scott was never like that. He was a selfish pig,” she hissed.
“He was. But he’s gone now. He won’t bother you again, and if he does, you call us,” I said firmly as I tightened my arms around her.
‘He won’t hurt her ever again. If he even goes near her, he’ll be answering to all of us,’ Skip growled into my mind.
“I’ve heard George’s thoughts, you know,” Emma said as she pulled away, wiping at her eyes and sniffling as she pulled herself together. “His are pure. Sweet. Always loving and affectionate,” she smiled, and my chest squeezed for her.
She had him now. Finally someone who was good to her.
We sat talking some more, straying from the horrid ex and more to George and all the cute things he’d done for her. She was seeing him nearly every day now, they couldn’t get enough of one another.
By the time Lucas came in to inform us there was fried rice made up for everyone, she’d finished off the cocktail and was in better spirits.
We headed out to the kitchen, and Emma’s face lit up when she saw George waiting for her.
He took her into his arms, and I found myself melting at how tight he held her.
He was not happy about Scott, but he was grateful we’d gone to her.
Lucas had called him while cooking, asking him to come by. Figured he’d be the perfect one to cheer her up.
“You’re okay?” George asked as he stroked her hair lovingly while still holding her.
“Yeah, Allison knocked him on his arse,” Emma chuckled.
“I heard,” George smiled, catching my eyes and giving me a soft nod in thanks.
I sat down at the table, serving myself up from the wok on the wooden chopping board as George spoke softly with Emma.
‘I know where that prick lives, we should go over there,’ Marcus suggested.
‘Hell no, no need to cause more drama,’ I sent back. The boys were all perched around the table now, serving themselves.
‘We heard what he did to her, he’s a horrid man. We won’t go over there to bash him or anything, just prank him. He goes to the pub most nights anyway,’ Skip thought from across the table as he shoveled the rice into his mouth.
‘We could do something to get back at him. He definitely deserves it. I can hide any trace it was us,’ Lucas mused.
‘He’ll know it was us,’ I mentally groaned.
‘He has a lot of enemies,’ Skip stated.
I looked over at Ollie in dismay. He was the only sane one right now.
‘I actually think you guys should. He was so rude and cruel to her. A prank is nothing in comparison, but it’ll make the rest of us feel good, and Emma, probably,’ Ollie murmured into my mind.
Was I the only logical one? I knew they were all pissed about what he’d done to Emma, and for good reason. But I got the sense he was unpredictable, and I didn’t want anything to go wrong.
‘It won’t. He’s actually very predictable. He wouldn’t come after us. He only goes after women, and I’ve already told him I’m protecting Emma now. He won’t risk it. This will just be my reminder to not fuck with us. I’ll leave a magical message for him stating as such,’ Lucas said.
’No one would go against Lucas if they went to school with him,’ Skip snickered.
I knew the stories of his mischief he’d gotten up to, of how he’d put bullies in their place. No one ever went after him. He was a warlock, the most powerful of supes.
If they were sure Scott wouldn’t do anything, then I sure as hell did want payback on the fucker.
How dare he hurt Emma and come after her today like that?!
I listened to the boys plot, knowing full well they intended to do it anyway whether I went along or not.
And they’d tell Emma after.
I still wasn’t sure how she’d respond, but I had a feeling a part of her would find it funny.
George and Emma joined us for dinner, and we all talked about uni, work, and upcoming events. Which brought us to my birthday.
“That’s only two weeks away,” Emma said, bouncing in her seat at the thought.
Birthdays. I’d never really celebrated them, but everyone wanted to come to my birthday this year. My Grandmother had already informed me through Natalie that she had her flights booked. She was bringing my cousin, Hayley, too.
The boys had spoken about it here and there, but I knew they didn’t want to think too much about it until it was closer. They wanted to surprise me, but with us being linked, it wasn’t always easy. They were blocking themselves off often, and I wondered what they were planning.
The thought actually made me nervous, that they all wanted to do something special for me.
I sighed as I caught Marcus’ eye across the table.
‘Don’t stress, it’ll be a good day,’ he assured me.
I knew he was right. I knew they’d all make it a wonderful day, I just didn’t want all the attention and focus to be on me. Just being with all the people I cared for made it special enough.
The boys all spoke about their plans for a camping trip soon. George was interested to hear what they were wanting to do. From the sounds of it, we were going to be leaving the day after my birthday, as we were having the Easter period off. Gina had already told me they’d be closed for Easter as well, so I had the time off.
I listened in, wanting to get some more details about the trip we were going on. We’d be four-wheel-driving and going to beaches, and just having a general trip away.
The boys were pretty terrible at keeping me updated on such things, forgetting that I wasn’t always listening in on their thoughts, so they did need to verbally tell me things.
Fishing was planned, and I was actually pretty excited for the upcoming holiday with the four of them.
They invited George along, but he and Emma already had plans for the Easter period, wanting to have a country getaway.
Dinner was followed with ice-cream topped with milo, and we all moved to the lounge room to throw on some Netflix.
Emma and George only hung around for one episode of ‘Lucifer’ before they headed off, leaving us all to our own devices.
“So, what’s the plan for Scott?” Skip asked only a few moments after they’d left.
Right. They hadn’t forgotten their plans of pranking the prick.
“We’ll all go. I’ll make sure we don’t leave a trace, just myself, with my own warning message,” Lucas stated from beside him on the lounge.
“When you say prank him, what are we going to do?” I asked, worried about the consequences. The boys wanted to break into his place and meddle, something I wasn’t too happy with. But at the same time, he deserved the absolute worst for hurting Emma the way he did.
“He lives alone in a place his parents bought him. He was always boasting about it, about not paying for a single thing. Spoilt brat really. He’ll get what he deserves, but don’t worry, we won’t damage anything, just his pride,” Lucas grinned deviously.
“You sure we won’t get in trouble?” Ollie asked, clearly worried as well. At least someone had some common sense.
“Who’s he going
to go to? The Area Enforcer? My father?” Lucas mused. “I’ll tell him why we did it, and sure, I’ll get in trouble, but if no one was hurt, it won’t be bad. And my father will probably be on our side once he knows the truth.”
He was more than willing to take the fall, and it made me rather glad to know he was willing to be punished to get revenge for Emma. Stupid, but good of him in a way.
“Are you going to be okay with us doing that? If you’re really not happy with it, we won’t. But he deserves it,” Marcus said as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side more on the lounge.
“I think you’re all nuts, but I’m in.”
I couldn’t believe we were doing this. Adrenaline was coursing through me as Lucas unlocked the front door with magic.
It was a modern house, set in one of the many estates, but no one would know we were here. Lucas had warded us and portaled us here.
Scott was supposedly at the pub, and wouldn’t be home for a while still. He seemed just like the kind of guy who would drink often and spend most nights at the pub.
So now we were all filing into his house, Skip chuckling as Ollie flicked on the light.
I scrunched up my nose.
Definitely a man’s home, and one who didn’t care for cleanliness.
Beer cans littered every surface, and there were old takeaway containers around the lounge, dirty clothes thrown over the three chairs at the dining table, a basket of what could only be assumed as maybe clean clothes on the table, and just junk everywhere.
“Man, people really live like this?” Marcus scowled at the mess.
“It stinks,” Skip groaned as he held his nose.
He was right, the whole house had a dirty, musty smell, like he never opened it up to air.
I headed into the kitchen, groaning at the overfull bin in the corner.
This man was a pig.
How on earth had Emma dated him?
Well, from memory, she had said she’d never really gone to his house. Maybe he’d cleaned when he knew he was having guests.
Maybe.
“Where’s the fridge?” Marcus asked as he followed me in. He made a beeline for it, and I watched as he flung open the door.