by Holly Hood
“So then what happened?”
“The scarier of the two men, if that was even possible, stroked my forehead, whispering languages that made no sense into my ear. And just when I couldn’t take it any longer, he turned to Slade and told him he was part of an ancient coven and that if Slade agreed to all he wanted he would get us out of this. He would protect each and every one of us and restore our bodies. All we had to do was offer him something in exchange.”
I bit my lip, scared to hear her next words.
“He made it seem so effortless. He said he wanted our souls, an eternal bond, if we joined his coven and became what he called the Dark One, he would allow us to live to see another day. Slade said no, but this man informed him he was powerful enough to end him for refusal.
“That’s when I screamed, pleading with Slade to just do what he asked. I told him if he ever wanted to see his parents and Erica again he would just do it. That there were more important things than our souls. But that wasn’t enough for this man, he wanted Slade, he saw something in him. And he knew who else would.”
My heart sank. “Ezra?”
“Yes. He guaranteed Slade a very gracious gift for his agreement. Told him he wouldn’t be disappointed. And he followed through with his promise. He breathed new life into all of us, and we were thankful. We were back together as a family, we were alive.” Lucy ran a hand through my hair. She squeezed my arm, trying to make me understand.
“Ezra Buckland was a young, beautiful girl. Eyes like saucers, they peered into your soul. The fairest skin, and the sweetest lips. She turned heads just with a blink of her eye. But she was dark and evil. And a very cunning witch. Born from an ancestry of practicing wiccans. They treated her like a supernatural princess and Ezra knew everything she sought after could be hers. And her father, the man who saved us, Aubrey Buckland, he was willing to give her anything she wanted. He wanted her to become the most commanding and deadly of their kind, so it was easy to give in when you wanted to make such a monster.”
I shuddered at the thought of it. I saw her with my own eyes, and knowing her background didn’t make me feel any safer.
“But now she is angry because of me. Dead and angry.”
“Evil never wins, and Ezra lost. She thought she could have Slade and she was sadly mistaken. Nobody divides our family, even if we are tied to that coven. Slade didn’t deserve to be tormented for trying to do the right thing.” Lucy’s eye overflowed with anger as she spoke about Ezra.
“But what can any of us possibly do? Slade can’t get rid of her, and he can’t defend me any longer. My dad won’t let him anywhere near me.”
“Slade loves you. He wants to be free of her now more than ever. And we know a means to do that. It will work, Hope,” Lucy said with a look of confidence that I wished I could feel.
“But why now? What makes a difference now? She is dangerous and evil. Why is it so easy now to fix this?” I said, bombarding Lucy with questions.
Lucy stroked my hair, admiring me. She took my chin, tilting my head to the mirror. “Because, deep down, love is stronger than any magic. And love from time to time is a very unique kind of magic. And you are a very unique young lady.” Lucy’s fingers unexpectedly sent coolness all the way through me. I pulled away.
“I’m not unique. I’m just a girl with a very sad life and a dysfunctional family. I think you’re mistaken.” I looked away.
“You’re a whole lot more than that. You’re the girl that removed the darkness from Slade’s life. You made him feel like a real person again. Ever since that crash Slade has loathed himself for what he became, the choices he made, and all the outcomes from then on. But not anymore. You showed him there are people out there that care. And now he understands what it’s like to feel again.”
“I don’t understand, Lucy. I’m trying to, but it’s really hard. If I understood maybe it wouldn’t be so difficult. And I’m sick. Today is not the day. Maybe tomorrow I can find a way to get to Henry Park and talk this out.” I clutched my stomach as pain seared inside of me.
“Ezra is here now. She is using you. This thing you’re feeling, it’s not a bug. It’s her existence. She wants what you have because, to her, it was hers already. I need you to do exactly what I say. And if you do, we can fix everything.” Lucy clutched my arms. Her eyes locked on mine. Panic kicked in as I stared at her. I wasn’t so sure I wanted to be a part of anything.
“My dad knows I am in here. He knows that I am sick. Any minute now he will be banging on this door,” I warned her.
“No, he won’t. Take a look outside, Hope,” Lucy coaxed.
I unlocked the door, tugging it open. “How did you do that?” I asked, dumbfounded. Every single person in the restaurant was motionless. Posed in abnormal ways—some holding forks or knives, some biting into sandwiches or frozen mid-conversation. It was as if she had pushed pause on life.
Dad’s arm rested on Lynette’s shoulder and their faces held blissful smiles while Tucker’s gaze was stuck on the pathway to the restroom. Too concerned about where I was to eat the crab legs in front of him.
“You don’t have to answer that. I already know how you did what you did. What do you want me to do?”
Lucy turned me away from the door. I released my hold, allowing it close with a bang.
“We only need for you to trust us. And to come back to Henry Park one last time. If you want to get rid of a Buckland witch, you have to play under their conditions. ”
I disagreed instantly. “I am not going to be a sacrifice. I can’t do that. Why would Slade want me to do that?”
“No, we don’t want you to be. This is different. Do you trust me, Hope?”
I didn’t reply. I didn’t know who to trust. But I did want to help Slade. I truly cared about him.
“Okay. But I really don’t think tonight will work. But I doubt I will make it until tomorrow.” Waiting another night probably wasn’t going to work. If Ezra was making me ill, then she most likely was going to finish me off before the morning sunbeams hit my window. I didn’t know what I would do.
“Tucker. Stay with Tucker. It’s only for the night. I need you to get to Henry Park before the sun rises. Can you do that?”
I shook my head, baffled. “Yes. But I’m afraid to stay with Tucker. He sort of freaks me out,” I tried reasoning with her. Hanging out with Tucker was the one part of this plan I did not want to join in on.
“We will not let anything happen to you. Tucker’s family, for some bizarre reason, is loved by the whole town. And it’s evident by your father and Lynette’s little charade out there that this is your only way of getting out of your dad’s sight long enough to make it to us so we can do what we need to do, Hope.” Lucy patted my shoulder, suddenly seeming rushed. “This spell only lasts for so long. I will see you at sunrise.” The door opened allowing me to see that everything returned to how it once was.
“But don’t you think I should be worried? I was attacked on the beach when I was around Tucker and his family. Respected or not, Lucy, they give me the creeps. This seems really stupid.” I sighed, feeling out of options. Why couldn’t everything just be normal?
“Do you think Slade or any of us would ever let them hurt you?” Lucy squeezed the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes.
Something deep inside my mind was screaming for me to trust her. To just allow nature to take its course. Maybe this wasn’t nature, but we would never know the outcome to everything that happened in our lives. I wanted to help Slade. I wanted to help myself. I wanted to free him of this curse, this wickedness. And then we could be together. Even if my dad thought it was immoral. I felt it was right. I wanted to make it right.
“I’ll do it for Slade,” I told her, letting out a sigh of relief.
She shot me a pleased smile. “I’m happy to hear it.” She winked at me. “You’re a great girl, and both of you deserve to be happy.”
Once she was gone I turned back to the sinks and splashed water against my face. Pushi
ng past the pain and the nagging concern that I was getting into something I might not get back out of.
I sauntered back to the table, trying to play it cool, to act as if nothing bizarre had just occurred, to end this lunch as soon as possible so we could get our plan started.
“There she is,” Dad said, relief flooding his face.
“Yeah, here I am. Feeling better even.” I took a seat, giving everyone a smile.
Tucker fiddled with his napkin, not saying much at all.
“We didn’t know what you wanted, so we ordered you some chicken alfredo. Your dad said you’re not too into seafood,” Lynette told me, eyeing my food.
I stared down at my plate. “This is okay. Thanks.”
I quickly ate. Doing more rearranging of my food than truly eating it. I had no desire for food, but if I was going to get my dad to let me hang out with Tucker some more, I needed to act healthy.
“So, any big plans after this?” I asked them. Their expressions proved they were surprised by my change of disposition. But Dad respectfully smiled and answered my question without missing a beat.
“We were thinking about a movie.”
“Movies are great. I think that sounds really cool, Dad.” I sipped my drink, dodging his mystified look.
“What sort of movies are you into, Hope?” Lynette questioned. She was trying her best to be my pal. I knew where this relationship was headed. And any other day I would have been happy for my dad.
“I must admit, I enjoy a good chick flick. You probably already guessed that, though.” I laughed, shooting Tucker a glance. He cracked open a crab leg, giving me a weak smile. I could see he had grown uninterested with this lunch.
“I love a good romantic comedy,” Lynette said, staring off, lost in thought. It figured she would, I thought to myself. I imagined her sitting at home on the weekend in sweatpants, clutching a big bowl of popcorn as she watched some romcom.
“Dad, while you’re at the movies, I was wondering if Tucker and I could get some ice cream and watch a movie at his father’s beach house.”
Dad finished chewing his food. “I was thinking we all could go see a movie together.”
I raised an eyebrow in Lynette’s direction. “He sure knows how to ruin the mood for the two of you.” Lynette smirked and then I giggled along with her, doing my best to get to that beach house for the night.
“Really, the kids will be all right. Tucker will take good care of Hope. Right, Tuck?” Lynette said, shooting a smile in his direction. “I think this is great. What do you think, Neil?”
Dad scrubbed at his chin, he exhaled. “I suppose this will work just fine. But I will be calling to check up on the two of you. No funny business.” He pointed at Tucker, giving him a stern warning. I knew he wouldn’t call.
Tucker threw an arm around me, pulling me in for a proud win. “I will be a perfect gentleman. A movie, some ice cream, maybe a little popcorn.”
I smiled, satisfied I was able to set everything into motion.
Mr. Perfect
Tucker stood in the entrance of his dad’s beach house, welcoming me in. It was clear from his expression that he was pleased to see me so excited about our night together. If only he knew why I was so happy to be there.
The truth was, I was happy to be there because it got me closer to my real reason, and that was getting to Slade and Lucy, to Oz and Kidd. To get to all of them before daylight.
I slipped a finger into my front pocket, the edge of Karsen’s letter to Kidd digging into my fingertip. I made sure to take it with me when I told Tucker I needed to go back home and grab a sweater, because Dad was right, it was chilly.
But it wasn’t chilly at all. I was just looking out for Karsen.
He took my hand, leading me into his colossal living room. Overstuffed furniture, a fireplace, plush carpet and a huge flat screen all at our beck and call. Some kids in the neighborhood might have envied Tucker, but I felt more comforted that I wasn’t anything like his family. Because no matter how much money you had, it didn’t wipe away the sullied film that was attached to his entire family.
“Take a seat. I’ll go get us something to drink.” He unbuttoned a few buttons on his flannel shirt, getting more comfortable.
I lowered myself down onto the cushiony sectional, looking around the room at all the extravagant paintings on the walls. All of them shared the same subject matter, which was dark shades of indigo reminding me of the ocean.
Tucker hopped over the back of the sectional with a bottle of wine in one hand and two glasses in the other. He worked it open with one of those fancy cork removers, chucking it on the table once he got it loose, and poured it into the two wine glasses.
“Wine?” I asked.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure every kid has drank under the age of eighteen before.” He poured the red wine into my glass, handing it over.
I sniffed it. “Of course. Who hasn’t?”
Tucker nodded, his eyes pinned to mine as I sipped at my wine, studying my face intently.
“This is good,” I said with a smile. If I hadn’t watched him opening the bottle in front of me, I wouldn’t have accepted.
Tucker placed his palm on my thigh. “Let’s race. First one to finish their glass has to give the other one a back rub.”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay, fine.”
I moved the glass to my lips, watching Tucker with one quick tip of his head, down his entire glass of wine. He stole my glass, placing both of our glasses on the coffee table.
“I guess it’s your lucky day.” He grinned. I took my glass back, choking down the last of it. He sanded his hands together waiting for me to give in and let him touch me.
I cautiously removed my sweater. “I hope you’re good at this.”
“I’m the best.” He beamed.
I rested on my stomach, adjusting myself until I felt comfy, and rested my head on one of the chenille throw pillows.
He gently moved my hair from my shoulders. With a leg on each side of my back, the weight of him was bending my spine down into the couch cushions. My breath grew uneven.
“Uh, I don’t think you can sit on me like this,” I said softly, feeling him slip farther down, his weight easing up. His hands moved little by little up my back, from my waist to my ribcage, until he was kneading my shoulders. And I had to admit, he was pretty good with his hands.
The wine warmed my cheeks, loosening me up. Tucker drew my shirt up, the cool air from the room nipping at my back. My body grew rigid.
“Just relax,” he told me, planting a kiss on my back. A kiss that did zero for me. “Your skin is so soft,” he told me, rubbing his hands into my skin roughly.
“I use a lot of lotion. And moisturizing body scrubs,” I said facetiously, trying to lighten up the moment.
Tucker kissed my cheek. “You’re so cute.”
“Thanks. What’s with all the compliments?” Another kiss softly hit my shoulder blade, his fingers running through my hair.
“You make compliments come easy.”
I started to pity him. He was being so pleasant. I told myself he was only doing this because he wanted more. He wasn’t being this way because he was good and honest. And at last, my perspective returned again.
Tucker’s hands worked endlessly at my back, causing me to become really tired. My eyelids little by little started to fall and that same spark of light exploded behind them, warming up my skin.
I jumped, sluggishly searching the room. Tucker’s hands swaying my body from side to side against the rhythm of his hands.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, is everything okay?” Ezra’s voice probed unexpectedly.
I shrieked, rolling to my side and shoving Tucker off of me. Tucker grabbed the back of the couch, saving himself from landing on the floor.
“What the hell!” he exclaimed.
“I’m sorry. I was just startled. I thought I saw something,” I said, searching the room again, but there was no sign of Ez
ra. Maybe my mind just fooled me into believing she was there.
“I have the doors locked. It’s only the two of us here.” He pulled at my shirt, drawing me close. “How about we go upstairs?”
I pushed my hair behind my ear. “What is so fun upstairs? I was enjoying myself right here,” I said, the corners of my mouth drawing up, changing into a smile. I tugged his hand, pulling him back to the couch. He followed, but his mind was on only one thing. I watched him unfasten the rest of the buttons on his shirt, taking it off. His muscular body and pale skin on display, begging me to give in.
Tucker bent forward, raising his chin at the last second and connected with my lips. “Right here is just fine,” he whispered into my ear, his tongue gliding across my neckline as his fingers caressed my earlobe.
He lowered me down, his hands creeping across the stretch of my body. I turned my head away as he pushed himself between my legs, breathing heavy and ready for the next phase. He was nothing like Slade. He was simply concerned with getting pleasure out of our night together. He jerked my underwear down to my thighs.
“Tucker, can’t we just talk?” I asked quickly, pushing into him. His pawing was starting to become a little forceful. I pulled my tank top from his grip and searched for my skirt that he had slid right off of me. I couldn’t take anymore.
“What do you mean? We are having a good time.” He went after me again.
“No, you’re having a good time. I like things to be a little slower when it comes to sex,” I explained. I slid my underwear up. Taking the wine bottle from the table and pouring the two of us more.
“Slower how?” he asked, fondling my inner thigh with his fingertips. I handed over his glass of wine.
“Take your time. Sex is not about rushing. How is that pleasurable?”
He took a long drink of his wine. “I get the feeling you’re trying to find a way out of this, Hope.”