I exhaled and leaned back against the couch. “But how?”
“What if…” Paulina bit her lip and turned to look at me. “Maybe you should ask the Ouija board.”
“We tried that. You were there.” I frowned. “It didn’t work.”
Paulina arched one eyebrow. “We tried that here. I think you should go back to Dean’s house and try it there.”
My heart skipped a beat, and a cold chill slithered down my spine. I never wanted to use a Ouija board again, especially not there. But Paulina made a good point. That spirit that spoke to me at Dean’s house obviously knew more than we did, so if we could speak to that same spirit again, maybe we could get more answers.
I shuddered. “Okay. Okay, I’ll do it. But who is coming with me?”
Warmth spread through my chest, and then Jackson’s hand squeezed my shoulder from behind me. “Obviously I am going with you. And I was there last time. Whoever this spirit is, they were crazy powerful and caused a lot of trouble.”
Tegan closed the book on her lap and set it on the coffee table. “You’re not using another Ouija board without me.”
Henley frowned. “You think that’s a wise idea?”
“Wise? Probably not.” Tegan jumped off the couch. “But it wasn’t wise to pretend to be working with demons, yet look how that worked out.”
Henley opened her mouth then shut it. She grimaced. “I don’t like it, T.”
“Neither do I,” Tennessee growled. He crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. “But I think she’s right. We need more info out of this spirit, and that’s more likely to happen with Tegan involved—”
“Hold up.” I rubbed my face with my hands. “Can someone explain to me why it’s so dangerous for the Aether Witch to use a Ouija board?”
Everyone fell silent. They all just stared at Tegan like she was about to catch fire.
Jackson cursed behind me. “Because the Aether Witch has a special connection with this realm, but also with Heaven. It’s said that spirits are drawn to her, and they have more power when connecting with her, thus wreaking havoc when they do. This is why her using a Ouija board is a risky idea.”
Everyone turned to Tenn.
He scowled and looked to Tegan. “I don’t want you to do this. You know that. But I also know if it was anyone else in this Coven, I’d be saying it was worth the risk at this point. So I can’t let my own feelings for you get in the way.”
Tegan nodded. Her face was a little more pale than usual, like she, too, understood the risk involved. “I want you to come with me.”
Tenn smirked. “As if you had a choice.”
Tegan sighed and I felt her energy relax. “All right, the four of us will go, then.”
“No.” Hunter walked forward, shaking his head. “No chance in hell the two of you are using that Ouija board together. One risk is enough. I’ll go with you. My calming energy might help keep things under control. Tenn can stand guard. I may not be Coven Leader, but I will not budge on this. I’m a lot older than you, and I’ve seen what can happen when too much power is used.”
Tenn nodded. “You’re right. That’s a good idea. The five of us will go.”
“And the rest of us?” Cooper asked with a frown.
“Stay here. Stay on your toes.” Tenn put his hands on his hips and looked around the room. “We have a mission, but we can’t forget why we’re doing it. Joseph is planning something, and we need to be ready for anything at any given moment.”
Chapter Fifteen
Bettina
Tegan’s portal dropped us right on the sidewalk out front of Dean’s house. The same sidewalk Jackson and I had first met on. And now he stood beside me holding my hand in his. I smiled and my cheeks warmed. Sometimes I forgot just how much my life had changed in three months. I was back in Charleston, my hometown. The city I grew up in. And yet, now it felt alien and unfamiliar.
“Bettina?”
I looked up and found Tegan watching me. Tenn and Hunter were right behind her. “Yeah?”
“You okay?”
I shrugged. “It’s just…weird to be back here.”
Jackson squeezed my hand. “Because of the Ouija board?”
“Because it’s home. But it doesn’t feel like it anymore.”
Jackson sighed. “I know that feeling.”
Tegan gave me a small smile. “Yeah, that’s how I felt that night we all crashed at your house. It’s still weird, actually.”
“It’s because of Eden,” Hunter said softly. He moved closer to me and smiled. “There’s an energy there that we connect to on a spiritual level. Charleston, London, Tampa—these places we grew up, they may feel like home because it’s part of what builds us. But Eden is our home, all of arcana and especially The Coven. It’s our motherland. The magic of the land connects to us in a way we can’t quite put in words, and it quickly becomes home in our hearts.”
I blinked. “Damn, that was deep.”
Hunter grinned and winked at me. “Comes with the Mark.”
Tenn frowned. “Huh. I never thought about it like that.”
“Right?” I chuckled. “Okay, sorry, let’s get this over with.”
Hunter gestured toward the house. “After you, boss.”
Tenn nodded and led us up the sidewalk. With every step, my pulse quickened more and more. My hands shook. The last time I was here… I shuddered.
Jackson wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in close. He kissed my temple. “Did you want to stop in and see your parents while we’re here? I know you haven’t spoken to them since you left for Eden.”
I nodded, then frowned. “Wait, no. They lied to me my whole life. They kept this from me. If they would’ve told me earlier, I would’ve gone to Edenburg and I would’ve met you. We lost years together because my parents were scared to tell me I was a witch. I’m just not ready to make nice about that.”
Tegan chuckled and glanced over her shoulder. “Man, that sounds familiar.”
Hunter groaned. “You have no idea what that’s like, as the parent.”
Tegan reached behind her and squeezed his arm. “Dad, we’re past that now. I understand why you did it, even if it was so totally not okay. However, it’s not worth being upset over something I can’t change.”
Tenn knocked on the front door then glanced over his shoulder. “Look on the bright side. Your blood relatives are all still alive.”
Shit. I’m so senseless. “Tenn, I’m sorry, I wasn’t— I didn’t—"
He grinned. “I know, but you should’ve seen your face just now.”
Tegan threw her head back and laughed.
Hunter shook his head and smirked. “That’s so messed up.”
Jackson chuckled. “You two deserve each other.”
Tenn and Tegan high-fived.
The front door flew open, and a very disheveled-looking Dean stood in the doorway. He yawned then opened his eyes—and gasped. His eyes widened, and he jumped back. “Oh, shit. Come in, come in.”
Tenn nodded and stepped inside, with Tegan hot on his heels. A few people were in the foyer, but the second they saw Tenn, they ran.
Dean cursed and hurried back to Tenn. “Sorry, we’re just getting lunch ready, and it’s kinda chaos. But y’all don’t ever have to knock. You can just come in.”
Tennessee chuckled, held his left hand out, and shook Dean’s hand. “No worries, Dean. How are all our refugees doing?”
He ran his hands through his hair. “All things considered, pretty good. Is that why you’re here? Was I supposed to call you and check in?”
“No, no. That’s not why we’re here. I just was asking since we’re here.”
Dean sighed and I felt the tension leave his body. It was weird to feel things I couldn’t before.
Dean nodded and glanced around the five of us—then did a double take on me. His jaw dropped and his gaze lowered. “You two are a couple now?”
I looked down and realized he was seeing us holding ha
nds. My cheeks flushed. I smiled and pulled the collar of Jackson’s shirt down to show him our glyph. “Long story short, but yes.”
“Oh, shit!” Dean grinned and clapped. “Soulmates? Hot damn. Congrats, y’all. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, Dean.” I smiled, but then I remembered the last time I’d talked to Dean and my heart sank. I cleared my throat. “I’m sorry about Natasa.”
His face fell. His eyes grew hard. He looked over to Jackson. “Just make sure Trey gets his, okay?”
A wave of furious energy rolled off of my soulmate. Jackson growled, “You have my word. He will pay.”
“Good.” Dean nodded then turned back to Tenn. “So, what did you come here for? How can I help?”
Tenn glanced over to me, then back to Dean. “We need to use your Ouija board.”
Dean’s eyes widened. “Uh…that did not go so well last time—”
“That was different. She didn’t know she was a witch and how sensitive Ouija boards are to us.” Tegan looked to me and smirked. “She knows now, and she’s a thug. So her power will be in control.”
Dean narrowed his eyes. “Suuuure.”
Tegan shrugged. “Plus, we’re here.”
Tenn cleared his throat. “We understand your concern, but this is a necessary risk we must take tonight.”
“All right. You’re the boss. I don’t mean to question you.” Dean walked backward and gestured for us to follow him. “Let’s get you up there, then.”
Tenn nodded to us then followed Dean through the living room and towards the kitchen. Tegan and her father went after him without pause, yet I couldn’t get my feet to move. My life had just come full circle. This place, this house, was where it all started for me, and now I was back. To repeat my past mistakes.
Well, actually, The Gathering was where it started technically. Kind of.
“Moonshine?”
I jumped, only to find Jackson standing right in front of me.
He ducked down and met my eyes, and tugged on my fingers. “Talk to me.”
“Last time…”
“This is not going to be like last time—”
“How do you know that?”
He smiled and pulled me closer. “Because you’re not doing it with three sapiens whose fear is going to catapult your own. We are not going to abandon you to the board. We are not afraid. And your powers haven’t just been awakened by a magical punch. You’re incredible and in control of yourself. Remember that.”
My heart swelled. I smiled, pushed up on my tiptoes, and pressed my lips to his. Not long, just a little peck. “I love you.”
He grinned. “I love you, too. Now c’mon. We don’t want Tenn coming to find us.”
I chuckled and let him pull me through the living room and into the kitchen. Our feet slowed. There were a handful of adults in the kitchen cooking and preparing a ton of food. A few of the younger kids were stacking plates, silverware, and cups. In the back of the room, there were at least a dozen teenagers I recognized from Edenburg. They seemed to be arranging tables and chairs for a large group to sit at.
Except no one was moving. I wasn’t even sure they were breathing.
And they were looking at Tennessee.
They hadn’t even noticed Jackson and I had walked in.
I smiled, glanced over at our Coven Leader, and found him standing at the base of the back staircase glaring up through the doorway. Michael’s six-foot-tall glowing sword stood in front of him, gripped tightly in his hands.
Jackson chuckled and shook his head. “Goddess, he’s going to give everyone a heart attack. Come on.”
He pulled me across the kitchen and over to the staircase. Tenn nodded at us but otherwise didn’t move. I paused on the bottom step. I felt the need to say…something to him. But I had nothing. That comment he’d made outside wasn’t sitting right. He’d said he was just kidding, but I saw something in his eyes that made me question that.
He arched one eyebrow. “Bettina?”
I opened my mouth then shut it.
He shook his head. “Go upstairs, Bettina.”
“But outside—”
“I’m fine, Bettina.” He smirked. “Go find us a spirit.”
“But—”
“Bettina?”
I jumped and spun around at the sound of Jackson’s voice. He was all the way at the top of the stairs watching me. I flushed. “Oh. Right. Coming. Sorry.”
As I hurried up to the top of the stairs and looked inside the open doorway, I was hit with a tsunami of déjà vu. It was that same square room made entirely of windows. I recognized the pointed ceiling with the vintage lantern hanging from it. I strolled inside and spun in a circle. There were still no chairs or furniture, just the trunk by the door and the wooden shelf that wrapped around the room at the base of the windows. Those white candles were still everywhere. Covering every inch of that shelf, and lining the baseboards on the floor.
It was exactly the same, and it sent a chill down my spine. It was a damn good thing it was daytime so it didn’t look exactly the same. I remembered first walking in here last time, when I thought the salty scent in the air smelled like the ocean. And I’d found it relaxing. It’d felt light and airy, and I’d thought it was the coolest thing. Then everything had changed. I hated how much that night affected me still to this day.
“Dean, you better get back down there before Tennessee gives all of our refugees PTSD,” Jackson said with a laugh. “I’m pretty sure those little kids aren’t gonna be sleeping tonight.”
“Ah, man,” Dean grumbled. “They’re already freaked out.”
I shook myself and refocused on the people in the room with me. Tegan and Hunter were on their knees in the middle of the room, with the Ouija board open on the floor. Beneath it was that same pentagram drawn in salt like before. I sighed and sank to my knees next to Hunter. I knew the rules. We had to sit boy-girl-boy-girl. Balance and all that shit. In my peripheral vision, I saw Jackson shake Dean’s hand then shut the door after he left. I felt the heat of Jackson’s body as he dropped to his knees beside me.
Bettina, Tegan whispered into my mind. Just breathe. This is not going to be like last time. We’re in control. You’re not alone. Pull that energy back in for me, ‘kay? Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and woosah.
I closed my eyes as she’d said and nodded. She was right. Jackson had said the same thing to me. We were four powerful witches, with another standing just down the stairs—one who could be up here in the blink of an eye. Not to mention Dean, his father the Major of Charleston, and all of the witches downstairs who we’d evacuated from Edenburg. We had our own mini army here if things went bad. These thoughts helped bring my pulse down to a normal level.
When I opened my eyes, I found Tegan waving her hands over the board, and salt hovered in the air above it like a cloud. It floated up by our faces, little pieces of snow falling from the sky. I glanced to Jackson and Hunter, but they both just shrugged. Tegan being Tegan.
“For what we seek is deep and dire, We see thy words burned in fire,” she chanted softly.
My eyes widened. That was definitely new. We hadn’t done that last time.
Tegan smiled calmly. “Paulina told me this trick to ease the communication with the spirits. It’s a trick only for The Coven. It allows the spirit to speak to us quicker, without having to hover over each of the letters. We want him or her to tell us as much as possible.”
“Oh. Wow.” I blinked and looked at the salt floating in front of me. “Cool.”
Jackson cleared his throat. “All right, Tegan. You going to lead us?”
She shook her head. “No, Bettina has to. We need her to try and connect with that same spirit. The rest of us need to stay quiet until we do.”
“Lovely,” I grumbled. I’d been hoping to take a back seat for this adventure.
“We still all have to touch—and hold—the planchette, though. So grab on.” Tegan leaned forward and put both of her middle and pointer
fingers on the triangular object. “Just these fingers.”
The three of us put our fingers on the planchette, and every single candle in the room lit up. Tiny orange flames flickered all around us. My pulse skipped. My stomach dropped.
Relax, y’all. That’s normal for our kind of power. Stay calm. Dad, that’s your cue.
A golden mist filled the room, surrounding us in a comfy fog. All of the tension in my body lifted. My breaths came easier. I stopped clenching my teeth. Jackson rolled his shoulders and nodded.
Thanks, Dad, Tegan said in our minds. Now, B. You remember how to do this?
I met her stare and nodded. Even though I wished I didn’t. It was at times like this that I wished I was a bit of a coward, because then someone else would have to do it. But I wasn’t, so I had to buckle up and go for it. I licked my lips then pushed the planchette around the board in a circle shape, the others helping me move it along.
“I call upon the spirits around us,” I chanted slowly and steadily. “I seek a familiar soul I met here before.”
A gust of air rushed over our heads. The windows were closed.
“Spirit, are you here?”
The planchette moved to hover over the word YES.
I swallowed and nodded. “Hello. I’m Bettina. Have we spoken before?”
YES.
The others exchanged glances.
“Who are you?”
The planchette moved over to the rows of letters, except instead of spelling the words out by individual letters, the words appeared in the air between us…in thin, burning lines.
MAX MILLER.
I gasped. Tegan’s eyes widened. Jackson frowned. Hunter closed his eyes.
“Max… Max, why are you here still?” I knew this wasn’t on our agenda, but I couldn’t stop myself from asking. This boy had died almost a year ago, yet his spirit was still here. “Max?”
Again, his words appeared in flames.
I DON’T KNOW.
STUCK.
CAN YOU HELP ME?
My heart sank. This poor soul. I didn’t understand how this had happened. How souls got stuck in the in-between, not passing on. I didn’t know what to say to him, how to help him. I looked across from me to Tegan.
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