Ten minutes later, he dropped me off. Noise from the nearby interstate filled the air. Even at this early hour, vehicles flew past.
Across the road lay a truck stop and a McDonald’s. Tired travelers filled their cars with gas, and truckers ate breakfast inside the fast food joint. Plenty of people lingered about despite the early hour. My anxiety lessened, and I stopped gripping my phone so tightly in my pocket.
A bell on the door jingled when I stepped inside the cafe, and scents of coffee assaulted me. A lone barista stood behind the counter, wiping it down. Since the hours on the window said they opened at five thirty, I guessed she was still setting up.
I searched around for my dad but didn’t see him. It wasn’t quite six yet, so I figured I’d beaten him. Fiddling with my ponytail, I approached the counter.
The young barista smiled. “What can I get you?”
I picked the cheapest thing on the menu. “A small black coffee is fine. Can you make it to go?” I checked the time again. I would have to leave by half past six. Hopefully, my dad would show up soon.
After paying for and getting my drink, I sat at one of the tables. The chair wobbled when I pulled it out. One leg was shorter than the others so it kept teetering as I waited on the edge of my seat. Literally.
I checked the time again as a car pulled up to the drive-thru. Behind the counter, the barista got to work. Machines hissed and fresh scents of coffee filled the air, but even those inviting sounds and smells didn’t ease the pit forming in my stomach.
The clock read ten after six, and a sickening sense of doom that my father had stood me up began to settle in.
“Miss?” The barista leaned over the counter, waving a phone. “Are you Daria?”
I jerked upright so quickly that I almost dropped my coffee. “Um … yes. That’s me.”
“You have a phone call.” She waved the phone again. “Can you make it quick? We usually get a lot of phone orders at this time from people heading to work and wanting to bring in drinks.”
I stumbled when the teetering chair caught on the floor. “Yeah. Sure. Um, thanks.”
She handed me the phone, and I brought it tentatively to my ear. “Hello?”
“Daria? Is that you?”
Even though I’d just met him, I recognized my dad’s voice. “Yeah. It’s me. Where are you?”
“I’m sorry. My alarm didn’t go off, and since I don’t have your number, I had no way to call you. I’m glad I was able to reach you at the coffee house.”
My stomach sank. He’s canceling. “No, it’s fine. I should get back to the bus, anyway.”
“No, no! I still want to see you. Is there any chance you can come to my place before I go to work? I’d really like to see you before you leave, and the coffee shop is on the opposite side of town from where I work. I need to shower quickly, but I should be out by the time you get here.”
“Um…” Go to his house alone? It was one thing to meet my dad in a public place but another entirely to go to his home. Logan would be royally pissed off if I did that. “I can’t. I need to get back.”
“Please, Daria. I really want to see you. I’d like to be in your life again if you’re willing, and I also have something of your mother’s. I want to make sure I get it to you before you leave.”
“Something of Mom’s? What is it?”
“A ring that her mother, your grandmother, gave her. She lost it when we were together. She said something about it being in your family for generations. I found it a few years ago, buried in an old shoebox. It must have fallen in there somehow.”
My breath stopped. I knew exactly what he was talking about. My mom had mentioned the ring before—a family heirloom that the Gresham women treasured. “What does it look like?”
He paused, as if rummaging through the shoebox before pulling it out. “It has a large emerald in the center and a swirly pattern on the band.”
My chest tightened. That’s it! A sense of elation filled me. My mom would have been so happy to have that ring back. I closed my eyes, tears filling them. In a way, it felt as though I’d just regained a small part of my mother. That ring had meant so much to her.
I blinked back the tears.
The barista looked at me expectantly, and I remembered her request to not take too long on the phone. “Okay, I’ll come. Where do you live?”
He rattled off his address, and I hung up.
“Thanks.” I handed the phone back to her. As soon as the barista hung it up, it rang again. She answered and began taking an order.
I pulled out my phone, my fingers shaking in anticipation, and sent a quick text to Cecile.
Morning, Cece. My dad’s alarm didn’t go off, so he missed coming to the coffee shop. I’m taking a car to his house right now. He said he has Mom’s ring! Can you believe it? I’ll be quick, so I’ll be back soon. And if Logan wakes up, can you cover for me?
At the last moment, I tapped in my dad’s address at the end. Better to let Cecile know where I was in case they needed to pick me up if I couldn’t get another ride. I cringed. Logan would be livid if that happened.
After sending the text, I searched for another ride. Between the coffee and hired cars, my funds were dwindling, but a chance at finding my family’s lost ring and knowing that my dad and I could be kindling a new relationship made being broke worth it.
When the new driver finally pulled up, I slid into the back, a grin on my face, and gave him my dad’s address. My stomach flipped the entire way as he drove north of town. The small city fell behind us as wilderness grew.
“Do a lot of people live out here?” I asked the driver. Pine trees flashed by my window, and we’d driven at least five miles out of town.
He shook his head. “Not many. Just a few cabins here and there.”
Gravel crunched under the tires when he pulled onto a driveway off the narrow highway. An old mailbox teetered on its edge. I frowned as I took in the neglected property.
“Here you go.” He pulled up to an old trailer home. It looked decrepit and rotten, as if a strong wind could push it over.
My hand lingered on the door handle as I once again considered how much Logan would hate what I was doing. But you sent Cecile that text. They know where you are, and you’re about to get Mom’s ring back—you’ll actually have a part of her again.
Still…
I eyed the driver in his mirror. “Do you mind waiting to give me a ride back?”
The driver checked his watch. “I can wait as long as I don’t get another call. Will you be long?”
“No, I won’t be long. I just need to say goodbye to someone and grab something. Five to ten minutes max. Is that okay?”
He sighed. “Fine, but make it quick.”
I hurried out the door. Thick woods surrounded the property. Forest scents filtered through the air along with the smell of gasoline, and an old generator hummed somewhere.
Rickety porch steps swayed beneath my feet when I climbed up to the mobile home. I knocked once on the door, and my father immediately opened it. He smiled and stepped to the side. “Thanks for stopping by.” He eyed the vehicle behind me. “Come on in.”
Cigarette smoke lingered in the air when I stepped into the dingy trailer. Next came the appalling realization of how my father lived. Dirty dishes lined the counter in the old kitchen. Soiled clothes lay in a pile on the saggy couch, and a hint of body odor wafted from my father.
My nose wrinkled. I couldn’t help it. “I can’t stay long.” I wrapped my arms around my middle. “We’re leaving town soon.” When I turned around to face my dad, my head cocked. “I thought you said you had to shower.”
Greasy hair lined his head. I took a step back and put my hand in my pocket, comforted that my phone was so close. A pit formed in my stomach as I studied my dad’s appearance. He definitely hadn’t showered despite claiming that was what he would be doing.
I looked around for the ring, in his hand or on the counter but saw no sign of it.
; Something’s not right here…
“Dad?” I asked uneasily, startled that I’d just called him dad for the first time.
But instead of responding, my dad sidestepped me and was out the front door before I could stop him. He waved to the driver.
Jaw dropping, I realized he was waving the driver off. I bolted out the door behind him. “No! I need him to give me a ride back!” The queasy feeling in my stomach grew as red taillights disappeared up the drive.
Warning alarms went off inside me. Something was definitely wrong. Something was very, very wrong.
Run, Dar! Run now!
A survival instinct roared to life, and I barreled forward as my father turned back to me, his gaze hard.
I pushed past him, not questioning the instinct screaming at me to run, but in a frighteningly fast move, my father grabbed my upper arm just as I tried to take off down the porch stairs.
His fingers squeezed my bicep as he wrenched me back inside. I yelped and tried to break free, but his grip was too strong.
“Let me go!” I fought wildly, thrashing and kicking. Shit! My mind reeled as my light flew out of my storage chest. Sensations jolted through me.
I thrashed harder, doing everything I could to break free.
But I couldn’t.
My father shoved me back inside and slammed the door behind him before he pushed me to the floor. I scrambled back, blubbering pleas coming from me. “No! Please, no! Please don’t do this!”
My father smiled, the sight chilling. “Tick tock. Tick tock.”
My insides froze, the familiar words turning my blood to ice. I scampered back on the floor, my heart pounding as horror swirled through my veins.
Terror swallowed me whole as I stared up into the eyes of my father—the stalker who wanted to kill me.
Chapter 17
“It’s you! You’re the one who’s been threatening me!”
He leered before clapping in a mocking way. “Very good. You’re finally catching on.”
“But … what about the ring?” I scrambled back more on the dirty carpet and pushed to stand. My thighs backed into an end table. My father stood only feet away, but I couldn’t retreat any farther.
He engaged the lock on the front door. The sound of that bolt sliding into place made my stomach heave. He gave me a chilling smile. “There is no ring, and I need money.”
“No ring?” It was all I could manage before words from his email floated to the front of my mind. “Since you haven’t paid, the day is coming…”
“But I had until the end of the month!”
“Not anymore. I need the money now, or they’re coming after me.”
“Who’s coming after you?” It occurred to me the longer I kept him talking, the better chance I had of finding a way to escape.
“I owe some guys some money.”
My mind whirled. No wonder he’d encouraged me to pay off my stalker the previous night. He’d wanted me to pay him. And when I’d refuted his argument, he’d set up another meeting for us—a meeting where he got me alone. My mom had obviously told him about the ring—that was how he knew about it, and he probably knew I desperately wanted it back.
I’d fallen right into his trap.
Shit! Shit! Shit! My thoughts somersaulted as I realized how foolish I’d been. I discreetly felt for my phone. If I could get a quick call to Logan and keep my phone hidden, he would be able to hear what was going on.
I subtly pulled my phone out of my back pocket and kept it hidden behind my thigh while asking my father more babbling questions. Peeking down as evasively as possible, I pulled up Logan’s number. I was pushing the green button when my father’s eyes widened. His hand flew forward and snatched my phone away.
“What the hell are you doing?” he snarled.
I lunged forward, trying to grab it. From out of nowhere, his hand sailed from the right and smacked my cheek so hard that my head spun.
“You little bitch! Who are you trying to call?”
His chilling words and the ringing in my ears had terror sliding through my veins. He grabbed me, his hands digging painfully into my arms. “Who knows you’re here?”
I yelped.
“Who? Dammit! Tell me!”
“No one,” I lied. I could only pray that Cecile had read my text and would come for me. I sent up a silent prayer of thanks that I’d given her my dad’s address.
My father shook me again, bringing my attention back to him. “You’re going to get me the money now! Move!”
He shoved me toward the back of the trailer. I dug my heels in, but it didn’t help. He lifted me off the ground and threw me forward.
I sailed through the air for a split second before my head cracked into the wall. My vision threatened to go dark.
I muttered a spell under my breath, breaking my rule of never practicing my telekinetic magic in front of others. A lamp flew off the table in the direction of my father, but he ducked just in time.
I had another spell halfway done when he slammed his foot into my stomach, kicking me so hard I couldn’t breathe, let alone cast a spell.
“You’re just like your mother! A filthy witch! What you two do is an abomination!”
Tears filled my eyes at his cruel words. I pushed against the wall, my movements clumsy as I tried to stand while oxygen refused to enter my lungs. I can’t breathe!
My father loomed above me, any trace of the caring man I’d met the previous evening gone. Something warm and sticky dripped into my eye. I brought my hand to my forehead. It came away dripping with blood.
Genuine tears filled my eyes then as I stared up at the man who’d no doubt abused my mother. Everything became crystal clear—her unwillingness to talk about him, the way she tensed up whenever I mentioned him.
I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t know. If I’d known, I never would have agreed to meet him.
“Get up!” My father seethed.
A hook in the wall poked into my back. I scrambled to stand, but I swayed again, probably from lack of oxygen to my brain. Pitiful hoarse gasps emitted from my mouth.
The second I was on my feet, he shoved me toward the back of the trailer. Despite the blood trailing down my face and the dizziness, I frantically searched for a way out. No windows in the hall. There’s a front door behind us. There! In the corner! There’s a window there!
My dad abruptly latched onto my arm, as if sensing I was about to hurtle out the window. My light flowed forth again at the feel of his hand on me, its strength making me want to barf.
He wrenched my mouth open and stuffed a rag in, effectively stopping any chance I had at using magic around him again.
I gagged against the cottony filth, the taste making my stomach heave.
“You’re going to pay me now.”
“But I don’t have any money!” I mumbled through the rag, my words barely coherent. I dragged in another breath through my nose, some oxygen flooding my lungs.
“I know, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get it. You’re going to contact every one of your upcoming clients and demand that they each pay you five thousand dollars if they want to be seen. You’ll tell them to deposit the money into the account I give you, and they have one hour to do it. Do it now! If at least fifty thousand dollars isn’t in my account within the hour, you die.”
He pushed me forward, his grip still firm. Electric shocks continued to travel down my arms.
A desk sat in the corner of the back bedroom. It held a computer with two screens and other pieces of tech. Dirty clothes, empty beer bottles, and takeout boxes littered the floor. He pointed at the laptop. “Pull their phone numbers up from their emails.”
He knows their contact information is in my email? I stumbled on the carpet but stayed upright. He shoved me toward the computer.
A part of me still couldn’t believe what was happening. My own father, the man I’d dreamed about my entire life had probably abused my mother and was most likely going to kill me after he got his money, but the pa
in that evoked was quickly smothered with another emotion.
“No!” I yelled through the rag, refusing to sit at the computer as anger swirled in my gut.
He raised his hand to hit me again, but I ducked just as he swung.
“Bitch!”
I used the momentum of his failed attack to my advantage. Bending low, I shouldered him in the gut. He let out a loud oomph before falling back. I didn’t slow even though I had a hard time staying on my feet. I ripped the dirty rag from my mouth, rushed past him, and raced for the door.
At the last second, his hand shot out and grabbed my ankle. I fell forward just as my eyes alighted on an unbelievable sight through the living room window.
As I hit the ground, a large black wolf crashed through the glass, the ear-splitting sound filling the house.
I landed on the ground, hard, the wind knocked out of me. My lips parted as my heart beat so painfully I thought it would explode.
“What the hell?” my father said.
The huge wolf didn’t stop. The second it landed on the grimy living room carpet, it ran at full speed straight toward us. Broken glass clung to its black fur, but its eyes glowed as they locked onto my father.
Taking shallow, stifled breaths, I shrank back against the wall as howls from outside reached my ears. The wolf leaped over me and headed straight for my dad, snarling. Pitiful cries from my dad came next.
Just as quickly, another wolf jumped through the broken living room window, that one a dark-gray color.
Then two more wolves jumped through, just behind the dark-gray one. The three advanced, each of them running toward the black wolf, who held my father pinned to the floor, his huge jaws clamped around my father’s neck.
“Holy shit!” I whispered as trembles wracked my body. I sat completely still against the wall, too terrified to move. Is this really happening?
The gray wolf, and the other two—both dark gray with streaks of white and cream—circled my father and the first wolf.
My mind reeled with the unbelievable situation that was unfolding right in front of my eyes. Just get out, Daria! Get free while you can!
Magic in Light Page 14