Yours forever,
“Grandma” Grace
If I was confused before, it didn’t compare to the confoundment I felt now. Two men? Does she mean Traian and Dr. Perry? If so, how did she know about them? Mom had always said Grandma Grace had been into witchcraft… Does that mean she had psychic powers, too? And why did she put ‘grandma’ in quotation marks?
I ran a hand over my face. I couldn’t wait until Traian came back tonight.
Someone knocked on the door. I quickly picked up the book, note, and paper and stuffed them under the quilted throw. I heard the key going into the lock and sighed in relief. Mindy. Maybe she could help me solve this weirdness.
“You look like shit.” She stepped inside.
I punched the code into the alarm pad as she closed and locked the door behind her. “Thanks. I feel like shit, too.”
“Should you be calling Dr. Yummy Pants?” She handed me a small pastry bag with a cheese Danish inside.
“Not you too.”
I took the bag and smelled its contents. My stomach growled angrily. I’d forgotten to eat anything after I had found the book that I hadn’t known existed in my house until yesterday afternoon.
“What? He’s cute. Don’t deny it.” Mindy strutted right into the kitchen and filled the teakettle. “Goodness, girl, you haven’t even made tea?”
“I’ve been preoccupied.” I took a bite of the buttery pastry and sighed as the fat and sugar melted in my mouth.
“Have you even slept?”
“Uh -uh.” I shook my head and took another bite. I set the pastry on the kitchen counter and took Mindy by the hand. “I have to show you something.”
We sat down on the futon, and I told her everything from the beginning—from when I got electrocuted at Eva’s grave until yesterday when I found this book—except I left Traian out. I still wasn’t ready to talk about him yet.
Storm jumped into Mindy’s lap and purred.
“Are you sure you didn’t just miss this book somehow?” Mindy asked as she scratched the top of Storm’s head.
“One hundred percent sure.” I put the rubbing paper over the cover of the book. “But this is making me question everything. I know I made this at the grave, but now the symbol is gone, but then here’s this book. Someone’s messing with me.”
But who… Perry? Traian? A ghost? Is Grandma Grace haunting me?
“I don’t know what to tell you. It’s weird. At least you have a new security system.” Her brows scrunched together. “Tell me more about your hands getting hot.”
I set the book and paper down and looked at my palms. “All I know is when I get pissed, they get hot, really hot. One time, I even saw an arc of electricity shoot from my hand when I went to open my front door. It all started that night in the cemetery.”
“Hmm.” Mindy took one of my hands. “Sounds like reiki energy. Maybe the energy you encountered at the cemetery unleashed your flow of chi. I know a reiki master… she might be able to help you sort that out.”
I nodded. “That’s what Dr. Perry told me last week. It’s almost like he expected me to have this reaction.” What if he’s the one who brought the book and hid it while installing the security system?
“I’ll call her tomorrow and see if we can set you up with an appointment this week.” Mindy smiled.
“Thanks.” I took my grandmother’s note. “But this only has me reeling.”
“Yeah, that is weird. Do you think she’s referring to Dr. Perry and the guy you’ve been seeing? Those are the only two men in your life I know of, unless you’re hiding more secrets.”
“You make it sound like I’m some flirtatious broad.” I exhaled forcefully and turned to Mindy. “Do you believe in magic and witchcraft?”
She laughed. “You know I do. I am certain there is a world out there that is invisible to the mere human eye, even though I can’t prove it.”
“What do you think Grandma means by ‘your next chapter’ and ‘transformation’?” I set the note on my lap and pointed to the lines.
“That’s easy,” she said. “Look at you. You’re living on your own, going to school, holding a job, and being Little Miss Independent.”
“Hardly,” I mumbled.
“You are. What happened yesterday was just a little bump in the road. You will do amazing things, this I’m sure of.” She squeezed my hand. “We’ll figure this out.”
“I bet Carol is pissed I’m off work again.”
Mindy’s nose scrunched up. “Yeah, she’s not happy, but there’s nothing she can do about it.”
“Oh, she could fire me.”
The kettle whistled on the stove, and Mindy got up without responding. When she came back with a two steaming cups of tea, we’d already moved on to something else. We hung out for a couple more hours, and sometime around noon, she left.
I felt better after talking to her, but still felt guilty for not sharing how Traian was connected to all of this. I wasn’t ready to yet.
I took a long, hot bath and then lay down for a nap. Storm curled up with me on the futon and I snoozed for two hours.
When I woke, I got cleaned up and tried to look somewhat presentable for Traian. I chose black leggings and a green turtleneck sweater dress. Storm stood on the edge of the bathroom sink and watched as I applied a little mascara, concealer, and blush. Then I slipped my feet into navy, slipper-like flats.
Traian arrived at my place right before dark. I knew when the buzzer rang that it would be him. He looked so good, standing outside my door, dressed in black, his hair pulled back, holding a bouquet of red and white roses. When he smiled, I thought I would dissolve into a pile of goo at his feet. I barely found my voice to invite him in.
As soon as he stepped inside my foyer, he closed the door behind him and wrapped his arms around me. Heavens, I had missed him. All the stress of the last two days vanished as my body relaxed in his embrace.
“I have missed you, my love,” he whispered in my ear, then placed a kiss on my cheek.
I let myself melt in his arms, my head resting against his solid chest. I breathed in and held the scent of the flowers and something else—the Traian scent. Leather, woods, and a hint of musk.
“I missed you too. Don’t ever leave again. You need to stay with me or close by.”
Traian shifted his body to look into my eyes. A moment later, he dipped his head and kissed my lips, but then he abruptly pulled back.
“What happened?” His eyes were wild. He pulled down the sweater and glanced at my neck, turning my chin side to side. “Who did this?”
“That crazy woman.” I lowered my voice, afraid that she might be outside the door listening. I know he would protect me, but one can’t be too cautious.
“Where?”
“She came to my work.”
“Did you call Butcher?” he asked.
“No.” I hadn’t even thought about calling him after the attack.
Traian’s eyes went cold. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. When he opened them, the black part of his irises had little red flakes. “You are not safe here anymore. You’re coming with me.”
“Excuse me? I’m okay. I’m at home, we have a security door, and the police are aware. Also, my professor installed an alarm system in my apartment. I think it’ll be fine.”
“You’re not safe here,” he repeated. “Human things will not protect you from her. Only I can protect you.”
“What are you talking about?” I stared at him, not believing what my ears heard. “Is she an alien or something?”
“You are not safe.” He took me by the sides and stared right into my eyes, as if hoping to convey some kind of message telepathically.
“I am perfectly safe, thank you very much, and you’re here, so let’s just have dinner while you tell me everything you’ve been keeping secret, and then you can help me with my microbiology project. Sound good?” The words came out fast.
He shook his head. “Why do you care so much for your stupi
d assignment when your life is in danger?”
“My stupid assignment?” I gawked. I couldn’t believe it. Did he just call my education stupid?
“It means nothing in the grand scheme of things, Everly. You, however, mean everything to me. You are my world, and I am damned if I can’t protect you from the evil about to befall you.” Traian’s voice cracked.
“Unbelievable,” I muttered.
He sighed.
“School means everything to me. Graduating with a degree is my life dream. If you can’t respect that, then maybe you shouldn’t be here.” Now I felt even more guilty for missing two classes last week.
“Everly, you are being ridiculous.”
“Am I?” I set my hands on my hips, the way my mother had on hers so many times. “So, what, we run away? If the woman knows where I work, she probably knows I have a family. What about them? Aren’t they in danger too?”
Traian’s jaw tightened. “We can figure that out later, but we must leave soon.”
“No. I’m not leaving. This is my home. Well, my grandmother’s, but that’s besides the point.” I squared my shoulders. “I’ve worked hard this year to gain my independence, and you just want me to leave it all behind?”
“Everly, we’re wasting time here.”
“No, you still haven’t told me anything and yet you expect me to drop everything and run away with you?”
Traian removed his hands from my waist and balled them into fists. “I know school is important to you, and under normal circumstances, I would encourage you to continue, but the longer you stay here, the more endangered you will be. We need to leave now.”
I blinked. This cannot be happening. “Are you going to help me with my project or not?” Screw dinner, I needed one more sample for my assignment. Why microbiology suddenly became so important I didn’t know, but my hands started heating up.
Storm poked her head around the kitchen counter and mewed.
He sighed again, this time releasing a low growl, sending the kitten into hiding. “Fine, what do you need?”
In that moment, I didn’t know whether to kick him out or slap him. I could feel the tingles of electricity popping in my palms.
Instead, I went to the counter. From my backpack, I pulled out a sealed bag containing mouth swabs and a set of Petri dishes. I opened one swab packet and the last unlabeled dish and turned to Traian.
“Open up.” I forced a smile.
He did as I asked. I ran the swab on the inside of his cheeks and transferred the specimen to the Petri dish. “That’s it.” I discarded the swab and wrappers.
“Okay, now that you got that out of the way, can we go?”
“Go where?”
“Anywhere. Here you are a target. We need to get you as far away from Seattle as possible.”
“If you’re so concerned about my safety, how about we go talk to the police?”
“The police cannot protect you from this evil, I promise you that.” He glanced around the apartment.
My whole body shuddered. This was the first time I actually felt a little scared—of him. All of the alarm bells inside my head exploded.
Where had this fear been last week when I invited him into my home?
I glanced at the small remote on the counter between us. Hit the panic button.
Maybe he was dangerous. I knew so little about him. And I never saw him with other people—he’d never introduced me to anyone except for Butcher. His family was conveniently dead, or so he said. As my thoughts buzzed, my hands crackled. I looked down and gasped.
Traian was at my side. “How long has this been happening?”
“Since I touched that stupid grave.” My breath came in spurts.
His eyes closed for a second. “No wonder she’s interested in you.”
“What’s happening to me?” I whimpered as the power in my hands turned up a notch.
“I don’t know, but we have to go.” He cautiously put his arm around me. “Let’s get you out of here.”
I suddenly felt trapped, and panic took over. I knew he could easily overpower me, but right then, I felt energy surging through my body. What if I hurt him?
“Stay away from me.” I pushed against his chest and felt the power unintentionally flow of out my hands.
Crack!
Traian smashed against the brick wall so hard, the side of the building shook. The light overhead exploded, raining thousands of glass shards down on me.
“Holy shit.” I covered my mouth with both hands. My palms didn’t feel hot anymore. What just happened? Did I hurt him? I hadn’t meant to.
Traian stared back at me, his eyes glowing red. “You are not safe here.” He pushed himself off the wall and examined the damage. “You need to come with me.” He extended his hand.
No, he isn’t safe with me. I stomped to the front door and opened it, smashing more glass under my flats. My heart hurt for what I was about to do.
I turned and glared at him. “You are not welcome here, Traian. Leave now, and don’t come back. Don’t follow me. Just leave.”
“Don’t do this, Everly. I’m the only one who can protect you. You are vulnerable. Your power is growing, but your body is weak. Aidra will find you and destroy you,” Traian pleaded.
“I don’t trust you. You are not good for me. You need to leave now.” I hated myself for saying those lies. It was me I didn’t trust, not him.
Traian shook his head, muscles straining in his neck, as if he was trying to force himself to stay, but something was compelling him, pulling him out the door.
“Goddamn magical rules,” he muttered under his breath, and then he was gone.
I closed the door and locked it. What just happened? Magic rules?
I wanted him. I wanted him to stay. I wanted to be with him. I wanted to snuggle with him on my bed, like I’d dreamed of doing so many times the last two days. Instead, we’d had a fight, he’d pissed me off, something happened with my hands, I nearly killed him, and now I’d kicked him out.
So much for a romantic night.
I surveyed the disaster in my apartment. Storm peeked out from under the chair in the living room.
“Oh god, what have I done?”
I ran a hand through my hair, only to pull it away covered with tiny pricks of blood. I grabbed my phone and called Mindy.
“I’m coming right over,” she answered, then she hung up.
A knock came the moment I turned my phone screen off. Please don’t be my mother, I prayed silently as I peeked through the peephole. Thankfully, it wasn’t.
“What are you doing here?” I opened the door with the chain on. “How did you get into the building?”
“I came to check on my patient. Wait, you’re bleeding.” Dr. Perry stepped up to the door. “Let me in so I can examine you.”
“I’m fine, just a little accident. Nothing to worry about.” My voice shook a little too much to convince him.
“Everly, please let me in,” he said in a calm tone. “I’m here to help.”
“Nope.” I went to close the door, but his hand pushed it back. “What are you doing?”
“I will call nine-one-one if you don’t open the door and let me check out your hand. Is that what you want?”
Dammit. At least Mindy was on her way, so I wouldn’t be alone with him too long. “Fine. Back up so I can take the chain off.”
Dr. Perry took in the war zone inside my apartment. “What happened?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Tell me while I check your hand. Let’s go in the bathroom.”
I sat on the toilet while he picked the tiny pieces of glass out of my palm and hair. He listened as I told him about my energy blast, though I conveniently left out the part about Traian being flung against the wall.
Just as he was wrapping the bandage around my hand, another knock sounded on the door.
“That’s Mindy.”
He said nothing as he opened the door and let her in before she could use her
key.
“Oh, my… What happened?”
“Our girl was trying some wizardry and broke the kitchen lights.” Perry turned to me. “Now you aren’t bleeding everywhere, go upstairs and rest, while Mindy and I clean up the mess. I’ll run to the store and get you some new light bulbs.”
Once again, I was being told what to do and treated like a little child. How had my evening gone so badly? There was no point in arguing, as exhaustion had settled in. I grabbed the red journal, rubbings, and Grandma’s note off the coffee table and headed up the stairs. Storm padded up behind me.
As I lay in bed, I texted my mom goodnight, so she wouldn’t worry. Then I texted Stella.
She responded. ‘Hey, do you want to come to a gala with me on Wednesday?’
‘Sure.’ I texted back. ‘Lab gets out at seven. I might be able to sneak out sooner.’
My phone jingled two seconds later. ‘Cool I’ll come pick you up at eight Wednesday night. Wear something fancy and do your hair and put makeup on please.’
‘Okay,’ I responded.
Mindy brought up toast and chamomile tea, but the bread tasted like cardboard and the tea was just sweetened water. Perry brought me some medicine, checked my vitals, and said he’d be back the next morning.
“I hate my life,” I said to Mindy after he left.
“Tell me what really happened.” She took away the uneaten toast and cold tea.
I waited for her to return before I told her everything about Traian. Finally. It felt good not to hold that secret anymore, but I braced myself for the lecture.
It never came.
“It all makes sense now.” She nodded thoughtfully. “I have an appointment with Tara, my reiki friend, on Thursday. I can move it up closer.”
What makes sense? “No, Thursday is fine. Would you be willing to do my hair and makeup on Wednesday? My sister invited me to attend a gala with her.”
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