Hayden glanced at me, his expression grim. “Doesn’t matter. It doesn’t have to be true for us to know he’s dangerous. Try not to think about it.”
“Oh, that’s gonna happen.” I rolled my eyes. “Let’s get some sparring in before we eat. There are some things I want to try out.”
Chait set the ladle on the counter and replaced the lid. “It needs to simmer a while anyway. What do you have in mind?”
“Training room.” I flicked a thumb toward the door.
We met Hayden’s mom on the way to the main house. She wore a black off-the-shoulder dress that stopped about three inches above her knee. Looked to me like Rachel’s newfound singlehood suited her just fine.
“Girls’ night out, Mom?” Hayden asked.
“Yes. Since I’ll be out late, thought I’d stay the night there. I already made the reservation.”
“Go easy on ’em. They’re only guys.” He chuckled.
She kissed him on the cheek and strutted out in her pink strappy heels.
“On a weeknight?” I watched her through the window as she climbed into her Jag. “It’s not even dark yet.”
“Happy hour,” Hayden explained.
“Hope she stays safe.” She looked way too hot to be a mom.
“She goes to the nicest places, Tessa, not dives. Country Clubs and swanky hotels where there’s security. Her friends are all rich with grown kids. Her friends have nothing better to do on a Tuesday night. She’ll be fine.”
I caught Chait’s scent as he moved close behind me. “Maybe she’ll let us drive that tomorrow,” he said.
“Get away from the window,” Hayden said. “You guys look like stalkers.”
I glanced at Hayden who eyed Chait’s arm as it slipped lightly around my waist and guided me away. Hayden frowned. Maybe he was suffering from I-don’t-want-you-but-no-one-else-can-have-you-either syndrome. If that was going through his head, too bad. I’d date whomever I wanted.
If only I wanted someone other than Hayden.
“So what did you want to try out?” Chait asked as we entered the gym.
“I want you to try to hurt me,” I said, then looked behind him.
“Tessa, hurting you will tell us what?” Hayden asked, clearly not liking the idea.
I drew my wandering gaze to Hayden. “In the library at Chait’s when those women came in, I put up a shield and they didn’t know I was there. What if I could do that to protect myself, not just keep them from sensing me?”
“I’ve never heard of anything like that,” Chait said doubtfully.
“But I’m not a normal witch.”
“Okay. Who gets the honor, me or Hayden?”
“You do it,” Hayden told him.
“Okay. On three. One…”
Tonight could be life or death. If putting up a shield was possible, I’d do it. Wait… none of us could do anything until we knew it was possible.
“Two…”
I am untouchable. No one can break through the invisible barrier surrounding me…
“Three.” I flinched as his fist flew at me, but I strengthened the wall. Right before impact with my stomach, his hand slowed, almost as if he’d hit a wall of sponge.
Chait’s mouth dropped open. “That was amazing. It felt like I was moving through marshmallow or something. Awesome.” He grinned.
“Now I want you to assault Hayden,” I said, eager to discover more. “And make it good.”
“What?” Hayden groaned. “I can already tell you he’s going to whip me.”
“Not necessarily. I mean, he might. But this could work on others, too. Chait, go.”
I imagined a wall around Hayden that no one could break through, not even Boris. Chait threw himself into a kick that would hurt like hell if he made it past the barrier. I held the wall steady as Chait’s leg slowed before making contact.
Chait laughed as he chose a sheathed dagger from the wall of weapons. “That was wicked cool. Let’s do it again.” He assumed his fighting stance, legs spread, hands up.
I projected the shield over Hayden again and Chait leaped at him. Just before Chait made contact, he threw the sheathed dagger at me. My shield dropped from Hayden as I caught the knife and the guys tumbled to the ground. Profanity spilled from Hayden’s mouth as he dusted himself off.
“You need to learn to multi-task,” Chait told me with a smug grin. “Next time, you’re going to handle the dagger while still protecting Hayden.”
I threw the shield up around Hayden and signaled to Chait. The dagger flew at me and I forced it in a different direction mid-way while still protecting Hayden. As Chait kicked and his leg met the marshmallow effect, Hayden’s fist shot out and punched Chait in the face.
Chait fell backward to the floor, laughing. “That was beautiful. We’ll do that again. Tessa, hold that shield on Hayden and yourself and shoot that dagger at me. Aim it to kill, sheathed of course.”
Hayden was merciless, kicking Chait in the ribs as the dagger bounced off Chait’s heart.
“Nice job.” Chait rubbed his side and grinned. “Time to refuel.”
While the noodles cooked, Hayden spread garlic butter over the bread and I set the table. During our meal, the only thing I could think about was what else I might be able to do. Could I shield a group of people? Maybe my only limitation was my imagination. Maybe by believing more, I could do more.
“He’ll be here in two hours,” Chait said between bites. “You got extra security guys?”
“Yeah, we have a total of four,” Hayden answered.
“Good. If Boris arrives early or he does something else we’re not expecting, I want your security guys to see him before he gets to us. Cameras on?”
“Yes.”
Two hours. Not enough time. Hopefully, there would be no battles tonight and everyone would leave alive. But what if Boris turned ugly? There were only three of us to his… twenty? Thirty?
“Eat,” Hayden said. “And stop thinking. If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. So what if he forces us to join him, like uses blackmail? We’ll go along with whatever, right? So long as we keep our cool, we’re okay.”
I nodded. “We’ll be fine.” Maybe.
“Have another bite. You need to be prepared for anything.” Hayden snagged my fork, piled it with pasta and floated it near my mouth. I opened and he fed me. “That’s a good girl.”
I chewed and made myself swallow. “Is there anyone you trust back home, Chait? Anyone we could recruit to be on standby? I know it’s short notice…” I forced another bite when Hayden handed me the fork.
“Or maybe you’d like to go back home?” Hayden asked Chait. “It’s gotta be safer there. It’s our fight, not yours.”
“I trusted David completely, more than anyone else. Turns out he’s the least trustworthy.” Chait looked down at his food and took a deep breath. “You guys are real. I’d trust either of you with my life. I’m in this for the long haul, live or die.”
We ate in silence, his words weighing on us.
“Hayden,” I said. “Boris wants me. You could bail and save yourself. I’m not sure this is your fight either.”
He pointed a fork at me. “After Chait’s speech, are you kidding me? I’m not going anywhere. Besides, I lost my tolerance for bullies. If Boris tries anything, I’m gonna want to kick his ass.”
The old Hayden probably would’ve bailed, like he tried that first day in the principal’s office. The old Hayden would just stand by and watch while a smaller kid got pushed around. Hayden had grown a lot since then. And as much as I didn’t want to love him, I couldn’t help it. He still needed work in the relationship department, but he’d learned honor and team spirit. He was even getting along with Chait. But, most likely, that was only because he no longer wanted me and was no longer jealous.
He still cared a little though. That was obvious by the way he tried to make sure I stayed well fed. And sometimes when he looked at me, I could almost see the same desire for me that I’d seen
before. My imagination, of course. Even if it were real, it wasn’t enough. Hayden was right. I’d probably be better off with Chait. I liked him and I certainly didn’t mind looking at his pretty face. Maybe one day, I’d forget about Hayden and have those same feelings for Chait.
“Tessa, eat. Only a few more bites.” Hayden loaded the fork I’d absentmindedly set down, and thrust it at me.
I scarfed the last of the pasta and garlic bread then put my plate away. We practiced the next half hour, Chait and Hayden sparring while I amused myself by interfering with them at random. They never knew if they would hit their target or hit marshmallow.
“Let’s take a break. Hayden, check with your security guys one last time and I’ll make sure the cameras are on.” Chait left the gym while Hayden worked the intercom.
I waited for them to come back, tapping my fingers on my thigh. A few minutes later, they returned with a duffle bag. Chait rifled through it and tossed Hayden a dagger, then tossed another one to me. He threw Hayden a second one and placed his own two in his waistband.
“I only get one?” I asked.
“You can’t multi-task, remember?” Chait smirked. “Just kidding. I only brought five and we don’t have your advantages.”
“Yeah, Chait and I need all the help we can get,” Hayden added, chuckling.
“Aren’t you guys nervous?” They’d been joking around all night and laughing like they didn’t have a care in the world.
“Of course we are. Who wouldn’t be?” Hayden closed the distance between us and stroked my arms, but I didn’t allow myself to respond. “We can do this. You can do this. Keep your cool. That’s the most important thing. Stay focused.”
“He’s a powerful guy and he’s terrifying.” Chait nodded solemnly. “But you’re scarier with what you can do. I wish we had more time to discover all your abilities. You have to keep your confidence and believe he can’t beat you.”
“Let’s get some chairs. If he’s bringing a ton of men, this room will hold them. And it’s the best place for battle if it comes to that,” Hayden said.
Hayden found some wooden folding chairs in the storage shed and we placed them near the door.
Boris showed up a half hour later — an hour early — undoubtedly to throw us off and catch us unprepared. Hayden greeted him graciously, as though he were an old friend.
Ten bodyguards followed him into the gym. I thought it unlikely that he’d only brought ten. The others were probably outside keeping an eye on Hayden’s security guards. Boris’s men fanned out several yards away and settled into their positions. I wondered what I’d do if I were Boris. For one thing, I would’ve already neutralized the guards. And the cameras. Boris didn’t get where he was — and stay there for a hundred years — by being stupid.
If we got into trouble, no one would see and no one would be alerted.
“Have a seat.” Hayden motioned to one of the chairs.
Boris sat and I took the seat across from him, the one between Chait and Hayden. “So Boris, what’s the occasion?”
“I wanted to check on your progress.” He smiled. Not an open-mouthed one but rather one that caused a subtle curling of his lips, like he could change his mind at any second.
I shrugged and kept my tone carefully neutral. “It’s been two days and I have school. How much progress do you think I should be making?”
“You’ve barely been in contact with Frank or Lila, but you’ve been with him an awful lot.” He didn’t define him or even look at Chait, but we both knew.
“He saved me from Rena. He’s not sure why he should remain loyal to them. What’s the problem, Boris? You think he should be completely unfazed by his own partner betraying everyone? Why are you really here?”
“You’re an intelligent girl, so I’m going to be straightforward with you. You’re becoming a potential… liability. The longer you remain undecided, the more uncomfortable I get. You’re going to have to take a side. If you choose us, I will provide round-the-clock protection while you live with your parents the next few weeks. In exchange, you’ll have no contact with any of Jane’s people. Once you turn eighteen and graduate, you’ll join us and I will make sure you are rewarded.”
“And if I don’t choose you?” I made a conscious effort not to curl my hands into a fist.
He lifted a shoulder and his eyes gleamed. “That would be a shame.”
“So, basically, what you’re saying is choose you now — or else?” I folded my arms over my chest to steady my trembling hands.
“Take it however you like, Tessa.” Boris crossed his legs and leaned an elbow on his knee as if he hadn’t just threatened me, but his eyes were on guard and ready for battle.
“You’re not trying to win me over with your charm anymore or trying to convince me you’re the good guys. You’ve moved straight to intimidation. What changed? Why the rush?” I reminded myself that Boris’s tactics were exactly what I’d expected. I needed to stay levelheaded, but that was difficult to do when his attitude disgusted me. As if I’d bow down and let him be boss over me. I rose from my chair. I let the fury take over and my adrenalin pumped through me. Anger was good. It was either that or be swallowed by terror.
“Tessa.” Hayden stood next to me. “Have a seat. We’re still talking.”
“We’re just talking,” Chait echoed in his smoothest voice.
“Listen to the boys,” Boris said, eyes narrowing to slits. “Sit.”
They were right. I was coiled too tightly. A quick glance at Chait told me he was ready to spring. Hayden looked more than ready to fight too.
Boris would never own me. Now was not necessarily the time for battle though, if it could possibly be avoided. Taking my seat again, I crossed my legs to appear relaxed though I was far from it. My limbs quivered and my mouth was void of moisture. Still, I spoke up.
“I don’t have a problem making a decision. We told you at dinner how we felt about Rena and David. Out of all of them, Chait’s the only one we like.” Taking a deep breath, I continued. “We can’t make a formal decision. I’m still living at home. I’m vulnerable there. You might have your men watching me, but someone could still get through. You can’t guarantee our safety. That was proven when Rena kidnapped me and later when she tried to kill me.”
As the words left my mouth, I realized that no matter how convincing my performance, Boris wouldn’t settle for anything less than a commitment right then. If he had his answer, he’d go and we’d work out the details later. It would give Hayden and me time to gather our strength and skills while we finished school. But could Boris keep us safe from anyone with their own agenda, like Rena? Unlikely. Besides, something about agreeing to Boris’s terms felt like selling my soul, even if I knew I was lying. If I could stall him…
“We’ve already discussed it and we’ve decided to choose you. I’m going to have to insist on more time before announcing it officially though.” As I faced him squarely, and lifted my chin, I noticed his expression change.
His eyes narrowed and his fury washed over me. He knew I’d already made my choice and it wasn’t him. It was over. He and his men weren’t leaving until Chait, Hayden and I were dead.
Not if I had any say about it. Boris’s ignorance of the extent of my abilities would work in my favor… maybe. I had to try. Closing my eyes, I gathered my strength. Another adrenalin rush hit me and I threw up a shield around Chait, Hayden and myself. I stood, interlocking my arms with theirs. We kicked our chairs aside and backed away from Boris.
In an instant, Boris stood in front of us. “What the hell is that?” He pushed out his hand then withdrew when he couldn’t go any further. “Fascinating. Such a shame you won’t need that talent after today. I’m going to give you one last chance. Choose me now and announce your decision to both sides tonight. Or watch Bree die. She’s here in the house now.” He sneered.
When I looked for her presence, I felt her close by. My insides trembled. Putting myself in danger was one thing. Risking Bree’s
life was another matter entirely.
“They have orders to kill her if you fight me.” A corner of his mouth lifted.
I could drop my shield from Hayden and Chait, in favor of Bree, but without their help, all four of us would be dead. Maybe there was another way. I couldn’t imagine Boris hurting Bree after what I had to say.
“That would be stupid,” I said. “She’s like me. If you got rid of me, you could gain her trust while she’s young. She’d be loyal and very useful.” I could stall Boris, but how long could I hold up our shield? Beads of sweat formed over my brow.
He kept his expression neutral, but it was obvious by the gleam in his eye that I had him at ‘She’s like me.’ He wouldn’t kill her. But it was too late for me. I’d blown it. Boris would never believe I’d choose him, even if I dropped to my knees and begged forgiveness.
“You make a very compelling argument. I’ll try to keep her alive. However, that depends on you.”
“I don’t get it. You would’ve had me on board if you’d been patient. By pushing, you’re losing me. Why the rush?”
His stance stiffened. “It seems that Her Majesty Jane has disappeared. That troubles me. I’ve known for years that there’s something different about your family. What are you exactly though? Does Jane know? Does it have anything to do with her disappearance? I wasn’t worried about any of that until…” He tapped his chin, still looking at ease, as if completely confident that his ten men could handle one little girl and two young guys.
Pins and needles. If only he’d spit it out.
“Now I’m wondering if your uniqueness and Jane’s disappearance could be related to your sister Zoe digging herself out of her coffin. Strange, huh?” My face must have given me away, because Boris’s brows shot up. He leaned toward me. “You already knew.”
My hand shot out, sending a ball of fiery energy straight into his gut.
He gasped and fell back, clutching at his stomach. “Kill them!”
His men charged, but I strengthened my shield.
Boris popped up, face flushed with rage and twisted into a remnant of its former self. “You stupid little bitch. You’ve just assured your demise,” he scoffed. “While you’re using all your energy, I’ll send a man out for food. When you’re too weak and can’t refuel, which boy will you cut loose first? Hayden? Or Chait?”
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