Chapter 11
BAILEY
I wake up with a jolt, disoriented for a second as it’s still dark with the window boarded up.
I put my glasses on and make out his form about three feet away.
My eyes adjust some more and now I make out the outline of his face.
There’s the shadow of what’s undoubtedly that sexy stubble I usually enjoy seeing on his face.
His brown button-down is half-open, sleeves rolled to his elbows.
If it were a little lighter down here, I’d see his tanned skin, black ink, and that oozing sex appeal.
And I don’t know how to feel about the way he looked at me last night. With that look in what I used to think were the sexiest eyes I’d ever seen. He’s been looking at me instead of through me or past me.
My eyes adjust even further and now the look on his face is clear. And I do know how to feel about the look on his face, the little smirk on that mouth.
I feel exposed. Jason Creed is looking at me like I’m naked and like he wants to take a helping of what’s on display. And beyond feeling exposed, I’m feeling anger. Yup, I’m very, very angry.
He’s staring at my chest now, which is sort of spilling out of my shirt. I sit up and rub my eyes.
“You should drink that water if it’s really unopened,” he says.
I shouldn’t. I shouldn’t drink the water when he can’t have any. I didn’t eat the sandwich or the piece of fruit, nor open the bag of nuts or chips included in the paper bag. Because as angry with him as I am, I won’t sit and eat or drink when he can’t do either.
I do need a restroom, though. And he must be holding nature’s urge, too, but I’m not about to feel bad about not peeing my pants if I can help it. Since they left, I’m hoping the basement door is unlocked. I get up and climb the stairs, turning the light on when I get to the top step.
“Wait, what’re you doin’?” Jase demands, alarm in his voice.
I look over my shoulder and he’s directly behind me.
“I’m seeing if the door is unlocked. I need the bathroom.”
“Stay here. I can’t keep you safe up there.”
“Have you heard any more footsteps?” I ask.
“No. Still, don’t trust them.”
“I need to pee so I’m gonna have to take the chance.”
“Just use that corner over there.” He gestures.
“Absolutely not!” I retort, climbing the last two steps and twisting the knob, relieved at finding it unlocked.
“Bailey! Get back here!”
Whatever.
Maybe I shouldn’t be blasé about this, it’s not as if I can do much to defend myself if those two guys are up there, aiming to do harm. But I’m not smelling and not hearing anyone here. I’m also not feeling much like humoring Jase right now.
I find the house empty. And looking out the window at the sun in the sky it’s approaching midday.
After using the facilities, I assess the space.
They’re in the midst of moving in, while renovating.
Everything has been recently painted neutral colors and the gleaming light wood floors look new.
The powder room down the hall from the basement door is freshly done, too, but the kitchen hasn’t been tackled yet and was probably last done in the eighties.
There are three paint swatches taped to the wall, so it’s obviously next on the plans for remodeling.
Furniture is sparse on this floor, but I explore the top level and see three furnished and tidy bedrooms. The master bedroom has a hospital bed as well as a queen bed next to it.
It’s also filled with moving boxes and smells like Alta and a male that’s related to the two guys that were here.
I smell disinfectant on top of some sort of sickness.
The fridge has mostly convenience foods and water in it. The pantry has more convenience food and snacks. There aren’t any dishes, only paper plates and disposable cutlery. But I won’t be eating anything until Jase can eat, too. Even if I’m pissed off at him, I’m not that cruel.
My thoughts are heading into territory I don’t want to explore right now.
I can’t or I don’t know how I’d handle the emotions.
Instead, I think about Cicely, and hope she’s ecstatic.
And I hope this means Jared Stone is joining the pack.
It’s not cut and dried, by the way Grey hinted at problems, but lately it never is in our pack.
I don’t really know Jared, but I’ve heard he prefers to be a lone wolf. I can’t imagine how Cicely might feel about that. She can be a lone female at times but never for long. She’ll go off and do her own thing often, but she always comes back, craving pack.
I think about my parents, hoping things are better with Mom and Dad.
And I also ponder how much grief everyone will give me for coming over here and inserting myself into this situation.
I don’t linger on that for long because I hear noise that has me rushing to the front door. Jase’s bag and my bags are here by the door. Relief! My clothes, phone, my purse, and passport. And here’s Dani, climbing out of her rental car in the driveway.
I open the door as she climbs the stairs, assessing me visually. She grabs hold of both my hands and squeezes. “You okay?”
I shrug and laugh.
She frowns, obviously recognizing the bitterness of the laughter, and waits.
I finally say, “I have no clue. But I guess, physically. As for emotionally, that’s another story and let’s say I’m not ready to visit it.”
She gives me a warm look of compassion. I don’t know how witches’ minds work or a whole lot about Danica Young’s powers other than that she’s a healer, but I feel an energy from her right now that’s new. Maybe she’s tapping into her gifts to read me.
“Can you get him out of that shield, or will we need Aphra for that?”
“Aphra’s with Erica right now. Aphra’s a spell-writer, too, so they’ve got their heads together working out what can be done remotely.
She’s unwilling to get anywhere near Alta and has to be cautious about the magic she uses as well as where it’s used or it could compromise the shield that keeps her hidden from her old coven. ”
“Did you set me up?” I blatantly ask. “Take the artifacts and leave me with Jase on purpose?”
She looks contrite.
“Yeah, you did,” I say.
“There are things we influenced and things that happened without our influence, Bailey. I can’t get into details, but the Starling abduction was a surprise.”
“Erica said Jase might be in danger,” I state.
She gives me a soft expression, “You were eavesdropping and she wanted you to take action. We knew it was time but didn’t know about any danger component. We would never intentionally do anything to put either of you or anyone else in harm’s way.”
My face burns.
“Unless they deserve it,” she tacks on with a wink.
I sigh. “Well, Jase might deserve some consequences, though I don’t like that he’s been stuck in there all this time without the ability to eat, drink, go to the bathroom.”
“He’s all right,” she waves her hand dismissively. “He won’t feel bathroom urges while behind that protective shield, but he can’t stay in there indefinitely without ill effects.”
I want to be annoyed with the Young sisters, and if I’m honest, I guess I am. But I also know Erica wouldn’t do what she did without believing it’d all work out for the best. I can’t grasp how I feel about much right now. If I try, I’m liable to fall to pieces.
“There’s one of those green flowers in there with him, too, so that’s probably making him feel shitty.”
“It’d definitely contribute to making him feel shitty.
I can’t get him out on my own, but step one will be to get that flower out.
And if I can manage, it’ll mean we can get some food and water through the barrier for starters.
I brought some supplies with me.” She lifts her shoulder, where she’s got a tote bag.
“Maybe I oughta take one of the remaining breath strips to put me in a bubble before you let him out,” I grumble.
She tilts her head. “You have more?”
“Two more,” I say.
She brightens. “Good news, then. If I can get the flower out it’ll mean I can get one of those in there for him to take. It’s a toggle switch. If he takes it, it’ll shut the barrier off.”
I feel relief, but then my shoulders slump and she notices.
“But first, talk to me about what you’re feeling right now.”
I thrust my hands into my hair. “My family and friends are going to shit all over me for what they’re probably calling a major fuckup in coming here and doing this. And even more than that… you probably know by now that Jase says I’m…” I let that hang because I find myself unable to say the words.
She waits. When I can’t get the words out, she finally nods.
“How long have you known?” I ask.
“I found out not long ago. But… I suspected as much when my sister stopped me from letting him kiss me by how Vivi was acting. She was keeping it to herself, hoping we wouldn’t get involved and knowing Erica would stick her oar in.
I hope you don’t hold this against me. Nothing happened between Jase and me and it wouldn’t have even gotten to flirting territory if I knew you two were fated mates. ”
I shrug, unsure of what to say.
She keeps talking. “Erica adores you. And she wanted to help. Vivi let us know it was imminent and that she had the sense it had to happen outside your village, so Erica put the fake wand and cauldron in his bag, and I picked up the correct ones. I dropped you off to let nature take its course. I was planning to call before the second leg of the trip and say he didn’t need to go to Bucharest. I was thinking I might send you two on a fake mission that would bring you to a romantic boutique hotel in Venice for the weekend as my mating gift to you. ” She shrugs.
“I do not want to go on a honeymoon with Jason Creed,” I practically hiss.
She waits for me to elaborate, so I take a deep breath and search for the words to explain.