Chapter 4
Chapter four
Kaleb
When a witch is cut off from their coven, their power can become pent up within the body until their magic either fades away or boils over.
(From an article on the scientific studies of magic and covens.)
The crisp, cold air hits my cheeks and fills my lungs as I sprint down the street and away from the club.
What the fuck? What the fuck was that? Dizziness threatens to overwhelm me.
As soon as I turn the corner to the next block, I lean against a random tree, staring down at my still trembling hands.
No sparks of magic. Nothing. Did I imagine it? Oh crap, I must be going crazy.
When Stacy said tonight was going to be magical, this is not what I had in mind.
At. All.
I must be going crazy. It’s the only thought that pings around in my mind as I gasp, trying to pull air into my lungs.
I crouch down on the ground as I continue focusing on my breathing, eyes closed.
I don’t know how long I stay like this before the world finally seems to right itself again.
The sharp bark digs against my back, but somehow, the pain is welcomed.
By the time I stand, my body is no longer burning up. Instead, I shiver from the cold. I pull out my phone to see I have two missed calls and three texts. I wince when another text flashes and I realize they are all from my bestie.
Stacy: Kaleb. You’re starting to worry me. Call me ASAP.
Before I can freak her out even more, I tap the call button.
“Kaleb, please tell me you’re okay.”
“I’m fine. I’m so sorry for making you worry like that. I’m just a few blocks away from the club, but I’m walking home.”
A few teenagers in costumes catcall and start chasing each other while crossing the street. Trick or treating is still in full effect. Gods, it felt like four or five hours ago when we entered the club, when in reality it was less than two.
“Hang tight. I’m coming to meet you,” Stacy says.
I shake my head even though she can’t see me.
“No, Stace. I’m fine. I don’t want to ruin your night, too.
Stay at the club and have some fun. Maybe meet a hot guy.
Just text me a photo and address if you go home with him.
” Stacy and I have always looked out for each other.
Just because I might be having an early midlife crisis doesn’t mean I won’t protect my bestie.
“Nonsense. I’m already on my way, hon.”
Relief fills my chest. This is why I love her. She’s such a good friend. It only takes Stacy a couple of minutes to find me. With one look, she throws her arms around me, pulling me into a fierce hug.
Eventually, we start making our way home in silence.
Stacy gives me that comforting presence she knows I need without prying.
Fuck. I don’t even know what I would say.
‘Uh, gee, sorry I panicked and left without a word, but I flung some hot guy across the room with crazy green sparks of electricity. Oh, and the hot guy is the same one from my dreams.’
My mind wanders back to the handsome stranger I met tonight. I wince. I hope he’s okay. Fucking hell. I’m an asshole. I didn’t mean to hurt him and run, but I don’t know what happened. It’s like my brain freaked out and shut off. The next thing I knew, I was outside.
There’s no denying that I have premonitions or something of the sort.
Because tonight isn’t the first time I’ve seen him.
No, if I’m being completely honest, Darius is the man from my dreams, the one with the golden eyes.
I’m also pretty sure he’s the reason I have visions of tentacles. I don’t know how, but I just know it.
An image of the tentacle tattoos peeking out of his shirt comes to mind. They were in a spot where it almost looked like it curled around his collarbone. That must have hurt like a bitch, but I have to admit they sure are pretty.
I bite my lip and peer over at Stacy. “Um, did you see that guy I was chatting with?”
She chuckles. “Oh, you mean the hottie with the chiseled jaw and black lace mask? Uhhh, yeah. I’m pretty sure the whole club was checking him out.”
Usually, I’d laugh, or at the very least crack a smile, but I’m still worried about what I did to Darius. What must he think? Was anything I just witnessed with him real? Or am I having some kind of weird mental breakdown?
Stacy glances over at me and frowns. “What’s wrong? Did that guy hurt you?”
I shake my head. “No, actually. I think I might have hurt him,” I whisper, not wanting to tell her the whole truth. “Do you think I should go back and check on him? I kind of panicked and took off.”
Stacy cups my hand in hers, squeezing it for comfort.
“After you stormed past me, I saw him wandering around the dance floor. He looked fine. Not hurt at all, as far as I could tell. I saw him scanning the crowd with a worried look on his face.” She hums. “Now that I know a little bit of what happened, I think he might have been looking for you.”
Relief washes through me. “Okay. Let’s just head home then.
” The urge to turn back around is tempting as hell, even if it’s just so I can check on him, but I’m too ashamed.
A part of me really wishes I’d gotten his number, because I’m pretty sure that’s where the night was heading.
Either a sexy as hell one-night stand, or maybe even a future date.
But it doesn’t matter. I don’t know what I would say to him at this point.
Or even how I can explain what happened.
Sure, we might have clicked, and it’s clear I’m very attracted to him, but I’m pretty sure I blew it. Maybe it was just not in the cards for us.
I pull out my keys to unlock the door. Once we’re inside, I say goodnight to Stacy and head to my room. Cleo is on the edge of my bed, sitting up as if to show concern.
Sighing, I take off my necklace, adding the crystal pendant to my large collection. Every day, I swap out one crystal for another depending on my mood.
“Hey girl,” I say, scooping her up into my arms and bringing her tiny body up to my face. I practically bury my nose in her black fur. “How do you always smell like blueberries and fresh laundry? Hmm?”
Cleo begins to purr.
I place her on the floor before getting ready for bed. Loyal kitty that she is, Cleo must sense my mood, because she follows me around as I change into my pajamas and brush my teeth. All the while, she peers up at me with large kitty-cat eyes and continues purring her comforting little song.
Once I’m ready for bed, I scoop her back up, pull the blankets back, and climb onto my mattress.
Cleo settles next to me, extending her paw out and placing it on top of my arm.
I feel the light graze of her claws. Nothing painful, just a sweet reminder that she’s here with me.
So, I bask in her comforting stare and tell her the entire story of tonight’s events.
Then, I fall asleep to images of the beautiful man with the dark hair and tentacle tattoos.
The time on the dashboard reads 3:03 pm.
I’m in his car. Again.
This is the fifth time I’ve had this vision since meeting Darius. Since leaving him at the club. Damn. What I’d do to see him in person just one more time. I want to apologize. Make sure he’s okay. Maybe go get coffee and get to know each other.
I instantly recognize the inside of the car with its plastic McDonald’s cup in the cupholder and an empty paper bag on the floor.
Even though it’s bright out, rain pelts loudly against the window and roof of the car, sending a chill down my spine.
I try to peer around at my surroundings, but I can never tell where he is.
I can’t even tell if he’s still in the same state.
Right as I glance at the time again, it flickers.
3:04 pm. Just like clockwork, his phone rings. Darius glances at the caller ID. Zero. It’s always Zero who calls.
Every. Single. Time.
Who is he, and how does he know Darius?
My visions can be quite odd at times. For reasons unknown to me, I might see one thing, but not the other.
Sometimes things are clear, and other times things are blurry.
It’s almost as if my visions are selective, only giving me the information deemed relevant or some shit.
Sometimes I hear one thing even though I know other things are happening.
For example, Zero says something to Darius, but what does he say?
I have no freaking idea. The guy’s voice is muffled.
Darius, on the other hand? I can probably recite the next several words he says by heart.
“I told you,” Darius sighs. “I was surrounded by several hundred people, some of them human and several of them not. My magic had a hard time detecting the source.”
Even though I know the words that are spoken, they slam into me as if I’m hearing them for the first time.
Human.
Magic.
My heart races.
More words are spoken between the two men, but I already know I won’t be able to make out what they are saying.
Instead, I turn in my seat and study Darius.
He really is handsome, with dark brown hair that’s longer on top and shorter on the sides.
Just like the night we met, he’s wearing a nice pair of jeans and a tight tee, only instead of green, today it’s red.
Human.
Magic.
If this version of Darius is real, and I haven’t completely lost my mind, does that mean he actually has magic? Is he not human? Horrible quotes from Twilight come to mind, and I try not to laugh.
Zero’s muffled voice comes from the car speakers, and Darius replies. Usually, this would be about the time my vision fades.
I wonder if I’m in bed dreaming, or if this vision occurred while I was awake.
Thank goodness I’ve never actually had a vision while doing something dangerous.
At least my brain is aware enough to keep me alive.
Although there was one time when I spaced out in front of a little old granny at the grocery store, which was super embarrassing.
To my shock, rather than the vision fading away, it continues. I sit up straight in the car as Darius merges his car into the next lane. The vision has never lasted this long before. Excited, I glance around eagerly, trying to pick up any clues.
Other than the raindrops, I still can’t make out anything outside the car.
Something new catches my eye: a half-folded piece of paper.
I reach for it. Luckily, this vision lets me pick it up.
It’s a sketch. The image looks vaguely familiar, but I don’t know why.
Then, I spot my name at the top of the page.
My eyes scan the image again. I swallow hard.
Is this supposed to be me? Right under my name are my date of birth and age. What the fuck? The drawing doesn’t entirely look like me, but more like an older brother. I want to ask Darius to explain, but I know it’s useless. He can’t hear me.
I stare at the image for a little while longer, wondering when the vision will finally fade. I don’t think I’ve ever had a vision last this long before. Then something else catches my eye. A tiny, barely there scar above my lip. I gasp.
Someone either had to study me long enough to decipher its exact shape and size, or the information must have come from someone who knew me.
Jerking my head to the left, I scream, “Who drew this?” knowing I won’t get any answers.
Except…suddenly, Darius shouts, startled, his hand jerking the wheel in shock. My heart rate kicks up before he straightens the car again. But rather than focusing on the road, Darius stares right at me, jaw falling open. “Kaleb?”
I gasp. “You can see me?”
Darius pulls the car off to the side of the road and parks.
Startled, I open the passenger door and get out of the car.
So does Darius. He shouldn’t be able to see me!
Suddenly, Darius takes a step back, all while studying me with wide eyes, as if I’m a ghost, or as if he’s trying to make sure I’m real. He really does see me.
I notice the large green sign up ahead and read the exit. I gasp. Walnut Road. I know exactly where this is.
With a wide grin, I turn back to look at Darius, but it’s too late. Neither of us spots the car speeding toward him.
I scream right as darkness consumes me.