Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
“T ell me more.” They were at the kitchen table, each with a cup of chamomile tea.
Callie and Sawyer had insisted on coming back to Ruby’s house too, claiming they had important things to discuss.
Lena was tucked up in her bed, fully aware that they were all liars when they said they were going to play poker.
She was angry but too tired to fight them on it.
Rafe let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair. It groaned under his weight, and he stilled, but the little chair held.
“I think Lena’s a seer, someone who has visions about the future.” He ran a hand through his dark hair. “I’ve never met one, but I’ve heard they exist.”
Ruby glanced at Callie and Sawyer to see their reaction to this bit of news and to Ruby’s surprise, neither seemed surprised at all.
“So, what does this mean?” Goosebumps covered Ruby’s arms despite the mugginess of the kitchen.
Why did that word “seer” echo deep inside her? The dream about her parents’ accident floated to the surface of her thoughts. Had she really had it the night before the accident? Maybe she’d just had it so many times since she couldn’t tell anymore.
But her own dream wasn’t the issue right now. “Why was she talking about wolves? She’s never said that before.”
Rafe grimaced but didn’t hold back, just like he’d promised. “It must be related to the wolves that have been stalking you. Maybe that’s what she’s seeing. Maybe she knows…”
He didn’t need to finish his sentence. Ruby knew from the anguish on his face what he was going to say. Maybe Lena knew what was going to happen to her. Maybe she’d seen Ruby’s fate, and it wasn’t good.
“Hold on just a fucking second,” Callie interrupted, thunking her mug on the table. “You’re being stalked by wolves ? Is that why I helped you drag one into your garage?”
Sawyer’s eyes went wide. “You helped her drag a wolf into the garage?”
“It was me, actually. I’m the wolf,” Rafe said with a shrug. Okay, apparently they were being completely honest tonight.
The table sat in stunned silence for exactly two breaths.
“I think it might be time to tell Ruby where you’ve been for the past two years, Cal,” Sawyer said with a disbelieving laugh.
Ruby’s gaze swung to her friend and Callie’s cheeks flushed pink.
“Don’t tell me you’re a werewolf too!”
“No, not a wolf.”
“She’s a witch,” Sawyer said with a grin, clearly enjoying this all a bit too much.
“You’re a witch? Like flies on a broomstick, casts spells, wears a pointy hat, witch?”
“I do not now nor will I ever wear a pointy hat.”
Sawyer laughed again, and Ruby felt like she was having a full-blown mental breakdown.
“I have certain atmospheric abilities,” Callie said. Like that was a perfectly normal statement.
“She can control the weather,” Sawyer said, getting up to rummage through the fridge. “Do you have any snacks?”
“Ice cream in the freezer,” Ruby said weakly before turning back to Callie. “What the hell is he talking about?”
Callie blew out a long breath. “I noticed some strange things going on with me and my emotions.”
“She created lightning when we kissed. Pretty cool, huh?”
“Sawyer, please.”
“Sorry.” He sat with his dish of ice cream and mimed zipping his lips.
“It happened when I was overwhelmed or feeling something really strong.”
“It was one hell of a kiss,” Sawyer whispered to Rafe and Rafe gave him a bemused smile.
“Anyway,” Callie went on, ignoring him. “I went to spend time with my grandmother and she kinda?—”
“Taught her how to harness her powers. Like a real-life Yoda.”
Callie glared at him but then relented. “Yeah, actually, that’s kinda accurate.”
Ruby shook her head. “Okay, let me get this straight. You kissed Sawyer and freaked out about it so there was a literal lightning storm and then you ran away to your grandmother’s house where she’s been witch-training you and that’s why I haven’t seen you in two years?”
Callie bit her lip. “Uh?… yeah?… that’s about it.”
“Jesus, Cal.” Her comment about Sawyer seeing the real her and not flinching made a lot more sense. He’d found out she was a witch and was all in anyway. Ruby liked him even more now.
“I was going to tell you, but I didn’t think you’d believe me, but then all this happened.” She gestured to where Rafe sat scowling with a tiny teacup in his giant hands. “And I figured now was a good time to come clean.”
Right. Of course. A werewolf, a witch and a seer. When the hell had her life become a twisted fairy tale?
“And what about you, Sawyer? Vampire?”
“Ha! No, I wish. Just a regular old human, sadly.” He licked the ice cream from his spoon and smiled at Callie. “But every time we do it, the sun comes out, so that’s pretty cool.”
“Sawyer!” Callie covered her face, but Rafe snorted a laugh.
“That is pretty cool, actually,” Ruby said, and Callie lifted her hands.
“Really?” Callie asked.
“Of course! My best friend is a witch. Very cool. Can we hex people? Because Trina has been really pissing me off lately.”
Callie laughed. “No, sorry. It’s pretty limited to very localized weather patterns, but if you ever want a day off, I can probably get a good snowstorm going.”
“Incredible. We’ll circle back to that for sure, but what about Lena?”
“Right. That’s why I wanted to tell you all this. I was thinking maybe my grandmother could help. I mean, she might have some tips anyway.”
Tears sprung to Ruby’s eyes. “Yes, perfect. Thank you, Cal.”
“I told you, I got your back.” Callie wrapped her arms around her and Ruby caught a glimpse of Rafe’s face over her shoulder with a very I told you so look.
But Ruby didn’t mind at all.
She was glad he was right.