Chapter 2
After two sleeping pills and two hours of tossing and turning to get to sleep, I still woke stupidly early the next morning.
As I rolled over with a yawn, my gaze rested on the phone sitting on my bedside table, and I was reminded of that late-night
text. Swiping to check it was still there, I found myself hesitating over the reply before my annoyance at the spellcaster
kicked in and I wrote back:
Paisley: How the fuck did you get my number?
Stalkcaster: I’ve had your number since you first got a phone.
Wait, what?
Paisley: You’ve had my number since I was sixteen?
I’d actually been fifteen when I got my first phone, which there was no way he knew.
Stalkcaster: Fifteen, Precious. Don’t lie to me, sweetheart.
Fucking Hel.
I’d saved his contact as “Stalkcaster” as a joke, but apparently my assumption that stalking was his favorite pastime was spot-on. Scary, creepy bastard.
Paisley: Okay, not creepy at all. But seriously, what do you want, Logan? Are you going to tell me about what happened in the graveyard . . .
or maybe what happened when we were kids?
He read my message, and I waited for his reply, but when nothing came through, I threw the phone to the side. Calm, Paisley. Calm the fuck down.
My magic swirled, and I quickly counted the days since I’d had my last suppression potion. Four. I was definitely due for another dose, so shrugging on my robe, I slipped my phone in my pocket and headed downstairs.
Mom was in the kitchen, her smile guarded when I stepped into the sunny room. Everything gleamed, the cabinets shiny and white,
and the scent of mint and lavender from her cleaning spell was as familiar as the witch herself. “Morning,” I said huskily,
desperate for coffee. “Sara not awake yet?”
“Not yet, honey,” she said, and I closed my eyes as she ruffled my hair. It almost felt like old times, but then she was gone,
choosing not to linger.
Grabbing a mug, I filled it with coffee, cream, and sugar, and tried not to wish it were a Weatherstone breakfast cart coffee.
I’d kill for one of their sandwiches as well.
Taking my mug into the living room, I found my oldest brother, Trevor, in conversation with Dad. Trevor eyed me for a beat,
before turning away to pretend I didn’t exist.
This had become my norm since the end of my first year at Weatherstone.
When my parents refused to tell my brothers and sisters about my affinity, and they’d forced me to do the same, my siblings
felt betrayed. We didn’t keep secrets, and they always had my back. They didn’t understand why this situation was different,
and to see the censure in their eyes broke me. I’d never felt lonelier in my life.
If Mom hadn’t scared me by pointing out that everyone in our family would be under scrutiny from the council, I’d have spilled
everything weeks ago. It was only my siblings’ safety that held my tongue.
Sara, hopefully, wasn’t as closely connected and wouldn’t be monitored. It’d been a weak moment to spill my secret last night,
and I could only hope there’d be no fallout from it.
Wandering to the back porch, I descended the stairs into the garden and made my way out the side gate. I’d taken to walking
out here, near Simon and Morris’s enclosure. The twins’ familiars weren’t super friendly with me these days, but I felt closer
to my sisters by being here.
Sara’s voice drifted out through the open hallway window as she greeted my family, and I dismissed a brief worry that I should
have stayed to make sure she was comfortable. Sara was not only confident, but she’d also met all my family before and always
made herself at home wherever she was.
Lifting my head, I sent out a prayer to Selene that Sara wouldn’t be in any danger from my desperate confessions last night.
I mean, she wasn’t a Hallistar and couldn’t have anything to do with this fucked-up recessive gene.
Outside the gate, I headed deeper into the forest in search of solace and peace.
My phone buzzed, and I forced myself not to check it like a desperate, needy witch.
Logan Kingston was as destructive to me as the power I held inside myself.
But there was no suppression potion that would work against him.
When I was surrounded by trees, I stopped and breathed in the damp scent of decaying matter—pine and cedar from the trees,
and an earthiness that reminded me of magic. Of herbs and spells and Weatherstone.
I missed that stupid place. Or maybe I missed the before my life was torn to fucking pieces.
As my energy settled, I let nature hold my pain in her palm and give me a brief moment of reprieve.
My phone buzzed again, destroying my moment, and I couldn’t ignore it any longer.
Stalkcaster: I’ll tell you what bonds us, Paisley Hallistar.
Stalkcaster: And it will change everything.
There was a figurative explosion of flutters in my chest, and it was almost too much sensation to handle. Short, shallow breaths
rocked me, and I barely held back a strangled yelp when a hand landed on my shoulder. I spun to find Sara, bleary-eyed and
in a robe as well, shivering in the chilly forest air.
We hadn’t had any snow yet this season, but it wouldn’t be long if that icy breeze was any indication.
“Pais, you okay?” she asked, glancing into the dark undergrowth beyond, as if searching for a threat. I felt swirls of her
air affinity move around us, warming the space. “What happened?”
Not sure what to tell her about Logan, because he was confusing as fuck and never followed any rules, I linked my arm through
hers. “I’m all good. Just jumping at shadows. We should get inside.”
She looked back once, then fell in step beside me. “After last night, I think we’re past secrets, friend.”
She was right. “Logan messaged me.” She gasped and I quickly added, “I got it last night after you went to bed.” Technically
true, since I didn’t read it until afterward.
“What did he say?”
Swallowing roughly, unsure how I felt, I mumbled, “That he was going to tell me what bonds us, and that it’ll change everything.”
Sara pulled me even closer. “I’m both terrified and turned on for you. It’s a confusing combination.”
I nudged her with a snort, before sobering. “Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.”
We walked for a few seconds in silence and I found myself needing to warn her. “I know this goes without saying, but please
don’t talk to anyone about what I told you last night. My siblings don’t even know because it’s a dangerous situation. They’re
too closely related, but as my friend, I want you to be careful. I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to you.”
Her delicate features took on a fierce glow. “Girl, you know I’ll never speak a word of it. I’m here for you, and I will follow
your lead.” Her hug was just as fierce as her expression. “Love you, Pais.”
“Love you too.” I sniffled against her shoulder.
She jerked away. “Now, can we get back to the hottest fucking warlock in existence messaging you last night?”
“Hot but possibly evil,” I reminded her.
Her rasp of laughter was comforting. “Come on, you know he’s not evil.
You can’t possibly believe that after everything that happened.
He saved your life multiple times, and you make sweet fucking magic together.
” Her eyes twinkled at the double entendre, since Logan and I had both made magic and slept together.
“Change isn’t always a bad thing, Pais. You two can’t keep existing in this love-hate bubble.
It’s destructive, and you deserve better. ”
I soaked up her optimism, needing the bolster to my own. “You’re right,” I agreed, “we can’t continue the way we were. But
I have no idea if we can exist without animosity, thanks to our rather horrific family history. Will the truth set us free,
or destroy us completely?”
She shrugged. “Either way, you have no choice but to take the leap.” She tugged me toward the back porch. “Now come on, your
mom was almost done with breakfast when I left, and I’m starving.”
I followed her into the house, my nose twitching at the scent of bacon and pancakes.
My favorites.
Just like every other day of winter break.
My relationship with my parents might have been strained, but they showed their love in other ways. “I’ve got another shift
today,” I told Sara as we entered the kitchen. “You want to hang out at work?”
“Fuck yes. I’m here for you, babe. Your third sister, even if it’s by choice and not blood.”
My blood sisters, Jenna and Alice, were spending a lot of time with their new coven, Blessed Souls of Spokane, and barely
came home to sleep. It made it easier to keep my secret, but also harder because I missed them so much. This was the change
I’d been terrified of when they graduated from Weatherstone, and it hurt as much as I’d expected.
Needing a top-up before breakfast, I dragged Sara to the coffeepot, and she moaned when I handed her a cup. Black with sugar,
as was her preference. “You are a goddess,” she sighed.
Night witch, I mentally corrected.
Practically the same thing.
After I refilled my cup as well, we headed for the dining room, where Mom had already set the table and was ferrying food
into the center. Along with the pancakes and bacon, she had fruit salad and yogurt. My other favorites.
I tried not to break down and bawl in front of everyone. Our family was strained, but we weren’t broken. We’d loved each other
through hard times before, and I had all the faith we’d come out the other side.
“Sara, we’re so happy you could stay for the break,” Mom said, giving her one of her genuine smiles.
“Me too, Mrs. Hallistar,” she replied happily. “Thank you so much for extending the invitation to stay with Pais.”
Mom shushed her. “You’re always welcome. Have a seat, breakfast is almost ready.”
Sara took the seat beside me, and I found myself staring at Jensen and Trevor, who were sprawled on the opposite side of the
table. Trevor’s expression was cool—even as his rage simmered just below the surface.
“Heard from Belle?” he asked politely.
Squinting at him, I shook my head. “Not really.”
Sara snorted an unamused laugh. “Yeah, she’s been hitting us with one-word replies at best.”
The fires of Trevor’s elemental energy burned bright in his eyes. “You don’t think that’s fucking strange? Shouldn’t you give
a shit and maybe check in on her?”
“Trevor!” Mom shot over her best motherly glare. “If you can’t be polite, you can leave this room.”
Trevor cursed again and shoved his chair back. “Yeah, probably a good fucking idea. I’d rather eat anywhere but here.”
Jensen watched it all impassively and was the only one still treating me somewhat normally, even if he was reserved. He shot me a sympathetic smile, before tucking into his pancakes smothered in honey.
As the front door slammed and Trevor’s car roared to life outside, my eyes burned, and I stared down at my plate. Breakfast
had lost its appeal, but as Dad strolled in and took his seat at the end of the table, I forced myself to stay put.
With Dad’s trial only days away, I needed these last moments of normalcy.