Taken (15 page)

“I don’t know Channie. Dad’s a brave guy, but even without magic, he’s no match for your
daddy
. And what if your parents decide to use magic? The cops can’t protect you.”

Channie took a deep breath and gripped Josh’s biceps. “Hunter can.”

“Hunter is not your husband.”

“He’s a mage. Momma and Daddy know him. And it’ll explain the magical energy I’m sure they’ve already detected. Right now, they’ll think it’s me. But as soon as I walk in that room they’ll know I’ve lost my abilities.”

“I don’t like it.”

“Me neither, but what else are we gonna do?”

“So what if they figure out I’m a mage? They don’t have to know I’m a Veyjivik. I’ll tell them I belong to the Smith clan.”

“There is no Smith clan. Besides, Momma has an uncanny ability to figure out bloodlines. Even that stupid tracker figured out who you were.”

“Yeah, but he’s my uncle. He noticed the resemblance.”

“And you think Momma won’t?”

“Does she even know what my father looks like?”

“Every mage knows what the Veyjiviks look like. The only reason no one figured it out before is because we thought you were an Empty. You have to leave. Is there a way out of here that doesn’t go downstairs?”

“There’s a fire escape ladder rolled up inside the window seat, but I’m not leaving without you. You were right. I never should have brought you back here. Let’s go to California.”

“If Momma and Daddy left Blackhawk to come find me, it must be important. Maybe they’ve heard something new about the war. I’ll find out what I can, then send them home. But you have to get out of here. And shut down our connection. Most mages can’t see someone else’s heart-bond, but Aunt Wisdom noticed ours, and Momma’s almost as powerful.”

“You’ve got fifteen minutes to get rid of them and then I’m coming back.”

“Josh—”

“Take it or leave it.”

“Fine.” She got dressed while Josh removed the screen and attached the rope ladder to the window sill. She kissed him with all the love and passion she possessed then waited for him to climb down before opening the door.

~***~

Hunter immediately agreed to accompany Channie downstairs, even though he was obviously terrified of the prospect. No young mage in his right mind wanted anything to do with her Daddy.

When they walked into the fancy parlor, Daddy and Ezra jumped to their feet. Momma stayed right where she was, back ram-rod straight, arms folded across her chest, mouth pressed into a thin hard line.
 

Daddy lunged towards Channie. Ezra stepped in front of him but Daddy plowed right over him as if he weren’t there. Hunter threw his shield over Channie, grabbed her arm and jerked her out of the room.
 

Daddy’s voice cracked as he said, “Oh, baby girl. I’m so glad to see you.”

A sob broke from Channie’s throat as she wrenched her arm free from Hunter’s grasp and flung herself into Daddy’s arms. He nearly squeezed the life out of her, but it was a loving embrace. When he set her down and gazed at her face with tear-filled eyes, it broke her heart. Channie glanced sideways at Ezra and caught him swiping at his own eyes.
 

He said, “Channie, where’s Josh?”

“Um… he’s not here.”

“I’ll go get him.”

“No, I mean, he left.”

“What?” Ezra’s face flushed “Why?”

“He’s afraid of my daddy.”

Daddy’s voice sounded like the wrath of god as it echoed off the walls. “Did that boy dishonor you? If he laid so much as a hand on you I’ll skin him alive.”

Ezra said, “You need to calm down, Mr. Belks. I won’t tolerate threats of violence against my son.”
 

The vein on Daddy’s forehead pulsed. “That ain’t a threat, it’s a promise.”

Channie tugged on Daddy’s sleeve trying to get his attention but when he got riled up it was like trying to stop a raging bull. “Daddy, Josh did
not
 
dishonor me! He protected me. He came to my rescue after … after …” This was the perfect opportunity to create an alibi if Momma decided to scan Channie to determine whether or not she was still a virgin.
 

Ezra pulled his phone out of his pocket. Oh crap, he was going to call the police.

She couldn’t mention Harvey in front of him. He’d be sure to sick the cops on his trail and who knows where that might lead. And she sure as hell couldn’t let the cops anywhere near Momma and Daddy. She knew exactly where that would lead. “I want to go home. Can we please just go home?”

Ezra arched his left eyebrow and locked his gaze on Channie. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

It wasn’t what Channie wanted at all, but she couldn’t let Momma and Daddy get their hands on Josh. And she needed to get them out of the house before Ezra called the cops. She nodded then reached up and touched Daddy’s cheek. His energy dropped from a homicidal rage to a much safer level of annoyance.

“I want Hunter to come too. Is that okay, Daddy?”

Daddy looked at Hunter as if he’d just noticed his presence. “What are you doing so far away from home, boy?”

Hunter glanced at Channie. She held her breath and bit her lower lip. Hunter gave her a tiny nod then squared his shoulders and locked gazes with Daddy. “Somebody stirred up a heap of trouble then run off and left the rest of us to deal with it. It ain’t safe for nobody no more.”

Daddy’s shoulders slumped as he rubbed the back of his neck. “All right. You can stay with us as long you need to.” He took his hand from his neck and pointed at Hunter’s chest. “If I catch you messing with Channie, you’re gonna wish you’d never been born.”

“Yessir.”

Ezra pulled his eyebrows together and frowned as he looked at Channie. She clenched her jaw to keep her chin from quivering then said, “Tell Josh …” Tell him what? “Tell him to stay away.”

Ezra said, “I’m sorry he panicked. But please, try to understand.” He glanced at Daddy then back to Channie. “He’s only a kid. And quite frankly, your father is extremely intimidating.”

Channie said, “Just tell him what I said.”

“But—”

“You heard the girl.” Daddy put his arm around Channie’s shoulder and puffed out his chest. “Your boy ain’t welcome on my property.”

Ezra closed his eyes for a second then opened them and stared at Channie. The look on his face punched a hole in her chest that left her reeling.
 

He sighed and shook his head. “All right. I’ll tell him.”

~***~

It took every bit of will power she possessed for Channie to keep from sobbing out loud as they walked to the car. Josh wouldn’t like the new arrangement but surely he’d understand why she’d done it. Ezra had no clue. He’d never forgive her.
 

Daddy still had his arm draped across her back. He gave her shoulder a squeeze and said, “What’s wrong, baby girl?”

The stress of the past half hour had used up the last of her fortitude. Daddy’s unexpected sympathy caught her off guard and crashed through her defenses. She turned into his side, clutched the front of his shirt and bawled like a baby. Between sobs she managed to sputter out a few words of explanation. “I … b-been … th-through hell.”

Daddy patted her back and said, “You wanna talk about it?”

“Home. Take me home.” They had to leave before Josh got close enough to feel her distress or for Momma and Daddy to notice the difference in his energy field. Channie sobbed so hard she couldn’t breathe.

“All right.” Daddy cast a weak be-calm spell on her that abolished her distress, but it also made her woozy and more than a little drunk.
 

He chuckled and said, “Let’s get you home.”
 

Channie sniffed, hiccuped once then sighed. She’d have to deal with her feelings at some point, but if she were lucky, Daddy’s spell would last until after she fell asleep.

Hunter’s mouth fell open when Momma opened the door to the Lexus and got behind the wheel. “What happened to y’all’s VW bus?”
 

Daddy said, “We traded it in when we got this here vehicle.”

Hunter ran his hands over the creamy-beige leather seat and brushed the side of Channie’s thigh. She jerked away from his touch but not nearly as fast as Hunter yanked his hand away from her leg. He locked his gaze on the rearview mirror and hugged the door on his side of the car.
 

Daddy said, “Abby told us things was pretty bad back home. She also told us you was spying for your momma’s kinfolk.”

Ah-oh.
 

Daddy had his seat pushed so far back, it dug into Channie’s knees. She leaned forward and put a hand on his shoulder. “It was Aunt Wisdom’s idea. She told Hunter to pretend to switch sides so he could spy on the Veyjiviks. But when the trackers got close to finding me, Hunter risked his life to save mine. That blew his cover. He had to get outta town fast.”

Daddy turned sideways and shoved his hand between the bucket seats to shake Hunter’s hand. “I’m much obliged, Hunter.” Hunter grimaced as Daddy squeezed his hand. “But saving Channie don’t give you the right to take liberties.”

“Oh, no sir. I’d never disrespect your daughter. You have my word.”

Daddy let go and patted Hunter’s knee then turned back around. “If you think you might like to court Channie, let me know. There’ll be some rules, but as long as you follow ‘em you got nothing to worry about.”

“Daddy! I don’t want Hunter to court me!”

Daddy said, “Beggers can’t be choosers. You ain’t got many prospects. Hunter’s the only eligible mage in the area as far as I can tell.”

Hunter said, “I’d be honored to court your daughter, Mr. Kerns.”

Daddy said, “Don’t ever use that name. We’re going by Belks now. I recommend you change your name as well. You can keep Hunter, but you need something other than Feenie in case them damn trackers start sniffing around. I can get you new papers. How about Hunter Brown?”

“That sounds right nice. Thank you, Mr. Ker … Belks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“And if it ain’t too much trouble, do you mind making me twenty-one? So’s I can get me a decent job. If I’m gonna court Channie, I need to make a good living.”

Channie rolled her eyes then reached over and pinched Hunter’s arm. He
 
just wanted proof that he was old enough to have his way with Carmen.

He jerked away from her but never stopped grinning.

~***~

When they got home, Momma said, “Stay in the car. I want to put a be-calm spell on everyone before we go inside. I don’t want you waking the entire house up.”

Not good.
Daddy was probably going to take his belt to her.
 

Hunter took her hand and gave it a squeeze. Channie held on and took what courage she could from him.

As soon as Momma went in the house, Hunter said, “Mr. Belks, I don’t want you hurting Channie.”

Daddy said, “I ain’t the one you need to worry about. Prudence is mighty riled up, but it’s best not to interfere. You’ll just make it worse.”

Channie exhaled, not realizing she’d been holding her breath. Momma’s stinging spells were painful, but nothing like getting whipped with a belt.

When the parlor light flared on, Daddy sighed and said, “Come on. We might as well get it over with.”

Daddy’s be-calm spell was already starting to wear off. Channie was tempted to ask him to cast another one, but she’d need a clear mind if they started asking her about Josh. She trembled as she climbed the front porch steps. Daddy held the door open for her, but Hunter darted in ahead of her. Momma was standing in the entryway. Her energy field glowed red, but she didn’t take so much as a step towards Channie. They stared at each other for what felt like an hour. Channie wondered if maybe Momma was going to wait until tomorrow to punish her. The waiting itself was a punishment.

She gave Daddy a quick hug and said, “See you in the morning,” then turned towards the stairs.
 

Momma said, “Not so fast,” and struck like a snake, clamping her hand around Channie’s arm, digging her nails into her skin. “You took something that belongs to me. I want it back.”

The Book of the Dead.
“It’s at Josh’s house. I left it in my backpack, in his car.”

Momma jerked Channie around so fast it made her head spin then slapped her with her other hand.
 

Hunter said, “Hey!”
 

Channie saw him reach for her out of the corner of her eye, but Daddy grabbed him and said, “Don’t.”

Momma slapped Channie again, back handing her this time. “You stupid, ungrateful little whore.”

Daddy said, “Prudence. That’s enough.” He spoke quietly, but Momma let go and stepped back.

Momma’s violence stunned Channie. Usually she was the one that had to stop Daddy when he got carried away with his belt. Not the other way around. What the hell was going on?

Momma said, “What happened to your powers?”

“That book you’re so fond of stole them!” That wasn’t exactly what’d happened. Momma had found the spell to change Channie’s power-name in the Book of the Dead, setting up the events that followed like a row of dominos. But Channie gave up her powers, of her own free will to be with Josh. She didn’t regret her choice. Her only regret was sacrificing Enchantment’s magic to kill Harvey. If she’d known he had a gun in his car, she would have just shot the son of a bitch.
 

Momma’s magic burned as it swept through Channie, scanning her. That wasn’t necessary. You could scan a body without hurting ‘em.

“Your power-well’s sealed shut. Your heart-of-hearts is still beating, but it’s severely damaged. You have no control over magic at all, do you?” The satisfaction in Momma’s voice cut Channie to the bone.

Her eyes filled with tears. The memory of what she’d lost stung worse than her battered face. “No.”

“Serves you right.” The burn intensified as Momma continued to scan her.

Momma narrowed her eyes and sucked in quick breath, gasping through clenched teeth. She turned on Hunter and said, “How dare you defile my daughter!”

Time to put the lie to the test. “It wasn’t Hunter. It was a tracker.”