Unforgiven (Wanderers #3) (20 page)

The place was dark and it was hard to see where I was
going. From the little light that did shine through the dingy red
curtains, I could see that the furniture she did have was old and
antique looking. The rooms were small and cluttered with all types
of crystals, plants, and things in jars I was too afraid to ask
what they were.

The gypsy woman led us into a room in the back. In
the center of the room was a round table with a black paisley table
cloth draped over it. In the center of the table was a brown wooden
bowl filled with all different kinds of stones. There was a
chandelier above us filled with half melted candles and a purple
velvet couch in the corner.

Pita gestured for us to have a seat at the table
while she sat in the chair across from us. I had no idea what to
expect or why were even here in the first place, but I’d be lying
if I didn’t admit I was curious. I remembered Ms. Kraft telling me
I should be able to figure out how to weed out the fakes, but I was
having a hard time reading this one. I decided to just sit back and
enjoy the show.

Pita folded her hands together and placed them on the
table closing her eyes. I grabbed Tristan’s hand and held it
tightly under the table. Pita exhaled and all the candles on the
chandelier lit at once. Deirdre smiled at my jaw dropped
expression. I quickly closed my mouth and returned my eyes to the
gypsy woman. “You,” Pita said. “You exude power.” Her accent was
thick, but not Irish. I couldn’t quite place it, but if I had to
guess I would say she was Romanian.

She looked me over like she was sizing me up. “Where
does your power come from?”

I looked at Tristan confused.
“She wants to know
if it’s your own or if you stole it,”
Tristan thought. I
gawked. I was appalled that she would accuse me of such a heinous
thing. Sensing my agitation Tristan explained.
“Having as many
powers as you do is unheard of. People with that many have normally
stole them.”
I narrowed my eyes at her.

She turned to Tristan than. “You hide behind your
mask,” she said. Tristan was not amused with her comment. He
shifted in his chair indicating his annoyance to have to sit here
and endure this. Pita then looked between the both of us. “You two
share a bond,” she said more as statement than a question.

I turned to Tristan, unsure of what she was talking
about. His brows were pinched tightly together and he looked ready
to bolt at any second. “What do you mean?” I asked her.

“Yes. I feel it too,” Deirdre said, speaking for the
first time since we got here. “How is that so?”

“Can someone please tell me what is going on?”

No one answered me making me frustrated. Pita put her
hands out on the table inviting Tristan and I to take them. Tristan
refused to comply. I gave him a little nudge. He sat up in his
chair and placed his hand in Pita’s. When I placed my hand in hers
she jerked back. “Sorry,” she said, reaching her hand out for me
again. I looked at Tristan. He nodded his head letting me know it
was okay. I slowly put my hand back in hers and I could feel her
trying hard not to pull away. She closed her eyes and squeezed our
hands tight. After an awkward moment of silence she opened her
eyes, looking at both of us. “Your bond is a very powerful one,”
her eyes darted to Tristan. “It’s because of you it exists.”

“No.” He shook his head. “Ella’s the one with the
power. It would make more sense that she was the reason.”

Pita shook her head. “It’s not about the amount of
power it’s about the sacrifice,” she said to Tristan. Tristan
glared at the woman and tried to pull his hand away but she held on
tight. “You gave up everything…for her. Does she know?” Tristan
didn’t say a word. I tried to get in his head, but there was so
much anger burning inside of him I couldn’t get through.

“What is she talking about?” I was completely
lost.

“Nothing,” he said through gritted teeth.

Not able to get anything from Tristan I turned back
to Pita. “I healed him, sort of brought him back from the dead. Is
this why you feel we’re connected?”

“Yes, that is interesting. No one has been able to
heal the dead,” she smiled creepily at me. “You possess some of the
greatest power known.” She pulled my hand closer to her smiling
wider. Deirdre grunted and threw her a threatening look and I no
longer felt comfortable there.

Pita pulled back, loosening her grip on my hand. “The
bond comes from both of you,” she said. “From your power and your
sacrifice. That’s what created this connection you two share.
Although I have never seen one as powerful as yours.”

“But you have seen other people who share a similar
bond?” Deirdre asked.

Pita nodded as she stared at Tristan. A trickle of
sweat dripped down his brow and he ripped his hand from hers.
“Let’s go,” he said, getting up abruptly, and reaching for me.

“But wait, I have more questions.”

“Ella, this is all a bunch of crock. I think if we
were bonded we ourselves would know it.”

“Not necessarily,” Pita replied, making Tristan
narrow his eyes at her.

“I’m not going to listen to this crap anymore,” he
said, turning on his heel.

“Tristan Wilbert McKinnon,” Deirdre growled, letting
him know she did not appreciate his behavior.

“Nan, I’m sorry, but I only came here for you. I’m
not going to listen to any more rubbish from this quack.” I heard a
small crack and then saw a quick flash. Tristan jerked his hand
back as if he was just shocked. He glared at Pita from across the
table and she smirked. I got up out of my chair and stared her
down, ready to take action if necessary. Tristan put a gentle hand
on my shoulder, telling me to back down. I relaxed slightly, but
still kept my guard up.

“Let’s go,” I said, never taking my eyes off of her.
I didn’t trust her and I had enough. I knew by now she wasn’t going
to give us anything useful.

I took Tristan’s hand and he pulled me toward the
door. “Wait!” Pita called. She picked up some stones from the bowl
in the center of the table. Then she walked over to me, took my
hand, and placed the stones in my palm curling my fingers around
them and cupping my hand in hers. She closed her eyes and took a
couple deep breaths. Her eyes burst open and she dropped my hand
causing the stones to drop to the floor. “You, you bring them
here,” she said, backing away frightened.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, looking at her
like she was nuts, which she probably was.

“Out! Get out!” Pita screamed panicked.

“We must go now,” Deirdre said, walking out of there
faster than I’d ever seen her move.

“Okay, seriously, what is going on?”

“This is what happens when two bat shit, crazy, old
women get together,” Tristan whispered in my ear. I had to stifle
my laugh. Deirdre, clearly hearing what he said, turned around and
smacked him – hard – on the shoulder. “Ow Nan,” Tristan whined,
rubbing his shoulder. I couldn’t hide my giggle. Tristan narrowed
his eyes at me.

“Hey, that’s what you get...Wilbert.” I started
laughing so hard I thought I would snort. Tristan, not amused,
started chasing me. I yelped and zigzagged down the path. Deirdre
glared at us, not happy with our childish behavior. Tristan
eventually caught me.

He swept my up off the ground. “Now what are you
going to do?”

I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Hmm, let me
think?” It only took about two seconds before my lips were on
his.

“Knock it off you two. You make me sick,” Deirdre
said, passing us. I rolled my eyes as Tristan put me down. I slid
my arm around his waist and leaned into him while he slipped his
hand in my back pocket.

“So what was up with that lady? I mean why’d she get
so freaked out and kick us out?”

“Who knows Ella? The woman is nuts. No need to worry
about anything she said or did,” Tristan said, reassuring me. I
suddenly got a sickening feeling in my stomach and stopped. I
looked back over my shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I just. Never mind, it’s nothing.” The
sickening feeling was gone now. I assumed it was maybe because for
a small second I let myself believe Pita, but then thought better
of it. Tristan was right. She was another person just trying to
make money off the gullible.

It was late afternoon by the time we made it back to
the house. Caleb made us lunch and then we said our goodbyes and
headed back to the hotel. When we got to our room my good mood
instantly changed when I saw Josie’s face. “Josie, what’s the
matter?” I asked, sitting next to her on the bed. When she didn’t
answer me, I looked at Billy who was sitting on her other side,
holding her hand. His face was torn and his head was an emotional
wreck not allowing me to figure out what was going on. Dean and
Cameron were sitting on the couch looking just as upset as
Billy.

“It’s time Ella,” Josie said, bringing my attention
back to her.

“Time for what?” I asked confused.

“They’re calling me back to dull out me punishment,”
she said sourly.

“When?” I was not ready to let her go yet.

“Tonight.”

“Tonight? But that’s too soon.” I threw my arms
around her. “No. You can’t leave. I just got you back. I’m not
ready to let you go.” I tried to fight back the tears.

“We’ll be in the next room,” Dean said as Cameron
followed.

“I’ll give you guys some time to yourselves,” Billy
said, getting up.

“Thanks babe,” Josie said, forcing a smile. I looked
at Tristan. He gave me a slight nod and gestured he would be in the
next room with Billy. I mouthed the words, thank you, and turned
back to Josie.

“Josie, I can’t believe this.”

“I know, but we knew this was coming.”

“I just didn’t think this soon, not now. Not when I
need you the most,” I said, hugging her again.

“Ella I know, but you will be fine without me. You
have plenty of really good friends to help you and who care about
you. Plus now you have Tristan too,” she said, handing me a
tissue.

“Yes, but they’re not you.”

“You need to stop that or I’m going to start crying
too.” She laughed lightly.

“What do you think will happen?”

“I don’t know, but at least they allowed me some time
to say goodbye.”

“How long?”

“Not sure, a few hours maybe?”

“Will you ever be able to come back?”

“I don’t know,” she sighed. I hugged her again. I
couldn’t believe this was happening. I just got her back and now I
had to say goodbye all over again. It wasn’t fair and I was tired
of losing people I cared about.

Instead of losing it, I decided to make the most of
our time together while I still had it. We spent the next few hours
talking. I told her all about Tristan and me and about the night we
spent at his grandparents. She told me she was definitely going to
make an effort to get back there so she could try some of Deirdre’s
whiskey. I rolled my eyes at her and told her it wasn’t worth it. I
told her about the psychic today and the weird feeling I got. I
asked her if she knew anything about this so called bond the
psychic claimed we had and Josie just shook her head no. Perplexed
at the memory from earlier today, I thought it best if I let Josie
talk for a little.

She told me about all the things her and Billy did
and even admitted for the first time – even though I already knew –
that she had feelings for him. She admitted that she really liked
him, but never said anything because she knew it would make it that
much harder when she had to leave. That was a big step for Josie to
admit it. So I didn’t tease her even though I already knew.

After another hour of gossiping I suggested she go
spend some time with Billy. She said she didn’t mind, but I
insisted. I knew she wouldn’t tell me straight out but she wanted
to spend time with him as well. Even though I had all intention of
being selfish and keeping her to myself I knew I couldn’t. I pushed
her out the door and gave her what was probably about the tenth hug
today.

Tristan came back into the room and lied down next to
me. “How are you feeling?”

“You can’t feel it?” After talking to Deirdre, when
we got back from the so called
‘psychic’
, she informed us
that our bond should allow us to feel each other’s emotions. I
always had a sense that I could feel Tristan’s, but this just
confirmed it making me think maybe Pita wasn’t quite the quack we
thought she was.

“No. You’re a jumbled mess,” he said, brushing a
piece of hair off of my face.

“Yeah, I am kind of overwhelmed with everything.”

“What with?” He started to rub my shoulders.

“Everything the psychic said, your grandmother, and
now Josie leaving.”

“Ella, don’t listen to anything that crazy nut said
and Nan, well, she’s just um…she’s just Nan,” was his best
explanation.

“What was she talking about when she said you made a
sacrifice?”

His hands tightened a bit on my shoulders and I
flinched. “Sorry,” he said, kissing them. “Like I said, she’s a
nut.” I knew he was lying, but I wasn’t in the mood to start an
argument at the moment. So I just let him hold me in silence until
Josie came back to say goodbye.

It was just before midnight when Josie came back into
the room. I woke up the moment she stepped inside. “Ella,” she
whispered.

I jumped out of bed and ran to her, holding her
tight. “I don’t want you to go,” I blubbered.

“I don’t want to go either, but if I don’t it will
make it that much worse.” I could hear the sorrow in her voice and
I knew she was trying hard not to cry.

I pulled back to take one long, last look at her. She
lost the fight to keep her tears from spilling over. I began to cry
right along with her. “I really hate this you know.” I think I was
having a harder time saying goodbye to her now than when she
died.