Whatnots & Doodads (8 page)

Layton drew in a deep breath, stretching up to appear taller. However, Zeke thought it did nothing but make him appear utterly foolish. “Is she being held captive here?”

Zeke laughed wickedly. How dare Layton suggest something that he’d done to her for years was happening here. He wanted to lash out, wrap his hand around Layton’s throat and drain his life force for suggesting that they’d done anything of the sort. “She is freer than she has been for years. From here on out, your name will be nothing more than a bad memory to her.”

Layton’s eyes narrowed, he trembled, and Zeke could feel vibrations in the air around him. Layton began to conjure magic. Warlocks were not gifted with the same abilities as witches and his magic was energy-based.

Zeke wasn’t worried and he dared Layton to act. The extent of Layton’s magic would cause a tickle at best, but he wondered if the warlock knew that. He suspected he didn’t since the magic began to grow. He waited in hope that he would release it. After that, he could pound the living snot out of this warlock--but not until he acted first.

“She’s my witch; you have no right to refuse to get her.” Layton’s eyebrows drew in together as a snarl formed on his lips. “If you do not produce her and show me that she is all right, I will report you to a higher authority.”

“Who?” Arlo laughed, a deep rumble from his large frame. “The supernatural police?”

Layton’s head whipped toward him, his eyes shining with venom. “We’re a powerful coven and will come after you.”

Small threats. Strange Hollow had become a force to be reckoned with. If any threat came here, it wouldn’t last long. “Why have you come for her? Is her money worth that much to you?”

“That is none of your business,” Layton spat.

Zeke pushed back against his chest. If only the warlock knew how wrong he was. “Everything that involves her is now my business.” Rage burned in his blood. Thoughts of ending this threat filled his mind. To rid Bryanna of this man who’d used her. But he steeled himself with the morals he now enforced. “I will only tell you once more, she no longer belongs to you.”

Layton’s expression was one of curiosity, but also fury at what was being said. “And why do you think you can speak for her?”

“Because she is mine.” Zeke growled, no hint of untruth in his voice.

Layton laughed, a sound that was equal to a spit in the face. “A demon--Bryanna belongs to a demon.”

“There’s nothing funny about it. Now you understand the power she has around her. I will not let you destroy what I have built back up.”

Layton gave him an incredulous look. “What have you built up?”

“We accept her here for who she is--your control over her has been broken.” Zeke leaned in closer, growling in his face. “Her money is no longer yours.”

The magic around Layton exploded. Energy blasted Zeke, sending him flying through the air. He landed hard and groaned. He raised his head, glaring at Layton who began to back away.
Yes, you should be afraid.
That attack would have killed anyone else, except him, a demon.

Zeke jumped to his feet and strode toward Layton. “I could kill you where you stand. Your magic holds no meaning in my world, but I’ve made an oath, one I will not break.” He grabbed him by the shirt and yanked Layton closer. “But I’ve never made it a rule not to royally kick your sorry ass.” And with that he walloped him with the hardest punch he was capable of.

Layton soared back, hit the hood of his car and slid off. Worry filled those eyes, but Zeke didn’t give it a moment’s pause. He might not take a life anymore, but he could still inflict enough pain to make Layton regret the day he ever set eyes on Bryanna.

Bryanna had just stepped out of the bath when magic touched her. Magic that was all too familiar. But why was she feeling this now? And with such intensity? All she knew, something was wrong and Layton was nearby. She got dressed quickly, putting on a skirt and a simple top--who had time for corsets?

Hurrying toward the front door, she opened it and rushed out, not at all happy about hearing loud grunts followed by roars of anger. Her assumptions weren’t off. Not even closing her front door, she ran full speed toward the sounds that came from down the street. As she drew closer, she saw Zeke in a full brawl with Layton.

Zeke levelled Layton with a hard punch, and as his head snapped to the side from the hit, it exposed Layton’s face. Her heart did a somersault in her chest at seeing him again. A reaction she wanted to reject, but yet, couldn’t. “Stop it!” she screamed as she ran toward them. “Stop fighting or I’ll throw my magic at you.”

Zeke backed away, and she was grateful he did. She suspected that if the fight had gone on any longer, Layton would’ve needed more than magical aid.

Layton peeled himself off the ground, wiped his bloody lip, and laughed. “What will you do, make a table for us?”

The stab hurt, but she wouldn’t let him see it. And she couldn’t deny seeing his face bruised and bloody actually made her mildly happy. She peeked at Zeke to see that he didn’t have a scratch on him.
Go Zeke.
Her focus went to Layton in annoyance. “What are you doing here?”

“You know why I’m here.” He began to approach her. “To bring you home where you should be. What were you thinking, running away and leaving me?”

Oh, by the elements, his charm wasn’t going to work on her now. She knew about his wicked plan. She could stand strong against him. “I know exactly what you planned.”

Layton played the part of wounded and innocent very well. He shot her a smile that usually made her sigh in awe. “What plan are you talking about?”

She turned away from his grin. No, she could do this, she didn’t need him. He had lied to her.
He lied, he lied, he lied
. Why did it feel as if she didn’t quite believe herself? “Your plan to use me for my money.”

Layton laughed, and her insides went all gushy. “Bryanna, now you sound mad. Why on earth would I use you for your money? I love you.”

Did he? It sure seemed like he did. She gave her head a shake. No, he was a liar. “You wanted to hide me away so you wouldn’t be embarrassed by me anymore.”

He gave her a chastising glare as he stepped past Zeke who remained motionless. When he reached her, he took her hand. She felt so comfortable here with the thought of so many memories they had formed together. Was she wrong? Did she act without really thinking?

He took her chin, titled her head up. “You know I love you, and have never wanted to change you. I only wanted to protect you from the others. I hated seeing them be so cruel to you.”

Tears filled her eyes. His face, his soft expression--yes, her heart did love him. Her control waivered, he seemed so sincere. No lies showed on his face. “Is that true?”

“Of course it’s true.” He cupped her cheek and kissed her lips. “You know I only want what is best for you. And my actions only prove that. I came all this way to find you.”

Bryanna’s mind swirled with confusion. Was she a fool? Had she misread him and he was really only protecting her? By the thunderstorms, she loved the man in front of her. Had been with him for so long. This is where her heart lied, but a little pull kept tugging at her heartstrings.

Focusing back on Zeke, he stood motionless, nothing showing on his face. “If you need to go, then go,” was all he said to her.

Slowly, she turned back to Layton who nodded. “You need to come with me, home isn’t here, Bryanna.”

“Zeke,” Bryanna whispered, looking back at him. He never responded, and that only confused her. Who was lying to her now? If he cared for her, wouldn’t he ask her to stay? Yes, he would. Maybe nothing he said was true either.

Which only meant home wasn’t here in Strange Hollow. Maybe it was wishful thinking that she could be something different. When Layton’s hand clenched hers tightly and he gave her a little pull forward, she went willingly. Frozen inside. Not really sure of anything. Her mind fogged with confusion.

Without looking back, she approached the car, and when Layton opened the door, she got in, her eyes glued to her hands that rested in her lap. She kept trying to think straight, but it was just so hard. Everything inside of her was conflicted. Shouldn’t she be happy Layton came and found her? That meant he loved her, right? But why did this feel so wrong?

The door next to her opened, and Layton slid into the seat. “Let’s get out of this place. Really, Bryanna, of all places, you come to Strange Hollow.” He started the ignition, and a moment later they were off.

She watched out the back window and saw a lot of Strange Hollow’s residents had come to the entrance to see what was going on. Her gaze ran across the crowd over to Zeke. He still stood glued to the spot. Yes, she was making the right choice. If Zeke cared for her at all, he would have stopped her, right? But why did it hurt so much looking into his dark eyes? Why did leaving with Layton feel so wrong?

For the first few minutes, silence filled the air. She didn’t know what Layton was thinking, but what surprised her, she didn’t care. The more minutes that passed, the more wrong this felt.

Sense began to linger back in her mind just as Layton broke the silence. “You really couldn’t go on without me. I don’t know what you were thinking. You’re lucky that I love you enough to come and find you. Who knows what you would end up being in that place.”

And with those few words, the fogginess completely cleared from her mind. The part of her that he had controlled for too long had vanished. His words said it all.
You really couldn’t go on without me.
The old her believed this, needed for him to tell her to put one foot in front of the other in order to function. Now, she couldn’t even begin to understand such logic.

She didn’t need anyone, but there was one she wanted. One who stood and waited for her to decide for herself. Who didn’t push her to be something she wasn’t. Who didn’t force her into decisions. Who, above all, stood and watched in silence while she suspected he wanted to run and grab her by the arms. Tell her not to go. Waited for her to realize what she deserved, and not only wanted it for himself, but for her. “Stop the car!” she shouted. “Stop the car right now.”

Layton slammed on the brakes. “What is it now?” Not answering him, she opened the door and jumped out. “Bryanna, get in the car!”

“I don’t belong with you.” Power within her began to grow as she felt a strength rise that she’d never felt before. She pointed back in the direction of Strange Hollow. “I belong with them.”

Layton laughed as if the idea was ludicrous. “It’s the demon, isn’t it?”

Bryanna nodded without hesitation. “It’s all about him.”

“You belong with a demon? Bryanna you
have
lost your magical mind.”

“Well then, I’ve gone completely nuts.” She swirled around and began to run, but just as she did magic began to grow around her, and the hair on her arms stood up. Panic gripped her. Layton was not going to let her leave.

Before she had a chance to turn around and face him, rope wound itself around her legs and wrists, sending her face-first to the ground. He had no fault with his magic as she did; whatever he wanted to conjure always came to him.

Layton’s footsteps were loud as he approached her. “You’ve left me no choice, Bryanna.”

“Why are you doing this?” She strained her neck to be able to see him.

“I cannot let you leave me. And this demon here in Strange Hollow has filled your mind with all these ludicrous thoughts.”

Reality smacked her right in the face. Yes, she’d already realized that he was up to no good. Now, being faced with it, seeing the cruelty in his eyes, she could only wonder how she hadn’t seen what he was after sooner. This was about control and power. Her money gave him everything he needed. He needed her to keep his position within the coven. That is what all this was about.

She struggled against the ropes, trying to free herself. “You cannot do this.”

Layton reached down, latched onto her arm to pull her up. “Who’s going to stop me?”

Only one demon, she thought. “Zeke!” she screamed, and could only hope he would hear her.

Zeke felt the emptiness deep in his soul the second Bryanna left with Layton. Maybe he could see it more now, how important she was to him. Such a short time together, yet she had changed him. His plan was to help her, but what she didn’t realize was that she gave him something he never knew existed--happiness.

And now she was gone ... forever. He dropped his head into his hands, feeling nothing short of completely sorry for himself, when suddenly he heard his name drift across the wind. He lowered his hands, turned back to the other residents, and they all appeared on high alert. It confirmed he wasn’t hearing things.

“Bryanna.” He shimmered into his demonic form and let the air carry him to her.

Within a short few minutes, he peered down from his position above to see Layton dragging a bound Bryanna toward his car. Using all of his powers, he retook his human form and landed hard on the road. “If you know what is good for you, you will release her.” His voice came out tight, a clear threat.

Layton spun around, dropping Bryanna so she fell onto the road. Tension tore through Zeke’s muscles as he watched her cringe in pain when her head smacked against the pavement. “Don’t interfere with this, demon,” Layton spat. “You’ve got no business with her.”

Zeke arched a brow. “Have I not?” He began to approach Layton. “I would argue that point with you. It seems as though you are forcing her, and that is something I cannot allow.”

“She doesn’t belong here, and never will. She is mine.” And with that, Layton began to conjure his magic. The wind kicked up a notch as energy began to flow all around Zeke.

He chuckled in response. “You must not be aware of demons; your magic holds no strength on me.” Just as his words ended, Layton attempted the same attack with the ropes that he’d clearly used on Bryanna. As expected, the ropes hit Zeke, rebounded, and instantly fell to the ground.

Layton began to back away, fear shining in his eyes. “I’m well protected. Others will come after you if you destroy me.”