WitchLove (5 page)

‘I see,’ Balthazar said, his eyes crinkling slightly. ‘And you too believe that Luke is just a friend and nothing more?’

I looked up at the boy I’d known since puberty and smiled. ‘He is the best friend you could ask for. He has saved me from death twice now, but yes, we are just friends. Too much has been said; too much has passed between us for that to change.’

‘Are we to believe her Seth? The girl seems confused as to what she feels, and I doubt even she knows the answer,’ Balthazar asked, turning to the vampire to his right.

Seth looked at me again, his dark burgundy eyes shining and seeming to bore right into my soul, before he nodded once and smiled again.

‘I think a little confusion is only natural after what she’s been through, but she speaks the truth,’ he said.

‘Right, well in that case, I think we all agree on his punishment befitting a Level Five crime, agreed Council?’ Balthazar asked.

The Council all nodded. I looked across at Luke and watched as relief flooded his features, and it was only when I saw him relax that I realised how anxious he had been.

‘Luke, what you have done is a serious crime, however we believe that any other angel with your position, history and compassion would have chosen the same course of action. Therefore we are sentencing you to a six month suspension from all court activities. During this time you will be stationed in York, assisting the angelic guard as they are having difficulties with a well-known insurgency. You may have two weeks to say your goodbyes and gather your things, but York will expect you to report in on Monday the 10
^th
.’

‘Yes, Your Highness. I won’t let you down sir,’ Luke said quietly.

Two seats down Caoimhe stifled a long sigh, and as I looked at her I realised she too had been paralysed with worry. As she caught my stare she quickly rubbed away the tear that slid down her cheek and gave me a small smile.

‘Right, court adjourned, sine die.’

Moments later the council left the room and we rushed forward to circle Luke. Caoimhe was there first, throwing her arms round him and squeezing him hard.

‘Hey, it’s okay, I’m fine,’ he said.

‘I know, I was just so worried…’ Suddenly she seemed to realise we were there and she let go of him, rubbing another tear away in the process. ‘You’re my best mate,’ she added quickly.

‘You knew, didn’t you? You knew what I’d done and you didn’t tell anyone,’ he asked her gently.

‘Like I said in court, I
suspected
for a moment, but then…’ she fell silent and shrugged.

‘Wow! You…’ I watched as his eyes softened, taking in her hazel eyes and porcelain skin. A second later he saw Brittany and I standing just behind her and grinned at us.

‘So, I see Adaryn found you then?’ Luke said, eyeing my new outfit. ‘You weren’t gone long though. I thought she was going to have one of her
little chats
,’ he said, laughing.

‘Yeah, I think she was planning on it, but she landed just as Mary was about to jump me, so she said we had to get back to inform the guard,’ I said, smirking as I watched his jaw drop.

‘Whatdya mean,
Mary was about to jump you?’

Well, obviously she’d been waiting near Alex’s resting place, knowing I’d turn up at some point, and I did.’

‘Oh God! Why didn’t we think of that? I should have thought of it. We’ve scoured the whole damn length and breadth of the country for her, and you bunk off and manage to bump right into her! I should’ve…’

‘Luke, it’s fine. It’s not your fault. Jess is fine, Caoimhe interrupted. The Guard are out there now searching. Come on, let’s get out of here.’

‘I think you need a camomile tea or something. Take a chill pill,’ Brittany said, punching his arm playfully.

‘Come on, it’s been a hell of a day. We’re all shattered,’ Caoimhe said.

‘Yes, but guys, where are we going to go? I am
so
not going to go back to Daniel’s house. I just can’t face him yet,’ I said, refusing to budge and thinking I’d rather just live out my days in this chilly council castle. ‘Where’s my aunt gone anyway?’ I asked.

‘I thought she said she’d wait for you on the Witches’ Embassy floor,’ Caoimhe said. ‘Come, I’ll show you, but I still think you should speak to Daniel before you leave.’

‘You need to go back anyway, because you left your book there, and all your other stuff,’ Brittany added with a sheepish smile.

‘How do you know where I left my book?’ I asked, shocked.

‘I’m a witch Jess, remember?’ she said shrugging. ‘I did a locating spell the first week I stayed with you. I couldn’t understand why you kept it hidden, what all the fuss is about. I still don’t get it actually. I mean, I know it’s old an’ all, but I don’t get what’s so valuable. It’s just a family book of shadows, and half the pages are so faded I can’t even read them.’

I shrugged, not wanting to give away its worth. I was pretty sure I could trust her, but then so many people had lied to me that I had made a vow to myself not to be hurt again.

‘I guess it’s just really important to me as it was my mum’s and I never had a chance to know her,’ I said, glad I could find a way to be truthful.

Several minutes later Caoimhe was gently knocking on one of the ancient wooden doors in an upper corridor, with Luke, Brittany and I shuffling nervously behind.

‘Come in,’ came the answer.

Caoimhe pushed the door and held it open so I could step past, but my mouth had dried up. I swallowed painfully and hesitated in the doorway.

‘Ah Jessica, there you are, and Luke too. I hear everything has been sorted out agreeably?’ my aunt asked.

‘Yes Ma’am. I have a week and a bit until I need to report for duty in York, so I was wondering if I may accompany Jess and Brittany to America, to see her settled in?’ Luke said quietly.

‘To check she’s happy, you mean?’ my aunt said, with a twinkle in her eye. ‘Of course, but I would suggest that Jessica and Brittany fly with me tomorrow and you follow us in a day or so. You are still planning on coming with me, Jessica?’

I stepped further into the room and looked around, nodding. It was cosy, a similar size to the room Luke had been questioned in. It wasn’t too big to be overpowering, and the decor had been updated, with cosy armchairs, a thick woollen rug and a crackling fire, which even in late August was necessary in the old mansion. A swift dig in the ribs reminded me that my aunt may well be waiting for more of an answer than a nod, so I looked back at her and smiled.

‘Yes Aunt, I meant what I said in court. I don’t see why my decision should change anyway,’ I shrugged, knowing I sounded as unsure as I felt. ‘I can’t see him, and I don’t want to.’

‘It’s okay Jessie, you don’t have to. We can organise everything and Brittany can collect your things, especially as she knows where
everything
is,’ Luke said, his arm slinging itself around my shoulders and pulling me into a hug as he mock-frowned at Brittany.

‘Of course, and I understand Jessica, but you must also understand that what you might think is best for you is not necessarily the case.’ My aunt paused and I frowned. I had no clue where she was going with this. Was she now saying I should stay here after all?

‘No Jessica, I’m not suggesting you stay here…’

‘Whoa, you just read my mind? How?’ I said without thinking.

‘No, I cannot read minds. I can only read auras and yours was telling me that you felt rejected and confused, so I added it up,’ she said, her warm smile calming my indignation.

I nodded slowly, ‘So will I be able to learn how to read auras?’ I asked. ‘Or is it just something you can do?’

‘Yes I expect you will. It’s true that it does become easier over time, as you become more practised and better experienced.’

‘Right, so what did you mean about what’s best for me?’ I asked, and as both Brittany and Luke were frowning too, I was glad I wasn’t the only one who didn’t get it.

‘What I meant is that I do think that you are best becoming a part of our coven, passing your Level Six certificate and gaining your independence. Independence is one thing you will never get with the vampires. However, I also happen to think that you won’t be able to settle and concentrate on your studies if you leave words unsaid and a mark upon your heart. You need to forgive him Jessica, if you wish to become a white witch like us.’

Caoimhe nodded her head and smiled at me, but it was easy for her to agree with the wise words being uttered, as she didn’t have to do it. She didn’t have to face him. So instead I decided to give myself a break and crossed the room and knelt down on the rug staying a safe distance from the fire. I didn’t have to go to Daniel’s house this minute anyway, so I might as well make myself comfortable.

A black cat with white socks, a white bib and a tiny white patch across her nose was stretched full length next to me, absorbing the heat from the flames and purring. It made me think of my cat, Murphy, who was back at Daniel’s house.

‘Sarah, will I be able to bring my cat, Murphy? I can’t leave him with the vampires; he hates them,’ I said, stroking the cat and smiling as the purrs got louder.

‘I’m sure we can arrange something if you decide to stay long term, which we hope you will, but for the time being I’m sure one of your friends will take care of him.’

‘I’ll take him back. He knows me,’ Luke said instantly.

‘He’ll be fine, and I’ll get him a catnip plant,’ Caoimhe said.

‘He’ll hate me,’ I said, feeling guilty. ‘I’ve only had him back a few months and now I’m abandoning him again.’

‘He’ll be fine. Cats understand a lot we cannot. Tell him you’ll be back one day. He won’t hate you Jessica,’ my aunt said, smiling. ‘Now if you agree to it, I can get us tickets on the Heathrow to Boston flight tomorrow afternoon, which gives you both time to pack your important things and sort a couple of boxes to be sent freight, say your goodbyes and deal with any
issues
. If you wish I can arrange for you both to stay here tonight with me, but we will need to leave here in the morning, so I do suggest that you do your packing this evening.’

My aunt appeared to be very smiley and had a lovely warmth about her, which I was instantly attracted and calmed by. However, I instinctively knew this was not a woman to cross. Her words made utter sense; they were fair and not meant to be questioned. I looked across at Brittany, to see what she felt, but she just smiled and shrugged.

‘Okay, that will be great, thanks,’ I said. After all, what was the point of disagreeing with someone who was unquestionably right? I was tired and fancied a nap. I looked at an empty sofa, but I couldn’t be bothered to move.

‘Jessica, why don’t you and Brittany have a nap before dinner? Oh! I’m sorry! I hadn’t really thought about
that
Jess, but I suppose we can arrange for a couple of
nutrition
packs to be sent up for you. I expect I shall need to order some in at home too, as we don’t want you out on the prowl in Boston, now do we?’ Aunt said, appearing flustered for the first time since I’d met her.

‘It’s fine Aunt. I can wait. I’ve got some at Daniel’s house I can have later.’

‘Okay, well, say goodbye to Luke and Caoimhe for the time being, and I shall show you and Brittany to a room.’

‘You’re coming to see me, right?’ I asked Luke minutes later, when we were standing back in the chilly corridor.

‘Of course I am. I can’t afford the airfare though, so I’ll catch a ley line. It might take me a couple of days though to store the energy, but I’ll be there,’ Luke said. ‘And you’ll have Brittany too. I like her. I think she’ll be a good friend,’ he added, watching Brittany chatting further down the corridor with Caoimhe.

I nodded, feeling the emotion sticking in my throat, my chest tightening.

‘Do you want me to come tonight? To Daniel’s?’ he asked.

‘No, it’s fine. You’ll just make things worse,’ I said, managing a small smile.

‘Oh, gee thanks for the vote of confidence!’

‘You know what I mean. You’ve always hated each other.’

‘I don’t hate him Jessie… Well I didn’t hate him, until he did this to you.’

I couldn’t think of anything to say. It hurt too much.

‘Are you sure you don’t want me there?’

‘It’ll be okay. I’ll have Brittany with me, and you might not have seen some of the spells she cast in London, but that girl can do serious magic. Don’t be surprised when you go to collect Murphy tomorrow if there are a couple of fanged frogs hopping round the house.’

‘Damn right! They’ll be the first vampire frogs ever to roam the earth,’ Brittany said, interrupting us, her dark curls bouncing round her shoulders.

‘Come on Luke, we’d better go,’ Caoimhe said. ‘Good luck Jess. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.’

‘Bye Caoimhe, and thanks,’ I returned, thinking of all the times over the last couple of months that she had accompanied Luke to cheer me up.

‘You’ll get Murphy, won’t you?’ I said, as Luke reached forward and hugged me hard.

‘Course I will, don’t you worry, and Caoimhe will feed him while I’m staying with you.’

‘Okay, see ya then.’ I pushed him away and turned quickly to hide the emotion in my face. My family was here, so what was I doing going to live with more people I didn’t know, and couldn’t trust?

Chapter Five

When I opened the back door to Daniel’s house some hours later and beckoned Brittany inside with me, I’d half expected Daniel to be sitting at the kitchen table waiting for me. He must have known we were going to turn up at some point, but the house was silent. I couldn’t decide whether to feel relieved or disappointed, so I turned to Brittany who shrugged.

‘What now?’ she said.

‘Eat now, pack later,’ I said, already heading across the kitchen to the secret fridge in the utility room, which Sebastian had recently arranged to be re-stocked for me, for the times I didn’t want to go to Exodus. Grabbing a couple of blood packs, I decanted them into a favourite mug and gave them a quick zap in the microwave.

‘Ugh! Even though you saved my life and all, I do kinda wish you hadn’t awoken my taste for fresh blood. Aunt Sarah is never going to let me feed the regular way in Boston and I’ll be stuck with these,’ I said, grimacing over the stale flavour.