Something Witchy
This Way Comes
By
Veronica Blade
Sunland, CA
Something Witchy This Way Comes
Copyright © 2011 by Veronica Blade. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means whatsoever without the prior written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Crush Publishing
8209 Foothill Blvd., Suite A124
Sunland, CA 91040
www.CrushPublishing.com
Crush Publishing name and logo are trademarks of Crush Publishing and are used only with its permission.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by author.
ISBN 978-0-9798866-5-9
Cover photo by Michelle Vance Pilling
Cover design by Rose Nomura
Editing by Pat Thomas & Robin Haseltine
Printed in the United States of America
**
For my wonderful husband **
Chapter One
Hayden
Principal Linton had to be kidding.
“You want to use me, a seventeen-year-old boy, to guard someone?” I much preferred to think of myself as a man, but that wouldn’t get me out of doing what he wanted.
“I’m not any happier about this than you, Hayden.”
I doubted that. The new principal had signed on only two weeks ago and already he knew how to throw his puny weight around. Linton probably read my file and decided to make me pay for all the crap I’d pulled so far in high school. I’d been better this year. We were two months into the first semester and I hadn’t even been in one fight. Not that I’d get any gold stars or merit badges.
I rolled my eyes. “Who’s the girl?”
“You probably know her. She’s a senior here. Tessa McClean.” He leaned back in his seat and steepled his fingers.
Tessa… I couldn’t match a face to the name. If she turned out to be a dog, it could hurt my rep. But my curiosity was piqued. I sat higher in my chair, which brought the top of Linton’s thinning hair into view. “I’m supposed to shadow some girl just because you ask me to?”
Mr. Linton glanced at Agent Phillips who stood rigid by the door, then back to me. When he’d introduced her to me moments ago, I figured she might be FBI. She hadn’t flashed a badge though. They probably thought I hadn’t noticed or maybe they expected me to take them at their word. But I didn’t care who she was. She could’ve been the first lady and my answer would still be no.
By Agent Phillips’s steely glare it was obvious she’d rather be anywhere else than in a room with an uncooperative teenager. “While she’s on school grounds we want you close enough to smell her perfume.”
“Seriously?” Something didn’t ring true in the whole scenario. No way would anyone trust a high schooler with a job so important, much less depend on anyone with a rap sheet like mine. I slouched in the hardwood chair and let my gaze drift to the dull off-white walls of his office. “Wouldn’t an FBI agent be better qualified for the job?”
The principal tapped a pencil on the desk. “They don’t have anyone local who looks young enough to blend in with the other students.”
Yep. Payback. But not if I could help it. “Ship him in from somewhere else.”
Agent Phillips straightened her suit jacket. “We’ve put in a request. Now we wait.”
“In the meantime, we think you might prove useful,” Mr. Linton said.
If the girl needed a bodyguard, she was obviously in trouble. That kind of thing was highly contagious at close range. “It’s gratifying to know you have no problem putting me in danger.” I kept my tone flat, one brow raised. “Why not keep her home? Then you don’t have to worry about your agents blending in.”
“It’s unlikely anyone will try anything around a bunch of kids. Even if they did, they’d be easily spotted. We're only asking you to keep an eye on her and alert us if you see anything unusual. It's just a precaution, Hayden.”
I grunted, not quite buying it.
Mr. Linton eyed me then flipped through papers on his desk. “Some of these notes indicate you’ve successfully defended yourself under difficult circumstances. Last year, three boys jumped you and everyone required first aid — except you. I suppose those guys were lucky to walk away, eh?” His gaze met mine again. I didn’t rise to the bait and he continued. “You’ve got some valuable fighting skills. It's time to use them for good instead of evil,” he said with a straight face.
Yeah, I needed those skills to defend myself against my alcoholic stepfather. It had been a while since he’d laid a hand on me or my mom though. He still limped from the last time. “Is this some kind of joke?” I asked.
Agent Phillips glided across the carpet to stand next to Principal Linton. She looped a thumb in her waistband, nudging the front of her black suit jacket aside to expose a gun. If it weren’t for her butch clothing, she’d be attractive — slim build and dark auburn hair. I imagined what she’d look like in a short skirt and high heels.
Maybe later I’d get a chance to see if she was open to younger men. If I seemed eager to help, she might be more receptive… I shook off the thought. A semi-hot woman didn’t catch enough of my interest to make me want to keep company with the school principal.
I opened my mouth to speak but she beat me to it. “Not a joke, Mr. Anders.” Her eyes narrowed to slits. “A fellow student needs help.”
Tap-tap-tap.
Linton nodded at Agent Philips who opened the door and stepped aside. A blond girl beamed from the doorway, including everyone in her sunshine. Was this her? Tessa Mc-whatever? Okay… definitely not a dog.
I’d seen her around school before, but had never known her name. She hung out with the kind of kids I wouldn’t look at, much less socialize with. Not outcasts but not A-listers either. The only reason my crowd would bother talking to her was to use her, then dump her and brag to the rest of us. Hit and ditch. Anything else was unacceptable.
A dim memory took shape in my mind of one of the guys bitching about a girl named Tessa. He’d been pissed off at how hard he worked for that first kiss. That would never happen to me, because I was always upfront about what I wanted. The girl would either stick around or she wouldn’t and I’d move on. I already knew not to even try with a girl like Tessa.
If Linton thought I’d jump at the chance to waste my time and make the rest of the school year suck more than it already did, he’d sniffed too much of the janitor’s cleaning products. It’s not like Linton had anything to offer to make the job worth my time. Unless he possessed magical powers that would give me a new life… But he didn’t. No one could save me from my crappy destiny.
“Tessa, this is Hayden,” Mr. Linton said.
She approached me, blond hair bouncing, eyes bright with life and hope, and held out her hand for me to shake. “Nice to meet you.”
Still slouching in my chair, I stared at her hand, slim, delicate and flawless. I didn’t care how good she smelled — like blooming flowers in springtime — I wanted nothing to do with her. People like that, ones overflowing with positive energy, only made you want more from life. Things I would never have. Being rude was the only way to discourage them. “Nice?” I smirked. “You might regret saying that later.”
That beautiful, angelic smile vanished.
Instead of feeling triumphant, I felt like an ass. That feeling would pass though. It always did.
She grinned again, startling me. Then sh
e claimed the empty chair next to mine. “Well, I can already tell this is going to be fun.”
Chapter Two
Tessa
I dropped my hand when it became obvious that Hayden’s reputation had been legitimately earned. He had the manners of a hyena. And he was right — I already regretted thinking it was nice to meet him.
Everyone in school knew Hayden Anders. My friends and I dubbed him King Douche last year after he’d dated every single cheerleader. Strangely though, none of the girls complained. I found it fascinating that being played by a man-whore didn't piss them off. Of course, when a guy looked like Hayden, girls could be pretty stupid with forgiveness.
Then there were the fights he’d gotten into. Nothing of note this year, but I assumed that, as a senior, he didn’t have older boys to contend with. Anyone our age already knew to steer clear.
I’d dealt with guys like him before, guys who thought they were better than everyone else. Hayden had taken me off guard when I’d entered the principal’s office, but I came back full force and smiled sweetly, leaving no doubt that his asinine behavior couldn’t touch me. Being even nicer usually repelled his kind. Right on cue, Hayden flipped sun-lightened brown hair out of his gray eyes and turned from me.
Seeing him in the principal’s office wasn’t unexpected but why was I called in too?
“This is Agent Phillips, FBI.” Mr. Linton nodded toward the woman standing by the door. “She has reason to believe you’re not safe, Tessa.”
I searched the faces in the room for some sign that I was being punked. Maybe I’d heard wrong. “Excuse me?”
“This may come as a shock, but unfortunately I can’t give you classified information. But I can tell you that we’ve had a dissident group under surveillance for some time. Lately, they’ve been a little more aggressive.” She picked up a stack of photos from Mr. Linton’s desk and handed them to me. “By the looks of these, it appears they’ve taken an interest in you.”
My fingers numbly grasped the glossy pictures without glancing at them. “Why aren’t my parents here?”
“You’ll be seeing them soon. Right now, we have other matters to tend to.” She nodded toward the pictures.
I scanned the multitude of images — me with my mother and father, another of my little sister and me getting into my car, me at work — even a shot through our dining room window during dinner.
A chill ran up my spine and my mouth went dry. “Who took these? And where did you get them?” My words came out sounding shaky, panicked.
“From a raid at a house we’d staked out. That’s all I can tell you right now but I promise everything will be fine. We won’t let them hurt you.” Something about her voice made me want to curl up in front of a fire with marshmallows. Strange. It was as if her words rode on a different wavelength.
It had to be my imagination.
“We’re on it,” she continued. “We’ll have men watching your house. While you’re here at school, Hayden will help keep an eye on you.”
The plan sounded okay so far, but what did the school psycho have to do with it? Having the most dangerous guy at school protecting me was an ironic twist.
I wiped my trembling hands on my jeans and took a deep breath. Then suddenly, the apprehension slid off me, leaving no trace behind. I should be freaked over the news of someone stalking me, but the fear had dropped away like magic, as if someone had washed it away. Crazy idea. No one could control my mind that way so what was the deal with my emotional roller coaster?
“You still haven’t told me why you’re depending on me instead of someone more qualified,” Hayden interrupted my thoughts.
“We’re not relying solely on you. You may have noticed the new janitor and security guards on campus. But at their age, they’d seem like perverts if they spent too much time watching Tessa. You can get a lot closer than they can,” Agent Phillips said.
Hayden folded his arms over his chest. “What’s in it for me?”
“Satisfaction of a job well done.” Mr. Linton stared at Hayden as if daring him to refuse.
“No.” Hayden snorted and stood. “I’m going back to class now.”
Agent Phillips moved in front of the door and said in soft, crisp words, “Why don’t you hear him out? You might like what he has to say.”
Hayden’s gaze moved to her palm that rested on the butt of a gun. He sat again and looked bored. “Whatever.”
“My parents must be worried out of their minds.” As soon as the words were out, I knew it wasn’t true. They’d likely be thinking only of themselves. The last time they’d shown concern with what went on in my life was when I’d been a finalist in a writing contest. Not because they were proud of me but because they were afraid I’d get serious about writing and get too caught up in it to take care of my little sister. I’d never be too busy for her, but those kinds of concepts were foreign to them.
“We have the situation under control.”
With her words I felt calming rays cascade over me, bathing me in tranquility. I knew everything would be okay.
Mr. Linton studied a thick file in front of him then turned to Hayden. “You’ve got quite a résumé here. Vandalism… cheating. And you’ve been suspended twice. Let’s not forget that you’re here because you’ve been kicked out of every private school in the area. It’ll be interesting to see if there’s a college that will accept you.” A smile teased his mouth, like he had something up his sleeve.
“Maybe I don’t plan on going to college.” Hayden yawned and his gaze wandered to something beyond the window. I waffled between relief that he probably wouldn’t agree to their request and disappointment that he seemed to care so little about my safety.
“When you graduate from here, if you graduate, what kind of job will you get? Mowing lawns? Or do you think your rich parents will support you into your fifties?”
The principal must have hit a nerve because Hayden stiffened. “That’s my problem. Are we done here?”
“Not yet.” Agent Phillips returned to Mr. Linton’s side, picked up a thinner file and leafed through it. “I did a check on you and your family.” Her eyes darted to mine, as if unsure whether to continue in my presence.
“Just say it.” Hayden rolled his eyes. “Like I care if she knows how you’re trying to blackmail me for her benefit.”
“Very well. You’ve got a history of frequent hospital visits and broken bones. Interesting how the authorities were involved on three occasions, but the incidents were ruled accidents. Within days, the social worker handling each case retired and moved away. How much do you think your dad paid to keep them quiet?”
I’d heard rumors from those who knew Hayden before high school, but I assumed that’s all they were — rumors. Knowing it was true disturbed me. How could someone beat their own child so badly that they required a hospital visit?
“Step-dad.” Hayden flushed. He shifted in his chair and his jaw clenched. “Can we wrap this up?”
The principal didn’t miss a beat. “Ruining your chance at a real future is not the way to gain independence.”
Hayden groaned. “Right. And spending my valuable time babysitting her will magically make my life so much better.”
“Can't we find someone else?” I asked. “There must be half a dozen other guys around who're just as capable. We don't need Hayden. How much help would he be anyway?” I was probably worrying for nothing since Hayden wasn’t the type to do the right thing, no matter how hard Mr. Linton worked him. My fists unfolded at the thought of our paths dividing.
Mr. Linton ignored my protests, slapped the folder shut and waved it in the air. “I can make some of this go away, Hayden. With the appropriate recommendation letter, you could end up looking like a saint. It’ll be easier to get into a decent college.”
Could Mr. Linton do that? Hardly seemed fair to the rest of us who actually earned our good records and recommendation letters.
Hayden grunted. “Even if that file didn’t exist, my grades ar
en’t good enough. What else do you have? Because there’s this hot girl in my next class—”
“It’s not impossible to bring up your grades.”
Hayden narrowed his eyes at the principal. “You’ll change them?”
“Not exactly. But you’ll be spending your days glued to the smartest girl in school. I'm sure Tessa knows other A-students. Find one to help you.” Mr. Linton curled his lip up. “You’re going to have to earn your own way out of this mess. But I’m prepared to expunge your file if you catch up your credits and make Bs or better the rest of the year.”
Was that ethical? I couldn’t imagine the previous principal doing that.
Hayden hitched his brow. “How long do you need me to watch her?”
“A few days,” Agent Phillips said. “When your replacement comes, you’re a free man.”
“Everyone will think we’re dating.” The last word rolled off Hayden’s tongue like rotten meat, which echoed my feelings exactly.
My upper lip curled. “As if I want people thinking I’d go for a jerk like you.”
Our illustrious principal suppressed a smile. “Trivial issues in light of potential danger are not my concern.”
Hayden folded his arms over his chest. “I can’t watch her all the time because we don’t have any classes together.”
Was Hayden actually considering it? My hands fisted again, my dismay rising. Then, exactly like before, it suddenly dissipated. How I went from rage to relaxed in a matter of seconds was a mystery. Especially when my life could be in danger. Though Hayden wasn’t begging for the protector mission, he wasn’t resisting as much anymore. By that, I mean he wasn’t trying to flee. Maybe whatever quieted my nerves had done the same for him.