I laid my hand over hers. “I’ll be careful.”
“Good.” She smiled and dropped her hand, but kept mine in it.
“If we’re hard to kill, how could they take out Zoe, especially without her sensing them? I suppose someone could setup on the rooftop with a sniper rifle, right?”
“A bullet wouldn’t kill us.”
“Really?”
“Multiple shots might do it but one or two? No. We don’t heal instantly but we heal quickly, which is why we live so long. Our bodies are continually regenerating.”
My phone beeped, alerting me that a text came in and my eyes shot to my purse still on the floor by the door. I would check that later, after Grandma left. I returned my attention to her. “You could go to the roof with a machine gun.”
“Now you’re getting it.”
“But Zoe didn’t die from a bullet. And we sense others around, so it’s tough to take us by surprise. In order for them to kill her, Zoe had to have been alone and outnumbered.”
“Exactly.”
I had so many questions for my grandmother but one thing kept sticking in my head. I couldn’t shake it. “Why are there so many witches in our family if it’s not hereditary?”
“It’s not passed on through genetics. That’s been proven.”
“But there’s you, Zoe and me. How’s it possible?”
“I don’t know. But…” She looked away. “Tessa, it’s not only the three of us.”
“What? Who else?”
“Your mother.”
“Mom? No way. She looks at least ten years older than you.”
“It’s because she can’t embrace her magic. She won’t allow it to nurture her. But if you concentrate, really focus on her, you’ll feel it.”
The very concept made it difficult for me to think. Mom? Impossible.
“She has the potential,” Grandma went on. “Something about her, and I’m not sure what, maybe the death of her daughter, prevents her from tapping into the power.”
“The same way she has trouble connecting to me and Bree?”
She shrugged. “Maybe. Something is definitely off. I had no idea Vivienne would be anything but normal, so I sent her to live with my parents.”
“Because you didn’t want her growing up in the middle of a war.”
“Yes,” Grandma answered. “Perhaps if I’d been there, I could’ve helped Vivienne with her powers.”
“Mom lived with your adopted parents?” I asked.
“That’s right.”
“Do you know anything about your biological parents?” I wondered if they were witches, too.
“No.” Grandma shook her head.
“Did you try to find them?”
“Yes. Nothing so far. I don’t have many chances to research. I haven’t given up though.”
“So you have no clue why we’re different?”
“Until I know more about our family history, I have no way of knowing,” she said.
“Okay. Recap. Everyone in our family is a witch. Even Bree?”
“Most likely, yes.”
“That means…” Different scenarios swirled in my head, nearly suffocating me. “I have to protect her. But by being around her, I also put her in danger.”
“You could leave Bree with your mother until she’s of age.”
“No way. Mom’s incapable of loving us. I can’t subject Bree to that life. She even told me that when I turn eighteen, I can take Bree with me when I move out.” I pivoted on the bed, bringing my knee up and fixing a stare at my grandmother. “You see why I can’t leave her here? I can’t bear to watch her go through what I did the last few years.”
“Sweetheart.” She covered my hand with her own. “I’m so sorry. I wish I could’ve been there for you.”
“You’re here now.” My eyes stung.
“I can’t stay,” she whispered.
“Just a few more minutes.”
She nodded.
“What’s your special ability?” It might be a clue to my own.
“I’m a Healer. And a Detector. I’m an excellent Blocker, too, which is why I was able to sneak in here.”
“More than one specialty? Is that common?”
“No.” She smiled slyly. “As far as everyone knows, I’m only a Healer.”
“That’s two oddities in our family.”
“Yes. I wish I knew why.”
Me too. “If you have more than one specialty, I might too?”
“Don’t give yourself a limit and you may discover you don’t have one.” She smiled and hugged me, then gripped my shoulders. “Whatever you do, make sure only one of your specialties is known. Otherwise, both sides will fight harder for you. And the loser will work harder to make sure you can never use your powers against them. Do you understand?”
Crap. That was food for thought. I’d have to practice everything to find out what I did best. But I could only do that around Hayden. I still wasn’t sure how much I could trust Chait. “If you saw Bree, you’d know for sure if she was one of us?”
“She’s so young. It’s hard to tell.”
“It’s not like you can spend time with her either, because you’ve been dead to her world since before she’d remember.”
“Visiting the local school is a great way to meet people.” She grinned.
A slow smile crept over me. “You’ve snuck visits with her?”
“Yes. You would’ve recognized me or I’d have visited you too.”
“I’m so glad you’ve had a chance to see her. Bree’s adorable, isn’t she?”
Tears pooled in Grandma’s eyes. “Yes, she is.”
“It’s up to me to take care of Bree. Somehow.”
“I won’t be around to help you.” She laid a palm against my cheek. “I’m truly sorry.”
“I don’t know if I can do it. I’m making minimum wage.” I sighed. “College used to be the plan. I’m sure I can get a scholarship, but now there’s an apartment and food to worry about. Without a way to make real money, how will I do it?” I met her eyes. “Once I choose sides, will I be able to stay in one place to raise her?”
“It depends. You pick a side and you can lead a fairly normal life. But everyone has a duty within the organization. Everyone. Where you live is your choice — most of the time. The problem is making sure you have protection, others around who will fight for you and vice-versa.”
“Why can’t we do like regular people during elections and just not choose a party? Vote Independent or something?”
“It’s not the way it works. For centuries, we’ve battled each other. It’s never been any other way.”
“We kill each other off. That’s why there are so few of us.”
Grandma nodded. “Yes. In addition to the fact that we’re not very fertile.”
“Doesn’t seem to be a problem in our family,” I said.
“Another mystery. I wish I knew why.” She patted my hand. “You’re not to worry about Bree.”
“But she’s my responsibility. I have to find a way to keep her safe and away from the gunfire.”
“Yes, you do. But I have more money than I could possibly spend, so don’t you fret over that. Use your energy to keep you both safe.”
It seemed wrong to make Grandma help me support Bree. “I can’t take your money.”
“She’s my grandbaby, isn’t she? You too. Maybe somehow I can make up for not being there for Zoe.” Her chin quivered. “You must do whatever you have to do. Your survival depends on it. Bree’s too.”
“Yeah.” I nodded, my stomach twisting.
“Do you know about Hayden?” she asked. Grandma, the Detector. Of course she’d know.
“That he’s like us? Yes, but not because I detected it. I saw him do something. You’ve met him?”
Grandma smiled.
“Similar to how you met Bree?”
“If you mean by being sneaky, yes. When I heard about the kidnapping and how he rescued you, I wondered why the tranquillizer
didn’t knock him out longer. So I arranged to accidentally meet him.”
“How? You didn’t even know what he looked like?”
She laughed softly. “I asked a friend for a favor, found out Hayden’s class schedule and that sometimes you met with the principal while he went to PE. I wormed my way into that class and I gave everyone a ten-minute speech on teamwork. It was very inspiring.” Grandma chuckled. “Then I talked to him about football scholarships for about sixty seconds before he had to take off and meet you.”
“If you figured out he’s a sorcerer, maybe someone else did too.” Not that it was a big deal anymore. They’d find out soon enough. But I liked being prepared. “Do you think anyone else knows?”
“Probably not. From what I gathered, they assumed that his body metabolized the drug at an accelerated rate because he’s strong and physically fit.”
“That works, I suppose.”
She grew serious and held my shoulders firmly. “You can’t tell anyone you saw me. I can’t do what needs to be done if they know about me.”
“Of course, Grandma.”
“I have to go. I’ve already risked too much.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a cell phone. “This is untraceable. If you need me, call. But only if absolutely necessary.” She gave me one last squeeze and rose to leave.
“Grandma, wait.” I clutched her hand and stood. “I’m scared.”
“I know, baby.” She pulled me close, stroking my hair again. “Don’t choose a side.”
“That’s only good for the next month. What then?”
“Hold them off as long as possible. If it becomes life or death, stay as far away from Frank and Lila as you can. In the meantime, never give them the idea that you’d choose any side but theirs. You realize how dangerous they are, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“You haven’t even begun to tap into what you can do. Trust your instinct. Let it guide you.” She glanced around the room. “You must have a piece of paper around here.”
I opened a drawer, snagged a pen while I was there and held them out to her.
She shook her head. “Write down your bank information, so I can wire you money. And I want you to quit your job. It’s silly to have Bree neglected and you struggling when I can help so easily.”
* * * *
Lying on my bed in the dark, I stared up at the almost-black ceiling, unable to think about anything but my grandmother. After seeing her, everything else was a total letdown. Seeing Hayden wouldn’t be though. I wanted to share my grandmother with him. He was the only one I could trust with what I’d learned. And talking about her visit would enable me, in some small way, to relive it. Besides, being with another person at that moment didn’t sound like such a bad idea.
Oh, hell, I just wanted to see him — for any reason.
Thankfully, Hayden had texted me with Skyler’s address while I’d been talking with Grandma. I switched on a light, then changed into a mini skirt, a pair of knee-high boots and a low-cut spaghetti strap top. After a slight adjustment to my hair, I headed out.
Chapter Twenty-four
Hayden
The DJ played one of my favorite songs, the kind that made me want to move. I liked to think I was one of the few guys that didn’t look like a dork when they danced. The girls never objected, so I probably did okay.
I wondered if Tessa was as good at dancing as everything else she did. But since it was getting late, she probably wouldn’t show. It was for the best. The longer our time apart, the more chance I had to get through the withdrawals. Now, if only I could go more than a few minutes without thinking of her.
“Hayden,” Lisa slithered up against me, drink in hand. “You said you’d dance with me again.”
That had been the plan — dance with Lisa or any other pretty girl and get my mind off the stunning blonde stuck forever in my thoughts.
When I’d first arrived, Lisa had spotted me right away. She had dragged me to the center of the living room and gyrated against me. Tessa should have been ejected from my head, all attention focused on the eager-to-please girl painted all over me. But no such luck. I’d learned the hard way that Tessa was in my head to stay.
“Dude,” Brad nudged me, speaking into my ear and facing away from Lisa. “What’s the problem? She’s begging for it. Go. I’ll hold your drink, so you can get to it.”
I moved my drink out of his reach and laughed it off. “She’s drunk enough, she’d even do you. Here, I’ll hold your drink.” I snagged it from him and jerked my head toward Lisa who hung one arm around my neck. “Lisa, Brad needs to talk to you. It’s important.”
“What’s wrong?” she slurred, then staggered off with him without a glance back. A few steps later, she entwined her arm with his and looked at him adoringly.
I scanned the room for Tessa. By the time I made a full circle, Brad and Lisa were making out in the corner.
The front door opened and Tessa stepped over the threshold, eyes searching the room. I tensed. Her gaze met mine and she made a beeline for me.
On her left, a guy attempted to intercept, but backed off when he spotted me.
She stopped in front of me and grinned. I loved her smile. “Party looks like it’s in full swing.”
“I didn’t think you’d show.” But she did. My arms had never felt so useless, dangling at my sides.
“Wasn’t planning on it.”
I’d never had a problem talking to girls. I started a conversation about them, said something nice without sounding like a pervert and the girl did the rest. This time, being charming didn’t come easy. I was too overcome being so close to her again. “You look great.”
“Thank you.” She smoothed her skirt and gave me a shy smile.
“What made you change your mind?”
“Cabin fever.” She nodded and scanned the room.
My tongue had been paralyzed somehow — along with my brain. When I didn’t say anything else, her eyes wandered the room.
“Let’s dance.” She reached for my hand.
“No. You don’t want to dance with me.” Didn’t she realize that I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off her?
“True.” She nodded thoughtfully. “But no one will ask me while you’re around. So you’re it. C’mon.” She laid her palm on my arm, then led me to the center of the living room. Only two others were dancing and they were wasted. Come to think of it, everyone was wasted. I went along with Tessa, not because it was smart, but because I wanted to be near her.
Tessa seemed oblivious to how she should’ve been dancing to the old disco remake. Instead, she swirled in deliberate and seductive circles, lids half closed as she tilted her head to the side. Although the song was much too quick for her movements, it all worked. And it was unbelievably sexy.
The tempo pounded away at my senses. Keeping my distance, I mimicked her movements. Not a good idea to watch her do things with her body that I wished involved me — things that weren’t going to happen. If only I could see other girls the way I saw her, it would be so much easier. I hoped the dancing bored her soon. I didn’t know how much longer I could hold out.
The music slowed and so did she, which made her moves even hotter. I stepped forward and pressed my hands to her hips. Her eyes opened as if I’d startled her. Not wanting her to bolt, I held her firmly.
She placed one hand on my bicep, the other on my shoulder and boldly watched me, hypnotizing me. I couldn’t read her expression and wondered what she thought. She’d reminded me over and over that my morals weren’t up to her standards, but those thoughts weren’t what I saw in her eyes when I touched her.
What did she smell like tonight? Roses or wild flowers? If I moved a little closer, I might find out. Taking my time, I slid a hand to her lower back, inching her toward me. She didn’t resist, but I figured that was only temporary. In a moment, she’d realize what was happening and disappear.
I wanted to kiss her. But how much could I push before she either gave in to me or f
reaked and fled? As I contemplated my next move, her hand slid around my neck.
Her eyes still hadn’t left mine.
My hand on her hip made its way up her side, stopping under her arm with my fingers splayed under her shoulder blade. Hers glided over my shoulder and behind my neck. I pulled her even closer, not breaking eye contact until her forehead brushed my cheek.
Wild flowers.
Turning my face into her hair, I inhaled again. Tessa reached her arms higher, her face almost touching mine as she lifted her chin. My body simmered like water on the verge of boiling, our lips so close. It would be too easy to kiss her now and I had the feeling she might be into it. Hell, she looked like she wanted a kiss as much as I did. I moved enough to cut the rest of the distance between us, but the song ended and a fast one took its place.
Tessa dropped her arms and so did I, officially killing the moment. If I’d acted faster, we’d be making out now. Exactly what I’d hoped to avoid. Exactly what I burned for.
“I have to go to the ladies’ room.” She dashed off and I shadowed her, waiting outside the door. Four minutes passed and I wondered what was up. Had someone been waiting and dragged her through the bathroom window?
My hand shot out for the doorknob.
Chapter Twenty-five
Tessa
I leaned over the sink trying to gather my wits. When Hayden’s hands were on me, all his crimes were forgotten. I’d almost kissed him.
“Almost done,” I yelled when someone rattled the doorknob.
“Tessa, what’s going on?” Hayden yelled from the other side.
Just as my fingers wrapped around the knob, he blazed through the door, almost knocking me aside. “Everything okay?” He pulled the shower curtain open as if looking for someone.
I nodded, shocked at his urgency. The noise filtering into the hallway must have drowned out my earlier reply.
“You were in here a long time. Thought you’d been kidnapped or something.” His eyes darted to the closed window.