Wicked Betrayal
Book 3
New England Witch Chronicles Series
by
Chelsea Luna
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the express written permission of the author.
Copyright © October 2012 by Chelsea Luna (Bellingeri)
Cover art created by Rahul Philip (http://www.rahulphilip.com)
First Paperback Edition: October 2012
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
For more information, please visit: http://www.chelsealunaauthor.com
http://www.facebook.com/ChelseaLuna.Author
Follow me on Twitter: @Chelsea_Luna_
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Acknowledgments
Novels By Chelsea
About the Author
To Jackson,
Mommy loves you!
“A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will not escape.”
Proverbs 19:5
CHAPTER 1
“I’m going to kill her.”
“You and me both.” Sadie Williams downed the rest of her drink. “I can’t believe she has the nerve to flirt with both of them at the same time. Who does that?”
Olivia Humphrey tossed her hair over her shoulder. She had my boyfriend, Peter LaViollette, and my best friend’s boyfriend, Lucas Cooper, cornered near the giant window wall decorated with pink streamers.
Peter’s eyes flitted over the room until they found me. His eyebrows rose to his hairline.
“Should we save them? Or should I rip out all of that pretty blonde hair?” Sadie’s face was as red as a tomato’s.
“Peter can maneuver his way out. If he wants to.”
Sadie frowned. “Are you two still having problems?”
“I don’t know. We’re not fighting, but we’re not really talking either. He says everything is fine, but clearly it’s not.”
“It’s been weeks.”
“I know.”
“And you don’t know what’s bothering him?”
“No idea.” I bit my lip.
Of course, I knew what was wrong with Peter. I just couldn’t tell Sadie. She had no idea what was going on in Hazel Cove. She was clueless, just like everyone else.
My life was in chaos and I couldn’t even tell my best friend. What would I say? Guess what, Sadie? Liam Ross - the most notorious pure blooded witch in the world - wants to sacrifice me on Halloween to extend his immortality. Sadie would start chewing on her fingernails. I’m his sacrificial lamb because I’m a pure blooded witch, too. Around that time, Sadie would ask me if I heard voices. I’d respond, not yet, but I do see spirits. Spirits with red eyes. She’d probably volunteer to drive me to the nearest mental hospital for immediate committal.
Just a typical day in the life of Alexandria Longfellow.
But that was precisely the problem. That was a typical day in my life. From the moment I learned I was a witch, my life had become dangerous. The threat level increased each day. I was high risk. A ticking time bomb. Especially after what happened two months ago at my school’s Winter Ball.
Liam hurled Peter and his little sister, Anne Marie, off Hawthorne Prep’s four-story Bell Tower. Of course, I tried to save both of them, but my magic wasn’t strong enough. I chose to save Peter and, as a result, Anne Marie plummeted to the icy ground below.
I’d be pretty pissed off at me, too.
“There you are,” Jillian Emerson said. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you two. Isn’t the party great?”
Meh. Average party. Impressive location.
But who was I kidding? Jillian was right. The party was clearly a success. Over a hundred people crammed the banquet room of the Royal Mariner - a five-star restaurant overlooking Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Hazel Cove, our small town on the northern coast of the State, wasn’t posh enough to celebrate Olivia’s eighteenth birthday. Even the weather had decided to cooperate for Olivia’s big day. Seventy degrees in late March? It was practically unheard of.
“Are you having fun?” Jillian asked.
“Tons,” Sadie said.
Jillian didn’t notice the sarcasm. “Are Logan and Anne Marie coming?”
“No, she can’t ride in the car for that long,” Sadie said. “Logan stayed home with her.”
“How’s she doing?” Jillian asked me.
I swallowed. The guilt of Anne Marie’s injuries resurfaced. “She’s better. She’s going to physical therapy three times a week.”
“That’s great. Olivia told me that she thought Peter looked happier. That’s probably why,” Jillian said.
“Oh, did she?” Olivia’s recent infatuation with my boyfriend made my blood boil.
I plastered a fake smile across my face. No mishaps tonight. No magic. No witch drama. I hadn’t had an uncontrolled episode in weeks and I wanted to keep it that way.
“What’s the matter?” Jillian asked.
Sadie’s eyes flickered to Olivia cornering our boyfriends.
Wrinkle lines formed on Jillian’s freckled forehead. “Sorry. Olivia likes to be the center of attention.”
“It’s her party. She is the center of attention,” I said.
Sadie hopped on one foot to get a better view of Lucas. “It’s always the extreme with Olivia. She skipped three days of school to plan a party. Who does that? And now she’s flirting with Peter and Lucas when there are tons of other boys here?”
“She probably doesn’t realize what she’s doing,” Jillian offered.
“Trust me. Olivia knows exactly what she’s doing,” I said.
The music booming over the speakers screeched to a halt. Mr. Humphrey tapped the microphone. The overhead lights glistened off his bald head. “Attention everyone! Attention! It’s time to wish my sweet baby girl a happy eighteenth birthday!”
Mr. Humphrey motioned to the double doors behind him. Mrs. Humphrey and Olivia’s older sisters, Jana and Carol, pushed a rolling cart out of the kitchen. On top was a four-tiered cake with eighteen lighted candles. The pink frosting matched Olivia’s dress.
Olivia twirled from the boys and pushed her way through the crowd. She planted a kiss on her father’s cheek before maneuvering in front of her mother and sisters to take the prime spot behind the cake.
The room erupted into a chorus of Happy Birthday.
“Thanks for the save.” Peter appeared by my side. He loosened his cobalt tie. The color made his eyes appear bluer than usual. He looked handsome. Even with the familiar stony expression stuck on his face.
How much longer would the awkwardness between us last? I had assumed once Anne Marie’s health improved, so would Peter’s mood, b
ut that wasn’t the case. In fact, it was the opposite. Peter grew more distant each day. And every time I apologized or tried to talk to him about what happened, he’d shut down.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much pink in my life.” Lucas patted Sadie on top of her head. “How much longer do we have to stick around?”
“It’s only nine.” Sadie glanced at us. She frowned and grabbed Lucas by the arm. “We’ll be right back.” She motioned for me to talk to Peter.
At least Sadie was rooting for us.
Peter and I stood alone in silence as the room finished the final stanza of the birthday song. At the end of the note, Olivia blew out the candles. Hundreds of white, pink and sliver balloons fell from the ceiling. The crowd erupted in applause.
I was feeling rebellious, so I didn’t clap.
Peter squinted at his champagne flute filled with blue liquid. He downed the glass.
“What’s that?”
“Punch. It’s pretty gross.”
More minutes passed. I hated the coldness between us. My desperation turned to irritation.
“If you didn’t want to come with me, then you should’ve said so,” I said.
“Who said I don’t want to be here?” Peter folded his arms across his chest.
“You’ve barely said two words to me all night.”
“I didn’t know we were counting words, Lex.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Actually, I don’t. I’m fine. See?” Peter flashed a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m here with you. That has to count for something.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but Peter’s face went stony again.
“What’s wrong now?” I asked.
“Look what the cat dragged in.”
I followed Peter’s glare. James Van Curen stood under the lighted archway. James’ eyes labored over the crowded room until they landed on me. He broke out in an ear to ear grin. Twin dimples appeared on each cheek.
“He’s pretty excited to see you.” Peter cracked his neck. “I’m going to find Lucas. Have fun talking to Lover Boy.”
“Peter.”
“What? I’m not angry.” Peter’s face was calm, but the storm was brewing inside.
“He’s helping me with Liam.”
“How could I forget? The witch hunter is helping you now. I guess that’s better than trying to kill you.”
“That’s not fair.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. But I don’t have to stand around and watch him drool all over you. Find me when you’re ready to leave.” Peter walked away.
Super.
My stomach growled. Not only was I irritable, so was my belly. I grabbed a strawberry from an elaborate display and dipped it into the dark chocolate fountain. I became even more annoyed that Olivia’s dessert tasted delicious.
I had the sudden urge to destroy things. Pink things.
James, in a dark suit and tie, made his way across the room. He reminded me of the old-James. Confident and casual.
James grinned. “Peter saw me coming?”
“How did you guess?”
“He’s predictable.” James snatched two glasses from a waiter and handed one to me. “It seems like you’re having a blast. Queen of the Cotton Candy Kingdom.”
“That’s me.”
“You look nice,” James said.
“Thanks. You too.”
I’d actually put a little effort into my appearance. I wasn’t sure why. Maybe I wanted a reaction out of Peter? Or perhaps I was subconsciously competing with Olivia. Who knew? But I had on a short emerald dress with black high heels. I’d even curled my hair and put on makeup.
“Where are your friends?” James asked. “And by friends, I’m not referring to her.” He nodded at Olivia dancing on a raised platform to some horrible pop song.
“They scattered.”
“Good, I have something to tell you.”
I sipped the pink lemonade. The tartness made my jaw ache. “I’m all ears.”
“I have a lead on Liam.”
A chill snaked up my spine. “What did you find?”
“A box of Grandpa Jonah’s stuff was packed in our basement. There’s a document inside about Liam.”
I leaned closer to James. “What does it say?”
“I don’t know. I wanted to wait for you to browse through it.”
I bounced on my toes. “Really? You found something?”
“It might be big.”
I was practically dancing in place. We’d been searching for information on Liam for weeks now without any luck. This could be our big break.
“Everyone’s coming. Let’s talk about it later,” James whispered in my ear.
“Hey, James.” Lucas shook his hand. “You’re late. Lucky guy.”
“Where’s Peter?” Sadie threw James a borderline dirty look.
“I thought he was with Luke,” I said.
“I haven’t seen him,” Lucas said.
I rose painfully on my tiptoes. Peter stood a head and shoulder above everyone else, so he was usually easy to find. People congregated on the dance floor, but there was no sign of him.
“Do you guys want to go? I can’t take much more of this,” Lucas said.
“Olivia will kill me if I leave,” Jillian said.
Lucas shook his head. “Aren’t you tired of doing everything Olivia says?”
Sadie stepped on Lucas’ toes.
“What about you?” Jillian asked James. “You just got here. You’re not going, are you?”
James glanced at me.
“Oh, no, you’re leaving, too,” Jillian said. “I’ll find Olivia. She’s been waiting all night for James to get here.” Jillian disappeared into the crowd.
Lucas groaned. “Let’s go.”
“I second that,” Sadie said.
“Wait, I have to find Peter.” I walked across the dance floor and through the double doors. Naturally, the first place to look for Peter was the kitchen. Uniformed cooks rushed around the stainless steel counters, but there was no sign of Peter.
Maybe he was getting fresh air? I weaved through the tables to the rear of the banquet hall. Nestled in the wall of windows were beautiful French doors trimmed in white paneling. Outside a pier overlooked Good Harbor Beach.
The weather was spectacular for late March. Almost balmy. A lattice overhang intertwined with white Christmas lights and fake greenery hung over most of the pier.
Salty air filled my nose. The systematic crashing of waves against the beach was soothing. It felt good to be outside. A few of Olivia’s guests were conversing on the dock, but there was no sign of Peter. I walked around the side of the restaurant. A couple stood alone in the darkness. I didn’t want to intrude on their privacy, so I backtracked. I slid my feet so my heels wouldn’t clank on the wooden planks.
A cloud shifted overhead and the moon’s rays fell on the pier. The pale light illuminated two empty champagne flutes on the ledge.
The moon’s beams widened and fell upon the couple. The girl was doing most of the talking, but the boy was captivated by her every word. She tilted her head, rose onto her toes and kissed the boy.
My intake of breath was louder than the roaring waves.
The girl twirled around and a smile escaped her painted lips. I couldn’t have hated her more than I did at that moment.
And there he was, standing behind Olivia. The moon’s soft rays glistened off his light hair. Once I was one hundred percent sure of his identity, my heart broke.
“Peter?”
CHAPTER 2
Seeing red isn’t a figure of speech. It’s real. And as everything in my vision went a brilliant shade of crimson, all Hell broke loose.
Giant bolts of lightning flashed across the darkened sky. Thick angry clouds rolled in off the ocean. The waves violently crashed against the beach. The wind blew my dress and hair in every direction.
Peter’s face crumbled. “Lex?”
&
nbsp; I took two quick steps away from him.
The lightning storm illuminated the sky like the Fourth of July. Waves of energy radiated off me and clashed with the thick static electricity in the air. Thunder shook the restaurant’s foundation. And despite wanting to be tough in the face of such a brutal betrayal, angry tears filled my eyes and spilled down my cheeks.
Peter glanced at the incoming storm. “Lex, calm down.”
“How could you?” The words escaped in a pitiful whisper. My hands clenched into fists so tight that my nails sliced my palms.
“I don’t know,” Peter said. “It’s not what you think.”
A monstrous storm rolled in over the harbor. Waves spewed onto the pier as lightning streaked through the clouds. Drops of icy rain leaked from the sky and sent shivers down my spine. I wrapped my arms around myself to compensate for the drastic change in temperature.
Seawater splashed our legs and rolled over our feet. Olivia backpedaled as if it were acid.
“Stop it, Lex. Before someone gets hurt again!” Peter moved Olivia against the restaurant wall.
Olivia’s head snapped in my direction. “You’re doing this?”
The look of fear on her face catapulted me back to reality. What had I done? And in front of Olivia? My heart pounded in my chest, but the rage subsided. Sadness and pain replaced my anger. I bit my lip to keep the sobs from escaping.
I unclenched my fists. My nails had sliced small crescent moons into my palms. Warm liquid dripped to the wooden planks below. I’d lost control. Again. I exhaled and waited for the thrum of energy to dissipate.
The torrential downpour eased to a slow drizzle. I pushed the wet hair away from my face. I couldn’t make sense of what happened. Sure Peter was angry about Anne Marie, but kissing Olivia? It didn’t seem possible.
“Alex? Are you okay?”
I turned around.
James’ brown eyes darted to Olivia and Peter huddled against the restaurant wall in fear of the crashing waves.
“I’m fine,” I said. “But I interrupted Peter and Olivia’s moment.”
James’ bottom jaw slid open.