The Last Witch: Volume One

The leather cuff that Gabriel put on my wrist yesterday hasn’t come off. And despite Gabriel’s words, it seems to be getting heavier and heavier with every passing moment. I know it’s for the best. I know that it’s the safest thing for everyone right now, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

The raised voices coming from inside Grayson’s office stop me in my tracks as I make my way down the stairs alone. The heated tones of the two brothers echo through the slightly ajar door and into the lobby. When I hear my name being shouted, I sneak closer.

‘I just don’t think it’s a good idea!’ Gabriel argues.

‘Well, I wasn’t asking your opinion. I was giving you an order,’ Grayson replies. ‘I don’t like this attitude you have towards Lilly. I won’t repeat myself, Gabriel. Back off. I mean it.’

‘I’m not doing anything, Grayson! Except help you get what you want. She needs to feel safe. Not owned or like a prisoner. I’m trying to be a friend.’

‘What I want? Don’t you mean what we want? You don’t want the Veil down?’

‘Of course I want the Veil down,’ Gabriel says indignantly. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. All I’m saying is we need to ease her into this. Telling her about her Broken side? That she’s the Arcane, and then giving her that cuff? It’s a lot to digest and you know she isn’t stable. Trying to find the cause of her Break may very well have the adverse effect.’

‘It was your suggestion in the first place. Not mine, and it was the right suggestion to make.’

‘I didn’t mean for me to go digging around in her head though. I was thinking therapy or hypnosis-’

‘Hypnosis?’ Grayson laughs derisively at him. ‘Come on, Gabriel. She’s the most powerful creature alive with a serious trauma in her past and a debilitating fear of being touched. You think hypnosis is going to help her?’

‘She won’t agree to me using my magic on her,’ he says simply. ‘She won’t even talk about her past, Grayson, I doubt very much that she’ll let me see it in full HD.’

‘She doesn’t really have a choice.’

‘I’m not forcing her. She won’t talk to me again if I do. I’m amazed she didn’t slap me for using it on her yesterday. I’m fine by the way. Thanks for asking,’ he adds annoyed.

There’s a silence. I shuffle closer to the gap thinking they’ve moved, but Grayson’s voice soon carries through.

‘It means a lot to you, doesn’t it? That she likes you.’

Gabriel tells him he’s ridiculous, but Grayson’s being deadly serious.

‘I see how you look at her. Don’t even think about it,’ Grayson tells him sternly.

‘I’m not-’

‘You’re not capable of monogamy, Gabriel. Every week there’s another girl between your sheets. She deserves better than that.’

‘It’s not like that! I like her. As a friend.’

‘I need her to feel safe here. I need her focus to be on the spell and her recovery. Not you. She’s spent three years being manipulated by a sociopath who somehow, god knows how, but somehow, he convinced her to fall in love with him. That’s enough heartbreak for anyone. I won’t watch you lose interest in her and move on as you do with every single girl that turns your head. Do you hear me?’ There’s more silence. ‘I said do-’

‘I hear you!’ Gabriel snaps. ‘I don’t think of her that way. If I look like I’m flirting it’s accidental. If anything, I feel sorry for her. That’s all.’

There’s another long silence, and I can imagine them glaring at each other. He feels sorry for me? Prick.

‘So, what’s the plan?’ Gabriel asks, breaking the silence and apparently keen to move on.

‘Well, she hasn’t agreed to help us yet. We need to get her on board. Preferably before anyone else finds out she’s here. If word gets out the Arcane is not only alive but here with us, you know he’ll come for her,’ Grayson says. ‘Billy will be here this afternoon to organise the men coming back for protection detail. With Lilly wearing that cuff they’ll be a lot safer. They are aware that she’s completely off limits and not to be approached. I don’t want her to be uncomfortable. You know what she’s like when men get too close.’

‘Yeah well, you made your position on that very clear when you almost killed John for touching her backside,’ Gabriel says snarkily. Grayson ignores him.

‘She needs to concentrate on getting those powers under control and start her manifestations. Not spend her time hiding upstairs and avoiding everyone. Or crushing on you. We just need to keep her safe and get that damn Journal back before Theo hears we have her.’

Theo? Who the hell is Theo?

‘You think he’ll come for her? Even with us here?’

‘That man would tear the world apart to get his hands on her. He’s desperate. Desperate enough to come here, even with us protecting her.’

‘You think he’ll try to kill her?’

Grayson laughs. ‘Oh yes. Theo will try to kill her.’

I swallow past the enormous lump that’s developed in my throat. There’s a man named Theo who wants me dead? Why?

With a sigh, Grayson says, ‘And we’re still no closer to finding Toby. It’s getting tricky all this.’

‘Toby,’ Gabriel says his name with venom. ‘Don’t even get me started on that little freak. This is ridiculous Grayson. I’m getting lost with all these secrets. We should just tell her-’

‘Toby!’ he says firmly cutting him off. ‘Is a complication. One that we will resolve as soon as we find him. She needs to be able to trust us so we will deal with him quickly. We need to keep him as far away from her as possible. At least now we know why he was acting so strangely before he disappeared. He was hiding the fact that he was seeing the Arcane Witch behind our backs. I worry that there are still feelings there. If she sees him, we can’t be sure she won’t try to protect him. Or worse, run off with him. He knows how to disappear, I’ll give him that! And he sure knows how to manipulate.’

The doorbell goes, and before I get caught eavesdropping, I run back up the stairs hoping not to be seen. I only get a few steps before Grayson and Gabriel walk out of the office. I stop and spin round. They both stand in the doorway looking as caught out as me. We all stare at each other for a few seconds before Collins walks straight through the middle of us, glancing at them on one side and me on the other as he makes his way to the door.

‘Morning all.’

‘Morning, Collins,’ I reply as he walks straight through the tension.

He opens the door and greets someone cheerfully. ‘Billy. Good to see you.’

‘I believe Grayson is expecting me?’

Grayson heads to the door to greet Billy. Their indistinct chatter is of no interest to me. Apparently, it’s not to Gabriel either because he starts walking towards me.

‘Did you hear any of that?’ he asks quietly.

‘Any of what?’ I reply, trying to sound casual.

‘Lilly. This is Billy Songer,’ Grayson calls over. I walk past Gabriel, avoiding his stare and head towards Grayson and the man standing next to him. Billy.

Billy’s built like a brick shit house, as Mr Simmons would have said if he was here. He has long grey hair with a matching beard and must be in his fifties. But he looks like he could floor even Hendrix with a good punch.

‘Pleasure to meet you, Miss Hooper,’ Billy’s voice sounds like he’s smoked twenty a day since he was five. He stretches out a hand.

‘I’m sorry, Billy,’ Grayson says on my behalf and lowering Billy’s hand. ‘She doesn’t shake hands. I’ll explain it all to you shortly. Lilly, why don’t you go and make yourself a coffee and come see us in a few minutes.’

They disappear into Grayson’s study, closing the door behind them, leaving me, Collins and Gabriel alone in the lobby. I turn and head into the kitchen keen to not get the third degree over my eavesdropping. Gabriel attempts to follow but is caught by Collins who seems eager to chat.

I make myself a coffee and look out the glass doors across the garden thinking about what I heard. Whoever this Theo is, he doesn’t sound like good news. He wants to kill me? Why? And Toby. What would I say to him if I did ever see him again?

‘Morning, Little Witch.’

I turn around and see Hendrix standing a few feet behind me as I nurse my untouched coffee.

‘My name’s Lilly. In case you forgot. Quit calling me Little Witch.’

He always seems dirty, like he has been rolling in dust and grease for the last ten years and it’s stained his skin. The way he stares at me with his mouth twisted in an uncomfortably familiar grin is enough to make me feel violated.

‘Do you want something?’ I snap. ‘Because if you’re thinking about trying to hit me again, I would consider what happened to you last time.’

‘I was actually going to ask if I could join you for a drink? Build a bridge maybe. Seems a shame to be sitting all alone.’ He’s trying to make me feel uncomfortable. I know it, but I won’t give him the satisfaction.

‘I would rather die of thirst than share a drink with you, Hendrix. And I have no interest in building any bridges. Not with you. You want me locked up.’

‘I want you gone,’ he clarifies, before walking over. But I don’t move a muscle. ‘You’re a risk to everyone here and nothing but a distraction to those two.’ He looks at the bandage on my neck from the glass explosion yesterday and takes a deep sniff.

‘Your blood smells delicious,’ he says longingly, licking his lips. ‘I’ve always wondered what the blood of an Arcane Witch would taste like. Maybe you could let me find out sometime?’

‘When hell freezes over, maybe.’

‘Grayson will get bored of fucking you soon enough-’

‘Excuse me?’

‘And once you’ve brought the Veil down you’ll be all alone with no man to protect you. So maybe being nicer to me would serve your future interests.’ He runs his grubby finger along my jaw before I slap it away. ‘I wouldn’t mind the distraction once the spell is done.’

‘One, I’m not fucking Grayson. Two, I don’t need anyone to protect me, and three,’ I step closer and look unblinking into this disgusting, vile creature’s face. ‘You make me sick. Breathing the same air as you is more than I can stand.’

He grabs my hand and yanks me forwards. I try to free myself from his grip which feels worse than anyone else’s so far.

‘Get off me Hendrix or-’

‘Or what? You’ll run to Grayson? Tell him I’m being mean?’

‘I don’t need Grayson to fight you.’

‘You ain’t gonna do shit to me with that cuff on. Hear me, Little Witch. If you fuck this up for us, Grayson will be the least of your problems. You step out of line I’ll sink my teeth into you so fast-’

‘Are you two playing nice?’ Gabriel asks as he walks in. His eyes fall on Hendrix’s hand on mine, and his eyebrows raise in surprise. ‘I suggest you get your hands off her, Hendrix, before I break every single one of those fingers you’re touching her with.’

‘We’re just talking,’ he says, letting me go and standing straighter.

‘Just get out, Hendrix,’ Gabriel orders. Hendrix growls and bares his teeth at me. ‘I said get out,’ Gabriel repeats.

‘Yes…sir,’ Hendrix walks out looking resentfully at Gabriel as he goes.

‘You alright?’ Gabriel asks, still watching the door that Hendrix just walked through.

‘I’m fine.’ I’ve dealt with more disgusting people than him. ‘He really doesn’t like me.’

‘Do you care?’ he asks, sliding his hands into his pockets as he heads towards me.

‘Fair point.’

‘But a word to the wise, best not piss off the vampire too much. They’re not well known for their slow tempers and rational thinking.’

‘How does he…you know…feed? Out of curiosity.’

‘He has friends that get off on being bitten,’ Gabriel says as if it’s obvious. ‘There’s a real fetish about vampires. If you know where to look.’

‘So, can he go out in sunlight? Does he hate garlic?’

‘What’s written in the stories are all fabrications so if people actually met a vampire, they would have no idea how to kill them,’ Gabriel laughs.

‘So how do you kill a vampire?’

‘Planning on offing Hendrix?’ He grins as I shrug.

‘Are you okay?’ I ask, gesturing to his stomach.

‘Fine. A bit sore, but it’ll be healed in a few days. Did you hear Grayson and me talking?’ he asks suddenly, holding his gaze and looking me straight in the eye.

‘No,’ I reply.

‘Jesus Lilly, you really are a shit liar,’ he laughs. ‘Well, I don’t want you to worry about anything you might have heard. Okay?’

He slides open the door to the garden.

‘Who’s Theo?’ I ask as he takes a step outside.

‘A bad man,’ he says simply. ‘A man that doesn’t want the Veil to come down. That’s all.’

‘Is that why he would kill me? To stop the Veil coming down?’

‘Don’t worry about it.’ He goes to close the door behind him, but I pull it back.

‘Am I safe?’

‘You’re perfectly safe. He doesn’t even know you exist. Fancy joining me as I have a smoke?’ He gestures out to the sunny but cold lawn.

Grayson calls my name from the lobby.

‘Ahh…the Coven leader calls,’ I sigh. I turn and head to the door. But before I get too far from him, I turn back. ‘Oh, and Gabriel?’

‘Yeah?’

‘I don’t want your pity. If the only reason you’re being nice to me is because you feel sorry for me, you can shove your friendship up your backside.’

He tries to stifle his smile. As do I.

‘Good job I don’t want anything shoved up my backside then, isn’t it?’ he laughs and shakes his head as he closes the door.

∞∞∞

‘Lilly. This is Billy. Billy, Lilly.’ Grayson introduces us again as I walk into his office. Billy gets to his feet and gives me a small bow as Grayson walks around his desk to stand by my side.

‘Billy is the one who keeps an eye on the Nomads for me and runs security in the house.’

‘Nomads?’ I ask.

‘Nomads are the name of the Descendants that we protect,’ Grayson explains.

‘And I’ve selected a handful of the most trustworthy Nomads to be here for your protection,’ Billy adds in his husky voice. ‘They’ll stay out of your way, Miss Hooper, and if you see them just pretend that they’re not there.’

I wonder if it’s security for protection or prevention. I imagine the Nomads will be here to keep me safe from this Theo. Or the more likely version, to prevent me from hurting anyone else.

‘We will start your training in a day or two when you have settled in a bit more. Is that acceptable?’ Grayson asks as they both stand there looking at me lost in my own raging thoughts. I nod and look longingly at the door keen to have some time to sift through all this information I’ve been given since I’ve got here. He seems to take the hint and tells me I can go. So, with a nod to Billy and a polite goodbye, I head back to the lobby.

Maybe I’ll see if I can find the cliffs. I could see if Gabriel would like to take me. Maybe he’ll be more talkative about the whole Theo mystery away from the house. When I step out the back door, I shiver at the low temperature. I don’t even know what the date is. Or the month, but it must be winter. The air has that feel to it. It smells cold.

I spot Gabriel and Collins as well as four men I don’t recognise standing by the pool’s edge. Although I want to go and see Gabriel and attempt to get some answers, I don’t want to meet four more strangers. Instead, I return inside. I’ll just go back up to my room.

As I reach the stairs, I hear raised voices. One of which I recognise as Amara’s. It pulls me to the front door. Slowly I open it up, peering through a small gap out to the front of the house.

She’s standing in the driveway with a tall, well-built man with straggly grey hair, dressed in tatty jeans and a plaid flannel shirt. He looks homeless.

‘It’s just a couple hundred!’ he says. ‘He won’t even know it’s gone. You can’t deny your own father medicine!’

‘It’s not medicine you want though, is it?!’ Amara argues back. ‘I’m not stealing money from Collins so you can get drunk. Just go home, Dad. You’re embarrassing yourself.’

‘Don’t you dare speak to me like that!’ He grabs her arm and gets in her face. ‘You have an obligation to look after me. You being here with him is breaking that obligation. Your place is by my side, taking care of me!’ Her dad slurs and sways. He has that glassy look that all men get when they’ve had too much to drink.

‘My place is here. With them. With him!’ she insists. ‘Most fathers would be glad their daughters are happy, but not you! You just want me to stay at home, make your dinner and clean up your sick.’ She snatches her arm away. ‘Well, not anymore. I’m living my life my way, and if you or the other Nomads don’t like it, you can all go to hell.’

He screws his face up in anger and hits her with a powerful backhand. The only reason she doesn’t fall is that he still has hold of her arm.

‘HEY!’ I yell, stepping out from behind the door and charging over. ‘GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER!’ I point at him threateningly when he doesn’t let her go. ‘DID YOU HEAR ME?’

‘Who the fuck are you?’ he says, blinking and trying to get a better focus on me.

‘Shit,’ Amara says under her breath when she sees me. ‘Lilly, it’s okay,’ she says in a panic looking between us. ‘I’m okay. Please…’ She glances behind me to the door before settling her eyes back on me looking frightened. ‘I don’t want to make a scene.’

‘I said get off her,’ I warn. ‘I won’t tell you again.’

‘Who’s this?’ he laughs. ‘A Witch groupie?’

What the hell is a Witch groupie? Pretty sure that’s an insult.

‘Dad! You can’t call her that!’ Amara gasps in horror. ‘He didn’t mean it, Lilly. He’s drunk.’

He pushes Amara so hard she falls. ‘I’m not drunk.’ But an idiot could see he is.

I help Amara to her feet and take hold of her hand.

‘You alright?’ I ask, helping her brush off the dirt and stones from her jeans. She tries to explain that he’s just drunk and didn’t mean to insult me.

‘I couldn’t care less what he calls me, Amara. Trust me, I’ve been called a lot worse. He hit you! He can’t do that!’

My eyes narrow on him. I’m mad. Really fucking mad. He wipes his snotty red nose with the back of his hand.

‘Stop being so selfish. Help me! I’ll take whatever you have-’

‘You better leave.’ I point to the dented and banged up Red Corsa that I assume belongs to him. ‘Before I show you what happens to a man that hits his own daughter.’

He staggers towards me.

‘Who the hell do you think you are?’ he says through gritted teeth. ‘I’ll do what I please to my own daughter.’ He grabs Amara’s hand and pulls her towards him. Her other hand grips mine in an attempt to stay with me.

That’s it. No more. I take off the cuff easily, just like Gabriel showed me, and raise my free hand. He flies backwards through the air and slams into his piece of shit red car. I have such a tight hold on her, she stays with me and watches with a shocked gasp. I stand in front of her and stare down at him.

‘Want to keep pushing me? HUH?’ I shout. ‘You’re not touching her again. So go. Or you’ll be sorry.’

He stumbles to his feet breathing hard and heavy.

‘You’re…you’re a witch?’

‘You got that right. Now get the fuck out of here.’

Amara tries to pull me back as I start to head towards him. I’ve faced much scarier men than this. He stumbles back, eyes wide and searching for someone or something to help him.

‘I don’t have any money, Dad.’ Amara’s almost crying as she stands between us. She’s so afraid. So I stop trying to get past her and step back, hoping to ease her worry.

‘Dad, please, you have no idea who you’re talking to.’

‘Amara, you’re coming with me. Let go of her,’ he says, reaching out his hand. ‘A woman witch? I follow Grayson. Not you. I’ll never follow a bloody woman.’ He looks at Amara’s hand which is still gripping mine. ‘She’s my daughter. Let go of her. I’ll take her if I want.’

‘Try,’ I reply. ‘I could do with a laugh.’

He lunges forward and grabs her hand making her scream and cower behind me.

‘HEY!’

Our yelling seems to have attracted the attention of Gabriel who charges through the front door.

‘Oh no, no, no,’ Amara’s approaching hysteria at his arrival. She turns to her dad. ‘Please. Just go before you get yourself killed!’

‘What the hell’s going on out here?’ Gabriel demands, stopping by my side. He sees my cuff in my hand and looks at Amara’s dad. ‘What’s going on, Patrick?’

Patrick smooths down his hair and straightens his shirt before addressing Gabriel.

‘My daughter and I were having a perfectly civilised conversation when this whore decided-’

‘What did you call her?’ Gabriel interrupts. He points at me. ‘Did you just call her a whore?’

Amara’s hand is trembling in mine.

‘Gabriel,’ I take his arm as he descends on Amara’s dad. ‘It’s alright. I’ve got this.’ He takes a step back as I turn and face down Patrick. ‘I suggest you leave.’ I point to Patrick’s car. ‘Before I do something you’ll regret.’

‘I JUST NEED A TENNER!’

‘I know you’re Amara’s dad. So, for her sake, I’m gonna ask one more time for you to turn and leave before I show you exactly what I do to men that hit women. But first…’ I add as he takes a small step back. ‘You’re gonna apologise for hitting your daughter.’

‘He what?’ Gabriel says. ‘You hit your own daughter?’

Patrick looks like a deer caught in headlights. His eyes moving from me to Gabriel in utter panic.

‘I don’t know why you keep looking at him.’ I shrug, positioning myself in Patrick’s eye line. ‘It’s Amara you need to be looking at. And I think the words you’re looking for are…I’m sorry Amara. I should never have hit you. And I will never hit you again. Because I know that if I do, Lilly will personally shove my head up my ass.’ He blinks at me. ‘I mean that literally. I will shove your head up your ass. I have the power to do that.’

‘I’m…I’m sorry,’ he says quietly.

‘To her, you idiot. Not me. And the whole thing, please.’

He looks past me to Amara who looks dumbstruck. Gabriel, on the other hand, is stifling his laughs.

‘Amara. I’m sorry I hit you. I won’t do it again,’ he says begrudgingly.

‘And the rest,’ I encourage.

‘I won’t…I won’t do it again, because I know…’

‘Say it…’

‘I know that Lilly will personally shove my head up my ass.’

Gabriel snorts, and I find myself grinning at Patrick’s beacon face.

‘Off you go then.’ I nod to his car, and he turns quickly, scuttling away as quick as he can. He jumps in his car and speeds off down the gravel road to the gate. He really shouldn’t be driving in that state, but I’m just glad to see the back of him.

Gabriel makes his way over and replaces my cuff on my wrist.

‘That, was fucking brilliant,’ he says with an enormous grin. ‘You’re full of surprises.’

‘Oh please. Compared to Harry and Toby he’s a kitten.’

‘I’m so sorry, Lilly,’ Amara sobs. She’s saying sorry to me? Why the hell is she saying sorry to me? ‘He was drunk. He didn’t mean what he said to you.’

‘Hey, you don’t need to apologise to me.’

She looks at Gabriel. ‘I’m sorry, sir. Please-’

‘Don’t call me that,’ Gabriel insists. ‘I’ve told you a hundred times. You’re a friend, Amara. Not an employee.’ He wraps his arm around her as she cries and shakes. ‘Shall I fetch Collins?’ he asks sweetly. She shakes her head, her face firmly buried in his chest.

‘He’ll want to kill him. Please don’t tell him.’

Amara’s eyes are red and streaming with tears as she turns to me. ‘He didn’t mean what he said to you. Please, don’t tell anyone. Grayson won’t be happy if he knows he insulted you.’

‘I won’t.’ I rub Amara’s back to help comfort her. I saw what he did to John. I’m not that stupid. ‘I don’t care what he said to me. I care that he hurt you!’

She turns and hugs me.

‘Thank you,’ she cries. She lets me go and clasps her hand over her mouth. ‘I shouldn’t have touched you. Oh no! I’m so sorry! Grayson said not to touch you.’

‘It’s okay,’ I laugh. ‘You didn’t grab my ass. I think you’re safe.’ Her touch was fine. Not as pain free as Gabriel’s, but very bearable. Odd.

‘What’s going on?’ Grayson appears from the front door in the worst case of bad timing. ‘Lilly? What are you doing out here? Are you okay?’ He charges over, pushing Gabriel out of his way to take my arm. He glances around the driveway nervously. ‘You shouldn’t be out here.’

‘It’s my fault,’ Amara tells him. ‘My dad and I were arguing. She just came out to make sure I was okay.’

‘Did he upset you?’ Grayson asks. I look to Amara waiting to see what she says, but Grayson tugs my arm. He’s talking to me? ‘I said, did he upset you?’

‘What? No!’ I say as if that’s ridiculous. ‘Amara told him to leave, and I encouraged him to do so. That’s all.’

He looks at my cuff. ‘Did you use magic?’

I nod. ‘Completely in control though. I didn’t hurt him.’

‘Amara!’ Grayson barks aggressively making the poor girl jump and cower away. I watch her fingers grip onto Gabriel’s coat tightly. Gabriel rests a reassuring hand on her back. ‘My house is not a place for you and your alcoholic father to work through your family issues. If it happens again, I will be forced to intervene. And I’m afraid that your father will not enjoy the outcome of my intervention. Am I clear? I won’t have Lilly dragged into your mess. She has been through enough.’

‘Yes, sir. I’m so sorry, sir,’ she says in barely a whisper, looking at the floor.

Grayson turns to Billy. ‘Make sure Patrick doesn’t say a word about what he saw here today. Do you hear me? No one can know that there’s another witch here.’

‘To be fair, sir, he probably won’t even remember coming to the house. But I’ll take care of it anyhow.’ He pulls out a phone and walks away to make a call.

‘Can you come back inside?’ Grayson asks, pulling on my arm. ‘I feel much better with you in the house.’ I nod and follow him back inside. Anything to put an end to this weird tension.

We walk through the house to the kitchen where Grayson finally lets go of my arm.

‘I need to talk to the Nomads.’ He gestures to the four men still out by the pool talking to Collins. ‘You okay in here?’

‘Fine’ I reply. He leaves through the door and is followed by Gabriel, leaving Amara and me alone.

We look at each other with nervous smiles and nervous glances. This is ridiculous. I’ve spent my life surrounded by people who didn’t give a damn if my feelings got hurt. Or if I got hurt. Now everyone is tiptoeing around me terrified to set me off or upset Grayson. I don’t want to live like this. I want everyone to be as comfortable around me as Gabriel is. I think that’s one of the reasons I like him so much.

I hold out my hand to her.

‘Hi, Amara. I’m Lilly. It’s nice to meet you.’

She looks at my hand confused.

‘What are you doing?’

‘Look. You stood up for me yesterday with the whole John thing. For which, I am really sorry you had to see all the mess that followed. I’m wearing a binding spell now, so I won’t lose control again. So if you want, I would like to see if maybe, we could be friends.’

‘You want to be friends…with me?’

‘Yeah,’ I laugh at her surprise. ‘What do you say?’

She takes my hand and gives it a shake. Although it feels uncomfortable, it really doesn’t bother me.

∞∞∞

With a stolen bottle of whiskey tucked under Amara’s jacket, we walk past the others and head to the small lake I found my first day here with the boat tethered teasingly to the shore at the end of the garden. Crossing our legs, we sit and open up the whiskey.

‘I never said thank you. For getting me all those clothes. You were so kind, and I was so rude. I was just…’ What can I say? I was afraid, jealous, nervous… ‘Anyway. Thank you for helping me. It means a lot.’ I give her a smile which she returns tenfold.

‘You’re very welcome. I would have got you some more normal stuff. But Grayson was very specific on what he thought you would like.’

‘Well, I accidently set them all on fire so I’m mostly wearing Gabriel’s stuff at the moment,’ I laugh and gesture to the enormous hoody. ‘So, what was all that about with your dad?’

‘My dad’s such a twat,’ she groans. ‘I’m so sorry you had to see that. He just turns up sometimes. You shouldn’t have got involved. I’ve put you in a difficult position.’ She buries her face in her hands and groans.

I promptly pull them away.

‘There’s no difficult position. Not for me. A man shouldn’t hit a woman, and that’s the end of it. A father especially.’ I hand her the whiskey and watch her reaction as she takes a sip. Anyone would think she was drinking acid.

‘Collins mentioned that you had some trouble with your uncle,’ she says, handing me back the whiskey. I like the taste unlike her.

‘Him and his mad wife, yeah. Just a bit of trouble.’ I take a couple of sips and hand it back.

‘Collins also said that they found you locked up.’ She sounds a little uncertain if she should admit she knows that.

‘Did he tell you anything else?’ I ask.

She shakes her head. I don’t know if she’s lying or not.

‘I’ll tell you something though,’ she says with a big exhale. ‘If you think my dad is a kitten compared to your uncle and Toby, they must have been something else.’

‘Oh yeah. They were definitely something else. So, you and Collins?’ I say happily in an attempt to change the subject. ‘Something going on there?’

Her cheeks flush. ‘Yeah. We’re sort of…dating. He’s great don’t you think?’

I reach out for the bottle and have another sip. I’ve not seen a massive amount of greatness. If I’m honest.

‘I just wish Dad didn’t keep showing up. There’s nothing worse than when your drunk dad keeps trying to get you to steal money and booze from the guy you’re dating. Bloody alcoholic. He wants me at home looking after him all day so he can do nothing but drink. One day he’ll say the wrong thing in front of Grayson, and end up with his throat cut. I’m just glad Gabriel’s more understanding.’

‘Well, Grayson won’t hear anything from me,’ I tell her with certainty. ‘Can I ask you something?’

‘I’m an open book.’

‘Do you know about this spell they’re trying to reverse?’ I ask before taking a sip and offering it back to her.

‘Kind of,’ she says taking it. ‘As much as anyone else I suppose.’

‘Would you tell me?’

I’m keen to hear if it’s the same as what Grayson’s told me.

‘A while ago, the Arcane Witch, Rebecca Hooper, put up the Arcane Veil. It’s like a wall stopping magic reaching us so we can’t tap into it anymore. The spell will destroy the wall, and all the Descendants will get their powers,’ she explains it all as if it’s a simple enough thing to do and takes another comical sip.

‘And then what?’

‘Then we can live as what we were intended to be. We have a right to be ourselves. To be free. Living in hiding and with the risk of being scooped up by Hunters every day isn’t a good way to live. Grayson, Gabriel, Collins and Hendrix have dedicated their lives to keeping all their Nomads safe. We would all be dead without them. But that will change now you’re here. I can’t believe I’m having a drink with the Arcane Witch!’ Giggling, she has another sip and hands the bottle back to me. I don’t have the heart to tell her I haven’t actually decided if I am going to help yet.

‘And you’re a normal age? Not a couple of centuries old like them?’ she asks.

‘I’m twenty-two. A standard twenty-two,’ I tell her, not keen to divulge that I actually have no idea how old I am. ‘You?’

‘Twenty-one. A normal twenty-one.’

‘What’s it like dating a five hundred year old Witch?’ I ask.

‘Really good. He’s fab. But, you and Grayson…’ she eyes me coyly, too nervous to ask what she really wants to ask. So, I save her the trouble.

‘Grayson and I are not in a relationship,’ I say as clearly as possible. ‘He’s not my type.’

‘What is your type?’

‘According to them, white-haired sociopaths.’

‘You mean your ex, right? Toby?’ She nods as I do. ‘Yeah, he was a bit weird.’

‘You knew him?’ I’m suddenly very interested in what she has to say.

She goes very pale very quickly. ‘No,’ she says defensively. ‘I mean, I met him a few times, but I’m just going on what Collins has said.’

‘You and he weren’t…’ I look at her hair. No, her hair’s too dark to be the girl Toby would use as a weapon. She scoffs at the mere suggestion that they were a couple anyhow.

‘No!’ she says adamantly. ‘Toby and me? Hell no. I’ve only ever been with Collins.’

I drink some more and hand it back to her.

‘What about Gabriel?’ I ask. ‘He and Ava seem close.’ I’m fishing. I know I am, but she doesn’t seem to think anything of it.

‘Who knows with Gabriel? He’s a lovely guy but definitely not dating material. Can have a nasty temper and not a one-woman man at all.’ She takes a sip and looks out to the water.              ‘How was he with you after you impaled him?’

‘He doesn’t seem too bothered, if I’m honest. I was more worried about Grayson’s reaction. How I behaved and almost killing his brother… not a great start.’

‘Gabriel will be completely healed in a day or so. It would take more than that to kill any of them,’ she says, brushing it off with a shrug.

Amara is so easy to talk to. We stay out here for hours talking about everything from the weather to clothes, to hobbies. When we get onto the topic of books, we’re lost in a world of fiction as we discuss our favourite adventures in detail. She’s a big reader like me and enjoyed the “Grimm Fairy Tales” too. By the time the sun’s gone down, we’ve finished off the whole bottle of whiskey. We lie on the lawn and watch the stars come out, letting the buzz of the alcohol keep us warm.

‘Tell me another one?’ she asks again, looking up at the sky. I made the mistake of pointing out Orion and have since been listing the constellations we can see.

‘Well that one there,’ I point up to the series of stars above us. ‘Is Cassiopeia. In Greek mythology, she was a queen that got banished to the sky for all to gawk at.’

‘Why? What did she do?’

‘She was vain and boasted her beauty was greater than the sea nymphs.’

‘Wow. Harsh. Show me another one.’

∞∞∞

After a while and countless stories about the origins of the different stars, Collins and Gabriel appear to usher us back inside. As we stumble to the house with our arms linked and the boys following us in, they scold us about excessive drinking.

But we’re too drunk to care.

Upstairs, my head hits the pillow and for the first time, I sink comfortably into the bed Gabriel’s slumped me into.

‘Look at you all drunk,’ he laughs. ‘You’re so cute when you giggle. Did you have fun today?’

‘Hmmm,’ I reply snuggling down.

‘It was good of you to help Amara,’ he says, tucking me in. ‘I think you’ve a friend for life there. She could definitely use a friend.’

‘I like her,’ I mumble. ‘She’s sweet.’

‘Yeah, she is. Do you want a glass of water?’ I shake my head and feel the pull of sleep. ‘Alright then. I’ll leave you.’ He gently brushes the hair from my drunken face. ‘Night, Beautiful.’

‘No one’s ever called me beautiful before.’

‘Well then,’ he leans in and whispers in my ear. ‘I promise I will never stop telling you just how beautiful you are.’

‘You’re flirting with me,’ I smile.

‘Do you mind?’

‘Nope.’

‘Good. Sleep well, Beautiful.’

As I lay in the giant, musty bed, I sweat.

The room’s so hot I can barely breathe

but I keep the blanket pulled up high around my neck.

I don’t even blink as I watch the door with nothing but the moonlight to show me that it’s still closed.

When the deadbolt slides across the door at the base of the stairs, I pull the blanket up higher.

The stairs creek underfoot and then I hear the worst sound of all.

The deadbolt on my door followed by the creek of its hinges.

‘Lills?’ he whispers. ‘Are you awake?’

‘LILLY!’

My eyes spring open as I fight against someone who’s trying to pin me down.

I can’t breathe for the screaming. The room’s dark and someone has me. Their hands are on me, and I can’t get them off. I try to reach for my cuff but whoever it is clamping me down onto the bed won’t release my hands. I kick and scream. Pleading for freedom. Panic and terror fill me completely. The light flicks on, and I see it’s Grayson holding me down. Gabriel grabs Grayson at the base of his neck and hurls him off me so hard, he crashes with a loud, raging yell into the wall. I fall off the bed to the floor in a heap, panting and shaking, confused as to what’s going on.

‘WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?’ Gabriel yells at Grayson. Amara and Collins run into view. I reach out for Amara, whimpering her name, desperate for her protection from all these men. She charges past them all dressed in an oversized t-shirt with her legs bare. She falls to her knees and wraps her arms around me. I fall into her and refuse to let go.

‘I ASKED YOU A QUESTION!’ Gabriel hollers. ‘WHY WERE YOU ON TOP OF HER?’

‘What are you implying?’ Grayson says back a lot calmer than I expected. ‘I heard her screaming bloody murder and walked into find her thrashing violently. I was trying to wake her up before she hurt herself.’

‘He can’t come here!’ I cry. ‘Tell them, Amara. Tell them they can’t bring him back here.’

‘Who, Honey?’ Amara asks, rubbing my back. ‘Toby?’

I fall forwards and cry, clinging to her desperately. ‘He can’t. Please, don’t let him touch me again. Amara, don’t let him..’ I’m hyperventilating. Shaking. Sobbing.

Terrified.

No matter what she says, it doesn’t calm me. Her words of comfort are just words.

‘Lilly? Lilly, Look at me,’ Gabriel’s voice is gentle. He almost sings his words, but it does nothing to ease my suffering. ‘Lilly, lift your head and look at me.’ Gently he lifts my chin with his finger. He’s kneeling beside Amara, his blue eyes full of worry. ‘You’re safe. I promise. No one will hurt you.’

I look around the room. Collins is watching me from the door. Grayson is standing at the foot of my bed and Gabriel’s kneeling in front of me looking calm but concerned.

I’m so confused. My dreams are so real I sometimes forget where I am and who I’m with. The world of the past and the present meld together and sometimes I can’t tell them apart.

‘Am I safe?’ I ask him through my tears.

‘You are,’ Gabriel tells me with a confident smile. ‘You’re at The Orchard. You’re not at your uncle’s house. Harry can’t hurt you anymore, and Toby will never get close enough to touch you. I swear it.’

I look at Amara for reassurance. She smiles, nodding in agreement. My body is covered in sweat as I shake uncontrollably.

But it’s not Harry or Toby that I was dreaming about. I was dreaming of a far greater monster.

They’re all watching me. I must look insane.

‘I was having a nightmare.’ I can’t stand their pity-filled expressions, and the fear from my nightmare is still strong. I need to get that person’s face out of my memory. ‘Can you go? All of you, I want you to go.’

‘You shouldn’t be on your own,’ Gabriel says, resting his hands on mine to stop them from trembling. I can’t help it. I flinch and pull away.

‘I’ll stay with her. If she wants me to.’ Amara looks at me. ‘Would you like that?’

I cling to her and nod.

Gabriel takes the hand I cowered away from and uses it to squeeze Amara’s shoulder affectionately. ‘Keep an eye on her for me.’

‘Of course,’ she says, still rubbing my back.

‘Good night, girls. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,’ Gabriel says with a wink as he gets to his feet.

‘That doesn’t leave much,’ Amara says with an eye roll. He walks to the door and holds it open staring at Grayson who turns and leaves, barging into his shoulder as he goes.

They leave, Collins lingers slightly in the doorway until Amara assures him she’s okay.

Now alone, she helps me sit and seeing her genuinely concerned and caring face I burst into tears.

‘What on earth were you dreaming about? You’re absolutely terrified!’

She pulls me in close and lets me cry. We stay on the floor as she cradles me, rocking me back and forth as I sob.

∞∞∞

I don’t get any sleep. But Amara does, bless her. She’s curled up in my bed snoring away as I sit on the window ledge watching the sunrise. I tried to sleep, but it was useless.

‘Morning,’ she says with a yawn and a stretch.

‘Morning.’ I get to my feet and stand in front of her feeling thoroughly embarrassed. ‘I’m so sorry about last night.’

‘Don’t be daft,’ she says tossing off the duvet. ‘It was nice to sleep in a bed without a snoring man for a change.’ I can’t help but laugh. I bet Collins has never told her that it’s her that snores like a wildebeest. Not him. ‘You feeling better?’

‘Yeah.’ I play with the hem of Gabriel’s long-sleeved top that I slept in. ‘I have bad dreams. I suppose waking up the house screaming is better than setting the room on fire.’

‘I used to have bad dreams too.’

‘You did?’

‘Yeah. It’s okay, I get it. You don’t need to explain what caused them unless you want to.’ I shake my head. ‘Come on,’ she says happily, jumping out of bed and taking my hand in hers. ‘I’m dying for a coffee.’

∞∞∞

Walking into the kitchen, we’re greeted by a tired Collins and weary-looking Gabriel. They look at us as we pull up a stool and take a seat with them.

‘How the hell do you two look so good?’ Gabriel asks. ‘You drank a bottle of whiskey and had a disturbed night’s sleep. How does that work? I feel like shit!’

‘Why do you feel like shit?’ I ask.

‘Because I was up worrying about you all night.’

‘Well, I’m touched by your concern. But honestly. I’m fine. It was just a bad dream.’

‘You managed to get some sleep, then?’ Collins asks me as he wraps his arm around Amara.

‘I did,’ I lie. ‘Thanks to your girlfriend.’

Collins chokes and wipes the coffee from his chin looking nervously at Amara.

‘What?’ Gabriel hands me his coffee. It’s half gone, but I take it. ‘What did I say?’

‘You said the G word,’ Gabriel laughs, looking at Collins. His elbow gives me a small nudge. ‘I don’t think they’ve had that talk yet.’

‘What talk?’

‘The label talk,’ he laughs harder.

‘Are you two not…?’ They both look awkward and put thoroughly on the spot. Amara glares and shakes her head mouthing, ‘Drop it.’ So instead I take a sip of coffee and offer it back to Gabriel who takes it with a wink, enjoying the awkwardness.

‘What’s a Witch groupie?’ I ask.

It’s Gabriel’s turn to choke on his coffee as Collins leans forwards looking smug.

‘Yeah, Gabriel. What’s a Witch Groupie?’

‘It’s nothing,’ Gabriel says, still coughing and spluttering.

‘Oh please,’ Amara chimes in. ‘That expression only exists because of you.’

He laughs nervously, wiping the table with his sleeve.

‘Gabriel has a bit of a reputation with the ladies,’ Collins tells me. ‘God knows why. I think he’s a bit of a prick if you ask me.’ Collins has a happy-go-lucky smile on his face, and I know he means absolutely no offence. Gabriel takes none and just shrugs.

‘I like women, and for some reason they like me. Being a Witch has nothing to do with it. If they want a piece of this,’ he gestures to his body. ‘Who am I to say no?’ With a more serious look to the other two he asks, ‘Can we drop it?’

‘You’re a bit of a slag then?’ I tease, nudging his shoulder. But I totally get it. He’s gorgeous and knows all the right things to say.

‘Not of late. No. Can we drop it?’ He looks at the mug in his hand, and I know everyone is feeling the sudden awkwardness.

‘What’s the date?’ I ask to change the subject.

‘The thirteenth,’ Collins says glancing at Amara. Why are they so coy? They clearly love each other.

‘Of what?’ I ask.

They all stare at me like I’ve just dribbled on my shirt.

‘December,’ Amara tells me. ‘How can you not know what month it is, Honey?’ she asks with as much sensitivity as possible.

‘There wasn’t a calendar in my cellar,’ I reply, silencing them all and shattering the easy-going mood completely. For fuck’s sake! ‘So, it’s Christmas in a couple of weeks?’ I add cheerfully, retaking Gabriel’s coffee. I see Amara watch me and her brow furrow, but I ignore it. ‘Are we getting a turkey?’

‘We don’t do Christmas,’ Grayson says distinctly unimpressed as he walks in. He flashes Gabriel an annoyed look as he pours himself a coffee and joins us all at the table. I thought I made the atmosphere frosty… Grayson’s just turned it to ice.

‘How did you sleep?’ Grayson asks, looking at me over the rim of his mug.

‘Fine. Thank you’ I reply coolly, hoping not to make last night a big deal.

‘Good. I thought that we could spend some time talking about those missing six weeks of yours later today. Gabriel’s had an idea.’ He’s not happy.

‘Yeah?’ I look at Gabriel, knowing full well that whatever this idea is, won’t go down well. He isn’t happy about Grayson bringing this subject up. ‘Tell me.’

‘Basically, I can try and use my magic to help you explore your own mind. The memories are in your head somewhere. We just need to try and find them.’

‘You can do that? Would…would you see what I see? Would you see all my memories?’

‘I would see whatever memories you see. It would be like looking through a photo album, but instead of pictures, it would be memories. We would go into your memories together. I have to be invited these days. There was a time I could just look and see whatever I wanted, but now I have to be welcome.’

‘Why?’

‘I’m five hundred years old,’ he says simply. ‘Magic ages even if we don’t.’

‘What do you say?’ Grayson asks. ‘Fancy giving it a go?’

There are memories in my head I would rather die than share with anyone else. If Gabriel saw half the things that go on in my head, well. I barely like myself because of my past. And he’d have to tell Grayson, and Grayson would tell Collins, and then they would all know the darkest corners of my mind. I feel my face falling. Dread, swelling in my chest.

‘I don’t think I could deal with someone in my head like that,’ I admit. ‘Some things in my past are…’

‘Secret?’ Grayson says with his eyebrows raised. ‘I think we can deal-’

‘Private,’ I correct him. ‘Personal.’

‘I told you she wouldn’t be up for it,’ Gabriel mutters. And I heard Grayson tell him I wouldn’t have a choice. I sense a row. Amara and Collins do, too, as their eyes flick back and forth between the two brothers anxiously.

When Grayson slams down his coffee mug and opens his mouth ready to start the argument I know we won’t win, I say quickly, ‘Can I think about it?’ His mouth closes. ‘Give me a day or two to think it over? Please?’

He nods and smiles that smile. The one I know isn’t genuine. But I’ll take a temporary win.

‘You know what?’ Gabriel chirps, carrying on the trend of subject changing. ‘We should do Christmas this year. It’s the first one Lilly will have with us. We should mark the occasion.’

I roll with it. ‘It would actually be my first Christmas ever.’

The room goes silent and all eyes land on me.

Why? Why did I have to share that? The looks they give me vary from disbelief to outright pity and I remind myself once more not to talk about my troubled past. If that slight bit of information gets this reaction there’s no way digging around in my head is a good idea.

‘Well, now we have to make it special. What do you say, Grayson?’ Gabriel continues.

‘Alright,’ Grayson replies. ‘But I’m not cooking anything.’

‘You never cook anything anyway,’ Gabriel adds, giving me a wink.

‘I’ll do it,’ I offer. An idea which they both laugh at. ‘What?’

‘You burn toast,’ Gabriel says, shaking his head as if my suggestion is the most ridiculous thing he’s ever heard.

‘That was one time,’ I murmur as they continue to laugh at me. ‘Well Gabriel, maybe you could help me? Show me how it’s done?’ That shuts him up.

‘That’s a great idea,’ Collins chuckles seeing the look on Gabriel’s face.

‘That’s settled,’ I say happily. ‘Me, you and the turkey.’

‘Fine,’ Gabriel sighs.

‘Amara, you’ll come, won’t you?’ I add. She glances at Grayson who gives the nod.

‘Yay!’ she says happily. ‘I’ll help cook if you like.’

‘Oh no!’ I insist, nudging Gabriel. ‘We’ve got it, haven’t we, chef?’

‘I suppose,’ he says with a twitch of a reluctant smile.

‘We should get a tree too!’ I add, getting more and more excited at the idea of celebrating Christmas for the first time. ‘I’ve never decorated a Christmas tree before. Harry hated Christmas. Except for the food. That, he loved.’ Shit! What’s wrong with me? I sound so depressing.

‘Sure!’ Gabriel says, bypassing my pathetic admission. ‘I’ll get one later today for you to decorate. There’s a tree lot a few miles down the road. They let you chop the tree down.’

‘Oh, that sounds fun! Can I come with you?’

‘No!’ Grayson says firmly, getting to his feet not giving Gabriel the slightest chance to answer for himself.

‘Excuse me?’ I say stunned. ‘No?’

‘I don’t think it wise, Lilly. It’s not safe.’ He washes out his cup and doesn’t even look at me as he speaks.

‘Is that an order?’ I ask. ‘Are you ordering me to stay home?’

He turns and gives a deep sigh. ‘I’m afraid so. Yes. It really is not safe for you out there.’ He turns and heads to the door like the matter is no longer up for discussion.

‘I didn’t realise I needed permission to go out?’ I call after him. ‘Forgive me Grayson, but I was under the impression I was a guest, not a prisoner.’

He slows and stops. Everyone stills and watches us in silence. He turns.

‘You are not a prisoner, Lilly. You are, however… a risk.’

‘I’m bound!’ Annoyed, I wave my wrist in his direction.

‘It’s not safe,’ he says simply. ‘The answer is no.’

‘But-’

‘I SAID NO!’ he roars, making everyone flinch and sending Gabriel to his feet to stand beside me. ‘You keep making me repeat myself. You keep talking back when I have given you my decision. My answer is no.’

‘Then my answer is no,’ I snap back before I think.

‘No?’ he asks, the anger piercing his calm voice. Collins takes Amara with him outside into the garden. Gabriel, however, remains firmly by my side. ‘Who do you think you are talking to?’

‘I could ask you the same question. You want Gabriel to rummage around in my head. Look through memories you know are deeply personal, all so I can help you find a man I have no interest in finding. That’s what you are asking of me. All I am asking for is to go out for one hour to pick a Christmas tree and bring it back with my friends. I’ve never experienced a happy Christmas, Grayson. And I’m sorry, but I won’t go back to being forced to stay inside another house for the rest of my life. I’m wearing the cuff like you want. I am not a risk to anyone. Not with the binding spell and you saying that to me makes you no better than Harry’

‘I’m not your uncle,’ he says sharply. ‘I would never lay a hand on you or let you go hungry. Never!’

‘He said I couldn’t leave the house because I was a danger to others. He made me wear a binding spell because I was a danger to him. Please, Grayson…. tell me how you’re treating me any differently right now?’ I wait as he stands there. I know I’m drawing a massively unfair comparison. But I’m not asking for the world. Just an hour.

‘She’s right,’ Gabriel adds. ‘She isn’t a prisoner. If she wants to go out, we can’t stop her. At least this way I’ll be with her. I’m sure Amara and Collins would come too?’

‘I’ll wear a hat,’ I offer. ‘Hide my hair. In case someone recognises me as a Hooper. If that’s what you’re worried about.’ I know he’s worried about that threat too. Even if he won’t say. ‘You could always come with us?’

‘I have better things to do,’ he says rather petulantly.

‘I won’t use my magic, and I’ll be good. I promise. Please, Grayson. An hour, that’s all.’

‘If I say yes. Will you say yes to Gabriel looking into your memories?’ He holds that steely resolve, and before I know it, I’m nodding.

‘Fine then.’ He turns to Gabriel. ‘She stays by your side at all times. You hear me? She doesn’t leave your sight. If a single hair on her head comes to harm, you will regret it. You are responsible for her safety. If she comes back as anything less than what she is now, you will pay for it. Am I being clear enough for you, Gabriel?’

‘Crystal clear, brother,’ Gabriel says chirpily. Like there’s no tension between them at all as he carries on drinking his coffee.

Grayson leaves. I turn to Gabriel with a triumphant grin. He wears one too.

‘You are seriously fearless.’ He admires. ‘We’ll wait for the sun to go down and head out.’

‘You want to wait for it to get dark?’ I ask.

‘Oh yeah. Trust me. You’ll want to see this place in the dark for sure.’