“He loves you very much.”
“I love him, too. That’s why I don’t want him to get hurt. Or anyone else in his family.”
Emma leaned across the counter. “I get that.” She gave me a weak smile. “I never had to worry about that with your dad. Ethan and I grew up in the supernatural world. ”
I drew in my breath when she mentioned my father. The daddy topic was usually off limits because it was too much for her to handle.
Not to mention, I still hadn’t told Emma that Ethan was alive. Grandma Longfellow gave me the green light, but I’d been debating how to break the news to my mother. I could seriously win the award for the World’s Worst Daughter.
I wasn’t going to get a better opportunity than this. “Mom?”
“Hmm?” Emma held her fork in the air. “This pie is horrible.”
“I have something I need to tell you.”
“About what happened with you and Peter?”
“No.”
Emma looked up. “What’s the matter?”
“It’s something big.”
“Okay.”
I bit my lip. “Really big.”
“Tell me.”
“You’re going to be so mad.”
“Did you wreck the car again?”
“No.”
Emma sighed. “Alexandria, please. I’m about to have a heart attack thinking of all the horrible things you could possibly tell me.”
“Okay, here it goes. Remember how you kept stuff from me? Important stuff. Like who my real father was and that I was a witch.”
“Yes, I know. I’m sorry I lied to you, but it was for your own good. You have to understand that. I’ve apologized a million times.”
“Right. And I accepted your apology. I understand the reasons why you kept me in the dark.”
Emma tried to discern the secret from my face. “Tell me.”
I set down the fork and gripped the counter ledge. “Dad’s not dead.”
“By dad… you mean?”
“Ethan.”
She didn’t move. Didn’t blink. Didn’t breathe.
I ran around the counter. “Mom? Can you hear me? Mom?”
Emma’s pupils dilated. “Not dead?”
“No. I’m sorry for not telling you sooner. Please don’t be mad at me.”
Emma violently shook her head. “No, no, no. That can’t be true. The police found his body in the woods. Nancy identified his body.”
I led my mother to a booth near the window. I positioned my coffee mug in her hands. “It was a lie.”
Emma’s forehead wrinkled. “Why would anyone lie about that?”
“Grandma Longfellow was trying to protect him.”
“Nancy!?” Emma’s eyes lit with rage. “Nancy? She hid him from me? Where is he? Why didn’t he contact me? Have you seen him?”
My life was like a soap opera. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I was a bestselling novelist. “He’s in a coma.” I held up my hand before could Emma interrupt me. “He’s been in a coma since the night he told you goodbye in Grandma Claudia’s garden.”
Emma swallowed a sob.
“He couldn’t contact you,” I said, “or me, for that matter. Nancy placed him in the Ipswich Mental Hospital to figure out what was wrong with him. And to keep up his end of the deal with Gamma.”
“The mental hospital?”
I waved in dismissal. “That’s not important. There’s more I need to tell you.”
Emma blew out a mouthful of air. “It can’t be worse than that.”
I made a face.
She sat back against the booth. “It’s worse? How is that possible?”
“Dad’s not in a regular coma.”
“What?”
“He was spelled into a coma.”
“Spelled? Are you kidding me? Who on Earth would spell Ethan into a coma? Witch hunters can’t do magic.” Emma tilted her head. “Can they? Can that Gamma fraternity do magic, too?”
“Uh, no. It wasn’t a hunter. It was a witch.”
“Who?”
I sighed. No sense beating around the bush. “Vanessa.”
My mother’s body tensed. She squeezed the coffee mug like it was Vanessa’s neck. The cup shattered into shards of porcelain. Lukewarm coffee splashed all over us.
I wiped my face on my sleeve. “I didn’t know you were that strong.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“I can’t believe she would do something like that. Are you positive it was her? No, scratch that. I’m sure it was. That horrible, rotten -”
“I’m trying to unspell him.”
Emma’s face lit up. “Can you do that? Of course you can! You’re a pure blood.”
“I have to find the spell reversal first.”
“You don’t have the reversal?”
I shook my head. “I don’t even know which spell Vanessa used. That’s why I’m telling you all of this. We need your help.”
“We?”
“Grandma Longfellow and me. We’ve been searching for the reversal, but we can’t find anything. I need you to tell me everything you can about that night.”
Emma swept the broken pieces of coffee mug with the side of her hand and created a small pile of porcelain. “You found out about Ethan when you went to see Nancy a few months ago?”
I swallowed. “I did.”
“And you’re just now telling me?”
“I’m sorry. But I had my reasons.”
Emma made a face. “I already told you everything about that night. Ethan said he had to leave us because of his agreement with Gamma. I don’t remember much else.”
“What was Vanessa’s relationship with Ethan? Was she acting strange that day?”
“Vanessa always acted strange. And she didn’t have any type of relationship with Ethan. I don’t think they ever had a full conversation. She was a pest. She bothered us all the time.”
“Do you remember anything odd? What was Vanessa doing that night?”
Emma bit her thumbnail. “Mom, Vanessa and I had dinner and then I went upstairs to read. Jana came over and she and Vanessa watched television in the den.”
“Jana Humphrey? Olivia’s sister?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t even want to think about Olivia right now,” I said.
“I hate the Humphreys, too. Your grandmother always said witch families should stay away from each other, even though she had a soft spot for Ethan.”
I froze. “What do you mean witch families?”
“You don’t know about the four families that settled in Hazel Cove?”
“The four witch families are still here?”
“Sure. Where would they go? There are the Ross and Longfellow families, obviously. The Lackeys, you know, that poor girl Megan who was murdered last year? That’s her family. And the Humphreys.”
CHAPTER 9
Olivia was a witch.
I’d repeated the statement thousands of times. All the way home from the diner and well into the night until I finally fell asleep. Now that I was awake, it was all I could think about.
Knowing that essential piece of information would’ve made my life so much easier. Olivia was a witch. She must have spelled Peter. Didn’t he say he felt funny after the party? And he didn’t remember what happened on the pier?
He didn’t kiss her. He didn’t cheat. He was telling the truth.
A rush of guilt socked me in the gut. I was a total jerk to him at Sadie’s party. He was telling the truth all along and I didn’t believe him. I had to see Peter. I had to apologize and explain what happened.
I rushed to the shower. I threw on a pair of holey jeans, a faded red t-shirt and flip flops. I was at the front door, keys in hand, within ten minutes.
“Where are you going in such a hurry?” Emma asked from the dining room table.
“To see Peter.”
“Are things better between you two?”
I squeezed the doorknob.
Were things better? Not really. It was great knowing he didn’t willingly kiss Olivia, but that wasn’t the reason we broke up. Right? I was still a witch. Liam still wanted to sacrifice me. Death was still hanging over my head every time I glanced at the sky.
Nothing had changed.
“Alexandria?”
“Yeah, things are good. I’ll be back later.”
“Did you talk to Nancy about Ethan? I’d like to see him. I don’t care what condition he’s in.”
“Not yet mom, I’ll call her today. Promise. Bye.” I rushed out of the house before Emma could stop me.
Regardless of what was about to happen between Peter and me, I had to tell him about Olivia. He had to know that she spelled him. I’d find the reversal for that spell, too.
Talk about having a long to-do list.
I drove two blocks to the LaViollette house. Peter’s truck wasn’t in the driveway. I deflated until I realized it was Saturday morning. He was at hockey practice. I sped past Peter’s house, hoping Mrs. LaViollette and Anne Marie didn’t see me drive by without stopping, and headed south toward Hazel Cove High.
My phone rang.
“Hello?”
“What are you doing?” James asked.
“Olivia is a witch.”
Silence.
“Are you there James or did I lose you?”
“I’m here. Are you kidding me?”
“I wish I was.” I stopped at the light. “Apparently, the Humphreys are one of the four witch families of Hazel Cove.”
“Incredible. You and I must be the dumbest witch and witch hunter duo ever.”
“Tell me about it.”
“But she’s only half blooded?”
“According to Emma, I’m the only known pure blood alive.”
“That means you’re stronger than Olivia,” James said.
“But she already turned eighteen and I don’t know how that works. I’m pretty sure she spelled Peter at her birthday party.”
“Ah. That makes sense.”
“I’m on my way to tell him.”
“Oh.”
“Then I’m paying Jana Humphrey a visit. I think she helped Vanessa spell Ethan.” I pulled into the lot outside of the hockey rink. Dozens of cars were parked, including Peter’s truck.
“Do you want me to come with you to see Jana?”
“I think I should do this one alone. If Jana is anything like Olivia, it might be a little sticky.”
“Oh, okay.” James sounded dejected.
“But if I find out anything worthwhile, you’ll be the first person I call.”
“Call me later. And be careful.”
I hung up with James just as players streamed out of the ice rink. I recognized most of the guys, but I didn’t see Peter. Sage Maxwell, Peter’s longtime friend and the goalie for Hazel Cove High, strolled out of the building.
“Sage? Sage!”
He turned at the sound of his name. “Hey, Alex! I missed you at Sadie’s party.”
“That was a bad night for me. Do you know where Peter is?”
“Sure, he’s skating.”
“Oh.”
“You can go inside. Practice is over. He’s blowing off some steam.” Sage looked at me knowingly. “He misses you. And he’s been going crazy since the other night.”
“So have I. Thanks, Sage. I’ll see you around.”
I’d been inside the Hazel Cove High hockey rink dozens of times. But never when the ice rink was empty. And there wasn’t a soul in the building, except for the angry center skating laps around the rink like a possessed lunatic.
I climbed over the rows of seats and into the player’s bench. He skated three laps around the ice before he noticed me. He skidded to a stop.
I waved.
Peter skated to the bench and pulled off his helmet. His face was flushed from exercise and his hair was matted to his head.
I gave him a weak smile and then, unable to contain myself, threw my arms around his neck. It was an awkward hug because of the rink wall and the ton of equipment between us, but I don’t think I’d ever had a better one in my life.
“Lex,” Peter whispered.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve believed you. I’ll never doubt you again. I promise.”
“It’s okay.” Peter held my face in his hands. “I’m happy you’re here. I’ve been going crazy. I’d never cheat on you.”
“I missed you. I’m sorry about what happened at Sadie’s party. I was an idiot. A drunken idiot. Can you forgive me?”
“You were a drunken idiot,” Peter said laughing. “But, yes, I forgive you. You shouldn’t drink anymore.”
“Trust me, I have no plans to. Oh, you have to take off your clothes.” I glided Peter to the swinging door so he could come into the bench.
He gave me a crazy look. “You want me to get naked? Here?”
“Well, not on the bench. Let’s go to the hallway.”
“I’m not complaining, but you’re acting a little strange.”
I dragged Peter through the tunnel. “Do you think people are in there?”
“No, everyone went home.”
“Good. I have to search you.” I pulled Peter into the boy’s locker room.
Peter stopped in his tracks. “Search me?”
“Strip down to your boxers so I can find the indentation.”
“What indentation? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Olivia is a witch.”
“Huh?”
“Olivia is a witch,” I repeated. “You don’t remember what happened on the pier, right? And you felt funny afterward?”
“I was sick the whole weekend,” Peter said slowly.
“She spelled you. She turned eighteen two days before the party. She’s only half blooded, but she’s still a witch. Now strip.”
Peter squinted his eyes. “I’ll strip for you. But are you sure she’s a witch? Olivia?”
“I’m positive.”
He unlaced his skates, removed all of his gear and stripped down to his boxers. “Why are you smiling?”
“No reason.” I’d forgotten what a perfect specimen of a man Peter was. I shook my head to dispel the inappropriate thoughts and inspected him. I checked everywhere. Behind his ears. Between his toes and fingers. Under his arms.
No spiral indentation.
I sat on the wooden bench. “It doesn’t make sense.”
“Can I take a shower now?”
“Sure.”
“Wait here.” Peter disappeared around the corner.
I knew I wasn’t wrong about Olivia doing something to Peter. But why couldn’t I find the indentation? I had to figure out what she did. And I had to make sure she never did it again.
“How many other witches are out there?” Peter asked from the shower around the corner. “It’s a little crazy, right? James is a hunter. You’re a witch. Olivia is a witch. Who else is a supernatural creature?”
“I don’t know. There are four witch families just in Hazel Cove. There’s no telling how many are in New England. Or the rest of the world.”
“I bet there are a lot of hunters, too.”
“It’s like a secret war,” I said. “Witches versus witch hunters. And no one has the slightest idea what’s going on.”
CHAPTER 10
Brooke’s Boutique is located on Main Street across from Kitty’s Costume Closet and the Hazel Cove Diner. The store was named after Jana’s daughter, Brooke. I’d shopped there countless times. In fact, most of my wardrobe came from Olivia’s sister’s boutique. Now, as I stood beside the parking meter across the street, nervousness was setting in.
Jana was a witch.
I didn’t have the best record with witches. Not counting Olivia (because I didn’t know she was a witch at the time), I’d met only three witches in my life: Grandma Claudia, Vanessa and Liam. That’s it. Two out of the three had caused me major damage: Liam wanted to sacrifice me and Vanessa harmed my father. I had serious reasons to b
e apprehensive about Jana.
Jana was half blooded, but I didn’t know how powerful she was or what she was capable of. Not to mention, I was about to accuse her of helping Vanessa spell Ethan into a coma.
This could go sour quickly.
Before I changed my mind, I ran across the street and stepped inside. A bell jingled over the door. Racks of clothing filled the narrow boutique. A glass counter with handmade jewelry lined the side wall.
Jana was sitting on a stool behind the counter. She had blonde hair like Olivia, but it was cut to her shoulders. She had fake eyelashes and magenta colored eye shadow.
“Hey, Alex. New arrivals are over there.” Jana pointed to the far wall. Her fingernails were painted metallic blue.
“Thanks, Jana.” I walked over to the display. Should I ask? Or maybe buy something first? I scooped up a pale yellow backless sundress.
“That was fast,” Jana said. “Are you in a hurry?”
“No.”
Jana made a face, but rang up my purchase anyway. “Here you go. See you around.”
I grabbed the bag and headed toward the exit. I stopped before my feet carried me out the door. “Jana?”
“Hmm?”
“Can I talk to you?”
“Sure.”
I reluctantly walked back to the counter. “I…uh, I know about you.”
Jana blinked. “You know what about me?”
“I know you are a witch.”
Jana breathed in through her nose. “I wondered when you were finally going to figure everything out. We kept Olivia in the dark for as long as we could. She didn’t have any symptoms and we weren’t sure she was going to receive on her birthday. My sister Carol never received, you know? Olivia didn’t even get her birthmark until an hour before. Weird, right?”
I nodded. I had no idea what Jana was talking about. I didn’t know what to expect when a witch received her full powers on her eighteenth birthday. Was it the same for pure bloods? I was seriously the least informed witch on the planet.
“Finally at lunch, Olivia transitioned. She was stuck at home the rest of the week. She was worried she’d miss her stupid birthday party. Dad was relieved. Mom and I weren’t. I’m not too keen on Olivia having power. Our family doesn’t need hunters knocking on our door every time Olivia throws a tantrum. But wait, you two are friends, aren’t you?”