Hedge Witch Diaries Complete Series Boxed Set, page 16
“Seems like I missed quite a bit.” I tried to sound nonchalant as I crossed my arms. “What’s going on?”
Gareth looked at me, a smug grin decorating his too-damned handsome face. “You look stunning.”
“Right,” I muttered. “You should know, I don’t care much for all this fancy shit. Now, why don’t you tell me what the hell is going on?”
Dorian and Gareth exchanged uneasy glances before Dorian cleared his throat. “We were attacked by a group of locals.”
“Who have ties to the Réminians,” Gareth added.
“I didn’t see any evidence of that,” Dorian huffed. He took my hand in his, the warmth of his grip comforting amid the tension. “Regardless, we need to leave. Now. This whole thing was a trap.”
“It was no such thing!” Gareth protested, folding his arms. His eyes narrowed into slits as he locked gazes with Dorian. “I’m warning you, Dorian. If you leave with Briar again, don’t expect my help in the future. You’ll see the truth soon enough, and you can deal with the Réminians alone. Like you did before.”
“Whatever,” Dorian spat, his face contorted with disbelief and anger. “Come, Briar. We’re leaving.”
“Enough!” I shouted, feeling the pressure building beneath my skin. The room seemed to close in around us, the air thick with the weight of their words. “I don’t know what the hell is going on here, but if you two can’t stop measuring your dicks and get along, this situation is only going to get worse for all of us.”
“I have no need to measure mine,” Gareth oozed. “I have nothing to prove.”
“Neither do I,” Dorian retorted, his voice strained. “Do I, Briar?”
I clenched my fists. “Dorian! That’s none of Gareth’s business!”
Gareth crossed his arms. “Leave with him if you like, Briar. I’ll be here for you when you come around. You’ll see the truth soon enough.”
“Fine,” I conceded, still exasperated by the tension between them. I turned to Dorian. “Get me out of here.”
Dorian took my hand and pulled me down the hall and through double doors that led out of the Morai headquarters. One of the sigils on his arm glowed. A swirling vortex of purple energy formed around us, enveloping our bodies. In an instant, we were torn from the room and hurled through the disorienting chaos of teleportation.
When the spell ended, I stood in my trailer, the familiar scent of home filling my nostrils. My heart raced, still processing the events of the past few hours.
“Are you okay?” Dorian asked with concern etched into his features.
“Mostly,” I replied, my voice shaky. “He healed me. I’m not sure what else he might have done.”
“What do you mean?” Dorian asked.
“I woke up a few times. Saw Gareth casting other spells. No clue what they were.”
Dorian sighed and hugged me. “I’m not entirely sure what magic he knows. Do you have any unusual sensations?”
“Other than annoyance at the way you two were behaving?”
“My apologies. He got under my skin.”
I crossed my arms. “Whatever. What happened with the locals? What was that all about?”
Dorian sighed, running a hand through his hair. “They attacked us out of nowhere. It was like they were waiting for us, armed with crazy artillery. I think they wanted to take me down specifically, but you got caught in the crossfire.”
“Did you use dark magic to fend them off?” I asked hesitantly, afraid of the answer.
He shook his head. “No, it was the same spell I’d used on Jim Bob. I barely managed to get away. I felt the temptation to use the darkness, but I resisted.” His gaze met mine, revealing a vulnerability I hadn’t seen in him before. “I’m worried if we don’t figure this out soon, it’ll only make the locals more aggressive in their attacks.”
“Thank you for not giving in to the darkness, Dorian,” I whispered, my hand reaching out to squeeze his. “We’ll find a way to deal with this.”
“Promise me one thing,” he urged. “If I ever lose control, if I give in to the darkness, you’ll let me go. I don’t want to drag you down with me.”
I shook my head. “It won’t come to that.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
I sighed with relief as I peeled off the fancy dress Gareth had given me, the silky fabric pooling at my feet like an unwanted second skin. I stepped into one of my sundresses, a familiar floral pattern. I glanced at myself in the mirror. “Much better.”
I checked my phone. Damn. I didn’t realize how much time had passed while I was unconscious.
“Hey, Dorian,” I called as I stepped from my room. He had removed his shirt and was standing there, his muscles glistening under the iridescent light of my trailer. “Damn, okay. Anyway, we’re supposed to meet Aiden and his new girlfriend at my foster parents’ house. I almost forgot.”
“Ah, yes. I’d nearly forgotten as well,” Dorian replied.
“Before we go, I need a different shirt.” Dorian held up the borrowed shirt from Aiden. The slightly modified quote from an old song by The Pussycat Dolls splashed across the front wasn’t likely to make a good impression with my foster folks. The dried bloodstains from the fight earlier made it even worse. “I can’t show up like this.”
“Sure, let’s see if we can find something in Aiden’s closet you’ll like.” I led Dorian into Aiden’s room, the smell of my foster brother’s Axe body spray lingering. We rifled through the hangers, pushing aside an array of graphic tees and flannels until we found a plain black shirt.
“Ah, this is more like it,” Dorian murmured as he held the shirt against his chest. It seemed to suit him better than Aiden’s usual attire.
“Great choice,” I agreed, watching as he slipped the shirt on. It fit him well, accentuating his broad shoulders and defined arms.
“Could I also borrow a pair of pants?” Dorian asked, tugging at the hem of his jeans. “More blood stains.”
“Sure.” I opened the dresser to reveal an assortment of pants.
Dorian tried to slip into Aiden’s jeans, but they were too tight. “Any shorts, maybe?”
I opened another drawer, pulled out a pair of black cargo shorts, and tossed them to him.
“Thanks.” Dorian disappeared into the bathroom to change. When he emerged, his pasty legs were on full display. I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“For someone who lives outside, you don’t get a lot of sun.”
Dorian grumbled. “I prefer pants.”
“Whatever. You still look good. Now, let’s get going before we’re late.”
We left the trailer and climbed into my old pickup truck. The engine gurgled as it came to life.
“When’s the last time you changed the oil on this thing?”
I shrugged. “Um. I don’t know. Last year, I think.”
Dorian snickered. “I’m not an expert on automobiles. Don’t have much use for one. But you should probably get that done.”
I snorted. “Yeah, probably.”
As we drove down the dirt road toward my foster parents’ house, the sun shone through the windshield. I lowered the visor to shield my eyes. My chest tightened. I didn’t expect to be so nervous about introducing Dorian to my foster parents. With all that had happened, I hadn’t given it much thought since Aiden proposed the idea.
The familiar scent of fresh-cut grass and blooming flowers filled the air as we pulled into my foster parents’ driveway. My childhood home, a modest one-story house, stood before us with its pale blue siding and white shutters. I glanced at Dorian, who nervously fiddled with the frayed edge of his borrowed shorts.
“Ready?” I asked.
He drew a deep breath and nodded. “I haven’t done something like this in centuries. Courting was very different in those days.”
I grabbed Dorian’s hand. “You’ll be fine. Just be yourself. I mean, minus all the witchiness.”
Dorian nodded. “I’ll try.”
I grinned. Seeing Dorian nervous was cute. For such a strong and powerful man, seeing him vulnerable only made him more attractive.
We got out of the truck and walked up to the front door. Before I could knock, it swung open, revealing Donna, my foster mother, with a warm smile.
“Welcome home, Briar!” She wrapped me in a tight hug. “And this must be your date?”
“This is Dorian. Dorian, this is my foster mom. Donna.”
“Nice to meet you too, ma’am,” Dorian replied politely, offering his hand for a shake.
“Please, call me Donna,” she insisted. “Come on in. Aiden hasn’t arrived yet, but dinner is almost ready.”
“Thank you.” Dorian stepped inside.
“Can I get you two something to drink? Lemonade? Sweet tea?” Donna asked as she led us to the living room.
“Unsweet tea, please,” I answered, and Dorian nodded in agreement.
“All right, make yourselves comfortable. I’ll be right back.” Donna disappeared into the kitchen.
Leeroy, my foster father, was sitting in his worn leather armchair, flipping through the channels on the TV. He looked up and gave me a nod before turning his attention to Dorian.
“Sir,” Dorian greeted him, extending his hand again.
“Leeroy,” he responded gruffly, shaking Dorian’s hand firmly. He studied Dorian for a moment. “Take a seat, son.”
Dorian nodded politely and sat on the couch across from my foster father’s recliner.
“Tell me, young man. What are your intentions with my daughter?”
Dorian looked me in the eye, his gaze softening. “We’ve only recently met, sir. But I respect her a great deal. I only mean to get to know her better as we court one another.”
“Court her, huh?” Leeroy chuckled. “You remind me of myself when I was your age.”
I chuckled under my breath. Little did my foster dad know how old Dorian really was. I certainly wasn’t going to say anything.
“Well,” Dorian replied. “I was raised to treat a lady with respect. So long as she’ll have me, I intend to be the gentleman she deserves.”
“Gentlemen.” Leeroy shook his head. “You don’t attend those gentlemen’s clubs, do you?”
Dorian grinned. “Pardon me for saying so, but I suspect those places don’t generally cater to true gentlemen.”
My foster father belched. “No, they certainly do not.”
I rolled my eyes. Like Leeroy knew anything about being a gentleman. He was a kind enough man, I suppose. Made a steady living and provided for our family. But he wasn’t exactly a hotbed of sophistication.
“All right.” Leeroy leaned back in his recliner. “You seem like a decent fellow, Dorian. But I’ve got to ask, what do you do for a living?”
Dorian and I exchanged glances, both of us unsure how to explain his true occupation. I watched the gears turning in his head, trying to come up with an answer that wouldn’t give away our secret world.
“Actually, I—” Dorian began but was interrupted as the front door swung open with a bang.
“Hey, everyone! Sorry we’re late!” Aiden’s voice boomed through the room as he entered, grinning from ear to ear. His arm wrapped around the waist of a stunning blonde woman who seemed…familiar.
My heart skipped a beat as it hit me. This was the same Morai witch who had tended to me hours before when I was recovering from my injury in Gareth’s bed. What was she doing here, and why on Earth was she with Aiden?
“Guys, meet Sydney,” Aiden announced, oblivious to the tension flooding the room. “Sydney, these are my parents, and this is Briar, my sister.”
“Nice to meet you all,” Sydney enthused sweetly, her eyes briefly locking with mine. She offered a sly smirk before turning her attention to Leeroy and Donna. “Your home is lovely.”
“Thank you, dear,” Donna replied, eyeing Sydney appreciatively. “Aren’t you a picture! We’re happy to have you join us for dinner.”
Why was Sydney here, and what were her intentions with Aiden? My mind raced with questions as I took my seat, glancing at Dorian for any indication he shared my concerns. His narrowed eyes told me everything I needed to know. We were both on high alert.
My stomach twisted in knots as I tried to keep my composure. We couldn’t let my parents know who Sydney really was or about the supernatural world we were tangled up in.
“Everyone, please take your seats,” Donna invited warmly, her arms laden with steaming dishes that made my mouth water despite my anxiety. The scent of garlic and rosemary filled the air, mingling with the underlying aroma of freshly baked bread.
As we sat, Leeroy cleared his throat, casting a stern gaze around the table. “Before we eat, let’s all join hands for a prayer,” he insisted, reaching out to grasp Donna’s hand on one side and Aiden’s on the other.
I hesitated, then took Dorian’s hand, feeling the reassuring warmth of his skin against mine. Across from me, Aiden grabbed Sydney’s hand, completing the circle. I tried to focus on the words of the prayer, but my thoughts were a jumbled mess, spiraling around the implications of Sydney’s presence in our home.
“Lord, we thank you for this food and the hands that have prepared it,” Leeroy intoned, his voice deep and resonant. “We ask for your blessings upon our family and our guests and that you guide and protect us in all that we do.”
My gaze flicked up, drawn irresistibly to Sydney’s face. She met my gaze unflinchingly, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips as though she knew exactly what I was thinking—and found it amusing. My heart pounded, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very, very wrong.
“Please watch over Briar and Dorian in their new relationship,” Leeroy continued, squeezing my hand slightly. “And bless Aiden and Sydney as they get to know one another.”
“Lord, we trust in your wisdom and love to guide us,” Donna added, her voice soft and sincere. “In Your name, we pray. Amen.”
As we all echoed the “Amen” and released each other’s hands, I couldn’t help but feel a shiver run down my spine. The prayer had been meant to bless our meal, to offer comfort and protection. Yet, with Sydney sitting across from me, I couldn’t shake the feeling we were inviting danger right into our home.
“Let’s eat!” Donna exclaimed, breaking the tension. She began passing dishes around the table, and the clatter of silverware, the scrape of plates, and the rumble of conversation filled the room.
Though I tried to force a smile and join in the chatter, I couldn’t escape the cold certainty settling in my heart. Sydney’s presence here wasn’t a coincidence. The question was, what did she want? My heart broke for Aiden, who thought he was falling in love with this fetching but dangerous woman. If he found out she was using him to get to me, it would devastate him. At least for a few hours. Until he found some other girl to distract him from his feelings.
I glanced over at Dorian, who was watching me intently. He could sense my unease, and I knew he was as worried as me. We needed to find a way to get through this dinner. We’d deal with Sydney soon enough.
“So, Sydney,” Donna remarked, breaking into my thoughts. “Tell us about yourself. What do you do?”
Sydney’s eyes glittered as she turned to face my foster mother. “I’m pre-law at Missouri University.”
Bullshit. I kept my thoughts to myself.
“She’s working the pumps on the lake for the summer,” Aiden joined in. “But it’s only a few hours to Columbia. Even after she goes back to school, we’ll be fine.”
Sydney grinned. “Your son is very sweet. Thank you for dinner. Everything is delicious.”
Leeroy cleared his throat and looked at Dorian. “And you, son. What do you do for a living?”
I winced. I thought we’d evaded that question.
“Yes,” Sydney chimed in, a sly grin splitting her face. “What do you do for a living, Dorian?”
“I’m a naturalist,” Dorian stated, nodding at my foster father. “Like a park ranger.”
I grinned. Leave it to Dorian to come up with a clever answer that sounded respectable and wasn’t an outright lie.
Sydney’s grin faltered as the wheels turned in her mind. Was she suspicious of Dorian’s answer, or was she trying to throw him off balance?
“Well, that sounds interesting,” Donna replied, her eyes bright with curiosity.
“What kind of work does that entail?” Sydney asked, smiling too widely for comfort. “What does your typical day look like?”
Dorian launched into a detailed explanation of his supposed job, how he spent a lot of time in the lake region ensuring the health of the forests and making sure folks fishing on shore were properly licensed. Relief entered his eyes as Sydney’s attention shifted elsewhere. She thought she was so damned clever, but Dorian managed to easily navigate the traps she tried to lay out in front of him.
For the rest of the meal, we all chatted amiably, passing dishes back and forth and sharing stories from our lives.
Yet, as we laughed and joked, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease lingering in the air. Sydney was up to something. I was sure of it. And whatever it was, it had to do with me.
As we finished our meal, Sydney started gathering the dishes.
“Oh, honey!” Donna enthused. “That’s sweet, but you’re our guest.”
“Come now, Mrs. Marsh. You cooked the meal. The least I can do is clean up.”
Leeroy raised his eyebrows, clearly impressed. “She’s a keeper, son.”
Aiden grinned widely. “I know, right? Who would have thought such a good woman would be into me?”
I laughed. Somehow, my foster parents didn’t know about all of Aiden’s extra-curricular behaviors.
I decided to take the opportunity. “I think I’ll help Sydney with the dishes.”
Dorian nodded at me as I stood and headed to the kitchen.
I grabbed a dish towel to dry the dishes as Sydney washed them. “Pre-law, my ass.”
“It’s not a lie. Not all witches lack real-world ambition. You should take notes, Briar.”
“What do you want with my brother?” I took a plate from Sydney and dried it off before stacking it on the counter.
