“Fuck you, Dax.”
I place a considerable amount of cash on the bar top as Asmo and I leave out the back entrance and we both portal ourselves to the small bungalow we’re “renting.”
Chapter 5
“Whatdidyoudoto his drink?” Stevie asks as we walk out of Hex. The night is cool but the moon shines brightly in the dark sky. It makes my stomach churn. I don’t want to go to this at all. Last thing I need to deal with are dirty looks and whispers from my coven, or my mom’s unimpressed backhanded compliments.
“Just a little something to keep me fresh in his mind.” Dax might have told me to have sweet dreams, but I think he will be having plenty of his own.
“I don’t think you’re going to have any problems with that. He was eye fucking you all night. He asked for your number.” I can’t help it when I blush and Stevie points at my face. “Talking about Ryan never made you blush.”
“I just met him, Stevie. I’m not saying that I’m not going to enjoy the seduction, but that’s all he is, revenge.”
“Yeah, sure, Blair,” she says, rolling her eyes as we both get in my Jeep. “I saw your eyes turn pink.”
“Shut your mouth, no you did not.”
“Sure as shit did. You might be able to lie to yourself, but not me, dear cousin.”
I scoff, but she’s not far off. I’ve never felt the instant connection like I felt with Dax tonight. It’s concerning, it’s too convenient and easy. It doesn’t help that he’s ruggedly handsome and actually nice. He also seems to get a little turned on by my blunt approach.
“I won’t let it get that far. I’ll use him to get my revenge and move on.”
“Uh huh. Whatever you say, Blair.”
“We have a bigger problem at hand, anyway.” I drive fast down the back roads as we make our way to the ceremony.
“What’s that?”
“That cunt Clover is going to be at this magical circle jerk.”
“Well, if you tip her off that you know she slept with Ryan, she will probably tell him and your revenge won’t hit as hard. What’s your plan with him, anyway?”
“Public humiliation,” I reply deadpan.
“And Clover?”
“I’ve got some ideas.” Stevie groans next to me.
“Please, for the love of Hecate, don’t fuck up the ceremony tonight.”
“No promises.”
It takes nearly an hour to get to the opening in the forest where the coven has our monthly ritual to keep our magic strong. It’s warded so no werewolves will come anywhere near the ritual. This ceremony is all a bunch of bullshit. I’ve never participated and felt a surge in power, if anything, I feel drained every time I come to one of these things. It’s why I’ve been avoiding it. To be honest, I’m surprised the council hasn’t summoned me to attend. Especially not after my prior transgressions. I wish I could be a nomad, leave my coven, but my mother forced me to join through an irrevocable blood bond ritual when I turned twelve. As far as I know no witch has ever been able to leave a coven when they’ve joined through blood.
Stevie’s small hand tugs on mine as she drags me to the center of the field. Witches are making small talk while the elders put everything in its precise place for the ceremony. The fire hazard is real with the amount of candles these pyros bring to these things.
“Blair,” my mother greets me in her sharp voice. My mother’s appearance makes her look like she isn’t a mother at all. We look around the same age, but she’s blonde, blue-eyed and lithe.
“Josie,” I reply. I’ve been calling my mom by her first name since I turned thirteen. We’ve never gotten along. She’s notorious for lying to me and treating me like I’m an idiot. Plus, she’s always made me feel like she truly didn’t want me. Like having kids was something she never truly wanted.
“Thank you for bringing her, Stevie.”
Stevie scrunches her eyebrows at my mom and then looks over at me. “Blair, I feel confused.”
I look deeply into my cousin’s eyes and I can tell that she’s been under a spell. A spell to bring me here, apparently.
“What do you want, Josie?” I look over at Stevie who looks disjointed and shaky. She seemed fine all night. I did find it a little odd how badly she wanted me to come tonight. But she’s always tried to help me fit into the coven life.
