“This isn’t…” I struggled for the words. “it doesn’t make her feel anything that she doesn’t?—”
Candice shook her head. “What kind of a witch do you take me for? That canvas is all about you, Flynn. It’s a window into your soul. How Maeve chooses to look through that window, and what she sees, comes from her mind and heart.”
The paint was touch dry, so we wrapped up the canvas in brown paper and gave it a raffia bow. I found Maeve at the pub in hushed discussion with Corbin, Blake, and Gwen. I knew I probably shouldn’t disturb her, but if I didn’t do this now, I’d never get the nerve again.
I tapped her on the shoulder. “I was going to take a moonlit ramble around the stones if you care to join me?”
She glanced over at the others, then pushed her empty glass across the table. “Sure. Corbin, can you take over here? I could do with a break.”
“That’s what I’m good for.” I checked Kelly wasn’t around, then extended a hand to her. Maeve took it, and we walked outside into the crisp moonlight.
“You doing okay?” I asked.
“Sort of. I think we’ve figured out everything.” She held her free hand out as we walked around the stones, running her fingers over their rough surface as she told me what happened at the institution and what we now knew about the ritual. “So we’re heading back to Briarwood tomorrow, as soon as we can get the bus and train…”
A dark figure emerged from behind the stones, heading directly toward us with long, purposeful strides. I yanked Maeve to the side just as the figure stepped in front of one of the floodlights and I recognised the golden hair.
“Kelly, hey!” I tried to wave, but I had the painting under my arm, so I just pointed a corner at her.
Kelly didn’t reply. She glared at Maeve. I jumped at the hostility dripping from her. “Maeve and I were just looking at the stones. Did you know some people think aliens built the stone circle? As if. Aliens aren’t into Pythagoras. They do love getting stoned, though.”
Neither girl even cracked a smile. Maeve yanked her hand out of mine. “Kelly, this isn’t what it looks like.”
“I came out to find you. YourboyfriendArthur is looking for you,“ Kelly spat. Maeve reached for her, but Kelly yanked her hand away and fled across the field.
“What was that about?” I watched Kelly’s retreating figure. “Should we go after her?”
Maeve’s shoulders sagged. “Kelly hates me.”
“She doesn’t hate you,” I said with more conviction than I felt. “What happened?”
“She’s been getting weirded out by everything. I haven’t been spending any time with her because of all the coven stuff, and she’s seen me with Corbin all the time and she loves Arthur and she thinks I’m cheating on him. Last night she saw some of the ritual. She knows I’m lying about stuff. And now she’s seen me with you—” her voice broke. “It’s all messed up.”
I leaned the painting against the stone and wrapped her in my arms. Maeve pressed her face into my shoulder and breathed hard. Her body felt so tiny and fragile in my arms. All I wanted was to take her pain away and see that smile of hers again.
Maeve drew away. “What’s in the package? Has Blake stolen your credit card to feed his online shopping addiction again?”
“Thank fuck no. It’s something I made for you today, but I can show it to you later if you want to talk.”
“I could do with the distraction.” Maeve reached for it, but I hid it behind my back. “Hand it over.”
“No, no, it’s nothing. Let’s go back to the pub and I’ll listen to you…” I gulped as Maeve grabbed the package and pushed her nail under the tape. She slid the canvas out and held it up under the floodlight. My heart sank into my feet as I watched her face screw up in confusion.
“Flynn, it’s beautiful,” she whispered. Her face broke into that beautiful smile, and my heart hit the heavens. Maeve traced her fingers over the paint, angling the canvas so the light played off the shimmering stars.
Only one question burned in my mind. “Does it make you feel…different?”
“Not really.” She tipped it on the side, and her grin widened until my heart wanted to fly out of my chest. “I mean, I’mblown away. Does that count as different? No one has ever done anything like this for me before and…hang on. Flynn, have you added magic to this?”
“How did you know?”
“It’s got this enchanting quality. A bit like my mother’s portrait, or some of Candice’s pictures back at the house.”
“Candice showed me how to do it. It’s just a tiny bit of magic. A smidge. It’s supposed to say something that I can’t say.” I stared down at my shoes. “I love you, Maeve.”
“I love you, too. But how did you get the magic to stayinthere?”
“It’s not dangerous, no matter what Gwen says. It was easy, really, but I think only some witches can do it. Candice said a lot of artists do it, because it’s giving a piece of yourself to the audience, an extension of the painting. You really like it?”
