I can never understand denying an experience like that. It was so pure and true, like a direct communication from theuniverse. The fact that he could even think about turning his back on it proves me right in every single idea I had about him.
By the time I reach the square, Dan has almost, but not quite, caught up to me. A lot of the pack have gathered to greet us, and I meet with the women, happy to have the distraction. I’m even more relieved when I see Alisha at the back of the group.
“Grace!” she says, hurrying over to hug me. The second her arms go around my shoulders, my emotions threaten to break through, and reality ripples with the force of my pain.
I know Alisha feels it, but she just hugs me tightly so no one will notice I’m upset.
Only a witch would have felt that, and as far as I know, we’re the only witches here.
“I came to help you set up some gardens,” Alisha says with a bright smile. “Some soil and rocks for the beds were delivered up the top end of town if you’d like to come up and show us how you want it set up.”
“That sounds great,” I answer, hiding my feelings with a calm smile.
We leave the men talking under the covered seating area and walk up to the open field. As we walk, I talk to the other women, and even though I can’t share all my innermost feelings with them, it’s still comforting to be in their company.
We spend a couple of hours setting up garden beds, with Alisha and me showing off our powers a bit as we move big rocks and soil and make exotic flowers grow straight out of the ground. As the sun gets high, we all move off to sit in the shade for a while. Some of the girls bring out fresh lemonade and biscuits.
Once we have some privacy, Alisha’s pleasant smile drops away. “Alright,” she says. “Tell me what the hell is going on.”
I shake my head and sigh, wishing my eyes weren’t immediately filling up with tears. Alisha grabs my arm and gives me a little shake.
“I could feel your melancholy the second you showed up, but just now in the garden, you’ve been displaying incredibly strong powers. Something went down, and you need to tell me what it was.”
I screw my eyes shut and take a deep breath, not even knowing where to start. I’m torn up on a whole new level about the fact that I can’t even tell her about the coven.
“I slept with Dan last night.”
“Okay,” Alisha grins. “That’s—”
“And I got attacked by the snake.”
“You fucking what?” Alisha shrieks.
“But it doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, it fucking does!”
“Because he didn’t even acknowledge me this morning, and I don’t know what his fucking problem is,” I moan, putting my face in my hands and finally letting the tears come.
Alisha looks around to make sure no one has noticed her outburst, then gently rubs my shoulder. “Okay, honey. You’re going to have to run all that by me again.”
“Dan,” I gasp through my tears. “I had sex with Dan.”
“Before or after the snake attacked you?”
“After.”
“That sounds like a strange time to consummate your marriage,” Alisha says. “You didn’t get injured?”
“No—” I say, then the memory of Dan’s mangled body comes back to me. “Yes, actually. We both did. But Dan should be dead.”
“Okay, slow it all down,” Alisha says. “But first—does Rex know the snake was active?”
“I didn’t tell him,” I almost snap. “I’ve been busy this morning having an existential crisis.”
“Well, Dan is with Brad and Luke right now. They’ll pass it on, won’t they?”
“I imagine so.”
