“There was a hybrid in the vicinity, and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
She pulled herself up and patted at her pants. “I’m here, safe. I didn’t realize you called. My phone is up front.”
Hazel tilted her head as she looked at me. I was sure I looked a bit of a mess with how quickly my mind spiraled. “I’m okay. The building is in the center of town, so I’m honestly in the safest place there is.”
“Hazel, we need an extra pair of hands. Could you come out here for a minute?”
Hazel looked past me, then back at me. “I have to get back to that. Why don’t you go home, and I’ll call you when I’m done. We can still do our movie tonight.” Hazel gave me a tight smile before she slipped past me. I stood still for a moment, trying to calm my nerves.
I slipped out and found her helping another witch with a child. She was holding the little girl’s hand, telling her that she was brave, while the witch waved her hand over her foot that was bent the wrong way.
I left, planning to head home. I didn’t want to get in the way of things, and I didn’t have any way to help with the hybrid, so it was best I just stay out of the way.
I headed for my car when I spotted Kyle getting out of a truck right next to it. My stomach dipped low. Shit.
“Well, if it isn’t Gabriella. Did you bring another hybrid into Belrose? You just causing even more problems today?”
I bit my tongue, trying to get to my car, but he blocked me. Kyle stepped in my way, puffing out his chest. “Got nothing to say to that? Why don’t you just admit to it?”
“Kyle, just let me go. I have nothing to do with this.”
“I don’t believe you one bit,” he snarled, spit landing on me. I quickly wiped it away, trying to push down the irritation. “You and your sister are nothing but problems that are waiting to kill someone. I see right through your act.”
I swallowed back my anger, knowing fighting back wasn’t going to help me in the long run. “Move, Kyle.”
His shadow crowded over me now. “Come on, show your colors, Gabriella.”
“Shut up,” I snapped, having had enough. “We have done nothing wrong. We have kept our peace, yet you attack us overand over as if we’ve done something. You have no evidence to back up your words. So, why don’t you just give it up?”
He shoved me now, and I stumbled back, slamming into the car behind me. I quickly placed my hands on the car, trying to steady myself as he stepped closer. My hands were shaking as I tried to take slow breaths in. “What are you going to do about it? Hmmm? You and your sister are nothing but disgusting witches that are leeches just waiting for their next victim.”
Anger built up higher, and I felt my hands tingling. It spread over my fingers and up my arms. “Stop talking about my sister.”
“What are you going to do about it? Show your true colors and stop acting like you’re innocent? Even if you did, you’re no match for me.”
He shoved me again, and I threw my hands up to shove at him. I just wanted to put a few inches between us so I could slip past him. But suddenly the tingle turned into something warmer, and blue sparks flew between us. Kyle was shot back, slamming into his truck. He dented it before, fumbling to the ground.
My eyes widened as I looked down at my hands and then back at him. I kept seeing the sparks like they were still in the air. It wasn’t possible that I just did that, but I had. My hands were shaking now, and that tingling feeling was not leaving.
He coughed, holding his side as he groaned. “Wait till I get my hands on you. I’m going to fucking kill you.”
I took deep breaths, feeling like I wanted to fight him. That anger was still simmering beneath wanting to get him to just finally leave me alone. But I also know what this meant. If I stayed, worse things would happen.
I hurried and opened my car door and hopped in. I started my car up, not even giving myself a second to buckle in before I sped off.
My entire body was shaking as I ran home. I went into my room and yanked out my suitcase. I threw it open and started throwing clothes into it. I knew we could only have half an hour tops before word was going to get out.
I yanked my phone out and called up Hazel. It rang for a few minutes before going to voicemail. I called again and again until she finally answered. “Jesus Christ, Gabriella! I told you I was fine.”
“You need to come home, now,” I said in a broken voice. I hurried into her room and went straight into her closet. “We have to leave.”
She was silent for a moment. “What are you talking about? Gabriella, what are you doing? Are you packing? Do I hear you packing?”
“I can’t explain right now, but we have to go.” I yanked clothes off hangers and stuffed them into the bag.
“Gabriella, what is going on? You sound panicked. What happened?”
I shook my head, not having a moment to explain. We didn’t have the time. “I can tell you later. You need to leave right now. We have to go.”
