That might be the problem. Even though I hate it to the depths of my soul, a human isn’t what I need. I need a witch.
“Okay,” I reply, shoving away all the words I know I really shouldn’t say. “I’ll take you to your place to get some things, but you know you have to stay with me, right?”
“Yes,” she mutters through gritted teeth. “And the pleasure of your company is an enduring delight.”
I can’t stop the smile that flashes across my face.
Another day, another time, I could have enjoyed her quick wit very much. But where we stand right now, there’s no room for mistakes. If she can’t help us break the curse, then she’s worthless to me.
Chapter 8 - Hyacinth
For a moment, I think that Shane is going to argue further, but he just shakes his head and gets into the car. I look up at the manor once more before doing the same.
I didn’t know if I believed any of this before now, but the vibes rolling off the manor can’t be denied. Something happened here, and the echo is rippling through time.
“Where do you live?” Shane asks as he pulls out of the driveway towards the dirt track. I give him the address, and he just nods and grunts, leaving me wondering if he even knows where it is.
For just a moment, when we were out in the gardens, I felt something between us. A connection, a deep understanding. Now I’m wondering if I imagined the whole thing.
Taking a breath, I look over at Shane, ready to attempt a conversation, but his eyes stay fixed on the road ahead. The words die on my lips. I look down into my lap instead, idly twisting my fingers together.
What am I going to do? Does he expect us to just live like this? Always awkward, with a fathomless silence the only thing between us?
The thought triggers my old anxiety, bringing back the memories. I shake my head a little, shoving away the sadness so I don’t cry, and look out the window instead.
“Are you alright?” Shane asks.
Like you care.
“Sure, I’m fine,” I mutter.
I can feel his eyes on me, but I don’t turn to look at him, and as we reach the turn-off, Shane puts his focus back on the road.
It doesn’t take long to get to Silver Valley, and I only have to correct Shane’s driving once on the way to my place. When we pull up out front, I feel a familiar sense of joy and comfort, but it vanishes quickly when I see Shane giving me a hard look.
“Don’t hang around too long,” he says. “I’ve got places to be.”
“Sure, fine, whatever,” I mutter as I get out of the car.
Shane follows me across the yard to the front door. Most of my stuff got left behind at the parking lot, but I keep a spare key in a hanging plant for my neighbor to water my plants if I’m away. I retrieve it and open the door, trying to ignore Shane.
Again, the familiar comfort wraps around me, and I can’t help but smile. I remember the day I found this little cottage, the last place the agent showed me.
“It’s old and cramped,”she said. “Built by a madman or something. Impossible to rent. I’m sure you won’t want it.”
I remember her words as I turn in a little circle, looking at the strange, low ceilings and sharp stone edges of the doors. It was built by hand out of necessity, not design, and that’s exactly why I fell in love with it.
As I step inside my home, part of me instinctively sets out to do my usual routine—going to the kitchen to make a cup of tea and enjoy it out in the garden. I’m just about to walk to the kitchen when I hear Shane behind me.
“Don’t just stand there,” he says. “Get your gear. I can send someone over for the furniture, if you want it.”
Tension streaks through my body, a hint of resentment that almost makes me snap at him.
I built a safe little world here, a place that belongs to me alone. For the first time in my life, I was the one in control. Now you’ve stolen that from me.
“Okay,” I reply, trying to sound neutral. I walk quickly down the hall to my room, trying to avoid further interaction.
Once I get there, I can barely think straight. When I haul my suitcase out from under the bed, I almost hurl it across the room. I have to cover my face with my hands and take a deep breath.
