Coven (13 page)

“I’ve seen some of them already,” he said,
his features partially disguised by the darkness of the room, but
he appeared to be staring back and forth between us. “I peeked
inside when your mom and I toured the house before we bought
it.”

“Who do you think they belong to?”

He shrugged. “I have no idea. We should
research some history on the place. Are you two doing okay?”

“Yeah, we’re fine. I’ve just been giving
Seth the tour.”
Sorta,
I added in my head, but not where he
could hear it. No those walls were firmly up. I didn’t need my dad
having a heart attack and moving us all away from here.

“Okay. Your mom and I will be in the family
room watching television if you need us.”

“We’ll be down soon,” I said, though I was
eager to go through the rest of the trunk and look in the other
one, too. I knew my dad well enough to know he seemed nervous and
uncomfortable.

“All right. Don’t be long.”

Seth stared at me, waiting for the sound of
his footsteps to retreat before he spoke. “That was close.”

I nodded. “Yeah, it was.”

“It was worth it.”

“I think so, too.” Scooting closer, he
kissed me, briefly. “I’d better go before we really get into
trouble.”

“But you haven’t seen my room, yet.”

“Then I definitely need to go before that
happens. If you take me in there right now, I won’t be leaving any
time soon. I don’t want this to be my last night with you. I want
to spend a lot more with you.”

“How can you be so sure? You barely know
me.”

“I know enough. I know you’re honorable,
kind, and strong. I see the love you have for your family. You’re
talented, both magically and normally. You’ve told me of things
your family has gone through and survived, and I see how you
support them. Not to mention that every time I’m around you it’s
like you light my match with that flame of yours. You and I—we fit.
I don’t care if it’s weird to say it. I want to see where this is
going.”

“It’s not weird, just unexpected.” My heart
was racing, fluttering, stuttering with every word he spoke. “I
want to find out where we’re headed, too.”

Laughing quietly, he kissed me, again.
“We’re headed for trouble, I’m afraid. Lots of it.”

“Fine by me,” I whispered, and he
laughed.

“Strangely, I’m fine with it, too.”

Chapter Eleven

Stepping away from the water fountain, I
dragged the back of my hand briefly across my mouth to remove any
excess water before turning and making my way back to the double
gym doors and cheer practice. I was immediately brought up short
when I noticed Jett leaning against one of the open doors. Football
practice must’ve ended early today. I glanced around, hoping Seth
might be in the vicinity, too; but didn’t see him.

Sighing, I resigned myself to another
confrontation as I moved closer toward Jett, his eyes never leaving
me.

“Hey, Sugar.”

“Sugar?” I replied, wondering when I’d
acquired a nickname.

“Yeah. I like my girls sweet.”

I cast a glance across the room to where
Megan was ordering a group of girls about. “I certainly wouldn't
call that sweet. And last time I checked, I wasn't your girl.”

Flashing a half grin, Jett looked at Megan.
“She's a piece of work, isn't she? I was in the mood for something
tart when I hooked up with her.” His gaze swung back to me and
traveled down my body hungrily. “But suddenly I seem to be sporting
a sweet tooth again.”

Heat filled my cheeks at his blatant
perusal, but I lifted my chin a bit higher. “I hate to disappoint
you, Mr. Blackstone, but I'm neither sweet nor tart.”

His eyes brightened. “So that leaves you
somewhere in the middle, doesn't it?”

I could feel a trap coming on. “Maybe,” I
replied hesitantly.

He licked his lips and smiled wider. “The
perfect blend, then. I always wanted a good girl who could be a
little bit bad.”

Sighing heavily, I rolled my eyes. “Maybe I
should also remind you that this “perfect blend” is
unavailable.”

“You don’t need to remind me. I think about
it almost every minute of every day.”

“Then why do you keep trying to pursue
me?”

Pausing, the humor faded from his expression
and he grabbed me by the elbow, dragging me just out of sight of
the others at practice. “I keep pursuing you because you and I
belong together and I’m hoping you’ll realize it sooner rather than
later.”

Anger infused me and I crossed my arms,
staring at him pointedly. “And why would I ever want to date a guy
who would try to steal his best friend’s girlfriend? For that
matter, why would I date a guy who is hitting on me while in a
relationship with someone else? If you’re cheating on her, you
could just as easily cheat on me. I’d never be able to trust
you.”

Jett stepped closer. “Because I’ve never
wanted a girl as badly as I want you. Trust me when I say if you
were mine, there’s no way I’d be looking at anyone else.”

“For how long?” I asked, staring into his
incredible eyes. If I were being completely truthful to myself, I
wasn’t entirely immune to him. There was something about him that
piqued my interest—it had since the beginning. The state of his
aura had immediately raised red flags for me, but Seth seemed
determined to stand by him. “Until you get another sweet or tart
tooth? I will never be anyone’s temporary plaything.” I started to
walk away, but he reached out and grabbed me, pulling me against
him.

Leaning in close to my ear, he whispered.
“Trust me, when you become mine, it won’t be temporary. I intend to
keep you all to myself. But you can count on the fact that I will
definitely play with you, and it will feel so good you’ll be
begging for more.”

“You’re a pompous jerk.” I yanked my arm
free and walked away annoyed, as Jett's laughter trailed after me.
He was such a butthead, so damn full of himself. I hated people
that felt like they were entitled to whatever they wanted, no
matter how much it damaged those around them. Jett was so selfish;
all he could see was his own wants and needs.

“You okay?” Stephanie asked as I rejoined
the group and I nodded.

“Yeah, sorry I took so long. What did I
miss?” Casting a glance at the doorway, I noticed Jett was still
standing there watching. Megan finally noticed him and went running
over, and he greeted her with a pretty hot kiss.

I turned away, unable to stomach
anymore.

~~~

“Who the hell is that?” Jett’s voice caused
me to jump, since I hadn’t realized he was there. Turning, I found
him sitting against the wall just beyond the doors to the school,
an angry expression on his face, his mouth set in a hard line as he
glared at me.

Glancing back to where my dad was taking off
his motorcycle helmet, I watched as he smiled and waved at me. “You
ready?” he shouted, and I nodded.

“Be right there. Give me one sec.” I glanced
back to Jett, deciding this was just too good to pass up. “What’s
it to you?”

“Well, for one, I thought you were dating
Seth. You just gave me your big old high and mighty speech about
two-timers and then this guy shows up.”

I shifted my books to one side as I stared
at him. “Weren’t you the one who was trying to convince me that
Seth and I didn’t need to be exclusive? So which is it? Am I to be
loyal to Seth, or only loyal if you are the one who wants a piece
of me?”

“Who is this guy to you?” he practically
growled at me.

“Why does it matter to you so much?”

Jett’s eyes glittered like ice. “Because I
want to know who my competition is.”

“You have no competition because you’re not
even in the running.” He was so dang irritating.

“Give me time. I’ll grow on you and then
you’ll change your mind.”

“Don’t hold your breath.”

“I don’t need to. I’m confident in my
ability to sway you.”

“Get lost, Jett.” I turned toward the
motorcycle, tired of the conversation. It was like beating my head
against a brick wall.

“With you? Happily.”

Glancing behind me, I saw him rising to
follow and my pulse rate shot up. I needed to keep him away, just
in case Dad could sense anything about Jett; but I didn’t know how
to distract him. Before I could contemplate anything, Jett moved
right past me, heading for my dad. I ran after him.

“Wait!” I called, but it was too late.

“How do you know Kenna?” Jett asked, his
posture completely on the defensive.

My dad arched an eyebrow and glanced between
the two of us.
“What’s going on here?”
he asked through our
mental link.

“
This guy is a friend of Seth’s, but he
thinks I made the wrong choice. He wants me to date him instead.
Now he thinks you’re competition, as well.”
I groaned. This was
so embarrassing.

“
I got this, Firecracker. Just play
along.”
Dad winked at me, before turning back to Jett. “I’m her
boyfriend. What’s it to you?”

Oh dear sweet heaven above!
“What are you
doing?
I practically screamed into my dad’s head.
“Don’t
stir the pot!”

He didn’t answer, simply staring at Jett who
now had some sort of pained grin on his face as he turned to look
at me. “You’re such a damn liar, you know that? A two-faced,
two-timing liar.”

“Don’t you talk to her that way,” Dad said,
swinging his leg off the still running bike and I groaned. I knew
my dad. If he felt I was being threatened in any way, he’d go
ballistic.

“I’ll talk to the little cheat any way I
want.”

“Stop it! Both of you!” I yelled, stepping
between them. I stared at Jett. “He’s not my boyfriend, you idiot.
He’s my dad; and he was testing you. I’m pretty sure you
failed.”

Jett’s expression changed from anger to
horror as he realized his mistake, immediately trying to recover.
Holding out his hand, he spoke. “I’m Jett Blackstone. Nice to meet
you, sir.”

Dad merely stared at Jett’s hand. “Sorry,
kid. Too little, too late.” He glanced at me. “Are you ready? I
have a surprise planned for you.”

“You do?” Smiling, I slipped my belongings
into one of the saddlebags. “Then let’s go.” The two of us climbed
onto the motorcycle while Jett sat there and watched.

“See you tomorrow, Kenna,” he said loudly
when my dad revved the engine.

“Stay away from my daughter!” Dad shouted
back, pulling away from the curb and quickly putting a lot of
distance between Jett and us. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“
Thanks, Dad.”
I muttered into his
head.

“
I’m serious. Stay away from that one.
He’s not right for you.”

“
That’s my plan.”

“
Good, you’re a smart girl. You said he’s
friends with Seth, though?”

“
He is. They play football together. Seth
has known Jett for many years. He said he used to be a lot nicer,
but things have happened in his life that have kind of hardened
him.”

“
Hmmm. You know he’s a warlock too,
right?”

“
Yes, I know. Seth told me. I understand
there are a few families similar to ours in the area.”
That was
the complete truth—families with mixed fresh-blooded witches and
contaminated demons.

“
Well, I’m not kidding. I want you to
stay away from this guy.”

“
Why? What’s wrong?”

“
There’s bad energy around him. I can
sense it.”

I knew he would. That’s why I’d hoped to
keep them apart.
“I know. I do, too. Seth seems to think he’s
redeemable, though.”

Dad grunted.
“That’s not exactly a
glowing endorsement, you know.”

“
What do you mean? I thought you liked
Seth. We all had a great time at dinner.”

“
That was before he made out with my
daughter all over my house.”

I blushed.
“How did you know?”

“
I didn’t,”
he replied with a laugh
and I groaned, realizing I’d fallen right into his trap.

Several seconds passed and I waited for him
to continue with his conversation. When he didn’t, I did.
“Are
you mad at me?”

“
Not at all. I know guys are going to
like you and I know that you will like them, too. It’s totally
natural. I’m just not too happy about it. You’re still my little
girl. I don’t think I’ll ever be comfortable with seeing the way
these guys look at you.”

“
How do they look at me?”
I asked,
suddenly curious.

“
Well, Seth, he looks at you like the sun
rises and sets with your every movement. His eyes are constantly on
your lips, like he might die if he doesn’t get to kiss you. The
chemistry practically radiates off the two of you when you’re
together. But that Jett kid? He looks at you like
. . .”
He trailed off.

“
Go on.”
I encouraged, wanting to
know what he’d been about to say.

“
Jett looks at you like he’d like to
kidnap you, haul you off to a cave and teach you everything he
knows about sex over a month of Sundays.”

“
Oh.”
I didn’t know what else to say.
I was pretty sure my dad had never been this blunt with me before.
Blushing furiously, I flipped up the visor on my helmet, trying to
cool my face.

“
Be careful around him, Kenna.”

“
I will, Dad. I promise. I want nothing
to do with him.”

“
Don’t lie to yourself, either.”

Wait. What?
“How am I lying to
myself?”
I asked, ready to argue.

“
I can tell you’re attracted to both of
them.”

“
Really? And how’d you manage
that?”

He chuckled.
“Have you forgotten I’m a
demon warlock? I can smell the magic in your blood. I know when it
races faster, and I can smell the pheromones that dump into your
blood stream whenever you’ve been near Seth and now Jett.
Attraction is easy for me to spot.”