Coven (5 page)

Nodding, I smiled and turned toward the
door. As soon as I stepped outside, I concentrated my energies and
dropped the privacy wall in my head.
“Dad? Are you
there?”

Immediately, the security of my father’s
emotions washed over me.
“I’m here. Are you ready for me to come
pick you up?”

“
I will be soon. I’m finished with my
audition. I’m just waiting for them to deliberate.”

“
How’d it go?”

“
I nailed it. If they don’t put me on,
it’s because someone doesn’t like me.”

“
Well, then, you’ll make it for sure;
because there isn’t a soul on earth that wouldn’t like
you.”

I could think of a couple.
“You have to
say that. You’re my dad.”

“
It doesn’t make it any less
true.”

“
I love you.”

“
Love you too, Firecracker. So, if you do
make it, will you need to stay for practice afterward?”

“
No, they don’t have one today, since
it’s the first day of school. They wanted everyone to get all their
classes started and homework schedules figured out. It will start
up tomorrow.”

“
Sounds like a good idea. How was your
first day, by the way?”

“
It was . . .
eventful.”

His laughter filled my head.
“Not what
you thought it would be?”

I shook my head and smiled.
“No. I’m
pretty sure I had a very romanticized version of what it would be
like in my head. I’ll tell you about it on the way home.”

“
All right. I’ll be on my way shortly.
Good luck with your tryout.”

“
Thanks. I’ll meet you out on the front
sidewalk.”

“Kenna?” Mrs. Nixon stuck her head out the
door and smiled. “You can come back in.”

Placing my carefully maintained mental
barriers back into place, I followed her back inside, standing
squarely in front of the judges’ table as I waited for her to be
seated.

Even though I was pretty sure I was about to
receive good news from all the smiles, I still had butterflies in
my stomach.

“Well, Kenna,” Mrs. Nixon began. “You
received very high marks from the judges. Overall, they liked your
technical execution of the cheers and routine you performed, as
well as your jumps and kicks. Many commented on your nice, bright
smile and think that the crowds will enjoy watching you.” Setting
the stack of papers down, she laced her fingers over the top of
them and stared pointedly. “Because this is a late tryout, the
existing team members had to vote unanimously in favor for you to
join.” My butterflies grew stronger as she glanced over at the
girls sitting cross-legged on the floor in two rows. “After
conferring with them, we’d like to welcome you to the team.”

A breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding
escaped me in a rush, followed quickly by a wide smile. Nodding to
the judges, I turned to the girls. “Thank you so much! You have no
idea how excited I am to be a part of this.”

Mrs. Nixon came to join us. “As you already
know, practice resumes tomorrow. Stephanie volunteered to help you
get caught up on all our current routines,” she added, pointing out
the girl I’d met at lunch. “

If you don’t mind putting in some extra
practice time with her, I think we can get you caught up before the
first game in two weeks.”

“Sounds good to me. I promise I’ll be ready.
Again, thank you so much!”

The girls all crowded around, shaking my
hand, congratulating and introducing themselves. So many names were
being thrown at me, I was hopeless to remember them all. I did
notice that Megan hung back from the rest of the group, staring at
me a bit disdainfully, but I flashed her a smile anyway. I had no
problem with her, so there didn’t seem to be a reason why she
should have one with me. I was grateful she’d voted for me.

As we all dispersed, I grabbed my things and
began making my way toward the door.

“Wait up, Kenna!” I turned to see Stephanie
running toward me. “I’ll walk out with you. I wanted to get your
number so we can set up practices.”

“Awesome,” I replied, and we continued on
together.

“What’s your number and I’ll text mine to
you.”

I quickly rattled it off, glancing around
for my dad as we stepped outside, but I didn’t see him. My phone
buzzed in my pocket and I checked it. “Got it,” I said, staring
down at the text with her name and number. “Thanks.”

“Do you need a ride somewhere?” Stephanie
asked.

“No, I’ve got one. I thought he’d be here
already, but he must be running behind.” Even as I spoke the words,
the sound of a loud motorcycle engine filled the air and I smiled.
He brought the bike.

Coming into view, my dad pulled up at the
curb a few feet away and removed his helmet, smiling at me. “You
ready?” he called out over the idling engine.

Stephanie leaned in closer, cupping her
mouth. “Holy shit! Is that your boyfriend? He is H-O-T!” she said,
spelling out hot.

“Ewww!” I groaned. “That’s my Dad!”

“Your dad? No freaking way! He doesn’t look
old enough to be your dad. Are you adopted or something?”

“No.” I sighed. “He and my mom both look
really young. I guess they age well.”

“Dude. They must’ve had you when they were
like twelve. I swear, I’d date that.”

My dad laughed, covering it badly with a
cough. I knew that despite the distance, he could hear us
perfectly. It was one of his abilities.

“Can you please stop drooling over my dad?
Hello? Awkward.”

“Oh, sorry.”

Shaking my head, I started moving toward the
bike.

“Call me later,” she yelled after me.

“I will.” Pausing only to slide my
belongings into one of the saddlebags, I climbed on the back and
strapped the extra helmet on before wrapping my arms around Dad’s
waist. He gunned the engine, pulling quickly away from the
curb.

“
Cute girl,”
he said into my
mind.

“
Don’t you even start,”
I warned
him.

“
She thinks I am H-O-T,”
he mimicked
and I groaned loudly.
“Yep, I’ve still got it.”

“
As if mom’s affections for you weren’t
proof enough. You two are like animals constantly in heat.”
I
rolled my eyes as his laughter burst through my head.

“
What can I say? I find your mother hard
to resist.”

“
I know. Anyone who’s ever seen you two
together knows.”

“
Is that a bad thing?”

“
No. I’m glad you’re both so happy. I
just don’t necessarily want to see it.”

More laughter.
“Too bad.”

“
I’d already resigned myself to that
after eighteen years of life with you two.”

“
I’m assuming you made the team?”
he
asked mercifully sparing both of us from this conversation and
changing the subject.

“
I did.”

“
I knew you would. I look forward to
coming to watch you.”

We continued on in silence until we turned
into the driveway of the old Federal-style brick mansion with its
giant white pillars. The seven thousand square foot house had been
built in the 1800’s, but had been beautifully maintained, both
inside and out.

I loved the feel of the place. It seemed
rich with history, but still somehow modern enough to be convenient
with its newer upgrades. I’d spent my first few days here unpacking
and trying to explore all the different rooms. I had one place left
to check out—the attic.

Climbing off the bike, I removed my helmet
and stared up at the small window I could see, my breath catching
when I thought I saw the curtain flutter. Was someone staring at me
through the window? Maybe my mom was up there.

Continuing to stare at the curtain, I didn’t
see it move, again. “What’s Mom doing?” I absently asked Dad,
wondering if my eyes had been playing tricks on me.

“Right now? She was starting to make some
bread to go with dinner when I left to come get you. Why?”

“No reason,” I mumbled, casting another
glance toward the attic window. “Bread sounds delicious.” Gathering
my books from the saddlebag, I followed him into the house.

Chapter Five

“Hey, cutie pie! How was your first day of
school?” My mother’s sweet voice filled the kitchen, mingling with
delicious aromas coming from both the oven and the stovetop.

Placing my books down on the counter, I went
over to where she was stirring a large pot and gave her hug and a
kiss on the cheek. “It was interesting. Not really what I was
expecting, but I met some nice people and . . .” I
glanced back and forth between my dad and her, “I sort of have a
date tonight.”

“A date?” My dad asked, not looking very
pleased, at all. “Already? It’s the first day of school.”

I shrugged. “Well, I met a really nice guy
and he asked me out to dinner.” It wasn’t a lie. Seth
had
asked me out to dinner, just not for tonight.

“Wow.” Dad sank down on one of the
barstools. “I don’t think I’m ready for this.”

Snorting, I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. I’m
eighteen and I’ve never been on a date before. Most girls have been
dating for at least a couple of years, by now.”

“She has a point, Vance,” my mom said,
smiling at him. “You really have no room to complain.”

“I guess I just tricked myself into
believing she really would wait until she was thirty.” He winked at
me.

“Because we all know you and Mom waited that
long. Do you realize, if I were like Mom, I’d have already been
married for two years?”

He groaned. “Don’t even start talking about
marriage. You’re too young.”

“That’s the pot calling the kettle black,” I
replied.

“I always knew that choice was going to come
back to bite us in the butt,” my mom said with a laugh.

“Besides,” Dad added. “There were
extenuating circumstances that led to us getting married so young.
Otherwise we would have waited, not that I would’ve enjoyed that
very much.”

“Save it, Dad,” I said, raising my hand. “I
really don’t need or want an explanation. I’ve heard the stories a
thousand times. Basically, all your evil family had disastrous
plots to take over the world and it was up to you to stop them. I’m
thrilled you were successful, and very happy I don’t have to know
any of those people—well, except for Grandpa Sean. I would’ve liked
to know him and the others who died trying to help you, like your
guardian, Marsha.”

I wasn’t a complete jerk. I felt very
sympathetic to my parents’ story of their past together. I couldn’t
imagine what it must’ve been like for my dad to have constantly
been on the run, hiding from his own father, who was trying to kill
him and steal his powers. Nor could I imagine what it must’ve been
like for him to be kidnapped and have people drinking his blood
while turning him into a dark and dangerous creature like them.

Yet, through it all, my mother stood
valiantly beside him, at great risk to her own safety. She
protected him, and eventually helped lead him to a place of
stability as he overcame the demon attributes that controlled him.
Even when her family had begged her to leave him, my mom had never
given up hope for the man she loved. In the end, those choices led
her to her own forced demon conversion—something that almost
destroyed her. In order to save her life, my dad had to suck all
the magic from her body, leaving her mortal.

In all the years I’d been hearing this
story, I never once saw regret in my mother’s eyes. She seemed
happy and content with how things had worked out. It seemed that
all she needed or wanted in her life was my dad and me. Our family
was everything to her.

But when I looked at my dad, his eyes were
haunted and filled with regret. I knew he blamed himself for
everything that had happened. I also knew he missed the magical
connection he used to share with my mom. My great grandma, Milly,
said it was a connection so strong that it was like nothing she’d
ever seen before.

“They were good people, your Grandpa Sean
and Aunt Marsha,” my dad said, drawing me back into the
conversation. “Wherever they are now, I’m sure they watch over us
with love.”

“I think so, too,” my mom said softly, a bit
of pain etched on her face. “My dad would’ve loved you so much,
Kenna. One of my greatest regrets is that he never got a chance to
know you.”

A sad, strained silence filled the air
between us for several moments.

“What time is this supposed date taking
place?” Dad asked, changing the subject with a heavy sigh.

“Seth is coming to pick me up after football
practice. I’m sure he’ll run home to shower and change, first. I’m
not exactly sure what time since it depends on when practice gets
over.”

“Okay. But you need to have any homework
done before you leave.”

“I’ll go do it right now,” I replied,
grabbing my books and leaving the room.

“Crazy kid.” My dad’s voice floated after me
and I paused to listen to what he had to say. “Gets asked out on
the first day of school. That does not bode well for my blood
pressure in the future.”

Mom laughed. “She’s a beautiful girl. What
did you expect?”

“It’s because she looks too dang much like
her mother.” A tiny squeal from my mom pierced the air, followed by
a growl from my dad. “I got hit on by one of her new cheerleading
companions at the school.”

“I imagine that was a huge boost to your
confidence level,” my mom replied with a laugh, not sounding upset
about it at all.

“The girl called me H-O-T, she spelled it
out just like that, and said she’d totally date me—even after
knowing I was Kenna’s dad.”

Mom laughed harder. “I might have to go talk
to this girl. I can see all this has gone straight to your
head.”