Freak of Nature (The Lost Witch Trilogy #1) (15 page)

BOOK: Freak of Nature (The Lost Witch Trilogy #1)
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Gretchen stepped back, laughing,
her eyes bright and sparkly with happiness. “I was just coming to get you! I told my mom to tell you that I’d be there at 4 to pick you up. It’s just three now.”

Sarah shrugged.
“I think she knew I wanted to see how Zane was doing. She’s down parking the car right now.”

Gretchen patted her on the shoulder and reached out to grab the elevator door to keep it from closing. “Perfect.
She can go with me to the police station. Will you be okay hanging out here with Zane for a couple hours?”

Sarah grinned, nodding her head.
“Of course. See you later,” she said and hurried towards Zane’s room.

She entered the room and looked at Zane who was pushing the button on his remote to move his bed into a sitting position.

She rushed to his side and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. “How are you feeling?” she asked pulling away and sitting on the side of his bed.

Zane looked tired and his color was still off, but he was grinning happily at her.
“I’m feeling fine. The Dr.’s say that I’ve suffered a lot of damage to my liver and kidneys, but that I should be okay. They’re flushing my system right now,” he said with a grimace.

Sarah winced and looked at the bags of liquid hooked to his IV.
She’d barely noticed them when she’d rushed in. But now all she could see was all of the equipment surrounding him.

“I must not have done a very good job yesterday,” she said regretfully wondering why she hadn’t been able to purge him completely of the drugs.

Zane shook his head at her. “Sarah, you saved my life. They gave me enough drugs to kill two people. Everyone is stunned that I’m even alive. They’re going to test my liver and kidneys in a little while and they say if everything comes back good, they’re going to send me home,” he said looking out the window wistfully.

Sarah reached out and grabbed his hand in hers.
“I could try again.”

Zane turned and looked at her hopefully.
“I didn’t want to ask. Mom told me how worn out you were from saving me yesterday, but I’ve gotta get out of here Sarah. It’s driving me crazy.”

Sarah frowned over her shoulder at the open door, leading out to the hallway.

“Not very much privacy here, is there?” she asked wondering how she was going to do what she needed to do.

Zane looked at the door, frowning and it swung shut with a loud click.
Sarah tilted her head and smiled at him. “Wow, you are feeling better.”

Zane tried to look pitiful.
“Just not good enough though. Please, Sarah?” he said, clasping his hands together and trying hard to look pathetic.

Sarah rolled her eyes.
“Fine, but this is just a little awkward. You’re wearing a backless hospital gown and I need to touch where your kidneys and liver are.”

Zane laughed not looking embarrassed at all.
“My lucky day. Just come sit down by me and wrap your arms around me like you did yesterday. I don’t think it matters where you put your hands.”

Sarah
blushed feeling embarrassed all of a sudden. As she looked into his silver eyes, the thought that she’d almost lost him yesterday felt overwhelming. “Zane,” she whispered and got a lump in her throat.

Zane leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her.
“It’s over. It’s okay now.”

Sarah rested her head against his strong shoulder and felt a couple tears drip onto his gown.
Her hands went around his back and she sighed as his warmth wrapped around her. She closed her eyes and without even trying, felt her energy melt into Zane. She thought the word
cleanse
and
purify
in her mind and then inched closer, sighing peacefully.

They sat there, wrapped in each other’s arms until they heard a polite knock on the door followed by a vigorous rattle.
Sarah glanced at her watch and noticed that at least a half an hour had passed by. She pulled away from Zane and got up to sit on a chair by the bed.

Zane called out, “Come in.”

The door rattled again and a man’s voice called out. “It’s locked. I can’t open it.”

Zane looked hard at the door and watched as it swung open, revealing a doctor in blue scrubs holding a clip board.
He stared at the door reproachfully and opened and closed it himself testing the latch.

“I’ll have to get maintenance up here.
That could be dangerous. So, how are you feeling Zane?” he asked kindly, glancing down at the clip board and back up.

Zane smiled at Sarah. “I’ve never felt better. As a matter of fact, I do believe I’m ready to go home.”

The doctor glanced at Sarah and smiled wider. “I can see why. Why don’t we go ahead and have the nurse take your blood for the tests and we’ll see if we can’t get you out of here. Maybe there’s still time to catch a movie if things look good.”

Zane grinned and thanked the Doctor.
Sarah stepped out of the room while they took the blood. She wandered over to the pop machine and put in some change for a Dr. Pepper.

“Sarah.”

Sarah turned around and saw that her father was standing a few feet away. She swallowed nervously and reached down to get her drink.

“Hi.
What are you doing here?” she asked, opening the drink and taking a sip.

Race stared at her curiously before answering.
“To see Zane of course. I wanted to make sure he was okay.”

Sarah nodded and looked at the floor, not knowing what to say to this man who had willfully chosen to not be a part of her life.

“I’ve always loved you Sarah,” Race said, looking down at his feet.

Sarah looked up and stared at her father’s bent head.
She frowned, feeling angry for some reason. “Well, you have a really strange way of showing it,” she bit out, feeling an electrical pulse slip down her arm.

Race looked at her arm and then smiled gently at her.
“I know and I’m sorry. Seeing you up close, yesterday and here right now, I can see your mother in you. And I can see me too. And what I can’t see, I can feel,” he said wonderingly.

Sarah looked away as a pain she faintly remembered hurt her heart.

Race ran his hand through his short dark hair and looked impatient.
With himself or her, she didn’t know.

“I know I’ve messed up, but I’d like to make things right between us.
I can’t change the past, but maybe we could get to know one another.”

Sarah took another sip of her drink and looked at her feet.
“I guess. Maybe,” she said, sounding unsure.

Race smiled and nodded as if she’d jumped up and shouted
Yes!
“That’s great. I have a lot I can teach you about your power. You’re not like most witches and neither am I. That’s a good thing but it can be dangerous too,” he said and then frowned, his face falling as a deep sadness came into his eyes.

Sarah watched him as he bunched his fists and shoved them into his jeans pockets.

“I’d be interested to learn what I can.”

Race looked up, his face clearing slowly.
He smiled and reached out to touch her arm. “That’s good then. I’ll be in touch,” he said and turned to walk into Zane’s room.

Sarah sighed and rolled her shoulders.
That had been weird. She walked over to the waiting room and picked up a magazine. She flipped through it as the nurses walked out with their cart full of Zane’s blood. Twenty minutes later, Race walked out, waved at her and then walked towards the elevators. She stood up to go see Zane but stopped when Gretchen and Agnes walked out of the elevator, holding bags of goodies and books and DVD’s in their hands.

“Sarah! What are you doing out here?
You’re supposed to be in there keeping Zane from going crazy,” Gretchen chided
“Race just left. I thought I’d give them some time to chat.”

Sarah smiled and glanced at the bag in Gretchen’s hands. “Those wouldn’t happen to be apple fritters would they?”

Gretchen opened the bag and handed her one. “Zane’s favorite.
I got three just in case you were hungry.

Agnes laughed and shook her head.
“I don’t know where you’re putting it after that steak you had for lunch.”

Sarah grinned munching happily on the donut. “I burned that up about a half an hour ago.
They say they’ll release Zane if his blood tests come back good.”

Gretchen’s raised her eyebrows.
“Did you . . .?”

Sarah nodded.
“Yeah, but it wasn’t as draining as yesterday. His blood still had traces of the drug though. I could feel it ooze out of his pores.”

Agnes smiled approvingly.
“Your father used to be a good healer years ago. I remember Hal Petersen collapsed at the grocery store one day. He had a grand mal seizure or something and your dad ran over and just barely rubbed his hand over Hals’ head and he stopped seizing. It was the most amazing thing I’d ever seen. And then he patted Hal on the shoulder and left the store. Most people had no idea what he’d done, but I felt the energy current. I knew he’d stopped the seizure.”

Sarah looked at her feet, feeling curious about the father who was more of a stranger to her.
Gretchen opened the door for Agnes and Sarah.

“Come on you two.
I can feel Zane waiting for us very impatiently,” she said with a grin.

An hour later Zane was released from the hospital.
Gretchen took him straight home to rest and Sarah accompanied Agnes to the store. As Agnes pulled her keys out of her pocket, Lash stepped out of the shadows.

Sarah jumped in surprise but then frowned when she saw Lash’s face.
Something was wrong.

Chapter 17 - Rush

“Hey Agnes, can you give me a half hour?
This is my friend Lash. I really need to talk to him,” Sarah said, motioning to Lash who was standing behind her, and slouching down.

Agnes peered around Sarah and looked piercingly at Lash.
Her dark gray eyebrows went straight up to her hair line. She blinked a few times and then looked at Sarah worriedly. “
Sarah
. . .,” she said in a strained voice.

Sarah stepped in close to Agnes and touched her arm.
“It’s okay Agnes. He’s a friend. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Agnes bit her lip but nodded.
Sarah turned around, grabbed Lash’s arm and pulled him down the sidewalk. After they were out of eyesight from the store, Sarah slowed down and glanced at Lash. He looked miserable, more so than she’d ever seen him before.

“I know of a good place we can talk privately.
Scared of the woods?” she asked with a faint smile.

Lash looked up at her and shook his head, still not saying anything.
Lash looked too tired for a run, so they walked for fifteen minutes in silence until they came to Sarah’s tree house.

“Have you ever climbed a tree before?” Sarah asked, jumping up to grab the first limb.
She pulled herself quickly up the tree and onto the floor of the tree house. Lash joined her seconds later.

Sarah leaned her back up against the trunk while Lash huddled in the corner.
She leaned over and grabbed her sleeping bag that had been left behind and tossed it to him.

“You look kind of cold.
Lash, what’s going on? We all heard about Jill’s murder and that the police were questioning you. Zane told me that Charity gave you an alibi though. Are you cleared?” she asked, wishing Lash would look her in the eyes.

Lash slowly raised his head and his bright blue eyes were swimming in tears.
Sarah winced and scooted over to put her arm around his shoulders.

“Lash,
I’m so sorry,” she said.

Lash quickly wiped his eyes and breathed slowly in and out a few times as he tried to gain control of himself.

“I didn’t kill her Sarah. You believe me right?” he asked softly.

Sarah patted his shoulder and pulled her arm back. “Of course I believe
you. Nobody else believes you did it either. Charity told everyone she was with you.”

Lash nodded.
“Yeah, but I just wanted to know if you did. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. But I couldn’t handle it if you thought I had.”

Sarah looked at her feet and clasped her hands over her knees.
“So do they know what happened? Do they have any idea who killed her?” she prodded gently.

Lash shook his head and looked out over the woods.
“Nah. They’re still trying to pin it on me, but the DNA doesn’t match and I have an alibi. But I know who did it,” he said, his voice wavering slightly.

Sarah turned quickly and grabbed his hand excitedly.
“That’s great Lash! Who is it? We can help point the police in the right direction before it happens again.”

Lash ran his free hand through his hair and sighed before turning to face Sarah.
“I think it was my dad. He’s back Sarah. He’s been in the city because he can get blood there anytime he wants and because I won’t give it to him anymore. But I can tell he’s been in the house. Little things like books that have been moved or papers. And his cologne. I can smell it sometimes,” he said in a hoarse voice filled with dread.

Sarah blinked a few times, feeling her heart squeeze painfully for Lash.
“You’re sure it wasn’t the maid?” she asked, hoping Lash was just imagining things.

Lash shook his head, his face turning hard.
“Positive. I’ve told her she can clean the bathroom and change the sheets in my room, but she’s not allowed to touch any of my personal stuff. It was like someone did a search through all of my things. And I would recognize that scent anywhere Sarah. I know it’s him. He’s here, he’s lying low and he’s up to something. I think he killed Jill because he thinks I loved her or something. His little way of getting revenge on me for not giving him what he wants.”

Sarah let out a long breath and massaged her forehead.
“Well, first things first. You shouldn’t stay at your house anymore. You’re not safe there. I had to move recently because of the same thing.”

Lash rolled his eyes.
“In case you haven’t noticed Sarah, my life isn’t a Disney movie. I don’t have the good natured best friend, whose mom likes to feed me and loves me like a second son.”

Sarah winced and then laughed softly.
“Too true. But I think I know someone who will take you in,” she said, hoping she was right.

Lash shook his head.
“I’m not moving in with Zane. I’d probably end up killing him.”

Sarah punched him the arm, smiling.
“No, not Zane. My father. Race Livingston.”

Lash pulled away and turned to look at her closely.

No way
. Race Livingston is your father? He’s that really strange guy that lives on the edge of town, right?”

Sarah shrugged and nodded.
“Yeah, he’s a little different, but let’s face it, so are you Lash.”

Lash nodded, looking uneasy and nervous.
“It wouldn’t hurt to ask because you’re right. I can’t sleep anymore. I just don’t feel safe at home. I don’t know what I’ll do if my father tries to use me again,” he said, flexing his hands into fists and sounding agitated.

Sarah sighed in misery for her friend.
“We’ll go straight there. I’ll introduce you to him. It’ll be okay.”

Lash swallowed slowly and looked up at her.
“And if he says no?”

Sarah grinned.
“Then you and Zane will have that Disney Movie moment. Who knows, maybe he has bunk beds?” she said teasingly.

Lash groaned good-naturedly
but then leaned his head back against the old wood of the tree house. “Jill’s dead now because of my father. He’s such a freaking monster. And to think I was on my way to becoming just like him,” he said sounding horrified at himself.

Sarah got up on her knees in front of Lash and reached over to shake his shoulders.
“Lash, knock it off. You made some serious mistakes, but you’re not like your dad. It’s your choice who you become. You will
not
be like him.”

Lash lowered his head.
“I took some blood from Charity. She didn’t even know it. It wasn’t much, just a little.”

Sarah let go of Lash’s shoulders and sat back on her heels and stared at Lash pityingly.

“Well, maybe I’m wrong then. Maybe you will be a monster just like your dad.”

Lash whipped his head up and glared at her, breathing fast and turning red.
“Never! I’ll never be like that. I’ll never take blood again. Every time I’m tempted, I just think of Jill. It’s been two days Sarah. I’ve been clean for 2 days. I’ve read the 12 steps over and over. I’m done with step one and I’m on step #2. I refuse to be a monster like him Sarah. I’d rather die,” he swore.

Sarah breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
“Then that’s settled. Why don’t we go find my dad so we can introduce you?”

Lash looked at her, his eyes torn with emotion.
His breathing calmed down and his shoulders relaxed finally. “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

Sarah tilted her head and raised her eyebrows.
“Whatever it takes Lash,” she said and moved towards the opening of the tree house.

“Wait Sarah.
What about you? There was some gossip on Facebook today that Zane was kidnapped and that some guy tried to kill you. I didn’t believe it of course, but that’s why I came by the bookstore. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Sarah grimaced and sat back down.
She didn’t know what to tell Lash. She didn’t know of anyone who’d believe what really happened. Even Lash with his family’s blood lust tradition might have his mind blown by the thought of what she could do and what other people would do to her because of it. She’d better edit.

“My aunt got mixed up with a bad group of people.
They wanted me to be involved with what they were doing and Zane got in the way. The police came and they’re in jail now. It’s okay.”

Lash raised his eyebrow at her.
“It’s okay for me to tell you all my deepest darkest secrets but you can’t tell me what those jerks wanted you involved in?”

Sarah winced and clasped her hands nervously.

“That bad huh?
It’s okay Sarah. It took me forever to get the courage to tell someone. Just tell me when you can okay?” he said sympathetically.

Sarah looked up in relief and gratitude.
“Okay, deal.”

Sarah and Lash made their way down the tree and started walking out of the woods.
Lash tried to hold her hand, but she laughed at him and pushed him away.

“Dude, personal space,” she warned.

Lash grinned at her. “You can’t blame me for trying. I have to warn you I’m very stubborn and I don’t give up easily.”

Sarah laughed and shook her head as they came to the edge of the woods.
A dark form slipped out of the shadows from behind a tree and walked towards them. Sarah didn’t think anything of it. There was always a hiker or two coming and going.

She felt Lash stiffen beside her as the shadow came closer. She reached out and grabbed Lash’s hand in hers. She knew without Lash saying anything that this was his father.
It was the same man that had come into the bookstore who Gretchen and Zane had had such a strong negative reaction to. She felt a cold shiver rip down her spine and her power tingled in her hands. Lash squeezed her hand quickly but then dropped it as he moved to stand in front of her.

“What are you doing here?
Were you following me?” Lash demanded, his voice strong and confident.

Sarah reached out a hand to hold onto Lash’s arm.
Not to keep him back, but to send as much calm and strength to him as she could.

“I know where you are every second of the day.
You really get around, don’t you Lash? First that girl you wasted. Then that cute blond you were with the other night. And now a pretty red head? Lash, you’re going to have to pace yourself,” the man said in a cold, amused voice.

Sarah made an insulted sound and moved to get around Lash, but he reached back and with a surprisingly strong grip, kept her behind him.

“I know you killed Jill. Everyone knows she lost a lot of blood. That could only be you,” Lash said, anger seething in his voice.

Mason Crossly leaned his head back and laughed, making Sarah feel like throwing up.
It was the most evil laugh she’d ever heard. This guy was worse than Drake. Way worse.

“I might have gotten a little carried away.
But I figured if she was your snack, you wouldn’t mind sharing. You were done with her anyways. There’s no use denying it. By the time I found her, she was so used up, there was practically nothing left to her. I’d say we share equally in Jill’s demise. Now, why don’t you introduce me to this delectable young lady hiding behind you. Don’t be rude now Lash. Be polite,” he said with a gleam in his eye that had Lash backing up.

Sarah grasped Lash’s arms tightly, feeling rivers of unease wash through her body.
She leaned up and whispered in Lash’s ear. “It’s okay. Let me handle this.”

Lash looked over his shoulder at her, looking more worried and upset than she’d ever seen him before.

Sarah walked out from behind Lash and stood next to him.
Lash immediately put a protective arm around her shoulder. She had to smile a little remembering all the times she had been the one to put a protective arm around him.

“I’m Sarah Hudson.
I’ve heard quite a bit about you. You’re a pathetic, murdering monster and you’re going to jail. You have my word on that,” she said, glaring at him.

Mason grinned at her and stepped closer.
Lash snarled at him and held a hand up. “Stay away from her. If you even think about touching her, I’ll kill you.”

Sarah gulped and turned to stare at Lash.
She believed him.

Mason looked a little surprised too.
“Well, my boy really is growing up. But like any wild predator, you’re going to have to prove yourself if you want to stand in my way.”

Sarah ground her teeth, loathing everything about Mason.
“You’re despicable for what you’ve done to your son, year after year, using him over and over. You disgust me. I know all about you,” she threw at him, feeling more and more energy spark in her blood.

Mason raised an eyebrow and looked at Lash questioningly.
“You mentioned Blutrausch to this young lady?”

Lash nodded.
“She knows everything you did to me.”

Mason grinned and looked pleased.
“Good, then what I’m going to do won’t come as a shock to her. I assume you’ve done a good job of breaking her to the bridle.”

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