Freak of Nature (The Lost Witch Trilogy #1) (18 page)

Sarah turned her head to the side, so he ended up kissing the side of her mouth, but before she could catch her breath, he had repositioned himself and began kissing her fully.

Sarah squeaked and shoved him harder. He finally pulled back, staring broodingly down at her. Lash’s eyes looked electrical blue and the desire on his face told her everything. She reached out and touched his cheek softly.

“I don’t know what the future holds Lash.
Maybe someday we’ll be together. But right now, we’re not. As much as I like you, I can’t let you do that again. Please just be my friend Lash,” she pleaded.

Lash growled low in his throat and looked away, closing his eyes in pain.
“You’re asking the impossible of me. There’s only one thing I feel for you Sarah and it’s not friendship. It never will be.”

Sarah crossed her arms over her chest and breathed out slowly.
“It’s friendship or nothing Lash. Please don’t choose nothing.”

Lash turned and banged his head against the door.
Hard. “I’ll think about it.” He muttered and pushed the door open hard enough to break the hinges and walked quickly out and down the hall.

Sarah walked back to the chair and sat down, resting her head on her arms.
She’d never wanted to be one of those girls who had all the boys after her. In all of her fairytales she weaved for herself, there was only one prince. No one else had mattered and she definitely hadn’t been torn between two men. She had to admit that Lash did pull at her. He was so different than Zane. Zane was all light and warmth and power. But Lash had a pull on her heart that went back over a decade. And the man he was becoming was very attractive. She’d be lying if she didn’t admit it.

Sarah moaned and sat up, sliding out of the chair as the bell rang.
She much preferred things to be black and white. All of this gray stuff was giving her a head ache. She opened the door slowly and wasn’t surprised to see Zane standing there. He didn’t look happy.

“Have a nice chat?” he asked politely.

Sarah winced and wanted to pull her hair out. They turned and headed towards her locker. “What exactly did you feel or hear?” she asked instead of answering the question.

Zane touched her locker and it opened for her.
She didn’t even bat an eyelash as she grabbed a couple text books.

“I was having a perfectly wonderful conversation with Bryan about going to a party next week and then all of a sudden, my mind was filled with certain images of you getting kissed.
As you’re aware, when you’re feeling a certain strong emotion, I can feel it too.”

Sarah shut the door and twirled the lock.
She looked down at her shoes and sighed. “What emotion were you picking up on?” she asked miserably.

Zane leaned against her locker and stared at the kids walking through the hallways.
“I believe there was surprise at first. I think on two counts. One that he was a good kisser and two that your energy wasn’t pushing him away. The other emotion that I picked up on was that you loved him,” Zane said quietly and with a voice laced with pain.

Sarah whipped her head up and grabbed Zane’s arm.
“You already knew I loved Lash. I’ve always been clear that I’ve cared for him.”

Zane looked sadly down at her.
“Yeah, but that caring can easily turn into something more passionate. And you know it.”

Sarah swallowed a lump in her throat and looked away.
“I told him that I was with you and that I just wanted to be friends with him.”

Zane nodded.
“I picked up on that too. I also heard that door slam from across the school. Lash is never going to give up until you and he are together.”

Sarah felt so miserable she wished she could disappear.
“Zane I don’t know what you want me to say. I didn’t want him to kiss me. I tried to push him away. I told him that we could only be friends. You know I care about you.”

Zane sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets.
“I really don’t like the idea of having a girlfriend whose heart is split in two.”

Sarah felt even worse because she knew deep down, she couldn’t deny it. “Maybe we should break up.
Not that I’m even officially your girlfriend or anything, but maybe for a while, we should cool things off and step back until we can figure it all out.”

Zane frowned, his eyes turning into bright shards of glass.
“Is that what you want Sarah? You want to put me back in the friend zone and keep both of us chasing after you?”

Sarah’s eyes narrowed at Zane and she stepped back from him.
“That’s pretty insulting. You’re the one who just said he didn’t want a girlfriend who had feelings for another guy. You know what? Why don’t you just go chase someone else,” she said and turned around, stomping down the hallway.

Oooohhh
. The nerve of him saying that to her
, she fumed. She stopped all of a sudden as if someone had just put their arm around her waist. She looked down and saw nothing. She urged herself forward but didn’t go anywhere. Her body was moving backwards, sliding across the scratched, gray linoleum back towards Zane. She fought it hard, baring her teeth and using all of her muscles to force herself to go where she wanted to. She moved an inch. She knew people were starting to look at her funny but she didn’t care. She was truly pissed now. She looked back over her shoulder at Zane who was staring at her with no expression on his face.

“I give you three seconds to let me go or you’re going to get hurt,” she warned very willing to zap him.
He had crossed the line.

Zane’s eyes narrowed at the threat and she flew backwards into his arms.
He held her gently as he swooped in to kiss her. She pushed him back with her hands as she heard cat calls and whooping sounds surrounding them. She pulled back but he followed her, kissing her more and more deeply. Her power betrayed her and flew out of her to surround Zane as his enveloped her at the same time. She gave up and gave in to the kiss, letting all the fury and hurt drain out of her.

Zane finally pulled back and let her down to stand on her own feet.
She felt weak and wobbly and had to hold on to his waist for a few minutes. She looked up at him, still glaring.

“I’ve just decided that you’re worth it.
I’ll chase you if that’s what you want. If Lash is fighting for you, then he has a battle on his hands. One he’s going to lose. You’re mine and you were mine the first day you walked into class. You know it and I know it. Don’t let him pull you away from me Sarah. We belong together,” he said, pulling her close and talking softly into her ear so no one could over hear.

Sarah collapsed against Zane’s chest, resting her head against his shoulder.
Her arms wrapped around his waist as she gave in to his warmth.

She didn’t say anything but she stood up on her tip toes and kissed him on the lips softly.
“I hope you win.”

Zane narrowed his eyes at her but then shook his head and grinned.
“You know, my life was kind of boring before I met you.”

Sarah snorted and smiled.
“Come on, we’re going to be late.”

Zane walked her to her class and then ran down the hall to his as the second bell rang.
She watched him disappear and smiled slightly. Who wanted boring?

After school, she walked towards the parking lot, holding Zane’s hand but stopped in surprise when she saw her father leaning against Zane’s jeep.
She dropped Zane’s hand and frowned.

“Uh,
hi
. What are you doing here?”

Race stood up and walked towards them, looking more grim and serious than usual.
“I wanted to make sure you two were okay. Mason Crossly just made bail. His lawyer got him out on $100,000.00.”

Sarah gasped and looked at Zane who looked just as horrified.
“We’ve gotta find Lash right now,” he said, turning his head to scan the parking lot.

Race held up his hand.
“No worries. Gretchen just picked him up out front and she has him at the store.”

Zane frowned and rubbed his chin.
“That can’t be safe. I love my mom, but I don’t know if she stands a chance against Mason. He’s too powerful. If Sarah can’t stop him, what can she do?” he asked worriedly.

Race smiled, making Zane pause.
“Maybe not on her own, but put us all together and he’s got a fight on his hands. He’s not stupid. Lash will be fine. Come on; let’s go to the store so we can discuss this new development. Sarah? Why don’t you ride with me?” he asked, motioning towards a large black SUV parked behind Zane’s jeep.

Sarah glanced at Zane, wanting to be with him.
She always felt safe and protected when she was with him. And right now, she really, really wanted to feel safe. But she nodded and walked towards her father’s car. Zane walked with her and kissed her on the forehead before she hopped up.

“Don’t worry.
I’ll always protect you,” he promised and then walked away from her.

Sarah felt comforted and was able to shut the door and put on her seat belt.
Race got in and started the car, glancing at her curiously.

“You and Zane look like you’re kind of serious.
How long have you been dating?” he asked as he pulled out of the parking lot.

Sarah blushed, feeling weird talking to her dad about such personal things.
“Not long. It was kind of an instantaneous thing,” she said looking out the window.

Race looked over at her and decided to drop it.
“The reason I wanted you to ride with me is because I wanted you to know that you’re in danger. My sources at the court told me that Mason’s lawyer went in and talked to the judge in a private conference. Ten minutes later, the man was paying Mason’s bail. No hearing, no nothing. Completely illegal. The District Attorney is throwing a fit. The guy acting as Mason’s attorney is no attorney. He’s a witch and a very evil one. He went dark a long time ago and he has the power to manipulate people,” Race muttered with loathing.

Sarah felt cold and open as they drove down the street.
“He wouldn’t happen to be tall, blond and icky would he?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

Race whipped his head around to look at her.
“Tell me right now if he’s talked to you Sarah,” he demanded, pulling the car to the side of the road and turning to stare at her, his green eyes blazing.

Sarah shook her head.
“
No
, he didn’t talk to me. I didn’t give him the chance. I saw him this morning when I was by myself. He was driving by in a car, saw me and then pulled his car over to the side, got out and acted like he was going to follow me. I felt so . . .
cold
. It felt like this cold stream of water was pouring through me and I knew he was dangerous. I could feel my power tripping the nearer he got. He didn’t say anything to me but my first instinct was to run as fast as I could to get away from him
and so I ran off and got caught up in a group of kids walking to school,” she said, watching her father’s face turn hard and his eyes deadly.

“His name is Charles Langford.
He killed your mother and he would have gladly killed me. He was trying to force me to join his little association and he wasn’t shy about threatening you to do it. He thinks he can control politics through our powers. He doesn’t care who he hurts or even kills. He’ll use any leverage he can to get what he wants. Right now, I think he wants you. I still haven’t figured out his connection to Mason, but I’ll find out. In the meantime, we’re pulling you out of school and we’re going on vacation,” he said grimly, pulling back into the traffic and heading back towards the Noble Barn.

Sarah’s chest hurt as she breathed in and out, trying to accept this new horrible development.

“But what about Mason’s trial? Just because he’s out on bail, doesn’t mean he can just go free. He’s going to stand trial for Jill’s murder. He can’t just get away with it.”

Race
laughed a low ugly sound that felt harsh. “It took him only 10 minutes to get Mason free. He can control people Sarah. He tried to control me. I fought him off and barely survived. A regular person has no chance. Mason’s free. We have to assume he’s going to stay that way.”

Sarah wrapped her arms around her stomach and remembered how happy she had been that morning.
Life changed too fast.

“I’m positive it was Charles who tried to break Agnes’ mind.
You fixed it of course, but the fact that he can destroy people’s minds with a snap of his fingers, shows you what he’s capable of. He found out about Drake and your aunt. Drake was stupid and went on a chat group for witches. Charles caught wind of you and found out you were my daughter and got here as fast as he could. I think you’re the main goal here Sarah. Charles is just setting up all his players in order to check mate you into doing what it is he wants you to do. Gretchen told me of the dreams she’s had about you. I’m worried that things are going to get worse before we’re done with this.”

Sarah shivered at her father’s words and felt the last drop of happiness evaporate.
There went normal. Again.

Before Race got out of the car, Sarah held up her hand.
“Wait, why are you telling just me all this? Shouldn’t everyone know?”

Race turned toward his daughter and looked down at his hands.
“They will. I just didn’t want to spring it on you. You’ve had enough bad surprises lately. I wanted to tell you privately,” he said sounding as if he cared.

Sarah looked down at her hands, surprised to feel the energy leaping to the tips.
Her body already felt like it was in trouble. She glanced around the street before reaching for the door.

“Are we being watched?” she asked, her voice wavering.

Race nodded his head. “Yes. I can’t see it, but I can feel that we are. Don’t worry too much about it. Right now Charles thinks were focusing on Mason. Before he knows it, you’ll be far away from here. Safe.”

Sarah got out of the car and shivered as a cold breeze stroked her cheek.
She threw up a power field around herself and hurried into the store and straight into Zane’s arms. Race didn’t know about their telepathy connection. She looked up into Zane’s eyes and knew he had felt everything Race had told her.

Zane looked over her head smiling placidly at everyone as he thoug
ht very clearly into her mind,
You’re not going anywhere without me.

Sarah shivered and let go of Zane.
Maybe you should get as far away from me as possible. I don’t want you hurt
, she thought back.

Zane walked over to the café counter and picked up a muffin. He then looked back at her over his shoulder and shook his head slowly.
In her mind she heard the words very clearly.
Over my dead body
.

Sarah sighed hoping it didn’t come to that.
She walked over to Lash who was standing between Gretchen and Agnes looking ill and tired. “Hey buddy, bad news, huh?”

Lash looked at her quietly for a moment and then nodded his head.
“That safe feeling I had today? Long gone.”

Gretchen who knew all about Lash and his father’s blood lust put an arm around Lash’s shoulders and looked grim.
“Lash there are things you don’t know about my mom and I. Please know that we have certain skills that can protect you against your father. You are as safe here with us as if your father was still in jail. He can’t touch you here,” she promised.

Agnes winked at Lash and handed him a mug of hot chocolate.
“Too true. Mason Crossly is toast if he comes within fifteen feet of you,” she swore patting Lash on his shoulder.

Lash smiled and took a sip of the chocolate, but then lifted his head up slowly and stared at Gretchen and Agnes.
He then turned to Sarah and raised his eyebrows as surprise dawned on his face.

“
You’re witches too
?” he asked in awe.

Gretchen and Agnes looked at each other and then turned and looked at Sarah.
Sarah held up her hands defensively. “Hey, I wasn’t the one who let the cat out of the bag. When I was trying to protect Lash and myself from Mason, he popped right back up and knew immediately I had certain powers. That’s when he went crazy to have my blood. He said he’d tasted witches blood before and that if he had me then he wouldn’t need anyone else ever again. He went on and on about how great and powerful our blood was. Lash heard and asked me today if it was true. I didn’t feel like lying to him,” she said with a shrug of her shoulders, wincing at everyone’s grim expressions.

Gretchen shook her head and tried to smile.
“All the better then. Lash knows that we really can protect him.”

Lash frowned and held up his hand.
“One problem. Sarah couldn’t stop him. If the cops hadn’t come when they did she’d be with him right now or dead. I don’t mean to put down your power or doubt you, but my dad is different. The blood he’s addicted to makes him stronger and more powerful than just about anybody.”

Gretchen frowned and stared at Race over Lash’s head.
Race nodded and looked pained.

“I guess we’re back to plan B then.
Race you win. Looks like we’re going on vacation. Good thing I just hired an assistant manager this week. She can keep the shop going and hire some help while we’re laying low. Our children are too important to gamble with.”

Zane moved to the center of the group and held up his hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Hold it. This is our senior year. I don’t want to go anywhere. Sarah and Lash don’t either. I think running and hiding is the wrong choice here. What Sarah hasn’t mentioned and Lash is unaware of, is that I
can
handle Mason. Lash was knocked cold by the time I got there. Mason’s strong, granted, but I’m stronger,” he said, his eyes blazing as he looked in all the faces around him.

Lash’s mouth fell open.
“Him too?”

Sarah let out a nervous giggle and nodded.
“Sorry Lash, but you’re surrounded.”

Gretchen patted Lash on the hand but then moved around the counter to grab her son’s shoulders.

“I don’t want this to come to a show down in the woods between my son and a psychopath. Besides, you’ve already done that! You’ve been lucky twice now Zane. I don’t think we should push our luck. Race?” she asked, turning for back up.

Race walked forward into the light and nodded.
“Zane, I’m aware that you have strong unique gifts. It’s imperative that Charles Langford doesn’t find out about that. He’s a man that wouldn’t hesitate to take you and bend you to his will. He’s deadly and we can’t underestimate what he’s willing to do. He’s now working with Mason so our threat has doubled. Don’t look at it as running and hiding. Look at it as playing it safe. My grandmother’s home in Maine is huge, it’s right on the coast and it’s in a small town where you three can blend in and finish school. Gretchen, Agnes and I will keep track of Charles and Mason from there.”

Zane frowned and shook his head.
“What would stop Charles and Mason from going to Maine? I don’t get how we’d be safer there.”

Race winced and looked at his feet.
“Charles and I share the same grandmother. He’s my cousin and he hasn’t set a foot in Rockland since he was disowned twenty years ago. My grandmother is in her eighties now but she’s still one of the most powerful witches I know. She’s the only witch Charles would never go up against.”

Lash cleared his throat causing everyone to turn and look at him.
“I’m the only one here that’s not a witch, or um, endowed with psychokinesis or whatever,” he said, slanting a quick smile at Sarah. “You guys don’t even know me. Sarah is the only one here who does. Are you really inviting me to go with you to live in Maine?” he asked, sounding almost pathetically hopeful.

Gretchen walked over and hugged him tightly.
“Sweetie, of course you’re coming. We couldn’t leave you at the mercy of your father. What would that say about us?”

Agnes walked up and lifted Lash’s chin so they were looking eye to eye.
Lash’s eyes widened slightly at the contact. “Lash the first thing you need to know about witches is that our purpose on earth is to protect others. That’s the only reason we have our gifts is to watch over everyone else. Of course you’re coming with us. You belong to us now Lash.”

Lash’s face went red as Agnes hugged him too.
Sarah looked down at her feet and wiped her eyes quickly as she felt the emotions pour off Lash. Relief, shock and hope. Zane’s arm went around her shoulders and she felt a soft kiss on her head and the words,
You are such a softie
, slip through her mind.