“Yeah, okay.” Abby sighed. “Well, I’m at work, so I gotta go.”
“Hey, how’s Aunt Beth? She hasn’t returned any of my calls, either.” I resumed pacing.
“She’s fine. She lost her phone the other day and has to get a new one. Call me later tonight and you can talk to her.” The sound of a car door slamming rang in my ear.
“Thanks. Have fun at work,” I said.
“Oh, I will. Nathan is working today.” Abby giggled, and just like that, she was back to her overly exuberant self.
Ending the call, I clutched my cell phone to my chest, letting the past few days’ worth of stress drain away. My family was fine. I felt like I could breathe again.
“Everything okay?” Trent asked.
“Yeah. I was worrying for nothing.” I laughed and joined him on the couch.
TWO HOURS LATER, JAX and the twins returned. Before they even made it through the front door, I was waiting for them. Even though I’d spoken to Abby, I needed to know they were physically okay, too.
“What happened?” I asked. “Are they okay?”
“Jeez, Chloe.” Jax shielded his eyes. “Only you could glow black. Seriously, calm down.”
I scowled and crossed my arms defiantly. “Stop with the stupid colors,” I snapped, “and tell me about my family.”
Wyatt squeezed by us and made a hissing sound, then laughed. Whitney shoved him from behind, rolling her eyes.
“They’re fine,” Jax said, blinking. “Abby’s working a summer job at the country club with some guy she thinks is uber hot.” Jax’s tone was mocking, and he sounded so much like Abby in that moment.
Well, at least Abby hadn’t lied. Not that I thought she would, but it was nice to have it confirmed, to know that she wasn’t hurt or intentionally avoiding me for some reason. Still, a pang of homesickness hit me with the force of a train. I just wanted to go home.
“Did you see my aunt and uncle?” I asked.
“They’re both fine, too,” he said, glancing over my head and at Trent.
I was glad they were okay, but my relief was fleeting. Something in Jax’s demeanor had the hair on the back of my neck standing on edge.
“What?” I asked. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Jax’s hard gaze landed squarely on me. “The Rose Coven has been in Keene Valley. There are remnants everywhere of their magic.”
My stomach dropped to my feet. “They were there? Why? What did they do? They didn’t hurt anyone, did they?”
I needed to calm down. Jax just told me my family was fine. The Rose Coven didn’t hurt anyone—at least, no one I loved. But that didn’t mean someone else hadn’t gotten caught in the crossfire of this ridiculous feud.
Trent now stood behind me, hands resting protectively on my shoulders. “They must have done something. A spell, maybe.”
“What?” I must not have heard him correctly. “What kind of spell?”
“We think they’re watching your family,” Whitney chimed in. “They’re the first people you’d call or reach out to, so as soon as you do…” She shrugged.
I swallowed hard. Did my call with Abby put her in danger? Or did I inadvertently alert the coven to where I was? But I’d told Abby I was traveling. No one, except the people in this room, knew where I was.
I’d talked to Ellie, too, though. Was she okay? Or had I dragged her into the middle of this, too? I felt the color drain from my face.
“That means they’re getting desperate,” Trent said, giving my shoulders a gentle squeeze.
His words sent an icy chill down my spine, and his touch did nothing to comfort me this time. A fresh knot formed in my gut, and I gritted my teeth.
“We need to make sure we’re all well fed,” Sean said as he walked out of the bedroom. “I fed this morning, but the rest of you should go.” He stopped near the edge of the couch and crossed his arms. “I can stay here with Chloe.”
“Are you okay with that?” Trent asked me.
I momentarily closed my eyes and nodded. The last thing I wanted to do was spend the evening with Sean. Who knew what he’d found out about me or my family—or the secret I was still guarding.
Did he uncover the truth? Was that why he was so quick to offer to stay here with me? Was he planning to confront me as soon as everyone left? Pain sliced across my midsection, and I blew out a breath, hoping it wouldn’t get any worse. The stress of this entire situation was slowly killing me.
“All right, boys, let’s head out so we can get back before it’s too late,” Whitney said.
In sync, the guys began to move about the house. I had no idea what any of them were doing—they were all moving at superhuman speed—but I stood in place, not knowing what to do or where to go.
Trent pulled me aside and planted his lips firmly over mine. Sighing softly, I leaned into his kiss and wrapped my arms around his neck. He held me so tightly I worried he might crack a rib or two. His hand coursed up my back, and his fingers tangled in my hair. I loved it when he did that.
As badly as I wanted to stand here and kiss him, he needed to go. It was important he feed. Reluctantly, I broke away, my breathing labored.
“We won’t be too long, okay?” He caressed the side of my face.
“Okay,” I said.
Maybe spending some time with Sean wouldn’t be so bad. If I was going to have a future with Trent, I really should get to know his family better. And his friends, which meant I was going to have to talk to Whitney and Wyatt more than I have.
Trent smiled and gave me one final kiss. “Love you.” And then he was out of the house. Whitney and Wyatt followed.
“Jax,” I said, grabbing his arm as he walked by.
