"You mean we right? You can't stay here. I'll even let you keep the chicken."
She stomped her foot. "Her name is Hazel, and I can stay here, and I plan to. This place needs me." What she left out was that Caleb needed her.
He finally walked into the room. "This is a bit bare. Not five-star if you ask me."
"I think you have me mistaken for someone else."
He turned back towards her. "Marci. You make no sense."
"No. I do. You seem to think I'm someone who cares what you think. I'll reiterate the important facts." She took a deep breath and counted to five. "I will not be leaving with you. I don't care what you think. This room is newly painted and you should be happy it even has sheets. I'll work on upping the five-star situation later."
Backing out the doorway, she went to turn as his words caught her.
"It's that animal, isn't it? He's not even human, Marci. God, you know what. I don't even want to think about what he's done to you. Disgusting. Forget it. My father wouldn't let us marry after you've fallen so far."
Her fingers fisted as the air spun around her -- autopilot taking hold.
"What did you just say?"
He squared his lean shoulders. "I said, that my dad wouldn't want some shifter lover in the family no matter how useful she might be. The idea of him and you makes me sick."
At that moment, when words failed her, her fist did not.
"Son of a bitch, Marci. I'm suing you. You know that right? No, I'm suing that shifter who obviously corrupted you."
"Oh, get over it, you baby. At least you can go home and tell your daddy that you fought for the honor of your family. God. You are such a dweeb." And just like that, she didn't care what he said anymore.
"Sleep well, Jeff. I'll make you a sandwich and leave it wrapped in the fridge for later."
He mumbled expletives and probably called her a few names, and she didn't care for once. She wasn't going back.
Pulling her phone from her pocket, her thumb hovered over the screen. Marci tried to decide if texting or calling would be better. Or should she leave him alone? Make him think about his actions - let her think about her feelings.
What would she say? Magic shivered over her. Tingles traveled along her spine as the trail sparkled before her. It wanted her to go to him. What she wouldn't give for an off switch right now.
She scratched at her arms. She rubbed her palms against her thighs. Tears pricked her eyes. Why couldn't she turn the world off, dim it? For once in her life, she was making her own choices and yet, even fate argued with her. When could she make her own decisions? When?
Ignoring her instincts would drive her insane. She itched everywhere. Remembering she had a sandwich to make she headed to the kitchen.
Leaving the lights off, she stayed alert knowing the ghost seemed to enjoy tormenting her, but right now even that would be a welcome distraction.
Her nerves danced on pins and needles as she fumbled with the sandwich. She'd never ignored her magic, not like this. Bracing herself at the counter, she swallowed against the pain radiating from her chest, running through her body. Taking breaths in through her nose and blowing out her mouth, it all started to make sense. Nothing would ever hurt more than ignoring fate.
Caleb's face flashed in front of her eyes. His smile broke the chip she'd carried on her shoulder. His eyes. He might have been all man, but behind those eyes was so much more: pain, vulnerability, safety, and protection.
She loved him.
Taking control of her destiny had been the whole point of coming here. Turning around, Marci headed to the front door. Maybe it was now or never.
The voice of Jeff echoed through the mostly empty inn, and she paused
"Marci is being stubborn. I already tried that. We can do better, Father."
Like hell.
Charging up the stairs, she paused before barging in. Maybe her mom could deal with this. Perhaps she'd call her back - tomorrow.
"Father, I don't think-"
Jeff would have to deal with enough. She hated him, but he was a product of his own family. Maybe she needed to stop tonight.
She could talk with Caleb tomorrow when her head was clear, her heart was free from the stress, and he'd gotten some time to make sure he'd meant the words he'd said.
She hesitated at Jeff's door a second longer before letting it go and walking away.
She closed her door, mostly. She still feared be locked in again.
Leaning against the door it hit her; things were too quiet. Hazel was still at Annie's. Odd that Marci realized without Hazel's cooing in her sleep and Caleb's soft snore, her life was empty. Maybe she should go over to his place.
The light outside her windows had faded, the eerie blue of the forest the only light of the backyard. She decided to get ready for bed, stop herself from being able to make any more mistakes for tonight.
Marci shouldn't have let Jeff get to her. Not again. Who cares if he thought she wasn't good enough. Caleb thought she was. But no, she'd let the anger get to her.
She jumped at a loud thud in the hall and grabbed a nightshirt off of a nearby box. Slowly she walked to the door and pressed her ear against the wood. She listened and reached out with her magic. Marci tried to find a burglar or something that didn't belong. Nothing. She relaxed again, in time to see her magic shimmer towards the window. Cocking her head, she followed it with hesitant steps.
A dark figure walked towards the enchanted forest, the glimmer of blue sparkling like a million stars trapped on earth.
Odd. Why would anyone go in?
This wasn't right. Releasing her magic, it flowed through the house.
