Fate Changer (The Lost Witch Trilogy #3) (4 page)

Sarah couldn’t hear the ocean very well with the windows rolled up, but she could feel it and knew she was being recharged from two sources now. Zane and the ocean.

“Thank you, I feel so much better already,” she said, snuggling closer and wrapping her arms around his neck.

Zane rubbed her back in slow big circles and sighed, sounding tired himself. “We were bringing Beatrice back to the house and I realized all of a sudden that I couldn’t feel you anymore. I was terrified. My grandma told me where you and Charlie were and so Lash and I broke a few speed limits getting to you.”

Sarah smiled tiredly. “Thank you for coming to get me. We told Agnes we would walk back, but I don’t think I could have made it ten steps.”

Zane frowned and kissed her forehead. “From now on, you and I don’t go anywhere without the other. It was crazy to split up today, but I didn’t want you to see another . . .”

Sarah looked out the window at the ocean and shuddered. “Another dead body?” she said quietly.

Zane nodded. “Thank heavens she wasn’t dead though. She was hiding in an old cellar in the older part of the house. Francis had put her down there and then had gone to face whoever it was that killed her. When Beatrice tried to get out though, it was locked. She’s safe and unharmed, but she’s having a hard time believing that Francis has been killed and that Charles is taking over. You might have to help her mind out a little when we get back.”

Sarah yawned and shook her head. “Tomorrow. Today I just need to sleep.”

Zane brushed his lips across her hair and nodded. “Sounds good.”

Sarah blinked her eyes open as a thought occurred to her. “Wait a second. You and Lash went back to Grandmother’s house?
Are you insane?
Charles could have killed you!” she said, breathing fast and pulling away to look up into Zane’s tired and drawn face.

Zane shook his head, smiling at her. “We staked the place out for a while. We had to wait until all the policemen left the house anyways. Nah, Charles wasn’t there. We would have known if he was. I think he gave you a month because that gives him time to relocate. I don’t even think he’s in town right now. I think he went back to home base to deal with all of his last minute details so he can spend all his time and energy on you when he gets back.”

Sarah felt cold again at the thought of Charles and his plans for her. “You would have been able to feel him if he was there.”

Zane nodded, rubbing the goose bumps off her arms. “We were able to pack up most of our stuff too. I brought back your clothes and school stuff and everything I could get. Lash was in the kitchen, packing up the food when he heard the banging. He followed the sound and was able to rip the hinges off the trap door to let Beatrice out. With your blood, that guy is stronger than anyone I know. He’s stronger than me now,” he said worriedly.

Sarah grinned at the competitiveness. “Listen gorgeous, you’re a witch. Who cares about muscles?”

Zane grinned and kissed her cheek. “Yeah, well it’s still weird to know he has all that strength because of you. And from so little blood too. I don’t even want to think what Mason would do if he had your blood,” he said darkly.

Sarah’s smile faded as she thought of Lash’s father and his addiction to blood. “Let’s not think of him right now Zane. Tell me about Beatrice. Does she know what happened? Was she able to give you any information on who killed my grandmother?”

Zane leaned his head back against the seat and grimaced. “Nothing. All she said was the whole house was in an uproar because we were missing this morning. She said that everyone left the house except for her and Francis. She had gone into the kitchen to make Francis some breakfast when Francis comes flying through the door, forces her into the cellar and then takes off. She said Francis’s last words to her were,
It’s my turn now Bea. He’s bitten off more than he can chew though
.”

Sarah frowned at the words and turned pale as she remembered her grandmother’s torn neck and all the blood on her bed and the floor.

Zane squeezed her tightly as he felt a tremor rip down her spine. “Don’t think about it Sarah. It won’t do you any good and that’s not the way she would want you remember her anyways. She’d much rather you remember her throwing the ocean up into a dragon or something spectacular.”

Sarah tried to smile and nodded, but couldn’t help the tears slipping down her cheeks. “She was alive just last night. Everything has changed.”

Zane nodded and sighed. “There’s going to be a graveside memorial service for your grandmother in two days. We have to expect that Charles will show up to show the town what a good grandson he is.”

Sarah grimaced and felt cold. “He’s such a demon. I don’t ever want to see his evil face again.”

Zane didn’t say anything. They both knew that she’d not only have to see Charles Langford again, she’d have to face him down.

They rode back to town and parked in her father’s driveway behind the car Lash drove. Zane hopped out first and ran around to open the door for her. She had at least a quarter of her strength back since she’d been able to spend an hour in Zane’s arms, but it wasn’t enough this time. She needed food, more of Zane’s energy and a good night’s rest.

They walked into the house and stared in surprise at Gretchen and Agnes laughing. It was such a strange sight, considering the day they’d all had that she couldn’t process it.

Zane shut the door loudly and frowned at his mother. “What’s so funny mom?”

Gretchen shook her head still smiling. “Oh you know your grandmother. Always joking.” Gretchen stared at Sarah for a moment and frowned as she wiped her hands on a dish cloth.

“You’re worn out Sarah. Come sit down and have some corn bread and chili. You look like you’re about to faint.”

Sarah walked over to the table obediently as Agnes pushed a bowl and spoon towards her. “You did to Teresa what you did to me, didn’t you dear?” Agnes said, looking at her with a sad smile.

Sarah nodded with a faint smile and began eating. Zane sat down next to her and began eating too. Agnes and Gretchen sat down opposite of them, all laughter gone now. Sarah ignored their stares for a while, but spoke into Zane’s mind as she kept eating.

Why are they looking at us like that?

Zane took another bite of corn bread and reached for the honey.

I can’t read them too clearly right now. Too many emotions muddling things up, but they’re worried about you being strong enough to face Charles if just healing someone can wipe you out so completely.

Sarah grimaced and took a drink of milk. Zane reached over with his foot to touch hers, and she welcomed the warmth that flowed into her from the contact. She sighed and finally blotted her lips with her napkin and looked up, meeting identical sets of gray eyes. She looked first at Agnes and then at Gretchen before clearing her throat.

“I know I get worn out. But Teresa wasn’t just some simple cut or broken bone to heal. When I went in to see what had happened to her mind, I was dragged in. It was like I was grabbed and pulled into the deepest darkest cave with no way out. I almost didn’t make it out. It took everything I had and I still couldn’t get free. It was only the thought of Zane that brought me out again. I honestly don’t even know how Teresa broke free. I felt something grab onto my energy as I was lifted up. It was horrible though. I was terrified,” she said, starting to shake again and feeling mortified when tears slipped down her cheeks.

Agnes shook her head and handed her another napkin as Zane put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to his side, kissing the top of her head. Gretchen, bit her lip, her face pinched with worry.

“What do you think Mom?” Gretchen asked, looking perplexed.

Agnes hissed out a breath and looked angry for a second. “For the darkness to grab you and pull you down, it had to be a dark powerful magic. It had to have been Charles. But for some reason you were able to shatter her prison, because Teresa Prescott is completely fine now. We’ve got another teenager to deal with but at least Charlie has someone to call her own. You’re lucky girl. You’re lucky you made it out. But from now on, it might be wise to conserve your energy for when you’ll need it the most.”

Sarah glanced at Zane before nodding. “I had no idea what I was getting myself into Agnes. It wasn’t like going into your mind and pulling things together. I felt like I was fighting for my own sanity. I just wanted to know what had happened to Teresa so I could give Charlie some answers.”

Agnes frowned and touched her temples lightly with her fingertips. “Charles captured Teresa’s mind in a prison. But for me, he just went in slashing. Same witch but completely different style however same the outcome.
So strange
. I guess it comes down to motive,” she murmured as she hugged herself.

Sarah, Zane and Gretchen exchanged worried expressions. Sarah cleared her throat and tried to change the subject. “Well, who can say why Charles does anything. The man is insane. But from now on, I’ll try and stay out of people’s heads.”

Gretchen smiled and nodded before cutting her another piece of cornbread. “Let’s just all agree to be extra careful from now on.”

Zane finished eating and pushed his bowl away. He looked up at his mother and grandmother and looked back and forth between the two of them, frowning.

“What are you two hiding from me? Something’s going on. Spill it,” he ordered quietly.

Agnes looked at her grandson in surprise before looking at Gretchen. “When did he start reading minds?”

Gretchen’s eyes widened and she looked at Sarah. “It’s her. She makes him stronger. Everything he could do before has been multiplied and he’s gained a few talents he never had before. Amazing,” she said with a shake of her head.

Zane frowned and shook his head. “Stop trying to distract me. What’s going on?”

Agnes sniffed in irritation and crossed her arms over her chest. “Fine then. Gretchen and I saw Race. He’s living in the room above his office. He says he’s not leaving town.”

Zane’s face turned to rock and his whole body vibrated with emotion as he sat up straighter and looked out the kitchen window. “
Interesting
,” he muttered.

Sarah sat up and smiled hopefully. “Maybe he’s changed his mind? Maybe he wants to help us now? I knew he’d regret the things he said.
I knew it
,” she said, closing her eyes happily.

Gretchen winced and Agnes looked down at her hands. Zane turned his body to face Sarah and took her hands in his gently. “Sarah, your dad isn’t staying in town because he’s changed his mind. He’s staying in town, so that he can kill you if we fail.”

Sarah’s face lost all color as what Zane was saying sunk in. Her father was determined that she didn’t fall into Charles’s hands no matter the cost. She looked up into Zane’s anguished eyes and nodded. She now understood. She would now have to protect herself from Charles
and
her father.

“I think I’m going to go to bed now,” she said softly and stood up.

Agnes and Gretchen scurried to grab pillows and blankets and showed her to a room that had been a makeshift office. “We’re a little squished here in this house. I sure do miss that mansion.” Agnes muttered as she pushed a button for the inflatable mattress that took up almost the whole floor space.

Sarah shrugged and yawned. “I don’t care as long as I can sleep somewhere, I’m fine. This still beats sleeping in my tree house.”

Zane grinned at her but frowned at the mattress. “I need to be with Sarah, but there’s no way I can fit on that with her. I won’t be able to sleep in here,” he grumbled.

Gretchen bit her lip and shrugged helplessly. “I know you and Sarah recharge each other’s power, but logistically with all the people we’re squeezing in, we just can’t do it. You’re going to be on the couch in the family room. Sorry Zane. There’s a recliner in the corner that goes back pretty far. Why don’t you try and rest in the chair or read a book for a few hours. It’ll give you time to think anyways. Tomorrow, we’re going to have a brain storm session and we’re going to try and figure out a way to save Sarah. Ponder on that tonight,” she said and kissed Zane on the cheek before shutting the door behind her.

Zane wandered over to the recliner as Sarah kicked her shoes off and got under the blankets. He sat down in the old brown leather chair and kicked the footrest out, smiling at how comfortable the chair was.

“This will do.”

Sarah smiled as she fell asleep to the feel of a warm breeze wrapping her in safety.

Sarah woke up feeling better than she ever had physically. Emotionally, she felt about as good as anyone could expect her to feel knowing her dad was planning on killing her for the greater good of mankind.

“Knock it off Sarah. It’s too early to be depressed,” came a growl from the corner.

Sarah’s mouth fell open in surprise as she realized Zane had slept in the recliner the entire night.

“You are crazy Zane. What are you thinking, sleeping in a chair when you could have had a good night’s sleep on the couch?” she asked in confusion.

Zane moaned and put his arm over his eyes. “You needed recharging. I needed recharging. This is the best way. Although right now, I don’t feel so recharged. I feel like I need a massage and a yoga class to get all the kinks out of my back.”

Sarah laughed and stood up. She walked over to where Zane was bunched up on his side and laid her hands on his shoulder. She closed her eyes and sent healing energy all throughout his body. She could feel the soreness and aches disappear almost immediately and pulled away minutes later. She grinned as Zane turned over to face her and looked at her with adoration.

“You are the best girlfriend in the world. Now give me a kiss good morning and you’ll be perfect,” he said with a grin.

Sarah laughed and stepped back but he was too fast and snagged her wrist in his hand. He pulled her slowly towards him and so she gave in gracefully and leaned down to kiss him. She’d kissed Zane so many times now that she didn’t think he could surprise her, but the gentleness and compassion that poured into her from the contact made her pull back and blink a tear away. He reached up and touched her cheek gently with one finger before standing up.