The Council, A Witch's Memory (9 page)

“Gee, thanks.” He chuckled, parking the car.

He took a brown paper bag from behind my seat and it to gave me. A large blue sleeping bag and a backpack followed it, which he carried. I lit our way with my flashlight.

A trail wound around Lake Cape into a dense line of trees. It wasn’t very smooth, and in most places the terrain proved tricky. Rocks, branches, sometimes holes, dotted the path. The incline always got the best of you in the dark if you weren’t expecting it.

Minding our steps, we followed the trail to a campsite situated on the top of a hill overlooking Lake Cape. It kept campers safe when it rained. Tents wouldn’t get flooded out in the middle of the night.

Music beat heavily in the distance, bass pulsing the ground. Voices and laughter signaled the party was in full swing.

We reached the top and walked into a clearing where three campfires blazed. At least thirty people were mingling around them. The smell of smoke and alcohol permeated the air.

I raised my eyebrows. “Interesting camp out.”

Henry frowned as a shirtless boy ran past us with a six-pack of beer. “Yes, very. Why don’t we go somewhere else?”

I handed him the flashlight and we walked along the outskirts until we spotted Zane sitting on a log. He was a ways away from the party, almost the length of a football field.

“Why aren’t you with your friends?” I asked once we were within earshot, gesturing to the groups on the other side of the clearing. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to describe how thankful I was that he didn’t hang around the drunken crowd. I wasn’t a drinker. Henry liked to have wine with his parents at dinner. Other than that, neither of us felt the need to imbibe.

“Those dorks?” Zane snorted. “No way, I get enough time with them in school. The group I associate with has yet to arrive. Besides, I had to claim the most remote spot.”

“Practicing your command of the English language?” Henry chuckled.

“Why, yes good sir. Superb isn’t it?” Zane hopped up and sauntered off, “I’ll see you dudes later. I’m huntin’ for firewood.”

Henry set his things down and rolled another log over, not breaking a sweat.

It took two or three guys to move them from what I’ve seen…

Come to think of it, Zane had moved logs before without any help. Were my brother and Henry freakishly strong? Or was it a coincidence?

“I’m going to find another log. Will you be all right here?” He stopped as if waiting for me to protest.

“Yes.”

I set up a proper fire with the wood Zane supplied. He was really fast at finding it too. I placed the wood in a shallow hole and set large rocks around the outside. Henry’s paper bag contained matches. I was glad that he didn’t pride himself on being the Boy Scout type, wanting to rub sticks together and all that silly nonsense. I also found a big bag of marshmallows. He knew what I liked so well.

My heart skipped.

No, I wouldn’t get moony eyed. I had an objective. Tell Henry how I felt, that’s what I came to do, and by God, if I had to flirt, I would.

Although, I’d never flirted successfully before. I wasn’t sure how to do it. Mostly I felt like an idiot when I tried. I should have asked Pepper before she left for Georgia. I pulled out my phone and dialed her number.

She picked up on the third ring. “Hey, it’s my favorite red head in denial. What’s up?”

I rolled my eyes. “I can hang up.”

“You won’t. You need me, freckles.” She laughed. “So…how’s it going?”

“I need help.” I glanced around to make sure I was alone. “How do you flirt?”

She snorted with laughter. “Oh, God! I’ve got tears running down my face.”

“Yeah, because I’m so hilarious.” I’m sure there were other people in the world just as inept as me. “Come on, help me out here.”

“Whew, I’m good, I swear.” She cleared her throat. “So, flirting one-oh-one, taught by Pepper Peterson. It’s very important to make eye contact.”

“Okay, I can do that.”

“Maybe flip your hair, or you can tug on a curl. Guys like that sort of stuff.”

I frowned and swung my hair over my shoulder. “That sounds like something I usually do.”

“Right, but you have to do it suggestively. With a come hither look.”

Huh? Normally I flipped my hair to get it out of my face. Now this really wasn’t making any sense. “Got anything better?”

“Wear a really low cut shirt, drop something, and pick it up slowly.” Was she trying not to laugh at me?

I smacked my hand against my head. “Be serious.”

“Hey, I am.” She paused. “I can totally see why my mother thinks I’m a hussy.”

“You don’t actually do that, do you?” I hoped not.

“Once, just to see if it worked.” Oh, God.

“And?”

“Got an okay date out of it. We just didn’t click.”

I glanced down at my white t-shirt. The collar was too high.

Holy, cow. I wasn’t going to consider that!

“Pepper, do you have anything else in your arsenal?”

At first I thought the call had dropped, I was in the middle of the woods, but then she came back sounding like she’d hit the jackpot. “I know! I know! I freaking know!”

“Great, care to share?”

“Think about the last few times you’ve been with Henry. Has he been doing something he doesn’t normally do?”

I sat there, slightly stumped. “Uh, like what?”

“I dunno…maybe trying to hold your hand or something.”

Ah, bingo. “Yeah, he’s been putting his arm around me.”

“That’s it. Do it back to him!” she squealed. “Well, in your own way, mirror what he’s doing. He’ll pick up on it.”

“I can try.”

“Do it!” she made kissing sounds over the phone. “Text me and tell me everything. I’ve got to go.”

“Thanks, bye.”

The fire crackled to life by the time Henry returned with the final log, rolling it merrily along, not a hair out of place on his head. How he got it all the way to our camp was beyond me. He also brought a bunch of long skinny sticks to roast marshmallows. And for the record, we had four logs now. He’d placed them in a square around the fire for us to sit on or lean against. His shirt was wrinkle free and clean, jeans without a streak of dirt. I was starting to feel a little crazy trying to figure out how he accomplished it.

“How do you do that?”

Henry braced his hands on his hips. “What?”

I pointed at the logs. “Do you know how heavy they are?”

He smirked. “I work out.”

“Right, and how can Zane move them?” Henry wouldn’t lie to me.

“Uh, some of them are hollow.” Or maybe he would fib to impress me.

I stood, brushing off my jeans and walked over to one of the logs. Without having to use much muscle, I moved it.

Henry smiled. “See?”

I shook my head. “Didn’t look hollow to me.”

Henry turned his back to look through the paper bag, and I tried to move the log again.

It didn’t budge.

I glanced back at him, but zeroed in on his arms, baffled.

How the heck….

“Hey, Venna, this is Quinn Brighton.” Zane shouted.

I glanced over at the trial to the woods and my brother pointed to a tall brown haired boy with intense hazel eyes. Quinn nodded. I felt the sudden urge to hide, as if I were standing in front of a predator…someone powerful like Henry. Only I didn’t know if I could trust Quinn. His silence unnerved me, not to mention the very nasty scar going from the corner of his left eyebrow to his jaw. The puckered and jagged line pulled down the lid of his eye, giving it a droopy appearance. I knew he was anything but sleepy; he had the same alertness and assessing gaze as Henry. And I wanted him to speak, just to see if he could, because he looked more apt to growl.

“Venna, love!” A familiar voice sang out. It had a soothing quality just like Henry’s, except his English accent was much thicker. Tearing my eyes away from the very scary Quinn, Davy’s warm appearance quickly calmed me. His shocking blond hair and sharp gray eyes were a stark contrast and welcome sight.

“Davy, what are you doing here?” I rushed forward to hug him and my feet left the ground as he returned my embrace. Davy was absolutely huge, built like a bull. He had thick arms, legs, and not an ounce of fat. My brother looked almost puny standing next to him.

“Just came to drop off, Flora.” He gestured beside him.

A girl, the complete opposite of Davy, beamed at me with the same color eyes, and black hair that fell down her back in long silky waves. Her thin frame bordered on the frail side, reminding me of a fragile china doll.

She stepped forward, her motions smooth and fluid as water to hug me. “It’s so good to see you again, Venna. I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you too. Henry didn’t mention you were coming.”

“It was short notice.” She said, hooking her arm with mine as we walked toward the campfire.

Henry hugged Flora and Davy, and then nodded to Quinn, who still hadn’t uttered a word.

Did he even know how to talk?

“Who wants to toast a mallow?” Zane rubbed his hands together.

We sat around the fire roasting marshmallows and hot dogs. It turns out Zane’s backpack was filled with soda and junk food. He must have raided the fridge.

Flora stayed close to me, seeing as how we were the only girls and she avoided my brother like the plague, due to his adorably obvious crush on her.

“Did I show you what my brother got me?” Flora held up her wrist, letting a silver charm bracelet shine in the firelight.

“It’s lovely.” I smiled. “He spoils you.”

She giggled, her breathy voice lowering to a secretive whisper. “Yes, but not as much as Henry wants to spoil you.”

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. “Sure, uh, how long are you visiting for?”

“I’m staying for the summer. Davy is leaving tomorrow for, um…school.”

“Didn’t he graduate already?”

“Oh, yes…why is Zane staring at me?”

My brother quickly blinked up at the sky as if he found it terribly interesting.

“I don’t know, you’re very pretty, Flora. Maybe that’s why.”

A blush crept in her cheeks, “He can be frustrating.”

“I agree, but he means well.”

Every so often Henry sent a smile my way. And I thought it wouldn’t be too hard to do what Pepper said. I could be flirty in my own way.

“I’m sorry to cut this short, Quinn and I have somewhere to be.” Davy frowned and kissed his sister on the forehead, apprehensive, “Henry, are you sure?”

“She’ll be fine for now. I will send Flora to Grandmother if I feel it is necessary.” He shook hands with Davy, then Quinn, “Good luck.”

“Thanks, we’re going to need it.” Quinn muttered, walking off.

“He talked!” I squeaked.

“Of course he talked.” Henry laughed, shaking his head as we watched Davy and Quinn disappear into the trees.

Once her brother was out of earshot, Flora pulled me with her toward the woods. “Let’s go for a walk, girls only. I want to see the foliage.”

Huh? I blinked. “You want to see the plants?”

Since when did young teenagers enjoy foliage, or even have the word in their vocabulary?

I looked to Henry. He crossed his arms and his lips curved downward at the corners. I knew that face. He was going to squash her idea. Like a brick wall he would not be budged or swayed in any way, no matter how you pleaded your case. Fortunately, I’d never been on the receiving end of that expression. My brother was another story entirely.

“If you want to go for a walk, take Zane.”

Flora, who was looking irritated with his company, started to stomp away.

“Dude, seriously?” Zane cocked his head to one side and watched her. “What’d I ever do to you?”

Flora glanced back at him. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”

“Has anyone ever told you, you’ve got one of those shrill, whiney voices, that grate on people?”

“Oh, yeah? Has anyone ever told you California is on the East Coast? Dude?”

“At least I don’t ignore people when they’re trying to be nice to me.”

“Oh, have I hurt your little feelings because I don’t squeal every time I see you like the other girls?”

“Uh,” I looked up at Henry. “You think sending them in to the woods alone was a good idea?”

He laughed. “Sure, as long as they don’t kill each other.”

After Zane and Flora had gone, their moods on the extreme sides of excited and annoyed, I settled in front of the fire on the large sleeping bag Henry unzipped and laid flat. He lounged beside me on his back, arms folded behind his head. We were finally alone.

“So I know I gave you twenty-four hours, but can’t you just give me a hint of your theory about what happened at the lake?”

Henry rubbed his hands over his face, dragging them through his hair. The sandy strands stuck out in different directions, making him look more mad scientist than English heartthrob.