Page 55 of Secret Pucking Unicorn

“Thank you,” I say sincerely. I was focused on taking care of Miranda and didn’t consider the logistics of where my parents would stay.

“Ready to go?” Stone asks.

Sophie nods.

We shift and run through the woods back to the barn. I’m eager to see if Miranda is awake, but I’m dreading the arrival of her parents. They seem to have Sophie fooled, but I’m not as gullible as she is. I know Miranda is nothing like Sophie says. I’m shocked Sophie thinks what she does. It doesn’t make sense at all. Something isn’t right here, and I’m going to figure it out.

21

MIRANDA

I slowly awaken. I know I’m in my bed, alone, like I’ve always been, but I shouldn’t be. Declan should be next to me, holding me, loving me. I know last night wasn’t a dream and today was a nightmare, but maybe it will get better. Stretching, I get out of bed and walk to the window. I slept two hours, but I can easily sleep another six and it still won’t be enough.

There’s movement in the woods and I realize it is my friends. I know the moose is Stone. I assume the cougar is Liam because Kendall hates the cold, and she wouldn’t be out running in January. The wolves must be Declan, Sophie, and Trevor. I’ve never seen any of them in their wolf forms, but I know them. The dark gray wolf must be Trevor, and the one with more silvery fur must be Sophie. Of course, my friend would be sparkly. The beautiful black wolf, bigger than the others, has to be Declan. His muscles bunch and flex as he runs, his tail flowing behind him like a flag. I wonder if his eyes are blue like they are when he is his unicorn. A unicorn. I can’t believe for all these years I was called a liar when every word I said was the truth. No one stood up for me. Or told me I was a witch. My mother is a witch and never told me. Why? Does my father know? Does he care? Horses are all he cares about. He only noticed me was if I was on the back of one, and then it was still all about the horse.

How could I have spent all these years with no clue to my powers? I was not turning people into their animals. No making things levitate, no telling the future. If I have powers, they are the most boring ones ever, or they were dormant until today. Does losing your virginity strengthen powers? Is it something I can Google? I can’t imagine asking Nora. Sophie is a witch, I could ask her, but Declan is her brother and that’s weird. Talking to anyone about my sex life is weird. Gah.

Everything was easy this morning. Now I’m confused. I still love Declan, but he kept stuff from me. Important stuff. Life-changing stuff. Why? Are there other things he’s kept from me? More than my witch powers. Important information about him. What does it mean to be on the Unicorn Council? Does he have to live somewhere special? Is this something he passes down to our children? Are they going to have their futures dictated from birth? I don’t want that for my children. Children. I can’t believe this morning we were talking about a future, and now the past has called that into question. Right?

They’ve reached the back door. They’ll be back up here soon. I should go out and deal with things. I look longingly at my bed. I could feign sleep for a few more hours to buy myself time, but I should face things. Or I could leave. Leaving is always an option. I’m good at starting over. But I don’t want to. I want to stay. I want to put down roots. I want to belong. Looking down at my hoodie, I cringe. I love this shirt and it makes me smile. Even though my parents insisted I was lying about seeing a unicorn, I knew it existed in my dreams at least. Shirts like this and my little collection of trinkets were my way of making my dreams real and my parents could kiss off. But knowing what I do now, I don’t know if I can ever wear it again. Changing into jeans and a gray sweater matching my mood, I sit on the edge of my bed to put on my sneakers when there is a light tap on my door and a murmured, “Miranda?”

“Come in,” I say.

Sophie opens the door and pokes her head in. “Hey, I didn’t know if you were still asleep or not.”

“I’ve been awake for a few minutes. Come in.”

She leaves the door open, and I can hear Dec in the living room. The sound of his deep voice is soothing. It wraps around me like the tartan blanket he loaned me for my bed, and we slept under last night. I run my hand over it, wondering if we’ll sleep beneath it together again tonight.

“Earth to Miranda.” Sophie waves a hand in front of my face.

“Huh?”

She rolls her eyes and lets out a huff. “Daydreaming like always. I said your parents will be here soon. Stone is driving me back to the hotel. Pack a bag. We need to get there before them.”

“What?” I cry.

In a flash, Dec is in the doorway. His forehead is furrowed, and I think I see concern in his beautiful blue eyes. “Miranda, what’s wrong?”

“Why are my parents coming here? Who called them?”

Sophie tilts her head and looks at me like I’m crazy. After today, I’m pretty sure I am. “I did. You’re having some sort of crisis. It makes more sense for your mother to be here than mine.”

“You’re in touch with my parents?” I haven’t heard from them other than a text telling me they moved to New Jersey after I left for New Zealand. I texted them and sent emails while I was over there but didn’t hear back. I chalked it up to them being busy. Once I’m settled here, my plan was to let them know I was here and suggest meeting up. This week has been crazy with the travel and jet lag, and I hadn’t had a chance to do anything yet. I want to show them the life I’ve made for myself. How I can take care of myself and not be dependent on them. Make them proud of me.

“Of course. We talk on the phone, I visit with them. I was with them before I came here. We exchange birthday cards. I called Doreen before I went for a run.”

Birthday cards. Phone calls. Visits. They have more of a relationship with Sophie than they’ve ever had with me. Why can’t they do that with me? I know Sophie is more vivacious and fun than I am. Even so, I’m their daughter.

“And you knew they were in New Jersey? Is that why you came back?” Dec asks me from the doorway.

Before I can answer, Sophie puts her hands on my shoulders, and the connection I’ve always felt with her zings. The concern I’d expect from my best friend is shining in her eyes.

“I’m sorry I called your parents,” she says. “I thought it’s what you’d want. I’m trying to help. They’ve always been kind to me. Surely there’s a reason you didn’t know about being a witch. I want to figure this out as much as you, Miranda. Let’s do that, okay? Then you can come back here”—she rolls her eyes—“and play house with Dec. Blech.” I giggle at the face she makes. She grins back. “C’mon, let’s get your bag packed.” She gives my shoulders a friendly squeeze before stepping back.

“Why does she need a bag? What’s going on? Miranda?” Declan walks farther into my bedroom. He’s running a hand through his hair, and I try to ignore how sexy the flexing of his biceps is.

Before I can answer, Sophie does.

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