Page 51 of The Magic of Discovery
Everyone was laughing and joking back and forth while I sat and stewed over the best way to handle everything. She owed us an explanation, and I was tired of waiting. Patient, I was not. Taking a deep breath, I mentally practiced what I wanted to say, so it hopefully wouldn’t come out wrong. I needed to win her over, so I willed myself to tame the monster who lurked beneath my skin.Yeah, that’ll work.
The words burst from my mouth without permission, interrupting the conversation. “This is fun and all, but let's talk about the fact that demons have it out for Red.”
Everyone’s eyes zeroed in on me, most of them narrowed glares.Well, shit sticks. I guess I need to try harder next time.Holding both hands up in a placating manner, I continued, “Look, I’m not trying to be an ass, but I think we all need to get on the same page here about what’s going on.”
Cam opened his mouth to scold me, no doubt, but I was surprised when Red cut him off.
“No, he’s right.” She looked from Cam to me. “There have been strange things happening over the past week, too many to be coincidence or ignored. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared, because I am.”
Kai growled low in his chest over her admission, and a spark flew from Cam’s fingertips.Damn, their feelings are running deeper than I thought.
Red glanced at her gran, and the woman gave a slight nod. Saige took a deep breath, Fish’s thumb rubbing over the top of her hand in small, reassuring circles. I hadn’t missed the way his hold had tightened on her when she admitted she was scared.
“I’ve seen demons, first at the shop last week and then in my bedroom on Friday morning,” she said, suddenly standing up. Fish reluctantly released her from his arms, his focus solely on the witch who’d captivated him so thoroughly.
Suddenly, everyone was talking except for myself and Bette. Leaning back into my chair, I observed Red as she paced back and forth across the paved patio, her worry shining clearly through her gaze that landed on mine every so often. Catching a glimpse of pink sequins, my eyes flicked to her gran, wanting to see her reaction to everyone losing their shit. I kept my features flat when I found myself suddenly staring into her cornflower blue eyes. Bette’s eyebrow raised, acknowledging she’d caught me studying her granddaughter. A slow smirk appeared, and I returned the expression, earning me a subtle nod of... understanding? Something that felt vaguely reminiscent of approval. Uncomfortable with that thought, I focused on the group again, the guys having finally settled down enough for Saige to continue explaining.
“I didn’t realize what was happening when it first started. The town seers showed up at the shop on Wednesday, talking a bunch of nonsense about a prophecy they had been blessed with, and it involved all of us," she said, looking to Cam, Kai, and then Fischer before her gaze landed on mine.The fuck do I have to do with anything?"I saw the demons while they were in their trance, saying things I didn't understand. Then I saw them a second time in my bedroom, but Gran interrupted, and they disappeared. I was scared shitless, so I confessed everything to her despite the fact that I thought I was going crazy. I had no clue that demons were real. Apparently, they were just projections, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm the only one who’s seen them."
Everyone was shifting uncomfortably as she paused, looking vulnerable and lost. Now knowing that she’d thought she was losing it, the urge to get her out of her head bloomed in my mind, shocking the hell out of me. Fischer had always told me I enjoyed the role of provider, which I shot down immediately every time he brought it up. Now, though? I was wondering if he might be onto something there.Ugh, my head is a fucking mess, and I’m giving myself whiplash.
Red cleared her throat, her face projecting the worry in her heart. “That’s not all, unfortunately. I’ve noticed some changes with myself. Using my magic has taken on an almost euphoric reaction, like I’d imagine taking a hit of drugs would. When I get upset about something, my anger flares instantaneously, and I’veneverbeen quick to anger. Hell, I never even get full blown pissed off! Today, I started sweating moments after feeling angry, and a cold shower was the only thing that helped,” she huffed, clearly frustrated with the mountain of shit that was piling up in her life.
“Tell us what the prophecy says, little witch,” Cam said encouragingly, giving Red a little boost.
She sighed, and we all held our breath as she recited the words:
“A witch, a mix of green and red,
Save a race before they’re dead.
Hurry, witch, find your five,
If there is hope to survive.
Change, rise, manifest,
A soul so pure, soon possessed.
Before the year of two and eight
The chosen one must find her mates.
If she should fail to meet her task,
To another the role will pass.
Evil will consume her heart,
Her soul captured by the dark.”
The silence was deafening, everyone’s minds likely running a hundred miles a second trying to work that puzzle out.
“Did the demons say anything to you?” Kai questioned seriously, his usual joking tone long gone.
“There were two of them, and they were talking to each other, something about finding me, how their master would be pleased, my name, and the word ‘soon.’” I studied her as a visible shudder took over her body.
Cam walked up behind her and pulled her back against his front, his huge arms encasing her waist. She dropped her head back against his chest, the quick rise and fall of her chest abating almost immediately. His presence alone was enough to calm her. That was Cam, though. Everyone felt safe with him around; he made sure of it. He was one of the best men I had ever known, and he’d been dealt a really shit hand with his past. We were similar in that regard, but while there was hope for closure with Cam, there was no fixing my past. Having grown up with a piece of shit father who beat my mother almost daily until I was old enough to handle an ass whooping, I suppose a rough around the edges exterior was just bred into who I was.
