Blood Rush (The Lost Witch Trilogy #2) (16 page)

She felt words enter her mind.
You’re mine
.

She felt a cold shiver rip down her spine and flung Charles out as hard and fast she could. She saw Charles step back a few steps and would have smiled at the shock on his face if she wasn’t so terrified. Francis reached them at that moment and laid a hand on Sarah’s arm.

“Go child. Go now. He can’t touch you here, but his mind can force you to cross back over. You too Gretchen, Agnes.
Hurry
,” she urged, standing in front of them like a guard dog.

Charles walked slowly up to the invisible line and stared at his grandmother with cold hate filled eyes. “Let me have her and no harm will come to anyone in this pathetic little town. Stand in my way and I promise you’ll suffer just like you did before.”

Francis crossed her arms in front of her as she stared Charles down. Gretchen and Agnes tried pulling Sarah back to safety, but she refused to move an inch. She had to know what he said.

“I’d rather die than let you near her. You’ve destroyed too many lives Charles. Be gone. Be gone and never return.”

Charles tilted his head back and laughed. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You’re just postponing the inevitable. You know, now that I think of it, maybe I’ll start with you.”

Francis held one hand out towards Charles. “You may not cross my lines, but don’t forget that I can. Leave now and never return or I’ll do whatever I must to protect Sarah.”

Charles smirked at his grandmother and stepped closer as he ran his hand over the air between them as if it were a hard surface. “You’re
threatening
me? Like you would have the guts to step out of your little town and meet me face to face. You had the chance eighteen years ago and you weren’t capable of stopping me then. What makes you think you can now? I think we both know you’re full of it. If you give her to me now, right this second, I promise not to bind you. I have to admit I’ve always wanted your power, but I’ll let you die with it. Draw this out and I’ll make you suffer. You’re going to end up just like your precious children.
Dead
.”

Francis’s nostrils flared and her cheeks turned red with emotion. “You mean your mother and father don’t you? The people I loved the most in this world. Your own parents and you took and took and took from them until they were nothing. And when your uncle Paul, Race’s father, tried to stop you, you killed him. You’re right, I should have destroyed you then. I regret it.”

Charles looked down at his feet as his hands fell to his side. When he looked back at his grandmother, his eyes were chilled and colder than the ocean. “Killing my parents was an accident and you know it. I was inexperienced and wasn’t sure what I was doing. My parents loved me and they willingly gave me what I asked of them. When Paul discovered me and my parents’ bodies in the forest, he overreacted and tried to kill me. I defended myself of course and then you turned on me. Everyone did. I’m not the monster. You are for turning your back on me. Instead of helping me find my way you banished me.”

Francis nodded her head slightly. “Of course I banished you. You murder your parents and call it an accident. You murder your uncle and call it justified. You’ve taken and bound numerous witches to steal their power and you think you’re entitled. And now you’re willing to do anything to take a young innocent girl against her will. And for what purpose? More power? How much will ever be enough for you Charles?” she asked in disgust.

Charles glanced over Francis’s shoulder at Sarah and his eyes gleamed coldly with a pale fire. “It looks like we’re not going to agree on the past. My relationship with other witches is none of your concern. Many witches find it a burden to have so much power. They’d much rather be normal human beings and fit into society as others do. I simply help them out. Not many witches know how to take another’s power. I’m doing them a service and they’re grateful for it in the end.”

Francis grimaced and looked over her shoulder to see what Charles was staring at. When she saw that Sarah hadn’t moved to safety she closed her eyes in what looked like pain. She turned back to face her grandson.

“And Sarah? How can you possibly justify taking her from her father? You’ve killed Race’s father and his wife and now you’re determined to have his daughter. Why? Leave him alone Charles. You’ve done everything you can to hurt him.”

Charles shrugged and grinned at his grandmother. “You’re too old to remember, I’m sure, but have you ever seen something so beautiful, so bright and lovely that you just had to have it? She’s exquisite. I want her. That’s the only justification I need to have. I couldn’t care less about Race. I never have. This has nothing to do with him.”

Francis clenched her fists at her side and then raised her hand to point at Charles. “You evil, degenerate man. If you touch her you’ll be damned to hell if you’re not already.”

Charles tilted his head back and laughed. The cold grating sound made Sarah’s heart hurt and goose bumps erupt on her arms.

“Oh I’ll be touching her all right. Plan on it.”

Francis closed her eyes for a moment and then squared her shoulders. “These girls are beautiful, strong witches who deserve a bright future without you in it.”

Charles looked at her curiously. “
Girls
? What are you talking about?”

Francis sneered at Charles and turned her back on him. But her voice carried back to Charles on a warm gust of wind. “Why your daughter of course, you fool.”

Charles looked stunned and then he was gone as if he’d never been there.

Sarah’s mouth fell open in surprise, wondering at the power he must have if he could disappear and appear at will.

Francis came to stand in front of her, looking grim. “He’ll die to have you now. Why did you cross my lines?” she asked with a sad shake of her head.

Sarah felt sick. “No one ever bothered to tell me where they were,” she said quietly.

Francis’ face fell and she shook her head at the tragic oversight. The four women made their way slowly back to the house. Zane and Lash were in the kitchen arguing loudly with each other however they were completely ignored as Gretchen rushed to her cell phone and called Race.

“Race,
hurry!
Charles almost got Sarah. She was able to get free of him, but he’s had contact now.”

Gretchen stared down at her phone as the connection was lost. She slipped her phone in her pocket as Zane and Lash stared at her in surprise and then switched their gazes to Sarah. Sarah ignored them both and walked slowly to the table, sitting down gingerly and laying her head down on her arms. She was exhausted, she was scared and she didn’t know what to say or what to do.

She felt a comforting arm come around her shoulders and she lifted her head to see Agnes’s familiar kind face. Behind her were both Zane and Lash looking both helpless and upset.

“Sweetie, you’ve got to eat something. You’ve used up so much energy you’ve got nothing left. I watched you throw him back twice. I can’t even imagine what kind of power that took. But you did it my girl.
You did it
. Oh you surprised him, you did. I’ve never been so scared in my life, but I’ll never forget the way you sent him packing.”

Sarah smiled weakly and moved so Gretchen could put a bowl of beef stew and corn bread in front of her. She could barely lift the spoon to her mouth and wished everyone would stop staring at her.

Francis watched her quietly and must have read her thoughts. “Give her some space everyone. She’s not a zoo animal. Zane, you know what to do,” she ordered.

Sarah blinked tiredly as Agnes left her side and Zane replaced her, scooting his chair closer to her. He wrapped his arms around her middle and touched his head to her shoulder. She was immediately filled with warmth and strength. She sighed in gratitude and was able to eat the whole bowl of stew. She slowly ate her cornbread while Zane quietly held on to her, sharing his strength and power with her. Lash stood by Agnes on the other side of the counter, staring at her silently. She turned back to her food and ignored him.

Race burst through the kitchen doors and looked frantically around until he found her. He ran to her side, kneeling down in front of her, taking both of her hands in his and staring up into her face.

“Is it still you? Did he take her mind? Did he twist her? Break her?
What did he do
?” he yelled at the group behind him, still staring frantically up into her face.

Sarah grimaced and squeezed her father’s hands reassuringly. “He didn’t do anything to me dad. I’m still me. I’m just really tired. Can I take a nap? I’m about to collapse,” she said in a soft voice that didn’t sound like hers at all.

Race’s face relaxed in relief and he nodded to Zane. Immediately, Zane stood and picked her up in his arms. She rested her head against his chest as he carried her swiftly up the stairs and laid her on what had been her bed, but was now his. She closed her eyes as soon as her head reached the pillow and felt him lay down beside her, wrapping her in his arms protectively.

Chapter 13 - Body Guard

Sarah woke the next morning, alone and feeling completely normal. She sat up and yawned, reaching up high towards the ceiling. She blinked to clear her eyes and then stumbled to the shower. When she walked back out, wrapped in a towel and feeling clean and revived, she wasn’t surprised to see a pair of jeans and a bright green sweater laid out for her.

She dressed quickly and padded down the stairs in her socks to the kitchen. It was empty and as she glanced at the clock, she realized it was already ten in the morning. No one had bothered to wake her up for school.

She grabbed a bowl and poured herself some cereal, taking it to the chair closest to the window. She ate her cereal and watched the water, feeling calmer and more centered as the constant waves soothed her spirit. Her father walked into the kitchen moments later and smiled at her. He pulled her up into a hug and squeezed her tightly, kissing the top of her head.

Sarah grinned and laughed lightly. They were getting better at the hugging thing.

“I’m okay Dad.
Really.
”

Race laughed too and finally let her go. “I know. Your grandmother and Gretchen and Agnes told me everything after you went up to bed. I still can’t believe you’re here and you’re okay. It’s a miracle Sarah. We were lucky this time. Next time he’ll be prepared though,” he said, his voice losing much of its exuberance.

Sarah’s smile faded and she looked up at her dad. “He’s so cold dad. He froze me. He wasn’t even in my mind and he froze me. I was only able to move because my power took over control and worked without me even trying to. Dad, I was so scared,” she said, her voice trembling as she remembered her frantic flight from Charles.

Race frowned grimly and he looked pained. “I know Sarah. We’re going to make sure that Charles never gets the chance to get near you again.”

Sarah pulled back and sat down to finish her cereal. “I didn’t know where the lines were. No one told me. I wouldn’t have crossed them if I had known. I promise.”

Race nodded and ran his hands through his short dark hair, his green eyes glittering.

“I know Sarah. That’s our fault, not yours. From now on, we’re going to have to be very careful. We’re going to take every precaution possible. You’re never to be alone.
Ever
.”

Sarah frowned. “Dad, I can’t live like that. No one could. I have to go to school. I won’t let Charles control my life.”

Race looked at her fiercely. “Oh yes you will young lady. It’s not just your life at stake. If he gains control of you, he’ll break you into darkness. You’ll be a broken dark shell, if you even survive and Charles will have more power than he can even imagine. The first thing he’ll do is kill me, your grandmother and everyone who has ever stood in his way or denied him.”

Sarah’s mouth fell open in horror. “Do we even stand a chance?”

Race looked grim, but determined. “Of course we do. We have you. Play it safe and we’ll be fine. There’s no way he can touch you if you stay in the lines and if you take precautions.”

Sarah nodded her head quickly. “Okay Dad. I’ll do whatever you say.”

Race’s face relaxed and he looked over his shoulder. “Good. Now meet your body guard.”

Sarah’s eyes widened as she watched Zane step into the kitchen and walk towards her smiling hesitantly at her.

“
Zane?
Zane’s my body guard?” she said, turning to her dad questioningly.

Race nodded his head. “We’ll all take our turns, but Zane is the key to protecting you. Your grandmother says that Zane is the fate changer, whatever that means. Agnes can’t see it yet, but she agrees. Gretchen is worried of course. She doesn’t think Zane should be put in such a dangerous position, but Zane has willingly accepted his assignment for which I will forever be grateful,” Race said pounding Zane on the back in the universal male code of approval.

Zane and Race shared a look that Sarah couldn’t decipher. She shook her head and looked away from Zane uncomfortably. “I don’t want Zane put in danger because of me. I’ll do whatever I need to. I’ll stay by Grandmother if I have to. But I don’t want anyone hurt on my account.”

Race ignored that and walked towards the kitchen door. “Sarah, the only hope we have of surviving is you staying safe. Zane, I’ve got to leave for work. She’s in your hands now,” he said and disappeared out the door.

Zane walked over and sat down next to Sarah, taking her cold hands in his warm ones.

“Play time is over, huh?” he said softly, staring into her eyes.

Sarah looked back and shook her head. “If you can protect me, then you can protect your mom and Agnes. Take them tonight and leave Zane. Get somewhere safe. Get somewhere far away from me. Promise me,” she said hoarsely, hating the way her lips were trembling.

Zane reached up and traced her face with his finger. “It’s too late Sarah. It was too late the moment I saw you that first day of school. Just get used to the fact that you and I will be glued to the hip.”

Sarah looked away from Zane and closed her eyes in distress. “If anything happened to you Zane, I wouldn’t be able to handle it.”