Blood Rush (The Lost Witch Trilogy #2) (22 page)

Gretchen reached across the table and took Zane’s fist in her hand. “Honey, calm down. The fact is you
are
here. She
is
safe. And for whatever reason, Lash needs to be here too. Let’s give him a break and another chance,” she urged.

Zane snorted and looked up at the ceiling. “How is this protecting Sarah?”

Race stood up and held his hands up. “It’s settled Zane. Everyone wants Lash to stay, even Sarah. Let’s accept it and move on. We’ve got enough on our plates as it is. Now I had thought that it would be a good idea for me and Sarah to be on our own at my house. I now think it’s better if we stick together as much as possible. Zane, Sarah needs you to be near her as much as possible. For the power you give each other and the protection only you can give her. As her father, I’m telling you if you take advantage of the situation, I don’t care how powerful you are, I’ll take you outside and whip you. Understand? Now I’m exhausted. Tomorrow’s a new day. Let’s all get as much rest as we can.”

Zane’s face broke out into a grin. “We’re roommates, aren’t we?” he asked happily.

Lash glared at Zane and shook his head. “No way.”

Race pointed his finger like a gun at Zane, making his happy grin fade to a polite smile.

“Like I said, you take advantage of my daughter and you’re dead,” he said and walked out of the room.

Sarah’s mouth hung open as she turned from staring after her dad to look at Zane’s sparkling eyes.

Gretchen shook her head at her son. “Baby, it’s not worth it. Race really will kill you. Be smart,” she said, but leaned down and kissed his head before walking out of the kitchen.

Agnes laughed and walked out, dragging Lash with her. Zane and Sarah were left staring at Francis who was studying them with a worried frown on her face.

“I don’t approve of you sharing a room. I’m sure you’re aware of that. Sarah you must know that even though your power comes from God, the amount that you have is based on your control and your purity. Don’t be stupid.”

Zane glared at Francis, sitting up straight in his chair. “
Purity
? We love each other. I’d die for her. I know I told you that I’d wait until we’re married, but what if something happens to one of us. I think we should be able to express our love to each other now in whatever way we want to because who knows what will happen tomorrow,” he said, his eyes glowing.

Francis shook her head at him and raised a long bony finger to point at him. “Would you take her power for your own selfish desires? Would you put her at risk? There’s power in innocence.”

Zane frowned in confusion. “Would getting married weaken her power then?”

Francis shook her head. “Of course not. There’s power in covenants too. It’s not about virginity Zane, it’s about virtue. She’d be even stronger then. But she’s not ready for marriage and neither are you and you know it. You’re too young. Keep your hands to yourself and keep control of your hormones or I’ll feed you to the sharks,” she said, letting a smile slip out quickly.

Zane lowered his head to his arms and Sarah watched as her grandmother slipped out of the kitchen, leaving them completely alone. She knew she was blushing bright red but she couldn’t help laughing at Zane’s predicament.

“We can do it Zane. I’ll control myself, if you control yourself.”

Zane lifted his head. “It’s been hard enough to keep my hands off you up until now. Sleeping in the same room with you is going to kill me. I honestly don’t know if I can,” he said, sounding seriously worried.

Sarah laughed softly and stood up. “Well, sleeping wrapped in each other’s arms is probably out. I enjoyed that
way
too much. I’ll go find Agnes and see if we can fit another bed in the room. And no kissing while we’re lying down. I know if I start to kiss you, I won’t want to stop. I think we’ll be okay as long as we have rules.”

Zane frowned and lowered his head onto his arms again. “This is going to be hell,” he muttered.

Sarah laughed and stood behind him to massage his shoulders. “If being near you every day is hell, then I never want to leave,” she said, leaning over and wrapping her arms around him from behind. She rested her head on his shoulder and felt warmth and peace flow between them. She knew she was giving him as much as he was giving her and smiled as she felt his muscles relax.

He pulled her arm slowly around until she was sitting in his lap. He cupped her face in his hands and stared at her tenderly. “You’re right. Let’s enjoy every moment we have together,” he said, leaning forward and kissing her.

Sarah frowned and pulled back. “You make it sound as if we only have now. Tell me the truth Zane. Be honest. Do you think Charles is going to take me?” she said, searching his face.

Zane’s eyes became shuttered and he took her hand in his, opening her palms to look at her scars. He raised them and kissed each palm tenderly. “Your grandmother thinks he won’t stop trying either until he’s successful or we’re dead or he’s dead. I think good will conquer in the end, but I’m not underestimating him. I have faith in the future, but living every day like it’s our last, might be wise too.”

Sarah swallowed and looked down at her hands and knew Zane was right. “Let’s go first thing tomorrow and get married,” she said with a smile.

Zane tilted his head back and laughed. “I turn eighteen in December. That’s only a month and a half away. If we can make it alive until then, I say you got yourself a date,” he said with a happy grin.

Sarah relaxed, loving the carefree happiness on Zane’s face. It reminded her of the first day she met him. So much had changed since that day. “I think I just proposed to you and you accepted.”

Zane laughed and stood up with her in his arms. “Have I ever mentioned that I love feminists?”

Sarah held on tightly as he carried her up the stairs to their room. She wasn’t surprised to find a bed already waiting for Zane. The room was small, so her bed was pushed up right against the window now. Zane sighed heavily.

“You better give me a good night kiss quickly, because I’m going to have to chain myself to my half of the room,” he said, looking at Sarah’s bed longingly.

Sarah hurried to his side, leaned up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her at the same time he pulled her up on her toes. Their kiss was short but intense and Sarah had to push against his chest. “Zane, I know my grandmother is probably standing at the end of this hallway. Let’s get some sleep,” she said.

Zane’s arms relaxed around her and she pulled away. She hurried into the bathroom and brushed her teeth and got ready for bed. When she opened the door, the room was dark and Zane was breathing evenly. She hopped into bed and pulled the covers tight up to her chin. She smiled in the darkness towards Zane and knew that she’d be able to sleep like a baby. Having him so close by, she’d never felt so safe.

She sighed happily and closed her eyes. A few minutes later, she felt a strange pulling sensation and opened her eyes sleepily. She was still lying down, covered by blankets, but she wasn’t lying on top of her bed anymore. She was floating above her bed and she was now moving towards Zane. She smiled and rolled her eyes to herself.

“Zane, put me down you goof. I really don’t want my dad to skewer you and then watch my grandmother call up crazed sharks to feed on your flesh.”

Zane tried to sound as if he were still asleep. “This is sleep magic. I can’t control myself. My subconscious is doing it.”

Sarah laughed and felt herself being lowered next to Zane. She punched him in the shoulder and stood up immediately, moving out of his arms and back toward her bed. “Come on, I don’t want to have to visit my dad in jail once a month. Now good night,” she said in a firm voice.

Zane groaned and turned over on his side away from her. “This is torture,” he muttered.

Sarah laughed and tucked herself back under her covers. “I love you,” she said softly, not wanting him to ever forget it.

She could hear a smile in Zane’s voice as he answered back. “I love you too Sarah. Good night.”

She went to sleep minutes later, dreaming of a large white wedding. Zane was in a black tuxedo and she was in a simple white dress and there were flowers everywhere. Gretchen and her dad stood beside them smiling while Francis and Agnes sat down in the audience, smiling happily. She handed her bouquet to Gretchen and turned to face the minister. Zane leaned over and kissed her cheek, whispering his love for her. But as she focused on the man marrying them, she felt her smile slip down a few notches. It was a tall blond man, holding a black book, but it wasn’t a bible. It was a book dripping with dark red blood. Sarah gasped and stepped back, coming up against someone. She turned and saw Mason standing behind her, grinning evilly down at her. She screamed for Zane, but he was no longer there. She was all alone in a small room with Mason and Charles and they were both pulling on her. She screamed as she felt herself begin to tear in half.

Sarah woke up gasping, being shaken by Zane who was now sitting on the edge, calling her name frantically.

“Sarah! Wake up. Wake up sweetheart,” he urged her, over and over.

Sarah stopped screaming and covered her mouth with her shaking hands and burst into tears. Zane wrapped her in his arms, and rocked her back and forth as someone began pounding on their door. Zane stayed where he was as her father pushed through the door, breathing hard and turning on the light. He rushed to the side of her bed and pulled her out of Zane’s arms, scanning her face and body for injury.

“What is it? What happened?” he demanded.

Sarah tried to speak, but sobbed instead, leaning towards Zane. He pulled her back, into his arms instantly.

“We’ve been asleep for a couple hours and I woke up just now to her screaming. She sounded like someone was killing her,” he said sounding freaked out.

Sarah shuddered and tried to get control. She finally turned and looked at her dad. “It was a nightmare, but it wasn’t. It was too clear for a dream. It
felt
too real. Zane and I were getting married, but Charles was there, and Mason came up behind me and then we were in a room together and they began pulling on me. Mason wanted me for himself and Charles wanted me for himself. They pulled on me so hard that I ripped down the middle,” she said, feeling her whole body shake in reaction.

Race lowered his head, as his breathing slowed down to normal. “Yeah, that would make me scream too honey. I can soothe your mind if you’ll let me and you’ll be able to sleep peacefully with no dreams the rest of the night.”

Sarah sniffed and nodded, knowing she didn’t want any more dreams.
Ever
. Race reached over and put both his hands on either side of her head and closed his eyes as he concentrated. Sarah felt a deep lethargy spread through her limbs and all the excess adrenaline leave, causing her eyes to droop and her head to lean back against Zane’s chest. She felt Zane lay her down and cover her up and was asleep before her father left the room.

Chapter 17 - Cousin

Sarah woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and better than she had in days. Her dad was either an amazing healer or sleeping so close to Zane had recharged her completely. She glanced over at Zane’s bed but realized when she heard the shower where he was. She stretched and cuddled back down in her blankets while she waited for her turn.

Zane came out of the bathroom, wearing a white t-shirt and black jeans; his hair still wet and slicked back. He looked so good, Sarah’s mouth went dry and her smile disappeared.

Zane’s happy smile at seeing her awake, faded too. “Don’t look at me like that Sarah. I’m only human,” he pleaded.

Sarah looked away and closed her eyes. “It’s your fault for looking so good,” she said, pouting.

Zane looked like he was in pain and quickly left the room. Sarah had taken a shower the night before, but she wanted to look nice today, so she took time with her hair and makeup and clothes. She walked out wearing a skirt, leggings, boots, and a silver long sleeve t-shirt. She might as well look and feel good if she was going to live every day like it was her last.

She ran down the stairs and into the kitchen to find everyone there eating waffles and bacon. She grabbed a plate, surprised her dad with a quick hug, kissed Agnes on the cheek and went and sat next to Zane who was arguing with his mom about going to school.

Sarah took a bite as she felt Zane’s hand reach out and squeeze her shoulder. She smiled over at him as he slowly looked her up and down. Words came into her mind,
Are you trying to torture me even more? You look amazing. Have some pity though and stick to sweats and the natural look.

Sarah rolled her eyes and grabbed another piece of bacon. “So we’re going to school today?”

Gretchen smiled across the table at her. “Yes. We need to keep you safe, but having a normal life is important too. You kids still need to graduate and hopefully next year this will all be over and you’ll be at college. So in the meantime, stay alive and keep your grades up,” she said with a wink and stood up with her plate.

Zane waited until his mom walked away and then looked at her. “Where do you want to go for college?” he asked curiously.

Sarah finished her bite as she thought about it. Before, she’d only thought of colleges far away from her aunt. But now, the world was pretty much open to her. She’d like to go somewhere warm where there were fun things to do and see.

Zane smiled. “Me too.”

Sarah frowned. “I don’t think I’ll be able to surprise you with anything. You’ll already know.”

Zane shrugged, passing her the syrup. “True. We’re just more and more connected. Did you feel it this morning? When I woke up, I felt like a million bucks. I have tons of energy and I can tell I’m stronger. Just from being near you all night long. It’s amazing. What about you?”

Sarah nodded, noticing her dad staring at them. “I feel strong again and just yesterday I was half dead.”

Race walked over and held his hand in front of Zane and then looking curious, held his hand in front of Sarah, closing his eyes for a moment.