Believe: The Complete Channie Series (65 page)

“Hello? Channie?”
The man spoke with a warm, musical accent.

“Diego?”

“Oh man, Abby’s gonna be so happy you’re back. Hang on a sec.
”
He muffled the phone and rattled off something in Spanish then said,
“I sent the boys to go wake her up.”

It sounded like a herd of wild horses over the phone as the trips raced up the stairs. A herd of Spanish-speaking wild horses.

Diego said,
“So, where are you?”

“At my boyfriend’s house.”

“You need to come home. Your papa doesn’t like your boyfriend very much.”
Channie resisted the urge to tell Diego that “her papa” didn’t like him very much either. She was surprised Daddy hadn’t killed him already and shocked beyond belief that he was in their house. “Where are my folks? I need to talk to them.”

“They’re in Blackhawk, or maybe Central City, making lots of money.”

“Figures.”

“Here’s Abby.”

“Channie? Is it really you? Where are you?”

Abby’s voice released all the emotions Channie had denied for so long. They bubbled up inside her like hot Dr. Pepper … anger, betrayal, loss. She couldn’t deal with it now. She handed Ezra his phone, stood up and walked out without saying a word to Abby.

Josh was waiting for her on the other side of the door.

When
Channie woke up in Josh’s bed, snuggled against his chest, it was dark. How long had they been sleeping? She lifted her head and glanced at the clock on his dresser. It was a little after midnight. Josh put a hand on the side of her head and pressed her back onto his chest. “Shush … go back to sleep. Everything’s fine.”

But everything wasn’t fine. A gentle tap, tap, tap on the door propelled Josh out of bed as his shield slammed over both of them. He was obviously just as nervous as Channie.

Ezra said, “I hate to bother you kids, I know you’re tired, but Channie’s parents are downstairs.”

They were both fully clothed. After Channie had quit crying, she was too tired to do anything else. And with Ezra believing their marriage was a sham, she didn’t want to do anything else. Not under his roof.

Josh waited for Channie to scamper out of bed then opened the door and pulled Ezra inside. “Did you tell them we’re married?”

“You
aren’t
married. They’re in the formal living room. I’ve already called the police, they’re sending a squad car over.”

Channie’s stomach churned, splashing acid into her throat. “Daddy’s not gonna like that.”

“The police won’t come inside unless there’s trouble. And I’m going to stay right there beside you. I’m not leaving either of you alone with them.”

Josh said, “Tell them we’ll be right down. We need to get straightened up a bit.” He ran a hand over Channie’s hair, obviously trying to smooth it down, as if that was going to do any good. “And don’t tell them we were sleeping in the same bed.”

Ezra looked at Josh as if he were crazy and said, “Of course not,” then closed the door.

Channie ripped through her hair with her fingers and divided it into thirds. “Josh, you can’t go down there. Momma and Daddy will know you’re a mage.”

He waited for her to finish braiding her hair then gave it a gentle tug and said, “I’m not letting you face them alone.”

“I won’t be alone. Your daddy’s gonna be there and the cops are coming. I’ll be fine. It’s you I’m worried about.”

“I don’t know Channie. Dad’s a brave guy, but even without magic, he’s no match for your
daddy
. And what if your parents decide to use magic? The cops can’t protect you.”

Channie took a deep breath and gripped Josh’s biceps. “Hunter can.”

“Hunter is not your husband.”

“He’s a mage. Momma and Daddy know him. And it’ll explain the magical energy I’m sure they’ve already detected. Right now, they’ll think it’s me. But as soon as I walk in that room they’ll know I’ve lost my abilities.”

“I don’t like it.”

“Me neither, but what else are we gonna do?”

“So what if they figure out I’m a mage? They don’t have to know I’m a Veyjivik. I’ll tell them I belong to the Smith clan.”

“There is no Smith clan. Besides, Momma has an uncanny ability to figure out bloodlines. Even that stupid tracker figured out who you were.”

“Yeah, but he’s my uncle. He noticed the resemblance.”

“And you think Momma won’t?”

“Does she even know what my father looks like?”

“Every mage knows what the Veyjiviks look like. The only reason no one figured it out before is because we thought you were an Empty. You have to leave. Is there a way out of here that doesn’t go downstairs?”

“There’s a fire escape ladder rolled up inside the window seat, but I’m not leaving without you. You were right. I never should have brought you back here. Let’s go to California.”

“If Momma and Daddy left Blackhawk to come find me, it must be important. Maybe they’ve heard something new about the war. I’ll find out what I can, then send them home. But you have to get out of here. And shut down our connection. Most mages can’t see someone else’s heart-bond, but Aunt Wisdom noticed ours, and Momma’s almost as powerful.”

“You’ve got fifteen minutes to get rid of them and then I’m coming back.”

“Josh—”

“Take it or leave it.”

“Fine.” She got dressed while Josh removed the screen and attached the rope ladder to the window sill. She kissed him with all the love and passion she possessed then waited for him to climb down before opening the door.

Hunter
immediately agreed to accompany Channie downstairs, even though he was obviously terrified of the prospect. No young mage in his right mind wanted anything to do with her Daddy.

When they walked into the fancy parlor, Daddy and Ezra jumped to their feet. Momma stayed right where she was, back ram-rod straight, arms folded across her chest, mouth pressed into a thin hard line.

Daddy lunged towards Channie. Ezra stepped in front of him but Daddy plowed right over him as if he weren’t there. Hunter threw his shield over Channie, grabbed her arm and jerked her out of the room.

Daddy’s voice cracked as he said, “Oh, baby girl. I’m so glad to see you.”

A sob broke from Channie’s throat as she wrenched her arm free from Hunter’s grasp and flung herself into Daddy’s arms. He nearly squeezed the life out of her, but it was a loving embrace. When he set her down and gazed at her face with tear-filled eyes, it broke her heart. Channie glanced sideways at Ezra and caught him swiping at his own eyes.

He said, “Channie, where’s Josh?”

“Um… he’s not here.”

“I’ll go get him.”

“No, I mean, he left.”

“What?” Ezra’s face flushed “Why?”

“He’s afraid of my daddy.”

Daddy’s voice sounded like the wrath of god as it echoed off the walls. “Did that boy dishonor you? If he laid so much as a hand on you I’ll skin him alive.”

Ezra said, “You need to calm down, Mr. Belks. I won’t tolerate threats of violence against my son.”

The vein on Daddy’s forehead pulsed. “That ain’t a threat, it’s a promise.”

Channie tugged on Daddy’s sleeve trying to get his attention but when he got riled up it was like trying to stop a raging bull. “Daddy, Josh did
not
dishonor me! He protected me. He came to my rescue after … after …” This was the perfect opportunity to create an alibi if Momma decided to scan Channie to determine whether or not she was still a virgin.

Ezra pulled his phone out of his pocket. Oh crap, he was going to call the police.

She couldn’t mention Harvey in front of him. He’d be sure to sick the cops on his trail and who knows where that might lead. And she sure as hell couldn’t let the cops anywhere near Momma and Daddy. She knew exactly where that would lead. “I want to go home. Can we please just go home?”

Ezra arched his left eyebrow and locked his gaze on Channie. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

It wasn’t what Channie wanted at all, but she couldn’t let Momma and Daddy get their hands on Josh. And she needed to get them out of the house before Ezra called the cops. She nodded then reached up and touched Daddy’s cheek. His energy dropped from a homicidal rage to a much safer level of annoyance.

“I want Hunter to come too. Is that okay, Daddy?”

Daddy looked at Hunter as if he’d just noticed his presence. “What are you doing so far away from home, boy?”

Hunter glanced at Channie. She held her breath and bit her lower lip. Hunter gave her a tiny nod then squared his shoulders and locked gazes with Daddy. “Somebody stirred up a heap of trouble then run off and left the rest of us to deal with it. It ain’t safe for nobody no more.”

Daddy’s shoulders slumped as he rubbed the back of his neck. “All right. You can stay with us as long you need to.” He took his hand from his neck and pointed at Hunter’s chest. “If I catch you messing with Channie, you’re gonna wish you’d never been born.”

“Yessir.”

Ezra pulled his eyebrows together and frowned as he looked at Channie. She clenched her jaw to keep her chin from quivering then said, “Tell Josh …” Tell him what? “Tell him to stay away.”

Ezra said, “I’m sorry he panicked. But please, try to understand.” He glanced at Daddy then back to Channie. “He’s only a kid. And quite frankly, your father is extremely intimidating.”

Channie said, “Just tell him what I said.”

“But—”

“You heard the girl.” Daddy put his arm around Channie’s shoulder and puffed out his chest. “Your boy ain’t welcome on my property.”

Ezra closed his eyes for a second then opened them and stared at Channie. The look on his face punched a hole in her chest that left her reeling.

He sighed and shook his head. “All right. I’ll tell him.”

It
took every bit of will power she possessed for Channie to keep from sobbing out loud as they walked to the car. Josh wouldn’t like the new arrangement but surely he’d understand why she’d done it. Ezra had no clue. He’d never forgive her.

Daddy still had his arm draped across her back. He gave her shoulder a squeeze and said, “What’s wrong, baby girl?”

The stress of the past half hour had used up the last of her fortitude. Daddy’s unexpected sympathy caught her off guard and crashed through her defenses. She turned into his side, clutched the front of his shirt and bawled like a baby. Between sobs she managed to sputter out a few words of explanation. “I … b-been … th-through hell.”