Half Past the Witching Hour (Paranormal Personnel Saga #3) (10 page)

We hurried back to the lobby, then we headed straight towards the exit. I wanted to call the police, but Kelsie didn’t want to hear it. The hotel staff was running up and down the lobby as we reached the door. I stopped Kelsie abruptly when I glanced outside and saw Nathaniel come into a view. I recognised his posture in the distance, and he wasn’t alone but with his beautiful fiancée. The heat in my breast surged. Waves of new, unexpected magic came alive.

‘No. Nathaniel is outside. I can’t let him see me!’ I hissed.

My best friend peered through the glass and then back at the stairs. I gritted my teeth and felt sick, wondering if the hotel staff was safe with that psycho Craig. We both spotted two tall shifters moving up the stairs. Michael was injured, and at this moment in time I could only pray that he was out of the hotel by now.

Outside, I watched what looked like an argument. Meredith, Nathaniel’s fiancée was shouting at him. He was running his hand through his hair, pointing at the building. It looked like he was wanted to get inside. I didn’t have time to wonder what he was doing in exactly the same place where I ended up, as I was eager to get the hell out of here.

‘Ooh lala, it looks like the perfect couple is having a fight,’ muttered Kel, pressing her hand to her face, seeming to forget that only a few minutes ago she was attacked by her crazy ex.

Nathaniel frowned, talking fast and pointing at the entrance, but the beauty looked like she was having none of it. She said something and walked away, heading towards the other side of the street. Then he stood outside alone, his chest rising and falling as his eyes followed his fiancée.

‘Come on, let’s move. We can get out from the other side,’ Kelsie said, dragging me after her. In the background I heard the sirens. The police were on the way and I knew that I had to leave as soon as possible. Kelsie slid through the smaller door and soon we were both speeding down the pavement.

We got out at the street and I was waving at a taxi, praying for Nathaniel not to notice me. I was convinced that he followed me here, or asked someone to track me down. I couldn’t find any other explanation for seeing him. The taxi arrived just in time, but when I glanced back at Nathaniel, he was turned towards me. Our eyes met for a brief moment and I cursed under my breath.

‘Julia, wait. Julia!’ he shouted, but I was already climbing inside the car.

‘Twenty-four St. George Avenue. Just drive, fast!’ I shouted to the taxi driver. I glanced out the car window. Nathaniel was running toward us, but luckily the driver gathered that we were in a hurry and slammed his foot on the gas pedal, driving away.

For a short while Kelsie and I were breathing heavily. My heart was pounding away and I closed my eyes, trying to calm down. I didn’t want to look back. Nathaniel saw me running away. I gritted my teeth with a strong desire to punch something. He knew exactly where I was tonight; he had me followed. I couldn’t believe that I thought we were over. He had no reason to be in my life, to know what I was up to.

The shock and adrenaline was slowly wearing off, but once the taxi dropped us outside my apartment I wanted to scream. I looked at Kel who was pale, limping slightly.

‘Come on, let’s go inside. We need to stop that bleeding,’ I said, placing my hand on Kel’s shoulder.

‘I’ll be fine, but thanks. At least he didn’t break any of my bones, thank God.’

My head was still buzzing when we got inside my apartment. Kel was swearing loudly, calling Craig every name under the sun. Once she was done, she looked at me like she just remembered that I was in the room.

‘Julia, I hope that other shifter got out of the hotel without any trouble. Who the hell was he and how come he knew that we were in trouble?’

I had been asking myself the same question since I walked through the door.

Oh holy Christ, don’t do this to me now. I don’t think I’m strong enough.

‘His name is Michael Longbridge. He saved my skin twice already, but I have no idea how he knew that I was in trouble this time around,’ I said, taking my heels off. I felt nauseous, like I’d been rolling in a pile of dead bodies. My stomach heaved as I remembered the smell of raw flesh.

Kelsie was checking her face in the mirror, cleaning the dried blood. She was going to have a bruised eye tomorrow.

‘This is bad, really bad. Craig is in London and he is pissed,’ she sighed. ‘Fuck, I hope that Longbridge guy is all right. Craig thinks that he stands above the law.’

‘Yeah,’ I said, massaging my forehead. ‘Michael is not dead. He is our hero, and people like that don’t die.’

‘I can’t believe that he tracked me down in London. There must be another reason that he’s here, otherwise he wouldn’t have just shown up.’

‘He said something about the shifters in London, just before I—’

‘Just before you decided to kill yourself. God, Julia. You should have stayed hidden. Never get involved in shifters’ business. I know that you’re resilient and shit, but he could have snapped your neck instantly if he’d wanted to.’

I was a little taken back with the fact that Kelsie was giving me a lecture. I was only trying to help and in some respect I succeeded. At least she could have said that she was proud of me.

Kelsie was busy sorting out her battered face and I wasn’t in the mood to argue with her about my course of action. I went back to the kitchen and put the kettle on. Ten minutes later, Kelsie followed me, standing on her toes trying to see the car park from my small window.

‘I need to call Dad,’ I said, scratching my head.

‘Don’t bother, the police already know. I wouldn’t be surprised if they made some arrests already.’

‘In that case, I need to speak to him, to see what he knows about Michael.’

Kelsie agreed, but when I tried to get through to Dad, his phone went straight to voicemail. He was busy and I doubted that I would be able to speak to him tonight after all the trouble in the hotel. I thought that I’d done the right thing. If I’d left Michael to fight with Craig alone, he could have died because of me.

After a warm cup of tea, Kelsie headed to the shower. I told her that she should stay in my apartment tonight just in case Craig knew how to find her. Just before she vanished into the bathroom she stuck her head out and asked, ‘By the way, why were we hiding from that bastard?’

‘I didn’t want to see him. I think that I’d have lost it again if I had bumped into him after what I saw upstairs.’

‘His engagement doesn’t seem to mean much to him if now he is running after you.’ She chuckled.

I was too tired to say anything back. In the past week thoughts about Nathaniel had been making my life extremely difficult. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d had me followed. I sat on the bed. My hands were still shaking and the soaring feeling revolted in my stomach. I was worried about Michael. I tried Dad’s mobile a few more times, but it was still switched off.

‘Sleep in the bed. I’m fine with the sofa,’ I said to Kelsie once she was out of the shower.

‘Sure? I don’t mind being on the floor. I’m used to sleeping rough.’

‘No, you’re injured. You need to have a good night’s sleep, and if you’re going to argue then I’m taking you to hospital.’

She smirked at me and agreed to take over my bed.

There was one positive outcome from earlier on. I’d managed to call up my magic and take control over it, for at least a few seconds.

Once I was in the bathroom, my own reflection in the mirror told me that Nathaniel wasn’t planning to leave me alone. I believed that he was doing everything he could to disturb my peaceful life. We had shared some incredible moments together, but those were in the past, and I had to worry about my own future. In only a couple of months he had chosen another woman over me and that was what hurt the most.

Suddenly I felt as if someone stuck an axe in my head and just left it there. The excess magic was back roaring through me. My heartbeat was unsteady. It was close to twelve when I managed to close my eyes. I ordered my magic to stay calm, asked it to sleep, because I needed the rest. I couldn’t tell if that made any difference, and for a long moment I listened to Kelsie’s snoring before I drifted into deep sleep.

When I opened my eyes I was confused because I didn’t wake up in my own bed but in a car. Someone was speaking to me, but I didn’t recognise the voice. His face was hidden in the shadow. It was a male voice, deep and alluring, making me want to do anything for him.

I felt his hands on my neck. I wanted him to touch me, but he laughed and sat back instead. Then there was more darkness, nothing seemed clear or vivid. Just oblivion.

When the light came I found myself in my parents living room. My mother was sitting on the chair in front of me. She was screaming at me, telling me that we were going to die, crying at the same time. The strong smell of petrol was everywhere. My mind was clouded, but that deep alluring voice only laughed. It was like I was shoved into the ground and covered with mud and slowly suffocating. No one could help me, no one could take away that pressure and help me get back my own free will. Then the voice told me to light the match and burn the place down to the ground. I obeyed and the flames shot up around me instantly. And then I woke up from what seemed like my worst nightmare.

I sat on the sofa, darting my eyes around my dark living room. Sweat covered my body; my T-shirt was soaked, my breaths uneven. Thoughts and memories were rushing through my mind fast. I hissed, taking long breaths, my heart pounding away. My clock showed it was only a few hours later in the night. I closed my eyes bringing back the images of fire, my mother’s screams, and my parents’ home.

I had never in my entire life gone through a dream that seemed so vivid and real. In my dream a voice guided me, making me do things that I didn’t want to do. Suddenly I felt like a fool remembering Tron’s instructions. The Latin spell; I had forgotten about it. I should have used it as soon as I got home with Kelsie.

I found a towel on the floor and wiped the sweat away from my face. The silence buzzed in the apartment, and for a long moment I listened, wondering if I woke Kelsie up. When she didn’t make any sound, I got up and hurried to the kitchen on my toes. I filled up a glass with tap water and drank, wondering if I could just stay awake for the rest of the night. I felt trapped in my own body, petrified of what was coming. This was the second time that I’d seen the fire as Mum sobbed tied up to the chair.

There were still several hours before dawn and I didn’t want to go back to sleep. My heartbeat was slowing down, but the fear never left me. I stayed in the same position for several minutes, before I approached the window. My heart leaped in my throat, waking up my magic when I noticed a black limousine in the parking lot, right under my window. I stood there on the tip of my toes, rubbing my eyes, wondering if maybe I was still dreaming. My nightmare was careening through me, turning me inside out.

I had three options.

One, I had to wake Kelsie up and ask her to check why my ex’s limousine was outside.

Two, I could stay in the kitchen and wait until his car vanished.

Now, there was that third option, where I had to get downstairs on my own and demand an explanation. I contemplated my choices, knowing that he was here to see me again, to bring back my anguish and pain.

I chose the third option and went back to the living room, putting my clothes on fast, before I could change my mind. It didn’t matter that I just woke up and looked like crap. Nathaniel had to get over himself and vanish from my life once and for all.

As I was walking downstairs I took long deep breaths imagining what I was going to say to him. I rubbed my sweaty palms over my thighs, aware of my own roaring power. The skin all over my body started to prickle as I inhaled cold air outside. The sky was clear and scattered with stars, but the temperature was low. Goose pimples erupted on my arms.

Roberto the driver saw me first. He nodded to me but didn’t move. For some reason I felt relief that he didn’t turn around. Maybe he was here alone, and Nathaniel only sent him to check if I was all right.

I jumped on the spot when I felt a hand on my back.

Nathaniel materialised in front of me out of nowhere.

‘Julia, I didn’t want to wake you,’ he mumbled, looking unbalanced with heavy bloodshot eyes.

I stepped away from him, as the tingling got worse. Wind swept over me and heat settled between my breasts. I was quite shocked when I saw him so drunk, unlike his usual control and dominance. His shirt was hanging over his trousers, tie undone, and his hair was all over the place. He had a bottle of whisky in his hand. I swallowed hard, cursing to keep my energy in check, but my skin burned, pulling me towards him

‘What the hell are you doing here in the middle of the night?’ I demanded, placing my hands on my hips, ignoring the warmth of my own power and growing desire.

Nathaniel smiled widely leaning on the building. ‘It’s a beautiful night.’

‘For heaven sake’s, what is wrong with you? You shouldn’t be here. We aren’t together anymore and you are engaged to another woman!’ I hissed, aware that it was three o’clock in the morning and I couldn’t shout. My neighbours weren’t very fond of me and I didn’t want to add fuel to the fire.

He stared at me forever, his eyes warm, hovering over my body. Tonight his pupils were amber with shades of green. Alcohol took control of him, but I didn’t care that he wasn’t himself. I wanted an explanation. I opened my mouth to insult him, but within a blink he came to me, pushing me towards the wall of the building. His hands were on each side of my head.

Oh holy Christ, don’t do this to me now. I don’t think I’m strong enough.

I could smell whisky on his breath, but that wasn’t the problem. Nathaniel was almost touching me, his body lingering close to mine while my heart was going berserk. The air became thick and heavy as the steam from our breaths collided with each other’s. He was looking into my eyes, melting my shield with irresistible lust. God, I wanted him so much then. His scent was doing something to me. I imagined ripping off his clothes with my bare hands as he slammed inside me, outside my apartment in front of his chauffeur.

‘This engagement was mistake. I didn’t think… and oh Christ … I don’t know if I can go through with it.’

His body moved in an inch closer and my heart stopped, while my brain went over what he said. For a moment I considered brushing my lips over his, but I held on, fighting with my emotions. Nathaniel triggered my magic, which swirled around us like a tornado, crawling all over me, pumping me with lethal power. He was doing things to my body that no other man ever did, and I hated to admit, but I loved it. He didn’t kiss me or touch me, but he stared right through me, knowing that if he did, I was ready to take him.

That beautiful moment lasted for another minute before he pulled away from me, cursing loudly. My chest kept rising and falling. The air grew thick with smoldering magic. He ran his hand through his hair, turning around.

‘You have to leave, Nathaniel. You can’t keep doing this to me,’ I said quietly.

Roberto was looking at me. Our eyes met only for a brief moment before he turned his gaze away. The troll wasn’t judgmental; he was devoted to Nathaniel, so I wouldn’t have guessed what he was thinking right at that moment.

Nathaniel didn’t move.

‘Why did you run away before when you saw me?’ he asked.

‘Because I don’t want to talk to you. We can’t see each other. We will never be friends.’

‘It hurt, Julia. It bloody hurt seeing you running away from me,’ he said and walked away towards the car before I had a chance to say anymore.

His limousine drove off a moment later leaving me alone on the pavement. At the same time I was so angry, raving, charged with this excess magic, and there was no release. I took several long breaths before I went back inside.

My breaths were unsteady while my pulse kept racing. I stood outside my door, analysing everything he said, his words jackhammering through my mind.

Why did he get engaged if he wasn’t ready? Why did he come back?

His words didn’t make sense, but I knew he’d gotten drunk because of me tonight. He got wasted because I rejected him. He didn’t love me, but at the same time he obviously wasn’t too happy without me.

I went back inside my apartment, but I never went back to sleep. I lay on the sofa looking at the celling. Once my energy was triggered by him, it was impossible for me to do anything. I had to use the Latin phrase to stay clam, but I didn’t want to. Then there was that vision, the fire. I tried to recall the images, the voice of the stranger, my parents home and petrol. Tron needed to know that I had another dream. I was angry with myself, I should have been more disciplined. My mother was my life. I couldn’t bear not having her around.

Around five, somehow I managed to drift into a short sleep, but an hour later Kelsie woke me up moving in the apartment, picking up her clothes. I had no choice but to get up. My day was already screwed and I had to be at work in around two hours.

‘Morning.’ I said to Kelsie as I walked into the kitchen. She took one look at me and shook her head.

‘You look like shit.’

‘So do you,’ I replied, although Kelsie didn’t actually look that bad, despite the bruise under her eye. After the night we had she should look miserable, but she seemed to be in a good spirit. Most definitely in a better mood than I was.

‘Care to tell me why you went out in the middle of the night?’ she asked, placing a mug of coffee in front of me.

I stared back at her, startled. I wanted to lie, but then I knew that there was no point, because Kelsie always knew what I was thinking. She didn’t have any magical abilities, but she could read me so well.

‘Nathaniel showed up. He was drunk and told me that he made a mistake with his engagement.’

This was the last thing that Kelsie expected to hear. She dropped her mug. It smashed in a million pieces, spilling the coffee everywhere. I waved my hand not thinking about what I was doing and mug started to repairing itself and after couple of seconds there was no sign of mess on the floor. For a blissful moment no one said anything and I stared at my sparkling hands in disbelief.