Nightmares (The Coven, Book 1) Read online

  “When I get out of here, we are going to throw a party,” Lila said.

  “Yes, we are,” Avery promised and kissed Lila’s cheek. “I have to return my dad’s car to him, but I’ll be back tomorrow.”

  Lila squeezed her hand before looking at Reid again. “It was nice to meet you.”

  Reid rested his fingers on Lila’s hand. “I’ll come to see you again.”

  “I’d like that,” she said.

  “I’ll see you guys later,” Avery said to Tina and Karen.

  Tina still looked like she wanted to hit something, but she nodded. When Avery went to walk by her, Karen touched her arm. “We’ll see you later,” Karen said.

  Avery smiled at her and squeezed Karen’s hand before leaving the room. Stepping out behind her, Reid shut the door. A sense of strength suffused her when he rested his hand on her shoulder.

  Lila would be okay; she was one of the strongest people Avery knew, and she was a fighter. Still, she felt helpless and lost as she trudged out of the hospital with Reid. The warm rays of the sun did nothing to dissolve the cold in her heart.

  “Want me to drive?” Reid inquired when they reached the car.

  Avery handed him the keys. “Yes.”

  She slid numbly into the passenger seat and her gaze settled on the clock, it was only nine thirty. They still had some time, and she wasn’t ready to go home yet.

  “They’re good friends,” she said. “Tina’s a little on edge because of everything that’s happened. Lila’s been my best friend since second grade.”

  “I heard,” he said with a chuckle. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Do you mind just driving for a little while?”

  “Not at all. Where to?”

  She turned to look out the window and noted they were close to Maple Ave. “Turn here,” she instructed.

  Reid followed her directions as she led him through a series of turns that ended in a dirt road. The patches of sunshine filtering through the thick canopy of trees overhead cast bursts of light over the car as Reid eased it over the ruts and bumps. Then the car broke free of the trees and into an open clearing.

  Avery waited for Reid to park before she jumped out and strode to the edge of the cliff. Fifty feet below, the ocean crashed against the rocky cliff face in a spray of white foam. She inhaled a deep breath of fresh, briny air before licking the salt from her lips. The ocean had always held a special place in her heart, but after last night, she felt a deeper connection to the life thriving within it.

  Maybe she imagined this connection, but she didn’t think so. When a massive wave broke against the cliff, the spray shot up so high that white specks of it floated in front of her eyes before falling back to the sea. The world had always been infinitely fascinating to her, but now she saw and felt more of it than she ever had before; it was exciting, overwhelming, and immensely empowering.

  She didn’t see the particles of air as she had last night, but she felt them grazing her skin and the flow of life within the atoms around her. Beneath her feet, the earth pulsed with a vitality that rose from her feet to spread throughout her body.

  When Reid came to stand beside her, his arm brushed hers and prickles of electricity swept her skin. Touching him was more invigorating than the strength of the sea, the caress of the air, and the pulse of life beneath her sneakers. The hair on her arms stood on end as his flesh warmed hers.

  They did nothing more than stand like that, yet she felt as connected to him as she did everything around her. After a few minutes passed, Avery spoke. “My dad kept a big part of his life, and mine, a secret from me. I believed we shared everything, but I was wrong.”

  She didn’t realize how bad that hurt, until now.

  “I don’t know why he did that,” Reid said.

  When she looked at him, the sun streaming over him turned his eyes to liquid mercury and brought out the red in his chestnut hair. Her fingers twitched as she restrained herself from pushing back a strand of hair falling into the corner of his eye.

  “Did you and the others always know I existed?” she asked.

  “We knew Julie had a child who lived with her father.”

  “What did my mom tell you about why I wasn’t around?”

  “She didn’t tell us anything. My parents once told us that your parents couldn’t work it out after your dad pursued a life in the outside world.”

  “The outside world?”

  “We don’t often leave the island,” he said. “Our parents went to college, and I guess we will too, but things are different for us, and we have to be careful. People may not burn witches at the stake anymore, but they would still fear us if they knew we existed, and scared humans are dangerous ones, so we don’t travel far.”

  Avery thought of all the places she’d seen over the years. She’d loved all those trips because she got to learn and experience new things; she couldn’t imagine being scared to do so. And for the first time, she understood a little more about why her dad had taken her away, though she was sure there was more to it than her parents had revealed.

  “Don’t you go to school?” she asked.

  “We do,” he said with a smile. “And for the most part, we blend in with the students there, but it’s an environment we’re comfortable in. There have been some incidents over the years as sometimes when we’re stressed or provoked, we can lose control of our powers, but for the most part, we’re hidden in our town.”

  “Where do you want to go to college?”

  “Probably somewhere close to home; though, Mario and Eric have been talking about California. Our parents went to college, and they got through it fine.”

  “And after college?”

  “We’ll probably all return to the island, but I’d like to do some traveling first. I want to see and photograph the world before returning home.”

  “Photograph it?”

  His smile lit his entire face and stole her breath. “It’s what I love to do and what I want to study at college. I’ll show you some of my photos sometime if you’d like.”

  She was grinning like a fool, but she couldn’t get herself to stop as she replied, “I’d like that.”

  They lapsed into a comfortable silence again. “What if you meet your wife at college and she wants to live somewhere else?” Avery asked after a few minutes.

  “I’ve never considered that, but if it happens, I’ll deal with it then.”

  “And what if your wife isn’t a witch, what will you tell her?” For some reason, she didn’t like the idea of him marrying some phantom woman, but she was curious about how it all worked with them.

  “I don’t know,” he admitted. “For the most part, our families have stayed pretty interwoven throughout the generations, but aside from Landon and Alex, no one in our coven has any romantic interest in each other.”

  Avery inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. She really didn’t like the idea of him with one of the girls she’d met on the beach, especially Sandra.

  “There are other covens out there,” he continued. “We’ve had little contact with them over the years, but we know they exist, and perhaps we could meet our spouses there. Some of our ancestors married outsiders and moved away over the years, so it’s a possibility that some of us will too.”

  “What about girlfriends? Did you tell them what you are?” Avery held her breath after asking this; she wasn’t sure she wanted the answer.

  “I’ve only had a couple girlfriends, and we were never together long enough for me to tell them anything. It’s difficult to build a relationship with someone when you can’t reveal who you are to them.”

  “True,” she agreed. “So you’ve never revealed you’re a witch to anyone?”

  “We’re not supposed to.”

  Avery thought of keeping such a big secret from her friends; she didn’t know if she could do it. “Do you think those witches who married people outside their coven told them?”

  “I would think so, but I don’t know. That’s al
l future things to figure out; I think senior year is going to be enough to worry about, don’t you?”

  He bumped her hip playfully with his, and she grinned at him. “I do.”

  Before she knew what was happening, he draped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his side. His natural, sandalwood scent filled her nose as she instinctively turned into him. Her heart thudded with excitement as his hand ran over her bare arm; when she didn’t pull away, he draped his other arm around her and held her against his chest.

  She’d never been held by a guy like this before, but it felt natural to be in Reid’s arms. When she lifted her head to look at him, they stared at each other before he bent his head and his lips grazed hers. The feel of his mouth on hers caused her toes to curl. For the first time all day, she felt as if everything was going to be all right and she had the irrational belief she’d found where she belonged.

  When his tongue prodded her lips, she opened her mouth to him. She’d been kissed before; once on a dare, twice during spin the bottle, and other times by a few overeager boys who’d fumbled through the motions. One had been so enthusiastic he’d shoved his tongue down her throat; she’d nearly bitten it off when she started gagging. That had been her last and worst kiss and was only a few months ago.

  She’d never been kissed like this though. There was no hesitance in Reid, no blundering, and no gagging as his tongue teased hers until she met it with more confidence. He deepened the kiss until all she felt and thought about was him and the way he made her body come alive.

  She wasn’t sure how long they stood entwined before he pulled away. A sense of loss enveloped her when the kiss ended, and she searched his eyes while confusion and astonishment swirled through her. When she saw that he appeared as dumbfounded by the intensity of the kiss as her, she couldn’t help but smile.

  Then he kissed her again.

  CHAPTER 13

  Landon held the crystal loosely between her thumb and forefinger as she dipped it into an herbal mixture she’d made before lifting it again. Avery watched in amazement as the crystal sparked and cast a ray of purple light over the counters and cabinets before returning to normal.

  Avery had wanted nothing to do with the crystals, but this strange ritual and the way the stones reacted to Landon fascinated her. Landon whispered a couple of words to the stone that Avery couldn’t make out. Slipping it onto a chain, Landon clasped the crystal around her neck. When it touched her skin, it glowed before dimming once more.

  “What are you doing to them?” Avery asked.

  Landon smiled as she lifted another crystal from the counter. “I’m cleansing and charging them.”

  Avery frowned at her. “You’re what and why?”

  “Charging them. It helps to enhance their inherent powers, makes them easier to work with, and dispels negative energy. I’m using salt water, lavender, and the sun to do it.” She waved her hand at the sun streaming through the kitchen window and onto the white bowl with the mixture inside. “We’ll teach you how to do it later.”

  “Okay,” Avery said, but she wasn’t so sure.

  “Throughout the centuries, all our families have collected and handed down stones, crystals, and gems, and it’s important to cleanse them often. Each of us has our special stone that helps enhance our abilities; this one is mine.” Landon grasped the stone on her necklace before waving at the assortment of crystals spread across the counter on a velvety, black cloth. “Those all belong to your family and you. They’ve been locked away for years; I told your dad I’d get them ready for you to use.”

  Avery rested her hip against the counter and gazed at the assortment of stones. They were beautiful with their various colors, but seeing them caused some of her resentment to return. There had been so many secrets in her family.

  “How do you know which crystal is yours?” Avery asked.

  “The crystal finds us, and yours will find you too.”

  Avery resisted rolling her eyes as she pointed at Landon’s necklace. “What kind of crystal is that?”

  Landon touched the purple stone. “This is an amethyst. It helps ward off evil sorcery and calms its wearer. Would you like to know what the other crystals and stones are?”

  Avery glanced at the array spread out before them. It was a little daunting, but she supposed she had to start somewhere, and she couldn’t say no when Landon looked so excited about the prospect of teaching her.

  “Okay,” she answered.

  Landon beamed at her before walking over to touch a deep blue gemstone hanging in the window. “This is a sapphire. It exudes gentleness, peace, and helps clear your mind. This one”—she touched a pink crystal—“is rose quartz. It helps bring love to your heart and keep it near.”

  Landon lifted a milky white stone next. “This is a moonstone. It brings the moon closer, protects its wearer, and inspires love.” Reaching over, she touched a cluster of orange crystals. “These are calcite. They amplify any magical vibrations they come in contact with.”

  Avery tried to memorize what Landon was saying, but she had a feeling she’d be asking what they all were numerous times before it all sank in. She’d have to get a book on them; she’d always learned better when she could read and absorb the knowledge for herself.

  Landon stopped in front of a crystal the same blue as Avery’s eyes. The stone was clear, unmarred, and about the size of a baby carrot. It hung from a delicate silver chain, tarnished with age. Landon’s face filled with wonder as her fingers grazed the beautiful stone.

  “This is the crystal of rarity. It’s the only one in existence; I didn’t even know such a thing existed until your dad brought it out. He said it’s been in your family for generations, and that it helps get people through times of trouble. It also brings forth all of the elements—”

  “Elements?” Avery interrupted.

  “The four elements are earth, air, wind, and fire,” Landon said. “They are essential to life, used in spells, and we draw strength from them. They are always to be respected and used wisely.”

  “Understood,” Avery said when Landon gave her a pointed look.

  “We’ll teach you more about them and how to use them as your powers and knowledge grows,” Landon said.

  “Okay,” Avery said. “What exactly do you do with your powers?”

  “Mostly small things,” Reid said.

  “And only good things,” Landon said. “Abusing your powers can have consequences.”

  “Such as?” Avery asked.

  “If you do dark things with them your soul becomes blacker. The deeper you spiral into that darkness the more it eats away your soul until you’re left with nothing.”

  Avery gulped at this.

  “We don’t use our powers to gain things for ourselves,” Landon continued. “I mean, I’ve used them to find my car keys and to escape an annoying conversation, but not to pass a history test or win the lotto. Those kinds of selfish gains are different and have consequences.”

  “The coven tries to do good,” Reid said. “We once saved a pod of beached dolphins. We have a strong affinity with nature and try to do a lot with it, but we don’t use our powers often.”

  “Why not?” Avery asked.

  “We don’t want to be discovered,” Landon said. “We don’t know what would happen if we were.”

  “I see,” Avery murmured.

  Landon rested her hand on Avery’s shoulder and squeezed it. “I promise, we’re not evil and we don’t use our powers to summon the dark lord or anything like that.”

  “I didn’t think you were,” Avery assured her.

  Landon released her shoulder and focused on Avery’s crystal again. “The crystal of rarity also helps call upon the dead and open portals between worlds.”

  Avery was so focused on the stone that it took a minute for Landon’s words to penetrate. “Worlds?” she blurted.

  Landon gave her a kind smile. “There are many different levels of existence, such as physical and spiritual.”<
br />
  “Are you saying there are ghosts?” Avery asked.

  “There are spirits,” Landon said. “And we can communicate with them. Though it’s tricky and often the dead prefer to be left alone.”

  “So do the living,” Reid muttered, and Avery cast a look at him over her shoulder.

  “So do the living,” Landon agreed.

  “And these spirits reside on other worlds?” Avery asked.

  “Some of them do,” Landon said. “It might make it easier if you think of them as planes instead of worlds. There are thousands of other planes existing alongside ours. As the living, we can enter some of them, and sometimes the occupants of them can enter our world too, but for the most part, they never cross.

  “However, nothing ever truly dies, and the souls of those who have passed on need somewhere to go when their bodies fail; those worlds are where they reside. Witches have especially powerful planes as they often take some of their magic with them when they perish.”

  Avery gawked at her. She’d received too much information in the past couple of days to make it easy for her to absorb this. “I see,” she mumbled, not knowing what else to say.

  Landon gave her a sympathetic smile as she patted Avery’s hand. “I know this is all overwhelming right now, but it will get easier, and we’ll help you get through it.”

  When Reid came to stand beside her, his chest pressed against Avery’s shoulder. “Beautiful color,” he said as he touched the crystal of rarity before his eyes met hers. “It might help Lila.”

  When he dangled the crystal before her, Avery couldn’t tear her eyes away from it. Entranced by its brilliant color and swirling depths, she reached out to touch it. Before her fingers connected with it, the crystal sparked and swayed toward her. Avery jumped back and collided with Reid.

  He rested his hand on the small of her back as he steadied her. “It’s okay. Try again,” he encouraged.

  Avery cast him a doubtful look, but she stretched a shaky hand toward the crystal once more. It swayed toward her and sparked again. Without thinking, her hand clenched around it and warmth flooded her palm. The crystal’s blue light oozed from between her closed fingers to dance across her face.