Chapter 137
Heather
Since Luciana always dressed conservative in her long skirts, it made me want to wear my funkiest outfit. Instead, I decided to pretend to be the good little bruja. I wanted off coven land more than I wanted to antagonize her.
Claudia lent me a floral dress that tied at the waist. It brushed the tops of my knees, so it wasn’t long, but it wasn’t short either. I even braided my hair into two pigtails. I slipped on some flip-flops and checked myself out in the mirror. The outfit gave me a girly, innocent vibe.
I met Claudia, Raphael, and Daniel in the kitchen. "Ready?" I said to them.
"Sure. But if things start to go south, let me handle my mom."
I narrowed my gaze. "It’s not going to go wrong. This plan is genius." Okay. So maybe I sounded a little more sure of myself than I actually was, but confidence was more than half the game. At least, that was going to be my assumption. Hopefully that was partially correct.
We walked to Luciana and Daniel’s house and knocked.
"Yes." Luciana opened the door. "Is there something you need?"
I wanted to grind my teeth, but instead, forced myself to relax and give her a sweet smile. Or what I hoped was a sweet smile. "Tia Rosa came to visit yesterday and invited me over to her house. Lessons with Daniel haven’t been going that well—I seem to not be getting a handle on things—and she offered to help. But I’d have to go to her house."
"Rosa hasn’t stepped foot on the compound in over twenty years. You want me to believe that she was here? Yesterday?"
I tried not to show my shock. She hadn’t been here since before my abuela died? "I don’t know why she’s stayed away, but she came to talk to me. You said I was to come here to learn the ways of the coven, but I seem to be having a bit of a disconnect." She started to speak up, but I talked over her. "It’s not Daniel’s fault. He’s been really patient with me, but it’s not working. I think Rosa can help. May I go?"
Her eyes narrowed and I swore I could feel my cousins tensing on the steps behind me. "I’m going to need to call her. Wait here."
Claudia started whispering. "Shhh," I said. I wanted to listen in on the conversation.
I closed my eyes and focused on the sounds in the house. Luciana’s steps as she walked along the old hardwood floors. The push tones rang out as she dialed Rosa’s number.
"Hola," Rosa said as she answered.
"Rosa." The venom was thick in Luciana’s voice..
If I didn’t already trust Rosa, I would then. However Rosa had gotten away, I wanted that for the rest of the coven.
"Ah. Luciana. I’m surprised it took you so long to call."
Take that, Luciana.
"You were here?" There was a touch of shock.
She thought I’d been lying. I guessed that made sense. If I were less than honorable, I would’ve tried to break away from the coven ground on day one, but a deal was a deal. No matter how hard it was to keep.
But I guessed that just made me stubborn. Or stupid.
"Of course. You have my great niece. Holding her hostage. Such poor form, even for you."
"You know you’re not supposed to come here."
Oooh. There was dirt there. I couldn’t wait to find out why Rosa was supposed to stay out of the compound.
"And yet, I did. How did you find out I was there?"
"That’s beside the point."
Ha! Rosa for the win.
"Heather asked you for permission to come see me." Rosa paused, and when Luciana didn’t say anything, she continued. "I suggest you grant her request. Unless you want me to come back—"
"No. I’ll grant her request." A beep sounded.
She’d hung up on Rosa.
Holy shit. How had she gotten Luciana to bend so quickly? There was definitely a story I needed to hear.
The front door swung open before I could think much about it.
"You’re allowed to go to Rosa’s and back. Nowhere else. You’re allowed no phone calls. And you’re absolutely not to go anywhere near any of the dogs. You’re here to give the coven a chance and if you fail to honor our deal, there will be consequences. If you’re not back on our land before sunset I’ll consider you in breach, and the coven will be forced to take measures."
I nodded. "Understood." Too bad she didn’t know that as soon as I was off the coven’s ground, I didn’t need to call Brent to talk him. The idea that my bond would be back in a few minutes had me giddy. I could barely keep myself from doing my own version of the happy dance.
I forced myself to walk, not run, to my car. Luciana’s gaze was practically boring a hole in my back.
"She’s not casting anything, right?" I said under my breath to Claudia.
She glanced back quickly. "No. But she looks mad as hell."
I couldn’t afford to glance back. As soon as I was in the car, I let out a sigh of relief. Claudia got into the passenger seat, and Daniel and Raphael got into the back.
I started the car and slowly drove through the gates. The bond snapped back with such a force, my vision went black for a second. I couldn’t see. I slowed the car, and then I heard Brent yelling in my mind.
What’s going on? Where are you going? Are you okay? Damn it! Answer me! Brent said in a rush, not letting me get a word in.
Calm down. I’m fine. I’m going to Rosa’s.
I’m on my way.
You can’t. We’re not supposed to have any contact. I’m here for a reason and I don’t want to fuck it up.
He was quiet for a long time, but I could feel him there with me. His longing and pain. He was sad. Depressed. It made me rethink this whole staying apart. I was here for a reason, but was it really worth the cost?
Brent wasn’t in the cage anymore, but I barely had to touch the bond to sense he wasn’t doing well. His hunger gnawed at me.
Are you eating? It was my turn to ask the question.
I miss you.
I guessed that was answer enough. Me too.
I took a turn a little too fast, and everyone in the car reached for the oh-shit bar.
Careful, cherie.
I got it. I got it. I just couldn’t help it if I was more than a little anxious to get to Rosa’s. I wanted answers, fast. It was one thing to know that Brent wasn’t doing well. It was another to feel it. I had to wrap this up before my mate lost it.
Hey. Why don’t you go see what’s in the cafeteria? I’m sure there’s something really good.
I know what you’re doing. I’m okay. I’m heading that way. I just didn’t eat enough while I was in the cages.
But you’re doing okay now?
I’m doing better. I’ll be fine. Just get what you need done, and come back to me.
Okay.
I wanted to be there for him, but I couldn’t be. Instead of turning straight toward St. Francis’s like I wanted, I started down the road toward Austin. The car was a little too quiet, so I turned on the music.
"What’s this? Above and Beyond?" Daniel said from the back seat.
I looked in the review mirror. He was smiling, and seemed to actually be enjoying it. "Yeah. How’d you know?"
"I download their podcast every week. Makes for a good Friday, you know?"
"Yeah." I glanced back at him again before focusing back on the road. "I know exactly what you mean."
I just didn’t expect him to feel the same way I did.
It made me wonder, if things had been different and Brent didn’t exist, would I have given him a shot? He wasn’t a bad guy. He’d been really nice when explaining all of the magic stuff, and as much as I wanted to hate him, I didn’t. I’d actually had fun with him.
Heather. Brent’s warning growl came through the bond.
I couldn’t help but laugh. I was just wondering. But that didn’t happen—you exist. So it’s a moot point. Don’t get upset.
Don’t make me come over there.
Don’t threaten me with a good time.
He laughed and it made me smile. For a second, I felt okay. I could get this all figured out.
I turned up the music and pressed on the accelerator, passing a few cars in the process.
As soon as I got to Rosa’s, I’d have some answers.
This might all work out.
I hopped down from the car in front of Rosa’s house. Her flowers were still bright and blooming. Her happy plants made me wish I knew how to garden. Mom had given me an orchid once and I’d killed it dead in days. Needless to say, me and plants were not a good combo.
The door swung open before I reached the porch.
"I didn’t think I’d see you quite so soon, but welcome, mijita. And I see you’ve brought some others."
"Yes. I hope that’s all right."
"Of course. Come in. Come in." She stepped away from the door, motioning us in. "Claudia. It’s been too long." She embraced her, muttering endearments in Spanish. She did the same with Raphael.
When she turned to Daniel, she paused, grabbing his hands. "I’m glad your mother hasn’t influenced you."
Daniel sighed. "She is who she is."
"Yes. And you’re not responsible for that. She’s been going down this road since long before you were born. Don’t take it on yourself."
Daniel blinked a few times, and nodded.
I turned away, wanting to give him privacy as Rosa pulled him into an embrace.