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Overhead, the magical barrier that protects our town flashes with a brilliant light, the fractal patterns illuminating the darkened sky, drawing Delilah’s and Aspen’s gazes to the sky. Strings of light stream down from the barrier, connecting to each witch in the coven, and they all stand.
The strings reach out, connecting everyone together, including Mel, and leaving Aspen out. The threads bind us, making each of us stronger, just like they did when we faced the huntsmen.
My heart races, the frustration and anger of days of failure and being bullied boiling inside me. “No one cares about your stupid circles, Aspen! We just want to learn magic and live in peace!”
The wand in my hand splinters apart, and I drop the shattered remains to the ground. “We don’t need your rules! We need each other, and Mel is a better teacher than you will ever be.”
Lightning cracks overhead, and the skies open, dumping down rain.
RUMBLES
Rain beats down, drenching us, and thunder rumbles from the dark clouds that hang over the garden.
Fists clenched with anger, I glare at Aspen, daring him to continue his tirade.
Haut and Ros run over, Ros rushing to help his sister to her feet, his auburn hair plastered to his head. “Everyone, get into the house!”
As the others gather their supplies and head inside, I remain where I stand. It feels like taking my eyes from Aspen will release him to continue spewing garbage.
Then Haut steps between us with a growl, his large body breaking the spell that holds me frozen.
Aspen shakes his head, his gaze rising to the sky once more, but the storm clouds block the view of the barrier.
He glances back at me, his lips parting, but Haut’s growl cuts him off. “Rowe, get inside and dry off.”
I glance around to find the garden empty, the tables cleared and the evidence of the wand-making now gone.
With a last look at Aspen, I turn and trudge toward the house, my unicorn sneakers squelching the entire way. The poor things might not survive this newest soaking.
Inside the house, I pass Tris hurrying down the stairs, his arms loaded with towels. Everyone else stands in the kitchen, dripping wet as they use paper towels to dry their grimoires and ingredients, the unexpected rain having drenched them.
Their quiet murmurs follow me upstairs to my room, where the rain pounding against the windows drowns them out. The rapid tap of water against the glass grows louder, and a scratching sound joins the racket, coming from the walls.
My pulse quickens with fear, and I cover my ears, the wet strands of my hair tangling around my fingers, but I can’t block out the incessant noise.
Dropping my hands, my fingers curl into fists, and I march into the closet, determined to discover the source of the sound. I climb up on boxes to grab the string for the access door. The ladder slides down, and I climb up into the attic.
The rain pounds even louder up here, beating against the roof, and the scratching noise vanishes.
Unable to hold back my frustration any longer, I stride to the stairs that lead to the widow’s walk and step out into the downpour. Instantly, I’m soaked to the bone, my sweatshirt heavy and dragging at my shoulders.
Up here, all of Hartford Cove stretches around me, the forest on one side, the town on the other, and the ocean flowing into the horizon. Here, I can be alone, the storm drowning out the rest of the world.
I tip my head back, and rain drops beat down on my face. Dark clouds boil overhead, nature raging over our house. An answering rage fills me, and I tip my head back, screaming at the roiling clouds, releasing all the anger, frustration, and fear that’s been brewing inside me.
The rain whips my cheeks, mingling with my tears, and hitting my tongue with the taste of ozone.
Chest heaving, I lower my head, letting the rain wash over me until the deluge lightens into a soft mist.
I wipe the water from my face and turn toward the attic door, only to jump in fright when I find Mel standing there, her clothes plastered to her body.
She smiles as she walks toward me. “Feel better?”
“A little.” In truth, I feel drained, all the emotions that were roiling through me now gone, with nothing but exhaustion left. “I’m surprised it’s you and not one of the guys coming to collect me. Didn’t you learn your lesson last time?”
“I asked them to let me speak to you first.” She stops a few steps away. “They made me promise not to let you fall off the roof.”
That pulls a smile from me. “That’s what the railing is for.”
