“I wish she were here. I would have loved to meet her, and I think she would have made a great ally.”
Derrick climbed to his feet and tugged the collar up on my coat, then he tucked the edges of my scarf inside to block the cold. “Sophie would have adored you. This trip would have started differently too. My mother hasn’t been the same since her death. It’s not fair, but I think you remind her of Sophie a little.”
“How so?”
“You’re both free spirits. You look at the world differently than most, and you’re harder to control.”
I bumped his elbow. “Don’t say it like it’s a bad thing.”
“It’s not. But in a way, I know how my mother feels. I’m not making excuses for her, but it’s that loss of control that’s so difficult. She couldn’t protect Sophie or control what happened to her, and it’s changed her. When you feel helpless, you’ll do anything to regain a feeling of certainty, and I think for her, Isabelle represents that certainty.”
My heart twisted. It made sense. I was different and unexpected. If Cynthia was holding on to past promises and memories with everything she had, then my presence was the wrench in her plans. The magic didn’t help either, and it probably only brought up more terrible memories.
“You may be right. It would explain why she loves Isabelle so much. We couldn’t be more different. Look at her—how does she spin like that without a single hair falling out of place?”
“Maybe it’s a wig,” he deadpanned.
I snorted and nearly fell over before I’d even made it onto the ice.
After putting on his skates, Derrick took my hand and led me onto the frozen pond. I yelped and grabbed his arm in a death grip as my feet slid in opposite directions.
Witches on skates were a terrible idea.
“If I hear one laugh from you, I’m taking you down with me. I will curse your feet, and you’ll never skate again.”
His lips wavered, but he held it in, keeping my curses at bay—for now.
“Relax. You’re doing great. Now, get your bearings, and when you’re ready, push off with your right leg. I got you.”
Slowly, I loosened my handhold, swaying then over-calculating in the opposite direction. Derrick countered the move and kept me upright.
“This is fun for you, isn’t it?” My voice wobbled along with my legs.
“You’re a natural, Tessa!” Edward sailed past, pushing his spectacles up on his nose. The action sent him off-kilter, but he recovered enough to circle back. He raised his arm when he spotted Lila approaching the pond. “Are you here to join us?”
Bundled under layers of fur, Lila shook her head. Her face was pale, and there was a jittery movement to her hands. “No, I’m looking for Richard.”
“We haven’t seen him. Maybe he went into the village with Harold? They should be back soon.”
Lila frowned, and her gaze scanned the trees in the distance. “Possibly. If you see him, tell him I’d like to speak to him. It’s freezing out here—I think I’ll go inside and wait.” She gave a half-hearted wave then headed back toward the house, but before she reached it, she veered down another path leading around the side of the manor.
What a curious woman. There was obvious tension between her and Richard, and she often wavered between vacant indifference and agitation. I watched her until she disappeared, then spun on my skates so I was facing the opposite direction. Not even a wobble. My balance was perfect. I grinned at Derrick.
“Did you see that?”
“Good job! Now, see if you can push off and do a simple glide.”
“All right.” Using my right leg, I bent slightly at the knee and pushed off with my skate. My arms were straight out like bird wings. I was positive I looked ridiculous, but I didn’t care. I was skating, and it felt amazing.
I attempted a turn, making a wide arc when I spotted a hooded figure leaning against the shed. The man was watching me, his shadowed gaze tracking my every move. Startled, my arms swung, and my right skate went out from underneath me. I landed hard on the ice, my tailbone screaming in pain.
“Tessa! Are you okay?” Derrick winced as I struggled to my feet and wiped ice crystals from my backside.
“There was someone by the shed, watching me.”
He turned to look, shielding his eyes from the sun. “Are you sure? There’s no one there.”
“Yes, I’m sure! Whoever it was wore a hood, and I couldn’t see his face, but I could feel his eyes on me.” I pointed toward the spot, but Derrick was right: it was empty.
