Page 45 of Hex Appeal

Women scream. Someone jumps backward.

“Hey!”

“What the hell?”

“Welles!”

I keep going until the flames disappear. Completely. Silence. A cloud of white hangs over what remains of the fire.

I lower the extinguisher. Six women stare at me. One looks impressed. Two look horrified. At least three look pissed.

Valerie looks like she might kill me.

“What the fuck?” she demands.

I don't care. Because Serena is standing ten feet away from me. Safe.

“Welles?”

I drop the extinguisher. Three strides and I'm in front of her. My hands go to her shoulders.

“Are you okay?”

She eyes me worriedly. “Yes.”

“Are you hurt?”

Her eyebrows pull together. “No.”

“Did you breathe in smoke?”

“Welles.”

“Are you sure you're okay?”

She catches my face between her hands. “I'm fine.”

I stare at her. I need to see it. Really see it.

No burns. No blood. No fear.

She's fine. Thank God. She’s fine.

Her expression softens. “Welles, we were having a bonfire.”

I look over her shoulder. At the smoking remains of whatever I just extinguished.

Then at the women surrounding it. One of them is still holding a cocktail.

“A bonfire?”

“Hexes for Exes.”

I blink.

“What?”

“It was our girls' night.”