AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Hex studies my face for a few awkward seconds. He snorts and looks away. “You really are different, aren’t you? It’s like you have no filter at all.”
I consider trying to explain myself, but I’ve learned early that it doesn’t always go how I hope it will.
“You’re exceptional, Victoria.”My Ma used to say. “Not very many people would see that. The only few who do know are the special ones. Hold them dear.”
Ma was right… She always was.
People like Hex would always see me as weird and different, but that’s okay. It doesn’t make them bad people.
“It’s fine,” Hex says, breaking the awkward silence that’s settled between us once more. He gestures toward the empty wooden swing. “You can have your seat.”
“What about Cassandra?”
“She excused herself a few seconds ago, but not before telling me off for being mean to you. Strangely enough, she seems to like you.”
“Why’s that strange?” I ask him after sitting down. “Is it because you don’t?”
Hex shrugs. “Did you want something?”
He didn’t deny not liking me. What an odd character, though. I find myself kinda liking him.
“I might have found a way to help Seer wake up.”
Hex sits up straighter. “What? Really?”
“Yeah.” I take out the book I’d hidden in the folds of my skirt and hold it out to him.
Hex’s brows deepen into a frown. He takes the book from me and reads the title out loud. “Dark Rites of the Ancient World. What’s this?”
I take the book from him and flip the pages until I reach the page I bookmarked last night. I return the book to Hex, pointing out the underlined part.
“I came across a ritual in there that can bring Seer back to consciousness, but it requires more than one healer. I remember you said you were a healer through hoodoo. So, I thought….”
“So, you thought I’d practice dark sorcery with you?” Hex interrupts in an incredulous tone. He waves the book rudely in my face. “Summon the god of Azharus with the potent blood of ones who know the way of roots. What the fuck is this?!”
I jump slightly in fright at Hex’s booming voice. “Listen to me. I….”
“You want to use sorcery on Seer? I knew it! I fucking knew there was something suspicious about you. Was this your plan all along? How dare you?”
Flustered, I can’t get my words out. “I….”
“Listen to me, if you think you can come around here and….”
“Shut the fuck up and listen to me for once!” I snap, surprising even myself. I’ve got his attention, so I can’t stop now. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you being so defensive?”
“Defensive?” Hex scoffs. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Is this your way of appeasing your guilt? Is that why you’re so antagonistic to everything I do? Are you trying to make up for something you did to Seer?”
“Wh… What?” Hex stutters. “What do you mean what I did to Seer?”
“I know you played a part in his accident. I felt the pain and sadness you caused him in his soul. Do you know how hurt he was?”
It’s Hex’s turn to look lost and confused. “I…,” he runs a hand through his hair in frustration. “God, fuck!”
“We’re running out of time, Hex,” I say more gently. “Every second we waste going back and forth, Seer drifts further into himself. You want him back, don’t you?”
“You’re damn right, I do.”
