AllFreeNovel
Share Us
* * *
Attraction doesn’t come any more naturally to me than any other social situation. I rarely pay mind to looks or get close enough to a person to notice their appealing attributes. However, I find myself staring at Seer for long stretches of time. I can’t help but notice the fascinating angles of his face, and how his lashes seem to caress his high cheekbones. Has he always looked this good looking, or is it just because I’m spending so much time in here with him each day? I think of unique ways to style his long shining dreads. And now, my fingers itch to get to work. I can almost imagine the coarse feel of hair against my fingers as I put the long strands in an intricate weave. I wonder what it’d feel like if I ran my hand along his aristocratic cheekbones. Would he stir in his sleep and open his eye to glare at me like Hex does? The thought brings a smile to my face. I reach out, fascinated… my fingertips graze his smooth skin.
A sharp knock on the door suddenly has me jerking upright in my seat. I quickly fold my hand into a fist, cursing the unusual curiosity that had me reaching out.
“Please, come in,” I call out in an even tone, even though my stomach seems to do some inexplicable dance. I wonder if I ate something bad… it’d explain why I’ve been acting out of sorts all day.
Hex walks into the room, closing the door gently behind him. He leans against the wall by the doorway, folding his arms over his chest. I lower my gaze from his, suddenly interested in the check pattern of my plaid skirt. Hex looks like he’s still not sure about his presence in Seer’s room, and it certainly feels like anything I say or do will be used against me.
With Hex, I never seem to get it right.
It’s been two days since the last confrontation between us, and it seems like our relationship has gotten more awkward than ever. I wish I knew the words to say to make things better, instead of this strenuous silence and unease.
“How is he?” Hex finally asks in a quiet tone.
It’s the same question that everyone who walks into the room asks, with varying degrees of hope. It’s like they expect me to have a new answer each time… And now the response seems sadly automated.
“Not much has changed.” It’s an honest reply, despite how many times it’s been repeated.
Hex nods solemnly, and silence settles between us again. He starts to leave but pauses with his hand wrapped tentatively around the doorknob.
“Fuck,” I hear him mutter before turning around to face me again. “I’m sorry, alright? I’m sorry about the other day. I shouldn’t have spoken to you the way I did.”
I feel my heart constrict with emotion, something in between relief and gratitude. I hadn’t expected Hex to apologize, but now that he has, I realize I’ve been wanting it.
“Thanks, Hex,” I say, replying with a small smile. “And I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have pushed to try the spell again after what happened.”
His eyes soften a bit. “You’re welcome, I guess,” he replies with a little abashed smile that soon turns to a solemn expression as his eyes bore intently into mine. “I’m sorry, Tory, but I still feel like I gotta know the reason you’re here?”
I shake my head at him, confused. “What?”
Hex shrugs reluctantly. “It’s just… I know we may seem like a bunch of bastards with weird psychic powers, but it’s us against the world. Pocus, Seer… These guys are my family, Tory. I know how helpful voodoo can be, but I also know how much damage it can do when used with wicked intent. I know I’ve treated you unfairly. You don't deserve that, I'm sorry. It’s just that I really dislike the idea of an outsider using voodoo on any of my brothers when their intentions aren’t clear. They’ve stabbed us in the back one too many times. We have lost too much to betrayal as individuals and together as a family. So you really can’t blame me for being too careful. You put your life on hold to come down here for Seer when you don’t even know the first thing about the man. You said it’s because Mama asked you to, but I feel you’re not being totally honest. There must be a reason you’re willing to go all this way and potentially sacrifice everything. Right, Tory?”
I look into Hex eyes and, for the first time, there’s neither judgment nor the usual contempt in those endless brown depths–just earnest curiosity.
Why do I feel like Hex would understand me despite the odd relationship that we have?
“Healing Seer is like my last test,” I mumble, dropping my gaze to my hands. “Succeeding at this test is the only way I’ll ever be acknowledged in the voodoo community as a healer. You see, it’s hard to make a name for yourself or even make something out of your skill in a community with so many restrictive rules and strict hierarchical structure.”
“My Ma, she…,” I clear my throat softly, willing away the heaviness that always settles in my chest each time I think or talk about Ma. “My Ma worked as an assistant all her life, desperately moving from one master to another, doing things beneath the dignity of a healer from a bloodline like hers. Each time they find out about her soul-searching abilities, the narrative changes. They all used her to complete one selfish task or another. Ma kept slaving in her quest for freedom, scampering for validation. Ma died without getting her wish, and I swore to do what she couldn’t. I swore never to live like her, but look at me now… I’m doing exactly what I swore not to.”
I look up at Hex with a tentative smile. “Funny, isn’t it? But you know what? While it’s true that I don’t know Seer like you do, searching his soul gives me a sense of who he is and the life he has lived. Beyond my selfish interest, I genuinely want to help him. I guess I thought the end would justify the means.” I let out a deep sigh and shook my head. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Hex remained quiet for a long time, and just as I began to feel foolish, he came to stand by my side and place his hand on mine, a gentle touch of comfort. I felt the shame disappear with his touch. I raise my eyes to him, unable to form the questions running around my head into words.
“I want to help,” Hex says quietly. “Let’s do whatever it takes to ace that damn test and get Seer rolling.”
Despite everything, I realize that I’ve found a friend in Hex.
CHAPTERTEN
Ashrill scream, mine maybe, echoes around the room. As the poison in Seer’s soul slowly fills my veins, I double over in pain. Even while using Azharus’s body as a shield, I can’t escape this excruciating agony racking my body and soul.
I need to hold out.
I need to take it all in.
I desperately hang on to the resolve I had when I made this choice. I can feel my heart racing a thousand miles per second.
