Page 6 of Which Witch Is Wicked?
“Really,” she pressed. “I’ll be back in thirty minutes or less.”
“Okay, but take one of the fabric bags I made. It won’t suffocate the plants like plastic will. There are some in the garage.”
“Sure,” Claire said with a smile. Anything to appease her sister. “See you soon.”
She stopped long enough to snag a bag from storage and headed straight for her bike. She didn’t need the other two tossing out opposition for her going alone. It wasn’t as though they could all do a spell together anyway should something bad happen. If they did, they might end up busting open another disastrous seal, bringing them that much closer to the Apocalypse. Whatever came her way, if anything, she’d handle it alone.
If she died trying? Well, then all their problems were solved, and her sisters could live a peaceful life without her. In all reality, it might be worth the sacrifice.
The anticipation of having heated power between her legs left her giddy. She zipped up her leather jacket and straddled the beast she’d secretly named War. If she couldn’t have the man, she’d settle for this magnificent machine. Her bike was more trustworthy anyway and didn’t have a desire to bring about her death.
As she backed out of the drive, she spotted Aerin frowning at her through the window. She gave her a quick wave as Aerin leaned out and then shifted her bike into gear, letting a spray of gravel kick up behind her. She knew her sister had a few choice words to say, but damn it, she needed freedom.
Warm sun soaked through her black leather and caressed her shoulders. She inhaled, enjoying the feel of her hair flowing behind her. She should have grabbed the helmet from her room, but there hadn’t been time. Besides, with the end of the world resting on her shoulders, she had more important things to worry about.
She constantly flicked her gaze to her rearview mirror, very aware of anyone or anything that might have followed her as she headed up the hill. So far, nothing. Those Horsemen, as tough as they liked to think they were, couldn’t be everywhere at once. So, she’d take the gift of aloneness and enjoy the hell out of it.
She parked her bike in the camping area at the Fort Worden State Park and hid it among the large pines before hiking her way to the bluff overlooking the bay. Soft yellow grasses danced in the breeze coming off the water as a few fluffy clouds drifted across the blue sky. She found the wild blueberries exactly where Tierra had said, and she bent, cutting them with a pocketknife she’d found in the house.
Someone had carved curious runes on the blade, and she’d received a weird, electric vibe from it when she’d picked it up. So, she’d claimed it. It wasn’t like Tierra would bother tracking a knife anyway. She’d already explained that whatever was in the house belonged to all four of them. Family heirlooms, so to speak.
Weird, that. Having a family, having sisters who loved her and watched her back. It was a feeling she could definitely grow used to. Their love and acceptance conjured a warmth inside her that had nothing to do with her power.
With her task completed, Claire turned to retrace her steps toward her bike, but halted instead. A small red fox blocked in her path, staring at her with beautiful gray eyes. Claire inhaled a surprised breath, not sure if she should be afraid or not.
Suddenly, a steady stream of energy filled her like she’d not experienced before. Powerfully intense, but filled with love and compassion. On some unknown level, the fox reached out to her, and she wanted to respond in kind.
“Hello,” she said as she crouched to its level. The fox lifted its slender nose, sniffing the air. Claire held out a hand to indicate a desire for friendship.
The fox hesitated and then stood, its white-tipped tail unfurling behind it. With cautious steps, it approached. Claire waited while it sniffed her, its black leather nose wet against her fingertips. Then it rubbed its face against her, its fur warm against her hand.
“Oh…” she said on a sigh, delighting in the shared energy. She had the distinct impression he was a male.
“You are adorable.” She ran her fingers down the flame-colored fur on his back and over his huge fluffy tail.
You’re mine.
The thought came to Claire on the breeze, and she tilted her head. “Did you say that?” Foxes couldn’t speak, any more than…
You’re mine, and I am yours. The fox stared deeply into her eyes, sending a shiver racing over her.
She was well-accustomed to familiars by now. Each of her sisters had theirs. Tierra loved Jinx, the typical black cat famous in the lore for accompanying witches. There was Cheeto, of course, Moira’s sweet little pig, and Aerin’s bat, Lecter. Claire had just assumed the goddesses hadn’t granted one to her.
But now…maybe so.
Claire stood and took several steps toward her bike as she glanced over her shoulder. The little fox trotted after her, his tail waving as he walked. She stopped. He stopped. She continued until she reached her bike, and he followed her the entire way.
As she straddled her motorcycle, the fox walked in front of her, stopping inches from her front tire. He glanced up at her as though to inform her she wasn’t leaving without him. His gray eyes held steady until she laughed.
“Well, come on then.” She patted the seat in front of her.
He didn’t hesitate to race forward and jump. His back claws found purchase on her jeans as he climbed his way onto her seat. He settled his warm body between her legs and laid his head on her thigh.
“I’ll be damned,” she whispered, petting him between his ears. “Hang on tight…Kai.” The name popped into her head. Kai, Scottish forfire. Perfect for a fire witch’s red fox.
She started her bike and headed toward the house. When she was a block away, a cloying, depressive feeling clouded her. She couldn’t go home. Not yet. She needed more freedom. More time with her little fox, and he seemed to be doing just fine riding on her bike.
Instead of going home, she headed toward the outskirts of town where she could open up the throttle and really fly. She infused her engine with fuel, skipping down the middle of the road, passing cars if they moved too slow. Kai gripped her with his claws, but not hard enough to hurt, and she was careful not to do anything drastic that might cause him to lose his seat.
