Page 85 of Untraced Magic
Ocean spray brushed my face as a gust of wind caught it, causing me to shiver. I swiped at its dewy residue.
He tugged on my hand. “Trust me.”
Tyler walked us towards a cave that came into view as we got closer, leading me inside. A dampness filled my lungs as darkness swept over us. Squinting, I let Tyler lead the way, my eyes slowly adjusting to the lack of light.
“It’s just up here,” he said, pulling me deeper into the cave.
Wet sand squished beneath my shoes from a recently retreated tide, and my heart lurched against my ribcage, barely able to make out his silhouette in the dim light. It took every effort to focus my attention on him.
Pushing himself up onto a low ridge, Tyler extended his hand to me.
The hesitation in my tone clung to the dank walls. “Are you sure about this? If the tide comes in, we’ll get stuck here.” I rubbed my arms uncomfortably.
His voice came from just above me. “The tide is on its way out. It won’t be back in for hours.” He spoke with a confidence I needed to hear. “I’ve got you. Trust me.”
I breathed in cool air, weighing my options. “You’d better be right,” I muttered, taking his hand and letting him pull me onto the slippery rise.
We clambered over uneven rock through a gap, until moonlight spread over us again, a narrow path leading us down to an intimate beach. The sky’s reflection stained the water a deep ink, and it reminded me of one of my favorite colors that I commonly used to paint the night sky. It was devastatingly striking.
In the distance, a group of people sat on some logs in a circle, a pile of smaller driftwood in the middle. Colton’s large build and blond hair stood out from where we emerged, and I realized it was Tyler’s group of friends who I was now starting to think of as my own, as well.
Tyler slowed, placing a hand on my arm, the other laced through my fingers. “Are you okay… with this?” he hesitantly lifted our hands between us.
A smile broke over my face as I read between the lines.
“I guess they’re going to find out sooner or later.”
His lips brushed my forehead, then pulled away, gleaming down at me. I couldn’t help but grin back, a giddy, stupid grin, before we continued down the beach, hand in hand.
“There’s the birthday girl.” I recognized Colton’s voice instantly, seeing him waving at us as we walked closer.
“Hey, man.” Tyler clapped him over the shoulder in greeting.
Skye approached us. “Happy birthday eve,” she chimed, smiling as she pulled me in for a hug. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she whispered forcefully in my ear, giving me thelook.
I laughed nervously. “Thanks. I didn’t really know how.”
She pulled away, a smile on her face. Then she randomly hugged me again as if giving me a sisterly nod of approval.
“Happy birthday, Morgan,” Reid said from across the circle, lifting his beer in the air in a toast.
“Thanks. It’s actually tomorrow,” I corrected him. “Not that I’m counting down or anything.” I was certain the entire group knew my circumstances and what midnight would most likely bring. The reality was, I had no idea how I would feel after tonight, and how my magic may affect me. One last night of just being me and nothing more felt cause for celebration alone.
Wes nodded at Tyler before his gaze shifted to me, lifting his hand in a wave. “Happy birthday for tomorrow.”
“Would someone get the girl a drink? It’s her birthday!” cried Scarlet from where she sat perched on one of the large logs.
Colton rummaged through a cooler and, flipping the lids off two bottles, he placed them in his pocket. “Great way to see in a new year,” he remarked, handing one to me and Tyler.
I took a drink. “Thanks. I didn’t even know this place existed.”
Colton’s gaze moved behind me, focused on the mountains that surrounded the cove.
“Have you heard the story of Old Man Cutter?” he asked, his blue eyes wistful.
I recalled the comment Skye had made, something about the strange radio station.
I nodded. “Skye did mention something about him, yeah.”
