Page 60 of Hot in Witch City
I laughed. "We're off to a good start.” I cocked my head. “And I’m glad because you’ve been good at doing the same for me whenever I need it most.”
Three people were swimming laps, but the end lane was empty. Although my mother had assured me that I wouldn’t now sprout a tail once I entered water, a part of me remained wary.
Fortunately, Sebastian was a shifter, so he wouldn’t freak out like a typical human, yet there were a few here. And likely video cameras.
Perhaps, I should have warned him in advance, just in case.
No, I was worrying about nothing. I’d taken a bath, and nothing had happened. I doubted that a much larger version full of chlorine would be different.
We walked down to the shallow end. I took a deep breath and shook off any remaining hesitation.
Then I climbed down the ladder. The pool was heated, which was much more welcoming than the cool ocean. Once my feet were on the bottom, I turned to face Sebastian.
He backed away, eyes wide with terror. "Never mind. I don't think I can do this."
"You can,” I encouraged. "Don't think of anything except following me.”
“I’d follow you into a volcano, Gianna.” He gulped, his face a mask of squeamishness. “But… this is much worse.”
I offered my hand. “Don’t think about anything but taking my hand.”
After a few seconds with his eyes closed and lips moving as if more of that internal pep talk, he popped them back open and fixed his gaze on my face. He bent down and squeezed my hand like he wouldn't let go, his face contorting with turmoil.
"Now just come stand beside me. The water is warm. It will barely reach your waist. You will be absolutely fine,” I reassured him. “You can hold my hand the entire time."
He clutched the ladder as he climbed down. As he descended into the pool, his body trembled. He froze and climbed back out.
"Sebastian, don't leave." I touched his calf. “You’re doing great. Just take my hand.”
He froze on the ladder. "I'm afraid.”
I felt for him. I convinced him to come here, and he was terrified. Maybe this was a stupid, selfish idea. We’d gotten this far, though, so I opted for one more push.
"There's nothing to be afraid of, Sebastian. I'm here I won't let anything happen to you. Just come to me."
I rubbed his leg, trying to soothe his fears. "Come to me," I crooned, putting my intention behind the words the way my mother had explained.
"You're doing something, aren't you?" He asked.
"Just assuring you that there’s nothing to fear."
He breathed hard. "Whatever you’re doing is helping.” After several more seconds, he said, “Okay, I'll try once more."
Sebastian descended a step. I kept my hand on him.
"That's it," I encouraged. "Just one step at a time."
He continued to descend and then moved away from the ladder.
He glanced around. "Ahh!" It came out as a high-pitch shriek.
He flapped his arms around, splashing the water like a duck on crack.
I touched his shoulder. "It's okay, Sebastian. You can stand."
He floundered around, expression terrified until his feet met the ground and he stood upright. "Oh." He glanced around, face reddening. "I feel like an idiot. You must think I'm a fool."
I looked around the pool. All the swimmers were in the midst of a lap. Whatever sounds he'd made must've been masked by the water.
