Chapter 37

“So tell me about this kidnapping and how you got away. Was it that man who followed you in here? We should have called the cops.” Clara furrowed her brows and looked angry.

“No, it wasn’t him. Although, if it weren’t for you, I’m not so sure I wouldn’t have been kidnapped again.” I pulled my knees to my chest, feeling anxious about the situation.

“Then who managed to kidnap a half sorceress/half werewolf girl? I’m sure you are just beyond powerful.”

My heart sank at this. I didn’t feel powerful. I felt weak and helpless. I wasn’t sure how I was going to resolve this situation with Theron if he decided to come after me again. Something told me he wasn’t about to give up either.

“I’m not as powerful as you might think. I didn’t know I was part sorceress until recently. My parents hid that information from me. I don’t know how to control my powers yet. Apparently, I have a half-brother I never knew about, either. He wants to kill me so he inherits the family powers. I told him I didn’t want them, but he said he didn’t have a choice.” I hugged my knees tighter. Everything would be easier if I wasn’t a sorceress.

Clara nodded slowly. “He’s right. The only way to inherit a coven’s powers is to be the first born child. If you are older than him, the only way for him to get what he wants is to get rid of you.”

I swallowed hard. “This is just really hard to absorb. I grew up knowing nothing about sorcerers and covens, and now someone wants to kill me because of something completely out of control.” My eyes felt too tired to cry, even though the emotions were building up behind them.

Clara reached over and placed her hand on mine. “I know how confusing this might be. When Ned told me his true identity, I thought he was playing a joke on me. Even when he showed me how magic worked, it was hard to accept at first. You’ll get there, though, and it’ll be more beautiful than you realize.”

A yawn slipped through my mouth, and I was having a hard time fighting off the drowsiness now that I was warmer and felt safe. “Will you teach me about the sorcerer world?” I started closing my eyes.

Clara laughed. “I can teach you what I know, but first you need rest. Let your body recover for the night. In the morning we can talk more and get you home to that boy of yours.”

I nodded my head, no longer wanting to fight sleep. It had felt like ages since I got a good night’s sleep, and my body could feel it. Clara stood up, and I readjusted so I was lying on the couch. Clara bent down and tucked the blanket around me.

“Sweet dreams child.” I heard her footsteps fade as she left, and then I was quickly out.

–

“He’s coming for you!” Moon shouted, jolting me into the dream world yet again.

My heart was pounding with fear. “Theron? How do you know?”

“I can feel him. Our powers are linked since you have the same father as him,” Moon explained. Her back was hunched, and her tail was flicking back and forth. This was very different than the usual calm demeanor she held.

“Does that mean he can find me as well?” I stood up and looked around, expecting him to come out of nowhere, but there was nothing around us like usual.

Moon nodded. “I’m afraid so.”

“Why have you never told me this before?”

“I didn’t know!” Moon brushed up against my leg. “I sensed something, but I didn’t know you had a brother or it was him reaching out before.”

“That’s how he found me.” I swallowed hard, thinking of the implications. I would never be safe if Theron could sense where I was and find me.

“I’m afraid so.”

I started walking away. “I have to get out of here.”

“You have to wake up first, dummy. You’re not going to go anywhere in here.” Moon started following me.

I continued walking. “How do I wake up?” The panic started to grow.

“Just wake up.”

“That’s not helpful.” I tried pinching my arm, but it didn’t work.

“Adira.” This voice was new but not unfamiliar.

I turned and in the distance I saw a figure a little ways away. “Mark.”

I was running towards him in a heartbeat. When I got closer to him, I slowed down. He seemed almost faded. He was standing there with his hands clenched and eyes squeezed tightly.

“I’m coming for you, Adira. Just hold on a little longer,” Mark said.

“I’m right here,” I said, reaching forward.

My hand passed right through Mark, and he didn’t move. He didn’t respond to me or acknowledge my presence in any way.

I turned to Moon. “Why isn’t he responding?”

Moon sat down next to me. “I don’t know. I don’t think he’s actually here, at least not like we are.”

“This is actually Mark, though. I can feel it’s him. It’s not my imagination.” I resisted the urge to reach out to him, knowing it would be fruitless.

“It is him,” Shadow said, appearing from nowhere. “He’s reaching out to you through your bond. I’m surprised he is actually able to reach you from so far away.”

“It’s because of her powers,” Moon added. “It’s amplifying the communication.”

“I know you can’t hear me, but I can’t lose you Adira. I thought I would be okay without you, but I won’t be.” Mark squeezed his eyes even tighter. “I can’t imagine what my life would be like without you. I know you still might choose Jori, but I just can’t lose you this way. Please, please come back to me. Please still be alive.”

I looked at Shadow. “How do I reach back out to him?”

“Think of the connection you have with him. It might work.” Shadow looked unsure.

I was unsure myself, but I had to try. Mark looked so miserable. I took a deep breath and tried to think of what Mark smelled like, the sweet scent of lilacs and honey. I thought of his warmth surrounding me and what it would be like to be near him again. Mark seemed to grow less transparent.

“Mark, I’m here. I’m fighting to come home to you.”

Mark’s eyes snapped open, and he looked shocked and confused. “Adira?”

“Adira, you have to go. You’re running out of time,” Moon warned. “You have to go now.”

“Wait.” I wasn’t ready to leave Mark. It seemed like he was right next to me, and I just wanted to touch him. I tried to reach out to him again.

Moon lurched forward and bit my leg. “Go now or it’s over.”

Everything whooshed away and then my eyes snapped open. I was in Clara’s office again. I was starting to get used to the transition from my mind to the real world, but it was still a little disorienting.

A bell rang as the front door to the lobby opened. My body completely froze, knowing exactly who had just walked through the door. I heard Clara’s footsteps moving towards the front. I scrambled to my feet and moved to the door of her office. I didn’t dare peek my head out, but I listened carefully, waiting for the confirmation I was looking for.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting any late check-ins tonight,” Clara said, her voice ringing down the hallway.

“I wasn’t expecting to be here tonight.”

My heart stopped. Theron’s voice was deep and terrifying. He found me, and I didn’t know how I was going to get out of here.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have any rooms available for tonight. You will have to look elsewhere.” Clara’s voice was firm, like it had been when she had spoken to Greg. It was completely different than the soothing way she spoke to me.

“I think it would be in your best interest to give me what I want.” Theron’s voice became menacing. “And I can see it in your eyes that you know exactly who I’m looking for.”

Clara hesitated. “I’m not sure I know who you are talking about.”

My heart was pounding in my head. Theron was able to find me here because our powers were linked to the same family tree, but could he sense exactly where I was? Did he know I was just down the hall? No, I don’t think he would’ve bothered with Clara if he did. He could have just shifted into the room with me instead of using the front door.

Glass shattered in the front room, and I had to hold my hands over my mouth to stop me from audibly gasping.

“Don’t mess with me, old woman. I will make you talk one way or another.”

Clara yelped. “Okay, okay. Let me go grab her room key. She’s not worth losing my life over.”

“Good choice,” Theron said.

My heart pounded as Clara walked back to her office. Was she really ratting me out?

Clara walked through the door and flipped on the light. She held her finger up to her lips, telling me to stay quiet. She moved over to her desk, and I watched her carefully. I was also trying to listen for Theron’s footsteps, in case he decided to follow her. Clara pulled a few things out of the bottom drawer of her desk. She then scribbled something on a sticky note.

She walked over to me and shoved a few items into my hands. I c****d my head at her, trying to figure out what she was up to. She just winked at me and left. I looked down at my hand, and there were three things in my hands. There was a key to a car, a small wooden box, and a sticky note. I read the note.

Run to the blue car when you have a chance and don’t worry about me. Get home safely for Mark’s sake. When you are ready to learn more about your powers, go to the address below. My friend will help you.

My heart raced as I read the note. What was Clara planning on doing?