Cursed In Love (The Adams' Witch Book 2) (16 page)

I scooted over on the bed and pat the space next to me. He sat, his head propped up by the headboard. I squeezed his hand. “We’ll find her.”

His shoulders stiffened and his jaw ticked. “We better, or I’ll never forgive myself.”

“It wasn’t your fault. If anything it was mine because I was the one there with her.”

His eyes narrowed, but he still didn’t look at me. “I shouldn’t have let her go to the party at all. I should have told her no regardless of the fact that she may have hated me afterward.”

That could’ve worked, but Jennie
would
have hated him. And she obviously wasn’t one to let go of things that easily. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’d never talked to him again if he pulled something like that with her. “We can’t change the past. I guess I just thought it wouldn’t really happen to her. Part of me still thinks this happened to Courtney because of the role she played with Mother Shipton.”

“If only she’d had her full powers. She’d have been able to help herself then.” His fists tightened. “Damnit.”

“That’s not your fault either.”

He looked toward me then, a brewing thunderstorm in his green eyes. “But it is, Sarah. It’s my fault.”

I recoiled slightly. “What do you mean?”

“The reason Jennie hates me, the reason she never told you she had a brother, I took her powers.”

“What?” My screech reverberated around the room.

His sorrow-filled gaze moved to the blanket at the end of the bed. “Jennie got mixed up with the wrong guy. One of my now ex-coven members. He convinced her to do things she shouldn’t have done and as punishment, both their powers were stripped.”

My hand flew to my mouth. “Oh my God.”

“I didn’t want to, but I was the new leader of the coven. I couldn’t let my sister get away with something like that just because she was my sister.”

I closed my eyes and imagined how Jennie felt after her brother did that to her. How terrible. But what could she have possibly done to warrant something that bad? “I thought you said witches that do terrible things are predisposed to doing things like that? But it’s Jennie. She’s not evil.”

He shook his head. “She’s not. She can be a little cruel sometimes, though, and she thought she was in love with the guy. She was impressionable, young, so she went along with the things he did. He was the main culprit. He only used her for things he knew she was capable of, but things I don’t think would’ve ever came out if it wasn’t for him.”

“What did she do?” I whispered.

Travis shut his eyes tight and the muscles in his face jumped. “Jennie has a mean streak in her, but Jax, the asshole, intensified it. To get his way, he had Jennie torture them. She had an ability to get into people’s heads and make someone see whatever she wanted them to. It was just her nature. So, he objectified that and pretty soon, she was in his victim’s heads and making them see terrible things. Things that weren’t really happening, but the witches thought they were. So, she didn’t really do anything to them physically. They only thought she had.”

What a cool and terrifying ability. To be used for good, it would be amazing, but for bad—terrifying.

“I was only trying to take that one power away from her, but her other magick must have been linked to it because I ended up stripping her just like Jax. She’s never forgiven me.” His voice broke, but he maintained composure. “All I ever wanted was for her to forgive me. And I need that chance, Sarah. We need to find her.”

“Of course you’re upset. She’s your sister.”

He shook his head and locked his gaze with mine. “You haven’t gotten it yet, have you? I was just as torn up about stripping Jax. He wasn’t my blood brother, but he was like a brother. We were in the same coven. Family isn’t just the people who you are related to, it could be anybody.”

“I guess I never thought about it like that. To me, I’ve always just wanted my family back the way it was supposed to be. My mom and my dad. Who else do I have if I don’t have them?”

“You have Jennie and me, and you still have your mom. And throughout your life, you’ll add certain people to the list that when you meet them, you’ll know they’re family. You’ll just know. Even if you’re not related to them. Even if you don’t share blood with them. You’ll just know. And they’ll do anything for you, and you’d do anything for them. That’s the definition of family. My real family is my family. My coven is my family. You, too. Whether anything more happens between us, I’ll always be there to protect you.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Sleep hadn’t come easily for Travis or myself. We tossed and turned on his bed, never speaking, but most likely thinking about the same things. He got up every once in a while and went downstairs to check on things. His father was out searching and once day hit, Travis would take over for him. So far, they’d found nothing. No leads, no evidence, no Jennie just spontaneously showing up. As the night wore on, it was more and more evident in my head that she was involved in the whole Natural-kidnapping thing. Part of me had hoped that she’d just passed out in the woods somewhere and we’d be able to find her quickly. No such luck.

Poor Jennie.

Poor Travis. He’d just woken from one of his fitful spurts of sleep. His hair was all over the place and his skin was pale and sallow. His eyes met mine, and I swallowed. All the cockiness I’d ever seen him muster was gone. One-hundred percent not there anymore. It was as if I were looking into a shell.

He sat up and kissed my forehead. “It’s early, but I’m heading downstairs anyway. Not like I’m going to be able to sleep anymore.”

I pulled myself up, too. “I’m right behind you.”

I followed Travis down the stairs. The kitchen was bright and full of energy. Mrs. Shaw was in there cooking again.

Travis walked up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. “Did you sleep at all?”

She waved him away with a quick wrist movement. “I’m fine. Is Sarah there with you?” She looked back over her shoulder and smiled when she caught my eye. “Great. I’ve just finished some eggs, and the bacon is done, too. Have a seat at the table.”

Travis looked from the table to the front door. His mother sighed. “They’re not back from the last round yet. You have time. Sit your butt down.”

I covered the lower half of my face to hide the smile. Travis noticed anyway and gave me a stern look, which only succeeded in making me smile even wider. He shook his head and his mother served us like she was a housekeeper and we were ritzy guests. Travis looked perplexed, but after spending last night with her, I understood her reasoning. If she wasn’t busy, she would be idle, and idle wasn’t the best thing for them right now. That was probably why Travis hadn’t got much sleep.

Halfway through breakfast, the sun started to break through the haze of fog and light up their small dining room. Travis’s mom had joined us by then and he did his best to make small talk with her. I did, too. After pushing her half-eaten plate out of her way, Mrs. Shaw put her hand over mine on the table. “I was really happy when Jennie and you became friends. She’s had—” Her gaze shifted to Travis for a split second, but then she continued. “—a rough patch. Ever since you guys became friends, I feel like I’ve had to worry about her less.”

I smiled. It was such a nice thing to say. Such a motherly thing to say. Did my mom even notice Jennie and I were good friends? Would she even notice if Jennie stopped coming over? Highly doubtful.

Travis was right. Family didn’t have to be who you were stuck with by blood. It could be anybody. Even though we were so different in more ways than one, Jennie and I had bonded. Sure, she had magick powers. I didn’t. She grew up in a great family. I didn’t. None of that mattered when it came down to who you cared about. She’d been there for me even when she hadn’t even known me all that long. She’d stuck by me and helped me save my mom and tried to help me save Drake. Who did that without barely knowing one another? And what the hell was I doing right now? Nothing. Just stuffing my face with eggs her distraught mother made.

The sun streaming in from the windows silhouetted Travis and left shafts of light on the table. I wanted to get out there and do something to help. With Travis around though, he’d never let me.

Travis gave me a curious glance as plans solidified in my head. I couldn’t stay here and be like Jennie’s mom and just wait it out. I needed to be out doing something. I owed it to Jennie. And to Travis.

I squeezed her hand back. “I feel the same way.”

I pretended to jump and then reached for my cell phone in my back pocket. I pulled it down and frowned at the home screen. “My mom wants me home. She’s mad.”

Mrs. Shaw looked sympathetic, but Travis’s eyes narrowed. “She’s mad?”

“I don’t usually make a habit of not coming home at night.”

“You didn’t text her that you were with me?”

I raised my eyebrows defiantly. “And that would’ve somehow made it better?”

His mom chuckled. “That would’ve made it much worse, Travis. You have no idea what goes through a parent’s head when they have a teenage girl. It’s absolutely terrifying.”

I rose from the table and Travis followed. “I don’t think you should go home. What if something happens?”

The shadows on his face almost had me convinced to stay. Almost. “I’ll be fine. I’m not what anyone is looking for and if I’m gone, your family can fully concentrate on what’s important…and that’s finding Jennie.”

Travis turned to his mom and grabbed the edge of the table. “Mom, I don’t think this is a good idea.”

My stomach clenched. He looked truly terrified. His mom touched his hand. “She needs to be with her mother. She’ll be absolutely fine. You made her that necklace, didn’t you?” She eyed the stone that rested below my throat. “No one’s getting through that and you know it.”

Travis dropped me off at my house and we promised to text each other throughout the day. He gave me sidelong glances throughout the short ride and even asked why I was doing this. I clumsily answered something like, “So you don’t have to worry about me.”

His hand had clenched the gear shaft then. “I’m going to worry about you more now. I’m here to protect you.”

I’d covered his hand with mine. “I’m going to be fine. I promise.”

He’d even walked me to the door. I was relieved Mom was home and was actually there when the door opened. She’d even spoken when she saw me, which helped my case even further. “I’m so glad to see you.”

I smiled back at Travis as if it was some sort of proof that she had texted me. I was almost beginning to think he was buying it. He kissed my cheek and then turned away. His plan was to meet up with the rest of his family. They had moved on to searching the outskirts of Adams, performing locator spells every mile or so hoping to get a bead on where Jennie was.

When the door closed behind him, Mom eyed me. “You spent the night with Travis?”

“Yes, but not like that.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and looked down. “Then what is it like because it sure does look like you guys are really close.”

“Mom. It’s one of those things you don’t want to know anything about. I wasn’t doing anything with Travis I shouldn’t be doing. It’s other things…”

Her gaze locked with mine. She must have seen sincerity there and truth because she nodded. “Anything I can help with?”

“Yes. If I don’t come back in an hour. Tell Travis I went to talk to Courtney’s cousin.”

“Sarah…”

I waved away the uncertainty on her face. “I just promised Travis I’d meet him later and if I don’t show up, he’ll want to know where I went.”

Moments ticked by. Mom didn’t move. Her chest raised and lowered as I waited to hear what she’d say. Finally, she took a step toward me and gathered me in her arms. “This feels like the other time.” She squeezed and a tremor raked her body. “You come home safe.”

When I pulled away, her eyes were glassy. I took a step toward the door and picked the car keys up off the table there. “I’m going to need to borrow your car.”

She nodded once, and I left without another word so she wouldn’t have time to take any of it back. I was halfway to the car when I heard the door open. I picked up the pace.

“I love you, Sarah.”

I froze mid-step. My breath hitched in my throat and I whirled. I hadn’t been imagining it. It was Mom who spoke. I smiled. “I love you, too.”

I gave her a slight wave and then ran to her little red sports car. I started it and then gunned the engine toward Courtney’s house. I wasn’t sure what the hell the plan was, only that Courtney was the first girl to go missing and therefore, Jennie going missing had to do with that. It was where this all began. Maybe they knew something we didn’t? They sure as hell didn’t trust us. If they knew Jennie had gone missing, maybe they would trust us. Or at least me. I wasn’t a part of the weird power club. What kind of threat could I be?

When I turned into Courtney’s driveway and peered up at the house, I was reminded of how odd her family was. She’d been one of the only normal ones in her family, which was saying something since she was a Natural. Her mom was the typical Wiccan guru you might see in a magickal shop. She sometimes wore bandanas and her hair was always frizzy and curly. I hoped she wasn’t around. I was actually looking for Andrew. Travis and he had come to a truce. Maybe I could play off of that.

A little girl answered the door almost as soon as I knocked. Her gaze traveled up from my shoes and then all the way to my eyes. “I knew you were coming. But I thought you’d look different.”

Courtney’s little sister? She seemed to take right after Courtney’s mother in the ridiculously weird department so it was the only conclusion I could come to at the moment. I smiled. “I’m looking for…”

“I know. He’s right…” She paused for a couple seconds. From an outsider, it almost seemed as if it were for dramatic effect in a movie or screenplay. “…here.”

Andrew walked through the large entryway to my right. He touched the little girl’s hair. “You know you aren’t supposed to do that around Normals.”