Big Witch Energy - Kelly Jamieson Page 0,18

“In fact, we are a bit batshit. But we really are witches.”

Romy moves her head slowly from side to side. “That’s insane.”

“So here’s the thing,” Cassie says gently. “You are part witch too, Romy.”

Romy’s eyes bug out again. “What?”

“You’re half witch, half Rucker,” Joe says. “It doesn’t happen very often; relationships with nonwitch people are discouraged. There are rules of magic that make relationships like that difficult.” He sighs. “I guess for the best, as I learned. Like I said, I was young.”

“Almost certainly you have some witch powers,” Cassie adds.

“Me?” Romy barks out a laugh. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Have you never felt… different?” Cassie asks.

Romy’s mouth snaps closed and she falls silent.

“I’m sure if you think back on your life, you’ll recognize some moments… especially once you’ve been educated on the rules of magic.”

“Magic. Educated.” Romy stares. “Educated how?”

“We’d love to teach you,” Joe says. “When witches turn sixteen, they go to the Academy to complete a Diploma of Witchcraft. Since you didn’t do that, you can get a WED—Witch Equivalency Diploma. You just have to pass the exam.”

“You could move in here,” Cassie says, leaning forward. “And live with us while you’re studying.”

“I don’t even know you!”

Cassie sits back, a hurt look on her face.

“I mean, we just met,” Romy says. She may think we’re all bonkers, but she still doesn’t want to insult us. That’s actually kind of sweet. She stands, her eyes a bit wild. “I have to go. This is bizarre. You’ve been very nice to me, but I think it’s best if we just go our separate ways.” Her smile is tight, but she’s making an effort to act normally even though I can read the fear in her eyes. She’s probably afraid we’re going to kidnap her and drink her blood or something and is trying to make a quick getaway. “I won’t tell anyone about this.” She backs away, waving her hands. “Don’t worry about that.”

“Wait, Romy, you need to know…” Joe stands. “You can’t tell anyone.”

She twists her fingers together. “I just said that.”

“Seriously. You put lives at risk if you tell a Rucker.”

Her eyes widen and her lips part. She’s fucking terrified. I shoot Joe a frown.

“Oh my god,” she murmurs. “I have to go.”

Joe steps forward. “Wait… I’ll drive you home—”

“No! That’s okay!” She bolts from the room.

We all look at each other.

“Should I go after her?” Joe asks.

“I think she’s scared,” I say. “Maybe not right now.”

Felise and Magan slump. “Damn,” Felise mutters.

“That didn’t go well,” Magan says with a sigh.

“It’s understandable,” Cassie says. “Put yourself in her place.”

“I know.” Felise pouts. “But we’re such great people. It’s hard to understand why someone wouldn’t want to be part of this family.”

“I can understand it.” Magan rolls her eyes.

One corner of my mouth lifts. “Maybe she needs time.”

Everyone nods.

Joe’s shoulders are hunched, his face wearing a pained expression. He’s been through this before with someone he cared about. I hate seeing him like this.

What can I do? Anything?

I stand. “I… think I know where she might be. I’ll go talk to her.”

“Okay.” Cassie rises and comes to me for a hug. I give her a squeeze. “Thank you, Trace.”

“G’night.”

Outside, the heat of the day has dissipated with a cool breeze rustling the trees in the dark. I walk down the sidewalk to where I parked. I don’t have telepathy, but I’m pretty intuitive. So I get in my car and drive to the Singing Horse.

I enter the dimly lit bar to music playing, voices chattering. Pausing at the door, I sweep the room with my gaze. It lands on Romy, sitting at the bar by herself, a glass in front of her, head bowed. The light above gleams on her dark hair, and her wilted posture tugs at something inside me. She was so happy earlier… meeting her new family, charming them, clearly thrilled to be part of it all. And now… she looks so dejected.

I walk toward her.

8

Romy

I take another sip of whiskey. This stuff’s not bad. All I ever drink is wine and beer and the occasional fruity cocktail. But I felt I needed something stronger tonight.

Am I losing my mind?

I had a few glasses of wine over the course of the evening at the Candlers, but come on. I wasn’t that drunk that I hallucinated what I heard. Or did I? Nobody in their right mind would say something like that.

Not just one person said it. They all said it. Including Trace.

Felise and Magan… okay. I can see