Legend of Witchtrot Road - By E.J. Stevens Page 0,4

vice grip. Cal’s wolf must have shown in his eyes because Jared trembled behind me. Jay wasn’t as perceptive.

“Why should we do that?” Jay taunted. “What are you gonna do about it? Spray us with patchouli or chant some heathen prayer?”

Jay smirked and puffed out his chest. I saw the wild beast stalking him behind Cal’s eyes, but apparently Jay was clueless. He stil seemed to think that they were winning. I would have felt bad for him if he wasn’t such a jerk.

Cal may have had the upper hand, but I was worried about him nonetheless. He had gained an amazing amount of control over his wolf spirit in just a few short months, but that didn’t mean that he had mastered it completely. If Cal became too enraged, his wolf spirit could take over and he would transform. Cal could risk exposing his secret and jeopardizing the pack’s safety. All to protect me.

I wasn’t about to let that happen. I had been the one to accidental y cal Cal’s wolf spirit during the homecoming dance a few months ago and I stil hadn’t total y forgiven myself. Cal had begun to transform and it was only with the help of our friend Emma that we managed to escape the school grounds without anyone discovering his secret.

Unfortunately, not everyone made it through the experience unscathed. Cal had shifted completely into his wolf form while stil inside Emma’s car. When we tried to get him out of the car and into his parents’ cabin, he broke his foreleg, or rather his arm. That was when we learned about Emma’s mad healing skil s and Simon’s surprising loyalty to Cal. If it hadn’t been for Emma and Simon, I’m not sure if Cal and I would have survived that night.

We had al been spending a bit too much time together lately, but I never wished for Emma and Simon’s company as much as I did right at that moment. Cal may be able to save me from these bul ies, but I could never live with myself if he risked everything while doing so.

Looking directly at Cal, I cal ed out to him, but he was focused intently on Jared. In particular, he was glaring at the hand that stil gripped my backpack. I don’t think Jared even realized that he was stil holding onto it.

“Cal, it’s okay,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm and soothing. “Jared, let go of my bag. Or else.” Okay, I won’t get cool points for that last comment, but I couldn’t think of anything more profound to say. So sue me.

“Don’t do it, Jared,” Jay ordered. “This witch kil ed Dylan and she could be coming after us next.” Cal started to lunge forward, but I shook my head for him to stop. He froze about a foot away from Jay. That was close. Too close.

“Why would you guys think I had anything to do with Dylan’s death?” I asked. “And why would I come after you next?”

I could think of a few reasons for going after the J-team if I were inclined to violence, which I’m not, but I didn’t share that info. Not the right place, sure as heck not the right time.

“We al know that you’re an evil witch,” Jay scoffed.

“Plus, you’re a freak who hates footbal players and everyone knows that Dylan was on the team with us the past four years. So you used the curse and your witch powers to kil Dylan and you’re planning on coming for the rest of the team next. Wel , we’re not going to let that happen. Are we, Jared?”

“Uh, Jay, maybe she didn’t do it,” Jared said. He was trembling and his eyes hadn’t left Cal’s face.

“Of course she did it!” Jay yel ed. “If you don’t get that witch out of our school now, you’l regret it.” I wasn’t sure if he was talking to Jared or Cal, until Jared started dragging me toward the fire exit. Oh no. I may not like high school, in fact I loathed the place, but I was not being tossed out the back door like a bag of trash.

No bul ies were going to force me to leave school. Ever.

“Help!” I yel ed at the top of my lungs.

Taking advantage of the Yuki-scream-startle-factor, I jumped up, hitting him under the chin with the top of my head, and stomped down on the top of Jared’s foot. The pain that shot through my