One. Two. Three.
I slammed my head into it, and the wood splintered. Pain flared across my forehead and I smelled my own blood, but something cool and metal landed in my lap.
I managed to get an awkward grip and sawed at the bonds at my wrist. As soon as I got the ones off of my arms, I ripped off the mask over my eyes, then the gag.
“Fuck.”
After freeing my legs I held my breath and listened.
I wanted to run out of the house, but what if Luciana and Mr. Hoel were still here? What if they were waiting?
I’d been dumb enough. I needed to be smarter now.
I counted to sixty three times, taking care not to rush.
Not a sound in the house.
They were gone. Using my powers in whatever way they wanted. But not for long.
I opened the closet door. I was still in the craft room.
The bowl on the altar was gone. In its place were two mason jars. They glowed with a light so bright, so pure, it dimmed the shadows even in this room of darkness and evil.
I wasn’t scared of crossing the circle anymore. I knew what was in those jars, and it belonged to me.
There was a faint smell of sulfur as I crossed the circle. It was hot. At least twenty degrees hotter than the temperature outside the boundary.
I wanted to break the jars right then and there, but Luciana would know I was out and that her plan had failed. I couldn’t afford that yet.
I gritted my teeth. I had to deal with the empty feeling for a little bit longer. Not much longer, I promised myself. Just enough time to take these motherfuckers down.
I grabbed the jars, cradling them to my chest, and ran as fast as I could to my cousins’ house.
***
Claudia flew out from the kitchen as soon as I stepped through her front door. “Where have you been? What’s in those jars? Are you bleeding?”
The cut on my head had already healed, but I wiped at it anyway. “I’m not bleeding anymore. My powers are in these.” I held up the jars. “Luciana did some spell on me. I need to go. Right now. I’m getting my keys and my things. When I leave, I want nothing here that they can use to spell me again. Not a single piece of hair. Nothing.”
“Holy shit,” Raphael said from the top of the stairs. “Are you okay?”
“No. I’m not okay.” I went to get my things, grabbing out a shirt from my duffle. I wrapped the jars in the T-shirt so they wouldn’t break. I tucked them carefully inside my messenger bag before grabbing my keys. Then I scooped up the rest of my stuff and headed for the door. “Anyone who wants to leave can come to the pack. I’m not waiting a second longer.” I didn’t pause as I strode toward my car. I took the jars out of my bag, set each one in a cup holder, and then threw everything else in the back. I didn’t want them out of my sight.
I buckled my seatbelt as I drove over the cattle guards. My bond to Dastien slammed in place, but it was weak. Barely there. I heard him cry out, but couldn’t even make out what he was saying, only a vague feeling of fear and anger. I couldn’t answer. I didn’t have the strength to.
I was in the zone as I drove. Maybe it was shock. Or maybe I was ready to kick some ass. Or maybe I was traumatized. All I could see were the road stripes as I hit the accelerator. I focused on the road. I pushed my car to go as fast as it could. Nothing was getting in my way. I was going home.
Chapter Twenty-One
As I pulled through the gates of St. Ailbe’s, I was still numb. My hands shook as I grabbed the two jars from the cup holders, and cradled them to my chest. I left the rest of my stuff in the car. I didn’t need it. There were two things that I really needed.
A shower and Dastien.
I bumped the car door with my hip, closing it, and as I turned, my breath caught.
Dastien stood at the edge of the parking lot, waiting for me. Meredith, Donovan, Mr. Dawson, Adrian, Chris, and Dr. Gonzales were there too, but I hardly spared them a glance. Dastien alone filled my vision as he took slow measured steps toward me. He was wearing a pair of sweats and nothing else, which meant he’d shifted too quickly to go home for clothes.
I walked straight to him and no one said anything. His arms wrapped around me, and I buried my nose in his chest.
He muttered things that I couldn’t understand, rubbing his hands up and down my spine. “Are you okay?”
“No.” I stepped away from him, and started toward the dorm. I didn’t pay attention to what anyone was doing. I kept moving. Any questions, any comments fell on deaf ears, as I moved woodenly.
I didn’t stop until I got to my bathroom. I closed the door and started the shower. I placed the glowing jars on the counter and stared down at them.
