Chapter 5 - Lucy

To say it was the most uncomfortable phone call of my life would be a drastic understatement.

Everyone starts yelling at once, and I close my eyes, gripping the phone. The situation is bad enough now, but once Fiona and Rider hear about how Peter ended up here, it’s going to get immeasurably worse.

And I am so stupidly, ridiculously attracted to him, even though he’s the most infuriating, arrogant jerk I’ve ever met!

There is also a sense of familiarity around him that is spooking me out a bit. A few minutes ago, when I was cooking the bacon, I felt an eerie sense that all of this had happened before. I have had premonitions all my life, and this felt exactly the same.

It can’t be. I won’t accept it!

When the yelling finally settles down, Rider says he’s coming to Silver Meadows immediately.

“I have to open the store,” Fiona says. “We’ll all go.”

“Let’s take separate cars,” Rider says. “Then you can go to the store, and I’ll go to Lucy’s.”

“Hmm,” Fiona murmurs, considering. “I actually think the store can wait for today. What do you think, Lucy? This should qualify as a personal emergency.”

“It definitely does,” I agree, staring at Peter. I hold the phone towards him, raising an eyebrow. He shakes his head.

He doesn’t want his first talk with his long-lost brother to be on the phone. I don’t blame him.

“Okay, so we should all just go to Lucy’s, then,” Fiona says. “How on earth did he end up there, Lucy?”

I swallow hard. “Actually, I’m having a bit of a problem,” I say, my voice wavering as I fight the tears of frustration and shame that are threatening to spill. “We are kind of tethered together… like, magically… and I can’t break the spell.”

“What the fuck,” Fiona whispers. I hear Rider whisper the same words somewhere in the background.

“I’ll explain everything, but do you know anyone who has magical abilities?” I ask. “I need help.”

“I tell you what,” Fiona replies. “I’ll bring Jen. She’s as old as some of these hills, and she knows a lot of magical lore. Aside from that, do you know any other witches?”

“A couple,” I answer. “I don’t think they have the ability for this type of thing, but I can message them.”

“Good, do that. We’ll be leaving soon. Should we come straight to you?”

The idea of every witch and werewolf from New Hope and Silver Meadows combined descending on my house shreds my guts with fear.

“How about Shelley’s?” I suggest.

“Great idea,” Fiona answers. “We’ll be there soon.”

“I’ll call Kyle,” Rider says in the background. “Get a few elders in on this.”

“Okay,” I reply. “See you soon.”

We hang up, and I look over at Peter, who is glaring at me with unmasked hostility. Even though it hurts, he has every right to be upset with me.

“Am I supposed to show up there in a bathrobe?” he asks wryly.

“I’ve got some old clothes that should fit you,” I say. “Old flannels and men’s cargos I used to wear hiking. Can’t help you with shoes, though, I’m afraid.”

“Fine,” he says flatly. As I leave the room, he glares at me again, and I turn my gaze away.

Not just from shame. Those eyes are haunting me. It’s weird, but to me, now he doesn’t even really look like Rider.

A blind woman could see that Rider is handsome. The difference for me is that Peter is utterly captivating. The shade of green in his eyes is slightly darker than Rider’s, and deeper. His cheeks and jaw are more strongly defined, and the shape of his hips has a more sensual quality.

I groan softly as I rummage through my closet. Just thinking about him makes my nipples harden and causes a deep, throbbing ache inside me. The few minutes outside where we flirted instead of argued tease me.

Maybe we could try this. Maybe the spell didn’t go wrong at all.

When I return to the kitchen, I see Peter at the stove, piling bacon and eggs onto plates with toast. I get the weird feeling again, as if this sight isn’t just familiar but a regular occurrence.

The sensation is so strong that I expect him to be wearing a warm smile when he turns around, but the hard line of his mouth and the cold glare of his eyes shocks me back to my senses.

“Here,” he says, unceremoniously dumping the plate on the counter and sliding it towards me. “It was going to burn.”

“Thanks,” I answer, sitting down on one of the stools as I grab some cutlery.

Peter digs into the food, eating like a machine. He cuts up big slices, shoves them into his mouth, and has the next bite ready before he’s done chewing. He demolishes the food in about two minutes flat.

“You must have been hungry,” I remark as he puts the plate in the sink.

“What? Yeah, I was hungry. But I just always eat quick. Always on the move, you know?”

I don’t know, but I nod.

“Are those my clothes?” he asks.

“Yes,” I push them across the counter towards him. “Bathroom’s just down there to the left.”

He nods, snatching the clothes and disappearing down the hall. I try to settle my thoughts while I finish my food, but on top of everything else I have to worry about, I’m now imagining Peter getting naked just down the hall.

You just saw him naked, you pathetic little witch!

Yeah, and I didn’t get enough of it. Obviously.

With an exasperated sigh, I shove my plate into the sink, then hurry to my room to get dressed. When I come out, Peter is standing by the counter, ready to go.

“So, the clothes fit?” I ask gingerly.

“Yeah, they’re good.”

I intend a quick glance just to confirm his words, but my eyes linger on his long legs, muscular thighs, and cute butt strapped into the snug cargo pants. The thin black t-shirt is far too small, showing off every single dip and curve of his chest and flat abs.

“I’m not the cutting edge of fashion,” Peter says sarcastically as he throws on a flannel shirt over the tight shirt. The faded blue pattern somehow enhances the green of his eyes, and I can’t stop looking at him.

“Lucy?”

“Yeah?”

“Are we going?”

“Yes! Sorry,” I say, grabbing my keys.

He shakes his head and follows me through the house. As we get into the car, I try to break the uneasy silence.

“So, you must be excited to see your brother again, huh?”

“Excited isn’t the word,” he says sullenly.

“But… at least the spell did some good, don’t you think? It brought you here.”

He turns very slowly and glares at me. “I don’t see it that way. The spell brought me here by force, and it didn’t even take me to Rider. It brought me to you , and I don’t fucking know you.”

My heart sinks. “I’m sorry.”

“You keep saying that, but I don’t know if you are.”

“What? Why wouldn’t I be?”

“How the hell should I know? It was your crazy spell!”

“I did the spell, yes, but I didn’t ask for an arrogant jerk to appear in my backyard!”

“Arrogant?” he echoes. “You act like you know me. Trust me, lady, you really don’t.”

“Why would I even want to?” I hiss, pulling into the parking lot at Shelley’s. “Don’t worry, I’m sure we can find a solution. The others should be here by now.”

When we enter the back door, I see Bailey and Gina with Carson at the long table. Kyle and Leslie are standing nearby. Both of them hurry over.

“The others aren’t here yet?” I ask.

Kyle shakes his head. “No,” he answers, then turns to Peter. “Hey, you must be Peter! Good to meet you, buddy.”

“Pleasure,” Peter mutters.

“What’s going on?” Leslie asks. “Fiona didn’t really tell us everything.”

“Just a bit of magic gone awry,” I answer, trying to smile. “No big deal.”

I pull out my phone to see if any of the local witches have messaged back. My heart sinks when I see all of them have messaged back that they have no idea how to break the spell.

As a long shot, I also emailed my old mentor, Amanda. She replied that she might know a solution, but can’t make it to Silver Meadows for a few weeks.

Before I can update Peter with this news, Rider and Fiona come through the back doors.

Peter almost jumps out of his skin. “It really is you!” he says to Rider.

“Yeah, buddy,” Rider answers, smiling at his brother. “Wow. It’s like looking in a mirror.”

“Except for this.” Peter grins, running a finger down his right cheek. “Looks like we won’t be able to play our old game of pretending to be each other anymore.”

“You suck at being me, anyway,” Rider jokes, hurrying across the room. Peter meets him halfway, and they throw their arms around each other, squeezing hard enough to bruise.

“Let’s get a beer,” Rider suggests. “I know it’s fairly early, but I’ve waited a long time to have a beer with my baby brother.”

“We’re the same age!” Peter pointed out, exasperated.

“I’m older by four minutes,” Rider says, ruffling his brother’s hair. “Don’t you forget it.”

“We’re here for an emergency, aren’t we?” Bailey asks, cutting in. “Maybe we should get to it.”

“Give ‘em a minute,” Jen says, coming through the back doors. “Let those boys catch up a bit. Us girls need to have a talk. And you, old-timer?”

Jen points across the room, and Carson taps his chest. “Me?” he says.

“Yeah, you. You’re an elder?”

“Yes.” Carson looks incredibly confused.

“You’ll be the only one that remembers the old ways. Lemme catch up with the girls a minute, then I’ll be over to chat with you.”

Fiona giggles a bit, taking Jen’s hand as she walks over to me. Kyle shrugs and follows the guys while Leslie joins us at the end of the table.

“What happened?” Fiona asks me.

I try desperately to keep my shit together, but that one question, combined with her expression of concern, completely cracks my control.

“I did a spell,” I choke out, trying to talk through my tears. “I called a lover, and when I woke up, Peter was in my backyard.”

“You could do worse,” Jen says, winking at me.

“Jen!” Fiona hushes her. “So, what now?”

“We’re tethered,” I explain. “We can’t get much further than fifty feet. It’s a magical bond.”

“Do you have any idea why the spell picked Peter?” Fiona asks.

I shake my head. “No clue.” I’m not ready to admit that I specifically asked for a man like Rider.

Jen claps softly. “Fun and games!”

“It’s not!” I whisper, wiping my cheeks. “I did this. I brought him here, and now he can’t leave! I feel so bad about this.”

“Do you really?” Jen asks, squinting at me. The suggestive look in her eye only makes me feel worse, and fresh tears pour down my cheeks.

“There, there.” Fiona wraps her arm around me, stroking my hair. “It’s okay. Jen, would you behave yourself?”

“She’s right!” I moan, my cries muffled by Fiona’s hug. “I feel bad about the spell, but I like him! I’m so attracted to him I can’t even think straight!”

“Ha!” Jen says gleefully. “Knew it.”

“This is all completely fucking bananas,” Leslie mutters.

“I’m gonna go talk with the ol’ fella,” Jen says, getting up. “I’ve got an idea. Let’s see if he backs it.”

Jen shuffles off to talk to Carson, and I let Fiona hold me until my tears begin to settle.

“Did you consider the idea that the spell worked perfectly?” Fiona asks softly.

I shake my head. “No, it can’t have. He hates me—it’s obvious. All he’s done is try to get away from me.”

“I don’t know,” Leslie says thoughtfully. “I’ve noticed him looking at you.”

“You have?” I ask, my heart leaping with hope.

“Oh, God,” Fiona chuckles. “You’ve got it bad, girl.”

I have no comeback for that, so I just sit back and wipe my nose on my sleeve.

“Okay!” Jen announces as she stands up and claps her hands. She’s wearing a delighted smile that I don’t like. “We got us an idea,” she begins. “I had a thought, and Carson here has confirmed it. Binding spells were done by the old mountain witches and sorcerers when they wanted to bear children for wolves. It could be a blessing or a curse, depending on the pair. For years, it went on, and no one knew how to break it—until one couple got married, and the magical tether broke.”

“What?” I choke.

“What?” Peter cries in perfect unison.

Jen claps and twirls, grinning like a madwoman. “Y’all heard me! You two gotta tie the knot! Get your butts over here, and we’ll get this wedding started!”