I gasped for air the second we reappeared.
“Is there a reason why we didn’t walk?” I croaked, bending over with my hands on my knees. I didn’t understand why the Fate could remain so unaffected while I felt my lungs were on fire, the burning intense.
“This was the only way to bring you here. Continue to breathe, the discomfort will soon pass.”
Easy for you to say¸ I thought. Following her advice, the sensation slowly ebbed away until I was able to fully stand. I wasn’t sure what I expected—a testing arena or something, but this was far, far from it. I was back inside a suite. Not the one Devlin and I were sharing, but just as decadent. The room seemed to drip with an overabundance of finery, definitely out of place for the refiner’s fire I’d been told I’d be facing.
“Are you sure we’re at the right place?” I questioned, my uncertainty clear.
“We are. Please find somewhere comfortable to sit, maybe one of the chaises or even the bed.” Klothos waved her arm through the air and sure enough, through one of the opened doors, I spied a magnificent four post bed with silky material draped over the structure.
“What exactly am I going to do?” I eyed the nearest seat. “I don’t mean to be rude, but this isn’t exactly what I envisioned. I thought I’d be facing whatever you’ve prepared on some kind of testing field. This looks like you want me to take a nap.”
She gestured again and I took the hint. Walking over to a large chaise lounge, I shifted some of the many decorative pillows and placed them on the floor. I settled into the cushioned chair, stretching my legs out until I found a position that felt right.
“Things aren’t always what they seem, Darcy. And so it is with your trials. Your first one isn’t so much a physical ordeal as a mental one. I will be placing you in a trance and it is important you remain safe and relaxed. I believed this to be the best environment to ensure that.” Klothos clicked her fingers once and the lights within the room dimmed. Moving with graceful purpose, she then knelt down beside me. “I’ll need to touch your mind to initiate the trance. Close your eyes and don’t move. This won’t hurt.”
The last thing I saw was her finger approaching my face. There was a slight pressure as she pressed on the center of my forehead before warmth spread over my skin, as though I was being wrapped in a fluffy blanket straight out of a dryer. It was soothing and I felt myself voluntarily floating away until I was no longer aware of anything.
A vision began forming in my mind. At first it didn’t resemble anything, but as it crystallized, my body gravitated toward it, sucking me closer until the familiarity dawned on me. The scene unfolding was of my childhood home and the individuals milling about were my Pack. Each person I saw was someone that I’d grown up with. My heart thudded with excitement. Memories surfaced of moments when I’d learned a valuable lesson or skill from my elders, a skinned knee kissed and treated, or the countless runs in the woods in our wolf forms.
My focus zeroed in on one friend in particular. A shock jolted through me when I saw Anne, wearing a smile that still made me happy. It had been years since I’d last seen her, my heart was broken when she’d passed away.
We shared the same birthday and had been practically inseparable from the age of four. We even joked about there being a mix up at the hospital and that we were really sisters—sharing everything, even the same DNA. Our friendship was like the stuff of legends, and it caused a hollow ache in my chest seeing her.
The fact she was standing there, just as I remembered, drove home the fact this was just a vision of the Fates. Anne was dead and had been gone for what seemed like forever, but I couldn’t ignore the joy I felt. Her name was on the tip of my tongue, ready to shout out, but I hesitated.
What did it mean that she was here and how was she part of my test?
I stepped forward, unsure whether I was visible to anyone. I received my answer as a chorus of greetings rang out. I waved back, nodding my head to pack elders, all the while never taking my eyes off Anne.
She must have sensed me approaching because her gaze finally turned my way and her face lit up with excitement.
“Darcy! Where have you been?” she cried, running over to me. I was caught up in her hug and wrapped my arms around her. She smelled just as she used to—vanilla and strawberries, the scent a mixture of her shampoo and lotion. I breathed it in deep and started laughing as she squeezed me tightly. “I thought you’d never get here. Tell me, did your father growl too much at you?”
“When doesn’t he?” I snorted. “I swear he drives me crazy. I know what my responsibilities are but hello? I’m only sixteen. Do I really need to start looking for a mate straight away?”
“So he hasn’t let up the pressure?” Anne’s face wore a sympathetic look. “I don’t know how you can breathe with both him and your mom adding the pressure.”
“I’m sure they just want what’s best for me, but this relentless push isn’t exactly romance inducing.” I threaded my arm through hers and began leading her away so we could talk privately. “You will never guess who they’re trying to set me up with this time.”
Jessup’s features flashed before my eyes and I couldn’t contain the shudder. He was by far the worst suggestion yet.
“Hmmm, judging from that grimace . . . Paul?” Glancing around, Anne took a seat under our favorite elm tree that stood a little ways off from the house. When I shook my head, she gasped, covering her mouth in shock. “No! Not Jessup!”
“Yes,” I groaned loudly and flounced backward onto the grass. “Jessup McMann, the one and only. I swear my father’s becoming senile or something. This is just proof he doesn’t understand me because Jessup is the last person I’d ever marry. Can you imagine that?”
“Woman, where’s my meal?” Anne imitated.
“Woman, get down on all fours so I can rest my feet on your back!” I snickered.
“He is such a pig. No, he’s worse than one. He’s a . . .” Anne stuttered, reaching for the right description for him.
“There are no words. Trust me; I tried to find them when I argued my refusal with my parents. And I have a health vocabulary.”
“You didn’t!” Her eyes widened before she stuttered laughing. “Oh, I bet your father almost had an aneurism.”
“And my mother started crying, telling me how I was breaking her heart and that with my bad attitude I’ll never find anyone to marry.” I let out a tired sigh and turned to look at Anne. “I’m not trying to be difficult, but Jessup?” The question hung in the air.
“You can’t let them tie you to that caveman, Darcy. You’ll be miserable.”
“I know. Why can’t they let me find love on my own? I know the perfect guy is out there . . . I just haven’t found him.” I sat up and crossed my legs.
“Well, without you getting mad at me, you kind of need to date to find him.” Anne cocked her head at me and winked.
“Ugh, not you too!” I tugged at a small patch of grass and tossed the green blades at her. “It’ll happen when it’s meant to. It’s not my fault I’m cautious.”
“Try obsessively picky.”
“Selective,’ I corrected, ignoring her snorted response. “Plus, I don’t see you out there finding your beloved mate. Lead by example, sister!”
“Well, seeing Jessup’s on the market still . . .” She couldn’t even finish her sentence without collapsing into a fit of laughter.
“A match made in Hell!” I added, pausing briefly before we both chimed in together. “Never!”
“Promise me you won’t cave in to their wishes, Darcy. Promise me you’ll find that perfect guy.”
“I pinky promise.” I crooked my little finger and we shook. It was a tradition we’d had since childhood, the pact binding in our hearts. “He’s going to be amazing. He’ll be strong, protective, and loyal, with washboard abs and a killer smile!” I laughed. “And he’ll love me as much as I love him. There’ll be that spark and connection . . . and passion.”
I let out another contented sigh as I pictured him in my mind. My stomach somersaulted thinking about all the possibilities. About how my skin would flush when he looked at me or my heart would flutter as he spoke my name. I didn’t want to settle for anything less.
“You make it all sound so romantic.”
“I want an epic love, Anne. For both of us. There’s no reason why we can’t be giddily happy forever.”
“To forever!” She yelled out and I cheered in agreement.
My vision suddenly flickered. I felt myself being pulled away from Anne and the scene under the tree. Once we’d started talking, I clearly remembered the day we’d had that conversation and it wasn’t the last one we’d had either. Fending off proposals and discussing our dream mates had been some of our favorite topics.
Everything went dark and I tried not to panic. Klothos didn’t reappear to tell me the test was over, so I calmed myself and waited for the next phase. There wasn’t enough time to ponder the meaning of what just happened because a new scene began filling my mind.
Anne and I were sitting in a booth at our favorite diner. It was a Saturday night ritual for us to finish the day at Betty’s Burger and Grill—a rowdy cowboy-themed eatery, where the jukebox continuously cranked out tunes and the delicious smell of BBQ filled the air. The food was incredible and I was busy sipping on a chocolate milkshake. A half empty plate sat before me, a partially eaten Western Burger and a stack of cooling fries.
Movement at a nearby booth caught my attention. Sitting with a group of his buddies was Gabriel Williams, a god among men. The guy seemed to ooze sex appeal and had stolen my heart. Everything about him was perfect. Everything, but the fact he was currently dating someone else. My heart still hurt from hearing the devastating news a few weeks earlier and I knew I wasn’t helping the situation by mooning over him now. I couldn’t help it though, I was drawn to him.
“Why are you torturing yourself, Darcy?” Anne asked, stealing a fry from my plate. Obviously there was nothing wrong with her appetite, and I pushed my food toward her to finish.
“I can’t help it. I know I shouldn’t, but I keep wondering what would’ve happened if I’d met him first and not her.” I couldn’t bring myself to say the name of the lucky girl who’d won Gabriel’s heart.
I waited for some words of consolation, loving comfort from one best friend to another, but it never came. Dragging my attention away from Gabriel as he laughed at something someone said, my curiosity was piqued by the knowing look on Anne’s face.
“What if there was a way he could be yours?” She leaned in, conspiratorially.
“I’d say you were crazy.” Staring over at Gabriel again, there was no way he’d ever leave her. I’d suffered over the last three weeks, watching their public displays of affection and hearing how ‘in love’ they were. The rumor mill was buzzing with information, the latest being that it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he proposed soon. I’d wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole when I’d heard that.
“Seriously, what would you do if I knew a way?” Anne wasn’t letting this go. The door opened, letting in a cold breeze from outside, and in she walked. Dark brown hair and cheerleader body, I wanted to gag over how perfect she was. Jealously blazed through my veins as I watched him stand to greet her, wrapping his arms around her waist so he could pull her close and kiss her. I hated her. I wanted to be her.
“I’d do pretty much anything,” I whispered, willing myself to look away. I couldn’t help longing for his lips on mine, the smile of adoration he offered when they finally broke away, or wishing I could lift up on my tiptoes and steal another kiss. I also couldn’t help thinking how unfair it was—Mr. Perfect with Miss. Wrong. My young heart couldn’t stand it.
“Good, because there’s someone I want you to meet.” Anne rested back into the booth with a wide smile. “She’s in my algebra class at the college and we’ve been talking a lot afterward. I told her to meet us here.”
Anne definitely had my attention now. “What kind of help?”
“A little magical assistance.”
I didn’t get a chance to ask for more information. Anne peered over my shoulder, broke out into a wide smile, and motioned for someone to come join us—a short, slender redhead slid in beside her.
“Darcy, this is Rhonda,” Anne introduced. “Rhonda, this is my best friend, Darcy.”
We exchanged pleasantries and I tried not to look as skeptical as I felt. Magic wasn’t a foreign concept to me. My mother had a strong relationship with Vivien, a powerful witch and leader of a large coven. I just didn’t see how it could change the circumstances between Gabriel and me.
“Have you told her why I’m here,” Rhonda asked Anne, in a low voice. Her gaze kept darting about the diner and I wondered what she was going to offer.
“Just a little bit,” Anne replied. She gestured with her head to Gabriel’s group. “He’s here as well.”
Rhonda craned her neck to the side. “Let me guess, the guy with the girl looking all lovey dovey at him?”
“Yep, that’s him.”
Rhonda studied Gabriel, her focus flicking between him and his girlfriend. Every few moments she nodded until finally she plopped her shoulder bag onto the table. “Totally doable,” she exclaimed, removing a small notebook from inside the purse. “A simple spell and a few ingredients and he’s as good as yours, Darcy.”
“What do you mean ‘spell’?” I asked, a nervous sinking feeling growing in my stomach. “You know, I don’t think this is such a good idea.”
“Come on, you said you’d do anything to make him yours. Here’s your chance and just think of what your parents will say. You’ll finally have them off your case. It’s a win-win!” Anne’s face lit up with excitement at the thought. A small fraction of my heart agreed with her. Maybe a magic spell was the answer to all this—what harm could a few rhyming words do?
I sensed him before I saw him. Gabriel had left his booth and I caught the scent of his cologne as he passed by. It made my mouth water—not from hunger, though.
“Hi Darcy,” his rich baritone voice sent tingles over my body. On the outside I remained the picture of calmness, but on the inside, I was a quivering mess. He knew my name. He knew who I was.
“Hi Gabriel,” I answered softly. He looked so good standing there by our booth and I fought the temptation to reach out and touch him. Staring up at him, the lights from the room made his eyes twinkle and created a glow around his head, making him appear larger than life. I inwardly cringed at my lovesick thoughts. I had it bad for this guy.
“Well, enjoy the rest of your evening.” He chuckled low and moved away. I didn’t take my eyes off his retreating form and then groaned loudly with embarrassment. A hot blush heated my skin.
“Please tell me I didn’t just sit there like a fool and stare at him. Please!” I lowered my head and banged it gently against the tabletop surface. “I’m such an idiot.”
“Ummm.” Neither Anne nor Rhonda answered, but I could see it written all over their faces. I was mortified.
“You need this spell, Darcy. Not a second too soon either.” Rhonda opened her small book and scribbled something on her napkin. Pushing it toward me, she rested her hand over mine. “Trust me, he’ll be yours before the week is over.”
The napkin seemed to scream my name, beckoning me, tempting me. It would be so easy. No one but the three of us would know and those kisses I’d been coveting would be mine. I couldn’t drag my gaze away from Rhonda’s handwriting, the words burning into my memory.
Surely it wouldn’t hurt, I pondered. My fingers itched to snatch it up. My insides trembled to repeat the spell. My heart, however, knew better and was the voice of reason.
“I can’t. It’s not right,” I sighed at last.
“So, you’re fine with sitting here and watching that?” Rhonda pointed behind me and I turned to look. Gabriel and his girlfriend had locked lips again, oblivious to the world. It hurt watching them like that, knowing it wouldn’t be me. I felt my resolve waiver.
“I just want you to be happy. And you know it’ll solve your parental problems. It’s a no brainer,” Anne encouraged.
I was saved by my cell phone buzzing in my pocket. “Speaking of which.” My mother’s name lit up the screen and I read her brief text message. “I need to get home, guys.” I tossed a few bills on the table for my portion of the meal and began sliding out of the booth. My gaze fell on the napkin and I hesitated. It wasn’t lost on Rhonda or Anne.
“Here, take this just in case you change your mind.” Anne slid the temptation over to my hand and I slipped it into my pocket without another thought.
“Thanks,” I murmured. It felt like it was burning a hole in my pants, demanding I rush home and recite the incantation. I promised Anne I’d call her later, then quickly left the diner with a battle warring inside me.
I wanted to do that spell. I wanted Gabriel more than anything, but the price was too high. Stopping just outside the door, I turned around and cast one last look at the couple. It was obvious they were happy, their love hard to miss.
I pulled out the napkin. The light from the neon sign gave it an ominous appearance. Despite what the others said, it wasn’t a no-brainer. Yes, I’d get the guy I liked, but would he truly love me in return? This spell would mess with his will, bending it to mine and the thought sickened me. That wasn’t how I wanted to win him over. I wanted his heart, not his forced submission.
I crumpled the napkin, disgusted by how close I’d come to using it. I didn’t want to be the person who resorted to trickery. Others might have no issue, but I knew if I’d caved to pressure, the decision would plague me for the rest of my life. There was no way I wanted it on my conscience. Taking one last peek inside, I let out a relieved breath and threw away the napkin.
I’m not that desperate, I chuckled to myself, moving away so I could return home.
The vision started to disappear, but instead of fading into something new, I opened my eyes and found Klothos peering down at me.
Seemed the first test was over.
