Green Witch: A Timberhall Trial

Part 4: A Night of Fire

The night Jaime was told of the fire came back in a rush. It was the moment this game became real. She realized the families were more than a place for witches to be among their own. If she could've, she'd run back home and pretend her magic wouldn't be used to defend herself against blood feuds that ran so deep no one knew how they'd started. But her cell phone that vibrated so much it nearly fell off the table told her that time had long passed. 

Holy s**t it's gone!

Are you okay?! I'm on my way.

Has anyone heard from Lindsey? Someone better answer!

Jaime had watched every message come in at lightning speed. Frozen she sat on the couch, trying to fight the scream rising in her throat. At any moment she expected the door to come crashing down. Who could've done this? Blair might not have inherited as much money as other families but the only earth witches stronger than her were Lucille and Maddox, maybe one of their sons though Jaime hadn't had the misfortune of running into them. There was an occasional meeting of families to renew their loose alliance but she wasn't high enough on the ladder to be invited. A text came in suddenly that broke through her haze. J heard Blair's authoritative voice as if she were in the room with her.

Wherever you are, leave. Assume your home is compromised. We meet at Snoots. 

"Snoots" was Blair's more polite nickname for Lucille. If someone's phone was lost or fell into the hands of their attackers the name would hopefully send them in the direction of a nonexistent club. Jaime hopped around as she tried to pull on her sneakers, and grabbed her jacket as she ran out the door. With shaking hands she fumbled her keys as she tried to lock the door. She didn't know if that mattered but her mind was on autopilot. 

Once she was out on the street the eerie silence made every noise sound like a crack of thunder. Jaime lived in a complex at the center of Bell Point like many witches on the outer circles of their family. It made even a simple grocery trip tense but the thought of running into a new recruit terrified her. And she realized the Summerfield house was nearly an hour away. By car. Before she could call anyone she noticed a car cruising down the street. Jamie tried to tell herself that they couldn't be after her. She didn't even have an emblem yet! The sedan took what felt like an eternity to crawl by. Jaime kept her eyes glued to the sidewalk before her, convinced if she didn't noticed the drivers they wouldn't notice her. When the sedan didn't screech to a halt Jaime thought she was in the clear. 

You're getting as paranoid as the others.

After awhile she noticed quiet footfalls that were almost in time with her own. Jaime's hand grew clammy. She tried to casually pick up speed. When the person following her also picked up their pace a wave of nausea hit Jaime. It felt so intense the ground seemed to rock beneath her.  Late night party goers were not unusual. There's no need to panic. There's no need to panic. There's no need to panic. Jaime tried to convince herself as breaths came out in quick gulps. 

Again, Jaime tried to walk faster. Pleading silently that the person behind her would cross the street, pass her and give her a strange look, anything other than the fact sinking into her gut. Before she could think about it any further Jamie began to run.