Birthday Surprises
1613 Words
Chloey’s POV
“What did you just say?” Rune whispered.
“Cade and I are having a bab-”
“I’m going to kill you!” Rune yelled at Cade before shooting up and charging him.
“Rune no!” I was worried that this anger would trigger a transformation.
I was shocked when I felt the surge of the blue energy. I held up my hand and a forcefield appeared around Rune. He was unable to get out of it.
“Chloey!” He whined. “Take it down!”
“Not until you calm down!” I snapped. “Cade, go find Magnus, Raina come with me.”
“When did you get so bossy?” Raina muttered.
“When the world went to hell,” I ushered her out into the hall. “Raina, what is wrong with you?”
“I didn’t choose to get pregnant, you know?”
“But why did you tell us like this? And on my birthday? Do you hate me that much?”
“I don’t hate you, Chloey,” Raina stated. “I hate your slut of a sister.”
“Don’t talk about Joey like that!” I snapped.
“I was actually talking about Zoey. I like Joey, she saved my life.”
“Well, don’t talk about Zoey like that either. Did you really have to do all of this today?”
“I just had to tell someone okay? I’m…I’m so lonely Chloey.”
“You have Cade,”
“Barely! You know this is the only reason he’s with me? He broke up with me and then I found out and he got back with me. This baby is the only thing keeping him here. He doesn’t love me and he never will.”
“I’m sure that’s not true,” I sighed.
“Yes, it is. He’s too in love with you. I know it. I see how he looks at you and it hurts.”
“I thought you didn’t even like him. I mean you two got together for a scheme.”
“I may have gotten too deep. Cade never wanted me though. It’ll always be you. He’s gonna marry me and be in love with you.”
“Raina, you know you don’t have to marry him, right?” I asked. “Like you can co-parent or whatever, but you don’t have to be married to someone who doesn’t love you, that’s insane.”
“You think so?”
“Um, yeah. Look, I know we don’t really get along, but you’re my boyfriend’s sister and I’m pretty sure I’m going to marry Rune, so that makes you like my sister too. If you and Cade don’t work out, you’ll have me and Rune to help you.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?” She whispered. “I cursed your sister.”
“I think you more than paid for that when we almost killed you,” I pointed out. “And…maybe I’m kind of lonely too.”
“I’m glad you feel that way, because I was hoping I could stay here with you guys.”
“You know, Raina…I think I would actually love that.”
Joey’s POV
The amulet felt strange.
There was a heaviness to it.
“Do you like it?” Count Killoran asked.
“Of course, Emile.” I smiled, touching it gently. “I feel so special.”
“Because you are,” He kissed me softly. “I suppose we should go back out to the party. We don’t want them to gossip.”
“I think they’re much too scared to gossip about you, Emile.” I laughed.
Count Killoran chuckled. “You’re probably right about that.” He gave me one more kiss before gently pushing me away.
I entered my party again and I could tell everyone was looking at me. I approached Marsden and kissed him.
“Everything okay?” He whispered against my lips. “He’s not suspicious right?”
“Not even a little bit,” I assured him. “We’re okay.”
“Good…hey that’s beautiful.” He touched my amulet. “What is it?”
“It’s an heirloom. Belonged to an ancestor of mine.”
“Well it looks great on you.” Marsden kissed me again. “I’m sorry this isn’t the birthday you deserve.”
“What do you mean?”
“You deserve to be with your sisters and family. Not surrounded by all these people that want to take over the world.”
“It’s worth it, remember? Zo and Tate are going to get what we need.” I smiled slightly. “We just have to hang in there.”
“If I have you, I can do anything.”
--
A deep sleep came over me that night.
At the same time, it was like I was awake, but watching my dreams. Everything looked strange…almost old? I walked through a tiny house, my long dress swishing around my ankles. I could feel the amulet, heavily on my chest.
“There you are,” I turned and saw Count Killoran.
“Emile,” I smiled. “How are you feeling?”
“Every day I get stronger. I expect that’s because of you nursing me to health.”
“Anything to support the cause,”
“Anything you say?” He got closer and touched my face.
I gently pulled away. “Emile, please.”
“No one is here.”
“I know, it’s just…I’m in love with Geoffrey, you know that.”
“He is weak compared to me,” Count Killoran stated. “He could never give you what I can.”
“We’re getting married, Emile. I care for you, but I love him.” I gently touched his arm before walking away.
The next second I was in a different place.
“Geoffrey?” I called.
I was met with silence. I slowly pushed the door open and screamed. On the floor, covered in blood was Geoffrey. I dropped to my knees taking him in my arms as I sobbed uncontrollably.
The love of my life was dead.
Once again I was in a different setting. Outside this time. We were burying Geoffrey.
“Such a shame isn’t it?” Count Klloran asked.
“Who would murder him? He was so kind.” I whispered.
“If only he was more powerful,” He whispered. “If you need any comfort, you know where to find me Gwen.”
I watched him walk away and instantly knew he had killed Geoffrey.
Zoey’s POV
“Zander?” Tate asked. “Why is he sending you things?”
“I have no idea, I haven’t even talked to him since graduation.” I stated.
“Well open it, what does it say?”
I unfolded the paper.
Hey Zoey,
I know I’m the last person you expected to hear from. I wanted to start off by saying happy birthday! I hope through all that’s going on, that you’ve managed to have a good day. I know this might sound insane, but I need to see you. I need you to meet me in the Distara Thicket. I promise it’s important and it might be able to help you and Tate out. I’ll be staying there for the next three days. Please come.
Zander
“Should we go?” I asked Tate.
“No, of course not. We are not pausing our journey to meet your ex boyfriend.”
“He says it’s important.”
“What if it’s a trap?” Tate asked.
“You think Zander would trap us?” I questioned.
“He doesn’t like me!”
“I mean for good reason, but he would betray the Witching Domain to get back at you!” I grabbed the map. “Look, it’s really close by anyways. I say we go.”
“You want to see him?”
“I want to see what he has to say. What if this can actually help us?”
Tate snorted. “Yeah, Zander Craft is going to help us.”
“I’m going,” I said firmly. “It’s your choice if you don’t, but I’m going to see what’s going on. I trust Zander. I have no reason not to.”
Tate’s jaw clenched. “Well I can’t let you go by yourself. Fine, we’ll go first thing in the morning. The first sign of trouble and we’re gone, okay?”
“That seems fair enough. God, I wonder what he wants to tell us.”
“It just better be important.”
--
The next afternoon we arrived at the Distara Thicket.
It was stunning so far. Extremely green with flowers sprouting everywhere. “Even if this was a waste, this is beautiful.” I smiled.
“Not as beautiful as you,” Tate stated.
I was glad he was in a better mood now. I looked around, wondering where Zander would be. There was rustling in the bushes suddenly.
That didn’t make me feel secure. I grabbed Tate’s hand and tugged him faster. I wanted to look around too, but it was making me nervous, not knowing what was hiding in the bushes. The rustling became louder and we broke into a run.
Maybe this was a bad idea!
I cried out as I felt myself get snatched upwards. Tate and I were hanging upside down. I looked to see nothing was holding my ankle. Just magic.
Tate groaned. “I told you this was a trap.”
- Writer
