Hidden Powers

Chapter 9: Hope

                Hope grabbed Holton first thing when he woke up to check out what she saw in the forest last night. Mark really wanted to join, but it would be safer if he stayed behind. She had a funny feeling it was Jack trying to find a way into their bubble, but how did he know what look for?

                “This better not be a trick.” Holton grumbled in an annoyed tone. I basically pulled him outside with me before he could do anything else, like eat breakfast or drink coffee.

                “There was something going on out there, I promise.” We reached the point where I saw the flash of light. I walked back and forth looking for the tree marked with Holly in a heart…but I couldn’t find it anywhere.

                “What were your senses telling you last night when you were here?” Holton asked making me stop my search.

                “I think it’s Jack, but I don’t know what he’s doing.” I turned back around and then I saw it. It was right in front of me, so I walked forward and placed my hand on the tree. Holton walked up next to me and place his hand next to mine. The bubble started to pull away for us to walk through. Once we were on the other side, the bubble closed up behind us.

                “How would Jack know where to look? Unless he’s been watching us, but we always have our disguises on out of the bubble.”

                “Because of Emily.” A voice rang out behind us making us jump. Lucy was making her way over and went to Holton’s side. He gave her a quick kiss on her temple which caused her to blush.

                “What do you mean because of Emily?” My heart started pounding fast and my stomach started to churn. Emily was one of my best friends who I trusted, she wouldn’t betray me, would she? She was one of the few people who we trusted with our secret location.

                “I saw her and Jack together yesterday. I convinced her that I wanted in on the plan, and she told me parts of what he has in store for you…and Mark.”

                “Why would she betray us like that?” Holton sounded furious. He never like Emily, and now I understand why. Maybe I’ll trust my brother and his instincts better next time.

                “She’s always been jealous of Hope and the attention she gets from Jack, or any other male at school. She also thinks Hope was the one telling you that she was no good for you, and that’s why you never accepted her as a mate.” Lucy rolled her eyes at that statement.

                “I don’t need anyone telling me to stay away from her, because I sensed she was a bad egg from the beginning. I was the one telling Hope to stay away from her.” Holton said.

                “You never liked her in any way?” Lucy asked with a flash of relief in her eyes.

                “Never. There was something about her that I didn’t trust, and now we know why.” He looked over at me with disappointment in his eyes.

                “I know, I made a mistake with her. I can’t do anything about it now.” I pouted and crossed my arms above my chest. “What are going to do about it now?”

                “I’m not sure, but at least we know our extra layer of protection is helping. Jack wasn’t able to get in last night.” Holton pointed out. I walked over to an area that looked it was charred on the ground. It was a perfect circle in the amongst the fallen leaves and grass. I squatted down and touched the earth. There was powerful magic used here last night, and some still lingered.

                “He isn’t done yet.” I whispered out to them. “This was only the beginning.”

Jack

                I watched from a distance knowing Hope would turn up to my magic circle. I sensed her on the other side of the trees last night. Emily told me the best place to go and fight against their magical bubble to keep out danger. She didn’t know why they had a bubble put up in the first place, but she at least knew their family was in danger. If someone thought they could go after my girl, they had another thing coming. In no time at all, Hope and Holton appeared out of no where, then Lucy showed up and went straight to Holton. That was something new. I could use this knowledge to my advantage if I needed Emily to make a distraction for me. She was in love with Holton, but he never wanted anything to do with her. Now I understand why.

                Hope walked to my circle. It was my mark to show her I wasn’t giving up. She might think she found her true mate, but it was only a trick of her mind. Her heart and soul will always belong to me. She just needs be reminded of that, and soon. They opened up their bubble and the three of them walked in. I watched closely how the bubble closed back up in case there was a tear in their magic that I can cut through, but there wasn’t. This magic was powerful, and strong, maybe even stronger than my own magic. How was that possible? Hope and Holton were weak last time I was around, what happened to make them so strong?

                *Ding* My phone went off and I saw a text from Emily.

                Emily: Did you make it in yet? I need her away from Holton so I can finally have my mate.

                Me: It’s going to be a while longer. Be patient. If you haven’t already messed up your friendship with her, try and find out more information. I need to know how I can get closer and get this Mark guy out of the picture. He’s not a warlock, and I need to know more.

                Emily: Didn’t I tell you what he is already? He’s a vampire. Personal guard to the new Vampire Queen, Ava, or something like that.

                Me: He’s a vampire? Why would a vampire claim to be mated to a witch? What does he have planned for my Hope?

                Emily: I have no idea. I remember Hope saying she had a connection to Ava and saw Mark through her mind and she was instantly attracted to him.

                Me: What type of connection?

                Emily: I have no idea. I haven’t been by there to meet him yet. Lucy said he was annoying and a pain to be around. She can’t stand Hope either. We both want to see her suffer.

                If this was true, was Lucy playing Hope and Holton today? She seemed to be close with them, but maybe she was holding onto their trust so she can turn on them later. Or was she playing Emily? Trying to get information and pass it along to the ones she’s loyal to?

                Me: Find out what Lucy knows then and be careful in the meantime about what you tell her. We don’t know where her loyalties truly lie yet. She could be playing you instead of them.

                Emily: I trust Lucy, she’s an i***t of course, but she doesn’t have any other friends. We can use her to our advantage against Hope.

                Me: Then go find her and see if you can find out if she passed any information along yet. I need you to stay close with them until I can get rid of this Mark guy for thinking he can take what’s mine.

                Emily: I’ll stop by today and see what I can find out.

                I put my phone back in my pocket and continued watching the spot where Hope disappeared through. Why are you hiding my little witch, and who are you hiding from?

Mark

                I was pacing back and forth waiting for Hope to come back after inspecting the area outside the bubble last night. It wasn’t easy for me to let her go without me, but I knew her brother was there, and he would take care of her. This was the first time I’ve actually been away from her since we found each other. I didn’t like this feeling I got when she was away from me. Finally, I understood why James never wanted to be away from Ava, must be more intense now that she was pregnant.

                Lilacs filled the air all of a sudden, and I rushed to open the door and saw Hope standing there about to open it herself. I pulled her into my arms and took a long sniff of her scent. This is where she was meant to be, right in my arms and no where else. She started to wrap her arms around me as well, and we stood there for a moment holding onto each other. I’m glad she must have understood what I needed and didn’t try and pull away. She allowed me to hold her until I wasn’t anxious anymore.

                “I’m here now.” She whispered.

                “Never leave me again.” I sighed with a chuckle in her ear. She giggled and we broke apart. She grabbed my face and rubbed her thumbs on my cheeks before leaning and giving me a sweet kiss.

                “There are going to be times when we can’t be together all the time, but I promise to do my best.” I smiled and nodded my head.

                “What did you find out?”

                “It was Jack, and he isn’t working alone. My friend Emily is helping him, well I thought she was my friend.”

                “How do you know this for sure?”

                “Lucy showed up at the area when we got there. She saw Emily and Jack talking yesterday and didn’t feel right about it. She’s going to play along with Emily to get information from her for us.”

                “I don’t want to put Lucy in danger, and this could be dangerous for her. What if they find out she’s working against them? From what I’ve heard about this Jack fellow, he can turn on her and possibly kill her for betraying him.”

                “He won’t get a chance to do anything to her. We’re going to act as if nothing has changed with Emily. We’ll feed her false information so she can pass it along to Jack, while Lucy gets their plans to go against us.” We can make sure everything goes according to our plans and not his.”

                “What are his plans exactly?” I’m not sure if I really wanted to know, but I had an idea already.

                “He wants to kill you and take me for himself. He’s delusional to think that him and I are true mates. He can’t accept that you are my true mate.” Yep, exactly what I thought.

                “Does Emily know anything about me?”

                “Well…she might know a few things already.” Hope looked down at her hands and started fidgeting. I placed my one hand on hers to get her to stop, while I place my other under her chin to lift her head up to look me in the eyes. I wanted her to see that I wasn’t mad at her for saying anything.

                “What does she know?”

                “That you’re a vampire and personal guard to Ava. I haven’t really gone into a lot of details about the whole situation. I told her and Lucy that I saw you through Ava’s mind and felt an instant attraction to you.”

                “That might have been enough information for her to pass along to him. He has a way to reach me now.” I said with sad eyes. I wish there was a way to go back in time and stop her from mentioning this to her friends.

                “What did I do?” She is afraid and confused now.

                “He’s going to find out everything he can about Ava now. He’ll find out about her part in his brother’s death.”

                “He’ll try and kill her.” She gasped while putting her hand to her mouth. “What have I done?”

                “You’ve done exactly what you needed to do.”