Faithless

Chapter Twenty One

 It was nearly summertime outside now. Jasmina had been so caught up in everything else going on in her life that she hadn’t really thought much of it, but now that she actually sat by the window of the spare room in her aunt Edith's house, she could see all the bright flowers in bloom and the sun smiling down on them. Jasmina wondered whether her aunt was planning on growing anything this year. The plant boxes in the garden had been left bare for the past two years.

Jasmina walked out of the room, and into the school dormitory. She went up to her old shared room, in search of Candice, but she wasn't there. Jasmina frowned to herself as guilt washed over her. She had been lying to her best friend for so long now, she wasn't sure she could ever stop.

"What are you doing?" Candice asked, from behind where Jasmina stood. Jasmina spun around quickly, pulling Candice into her arms as tightly as she could manage. Candice was shocked, but hugged Jasmina back regardless. "Okay... Chill pill for the crazy lady over here." She said sarcastically.

"I... I missed you! What are you doing here? Wait, what am I doing here?" Jasmina gasped. Wasn't she meant to be at her aunt's house right now?

"That's what I was wondering. You don't belong here Jasmina. You're not meant to be here anymore. This is my home, not yours." Candice frowned, stepping away.

"But Candice... Please." Jasmina begged, with tears welling up in her eyes, blurring her vision. Candice started walking away, but it was like watching a flick book, which was missing pages. She was walking away, but she was kind of jumping. Her movements were disjointed. Jasmina followed her out the room, but Candice had already got halfway down the stairs. But the time Jasmina got to the bottom of them, Candice was at the door to outside. Jasmina ran after her as fast as possible. When she reached the door, Jasmina stepped outside. She saw Candice with Logan. He was holding her close, looking straight at Jasmina with a worried expression. Then in the next second he was kissing Candice, making Jasmina gasp.

If she hadn't been so stunned, Jasmina would be happy for them. She blinked, holding her eyes closed for a second longer than usual, then when her eyes were open, Candice and Logan had gone once again. Jasmina frowned, spinning round in circles, in an attempt to spot them. Jasmina was freaking out and decided to run away as fast as possible. As soon as she was out of the school gates, Jasmina stumbled back into the hunters territory that she had seen before.

“Did you find them?” A man asked, Jasmina guessed he was the leader.

“No. But I will.” A woman replied, then she turned to Jasmina, with fury in her eyes. “I’ll kill you for what you did!” She screamed, reaching her hands out to grab Jasmina's throat. She screamed, throwing herself backwards. She fell into a blackhole of nothingness. The fear she had just felt had disappeared as fast as her surroundings.

"Shh. It's okay Jassy. Wake up. You can open your eyes now." A woman's voice cooed. Jasmina couldn't remember the last time someone had called her 'Jassy'. She opened her eyes, looking around a house that she no longer recognised, filled with people who she didn't know. Jasmina was on a sofa, and behind it the people were all standing, getting on with their lives as if they didn't know she existed. It was like there was a panel of glass between them and Jasmina, only she could see them, but they couldn’t see her.

"Where am I?"

"You're home." The woman smiled. She had violet eyes, like Jasmina, and short blond hair. She was lightly tanned on her arms and face and had pink full lips.

"Home?"

"Don't you remember. You lived here once... Before I had to go. I'm so sorry I had to go." She whispered.

"Who are those people?" Jasmina asked.

"They were my coven once. Before we all split up to become Guardians." She explained. Jasmina looked back over to them, seeing Ewan there. None of them were smiling, but they were still carrying on as normal, like nothing was actually wrong, even though their faces said differently.

"What's going on?"

"We can't win Jassy. We never could. So they are doing the only thing they can do. They're just carrying on how they wish they could. No one would choose this life intentionally. Everyone wants to make a difference, but when they realise it's going to be harder than they thought, they give up. You can't do that though Jassy. We need you."

"I... I don't understand. Who are you?" Jasmina asked.

"I think you already know."

"Mum?"

Jasmina woke up with a freight, in her bed at her aunt’s house. She listened out but no one else woke which helped to ease her nerves at least somewhat. She took a few deep breaths, then headed downstairs to grab a glass of water. She stayed there for a while, refusing to go back to sleep just yet.

“Everything okay?” Cam asked, interrupting her thoughts. Jasmina spun round expecting to see him, then remembered about the link in her head, pulling them together.

“How are you doing that?” She replied out loud.

“You did it. I caught some of your dream, but not all of it. Are you okay now? Was it a vision or just a dream?”

“I’m okay. I’m sorry I woke you up too. It wasn’t a vision, but I don’t think it was a dream either.” Jasmina frowned to herself and Cam could feel it through her mind.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not really sure yet. I have some questions for your dad though and they need answering tomorrow.”

“Are you going to tell me what this is about?” Cam asked.

“Not yet, not until I figure this out.”

“Okay, but don’t try and handle the weight of the world on your own.” Cam warned. Jasmina just smiled.

“I won’t. Goodnight Cam.”

“Goodnight.” He replied. She tried to close the link as much as possible, so she wouldn’t disturb him. Jasmina could feel it was still there, but she doubted she would disturb him anymore. Jasmina headed back up to her room and laid down. She was still exhausted, but too nervous to fall asleep. Jasmina could feel waves off calm, coming from Cam, but still she refused to fall asleep. Jasmina knew he was doing it on purpose but the idea of another dream had her fighting him at every turn. In the end though, her tiredness betrayed her and Jasmina could feel her eyes drooping slowly and she knew his persuasion had worked.

Jasmina woke up at nine in the morning. It was just her aunt in the house which Jasmina hated. She made her excuses once she was washed and dressed, then left the house. Jasmina decided to walk to the cafe or something, rather than sit around awkwardly in the house. Jasmina could feel that Cam was trying to reach her so she opened the link.

“What is it?” Jasmina frowned, fighting the urge to speak out loud whenever she spoke to him.

“Where are you going? Didn’t you want to interrogate my dad today?” He asked. Jasmina could feel that he was smirking.

“Well yeah but I figured it would be best to wait, before you all got sick of me over there.” Jasmina smiled, but quickly covered it up in case anyone saw her.

“Never going to happen. Where are you and I’ll pick you up.” Cam offered.

“I’m on my way to the coffee shop that we went to before.”

“I’ll meet you there, we can eat first before you bombard my dad with questions.” Cam joked. Jasmina just sighed and picked up the pace.

By the time she reached the cafe Cam was just pulling up. He opened the door for Jamina and let her sit down while he ordered them a couple drinks and some nachos to share.

“So what are you interrogating my dad about?”

“My mum.”

“What’s going on exactly?” He asked, frowning. Jasmina sighed to herself then looked at Cam. She began explaining all of the dream last night, filling in the parts he didn’t see, making sure she didn’t leave a single detail out. Any parts which Jasmina struggled to explain Cam could see in her mind. In the end Jasmina found it easier to just take his hand and show him the whole dream, start to finish. Jasmina was grateful, when he was just as confused as she was when he saw his dad. Jasmina could tell he even had questions of his own and she was glad that she wasn't the only one, it took away the paranoid feeling that was developing, and Jasmina needed an ally for a change.

"What do you think it means?"

"Well for one thing I need to change rooms for the last school term." Jasmina sighed, avoiding the question.

"Fine, we can start with that." He smirked. "What are you going to do about Candice and Logan?"

"Nothing. I'm just going to get on with my exams, then leave knowing they have each other." She shrugged. "As for the hunters, well it's a given that they are going to come after us either way."

"And as for your mum?" Cam paused. "And my dad."

"I'm not sure what any of that meant. But I think that my mum and your dad were in the same coven, and I want to know why your dad didn't mention it. I mean you don't even seem to know anything, and you're his son." Jasmina frowned.

"Well I'll help you however I can but this is all pretty strange to me. We'll get going soon, then I can drive you home if you want or you can stick around. It's up to you."

"That depends on whether or not I get good news or bad." Jasmina smirked. Cam just nodded. They finished up pretty quick and then headed back to his car. He was driving the speed limit, but Jasmina could tell he was dying to get home as fast as possible so he could get answers of his own. Jasmina could feel how confused he felt. He had expected his dad to tell him everything about Jasmina, so that there wouldn't be any surprises that he couldn't help her deal with, but now it turned out he might have been hiding the biggest secret of them all.

Once they reached the house Cam led the way to the office where his dad was sat. Cam didn’t bother knocking, he just opened the door, pulled Jasmina inside and shut it behind them. His dad seemed surprised but he didn’t say anything, he just waited for us to explain. Jasmina was about to speak, but Aiden slipped in. Cam rolled his eyes but ignored him.

“We have some questions about your old coven.” Jasmina began.

“You know what you need to know. My coven separated to become guardians.” He shrugged.

“That’s not all of it though is it?” Cam sighed, shaking his head. Jasmina could tell Aiden knew something that neither Cam or she did. Jasmina walked over to him, looking him in the eyes.

“He’s told you something that Cam doesn’t know didn’t he?” Jasmina said quietly. Aiden just smirked, shrugging his shoulders. Jasmina could hear his thoughts enough to know that she was right. “This isn’t some game. I have a right to know.” Jasmina sighed.

“Aiden why are you here?” Cam muttered. Jasmina ignored Cam and looked to Ewan.

“Was my mum in your coven?”

“Yes.” He shrugged, like it didn’t matter.

“When were you going to tell me?”

“I wasn’t. It’s irrelevant now.”

“Hardly! That’s where my powers came from and it turns out you knew her!” Jasmina snapped. Cam pulled her closer, trying to help make sure she kept my powers in check. Jasmina closed her eyes for a second and then focused on Ewan. “You know what? Fine. You didn’t care. Do you know if my dad knew about all this?”

“Yeah he did. He knew me back then. I’m hoping he will recognise me, so it will save us a lot of explaining.”

“Oh come on how could you not think it’s necessary for me to know this?” Jasmina muttered.

“Jasmina, what happened back then happened. It’s done. We went our separate ways and that was it.”

“No it wasn’t though was it? I ended up in a psych ward because of my powers, with no clue that I was a witch! Someone must have screwed up down the line and I want to know who!” Jasmina snapped. “And why does Aiden know all this anyway?”

“Hey give me a break.” Aiden smirked.

“You know what, if all you plan on doing is lying and hiding things from me, I don’t want anything to do with you, or this coven.” Jasmina muttered. She could feel Cam’s shock, but she did her best to ignore it.

"Well if you're not joining the cover there is no place for you here." Ewan shrugged, looking Jasmina in the eye. He spoke calmly, but Jasmina could tell just from his eyes that he was furious with her. She was thinking of what to say when Ruby stepped into the room, looking between Jasmina and Ewan.

"Did I seriously just hear that right?" Ruby frowned looking between Jasmina and Ewan.

"This doesn't concern you, Ruby." Ewan said in a warning tone, but Ruby ignored it.

"Jasmina is new to being a witch, she doesn't understand how this works, but I damn well do. You took an oath to become a guardian, you don't get to pick and choose who you help, you are duty bound to help any witch or warlock in need." Ruby snapped, looking Ewan right in the eye. Jasmina felt a sense of security as she watched Ruby take control of the situation.

"Ruby..." Ewan tried to interrupt.

"Don't Ruby me." She glared. She glanced back to Jasmina and she could see in Ruby's eyes that she was having a lightbulb moment. "You know what, I'm with Jasmina, no matter what she decides. If Jasmina says to hell with your little coven then so do I." Ruby said, sending a wink in Jasmina's direction. Jasmina just froze in place. She knew Ewan was blaming her and that was without looking into his mind. Ruby linked her arm through Jasmina's and took her out of the study and outside into the fresh air.

"Don't let him push you into anything." Ruby frowned. "I'm not exactly sure what I walked into in there but Ewan has no right to try and force you into a coven. He just wants his sons to be in a powerful coven and they need you for that. Don't make any decisions just because he's trying to intimidate you."

"Got it." Jasmina nodded, giving Ruby a hug. Without another word Ruby headed back inside, leaving Jasmina on her own. She decided she couldn't stay at the house any longer and started walking up the path to the road. She could feel that Cam was trying to find her but she wanted to get away. She could feel when Cam was getting closer and fast, so guessed he was in his car. He pulled up beside her and jumped out, leaving the car still running.

“Jasmina wait, please.” He said, catching her arm. She sighed, looking away. “Look it's just Aiden that you’ll have to be around and he isn’t always that bad, he just doesn’t take anything seriously.”

“It’s not just Aiden is it? It’s Sarah and definitely your dad. He isn’t in the coven but he’ll still be there, of course he will.”

“Jas look it’s just a difficult time right now, don’t make any rash decisions. Even if you don’t join us, you still need help with your training.” Cam pleaded. She hated being able to feel how upset and frustrated he was. It made it hard to walk away. Jasmina sighed heavily then buried her head in his chest.

“I hate magic.” She mumbled. He just smiled, hugging her tightly.

“Come on, I’ll give you a lift home."

“Fine." Jasmina sighed lightly, getting into the passenger seat. She closed her eyes as Cam started to drive off, doing her best to switch off for at least the journey home.