Witchery

Chapter 18

I promise I’ll bring you here soon, love, but not right now. I still need to make sure that you can handle it.” Adriel’s voice tells me over the phone. 

I am laying on my stomach in my bed, it is Thursday midday, and Sera is, for the first time since I arrived in her house, feeling a bit down. She doesn’t really want company, like she usually does. She has stayed in her bedroom most of the day, and I feel rather confused and alone in the big, empty house. When I went down to get a snack before, I realised we don’t really have anything to eat or drink in the house, and that is why I decided to call Adriel. Also, of course to have someone to talk to. I have realized it is much harder to be alone, than I had thought it to be, probably because I am never really alone. But now, I can hear my own thoughts very clearly, and I do not want to focus on them. They scare me. So after spending the morning on writing in my dream journal, then going over the rest of my dreams, that I have been writing this week ever since Lena suggested it, I decided to call Adriel. 

“Baby, I get you don’t feel comfortable about the situation with my mum right now, but don’t worry, nothing will happen to her.”

“Well I… I guess I just don’t feel that good about being alone.” I admit, shaking my head even though he can’t see me.

There is a short silence, before he says, “Oh, I see, I am sorry baby. I wish I could be there or bring you here as you suggested. But I am in the middle of a meeting, I only have a ten minutes break, which is up soon, by the way. I am really sorry baby.” 

“It’s… it’s okay, Adriel, I actually also called to ask you something else.”

“What is it, love?” 

“We don’t really have any food left in the fridge, and since Sera isn’t feeling too well, I thought I might go do the grocery shopping?” 

“Baby, no. You know you can’t just walk around alone like that.” 

“But why not? It is in the middle of the day in a sleepy neighborhood where everyone knows everyone. What could possible happen to me? The shop is only a five minutes’ walk from here.”

“Baby, I said no. I don’t want it. Anything could happen to you in those minutes.” 

“Adriel, I am already alone. What do you honestly think would happen if someone broke into this house to kidnap me now when your mother is feeling the way she is right now?” 

There is another silence in the other end of the speaker, before he says,

“I trust my mother’s senses. She is very skilled, and she will do anything for you. I trust her to know that she can take a day like this, without it interfering with your safety.” 

“But how can you say that?” I yell exhausted. 

Adriel’s voice changes. “Listen, baby, if you feel unsafe right now, I will gladly send someone over to keep watch. But you are not going anywhere without me, Sera, or Ariana, okay?” 

I don’t even know what to answer. Angry tears are actually spilling down my cheeks, and I wipe them away annoyed, thinking he doesn’t deserve all my tears these days. 

“Do you want me to send someone over, Esme?” Adriel asks when I don’t answer. 

“No.” I coldly answer. 

“Okay, can I trust you to stay where you are?” 

“Yes.” 

“Good, baby, I’ll pick you up at four as usual, and I’ll dot the shopping for you while you are with Ariana, okay?” 

“Yes.” 

“Great baby, I have to go now. See you in a few hours.” He says and hangs up after I have mumbled “see you” as a response. 

I let go of my breath and throw my head into the pillow. Book number two of Harry Potter, which has been laying by my side, slides to the madras on the floor with a soft thud.

I raise myself, picking up the book, and carry on reading while soft music plays in the background from my phone, a habit of the White’s I have easily picked up. 

I guess I could call Ariana, but I don’t want to bother her with small talk right before I am coming over for dinner. Maybe I should try Elise again? But she hasn’t answered me since I started calling her yesterday. I try to concentrate on Harry Potter and luckily, I soon get drawn into the story, swallowed by the plot.

This is also why I don’t realize the time is quarter past four, before my phone makes a small blip, having me look up. It is just a notification from i********:, someone started following my account. But Adriel hasn’t said anything about being late. I look up, out the window, starring at the blue sky. 

He is not usually this late, at least he would tell me, right?

What if something has happened to him? My thoughts start wandering. All of a sudden, the house doesn’t seem as safe anymore. Sera is probably sleeping; she would never notice if someone snuck in and stole me away. And worse yet, what if they already have Adriel? What if they are torturing information about my whereabouts out of him? What if they are coming through the front door as I am thinking these thoughts?

I get up, panicking. But I don’t know what to do. Should I hide? But where? Maybe I should find something to defend myself with. 

My heart beats faster and faster, and it is like my brain is following suit. I see black dots for my eyes, and the sound of my own feet moving makes me retreat back to the bed. 

No, Esme, you can’t retreat back like this, you have to defend yourself!  Someone in my brain yells. I get back up from the bed, crawling my way back to the door. My heart is in my throat, my fingers slippery at the doorknob. The rest of me feels cold. 

I slowly open up the door, peeking out. No one’s there. I make it to the stairs, slowly descending, after checking that there aren’t anyone standing at the foot of it. I slip into the bathroom, knowing there is a cabinet holding brooms for sweeping the floor. Clumsily, I get it out from between the cleaning products, my movements finally showing the tumult of thoughts in my brain. Something tips over in the process, making a barging sound when it hits the floor. I jump, almost screaming, retreating, to the bathtub with the broom. I draw the shower curtains and lay down in the bathtub. My breath it rapid, my heart is pumping, and my fingers are numb around the broomstick. 

I don’t know for how long I lay there, imagining all the horrible things, Adriel is being pulled through right now. I remember how they cut in my back and in my arms, the pain is so real, I can still feel it. My arms go weak, almost letting go of the broom. Will they cut him open too? Or something worse. 

I imagine them hanging him from the ceiling, taking turns to hit him and whip him. Blood is running down over his dark, handsome face. Maybe they’ll even… 

Someone’s at the door. I can feel the present with my wolf. Someone is knocking. I freeze, completely unable to do anything. Darkness overwhelm me…

When I wake up, I am, once again, laying on the couch, Adriel’s worried face hovering over me. 

“What… what happened?” I ask, unsure. Everything seems so unreal. Hadn’t they… kidnapped Adriel? 

“I thought you… you were gone.” I whisper, my voice breaking. 

“Gone? Where, baby?” 

I frown. “I thought, they had… taken you.” 

“They, baby?” 

“The… the warlocks.” My voice is barely there. 

Adriel smiles for the first time. 

“No baby, they can’t kidnap me, I am way too strong for that, don’t worry.” 

I recognize that he lets go of his breath at the same time as I do. 

“Maybe you should skip dance class today, baby.” He suggests. 

“No.” I almost yell, widened my eyes. “I want to go.” 

“You just had another panic attack.”

I sit up, realizing what had me panicking. 

“Yes, because you didn’t tell me you were late.” I yell accusingly. 

Adriel’s eyes widen. 

“Oh baby, I am so sorry. The meeting pulled out. I should’ve told you, but I was just so focused on getting it over with so I could go home. I am really sorry.” 

He takes me in his arms, and I think about how all he does is apologizing to me these days.

“I have to go.” I whisper. “I can’t just sit around like this all day, it clearly drives me insane.” 

Adriel slowly nods. 

“Okay, baby, then get your stuff, you won’t make it in time to have dinner with Ari, so I’ll just make you a quick sandwich, then we’ll go, okay?” 

I get up, hurrying back to my bedroom, firstly texting Ari that I’ll be late – she has already send me a text, asking, when I am coming – then reaching for my sports bag, changing to my sports clothes, before going back downstairs. 

Adriel has made me a nice, ryebread sandwich, and he is eating one himself. 

“You are quick” He says, before taking a bite from his own. “But you look great.” 

“Thank you.” I smile, feeling the mood changing between us. I take up my own sandwich, realizing I am really hungry.

“Let’s go.” He says as soon as we both finish eating, and I put on my jacket, following him to his car. 

“So, what was the meeting about?” I ask, once I sit comfortably with my seatbelt on. 

“It was about security matter. The patrol to the east of the city has spotted unusual activities lately and we want to go investigate. However, the human world is pretty… bureaucratic to navigate. Sometimes these things just take much more time than needed.” He sighs, speeding up, going faster than the speed limit. 

“That sounds really annoying.” I say, feeling his irritation spreading to his Alpha aura.

“It is super frustrating. I just want to get moving.” 

“But why do the humans have to decided whether you go investigating or not?” I ask, frowning. 

“Because they spotted unusual activity, too. And since they are the ones who control the city, the area is first and foremostly theirs to investigate. They usually ask us to cooperate with them, though. They can’t deny that we have some skills that are pretty useful in an investigation.” 

“Ah I see.” I murmur, not really being able to keep up with these things. I don't really understand how the world works and why.

“Maybe I should start an education or something?” I suggest. 

“An education?”

“Yes, I probably haven’t even finished high school yet if it’s five years ago since I disappeared.” 

“But honey, we are in the end of a school semester. You’ll have to wait until after the summer holiday to attend. But yes, for sure, it is a good idea.” 

“I just, I don’t really understand all these things and I hate not being able to follow. It also doesn’t make any sense for you to share all these things with me when I don’t understand anyways.” 

He frowns, thinking about it for a second, before shrugging, saying,

“I guess that is true enough.” 

He burst out in laughter, and I stick a finger in his side, annoyed, but his laughter soon infects me and I laugh with him. 

Soon after, we roll up next to Ari’s apartment. There are only ten minutes before class starts, so she is waiting outside her building, a pair of sunglasses in her hair, and matching pink trousers and sports bra. She looks great, I have to say, and I look down over my own black outfit, regretting I didn’t opt for the red sports bra I left at home. 

I kiss Adriel goodbye, and he tells me, he’ll go food shopping for me and Sera before coming back to pick me up as usual. 

Ariana and I cross the street, which is pretty busy for a Thursday afternoon. Cars are driving and people are hanging around the street cafes. Music is drifting out from the open windows, and the weather is summerly. I love the relaxed atmosphere, smiling as we walk in to the studio.

We don’t have to wait for long outside the dance studio before Tinka joins us with her usual good mood. 

“You two seem a bit down today.” She notices as “hello”. 

“Esme didn’t make it for dinner today.” Ari just shrugs. 

“Adriel was late.” I defend myself, crossing my arms. 

“Yes, but you might still have made it.” Ari solemnly points out. 

“What happened.” Tinka shoots me a look. 

“I… Adriel was late and I… Panicked.” My cheeks redden. Admitting this to the girls really has me seeing I was completely out of my senses earlier on. 

“Oh baby girl.” Tinka laughs, actually giving me a hug, stroking my back. 

“You silly thing.” 

“Stop Tinka, don’t you think I already feel embarrassed enough as it is?” I ask, but I welcome her embrace nevertheless. 

The door opens, and the other class files out in the hallway. 

Benjamin, the guy we met last time I took this class, immediately heads for us with some of his friends. 

“Ariana, Tinka, Esme, nice to see you here again. When will you start taking this class instead?” He  sends us a smile, which he undoubtedly think looks teasingly but mostly just looks scary, before  turning his full attention to Ariana. 

“When Esme wants to change classes.” She just answers, crossing her arms. 

“Oh right, of course. I miss your energy in there, that’s all. Anyways, they have this dance event s***h party afterwards tomorrow, do you guys wanna come?” 

He is addressing all of us, but he is still only looking at Ariana with this disgusting look in his eyes. 

“Oh yeah, I heard about it, it starts in the Hall, right?” Tinka asks, looking excited. 

“Yes, it does, we have this guest instructor in Cuban Salsa coming over, it’s gonna be lit. But I think we’ll hit the city afterwards to party on.” 

“That would be so much fun.” Tinka says. 

“Yeah, that sounds like fun.” I agree. 

Benjamin finally takes his eyes off Ariana to look at me. His green eyes pierce mine, and I fight an urge to look away. I never noticed this before, but he definitely has an alpha aura, even though it isn’t as strong as Ariana or Adriel’s.

“Yes, do come along, Esme, I’d love to see how the Alpha’s girl party. But please don’t bring your boyfriend.” 

“I won’t, don’t worry.” I feel like I am stuck in a staring competition between me and Benjamin for a few seconds, before he finally smiles, nods and tells us, 

“Text me when you know you are coming.” 

Then he and his friends leave. 

“You are so not gonna come, the Boss won’t allow it.” Tinka says, sounding upset. 

“Hmm, I don’t know, he has a lot to apologize for these days. I might just convince him it would make it all up if I am allowed to go. And if you and Ari swear on your life that you won’t leave me, then it should be fine. I hope.”

“Haha look at you girl, go claim your independence.” Tinka laughs.

“I mean, I am an adult.” I add, laughing with her. 

We almost have to push Ari inside the room, it is like her brain is somewhere else entirely. I, once again, regret I didn’t make it for dinner. Something must be up with Elise. But the three of us soon loose our self in the choreography, all of us having fun with the combination. Gabriella, the dance teacher, also tells us about the event next day, urging all of us to go. Ariana also finally looks like she would be excited to go, although she doesn’t want to join Benjamin and his friends. Tinka and I can only agree to this. I don’t know why, but he creeps me out, and I can’t stand the way he stares at Ari all the time, like he doesn’t care that she is in a relationship, he’ll do whatever to get into her pants. It is disgusting, if I am being honest.

Outside the dance studio, Adriel’s car is waiting as usual. I tell the two girls I’ll text them, as soon as I know whether I can go tomorrow or not, before we head our separate ways.

“Hi babe, how was dance class?” Adriel asks me when I get into the car. 

“It was great. Actually… there is this dance event tomorrow evening that Tinka, Ari and I would really love to go to. So uhm, can I go?” 

“You never really just relax, do you?” Adriel laughs. 

“Yes I do. Every day while you and Ari and Tinka are working.” I sulk.

“I have to talk to Ari about this, I need more information than just “dance event Friday”. Sounds like you are going out.” He raises an eyebrow. 

“And what if I am? Come on Adriel, you treat me like a child. And when you promise me something, you show up too late causing me to freak out. Just one night with the girls. Ari and Tinka has promised me that they won’t leave my side.” 

Adriel looks hurt for a second when I point his mistake earlier this afternoon out, but it is only a flash for a second before he rearranges his features. 

“I’ll talk to Ari when we get home. Let’s not discuss this any further now.” 

I pout and stare out of the window for the rest of the drive back home while he explains me he went shopping for me and Sera and what he brought and so on. I don’t really pay attention, however I offer him to help him unload the car from grocery bags once we are back. He lets me carry the lightest ones inside, where, to both our surprises, we find Sera sitting in the kitchen, drinking tea, listening to the radio. 

“Welcome home, how was dance class?” She asks me, smiling. 

“It was great, thank you.” I smile. 

“I am sorry I was so off today. It is a long time since I last have felt like this.” 

“Don’t worry, it was fine.” I lie, before excusing myself to the shower. 

I spend too much time under the hot water, feeling all the sweat and all the energy wash away from me. 

When I finally get out, I can hear muffled voices in the kitchen, so I return finding Adriel and Sera in discussion where I left them at the kitchen table. 

“Was it a nice shower?” Adriel asks me while waving me closer. I hesitantly walk towards him and when I am within his reach, he grabs a hold on my waist, catching me in his embrace. I let myself go, relaxing in his nearness. He has me sitting in his lap, Sera across from us. Her lips are formed in an almost playful smile. 

“Listen, Esme, I talked to Ariana about tomorrow and you can go. I feel like I haven’t really listened to you, when you have tried to tell me you feel trapped here and feel like I treat you like a child. A thing that both Ari and my dear mum has pointed out to me this evening as well, by the way. I want to make it up to you. You can even sleep at Ariana’s or Tinka’s if you want to and I promise I won’t stalk you around, as long as you promise me to stay close to Ariana for the entire evening. She, of course has also promised the same.” 

I am speechless. I really had not thought he would agree after all. 

“Okay, I promise you.” I whisper. I feel inclined to say ‘thank you’ to him as well, but that just seems too childish, right? 

“That’s my baby.” He says and kisses my cheek. 

I feel overwhelmed with happiness and eagerly pick up my phone to text Tinka that I am coming tomorrow. She is quick with her response, writing, “Awesome, do you want to sleep over at my place?” Which I agree to at once. 

A yawn escapes my mouth and both Sera and Adriel laughs, telling me I should go to bed. Adriel then, without warning, picks me up and starts carrying me upstairs even though I weakly protest in his arms. He throws me on his bed and immediately starts kissing me everywhere in my face. 

I try to push him off, playfully, but his lips soon enough find mine and this is where my protesting ends. 

Adriel’s hands start wandering over my body, and I let mine explore his hair, his neck, and his back, as far as I can reach, too. 

“Don’t worry.” He whispers when I stiffen a bit after he caresses my breast, “I won’t go further, I just want you to get use to my touch.” 

I nod, letting him go where he wants to without further hesitation. When he pulls away, I know that I won’t be able to hold him away for much longer. My inner wolf is practically howling in disdain.