Ch. 93: Birthday Plans

CHAPTER NINETY-THREE
Rachel~
“So what would you like to do for your birthday?” Sean asked me.
We were seated by the school’s community garden, looking down over the edge of the hill, down towards the ocean. It was definitely cold today as January was in full swing, but staying in the sun’s rays was keeping me warm.
“Umm… I’m not really sure. I usually need to do something indoors. February usually means rain. Growing up I had indoor pool parties, bowling parties, movie theater visits in a group - that sort of thing,” I said thinking aloud.
“How would you feel about a big drive-in? We can do the same setup as before but invite whoever you’d like to come too?” Sean suggested, swinging his legs that were dangling from the ledge we currently sat on.
“Sure, that could be fun,” I said. Then after a moment I added, “Although I don’t think it would be anyone other than like Ally and Kyle, Lana, maybe Marsha if she’s feeling up to it, Maxine - if she ever comes back from France. Hmmm… I guess June and them if I really push it.”
I started thinking about all the people I knew and tried to figure out who I would consider a good friend, more than a school-friend. My head pounded once. A throbbing shot straight to my temple and I winced.
“You okay?” Sean asked, watching me closely.
“Yeah I think so. Maybe I should get out of the sun or something…” I suggested.
He nodded and we walked back towards the school to sit at a bench underneath a tree. I guess that was better.
“Well, that’s fine. A small group can be more… meaningful group,” he pointed out.
“Yeah, I guess…” I said, my mind still reading some mental list, scanning it for something. Someone. Maybe a few ‘someone’s.
“Hey!” Kyle yelled in greeting from far off.
“Hmph,” Sean grunted out. Did he not like Kyle? Why do I feel like I already knew that?
“Hi, what’s up?” I asked him as he approached us, Ally trailing behind.
“Oh I was wondering if I could talk with you about something?” Ally said, her tone laced with suggestion.
“Yeah, why don’t we get to know each other better while these ladies talk about whatever they need to discuss?” Kyle asked Sean, already slinging his arm around Sean’s shoulders and steering him away.
I looked at Ally for a minute, and she watched them get further before she said, “Sorry to interrupt. I just need a friend.”
“Of course,” I said, reassuring her. We hadn’t talked much since she dropped the whole magic-is-real-I’m-a-witch-Kyle’s-a-fae bomb on me. “Usual spot?” I asked, arching a brow.
“Yeah, sounds perfect,” Ally said, walking with me towards our spot on the top of the staircase.
We sat down and Ally let out a big sigh.
“So, I’m having a hard time- it’s uh, guy stuff,” she started. She glanced towards the ocean and pier down below then back at me.
“Okay, is this about Joey? Is he still bothering you?” I asked.
“No, no, he finally gave up right before break. I think he gets it now. We just weren’t right together,” she said, then held out a hand. “Oh wait, sorry. I’m so used to glazing over magic stuff. But since you know - yeah he was just… I’m not sure. But I sensed darkness in him and well, I think he was into me for the wrong reasons.”
“Oh,” I said, a little startled.
“Yeah, no. Uh this is about a new guy,” she said, grinning and all red-faced.
“Oh my gosh! Tell me!” I demanded.
Whoever he was, was making her downright giddy and gushy. It was so nice to see that.
“Yeah, it’s complicated unfortunately…” she looked down at her hands while she fidgeted with her bracelet.
“What’s wrong?” I prodded gently.
“Well, he’s a werewolf,” she paused, looking up to see my reaction.
“A…?” I asked again.
“Werewolf,” she repeated.
“Uh, yeah. Okay…” I stuttered.
“Yeah, it’s just. Like remember what I told you at the park? Usually species don’t mix like that. But it looks like you’re not the only exception…” she added, smiling shyly.
“Well who is he? I need to meet the guy making you all red and smiling!” I teased her.
“His name is Nick - and actually, he’s my mate,” she said proudly.
Nick. Did I know Nick? I feel like I do…
“Nick? Where is he from?” I asked Ally.
“Oh from around here,” she said evasively. “Goes to Piso.”
Oh, maybe that’s why that sounds familiar.
“So there are werewolves around here, huh?” I asked again, trying to accept all of this new world that I was recently clued into.
“Yeah, and while my mom couldn’t care any less about the species of who I love, werewolves still hold a ton of prejudices. Especially with witches,” she said looking back down, discouraged. “It’s hard - I want to have him fully in my life and be fully in his life, but his parents and his pack. They would never accept us.”
“Love?” I said, surprised.
Ally laughed, a huge smile on her face. “Yeah, when it comes to mates - it’s just - unreal. I’ve known him for a long time but never thought of him seriously in that way since he never seemed to be into girls - or guys - or whoever. But, when we figured out we were mates, it’s like it’s all fallen into place since then.”
“How did you figure it out?” I asked her, poking at her leg, digging for more information.
Ally blushed again. “Well at first, I smelled this delicious scent and I guess I smelled amazing to him too - he told me about it,” she laughed. “And then when I really looked into his eyes, it was like the world went away. No other sounds or things mattered. It was only him.” She squealed. “Oh! And when I put my hand in his, it was electrifying, in the best way. I never wanted to let go. Even now when I’m away from him, it’s like I crave him. I reach for his hand even when he’s not here. It’s just - so - so - beautiful. Magnetic. Powerful.”
I was grinning like the Cheshire cat as she described this amazing connection.
When she finished, her words hung in the air, as I wondered to myself: if that’s what mates feel like, then why was it so different for me? Was it because I’m human? Well, mostly human?


Sean~
It was starting to get difficult keeping this spell in place. That connection she had with that da*n dog was really strong. I’m not sure if I’m going to make it to her birthday without some reinforcements.
If I could just make it to February… I had everything in place to cast the Binding spell. Then, at last her connection would weaken and over time our bonding would create a pseudo-soulmate bond. At which point my power would grow exponentially. If only I could get there. If only her birthday were today.
I asked her about birthday plans, but it wouldn’t matter what we did. By midnight on January 31st, right as it became February 1st, I would cast the spell and it would become so much easier to keep the veil in its place.
She would make me the strongest warlock in existence, and I would appease her when I could. She’d learn to be happy. She’d learn to love me. Obey me. This persona I was putting on to keep her on the hook was really getting old fast. But I needed to be careful. Every time I let myself slip she seemed to start picking at the veil. No, in the meantime I had to keep up this persona, and had to keep her happy. This spell was going to wipe me out entirely, and while it was going to cost me the life of my sister, I feel like eventually her spirit will forgive me. I mean, I’m doing this all for our family. She should be proud to lay down her life for the strength of our bloodline.
I’m starting to think her friends are suspicious of me, and I’m determined to learn what they think they know.
“So, tell me about yourself, man,” that annoying fairy asked me, having just steered me away from Rachel.
I wasn’t done amplifying my power for the day, and here this little bright fairy was, taking me away from her. But what could I have done? I need to keep up the facade.
Pushing down my anger and desire to flick this nuisance across the state, I put on my best fake genuine smile.
“No, no. You first my man,” I said, patting his back. Albeit a little roughly.
Can’t help the anger completely.
“Oh well, not much. Grew up here in town, you know. Will likely not move far after school. Been kidnapped and imprisoned late last year. You know, nothing much,” he said, smiling viciously.
Kidnapped huh? My face revealed nothing.
“That’s funny dude,” I laughed, my best carefree chuckle coming out.
Kyle looked into me and placed a hand on my arm. It felt cool and suddenly I felt really drowsy.
I pushed him away roughly with my free hand.
“Woah dude, I don’t know you like that,” I said, teasing tone, with a layer of warning.
We looked at each other, eyes narrowing, trying to figure each other out.
Dream Walker, I concluded at last. He had to be. Very interesting.