136
Lucy
I got in the backseat with Stacy, who pulled me close and glared over my head as Tony stood outside, just on the other side of David. I was grateful that I couldn’t hear anything. I hoped that he couldn’t see me.
Why weren’t we moving?
Stacy’s phone chimed. She checked it.
“Let’s get going,” she said.
The driver turned on the car and she continued to rock me before grabbing a blanket from the back.
“You’re freezing. It’s all right. We’ll get you back home and get you something warm to drink, okay?”
I nodded, shuddering. As we pulled away, I caught sight of Tony getting into the car and Matt following them. Soon, their car was following us. I shuddered.
“It’s all right,” Stacy said. “We’ve shaken better tails before.”
I watched the streets of Hecate City change and change again as we seemed to be just driving around. The driver maneuvered the car easily, navigating the city's bustling streets with ease, but I could tell from the way Stacy kept glancing back that it wasn’t making any difference. Tony and Matt were still following us.
“Persistent jerks, aren’t they?”
My heart raced in my chest, and my hands trembled uncontrollably. I could feel the panic start to come back over me. I couldn’t explain it. I didn’t remember feeling like this in the middle of it when I was still at the Blue Moon Estate, but now, just mentioning them seemed to freak me out.
I hated it. I yearned for the peace I had gotten so used to come back.
Stacy’s ringtone filled the car and an electronic female voice spoke.
“Incoming call from David.”
“Answer.”
Soon, I heard David’s voice coming through the car’s speaker system. “Deep breaths. I know you’re still being followed.”
“They’re persistent,” the driver said gruffly. “The guy’s a professional.”
“He’s not. He’s just got practice,” David said. “Your car isn’t tagged for portal jumps. Have Riley set that up for you going forward.”
Stacy huffed. “I didn’t think I could get one since I’m just a familiar.”
“You’re guardian to aa very important person right now. You can have just about anything you want. Is Lucy listening?”
“I-I’m here.”
His voice turned soft. “Close your eyes and breathe deeply in through your mouth and out through your nose. Count to eight each time. It’s going to be all right.”
I did as he asked, squeezing my eyes closed and trying to breathe.
“What’s the plan?” Stacy asked.
“Keep driving. My escort is following you. I’m sending a guide your way.”
“Following?” Stacy asked.
“Of course, all of this has to be documented, I’m transmitting this all to Liberation Front and Riley to push some things through on their ends. The Council isn’t the type to move against the twins unless they have undeniable proof. I have Knives heading your way. He’ll be in a hot red sports car. License plate: BHN8907, and he’ll take you through the Blood Moon portal.”
I frowned, still focusing on breathing.
“You have your own portal to Hecate?” Stacy asked.
David chuckled. “I do. I’ve had the twins’ car added to it. It’ll send Knives and the escort home, them to their own territory, and you’ll just drive through the tunnel still in Hecate.”
“That’s… pretty slick,” Stacy said. “And you’re sure it’ll work?”
“I got a very clear shot of their license plate,” he said and laughed. “I’m waiting on confirmation. If you follow Knives, he’ll lead you there when it’s time.”
“Roger,” the driver said.
“The nerve of those two,” Stacy said. “Thank you, David.”
“Of course… How are you feeling, Lucy?”
I swallowed. “B-Better.”
“I owe you chocolate cake. Your choice.”
“You didn’t do anything.”
“I pissed them off a little on purpose,” David said. “I didn’t want you to have to be anywhere nearby. I should have looked into better security since you were going to be out and about.”
He sighed. “I’ll do better. They weren’t here in an official capacity.”
“You shouldn’t blame yourself,” I said, blinking slowly, feeling the exhaustion start to tug on my eyelids. “It’s not your fault.”
“I hope you’re not feeling too nervous to keep going to school,” David said.
“We can always arrange for virtual attendance,” Stacy said.
I glanced out the window, the passing scenery a blur of colors and shapes. The thought of not going to school made my stomach turn. I shook my head. As the car glided along the road, I could see Tony and Matt’s car following us.
“They won’t stop,” I said. “Not until they can’t go on.”
I clenched my fist. “So, I can’t either.”
I looked at Stacy. “I’m going to learn to defend myself.”
She smiled and nodded. “I’ll get you a sifter strength tazer.”
I blinked at her. “What’s a tazer?”
David chuckled. “You’re going to be learning a lot more about those once you get into the Enforcer Academy.”
My lips twitched as I thought about it, and nodded. “I can’t wait.”
“I see Knives,” the driver said. I sat up to look through the window. The car was a brilliant red convertible with the top down. He lifted his hand in a wave.
Stacy laughed. “Not conspicuous at all.”
Soon, we drove through a tunnel that I had never seen before. The red car vanished into the darkness ahead of us. Then, we went through it and ended up somewhere I recognized. Tony and Matt’s car was nowhere to be seen.
As the car pulled up to Stacy's building, I took a deep breath, and calm settled over me. I felt drained and on the verge of going to sleep. Stacy leaned back.
“So much excitement.”
“All good?” David’s voice asked.
“We’re good. Thank you, David.”
“Any time. Get some rest, Lucy.”
“I will,” I said before the call disconnected.
I stepped out of the car with Stacy, who looped our arms together and led me inside and up to her office, where I could hear Riley speaking with someone. She sounded upset, but she smiled as we entered.
“How are you feeling? I hear you had an encounter of a twin kind.”
My lips twitched. “I’ll be okay.”
She nodded and pulled out a small box. With a gentle smile, she placed it in my hands. I opened it, revealing a delicate ring nestled within.
"This is a moving ring," she explained softly, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. "It will provide you with instant transportation, allowing you to travel discreetly and swiftly when the need arises. Until the barrier to repel unwanted people is finished, this is probably going to be your best bet to avoid running into them."
I licked my lips. “How does it work?”
“It’ll only take you to destinations within the city, but it’ll drop you in secure spots around the city.”
I slipped it onto my finger, feeling its weight settle against my skin then it vanished. She reached out and showed me how the controls worked and set up some default locations. Stacy’s building, the coven campus, and the college campus were the main ones. I added the setting for the nearest Enforcer station too.
Once I spoke with Riley about everything that had happened, I headed to my room to eat, shower, and maybe get some rest. I was too tired to try and get any homework done. Maybe I’d wake up later and get something done. As I was slipping into bed, my phone buzzed with a new message. I glanced down, seeing Luke's name illuminating the screen. I opened the message,
Pack your bags, Lucy, the message read. We're going on a field trip this weekend.
I smiled at the thought and replied.
Sounds great. What should I pack?
I opened my eyes to the forest clearing again. Before the Moon Goddess even appeared, I turned away from the clearing and walked back into the forest. The paths kept leading back to the clearing, and I huffed.
Finally, I turned back to the rock where the Moon Goddess usually sat. She had a white wolf beside her. His paw was broken as she stroked his head.
“You’re starting to irritate me, Lucy,” she said calmly, not looking at me. I looked around for the other white wolf or even the black wolf that usually showed up. My heart was pounding as the forest was quiet around me.
“I will only give you one more chance before I have to start taking drastic measures,” she said. “You must go to the twins and take your place with them. You will give them children just as I planned.”
She lifted her gaze. Her eyes glinted with moonlight and anger.
“If you continue to fight me, I will have no other option than to make you comply.”
I met her gaze. I felt the terror pressing on me, but I thought of what Triton told me and lifted my chin.
“No.”
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
